HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A local man was bound over for trial Wednesday on two felonies and two misdemeanor charges after his preliminary hearing.

Trevor Hover is charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell, possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana and personal use paraphernalia.

The case is a result of an investigation by the Kansas Highway Patrol after a report at the Kansas State Fair for suspicious activity. They made contact with Hover and learned he had outstanding warrants. He is accused of having drugs on his person. That led to the vehicle he was driving in the north parking lot. There they saw up to 100 baggies on the floor board of that vehicle as well as some syringes. A further search found the methamphetamine and paraphernalia.

He’ll be arraigned on the charges on Feb. 8.

He has other cases pending, including a high-speed chase back in October. At one point, he left the vehicle and ran, but later returned to it and drove off again. He then stopped in the 300 block of North Elm and gave himself up.

Charges there include possession of marijuana with two or more priors, possession of drug paraphernalia, felony interference and felony flee and elude.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Latest on Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback’s budget and tax proposals (all times local):

Republican Gov. Sam Brownback’s budget-balancing proposals include forcing all 286 local public schools districts into a single state health insurance plan for their employees.

The health insurance measure outlined by the governor Wednesday was included in a legislative consultant’s report last year on potential government efficiencies.

Brownback projects that the idea would save the state $120 million over the two years starting July 1. Kansas provides $4.1 billion a year in aid to its school districts.

Supporters contend a single health plan would have more leverage in seeking lower premiums and discounts from health care providers.

But Wichita schools lobbyist Diane Gjerstad was skeptical the savings would materialize. She said her district has worked with local health care providers to obtain discounts.

School districts also would lose some local control.

photo courtesy Youcaring

MOUNDRIDGE, Kan. (AP) — A California woman who died along with her 8-year-old son after falling through ice on a Kansas pond traveled extensively, led a church youth group and helped gut and renovate houses.

The Wichita Eagle reports 44-year-old Polly Claassen and her son, Trent, fell through the ice of a pond at William P. Pack Memorial Park in Moundridge on Jan. 6. Polly’s husband and Trent’s father, Gary, was also on the ice when it broke. He was treated and released from a hospital.

The Claassens were visiting from California when the incident occurred. An online fundraising page has been established to help the family.

Gary’s aunt, June Krehbiel, says the family had been staying at her house, several blocks from the pond. June says Polly was someone who thought of others and taught Trent, a Cub Scout, to be the same way.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN WICHITA HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM WATCH…WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY EVENING THROUGH SUNDAY AFTERNOON.

TIMING…FREEZING RAIN WILL DEVELOP AND BECOME WIDESPREAD ACROSS THE AREA ON SATURDAY. PERIODIC ROUNDS OF FREEZING RAIN MAY CONTINUE INTO SUNDAY BEFORE MIXING OR CHANGING TO RAIN AS A WARM FRONT LIFTS OVER THE AREA.

ICE ACCUMULATION…FREEZING RAIN AND POTENTIALLY SIGNIFICANT ICING. ICE ACCUMULATIONS UP TO AN INCH WILL BE POSSIBLE.

MAIN IMPACTS…ICE ACCUMULATIONS MAY CAUSE DOWNED TREE LIMBS AND POWER OUTAGES. BRIDGES AND OVERPASSES MAY BECOME SLICK AND HAZARDOUS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT WINTER WEATHER THAT MAY IMPACT TRAVEL. CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS FOR UPDATED INFORMATION.

[ By STEVE CARPENTER ]

[ HCC SPORTS INFORMATION ]

Photo courtesy of HCC Sports Information

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Because of Saturday’s potentially strong winter storm expected in Kansas, Hutchinson Community College’s women’s and men’s basketball games at Dodge City have been changed to beat that storm.

The Blue Dragons and Conquistadors will move their games from their original Saturday afternoon time slots to tomorrow evening (Friday). The women’s game will begin at 5:30 p.m. and the men’s game will be at 7:30 p.m.

