The National Weather Service in Wichita has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for 

Northwestern McPherson County in central Kansas...

  Eastern Ellsworth County in central Kansas...

  Southwestern Saline County in central Kansas...

* At 443 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 5 miles west of

  Brookville, or 12 miles east of Kanopolis, moving southeast at 25

  HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

  IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage

  Lindsborg, Marquette, Brookville, Smolan, Falun, Kanopolis Lake and

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

NW McPherson Co. part of Severe T-Storm Warning until 5:30 p.m.

Hutchinson and Reno County celebrated 150 years during Third Thursday in August. In honor of this celebration, we will release one decade each afternoon from The Decades, which were originally featured from September to November of 2021.

As we celebrate the 150th birthday of Hutchinson and Reno County, we want to go through the years, decade by decade, to see how things have changed and — remarkably — how they have stayed the same. This would not be possible without the efforts of Steve Harmon, the Reno County Museum, and the Hutchinson Public Library, who have made a great effort to supply us with the information and photos that you’ll see in this 15-part series. We hope you enjoy it.

As we move closer to the end of your journey through The Decades, many exciting things are happening in Hutchinson. The city became home to one of the premier sporting complexes, which many would soon copy. It also saw the beginning of a major expansion of a humble museum that would make it one of the premier collections of space artifacts in the country. It was the end of the line for one of Hutchinson's first railroads. And it was the end of an era for the family-owned Dillons stores. It also included visits from many popular celebrities, including the “greatest of all time.”

1980:&nbsp;One of the longer-running small-town newspapers ceased publication as the Nickerson Argosy closes after 103 years.

Collins Bus fire destroys facility at old naval base.

Collins Bus Co. Fire - Old Navy Base - 4-22-1980. Photo courtesy of Steve Harmon.

The Buhler School district expands its footprint in the Hutchinson area as Prairie Hills Middle School opens.

Fun Valley opens with ball diamonds, water slide park and fishing lake along with offices.

Fun Valley Water Slide - 4th &amp; Mohawk Rd. Photo courtesy of Steve Harmon.

The Hutchinson Mental Health Center opens its doors for service.

One of the more bizarre crimes in Reno County occurred when a 15-year-old robbed the bank in Arlington.

The Cosmosphere and Discovery Center opens and begins a long run of major improvements that make the museum what it is today.

Kansas Cosmosphere &amp; Discovery Center - 11th &amp; Plum - c. 1980. Photo courtesy of Steve Harmon.

Finally ridding the downtown of parking meters, the city of Hutchinson decides to sell off the 2,100 meters. The meters are gone in less than one day.

One of the first railroads that came through Reno County ended after a long and difficult history as Rock Island ceased operations in 1980. The portion of the railroad that traveled through Reno County was taken over by the Southern Pacific, which eventually merged with the Union Pacific.

One of the staples of the downtown shopping area closed as Wards ended business operations.

The Frisco Railroad is absorbed by the Burlington Northern. Shortly after, the BN abandoned the line running from Wichita to Great Bend, ending rail service to Buhler and Medora.

1981:&nbsp;One of the enduring programs that brings special speakers to Hutchinson, the Dillon Lecture Series began at Hutchinson Community College.

Air ambulance service comes to Hutchinson Hospital.

Not as big as the one most recently completed, the Hutchinson Sports Arena gets a $1.8 million facelift.

A rail car explodes, sending toxic fumes through the south part of the city. Schools are closed and parts of the city are evacuated. The trestle over the Arkansas River near Carey Park burns.

In an effort to keep drunk drivers off the road, the Reno County Sheriff's Department buys a breathalyzer.&nbsp;

One of the many accomplishments of the Hutch High band and Salt Shakers happened in 1981 when they marched at the inaugural parade for President Ronald Regan.

&nbsp;1982:&nbsp;Better technology comes to Hutchinson Hospital as a new CAT scan machine is installed.

