HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson Fire Marshal Mike Cain reminds us during Fire Prevention Week, it's important to make sure you have enough smoke detectors and that they work.

"We recommend smoke alarms on every level of the house," Cain said. "If you have a basement, one in the basement, the first floor, second floor if you have it, and those should be in the hallway outside of the sleeping areas. And then we really recommend one in each bedroom, but we know that that's not always feasible, so at least one outside in the hallway outside of the bedrooms."

It's important to check them periodically, as well.

&nbsp;"Once you put them up, you have to test them once a month," Cain said. "It's simple, you walk by, there's a button right on the face of it, you push that button, it beeps at you, you know it's still working."

Smoke alarms are only good for 10 years, because the chemical inside them that senses the smoke only has a 10 year half-life.

"All of those alarms now are dated," Cain said. "They have a date stamped on them. If you're looking at your alarm and you don't see a date, it's well over 10 years old now and should be replaced."

If you need new alarms, you can call the fire department to see if they have any left through funding they receive from the American Red Cross. The number is (620) 694-2871.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1635522634375.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>NICK GOSNELL Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson Fire Marshal Mike Cain reminds us during Fire Prevention Week, it's important to make sure you have enough smoke detectors and that they work."We recommend smoke alarms on every level of the house," Cain said. "If you have a basement, one in the basement, the first floor, second floor if you have it, and those should be in the hallway outside of the sleeping areas. And then we really recommend one in each bedroom, but we know that that's not always feasible, so at least one outside in the hallway outside of the bedrooms."It's important to check them periodically, as well.&nbsp;"Once you put them up, you have to test them once a month," Cain said. "It's simple, you walk by, there's a button right on the face of it, you push that button, it beeps at you, you know it's still working."Smoke alarms are only good for 10 years, because the chemical inside them that senses the smoke only has a 10 year half-life."All of those alarms now are dated," Cain said. "They have a date stamped on them. If you're looking at your alarm and you don't see a date, it's well over 10 years old now and should be replaced."If you need new alarms, you can call the fire department to see if they have any left through funding they receive from the American Red Cross. The number is (620) 694-2871.

Have smoke alarms and make sure they work

WASHINGTON, D.C. —&nbsp; Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments for more than 72.5 million Americans will increase 2.5 percent in 2025, the Social Security Administration announced today.&nbsp; On average, Social Security retirement benefits will increase by about $50 per month starting in January.

Over the last decade the COLA increase has averaged about 2.6 percent.&nbsp; The COLA was 3.2 percent in 2024.

Nearly 68 million Social Security beneficiaries will see a 2.5 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) beginning in January 2025.  Increased payments to nearly 7.5 million people receiving SSI will begin on December 31, 2024. (Note: Some people receive both Social Security benefits and SSI).

“Social Security benefits and SSI payments will increase in 2025, helping tens of millions of people keep up with expenses even as inflation has started to cool,” said Martin O’Malley, Commissioner of Social Security.

Some other adjustments that take effect in January of each year are based on the increase in average wages.  Based on that increase, the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax (taxable maximum) is slated to increase to $176,100 from $168,600.

Social Security begins notifying people about their new benefit amount by mail starting in early December.

This year, for the first time, Social Security beneficiaries will receive a newly designed and improved COLA notice that makes it easier for customers to find the information they need most.&nbsp; The simplified COLA notice is now only one page, uses plain and personalized language, and provides exact dates and dollar amounts of a person’s new benefit amount and any deductions.

Individuals who have a personal&nbsp;my&nbsp;Social Security account can view their COLA notice online, which is secure, easy, and faster than receiving a letter in the mail. People can set up text or email alerts when there is a new message--such as their COLA notice--waiting for them in&nbsp;my&nbsp;Social Security.

People will need to have a personal&nbsp;my&nbsp;Social Security account by Nov. 20 to see their COLA notice online. To get started, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ssa.gov/myaccount" target="_blank">www.ssa.gov/myaccount</a>.

Information about Medicare changes for 2025 will be available at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.medicare.gov/" target="_blank">www.medicare.gov</a>. For Social Security beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare, the 2025 benefit amount will be available via&nbsp;my&nbsp;Social Security’s Message Center starting in late November.&nbsp; Those who have not opted to receive messages online will receive their COLA notice by mail in December.

The Social Security Act provides for how the COLA is calculated. The Social Security Act ties the annual COLA to the increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) as determined by the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics.

To read more, please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ssa.gov/cola" target="_blank">www.ssa.gov/cola</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697549458437.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Social Security AdministrationWASHINGTON, D.C. —&nbsp; Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments for more than 72.5 million Americans will increase 2.5 percent in 2025, the Social Security Administration announced today.&nbsp; On average, Social Security retirement benefits will increase by about $50 per month starting in January.Over the last decade the COLA increase has averaged about 2.6 percent.&nbsp; The COLA was 3.2 percent in 2024.Nearly 68 million Social Security beneficiaries will see a 2.5 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) beginning in January 2025.  Increased payments to nearly 7.5 million people receiving SSI will begin on December 31, 2024. (Note: Some people receive both Social Security benefits and SSI).“Social Security benefits and SSI payments will increase in 2025, helping tens of millions of people keep up with expenses even as inflation has started to cool,” said Martin O’Malley, Commissioner of Social Security.Some other adjustments that take effect in January of each year are based on the increase in average wages.  Based on that increase, the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax (taxable maximum) is slated to increase to $176,100 from $168,600.Social Security begins notifying people about their new benefit amount by mail starting in early December.This year, for the first time, Social Security beneficiaries will receive a newly designed and improved COLA notice that makes it easier for customers to find the information they need most.&nbsp; The simplified COLA notice is now only one page, uses plain and personalized language, and provides exact dates and dollar amounts of a person’s new benefit amount and any deductions.Individuals who have a personal&nbsp;my&nbsp;Social Security account can view their COLA notice online, which is secure, easy, and faster than receiving a letter in the mail. People can set up text or email alerts when there is a new message--such as their COLA notice--waiting for them in&nbsp;my&nbsp;Social Security.People will need to have a personal&nbsp;my&nbsp;Social Security account by Nov. 20 to see their COLA notice online. To get started, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ssa.gov/myaccount" target="_blank">www.ssa.gov/myaccount</a>.Information about Medicare changes for 2025 will be available at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.medicare.gov/" target="_blank">www.medicare.gov</a>. For Social Security beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare, the 2025 benefit amount will be available via&nbsp;my&nbsp;Social Security’s Message Center starting in late November.&nbsp; Those who have not opted to receive messages online will receive their COLA notice by mail in December.The Social Security Act provides for how the COLA is calculated. The Social Security Act ties the annual COLA to the increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) as determined by the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics.To read more, please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ssa.gov/cola" target="_blank">www.ssa.gov/cola</a>.

Social Security COLA announced

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A Hutchinson long-term care facility has agreed to be a plaintiff in a lawsuit against the federal government.

"CMS, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, imposed a staffing mandate via regulation on the nursing home industry, and it takes effect, I think, in 2026 is when it first starts," said Mark Mains, CEO of Wesley Towers in Hutchinson. "Anyway, the mandate is simply something we can't, as an industry or as individual facilities, we can't meet that."

This is increasing the staffing ratios that long-term care facilities currently work under.&nbsp;

"It involves a certain number of, we use the term hours per resident day, so anyway, it involves certain minimum ratios for those things," Mains said.&nbsp; "One of the hardest parts to meet is going to be the 24-7 requirement for an RN, and if we could find that many RNs, it'd be fabulous, but they're just not out there."&nbsp;

According to a release from&nbsp;LeadingAge Kansas, if fully implemented, the new regulation would mean that nursing homes across the U.S. will need an additional 27,000 full-time registered nurses (RNs) and 78,000 full-time nurse aides costing over $7 billion.

"We don't want to close any nursing home in the state or the country. If Pretty Prairie closes, the people that have loved ones there that live around Pretty Prairie now have to drive to Hutchinson or to Wichita or wherever the surviving facilities are, and that's just not fair," Mains said. "A lot of these facilities in rural settings are the primary employer in their county, so now not only do you have to drive maybe 40 miles to see your loved one, you may have to drive 40 miles to get a job, and besides all that, there just aren't the RNs available."

Wesley Towers and the Dooley Center in Atchison, KS are individual homes that have agreed to be plaintiffs in the suit.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642802156719.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>NICK GOSNELL Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — A Hutchinson long-term care facility has agreed to be a plaintiff in a lawsuit against the federal government."CMS, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, imposed a staffing mandate via regulation on the nursing home industry, and it takes effect, I think, in 2026 is when it first starts," said Mark Mains, CEO of Wesley Towers in Hutchinson. "Anyway, the mandate is simply something we can't, as an industry or as individual facilities, we can't meet that."This is increasing the staffing ratios that long-term care facilities currently work under.&nbsp;"It involves a certain number of, we use the term hours per resident day, so anyway, it involves certain minimum ratios for those things," Mains said.&nbsp; "One of the hardest parts to meet is going to be the 24-7 requirement for an RN, and if we could find that many RNs, it'd be fabulous, but they're just not out there."&nbsp;According to a release from&nbsp;LeadingAge Kansas, if fully implemented, the new regulation would mean that nursing homes across the U.S. will need an additional 27,000 full-time registered nurses (RNs) and 78,000 full-time nurse aides costing over $7 billion."We don't want to close any nursing home in the state or the country. If Pretty Prairie closes, the people that have loved ones there that live around Pretty Prairie now have to drive to Hutchinson or to Wichita or wherever the surviving facilities are, and that's just not fair," Mains said. "A lot of these facilities in rural settings are the primary employer in their county, so now not only do you have to drive maybe 40 miles to see your loved one, you may have to drive 40 miles to get a job, and besides all that, there just aren't the RNs available."Wesley Towers and the Dooley Center in Atchison, KS are individual homes that have agreed to be plaintiffs in the suit.

