HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Local firefighters were called to a structure fire in the 700 block of 15th Circle early Tuesday morning. When units arrived, they found smoke coming from the attic area of a duplex.

The fire was controlled quickly, in about 10 minutes with units were on scene for an hour. Preliminary damage is estimated at $1,500 with damage sustained in the attic and ceiling area.

The cause of the fire appears to be electrical. The residence was occupied by four adults and four children. Red Cross was called to assist the occupant. No one was injured in the fire.

Fire officials say they’ve had fire runs on several electrical fires recently, these numbers are not an increase over years past. Everyone should be reminded of the dangers of a malfunctioning electrical system. Fuses and circuit breakers are put in place to help protect wiring from damage in the event of a malfunction. If you’re experiencing blown fuses or tripped circuit breakers on a regular bases, you should contact an electrician to trouble shoot the problem. Placing larger fuses or breakers can put too large of a load over what wiring was designed to carry.

Residents should be aware that any electrical item that use heat to operate, such as space heaters, coffee pots, curling irons, toasters, etc. can put a lot of strain on an electrical system.

When using space heaters ensure that you are using separate circuits to keep the strain on the wiring to a minimum and prevent unnecessary damage. Also, keep in mind while using space heaters ensure you have a 3 foot radius that is free of combustible materials.

For further information, you can contact the Hutchinson Fire Department at 694-2871.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – The Hutchinson City Council went ahead with the first step in what could be a vote on a sales tax increase to fund major improvements to the Hutchinson Sports Arena.

They approved the motion to have staff proceed in working out a bond schedule and bond coverage for funding the $29 million project. The action would also give the green light for drafting an ordinance that would place the sales tax question on the April 2015 ballot. The city will ask voters to approve the 0.35% sales tax increase at that time. Action on that ordinance would come during the Council’s Jan. 20 agenda session. City Manager John Deardoff suggested that they would also set up a maintenance fund for the Arena which could add another 1.5 million dollars to that total.

Also Tuesday, the Council approved a contract with the South Central Kansas Economic Development District to act as the administrator for a Community Development Block grant for the Mervis Rail car project. The contract is for $17,000. The grant to Mervis totals $750,000. That’s a correction from the amount earlier provided with the city council packet.

The council also approved the proposed storm water utility program increase. The fund will help pay for long term repairs to the city’s storm sewer system. The amount would be $4.75 a month for each equivalent residential unit and for larger commercial properties, that could mean a big increase in what they have been paying, so much so that the council decided to not even start this increase till January 1, 2016. This after State Fair Manager Denny Stoecklien says their rate would jump to around $5,000.

Hutch man as expected enters pleas in two cases

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 53-year-old Hutchinson man accused of two counts of aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer and criminal damage to property entered pleas in that case as well as another.

James L. Paige entered “no contest” pleas to the crimes after he allegedly came at officers with a knife. Officers came very close to shooting him, but ended up tasing him instead. He was also charged with damaging a woman’s property by throwing it out the door of the home, however as part of the plea agreement, the state dropped that charge.

He also entered a plea to impairing a security interest by defrauding Central Bank & Trust of a Big Dog mower which the bank owned. That occurring back on Aug. 8, 2014. The state as part of the agreement dropped a second count of impairing a security interest. For this charge, the victim was Salt City Pawn and involved $2,800.

The bond in the case remains at $100,000 because of the nature of the charges, but also prior convictions for aggravated assault, criminal threat, battery, possession of drugs, robbery, two convictions for burglary, unlawful possession of firearms and criminal damage to property.

He requested that he be released this weekend for a funeral and that was denied by Judge Joe McCarville who set sentencing for February 6.

Hutch man bound over in flee and elude case

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – A 22 year old Hutchinson area man arrested after he allegedly led officers on a high speed chase has been bound over for trial.

Benjamin McKinney is accused of felony flee and elude, aggravated assault, felony theft, misdemeanor possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, criminal use of a financial card and no drivers license.