Unemployment rate is higher that it was during the 2020 pandemic as the jobless rate hits 8.5%.

Iris Drive-In - 4th &amp; Obee Rd. c.1968 (opened 7-2-1948 closed 1982). Photo courtesy of Steve Harmon.

A rash of arson fires hits Hutchinson with 30 homes burned.

The population of Reno County hits 65,000. Today's population, according to the 2020 census, is 61,000.

The first woman patrol deputy is hired by the Reno County Sheriff’s Department

One of the great Christmas traditions started in Hutchinson in 1982 as the first Hyde Park Luminaries was held. Today about 40,000 luminaries are lit on the last Saturday before Christmas.

1983:&nbsp;Unemployment is still a problem as it hits a record 10.6%.

The end of an era in grocery shopping in Hutchinson and Kansas as Dillons is purchased by Kroger.&nbsp;

Newly-remodeled Liberty and Sherman junior high schools open. Today they are HMS 7 and 8.

Sherman School - Hutchinson Middle School 7 - 210 E. Ave A - 10-26-2017 (Built 1983). Photo courtesy of Steve Harmon.

The city buys most of the Fun Valley Sports Complex. The facility is run by both the city and Hutch Rec.&nbsp;

Fun Valley Softball Complex - founded in 1980.

A record 11.5 million bushels of wheat is harvested in Reno County.

The Bob Johnson Youth Center is opened and is part of the county.

The county commission rids itself of the Broadacres County Home as it is sold off to a private company.

&nbsp;1984:&nbsp;Holiday Inn Holidome opens as new kind of motel and convention center.

Holiday Inn &amp; Holidome - 1400 N. Lorraine - (New) June 1984. Photo courtesy of Steve Harmon.

One of the more horrific and high-profile crimes in Reno County occurred in 1984 when Arnold Ruebke Jr. was arrested and convicted in the shotgun slayings of 2-year-old twins Andrew and James Vogelsang and their babysitter Tammy Mooney in Arlington. Ruebke died in prison in March of 2021.

It was a part of Hutchison for 26 years, but in 1984, the Kansas Wheat Commission moved its headquarters from Hutchinson to Manhattan.

A major ice storm hits the area, more than 12,00 homes are without power.

The Nickerson mayor is ousted after a recall vote.

Salt Shakers dance in London and win international award for their performance.

The city takes over the Hutchinson Zoo after a long and controversial process between the city and the Hutchinson Zoological Society.

Hutchinson Zoo. Photo by Rod Zook.

The Court Appointed Services Advocate (CASA) begins service in Reno County

1985:&nbsp;Members of the Peel family are taken hostage after TWA flight 847 is hijacked and flown to Algiers and Beirut. Eventually all of the passengers are released during a two-week period.

Peel's Friendly Beauty Supply - Newsweek - Terror on Flight 847- 6-24-1985 (Bob Jr. spent 17 days hostage). Photo courtesy of Steve Harmon.

The Hutchinson Mall opens to much fanfare. The battle begins to keep shoppers downtown. Eventually the mall’s appeal begins to decline and now only a few spaces remain open. RockStep capital has been able to revive some of the open spaces in the past three years.

A major staple of the city for so many years, Wiley's closes for good.

Wiley Bldg. - N.E. Cor. 1st &amp; Main - c.1950. Photo courtesy of Steve Harmon.

A major hail storm rolls through the area causing more than $35 million in damage. With the large number of claims, insurance adjusters set up a mobile facility at the fairgrounds.

Muhammad Ali visits Hutchinson and stops to talk to students at Sherman Middle School.

Muhammad Ali visiting Sherman Middle School - April 1985. Photo courtesy of Steve Harmon.

One way to try to curb crime was established in 1985 as Reno County Crime Stoppers started.

More help for both fighting crime and calling for help began in 1985 with Reno County 911 starting operations.

One of the crown jewels of Hutchinson, the Hutchinson Fox Theatre, closes. Eventually the theatre reopens after a major renovation and is entertaining folks again today.

