BUHLER, Kan. — When the pandemic shut down schools and caused thousands of Kansans to work from home in March, it created a new urgency to narrow the digital gap. 

Thanks to a grant from the Kansas Department of Commerce, IdeaTek was able to help gain reliable, high-speed internet access for low-income families across central and southwest Kansas.

The Broadband Partnership Adoption Grant program allowed IdeaTek to provide 250 devices and a year of free internet to families who qualified for the federal government’s Lifeline program. The grant also helped the company create free public Wi-Fi hotspots in 17 communities across central and southwest Kansas.

In addition, IdeaTek partnered with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism to deploy free Wi-Fi hotspots within areas of Cheney State Park and Sand Hills State Park to expand high-speed broadband to locations that can be easily accessed by the public. Internet access at state parks is especially helpful for low-income and transient Kansans who may find themselves in mobile living situations as a cost-savings alternative. 

“The Lifeline program, along with the free community Wi-Fi hotspots, provides a viable and timely solution to rural Kansas residents struggling with internet connectivity,” Daniel Friesen, IdeaTek Founder and Chief Innovation Officer, said. “High-speed internet is essential in today’s world. The COVID-19 pandemic has made this even clearer as our lives become more virtual.”

Arlington resident Amanda Stoney said she no longer worries about her children not being able to connect to the internet in times of at-home learning. Previously she had to improvise when her children needed to complete their online homework, using her phone as an internet hotspot, which was expensive and unreliable. 

Relief, however, came in December when the IdeaTek crew installed equipment to connect Stoney's home to high-speed fiber-optic internet. 

"We are excited because we actually have internet and the kids can stream when they need to for school," she said. “They use it to do their homework in the evenings. Our service has been working great.” 

In southwest Kansas, USD 483 Kismet-Plains covers 540 square miles, from Liberal to Sublette, Superintendent Dan Frisby said. When school was shut down in March, many families didn’t have quality internet access. Some students tried to do work using their phones, which wasn’t a good option.

“We have kids scattered all over the place and connectivity has been a challenge,” he said. “Basically, a lot of our kids are low income, and it's difficult for them to have opportunities for connectivity and devices. This program has been a great asset for our families in the district. We are greatly appreciative of IdeaTek.”

Individuals interested in IdeaTek internet can check future availability and sign up for service online.

<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&nbsp;sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584960838544.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BUHLER, Kan. — When the pandemic shut down schools and caused thousands of Kansans to work from home in March, it created a new urgency to narrow the digital gap. Thanks to a grant from the Kansas Department of Commerce, IdeaTek was able to help gain reliable, high-speed internet access for low-income families across central and southwest Kansas.The Broadband Partnership Adoption Grant program allowed IdeaTek to provide 250 devices and a year of free internet to families who qualified for the federal government’s Lifeline program. The grant also helped the company create free public Wi-Fi hotspots in 17 communities across central and southwest Kansas.In addition, IdeaTek partnered with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism to deploy free Wi-Fi hotspots within areas of Cheney State Park and Sand Hills State Park to expand high-speed broadband to locations that can be easily accessed by the public. Internet access at state parks is especially helpful for low-income and transient Kansans who may find themselves in mobile living situations as a cost-savings alternative. “The Lifeline program, along with the free community Wi-Fi hotspots, provides a viable and timely solution to rural Kansas residents struggling with internet connectivity,” Daniel Friesen, IdeaTek Founder and Chief Innovation Officer, said. “High-speed internet is essential in today’s world. The COVID-19 pandemic has made this even clearer as our lives become more virtual.”Arlington resident Amanda Stoney said she no longer worries about her children not being able to connect to the internet in times of at-home learning. Previously she had to improvise when her children needed to complete their online homework, using her phone as an internet hotspot, which was expensive and unreliable. Relief, however, came in December when the IdeaTek crew installed equipment to connect Stoney's home to high-speed fiber-optic internet. "We are excited because we actually have internet and the kids can stream when they need to for school," she said. “They use it to do their homework in the evenings. Our service has been working great.” In southwest Kansas, USD 483 Kismet-Plains covers 540 square miles, from Liberal to Sublette, Superintendent Dan Frisby said. When school was shut down in March, many families didn’t have quality internet access. Some students tried to do work using their phones, which wasn’t a good option.“We have kids scattered all over the place and connectivity has been a challenge,” he said. “Basically, a lot of our kids are low income, and it's difficult for them to have opportunities for connectivity and devices. This program has been a great asset for our families in the district. We are greatly appreciative of IdeaTek.”Individuals interested in IdeaTek internet can check future availability and sign up for service online.<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&nbsp;sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.

Amid COVID, IdeaTek helps bridge digital divide to low-income families

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Formal charges have been filed against a Hutchinson man involved in a domestic disturbance.

Darryel Raglin is charged with aggravated robbery, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, aggravated burglary and violation of a protection order. The most serious charge carries a maximum sentence of just over 20 years.

Raglin was arrested following a domestic disturbance Feb. 9. He was originally arrested on suspicion of aggravated kidnapping, but that charge was not filed by the district attorney’s office.

Raglin is being held in the Reno County Correctional facility on a bond of $103,000.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613595479951.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Formal charges have been filed against a Hutchinson man involved in a domestic disturbance.Darryel Raglin is charged with aggravated robbery, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, aggravated burglary and violation of a protection order. The most serious charge carries a maximum sentence of just over 20 years.Raglin was arrested following a domestic disturbance Feb. 9. He was originally arrested on suspicion of aggravated kidnapping, but that charge was not filed by the district attorney’s office.Raglin is being held in the Reno County Correctional facility on a bond of $103,000.<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&nbsp;sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.

Hutchinson man charged in domestic case

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A woman who led law enforcement on a high-speed chase earlier this month has been formally charged.

Melinda Graves of Wichita was charged for interference with a law enforcement officer and flee and elude.&nbsp;

Police attempted to stop Graves for a traffic violation when she fled in her vehicle. Once stopped, she attempted to flee on foot, thus the interference with law enforcement.

She continues to be held on a bond of $4,000.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613595372621.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A woman who led law enforcement on a high-speed chase earlier this month has been formally charged.Melinda Graves of Wichita was charged for interference with a law enforcement officer and flee and elude.&nbsp;Police attempted to stop Graves for a traffic violation when she fled in her vehicle. Once stopped, she attempted to flee on foot, thus the interference with law enforcement.She continues to be held on a bond of $4,000.<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&nbsp;sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.

Woman involved in police chase charged

    BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — Tractor Supply Company, the largest rural 
lifestyle retailer in the United States, today announced that it has 
entered into an agreement to acquire Orscheln Farm and Home in an 
all-cash transaction for approximately $297 million, net of acquired 
estimated future tax benefits of $23 million. Orscheln Farm and Home 
operates 167 stores located in 11 states: Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, 
Iowa, Indiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas, Kentucky, Illinois and Ohio. 
The acquisition is conditioned on the receipt of regulatory approval and
 satisfactory completion of customary closing conditions.



