BUHLER, Kan. — As all school districts across Kansas will be required to do, the Buhler USD 313 Board of Education will discuss an enrollment policy at their meeting on Monday, October 9.&nbsp;

"Open enrollment is really referring to out of district students applying into your district to come," said USD 313 Superintendent Cindy Couchman in September. "If you live in district, no questions asked, you are automatically accepted, by law. Open enrollment is for out of district students who want to come to a school system."

Prior to this year, districts across Reno County generally accepted whoever asked, as in a decreasing overall enrollment environment for the county as a whole, there is usually space for kids.

"We take them anyway, as long as they meet our requirements," Couchman said. "I think everybody has the same ones. They have good attendance, they are on track to graduate and their behavior is good."

New legislation requires there to be a written policy on acceptance going forward, that's what the school board discussion is about.

"That policy has to be set in December," Couchman said. "Everybody's going to be having a hearing. You have to advertise it in the newspaper of your hearing and then you will adopt your policy. That policy states, what is your procedures for accepting out of district students? In January, you have to set capacity and talk about the capacity of how many students per grade level, like a student teacher ratio K-8, you could do building total capacity at the high school."

The agenda is only anticipating 15 minutes of discussion, so this is likely preliminary prior to the setting of the policy by the end of the year. 

The Buhler USD 313 school board meeting is at 5 p.m. Monday at the Burkholder Administrative Center in Buhler.

<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/2023/10/1696683579907.jpeg" alt="Buhler USD 313" />
 <figcaption>Buhler USD 313</figcaption>
 </figure>NICK GOSNELL Hutch PostBUHLER, Kan. — As all school districts across Kansas will be required to do, the Buhler USD 313 Board of Education will discuss an enrollment policy at their meeting on Monday, October 9.&nbsp;"Open enrollment is really referring to out of district students applying into your district to come," said USD 313 Superintendent Cindy Couchman in September. "If you live in district, no questions asked, you are automatically accepted, by law. Open enrollment is for out of district students who want to come to a school system."Prior to this year, districts across Reno County generally accepted whoever asked, as in a decreasing overall enrollment environment for the county as a whole, there is usually space for kids."We take them anyway, as long as they meet our requirements," Couchman said. "I think everybody has the same ones. They have good attendance, they are on track to graduate and their behavior is good."New legislation requires there to be a written policy on acceptance going forward, that's what the school board discussion is about."That policy has to be set in December," Couchman said. "Everybody's going to be having a hearing. You have to advertise it in the newspaper of your hearing and then you will adopt your policy. That policy states, what is your procedures for accepting out of district students? In January, you have to set capacity and talk about the capacity of how many students per grade level, like a student teacher ratio K-8, you could do building total capacity at the high school."The agenda is only anticipating 15 minutes of discussion, so this is likely preliminary prior to the setting of the policy by the end of the year. The Buhler USD 313 school board meeting is at 5 p.m. Monday at the Burkholder Administrative Center in Buhler.<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;

USD 313 to discuss enrollment policy at October meeting

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — As part of their meeting on Monday, the USD 308 Board of Education will be asked to approve Design Construction Services (DCS) for $467,602.00 to replace rooftop units at Allen Magnet School and upgrade controls that operate these units.

These units were installed during the mid-90’s refurbishing bond issue when the district added air conditioning, and are beyond their life expectancy. The Board will also be asked to approve work from Zenor Electric Co for $21,186.00. This pricing will disconnect the rooftop units and relocate/ reconnect electrical to new units, and replace GFI, outlet boxes, and GFI weatherproof covers. 

Zenor Electric has the school district contract for Project Electrical Work.

The Hutchinson USD 308 Board of Education meets at 6 p.m. Monday at the Administration Center at 1520 North Plum.

<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>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — As part of their meeting on Monday, the USD 308 Board of Education will be asked to approve Design Construction Services (DCS) for $467,602.00 to replace rooftop units at Allen Magnet School and upgrade controls that operate these units.These units were installed during the mid-90’s refurbishing bond issue when the district added air conditioning, and are beyond their life expectancy. The Board will also be asked to approve work from Zenor Electric Co for $21,186.00. This pricing will disconnect the rooftop units and relocate/ reconnect electrical to new units, and replace GFI, outlet boxes, and GFI weatherproof covers. Zenor Electric has the school district contract for Project Electrical Work.The Hutchinson USD 308 Board of Education meets at 6 p.m. Monday at the Administration Center at 1520 North Plum.<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;

USD 308 Board to approve HVAC at Allen Monday

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Kansas State Fair General Manager Bryan Schulz announced the schedule for a new fall event at the Kansas State Fairgrounds later this month.

"We threw this out to our special events coordinator, Tina Evans," Schulz said. "She ran with it. Now, we're going to do the Fall Fest and Movie Night on Oct. 21 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m."

There will be fun for everybody before the movie starts.

"We talked to Charlie and Carrie," Schulz said. "We're going to be opening up the beer garden and the wine garden and also talked to Charlie about getting the Ye Olde Mill opened up. He's going to run that from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. It's $4 a person to ride on the boats. We also have Kettle Korn out there, but the neat thing about it is, we're turning the Grand Size west side Grandstand sign into an outdoor movie theater. We're going to be playing Hocus Pocus. That will start at 7 p.m. You can bring out your lawn chairs, back up your truck, however you want to do it. It will be a great opportunity. It's free for you to come out there. It's just going to be a lot of fun."

It's a chance for people who may have not gotten out to the Fair to see some of the improvements on the grounds, including the new screen and new PA system.

<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/2023/10/1696693637560.jpeg" alt="Fair Fall Fest Movie Night" />
 <figcaption>Fair Fall Fest Movie Night</figcaption>
 </figure>NICK GOSNELL Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — Kansas State Fair General Manager Bryan Schulz announced the schedule for a new fall event at the Kansas State Fairgrounds later this month."We threw this out to our special events coordinator, Tina Evans," Schulz said. "She ran with it. Now, we're going to do the Fall Fest and Movie Night on Oct. 21 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m."There will be fun for everybody before the movie starts."We talked to Charlie and Carrie," Schulz said. "We're going to be opening up the beer garden and the wine garden and also talked to Charlie about getting the Ye Olde Mill opened up. He's going to run that from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. It's $4 a person to ride on the boats. We also have Kettle Korn out there, but the neat thing about it is, we're turning the Grand Size west side Grandstand sign into an outdoor movie theater. We're going to be playing Hocus Pocus. That will start at 7 p.m. You can bring out your lawn chairs, back up your truck, however you want to do it. It will be a great opportunity. It's free for you to come out there. It's just going to be a lot of fun."It's a chance for people who may have not gotten out to the Fair to see some of the improvements on the grounds, including the new screen and new PA system.<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;

Movie to be shown on Fairgrounds Oct. 21

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — According to a memo provided to the Nickerson-South Hutchinson USD 309 Board of Education prior to their meeting on Monday, the replacement and refresh of the video surveillance system in the district will begin the week of October 9th, 2023. 

The process and replacement of this large number of cameras will take a bit of time and will be done in stages. The first stage will most likely be starting at South Hutchinson Elementary School, then moving through the district ending up at the district office to finish the refresh project. &nbsp;

This project will also require updating and modifications to be done to the servers in order for them to handle and continue to work efficiently because of the upgraded video that will be streamed. 

This includes a substantial amount of additional storage that will be needed, as well as an overall update to the district's server and client software.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1628266388485.jpeg" alt="USD 309" />
 <figcaption>USD 309</figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — According to a memo provided to the Nickerson-South Hutchinson USD 309 Board of Education prior to their meeting on Monday, the replacement and refresh of the video surveillance system in the district will begin the week of October 9th, 2023. The process and replacement of this large number of cameras will take a bit of time and will be done in stages. The first stage will most likely be starting at South Hutchinson Elementary School, then moving through the district ending up at the district office to finish the refresh project. &nbsp;This project will also require updating and modifications to be done to the servers in order for them to handle and continue to work efficiently because of the upgraded video that will be streamed. This includes a substantial amount of additional storage that will be needed, as well as an overall update to the district's server and client software.&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;

USD 309 to upgrade school cameras

LINDSBORG, Kan. — The Bethany College Office of Advancement is excited to announce the endowment of the Henry Hays Scholarship. Dr. Hays was a business professor from 1977 – 1996, leaving his mark on the Bethany College campus and in students' lives forever.