Fox Theatre - 18 E. 1st - June 31st at Opening - 1931. Photo courtesy of Steve Harmon.

1986:&nbsp;After moving to Haven, the Reno County Museum moved back to Hutchinson.

Following the takeover the year before, the city of Hutchinson opened the Hutchinson Zoo.

The Nickerson USD 309 school district finds a new home office as it purchases the offices complex at Fun Valley.

A nurse is fined for refusing to treat an AIDS patient.

The Hutchinson Public Library gets a new piece of technology as it acquires a computer-driven card catalog system as part of an overall renovation of the library.

1987:&nbsp;The Quest Center opens and becomes an incubator for small businesses in Hutchinson.

Bob Hope performs at the Kansas State Fair.

Kansas State Fair Entertainers - Bob Hope - 1987 (also 1977) (From Kenny Lehman - State Fair driver). Photo courtesy of Steve Harmon.

A Nickerson man is shot by a sniper on the steps of the Reno County Courthouse after he threatens to blow up the courthouse. Explosives are found on his body.

In the early years of Hutchinson, there were repeated efforts to open saloons and bars that were defeated. In 1987, liquor by the drink was established after a vote of the public the year before.

County officials dedicate a new bridge on West 4th Avenue over Cow Creek.

The post office in the small town of Medora closed.

The Kansas Lottery begins operations with 70 local retailers selling lottery tickets.

The Kansas State Fair celebrates its 75th year.

1988:&nbsp;Pan Am flight 103 is blown up by terrorists over Lockerbie, Scotland, killing 259 on board including Hutchinson resident David Ludlow, who was serving overseas and on his way home for his sister's funeral.

One of the premier cancer care centers in Kansas opened in 1987 with the Cancer Treatment Center opening in Hutchinson.

150 Years: Looking back through The Decades - 1980s


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — Amy and Ava Jones returned home late Thursday night. 

Amy and Ava, along with Trey and Creek Jones, were the victims of an accident in Louisville, Kentucky where they were struck by a car driven by&nbsp;33-year-old Michael Hurley of Lexington, Ind. The Jones family were pedestrians.

Trey Jones died from his injuries in the accident. Ava Jones and her family were in Louisville for an AAU basketball tournament with Wheat State Elite. 

Jones had signed with the University of Iowa basketball program and the Hawkeyes say she will keep her scholarship whether she is ever able to play for them or not.

Hurley's case went before a grand jury earlier this month, but we do not have details on when the next steps in the court case may be.

Amy and Ava Jones are home

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A new trial date has been set for a Wichita man who is charged with abducting a woman in Wichita and then trying to kill her at Cheney State Park and wounding a child. 

Kamden Campos trial date is December 6. Campos is facing 12 counts including six counts of attempted first degree murder one count of kidnapping, three counts of aggravated battery and two counts of criminal threat.

The six counts of attempted murder and the single kidnapping count carry sentences of up to 55 years in prison if Campos is convicted. 

Campos was arrested after allegedly abducting a woman and her family in Wichita. They drove out to Cheney Lake. When the woman tried to escape in a vehicle, Campos allegedly shot at the vehicle hitting a 2-year-old girl. 

The woman drove into Sedgwick County where she called 911. The child survived.

Campos trial now set for December

HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
The mile long block party Thursday to celebrate Hutchinson's sesquicentennial was a rousing success.

"Early estimates, if I were to guess, we had between five to seven thousand people," said Debra Teufel with the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce. "I walked that mile stretch of that mile long block party multiple times. I put about six miles on my feet last night. My radar says we had five to seven thousand people."

Lacie Janzen with the chamber said it was great not only for families, but for downtown businesses.

"I have seen on social media today, and just in conversations, there were people in every business that was open last night," Janzen said. "Every seat in booths were filled. People were buying things. People were just out looking that maybe hadn't gone downtown in quite awhile to see the great things that we have going on. I would say it was a win all around. I haven't heard anything negative."