Wesley Towers is plaintiff in suit against CMS

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson Community College will hold a Management Forum on Thursday, Oct. 24 at 6:30 p.m. inside the Justice Theatre of the Shears Technology Center on the HutchCC campus.

The forum is free to attend and open to the public.

The featured speakers for the event are Matt Althouse and Daren Dunn, both of EAGLE Media. Althouse is the General Manager, while Dunn is the Program Director and On-Air Personality on My 93-1.

Matt Althouse started his radio career at KJCK-FM in Junction City in 2003 as on-air talent and later, music director. In 2009 Matt joined Hull Broadcasting in Great Bend where he had the opportunity to be exposed to every facet of the business.

He was also Program Director for KBGL-FM from 2012 until 2021 when he accepted the position of General Manager for Eagle Communications in Great Bend. In his first year of station management, Matt and his sales team hit all but one of their monthly quotas. And in 2024 he accepted the General Manager position for EAGLE Media in Hutchinson.

Daren Dunn is a Hutchinson native and a proud graduate of Hutchinson Community College and the University of Kansas where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Journalism. Daren earned several Kansas Association of Broadcaster awards at the collegiate level for his work in radio and television. He has since been honored by the KAB at the professional level in 2021 (Best Sports Feature) for his Public Address work and again in 2022 (Best Morning Show). Daren was the first radio personality to win the Medium Market category for Best Morning Show. His morning show took second in 2023 and was honored again as the best show in the state in 2024. In his spare time, Daren is the public address voice of the Blue Dragons and joins radio voice Sean Boston on the road as a color analyst.

The two guests will share information about how they entered their careers, as well as answer questions about business management from the audience.

To learn more about the forum, contact Dan "Coach Nac" Naccarato at <a href="mailto:naccaratod@hutchcc.edu">naccaratod@hutchcc.edu</a>.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728571720055.jpeg" alt="Photo Courtesy HutchCC" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy HutchCC</figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson Community College will hold a Management Forum on Thursday, Oct. 24 at 6:30 p.m. inside the Justice Theatre of the Shears Technology Center on the HutchCC campus.The forum is free to attend and open to the public.The featured speakers for the event are Matt Althouse and Daren Dunn, both of EAGLE Media. Althouse is the General Manager, while Dunn is the Program Director and On-Air Personality on My 93-1.Matt Althouse started his radio career at KJCK-FM in Junction City in 2003 as on-air talent and later, music director. In 2009 Matt joined Hull Broadcasting in Great Bend where he had the opportunity to be exposed to every facet of the business.He was also Program Director for KBGL-FM from 2012 until 2021 when he accepted the position of General Manager for Eagle Communications in Great Bend. In his first year of station management, Matt and his sales team hit all but one of their monthly quotas. And in 2024 he accepted the General Manager position for EAGLE Media in Hutchinson.Daren Dunn is a Hutchinson native and a proud graduate of Hutchinson Community College and the University of Kansas where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Journalism. Daren earned several Kansas Association of Broadcaster awards at the collegiate level for his work in radio and television. He has since been honored by the KAB at the professional level in 2021 (Best Sports Feature) for his Public Address work and again in 2022 (Best Morning Show). Daren was the first radio personality to win the Medium Market category for Best Morning Show. His morning show took second in 2023 and was honored again as the best show in the state in 2024. In his spare time, Daren is the public address voice of the Blue Dragons and joins radio voice Sean Boston on the road as a color analyst.The two guests will share information about how they entered their careers, as well as answer questions about business management from the audience.To learn more about the forum, contact Dan "Coach Nac" Naccarato at <a href="mailto:naccaratod@hutchcc.edu">naccaratod@hutchcc.edu</a>.&nbsp;

HutchCC to hold Management Forum on Oct. 24

MCPHERSON COUNTY —The McPherson County Courthouse, 117 N Maple Street in McPherson, was evacuated Thursday afternoon due to a threat by phone, according to a social media report from police.

A McPherson County District Court employee received a call at 2:42 p.m. that a bomb is set to go off in three minutes. Court house employees evacuated the building and McPherson Police Officers, McPherson County Sheriffs Deputies, and McPherson Fire Department, searched the area for anything suspicious. No items were found and the McPherson Police Officers were released by the McPherson County Sheriffs Office at 3:29 p.m.&nbsp;

MCPHERSON COUNTY —The McPherson County Courthouse,&nbsp;117 N Maple Street in McPherson,  was evacuated Thursday afternoon due to an ongoing threat by phone, according to a social media report from police.

 The roads around the courthouse were closed. Police asked the public to stay clear of the courthouse at this time.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728592544009.png" alt="McPherson County Court House -Google image" />
 <figcaption>McPherson County Court House -Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>MCPHERSON COUNTY —The McPherson County Courthouse, 117 N Maple Street in McPherson, was evacuated Thursday afternoon due to a threat by phone, according to a social media report from police.A McPherson County District Court employee received a call at 2:42 p.m. that a bomb is set to go off in three minutes. Court house employees evacuated the building and McPherson Police Officers, McPherson County Sheriffs Deputies, and McPherson Fire Department, searched the area for anything suspicious. No items were found and the McPherson Police Officers were released by the McPherson County Sheriffs Office at 3:29 p.m.&nbsp;--------------MCPHERSON COUNTY —The McPherson County Courthouse,&nbsp;117 N Maple Street in McPherson, was evacuated Thursday afternoon due to an ongoing threat by phone, according to a social media report from police. The roads around the courthouse were closed. Police asked the public to stay clear of the courthouse at this time.

McPherson Co. courthouse evacuated due to bomb threat Thursday

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Join StartUp Hutch for an evening of networking and collaboration at Entrepreneurship Connections on Oct. 15.

This month, they welcome&nbsp;Cody &amp; Becca Ruebke of XP League NW Wichita! They will talk about their experience as franchise owners—what it’s like to build a business within an existing model, the challenges they’ve overcome, and the rewarding experience of growing an esports community in Central Kansas.

The event is free, but StartUp Hutch is offering a <a href="https://www.startuphutch.com/event-details/october-2024-entrepreneur-connections">free drink ticket</a> to those who register in advance.

What: Entrepreneurship Connections - A free networking event with activities fostering discussion and interaction among entrepreneurs.

Who: Aspiring or experienced entrepreneurs in the Reno County area.

When: Tuesday, Oct. 15 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.

Where: Sandhills Brewing – 111 W. 2nd Avenue, Hutchinson, KS

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712330175748.jpeg" alt="StartUp Hutch Square" />
 <figcaption>StartUp Hutch Square</figcaption>
 </figure>StartUp HutchHUTCHINSON, Kan. — Join StartUp Hutch for an evening of networking and collaboration at Entrepreneurship Connections on Oct. 15.This month, they welcome&nbsp;Cody &amp; Becca Ruebke of XP League NW Wichita! They will talk about their experience as franchise owners—what it’s like to build a business within an existing model, the challenges they’ve overcome, and the rewarding experience of growing an esports community in Central Kansas.The event is free, but StartUp Hutch is offering a <a href="https://www.startuphutch.com/event-details/october-2024-entrepreneur-connections">free drink ticket</a> to those who register in advance.Event Details:What: Entrepreneurship Connections - A free networking event with activities fostering discussion and interaction among entrepreneurs.Who: Aspiring or experienced entrepreneurs in the Reno County area.When: Tuesday, Oct. 15 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.Where: Sandhills Brewing – 111 W. 2nd Avenue, Hutchinson, KS

Entrepreneurship Connections is Tuesday

Parched soil and warmer-than-average temperatures, combined with low prices, have dampened the hopes of Kansas producers who are dusting in their wheat crop. The climatic conditions don’t provide much hope for a change in the weather through the winter, leaving growers praying for spring showers.&nbsp;

“Last year, the state of Kansas planted 7.6 million acres of wheat. Early indications point towards this year being similar to slightly lower due to the challenging dry conditions and low cash prices,” said Justin Gilpin, Kansas Wheat CEO. “The dry fall has sped up fall harvest, extending the window for double-crop wheat behind corn and soybeans. Even if that is just for ground cover, it is going to need some fall moisture for any hope of establishment. “

Kansas producers have planted 52 percent of winter wheat acres, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service crop progress report for the week ending October 6, 2024. That planting progress is on pace with last year and the five-year average. Emergence was rated at 21 percent, near 24 percent both last year and on average.&nbsp;

Jason Ochs, who farms near Syracuse in Hamilton County, reported that they received moisture two to three weeks ago and all the wheat has emerged and has very good stands. Acres in the area appear to be pretty consistent with last year. However, it’s been hot, 80 to 95 degrees in October, and dry, so it’s going backwards fast.

“The wheat is coming on way too strong, in my opinion,” he said.

Temperatures that are 10 to 15 degrees warmer than average are a big concern. In addition to agronomic concerns about the wheat crop’s emergence, which is dependent on temperature, these higher-than-normal temperatures have additional impacts on the stressors for an emerging wheat crop.&nbsp;

“Temperatures are obviously warmer, so we have a higher moisture demand,” said Chip Redmond, K-State assistant meteorologist and Kansas Mesonet Manager. “We still have active growth in summer grasses and trees and that depletes overall residual soil moisture. With a late freeze, then we see an increase in insect stress because we’re not able to kill the pests off, force hibernation or help them migrate south out of the area. That increased stress leads to more damage potential as well.”&nbsp;

Insects were a major factor in the delay in planting in Barton County for Dean Stoskopf, who farms near Hoisington.&nbsp;

“We held off planting for several weeks because there was a high number of grasshoppers and armyworms,” he said. “That, with the hot, dry weather, has not made for the best planting conditions. In early planted wheat, folks used insecticides to try and suppress that pressure, but the extremely high number of grasshoppers would try and clean out fields as soon as it emerged where they did not.”

Stoskopf is about two-thirds done planting wheat, around 10 days behind average pace. Elsewhere in the county, some folks are done and others have barely started. That includes folks who are double-cropping behind soybeans and continuing to wait for moisture. Overall, acreage is steady compared to previous years.

