SOUTH HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Two from Hutchinson were injured in an accident just before 7:30 a.m. on Monday in Reno County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2000 Honda driven by Kathleen Ann Garcia, 43, Hutchinson, was southbound on Kansas 14 four miles south of South Hutchinson.

The vehicle made a left-hand turn onto Trail West Road in front of a 1999 Ford truck driven by Bryce Duane Sherow, 16, Langdon, that was northbound on Kansas 14.

The truck struck the right rear portion of the Honda.

Garcia and a passenger, Ashley Garcia, 15, Hutchinson, were transported to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center.

Sherow was not injured.

All were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

KHP image- Click to enlarge

MCPHERSON COUNTY – Law enforcement and first responders are near the scene of a reported gas leak running across U.S. 56 highway in McPherson County.

Just after 11:30 on Monday a section of pipe associated with an underground storage cavern at the Williams Energy operated Conway complex began to vent an unknown quantity of butane, according to a company media release.

Official with Williams notified emergency responders and isolated a 2-mile perimeter around the complex.

Williams shut down the system and isolated the cavern, which ended the gas leak. No injuries have been reported.

The immediate area around the complex remains closed as an investigation continues. Highway 56 in McPherson County near the Williams complex remains closed.

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MCPHERSON COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities are reported a gas leak running across US-56 highway in McPherson County..

The road is temporarily shutdown between 4th and 8th avenue, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol.

Check Salina Post for additional details as they become available.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 35-year-old Hutchinson man facing trial in three cases was before a judge Monday morning where he entered pleas in all three cases.

Sonny Bray entered “guilty” pleas to felony flee and elude, criminal possession of a firearm, that being a shotgun, battery of a law enforcement officer, aggravated battery and felony theft.

He was arrested on July 19 after law enforcement got word of where he was. When they located him, he allegedly fled from officers. During that chase, he allegedly threw the shotgun from the vehicle. He then allegedly struck a parked semi-trailer and later a curb and a stop sign, causing the vehicle to become disabled. He then fled on foot, but was quickly captured. That occurred back in July.

In the aggravated battery with a deadly weapon case, the state alleges that he struck a man with a glass bottle. That occurred back in April of last year.

In the third case, he was accused of battering a law enforcement officer for a case that goes back to September of 2014.

With him entering the pleas, Judge Trish Rose set a tentative sentencing date of Feb. 19.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A local man has been charged with a single felony count that actually goes back to March of last year, but is just now making it through the courts.

Ricky Gossman is charged with a single count of indecent liberties with a 15-year-old child. The state alleges lewd fondling or touching during the encounter which allegedly occurred on March 18, 2015.

He is free on bond and with the formal charge filed, the case is schedule for a status hearing on Feb. 10.

He was advised to have no contact with the victim in the case.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The 34-year-old man jailed early New Year’s Day after he allegedly stabbed a man to death was scheduled for court today, but we learned Monday he actually appeared as part of an emergency hearing last Thursday.

Kevin Wayne Ginn Jr. allegedly stabbed 24-year-old Deshamus Diron Lucky during a large disturbance just after 2 a.m. in the area of 8th & Madison.

Charges include voluntary manslaughter for the killing, which the state alleged the crime occurred after a sudden quarrel. He is also charged with aggravated battery for allegedly striking Mark E. Morgan Jr.

It started at the Grand Slam Sports Bar where Ginn may have been struck by the victim of the stabbing. The victim then left that bar and went to another. Ginn then showed up at that bar upset, so the victim then left there and went to the party in the 300 block of West 8th.

That’s when the suspect showed up and got into an altercation with Morgan. He was apparently cut with the knife as well. Lucky was stabbed during that altercation in his upper chest and collapsed on a porch. He was transported by Reno County EMS to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center where he later died from his wound.

The hearing was called because he refused to give a blood sample. Apparently while being arrested, an officer got blood on him, so they wanted Ginn tested to make sure he isn’t infected with something such as HIV.

He remains jailed on a $50,000 bond and the case now moves to a waiver-status docket in the coming weeks.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The 34-year-old man arrested after a domestic incident and nearly six-hour standoff with Hutchinson Police on Christmas Eve was back before a judge Monday morning.

Charles Mendenhall III was arrested early Sunday again in a domestic case. He faces new charges of two counts of aggravated burglary, battery-domestic violence, violation of a protection from abuse order, battery of a law enforcement officer, felony interference with an officer, criminal restraint and criminal damage-domestic violence.

