Hutchinson Public School officials provided updates on several district initiatives during Monday evening's Board of Education meeting, including progress on a new daycare facility, upcoming capital improvement&nbsp; &nbsp;planning&nbsp;and the district’s annual insurance renewal.&nbsp;

Superintendent Dr. Dawn Johnson told board members that district administrators and finance staff have begun reviewing potential capital outlay projects for the coming summer. Officials recently walked through all district buildings to&nbsp;identify&nbsp;facility needs and prioritize projects.&nbsp;

Johnson said having the district’s finance director&nbsp;participate&nbsp;in the walkthrough process alongside staff requesting improvements should help the district better plan future maintenance and capital spending.&nbsp;

Johnson also reported progress on its new daycare facility. Playground equipment is expected to arrive this week, with installation planned for next week.&nbsp;District staff plans to move equipment from the old daycare location to the new building during spring break.&nbsp;

Johnson said they are hoping the daycare can open shortly after spring break, though some final items&nbsp;remain&nbsp;on a construction punch list, including completion of the building’s portico.&nbsp;A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for April 3 at 11:30 a.m.&nbsp;

Board members also heard updates on district activities and student achievements. The Hutch High&nbsp;boys&nbsp;wrestling team recently placed fourth as a team, with several individual medalists, while both boys and&nbsp;girls&nbsp;basketball teams completed their seasons during sub-state competition.&nbsp;Arya Byard&nbsp;also qualified individually for the state bowling tournament.&nbsp;

In other&nbsp;business, the board approved the district’s annual insurance renewal covering property, equipment, vehicles, cyber&nbsp;protection&nbsp;and other liabilities. Finance Director  Abby Stockebrand said the total annual premium is about $650,000,&nbsp;representing&nbsp;an increase of&nbsp;roughly 3 percent&nbsp;from last year — a smaller rise than the previous year.&nbsp;

Stockebrand said the district reviews its coverage annually and works with insurance providers to update&nbsp;policies&nbsp;as properties,&nbsp;equipment&nbsp;or leases change.&nbsp;

Two executive sessions were held during the meeting — one to discuss personnel matters and another related to a potential property purchase for district services. No action was taken following those discussions.&nbsp;

The meeting concluded with the board approving the personnel report and adjourning.&nbsp;

BOE receives update on daycare project

Charges have been filed in connection with a fatal rollover crash north of Hutchinson that left a 19-year-old man dead last year.

According to the Reno County Sheriff’s Office, deputies, along with the Hutchinson Fire Department, Reno County EMS and the Kansas Highway Patrol, were dispatched at approximately 3:06 p.m. on Aug. 27 to the 6100 block of North Plum Street for a report of a single-vehicle rollover crash with entrapment.

First responders located a 2010 Chevrolet Corvette in the east ditch after it had struck a tree and overturned. The driver, identified as Kaden J. Marcum, 19, of Hutchinson, was trapped inside the vehicle.

Emergency crews extricated Marcum and began life-saving measures before transporting him to a Wichita hospital in critical condition. Marcum later died from his injuries.

Investigators determined a second vehicle, a 2012 Dodge Charger driven by 20-year-old Ethan Kellen Goble of Plevna, was also involved in the crash. Goble sustained minor injuries and was transported by private vehicle to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center.

Authorities said both vehicles were traveling north on Plum Street when the Charger attempted to overtake the Corvette. The vehicles collided, causing the Corvette to leave the roadway, strike a tree and overturn. Investigators believe speed was a factor in the crash.

On Jan. 2, 2026, the Reno County District Attorney’s Office filed charges against Goble, including involuntary manslaughter, a level 5 felony, and reckless driving, a misdemeanor.

Man charged in fatal 2025 crash

The Reno County Commission will hold its weekly meeting Wednesday, March 11, beginning at 9 a.m. in the Veterans Room at the Reno County Courthouse, 206 W. First Ave.