The games will be played at Dodge City’s new Student Activity Center on the Conquistador campus, not the Dodge City Civic Center or United Wireless Arena.

The schedule change was prompted by expected treacherous travel conditions on Saturday because of serious ice build-up the storm has the potential to produce. Both Hutchinson and Dodge City wanted to make sure the games were played with safe travel conditions.

These games mark the halfway point of the Jayhawk Conference season.

The No. 6 Blue Dragon women are 15-1 and 11-1 in the Jayhawk Conference. Dodge City’s women are 3-13 and 3-9.

The No. 2-ranked Blue Dragon men are 16-0, 12-0. Dodge City is 12-4 overall and 9-3 in the Jayhawk, which puts the Conquistadors in third place.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The United Way of Reno County announced Thursday that Executive Director Tona Turner is leaving her role and will be moving on to Wichita as the Vice President of Resource Development for United Way of the Plains.

The Board of Directors for United Way of Reno County also announced that Lisa Gleason, current Director of Community Impact & Engagement, will serve as the Interim Director after Turner departs on Feb. 17. Turner started her career with United Way in March of 2006. Turner has overseen many exciting changes throughout her time at the helm from a 46 percent growth in the annual fundraising campaign; over a 1,900% growth in resources raised outside the campaign including grants; expansion of partnerships with over 30 local agencies; and the development of the community impact model that United Way practices today.

New programs launched in Reno County under Turner’s  leadership include the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, where every child under age five can receive free age-appropriate books and the SW Bricktown Neighborhood Center in the Avenue A Elementary school where comprehensive neighborhood revitalization is underway to help more children succeed in school, financially stabilize more families and to improve the health of the neighborhood.

Turner’s also been one of Hutchinson’s community leaders for about two decades. Before her appointment as Executive Director of UWRC, she served 14 years in the banking, trust and investment industry – most recently as a Vice President at Central Bank and Trust. She has also dedicated her time personally to her community through the Hutchinson Rotary, Circles of Hope, Chamber of Commerce, HHS booster club, PrairieStar Health Center Board of Directors, church groups, and multiple local agency fundraising.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – 2017 marks the 24th anniversary of Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s remarkable arrival onto the music scene. Since its formation in the early ‘90s in Ventura, California, the band has toured virtually nonstop, performing on average over 150 shows a year, and has produced a sizable catalog of recorded music, with sales of over 2 million albums to date. The band, co-founded by singer Scotty Morris and drummer Kurt Sodergren, has been at the forefront of a swing revival, blending a vibrant fusion of the classic American sounds of jazz, swing, and dixieland, with the energy and spirit of contemporary culture.

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s all original core line-up includes Scotty Morris (lead vocals and guitar), Kurt Sodergren (drums), Dirk Shumaker (double bass and vocals), Andy Rowley (baritone saxophone and vocals), Glen “The Kid” Marhevka (trumpet), Karl Hunter (saxophones and clarinet) and Joshua Levy (piano and arranger). Joining them on the road are Anthony Bonsera Jr. (trumpet) and Alex Henderson (trombone.)

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s first phase of stardom featured an appearance in the 1996 indie film Swingers, a movie that not only launched the careers of Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau, but introduced Big Bad Voodoo Daddy to an audience beyond their Los Angeles base. The band’s music has appeared in countless films and television shows, including The Wild, Despicable Me, Phineas & Ferb, Friends, Third Rock From The Sun, Ally McBeal, and So You Think You Can Dance. They have appeared live on Dancing With The Stars, Late Night With Conan O’Brien, NBC’s Christmas in Rockefeller Center, The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, a remarkable seven appearances on The Tonight Show, and the Super Bowl XXXIII Halftime Show. The band has also appeared as special guests with many of the country’s most distinguished symphony orchestras, and has performed for three U.S. Presidents.

