Hutchinson man scheduled for sentencing in cocaine distribution case

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — After the sentencing hearing for a 28-year-old Hutchinson man convicted in a drug distribution case was continued, its again scheduled for 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 has another charge of failing to register as a drug offender pending.

Local man faces sentencing in drug case Friday

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 28-year-old Hutchinson man who entered a plea to an amended complaint that includes nine charges is scheduled for sentencing Friday.

Benito Montalbo entered “no contest” pleas to possession of morphine, possession of marijuana with a prior conviction, five counts of possession of a controlled substance with a prior conviction, possession of drug paraphernalia, and driving while suspended. The state in exchange agreed to not file additional charges against the defendant.

Montalbo was stopped by a Reno County Sheriff Deputy back on Jan. 21 of last year at 6th & Porter when the deputy apparently knew his driver’s license was suspended. Allegedly on his person was a small plastic bag of synthetic marijuana or K-2. On the console of his vehicle was a small amount of marijuana, morphine pills, other various types of pills and zigzag rolling papers.

The two sides will be able to argue disposition in the case when he’s sentenced in front of Judge Tim Chambers.

Hutch man faces stalking charges after earlier arrest for burglary and robbery

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 36-year-old man is jailed on a $100,000 dollar bond for suspicion of a multiple counts of stalking.

Timothy Drumgould had been arrested in another matter last month charged with aggravated burglary and robbery in what appears to be a domestic case. His bond was set at $25,000 and as a part of the bond, he was told to have no contact with the victim.

Hutchinson Police Detective Tyson Myers tells Eagle Radio that Drumgould has had contact with the victim in the earlier case a number of times violating the conditions of his bond. Myers says that included face to face conatct and others by phone.

Drumgould was arrested Thursday and unless he’s able to post the high bond, he should make another court appearance on Friday.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 26-year-old man apparently staying at the Trails West Motel in South Hutchinson is facing some serious charges after he sold some meth to a confidential informant.

Alex Nathan Reck faces charges for the sale of methamphetamine within a thousand feet of a school, possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of drug paraphernalia, no drug tax stamp and interference with law enforcement.

It was Wednesday that the informant was supplied with approximately 1 ounce of meth by Reck at the motel in South Hutchinson which officials allege is within a thousand feet of South Hutchinson Grade School. Later in the day, Drug Enforcement Officers attempted to place Reck under arrest and he allegedly ran, but was quickly captured. They then did a search of his motel room and allegedly found numerous new syringes, new and used baggies and one loaded syringe. They also found a .380 caliber handgun and learned he has felony convictions within the past 10 years.

In court, he asked that he be granted a reduction of the $30,500 bond, while Assistant District Attorney Daniel Gilligan told the court that if anything, it should be raised because of the nature of the charges. Gilligan also noted that Reck has a no bond warrant out of McPherson County. The judge denied that reduction and set a status hearing in the case for April 8.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Judge Trish Rose Thursday granted a defense request to continue the trial for a Hutchinson teen accused of killing his mother and sister and attempting to kill his father.

Public Defender Kelly Driscoll represents Samuel Vonachen and told the judge during a brief hearing in the judges office that she won’t be ready for trial on May 5, because she has other trials scheduled for this month which will cut into her prep time. Senior Assistant District Attorney Steve Maxwell had no objection to the hearing, but told the judge he wants a hard date for trial because of wanting to make sure witnesses from out of town as well as lab people are subpoened and are available for the trial.

Judge Rose prior to setting a new date asked Vonachen if he had any questions over his right to a speedy trial and how this continuance would not count against the state. He told the judge, “no, I have no questions.” The state is required to get any defendant to trial within a certain amount of time after they’ve been arraigned on the charges. Judge Rose set a new date of July 20 for the trial of the teen.

A pretrial hearing in the case is scheduled for April 17, but with the change in trial date, that could also be pushed to a later date.

