
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —&nbsp;Reno County Interim Health Officer Karen Hammersmith noted a special emphasis that is coming for Reno County residents starting next week.

"We're going to kick off a 10-day challenge to change behavior," Hammersmith said. "That's slated for Wednesday, November 4. The kickoff, the reason we're waiting til November 4 is we don't want to interfere with election day. It will be a challenge to stay home and limit social activities to 10. Utilize your local restaurants, but use carryout, business limit groups to 10, so socialization should be eliminated and then wear a mask."

The Hutchinson Chamber will host an event related to the emphasis.

"We're going to have a Chamber lunchtime lowdown, which will be Wednesday, November 4," Hammersmith said. "We'll have D.J. Gering, who is our analyst, Elliott Koester, our epidemiologist and myself will answer questions related to work and COVID."

There will also be a town hall meeting that week.

"We'll have physicians, health department personnel, business, superintendents, people to answer questions, as well for response at a town hall meeting," Hammersmith said. "We are going to stress the need to limit social and business gatherings to 10."

More details about the emphasis will be coming out as it prepares to launch next week.

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By
NICK GOSNELL
Hutch
Post
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —&nbsp;Reno County Interim Health Officer Karen Hammersmith noted a special emphasis that is coming for Reno County residents starting next week."We're going to kick off a 10-day challenge to change behavior," Hammersmith said. "That's slated for Wednesday, November 4. The kickoff, the reason we're waiting til November 4 is we don't want to interfere with election day. It will be a challenge to stay home and limit social activities to 10. Utilize your local restaurants, but use carryout, business limit groups to 10, so socialization should be eliminated and then wear a mask."The Hutchinson Chamber will host an event related to the emphasis."We're going to have a Chamber lunchtime lowdown, which will be Wednesday, November 4," Hammersmith said. "We'll have D.J. Gering, who is our analyst, Elliott Koester, our epidemiologist and myself will answer questions related to work and COVID."There will also be a town hall meeting that week."We'll have physicians, health department personnel, business, superintendents, people to answer questions, as well for response at a town hall meeting," Hammersmith said. "We are going to stress the need to limit social and business gatherings to 10."More details about the emphasis will be coming out as it prepares to launch next week.

Hammersmith: Emphasis coming after election day to change COVID-19 behavior


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — Chuck Welch with Hutchinson Regional Medical Center clarified on a call with Reno County stakeholders Tuesday that the intensive care unit has been stretched to its staffing limits in recent days. 


"If you take our 18-bed capacity plus the four additional beds that are just off the ICU, we call that the queue, those are isolation rooms, we have a 22-bed capacity total," Welch said. "We have been full from a staffing capacity, meaning maybe not all twenty-two beds were full, but every bed that we could assign an ICU Critical Care nurse to was full."

Welch said it's not a shortage of beds that will be the problem, it is a shortage of staff. Obviously, not all ICU patients are COVID patients.

"We are doing everything we can to accept everyone we can," Welch said. "Bed space is second to staffing. As long as we can keep our team healthy and able to take care of patients, then we will continue to be able to accept patients, up to the point where we run out of beds, but I see staffing being the issue before bed capacity. I think Wesley and Via Christi would echo that sentiment."

The hospital had a total of 19 COVID patients overall as of 7 a.m. Tuesday. Three of those were intubated.

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By
NICK GOSNELL
Hutch
Post
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — Chuck Welch with Hutchinson Regional Medical Center clarified on a call with Reno County stakeholders Tuesday that the intensive care unit has been stretched to its staffing limits in recent days. 
"If you take our 18-bed capacity plus the four additional beds that are just off the ICU, we call that the queue, those are isolation rooms, we have a 22-bed capacity total," Welch said. "We have been full from a staffing capacity, meaning maybe not all twenty-two beds were full, but every bed that we could assign an ICU Critical Care nurse to was full."Welch said it's not a shortage of beds that will be the problem, it is a shortage of staff. Obviously, not all ICU patients are COVID patients."We are doing everything we can to accept everyone we can," Welch said. "Bed space is second to staffing. As long as we can keep our team healthy and able to take care of patients, then we will continue to be able to accept patients, up to the point where we run out of beds, but I see staffing being the issue before bed capacity. I think Wesley and Via Christi would echo that sentiment."The hospital had a total of 19 COVID patients overall as of 7 a.m. Tuesday. Three of those were intubated.

Welch: Staffing has been stretched lately in ICU


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
The Reno County overall case count is at 689 as of Monday evening. The death count among Reno County residents remains at 15.

The Correctional Facility cluster type has 435 active cases measured by the county's COVID-19 dashboard. The Long Term Care Facility cluster type is down to just 15 cases, but has been responsible for 6 deaths. There are 18 active clusters in the county.

There are 271 cases in the community at large.

Nineteen people are in the hospital. Eighty-nine total have been hospitalized. Thirty-eight have been admitted to the ICU and 12 have been intubated. These are Reno County resident numbers regardless of where they are hospitalized.

The community's positive test rate is back up to 11.25%, with the overall positive test rate at 16.95%. 19.66% of the population has been tested.

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HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
The Reno County overall case count is at 689 as of Monday evening. The death count among Reno County residents remains at 15.The Correctional Facility cluster type has 435 active cases measured by the county's COVID-19 dashboard. The Long Term Care Facility cluster type is down to just 15 cases, but has been responsible for 6 deaths. There are 18 active clusters in the county.There are 271 cases in the community at large.Nineteen people are in the hospital. Eighty-nine total have been hospitalized. Thirty-eight have been admitted to the ICU and 12 have been intubated. These are Reno County resident numbers regardless of where they are hospitalized.The community's positive test rate is back up to 11.25%, with the overall positive test rate at 16.95%. 19.66% of the population has been tested.