Commissioners will consider a number of items on both the consent agenda and regular business agenda, including equipment purchases for Public Works, grant applications for the Reno County Health Department, and an economic-development incentive request.

Among the items listed on the consent agenda is approval of county vouchers covering bills and payments owed by the county and related taxing units. Commissioners will also consider resolutions involving cancellation of certain county payments and adjustments related to commissioner district boundaries.

Other consent agenda items include approval of Board of County Commissioners meeting minutes from Jan. 14 and Jan. 28, along with special meeting minutes from Jan. 14 and Jan. 20.

Public Works is requesting approval to purchase a 2026 LeeBoy 4130B road widener from Kirby-Smith Machinery, Inc., at a cost of $296,365. The purchase request also includes declaring a 1986 Blaw-Knox RW100 road widener as surplus property to be sold at auction.

Commissioners will also revisit two grant-related items that were tabled during the Feb. 25 meeting. Those include a Kansas Department of Health and Environment Aid-to-Local grant application for the Reno County Health Department totaling $889,513.80, as well as an Outreach, Prevention, and Early Intervention (OPEI) passthrough grant valued at $350,000.

Under business items, commissioners will conduct a second review of a job incentive request submitted by Superior Holding, Inc. The proposal was originally denied at their Feb. 25, 2026 meeting by a 3-2 vote. The board will also hear the annual report presentation from Reno County Youth Services.

County commission to consider Health Department grants

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. ——————————————

Ethan	Kellen	Goble		3/9/2026 10:28&nbsp;AM	Reckless driving; unknown conviction,					Involuntary manslaughter; Lawful act

Amber	Dawn	Sinclair		3/9/2026 12:16&nbsp;PM	Failure to Appear

Shane	Clifton	Stone		3/9/2026 2:45&nbsp;PM	Probation Violation

Lonnie	Jefferson	Cole		3/9/2026 4:21&nbsp;PM	DUI; 1st conv; drugs or combination of drugs, Driving while license cancelled/suspended/revoked; misd; unknown conv

Joseph	Daniel	Freeman		3/9/2026 4:41&nbsp;PM	Indecent Liberties with a Child 14-15YOA; AGGRAVATED; Sexual Intercourse,					Sodomy; with a child who is 14-15 YOA,					Sexual Exploitation of a Child; Unknown Circumstances,					Electronic Solicitation; Believes Child to be 14-15YOA

Gabriel	Jacob Benson	Gendreau		3/9/2026 11:28&nbsp;PM	Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body,					Endangering a Child

Lilliana	Marie	Duran		3/9/2026 11:40&nbsp;PM	Failure to Appear,					Poss of marijuana,					Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body,					Endangering a Child

Vernell	Eugene	Golston	Jr	3/10/2026 12:17&nbsp;AM	Criminal Damage to Property; Without consent; &lt; $1,000,					Criminal Damage to Property; Without consent; $1,000 to $24,999

Daily Bookings

Central Christian School has rescheduled its upcoming Kindergarten Exploration and First Grade Preview event to Tuesday, March 24, while also celebrating a major milestone for its athletics program.

School officials announced the date change as both the CCS boys and girls basketball teams prepare to compete in the state tournament. It marks only the second time in school history that both teams have qualified for state in the same season.

The rescheduled event is designed for families considering enrolling their children in kindergarten or first grade at Central Christian School.

During the evening, attendees will have the opportunity to meet the school’s kindergarten teacher and connect with current kindergarten parents. The program will also feature a short presentation by the kindergarten class showcasing what students are learning in the classroom.

Children who will be entering kindergarten or first grade this fall can participate in hands-on activities, while parents can attend an informational session covering what to expect from the school’s kindergarten program.

Families with students entering first grade will also hear directly from Mrs. Penner, who will serve as next year’s first-grade teacher.

School officials say the event is designed to give families a firsthand look at the classroom environment, curriculum and community at CCS.

Additional details about the March 24 event are available through Central Christian School.

CCS Reschedules kindergarten exploration event

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

Three-day Outlook

RAFAEL GARCIA K-State News and Communications Services

Brian Geisbrecht will not hit a home run today, and that's okay. 