Vonachen was fourteen at the time of the alleged crimes and is charged with two counts of first-degree murder, two alternate counts of felony murder, attempted first-degree murder and aggravated arson. He’s 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 is being housed out of county.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Storms rocked south central Kansas late Thursday night into Friday morning causing a lot of damage to power poles and lines across the area. This knocked out power to most of the city. As of 1 a.m. There were as many 16,000 electric customers without power in the county according to Todd Strain with Emergency Management, most of those is the Hutchinson area, however power did start to come on around 1:30 a.m. Both Harvey and Sedgwick counties also had numerous power outages because of the storm.

There were also reports of structural damage to some buildings and homes across the area and trees up rooted in the Pretty Prairie area.

70 to 75 mph straight line winds were common as the storms moved across the area. Large hail was also included with ping pong size and larger in some areas.

Westar Energy says as of 6 a.m., 50,000 customers were without power, including 31,000 in Sedgwick County; 7,800 in Reno County; 7,900 in Harvey County and 1,900 in Butler County.

School was canceled Friday in Wichita and Maize because of the power outages.

Crews were still assessing the damage and checking on the welfare of county residents early Friday morning. Strain says after the sun comes up, they will be out assessing the full extent of the damage.

No reports of any injuries as a result of the storms according to Strain.

According to Midwest spokesman Mike Morley, about 7,700 customers were out of service beginning at 11 p.m. in an area south of Kansas 96 from Jetmore to just west of Hutchinson.

As of 6:30 a.m., approximately 3,600 customers still were without power.

Morley said an estimated 100 poles were downed by the high winds overnight.

He reminded residents not to drive over down lines and to never try to move downed lines by themselves.

Crews continue to work to restore power, Morley said.

HUTCHINSON, Kan.— Numerous township roads are closed due to the large number of power poles knocked down by last night’s storm.

Reno County 911 says that the township crews, along with Ark valley and Westar crews, are working to clean up the damage. Along with the township roads, these main roads are also closed.

K-96 South from South Hutchinson to the K-96/K-14 junction.

82nd from Salee to Pennington

56th from Yaggy to Monroe

Monroe from 43rd to 56th

Also, the traffic signals at East 30th and Severance in Hutchinson are blinking as a four-way stop due to damage to the traffic signal. That will remain in place through some time tomorrow.

Westar says power could be out in some areas for days. Crews from contract electrical companies and KCPL have been called in to repair the damage.

Storm damage in Stafford County

GREAT BEND, Kan. — Midwest Energy reported more than 2,000 customers still were without power as of late morning Friday, although the number is down significantly from nearly 10,000 just after midnight.

The bulk of the outages are south of Great Bend and west of Hutchinson. Strong winds during the overnight storm took down 300-plus power poles in seven counties, according to Midwest spokesman Mike Morley.

Crews from throughout the utility’s coverage area converged on the area to make

Power poles across the highway in Chase County

repairs, which are expected to last into the weekend.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — On March 1st, the city of Hutchinson and Reno County began offering the CivicReady emergency notification system to provide citizens with information during severe weather or other hazardous events.

Todd Strain with Reno County Emergency Management says the response from residents to the introduction of this system has been largely positive, with many individuals electing to receive emergency alerts.

But, he adds, that with any new implementation of technology, there have been a few bumps in the road along the way. During recent severe weather events many citizens received multiple alerts for the same storm. He says they are aware of the frustration this has caused and apologize for any inconvenience. The development team from CivicReady, along with their staff, has been working to address this issue to eliminate duplicate notifications.

He says they are committed to providing the public with the information needed to stay safe during severe weather and will continue to work to ensure the safety of residents by providing accurate and timely information.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding CivicReady please contact Hutchinson/Reno County Emergency Communications at 620-694-2804.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 26-year-old Texas man was taken to jail early Friday morning on charges of aggravated assault, DUI, leaving the scene of an accident, failing to give information, no drivers license and no proof of insurance.