In honor of their 40-year reunion, the class of 1983 has formed this scholarship with an initial amount of $40,000 to honor Dr. Hays. The scholarship awards a student with a passion for business, economics, and data analysis, intellectual curiosity to explore new ideas and perspectives, and an ethical approach to global business relationships. The recipient will also participate in at least one of the internship opportunities offered at Bethany College that will explore and teach business skills and inspire an academic career such as that of Dr. Hays, who mentored so many of his students.

"We are delighted Professor Hays is being honored with this scholarship. With this award, Bethany College students can continue their studies of business and economic changes in a global market and participate in a unique internship opportunity while continuing their path to their purpose. We want to thank the Class of 1983 for their generosity in honoring Professor Hays, who influenced many of them during their time at Bethany College," says Angie Martin, Associate Professor of Finance and Coordinator of Undergraduate Studies.

The class of 1983 urges all alums whose lives were impacted by Dr. Hays to contribute to his scholarship fund by mailing a check with the memo line: Henry Hays Scholarship. Or visit bethanylb.edu/give and use the designation Henry Hays Scholarship.

Bethany College, established by Swedish Lutheran immigrants in 1881, is a college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The mission of Bethany College is to educate, develop, and challenge individuals to reach for truth and excellence as they lead lives of faith, learning, and service. At Bethany, students join a community of dedicated educators and caring mentors who walk alongside them as they discover, explore, and navigate the path to their purpose. Bethany College is online at <a href="http://bethanylb.edu">bethanylb.edu</a> and is located in Lindsborg, Kansas, the fine arts and crafts capital of 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/2023/10/1696619631509.jpeg" alt="Former Bethany College Professor Henry Hays-Photo Courtesy Bethany College" />
 <figcaption>Former Bethany College Professor Henry Hays-Photo Courtesy Bethany College</figcaption>
 </figure>Bethany CollegeLINDSBORG, Kan. — The Bethany College Office of Advancement is excited to announce the endowment of the Henry Hays Scholarship. Dr. Hays was a business professor from 1977 – 1996, leaving his mark on the Bethany College campus and in students' lives forever.In honor of their 40-year reunion, the class of 1983 has formed this scholarship with an initial amount of $40,000 to honor Dr. Hays. The scholarship awards a student with a passion for business, economics, and data analysis, intellectual curiosity to explore new ideas and perspectives, and an ethical approach to global business relationships. The recipient will also participate in at least one of the internship opportunities offered at Bethany College that will explore and teach business skills and inspire an academic career such as that of Dr. Hays, who mentored so many of his students."We are delighted Professor Hays is being honored with this scholarship. With this award, Bethany College students can continue their studies of business and economic changes in a global market and participate in a unique internship opportunity while continuing their path to their purpose. We want to thank the Class of 1983 for their generosity in honoring Professor Hays, who influenced many of them during their time at Bethany College," says Angie Martin, Associate Professor of Finance and Coordinator of Undergraduate Studies.The class of 1983 urges all alums whose lives were impacted by Dr. Hays to contribute to his scholarship fund by mailing a check with the memo line: Henry Hays Scholarship. Or visit bethanylb.edu/give and use the designation Henry Hays Scholarship.Bethany College, established by Swedish Lutheran immigrants in 1881, is a college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The mission of Bethany College is to educate, develop, and challenge individuals to reach for truth and excellence as they lead lives of faith, learning, and service. At Bethany, students join a community of dedicated educators and caring mentors who walk alongside them as they discover, explore, and navigate the path to their purpose. Bethany College is online at <a href="http://bethanylb.edu">bethanylb.edu</a> and is located in Lindsborg, Kansas, the fine arts and crafts capital of 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;

Scholarship at Bethany endowed by 1983 class

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; &nbsp; &nbsp;

10/8/2023 3:49 AM-Gloria	Isdarely Perez-DUI; 1st conv; incapable of safely driving; DL Violation; No Drivers License

10/8/2023 2:09 AM-Cesar	Feliciano Aguilar Palma-DL Violation; No Drivers License; DUI; 1st conv; comp evidence of blood/breath .08+&nbsp;

10/7/2023 3:19 PM-Gary	Eugene Douglas-Domestic Battery; Knowingly Cause Physical Contact (1st conviction)

10/7/2023 2:03 PM-Kylee	Lynn Day-Failure to Appear

10/7/2023 8:04 AM-Tanner	Michael Poyner-DUI; Misdemeanor&nbsp;

<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; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;10/8/2023 3:49 AM-Gloria	Isdarely Perez-DUI; 1st conv; incapable of safely driving; DL Violation; No Drivers License10/8/2023 2:09 AM-Cesar	Feliciano Aguilar Palma-DL Violation; No Drivers License; DUI; 1st conv; comp evidence of blood/breath .08+&nbsp;10/7/2023 3:19 PM-Gary	Eugene Douglas-Domestic Battery; Knowingly Cause Physical Contact (1st conviction)10/7/2023 2:03 PM-Kylee	Lynn Day-Failure to Appear10/7/2023 8:04 AM-Tanner	Michael Poyner-DUI; Misdemeanor&nbsp;

Daily Bookings

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Take a look back at the 2023 Downtown Hutch Rod Run. Photos by Emmie Boese.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Take a look back at the 2023 Downtown Hutch Rod Run. Photos by Emmie Boese.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696689274862.jpeg" alt="1958 Chevrolet Impala" />
 <figcaption>1958 Chevrolet Impala</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696694852930.jpeg" alt="1936 Ford&nbsp;&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>1936 Ford&nbsp;&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696696857587.jpeg" alt="1966 Chevrolet Nova" />
 <figcaption>1966 Chevrolet Nova</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696696847099.jpeg" alt="1966 Chevrolet Nova" />
 <figcaption>1966 Chevrolet Nova</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696694708901.jpeg" alt="1978 Chevrolet Van" />
 <figcaption>1978 Chevrolet Van</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696696021517.jpeg" alt="1965 Ford Mustang Fastback" />
 <figcaption>1965 Ford Mustang Fastback</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696694763467.jpeg" alt="1946 Chevrolet Pickup 4x4" />
 <figcaption>1946 Chevrolet Pickup 4x4</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696697645378.jpeg" alt="1969 Chevrolet Chevelle&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>1969 Chevrolet Chevelle&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696695246654.jpeg" alt="1968 Dodge Charger&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>1968 Dodge Charger&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696694780179.jpeg" alt="1929 Ford Model&nbsp; A" />
 <figcaption>1929 Ford Model&nbsp; A</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696698822436.jpeg" alt="1968 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible" />
 <figcaption>1968 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible</figcaption>
 </figure>

📷 2023 Downtown Hutch Rod Run

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — HutchFest activities continue in downtown Hutchinson all day Saturday. Below is the Saturday schedule.

8 a.m.-4 p.m.:&nbsp;Rod Run (3rd&nbsp;Avenue through Avenue B in Downtown Hutchinson)

8 a.m.:&nbsp;Hutch Rec Race Series Salt City 5K/10K, sponsored by Salt City Brewing (514 N. Main)

9 a.m.:&nbsp;Alzheimer’s Walk (2nd&nbsp;&amp; Main, DCI Park)

11 a.m.-4 p.m.:&nbsp;Hutch Fest Kid Zone featuring Hutch Clinic Community Tent and The Hutchinson Rotary Club InflataFUN Park (2nd&nbsp;&amp; Main, DCI Park)

12-2 p.m.:&nbsp;Ad Astra Talent Show Performances (Peoples Bank and Trust Community Stage, 2nd&nbsp;&amp; Main, DCI Park)

1-3 p.m.:&nbsp;Rod Run Pin-Up Contest (Lowen Live Stage, 1st&nbsp;&amp; Main)

2-5 p.m.:&nbsp;Hutch Brewfest, presented by First Bank Kansas (in front of the Historic Fox Theatre, East 1st Avenue &amp; Main)

4 p.m.:&nbsp;Dillons Community Free Ice Cream Social (2nd&nbsp;&amp; Main)

4 p.m.:&nbsp;Ad Astra Talent Show Performances (Peoples Bank and Trust Community Stage, 2nd&nbsp;&amp; Main, DCI Park)

4 p.m.:&nbsp;Rod Run Awards (Lowen Live Stage, 1st&nbsp;&amp; Main)

5 p.m.:&nbsp;Music on Main Showcase, featuring local musicians (Peoples Bank and Trust Community Stage, 2nd&nbsp;&amp; Main, DCI Park)

6 p.m.:&nbsp;Josue Estrada Band (Lowen Live Stage, 1st&nbsp;&amp; Main)

8 p.m.:&nbsp;Bootleg Mercy + Paramount (Lowen Live Stage, 1st&nbsp;&amp; Main)

Stay up-to-date on Hutch Fest activities and events by following the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hutchrec.com/hutchfest/" target="_blank">Hutch Fest web page</a>, as well as the Hutch Rec social media pages on Facebook and Instagram.

