HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A local man who entered a plea to the charges in a drug distribution case is scheduled for sentencing Friday.

John Zapata-Beltran entered the pleas to possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana and other drugs and drug paraphernalia, all with intent to distribute. Other charges include aggravated endangerment of a child and criminal possession of a weapon.

The case itself began in the spring of 2015 with a search warrant being served on a home in the Careyville neighborhood of southeast Hutchinson, as well as a Jaguar where drugs and a Taurus 9 mm handgun were allegedly found.

In the master bedroom, they allege that they found green residue wrapped in tin foil and an empty digital scale box. On top of a dryer, officers found two burnt marijuana cigarettes and, inside a bathroom, officers found a small baggie of suspected methamphetamine.

In the trunk of a 2003 Jaguar sitting on a trailer, they allegedly found two backpacks and, inside one them, a small lock box with some prescription drugs, new packaging materials, $10,000 in cash and a Taurus 9 mm handgun with a loaded magazine and two holsters. In the front pocket of the backpack were two digital scales. In the other backpack, they allegedly found more drugs, including 14.5 grams of methamphetamine and several bags of suspected marijuana weighing about 340 grams.

The sentencing is scheduled in front of Judge Trish Rose.

TOPEKA, Kan. — High school students across Kansas will focus on distracted driving prevention during the month of April in conjunction with National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

More than 100 schools have agreed to participate in the campaign. Each school will receive an educational kit containing information about the Kansas texting and driving law, campaign posters and pledge cards. Students are encouraged to sign pledge cards designating they will always wear seat belts and not text and drive.

You are 23 times more likely to be involved in a crash when texting while driving. Distracted driving is an activity that could divert a person’s attention away from the primary task of driving. All distractions endanger driver, passenger and pedestrian safety.

The Kansas State Department of Education, Kansas Department of Transportation, Kansas Insurance Department, Kansas PTA and Kansas State High School Activities Association partnered to sponsor the campaign.

Here is a list of participating schools in our area:

Andale High School
Cheney High School
Cheney Middle School
Goddard High School
Kingman High School
Macksville High School
Maize High School
Maize South High School
Medicine Lodge High School
Pratt High School
Sedgwick High School
St John High School
Stafford High School
Valley Center High School

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Kansas State Fair gave approval for a plan to let the city run a portion of the hike and bike trail through the fairgrounds during its board meeting today.

Under the plan, the trail will run into the fairgrounds between the two sunflower buildings and continue through the grounds until it reaches the midway, before heading off toward what is now gate eight, where it will exit onto Plum.

The project would be funded through a federal grant and the fairgrounds would have total control over the entryways. If all goes as planned, the trail would be finished in the summer of 2018.

Also today, the board continued its discussion into the Fair’s master plan. One of six concepts has been given a consensus by the board, which would call for a new equine events facility, a new small grandstand for dirt events, a new gate halfway between current gates 8 and 9, and the elimination of the race track, which would give way to the equine barn and a permanent grandstand stage for concerts.

It also calls for major renovations to other buildings that are needed. The last major renovations to the fairgrounds were completed in the late 1990s.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Number of oil and gas wells in Reno County fell sharply in 2016 after setting some of the best numbers in more than 20 years in 2015.

The number of producing oil wells in the county fell from 394 in 2015, to 381 last year. That number is the lowest number of wells since at least 1995, according to data supplied by the USGS.

Production also fell to just under 692,000 barrels compared to the 1,045,839 barrels in 2015, which was the most since 1995.

The number operating gas wells in the county fell sharply from 148 in 2015 to just 103 last year. Production fell from 2.04 million MCF to 1.23 million MCF.

In Kansas, oil production fell by 17 percent in 2016 while natural gas production dropped 14 percent.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Judge Trish Rose has set a new trial date for a 22-year-old man arrested last summer after a fire and explosion at the Plaza Towers building in downtown Hutchinson.

