HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The winter storm that rolled through the area caught some off guard as the storm quickly intensified overnight and into the morning. Fortunately, it also moved out of the area quickly.

Still, Hutchinson received about two inches of snow that was driven by wind of nearly 60 miles per hour. Areas to the north received more snow, with McPherson getting about four inches. An area just north of Great Bend got six inches and Salina got seven. Most areas in southern Reno County and around Wichita reported about an inch or less.

Strong winds closed off roads and shut down some schools in the area. Both Buhler and Nickerson closed schools for the day, as did many in central and northeast Kansas.

I-70 was closed from Salina west. The area between Topeka and Junction City in the Flint Hills was also closed.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Math scores in two grade levels that are given assessment tests in Hutchinson USD 308 show that a higher percentage of students failed to achieve at least performing grade-level work.

The tests are given to students in 4th, 7th, 8th, and 10th grade. The statistics show that 74 percent of 4th graders were doing grade-level work or better compared to 83 percent the year before. The numbers were more alarming in 8th grade where nearly 60 percent of the students were below the performing grade-level. The number is 36 percent higher than the state average.

There were positive numbers in the district. The number of students performing above grade-level in 10th grade math jumped from 49 percent to 57 percent, which was above the state average. In 7th grade, the numbers stayed the same at 72 percent.

When it came to ACT testing, the numbers saw decline as well. The number of Hutchinson High School seniors who took the ACT saw their average scores drop from 21.7 to 20. That’s below the state average of 21.1 and the national average of 20.5.

The percentage of USD 308 students ready for college level math also fell from 51 percent to just 36 percent. The state average is 44 percent.

A full report on the math assessments will be presented to the USD 308 school board during Monday’s agenda session.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson City Council reached the end of its trial period for holding a monthly meeting during the evening hours.

After some discussion and a split vote, the council has decided it will go back to holding all meetings during the normal 9 a.m. time slot.

The council decided to hold the second meeting of the month at 5:30 p.m. to accommodate city residents. But the change in time didn’t translate into any noticeable changes in attendance.

During Tuesday’s evening meeting, Councilman John Daveline wanted to address the issue. Mayor Steve Dechant didn’t want to change back to the regular schedule, saying that the six-month trial period was not long enough. However, the other four council members were all in agreement that the evening meetings should end.

Since no public hearings are scheduled for next month, the change will take place starting with the second meeting in December.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Any decision on a moratorium for the proposed wind farm in Reno County is still two weeks away, but that didn’t stop a large crowd of Reno County residents from their continued objections to the project between Haven and Pretty Prairie.

The commission chambers were filled again Tuesday morning with residents requesting a delay in the project until more study can be done regarding the financial and environmental impact on the area. Last Tuesday, commissioners delayed any decision on the moratorium for three weeks because Commissioner Bob Bush was absent.

Residents approached the board on Tuesday with financial numbers they assembled to claim that the wind farm would be a financial and tax burden on the county and not worth the revenue it could bring in. Commissioners said they appreciated the numbers and asked residents to send them information on how they got those figures. Health issues were also expressed, as well as a fear of potential drop in land values.

Last week, Commissioner Dan Deming told the crowd that commissioners want to work with the company to address some of the residents’ concerns.

NICKERSON, Kan. — Another steering committee meeting is set for this evening in the Nickerson USD 309 School District to further discuss the district facility needs.

The meeting comes after a number of public forums to address a possible bond issue.

Superintendent Dr. Dawn Johnson discusses the high school’s needs:

 

If the committee decides to go with everything on the list, Johnson says they would be looking at a bond issue of around $55 million:

 

If the committee feels it has what it wants in the facilities improvement plan, members will bring it to the school board for presentation during the Nov. 28 meeting. If committee members still feel the need to chew over the numbers, the presentation would be pushed back to December.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – Hutchinson Police Chief Jeffrey Hooper hosted family and friends of his new command staff as they were sworn in at Hutchinson City Hall Friday.

As Hutch Post reported earlier this week, those promoted to Captain included Lt. Marty Robertson, Lt. Thad Pickard and Lt. Joshua Radloff.

Sergeant Dustin Loepp is now a Lieutenant. Detective Curtis Black and Officer’s Lance Hirt and Dayton Gates have been promoted to Sergeant.