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile&nbsp;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;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696278990823.jpeg" alt="HutchFest " />
 <figcaption>HutchFest </figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — HutchFest activities continue in downtown Hutchinson all day Saturday. Below is the Saturday schedule.Saturday, October 7:8 a.m.-4 p.m.:&nbsp;Rod Run (3rd&nbsp;Avenue through Avenue B in Downtown Hutchinson)8 a.m.:&nbsp;Hutch Rec Race Series Salt City 5K/10K, sponsored by Salt City Brewing (514 N. Main)9 a.m.:&nbsp;Alzheimer’s Walk (2nd&nbsp;&amp; Main, DCI Park)11 a.m.-4 p.m.:&nbsp;Hutch Fest Kid Zone featuring Hutch Clinic Community Tent and The Hutchinson Rotary Club InflataFUN Park (2nd&nbsp;&amp; Main, DCI Park)12-2 p.m.:&nbsp;Ad Astra Talent Show Performances (Peoples Bank and Trust Community Stage, 2nd&nbsp;&amp; Main, DCI Park)1-3 p.m.:&nbsp;Rod Run Pin-Up Contest (Lowen Live Stage, 1st&nbsp;&amp; Main)2-5 p.m.:&nbsp;Hutch Brewfest, presented by First Bank Kansas (in front of the Historic Fox Theatre, East 1st Avenue &amp; Main)4 p.m.:&nbsp;Dillons Community Free Ice Cream Social (2nd&nbsp;&amp; Main)4 p.m.:&nbsp;Ad Astra Talent Show Performances (Peoples Bank and Trust Community Stage, 2nd&nbsp;&amp; Main, DCI Park)4 p.m.:&nbsp;Rod Run Awards (Lowen Live Stage, 1st&nbsp;&amp; Main)5 p.m.:&nbsp;Music on Main Showcase, featuring local musicians (Peoples Bank and Trust Community Stage, 2nd&nbsp;&amp; Main, DCI Park)6 p.m.:&nbsp;Josue Estrada Band (Lowen Live Stage, 1st&nbsp;&amp; Main)8 p.m.:&nbsp;Bootleg Mercy + Paramount (Lowen Live Stage, 1st&nbsp;&amp; Main)Stay up-to-date on Hutch Fest activities and events by following the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hutchrec.com/hutchfest/" target="_blank">Hutch Fest web page</a>, as well as the Hutch Rec social media pages on Facebook and Instagram.<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile&nbsp;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;

Hutch Fest continues Saturday

RENO COUNTY, Kan. — A Public Hearing about the improvements to the Yoder and HABIT sewer districts will be held at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 11th in the Veterans Room at the Reno County Courthouse. 

Commissioners encourage everyone who would like to ask questions about the improvements to attend. The public hearing will be livestreamed on the county's YouTube Live channel at <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@RenoCounty/streams?fbclid=IwAR2HXBDgEK96zEI-Hse3zpQl9cDjF9aH0w46czD-FLRrl5xJQ_Q_uG2U-w0" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/@RenoCounty/streams</a>.

This is after commissioners and engineers went out to KLETC near Yoder on Wednesday night, Oct. 4 and held a public meeting to explain the project.

The Reno County Commission, Stuart Porter with Schwab Eaton, Don Brittain, Reno County Public Works Director, Randy Partington, County Administrator, and Rose Mary Saunders, with Ranson Financial Group, moved from the stage and half-circled their chairs around Ron and Shirley Nelson, an area couple that attended that meeting.

The improvements will be funded under the low interest State Revolving Loan Fund Program through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. The Loan application will include funding for the following improvements:

1. Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements consist of the construction of new lagoons with all appurtenances for treatment of raw sewage from Reno County Sewer District Nos. 201 and 202 with an estimated amount of $2,892,600.00.

2. Sewer Collection System Improvements consisting of the installation of 2,905’ of 10”cured in place pipe, 12,635’ of 8” cured in place pipe and 205’ of 6” cured in place pipe with appurtenances to provide for the transportation of raw sewage to the lagoons.

Two lift stations will be installed to move the sewage from District Nos. 201 and 202 to the lagoon site with an estimated amount of $1,514,000.

The anticipated amount of the loan application request will be $6,123,100.00 and the total project cost is estimated at $6,123,100.00.

<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.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696673829284.jpeg" alt="Stuart Porter with Schwab Eaton, explaining the Yoder and HABIT sewer project at the public meeting Oct. 4, 2023. Photo by Sandra Milburn." />
 <figcaption>Stuart Porter with Schwab Eaton, explaining the Yoder and HABIT sewer project at the public meeting Oct. 4, 2023. Photo by Sandra Milburn.</figcaption>
 </figure>SANDRA MILBURN Reno County PIORENO COUNTY, Kan. — A Public Hearing about the improvements to the Yoder and HABIT sewer districts will be held at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 11th in the Veterans Room at the Reno County Courthouse. Commissioners encourage everyone who would like to ask questions about the improvements to attend. The public hearing will be livestreamed on the county's YouTube Live channel at <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@RenoCounty/streams?fbclid=IwAR2HXBDgEK96zEI-Hse3zpQl9cDjF9aH0w46czD-FLRrl5xJQ_Q_uG2U-w0" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/@RenoCounty/streams</a>.This is after commissioners and engineers went out to KLETC near Yoder on Wednesday night, Oct. 4 and held a public meeting to explain the project.The Reno County Commission, Stuart Porter with Schwab Eaton, Don Brittain, Reno County Public Works Director, Randy Partington, County Administrator, and Rose Mary Saunders, with Ranson Financial Group, moved from the stage and half-circled their chairs around Ron and Shirley Nelson, an area couple that attended that meeting.The improvements will be funded under the low interest State Revolving Loan Fund Program through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. The Loan application will include funding for the following improvements:1. Wastewater Treatment Plant Improvements consist of the construction of new lagoons with all appurtenances for treatment of raw sewage from Reno County Sewer District Nos. 201 and 202 with an estimated amount of $2,892,600.00.2. Sewer Collection System Improvements consisting of the installation of 2,905’ of 10”cured in place pipe, 12,635’ of 8” cured in place pipe and 205’ of 6” cured in place pipe with appurtenances to provide for the transportation of raw sewage to the lagoons.Two lift stations will be installed to move the sewage from District Nos. 201 and 202 to the lagoon site with an estimated amount of $1,514,000.The anticipated amount of the loan application request will be $6,123,100.00 and the total project cost is estimated at $6,123,100.00.<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.

Yoder and HABIT sewer project public hearing Oct. 11

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — According to a social media post earlier this week, Reno Valley Middle School in Nickerson-South Hutchinson USD 309 announced that it has received a grant from Pathways to a Healthy Kansas, a Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas initiative, for $10,000 to use for the tobacco education program. 

The grant money will be used to support the student-led RESIST team, bring in a speaker about addiction, and provide education curriculum for RVMS students. The initiative is administered by the Reno County Health Department, who has been very supportive of efforts to fight tobacco use at RVMS. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696673355401.jpeg" alt="Pictured receiving the grant are Principal Vince Naccarato, RESIST members, Brady Engelland, Braxton Stephens, and Jaycie Ohnmacht, RESIST sponsor, Rachelle Annis, Claudio Faundez of BCBSKS, and Candace Davidson of the Reno County Health Department." />
 <figcaption>Pictured receiving the grant are Principal Vince Naccarato, RESIST members, Brady Engelland, Braxton Stephens, and Jaycie Ohnmacht, RESIST sponsor, Rachelle Annis, Claudio Faundez of BCBSKS, and Candace Davidson of the Reno County Health Department.</figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — According to a social media post earlier this week, Reno Valley Middle School in Nickerson-South Hutchinson USD 309 announced that it has received a grant from Pathways to a Healthy Kansas, a Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas initiative, for $10,000 to use for the tobacco education program. The grant money will be used to support the student-led RESIST team, bring in a speaker about addiction, and provide education curriculum for RVMS students. The initiative is administered by the Reno County Health Department, who has been very supportive of efforts to fight tobacco use at RVMS. <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;

RVMS receives tobacco education grant

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; &nbsp;

10/6/2023 10:47 PM-Travis	Quinn Stockton-Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant; Poss of marijuana; Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body

