HAVEN, Kan.
— The Haven USD 312 School Board will meet in session this evening.

The Board
will go over its capital outlay expenditures for the next year. That includes the
renovation to the district's auditorium. Plans were to do that work last year
but the district was unable to secure bids for the project. No action is
expected. &nbsp;

The Board
will also discuss whether to bring back wrestling to the sports program. The
Board will look over the cost and whether the district can support the program.
The matter came before the Board when a group of parents expressed a desire to
bring the program back at a previous meeting.

Tonight’s
Haven USD 312 School Board meeting begins at 6 p.m. at the Haven High School
library. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1589217911668.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HAVEN, Kan.
— The Haven USD 312 School Board will meet in session this evening.The Board
will go over its capital outlay expenditures for the next year. That includes the
renovation to the district's auditorium. Plans were to do that work last year
but the district was unable to secure bids for the project. No action is
expected. &nbsp;The Board
will also discuss whether to bring back wrestling to the sports program. The
Board will look over the cost and whether the district can support the program.
The matter came before the Board when a group of parents expressed a desire to
bring the program back at a previous meeting.Tonight’s
Haven USD 312 School Board meeting begins at 6 p.m. at the Haven High School
library.

USD 312 Board to discuss wrestling program and capital spending

HUTCHINSON, Kan. —
The Hutchinson USD 308 School Board will take action on a new contract with the
district’s teachers during tonight’s agenda session. 

After a tentative
agreement was reached by the district and representatives of the local KNEA, the
district’s teachers approved the new contract on Friday.

The new contract calls for
a 2.5% increase in base salary and additional increase in step pay. It also
increases pay for substitute teaching and moves extra duty assignments to the
classified employee handbook and provides updated fees for such work as concession
stand work, work at track meets and taking and selling tickets to
extracurricular events.

The Board will also look
at several technology purchases along with purchases of additional cold food
storage purchases using SPARK funds available for nonprofits and schools.

Tonight’s meeting begins
at 6 p.m. at the Hutchinson CTEA located behind Hutchinson High School at 800
15th Circle.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1598350401105.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. —
The Hutchinson USD 308 School Board will take action on a new contract with the
district’s teachers during tonight’s agenda session. After a tentative
agreement was reached by the district and representatives of the local KNEA, the
district’s teachers approved the new contract on Friday.The new contract calls for
a 2.5% increase in base salary and additional increase in step pay. It also
increases pay for substitute teaching and moves extra duty assignments to the
classified employee handbook and provides updated fees for such work as concession
stand work, work at track meets and taking and selling tickets to
extracurricular events.The Board will also look
at several technology purchases along with purchases of additional cold food
storage purchases using SPARK funds available for nonprofits and schools.Tonight’s meeting begins
at 6 p.m. at the Hutchinson CTEA located behind Hutchinson High School at 800
15th Circle.

USD 308 Board to vote on new teachers contract 

HUTCHINSON,
Kan. The Reno County Health Department will hold a free flu vaccination clinic
on Friday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the health department offices. No
appointment is necessary. 

Everyone six
months and older should get a flu shot each year and different vaccinations
are available depending on that patient's situation. 

Masks are
required and social distancing will be practiced. If you would like more information
you can contact the Reno County Health Department at 620-694-2900.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1589472383275.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON,
Kan. The Reno County Health Department will hold a free flu vaccination clinic
on Friday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the health department offices. No
appointment is necessary. Everyone six
months and older should get a flu shot each year and different vaccinations
are available depending on that patient's situation. Masks are
required and social distancing will be practiced. If you would like more information
you can contact the Reno County Health Department at 620-694-2900.

Flu vaccination clinic set for Friday in Hutchinson

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-pandemics-virus-outbreak-public-health-san-francisco-319dee82242fe00091cdf98b8f5df29a">According to the Associated Press</a>, Joe Biden on Monday named the members of a team of public health and science experts to develop a blueprint for fighting the coronavirus.

One of the members is a Hutchinson High School grad. Dr. Rick Bright graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1984 and studied at the University of Kansas. He began his medical career in Olathe. Bright is an immunologist and virologist who left the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority in October after criticizing the federal government’s response to the coronavirus under President Donald Trump. Bright filed a whistleblower complaint alleging he was reassigned to a lesser job because he resisted political pressure to allow widespread use of hydroxychloroquine, a malaria drug Trump pushed as a COVID-19 treatment.

Dr. David Kessler, co-chair. Professor of pediatrics and epidemiology and biostatistics at the University of California, San Francisco, U.S. Food and Drug Administration commissioner from 1990 to 1997.

Dr. Vivek Murthy, co-chair. U.S. surgeon general from 2014-17, who commanded public health force that dealt with Ebola, Zika and Flint water crisis.

Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith, co-chair. Associate professor of internal medicine, public health and management at Yale University and associate dean for health equity research at Yale’s medical school specializing in health care for marginalized populations.

Dr. Luciana Borio. Vice president of technical staff at the In-Q-Tel strategic investment firm who until last year was a biodefense specialist on the National Security Council.

Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel. Oncologist and chair of the Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy at the University of Pennsylvania who since 1997 has served as chair of the Department of Bioethics at The Clinical Center of the National Institutes of Health.

Dr. Atul Gawande. Professor of surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and at Harvard Medical School who served as a senior adviser in the Department of Health and Human Services in the Clinton administration.

Dr. Celine Gounder. Clinical assistant professor at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine who served as assistant commissioner and director of the Bureau of Tuberculosis Control at New York City’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

Dr. Julie Morita. Executive vice president of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation who helped lead Chicago’s Department of Public Health for nearly 20 years.

Dr. Michael Osterholm. Director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, former science envoy for health security for the State Department.

Ms. Loyce Pace. Executive director and president of the Global Health Council, who previously served in leadership positions at the American Cancer Society.

Dr. Robert Rodriguez. Professor of emergency medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine.

Dr. Eric Goosby. Infectious disease expert and professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine who during the Clinton administration was the founding director of the largest federally funded HIV/AIDS program.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1589465492376.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-pandemics-virus-outbreak-public-health-san-francisco-319dee82242fe00091cdf98b8f5df29a">According to the Associated Press</a>, Joe Biden on Monday named the members of a team of public health and science experts to develop a blueprint for fighting the coronavirus. One of the members is a Hutchinson High School grad. Dr. Rick Bright graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1984 and studied at the University of Kansas. He began his medical career in Olathe. Bright is an immunologist and virologist who left the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority in October after criticizing the federal government’s response to the coronavirus under President Donald Trump. Bright filed a whistleblower complaint alleging he was reassigned to a lesser job because he resisted political pressure to allow widespread use of hydroxychloroquine, a malaria drug Trump pushed as a COVID-19 treatment.The other members are:Dr. David Kessler, co-chair. Professor of pediatrics and epidemiology and biostatistics at the University of California, San Francisco, U.S. Food and Drug Administration commissioner from 1990 to 1997.Dr. Vivek Murthy, co-chair. U.S. surgeon general from 2014-17, who commanded public health force that dealt with Ebola, Zika and Flint water crisis.Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith, co-chair. Associate professor of internal medicine, public health and management at Yale University and associate dean for health equity research at Yale’s medical school specializing in health care for marginalized populations.Dr. Luciana Borio. Vice president of technical staff at the In-Q-Tel strategic investment firm who until last year was a biodefense specialist on the National Security Council.Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel. Oncologist and chair of the Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy at the University of Pennsylvania who since 1997 has served as chair of the Department of Bioethics at The Clinical Center of the National Institutes of Health.Dr. Atul Gawande. Professor of surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and at Harvard Medical School who served as a senior adviser in the Department of Health and Human Services in the Clinton administration.Dr. Celine Gounder. Clinical assistant professor at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine who served as assistant commissioner and director of the Bureau of Tuberculosis Control at New York City’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.Dr. Julie Morita. Executive vice president of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation who helped lead Chicago’s Department of Public Health for nearly 20 years.Dr. Michael Osterholm. Director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, former science envoy for health security for the State Department.Ms. Loyce Pace. Executive director and president of the Global Health Council, who previously served in leadership positions at the American Cancer Society.Dr. Robert Rodriguez. Professor of emergency medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine.Dr. Eric Goosby. Infectious disease expert and professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine who during the Clinton administration was the founding director of the largest federally funded HIV/AIDS program.

Dr. Rick Bright named to Biden COVID-19 team

Glenn Brunkow, Pottawatomie County farmer and rancher

Thanksgiving is just a couple of weeks away, and in 2020 it may not seem like we have a lot to be thankful for. I admit that the last six months or so have been tough, and if you are watching the news it is hard to be very optimistic. However, I am really excited about this Thanksgiving, and all of us in agriculture should be, too.

Sure, we may not be able to have the large family reunions and dinners we are all used to. Let us not focus on the negative, instead we need to be reminded of all that we have and just how great our nation is. Never forget that we live in the greatest nation and our freedoms and rights are the envy of the rest of the world. That, my friends, all starts with us as farmers and ranchers, and we should be proud of that fact. More importantly, we need to celebrate it this Thanksgiving.

As farmers and ranchers, we are part of the foundation of our United States of America. The Pilgrims recognized that. Without an abundant, safe, wholesome food supply it is hard to build a nation, much less one as great as ours. In the middle of the worst pandemic most of us have ever seen, our grocery store shelves remained stocked. There might have been a few things that were harder to find, but consumers could still go into the store and find food to sustain themselves and their families. I would dare even say they had plenty of variety.

Those of us in agriculture are so good at what we do we can function with less than 2 percent of the population involved in growing the food and fiber. That allows the other 98 percent of the population to grow our economy and provide services to give us the lifestyle we are all accustomed to. We do not just feed our people; we grow enough to share with the rest of the world by utilizing technology we have developed.

This Thanksgiving all of us in the United States need to look at all we have been given and be thankful. Without a doubt that includes our great system of agricultural production. We must also not take all these blessings for granted. I hope this Thanksgiving will be a time the rest of the population realizes just how good they have it, and that is due in large part to all of us who farm and ranch.

