HUTCHINSON, Kan. —&nbsp;One year ago, five miles east of Hutchinson near 4th Ave., a smoldering fire, left unattended, was spread by the Kansas wind. That fire, now commonly called the Cottonwood Complex Fire, was responsible for burning 12,000 acres, killing one person,&nbsp;and destroying 36 homes, 92 outbuildings, and 110 vehicles.&nbsp;

Firefighters battled the fire for a week.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“That day we were under catastrophic fire conditions, winds were 30, 40 mile an hour sustained winds that day,” Doug Hanen, Hutchinson Fire Department Division Chief of Operations, said. ”On days like that you're sitting around, you're&nbsp;just waiting for the first one to come in, and you know that day is, if one gets going, it's going to be a major fire."&nbsp;&nbsp;

Hanen said Hutchinson Fire Department (HFD) knew this was going to be a major fire fairly early. &nbsp;

“As soon as the call came out, the smoke column was well developed and it was moving, I say probably when we first knew it was going to be a major fire was probably in the first 20 to 30 minutes when we went through the first wind shift,” Hanen said. “We went through three wind shift changes on that. It was initially southwest then it became west, then it eventually became northwest.&nbsp;

Hanen added the wind shifts made bringing the fire under control a task that required help from across south central Kansas.

HFD initially received the call at 12:37 p.m. The initial response was about 20 units, according to HFD&nbsp;Chief Steven Beer. The task force&nbsp;eventually grew to include units from McPherson, Rice, Harvey, and Sedgwick counties and the Kansas Forest Service. &nbsp;

HFD also had to activate their Task Force 5, their urban search and rescue group, to locate the one fatality that resulted from the fire. &nbsp;

HFD crews worked a constant rotation of 12-hour shifts from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for a week. &nbsp;

“I want to say the easy part is putting out the fire. The hard part is the mop up work after the main body of fire is put out,” Beer said. “It's the saw work, the trees that got to be cut, it's the stuff that's smoldering and burning for days that really were the legwork. The main body of fire, that was a heck of a firefight for a lot of these individuals, but all week it was a lot of tough work, physical work.” &nbsp;

Chief Beer commended what firefighters did that day. &nbsp;

“That's bad enough by having one fatality but there could easily have been many, many more and what these men and women did that day to save some of the lives and&nbsp;property, it's truly a testament of what they do day in and day out,” Beer said. “We did lose a brush truck in that fire and we did have two of our firefighters that were on that brush truck when the flames came over the back of the truck and the cab of&nbsp;the truck, and zero&nbsp;visibility and they were very fortunate to get out of that fire.” &nbsp;

The fire was intense enough to partially melt that truck. &nbsp;

The sudden wind changes during this wildfire made the fire look like its own storm, with the smoke resembling a thunderhead. &nbsp;

What Beer remembers most about the fire is how little was left. &nbsp;

“It's the people. Whether it's a structure fire or whether it's a wildfire, if there's any other type of disaster, a flood, even a tornado, usually you can find a picture or something,” Beer said. “Many of these people lost everything. Everything you own. Just think about that. Every picture you saved from the day, from your child, all the way up to any things that were handed down through generations from grandparents. Everything was gone for these individuals.” &nbsp;

The humanitarian efforts of the Reno County community over the past year are not unnoticed. &nbsp;

“I think we're so fortunate living in Reno County here where the United Way is, what they did stepping up and right away getting these people supplies, getting everything set up at the State Fairgrounds, and where people could come in if they needed a new bank card, a&nbsp;driver's license, medications,” Beer said. “The stuff we don't think about, they were trying to get these people back on their feet within the next day or two. I think that's just a tribute to Hutch in general and the citizens."&nbsp;

That support also helped the working firefighters, as they were provided with Chapstick, pallets of water, Gatorade, and other resources. &nbsp;

The effects of the Cottonwood Complex fire still continue to change the fire department a year later. &nbsp;

“I went to the City Council and I went to the county commissioners and requested some additional funding to give my firefighters the tools and equipment they need to do their job,” Beer said. “We were fortunate to be able to order some additional brush trucks, get us out of outdated gear, and get some better tools and equipment along with hose to battle these fires.” &nbsp;

Beer knows that his firefighters have to be ready every day for wildfires when conditions are dry.

“This is not a game with these wildfires, these brush fires, this is life and death, in our business here. I think we pride ourselves in Hutch with how far we have come in the wildland firefighting game through the knowledge and expertise that we have&nbsp;with the joint venture with the Kansas Forestry Service here in town.” &nbsp;

Beer called that partnership vital in mitigating future fires. &nbsp;

Hanen added on to what Beer said about the mental impact to the fire department from the fight they faced a year ago

"You don’t drive back through that area without reliving some of the things that you saw that day, like Chief [Beer] alluded to, there were some pretty heroic things that happened out there in the sun,” Hanen said. “People jumping into ponds to save their life and burying their heads in the sand and our guys going in and finding them and bringing them out. It’s&nbsp;what they do day in, day out. When you have a fire to this magnitude that does this much destruction in a very close proximity area with 36 homes, probably 90% of them were all within three roads of each other, that's something that doesn't leave your mind.”&nbsp;

While the stresses&nbsp;of the Cottonwood Complex fire were felt by the citizens whose property burned and that memory is&nbsp;still there today, the fire department is not immune to the mental trauma either. &nbsp;

“As a chief of the department, I do worry about these big calls like this, and being a young agency there is a long-term effect of some of this stuff,” Beer said. “The traumatic stress we see, we try to give people help when they need help if they need help and stuff like that. We try to take care of our people through our peer support programs and even going outside of the department too.”&nbsp;

Firefighters and first responders even have access to a program that gives people one-on-one counseling. &nbsp;

“We are not exempt from the realities of this world,” Beer said. “What my men and women see on a daily basis, and I want to repeat that, what my men and women see on a daily basis, the average citizen in Hutchinson has no clue and will never see that in their entire life and that does take a toll on an individual over the course of their career.” &nbsp;

While the investigation into the Cottonwood Complex fire is still ongoing, according to Chief Beer, criminal intent was ruled out immediately. &nbsp;

The Hutchinson Fire Department is also quick to thank all the additional agencies that helped them both before and after the flames were out.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Since it’s a wildfire, the fire department gets plugged pretty quick, but there was some big-time groups that stepped up, the United Way, <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/c52f7ec3-2106-4e92-bd06-9f52e4fc727a" target="_blank">VOAD,</a> those kinds of groups that helped all these families get back on their feet,” Hanen said. “This was a devastating fire.” &nbsp;

Other mutual aid departments helped that day, too. &nbsp;

“Reno County Sheriff’s Department, Reno County EMS, there’s so many supporting agencies that support us, that allow us to do what we do day in and day out,” Beer said. “The 911 center, huge players in the success of getting everything done, Reno County Emergency Management, Kansas Forestry Service, all great partners. We're all standing shoulder-to-shoulder in the command room over here, working like I said, shoulder to shoulder. That's how we mitigate these things, when all of these agencies are working together for the common goals.”&nbsp;

Chief Beer expressed pride in how well Reno County civil service agencies worked together, and credited their united efforts to keeping the citizens safe through the fire, even with as much damage as there turned out to be.

