HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 46-year-old man made an initial court appearance after being arrested Monday on a warrant for serious charges from earlier this year.

Charles David Ford is charged with aggravated kidnapping and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

According to the criminal complaint, he is accused of taking or confining the victim by force, threat or deception to possibly inflict bodily harm or terrorize the victim. This reportedly occurred on Jan. 7.

The charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon occurred on Feb. 4 and involved the same victim. He apparently put her in fear of her safety when he attempted to strike her with his pickup.

With the charges filed, his case moves to a waiver status on May 3. He remains jailed on a $45,000 bond.

HUTCHINSON, Kan.  — The Hutchinson Mall is losing another major business.

A week after Payless ShoeSource was rumored to be filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, the announcement came Wednesday that a large number of stores will close, including the one in the Hutchinson Mall. The closing comes two weeks after JCPenney announced it was leaving the Mall as part of an overall cost-cutting move.

The Topeka-based retailer said it will be closing nearly 400 stores as part of the reorganization. It has over 4,400 stores in more than 30 countries and was founded in 1956.

Payless plans to reduce its debt by almost 50 percent, lower how much it pays in interest and line up funds. The company says some of its lenders have agreed to make up to $385 million available to keep the stores running.

The company released a  list of stores to be closed Wednesday morning.

Stores in Great Bend, Liberal and Emporia are included on the list.

NEWTON, Kan. — A preliminary hearing is set for Thursday morning for one of two people accused of killing three people before fleeing to Mexico.

The hearing for 31-year-old Myrta Rangel is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. at the Harvey County Courthouse in Newton.

Rangel and 35-year-old Jereme Nelson face three counts of capital murder and first-degree murder in the shooting deaths of 33-year-old Travis Street, 37-year-old Angela Graevs and 52-year-old Richard Prouty. Harvey County attorney David Yoder says he will seek the death penalty in the case.

The victims’ bodies were found in October outside a rural home near Moundridge. An 18-month-old child was found unharmed.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Rotary Club has presented $20,000 in grants to 13 local non-profits during its April 3 meeting. The club awards grants annually to non-profits that have programs focusing on healthy youth development and education.

The organizations receiving grants this year were:

Altrusa International of Hutchinson – Youth Literacy Program
American Legion Boys’ State – Youth Leadership Development
American Legion Auxiliary – Girls State – Youth Leadership Development
Boys and Girls Club – Youth Leadership Development
Community Agricultural Site (CAS) – Youth Health Education
Early Education Center – Youth Health Education
Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland – Youth Leadership Development
Horizons Child Advocacy Center – Youth Safety Program
Hutchinson Community College Endowment Association Scholarships – Youth Education
Reno County 4-H Foundation – Youth Leadership Development
Reno County Communities That Care – Youth Literacy Program
Ulster Project of Greater Hutchinson – Youth Leadership Development
United Way of Reno County – Youth Literacy Program

“Our Club is honored to present these grants to non-profits that work tirelessly to improve the Hutchinson Community,” Rotary President Jade Piros de Carvalho said. “The grant application process begins in January each year. Those interested in more information can contact us through our website at hutchrotary.org.”

Rotary Club meetings take place on the first and third Monday of the month from 11:45-1:00 pm at the Atrium Hotel and Conference Center. Non-members are welcome to enjoy the speaker and lunch for a fee of $15, cash or check.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — One of three people charged in a drug distribution case has a new charge filed against him and a new arrest.

Timothy Thomas has been charged by the state with theft by deception in a case that goes back to Sept. 18, 2016. In that case he is accused of taking between $1,500 and $25,000 from the victim by a deceptive means.

Law enforcement apparently went to a home on East Avenue A to serve the warrant and, during that time, they found a can that contained a prescription drug. Thomas claims he has a prescription, but couldn’t produce it. So he faces a possible charge of possession of depressants.

