HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A suspect has been arrested in association with the robbery of two women in front of Great Clips at 1515 E. 17th. 22-year-old Tyler Joe Mossor was arrested Monday in the south alley, in the 500 block East 10th. He’s charged with aggravated robbery with a bond of $25,000.

According to Police, the two female employees had just left the store back on Nov. 20 when they were robbed of money and personal belongings by a single armed subject. The robbery was reported just after 9 p.m.

Unless Mossor makes bond, he should make a first appearance Wednesday morning in front of Magistrate Judge Randy McEwen.

Convicted murderer bound over on intimidation charges

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A convicted murderer from Pratt was bound over for trial in Reno County District Court Tuesday for alleged crimes at the Hutchinson Correctional Facility.

24-year-old Charles Denmark-Wagner is charged with solicitation to commit aggravated intimidation of a witness. The state alleges he attempted to get another person to intimidate a witness involving his murder case. He’s also charged with solicitation to commit criminal threat, which means he tried to get that other person to make the threat. According to the criminal complaint, both crimes occurred on Feb. 24.

Troy Robinson, an investigator of crimes within the prison, took the stand and told of two handwritten notes, one of which is believed to have been written by Denmark-Wagner, even though it was found in an area where he doesn’t have access. Robinson says it was signed using a known name that Denmark-Wagner uses in prison, that being “Smoke G.”

In the note, he was asking for help from his prison gang called “Folk Nation.” Apparently he wanted members of the gang to put pressure on Dan Riendeau to recant statements he made involving the murder of 48-year-old Alesia M. Doris-Graham. Denmark-Wagner believed that if Riendeau did, he could possibly get a new trial and possibly be released from prison. Apparently there are members of that gang at the Lansing Correctional Facility where Riendeau is being housed. Denmark-Wagner wanted them to “push up on him,” Robinson said.

Denmark-Wagner is serving life in prison with no chance of parole for 20 years after he entered a plea in a murder case. Riendeau also entered pleas in the case against him and was sentenced to 22 1/2 years in prison. Graham was murdered in 2008.

County maintenance worker and son busted on marijuana cultivation charges

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A father and son were taken to jail Monday on marijuana cultivation charges. The father, 51-year-old Johnny Lee Payne, worked at the Reno County Courthouse in the maintenance department.

His son, Jonathan Ray Payne, had been charged along with 20-year-old Cole Castle in a distribution case that goes back to July 27.

Jonathan Ray Payne is free on a $10,000 bond for suspicion of cultivating marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia to manufacture, growing and cultivating marijuana and drug paraphernalia to package and store the drug. Jonathan Lee Payne is free on a $7,500 bond for cultivation of marijuana and drug paraphernalia to manufacture, grow marijuana.

Drug Unit Detectives are alleged to have found 12 marijuana plants at the home in the 1500 block of North Monroe.

Cole Castle and Jonathan Ray Payne are charged in the earlier case with distribution of marijuana and conspiracy to distribute marijuana. The state alleges that the two conspired to distribute somewhere between 25 and 450 grams of marijuana. The state says the two arranged to distribute the marijuana using a telephone.

Because the two Paynes have bonded, they should make a first appearance on the new charges early next week.

Suspected drug dealer bound over for trial

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — After the state dropped the charges against one of two men arrested in August of last year on drug charges, they refiled the case and Corey Allen Smith was in court Tuesday morning where he was bound over for trial.

Smith is charged with possession of cocaine and marijuana, both with the intent to distribute within a thousand feet of a school, possession of cocaine, possession of hydrocodone, two counts of no drug tax stamp, and two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia, one with intent to package drugs for sale and the other for personal use.

The felony case against Smith and co-defendant Jamaal Norris centers on a search warrant being served on the home of Norris. During the search, officers say they located a baggie containing suspected marijuana on Norris. They say that, in a bedroom, they found more marijuana and numerous digital scales. They also apparently found cocaine and drug potpourri. There was at least 3.5 grams of cocaine, at least 25 grams of marijuana and at least 25 grams of a controlled substance.

The case against Smith will now move to arraignment next week.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The USD 308 Board of Education reviewed progress being made by district students in reading during its regular meeting Monday.

On a regular basis, the board receives detailed “report cards” from district staff about different academic areas within the district. Instead of using a single “high stakes” test, the district uses a variety of ways to determine if students are becoming proficient readers. These methods range from a second grade reading assessment to the reading portion of the ACT high school juniors and seniors take.