10/6/2023 10:41 PM-Desire	Victoria Williams-Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant; Poss of marijuana; Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body&nbsp;

10/6/2023 9:06 PM-Audra	Lynn Legron-Viol protection order; Abuse order

10/6/2023 6:29 PM-Jackie	Jerome Blevins-Agg battery; Knowingly cause great body harm

10/6/2023 6:25 PM-Crystal	Rae Burris-Criminal Trespass; Defiance of Order

10/6/2023 12:48 PM-Lance	Aaron Smith-Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant; Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body; Failure to Appear

10/6/2023 6:22 AM-Zachary	Neil Castle-Domestic Battery; Knowingly Cause Physical Contact (1st conviction)

<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; &nbsp;10/6/2023 10:47 PM-Travis	Quinn Stockton-Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant; Poss of marijuana; Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body10/6/2023 10:41 PM-Desire	Victoria Williams-Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant; Poss of marijuana; Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body&nbsp;10/6/2023 9:06 PM-Audra	Lynn Legron-Viol protection order; Abuse order10/6/2023 6:29 PM-Jackie	Jerome Blevins-Agg battery; Knowingly cause great body harm10/6/2023 6:25 PM-Crystal	Rae Burris-Criminal Trespass; Defiance of Order10/6/2023 12:48 PM-Lance	Aaron Smith-Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant; Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body; Failure to Appear10/6/2023 6:22 AM-Zachary	Neil Castle-Domestic Battery; Knowingly Cause Physical Contact (1st conviction)

On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with small game coordinator at Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, Kent Fricke, about the decision to cancel fall turkey hunting season in Kansas.

<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/W4KBYcSHtVo?si=VbaOHkwfjpLKQDE1" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with small game coordinator at Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, Kent Fricke, about the decision to cancel fall turkey hunting season in Kansas.

Forward Ever: KDWP's Kent Fricke discusses canceling turkey hunting season

TOPEKA, Kan. — Kansas Governor Laura Kelly announced today that more than $6.2 million from the Local Safety and Security Equipment (LSSE) grant program was awarded to 72 Kansas law enforcement, fire, emergency medical services, and 911 communications agencies. Four of those agencies are in Reno County, with one in Harvey County.

Reno County agencies include, City of Pretty Prairie $40,415, Hutchinson Community College Fire Science $18,810, Hutchinson Fire Department $52,110, South Hutchinson Fire Department $59,362. Also, the City of North Newton in Harvey County received $30,044.

The grant funds are received through the Strengthening People Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) program funded by the federal American Rescue Plan (ARPA).

“It is critical that our first responders have the equipment necessary to protect and serve Kansans when an emergency arises,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said. “This funding will ensure agencies across the state have the resources needed to quickly and successfully deliver aid.”

The purpose of the LSSE Grant Program is to improve the accessibility and efficiency of emergency services to Kansans. The funding provides equipment upgrades critical to emergency response; supports updated interoperability communications systems; and updates and replaces unsafe, damaged wildland firefighting equipment that meets national standards.&nbsp;

A total of $6,208,299 was awarded to the agencies.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1628276900594.png" alt="Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly</figcaption>
 </figure>Office of the GovernorTOPEKA, Kan. — Kansas Governor Laura Kelly announced today that more than $6.2 million from the Local Safety and Security Equipment (LSSE) grant program was awarded to 72 Kansas law enforcement, fire, emergency medical services, and 911 communications agencies. Four of those agencies are in Reno County, with one in Harvey County.Reno County agencies include, City of Pretty Prairie $40,415, Hutchinson Community College Fire Science $18,810, Hutchinson Fire Department $52,110, South Hutchinson Fire Department $59,362. Also, the City of North Newton in Harvey County received $30,044.The grant funds are received through the Strengthening People Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) program funded by the federal American Rescue Plan (ARPA).“It is critical that our first responders have the equipment necessary to protect and serve Kansans when an emergency arises,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said. “This funding will ensure agencies across the state have the resources needed to quickly and successfully deliver aid.”The purpose of the LSSE Grant Program is to improve the accessibility and efficiency of emergency services to Kansans. The funding provides equipment upgrades critical to emergency response; supports updated interoperability communications systems; and updates and replaces unsafe, damaged wildland firefighting equipment that meets national standards.&nbsp;A total of $6,208,299 was awarded to the agencies.&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;

Local agencies get equipment grants

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Shawn Steward with AAA Kansas notes that gas prices are much lower this week than they were last week.

"Gas prices are trending in the right direction, if you're a motorist and have to fill up your tank regularly," Steward said. "They're looking more what's typically seasonal this time of year. Here in Kansas, we're at $3.54 a gallon on average. That's down eight cents in the past week. The national average has also fallen nine cents, down to $3.74."

"Gas demand fell more than half a million barrels last week," Steward said. "Domestic demand is down. Domestic gasoline stocks, or supply, has increased substantially, by 6.5 million barrels, up to 227 million barrels on hand. Those two trends, supply and demand, are in the right direction."

The underlying cost of crude is also helping in this regard.

"We've shaved about $10 a barrel of late, to around $82 per barrel on the global crude oil market," Steward said. "All of those factors are trending in the right direction in terms of lowering gas prices."

The price of the underlying crude oil makes up slightly more than half of the price of a gallon of gasoline.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631897543449.jpeg" alt="CHS Refinery-McPherson-Nick Gosnell" />
 <figcaption>CHS Refinery-McPherson-Nick Gosnell</figcaption>
 </figure>NICK GOSNELL Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — Shawn Steward with AAA Kansas notes that gas prices are much lower this week than they were last week."Gas prices are trending in the right direction, if you're a motorist and have to fill up your tank regularly," Steward said. "They're looking more what's typically seasonal this time of year. Here in Kansas, we're at $3.54 a gallon on average. That's down eight cents in the past week. The national average has also fallen nine cents, down to $3.74."Area counties have a drop, as well.Reno: $3.52McPherson: $3.42Harvey: $3.49Sedgwick: $3.53Kingman: $3.55Pratt: $3.60Stafford: $3.55Rice: $3.57"Gas demand fell more than half a million barrels last week," Steward said. "Domestic demand is down. Domestic gasoline stocks, or supply, has increased substantially, by 6.5 million barrels, up to 227 million barrels on hand. Those two trends, supply and demand, are in the right direction."The underlying cost of crude is also helping in this regard."We've shaved about $10 a barrel of late, to around $82 per barrel on the global crude oil market," Steward said. "All of those factors are trending in the right direction in terms of lowering gas prices."The price of the underlying crude oil makes up slightly more than half of the price of a gallon of gasoline.<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;

AAA: Gas prices making traditional fall dip

Kansas Department of Transportation

NEWTON, Kan. — Work will begin around Monday, Oct. 9, to repair a reinforced box culvert at a U.S. 50 entrance ramp on the northeast side of Newton.

The ramp is at the north junction of I-135/U.S. 50 and handles Sand Creek drainage.

The Kansas Department of Transportation project is expected to be completed around Nov. 13.

During the work, for all but local traffic, traffic will be controlled by intermittent closure of eastbound Old Trail Road at the intersection with Spencer Road. Tractor-trailers on Old Trail Road that are headed toward eastbound U.S. 50 will be re-routed to the I-135/U.S. 50 interchange. Non-local passenger vehicles on Old Trail Road that are headed toward eastbound U.S. 50 will be re-routed to Northeast 24th&nbsp;Street.&nbsp; Eastbound Old Trail Road will be returned to normal traffic flow and reopened to unrestricted traffic at the end of each work day.

Reece Construction Co. Inc., of Salina, is the primary contractor for the $151,919 project.

For updated information on this and other KDOT highway projects and road conditions across the state, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kandrive.org/" target="_blank">www.kandrive.gov</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;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696605738133.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas Department of TransportationNEWTON, Kan. — Work will begin around Monday, Oct. 9, to repair a reinforced box culvert at a U.S. 50 entrance ramp on the northeast side of Newton.The ramp is at the north junction of I-135/U.S. 50 and handles Sand Creek drainage.The Kansas Department of Transportation project is expected to be completed around Nov. 13.During the work, for all but local traffic, traffic will be controlled by intermittent closure of eastbound Old Trail Road at the intersection with Spencer Road. Tractor-trailers on Old Trail Road that are headed toward eastbound U.S. 50 will be re-routed to the I-135/U.S. 50 interchange. Non-local passenger vehicles on Old Trail Road that are headed toward eastbound U.S. 50 will be re-routed to Northeast 24th&nbsp;Street.&nbsp; Eastbound Old Trail Road will be returned to normal traffic flow and reopened to unrestricted traffic at the end of each work day.Reece Construction Co. Inc., of Salina, is the primary contractor for the $151,919 project.For updated information on this and other KDOT highway projects and road conditions across the state, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kandrive.org/" target="_blank">www.kandrive.gov</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;

Culvert repair to start soon at U.S. 50 ramp on northeast side of Newton

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Kansas State Fair General Manager Bryan Schulz is willing to listen to race promotion proposals from outside entities, but he made one thing clear, those folks will have to take on the burden.