We may have seen some dark days, and there probably are more ahead of us. However, we can all rest assured that the store shelves will be stocked and there will be plenty of food for Thanksgiving, no matter how many are gathered around our table. We all have so much to be thankful for and that is something we should not forget.

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576508626397.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Glenn Brunkow, Pottawatomie County farmer and rancherThanksgiving is just a couple of weeks away, and in 2020 it may not seem like we have a lot to be thankful for. I admit that the last six months or so have been tough, and if you are watching the news it is hard to be very optimistic. However, I am really excited about this Thanksgiving, and all of us in agriculture should be, too.Sure, we may not be able to have the large family reunions and dinners we are all used to. Let us not focus on the negative, instead we need to be reminded of all that we have and just how great our nation is. Never forget that we live in the greatest nation and our freedoms and rights are the envy of the rest of the world. That, my friends, all starts with us as farmers and ranchers, and we should be proud of that fact. More importantly, we need to celebrate it this Thanksgiving.As farmers and ranchers, we are part of the foundation of our United States of America. The Pilgrims recognized that. Without an abundant, safe, wholesome food supply it is hard to build a nation, much less one as great as ours. In the middle of the worst pandemic most of us have ever seen, our grocery store shelves remained stocked. There might have been a few things that were harder to find, but consumers could still go into the store and find food to sustain themselves and their families. I would dare even say they had plenty of variety.Those of us in agriculture are so good at what we do we can function with less than 2 percent of the population involved in growing the food and fiber. That allows the other 98 percent of the population to grow our economy and provide services to give us the lifestyle we are all accustomed to. We do not just feed our people; we grow enough to share with the rest of the world by utilizing technology we have developed.This Thanksgiving all of us in the United States need to look at all we have been given and be thankful. Without a doubt that includes our great system of agricultural production. We must also not take all these blessings for granted. I hope this Thanksgiving will be a time the rest of the population realizes just how good they have it, and that is due in large part to all of us who farm and ranch.We may have seen some dark days, and there probably are more ahead of us. However, we can all rest assured that the store shelves will be stocked and there will be plenty of food for Thanksgiving, no matter how many are gathered around our table. We all have so much to be thankful for and that is something we should not forget."Insight" is a weekly column published by Kansas Farm Bureau, the state's largest farm organization whose mission is to strengthen agriculture and the lives of Kansans through advocacy, education and service. Copyright © 2020 Kansas Farm Bureau, All rights reserved.

Insight: Giving Thanks

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Eagle Radio's Christmas Codeword contest continues today.

Listen to <a href="https://www.khmyfm.com/">My 93-1</a>, <a href="https://www.country1029.com/">Country 102.9</a> or <a href="http://www.kwbwradio.com/default.asp?sec_id=140000775">KWBW</a> around 9 a.m., noon and 3 p.m. to catch the Christmas Codeword from Jackson Meat.

When you hear the codeword, you have 15 minutes to enter it below.

<a href="https://hutchpost.secondstreetapp.com/Christmas-Codeword---Jackson-Meat/">CLICK HERE TO ENTER THE CONTEST</a>

Today's winner will receive a $100 gift card to <a href="https://jacksonmeat.com/">Jackson Meat</a>.

All valid entries are eligible to win the $1,000 Christmas shopping spree.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Eagle Radio's Christmas Codeword contest continues today.Listen to <a href="https://www.khmyfm.com/">My 93-1</a>, <a href="https://www.country1029.com/">Country 102.9</a> or <a href="http://www.kwbwradio.com/default.asp?sec_id=140000775">KWBW</a> around 9 a.m., noon and 3 p.m. to catch the Christmas Codeword from Jackson Meat.When you hear the codeword, you have 15 minutes to enter it below.<a href="https://hutchpost.secondstreetapp.com/Christmas-Codeword---Jackson-Meat/">CLICK HERE TO ENTER THE CONTEST</a>Today's winner will receive a $100 gift card to <a href="https://jacksonmeat.com/">Jackson Meat</a>.All valid entries are eligible to win the $1,000 Christmas shopping spree.

Christmas Codeword today!


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —&nbsp;If you drove by Hutchinson Regional Medical Center over the weekend, you may have seen a tent up outside the emergency department.

"This is a triage tent or a mass casualty tent that we keep, and many hospitals have them, for extra square footage in case they need more capability," said Chuck Welch with the hospital. "If there's any sort of a natural disaster, or in this case, we just need extra square footage to hold, maybe, extra visitors. If we go to extended restrictions at the hospital, to where we're not allowing visitors in the hospital any more, family members may bring in somebody to the ED and this may be a warm spot for them to sit and wait outside the hospital, rather than having to sit in their car."

The hospital is actively considering further restrictions on visitors due to the COVID caseload.

"We're talking about that every day," Welch said. "As the caseload, as the COVID caseload continues to go up and we have to pull nursing resources and respiratory care and staffing resources from other areas to take care of our COVID patients, that becomes more and more of a consideration."

