Editor's Note: More photos are available to view at the <a href="https://klcjournal.com/stafford-depot-end-of-the-line/">KLC Journal site</a>.

BECCY TANNER <a href="https://klcjournal.com/stafford-depot-end-of-the-line/">KLC Journal</a>

The clock is ticking on Stafford’s 113-year-old depot.

Town and state preservationists want to save the building on the north end of town and turn it into a regional rail museum with a destination restaurant. Meanwhile, BNSF Railway officials appear ready to demolish it.&nbsp;

The end of the line hasn’t arrived for the depot yet. But it certainly appears imminent.

At the end of January, Zak Andersen, chief of staff and vice president, communications, for BNSF sent a letter to Greg Kite, a Wichita attorney and historic preservationist, telling him the company will not donate the Stafford depot to the city of Stafford.

The letter indicated the railroad would retain ownership of the depot to protect future growth opportunities and keep the area safe.&nbsp;

Officials with BNSF had said in the past the town’s depot was a liability. Inspections revealed heavy termite damage and other issues with structural integrity.

Andersen’s letter indicated that the railroad had requested a plan for fencing and accessing the property to ensure safety if the depot were opened to the public. But while the railroad received photographs of fences “around Kansas depots” and proof of available funding, the official stated that it never received actual plans for the depot with estimated costs and timelines.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Not every structure can be preserved, and unfortunately, that is the case for the Stafford Depot,” Andersen wrote.

During the seven years Kite has been involved in negotiations for the depot, he says the railroad has asked for two things: a plan for a fence and proof of funds for a fence. He says he’s provided those.

Kite was hoping for more – mostly because of the historic railroading past that Stafford shares with much of Kansas.

Two railroads arrived in Stafford in the late 1880s, the Chicago, Kansas and Western Railroad, which would be absorbed by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, and the Denver, Memphis and Atlantic Railway, which became part of the Missouri Pacific Railroad. Neither of those acquiring lines survive today. Through a merger, the Santa Fe is now the BNSF. The Missouri Pacific was bought out by the Union Pacific Railroad.

The Missouri Pacific maintained a depot on the south side of Stafford but it was demolished in the 1980s.

In 1911, when the Santa Fe built its depot in Stafford, the town had a population approaching 2,000. The depot was expansive and done in the&nbsp; Mission Revival similar to many other stations the rail line was building. That architectural style, sometimes mixed with American Craftsman elements, was also called “the county seat style.” (Interesting, because Stafford is not a county seat.)&nbsp;

Over the nearly 14 decades since, Stafford County residents have been able to lie in bed at night with train whistles and the heavy metallic sound of steel wheels on rails lulling them to sleep.

Those sounds may also be the first to wake them.

Freight trains still rumble through the county, sometimes carrying impressive Spirit AeroSystems airliner fuselages made in Wichita and headed to Boeing’s Seattle plant, or hauling grain harvested by local farmers headed to mills and ports far away.

During the 19th century, the success of a Kansas town often depended on a railroad such as the Santa Fe linking residents to the rest of the nation.

Now, some in Stafford worry that the future of their 960-person town may once again depend on a railroad. Saving the depot, they say, could give the community a chance to create a tourist attraction that could pull in visitors.

Passenger service stopped at the Stafford depot nearly half a century ago. After that, the building was used as a railroad storage facility. It’s been vacant for years.

In preservation circles, when a building sits empty for long periods of time, continuing to deteriorate, that’s called demolition by neglect, and it has added urgency to preservationists’ efforts to change minds within&nbsp;BNSF’s corporate offices.

“I remember in school we would take train trips to Hutchinson and tour. But my dad (Frederic Moore) always talked about riding the train to Kansas City with my great grandmother (Sarah Henderson) and she would buy things in Kansas City,” says Clare Moore, age 74, a central Kansas real estate agent who grew up on a farm near Stafford and now lives in Hesston.

Clare Moore started working more than 20 years ago on a project to save the Stafford Depot.

He has been preserving buildings since the mid-1970s and was instrumental in helping save Wichita’s L.W. Clapp house, as well as houses in Stafford, by getting them placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

At the turn of the 20th century, Kansas boasted nearly 1,850 depots. Now fewer than 200 of the iconic buildings remain, according to the Kansas State Historical Society.&nbsp;

The buildings were once bustling community landmarks. They would house Western Union telegraph offices and Railway Express Agency package delivery facilities. Platforms would be crowded with outgoing and incoming freight. On lines such as Stafford’s, where there was regular passenger service, depots greeted arriving travelers and served as an embarkation point for journeys near and far. Communities that had rail service tended to prosper.

This isn’t the first time BNSF has said no to Stafford.

In 2016, there was a large-scale effort by local residents and state preservationists to save the depot. At that time, Kite, president of the Historic Preservation Alliance (HPA) based in Wichita, joined the efforts to save the building.

Kite and the alliance are best known for obtaining preservation grants to save the historic&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansas.com/news/local/article1062351.html">“Home on the Range” cabin</a>&nbsp;in Smith County, where Brewster Higley penned the lyrics for what became the Kansas state song.&nbsp;

He and others in the group were instrumental in saving many of the artifacts from Wichita’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansas.com/news/article1142311.html">Joyland Amusement Park</a>&nbsp;– such as a 1927 caboose now stored in a Wichita warehouse – and led the efforts in tracking down and prosecuting the person who stole the amusement park’s Louie the Clown display.

Plans for demolition of the Stafford Depot began in 2016 when employees contracted by BNSF removed the depot’s windows as well as asbestos, once a common building material that has been found to cause lung disease.&nbsp;

There was a last-minute e-mail campaign to save the depot. Appeals were made to Warren Buffett, co-founder, chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, the conglomerate that bought BNSF in 2010.

“I know you grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, and I believe, like us, you have strong midwestern values. So, I am appealing to those strong midwestern values.”

Although Buffett didn’t directly respond, there were communications, verbal and email, back and forth between railroad officials and preservationists indicating the depot would be donated to Stafford.

“My email to Mr. Buffett ended up on the corner of the desk of Carl Ice, the president and CEO of BNSF at the time,” Kite says.&nbsp;

In fact, an email from Andy Williams, BNSF’s director of regional public affairs, to Kite dated Jan. 10, 2019 said: “I believe we may be ready to start the official disposition&nbsp;process.”

Then last spring, a significant turn in the nature of the discussions among Stafford, BNSF and Kite’s group took place. On April 24, Kite received an email from Stafford requesting an update on the depot. Kite says he was told that there had been a request from BNSF to demolish the building.&nbsp;

Since then, efforts to have the depot donated have been denied.

Locals have not given up hope for saving the depot, but their options are limited.

“They (BNSF) are like a sovereign nation,” says Stafford Mayor Don Hardin. “They can do whatever they want to do … but if there is something that can be done – if we can keep knocking on doors and sending emails – whatever we need to do, we will.”

Although no date is known for the depot’s demolition, preservationists believe the situation is dire.

“There are always a number of options and alternatives that HPA can undertake – as we have before – and utilize our preservation stature in disagreeing with entities that want to demolish historic structures,” Kite says. “I’m just wishing there was some Hail Mary, guardian angel that would come forward and have some clout for them to reconsider and do the right thing.”

Moore says the case reminds him of the late Kathlien Edmiston, a 1933 graduate of the University of Wichita who went on to serve on the university’s board of regents and board of trustees.

“She was a philanthropist and promoter of Wichita State,” Moore says.

In 1973, Edmiston led efforts to save the iconic pillars of the university’s original Carnegie Morrison Library. The building, which was completed in 1909 when the school was Fairmount College, was badly damaged in a fire in 1964. The remains of the building and its pillars sat for a decade until the construction of the Ulrich Museum was about to begin at the site.&nbsp;

Edmiston launched an effort to save three of the columns – now relocated near 17th and Fairmount streets on WSU’s campus.

“At some point when the bulldozer shows up, we can do what she did,” Moore says. “She sat on the steps of the building that was about to be razed until she could get someone to say they would save the pillars of the building. The pillars survived. She would not leave until she was guaranteed they would be saved.”

Sometimes there can be a disconnect between communities, depots and the railroad companies that own them, says Dave Webb, a Kansas historian who lives in a Santa Fe depot he moved from Ashland to his family’s farm near Protection.

“Call it ownership,” Webb says. “Sometimes a depot is the oldest building in town. Residents feel ownership even though they may have never owned it.&nbsp;

“Unfortunately to the railroad, the depot is just an empty building they pay tax on. They are concerned about public safety near it, and it may be just easier to get rid of it.”&nbsp;

Webb says his depot is a wood frame building similar to those used in many towns – quick to put up and intended for temporary use.

