HUTCHINSON, Kan. – Plans to renovate the front entrance to the Reno County Courthouse was again discussed at Tuesday’s Reno County Commission meeting.

County Administrator Gary Meagher showed an architectural drawing now that the commission is considering that entrance instead of building a whole new one. But, Sheriff Randy Henderson says the plans as presented will not be allow enough room even if they get rid of the first floor men’s bathroom and a nearby closet. He says they need a certain amount of space for the equipment used for people to be scanned through to enter the courthouse.

So now, they’re considering moving the first floor court clerks office and using that space. That didn’t sit well with Pam Moses Chief Clerk of the District Court who was present at the meeting. But, with four county departments moving to the old jail annex soon, that would allow for room on that floor to move that office.

The commission instructed Meagher to look into what it would take to use that space. Commissioner Brad Dillon noting that they would work to try to make everyone happy. He says they just need to keep working on it.

The sheriff also had concerns over the adding ramps to the front of the building saying it would be a mess when the weather gets icy. But, Meagher suggested that they will add coils which would melt the ice making it usable for those needing to use it.

The commission will continue to discuss the issues surrounding the making of the courthouse secure. We’ll keep you updated.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The NJCAA, the national governing body of two-year college athletics, and the American Legion Lysle Rishel Post No. 68 are set to sign a 25-year contract that solidifies the NJCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship will stay at the Hutchinson Sports Arena until 2041. Hutchinson has been the home to the NJCAA’s premier basketball championship since 1949 and the event is known locally as “The Tournament.”

Last April, the Hutchinson community sent a clear message to the NJCAA when they voiced their overwhelming support for The Tournament by voting to approve a 0.35 percent sales tax increase to fund a $29.5 million renovation to the Sports Arena. This helped set the stage for the contract extension.

“Without the support of the Hutchinson community, keeping The Tournament here for the next 25 years would not be possible,” LeAnn Cox, Vice President of Operations and Tourism for the Greater Hutchinson Convention/Visitors Bureau, said. “The Tournament brings an estimated $1.3 million economic impact to our community which drives much-needed revenues to our hotels, restaurants and retail locations.”

The planned improvements include replacing the plumbing, electrical and heating systems and adding air conditioning and new locker rooms. Additional plans include a new main entrance, lobby and ticketing area, multi-purpose rooms, more restrooms, three full-sized practice gyms, a Hall of Fame and a new weight room. Additional seating compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act will be also be created on the upper level of the arena.

According to Jerry Ricksecker, American Legion representative and longtime tournament chairman, “The American Legion has partnered with the NJCAA for over 67 years. We rely on our 200 volunteers who are willing to give their time towards putting on The Tournament each year. For some volunteers, this amounts to a year-long commitment. We’re honored that we’ve been able to sign a contract for The Tournament through 2041 and that the NJCAA has confidence in our ability to host a successful championship.”

The NJCAA is the second-largest intercollegiate athletic association in the United States, with over 500 member colleges, and nearly 60,000 student-athletes competing in 48 national championships each year.

“Hutchinson holds a special place in the heart of the NJCAA and we are excited to continue returning to Hutchinson every March,” Mary Ellen Leicht, Executive Director of the NJCAA, said. “The Sports Arena renovations will have a positive impact on the student-athletes who earn the right to compete in one of the best collegiate championships in the country.”

A formal signing of the contract will occur during a ceremony hosted by the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce and Convention/Visitors Bureau at the Sports Arena on Monday, Feb. 15 at 10:00 a.m. The public is invited and encouraged to attend this historic event.

NEWTON, Kan. – At approximately 6:35 pm Sunday, Harvey County 911 received a call from a woman who reported a vehicle following her after she left visiting family in a local retirement home.

The woman reported the other vehicle collided with her at 1st and Main. The victim drove around the block in an effort to get away from the other vehicle, but found the car waiting for her at 3rd and Main. The victim remained on the phone with 911 and continued northbound.

The vehicle continued to follow and caused another collision near 12th and Main. The panicked woman says she pulled into a restaurant parking lot at the north end of Newton, where it appears the suspect may have caused a third collision.

