HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A longtime dry cleaner is closing after 65 years. Effective July 1, Saylor Cleaners will be sold to Chris and Rachel Nelson of Ineeda Cleaners. Scott and Steven Saylor will retire at that time.

The Saylors will stay on at their location at 600 N. Adams for three months to help in the transition. The Saylors will also give the Nelsons advice, consultation and share their wealth of knowledge to make the sale successful.

“We have really respected Scott and Steven Saylor and their knowledge of the dry cleaning business,” Chris Nelson said. “Yeah, we have been friendly competitors, but their vast experience and dedication to their present customers will only make us better.”

The purchase will add to Ineeda’s footprint, which includes locations in McPherson, Newton, Salina, Lyons, Sterling, Kinsley, Great Bend and Larned.

“We are very confident that Chris and Rachel Nelson and their teams at Ineeda will take very good care of our customers,” the Saylors said in a statement. “Ineeda will be providing the added benefits of laundry and other services to our customers. We are happy to be involved in the transition and to be a part of that process.”

The Nelsons have owned Ineeda Cleaners since May of 2005. Ineeda has been a part of Hutchinson for more than 70 years.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Last week’s standoff brought to light the use of social media and how it can affect how law enforcement handles such a situation.

During the six-hour standoff, many photos and videos were shot and posted showing locations of officers and special response unit personnel. Hutchinson Police Chief Jeff Hooper took time to address the balance of free speech with the safety of his officers. “At my agency we have absolutely nothing to hide. I am open, I am transparent, I try to let the community know everything that we are doing,” Hooper said. “A lot of the success or failure of an emergency response team is based on appropriate tactics.”

Hooper says such video or photos on social media could be used against law enforcement and put them and the subject in more danger. “In a tactical situation, with people videotaping us, it would not be uncommon for the suspect in this incident last Thursday, for example, to be watching us or monitoring social media,” Hooper said. He gave an example of a similar situation where a person was providing live video of the standoff. Dispatch was letting law enforcement know that their movements were being put on social media.

Hooper says access to social media by those who may have a hostage, or are in a standoff, could be used against law enforcement. Hooper added that negotiations can hinge on keeping the subject calm in a hostage situation. “There’s often times when we’re negotiating with them we have officers in place, but we don’t want the suspect to see that because we don’t want to put any undue pressure on him or we don’t want to force him into anything rash,” Hooper stated.

Hooper says the use of social media has reached the point where the police department is constantly monitoring it so officers can determine if safety is being compromised. “We now have to monitor that,” Hooper said. “We are at our command post and we are seeing what things are going out on social media, we’re seeing if somebody’s Facebook-living it.” Hooper says he has to use resources to make sure they can prevent their officers from being placed in harm’s way adding there have been times during an emergency situation where he has discussed social media with Sheriff Randy Henderson to determine if their officers are being put in danger.

Not only can a person put an officer in danger by giving up tactical information on social media, but it can also be a crime if the information is given to a subject intentionally.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Last night was the last meeting for USD 308 Superintendent Dr. Gary Price. His last day as superintendent is Tuesday.

Price has been the superintendent for two years. He replaced Dr. Shelly Kiblinger who took a job in the Cherryvale school district. Price was taken on in the short term until a new superintendent could be found. Price was also superintendent for USD 308 from 1995 until 2000. Mike Folks takes over July 1.

Price says it has been a solid two years and reflected on his second stint as USD 308 superintendent. “I think we have accomplished some good things, I think we are on good financial footing. I’m pleased with the leadership changes at the school building level,” Price said. “I’ve just had a pretty good time the last two years and feel very fortunate and blessed to have been here.”

Price says he is confident the transition to the new superintendent will be a smooth one. “Mike Folks and I have been meeting, in fact, we met for three days together this last week,” Price added. “We’re both working to make this transition as seamless as possible,” Price stated. “Of course with the rest of the staff . . . the superintendent won’t make too much difference immediately. He’ll start putting his stamp on it later.”

Price has been around education for many years and continued to stress the need to not only give children an education but teach life skills as well. “People don’t communicate as well one-on-one because we’re all hooked into our phone,” Price said. “Some of our young people have a hard time just relating and communicating.” Price says just teaching the facts of reading and math and such aren’t going to be enough in school anymore, and more needs to be done to teach critical thinking and life skills.

