BURRTON, Kan. – Fire crews from throughout central Kansas are fighting two active fires northwest of Burrton, contained to the areas of 12th and Sand Hill Road, and 24th and River Park Road.

No structures are in immediate danger, and no more evacuations are anticipated if current weather patterns continue.

About 70 personnel and 30 units are responding, down from more than 100 personnel overnight.

Residents are still requested to avoid the area and to obey all road barricades. Fire and medical vehicles need unimpeded access, and falling tree limbs and debris in the roadway pose a significant danger.

One residence on Sand Hill Road was lost Wednesday evening. The homeowner was not present at the time. Multiple out buildings and livestock have also been lost.

Two firefighters were treated and released Wednesday evening for eye irritation from blowing ash and smoke. No other injuries have been reported.

Fire crews are rotating in and out of the scene and are being closely monitored for health and safety.

About a dozen residences were voluntarily evacuated Wednesday.

A temporary shelter at Burrton High School has now been closed but is available if it becomes necessary.

The fire began in Reno County in rough heavy brush covered terrain. The fire spread into Harvey County and covered approximately 3,500 acres in both counties.

——-

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — 10:36 p.m. Crews are battling another structure fire along Worthington Rd. One home has already been destroyed by fire and a third damaged. No word on the extent of this fire but numerous crews are on the scene.

10:05 p.m. Crews continue to deal with a stubborn area north of 30th along Woodberry. Crews hope the Little Arkansas River will help stop that fire, but the cold front is very near now and winds are expected to shift to the north and gust as high as 50 MPH. Crews from Reno,  Barton, McPherson, Sedgwick, and Rice Counties are all involved. Harvey County Continues to deal with a very large fire that has forced numerous evacuations including Harvey County West Park.

9:39 p.m. Hutchinson Fire Chief Kim Forbes reports the fire has burned more than 3,500 acre and at least one home was destroyed in the blaze with one more damaged. Officials are still very concerned about the pending switch n the winds which could gust  between 40 and 50 MPH when the approaching cold front passes. Six counties have responded fire crews or law enforcement to help with the fire. Crews are expected to be out all night and well into Thursday fighting the fire. No injuries have been reported.

8:58 p.m. Fire crews are being brought to relieve those who have now been at the fire for over six hours. The fire stretches from Rayle Rd. east to Sand Hill Rd. in Harvey County, and between 60th and 1st Aveneues going north and south. Many of those evacuated in Harvey County are being sheltered at Burrton High School and Harvey County has set up their emergency command post in Burrton. Westar has been called in to deal with two downed power lines along Mayfied Rd. between 4th and 17th Avenues. Some small buildings have been lost but it appears no major structural damage has been reported.

8:33 p.m. Residents are asking if they can return to their homes in the fire area

and are being told that it will be through the night before they are allowed back into the fire area. Also Westar is being called in to deal with downed power lines around 17th and Worthington. Crews are also having a hard time getting to some fires because of the Little Arkansas River.

8:20 p.m. Fire continues to be a problem between 4 th and 43rd and Rayle and Burmac Rds. Fire crews are trying to position themselves for the approaching cold front which will bring a significant change in wind direction. One larger problem area appears to be around 17th and Woodbury.

Fire crews are also having to deal with the soft sandy conditions which is causing a number of trucks to become stuck. Fuel is also being brought in for the trucks and more crews are being brought in from McPherson County. A command post has been set up at Cottonwood Hills and all residents evacuated from Harvey County are being sheltered in Burrton.

Fire crews from four counties continue to battle a large brush fire that has now spread well into Harvey County.

The fire started around 2:40 p.m. in an area just east of the Cottonwood Hills development near Worthington Road. It is now near River park Rd between 60th Avenue and 1st Ave. which is northeast of Burrton.

Many township and county roads are being closed or heavily restricted due to smoke and heavy emergency traffic. Crews from Harvey, Reno, Rice and McPherson Counties have been called in. Many homes are being evacuated in around the Pete’s Puddle area and Harvey County West Park. Crews from Reno County continue to battle the fire between 43rd and 4th Avenue and from Buhler Rd to Burmac in Harvey County.

