HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson Fire Marshal Mike Cain reminds us during Fire Prevention Week, it's important to make sure you have enough smoke detectors and that they work.

"We recommend smoke alarms on every level of the house," Cain said. "If you have a basement, one in the basement, the first floor, second floor if you have it, and those should be in the hallway outside of the sleeping areas. And then we really recommend one in each bedroom, but we know that that's not always feasible, so at least one outside in the hallway outside of the bedrooms."

It's important to check them periodically, as well.

&nbsp;"Once you put them up, you have to test them once a month," Cain said. "It's simple, you walk by, there's a button right on the face of it, you push that button, it beeps at you, you know it's still working."

Smoke alarms are only good for 10 years, because the chemical inside them that senses the smoke only has a 10 year half-life.

"All of those alarms now are dated," Cain said. "They have a date stamped on them. If you're looking at your alarm and you don't see a date, it's well over 10 years old now and should be replaced."

If you need new alarms, you can call the fire department to see if they have any left through funding they receive from the American Red Cross. The number is (620) 694-2871.

Have smoke alarms and make sure they work

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson Public Schools has announced their Kansas Teacher of the Year candidates, Melissa Swaim and Tara Urban.

The Kansas Teacher of the Year program honors exceptional educators across the state, recognizing their dedication and impact on students and communities. Established to highlight the importance of teaching, the program seeks to promote quality education and inspire excellence among educators. Nominations are open to teachers across various grade levels and subjects, emphasizing the diversity of talent in Kansas classrooms. Selected teachers participate in a rigorous selection process, culminating in the announcement of the Kansas Teacher of the Year. This prestigious recognition not only celebrates individual achievements but also advocates for the profession as a whole, showcasing the invaluable contributions of teachers in shaping the future.

From Substitute to Teacher Inspiring Lifelong Learning

Melissa Swaim, Mathematics teacher at Hutchinson High School, began her teaching career as a substitute teacher, but quickly discovered her passion for making a difference in students' lives. After spending 13 years teaching high school math in Derby, she has spent the last nine years at Hutchinson High, where she is dedicated to engaging her students and demonstrating the real-life applications of math. With a commitment to innovation in her teaching methods, she remains enthusiastic about finding new ways to inspire and empower the next generation of learners.

You can find Mrs. Swaim on the second story of C Hall, where students are encouraged to find any dry-erasable surface, even windows, for collaborative problem-solving. “I encourage students to take on teaching roles by allowing them to explain concepts to their peers. This not only reinforces their own understanding but also builds confidence and communication skills,” she says.Mrs. Swaim stays motivated in her role through professional development- attending workshops and collaborating with peers. “Seeking out mentorships has broadened my perspective and helped me stay current with educational trends. This commitment to growth has not only enhanced my teaching but also inspired my students to embrace a lifelong love of learning.”

She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education- Mathematics and a Master’s Degree in Curriculum &amp; Instruction of Education- both from Wichita State.

Special Education Teacher Finds Joy in Every Moment

Tara Urban, Pre-K and K-2 Communication &amp; Social Skills Teacher at Allen STEM Magnet School, builds relationships in and out of the classroom. &nbsp;As a special education teacher, her daily interactions with students who possess diverse learning styles reinforce her beliefs that every child deserves an educational environment tailored to their individual needs. Upon transitioning to the Communication and Social Skills (CSS) classroom, she recognized the critical importance of effective communication with her students. “To promote inclusivity within the classroom, I took the initiative to teach myself sign language and developed communication boards for my staff, ensuring that everyone could engage meaningfully with the students. This approach not only enhanced communication but also fostered a more inclusive atmosphere, allowing each child to thrive in a supportive learning environment,” Urban says.

Mrs. Urban’s passion for education was sparked through volunteer opportunities in her daughter’s classroom. Motivated by the prompting of the principal and encouragement of other teachers, she returned to the classroom as a student to pursue a Master’s in Childhood Education Endorsement &amp; English for Speaker of Other Languages Endorsement. Urban also holds a Bachelor’s in Sociology with a minor in Psychology. She has spent the last four years teaching Kindergarten and two years in a CSS (Communication &amp; Social Skills) classroom.Her advice for new teachers, “take it one step at a time. The first year can be overwhelming and challenging, but even the smallest moments with your students can be deeply rewarding and leave a lasting impression. Embrace those moments, as they will sustain your passion and motivation to keep moving forward.”

USD 308 announces KTOY candidates

WASHINGTON, D.C. —&nbsp; Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments for more than 72.5 million Americans will increase 2.5 percent in 2025, the Social Security Administration announced today.&nbsp; On average, Social Security retirement benefits will increase by about $50 per month starting in January.

Over the last decade the COLA increase has averaged about 2.6 percent.&nbsp; The COLA was 3.2 percent in 2024.

Nearly 68 million Social Security beneficiaries will see a 2.5 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) beginning in January 2025.  Increased payments to nearly 7.5 million people receiving SSI will begin on December 31, 2024. (Note: Some people receive both Social Security benefits and SSI).

“Social Security benefits and SSI payments will increase in 2025, helping tens of millions of people keep up with expenses even as inflation has started to cool,” said Martin O’Malley, Commissioner of Social Security.

Some other adjustments that take effect in January of each year are based on the increase in average wages.  Based on that increase, the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax (taxable maximum) is slated to increase to $176,100 from $168,600.

