HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Michaela Schommer with the Hutchinson Animal Shelter is pleased that EAGLE Media is helping again by hosting an Adopt-A-Pet event Saturday starting at 11 a.m. at 825 North Main.

"I think the least amount that we've ever had adopted at one of your events here is four," Schommer said. "Usually, I was thinking about this a couple days ago, our average is about six adoptions at an event."&nbsp;

The plan is to have as many pets out at the event as they can, but that's dependent on how many people volunteer to help.

"We always like to bring at least 10 out but to be honest, as of right now, I only have five volunteers that have committed to being present," Schommer said. "We're still gathering people for the event and then based on that number, we'll choose our dogs coming out. At minimum, we're probably going to at least have seven but like I said, 10 to 12 is our goal usually."

There also will be a special deal that day for adoptions, if you find the pet at EAGLE Media.

"For the dogs at the event, we're doing half price," Schommer said. "An adult dog is $75 and puppies would be $100."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713282938300.jpeg" alt="Hutchinson Animal Shelter" />
 <figcaption>Hutchinson Animal Shelter</figcaption>
 </figure>NICK GOSNELL Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — Michaela Schommer with the Hutchinson Animal Shelter is pleased that EAGLE Media is helping again by hosting an Adopt-A-Pet event Saturday starting at 11 a.m. at 825 North Main."I think the least amount that we've ever had adopted at one of your events here is four," Schommer said. "Usually, I was thinking about this a couple days ago, our average is about six adoptions at an event."&nbsp;The plan is to have as many pets out at the event as they can, but that's dependent on how many people volunteer to help."We always like to bring at least 10 out but to be honest, as of right now, I only have five volunteers that have committed to being present," Schommer said. "We're still gathering people for the event and then based on that number, we'll choose our dogs coming out. At minimum, we're probably going to at least have seven but like I said, 10 to 12 is our goal usually."There also will be a special deal that day for adoptions, if you find the pet at EAGLE Media."For the dogs at the event, we're doing half price," Schommer said. "An adult dog is $75 and puppies would be $100."The event will end at 2 p.m. Saturday.

Adopt-A-Pet is Saturday

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Friday night is championship night at the Kansas State Fairgrounds for Salt City Racing LLC.

"We'll crown some champions Friday night in the A mods, the B mods, and the stock cars," said Phil Nightingale with Salt City Racing. "It's going to be a fun time, then also the URSS sprint cars, they're going to crown their champion too. It should be some exciting racing because some of the points races are pretty tight. It should be fun and exciting."

Nightingale said a long-term deal to keep the racetrack open is on the table.&nbsp;

"The board does have the new contract that we drafted up for a five-year contract," Nightingale said. "They've got it in their hands. We're going to meet here next month to, I hope, make a nice, easy transition and get a contract signed so we can have a multi-year deal and keep this track alive at Hutchinson."

There definitely seems to be a lot more optimism from the fair board now than there was when Nightingale initially came to them about a year ago.

"A year ago when I came back and met with the board, they were very skeptical and I get it," Nightingale said. "I understand why they were skeptical of that thing, and that's why I told them, I said, let's let me get a proposal together. Let's go for a year and let's see how this works. And I think they all are very excited to move forward."

&nbsp;Attendance figures in the grandstand have averaged over 1600, with over 300 per night on average in the pits heading into Friday's races.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1722741926082.jpeg" alt="The starter at Salt City Racing waves the checkered flag on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024, at the Kansas State Fairgrounds. (Hutch Post Photo/Sean Boston)" />
 <figcaption>The starter at Salt City Racing waves the checkered flag on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024, at the Kansas State Fairgrounds. (Hutch Post Photo/Sean Boston)</figcaption>
 </figure>NICK GOSNELL Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — Friday night is championship night at the Kansas State Fairgrounds for Salt City Racing LLC."We'll crown some champions Friday night in the A mods, the B mods, and the stock cars," said Phil Nightingale with Salt City Racing. "It's going to be a fun time, then also the URSS sprint cars, they're going to crown their champion too. It should be some exciting racing because some of the points races are pretty tight. It should be fun and exciting."Nightingale said a long-term deal to keep the racetrack open is on the table.&nbsp;"The board does have the new contract that we drafted up for a five-year contract," Nightingale said. "They've got it in their hands. We're going to meet here next month to, I hope, make a nice, easy transition and get a contract signed so we can have a multi-year deal and keep this track alive at Hutchinson."There definitely seems to be a lot more optimism from the fair board now than there was when Nightingale initially came to them about a year ago."A year ago when I came back and met with the board, they were very skeptical and I get it," Nightingale said. "I understand why they were skeptical of that thing, and that's why I told them, I said, let's let me get a proposal together. Let's go for a year and let's see how this works. And I think they all are very excited to move forward."&nbsp;Attendance figures in the grandstand have averaged over 1600, with over 300 per night on average in the pits heading into Friday's races.