Redmond noted a cooler period coming next week around October 14 or 15 could bring brief freezing conditions that would help with that pressure and bring in some cloud cover and maybe a couple of sprinkles to the far edges of the state. Still, those showers would be an anomaly, and he does not forecast any real moisture through the end of October. Additionally, opportunities for moisture appear limited even into the early winter months.&nbsp;

“And as we go into a period where we don’t get much precipitation - winters are when we climatologically average the least amount of moisture - we are unlikely going to recharge soil moisture for potentially the next three or four months,” he said. “We are definitely started to get concerned, not only on the agriculture side but also on the public water side, with drought expansion likely to continue with above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation.”&nbsp;

This extension of drought conditions is driven by a combination of factors, namely the transition from El Niño to La Niña and the ongoing negative Pacific Decadal Oscillation. The El Niño Southern Oscillation, which is characterized by water temperatures in the East Equatorial Pacific, was warmer than normal last winter, in an El Nino status. This often means moisture for Kansas - like that observed last spring.&nbsp;

Redmond noted that those timely spring showers helped recharge soil moisture when and where they came. Now, however, those supplies are running low. NASS reported that, as of the week ending October 6, there is no surplus topsoil moisture with overall supplies rated at 25 percent very short, 24 percent short and 28 percent adequate. The same is true with subsoil moisture with no surplus, 23 percent very short, 48 percent short and 29 percent adequate.&nbsp;

Tanner Brown from Colby in Thomas County was waiting for the rain three weeks ago before starting to plant wheat, but they didn’t get much, so they started dusting it in. They’ve finished all the dryland wheat, but very little has emerged, and when you dig down, most hasn’t even sprouted. There is very little to no soil moisture and the top 1.5 feet is completely dry.&nbsp;

“The wheat will be pretty spotty when it does come up,” he said. “Overall, we have had pretty poor planting conditions.”&nbsp;

He expects acres in the area to be consistent with last year, but he has seen some wheat stubble going back into wheat and some fields with harvested corn stalks going into wheat, which is a bit surprising because of the continued dry conditions.

Those dry conditions are expected to continue in the near term, according to Redmond. El Niño waned with cooling water over the early summer with “neutral conditions” now observed.&nbsp; A transition into La Niña, cooler than normal waters in the same east Pacific region, is expected into the early winter. This usually signals dry conditions for Kansas and the central and southern United States. This La Niña period, however, is expected to not be as potent as previous episodes.&nbsp;

“But thankfully, La Niña is going to be weak and rather short-lived, expected to wane as we get into the spring and return to neutral conditions,” Redmond said. “So that’s good for us, meaning that maybe these conditions will be short-term in the climate realm. It’ll only be four or five months instead of years.”&nbsp;

While the weak La Niña event is expected to be short-lived, Redmond is more concerned with the negative Pacific Decadal Oscillation, which has persisted for 10 years. This means that waters in the north central Pacific Ocean are warmer than normal with cooler conditions in the eastern extent of the north Pacific, which will likely contribute to warm and dry conditions throughout the winter. His only hope - a strong typhoon forms in the far West Pacific, amplifies the jet stream and brings moisture back to the Midwest.&nbsp;

But until the pattern breaks down, there will not be a change to the warm, dry weather in the forecast. Still, Kansas producers will continue to meet these challenges the same way they always have - rely on proven genetics and agronomic practices, dust in the crop and pray for rain.&nbsp;

Track the latest developments on the Kansas wheat crop from planting to harvest at&nbsp;<a href="http://kswheat.com/" target="_blank">kswheat.com</a>.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728637568679.png" alt="Wheat Scoop Planting" />
 <figcaption>Wheat Scoop Planting</figcaption>
 </figure>JULIA DEBES Kansas WheatParched soil and warmer-than-average temperatures, combined with low prices, have dampened the hopes of Kansas producers who are dusting in their wheat crop. The climatic conditions don’t provide much hope for a change in the weather through the winter, leaving growers praying for spring showers.&nbsp;“Last year, the state of Kansas planted 7.6 million acres of wheat. Early indications point towards this year being similar to slightly lower due to the challenging dry conditions and low cash prices,” said Justin Gilpin, Kansas Wheat CEO. “The dry fall has sped up fall harvest, extending the window for double-crop wheat behind corn and soybeans. Even if that is just for ground cover, it is going to need some fall moisture for any hope of establishment. “Kansas producers have planted 52 percent of winter wheat acres, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service crop progress report for the week ending October 6, 2024. That planting progress is on pace with last year and the five-year average. Emergence was rated at 21 percent, near 24 percent both last year and on average.&nbsp;Jason Ochs, who farms near Syracuse in Hamilton County, reported that they received moisture two to three weeks ago and all the wheat has emerged and has very good stands. Acres in the area appear to be pretty consistent with last year. However, it’s been hot, 80 to 95 degrees in October, and dry, so it’s going backwards fast.“The wheat is coming on way too strong, in my opinion,” he said.Temperatures that are 10 to 15 degrees warmer than average are a big concern. In addition to agronomic concerns about the wheat crop’s emergence, which is dependent on temperature, these higher-than-normal temperatures have additional impacts on the stressors for an emerging wheat crop.&nbsp;“Temperatures are obviously warmer, so we have a higher moisture demand,” said Chip Redmond, K-State assistant meteorologist and Kansas Mesonet Manager. “We still have active growth in summer grasses and trees and that depletes overall residual soil moisture. With a late freeze, then we see an increase in insect stress because we’re not able to kill the pests off, force hibernation or help them migrate south out of the area. That increased stress leads to more damage potential as well.”&nbsp;Insects were a major factor in the delay in planting in Barton County for Dean Stoskopf, who farms near Hoisington.&nbsp;“We held off planting for several weeks because there was a high number of grasshoppers and armyworms,” he said. “That, with the hot, dry weather, has not made for the best planting conditions. In early planted wheat, folks used insecticides to try and suppress that pressure, but the extremely high number of grasshoppers would try and clean out fields as soon as it emerged where they did not.”Stoskopf is about two-thirds done planting wheat, around 10 days behind average pace. Elsewhere in the county, some folks are done and others have barely started. That includes folks who are double-cropping behind soybeans and continuing to wait for moisture. Overall, acreage is steady compared to previous years.Redmond noted a cooler period coming next week around October 14 or 15 could bring brief freezing conditions that would help with that pressure and bring in some cloud cover and maybe a couple of sprinkles to the far edges of the state. Still, those showers would be an anomaly, and he does not forecast any real moisture through the end of October. Additionally, opportunities for moisture appear limited even into the early winter months.&nbsp;“And as we go into a period where we don’t get much precipitation - winters are when we climatologically average the least amount of moisture - we are unlikely going to recharge soil moisture for potentially the next three or four months,” he said. “We are definitely started to get concerned, not only on the agriculture side but also on the public water side, with drought expansion likely to continue with above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation.”&nbsp;This extension of drought conditions is driven by a combination of factors, namely the transition from El Niño to La Niña and the ongoing negative Pacific Decadal Oscillation. The El Niño Southern Oscillation, which is characterized by water temperatures in the East Equatorial Pacific, was warmer than normal last winter, in an El Nino status. This often means moisture for Kansas - like that observed last spring.&nbsp;Redmond noted that those timely spring showers helped recharge soil moisture when and where they came. Now, however, those supplies are running low. NASS reported that, as of the week ending October 6, there is no surplus topsoil moisture with overall supplies rated at 25 percent very short, 24 percent short and 28 percent adequate. The same is true with subsoil moisture with no surplus, 23 percent very short, 48 percent short and 29 percent adequate.&nbsp;Tanner Brown from Colby in Thomas County was waiting for the rain three weeks ago before starting to plant wheat, but they didn’t get much, so they started dusting it in. They’ve finished all the dryland wheat, but very little has emerged, and when you dig down, most hasn’t even sprouted. There is very little to no soil moisture and the top 1.5 feet is completely dry.&nbsp;“The wheat will be pretty spotty when it does come up,” he said. “Overall, we have had pretty poor planting conditions.”&nbsp;He expects acres in the area to be consistent with last year, but he has seen some wheat stubble going back into wheat and some fields with harvested corn stalks going into wheat, which is a bit surprising because of the continued dry conditions.Those dry conditions are expected to continue in the near term, according to Redmond. El Niño waned with cooling water over the early summer with “neutral conditions” now observed.&nbsp; A transition into La Niña, cooler than normal waters in the same east Pacific region, is expected into the early winter. This usually signals dry conditions for Kansas and the central and southern United States. This La Niña period, however, is expected to not be as potent as previous episodes.&nbsp;“But thankfully, La Niña is going to be weak and rather short-lived, expected to wane as we get into the spring and return to neutral conditions,” Redmond said. “So that’s good for us, meaning that maybe these conditions will be short-term in the climate realm. It’ll only be four or five months instead of years.”&nbsp;While the weak La Niña event is expected to be short-lived, Redmond is more concerned with the negative Pacific Decadal Oscillation, which has persisted for 10 years. This means that waters in the north central Pacific Ocean are warmer than normal with cooler conditions in the eastern extent of the north Pacific, which will likely contribute to warm and dry conditions throughout the winter. His only hope - a strong typhoon forms in the far West Pacific, amplifies the jet stream and brings moisture back to the Midwest.&nbsp;But until the pattern breaks down, there will not be a change to the warm, dry weather in the forecast. Still, Kansas producers will continue to meet these challenges the same way they always have - rely on proven genetics and agronomic practices, dust in the crop and pray for rain.&nbsp;Track the latest developments on the Kansas wheat crop from planting to harvest at&nbsp;<a href="http://kswheat.com/" target="_blank">kswheat.com</a>.&nbsp;

Wheat Scoop: Warm, dry weather dampens Kansas wheat planting hopes

Here’s the latest booking activity from the Reno County Jail. This information is provided by the Reno County Sheriff’s Office and is not criminal history. The Hutch Post assumes no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, or completeness, of this information. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.&nbsp;——————————————&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