Chase Coble now faces trial on May 9 for three counts of aggravated arson and two counts of criminal use of explosives. The first three counts are level three felonies with a maximum sentence on each count of over 20 years in prison if he’s convicted.

He was reportedly experimenting with plastic and chemicals, which apparently got out of hand. He claims he was trying to bond metals and plastic components. He says the chemicals spilled and flashed, causing a fire. This occurred in his 12th story apartment, causing damage to that apartment, but also setting off the sprinkler system, causing damage in other apartments. The state contends this wasn’t the first time. They say, on at least three occasions, he had been mixing the chemicals, causing fires in his apartment.

The trial was continued this past week because of his attorney being ill.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The trial for one of the suspects in a home invasion case from South Hutchinson and drug distribution case is still pending with the defendant, Jesse Aich, again seeking a new attorney.

It was back in February when Judge Trish Rose granted him a sixth attorney for these cases, that being Nick Oswald, but apparently Aich filed a motion on his own, asking to replace Oswald.

The state was clearly annoyed at the prospect of a new attorney, noting that these cases go back to 2014 and 2015.

Judge Rose, also annoyed, gave Aich a week to reconsider his request, saying that if he decides he doesn’t want Oswald, then he would be in court on his own. She clearly indicated that she would not assign a new one.

In one case, law enforcement allegedly found a baggie that contained a crystal substance, a baggie containing a powder substance, a digital scale with white residue, new packaging materials, used baggies with residue, two 100-count boxes of syringes, glass pipes with burnt residue they say was used to smoke meth, several types of pills and over $1,000 in cash.

Charges include possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell, possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to package, possession of three other drugs (hydrocodone, oxycodone and morphine), as well as a final count of personal use drug paraphernalia. That case goes back to Oct. 28, 2014.

In the case from 2015, he’s charged with two counts of attempted aggravated robbery, two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, criminal discharge of a firearm, criminal possession of a firearm, possession of methamphetamine, marijuana and five different prescription drugs, all with intent to distribute, and possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to distribute drugs.

Aich and 32-year-old Charles Swepston were arrested for an incident that happened early in the morning on Friday, July 31, 2015.

South Hutchinson police were called to a home shortly after 7 a.m. Friday and were told two men had forced their way inside and demanded money and valuables. The two victims reportedly fought with the intruders before Aich allegedly left and came back with a handgun, firing twice, but not hitting anyone.

We’ll let you know if he decides to keep the attorney he has or represent himself in court.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A Hutchinson man charged in a drug distribution case still awaiting trial was granted a new attorney Friday.

Brian L. Green faces trial for possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell, possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana, personal use drug paraphernalia, interference with law enforcement and aggravated false impersonation. But, the state added a charge of identity theft after testimony in the case was complete.

He apparently filed a motion seeking to replace local attorney Sam Kepfield as his attorney. Judge Trish Rose noted that this will cause a further delay of his trial. She assigned the case to another local attorney, that being Shannon Crane.

The state alleges, at the time of Green’s arrest, he had between 3.5 and 100 grams of methamphetamine on him, as well as the paraphernalia, which the state alleges was used to distribute drugs. He also allegedly had a small amount of marijuana on him and gave the name of Shawn Green, which they later learned was not his name.

Green also has another case where he’s charged with violating the offender registration act.

He has previous convictions involving the manufacturing of methamphetamine and associated charges in Reno, Rice and Harvey counties.

THOMAS COUNTY – Two people were injured in an accident just before 10:30a.m. Friday in Thomas County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2001 Ford SUV driven by Russell Gene Owens, 45, Oklahoma City, was westbound on Interstate 70 just west of the U.S. 40 junction.

The SUV rear-ended a 2000 Toyota driven by Dianna Sue Collins, 61, Newton.

The collision forced the Toyota to spin into the median. The Ford rolled into the ditch.

Owens and Collins were transported to Logan County Hospital.