The case starts in June of last year with a stolen vehicle reported to Hutchinson Police. The vehicle was spotted in Haven and that led to a sheriff deputy attempting to make a traffic stop on K-96. McKinney allegedly refused to stop leading to a chase that went across the eastern part of the county, briefly into Harvey County and ended near Trails West and Worthington Roads after he allegedly drove into a ditch.

The keys were apparently left in the vehicle and there was also a credit card inside that was allegedly used in Wichita leading to the charge of criminal use of a financial card.

McKinney has been on probation for another flee and elude case from 2013 and with him bound over in this case, he’ll be arraigned on February 6.

Hutch Man enters plea in aggravated assault case

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A Hutchinson man who was found guilty of direct contempt of court when he showed up in court with the victim in a domestic case back in September was back in court Tuesday. Brandon Brandhorst entered “no contest” pleas to a single count while the state dropped two other charges

Brandhorst, 25, entered the plea to one count of aggravated assault and as part of a plea agreement, the state dropped the second count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and a third charge of domestic battery.

Brandhorst is accused of pulling a knife and a Highpoint 380 ACP handgun and threatening the victim with it. He’s also accused of striking her during the altercation which is reported to have occurred at an apartment in the 600 block of North Maple.

The contempt of court finding occurred when Senior Judge William “Buck” Lyle got angry because he argued with him showing up in court with the victim. He then did the same thing with Judge Joe McCarville and then used foul language in court. Judge McCarville found him in direct contempt and sentenced him to ten days in jail. There was a no-contact order in place as part of his bond. That meant he wasn’t supposed to have any contact with the victim.

He also thought he could get the charges dropped with her not wanting to pursue the case, but the state in court says that she may have been forced to come.

With him entering the plea, he’ll be sentenced on February 6.

YODER, Kan. — One man was taken to a Wichita hospital after a roll-over crash in the county Tuesday evening.

Reno County Sheriff officials say 47-year-old Encarnacion Naverez of Hutchinson was northbound on Yoder Road when his vehicle left the roadway, then rolled over Longview Road.

Naverez was not wearing a seat belt and sustained internal injuries. He was apparently ejected from the driver’s seat and was found in the back seat of the truck. He was first transported to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center and later transported to a Wichita hospital.

The accident occurred around 8:40 p.m.

WICHITA, Kan. – If you’re a COX TV customer, you may have noticed that KAKE-TV Channel 10 and their second channel ME-TV have both been cut from the local cable lineup. This has to do with a rate dispute for carrying the station on the cable system.

The KAKE website states that they must reach agreements with the local cable and satellite companies that bring their station into your home. KAKE officials say they’ve been diligently negotiating with Cox to reach what they consider a fair deal. Unfortunately, Cox Communications has declined any agreement with the local ABC affiliate. As a result, Cox has removed the station from the area cable systems.

They’re advising viewers to voice their opinion and, learn about the choices you have including switching providers and getting their station free over-the-air. That is the key, if you don’t have cable and get your television over the air, you will not be affected. The station is also still available on satellite.

You can call COX toll free at 1-866-961-0027. You can also talk with the KAKE-TV folks at 1-800-352-2235.

Parolee arrested for aggravated burglary and other charges

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 36-year-old Partridge man is jailed after he’s alleged to have entered a home and other properties without permission. Lucas Willhite is suspected of aggravated burglary, burglary, theft and criminal damage.

The first report came in on Dec. 31, of an aggravated burglary in progress in the 11,000 block of West 30th. The victim reported that a man with a thin build, facial hair and a dark colored hoodie had left that home in a white pickup. Efforts to locate that individual were unsuccessful.