Social Security begins notifying people about their new benefit amount by mail starting in early December.

This year, for the first time, Social Security beneficiaries will receive a newly designed and improved COLA notice that makes it easier for customers to find the information they need most.&nbsp; The simplified COLA notice is now only one page, uses plain and personalized language, and provides exact dates and dollar amounts of a person’s new benefit amount and any deductions.

Individuals who have a personal&nbsp;my&nbsp;Social Security account can view their COLA notice online, which is secure, easy, and faster than receiving a letter in the mail. People can set up text or email alerts when there is a new message--such as their COLA notice--waiting for them in&nbsp;my&nbsp;Social Security.

People will need to have a personal&nbsp;my&nbsp;Social Security account by Nov. 20 to see their COLA notice online. To get started, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ssa.gov/myaccount" target="_blank">www.ssa.gov/myaccount</a>.

Information about Medicare changes for 2025 will be available at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.medicare.gov/" target="_blank">www.medicare.gov</a>. For Social Security beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare, the 2025 benefit amount will be available via&nbsp;my&nbsp;Social Security’s Message Center starting in late November.&nbsp; Those who have not opted to receive messages online will receive their COLA notice by mail in December.

The Social Security Act provides for how the COLA is calculated. The Social Security Act ties the annual COLA to the increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) as determined by the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics.

To read more, please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ssa.gov/cola" target="_blank">www.ssa.gov/cola</a>.

Social Security COLA announced

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A Hutchinson long-term care facility has agreed to be a plaintiff in a lawsuit against the federal government.

"CMS, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, imposed a staffing mandate via regulation on the nursing home industry, and it takes effect, I think, in 2026 is when it first starts," said Mark Mains, CEO of Wesley Towers in Hutchinson. "Anyway, the mandate is simply something we can't, as an industry or as individual facilities, we can't meet that."

This is increasing the staffing ratios that long-term care facilities currently work under.&nbsp;

"It involves a certain number of, we use the term hours per resident day, so anyway, it involves certain minimum ratios for those things," Mains said.&nbsp; "One of the hardest parts to meet is going to be the 24-7 requirement for an RN, and if we could find that many RNs, it'd be fabulous, but they're just not out there."&nbsp;

According to a release from&nbsp;LeadingAge Kansas, if fully implemented, the new regulation would mean that nursing homes across the U.S. will need an additional 27,000 full-time registered nurses (RNs) and 78,000 full-time nurse aides costing over $7 billion.

"We don't want to close any nursing home in the state or the country. If Pretty Prairie closes, the people that have loved ones there that live around Pretty Prairie now have to drive to Hutchinson or to Wichita or wherever the surviving facilities are, and that's just not fair," Mains said. "A lot of these facilities in rural settings are the primary employer in their county, so now not only do you have to drive maybe 40 miles to see your loved one, you may have to drive 40 miles to get a job, and besides all that, there just aren't the RNs available."

Wesley Towers and the Dooley Center in Atchison, KS are individual homes that have agreed to be plaintiffs in the suit.

Wesley Towers is plaintiff in suit against CMS

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson Community College will hold a Management Forum on Thursday, Oct. 24 at 6:30 p.m. inside the Justice Theatre of the Shears Technology Center on the HutchCC campus.

The forum is free to attend and open to the public.

The featured speakers for the event are Matt Althouse and Daren Dunn, both of EAGLE Media. Althouse is the General Manager, while Dunn is the Program Director and On-Air Personality on My 93-1.

Matt Althouse started his radio career at KJCK-FM in Junction City in 2003 as on-air talent and later, music director. In 2009 Matt joined Hull Broadcasting in Great Bend where he had the opportunity to be exposed to every facet of the business.

He was also Program Director for KBGL-FM from 2012 until 2021 when he accepted the position of General Manager for Eagle Communications in Great Bend. In his first year of station management, Matt and his sales team hit all but one of their monthly quotas. And in 2024 he accepted the General Manager position for EAGLE Media in Hutchinson.

Daren Dunn is a Hutchinson native and a proud graduate of Hutchinson Community College and the University of Kansas where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Journalism. Daren earned several Kansas Association of Broadcaster awards at the collegiate level for his work in radio and television. He has since been honored by the KAB at the professional level in 2021 (Best Sports Feature) for his Public Address work and again in 2022 (Best Morning Show). Daren was the first radio personality to win the Medium Market category for Best Morning Show. His morning show took second in 2023 and was honored again as the best show in the state in 2024. In his spare time, Daren is the public address voice of the Blue Dragons and joins radio voice Sean Boston on the road as a color analyst.

The two guests will share information about how they entered their careers, as well as answer questions about business management from the audience.

To learn more about the forum, contact Dan "Coach Nac" Naccarato at <a href="mailto:naccaratod@hutchcc.edu">naccaratod@hutchcc.edu</a>.&nbsp;

HutchCC to hold Management Forum on Oct. 24

MCPHERSON COUNTY —The McPherson County Courthouse, 117 N Maple Street in McPherson, was evacuated Thursday afternoon due to a threat by phone, according to a social media report from police.

