Reno County lawmakers fielded questions Saturday&nbsp;during a legislative forum hosted by the&nbsp;Hutchinsn/Reno County Chamber of Commerce at the Stringer Fine Arts&nbsp;Center&nbsp;on&nbsp;everything from property tax relief and school cell phone policies to prison construction and campaign-style advocacy by public agencies, offering a preview of the issues likely to dominate the final stretch of the 2026 legislative session.&nbsp;

Senator Michael Murphy,&nbsp;Representatives Kyler Sweely,&nbsp;Paul&nbsp;Waggoner&nbsp;and&nbsp;Kevin Schwertfeger&nbsp;were in&nbsp;attendance,&nbsp;Rep. Joe&nbsp;Seiwert was&nbsp;invited,&nbsp;but&nbsp;did not attend due to recovering from a battle with&nbsp;an&nbsp;illness. The&nbsp;panelists said they are still sorting through competing proposals to curb rising property taxes, including bills that would cap valuation growth, require votes for bigger&nbsp;increases&nbsp;and provide incentives for local governments that limit revenue hikes. They also discussed a more sweeping idea from Sen. Mike Murphy to&nbsp;eliminate&nbsp;property taxes altogether and replace them with a capped retail surcharge.&nbsp;

“We’re trying to deal with that,”&nbsp;Rep. Kyler Sweely&nbsp;said of property taxes, describing it as a difficult balancing act as legislators&nbsp;face&nbsp;pressure to restrain state spending while meeting demands for schools,&nbsp;infrastructure&nbsp;and public services.&nbsp;

Energy siting bill draws limited comment&nbsp;

Audience questions opened with House Bill 2728, which would require the Kansas Corporation Commission to&nbsp;establish&nbsp;uniform&nbsp;sitting&nbsp;and&nbsp;permitting&nbsp;standards for certain energy facilities and would limit some local government actions related to permitting.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;lawmakers said they had not reviewed the measure closely because it&nbsp;remains&nbsp;in committee and is outside their assignments. One said the proposal is the type of bill he would expect to track more closely once it clears&nbsp;the committee&nbsp;and reaches the full House.&nbsp;

Sales tax authority, property tax caps debated&nbsp;

A longer discussion centered on House Bill 2712 and House Bill 2745, both tied to broader debates about how Kansas should finance local government and schools.&nbsp;

HB 2712 would expand authority for countywide retailer sales taxes, allow certain dedicated apportionments of special-purpose tax revenues and limit special-purpose city and county sales taxes to 10 years, according to a summary read at the forum.&nbsp;

Rep.Waggoner&nbsp;said current Kansas law creates a disincentive for counties to rely on sales tax, noting that once a county exceeds 1% on its sales tax rate it must seek legislative approval to go higher — a step he characterized as outdated and one that can encourage reliance on property taxes instead.&nbsp;

“Frankly, all that does is incentivize counties to raise their property tax rather than go to the sales tax,” he said, adding that requiring the Legislature’s approval can push counties toward what he called the “easy way” to raise revenue.&nbsp;

Lawmakers also addressed HB 2745, which was described at the forum as having multiple parts and drawing a contentious response in committee.&nbsp;Waggoner&nbsp;said the bill “went over like a lead balloon” in a hearing, despite the credibility of its sponsor, House Taxation Committee&nbsp;Chairman&nbsp;Adam Smith.&nbsp;

Another lawmaker contrasted what he described as differing House and Senate approaches to property tax relief — including a valuation-cap concept and a revenue-neutral framework aimed at limiting local tax growth to a range tied to inflation and encouraging compliance through incentive funding.&nbsp;

Underlying both approaches, multiple panelists said, is the same core tension: restraining government spending while responding to local demands.&nbsp;

Murphy pitches “Property Tax Freedom” plan&nbsp;

Murphy, discussing Senate Bill 488 — which he said would need a constitutional amendment to remove property taxes from Kansas’ constitution — argued property taxes have become unsustainable for some homeowners, particularly those on fixed incomes whose home values rise faster than their ability to pay.&nbsp;

Murphy compared property taxes to “the Titanic,” saying the system has “struck the iceberg” and lawmakers can only “rearrange the deck chairs” unless they embrace a bigger change.&nbsp;

Murphy said SB 488 would replace property taxes with a small surcharge on purchases, capped per transaction. Under his outline, the surcharge would be 7.6% up to $20, topping out at $1.60. A $25 item would add $1.60, he said, while a much more expensive purchase — such as a vehicle — would also add $1.60 because of the cap.&nbsp;

Murphy said the proposal would exempt certain essentials such as utilities and groceries and would broaden the base so “everybody pays,” arguing that existing exemptions can shift costs onto remaining taxpayers. He said the approach could capture money from out-of-state travelers and would make Kansas more attractive economically if property taxes were eliminated.&nbsp;