The numbers are just getting to be too much for the staff they have.

"At one point over the weekend, we had 41 positive COVID cases in the hospital," Welch said. "To say that we are stretched at this point would be an understatement. We are scrambling to try to find staff. Today, we are at 33 positive COVID patients."

The number of intubated and ventilated patients fluctuate anywhere from six to ten and change multiple times a day as people come on and off of that treatment.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1604931880070.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>
By
NICK GOSNELL
Hutch
Post
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —&nbsp;If you drove by Hutchinson Regional Medical Center over the weekend, you may have seen a tent up outside the emergency department."This is a triage tent or a mass casualty tent that we keep, and many hospitals have them, for extra square footage in case they need more capability," said Chuck Welch with the hospital. "If there's any sort of a natural disaster, or in this case, we just need extra square footage to hold, maybe, extra visitors. If we go to extended restrictions at the hospital, to where we're not allowing visitors in the hospital any more, family members may bring in somebody to the ED and this may be a warm spot for them to sit and wait outside the hospital, rather than having to sit in their car."The hospital is actively considering further restrictions on visitors due to the COVID caseload."We're talking about that every day," Welch said. "As the caseload, as the COVID caseload continues to go up and we have to pull nursing resources and respiratory care and staffing resources from other areas to take care of our COVID patients, that becomes more and more of a consideration."The numbers are just getting to be too much for the staff they have."At one point over the weekend, we had 41 positive COVID cases in the hospital," Welch said. "To say that we are stretched at this point would be an understatement. We are scrambling to try to find staff. Today, we are at 33 positive COVID patients."The number of intubated and ventilated patients fluctuate anywhere from six to ten and change multiple times a day as people come on and off of that treatment.

Triage tent up at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center

November 9, 2020 Morning News

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Reno County overall case count is at 1039 as of Sunday morning. The death count among Reno County residents is now 20.

The Correctional Facility cluster type has 603 active cases measured by the county's COVID-19 dashboard. All other active cluster types have a total of 52 cases. There are 32 active clusters in the county.

There are 466 cases in the community at large.

Twenty-nine people are in the hospital. 120 total have been hospitalized. Forty-nine have been admitted to the ICU and 16 have been intubated. These are Reno County resident numbers regardless of where they are hospitalized.

The community's positive test rate is up to 13.89%, with the overall positive test rate at 20.98%. 21.64% of the population has been tested.

The next community testing date with appointments available is Tuesday at the Oz Breezeway on the Kansas State Fairgrounds from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. To schedule your appointment, call 1-844-834-3657.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595202434504.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Reno County overall case count is at 1039 as of Sunday morning. The death count among Reno County residents is now 20.The Correctional Facility cluster type has 603 active cases measured by the county's COVID-19 dashboard. All other active cluster types have a total of 52 cases. There are 32 active clusters in the county.There are 466 cases in the community at large.Twenty-nine people are in the hospital. 120 total have been hospitalized. Forty-nine have been admitted to the ICU and 16 have been intubated. These are Reno County resident numbers regardless of where they are hospitalized.The community's positive test rate is up to 13.89%, with the overall positive test rate at 20.98%. 21.64% of the population has been tested.The next community testing date with appointments available is Tuesday at the Oz Breezeway on the Kansas State Fairgrounds from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. To schedule your appointment, call 1-844-834-3657.

Case count in Reno County is 1039, with 466 in community as of Sunday morning

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson USD 308 Food Service Director Jennifer Tatro says that, with the extra volume of food and milk needed to handle the remote learning situation, she is requesting that SPARKS funds be used to purchase additional freezers and coolers to handle the extra food and milk.

The request will go before the USD 308 School Board on Monday. The request is for eight single-door freezers for elementary schools and one double-door fridge and one double-door freezer for HHS. Tatro says the extra equipment is needed at those locations to handle the additional volume of supplies needed at one time due to handing out several day hybrid or remote meal kits. Serving multiple day meal kits allows families to only have to pick up meals once per week instead of daily. The low bid is from Central Restaurant Supply at $29,985.25.&nbsp;

Tatro is also asking for 10 milk coolers to use at the eight elementary schools and one each at HMS-7 and at the high school to handle the additional volume of milk that is being distributed at one time to cover the multiple day meal kits. The cost is $35,450 and, once again, SPARKS funds will be used to make the purchase if approved by the board.

The matter will be taken up during the board's regular meeting Monday evening.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1598350401105.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson USD 308 Food Service Director Jennifer Tatro says that, with the extra volume of food and milk needed to handle the remote learning situation, she is requesting that SPARKS funds be used to purchase additional freezers and coolers to handle the extra food and milk.The request will go before the USD 308 School Board on Monday. The request is for eight single-door freezers for elementary schools and one double-door fridge and one double-door freezer for HHS. Tatro says the extra equipment is needed at those locations to handle the additional volume of supplies needed at one time due to handing out several day hybrid or remote meal kits. Serving multiple day meal kits allows families to only have to pick up meals once per week instead of daily. The low bid is from Central Restaurant Supply at $29,985.25.&nbsp;Tatro is also asking for 10 milk coolers to use at the eight elementary schools and one each at HMS-7 and at the high school to handle the additional volume of milk that is being distributed at one time to cover the multiple day meal kits. The cost is $35,450 and, once again, SPARKS funds will be used to make the purchase if approved by the board.The matter will be taken up during the board's regular meeting Monday evening.