Justin Ramos was also advised of criminal trespass at the local bar and is being held in the Reno County Jail on a bond of $5,950.

The arrest coming after 35-year-old Timothy Crabbs of Hutchinson reported to police that a man struck a parked vehicle and tried to hit him with his car in the parking lot of Vic’s Bar at 1514 East 4th.

Ramos should be back in court next Wednesday, or whenever the state files formal charges.

TOPEKA, Kan. — A local attorney has been granted three years supervised probation of his law license.

The case against Sam Kepfield has to do with a filing by the office of the Disciplinary Administrator against him alleging he violated the rules of judicial conduct.

The complaint was filed because he apparently excepted funds from a client to help him get some relief from his prison sentence, that being $2,000.

Kepfield after excepting the payment in 2011 stated that the case would proceed with a Habeas Corpus motion challenging the computation of the sentence handed down with the goal securing the defendants release. But, only worked on the defendants case some.

In July of 2013, the defendant filed a petition of Habeas Corpus with the District Court on his own without Kepfield, but sent a letter informing Kepfield of what he had done. Kepfield didn’t respond and even when the first hearing was scheduled, Kepfield was a no show. After a second hearing was scheduled and he again didn’t show for court, the petition was denied.

However, on Sept. 3, 2013 the defendant and Kepfield did meet. Kepfield told the defendant that he could get the petition going again but never did anything to accomplish that. The defendant then asked for his money back, but never received the money.

The Supreme Court concluded that Kepfield violated a number of rules concerning the conduct of lawers and Friday ordered the supervised probation, however should he violate that probation, his license could be suspended for one year.

RADIUM, Kan. – A Kansas man was injured in an accident just before 6 a.m. on Saturday in Stafford County

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Chevy Passenger vehicle driven by Dallas C. Murrow, 22, Macksville, was northbound on Northwest 80th Avenue six miles north of Radium.

The vehicle approached a curve and left the roadway. The driver overcorrected and the vehicle rolled multiple times.

Murrow was transported to Great Bend Regional Hospital.

The KHP reported he was properly restrained at the time of the accident.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Advance voting for the Municipal election ended at noon Monday which means we now have a sense of how the voting went in the city as far as for city council and the sales tax proposal for renovating the Hutchinson Sports Arena.

According to Jenna Fager, Deputy Election Clerk, 1.131 voted early at the Reno County Courthouse, while another 116 voted at a satellite location and the county mailed out 719 ballots.

Fager says there is some confusion on the Sports Arena Vote. A lot of residents outside the city assume they can vote on the issue because of the involvement of Hutchinson Community College in having offices in the building and also the basketball teams playing there.

The arena is not owned by the college, it’s city property meaning this is a city issue and only those living within the city limits can vote on the sales tax issue for the renovation of the Sports Arena. Fager says that had some disappointed.

Fager says the sales tax question for the arena may be the cause for the good numbers for early voting.

The election is Tuesday and for those who didn’t vote early, you are being encouraged to have your voice heard by casting a ballot. Polls as always open at 7 a.m and close at 7 p.m.

BUHLER, Kan. — USD 313’s kindergarten roundup is this week! We’ll be having kindergarten roundup from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 9, at Buhler Grade School, Plum Creek and Union Valley.

The roundup is actually for pre-k and kindergarten. These are come-and-go events at each of the elementary schools and children will have the opportunity to meet the teachers and parents can register their children for kindergarten that evening.

For pre-kindergarten, parents will need the following (many of which can be found on our district’s web site – www.buhlerschools.org):

They will need the four-year-old preschool application, student physical/medical record, completed by a physician, consent for medical treatment, health history, copy of immunization record/completed Kansas Certificate of immunizations, hospital copy or certified copy of birth certificate, home language survey, transportation permission form and bus card and parent authorization form.