He won't discover the next big anti-inflammatory medicine, but he might tomorrow. He won't publish a paper — not yet anyway. 

But he'll continue to build on a body of work that is leading to new insights for understanding the human immune system. That track record of consistent advancement of his field — and the development of future researchers to go even further — has led him to receive one of the Big 12's highest faculty honors. 

Geisbrecht, university distinguished professor of biochemistry and molecular biophysics, was selected this spring as K-State's Big 12 Faculty of the Year recipient. 

The program recognizes outstanding faculty at each Big 12 institution who have excelled in areas of innovation and research and have made their college campuses thrive as places of learning and growth. 

"Brian Geisbrecht's research tackles some of the most pressing challenges in modern medicine," said Provost and Executive Vice President Jesse Perez Mendez. "Through innovative structural biology research and an outstanding record of federal support and scholarly publication, he is helping uncover new pathways for therapies while training the scientists who will carry this work forward. His impact embodies the excellence Kansas State University brings to the Big 12." 

Biochemist's lab studies effects of naturally-occurring inhibitors on human immune response

Since arriving at K-State in 2013, Geisbrecht has led a lab that studies the biochemical principles underlying immune evasion, or how pathogens, parasites, and certain insects inhibit the human immune system. 

Many diseases are actually not caused directly by a pathogen, but by the human body's overactive immune response, Geisbrecht said. 

That response is important — without it, most people would die from simple infections — but when it's overly active, Geisbrecht said, people begin to develop inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, age-related macular degeneration and a variety of rare hematological disorders. 

Geisbrecht's lab focuses on "digging in the biological sandbox" of immune evasion proteins to find new classes of inhibitors that could help tamp down inflammatory responses. 

"Understanding this matters because it's what I call 'nature's pharmacy,'" he said. "There's enormous investment in drug design and development, but nature often provides great templates. If we understand how they work, drug designers can potentially create molecules that mimic those effects." 

For many years, Geisbrecht's team has focused on Staphylococcus aureus, the bacterium that causes staph infections, and the molecules it uses to evade the human body's innate immune system. 

The lab has also worked with biting flies, or the kind that feed on blood. 

"Blood is a great nutritional source, but it's also filled with immune proteins," he said. "If an insect wants to feed on blood, it has to shut down that immune response. That's an area we've been focusing on more in the last couple of years." 

Developing the next generation of biochemists

At K-State, Geisbrecht mostly works with senior- and graduate-level students — typically science-minded future researchers who know they also want to make a difference in the fields of biochemistry and molecular biophysics. 

Geisbrecht's main goal as a research mentor is not only to develop excellent laboratory skills and understanding, but also to foster a sense of purpose among his students. 

"Most of what we do fails — that's just the nature of science," he said. "If you compare it to baseball, getting a hit three out of 10 times makes you an All-Star. In science, if three out of 10 experiments worked, you'd probably win the Nobel Prize. 

"The key is keeping perspective and making a little progress each day." 

Over the last five years, Geisbrecht said he has been blessed with a great group of students in his lab, such as Soheila Fatehi.

"He's everything you want in a research mentor," said Fatehi, a doctoral candidate in biochemistry. "It's the way he thinks about research. It's his attitude toward students. He's a phenomenal researcher and a supportive mentor." 

While other schools involved in medical research might stock labs with ranks of postdoctoral scientists, the professor said he has most enjoyed living K-State's land-grant mission to develop the next generation of researchers. 

"Graduate students are the lifeblood of what we do," he said. "This group is what makes honors like this possible. They show up, do their experiments, evaluate their data and collaborate with me. I might sketch out the scope of a project, but it's their work. 

"That's how my lab runs," he continued. "That's how our entire department runs. That's what makes this place work." 

Digging in the biological sandbox

By <a href="mailto:sean.boston@eaglemedia.com">SEAN BOSTON</a> Hutch Post

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Buckle officially opened its new exterior-facing location at Uptown Hutch Mall on Monday morning, becoming the latest business to relocate from the mall’s interior to an outside storefront.