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

NICKERSON, Kan. – A 911 hang-up led Reno County Sheriff Officers to a residence in Nickerson to check on the caller who was a female. They attempted to call her back and got no answer.

Deputies were dispatched to that residence at 6:07 a.m. When they arrived, they discovered their had been a domestic disturbance. That led to arrest of Frankie Allen Skeen for charges of aggravated battery and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He reportedly struck the victim with a broom handle, then apparently had a knife attached to the handle during that altercation.

Skeen is jailed on a $30,000 bond and unless he post that bond, he should make a first appearance in court Monday.

We were told by 911 dispatch that no ambulance was sent to the scene, so how badly the victim may have been injured is unknown, but didn’t appear to be to severe according to what sheriff officials told us.

OAKLEY, Kan. — A Harvey County woman escaped injury in a two vehicle accident that sent an Oklahoma man to the hospital Friday morning.

The Kansas Highway patrol reports that 61-year-old Dianna Collins of Newton was going west on I-70 when she was hit from behind by a SUV  driven by 45-year-old Russell Owens of Oklahoma City. Owens vehicle then rolled before coming to rest on it’s wheels. Collins’ vehicle ended up in median. Owens was taken to Logan County Hospital for treatment of injuries.

The accident happened around 10:30 a.m. one mile north of Oakley.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – Mark your calendars for this year’s Nex-Tech Wireless® Grandstand lineup. That includes Loverboy & Survivor, TobyMac and Old Dominion with Special Guest RaeLynn.

Grandstand tickets go on sale April 7 at 8 a.m. and can be purchased at the Kansas State Fair Ticket Office by calling 800-362-3247 or at www.KansasStateFair.com. Unless otherwise noted, Grandstand tickets include gate admission when purchased through Aug. 20.

Loverboy & Survivor – Friday, Sept. 8, 7:30 p.m. – Tickets $75/$45/$30*

For more than 30 years, Loverboy has been “Working for the Weekend,” delighting audiences around the world. With their trademark red leather pants, bandannas, big rock sound and high-energy live shows, Loverboy has sold more than 10 million albums, earning four multi-platinum plaques, including the four-million-selling “Get Lucky,” and a trio of double-platinum releases in their self-titled 1980 debut, 1983’s “Keep It Up” and 1985’s “Lovin’ Every Minute of It.” Their string of hits includes such arena rock staples as “Lovin’ Every Minute of It,” “This Could Be the Night,” “Hot Girls in Love,” “Heaven in Your Eyes,” “Turn Me Loose,” “When It’s Over,” “Queen of the Broken Hearts,” and rock anthem “Working for the Weekend.”

Vocalist Mike Reno was introduced to local guitar hot shot Paul Dean, both veterans of several bands, and formed Loverboy in Calgary, Alberta. Loverboy still includes original members Doug Johnson on keyboards and Matt Frenette on drums, with Ken “Spider” Sinnaeve (a former member of Dean and Frenette’s pre-Loverboy band Streetheart), who replaced the late Scott Smith on bass and continues a healthy touring schedule around the world.

Survivor

Legendary rock band Survivor is embarking on their next chapter with a new member who has seemingly given new life to one of rock ‘n’ roll’s preeminent bands. With 22-year-old Nashville resident Cameron Barton assuming lead vocalist duties, the group will take their trademark arena rock sound to their loyal and devoted fan base.

Survivor released their first album in 1980 on Scotti Brothers Records. Their first Top-40 on the Hot 100 came the next year with “Poor Man’s Son.” Their big break would come in 1982 when the band was asked by Sylvester Stallone to provide the theme song for “Rocky III.” That single, “Eye of The Tiger,” hit No. 1 – staying there for seven weeks, winning a GRAMMY® for Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal and a People’s Choice Award. It also received Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations. The band’s “Vital Signs” record was another huge success thanks to the Billboard Top-20 hits “I Can’t Hold Back”, “High on You” and “The Search Is Over”.

