Hutch Post, in partnership with Steve Harmon and the Conard-Harmon Collection, is proud to present Throwback Thursday. Enjoy a weekly release from Steve Harmon as he presents the "Hutch - Then &amp; Now Collection."

STEVE HARMON Hutch Post Contributor

Today's "Throwback Thursday Collection" takes us to the 100 block of East 1st on the north side.

In 1933 Wichita, he started producing portable metal buildings used as diners and was very successful. At least 2,000 were built.

In the early 1940s, several of the old two-story homes were razed on East 1st.

In 1947, Kenneth Utterback bought a Valentine Diner and started the High Hat Chili Systems at 108 E. 1st. Ave. between the YMCA and the post office. The first photo shows the diner at that location.

In 1949, he sold it to Charles Hatfield and James Henry.

By 1953, it was gone, as were the apartment houses next to it, to make room for the post office parking lot. The second photo shows the same location today with all the post office delivery vehicles in it at 108 E. 1st.

To purchase a photo print, contact:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:sharmon5@cox.net">sharmon5@cox.net</a>.

Throwback Thursday is brought to you by:

<a href="https://www.hutchchamber.com/">Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce</a> <a href="https://underkansas.org/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_KHt9Zeq_QIVwRPUAR3CTwTSEAAYASAAEgJDJPD_BwE">STRATACA Kansas Underground Salt Museum</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/anchorinnhutch">Anchor Inn</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Anchorawayhutch/">Anchor Away</a>

📷 Throwback Thursday: High Hat Chili Systems - Vol. 152

<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="http://hutchpost@eaglemedia.com">hutchpost@eaglemedia.com&nbsp;</a><a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank"> </a>

Recent obituaries and service times

&nbsp;PrairieStar&nbsp;Family Medicine physician Dr. Miranda Smith made history at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center (HRMC) after delivering a baby—marking the first time in 40 years that a family medicine doctor has&nbsp;delivered a baby&nbsp;at the facility.&nbsp;

Dr. Smith,&nbsp;a board-certified family medicine physician with&nbsp;a fellowship in&nbsp;obstetrics,&nbsp;practices at&nbsp;PrairieStar&nbsp;Health Center providing&nbsp;full-spectrum family medicine.&nbsp;Because&nbsp;she is passionate about providing care for all stages of life, her practice includes a wide range of services from pediatrics and maternal care to comprehensive primary care for patients of all ages.&nbsp;Dr. Smith is excited to provide care for the whole family.&nbsp;

“I’m&nbsp;thrilled to be in Hutchinson,&nbsp;to live closer to family,&nbsp;and to join this wonderful medical community. My goal is to provide compassionate, high-quality care for individuals and families at every stage of life. By partnering with OB/GYN&nbsp;colleagues, I look forward to offering comprehensive, collaborative care to expectant families and beyond.&nbsp;I’m&nbsp;excited to contribute to the health and well-being of this community and to build lasting relationships with my patients and their families,” Dr. Smith said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Dr. Smith&nbsp;is one of two full-spectrum family medicine providers now offering maternal care in Hutchinson through a growing collaboration between&nbsp;PrairieStar&nbsp;and HRMC.&nbsp;The other provider, Dr. Catherine&nbsp;Jimenez&nbsp;is a board-certified family medicine physician with specialized training in obstetrics and endoscopy, providing care at every stage of life.&nbsp;With certifications in&nbsp;NaProTechnology&nbsp;and Creighton Model&nbsp;FertilityCare, Dr. Jimenez offers specialized care in fertility and women’s health.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Passionate about building lasting connections, she enjoys delivering babies and supporting families as they grow. Dr. Jimenez practices at Hutchinson Primary Care Associates,&nbsp;at HRMC&nbsp;and is excited to provide full-spectrum care to local families and the community.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;collaboration between&nbsp;PrairieStar&nbsp;and HRMC&nbsp;aims to expand access to whole-person, continuity-driven maternity care, ensuring that pregnant women and their families receive seamless support from prenatal through postpartum and newborn care.&nbsp;

PrairieStar provider delivers first baby by family medicine provider in 40 years at HRMC  

The Wesley joins an exclusive group of over 100 credentialed senior living communities around the world that have implemented a revolutionary Montessori-based approach to memory care.

The team at The Wesley is devoted to building a Montessori Inspired Lifestyle® for their community, earning them the highest Gold Level credential. The MIL program was created by the Center for Applied Research in Dementia (CARD) after one of its founders, Dr. Cameron Camp, adapted Dr. Maria Montessori’s principles for older adults with dementia. Guided by CARD, staff learned how to implement the Montessori principles of equality, dignity, and respect into their community. Staff were trained to empower residents with memory impairment to be as independent as possible. This is achieved through tapping into each resident’s remaining strengths, designing environments they can thrive in, and helping them find purposeful activities and meaningful roles within their community.