Case count as of Monday night at 689, 271 in community


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —&nbsp; The Hutchinson Public Schools Board of Education approved moving to a modified hybrid learning plan that will allow groups of students to return to the classroom the week of Nov. 2 while maintaining small groups. 

The plan, created after surveying staff and parents, will keep class sizes at 10 as much as possible. The small classes are designed to allow students to spread out more in the classrooms while simplifying the process of contact tracing if a positive case of COVID-19 occurs in a school.

The district began full remote learning because of COVID-19 the week of Oct. 19.

Under the plan, students will continue to eat in small groups with elementary students eating in their classrooms. On Mondays and Wednesdays, roughly half of students will attend school in-person while other half of students attend on Tuesdays and Thursdays. 

Students will attend in-person on alternating Fridays with the first group on one Friday and the second group on the next.

Families will be notified this week as to which group their students are in prior to the Nov. 2 start.

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HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —&nbsp; The Hutchinson Public Schools Board of Education approved moving to a modified hybrid learning plan that will allow groups of students to return to the classroom the week of Nov. 2 while maintaining small groups. The plan, created after surveying staff and parents, will keep class sizes at 10 as much as possible. The small classes are designed to allow students to spread out more in the classrooms while simplifying the process of contact tracing if a positive case of COVID-19 occurs in a school.The district began full remote learning because of COVID-19 the week of Oct. 19.Under the plan, students will continue to eat in small groups with elementary students eating in their classrooms. On Mondays and Wednesdays, roughly half of students will attend school in-person while other half of students attend on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Students will attend in-person on alternating Fridays with the first group on one Friday and the second group on the next.Families will be notified this week as to which group their students are in prior to the Nov. 2 start.

New small cohort plan starts next week in USD 308

HARVEY COUNTY — A Goddard man was killed in an accident in Harvey County Monday night.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reports that a 2009 Kia Spectra driven by 47-year-old Wanda S. Ivy of Newton was traveling eastbound on US 50 from milepost 266 west of Newton and was traveling at a slow rate of speed due to weather conditions. A 2004 Ford F250 driven by 33-year-old Brandon Michael Albert of Goddard was traveling eastbound on US 50 and struck the Spectra in a rear-end collision. The truck rolled multiple times ejecting Albert. Albert then came to rest on the highway.

Albert was pronounced dead at the scene. Ivy was taken to St. Francis hospital in Wichita to be checked out.

<figure>
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 </figure>HARVEY COUNTY — A Goddard man was killed in an accident in Harvey County Monday night.The Kansas Highway Patrol reports that a 2009 Kia Spectra driven by 47-year-old Wanda S. Ivy of Newton was traveling eastbound on US 50 from milepost 266 west of Newton and was traveling at a slow rate of speed due to weather conditions. A 2004 Ford F250 driven by 33-year-old Brandon Michael Albert of Goddard was traveling eastbound on US 50 and struck the Spectra in a rear-end collision. The truck rolled multiple times ejecting Albert. Albert then came to rest on the highway.Albert was pronounced dead at the scene. Ivy was taken to St. Francis hospital in Wichita to be checked out.

Goddard man killed in Harvey County accident Monday night

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A Hutchinson man convicted of arson in connection with a fire at the Plaza Towers will have his case go before the Supreme Court on Wednesday.

Chase Coble was found guilty of one count of aggravated arson and not guilty on the other arson charges. The district court sentenced Coble to 66 months in prison and ordered him to pay more than $7,800 for restitution. Coble appealed his conviction, although the Kansas Court of Appeals upheld the conviction. The case is now before the Supreme Court. 

Coble argues the jury instruction was ambiguous because it did not specify which incendiary event was alleged in the count for which he was found guilty. However, the Court of Appeals found Coble invited the instructional error because the instruction was agreed to by both parties.&nbsp;

Hutchinson firefighters reported to a fire alarm at the apartment complex. Firefighters found the sprinkler system was shut off, and soot and charring in three areas. They also found chemicals, beakers, test tubes, and other laboratory equipment. Coble was found outside without a shirt and with extensive burns. Coble said the fire started after an experiment went wrong.&nbsp;

<figure>
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 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A Hutchinson man convicted of arson in connection with a fire at the Plaza Towers will have his case go before the Supreme Court on Wednesday.Chase Coble was found guilty of one count of aggravated arson and not guilty on the other arson charges. The district court sentenced Coble to 66 months in prison and ordered him to pay more than $7,800 for restitution. Coble appealed his conviction, although the Kansas Court of Appeals upheld the conviction. The case is now before the Supreme Court. Coble argues the jury instruction was ambiguous because it did not specify which incendiary event was alleged in the count for which he was found guilty. However, the Court of Appeals found Coble invited the instructional error because the instruction was agreed to by both parties.&nbsp;Hutchinson firefighters reported to a fire alarm at the apartment complex. Firefighters found the sprinkler system was shut off, and soot and charring in three areas. They also found chemicals, beakers, test tubes, and other laboratory equipment. Coble was found outside without a shirt and with extensive burns. Coble said the fire started after an experiment went wrong.&nbsp;

Arson case goes before Supreme Court

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — This is the last week for the annual Coats for Kids campaign.

The annual event sponsored by Ineeda Cleaners collects coats and winter garments for those in need.

Rachel Nelson of Ineeda says the month started slow, but with the colder weather, the pace has picked up a bit in collections. One thing she has noticed is that they seem to be getting more coats and items for children, which she says is a good thing.

If you would like to make a donation, just drop your coat or other winter items to Ineeda Cleaners at 13th and Main through this week. The items will be cleaned and then distributed to those in need.

