HUTCHINSON, Kan. – The local hospital has been named Kansas recipient of the Grassroots Champion Award, an annual designation from the American and Kansas Hospital Associations lauding the hospitals’ efforts in promoting the healthcare system’s legislative agenda with elected officials.

Rich Umbdenstock, President and CEO of the American Hospital Association, said the award recognized Hutchinson Regional Medical Center for their work in effectively delivering the hospital message to elected officials; helping broaden the base of community support for hospitals; and advocating tirelessly on behalf of patients, hospitals and communities.

Umbdenstock said the 50 state awards are made annually by the American Hospital Association at the recommendation of the respective state hospital associations.

“Hutchinson Regional Medical Center earned this special recognition through their dedication to the hospital mission, both on the local and national level,” Umbdenstock continued.

Kevin J. Miller, F.A.C.H.E., President and CEO of Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System, said the hospital’s involvement in public affairs is a necessity in the turbulent times facing healthcare.

“More and more decisions affecting our future and, in some cases, survival are made in the halls of Congress, in the nation’s Capital or in the corridors of the Kansas Statehouse,” Miller said. “Consequently, the leadership team at Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System, along with the 1,350 healthcare professionals employed here, are proactive in expressing our side of the story to state and national leaders.”

“Along the way, other healthcare facilities have mirrored our actions and joined the debate,” Miller continued. “It is a significant achievement for our team to be recognized by the Kansas and American Hospital Associations for our stance in dealing with healthcare issues.”

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – Weather permitting, starting Wednesday, Hutchinson Regional Airport and USDA staff will be initiating controlled burns on the airport property.

That includes the north end of the airport, south of 23 rd and the grassland located parallel to Airport Road, across from Lowen and Alcoa Aerospace.

Depending on weather and wind conditions, the prescribed burns will be accomplished within 7 to 10 days.

There is chances for rain both Wednesday and Thursday and that could delay the start of these controlled burns.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – Here is an update on the grass fire from Monday north of Hutchinson.

Fire officials say it was first reported just after 4:30 p.m, in the 9000 block of North Plum. When units arrived they found the fire burning 1/8 mile wide in heavy brush with multiple structures and animals being threatened.

The fire continued to burn northeast of Plum, threatening up two dozen homes. Fire units prepared to stop the fire from crossing 95th. The fire did cross the street at one point burning approximately 100 yards to the north before being put out. When the fire crossed 95th, the width was approximately 100 to 150 yards wide which help units control the fire. They say that the width of the fire as it moved north to 95th Avenue varied up to ¼ mile wide in parts.

The area south of 95th is an extremely dense area with cedars and heavy brush making access near impossible expect for getting in driveways and protecting structures.

The fire was contained just before 7 p.m. Mutual Aid units were released and Hutchinson Fire maintained units overnight as crews anticipated a wind shift out of the north around 1:00 a.m. No major issues occurred overnight. At day break, the city of Hutchinson returned with a pay loader and a bulldozer to finish clearing the trees on the south perimeter. A tree trimming company was brought in to remove some high branches that were burning over a structure north of 95th. All units cleared the scene around 10:30 a.m. Three units responded back just before 3 p.m. Tuesday for a reported spot fire which turned out to be very minor and was taken care of.

Mutual Aid was requested in route and then subsequently after arrival to include the following departments: Reno County: District 3 (Nickerson), District 4 (Arlington), District 8 (Yoder), District 9 (Haven), Buhler, Pretty Prairie, Inman, Sterling and Lyons. Approximately 50 fire units and 90 personnel were called to the scene. In addition to Fire Units, Kansas Forestry Service supplied expertise, Reno County Sheriff’s Department provided traffic control, Emergency Management provided outside resources, Salvation Army brought out their canteen to rehab responders, and the City of Hutchinson brought out a pay loader to assist in moving trees around as needed. Mike’s Auto Service provided parking for the Command Post over night to allow for Plum Street to be reopened.