A McPherson County District Court employee received a call at 2:42 p.m. that a bomb is set to go off in three minutes. Court house employees evacuated the building and McPherson Police Officers, McPherson County Sheriffs Deputies, and McPherson Fire Department, searched the area for anything suspicious. No items were found and the McPherson Police Officers were released by the McPherson County Sheriffs Office at 3:29 p.m.&nbsp;

MCPHERSON COUNTY —The McPherson County Courthouse,&nbsp;117 N Maple Street in McPherson,  was evacuated Thursday afternoon due to an ongoing threat by phone, according to a social media report from police.

 The roads around the courthouse were closed. Police asked the public to stay clear of the courthouse at this time.

McPherson Co. courthouse evacuated due to bomb threat Thursday

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Join StartUp Hutch for an evening of networking and collaboration at Entrepreneurship Connections on Oct. 15.

This month, they welcome&nbsp;Cody &amp; Becca Ruebke of XP League NW Wichita! They will talk about their experience as franchise owners—what it’s like to build a business within an existing model, the challenges they’ve overcome, and the rewarding experience of growing an esports community in Central Kansas.

The event is free, but StartUp Hutch is offering a <a href="https://www.startuphutch.com/event-details/october-2024-entrepreneur-connections">free drink ticket</a> to those who register in advance.

What: Entrepreneurship Connections - A free networking event with activities fostering discussion and interaction among entrepreneurs.

Who: Aspiring or experienced entrepreneurs in the Reno County area.

When: Tuesday, Oct. 15 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.

Where: Sandhills Brewing – 111 W. 2nd Avenue, Hutchinson, KS

Entrepreneurship Connections is Tuesday

Parched soil and warmer-than-average temperatures, combined with low prices, have dampened the hopes of Kansas producers who are dusting in their wheat crop. The climatic conditions don’t provide much hope for a change in the weather through the winter, leaving growers praying for spring showers.&nbsp;

“Last year, the state of Kansas planted 7.6 million acres of wheat. Early indications point towards this year being similar to slightly lower due to the challenging dry conditions and low cash prices,” said Justin Gilpin, Kansas Wheat CEO. “The dry fall has sped up fall harvest, extending the window for double-crop wheat behind corn and soybeans. Even if that is just for ground cover, it is going to need some fall moisture for any hope of establishment. “

Kansas producers have planted 52 percent of winter wheat acres, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service crop progress report for the week ending October 6, 2024. That planting progress is on pace with last year and the five-year average. Emergence was rated at 21 percent, near 24 percent both last year and on average.&nbsp;

Jason Ochs, who farms near Syracuse in Hamilton County, reported that they received moisture two to three weeks ago and all the wheat has emerged and has very good stands. Acres in the area appear to be pretty consistent with last year. However, it’s been hot, 80 to 95 degrees in October, and dry, so it’s going backwards fast.

“The wheat is coming on way too strong, in my opinion,” he said.

Temperatures that are 10 to 15 degrees warmer than average are a big concern. In addition to agronomic concerns about the wheat crop’s emergence, which is dependent on temperature, these higher-than-normal temperatures have additional impacts on the stressors for an emerging wheat crop.&nbsp;

“Temperatures are obviously warmer, so we have a higher moisture demand,” said Chip Redmond, K-State assistant meteorologist and Kansas Mesonet Manager. “We still have active growth in summer grasses and trees and that depletes overall residual soil moisture. With a late freeze, then we see an increase in insect stress because we’re not able to kill the pests off, force hibernation or help them migrate south out of the area. That increased stress leads to more damage potential as well.”&nbsp;

Insects were a major factor in the delay in planting in Barton County for Dean Stoskopf, who farms near Hoisington.&nbsp;

“We held off planting for several weeks because there was a high number of grasshoppers and armyworms,” he said. “That, with the hot, dry weather, has not made for the best planting conditions. In early planted wheat, folks used insecticides to try and suppress that pressure, but the extremely high number of grasshoppers would try and clean out fields as soon as it emerged where they did not.”

Stoskopf is about two-thirds done planting wheat, around 10 days behind average pace. Elsewhere in the county, some folks are done and others have barely started. That includes folks who are double-cropping behind soybeans and continuing to wait for moisture. Overall, acreage is steady compared to previous years.

Redmond noted a cooler period coming next week around October 14 or 15 could bring brief freezing conditions that would help with that pressure and bring in some cloud cover and maybe a couple of sprinkles to the far edges of the state. Still, those showers would be an anomaly, and he does not forecast any real moisture through the end of October. Additionally, opportunities for moisture appear limited even into the early winter months.&nbsp;

“And as we go into a period where we don’t get much precipitation - winters are when we climatologically average the least amount of moisture - we are unlikely going to recharge soil moisture for potentially the next three or four months,” he said. “We are definitely started to get concerned, not only on the agriculture side but also on the public water side, with drought expansion likely to continue with above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation.”&nbsp;

This extension of drought conditions is driven by a combination of factors, namely the transition from El Niño to La Niña and the ongoing negative Pacific Decadal Oscillation. The El Niño Southern Oscillation, which is characterized by water temperatures in the East Equatorial Pacific, was warmer than normal last winter, in an El Nino status. This often means moisture for Kansas - like that observed last spring.&nbsp;