“They were often replaced with permanent depots often made of brick or stone,” Webb says. “A century later, ironically, those (wood buildings) are the ones most saved because they can easily be moved off site. Permanent depots are often the ones destroyed because they can’t be moved.”

But when residents see a building that’s been part of their town’s heritage for more than a century, they begin to see it as theirs too.

Such was the case of the Rock Island depot in Herington, built in 1887.

In the mid-1980s, local residents talked about saving the vacant depot building but no group was organized to press the case. The building had been listed on the Kansas Register of Historic Places and was in the process of being nominated to the National Register of Historic Places.

The Cotton Belt railroad, then the owner, opposed the national listing, effectively blocking it. Permission for placement on the national register is required by the owner.

At 5:40 a.m. on March 23, 1988 – while most residents were still in their beds – the century-old two-story gothic limestone depot was demolished by a private contractor on orders from the railroad. Using an industrial backhoe, it took less than an hour to reduce it to rubble.

The demolition became a public relations nightmare for the railroad. Newspapers across the state ran articles; Kansans were outraged.

As detailed in the Kansas Preservation newsletter from May-June 1988, railroad officials and their contractor didn’t even apply for the $5 permit Herington required for demolition projects.

Virginia Brunner, the curator of the Tri-County Historical Society, told The Wichita Eagle-Beacon. “They robbed future generations. They robbed the whole town.”

The Herington demolition prompted then-Kansas Attorney General Bob Stephan to urge the Legislature to amend state preservation law, providing penalties for persons and entities that failed to apply for and obtain the necessary permits before destroying historic properties or their environs.

The legislature quickly approved a bill, and it was signed into law by Gov. Mike Hayden on May 13,1988.

Patrick Zollner, executive director of the Kansas State Historical Society, said that in recent years, fewer depots have been placed on the state and national registers. That’s partly because state and federal transportation enhancement grants for historic transportation buildings are not as plentiful as they once were.

“There was a time when people were actively looking for the transportation enhancement grants,” Zollner says. “Strong City was one of those, Marion and Marysville.”

There are resources that communities can access to save such buildings, Zollner says. But first, communities such as Stafford need to acquire the building.

“These depots are treasures, community landmarks and icons. They are still the centers of the community and are now used in a variety of different uses between museums, visitor centers. Our (historic preservation) programs – between the tax credits and grants – can help with that.”

Despite its present condition, Stafford’s mayor sees the depot as a potential way to help keep the town vibrant.

Like many small towns in Kansas, Stafford struggles to bring tourism dollars into the community, not to mention keeping residents’ dollars within the city limits.

If the city can manage to obtain the depot and find funding to restore it, Moore’s idea is to turn it into a combination railroad museum with a railroad-themed restaurant.

“We are close to Pratt, close to Great Bend and Hutchinson,” Hardin says. “It is too easy for people (in Stafford) to go north, south or east to shop and to the restaurants in those towns.

“So anything we can do to keep that money in our little communities is helpful to the economic base and brings in sales tax revenue.”

As long as the Stafford Depot still stands, local and state preservationists remain hopeful.