On Jan. 1, there was another report of a burglary in the 1900 block of South Riverton Road. Deputies located tire tracks and shoe prints that matched what they found at the first location. Then in Jan. 4, they received photos taken from a trail camera in the 7400 block of North Tobacco Road and a resident stated that a man came onto that property asking about turkey hunting. An email from another victim on North Tobacco Road showed that a white truck with a man fitting the description from the other reports had come and knocked on the door. The woman at the home told authorities that by the time she got up to look, someone was knocking at her back door, then turning the knob and attempting get in. She stated that she looked through the blinds and saw the man. When he saw her, he got back in his truck and drove away.

Sheriff investigators shower a photo lineup to the victims and they all identified Willhite as the person who came on their property. One of the victims stated he was the one she saw at her bedroom door while she was in bed.

In court, he was told of the potential charges and bond was left at $25,750. He’s expected back in court next Wednesday to hear any formal charges the state may file.

The Kansas Department of Corrections website shows that Willhite is on parole for convictions for burglary and possession of drugs out of Chautauqua County. He was paroled here in Reno County back on Oct. 10.

Two of four teens make court appearances in stolen weapons case

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Two of four teens arrested by police for allegedly being involved with stolen weapons were back in court Wednesday for the formal reading of charges. set

19-year-old Javiar Edwin Garcia is free on bond and appeared before the judge where he was told he was being charged with felony theft and conspiracy to commit a theft. 18-year-old Drake Lindsay was still in jail and appeared via-video where he was told of the charges against him. That includes felony theft, conspiracy to commit a theft and criminal damage to property.

They were arrested along with 17-year-old Dayton Justus and 18-year-old Zachary Curtis Cox

The guns were taken from a family member of one of the suspects and included several weapons. According the complaint, the weapons taken included two handguns, a BB pistol, an AK-47-mill rifle, a Topper 48 shotgun, a Champion Shotgun and a Crossman firearm.

There was also some indication that they may have been attempting to sell the weapons.

The case against Garcia and Lindsay will now move to a waiver-status docket on February 4.

Hearing date set for HCF inmate in rape and sexual battery

Stumper

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A preliminary hearing for a 28-year-old Hutchinson Correctional Facility inmate charged with rape and aggravated sexual battery has been set.

The hearing for Steven Stumpner is set for Feb. 5, according to Deputy District Attorney Tom Stanton. The charges stem from an incident occurring on July 17 of last year. The state alleges he forced a contract worker for the prison into sex without her consent. This occurred at the central unit of the prison according to Stanton.

Stumpner is serving time in prison for two counts of aggravated robbery, two counts of theft and battery of a correction’s officer. The first four counts are for crimes in Johnson County, while the final conviction is out of Pawnee County.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson teen accused of killing his mother and sister and attempting to kill his father now has a date for his preliminary hearing.

The hearing for Samuel Vonachen, who was a fourteen at the time of the alleged crimes has been set for Feb. 23, at 9:30 a.m. That according to Judge Joe McCarville who will be the judge for the hearing.

Vonachen faces two counts of first-degree murder, two alternate counts of felony murder, attempted first-degree murder and aggravated arson. He is accused of setting fire to the family home back on Sept. 26, 2013, by pouring gas throughout the house, then lighting it. The blaze killed his mother, Karla Jo Vonachen; and his sister Audrey. The teen’s father was able to escape the fire.

Because of the nature of the charges, it was determined that the state should be allowed to prosecute the teen in adult court.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The local hospital plans to showcase its $6.2 million expansion and renovation of the Emergency Department with a public open house this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

More than 25,000 patients seek emergent care at the emergency room at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center each year, which they say is equal to the combined populations of Great Bend, Pratt and Inman.

The expansion more than doubles the size of the emergency department from 6,000 square feet to 16,000, providing sufficient space to increase the ten-bed facility to 19.

Included in the renovation is an expansion of the lobby area as well as new space for emergency department personnel and a new entrance for the ambulances garage which houses Emergency Medical Services (EMS) vehicles.

The expansion also includes two major trauma rooms, a four-patient “fast track” unit, an updated diagnostic imaging suite, two private patient triage rooms, expanded visitor and guest lounge and 14 private treatment rooms.