Communities effectively using Montessori principles benefit from healthier and happier residents, fewer drugs, fewer responsive behaviors, more satisfied families, and better staffing and census (Witt-Hoblit, Miller, &amp; Camp, 2016).

Gold Level organizations have resident-led committees, multidisciplinary Learning Circles, effective signage and environmental cues, personalization of resident spaces, and many other milestones. In addition, they have demonstrated at least one innovative achievement in applying MIL principles and have attended additional hours of advanced online learning in MIL from CARD, among other exemplary achievements.

The Wesley achieves Gold Level Certification as a Montessori Inspired Lifestyle® Community

Old Chicago Pizza + Taproom is officially opening its doors today, bringing its well-known lineup of scratch-made pizzas, rotating local craft beers, and family-friendly dining to north Hutchinson. The new restaurant is located at 1715 N. Waldron St., inside the recently opened Hilton Garden Inn and Convention Center.

The grand opening celebration begins with a 10:45 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted in partnership with the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce. To add to the excitement, Old Chicago is offering a major incentive for early guests — the first 10 people in line will win free Old Chicago for a year. Additional activities and surprises are planned throughout the day.

Windi Cooper, Senior Director of Marketing for Old Chicago Pizza + Taproom, said the company has been encouraged by the strong sense of community in Hutchinson during preparations for the opening. She also credited local partner Sumit Patel and the CORE Hospitality team for helping bring the new location to life.

“Partnering with Sumit Patel and the CORE Hospitality team played a key role in bringing this restaurant to life, and we’re looking forward to creating a place where visitors of all ages can gather, enjoy great food and make Old Chicago part of their routine,” Cooper said.

The Hutchinson taproom features a full bar, expanded kids menu, and a variety of seating choices designed for families, large groups, and hotel guests. Catering services will also be available for special events. Guests can expect Old Chicago favorites, including tavern-thin and classic-thick crust pizzas, calzones, and Sicilian Pepperoni Rolls.

Today’s opening marks Old Chicago’s ninth Kansas location and the brand’s 52nd restaurant nationwide, continuing its steady growth across the Midwest.

Old Chicago Pizza + Taproom will operate Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The public is invited to attend today’s celebration and welcome Hutchinson’s newest dining destination.

Old Chicago Pizza celebrates grand opening today

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;

Jose	Cerso	Rosado	12/10/2025 8:04&nbsp;AM	Failure to Appear

Jonquil	Rayzon	Phelps	12/10/2025 2:02&nbsp;PM	Poss of marijuana,				Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body,				Criminal Use of Weapons; Unknown Circumstances,				Alcohol; Illegal Transportation of Alcoholic Beverage,				Insurance; Fail to Show Proof of Liability Insurance,				Ignition Interlock Device; Operate MV without device during restriction

Crystal	Rae	Burris	12/10/2025 3:09&nbsp;PM	Probation Violation,				Failure to Appear

James	Luther	Martin	12/10/2025 6:30&nbsp;PM	Theft; Property or Services; $1,500 to $24,999

Roger	Stanley	Friday	12/10/2025 7:57&nbsp;PM	Agg battery; DUI cause bodily harm,				DUI; Misdemeanor

Darren	Lee	Flynn	12/10/2025 11:51&nbsp;PM	Poss of marijuana,				Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body,				Drugs; Distribute Marijuana or Analog thereof; &lt; 25g,				Criminal Use of Weapons; Criminal Carrying; Knowingly carry Pistol, Revolver or other Firearm

Triana	Brooklynn Leigh	Harris	12/11/2025 1:15&nbsp;AM	Poss of marijuana,				Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body

Chloe	Nicole	Gresham-Kitston	12/11/2025 3:22&nbsp;AM	DUI; 1st conv; drugs or combination of drugs,				Alcohol; Illegal Transportation of Alcoholic Beverage,				Possession of marijuana,				Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body

Daily Bookings

Newton City Commission Approves 10-Year Tax Abatement, IRBs for Hillsboro Industries Expansion

The Newton City Commission on Tuesday approved a 10-year property tax abatement and authorized the issuance of Industrial Revenue Bonds to support Hillsboro Industries’ new manufacturing facility on East First Street.

Hillsboro Industries, a long-established Hillsboro-based manufacturer of truck beds and trailers, recently completed construction of its 56,000-square-foot Newton facility. The project represents an approximately $8 million capital investment, not including additional equipment and furnishings. Company leaders have projected the creation of roughly 50 new full-time positions at the plant, with an average annual salary of $58,000.