USD 308 Board to consider food service purchases Monday

HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — At the start of the summer, the Friends of the Hutchinson Public Library had
to stop accepting donations because there wasn’t room for donated books. Now that has
changed.&nbsp;

The group is now accepting donations of books and magazines.
Designated carts will be placed outside the garage doors behind the
library.&nbsp;

The items
will be placed in quarantine for 7 days before they are sorted, cleaned, and
ready to sell in the Friendshop Book Store.

Donations
will only be accepted on Wednesdays. The library also asks that you do not
leave donations when rain or bad weather is expected.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1588865810156.jpeg" alt="Library 2.jpeg" />
 <figcaption>Library 2.jpeg</figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — At the start of the summer, the Friends of the Hutchinson Public Library had
to stop accepting donations because there wasn’t room for donated books. Now that has
changed.&nbsp;The group is now accepting donations of books and magazines.
Designated carts will be placed outside the garage doors behind the
library.&nbsp;The items
will be placed in quarantine for 7 days before they are sorted, cleaned, and
ready to sell in the Friendshop Book Store.Donations
will only be accepted on Wednesdays. The library also asks that you do not
leave donations when rain or bad weather is expected.

Friends of the Library now accepting donations

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Road and shoulder work continues along
Cherry Hills Drive north near E 43rd Avenue.

Hutchinson Public Works announced Friday that Cherry Hills
will be closed from Jupiter Hills to near Spyglass starting Monday for street
and shoulder work and repairs.

The work is expected to last until November 20. If you need
any information on this or other city street project, contact the Hutchinson
Public Works&nbsp; department at 620-694-1900.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1601476427799.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Road and shoulder work continues along
Cherry Hills Drive north near E 43rd Avenue.Hutchinson Public Works announced Friday that Cherry Hills
will be closed from Jupiter Hills to near Spyglass starting Monday for street
and shoulder work and repairs.The work is expected to last until November 20. If you need
any information on this or other city street project, contact the Hutchinson
Public Works&nbsp; department at 620-694-1900.

Cherry Hills Drive closed starting Monday


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —&nbsp;Reno County Interim Health Officer Karen Hammersmith believes that COVID-19 has had a negative effect on the whole community, even on those who have not yet been infected.

"We don't know when that accident is going to happen," Hammersmith said. "We don't know when somebody's going to have a heart attack, if they're going to have a motor vehicle accident and there's only so many people to go around and that's why we really have to slow down and be intentional about our actions."

The healthcare system is under extreme stress from COVID-19 cases and it is vitally important that the community voluntarily slow their lives down to slow the spread.

"The people that we know are sick in the hospital, most of them have underlying conditions, most of them are older," Hammersmith said. "Some of them are middle age. It doesn't necessarily mean, you know, that they came from a nursing home by any means, but when your child has a motor vehicle accident and they're critical, they're still feeding into the same hospital who is overwhelmed in the ER and they're overwhelmed in the ICU and we want to give good care to everybody."

The community is in the midst of the 10-day COVID-Cut Off in an effort to slow the spread of the virus in the community.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1604716965620.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>
By
NICK GOSNELL
Hutch
Post
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —&nbsp;Reno County Interim Health Officer Karen Hammersmith believes that COVID-19 has had a negative effect on the whole community, even on those who have not yet been infected."We don't know when that accident is going to happen," Hammersmith said. "We don't know when somebody's going to have a heart attack, if they're going to have a motor vehicle accident and there's only so many people to go around and that's why we really have to slow down and be intentional about our actions."The healthcare system is under extreme stress from COVID-19 cases and it is vitally important that the community voluntarily slow their lives down to slow the spread."The people that we know are sick in the hospital, most of them have underlying conditions, most of them are older," Hammersmith said. "Some of them are middle age. It doesn't necessarily mean, you know, that they came from a nursing home by any means, but when your child has a motor vehicle accident and they're critical, they're still feeding into the same hospital who is overwhelmed in the ER and they're overwhelmed in the ICU and we want to give good care to everybody."The community is in the midst of the 10-day COVID-Cut Off in an effort to slow the spread of the virus in the community.

Hammersmith: Key to treating all patients is stopping COVID-19 spread

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Horizons Mental Health Center in Hutchinson is one of 26 community mental health centers to share in $39,000 worth of grants to assist with providing services in Kansas.