Also during Monday’s meeting, they approved a regional mitigation plan resolution. Participation in the plan allows the district to qualify for assistance if a federally declared disaster occurs or apply for certain types of grants.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — It appears the fire that destroyed a vacant house on East 6th Avenue Tuesday morning was deliberately set.

Crews were called out to the fire around 6:45 a.m. and found the top part of the three-story home fully involved. Fire Chief Kim Forbes says the fire may have been started by someone wanting to stay warm or cook something. The owner of the home has complained about homeless persons breaking into the building to stay warm. The fire caused about $50,000 in damage.

There were no injuries.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. —  A two-vehicle accident on 56th Avenue injured a Hutchinson teen on Tuesday.

The Reno County Sheriff’s Office reports that 17-year-old Kylee Ingalls attempted to make a left turn off of 56th when she was hit by an eastbound car driven by 34-year-old Terri Cooper, also of Hutchinson. Ingalls was transported to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center for treatment of injuries. Cooper and two passengers in her vehicle escaped injury.

The accident occurred just before 4 p.m.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – A Hutchinson woman’s effort to get relief from a 25-year to life sentence for the murder of her mother has failed again.

The Kansas Supreme Court, in a published opinion Wednesday, denied the request for 34-year-old Tracie Miles to withdraw her plea. Two years ago, Judge Trish Rose denied the motion of Miles saying, “the defendant has not satisfied her burden of showing manifest injustice and the motion to withdraw the plea is denied.” That is pretty much what the high court stated in its opinion as well.

The appeal started after now deceased Judge Richard Rome ruled he had no jurisdiction to hear arguments in the effort of Miles to withdraw her no contest pleas in the 1998 death of her mother.

In her motion, she alleges she didn’t understand what she was doing when she entered the pleas. She says her lawyer at the time, Tim Frieden, scared her by telling her if she didn’t take the plea, she could get the death penalty or a “Hard 40” sentence. But, District Attorney Keith Schroeder argued at the time she was told of her rights and even signed an advice of rights form.

The Supreme Court ruled that, even if her attorney had previously misinformed or failed to fully inform Miles of the charges and possible penalties, any prejudice from that error was eliminated by the judge’s thoroughness at the plea hearing.

Miles was 17 when she and her 19-year-old boyfriend, Paul Nelson, were arrested for the murder of Miles’ mother, Sandra Kay Miles. Her body was found March 30, 1998, in her Hutchinson home. She had been struck with a wooden bear statue, then strangled. The two pleaded no contest to intentional first-degree murder, aggravated robbery and forgery, and received 25 to life sentences in 1999.

Great Clips robbery suspect makes court appearance

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The suspect arrested in association with the robbery of two women in front of Great Clips at 1515 E. 17th made a first appearance this morning. 22-year-old Tyler Joe Mossor was arrested Monday charged with aggravated robbery and now, aggravated assault. Bond was increased to $75,000.

In court, he requested a reduction of the bond, which was denied, partly because of the nature of charges, but also because he is from Ohio and is apparently staying with a friend here in Hutchinson. He claimed his innocence when appearing before Magistrate Judge Randy McEwen.

According to Police, the two female employees had just left the store back on Nov. 20 when they were robbed of money and personal belongings by a single armed man. The robbery was reported just after 9 p.m.

Judge McEwen set a status hearing for Dec. 3.

Wichita brothers busted in South Hutch make court appearance

Gary & James Jontra

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Two Wichita brothers appeared in court Wednesday for the formal reading of drug charges stemming from an arrest last week.

28-year-old Gary Jontra and 30-year-old James Jontra are both charged with distribution of methamphetamine, conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and use of an electronic communications device to make a drug transaction. James Jontra was able to post bond and appeared before Magistrate Judge Randy McEwen where he tried to clear his brother Gary. His brother remains jailed on a $12,000 bond.

The arrest of the two came back on Nov. 20 at the Kwik Shop at 8 N. Main in South Hutchinson. A green Honda with three people inside arrived at that location and James Jontra, who was sitting in the rear passenger seat of his brother’s car, got into the passenger seat of a vehicle driven by a drug enforcement officer. He allegedly exchanged $1,360 for approximately one ounce of meth. He told officers that he sold the meth for a $100 profit.

His brother Gary was driving the Honda and 911 Dispatch was able to confirm that he had two outstanding warrants. The phone used to make the drug transaction was found in the purse of Melissa Ray, who was a passenger in the vehicle. She is apparently the girlfriend of Gary Jontra. She was arrested for illegal transportation of liquor and was able to post bond.

