HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Kansas Department of Health and Environment is taking civil action against the owner of the Western Acres Mobile Home Park near Yaggy for failure to correct water issues.

The park has been under a boil water advisory since Aug. 8. No action has been taken by the park’s owner, Justin Whitt.

The petition was originally filed in May requesting action be taken by Whitt to deal with the drinking water at the park. The civil action can allow the Secretary of the KDHE to levy stiff penalties ranging from $1,000 to as much as $10,000 for failure to comply with orders in the petition, or for violations.

On Aug. 8, the park was placed under a boil water advisory because Whitt failed to provide water test samples to the KDHE, which is required twice per month. It’s the second time the park has been placed under a boil water advisory this year.

The KDHE could not say exactly what action was being taken by the state to help fix the problem and only said civil action is being taken against Whitt.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A Hutchinson man charged with aggravated arson after a fire damaged the Tierra Verde apartments in November of last year now has a trial date. Judge Tim Chambers set a trial date of Nov. 13 for Timothy Broadfoot.

Broadfoot is accused of setting the fire back on Nov. 22, 2017. The fire was discovered on one of the upper floors and was quickly extinguished. The amount of damage was estimated to be over $109,000.

The fire displaced about 20 individuals who were aided by the Red Cross at the time of the fire.

Broadfoot is free on bond.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Reno County District Judge Trish Rose Friday found that a defendant charged in two criminal cases is competent to stand trial and says she will set a trial date soon.

The case against 30-year-old Jesse Aich includes a home invasion from South Hutchinson and drug distribution going back to 2014 and 2015.

In one case, Aich is charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell, possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to package, possession of three other drugs (hydrocodone, oxycodone and morphine), felony theft of a firearm, possession of stolen property, criminal possession of a firearm and a final count of personal use drug paraphernalia.

This case started with a search warrant served on his residence where he apparently lived in a basement bedroom. Inside that room, law enforcement allegedly found a baggie that contained a crystal substance, a baggie containing a powdery 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 officers say were used to smoke meth, several types of pills and over $1,000 in cash. This case goes back to 2014.

In the other case, 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.

Apparently, a mental evaluation at Larned indicates that he is competent, so Judge Rose stated in court that she would set a trial date in the two cases in the near future.

TOPEKA, Kan. — The Kansas Department of Commerce has awarded 16 nonprofit organizations around the state Community Service Tax Credits, which has helped nonprofit organizations undertake major capital fundraising drives for several different projects.

The Canton Township Carnegie Library in McPherson County will receive $250,000.

Built in 1921, Canton Township Carnegie Library is the last Carnegie Library to ever be constructed. The project will include preservation issues for the original building, as well as a new addition that will address the need for accessibility, safety, and additional program space for children and adult patrons.

Also, the Marquette Learning Center in McPherson County will receive $215,000.

Renovations are planned for an old schoolhouse building to turn it into a daycare faculty along with addressing the outdoor play space as required by the KDHE.

Tax credit awards are distributed through an application process and may request up to $250,000 in tax credits.

Applicant organizations in rural areas are eligible for a 70 percent credit. Applicant organizations in non-rural areas are eligible for a 50 percent credit.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson USD 308 School Board will venture away from its regular meeting place to the various schools during the first meeting of the month. That starts Monday when the School Board meets at McCandless Elementary at 6 p.m.

The meetings are being held at the various district schools as the Continuous Improvement Report is presented to the board. The schools will have the option of taking board members on school tours before the meeting.

Also Monday, the board will take action on Head Start agreements with Nickerson USD 309 and Buhler USD 313 and give approval to dispose of surplus property.

The Hutchinson USD 308 School Board meeting is at 6 p.m. at McCandless Elementary School.

HARVEY COUNTY — One person died in an accident just before 7a.m. Saturday in Harvey County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2010 GMC Acadia driven by Max Turnbull, Jr., 77, Vermillion, was westbound on U.S. 50 nine miles west of Newton.

The vehicle crossed the center line into the east bound lanes. An eastbound 2017 Freightliner semi driven by Angel Zatare, 22, Reseda, CA., in an attempt to avoid striking the GMC crossed the center line and drove into the west bound lanes.

The GMC then drove back into the westbound lane and collided with the semi.

A passenger in the GMC Darlene Turnbull, 73, Vermillion, was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to the Sedgwick County Forensics Center. Max Turnbull was transported to the hospital in Wichita.

Zatare and a passenger were not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The latest debate Saturday between the three top candidates for governor brought a nearly-packed house of supporters. The lively crowd cheered and booed throughout the course of the debate.