He is also facing charges with two other people for allegedly having a seller’s quantity of drugs. Thomas, Travis Collier and Cynthia Bennett are charged in a case involving the distribution of methamphetamine as well as possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

The state alleges the trio had between 3.5 grams and 100 grams of methamphetamine for the case from Aug. 19, 2016. Police also found a small amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

That case is pending a preliminary hearing.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Because of the confusion over the first round tax statements sent out in December, the County Treasurer’s office has decided to mail full second half statements instead of the cost saving post cards that have been sent in the past.

They are printing these in-house instead of sending them out to a third party company to print and mail to try to save on cost. Statements are scheduled to be delivered to the post office on Friday, April 7.

They say they believe these statements are correct. They say they verified all mill levies and special assessments were added correctly on the statements for accuracy. They verified the total on the coupons were accurate.

They will be mailed in a plain white envelope from the Reno County Treasurer. The enclosed return envelope will have the box to indicate a receipt, which was missing from the December return envelopes.

They ask that residents double check the first and second half coupons at the bottom of the page. Because of the mill levy and special assessment errors on the first statements, not all first half taxes were paid in full. Some may see a small total due on the first half coupon. This could be a result of the errors on the first statements and the amount was not paid in full. If you were part of the population involved in the missing mill levy, you won’t be charged a penalty on this amount if paid on or before May 10.

Plus, they say some people may receive statements showing a zero balance. Because they had to run a full file to catch the unpaid first half, taxes paid in full and those who have their taxes paid by escrow may receive statements showing a zero balance. They tell us this is correct; the zero balance is not an error.

Delinquent Personal Property taxes went to warrant in February. Delinquent Personal Property is due in full if no payment was made by Dec. 21 of last year. Once this tax goes to warrant and is turned over to the sheriff’s department to collect, additional fees are added to the base amount of tax due.

If your Personal Property statement shows a balance due on the first half, you will need to contact the sheriff’s department at 694-2726 for the correct amount due and pay them directly, or you can just go to the Sheriff’s Department on the second floor of the courthouse to pay in full.

The Treasurer’s office will not collect 2016 delinquent personal property tax until the sheriff’s department turns them back over later in the year.

NOBLE COUNTY — Two area women died in an accident just before 2 a.m. Wednesday in Noble County, Oklahoma.

According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, a van driven by 22-year-old Ryan Fulcher of South Hutchinson was westbound on U.S. 412, about seven miles northeast of Perry, when the van left the road and hit the trailer of a semi that was parked on the westbound shoulder.

Two passengers, 20-year-old Beth Ratley of South Hutchinson and 21-year-old Rebecca Fulcher of McPherson, were pronounced dead at the scene.

Ryan Fulcher and a third passenger, 24-year-old Leah Ratley of South Hutchinson, were transported to Stillwater Medical Center for treatment of injuries.

The driver of the semi, 26-year-old Dhafer M. Awad of Scottsdale, Arizona, was not injured.

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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is The Big Deals Online Store?

Simply put, the Big Deals Online store is a way for you to save money on items or services you buy retail all the time. But you won’t pay retail with The Big Deals site and you can feel warm and fuzzy for supporting your local area businesses! We offer goods and services from local businesses at a deep discount to you. Typically 20-40%. All you have to do is buy a gift certificate through the Big Deals site and save, save, save! And you can save a number of ways, both online and off-line.

How do I order items?

You can order items at The Big Deals Store:

— online at hutchinson.bigdealsmedia.net

 

I’m concerned about giving my credit card on the internet!

We use a secure server and encryption software to keep your credit card information secure. 

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We will not give or sell your personal information to third parties. No selling lists. No spam. We may from time to time send you information about the Big Deals store specials or alert you to specials. But if you don’t want these updates, simply let us know and we’ll take you off our email list.

How much is shipping and handling?

Shipping and handling is on us. No charge.

When will my certificates arrive at my mailbox?

We will process all orders before the end of the business day following your online transaction. If you choose to have your certificates mailed, you should see them in your mailbox within the next four business days from date of purchase. If you do not receive them within that time frame, please contact us. If you need your certificates earlier than that, please consider picking up your certificates at our office.