For more information on Loverboy & Survivor, please visit www.loverboyband.com, and  www.survivorband.com.

TobyMac – Wednesday, Sept. 13, 7:30 p.m. – Tickets $60/$35/$25*

With over 11 million units in career sales and six GRAMMY® awards, TobyMac shows no signs of slowing down as he delivers a deeply personal record that celebrates the richness that comes from collaboration, diversity and vulnerability.

Drawing directly from his faith and personal experience, “This is Not a Test” is an essential reminder that we only have one shot at life.

For Toby, making every moment count is about more than just saying it out loud. Whether he’s at home with his wife and five children, mentoring new artists, recording in the studio or on the road with his band Diverse City, Toby’s heart for collaboration is rooted in his belief that no matter where we’ve come from, we are better together than we are alone.

The power of collaboration and power of diversity is poured out in every facet of this 13-track record produced by Toby, David Garcia, Chris Stevens and Brian Fowler. The perfect blend of rock, pop, hip-hop and soul, “This Is Not A Test,” the follow-up to his No. 1 Billboard debut “Eye On It.”

For more information on TobyMac, please visit www.tobymac.com.

Old Dominion with Special Guest RaeLynn– Friday, Sept. 15, 7:30 p.m. – Tickets $75/$45/$25*

Proving that they are not your average country band, Old Dominion blends old-fashioned country charm, lyrical wit and rock n’ roll grit into radio-friendly, hook-heavy pop nuggets. Old Dominion has emerged as one of the hottest breaking bands in country music, fusing clever lyrics and an infectious sound. Old Dominion recently joined the performance lineup for the 52ndAcademy of Country Music Awards™ in Las Vegas in April.

The band released their first full-length album “Meat and Candy,” which was recently named RIAA-certified GOLD and called “deceptively smart, occasionally cheeky, stellar debut,” by Entertainment Weekly.

Old Dominion released their platinum two-week No.1 “Break Up With Him” and RIAA-certified Gold hit “Snapback” prior to their third single “Song For Another Time,” which hit No. 1 on Billboard and MediaBase in December 2016. In 2016, the band was named ACM New Group of the Year, ACCA Breakthrough Group of the Year, AIMP Songwriter Artist of the Year and Music Row Breakthrough Artist of the Year.

Old Dominion consists of lead singer Matthew Ramsey, lead guitarist Brad Tursi, multi-instrumentalist Trevor Rosen, bassist Geoff Sprung and drummer Whit Sellers.

RaeLynn

Singer/songwriter RaeLynn released her Warner Bros. Records/Warner Music Nashville debut single “Love Triangle” to radio on August 1 to rave reviews. The heartbreaking and emotionally raw video was released exclusively to www.PEOPLE.com and CMT and is striking a visceral reaction at radio and with fans across the country.

RaeLynn has been one of the highest selling female country artists, alongside industry heavyweights Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood, with her songs selling nearly 960,000 total digital copies and being streamed over 60 million times.

Her gold-certified hit single, “God Made Girls” was nominated for a 2016 Radio Disney Music Award for Favorite Country Song and she also received her first Academy of Country Music Award nomination for New Female Vocalist of the Year in 2016. Other hits include “For A Boy,” “Always Sing,” “Boyfriend,” and “Kissin’ Frogs.”

For more information on Old Dominion and RaeLynn, please visit ww.olddominionband.com. and www.raelynn.com.

Want to buy your tickets before everyone else? Join the Fair Fan Club to purchase tickets prior to the public on-sale date. In addition, Fan Club members receive advance notification of concert announcements. Memberships are on sale now and can be purchased online; by phone at 800-362-3247 or 620-669-3600; or at the Administration Building on the Fairgrounds. Fair Fan Club members can purchase concert tickets first, starting at 8 a.m. on April 4. For more information on joining the club, visit http://bit.ly/FAIRFAN. 

