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Author: Hutch Post Staff

Union Pacific reports strong 4Q earnings

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HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The quarterly earnings session for companies with connections to Hutchinson got off to a good start as Union Pacific reported quarterly earnings of $2.12 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.06 per share. This compares to earnings of $1.53 per share a year ago.

The nation’s largest railroad posted revenues of $5.76 billion for the quarter that ended December 2018, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.66 percent. This compares to year-ago revenues of $5.45 billion. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates four times over the last four quarters.

Operating revenue of $5.8 billion was up 6 percent in the fourth quarter 2018 compared to the fourth quarter 2017. Fourth quarter business volumes, as measured by total revenue carloads, increased 3 percent compared to 2017. Strong growth in industrial and premium shipments more than offset declines in agricultural products and energy.

UP’s performance on the rails still suffered from congestion problems as average train speed declined by 3 percent, although goods did move out of yards and terminals faster.

Union Pacific employs nearly 3,000 workers in Kansas and runs between 20 and 25 trains per day. The railroad carries a valuation in excess of $7.5 million in Reno County.

Developer wants to expand Commerce Gardens

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HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Another developer is proposing a new apartment complex for the city. The Hutchinson Housing Commission met on Wednesday and approved three proposals for new housing or apartments.

The proposal, which came before the Housing Commission at the last minute Wednesday, is from Investment Resources Corporation. The developer wants to expand the Commerce Gardens campus on East 11th. The expansion calls for 48 two- and three-bedroom units in four newly constructed buildings.

The income subsidized apartment complex underwent a major renovation several years ago in which all existing buildings were razed and an entirely new complex was built. Like the other two proposals approved by the commission, the project would rely on tax credits from the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation.

In addition to that proposal, Manske and Associates proposed teaming up with Interfaith Housing to renovate the old St. Elizabeth’s Hospital on West 20th to turn it into a 47-unit apartment complex.

The third proposal came from Disability Support of the Great Plains, who wants to use the low-income tax credits to build an affordable housing project for persons with disabilities. The agency already owns the land on Waldron. The proposal would include 20 units built in the form of duplexes and triplexes.

Siemens Gamesa wins Ohio contract

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HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Another wind project has been landed by Siemens Gamesa, this time in Ohio. The number one wind turbine maker in the world has been awarded the turbine supply contract for the 242MW Scioto Ridge onshore wind farm by Innogy Renewables US.

The deal includes the supply of 63 3.4-132 and nine 2.6-114 wind turbines for the project, located in in Hardin and Logan counties According to Renews.biz

The order also includes a 10-year service and maintenance agreement.
Commissioning of the project, the first Innogy is building on US soil, is expected in the Autumn of 2020.

Siemens Gamesa’s blade factory in Fort Madison, Iowa, and nacelle and hub assembly facility here in Hutchinson, will provide the components for the project.

Siemens Gamesa has installed 200 wind turbines across two projects, totaling over 400MW in the state of Ohio.

Arconic sale implodes due to underfunded pension concerns

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HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Just a day after it appeared that Arconic had a buyer for its company, an announcement came that they have abandoned any sell off to Apollo Global Management. It was a proposed deal worth an estimated $10 billion.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the company said it won’t sell after a months long auction process for the embattled spin off company of Alcoa.

The news came as a surprise to Apollo, which had teamed up with activist hedge fund Elliott Management Corp. on the deal, according to people familiar with the matter. Both firms learned of the board’s decision not to pursue the transaction when Arconic issued a press release Tuesday morning. A major sticking point came with underfunded pension payments to its employees which was enough to stop the deal according to an article in Financial Times.

Arconic employs about 75 workers at its metals finishing plant here in Hutchinson.

UPDATE: Hutch police K-9 officer officially on duty

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Updated Thursday, Jan. 24, 11:32 a.m.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Police Department now has a new K-9 unit. Officer Tank was given his badge with the number 109 on it.

New K-9 officer Tank with his handler, Officer James Sanders.

While they say Tank completed his training and will now be on patrol, his handler, officer James Sanders says it was really him who went through the training:

 

Sanders says the dog is living with him to help with that bond.

The ceremony was held inside the Reno County Courthouse in an area empty after county departments moved across the street to the Reno County Annex. It consisted of some comments from Hutchinson Police Chief Jeffrey Hooper and a member from Cause for Pause.

Chief Hooper talked about the help of Cause for Pause and how the organization made the whole thing possible:

 

In addition to detecting drugs, Chief Hooper says Tank could potentially save a life:

 

Tank received his badge during the ceremony.