The new Command Structure will have four divisions reporting directly to Chief Hooper.

For Administration, it will be Captain Josh Radloff. In charge of Operations will be Captain Marty Robertson. Heading up Professional Standards will be Captain Thad Pickard.

Chief Hooper explained what those positions consist of:

 

As for an Assistant Chief, he says he won’t have one:

 

The ceremony took place in the City Council Chambers to an overflow crowd.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Community Foundation announced Thursday afternoon the 2018 Fund for Hutchinson grant awards at the Cosmosphere.

Established in 1990 by the foundation’s board of directors as a permanent resource for the changing needs of Reno County, $3.5 million have been awarded to more than 170 area organizations and agencies from this fund.

This year, 27 organizations providing a wide variety of services and programs in Reno County are collectively receiving more than $213,000. Additionally this year, the Fund for Hutchinson Community Leadership grants totaling more than $41,000 were celebrated.

Sarah Blake, who is a Program Associate with the Hutchinson Community Foundation, talked about how these non-profits were selected. She says it starts off with those organizations making a request for funding during the summer months and then the selection process begins:

 

She also explained where the money comes from:

 

In other words, you can help make this possible with your donations to the Hutchinson Community Foundation:

 

Here are the grant recipient organizations:

Arts & Culture – $23,044

Family Community Theatre – $10,240

Let There Be Light: Update lighting equipment and accompanying software, allowing improved theater experience for audience members, development of new productions featuring lighting set to music, and increased opportunities for community members to access mentoring in lighting design using the industry-standard equipment.

Hutchinson Symphony Association – $2,804

Can You Hear Us Now?: Purchase, implement and train association members on a ticketing, marketing, and patron management system, which will streamline the symphony’s interactions with existing and potential patrons and increase their ability to collaborate with local arts organizations using the same system.

Hutchinson Theatre Guild (Stage 9) – $10,000 x 3 years

Producing the Producer: Final year of a three-year grant to support capacity building toward a new strategic vision at Stage 9 that will strengthen and sustain the performing arts in Reno County.

Civic Improvement – $50,799

City of Arlington – $3,299

Securing Our Shared Spaces: Ensure the security and safety of shared space at Arlington Community Center by expanding the keyless entry system to include the cafeteria and gym.

Hutch Rec – $15,000 x 3 years

Neighborhood Development: Second year of a three-year grant to support collaborative work with residents and community partners, including the City of Hutchinson and the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce, on innovative neighborhood development strategies with the overarching goal of ensuring Hutchinson has safe neighborhoods and is an attractive place to live, work, play and raise an active family.

Interfaith Housing and Community Services, Inc. – $15,000 x 3 years

Projects Coordinator: Final year of a three-year grant to support a central projects coordinator position that coordinates community efforts in addressing Hutchinson’s housing needs, including critical repair and rehabilitation, by connecting organizations, programs, volunteers and funding.

Interfaith Housing and Community Services, Inc. – $10,000 x 2 years

Keeping Homes Healthy and Safe: Final year of a two-year grant to make necessary home repairs for very low-income households, persons with disabilities and the elderly, so they can continue living with dignity in their affordable homes.

Reno County Veterans Association – $7,500

Operation Etched in Stone: Support for completion of the Reno County Veterans’ Memorial, honoring over 15,000 local veterans dating back to the Civil War whose names will be etched on seven granite panels.

Health & Human Services – $46,256

Poverty Collaborative Task Force – $2,000

Collaborative Coaching Ecumenical Training Group: Equip an ecumenical group of church contacts to develop collaborative coaching relationships with people in poverty to support progress toward financial sufficiency, as well as building trusting, ongoing relationships among church contacts.

Prairie Independent Living Resource Center (PILR) – $7,070

ChoreBusters: Begin a new service called ChoreBusters, which community members can access to complete chores and errands, and which, over time, will generate income as unrestricted funds and allow PILR to become more self-sufficient and less reliant on grants.

Reno County Communities That Care – $12,911

VISTA Member Support: Reno County Communities That Care, Reno County Drug-Free Alliance (Drug Court), Interfaith Housing & Community Services and United Way of Reno County collaboratively applied for and received an AmeriCorps grant placing three full-time Volunteers In Service to America (VISTA) members at their agencies for one year in support of work to alleviate poverty, with an emphasis on opioid prevention. This funding covers the organizations’ costs to provide a fourth volunteer for the year.

