A 25-year-old Hutchinson man accused of aggravated robbery and aggravated burglary entered “not guilty” pleas Monday in front of Judge Tim Chambers.

Patrick McCroy is accused of breaking into a Hutchinson apartment and beating the occupant, wanting items from his apartment.

It started on July 1, when the victim says he heard a loud knock on his apartment door around 11 p-m. He looked through the peep hole and could partially see the head of a man outside the apartment, but couldn’t see exactly who it was, so he cracked open the door to get a better look and it was then that McCroy allegedly forced his way into the apartment and began beating the alleged victim with a stick. He was demanding a television that he claimed belonged to his sister, but also allegedly wanted pills, the victims phone, money, computers and other electronic items.

The victim says he was beaten at first with the large stick which he described as being 3 and half foot long, then when the stick broke, the defendant allegedly used his fist and beat him some more. He stated that he was able to escape at one point and ran to the neighbors home yelling, “help, I’m being robbed.”

McCroy is no stranger to the law having been convicted of other felony crimes including criminal possession of a firearm, drugs, burglary and criminal damage to property. He had been paroled in March of last year, but was discharged from those previous crimes back on February 19.

A 23-year-old Hutchinson man charged with criminal discharge of a firearm at an occupied vehicle and criminal use of a weapon was in court Monday for a hearing over the defense contention that this is a case of self defense and should be dissmissed.

Dustin Rock is accused of firing a gun at a vehicle near a car wash on East 30th. This after the victim may have pointed a pellet gun, that looked like a real military style weapon at the defendant and others standing in the area. This allegedly occurring in the early hours of June 14, 2013.

The alleged victim, Brandon Hudson admitted that he had driven by Rock and others who were standing in the parking lot of a car wash and at one point stopped and fired the pellet gun, but says it was toward the ground and never meant to hurt anyone. He claims that three individuals came to the passenger side of his vehicle and one to the drivers side. He says he was then struck by the individual on the drivers side on his arm and he became scared, so he picked up his pellet gun and pointed it at the ones on the passenger side. He says as he pressed the gas and was pulling away in his truck when he heard a gun shot. He went west on 30th, and stopped at K-Mart. It was then that he discovered the bullet hole in the back fender of his silver F-150.

He says he was angry and went after Rock and another man, Dustin Law. He says he caught up with them just west of 30th & Plum. He says he then fired pellets at the vehicle striking Rock 4-5 times. They then began to follow Hudson who ended up at the Law Enforcement Center.

Dustin Law took the stand for the defense and remembered things differently and talked of the truck driving by them several times then stopped. He told the court that they then walked toward the truck to see if the individual inside was okay. He says that’s when they saw what appeared to be a military weapon pointed at them. He says he then heard a gunshot and the pickup left.

Later is when the alleged victim was firing at their vehicle. Law says it wasn’t until Rock was struck with pellets that they knew it wasn’t a real gun that Hudson had.

Defense Attorney Sarah McKinnon argues this was self defense and that Rock should be immune from prosecution, while the state argues that he shouldn’t have fired a real gun at Hudson’s truck. Senior Assistant District Attorney Steve Maxwell says it should be decided by a jury on whether he was justified in firing at Hudson’s vehicle.

Judge Tim Chambers said he would look into the matter further and issue a written opinion on the two sides arguments at some future point.

Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System is accepting nominations for the second annual Nursing Hall of Fame to honor registered nurses and licensed practical nurses who exemplify dedication and compassion in patient care at the bedside, in the home or any other location served by the organization.

Nominations for the hall of fame will be accepted from healthcare system staff, volunteers and the members of the community who have interacted with nurses in the organization. Nominees are required to be direct patient care providers.

Julie Ward, RN, MSN, Vice President, Patient Care Services explained that “this award will be presented annually to two recipients from Hutchinson Regional Medical Center and one recipient from each additional Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System entity where RN’s and LPN’s are employed.”

Kevin Miller, F.A.C.H.E., President and CEO of Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System, said he hopes that former patients who have experienced exemplary care will nominate candidates for inclusion into the Hall of Fame.

“Nurses at all levels are the backbone of a healthcare facility, and those employed at Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System enjoy an outstanding reputation for going above and beyond the call of duty to provide compassionate care,” Miller said.

Nominations will be accepted through Friday, April 25, 2014. Application forms are available at any Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System location, or on the web at www.hutchregional.com.

Hall of Fame inductees will be announced in May, one week prior to Nurse’s Week. Recipients will receive a special gift and cash award.

Anyone desiring a nomination form or additional information regarding the Hall of Fame may contact Dana Shimel at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center at 665-2004.