“What do you think is going to happen if we don’t have property tax?” Murphy said, predicting it would spur investment and help housing affordability by removing a recurring cost borne by homeowners and embedded in rents.&nbsp;

Other lawmakers were more cautious.&nbsp;Waggoner&nbsp;credited Murphy for “thinking out of the box” but said the core issue&nbsp;remains&nbsp;spending: shifting from property tax to a consumption-based system would not automatically limit what government spends.&nbsp;

Rep. Sweely&nbsp;raised concerns about border communities, where shoppers might cross into nearby states if they feel a consumption tax is too high —&nbsp;a dynamic&nbsp;lawmakers said they would need to study if the proposal advances.&nbsp;

Prison construction in Hutchinson resurfaces&nbsp;

The forum also revisited ongoing concerns over the Hutchinson Correctional Facility, where lawmakers and corrections officials have cited aging infrastructure and design issues.&nbsp;

Representative Sweely,&nbsp;whose district includes the prison, said Gov. Laura Kelly previously included funding for a new Hutchinson prison in a past budget proposal but does not include it in her current&nbsp;budget. The lawmaker estimated replacement costs in the hundreds of&nbsp;millions,&nbsp;and said legislators would need to consider bonding or other financing mechanisms.&nbsp;

Sweely&nbsp;called the existing prison “pretty rough,” describing conditions as deteriorated and arguing that a new facility could strengthen local employment and help Hutchinson&nbsp;retain&nbsp;workers who now commute from outside the county.&nbsp;

Panelists emphasized that the Legislature — not the governor —&nbsp;ultimately appropriates&nbsp;funding. Several said Kansas has shifted toward a more Legislature-driven budget process, with legislative committees developing recommendations in advance, making the governor’s budget proposal less determinative than it once was.&nbsp;

On the question of where a new prison would be built, one lawmaker said state-owned land near the current site appears the&nbsp;most likely option&nbsp;because it would reduce acquisition costs, though he said community input would be considered.&nbsp;

KPERS changes seen as unlikely&nbsp;

Asked about proposals to eliminate KPERS 3 and move workers to KPERS 2, lawmakers said the change faces steep costs and would be difficult to pass.&nbsp;

Waggoner&nbsp;said legislation is introduced&nbsp;nearly every&nbsp;year but “has a very, very minimal chance to ever pass,” citing estimates of hundreds of millions of dollars in upfront state funding&nbsp;required&nbsp;to make the shift.&nbsp;

Cell phones in schools, special education funding&nbsp;

On cell phone policies in schools, lawmakers said Gov. Kelly has urged legislators to send her a bill restricting student cell phone use, and some predicted a measure could advance soon. Panelists discussed balancing statewide standards with local control and noted research suggesting student mental health and classroom outcomes can improve after districts adopt restrictions, though the adjustment can take time.&nbsp;

Special education funding sparked a broader debate. Lawmakers acknowledged that Kansas does not currently meet a commonly cited benchmark of covering 92% of excess special education costs, but multiple panelists said the issue is complicated by how spending is counted and the constraints of state budgeting.&nbsp;

One lawmaker said any increase creates “maintenance of effort” obligations, meaning new funding levels become an ongoing commitment rather than a one-time appropriation. Another pointed to rising per-student spending overall while warning that academic outcomes have not risen proportionately.&nbsp;

Conservation fund and “heirs&nbsp;property” act&nbsp;

Lawmakers also discussed House Bill 2063, which would&nbsp;establish&nbsp;a statewide conservation fund aimed at supporting working lands, outdoor&nbsp;recreation&nbsp;and wildlife. One panelist said an original request for $60 million was reduced in discussion to a smaller amount and could potentially be paired with federal matching funds if enacted.&nbsp;

Another lawmaker voiced support for directing resources to rural communities and conservation needs but raised concerns about how outside groups might influence the program’s&nbsp;administration;&nbsp;arguing conservation districts should play&nbsp;a central role.&nbsp;

A separate question focused on the Uniform Partition of Heirs Property Act, legislation intended to help prevent forced sales that can break up family farms when heirs disagree about property. One sponsor said the effort has struggled to advance, noting opposition from some interests and the challenge of securing hearings amid packed committee schedules.&nbsp;

Veto override expected on bathroom bill&nbsp;

The panelists also said they expect to override Kelly’s veto of a bill restricting transgender individuals’ access to bathrooms and changing rooms in government-owned buildings. Lawmakers said the bill passed with a veto-proof majority and described the measure as rooted in biological distinctions and privacy concerns.&nbsp;

Public advocacy by government at issue&nbsp;

Rep. Paul Waggoner also highlighted House Bill 2451, which would prohibit governments from using public assets to advocate for or against proposed ballot questions. Waggoner said the bill was prompted in part by controversies he described in Hutchinson tied to public messaging during a recent school bond campaign.&nbsp;

Waggoner said Kansas law already bars the use of public funds to support candidates but is less explicit on ballot measures, leaving what he called a gap between permissible public education efforts and advocacy.&nbsp;

He said the proposal is intended to clarify that line and create consistent rules statewide.&nbsp;

The next forum, hosted by the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce,&nbsp;is scheduled for March 14.&nbsp;

Legislators discuss prison, property tax at forum

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A Wichita man has been arrested in connection with a fatal fentanyl overdose investigated by the Hutchinson Police Department.