Gary Jontra also has pending cases in Sedgwick County.

The state was just in the process of filing the charges, so no new court date was set for the two brothers at this point.

State charges Hutch woman with aggravated battery

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 27-year-old woman on parole for prior crimes has been formally charged with aggravated battery after she was arrested for a domestic case where she is accused of attacking her boyfriend.

Sara Alcorn is also jailed for failure to appear and violation of the conditions of release for parole.

The case apparently involves her swinging a knife and also striking her boyfriend. She denied in a previous hearing that she had a knife and that the victim may have had his fingers caught in a door. The incident occurred late night Wednesday Nov. 19 into early Thursday morning, Nov. 20 .

Alcorn was released from prison back in March for convictions of drugs, battery, two convictions for aggravated failure to appear and theft. She is listed as an absconder on the Kansas Department of Correction’s website.

Her case now moves to a waiver-status hearing.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. —  Another push by Reno County Commissioner Dan Deming to further reduce salaries for commissioners is up for action during Tuesday’s agenda session.

Deming, who has been unsuccessful at completely eliminating salaries, will ask that commissioners receive $12,000 per year, down $6,000 from the current mark. As in the past, the measure is being met with opposition from the other two commissioners who feel it will eliminate the opportunity for some citizens to run for the office. Deming is also proposing that the board meet just twice per month, something that both Commission Chair James Schlickau and Brad Dillon are opposed to.

Tuesday’s Reno County Commission meeting is set for 9 a.m. at the Reno County Courthouse.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. —  After a complete renovation of the 4th Avenue bridge last year, the City of Hutchinson is getting ready to undertake a much larger span next year.

The Hutchinson City Council will be asked to approve the engineering study from H.W. Lochner for the Airport Road bridge over the BNSF Railway yard. The four-lane span is showing signs of ware with rebar showing through the bridge railing in several areas, and pot holes in the bridge deck. The span is also a pin and hanger structure which must be check and inspected due to a design flaw that has plagued similar type bridges. No cost of the renovation has been given at this time. The city plans to do the work next year.

Also Tuesday, the Council will seek approval for a contract with Bryant and Bryant for the extension of the bike trail from the north end of Severance all the way to 43rd. The new trail would connect with Plum Creek Elementary School. The project will include a box culvert across the GVI ditch and a paved trail from the end of Severance Street. The cost of the project is just over $454,000.

Tuesday’s Hutchinson City Council meeting begins at 9 a.m. in the city offices.

KINGMAN, Kan. — Four men from Wichita were arrested Thursday in connection with the armed robbery of a Kingman convenience store Thanksgiving morning.

Police say the four men, all armed with rifles, walked into the Convenience Mart and took an undisclosed amount of money and items, including lottery tickets. The men were arrested in Wichita after they tried to cash in the stolen tickets. All four were taken into custody, although a fifth person might be involved.

There were no injuries in the hold up.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Police are investigating a possible robbery at the Kwik Shop at 27th and Main.

They report that a black male came into the store Friday night and robbed the store of an undisclosed amount of cash.

There were no injuries from the incident which occurred just after 8 pm. No arrest have been made.

Anyone who has information in regards to this crime may call Crime Stoppers of Reno County at 1-800-222-TIPS or the Hutchinson Police Department at 620-694-2827. Please associate tips with case #2014-28151. This is an ongoing investigation.

Kansas Farm Bureau

A new coalition is fighting to defend the rural way of life and economic prosperity in five states.

The coalition, comprised of the Kansas Farm Bureau, Kansas Corn Growers Association, Texas Farm Bureau, The American Farm Bureau Federation, New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau and Colorado Farm Bureau, opposes The Center for Biological Diversity, Defenders of Wildlife and WildEarth Guardians’ request that the lesser prairie chicken (LPC) be listed as an “endangered” species. The bird is currently listed as “threatened.” The LPC range is roughly 20 million acres, affecting 85 counties in Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and Colorado.

“We are already seeing impacts from the ‘threatened’ listing,” said Jim Sipes, who farms near the primary habitat area. “We have seen wind generator projects leave the area. We have seen oil and gas companies pull out of the region. We have seen seismograph crews stopping seismograph work, and we are seeing effects on farms and ranches through the amount of grazing we are able to do.”

The threat from an “endangered” designation reaches far beyond the farm gate to rural Main Street and local government.

