A note from Hutch Post:
We have come to the end of The Decades. We hope you have enjoyed this look back as much as we enjoyed bringing it to you.
We'd like to thank Steve Harmon for letting us use the incredible photos from his collection, the Reno County Museum for their work in sharing ideas, and especially the staff in the Reference Services Department of the Hutchinson Public Library who were as enthusiastic to help with this project as we were to bring it to you. The ideas from this series came from a number of newspapers that have come and gone along with archives from Eagle Radio and the Hutchinson News, the book "The Hutchinson Spirit" from the library and others. We are probably missing some names of others who helped, for which we apologize.
This project started back in the first week of July and has progressed through the summer and into the fall. We have probably missed so many things that were important to people in Hutchinson and Reno County, but we tried to make sure we got as much of the information as possible. We would simply run out of room if we tried to list everything. Most of all, we’d like to say "thank you" to you, our readers, who have made The Decades one of the most popular features for Hutch Post. This feature will stay with Hutch Post for you to look back on and enjoy with others who might have missed them.
Thanks again for your support,
The Hutch Post news team and staff.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — We have come to the end of The Decades as we look back from 2010 to the present. Siemens rolls out its first nacelle at the new plant, but market volatility would force the company to lay off workers later. The county begins working hard to find a remedy for the overcrowding at the county jail. New leadership comes on board for both the police and fire departments. A longtime family-owned manufacturer is sold and a high-profile murder case begins. A portion of Emerson Carey’s development in the southeast part of the city is condemned and abandoned. The longtime president of Hutchinson Community College steps down, as does the longtime GM of the Kansas State Fair. Both the city and county see leadership changes and a major facelift comes to the Hutchinson Sports Arena. That and more in one last look at The Decades.
2010: Siemens rolls out its first nacelle from the Hutchinson Facility.
Longtime HPD Detective Clay Rothe retires from the force.
Collins Bus is certified by state and federal safety officials as a Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program.
The city approves a tax plan that moves Hutch Rec out from under the school district's taxing authority to the city. The two entities come together to help make the city’s athletic facilities better for tournaments and other activities.
The county commission denies Buhler’s request for a federal tax break program. It's the same proposal they denied for Haven and South Hutchinson.
The county commission passes an ordinance prohibiting gunfire down in the bed of the Arkansas River after numerous complaints near Nickerson.
L’Oréal purchases Peels Beauty Supply.
2011: Another family-owned manufacturer is purchased as Krause Mfg. is purchased by Kuhn Mfg. Krause opened in Hutchinson in 1916.
An early-morning fire destroys the studios of Ad Astra Radio.
After a very unpopular name change, Promise Regional Medical Center is renamed again, this time to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center.
In a case of mistaken identity, Jennifer Heckel is murdered. William Craig Jr. and Charles Logsdon are convicted. Logsdon is still fighting his conviction to this day.
2012: Following a guilty verdict, Charles Logsdon is sentenced to 73-years in prison for the murder of Jennifer Heckel.
After years of planning and construction, the new K-61 four lane project from Hutchinson to McPherson is opened.
Two years after opening, Siemens announces it is laying off more than 60% of its workforce: 110 temporary workers and 145 full-time employees are laid off. Over the years, the lost jobs would come back.
Drought and summer heat bake the area as the temperature rises above 110 for several days. The heat lasts into September.
In what was a painful beginning to a long list of store closings in the area, Dillard’s closed.
The old Red Lobster building is razed. It's now the site of Pizza Ranch.
An organization sues the City of Buhler for its welcome signs that say: "Traditional Values. Progressive Ideas."
The city backs an effort to renovate the Landmark Hotel, but the request for state funding is denied. The building still sits empty.
The city gives up efforts to save the boathouse at Carey Park. The building is torn down.
Jason Ball becomes the new president of the Chamber of Commerce.
2013: Said to be the home of Superman, a proclamation is presented naming Hutchinson "Smallville" for a day.
A 14-year-old sets fire to his family home killing his mother and sister. After a long trial and many legal motions, Samuel Vonachen is convicted of two counts of murder and sentenced to life in prison.
The Kansas State Fair celebrates 100 years.
An announcement is made that the Wiley Building will be completely renovated. The building is turned into an apartment complex and is also the home office of TECH.
The Kansas Underground Salt Museum is renamed Strataca.
Ed Berger resigns as president of Hutchinson Community College. He later wins a seat in the State Senate.
After a great run of success at HHS, football coach Randy Dreiling resigns to take a job in Kansas City.