10/11/2024 3:26 AM-John	Anthony Bright-Failure to Appear

10/10/2024 11:59 PM-Kenya	Jeane Suit-Failure to Appear

10/10/2024 8:48 PM-Spencer	Ray Chronister-Disorderly Conduct; Fighting words or noisy conduct&nbsp;

10/10/2024 8:45 PM-Paul	Mark Gillespie-DUI; 2nd conv; incapable of safely driving&nbsp;

10/10/2024 6:39 PM-Cheyenne	Marie Smith-Driving while license cancelled/suspended/revoked; misd; unknown conv&nbsp;

10/10/2024 4:08 PM-Samuel	Grover Gress-Failure to Appear

10/10/2024 1:34 PM-Brenda	Sue Yingling-Agg assault; w/ deadly weapon&nbsp;

10/10/2024 6:08 AM-Michael	Jesus Campa-Criminal Damage to Property; Without consent; &lt; $1,000

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681919634177.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Here’s the latest booking activity from the Reno County Jail. This information is provided by the Reno County Sheriff’s Office and is not criminal history. The Hutch Post assumes no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, or completeness, of this information. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.&nbsp;——————————————&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;10/11/2024 3:26 AM-John	Anthony Bright-Failure to Appear10/10/2024 11:59 PM-Kenya	Jeane Suit-Failure to Appear10/10/2024 8:48 PM-Spencer	Ray Chronister-Disorderly Conduct; Fighting words or noisy conduct&nbsp;10/10/2024 8:45 PM-Paul	Mark Gillespie-DUI; 2nd conv; incapable of safely driving&nbsp;10/10/2024 6:39 PM-Cheyenne	Marie Smith-Driving while license cancelled/suspended/revoked; misd; unknown conv&nbsp;10/10/2024 4:08 PM-Samuel	Grover Gress-Failure to Appear10/10/2024 1:34 PM-Brenda	Sue Yingling-Agg assault; w/ deadly weapon&nbsp;10/10/2024 6:08 AM-Michael	Jesus Campa-Criminal Damage to Property; Without consent; &lt; $1,000

Daily Bookings

CAPTAIN DAYTON GATES Hutchinson Police Department

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — On Wednesday Oct. 9, 2024, Officers with Hutchinson Police Department Special Operations Unit arrested Shay L. Kane, 37 years old, Eureka, Kansas, on a probable cause warrant for distribution of a controlled substance resulting in death, conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance resulting in death, and unlawful use of a communication device (13 counts). The bond was set at $250,000. 

This arrest is associated with a fatal drug overdose that occurred in Hutchinson in June 2024. 

The Hutchinson Police Department would like to thank <a href="https://www.facebook.com/greenwood.sheriff?__cft__[0]=AZW0DQKGuC7Cx0kzXaVzFyTHUvedyUyG4Yfx4qsJfCEuuhoehD3Iek0MZw1A4_Okvw2s9Zw6tTOFCfULbLuew-rWAO-nFQ1zPUcW4faJVjFriakTaZUfbBks4jdBMFvL1NLEllc5j0zejMcNiMCJJyueEAjLlODOH-yE0mrHHiHJNWN64CMslHFLj2tlxj9RQPQ&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Greenwood County Sheriff's Office - Kansas</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064688168841&amp;__cft__[0]=AZW0DQKGuC7Cx0kzXaVzFyTHUvedyUyG4Yfx4qsJfCEuuhoehD3Iek0MZw1A4_Okvw2s9Zw6tTOFCfULbLuew-rWAO-nFQ1zPUcW4faJVjFriakTaZUfbBks4jdBMFvL1NLEllc5j0zejMcNiMCJJyueEAjLlODOH-yE0mrHHiHJNWN64CMslHFLj2tlxj9RQPQ&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Butler County Sheriff's Office</a> for their assistance during the investigation and arrest of Ms. Kane.

If you have information regarding this case, please contact Hutchinson Police Department at 620-694-2828 and reference case #2024-21459. If you have any information regarding the distribution of illegal narcotics you can contact Crimestoppers of Reno County at 800-222-TIPS, your local law enforcement agency, or use the P3Tips App on your smartphone.

All defendants are innocent unless they are found guilty in court. Please direct any questions regarding this case to the Office of the District Attorney at 620-694-2715.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728595269592.png" alt="Kane-photo Reno County Jail" />
 <figcaption>Kane-photo Reno County Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>CAPTAIN DAYTON GATES Hutchinson Police DepartmentHUTCHINSON, Kan. — On Wednesday Oct. 9, 2024, Officers with Hutchinson Police Department Special Operations Unit arrested Shay L. Kane, 37 years old, Eureka, Kansas, on a probable cause warrant for distribution of a controlled substance resulting in death, conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance resulting in death, and unlawful use of a communication device (13 counts). The bond was set at $250,000. This arrest is associated with a fatal drug overdose that occurred in Hutchinson in June 2024. The Hutchinson Police Department would like to thank <a href="https://www.facebook.com/greenwood.sheriff?__cft__[0]=AZW0DQKGuC7Cx0kzXaVzFyTHUvedyUyG4Yfx4qsJfCEuuhoehD3Iek0MZw1A4_Okvw2s9Zw6tTOFCfULbLuew-rWAO-nFQ1zPUcW4faJVjFriakTaZUfbBks4jdBMFvL1NLEllc5j0zejMcNiMCJJyueEAjLlODOH-yE0mrHHiHJNWN64CMslHFLj2tlxj9RQPQ&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Greenwood County Sheriff's Office - Kansas</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064688168841&amp;__cft__[0]=AZW0DQKGuC7Cx0kzXaVzFyTHUvedyUyG4Yfx4qsJfCEuuhoehD3Iek0MZw1A4_Okvw2s9Zw6tTOFCfULbLuew-rWAO-nFQ1zPUcW4faJVjFriakTaZUfbBks4jdBMFvL1NLEllc5j0zejMcNiMCJJyueEAjLlODOH-yE0mrHHiHJNWN64CMslHFLj2tlxj9RQPQ&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Butler County Sheriff's Office</a> for their assistance during the investigation and arrest of Ms. Kane.If you have information regarding this case, please contact Hutchinson Police Department at 620-694-2828 and reference case #2024-21459. If you have any information regarding the distribution of illegal narcotics you can contact Crimestoppers of Reno County at 800-222-TIPS, your local law enforcement agency, or use the P3Tips App on your smartphone.All defendants are innocent unless they are found guilty in court. Please direct any questions regarding this case to the Office of the District Attorney at 620-694-2715.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Hutchinson police make arrest in drug death

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — FAMFEST is coming up this Saturday evening at the Hutchinson YMCA from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. It's a night of family fun where costumes will be the star of the show.

"We'll be closing an hour early that day to get everything prepared," said David Foster with the YMCA. "The Y will close at 4 p.m. this Saturday instead of 5 p.m., but we're looking forward to a great event. We are combining this with our Saturday Night at the Y. That would be free and open to any middle schooler, 6th, 7th and 8th grader in Hutch and Reno County, plus YMCA families."&nbsp; 

FAMFEST is held monthly at rotating branch locations.

"In addition to having the pool available for swimming, we're going to have Zorb ball, if you have seen people get in those big like hamster wheels and race each other, we'll have one of those. Human foosball, soccer darts, which is really fun, arts and crafts, we'll have a selfie station, all kinds of fun stuff in addition to some of the things we offer at the Y. I think we'll be doing some water volleyball in the family pool. Just a great event for our members and their families and those kids and their families that would normally come to Saturday Night at the Y."

There is another group they hope will come on Saturday.

"We have sent out some, what we call golden tickets to any non-members that are program participants at the Y," Foster said. "It is open to those families, as well. If they received a golden ticket, they just bring that to the Y and they can come and be a part of FAMFEST as well."

If you have more questions, give the Y a call at (620) 662-1203.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697900853725.jpeg" alt="Hutchinson YMCA-Photo by Emmie Boese" />
 <figcaption>Hutchinson YMCA-Photo by Emmie Boese</figcaption>
 </figure>NICK GOSNELL Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — FAMFEST is coming up this Saturday evening at the Hutchinson YMCA from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. It's a night of family fun where costumes will be the star of the show."We'll be closing an hour early that day to get everything prepared," said David Foster with the YMCA. "The Y will close at 4 p.m. this Saturday instead of 5 p.m., but we're looking forward to a great event. We are combining this with our Saturday Night at the Y. That would be free and open to any middle schooler, 6th, 7th and 8th grader in Hutch and Reno County, plus YMCA families."&nbsp; FAMFEST is held monthly at rotating branch locations."In addition to having the pool available for swimming, we're going to have Zorb ball, if you have seen people get in those big like hamster wheels and race each other, we'll have one of those. Human foosball, soccer darts, which is really fun, arts and crafts, we'll have a selfie station, all kinds of fun stuff in addition to some of the things we offer at the Y. I think we'll be doing some water volleyball in the family pool. Just a great event for our members and their families and those kids and their families that would normally come to Saturday Night at the Y."There is another group they hope will come on Saturday."We have sent out some, what we call golden tickets to any non-members that are program participants at the Y," Foster said. "It is open to those families, as well. If they received a golden ticket, they just bring that to the Y and they can come and be a part of FAMFEST as well."If you have more questions, give the Y a call at (620) 662-1203.

FAMFEST at Hutchinson Y Saturday

Correction: The blood drive has been moved for Saturday. The new location is below. Hutch Post regrets the error.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. —&nbsp;Monthly infusions made from blood products help keep 28-year-old McCartney Johnson alive.

McCartney was diagnosed in infancy with hypogammaglobulinemia, an immune disorder that prevents his body from making enough antibodies. He can only get them from volunteer donors. McCartney lives every day to the fullest and is always grateful to those who give blood. Celebrate life with McCartney and donate at the annual blood drive held in his honor.