Cody R. Martin, 31, was taken into custody Feb. 11 on charges of distribution of fentanyl causing death and arranging the sale of a controlled substance using a communication facility, according to authorities.

The case stems from a fatal overdose reported in January 2025. The Hutchinson Police Department assigned the investigation to its Special Operations Unit, which identified Martin as a suspect in the alleged illegal distribution of controlled substances that resulted in the death.

Investigators forwarded their findings to the Reno County District Attorney’s Office for review. After evaluating the case, Reno County District Attorney Thomas R. Stanton filed criminal complaints in Reno County District Court alleging violations of Kansas law.

The Hutchinson Police Department thanked the Wichita Police Department and the United States Marshals Service for assisting with the investigation and arrest.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Hutchinson Police Department at 620-694-2816, their local law enforcement agency or Crime Stoppers of Reno County at 800-222-TIPS. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through the P3Tips app or by texting RENOKS to 738477 to receive a link to an anonymous tip form.

All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Wichita man arrested in Hutchinson fentanyl overdose death

The Reno County Landfill will temporarily stop accepting burned debris on Tuesday after the National Weather Service issued a Fire Weather Watch for extreme grassland fire danger across the region.

Landfill officials said burned loads and fire-damaged materials will not be accepted from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17. The restriction applies only to burned materials; the landfill will remain open during its regular hours and will continue accepting all other loads as usual.

County officials said the temporary restriction is a precautionary measure aimed at reducing the risk of rekindled fires or flare-ups at the landfill during peak danger hours.

Burned loads not accepted at landfill in Tuesday

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — As Central Christian School prepares for another busy spring, Superintendent Dr. John Walker is lacing up his running shoes for a unique challenge.

Walker plans to attempt a 100-mile run in late March to raise money for tuition assistance for Central Christian families. His goal is to complete the distance in 28 hours or less while raising more than $20,000 for students who need financial support.

“I’m going to attempt to run 100 miles at the end of March to raise money for our tuition assistance,” Walker said. “That goes directly toward supporting students who need financial assistance to attend our school.”

Walker completed the same challenge in 2024, helping raise nearly $20,000. This year, he hopes to exceed that total.

“The Lord allowed us to raise about $20,000, which is amazing,” Walker said. “So I’m attempting this again and hopefully we’ll be able to raise even more to support our students.”

The fundraiser is part of a larger season of community engagement at Central Christian. On March 13, the school will host its annual Glow Run fundraiser for kindergarten through fifth grade students. Participants collect pledges and run laps in the gym under black lights and neon decor, with proceeds benefiting the school’s Parent Teacher Fellowship.

In April, the school will host the Sun Run, a community-wide event scheduled for the Saturday after Good Friday. The event includes a one-hour run or walk around the campus loop, followed by pancakes and fellowship.

“It’s open to the entire community,” Walker said. “Folks are welcome to come and run and walk and fellowship together.”

Walker said the events reflect a broader commitment to strengthening in-person community connections.

“It seems like a lot of communities nowadays are becoming more isolated,” he said. “It’s been fun for me to see our school community retake community back together and pursue opportunities to be together.”

Central Christian is also preparing to open admissions for the upcoming school year. Families interested in enrolling can visit the school’s website or contact the admissions office directly.

“We’re always open to finding mission-fit families who are excited about Christian education,” Walker said. “Feel free to contact the school. We’d be happy to help in any way that we can.”

CCS launches spring fundraisers, 100-mile run effort

The threat of dangerous wildfire conditions is increasing across much of Kansas, with the National Weather Service now issuing both fire weather watches and a Red Flag Warning ahead of strong winds and extremely low humidity expected Tuesday.

The National Weather Service office in Wichita said a Fire Weather Watch remains in effect from Tuesday afternoon through early Tuesday evening for areas along and west of Interstate 135 in central Kansas. Counties included are Russell, Lincoln, Barton, Ellsworth, Saline, Rice, McPherson, Reno, Kingman and Harper.

Forecasters said southwest winds of 25 to 30 mph, with gusts near 40 mph, combined with relative humidity as low as 19 percent, could allow any fires that start to spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is strongly discouraged.