“But first, we need the building,” Zollner says. “Start with this hardcore fact – there is limited manpower hours and money to go around.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1709060741568.jpeg" alt="Clare Moore of Hesston started working more than 20 years ago on a project to save the Stafford Depot. Credit: Jeff Tuttle" />
 <figcaption>Clare Moore of Hesston started working more than 20 years ago on a project to save the Stafford Depot. Credit: Jeff Tuttle</figcaption>
 </figure>Editor's Note: More photos are available to view at the <a href="https://klcjournal.com/stafford-depot-end-of-the-line/">KLC Journal site</a>.BECCY TANNER <a href="https://klcjournal.com/stafford-depot-end-of-the-line/">KLC Journal</a>The clock is ticking on Stafford’s 113-year-old depot.Town and state preservationists want to save the building on the north end of town and turn it into a regional rail museum with a destination restaurant. Meanwhile, BNSF Railway officials appear ready to demolish it.&nbsp;The end of the line hasn’t arrived for the depot yet. But it certainly appears imminent.At the end of January, Zak Andersen, chief of staff and vice president, communications, for BNSF sent a letter to Greg Kite, a Wichita attorney and historic preservationist, telling him the company will not donate the Stafford depot to the city of Stafford.The letter indicated the railroad would retain ownership of the depot to protect future growth opportunities and keep the area safe.&nbsp;Officials with BNSF had said in the past the town’s depot was a liability. Inspections revealed heavy termite damage and other issues with structural integrity.Andersen’s letter indicated that the railroad had requested a plan for fencing and accessing the property to ensure safety if the depot were opened to the public. But while the railroad received photographs of fences “around Kansas depots” and proof of available funding, the official stated that it never received actual plans for the depot with estimated costs and timelines.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;“Not every structure can be preserved, and unfortunately, that is the case for the Stafford Depot,” Andersen wrote.During the seven years Kite has been involved in negotiations for the depot, he says the railroad has asked for two things: a plan for a fence and proof of funds for a fence. He says he’s provided those.Kite was hoping for more – mostly because of the historic railroading past that Stafford shares with much of Kansas.Two railroads arrived in Stafford in the late 1880s, the Chicago, Kansas and Western Railroad, which would be absorbed by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, and the Denver, Memphis and Atlantic Railway, which became part of the Missouri Pacific Railroad. Neither of those acquiring lines survive today. Through a merger, the Santa Fe is now the BNSF. The Missouri Pacific was bought out by the Union Pacific Railroad.The Missouri Pacific maintained a depot on the south side of Stafford but it was demolished in the 1980s.In 1911, when the Santa Fe built its depot in Stafford, the town had a population approaching 2,000. The depot was expansive and done in the&nbsp; Mission Revival similar to many other stations the rail line was building. That architectural style, sometimes mixed with American Craftsman elements, was also called “the county seat style.” (Interesting, because Stafford is not a county seat.)&nbsp;Over the nearly 14 decades since, Stafford County residents have been able to lie in bed at night with train whistles and the heavy metallic sound of steel wheels on rails lulling them to sleep.Those sounds may also be the first to wake them.Freight trains still rumble through the county, sometimes carrying impressive Spirit AeroSystems airliner fuselages made in Wichita and headed to Boeing’s Seattle plant, or hauling grain harvested by local farmers headed to mills and ports far away.During the 19th century, the success of a Kansas town often depended on a railroad such as the Santa Fe linking residents to the rest of the nation.Now, some in Stafford worry that the future of their 960-person town may once again depend on a railroad. Saving the depot, they say, could give the community a chance to create a tourist attraction that could pull in visitors.A long historyPassenger service stopped at the Stafford depot nearly half a century ago. After that, the building was used as a railroad storage facility. It’s been vacant for years.In preservation circles, when a building sits empty for long periods of time, continuing to deteriorate, that’s called demolition by neglect, and it has added urgency to preservationists’ efforts to change minds within&nbsp;BNSF’s corporate offices.“I remember in school we would take train trips to Hutchinson and tour. But my dad (Frederic Moore) always talked about riding the train to Kansas City with my great grandmother (Sarah Henderson) and she would buy things in Kansas City,” says Clare Moore, age 74, a central Kansas real estate agent who grew up on a farm near Stafford and now lives in Hesston.Clare Moore started working more than 20 years ago on a project to save the Stafford Depot.He has been preserving buildings since the mid-1970s and was instrumental in helping save Wichita’s L.W. Clapp house, as well as houses in Stafford, by getting them placed on the National Register of Historic Places.At the turn of the 20th century, Kansas boasted nearly 1,850 depots. Now fewer than 200 of the iconic buildings remain, according to the Kansas State Historical Society.&nbsp;The buildings were once bustling community landmarks. They would house Western Union telegraph offices and Railway Express Agency package delivery facilities. Platforms would be crowded with outgoing and incoming freight. On lines such as Stafford’s, where there was regular passenger service, depots greeted arriving travelers and served as an embarkation point for journeys near and far. Communities that had rail service tended to prosper.A corporation’s concernThis isn’t the first time BNSF has said no to Stafford.In 2016, there was a large-scale effort by local residents and state preservationists to save the depot. At that time, Kite, president of the Historic Preservation Alliance (HPA) based in Wichita, joined the efforts to save the building.Kite and the alliance are best known for obtaining preservation grants to save the historic&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansas.com/news/local/article1062351.html">“Home on the Range” cabin</a>&nbsp;in Smith County, where Brewster Higley penned the lyrics for what became the Kansas state song.&nbsp;He and others in the group were instrumental in saving many of the artifacts from Wichita’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansas.com/news/article1142311.html">Joyland Amusement Park</a>&nbsp;– such as a 1927 caboose now stored in a Wichita warehouse – and led the efforts in tracking down and prosecuting the person who stole the amusement park’s Louie the Clown display.Plans for demolition of the Stafford Depot began in 2016 when employees contracted by BNSF removed the depot’s windows as well as asbestos, once a common building material that has been found to cause lung disease.&nbsp;There was a last-minute e-mail campaign to save the depot. Appeals were made to Warren Buffett, co-founder, chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, the conglomerate that bought BNSF in 2010.In a letter to Buffett, Kite wrote:“I know you grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, and I believe, like us, you have strong midwestern values. So, I am appealing to those strong midwestern values.”Although Buffett didn’t directly respond, there were communications, verbal and email, back and forth between railroad officials and preservationists indicating the depot would be donated to Stafford.“My email to Mr. Buffett ended up on the corner of the desk of Carl Ice, the president and CEO of BNSF at the time,” Kite says.&nbsp;In fact, an email from Andy Williams, BNSF’s director of regional public affairs, to Kite dated Jan. 10, 2019 said: “I believe we may be ready to start the official disposition&nbsp;process.”But the donation never happened.Then last spring, a significant turn in the nature of the discussions among Stafford, BNSF and Kite’s group took place. On April 24, Kite received an email from Stafford requesting an update on the depot. Kite says he was told that there had been a request from BNSF to demolish the building.&nbsp;Since then, efforts to have the depot donated have been denied.Wishing for a Guardian angelLocals have not given up hope for saving the depot, but their options are limited.“They (BNSF) are like a sovereign nation,” says Stafford Mayor Don Hardin. “They can do whatever they want to do … but if there is something that can be done – if we can keep knocking on doors and sending emails – whatever we need to do, we will.”Although no date is known for the depot’s demolition, preservationists believe the situation is dire.“There are always a number of options and alternatives that HPA can undertake – as we have before – and utilize our preservation stature in disagreeing with entities that want to demolish historic structures,” Kite says. “I’m just wishing there was some Hail Mary, guardian angel that would come forward and have some clout for them to reconsider and do the right thing.”Moore says the case reminds him of the late Kathlien Edmiston, a 1933 graduate of the University of Wichita who went on to serve on the university’s board of regents and board of trustees.“She was a philanthropist and promoter of Wichita State,” Moore says.In 1973, Edmiston led efforts to save the iconic pillars of the university’s original Carnegie Morrison Library. The building, which was completed in 1909 when the school was Fairmount College, was badly damaged in a fire in 1964. The remains of the building and its pillars sat for a decade until the construction of the Ulrich Museum was about to begin at the site.&nbsp;Edmiston launched an effort to save three of the columns – now relocated near 17th and Fairmount streets on WSU’s campus.“At some point when the bulldozer shows up, we can do what she did,” Moore says. “She sat on the steps of the building that was about to be razed until she could get someone to say they would save the pillars of the building. The pillars survived. She would not leave until she was guaranteed they would be saved.”Remembering HeringtonSometimes there can be a disconnect between communities, depots and the railroad companies that own them, says Dave Webb, a Kansas historian who lives in a Santa Fe depot he moved from Ashland to his family’s farm near Protection.“Call it ownership,” Webb says. “Sometimes a depot is the oldest building in town. Residents feel ownership even though they may have never owned it.&nbsp;“Unfortunately to the railroad, the depot is just an empty building they pay tax on. They are concerned about public safety near it, and it may be just easier to get rid of it.”&nbsp;Webb says his depot is a wood frame building similar to those used in many towns – quick to put up and intended for temporary use.“They were often replaced with permanent depots often made of brick or stone,” Webb says. “A century later, ironically, those (wood buildings) are the ones most saved because they can easily be moved off site. Permanent depots are often the ones destroyed because they can’t be moved.”But when residents see a building that’s been part of their town’s heritage for more than a century, they begin to see it as theirs too.Such was the case of the Rock Island depot in Herington, built in 1887.In the mid-1980s, local residents talked about saving the vacant depot building but no group was organized to press the case. The building had been listed on the Kansas Register of Historic Places and was in the process of being nominated to the National Register of Historic Places.The Cotton Belt railroad, then the owner, opposed the national listing, effectively blocking it. Permission for placement on the national register is required by the owner.At 5:40 a.m. on March 23, 1988 – while most residents were still in their beds – the century-old two-story gothic limestone depot was demolished by a private contractor on orders from the railroad. Using an industrial backhoe, it took less than an hour to reduce it to rubble.The demolition became a public relations nightmare for the railroad. Newspapers across the state ran articles; Kansans were outraged.As detailed in the Kansas Preservation newsletter from May-June 1988, railroad officials and their contractor didn’t even apply for the $5 permit Herington required for demolition projects.Virginia Brunner, the curator of the Tri-County Historical Society, told The Wichita Eagle-Beacon. “They robbed future generations. They robbed the whole town.”The Herington demolition prompted then-Kansas Attorney General Bob Stephan to urge the Legislature to amend state preservation law, providing penalties for persons and entities that failed to apply for and obtain the necessary permits before destroying historic properties or their environs.The legislature quickly approved a bill, and it was signed into law by Gov. Mike Hayden on May 13,1988.Patrick Zollner, executive director of the Kansas State Historical Society, said that in recent years, fewer depots have been placed on the state and national registers. That’s partly because state and federal transportation enhancement grants for historic transportation buildings are not as plentiful as they once were.“There was a time when people were actively looking for the transportation enhancement grants,” Zollner says. “Strong City was one of those, Marion and Marysville.”There are resources that communities can access to save such buildings, Zollner says. But first, communities such as Stafford need to acquire the building.“These depots are treasures, community landmarks and icons. They are still the centers of the community and are now used in a variety of different uses between museums, visitor centers. Our (historic preservation) programs – between the tax credits and grants – can help with that.”Despite its present condition, Stafford’s mayor sees the depot as a potential way to help keep the town vibrant.Like many small towns in Kansas, Stafford struggles to bring tourism dollars into the community, not to mention keeping residents’ dollars within the city limits.If the city can manage to obtain the depot and find funding to restore it, Moore’s idea is to turn it into a combination railroad museum with a railroad-themed restaurant.“We are close to Pratt, close to Great Bend and Hutchinson,” Hardin says. “It is too easy for people (in Stafford) to go north, south or east to shop and to the restaurants in those towns.“So anything we can do to keep that money in our little communities is helpful to the economic base and brings in sales tax revenue.”As long as the Stafford Depot still stands, local and state preservationists remain hopeful.“But first, we need the building,” Zollner says. “Start with this hardcore fact – there is limited manpower hours and money to go around.“Get the building first.”<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Is this the end of the line for Stafford’s 1911-built train depot?

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;

2/28/2024 3:08 AM-Daniel	Lee Kopfman-Domestic Battery; Knowing or Reckless Bodily Harm (1st conviction); Criminal Damage to Property; Without consent; &lt; $1,000; Disorderly Conduct; Fighting words or noisy conduct

2/28/2024 3:04 AM-David	Jess Wiggs-Harassment by Telephone; Texting to harass or threaten&nbsp;

2/28/2024 1:13 AM-Jaxson	Matthew Lyle-Failure to Appear&nbsp;

2/27/2024 9:39 PM-Douglas	Eugene Bolejack-Criminal Trespass; Defiance of Order; Theft; Property or Services; $1,500 or less; from 3 Businesses within 72 Hours

2/27/2024 8:18 PM-Goldie Fay	Thelma Leora Trevino-Failure to Appear&nbsp;

2/27/2024 4:22 PM-Nicole	Leigh Ann Logue-Probation Violation

2/27/2024 4:17 PM-Jimmy	Isaiah Muns II-Direct Contempt

2/27/2024 3:59 PM-Derrick	Andre Myers-Violation of conditions of release, on parole, conditional release or postrelease supervision

2/27/2024 10:38 AM-Allen	Clay Strickland-Driving while license cancelled/suspended/revoked; misd; unknown conv

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681919611658.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>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;2/28/2024 3:08 AM-Daniel	Lee Kopfman-Domestic Battery; Knowing or Reckless Bodily Harm (1st conviction); Criminal Damage to Property; Without consent; &lt; $1,000; Disorderly Conduct; Fighting words or noisy conduct2/28/2024 3:04 AM-David	Jess Wiggs-Harassment by Telephone; Texting to harass or threaten&nbsp;2/28/2024 1:13 AM-Jaxson	Matthew Lyle-Failure to Appear&nbsp;2/27/2024 9:39 PM-Douglas	Eugene Bolejack-Criminal Trespass; Defiance of Order; Theft; Property or Services; $1,500 or less; from 3 Businesses within 72 Hours2/27/2024 8:18 PM-Goldie Fay	Thelma Leora Trevino-Failure to Appear&nbsp;2/27/2024 4:22 PM-Nicole	Leigh Ann Logue-Probation Violation2/27/2024 4:17 PM-Jimmy	Isaiah Muns II-Direct Contempt2/27/2024 3:59 PM-Derrick	Andre Myers-Violation of conditions of release, on parole, conditional release or postrelease supervision2/27/2024 10:38 AM-Allen	Clay Strickland-Driving while license cancelled/suspended/revoked; misd; unknown conv

Daily Bookings

RENO COUNTY, Kan. — According to Reno County Emergency Management, they were working on clean up shortly before 2 p.m. and sending firefighters back to their station.

