HUTCHINSON Kan. — Two more building permits have been issued for the new strip mall located on East 30th Avenue, just east of Allen Samuels.

The permits are for Nex-Tech Wireless and Edward Jones. The two businesses are the second and third tenants revealed as going into the new center at 1441 E. 30th.

UPS announced last month that it would bring a full-service packaging and mailing center to the new location.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Some solutions to the overcrowded conditions at the Hutchinson Reno County Law Enforcement Center are in the works.

During Tuesday’s Hutchinson City Council meeting, City Manager John Deardoff reported to the Council that he would seek a Request For Qualifications for renovating the LEO. That includes a move by the Sheriff’s Department to the old County Appraiser’s Office in the basement of the courthouse. According to the Sheriff’s Department, officers and detectives could be moving in the next several months. Eventually, the entire department will relocate there.

The move is part of an overall plan to renovate the LEO, which has undergone some changes since the jail was eliminated from the facility.

Other renovations could include an expanded 911 center, meeting rooms and more storage. The entire project would take a year or two to complete, depending on the scope of the work.

The space was made available when the Appraiser’s Office, along with the Treasurer, Register of Deeds and the Clerk’s offices, vacated the courthouse last year in a move over to the old jail annex.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The  preliminary hearing for 31-year-old Myrta Rangel has been continued in Sedgwick County District Court.

Rangel faces charges connected to a Harvey County triple murder case involving Jereme Nelsen. Those charges include possession of a firearm as a convicted felon, obstruction for helping Nelsen avoid capture as the two fled to Mexico, and providing a firearm to Nelsen. Charges of capital murder and first-degree murder in Harvey County were dropped against Rangel as part of an agreement with Sedgwick County.

Nelsen still faces capital murder and first-degree murder charges in the shooting deaths of 33-year-old Travis Street, 37-year-old Angela Graevs and 52-year-old Richard Prouty.

The three were found Oct. 30 in the front yard of a rural Harvey County farmstead just northwest of Moundridge.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 32-year-old woman was injured just after 9:30 p.m. Tuesday in a one-vehicle crash in the 300 block of Robert Street.

Linda Wray apparently lost control of her vehicle with it going off the roadway and striking a tree.

She was taken to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center for treatment.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — After a Hutchinson man was convicted and sentenced a second time for the killing of a Hutchinson woman, he apparently is still not happy.

Charles Christopher Logsdon was re-sentenced by District Judge Trish Rose to 25 years to life for the murder of Jennifer Heckel with an additional 23 years for other crimes.

In his habeas corpus filing, he’s claiming newly discovered evidence. But he also claims that most everything else involving his case are grounds for relief from his conviction and sentence.

That includes claims of prosecutor misconduct, illegal arrest and warrant, an equal protection violation, being convicted of multiple charges — which under the law are the same — and ineffective counsel at both the trial and appellate levels.

He even claims jury misconduct, faulty jury instructions and disparity of a plea offer.

Logsdon was convicted of being the shooter of Heckel. She was shot three times in her home on June 14, 2011, including in the head and back while her young son listened to her being killed in another room.

The state contends the murder was a case of mistaken identity and that the suspects intended to rob Kayla Salyer-Rodriquez, but apparently ended up at the wrong house.

A co-defendant, Billy Craig Jr., was sentenced to 15 years in prison for his part in the murder case.

A hearing on the Logsdon civil motion is scheduled for this Friday.

NEWTON, Kan. — A preliminary hearing has been set for Sept. 6 in the capital murder case of Jereme Nelsen.

Nelsen faces three counts of capital murder and three counts of first-degree murder in the Oct. 30 shooting deaths of 37-year-old Angela Graevs, 33-year-old Travis Street and 52-year-old Richard Prouty in rural Harvey County.

Charges against co-defendant Myrta Rangel were dismissed last month. She now faces charges related to the Nelsen case in Sedgwick County. Her preliminary hearing on charges of possession of a firearm, obstruction and providing a firearm to a felon was to happen Thursday, but has been continued.

During yesterday’s hearing, Judge Joe Dickinson ruled against the defense motion to prevent cameras in the courtroom. Under the ruling, one live camera and one still photographer will be allowed to provide for all media outlets. Dickinson also said he would reconsider whether to keep the affidavit sealed from the public. That hearing will be held May 18.

Dickinson had ruled earlier that releasing the affidavit could jeopardize the physical, mental or emotional safety or well-being of the victims and witnesses, and interfere with prospective law enforcement action, criminal investigation or prosecution.

The defense requested the affidavits be sealed with no objection from Harvey County Attorney David Yoder.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The next Coffee at the Cosmo is set for Thursday morning at the Cosmosphere.