Farther west, conditions are expected to be more severe. The National Weather Service office in Dodge City upgraded portions of southwest Kansas to a Red Flag Warning, which will be in effect from noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday. The warning covers a large area, including Trego, Ellis, Scott, Lane, Ness, Rush, Hamilton, Kearny, Finney, Hodgeman, Pawnee, Stafford, Stanton, Grant, Haskell, Gray, Ford, Edwards, Kiowa, Pratt, Morton, Stevens, Seward, Meade, Clark, Comanche and Barber counties.

In those areas, southwest winds are forecast at 25 to 45 mph, with gusts of 50 mph or higher. Relative humidity could fall as low as 10 percent, creating extreme fire behavior potential.

A Fire Weather Watch means critical fire weather conditions are possible, while a Red Flag Warning indicates those conditions are expected or imminent. Officials warned that the combination of strong winds, low humidity and warm temperatures could allow fires to ignite easily and spread quickly.

Residents are urged to avoid outdoor burning and activities that could spark fires, and fire crews and emergency officials are advised to remain on heightened alert as conditions develop Tuesday.

Fire Weather Watch issued

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Cosmosphere will host a special public presentation, Artemis Moon Missions: Returning to Stay, featuring Alicia Cianciolo, Human Landing Systems Engineering Team Lead for NASA’s Artemis III mission.

Cianciolo leads engineering efforts focused on safely returning humans to the lunar surface. She works closely with NASA teams and commercial partners to develop, test and integrate the systems that will enable astronauts to land on the Moon and support future missions. With a strong background in aerospace engineering and human spaceflight programs, Cianciolo plays a critical role in advancing NASA’s goal of establishing a sustainable, long-term human presence on and around the Moon.

Artemis III is a landmark mission in NASA’s Artemis program, aimed at returning humans to the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years. The mission will demonstrate new human landing systems, advance scientific discovery on the lunar surface and lay the groundwork for sustained exploration as a stepping stone toward future missions to Mars.

During the presentation, Cianciolo will provide an inside look at the Artemis Moon missions and share her personal experiences working on the project that will send humans back to land on the Moon, with a long-term vision of sustained lunar exploration.

The free event is open to the public and will take place Wednesday, Feb. 25, at 5:30 p.m. at the Cosmosphere.

RSVPs can be made online at <a href="https://cosmo.org/upcoming-events">https://cosmo.org/upcoming-events</a>.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

NASA Artemis leader to speak at Cosmosphere

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Comedian Gabriel Iglesias is returning to the Kansas State Fair with a new show this fall.

Kansas State Fair General Manager Bryan Schulz announced Monday on the BW Morning Show that Iglesias, known to fans as “Fluffy,” will perform Sept. 17 at 7:30 p.m. at the Kansas Star Casino Grandstand.

“We are 207 days out from the Kansas State Fair, and we are excited to announce today that we will be having Gabriel ‘Fluffy’ Iglesias at the Kansas State Fair this year,” Schulz said. “That’ll be Thursday the 17th for his show. So we are really excited about that.”

Iglesias previously appeared at the fair about four years ago, drawing what Schulz called “phenomenal” attendance numbers.

“Comedy has been a big hit out at the Kansas State Fair,” Schulz said. “We thought it would be a great time to bring him back.”

Schulz said the upcoming performance will feature fresh material.

“This is a new show, so if you’ve seen his shows in the past, he does change up a lot of stuff,” Schulz said. “And we’ve heard that it’s even going to be bigger and better than it has been in the past.”

The booking came together quickly, he said, with routing playing a key role. “It didn’t take but maybe two weeks from offer to commitment,” Schulz said.

One of the most successful touring comedians in the world, Iglesias ranks among the highest-grossing stand-up acts of all time. He has generated more than 2.4 billion YouTube views and has more than 34 million followers across social media platforms. According to Billboard, he was the third highest-grossing comedian of 2024.

His reach extends beyond live performance. Iglesias has been named to The Hollywood Reporter’s Top 40 Comedy Players list alongside Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock and Lorne Michaels and has appeared on the cover of Variety’s comedy issue.

He is also among a select group of comedians to headline and sell out venues such as Madison Square Garden in New York, Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles and the Sydney Opera House in Australia. His Netflix specials include “I’m Sorry For What I Said When I Was Hungry,” “One Show Fits All” and “Stadium Fluffy,” the latter filmed before 55,000 fans at Dodger Stadium, making him the first comedian to perform at and sell out the largest Major League Baseball stadium in the United States.

Tickets feature all-in pricing and include fair gate admission valid for the day of the show. Reserved grandstand seats are $45 and $60. Track Party Pit seating on the floor is $75. A standing VIP Deck package is $110 and includes early entry, two drink tickets and complimentary appetizers. VIP tables for six are $825 and include drinks, appetizers and a private table. Some exclusions apply.

