NICKERSON, Kan. —The Nickerson USD 309 School Board will hear the results of a recent survey on the proposed school bond issue during tonight’s agenda session.

The district conducted the phone survey to gauge patron support for any spending on the district’s facilities. According to Superintendent Dr. Dawn Johnson, the survey contacted 267 homes and studied that information over the past six weeks.

Once they hear the presentation this evening the board hopes to have a retreat to decide how to proceed with a possible vote for the bond issue. The district hopes to have that meeting in the next two weeks.

The $34 million bond issue calls for controlled entries along with a new early childhood addition, a new multi-purpose room and two new classrooms in South Hutchinson.

At Reno Valley Middle School, work would include wrestling and weight room additions. The high school work would include a remodeled science and culinary study area and a new media center. A second portion of the bond issue would provide a new fine arts center.

Tonight’s meeting of the Nickerson USD 309 School Board begins at 7 p.m. at the school district offices at 4501 W 4th Avenue, just west of Fun Valley.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Any decisions on the NextEra project that were to come Tuesday have been put on hold.

Reno County Administrator Gary Meagher announced late Friday afternoon that the special County Commission meeting that was scheduled for Tuesday evening has been postponed. The meeting has been tentatively rescheduled for June 11, 2019, at 6:30 p.m. at the Atrium Hotel. Meagher says legal issues have been raised regarding the sufficiency of some of the protest petitions, which will require additional time for county staff to resolve.

Likewise, the report from the planning and zoning consultant regarding the sufficiency of the protest petitions related to the NextEra application that was scheduled to be presented at the regular county commission meeting Tuesday morning will not be available until a future date.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The annual tradition to honor law enforcement was held this morning in front of the Law Enforcement Center in Hutchinson.

“This is a week that’s kind of somber obviously for law enforcement,” Hutchinson Police Chief Jeffrey Hooper said. “It’s where we pay respect for all those officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to their communities.”

He adds that you think it can never happen in your community, but it can happen at any time. He talked about the close call recently in Rice County to the sheriff and undersheriff.

“We’re really fortunate that we didn’t have two more names going on that wall for 2019, we’re just thankful that they’re okay,” Chief Hooper said.

The ceremony Friday also included opening comments from Reno County Sheriff Randy Henderson, an invocation with Chaplain Mel Parrott and guest speaker state Sen. Dr. Ed Berger. He talked about officers giving the ultimate sacrifice. He also told the crowd to visit the Law Enforcement Memorial in Topeka to see the names of those lost over the years.

They also gave recognition to fallen officers. Taps was played by two members of the Buhler High School Band as the flag was raised by a Reno County sheriff’s department honor guard.

There were four local officers who lost their lives mentioned during the ceremony.

They include:

Kenneth Michael Kennedy

Officer Kenneth Kennedy was shot and killed by the female friend of a suspect he was struggling with.

End of Watch: Friday, Sept. 15, 1972.

Reason Sherman Monroe

Patrolman Monroe was shot and killed when he attempted to arrest a man who had beaten his wife. He was told the man went to a store with his son.

End of Watch: Wednesday, July 2, 1924.

Thomas Simpson Fowler

Reno County deputy sheriff Thomas Fowler was shot and killed while transporting a subject to jail.

End of Watch: Sunday, Dec: 11, 1910.

Edward Metz

Reno County Undersheriff Metz was killed after being run over by a Missouri Pacific passenger train.

End of Watch: Monday, Jan. 7, 1901.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — It will be about a month before the full extent of the damage from the recent flooding is known.

Reno County Emergency Management Director Adam Weishar says that government officials will have to assess the damage to see if the county qualifies for disaster relief.

Weishar says the county and state will likely exceed the threshold needed for assistance. He added that road damage does not have to meet any minimum threshold, so assistance is almost certain there.

So far, only two small bridges have been damaged, although it is still too early to get a full assessment. One of the bridges on McNew Road will be replaced. The other on Woodberry Road has already been repaired according to Public Works.

The county declared a state of emergency last week to get the process of federal assistance rolling.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — It is still not known if the protest petitions presented to the county by residents opposed to NextEra’s wind farm request will be approved.

The Reno County Commission hoped to have that information presented Tuesday morning, but Commission Chair Bob Bush said the work is still not complete.

