HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A Missouri man convicted for 19 local burglaries here in Hutchinson was sentenced Friday afternoon to a total of five years and eight months in prison.

Joseph Paul Jones Jr. was found guilty on all counts involving the crimes which occurred back in the late night hours of May 13 and the early morning hours of May 14, 2014. He was convicted for breaking into the local businesses by prying open doors or breaking the glass windows with a crow bar. The state says Jones cut the telephone lines at several businesses before making entry.

His conviction was for 39 counts involving all these burglaries and he was sentenced to 34-months on the first count which they called the primary offense then doubled it.

The defense wanted the sentencing continued because of wanting to file a written departure motion. Plus Defense Attorney Justin Bravi wanted more time to go over the criminal history score which showed Jones is a category “A” which is the highest you can have. That was denied after Judge Trish Rose looked over information the state provided which confirmed his prior criminal history which the state says shows he has 24 prior convictions.

The defense then requested a departure to community corrections and if the judge wouldn’t allow that, then to grant him a total of three years. But, Senior Assistant District Attorney Steve Maxwell argued that the evidence in the case was compelling and that he planned these burglaries calling him a pro and wanted the maximum under the double rule.

Judge Rose denied the defense request and went along with the states recommendation and sentenced him to a total of 68-months or five years, eight months in prison.

There is also some question of restitution with the amount in the thousands of dollars. The pre-sentence investigation had one amount of about $11,215.00, but the state believes it may be more, so a hearing over restitution will be held on March 12.

Jones still faces charges in Sedgwick and Lyon Counties.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 59-year-old Hutchinson man who entered a plea to a single count of indecent liberties with a child was sentenced to three years in prison by Judge Trish Rose Friday afternoon.

Harold Dryden was charged with two counts of electronic solicitation of a child 14 to 16 years of age, two counts of indecent liberties with a child in the same age range and sexual exploitation of a child for having possession of a visual depiction of a child under 18, but again, entered the plea to the single count.

He was a mentor at Victory Village in eastern Reno County and the crimes involved a child who was here from Colorado. The time frame for the crimes is between May of 2010 and January of 2012.

The defense presented evidence from Dr. Robert Barnett, a clinical psychologist who apparently did an evaluation of Dryden and says he believes he is unlikely to offend again. The defense also noted that Dryden has sought professional help on his own, even before he was arrested in this case.

The defense requested a border box finding and place him on some form of probation, but the judge denied the request believing this case called for the punishment of prison time.

STAFFORD, Kan.- A woman from Pratt was injured in an accident just before 2 p.m. on Friday in Stafford County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Chevy Silverado driven by Brenda C. Hill, 52,  was eastbound in the 500 block of South East 60th Street six miles south and two miles west of Stafford

The driver lost control of the truck and rolled multiple times.

Hill was transported to Stafford County Hospital.
The KHP reported she was properly restrained at the time of the accident.

SNOW ACCUMULATIONS…OF 2 TO 5 INCHES ARE EXPECTED BY MIDDAY
SUNDAY WITH THE HIGHER AMOUNTS AFFECTING SOUTHERN KANSAS.

MAIN IMPACTS…WIDESPREAD ACCUMULATING SNOWFALL WILL RESULT IN REDUCED VISIBILITIES OF 1/2 MILE TO 1 MILE AT TIMES…ALONG WITH SNOWCOVERED AND SLICK ROADS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF WINTER WEATHER WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SLIPPERY ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES. USE CAUTION WHILE DRIVING.

Here is the forecast.

Rest Of Today, Snow. Accumulations of 2 to 3 inches. High 25. Southeast winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts to around 20 mph. Chance of snow near 100 percent. Wind chill readings 5 below to 5 above zero.

Tonight, not as cold. Cloudy. Chance of snow in the evening… Then snow likely after midnight. Snow accumulation around 1 inch. Near steady temperature of 22. Southeast winds 5 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 70 percent.

Sunday, Cloudy. Snow likely in the morning…then slight chance of snow in the afternoon. Snow accumulation around 1 inch. Total snow accumulation 4 to 5 inches. High 33. East winds around 5 mph shifting to the north 5 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Chance of snow 60 percent.