Tickets go on sale to the general public Friday, with a presale available Thursday for fans who sign up for email alerts through the fair’s website. Tickets and additional information are available at <a href="http://kansasstatefair.gov">kansasstatefair.gov</a> or by calling 620-669-3618.

The 2026 Kansas State Fair runs Sept. 11-20 in Hutchinson.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Fluffy Is Back: Gabriel Iglesias returns to Kansas State Fair

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. ——————————————

Reyjon	Edward-Powers	Redenbaugh		2/15/2026 5:37&nbsp;AM	DUI; 1st conv; blood or breath .08 or higher,					Leave the scene of an accident; Property Damage &lt; $1000,					Possess, Consume, Purchase Alcoholic Liquor/CMB by &lt;18 YOA; 1st Conviction

Matthew	Guy	Currie		2/15/2026 10:18&nbsp;AM	Reckless Driving,					Driving while license cancelled/suspended/revoked; misd; unknown conv,					Fleeing or attempting to elude a LEO; Unknown felony,					Interference with LEO; knowingly flee by means other than motor vehicle for felony case

Lucas	Walter	Redman		2/15/2026 12:10&nbsp;PM	Failure to Appear

Brian	Erich	Jaquet		2/15/2026 3:18&nbsp;PM	Failure to Appear,					Probation Violation

Collin	Ray	Teter		2/15/2026 6:37&nbsp;PM	Driving while license cancelled/suspended/revoked; misd; unknown conv

Scott	Andrew	Cooley		2/15/2026 7:54&nbsp;PM	DUI; 2nd conv; incapable of safely driving,					Ignition Interlock Device; Operate MV without device during restriction

Daily Bookings

U.S. Sen.&nbsp;Roger Marshall&nbsp;told a Reno County audience Saturday that the nation is safer and economically stronger than it was a year ago, while acknowledging ongoing cost pressures that continue to burden younger Americans.&nbsp;

Marshall delivered opening remarks at the first Reno County Legislative Forum of 2026, hosted by the Reno County Chamber of&nbsp;Commerce&nbsp;and presented by AT&amp;T and Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System. Chamber President and CEO Deborah Teufel welcomed attendees and introduced Marshall as a special guest before state lawmakers took part in the forum.&nbsp;

Marshall said he is in the&nbsp;early stages&nbsp;of a 50-county tour across Kansas and stopped in Inman earlier in the day. He pointed to record military recruitment, declining fentanyl&nbsp;poisonings,&nbsp;and what he described as historically low murder rates as signs of improved national security.&nbsp;

“Our families are safer than they were a year and a half ago,” Marshall said, crediting stronger enforcement at the border and renewed confidence in the U.S. military.&nbsp;

Turning to the economy, Marshall said wages have risen faster than inflation in recent months and that job growth is increasingly concentrated in full-time and manufacturing positions rather than government employment. He said inflation has stabilized below 2.5 percent, though he acknowledged that cumulative price increases over the past several years continue to strain household budgets.&nbsp;

Marshall described what he called a “two-lane economy,” with older Americans often better positioned due to paid-off homes and retirement savings, while younger adults struggle with housing costs, student loan&nbsp;debt&nbsp;and high interest rates.&nbsp;

“My focus is helping the people in the slow lane,” Marshall said, referring to younger families and workers facing higher costs for housing,&nbsp;childcare&nbsp;and groceries.&nbsp;

Marshall said lowering health care costs is a top priority, highlighting efforts to expand price transparency for medical services and reduce the influence of pharmacy benefit managers. He also pointed to recent initiatives aimed at lowering prescription drug&nbsp;prices by&nbsp;bypassing intermediaries.&nbsp;

On agriculture, Marshall said recent trade developments could significantly&nbsp;benefit&nbsp;Kansas producers. He cited expanded soybean purchases by China, a new trade agreement with India and federal tax credits aimed at promoting sustainable aviation fuel and biofuels made from corn and soybeans.&nbsp;

Marshall said those policies would help farmers by encouraging value-added production and rewarding regenerative agriculture practices such as reduced tillage and fertilizer use.&nbsp;

“Kansas agriculture makes money when we sell value-added products,” he said.&nbsp;

Marshall touts economy, military strength

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/pages/weather">Click here for the KSStorm.info 7-day forecast.&nbsp;</a>

Three-day Outlook

<a href="https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/portal/550D13AF2DEF9723836028F8FFDCA8CF/jobs/165712">CLICK HERE TO APPLY TODAY!</a>

Resident Care Unit Coordinator (LPN) – Assisted Living

The Wesley | Hutchinson, KS
 Day Shift | Full Time
 Salary Range: $28–$41 per hour

The Wesley is seeking a Resident Care Unit Coordinator (LPN or RN) to serve Collier Assisted Living and Hester Living Center.