As officers arrived in the area the suspect vehicle fled the scene. Officers and Deputies chased the vehicle north on Main, and then southbound on I-135. A Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper deployed road spikes near 1st and I-135. Unfortunately his hand became tangled in the cordage attached to the spikes and caused an injury when the suspect ran over the spikes. The suspect continued southbound at speeds near 80mph with three flat tires.

The suspect crossed into Sedgwick County where a deputy had another set of spikes deployed. The suspect vehicle unexpectedly veered to the right entering the ditch, and lost control rolling the vehicle 2-3 times. The driver, a female in her late 20’s, was treated by EMS at the scene and released to law enforcement custody. She’s currently at the Harvey County Detention Center where she has been booked on numerous charges including aggravated battery, felony flee and elude police, reckless driving, DUI, among others. The motive or triggering event for this behavior is unclear at this time.

* Photo from Newton Police.

BUHLER, Kan. — Lots of rumblings have been going on about the future of Cottonwood Hills.

The golf and housing development east of Hutchinson has been the subject of much speculation as to its future ever since a group of developers lead by Wichita banker Drayton Aldritt purchased the property from the Bank of Camden.

The latest talk was that the course is for sale. According to former owner and current partial owner Lane Neville, who was the leader in bringing the troubled development to Hutchinson, the course is not for sale. Neville said there was a time this fall that Aldritt considered a flip of the property after the course was resurrected. Neville says they were unable to reach a good enough offer on the property, so any sale of the property was taken off the table. The golf course is closed except for certain days when the weather is nice, and they do plan to open in March. Neville made his comments to Eagle Media in the wake of talk that the course was being sold, and likely would remain closed once spring arrived. Neville stressed that the course will be open.

The Nick Faldo designed course opened in 2010 but closed soon after when Neville could not find investors to fund the necessary infrastructure needed to get the housing portion of the development off the ground.

The development was also hampered by Reno County who were not willing to give concessions to Neville fearing a repeat of the Paganica golf development, now known as the Highlands, which financially collapsed, leaving Reno County holding the bill.

HUTCHINSON – A local teen was acknowledged on Thursday for his honesty and integrity for turning in a large sum of money he found.

Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Detective Jason Burley went to Hutchinson High School and awarded Jaydon Maldonado a Certificate of Commendation and a Challenge Coin from the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office, according to a social media report.

In early August Jaydon’s stepfather contacted the sheriff’s office after Jaydon found a large sum of money in the disability section at Intrust Bank Arena following the Lady Antebellum concert on July 25.

Jaydon found $900.00 lying on the ground and he turned it in to Intrust so the owner could reclaim the money.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – Hutchinson Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying those who may have robbed the Kwik Shop located at 43rd and Plum early Wednesday morning. The convenience store was robbed by three white males at gun point.

The female clerk was compliant, however she was still severely beaten. The suspects took an undetermined amount of money and tobacco products then fled the store on foot.

Police are asking for your help capturing these extremely dangerous suspects. If you have any information about this crime, please call Crime Stoppers of Reno County at 1-800-222-TIPS, the Hutchinson Police Department at 620-694-2832 or Detective Loepp at 620-694-2829. Please associate any information about this crime with #2016-2127.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — There is good news coming from the Hutchinson Mall. B&B Theatres announced it will do an extensive remodel of Hutchinson Mall 8 Cinema.

Multiple improvements are scheduled to begin shortly, including full-scale seat replacements! Aging static seats will be removed to make way for luxury electric, leather reclining theater chairs. A new point-of-sale software was recently installed, the implementation of which has enabled reserved seating in all eight auditoriums. Additionally, the software allows guests to participate in the B&B Theatres Backstage Pass Loyalty Program, a rewards system through which repeat guests can earn discounts on tickets, concessions, and other great promotions.

Other plans include a comprehensive overhaul of the concession stand and signage, replacing outdated fixtures and realigning the lobby with the B&B brand. The traditional concession area will give way to a completely new Marquee Bar and Lounge, featuring a full-service bar for guests 21 and over, offering guests the chance to enjoy a beer or cocktail before, during, or after the movie. An updated exterior façade, new carpets, and restroom improvements will complete the remodeling effort, bringing a new polish and shine to a wonderful hometown theater.

