HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Early Saturday morning, officers with the Hutchinson Police Department, Hutchinson Fire and Reno County EMS were dispatched to the 400 block of North Plum in reference to a single-vehicle collision involving a utility pole.

Preliminary investigation by police indicates a black 1997 Lexus was traveling southbound on Plum at a high rate of speed and struck the east curb line. The vehicle continued into two utility poles and struck a building in the same block. One occupant was located in the vehicle and was transported to a medical helicopter and taken to Via Christi St. Francis Regional Medical Center in critical condition.

Witnesses say one, possibly two white males, one being the driver of the vehicle, fled the scene on foot.

The identity of the passenger transported to St. Francis is being withheld pending notification of the family.

The case will be forwarded to the Traffic Bureau of the Hutchinson Police Department for further investigation and anyone with information is asked to call either Reno County Crime Stoppers at 620-694-2666 or the Hutchinson Police Department at 620-694-2816.

The accident occurred just before 2:30 a.m.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — It’s been three years since the city of Hutchinson offered a proposal to nearly 400 rural landowners who are in a floodplain to make repairs to the levee system owned by the city.

Now the City Council will give notice of a public hearing on a special assessment to pay for the improvements during Tuesday’s meeting.

Upkeep to the levee system is the city’s obligation, but when the levees needed to be brought up to code, the city asked the county to help pay for the portion of the levee in the county. When the county refused, the city said that it would leave the levee as is, putting property owners in the area into the floodplain. That would mean a large increase in their insurance.

The landowners immediately went to work with the city to establish a special assessment to make the necessary improvements, but delays have pushed the assessment back to now. According to city Manager John Deardoff, further study needed to be made as to how many property owners were within the floodplain. The study also showed that 21 properties would still be in the floodplain even with the improvements. Deardoff says those assessments will be paid by the city.

The remaining 377 parcels of land will be assessed $899.38, which the landowners can pay in a lump sum, or have assessed over a 10-year period. The total cost of the project is $357,951.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Despite having a large presence in Iowa and a wind turbine blade facility in Ft. Madison, it appears Siemens has lost out on what would be the largest wind farm ever constructed.

Mid American Energy tells hutchpost.com that they are going with Vestas for the 2000 MW wind project in Iowa. Mid America has filed a request with the Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) to build Wind XI, project. That request has not been approved at this time.

The proposed $3.6bn project is the largest wind project Mid American Energy has ever undertaken, and it’s being done without asking for an increase in customer rates or financial assistance from the state to pay for it.

Siemens has been a major  player in Mid American’s wind energy platform providing most of the turbines in the company’s wind sector. Siemens appeared to be the front runner in getting the project, but Mid American indicated last month they were going in a different direction.

The contract would have been a mega order for the Hutchinson nacelle facility, but now it appears that won’t happen.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Alcoa reported quarterly earnings and revenue that beat analysts’ expectations.

The company posted adjusted second-quarter earnings per share of 15 cents on revenue of $5.3 billion.

Analysts expected the company to report earnings of about 9 cents per share on $5.2 billion in revenue, according to a consensus estimate from Thomson Reuters.

Despite beating expectations, Alcoa’s second-quarter adjusted earnings per share declined from 19 cents in the comparable year-ago period. Revenue also fell — from $5.9 billion — compared to the same quarter last year.

The next earnings report for companies with ties to Hutchinson will come from Union Pacific Jul. 21. Eaton will follow Aug. 2 with Siemens releasing its numbers Aug. 4.

 

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The 14-year-old Hutchinson teen who entered a plea to a single count of conspiracy to commit capital murder before his case could go to a bench trial will serve three years and nine months in a juvenile detention center.

Ayrton “Alex” Marroquin and 15-year-old Carson Cabral are both now guilty of making threats against officials at Hutch High.

The state wanted Marroquin in a juvenile detention facility until he’s 22 and a half years old with six months of aftercare. The defense wanted him placed on community corrections, noting that he had already been in custody 128 days. Judge Patty Macke Dick, although sympathetic believing he made a bad decision, says all decisions have consequences. The judge split the difference in ordering the nearly four years in juvenile detention.

Prior to the sentenced being handed down, the parents, both emotional as they spoke, asked that she not sentence him to the maximum. His mother questioned whether it’s fair to require him to stay in detention when the defendants in similar cases were not. His father says he still expects great things for his son.

Hutchinson High School Principal Ron Reems sought the maximum, saying he caused a lot of fear and anxiety at the school.

