RICE COUNTY — Authorities are working to determine the cause of a fatal fire in Rice County and have identified the man who died.

Late Friday, fire crews responded to the fire at a home in the 400 Block of Southerland Street in Chase, according to Rice County Sheriff Bryant Evans.

Beverly G. Boatright, 66, was pronounced dead at the scene. Andrea Dry, 59, was transported to a hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, according to Evans.

The family dog also died in the blaze. The home is considered a total loss, according to Evans.

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RICE COUNTY — Authorities are working to determine the cause of a fatal fire in Rice County.

Late Friday, fire crews responded to the fire at a home in Chase on U.S. 56 approximately 25 miles east of Great Bend, according to Rice County Sheriff Bryant Evans.

One occupant of the home died and another was transported for treatment. Authorities have not identified the victims.

Sheriff Evans  will release additional details on the fire Monday.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — New construction at the Hutchinson Regional Airport is about to begin.

Pieter Miller, manager at the airport, talked about the construction of T-hangers this spring:

 

He also talked about the cost of this construction:

 

No specific date has been announced, but construction is expected to begin this spring.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson Police Chief Jeffrey Hooper says a longtime Hutchinson police detective has been terminated for “unprofessional conduct.”

Jamie Schoenhoff was terminated by Chief Hooper yesterday after being suspended on Monday.

Hooper says the complaint came in Monday from a third party. Hooper did not give any specific information about the type of misconduct that occurred and would only say it was a personnel matter.

An investigation was launched after Schoenhoff’s suspension Monday. The findings of that investigation led to his termination Wednesday morning.

Schoenhoff has been with the department for 20 years, in fact, he was recently acknowledged by the city for his service.

The police department is now 15 officers short.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson USD 308 announced just after 10 p.m. Wednesday that school will be closed Thursday because of the weather.

Click the “Closings” tab at the top of the page for more closings and cancellations.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — While Reno County commissioners placed any planning or zoning requirements regarding a proposed wind farm squarely in the hands of the planning commission, Sedgwick County commissioners have done what many residents in Reno County were seeking.

The Sedgwick County Commission unanimously approved a moratorium on new wind farm or solar energy developments in the county. The move stops planning officials from issuing new permits for proposed plants for six months. County Commission Chairman David Dennis told KWCH the delay allows county leaders to develop rules for future wind and solar developments.

It was what many in Reno County wanted in connection with the proposed NextEra wind project south of Haven. Area residents repeatedly asked for the moratorium, citing lack of study on the effects of wind farms to property values and way of life. Instead, the commission asked that the matter be decided by the planning commission.

NextEra has yet to file an application for the wind farm.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson Police and the Reno County Sheriffs Department says they are extending the Emergency Accident Reporting Plan through until 1 p.m Thursday because of road conditions. Both implemented the emergency reporting system Wednesday morning.

If you are involved in a traffic accident and there is no alcohol, drugs or injuries involved, or roadways are not blocked by disabled vehicles, you can report your accident as soon as possible after the roads have cleared.

However, owner and driver information should be exchanged before leaving the accident scene.

Delayed report forms for the city can be picked up at all Kwik Shops or the Law Enforcement Center.

The forms can be mailed to:

Hutchinson Police Department
Attn: Sgt Brian Hirt
210 W. 1st Ave.
Hutchinson, KS 67501

For accidents in the county, please go to the Reno County Sheriff’s Office website and print off the Emergency/Delayed Accident Reporting Form.

Fill the form out and mail it to:

Reno County Sheriff’s Office
Attn: Patrol Captain
210 W. 1st
Hutchinson, KS 67501

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — While the Reno County Commission decided against a moratorium to study the effects of any wind energy farm in the county, the planning commission has been looking at blanket zoning for the entire county.

Zoning would be put in place countywide for wind, solar and other industrial facilities, including hog farms or similar type facilities.

Amy Brown, who wanted the moratorium on the proposed wind farm, was again before the commission asking about the process and why nothing has happened:

 

County Counselor Joe O’Sullivan said the planning commission may be waiting until the NextEra Wind Farm hearings are over, which he says will allow them to determine the adequacy of those regulations.

The commission asked that the county planning director provide some information on when any overlay of county zoning regulations may be considered before it comes before the commission itself.

SOUTH HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Dr. Roger Marshall was immediately asked Saturday about the possibility of another government shutdown.

He spoke before the legislative forum and said he supports President Trump’s position on building a wall on the southern border:

 

The congressman talked about things he saw happening at the border when he went to take a look for himself:

 

After he spoke, Marshall spent some time with the media and was asked about any type of comprehensive immigration reform:

 

As for the DACA recipients or dreamers, as they’re commonly referred to, Marshall says the president agreed to help them as part of his proposal to solving the border wall controversy:

 

During his conversation with the media, the congressman didn’t specifically say he will run for the Senate seat currently held by Senator Pat Roberts. Marshall says he is looking at the possibility. His wife and two of his kids have already told him to go for it.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Quarterly earnings reports continue with Siemens Gamesa releasing its first quarter earnings on Wednesday.

Revenue increased in the first three months of the year by 6 percent year-on-year, to $2.5 billion, driven by the offshore business and by service. Wind turbine volume increased by 7 percent, to 2,129 MWe, because of the strong contribution by the offshore segment.

Net profit amounted to $20.6 million, contrasting with the $40.1 million loss reported in the same period of the previous fiscal year.

Things look good for the near future as the world’s number one wind turbine maker has logged orders worth $13.5 billion in the last twelve months. Most of that is due to a 28 percent increase in onshore orders.

The company says it expects continued growth through at least 2025, especially in the offshore market, according to the company news release.