WHEN:&nbsp;Saturday, Oct. 12, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. WHERE:&nbsp;Holy Cross Catholic School at 2633 Independence Road, Hutchinson.

This October, to encourage donors to fall into the habit of donating, the Red Cross is saying thank you with a $10 Amazon Gift Card. You'll also be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a $5000 gift card. Find out more <a href="https://www.redcrossblood.org/local-homepage/events/treat.html">online</a>.

To make an appointment, simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=TeZUXWpUv-2B6TCY38pVLo9nAk-2BdoMpFHABCOsrA-2BSZnhxOlFENcmdkmkm-2BeMP45TeDGyo_WNeAFANdVbitjk7LWYjgmCGTl6KezMUVOMKAx15NbxtPvHRUjvESGTmd7OCjsgY30JFCU1CX5UC1q7EoHfy22HnoBP3CmwONonk-2FkFe12eu-2BtNkCrRfxQeJ3Itkkz6Ye85JaktocM4TrOgqMPh3ACOmPKtSxsq9A0pF0TIewKDNzR7b3BPBFzJlxB89GIgsgqHeoFjpkJW3573EoeWZ81f-2BeWoGH-2BVSyF1C32CpXqTQ4-2FOjKeXuUbqG0MXwtaNniWAZQ7cnWIZwqn7l31fj0j5-2BZdCJ4zur2Q-2FXjjPX-2FUejyAsKKwSUQxg7tWNUzhis0nQQ4dBczMwMcKAkOnJ1dK-2BlQK5NMxK6d6lMZmaHE-2BT4-3D" target="_blank">RedCrossBlood.org</a>, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. &nbsp;

A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age&nbsp;in most states&nbsp;(16 with parental consent&nbsp;where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728259923135.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Correction: The blood drive has been moved for Saturday. The new location is below. Hutch Post regrets the error.American Red CrossHUTCHINSON, Kan. —&nbsp;Monthly infusions made from blood products help keep 28-year-old McCartney Johnson alive.McCartney was diagnosed in infancy with hypogammaglobulinemia, an immune disorder that prevents his body from making enough antibodies. He can only get them from volunteer donors. McCartney lives every day to the fullest and is always grateful to those who give blood. Celebrate life with McCartney and donate at the annual blood drive held in his honor.WHEN:&nbsp;Saturday, Oct. 12, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. WHERE:&nbsp;Holy Cross Catholic School at 2633 Independence Road, Hutchinson.This October, to encourage donors to fall into the habit of donating, the Red Cross is saying thank you with a $10 Amazon Gift Card. You'll also be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a $5000 gift card. Find out more <a href="https://www.redcrossblood.org/local-homepage/events/treat.html">online</a>.How to donate bloodTo make an appointment, simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=TeZUXWpUv-2B6TCY38pVLo9nAk-2BdoMpFHABCOsrA-2BSZnhxOlFENcmdkmkm-2BeMP45TeDGyo_WNeAFANdVbitjk7LWYjgmCGTl6KezMUVOMKAx15NbxtPvHRUjvESGTmd7OCjsgY30JFCU1CX5UC1q7EoHfy22HnoBP3CmwONonk-2FkFe12eu-2BtNkCrRfxQeJ3Itkkz6Ye85JaktocM4TrOgqMPh3ACOmPKtSxsq9A0pF0TIewKDNzR7b3BPBFzJlxB89GIgsgqHeoFjpkJW3573EoeWZ81f-2BeWoGH-2BVSyF1C32CpXqTQ4-2FOjKeXuUbqG0MXwtaNniWAZQ7cnWIZwqn7l31fj0j5-2BZdCJ4zur2Q-2FXjjPX-2FUejyAsKKwSUQxg7tWNUzhis0nQQ4dBczMwMcKAkOnJ1dK-2BlQK5NMxK6d6lMZmaHE-2BT4-3D" target="_blank">RedCrossBlood.org</a>, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. &nbsp;A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age&nbsp;in most states&nbsp;(16 with parental consent&nbsp;where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood drive at Holy Cross is Saturday

The City of Pratt sent 5 of their linemen to assist with hurricane relief in the south. They are set to arrive shortly after Hurricane Milton. "We are very proud of our brave team for stepping up. Stay safe," the city wrote on their social media page.

&nbsp;According to the Associated Press,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/milton-florida-hurricane-d40b1e47fd78844bf1ed528bab5099f1">Hurricane Milton</a>&nbsp;barreled into the Atlantic Ocean on Thursday after plowing across Florida, pounding cities with ferocious winds and rain, and whipping up a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hurricane-tornadoes-florida-deaths-climate-change-oceans-f197c258022c189c6ce8bc59dc88223e">barrage of tornadoes</a>. It caused at least four deaths and compounded the misery wrought by Helene while sparing Tampa a direct hit.

The storm tracked to the south in the final hours and made landfall as a Category 3 storm Wednesday night in Siesta Key, about 70 miles (112 kilometers) south of Tampa. The situation in the Tampa area was still a major emergency as St. Petersburg recorded over 16 inches (41 centimeters) of rain, prompting the National Weather Service to warn of flash flooding there as well as other parts of western and central Florida.

As dawn broke Thursday, officials repeated that the danger had not passed: Storm surge remained a concern in many parts of Florida and tropical storm warnings were in place for much of the east-central coast. Officials in the hard-hit counties of Hillsborough, Pinellas, Sarasota and Lee urged people to stay home, warning of downed power lines, trees in roads, blocked bridges and flooding.

“We’ll let you know when it’s safe to come out,” Sheriff Chad Chronister of Hillsborough County, home to Tampa, said on Facebook.

Though the deadly storm surge feared for Tampa appears not to have materialized, the city saw flooding from rain. Farther south, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office reported localized flooding and storm surge, and Lorraine Anderson, the public information officer for Venice Beach, said on CNN that the area saw an estimated 6 to 7 feet (1.8 to 2 meters) of storm surge, far below the feared 15.

The storm knocked out power across a large section of Florida, with more than 3.2 million homes and businesses without electricity, according to&nbsp;<a href="http://poweroutage.us/">poweroutage.us</a>, which tracks utility reports.

The fabric that serves as the roof of Tropicana Field, home of the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team in St. Petersburg, was ripped to shreds by the fierce winds. It was not immediately clear if there was damage inside. Multiple cranes were also toppled in the storm, the weather service said.

St. Petersburg residents also could no longer get water from their household taps because a water main break led the city to shut down service. Mayor Ken Welch had told residents to expect long power outages and the possible shutdown of the sewer system.

Just inland from Tampa, the flooding in Plant City was “absolutely staggering,” according City Manager Bill McDaniel. Emergency crews rescued 35 people overnight, said McDaniel, who estimated the city had received 13.5 inches (34 cm) of rain.

"We have flooding in places and to levels that I’ve never seen, and I’ve lived in this community for my entire life,” he said in a video posted online Thursday morning.

Before Milton even made landfall, heavy rain and tornadoes lashed parts of southern Florida Wednesday morning, with conditions deteriorating throughout the day. One twister touched down in the lightly populated Everglades and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/NWSMiami/status/1844017185817342101">crossed Interstate 75.</a>&nbsp;Another apparent tornado hit in Fort Myers, snapping tree limbs and tearing a gas station’s canopy to shreds.

The Spanish Lakes Country Club near Fort Pierce, on Florida’s Atlantic Coast, was hit particularly hard, with homes destroyed and some residents killed.

Four people were killed in tornadoes there, the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office said.

About 125 homes were destroyed before the hurricane came ashore, many of them mobile homes in communities for senior citizens, said Kevin Guthrie, the director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management.

About 90 minutes after making landfall, Milton was downgraded to a Category 2 storm. By early Thursday, the hurricane was a Category 1 storm with maximum sustained winds of about 85 mph (135 kph) and leaving the state near Cape Canaveral.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fema-misinformation-helene-milton-hurricane-aid-recovery-468b036784b1db05937e9a34d0146041">The storm slammed into a region</a>&nbsp;still reeling two weeks after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hurricane-helene-fema-826effecab238ff0acf0556ad64b0df2">Hurricane Helene</a>&nbsp;flooded streets and homes in western Florida and left at least 230 people dead across the South. In many places along the coast, municipalities raced to collect and dispose of debris before Milton’s winds and storm surge could toss it around and compound any damage.

Officials had issued dire warnings to flee or face grim odds of survival. By late afternoon, some officials said the time had passed for such efforts, suggesting that people who stayed behind hunker down instead.

Jackie Curnick said she wrestled with her decision to stay at home in Sarasota, just north of where the storm made landfall. She and her husband started packing Monday to evacuate, but they struggled to find available hotel rooms, and the few they came by were too expensive.

With a 2-year-old son and a baby girl due Oct. 29, Curnick said there were too many unanswered questions if they got in the car and left: where to sleep, if they’d be able to fill up their gas tank, and if they could even find a safe route out of the state.

Video taken during the storm showed howling winds and sheets of rain lashing their glass-enclosed swimming pool as their son and dog watched. Trees shook violently.

“The thing is it’s so difficult to evacuate in a peninsula,” she said ahead of the storm. “In most other states, you can go in any direction to get out. In Florida, there are only so many roads that take you north or south."

At a news conference in Tallahassee, Gov. Ron DeSantis described deployment of a wide range of resources, including 9,000 National Guard members from Florida and other states; over 50,000 utility workers from as far as California; and highway patrol cars with sirens to escort gasoline tankers to replenish supplies so people could fill up their tanks before evacuating.

“Unfortunately, there will be fatalities. I don’t think there’s any way around that,” DeSantis said.

Authorities issued mandatory evacuation orders across 15 Florida counties with a total population of about 7.2 million people. In Orlando,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hurricane-milton-florida-theme-parks-orlando-383cbb4c442aef52650dbab028eb949d">Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando and Sea World remained closed</a>&nbsp;Thursday.

More than 60% of gas stations in Tampa and St. Petersburg were out of gas Wednesday night, according to GasBuddy, though DeSantis said the state’s overall supply was fine.