The Care Coordinator is a licensed nurse responsible for carrying out resident care plans and assisting the Assisted Living Administrator in the overall operations of Collier Assisted Living and Hester Living Center.

This role ensures residents’ physical and mental well-being are maintained at the highest practicable level while upholding state and federal regulations and The Wesley’s standards of care.

Reports To: Assisted Living Administrator
FLSA Status: Non-exempt, hourly

The Wesley is a 50-acre retirement community located in northwest Hutchinson, Kansas. Services include:

We are currently hiring for multiple positions.

Join our team today and make a difference in the lives of our residents.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/portal/550D13AF2DEF9723836028F8FFDCA8CF/career-page">CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL JOB OPENINGS AT THE WESLEY!</a>

Police looking for other victims in Kansas child sex crime investigation

VIENNA (AP) — Austrian public prosecutors filed terrorism-related charges Monday against a 21-year-old defendant who they say&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/austria-extremism-arrests-security-taylor-swift-7ece0b264f6e4152b8214c9fba8c425b">planned to carry out an attack</a>&nbsp;on one of superstar singer Taylor Swift's concerts in Vienna in August 2024.

Vienna public prosecutors said in a statement that the unnamed defendant had declared&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taylor-swift-cia-vienna-concerts-foiled-attack-7e454af63efcff2a3ab0a20c718aba8d">allegiance to the Islamic State group</a>&nbsp;by sharing propaganda material and videos via various messaging services.

Vienna prosecutors also accuse the defendant of having “obtained instructions on the internet for the construction of a shrapnel bomb based on the explosive triacetone triperoxide” typically used by IS, and of having produced a small amount of the explosive.

Prosecutors also say that the defendant had made "several attempts” to buy weapons illegally outside the country and to bring them to Austria.

Vienna public prosecutors plan to proceed with a criminal case against the unnamed suspect in Wiener Neustadt, a town near the Austrian capital.

The spokesperson for the Vienna public prosecutors office confirmed to The Associated Press that the defendant is in custody. Austrian media identified the suspect as Beran A. and said he was arrested in August 2024.

Austrian authorities&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/austria-taylor-swift-concerts-canceled-extremism-arrests-feff9108d0a14d9941c4bc416c0eb05f">canceled three planned Taylor Swift shows</a>&nbsp;in Vienna in August 2024 after they said they foiled an apparent plot to target the performances.

The U.S. provided intelligence that fed into the decision to cancel the concerts.

“The United States has an enduring focus on our counterterrorism mission. We work closely with partners all over the world to monitor and disrupt threats. And so as part of that work, the United States did share information with Austrian partners to enable the disruption of a threat to Taylor Swift’s concerts there in Vienna,” then-White House national security spokesman John Kirby said in August 2024.

21-year-old charged in Taylor Swift concert attack plot 

JACKSON COUNTY, Kan. —Law enforcement are investigating two suspects on drug allegations.

Jus before 2a.m. Feb. 10,&nbsp; a Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a GMC Terrain for a traffic infraction near 102nd Road on U.S. Highway 75 in rural Jackson County, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

 A probable cause search of the vehicle was conducted which resulted in the discovery of illegal drugs. The driver, Raymond Earl Hughes, 61, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine and no proof of insurance.  The passenger, Julyn Michelle Owens, 60, of Topeka was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of possession of a hallucinogenic drug and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Sheriff: Kansas couple caught transporting meth

JOHNSON COUNTY—Law enforcement took a suspect, identified as 30-year-old Andrew McCann, according to booking records, into custody after a standoff in the city of Shawnee.

Just after 9a.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to investigate a report of shots fired into an occupied dwelling that occurred Saturday near Quivira Road and W. 71st Street in Shawnee, according to a media release. No injuries were reported.

At approximately 11:40 a.m., Shawnee officers located the suspect near W. 121st Street and Ballentine Street in Overland Park, where he barricaded himself until his arrest.

Suspect in custody after shots fired into Kansas home

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-mom-missing-710d3acdef86d1c3935b94f58f763d72">Investigators working</a>&nbsp;on the disappearance of “Today” show host&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/savannah-guthrie">Savannah Guthrie’s</a>&nbsp;mother are consulting with Walmart management to develop leads because a backpack the suspect was wearing is sold exclusively at the stores, the Pima County, Arizona, sheriff said Monday.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-nancy-guthrie-mom-missing-88e8731270d05e6e667730d2ed8633d3">Nancy Guthrie</a>, 84, was last seen at her Arizona home on Jan. 31 and was reported missing the following day. Authorities say her blood was found on the front porch. Purported&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-mom-missing-ransom-deadline-arizona-3977f842fd3d1fd66952d1d763944b9d">ransom notes</a>&nbsp;were sent to news outlets, but two deadlines for paying have passed.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-mom-missing-arizona-b765fed6b9669441383b75860263ac99">released surveillance videos</a>&nbsp;of a masked person wearing a handgun holster outside Guthrie’s front door in Tucson the night she vanished. A porch camera&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nancy-guthrie-nest-camera-footage-kidnapper-bd5f1d886543e23f2d105535031c9445">recorded video</a>&nbsp;of a person with a backpack who was wearing a ski mask, long pants, a jacket and gloves.