“In our small communities, businesses on Main Street depend on farmers and ranchers,” said Marieta Hauser, an economic development administrator and rural Chamber of Commerce official. “If we don’t stop excessive regulations on farmers and ranchers, more and more often what you are going to see on Main Street in rural America is a ‘Going Out of Business’ sign. If farmers and ranchers don’t have money to spend, our main street businesses will not be able to survive. It’s that important.”

County commissioner Mick MacNair, who lives in the habitat area, is concerned that with a more restrictive designation of the LPC comes lower property values. With less oil, gas, and renewable energy development, the tax base reduction would be disastrous.

“How we are going to fund our county roads and keep them maintained? How are we going to fund our local police departments? How are we going to fund our EMS and fire departments?” MacNair asks. “These are essential government entities. With the loss of revenue this will cost us, we have some very grave concerns.”

The coalition has created a website to provide detailed information on the issue and the progress of a lawsuit opposing the listing. Users are also urged to donate to the legal fund to defer the cost of litigation. The site is www.stopfowlplay.com. You can also follow the coalition activity on Twitter and Facebook at @StopFowlPlay and Facebook.com/StopFowlPlay. Look for the hashtag #StopFowlPlay.

Here’s a sample photo of our Elf on the Shelf chillin’ in the studio.

Elf on the Shelf 2014 is brought to you by Newberry Family Motors in Kingman.

Can you figure out where Elf on the Shelf is located? Comment with his location on our Facebook post for your chance to win $93! Be sure to comment on Facebook for a chance to win.

Starting on Monday, Dec. 1, listen for Casey Osburn on My 93.1. Each day at 4:20 p.m., he’ll reveal a new clue.

Elf on the Shelf will be somewhere new each week for three straight weeks (Dec. 1 – Dec. 19).

After Casey announces the clues on air, we’ll post them here! Keep watching (but mostly listening) for new clues!

CAN YOU GUESS WHERE HE IS THIS WEEK?

COMMENT ON OUR FACEBOOK POST WITH YOUR GUESS!

WEEK 1

CLUE #1: Just sitting here around the clock, please come find me, it’s solid as a rock.

CLUE #2: Announced Tuesday, Dec. 2, at 4:20 p.m. on My 93.1

CLUE #3: Announced Wednesday, Dec. 3, at 4:20 p.m. on My 93.1

CLUE #4: Announced Thursday, Dec. 4, at 4:20 p.m. on My 93.1

CLUE #5: Announced Friday, Dec. 5, at 4:20 p.m. on My 93.1

CONTEST RULES

Hutch man enters ‘not guilty’ plea in indecent liberties case

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A local man charged with a single count of aggravated indecent liberties with a child entered a “not guilty” plea Monday in Reno County District Court.

Etric Jones II was arrested for the alleged crime, which occurred back on Dec. 13, 2012. The girl, who was 15 at the time, didn’t report the crime until Feb. 1, 2013, which led to the investigation’s beginning.

Jones, who was 18 at the time of the crime, is alleged to have forced the girl into inappropriate sexual relations. She claims that she told him no, while Jones claims she never said that. The two are said to have left school together, parked in an alley and things escalated from there.

The charge is a level 3 person felony with a sentencing range between 55 and 247 months in prison.

Although any trial in the case will be before Judge Trish Rose, he was arraigned Monday in front of Judge Tim Chambers.

Father and son scheduled for court Tuesday in marijuana cultivation case

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A father and son who were arrested on marijuana cultivation charges are expected to make a first appearance on the charges Tuesday.

The father, 51-year-old Johnny Lee Payne, had been employed with the county, working in the maintenance department at the courthouse.

His son, Jonathan Ray Payne, has another case pending where he was charged along with 20-year-old Cole Castle in a distribution case that goes back to July 27.

Jonathan Ray Payne is suspected of cultivating marijuana, possessing drug paraphernalia to manufacture, grow or cultivate marijuana, and drug paraphernalia to package and store the drug. Johnny Lee Payne faces possible charges of cultivation of marijuana and possessing drug paraphernalia to manufacture, grow marijuana.

Drug Unit Detectives are alleged to have found 12 marijuana plants at the home in the 1500 block of North Monroe.

Jonathan Ray Payne and Cole Castle are charged in the earlier case with distribution of marijuana and conspiracy to distribute marijuana. The state alleges that the two conspired to distribute somewhere between 25 and 450 grams of marijuana. The state says the two arranged to distribute the marijuana using a telephone.

Hutchinson Police still seeking info in Friday night robbery

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Police are still seeking information on the individual who is suspected of robbing the 27th & Main Kwik Shop. As of Monday afternoon, no arrest had been made.

