
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — The Reno County Sheriff's Office reminded drivers on Facebook that a special enforcement period surrounding the Labor Day holiday weekend is just around the corner.

Drivers are advised that during the period of August 20 through Labor Day, September 7, The Reno County Sheriff’s Office will join other local and state police agencies across Kansas in a crackdown aimed at removing drunk and other impaired drivers from the roadways during You Drink. You Drive. You Lose.  

It is illegal to drive while impaired, yet, in 2018 one person was killed in a drunk driving crash every 50 minutes in the United States. 

Driving after consuming alcohol or any other potentially impairing substance is a choice you make. 

The You Drink. You Drive. You Lose enforcement campaign is intended to remind drivers:  

To have a sober driver lined up before you drink alcohol away from home. Or take a sober ride to and from the location. Remember, this is your decision.

Before you take a new prescription medication, check your medications for driving warnings.  More and more in Kansas, DUI arrests are occurring during daytime hours, largely due to the side effects of prescription drugs.  

Before you choose to drive after drinking, know that Kansas ignition interlock laws require that any driver convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) must install an ignition interlock device, including an electronic log device, on every vehicle you own or which is registered to you. 

Before you choose to drive after drinking, take a moment to consider how it would be to begin every day with the memory of your decision if it resulted in injury or death.  If you are driving impaired, you are not only more likely to crash, but that crash is much more likely to cause serious injury or death.   

Before you choose to drink and drive, think about your family, your friends, your coworkers, neighbors.  Just think.

Always wear your seat belt it’s your best defense against impaired drivers. Every trip, every time.  

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HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — The Reno County Sheriff's Office reminded drivers on Facebook that a special enforcement period surrounding the Labor Day holiday weekend is just around the corner.Drivers are advised that during the period of August 20 through Labor Day, September 7, The Reno County Sheriff’s Office will join other local and state police agencies across Kansas in a crackdown aimed at removing drunk and other impaired drivers from the roadways during You Drink. You Drive. You Lose. It is illegal to drive while impaired, yet, in 2018 one person was killed in a drunk driving crash every 50 minutes in the United States. Driving after consuming alcohol or any other potentially impairing substance is a choice you make. The You Drink. You Drive. You Lose enforcement campaign is intended to remind drivers: To have a sober driver lined up before you drink alcohol away from home. Or take a sober ride to and from the location. Remember, this is your decision.Before you take a new prescription medication, check your medications for driving warnings. More and more in Kansas, DUI arrests are occurring during daytime hours, largely due to the side effects of prescription drugs. Before you choose to drive after drinking, know that Kansas ignition interlock laws require that any driver convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) must install an ignition interlock device, including an electronic log device, on every vehicle you own or which is registered to you. Before you choose to drive after drinking, take a moment to consider how it would be to begin every day with the memory of your decision if it resulted in injury or death. If you are driving impaired, you are not only more likely to crash, but that crash is much more likely to cause serious injury or death. Before you choose to drink and drive, think about your family, your friends, your coworkers, neighbors. Just think.Always wear your seat belt it’s your best defense against impaired drivers. Every trip, every time.

Sheriff's office reminding drivers of upcoming enforcement campaign


TOPEKA — 
Small businesses in Kansas will soon be able to apply for a total of more than $130 million in grants to serve those most affected by the pandemic and for companies that can expand broadband access in the state.

Information on SPARK economic development and connectivity grant programs can now be found online at <a href="https://www.kansascommerce.gov/covidrelief/">kansascommerce.gov/covidrelief</a>. Grant applications will be accepted beginning at 12:00 p.m. Wed., Aug. 19, 2020.

In addition to providing financial relief, grants will be available to businesses whose products and services will be needed in greater volume to help combat the virus and its effects. Funding is also being made available to expand broadband access both through infrastructure improvements and by partnerships with internet service providers to serve low-income households. These grants are funded through the Coronavirus Relief Fund of the federal CARES Act.

This pandemic has affected each sector differently, with industries having very different needs from one another. With this in mind, applications for grants are being made available in the following categories:

Kansas businesses with fewer than 500 employees are eligible to apply for Small Business Working Capital grants. Funds can be used to pay working capital expenses such as payroll, rent, mortgage insurance, utilities, inventory, and more. Grants will be awarded on a rolling basis until funds are depleted.

The Securing Local Food Systems grant program was created to support Kansas meat processing facilities, food processors, grocers, and food banks to address food for human consumption supply chain disruptions as a result of the COVID-19 public health emergency.

The PPE Procurement grant program will award businesses funds for the purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE), implementation of workplace redesigns, additional signage, new technology solutions for distance working, and other items to comply with COVID-19 public health guidelines on safely returning employees to work.

PPE Manufacturing grants will provide funding to manufacturers to reimburse certain costs to manufacture critically needed PPE. The grant funding will assist entities with creating new businesses while contributing to the fight against the current COVID-19 public health emergency.

COVID-19 Bioscience Product Development Acceleration Grants

Kansas has a strong pipeline of bioscience-related companies developing SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic, therapeutic, and medical countermeasures. This grant program will accelerate commercialization and go-to-market strategies, allowing these Kansas companies to quickly deploy novel technology by optimizing value and reducing risk through informed decision making.

The Connectivity Emergency Response Grant (CERG) was created to address the increased need for connectivity in Kansas in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Proposed projects should improve connectivity to unserved and underserved areas of Kansas to address the needs of telework, telehealth, distance learning, and other remote business services.

The Broadband Partnership Adoption Grant will provide support for low-income households by partnering with ISPs to leverage their existing adoption infrastructure and assure connectivity to as many Kansans as possible.

Domestic Supply Chain Fortification Grant

This Domestic Supply Chain Fortification grant will help offset the business disruptions to Kansas companies’ supply chains caused by COVID-19 and assist with relocating jobs to Kansas from outside of the US. Where appropriate, this grant program would be offered in addition to existing incentive programs (PEAK, KIT, HPIP, etc.) to improve the state’s competitiveness.

IT, Cybersecurity &amp; IT Project Management Certification Training Grants

To mitigate the job losses in Kansas as a result of COVID-19, the Kansas Department of Commerce is seeking a rapid response training program that will provide training, certificate testing, and job placement assistance in the areas of IT, cybersecurity, and IT project management.

Higher Education Advanced Manufacturing &amp; IT Equipment Grants

This program will support the needs of the advanced manufacturing industry in Kansas. The program will focus on reskilling/upskilling individuals affected by COVID-19 to meet economic sector needs in high-demand, high-wage occupations.

Details on each category, including award amounts, proposal requirements, eligibility and more can be found at <a href="https://www.kansascommerce.gov/covidrelief/">kansascommerce.gov/covidrelief</a>.