Under the approved abatement, property taxes on the new improvements will be deferred for a decade, while the property will continue to be taxed at its prior valuation. The IRB financing also provides a sales-tax exemption for construction materials used in the project.

Newton City Commission Approves 10-Year Tax Abatement, IRBs

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/pages/weather">Click here for the KSStorm.Info forecast&nbsp;</a>

Three Day Outlook

<a href="https://www.kansasbeefexpo.com/" target="_blank">Kansas Beef Expo</a>&nbsp;• 8 a.m.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Kansas State Fairgrounds&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.hutchpl.org/event/holiday-activity-night/" target="_blank">Holiday Activity Night</a>&nbsp;• 5 to 8 p.m.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Hutchinson Public Library, 901 North Main&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.hutchpl.org/event/bad-art-night-ugly-sweater-party/#rsvp-now" target="_blank">Bad Art Night – Ugly Sweater Party</a>&nbsp;• 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Hutchinson Public Library, 901 North Main&nbsp;

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/d6a0fe1c-8224-4de1-9f46-3c6f643a6f10" target="_blank">Central Christian School Christmas Concert ‘The King of Love and Light’</a>&nbsp;• 7 p.m.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Central Christian School, 1910 East 30th&nbsp;Avenue&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/826457803049862/826457806383195/?active_tab=about" target="_blank">Murder in the Mine – Holiday Edition</a>&nbsp;• 5 p.m.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Strataca, 3650 East G Avenue&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.hutchinsonzoo.org/163/Nights-Before-Christmas" target="_blank">Nights Before Christmas</a>&nbsp;• 6 to 9 p.m.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Hutchinson Zoo, 6 Emerson Loop, Carey Park&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.hutchinsonfox.com/events/prairie-nutcracker" target="_blank">Prairie&nbsp;Nutcracker</a>&nbsp;•&nbsp;7:30&nbsp;p.m.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Historic Fox Theater, 18 East First&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.hutchpl.org/event/childrens-chess-club-10/2025-12-13/" target="_blank">Children’s Chess Club</a>&nbsp;• 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Hutchinson Public Library, 901 North Main&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1730359674296713" target="_blank">Salty Cycles Biker Bazaar</a>&nbsp;• 10&nbsp;a.m.&nbsp;to 2 p.m.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Salty Cycles, 129 East Sherman&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/826457803049862/826457806383195/?active_tab=about" target="_blank">Murder in the Mine – Holiday Edition</a>&nbsp;• 5 p.m.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Strataca, 3650 East G Avenue&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.hutchinsonzoo.org/163/Nights-Before-Christmas" target="_blank">Nights Before Christmas</a>&nbsp;• 6 to 9 p.m.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Hutchinson Zoo, 6 Emerson Loop, Carey Park&nbsp;

<a href="http://hutchpost.com/posts/453a24fd-6519-4a16-8a5b-fd8c3ae923e3">Christmas Castle Open House</a> • 7 to 9 p.m. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;201 W. 12th Ave.

<a href="https://www.hutchinsonfox.com/events/prairie-nutcracker" target="_blank">Prairie&nbsp;Nutcracker</a>&nbsp;•&nbsp;7:30 p.m.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Historic Fox Theater, 18 East First&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.kansasbeefexpo.com/" target="_blank">Kansas Beef Expo</a>&nbsp;• 9 a.m.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Kansas State Fairgrounds&nbsp;

&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hutchinsonfox.com/events/prairie-nutcracker" target="_blank">Prairie&nbsp;Nutcracker</a>&nbsp;•&nbsp;3&nbsp;p.m.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Historic Fox Theater, 18 East First&nbsp;

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/d2b478da-3e3c-46ff-a78f-7c88b24a9cf4" target="_blank">50th&nbsp;Annual Stan Kenton Christmas Brass Concert</a>&nbsp;• 3 p.m.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Trinity United Methodist Church, 1602 North Main&nbsp;

Happenings Around Hutch • Dec. 11-14

Trinity United Methodist Church in Hutchinson will host the 50th anniversary Stan Kenton Brass Christmas Concert on Sunday, December 14 at 3 p.m. at 1602 North Main Street.