Teufel said the hope is that this isn't a one time thing.

"I've heard many comments that we need to bring an event like this back," Teufel said. "Maybe it's going to be an annual birthday celebration in August."

The Chamber, Hutch Rec, the City of Hutchinson and the Reno County Museum all collaborated along with the individual block party captains on the event.

High-res images are available <a href="https://nickhemphill.com/?fbclid=IwAR1bT_6t0ShCHD776zq7bnsXw3zc_zbK29Athn2DrVs4zhiRc665alStvmo">here</a>...

150th event with great attendance Thursday

HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
Kansas U.S. Senator Jerry Moran and NASA Administrator Bill Nelson toured Cosmosphere Friday morning.

"You could see a number of the exhibits were emotional for him," Moran said. "Particularly words of other astronauts. This clearly was a very personal visit. It's nice to have the administrator of NASA feel this place. What I always hope is that the Cosmosphere provides inspiration. Today, I saw where it provides respect for those who preceded us in space exploration."

One part that appeared to touch the administrator, judging by his reaction, is the fact that both the Soviet and American sides of the space race are prominently featured. Nelson appeared to have interest in letting newly appointed Roscosmos chief Yuri Borisov see what the Cosmosphere offers, if relations can eventually improve.

"What I thought walking through here is, he would never have a clue," Nelson said. "If we can get over the Ukraine thing, which, eventually, I think Ukraine will prevail, and we're back at some semblance of lessened tensions between our two countries. If I brought him here, he'd be amazed that in America, you would show this program, the Soviet program."

Cosmosphere CEO Jim Remar knows that the story of space is far from finished, and he wants to find places for more of that to be told here in Hutchinson.

"We're getting close to being fairly landlocked, running out of square footage," Remar said. "We're starting to carefully look at potentially doing some expansions, that would allow us to expand our education programming, but more importantly, allow us to increase exhibit space, to showcase the present and future of space exploration."

Nelson and Moran were part of a breakfast hosted by the Hutchinson Chamber prior to their Friday morning tour.

NASA Administrator wowed by Cosmosphere Friday

By MIKE COURSON Great Bend Post

For more than a decade, the Great Bend Farm, Ranch &amp; Hemp Expo called Great Bend its home. Now called the Kansas Ag Expo, one of the Midwest's premiere agricultural and ranching shows moves to the Kansas State Fairgrounds in Hutchinson for 2023.

"Everything was good at Great Bend and has been good," said Star Expos President Chance Koetter. "We were just having a discussion, and the Kansas State Fairgrounds came up in a couple of different conversations with different vendors. We went and took a look and we thought, what better venue than the Kansas State Fairgrounds to promote Kansas agriculture and also have a great venue for the opportunity for another ag show."

The Kansas Ag Expo is shaping up to be one of the largest farm shows in the United States, with exhibitors from 27 states, Canada, Australia, and England. The expo will be centered around the Prairie Pavillion on the south side of the fairgrounds.

"It's roughly 92,000 square feet, concrete floors," Koetter said. "It's going to be really fun once we get that set up all under one roof for the indoor stuff. The rest of the bigger booths, like the tractors and combines and bigger equipment, will be outside, along with some other cattle equipment and various items as well."

The 2023 expo is scheduled for Thursday, March 30 through Saturday, April 1 in Hutchinson.

Kansas Ag Expo ready to transition from Great Bend to Hutchinson

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The temporary traffic signal that was installed at 30th and Lucille is being removed.&nbsp;

Hutchinson Public Works says the traffic light, which was put in place to aid traffic flow during the construction of the 43rd Avenue bridge over the Union Pacific Railroad, will be taken out of commission Monday.&nbsp;

On Monday at 8:30 a.m., new stop signs will be installed on Lucille and the temporary traffic signal at 30th and Lucille will be placed on flash, yellow flashing for 30th and red flashing for Lucille. The traffic signal will stay on flash until Aug. 30, at which time it will be removed.