“This is an exciting step for Tractor Supply as we expand our footprint 
in the Midwest with the high-quality assets of Orscheln Farm and Home. 
We have always had great respect for Barry Orscheln and the team at 
Orscheln Farm and Home for the strong connection they have with 
customers in the communities they serve, along with their industry 
knowledge and capabilities. With our shared values and passion for the 
Out Here lifestyle, we are honored to welcome Orscheln Farm and Home to 
the Tractor Supply family. We look forward to bringing together our 
highly complementary cultures and teams to realize the long-term value 
and benefits that we expect this acquisition to deliver,” said Hal 
Lawton, Tractor Supply’s President and Chief Executive Officer.



Barry Orscheln, Chairman and CEO of Orscheln Farm and Home, commented, 
“For more than 60 years, my family, our Orscheln Farm and Home employees
 and I have been committed to serving the needs of rural communities 
across the Midwest. I am very proud of all that we have accomplished 
over this time. I am confident that with Tractor Supply our stores will 
be well-positioned to continue Orscheln’s tradition of taking care of 
our customers and communities for the next phase of growth.”



Tractor Supply’s preliminary estimates indicate the acquisition will be 
immediately accretive to earnings per share upon closing. The earnings 
accretion is anticipated to grow over time as planned synergies are 
achieved. Tractor Supply intends to fund the acquisition through 
existing cash on hand.



For Tractor Supply, Goldman Sachs &amp; Co. LLC is acting as financial 
adviser, and Bass, Berry &amp; Sims PLC is acting as legal adviser. 
Fifth Third Securities is acting as financial adviser to Orscheln Farm 
and Home, while Stinson LLP is acting as legal adviser.

Check the Post for more as details become available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613595329521.jpeg" alt="Tractor Supply" />
 <figcaption>Tractor Supply</figcaption>
 </figure>News release BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — Tractor Supply Company, the largest rural 
lifestyle retailer in the United States, today announced that it has 
entered into an agreement to acquire Orscheln Farm and Home in an 
all-cash transaction for approximately $297 million, net of acquired 
estimated future tax benefits of $23 million. Orscheln Farm and Home 
operates 167 stores located in 11 states: Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, 
Iowa, Indiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas, Kentucky, Illinois and Ohio. 
The acquisition is conditioned on the receipt of regulatory approval and
 satisfactory completion of customary closing conditions.

“This is an exciting step for Tractor Supply as we expand our footprint 
in the Midwest with the high-quality assets of Orscheln Farm and Home. 
We have always had great respect for Barry Orscheln and the team at 
Orscheln Farm and Home for the strong connection they have with 
customers in the communities they serve, along with their industry 
knowledge and capabilities. With our shared values and passion for the 
Out Here lifestyle, we are honored to welcome Orscheln Farm and Home to 
the Tractor Supply family. We look forward to bringing together our 
highly complementary cultures and teams to realize the long-term value 
and benefits that we expect this acquisition to deliver,” said Hal 
Lawton, Tractor Supply’s President and Chief Executive Officer.

Barry Orscheln, Chairman and CEO of Orscheln Farm and Home, commented, 
“For more than 60 years, my family, our Orscheln Farm and Home employees
 and I have been committed to serving the needs of rural communities 
across the Midwest. I am very proud of all that we have accomplished 
over this time. I am confident that with Tractor Supply our stores will 
be well-positioned to continue Orscheln’s tradition of taking care of 
our customers and communities for the next phase of growth.”

Tractor Supply’s preliminary estimates indicate the acquisition will be 
immediately accretive to earnings per share upon closing. The earnings 
accretion is anticipated to grow over time as planned synergies are 
achieved. Tractor Supply intends to fund the acquisition through 
existing cash on hand.

For Tractor Supply, Goldman Sachs &amp; Co. LLC is acting as financial 
adviser, and Bass, Berry &amp; Sims PLC is acting as legal adviser. 
Fifth Third Securities is acting as financial adviser to Orscheln Farm 
and Home, while Stinson LLP is acting as legal adviser.Check the Post for more as details become available.

Tractor Supply reaches agreement to acquire Orscheln stores

HUTCHINSON, Kan. —&nbsp; Some financial COVID relief funds are coming to the Hutchinson Airport. Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall announced more than $10 million in funding for the Hutchinson Airport and other Kansas airports to help them respond to and prepare for the impacts of COVID-19, such as janitorial services, cleaning and sanitation, as well as operational expenses.&nbsp;

More than 75 airports across Kansas received funding to allow them to continue to serve their communities. The Hutchinson Regional Airport received $57,162 in funding.

“Our community airports are essential to not only our transportation infrastructure but the continuation of business in many of our rural communities,” Marshall said. “COVID has substantially slowed both commercial and personal travel, leaving these airports with only a fraction of their normal business operations. It is important that we support our airports to ensure they can remain operational.”

The Consolidated Appropriation Act and Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriation Act, which was passed by Congress in December, provided funding for small and mid-sized airports impacted by COVID-19. Sen. Marshall voted in favor of the legislation and has been an advocate for the state’s airports and aviation industry. The funding for Kansas airports was part of nearly $2 billion provided to the aviation industry.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613594690837.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. —&nbsp; Some financial COVID relief funds are coming to the Hutchinson Airport. Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall announced more than $10 million in funding for the Hutchinson Airport and other Kansas airports to help them respond to and prepare for the impacts of COVID-19, such as janitorial services, cleaning and sanitation, as well as operational expenses.&nbsp;More than 75 airports across Kansas received funding to allow them to continue to serve their communities. The Hutchinson Regional Airport received $57,162 in funding.“Our community airports are essential to not only our transportation infrastructure but the continuation of business in many of our rural communities,” Marshall said. “COVID has substantially slowed both commercial and personal travel, leaving these airports with only a fraction of their normal business operations. It is important that we support our airports to ensure they can remain operational.”The Consolidated Appropriation Act and Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriation Act, which was passed by Congress in December, provided funding for small and mid-sized airports impacted by COVID-19. Sen. Marshall voted in favor of the legislation and has been an advocate for the state’s airports and aviation industry. The funding for Kansas airports was part of nearly $2 billion provided to the aviation industry.&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&nbsp;sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.

Hutchinson Airport receives COVID relief funding


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — Hutchinson firefighters worked an attic fire in a house on Justice Street east of the Hutchinson Correctional Facility Wednesday morning. 

Fire crews have been dealing with a series of electrical fires this month since the weather turned extremely cold.

The fire call came in at 9:19 a.m.&nbsp;Crews entered the home and found a small fire in the wall and attic near the electrical panel. 

 Crews made access to the fire and quickly put out the fire with moderate damage to the home. Evergy arrived on scene and was able to disconnect the power. 