&nbsp; According to a social media post from the Hutchinson Fire Department, around 1 p.m. Tuesday, they were sending&nbsp;Brush 71 to Parallel Rd and Sterling Rd southeast of Langdon for a large grass fire as part of a Reno County Task Force.

A Red Flag Warning is in effect until 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Hutch Post will provide more information as it becomes available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1709062087068.jpeg" alt="Hutch Fire Brush 71-Photo Courtesy Hutchinson Fire Department" />
 <figcaption>Hutch Fire Brush 71-Photo Courtesy Hutchinson Fire Department</figcaption>
 </figure>UPDATED FEB. 27 AT 2:13 PMRENO COUNTY, Kan. — According to Reno County Emergency Management, they were working on clean up shortly before 2 p.m. and sending firefighters back to their station.ORIGINAL STORY BELOW&nbsp; According to a social media post from the Hutchinson Fire Department, around 1 p.m. Tuesday, they were sending&nbsp;Brush 71 to Parallel Rd and Sterling Rd southeast of Langdon for a large grass fire as part of a Reno County Task Force.A Red Flag Warning is in effect until 8 p.m. Tuesday.Hutch Post will provide more information as it becomes available.<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Grass fire ongoing in Reno County

SANDRA MILBURN Reno County Communications Specialist

RENO COUNTY, Kan. — Due to the anticipated wind gusts today, the Reno County Landfill will not be accepting burnt loads or burnt materials because of the fire danger. 

The landfill will remain open and accept other loads during normal business hours.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1650461756634.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>SANDRA MILBURN Reno County Communications SpecialistRENO COUNTY, Kan. — Due to the anticipated wind gusts today, the Reno County Landfill will not be accepting burnt loads or burnt materials because of the fire danger. The landfill will remain open and accept other loads during normal business hours.<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Landfill using fire prevention restrictions

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — When presenting the&nbsp;2024-2025 Academic Calendar&nbsp;to the Board, Calendar Committee members in attendance were Victoria Graf Lincoln-McCandless, parent, Kim Steinle, 6th-grade teacher, and Deputy Superintendent Krystal Young. 

Steinle recapped the makeup of the committee: two elementary teachers, two middle school teachers, two high school teachers, and one CTEA teacher. Deputy Superintendent Krystal Young, two athletic directors, and principals from each building level represented the administration on the committee. HNEA President Lynnette Krieger-Zook also served. This year saw three parents on the committee, an increase from two in previous years.

Steinle went on to state that state requirements for attendance are strictly followed. The committee began meeting in December 2023 and surveyed parents and staff members in January 2024. The survey results guided the committee to create an Academic Calendar that met professional development needs, considerations for state attendance requirements, and holiday breaks. 

The district has included a day off for November 1, following Halloween. This day was overwhelmingly requested by staff and parents alike. Friday, November 1, 2024, will be a no-school and no-work day for the district, in line with other Reno County schools.&nbsp;

Staff and parents also requested a day off during the Kansas State Fair. The date selected was Monday, September 9. The calendar was approved 4-1, with Cheryl Thompson voting nay. A calendar draft was shared during the survey process, and the final calendar will be shared on the district website in the coming days.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655147159618.jpeg" alt="USD 308 Admin Building-Photo by Daren Dunn" />
 <figcaption>USD 308 Admin Building-Photo by Daren Dunn</figcaption>
 </figure>USD 308HUTCHINSON, Kan. — When presenting the&nbsp;2024-2025 Academic Calendar&nbsp;to the Board, Calendar Committee members in attendance were Victoria Graf Lincoln-McCandless, parent, Kim Steinle, 6th-grade teacher, and Deputy Superintendent Krystal Young. Steinle recapped the makeup of the committee: two elementary teachers, two middle school teachers, two high school teachers, and one CTEA teacher. Deputy Superintendent Krystal Young, two athletic directors, and principals from each building level represented the administration on the committee. HNEA President Lynnette Krieger-Zook also served. This year saw three parents on the committee, an increase from two in previous years.Steinle went on to state that state requirements for attendance are strictly followed. The committee began meeting in December 2023 and surveyed parents and staff members in January 2024. The survey results guided the committee to create an Academic Calendar that met professional development needs, considerations for state attendance requirements, and holiday breaks. The district has included a day off for November 1, following Halloween. This day was overwhelmingly requested by staff and parents alike. Friday, November 1, 2024, will be a no-school and no-work day for the district, in line with other Reno County schools.&nbsp;Staff and parents also requested a day off during the Kansas State Fair. The date selected was Monday, September 9. The calendar was approved 4-1, with Cheryl Thompson voting nay. A calendar draft was shared during the survey process, and the final calendar will be shared on the district website in the coming days.<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Academic calendar approved by USD 308 Board

GODDARD, Kan. — Expanding on their legacy as a leader in the preservation of rare and endangered species, Tanganyika Wildlife Park proudly announces the arrival of not one, but two giraffe calves, born just days apart—a testament to the successful breeding program and an exciting addition to one of the largest giraffe herds in the United States.

Penelope, one of the resident giraffes, gave birth to a male calf on January 18th, followed shortly by Ismene, who welcomed a female calf on January 21st. Both calves share the same father, Davis, the resident bull at the park.&nbsp;&nbsp;These new members have increased the giraffe count to 18, carrying forward the legacy of conservationists Jim and Sherri Fouts, who established Tanganyika for the preservation of rare and endangered species. Since the Fouts family established Tanganyika in the 1980s, 69 Giraffe calves have been born at the park.&nbsp;

The recent births mark a special milestone for Tanganyika, as the park now boasts three generations of giraffe. Ismene and Penelope were both born at Tanganyika, and their mothers Isis and Peace are also part of the herd. Despite their age, the newborns measure just under 6 feet tall and are showing steady growth in their first few weeks of life. Giraffe Keeper Robert Olmstead observes distinct personality differences between the calves, "The female shows an engaging personality, while the male is more standoffish."

Olmstead also shares that both calves are progressing well, meeting important developmental milestones. "They stood up quickly after birth, which is important for giraffe calves," he explains. "Giraffes give birth standing up, so the calves drop more than 6 feet to the ground. We want to see them shake it off and stand up to begin nursing, which both calves did quickly."

Tanganyika strives to bring every visitor "close enough to care" and these new calves will play an important role in that mission. In the face of dwindling giraffe populations in their natural African habitats, Tanganyika works to raise awareness about the threats this iconic species faces. Both new calves have already begun venturing to the Giraffe Encounter station, where visitors to Tanganyika can get up close with giraffes and have the chance to feed them.&nbsp;

Excitement is building as Tanganyika prepares to reopen for the 2024 season on Saturday, March 9th. 