<figure>
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 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — This is the last week for the annual Coats for Kids campaign.The annual event sponsored by Ineeda Cleaners collects coats and winter garments for those in need.Rachel Nelson of Ineeda says the month started slow, but with the colder weather, the pace has picked up a bit in collections. One thing she has noticed is that they seem to be getting more coats and items for children, which she says is a good thing.If you would like to make a donation, just drop your coat or other winter items to Ineeda Cleaners at 13th and Main through this week. The items will be cleaned and then distributed to those in need.

Coats for Kids campaign continues through this week

HAVEN, Kan. — The Haven USD 312 School Board held a special meeting to make some minor adjustments to its gating criteria Monday morning.

During the meeting, the district changed its policy of spectators at sporting events. Under the changed policy, each athlete will be allowed two spectators at a sporting event. That's a change from zero spectators allowed under the red zone regulations first put forth.

Currently, students in both the middle school and high school are in hybrid learning, while Haven Grade School is in full-attendance mode. The students in Yoder Charter School have divided up their classes with half staying at the small school in Yoder and the other half attending classes at the Journey Church just north of Yoder.

Also Monday, the board approved allowing Haven Recreation use of the Haven Grade School for rec activities. All other buildings remain closed to community use.

<figure>
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 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HAVEN, Kan. — The Haven USD 312 School Board held a special meeting to make some minor adjustments to its gating criteria Monday morning.During the meeting, the district changed its policy of spectators at sporting events. Under the changed policy, each athlete will be allowed two spectators at a sporting event. That's a change from zero spectators allowed under the red zone regulations first put forth.Currently, students in both the middle school and high school are in hybrid learning, while Haven Grade School is in full-attendance mode. The students in Yoder Charter School have divided up their classes with half staying at the small school in Yoder and the other half attending classes at the Journey Church just north of Yoder.Also Monday, the board approved allowing Haven Recreation use of the Haven Grade School for rec activities. All other buildings remain closed to community use.

USD 312 modifies its gating criteria during special Monday meeting

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Reno County Health Department was scheduled to hold its first of the COVID community tests at the fairgrounds starting Tuesday. Because of weather conditions, that testing has been postponed.&nbsp;

Anyone who has scheduled an appointment will be contacted by health department staff to reschedule their appointments to Tuesday, Nov. 3.&nbsp;

The health department is hosting the testing at the fairgrounds each Tuesday and every other Saturday through the end of December.

If you would like to make an appointment, call 1-844-834-3657.

<figure>
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 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Reno County Health Department was scheduled to hold its first of the COVID community tests at the fairgrounds starting Tuesday. Because of weather conditions, that testing has been postponed.&nbsp;Anyone who has scheduled an appointment will be contacted by health department staff to reschedule their appointments to Tuesday, Nov. 3.&nbsp;The health department is hosting the testing at the fairgrounds each Tuesday and every other Saturday through the end of December.If you would like to make an appointment, call 1-844-834-3657.

COVID testing at fairgrounds postponed

On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with Royals announcer Steve Stewart.

<div><iframe title="Forward Ever: Royals announcer Steve Stewart" height="400" width="400" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/2buqw-f07415?from=pb6admin&download=1&version=1&vjs=1&auto=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Helvetica&skin=3&pfauth="></iframe></div>On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with Royals announcer Steve Stewart.

🎤Forward Ever: Royals announcer Steve Stewart

BUHLER,
Kan. —UPDATE: The&nbsp;The Buhler USD 313 School Board special meeting for tonight has been cancelled due to icy road conditions. 

The items on the agenda will be added to the agenda for their regular November 9 meeting.

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 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BUHLER,
Kan. —UPDATE: The&nbsp;The Buhler USD 313 School Board special meeting for tonight has been cancelled due to icy road conditions. The items on the agenda will be added to the agenda for their regular November 9 meeting.

USD 313 School Board special meeting canceled


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —&nbsp;Kansas House District 114 candidate Michael Murphy sees Medicaid expansion through the lens of someone who believes it comes with too many strings attached.

"One of the biggest problems with Medicaid expansion right now, is the idea of public funds for abortion," Murphy said. "I'm pro-life. I'm endorsed by Kansans for Life. I believe that's important. People are quick to say that the Hyde Amendment says you can't use federal funds for abortion, but as recently as the end of August, Nancy Pelosi and one of the chairs on the house committee said they plan to remove the amendment next year, if they remain in power. So, that goes away and the Hyde Amendment does not prevent states from using their own tax dollars for abortion and many states do."

Murphy isn't sure he buys Medicaid expansion as the savior for rural hospitals, either.

"When we look at Fort Scott and Independence, the hospitals that closed, they're saying we can save these rural hospitals, those hospitals were so deeply in debt that the money they would have gotten would not have saved them. Fifty-five percent of the Medicaid expansion money would go to the ten largest hospitals. That doesn't help the rural hospitals."

Murphy notes that most of the state sponsored insurance at this point is for people who are not able bodied. Medicaid expansion would be different.

"It uses a lot of money but solves very few problems," Murphy said. "It covers adults that are 19 to 64 that are able bodied. We have KanCare and we have other programs in Medicaid that help the rest of them."

Murphy will face Democrat Jeff Stroberg November 3.