Marroquin acknowledged what he did was wrong and apoligized to the teachers and other staff at the school. He says he knew when he was first taken into custody that he needed to change. He also welcomed any psychiatric counseling the court might order.

The two teens were arrested after several students came forward to express concerns about a threat to students. Officers were called in to investigate, and the two were then taken into custody.

Several search warrants were issued, which turned up plans for making pipe bombs, as well as sketches and plans of where certain teachers and staff would be so they could be targeted. Police also recovered items that could be used to build explosive devices, which were confiscated by law enforcement.

A psychiatric evaluation was ordered for Marroquin as well as a predisposition report prior to Tuesday’s hearing. It showed that the teen suffered from depression and is now taking antidepressants.

CINCINNATI,  — The Kroger Co. has recalled Kroger Deluxe S’mores Ice Cream sold in its retail stores because the product may contain peanuts not listed on the label.  Kroger initiated the recall when a supplier, Grain Craft, indicated a raw ingredient may have become contaminated with low levels of peanut residue.  

People who are allergic to peanuts could have a severe reaction if they consume this product. For consumers who are not allergic to peanuts, there is no safety issue with the product. No customer illnesses have been reported at this time.

All stores operating under the Kroger name including all  Dillons, are included.

Kroger has removed this item from store shelves and initiated its customer recall notification system that alerts customers who may have purchased recalled Class 1 products through register receipt tape messages and phone calls.

Customers allergic to peanuts who have purchased the above product should not consume it and should return them to a store for a full refund or replacement.

Customers who have questions may contact Kroger at 1-800-KROGERS.

RENO COUNTY – Hutchinson Fire, Reno County EMS and Reno County Sheriff officials were dispatched to the intersection of 69th and Lorraine for a two vehicle injury accident.

A vehicle operated by a 65-year-old man was west bound on 69th when they failed to yield at a posted stop sign. The vehicle entered the intersection and was struck by Chevy Silverado operated by an 18-year-old The Silverado was northbound and struck the other vehicle in the driver’s side door.

Units from the Hutchinson Fire Department used the Jaws of Life to free the 65-year-old from his vehicle. He was transported from the scene by Reno County EMS to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center in critical condition and later flown to Via Cristi’s St. Francis Regional Medical Center in Wichita The 18-year-old was transported by Reno County EMS to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries.

The accident is still under investigation.

No names have been released pending notification of family members.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — After many years operating at a net loss in Reno County’s competitive senior living market, Dillon Living Center (DLC) will close its doors at the end of November 2016.

Dillon Living Center is a part of Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System (HRHS) and provides services to 71 residents in both assisted living and skilled nursing care. The closure comes after a market study that indicated the facility would need millions in renovations and expansions to keep up with the changing needs in a community where senior living options are abound.

 “Quality care is a priority, and Dillon Living Center needs major renovations to compete over time,” Ken Johnson, President and CEO, HRHS, said. “Given the supply of senior living options in Reno County — many of which are operating below capacity — proactively closing the center has become the best alternative.”

The HRHS management team met with DLC residents and staff to announce the closing and discuss transition options.

 “The hardest part of this decision is the burden we’re placing on our residents, their families, and our staff,” Johnson said. “Moving to a new home or place of work is stressful, so our priority is to ease that transition for everyone.”

Currently, there are many senior living organizations in Reno County with approximately 200 open beds. Dillon Living Center plans to coordinate with local providers to make researching a new facility as simple as possible.

“We want to facilitate conversations with other providers, and help our residents make the choice that’s best for their individual needs,” Peter Mungai, Dillon Living Center’s Executive Director, said. “We know each of our residents on a personal level, and we want to ease the transition to another provider.”

Dillon Living Center employs approximately 70 full-time equivalents, and Johnson said employees are encouraged to apply for other jobs within the HRHS system. Employees can expect pay at least through Sept. 6, and will not be released until the number of residents decreases.

Repurposing the building located at 1901 E. 23rd is a priority for both the hospital board and executives. “We are exploring opportunities to either move or expand services into that space,” Johnson said. “Rest assured that this prominent building with the iconic tile roof will not sit idle.”

Dillon Living Center experienced some financial burdens due to recent cuts to the state’s KanCare program. However, Johnson said problems arose before the cuts, and the state’s actions only solidified the decision.

Johnson said the overall health of HRHS is strong, and closing Dillon Living Center is a difficult, but necessary, step. “We are constantly looking at how we can effectively address the healthcare needs of our region,” Johnson said. “Closing Dillon Living Center is a proactive decision which helps us be better stewards of our resources.”