A 29-year-old Hutchinson man who has five drug related cases pending in Reno County District Court entered “not guilty” pleas before District Judge Tim Chambers Monday.

Arthur Adams had earlier waived his right to a preliminary hearing in all the case against him and was to consider a plea offer from the state. The offer was for all five cases, but should he decline the offer, the state indicated they would consider adding a charge of racketeering to one of the cases which would be a level 2 felony. He was supposed to decide by the time arraignment occurred, but Deputy District Attorney Tom Stanton who was not present for arraignment says he doesn’t know at this point if the offer has been accepted. He says the defense had requested more time and Stanton thought the arraignment would be continued. At this point, the decision on whether the racketeering charge will be added to one of the cases had not been made.

In the first case, Adams charged with possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to distribute drugs and two counts of no tax stamp. This case goes back to October 18, 2012.

He also faces charges of possession of marijuana with a prior conviction and criminal possession of a firearm, a 45-caliber handgun. This case goes back to March 28, 2013.

The next case has just one charge, that being aggravated failure to appear for the case just mentioned. The state says he failed to surrender within 30-days of a bond forfeiture in the case. This goes back to April 6, 2013.

The next case charged Adams with possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession or morphine, possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to package drugs, criminal possession of a firearm, a shotgun. He’s also charged with possession of a shotgun with a barrel less then 18” long, interference with law enforcement, defacing identification marks on a firearm and possession of personal use drug paraphernalia. These crimes allegedly occurring on October 28, 2013. Its this case, the state would consider amending the complaint adding that racketeering charge.

The final case has Adams charges him with possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to package drugs, possession of marijuana with a prior conviction and personal use drug paraphernalia. This case goes to back to October 29, 2013.

Adams has a prior conviction for possession of drugs going back to 2009.

Warm, mostly sunny and dry weather is anticipated Wednesday through Friday. Strong southwest winds will contribute to elevated fire danger Wednesday. The next chance of precipitation enters back into the forecast by late Saturday, and especially Sunday and Sunday night.

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Here Is Your 7-Day Forecast For Hutchinson And South Central Kansas

Today… Mostly sunny. Breezy. Highs in the mid 60s. North winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts to around 30 mph.

Tonight… Mostly clear. Lows 35 to 40. North winds 5 to 10 mph becoming south after midnight.

Wednesday… Sunny…breezy…warmer. Highs near 80. Southwest winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts to around 30 mph.

Wednesday Night… Mostly clear. Warmer. Lows near 50. South winds 10 to 20 mph. Gusts up to 25 mph in the evening.

Thursday… Mostly sunny. Highs 70 to 75. North winds 10 to 20 mph. Gusts up to 25 mph in the afternoon.

Thursday Night… Partly cloudy. Lows 45 to 50.

Friday And Friday Night… Mostly clear. Highs 70 to 75. Lows 50 to 55.

Saturday… Partly sunny with a slight chance of showers and isolated thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 70s. Chance of rain 20 percent.

Saturday Night… Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of thunderstorms. Lows in the mid 50s.

Sunday… Breezy…cooler. Mostly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of thunderstorms. Highs 60 to 65.

Sunday Night… Breezy…colder. Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of rain showers and snow. Lows in the mid 30s.

Monday… Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 50s.

After a successful Intern Hutch summer program in 2012 and 2013, the Community Development Division of the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce is making preparations for 2014.

The Chamber is offering local businesses a place to post internship opportunities for free via the webpage www.internhutch.com. Internship opportunities will be marketed to colleges throughout the region in hopes of attracting quality talent to Hutchinson and Reno County.

Community Development Coordinator, Bailey Stiggins, said she hoped the website would allow students to see the diverse job opportunities Reno County has to offer. She hopes to attract students who are both Reno County natives and outsiders with the postings.

“We’re working to eliminate the brain drain,” Stiggins said. “We’ve invested a lot in the students who grew up here and we want them to continue with their education and then return to live and work in our community. We have to give them a reason to want to do that, and a connection to a job is a pretty good carrot.”

Businesses are encouraged to post summer opportunities as soon as possible as students will be looking to solidify summer plans. Stiggins said the page would be promoted to college campuses throughout the month of April.

Although www.internhutch.com will begin with advertising summer internship opportunities, the webpage is available year-round to help connect students to career-related experiences.

The Intern Hutch summer connection program will continue in 2014 after serving 17 participants in 2013. This program is designed to connect college-aged summer interns with activities and people in Reno County, and to show them the high quality of life there is in Reno County for a young professional.