You will see Price around. He plans to stay active and will still be living in Hutchinson.

Updated at 5:11 p.m.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Police and other emergency personnel were called to the report of a stabbing just before 8 a.m. Monday at an apartment in the 500 block of East 3rd.

A 64-year-old male and his 35-year-old daughter got into an argument. Both were injured. The daughter was treated for her cut wounds at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center while the father was taken to a Wichita hospital.

“Neither have been very cooperative and the story doesn’t make sense,” Hutchinson Police Lt. Dustin Leopp said. Leopp says illegal drugs may be involved.

He says it may be a couple of days before they know exactly what happened. No arrests have been made. Because it is a domestic case, Leopp couldn’t release the names.

---

Original story

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Police and other emergency personnel were called to the report of a stabbing just before 8 a.m. Monday at an apartment in the 500 block of East 3rd.

According to scanner traffic, the victim — believed to be in his 50s — was stabbed in the neck. A woman also in the apartment was wounded, but she may be the suspect in the stabbing, according to Hutchinson Police Chief Jeffrey Hooper. Hooper said he did not know at this point if it was a domestic case. Hooper said there is a lot of blood.

The victim was taken to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center in critical condition and a medical helicopter was requested.

More details will be made available as they are released.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A bridge that is heavily used by motorists in and out of the Prairie Hills Middle School neighborhood has been closed permanently.

The small wooden span over the Union Pacific Railroad at 43rd and Old K-61 was condemned Thursday after significant structural damage was discovered during an inspection.

Reno County Road and Bridge Superintendent Don Brittain says the main structure was rotted away to the extent that holes were showing through beams that hold up the road deck. Brittain says the span cannot be repaired, which means it is closed until it can be replaced.

The bridge was already scheduled for replacement, but the hope was that the span could stay open until that time. Brittain says motorists choosing to ignore the posted three-ton weight limit caused too much damage to keep the span open. Under a three-ton weight limit, the bridge was only strong enough for automobiles. During the inspection yesterday, Brittain says trucks with trailers and campers were still using the span even though they were well over the weight limit.

The closing means big traffic issues for the Buhler school district as cars will now have to use 30th and Lucille to come and go from Prairie Hills Middle School. It’s also the only way out of neighborhoods north of the school.

Brittain says the bridge replacement project is on schedule, but that still means an 18-month period where the road will be closed. Bids for the new bridge are expected to go out in November. The low bid will be awarded in December and construction should start soon after that. Once it starts, the work is expected to take 12 months to complete. That means the new bridge won’t open until late 2020 or early 2021.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — One of the suspects involved with the shooting that led to a six-hour standoff made a first appearance in court Friday morning.

Tyson Samuels, 18, is jailed for interference with law enforcement, direct contempt, but also aggravated robbery for an earlier case.

Samuels and Brendan Jones were at a home in the 300 block of West 8th and were apparently planning to fight with the victim of the early morning shooting. During the course of that fight, a handgun was pulled from a fanny pack and Jones fired several shots, according to statements made in court. One of the bullets struck 19-year-old Jacob Foley in his left thigh. There were a number of others present at the time of the shooting.

Later in the morning, police got word that Jones was at a home in the 300 block of West 16th. That’s where the standoff occurred.

Samuels eventually gave himself up. Jones later indicated he too would give up. However, when Jones got to the door, he started shooting at officers. Ten officers returned fire, striking Jones.

Jones was taken by EMS to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center before being transferred to a Wichita hospital where he was in surgery late Thursday afternoon.

Samuels is jailed on a bond of $81,500 in part because he is a suspect in an aggravated robbery. He is one of the suspects who picked up the victim at a parking lot on South Main after learning he sold some items. Samuels knew the victim and knew he had a lot of cash on him. He and another man took the victim to an alley in the area of 11th & Maple, pulled a gun and robbed him of the cash. That was on April 26.

Samuels will be back in court next week. Jones remains jailed at a Wichita hospital.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — An early morning shooting led to a six-hour standoff that ended with one of two subjects exchanging gunfire with law enforcement.