Original Story

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — It was one of the many changes New Hutchinson Police Chief Jeff Hooper wanted to implement in the force. A K-9 unit.

And Thursday morning Chief Hooper will be swearing in the new K-9 to join his handler, Officer James Sanders. Tank, will wear badge number 109. Tank has completed his training and will be on patrol in the next couple of days.

Tank has been trained in narcotics detection and tracking. The ceremony will be in the front lobby of the LEC starting at 9 a.m. so people can be there without having to go through courthouse security.

Cosmosphere to help celebrate new B-29 Hangar and Education Center

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HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Cosmosphere will be on-hand in Wichita Saturday to help celebrate a new home for “Doc,” the B-29 bomber that was recently restored in Wichita. The celebration of the Doc Hangar and Education Center will run from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. at the hangar located at Eisenhower National Airport.

A combination of a working hangar for the aircraft and a hands-on educational facility, visitors to
the B-29 Doc Hangar will have the opportunity to watch technicians maintain one of two
operational B-29s in existence. Additionally, visitors will experience stories and artifacts related to WWII and the restoration of Doc, a process which was 16 years in the making and took more than 100 volunteers 450,000 hours to complete. The Cosmosphere was also a big part of the hangar project.

The Cosmosphere was contracted to help with the design and layout of the visitors and education center portion of the new facility, including historic exhibits, assembly of the artifact cases and creation of coinciding educational curriculum. Josh Wells is a member of Doc’s Friends, the organization that oversees volunteer efforts and fundraising for the aircraft. In planning the facility, Wells said the group realized the need for help to showcase the legacy of the B-29 and thought of the Cosmosphere.

Sale of Arconic could come this week

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HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Arconic may have a new owner in the near future. The private-equity firm Apollo Global Management LLC is nearing a deal to buy the aluminum products company for more than $10 billion, ending months of negotiation over what would be one of the largest leveraged buyouts in recent years.

Apollo would pay between $21 and $22 per share in a deal that’s likely to be announced this week, people familiar with the matter said.

Arconic, which had a market value of about $9.3 billion Tuesday morning, has been an embattled entity ever since it spun off from Alcoa two years ago. Since then, the company has been under a continuous power struggle and several investment groups have expressed interest in buying the company.

Arconic employs about 75 workers at its metals finishing plant in Hutchinson. The plant provides aluminum and alloys for the aerospace market.

Salthawk wrestling finishes 5th in Olathe

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OLATHE, Kan. — The Hutch High wrestling team came away with fifth place out of 21 teams at the Blue Valley Northwest Invitational on Friday. The meet was shortened to just one day because of weather concerns. The Hawks finished behind Maize, who scored 218 points. Bonner Springs was second with 204, followed by Blue Valley, Lawrence Free State and then Hutchinson. Izaiah Delvalle, 138 pounds, and Patrick Graebner, 152 pounds, led the way with second place finishes.

Complete results below:

Team Scores
1 Maize Eagles 218.0
2 Bonner Springs Braves 204.0
3 Blue Valley Tigers 151.0
4 Law Free State Firebirds 127.5
5 Hutchinson Salthawks 123.0
6 Topeka Seaman Vikings 94.0
7 FL Schalgle Stallions 92.0
8 BV West Jaguars 89.0
9 Turner Bears 75.0
10 Pleasant Hill Roosters 70.0
11 BV Northwest Huskies 67.0
12 Olathe East Hawks 65.5
13 SM Northwest Cougars 60.5
14 Lawrence Lions 51.5
15 SM West Vikings 49.0
16 Jayhawk Linn Jayhawks 41.0
17 BV North Mustangs 39.0
18 Topeka High Trojans 36.5
19 SM East Lancers 16.0
20 BVNW JV 10.0
21 Raytown South Cardinals 4.0

106
Guaranteed Places
1st Place – Derek Duffett of Bonner Springs Braves
2nd Place – Kevin Honas of Lawrence Lions
3rd Place – Keton Patterson of Maize Eagles
4th Place – Nicky Gutierrez of Turner Bears
5th Place – Corbin White of Jayhawk Linn Jayhawks
6th Place – Luke Olsen of BV West Jaguars
1st Place Match
Derek Duffett (Bonner Springs Braves) 22-6, So. over Kevin Honas (Lawrence Lions) 20-7, Fr. (Fall 1:19)
3rd Place Match
Keton Patterson (Maize Eagles) 18-9, Fr. over Nicky Gutierrez (Turner Bears) 22-8, So. (Dec 8-7)
5th Place Match
Corbin White (Jayhawk Linn Jayhawks) 22-8, Fr. over Luke Olsen (BV West Jaguars) 14-9, Fr. (Dec 6-4)