“With how devastating this one was, it could have been way worse, could have been 10 times worse,” Beer said. &nbsp;

Beer and Reno County Emergency Management staff have been asked to present to the Board of County Commissioners on their plans for the 2023 Fire Season on Tuesday.

<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/2022/6/1654951436825.jpeg" alt="Cottonwood Complex Fire-Photo by Rod Zook" />
 <figcaption>Cottonwood Complex Fire-Photo by Rod Zook</figcaption>
 </figure>JUDD WEIL Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. —&nbsp;One year ago, five miles east of Hutchinson near 4th Ave., a smoldering fire, left unattended, was spread by the Kansas wind. That fire, now commonly called the Cottonwood Complex Fire, was responsible for burning 12,000 acres, killing one person,&nbsp;and destroying 36 homes, 92 outbuildings, and 110 vehicles.&nbsp;Firefighters battled the fire for a week.&nbsp;&nbsp;“That day we were under catastrophic fire conditions, winds were 30, 40 mile an hour sustained winds that day,” Doug Hanen, Hutchinson Fire Department Division Chief of Operations, said. ”On days like that you're sitting around, you're&nbsp;just waiting for the first one to come in, and you know that day is, if one gets going, it's going to be a major fire."&nbsp;&nbsp;Hanen said Hutchinson Fire Department (HFD) knew this was going to be a major fire fairly early. &nbsp;“As soon as the call came out, the smoke column was well developed and it was moving, I say probably when we first knew it was going to be a major fire was probably in the first 20 to 30 minutes when we went through the first wind shift,” Hanen said. “We went through three wind shift changes on that. It was initially southwest then it became west, then it eventually became northwest.&nbsp;Hanen added the wind shifts made bringing the fire under control a task that required help from across south central Kansas.HFD initially received the call at 12:37 p.m. The initial response was about 20 units, according to HFD&nbsp;Chief Steven Beer. The task force&nbsp;eventually grew to include units from McPherson, Rice, Harvey, and Sedgwick counties and the Kansas Forest Service. &nbsp;HFD also had to activate their Task Force 5, their urban search and rescue group, to locate the one fatality that resulted from the fire. &nbsp;HFD crews worked a constant rotation of 12-hour shifts from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for a week. &nbsp;“I want to say the easy part is putting out the fire. The hard part is the mop up work after the main body of fire is put out,” Beer said. “It's the saw work, the trees that got to be cut, it's the stuff that's smoldering and burning for days that really were the legwork. The main body of fire, that was a heck of a firefight for a lot of these individuals, but all week it was a lot of tough work, physical work.” &nbsp;Chief Beer commended what firefighters did that day. &nbsp;“That's bad enough by having one fatality but there could easily have been many, many more and what these men and women did that day to save some of the lives and&nbsp;property, it's truly a testament of what they do day in and day out,” Beer said. “We did lose a brush truck in that fire and we did have two of our firefighters that were on that brush truck when the flames came over the back of the truck and the cab of&nbsp;the truck, and zero&nbsp;visibility and they were very fortunate to get out of that fire.” &nbsp;The fire was intense enough to partially melt that truck. &nbsp;The sudden wind changes during this wildfire made the fire look like its own storm, with the smoke resembling a thunderhead. &nbsp;What Beer remembers most about the fire is how little was left. &nbsp;“It's the people. Whether it's a structure fire or whether it's a wildfire, if there's any other type of disaster, a flood, even a tornado, usually you can find a picture or something,” Beer said. “Many of these people lost everything. Everything you own. Just think about that. Every picture you saved from the day, from your child, all the way up to any things that were handed down through generations from grandparents. Everything was gone for these individuals.” &nbsp;The humanitarian efforts of the Reno County community over the past year are not unnoticed. &nbsp;“I think we're so fortunate living in Reno County here where the United Way is, what they did stepping up and right away getting these people supplies, getting everything set up at the State Fairgrounds, and where people could come in if they needed a new bank card, a&nbsp;driver's license, medications,” Beer said. “The stuff we don't think about, they were trying to get these people back on their feet within the next day or two. I think that's just a tribute to Hutch in general and the citizens."&nbsp;That support also helped the working firefighters, as they were provided with Chapstick, pallets of water, Gatorade, and other resources. &nbsp;The effects of the Cottonwood Complex fire still continue to change the fire department a year later. &nbsp;“I went to the City Council and I went to the county commissioners and requested some additional funding to give my firefighters the tools and equipment they need to do their job,” Beer said. “We were fortunate to be able to order some additional brush trucks, get us out of outdated gear, and get some better tools and equipment along with hose to battle these fires.” &nbsp;Beer knows that his firefighters have to be ready every day for wildfires when conditions are dry.“This is not a game with these wildfires, these brush fires, this is life and death, in our business here. I think we pride ourselves in Hutch with how far we have come in the wildland firefighting game through the knowledge and expertise that we have&nbsp;with the joint venture with the Kansas Forestry Service here in town.” &nbsp;Beer called that partnership vital in mitigating future fires. &nbsp;Hanen added on to what Beer said about the mental impact to the fire department from the fight they faced a year ago"You don’t drive back through that area without reliving some of the things that you saw that day, like Chief [Beer] alluded to, there were some pretty heroic things that happened out there in the sun,” Hanen said. “People jumping into ponds to save their life and burying their heads in the sand and our guys going in and finding them and bringing them out. It’s&nbsp;what they do day in, day out. When you have a fire to this magnitude that does this much destruction in a very close proximity area with 36 homes, probably 90% of them were all within three roads of each other, that's something that doesn't leave your mind.”&nbsp;While the stresses&nbsp;of the Cottonwood Complex fire were felt by the citizens whose property burned and that memory is&nbsp;still there today, the fire department is not immune to the mental trauma either. &nbsp;“As a chief of the department, I do worry about these big calls like this, and being a young agency there is a long-term effect of some of this stuff,” Beer said. “The traumatic stress we see, we try to give people help when they need help if they need help and stuff like that. We try to take care of our people through our peer support programs and even going outside of the department too.”&nbsp;Firefighters and first responders even have access to a program that gives people one-on-one counseling. &nbsp;“We are not exempt from the realities of this world,” Beer said. “What my men and women see on a daily basis, and I want to repeat that, what my men and women see on a daily basis, the average citizen in Hutchinson has no clue and will never see that in their entire life and that does take a toll on an individual over the course of their career.” &nbsp;While the investigation into the Cottonwood Complex fire is still ongoing, according to Chief Beer, criminal intent was ruled out immediately. &nbsp;The Hutchinson Fire Department is also quick to thank all the additional agencies that helped them both before and after the flames were out.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Since it’s a wildfire, the fire department gets plugged pretty quick, but there was some big-time groups that stepped up, the United Way, <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/c52f7ec3-2106-4e92-bd06-9f52e4fc727a" target="_blank">VOAD,</a> those kinds of groups that helped all these families get back on their feet,” Hanen said. “This was a devastating fire.” &nbsp;Other mutual aid departments helped that day, too. &nbsp;“Reno County Sheriff’s Department, Reno County EMS, there’s so many supporting agencies that support us, that allow us to do what we do day in and day out,” Beer said. “The 911 center, huge players in the success of getting everything done, Reno County Emergency Management, Kansas Forestry Service, all great partners. We're all standing shoulder-to-shoulder in the command room over here, working like I said, shoulder to shoulder. That's how we mitigate these things, when all of these agencies are working together for the common goals.”&nbsp;Chief Beer expressed pride in how well Reno County civil service agencies worked together, and credited their united efforts to keeping the citizens safe through the fire, even with as much damage as there turned out to be.“With how devastating this one was, it could have been way worse, could have been 10 times worse,” Beer said. &nbsp;Beer and Reno County Emergency Management staff have been asked to present to the Board of County Commissioners on their plans for the 2023 Fire Season on Tuesday.<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;