Stiggins hopes to see Intern Hutch grow and evolve, and she hopes to make Hutchinson a premier destination for young talent.

For more information about Intern Hutch, contact Bailey Stiggins, 620-662-3391, baileys@hutchchamber.com.

A 43-year-old Hutchinson woman was injured after the vehicle she was in crashed in Wabaunsee County.

According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, Stella Emery was a passenger in a vehicle driven by 23-year-old Deshon Smith of Topeka. Smith apparently fell asleep causing the vehicle to crash.

Emery was taken to Storemont Vail Hospital in Topeka for treatment, while Smith and another passenger were not injured.

The accident occurring around 6:30 a-m, Monday morning, along I-70.

A 25-year-old Turon man jailed back on April 2, after an domestic altercation with a woman in that city is expected back in court Wednesday for the formal reading of charges.

Tyler Truhlar is facing charges of aggravated battery, criminal threat and criminal damage.

The victim told a Reno County Sheriff Deputy that she got home around 10:30 p-m, and received a text from Truhlar asking if he could come over. She said “no.” She says she later heard a loud kick at her front door and he entered. The two then began arguing and he then allegedly punched her several times, striking her on the left side of her face. He also allegedly struck her in the nose. He then allegedly started choking her and the victim says she hit him to get away. She says she ran outside to call 911 and he followed her and started calling her names and threatening to kill her, saying he didn’t care if he was going to jail. She says at some point, he kicked her in the ribs, pulled her hair and slammed the left side of her head into the pavement several times.

He is currently free on a 6-thousand, 750 dollar bond.

The Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission announced Tuesday that it has awarded grants to 11 organizations including one in Pratt. The grant awards, which total $57,500, were awarded through the Strategic Investment and Arts Integration programs. KCAIC programs are designed to promote partnerships, enhance community and economic development, encourage risk and innovation, maximize statewide impact and highlight the role the arts play in all areas of community life. Grantees are selected by the KCAIC through an application and review process.

The Strategic Investment Program (SIP) recognizes the important role individual artists and creative organizations play in building and sustaining cultural and economic vibrancy in Kansas. By funding a variety of professional and organizational development opportunities that impact cultural programming, these grants support initiatives that use the arts to enhance community vitality, revitalize neighborhoods, generate local business, create and preserve job opportunities and impact tourism.

Vernon Filley Art Museum Foundation in Pratt was awarded 10-thousand dollars for a strategic investment program.

The museum is a new fine arts facility dedicated to providing new art and education opportunities to rural Kansas, will expand and install permanent storage to ensure proper protection and preservation of its permanent art collection and attract visiting exhibitions.

The next deadline to apply for the Strategic Investment or Arts Integration programs is April 11. To learn more about KCAIC programs, please visit KansasCommerce.com/CAICPrograms.

Saying it would be easier to eliminate all doubt instead of trying to police them, Reno County Commissioners gave approval to ban all e-cigarettes from all county buildings and vehicles during their meeting Tuesday.

E-cigarettes are becoming more and more popular, but things people are putting in them which can be illegal are also increasing. So, the county took a proactive approach and banned them all together. The commission felt is would take to much time and effort to police each individual person who uses the electronic cigarettes.

The county also approved the new cell tower for the Next Tel Wireless company which will be located west of Cheney Lake.

They also approved a franchise agreement with Cox Communications for the right of way easements for rural cable television service.

A 28-year-old Hutchinson man who was charged with selling drugs twice to confidential informants back in July of last year is now charged with racketeering which carries a maximum sentence of 493-months or roughly 41-years in prison.

Deputy District Attorney Tom Stanton had warned that the new charge against Matthew Gullick would be coming. The drug cases had already gone through a preliminary hearing and was before Judge Tim Chambers for a possible trial, but now the case goes back to Judge Joe McCarville for a whole new preliminary hearing.

The racketeering charge is now the main charge filed in the case, however is an alternate count to the previous charges filed. That means he can only be sentenced on the racketeering or the other charges.

The new charge includes the sale of methamphetamine on two occasions, July 24 and July 31, of last year, no tax stamp, two counts of making false information and two counts of possession of stolen property. Those crimes allegedly occurring on November 13, 2013.

The new complaint also combines the other charges all in one complaint.

In both cases involving the sale of meth, law enforcement used informants to make the buys. In the first case, he allegedly sold less then a half a gram to the officer, and the second time, it was just over 2 grams.

The other charges in the new complaint also includes no tax stamp, two counts of making false information concerning two pawn tickets and the two counts of possession of stolen property.

Gullick appeared via-video from the Reno County Jail Wednesday morning where he was read the new complaint and possible penalties. Gullick wanted to know if the bond was still at 150-thousand with the new charge and he was informed that it didn’t change.