Gold Level Memberships are $100 per fair and include the opportunity to purchase up to six tickets to each concert prior to the public on-sale date, one coupon book with over $500 worth of savings and Fan Club parking right across the street from the Nex-Tech Wireless® Grandstand. One parking pass per membership for each concert purchased.

Diamond Level Memberships are $75 per fair and include the opportunity to purchase up to six tickets to each concert prior to the public on-sale date, one coupon book with over $500 worth of savings

Here’s the latest booking activity from the Reno County Jail.  This information is provided by the Reno County Sheriff’s Office and is not criminal history. The Hutch Post assumes no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, or completeness, of this information.  All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. ——————————————

4/1/2017 Jackson Jordan Lovell $0 Assault; AGGRAVATED, with a Deadly Weapon

4/1/2017 Bauman Rocky Lee $250 Criminal Trespass; Defiance of Order

4/1/2017 West Jr Timothy Avila Wade $0 Theft of Firearm; value < $25K; Obtaining or exerting unauthorized control

4/1/2017 Smith Stella Jo $0 Failure to Appear

4/1/2017 Smith Stella Jo $0 Failure to Appear

4/1/2017 Kerr William Michael $5,500 Drugs; Possess Opiates/Opium/Narcotic (Cocaine, Meth, Oxy, Hydrocodone)

4/1/2017 Kerr William Michael $5,500 Drugs; Possess Paraphernalia with intent to Store/Ingest/Inhale Controlled Substance

3/31/2017 Hufford Andrew James $0 DL Violation; Drive while Susp/Revoked/Cancelled; 1st conviction

3/31/2017 Thompson Ronald Gerald $0 Failure to Appear

3/31/2017 Torres Pleasure Marie Uluwehi $0 DL Violation; Drive while Susp/Revoked/Cancelled; 1st conviction

3/31/2017 Schmidt Paula Kay $7,500 Theft; Obtaining or exerting unauthorized control; Less than $1,500

3/31/2017 Schmidt Paula Kay $7,500 Failure to Appear

3/31/2017 Schmidt Paula Kay $7,500 Drugs; Possess Opiates/Opium/Narcotic (Cocaine, Meth, Oxy, Hydrocodone)

3/31/2017 Schmidt Paula Kay $7,500 Drugs; Possess Paraphernalia with intent to Store/Ingest/Inhale Controlled Substance

3/31/2017 Schmidt Paula Kay $7,500 Theft; Obtaining or exerting unauthorized control; More than $100,000

3/31/2017 Tripp Dana Diane $0 DL Violation; Drive while Susp/Revoked/Cancelled; 1st conviction

3/31/2017 Maxfield Daniel Van Alan $0 Failure to Appear

3/31/2017 Elliott Kristopher Jacob $1,000 Drugs; Possess certain Hallucinogens (Marijuana, etc..)

3/31/2017 Elliott Kristopher Jacob $1,000 Drugs; Possess Paraphernalia with intent to Store/Ingest/Inhale Controlled Substance

3/31/2017 Elliott Kristopher Jacob $1,000 Probation Violation

3/31/2017 Wiley Mark Ray $2,050 Direct Contempt

3/31/2017 Wiley Mark Ray $2,050 Failure to Appear

3/31/2017 Wiley Mark Ray $2,050 Interference with Law Enforcement; Obstruct, Resist, Oppose, Misd case, Execution of Misd Warrant

3/31/2017 Wiley Mark Ray $2,050 Failure to Appear

3/31/2017 Hanover Chyenne Nicole $0 Probation Violation

3/31/2017 Swanson Stephen Paul $0 Failure to Appear

3/31/2017 Clemmer Maheatherland Hope $0 DUI; Drug or Combination of Drugs, Incapable of Safely operating Vehicle; 1st Offense

3/31/2017 Haynes Trudy Lee $0 Failure to Appear

3/31/2017 Smith Tevin James $7,500 Failure to Appear

3/31/2017 Skeen Frankie Allan $30,000 Battery; AGGRAVATED; Knowingly use Physical contact in angry/rude manner w/ weapon