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By
NICK GOSNELL
Hutch
Post
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —&nbsp;Kansas House District 114 candidate Michael Murphy sees Medicaid expansion through the lens of someone who believes it comes with too many strings attached."One of the biggest problems with Medicaid expansion right now, is the idea of public funds for abortion," Murphy said. "I'm pro-life. I'm endorsed by Kansans for Life. I believe that's important. People are quick to say that the Hyde Amendment says you can't use federal funds for abortion, but as recently as the end of August, Nancy Pelosi and one of the chairs on the house committee said they plan to remove the amendment next year, if they remain in power. So, that goes away and the Hyde Amendment does not prevent states from using their own tax dollars for abortion and many states do."Murphy isn't sure he buys Medicaid expansion as the savior for rural hospitals, either."When we look at Fort Scott and Independence, the hospitals that closed, they're saying we can save these rural hospitals, those hospitals were so deeply in debt that the money they would have gotten would not have saved them. Fifty-five percent of the Medicaid expansion money would go to the ten largest hospitals. That doesn't help the rural hospitals."Murphy notes that most of the state sponsored insurance at this point is for people who are not able bodied. Medicaid expansion would be different."It uses a lot of money but solves very few problems," Murphy said. "It covers adults that are 19 to 64 that are able bodied. We have KanCare and we have other programs in Medicaid that help the rest of them."Murphy will face Democrat Jeff Stroberg November 3.

Murphy: Medicaid expansion has too many strings

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

MCPHERSON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 7 a.m. Monday in McPherson County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1995 Chevy S-10 driven by 19-year-old&nbsp; Stevan E. Schafers of Marion was northbound on Interstate 135 six miles north of McPherson when Schafers lost control on a patch of ice. The pickup entered the center median and struck a concrete culvert.

EMS transported&nbsp;Schafers to the hospital in McPherson. The KHP did not report whether or not he was buckled up.

MCPHERSON COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident just before 7 a.m. Monday in McPherson County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1995 Chevy S-10 driven by 19-year-old&nbsp; Stevan E. Schafers of Marion was northbound on Interstate 135 six miles north of McPherson when Schafers lost control on a patch of ice. The pickup entered the center median and struck a concrete culvert.EMS transported&nbsp;Schafers to the hospital in McPherson. The KHP did not report whether or not he was buckled up.

Kansas man hospitalized after pickup slides on ice


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —&nbsp;Kansas House District 114 Democratic candidate Jeff Stroberg believes change is needed in the makeup of the Kansas Legislature.

"When I moved back, what I came back to is a state that's had, for the last nearly 30 years, a single party in control of our legislature in Kansas," Stroberg said. "I don't think that they have done south central Kansas the kind of job that we need to have. We certainly haven't had the growth that we need. We've seen rural migration and it's time for a change."

One change that Stroberg wants in particular is Medicaid expansion. He believes it's an economic issue.

"It would be very, very difficult for us to get any new businesses in Kingman," Stroberg said. "If the small hospital in Lyons were to close, what would that do to Sterling or if we had diminished healthcare in Hutchinson, what would that do to Reno County? In all of those cases, we need to bring back those dollars that we are sending off to other states."

Stroberg argues that we are at a competitive disadvantage now.

"We're turning into an island, with states around us that have taken actions that are going to help their states economies grow," Stroberg said. "We need to do the same."

Stroberg will face Michael Murphy November 3.

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By
NICK GOSNELL
Hutch
Post
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —&nbsp;Kansas House District 114 Democratic candidate Jeff Stroberg believes change is needed in the makeup of the Kansas Legislature."When I moved back, what I came back to is a state that's had, for the last nearly 30 years, a single party in control of our legislature in Kansas," Stroberg said. "I don't think that they have done south central Kansas the kind of job that we need to have. We certainly haven't had the growth that we need. We've seen rural migration and it's time for a change."One change that Stroberg wants in particular is Medicaid expansion. He believes it's an economic issue."It would be very, very difficult for us to get any new businesses in Kingman," Stroberg said. "If the small hospital in Lyons were to close, what would that do to Sterling or if we had diminished healthcare in Hutchinson, what would that do to Reno County? In all of those cases, we need to bring back those dollars that we are sending off to other states."Stroberg argues that we are at a competitive disadvantage now."We're turning into an island, with states around us that have taken actions that are going to help their states economies grow," Stroberg said. "We need to do the same."Stroberg will face Michael Murphy November 3.

Stroberg: Seeking change; Medicaid expansion is economic issue


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
Reno County Deputy Elections Officer Jenna Fager says with Tuesday as the last day to request a mail-in advance ballot, they have fulfilled 8,918 requests and 5,729 of those have already been returned.

One hundred ninety-six people cast ballots in person in advance on Saturday and 3,763 have voted in advance in person as of the end of the weekend.

In person advance voting continues at the Reno County Annex from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with late voting until 7 p.m. on October 27th and 29th.

Secure ballot drop boxes are available in the front of the Reno County Annex, as well as inside the Buhler city office and the Nickerson city office. Advance ballots returned in those boxes must be there by 7 p.m. on election night.

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HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
Reno County Deputy Elections Officer Jenna Fager says with Tuesday as the last day to request a mail-in advance ballot, they have fulfilled 8,918 requests and 5,729 of those have already been returned.One hundred ninety-six people cast ballots in person in advance on Saturday and 3,763 have voted in advance in person as of the end of the weekend.In person advance voting continues at the Reno County Annex from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with late voting until 7 p.m. on October 27th and 29th.Secure ballot drop boxes are available in the front of the Reno County Annex, as well as inside the Buhler city office and the Nickerson city office. Advance ballots returned in those boxes must be there by 7 p.m. on election night.

Mail in ballot applications close Tuesday, nearly 9000 requests fulfilled


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
The Hutchinson Police Department is excited to announce that Chief Hooper has promoted Jake Graber to the rank of Lieutenant.  The promotional ceremony will be held Tuesday Oct 27th. Sadly, due to current restrictions, this ceremony will not be open to the public.