Burned into memory: One year after Cottonwood Complex fire

NEWTON, Kan. — Applications are now being accepted for the City of Newton's 2023 Environmental Sciences Scholarship. 

This scholarship was established to provide financial assistance to students enrolled in or who will enroll in a post-secondary program in environmental sciences, biology, environmental engineering, or related field&nbsp;fall of 2023. 

Preference will be given to residents of Newton or graduates of Newton High School or a surrounding area high school.

Applications are available online at&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzAzMDMuNzI2OTA1ODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3Lm5ld3RvbmthbnNhcy5jb20vc2Nob2xhcnNoaXAifQ.50bKn-bPY1prHc6DK1j4EMSLEluReu68s5vLuQYAiMQ/s/2592705315/br/155575525676-l" target="_blank">www.newtonkansas.com/scholarship</a>&nbsp;and are due&nbsp;March 28, 2023.

<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/2023/3/1677891461261.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>NEWTON, Kan. — Applications are now being accepted for the City of Newton's 2023 Environmental Sciences Scholarship. This scholarship was established to provide financial assistance to students enrolled in or who will enroll in a post-secondary program in environmental sciences, biology, environmental engineering, or related field&nbsp;fall of 2023. Preference will be given to residents of Newton or graduates of Newton High School or a surrounding area high school.Applications are available online at&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMzAzMDMuNzI2OTA1ODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3Lm5ld3RvbmthbnNhcy5jb20vc2Nob2xhcnNoaXAifQ.50bKn-bPY1prHc6DK1j4EMSLEluReu68s5vLuQYAiMQ/s/2592705315/br/155575525676-l" target="_blank">www.newtonkansas.com/scholarship</a>&nbsp;and are due&nbsp;March 28, 2023.<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;

City of Newton taking scholarship applications

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The regularly scheduled Hutchinson Land Bank meeting for Tuesday, March 7, 2023 will include two presentations.

The board will hear a presentation by Aubrey Patterson from the Hutchinson Community Foundation on Impact Investing and get an update from Julia&nbsp;Westphal from SCKEDD on Interfaith Housing and SCKEDD ARPA partnership &amp; projects.

The Hutchinson Land Bank Board of Trustees will meet at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday in the Executive Conference Room at City Hall.

If you have any questions, you may contact the Planning Department. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583236568561.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The regularly scheduled Hutchinson Land Bank meeting for Tuesday, March 7, 2023 will include two presentations.The board will hear a presentation by Aubrey Patterson from the Hutchinson Community Foundation on Impact Investing and get an update from Julia&nbsp;Westphal from SCKEDD on Interfaith Housing and SCKEDD ARPA partnership &amp; projects.The Hutchinson Land Bank Board of Trustees will meet at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday in the Executive Conference Room at City Hall.If you have any questions, you may contact the Planning Department. <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;

Land Bank to hear from Foundation and SCKEDD Tuesday

Information provided to Hutch Post said that the meeting Monday was at South Hutch Elementary. Monday's meeting will be held at the District Office.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Nickerson-South Hutchinson USD 309 Board of Education will meet Monday night. 

As part of that meeting, they will receive a letter from Associate Superintendent Amy Jones on the upcoming 2023 summer extension program.

According to the letter, scheduling and hiring for the 2023 summer extension program is currently taking place.

They intend to run summer school from June 5 to June 29 four days a week Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Breakfast and lunch will be provided, with sites at both elementary schools and at Nickerson High, with any middle school students in need of services being served at the high school.

Elementary students will receive instruction in reading and math.

Middle school students will receive instruction in reading, math and any failing core subjects.

High school students will receive support for classes needed for credit recovery.

Transportation, Food Service and&nbsp;Horizons Mental Health services will also be provided for those who qualify.

Qualifying students in Elementary will be students not working at grade level in reading or math, as identified by Kansas State Assessments, Fastbridge, STAR and teacher recommendations through S.I.T. (Student Intervention Team) process.

Qualifying students in Middle School will be students not working at grade level as identified by Kansas State Assessments, Fastbridge and teacher recommendations.

High School qualifying students will be those students failing core classes, in need of credit recovery and/or at risk for not graduating.

South Hutchinson Elementary - 1 site coordinator, 7 teachers, 1 aide, librarian shared between both elementary schools

Nickerson Elementary School - 1 site coordinator, 5 teachers, 1 aide

Reno Valley Middle School &amp; Nickerson High School - 3 teachers (NHS), 2 teachers (RVMS), 2 aides

Student Enrollment is likely to be approximately 20% of K-6 enrollment for the elementary students, about 30 students for Reno Valley and about 45 students for Nickerson High.

Average teacher salary $39/hr x 17 teachers = $663/hr

Site Coordinator salary $41/hr x 2 = $82/hr

Average building aide salary $12/hr x 3= $36/hr

Mental Health (Horizons per agreement) $90/hr = $90/hr

Planning &amp; PD prior to June 6th @ 8 hrs x $745 (teachers &amp; site coordinators) = $5,960

16 instruction days x 3.5 hrs x $745 (teachers and site coordinators) = $41,720

16 instruction days x 3 hrs x $36 (building aides) = $2,016

16 instruction days x 3 hrs x $90 (mental health worker) = $4,320

Transportation costs will be shared with weights and food service program.

Due to changes in federal food service regulations and the hiring of a new summer weights staff, there is not yet&nbsp;a set schedule for those summer services.