Championship night coming up Friday at Fairgrounds

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Krystal Young with Hutchinson USD 308 told Hutch Post that there have been considerable increases for classified staff in the district in the last few years.

"In 2021, we had an entry level position for Hutchinson Public Schools at $10.88 an hour," Young said. "This year we are really proud that all of our entry level positions start at $15. And so in those few years we have increased that $4.12, which has drastically improved the ability for us to hire and retain our classified staff and they are absolutely essential in keeping our district running in every aspect."

More than half of those employed by the district are classified staff.

"Classified staff makes up about 52% of our district," Young said. "That staff is not contracted for an entire year, but they are an hourly wage employee. They make up our staff that works with students and works in the other areas of our district, maintenance, food service, technology, custodial staff."

The district is going to be able to narrow its focus when hiring classified staff through the rest of the year.

"Because of our wage increase, we have been able to fill a lot of vacancies that we haven't necessarily filled in the past," Young said. "We have fewer openings in our classified staff than we would normally have in September, and so from this point forward, we're starting to post positions based on the actual position and the location. In the past, you might have gone to apply for a position and it just said, Para. And you wouldn't know if you're applying for a Para at Wiley Elementary or Faris Elementary. However, as we move forward, because we have hired so many positions, we're able to post those individually."

For more information, go to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usd308.com/page/hiring">https://www.usd308.com/page/hiring</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655147159618.jpeg" alt="USD 308 Admin Building-Photo by Daren Dunn" />
 <figcaption>USD 308 Admin Building-Photo by Daren Dunn</figcaption>
 </figure>NICK GOSNELL Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — Krystal Young with Hutchinson USD 308 told Hutch Post that there have been considerable increases for classified staff in the district in the last few years."In 2021, we had an entry level position for Hutchinson Public Schools at $10.88 an hour," Young said. "This year we are really proud that all of our entry level positions start at $15. And so in those few years we have increased that $4.12, which has drastically improved the ability for us to hire and retain our classified staff and they are absolutely essential in keeping our district running in every aspect."More than half of those employed by the district are classified staff."Classified staff makes up about 52% of our district," Young said. "That staff is not contracted for an entire year, but they are an hourly wage employee. They make up our staff that works with students and works in the other areas of our district, maintenance, food service, technology, custodial staff."The district is going to be able to narrow its focus when hiring classified staff through the rest of the year."Because of our wage increase, we have been able to fill a lot of vacancies that we haven't necessarily filled in the past," Young said. "We have fewer openings in our classified staff than we would normally have in September, and so from this point forward, we're starting to post positions based on the actual position and the location. In the past, you might have gone to apply for a position and it just said, Para. And you wouldn't know if you're applying for a Para at Wiley Elementary or Faris Elementary. However, as we move forward, because we have hired so many positions, we're able to post those individually."For more information, go to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usd308.com/page/hiring">https://www.usd308.com/page/hiring</a>.

USD 308 now wage competitive

HAVEN, Kan. — The economic outlook on rural main street is not good, according to a survey released Thursday from Creighton University. 

"This is a September survey of bank CEOs and rural areas of ten states including Kansas," said Creighton University economist Ernie Goss. "The overall number was down from last month and last month was not good. In fact, the number indexed 50 as growth neutral. This is well below growth neutral. In fact, back to pandemic levels when we were back in May of 2020. The agricultural sector is definitely limping along and that's what we're seeing. Their projections are 40% of the farmers are into negative income territory this year, 2024."