Lt. Jake Graber will be the patrol Lieutenant assigned to Second platoon. Lt. Graber began his career in public service while still in high school by following his father’s footsteps and joining the local volunteer fire department of his hometown.  Lt. Graber is still a member of the fire department and is in his 20th year. After graduating high school, Lt. Graber attended Hutchinson Community College and earned his Criminal Justice Degree. Shortly after graduating he was hired as a 911 dispatcher here in Hutchinson. Lt. Graber knew that he wanted to work in law enforcement, so after two years of dispatching, he joined the South Hutchinson Police Department. Lt. Graber worked at SHPD from 2008 until he joined the Hutchinson Police Department family in September 2018.

Lt. Graber has worked in various capacities during his time with the Hutchinson Police Department to include the Repeat Offender Unit, as a Field Training Officer, taser and pepper spray instructor and a Master Police Officer. In his spare time he enjoys traveling to see friends and family. If there’s a Chiefs football game or a Jayhawks basketball game on, you’ll either find him in front of the TV or at the game!

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HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
The Hutchinson Police Department is excited to announce that Chief Hooper has promoted Jake Graber to the rank of Lieutenant. The promotional ceremony will be held Tuesday Oct 27th. Sadly, due to current restrictions, this ceremony will not be open to the public.Lt. Jake Graber will be the patrol Lieutenant assigned to Second platoon. Lt. Graber began his career in public service while still in high school by following his father’s footsteps and joining the local volunteer fire department of his hometown. Lt. Graber is still a member of the fire department and is in his 20th year. After graduating high school, Lt. Graber attended Hutchinson Community College and earned his Criminal Justice Degree. Shortly after graduating he was hired as a 911 dispatcher here in Hutchinson. Lt. Graber knew that he wanted to work in law enforcement, so after two years of dispatching, he joined the South Hutchinson Police Department. Lt. Graber worked at SHPD from 2008 until he joined the Hutchinson Police Department family in September 2018.Lt. Graber has worked in various capacities during his time with the Hutchinson Police Department to include the Repeat Offender Unit, as a Field Training Officer, taser and pepper spray instructor and a Master Police Officer. In his spare time he enjoys traveling to see friends and family. If there’s a Chiefs football game or a Jayhawks basketball game on, you’ll either find him in front of the TV or at the game!

Graber to be promoted Tuesday

HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — The Hutchinson USD 308 School Board will meet thins evening to go over the
latest update on negotiations with the local teachers union for a new contract.
The matter will be discussed in executive session. 

The board will also get an
update from the staff of Wiley Elementary School on their redesign project. The school
was recently given the go-ahead by the state to enter into the Apollo redesign
program after making its presentation two weeks ago. 

The Board will discuss pay rates for
classified and administrative staff and go over possible changes to the schools
gating criteria to keep as many students in class as possible. 

Tonight’s
meeting of the Hutchinson USD 308 School Board begins at 7 p.m. at the Career
and Technical Education Academy.

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 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — The Hutchinson USD 308 School Board will meet thins evening to go over the
latest update on negotiations with the local teachers union for a new contract.
The matter will be discussed in executive session. The board will also get an
update from the staff of Wiley Elementary School on their redesign project. The school
was recently given the go-ahead by the state to enter into the Apollo redesign
program after making its presentation two weeks ago. The Board will discuss pay rates for
classified and administrative staff and go over possible changes to the schools
gating criteria to keep as many students in class as possible. Tonight’s
meeting of the Hutchinson USD 308 School Board begins at 7 p.m. at the Career
and Technical Education Academy.

USD 308 to discuss teachers contract 

Jackie Mundt, Pratt County farmer and rancher

Fall is winding down on our farm. Brown grass is hidden beneath piles of colorful leaves that have fallen. Wheat drilled last month has popped up providing a spiky looking cover to fields for the winter. Corn and soybeans have been harvested and shipped off to the elevator. By the time you read this, we may even have had a dusting of snow.

But — a single field of double-crop milo remains uncut. It could take weeks before it is dry enough to harvest. This one field has caused a disproportionate amount of anxiety. Even though all the other work is done, harvest season cannot be complete without it. Equipment can’t be winterized, paperwork can’t be finalized, and the weight of unfinished work sits heavy in our house.

It seems like so much of this year has been spent in a similar state. Waiting anxiously to see what will happen with COVID-19 when we just want to get back to “normal” life. Counting down the days until the election and the merciful end of campaign ads. Watching our fellow humans so frustrated by inequality that violence erupts in the streets and wondering helplessly how to make it stop.

All this seems to have led to many of us feeling “over it”, where anxiety and frustration create a mental fatigue and you just don’t care anymore how it turn out as long as it is over. 

The problem with this apathy is that it can cause you to forget to stop and appreciate the value of an ending.

Endings can be satisfying. Like the feeling that comes from indulging in large gulps for air after you sprinted across the finish line, the satisfying swish and thud of the hard cover closing when you have finished a good book, or making a joyful “Victory March” across the stage to receive your diploma.

Endings can also be disappointing. The feeling of defeat that comes from losing a playoff game to end your high school athletic career. The regret of a missed opportunity. Getting the devastating news of a friend or loved one’s life being unexpectedly cut short.

To truly value endings, you must recognize that our final ending is that of life. All the other endings are leading to that one and it will probably come sooner than most of us would like.

So, when I find myself feeling apathetic or anxiously waiting for an ending, I try to stop and appreciate the moment: imagining an end and pondering how it can bring me joy or teach me an important lesson. I reflect on how past satisfactions or disappointments made me who I am and motivate me through the promise or threat of how things will end.

Each ending fills our life with experience and opens a space for another beginning.