To celebrate, the park is offering its annual season pass sale from March 1st to 14th, with passes available starting at just $24.99. Visitors will have the opportunity to witness the growth of the new giraffe calves and encounter over a hundred other rare and endangered species that call Tanganyika home. Learn more&nbsp;by visiting&nbsp;<a href="http://email.mg.twpark.com/c/eJxskU-PmzAQxT8NviXyP7A5-FB1y6rabXJoSdRekLEHsIhjapyk6aevQF0ph1zfvDdP8xvTOKu-z9OhJ3_HW23I6y96__LzpUJWcdFaUiBQROAS56RkBQKv3anxMM-6hyXr6_fq7Rrij7e639t2R4_n_L8r3SdQRvtJu_78oC2xIreAgRAosOSSdJ2k1mDWokF1LeVMl1yITggKhmhMaCe1kYQyVkrkFMWUY0oFKZjMiy03HRfAO5CWAW51xrHvt-k26ThuTfDopIaUpox9ymiV0epxElYC5Qs7yD_7-HV3_PZaf343v_M98pCGYJWeHArR9e6s2stp3KyHoKiGSzLDFOaUcdwv2rpwDpdoQK2mjZuvm1uII0SU1FL1tCcpE3zz9AlJQWo-EP4LAAD__x8ujLw" target="_blank">twpark.com</a>.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1709052048060.jpeg" alt="Image Courtesy Tanganyika Wildlife Park" />
 <figcaption>Image Courtesy Tanganyika Wildlife Park</figcaption>
 </figure>Tanganyika Wildlife ParkGODDARD, Kan. — Expanding on their legacy as a leader in the preservation of rare and endangered species, Tanganyika Wildlife Park proudly announces the arrival of not one, but two giraffe calves, born just days apart—a testament to the successful breeding program and an exciting addition to one of the largest giraffe herds in the United States.Penelope, one of the resident giraffes, gave birth to a male calf on January 18th, followed shortly by Ismene, who welcomed a female calf on January 21st. Both calves share the same father, Davis, the resident bull at the park.&nbsp;&nbsp;These new members have increased the giraffe count to 18, carrying forward the legacy of conservationists Jim and Sherri Fouts, who established Tanganyika for the preservation of rare and endangered species. Since the Fouts family established Tanganyika in the 1980s, 69 Giraffe calves have been born at the park.&nbsp;The recent births mark a special milestone for Tanganyika, as the park now boasts three generations of giraffe. Ismene and Penelope were both born at Tanganyika, and their mothers Isis and Peace are also part of the herd. Despite their age, the newborns measure just under 6 feet tall and are showing steady growth in their first few weeks of life. Giraffe Keeper Robert Olmstead observes distinct personality differences between the calves, "The female shows an engaging personality, while the male is more standoffish."Olmstead also shares that both calves are progressing well, meeting important developmental milestones. "They stood up quickly after birth, which is important for giraffe calves," he explains. "Giraffes give birth standing up, so the calves drop more than 6 feet to the ground. We want to see them shake it off and stand up to begin nursing, which both calves did quickly."Tanganyika strives to bring every visitor "close enough to care" and these new calves will play an important role in that mission. In the face of dwindling giraffe populations in their natural African habitats, Tanganyika works to raise awareness about the threats this iconic species faces. Both new calves have already begun venturing to the Giraffe Encounter station, where visitors to Tanganyika can get up close with giraffes and have the chance to feed them.&nbsp;Excitement is building as Tanganyika prepares to reopen for the 2024 season on Saturday, March 9th. To celebrate, the park is offering its annual season pass sale from March 1st to 14th, with passes available starting at just $24.99. Visitors will have the opportunity to witness the growth of the new giraffe calves and encounter over a hundred other rare and endangered species that call Tanganyika home. Learn more&nbsp;by visiting&nbsp;<a href="http://email.mg.twpark.com/c/eJxskU-PmzAQxT8NviXyP7A5-FB1y6rabXJoSdRekLEHsIhjapyk6aevQF0ph1zfvDdP8xvTOKu-z9OhJ3_HW23I6y96__LzpUJWcdFaUiBQROAS56RkBQKv3anxMM-6hyXr6_fq7Rrij7e639t2R4_n_L8r3SdQRvtJu_78oC2xIreAgRAosOSSdJ2k1mDWokF1LeVMl1yITggKhmhMaCe1kYQyVkrkFMWUY0oFKZjMiy03HRfAO5CWAW51xrHvt-k26ThuTfDopIaUpox9ymiV0epxElYC5Qs7yD_7-HV3_PZaf343v_M98pCGYJWeHArR9e6s2stp3KyHoKiGSzLDFOaUcdwv2rpwDpdoQK2mjZuvm1uII0SU1FL1tCcpE3zz9AlJQWo-EP4LAAD__x8ujLw" target="_blank">twpark.com</a>.<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Tanganyika announces giraffe births

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — According to a social media post from the neighborhood, SW Bricktown held a walking meeting on Monday on West Avenue B with interim City Manager Mary Grace Clements to discuss improving lighting between Adams and Monroe streets. A total of 14 people joined the meeting.

After SW Bricktown's annual meeting where lighting was discussed, Clements got a recommendation from Evergy for upgrading lighting on W. Ave. B. That recommendation included adding one street light and moving two others in the 200 block of W. Ave. B, and adding two street lights in the 300 block. One of the lights that Evergy recommended moving is next to the alley by the Woodie Seat Freeway in the 200 block. 

At Monday's meeting, residents expressed concern about how moving the light further east would affect visibility at the alley entrance. With that in mind, Clements will look at leaving that light where it is and adding an additional light where Evergy proposed moving it. That would mean adding two lights and moving one in the 200 block instead of adding one and moving two.

The walking meeting continued into the 400 block of W. Ave. B, which was not covered by Evergy's recommendation. The group discussed the possibility of adding a street light on the south side of the block across from Avenue A School's angle parking. One of the neighborhood residents plans to visit with the residents whose house the light would be in front of for their input.&nbsp;

Clements and City Council members Greg Fast and Steve Garza were a part of the Monday meeting.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1709051421090.jpeg" alt="SW Bricktown Walking Meeting-Feb. 26, 2024-Photo Courtesy SW Bricktown Neighborhood" />
 <figcaption>SW Bricktown Walking Meeting-Feb. 26, 2024-Photo Courtesy SW Bricktown Neighborhood</figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — According to a social media post from the neighborhood, SW Bricktown held a walking meeting on Monday on West Avenue B with interim City Manager Mary Grace Clements to discuss improving lighting between Adams and Monroe streets. A total of 14 people joined the meeting.After SW Bricktown's annual meeting where lighting was discussed, Clements got a recommendation from Evergy for upgrading lighting on W. Ave. B. That recommendation included adding one street light and moving two others in the 200 block of W. Ave. B, and adding two street lights in the 300 block. One of the lights that Evergy recommended moving is next to the alley by the Woodie Seat Freeway in the 200 block. At Monday's meeting, residents expressed concern about how moving the light further east would affect visibility at the alley entrance. With that in mind, Clements will look at leaving that light where it is and adding an additional light where Evergy proposed moving it. That would mean adding two lights and moving one in the 200 block instead of adding one and moving two.The walking meeting continued into the 400 block of W. Ave. B, which was not covered by Evergy's recommendation. The group discussed the possibility of adding a street light on the south side of the block across from Avenue A School's angle parking. One of the neighborhood residents plans to visit with the residents whose house the light would be in front of for their input.&nbsp;Clements and City Council members Greg Fast and Steve Garza were a part of the Monday meeting.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Let there be light: SW Bricktown holds walking meeting

HUTCHINSON, Kan. —&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/not-dreamland-wto-aims-modest-outcomes-abu-dhabi-meeting-2024-02-26/">Reuters reported on Monday</a> that the World Trade Organization’s 13th Ministerial Conference began without much hope for big moves in world trade. The conference, which meets every two years, is the supreme governing body of the WTO.&nbsp;

Raj Bhala, Brenneisen Distinguished Professor at KU Law, is hopeful but dubious about whether the meeting will come up with substantive change.

"The real challenge for the WTO is can it resurrect itself, can it achieve a rejuvenated spirit, get back the attention of the world and move back to a freer, fairer trade mission in a very conflict ridden world," Bhala said. "We need a lot more freer, fairer trade."

The U.S. and Chinese trade representatives met while in Abu Dhabi and their points of contention in that policy area outline what is already a nascent proxy conflict between the two nations.

"We are competing for influence with Russia and China across much of the developing world," Bhala said. "This is true in sub-Saharan Africa, of course, across the Asia-Pacific, the Indo-Pacific region and in Latin America. How to attend to the long and short term economic and geopolitical interests is a big challenge."

Though smaller players still see value in the WTO, like new members Comoros and East Timor that are joining at this meeting to raise the numbers of countries in the group to 166, it is the economic drivers with the most mouths to feed and money to spend, like China, India, Russia and the U.S., that can if they choose bring strength back to the cooperation the WTO has been about for the last nearly three decades.

"There's no easy fix, other than to say, at the risk of sounding naive, we need much more good faith, honest transparent interest in these institutions by the great powers," Bhala said. "They are the ones who are going to make them work, first and foremost."

