HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The long, ongoing case of Samuel Vonachen has finally run its path through the Reno County Court System. Nearly four years after setting fire to the family home, killing his mother and sister, the now 18 year old was given two life sentences without parole for 25 years. He was also sentenced to more than 12 years for attempted murder and another five years for aggravated arson.

During the hearing, the defense continued to ask for dismissal of the trial or an acquittal, which was denied by Judge Trish Rose. The defense also called the physician that was part of the pre-sentencing evaluation ordered by the court, at the request of the defense, to testify in an attempt to get Vonachen sent to Larned for treatment — a move that could have seen his release after several years of treatment.

The defense also once again asked that testimony from Dr. Kathleen Heidi, who testified on Vonachen’s behalf during the trial, be allowed in court and that sentencing be continued so information could be presented. That request was also denied.

Only one family member spoke during sentencing and that was Vonachen’s grandmother. She told her grandson that she loved him and was sorry for what happened. No other family members spoke on his behalf. Vonachen was also denied the right to address Judge Rose.

Rose very quickly handed down the sentence and adjourned the court without addressing Vonachen directly.

HESSTON, Kan. — It is an honor that comes from a heroic deed during the great tragedy in the community of Hesston. President Donald Trump announced Thursday that Hesston Police Chief Doug Schroeder will be one of the recipients of the Presidential Medal of Valor.   

Hesston Mayor Dave Kauffman made the announcement to city employees and congratulated Schroeder on his accomplishment. Kauffman read an email sent by Gregory Joy, the Designated Federal Officer who is responsible for administering the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor program.

Schroeder was nominated for the award following his actions during the shooting at Excel Industries. Schroeder entered the building without backup, located the active shooter and brought an end to the shooting spree.  

City Administrator Gary Emry said Schroeder and “a select group of people” will travel to Washington, D.C., to attend the award ceremony where Schroeder will be given the medal, either by President Donald Trump or by Vice President Mike Pence. Emry said the date of the ceremony is still unknown.

 

 (courtesy photo from the Hutchinson Fire Department)

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Alcohol may have been a factor in an accident around 6:15 p.m. Wednesday in Reno County.

According to the Reno County Sheriff’s office, 59-year-old Eddie Baker of South Hutchinson was westbound on 17th, passed through the intersection of Obee Road and continued west, exiting the roadway, striking an embankment, a sign and a fence owned by the Hutchinson Airport.

Baker was transported by Reno County EMS to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center for the treatment of his injuries.

The investigation of the accident is continuing.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — With the uncertainty in renewable energy and downturns in India, Siemens Gamesa reported a fall in revenue to just under $31.3 billion in the third quarter of 2017, together with a drop in earnings to $245 million.

The manufacturer said the decline was the result of a “temporary downturn” in the market in India. Not all of the news was negative as the recently-merged companies reported an underlying net profit of just under $157 million in the period. The news also comes on the heels of the sudden announcement that the company was shutting down its blade manufacturing facility in Tillsonburg, Ontario, eliminating more than 300 jobs.

Sales of turbines were also down at 1.95GW, impacted by the Indian market, as well as by “normal business volatility” in the offshore industry, Siemens Gamesa said. Revenue increased 8 percent in the company’s operations and maintenance business to $348 million, with 54GW covered globally.

The company expects global demand, excluding China, to increase by 8 percent by 2020 to 45GW from 36GW currently, with offshore growth annually of 24 percent to 2020. Up next in the earnings parade for companies with connections to Reno County will be Archer Daniels Midland Aug. 1, followed by Tyson Foods Aug. 7.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — In a hearing that lasted just a few minutes, Reno County District Court Judge Trish Rose denied a request from the defense attorney for Samuel Vonachen to delay his sentencing, which is scheduled for Friday. Vonachen is to be sentenced on his convictions of two counts of first-degree murder, attempted murder, and aggravated arson.

Aug. 23, 2016:

The defense asked for the delay because it wanted an expert witness to present a report on Vonachen. The report is from Dr. Kathleen Heidi, who testified during the trial. It was Heidi who testified that Vonachen had no idea what he was doing the night he set fire to the family home killing his mother and sister. Dr. Heidi stood by her diagnosis even though two psychologists found that Vonachen was able to form the intent to commit the murders and concluded that he may be a “psychopath.” It was also noted to the jury at that time that Heidi is not a licensed psychologist in Florida where she lives, or in the state of Kansas.