3/31/2017 Skeen Frankie Allan $30,000 Assault; AGGRAVATED, with a Deadly Weapon

3/31/2017 Decker Teddy Joe $0 Failure to Appear

3/31/2017 Geisler Victoria Lynn -$100 Failure to Appear

3/30/2017 LaGrange Willard Lee $0 Drugs; Distribute Substance containing Heroin / Methamphetamine; < 1g

3/30/2017 LaGrange Willard Lee $0 Drugs; Possess certain Hallucinogens (Marijuana, etc..)

3/30/2017 LaGrange Willard Lee $0 Drugs; Possess Paraphernalia w/ intent to Manuf/Grow/Distribute a Controlled Substance

3/30/2017 LaGrange Willard Lee $0 Tax Stamp Violation; Affixed

3/30/2017 Johnson Johanna Ralene $3,500 Probation Violation

3/30/2017 Johnson Johanna Ralene $3,500 Failure to Appear

3/30/2017 Cully Chyenne Rena $5,500 Drugs; Possess Paraphernalia with intent to Store/Ingest/Inhale Controlled Substance

3/30/2017 Cully Chyenne Rena $5,500 Drugs; Possess Opiates/Opium/Narcotic (Cocaine, Meth, Oxy, Hydrocodone)

3/30/2017 Cully Chyenne Rena $5,500 Failure to Appear

3/30/2017 Cully Chyenne Rena $5,500 Failure to Appear

3/30/2017 Smith Christopher Aaron $0 Failure to Appear

3/30/2017 Griffith Ginny Marie $0 Probation Violation

3/30/2017 Griffith Ginny Marie $0 Probation Violation

3/30/2017 Thomas James Scott $0 Rape; Circumstances Unknown

3/30/2017 Marr Brenda Kay $0 Failure to Appear

3/30/2017 Tipton Sean Thomas $0 Failure to Appear

3/30/2017 Tipton Sean Thomas $0 Failure to Appear

3/30/2017 Tipton Sean Thomas $0 Probation Violation

3/30/2017 Carignan Michael Robert $0 Failure to Appear

3/30/2017 Carignan Michael Robert $0 Failure to Appear

3/30/2017 Carignan Michael Robert $0 Failure to Appear

3/30/2017 Carignan Michael Robert $0 Failure to Appear

3/30/2017 Kiraly Sheridan Michael $0 Violation of conditions of release, on parole, conditional release or postrelease supervision

3/30/2017 Kiraly Sheridan Michael $0 Probation Violation

3/30/2017 Newberry Bo Jorden $0 Probation Violation

3/30/2017 Decker Justin Tyler $0 Violation of Protection Order; Violate a PFA Order

3/30/2017 Decker Justin Tyler $0 Drugs; Possess certain Depressants (GHB, Phencyclidine, see statute for list)

3/30/2017 Decker Justin Tyler $0 Drugs; Possess Opiates/Opium/Narcotic (Cocaine, Meth, Oxy, Hydrocodone)

3/30/2017 Hulen Derrick Adam $0 DL Violation; Drive while Susp/Revoked/Cancelled; 1st conviction

Full Jail Log

MCPHERSON COUNTY — Four people were injured in an accident just after 5 p.m. on Sunday in McPherson County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2007 Nissan Murano driven by Jeremy J. Swift, 37, Loveland, Colorado, was southbound on Interstate 135 just north of Moundridge, weaving in and out of traffic and straddling the center line.

The Nissan passed a semi and rear-ended a 2008 Toyota Camry driven by John L. Kasper, 65, Wilson.

The Nissan spun into the median and crossed into the northbound traffic before going back into the median. The Toyota spun off into the west ditch.

Kasper and a passenger in the Toyota, Belinda R. Kasper, 63, Wilson, were transported to the hospital in Newton.