The case now moves back to a waiver-status docket in front of Judge McCarville on April 30.

Lisa Metz has joined Fee Insurance Group, and will work as an Agency Services Assistant out of the Hutchinson office. Fee Insurance Group has offices in Hutchinson, Salina, McPherson and Wichita.

A Hutchinson resident, Metz handled marketing and claims estimating in the Disaster Restoration field prior to joining Fee Insurance. She obtained her Insurance License in March.

Four generations of the Fee family have been involved with the agency since its founding 130 years ago.

A 20-year-old Hutchinson who was arrested back on April 4, for two counts of electronic solicitation will face additional charges.

Matthew O’Keefe was scheduled for a status hearing and the reading of formal charges, but Magistrate Judge Randy McEwen had not yet received the complaint even though the state has filed it. So he rescheduled the appearance for Friday and the complaint apparently involves three additional charges, although Assistant District Attorney Andrew Davidson didn’t specify what those charges will be. We were told that at least one of the charges is attempted aggravated indecent liberties.

O’Keefe is alleged to have made contact online with a 13-year-old girl back in March and solicited a sexual encounter.

Hutchinson Police Detective Scott Carlton says he then made contact with O’Keefe on Facebook as a 15-year-old girl and began chatting with him and they decided to meet last Friday at Rice Park, on the city’s west side. O’Keefe showed up thinking he was going to meet the 15-year-old girl, but met police instead.

His initial contact was with a 13-year-old, so that count could fall under Jessica’s Law, meaning he could be looking at a life sentence with no chance of parole for 25-years, if convicted.

Again, he’s expected to now make an appearance for the formal reading of charges on Friday.

Slightly cooler weather will return to the region Thursday behind a weak cold front. A few showers and thunderstorms will be possible late in the day over northwest Kansas, spreading across northern Kansas overnight. Isolated showers and thunderstorms are possible over Missouri and far southeast Kansas Friday morning. Warmer and breezy conditions will prevail Saturday, with shower and thunderstorm chances increasing late in the day through overnight. Precipitation chances will continue to increase for Sunday and Sunday night, with a strong cold front triggering widespread showers and thunderstorms across the region, and ushering much colder air south. This may result in light wintry precipitation over generally the northwest half of Kansas Sunday and Sunday night.

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Here Is Your 7-Day Forecast For Hutchinson And South Central Kansas

Today… Sunny…breezy…warmer. Highs 80 to 85. Southwest winds 15 to 25 mph. Gusts up to 30 mph in the afternoon.

Tonight… Mostly clear. Warmer. Lows near 50. South winds 10 to 20 mph. Gusts up to 25 mph in the evening.

Thursday… Mostly sunny. Breezy. Highs 70 to 75. Northeast winds 15 to 25 mph.

Thursday Night… Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 40s. East winds 5 to 10 mph.

Friday… Sunny. Highs in the mid 70s. Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph.

Friday Night… Partly cloudy. Lows 50 to 55.

Saturday… Partly sunny. Highs 75 to 80.

Saturday Night… Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of thunderstorms. Lows in the mid 50s.

Sunday… Windy…cooler. Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and isolated thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 60s. Chance of rain 50 percent.

Sunday Night… Breezy. Much colder. Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of rain or snow. Lows in the mid 30s.

Monday… Cooler. Mostly sunny. Highs near 50.

A 25-year-old Turon man jailed back on April 2, after an domestic altercation with a woman in that city was back in court Wednesday morning for the reading of charges that now includes a more serious charge.

Tyler Truhlar is now charged with attempted 2nd degree murder or in the alternative aggravated battery and a final count of aggravated burglary. The attempted murder charge is a level three person felony with a sentencing range of 55 to 247-months in prison.

As we have been telling you, the alleged victim said she had told Truhlar that she didn’t want him to come over, but he kicked in her front door where they began arguing and he then allegedly punched her several times, striking her on the left side of her face. He also allegedly struck her in the nose. He then allegedly started choking her and the victim says she hit him to get away. She says she ran outside to call 911 and he followed her and started calling her names and threatening to kill her, saying he didn’t care if he was going to jail. She says at some point, he kicked her in the ribs, pulled her hair and slammed the left side of her head into the pavement several times.

In court, he questioned the attempted murder charge saying that wasn’t what he was arrested on, but Magistrate Judge Randy McEwen told him that those charges at the time of the arrest are only possible charges and that the state decides what formal charges will be filed.

Truhlar is currently free on a 6-thousand, 750 dollar bond and with the formal charges filed, his case will move to a waiver-status docket in front Judge McEwen on May 6.