“We’re not at that point, as with most things. It’s more complicated than you think,” Bush said. “Our consultant, Russ Ewy, as well as our county attorney and administrator, are going through the protest petitions and basically doing their evaluations at this point and time.”

If protest petitions are approved, it could force a supermajority vote of the commission.

According to Bush, the commission should get an update next Tuesday morning. The commission will then take up the consideration of the conditional use permit at the Atrium Hotel and Conference Center on May 21 at 6:30 p.m.

That meeting will be held at the Atrium to make room for all those wanting to attend. In April, the planning commission voted 4-3 against recommending the conditional use permit after hearing from dozens of residents in that area of the county who are opposed to the project.

RENO COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities are investigating an attempted robbery and the four suspects allegedly involved are expected to be in court this week.

Just after 4:30p.m. Friday police were dispatched to the Kansas State Fairgrounds for an active shooter with a “machine gun.”

Armando Castillo Jr, of Mineral Wells, Texas reported being confronted by four individuals while inside his 5th wheel camper. He was battered but was able to grab a firearm he had hidden in the camper. Castillo fired several shots to try and get the neighbors to call 911.

Everyone involved was still on scene when officers arrived. No injuries were reported due to gunfire. During the investigation, it was discovered that the suspects came to Castillo’s camper to get cash.

Police arrested four suspects identified as 22-year-old Kaleb Schyler Beard, 23-year-old Kerrah Schulze, 20-year-old Richard Fenters and 22-year-old Blaine White all of Wichita. They were jailed on requested charges of attempted aggravated robbery, according to the release. Three had bonded out of jail. Fenters was still in custody, according to online jail records.

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HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Just after 4:30 p.m. Friday, Hutchinson police officers were dispatched to the Kansas State Fairgrounds for a shooting at the RV park.

Armando Castillo Jr. of Mineral Wells, Texas, reported being confronted by four individuals while inside his camper. He was battered but was able to grab a firearm he had hidden in the camper. Castillo fired several shots to try and get the neighbors to call 911.

Everyone involved was still on scene when officers arrived. No injuries were reported from the gunfire. During the investigation, it was discovered that the suspects came to Castillo’s camper with the intent to rob him of money.

Four suspects were arrested and charged with attempted aggravated robbery. They were identified as 22-year-old Kaleb Schyler Beard, 23-year-old Kerrah Schulze, 20-year-old Richard Fenters and 22-year-old Blaine White, all of Wichita.

Also, police were called to 423 E. Avenue A for the report of a stabbing. Police say that was a domestic situation and the victim was injured. However, the injuries were not life-threatening. No word on the identities of those involved.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Chamber of Commerce is asking for member support of the NextEra wind project. In a message to members, the chamber provided information on the project and listed positive impacts the wind farm could have on business and the economy.

The wind farm has been met with staunch opposition by some landowners in the area. The county planning commission has already said it will recommend that the commission denies the conditional use permit for the project following a long public hearing last month.

The message reads as follows:

NextEra Energy Resources’ Pretty Prairie Wind project is currently under consideration by Reno County for a conditional use permit. After several meetings, the county Planning and Zoning Board voted to not recommend the project for approval, even though numerous Reno County employees from the County Appraiser to the Reno County Health Department gave their recommendation to the Planning and Zoning Board to approve the project. Now the project will go to the Reno County commissioners for a final vote on May 21st.

The Pretty Prairie Wind Project represents an important part of our country’s future economic growth. According to a study by Fort Hays State University, the project is expected to create an overall positive economic impact of approximately $132 million. That includes $39 million in additional tax revenue for Reno County, $50 million in payments to landowners, 250 construction jobs and 15-20 good-paying, full-time operational jobs. That kind of local investment can provide a tremendous uplift to all Reno County businesses and residents.

Additionally, the project represents exactly the kind of low-impact, high-value development that can have a positive effect in Reno County. Each wind turbine will take up less than one acre of land, use no water, make no emissions and require no new municipal services to maintain them. In these times, business recruitment is competitive and turning away a viable and reputable business that wants to locate in our community would be negligent to the economic growth in this area.

There are numerous wind projects all across the country, including seven NextEra projects here in Kansas. All of these projects are maintaining our clean air and water, providing renewable electricity and economic benefits for our entire state. At a time when many crops are at historically low prices, we need to be looking at alternative ways to support our economy. The Reno County economy needs a boost and not only will this project help stimulate our economy, it will also provide much needed maintenance and improvement to roads and bridges in our county.