Swift and a passenger in the Nissan, Erin M. Garcia, 36, Loveland, Colorado, were transported to the hospital in McPherson. Two children in the Nissan were not injured.

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

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 37-year-old man who is serving time for violating the offender registration act after he was convicted of lewd and lascivious behavior, aggravated battery and aggravated burglary faces a preliminary hearing on drug charges.

Erik Lamunyon is charged with possession of methamphetamine and personal use drug paraphernalia for crimes on Sept. 30, 2016. He is scheduled for hearing in front of Judge Joe McCarville.

Lamunyon was convicted for exposing himself to two boys, with the alleged crimes occurring on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2009. He also was convicted on the battery charge and burglary count.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — During the Tuesday Hutchinson City Council meeting, the new Hutchinson Fire Chief will be introduced.

Steven Beer has been serving as the Assistant Fire Chief of Operations for a department in Wisconsin.

He served in a variety of roles with the department, including Paramedic, Paramedic/Lieutenant, Captain, and Battalion Chief before being promoted to the Assistant Fire Chief of Operations in 2010.

He replaces Kim Forbes, who retired in November of 2016 after 40 years of service with the department.

Beer starts his duties with the Hutchinson Fire Department this month.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Four people were arrested just after 8 p.m. Sunday on drug-related charges. Police had gotten reports of drug activity in the 800 block of East 3rd. They responded and made contact with 30-year-old Joshua Stucky. He gave audible and written consent to search the premises where they found methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia in what they say was a seller’s quantity.

Also arrested was 38-year-old Stephanie Ridley. She and Stucky are both charged with possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia with intent to distribute and personal use drug paraphernalia.

Twenty-three-year-old Jose Padilla Parra was jailed for possession of methamphetamine, interference with law enforcement and possession of drug paraphernalia and 35-year-old Nathan D. Newton was arrested for possession of meth and drug paraphernalia. Newton is free on bond while the other three remain jailed. They made a first appearance in court Monday morning and were told of the potential charges.

The three jailed will be back in court next Monday for the reading of any formal charges, while Newton should make an appearance in court later in the week.

Thomas-photo Pawnee Co.

PAWNEE COUNTY — A Kansas man was charged with an alleged rape case on Monday in Pawnee County.

James Thomas, 58, Hutchinson, appeared in custody Monday afternoon before a Pawnee County Judge.
The US Marshall Service arrested him at his home on March 30, 2017, without incident.

He is being held in the Ford County Detention Center in lieu of a $100,000 bond.

Judge Cowell advised the defendant that the alleged crime occurred in Pawnee County on or about Nov. 27, 2013.

The Complaint was filed by the Pawnee County Attorney Office on March 27, 2017. The charge is a Severity Level 1 Person Felony and carries a presumptive prison sentence between 147 and 653 months with the Kansas Department of Corrections, depending on the defendant’s criminal history.

A Preliminary Hearing has been scheduled for May 1, 2017.

SEDGWICK COUNTY — A Reno County man was injured in an accident just after 8 p.m. Monday in Sedgwick County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2004 Ford F-250 driven by Thomas D. Schultz, 53, Haven, was westbound on Kansas 96, five miles west of Maize.

The vehicle went off the roadway and the driver overcorrected. The pickup went left, struck the guard rail and rolled twice into westbound lanes.

Schultz was transported to Via Christi St. Francis. He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Glen Grunwald of KHUT/KWBW in Hutchinson has been selected by the Kansas Association of Broadcasters to be the 2017 Hod Humiston Award for Sports Broadcasting recipient. The award is given annually to a Kansas broadcaster who has made significant contributions to the field of sports broadcasting and is named for Hod Humiston, who was the first television sportscaster in Kansas when he did play-by-play coverage of college games for KTVH, now KWCH-TV 12, which served the Hutchinson-Wichita area.