What is your return policy?

All sales on The Big Deals Online Store are final. We do not make refunds on orders after payment for your certificates are made. Once a credit card transaction online, or a cash transaction at our business office is made, there will be no refunds.

What happens if I don’t use my entire gift certificate amount?

Please use your gift certificate in one visit. Businesses do not give change or credit for unused gift certificate values.

How long do I have to use my certificates?

There are no expiration dates on our Big Deals certificates, unless otherwise noted.

When can I pick up my order?

Please give us a full hour from the time of your internet order to prepare your certificates.

If you have any questions regarding the Big Deals Online Store, you can call any time at our front desk during business hours 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Our phone number is (620) 662-4486. Or email us at daren.dunn@eagleradio.net

During which hours may I pick up my certificates?

You can pick up your Big Deals orders at our office: Eagle Media Center, 825 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501

— Monday through Friday (excluding major holidays), 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Identification is needed when picking up your Big Deal order.

* Disclaimer:  We are not responsible for any lost or stolen gift certificates.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The search for a new President for the Hutchinson/ Reno County Chamber of Commerce is now down to two finalists. Search committee chair Alan Fee says both are great candidates.

Fee could not disclose the names of the two finalists, but did tell hutchpost.com that both bring a very high level of proven economic development talent with them. Both will be brought in for final interviews in the next 7-10 days. This will include meeting Chamber staff and key members of the Hutch Rising Campaign, which recently raised more than $1.7 million for economic development.

Fee stressed the importance of finding a new leader who can deliver on bringing new business and industry to the area and bring new ideas to Hutchinson and Reno County.

The committee used a search firm and conducted initial interviews with five candidates before narrowing the list down to the two finalists.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Two local residents, both with past criminal convictions, face some serious charges after law enforcement went to a residence in the 700 block of West 21st around 1 p.m. Wednesday.

Apparently in plain view in a bedroom where 42-year-old Bryon McCoy was located, they found a Ziploc bag of marijuana and a larger bag that contained two bags of methamphetamine and several more bags for packaging. The owner of the home apparently gave permission to search the premises. Officials then say they found prescription drugs including a pill bottle containing 51 pills, new and used syringes, pipes with burnt residue from both marijuana and methamphetamine, and some cash.

McCoy appeared Thursday morning before Magistrate Judge Cheryl Allen where he was told of the potential charges of possession of methamphetamine and marijuana, both with intent to distribute and possession of drug paraphernalia

He did manage to get his bond lowered from $18,500 to $10,000 and he’ll be back in court next week for the reading of formal charges.

Also arrested and facing the same charges is 38-year-old Sehara Hays. She managed to post bond and should make a first appearance sometime next week.

McCoy is no stranger to law enforcement with convictions for criminal threat, possession of drugs, aggravated battery, driving while habitual, theft and making false writing. Hays also has past convictions for forgery, arson, possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — An area man originally charged with a misdemeanor battery case became upset when he appeared before a judge and discovered that the state has amended the case, making the charge aggravated battery.

Jeremy Raybern is accused of striking the victim on March 5, 2017, causing the victim to suffer an injury that required stitches, according to statements in court.

Raybern became upset, noting that he was under the influence of methamphetamine at the time and doesn’t remember any of it. Magistrate Judge Cheryl Allen had to warn him to not talk about the facts of the case or make any statements until he has an attorney present.

His case will now move to a waiver-status docket on May 3.

Rangel-photo Harvey Co.

HARVEY COUNTY — Prosecutors filed charges in Sedgwick County Wednesday against 31-year-old Myrta Rangel in connection with an October triple-murder in Harvey County.

Harvey County District Attorney David Yoder dismissed charges against Rangel and canceled a scheduled Thursday hearing, according to a media release.

“The joint decision of this office, and the Office of the Sedgwick County District Attorney, is that Sedgwick County is the best venue for pursuit of charges against Myrta Rangel,” according to Yoder.