Authorities arrived at the 300 block of West 8th around 3 a.m. and found 19-year-old Jacob Foley with a gunshot wound to the leg. Questioning various subjects gave officers an idea of who they were looking for. Later in the morning, police got word that the main subject in the shooting, 21-year-old Brendan Jones, was in the 300 block of West 16th. At that time the Emergency Response Team was activated. Just after 11 a.m., the second of the two suspects, 18-year-old Tyson Samuels, gave himself up and was taken into custody.

Several minutes later, Jones indicated he too would give up. However, when he got to the door, Jones started shooting at officers. Ten officers returned fire, striking Jones. He was taken by EMS to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center before being transferred to a Wichita hospital where he was in surgery as of late Thursday afternoon. Foley was treated and released. None of the officers were hit, although at least one patrol vehicle was struck by gunfire.

The 10 officers have been placed on administrative leave, which is protocol for such events, and the KBI has been brought in to help with the investigation.

16th Street from Jefferson to Madison was blocked off and Jefferson was closed between 15th and 17th during the standoff. Residents in the entire block were asked to evacuate but were allowed to return to their homes late in the afternoon.

Police and the Reno County Sheriff’s Office were assisted by the Department of Corrections K-9 units and Harvey County Sheriff’s Department.

Chief Jeff Hooper updated the situation Thursday afternoon.

This story has been updated. Click here to read the latest.

Updated at 2 p.m. on June 20

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A standoff that started early Thursday has ended, but few details are available. Hutchinson police officers and Reno County sheriff’s officers were called to the 300 block of West 16th around 3 a.m.

At least one person was taken away by Reno County EMS and police may have entered the home. One other person reportedly came out of the residence and was escorted away by law enforcement.

A press conference is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Details of the incident will be released at that time.

Stay with HutchPost.com for the latest.

---

Original story

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Officers and other emergency responders are on the scene of an apparent standoff near 16th and Jefferson.

The Special Response Team has been dispatched to the location. According to 911, authorities were called to the area around 3 a.m.

Authorities have not specified what the situation is, but 16th Street from Jefferson to Madison has been blocked off and Jefferson and Madison are closed between 15th and 17th. Residents adjacent to the home were also evacuated as a precaution.

Police snipers have been spotted on roofs in the area.

More details will be released as they are made available in this developing story.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — You will notice some changes with the Hutchinson Police Department. On Tuesday, the officers started wearing their new blue uniforms.

The uniform change comes after a decision by Chief Jeff Hooper to wear a more traditional blue.

The change also includes new outside vests. The change ends the long tradition of Hutchinson police officers wearing brown shirts and brown or green pants.

At the time of the announcement, Hooper said it was difficult to make the decision, but felt it was a necessary change.

The change cost the department between $29,000 and $36,000 and includes several different versions of the uniform, including formal dress blues for honor guard duty and formal events.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson City Council discussed, but took no action, on a request by Councilman Steve Dechant to change the configuration of South Main from C Avenue to Carey Park. Dechant wants the street restriped similar to East Avenue A, which would eliminate two lanes of traffic, install bike lanes and change to parallel parking.

The council delayed action so that business and property owners along the corridor have a say in the proposal. The delay can’t be a long one. Jeff Petersen of Public Works says they need to have an answer by July 4. The issue could stir up significant discussion from both sides. A similar proposal for most of Main street four years ago was met with staunch opposition.

“I’m an advocate of the strong town’s philosophy, but there are a lot of people that are just punching and punching out from their daily job at Tyson or some of these businesses that don’t care at all about this,” Jade Piros de Carvalho said. “We have to care about their opinions as well.”

Piros de Carvalho wanted to know if such a proposal would be better than what is offered up in the hike and bike trail master plan developed several years ago. That and other studies recently conducted show a need for better access to city parks. But Mayor Dave Inskeep says such an addition needs to be considered. “We talk about subsidizing the Salt City Splash and one of the arguments I heard was improper placement in the first place,” Inskeep said. “We can’t undo the fact that’s in Carey Park, but we might make it a little more accessible.”

Some of the other concerns about the change included a large amount of truck traffic on South Main and the interchange with the Frank Hart Crossing.

With that, the council decided to wait until the July 2 meeting to make a decision on the street.