Once all the paperwork has been returned, a family visit will be scheduled to complete the preschool enrollment process.

For kindergarten students, there are also forms the district must have on file for your student. Many of those can be found at our web site at www.buhlerschools.org.
That includes, atudent data sheet, physical form to be completed by a physician or healthcare provider which they may have on file if your child attended in-district preschool. They will also need a copy of immunization record, completed Kansas Certificate of immunizations. Note, they may need additional vaccines to be current for kindergarten, copy of student’s Social Security Card, hospital copy or certified copy of birth certificate which again, they may have on file if your child attended in-district preschool. Other things needed is your child’s health history, consent form for medical treatment, home language survey, which they may have on file if your child attended in-district preschool, climbing wall permission, bus card and parent authorization form.

For more information, please contact the school where your child will attend. Buhler Grade School at 620-543-2255, Union Valley Elementary at 620-662-4891 and Plum Creek Elementary at 620-662-5535.

MCPHERSON, Kan. – Residents in McPherson County are being warned of another scam. Officials received a report from a citizen saying they had gotten a phone message that someone on behalf of McPherson 911 Communications trying to collect money from them.

The caller indicated to the person “this is your last warning.” Officials say this is a scam, noting that they don’t collect money on behalf of anyone.

They remind residents to not give out information to anyone making a call like this. Simply hang up and call local law enforcement to report the individual.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Police are investigating the armed robbery of Hutchinson business Monday afternoon.

An employee of the Family Affair store reported that two black males entered the store and taking store items and cash at gunpoint.

This occurring around 2:20 p.m. There were no injuries and no arrest have been made with the investigation continuing.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Todd Stain with Reno County Emergency Management indicated that his office had a conference call with the National Weather Service Office in Wichita over the potential for severe weather on Wednesday.

And he says severe storms are expected to initiate around 3 p.m. in the afternoon or evening. Developmental of storm will occur in Stafford, Pratt, Reno and Kingman Counties. Hail up to baseballs will be possible and tornadoes will be possible for all locations with a likelihood across portions of Harper, Kingman, Sedgwick, Butler, and Cowley counties and Strain says mobile homes are especially susceptible to high winds from severe thunderstorms and tornados so you will likely not be safe in a mobile home whether you’re in a hallway a closet or bathroom. That’s because mobile homes can stand up to a tornado and you should make plans before any storms arrive to get to a shelter. Plus do to the short time between a warning and strong winds that people should consider executing their plan when severe weather is issued- Don’t wait! They say that taking cover under a sturdy furniture a bathtub or closet or under a mattress will be meaningless in a mobile home itself is destroyed blown over and rolled down by tornado or severe thunderstorm.

Get out of a mobile home and find more shelter.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — As expected it was a lengthy discussion, but in the end the Hutchinson City Council Tuesday approved the establishment of a rental inspection program during their session Tuesday.

The city’s been working to come up with a way to deal with run down rental properties. Under the inspection program, all rental property owners will have to pay $25.00 per unit inspection fee. The money will be used to fund the program and the inspections. Each unit would be inspected every three years or when the property changes ownership. A $50.00 per month fine would be imposed for unregistered property.

They plan to hire an inspector to run the program. The program would also provide incentives to landlords to stay in good standing with the city. Those incentives would have properties inspected every six years instead of three.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Reno County Commission pushed their meeting back one day because of the election being held on Tuesday.

The commission on Wednesday will discuss the results of a committee put together to study the idea of expanding the commission from the current three members to five. That’s something Commissioner Dan Deming has been pushing for while Commission Chair James Schlickau is opposed. Schlickau noted that there has been no public ground swell for any change and that it came as a desire of Deming. He says he doesn’t support proceeding with a resolution of the issue saying “change for the sake of change is not productive.”

Also on their agenda is consideration of eight community corrections policy updates as well as a grant for corrections in the amount of $617,327.