The latest arrested came around 2:20 Sunday morning when he allegedly broke a window to enter a home at 707 Pierce and then attacked the female victim. She apparently, at some point, tried to leave the home and he then pulled her back inside and pinned her to the floor. Police came and he then struggled with them to the point he had to be tased. He was finally taken into custody.

Mendenhall is already facing a charge of kidnapping, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, criminal discharge of a firearm and criminal threat and two counts of aggravated endangerment of a child for the incident on Christmas Eve at that same home on Pierce.

He’s jailed on a $100,000 bond and a status hearing on the new charges has been scheduled for Jan. 19. The earlier case is scheduled as a part of a waiver-status docket on Jan. 27 in front of Judge Joe McCarville.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A big boost for Siemens Wind power as Siemens today confirmed it has won a 280 ­MW wind turbine order from Westar Energy for the Western Plains project in Kansas’ Ford County.

Siemens will supply 122 of its SWT ­2.3 ­108 machines, support their installation and also service them. The blades for the turbines will be made at the company’s facility in Fort Madison, Iowa, while the nacelles will be assembled in Hutchinson.

The turbine installation is scheduled to start in early summer 2016 and the entire plant is expected to be completed by early next year. Together, the wind turbines will be able to generate enough power to cover the annual consumption of about 100,000 average US homes.

In late December, Westar announced it had entered into an agreement in connection with the $435­ million Western Plains project. Its partner is Infinity Wind Power.

MCPHERSON COUNTY –Two drivers were injured in an accident just before 12:30 p.m. on Monday in McPherson County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2015 Lincoln MKX driven by Karol K. Elliott, 62, Great Bend, failed to stop on Kansas 61 at Comanche Road seven miles south of McPherson.

The vehicle entered the intersection and was struck by a southbound 2013 Dodge Charger driven by Mattison Leigh Carey, 25, Hutchinson.

Eagle Med transported Elliott to a hospital in Wichita.

Carey was transported to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center.

Both drivers were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

Photos from Saline County Sheriff’s Office

SALINE COUNTY — Two Kansas men were injured after a pair of accidents on Monday morning in Saline County.

The Saline County Sheriff’s Office reported a pickup driven by Scott Herbel, 45, Solomon, was traveling on Interstate 70 just after 6:30 a.m. near the Niles Road exit.

Herbel lost control of the pickup on the icy road and it rolled.

Herbel was transported to Salina Regional Medical Center with a head injury, according to Sheriff’s Captain Roger Soldan.

Just after 7 a.m., a pickup driven by Rogelio Luera, 25, McPherson, was northbound on Interstate 135 near the Falun exit. Luera lost control of the vehicle on the ice. It slid through the median and hit a southbound tanker truck driven by Cale Swartz, 40, Solomon.

Luera was transported to Salina Regional Health Center for complaints of head pain, according to the Sheriff.

Swartz was not injured.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 52-year-old was jailed Monday on a bond of $5,250 after his arrest in a domestic case.

Francis E. Davis faces potential charges of Aggravated Battery domestic violence and criminal trespass after he apparently went to a home where he wasn’t welcome and battered a woman at that location.

This occurred around 4:20 p.m. Monday.

Davis made a first appearance Tuesday where he was told of the potential charges. He’s expected back in court next week for the formal reading of charges.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — AMBUCS and the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce are partnering to bring Chamber and community members a unique chance to hear from City Manager John Deardoff the milestones of 2015 and what’s ahead in 2016.

Ward Davis Builders, Inc. is the sponsor for this month’s breakfast, which will be held at the Atrium Hotel & Conference Center from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. The Atrium Hotel & Conference Center is the new location for the 2016 Chamber monthly membership breakfasts.

“The annual State of the City address is an excellent opportunity to engage the community in conversation about issues and projects from the past year and glimpse at what lies ahead,” John Deardoff, Hutchinson City Manager, said. “This year’s report will touch on City finances, annual street program, housing agenda and a variety of community development issues.”

Cost for the breakfast is $10 for members and $15 for non-members. Reservations may be made online at hutchchamber.com or by calling Belinda McClanahan at (620) 662-3391.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 48-year-old man who served time in prison and was arrested by police on drug and weapons charges was bound over for trial Monday.

Jacob Logan III faces trial for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, aggravated weapons violation by a convicted felon for having a sawed-off shotgun and defacing identification marks on the weapon.

It’s unlawful for Logan to have weapons because of a prior felony in 1994 for robbery in Shawnee County. He also has a robbery conviction in Reno County as well as convictions in Geary County.