Sunday Night, Cloudy. Lows around 20. Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph.

Monday, Cloudy. Chance of drizzle in the afternoon. High 38. Southeast winds 5 to 15 mph with gusts to around 25 mph. Chance of precipitation 20 percent.

Monday Night, Not as cold. Cloudy with a 40 percent chance of rain. Near steady temperatures around 35.

Tuesday, Not as cold. Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of rain. High 55.

Tuesday Night, Colder. Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of snow. Lows around 16. Lowest wind chill readings zero to 10 above zero after midnight.

Wednesday, Much colder. Partly sunny with a 20 percent chance of snow. High 28. Lowest wind chill readings 3 below to 7 above zero in the morning.

Wednesday Night, Partly cloudy. Lows around 14.

Thursday And Thursday Night, Not as cold. Mostly clear. High 42. Low 24.

Friday Not as cold. Sunny. High 53.

WICHITA, Kan. — Two elderly Hutchinson woman escaped injury after a two vehicle accident near Wichita on Friday.

According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, 32-year-old Shane Willis of Wichita passed the vehicle driven by 72-year-old Vickey Wallerius of Hutchinson on I-135 and was changing lanes back to the left when he lost control and struck a metal guardrail, then struck the Wallerius vehicle.

Willis was not injured, but his passenger 36-year-old Kristy Wills of Wichita was taken to St. Joseph hospital for treatment. Wallerius and her passenger, 72-year-old Debra Hurst also escaped injury.

The accident occurring around 7:45 p.m., on I-135 at 47th Street South in Wichita.

The Ham and Bean fundraiser luncheon scheduled for Sunday March 1 at Park Place Christian Church, 2600 N Adams, Hutchinson has been postponed for a later date. Worship Services and the Ministry Fair will continue as scheduled.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Reno County Sheriff is warning of another scam that has hit the county.

On Feb. 20, in southeastern Reno County in the small town of St Joe, four men came to a residence and represented themselves as having a business installing lightning rods.

One of the men identified himself as Paul Fox out of Nebraska and is driving a silver Dodge Ram 2500 quad cab with Nebraska plates. With this particular case, they didn’t install any lightning rods or do any work other than walk around on the roof. They say this individual is very convincing and had no problem talking the victim out of a large sum of money.

After the check was given to the suspect, he said he was going to his truck to get a receipt. He didn’t, instead he and his crew left the area. They are not only suspected in Reno County but in Nebraska of this same type of fraud.

Sheriff officials warn that if someone comes to your door wanting to do some work you didn’t request, ask them to provide you with identification and the company that they are working for. If anything does not seem right, please report it to law enforcement.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 46-year-old man is free on bond after he led law enforcement on a high speed chase early Sunday morning.

It started around 1:45 a.m., when sheriff deputies attempted to stop a Chevy Blazer allegedly driven by Donald Mayer for failing to signal a turn and also for an obstructed license plate. They says he refused to stop and led officers from the Sheriffs Dept, Hutchinson Police, and South Hutchinson Police on a chase that lasted an hour and 24 minutes.

The chase was primarily in the southern and eastern part of the city of Hutchinson and passed through South Hutchinson twice. At one point, the chase went as far south as Yoder, but then returned back to the Hutchinson area.

Numerous attempts were made to deploy tire deflation devices, but the driver was able to avoid them each time. The chase finally ended when Mayer pulled into the west parking lot of the Law Enforcement Center and surrendered without incident.

Mayer was arrested for felony flee and elude, unregistered vehicle and no proof of insurance.

The car was towed from the scene by Don’s car care.

They says traffic was light at the time. Road and safety conditions were monitored throughout the pursuit.

Because Mayer posted bond, any court appearance will come within the next week.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson teen accused of killing his mother and sister and attempting to kill his father was arraigned on the charges against him Monday morning by District Judge Trish Rose.

Samuel Vonachen, who was fourteen at the time of the alleged crimes, entered “not guilty” pleas to two counts of first-degree murder, two alternate counts of felony murder, attempted first-degree murder and aggravated arson.