The commission is also expected to get a department update from Bill Hermes who is the Rebo County Youth Services Director.

The meeting Wednesday starts at 9 a.m.

Texas man jailed locally expected back in court Wednesday

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The 26-year-old Texas man jailed last Friday morning on charges of aggravated assault, DUI, leaving the scene of an accident, failing to give information, no drivers license and no proof of insurance is expected back in court Wednesday for the formal reading of charges.

The arrest of Justin Ramos coming after 35-year-old Timothy Crabbs of Hutchinson reported to police that a man struck a parked vehicle and tried to hit him with his car in the parking lot of Vic’s Bar at 1514 East 4th.

Ramos is being held in the Reno County Jail on a bond of $5,950.

Suspect in South Hutchinson drug bust expected in court Wednesday

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 26-year-old man who allegedly sold drugs to a confidential informant is expected back in court Wednesday.

Alex Nathan Reck faces charges for the sale of methamphetamine within a thousand feet of a school, possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of drug paraphernalia, no drug tax stamp and interference with law enforcement.

It was on April 1 when the informant was supplied with approximately one ounce of meth by Reck at the Trails West Motel in South Hutchinson, which officials allege is within a thousand feet of South Hutchinson Grade School. Later in the day, Drug Enforcement Officers attempted to place Reck under arrest and he allegedly ran, but was quickly captured. They then did a search of his motel room and allegedly found numerous new syringes, new and used baggies and one loaded syringe. They also found a .380 caliber handgun and learned he has felony convictions within the past 10 years.

The hearing Wednesday is for the reading of formal charges. He remains jailed on a bond of $30,500.

Hutch man charged in stalking case now faces new charges

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 22-year-old man jailed in a stalking case finds himself in more trouble. Dylan Mendoza appeared via-video from the Reno County Jail on charges of felony theft of a firearm, conspiracy to commit felony theft and a misdemeanor count of theft.

The state alleges that on or around February 13, Mendoza stole a .22 semi-automatic pistol from a home in the 200 block of West 13th. He’s also alleged in a conspiracy with three other people in the stealing of the gun as well as other items including a lap-top computer.

Mendoza has already been charged by the state with stalking, aggravated intimidation of a witness and two counts of making a criminal threat in a domestic case. The alleged crimes occurring on Feb. 17 and 18. All of the crimes were made against the same victim.

He remains jailed on the two cases with a bond of $30,000. Both cases will be scheduled as part of a future waiver-status docket.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce has learned Tuesday that at least three unsolicited phone calls have been made to various chamber members seeking verification of their private information. The callers identify themselves as a staff member of the “Chamber of Commerce” and, if not given the information they’re seeking, they abruptly hang up.

The Chamber wants to reinforce to it’s membership that legitimate calls from the chamber will always include the full name of the staff member calling and their title. The unsolicited phone calls are showing up on caller ID from both local phone numbers as well as out of area phone numbers.

“We want to do everything we can to help our membership protect their private information and would urge caution if you receive this type of call”, said Jason Ball, President/CEO of the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber is not working with any third party group or organization. Please exercise caution if you receive a similar type of phone call.

If you receive a phone call seeking to verify personal or business information on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce, please call their office at 620-662-3391.

Sales tax increase for renovation of the Hutchinson Sports Arena

Total Votes 5142
YES 3842 74.72%
NO 1300 25.28%

Hutchinson City Council – Southeast District

Steven A. Dechant 293 57.56%
Darryl Peterson 211 41.45%
Write-in Votes 5 0.98%

USD 308

Jennifer M. Cook 2205 21.12%
Randall Gray 1968 18.85%
Greg Meredith 2370 22.70%
Mena Michael 1538 14.73%
Lance Patterson 2323 22.25%
Write-in Votes 36 0.34%

South Hutchinson Council

Mandi Blumanhourst 138 30.80%
Joe Honeycutt 147 32.81%
A.E. “Pete” Murray 150 33.48%
Write-in Votes 13 2.90%