One house off of Plum did sustained moderate damage from the fire with damage occurring on the outside of the residence in the flooring, wall, and the attic. Damage estimate is $20,000. No one was home at the time of the fire and there were no injuries reported.

During the fire, Plum Street was shut down to traffic from 82nd to 108th, along with 95th east of Plum. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Hutchinson Fire Department with assistance from the Reno County Sheriff’s Office, with a possibility of an illegal burn in the area.

Hutchinson Fire officials reminder residents that there is still extremely dry grass and brush in the area and any type of fire will grow extremely quickly. Rain is forecast for the area this week, however fields are still very dry and don’t take long to dry out with the Kansas wind once the rain has stopped. they’re asking all residents to use extreme caution during this dry time.

The Hutchinson are is unique where a large population has build residences and structures in areas of natural habitat. They’re asking those residents to take the time to walk around their homes and clear any combustibles away from structures and to mow and maintain short grass to assist in providing protection to their homes and other structures.

The Hutchinson Fire Department will be in the area Wednesday getting all addresses and surveying damage areas. A complete loss total is not yet available for the entire incident.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 27-year-old Hutchinson man arrested back on February 25, 2014 after search warrant was served on his home was sentenced Tuesday afternoon by District Judge Tim Chambers.

Bo Newberry was sentenced to just under 4-years or 46-months in prison, then granted a year and six months on community corrections. He entered pleas to possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of drug paraphernalia with intent and misdemeanor possession of marijuana.

The case was presumptive prison, but Defense Attorney Sam Kepfield filed a motion for a departure in the case and Deputy District Attorney Tom Stanton agreed to go along with the recommendation for a non prison sanction. Judge Chambers agreed with the two sides, partly because of Newberry’s lack of criminal history.

The case goes back to a search warrant being executed at his home on Sunset Drive and law enforcement say they found a ziplock bag and a baby jar, both with suspected marijuana. They also allegedly found some pipes with burnt residue, a digital scale and new and used packaging materials and four hand guns with ammo inside. However, the guns were locked in a safe and not near any of the drugs. The suspected marijuana weighed around 23 grams according to statements made in court.

Prior to sentencing, Newberry showed remorse for the crimes, admitting to the judge that he messed up and has learned his lesson. He says he just wants to get on with his life.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Reno County Sheriff’s office is investigating the burglary and criminal damage of Prosperity Grade School north of Hutchinson.

Damage was pretty severe with an individual maybe interested in purchasing the property noticing water running that shouldn’t have been while they were looking at the property over the weekend.

School Superintendent Mike Berblinger telling Hutchpost that a couple of drinking fountains were damaged, one causing water to leak through the school. There was also damage to some fire extinguishers and also some paint cans which were used to cause damage.

Damage could be in the thousands of dollars, however Berblinger says they only have early estimates at this point.

Obee Grade School at 4712 E 4th was also broken into over the weekend, but the juveniles were caught in the act according to Berblinger. He says the damage there was minimal with a window being broken.

Sheriff Captain Steve Lutz says that building was actually entered twice, but again those responsible have been caught. That’s not the case at Prosperity where there are no known suspects at this point.

Both grade schools were closed by the Buhler district after the new Plum Creek Elementary School on 43rd was opened.

The district has been trying to sell the old buildings now that they’re no longer needed as school facilities.

MANHATTAN, Kan. – The Kansas Forest Service fire staff will conduct planned burns March 22-28 as part of its 11th annual Hazardous Fuels Mitigation Project. In this case, the fuel is several years of accumulated brush. The burns will be at Sand Hills State Park, Prairie Dunes Country Club and surrounding areas near Hutchinson, Kansas.

The Hutchinson area was chosen due to its susceptibility to wildfire. The area has had some of the largest and most destructive wildfires in Kansas, according to Eric Ward, fire planning specialist with the Kansas Forest Service. However, this area’s natural prairie habitat is fire dependent.