A major hail storm hits the city's northeast side. Windows at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center are blown out along with other damage at the mall, Walmart, Lowe’s and Conklin Cars.
The public approves a $28.9 million bond issue to build a new jail. The sales tax used to fund the jail is paid off early.
The Hutchinson City Council rejects a proposal for a new Dollar General to be built at the corner of 11th and Main.
Reno County Emergency Management Director Bill Guy retires.
Three Hutchinson police officers are terminated in connection with a sexual harassment claim made by a motorist who was pulled over for DUI.
2014: Another major retailer closes as Sears shuts its doors at the mall.
The city proposes a .35% sales tax to make more than $29 million in renovations to the Hutchinson Sports Arena.
The city creates a special taxing district to help renovate the mall. RockStep Capital then purchases the mall for $14.5 million.
Rift grows between landlords and the city over how to deal with rundown rental property.
The Chamber of Commerce announces that Mervis Rail will build a major railcar repair facility just south of Siemens. When the oil boom ends, Mervis decides to pull out of the deal.
Construction of the Reno County Correctional Facility begins.
Billy Craig enters a plea to conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in the Jennifer Heckel murder case.
Longtime Hutchinson News reporter and bail bondsman Dwight Jurgens is arrested and goes to trial. Jurgens is accused of offering sexual favors in exchange for lower bonds for his clients.
ALCO closes.
Dave Dillon retires as president of Kroger.
2015: Adding to the tornadoes Kansas has to deal with, the area begins to be rattled by earthquakes connected to deep disposal wells near the Oklahoma border.
After closing, then reopening, the Haven School District closes the Mt. Hope School for good.
The unpopular decision is made to end all ATV and motorcycle riding in the Arkansas River bed.
A storm moving southwest does the unexpected and forms a tornado near Nickerson. With the absence of rain in the area and the slow-moving nature of the storm, hundreds flock out into the countryside to watch, tying up traffic and cell phone service.
Denny Stoecklein resigns as GM of the Kansas State Fair.
After a long renovation process, the Wiley Plaza opens.
The Hutch Rec takes over operations of Fun Valley. Tournaments come back to the popular complex.
Voters approve the sales tax for Sports Arena renovation.
Longtime radio personality Bob Walker (Middleton) dies.
The Reno County Correctional Facility goes into operation.
2016: Kmart closes its doors.
A major downtown business closes as Sports Shack shuts its doors.
After more than two years going through the legal system, Samuel Vonachen is convicted to two counts of first-degree murder.
Hutchinson Regional Medical Center announces a $23 million expansion of its ICU wing.
Work begins on the new Love’s Country Store in South Hutchinson.
The Kansas State Fair reports the third-highest attendance ever at nearly 360,000.
Chamber President Jason Ball resigns.
Hastings closes its doors.
Terry David becomes the new director of Reno County EMS.
2017: After threatening to close 10 years earlier, Eaton finally shuts down its Hutchinson facility.
After much discussion and a split-vote from the school board, Haven USD 312 closes Partridge Elementary School.
Target closes.
Pretty Prairie residents say no to tax lid hike: 105 no to 52 yes.
The NJCAA and the city agree to a 24-year contract to keep the NJCAA National Basketball Tournament in Hutchinson. The new contract is a result of the major renovations to the Sports Arena.
Steve Beer becomes the new chief of the Hutchinson Fire Department.
Efforts are underway to attract a new Tyson poultry facility to South Hutchinson. The effort falls short and the plant goes elsewhere.
The county begins discussion to merge the Reno County Extension Office with three others — nothing happens.
Another major retailer closes its doors as JCPenney shuts down at the mall.
Boy Scout troop 301 celebrates 100 years in Hutchinson at First Presbyterian Church.
Reno County gets a chance to enjoy the first full solar eclipse in 99 years.
CHS announces it will close its processing facility. A group of local investors reopens the plant and continues operations today.
HutchCC men's basketball team wins the NJCAA National Basketball Tournament.
2018: Popular coach and businessman Dick Strano dies. A memorial service is held at the old Sports Shack store he ran for many years.
NextEra proposes a wind farm in Reno County, setting off a long legal battle and many hours of public comment and discussion by the county commission that continues today.
The city joins others in Kansas to financially support preservation of the Amtrak SW Chief line. Several grants are awarded and an agreement is made with BNSF to keep the line open.
Ohio company eNGines-LPG opens a manufacturing operation in the old Betts Bakery building and moves the corporate office from Ohio.