Officials warned that anyone staying behind must fend for themselves, because first responders were not expected to risk their lives attempting rescues at the height of the storm.

In Charlotte Harbor, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) south of Tampa, clouds swirled and winds gusted as Josh Parks packed his Kia sedan with clothes and other belongings Wednesday. Two weeks ago, Helene’s surge brought about 5 feet (1.5 meters) of water to the neighborhood, and its streets remain filled with waterlogged furniture, torn-out drywall and other debris.

Parks, an auto technician, planned to flee to his daughter’s home inland and said his roommate already left.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728561808320.png" alt="Linemen John Giggy, Ethan Tilley, Gavin McAllister, Ruben Rayas, and Ty Weilert.-Photo courtesy city of Pratt" />
 <figcaption>Linemen John Giggy, Ethan Tilley, Gavin McAllister, Ruben Rayas, and Ty Weilert.-Photo courtesy city of Pratt</figcaption>
 </figure>The City of Pratt sent 5 of their linemen to assist with hurricane relief in the south. They are set to arrive shortly after Hurricane Milton. "We are very proud of our brave team for stepping up. Stay safe," the city wrote on their social media page.&nbsp;According to the Associated Press,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/milton-florida-hurricane-d40b1e47fd78844bf1ed528bab5099f1">Hurricane Milton</a>&nbsp;barreled into the Atlantic Ocean on Thursday after plowing across Florida, pounding cities with ferocious winds and rain, and whipping up a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hurricane-tornadoes-florida-deaths-climate-change-oceans-f197c258022c189c6ce8bc59dc88223e">barrage of tornadoes</a>. It caused at least four deaths and compounded the misery wrought by Helene while sparing Tampa a direct hit.The storm tracked to the south in the final hours and made landfall as a Category 3 storm Wednesday night in Siesta Key, about 70 miles (112 kilometers) south of Tampa. The situation in the Tampa area was still a major emergency as St. Petersburg recorded over 16 inches (41 centimeters) of rain, prompting the National Weather Service to warn of flash flooding there as well as other parts of western and central Florida.As dawn broke Thursday, officials repeated that the danger had not passed: Storm surge remained a concern in many parts of Florida and tropical storm warnings were in place for much of the east-central coast. Officials in the hard-hit counties of Hillsborough, Pinellas, Sarasota and Lee urged people to stay home, warning of downed power lines, trees in roads, blocked bridges and flooding.“We’ll let you know when it’s safe to come out,” Sheriff Chad Chronister of Hillsborough County, home to Tampa, said on Facebook.Though the deadly storm surge feared for Tampa appears not to have materialized, the city saw flooding from rain. Farther south, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office reported localized flooding and storm surge, and Lorraine Anderson, the public information officer for Venice Beach, said on CNN that the area saw an estimated 6 to 7 feet (1.8 to 2 meters) of storm surge, far below the feared 15.The storm knocked out power across a large section of Florida, with more than 3.2 million homes and businesses without electricity, according to&nbsp;<a href="http://poweroutage.us/">poweroutage.us</a>, which tracks utility reports.The fabric that serves as the roof of Tropicana Field, home of the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team in St. Petersburg, was ripped to shreds by the fierce winds. It was not immediately clear if there was damage inside. Multiple cranes were also toppled in the storm, the weather service said.St. Petersburg residents also could no longer get water from their household taps because a water main break led the city to shut down service. Mayor Ken Welch had told residents to expect long power outages and the possible shutdown of the sewer system.Just inland from Tampa, the flooding in Plant City was “absolutely staggering,” according City Manager Bill McDaniel. Emergency crews rescued 35 people overnight, said McDaniel, who estimated the city had received 13.5 inches (34 cm) of rain."We have flooding in places and to levels that I’ve never seen, and I’ve lived in this community for my entire life,” he said in a video posted online Thursday morning.Before Milton even made landfall, heavy rain and tornadoes lashed parts of southern Florida Wednesday morning, with conditions deteriorating throughout the day. One twister touched down in the lightly populated Everglades and&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/NWSMiami/status/1844017185817342101">crossed Interstate 75.</a>&nbsp;Another apparent tornado hit in Fort Myers, snapping tree limbs and tearing a gas station’s canopy to shreds.The Spanish Lakes Country Club near Fort Pierce, on Florida’s Atlantic Coast, was hit particularly hard, with homes destroyed and some residents killed.Four people were killed in tornadoes there, the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office said.About 125 homes were destroyed before the hurricane came ashore, many of them mobile homes in communities for senior citizens, said Kevin Guthrie, the director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management.About 90 minutes after making landfall, Milton was downgraded to a Category 2 storm. By early Thursday, the hurricane was a Category 1 storm with maximum sustained winds of about 85 mph (135 kph) and leaving the state near Cape Canaveral.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fema-misinformation-helene-milton-hurricane-aid-recovery-468b036784b1db05937e9a34d0146041">The storm slammed into a region</a>&nbsp;still reeling two weeks after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hurricane-helene-fema-826effecab238ff0acf0556ad64b0df2">Hurricane Helene</a>&nbsp;flooded streets and homes in western Florida and left at least 230 people dead across the South. In many places along the coast, municipalities raced to collect and dispose of debris before Milton’s winds and storm surge could toss it around and compound any damage.Officials had issued dire warnings to flee or face grim odds of survival. By late afternoon, some officials said the time had passed for such efforts, suggesting that people who stayed behind hunker down instead.Jackie Curnick said she wrestled with her decision to stay at home in Sarasota, just north of where the storm made landfall. She and her husband started packing Monday to evacuate, but they struggled to find available hotel rooms, and the few they came by were too expensive.With a 2-year-old son and a baby girl due Oct. 29, Curnick said there were too many unanswered questions if they got in the car and left: where to sleep, if they’d be able to fill up their gas tank, and if they could even find a safe route out of the state.Video taken during the storm showed howling winds and sheets of rain lashing their glass-enclosed swimming pool as their son and dog watched. Trees shook violently.“The thing is it’s so difficult to evacuate in a peninsula,” she said ahead of the storm. “In most other states, you can go in any direction to get out. In Florida, there are only so many roads that take you north or south."At a news conference in Tallahassee, Gov. Ron DeSantis described deployment of a wide range of resources, including 9,000 National Guard members from Florida and other states; over 50,000 utility workers from as far as California; and highway patrol cars with sirens to escort gasoline tankers to replenish supplies so people could fill up their tanks before evacuating.“Unfortunately, there will be fatalities. I don’t think there’s any way around that,” DeSantis said.Authorities issued mandatory evacuation orders across 15 Florida counties with a total population of about 7.2 million people. In Orlando,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hurricane-milton-florida-theme-parks-orlando-383cbb4c442aef52650dbab028eb949d">Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando and Sea World remained closed</a>&nbsp;Thursday.More than 60% of gas stations in Tampa and St. Petersburg were out of gas Wednesday night, according to GasBuddy, though DeSantis said the state’s overall supply was fine.Officials warned that anyone staying behind must fend for themselves, because first responders were not expected to risk their lives attempting rescues at the height of the storm.In Charlotte Harbor, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) south of Tampa, clouds swirled and winds gusted as Josh Parks packed his Kia sedan with clothes and other belongings Wednesday. Two weeks ago, Helene’s surge brought about 5 feet (1.5 meters) of water to the neighborhood, and its streets remain filled with waterlogged furniture, torn-out drywall and other debris.Parks, an auto technician, planned to flee to his daughter’s home inland and said his roommate already left.

City of Pratt sent linemen to work Hurricane Milton relief in Florida

Hutch Post, in partnership with Steve Harmon and the Conard-Harmon Collection, is proud to present Throwback Thursday. Enjoy a weekly release from Steve Harmon as he presents the "Hutch - Then &amp; Now Collection."

STEVE HARMON Hutch Post Contributor

Today's "Throwback Thursday Collection" takes us to the southwest corner of 1st Avenue and Poplar.

John B. Brown and L.A. Bigger came to Hutchinson in 1872, and set up shop as Santa Fe Railway agents and real estate agents.

Hutch was only six months old. John Brown also built a very large and exquisite home for his family at 127 E. 1st. This quite possibly could be the oldest home still standing in town. Both gentlemen were city councilmen in the early years, with Brown being mayor for 1874 and 1875. The first photo shows the John Brown home in the winter, about 1900.

The second photo shows the Brown and Bigger land office at 2 S. Main in 1882.

In 1909, Robert and Jenny Steele purchased the house and started taking in boarders.

In 1926, architect W.E. Hulse added on a large brick addition, addressed as 17 N. Poplar, that housed 20 apartments. The third photo shows the apartment addition that became known as the Pactola Apartments for many years.

The fourth photo shows the home at 127 E. 1st today, now owned by Rafael Trenado Lopez.

To purchase a photo print, contact:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:sharmon5@cox.net">sharmon5@cox.net</a>.

