HUTCHINSON, Kan. — It’s already law, but the ceremonial signing of the Kansas State Fair sales tax bill was held on the fairgrounds Wednesday afternoon.

The event was held in the domestic arts building with a large crowd of residents, dignitaries and local politicians. Gov. Jeff Colyer was present for the ceremonial signing.

The ceremony also included remarks from Interim GM Bob Moeder, Chamber President Debra Teufel, Reno County Commissioner Ron Hirst and Virginia Crossland-Macha, President of the Fair Board.

Teufel spoke about the fair’s importance to the local economy:

 

Gov. Jeff Colyer also spoke before the ceremonial signing:

 

He talked with the media after the bill signing about his feelings toward the state fair:

 

The funds will go to the fair’s CIP fund. Based on the events that come to the fairgrounds each year, it has the potential to generate as much as $400,000 per year.

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ORIGINAL STORY

HUTCHINSON, Kan. —  It’s already law, but the ceremonial signing of the Kansas State Fair sales tax bill will be held at the fairgrounds Wednesday afternoon.

The event begins at 4 p.m. at the domestic arts building. The ceremony will include remarks from Interim GM Bob Moeder, Chamber President Debra Teufel and Hutchinson Mayor Steve Dechant, as well as Virginia Crossland-Macha, President of the Fair Board.

The official signing and remarks from Gov. Jeff Colyer are set for 5 p.m. followed by a cake cutting.

The new law signed last month will allow the fair to collect the sales tax it generates. The funds will go to the fair’s CIP fund. The fair is expected to collect about $400,000 in revenue from the new law each year.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Reno County Commission wants to come up with something it does not have: a nuisance policy.

Nineteen people who live east of town on Zolman Road are complaining about a property there.

One of the neighbors in that area has a property that the neighbors feel is bringing down property values.

Commissioner Deming brought the issue up and wants something enacted by the end of the year:

 

Commissioner Bob Bush wonders if there is some plan that could address the issues when a certain number of complaints are filed:

 

Commissioner Deming wants a time in July where the residents in the Zolman Road area can come in and speak about their concerns.

As for any policy or resolution, Commission Chair Ron Hirst has concerns over what constitutes a nuisance:

 

No decisions were made Tuesday, but this issue is expected to come before the commission next month.

 

 

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MCPHERSON, Kan. — Around 12:25 a.m. Monday, McPherson Police were dispatched to the Mustang Mobile Home Park on the report of gunshots being fired. When they arrived on the scene, officers located the body of a deceased white male who suffered apparent gunshot wounds. His body was found in an empty lot.

The KBI is now assisting McPherson Police with the investigation.

An autopsy on the man is expected to happen at the Sedgwick County Forensic Science Center in Wichita.

No additional information has been released and no arrest has been made.

Anyone with information is asked to call McPherson Police.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Prairie Star Health Center is preparing for a major expansion of its facility at K-61 and East 30th Avenue. The estimated $4 million project will be located on two adjacent lots west of the current facility.

Prairie Star’s CEO Bryant Anderson says the health center needed more space:

 

 

Anderson says the expansion will include vision services:

 

Groundbreaking for the 18,000-square-foot expansion is set for Aug. 1 with the project expected to be completed in September or October of 2019.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Cosmosphere’s Apollo Redux youth program has been named as one of three informal educational organizations to promote science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) learning to inspire the next generation of explorers for what is known as NASA’s Team II.

NASA’s Teams Engaging Affiliated Museums and Informal Institutions (TEAM II) has selected the space museum and science center to receive a part of approximately $2 million that will be awarded to the selected projects from the organizations.

Apollo Redux has selected projects that provide authentic mission-driven STEM experiences, including: a new immersive “escape room”-inspired STEM game; traveling exhibitions featuring actual Apollo Mission Control Room consoles and interactive mission simulations; and the world’s first makerspace in a botanic garden, dedicated to NASA’s food production challenges.

The project was selected from 43 proposals through a peer reviewed process and will be implemented over the next two to three years. The three projects range in value from approximately $650,000 to $750,000.

The Cosmosphere will partner with other museums, K-12 and higher education institutions, informal education and maker networks to create exhibits, youth STEM learning programs, immersive multimedia, and hands-on, inquiry-based activities. Such projects extend the reach of informal learning organizations, with the goals of increasing critical-thinking skills and engineering and science literacy. They also prepare youth, particularly those in populations that are historically underrepresented in such professions, for careers in STEM.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — New information released Monday evening now suggests that a 32-year-old man arrested Monday morning may not be the same person involved in a high-speed chase that spanned three counties Sunday.

According to Police Lt. Josh Radloff, Jeffery Renfro was the suspect involved in the incident on East 4th. He apparently left a vehicle on 4th Street where it wasn’t supposed to be.
Police were given Jeffery Renfro’s name and went to his home. Renfro returned to the vehicle, which was believed to be stolen. When police arrived, he took off running. Officers attempted to tase him at one point, but it didn’t work.

Renfro then allegedly tried to steal another vehicle, but the keys weren’t in it. He tried to steal a third vehicle, but as he tried to drive over some old engine blocks to escape, he became high-centered. Renfro refused to leave the vehicle. Officers broke a window and pulled him out.

Radloff says he doesn’t believe Renfro was involved in Sunday’s high-speed chase. Law enforcement in three counties were involved in a chase that started in Rice County. The suspect temporarily got away and stole another vehicle in McPherson County. The chase ended in Hutchinson when the suspect wrecked at 23rd and Plum.

The suspect fled the scene.

The suspect in that chase ended up on Eastwood Drive. A short distance away, three residents reported a man entering their homes. One said his silver 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 was taken. Radloff says that vehicle was recovered in Marion County.

Radloff says they are still working with Rice County officials to identify the suspect in the chase. It is unlikely Renfro is that person.

Renfro still faces numerous charges. His bond was set at $25,500.

He was arrested back on May 7 for aggravated battery and aggravated assault–domestic violence, as well as driving while suspended, leaving the scene of an accident and reckless driving.

RENO COUNTY — A second small earthquake shook Kansas Monday morning. The quake at 8:48 a.m. measured a magnitude 2.6 and was centered approximately one mile west of South Hutchinson, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Just before 6 a.m. Monday, a 2.9 magnitude quake shook Saline County.

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SALINE COUNTY —  An earthquake shook central Kansas Monday. The quake at 5:54 a.m. measured a magnitude 2.9 and was centered approximately 4 miles east of Salina, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

There are no reports of damage, according to the Saline County Sheriff’s Department. The sheriff’s dispatch reported they received only one or two calls.

This is the first quake reported in Kansas in since a 2.6 quake in Harper County on May 3, according to the USGS.