The USD 309 Nickerson-South Hutchinson Board of Education meets Monday at 7 p.m. at the district office just west of Fun Valley.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/8/1628266388485.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Information provided to Hutch Post said that the meeting Monday was at South Hutch Elementary. Monday's meeting will be held at the District Office.HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Nickerson-South Hutchinson USD 309 Board of Education will meet Monday night. As part of that meeting, they will receive a letter from Associate Superintendent Amy Jones on the upcoming 2023 summer extension program.According to the letter, scheduling and hiring for the 2023 summer extension program is currently taking place.They intend to run summer school from June 5 to June 29 four days a week Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.Breakfast and lunch will be provided, with sites at both elementary schools and at Nickerson High, with any middle school students in need of services being served at the high school.Elementary students will receive instruction in reading and math.Middle school students will receive instruction in reading, math and any failing core subjects.High school students will receive support for classes needed for credit recovery.Transportation, Food Service and&nbsp;Horizons Mental Health services will also be provided for those who qualify.Qualifying students in Elementary will be students not working at grade level in reading or math, as identified by Kansas State Assessments, Fastbridge, STAR and teacher recommendations through S.I.T. (Student Intervention Team) process.Qualifying students in Middle School will be students not working at grade level as identified by Kansas State Assessments, Fastbridge and teacher recommendations.High School qualifying students will be those students failing core classes, in need of credit recovery and/or at risk for not graduating.The planned staffing is as follows: South Hutchinson Elementary - 1 site coordinator, 7 teachers, 1 aide, librarian shared between both elementary schoolsNickerson Elementary School - 1 site coordinator, 5 teachers, 1 aideReno Valley Middle School &amp; Nickerson High School - 3 teachers (NHS), 2 teachers (RVMS), 2 aidesStudent Enrollment is likely to be approximately 20% of K-6 enrollment for the elementary students, about 30 students for Reno Valley and about 45 students for Nickerson High.Estimated costs are below:Average teacher salary $39/hr x 17 teachers = $663/hrSite Coordinator salary $41/hr x 2 = $82/hrAverage building aide salary $12/hr x 3= $36/hrMental Health (Horizons per agreement) $90/hr = $90/hrHourly program costs = $90/hrPlanning &amp; PD prior to June 6th @ 8 hrs x $745 (teachers &amp; site coordinators) = $5,96016 instruction days x 3.5 hrs x $745 (teachers and site coordinators) = $41,72016 instruction days x 3 hrs x $36 (building aides) = $2,01616 instruction days x 3 hrs x $90 (mental health worker) = $4,320Salary Totals = $54,016Fringe Costs = $5,129Approximate Total Cost = $59,145Transportation costs will be shared with weights and food service program.Due to changes in federal food service regulations and the hiring of a new summer weights staff, there is not yet&nbsp;a set schedule for those summer services.The USD 309 Nickerson-South Hutchinson Board of Education meets Monday at 7 p.m. at the district office just west of Fun Valley.<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;

USD 309 board to get summer school update

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;

3/5/2023 4:41 AM-Joshua	Wayne Kelly-DWS; 1st conviction; Insurance; Fail to Show Proof of Liability Insurance

3/5/2023 2:24 AM-Benjamin	Sergei Unruh-DUI; 1st conv; comp evidence of blood/breath .08+

3/4/2023 9:00 PM-Samuel	Othon Christians-Direct Contempt

3/4/2023 7:51 PM-Stevan	Ash Williamson-Driving while license cancelled/suspended/revoked; misd; unknown conv; Failure to Appear

3/4/2023 4:26 PM-Gage	Ryan Branson-Failure to Appear

3/4/2023 6:33 AM-Jorel	Odell Jackson-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; Battery on LEO; Phys contact county/city LEO

3/4/2023 5:21 AM-Sebastian	Michael	Toland-DUI; 2nd conv; blood or breath .08 or higher

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;3/5/2023 4:41 AM-Joshua	Wayne Kelly-DWS; 1st conviction; Insurance; Fail to Show Proof of Liability Insurance3/5/2023 2:24 AM-Benjamin	Sergei Unruh-DUI; 1st conv; comp evidence of blood/breath .08+3/4/2023 9:00 PM-Samuel	Othon Christians-Direct Contempt3/4/2023 7:51 PM-Stevan	Ash Williamson-Driving while license cancelled/suspended/revoked; misd; unknown conv; Failure to Appear3/4/2023 4:26 PM-Gage	Ryan Branson-Failure to Appear3/4/2023 6:33 AM-Jorel	Odell Jackson-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; Battery on LEO; Phys contact county/city LEO3/4/2023 5:21 AM-Sebastian	Michael	Toland-DUI; 2nd conv; blood or breath .08 or higher

Daily Bookings

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson USD 308 announced on March 3, nominations are now open for the annual Wall of Honor award at Hutchinson High School (HHS).

A nominee has to be a Hutchinson High School graduate and have graduated at least 10 years prior to the nomination. The nominee must have attained a high level of achievement in at least one of the following areas:

• Demonstrated that education is a life-long experience

Nominees will not be discriminated on the basis of race, creed, religion, sex, nationality, disability, economic or marital status. The award may be bestowed on individuals posthumously.

Nominations are due April 14, and forms are available in the Hutchinson High School office located at 1401 N. Severance St. or online at<a href="https://hutchhighalumni.com/people/"> hutchhighalumni.com/people/</a>, but are not required.

The nomination requires basic biographical information, including lists of volunteer activities, special awards received and any supporting documentation, such as newspaper clippings. Additionally, the person making the nomination must write a paragraph explaining why the nominee deserves the honor.

All nominations and questions may be sent to HHS c/o Marci Malashchuk or emailed to <a href="mailto:malashchuk.marci@usd308.com">malashchuk.marci@usd308.com</a>.

A selection committee will pick three alumni to add to the wall. All nomination forms will be kept on file and eligible for two years.