The candidates discussed taxes. Secretary of State Kris Kobach wants to go back to former Gov. Sam Brownback’s tax plan, but he would like to cut more spending. Democratic challenger Laura Kelly believes the course the state is on now is working, but she also wants to cut sales tax on food. Independent candidate Greg Orman says Kansas has to grow the economy and create a strong tax base to cover priorities.

None of the candidates said they could produce a 7 1/2 percent ending balance at this point.

Other topics included: the tariffs of agriculture — put in place by President Donald Trump — and expanding Medicaid.

Democrat Laura Kelly says she will expand Medicaid and get rid of Kan-Care:

Secretary of State Kris Kobach fired back at Kelly with his response against any expansion:

Independent candidate Greg Orman is also in favor of expanding Medicaid in a reasonable way:

HUTCHINSON, Kan. —  The Kansas State Fair’s funding for capital improvements may be at risk because of fairgoer misconceptions about the new Kansas State Fair sales tax law.

“Commercial exhibitors are telling us that fairgoers think state sales tax is higher at the Kansas State Fair,” Bob Moeder, Interim General Manager, said. “We want to make sure our visitors understand that Kansas sales tax is consistent everywhere in the state, but when they buy and take delivery of goods at the fair, a portion of the state sales tax collected returns to the fair for greatly-needed improvements to our facilities.”

Exhibitors and vendors are provided a special tax number to use for all goods and services delivered during the event. Fiscal 2017 figures show returning the sales tax generated on the Kansas State Fairgrounds during the fair would produce just over $400,000. About 5 percent of the 6.5 percent state tax would go into the State Fair Capital Improvements Fund.

Moeder said, “The more people shop during the fair, the more we can accomplish to improve the facilities not only for the 10 days of the Kansas State Fair, but also for the hundreds of events held on the grounds throughout the year.”

SOUTH HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The South Hutchinson Fire Department responded to an explosion at a business Monday morning on the east side of that city.

According to Fire Chief R.C. Watson, a car caught fire at Silas Enterprises at 5th & Maple. This occurred while the car was in a car crusher.

Watson says the cause is still under investigation. No one was injured and no damage estimate has been released.

The call came in around 11:20 a.m.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — We have had statistics that track the health of Reno County and even the city of Hutchinson alone. Now a special study from The National Association for Public Health Statistics and Information Systems has narrowed the life expectancy for residents to an area as small as an individual neighborhood.

It’s the first time ever that public health officials, community leaders, and others working to improve health in Kansas can access census tract-level data to measure and compare differences in life expectancy in each area of the county and the city of Hutchinson.

The United States Small-Area Life Expectancy Estimates Project is a joint effort of the National Association for Public Health Statistics and Information Systems, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics Access. Estimates like these help public health experts quantify how people living just a few miles apart can have vastly different opportunities for a long life.

In Reno County, the longest life expectancy is in the western half of the county at 80.1 years. Residents in the central and east-central parts of the county have a life expectancy of 80 years. The shortest life expectancy in the county was in the Nickerson area at 76.4 years.

In the city, the longest life expectancy was in the northwest part of the city at 83.4 years of age. The lowest was in the Southwest Bricktown area at an even 70 years.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A familiar face to law enforcement has been named by the City of Hutchinson to serve as the interim police chief.

City Manager John Deardoff announced Monday afternoon that Alan Stoecklein will serve in the interim position until the new chief is named and comes on board. That is expected to happen Nov. 1.

Stoecklein enjoyed a 40-year career in law enforcement, mostly with the Kansas Highway Patrol, where he retired as a lieutenant colonel.

Deardoff says he appreciates Stoecklein’s willingness to step in the role and oversee the department until the replacement for Chief Dick Heitschmidt arrives.

No announcement was made about Heitschmidt’s replacement. Two men have been interviewed for the position.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 30-year-old man remains jailed on a $14,000 bond for allegedly sending a text message that contained a nude photo of a woman.

Derek Stevens is charged with breach of privacy for the illicit photo. In court, however, he stated it wasn’t on purpose and that he tried to delete it.

He’s also jailed for a warrant from Harvey County for a charge of being in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

Stevens has prior convictions for the sale of drugs and contributing to a child’s misconduct for a case in Lyon County and violation of the offender registration act for a case in Shawnee County.

He’ll be back in court for the Reno County case Sept. 17.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Police were called to the report of a truck fire in the 200 block of West 4th early Tuesday morning.

Arriving officers attempted to put out the fire in an older Dodge pickup, but were unsuccessful, so the Hutchinson Fire Department was called to the scene and put the fire out.

After further investigation, it was determined that the point of origin was in the truck bed.