Redmond noted that those timely spring showers helped recharge soil moisture when and where they came. Now, however, those supplies are running low. NASS reported that, as of the week ending October 6, there is no surplus topsoil moisture with overall supplies rated at 25 percent very short, 24 percent short and 28 percent adequate. The same is true with subsoil moisture with no surplus, 23 percent very short, 48 percent short and 29 percent adequate.&nbsp;

Tanner Brown from Colby in Thomas County was waiting for the rain three weeks ago before starting to plant wheat, but they didn’t get much, so they started dusting it in. They’ve finished all the dryland wheat, but very little has emerged, and when you dig down, most hasn’t even sprouted. There is very little to no soil moisture and the top 1.5 feet is completely dry.&nbsp;

“The wheat will be pretty spotty when it does come up,” he said. “Overall, we have had pretty poor planting conditions.”&nbsp;

He expects acres in the area to be consistent with last year, but he has seen some wheat stubble going back into wheat and some fields with harvested corn stalks going into wheat, which is a bit surprising because of the continued dry conditions.

Those dry conditions are expected to continue in the near term, according to Redmond. El Niño waned with cooling water over the early summer with “neutral conditions” now observed.&nbsp; A transition into La Niña, cooler than normal waters in the same east Pacific region, is expected into the early winter. This usually signals dry conditions for Kansas and the central and southern United States. This La Niña period, however, is expected to not be as potent as previous episodes.&nbsp;

“But thankfully, La Niña is going to be weak and rather short-lived, expected to wane as we get into the spring and return to neutral conditions,” Redmond said. “So that’s good for us, meaning that maybe these conditions will be short-term in the climate realm. It’ll only be four or five months instead of years.”&nbsp;

While the weak La Niña event is expected to be short-lived, Redmond is more concerned with the negative Pacific Decadal Oscillation, which has persisted for 10 years. This means that waters in the north central Pacific Ocean are warmer than normal with cooler conditions in the eastern extent of the north Pacific, which will likely contribute to warm and dry conditions throughout the winter. His only hope - a strong typhoon forms in the far West Pacific, amplifies the jet stream and brings moisture back to the Midwest.&nbsp;

But until the pattern breaks down, there will not be a change to the warm, dry weather in the forecast. Still, Kansas producers will continue to meet these challenges the same way they always have - rely on proven genetics and agronomic practices, dust in the crop and pray for rain.&nbsp;

Track the latest developments on the Kansas wheat crop from planting to harvest at&nbsp;<a href="http://kswheat.com/" target="_blank">kswheat.com</a>.&nbsp;

Wheat Scoop: Warm, dry weather dampens Kansas wheat planting hopes

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/category/obituaries">Click&nbsp;to view the most recent obituaries and service times from our funeral home partners</a>.

Hutch Post is honored to publish full obituaries and photos. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/35522b08-cd30-49e1-93e0-85962282628b">PLEASE CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE NEW OBITUARY POLICY.</a> Funeral homes can send notices to <a href="mailto:hutchpost@eagleradio.net">hutchpost@eagleradio.net</a>.<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank"> </a>

<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.

Recent obituaries and service times

Here’s the latest booking activity from the Reno County Jail. This information is provided by the Reno County Sheriff’s Office and is not criminal history. The Hutch Post assumes no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, or completeness, of this information. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.&nbsp;——————————————&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

10/11/2024 3:26 AM-John	Anthony Bright-Failure to Appear

10/10/2024 11:59 PM-Kenya	Jeane Suit-Failure to Appear

10/10/2024 8:48 PM-Spencer	Ray Chronister-Disorderly Conduct; Fighting words or noisy conduct&nbsp;

10/10/2024 8:45 PM-Paul	Mark Gillespie-DUI; 2nd conv; incapable of safely driving&nbsp;

10/10/2024 6:39 PM-Cheyenne	Marie Smith-Driving while license cancelled/suspended/revoked; misd; unknown conv&nbsp;

10/10/2024 4:08 PM-Samuel	Grover Gress-Failure to Appear

10/10/2024 1:34 PM-Brenda	Sue Yingling-Agg assault; w/ deadly weapon&nbsp;

10/10/2024 6:08 AM-Michael	Jesus Campa-Criminal Damage to Property; Without consent; &lt; $1,000

Daily Bookings

CAPTAIN DAYTON GATES Hutchinson Police Department

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — On Wednesday Oct. 9, 2024, Officers with Hutchinson Police Department Special Operations Unit arrested Shay L. Kane, 37 years old, Eureka, Kansas, on a probable cause warrant for distribution of a controlled substance resulting in death, conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance resulting in death, and unlawful use of a communication device (13 counts). The bond was set at $250,000. 

This arrest is associated with a fatal drug overdose that occurred in Hutchinson in June 2024. 

The Hutchinson Police Department would like to thank <a href="https://www.facebook.com/greenwood.sheriff?__cft__[0]=AZW0DQKGuC7Cx0kzXaVzFyTHUvedyUyG4Yfx4qsJfCEuuhoehD3Iek0MZw1A4_Okvw2s9Zw6tTOFCfULbLuew-rWAO-nFQ1zPUcW4faJVjFriakTaZUfbBks4jdBMFvL1NLEllc5j0zejMcNiMCJJyueEAjLlODOH-yE0mrHHiHJNWN64CMslHFLj2tlxj9RQPQ&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Greenwood County Sheriff's Office - Kansas</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064688168841&amp;__cft__[0]=AZW0DQKGuC7Cx0kzXaVzFyTHUvedyUyG4Yfx4qsJfCEuuhoehD3Iek0MZw1A4_Okvw2s9Zw6tTOFCfULbLuew-rWAO-nFQ1zPUcW4faJVjFriakTaZUfbBks4jdBMFvL1NLEllc5j0zejMcNiMCJJyueEAjLlODOH-yE0mrHHiHJNWN64CMslHFLj2tlxj9RQPQ&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Butler County Sheriff's Office</a> for their assistance during the investigation and arrest of Ms. Kane.