The three Wall of Honor alumni will be honored in a series of events surrounding the fall HHS homecoming football game. Honorees who live outside the immediate area will need to make their own travel and lodging plans. A banquet to honor the Wall of Honor inductees will be held on Thursday, Sept. 28.&nbsp;

Each winner will receive a personal plaque and another plaque will be permanently mounted inside Hutchinson High School.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1606998363746.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson USD 308 announced on March 3, nominations are now open for the annual Wall of Honor award at Hutchinson High School (HHS).A nominee has to be a Hutchinson High School graduate and have graduated at least 10 years prior to the nomination. The nominee must have attained a high level of achievement in at least one of the following areas:• Personal and/or professional life• Community service• Demonstrated that education is a life-long experienceNominees will not be discriminated on the basis of race, creed, religion, sex, nationality, disability, economic or marital status. The award may be bestowed on individuals posthumously.Nominations are due April 14, and forms are available in the Hutchinson High School office located at 1401 N. Severance St. or online at<a href="https://hutchhighalumni.com/people/"> hutchhighalumni.com/people/</a>, but are not required. The nomination requires basic biographical information, including lists of volunteer activities, special awards received and any supporting documentation, such as newspaper clippings. Additionally, the person making the nomination must write a paragraph explaining why the nominee deserves the honor.All nominations and questions may be sent to HHS c/o Marci Malashchuk or emailed to <a href="mailto:malashchuk.marci@usd308.com">malashchuk.marci@usd308.com</a>.A selection committee will pick three alumni to add to the wall. All nomination forms will be kept on file and eligible for two years.The three Wall of Honor alumni will be honored in a series of events surrounding the fall HHS homecoming football game. Honorees who live outside the immediate area will need to make their own travel and lodging plans. A banquet to honor the Wall of Honor inductees will be held on Thursday, Sept. 28.&nbsp;Each winner will receive a personal plaque and another plaque will be permanently mounted inside Hutchinson High School.<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;

Nominations open for Hutchinson High Wall of Honor

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The need for blood is constant, and a Hutchinson family is asking the community to help meet that need and commemorate their son by donating at a memorial American Red Cross&nbsp;blood drive on March 10. The Blood Drive in Memory of Kolby Gable will take place at the Kroger Regional Office in Hutchinson. &nbsp;

Kolby Gable was diagnosed with Burkitt Lymphoma when he was 10. He underwent numerous chemo treatments where he needed blood transfusions.&nbsp;

Kolby battled for over a year but, sadly, the cancer kept coming back. &nbsp;

He died in November 2022, at just 11 years old. &nbsp;

The Gable family knows blood donations are crucial for patients going through cancer treatment. They are asking the community to donate in Kolby’s memory to help others in need.&nbsp;

“Kolby went through so much during his treatments – so many surgeries, spinal taps, bone marrow aspirations, biopsies – he was so strong and never complained about any of it,” Jennifer Gable, Kolby’s mother, said. “The need for blood is great, and it’s just a small inconvenience compared to what kids dealing with&nbsp;cancer have to go through.”&nbsp;

Additionally, when volunteer blood donors lend an arm this month, they will help keep the blood supply from dropping this spring. &nbsp;

All who come to give blood, platelets, or plasma throughout March, will receive a $10 Visa® Prepaid Card by email.&nbsp;They will also be automatically entered for a chance to win a $3,000 Visa Prepaid Card. There will be five lucky winners.&nbsp;

To donate blood, simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.redcrossblood.org/" target="_blank">redcrossblood.org</a>, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. &nbsp;

All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age&nbsp;in most states, 16 with parental consent&nbsp;where allowed by state law, weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. &nbsp;

High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.&nbsp;

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass®&nbsp;to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at <a href="https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/manage-my-donations/rapidpass.html" target="_blank">redcrossblood.org/rapidpass</a>&nbsp;or use the Blood Donor App.&nbsp;

The Blood Drive in Memory of Kolby Gable will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. March 10. The Kroger Regional Office is located at 2700 E. Fourth Ave. in Hutchinson. &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;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1677879501417.jpeg" alt="Kolby Gable " />
 <figcaption>Kolby Gable </figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The need for blood is constant, and a Hutchinson family is asking the community to help meet that need and commemorate their son by donating at a memorial American Red Cross&nbsp;blood drive on March 10. The Blood Drive in Memory of Kolby Gable will take place at the Kroger Regional Office in Hutchinson. &nbsp;Kolby Gable was diagnosed with Burkitt Lymphoma when he was 10. He underwent numerous chemo treatments where he needed blood transfusions.&nbsp;Kolby battled for over a year but, sadly, the cancer kept coming back. &nbsp;He died in November 2022, at just 11 years old. &nbsp;The Gable family knows blood donations are crucial for patients going through cancer treatment. They are asking the community to donate in Kolby’s memory to help others in need.&nbsp;“Kolby went through so much during his treatments – so many surgeries, spinal taps, bone marrow aspirations, biopsies – he was so strong and never complained about any of it,” Jennifer Gable, Kolby’s mother, said. “The need for blood is great, and it’s just a small inconvenience compared to what kids dealing with&nbsp;cancer have to go through.”&nbsp;Additionally, when volunteer blood donors lend an arm this month, they will help keep the blood supply from dropping this spring. &nbsp;All who come to give blood, platelets, or plasma throughout March, will receive a $10 Visa® Prepaid Card by email.&nbsp;They will also be automatically entered for a chance to win a $3,000 Visa Prepaid Card. There will be five lucky winners.&nbsp;To donate blood, simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.redcrossblood.org/" target="_blank">redcrossblood.org</a>, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. &nbsp;All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age&nbsp;in most states, 16 with parental consent&nbsp;where allowed by state law, weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. &nbsp;High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.&nbsp;Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass®&nbsp;to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at <a href="https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/manage-my-donations/rapidpass.html" target="_blank">redcrossblood.org/rapidpass</a>&nbsp;or use the Blood Donor App.&nbsp;The Blood Drive in Memory of Kolby Gable will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. March 10. The Kroger Regional Office is located at 2700 E. Fourth Ave. in Hutchinson. &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;

Kolby Gable memorial blood drive Mar. 10

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;

3/4/2023 2:09 AM-Courtney	James Stuart-Direct Contempt

3/4/2023 1:14 AM-Brian	Jeane Corbin-DUI; 1st conv; blood or breath .08 or higher

3/4/2023 12:29 AM-James	Lee Storment-Domestic Battery; Knowingly Cause Physical Contact (1st conviction); Criminal Damage to Property; Without consent; &lt; $1,000; Disorderly Conduct; Fighting words or noisy conduct

3/3/2023 9:10 PM-Kurtis	Wayne Strawder-Failure to Appear

3/3/2023 8:21 PM-Audra	Lynn Legron-Viol protection order; Abuse order

3/3/2023 8:11 PM-Cory	Joel Sherbon-DUI; 1st conv; incapable of safely driving

3/3/2023 7:28 PM-Randy	Wayne Andelt-Domestic Battery; Knowing or Reckless Bodily Harm (1st conviction); Viol protection order; Pre-trial order; Interference with Law Enforcement; Falsely report a Misd crime intending to obstruct

3/3/2023 7:11 PM-James	Elmer Fox Jr.-DUI; Misdemeanor; DL Violation; No Drivers License; Alcohol; Illegal Transportation of Alcoholic Beverage; Registration Violation; No/Expired License Plate

3/3/2023 6:59 PM-Matthew	Mark Green Jr.-Failure to Appear

3/3/2023 3:59 PM-Justin	Patrick Arneson-Direct Contempt

3/3/2023 3:47 PM-Stephen	Ronald Langa-Agg intimidation of witness/victim; Threat; Driving while license cancelled/suspended/revoked; misd; unknown conv; DL Violation; Drive While Habitual Violator