113
Guaranteed Places
1st Place – Cassius Vanderpool of Bonner Springs Braves
2nd Place – Junior Camacho of Maize Eagles
3rd Place – Brody White of Jayhawk Linn Jayhawks
4th Place – Logan Farrell of Lawrence Lions
5th Place – Michael Solomon of Blue Valley Tigers
6th Place – Daylen Borisouth of FL Schalgle Stallions
1st Place Match
Cassius Vanderpool (Bonner Springs Braves) 23-5, So. over Junior Camacho (Maize Eagles) 21-6, Jr. (Dec 2-
0)
3rd Place Match
Brody White (Jayhawk Linn Jayhawks) 21-5, Jr. over Logan Farrell (Lawrence Lions) 15-4, So. (Dec 4-1)
5th Place Match
Michael Solomon (Blue Valley Tigers) 19-9, Fr. over Daylen Borisouth (FL Schalgle Stallions) 16-6, . (Dec 9-2)

120
Guaranteed Places
1st Place – Cruz Lara of Bonner Springs Braves
2nd Place – Charles Brockmann of SM Northwest Cougars
3rd Place – Bobby Primers of FL Schalgle Stallions
4th Place – Braxton Edwards of Hutchinson Salthawks
5th Place – Caleb Burleigh of Blue Valley Tigers
6th Place – Jacob Bradley of Olathe East Hawks
1st Place Match
Cruz Lara (Bonner Springs Braves) 20-7, So. over Charles Brockmann (SM Northwest Cougars) 14-2, Sr. (Dec
3-2)
3rd Place Match
Bobby Primers (FL Schalgle Stallions) 20-3, Sr. over Braxton Edwards (Hutchinson Salthawks) 19-10, Sr. (Fall
4:28)
5th Place Match
Caleb Burleigh (Blue Valley Tigers) 4-1, So. over Jacob Bradley (Olathe East Hawks) 16-16, Fr. (Dec 9-4)

126
Guaranteed Places
1st Place – Jonah Andrews of FL Schalgle Stallions
2nd Place – Lou Fincher of Law Free State Firebirds
3rd Place – Zach Redwine of Pleasant Hill Roosters
4th Place – Xavier Seaton of Bonner Springs Braves
5th Place – Cameron Smith of Topeka Seaman Vikings
6th Place – Luke Hyland of Blue Valley Tigers
1st Place Match
Jonah Andrews (FL Schalgle Stallions) 21-2, Jr. over Lou Fincher (Law Free State Firebirds) 21-3, Jr. (Dec 7-2)
3rd Place Match
Zach Redwine (Pleasant Hill Roosters) 16-9, Fr. over Xavier Seaton (Bonner Springs Braves) 18-11, Jr. (Dec 6-
4)
5th Place Match
Cameron Smith (Topeka Seaman Vikings) 18-11, Jr. over Luke Hyland (Blue Valley Tigers) 19-11, So. (Dec 4-2)

132
Guaranteed Places
1st Place – Aidan Campbell of Maize Eagles
2nd Place – Semian Vanderpool of Bonner Springs Braves
3rd Place – Byron Kirkwood of Turner Bears
4th Place – Ethan Meuret of Blue Valley Tigers
5th Place – Caleb Streeter of Law Free State Firebirds
6th Place – Tate Marcum of BV West Jaguars
1st Place Match
Aidan Campbell (Maize Eagles) 26-1, Sr. over Semian Vanderpool (Bonner Springs Braves) 24-8, Sr. (Fall
3:37)
3rd Place Match
Byron Kirkwood (Turner Bears) 20-7, So. over Ethan Meuret (Blue Valley Tigers) 17-11, Sr. (Dec 7-2)
5th Place Match
Caleb Streeter (Law Free State Firebirds) 15-8, So. over Tate Marcum (BV West Jaguars) 4-2, Jr. (Fall 1:47)

138
Guaranteed Places
1st Place – Curte`z Riley of SM Northwest Cougars
2nd Place – Izaiah Delvalle of Hutchinson Salthawks
3rd Place – Cayden Hughbanks of Maize Eagles
4th Place – Landon Willard of Topeka Seaman Vikings
5th Place – Dane Erickson of SM East Lancers
6th Place – Ryan Schram of BV West Jaguars
1st Place Match
Curte`z Riley (SM Northwest Cougars) 9-2, Sr. over Izaiah Delvalle (Hutchinson Salthawks) 22-4, Jr. (Dec 7-2)
3rd Place Match
Cayden Hughbanks (Maize Eagles) 22-9, So. over Landon Willard (Topeka Seaman Vikings) 24-7, Jr. (Dec 10-
4)
5th Place Match
Dane Erickson (SM East Lancers) 23-3, Sr. over Ryan Schram (BV West Jaguars) 23-11, So. (Dec 6-5)