Doors opened at 10 a.m., with shoppers welcomed by staff members from across the region and offered special deals and goodie bags as part of the grand opening celebration.

The store is managed by Kaitlyn Vargas, who recently relocated from Garden City to take over leadership of the Hutchinson location. Vargas said she is excited about both the new storefront and the opportunity to connect with the local community.

“I’m so excited to share with everybody,” Vargas said. “We just relocated and gave everybody a brand new location to look forward to. I look forward to getting connected with my community and meeting everybody.”

Vargas was selected to lead the store into its new exterior location. She said the opportunity to oversee the revamped store is something she feels grateful for.

“I truly feel so blessed for the opportunity to be here,” Vargas said. “Watching the transformation and bringing it to life here has truly been such an amazing experience.”

Employees from several Buckle locations across the Midwest, including team members from Texas, traveled to Hutchinson to help welcome customers and celebrate the opening.

The retailer had previously operated inside the mall before transitioning to the exterior space, a move Vargas said will help increase visibility and attract new customers.

“I feel like being in the mall didn’t give us the exposure that we needed,” Vargas said. “Now we’re going to be able to get ourselves out there to everybody, even those who may have never shopped with Buckle before.”

Buckle is known for its denim selection and carries a wide variety of clothing and accessories. The store offers women’s, men’s and youth apparel, including jeans, tops, shoes and accessories from the company’s BKE brand along with other popular labels.

Vargas said shoppers can also expect new seasonal styles arriving soon.

“We’re known for denim, so we’re your top denim destination,” Vargas said. “Whether you’re looking for a slim fit, something universal or something more relaxed, we truly have something for everybody.”

Buckle unveils new exterior location at Uptown Hutch Mall

StartUp Hutch has been awarded a $50,000 grant from the Hutchinson Community Foundation to launch a new Housing Entrepreneurship Program aimed at strengthening the local contractor and skilled trades pipeline to support housing development in Hutchinson and Reno County.

The two-year pilot initiative addresses a critical gap in the community’s housing ecosystem: the shortage of local contractors, subcontractors, and skilled trades entrepreneurs needed to efficiently and affordably deliver new housing and rehabilitation projects.

While existing efforts like the City of Hutchinson’s Small-Scale Developers Alliance are helping move housing projects forward, limited contractor capacity has remained an upstream constraint impacting project timelines, costs, and feasibility.

“This program tackles housing challenges at their root,” said Graham Klemme, Executive Director of StartUp Hutch. “If we want more housing, we need more local entrepreneurs in the trades who are equipped not only with technical skills, but with the business training and support to grow sustainable companies.”

The Housing Entrepreneurship Program will:

Over the two-year pilot period, StartUp Hutch will provide trades-focused entrepreneurship training, one-on-one technical assistance, ecosystem convenings, and pilot project support.

Anticipated outcomes include increased trades-based business formation, improved contractor readiness, stronger coordination between developers and contractors, and reduced reliance on out-of-area labor.

Supporting Economic Growth Through Housing

Hutchinson and Reno County continue to face housing challenges that impact workforce recruitment, neighborhood stability, and long-term economic growth. Employers frequently cite housing availability as a barrier to attracting talent, while aging housing stock and limited new construction strain the local market.

By investing in local trades entrepreneurs, the program ensures that housing investments circulate dollars within the community, build generational wealth, and strengthen Reno County’s economic resilience. The initiative also serves as a pilot toward a future Center for Entrepreneurship at Hutchinson Community College, with a focus on skilled trades entrepreneurship aligned with Elevate Reno County.

A Scalable, Community-Driven Model

The $50,000 investment will support staffing, training, technical assistance, convenings, pilot implementation, and evaluation of the program. StartUp Hutch designed the initiative as a scalable model that can expand as community partnerships and resources grow.