Trinity UMC to host 50th annual Stan Kenton Brass Christmas Concert

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;

Zane Cosme Mountain&nbsp;12/9/2025 12:03 PM Probation Violation

David Michael Keever 12/9/2025 3:065 PM&nbsp;Theft; Possess Stolen Property; $1,500 to $24,999,&nbsp;Criminal Damage to Property; Without consent; $1,000 to $24,999, Failure to Appear,&nbsp;Criminal Trespass; Posted or Locked Premises,&nbsp;Criminal Damage to Property; Without consent; $1,000 to $24,999,&nbsp;Burglary; Non-dwelling for felony, theft, dv, sex

Joseph William Richards 12/9/2025 4:00 PM&nbsp;In Transit From-To Other Agency

Jalen Ryan Jones 12/9/2025 6:30 PM Failure to Appear

Kayla Ora Nicole Titus 12/9/2025 6:44 PM Failure to Appear

Amanda Jean Mayfield 12/9/2025 9:17 PM Failure to Appear&nbsp;

Shane Allen&nbsp;Knoffloch 12/10/2025 12:22 AM&nbsp;Battery; Phys contact rude/insult/angry manner

Jeremy Lee Roberts 12/10/2025 12:25 AM&nbsp;Viol protection order; Pre-trial order



Daily Bookings 

SEDGWICK COUNTY— A man convicted&nbsp; of killing two people in a parking garage in&nbsp;Old Town in Wichita will learn his fate Wednesday.

Judge Faith Johnson will sentence 21-year-old Zachary Ramirez for the deaths of&nbsp;20-year-old Josephina Lerma-Dominguez and 21-year-old Bryan Lara-Hernandez both of Wichita,&nbsp; according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's Office.

In April of 2024, a jury found him guilty&nbsp;&nbsp;on two counts of first-degree murder, two alternative counts of second-degree murder, criminal discharge of a weapon, aggravated battery and two counts of battery, according to the district attorney's office.

Just before&nbsp; 4a.m. July 27, 2023, police responded to the 300 block of North Moore after a a street sweeper operator saw two gunshot victims in a vehicle in a parking garage in Wichita's Old Town and called 911, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.

EMS&nbsp; arrived on the scene and attempted life-saving measures Lerma-Dominguez and Lara-Hernandez died at the scene.&nbsp;

Sentencing Day for killing Kan. couple in parking garage

NEW YORK (AP) — The “Architects of AI” were named Time magazine's person of the year for 2025 on Thursday.

The magazine cited 2025 as the year when the potential of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/artificial-intelligence">artificial intelligence</a>&nbsp;“roared into view" with no turning back.

“For delivering the age of thinking machines, for wowing and worrying humanity, for transforming the present and transcending the possible, the Architects of AI are TIME’s 2025 Person of the Year,” Time said in a social media post.

The magazine was deliberate in selecting people — the “individuals who imagined, designed, and built AI” — rather than the technology itself, though there would have been some precedent for that.

“We’ve named not just individuals but also groups, more women than our founders could have imagined (though still not enough), and, on rare occasions, a concept: the endangered earth, in 1988, or the personal computer, in 1982,” wrote Sam Jacobs, the editor-in-chief, in an explanation of the choice. “The drama surrounding the selection of the PC over Apple’s Steve Jobs later became the stuff of books and a movie.”

It made sense for Time to anoint AI because 2025 was the year that it shifted from “a novel technology explored by early adopters to one where a critical mass of consumers see it as part of their mainstream lives,” Thomas Husson, principal analyst at research firm Forrester, said by email.

AI was a leading contender for the top slot, according to prediction markets, along with tech CEOs Jensen Huang of Nvidia and Sam Altman of OpenAI. Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope whose election this year followed the death of Pope Francis, was also considered a contender, with President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani topping lists as well.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-stock-exchange-time-nyse-bell-ringing-91a59ff0f4ce77c0c6f87e55a38c6c75">Trump was named the 2024</a>&nbsp;person of the year by the magazine after his winning his second bid for the White House, succeeding Taylor Swift, who was the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-time-person-of-year-2023-6c8ce1275db4cc326fe6ac94ea20bace">2023 person of the year</a>.

The magazine's selection dates from 1927, when its editors have picked the person they say most shaped headlines over the previous 12 months.

Time magazine reveals unusual person of the year for 2025

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement are investigating a multi-state theft from Walmart stores and have made an arrest.

Just after 4p.m. Dec. 8, police were notified by another law enforcement agency about two suspects possibly heading towards the Walmart in Harrisonville, Missouri, approximately 39 miles south of Kansas City, according to a media release from the police department.

The suspects had reportedly been involved with an ongoing shoplifting scam from various Walmarts across the United States. The suspects were located by officers and placed under arrest for receiving stolen property. 

The suspects have allegedly stolen over $58,000 worth of merchandise in the last 6 months from Walmarts in at least four different states. 

Both suspects, who are not residents of the state of Missouri, were charged with Receiving Stolen Property (D Felony) and are currently being held at the Cass County jail.