 No one was home at the time of the fire.  A neighbor called 911 after seeing smoke coming from the roof. No firefighter injuries were reported.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613584382717.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — Hutchinson firefighters worked an attic fire in a house on Justice Street east of the Hutchinson Correctional Facility Wednesday morning. Fire crews have been dealing with a series of electrical fires this month since the weather turned extremely cold.The fire call came in at 9:19 a.m.&nbsp;Crews entered the home and found a small fire in the wall and attic near the electrical panel. Crews made access to the fire and quickly put out the fire with moderate damage to the home. Evergy arrived on scene and was able to disconnect the power. No one was home at the time of the fire. A neighbor called 911 after seeing smoke coming from the roof. No firefighter injuries were reported.&nbsp;

Firefighters work another electrical fire Wednesday in Hutchinson

Click&nbsp;<a href="https://hutchpost.com/category/obituaries" target="_blank">HERE</a>&nbsp;to view the most recent obituaries and service times from our funeral home partners.

Hutch Post is honored to publish full obituaries and photos at no cost to families. Funeral homes can send notices to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:hutchpost@gmail.com" target="_blank">hutchpost@gmail.com</a>.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573140944016.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Click&nbsp;<a href="https://hutchpost.com/category/obituaries" target="_blank">HERE</a>&nbsp;to view the most recent obituaries and service times from our funeral home partners.Hutch Post is honored to publish full obituaries and photos at no cost to families. Funeral homes can send notices to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:hutchpost@gmail.com" target="_blank">hutchpost@gmail.com</a>.<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank"> CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.

Recent obituaries


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —&nbsp; A conflict over the qualifying shooting range that has been shared by the Reno County Sheriff's Office and the Hutchinson Police Department became public Tuesday at the Hutchinson City Council meeting.

"The facility is lacking," said Hutchinson Police Chief Jeff Hooper. "We cannot do some of the training that we need to do for our organization and some of our development out there. From the city's perspective, we want the ability to develop that property to be able to expand the training that we do out there. The contract with the county was expired."

Sheriff Darrian Campbell noted that the range becoming available to law enforcement was the idea of the Sheriff's office back in the 1980s.

"In the mid-1980s, Sheriff Jim Fountain, Undersheriff Jay Koontz and there was a Lieutenant in the reserve program, Jim Yeager, worked together with the city and created this lease to start our firearms program. They created the range. The sherriff's office FOP supported that and funded projects out there to build the range house, to build other aspects, the berm, there was a tower that was there at one time. As we were moving forward to build a better range facility for everybody, it sounds like we were kind of being cut out of the puzzle."

Chief Hooper said their intent is not for each entity to have its own range.

"The city is going to make the improvements, but we'll still allow the county to use it, unfettered access to it," Hooper said. "Any improvements that we make out there, the county will still be able to utilize the improvements and so it's really a win-win for everybody. We're able to expand the facility in a manner that helps us advance our training and the needs of the police department and the county will benefit from all those improvements out there, because they, too, will have that asset and resource available to them."

Campbell wasn't sure that was a deal his department was willing to make as of Wednesday.

"We're still going to maintain our firearms instruction," Campbell said. "The firearms program that the sheriff's office has and has built up over the years is an excellent program. Just as a carpenter masters his hammer, in law enforcement, we've got to master our weapons. We do have an MOU that we have signed with the Department of Corrections. We have been in contact with them, however, we don't want to be a burden, either."

Campbell made it clear that when his agency is asked to assist with any call in the county, they are more than willing to do so. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613584029328.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>
By
NICK GOSNELL
Hutch
Post
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —&nbsp; A conflict over the qualifying shooting range that has been shared by the Reno County Sheriff's Office and the Hutchinson Police Department became public Tuesday at the Hutchinson City Council meeting."The facility is lacking," said Hutchinson Police Chief Jeff Hooper. "We cannot do some of the training that we need to do for our organization and some of our development out there. From the city's perspective, we want the ability to develop that property to be able to expand the training that we do out there. The contract with the county was expired."Sheriff Darrian Campbell noted that the range becoming available to law enforcement was the idea of the Sheriff's office back in the 1980s."In the mid-1980s, Sheriff Jim Fountain, Undersheriff Jay Koontz and there was a Lieutenant in the reserve program, Jim Yeager, worked together with the city and created this lease to start our firearms program. They created the range. The sherriff's office FOP supported that and funded projects out there to build the range house, to build other aspects, the berm, there was a tower that was there at one time. As we were moving forward to build a better range facility for everybody, it sounds like we were kind of being cut out of the puzzle."Chief Hooper said their intent is not for each entity to have its own range."The city is going to make the improvements, but we'll still allow the county to use it, unfettered access to it," Hooper said. "Any improvements that we make out there, the county will still be able to utilize the improvements and so it's really a win-win for everybody. We're able to expand the facility in a manner that helps us advance our training and the needs of the police department and the county will benefit from all those improvements out there, because they, too, will have that asset and resource available to them."Campbell wasn't sure that was a deal his department was willing to make as of Wednesday."We're still going to maintain our firearms instruction," Campbell said. "The firearms program that the sheriff's office has and has built up over the years is an excellent program. Just as a carpenter masters his hammer, in law enforcement, we've got to master our weapons. We do have an MOU that we have signed with the Department of Corrections. We have been in contact with them, however, we don't want to be a burden, either."Campbell made it clear that when his agency is asked to assist with any call in the county, they are more than willing to do so.

City, county conflict over shooting range now public


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — Conservative talk radio icon Rush Limbaugh has died. 

His wife Kathryn reported on his program Wednesday morning that her husband succumbed to lung cancer at the age of 70. Rush Limbaugh was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom during then President Donald Trump's State of the Union speech a little more than a year ago. 

The Cape Girardeau, Missouri native was the 14th recipient of the honor. Limbaugh's national program started in 1988 and KWBW was one of its early affiliates and has continued to carry the show ever since.

In late 2001, he acknowledged that he had become almost completely deaf, although he continued his show. He was able to regain much of his hearing with the help of a cochlear implant that year. 

Limbaugh had been battling stage 4 lung cancer and acknowledged it was terminal this past October. Limbaugh disclosed his cancer diagnosis in February of 2020.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613582034533.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — Conservative talk radio icon Rush Limbaugh has died. His wife Kathryn reported on his program Wednesday morning that her husband succumbed to lung cancer at the age of 70. Rush Limbaugh was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom during then President Donald Trump's State of the Union speech a little more than a year ago. The Cape Girardeau, Missouri native was the 14th recipient of the honor. Limbaugh's national program started in 1988 and KWBW was one of its early affiliates and has continued to carry the show ever since.In late 2001, he acknowledged that he had become almost completely deaf, although he continued his show. He was able to regain much of his hearing with the help of a cochlear implant that year. Limbaugh had been battling stage 4 lung cancer and acknowledged it was terminal this past October. Limbaugh disclosed his cancer diagnosis in February of 2020.