"To become a race promoter, that's not something that we are interested in doing," Schulz said Friday. "From a staffing point, we just don't have enough staff. We are mandated by the Kansas Legislature how many people we can have. When you start looking at running these major events, you're going to have to have quite a few more people on staff and we just don't have those allocations."

There are no written proposals thus far, with a deadline for those by the end of the month.

"We've had one person that has shown some interest, but we haven't seen anything in writing," Schulz said. "That's what we need is we need a full on proposal from whoever is interested in doing it, before the end of this month, postmarked or delivered by the 31st. That will give our board at least two weeks to be looking it over. Then, on the 14th of November, the board will get together, they will review the proposals and then there will be a small public input session. Location and time are all still pending, we'll be meeting this Tuesday coming up, to make all those decisions."

When Schulz was in North Dakota at the Red River Valley Fair, the track up there was nearly closed.

"We had the fastest half mile track in the Upper Midwest," Schulz said. "That was from the World of Outlaws. That, too, was an area where, we were a non-profit. It ran most Fridays, but we were running it as our staff. People weren't attending. Our car counts were down. After my first year there, the board said to do an analysis of it. We did. We were still losing a lot of money. We decided to close it down or try finding a promoter. The Schatz family, if you follow World of Outlaws, the Schatz family is very big. They took it over, ran it for three years. They said, there's no money to be made here. They backed out. They invested over $1.5 million into it. They backed out. We put it back out for people to run it, promote it. It sat empty for two years. We had a promoter that came in and started running it. I think they are still there today, but the numbers are still touch and go."

According to <a href="https://www.fargomoorhead.org/what-to-do/red-river-valley-speedway/">fargomoorhead.org</a>, even when the Schatz family put the money in, the track was reconfigured. "RRVS was reconfigured from the original 1/2 mile to a smaller 3/8 of a mile track in the spring of 2010," according to the site. "Also during that time the track switched from Friday nights to Wednesday nights. In 2012, RRVS ran it's final race on August 25th until it was re-opened again in 2016. Racing once again returned to Friday nights."

It remains to be seen what proposals from the potential promoters look like and how much money they would be willing to contribute to save the track.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632137556905.jpeg" alt="KSF Grandstand Racetrack-Photo by Nick Gosnell" />
 <figcaption>KSF Grandstand Racetrack-Photo by Nick Gosnell</figcaption>
 </figure>NICK GOSNELL Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — Kansas State Fair General Manager Bryan Schulz is willing to listen to race promotion proposals from outside entities, but he made one thing clear, those folks will have to take on the burden."To become a race promoter, that's not something that we are interested in doing," Schulz said Friday. "From a staffing point, we just don't have enough staff. We are mandated by the Kansas Legislature how many people we can have. When you start looking at running these major events, you're going to have to have quite a few more people on staff and we just don't have those allocations."There are no written proposals thus far, with a deadline for those by the end of the month."We've had one person that has shown some interest, but we haven't seen anything in writing," Schulz said. "That's what we need is we need a full on proposal from whoever is interested in doing it, before the end of this month, postmarked or delivered by the 31st. That will give our board at least two weeks to be looking it over. Then, on the 14th of November, the board will get together, they will review the proposals and then there will be a small public input session. Location and time are all still pending, we'll be meeting this Tuesday coming up, to make all those decisions."When Schulz was in North Dakota at the Red River Valley Fair, the track up there was nearly closed."We had the fastest half mile track in the Upper Midwest," Schulz said. "That was from the World of Outlaws. That, too, was an area where, we were a non-profit. It ran most Fridays, but we were running it as our staff. People weren't attending. Our car counts were down. After my first year there, the board said to do an analysis of it. We did. We were still losing a lot of money. We decided to close it down or try finding a promoter. The Schatz family, if you follow World of Outlaws, the Schatz family is very big. They took it over, ran it for three years. They said, there's no money to be made here. They backed out. They invested over $1.5 million into it. They backed out. We put it back out for people to run it, promote it. It sat empty for two years. We had a promoter that came in and started running it. I think they are still there today, but the numbers are still touch and go."According to <a href="https://www.fargomoorhead.org/what-to-do/red-river-valley-speedway/">fargomoorhead.org</a>, even when the Schatz family put the money in, the track was reconfigured. "RRVS was reconfigured from the original 1/2 mile to a smaller 3/8 of a mile track in the spring of 2010," according to the site. "Also during that time the track switched from Friday nights to Wednesday nights. In 2012, RRVS ran it's final race on August 25th until it was re-opened again in 2016. Racing once again returned to Friday nights."It remains to be seen what proposals from the potential promoters look like and how much money they would be willing to contribute to save the track.<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;

Schulz: No proposals yet, Fair won't do it on their own

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new allegations after an arrest in Riley County.

Just after 4p.m. Thursday, police arrested 43-year-old Desie Chatfield of Hutchinson after being transported to the Riley County Police Department, according to the department activity report. 

Chatfield was arrested on a Riley County District Court warrant for probation violation. The original charge was for unlawful possession of a controlled substance. Chatfield is being held on $7,500 bond. 

He has previous convictions for domestic battery, aggravated domestic battery, criminal threat, criminal damage to property and for drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

<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;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696601938870.png" alt="Chatfield photo KDOC" />
 <figcaption>Chatfield photo KDOC</figcaption>
 </figure>RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new allegations after an arrest in Riley County.Just after 4p.m. Thursday, police arrested 43-year-old Desie Chatfield of Hutchinson after being transported to the Riley County Police Department, according to the department activity report. Chatfield was arrested on a Riley County District Court warrant for probation violation. The original charge was for unlawful possession of a controlled substance. Chatfield is being held on $7,500 bond. He has previous convictions for domestic battery, aggravated domestic battery, criminal threat, criminal damage to property and for drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.<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;

Hutchinson man with a history of crime jailed in Manhattan

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Lacey Mills with TECH announced this week that their offices will no longer be in the same place in 2024.

"Big news, we are relocating our TECH Art Gallery and our administrative offices at the end of December," Mills said. "We are moving into the old Queen Bee building, which is, very conveniently, a door and a half down from the Rise Event Rentals business."

"People ask why, what's the reason for moving? I probably would need to definitely hit the emergency button on the elevator to give somebody that full elevator pitch, but, at the end of the day, we've had some changes in funding from here at a county level and potentially more funding changes in the future," Mills said. "Kevin Hess, our President and CEO and our exec team and all of our staff, I think our goal is to just be the best stewards for the money that we receive and how do we do the best for the people that we serve? We've been looking for ways to cut costs to continue to take those dollars and put them at the front line."

This isn't a large move, in terms of distance, it's only about a tenth of a mile.

"Right now, our TECH Art Gallery and admin offices are in the Wiley Building," Mills said. "We are there until Dec. 31. Then, we will be moving to the Queen Bee building, which is 10 South Main and we will be there starting January 1. That is where the art gallery will be relocated to."

For more information on TECH, go to&nbsp;<a href="https://techinc.org/">https://techinc.org/</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680274511473.jpeg" alt="The TECH Art Gallery will be moving as part of the organization's office move at the end of the year. File photo by Judd Weil." />
 <figcaption>The TECH Art Gallery will be moving as part of the organization's office move at the end of the year. File photo by Judd Weil.</figcaption>
 </figure>NICK GOSNELL Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — Lacey Mills with TECH announced this week that their offices will no longer be in the same place in 2024."Big news, we are relocating our TECH Art Gallery and our administrative offices at the end of December," Mills said. "We are moving into the old Queen Bee building, which is, very conveniently, a door and a half down from the Rise Event Rentals business."This is in an effort to save money."People ask why, what's the reason for moving? I probably would need to definitely hit the emergency button on the elevator to give somebody that full elevator pitch, but, at the end of the day, we've had some changes in funding from here at a county level and potentially more funding changes in the future," Mills said. "Kevin Hess, our President and CEO and our exec team and all of our staff, I think our goal is to just be the best stewards for the money that we receive and how do we do the best for the people that we serve? We've been looking for ways to cut costs to continue to take those dollars and put them at the front line."This isn't a large move, in terms of distance, it's only about a tenth of a mile."Right now, our TECH Art Gallery and admin offices are in the Wiley Building," Mills said. "We are there until Dec. 31. Then, we will be moving to the Queen Bee building, which is 10 South Main and we will be there starting January 1. That is where the art gallery will be relocated to."For more information on TECH, go to&nbsp;<a href="https://techinc.org/">https://techinc.org/</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;

TECH plans office move

K-State Extension Master Gardeners

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Share the joy of “extras” in your garden. Fall is an excellent time to thin perennials and plant new ones in the garden. Everyone is invited to bring some favorite garden plants and exchange them for new ones at the Reno County Extension Master Gardener Perennial Plant Swap. The Plant Swap will be held on Saturday, October 21 at the Reno County Farmer’s Market from 8:00 a.m. to noon. 