The conference continues through Feb. 29. Hutch Post's Nick Gosnell spoke to Bhala at length. A podcast of that conversation is below.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706378920468.jpeg" alt="Raj Bhala is the Brenneisen Distinguished Professor at the KU School of Law. Photo Courtesy University of Kansas." />
 <figcaption>Raj Bhala is the Brenneisen Distinguished Professor at the KU School of Law. Photo Courtesy University of Kansas.</figcaption>
 </figure>NICK GOSNELL Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. —&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/not-dreamland-wto-aims-modest-outcomes-abu-dhabi-meeting-2024-02-26/">Reuters reported on Monday</a> that the World Trade Organization’s 13th Ministerial Conference began without much hope for big moves in world trade. The conference, which meets every two years, is the supreme governing body of the WTO.&nbsp;Raj Bhala, Brenneisen Distinguished Professor at KU Law, is hopeful but dubious about whether the meeting will come up with substantive change."The real challenge for the WTO is can it resurrect itself, can it achieve a rejuvenated spirit, get back the attention of the world and move back to a freer, fairer trade mission in a very conflict ridden world," Bhala said. "We need a lot more freer, fairer trade."The U.S. and Chinese trade representatives met while in Abu Dhabi and their points of contention in that policy area outline what is already a nascent proxy conflict between the two nations."We are competing for influence with Russia and China across much of the developing world," Bhala said. "This is true in sub-Saharan Africa, of course, across the Asia-Pacific, the Indo-Pacific region and in Latin America. How to attend to the long and short term economic and geopolitical interests is a big challenge."Though smaller players still see value in the WTO, like new members Comoros and East Timor that are joining at this meeting to raise the numbers of countries in the group to 166, it is the economic drivers with the most mouths to feed and money to spend, like China, India, Russia and the U.S., that can if they choose bring strength back to the cooperation the WTO has been about for the last nearly three decades."There's no easy fix, other than to say, at the risk of sounding naive, we need much more good faith, honest transparent interest in these institutions by the great powers," Bhala said. "They are the ones who are going to make them work, first and foremost."The conference continues through Feb. 29. Hutch Post's Nick Gosnell spoke to Bhala at length. A podcast of that conversation is below.<div><iframe title="Raj Bhala, Brenneisen Distinguished Professor at KU Law" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=duyte-159489e-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=60a0c8&font-color=auto&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=ff6d00" loading="lazy"></iframe></div><a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

🎧 LISTEN: Bhala: WTO meeting may not do much, though much is needed

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Housing Commission will have its next meeting Wednesday afternoon and begin budget discussions along with subcommitee discussions.

In addition the commission will introduce the Sherwin Williams paint program manager, get data on featured neighborhoods from Denice Gilliland and an overall report on them from Adam Stewart, a Hutchinson Land Bank update from Jim Seitnater and updates from Interfaith Housing, SCKEDD and New Beginnings.

The Hutchinson Housing Commission meets Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at 3:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers Workroom at 125 E. Avenue B.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683043073149.jpeg" alt="City of Hutchinson-Photo by Nick Gosnell" />
 <figcaption>City of Hutchinson-Photo by Nick Gosnell</figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Housing Commission will have its next meeting Wednesday afternoon and begin budget discussions along with subcommitee discussions.In addition the commission will introduce the Sherwin Williams paint program manager, get data on featured neighborhoods from Denice Gilliland and an overall report on them from Adam Stewart, a Hutchinson Land Bank update from Jim Seitnater and updates from Interfaith Housing, SCKEDD and New Beginnings.The Hutchinson Housing Commission meets Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at 3:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers Workroom at 125 E. Avenue B.<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Housing Commission to start budget talk

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Advance voting at the Reno County Annex begins Wednesday, Feb. 28 and will be available weekdays during regular business hours up through noon on March 18.

You must be registered to vote and you can only vote in the primary of the party for which you are registered. If you are unaffiliated, you can declare a party and vote, but you cannot switch from one party to another.

The Presidential Preference Primary election day is March 19.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1629300596422.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Advance voting at the Reno County Annex begins Wednesday, Feb. 28 and will be available weekdays during regular business hours up through noon on March 18.You must be registered to vote and you can only vote in the primary of the party for which you are registered. If you are unaffiliated, you can declare a party and vote, but you cannot switch from one party to another.The Presidential Preference Primary election day is March 19.<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Presidential Preference Primary advance voting starts Wednesday

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Dr. Dawn Johnson told the Hutchinson USD 308 Board of Education Monday night that the process is continuing forward for the facilities updates in the district.

"I've met with the architects, met with the middle school, met with early learning, just kind of getting their subject matter expertise into early learning, getting kindergarten ready and then the middle school models," Johnson said. "We'll have a survey tomorrow that they will take. That will go out, we'll gather that information back. We've been working, kind of, on an informational flyer, to capture the information that we've put together. The architects are kind of working on slides so we can start those community meetings."

The meetings will be held after spring break.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655147159618.jpeg" alt="USD 308 Admin Building-Photo by Daren Dunn" />
 <figcaption>USD 308 Admin Building-Photo by Daren Dunn</figcaption>
 </figure>NICK GOSNELL Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — Dr. Dawn Johnson told the Hutchinson USD 308 Board of Education Monday night that the process is continuing forward for the facilities updates in the district."I've met with the architects, met with the middle school, met with early learning, just kind of getting their subject matter expertise into early learning, getting kindergarten ready and then the middle school models," Johnson said. "We'll have a survey tomorrow that they will take. That will go out, we'll gather that information back. We've been working, kind of, on an informational flyer, to capture the information that we've put together. The architects are kind of working on slides so we can start those community meetings."The meetings will be held after spring break.<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Facilities community meetings planned this spring

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Climate + Energy Project’s Executive Director, Dorothy Barnett, was invited to attend ‘Communities in Action’ convening at the White House in Washington, DC on Thursday, February 22, 2024 to share CEP’s work in Kansas, including the Energy Navigators pilot program and the need for the Kansas Renewable Energy Siting Collaborative.

Energy Navigators is a collaboration of community-based non-profit organizations, community action programs, and community health organizations that includes Salud + Bienestar, Destination Innovation, Derby Recreation Commission (Oaklawn), El Centro, the Community Health Coalition of Wyandotte County, Thrive Kansas, and several Community Action Programs across Kansas.The Kansas Renewable Energy Siting Collaborative will represent the leading voices involved in utility scale renewable energy siting, planning and permitting. This three-year effort, guided by research, transparency, and a commitment to finding common ground, will put Kansas on a pathway to expedite renewable energy growth. The vision of the Kansas Renewable Siting Collaborative is a future where utility-scale renewable energy development is characterized by seamless integration, fact-based information, and ecological and community responsibility. This vision is underpinned by a commitment to addressing the needs of local communities, preserving wildlife, and safeguarding our environment.&nbsp;

President Biden’s Investing in America agenda&nbsp;(Creating Clean-Energy Jobs and Combating the Climate Crisis)&nbsp;is delivering a clean, secure, and healthy future for Kansas families by:&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1708968238752.png" alt="Dorothy Barnett-Photo Courtesy Climate + Energy Project" />
 <figcaption>Dorothy Barnett-Photo Courtesy Climate + Energy Project</figcaption>
 </figure>Climate + Energy ProjectHUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Climate + Energy Project’s Executive Director, Dorothy Barnett, was invited to attend ‘Communities in Action’ convening at the White House in Washington, DC on Thursday, February 22, 2024 to share CEP’s work in Kansas, including the Energy Navigators pilot program and the need for the Kansas Renewable Energy Siting Collaborative.Energy Navigators is a collaboration of community-based non-profit organizations, community action programs, and community health organizations that includes Salud + Bienestar, Destination Innovation, Derby Recreation Commission (Oaklawn), El Centro, the Community Health Coalition of Wyandotte County, Thrive Kansas, and several Community Action Programs across Kansas.The Kansas Renewable Energy Siting Collaborative will represent the leading voices involved in utility scale renewable energy siting, planning and permitting. This three-year effort, guided by research, transparency, and a commitment to finding common ground, will put Kansas on a pathway to expedite renewable energy growth. The vision of the Kansas Renewable Siting Collaborative is a future where utility-scale renewable energy development is characterized by seamless integration, fact-based information, and ecological and community responsibility. This vision is underpinned by a commitment to addressing the needs of local communities, preserving wildlife, and safeguarding our environment.&nbsp;President Biden’s Investing in America agenda&nbsp;(Creating Clean-Energy Jobs and Combating the Climate Crisis)&nbsp;is delivering a clean, secure, and healthy future for Kansas families by:&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>Expanding electric vehicle opportunities, with hundreds of thousands of people in Kansas eligible for discounts on new or used EVs through the Inflation Reduction Act, which will be supported by networks of EV chargers across the state funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.</li><li>Protecting Kansas against extreme weather, with historic investments for more resilient homes, businesses, and communities. In the last decade, Kansas has experienced 38 major extreme weather events, costing the state up to $13 billion in damages and often disproportionately affecting historically underserved communities.</li><li>Supporting rural communities, by investing in climate-smart agriculture practices to help Kansas's 58,600 farmers lead on climate solutions, and helping electric cooperatives that deliver cleaner and cheaper power to about 300,000 Kansas homes and businesses.</li>
 </ul>

Climate + Energy Project's Barnett at White House

MANHATTAN — Kansas State University will spend March 5-7 visiting Reno County and Seward County as part of the second year&nbsp;of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.k-state.edu/president/initiatives/regional-community-visits/" target="_blank">regional community visits</a>&nbsp;across the state.

Through the presidential community visit initiative, K-State is engaging with people and communities across all 105 counties of Kansas. The Reno County and Seward County community visits will include several days of activities to listen to and learn from Kansans in the&nbsp;Hutchinson&nbsp;and&nbsp;Liberal&nbsp;regions.