Pima Count Sheriff Chris Nanos said in a text message to The Associated Press on Monday that the 25-liter “Ozark Trail Hiker Pack” backpack was the only clothing item that has been “definitively identified.”

“This backpack is exclusive to Walmart and we are working with Walmart management to develop further leads,” Nanos said.

The suspect's clothing “may have been purchased from Walmart but is not exclusively available at Walmart,” the Pima County Sheriff's Department said in a statement Monday. “This remains a possibility only.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/savannah-guthrie-nancy-missing-1199fb9cb9acfacdca9fa02d61bc0554">Investigators on Sunday</a>&nbsp;announced that a glove discovered near the Guthrie home has been sent for DNA testing. The FBI said that it received preliminary results Saturday and was awaiting official confirmation. The development comes as law enforcement&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nancy-guthrie-kidnapping-investigation-64736b14fa5dbd8961325ea6147e78e7">gathers more potential evidence</a>&nbsp;and as the search for Guthrie’s mother heads into its third week. Authorities previously said they had not identified a suspect.

The FBI said the suspect in the surveillance footage is a man about 5 feet, 9 inches tall with a medium build.

Nanos said on Monday that members of Guthrie's family, including siblings and spouses, are not suspects.

“The family has been nothing but cooperative and gracious and are victims in this case,” Nanos said in a statement.

Authorities have expressed concern about Nancy Guthrie’s health because she needs vital daily medicine. She is said to have a pacemaker and have dealt with high blood pressure and heart issues, according to sheriff’s dispatcher audio on broadcastify.com.

Why Nancy Guthrie investigators are working with Walmart 

NEW YORK (AP) —<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/barack-obama">Former U.S. President Barack Obama</a>&nbsp;said he did not see evidence that aliens “have made contact with us,” after sending social media abuzz by saying aliens were real on a podcast over the weekend.

During a lightning round of questions with podcast host Brian Tyler Cohen, Obama was asked, “Are aliens real?”

“They’re real,” he answered, continuing: “But I haven’t seen them. And, they’re not being kept in Area 51.”

On Sunday, the former president released a statement on Instagram, appearing to clarify what he meant by his comments that have since gone viral.

“I was trying to stick with the spirit of the speed round, but since it’s gotten attention let me clarify. Statistically, the universe is so vast that the odds are good there’s life out there. But the distances between solar systems are so great that the chances we’ve been visited by aliens is low, and I saw no evidence during my presidency that extraterrestrials have made contact with us. Really!”

Secrecy around Area 51, a top-secret Cold War test site in the Nevada desert, has long fueled conspiracy theories among UFO enthusiasts.

In 2013, the CIA acknowledged the existence of the site, but not UFO crashes, black-eyed extraterrestrials or staged moon landings.

Declassified documents referred to the 8,000-square-mile (20,700-square-kilometer) installation by name after decades of U.S. government officials refusing to acknowledge it.

The base has been a testing ground for a host of top-secret aircraft, including the U-2 in the 1950s and later the B-2 stealth bomber.

Obama clarifies alien comments after telling podcast ‘they’re real’

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Robert Duvall, the Oscar-winning actor of matchless versatility and dedication whose classic roles included the intrepid consigliere of the first two “Godfather” movies and the over-the-hill country music singer in “Tender Mercies,” has died at age 95.

Duvall died “peacefully” at his home Sunday in Middleburg, Virginia, according to an announcement from his publicist and from a statement posted on his Facebook page by his wife, Luciana Duvall.

“To the world, he was an Academy Award-winning actor, a director, a storyteller. To me, he was simply everything,” Luciana Duvall wrote. “His passion for his craft was matched only by his deep love for characters, a great meal, and holding court. For each of his many roles, Bob gave everything to his characters and to the truth of the human spirit they represented.”

The bald, wiry Duvall didn’t have leading man looks, but few “character actors” enjoyed such a long, rewarding and unpredictable career, in leading and supporting roles, from an itinerant preacher to Josef Stalin. Beginning with his 1962 film debut as Boo Radley, the reclusive neighbor in “To Kill a Mockingbird,” Duvall created a gallery of unforgettable portrayals. They earned him seven Academy Award nominations and the best actor prize for “Tender Mercies,” which came out in 1983. He also won four Golden Globes, including one for playing the philosophical cattle-drive boss in the 1989 miniseries “Lonesome Dove,” a role he often cited as his favorite.