The fire occurred around 2:15 a.m. Tuesday.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The USD 308 School Board held its regular first meeting of the month at McCandless Elementary School where Principal Krystal Young and staff gave members and the public an update on academic activities at the school.

McCandless School

The board decided in August that the first meeting each month would be held at the school and give the Continuous Improvement Report for the month. After McCandless, the board moves to Lincoln in October.

The board approved an annual program agreement with the Hutchinson YMCA.

The Reno County Head Start agreement with USD 309, the Nickerson-South Hutchinson School District, and USD 313, the Buhler School District, was also approved.

WICHITA, KAN. – A federal grand jury Tuesday returned a series of criminal indictments in separate cases charging defendants with unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported, according to U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister.

Jose Fernandez-Casas- photo Pratt Co.

In one case, Jose Fernandez-Casas, 45, a citizen of Mexico, was charged with one count of unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported. He was found in August 2018 in Pratt County, Kan.

In another, Roberto Sanchez-Salas, 49, a citizen of Mexico, was charged with one count of unlawfully re-entering the United States after being deported. He was found in September 2018 in Ellis County, Kan.

If convicted, they each face up to two years in federal prison. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Debra Barnett is prosecuting.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — One person was injured in an accident just before 3 p.m. Tuesday in Reno County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2014 Kenworth Box truck driven by Donald Cope Jr., 63, Tulsa, Oklahoma, was northbound on K-14 five miles south of Hutchinson.

The truck traveled off the road to the right. The driver over-corrected, causing the truck to roll over on the driver’s side.

Cope was transported to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. He was wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

Original Story

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — One person was injured when a semi they were driving overturned on K-14 south of
Hutchinson Tuesday afternoon.

According to Reno County 911, the accident happened about 2:45 p.m. near Greenfield Road, or about three miles south of Crupper’s Corner. No other details on the accident were made available.

The driver of the truck was taken by EMS to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center with serious injuries.

K-14 is closed while crews work to remove the wreckage.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Police searched a home on May 22 and found a seller’s quantity of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia all within 1,000 feet of a school. The suspect in the case entered a plea for charges in that case, as well as two others.

Charges against Trivey Ortega include possession of methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a school, possession of drug paraphernalia and felony interference.

Two others were also arrested, that being Ashley Meadows and Drew F. Chattam of Herington.

One of the other two cases against Ortega includes possession of opiates and drug paraphernalia. That case goes back to Jan 29.

The final case was for a misdemeanor charge of criminal damage to property. It goes back to June 26.

With him entering the pleas, sentencing will be in about 30 days.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Although he won’t officially retire for about a week or so, Hutchinson Police Chief Dick Heitschmidt’s last day at work is Wednesday.

Heitschmidt retires after a 40-year career in law enforcement. He talked with us about what made him want to be a law enforcement officer. And it goes back to some unique heroes:

Over the past 40 years, a lot has changed, especially in technology. Heitschmidt talked about the changes:

There have been numerous events that have certainly dotted the chief’s career. The 9/11 attack is certainly one of them The other is the gas explosions in Hutchinson. Heitschmidt talked about an overnight call they made to Oklahoma:

Finally, Heitschmidt says any success he had certainly can be attributed to a lot of staff and other officers that he has worked with, along with family and friends:

Heitschmidt says he really doesn’t have any plans other than to relax for a few weeks before moving on to other things.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Kansas State Fair hosted a delegation from Germany and Switzerland Tuesday morning as part of a group that promotes travel to the U.S. Florian Renner, Strategic Director for Brand USA, talked about their trip:

Renner says he has enjoyed the trip through Kansas and talked about some things that surprised him about Kansas:

The nine delegates will also visit parts of Oklahoma during their stay.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — As expected, it was a quick meeting for the Reno County Commission. Commissioners agreed to reschedule the Oct. 16 meeting to Friday, Oct. 19.

They also approved a request from District 3 Fire Chief Bobby White to purchase extraction tools for $34,420. The tools will be paid through the special equipment fund.

Community Corrections Director Randy Regehr spoke about his program and how it focuses a lot on high-risk clients to try to change their behavior and keep them from going to prison.

He says they have a lot of high-risk clients because of the number of depositional departures granted by district judges. That puts Reno County third in the state behind Sedgwick and Wyandotte Counties.

Reno County District Judge Joe McCarville talked about the reasons for granting departures in criminal cases:

He adds that he also has a lot of faith in the community corrections program in Reno County, which he calls one of the best in the state. For those who aren’t familiar with this program, Judge McCarville explains the program and all the things included to help clients get back on track:

Regehr and McCarville both agree that they are saving the state around $5.4 million by placing those convicted of crimes on corrections as opposed to sending them to prison.