In lieu of the Tower Mental Health Foundation’s usual grant application process, the board approved $1,500 cash awards to help offset some of the extra expenses incurred by the community mental health centers because of the pandemic.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Tower Mental Health Foundation of Kansas was created as a result of an agreement between the attorney general’s office and the Menninger Foundation in 2007. It offers support to organizations that provide mental health services in Kansas.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587129819284.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Horizons Mental Health Center in Hutchinson is one of 26 community mental health centers to share in $39,000 worth of grants to assist with providing services in Kansas.In lieu of the Tower Mental Health Foundation’s usual grant application process, the board approved $1,500 cash awards to help offset some of the extra expenses incurred by the community mental health centers because of the pandemic.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Tower Mental Health Foundation of Kansas was created as a result of an agreement between the attorney general’s office and the Menninger Foundation in 2007. It offers support to organizations that provide mental health services in Kansas.&nbsp;

Horizons receives grant from Tower Foundation

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Before he is the new 34th District Senator, Dr. Mark Steffen will be a county commissioner.&nbsp;

Steffen is expected to be sworn in on Monday and will be on the bench for Tuesday’s County Commission meeting. He’ll follow that with his move to Topeka to be the area's new senator after winning the general election.

Steffen was appointed to replace the late Bob Bush by a 12-1 vote during a special meeting of the Reno County Republican Committee. He actually won over Daniel Friesen, who will become the new county commissioner after he won that seat on Tuesday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1593008647850.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Before he is the new 34th District Senator, Dr. Mark Steffen will be a county commissioner.&nbsp;Steffen is expected to be sworn in on Monday and will be on the bench for Tuesday’s County Commission meeting. He’ll follow that with his move to Topeka to be the area's new senator after winning the general election.Steffen was appointed to replace the late Bob Bush by a 12-1 vote during a special meeting of the Reno County Republican Committee. He actually won over Daniel Friesen, who will become the new county commissioner after he won that seat on Tuesday.

Steffen expected to be ready for Tuesday's commission meeting

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A Hutchinson man whose short sentence was overturned by the Court of Appeals will be back in court Thursday to be resentenced.

Taylor Lukone was given the two-year sentence for a conviction of reckless second-degree murder in the death of 51-year-old Jose Lopez. Lukone rammed Lopez, who was on a bicycle, with his car. The incident happened following a confrontation between the two parties.

The case went to the Supreme Court, which refused to address the case, thus sending it back to Reno County.

Lukone got the unexpected break from what could have been an 11-year sentence when Judge Trish Rose granted her own departure in the case, going against the plea agreement from both the state and the defense. Rose cited Lukone’s lack of criminal history and his age as reasons for the 99-month departure.

The Court of Appeals stated that the extent of Rose’s departure was not proportionate to the severity level of Lukone's crimes. As a result, Rose’s 99-month departure was outside the framework of the legal standards and statutory limitations placed on it by the KSGA grid. Thus, this constituted an abuse of discretion.

Thursday's sentencing is set for 3 p.m. before Judge Rose.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1604693330468.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A Hutchinson man whose short sentence was overturned by the Court of Appeals will be back in court Thursday to be resentenced.Taylor Lukone was given the two-year sentence for a conviction of reckless second-degree murder in the death of 51-year-old Jose Lopez. Lukone rammed Lopez, who was on a bicycle, with his car. The incident happened following a confrontation between the two parties.The case went to the Supreme Court, which refused to address the case, thus sending it back to Reno County.Lukone got the unexpected break from what could have been an 11-year sentence when Judge Trish Rose granted her own departure in the case, going against the plea agreement from both the state and the defense. Rose cited Lukone’s lack of criminal history and his age as reasons for the 99-month departure.The Court of Appeals stated that the extent of Rose’s departure was not proportionate to the severity level of Lukone's crimes. As a result, Rose’s 99-month departure was outside the framework of the legal standards and statutory limitations placed on it by the KSGA grid. Thus, this constituted an abuse of discretion.Thursday's sentencing is set for 3 p.m. before Judge Rose.

Resentencing set in Lukone murder case

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Midwest Superstore and Eagle Radio's 10th annual Stuff the Trucks event Saturday morning from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. collected 4,055 pounds of food at Wal-Mart for the Reno County Food Bank in Hutchinson.

In addition to all of the members of the community who gave of their time, talent, treasure and muscle on Saturday, Midwest Superstore and Eagle Radio also want to thank these additional local sponsors:

J &amp; J Drainage Prairie Star Health Center A &amp; A Appliance Pools Plus Hog Wild Pit BBQ Mike's Rent-To-Own&nbsp; &nbsp;and Fastlane Express Car Wash&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1604808835616.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Midwest Superstore and Eagle Radio's 10th annual Stuff the Trucks event Saturday morning from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. collected 4,055 pounds of food at Wal-Mart for the Reno County Food Bank in Hutchinson.In addition to all of the members of the community who gave of their time, talent, treasure and muscle on Saturday, Midwest Superstore and Eagle Radio also want to thank these additional local sponsors:J &amp; J Drainage Prairie Star Health Center A &amp; A Appliance Pools Plus Hog Wild Pit BBQ Mike's Rent-To-Own&nbsp; &nbsp;and Fastlane Express Car Wash&nbsp;

Tenth annual Stuff the Trucks collects over two tons of food

RENO COUNTY — A Hutchinson woman was injured in an accident Friday afternoon in Reno County on K-61 southwest of Partridge.