Suspects arrested in $58,000 multi-state Walmart theft

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) is hitting the Kansas City metro, Lawrence and surrounding areas hard right now, according to a media release from Operation Wildlife.

The organization reports fielding 15 or more calls per day with birds -mostly waterfowl - ducks, geese etc. exhibiting symptoms.

Symptoms include:-Neurological impairment: Birds may lack coordination, appear confused or disoriented, have tremors, seizures, or have a twisted neck.

Difficulty breathing: open mouth, wheezing-Nasal discharge, coughing, or sneezing: Birds may have blood-tinged discharge

Sudden death: Without any prior signs of illness 

Swelling: Of the eyelids, head-Other symptoms: Birds may stumble or fall down, have diarrhea, have a hunched appearance, or have ruffled feathers and die within a few hours or a day of intake.

Birds with HPAI may have additional injuries such as a broken leg or broken wing, sustained from falling from the sky from exhaustion during flight.

HPAI is not treatable and is a fatal disease for the bird.

Birds with this disease need to be humanely euthanized and properly disposed of to limit spread of disease.

HPAI is highly contagious to other birds, felines, and potentially to humans and other species. If you come across a bird you suspect is affected contact Operation Wildlife by email opwildlife@aol.com or 785-542-3625 and they can advise you on how to proceed.

In SOME cities, animal control is assisting by dispatching the bird in the field and removing it for cremation. For residents of cities that do not provide this service, Operation Wildlife are able to assist with euthanasia and cremation. The organization asks that you make a donation to help them offset these costs.

 It’s important to note that Operation Wildlife operates like a veterinary clinic, run by volunteers and funded by donations so we ARE NOT able to report out to pick these birds up. If you are bringing a sick bird to Operation Wildlife for these services please notify them ahead of time and do not bring the bird into the facility. They will meet you out on the driveway so as not to expose the birds in their care.

<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/situation-summary/index.htmld">Click here for more </a>information from the CDC.

Operation Wildlife warns deadly bird flu spreading in portions of Kansas

WASHINGTON (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;said Wednesday that the United States has seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-boat-strikes-caribbean-military-venezuela-timeline-2dd9d16f4f74d9dfa4aca76d3123678d">tensions mount</a>&nbsp;with the government of President Nicolás Maduro.

Using U.S. forces to take control of a merchant ship is incredibly unusual and marks the Trump administration’s latest push to increase pressure on Maduro, who has been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/caribbean-indictments-armed-forces-united-states-miami-d82797206561db03851e47df125c243f">charged with narcoterrorism</a>&nbsp;in the United States. The U.S. has built up the largest military presence in the region in decades and launched a series of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-hegseth-pentagon-drug-boats-pacific-35a60ce3bc018e5f66c18b2d18b49c35">deadly strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats</a>&nbsp;in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean. The campaign is facing growing scrutiny from Congress.

“We’ve just seized a tanker on the coast of Venezuela, a large tanker, very large, largest one ever seized, actually,” Trump told reporters at the White House, later adding that "it was seized for a very good reason.”

Trump did not offer additional details. When asked what would happen to the oil aboard the tanker, Trump said, “Well, we keep it, I guess.”

The seizure was led by the U.S. Coast Guard and supported by the Navy, according to a U.S. official who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity. The official added that it was conducted under U.S. law enforcement authority.

The Coast Guard members were taken to the oil tanker by helicopter from the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, the official said. The Ford is in the Caribbean Sea after arriving last month in a major show of force, joining a fleet of other warships.

<a href="https://x.com/agpambondi/status/1998875795151024337?s=46">Video posted to social media</a>&nbsp;by Attorney General Pam Bondi shows people fast-roping from one of the helicopters involved in the operation as it hovers just feet from the deck.

The Coast Guard members can be seen later in the video moving throughout the superstructure of the ship with their weapons drawn.

Bondi wrote that “for multiple years, the oil tanker has been sanctioned by the United States due to its involvement in an illicit oil shipping network supporting foreign terrorist organizations.”

Half of ship's oil is tied to Cuban importer

The U.S. official identified the seized tanker as the Skipper.

The ship departed Venezuela around Dec. 2 with about 2 million barrels of heavy crude, roughly half of it belonging to a Cuban state-run oil importer, according to documents from the state-owned company Petróleos de Venezuela S.A., commonly known as PDVSA, that were provided on the condition of anonymity because the person did not have permission to share them.

The Skipper was previously known as the M/T Adisa, according to ship tracking data. The Adisa was sanctioned by the U.S. in 2022 over accusations of belonging to a sophisticated network of shadow tankers that smuggled crude oil on behalf of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and Lebanon's Hezbollah militant group.