K-State President Richard Linton and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.k-state.edu/president/initiatives/regional-community-visits/connected-cats/" target="_blank">Connected 'Cats students</a>&nbsp;will lead several events, including community conversations, recruitment activities and events to highlight university partnerships and K-State Research and Extension relationships."We're looking forward to finishing up our second year of community visits in Reno and Seward counties," Linton said. "As the university for Kansans, it is important to visit with Kansans in the communities they call home so that we can learn how we can engage and build meaningful partnerships as a next-generation land-grant university."

The Connected 'Cats students for the Reno County portion of the visit include&nbsp;<a href="https://www.k-state.edu/president/initiatives/regional-community-visits/connected-cats/kyser-meiniger.html" target="_blank">Kyser Meininger</a>, senior in biology,&nbsp;Hutchinson, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.k-state.edu/president/initiatives/regional-community-visits/connected-cats/taylor-hendrick.html" target="_blank">Taylor Hedrick</a>, senior in animal sciences and industry,&nbsp;Pretty Prairie.&nbsp;

There will be a community open forum from noon-1:15 p.m. Wednesday, March 6, at the Cosmosphere, Fee Family Learning Center, 1100 N. Plum St.,&nbsp;Hutchinson. Those interested may RSVP for this community open forum at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.k-state.edu/reno-county" target="_blank">k-state.edu/reno-county</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

community open forums are free and open to all Kansans: community members, leaders, families, current and future students, and parents. The events also will include free K-State Call Hall ice cream.Other events throughout the multiday visit will focus on topics such as economic development, student engagement and local food systems.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.k-state.edu/president/initiatives/regional-community-visits/schedule/reno-seward-counties/" target="_blank">View a schedule with full details for the March 5-7 community visit</a>.

Tim Oswalt will serve as the local host for the Reno County community visit.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.k-state.edu/president/initiatives/regional-community-visits/" target="_blank">K-State community visit initiative</a>&nbsp;focuses on the people of Kansas and their communities. K-State is visiting multiple communities throughout the state to listen to and learn from the Kansans who live there.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.k-state.edu/president/initiatives/regional-community-visits/" target="_blank">Learn more about the community visit initiative</a>.The community visits are an important part of the K-State 105 initiative, which is Kansas State University's answer to the call for a comprehensive economic growth and advancement solution for Kansas. The initiative leverages the statewide K-State Research and Extension network to deliver the full breadth of the university's collective knowledge and solution-driven innovation to every Kansan, right where they live and work. Additionally, K-State 105 forges the connections and partnerships that create access to additional expertise within other state institutions and agencies, nonprofits and corporations — all part of an effort to build additional capacities and strengths in each of the 105 counties in the state.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633634461380.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>MANHATTAN — Kansas State University will spend March 5-7 visiting Reno County and Seward County as part of the second year&nbsp;of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.k-state.edu/president/initiatives/regional-community-visits/" target="_blank">regional community visits</a>&nbsp;across the state.Through the presidential community visit initiative, K-State is engaging with people and communities across all 105 counties of Kansas. The Reno County and Seward County community visits will include several days of activities to listen to and learn from Kansans in the&nbsp;Hutchinson&nbsp;and&nbsp;Liberal&nbsp;regions.K-State President Richard Linton and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.k-state.edu/president/initiatives/regional-community-visits/connected-cats/" target="_blank">Connected 'Cats students</a>&nbsp;will lead several events, including community conversations, recruitment activities and events to highlight university partnerships and K-State Research and Extension relationships."We're looking forward to finishing up our second year of community visits in Reno and Seward counties," Linton said. "As the university for Kansans, it is important to visit with Kansans in the communities they call home so that we can learn how we can engage and build meaningful partnerships as a next-generation land-grant university."The Connected 'Cats students for the Reno County portion of the visit include&nbsp;<a href="https://www.k-state.edu/president/initiatives/regional-community-visits/connected-cats/kyser-meiniger.html" target="_blank">Kyser Meininger</a>, senior in biology,&nbsp;Hutchinson, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.k-state.edu/president/initiatives/regional-community-visits/connected-cats/taylor-hendrick.html" target="_blank">Taylor Hedrick</a>, senior in animal sciences and industry,&nbsp;Pretty Prairie.&nbsp; There will be a community open forum from noon-1:15 p.m. Wednesday, March 6, at the Cosmosphere, Fee Family Learning Center, 1100 N. Plum St.,&nbsp;Hutchinson. Those interested may RSVP for this community open forum at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.k-state.edu/reno-county" target="_blank">k-state.edu/reno-county</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;community open forums are free and open to all Kansans: community members, leaders, families, current and future students, and parents. The events also will include free K-State Call Hall ice cream.Other events throughout the multiday visit will focus on topics such as economic development, student engagement and local food systems.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.k-state.edu/president/initiatives/regional-community-visits/schedule/reno-seward-counties/" target="_blank">View a schedule with full details for the March 5-7 community visit</a>.Tim Oswalt will serve as the local host for the Reno County community visit.The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.k-state.edu/president/initiatives/regional-community-visits/" target="_blank">K-State community visit initiative</a>&nbsp;focuses on the people of Kansas and their communities. K-State is visiting multiple communities throughout the state to listen to and learn from the Kansans who live there.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.k-state.edu/president/initiatives/regional-community-visits/" target="_blank">Learn more about the community visit initiative</a>.The community visits are an important part of the K-State 105 initiative, which is Kansas State University's answer to the call for a comprehensive economic growth and advancement solution for Kansas. The initiative leverages the statewide K-State Research and Extension network to deliver the full breadth of the university's collective knowledge and solution-driven innovation to every Kansan, right where they live and work. Additionally, K-State 105 forges the connections and partnerships that create access to additional expertise within other state institutions and agencies, nonprofits and corporations — all part of an effort to build additional capacities and strengths in each of the 105 counties in the state.<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

K-State coming to Reno County

Via <a href="https://www.yoderkansas.com/parade-of-quilts">Yoderkansas.com</a>

YODER, Kan. — Come to Yoder in March for the 24th&nbsp;annual Parade of Quilts event.&nbsp; You'll find scores of hand-stitched creations of every pattern, color &amp; size, from the Yoder community and Amish &amp; Mennonite communities around the country, displayed at participating merchants throughout the horse drawn community.&nbsp; Each an original, one of a kind, piece of art. &nbsp;

Pick up a Parade Route brochure at Yoder Furniture Company at 3405 Switzer Rd for a listing of each quilt and where to find it on this self guided tour.&nbsp; Quilts do sell, so come early in the month for the best selection. &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1709028503758.jpeg" alt="Parade of Quilts-Image Courtesy Yoder Kansas" />
 <figcaption>Parade of Quilts-Image Courtesy Yoder Kansas</figcaption>
 </figure>Via <a href="https://www.yoderkansas.com/parade-of-quilts">Yoderkansas.com</a>YODER, Kan. — Come to Yoder in March for the 24th&nbsp;annual Parade of Quilts event.&nbsp; You'll find scores of hand-stitched creations of every pattern, color &amp; size, from the Yoder community and Amish &amp; Mennonite communities around the country, displayed at participating merchants throughout the horse drawn community.&nbsp; Each an original, one of a kind, piece of art. &nbsp;Pick up a Parade Route brochure at Yoder Furniture Company at 3405 Switzer Rd for a listing of each quilt and where to find it on this self guided tour.&nbsp; Quilts do sell, so come early in the month for the best selection. &nbsp;Participating businesses:<ul>
 <li><a href="https://www.yoderkansas.com/carriagecrossing">Carriage Crossing Restaurant</a>6 am - 9 pm Mon - Sat</li><li>6 am - 9 pm Mon - Sat</li><li><a href="https://www.yoderkansas.com/copy-of-template-14">Yoder Furniture Company</a>10 am - 5&nbsp;pm Mon - Fri / 10 am - 4 pm Sat</li><li>10 am - 5&nbsp;pm Mon - Fri / 10 am - 4 pm Sat</li><li><a href="https://www.yoderkansas.com/copy-of-yoder-meats-kansas-station">Yoder Meats / Kansas Station</a>10 am - 6 pm Mon - Sat</li><li>10 am - 6 pm Mon - Sat</li><li><a href="https://www.yoderkansas.com/yoderdiscountgrocery">Yoder Discount Grocery</a>8 am - 6:30 pm Mon - Fri / 8 am - 6 pm Sat</li><li>8 am - 6:30 pm Mon - Fri / 8 am - 6 pm Sat</li><li>Yoder Treasures and Treats10 am - 5 pm Mon - Fri / 9 am - 5 pm Sat</li><li>10 am - 5 pm Mon - Fri / 9 am - 5 pm Sat</li><li><a href="https://www.yoderkansas.com/etcetera-shop">Yoder Thrift Store</a>9:00 am - 4:00 pm Mon - Sat</li><li>9:00 am - 4:00 pm Mon - Sat</li><li>R &amp; E Country Store8:30 am - 4:00 pm Mon - Sat</li><li>8:30 am - 4:00 pm Mon - Sat</li>
 </ul><a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Yoder Parade of Quilts starts March 1

Kim Baldwin, McPherson County farmer and rancher

The winter months for many Kansas farmers and ranchers allows a bit of a slower pace before the spring work really begins. While there are many producers in the thick of their calving or lambing seasons as well as feeding their livestock, for my family it means a season of completing projects in the shop, conducting maintenance on equipment that will be used in coming months and working in the office.