“By using prescribed fire as a tool under predetermined weather and fuel conditions, fire officials will be able to burn hazardous fuels that have accumulated over the last five to six years,” Ward said. “This will also reduce the threat of unplanned or escaped fire during high fire danger times.”

The project will be managed by nationally-certified wild-land firefighters from Kansas and surrounding states. Hutchinson Community College fire science students will also participate to further their classroom training by preparing and participating in an actual fire situation.

Run like a national wildfire incident with the Incident Management System in place, this event has attracted qualified firefighters from six states and 16 different agencies. “This year also marks the first time that the local fire department, Hutchinson Fire, has played a key role in the organization and implementation of the project,” said Ward, who is serving as the incident commander for the project.

“This interagency and interstate collaboration will help the qualified firefighters further their skills as well as prepare the HCC students for wildland fire positions after graduation.”

KFS receives a grant from the U.S. Forest Service each year to help fund the project. The grant is designed to cover the cost of fuel reduction on public lands where adjacent life or property could be harmed in the event of a wildfire.

Hutchinson man accused of sexual exploitation again scheduled for hearing

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 36-year-old Hutchinson man taken into custody after officers seized a computer where he allegedly downloaded child pornography videos is scheduled for a preliminary hearing again on Thursday after the hearing had been continued earlier.

Tad Darcy Russell is charged with sexual exploitation of a child with the arrest coming after Hutchinson Police Detective Scott Carlton began investigating Russell for several months and says Russell downloaded child porn videos from a file sharing program called “Peer to Peer.”

They served a search warrant on his Hutchinson home and seized his computer. Allegedly in the videos, some an hour in length, involved kids as young as six and eight years of age.

The hearing is scheduled Thursday afternoon in front of Magistrate Judge Randy McEwen, however the hearing is still subject to change.

Suspect in attempted capital murder case schedule for appearance Thursday

Jeffery

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Correctional Facility inmate charged with attempted capital murder is scheduled to make an initial court appearance on Thursday.

43-year-old Corey Jeffery was charged by the state for allegedly stabbing a corrections officer back on Sept. 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.

A weapon was recovered at the scene.

The hearing will be to read the formal complaint against Jeffery, then set a date for a future hearing.

Sentencing in Reno County flee and elude case scheduled for Thursday

Victor Gutierrez

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The sentencing for a 26-year-old man convicted of charges associated with a high-speed chase is again scheduled for sentencing on Thursday. It was originally scheduled for last Friday, but was continued because the attorney for Victor Gutierrez wanted time to file a motion to depart.

He entered pleas to criminal possession of a firearm and felony flee and elude, while the state dismissed a charge of possession of cocaine. The chase started because of law enforcement being on the lookout for Gutierrez because of his suspected involvement with a murder in Ford County.

He led law enforcement here in a high-speed chase with speeds as high as 150 miles per hour. The chase reportedly ended at U.S. 50 and Mayfield Road east of Hutchinson, where he pulled over and was taken into custody without incident.

In addition to the murder charge in Ford County, Guttierrez is charged with aggravated endangerment of a child, criminal possession of a firearm by a felon and defacing identification marks of a firearm. The charges in Ford County come after police responded to a home back on Sept. 23, 2014 and found 30-year-old Natasha Pruitt dead of a gun shot wound.

The sentencing is in front of Judge Trish Rose, at 4 p.m. Thursday afternoon.

WINDOM, Kan. – A McPherson County woman was injured in an accident just before 1 p.m. on Wednesday.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2005 Toyota passenger car drive by Lois C. Creed, 86, Windom, was stationary on the right side of U.S. 56 one mile south of Windom with a blinker on.

The vehicle made a left turn into the side of a truck traveling in the eastbound lane.

Creed was transported to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center.

The truck driver from Oklahoma was not injured.

The KHP reported both drivers were properly restrained at the time of the accident.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A former employee of Heartland Credit Union was granted one years probation on a one year sentence for one misdemeanor count of conducting a computer crime.

Leeann Marker was arrested on a warrant in the case Tuesday, then entered a plea in the case on Wednesday and was sentenced by Magistrate Judge Randy McEwen.