Jeff Hooper becomes chief of the Hutchinson Police Department.
The Hutchinson Town Club closes after 70 years. The building is now used by Hutchinson Public Schools.
The Cosmosphere holds a grand gala celebration called "Earth Rising" to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 8 moon mission. Many astronauts and other NASA personnel attend.
Cow Creek reaches a record 12.8 feet, causing widespread flooding in the northwest part of the county.
2019: The Cosmosphere celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing with a big party including a video replay of coverage of the moon landing.
After 48 years in business, Long’s announces it will close.
Mike Folks becomes the new superintendent for USD 308.
Nickerson USD 309 voters turn down a $29 million bond issue. The matter divides the board and the community about how the district should move forward in the future.
The oldest building still standing in Hutchinson is renovated by a local couple. Today, the Stevens building holds a beauty salon and is once again a useful part of the community.
Once the scene for big band concerts and dances, the Crystal Ballroom at the Burt is renovated to its original glory and is opened for weddings and other special events.
After a more than $5 million renovation, Genzada opened its new office headquarters in the old Dillons Northgate building. Other businesses follow to fill the remaining store spaces.
Reno County Sheriff Randy Henderson retires.
County Administrator Gary Meaghr retires.
City Manager John Deardoff retires.
The City of Hutchinson enters into agreement to get the Atrium property up and running.
2020: The year begins with the first signs of COVID, which would dominate the news through the year and into the next.
The Kansas State Fair is canceled, along with state high school basketball, the NJCAA tournament and many other events because of the pandemic.
Schools go into remote learning to keep COVID numbers down. Spring sports are canceled.
A Wichita company buys the Eaton property and uses it for warehouse space.
Siemens celebrates 10 years in Hutchinson and soon changes the name to Siemens Gamesa, joining forces with a Spanish company with a strong onshore wind platform.
Jeff Cantrell becomes the new Hutchinson city manager.
Randy Partington becomes the new county administrator.
Longtime business owner, city councilman and county commissioner Bob Bush dies after a long battle with cancer.
Superior Boiler announces it will move its Richmond, Virginia, plant to Hutchinson. The facility opened in the summer of 2021.
Charles Logsdon gets a civil claim through the higher courts and has his case sent back to Reno County. The civil case continues.
The Cosmosphere is forced to cancel the 50th anniversary of Apollo 13. Apollo 13 Commander Jim Lovell laments his chance to say goodbye to his spacecraft one more time, which is located in the space museum.
2021: Bryan Schulz becomes the new GM of the Kansas State Fair.
The HutchCC football team wins the national title in a rare spring season.
HutchCC wins its first national championship in golf. Blue Dragons Ben Partridge and Harry Crockett went to a playoff to determine the individual champion. Partridge won the 4-hole playoff.
The county commission places a moratorium on wind farm production as it tries to come up with a solution to a divided commission on the matter.
The public votes to expand the county commission from three to five members.
Joe Turner becomes the new city manager of South Hutchinson.
After limiting service to three days per week, Amtrak resumes daily service with the SW Chief through Hutchinson.
A major study begins to evaluate the city’s aquatics facilities, including the Salt City Splash.
The Hutchinson City Council wants a study done to see if any efficiencies can be found in the Public Works, Parks and Rec, and City Engineering departments.
Dillons stores turns 100 years old.
The Kansas State Fair comes back with some limitations as public displays are smaller than usual. Crowds are said to be pretty good.
USD 311 Superintendent Randy Hendrickson is terminated and Ashley Anderson becomes the new superintendent of Pretty Prairie Schools.
Curtis Nightingale becomes the new superintendent for Nickerson USD 309.
The City of South Hutchinson and the county are at odds over who should pay for a small bridge located on the edge of the South Hutchinson city limits. Eventually, the county offers any assistance, outside of financial backing, to help start the process of getting the bridge replaced.
Nickerson voters approve keeping $0.01 sales tax in place for city improvements and infrastructure upkeep.
Two new businesses open at the mall with Ollie's and Hutch Vintage Market in the old JCPenney area.
Haven becomes entangled in a legal battle over poor workmanship at the city pool. The pool is closed for a third summer.
HutchCC basketball coach Steve Eck resigns after 12 years, 327 victories and a national championship. Eck left as the program's leader in coaching victories. Tommy DeSalme, who led Cowley to an appearance in the 2021 national championship game, is named the new coach.
The Decades were brought to you by:
Hutchinson Funeral Chapel
Rothe Family Flooring
Hutchinson Public Library
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