The Reno County Farmers’ Market is located at 2nd and Washington in Hutchinson.

Anyone interested is welcome to participate. There is no charge for the event. Plants should be healthy and free of insects. Any type of houseplant or perennial can be exchanged - flowers, trees, shrubs, vegetables and herbs. No annuals please. There will also be a seed exchange. Seeds can be either annuals or perennials. Garden books, tools, and supplies are also welcome. Please have all plants and seeds labeled.

Plants should be in some kind of bag or container so they can be easily transported.

Extension Master Gardeners will be available to answer gardening questions. For more information, contact the Reno County Extension Office at 620-662-2371.

<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/2023/6/1685973151336.png" alt="Master Gardener Reno County" />
 <figcaption>Master Gardener Reno County</figcaption>
 </figure>K-State Extension Master GardenersHUTCHINSON, Kan. — Share the joy of “extras” in your garden. Fall is an excellent time to thin perennials and plant new ones in the garden. Everyone is invited to bring some favorite garden plants and exchange them for new ones at the Reno County Extension Master Gardener Perennial Plant Swap. The Plant Swap will be held on Saturday, October 21 at the Reno County Farmer’s Market from 8:00 a.m. to noon. The Reno County Farmers’ Market is located at 2nd and Washington in Hutchinson.Anyone interested is welcome to participate. There is no charge for the event. Plants should be healthy and free of insects. Any type of houseplant or perennial can be exchanged - flowers, trees, shrubs, vegetables and herbs. No annuals please. There will also be a seed exchange. Seeds can be either annuals or perennials. Garden books, tools, and supplies are also welcome. Please have all plants and seeds labeled.Plants should be in some kind of bag or container so they can be easily transported.Extension Master Gardeners will be available to answer gardening questions. For more information, contact the Reno County Extension Office at 620-662-2371.<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;

Master Gardeners to Host Plant Swap at Reno County Farmers’ Market Oct. 21

LYONS, Kan. — The Rice County District Hospital is asking the&nbsp;Rice County community and neighbors to complete a <a href="https://ricecountyhospital.com/about/community-health-needs-assessment/">confidential 10-minute survey</a> to help them improve healthcare services and prioritize the heath needs in that community.&nbsp;

There are about 20 questions on the survey and most of them let you choose from options given to you, but there are four where you can write anonymously about your experiences.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696585167864.jpeg" alt="Rice County Hospital" />
 <figcaption>Rice County Hospital</figcaption>
 </figure>LYONS, Kan. — The Rice County District Hospital is asking the&nbsp;Rice County community and neighbors to complete a <a href="https://ricecountyhospital.com/about/community-health-needs-assessment/">confidential 10-minute survey</a> to help them improve healthcare services and prioritize the heath needs in that community.&nbsp;There are about 20 questions on the survey and most of them let you choose from options given to you, but there are four where you can write anonymously about your experiences.<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;

Rice County Hospital releases survey

Kansas author Glenn Ediger left no threshing stone unturned as he embarked on a historical treasure hunt for the tools used by the Mennonites who settled in and around central Kansas. From his own front yard to Threshing Days in Gossel, he uncovered the unique set of events that brought some of the most innovative farmers in the world to Kansas and established hard red winter wheat as a Kansas staple. He recently shared what he learned with listeners of the “Wheat’s On Your Mind” podcast.&nbsp;

“Probably no year holds more significance to the wheat industry in Kansas than 1874,” said Aaron Harries, host of the “<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001E4CUkjJLlzMOI1TYOKM42L0WMqia8Yni8lkfy7G80zl4ZT94D_bHC7df5amA4WeQO8A2D4h1bj3H0fJ43b-Yre9o_66oVhHD7JvM8vSG4lgRfmrBudTTjXkVrtGJ0WkI4N_7W-aSE9AoMtLxWEqRdcpFt0FbzOU5&amp;c=yC-pKKz_jJ9el4eR5qATXPBhSogL-KntgyS439W7O-MenEMHwbstSA==&amp;ch=8UDI34o9veZIWhtAYXx67WFc3L85BY38YAIM1fIkhC276dG-kGOOEQ==" target="_blank">Wheat’s On Your Mind</a>” podcast and Kansas Wheat vice president of research and operations. “That was the year Mennonite immigrants from Ukraine came to Kansas to escape the loss of their religious freedom.”

“They came at the invitation of the state of Kansas and the Santa Fe Railroad to develop the prairie into a rich and productive agricultural economy. These groups of families brought with them Turkey Red winter wheat, and as they say, the rest is history. But there’s so much more to this story.”

From the establishment of their religion, the Mennonites had a reputation for being good, industrious farmers. As a result of this reputation and their continued pursuit of religious freedom, their communities moved from their origins in the Netherlands to Prussia (what is now Poland) to develop lands for farming. Later, when religious freedoms in the country were curtailed, the Mennonites took the invitation of Catherine the Great to relocate to western Russia (what is now Ukraine) in the late 1700s and early 1800s. That included Ediger’s ancestors, who moved to Russia in 1810 and farmed there for roughly 60 years.&nbsp;

“They did create a fertile farming culture with a lot of innovations — what types of crops to grow and how to better preserve crops and how to influence better growth with things like fertilization and summer fallow,” Ediger explained. “They really advanced that with creating and developing alternative hard winter wheats that were quite successful in that community.”&nbsp;

Around this time, Kansas was being marketed as the crown jewel for agriculture in the United States, driven by the construction of the railroad. But, the region needed more people and more commerce, so the Santa Fe railroad drove a campaign to recruit more settlers from other countries to move to Kansas, including the Mennonites. Those efforts included Carl B. Schmidt, who was an implement dealer recruited by the railroads to encourage the Mennonites to move to the United States.&nbsp;

“C.B. Schmidt was an implement dealer; he spoke German; and Schmidt is a common Mennonite name, even though he was not Mennonite,” Ediger said. “There was competition to get the Mennonites to the United States all through the Midwest, from Canada down through Oklahoma. So Carl went to Ukraine and talked to local Mennonites and convinced them how wonderful Kansas was.”

The railroad also paid for ambassadors from the Mennonites to come to tour the Central Plains, including surveying different properties. In the end, Kansas had the most appealing set of laws (religious freedoms and the promise of not being conscripted into the military), availability of land they could afford, fertile ground and climate similar to where they were currently farming. The railroad made the deal even sweeter by building homes for early immigrants and supplying seed for the first wheat crops planted.&nbsp;

Planting the seed for Turkey Red wheat

And so Mennonites came to Kansas and brought with them their agricultural innovations and their hard red wheats, including hand-picked seeds packed into large jars and sacks. This Turkey Red wheat was a hardy variety, was planted in the fall and could withstand Kansas’ cold and dry winters. The new wheat could take advantage of the moisture that arrives in the winter and early spring and then be harvested in early summer. While the adoption of this new class of wheat took time, its introduction revolutionized the wheat industry in Kansas, and Turkey Red wheat is now the ancestor to all hard red winter wheat varieties grown across the plains today.&nbsp;

“Part of that slow adoption was that the milling industry was just not ready for it; their technology was targeted towards soft wheat,” Ediger said. “But over time they found out that the hard winter wheat was much better quality.”&nbsp;

“It took many years to get the acreage developed, but it really then did become the most desirable wheat in the world. There was nothing like it at that point in time.”