Construction will begin in early February with an estimated seven-week completion period. The theater plans to reopen in time for the highly anticipated release of Batman v Superman on March 24th.

 

[ By KEVIN BORYCZKI ]

[ Bicentennial Center ]

SALINA, Kan. — The Salina Bicentennial Center, along with Spectra Presents, announced today that Rascal Flatts will be performing live in concert at the Salina Bicentennial Center on Friday, March 18 at 7:30 p.m. They will be joined by special guest Barrett Baber from NBC’s The Voice.

Tickets to see Rascal Flatts go on sale Friday, Jan. 29th at 10:00 a.m. online at BicentennialCenter.com at the Bicentennial Center Box Office and by phone at 888-826-7469.

Rascal Flatts (Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney) is the best-selling country vocal group of the past decade and has scored 15 No. 1 songs, sold over 22.8 million albums and over 29 million digital downloads worldwide to date. As the most awarded Country group of the past decade, Rascal Flatts has also earned over 40 trophies from the ACAs, ACMs, AMAs, CMAs, People’s Choice Awards and more. For more information please visit www.rascalflatts.com.

Rascal Flatts is being presented locally at the Salina Bicentennial Center by Spectra Presents. With offices in Nashville and Philadelphia, Spectra Presents promotes live entertainment throughout North America.

About Spectra: Spectra’s Venue Management division is the industry leader across a full range of services that impact the bottom-line success of public assembly venues, including marketing and sales, corporate partnerships, event booking, ticket services and box office management, customer service, operations and engineering, and finance and administration.

Spectra by Comcast Spectacor is the expert in hosting and entertainment, partnering with over 300 clients at 400 global properties to create memorable experiences for millions of visitors every year. Spectra’s expertise is embodied within three main divisions: Venue Management (formerly Global Spectrum), Food Services & Hospitality (formerly Ovations Food Services), and Ticketing & Fan Engagement (formerly Paciolan). Learn more at SpectraExperiences.com.

Comcast Spectacor is part of Comcast Corporation, a Fortune 50 media and technology company that operates Comcast Cable and NBCUniversal. Headquartered in Philadelphia, Pa., Comcast Spectacor also owns and operates the National Hockey League’s Philadelphia Flyers and the Wells Fargo Center venue. Visit us at ComcastSpectacor.com, PhiladelphiaFlyers.com and WellsFargoCenterPhilly.com for more information

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 34-year-old man jailed early New Year’s Day for a charge of voluntary manslaughter after he allegedly stabbed a man to death was once again denied a bond reduction.

Kevin Wayne Ginn Jr. allegedly stabbed 24-year-old Deshamus Diron Lucky during a large disturbance just after 2 a.m. in the area of 8th & Madison.

In court Wednesday morning, his attorney Shannon Crane argued for a reduction saying he wanted to be with his three kids and make sure they’re being properly cared for. Plus, he may have been kicked in the head during the altercation on New Year’s morning and wants to be checked out. Crane says he has consistently had headaches since that incident. She also argued that he is not a flight risk.

But, the state objected to any reduction because of his past criminal history and also the danger the community. There was some discussion of his criminal history score, where it an A or B. Those are the two highest a criminal defendant can have and decides the amount of time a defendant would receive when sentenced in a criminal case. Senior Assistant District Attorney Steve Maxwell says the $50,000 bond should remain.

Magistrate Judge Cheryl Allen acting on the side of caution agreed with the state and denied the request, especially after the defendant admitted in court that he has two prior person felonies.

Ginn told the judge that he is being made out to be an animal and says he is not an animal, but that didn’t change the judges mind.

Ginn is no stranger to the law with convictions for aggravated false impersonation, aggravated assault, domestic battery, drugs, battery of a law enforcement officer, assault of a law enforcement officer, criminal damage and obstruction. Most of the convictions are out of Sedgwick County, but also includes convictions in Johnson, Labette and Wyandotte counties.

His case is scheduled this afternoon for a waiver-status docket and there was talk that a preliminary hearing date may be set. We’ll let you know if that happens.