(courtesy photo)

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – Some police officers have started a small mentorship program and are working with some of our at-risk youth in the area.

The Hutchinson officers every now and then will take a youth to go get a Coke or an ice cream, where they can sit down and have a good conversation with the youth. While buying a Coke or an ice cream isn’t that expensive, the officers have been paying for it out of their own pocket, so when the good people of Oz Chiropractic told Police Lt. Thad Pickard that they were looking at doing a drive with their customers and donating some money to something that could make a difference in our community, he told them about what these officers were doing.

Pickard said on Facebook that he was expecting to only get twenty to maybe forty dollars, which would be plenty to buy small items, but was ecstatic to learn they’re wanting to give police $200.

Pickard says he hopes that they can make a change in at least one person’s life that will hopefully have a ripple effect in other people’s lives and that they’re thankful they have people like their friends at Oz Chiropractic willing to help. “What a great community we have here in Hutch,” Pickard said.

PRATT, Kan. – The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) will auction off surplus buffaloes at the Maxwell Wildlife Refuge on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015, beginning at 11 a.m.

Corrals are located 6 miles north and 1.75 miles west of Canton in McPherson County. Those interested in bidding are encouraged to arrive early to receive a bidder number. The auction is open to the public, and lunch and concessions will be served.

This year, a total of 56 buffaloes will be auctioned, including five cows, seven yearling heifers, 10 yearling bulls, eight two-year-old bulls, 13 heifer calves, nine bull calves, and two cow/calf pairs.

Cash and personal checks if accompanied by a notarized authorization letter from the issuing bank will be accepted.

KDWPT reserves the right to reject any or all bids. Buyers must pick up the bison the day of the sale or make arrangements with the refuge manager before the sale. Animals become the buyer’s responsibility upon settlement on sale day. Load-out assistance is available until dusk the day of the sale. Stock racks and trailers should be covered or lined because bison transport best in dark conditions.

The sale will be outside and will take place rain or shine, so attendees are encouraged to dress accordingly. For more information, contact Maxwell Wildlife Refuge manager Cliff Peterson at (620) 628-4592, or wildlife and parks office in Wichita at (316) 683-8069.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — As original cast members of Broadway’s Jersey Boys, they took the world by storm. From the development of Jersey Boys, through their historic three season run on Broadway, The Midtown Men are together again, doing what they do best: “Sixties Hits With A Modern Twist.” Tony Award winner Christian Hoff, Michael Longoria, Daniel Reichard and Tony Award nominee J. Robert Spencer are taking their sensational sound on the road, bringing to life their favorite “Sixties Hits” from The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Motown, The Four Seasons and more.

The Midtown Men are lifting audiences to their feet in venues across the continent, realizing the dream they brought to life as the iconic Four Seasons. The Midtown Men are the next chapter for these accomplished entertainers, making them the first vocal group ever formed by the principal cast of a high-profile Broadway show.

Not only have they continued to win over audiences of all ages in nearly 2,000 live shows, their self-titled debut album, The Midtown Men: Sixties Hits was met with critical acclaim and garnered 5 star album reviews across iTunes. The album was recorded in New York City and features the group performing such iconic ‘60s hits as, “Can’t Buy Me Love,” “Up On The Roof,” “Time Of The Season,” “Candy Girl” and more. They also recorded their first radio single “All Alone On Christmas” with producer Steven Van Zandt and members of Springsteen’s E Street Band with appearances on Good Morning America, Katie, and Access Hollywood Live.

The show is coming to the Fox on Nov. 19, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $55.00, $60.00 & $65.00 and can be purchased at the FOX box office at 18 East 1st, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or by calling 877- FOX-SHOW. You can also get tickets online and www.hutchinsonfox.com.

Meet the Midtown Men:

Christian Hoff won a Tony Award for his performance as Tommy DeVito in “Jersey Boys,” as well as Drama Desk Award, Drama League Award and Outer Critics Circle Award nominations. Entertainment Weekly named him “The Master of Mimicry” when his voicing of over 200 characters surpassed the audio book world record and was named Audio Book of The Year. His voice-over career was launched as the voice of Richie Rich in the Hanna-Barbera cartoon series. Favorite stage roles include King Herod in the national revival tour of “Jesus Christ Superstar,” Governor Hugh Dorsey in the Los Angeles revival of “Parade,” the Original LA cast of “Evita,” George M. Cohan in “George M!,” Will Rogers in “The Will Rogers Follies,” Huck in “Big River,” and his Broadway debut in the Tony Award winning “The Who’s Tommy.” He recorded Grammy winning cast albums for both “Jersey Boys” and “The Who’s Tommy” with famed Beatles producer George Martin. Christian has appeared on NBC’s “Law & Order: SVU,” portrayed D.A. Richard Blackman on ABC’s “Ugly Betty,” federal prosecutor Thomas Grady on NBC’s “Law and Order: Criminal Intent” and the recurring role of Marty on ABC’s “All My Children.” Other credits: “Encino Man,” “Star Trek IV,” “Honor Thy Mother,” “In Love and War,” “From The Dead of Night,” “Rockadoodle,” “21 Jump Street,” “ER,” “JAG,” “Party of Five,” “Millennium,” “The Commish,” “Beverly Hills 90210,″ and celebrity guest appearances on “The Tonight Show,” “The Today Show,” “Regis,” “The Late Show,” “Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Years Eve” and “Jeopardy.” In the acclaimed festival film “Bad Dog and Superhero,” Christian sings and performs the entire original film score. He has enjoyed solo performances in New York City’s Cutting Room, Joe’s Pub, Metropolitan Room, BB Kings, Town Hall as well as two appearances at Carnegie Hall. Christian is a proud husband and father of five.

Daniel Reichard, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, is best known for his portrayal of chief songwriter and original Four Seasons member Bob Gaudio in the box-office smash “Jersey Boys”, a role he originated both on Broadway and in the La Jolla Playhouse premiere along with colleagues Christian Hoff and J. Robert Spencer. He followed the success of “Jersey Boys” with a critically acclaimed performance as Candide in Leonard Bernstein’s “Candide” at the New York City Opera. After graduating with a BFA from the University of Michigan, Daniel made his New York City debut with the original cast of the world-famous “Forbidden Broadway: 20th Anniversary Celebration”. His signature style and talent paved the way to starring roles in New York City and across the country, including his triumphant portrayal of artist and social activist Keith Haring in “Radiant Baby” at Joe Papp’s Public Theater; Man in “The Thing About Men,” whose original cast album he also appears on; and Emmet in the world premiere of the musical version of Jim Henson’s “Emmet Otter’s Jugband Christmas” at the Goodspeed Opera House. A gifted pianist and concert singer, Daniel has had sold-out engagements at New York City’s Joe’s Pub, Metropolitan Room, Ars Nova and repeat appearances at 54 Below. Other concert appearances include Symphony Space, The Alvin Ailey Citigroup Theater, BB Kings, Town Hall, Triad Theater, Firebird and the Cutting Room, as well as guest appearances with the Arkansas and Grand Rapids Symphonies. He can be seen as Frankie in the 20th anniversary film version of the international hit musical-comedy “Forever Plaid.”

J. Robert Spencer is a Tony Award Nominated Actor, Independent Film Director, Producer, and Writer. He originated the role of Nick Massi in the Tony and Grammy Award winning “Jersey Boys”. He also originated the role of Dan Goodman in the Pulitzer Prize winning Broadway musical “Next To Normal,” for which he received nominations for both the Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Lead Actor, and Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical. He has voiced two animated features: “Nightmare Campus” and the critically acclaimed, award winning “Grave of the Fireflies.” His portrayal as a psychopathic killer named Bob in the independent feature film “Night of the Dog” earned him a Best Supporting Actor Nomination at the SMMASH Film Festival. The film won Audience Awards for best feature film at Palm Beach, Santa Barbara, SMMASH and PBIFF. J. Robert’s independent film company 7 Spencer Productions, with which he produced, wrote, starred and directed the comedy “Farm Girl In New York”. The film was featured on The Today Show with Ann Currey and Al Roker, and was the official selection of the Sacramento International Film Festival (Nominated for Best Comedy and Best Actress,) as well as Big Apple, Atlanta, Buffalo Niagara, and Seattle True Independent Film Festivals, distributed by Maverick Entertainment. He recently produced and starred in his second independent feature titled “Heterosexuals.” With Wood Media Films, he executive produced an environmental documentary titled “On Coal River,” an official selection of Silverdocs, Camden, Hamptons, Chesapeake and New Orleans Film Festivals. Through Sony Masterworks, he appeared with Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops in PBS’s “Handel’s Messiah Rocks,” for which he was Nominated for a Midwest Emmy Award for Best On Camera Performance by a Leading Actor. J. Robert is the recipient of an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from Shenandoah University.