Public Works says a recent traffic signal analysis of the intersection showed that the temporary traffic signal is no longer needed.

For more information, call Public Works Street/Traffic at 620-694-1900.

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.

Hutchinson Public Works to remove traffic signal at 30th and Lucille

Hutchinson and Reno County will celebrate 150 years during Third Thursday today. In honor of this celebration, we will release one decade each afternoon from The Decades, which were originally featured from September to November of 2021.

As we reached the 100th year of Hutchinson, many things had changed. Airline service came and went from the area once again, two hospitals combined into one entity, and several of the once-proud drive-ins closed. It was also the start of what would become one of the great museums in the nation. All that and Evel Knievel, too, as we look&nbsp; back at the 1970s on this edition of The Decades.

1970:&nbsp;Residents in what becomes known as the King's Garden addition object to the city’s annexation of the land around Trinity High School.

Big Bird, Bert, Ernie and the rest of Sesame Street hit the airwaves as KPTS public television begins operation.

Air Midwest begins offering six flights out of Hutchinson.

Many know about it but few talk about it — the Medora nudist colony boasts having 90 members.

St. Elizabeth's Hospital and Grace Hospital merge to become the Hutchinson Hospital Corporation.

Twenty-three acres of land that was once Riversbanks Orchards and then the Dillon Recreation Center is deeded over to Hutch Rec for the Dillon Nature Center.

Dillon Nature Center - Dillon Park - Upper Lake - 1972. Photo courtesy of Steve Harmon.

Amtrak Begins passenger service in Hutchinson with The Southwest Limited.

Heavy snowfall hits the area, bringing schools and businesses to a standstill.

1971:&nbsp;Hutchinson celebrates its 100 birthday. The city of Hutchinson was founded in 1871 when frontiersman Clinton "C.C." Hutchinson contracted with the&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atchison,_Topeka_and_Santa_Fe_Railway">Santa Fe Railway</a>&nbsp;to make a town at the railroad's crossing over the&nbsp;<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arkansas_River">Arkansas River</a>. The town actually sprang up about one-half mile north on the banks of Cow Creek where a few houses already existed.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Daredevil Evel Knievel jumps 10 semis while performing at the Kansas State Fair.

Evel Knievel (Jumping 10 Kenworths) - Kansas State Fair Grandstand 9-25-1971. Photo courtesy of Steve Harmon.

The South Hutchinson High Rise Apartments open to serve low-income residents.

Another blizzard hits the area, shutting down schools, highways and businesses for days.

U.S. 50 is realigned around Hutchinson all the way to Sylvia. 4th Avenue used to be a part of Highway 50.

Wesley Towers opens for service to senior residents.

Wesley Towers Construction - 1969. Photo courtesy of Steve Harmon.

Collins Industries (Collins Bus Corp.) - 1st mfg. plant at old Naval Air Station (H.A.B.I.T.) - Yoder - c. 1975. Photo courtesy of Steve Harmon.

Two people are killed when a morning fire sweeps through Wiley’s Home Furnishings.

The new Law Enforcement Center opened just west of the courthouse.

Still popular today, the first Buhler Fall Frolic was held.

Gus Leonida, who became known for his selling of war bonds during WWII, dies.

Constantine "Gus" Leonida in his World War I Navy uniform. Leonida was a Hutchinson restaurateur {Leonida's Hollywood Grill in downtown Hutchinson} and became famous for selling more war bonds than any other individual during World War II.

1972:&nbsp;Dallas Crable becomes the first black member of the Hutchinson City Commission.

Football and basketball coaches are fired from Nickerson High School. Students protest to no avail.

Reno County Health Department is established.

Fire destroys the Bella Vista mobile home factory at HABIT. The county and HABIT argue about responsibility for protection.

Clowntown Kiddieland - 1970 - Roller coaster with Owner Wanasek. Photo courtesy of Steve Harmon.

Partridge High School closes; students bused to Haven.

