HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The 19-year-old man suspected of being the shooter in the killing of a Hutchinson man entered a plea to a lesser charge Wednesday afternoon.

Leo Wells was charged with intentional murder in the second degree after he shot and killed 24-year-old Kenneth Thompson. But, in court, he waived his right to a preliminary hearing and entered a “guilty” plea to voluntary manslaughter.

On June 24, Hutchinson Police Officers were dispatched to the 100 block of South Elm in reference to a shooting and located the victim, 24-year-old Kenneth Thompson, lying in the street with multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center where he died from his injuries.

District Attorney Keith Schroeder during the hearing talked of the gathering or party where the two men apparently got into an argument and Wells decided to leave. Thompson apparently followed him taunting him with what some called playful banter. One Wells got his vehicle, he pulled a gun and shot Thompson. While on the ground, Wells fire more rounds at the victim. Although not mentioned in court, Schroeder told us after the hearing that the victim suffered four wounds including in one leg, his wrist and two in the chest.

With Wells entering the plea, he’ll be sentenced on Feb. 9 by District Judge Trish Rose, and both sides will be able to argue disposition. The defense already indicated that they will seek a departure while the state will argue for prison.

The Voluntary Manslaughter conviction carries a maximum sentence 20-years and seven months (247-months) in prison.

Wells remains jailed on a $350,000 bond pending sentencing.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – After some discussion, the Reno County Commission Tuesday approved the request from Hutchinson High School student, Seamus (Shaymus) Wamsley to place an exchange house on courthouse property for the purpose of promoting literacy. That would include a small wooden structure similar to others in the community.

Wamsley brought the structure he built to show the commission what it would look like and explained that he is doing this as an Eagle Scout project.

They initially thought somewhere on the west side of the courthouse grounds would work, but then Commissioner Bob Bush thought maybe near the Reno County Annex on the southeast corner of 1st and Adams would be a better spot, while Commissioner Ron Hirst suggested placing it near the Reno County Health Department building on 2nd Street behind the courthouse.

Others who have similar structures in the city also spoke of their experiences and stated that they have had no issues with them.

No definite decision was made on the location, but Wamsley says he could install it in the very near future once county officials agree on a location.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – A Kansas man listed as an absconder from community corrections finds himself in more trouble after he was arrested for aggravated burglary and drug charges.

Just after 3 a.m. Thursday, two custodians caught 25-year-old Schuyler Willis, 25, inside the B&B Theaters in Hutchinson by two custodians.

They called the police who arrived at the scene and found Willis in one of the projection rooms. He claimed he was an employee, but the custodians told police he shouldn’t be there. He apparently had stayed in the theater when it closed Wednesday night.

Police started to arrest Willis and he became combative when they tried to place handcuffs on him and they ended up using a Tazor at least a couple of times before he finally became cooperative.

He was carrying a bag which according to statements made in court contained three headphones reportedly belonging to the theater and also was in possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Potential charges include aggravated burglary, felony interference, possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

He’s also being held on the warrant for absconding from corrections for a drug conviction from 2014.

He should be back in court on Dec. 22, for the reading of any formal charges.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — It is getting to be that time of the Christmas season where you need to get your gifts or cards you may be shipping in the mail if you want them to arrive on time.

According to the Hutchinson Post Office, anything shipped retail ground needed to be in the mail by the end of the business day Thursday.

If you didn’t make that deadline, there are still plenty of options. Packages shipped First Class must be on the way by Dec 19. If you want a little more time, you can ship Priority Mail, but that must be done by Dec. 20. Priority Express packages must be shipped by Dec. 22.

If you’re shipping internationally, you can ship by global express as long as it’s at the post office by Dec 19. If you’re shipping a military care package or presents, they must be in the mail by this Saturday, Dec. 16.

The Hutchinson Post Office also announced it will be open on Sunday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. for anything you might need.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — An accident at the South Hutchinson Tyson plant in June of this year has resulted in more than $117,000 in fines. OSHA cited six serious violations and two repeat violations related to the June 8 incident. Ammonia was released and injured two contract workers, one critically.

The fines levied Dec. 5 show that Tyson failed to provide and construct proper exit routes for employees in case of an emergency, failed to provide safety management for hazardous materials and failed to have proper emergency action plans in place. Tyson will have until Dec. 27 to correct the violations.

In 2013, Tyson agreed to pay a $3,950,000 civil penalty to settle alleged violations of Clean-Air Act regulations covering the prevention of chemical accidents at its facilities, including the plants in Hutchinson and South Hutchinson.

At the South Hutchinson facility, an employee died while working on the plant refrigeration system. Fifty-one-year-old Michael Wiebe died Oct. 31, 2006, when a pipe rupture released a toxic cloud of ammonia. The accident also injured a co-worker. Federal investigators found that the pipe fitting that split while the two were trying to drain anhydrous ammonia from refrigeration equipment was responsible for the death. OSHA noted that the men weren’t using protective gear required by federal regulations.

Tyson was fined $40,000 by OSHA for that incident.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — During the Reno County Commission meeting Tuesday, Sheriff Randy Henderson and Sheriff Capt. Darrian Campbell told the commission that they’ll be receiving a Lenco BearCat Armored Vehicle next year.

Campbell talked about this special project and says they will get the new vehicle from a company called Lenco Armored Vehicles. According to Lenco’s website, the company is the leading designer and manufacturer of armored police vehicles for law enforcement agencies and state police and sheriff’s department SWAT teams.

Lenco also manufactures armored military vehicles for international police forces, the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force and U.S. Marines.

Campbell explained that this vehicle will be housed in Hutchinson, but will serve a much larger area than just Hutchinson and Reno County. This includes 19 counties in south-central Kansas. By serving this expanded area, the department qualifies for the vehicle through a Homeland Security program.

At $240,000, you may be wondering where the money is coming from to purchase this vehicle. Campbell again explained that the money will not come from local tax dollars, but from Homeland Security. No local tax dollars will be used. He does admit that they will be responsible for the maintenance and housing for the vehicle. They will also use $38,000 in seized money for the vehicle.

Vehicles like this are used by law enforcement for the most extreme situations, such as a hostage situation or person barricaded inside a structure. You may have seen a similar vehicle from the Wichita Police Department in Hutchinson in the past for certain situations where officer safety was a concern. Campbell described this vehicle simply as a tool to help with their efforts to keep the public safe. He says it will only be used during extreme situations.

Campbell says they’ll have the vehicle around town for certain events so the public can see it. This will allow the department to educate the public on its uses.

Campbell says he will travel to inspect the vehicle, then take possession of it next month. Once here, Sheriff’s Department graphics will be added to it.

PRATT COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating suspects in connection with a drug arrest.

Just after 8 a.m. last Friday, a deputy with the Pratt County Sheriff’s Office conducted a routine traffic stop and during the stop, the deputy obtained a search warrant of the vehicle for suspected drugs. The search resulted in the seizure 10.5 pounds of methamphetamine with a street value of approximately $404,000.00.

Booked into the Pratt County Jail was 65-year-old, Dale Gordon Ewing. Potential charges include distribution of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to distribute or manufacture, no tax stamp and transporting an open container of alcohol.

His bond set at $150,000 and he should make a court appearance in Pratt County this week.