While there’s still plenty of work to be done during these months, there’s no doubt that as long as the weather cooperates, we can be a bit more flexible with our schedules.&nbsp;Because of this potential flexibility allowed during the winter months, for many involved in agriculture it also means meeting season.

Compared to other times during the year, the winter months present many opportunities for producers to come together at a variety of in-person meetings and workshops. Though meetings also happen throughout the year – mostly by Zoom or webinars – the winter months are generally when the big get-togethers within agriculture take place.

Commodity-specific learning opportunities and conferences, annual meetings for state and national organizations, insurance or seed focused luncheons, research and extension workshops, as well as national trade shows and conventions are just a few of the many opportunities available for professional development, policymaking and networking for producers during the winter months.

Some of the largest conventions and tradeshows pique the interest of many because the locations are generally in warmer and sunnier areas of the country.

In fact, many farm families plan their vacations around these industry focused events. For many, aside from the business that needs to be conducted, these events offer attendees options to participate in guided tours or experiences beyond the meetings and learning sessions. Add in the opportunity for the kids to enjoy some outdoor pool time or walking the floor of a tradeshow, and attending a winter event can easily become a highly anticipated family trip.

While it’d make more sense for us to take our family vacations when the kids are out of school in the summer months, that’s just not a reality for us and many others involved in production agriculture.

If we take a family vacation during the summer months, it’s generally a last-minute, fly-by-the-seat-of-our-pants kind of trip only following a good rain. However, in the winter months, the odds of planning in advance and preparing for a multi-day trip off the farm are much, much better – thanks in large part to agriculture’s winter meeting season.

"Insight" is a weekly column published by Kansas Farm Bureau, the state's largest farm organization whose mission is to strengthen agriculture and the lives of Kansans through advocacy, education and service.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573617414005.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Kim Baldwin, McPherson County farmer and rancherThe winter months for many Kansas farmers and ranchers allows a bit of a slower pace before the spring work really begins. While there are many producers in the thick of their calving or lambing seasons as well as feeding their livestock, for my family it means a season of completing projects in the shop, conducting maintenance on equipment that will be used in coming months and working in the office.While there’s still plenty of work to be done during these months, there’s no doubt that as long as the weather cooperates, we can be a bit more flexible with our schedules.&nbsp;Because of this potential flexibility allowed during the winter months, for many involved in agriculture it also means meeting season.Compared to other times during the year, the winter months present many opportunities for producers to come together at a variety of in-person meetings and workshops. Though meetings also happen throughout the year – mostly by Zoom or webinars – the winter months are generally when the big get-togethers within agriculture take place.Commodity-specific learning opportunities and conferences, annual meetings for state and national organizations, insurance or seed focused luncheons, research and extension workshops, as well as national trade shows and conventions are just a few of the many opportunities available for professional development, policymaking and networking for producers during the winter months.Some of the largest conventions and tradeshows pique the interest of many because the locations are generally in warmer and sunnier areas of the country.In fact, many farm families plan their vacations around these industry focused events. For many, aside from the business that needs to be conducted, these events offer attendees options to participate in guided tours or experiences beyond the meetings and learning sessions. Add in the opportunity for the kids to enjoy some outdoor pool time or walking the floor of a tradeshow, and attending a winter event can easily become a highly anticipated family trip.While it’d make more sense for us to take our family vacations when the kids are out of school in the summer months, that’s just not a reality for us and many others involved in production agriculture.If we take a family vacation during the summer months, it’s generally a last-minute, fly-by-the-seat-of-our-pants kind of trip only following a good rain. However, in the winter months, the odds of planning in advance and preparing for a multi-day trip off the farm are much, much better – thanks in large part to agriculture’s winter meeting season."Insight" is a weekly column published by Kansas Farm Bureau, the state's largest farm organization whose mission is to strengthen agriculture and the lives of Kansans through advocacy, education and service.&nbsp;Copyright © 2024 Kansas Farm Bureau, All rights reserved.

Insight: Winter meeting season

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;

2/27/2024 2:48 AM-Alex	Cole White-Direct Contempt; Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant; Traffic Contraband in Correctional Institution; Introduce Firearm, Ammo, Explosive or Controlled Substance; Interference with Law Enforcement; Obstruct, Resist, Oppose; Felony Case, Execution of a Felony Warrant; Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body; Possession of marijuana; Failure to Appear

2/27/2024 12:42 AM-Douglas	Eugene Bolejack-Theft; Property or Services; Less than $1,500

2/26/2024 9:13 PM-Michael	Andrew Rarrick-Driving while license cancelled/suspended/revoked; misd; unknown conv

2/26/2024 8:20 PM-Alexadrian	Daniel Holeman-Failure to Appear

2/26/2024 8:18 PM-Jorge Reyna Contreras-Probation Violation

2/26/2024 6:20 PM-Samuel	Aaron McClellan-Probation Violation

2/26/2024 3:48 PM-Robyn	Deann Herbst-Direct Contempt&nbsp;

2/26/2024 10:54 AM-Thomas	Daniel Malloy-Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant; Traffic Contraband in Correctional Institution; Introduce any Item; Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body; Ignition Interlock Device; Operate MV without device during restriction; DL Violation; No Drivers License&nbsp;

2/26/2024 10:49 AM-Cody	Alan Peterson-Failure to Appear

2/26/2024 6:15 AM-Christopher	Lee Jamison-Criminal Trespass; Defiance of Order

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681919634177.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>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;2/27/2024 2:48 AM-Alex	Cole White-Direct Contempt; Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant; Traffic Contraband in Correctional Institution; Introduce Firearm, Ammo, Explosive or Controlled Substance; Interference with Law Enforcement; Obstruct, Resist, Oppose; Felony Case, Execution of a Felony Warrant; Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body; Possession of marijuana; Failure to Appear2/27/2024 12:42 AM-Douglas	Eugene Bolejack-Theft; Property or Services; Less than $1,5002/26/2024 9:13 PM-Michael	Andrew Rarrick-Driving while license cancelled/suspended/revoked; misd; unknown conv2/26/2024 8:20 PM-Alexadrian	Daniel Holeman-Failure to Appear2/26/2024 8:18 PM-Jorge Reyna Contreras-Probation Violation2/26/2024 6:20 PM-Samuel	Aaron McClellan-Probation Violation2/26/2024 3:48 PM-Robyn	Deann Herbst-Direct Contempt&nbsp;2/26/2024 10:54 AM-Thomas	Daniel Malloy-Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant; Traffic Contraband in Correctional Institution; Introduce any Item; Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body; Ignition Interlock Device; Operate MV without device during restriction; DL Violation; No Drivers License&nbsp;2/26/2024 10:49 AM-Cody	Alan Peterson-Failure to Appear2/26/2024 6:15 AM-Christopher	Lee Jamison-Criminal Trespass; Defiance of Order

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A free chance for you to try out the Y is coming on Tuesday.

"Tuesday, the 27th, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., we're having an open house," said David Foster with the Hutchinson YMCA. "That's open to anyone in the community, as well as YMCA members, because a lot of times we realize, even our members, especially some that may have just joined recently aren't aware of all the great things that the Y has to offer, so it would be a great time to learn about all of our programs. We're kind of doing a group exercise sampler."

There will be four or five short sessions to give you a taste of what classes are like at the Y.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697900853725.jpeg" alt="Hutchinson YMCA-Photo by Emmie Boese" />
 <figcaption>Hutchinson YMCA-Photo by Emmie Boese</figcaption>
 </figure>NICK GOSNELL Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — A free chance for you to try out the Y is coming on Tuesday."Tuesday, the 27th, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., we're having an open house," said David Foster with the Hutchinson YMCA. "That's open to anyone in the community, as well as YMCA members, because a lot of times we realize, even our members, especially some that may have just joined recently aren't aware of all the great things that the Y has to offer, so it would be a great time to learn about all of our programs. We're kind of doing a group exercise sampler."There will be four or five short sessions to give you a taste of what classes are like at the Y."Everybody can come and jump in and check those out, as well as visit with our program directors and find out all the great things that we have to offer."The Hutchinson YMCA is at&nbsp;716 E 13th Ave. in Hutchinson.<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;