Marker was convicted for e-mailing customer information to herself, while then going to work for a rival financial institution.

In addition to the sentenced handed down, she’ll also have to pay $21,217.00 in restitution to Heartland Credit Union. Also as part of the sentence, she will pay the court cost and was also ordered to served 100 hours of community service.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – A fire caused heavy damage to a structure on the south side of the city around 3 a.m. Thursday morning.

When fire units arrived, smoke was coming from the rear of the building at South Main and Carpenter and had forced their way in through an overhead garage door, finding the fire towards the  middle of the building.

The fire was controlled in 20 minutes with units on scene for about two hours. Damage estimates are at $120,000, but the cause of the fire hasn’t been determined.

The building was unoccupied at the time of the fire and no one was injuries.

HAVEN, Kan. – The Haven USD 312 School Board will hold a special meeting this evening to discuss a possible $12 million facilities improvement bond issue.

If approved the money would be used for a new roof, gym, HVAC, new baseball and softball diamonds and a new weight room for the high school. Improvements to the middle school include a new roof and HVAC units, Improvements would also be made to the elementary schools including renovated kitchens at both Haven Grade School and Yoder Grade School.

Yoder would also get new class rooms which would eliminate the mobile class room. Haven Grade School would also see renovations made to their restrooms and gymnasium. Partridge grade School would have new bleachers installed and get a new roof. If approved a special election on the bond issue would take place June 9.

This evenings special meeting of the Haven USD 312 school board beings at 6:30 at the administrative offices in Haven.

Jeffery

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Correctional Facility inmate charged with attempted capital murder did make an initial court appearance Thursday where he was explained the charge against him and possible penalty.

43-year-old Corey Jeffery actually appeared initially via-video from the Reno County Jail, but they apparently had some trouble with that system, so he was brought to the courtroom under heavy guard.

He’s 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.

A weapon was reportedly recovered at the scene of where the stabbing occurred.

With him being read the formal charge, his case now moves to a waiver-status docket in front of District Judge Joe McCarville on April 1.

Man accused in sexual exploitation case wants time to consider plea offer

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 36-year-old Hutchinson man taken into custody after officers seized a computer where he allegedly downloaded hundreds child pornography videos saw his preliminary hearing continued after his attorney informed the court that his client wanted time to consider a plea offer.

Tad Darcy Russell is charged with sexual exploitation of a child with the arrest coming after Hutchinson Police Detective Scott Carlton began investigating Russell for several months and says Russell downloaded child porn videos from a file sharing program called “Peer to Peer.”

They served a search warrant on his Hutchinson home and seized his computer. Allegedly in the videos, some an hour in length, involved kids as young as six and eight years of age.

The case falls under Jessica’s Law, meaning he could receive a life sentence with no chance of parole for 25 years. The state offered to drop the charge to a level 5 felony and recommend a sentence of two years, eight months in prison. Technically it falls under what’s called a border box. That gives the judge the option of ordering prison time, or some form of probation. However, as part of the agreement, he wouldn’t be allow to ask for a border box finding and would serve the time in prison.

The hearing has now been pushed back to April 1, to give Russell time to consider this offer.

Area man charged with distribution of cocaine makes court appearance

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 21-year-old man made a court appearance Thursday after he allegedly sold drugs to undercover officers twice back in December.

Malachi Lewis is charged with the sale of cocaine, about 3.5 grams, conspiracy to distribute cocaine with another man, Elijah Metheny and unlawful distribution of a controlled substance using a communications device. The alleged crimes occurring back on December 27, 2014. Drug Enforcement officers apparently had text Lewis to make the transactions.

In court, he asked for a reduction of the $10,000 bond, however the state was opposed and the judge indicated that there is fairly substantial evidence against him in the case and denied the request. However, he’s now free on that bond.

Magistrate Judge Randy McEwen set a status hearing in the case for March 25.