It has come to light that a large number of the people who spoke in opposition to this project at the public hearings are Sedgwick County residents. These people do not live, work, or conduct business in Reno County and therefore we urge our county commissioners to not take their voices over the betterment of our Reno County economy.

A vote that terminates this project could send a message that Reno County is closed for business when it comes to wind energy. As we work to strengthen the local economy, we cannot turn our back on a project that offers tremendous benefits as well as supports the industry that represents one of our county’s largest employers.

If you are supportive of this project, we ask you to contact our county commissioners and urge them to approve Pretty Prairie Wind’s permit application and make a smart investment in our county’s economic future:
Commissioner Bob Bush: 620-694-2929 bob.bush@renogov.org
Commissioner Ron Hirst: 620-694-2929 ron.hirst@renogov.org
Commissioner Ron Sellers: 620-694-2929 ron.sellers@renogov.org

Respectfully,
Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber Board of Directors & Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber Economic Development Advisory Council

PRETTY PRAIRIE, Kan. — A GoFundMe page has been set up for Storm Creek Horse Co. Farm & Rescue in Pretty Prairie. The barn used to rescue and house sick horses was destroyed in the recent storms.

Severe weather damaged the main barn to the point of collapse. The barn is essential to the operation of the rescue — it houses the stalls for quarantine, the tack room, office, grooming and medical supplies, hay, and serves as the primary location for fundraising events. Rebuilding needs to begin as soon as possible.

Shelters, fencing and other infrastructure were also destroyed. Debris was scattered out into the pastures. The damage is devastating for owners Lisa and Dustin Loyd.

The barn isn’t covered by insurance because the property is used for trail rides, lessons and training. It’s not insurable at an affordable rate with these activities, which are necessary to financially support the rescue. They cannot operate the rescue without these activities because there just aren’t enough donations to sustain it without Lisa contributing through other services.

The Loyds also note that a new barn is not in the budget because hay prices are so high and they care for more than 60 rescue animals.

Animal lovers are asked to donate or volunteer.

Donations can be made by following this link.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson City Council now has at least two requests for renaming Avenue A Park. The council spent considerable time discussing the park after a request to name it “Smallville Park.”

But others also came before the council asking that the park be named after Hutchinson native Chester Lewis. Lewis was a leader in the NAACP and was a leader in pushing for civil rights in central Kansas. Darrell Pope said it would be better to name the park after a prominent person in the city rather than something related to a comic figure.

The city is connected with Smallville as the official birthplace of Superman and holds the Smallville Con each year. Chris Wietrick, one of the people behind the Smallville movement, has a number of supporters.

The 20-year-old park is in need of a facelift and Wietrick feels the name change could spur more pride in the park. He thinks it could push the renovation along Avenue A and Main. The park is the only one in the city that is not named for a person or neighborhood.

The council took no action, but will conduct a study and eventually decide how the park should be renamed, if at all.

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa — A Hutchinson teen has been identified as the victim of a fatal shooting in Council Bluffs, Iowa, on Monday. Detectives say 18-year-old Ethan B. Edgar was the victim in the shooting near South Main Street and 9th Avenue.

According to KETV, the initial investigation indicated that the owner of a stolen car, along with several friends in multiple cars, were in Council Bluffs actively searching for the automobile. The car had been reported stolen to the Omaha Police Department just after 2 a.m. Monday.

The report says Edgar was behind the wheel of the stolen Nissan. He was parked in the gas station lot at South Main and 9th Avenue when he was confronted by two individuals in separate vehicles. The two parked in front and back of Edgar’s vehicle. When Edgar tried to ram the two vehicles, the driver of one of the vehicles fired a number of shots and hit Edgar twice.

Police say Edgar drove away from the scene as the other two vehicles gave chase. Edgar was at South Main and 5th Avenue when he lost control of the car and struck a tree. He died later at the hospital.

The individuals inside the two other vehicles remained on the scene and were taken in for questioning. KETV says the county attorney will present the evidence to a grand jury to determine if the man who fired the shots, 25-year-old Jonathan Echtinaw of Omaha, will face any criminal charges.