Humiston was active in local radio as well as an announcer for KWBW and KWHK radio stations in Hutchinson. He was instrumental in bringing the national junior college basketball tournament to Hutchinson, where it has been since 1949.

Grunwald’s radio broadcasting career began in 1985 at KANS/KQDF radio station in Larned when he was the play-by-play voice of the Larned High Indians. After five years calling games for the Indians, Grunwald was named play-by-play voice of the Barton County Community College Cougars in 1990 before moving on to Hutchinson where he has been the voice of the Hutchinson Community College Blue Dragons with Eagle Radio since 1998.

He graduated Pawnee Rock High School in 1967, received a bachelor’s degree at Fort Hays State University in 1971 and received his master’s degree from Fort Hays State University where he served as a Graduate Assistant in 1977.

In 2010, Grunwald retired from GlaxoSmithKline, Inc. after spending 30 years in Pharmaceutical Sales of which he held various positions ranging from sales representative, therapeutic specialist and district manager covering various areas or parts of all of Kansas.

Since 2011 Glen has held a part-time position as account executive, sportscaster and KWBW morning show co-host with Eagle Communications in Hutchinson.

Grunwald has earned multiple awards from the GlaxoSmithKline, Inc. for sales excellence and was named the GSK Midwest Regional Therapeutic Representative Leadership award winner in 2002.

He has always been an active contributor to the state of Kansas and his community. He continues to serve as a charter board of directors member, board chair (1983-85) for Special Olympics Kansas since 1979 and remains active with the First Congregational Church of Hutchinson. He is an advocate for the City of Hutchinson and Reno County, serving as a former board of directors member with Family Community Theatre in Hutchinson, and is a strong supporter of Hutchinson Community College, hosting the HCC basketball Dragon Talk shows, Reno County Coaches Corner and more, and HCC Football Countdown to Kickoff Pregame shows on KWBW/KHUT.

Grunwald will receive his award during the Kansas and Missouri Association of Broadcasters Sports Seminar at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City May 3.

Daniel Friesen            Jerrod Riemer             Tammy Stanfill

BUHLER, Kan. — IdeaTek Equity Group Tuesday announced the purchase of Art Studio Signs, a provider for nearly 30 years of signs and electronic billboards in Hutchinson and the surrounding area. The business, now known as IdeaTek Media, will operate out of IdeaTek headquarters in Buhler and will partner with longtime owner Tammy Stanfill to expand the company.

Founded in 1986 by Stanfill, Art Studio Signs began as a provider of sand carved wood signs and transitioned into signage of all types before adopting a focus on digital billboards. Stanfill ran the operation with her husband, Steve, until his untimely death in 2015.

“It was always Steve’s dream to build a digital billboard network across the U.S., and he played a large part in the growth of the industry in Wichita,” Stanfill said. “After his passing, I decided it was time to partner with IdeaTek to grow and improve upon the network.”

IdeaTek Telcom staff will take over the day-to-day operations of the sign company. “Steve and Tammy were really forward thinking in how they evolved their operation with changing technology. Tammy’s expertise along with the additional staffing and capital that IdeaTek offers will allow us to take a successful business and make it even better,” IdeaTek CEO Jerrod Reimer noted.

Current sign locations include the busy intersections of 30th and Plum, 11th and Lorraine and 17th and Lorraine in Hutchinson, as well as U.S. Highway 81 and 63rd in Haysville and a five-story billboard off Interstate Highway 35 next to the Kansas Star Casino in Mulvane.

Plans are underway to add a new billboard at the intersection of 30th and Lorraine in Hutchinson. “We’ll be installing a state-of-the-art digital billboard at this location with the sharpest high definition sign on the market, and it will have the wow factor,” Daniel Friesen, IdeaTek Founder and Chief Innovation Officer, said. “It’s our goal to upgrade all our current billboards to the latest technology in the next few years.”

Those interested in ad placement on the billboards can contact (888) 520-SIGN or (620) 500-SIGN. Learn more at www.ideatekmedia.com.