3/3/2023 10:48 AM-Tampiria	Vyette Wade-Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant; Poss of marijuana

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;3/4/2023 2:09 AM-Courtney	James Stuart-Direct Contempt3/4/2023 1:14 AM-Brian	Jeane Corbin-DUI; 1st conv; blood or breath .08 or higher3/4/2023 12:29 AM-James	Lee Storment-Domestic Battery; Knowingly Cause Physical Contact (1st conviction); Criminal Damage to Property; Without consent; &lt; $1,000; Disorderly Conduct; Fighting words or noisy conduct3/3/2023 9:10 PM-Kurtis	Wayne Strawder-Failure to Appear3/3/2023 8:21 PM-Audra	Lynn Legron-Viol protection order; Abuse order3/3/2023 8:11 PM-Cory	Joel Sherbon-DUI; 1st conv; incapable of safely driving3/3/2023 7:28 PM-Randy	Wayne Andelt-Domestic Battery; Knowing or Reckless Bodily Harm (1st conviction); Viol protection order; Pre-trial order; Interference with Law Enforcement; Falsely report a Misd crime intending to obstruct3/3/2023 7:11 PM-James	Elmer Fox Jr.-DUI; Misdemeanor; DL Violation; No Drivers License; Alcohol; Illegal Transportation of Alcoholic Beverage; Registration Violation; No/Expired License Plate3/3/2023 6:59 PM-Matthew	Mark Green Jr.-Failure to Appear3/3/2023 3:59 PM-Justin	Patrick Arneson-Direct Contempt3/3/2023 3:47 PM-Stephen	Ronald Langa-Agg intimidation of witness/victim; Threat; Driving while license cancelled/suspended/revoked; misd; unknown conv; DL Violation; Drive While Habitual Violator3/3/2023 10:48 AM-Tampiria	Vyette Wade-Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant; Poss of marijuana

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — With the anniversary of the Cottonwood Complex Fire over the weekend, Reno County Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster is still assisting those whose property burned last March.

"This is obviously a very traumatic experience," said Amy Bretz with the United Way. "People almost lost their lives. It's been over 40 properties that we've been on site helping with numerous different pieces of the work that needed to be done out there. Most of it was the cleanup, the initial piece of it."

It took a lot of sweat and time just to get things cleaned up last spring.

"That was a lot of volunteer work," Bretz said. "Over 1800 hours of volunteer work went towards that disaster. Of course, the families were doing a lot of that work, too. I don't want to say that they weren't out there doing it. It was quite a team effort."

The stage that landowners are in one year out is as different as the needs of those families were following the fire.

"They are in different stages," said Lisa Gleason with the United Way. "We have some that we have worked with that have completely rebuilt their house now and they are living back out there. We have some that are still in the early stages of trying to determine whether they will move back or not. What our goal was to do was to make sure they had the best opportunity to move forward that we could possibly provide for them."

Just being there to listen to their stories was a big part of the recovery.

"I hope that through this work I have been at least a sounding board and just someone to listen and ask some of the right questions for people who have gone through such a traumatic event," Bretz said. "I think it's important for all of us to, in any kind of traumatic event, never say, I know exactly how you feel, because I certainly have no idea how they feel. I wasn't the one trying to get out of that fire and black smoke being all around me and not knowing if my loved one was alive or not. As I mentioned before, they almost died. I know that some of them still have reoccurring nightmares about this. They lost pets and one person did die in that fire and it could have been so many more."

The survivors are being brought together for a private meal in the coming days with the VOAD so that they can share stories with each other about how the recovery is going.

<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/2023/3/1677857146886.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>NICK GOSNELL Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — With the anniversary of the Cottonwood Complex Fire over the weekend, Reno County Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster is still assisting those whose property burned last March."This is obviously a very traumatic experience," said Amy Bretz with the United Way. "People almost lost their lives. It's been over 40 properties that we've been on site helping with numerous different pieces of the work that needed to be done out there. Most of it was the cleanup, the initial piece of it."It took a lot of sweat and time just to get things cleaned up last spring."That was a lot of volunteer work," Bretz said. "Over 1800 hours of volunteer work went towards that disaster. Of course, the families were doing a lot of that work, too. I don't want to say that they weren't out there doing it. It was quite a team effort."The stage that landowners are in one year out is as different as the needs of those families were following the fire."They are in different stages," said Lisa Gleason with the United Way. "We have some that we have worked with that have completely rebuilt their house now and they are living back out there. We have some that are still in the early stages of trying to determine whether they will move back or not. What our goal was to do was to make sure they had the best opportunity to move forward that we could possibly provide for them."Just being there to listen to their stories was a big part of the recovery."I hope that through this work I have been at least a sounding board and just someone to listen and ask some of the right questions for people who have gone through such a traumatic event," Bretz said. "I think it's important for all of us to, in any kind of traumatic event, never say, I know exactly how you feel, because I certainly have no idea how they feel. I wasn't the one trying to get out of that fire and black smoke being all around me and not knowing if my loved one was alive or not. As I mentioned before, they almost died. I know that some of them still have reoccurring nightmares about this. They lost pets and one person did die in that fire and it could have been so many more."The survivors are being brought together for a private meal in the coming days with the VOAD so that they can share stories with each other about how the recovery is going.<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;

VOAD reflects on Cottonwood Complex Fire

HUTCHINSON, Kan. —&nbsp;United Way of Reno County is encouraging parents to sign up their children under five to receive books from the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.

"You can go to our website, <a href="https://www.unitedwayofrenocounty.org/">unitedwayofrenocounty.org</a>, under Our Work, there is a link right there for the <a href="https://www.unitedwayofrenocounty.org/dolly-parton-imagination-library">Dolly Parton Imagination Library</a>," said Carla Stanfield with United Way. "Enter your information and we will get you into our system and books will start being delivered to your home for your children once a month."

The idea is to get parents to have age-appropriate books at home to read to their children. It helps get them ready for school. The statistics were sobering when the program was started over a decade ago.

"They weren't necessarily apples to apples, but 52% of our kiddos in Reno County at that point were showing kindergarten ready," said Lisa Gleason with the United Way. "Right now, we're showing 78% of our kiddos kindergarten ready. Do we think we are the only reason why, maybe, those statistics are improving? No. But, we know we're a factor. We know this program is making a difference."

Books are free to the kids. Even if you were part of the program with older kids, it's worth signing up again.

"Please, sign them all up," Stanfield said. "Your four-year-old and your two-year-old are going to get vastly different books and they change the books out every so often. Just, even if you've had one completely graduate from the program and you have a new baby, please sign that new baby up."