An employee reported that a black male came into the store Friday night and robbed the store of an undisclosed amount of cash.

There were no injuries from the incident which occurred just after 8 p.m.

Police are asking that anyone who may have information in regards to this case, or knows who the individual may be, call Crime Stoppers of Reno County at 1-800-222-TIPS or the Hutchinson Police Department at 694-2827. Please associate tips with case #2014-28151. This is an ongoing investigation.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 57-year-old man’s attempt to withdraw his no contest pleas a second time in two cases failed Monday when District Judge Tim Chambers denied his motion.

William Runyon had entered the pleas a second time to charges of kidnapping, aggravated robbery and aggravated battery in the first case and felony flee and elude in a second. He cited ineffective counsel from Public Defender Kelly Driscoll as his reason for wanting to withdraw the pleas. As the trial was about to begin, they learned that two people involved in the Salina part of this case were endorsed as state witnesses. Thomas Beatty and Chivon Leon were both arrested in Salina after the victim was able to escape from the vehicle there.

Runyon took the stand during the hearing Monday and claimed that he was told by Driscoll that he would lose the case if Leon testified, saying that her testimony would be damaging. He says he was talked into entering the plea agreement. He told the court that he never wanted to enter a plea, even though he did so twice. Driscoll also took the stand and denied she ever said they would lose the case and that she talked with the state over the plea offer at his urging.

In the end, Judge Chambers denied his request and also ordered him to serve 10 years in prison, which is more than what both the state and the defense were recommending.

Runyon was convicted of kidnapping and beating a man who considered him a friend. The victim went for a ride with Runyon and they ended up near a field on east G, east of Hutchinson, where he was beaten, then taken to Salina. He was again beaten in Salina and placed in the trunk of a vehicle there, but managed to escape and call police. That was back on Sept. 19, 2013.

In the other case, Runyon was convicted of felony flee and elude, which involved sheriff investigators looking for Runyon over the kidnapping incident. They spotted him at a local home and he led law enforcement on a chase around the city on Oct. 10 of last year. The chase ended when he fled the truck he was in near the scene of a fatal fire and was captured by Hutchinson Police Detectives.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Reno County 911 has notified us that their 911 system is down int he community of Langdon.

The ask that if you have an emergency and you are on Century Link in Langdon you need to call 620-694-2800. The outage affects 77 customers of century Link in Langdon.  Repairs are being made but no time line of when that will be finished has been given.

Again if you live in Langdon and you have an emergency call Emergency Dispatch at 620-694-2800

Hutch man expected in court Wednesday in drug case

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 27-year-old man who is accused of causing problems at a local Dillon’s store back in August is scheduled to be back in court on Wednesday for a preliminary hearing.

An employee reportedly advised Johnny Fenton III of criminal trespass and asked him to leave the store, but he refused and police had to be called.

He was arrested for criminal trespass, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The hearing on this case is before Judge Joe McCarville.

But, Fenton has another more serious case pending in front of Judge Trish Rose. That case is now over a year old and has Fenton charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell or distribute, possession of Alprazolam with intent to sell, possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to package, criminal possession of a firearm, felony theft of a motor vehicle, felony criminal damage to property for damage to that same vehicle, and misdemeanor theft. All of those alleged crimes go back to Nov. 1, 2013.

Fenton has previous convictions for theft, burglary, drugs and identity theft.

Man suspected of kidnapping and rape scheduled for hearing

Eastham

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 35-year-old Montgomery County man paroled back in April and arrested here on charges of aggravated kidnapping and rape is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Wednesday.

Stephen Joe Eastham is accused of holding a Hutchinson woman against her will then forcing her into sex. This occurred at a home in the 600 block of North Jefferson back on May 3.

Eastham wasn’t arrested right away and the results of the investigation were sent to the District Attorney’s Office where they filed the formal charges and issued a warrant. As we told you in an earlier story, Eastham was picked up in Oklahoma on the Kansas warrant and was brought back to Hutchinson.

He is also listed as an absconder from parole for a Montgomery County case involving drugs.

The hearing is scheduled Wednesday in front of Judge Joe McCarville, however as always, any hearing before the court is subject to last minute continuances.

Father and son make court appearance in marijuana cultivation case

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The father and son arrested back on Nov. 23 on marijuana cultivation charges made a first appearance on the charges Tuesday morning where they were read the formal complaint against them.