There are major headwinds for the grain markets in particular.

"There is global economic weakness and excess supplies," Goss said. "We've got a lot of supply out there. It's been a good year for yields, but not good in terms of prices. We need to see some of those. We need to see the prices rebound. Corn price is hovering around $4 a bushel. That's below break-even for a lot of farmers out there."

Also, the overall value of land is going down, too.

"We asked the bankers about going forward, and they, on average, expect about a 5.2% reduction in farmland prices predicted over the next year," Goss said. "We even had a high proportion, that would be one-fourth of the bankers, one-fourth expect the farmland prices to come down by 10 to 20%. Hopefully that doesn't hit, but that's pretty negative there when we look at the bankers."

A lot of the collateral for loans made to farmers is predicated on the land value they hold, so reduction in those values can give them less borrowing power.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1721252436997.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>NICK GOSNELL Hutch PostHAVEN, Kan. — The economic outlook on rural main street is not good, according to a survey released Thursday from Creighton University. "This is a September survey of bank CEOs and rural areas of ten states including Kansas," said Creighton University economist Ernie Goss. "The overall number was down from last month and last month was not good. In fact, the number indexed 50 as growth neutral. This is well below growth neutral. In fact, back to pandemic levels when we were back in May of 2020. The agricultural sector is definitely limping along and that's what we're seeing. Their projections are 40% of the farmers are into negative income territory this year, 2024."There are major headwinds for the grain markets in particular."There is global economic weakness and excess supplies," Goss said. "We've got a lot of supply out there. It's been a good year for yields, but not good in terms of prices. We need to see some of those. We need to see the prices rebound. Corn price is hovering around $4 a bushel. That's below break-even for a lot of farmers out there."Also, the overall value of land is going down, too."We asked the bankers about going forward, and they, on average, expect about a 5.2% reduction in farmland prices predicted over the next year," Goss said. "We even had a high proportion, that would be one-fourth of the bankers, one-fourth expect the farmland prices to come down by 10 to 20%. Hopefully that doesn't hit, but that's pretty negative there when we look at the bankers."A lot of the collateral for loans made to farmers is predicated on the land value they hold, so reduction in those values can give them less borrowing power.

Rural Mainstreet struggling, survey says

Hutchinson Community Concert Association

HUTCHINSON, Kan. —&nbsp; With the first of the 2024-2025 Hutchinson Community Concerts coming up, here's the list for the year. You can buy a single membership for $50 or a family membership for $110 at the first concert at Memorial Hall.

Thursday, September 26, 2024 – 7:00 p.m. Legendary Ladies of Country

Lisa Brokop celebrates female country music pioneers with heartfelt stories and the hits of Loretta Lynn Dottie West, Tammy Wynette, Dolly Parton, Barbara Mandrell, Anne Murray, and other favorites.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 

Thursday, October 31, 2024 – 7:00 p.m. Jared Freiburg and the Vagabonds

This entertaining piano maestro leads you into a time capsule of the golden era of American music with those great hits of the 50’s by unforgettable artists from Sinatra to Elvis!&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 

Sunday, November 17, 2024 – 3:00 p.m. Jason “Floyd” Coleman - Duets with Granddad

Jason brings new life to the country and pop classics made famous by his grandfather while taking you on a keyboard journey through the musical history of Floyd Cramer the highlight of the show is Jason performing video duets with his granddad!&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 

Tuesday, March 11, 2025 – 7:00 p.m. Jeremy Stoll, “No More Talk of Darkness”

The famous line from Phantom of the Opera aptly describes this veteran phantom performer’s show. His peerless voice and talented team of musicians will delight you with great Broadway songs and insider stories.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 

Thursday, May 1, 2025 – 7:00 p.m. Sail On - It’ll be Fun, Fun, Fun!