Hutch man scheduled for sentencing in electronic solicitation case

Peterman

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 55-year-old Hutchinson man found guilty for electronic solicitation and violation of the offender registration act or failing to register is scheduled for sentencing Friday morning.

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 was convicted for texting via cell phone with Sheriff Detective Diana Skomal, who posed as the 15-year-old. He then went to the Hutchinson Mall to pick her up with the intention of assisting her in running away from home, but also to teach her about sex.

This is a presumptive prison case in large part because of Peterman’s prior criminal history. He’s served time in prison for two counts of attempted rape and electronic solicitation of a child from a 2001 case.

The sentencing is scheduled in front of Judge Trish Rose.

Hutchinson man scheduled for sentencing in cocaine distribution case

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 28-year-old Hutchinson man who entered a plea in the drug case against him is scheduled for sentencing Friday.

Raymond Kimball was convicted for possession of cocaine with intent to sell, possession of marijuana with a prior conviction and possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to package. The state as part of the agreement dropped the severity level of the cocaine charge and also dropped a drug tax stamp violation.

The case centers on Drug Unit Detectives finding a white rocky substance, green leafy vegetation, a digital scale and new and used packaging inside a Hutchinson home while serving a search warrant. The white rocky substance was cocaine and weighed about 25 grams. The green leafy substance was marijuana and weighed about 4.3 grams.

Kimball was arrested with 24-year-old Holly Caudillo.

He was also before Magistrate Judge Randy McEwen for a new charge of failing to register as a drug offender.

TOPEKA, Kan. – After District Judge Trish Rose made a ruling in the civil case for a 25-year-old Hutchinson man convicted of attempted manufacture of methamphetamine and attempted 2nd degree murder, the state appealed that decision and Friday the decision of Judge Trish Rose was reversed.

Paul Stotts had argued is his civil filing that he has ineffective counsel before and during trial and at the appellate level, while the state argues there’s no basis for either.

His main argument was never being told by his attorney of a plea offer from the state that would have reduced his sentence to 162-months. Judge Trish Rose agreed with the defendant and ordered the state again offer a plea agreement to Stotts. But, the Kansas Court of Appeals Friday disagreed with the ruling of Judge Rose. They say the Sotts in his civil filing failed to demonstrate a reasonable probability that he would have accepted the plea offer at the time if was offered. Had he accepted, it might have given him about 13 and a half years in prison.

As it stands now, Stotts is serving roughly 25-years after being convicted of attempted 2nd degree murder for crashing his vehicle into another, badly injuring the other driver. The state says it was intentional, while Stotts maintains it was an accident. He was also found guilty of having items consistent with a meth lab inside his vehicle, two counts of aggravated battery, and several counts of flee and elude. The case has to do with the 24-minute high speed chase through both South Hutchinson and Hutchinson which ultimately ended with the crash on K-61 back on March 26, 2007.

Jaeden Kidd                 Jonathan Thiessen

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Over the past several days, officers of the Hutchinson / Reno County Drug Enforcement Unit and the Reno County Sheriff’s Office, have arrested six individuals for various drug offenses.

These drug offenses are related to activity at three local high schools. This investigation started over five months ago, utilizing an undercover officer posing as a high school student. The schools involved were Hutchinson High School, Nickerson High School and Buhler High School.

The Administrations of the schools, worked in cooperation with law enforcement, being proactive while at the same time overseeing the rights of the students.

The undercover investigation started after several drug overdose incidents involving kids. The intent of this investigation was to continue into other school districts, however was terminated due to student safety concerns.

Arrested on March 5, was Colton Gomes, 16, 24 Detroit, South Hutchinson. Charges include
the sale of LSD within a 1000 feet of a school, no tax stamp and unlawful use of a communications device.

Arrested on March 20 was Jonathan Thiessen, 21, 15 Warren Drive, South Hutchinson with a bond of $5,500. Charges include the sale of marijuana, within a 1,000 feet of a school. He had an additional charge of possession of marijuana at time of his arrest.