If you have information regarding this case, please contact Hutchinson Police Department at 620-694-2828 and reference case #2024-21459. If you have any information regarding the distribution of illegal narcotics you can contact Crimestoppers of Reno County at 800-222-TIPS, your local law enforcement agency, or use the P3Tips App on your smartphone.

All defendants are innocent unless they are found guilty in court. Please direct any questions regarding this case to the Office of the District Attorney at 620-694-2715.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Hutchinson police make arrest in drug death

The top six singles and top six doubles finishers at each regional tournament will qualify for state competition.

CLASS 5A Saturday at Salina Central Schools: Emporia HS;Great Bend HS;Hays HS;Hutchinson HS;Newton HS;Salina-Central HS;Salina-South HS;Valley Center HS

CLASS 4A Friday at Winfield Schools: Augusta HS;Buhler HS;El Dorado HS;Nickerson HS;Pratt HS;Towanda-Circle HS;Wellington HS;Winfield HS

Saturday at&nbsp;McPherson Schools: Abilene HS;Clay Center Community HS;Colby HS;Concordia HS;Goodland HS;McPherson HS;Scott Community HS;Ulysses HS

CLASS 3-1A Friday &amp; Saturday at Conway Springs Schools: Anthony/Harper-Chaparral HS;Conway Springs HS;Haven HS;Hesston HS;Hillsboro HS;Hutchinson-Trinity Catholic HS;Neodesha HS;Pittsburg-St. Mary's Colgan HS;Wichita Collegiate HS;Wichita-Classical School Of Wichita;Wichita-The Independent HS;Wichita-Trinity Academy

Friday &amp; Saturday at Ashland (played at Dodge City HS) Schools: Ashland HS;Cimarron HS;Greensburg-Kiowa County HS;Ingalls HS;Kingman HS;Kiowa-South Barber HS;Lyons HS;Meade HS;Minneola HS;South Central HS;St. John-Hudson HS;Sterling HS

🎾 Regional tournaments begin today for area schools

Reno County Coaches Show airs Thursday evenings at 6 p.m. on KWBW-AM/FM (1450/98.5) and on KWBWradio.com. Sean Boston, Glen Grunwald and Rob Dreher visit with area coaches and student-athletes throughout the school year for this weekly 30-minute show.

Glen Grunwald w/ Melissa Newton Loepp (Hutch High)

Rob Dreher w/ Brennan Torgerson (Buhler High School girls golf coach)

🎧 LISTEN: Reno County Coaches Show (Melissa Loepp & Brennan Torgerson)

Week 6 of the high school football season is upon us in the Sunflower State. See below for the schedule involving area teams.

Week 6 Hutchinson at Campus Central Christian vs. Attica-Argonia Trinity Catholic vs. Ellinwood Buhler at El Dorado Fairfield vs. Pretty Prairie Haven at Belle Plaine Inman at Sedgwick Nickerson at Lyons Sterling vs. Conway Springs Halstead vs. Ellsworth Little River vs. Ell-Saline McPherson vs. Mulvane Newton vs. Andover Pratt at Phillipsburg Pratt-Skyline at Wichita Independent

You can find all of the Hutch Post area football schedules for the entire season&nbsp;<a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/8e247860-8dc7-4f3a-86de-3a909aec11d2">here</a>.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

🏈 Week 6 area high school schedule

Week 7 of the college football season is upon us in the Sunflower State. See below for the schedule involving state teams.

KJCCC 11 a.m. - Dodge City vs. Ellsworth 1 p.m. - Highland vs. Butler 1 p.m. - Independence vs. Hutchinson 7 p.m. - Iowa Central vs. Coffeyville

MIAA 1 p.m. - Missouri Southern vs. Emporia State 1 p.m. - Central Missouri vs. Missouri Western&nbsp; 1 p.m. - Central Oklahoma vs. Northwest Missouri 2 p.m. - Nebraska Kearney vs. Pittsburg State 7 p.m. - Fort Hays State vs. Washburn

🏈 Week 7 KJCCC, KCAC, MIAA schedule

🎧 LISTEN: ⚾ Yankees beat Royals to win ALDS

HAYSVILLE, Kan. — The Hutchinson Salthawks football team (3-2) returns to the road and travel to Haysville, Kansas to take on Campus&nbsp;(0-5)&nbsp; on Friday night. Kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m.&nbsp;at Colt Stadium.

Catch the Salthawk Football Pregame Show sponsored by The Medicine Shoppe at 6:30 p.m. on <a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/v5/KWBW">KWBW-AM/FM (1450/98.5)</a>.

The award winning EAGLE Media sportscast crew consisting of Glen Grunwald with the play-by-play and color analysts Dan "Coach Nac" Naccarato. Hutch High senior Matt Peterson will provide the NFHS video stream on the Hutch High&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/">NFHS Video Stream</a>&nbsp;Channel.