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TOPEKA — 
Small businesses in Kansas will soon be able to apply for a total of more than $130 million in grants to serve those most affected by the pandemic and for companies that can expand broadband access in the state.Information on SPARK economic development and connectivity grant programs can now be found online at <a href="https://www.kansascommerce.gov/covidrelief/">kansascommerce.gov/covidrelief</a>. Grant applications will be accepted beginning at 12:00 p.m. Wed., Aug. 19, 2020.In addition to providing financial relief, grants will be available to businesses whose products and services will be needed in greater volume to help combat the virus and its effects. Funding is also being made available to expand broadband access both through infrastructure improvements and by partnerships with internet service providers to serve low-income households. These grants are funded through the Coronavirus Relief Fund of the federal CARES Act.This pandemic has affected each sector differently, with industries having very different needs from one another. With this in mind, applications for grants are being made available in the following categories:Small Business Working Capital GrantsKansas businesses with fewer than 500 employees are eligible to apply for Small Business Working Capital grants. Funds can be used to pay working capital expenses such as payroll, rent, mortgage insurance, utilities, inventory, and more. Grants will be awarded on a rolling basis until funds are depleted.Securing Local Food Systems GrantsThe Securing Local Food Systems grant program was created to support Kansas meat processing facilities, food processors, grocers, and food banks to address food for human consumption supply chain disruptions as a result of the COVID-19 public health emergency.PPE Procurement GrantsThe PPE Procurement grant program will award businesses funds for the purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE), implementation of workplace redesigns, additional signage, new technology solutions for distance working, and other items to comply with COVID-19 public health guidelines on safely returning employees to work.PPE Manufacturing GrantsPPE Manufacturing grants will provide funding to manufacturers to reimburse certain costs to manufacture critically needed PPE. The grant funding will assist entities with creating new businesses while contributing to the fight against the current COVID-19 public health emergency.COVID-19 Bioscience Product Development Acceleration GrantsKansas has a strong pipeline of bioscience-related companies developing SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic, therapeutic, and medical countermeasures. This grant program will accelerate commercialization and go-to-market strategies, allowing these Kansas companies to quickly deploy novel technology by optimizing value and reducing risk through informed decision making.Connectivity Emergency Response GrantsThe Connectivity Emergency Response Grant (CERG) was created to address the increased need for connectivity in Kansas in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Proposed projects should improve connectivity to unserved and underserved areas of Kansas to address the needs of telework, telehealth, distance learning, and other remote business services.Broadband Partnership Adoption GrantsThe Broadband Partnership Adoption Grant will provide support for low-income households by partnering with ISPs to leverage their existing adoption infrastructure and assure connectivity to as many Kansans as possible.Domestic Supply Chain Fortification GrantThis Domestic Supply Chain Fortification grant will help offset the business disruptions to Kansas companies’ supply chains caused by COVID-19 and assist with relocating jobs to Kansas from outside of the US. Where appropriate, this grant program would be offered in addition to existing incentive programs (PEAK, KIT, HPIP, etc.) to improve the state’s competitiveness.IT, Cybersecurity &amp; IT Project Management Certification Training GrantsTo mitigate the job losses in Kansas as a result of COVID-19, the Kansas Department of Commerce is seeking a rapid response training program that will provide training, certificate testing, and job placement assistance in the areas of IT, cybersecurity, and IT project management.Higher Education Advanced Manufacturing &amp; IT Equipment GrantsThis program will support the needs of the advanced manufacturing industry in Kansas. The program will focus on reskilling/upskilling individuals affected by COVID-19 to meet economic sector needs in high-demand, high-wage occupations.Details on each category, including award amounts, proposal requirements, eligibility and more can be found at <a href="https://www.kansascommerce.gov/covidrelief/">kansascommerce.gov/covidrelief</a>.

Commerce department announces grant window to open August 19


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —&nbsp;The City of Hutchinson's 2021 budget hearing is the highlight of the upcoming Tuesday meeting agenda.

The budget holds the line on the tax levy at 44.431 mills. 

The budget totals $91.9 million on total taxes levied of $13.8 million. 

The budget takes a large bite out of the ending fund balance for the city, dropping the cash reserve in the general fund to $3.9 million. The City agreed to make the Human Relations position full-time and take the additional funds out of the ending balance at a previous meeting.

Also on Tuesday is the public hearing for the 2020 Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant application, which is reduced to $17,322 for this year, down from $22,101 as a result of a reduction in the city's crime rate from which the grant amount is tabulated. 

The police department plans to buy two pole cameras for surveillance, one night vision monocular and a new tool called the Bolo Wrap designed to detain an individual without injury with the grant funds.

The city is also set to adopt an ordinance to allow it to spend $1.5 million on UV building upgrades, zoo electrical upgrades and upgrades to the airport restroom prior to issuing bonds. The plan is to bond those projects later in the year together with secondary treatment sewer improvements, road improvements for Apple Lane and the LEC renovations all at the same time in an effort to get a better rate.

Also on the agenda is a motion to approve a three-month extension of time to complete rehabilitation projects at 2100 South Bonebrake, 1600 North Prairie, 840 East 4th and 204 East Avenue F.

In addition, the city will consider an amendment to the Primary Clarifier Effluent Pipeline Project.

The meeting is Tuesday morning at 9 a.m. at City Hall.

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HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —&nbsp;The City of Hutchinson's 2021 budget hearing is the highlight of the upcoming Tuesday meeting agenda.The budget holds the line on the tax levy at 44.431 mills. The budget totals $91.9 million on total taxes levied of $13.8 million. The budget takes a large bite out of the ending fund balance for the city, dropping the cash reserve in the general fund to $3.9 million. The City agreed to make the Human Relations position full-time and take the additional funds out of the ending balance at a previous meeting.Also on Tuesday is the public hearing for the 2020 Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant application, which is reduced to $17,322 for this year, down from $22,101 as a result of a reduction in the city's crime rate from which the grant amount is tabulated. The police department plans to buy two pole cameras for surveillance, one night vision monocular and a new tool called the Bolo Wrap designed to detain an individual without injury with the grant funds.The city is also set to adopt an ordinance to allow it to spend $1.5 million on UV building upgrades, zoo electrical upgrades and upgrades to the airport restroom prior to issuing bonds. The plan is to bond those projects later in the year together with secondary treatment sewer improvements, road improvements for Apple Lane and the LEC renovations all at the same time in an effort to get a better rate.Also on the agenda is a motion to approve a three-month extension of time to complete rehabilitation projects at 2100 South Bonebrake, 1600 North Prairie, 840 East 4th and 204 East Avenue F.In addition, the city will consider an amendment to the Primary Clarifier Effluent Pipeline Project.The meeting is Tuesday morning at 9 a.m. at City Hall.

Hutchinson city budget hearing Tuesday

HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —&nbsp;The Kansas Department of Education has released what they call <a href="https://www.ksde.org/Portals/0/Communications/Navigating%20Change/Gating%20Criteria%20Graphic.pdf?ver=2020-08-13-123107-083">Gating Criteria</a> as another set of data points to help local school districts navigate how open schools should be based upon COVID-19 disease spread. Certain criteria would be considered in the green, yellow, orange or red areas.

"They chose to go with these four different colors across five different criteria," said Mark Tallman with the Kansas Association of School Boards. "That makes it a little bit complicated. Basically, it's all about number one, how does your absentee rate compare to a year ago? How does the spread in your community look based on new testing results or percent positive? What's the capacity of your local hospital? They really want you to look at those kinds of criteria, see where they fall on that color scale and then you just kind of make a decision, overall, where does that put you?"

Generally speaking, criteria in the green would be normal in person schooling with the additional masking and handwashing requirements put out by the governor. Yellow would suggest that middle school and above should consider hybrid learning. Orange would push the higher grades toward online only instruction and red would be full remote only learning.

"One of the reasons this was developed was because in very small districts you might have a situation where one or two cases, on a percentage level, could look very high, but it's still not indicating very much," Tallman said. "On the other hand, you may be in a small place and you're saying, we're only having a few cases, but is it the start of something?"

Some school boards want to decide individually what happens with their schools, some would rather see their county's board of health or health officer be the final arbiter because they are more familiar with the data since the beginning of the pandemic.

"Things are very different and unique around the state," Tallman said. "That's why this is not a specific mandate. It really goes beyond the original guidance, which was only really looking at, kind of, are your cases going up or down? This tried to add some other things to look at."