The network was reportedly run by a Switzerland-based Ukrainian oil trader, the U.S. Treasury Departmeny said at the time.

Hitting Venezuela's sanctioned oil business

Venezuela has the world’s largest proven oil reserves and produces about 1 million barrels a day.

PDVSA is the backbone of the country’s economy. Its reliance on intermediaries increased in 2020, when the first Trump administration expanded its maximum-pressure campaign on Venezuela with sanctions that threaten to lock out of the U.S. economy any individual or company that does business with Maduro’s government. Longtime allies Russia and Iran, both also sanctioned, have helped Venezuela skirt restrictions.

The transactions usually involve a complex network of shadowy intermediaries. Many are shell companies, registered in jurisdictions known for secrecy. The buyers deploy so-called ghost tankers that hide their location and hand off their valuable cargoes in the middle of the ocean before they reach their final destination.

Maduro did not address the seizure during a speech before a ruling-party organized demonstration in Caracas, Venezuela’s capital. But he told supporters that the country is “prepared to break the teeth of the North American empire if necessary.”

Maduro, flanked by senior officials, said only the ruling party can “guarantee peace, stability, and the harmonious development of Venezuela, South America and the Caribbean.”

Maduro has insisted the real purpose of the U.S. military operations is to force him from office.

Democrat says the move is about ‘regime change’

Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the U.S. seizing the oil tanker cast doubt on the administration’s stated reasons for the military buildup and boat strikes.

“This shows that their whole cover story — that this is about interdicting drugs — is a big lie,” the senator said. “This is just one more piece of evidence that this is really about regime change — by force.”

The seizure comes a day after the U.S. military&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-us-military-trump-fa18-fighter-jets-06fd7cdc5ac26e7a46165431b95508b0">flew a pair of fighter jets</a>&nbsp;over the Gulf of Venezuela in what appeared to be the closest that warplanes had come to the South American country’s airspace. Trump has said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cartels-maduro-colombia-petro-boats-559a73dbfcbdc9245494f441be1aad39">land attacks are coming soon</a>&nbsp;but has not offered more details.

The Trump administration is facing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boat-strikes-pete-hegseth-venezuela-9f46a5f074b5b3c979ee41082949b196">increasing scrutiny from lawmakers</a>&nbsp;over the boat strike campaign, which has killed at least 87 people in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-petro-colombia-drugs-us-aid-c3955b2ce351737119920741178e0567">22 known strikes</a>&nbsp;since early September, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-strike-video-footage-boat-caribbean-3cf2ca9cbe4523978e935b99c2979caa">a follow-up strike that killed two survivors</a>&nbsp;clinging to the wreckage of a boat after the first hit.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boat-strikes-survivors-hegseth-72b0a498ca08615b2589c772a1d9e642">Some legal experts and Democrats say</a>&nbsp;that action may have violated the laws governing the use of deadly military force.

Lawmakers are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/defense-bill-ndaa-boat-strikes-video-152bef4ad429ae2c62937daeea2235a4">demanding to get unedited video</a>&nbsp;from the strikes, but Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told congressional leaders at a classified briefing Tuesday that he was still weighing whether to release it.

The Coast Guard referred a request for comment about the tanker seizure to the White House.

🎥Video shows US commandos storm oil tanker off Venezuela coast

DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement are&nbsp;&nbsp;still looking for a driver who crashed into a van then a house, and took off on foot leaving three people injured in Lawrence, according to a media release.

The crash happened about 11:30 Tuesday night near 9th and Missouri. It appears the driver of a Volkswagen Jetta was heading north on Missouri Street, ran a stop sign and hit a van traveling east on 9th. 

 The impact sent the car into the porch of a nearby home. The driver took off and the passenger of that car ended up being transferred to an area trauma center with severe injuries. 

The two people in the van were also taken to the hospital but their injuries weren’t severe.

Officers conducted an extensive search of the area including launching a drone to help look for the driver of the Jetta, but were unable to locate him&nbsp; The homeowner was not home at the time of the crash. No one was injured there.&nbsp;

Police: Kansas driver fled after crash into van, house

JOHNSON COUNTY, Mo. —A suspect is in custody following an investigation into the online possession of child sexual abuse material.

In October, the Western Missouri Internet Crimes Against Children (WMICAC) Task Force received a cyber tip that prompted a joint investigation involving police, according to a media release from the Warrensburg Police Department.

 Detectives went to a residence in the corporate city limits of Warrensburg to contact their suspect identified as 20-year-old Noah Mclean Rogers.