Game audio is available at kwbwradio.com of click <a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/v5/KWBW">HERE</a>. Download the KWBW Radio app and take the game with you on the road.

The NFHS Network Hutch High Channel is a pay-per-view broadcast this season. Choose either an annual pass or pay month-to-month.

The live broadcast will begin at 6:50 p.m.

🏈🎥🎧 Hutch High travels to Haysville Campus for key AVCTL game

AP Sports Summary for October 11th, 2024:

Gerrit Cole tosses playoff gem, shutting down Royals and sending Yankees back to ALCS with 3-1 win

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Gerrit Cole held the Kansas City Royals to a single run over seven innings Thursday night, sending the New York Yankees to a 3-1 victory that put them back to the American League Championship Series. The six-time All-Star scattered six hits and struck out four before giving way to the New York bullpen. Clay Holmes breezed through a perfect eighth inning and Luke Weaver handled the ninth, extending the scoreless streak by Yankees relievers to 15 2/3 innings this postseason. Juan Soto, Gleyber Torres and Game 3 hero Giancarlo Stanton drove in runs for the Yankees. Michael Wacha failed to make it through five innings for Kansas City, which managed only five runs over the final three games of the series.

Dodgers will start Yamamoto against San Diego's Darvish in winner-take-all Game 5 of NLDS

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shohei Ohtani will get his wish to see Los Angeles Dodgers teammate Yoshinobu Yamamoto face off against San Diego's Yu Darvish in the decisive Game 5 of the National League Division Series. The Dodgers announced late Thursday that Yamamoto will be their starter after manager Dave Roberts was cagey about his team's plans earlier in the day. The Dodgers used eight relievers to shut out the Padres 8-0 and set up the dramatic finale between the heated rivals. Ohtani had wanted to see the Yoshinobu vs. Darvish matchup earlier in the series, but the Dodgers switched Yoshinobu to Game 1 and the Padres started Darvish in Game 2.

Brock Purdy throws for 3 TDs and the 49ers beat the Seahawks 36-24 to move atop division

SEATTLE (AP) — Brock Purdy threw for 255 yards and three touchdowns, and the San Francisco 49ers never trailed in a 36-24 victory over the Seattle Seahawks. Deebo Samuel had a 76-yard catch-and-run touchdown and finished with three catches for 102 yards for the defending NFC champions. San Francisco improved to 3-3 and moved into a tie with Seattle for first place in the NFC West after an uneven start to the season. George Kittle added five receptions for 58 yards and two scores for the 49ers, who beat the Seahawks for a sixth straight time. Seattle's Geno Smith threw for 312 yards but was intercepted twice.

Fry's 2-run homer, squeeze bunt lead Guardians over Tigers 5-4 and force ALDS Game 5

DETROIT (AP) — Pinch-hitter David Fry had a go-ahead, two-run homer in the seventh inning, then bunted home an insurance run in the ninth to help the Cleveland Guardians force a decisive Game 5 against the Detroit Tigers in their AL Division Series with a 5-4 victory. Cleveland ended a streak of 11 losses in postseason elimination games dating to Game 6 of 1997 World Series. Game 5 is Saturday in Cleveland, with ace Tarik Skubal set to start for the Tigers. The winner advances to the ALCS against the New York Yankees or Kansas City Royals starting Monday.

Minnesota Lynx stun New York Liberty with 95-93 overtime win in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals

NEW YORK (AP) — Napheesa Collier's turnaround jumper with 8.8 seconds left lifted the Minnesota Lynx to a 95-93 win over the New York Liberty in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals. With the game tied in OT, Collier faked in the lane and scored. New York had a chance to tie it but Breanna Stewart's layup at the buzzer was off. Courtney Williams had 23 points, Kayla McBride 22 and Collier 21 for Minnesota. Jonquel Jones led New York with 24 points and 10 rebounds. Game 2 of the best-of-five series is Sunday in New York. Before the game, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced that the league is expanding the Finals to best-of-seven next year.

Rays say it may take 'weeks' to fully assess damage at Tropicana Field, after Milton struck region

The Tampa Bay Rays say it may take weeks to fully assess how much damage was done to Tropicana Field, which saw its roof ripped to shreds by the force of Hurricane Milton as the deadly storm barreled across much of Florida. The team said no one was injured when the St. Petersburg ballpark was struck by the storm on Wednesday night. A handful of "essential personnel" were inside Tropicana Field as the roof panels were blown apart, much of the debris falling on the field and seats below.

OMG, Grimace and a playoff pumpkin: Close-knit Mets ride camaraderie and good-luck charms into NLCS

NEW YORK (AP) — From their playoff pumpkin to the purple Grimace seat and that catchy pop song by infielder Jose Iglesias, the merry New York Mets are riding a wave of good-luck charms and infectious camaraderie to unexpected October success. First baseman Pete Alonso says: "What's the point if you're not having fun? That's a part of the culture here." Up next, the wild-card Mets face the San Diego Padres or Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS beginning Sunday in California.