Ten members of the Home Builders Association of Hutchinson attend the national conference in Houston.

Ray Rose, former leader of Dillons stores and Hutchinson resident, becomes president of King Soopers. Both are now owned by Kroger.

Jim Fountain begins 20-year run as Reno County sheriff.

Ayr-Vu Drive-In - N. W. Cor. 30th &amp; Plum (opening day July 1949 - Aerial). Photo courtesy of Steve Harmon.

Pegues expands by 40 thousand square feet downtown.

1973:&nbsp;Cable television comes to Hutchinson.

John Dunn of Hutchinson is one of the first POWs in Vietnam to return home upon signing of the cease fire during the Vietnam War.

Major flooding hits areas along Cow Creek with water hanging around for two weeks.

A giant motorcycle rally is held in Hutchinson with more than 9,000 motorcycles and more than 10,000 spectators.

Carey Salt Evaporation Plant - 1800 E. Carey Blvd. - c. 1970 (taken from atop Kelly Mill Elevator) (Razed 2008). Photo courtesy of Steve Harmon.

USD 308 superintendent resigns after an investigation into taking kickbacks from a dairy company providing milk for the school district. Charges are eventually brought.

Bob Bottomley Motors opens along K-61 Highway and becomes one of the first businesses to open east of K-61 in what would eventually become a large business area between 11th and 17th avenues.

Bob Bottomley Olds-Cadillac-Datsun - 1400 E. 11th - 1975 (new in 1973)(Conklins in 1982). Photo courtesy of Steve Harmon.

One of the worst ice storms in 20 years hits the area, shutting down power to the city.

Construction begins on the Hutchinson Zoo, now a part of the city parks department.

Mennonite Friendship Communities begins service in South Hutchinson.

A popular hangout and turnaround while dragging Main in Hutchinson, Sandy’s Drive-In closes and eventually becomes Hardee’s.

1974:&nbsp;Friendship Meals begins service to those in need.

Hutchinson High School wins the boys state basketball championship. They did it again in 1975.

1974 HHS State Champions. Photo courtesy of USD 308.

Touch-tone phones replace dial-up telephones.

The streaking fad comes to Hutchinson when three HutchCC students streak down Plum Street.

Hutchinson Nationals Fairgrounds Jalopy Races c. 1970. Photo courtesy of Steve Harmon.

An ammonia pipeline ruptures, forcing the evacuation of Willowbrook.

A giant sinkhole formed near Cargill Salt Plant.

Emancipation Day Parade comes back again after 23 years.

Buhler PRIDE Committee formed to find better recreational opportunities for residents. Their efforts are still a part of the city today with Wheatland Park.

1975:&nbsp;Women first elected to the Buhler City Council.

A new hospital is built combining both Grace Hospital and St. Elizabeth's Hospital into one 200-bed facility at 23rd and Waldron.

Hutchinson USD 308 is embroiled in controversy with NAACP charges of discrimination and fraud. The district has troubled negotiations with the teachers union and the district suffers low test scores.

Detroiter Mobile Homes - Mfg. Plant - 400 S. Halstead St. &amp; Ave G - c. 1970. Photo courtesy of Steve Harmon.

1976:&nbsp;Hutch High girls win the state basketball championship.

The new viaduct opens over the Santa Fe railroad yard on Airport Road.

Reno County Council on Aging begins bus service for the disabled and elderly. Today it is known as RCAT and is full-service to all.

In an effort to better aid in rescue from a car accident, Reno County purchases its first jaws of life apparatus.

1977:&nbsp;The gas shortage of 2021 wasn’t the first of its kind as schools closed in 1977 due to a shortage of natural gas supplies.

The city of Nickerson contracts with the Reno County Sheriff’s Department to police the city. The city eventually returned to having its own force, only to abolish it again.

Calhoun's Dept. Store - Northgate Center - 519 E. 30th - c. 1970. Photo courtesy of Steve Harmon.

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