Police took Rogers into custody on a warrant on requested charged of Possession of Child Pornography and Promotion of Child Pornography.

The court has set a bond at $75,000 cash only. Rogers is currently being held in the Johnson County Jail pending further legal proceedings.

Tip led to arrest for online possession of child sexual abuse material

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House voted to pass a sweeping defense policy bill Wednesday that authorizes $900 billion in military programs, including a pay raise for troops and an overhaul of how the Department of Defense buys weapons.

The bill's passage on a 312-112 vote comes at a time of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-hegseth-boat-strikes-e68621ec48c7886215359c0110d6d9ca">increasing friction</a>&nbsp;between the Republican-controlled Congress and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">President Donald Trump’s</a>&nbsp;administration over the management of the military. All four members of the Kansas Congressional Delegation voted in favor of the bill.

The annual National Defense Authorization Act typically gains bipartisan backing, and the White House has signaled “strong support” for the must-pass legislation, saying it is in line with Trump's national security agenda. Yet tucked into the over-3,000-page bill are several measures that push back against the Department of Defense, including a demand for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/military-strikes-boats-drugs-caribbean-hegseth-congress-93c513e28f38688f5582150c7675c072">more information on boat strikes</a>&nbsp;in the Caribbean and support for allies in Europe, such as Ukraine.

Overall, the sweeping bill calls for a 3.8% pay raise for many military members as well as housing and facility improvements on military bases. It also strikes a compromise between the political parties — cutting climate and diversity efforts in line with Trump's agenda, while also boosting congressional oversight of the Pentagon and repealing several old war authorizations. Still, hard-line conservatives said they were frustrated that the bill does not do more to cut U.S. commitments overseas.

“We need a ready, capable and lethal fighting force because the threats to our nation, especially those from China, are more complex and challenging than at any point in the last 40 years,” said Rep. Mike Rogers, the GOP chair of the House Armed Services Committee.

Lawmakers overseeing the military said the bill would change how the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pentagon-hegseth-weapons-purchases-6f9326c2bad4355541d1a02b54d899db">Pentagon buys weapons</a>, with an emphasis on speed after years of delay by the defense industry. It's also a key priority for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Rep. Adam Smith, the top Democrat on the armed services panel, called the bill “the most ambitious swing at acquisition reform that we’ve taken.”

Still, Smith lamented that the bill does not do as much as Democrats would like to rein in the Trump administration but called it “a step in the right direction towards reasserting the authority of Congress.”

“The biggest concern I have is that the Pentagon, being run by Secretary Hegseth and by President Trump, is simply not accountable to Congress or accountable to the law,” he said.

The legislation next heads to the Senate, where leaders are working to pass the bill before lawmakers depart Washington for a holiday break.

Several senators on both sides of the aisle have criticized the bill for not doing enough to restrict military flights over Washington. They had pushed for reforms after a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ronald-reagan-national-airport-aircraft-crash-9d79051a9e535bd855df5a4e5553b2e9">midair collision</a>&nbsp;this year between an Army helicopter and a jetliner killed all 67 people aboard the two aircraft near Washington's Ronald Reagan National Airport. The National Transportation Safety Board and families of the victims have also voiced opposition to that section of the bill, raising concerns that it would make the airspace more dangerous.

Here's what the defense bill does as it makes its way through Congress.

Boat strike videos and congressional oversight

Lawmakers included a provision that would cut Hegseth's travel budget by a quarter until the Pentagon provides Congress with unedited video of the strikes against alleged drug boats near Venezuela. Lawmakers are asserting their oversight role after a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-maduro-venezuela-drug-cartels-military-timeline-91e242e5c56eec39b6b7d72bf55dbd2d">Sept. 2 strike</a>&nbsp;where the U.S. military fired on two survivors who were holding on to a boat that had partially been destroyed.

The bill also demands that Hegseth allow Congress to review the orders for the strikes.

Trump's ongoing support for Ukraine and other allies in Eastern Europe has been under doubt over the last year, but lawmakers included several positions meant to keep up U.S. support for countering Russian aggression in the region.

The defense bill requires the Pentagon to keep at least 76,000 troops and major equipment stationed in Europe unless NATO allies are consulted and there is a determination that such a withdrawal is in U.S. interests. Around 80,000 to 100,000 U.S. troops&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nato-eastern-flank-us-troops-drawdown-russia-40a1c731a866ce84d5c7721fe12c380e">are usually present</a>&nbsp;on European soil. It also authorizes $400 million for each of the next two years to manufacture weapons to be sent to Ukraine.

Additionally, there is a provision to keep U.S. troops stationed in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/south-korea">South Korea</a>, setting the minimum requirement at 28,500.