USD 309 Pos 2

David G. Hawthorne 345 48.18%
Dan Schweizer 370 51.68%
Write-in Votes 1

USD 309 Pos 3

Jessica J. Engelland 528 73.54%
Jeff McConnell 188 26.18%
Write-in Votes 2 0.28%

USD 310 At Large

Seth Beck 233 16.75%
James D. Combs 250 17.97%
Eric E. Geesling 331 23.80%
Travis Mathes 267 19.19%
Steven C. Westfahl 281 20.20%
Write-in Votes 29 2.08%

USD 311

Shawn Hollenbeck 122 19.90%
Ron Keeler 147 23.98%
Stacey Krehbiel 132 21.53%
Donna Richards 120 19.58%
Julia Vogt 89 14.52%
Write-in Votes 3 0.49%

USD 312 At-Large

Jessica Hoskinson 338 72.84%
Allen Shive 124 26.72%
Write-in Votes 2 0.43%

Arlington Council

Tricia A. Fowler 52 31.71%
Richard E. Loder 68 41.46%
Chester A. Schmidt 43 26.22%
Write-in Votes 1 0.61%

Buhler Council

Chris Ledbetter 57 32.39%
Jake Schmidt 60 34.09%
David L. Zook 49 27.84%
Write-in Votes 10 5.68%

Haven Mayor

Cody Littlestar 116 46.96%
Paula J. Scott 130 52.63%
Write-in Votes 1

Haven Council

Stephen R Carmichael 150 35.46%
Sandra Dean Williams 122 28.84%
Adam Wright 147 34.75%
Write-in Votes 4 0.95%

Langdon Council

Kenneth Nisly 10 27.03%
Sylvia Stout 14 37.84%
Patricia Verstraete 13 35.14%
Write-in Votes 0 0.00%

Nickerson Ward 1

Angela Cottrell 47 57.32%
John Murphy 11 13.41%
Gordon Roth 22 26.83%
Write-in Votes 2 2.44%

Partridge Council

Deborah D. Baughman 23 32.39%
Robert Blake 11 15.49%
David L. Meier 16 22.54%
Write-in Votes 21 29.58%

Plevna Council

Dean E. Childs 22 17.74%
Chance Hand 14 11.29%
Gail L. Holcomb 24 19.35%
Mary K. Hoss 18 14.52%
Christine C.Roberts 22 17.74%
Michael E. Sours 21 16.94%
Write-in Votes 3 2.42%

Pretty Prairie Council

Ronald C. Hedgecock 75 21.25%
Kayla Kaufman 31 8.78%
Therese Ketchem 35 9.92%
Corby Stucky 82 23.23%
Jesse P. Stucky 21 5.95%
Jessica L. Stucky 12 3.40%
Darrin Unruh 97 27.48%
Write-in Votes 0 0.00%

Sylvia Mayor

Marvin L. McNett 37 51.39%
Kelly L. Nienke 32 44.44%
Write-in Votes 3 4.17%

Sylvia Council

Carlyn Conrad 36 16.82%
Henry H. Hall, Jr 28 13.08%
Adah M. Harris 26 12.15%
Jessica N. Mathes 29 13.55%
Travis Mathes 31 14.49%
Marsha McMullin 23 10.75%
Jace A. McKinney 40 18.69%
Write-in Votes 1 0.47%

Turon Council

Linda J. Brown 21 9.21%
Harley Dancaster 32 14.04%
Rolla L. Fetterman 33 14.47%
Cheryl L. Fleming 14 6.14%
Edith M. Green 33 14.47%
Raymond Hill 21 9.21%
Shawn J. Millington 7 3.07%
Sharon Nitzsche 39 17.11%
Rose Richter 21 9.21%
Write-in Votes 7 3.07%

City of Haven Question

YES 167 67.07%
NO 82 32.93%