Next week the 2020 campaign season will come to an end. There will be winners and losers.  In the future, COVID outbreaks will be controlled and the world should go back to some kind of normal. Racial inequalities can even be overcome. And harvest on our farm will eventually be finished.

For now, I am going to appreciate the lessons of this crazy year and dream of all the wonderful endings in my future.

"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/2019/12/1575406519723.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Jackie Mundt, Pratt County farmer and rancherFall is winding down on our farm. Brown grass is hidden beneath piles of colorful leaves that have fallen. Wheat drilled last month has popped up providing a spiky looking cover to fields for the winter. Corn and soybeans have been harvested and shipped off to the elevator. By the time you read this, we may even have had a dusting of snow.But — a single field of double-crop milo remains uncut. It could take weeks before it is dry enough to harvest. This one field has caused a disproportionate amount of anxiety. Even though all the other work is done, harvest season cannot be complete without it. Equipment can’t be winterized, paperwork can’t be finalized, and the weight of unfinished work sits heavy in our house.It seems like so much of this year has been spent in a similar state. Waiting anxiously to see what will happen with COVID-19 when we just want to get back to “normal” life. Counting down the days until the election and the merciful end of campaign ads. Watching our fellow humans so frustrated by inequality that violence erupts in the streets and wondering helplessly how to make it stop.All this seems to have led to many of us feeling “over it”, where anxiety and frustration create a mental fatigue and you just don’t care anymore how it turn out as long as it is over. The problem with this apathy is that it can cause you to forget to stop and appreciate the value of an ending.Endings can be satisfying. Like the feeling that comes from indulging in large gulps for air after you sprinted across the finish line, the satisfying swish and thud of the hard cover closing when you have finished a good book, or making a joyful “Victory March” across the stage to receive your diploma.Endings can also be disappointing. The feeling of defeat that comes from losing a playoff game to end your high school athletic career. The regret of a missed opportunity. Getting the devastating news of a friend or loved one’s life being unexpectedly cut short.To truly value endings, you must recognize that our final ending is that of life. All the other endings are leading to that one and it will probably come sooner than most of us would like.So, when I find myself feeling apathetic or anxiously waiting for an ending, I try to stop and appreciate the moment: imagining an end and pondering how it can bring me joy or teach me an important lesson. I reflect on how past satisfactions or disappointments made me who I am and motivate me through the promise or threat of how things will end.Each ending fills our life with experience and opens a space for another beginning.Next week the 2020 campaign season will come to an end. There will be winners and losers. In the future, COVID outbreaks will be controlled and the world should go back to some kind of normal. Racial inequalities can even be overcome. And harvest on our farm will eventually be finished.For now, I am going to appreciate the lessons of this crazy year and dream of all the wonderful endings in my future."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: Pondering Endings

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Comsosphere’s Onward and Upward
campaign ended over the weekend with good results. 

According to numbers released from the museum and education center
the telethon raised a total of $96,159 and the auction totaled $64,165 for a
grand total of $160,324.

The auction and telethon were held to try and offset
canceled space camps and fundraisers including the Apollo 13 celebration which
was postponed during the spring and then canceled altogether.

The museum is still taking donations at <a href="https://cosmo.org/">cosmo.org</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1601686256440.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Comsosphere’s Onward and Upward
campaign ended over the weekend with good results. According to numbers released from the museum and education center
the telethon raised a total of $96,159 and the auction totaled $64,165 for a
grand total of $160,324.The auction and telethon were held to try and offset
canceled space camps and fundraisers including the Apollo 13 celebration which
was postponed during the spring and then canceled altogether.The museum is still taking donations at <a href="https://cosmo.org/">cosmo.org</a>.

Oward and Upward campaign nets more than $160K for Cosmosphere

A winter weather advisory is in effect for the area until 1 a.m. Tuesday.

Conditions can deteriorate rapidly in winter weather situations. Be prepared for snow or ice covered roads. Slow down and allow extra time when traveling.

A mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain will continue. Total snow and sleet accumulations of up to two inches with isolated spots above that and ice accumulations of around one tenth of an inch are possible.

Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact travel throughout the day.

Falling temperatures will lead to a hard freeze for most locations by Monday night.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603718140540.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>A winter weather advisory is in effect for the area until 1 a.m. Tuesday.Conditions can deteriorate rapidly in winter weather situations. Be prepared for snow or ice covered roads. Slow down and allow extra time when traveling.A mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain will continue. Total snow and sleet accumulations of up to two inches with isolated spots above that and ice accumulations of around one tenth of an inch are possible.Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact travel throughout the day.Falling temperatures will lead to a hard freeze for most locations by Monday night.

Winter weather threat continues through Monday


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
The Reno County overall case count is at 617 as of Sunday evening. The death count among Reno County residents remains at 15.

The Correctional Facility cluster type has 400 active cases measured by the county's COVID-19 dashboard. The Long Term Care Facility cluster type is down to just 13 cases, but has been responsible for 6 deaths. There are 17 active clusters in the county.

There are 234 cases in the community at large.

Eighteen people are in the hospital. Eighty-eight total have been hospitalized. Thirty-eight have been admitted to the ICU and 12 have been intubated.

The community's positive test rate is back down to 10.94%, with the overall positive test rate at 16.57%. 19.38% of the population has been tested.