Rush Limbaugh dead at 70


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — Hutchinson USD 308 hopes that getting back in person as they did on Wednesday can continue through the rest of the year, but if we do have further weather issues, the plan is to do a virtual learning day in those instances rather than have any more snow days.

"We really don't want to have to add minutes to the day or extend the day, even though there's going to be lots of additional learning opportunities for remediation to get caught up," said USD 308 Superintendent Mike Folks. "We just didn't want to add that to our plate. Unless we just absolutely can't have a remote day, that will be the plan when we have inclement weather."

It's an important time in the school year to get back in person in the classroom if possible.

"Some school districts are talking about March 1," Folks said. "That falls pretty close to our third trimester. We really wanted to bring all the students back a couple weeks in front of that for finals and to get back to the new normal, whatever that is and to get students and staff acclimated before we transition into that third and final trimester."

Finals would have been difficult to execute remotely.

"Logistically, it's kind of like the Kansas State Department of Education saying, you know, you can give state assessments, but you can't give state assessments remotely. I think the finals would be in that same category."

HHS will be on finals schedule the week of Feb. 22. After a regular school day on Feb. 22, HHS will have finals on Feb. 23, 24 and 25, with finals for two class periods given each day, and students done each day by 11 a.m. HHS staff will have a work/professional development day on Feb. 26.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574794748723.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>
By
NICK GOSNELL
Hutch
Post
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — Hutchinson USD 308 hopes that getting back in person as they did on Wednesday can continue through the rest of the year, but if we do have further weather issues, the plan is to do a virtual learning day in those instances rather than have any more snow days."We really don't want to have to add minutes to the day or extend the day, even though there's going to be lots of additional learning opportunities for remediation to get caught up," said USD 308 Superintendent Mike Folks. "We just didn't want to add that to our plate. Unless we just absolutely can't have a remote day, that will be the plan when we have inclement weather."It's an important time in the school year to get back in person in the classroom if possible."Some school districts are talking about March 1," Folks said. "That falls pretty close to our third trimester. We really wanted to bring all the students back a couple weeks in front of that for finals and to get back to the new normal, whatever that is and to get students and staff acclimated before we transition into that third and final trimester."Finals would have been difficult to execute remotely."Logistically, it's kind of like the Kansas State Department of Education saying, you know, you can give state assessments, but you can't give state assessments remotely. I think the finals would be in that same category."HHS will be on finals schedule the week of Feb. 22. After a regular school day on Feb. 22, HHS will have finals on Feb. 23, 24 and 25, with finals for two class periods given each day, and students done each day by 11 a.m. HHS staff will have a work/professional development day on Feb. 26.

Folks: With school back in person, now time to look toward the rest of the year


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — The case count of COVID-19 continues to go down in Reno County.

The overall case count is at 180 as of Tuesday. The death count among Reno County residents is at 133. The last time cases were here or below was October 4.

The latest update to the 14-day rolling average for the community as a whole is an 11.6% positive test rate as of February 7, with the latest week of data added Thursday.

The 14-day new case total is at 181 as of Thursday. This has moved the overall community positive test rate for the total pandemic down slightly to 27.40%.

Out of 7,650 total cases since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been 7,337 recoveries. There are only two cluster types with active cases. 44 in long-term care facilities and 3 from religious gatherings. There are 22 clusters still being monitored.

Six Reno County residents are in the hospital. According to the dashboard, three hundred sixty-four total have been hospitalized. One hundred three have been admitted to the ICU. These are Reno County resident numbers regardless of where they are hospitalized.

Drive-thru testing is currently available at two Reno County Locations at the Kansas Cosmosphere at 1100 N Plum in Hutchinson and at Simply Good Overstocks at 401 N Main in South Hutchinson.

Both sites are open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday. To make an appointment, please visit www.gogettested.com.

<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/2021/2/1613560300568.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — The case count of COVID-19 continues to go down in Reno County.The overall case count is at 180 as of Tuesday. The death count among Reno County residents is at 133. The last time cases were here or below was October 4.The latest update to the 14-day rolling average for the community as a whole is an 11.6% positive test rate as of February 7, with the latest week of data added Thursday.The 14-day new case total is at 181 as of Thursday. This has moved the overall community positive test rate for the total pandemic down slightly to 27.40%.Out of 7,650 total cases since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been 7,337 recoveries. There are only two cluster types with active cases. 44 in long-term care facilities and 3 from religious gatherings. There are 22 clusters still being monitored.Six Reno County residents are in the hospital. According to the dashboard, three hundred sixty-four total have been hospitalized. One hundred three have been admitted to the ICU. These are Reno County resident numbers regardless of where they are hospitalized.Drive-thru testing is currently available at two Reno County Locations at the Kansas Cosmosphere at 1100 N Plum in Hutchinson and at Simply Good Overstocks at 401 N Main in South Hutchinson.Both sites are open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday. To make an appointment, please visit www.gogettested.com.
<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.

COVID-19 cases down to 180, deaths at 133 as of Tuesday

BUHLER, KAN. — Thousands of underserved Reno County residents in over 2,850 homes and businesses have found relief from poor internet connections. 

Thanks to internet pioneer IdeaTek and a Kansas Connectivity Emergency Response Grant (CERG), IdeaTek recently completed $2.5 million in infrastructure investment in Reno County and the surrounding area, including $2 million in CERG funding.

“Crews have been working tirelessly throughout the fall and winter to provide high-speed internet to underserved, rural homes and businesses,” said Daniel Friesen, IdeaTek Founder and Chief Innovation Officer. “Many living in these areas rely on home internet for school, work and healthcare. Our goal was to fill in those connectivity gaps.”

Underserved areas, as identified by the Federal Communications Commission, have download speeds of less than 25 megabytes per second and upload speeds of 3 Mbps. 

IdeaTek was able to stretch the grant funding as far as possible by leveraging its existing large fiber network then infilling all other underserved rural areas with 100 Mbps fixed wireless internet. The project included adding 25 miles of gigabit fiber to homes and businesses in Arlington, Abbyville, Langdon, Pretty Prairie and Willowbrook. The company also upgraded and installed more than 20 towers through the region, which provides ultra-fast unmetered wireless internet to rural areas of Reno County and parts of Harvey, Kingman, Rice, McPherson and Pratt counties.

“Bridging the digital divide in Kansas wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the Kansas Department of Commerce’s Office of Broadband Development,” Friesen said. “The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated challenges in these communities, and Kansas Commerce allowed us to help scores of families who needed an affordable, reliable core utility during this time.”

Friesen also thanked public works officials in each community, plus community partners and local legislators for their support. This includes the Reno County Commission, Hutchinson Community Foundation, the United Way of Reno County and the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce.  