Judge Rose, on the request of Vonchen’s attorney Kelly Driscoll, requested a special setting for a pretrial hearing in the case. That has been set for April 17. The judge then set a tentative trial date of May 5.

Vonachen 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.

He remains jailed on a $1,000,000 bond, and according to the Reno County Jail log, is being housed out of county.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Officials at the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in Washington, D.C. have notified Hutchinson Regional Medical Center (HRMC) that consumers, who did not sign up for health insurance coverage during the enrollment period just completed, will have a second opportunity to do so.

Jan Potter, Patient Navigator for HRMC, said consumers, who were unaware of the deadline or didn’t understand the possible tax consequences for not signing up for coverage, may do so March 15-April 30.

“This year, for the first time, Americans will be asked to provide proof of health insurance coverage when they file their income tax returns,” Potter said. “Those without coverage may be required to pay a special fee.”

“In a vast majority of situations, taxpayers can prove their coverage by checking a box on a tax form stating they were covered through their place of employment, Medicare, Medicaid, or veteran’s coverage,” Potter continued. “Those who are not exempted from coverage and have not obtained health insurance will be assessed a fee of $95 or one percent of their income, whichever is greater, when they file their 2015 income tax returns.”

Looking ahead to the 2016 income tax filing season, Potter said the penalty for failure to obtain health insurance increases to $315 per adult or two percent of the taxpayer’s income, whichever is greater.

Potter maintains an office at the Hutchinson Regional Medical Center near the main entrance and adjacent to the admissions desk. She is available to assist consumers 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday. All services provided by Potter and her staff are without charge to the public. Also, Potter can be contacted by telephone at 620-513-3177.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Unless some items are added to the agenda, the Reno County Commission Tuesday looks to be fairly brief.

The highlight may be a presentation of a mitigation project at Sand Hills State Park by Shawna Hartman with Kansas State Forestry Service.

They will also hear a report on a proposed bill before the Kansas Legislature which would allow appointing, rather than electing the county treasurer by county governments.

They are also expected to review other statutes that might allow the reorganization or the elimination of the treasurer’s office.

Also up for discussion is the possible expansion of the county commission from the current three members to five.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Fire, EMS and Hutchinson Police are on the scene of a situation in the 100 block of West 10th.

Details are not available at this point, however, we did see them take a woman to the hospital who was outside the apartment at that location. We were told that she may have been suicidal.

Again, we don’t know the exact circumstance of the incident, but we may know more later.

Jury selection on solicitation case scheduled to begin Tuesday

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Jury selection for a 55-year-old Hutchinson man is scheduled to get under way Tuesday morning.

Steven Peterman is charged with electronic solicitation and aggravated violation of the offender registration act.

Peterman was arrested back on Feb. 12, 2014, when he was allegedly waiting to pick up an underage girl in the parking lot of the Hutchinson Mall. He is accused of engaging in conversations via cell phone with Sheriff Detective Diana Skomal, who posed as the 15 year old. He allegedly went to the mall to pick her up with the intention of assisting her in running away from home, but also to teach her sex.

It could be interesting with him being denied a new attorney last week.

He’s served time in prison for two counts of attempted rape and electronic solicitation of a child from a case in 2001. But, he also has convictions for three counts of theft, perjury and issuing a worthless check. Those cases go back to 1979 and 1980.

Local man formally charged with burglaries and theft of firearms

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 32-year-old man accused of breaking into homes northwest of the city of Hutchinson has been formally charged with those crimes.

Billy Crowe appeared via video from the Reno County Jail where he was told that he has been charged with three counts of burglary of a dwelling for breaking into the same home and six counts of felony theft. He’s alleged to have committed the burglaries on three dates. That includes Sept. 30, Oct. 1 and Oct. 2 of last year.

For three of the felony theft charges, he’s accused of stealing firearms, while the other three include stealing other personal items.