A constraint the gating criteria does not look at is the absentee rate of teachers, particularly as it relates to teachers in hard to fill specialties like higher order math and science courses where it may be impossible to get a substitute with equal qualifications.

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By
NICK GOSNELL
Hutch
Post
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —&nbsp;The Kansas Department of Education has released what they call <a href="https://www.ksde.org/Portals/0/Communications/Navigating%20Change/Gating%20Criteria%20Graphic.pdf?ver=2020-08-13-123107-083">Gating Criteria</a> as another set of data points to help local school districts navigate how open schools should be based upon COVID-19 disease spread. Certain criteria would be considered in the green, yellow, orange or red areas."They chose to go with these four different colors across five different criteria," said Mark Tallman with the Kansas Association of School Boards. "That makes it a little bit complicated. Basically, it's all about number one, how does your absentee rate compare to a year ago? How does the spread in your community look based on new testing results or percent positive? What's the capacity of your local hospital? They really want you to look at those kinds of criteria, see where they fall on that color scale and then you just kind of make a decision, overall, where does that put you?"Generally speaking, criteria in the green would be normal in person schooling with the additional masking and handwashing requirements put out by the governor. Yellow would suggest that middle school and above should consider hybrid learning. Orange would push the higher grades toward online only instruction and red would be full remote only learning."One of the reasons this was developed was because in very small districts you might have a situation where one or two cases, on a percentage level, could look very high, but it's still not indicating very much," Tallman said. "On the other hand, you may be in a small place and you're saying, we're only having a few cases, but is it the start of something?"Some school boards want to decide individually what happens with their schools, some would rather see their county's board of health or health officer be the final arbiter because they are more familiar with the data since the beginning of the pandemic."Things are very different and unique around the state," Tallman said. "That's why this is not a specific mandate. It really goes beyond the original guidance, which was only really looking at, kind of, are your cases going up or down? This tried to add some other things to look at."A constraint the gating criteria does not look at is the absentee rate of teachers, particularly as it relates to teachers in hard to fill specialties like higher order math and science courses where it may be impossible to get a substitute with equal qualifications.

Tallman: Gating criteria just another data point for schools

HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —&nbsp;Dave Trabert is Chief Executive Officer of Kansas Policy Institute. He wrote an <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kansascity.com%2Fopinion%2Freaders-opinion%2Fguest-commentary%2Farticle244939002.html">opinion piece for the Kansas City Star</a> where he asserts that officials and the media aren't giving a full assessment of the situation.

"They keep moving the goalposts," Trabert said. "Initially, this was about, you've got to have shutdowns, you want to flatten the curve, you don't want to put stress on the hospital. Thank goodness that never happened. They started letting us open up, but as soon as they saw our cases increasing, then it was, wow, now we need to maybe go backwards and case increases became the new goalposts."

The argument is as long as the health care system can handle the cases it gets, considering shutdowns based on case count alone may do more harm than good.

"There are enormous, incalculable but enormous long-term economic and emotional consequences to shutting down even part of an economy," Trabert said. "There are thousands of people, tens of thousands of people struggling to pay their rent, pay their mortgage, buy groceries. We need to have this all put in perspective."

Trabert believes the numbers say hospitals can deal with more cases, if they happen.

"According to the department of health, we've got half the ICU beds in Kansas open and over 80% of the ventilators open," Trabert said. "Half of the beds overall are still open. If there is an increase, we have the capacity to deal with that."

Trabert's piece says between July 6 and Aug. 10, the percentage of COVID-19 cases requiring hospitalization in Kansas fell from 7.3% to 6.0%.

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By
NICK GOSNELL
Hutch
Post
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —&nbsp;Dave Trabert is Chief Executive Officer of Kansas Policy Institute. He wrote an <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kansascity.com%2Fopinion%2Freaders-opinion%2Fguest-commentary%2Farticle244939002.html">opinion piece for the Kansas City Star</a> where he asserts that officials and the media aren't giving a full assessment of the situation."They keep moving the goalposts," Trabert said. "Initially, this was about, you've got to have shutdowns, you want to flatten the curve, you don't want to put stress on the hospital. Thank goodness that never happened. They started letting us open up, but as soon as they saw our cases increasing, then it was, wow, now we need to maybe go backwards and case increases became the new goalposts."The argument is as long as the health care system can handle the cases it gets, considering shutdowns based on case count alone may do more harm than good."There are enormous, incalculable but enormous long-term economic and emotional consequences to shutting down even part of an economy," Trabert said. "There are thousands of people, tens of thousands of people struggling to pay their rent, pay their mortgage, buy groceries. We need to have this all put in perspective."Trabert believes the numbers say hospitals can deal with more cases, if they happen."According to the department of health, we've got half the ICU beds in Kansas open and over 80% of the ventilators open," Trabert said. "Half of the beds overall are still open. If there is an increase, we have the capacity to deal with that."Trabert's piece says between July 6 and Aug. 10, the percentage of COVID-19 cases requiring hospitalization in Kansas fell from 7.3% to 6.0%.

Trabert: More cases exist, but not overwhelmed hospitals


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —&nbsp;The Reno County Board of County Commissioners has a light agenda scheduled for its Tuesday morning meeting.

The county plans a COVID-19 update from Interim County Health Officer Karen Hammersmith and Emergency Management Director Adam Weishaar. The county will then pay its bills and approve minutes from previous meetings. Commissioners are also set to approve the Community Corrections Kansas Department of Corrections Juvenile Services Reinvestment Grant Application.

Also, the county plans to issue a proclamation declaring Reno County as a Stepping Up Innovator County. Stepping Up is highlighting counties from around the country for their ability to accurately identify people in their jails who have serious mental illness , collect and share data on these individuals to better connect them to treatment and services, and use this information to inform local policies and practices. 

The Board will also receive a report from County Administrator Randy Partington. The meeting begins at 9 a.m. Tuesday at the Reno County Courthouse.

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HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —&nbsp;The Reno County Board of County Commissioners has a light agenda scheduled for its Tuesday morning meeting.The county plans a COVID-19 update from Interim County Health Officer Karen Hammersmith and Emergency Management Director Adam Weishaar. The county will then pay its bills and approve minutes from previous meetings. Commissioners are also set to approve the Community Corrections Kansas Department of Corrections Juvenile Services Reinvestment Grant Application.Also, the county plans to issue a proclamation declaring Reno County as a Stepping Up Innovator County. Stepping Up is highlighting counties from around the country for their ability to accurately identify people in their jails who have serious mental illness , collect and share data on these individuals to better connect them to treatment and services, and use this information to inform local policies and practices. The Board will also receive a report from County Administrator Randy Partington. The meeting begins at 9 a.m. Tuesday at the Reno County Courthouse.

Light agenda for commissioners Tuesday

WASHINGTON - Today, the Environmental Protection Agency issued two new rules simplifying and easing the burden on the oil and natural gas industry in complying with the New Source Performance Standards (NSPS). The rules changes maintain the basic framework of air emissions regulations of oil and gas production but alter the needlessly burdensome and flawed provisions, which were implemented due to political pressures within the Obama administration.

“These widely anticipated rules announced today by the Trump Administration are no doubt good news for the Kansas oil and natural gas community, which has been forced to comply with onerous and politically motivated Obama-era restrictions,” said U.S. Congressman Roger Marshall, M.D. “While Kansas oil and natural gas producers recognize the need for air emissions management, these new rules will enable producers to exercise environmentally-conscious practices, without the costs and burdens of unnecessary regulations.” 