51-year-old Johnny Lee Payne and his son, 30-year-old Jonathan Ray Payne are now both charged with cultivation of marijuana, conspiracy to cultivate marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to cultivate marijuana and personal use drug paraphernalia. The first count alone could see them each receive nearly seven years in prison.

Drug Unit Detectives are alleged to have found 12 marijuana plants at the home in the 1500 block of North Monroe.

Jonathan Payne has another case pending where he was charged along with a 20-year-old Cole Castle in a distribution of marijuana case that goes back to July 27.

Charges there include distribution of marijuana and conspiracy to distribute marijuana. The state alleges that the two conspired to distribute somewhere between 25 and 450 grams of marijuana. The state says the two arranged to distribute the marijuana using a telephone.

Both will be back on court on Dec. 17.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Billy J. Craig, Jr. avoided a jury trial Tuesday and entered a “no contest” plea and was found guilty conspiracy to commit first degree murder. The conviction is connected to the murder of Jennifer Heckel on June 14, 2011.

The state says Craig conspired with Charles Christopher Logsdon and possibly Matthew Barnes to rob and kill another woman over drugs and money and went to the wrong house when they killed Heckel while her young son was in the next room. You may recall that after the killers left the home, he ran to a neighbors home for help.

Logsdon was convicted by a jury of first degree murder and other related charges and received a 73-year sentence. This after a three week jury trial in November of 2012. That case is currently on appeal.

In return for Craig’s plea, the state agreed to dismiss all other charges pending in the case, dismiss two pending cases against him involving distribution of drugs and a financial fraud crime, and recommend that a pending contempt of court allegation be dismissed.

District Attorney Keith Schroeder says he’ll recommend the maximum sentence allowed under sentencing guidelines. The crime is a level two person felony with a maximum sentence of around 15-years in prison. It’s believed that Craig never actually entered the Heckel home, but drove Logsdon and Barnes. Although Barnes has yet to be charged in association with the murder, he is currently serving time for drug crimes. He’s eligible for parole in June of 2017.

Schroeder says they knew the plea agreement had been reached last week, but it didn’t come before Judge Tim Chambers until Tuesday.

Sentencing is set for Jan. 30, 2015 at 1:30 p.m.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Kansas is tied for fifth among the states experiencing the largest monthly savings in gas prices. Every state but Delaware is registering a double-digit discount and drivers in 17 states are saving more than a quarter per gallon. This information coming from Triple A Kansas

Sharply lower global oil prices have been the driving factor for lower retail gas prices.

Drivers enjoyed the lowest retail average for Thanksgiving since 2009, with the Kansas state average at $2.61 per gallon this past Thursday, and pump prices are poised to continue to drop this holiday season. The state average has fallen on 28 consecutive days, for a total drop of over 34 cents during this streak. Today’s price of $2.61 is seven cents less than one week ago, 36 cents less than one month ago and 40 cents less than one year ago. The state average is the lowest since September 8, 2010.

The price in Hutchinson is below the average price, but is still higher then many places in the area. According to www.gasbuddy.com., the price for a gallon of regular unleaded gas in Hutchinson was $2.59. However, that same website showed the price in Wichita is four cents cheaper at $2.55. Gas prices in Salina are cheaper yet at $2.43 per gallon and prices in Newton were also lower ranging from $2.43 to $2.49. per gallon.

Reno County Commission

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Once again Commissioner Dan Deming was alone in wanting the commissioners to take a cut in salary and also cut back on the number of times they meet each month.

Commission Chair James Schlickau made it known last week of his opposition to any change over how often the commission meets saying he wanted to maintain government function and to provide a higher level of responsiveness and availability to the residents they represent. He’s also opposed cutting the pay saying setting the compensation to low could negatively impact the number of quality candidates from running for the office in the future.

Commissioner Brad Dillon who seemed to be on the fence last week in going either way sided with Commissioner Schlickau. He says he’s fine with the ways things are.

Commissioner Deming conceded he wasn’t going to win on the number of times the commission meets monthly. As for pay, Deming wanted the commission to reduce their pay by $6,000 from $18,000 annually to $12,000, but said he was willing to compromise asking them if they would consider a $3,000 cut and set commissioner pay at $15,000. That was also rejected by the other two commissioners.

Deming also indicated that he would like to see a discussion begin next year and then let voters decide if they would like to expand the number of commissioners from the current three to five. He says they could put it to a vote with the 2016 Presidential election. The other two commissioners had no comment on that issue at this point.

Deming made a motion for the change in pay and meeting times, but the proposal died for lack of a second to his motion.