Throwback Thursday is brought to you by:

<a href="https://www.hutchchamber.com/">Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce</a> <a href="https://underkansas.org/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_KHt9Zeq_QIVwRPUAR3CTwTSEAAYASAAEgJDJPD_BwE">STRATACA Kansas Underground Salt Museum</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728483752288.png" alt="John B. Brown Home (Brown &amp; Bigger Railroad Agents) - 127 E. 1st - c. 1900 (By Hirst) (Later Pactola Apartments). Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection." />
 <figcaption>John B. Brown Home (Brown &amp; Bigger Railroad Agents) - 127 E. 1st - c. 1900 (By Hirst) (Later Pactola Apartments). Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.</figcaption>
 </figure>Hutch Post, in partnership with Steve Harmon and the Conard-Harmon Collection, is proud to present Throwback Thursday. Enjoy a weekly release from Steve Harmon as he presents the "Hutch - Then &amp; Now Collection."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1714573898261.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>STEVE HARMON Hutch Post ContributorToday's "Throwback Thursday Collection" takes us to the southwest corner of 1st Avenue and Poplar.John B. Brown and L.A. Bigger came to Hutchinson in 1872, and set up shop as Santa Fe Railway agents and real estate agents.Hutch was only six months old. John Brown also built a very large and exquisite home for his family at 127 E. 1st. This quite possibly could be the oldest home still standing in town. Both gentlemen were city councilmen in the early years, with Brown being mayor for 1874 and 1875. The first photo shows the John Brown home in the winter, about 1900.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728483752288.png" alt="John B. Brown Home (Brown &amp; Bigger Railroad Agents) - 127 E. 1st - c. 1900 (By Hirst) (Later Pactola Apartments). Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection." />
 <figcaption>John B. Brown Home (Brown &amp; Bigger Railroad Agents) - 127 E. 1st - c. 1900 (By Hirst) (Later Pactola Apartments). Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.</figcaption>
 </figure>The second photo shows the Brown and Bigger land office at 2 S. Main in 1882.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728483867975.png" alt="John B. Brown Home - Brown &amp; Bigger's Land Office - S.E. Corner Sherman &amp; Main - 2 S. Main - 1882. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection." />
 <figcaption>John B. Brown Home - Brown &amp; Bigger's Land Office - S.E. Corner Sherman &amp; Main - 2 S. Main - 1882. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.</figcaption>
 </figure>In 1909, Robert and Jenny Steele purchased the house and started taking in boarders.In 1926, architect W.E. Hulse added on a large brick addition, addressed as 17 N. Poplar, that housed 20 apartments. The third photo shows the apartment addition that became known as the Pactola Apartments for many years.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728483936671.png" alt="John B. Brown Home - Pactola Apartments - 127 E. 1st - (Addition added in early 1930s by architect W.E. Hulse - addressed as 17 N. Poplar). Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection." />
 <figcaption>John B. Brown Home - Pactola Apartments - 127 E. 1st - (Addition added in early 1930s by architect W.E. Hulse - addressed as 17 N. Poplar). Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.</figcaption>
 </figure>The fourth photo shows the home at 127 E. 1st today, now owned by Rafael Trenado Lopez.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728483998711.png" alt="John B. Brown Home - Rafael Lopez Home - 127 E. 1st - Sept. 6, 2024. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection." />
 <figcaption>John B. Brown Home - Rafael Lopez Home - 127 E. 1st - Sept. 6, 2024. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.</figcaption>
 </figure>To purchase a photo print, contact:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:sharmon5@cox.net">sharmon5@cox.net</a>.Throwback Thursday is brought to you by:<a href="https://www.hutchchamber.com/">Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce</a> <a href="https://underkansas.org/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_KHt9Zeq_QIVwRPUAR3CTwTSEAAYASAAEgJDJPD_BwE">STRATACA Kansas Underground Salt Museum</a>

📷 Throwback Thursday: John B. Brown Home - Vol. 91

NEWTON, Kan. — At Tuesday night’s meeting, the City Commission received the final proposed layout of improvements at Themian Park and an update on fundraising efforts.

The Themian Park Committee put together by the City, USD 373 Board of Education, and Newton Recreation Commission met Oct. 2 and approved the layout, which includes four pickleball courts, two basketball courts, two baseball fields with backstops, a soccer field with artificial turf, a park shelter, and restrooms. The plan would retain the existing swing sets and the seating recently installed by local Girl Scouts. The estimated total cost is about $1.76 million.

Themian Park, one of the City’s oldest parks, is owned by the City and leased to the school district for student use. The Rec Commission hosts some youth sports activities in the park and provides some maintenance work. The&nbsp;<a href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Frailerfoundation/1/010001927355b4a4-22d604c8-9634-46cd-bb2e-70aa4920ad67-000000/v6nSA1qnGAz8LnUDSGROAF_OM__w2kJpDSN3-9YAYVM=374" target="_blank">Railer Foundation</a>&nbsp;volunteer group is leading the proposed improvement plan and raising private funds to support it.

The plan is for financing of the project to run through the Public Building Commission, a partnership of the City, School District, and Rec Commission that supports maintenance and improvements at Fischer Field and other athletic facilities in Newton.

The next steps will be to update the interlocal PBC agreement for each partner to consider and to begin fundraising in earnest. The project will be built in phases, beginning with the basketball and pickleball courts in the spring.

The Rec Commission has committed $100,000 of its funds toward pickleball courts. The City may be asked to donate in-kind services for some of the improvements such as the restroom building pad or sewer extension. These issues will be ironed out in the agreement that will come back to the City Commission for approval, hopefully before the end of the year.

Donations for the park project can be made&nbsp;<a href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fcentralkansascf.fcsuite.com%2Ferp%2Fdonate%2Fcreate%2Ffund%3Ffunit_id=4399%26sorg_id=1104/1/010001927355b4a4-22d604c8-9634-46cd-bb2e-70aa4920ad67-000000/tSw7Ki4RzHeh1o3BekzWKOvh6IXZhp9_owHMQbRUFp4=374" target="_blank">online</a>&nbsp;through the Central Kansas Community Foundation or mailed to:

Themian Park Fund CKCF 400 S. Main, Ste. 100 Newton KS 67114

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728088608335.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>ERIN MCDANIEL City of NewtonNEWTON, Kan. — At Tuesday night’s meeting, the City Commission received the final proposed layout of improvements at Themian Park and an update on fundraising efforts.The Themian Park Committee put together by the City, USD 373 Board of Education, and Newton Recreation Commission met Oct. 2 and approved the layout, which includes four pickleball courts, two basketball courts, two baseball fields with backstops, a soccer field with artificial turf, a park shelter, and restrooms. The plan would retain the existing swing sets and the seating recently installed by local Girl Scouts. The estimated total cost is about $1.76 million.Themian Park, one of the City’s oldest parks, is owned by the City and leased to the school district for student use. The Rec Commission hosts some youth sports activities in the park and provides some maintenance work. The&nbsp;<a href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Frailerfoundation/1/010001927355b4a4-22d604c8-9634-46cd-bb2e-70aa4920ad67-000000/v6nSA1qnGAz8LnUDSGROAF_OM__w2kJpDSN3-9YAYVM=374" target="_blank">Railer Foundation</a>&nbsp;volunteer group is leading the proposed improvement plan and raising private funds to support it.The plan is for financing of the project to run through the Public Building Commission, a partnership of the City, School District, and Rec Commission that supports maintenance and improvements at Fischer Field and other athletic facilities in Newton.The next steps will be to update the interlocal PBC agreement for each partner to consider and to begin fundraising in earnest. The project will be built in phases, beginning with the basketball and pickleball courts in the spring.The Rec Commission has committed $100,000 of its funds toward pickleball courts. The City may be asked to donate in-kind services for some of the improvements such as the restroom building pad or sewer extension. These issues will be ironed out in the agreement that will come back to the City Commission for approval, hopefully before the end of the year.Donations for the park project can be made&nbsp;<a href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fcentralkansascf.fcsuite.com%2Ferp%2Fdonate%2Fcreate%2Ffund%3Ffunit_id=4399%26sorg_id=1104/1/010001927355b4a4-22d604c8-9634-46cd-bb2e-70aa4920ad67-000000/tSw7Ki4RzHeh1o3BekzWKOvh6IXZhp9_owHMQbRUFp4=374" target="_blank">online</a>&nbsp;through the Central Kansas Community Foundation or mailed to:Themian Park Fund CKCF 400 S. Main, Ste. 100 Newton KS 67114

Newton City Commission gets Themian Park update

WENDY SKELLENGER Hutchinson Community Foundation

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Reno County residents are invited to bring their curiosity and ideas for their communities to a series of workshops in October and November as part of Hutchinson Community Foundation’s Love Where You Live Community Empowerment Initiative.

Hutch CF contracted with Ohio-based Innovation Economy Partners on the three-year initiative centered on hearing Reno County residents’ perceptions of the communities they live in, generating civic dialogue and inspiring collaborative action. IEP also works with community foundations in McPherson County and western Kansas on similar initiatives.

Phase one of the initiative was a county-wide survey of resident perceptions that occurred over the summer. Those results will be available for viewing at RenoSurvey.com.

Next are the facilitated community workshops that will include discussing each community’s survey results, brainstorming with neighbors about ideas and actions to make their communities even better, and learning about project funding opportunities.

The last phase of the initiative will encourage residents and organizations to collaborate to create projects that address community priorities and spark community pride. Groups and organizations may then submit grant proposals for Fund for Reno County funding through late January 2025.

The process repeats in 2025 and 2026. Hutch CF seeks participation from all corners of the county, demographics and walks of life.

The following are the available workshops coming to each community. Families are welcome.

Buhler, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 28, Wellness Center, 525 Parkside Drive

Fairfield Area, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 13, Fairfield School Cafeteria, 16115 S. Langdon Road, Langdon

Haven/Yoder, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 16, Haven Community Building, 215 S. Reno St.

8:30 to 10 a.m. Oct. 29, Blue Dragon Room, Parker Student Union, Hutchinson Community College campus, 1300 N. Plum St.

4 to 5:30 p.m. Oct. 29, Hutchinson Public Library, 901 N. Main St.

6 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 30, Community Room, Dillon Nature Center, 3002 E. 30th Ave.

1 to 2:30 p.m. Nov. 2, Reno County Museum, 100 S. Walnut St.

Nickerson, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Nov. 18, Community Center, 11 N. Nickerson St.

Pretty Prairie, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 20, Civic Theatre, 105 W. Main St.

South Hutchinson, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 15, Community Building, 101 W. Ave. C

For more information about the initiative, to request a special accommodation to attend a workshop or to access resources, visit <a href="http://RenoSurvey.com">RenoSurvey.com</a>.