Harvey County prosecutors had charged Rangel and 35-year-old Jereme Nelson each with one count of capital murder and three counts of first-degree murder.

In January, Nelson and Rangel were arrested in Mexico and returned to the U.S., before extradition to Kansas.

On Oct. 30, authorities found the bodies of 33-year-old Travis Street and 37-year-old Angela May Graevs, both of Moundridge, and 52-year-old Richard Prouty of Newton outside a rural home near Moundridge. An 18-month-old child was found unharmed.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Action by the 2015 Kansas Legislature has made a change in when Board of Education members are elected.

Beginning this year, local school board and municipal elections will be moved to the late summer and fall of odd-numbered years from the spring. These are non-partisan races in which individuals do not file by political party.

For USD 308, there are four seats up for election in 2017. Those seats currently are held by Tad Dower, Jeff Nichols, Rudy Rodriguez and Kail Denison. USD 308 seats are all at-large with no geographic districts.

Individuals can file for the positions at the Reno County Clerk’s office, 125 W. 1st Ave. There is a $20 filing fee.

Deadline for filing is noon on June 1. If there are more than 12 individuals who file for the four seats on the USD 308 Board, there will be a primary election on Aug. 1. The general election for the Board will be Nov. 7.

Candidates elected to the Board will take their seats on Jan. 8, 2018.

RENO COUNTY — A South Hutchinson man was injured in an accident just after 11 a.m. on Thursday in Reno County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2005 Chevy Impala driven by Glen R. Ruta, 53, Hutchinson, was entering the highway from the Dutch Kitchen parking lot, four miles east of Partridge.

The driver failed to yield the right-of-way at U.S. 50.

An eastbound 1996 Dodge Dakota driven by Michael L. Everhart, 35, South Hutchinson, collided with the Impala.

Everhart was transported to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center.

Ruta was not injured.

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

KINGMAN, Kan. — State and local leaders and landowners joined executives from NextEra Energy Resources and Westar Energy to celebrate the commissioning of the Kingman and Ninnescah Wind Energy Centers, which has created hundreds of construction jobs as well as millions of dollars in economic benefits to the region.

The Kingman and Ninnescah Wind Energy Centers feature more than 240 GE wind turbines designed to pivot to capture the prevailing wind and convert it to clean, renewable electricity.

They say they have a generating capacity of 400 megawatts, capable of powering more than 100,000 homes. The energy serves customers of Westar Energy as well as its wholesale partners Midwest Energy and the cities of McPherson, Chanute, Iola, Fredonia and Sabetha through energy management service agreements.

They also say that these projects have created a significant economic boost for Kingman and Pratt Counties, creating approximately 500 jobs during the construction phase in 2016, and approximately 35 full-time jobs once the projects became operational in December. The projects will provide more than $40 million in guaranteed payments to the county governments over their projected 30-year operational life, and nearly $100 million in payments to local landowners. From labor and materials, to housing, health care and construction – a wide variety of local businesses have benefitted from the influx of economic activity.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – USD 308 Superintendent, Dr. Shelly Kiblinger told members of the Hutchinson Public Schools Board of Education Thursday she was resigning her position, effective June 30.

Kiblinger, who is in her sixth year as superintendent submitted her letter of resignation during the special meeting. The Board voted 7-0 to accept her resignation. Kiblinger is resigning to take advantage of another opportunity in Kansas.

The superintendent told the Board she had been offered a job opportunity closer to her family. The job offer was conditioned on her being released from her current contract on June. 30.

Kiblinger is the district’s 31st superintendent in its 145-year history.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – A four-year-old boy was found not breathing with no pulse in a pool in the 1100 block of Bramble Bush Drive Thursday afternoon. The child was taken to a Wichita hospital in critical condition according to Police Lt. Josh Radloff.

Hutchinson police officers were dispatched to the residence and were able to get the child breathing before EMS arrived, but then at the hospital the child stopped breathing again, however they continued to work on the child and was able to get the boy breating again.