Jaedan Kidd, 19, 1309 Mayfield Road, has a bond of $5,000 for the sale of marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school.

Deonte Tiniakos, 16, 106 E. 10th, Hutchinson was arrested for two counts of the sale marijuana, sale of amphetamines and unlawful use of a communications device.

Anika Gabhart, 17, 3410 N. Elm, Hutchinson was arrested for the sale of Valium and the sale of
marijuana within a 1000 feet of a school.

Eric Crow, 15, 106 E. E, South Hutchinson was arrested for the sale of LSD.

Sheriff Randy Hendersons said in a news release, “these arrest should not reflect negatively on these school districts.”

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — If you saw Hutchinson Firefighters heading east just before noon Friday, they were responding to the 10000 block of East Ave G for a controlled burn out of control. When the arrived, they found a half acre of land on fire.

The fire was controlled in about 20 minutes with units on scene a little longer to extinguish the original burn pile.

The Hutchinson Fire Department responded with four units.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The latest unemployment numbers show the rate for Hutchinson in February dropped slightly from January.

The February numbers released Friday by the Kansas Department of Labor show the Hutchinson rate at 4.8 percent down from 5 percent in January. It’s also lower then the 5.2 percent in February of last year. 948 residents of the city were looking for work last month.

Reno County’s rate also dropped slightly, going from 4.6 percent in January to 4.5 percent in February. That’s also slightly lower the February of last year when the rate was 4.9 percent. There were 1,410 residents of the county without work last month, but most of those were in the city of Hutchinson.

Harvey County saw their rate drop from 4.5 percent in January to 3.8 percent on February. Other area county rates include Kingman at 4.2 percent, McPherson County at 3 percent, Pratt County at 3.6 percent which is actually higher then in January when their rate was 3.2 percent. Rice County stayed the same at 3.5 percent, Stafford County is at 4.1 percent and Sedgwick County with its large population is at 5.1 percent.

The state’s Feb. seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.2 percent, unchanged from the Jan. and down from 4.6 percent in Feb. 2014.

Hutch man sentenced to over 19 years in electronic solicitation case

Peterman

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 55-year-old Hutchinson man found guilty of electronic solicitation and violation of the offender registration act or failing to register as a sex offender was sentenced Friday morning to 19 years and five months in prison.

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

The case called for a presumptive prison sanction in large part because of his prior criminal history. He’s served time in prison for two counts of attempted rape and electronic solicitation of a child from a case in 2001.

Hutch teen busted for mushroom growing operation and cruelty to animals

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 19-year-old Hutchinson man is jailed on an $80,000 dollar bond for suspicion of having a growing operation for mushrooms inside a north side business.

Carlyeon Moore faces potential charges of growing the mushrooms, possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to cultivate drugs, no tax stamp and cruelty to animals.

It was back on March 18, when Hutchinson police served a search warrant at the business at 2534 North Main. They found the mushroom growing operation. They also found a dog locked in a bathroom with no food and water and living in its own waste. Animal Control was called in and removed the animal.

Allegedly Moore would come to the business once a day around 1 p.m. Officers managed to caught him as he arrived and followed him into the business.

They also did a search of his vehicle and found some flour and coffee compost in the back seat which was consistent with what they found inside the business.

In court Friday morning, his bond was left the same and the case is now scheduled for a status hearing on Wednesday.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Police are investigating an attempted aggravated robbery of a local convenience store early Monday morning.

An employee of the Pic-Quik at 901 E. 11th reported that a white woman entered the store about 6:20 a.m. and demanded cash. The clerk started to grab at the suspect as she laid down a black handgun on the counter, but the female suspect then ran out of the store with no money.

Police are reviewing video from the store to see if that helps in their investigation.

They did make a traffic stop of a vehicle with a female driver that kind of matched the description of the woman, according to Police Lt. John Moore, but they couldn’t identify her as the suspect.

Needless to say, the woman didn’t get any cash and luckily, no one was injured.