There was one report of a structure fire near 4th and Rayle Road earlier this evening but to what extent is unknown.

Many roads from Buhler/ Haven Rd east to River Park in Harvey County and from 82nd to US-50 are closed due to heavy fire and the large amount of emergency vehicle traffic in the area.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Nex-Tech Wireless Grandstand adds pop, arena rock and Christian to the lineup: Andy Grammer with special guest Rachel Platten, Hairball and Crowder will all take the stage in September at the 2016 Kansas State Fair.

Nex-Tech Wireless Grandstand tickets go on sale May 6 at 8 a.m. and can be purchased at the Kansas State Fair Ticket Office by calling 1-800-362-3247 or at www.kansasstatefair.tix.com.

Unless otherwise noted, Grandstand tickets include gate admission when purchased through Aug. 20, 2016.

Fair Fan Club

Want to buy your tickets before everyone else? Those who join the Fair Fan Club have the opportunity to purchase up to two tickets to each concert prior to the public on-sale date. In addition, Fan Club members receive advance notification of upcoming concert announcements. Memberships are on sale now. Dues are $100 per fair and can be purchased online; by phone at 1-800-362-3247 or 620-669-3600; or at the Administration Building on the Fairgrounds. Fair Fan Club members can purchase concert tickets first, starting at 8 a.m. on April 22. For more information on joining the club, visit bit.ly/FAIRFANCLUB.

Andy Grammer with Special Guest Rachel Platten – Friday, Sept. 9, 7:30 p.m. – Tickets $75/$50/$35*

Los Angeles-born, New York-raised recording artist Andy Grammer has gone from hustling street performer on Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade to multi-platinum selling recording artist. Grammer’s background singing on the streets helped him hone his performance style and clued him in on audience expectations.

Grammer became the first male pop star in a decade to reach the Top 10 at Adult Pop Radio on his first two singles, “Keep Your Head Up” and “Fine By Me” from his 2011 self-titled debut album. Both singles are certified Platinum and Gold respectively and have sold more than 1.5 million downloads combined. His album Magazines or Novels, continues his disarming success with his triple-platinum No. 1 single “Honey, I’m Good.” and “Good To Be Alive (Hallelujah).”

In just a few short years, Grammer’s accomplishments have made waves. He’s gone on to sell over 100,000 albums, play sold out venues nationwide, perform onstage with Taylor Swift, Train, and Colbie Caillat, appear on an array of national TV shows and receive two BMI Pop Music Awards among many other endeavors.

The success of his debut album brought him to places he had dreamed of, but never expected to visit.

For more information on Andy Grammer, please visit www.andygrammer.com.

Rachel Platten

Growing up in Boston, Rachel Platten recalls harmonizing with her family to finely crafted pop songs from Sam Cooke to The Beatles. As a teenager, Rachel gravitated towards, and began to become affected by, hip-hop and female singer-songwriters. Her CD collection was comprised of Tori Amos, Patti Griffin, A Tribe Called Quest and Nas. The commonality between the two seemingly different genres: confessional and vulnerable songwriting.

After finishing college, Rachel immediately set out for New York City where she took up residence in the very apartment building on MacDougal Street in Greenwich Village where Bob Dylan once lived. She found a band on Craigslist and started performing in clubs around the city paying her dues for the next few years in the industry.

Platten found her first big spark with “Fight Song,” which took two years to complete. She turned inward by telling her own story through the song. The song delivered exactly the message people needed. “Fight Song” was a life-changing and inspirational song of 2015, topping iTunes and radio charts and selling more than two million downloads in the U.S. alone. “Fight Song” ignited a fire, which led to her major label debut, Wildfire, released January 1, 2016.

The break out artist is touring the world, performing on countless television shows and being played on radio stations coast to coast. Platten recently premiered the beautifully uplifting music video for her current single “Stand By You,” another emotionally empowering anthem from the songstress. Rachel Platten is one to watch.

To learn more about Rachel Platten, please go to www.rachelplatten.com.