“The combined effort of community partners and dedicated contractors and vendors helped make this massive construction project happen in a short timeframe,” he said.

Rural Reno County had long suffered from slow or spotty broadband access, but the situation became urgent when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March and everyone was trying to work and study from home, said Aubrey Abbott Patterson, president and chief executive officer of the Hutchinson Community Foundation.

“Peoples’ lives in Reno County will be changed for the better because of this project,” she said. “We're thankful multiple funding partners in the community believed in the importance of broadband expansion in Reno County and in the mission of IdeaTek, a locally owned internet service provider.”

Individuals interested in IdeaTek internet can check future availability and <a href="https://hookmeup.ideatek.com/landing">sign up now for service by clicking “Check Availability” and filling out the form.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584960838544.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Release from IdeaTekBUHLER, KAN. — Thousands of underserved Reno County residents in over 2,850 homes and businesses have found relief from poor internet connections. Thanks to internet pioneer IdeaTek and a Kansas Connectivity Emergency Response Grant (CERG), IdeaTek recently completed $2.5 million in infrastructure investment in Reno County and the surrounding area, including $2 million in CERG funding.“Crews have been working tirelessly throughout the fall and winter to provide high-speed internet to underserved, rural homes and businesses,” said Daniel Friesen, IdeaTek Founder and Chief Innovation Officer. “Many living in these areas rely on home internet for school, work and healthcare. Our goal was to fill in those connectivity gaps.”Underserved areas, as identified by the Federal Communications Commission, have download speeds of less than 25 megabytes per second and upload speeds of 3 Mbps. IdeaTek was able to stretch the grant funding as far as possible by leveraging its existing large fiber network then infilling all other underserved rural areas with 100 Mbps fixed wireless internet. The project included adding 25 miles of gigabit fiber to homes and businesses in Arlington, Abbyville, Langdon, Pretty Prairie and Willowbrook. The company also upgraded and installed more than 20 towers through the region, which provides ultra-fast unmetered wireless internet to rural areas of Reno County and parts of Harvey, Kingman, Rice, McPherson and Pratt counties.“Bridging the digital divide in Kansas wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the Kansas Department of Commerce’s Office of Broadband Development,” Friesen said. “The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated challenges in these communities, and Kansas Commerce allowed us to help scores of families who needed an affordable, reliable core utility during this time.”Friesen also thanked public works officials in each community, plus community partners and local legislators for their support. This includes the Reno County Commission, Hutchinson Community Foundation, the United Way of Reno County and the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce. “The combined effort of community partners and dedicated contractors and vendors helped make this massive construction project happen in a short timeframe,” he said.Rural Reno County had long suffered from slow or spotty broadband access, but the situation became urgent when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March and everyone was trying to work and study from home, said Aubrey Abbott Patterson, president and chief executive officer of the Hutchinson Community Foundation.“Peoples’ lives in Reno County will be changed for the better because of this project,” she said. “We're thankful multiple funding partners in the community believed in the importance of broadband expansion in Reno County and in the mission of IdeaTek, a locally owned internet service provider.”Individuals interested in IdeaTek internet can check future availability and <a href="https://hookmeup.ideatek.com/landing">sign up now for service by clicking “Check Availability” and filling out the form.</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.

Ready to Connect: IdeaTek project strengthens Reno County’s underserved communities


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — The HutchCC Police Science program has announced their first ever high school senior/junior Academy Day.

Due to social distancing guidelines two dates are being offered, April 2nd and April 9th, 2021 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Students can come spend the day and see how to take the first step toward a career as a law enforcement officer.

All participants and their chaperones must register. Space is limited to the first 30 <a href="https://www.hutchcc.edu/police-science">registered participants</a>. To ensure space for proper social distancing, there is a limit of two chaperones per participant.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613561311958.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — The HutchCC Police Science program has announced their first ever high school senior/junior Academy Day.Due to social distancing guidelines two dates are being offered, April 2nd and April 9th, 2021 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.Students can come spend the day and see how to take the first step toward a career as a law enforcement officer.All participants and their chaperones must register. Space is limited to the first 30 <a href="https://www.hutchcc.edu/police-science">registered participants</a>. To ensure space for proper social distancing, there is a limit of two chaperones per participant.
<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.

HutchCC Police Science Academy Day coming up in April


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —&nbsp;The Hutchinson City Council appears to not like the current deal on the table for the Atrium Hotel, but they want to do what the people want, so Mayor Steve Garza had a question for city staff at the meeting Tuesday.

"I've been thinking about this Atrium for a long time and talking to a lot of taxpayers," Garza said. "Is there any way that we could put that on, where we put it on the voting plans and let the citizens vote on this?"

City Manager Jeff Cantrell said yes the city could do a referendum, but if they do that, there could be unintended consequences.

"What would happen if we took it to the voters, it was turned down in an overwhelming majority and then because the building becomes blighted, which its rapidly becoming, we still have to address that issue and spend dollars to demolish the building and essentially do the same task of acquiring it in the first place? Unfortunately, when you would do some of those tasks, you wouldn't acquire the property, you would just mitigate the blight and so you still don't hold title to that property, but you might have spent two thirds of the money required to actually acquire title. You could find yourself in that ultimate quandary with the public."

Council member Sara Bagwell isn't sold on the idea as it is.

"I'm just not for spending $3 million on a piece of land where we're going to demolish most of it," Bagwell said. "I think we should either get a better deal and if we're going to continue with this deal, put it to a vote."

Council member Jade Piros de Carvalho doesn't like the current deal's provision for ongoing costs to the city, but she is a proponent of making a move on the Atrium in general.

"I just don't think we have the luxury to wait as long as we need to wait," Piros de Carvalho said. "I think we need to do something bold to not let one more property deteriorate and not lose one more thing for the community. I will remind the council that we actually invested $2.5 million in a parking garage that facilitated the development of the Wiley Building, which transformed that block of downtown. It's hard to understand the domino effect and all of the downstream benefits we're looking for, because they're not guaranteed. It's a gamble, and we typically don't like to gamble with public money."