Reno County Health Department – $9,500

Leadership to a Healthy Hutch: Engage Reno County Health Department staff in a series of leadership training and coaching sessions to better equip them for internal department decision-making processes while also preparing them for service on community boards and committees.

United Way of Reno County – $12,275

Technology into the 21st Century: Build organizational capacity through up-to-date, compatible technology equipment, allowing the organization’s good work to continue in a more efficient manner.

Visions of Hope, Inc. – $2,500

Outreach and Awareness: Work closely with a marketing firm to explore means of increasing awareness of Reno County Court Appointed Special Advocates’ (CASA) need for volunteer advocates for children in crisis.

Early Childhood & Youth Development – $54,196

Abundant Life Daycare – $6,000

2020 Vision: Continue the flooring update project in classrooms to ensure a clean, safe and healthy environment for the children cared for in the center each day as an extension of The Father’s House church.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Hutchinson, Inc. – $12,000 x 3 years

Hawk Huddle: Second year of a three-year grant for an after-school program providing seventh- and eighth-grade students at Hutchinson Middle School with homework help and opportunities to become involved in school events, allowing for continuous academic assistance while a sustainable funding source is built.

Circles of Hope Reno County – $3,696 x 2 years

Hutchinson High School Project – Building Capacity of Youth Who Are Living in Poverty: Increase the resilience of Hutchinson High School students from unstable homes by building their capacity to stabilize their lives and create their future stories.

Girls on the Run Heart of Kansas – $7,500 over 3 years

Program Expansion to New Sites & New Program Scholarships: Ensure that girls who would not typically have access to quality youth programming have the opportunity to participate in Girls on the Run (third- through fifth-graders) or Heart & Sole (sixth- through eighth-graders) programs that inspire girls to be joyful, healthy, and confident through experienced-based curriculum that creatively integrates running.

Hutchinson Public Schools – $5,000 x 3 years

Making the IB More Accessible and Successful: Final year of a three-year grant to support teacher training and exam scholarships for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programmes (Diploma and Career-related) at Hutchinson High School, providing rigorous college-preparatory courses to make students more college- and career-ready upon graduation. Matched 1:1 by the Davis Foundation.

Kansas Children’s Service League – $10,000

Healthy Families – Reno County: Continue to provide primary child abuse and neglect prevention services to Reno County’s Hispanic population through a bilingual home visitor who is well-trained in the Hispanic culture. Matched 1:1 by Medicaid.

Salthawk Community Support – $10,000 x 3 years

Removing Barriers to Education: The second year of a three-year grant providing students in need at Hutchinson High School with basic necessities and access to academic tutoring, financial education and self-esteem building activities coordinated by emotionally encouraging staff and volunteers.

Helen Adams Hamilton Children and Education Fund – $24,800

To foster the growth, education, and development of young people who are 18 years of age and younger, with a preference for funding activities that result in an early intervention in an at-risk child’s life.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Reno County – $4,000

A Little Time for Big Futures: Support a campaign of diverse outreach efforts to recruit professionals throughout Reno County as mentors for 15 youth over the age of 12 who are currently on the organization’s waiting list.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Hutchinson – $5,800

EPIC Skillz Phase III: Explore ways to expand the EPIC Skillz program so a higher number of students can be introduced to career pathways through hands-on learning, soft skills and connections with local businesses.

South Hutchinson After School Kids & Preschool – $15,000

Project Safe Play: Purchase playground equipment that will provide opportunities to climb, slide, play games and interact creatively with other children while also meeting safety standards.

Kansas Health Foundation Public Health Endowment Fund – $14,870

Supporting health and well-being through healthy lifestyles, behaviors and environments.

Kansas Food Bank Warehouse – $5,000

Food 4 Kids Weekend Backpack Program: Provide volunteer-assembled, weekend food packets to children in Reno County who are experiencing food insecurity, allowing them to return to school on Monday mornings feeling less anxious, healthier, and better prepared to learn.

Reno County Department of Aging – $5,200

Grocery Delivery Service: Support Reno County citizens over the age of 60 living in rural areas lacking a grocery store by providing access to grocery ordering, shopping and delivery.