Kevin Miller, President and CEO of the hospital, says in a news release that the expansion is the most extensive update to the emergency department since the hospital opened on the east side of Hutchinson in 1975.

Those wanting to attend the open house should enter from Waldron and follow the open house signs. No reservations are required.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 60-year-old Hutchinson man jailed after he was arrested for a charge of aggravated indecent liberties with a child was bound over for trial this morning by Judge Joe McCarville.

The case against Juan Anguiano involves the inappropriate touching of an 8-year-old girl and occurred on Sept. 6 of last year. The incident occurred on a couch in an apartment he shared with his fiancée. She testified that she woke up about 11:15 p.m. and saw him on top of the 8 year old. She says she screamed and he jumped up. When she told him she was going to call the police, he quickly got dressed and ran out of the apartment. He was located the next day.

Anguiano doesn’t speak any English and an interpreter was brought in to translate the testimony in the hearing.

With him being bound over for trial, he’ll be arraigned on the charges on Feb. 2 in front of Judge Tim Chambers.

Topeka man who escaped from HCF scheduled for sentencing

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 45-year-old Topeka man who entered a plea in the case where he escaped from the Hutchinson Correctional Facility is scheduled for sentencing Friday afternoon.

Mark Lucas has been serving time for multiple burglaries and thefts out of Shawnee County and entered the plea in front of Judge Trish Rose to “aggravated escape from custody” for walking away from Hutchinson Correctional Facility back on Aug. 3, 2013. He was captured a few days later in Topeka. He was found missing during an informal count that was being conducted at the south unit of Hutchinson Correctional Facility which houses minimum custody inmates.

Lucas claimed at his preliminary hearing that he walked away because his daughter was suicidal and he was trying to help her.

He faces a potential sentence of just over 11 years in prison which would run consecutive to the sentence he’s currently serving. He’s currently serving time for numerous convictions for burglary and theft. There were a total of 19 total charges in the Shawnee County case. He still has around seven years in prison to serve on that sentence and the new sentence will add to that.

The sentencing hearing is scheduled for Friday afternoon in front of Judge Rose.

Suspect in rash of local burglaries expected in court Friday

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The man suspected of committing 19 local burglaries back in the early morning hours of May 14 of last year is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing Friday with the trial scheduled to begin later this month. Joseph Paul Jones Jr. is now charged with a total of 45 charges, including the original 19 counts of burglary. The state added two additional felony counts, which includes felony theft and felony criminal damage to property. The rest are various misdemeanor charges of criminal damage and theft.

The state alleges that between the hours of midnight and 5 a.m., 20 local businesses were entered by prying open doors or breaking the glass windows with a crow bar. Jones allegedly cut the telephone lines on several of the businesses before making entry. During the investigation, police found surveillance video of the suspect entering Papa Murphy’s Pizza located in the State Fair Shopping Center at 2420 N. Main. Pictures were taken from the video and sent to his parole officer in Missouri. That officer testified at the preliminary hearing that it’s a high probability that it was Jones involved in the local burglaries.

Judge Trish Rose set a trial date of Jan. 20 for this case to go to a jury.

Hutch man has status hearing in child sex case

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 34-year-old man accused of aggravated indecent liberties with a child is scheduled for a status hearing Friday in front of Judge Tim Chambers.

David Baldwin is accused of a single count of aggravated indecent liberties with a child, which is alleged to have occurred some time between Aug. 1 and Sept. 30, 2012. The case involves the inappropriate touching of a 7-year-old child.

Even though the case goes back to 2012, his arrest didn’t come until July of last year.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A steering committee has formed to support the revitalization of the Hutchinson Sports Arena and a Hutchinson ordinance to allow a 0.35 percent increase in the city sales tax to fund the Sports Arena improvements.

The steering committee is in the preliminary planning phase, pending final approval by the Hutchinson City Council of the proposed ordinance, which then would be put to voters in an election on April 7.