The band will appear one night only at the FOX on Friday, February 3rd at 7:30 PM as the theatre’s 2016 – 2017 Live Season continues.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – A 32-year-old man on corrections for two theft convictions was in court Thursday for the reading of charges in a new case.

Kenneth Smith is accused of running from a Reno County Sheriff Deputy who was attempting to arrest him on a warrant.

New charges include felony flee and elude, driving while being an habitual violator because of his license being revoked, no proof of insurance and illegal display on the vehicle he was driving. All this occurring on Jan. 4.

He also faces a corrections violation in the theft case that goes back to 2015.

His bonds total $6,450 and his new case will move to a future waiver-status docket.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – A man jailed in the Reno County Correctional Facility for a probation violation and traffic in contraband can add a new charge to that list.

Justin Reyna was reportedly causing issues inside the Reno County Correctional Facility causing staff to place him in a restraint chair. During that effort, he apparently spit at a deputy hitting them in the eye. He now faces a charge of battery of a correctional officer.

He made a first appearance in court on that charge Thursday morning and will be back in court next week.

Bonds now total $11,000.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – After the Kansas Supreme Court denied the Writ of Mandamus requested by District Attorney Keith Schroeder against Judge Trish Rose surrounding the issues in the Samuel Vonachen case, there still hasn’t been a new mental evaluation completed.

The state had requested that the 17-year-old be moved to adult jail after being convicted of two counts of murder, attempted murder and aggravated arson as an adult and also asking the court to block another mental evaluation be conducted, instead of going ahead and sentencing him for the conviction.

Judge Trish Rose denied the states request. The Supreme Court then denied the writ of Mandamus to block Judge Rose asked for by the state.

We have learned that the plan now is to wait until he turns 18, then have him taken to the adult side of the Larned State Hospital where they will then conduct the evaluation. Under Kansas law, he has to be moved out of the juvenile facility in Hutchinson when he turns 18, which is March 17.

A Reno County jury convicted the teen of the two counts of murder for the killing of his mother and sister who died after he set fire to the family home on Sept. 26, 2013. His father was able to escape. But, he was also convicted for attempted first-degree murder for trying to kill his father and aggravated arson for the actual setting of the fire.

HARVEY COUNTY – A Harvey County woman was injured in an accident just before 2p.m. on Thursday.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Kia Spectra driven by Teri Sayles, 41, Newton, was northbound on Interstate135 just north of SE 48th Street.

The vehicle left the roadway. The driver overcorrected and the vehicle entered the median and rolled.

Sayles was transported to Newton Medical Center.

She was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — With the completion date now less than 3 months away work continues at a quick pace on the sports arena. The Arena Building Committee got an update on the progress Thursday along with a tour.

On north end the practice gym is complete and the college will be able to begin workouts in that facility in the next few days. Work on the other two gyms is nearly complete and should be ready in about two weeks. In the middle area most of the new floor has been laid in the concourse and all four visitor locker rooms are finished. The audio and visual system in the gym is finished but some testing still needs to be done to make sure everything works as it should.

On the south end most of the drywall is up in the concourse and fixtures are going in on the first floor restrooms along with continued work on the NJCAA conference room and ticket offices. Work on the athletic offices is being put on hold until the rest of the work around it can be completed. The HCC athletic department expects to move into the facility in May.

Contractor JE Dunn did tell the committee that some of the third level restrooms may not be completed in time for the tournament, and depending on the weather the south parking lot may go unfinished, but that all sidewalks and concrete work will be completed.

.ICE STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM FRIDAY TO NOON CST
SUNDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN WICHITA HAS ISSUED AN ICE STORM
WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM FRIDAY TO NOON CST SUNDAY.
THE WINTER STORM WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT.

* TIMING...LIGHT FREEZING RAIN WILL GRADUALLY SPREAD NORTHWEST ON
  FRIDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT...INCREASING IN INTENSITY AND BECOMING
  WIDESPREAD ON SATURDAY. PERIODIC ROUNDS OF FREEZING RAIN WILL
  CONTINUE UNTIL WARMER AIR MOVES INTO THE AREA EARLY ON SUNDAY.