Along with Turkey Red wheat, the Mennonites also brought game-changing farming practices, including leaving fields fallow in between planting cycles, applying fertilizer to fields and using large threshing stones to separate the wheat kernels from the stalks that enveloped them. The basic process of threshing wheat is the same today as it was thousands of years ago, as Ediger explained.&nbsp;

“Back then, they would grab a stack of heads and beat it against a rock to thresh the wheat. And then you had to separate the chaff from the wheat,” Ediger said. “That’s the same process that the modern combine does technically — cut the wheat, thresh to break the grain out of the heads, and then separate the grain from the chaff.”&nbsp;

The process is the same whether someone takes a stalk of wheat out of the field and rubs it in their hand, uses a flail to beat out the wheat kernels or has horses trot over wheat piles to remove the grain — all of which have been done around the world.&nbsp;

Or one can use a threshing stone. A threshing stone is a stone, usually limestone, that is rolled over the grain to thresh the kernels out. It is a big piece of stone, 30 inches long and 24 inches in diameter with seven grooves carved around it, giving the appearance of a gear, and weighing between 400 and 800 pounds. In the middle, there’s a hole drilled that would go through for an axle, which would be supported by two wooden or steel beams that could come around the front so it could be hooked up to horses. The horses could go around in a circle pulling the stone over the grain.&nbsp;

This process takes place on a threshing floor, which would be hard-packed dirt in Kansas or Ukraine. Threshing could take a long time. The wheat would be piled up and this stone would be pulled in a circle of the pile and the grain would fall to the bottom of the floor. People with pitchforks and rakes would keep stirring the straw, and the straw would be thrown to the outside so the grain drops to the floor and would be scooted and shoveled toward the center. Then they had to blow away the lightweight chaff to keep the grain there. Farmers would use the wind.&nbsp;

“On the right day, you’d take a shovel and throw the wheat and the chaff up in the air and the wind would blow the chaff and the wheat would fall to the ground,” Ediger said. “That’s the final step of threshing.”&nbsp;

The threshing stone was not exclusive to Mennonites, having been used by the Romans, Chinese and Australians, but they perfected it, especially since Kansas limestone quarries — like that in Chase County — provided perfectly suited stones.

While useful, the threshing stones became obsolete rather quickly in Kansas due to the development of threshing machines, which were horse-powered and later steam-powered. This makes finding threshing stones in Kansas relatively difficult.&nbsp;

After his wife inherited a threshing stone from his family, Ediger decided to see what research had been done into their background. He discovered not much research had been conducted other than general basic knowledge, so he set off on a treasure hunt to find as many as he could in order to photograph and document them. That included going to community events, like the Threshing Days festivals in Gossel, and other places where people gathered to celebrate the threshing process.&nbsp;

He was surprised to find most of the stones in a four-county area of Marion, McPherson, Reno and Harvey counties — Mennonite turf. He discovered the threshing stone was even adopted at one time as the mascot for Bethel College. Eventually, he compiled his learnings into the book, “Leave No Threshing Stone Unturned,” which shares the history of the Mennonites and their threshing stones.

Today, threshing stones have been replaced by combines. The remaining stones are now used for yard decorations, others are used for salt licks for cattle, some are even bases for lamps or flags. But their influence on the wheat industry — along with the Mennonites who still farm in central Kansas — remains as steadfast as stone.&nbsp;

Learn more about the history of Mennonites and threshing stones in Kansas and other topics by exploring all episodes of the “Wheat’s On Your Mind” podcast at&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001E4CUkjJLlzMOI1TYOKM42L0WMqia8Yni8lkfy7G80zl4ZT94D_bHC7df5amA4WeQ8zCDAizJaiGlG1Ar0rOHENmQRKmpgjMzEGxTtsQaFgTjlrYvnhH2E5rYEPCyvL92U6wPL_xEIZ8BOAMypxIznut4SvsmxLDwQtwzAwqJdcJjAm0DzPWP3cnxx4c23Hg9_IxICPNAKR_0kb29Nvpyop1gxakzYc2uhYSLScHvWIk0AVPeQr0xujlL9-Ub1yC5AP1PRcaP8H0=&amp;c=yC-pKKz_jJ9el4eR5qATXPBhSogL-KntgyS439W7O-MenEMHwbstSA==&amp;ch=8UDI34o9veZIWhtAYXx67WFc3L85BY38YAIM1fIkhC276dG-kGOOEQ==" target="_blank">wheatsonyourmind.com</a>.