“As Reno County’s rallying community for entrepreneurs, StartUp Hutch is uniquely positioned to connect trades professionals with the tools, training, and relationships they need to thrive,” said Klemme. “This program strengthens our housing system by strengthening the people who build it.”

More details—including how to get involved and upcoming info sessions—will be shared in the coming weeks.

Contractors, skilled trades professionals, and partners interested in learning more about the program should complete the interest form at <a href="http://startuphutch.com/housing">startuphutch.com/housing</a> or contact Graham Klemme, Executive Director of StartUp Hutch at <a href="mailto:graham@startuphutch.com.">graham@startuphutch.com. </a>

StartUp Hutch awarded $50K grant

Here's a list of events happening around the area.&nbsp; If your club or organization has an event, you can e-mail the information to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:hutchpost@eaglemedia.com">HutchPost@eaglemedia.com.</a>

So Bad It's Good Movie Night: "Little Shop of Horrors - 6:30 p.m. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Senior Center at Elmdale Park&nbsp;– 400 East Ave. E

HutchCC Symphonic Band and Concert Choir concert with Salt City Orchestra: "Between Sound and Silence" - 7 p.m. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Stringer Fine Arts Center&nbsp;– 600 East 11th Ave.

HutchCC Women's Basketball vs Colby - Region 6 Second Round - 6 p.m. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Hutchinson Sports Arena - 700 East 11th Ave.

Trends in Data Center Development - 11 a.m. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Stringer Fine Arts Center - 600 East 11th Ave.

KSHSAA 3A and 4A State Basketball Championships &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Hutchinson Sports Arena - 700 East 11th Ave.

KSHSAA 3A and 4A State Basketball Championships &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Hutchinson Sports Arena - 700 East 11th Ave.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"Hoppers" Movie - 7 p.m. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Cosmosphere - 1100 North Plum

KSHSAA 3A and 4A State Basketball Championships &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Hutchinson Sports Arena - 700 East 11th Ave.&nbsp;&nbsp;

A Gathering for Gardeners – 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Our Redeemer Lutheran Church - 407 E. 12th Ave.&nbsp;

Irish Road Bowling - 9 a.m. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Carey Park - 601 S. Plum St., Hutchinson.&nbsp;

Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce Legislative Forum - 9a.m. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Stringer Fine Arts Center - 600 E. 11th Ave.

Card, Comic, &amp; Toy Show - 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Meadowlark Building, Kansas State Fairgrounds, 2000 N. Poplar St.&nbsp;

Creative Jump Start Workshop - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Hutchinson Art Center - 405 North Washington

Fox Live Series: Tom Papa Grateful Bread Tour - 7:30 p.m. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Historic Fox Theatre - 18 East First Ave.

Mid-America Flea Market - 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Meadowlark Building, Kansas State Fairgrounds, 2000 N. Poplar St.

Happenings Around Hutch • March 9 - March 15

A Kansas Senate bill that would eventually eliminate property taxes in the state is scheduled for a public hearing on Tuesday.

The Kansas Senate Committee on Federal and State Affairs will hold a hearing on Senate Bill 488 at 9:30 a.m. on March 10. The measure is titled the Kansas Property Tax Freedom Act of 2026.

The proposal would phase out property taxes over several years. Under the bill, local governments would be limited to 50% of their 2025 mill levy in tax year 2026 and 25% of the 2025 levy in 2027. Beginning in 2028, property taxes on real and personal property would be prohibited under the plan.

To replace lost revenue, the legislation would establish a “Kansas fair share purchase surcharge” beginning Jan. 1, 2027. Purchases of $20 or more would carry a flat $1.60 surcharge, while purchases under $20 would be charged 7.6% of the purchase price.

Revenue from the surcharge would be distributed primarily to local governments and schools, with 48% allocated to school districts and 35% to counties, cities and other local taxing entities. Additional funds would support the state general fund and a reserve fund intended to stabilize revenue and potentially provide taxpayer rebates if the balance exceeds $500 million.