* ICE ACCUMULATIONS...BETWEEN A HALF AND THREE QUARTERS OF AN INCH
  ARE EXPECTED.

* MAIN IMPACTS...ICE ACCUMULATIONS WILL CAUSE DOWNED TREE LIMBS
  AND POWER OUTAGES. BRIDGES AND OVERPASSES MAY BECOME SLICK AND
  HAZARDOUS.


PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

AN ICE STORM WARNING MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE
EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF ICE ACCUMULATIONS
WILL MAKE TRAVEL DANGEROUS OR IMPOSSIBLE. TRAVEL IS STRONGLY
DISCOURAGED. COMMERCE WILL LIKELY BE SEVERELY IMPACTED. IF YOU
MUST TRAVEL...KEEP AN EXTRA FLASHLIGHT...FOOD...AND WATER IN YOUR
VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY. ICE ACCUMULATIONS AND WINDS WILL
LIKELY LEAD TO SNAPPED POWER LINES AND FALLING TREE BRANCHES THAT
ADD TO THE DANGER.

Calfee-photo KDOC

RENO COUNTY- Law enforcement authorities in Reno County are investigating a suspect after a chase through three counties.

On Thursday morning a Hutchinson resident reported the theft of his 1998 Chevy Suburban from the residence.

Just after 11:14 a.m., Reno Co Sheriff’s Deputy Kevin Sipp was patrolling in the area of Kansas 61 and Kansas 11 when he spotted the stolen vehicle.

After activating his emergency lights to make a felony stop on the vehicle it took off and refused to stop.

A chase ensued through SW Reno County into Kingman and then the vehicle ran off the road and stopped in a field near SE 70th Street in Pratt County.

Deputies arrested Brittan Calfee, 27, Liberal, for Felony Flee and Elude, Possession of Stolen Property and No Drivers License.

He was also wanted on a warrant for Possession of Meth with intent to sell out of Seward County.

Rangle and Nelson

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CA – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) announced Friday that arrests were made in connection to three homicides which occurred October 30th in rural Moundridge, Kansas.

Shortly after 7:00 p.m. Thursday evening, January 12th, Mexican authorities arrested 35-year-old Jereme Lee Nelson and 31-year-old Myrta Rangel. The arrest warrants were executed without incident south of the United States border. Nelson and Rangel were then handed over to the U.S. Marshals Service and returned to the U.S. according to a media release.

The initial criminal investigation was conducted by the KBI and the Harvey County Sheriff’s Office. In November, arrest warrants out of Harvey County were issued for Nelson and Rangel for capital murder. The warrants allege the suspects committed the murders of 33-year-old Travis Street and 37-year-old Angela May Graevs, both of Moundridge, and 52-year-old Richard Prouty of Newton. At the scene of the murders, an 18-month-old child, belonging to Street and Graeves, was found unharmed inside the home.

Prior to the arrest warrants being issued, Nelson and Rangel fled Kansas. The KBI’s investigation then shifted its focus to working with Mexican authorities through the U.S. Marshals Service to identify the movements and location of the suspects within Mexico in an effort to apprehend them.

“I’m proud of the hard work our agents undertook to get to this point in the investigation. We are pleased that the suspects will be brought back to Kansas and tried for these crimes,” KBI Director Kirk Thompson said.

The suspects were booked into the San Diego County Jail. Nelson and Rangel are expected to appear at an extradition hearing Friday in San Diego County, California court.