Hairball – Thursday, Sept. 15, 7:30 p.m. – Tickets $25/$15*

Eat, sleep, breath rock ‘n’ roll: the essence of Hairball. They transform the stage into an entirely new rock spectacle performing hits from Van Halen, KISS, Motley Crue, Queen, Journey, Prince, Aerosmith and more. Vocalists Joe, Steve and Bobby lead the band through a mind-blowing and accurate homage to some of the biggest arena acts in the world.

Hairball pride themselves on nailing some of the most memorable licks and chops of all time, while adding their own style and flare that they’ve cultivated over decades of performing. They celebrated their 15th year of rock ‘n’ roll in 2015 and are constantly adding more characters, pyrotechnics, lights, sound, props and surprises to their performances.

The group performs every show as though it could be their last. They deliver a 100% full-on, no-holds-barred, exciting, chaotic, fiery party that has to be experienced to be believed.

Hairball is much more than a typical “80’s Tribute” band. They are an experience, an attitude and expression of music that is so much more than a retro flashback. This year will be Hairball’s second performance at the Kansas State Fair. Missed their show last year? Don’t make the same mistake twice. You won’t want to miss this one.

For more information about Hairball, please go to www.hairballonline.com.

Crowder – Wednesday, Sept. 14, 7:30 p.m. – Tickets $50/30/20*

David Crowder never meant to write and sing songs for a living. He assumed he would move back home to Texarkana, Texas, after attending college at Baylor University to follow in his father’s footsteps selling insurance and taking over the family business. It was only when his friend, a pastor, told Crowder a story, which began his journey back to the church. In 1995, Crowder and his friend started a church in Waco, Texas, where Crowder was to collect sounds and words that would give expression to their communal experience and eventually write compositions.

In November 2012, Crowder released his first solo project, Crowder: iTunes® Session, which delivered nine stripped down organic tracks to many of his most loved originals. He has been embraced for his lyrically powerful and musically elaborate and unpredictable songs that have found themselves being sung everywhere from churches to clubs all across the country. Crowder’s most recent album, Neon Steeple, was released in May 2014 and includes hits “I Am,” “Come as You Are” and “Lift Your Head Weary Sinner (Chains).”

For more information on Crowder, please visit www.crowdermusic.com.

* Concert tickets, unless otherwise denoted, include general gate admission when purchased through Aug. 20.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The plan to move four county departments to the former Reno County Jail Annex is getting closer to being a reality.

That includes moving the Register of Deeds, County Treasurer, County Clerk and County Appraiser all to the annex.

The appraiser would actually be housed in a small portion of the building just to the east of the annex.

Work continues on the project, which includes a new parking lot with the concrete being poured last week.

The commission will be considering an agreement with Robert’s Hutch-Line to furnish the annex at a cost of $61,061.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Just a reminder that the Kansas Forest Service fire staff is conducting planned burns now through March 26 as part of its 12th annual Hazardous Fuels Mitigation Project.

In this case, the fuel is accumulated brush in the Hutchinson area. This is the second year in a row this project has been located in Hutchinson.

The burns are planned for Sand Hills State Park, Prairie Dunes Country Club, and Dillon Nature Center. The purpose of the project is fuel reduction on public lands where adjacent life or property could be harmed in the event of a wildfire.

The Hutchinson area was chosen because of its susceptibility to wildfire.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Kansas Department of Labor released the latest unemployment rate for February. It shows the city of Hutchinson with a rate of 4.8 percent, a slight drop from the January number of 4.9.

For Reno County the rate last month dropped to 4.5 percent from the 4.7 percent rate in January.

There were 1,402 residents of the county without work last month with most of those in the city of Hutchinson.

The state’s February seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained at 4.0 percent. This was unchanged from January and decreased from 4.3 percent in February 2015.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A federal judge has set a May trial date for the woman accused of giving her former boyfriend the guns used in last month’s mass shooting at a Kansas lawn equipment factory.

U.S. District Judge Eric Melgren issued on Thursday a scheduling order in the case of 28-year-old Sarah Jo Hopkins, setting May 3 for her trial. The Newton woman has pleaded not guilty to transferring weapons to a prohibited person.