The Reno County Health Department is providing testing every Tuesday at the Fairgrounds Oz Building Breezeway. The test date this week is Tuesday, Oct 27 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

<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 617 as of Sunday evening. The death count among Reno County residents remains at 15.The Correctional Facility cluster type has 400 active cases measured by the county's COVID-19 dashboard. The Long Term Care Facility cluster type is down to just 13 cases, but has been responsible for 6 deaths. There are 17 active clusters in the county.There are 234 cases in the community at large.Eighteen people are in the hospital. Eighty-eight total have been hospitalized. Thirty-eight have been admitted to the ICU and 12 have been intubated.The community's positive test rate is back down to 10.94%, with the overall positive test rate at 16.57%. 19.38% of the population has been tested.The Reno County Health Department is providing testing every Tuesday at the Fairgrounds Oz Building Breezeway. The test date this week is Tuesday, Oct 27 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Case count at 617, 400 of those related to correctional facilities


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
The firefighting crew that went to the East Troublesome Fire in Colorado last week has safely made it back to Hutchinson. 

The other crew from Hutchinson is still on the Calwood Fire. There has been some serious winter weather in that area which should help the fire conditions but the fire department noted in a Facebook post over the weekend that it will take a toll on the men and their equipment. 

They are due to remain on the Calwood Fire until Wednesday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603705957271.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
The firefighting crew that went to the East Troublesome Fire in Colorado last week has safely made it back to Hutchinson. The other crew from Hutchinson is still on the Calwood Fire. There has been some serious winter weather in that area which should help the fire conditions but the fire department noted in a Facebook post over the weekend that it will take a toll on the men and their equipment. They are due to remain on the Calwood Fire until Wednesday.

Hutch firefighters from East Troublesome Fire home; Calwood Fire crew still working

COVID-19 cuts traffic density, allowing risk takers to push safety limits

By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/10/23/kansas-highway-fatality-rate-surges-despite-fewer-miles-traveled-in-2020/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — The rate of 
traffic fatalities on Kansas highways surged in the first nine months of
 2020 despite dramatic reduction in miles traveled because of temporary 
stay-at-home mandates and ongoing health concerns of the COVID-19 
pandemic, officials said Thursday.

The number of vehicle 
miles traveled on Kansas highways from January through September 
plummeted 10.2% compared to the same period in 2019. But the fatality 
rate per 100 million miles traveled in Kansas increased during the 
nine-month period, escalating to 1.52 in 2020 from 1.29 in 2019.

“Vehicle miles traveled is
 going down, yet fatalities are going up,” said Chris Herrick, director 
of planning and development at the Kansas Department of Transportation. 
“Everybody is trying to get their hands and arms wrapped around why is 
vehicle miles traveled going down and fatality rates increasing.”

He said the primary 
culprit appeared to be motorists taking advantage of highways less 
densely packed with cars and trucks to drive at excessive speeds. He 
said some pushed the envelope by accelerating beyond 100 mph on Kansas 
roadways posted with limits that range from 55 mph on two-lane highways 
to 75 mph on stretches of turnpike and freeway.

“Speed kills. The faster 
you go, the more force there is and when you do get in a wreck, the 
worse the wreck is,” Herrick said. “The risky-behavior people are out 
and about, and they are the ones more likely to speed. You have less 
traffic on the roads, so you have more ability to speed.”

The total number of Kansas
 highway traffic fatalities — not just the rate — increased during the 
March to September months in which COVID-19 has imposed the greatest 
impact on residents of the state. KDOT said there were 258 deaths on 
highways in Kansas during those seven months of 2020, an increase from 
254 during that same period in 2019.

That 1.6% increase in 
Kansas traffic deaths occurred despite significant reduction in vehicle 
miles covered during those seven months. Comparing 2020 to 2019, KDOT 
officials said, vehicle miles driven in Kansas was down by 13.5% in 
March, 36.7% in April, 19.5% in May, 9.7% in June, 7.3% in July, 4.7% in
 August and 4.8% in September.

The National Safety 
Council’s estimate based on the first six months of 2020 data from all 
50 states indicated there was a 20% jump in the U.S. death rate, which 
is a key indicator of how safely drivers used the roadways. The shift 
between January and June 2020, compared to the same six-month period in 
2019, represented the highest surge for a six-month period since 1999, 
NSC said.

NSC, a nonproft 
organization dedicated to reducing the number of preventable deaths and 
injuries, said the national increase in fatalities came despite a 17% 
drop in the number of miles driven between January and June. The total 
number of U.S. deaths was up 1% from the six-month total in 2019.

“Because of COVID-19 and 
states’ shelter-in-place orders earlier this year, the country should 
have reaped a safety benefit from less traffic,” said Lorraine Martin, 
NSC’s president and chief executive officer. “Instead, our soaring rate 
of deaths speaks to our need to improve safety on our roads. Clearly, we
 must work harder as a society to reverse this trend, especially since 
the pandemic is not nearly over.”

In June, when many states 
ended three straight months of quarantine, the number of miles driven 
remained 13% lower than the previous year, but both the fatality rates 
and the overall number of deaths skyrocketed in the United States.

The number of deaths was up 17% in June, NSC said, while the rate of death per 100 million miles driven jumped 34.4%.