The child apparently lived a few houses down, with his mother going into her home to check on another child and when she came back out, she found the four-year-old missing.

The home owner with the pool had put a hose in her pool to fill it up and was inside when she noticed the hose was out of the pool and a gate to that pool was open. She went to check on he hose and saw pants or underwear by the pool. That’s when she saw the child.

The call coming in shortly after 4 p.m. and according to Radloff, the child was still alive at last check.

Alex Deaton courtesy of Ellsworth County Sheriff’s Office

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A convenience store clerk just two months on the job was in the wrong place at the right time when the subject of a nationwide manhunt strolled into the Pratt store, pointed a gun at him and asked for his keys.

Riley Juel,19,  in a telephone interview Thursday with The Clarion-Ledger said the man was Alex Deaton, who was wanted for two Mississippi slayings, a New Mexico carjacking and the shooting of a store clerk west of Wichita.

Juel says Deaton told him he only wanted his keys, but then Deaton shot him. Juel says he ran into a back room of the Kwik Shop and called 911. He had no idea until after surgery who it was that had come so close to taking his life.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — With the newly created company fully intact, Siemens Wind Energy and Gamesa
announced its new leadership team on Friday. Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, as it is now known, has appointed Rosa Garcia as its new Chairwoman.

Ignacio Martin, former Executive Chairman of Gamesa, will continue as CEO until the new board can name his successor.

Andrew Hall, formerly CFO of Siemens Wind Power, has been appointed the CFO of the merged company. Xabier Etxeberria, formerly Business CEO at Gamesa, will head its onshore business. Markus Tacke, previously CEO of Siemens Wind Power, will head the united company’s offshore business, and Mark Albenze, who was the CEO of Wind Service at Siemens Wind Power, will head the combined service business.

The merged company will remain listed on the Spanish stock exchange. Legal domicile and global headquarters of the company, along with the onshore headquarters, will be also located in Spain, while the offshore headquarters will be located in Hamburg, Germany, and Denmark. The merger, which was finalized in the fall, was made possible after Siemens spun off its wind turbine sector into a separate entity called Siemens Renewables. Siemens wanted to partner with Gamesa to open up markets in South America onshore while Gamesa wanted Siemens expertise in offshore turbine technology.

In total, the merged company has close to 27,000 employees and products and technology installed in more than 90 countries. The united company has combined annual revenue of €11 billion, an order backlog of €21 billion and a global installed capacity of 75 gigawatts (GW).

Celebrate National Library Week April 9 – 15

National Library Week is a time to celebrate libraries and library workers.  We have planned some special activities and events to promote using and support of Hutchinson Public Library!

Monday, April 10, 10:00 am
Chat Room
New Reading Area, 2nd Floor
We’ll have coffee, chocolate, and conversation.  Hutchinson Public Library’s Director Gregg Wamsley will be available for questions and comments.

Tuesday, April 11
Library Worker’s Day
Recognize the daily hard work of our library workers.  Tell a library worker, “thank you,” for all they do.  Check out the staff favorites display.  Nominate a stellar library worker here!  http://ala-apa.org/nlwd.

Wednesday, April 12, 7:00 am
Breakfast on the Go
Grab breakfast on the way to work or school, or stay and read the morning paper.  The library is open early on this day!  Breakfast burritos from Taco Johns, cinnamon rolls from Carolyn’s Essenhaus and coffee from Scuttlebutts will be available for the first 100 patrons.  The Hutchinson News will provide 10 extra copies of the April 12 issue.

Thursday, April 13
Throwback Thursday Library History
Come see displays about library history and pick up last chance giveaways with our old logo!  Have afternoon tea at 3:00 pm with Ida Day, our resident ghost librarian!

Friday, April 14, 10:00 am and 3:00 pm
Tax (stress) Relief
Our library is a place you can come to relax, reconnect, read and recharge.  Find relief from the stress of doing your taxes with refreshments, relaxing activities, and of course, exploring the stacks.