This month’s program is entitled “The Birth of the 24 Hour News Cycle, ” with special guest speaker, Dr. Ed Tomme, Director of Operations at Luminous Neon Art and Sign Systems and author of the textbook “Understanding Space Communications.”

The program begins at 9 a.m. and will last about an hour. As always, Coffee at the Cosmo is free and open to the public.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Registration is now underway for this year’s Sand Plum Bicycle Classic, which is set for Sunday May 7 in Hutchinson.

The event will offer riders a choice of a 13-, 28- or 50-mile bike ride around the county. The event starts at 8 a.m. from the Oz Breezeway of the Kansas State Fairgrounds. Registration for the ride is $25. There is a 5-mile family ride with youth under 14 years old participating for free.

There will be stops along the way with snacks and other items. All proceeds from the Sand Plum event go to the Friends of the Trail fund for our community.

Register online at hutchrec.com or stop by Hutch Rec Downtown at 17 E. 1st to register in person.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson City Council was in agreement that the city should draft a letter and send it on to area legislators urging them to try and keep funding in tact for Amtrak.  

President Trump’s budget proposal includes a hit to the Department of Transportation and Amtrak that would eliminate the Southwest Chief and most of the other long distance routes.

Several cities in Kansas have fought to keep the SW Chief on its present route after BNSF and Amtrak threatened to move the train to a different route, eliminating Hutchinson, Dodge and Garden City from service.

The city has made an investment into keeping the train on its current route. The Council was in consensus to write that letter in support of Amtrak.  

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A Hutchinson woman arrested on some serious charges involving drug distribution was in court Wednesday where she was told of the charges against her.

Sehara Hays is charged with possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia with intent to distribute. Misdemeanor charges include possession of a prescription drug, marijuana and personal use drug paraphernalia.

She was arrested along with Bryon McCoy after law enforcement discovered the drugs at a home in 700 block of West 21st back on April 5. McCoy faces similar charges.

McCoy was located in a bedroom and nearby was a Ziploc bag of marijuana and a larger bag that contained two bags of methamphetamine and several more bags for packaging.

Hays is free on bond and her case now moves to a waiver-status docket.

MCPHERSON COUNTY- Four teens were injured in an accident just after 2:30p.m. on Tuesday in McPherson County.

A 1996 Ford Explorer driven by an 18-year-old was eastbound on Winchester Road that divides Saline and McPherson Counties when the driver lost control of the SUV in sand, according to McPherson Sheriff’s Captain Joe Hoffman.

First responders transported the driver and three passengers to Salina Regional Medical Center.

One passenger was ejected from the SUV.

All four were treated and released late Tuesday, according to Hoffman.

Names of those involved were not released.

The STORM PREDICTION CENTER IN NORMAN OKLAHOMA HAS ISSUED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCHIN EFFECT UNTIL 1100 PM CDT

KANSAS COUNTIES INCLUDED IN OUR AREA

RENO
RICE
HARVEY
MARION
MCPHERSON
STAFFORD

PRATT COUNTY – A woman from Pratt was injured in an accident at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday in Pratt.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2009 Chevy Impala driven by Jessica L. Nafisa, 24, Pratt, was westbound on U.S. 54 and East First Street. The driver stopped at a green light and started having a seizure.

The vehicle then accelerated from the green light, crossed the center line and hit a residence at 103 South Oak Street, according to the KHP.

Nafisa was transported to the hospital in Pratt. A 1-year-old in the vehicle was not injured.

Nafisa was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP .

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — In conjunction with Reno County Fire District #3 and the Reno County Sheriff’s Department, officials announced information on the causes of fires from March 4th and 5th.

The 43rd and Jupiter Hills fire on March 4 started along the road with no other possible sources of ignition located in the area. This fire is suspicious in nature.

On that same day, a fire occurred at 17th and Faubion – that has also been ruled suspicious in nature.

On March 5, about a half mile west of 82nd and Monroe, a fire started along the road. A firework was found in the area. The firework, known as a Ground Bloom, spins on the ground rapidly emitting a heavy shower of sparks from 8 to 16 inches in length. It’s not known if this was intentional or accidental. This fire is also considered suspicious in nature, according to officials.

On that same day in the 9500 block of North Hendricks, a fire was reported north and west of the original fire. There are several witnesses stating there was no smoke in the area shortly before this fire was reported. It is not likely this was a rekindle from the previous fire. This fire is also suspicious in nature.

The Reno County Sheriff’s office and investigators from the Hutchinson Fire Department have continued to follow up on many leads, but, so far, there are no suspects.

If anyone has information about any of these fires, they are asked to call Crime Stoppers of Reno County at 620-694-2666 or 1-800-222-8477.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — With the new senior-only center comes affordable and customized membership packages for you to enjoy as many activities as you desire at Elmdale Park. Visit www.hutchrec.com

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 27-year-old man who entered a plea to one charge of aggravated battery and criminal damage to property is scheduled for sentencing Friday.