The Reno County Sheriff's Office reports that deputies were called around 2 p.m. Friday to the railroad tracks near K-61 and Longview Road. 

A 34-year-old from Hutchinson was driving her 2013 Chrysler Town and Country van and crossing the railroad track on the west side of K-61 on Longview when she did not yield the right of way to a railroad tamper that was coming down the tracks from the south. 

A tamper is a machine that is driven on the track and is used to level the tracks.  The van was pushed off of the roadway and into the ditch. The driver was wearing her seatbelt and airbags did deploy, however the driver had injuries requiring transport via helicopter. 

The extent of injuries are unknown at this time.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583185956572.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>RENO COUNTY — A Hutchinson woman was injured in an accident Friday afternoon in Reno County on K-61 southwest of Partridge.The Reno County Sheriff's Office reports that deputies were called around 2 p.m. Friday to the railroad tracks near K-61 and Longview Road. A 34-year-old from Hutchinson was driving her 2013 Chrysler Town and Country van and crossing the railroad track on the west side of K-61 on Longview when she did not yield the right of way to a railroad tamper that was coming down the tracks from the south. A tamper is a machine that is driven on the track and is used to level the tracks. The van was pushed off of the roadway and into the ditch. The driver was wearing her seatbelt and airbags did deploy, however the driver had injuries requiring transport via helicopter. The extent of injuries are unknown at this time.

Hutchinson woman injured in Friday afternoon accident

Release from Hutchinson Police Department

HUTCHINSON, Kan.— Members of the Hutchinson Police Department investigated a juvenile sex offense. Following the investigation, 37-year-old Dylan Carey was arrested&nbsp; on Friday afternoon.

Friday at approximately 12:30 p.m., members of the Hutchinson Police Department Special Operations and Investigations Bureau completed an investigation into a Juvenile Sexual Offense.&nbsp; Carey was arrested for (1) Indecent Solicitation of a child, (2) Sexual Exploitation of a Child, and (3) Electronic Solicitation.

If anyone has information in reference to this case or any crime, please call Crime Stoppers of Reno County at 1-800-222-TIPS, the Hutchinson Police Department at 620-694-2824, or use your P3Tips App on your smartphone.&nbsp;

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1604761509795.png" alt="" />
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 </figure>Release from Hutchinson Police DepartmentHUTCHINSON, Kan.— Members of the Hutchinson Police Department investigated a juvenile sex offense. Following the investigation, 37-year-old Dylan Carey was arrested&nbsp; on Friday afternoon.Friday at approximately 12:30 p.m., members of the Hutchinson Police Department Special Operations and Investigations Bureau completed an investigation into a Juvenile Sexual Offense.&nbsp; Carey was arrested for (1) Indecent Solicitation of a child, (2) Sexual Exploitation of a Child, and (3) Electronic Solicitation.If anyone has information in reference to this case or any crime, please call Crime Stoppers of Reno County at 1-800-222-TIPS, the Hutchinson Police Department at 620-694-2824, or use your P3Tips App on your smartphone.&nbsp;

Hutchinson man arrested on sex offense charges


HARVEY COUNTY — 
A carload of Tabor College students were in a rollover accident in Harvey County Friday night.

According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, a 2003 Chevrolet Impala driven by 18-year-old Sloan Roebuck of Encinita, California was driving southbound on NE Lake Rd approaching NE 96th St between Walton and Peabody. The Impala left the road way to the right on the curve. Roebuck overcorrected causing the Impala to leave the roadway to the right and roll. The vehicle came to rest on its roof facing northeast, to the south of NE Lake Rd and West of U50.

Roebuck and her passengers, 18-year-old Stephanie Torres, 18-year-old Nathan Seelbach and 17-year-old Casira Pearl Angel were all taken to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita with suspected serious injuries.

Roebuck and Torres are listed on the Tabor College <a href="https://www.taborbluejays.com/roster/18/8">women's soccer</a> roster, Seelbach is listed as a <a href="https://www.taborbluejays.com/roster/18/4">men's soccer</a> player and Angel was listed as a <a href="https://www.taborbluejays.com/recent-recruits/ID/939">cheer recruit</a> for the Hillsboro school.

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HARVEY COUNTY — 
A carload of Tabor College students were in a rollover accident in Harvey County Friday night.According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, a 2003 Chevrolet Impala driven by 18-year-old Sloan Roebuck of Encinita, California was driving southbound on NE Lake Rd approaching NE 96th St between Walton and Peabody. The Impala left the road way to the right on the curve. Roebuck overcorrected causing the Impala to leave the roadway to the right and roll. The vehicle came to rest on its roof facing northeast, to the south of NE Lake Rd and West of U50.Roebuck and her passengers, 18-year-old Stephanie Torres, 18-year-old Nathan Seelbach and 17-year-old Casira Pearl Angel were all taken to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita with suspected serious injuries.Roebuck and Torres are listed on the Tabor College <a href="https://www.taborbluejays.com/roster/18/8">women's soccer</a> roster, Seelbach is listed as a <a href="https://www.taborbluejays.com/roster/18/4">men's soccer</a> player and Angel was listed as a <a href="https://www.taborbluejays.com/recent-recruits/ID/939">cheer recruit</a> for the Hillsboro school.The accident occurred at 7:50 p.m.