Crowe is jailed on a bond of $14,500 and in court, he requested a reduction of that bond, however Assistant District Attorney Andrew Davidson noted to the court that he has two other cases pending, both involving drugs. He asked that the bond stay the same at this point. Magistrate Judge Randy McEwen agreed and decided to keep all three cases together.

Crowe’s next court appearance will be in April in front of Judge Joe McCarville.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — In a follow-up to a story we brought you yesterday, arson is now suspected in an apartment fire in Hutchinson Monday afternoon. Fire crews responded to the 100 block of West 10th about 3:25 p.m.

When crews arrived, they found flames and smoke coming from a single-story apartment complex, Hutchinson Battalion Chief William Lang said the fire was controlled in 15 minutes, while units were on scene for two hours. The preliminary damage estimate is $10,000, sustained to the main room of the residence.

Police say that, at around 3:10 p.m., they were dispatched to the area of 1300 N. Plum in reference to a possible suicidal person in the area on foot. Officers then learned that the female may reside in an apartment complex in the 100 block of West 10th.

Units responded to that area to try and make contact with her. The first officer on scene knocked at the front door of her apartment and received no answer. Knowing that the female occupant had been contacted on prior dates, the officer then walked to the back of the complex to knock on a back door. Receiving no answer at the back either, he returned to the front and discovered the entire front door and entryway fully engulfed in flames.

The officer immediately asked for additional officers and fire units to be dispatched as he began attempting to gain entry into the apartment. As other officers began arriving on the scene, they heard a person inside the rear of the apartment coughing. The officers forced entry at the back of the apartment and physically removed a female from the apartment, which was now filled with smoke and flames. They then began evacuating the rest of the complex as the first fire units began arriving. In all, three residents were removed from the apartment complex by officers at the scene, two of which had been asleep.

Lang said the cause of the fire appears to be arson, but is still under investigation.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN WICHITA HAS ISSUED A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY…WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 6 PM CST WEDNESDAY.

TIMING…WINTRY PRECIPITATION WILL INCREASE FROM THE SOUTHWEST GENERALLY AFTER MIDNIGHT ACROSS CENTRAL…SOUTH-CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST KANSAS…AS A STORM SYSTEM INTENSIFIES ACROSS THE
REGION. PRECIPITATION WILL GRADUALLY DECREASE FROM THE NORTH DURING THE DAY WEDNESDAY…EXITING FAR SOUTHEAST KANSAS WEDNESDAY EVENING.

MAIN IMPACT…SNOW WILL BE THE PREDOMINANT PRECIPITATION TYPE WITH THIS SYSTEM…ALTHOUGH A WINTRY MIX OF SLEET AND FREEZING RAIN IS POSSIBLE OVERNIGHT INTO WEDNESDAY MORNING OVER FAR SOUTHERN AND SOUTHEAST KANSAS.

SNOW ACCUMULATIONS…WILL GENERALLY RANGE FROM 1 TO 2 INCHES…WITH ISOLATED 3 INCH AMOUNTS POSSIBLE…ESPECIALLY OVER CENTRAL AND FAR SOUTHERN KANSAS.

ICE ACCUMULATIONS…SHOULD REMAIN FAIRLY LIGHT…ALTHOUGH COULD BE ENOUGH TO INDUCE VERY SLICK ROADS…ESPECIALLY OVER FAR SOUTHERN AND SOUTHEAST KANSAS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF WINTER WEATHER WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SLIPPERY ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES. USE CAUTION WHILE DRIVING.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Shawna Hartman, the public information officer for Kansas Forest Service was before the Reno County Commission Tuesday along with Eric Ward to let the commission know about the project they’ll be doing this month at Sand Hills State Park and also near Prairie Dunes County Club.

Ten years ago, they partnered with Hutchinson Community College Fire Science students to give them an opportunity to use their classroom training in the field preparing and participating in actual fire situations. That means working wild land fires such as what we have seen in years past in the areas north and east of Hutchinson. They’re also trying to reduce hazardous fuels on public lands the could threatened private property.

Lane told the commission that they chose the Hutchinson area this year because historically, this area has seen some of the worst wild land fires in the state in regards to duration and also property damage.