·         Final policy amendments to the 2012 and 2016 NSPS, which remove the transmission and storage segment from the rule, rescind VOC and methane emissions standards for that segment, and rescind methane emissions standards for the production and processing segments; and

·         Final technical amendments to the 2016 NSPS, which make a number of changes to the rule to simplify compliance, including changes to the leaks monitoring and repair schedules for gathering and boosting compressor stations and low-production wells, changes to recordkeeping and reporting requirements (leaks are called “fugitive emissions” in the rule), and changes to incorporate several states’ requirements, among others.

<figure>
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 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON - Today, the Environmental Protection Agency issued two new rules simplifying and easing the burden on the oil and natural gas industry in complying with the New Source Performance Standards (NSPS). The rules changes maintain the basic framework of air emissions regulations of oil and gas production but alter the needlessly burdensome and flawed provisions, which were implemented due to political pressures within the Obama administration.“These widely anticipated rules announced today by the Trump Administration are no doubt good news for the Kansas oil and natural gas community, which has been forced to comply with onerous and politically motivated Obama-era restrictions,” said U.S. Congressman Roger Marshall, M.D. “While Kansas oil and natural gas producers recognize the need for air emissions management, these new rules will enable producers to exercise environmentally-conscious practices, without the costs and burdens of unnecessary regulations.” The new rules are: · Final policy amendments to the 2012 and 2016 NSPS, which remove the transmission and storage segment from the rule, rescind VOC and methane emissions standards for that segment, and rescind methane emissions standards for the production and processing segments; and· Final technical amendments to the 2016 NSPS, which make a number of changes to the rule to simplify compliance, including changes to the leaks monitoring and repair schedules for gathering and boosting compressor stations and low-production wells, changes to recordkeeping and reporting requirements (leaks are called “fugitive emissions” in the rule), and changes to incorporate several states’ requirements, among others.

Marshall's office issues release on EPA rules changes


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
The Kansas State Fair has added rising country group Lockeland to its Fair Food and Tunes Weekend. 

The event is Friday and Saturday, Aug. 21-22, at the Kansas State Fairgrounds. There is no gate admission for this event. A dozen Kansas food vendors will be selling Fair cuisine from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day. The Fair will have live music Aug. 22 at the Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System Stage at Lake Talbott.

While hailing from Nashville, Lockeland has Kansas roots. Member Kyndon Oakes is from Independence. Kyndon is a longtime Fair fan, too. One of his favorite memories is meeting Britney Spears at the Fair.

Since the launch of the trio’s debut single, “Til The Cows Come Home,” which landed in the Top 40 on the MusicRow Country Breakout Chart, Lockeland has appeared on the CMA Spotlight Stage and has performed with country music favorites such as Big &amp; Rich, Kip Moore, Josh Turner, LANCO, Morgan Evans, and Logan Mize.

▪️Makayla Brownlee — Performance: 6 p.m. The Wellington teen was on the 2020 season of American Idol, making it into the Top 40.

▪️Sassanachs — Performance: 5 p.m. This high-energy Irish and folk rock-influenced band hails from Harvey County.

The giant yellow slide also will be open.

The Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation also will have a booth selling T-shirts and taking donations for the Fair’s current Kansas Cares About the Fair Campaign. The Fair is a fee-funded agency that survives on the income it makes from each Fair. With the lack of anticipated revenue after the 2020 Fair was canceled, the Foundation is helping to raise funds to ensure the Fair tradition continues for future generations.

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HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
The Kansas State Fair has added rising country group Lockeland to its Fair Food and Tunes Weekend. The event is Friday and Saturday, Aug. 21-22, at the Kansas State Fairgrounds. There is no gate admission for this event. A dozen Kansas food vendors will be selling Fair cuisine from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day. The Fair will have live music Aug. 22 at the Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System Stage at Lake Talbott.Lockeland will play at 7 p.m. While hailing from Nashville, Lockeland has Kansas roots. Member Kyndon Oakes is from Independence. Kyndon is a longtime Fair fan, too. One of his favorite memories is meeting Britney Spears at the Fair.Since the launch of the trio’s debut single, “Til The Cows Come Home,” which landed in the Top 40 on the MusicRow Country Breakout Chart, Lockeland has appeared on the CMA Spotlight Stage and has performed with country music favorites such as Big &amp; Rich, Kip Moore, Josh Turner, LANCO, Morgan Evans, and Logan Mize.Also performing:▪️Makayla Brownlee — Performance: 6 p.m. The Wellington teen was on the 2020 season of American Idol, making it into the Top 40.▪️Sassanachs — Performance: 5 p.m. This high-energy Irish and folk rock-influenced band hails from Harvey County.The giant yellow slide also will be open.The Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation also will have a booth selling T-shirts and taking donations for the Fair’s current Kansas Cares About the Fair Campaign. The Fair is a fee-funded agency that survives on the income it makes from each Fair. With the lack of anticipated revenue after the 2020 Fair was canceled, the Foundation is helping to raise funds to ensure the Fair tradition continues for future generations.

Lockeland added to Fair Food and Tunes Weekend


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
Hutchinson Police Chief Jeff Hooper swore in new members of the department on Thursday at Stringer Fine Arts Center.

New employees are Animal Shelter Director Michaela Schommer, Animal Shelter Tech Siera Simon, Evidence Technician Clifton Riggs, dispatchers Janelle Allen, Joseph Hermes, Penelope Kaiser, Jessica McLauhlin, Fermina Orosco, Warren Storrie, Taylor Stanley, Kayli Goodheart and Karen Ridgeway.

Also, new officers Logan Corley, Benjamin Smalling and Trevor Stoll were sworn in. K9 Harper also received a formal introduction.

Corley is a Georgia native who was stationed at Fort Riley. Corley served three and a half years as an infantryman deploying twice overseas to multiple countries. He enjoys spending time with his wife and family camping, working out and doing other outdoor activities.

Smalling grew up in Nickerson. He is a 2015 graduate of Nickerson High School and went on to graduate from Hutchinson Community College in 2017 with an associates of science, then transferred to Wichita State University and graduated in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. In his free time he likes to fish and spend time with friends and family.

Stoll was born and raised in Hutchinson. He graduated from Hutchinson High School in 2015. His goal with the department is to combat local drug issues and to hopefully serve as a K9 officer one day. In his free time he enjoys hunting, hanging out with friends and going on trips with his fiancé.

Award winners who were unable to be recognized at the Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police event were recognized locally.

Gold award winners were Sgt. Josh Long, Ofc. Ricky Garcia, Ofc. Cory Ogburn, Sgt. Garret Leslie, Ofc. Tony Garcia, Ofc. Tim Williams, Ofc. James Sanders, Deputy Jack Trussell and Deputy Eric De La Cruz.