“HutchWins” is the name of the campaign for the Sports Arena improvement effort. The committee will expand to include subcommittees of additional volunteers as the campaign strategy is finalized.

The steering committee includes Michele Abernathy, Jon Daveline, Steve Drach, Marla Eriksen, Bob Fee, Richard Gray, Dan Naccarato, Darrell Pankratz, Cindy Proett, Russell Reinert, Jerry Ricksecker and Ron Sellers. Elected officials serving on the committee are serving as citizens and not as representatives of his or her respective board.

Objectives of the committee include fostering two-way communication and community engagement surrounding the future of the Hutchinson Sports Arena and to provide Hutchinson residents facts regarding the scenarios which may result from yes votes and from no votes.

In a news release Thursday, they say they welcome private donations to support these efforts.

Plans for the campaign include community forums and other opportunities for community dialog in an effort to reach as many Hutchinson residents as possible. Those efforts will begin in mid-February. Until then, anyone seeking clarification about the purpose of the steering committee or its mission is encouraged to call Ron Sellers at 620-728-9131 or Bob Fee at 620-662-2381.

President Obama aboard Air Force 1

KIMBERLY HEFLING, AP Education Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama says in a videotaped message that he wants to make community college free “for everybody who is willing to work for it.”

Obama says in the video posted on Facebook that he will announce his plan to make community college accessible to anyone during a stop Friday in Tennessee.  View the video HERE

Last year, Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam signed into law a scholarship program that provides free community and technical college tuition for two years to the state’s high school graduates. About 58,000 of the state’s roughly 62,000 seniors have applied to participate this fall.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A reunion of HCC Jazz Alumni will highlight the annual Hutchinson Community College Winter Jazz Festival.

For the 40th Anniversary of the Jazz Festival, the event has been renamed the Bryce Luty Jazz Festival, and will honor the achievements and legacy of former HCC Jazz Director Bryce Luty, who taught at HCC from 1975-1998.

“After 39 years under the title HCC Winter Jazz Clinic, we are giving this jazz festival that features area high school and middle school jazz bands the title that seemed inevitable, “The Bryce Luty Jazz Festival,” Nick Schroeder, Director of Jazz Studies at HCC, said. “We honor the founder of jazz activities at HCC, Bryce Luty. Bryce has had a tremendous impact at HCC and throughout the area, mentoring, recruiting and performing with local high school programs to establish jazz as a force in Kansas.” Luty passed away back on Dec. 29.

The Instrumental Jazz Music program at Hutchinson Community College will host its annual High School Jazz Festival on Jan. 29-30. The Festival will be held at the Stringer Fine Arts Center on the HCC Campus, starting at 8 a.m.

The event will bring together students from middle and high school jazz band programs on the campus for two days of workshops, practice and clinics. More than 500 students representing area schools are expected to attend the event from around the state of Kansas.

This year, in honor of Luty, former HCC musicians are returning to campus to perform as part of The Bryce Luty All-Star Alumni Big Band. In addition, Glennda Hill, a noted vocalist and jazz performer, will return to her hometown to honor Luty and perform with the jazz groups.

“This is a concert event not to be missed,” Schroeder continued. “The All-Star Band will play some of Bryce’s favorite big band charts and will feature numerous world-class musicians that are all a product of HCC and Bryce’s masterful guidance as a jazz educator. With Glennda coming in to perform with them, this is a concert that jazz aficionados must attend.”

Hill will be the featured performer at the Bryce Luty Jazz Festival Featured Concert on Thursday, Jan. 29. The concert will be held at 7:30 p.m. at the Stringer Fine Arts Center on the HCC campus. In addition to Hill and the All-Star band, the HCC Jazz Lab Band and Concert Jazz Band will also perform.