This event will be held March 22 through March 28, with the Hutchinson Fire Department also participating.

They say they’ll be setting some controlled fires in prescribed areas to give the students experience in fighting these types of fires.

They also invited the commission to what they called a VIP event at the Hutchinson Fire Department Facility and offices on East 4th, on March 24.

So, if you see a lot of activity that week north and east of Hutchinson, you know what’s going on.

Suspect in officer-involved shooting sentenced to prison

Matthews

HUTCHINSON, KS. — The 29-year-old man wounded by a Hutchinson police officer back in November and entered “guilty” pleas to two of the three charges against him was sentenced Tuesday to a year and seven months in prison.

Justin Matthews was found guilty of aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer with a deadly weapon, that being a knife and criminal threat against his mother. The state as part of the plea agreement, dropped the charge of aggravated assault against his mom.

The defense sought probation with the state objecting and stating in court that District Attorney Keith Schroeder had ruled that Police Lt. Josh Radloff was justified in the shooting. Judge McCarville agreed with the state and denied the motion for probation and handed down the 19-month sentence.

Radloff was the first to arrive at the scene that day and confronted Matthews, who charged at him with a knife. The officer then fired, wounding Matthews who was then taken to Via Cristi St. Francis Regional Medical Center for treatment of the gunshot wound to his right shoulder. This occurred at a home on 300 East 10th, back on Nov. 10, 2014.

Trial in solicitation case underway

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Testimony for a 55-year-old Hutchinson man charged with electronic solicitation and aggravated violation of the offender registration act is underway with the state presenting their case.

Steven Peterman was arrested back on Feb. 12, 2014 when he was allegedly waiting to pick up an underage girl in the parking lot of the Hutchinson Mall. He is accused texting via cell phone with Sheriff Detective Diana Skomal, who posed as the 15-year-old. He allegedly went to the mall to pick her up with the intention of assisting her in running away from home, but also to teach her sex.

Testimony Tuesday came from two sheriff detectives, Mitch Harris who told the jury that while working as the compliance officer for the county, he had been tipped off that a registered sex offender, Steven Peterman may have a phone that was not reported to his office. They traced the number and came back as belonging to Craig Child’s. He says he had his colleague, Diana Skomal call the number and ask for Craig. The person on the other end told her she had the wrong number. She then began the texting him eventually convincing him that she was 15 and was looking to get away from her mother. That led to the setup of the meeting at the mall.

Skomal also took the stand and the state showed the jury the text messages between the two.

The state and the defense also agreed to stipulated facts over Peterman’s previous criminal history which included convictions for two counts of attempted rape and electronic solicitation of a child from a case in 2001. Because of those convictions, he’s required to register as a sex offender and that includes notifying the sheriff’s office of any new electronic devices such as a cell phone and that cell phone number. The state claims he failed to do so.

The trial is expected to continue Wednesday.

Suspect in stabbing incident expected in court Wednesday

Sims

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The 32-year-old man arrested as the suspect in a recent stabbing incident is expected back in court Wednesday for a status hearing.

Drew David Sims was arrested for suspicion of aggravated battery for allegedly stabbing 30-year-old Brandon Zeh after the two got into an argument over money.

It was back on Feb. 23 around 9:30 a.m. when officers were dispatched to the area of 12th & Monroe for the report of the stabbing. They found Zeh with a stab wound to his chest. He was transported to an area hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery.

Sims has a bond set at $50,000.

It was just back on Feb. 6 that Sims was granted community corrections for crimes that included two counts of theft, forgery and giving a worthless check. Those crimes go back to July of last year. But, he has other convictions that go back to 2001 and 2007, that includes flee and elude and theft.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Reno County District Attorney’s Office has filed a charge of attempted capital murder against an inmate who was being housed at Hutchinson Correctional Facility Central Unit.

43-year-old Corey Jeffery is accused of stabbing a corrections officer back on September 17, 2014. Corrections Officer Tim Russell who was working at the central unit received multiple stab wounds and was transported to the Hutchinson Regional Medical Center by EMS for treatment.