The bill also outlines exemptions from the surcharge, including groceries eligible for SNAP, prescription drugs, motor fuel, utilities, child care services and K-12 tuition.

Even if approved by lawmakers, the plan would only take effect if Kansas voters pass a constitutional amendment prohibiting property taxes during a statewide election.

Kansas 'Property Tax Freedom Act' set for legislative hearing

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Several people including two police officers were injured after an overnight house fire in Bonner Springs.

Late Monday, Kansas City, Kansas fire crews responded on automatic aid to assist the Bonner Springs Fire Department with a house fire in the 500 block of Allcutt Avenue, according to a media release.

Bonner Springs Police officers were the first to arrive and immediately entered the home after learning people were still inside. They assisted in removing the occupants until firefighters arrived.

Two patients were transported in critical condition, and a citizen who stopped to help is listed in stable condition. Two Bonner Springs Police officers were also treated for smoke inhalation and minor injuries.

Situations like this are exactly why regional cooperation between public safety agencies exists. Last night could have been much worse without the quick actions of officers, firefighters, and citizens working together.

Two hospitalized after fire at Kansas home

Sen. Caryn Tyson apologizes for misrepresenting amendment, opposes repeal

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">Tim Carpenter</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Sen. Caryn Tyson, who labels herself “Tax Cutting Tyson,” successfully pitched to fellow senators a budget amendment creating a state revenue lockbox dedicated to reducing the property tax mill levy supporting K-12 public schools.

No one in the Kansas Senate inquired about details of her amendment, which was quickly approved last week amid debate on two dozen ideas for tweaking&nbsp;<a href="https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/documents/sb315_02_0000.pdf" target="_blank">Senate Bill 315</a>. The special account would allow the Legislature to chip away at the 20-mill annual property tax for schools, she said.

“We’re going to establish a property tax relief fund,” said Tyson, a Parker Republican who chairs the Senate’s tax committee. “There’s no money in it. So, there’s no fiscal cost.”

The Senate agreed without objection to drop her proposal into the bill.

That’s the way things stood for 2½ hours until Sen. Stephen Owens, R-Hesston, surprised senators with his discovery that Tyson’s amendment earmarked millions of dollars in online state lottery revenue for the new property tax fund. Tyson’s amendment actually reappropriated lottery revenue that was promised for care of mentally ill adults and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as the frail and elderly population.

“We often hear in here there’s no such thing as a simple bill,” Owens said. “Well, it turns out there is no such thing as a simple amendment.”

Owens said he regretted not pressing Tyson for details of the amendment embedding a property tax relief fund in the state budget. He blamed his passivity on an inherent trust in a legislative process obligating lawmakers to present accurate information about proposed amendments.

Unbeknownst to senators when they voted to pass Tyson’s amendment, the measure required all state iLottery proceeds above $80 million per year to be deposited in the special fund to replace property taxes collected to fund schools.

“I do think we need to have an open and transparent discussion about where those funds are coming from and where they’re being redirected,” Owens said.

Throughout Owens’ remarks, Tyson stood at her desk on the Senate floor waiting to speak. She apologized in her speech for failing to accurately describe the amendment that had won Senate approval.

“I would never try to mislead this body — ever,” Tyson said. “I grabbed the wrong amendment. I thought that I had the amendment that was only going to establish the property tax relief fund.”

Tyson said she inadvertently presented the Senate with a more ambitious amendment that withdrew millions of dollars from safety net programs. She said her intent was to merely create an account for property tax buydowns. She planned to propose later in the legislative session a series of amendments that transferred state dollars, including iLottery revenue, to the fund for property tax relief.

She said another idea for generating cash for property tax relief would be a new state tax on production of renewable energy, such as wind or solar.

“We’re actually going to have a tax trailer bill, if you will, that would compel the buydown,” Tyson said.

Sen. Rick Billinger, a Goodland Republican and chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, said he opposed Tyson’s proposal to alter appropriations of iLottery revenue.