Piros de Carvalho said it's also a gamble to continue to let properties decline.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613495920735.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>
By
NICK GOSNELL
Hutch
Post
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —&nbsp;The Hutchinson City Council appears to not like the current deal on the table for the Atrium Hotel, but they want to do what the people want, so Mayor Steve Garza had a question for city staff at the meeting Tuesday."I've been thinking about this Atrium for a long time and talking to a lot of taxpayers," Garza said. "Is there any way that we could put that on, where we put it on the voting plans and let the citizens vote on this?"City Manager Jeff Cantrell said yes the city could do a referendum, but if they do that, there could be unintended consequences."What would happen if we took it to the voters, it was turned down in an overwhelming majority and then because the building becomes blighted, which its rapidly becoming, we still have to address that issue and spend dollars to demolish the building and essentially do the same task of acquiring it in the first place? Unfortunately, when you would do some of those tasks, you wouldn't acquire the property, you would just mitigate the blight and so you still don't hold title to that property, but you might have spent two thirds of the money required to actually acquire title. You could find yourself in that ultimate quandary with the public."Council member Sara Bagwell isn't sold on the idea as it is."I'm just not for spending $3 million on a piece of land where we're going to demolish most of it," Bagwell said. "I think we should either get a better deal and if we're going to continue with this deal, put it to a vote."Council member Jade Piros de Carvalho doesn't like the current deal's provision for ongoing costs to the city, but she is a proponent of making a move on the Atrium in general."I just don't think we have the luxury to wait as long as we need to wait," Piros de Carvalho said. "I think we need to do something bold to not let one more property deteriorate and not lose one more thing for the community. I will remind the council that we actually invested $2.5 million in a parking garage that facilitated the development of the Wiley Building, which transformed that block of downtown. It's hard to understand the domino effect and all of the downstream benefits we're looking for, because they're not guaranteed. It's a gamble, and we typically don't like to gamble with public money."Piros de Carvalho said it's also a gamble to continue to let properties decline.
<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.

City council doesn't like Atrium deal; Garza asks about referendum

WABAUNSEE COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just before 6a.m. Tuesday in Wabaunsee County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis driven by Brian Christopher Sanders, 38, Junction City, was eastbound on Interstate 70 near Ranch Road passing a 2001 Lincoln Town Car driven by Christopher Drew Miles, 41, Lyons

The Lincoln began to skid while crossing a bridge.&nbsp; The Lincoln struck Mercury in the right rear quarter panel. 

Both vehicles spun out in the median of the interstate and the Lincoln struck a westbound guardrail and came to rest facing west. The Mercury&nbsp;came to rest in the median facing east.

EMS transported Sanders and Mies to Stormont Vail in Topeka. Both drivers were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

WABAUNSEE COUNTY —Two people were injured in an accident just before 6a.m. Tuesday in Wabaunsee County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis driven by Brian Christopher Sanders, 38, Junction City, was eastbound on Interstate 70 near Ranch Road passing a 2001 Lincoln Town Car driven by Christopher Drew Miles, 41, LyonsThe Lincoln began to skid while crossing a bridge.&nbsp; The Lincoln struck Mercury in the right rear quarter panel. Both vehicles spun out in the median of the interstate and the Lincoln struck a westbound guardrail and came to rest facing west. The Mercury&nbsp;came to rest in the median facing east.EMS transported Sanders and Mies to Stormont Vail in Topeka. Both drivers were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

Man from Lyons hospitalized after I-70 crash

BUHLER, Kan. — All students in Buhler USD 313 will return to class on Wednesday with two exceptions. Because of heating problems at both Union Valley Elementary and Buhler Grade School, those students will be in remote learning only.

And because of the continued frigid temperatures in the forecast for Wednesday morning, Prairie Hills Middle School, Plum Creek Elementary, and Buhler High School are all on a two-hour delay, but will hold class in-person.

The district also announced that there will be no a.m. pre-kindergarten Wednesday.

<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/2020/3/1584543839140.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BUHLER, Kan. — All students in Buhler USD 313 will return to class on Wednesday with two exceptions. Because of heating problems at both Union Valley Elementary and Buhler Grade School, those students will be in remote learning only.And because of the continued frigid temperatures in the forecast for Wednesday morning, Prairie Hills Middle School, Plum Creek Elementary, and Buhler High School are all on a two-hour delay, but will hold class in-person.The district also announced that there will be no a.m. pre-kindergarten Wednesday.<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.

USD 313 announces Wednesday schedules

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — For the first time in nearly four and a half months, all students in Hutchinson USD 308 will be in classrooms.

The last time all students were in class was Oct. 2. At that time, the pandemic drove the district into hybrid learning both remotely and in-person.

Only full-remote students will stay at home. Classes will begin at regular times on Wednesday.

Students in kindergarten through sixth grade are asked to bring their charged electronic device, its charger and cabling back to class on Wednesday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574794748723.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — For the first time in nearly four and a half months, all students in Hutchinson USD 308 will be in classrooms.The last time all students were in class was Oct. 2. At that time, the pandemic drove the district into hybrid learning both remotely and in-person.Only full-remote students will stay at home. Classes will begin at regular times on Wednesday.Students in kindergarten through sixth grade are asked to bring their charged electronic device, its charger and cabling back to class on Wednesday.<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.

USD 308 students back to onsite learning

MCPHERSON. Kan. —One person was injured in an accident just before 10a.m. Tuesday in McPherson County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported an SUV driven by 42-year-old&nbsp; Megan R.&nbsp;Hackney-Demirci, of Haysville, was northbound on Interstate 135 just north of Comanche Road.

The SUV ran over a tarp that came loose off the trailer of&nbsp; a semi and flew off.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Hackney-Demirci complained of pain, according to the KHP. The agency did not report where she was taken for treatment.&nbsp; 

The semi driver was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

MCPHERSON. Kan. —One person was injured in an accident just before 10a.m. Tuesday in McPherson County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported an SUV driven by 42-year-old&nbsp; Megan R.&nbsp;Hackney-Demirci, of Haysville, was northbound on Interstate 135 just north of Comanche Road.The SUV ran over a tarp that came loose off the trailer of&nbsp; a semi and flew off.&nbsp;&nbsp;Hackney-Demirci complained of pain, according to the KHP. The agency did not report where she was taken for treatment.&nbsp; The semi driver was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

Kan. woman injured after SUV ran over tarp from semi's trailer

Latest from Evergy as of 10:15 a.m. Tuesday...

Kansas City, MO – February 16, 2021 – As of 10:15 a.m. today, the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) lifted its requirement for the current emergency electricity reductions. Evergy will be restoring power to affected customers as soon as possible.

The SPP continues to operate under emergency energy alerts as extended cold temperatures continue to strain the regional power grid, so may request additional outages as the severe weather conditions continue. Evergy will provide updates on local and SPP system conditions as they become available.  

Due to extended extreme temperatures affecting the regional power supply and even greater energy demand, the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) has asked member electric utilities, including Evergy, to implement controlled, temporary emergency electricity reductions in order to help avoid larger uncontrolled and extended power outages throughout the region.

If you are impacted by an emergency electricity reduction, you do not need to report your outage. If you experience an outage that lasts longer than an hour, call 888-544-4852 (Kansas City Metro and Missouri customers) or 800-544-4857 (Kansas Central customers).

Evergy asks customers to continue to conserve energy to help reduce stress on the power grid, potentially reducing the ongoing need for emergency reductions.

Turn thermostats a little cooler (65-68 degrees). Avoid the use of electric space heaters. 

Close blinds and shades to reduce the amount of heat lost through windows. 