Silver award winners were Sgt. Lance Hirt, Ofc. Matthew Gabrielson and Ofc. John Williams

HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
Hutchinson Police Chief Jeff Hooper swore in new members of the department on Thursday at Stringer Fine Arts Center.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1597422749598.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>New employees are Animal Shelter Director Michaela Schommer, Animal Shelter Tech Siera Simon, Evidence Technician Clifton Riggs, dispatchers Janelle Allen, Joseph Hermes, Penelope Kaiser, Jessica McLauhlin, Fermina Orosco, Warren Storrie, Taylor Stanley, Kayli Goodheart and Karen Ridgeway.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1597422951085.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Also, new officers Logan Corley, Benjamin Smalling and Trevor Stoll were sworn in. K9 Harper also received a formal introduction.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1597422967412.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Corley is a Georgia native who was stationed at Fort Riley. Corley served three and a half years as an infantryman deploying twice overseas to multiple countries. He enjoys spending time with his wife and family camping, working out and doing other outdoor activities.Smalling grew up in Nickerson. He is a 2015 graduate of Nickerson High School and went on to graduate from Hutchinson Community College in 2017 with an associates of science, then transferred to Wichita State University and graduated in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. In his free time he likes to fish and spend time with friends and family.Stoll was born and raised in Hutchinson. He graduated from Hutchinson High School in 2015. His goal with the department is to combat local drug issues and to hopefully serve as a K9 officer one day. In his free time he enjoys hunting, hanging out with friends and going on trips with his fiancé.Award winners who were unable to be recognized at the Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police event were recognized locally.Gold award winners were Sgt. Josh Long, Ofc. Ricky Garcia, Ofc. Cory Ogburn, Sgt. Garret Leslie, Ofc. Tony Garcia, Ofc. Tim Williams, Ofc. James Sanders, Deputy Jack Trussell and Deputy Eric De La Cruz.Silver award winners were Sgt. Lance Hirt, Ofc. Matthew Gabrielson and Ofc. John Williams

Hutchinson Police swear in new employees


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —&nbsp;The Internal Revenue Service is reminding owners of most heavy highway vehicles of their responsibility to timely file Form 2290, Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax Return.

The Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax Return is filed by people who normally drive large truck tractors or buses on highways," said IRS spokesperson Michael Devine. "These are vehicles that have a gross weight of 55,000 pounds or more, so these are the big rigs. The owners of these vehicles have to file the form 2290 and pay the tax by Monday, August 31st if those vehicles were on the road during the month of July."

A variety of special rules apply. These special rules are explained in the instructions to Form 2290.

"For those who aren't sure, the IRS has a new tool on our website, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/">irs.gov</a>," Devine said. "It's titled, Do I need to pay the Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax? It's pretty simple to use. It's question and answer format. You need the taxable gross weight of the vehicle, the month that the vehicle was first used on the road and then it will tell you all the information you need to know."

If you do need to file in August, the easiest way to do that is electronically.

"You can go online to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/">irs.gov </a>and find a list of the e-file providers who are approved to do the Form 2290 for the owner and you can pay electronically through a funds withdrawal transfer or using the electronic federal tax payment system. Right now, you cannot pay by credit or debit card."

Generally, e-filers receive their IRS-stamped Schedule 1 electronically minutes after filing and paying any Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax due online. They can then print the Schedule 1 and provide it to their state department of motor vehicles without visiting an IRS office.

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By
NICK GOSNELL
Hutch
Post
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —&nbsp;The Internal Revenue Service is reminding owners of most heavy highway vehicles of their responsibility to timely file Form 2290, Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax Return.The Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax Return is filed by people who normally drive large truck tractors or buses on highways," said IRS spokesperson Michael Devine. "These are vehicles that have a gross weight of 55,000 pounds or more, so these are the big rigs. The owners of these vehicles have to file the form 2290 and pay the tax by Monday, August 31st if those vehicles were on the road during the month of July."A variety of special rules apply. These special rules are explained in the instructions to Form 2290."For those who aren't sure, the IRS has a new tool on our website, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/">irs.gov</a>," Devine said. "It's titled, Do I need to pay the Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax? It's pretty simple to use. It's question and answer format. You need the taxable gross weight of the vehicle, the month that the vehicle was first used on the road and then it will tell you all the information you need to know."If you do need to file in August, the easiest way to do that is electronically."You can go online to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/">irs.gov </a>and find a list of the e-file providers who are approved to do the Form 2290 for the owner and you can pay electronically through a funds withdrawal transfer or using the electronic federal tax payment system. Right now, you cannot pay by credit or debit card."Generally, e-filers receive their IRS-stamped Schedule 1 electronically minutes after filing and paying any Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax due online. They can then print the Schedule 1 and provide it to their state department of motor vehicles without visiting an IRS office.

IRS reminding truckers tax deadline is August 31

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


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —&nbsp;With the significant cluster of COVID-19 cases at Hutchinson Correctional Facility announced this week, it's important to differentiate those who are incarcerated from those who work there and go home to their families in the community, but to do so without making it too easy to figure out which employees are ill.

"We're working to integrate those staff members," said Reno County Health Department Director Nick Baldetti. "We would count them and through epidemiological investigation, in terms of where we think they got it, through the specific investigation with each one of those individuals. Those staff members, we're counting within the community aggregate data that we would apply to just community trend analysis, because those individuals do live in our community."

With that said, the Kansas Department of Corrections release said that the people that were infected in the prison are asymptomatic. The concern is that even asymptomatic carriers can spread the virus, if in close contact long enough.

"If there's an individual who is presenting physical symptoms, coughing, fever, bowel issues, that's the highest risk factor in terms of spread and exposure," Baldetti said. "That's followed by presymptomatic and presymptomatic again is different than asymptomatic, in that presymptomatic just means that you haven't presented your symptoms yet, but the individual who is positive at some point presents symptoms, versus an asymptomatic individual are those that never present a symptom. They are just actively carrying the virus and never would know that they are sick. In that order, it's truly symptomatic, presymptomatic and asymptomatic in terms of risk."

From an epidemiological perspective, the two days immediately prior to symptoms are the days with most risk of spread other than those days once symptoms present.

"You shouldn't necessarily be terribly concerned with walking by an asymptomatic individual in Walmart as you pass through an aisle. You really have to spend some time in an enclosed space to contract from an asymptomatic versus again much higher risk associated with someone who is actively presenting symptoms."

It's not that masking will take the viral spread of even asymptomatic individuals down to zero, but it will reduce the amount that gets out and thus require longer exposure to get to a symptom onset point than otherwise would be the case.

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By
NICK GOSNELL
Hutch
Post
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —&nbsp;With the significant cluster of COVID-19 cases at Hutchinson Correctional Facility announced this week, it's important to differentiate those who are incarcerated from those who work there and go home to their families in the community, but to do so without making it too easy to figure out which employees are ill."We're working to integrate those staff members," said Reno County Health Department Director Nick Baldetti. "We would count them and through epidemiological investigation, in terms of where we think they got it, through the specific investigation with each one of those individuals. Those staff members, we're counting within the community aggregate data that we would apply to just community trend analysis, because those individuals do live in our community."With that said, the Kansas Department of Corrections release said that the people that were infected in the prison are asymptomatic. The concern is that even asymptomatic carriers can spread the virus, if in close contact long enough."If there's an individual who is presenting physical symptoms, coughing, fever, bowel issues, that's the highest risk factor in terms of spread and exposure," Baldetti said. "That's followed by presymptomatic and presymptomatic again is different than asymptomatic, in that presymptomatic just means that you haven't presented your symptoms yet, but the individual who is positive at some point presents symptoms, versus an asymptomatic individual are those that never present a symptom. They are just actively carrying the virus and never would know that they are sick. In that order, it's truly symptomatic, presymptomatic and asymptomatic in terms of risk."From an epidemiological perspective, the two days immediately prior to symptoms are the days with most risk of spread other than those days once symptoms present."You shouldn't necessarily be terribly concerned with walking by an asymptomatic individual in Walmart as you pass through an aisle. You really have to spend some time in an enclosed space to contract from an asymptomatic versus again much higher risk associated with someone who is actively presenting symptoms."It's not that masking will take the viral spread of even asymptomatic individuals down to zero, but it will reduce the amount that gets out and thus require longer exposure to get to a symptom onset point than otherwise would be the case.