For questions, contact the community foundation at 620-663-5293.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728484228684.jpeg" alt="Love Where You Live" />
 <figcaption>Love Where You Live</figcaption>
 </figure>WENDY SKELLENGER Hutchinson Community FoundationHUTCHINSON, Kan. — Reno County residents are invited to bring their curiosity and ideas for their communities to a series of workshops in October and November as part of Hutchinson Community Foundation’s Love Where You Live Community Empowerment Initiative.Hutch CF contracted with Ohio-based Innovation Economy Partners on the three-year initiative centered on hearing Reno County residents’ perceptions of the communities they live in, generating civic dialogue and inspiring collaborative action. IEP also works with community foundations in McPherson County and western Kansas on similar initiatives.Phase one of the initiative was a county-wide survey of resident perceptions that occurred over the summer. Those results will be available for viewing at RenoSurvey.com.Next are the facilitated community workshops that will include discussing each community’s survey results, brainstorming with neighbors about ideas and actions to make their communities even better, and learning about project funding opportunities.The last phase of the initiative will encourage residents and organizations to collaborate to create projects that address community priorities and spark community pride. Groups and organizations may then submit grant proposals for Fund for Reno County funding through late January 2025.The process repeats in 2025 and 2026. Hutch CF seeks participation from all corners of the county, demographics and walks of life.The following are the available workshops coming to each community. Families are welcome.Buhler, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 28, Wellness Center, 525 Parkside DriveFairfield Area, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 13, Fairfield School Cafeteria, 16115 S. Langdon Road, LangdonHaven/Yoder, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 16, Haven Community Building, 215 S. Reno St.Hutchinson:8:30 to 10 a.m. Oct. 29, Blue Dragon Room, Parker Student Union, Hutchinson Community College campus, 1300 N. Plum St.4 to 5:30 p.m. Oct. 29, Hutchinson Public Library, 901 N. Main St.6 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 30, Community Room, Dillon Nature Center, 3002 E. 30th Ave.1 to 2:30 p.m. Nov. 2, Reno County Museum, 100 S. Walnut St.Nickerson, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Nov. 18, Community Center, 11 N. Nickerson St.Pretty Prairie, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 20, Civic Theatre, 105 W. Main St.South Hutchinson, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 15, Community Building, 101 W. Ave. CFor more information about the initiative, to request a special accommodation to attend a workshop or to access resources, visit <a href="http://RenoSurvey.com">RenoSurvey.com</a>.For questions, contact the community foundation at 620-663-5293.

Reno County residents invited to community workshops

WICHITA, Kan. —&nbsp;

The Kansas Manufacturing Council (KMC) on Tuesday announced the&nbsp;Stacker 8500&nbsp;is the winner of the&nbsp;<a href="https://9slwjycab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001cNGyDjtOrhRWCKmyep2Yxs5mEVZqUW7qFCzuZBf2ydqxMitN74rRfZJYTWvDm-K0pxROEeVeVjfMW3dFOUdCdW-2H7J60b4wf0sZlBXenAIyNzK5b-96yzhpIIM0_BuQt_70oyKUcSpxQ_iimtaDrf2sBZhZPUcB&amp;c=0wvmTPrnM1JN8bMTs2OMESeT9NV7-DfLNj0XNTEaz08Ocrvuz7FEtg==&amp;ch=jh_QaAhe_5RCLc311oDoW_QE7xlQOOAwF5bGsxLj-M3ynTrb0srAcw==" target="_blank">2024 Coolest Thing Made In Kansas - Coolest Innovation</a>&nbsp;.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"The KMC is excited to celebrate the Stacker 8500 manufactured by Stinger Inc. as the 2024 Coolest Innovation," said KMC Executive Director Brandie McPherson. "Our panel of judges had a very difficult job in narrowing it down from the 28 products nominated to just one."

Presented by Forvis Mazars, the KMC added this category in 2022 to highlight the many ways Kansas manufacturers research and develop new products and work to improve products to address crucial challenges.

This year's contest began with 28 nominated products. Twelve moved on to the first round of judging by completing a questionnaire detailing their innovations. A panel of judges reviewed the questionnaires and then ranked the products for their innovative solutions, narrowing the competition for the final round of judging.

During the final round, the judges heard from the companies who advanced to the finals:

The judges choose the winning product&nbsp;<a href="https://9slwjycab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001cNGyDjtOrhRWCKmyep2Yxs5mEVZqUW7qFCzuZBf2ydqxMitN74rRfY4d3dTMT3JSZKXy3YJ5-9Bikqws8qDvXkYotbnnOYry1Yqt3XZlwnbLCMBXsKe1-zpm5vYLShtxhfvVgcL4sSmTTWhfZSucHiKA_tPqFvKJiiv-yP0fbWPXgh2dquCFfqAEw32ktcJCHOt4Nc6cNeP9qj_Hv5hdXvvB4dpPnxeGgpzu-5btk1k=&amp;c=0wvmTPrnM1JN8bMTs2OMESeT9NV7-DfLNj0XNTEaz08Ocrvuz7FEtg==&amp;ch=jh_QaAhe_5RCLc311oDoW_QE7xlQOOAwF5bGsxLj-M3ynTrb0srAcw==" target="_blank">based on a criteria</a>&nbsp;that includes its impact on the challenge it solves as well as the impact it has on the business, its employees, and customers.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728523020280.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas Manufacturing CouncilWICHITA, Kan. —&nbsp;

The Kansas Manufacturing Council (KMC) on Tuesday announced the&nbsp;Stacker 8500&nbsp;is the winner of the&nbsp;<a href="https://9slwjycab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001cNGyDjtOrhRWCKmyep2Yxs5mEVZqUW7qFCzuZBf2ydqxMitN74rRfZJYTWvDm-K0pxROEeVeVjfMW3dFOUdCdW-2H7J60b4wf0sZlBXenAIyNzK5b-96yzhpIIM0_BuQt_70oyKUcSpxQ_iimtaDrf2sBZhZPUcB&amp;c=0wvmTPrnM1JN8bMTs2OMESeT9NV7-DfLNj0XNTEaz08Ocrvuz7FEtg==&amp;ch=jh_QaAhe_5RCLc311oDoW_QE7xlQOOAwF5bGsxLj-M3ynTrb0srAcw==" target="_blank">2024 Coolest Thing Made In Kansas - Coolest Innovation</a>&nbsp;.&nbsp;&nbsp;"The KMC is excited to celebrate the Stacker 8500 manufactured by Stinger Inc. as the 2024 Coolest Innovation," said KMC Executive Director Brandie McPherson. "Our panel of judges had a very difficult job in narrowing it down from the 28 products nominated to just one."Presented by Forvis Mazars, the KMC added this category in 2022 to highlight the many ways Kansas manufacturers research and develop new products and work to improve products to address crucial challenges.This year's contest began with 28 nominated products. Twelve moved on to the first round of judging by completing a questionnaire detailing their innovations. A panel of judges reviewed the questionnaires and then ranked the products for their innovative solutions, narrowing the competition for the final round of judging.During the final round, the judges heard from the companies who advanced to the finals:<ul>
 <li>Cosmic Soil Moisture Monitor by Radiation Detection Technologies, Manhattan</li><li>Stacker 8500 by Stinger, INC, Burrton</li><li>The Beast Rogue Fire Fighting Tools by Prohoe Manufacturing LLC, Munden</li><li>Command Center Tower on the OutStander Stand-On Mower By Grasshopper Mower, Moundridge</li>
 </ul>The judges choose the winning product&nbsp;<a href="https://9slwjycab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001cNGyDjtOrhRWCKmyep2Yxs5mEVZqUW7qFCzuZBf2ydqxMitN74rRfY4d3dTMT3JSZKXy3YJ5-9Bikqws8qDvXkYotbnnOYry1Yqt3XZlwnbLCMBXsKe1-zpm5vYLShtxhfvVgcL4sSmTTWhfZSucHiKA_tPqFvKJiiv-yP0fbWPXgh2dquCFfqAEw32ktcJCHOt4Nc6cNeP9qj_Hv5hdXvvB4dpPnxeGgpzu-5btk1k=&amp;c=0wvmTPrnM1JN8bMTs2OMESeT9NV7-DfLNj0XNTEaz08Ocrvuz7FEtg==&amp;ch=jh_QaAhe_5RCLc311oDoW_QE7xlQOOAwF5bGsxLj-M3ynTrb0srAcw==" target="_blank">based on a criteria</a>&nbsp;that includes its impact on the challenge it solves as well as the impact it has on the business, its employees, and customers.Manufactured in Burrton by Stinger, Inc., the Stacker 8500 is the first commercial bale stacker designed specifically for the expanding market of Ultra dense square bales.It combines the most popular and proven features of Stingers of the past with the added performance and design to handle more bales at less cost than any other bale wagon in the world. Increased capacity, increased flotation, increased traction, speed, and horsepower.&nbsp;<a href="https://9slwjycab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001cNGyDjtOrhRWCKmyep2Yxs5mEVZqUW7qFCzuZBf2ydqxMitN74rRfZVX7KsDA33-3Li1NDUapyanM9LdngSQHrRShVxZnEprPGm6PTvMlHCn2i-LDYqrMg9X2An7iRtLPNTfN5melFgY39j6UDxMxlqsVZ0W0nsSp_5QaZI23BKJgfqxGyFsG4CNh_DNvFfOJdUmZKtqOeSjOAsno6wwTME3r52L1XoEtqVXNQUlfr7URR8eaZz1C_pNrcFkTdQI9yoZd_UC2C6OGb0W1Qkt6VislKefoni-I680Ot687mal5xxPhdM5Lw==&amp;c=0wvmTPrnM1JN8bMTs2OMESeT9NV7-DfLNj0XNTEaz08Ocrvuz7FEtg==&amp;ch=jh_QaAhe_5RCLc311oDoW_QE7xlQOOAwF5bGsxLj-M3ynTrb0srAcw==" target="_blank">Click here</a>&nbsp;to watch a video of the Stacker 8500 in action.The winner of the 2024 Coolest Thing Made in Kansas - Coolest Innovation was announced during the KMC's Kansas Manufacturing Summit held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Wichita.

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