145
Guaranteed Places
1st Place – Devin Gomez of Maize Eagles
2nd Place – Gabe Hodge of Pleasant Hill Roosters
3rd Place – Zach Schram of BV West Jaguars
4th Place – Jared Hailey of BV North Mustangs
5th Place – Holden Lentz of Bonner Springs Braves
6th Place – Cadin Worcester of Topeka Seaman Vikings
1st Place Match
Devin Gomez (Maize Eagles) 29-0, Jr. over Gabe Hodge (Pleasant Hill Roosters) 19-8, Sr. (MD 11-3)
3rd Place Match
Zach Schram (BV West Jaguars) 31-2, Sr. over Jared Hailey (BV North Mustangs) 20-8, Sr. (Dec 7-0)
5th Place Match
Holden Lentz (Bonner Springs Braves) 21-9, Sr. over Cadin Worcester (Topeka Seaman Vikings) 8-3, So. (MD

152
Guaranteed Places
1st Place – Joe Tapia of Bonner Springs Braves
2nd Place – Patrick Graebner of Hutchinson Salthawks
3rd Place – Jordan Kryfka of Law Free State Firebirds
4th Place – Mitchell Cardello of Olathe East Hawks
5th Place – Brendan Bartholome of BV Northwest Huskies
6th Place – Harrison Kalinka of BV North Mustangs
1st Place Match
Joe Tapia (Bonner Springs Braves) 25-5, Sr. over Patrick Graebner (Hutchinson Salthawks) 11-7, Sr. (Dec 7-3)
3rd Place Match
Jordan Kryfka (Law Free State Firebirds) 11-4, Jr. over Mitchell Cardello (Olathe East Hawks) 19-11, Sr. (Dec
5-2)
5th Place Match
Brendan Bartholome (BV Northwest Huskies) 17-11, So. over Harrison Kalinka (BV North Mustangs) 14-12, Fr.
(Fall 0:49)

160
Guaranteed Places
1st Place – Carson Wheeler of Maize Eagles
2nd Place – Richard Waeltermann of SM West Vikings
3rd Place – Dylan Williams of Topeka Seaman Vikings
4th Place – Tavion Gray of Hutchinson Salthawks
5th Place – Klayton Coffman of Bonner Springs Braves
6th Place – Luke Vega of BV Northwest Huskies
1st Place Match
Carson Wheeler (Maize Eagles) 24-6, Jr. over Richard Waeltermann (SM West Vikings) 15-2, Sr. (Fall 2:23)
3rd Place Match
Dylan Williams (Topeka Seaman Vikings) 21-10, Jr. over Tavion Gray (Hutchinson Salthawks) 14-12, Sr. (Fall
3:47)
5th Place Match
Klayton Coffman (Bonner Springs Braves) 14-6, Sr. over Luke Vega (BV Northwest Huskies) 17-16, Sr. (Fall
2:20)

170
Guaranteed Places
1st Place – Wes Damron of Blue Valley Tigers
2nd Place – Joey Eddis of Law Free State Firebirds
3rd Place – Levi Allen of Hutchinson Salthawks
4th Place – Caemen Blake of Topeka High Trojans
5th Place – Jacob Porrit of SM West Vikings
6th Place – Phoenix Downs of FL Schalgle Stallions
1st Place Match
Wes Damron (Blue Valley Tigers) 25-3, Sr. over Joey Eddis (Law Free State Firebirds) 21-3, Jr. (M. For.)
3rd Place Match
Levi Allen (Hutchinson Salthawks) 18-8, Jr. over Caemen Blake (Topeka High Trojans) 11-6, Jr. (Fall 1:19)
5th Place Match
Jacob Porrit (SM West Vikings) 13-4, Jr. over Phoenix Downs (FL Schalgle Stallions) 11-7, Sr. (Dec 10-4)

182
Guaranteed Places
1st Place – Kyle Haas of Maize Eagles
2nd Place – Devin Beers of Law Free State Firebirds
3rd Place – Mitchell Bartsch of Blue Valley Tigers
4th Place – Vince Vehige of Topeka High Trojans
5th Place – Wyatt Mackley of Olathe East Hawks
6th Place – Matt Lancaster of BV West Jaguars
1st Place Match
Kyle Haas (Maize Eagles) 26-0, So. over Devin Beers (Law Free State Firebirds) 20-5, Sr. (Fall 0:12)
3rd Place Match
Mitchell Bartsch (Blue Valley Tigers) 21-4, Sr. over Vince Vehige (Topeka High Trojans) 16-4, Sr. (Dec 8-1)
5th Place Match
Wyatt Mackley (Olathe East Hawks) 18-7, Sr. over Matt Lancaster (BV West Jaguars) 21-8, Fr. (Fall 2:23)