Tickets are just $8 and can be reserved by calling 620-665-3503. Reservations for area bands to attend the clinic are still being accepted. For information on how to enroll a school band in the clinic, contact Nick Schroeder at schroedern@hutchcc.edu or by phone at 620-665-3442 or 665-3503.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — There is a scam going around that may dupe you into thinking you have viruses on your computer. It gives an 800 number for you to call. You may get a pop-up or link displaying the number. But, the scam can go further when someone calls you claiming to be with Microsoft, AT&T, Cox or someone else to tell you that your computer is infected and has been hacked.

Ryan Suppes with Computer Mart says the scam artist will direct you to a website with fake information that your computer has lots of viruses, malware, been hacked, etc. While on the website, they have you click on something and when you do, they gain access to your computer. Suppes says this is done without your permission most of the time. They then proceed to install additional software and other things.

He says they may then ask for money, as much as $300, so they can supposedly fix your computer. If you say “yes,” they charge you with what can be a recurring charge which could max out your credit card. If you say “no,” they could then change your password to your computer and not allow you to get on it, or they mess it up some other way.

Suppes says they’ve had six customers in the last week. They were scammed out of nearly $7,000.

Don’t be fooled, ignore those pop-ups or links. Install the virus protection that you want and then run a scan to check for anything on your computer you don’t want. Also, if someone calls you claiming to be with a particular company such as Cox saying you have viruses, hang up.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Parent-Teacher Conferences for USD 308 students in grades seven through 12 will be the week of Jan. 12.

Hutchinson Middle School will hold parent-teacher conferences from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 13, on both campuses of the school. HMS also will have conferences from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 15.

Hutchinson High School will have conferences from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 15, in the Salthawk Activity Center.

At both HHS and HMS, conferences are done arena-style. Parents meet with teachers in a common area. If further discussions are needed, individual appointments can be set up.

There will be no school for HHS and HMS students on either Jan. 15 or 16. Additionally, there are no conferences on Jan. 16.

The second set of elementary parent-teacher conferences will not occur until the week of Feb. 16. Classes will be in session on both Jan. 15 and 16 for K-6 students.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 25-year-old Turon man entered pleas Friday to a charge of aggravated battery and criminal threat, while the more serious charge of attempted second-degree murder was dismissed.

Tyler Truhlar was arrested by Reno County Sheriff’s deputies back on April 2 after a domestic altercation with a woman in that city who alleges she was badly beaten and choked. The attempted second-degree murder charge was in the alternative to a charge of aggravated battery. He entered “no contest” pleas to the two counts.

The case centers on the incident where the alleged victim claims that she told Truhlar she didn’t want him to come over to her home after he had sent her a text. He later showed up anyway and the two began arguing. He then allegedly punched her as many as 20 times, striking her on the left side of her face, including hitting her on the nose. He then choked her. She managed to get outside to call 911, but he followed her and, at some point, knocked her to the ground, then slammed the left side of her head into the pavement a couple of times. She was taken to Pratt Regional Medical Center for treatment after the incident. The two had dated at some point and the victim testified that he didn’t like her texting or talking with other men.

With Truhlar entering pleas in the case, Judge Tim Chambers set sentencing for March 13.

Area man scams victims out of cash totaling as much as $100,000

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — An area man was in Reno County District Court Friday morning where he was read the formal charges in two cases, one where he is accused of stealing $100,000 or more.

Mahlon Stutzman is charged with theft by deception. The state alleges between Jan. 1, 2011 and Jan. 1, 2014, he scammed five men out of the money. Hutchinson Police Detective Dean Harcrow didn’t go into specifics of the scam, but the state alleges he gave false representation to the victims to deprive the victims of their money.

In a seperate case, Stutzman is charged with forgery and theft by deception for forging a check from one victim and presenting the check to another victim where he received $200. This crime is alleged to have occurred back on March 24, 2014

While in court Friday morning, he was told of the charges and was represented by Wichita Attorney Chris O’Hara. His case will now move to a waiver-status docket. Stutzman is jailed on a bond of $100,000.