Stafford man busted again for DUI

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 32-year-old Stafford man failed to get his bond lowered when he appeared in Reno County District Court Monday on a number of charges.

Robert Shoemate was arrested by the Kansas Highway Patrol around 8:30 p.m. Saturday, when he was allegedly driving under the influence and committing other crimes. That includes criminal possession of firearm, defacing a firearm, endangering a child, illegal transportation of alcohol, no insurance and driving while a habitual violator.

Shoemate was stopped by the trooper on U.S. 50 near Sylvia in western Reno County. The trooper also found that Shoemate had a warrant out of Haskell County.

In court, he requested a reduction of the bond of $6,700, but the state objected stating that his driving record is 178 pages long. Plus, according to Assistant District Attorney Andrew Davidson, this would be his 5th DUI and has four convictions for driving while suspended. The judge agreed and left the bond the same.

According to the Kansas Department of Corrections, Shoemate is also on corrections for a DUI conviction out of Meade County, but also has a conviction in Seward County.

His case is now scheduled for a status on Wednesday to give the state a little time to file formal charges.

Hutchinson woman now has been warrant with $100,000 bond

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 30-year-old Hutchinson woman facing charges in two cases failed to show in court Monday for one of them which resulted in the state requesting and granted a bench warrant with a $100,000 bond.

The case involves the Reno County Drug Unit stopping the vehicle driven by Jessica Whittier where they found 18 grams of methamphetamine, a distribution amount of high-grade marijuana, new packaging materials and a digital scale. She then gave officers consent to search a motel room where, located inside a safe, another distribution amount of high-grade marijuana and U.S. Currency were found. This occurring back on August of last year.

Charges include possession of methamphetamine and marijuana with intent to sell, possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to package and two counts of no drug tax stamp as well as possession of other prescription drugs. The state also filed a motion to revoke her original bond in this case.

She has been scheduled for a preliminary hearing in this case, but was a no show. Her attorney requested a continuance for a week to give her time to locate her client. The state wanted the bench warrant because of another case is pending, plus they also filed a motion to revoke her previous bond because of testing positive for meth while on bond supervision.

Whittier is scheduled for trial next week in a case where she was arrested along with Dominic Vargas and Robert Vigil. She’s charged with two counts of distribution of drugs, criminal use of weapons, possession of drug paraphernalia and no tax stamp. That case goes back to April 30, 2013.

Vigil was sentenced to nearly seven and a half years in prison, which was jointly recommended by both the state and the defense. He was then granted three years community corrections after the state indicated the majority of drugs and the handgun found belonged to Whittier. Vargas entered guilty pleas in the three cases against him and he was given a controlling sentence of three years in prison.

Hutch man enters plea to lesser charges in drug distribution case

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 62-year-old Hutchinson man facing charges of possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell, possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to distribute, no tax stamp, possession of meth and possession of drug paraphernalia caught a break Monday when he entered “no contest” pleas to lesser charges.

Eugene Hanson was arrested back on January 8, 2014, after a search warrant was served on his home in the 1000 block of East Sherman. They allegedly found drugs and paraphernalia leading to his arrest.

In court, he agreed to enter a plea to possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, while the state dropped the other charges. He also agreed to not commit any crimes while awaiting sentencing or the plea would be invalid. He will also have to pay all fees and fines the court deems appropriate.

Although he entered the plea in front of Magistrate Judge Randy McEwen, sentencing will be on May 15, in front of Judge Trish Rose.

Three arrested on drugs charges at local fast food restaurant

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Three people were arrested on various drug charges over the weekend. It happened just before 3 a.m. Saturday morning at the McDonald’s location at 1407 East 11th.

20-year-old Terrell M. Kane of South Hutchinson was arrested for possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was also charged with intent to distribute drugs, no tax stamp and DUI.

21-year-old Caitlynne Perry and 21-year-old Kayla Joy, both of Hutchinson were arrested for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

All three were able to post bond meaning any court appearance will come later in the week.