HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Reno County valuation notices have gone out for residents, businesses and utilities. Although the numbers will likely change because of protests, the total valuation in Reno County increased by about 2 percent in 2019.

According to the Reno County Appraiser’s office, the county’s valuation totaled $3.601 billion compared with $3.535 billion in 2018. The difference is just over $66.4 million. The numbers are very preliminary and likely to change.

What that will mean to government budgets and taxpayers is still well into the future. Government entities won’t get into the full budget process until late spring or early summer.

HALSTEAD, Kan. — With little fanfare, the governing board for the Equus Beds Groundwater Management District rejected the proposal from the city of Wichita to draw water directly from sources instead of injecting it into the aquifer first. The action came during Tuesday’s annual meeting.

It’s part of an agreement made by the city and the district several years ago. General Manager Tim Boese says the matter now goes to a hearing before the Kansas Division of Water Resources. That hearing is set for March 26 and 27 in Colwich. Boese says the proposal simply goes against policies with the state of Kansas.

Boese also says that this year’s well testing is completed and the preliminary numbers look favorable. There are some areas where the aquifer is down in McPherson and Harvey counties, but the water table stayed level or even gained as much as a foot in most areas.

The final numbers won’t be known for another four to six weeks.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Motorists who have purchased gas at three Hutchinson Kwik Shops have had their cars stop dead for what is apparently contaminated gasoline.

Several car dealerships have reported numerous cars being brought in after purchasing gas in the past day.

According to service managers at both Midwest Superstore and Midway Motors, the gas has been contaminated with diesel fuel. Allen Samuels is also reporting both diesel and regular gas-powered vehicles having similar problems. Efforts to contact Kwik Shop were unsuccessful.

The three stores known to have sold the fuel are at 4th and K-61, 43rd and Plum and 17th and Lorraine.

There is no word about what is being done at this time to prevent any further damage and breakdowns.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — There are a couple of new announcements for this year’s Kansas State Fair.

The first is that the fair will have two nights with no grandstand concert. During those evenings, there will be free concerts at Bretz and Young Arena. Those concerts will be free and seating will be on a first-come-first-served basis. The concerts will be on Sept. 10 and Sept. 12.

The Explore Kansas Festival is also new this year. It will take place the first week of the fair.

The fair hopes the festival will teach fairgoers about things the state has to offer. The two-day showcase will bring together communities and attractions from all across the state, creating a place for the public to discover Kansas treasures. The festival will run Sept. 7 and 8.

The Explore Kansas Festival could help visitors find unique cafes, fishing holes, hiking trails, next summer’s vacation spot, historic sites, natural landmarks, museums, performing centers, arts and culture, and events — or even a new place to call home.

The Kansas State Fair opens Sept. 6.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — For a second time, the Hutchinson City Council rejected bids for the proposed pavilion shelter house at Rivers Banks Orchard Park during Tuesday’s regular meeting.

This comes after a second round of bids came in well over the bond money allocated for the project. During the meeting, Parks Director Justin Combs asked the council to reject the low bid of $1.3 million. “I really don’t have a solid recommendation,” Combs said when it came to the original proposals. He did offer a different proposal, which includes an open-air shelter house with enclosed bathrooms attached. Combs said that could fall within the budget. “I think we could achieve that goal,” Combs added.

However, the council was more in agreement to put a halt to any immediate plans for the shelter rather than move forward. The city is facing a deadline to spend the bond money. Law prohibits the city from hanging on to the bonded funds over a period of time.

The council expressed hope that, when the park’s master plan is finished later this spring, it can find a way to either fund some type of shelter house at the park or build a smaller shelter and fund other park needs. A third option would be to use the bonded money for another major project, such as the Fun Valley renovation.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson fire crews responded to a structure fire Tuesday morning.

Crews responded to the 200 block of East G Avenue just after 10 a.m. and found the back of a small one-story home on fire with smoke coming through the front of the home.

The department says the homeowner was attempting to thaw frozen pipes in a crawl space with a heat source. The occupant exited the building, but did suffer minor smoke inhalation. Reno County EMS examined him on scene, but he refused to be transported to the hospital.

This is the second fire in two days in which someone has attempted to thaw frozen pipes. The Hutchinson Fire Department would like to remind residents, again, to never use an open flame or high heat source to thaw frozen pipes. If using an electric hair dryer or portable space heater to thaw pipes, keep away from flammable materials and never leave space heaters unattended. If you are unable to thaw the pipe, call a licensed plumber.

The Hutchinson Fire Department was assisted by the Hutchinson Police Department, Westar, Kansas Gas and Reno County EMS.

SOUTH HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The South Hutchinson City Council refused to fast-track any decision on Sunday liquor sales during Monday’s meeting despite the efforts of a few in attendance that wanted the matter passed immediately.

Greg Dovel, who is opening a liquor and smoke shop in the city, wanted the council to pass Sunday liquor sales last night. New Police Chief Dean Harcrow said Monday that he would rather have the council take time to think about the matter before taking any action — Dovel agreed.

Dovel said he had seen petitions being circulated against Sunday liquor sales and suggested Mayor Luke Herren was behind the effort. He also said  Herren told local media that the matter would come up for a public vote. In fact, Herren told Hutch Post that the matter would come up for public vote if it gained enough traction.

Such a vote would have to come by petition or action by the council. Even if the council were to pass an ordinance for Sunday liquor sales, a petition could still be mounted for, or against, the matter. It would be voted on by the public. Dovel and those in favor stressed to the council that the city is losing revenue by not having Sunday liquor sales. Those in favor were hoping to fast-track the matter instead of waiting what could be several months for action or a vote.

The matter will come up for discussion at the next meeting on Monday, March 18.

SOUTH HUTCHINSON, Kan. — South Hutchinson has a new police chief.

Longtime Hutchinson police officer Dean Harcrow was appointed chief during Tuesday’s agenda session.

Harcrow talked about his decision to take on the new role:

Harcrow comes to South Hutchinson with the department in transition. He talked about what he hopes to accomplish with the new job:

Harcrow was with the Hutchinson Police Department for more than 20 years. Before that, he was with the Elkhart Police Department.