He said the first $8 million above the $80 million iLottery baseline would support a voluntary network of support for adults with serious mental illness. He said the Senate bill would free up $10 million to reserve 240 beds at six hospitals for patients with mental disorders.

In addition, Billinger said, the bill depended on iLottery dollars to help people with disabilities land jobs. The bill set aside cash to provide in-home care for frail or elderly people so they had a greater chance of avoiding placement in a nursing home, he said.

“What we were trying to do here was use the excess lottery (for) good intentions,” Billinger said.

Tyson responded to Billinger by arguing against Owens’ bid to repeal the amendment she had submitted in error. Tyson said the Legislature should take the unexpected opportunity to begin building the property tax fund. She said every $45 million set aside in the account could eliminate 1 mill of the state property tax for schools.

“It’s these feel-good funds that were just talked about versus actual property tax relief to buy down the 20 mill. This is real relief for your constituents,” Tyson said.

The Senate passed Owens’ motion to strike Tyson’s amendment from the bill. He said taking iLottery revenue from Kansans reliant on safety net programs wasn’t the way to address property taxes.

“From my perspective, I would not balance the budget or reduce property taxes on their backs,” Owens said.

Before the Senate completed work on&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2026/03/04/kansas-senate-budget-seeks-to-pry-state-funding-from-wine-and-cheese-crowd/">the budget bill</a>, Tyson proposed and the Senate accepted an amendment that merely established the property tax fund.

Kansas Senate reverses self to kill budget proviso using safety net funds for property tax cuts

SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement in Salina are investigating a shooting have made an arrest.

Just before 5p.m. Monday, police responded to the 1100 block of W. Republic in Salina after reports of 10-20 shots had been fired, according to&nbsp;Salina Police Lt. Andrew Ziegler.

Witnesses saw a gray Dodge Charger fleeing the scene. A tag for that vehicle was developed, and the FLOCK System was utilized. It was determined the vehicle was near 9th Street and Interstate 70.

Saline County Deputies arrived in the area and located the vehicle at the Pilot Gas Station, 1944 N 9th. Street.

The driver of that vehicle, 26-year-old Alex Ramos-Guebara of Salina, was taken into custody without incident.

The victim, a 21-year-old man, who was an occupant of a residence in the 1100 block of W. Republic was transported to the Salina Regional Health Center by private vehicle for treatment of two non-life-threatening gunshot wounds to his lower body.

Police with the assistance of the Saline County Sheriff’s Office were able to determine through the course of the investigation that Ramos-Guebara arrived at the residence, where he kicked in the door.

The victim, who does not live at the residence, along with other occupants pushed Ramos-Guebara out of the residence.&nbsp; Ramos-Guebara then retrieved a gun from his vehicle and approached the victim.

Ramos-Guebara began to aim the gun at the victim, who grabbed the gun as Ramos-Guebara began firing. The victim was shot twice in the lower body, as most of the shots went into the ground. Police recovered the&nbsp;gun at the scene.

Ramos-Guebara is being in the Saline County Jail on requested charges of Attempted Murder in the 1st Degree and Aggravated Burglary.

The case is still under investigation. More arrests are possible, according to Ziegler.

Police: Suspect kicked in door of Kansas home, shot victim

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran’s attacks on regional oil infrastructure and pledges to choke off maritime traffic left markets on edge Tuesday as the United States promised blistering new strikes. The war entered its 11th day with no end in sight as its effects were felt across the region and beyond.

Both sides sharpened their rhetoric as they dug in, with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth again promising the most intense strikes yet, while Iran's leaders ruled out talks and directly threatened U.S. President Donald Trump.

Iran launched new attacks Israel and Gulf Arab countries, and Israel — America’s key ally in the fight — launched more airstrikes on Tehran and in Lebanon, where it is battling the Iran-backed Hezbollah.

At the Pentagon, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth warned that Tuesday “will be yet again our most intense day of strikes inside Iran: The most fighters, the most bombers, the most strikes, intelligence more refined and better than ever.” He said “the last 24 hours have seen Iran fire the lowest amount of missiles they have fired yet.”

Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said U.S. forces hit more than 5,000 targets, and that their objectives included striking “deeper into Iran's military and industrial base.”

Witnesses reported hearing several explosions in Tehran in the afternoon as Israel commenced a new wave of airstrikes. Many shops were shuttered.

Iran's leaders have remained defiant after days of heavy strikes targeting the country's leadership, military, ballistic missiles and disputed nuclear program. Iran's parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, said on X that Iran was “definitely not looking for a ceasefire.”

“We believe that the aggressor should be punched in the mouth so that he learns a lesson so that he will never think of attacking our beloved Iran again,” he said.

A top Iranian security official, Ali Larijani, appeared to threaten Trump himself, writing on X that “Iran doesn’t fear your empty threats. Even those bigger than you couldn’t eliminate Iran. Be careful not to get eliminated yourself.” Iran has been accused of plotting attempts to kill Trump in the past.

US and Iranian leaders trade new threats

The NBA has canceled the Atlanta Hawks' plans for a celebration of the city's Magic City adult entertainment club, saying Monday that it was responding to concerns from many across the league.

The event was supposed to happen next Monday during a game against the Orlando Magic.

Atlanta announced the plan last month, calling it a tribute to an “iconic cultural institution” with food — including the club’s lemon pepper wings, a version of which is named for former Hawks guard Lou Williams — along with music and exclusive merchandise.

“While we are very disappointed in the NBA’s decision to cancel our Magic City Night promotion, we fully respect its decision,” the Hawks said Monday. “As a franchise, we remain committed to celebrating the best of Atlanta — with authenticity — in ways that continue to unite and bring us all together.”

Some elements of the plans for the night will remain, the Hawks said, including a halftime performance from rapper T.I. — and there are plans for lemon pepper wings to be sold.

But some plans for merchandise have been scrapped, as has a live recording of a podcast that was to feature Hawks primary owner Jami Gertz, T.I. and Magic City founder Michael Barney.

Plans for the celebration were met with mixed reactions — some for, some against. One NBA player, Luke Kornet of the San Antonio Spurs,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hawks-magic-city-club-night-luke-kornet-spurs-e422f9344fc122168bd0ebafb3fe1e98">spoke out about the idea of promoting a strip club</a>&nbsp;and urged the parties involved to reconsider.

And the league evidently heard the same message from others.

“When we became aware of the Atlanta Hawks’ scheduled promotion, we reached out to Hawks leadership to better understand their plans and rationale,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said. “While we appreciate the team’s perspective and their desire to move forward, we have heard significant concerns from a broad array of league stakeholders, including fans, partners and employees.

“I believe canceling this promotion is the right decision for the broader NBA community.”

The Hawks have ties to the club. Gertz was a producer for a five-part docuseries that explored the club's history, its place in Black and hip-hop culture and what it means to the city.

“This collaboration and theme night is very meaningful to me after all the work that we did to put together ’Magic City: An American Fantasy,’” Gertz, who is also a filmmaker and actor, said when the promotion was announced. “The iconic Atlanta institution has made such an incredible impact on our city and its unique culture.”

Why the NBA canceled a team's controversial promotion

ALLEN COUNTY –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), the Humboldt Police Department, and the Allen County Sheriff's Office are investigating a homicide that occurred in Humboldt, Kansas.

Just after 5p.m. on Sunday, Humboldt officers were dispatched to the 1000 block of Sycamore Street, in Humboldt, according to a media release from the KBI.

Preliminary information indicates that a woman fled a residence during a domestic dispute with her boyfriend, Malachi I. Davis, 25, of Humboldt, and sought help at a neighbor’s house. The neighbor contacted a male subject, who arrived at the scene. The man, John P. Kent, 43, of Humboldt, became involved in a verbal altercation with Davis.

During the incident, Davis fired a single shot from his vehicle window, striking Kent, who was transported to Allen County Regional Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.