Prosecutors say she gave Cedric Ford an AK-47-type semi-automatic rifle and a .40-caliber handgun that he used in the Feb. 25 attack at Excel Industries in Hesston. Four people, including Ford, were killed and 14 others were injured.

Hopkins has told investigators that she gave him the guns because he had threatened her. They had two children together.

HUTCHINSON – Hutchinson Police are still looking for a suspect involved in a Tuesday evening standoff.

Police came to the house around 5:00 p.m. to serve an arrest warrant on for 33-year-old Jeremy Frischenmeyer who allegedly refused to come out.

Police believed he was the only one in the house. They apparently had made contact with a woman who had came out of the residence in the 700 block of East Sherman, that according to Police Captain Troy Hoover.

Police had tactical officers on the scene, and two nearby homes were evacuated. They did deploy gas inside the home and he still didn’t come out. They eventually searched the residence and he wasn’t found.

They still believe the information they received that he was there was accurate, but believe he may have escaped outside a window or some other opening in the home.

Frischenmeyer is no stranger to law enforcement, having convictions for possession of methamphetamine, marijuana and possession of synthetic marijuana.

Frischenmeyer was released from prison in June of 2014, after convictions in three burglaries from 2011.

He also has other convictions for burglary, forgery, theft and possession of drugs.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The jury trial for one of the suspects in two home invasion cases from last year got underway Tuesday in front of a jury consisting of 11 women and 1 man.

Nineteen-year-old Dakota Anderson is charged with aggravated kidnapping, two counts of aggravated robbery, one count of aggravated battery and two counts of aggravated burglary.

On the stand Tuesday afternoon was one of the victims, a 92-year-old World War II veteran who told of being awaken by three men one who hit him in the head with a gun and then forced him to lay face down on his bed with a gun to the back of his head.

He says he was then robbed of a number of items including his war metals including his purple heart and gold and silver stars, $450.00 in cash, his van and some of his late wife’s jewelry.

Senior Assistant District Attorney Steve Maxwell during his opening statement noted that the items taken from this victim were found in the residence where Anderson was living. The defense during their opening indicated that there is some question as to whether that was actually Anderson’s residence. Plus says Defense Attorney Donald Snapp, others had access to that home including having keys to it.

It was just two weeks ago that Fredrick Lemons Jr. involved in the other home invasion where a local man was beaten and robbed was convicted as charged. He’s now convicted of aggravated kidnapping, aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary, two counts of aggravated battery, criminal threat and two counts of criminal damage.

Anderson is also accused of being involved that home invasion as well.

A third defendant, 19-year-old Jordan Leffel waived his right to a preliminary hearing faces a total of eight counts, including aggravated kidnapping, two counts of aggravated robbery and three counts of aggravated burglary. That includes the taking of cash, cars, electronics and firearms.

A juvenile, Brendan Jones had his charges heard in juvenile court.

The two home invasions occurring in the 3600 block of Rockwood Dr. and the other in the 3400 block of North Waldron, the first occurring on May 4 and the second on May 14.

The trial is expected to continue into Wednesday.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson Police are still investigating the armed robbery which occurred at the Dillon Store at 14th & Main.

According to police,  a store employee ran into the street to flag down a patrol officer telling him they had just been robbed. According to police, a man walked into the store around 11 a.m. and said he had a weapon inside his waistband and demanded money. The man then left the store heading west on foot.

The suspect is believed to be 5’08” to 5’10” tall wearing a light blue hat possible a beret, yellow or lime green colored shirt, tan jacket, dark blue colored jeans or dockers, with cowboy boots or dress type shoes. If you have any information please contact the Police Department at 620-694-2816.

The robbery forced Hutchinson Middle School – 8 to go into lock down for a period of time. But, Ray Hemmen, spokesman for the district says things have returned to normal at their eighth-grade center.

They sent this message to parents:

“Police have advised Hutchinson Middle School — 8 the situation near the school no longer poses any threat. As always, though, anytime you need to pick your student up early, we appreciate a call at 620-615-4800.