Baldetti: HCF spread makes parsing out numbers more challenging

PRATT COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 4p.m. Thursday in Pratt County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1994 Chevy pickup driven by John J. Kitts, 47, Pratt, was stopped at a stop sign on NW 20th Avenue at NW 110th Street. The driver failed yield to a westbound 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by Betty J. Young, 68, Iuka.

The Jeep struck the pickup in the intersection.

EMS transported&nbsp;Young to Pratt Regional Medical Center. Kitts was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

PRATT COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 4p.m. Thursday in Pratt County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1994 Chevy pickup driven by John J. Kitts, 47, Pratt, was stopped at a stop sign on NW 20th Avenue at NW 110th Street. The driver failed yield to a westbound 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by Betty J. Young, 68, Iuka.The Jeep struck the pickup in the intersection.EMS transported&nbsp;Young to Pratt Regional Medical Center. Kitts was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

Pratt Co. woman hospitalized after 2-vehicle crash


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —&nbsp;The Reno County canvass for the primary election took place Thursday. The purpose of the canvass is to deal with provisional ballots.

"We present them and make a recommendation on whether or not they should be counted," said Reno County Deputy Elections Clerk Jenna Fager. "We supply the supporting statute that goes along with that to the canvassing board and they tell us whether or not we count it."

The canvassing board took until 2 p.m. Thursday to finish their work.

"For the provisionals, we had 296 cast," Fager said. "We were unable to count 95 of them. 182, we were able to count the entire races on them. We had 19 that were a partial count."

Partial counts are those where someone may have voted a ballot with races on it they weren't supposed to, but some of them were okay, like everyone should have voted the U.S. Senate race, but someone may have gotten the wrong township races or something.

"We actually go in and do an abstract after our results are official," Fager said. "It's all compiled at the state level and then they will do a final canvass on their level."

Fager said there were not enough provisional ballots counted to change the final result in any races locally.

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By
NICK GOSNELL
Hutch
Post
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —&nbsp;The Reno County canvass for the primary election took place Thursday. The purpose of the canvass is to deal with provisional ballots."We present them and make a recommendation on whether or not they should be counted," said Reno County Deputy Elections Clerk Jenna Fager. "We supply the supporting statute that goes along with that to the canvassing board and they tell us whether or not we count it."The canvassing board took until 2 p.m. Thursday to finish their work."For the provisionals, we had 296 cast," Fager said. "We were unable to count 95 of them. 182, we were able to count the entire races on them. We had 19 that were a partial count."Partial counts are those where someone may have voted a ballot with races on it they weren't supposed to, but some of them were okay, like everyone should have voted the U.S. Senate race, but someone may have gotten the wrong township races or something."We actually go in and do an abstract after our results are official," Fager said. "It's all compiled at the state level and then they will do a final canvass on their level."Fager said there were not enough provisional ballots counted to change the final result in any races locally.

Canvass finished, no result changes in Reno County Thursday


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —&nbsp;On Thursday, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced $2 million in CARES Act Recovery Assistance grants from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration to five regions of Kansas hard-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Specifically, there's another $400,000 approximately to south-central Kansas," Congressman Roger Marshall said Thursday. "I'll be curious to see what they're going to do with it. I'll bet they're going to use some of it for job training and some technical assistance with local businesses, as well."

SCKEDD has offices in Wichita and Hutchinson. They plan to use the money for strategic collaboration with the state's other economic development organizations. North Central Regional Planning Commission, Northwest Kansas Planning &amp; Development Commission, Flint Hills Regional Council and Southeast Kansas Regional Planning Commission all also received funding.

"Less than half of the $3 trillion we've appropriated has actually hit Main Street yet," Marshall said. "That's why I'm in no big hurry to spend a lot more money, to borrow a lot more money from our grandchildren until we see where this money lands. The Kansas economy is looking better. Our unemployment rate has dropped to 7%, so things are looking brighter across the entire state."

This is in addition to the $2.5 million awarded to Kansas’ regional planning commissioners in July.

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By
NICK GOSNELL
Hutch
Post
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —&nbsp;On Thursday, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced $2 million in CARES Act Recovery Assistance grants from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration to five regions of Kansas hard-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic."Specifically, there's another $400,000 approximately to south-central Kansas," Congressman Roger Marshall said Thursday. "I'll be curious to see what they're going to do with it. I'll bet they're going to use some of it for job training and some technical assistance with local businesses, as well."SCKEDD has offices in Wichita and Hutchinson. They plan to use the money for strategic collaboration with the state's other economic development organizations. North Central Regional Planning Commission, Northwest Kansas Planning &amp; Development Commission, Flint Hills Regional Council and Southeast Kansas Regional Planning Commission all also received funding."Less than half of the $3 trillion we've appropriated has actually hit Main Street yet," Marshall said. "That's why I'm in no big hurry to spend a lot more money, to borrow a lot more money from our grandchildren until we see where this money lands. The Kansas economy is looking better. Our unemployment rate has dropped to 7%, so things are looking brighter across the entire state."This is in addition to the $2.5 million awarded to Kansas’ regional planning commissioners in July.

Marshall: More CARES Act money headed to Kansas


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
A Creighton University economist sees some movement in a growth direction from the unemployment claims numbers released Thursday.

"First time claims for unemployment insurance moving lower, continuing claims are also moving lower," said Ernie Goss. "We're moving in the right direction, but we've still got a ways to go before we get back to pre-COVID-19 levels. We're certainly moving in the right direction. I think the numbers are likely to improve even more in the weeks and months ahead."

The key, though, is to incentivize people to go to work.

"The $600 add on to state level compensation, of course, that expired at the end of July," Goss said. "Now they're wrestling. The Democrats want to continue with the $600 add on, the Republicans want $200 added on. $200 would be at about a replacement ratio of about 70% of lost weekly income. $600, unfortunately, at least from the government standpoint, would put a lot of individuals making more by being unemployed than they would be by being employed."

From an economist's standpoint, Goss likes the lower plan better.

"I think the $200 proposal is more in line with incentivizing individuals to take jobs out there," Goss said. "According to our surveys, and we do two surveys each month, both surveys include Kansas, companies and manufacturers for example are now even having a difficult time finding and hiring qualified workers. There are individuals that could be working that have chosen to remain unemployed."

Goss doesn't think there are large numbers there, but every bit helps to make the economy more competitive.

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By
NICK GOSNELL
Hutch
Post
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
A Creighton University economist sees some movement in a growth direction from the unemployment claims numbers released Thursday."First time claims for unemployment insurance moving lower, continuing claims are also moving lower," said Ernie Goss. "We're moving in the right direction, but we've still got a ways to go before we get back to pre-COVID-19 levels. We're certainly moving in the right direction. I think the numbers are likely to improve even more in the weeks and months ahead."The key, though, is to incentivize people to go to work."The $600 add on to state level compensation, of course, that expired at the end of July," Goss said. "Now they're wrestling. The Democrats want to continue with the $600 add on, the Republicans want $200 added on. $200 would be at about a replacement ratio of about 70% of lost weekly income. $600, unfortunately, at least from the government standpoint, would put a lot of individuals making more by being unemployed than they would be by being employed."From an economist's standpoint, Goss likes the lower plan better."I think the $200 proposal is more in line with incentivizing individuals to take jobs out there," Goss said. "According to our surveys, and we do two surveys each month, both surveys include Kansas, companies and manufacturers for example are now even having a difficult time finding and hiring qualified workers. There are individuals that could be working that have chosen to remain unemployed."Goss doesn't think there are large numbers there, but every bit helps to make the economy more competitive.