195
Guaranteed Places
1st Place – Cameron Bates of Turner Bears
2nd Place – Caiden Casella of BV Northwest Huskies
3rd Place – Jayden Avena of Olathe East Hawks
4th Place – Alex Daniels of Blue Valley Tigers
5th Place – Dylan Berry of Pleasant Hill Roosters
6th Place – Brett Jesseph of Maize Eagles
1st Place Match
Cameron Bates (Turner Bears) 24-0, Sr. over Caiden Casella (BV Northwest Huskies) 26-6, So. (MD 15-1)
3rd Place Match
Jayden Avena (Olathe East Hawks) 22-9, Sr. over Alex Daniels (Blue Valley Tigers) 16-13, Jr. (UTB 7-6)
5th Place Match
Dylan Berry (Pleasant Hill Roosters) 7-4, Sr. over Brett Jesseph (Maize Eagles) 14-11, Sr. (MD 19-6)

220
Guaranteed Places
1st Place – Caleb Willis of Bonner Springs Braves
2nd Place – Trevor Lister of Blue Valley Tigers
3rd Place – Logan Caldwell of BV West Jaguars
4th Place – Joey Schmidtberger of Law Free State Firebirds
5th Place – Tristan Geddes of Hutchinson Salthawks
6th Place – Saul Gomez of Olathe East Hawks
1st Place Match
Caleb Willis (Bonner Springs Braves) 25-2, Sr. over Trevor Lister (Blue Valley Tigers) 21-5, Jr. (Fall 0:55)
3rd Place Match
Logan Caldwell (BV West Jaguars) 27-5, Sr. over Joey Schmidtberger (Law Free State Firebirds) 7-4, Sr. (Fall
4:32)
5th Place Match
Tristan Geddes (Hutchinson Salthawks) 13-9, Sr. over Saul Gomez (Olathe East Hawks) 8-9, Sr. (Fall 2:25)

285
Guaranteed Places
1st Place – Jake Quiggle of Maize Eagles
2nd Place – Paul Beasley of FL Schalgle Stallions
3rd Place – Jared Kerr of Topeka Seaman Vikings
4th Place – Joseph Castle of Turner Bears
5th Place – EJae Jewsome of Lawrence Lions
6th Place – Evan Taylor of Blue Valley Tigers
1st Place Match
Jake Quiggle (Maize Eagles) 24-5, Sr. over Paul Beasley (FL Schalgle Stallions) 18-2, Sr. (Dec 4-3)
3rd Place Match
Jared Kerr (Topeka Seaman Vikings) 24-9, Sr. over Joseph Castle (Turner Bears) 22-5, Jr. (Dec 3-0)
5th Place Match
EJae Jewsome (Lawrence Lions) 13-7, Sr. over Evan Taylor (Blue Valley Tigers) 12-8, Jr. (Dec 3-1)

Manske and Associates making plans for another apartment complex

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HUTCHINSON, Kan. — They spearheaded the Wiley Building renovation and The Link apartment complex that’s nearing completion at Sherman and Washington.

A third major apartment complex may now be in the works for Manske and Associates.

The Wichita developer announced its intentions to apply for federal housing tax credits from the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation for what would be the St. Elizabeth Apartments. Manske is being joined by Interfaith Housing and Community Services for the project.

Plans are to take the old hospital located along 20th Avenue and convert it into 47 apartment units. The layout would consist of 13 one-bedroom units; 26 two- bedroom units and eight three-bedroom apartments. The apartments would be based on income similar to the Wiley project.

The apartments would be energy efficient and include all the amenities and grounds service.

The matter will be taken up by the Hutchinson Housing Commission during the regular monthly meeting on Tuesday.

Polar Plunge March 2

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HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The annual Polar Plunge is coming back to Hutchinson. The fundraiser for Special Olympics is set for March 2 at the Hutchinson Mall.

The day will start with a pancake breakfast at 9 a.m. along with a costume contest and registration. The plunge begins at noon.

Registration is $75 and awards will be given out for best costume, top fundraising and team with the most participants.

Proceeds will help keep more than 4,000 Kansas athletes with intellectual disabilities on the playing field throughout the year.

For more information, call Mitch Guthrie at 316-734-2233 or email guthriem@ksso.org.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

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