CHENEY, Kan. — Cheney Reservoir is still without a marina, and no one seems interested in taking over the facility.

The state put the concessionaire’s license out for bid earlier this year after it shut down Snyder’s Marina, and did not renew their contract. That left the popular hangout without any type of service for boaters, campers and fishermen.

The bigger problem is that no one submitted a bid for the marina, including the Snyder’s, who indicated they might do so. But, in an update from the Kansas Department of Wildlife Parks and Tourism, there may be at least some service available at the lake by the Independence Day holiday.

Ron Kauffman with KDWP&T tells Eagle Radio and HutchPost.com that they are working on a contract agreement to open a convenience store. The store would provide grocery service, but for now would not provide fuel or docking for boats. Kauffman says they hope that will change in the future, but could not say when.

The Snyder’s contract was not renewed after inspectors cited issues with fire, environmental and electrical safety at the marina. The state indicated it would bid out the project, and try to have some type of service for the lake while the marina was closed.

That did not happen during the Memorial Day holiday, according to park officials, but, if all goes as planned, there will be at least some service for the Fourth of July.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — It appears it was another successful Smallville Comiccon on the Kansas State Fairgrounds.

This is the third annual event and featured a number of writers — writers of comic books, screen plays and other works, as well as Helen Slater of Supergirl fame.

Jon Robinson, who heads up Smallville Comiccon every year, was dressed Saturday and Sunday as Injustice, Lex Luther from the Injustice video game. The costume is huge and he says he built it himself over a four-month period and was inside the costume having his picture taken with it.

Also featured were a number of cars including the car from the “Back to the Future” movie series.

Robinson told us that he’s pleased with the crowds for the event over the weekend. Although he won’t have exact numbers for a few days, he told us they had a big crowd throughout the day Saturday and a steady crowd on Sunday.

TOPEKA, Kan. — The Kansas Department of Health and Environment announced Thursday that Cheney Reservoir has high levels of blue green algae, meaning those areas should be avoided.  

The lake is not closed, and park and camping facilities are open for business. If swim beaches are closed, it will be specifically noted. Drinking water and showers at parks are safe and not affected by algae blooms. Boating and fishing are safe on lakes under the warning, but contact with the water should be avoided.

It is safe to eat fish caught during a harmful blue-green algae outbreak, as long as the fish is rinsed with clean water; only the fillet portion is consumed and all other parts are discarded. Hands should also be washed with clean water after handling fish taken from an affected lake.

Kansans should be aware that blooms are unpredictable. They can develop rapidly and may float around the lake, requiring visitors to exercise their best judgment. If there is scum, a paint-like surface or the water is bright green, avoid contact and keep pets away.  

Pet owners should be aware that animals that swim in or drink water affected by a harmful algal bloom or eat dried algae along the shore may become seriously ill or die.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Work continues on the Sports Arena project. According to officials with JE Dunn, the south side footings are being laid and the south side of the arena could begin to see structural work in the next week or two, depending on the weather.

Work also continues in the bowl of the arena where the ceiling is painted, and some of the seats in the bowl are being removed, which will widen the aisles. It will also align the upper and lower aisles with each other.

On the north side, work is under way to install the structural steel for the roof and other parts of that area while the locker rooms on the south side are being prepared. The old gym is now gone and sand has been moved into its place to fill in the hole for later construction. JE Dunn says, for the most part, things are going smoothly, other than a few days of bad weather.

They also say they have plenty of workers on site, and have not had a problem finding enough for the job.

TOPEKA, Kan. — The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism announced Wednesday that a portion of the Arkansas River in Kansas has been designated a National Water Trail by the National Park Service. It’s an honor shared by the Kansas River — the first such trail named in the state.

The Arkansas River National Water Trail is 192 miles long, begins in Great Bend and ends at the Kansas-Oklahoma border southeast of Arkansas City.

It runs through widely varied prairie and woodland habitats and passes a number of cities along its course, including Hutchinson.

Most streams and rivers in Kansas are privately owned, but the Arkansas River, Kansas River and the Missouri River are “navigable waters,” and are open to the public between the ordinary high water marks on each bank.

When these rivers flow through private land, permission is needed from adjacent landowners to access the rivers. Currently, 22 access points have been developed along the Arkansas River in partnership with cities, counties and private landowners, providing access for recreational paddling, fishing and wildlife viewing opportunities.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – Officials are investigating the cause of a fire at the Hutchinson Correctional Facility.

Just before 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday, a fire was reported at the Hutchinson Correctional Facility – Central Unit, according to a media release.

The fire occurred in a single-man cell in A3 Cell House, which houses special management inmates.

The fire was extinguished by staff at the facility that has been trained to handle these types of emergencies.

The Hutchinson Fire Department was notified and they responded to the facility. One inmate was transported by EMS to a Wichita-area hospital for further treatment.

There were no staff injuries. The facility has resumed normal operations.
No other information was released.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 14-year-old Hutchinson teen entered a plea to a single count of conspiracy to commit capital murder before his case could go to a bench trial, scheduled for Monday.

Ayrton Marroquin entered the plea in Juvenile Court on Thursday. Marroquin and 15-year-old Carson Cabral are accused of making threats against officials at Hutch High. The two were arrested after several students came forward to express concerns about a threat to students. Officers were called into investigate, and the two students 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 and a tentative sentencing date of June 27 was set. Cabral, meanwhile, awaits a pretrial hearing June 28th.