Michael Longoria is best known for his celebrated turn on Broadway as Frankie Valli in the Tony Award Winning musical “Jersey Boys.” Hollywood born and Broadway bound, Longoria trained at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, then headed east to attend NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, where he earned himself a BFA in Drama. Michael made his Broadway debut in the smash hit musical “Hairspray” (2003 Tony award for Best Musical), later creating the role of Joey in the original Broadway cast of “Jersey Boys” (2006 Tony award for Best Musical) before taking over the role of Frankie Valli and taking his career to new heights beginning with performing solo for hundreds of thousands of fans in Times Square for Broadway On Broadway. He went on to numerous performances on television, including “Broadway Under The Stars: A Tribute To Harold Prince”, The US Open and the “America’s Got Talent” season nine finale with Susan Boyle and Shakira. His journey recently led him back to Atlantic City with feature performance in “That’s Life! with Joe Piscopo” at Caesar’s. Other theatrical credits include Peter Pan in “Peter Pan & Wendy” at the Prince Music Theater, for which he earned a Barrymore Award nomination for Best Actor in a musical; Chino in “West Side Story” at the Walnut Street Theatre; Mark in “A Chorus Line” at Helen Hayes Performing Arts Center; and Chuck in “Avenue X” at the Abe Burrows Theater. In Europe, he performed the role of Paul in the German Tour of “A Chorus Line”, and Baby John in “West Side Story” at the famed Teatro alla Scala-Milan. As a singer-songwriter, Longoria has shared his one of a kind talent at such venues as New York City’s CB’s Gallery, Cutting Room, Joe’s Pub, The Knitting Factory, and Caroline’s on Broadway.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – A local minister who has worked with the Bible and Badge Chaplaincy Program since 1974 was surprised when he came to give the prayer at the Reno County Commission meeting Tuesday morning.

After Willard Stafford, Pastor of Temple Baptist Church in Hutchinson, gave the prayer, County Commissioner Dan Deming presented him with a certificate of recognition for his service to the county for the past 41 years.

The certificate was signed by the Mayor of Hutchinson and all of the Hutchinson City Council members, as well as all three County Commissioners. He was clearly caught off guard.

He commented on his position and thanked the past and present city and county leaders for their support of this program.

In addition to working with law enforcement to assist in very difficult times, he has been the pastor for 46 years. His chaplaincy program has earned him the nickname “Gentle Giant.”

“When you knock on someone’s door and give them bad news, you better have all kinds of support, like I’ve had from this community and from my church, because you’re bringing the worst news they’re ever going to hear probably,” Willard said.

He says he’ll see those he has had to deliver bad news to, some will come and thank him while others will turn around and walk away because he reminds them of that dark time in their life.

His wife and son were also present, along with officers with Hutchinson Police and the Reno County Sheriff’s Office during the presentation Tuesday morning at the commission meeting.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Law enforcement authorities in Reno County had good news to report on Saturday evening.

The owner of the missing falcon was reunited with his bird.

The owner, Michael Garcia, in town from Illinois for a bird handler’s convention, reported the valuable white falcon missing on Wednesday.

“I’ve been driving all over the area following leads, using a tank of gas every day,” Garcia said. “I received calls all hours of the day and night and I really appreciated it.”

About 4 p.m. on Saturday, Garcia received a call that the bird was sitting on a pole near Carey Park, just 100 yards from where he lost the bird.

“I’d driven around Sedgwick County and through that park earlier in the day,” he said.

Garcia had some of the falcon’s favorite food and the two were easily reunited.

He told police he wanted to thank the public for its help to locate the bird. He stopped by the Hutchinson police station and allowed trick-or-treat kids and officers to see the bird.

Hutchinson will host the North American Falconer’s Convention the week of Nov. 8.

“There will be a couple hundred bird handlers in town and the public will have the chance to see a lot of amazing birds,” Garcia said.

NEWTON, Kan. – The Police Department in Newton believe there may be a serial burglar who has been entering people’s homes while they sleep. The current series has eight known offenses, but they say a review of prowler calls over the last few months has shown an additional 16 calls which they believe were attempted aggravated burglaries. Plus, they there may be more that they’re unaware of.

They say that the burglar tends to ring the doorbell or knock at the front door to see if someone is home, then proceeds to check the door, or attempt to open the back door. In each case, the burglar has found an open back door or open garage door. This individual only targets purses and backpacks which are typically found the next morning outside of the residence with cash removed.