Hutch man enters plea in child sex case

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 34-year-old Hutchinson man accused of aggravated indecent liberties with a child entered a plea this morning in front of Judge Tim Chambers

David Baldwin pleaded guilty to a single count of aggravated indecent liberties with a child, which he admitted occurred some time between Aug. 1 and Sept. 30, 2012. The case involves the inappropriate touching of a 7-year-old child.

The case falls under Jessica’s Law, which mean a life sentence with no chance of parole for 25 years, however as part of a plea agreement, both sides will recommend a downward departure to the regular sentencing guidelines grid box and sentence him on a level one felony.

Sentencing is set for Feb. 27.

Hearing for burglary suspect pushed back to next Thursday

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The man suspected of committing 19 local burglaries back in the early morning hours of May 14 of last year was scheduled for a pre-trial hearing Friday with the trial scheduled to begin later this month, but that was continued.

Joseph Paul Jones Jr. is charged with a total of 45 charges, including the original 19 counts of burglary. The state added two additional felony counts of theft and criminal damage to property. The rest are various misdemeanor charges of criminal damage and theft.

The hearing has been pushed back to Thursday according to District Judge Trish Rose. She tells us that the state has filed a motion requesting that they be allowed to include prior bad acts testimony at trial, in this case, the crimes he committed in Missouri. They plan to argue that motion during the Thursday hearing.

The case centers on the allegations by the state that Jones committed the crimes. It was between the hours of midnight and 5 a.m. when 20 local businesses were entered by prying open doors or breaking the glass windows with a crow bar. The state believes Jones is the one who cut the telephone lines at several of the businesses before making entry.

The trial is still scheduled to get under way on Jan. 20.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The planned protest at Morgan Elementary School in Hutchinson has led to the district changing how things will go on Monday at the school.

District officials say they fully support the right to peaceful assembly and that is what this protest is supposed to be, however, district officials say they’ve heard from some parents who are concerned over the possibility of others not from the community coming to the protest.

The changes the district plans to make included restricted outside access from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday. No visitors, including parents, will be admitted to the building at that time. If a parent has an appointment with their child and would have picked them up during that time frame, they are now asked to do so prior to 11 or after 1.

Second, there will not be a noon reces and will be indoors for lunch on Monday.

They also say that parents have choice of whether to leave their kids at home that day. If they do, it will be considered an excused absence. However, they will need to call that absence in.

In their note to parents, they emphasize that they respect the rights of individuals to peacefully assemble, but add that they also must ensure we have a safe learning environment.

Some parents who have children at that school are upset with how the district has responded to their complaints about a disruptive student and bullying

There is a Facebook page called “Stop Bullying in USD 308 Now & Hold the Administration Accountable” is trying to build support over an effort to picket the school Monday. On that page, they say they want to emphasize the importance of their child’s safety by standing in front of the school with positive signs. The picketing is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. They also argue that USD 308 officials needs to commit to start following their own policies and procedures when it comes to bullying.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Reno County Sheriff’s Office say they have taken two reports of another scam.

This one starts by a company reaching out stating they found your resume and would like to offer you a job. Job duties would include accepting packages for this company, inspecting the product, and putting their shipping label on it and ship it wherever they tell you.

The company is using stolen credit cards to purchase these items. After the company is done using you for a month or so, they change names and will steal your identity by using your personal information you gave them to start the job.

Sheriff officials say they have had two different people in our county acting as the “shipper” for this company.

The two companies names are: US Logistics LLC and International Distribution Company.

Be aware of this scam and if contacted, report this to law enforcement.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Local firefighters responded to a structure fire in the 1200 block of East 11th early Sunday morning. When they arrived, they found heavy smoke coming from the front door of a mobile home.

Fire department officials say the owner had been doing work on the home and that it was vacant at the time of the fire. Damage was estimated at $17,000 and is considered a total loss. Most of the damage was in the living room and hallway portions of the home.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation and no one was injured in the fire.

The fire took about 20 minutes to control with units on scene for about two hours.

The fire was reported about 12:15 a.m.