Rafael Nadal gave his all until he simply couldn't anymore and had to retire: Analysis

Rafael Nadal's tennis career will be remembered because of the numbers, yes — the 14 French Open trophies, the 22 Grand Slam titles overall, the nearly two decades in the top 10, and so on — and, without a doubt, because of his riveting rivalries with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. Also, indelibly, because of the all-out effort and energy he brought to the court every time. So long, that is, as his body allowed. Perhaps not surprisingly, it was his health that eventually forced Nadal to announce his retirement on Thursday after competing only sparingly the past two seasons.

18-year-old Macklin Celebrini scores a goal in his hyped debut for the Sharks

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Macklin Celebrini didn't take long to make an impact for the San Jose Sharks. The 18-year-old rookie scored San Jose's first goal of the season and added an assist in his first period as a pro against the St. Louis Blues, signifying a brighter future ahead for a franchise that has been in the doldrums the last five years. Celebrini's first career goal came on his third career shift and was a fortunate one. The former Boston University star came in on a rush and did a spin-o-rama near the boards before trying a centering pass that hit defenseman Matt Kessel's skate and went past Joel Hofer.

Jets interim Jeff Ulbrich replaces Nathaniel Hackett with Todd Downing as the offense's play caller

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Nathaniel Hackett is out as the New York Jets' play caller on offense. Interim coach Jeff Ulbrich announced Thursday he is replacing Hackett with Todd Downing, who has been the Jets' passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Hackett will remain the offensive coordinator in title. Ulbrich took over as coach Tuesday after owner Woody Johnson fired Robert Saleh with the team off to a 2-3 start and on a two-game losing streak. Ulbrich said the change in offensive play callers is a different take on things and a fresh approach for a struggling offense.

Here are the scores from yesterday's sports events:

NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION PRESEASON

WOMEN'S NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION PLAYOFFS

		New Orleans	at	Orlando	7 p.m.	(Canceled)

📢📰🎧 Sports Headlines for Friday

🏀 MBB: KCAC releases preseason polls

🏀 MBB: KU picked as favorite, K-State 8th in Big 12 Preseason Poll

No. 18 Kansas State (4-1, 1-1 Big 12) at Colorado (4-1, 2-0), Saturday, 10:25 p.m. ET (ESPN)

BetMGM&nbsp;<a href="https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsports.betmgm.com%2Fen%2Fsports&amp;data=05%7C02%7CPGraham%40ap.org%7Cb1a5a5bf07d04f1c387708dcdf29bd8d%7Ce442e1abfd6b4ba3abf3b020eb50df37%7C1%7C0%7C638630617633045579%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=yozifEO2a%2FeuGTWrfYlMLGE1DP%2BcazTi02VaRCk7wTg%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">College Football Odds</a>: Kansas State by 4½.

Kansas State pays a visit to Folsom Field for the first time since 2010. Both teams should be well-rested after a bye week. For Kansas State, a break hasn’t necessarily been a recipe for success as the Wildcats have dropped three straight following their bye. Deion Sanders has the Buffaloes 2-0 in league play for the first time since 2020. They were also 2-0 in the Big 12 in 2007 before losing to Josh Freeman and the Wildcats 47-20 in Manhattan, Kansas.

KEY MATCHUP The Buffaloes got their ground game going in a win at Central Florida, rushing for a season-best 128 yards. Dallan Hayden and Micah Welch each had a rushing touchdown. Colorado faces a Kansas State defense that has nine players with 15 or more tackles this season. Leading the way is linebacker Austin Romaine with 34.

Kansas State: Avery Johnson is one of three Power-4 QBs with at least 800 yards passing and another 300 yards rushing this season. He’s thrown nine TD passes and run for two more. The Wildcats are averaging 6.93 yards per carry, which is second in the country. They’ve had eight runs that have gone for 30 or more yards.

Colorado: Safety Shilo Sanders returns after missing the last three games as he recovered from a forearm injury that required surgery. Colorado’s defense is one of six in the nation that has yet to allow a 100-yard rusher or receiver.

Kansas State has won at least eight games in three straight seasons. The Wildcats are one of 13 Power 4 schools to boast such a feat. ... Kansas State has been ranked in all seven of the AP polls to start the season. The last time the Wildcats accomplished that feat was 2014. ... The Wildcats have scored 28 or more points in 12 of their last 13 games. ... Kansas State tailback DJ Giddens is averaging 120.8 yards rushing. ... Two-way star and Heisman hopeful Travis Hunter has been on the field for a total of 661 plays this season, including penalties. The cornerback and receiver is on numerous watch lists.

🏈 K-State returns to Folsom Field for the 1st time since 2010 in Big 12 clash with Colorado

SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas boy critically injured in a shooting on Wednesday has died, according to Wichita Police Captain Aaron Moses.

Just after 8a.m. Wednesday, Sedgwick County Emergency Communications received a 911 call from 46-year-old Tesha L. Florence of Wichita reporting that she shot her son, according to Captain Moses.

First responders located a 16-year-old identified as Robert Florence inside an apartment in the 9100 Block of East Harry. He had a single gunshot wound. EMS transported him to an area hospital where he was in extremely critical condition.

On Friday morning the boy succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the hospital, according to Moses.

At the scene, officers detained <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=168822">Tesha Florence,</a> identified according to Sedgwick County booking records. She is the boy's mother.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Wichita Police investigators are in the process of amending the requested charges for her to include Second Degree Murder.