Tim Carpenter has reported on Kansas for 35 years. He covered the Capitol for 16 years at the Topeka Capital-Journal and previously worked for the Lawrence Journal-World and United Press International.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603569396642.png" alt="The Kansas Department of Transportation reports the rate of traffic fatalities in Kanssa increased from January throuugh September 2020 compared to the first nine months of 2019, despite a 10.2% reduction in highway miles traveled in the state due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>The Kansas Department of Transportation reports the rate of traffic fatalities in Kanssa increased from January throuugh September 2020 compared to the first nine months of 2019, despite a 10.2% reduction in highway miles traveled in the state due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>COVID-19 cuts traffic density, allowing risk takers to push safety limits</h2>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2020/10/23/kansas-highway-fatality-rate-surges-despite-fewer-miles-traveled-in-2020/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — The rate of 
traffic fatalities on Kansas highways surged in the first nine months of
 2020 despite dramatic reduction in miles traveled because of temporary 
stay-at-home mandates and ongoing health concerns of the COVID-19 
pandemic, officials said Thursday.The number of vehicle 
miles traveled on Kansas highways from January through September 
plummeted 10.2% compared to the same period in 2019. But the fatality 
rate per 100 million miles traveled in Kansas increased during the 
nine-month period, escalating to 1.52 in 2020 from 1.29 in 2019.“Vehicle miles traveled is
 going down, yet fatalities are going up,” said Chris Herrick, director 
of planning and development at the Kansas Department of Transportation. 
“Everybody is trying to get their hands and arms wrapped around why is 
vehicle miles traveled going down and fatality rates increasing.”He said the primary 
culprit appeared to be motorists taking advantage of highways less 
densely packed with cars and trucks to drive at excessive speeds. He 
said some pushed the envelope by accelerating beyond 100 mph on Kansas 
roadways posted with limits that range from 55 mph on two-lane highways 
to 75 mph on stretches of turnpike and freeway.“Speed kills. The faster 
you go, the more force there is and when you do get in a wreck, the 
worse the wreck is,” Herrick said. “The risky-behavior people are out 
and about, and they are the ones more likely to speed. You have less 
traffic on the roads, so you have more ability to speed.”The total number of Kansas
 highway traffic fatalities — not just the rate — increased during the 
March to September months in which COVID-19 has imposed the greatest 
impact on residents of the state. KDOT said there were 258 deaths on 
highways in Kansas during those seven months of 2020, an increase from 
254 during that same period in 2019.That 1.6% increase in 
Kansas traffic deaths occurred despite significant reduction in vehicle 
miles covered during those seven months. Comparing 2020 to 2019, KDOT 
officials said, vehicle miles driven in Kansas was down by 13.5% in 
March, 36.7% in April, 19.5% in May, 9.7% in June, 7.3% in July, 4.7% in
 August and 4.8% in September.The National Safety 
Council’s estimate based on the first six months of 2020 data from all 
50 states indicated there was a 20% jump in the U.S. death rate, which 
is a key indicator of how safely drivers used the roadways. The shift 
between January and June 2020, compared to the same six-month period in 
2019, represented the highest surge for a six-month period since 1999, 
NSC said.NSC, a nonproft 
organization dedicated to reducing the number of preventable deaths and 
injuries, said the national increase in fatalities came despite a 17% 
drop in the number of miles driven between January and June. The total 
number of U.S. deaths was up 1% from the six-month total in 2019.“Because of COVID-19 and 
states’ shelter-in-place orders earlier this year, the country should 
have reaped a safety benefit from less traffic,” said Lorraine Martin, 
NSC’s president and chief executive officer. “Instead, our soaring rate 
of deaths speaks to our need to improve safety on our roads. Clearly, we
 must work harder as a society to reverse this trend, especially since 
the pandemic is not nearly over.”In June, when many states 
ended three straight months of quarantine, the number of miles driven 
remained 13% lower than the previous year, but both the fatality rates 
and the overall number of deaths skyrocketed in the United States.The number of deaths was up 17% in June, NSC said, while the rate of death per 100 million miles driven jumped 34.4%.Tim Carpenter has reported on Kansas for 35 years. He covered the Capitol for 16 years at the Topeka Capital-Journal and previously worked for the Lawrence Journal-World and United Press International.

Kan. highway fatality rate surges despite fewer miles traveled in 2020


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —&nbsp;Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt doesn't like the idea of enlarging the Supreme Court, in fact he's joined support of the so-called “Keep Nine” amendment, a bipartisan proposal introduced last month in the U.S. House of Representatives by Collin Peterson, D-Minn., and Denver Riggleman, R-Va.

"It's well settled, it's well accepted by folks of all different philosophies, different litigants and by the court itself," Schmidt said. "Justice Ginsburg said, nine seems to be a good number. The problem is, that number is not locked in the Constitution."

The proposed amendment would add 13 words to the U.S. Constitution. It would say, The Supreme Court of the United States shall be composed of nine Justices.

"The court ought to be outside of that political debate," Schmidt said. "Nine is a good number. There's a process for selecting those nine. Everybody ought to play by the same rules and there shouldn't be an option for Republicans or Democrats who come up on the short end of that process to go out and change the rules after the fact by adding more justices."

A federal constitutional amendment must receive approval from two-thirds of the members of the U.S. House and Senate to be formally proposed, then the approval of three-fourths of the state legislatures to be ratified.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583409290272.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>
By
NICK GOSNELL
Hutch
Post
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —&nbsp;Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt doesn't like the idea of enlarging the Supreme Court, in fact he's joined support of the so-called “Keep Nine” amendment, a bipartisan proposal introduced last month in the U.S. House of Representatives by Collin Peterson, D-Minn., and Denver Riggleman, R-Va."It's well settled, it's well accepted by folks of all different philosophies, different litigants and by the court itself," Schmidt said. "Justice Ginsburg said, nine seems to be a good number. The problem is, that number is not locked in the Constitution."The proposed amendment would add 13 words to the U.S. Constitution. It would say, The Supreme Court of the United States shall be composed of nine Justices."The court ought to be outside of that political debate," Schmidt said. "Nine is a good number. There's a process for selecting those nine. Everybody ought to play by the same rules and there shouldn't be an option for Republicans or Democrats who come up on the short end of that process to go out and change the rules after the fact by adding more justices."A federal constitutional amendment must receive approval from two-thirds of the members of the U.S. House and Senate to be formally proposed, then the approval of three-fourths of the state legislatures to be ratified.

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