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile&nbsp;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/2022/6/1655426692793.jpeg" alt="Kansas Wheat Commission" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Wheat Commission</figcaption>
 </figure>JULIA DEBES Kansas WheatKansas author Glenn Ediger left no threshing stone unturned as he embarked on a historical treasure hunt for the tools used by the Mennonites who settled in and around central Kansas. From his own front yard to Threshing Days in Gossel, he uncovered the unique set of events that brought some of the most innovative farmers in the world to Kansas and established hard red winter wheat as a Kansas staple. He recently shared what he learned with listeners of the “Wheat’s On Your Mind” podcast.&nbsp;“Probably no year holds more significance to the wheat industry in Kansas than 1874,” said Aaron Harries, host of the “<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001E4CUkjJLlzMOI1TYOKM42L0WMqia8Yni8lkfy7G80zl4ZT94D_bHC7df5amA4WeQO8A2D4h1bj3H0fJ43b-Yre9o_66oVhHD7JvM8vSG4lgRfmrBudTTjXkVrtGJ0WkI4N_7W-aSE9AoMtLxWEqRdcpFt0FbzOU5&amp;c=yC-pKKz_jJ9el4eR5qATXPBhSogL-KntgyS439W7O-MenEMHwbstSA==&amp;ch=8UDI34o9veZIWhtAYXx67WFc3L85BY38YAIM1fIkhC276dG-kGOOEQ==" target="_blank">Wheat’s On Your Mind</a>” podcast and Kansas Wheat vice president of research and operations. “That was the year Mennonite immigrants from Ukraine came to Kansas to escape the loss of their religious freedom.”“They came at the invitation of the state of Kansas and the Santa Fe Railroad to develop the prairie into a rich and productive agricultural economy. These groups of families brought with them Turkey Red winter wheat, and as they say, the rest is history. But there’s so much more to this story.”An invitation and an escapeFrom the establishment of their religion, the Mennonites had a reputation for being good, industrious farmers. As a result of this reputation and their continued pursuit of religious freedom, their communities moved from their origins in the Netherlands to Prussia (what is now Poland) to develop lands for farming. Later, when religious freedoms in the country were curtailed, the Mennonites took the invitation of Catherine the Great to relocate to western Russia (what is now Ukraine) in the late 1700s and early 1800s. That included Ediger’s ancestors, who moved to Russia in 1810 and farmed there for roughly 60 years.&nbsp;“They did create a fertile farming culture with a lot of innovations — what types of crops to grow and how to better preserve crops and how to influence better growth with things like fertilization and summer fallow,” Ediger explained. “They really advanced that with creating and developing alternative hard winter wheats that were quite successful in that community.”&nbsp;Recruitment by the railroad&nbsp;Around this time, Kansas was being marketed as the crown jewel for agriculture in the United States, driven by the construction of the railroad. But, the region needed more people and more commerce, so the Santa Fe railroad drove a campaign to recruit more settlers from other countries to move to Kansas, including the Mennonites. Those efforts included Carl B. Schmidt, who was an implement dealer recruited by the railroads to encourage the Mennonites to move to the United States.&nbsp;“C.B. Schmidt was an implement dealer; he spoke German; and Schmidt is a common Mennonite name, even though he was not Mennonite,” Ediger said. “There was competition to get the Mennonites to the United States all through the Midwest, from Canada down through Oklahoma. So Carl went to Ukraine and talked to local Mennonites and convinced them how wonderful Kansas was.”The railroad also paid for ambassadors from the Mennonites to come to tour the Central Plains, including surveying different properties. In the end, Kansas had the most appealing set of laws (religious freedoms and the promise of not being conscripted into the military), availability of land they could afford, fertile ground and climate similar to where they were currently farming. The railroad made the deal even sweeter by building homes for early immigrants and supplying seed for the first wheat crops planted.&nbsp;Planting the seed for Turkey Red wheatAnd so Mennonites came to Kansas and brought with them their agricultural innovations and their hard red wheats, including hand-picked seeds packed into large jars and sacks. This Turkey Red wheat was a hardy variety, was planted in the fall and could withstand Kansas’ cold and dry winters. The new wheat could take advantage of the moisture that arrives in the winter and early spring and then be harvested in early summer. While the adoption of this new class of wheat took time, its introduction revolutionized the wheat industry in Kansas, and Turkey Red wheat is now the ancestor to all hard red winter wheat varieties grown across the plains today.&nbsp;“Part of that slow adoption was that the milling industry was just not ready for it; their technology was targeted towards soft wheat,” Ediger said. “But over time they found out that the hard winter wheat was much better quality.”&nbsp;“It took many years to get the acreage developed, but it really then did become the most desirable wheat in the world. There was nothing like it at that point in time.”Perfecting agricultural practicesAlong with Turkey Red wheat, the Mennonites also brought game-changing farming practices, including leaving fields fallow in between planting cycles, applying fertilizer to fields and using large threshing stones to separate the wheat kernels from the stalks that enveloped them. The basic process of threshing wheat is the same today as it was thousands of years ago, as Ediger explained.&nbsp;“Back then, they would grab a stack of heads and beat it against a rock to thresh the wheat. And then you had to separate the chaff from the wheat,” Ediger said. “That’s the same process that the modern combine does technically — cut the wheat, thresh to break the grain out of the heads, and then separate the grain from the chaff.”&nbsp;The process is the same whether someone takes a stalk of wheat out of the field and rubs it in their hand, uses a flail to beat out the wheat kernels or has horses trot over wheat piles to remove the grain — all of which have been done around the world.&nbsp;Or one can use a threshing stone. A threshing stone is a stone, usually limestone, that is rolled over the grain to thresh the kernels out. It is a big piece of stone, 30 inches long and 24 inches in diameter with seven grooves carved around it, giving the appearance of a gear, and weighing between 400 and 800 pounds. In the middle, there’s a hole drilled that would go through for an axle, which would be supported by two wooden or steel beams that could come around the front so it could be hooked up to horses. The horses could go around in a circle pulling the stone over the grain.&nbsp;This process takes place on a threshing floor, which would be hard-packed dirt in Kansas or Ukraine. Threshing could take a long time. The wheat would be piled up and this stone would be pulled in a circle of the pile and the grain would fall to the bottom of the floor. People with pitchforks and rakes would keep stirring the straw, and the straw would be thrown to the outside so the grain drops to the floor and would be scooted and shoveled toward the center. Then they had to blow away the lightweight chaff to keep the grain there. Farmers would use the wind.&nbsp;“On the right day, you’d take a shovel and throw the wheat and the chaff up in the air and the wind would blow the chaff and the wheat would fall to the ground,” Ediger said. “That’s the final step of threshing.”&nbsp;The threshing stone was not exclusive to Mennonites, having been used by the Romans, Chinese and Australians, but they perfected it, especially since Kansas limestone quarries — like that in Chase County — provided perfectly suited stones.A stony Kansas treasure huntWhile useful, the threshing stones became obsolete rather quickly in Kansas due to the development of threshing machines, which were horse-powered and later steam-powered. This makes finding threshing stones in Kansas relatively difficult.&nbsp;After his wife inherited a threshing stone from his family, Ediger decided to see what research had been done into their background. He discovered not much research had been conducted other than general basic knowledge, so he set off on a treasure hunt to find as many as he could in order to photograph and document them. That included going to community events, like the Threshing Days festivals in Gossel, and other places where people gathered to celebrate the threshing process.&nbsp;He was surprised to find most of the stones in a four-county area of Marion, McPherson, Reno and Harvey counties — Mennonite turf. He discovered the threshing stone was even adopted at one time as the mascot for Bethel College. Eventually, he compiled his learnings into the book, “Leave No Threshing Stone Unturned,” which shares the history of the Mennonites and their threshing stones.Today, threshing stones have been replaced by combines. The remaining stones are now used for yard decorations, others are used for salt licks for cattle, some are even bases for lamps or flags. But their influence on the wheat industry — along with the Mennonites who still farm in central Kansas — remains as steadfast as stone.&nbsp;Learn more about the history of Mennonites and threshing stones in Kansas and other topics by exploring all episodes of the “Wheat’s On Your Mind” podcast at&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001E4CUkjJLlzMOI1TYOKM42L0WMqia8Yni8lkfy7G80zl4ZT94D_bHC7df5amA4WeQ8zCDAizJaiGlG1Ar0rOHENmQRKmpgjMzEGxTtsQaFgTjlrYvnhH2E5rYEPCyvL92U6wPL_xEIZ8BOAMypxIznut4SvsmxLDwQtwzAwqJdcJjAm0DzPWP3cnxx4c23Hg9_IxICPNAKR_0kb29Nvpyop1gxakzYc2uhYSLScHvWIk0AVPeQr0xujlL9-Ub1yC5AP1PRcaP8H0=&amp;c=yC-pKKz_jJ9el4eR5qATXPBhSogL-KntgyS439W7O-MenEMHwbstSA==&amp;ch=8UDI34o9veZIWhtAYXx67WFc3L85BY38YAIM1fIkhC276dG-kGOOEQ==" target="_blank">wheatsonyourmind.com</a>.<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile&nbsp;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;

Wheat Scoop:  Kansas author explores link between Mennonites, wheat and threshing stones

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; &nbsp;&nbsp;

10/6/2023 3:36 AM-Dillon	Michael Dixon-Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant; 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

10/6/2023 12:23 AM-Kyla	Ann Larralde-DUI; 1st conv; blood or breath .08 or higher

10/5/2023 11:34 PM-Debra	May Harris-Domestic Battery; Knowingly Cause Physical Contact (1st conviction)

10/5/2023 8:51 PM-Kyle	Christopher Burge-Criminal Damage to Property; Without consent; &lt; $1,000

10/5/2023 8:01 PM-Edward	Joseph Spor-Domestic Battery; Knowingly Cause Physical Contact (1st conviction); Interference with Law Enforcement; Obstruct, Resist, Oppose, Misd case, Execution of Misd Warrant

10/5/2023 5:37 PM-Erick	Nicholas Medley-Probation Violation

10/5/2023 5:27 PM-Jeffrey	Jericho Payne-Drugs; Distribute Substance designated in 65-4105,4107,4109,4111(Oxy, Hydrocodone); &lt; 10 dosage units; Drugs; Arrange sale/purchase of controlled substance using a communication facility; Drugs; Acquire proceeds from sale of controlled substance, Less than $5,000

10/5/2023 3:03 PM-Billy	Leroy Scott-Theft; By Deception; $1,500 to $24,999

10/5/2023 1:20 PM-Mark Nichols-Poss of marijuana; Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body; Probation Violation

10/5/2023 10:08 AM-Donte	Emon Gamble Roberts-Failure to Appear

<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; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;10/6/2023 3:36 AM-Dillon	Michael Dixon-Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant; 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 Body10/6/2023 12:23 AM-Kyla	Ann Larralde-DUI; 1st conv; blood or breath .08 or higher10/5/2023 11:34 PM-Debra	May Harris-Domestic Battery; Knowingly Cause Physical Contact (1st conviction)10/5/2023 8:51 PM-Kyle	Christopher Burge-Criminal Damage to Property; Without consent; &lt; $1,00010/5/2023 8:01 PM-Edward	Joseph Spor-Domestic Battery; Knowingly Cause Physical Contact (1st conviction); Interference with Law Enforcement; Obstruct, Resist, Oppose, Misd case, Execution of Misd Warrant10/5/2023 5:37 PM-Erick	Nicholas Medley-Probation Violation10/5/2023 5:27 PM-Jeffrey	Jericho Payne-Drugs; Distribute Substance designated in 65-4105,4107,4109,4111(Oxy, Hydrocodone); &lt; 10 dosage units; Drugs; Arrange sale/purchase of controlled substance using a communication facility; Drugs; Acquire proceeds from sale of controlled substance, Less than $5,00010/5/2023 3:03 PM-Billy	Leroy Scott-Theft; By Deception; $1,500 to $24,99910/5/2023 1:20 PM-Mark Nichols-Poss of marijuana; Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body; Probation Violation10/5/2023 10:08 AM-Donte	Emon Gamble Roberts-Failure to Appear

HARVEY COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 1:30 p.m. Thursday in Harvey County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2009 Dodge Avenger driven by Jean Carlos Orta-Melo, 20, Wichita, was eastbound on SE 125th Street from Rock Road. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/7/1561976171858.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HARVEY COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 1:30 p.m. Thursday in Harvey County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2009 Dodge Avenger driven by Jean Carlos Orta-Melo, 20, Wichita, was eastbound on SE 125th Street from Rock Road. The driver lost control of the car. It entered the north ditch and rolled onto its roof.EMS transported Orta-Melo to Wesley Medical Center. A passenger was not injured.&nbsp; Orta-Melo was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.<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;