Tabor College students in Harvey County rollover Friday night

Due to a misentry of data from the county's dashboard, a previous version of this story undercounted the number of cases in long-term care facilities. The number is correct as of the latest update Friday evening.


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
The Reno County overall case count is at 908 as of Friday evening. The death count among Reno County residents is now 19.

The Correctional Facility cluster type has 571 active cases measured by the county's COVID-19 dashboard. The Long Term Care Facility cluster type has 12 active cases, but has been responsible for 6 deaths. There are 28 active clusters in the county.

There are 367 cases in the community at large.

Twenty-six people are in the hospital. One hundred fifteen total have been hospitalized. Forty-nine have been admitted to the ICU and 16 have been intubated. These are Reno County resident numbers regardless of where they are hospitalized.

The community's positive test rate is up to 13.11%, with the overall positive test rate at 20.21%. 21.31% of the population has been tested.

The next community testing date is Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Oz Breezeway on the Kansas State Fairgrounds. To schedule your appointment, call 1-844-834-3657.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595202434504.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Due to a misentry of data from the county's dashboard, a previous version of this story undercounted the number of cases in long-term care facilities. The number is correct as of the latest update Friday evening.
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
The Reno County overall case count is at 908 as of Friday evening. The death count among Reno County residents is now 19.The Correctional Facility cluster type has 571 active cases measured by the county's COVID-19 dashboard. The Long Term Care Facility cluster type has 12 active cases, but has been responsible for 6 deaths. There are 28 active clusters in the county.There are 367 cases in the community at large.Twenty-six people are in the hospital. One hundred fifteen total have been hospitalized. Forty-nine have been admitted to the ICU and 16 have been intubated. These are Reno County resident numbers regardless of where they are hospitalized.The community's positive test rate is up to 13.11%, with the overall positive test rate at 20.21%. 21.31% of the population has been tested.The next community testing date is Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Oz Breezeway on the Kansas State Fairgrounds. To schedule your appointment, call 1-844-834-3657.

Case count at 908, with 367 in community as of Friday evening


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
According to an email Friday afternoon from Reno County elections clerk Jenna Fager, incumbent Democrat Jason Probst has widened his lead over Republican challenger John Whitesel in the closely contested Kansas House District 102 race.&nbsp;

Jason Probst&nbsp; 3,261 John Whitesel&nbsp;3,239

Friday was the final day for mail-in ballots to come in and be counted and there were some ballots that were hand counted as well on Friday.

According to a Facebook post from 104th District Representative Paul Waggoner, there are about 300 provisional ballots that will need to be looked at by the Reno County board of canvassers next week. That meeting will be Thursday morning at 9 a.m.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603897979957.jpeg" alt="Probst Whitesel" />
 <figcaption>Probst Whitesel</figcaption>
 </figure>
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
According to an email Friday afternoon from Reno County elections clerk Jenna Fager, incumbent Democrat Jason Probst has widened his lead over Republican challenger John Whitesel in the closely contested Kansas House District 102 race.&nbsp;Jason Probst&nbsp; 3,261 John Whitesel&nbsp;3,239Friday was the final day for mail-in ballots to come in and be counted and there were some ballots that were hand counted as well on Friday.According to a Facebook post from 104th District Representative Paul Waggoner, there are about 300 provisional ballots that will need to be looked at by the Reno County board of canvassers next week. That meeting will be Thursday morning at 9 a.m.

Probst widens lead prior to canvass

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>.

<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>.

Recent obituaries

Fire training near downtown Hutch Friday

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Teachers in Hutchinson USD 308 are voting
today on a new contract for the school year. 

Both negotiating teams agreed on the new numbers and the
faculty is voting to ratify the contract. If approved, the contract will go before
the board for their vote on Monday.

The new contract calls for a 2.5% increase in base salary
and additional increase in step pay. It also increase pay for substitute teaching
and moves extra duty assignments to the classified employee handbook and
provides updated fees for such work as concession stand work, work at track
meets and taking and selling tickets to extracurricular events.

The USD 308 Board will meet Monday at 6 p.m. at the
Hutchinson C-TEA building.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1574794748723.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Teachers in Hutchinson USD 308 are voting
today on a new contract for the school year. Both negotiating teams agreed on the new numbers and the
faculty is voting to ratify the contract. If approved, the contract will go before
the board for their vote on Monday.The new contract calls for a 2.5% increase in base salary
and additional increase in step pay. It also increase pay for substitute teaching
and moves extra duty assignments to the classified employee handbook and
provides updated fees for such work as concession stand work, work at track
meets and taking and selling tickets to extracurricular events.The USD 308 Board will meet Monday at 6 p.m. at the
Hutchinson C-TEA building.

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