First Church of God – no services Sunday

Trinity United Methodist Church – no services Sunday

American Legion Saturday Lunch – cancelled

Carriage Factory Art Gallery, Newton: “The Optimist’s View” opening reception on Saturday cancelled

Hutchinson American Legion: Saturday lunch cancelled

Hutchinson’s Strataca Underground Salt Museum: Closed Saturday

Premier Driving School of Hutchinson: Class rescheduled for Jan. 28

McPherson Opera House: Denny Brunk concert on Saturday postponed

Reno County Museum: Closed Saturday

State debate Class 4-1A at Lyons High School: Rescheduled for Jan. 20 and 21

State debate Class 6A-5A at Blue Valley Southwest High School: Rescheduled for Jan. 27 and 28

Prairie Hills Middle School wrestling at Hays on Saturday: Canceled; will not be made up

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A local man convicted of two counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child and a misdemeanor count of intimidation of witness was sentenced to just under seven years in prison Friday.

Tanner Ward was convicted of indecent liberties charges which involved a child 14 to 16 years of age are occurring on two dates, Jan. 9 and Jan. 11, 2016.

During the sentencing hearing, the defense wanted a departure, possibly to some form of probation. That was denied. They then wanted the minimum sentence which was also denied. They claimed that it was consensual and that the victim didn’t want him sent to prison

The state had asked for the maximum on both felony counts and wanted them to run consecutive to each other. The victims mother also wanted the maximum.

Ward again maintained his innocence, not believing he did anything wrong.

District Attorney Keith Schroeder told the judge that “he just doesn’t get it.” He also noted that Ward is still having contact with the victim through the mail system. Judge Chambers agreed and ordered that the Kansas Department of Corrections

Judge Tim Chambers sentenced him 83 months on count one, 59-months on count two and six months for the misdemeanor, then ran the sentences concurrent for a total of six years and 11-months in prison.

Thursday, Ward was bound over for trial in another case after being arrested stealing some copper pipes from the construction site at the Hutchinson Sports Arena, then took the pipes to Midwest Iron and Metal and sold them for cash. In doing so, he apparently signed papers saying the items were his. The state charged him with making false writing.

He’ll be arraigned on that charge next month.

He’s currently serving a sentence for two counts of burglary for case from 2013 and is scheduled for release in May, but that won’t happen now with the new sentence.

HUTCHINSON, Kan — Congratulations to Jamie Winchester of Hutchinson for taking his chance at winning tickets to this weekends Chiefs game.  A great promotion sponsored by Eagle Communications, Country 102.9, My93.1, KWBW along with local businesses.  The events were open to the public to register at Mike’s TV & Appliance, Dillon Credit Union, Allen Samuels, and CarpetsPlus Color Tile during a live remote at various times this week.  Thank you to all who came out to see us and again congratulations to Jamie, dress warm and have fun!

YODER, Kan. – At around 12:27pm Friday, deputies with the Reno County Sheriff’s Office and Haven EMS were dispatched to Yoder Meats in Yoder for an accidental gun shot victim.

When they arrived they found Duane Helms, Moundridge with a gunshot wound to his right calf. Helms was assisting Justin Roddy of Hutchinson in trying to shoot a buffalo so it could be butchered.

Roddy, who is employed by Yoder Meats, was on top of a ladder trying to shoot the buffalo that was confined inside of a trailer. The Buffalo kept turning away so Helms walked up to tail end of the trailer to try to get the Buffalo to turn. When the Buffalo did turn he hit the side of the trailer which jarred the ladder, knocking Roddy off balance and causing the rifle to discharge. The shot struck Helms in the leg.

By law you are only allowed to shoot an animal one time, anymore is classified as cruelty to an animal. Weapon was a single shot 223.

Radio Gals Cast-(L-R) Chelsey Juenemann, Piper Harding, Terri Torres, Amy Brownlee, Seth Svaty, Glen Grunwald and Larry Brownlee

TONIGHT’S PERFORMANCE OF RADIO GALS HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL NEXT WEEKEND.

If you purchased tickets for tonight, they will be honored tomorrow at 3:00 or Next Weekend after dates are worked out!