Thursday, Horizons Mental Health Center will participate in National Alcohol Screening Day which is an educational program provided through the national nonprofit, Screening for Mental Health. The initiative raises awareness about alcohol misuse and helps individuals with alcohol problems find opportunities for assessment and treatment. Thousands of community-based organizations, colleges, and military installations provide the program to the public each year.

To help direct members of the community to appropriate care, Horizons Mental Health Center is providing online screenings at http://www.mentalhealthscreening.org/screening/HORIZONSMHCENTER.

The screening is free and anonymous, and provides a comfortable and private way for individuals to assess their drinking habits. While the screening is not diagnostic, it will indicate existing symptoms and if further assessment by a clinician is advisable.

Alcohol abuse can often occur with other behavioral health issues and can exacerbate the symptoms of illnesses such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Alcohol is often used to “medicate” these disorders but, being a depressant itself, it can make the problem worse.

The end of early bird registration for the 5th Annual Sand Plum Bicycle Classic scheduled for Sunday, May 4, is coming soon. That end date is April 24.

The Sand Plum is a 13-mile, 28-mile, 53-mile, and a 5-mile family ride through Reno County.

Those getting involved need to come to the Oz Building breezeway on the state fairgrounds wearing a helmet and have a bottle of water for the road. They’ll start the ride at 8:00 a-m, and have stops along the way where those involved can rest and recharge. Officials say this is not a race, but a fun ride for all to enjoy, so you can ride at your leisure.

Registration is 25-dollars and includes a ride t-shirt, but are not guaranteed after April 24. Children under age 14 can participate in the ride for no charge, but will need a signed waiver.

All funds earned from the Sand Plum Bicycle Classic will go to the Friends of the Trail Fund at the Hutchinson Community Foundation. All money will be used for enhancements and amenities for the trails.

Two Hutchinson residents well known to law enforcement were jailed back on April 2, after a drug related search was done on the home have been formally charged.

24-year-old Holly Caudillo and 27-year-old Raymond Kimball are both charged with possession of cocaine with intent to sell, possession of marijuana with a prior conviction, possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to package and no drug tax stamp.

Drug Unit Detectives say they found a white rocky substance, green leafy vegetation, a digital scale and new and used packaging inside the home. The white rocky substance tested positive for cocaine and weighed about 25-grams. The green leafy substance field tested for marijuana and weighed about 4.3 grams.

Both appeared for court via-video from the Reno County Jail where they were told of the formal charges. Bond for Kimball was set at 14-thousand dollars while Caudillo’s is at 100-hundred thousand dollars, but most of that is for other cases.

She has previous convictions including criminal discharge of a firearm and criminal damage to property. She was involved in a drive-by shooting case with Jason Gleason in 2012.

Kimball served time in prison for possession of drugs and aggravated battery. He has been in and out of prison with the latest release coming back on December 5, of last year.

MATTHEWS, N.C. (AP) — Family Dollar says it will be cutting jobs and closing about 370 underperforming stores as it looks for ways to improve its financial performance. It says it will also cut prices on about 1,000 basic items.

The company’s stock fell more than 3 percent in Thursday premarket trading.

In Kansas, the company has stores in Hutchinson, Dodge City, Great Bend, Salina, Wichita, Lawrence and Topeka.

The announcement came as Family Dollar reported its profit and revenue declined in the second quarter as it dealt with bad winter weather.

The discounter said the store closings and job cuts should lower annual operating expenses by $40 million to $45 million, starting with the fiscal third quarter. Family Dollar Stores Inc. currently has more than 8,100 stores in 46 states.

The Matthews, N.C., company says it will also slow new store openings beginning in fiscal 2015 to bolster its return on investment.

The Reno County Health Department will have a series of spring vaccination clinics at Hutchinson USD-308 elementary schools in April and May. The clinics are designed to help sixth graders be up-do-date on mandated shots they will need to enter seventh grade in August.

Parents who have filled out the paperwork and have signed it granting the Health Department their permission will not have to be present for their sixth grader to get the vaccinations and that proper paper work is available on the USD-308 web site. The dates are…..

April 16: Faris, 9:30-11:00
April 16: Wiley, 1:30-3:00
April 23: Hutchinson Magnet School at Allen, 1:00-2:30
April 25: Graber, 2:00-4:00
April 30: Avenue A, 1:30-3:00
May 7: Morgan, 2:00-4:00
May 13: McCandless, 2:00-3:30

If you would like more information you can contact the Reno County Health Department at 694-2900 or the elementary school your child attends.