Jory Voss entered the no contest plea to one of two counts of aggravated battery for choking a woman at a residence in Langdon back on Jan. 7. Another man at the residence reportedly struck Voss with some type of club to get him off the woman. Then those two began to fight. The man was struck by Voss, causing him to have four broken ribs. That victim was taken to an area medical facility for treatment.

Voss was also found guilty of causing damage inside the home, including throwing and breaking things inside.

As part of the agreement, he will serve his time for a drug case going back to 2013 and then the two sides will recommend three years of community corrections for the battery case. The corrections wouldn’t begin until the sentence in the drug case is served.

Voss remains jailed on a bond of $50,500. Sentencing is scheduled in front of District Judge Tim Chambers.

Davis

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A man charged in two cases from last year has decided to waive the rest of his hearing. The cases went to recess because some of the state’s witnesses were not available.

It was back on Dec. 14 when Jaterri Davis was arrested, accused of forcing his way in and threatening the occupant at an apartment building in the unit block of East 2nd with a handgun.

Charges in that case include aggravated burglary, aggravated assault, criminal possession of a firearm and defacing identification marks on the firearm.

He is also accused of stealing a pickup by force and leading police on a chase before being arrested in the unit block of Carey Street. The robbery occurred in the 200 block of Hayes Street where he forced a man to give up his stash of marijuana, which came to about two ounces. This occurred back on Nov. 4 of last year.

With him waiving the preliminary hearing, he’ll be arraigned on the charges in the two cases next month.

Ward

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A local man serving a nearly seven-year sentence in prison for burglary and indecent liberties is scheduled for court Friday in another matter.

Tanner Ward is accused of stealing some copper pipes from the construction site at the Hutchinson Sports Arena. He 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.

We could learn of a trial date in this case on Friday.

Ward is currently serving time for two counts of burglary for a case from 2013 as well as the sentence in an aggravated indecent liberties case that involved a child 14 to 16 years of age. The encounters occurred on two dates: Jan. 9 and Jan. 11, 2016.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Debra Teufel will become President/CEO of the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce. The announcement was made Thursday by Chamber Board Chair Sarah Liebl.

Teufel has extensive experience in economic development, one of the key skills the Chamber board was looking for. “The board, based on input from members, investors and the community, put that experience at the top of the list of the things it was looking for,” Liebl said. “Debra has been involved in economic development since 1999, including in a number of communities in south-central Kansas. We are excited to welcome her and her family to our community.”

Teufel has been Director of Public/Private Partnerships for the University of Oklahoma’s Price College of Business, Division of Entrepreneurship and Economic Development since the fall of 2015. Prior to that, she served as Vice President for Business Development for the Greater Wichita Economic Development Coalition/Wichita Metro Chamber of Commerce from 2008-2015.

“I am thrilled to be coming to Hutchinson to lead the Chamber and economic development efforts,” Teufel said. “I know the community well, as a Kansas native, and from my experience in regional economic development activities in the area. Hutchinson and Reno County have a compelling combination of business and industry, attractive development sites, workforce training and educational assets, a strong healthcare cluster, and a spirit of cooperation with community leadership who are dedicated and invested in the economic development efforts for the future. It is a great community with a wealth of opportunity.”

Teufel, 45, and her husband, David, have four children ages 14, 15, 19, and 22. Her husband and daughters will join her in Hutchinson.

Previously she was the Director of the Cowley First Economic Development Partnership from 2006-2008, after having served as Project Manager for the same organization from 1999-2004.

From 2004-2005, she was Director of the Sumner County Economic Development Commission, followed by her first term as a Project Manager for the Greater Wichita Economic Development Coalition from 2005-2006.

She has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Computer Operations Technology from Southwestern College and received her designation as a Certified Economic Developer from IEDC in 2008.

Teufel will replace Kirk Johnson, who has been interim Chamber President since Jason Ball left in mid-January. “The Chamber staff has done a great job during the interim. Kirk stepped up to help the organization and we appreciate the leadership he provided,” Liebl said.

Allen Fee, CEO of Fee Insurance Group, chaired the 13-member search committee. Working with the executive search firm, Jorgenson Consulting, the search committee interviewed candidates and made a recommendation to the full Chamber Board this week.

“The process was very rewarding for me and the rest of a fantastic committee that the Chamber board appointed for the search,” Fee said. “What was reinforced time and again from all of our candidates was what a great community we have with fantastic assets and very engaging people.  It is always rewarding to get reminders of what a great place we have to work and live, and our community really showed that to our candidates.”

Rain showers and embedded thunderstorms will continue today and continue through tonight. Periods of heavy rainfall are likely across south central and southeast Kansas. This could cause low land flooding problems and some rises on creeks and rivers in the flood watch area.