What Heidi would have to present during the sentencing is unknown, but the motion for an extension was denied. The defense then stated that it would file a motion to split the sentencing with the prosecution presenting its side and allowing the defense time to rebut the prosecution’s case.

That motion will be addressed during sentencing on Friday.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Following the wildfires of this spring, the Hutchinson Fire Department decided it needed some different gear in order to make fighting such fires safer and easier.

So they have started a campaign to raise money through grants and donations to purchase brush gear that is lighter and easier to move around in. Such gear is ideal for an environment like the Sand Hills.

The department got a nice boost to that fund Monday when Luminous Neon presented HFD with a check for $1,000 to go toward the purchase of such gear.

The presentation came following a safety meeting with Luminous employees.

Chief Steven Beer says they are working to raise a matching amount for a $4,000 grant they received from the Kansas State Forestry Service to purchase more of the gear.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Cosmosphere’s Governing Board of Directors announced that CEO Dick Hollowell will retire at the end of the year. The announcement followed a board meeting last week. Hollowell has served the Cosmosphere since July 2011.

Replacing Hollowell as CEO will be Jim Remar, the current President and Chief Operating Officer.

“Dick assumed the position at exactly the right time and we have been lucky to have him. Under Dick’s leadership, the Cosmosphere has achieved financial stability it had not known for many years, has reenergized its education offerings to create a true International Science Education Center and has launched a Revitalization initiative that will ensure its success for generations to come,” Board Chair Eric Steinle said. “We are grateful for the six and a half years Dick has shared his astute business leadership. It has left the Cosmosphere a better organization for all its stakeholders.”

To prepare for 2018, Remar has already begun shaping strategy with a newly named executive team.

That team includes: Tracey Tomme, who will assume the duties and title of executive vice president and chief operating officer; Mimi Meredith will be the senior vice president of development and marketing and chief development officer; Steven Birdsall will be the vice president of finance and chief financial officer and Jack Graber will be the vice president of exhibits and technology.

RENO COUNTY — Sheriff officials and area fire crews are investigating three cases of possible arson in the county in the past several days.

The first was July 19 around 7 p.m. when a Reno County man reported a field being burned in the 16300 block of South Sego Road.

Then on Sunday, deputies took two reports of hay bales being set on fire: one in the 5200 block of K-96 Highway around 1:45 a.m., and the other in the 11500 block of South Mayfield Road reported around 1:30 a.m.

No word on any arrests with the ongoing investigation.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Area law enforcement and Hutchinson Fire have been spending the week doing active shooter exercises around Hutchinson High School.

The exercise, done each year at various locations, helps officers prepare for such an event by putting them through various scenarios. Lt. Brice Burlie with the Hutchinson Police Department says some of the training is a little different this year in that they are doing exercises involving a single officer. This type of event was brought to light during the Excel Industries shooting last year in Hesston.

Burlie says such a scenario has very different tactics compared to a group of officers responding to a shooting in that the officer must react quickly and make sure he or she does everything possible to stop the shooter while watching out for the many unknowns, such as a second shooter. It also trains the officer to report their whereabouts and give a self-description so arriving officers can identify him or her.

The Hutchinson Fire Department was brought in to help train them on responding to numerous injuries and to triage such events.

HARVEY COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Harvey County used a drone to find a missing man on Tuesday.

Just before 11:30p.m. Tuesday, deputies received a call in reference to a missing 91-year-old man at a residence two miles north of Walton, according to Harvey County Sheriff Chad Gay.

The terrain and the vegetation in the quarter section they were searching made the job almost impossible, according Harvey County Sheriff’s Department Corporal Brandon Huntley.

After 3 hours of ground search, Huntley decided to use the department’s Drone to search. The Drone identified a hot spot. Deputies directed emergency crews to the location. After approximately 30-minutes, Hesston EMS transported to victim to Newton Medical Center where he is recovering.

Huntley said the victim was missing for over 9 hours. He is expected to make a full recovery. The department purchased the drone as a life-saving tool. It is the first time the sheriff’s department has successfully used the drone.