Economist sees unemployment numbers as sign of right direction


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —&nbsp;In the August heat, both people and animals can be subject to physical damage.

"Dogs that kind of have that shorter face tend to have a harder time, especially, kind of oxygenating when it's hot and humid out," said Erica Miller, DVM, with Apple Lane Animal Hospital. "Really, any dog does."

There was a dog brought in to the practice by a Good Samaritan recently suffering from heat-related illness.

"It was just your general medium-size lab mix," said Miller. "It was very overheated. Dogs are going to be panting extremely heavily, just a little bit out of it. The dog that was brought in to us was just laying on the side of the road, panting heavily, not really responsive."

The Good Samaritan tried to give the dog water, but the dog vomited it up, so Miller had to take a different approach.

"They're really stressed," Miller said. "At the point this dog was, they need something more than just drinking a little bit of water. We start IV fluids, which does kind of bring their core body temperature down. We do wet them. We wet them on their underside, their belly and their paw pads and their ears, where they are going to start cooling down quicker as opposed to where their coat is."

They also try to get a fan on them and check their temperature frequently. Most importantly, don't let an emergency like this be the first time your pet sees the vet. Establish a relationship with your veterinarian so that you know who to call if something happens.

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By
NICK GOSNELL
Hutch
Post
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —&nbsp;In the August heat, both people and animals can be subject to physical damage."Dogs that kind of have that shorter face tend to have a harder time, especially, kind of oxygenating when it's hot and humid out," said Erica Miller, DVM, with Apple Lane Animal Hospital. "Really, any dog does."There was a dog brought in to the practice by a Good Samaritan recently suffering from heat-related illness."It was just your general medium-size lab mix," said Miller. "It was very overheated. Dogs are going to be panting extremely heavily, just a little bit out of it. The dog that was brought in to us was just laying on the side of the road, panting heavily, not really responsive."The Good Samaritan tried to give the dog water, but the dog vomited it up, so Miller had to take a different approach."They're really stressed," Miller said. "At the point this dog was, they need something more than just drinking a little bit of water. We start IV fluids, which does kind of bring their core body temperature down. We do wet them. We wet them on their underside, their belly and their paw pads and their ears, where they are going to start cooling down quicker as opposed to where their coat is."They also try to get a fan on them and check their temperature frequently. Most importantly, don't let an emergency like this be the first time your pet sees the vet. Establish a relationship with your veterinarian so that you know who to call if something happens.

Keep dogs cool to avoid heat-related illness


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —&nbsp;Washburn University political scientist Bob Beatty sees a potential opportunity for the Kansas Democratic Party if Republican State Treasurer Jake LaTurner wins the Second District seat in Congress in November and his office is left vacant.

"The State Treasurer job, I looked it up, has been a feeder for people that want to go on to higher office," Beatty said. "Going back to Joan Finney from back in the day, who went on to become Kansas governor. The treasurer after her, Sally Thompson ran for Senate, Tim Shallenburger ran for governor, Lynn Jenkins ran for the U.S. House, Ron Estes ran for the U.S. House and now Jake LaTurner. It's almost expected that if you're a State Treasurer, that really the job is a placeholder and you should be moving on to somewhere else."

Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly would get the opportunity to appoint someone to the seat and Beatty argues that it's an important appointment for the future of the Party.

"Find a Jake LaTurner," Beatty said. "Find a Democrat who is ambitious, talented, can obviously do the job as State Treasurer, but also is savvy in campaigning and in fundraising and can possibly win an election."

A couple of young Democrats who might fit that bill are LaTurner's opponent in the Second District race, Topeka mayor Michelle De La Isla and Wichita mayor Brandon Whipple.

"They really need to be looking for somebody who can win an election and not just be a placeholder in the seat," Beatty said. "It's tough for Democrats. I would argue, they don't need to use this to reward somebody for long years of service. That person's not going to win in the next election."

This could all be an academic exercise though, as the race between LaTurner and De La Isla is too close to call according to the latest polling immediately following his primary win.

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By
NICK GOSNELL
Hutch
Post
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —&nbsp;Washburn University political scientist Bob Beatty sees a potential opportunity for the Kansas Democratic Party if Republican State Treasurer Jake LaTurner wins the Second District seat in Congress in November and his office is left vacant."The State Treasurer job, I looked it up, has been a feeder for people that want to go on to higher office," Beatty said. "Going back to Joan Finney from back in the day, who went on to become Kansas governor. The treasurer after her, Sally Thompson ran for Senate, Tim Shallenburger ran for governor, Lynn Jenkins ran for the U.S. House, Ron Estes ran for the U.S. House and now Jake LaTurner. It's almost expected that if you're a State Treasurer, that really the job is a placeholder and you should be moving on to somewhere else."Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly would get the opportunity to appoint someone to the seat and Beatty argues that it's an important appointment for the future of the Party."Find a Jake LaTurner," Beatty said. "Find a Democrat who is ambitious, talented, can obviously do the job as State Treasurer, but also is savvy in campaigning and in fundraising and can possibly win an election."A couple of young Democrats who might fit that bill are LaTurner's opponent in the Second District race, Topeka mayor Michelle De La Isla and Wichita mayor Brandon Whipple."They really need to be looking for somebody who can win an election and not just be a placeholder in the seat," Beatty said. "It's tough for Democrats. I would argue, they don't need to use this to reward somebody for long years of service. That person's not going to win in the next election."This could all be an academic exercise though, as the race between LaTurner and De La Isla is too close to call according to the latest polling immediately following his primary win.

Beatty: Potential State Treasurer vacancy could be opportunity for Democrats


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —&nbsp;Chuck Welch with Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System noted that the hospital is still handling the patient load it has fairly well at this point.

"It's probably our largest number to date, which is still only, it looks like, six positive COVID patients and nine pending results," Welch said Wednesday. "Worst case scenario, all of those come back positive, you know, we would have what's that, 15 or 16 positive patients."

The hospital is ready in case more cases come in, but they aren't nearly full.

"We have an entire COVID ward which has been isolated and cordoned off up on the fifth floor specifically for COVID positive patients that aren't sick enough to be in the ICU," Welch said. "Our capacity is on par with some bigger hospitals. We have never even come close to that."

It's not that the threat is gone. As long as one person has the virus and they pass it to another, it will be there, but the surge hasn't materialized.

"We know we're going to get sick patients, but we just want to take them in manageable pieces," Welch said. "I've said this for the last six months, if we start seeing 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 critically sick patients, our capacity will go from, we're doing just fine to, we're going to need some help and it can go quickly. We are acutely aware and keeping our eyes on and our fingers on the pulse of those hotspots."

Total hospital census for all causes on Wednesday was 82 patients at the 190 bed hospital.

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By
NICK GOSNELL
Hutch
Post
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —&nbsp;Chuck Welch with Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System noted that the hospital is still handling the patient load it has fairly well at this point."It's probably our largest number to date, which is still only, it looks like, six positive COVID patients and nine pending results," Welch said Wednesday. "Worst case scenario, all of those come back positive, you know, we would have what's that, 15 or 16 positive patients."The hospital is ready in case more cases come in, but they aren't nearly full."We have an entire COVID ward which has been isolated and cordoned off up on the fifth floor specifically for COVID positive patients that aren't sick enough to be in the ICU," Welch said. "Our capacity is on par with some bigger hospitals. We have never even come close to that."It's not that the threat is gone. As long as one person has the virus and they pass it to another, it will be there, but the surge hasn't materialized."We know we're going to get sick patients, but we just want to take them in manageable pieces," Welch said. "I've said this for the last six months, if we start seeing 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 critically sick patients, our capacity will go from, we're doing just fine to, we're going to need some help and it can go quickly. We are acutely aware and keeping our eyes on and our fingers on the pulse of those hotspots."Total hospital census for all causes on Wednesday was 82 patients at the 190 bed hospital.