He had been acting for some 20 years when “The Godfather,” released in 1972, established him as one of the most in-demand performers of Hollywood. He had made a previous film, “The Rain People,” with Francis Coppola, and the director chose him to play Tom Hagen in the mafia epic that featured Al Pacino and Marlon Brando among others. Duvall was a master of subtlety as an Irishman among Italians, rarely at the center of a scene, but often listening and advising in the background, an irreplaceable thread through the saga of the Corleone crime family.

“Stars and Italians alike depend on his efficiency, his tidying up around their grand gestures, his being the perfect shortstop on a team of personality sluggers,” wrote the critic David Thomson. “Was there ever a role better designed for its actor than that of Tom Hagen in both parts of ‘The Godfather?’”

In another Coppola film, “Apocalypse Now,” Duvall was wildly out front, the embodiment of deranged masculinity as Lieutenant Colonel Bill Kilgore, who with equal vigor enjoyed surfing and bombing raids on the Viet Cong. Duvall required few takes for one of the most famous passages in movie history, barked out on the battlefield by a bare-chested, cavalry-hatted Kilgore: “I love the smell of napalm in the morning. You know, one time we had a hill bombed, for 12 hours. When it was all over, I walked up. We didn’t find one of ‘em, not one stinkin’ dink body.

“The smell, you know that gasoline smell, the whole hill. Smelled like — victory.”

Coppola once commented about Duvall: “Actors click into character at different times — the first week, third week. Bobby’s hot after one or two takes.”

He was Oscar-nominated as supporting actor for “The Godfather” and “Apocalypse Now,” but a dispute over money led him to turn down the third Godfather epic, a loss deeply felt by critics, fans and “Godfather” colleagues. Duvall would complain publicly about being offered less than his co-stars.

Fellow actors marveled at Duvall’s studious research and planning, and his coiled energy. Michael Caine, who co-starred with him in the 2003 “Secondhand Lions,” once told The Associated Press: “Before a big scene, Bobby just sits there, absolutely quiet; you know when not to talk to him.” Anyone who disturbed him would suffer the well-known Duvall temper, famously on display during the filming of the John Wayne Western “True Grit,” when Duvall seethed at director Henry Hathaway’s advice to “tense up” before a scene.

Duvall was awarded an Oscar in 1984 for his leading role as the troubled singer and songwriter Mac Sledge in “Tender Mercies,” a prize he accepted while clad in a cowboy tuxedo with Western tie. In 1998, he was nominated for best actor in “The Apostle,” a drama about a wayward Southern evangelist which he wrote, directed, starred in, produced and largely financed. With customary thoroughness, he visited dozens of country churches and spent 12 years writing the script and trying to get it made.

Among other notable roles: the outlaw gang leader who gets ambushed by John Wayne in “True Grit"; Jesse James in “The Great Northfield Minnesota Raid"; the pious and beleaguered Frank Burns in “M-A-S-H"; the TV hatchet man in “Network"; Dr. Watson in “The Seven-Per-Cent Solution"; and the sadistic father in “The Great Santini.”

“When I was doing ‘Colors’ in 1988 with Sean Penn, someone asked me how I do it all these years, keep it fresh. Well, if you don’t overwork, have some hobbies, you can do it and stay hungry even if you’re not really hungry,” Duvall told The Associated Press in 1990.

In his mid-80s, he received a supporting Oscar nomination as the title character of the 2014 release “The Judge,” in which he is accused of causing a death in a hit-and-run accident. More recent films included “Widows” and “12 Mighty Orphans.”

Robert Selden Duvall grew up in the Navy towns of Annapolis and the San Diego area, where he was born in 1931. He spent time in other cities as his father, who rose to be an admiral, was assigned to various duties.

The boy’s experience helped in his adult profession as he learned the nuances of regional speech and observed the psyche of military men, which he would portray in several films.

Duvall reportedly used his Navy officer father as the basis for his portrayal of the explosive militarist in “The Great Santini,” based on the Pat Conroy novel. He commented in 2003: “My dad was a gentleman but a seether, a stern, blustery guy, and away a lot of the time.” Bobby took after his mother, an amateur actress, in playing a guitar and performing. He was a wrestler like his father and enjoyed besting kids older than himself.

He lacked the concentration for schoolwork and nearly flunked out of Principia College in Elsah, Illinois. His despairing parents decided he needed something to keep him in college so he wouldn’t be drafted for the Korean War. “They recommended acting as an expedient thing to get through,” he recalled. “I’m glad they did.” He flourished in drama classes.

“Way back when I was in college,” Duvall told the AP in 1990, “there was a wonderful man named Frank Parker, who had been a dancer in World War I. We did a full-length mime play and I played a Harlequin clown. I really liked that.

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