Cuts to climate and diversity initiatives

The bill makes $1.6 billion in cuts to climate change-related spending, the House Armed Services Committee said. U.S. military assessments have long found that climate change is a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/climate-change-joe-biden-business-lloyd-austin-a5c79e8a005c7c4db8a61cf0e6a4267a">threat to national security</a>, with bases being pummeled by hurricanes or routinely flooded.

The bill also would save $40 million by repealing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/military-culture-pentagon-hegseth-dei-tansgender-4c5f94c1235d29240b22677e3d66f0ed">diversity, equity and inclusion</a>&nbsp;offices, programs and trainings, the committee said. The position of chief diversity officer would be cut, for example.

Congress is putting an official end to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iraq-invasion-war-timeline-saddam-hussein-50828061c98e410063753045179bdcfb">war in Iraq</a>&nbsp;by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-war-powers-iraq-trump-a6bc311c0b0890022cb818550758c94e">repealing the authorization</a>&nbsp;for the 2003 invasion. Supporters in both the House and Senate say the repeal is crucial to prevent future abuses and to reinforce that Iraq is now a strategic partner of the U.S.

The 2002 resolution has been rarely used in recent years. But the first Trump administration cited it as part of its legal justification for a 2020 U.S. drone strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassim Suleimani.

Congress would permanently remove U.S. sanctions put on Syria after the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/syria-sanctions-trump-treasury-state-2ed65c895905e2e7bc385098a6ab1301">Trump administration temporarily lifted many penalties</a>.

Lawmakers imposed economically crippling sanctions on the country in 2019 to punish former leader Bashar Assad for human rights abuses during the nearly 14-year civil war. After Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa led a successful insurgency to depose Assad, he is seeking to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/syria-anniversary-assad-fall-a22746c8b8351b02d77cb62a6260c87e">rebuild his nation’s economy</a>.

Advocates of a permanent repeal have said international companies are unlikely to invest in projects needed for the country’s reconstruction as long as there is a threat of sanctions returning.

Democrats criticized Johnson for stripping a provision from the bill to expand coverage of in vitro fertilization for active duty personnel. An&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/2296/text">earlier version</a>&nbsp;covered&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ivf-vitro-fertilization-trump-executive-order-65972cc1b10151bf1a0d9390fe5754d9">the medical procedure, known as IVF</a>, which helps people facing infertility have children.

Kan. lawmakers help House pass $900 billion defense policy bill

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.

Just before 4:30p.m. Tuesday&nbsp;an officer on patrol observed a vehicle stopped in the southbound driving lane in the 400 block River Road in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

 Stephen Oswalt, 62, was in the driver’s seat and appeared to be sleeping or passed out. During the investigation at the scene he was found to be in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. He was taken to the County Jail and is being held on requested charges of&nbsp;&nbsp;possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.&nbsp;

Suspect was passed out in vehicle in driving lane of Kan. highway

RILEY COUNTY — Law enforcement are investigating a hit-and-run incident involving a police vehicle in Manhattan.

Just before 3 a.m. on Dec. 10 in the 1600 block of Fair Lane, victims including&nbsp;a 37-year-old man, a 42-year-old man, a 41-year-old man and D &amp; I Rentals reported two suspects attempted to strike two officers with their 2014 Chevy Silverado before reversing and driving into an occupied patrol unit during a traffic stop, according to the Riley County Police Department Activity Report.

The suspects are wanted for allegedly fleeing or attempting to elude, aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer, interference with a law enforcement officer, aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer, reckless driving, criminal damage to property, possession of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute, possession of paraphernalia and possession of marijuana, according to the RCPD.

The suspects, identified as two 41-year-old men and a 42-year-old woman&nbsp; fled the scene. Anyone with information, contact RCPD or the Manhattan Riley County Crime Stoppers. Using the Crime Stoppers service can allow you remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward up to $1,000

3 wanted for hit-and-run crash into Kan. police vehicle

🏈 Purchase tickets to NJCAA football national championship game

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/a2261153-bc42-4b0f-8381-e3614630c207">Final: No. 1 Dodge City women 79, No. 18 Hutchinson 57</a>

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/4120b86c-9bbc-44a5-a57a-5cab72df90b7">Final: Hutchinson men 82, No. 21 Dodge City 66</a>

🎧🏀 Blue Dragon Rewind: HutchCC at Dodge City

DODGE CITY, Kan. — Hutchinson (8-5, 3-4) used a dominant second half to defeat No. 21 Dodge City (8-4, 4-2) Wednesday night on the road.

The Dragons held one of the nation's top scorers to just two points in the first half on 1-of-9 shooting.

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