Turn off unnecessary lights and appliances

When possible, delay non-essential uses of energy washing drying clothes, washing dishes and bathing to non-peak hours, between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.  

Use low-temperature cooking methods and avoid opening the oven door if it’s on.

Evergy is also working with its large commercial and industrial customers to reduce energy usage this week. The company has reduced electricity use at Evergy facilities, implemented cold-weather procedures, and adapted operations at its power plants to keep equipment working and fuel available to generate electricity for customers.

Evergy is a member of the Southwest Power Pool, which coordinates the regional transmission grid and wholesale energy markets for a 17-state region across the central United States, including Kansas and Missouri. The SPP monitors power flow through its footprint and coordinates regional response in emergency situations.

In addition to the SPP call for reductions, its peers in Texas and the upper Midwest are also facing electricity shortages and are asking customers to conserve.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613387307936.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Latest from Evergy as of 10:15 a.m. Tuesday...Kansas City, MO – February 16, 2021 – As of 10:15 a.m. today, the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) lifted its requirement for the current emergency electricity reductions. Evergy will be restoring power to affected customers as soon as possible.The SPP continues to operate under emergency energy alerts as extended cold temperatures continue to strain the regional power grid, so may request additional outages as the severe weather conditions continue. Evergy will provide updates on local and SPP system conditions as they become available. Background:Due to extended extreme temperatures affecting the regional power supply and even greater energy demand, the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) has asked member electric utilities, including Evergy, to implement controlled, temporary emergency electricity reductions in order to help avoid larger uncontrolled and extended power outages throughout the region.If you are impacted by an emergency electricity reduction, you do not need to report your outage. If you experience an outage that lasts longer than an hour, call 888-544-4852 (Kansas City Metro and Missouri customers) or 800-544-4857 (Kansas Central customers).Evergy asks customers to continue to conserve energy to help reduce stress on the power grid, potentially reducing the ongoing need for emergency reductions.Turn thermostats a little cooler (65-68 degrees). Avoid the use of electric space heaters. Close blinds and shades to reduce the amount of heat lost through windows. Turn off unnecessary lights and appliancesWhen possible, delay non-essential uses of energy washing drying clothes, washing dishes and bathing to non-peak hours, between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. Use low-temperature cooking methods and avoid opening the oven door if it’s on.Evergy is also working with its large commercial and industrial customers to reduce energy usage this week. The company has reduced electricity use at Evergy facilities, implemented cold-weather procedures, and adapted operations at its power plants to keep equipment working and fuel available to generate electricity for customers.Evergy is a member of the Southwest Power Pool, which coordinates the regional transmission grid and wholesale energy markets for a 17-state region across the central United States, including Kansas and Missouri. The SPP monitors power flow through its footprint and coordinates regional response in emergency situations.In addition to the SPP call for reductions, its peers in Texas and the upper Midwest are also facing electricity shortages and are asking customers to conserve.

Power grid emergency ongoing, Evergy says things are okay for now


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — The regularly scheduled Hutchinson Planning Commission meeting for Tuesday, February 23, 2021 has been cancelled due to a lack of agenda items.

The next scheduled meeting will be held Tuesday, March 9, 2021 at 5:30 p.m.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1592409584284.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — The regularly scheduled Hutchinson Planning Commission meeting for Tuesday, February 23, 2021 has been cancelled due to a lack of agenda items.The next scheduled meeting will be held Tuesday, March 9, 2021 at 5:30 p.m.If you have any questions, you may contact the Planning Department.

Planning commission cancels meeting next week, will meet in March

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Amtrak’s Southwest Chief was left in Chicago for a second time as relentless snow battered that city, closing down rail lines. The Chief was also canceled on Saturday due to weather and was originally to resume service on Monday.&nbsp;

The Chicago area was hit with about 17 inches of snow. Amtrak Spokesperson Marc Magliari says they hope to be running again when the Chief makes its next scheduled trip on Thursday.

The passenger carrier has come under fire in the past for sending trains out into heavy winter conditions, occasionally leaving passengers and trains stranded.

If the train does leave Chicago on Thursday, it will arrive in Hutchinson around 3:20 Friday morning if all stays on schedule.

To get the latest, go to <a href="https://www.amtrak.com/home.html">amtrak.com</a> or call 1-800-USA-RAIL.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613490271690.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Amtrak’s Southwest Chief was left in Chicago for a second time as relentless snow battered that city, closing down rail lines. The Chief was also canceled on Saturday due to weather and was originally to resume service on Monday.&nbsp;The Chicago area was hit with about 17 inches of snow. Amtrak Spokesperson Marc Magliari says they hope to be running again when the Chief makes its next scheduled trip on Thursday.The passenger carrier has come under fire in the past for sending trains out into heavy winter conditions, occasionally leaving passengers and trains stranded.If the train does leave Chicago on Thursday, it will arrive in Hutchinson around 3:20 Friday morning if all stays on schedule.To get the latest, go to <a href="https://www.amtrak.com/home.html">amtrak.com</a> or call 1-800-USA-RAIL.

Amtrak service could resume Thursday after weather delays

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Cosmosphere will be hosting a virtual watch party on Thursday as another Mars Rover prepares to land on the Martian surface.&nbsp;

Michael Staab, Cosmosphere Camp alumnus and current Fault Management Systems Principal Engineer for Northrup Grummann will host the watch party leading up to the live landing of the next Mars rover: Perseverance.&nbsp;

Perseverance is set to land on Mars at 2:55 p.m. CST. Thursday.

The virtual watch party will be available through <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001VnaX8I7WS9j9AEnwsjG3457vsr4RXYvaDtASIbyJGYAlwpmMF3MGjdORX20sfCS5u3PUDODNfAhARBA7DZdAOLZMB1EmkPPmoahm4Ch-QbQeTYgIYCBDtQATf8FK9c1YcSz1JW0eocuPRYBMLsPZuA==&amp;c=skKEuopMSp2KhI8IIkiJMn5wrs68KWF841HtbVxutnFT7FcW3ziXsA==&amp;ch=pfwo0k1ehDXGvAauHbwpTdCRcftorEhe10IXyorpjo3Rbj3B_Km-nQ==">Zoom</a> or the <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001VnaX8I7WS9j9AEnwsjG3457vsr4RXYvaDtASIbyJGYAlwpmMF3MGjZX1TekZg-NPks7xf3DtOPCtyEEeY2yjv181DiWjjTaS3i1d9x9XqiakOhb-jN-nW8bqNbzW6jJA6gGRhnGEvyNh3FLuJjKQV6vAUu-60z209kHF0xtscLw=&amp;c=skKEuopMSp2KhI8IIkiJMn5wrs68KWF841HtbVxutnFT7FcW3ziXsA==&amp;ch=pfwo0k1ehDXGvAauHbwpTdCRcftorEhe10IXyorpjo3Rbj3B_Km-nQ==">Cosmosphere's Facebook page</a>.