He was stopped by law enforcement around 12:45 a.m. on Aug. 5 for a tag violation. The officer then allegedly smelled marijuana. That led to a search of the vehicle and Logan’s arrest on the drugs and weapons charges.

He’s free on a $17,000 bond and, with him being bound over for trial, he’ll be arraigned on the charges next month.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The USD 308 Board was recognized for its service to the community. The recognition came during the board’s regular meeting.

January is School Board Recognition month. Like other Kansas school districts, USD 308 is served by seven individuals who run for election every four years, attend meetings twice a month and provide countless hours offering overall guidance for the district – all for no compensation.

While five of the board’s members are new for 2015-17, two members are veterans. President Jeff Nichols began his service in 2001 while Vice President Tad Dower joined the Board in 2013. New for 2015-16 are members Kail Denison, Randall Gray, Greg Meredith, Lance Patterson and Rudy Rodriguez.

Superintendent Dr. Shelly Kiblinger recognized each member with a certificate.

Also during Monday’s meeting, the board received a report on the International Baccalaureate Programme at Hutchinson High School. Todd Ray, IB director, gave a report on HHS’ IB program, which was the first one west of U.S. 81 in Kansas when it opened more than a decade ago.

In addition to producing full diploma graduates, the HHS program also allows students to take IB coursework and take the annual end-of-course tests. Successful completion of the IB tests can result in college credit at most colleges and universities.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The amount Reno County collected last year for the Mortgage Registration tax continues to shrink while the Recording Fee collected seems to have increased over 2014.

According to the numbers released by the county, they collected $38,797 in December, which was nearly $10,000 less than collected in November.

For the year, the county collected $415,133, which is a drop of over $310,000 when compared with 2014.

But, the recording fee collection in December is up compared to November. The amount collected in December was nearly $21,000 compared with the roughly $14,000 collected the previous month.

For 2015, the county collected just over $209,000, while the amount collected in 2014 was $134,357.

Putting the two together, the county collected a total of $624,193 in 2015. In 2014, they collected $860,104. That’s a drop in revenue last year of $235,911.

The state legislature changed the law with bankers and real estate agents, arguing that the change in the law allows home buyers to get a tax break.

The Mortgage Registration tax will eventually be eliminated by 2019.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Reno County Commission will spend money for a traffic study of the proposed bike routes in the county as proposed by the bicycle committee.

That committee is seeking the support of the county for these routes, which they say would assist them in getting grant funding for signage along these routes. The cost for the study is estimated at between $800 and $1,200, according to Commissioner James Schlickau.

The idea of a traffic study came from County Commissioner James Schlickau, who wants the study for safety qualities and what signs might need to be placed on those routes whether it be warning signs of bike riders and a full designation of those routes as official bike routes.

The six routes would be part of phase one to make routes around the county.

That includes a route from Hutchinson to Yoder, going south on Yoder Road.

There would be two from Hutchinson to Buhler. The first would start at Orchard Park, go east along 43rd to the old K-61 highway, north to Medora, then east on 82nd to Buhler. The other route would follow 30th to Buhler-Haven Road, then north to Buhler.

Another route would be from Hutchinson to the Highlands, going north on Plum to 82nd, then west to Monroe, then north on Monroe to the Highlands.

The fourth route would be from Hutchinson to Nickerson, going north on Hendricks from Rice Park in Hutchinson to 82nd, then west along 82nd to Nickerson.

The final one would start in South Hutchinson, going down K-14 to Trail West Road, then west on Trail West to Partridge.

With the decision to do the study on a fast track, the county made no decision of the bike committee’s desires for the bike routes designation.

That most likely will happen at the conclusion of the study.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Reno County Commission again discussed the proposed secure entrance to the Reno County Courthouse with no decision made on whether to proceed, however, they have decided to look at other alternatives, including placing metal detectors at the entrance to the Law Enforcement Center, which is on the far west end of the campus.

County Commissioner Brad Dillon made the suggestion just to see how that would work, saying if it doesn’t we can always build an entrance at a later date.

It’s estimated that the cost could increase to as high as $1.7 million, which is well over the amount that the county had budgeted.

If they choose to go that route, the county would then rebid the plans to renovate the old jail, which will be used as an evidence storage area for both the city and county law enforcement. Part of the estimated cost was designated for that.

Judge Joe McCarville is in favor of building the new entrance while Senior Judge William “Buck” Lyle believes there are cheaper alternatives.

That issue will again come before them again next week.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The two teens suspected of several automobile burglaries in the city of Nickerson were in court Wednesday for the formal reading of charges.