If you have questions, you can call the United Way of Reno County at (620) 669-9329.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1677864200135.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>NICK GOSNELL Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. —&nbsp;United Way of Reno County is encouraging parents to sign up their children under five to receive books from the Dolly Parton Imagination Library."You can go to our website, <a href="https://www.unitedwayofrenocounty.org/">unitedwayofrenocounty.org</a>, under Our Work, there is a link right there for the <a href="https://www.unitedwayofrenocounty.org/dolly-parton-imagination-library">Dolly Parton Imagination Library</a>," said Carla Stanfield with United Way. "Enter your information and we will get you into our system and books will start being delivered to your home for your children once a month."The idea is to get parents to have age-appropriate books at home to read to their children. It helps get them ready for school. The statistics were sobering when the program was started over a decade ago."They weren't necessarily apples to apples, but 52% of our kiddos in Reno County at that point were showing kindergarten ready," said Lisa Gleason with the United Way. "Right now, we're showing 78% of our kiddos kindergarten ready. Do we think we are the only reason why, maybe, those statistics are improving? No. But, we know we're a factor. We know this program is making a difference."Books are free to the kids. Even if you were part of the program with older kids, it's worth signing up again."Please, sign them all up," Stanfield said. "Your four-year-old and your two-year-old are going to get vastly different books and they change the books out every so often. Just, even if you've had one completely graduate from the program and you have a new baby, please sign that new baby up."If you have questions, you can call the United Way of Reno County at (620) 669-9329.<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;

United Way giving access to Dolly Parton Imagination Library

MANHATTAN, Kan. — Agricultural producers who have not yet enrolled in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2023 crop year have until March 15, 2023, to elect and enroll a contract. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) offers these two safety net programs to provide vital income support to farmers experiencing substantial declines in crop prices or revenues.    

“The Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs provide critical protection to many American farmers. As producers across the country deal with market volatility and natural disasters, these programs offer much-needed stability,” said Dennis McKinney, State Executive Director for FSA in Kansas. “I am encouraging producers to reach out to their county offices to learn about program eligibility and election options today, so that they can begin the enrollment process as soon as possible.”  

Producers can elect coverage and enroll in ARC-County or PLC, which are both commodity-by-commodity, or ARC-Individual, which covers the entire farm. Although election changes for 2023 are optional, producers must enroll through a signed contract each year. Additionally, if a producer has a multi-year contract on their farm and makes an election change for 2023, they will need to sign a new contract.    

If producers do not submit an election by the March 15, 2023, deadline, the election remains the same as the 2022 election for commodities on the farm. Farm owners cannot enroll in either program unless they have a share interest in the commodity.     

In Kansas, producers have completed 74,828 contracts to date, representing 72% of the more than 104,000 expected contracts.  

Producers who do not complete enrollment by the deadline will not be enrolled in ARC or PLC for the 2023 year and will not receive a payment if triggered.    

Producers are eligible to enroll farms with base acres for the following commodities:  barley, canola, large and small chickpeas, corn, crambe, flaxseed, grain sorghum, lentils, mustard seed, oats, peanuts, dry peas, rapeseed, long grain rice, medium and short grain rice, safflower seed, seed cotton, sesame, soybeans, sunflower seed and wheat.    

In partnership with USDA, two web-based decision tools are available to assist producers in making informed, educated decisions using crop data specific to their respective farming operations:    

· <a href="https://farmdocdaily.illinois.edu/2019/08/introducing-the-gardner-farmdoc-payment-calculator">Gardner-farmdoc Payment Calculator, a tool available through the University of Illinois allows producers to estimate payments for farms and counties for ARC-CO and PLC.</a>

· <a href="https://www.afpc.tamu.edu/">ARC and PLC Decision Tool, a tool available through Texas A&amp;M University that allows producers to estimate payments and yield updates and expected payments for 2023</a>.

Crop Insurance Considerations and Decision Deadline

ARC and PLC are part of a broader safety net provided by USDA, which also includes crop insurance and marketing assistance loans.  

Producers are reminded that ARC and PLC elections and enrollments can impact eligibility for some crop insurance products.  

Producers on farms with a PLC election have the option of purchasing Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO) through their Approved Insurance Provider. However, producers on farms where ARC is the election are ineligible for SCO on their planted acres for that crop on that farm.   

Unlike SCO, the Enhanced Coverage Option (ECO) is unaffected by an ARC election. Producers may add ECO regardless of the farm program election.  

Upland cotton farmers who choose to enroll seed cotton base acres in ARC or PLC are ineligible for the stacked income protection plan (STAX) on their planted cotton acres for that farm.    

Producers should contact their crop insurance agent to make certain that the election and enrollment made at FSA follows their intention to participate in STAX or SCO coverage. Producers have until March 15, 2023, to make the appropriate changes or cancel their ARC or PLC contract.   

For more information on ARC and PLC, producers can visit <a href="https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/arcplc_program/index">the ARC and PLC webpage </a>or contact their local USDA Service Center.

<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/2022/9/1663858459654.jpeg" alt="" />
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 </figure>MANHATTAN, Kan. — Agricultural producers who have not yet enrolled in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2023 crop year have until March 15, 2023, to elect and enroll a contract. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) offers these two safety net programs to provide vital income support to farmers experiencing substantial declines in crop prices or revenues.    “The Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs provide critical protection to many American farmers. As producers across the country deal with market volatility and natural disasters, these programs offer much-needed stability,” said Dennis McKinney, State Executive Director for FSA in Kansas. “I am encouraging producers to reach out to their county offices to learn about program eligibility and election options today, so that they can begin the enrollment process as soon as possible.”  Producers can elect coverage and enroll in ARC-County or PLC, which are both commodity-by-commodity, or ARC-Individual, which covers the entire farm. Although election changes for 2023 are optional, producers must enroll through a signed contract each year. Additionally, if a producer has a multi-year contract on their farm and makes an election change for 2023, they will need to sign a new contract.    If producers do not submit an election by the March 15, 2023, deadline, the election remains the same as the 2022 election for commodities on the farm. Farm owners cannot enroll in either program unless they have a share interest in the commodity.     In Kansas, producers have completed 74,828 contracts to date, representing 72% of the more than 104,000 expected contracts.  Producers who do not complete enrollment by the deadline will not be enrolled in ARC or PLC for the 2023 year and will not receive a payment if triggered.    Producers are eligible to enroll farms with base acres for the following commodities:  barley, canola, large and small chickpeas, corn, crambe, flaxseed, grain sorghum, lentils, mustard seed, oats, peanuts, dry peas, rapeseed, long grain rice, medium and short grain rice, safflower seed, seed cotton, sesame, soybeans, sunflower seed and wheat.    Decision Tools In partnership with USDA, two web-based decision tools are available to assist producers in making informed, educated decisions using crop data specific to their respective farming operations:    · <a href="https://farmdocdaily.illinois.edu/2019/08/introducing-the-gardner-farmdoc-payment-calculator">Gardner-farmdoc Payment Calculator, a tool available through the University of Illinois allows producers to estimate payments for farms and counties for ARC-CO and PLC.</a>   · <a href="https://www.afpc.tamu.edu/">ARC and PLC Decision Tool, a tool available through Texas A&amp;M University that allows producers to estimate payments and yield updates and expected payments for 2023</a>.   Crop Insurance Considerations and Decision Deadline ARC and PLC are part of a broader safety net provided by USDA, which also includes crop insurance and marketing assistance loans.  Producers are reminded that ARC and PLC elections and enrollments can impact eligibility for some crop insurance products.  Producers on farms with a PLC election have the option of purchasing Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO) through their Approved Insurance Provider. However, producers on farms where ARC is the election are ineligible for SCO on their planted acres for that crop on that farm.   Unlike SCO, the Enhanced Coverage Option (ECO) is unaffected by an ARC election. Producers may add ECO regardless of the farm program election.  Upland cotton farmers who choose to enroll seed cotton base acres in ARC or PLC are ineligible for the stacked income protection plan (STAX) on their planted cotton acres for that farm.    Producers should contact their crop insurance agent to make certain that the election and enrollment made at FSA follows their intention to participate in STAX or SCO coverage. Producers have until March 15, 2023, to make the appropriate changes or cancel their ARC or PLC contract.   More Information    For more information on ARC and PLC, producers can visit <a href="https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/arcplc_program/index">the ARC and PLC webpage </a>or contact their local USDA Service Center.<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;