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download">CLICK HERE</a> to download the HutchPost mobile app.

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea">CLICK HERE</a> to sign up for the daily HutchPost email news update.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613489072824.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Cosmosphere will be hosting a virtual watch party on Thursday as another Mars Rover prepares to land on the Martian surface.&nbsp;Michael Staab, Cosmosphere Camp alumnus and current Fault Management Systems Principal Engineer for Northrup Grummann will host the watch party leading up to the live landing of the next Mars rover: Perseverance.&nbsp;Perseverance is set to land on Mars at 2:55 p.m. CST. Thursday.The virtual watch party will be available through <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001VnaX8I7WS9j9AEnwsjG3457vsr4RXYvaDtASIbyJGYAlwpmMF3MGjdORX20sfCS5u3PUDODNfAhARBA7DZdAOLZMB1EmkPPmoahm4Ch-QbQeTYgIYCBDtQATf8FK9c1YcSz1JW0eocuPRYBMLsPZuA==&amp;c=skKEuopMSp2KhI8IIkiJMn5wrs68KWF841HtbVxutnFT7FcW3ziXsA==&amp;ch=pfwo0k1ehDXGvAauHbwpTdCRcftorEhe10IXyorpjo3Rbj3B_Km-nQ==">Zoom</a> or the <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001VnaX8I7WS9j9AEnwsjG3457vsr4RXYvaDtASIbyJGYAlwpmMF3MGjZX1TekZg-NPks7xf3DtOPCtyEEeY2yjv181DiWjjTaS3i1d9x9XqiakOhb-jN-nW8bqNbzW6jJA6gGRhnGEvyNh3FLuJjKQV6vAUu-60z209kHF0xtscLw=&amp;c=skKEuopMSp2KhI8IIkiJMn5wrs68KWF841HtbVxutnFT7FcW3ziXsA==&amp;ch=pfwo0k1ehDXGvAauHbwpTdCRcftorEhe10IXyorpjo3Rbj3B_Km-nQ==">Cosmosphere's Facebook page</a>.<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download">CLICK HERE</a> to download the HutchPost mobile app.<a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea">CLICK HERE</a> to sign up for the daily HutchPost email news update.

Cosmosphere watch party set for Thursday


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — The Hutchinson City Council had a discussion Tuesday on the bidding process for street projects as they looked at the 2021 Arterial Street Project. The low bid was from Pearson Construction, LLC at $1,139,088.90. Local contractor APAC-Kansas bid $1,149,249.03. Ultimately, City Attorney Paul Brown advised the council that they needed to take the low bid, because city policy says that is what they will do on street projects.

"If you go through this process and you don't follow your own policies, procedures and law and that company, Pearson, has gone to the time, trouble and expense of submitting a bid, that creates liability for the city and we could end up paying that cost. Now is not the time to abandon your policy and procedure and law. If you want to look at it in the future, great."

There appeared to be an appetite to look at it. Council member Jon Daveline in particular appeared to want to revisit the issue.

"I'm just still not comfortable with the exclusion of street construction projects, Daveline said. "I don't see how that affects the integrity of the bidding."

The idea is that if you favor local contractors too much, then non-locals won't even bid and then the locals won't have to give their best bid.

"These are actually historically lower than we've been getting lately," Brian Clennan with the city said. "It's about a dollar a square yard over the whole project. It's cheaper than we have been getting for bids on our street projects."

Councilmember Sara Bagwell said she believes that Pearson's presence has forced the overall bids lower. Mayor Steve Garza did say he'd like to see the policy looked at more closely and bidders to be informed of the possibility that local contractors could be allowed to match their bids if they are within a certain percentage, if the city chooses to change its policy to reflect that in the future.

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

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613492747169.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By
NICK GOSNELL
Hutch
Post
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — The Hutchinson City Council had a discussion Tuesday on the bidding process for street projects as they looked at the 2021 Arterial Street Project. The low bid was from Pearson Construction, LLC at $1,139,088.90. Local contractor APAC-Kansas bid $1,149,249.03. Ultimately, City Attorney Paul Brown advised the council that they needed to take the low bid, because city policy says that is what they will do on street projects."If you go through this process and you don't follow your own policies, procedures and law and that company, Pearson, has gone to the time, trouble and expense of submitting a bid, that creates liability for the city and we could end up paying that cost. Now is not the time to abandon your policy and procedure and law. If you want to look at it in the future, great."There appeared to be an appetite to look at it. Council member Jon Daveline in particular appeared to want to revisit the issue."I'm just still not comfortable with the exclusion of street construction projects, Daveline said. "I don't see how that affects the integrity of the bidding."The idea is that if you favor local contractors too much, then non-locals won't even bid and then the locals won't have to give their best bid."These are actually historically lower than we've been getting lately," Brian Clennan with the city said. "It's about a dollar a square yard over the whole project. It's cheaper than we have been getting for bids on our street projects."Councilmember Sara Bagwell said she believes that Pearson's presence has forced the overall bids lower. Mayor Steve Garza did say he'd like to see the policy looked at more closely and bidders to be informed of the possibility that local contractors could be allowed to match their bids if they are within a certain percentage, if the city chooses to change its policy to reflect that in the future.
<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK
HERE</a>&nbsp;to
download the HutchPost mobile app.
<a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK
HERE</a>&nbsp;to
sign up for the daily HutchPost email news update.

Hutchinson City Council takes low bid on street projects, will look at policy

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Several schools in the area are learning remotely today due to the adverse weather conditions. However, with a chance of rolling blackouts affecting the area, it's worth asking what would happen with classes in that case.

Hutchinson USD 308 says they will play it by ear. They did say if a blackout occurred students wouldn't be held absent or tardy during that time period. For Buhler USD 313 there are few changes since the district uses a non synchronized schedule, meaning students take the classes for the day at a time convenient to them. Evergy says the blackouts could last 30 to 60 minutes.

USD 313 Superintendent Cindy Couchman says they are watching tomorrow closely, as more problems are anticipated. Couchman says that if the blackouts remain short they will bring students into the schools for class. If there is a chance they could last longer than that, they will have to reconsider that decision.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607727903607.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Several schools in the area are learning remotely today due to the adverse weather conditions. However, with a chance of rolling blackouts affecting the area, it's worth asking what would happen with classes in that case.Hutchinson USD 308 says they will play it by ear. They did say if a blackout occurred students wouldn't be held absent or tardy during that time period. For Buhler USD 313 there are few changes since the district uses a non synchronized schedule, meaning students take the classes for the day at a time convenient to them. Evergy says the blackouts could last 30 to 60 minutes.USD 313 Superintendent Cindy Couchman says they are watching tomorrow closely, as more problems are anticipated. Couchman says that if the blackouts remain short they will bring students into the schools for class. If there is a chance they could last longer than that, they will have to reconsider that decision.