The Sterling Community Theatre Troupe is hitting the road when it presents the musical “Radio Gals” on January 12, 13, and 14 at 7:30 p.m. and January 15 at 3:00 p.m. at the Flag Theatre at 310 N Main in Hutchinson.
“Radio Gals” is a musical comedy that is wholesome, entertaining, and perfect for all ages. It has been called “a rollicking riff on small-town Americana and the innocent fun of old time music.” The book, music, and lyrics for the show were written by Mike Carver and Mike Hardwick.
The year is 1927, and in the Cedar Ridge, Arkansas, parlor of retired music teacher Hazel Hunt, there is a nonstop radio broadcast and musical celebration in progress.
When she retires as the town’s music teacher, Hazel’s grateful students present her with a brand new radio transmitter. Following the fashion of the “Mom and Pop” radio stations of the day, Hazel sets up her own station, WGAL, to broadcast to the folks of Cedar Ridge Hutchinson resident Terri Torres will play the role of Hazel, the spunky hostess.
Hazel’s regular ensemble of local ladies, dubbed “The Hazelnuts,” performing on the air include Rennabelle, played by Piper Harding of Sterling, America, played by Chelsey Juenemann of Arlington, and spiritualist Gladys Fritts, played by Amy Brownlee of Sterling. The Swindle sisters, Azilee and Mabel, will be played by Sterling resident Larry Brownlee and Hutchinson resident Glen Grunwald. Seth Svaty of Sterling plays O.B. Abbott, a federal agent who stirs up trouble when he is sent to investigate the radio station.

Special thank you goes out to Eagle Radio for helping underwrite this great show!

Meet the Cast:

Seth Svaty (Abbott) – Seth finds freedom on stage. He has enjoyed participating in shows at FCT and with the Sterling Theatre Troupe. Some of his favorites include The Drowsy Chaperone (Aldolpho), White Christmas (Phil Davis), Shrek (Lord Farquaad), and now Radio Gals. Seth works on the family farm near Ellsworth and lives with his wife and three kids in Sterling.
Amy Brownlee (Gladys) – Amy is a librarian & reading teacher for Sterling public schools and is enjoying letting her inner drama queen and diva shine in this role. She was last seen as Sister Mary Leo in Nunsense at Stage 9. Prior to that, she played Rona Lisa Peretti, realtor and hostess of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Favorite roles include The Music Man (Marian the librarian), White Christmas (Betty Haynes), and Shrek (Princess Fiona).
Piper Harding (Rennabelle) – Holy Cats ! Piper is thrilled to be performing again in one of her favorite musicals. The first time around she played Gladys and can now add the role of Rennabelle to her list of favorites. Others include Nunsense (Sister Amnesia), White Christmas (Martha.) Church Basement Ladies (Mavis), and Mame (Agnes Gooch).
Terri Torres (Hazel) – This is Terri’s first show with the Sterling troupe, but she has been performing with FCT for nearly 25 years. She is a retired speech/language pathologist and enjoys having free time to read, bike, jog, and be in plays.

Glen Grunwald (Mabel) – Glen is a retired phar-maceutical sales executive who is enjoying a second career in radio broadcasting. He is the voice of Hutchinson Community College Blue Dragon athletics on Eagle Radio and also co-hosts a morning show and three weekly sports talk shows on KWBW. His favorite theatre experiences have included sharing the stage with his granddaughter Sarah in The Music Man, Shrek, and Mary Poppins.
Larry Brownlee (Azilee) – Larry is the band director and cross country coach for the Sterling school system. In his spare time he loves photography, travel, and mountain climbing. He has taken treks in Alaska, Australia, New Zealand and Nepal. He has acted in over 30 shows in Sterling and Hutchinson. Favorites include: White Christmas, Spelling Bee, Man of LaMancha, and this production of Radio Gals.
Chelsey Juenemann (America) – Chelsey, a language arts and theatre teacher for Fairfield Schools, has enjoyed becoming America, a down-home country girl. Chelsey was last seen on stage at FCT as Mary Hatch Bailey in It’s a Wonderful Life and Signe in Church Basement Ladies.