Jeffery is actually from Minnesota and was sentenced there to prison for a conviction of murder. He was being housed as a courtesy by the state of Kansas.

After the incident, he was taken into custody and was placed in the Administrative Segregation Unit. A weapon was recovered at the scene.

When he will make an initial court appearance is unknown, but Deputy District Attorney Tom Stanton telling us that the complaint has been filed with the District Court.

Hutchinson woman formally charged with three counts of attempted murder

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The 35-year-old woman was in court Wednesday morning for the formal reading of charges against her which includes three counts of attempted murder in the second degree and criminal discharge of a firearm.

Nicole Renee Green is free on bond after the incident on February 21, where officers were dispatched to Midas Muffler and Brake Shop at 1101 N. Lorraine after a vehicle struck the building.

The occupants of the vehicle, 28-year-old Daniel Newburn, 42-year-old Stacey Plantz and 39-year-old Michael Beason, reported they were at Walmart and were confronted by Green in the parking lot. After a brief argument, Newburn, Plantz and Beason left the parking lot and drove south on K-61. Green followed them in her vehicle and repeatedly shot at them until they crashed the vehicle they were driving into the southwest side of Midas.

Green left the scene and later turned herself in at the Law Enforcement Center.

With the formal charges filed, her case will now move to a future waiver-status docket.

Hutch man charged with aggravated sexual battery

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 24-year-old man free on a $50,000 bond after his arrest last week was back in court Wednesday to hear the formal complaint that charges him with aggravated sexual battery. Matthew Ledin is accused of the crime with a woman he apparently met on a internet dating site.

The two apparently got together and watched a movie and that’s when things apparently went to far. He was initially arrested on a charge of rape, but the state filed the lesser charge of sexual battery.

His case will now moved to a waiver-status docket.

Suspect in stabbing incident formally charged

Sims

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The 32-year-old man arrested in a recent stabbing incident was back in court Wednesday where he was read the formal complaint against him

Drew Sims is now charged with aggravated battery for allegedly stabbing 30-year-old Brandon Zeh after the two got into an argument over money.

It was back on Feb. 23 around 9:30 a.m. when officers were dispatched to the area of 12th & Monroe for the report of the stabbing. They found Zeh with a stab wound to his chest. He was transported to an area hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery.

Sims has a bond set at $50,000.

It was just back on Feb. 6 that Sims was granted community corrections for crimes that included two counts of theft, forgery and giving a worthless check. Those crimes go back to July of last year. But, he has other convictions that go back to 2001 and 2007, that includes flee and elude and theft.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — For the second consecutive year, a pair of student broadcast journalists at the Hutchinson Career and Technical Education Academy at Hutchinson High School have been recognized for their work.

Seniors Brooks Armstrong and David Sotelo produced the video “Defending Our Heroes” on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for the C-Span StudentCam 2015 competition. The juniors placed third regionally and received a prize of $750 for their efforts. Overall, there were 2,280 videos from nearly 5,000 students submitted and only 150 received a prize. The students were from 45 states, the District of Columbia and Taiwan.

The pair were the only students recognized from Kansas.

The video by Sotelo and Armstrong is available at http://www.viddler.com/v/af59f41f.

The winners of the 2015 StudentCam competition were announced Wednesday, March 4.

Since Armstrong and Sotelo won third prize, HCTEA will receive $125 to spend on digital equipment for the school. Leann Gleason teaches broadcast journalism at HCTEA.

The most popular topic for student videos in 2015 was education. Twelve percent of entries were about education issues such as Common Core, No Child Left Behind and standardized testing. Another 11 percent were about health care while 10 percent were about the economy.

High school students competed on a regional level with the U.S. being divided into three regions – west, central and east. Middle school students were judged on a national basis. Grand prize winners were selected nationally among all regions and grade levels.

The annual competition is sponsored by the C-SPAN Education Foundation. Videos were evaluated by a panel of educators and C-SPAN representatives based on the thoughtful examination of the competition’s theme, quality of expression, inclusion of varying sides of the documentary’s topic and effective incorporation of C-SPAN programming.

All the winning videos may be viewed at www.studentcam.org.