Police suggest the need to make sure homes and vehicles are secure. None of these breakin’s indicate forced entry and if residents can deny the presence of easy targets, they may prevent people from being victimized.

Police also say if a person is a victim of a similar offense, they need to report it, saying this will allow them to analyze the patterns and behavioral evidence, so they can put forth a plan to apprehend the culprit.

They also suggest that residents should look out for one another. If person sees a neighbor who has left a garage door up, or a car unlocked, notify them. If a burglary is committed in your neighborhood, there is a higher chance your home will be victimized in the successive months.

If you see something suspicious, call 911.

You can report a crime online at www.newtonkansas.com/police/online-police-reporting.

(Courtesy photo)

NEWTON, Kan. – On Thursday evening, A Newton Police Officer attempted to stop a truck entering I-135 from Broadway, but the vehicle fled from the officer.

A high speed chase followed and members of the Harvey County Sheriff’s Office joined in. The chase at times went off road, and through fences. The truck was totaled and the man fled on foot.

Members of Newton Police, Harvey County Sheriff’s Office, North Newton and Hesston Police joined in a two hour search.

At approximately 2:10 a.m. Friday, a second vehicle was stolen from a concrete lot, and after a short chase, the man was taken into custody by a Newton officer.

Name is the suspect was not released.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – The a motion hearing for the case involving suppressing of evidence in the case against a 16 year old charged with two counts of first-degree murder and aggravated arson continued Thursday with the state basically giving a preview of the upcoming trial or at least the investigation part of it.

Samuel Vonachen is accused of setting a fire to his family’s home which killed his mother and sister. He was 14 at the time and the state has charged him as an adult for those crimes.

The defense is challenging the investigation of the case including the video interview officers did with the defendant where he allegedly confessed to the crimes.

The defense wants the evidence suppressed, so the state is presenting their case to Judge Trish Rose. Thursday afternoon, Lt. Thad Pickard who was in charge of the officers who initially responded to the scene testified to hearing the traffic dispatching officers and that the house was fully involved with fire and there were screams coming from the home.

He says when he arrived, he saw a man on the sidewalk outside the home who was later identified as the defendants father and described his as acting bizarre, like he was just a bystander and not apart of what was occurring.

The defense is also questioning the decision to take Vonachen to the hospital to be checked out. Pickard told the court that they had him examined at the scene and his blood pressure was high as was his heart rate. He says there were no ambulances available, so he had an officer take him in his car to the hospital as a precaution. He says the defendant was not arrested for any crime at that point, but was in police custody because of him being a juvenile out after curfew and also because they were concerned for his welfare.

Officer Adam Wieshaar was also on the stand and told of seeing the flames when he arrived, saying the door to the home was open and flames could be scene inside going up the stairs. He talked with the defendants father and also to thought he seemed strange, saying he didn’t seem concerned, but more like bystander.

Earlier in the day Michelle Abbott, Reno County 911 Director testified over the radio traffic for emergency responders when the fire occurred. That included traffic over police beginning to look for Sam Vonachen and also the two victims being described by EMS as code blue, meaning they were critical and not breathing.

Retired Police Officer Bobby Holmquist was also took the stand and told how he was working traffic control at 18th & Main and saw a teen walking up Main toward the fire. It was Vonachen and that he had what appeared to be a new pair of jeans on. He says there was still a sticker on the jean showing the size. He was also wearing a white hoodie and carrying a blanket. Holmquist testified that he seemed calm and unemotional.

Dr, Richard Price who was working in the Emergency Room at the hospital who testified over the examination of defendant after he was brought to the hospital. He told the defendant’s bllod pressure coming down, however his heart rate was still high.

The case centers on Vonachen allegedly spreading gas through the downstairs of his family’s home, then setting it on fire. This occurred back on Sept. 26, 2013.

Senior Assistant District Attorney Steve Maxwell says he didn’t expect the hearing to be concluded Thursday saying one of his witnesses was not available to testify.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – Police are asking for assistance in finding a missing bird, a white Falcon.

This bird has been lost in Hutchinson. The owner Michael Garcia is in town from Illinois for a bird handlers convention.

The pictures in this story are the actual pictures of the missing bird.

If you spot this bird Michael asks that you do not approach it. He would ask that you immediately call him at (630) 989-2323. Michael is driving a maroon Toyota Pickup with Illinois license plate.