Early Education Center – $4,670

Hearing Screening: Purchase updated, portable equipment to complete mandatory hearing screenings for children 6 months to 5 years old who participate in any home- or center-based program through the Early Education Center and for children throughout Reno County who access developmental screenings through the center.

Fund for Hutchinson – Community Leadership – $41,916

Strategic grants supporting Hutchinson Community Foundation’s leadership priorities, timely community needs or catalytic opportunities to strengthen our communities through collaboration and innovative leadership.

Kansas Dental Charitable Foundation – Kansas Mission of Mercy

Support for the February 2018 event at the Kansas State Fairgrounds, when volunteer dental professionals provided 1,150 patients with a total of $1,396,068 in donated services – including 3,345 tooth extractions and 1,175 fillings – for an average of $1,200 per patient in free dental work.

Capacity Building for the Poverty Collaborative Task Force

Group coaching to strengthen collaborative relationships among people, churches and organizations concerned about poverty and costs associated with Frontline Trainings for church staff to better understand the emergency referral system and consider potential interventions for increased efficiency and empathy.

Community Education and Capacity Building for Resilience Reno County

Support for a community book study to build a common understanding of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and visits from nationally recognized trauma consultants to help members of Resilience Reno County move their organizations and the community at large toward trauma-informed practices, policies and environments.

Horizons Mental Health Center’s ABC Program

As a funding partnership with the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund, this is the second year of a three-year grant to support the establishment of the evidence-based ABC (Attachment and Bio-behavioral Catch-Up) Program in Reno County. The program provides a 10-week coaching experience to families with children 6 to 24 months who have experienced early adverse environments, with the goal to improve parent-child attachment and the child’s ability to cope and respond to continued stressful situations, as well as buffer against the long-term effects of toxic stress.

Strong Towns “Curbside Chat” and Conversations

In partnership with the City of Hutchinson, Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce, Hutch Rec and Young Professionals of Reno County, we invited the president and founder of Strong Towns, Charles Marohn, to present a “Curbside Chat” in October to educate the community on how so many American cities have found themselves in decline after decades of “growth” and introduce alternate considerations for how cities can change their approach for a future with more productive growth. The event and conversations with Marohn were meant to inspire a different set of questions and generative dialogue when we consider where and how our Reno County communities target investments going forward.

Building Quality Relationships to Inspire Collaboration

In an effort to better understand how to inspire meaningful and change-making collaboration, the Community Foundation has been experimenting with investing in the process of inter- and cross-sector relationship building. We believe in the Core Theory of Success used in Systems Thinking, which says that as the quality of relationships rises, the quality of collective thinking improves, leading to an increase in the quality of collective actions and results.
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Hutchinson Community Foundation’s mission is to inspire philanthropy, collaboration and innovative leadership to strengthen our communities. Since 1989, the foundation has granted $70 million. For more information, visit www.hutchcf.org.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The annual Farm Focus Family breakfast in honor of National Farm City Week was celebrated by the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce Wednesday morning.

The Hutch Chamber awarded the Farm Focus Family of the Year and the Agri-Business of the Year. The Farm Focus Family award began in 1985 and this year marked 100 families in Reno County that have been recognized for their contributions to Reno County Agriculture.

This year’s award went to Jim and Amy Theis. Amy grew up on her family farm in Hutchinson and Jim has worked on a farm all his life with the hopes of one day owning a farm of his own. Jim and Amy began farming part time raising cattle until Amy’s parents decided to turn their farm over to them in 2010, allowing Jim to begin farming full time. Today, their farm operation consists of raising cattle and growing a variety of crops including wheat, corn, milo, and soy beans. In addition to helping on the farm, Amy is also the Location Manager in Nickerson for Central Prairie Co-op.

The Agri-Business of the Year Award went to PrairieLand Partners. PrairieLand Partners was originally made up in 2008 of three successful John Deere dealerships in central and southern Kansas. The John Deere implement dealer prides itself on staying connected to area communities from buying livestock at 4-H county fair auctions, to donating to United Way, to giving blood at Red Cross blood drives.

Also during the meeting, the Chamber recognized the FFA organizations in the county. Breakfast sponsor KFSA also announced it was donating $10 for each person that attended today’s breakfast to the United Way.