During the investigation into this case, detectives learned of a previously unreported incident from March 2024 where Techa Florence threatened an ex-husband and his current girlfriend with a gun.

Just after 4:30p.m. Wednesday, Tesha Florence was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail and is currently being held on bonds totaling $600,000, <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=168822">according to online jail records.</a>

Police: 16-year-old Kan. boy shot by his mother has died

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Tesla unveiled its long-awaited robotaxi at a Hollywood studio Thursday night, though fans of the electric vehicle maker will have to wait until at least 2026 before they are available.

CEO Elon Musk pulled up to a stage at the Warner Bros. studio lot in one of the company's “Cybercabs," telling the crowd that the sleek, AI-powered vehicles don't have steering wheels or pedals. He also expressed confidence in the progress the company has made on autonomous driving technology that makes it possible for vehicles to drive without human intervention.

Tesla began selling the software, which is called “Full Self-Driving,” nine years ago.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tesla-musk-self-driving-analyst-automated-traffic-a4cc507d36bd28b6428143fea80278ce">But there are doubts about its reliability</a>.

“We’ll move from supervised Full Self-Driving to unsupervised Full Self-Driving. where you can fall asleep and wake up at your destination,” he said. "It’s going to be a glorious future.”

Tesla expects the Cybercabs to cost under $30,000, Musk said. He estimated that the vehicles would become available in 2026, then added “before 2027.”

The company also expects to make the Full Self-Driving technology available on its popular Model 3 and Model Y vehicles in Texas and California next year.

“If they’re going to eventually get to robotaxis, they first need to have success with the unsupervised FSD at the current lineup,” said Seth Goldstein, equity strategist at Morningstar Research. “Tonight’s event showed that they're ready to take that step forward.”

When Tesla will actually take that step, however, has led to more than a little anxiety for investors who see other automakers deploying similar technology right now. Shares of Tesla Inc. tumbled 9% at the opening bell Friday.

Waymo, the autonomous vehicle unit of Alphabet Inc.,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/waymo-google-robotaxis-driverless-los-angeles-expansion-6f06b65b5ad14f3f19609190c64d131f">is carrying passengers</a>&nbsp;in vehicles without human safety drivers in Phoenix and other areas. General Motors’ Cruise self-driving unit had been running robotaxis in San Francisco until a crash last year involving one of its vehicles.

Also, Aurora Innovation said it will start hauling freight in fully autonomous semis on Texas freeways by year’s end. Another autonomous semi company, Gatik, plans to haul freight autonomously by the end of 2025.

“Tesla yet again claimed it is a year or two away from actual automated driving -- just as the company has been claiming for a decade. Indeed, Tesla’s whole event had a 2014 vibe, except that in 2014 there were no automated vehicles actually deployed on public roads,” Bryant Walker Smith, a University of South Carolina law professor who studies automated vehicles, told The Associated Press in an email. “Now there are real AVs carrying real people on real roads, but none of those vehicles are Teslas. Tonight did not change this reality; it only made the irony more glaring.”

Tesla had 20 or so Cybercabs on hand and offered event attendees the opportunity to take rides inside the movie studio lot — not on Los Angeles' roads.

At the presentation, which was dubbed “We, Robot” and was streamed live on Tesla’s website and X, Musk also revealed a sleek minibus-looking vehicle that, like the Cybercab, would be self-driving and can carry up to 20 passengers.

The company also trotted out several of its black and white Optimus humanoid robots, which walked a few feet from the attendees before showing off dance moves in a futuristic-looking gazebo.

Musk estimated that the robots would cost between $28,000-$30,000 and would be able to babysit, mow lawns, fetch groceries, among other tasks.

“Whatever you can think of, it will do,” he said.

The unveiling of the Cybercab comes as Musk tries to persuade investors that his company is more about artificial intelligence and robotics as it labors to sell its core products, an aging lineup of electric vehicles.

Tesla’s model lineup is struggling and isn’t likely to be refreshed until late next year at the earliest, TD Cowen analyst Jeff Osborne wrote in a research note last week.

Osborne also noted that, in TD Cowen’s view, the “politicization of Elon” is tarnishing the Tesla brand among Democrat buyers in the U.S.

Musk has endorsed Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and has pushed many conservative causes. Last weekend&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-donald-trump-rally-butler-election-f718967ec29431a2b9858b1121e70da1">he joined Trump</a>&nbsp;at a Pennsylvania rally.

Musk has been saying for more than five years that a fleet of robotaxis is near, allowing Tesla owners to make money by having their cars carry passengers while they’re not in use by the owners.

But he has acknowledged that past predictions for the use of autonomous driving proved too optimistic. In 2019, he promised the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-09894dee68d7496399f176a77a8bc98d">fleet of autonomous vehicles by the end of 2020</a>.

The announcement comes as U.S. safety regulators are investigating Full Self Driving and Autopilot based on evidence that it has a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tesla-autopilot-nhtsa-recall-069ab3341e0e724a60d91b82c9ef83a1">weak system for making sure human drivers pay attention</a>.

In addition, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tesla-recalls-full-self-driving-cars-875b54d4b71e97d43a17e968d7b856ae">forced Tesla to recall</a>&nbsp;Full Self-Driving in February because it allowed speeding and violated other traffic laws, especially near intersections. Tesla was to fix the problems with an online software update.

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