Police on the scene of the October 15, shooting investigation in Newton-photo courtesy KWCH
HARVEY COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities continue to investigating a shooting at a home in Newton and are searching for the suspect. Several individuals have come forward to add to the reward in the case, according to Wichita Police Detective Wendy Hummell.
Just after 8:30p.m. October 15, a homeowner witnessed someone trying to steal a vehicle and confronted the suspect. The suspect shot the property owner one time. The bullet passed through his abdomen and struck his arm causing multiple wounds. The Homeowner was transported for medical treatment and continues to recover.
The suspect fled on foot and is still at large. The suspect is described as a white male in his mid 20’s, standing approximately 5’9″ tall with facial hair.
Since there is no crime stopper program in Harvey County, Wichita Police are encouraging anyone with information contact crime-stoppers 316-267-2111. Any information that leads to the arrest is eligible for the reward.
RENO COUNTY — Two corrections officers were treated for minor injuries after an altercation with an inmate just after 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Hutchinson Correctional Facility.
Just one inmate was involved, according to Kansas Department of Corrections spokesperson Samir Arif.
The corrections officers were transported to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center and released a short time later. They were back at work on Thursday, according to Arif.
The Kansas Department of Corrections did not release details on additional charges or the name of the inmate involved.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson Police will be doing extra seat belt enforcements around middle schools starting on Oct. 30 and continuing until Nov. 3.
Their goal is to have anyone visiting the middle schools buckled up properly.
This enforcement effort is in association with KDOT. They’ll be focusing on drivers and passengers in and around the schools. In 2016, Kansas lost 44 children ages 0-19 in motor vehicle crashes, with half of those children not being restrained.
Although the 2017 statewide observational seat belt survey showed 98 percent of children ages 0-4 are restrained, only 85 percent of 5-9 year olds and 85 percent of 10-14 year olds are buckled. They also note that, when the driver is buckled up, about 96 percent of the children are restrained. However, if the driver is not buckled up, only about 26 percent of the children are.
The times of the enforcement will be targeted 30 minutes before the start of school and 30 minutes following school on at least one school day.
In an effort to increase seat belt compliance, any person not properly restrained will be issued a citation.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Firefighters worked a fully-involved garage fire Monday night. The fire occurred in the 400 block of East 5th just after 11:30 p.m.
First units on scene reported a heavy fire. Crews made a defensive attack and were able to control the fire quickly, however, the garage was a total loss.
The structure was not occupied at the time of the fire and crews remained on scene for one hour, completing overhaul and investigation. No injuries were reported.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — After a delay of about a week, the Hutchinson Airport is set to open this afternoon. The wet weather a few weeks ago caused the delays.
Airport Manager Pieter Miller says the clean up and final details were being worked out this morning and all runways and taxiways should be open today. The $4.4 million upgrade included a complete rebuilding of the north/south runway, improved taxiways, lighting, a GPS approach system, signage and a shortening of the major southwest to northeast runway by 1,600 feet.
Most of the project was funded through an FAA grant and took about seven months to complete.
Tyson Foods is considering Sedgwick County and two other locations in Kansas as possible sites for a new $320 million poultry processing complex.
The Greater Wichita Partnership confirmed Wednesday evening that Sedgwick County was selected as a finalist.
Cloud County in north-central Kansas and Montgomery County in southeastern Kansas are also among the finalists.
Heather Lansdowne with the Kansas Department of Agriculture says 16 communities submitted proposals, and Tyson picked three for further consideration.
“We expect it to take a couple of months at this point of the process to go through the evaluation of those communities and identify which one of them is the best fit for this project,” Lansdowne says.
Lansdowne says the department helped narrow the search after more than 30 communities expressed interest in the project during the past few weeks.
“Agriculture makes up 45 percent of economic contribution in the state, so to grow the economy in Kansas, we really need to grow agriculture,” Lansdowne says. “A project of this magnitude would be a big boost for Kansas and for that local community, and the region around that community.”
The project would bring 1600 jobs to the community where it’s eventually located.
Jaimie Garnett, executive vice president of strategic communications for Greater Wichita Partnership, says they’ll continue to work with other stakeholders throughout the region to offer a consolidated consortium to the company.
“We are excited to continue with this process and discuss this potential project with Tyson,” says Garnett.
Tyson originally proposed to build the facility in Leavenworth County, but local leaders withdrew support in late September following public opposition.
The company is looking at locations in Kansas and other states for a community that has the infrastructure, labor pool, farmer interest and land required for the investment.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — South Hutchinson is out of the running for the proposed Tyson chicken processing facility according to Reno County Commission Chair Dan Deming, who called Eagle Radio early Wednesday morning.
South Hutchinson City Manager Matt Stiles confirmed that they were turned down by the Kansas Department of Agriculture for what he called “technical issues,” but wasn’t sure of what those were. He says he was contacted by Chamber President Debra Teufel late Tuesday of the decision.
Both Deming and Stiles indicated that there are only three other locations still under consideration, but don’t know which ones.
Tyson wants to build a $320 million plant that would employ 1,600 workers. It would also include 400 facilities for raising and hatching chickens, and a mill to supply feed for those farms.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — If you’ve been in the downtown area of Hutchinson, you’ve noticed the major renovation going on at the the old Decor building along Main Street. The store will become the future home of Queen Bee Marketing.
Recently during the demolition, they found an interesting item: a very old black handbag. According to Carissa Jackson with Queen Bee, the purse sat at a desk for several days before they decided to see if they could find the owner of the lost bag. Inside the purse was a collection of certificates, bank records, love letters, keys, a wallet and photos, along with a number of miscellaneous items dating back to 1948.
Eventually, a relative of Elaine Klatt discovered the purse and made contact with several other relatives who confirmed the purse belonged to the now Elaine McKenna. She had worked in the building when its was a Sears just after graduating from high school.
On Tuesday, McKenna and several members of her family came to the site of the old Sears and reclaimed the purse after nearly 70 years, getting a chance to rediscover old memories and share stories of when she worked and lived back in the 1940s.
Police on the scene of Sunday’s shooting investigation in Newton-photo courtesy KWCH
HARVEY COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting and continue looking for a suspect.
Just before 8:30p.m. Sunday, Newton Police Officers were notified of a violent crime in the 400 block of Normandy Road, according to a social media report.
A homeowner witnessed someone trying to steal a vehicle and confronted the suspect. The suspect shot the property owner one time. The bullet passed through his abdomen and struck his arm causing multiple wounds. The Homeowner was transported for medical treatment.
The suspect fled on foot and as of 4p.m. Monday was still at large, according to Newton Police. The suspect is described as a white male in his mid 20’s, standing approximately 5’9″ tall with facial hair.
Police have received numerous calls asking if people are safe in this neighborhood. We have no reason to believe the suspect is still in the neighborhood, but we encourage everyone to always use good safety practices. Locking doors, house and vehicle at all times, using yard lighting and being aware of your surroundings are all activities we should practice routinely.
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HARVEY COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting and looking for a suspect.
Just before 8:30p.m. Sunday, Newton Police Officers were notified of a violent crime in the 400 block of Normandy Road, according to a social media report.
A homeowner witnessed someone trying to steal a vehicle and confronted the suspect. The suspect shot the property owner one time. The bullet passed through his abdomen and struck his arm causing multiple wounds. The Homeowner was transported for medical treatment. The suspect fled on foot.
Police encouraged everyone living in the area to remain in their homes. Bethel College in Newton was briefly placed on lockdown. That ended just after midnight, according to the school’s social media account.
The suspect is to be considered armed and dangerous.
Police used a drone to assist with search efforts. Anyone with information is asked to call 911.