March 15 is deadline for USDA’s key commodity safety net programs 

MANHATTAN, Kan. — Eagle Media of Hutchinson was honored at a company wide banquet Wednesday night in Manhattan.

Hutchinson was named the 2022 Lead Eagle. The annual Lead Eagle Award goes to the market that shows continuous improvement in all areas of the operation.

"What an honor to receive this award," said Nancy Swain, general manager. "It is a verification of all of the hard work that our employees do each day as we strive to keep our local communities connected! I am so proud of the team we have here in Hutchinson and their dedication to making the communities we serve better places to live, work, and play!"

Eagle's Hutchinson operations include Country 102.9, My 93.1 and KWBW, as well as Hutch Post.

Founded in 1948, Eagle Communications Inc. is a Kansas-based media company with over 150 employee-owners. The company operates radio stations in Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri. In addition to radio, the company offers online solutions, web development, video production and creative services. Eagle is the parent company of the Post News Network. For more, visit eagleradio.net.

<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;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1677859793268.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>MANHATTAN, Kan. — Eagle Media of Hutchinson was honored at a company wide banquet Wednesday night in Manhattan.Hutchinson was named the 2022 Lead Eagle. The annual Lead Eagle Award goes to the market that shows continuous improvement in all areas of the operation."What an honor to receive this award," said Nancy Swain, general manager. "It is a verification of all of the hard work that our employees do each day as we strive to keep our local communities connected! I am so proud of the team we have here in Hutchinson and their dedication to making the communities we serve better places to live, work, and play!"Eagle's Hutchinson operations include Country 102.9, My 93.1 and KWBW, as well as Hutch Post.Founded in 1948, Eagle Communications Inc. is a Kansas-based media company with over 150 employee-owners. The company operates radio stations in Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri. In addition to radio, the company offers online solutions, web development, video production and creative services. Eagle is the parent company of the Post News Network. For more, visit eagleradio.net.<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;

Hutchinson team is Lead Eagle award winner

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Given the recent layoffs at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center, Hutch Post asked hospital staff to provide answers about nursing staffing levels.

Below are those questions and answers, as provided by hospital spokesperson Brittney Weis.

Questions are in bold. Answers are in italics, edited for clarity.

What is the local nurse/travel nurse percentage mix at the&nbsp;hospital currently?&nbsp;

The hospital currently has 254 registered nurses employed at HRMC, 28 of them being travelers. Within the past few weeks, six travel nurses have been hired as HRMC employees with two more who actively are considering employment opportunities.&nbsp;The hospital is still utilizing a limited amount of travel nurses for acute floors.

What length of contracts are being given to travel nurses now?

13-week contracts

What is the staff/patient ratio the hospital is attempting&nbsp;to maintain?

The hospital recently adjusted staffing ratios to follow national trends.&nbsp;According to a National Nurses United report, there are currently no federal mandates that regulate the number of patients registered nurses (RNs) can care for simultaneously. The critical care unit nurse-to-patient ratio is one nurse to every three-to-four patients. The ED ratio is one nurse to every 4-5 patients. The acute floors are one nurse to 5-6 patients during the day shift and 6-7 patients for night shift, and the Birthing Center is one nurse to every 4 patients, or one nurse to every two laboring mothers.

At what census level will Hutchinson Hospital be placed on diversion?109

How often has the hospital reached that census level in the last 18 months?&nbsp;

The hospital is licensed at 190 beds, however, 63 of those beds are located in units that have been closed before the RIF (Reduction In Force). There are 109 available beds for the census.

According to Weis, the hospital averaged a census between 70-90 inpatients the past 18 months.

Hutchinson Regional has replaced its CEO, spokesperson and Chief Nursing Officer all within the last eight months.

<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/2020/3/1583428390224.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Given the recent layoffs at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center, Hutch Post asked hospital staff to provide answers about nursing staffing levels.Below are those questions and answers, as provided by hospital spokesperson Brittney Weis.Questions are in bold. Answers are in italics, edited for clarity.What is the local nurse/travel nurse percentage mix at the&nbsp;hospital currently?&nbsp;The hospital currently has 254 registered nurses employed at HRMC, 28 of them being travelers. Within the past few weeks, six travel nurses have been hired as HRMC employees with two more who actively are considering employment opportunities.&nbsp;The hospital is still utilizing a limited amount of travel nurses for acute floors. What length of contracts are being given to travel nurses now?13-week contracts What is the staff/patient ratio the hospital is attempting&nbsp;to maintain?The hospital recently adjusted staffing ratios to follow national trends.&nbsp;According to a National Nurses United report, there are currently no federal mandates that regulate the number of patients registered nurses (RNs) can care for simultaneously. The critical care unit nurse-to-patient ratio is one nurse to every three-to-four patients. The ED ratio is one nurse to every 4-5 patients. The acute floors are one nurse to 5-6 patients during the day shift and 6-7 patients for night shift, and the Birthing Center is one nurse to every 4 patients, or one nurse to every two laboring mothers. At what census level will Hutchinson Hospital be placed on diversion?109 How often has the hospital reached that census level in the last 18 months?&nbsp;The hospital is licensed at 190 beds, however, 63 of those beds are located in units that have been closed before the RIF (Reduction In Force). There are 109 available beds for the census. According to Weis, the hospital averaged a census between 70-90 inpatients the past 18 months.Hutchinson Regional has replaced its CEO, spokesperson and Chief Nursing Officer all within the last eight months.<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;

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