Hospital still handling COVID case load just fine

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Kansas Department of Corrections announced Wednesday that the Hutchinson Correctional Facility (HCF) Central Unit is on lockdown after several staff and residents tested positive for COVID-19.

In total, 84 residents and 10 staff tested positive this week. A total of 99 residents and 17 staff have tested positive since the COVID-19 pandemic began with five residents and seven staff having recovered. All of the positive cases are asymptomatic.

As with all positive cases, the KDOC has been in consultation with officials from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) on next steps to address the active cases at HCF. Additional steps taken include:

All residents in the Central Unit will remain locked in their cells

Necessary movement will be done in cohort groups

Essential resident workers in laundry and food service will continue to operate on a limited schedule

Some residents may be relocated to Lansing Correctional Facility’s COVID-19 Medical Unit

“KDHE has been on site to evaluate the situation and work with us to determine the best course of action,” said KDOC Secretary Jeff Zmuda. “The measures taken today will help mitigate the risk of continued exposure at the facility, helping ensure the health and safety of our staff and residents.”

The Hutchinson Correctional Facility is Kansas’ second-oldest prison and houses 1,884 men.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1581036438717.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Kansas Department of Corrections announced Wednesday that the Hutchinson Correctional Facility (HCF) Central Unit is on lockdown after several staff and residents tested positive for COVID-19.In total, 84 residents and 10 staff tested positive this week. A total of 99 residents and 17 staff have tested positive since the COVID-19 pandemic began with five residents and seven staff having recovered. All of the positive cases are asymptomatic.As with all positive cases, the KDOC has been in consultation with officials from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) on next steps to address the active cases at HCF. Additional steps taken include:All residents in the Central Unit will remain locked in their cellsNecessary movement will be done in cohort groupsEssential resident workers in laundry and food service will continue to operate on a limited scheduleSome residents may be relocated to Lansing Correctional Facility’s COVID-19 Medical Unit“KDHE has been on site to evaluate the situation and work with us to determine the best course of action,” said KDOC Secretary Jeff Zmuda. “The measures taken today will help mitigate the risk of continued exposure at the facility, helping ensure the health and safety of our staff and residents.”The Hutchinson Correctional Facility is Kansas’ second-oldest prison and houses 1,884 men.

Central Unit at HCF locked down amid outbreak, 84 residents, 10 staff infected


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —&nbsp;The State of Kansas has asked a federal court to set aside a decision by the U.S. Department of the Interior that allows the Wyandotte Nation of Oklahoma to build and operate a casino on land in Park City.

"From the state's vantage point, we thought the matter was resolved in 2014 when the Department of the Interior declined the request to allow the tribe to build a tribal casino," Schmidt said. "We heard nothing further on it, until we read in the newspaper that the tribe had asked the Department of the Interior to change its mind and the department had decided to do so. That's not due process."

The lawsuit is the latest in a dispute since the purchase of the land in 1992 over the tribe’s legal authority to build a casino on the parcel. The state, through the Kansas Lottery, operates its own casino in Mulvane. The Kansas Star Casino is among other plaintiffs in the lawsuit.

"We've asked the court to set that decision aside and allow the parties to come back to the table and discuss the legal issues involved as they were doing for many years before this went off the rails," Schmidt said. 

At issue is whether federal law authorizes the enterprise; Kansas law prohibits casino gaming at that location, so the tribal casino may only be built if federal law overrides the state prohibition.

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By
NICK GOSNELL
Hutch
Post
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —&nbsp;The State of Kansas has asked a federal court to set aside a decision by the U.S. Department of the Interior that allows the Wyandotte Nation of Oklahoma to build and operate a casino on land in Park City."From the state's vantage point, we thought the matter was resolved in 2014 when the Department of the Interior declined the request to allow the tribe to build a tribal casino," Schmidt said. "We heard nothing further on it, until we read in the newspaper that the tribe had asked the Department of the Interior to change its mind and the department had decided to do so. That's not due process."The lawsuit is the latest in a dispute since the purchase of the land in 1992 over the tribe’s legal authority to build a casino on the parcel. The state, through the Kansas Lottery, operates its own casino in Mulvane. The Kansas Star Casino is among other plaintiffs in the lawsuit."We've asked the court to set that decision aside and allow the parties to come back to the table and discuss the legal issues involved as they were doing for many years before this went off the rails," Schmidt said. At issue is whether federal law authorizes the enterprise; Kansas law prohibits casino gaming at that location, so the tribal casino may only be built if federal law overrides the state prohibition.

Schmidt: State wants seat at table with tribe regarding potential Park City casino


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —&nbsp;Hutchinson Police Chief Jeff Hooper said there was some social media activity regarding the Emancipation Day flags posted downtown in Hutchinson that his department looked into this week, but that no one is being charged with any wrongdoing.

"City staff received several phone calls," Hooper said. "We received emails and phone calls as well here. We dug into all those allegations and all the calls, dug into the social media posts, used our criminal intelligence analyst to look at those things. The bottom line is, there's no criminal activity there at all, it's a bunch of people that have varying views of those flags and were basically expressing their right to freedom of speech."

As long as the right to express those opinions doesn't infringe on another's rights to the same thing, it's a perfectly legal activity.

"That's our job and our responsibility at the police department to protect everybody's Constitutional right," Hooper said. "If anybody steps over the line and violates the law, that's when we have to step in and take action, but we certainly support being able to speak their views."

If there were any destruction of city property, that would be an act the department would need to address, however.

"If you call and threaten to do harm to a person or something, that could be a crime," Hooper said. "Threatening to damage property, somebody else's property or city property, that, in and of itself, is not a crime. If the individual then takes an overt act or does actually damage that property or sets it on fire or different things like that. That's when we step over the line and that becomes a criminal matter."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1597244942335.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>
By
NICK GOSNELL
Hutch
Post
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —&nbsp;Hutchinson Police Chief Jeff Hooper said there was some social media activity regarding the Emancipation Day flags posted downtown in Hutchinson that his department looked into this week, but that no one is being charged with any wrongdoing."City staff received several phone calls," Hooper said. "We received emails and phone calls as well here. We dug into all those allegations and all the calls, dug into the social media posts, used our criminal intelligence analyst to look at those things. The bottom line is, there's no criminal activity there at all, it's a bunch of people that have varying views of those flags and were basically expressing their right to freedom of speech."As long as the right to express those opinions doesn't infringe on another's rights to the same thing, it's a perfectly legal activity."That's our job and our responsibility at the police department to protect everybody's Constitutional right," Hooper said. "If anybody steps over the line and violates the law, that's when we have to step in and take action, but we certainly support being able to speak their views."If there were any destruction of city property, that would be an act the department would need to address, however."If you call and threaten to do harm to a person or something, that could be a crime," Hooper said. "Threatening to damage property, somebody else's property or city property, that, in and of itself, is not a crime. If the individual then takes an overt act or does actually damage that property or sets it on fire or different things like that. That's when we step over the line and that becomes a criminal matter."The Emancipation Day flags have been put up in Hutchinson in commemoration of that event for the past several years.