Nineteen-year-old Kyle Nisbeth (top left) is now charged with 20 felony and misdemeanor counts, including several counts of auto-burglary, burglary of a non-dwelling, several counts of theft, including the theft of two firearms, one a shotgun and the other a rifle.

Nineteen-year-old Quentin Zumalt (top right) is charged with eight counts of auto burglary and eight counts of misdemeanor theft.

Magistrate Judge Cheryl Allen read the complaint to Nisbeth, who is still being held in jail on a bond of $57,500. He asked for a reduction, but Senior Assistant District Attorney Steve Maxwell asked it remain because of the number of counts charged so far and the possibility that more charges could be filed. Judge Allen went along with the state’s recommendation.

Zumalt, who is free on bond, appeared with his attorney Stan Juhnke and they waived the reading of the charges.

The investigation began when a possible suspect vehicle was found in the driveway of a residence in Nickerson. The residents said they were unaware of who the vehicle belonged to, so the vehicle was seized by sheriff investigators as evidence, partly because there were items visible in the vehicle that appeared to be from the recent burglaries and also this vehicle was identified as a vehicle of interest in other recent crimes in Reno County. Ultimately, eight burglary reports were taken on Jan. 4.

Over $7,200 worth of property has been reported as stolen and approximately one-fourth of that property had been recovered as of the time of the arrest.

The cases against the two suspects will now moved to a future waiver-status docket next month.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A man suspected of setting a pair of fires on May 28, 2014, was before a judge Wednesday morning for the reading of two charges against him.

Dustin Gordon is charged with two counts of arson for setting fire to a two-story home and also a trailer that was used for storage.

He was transferred to the Reno County jail from Saline County this week after he was convicted and sentenced in October in three cases of arson in that county.

The fires occurred on East Blanchard south of the intersection of K-61 and U.S. 50, on the southeast side of Hutchinson.

When units arrived, they found a fully-involved two-story house and also a second fire in a mobile home one-eighth mile east of the house that was fully involved as well. Both houses were vacant and had been for some time.

In Saline County, Gordon was convicted for two counts of aggravated arson and one count of arson and is currently serving time on those three charges.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Gallery seating is still available for the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber Annual Meeting for those interested in attending the program portion of the annual event, which features speaker Karl Rove.

“This is our second year in the Hutchinson Sports Arena. We are thrilled again that the response for Annual Meeting has been so large and come so early,” Jason Ball, Chamber President, said. “We want to make sure that everyone knows we have added more gallery seating this year, and that is still available. It is a great way to see the program, and this will be one you don’t want to miss.”

Rove is well known in political circles as a strategist who is best known for his provocative and robust knowledge of the major political issues of the day and as “The Architect” of President Bush’s 2000 and 2004 campaigns.

“At the time of Mr. Rove’s Hutchinson appearance, the first five primaries and caucuses leading up to the presidential election will have occurred,” Rick Staab, President and CEO of Disability Supports of the Great Plains, Inc., and The Clayworks at Disability Supports as well as the 2016 Chamber Board Chair, said. “His more than four-decade tenure in American politics will afford those attending with an unequaled perspective on the history, process and perhaps even a predicted outcome at the most seminal time of the election cycle.”

Gallery seating tickets for Chamber Members are $20 before Jan. 29, or $30 after. Gallery seating tickets for non-members are $30 before Jan. 29, or $40 after. To purchase tickets online go to www.hutchchamber.com or call the Chamber office at (620) 662-3391.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The suspect in local murder case has entered pleas in the case avoiding a jury trial.

Thirty-seven-year-old Michael Brisco was charged with first degree murder for the shooting death of 26-year-old Sem Adrien back on Sept. 9, 2013.

He entered “guilty” pleas in an amended complaint to involuntary manslaughter, criminal possession of a firearm, aggravated intimidation of a witness, possession of methamphetamine, solicitation to commit perjury and interference with law enforcement.

The alleged crimes occurred after Adrien may have been rude to Brisco’s girlfriend. The two then began to fight inside Brisco’s home. The shooting occurred outside with the victim collapsing on a nearby parking lot near 8th & Plum. The victim had two wounds to the heart and appears he was shot as he tried to leave or flee, that according to testimony at the preliminary hearing.

He was scheduled for a jury trial at the end of this month, but that won’t happen now.

Both sides will recommend the aggravated sentence on each count to run consecutive to each other for a total sentence of 15-years in prison. He will also have to register as a violent offender.

He also waived his right to appeal any sentence with the sentence to be handed down to Feb. 19.