Who doesn't love the music of “America's Band”? Enjoy the enthusiastic recreation of The Beach Boys’ classic hits with the timeless music of surfing, cruising, dancing, and dreaming.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Monday, May 5, 2025 – 7:00 Alliance Brass - The Perfect Blend

They've been referred to as the perfect blend of virtuosity and vitality this exciting ensemble is known for dazzling audiences with the repertoire of great music celebrating both stage and screen.&nbsp;&nbsp;

A season membership entitles each member to attend all six concerts. There are no individual concert tickets.&nbsp;

If you want your tickets in advance, see their webpage at&nbsp;<a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hutchinsonconcerts.com%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2kkFb4PQ1Fed2UE0PUyKSee4Ei-GYFRKlKuEwl7VEdODtcNOupZHLI5Yg_aem_Ad9x96F9GHA4vm8vUTrxRKz3qdEdwLhRqwbDR8vrLanz5sM2bj7Y7dz9YgGbolb5dA9Q2dbK81zsk9L79BO8WOWa&amp;h=AT3mScsANJDeu8KZlH4L7p5--F1JZ8TYZyu_UwROXgL8jquHvsDLetV8rmCpZZSK0Ic5LVt8Aiq3ZnTK7kudfyYLE5BvkEHILL0ZuVyzT_kgPdAhV7-nd6syl6Tl2Xxtvw&amp;__tn__=-UK-R&amp;c[0]=AT1MZeq1AO2kWhZTAfilLy4Dr8TEppzVjtB47WRSzPi_di4pPfHI2f6cUGkDjjUoGWjkoDXouGvlbCwq6fSIt0twyfmntAq47YhwViJTlUgyrsNE7AheFbgYsOBvSy75FlTXW3WgzNMgChy5RCk15IXVYMyXHCkQS2cKM4jv56QA7MegexZ-2HququyZV67sJupCgvna5FPAdNBlK19FU4GhX8FuzfkmuVA2" target="_blank">www.hutchinsonconcerts.com</a>

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713631300800.jpeg" alt="Hutchinson Community Concert Association" />
 <figcaption>Hutchinson Community Concert Association</figcaption>
 </figure>Hutchinson Community Concert AssociationHUTCHINSON, Kan. —&nbsp; With the first of the 2024-2025 Hutchinson Community Concerts coming up, here's the list for the year. You can buy a single membership for $50 or a family membership for $110 at the first concert at Memorial Hall.Thursday, September 26, 2024 – 7:00 p.m. Legendary Ladies of Country<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713631010204.jpeg" alt="Lisa Brokop-Photo Courtesy Hutchinson Community Concerts" />
 <figcaption>Lisa Brokop-Photo Courtesy Hutchinson Community Concerts</figcaption>
 </figure>Lisa Brokop celebrates female country music pioneers with heartfelt stories and the hits of Loretta Lynn Dottie West, Tammy Wynette, Dolly Parton, Barbara Mandrell, Anne Murray, and other favorites.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Thursday, October 31, 2024 – 7:00 p.m. Jared Freiburg and the Vagabonds<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713631050523.jpeg" alt="Jared Frieburg-Photo Courtesy Hutchinson Community Concerts" />
 <figcaption>Jared Frieburg-Photo Courtesy Hutchinson Community Concerts</figcaption>
 </figure>This entertaining piano maestro leads you into a time capsule of the golden era of American music with those great hits of the 50’s by unforgettable artists from Sinatra to Elvis!&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Sunday, November 17, 2024 – 3:00 p.m. Jason “Floyd” Coleman - Duets with Granddad<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713631106099.jpeg" alt="Jason "Floyd" Coleman-Photo Courtesy Hutchinson Community Concerts" />
 <figcaption>Jason "Floyd" Coleman-Photo Courtesy Hutchinson Community Concerts</figcaption>
 </figure>Jason brings new life to the country and pop classics made famous by his grandfather while taking you on a keyboard journey through the musical history of Floyd Cramer the highlight of the show is Jason performing video duets with his granddad!&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Tuesday, March 11, 2025 – 7:00 p.m. Jeremy Stoll, “No More Talk of Darkness”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713631145962.jpeg" alt="Jeremy Stoll-Photo Courtesy Hutchinson Community Concerts" />
 <figcaption>Jeremy Stoll-Photo Courtesy Hutchinson Community Concerts</figcaption>
 </figure>The famous line from Phantom of the Opera aptly describes this veteran phantom performer’s show. His peerless voice and talented team of musicians will delight you with great Broadway songs and insider stories.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Thursday, May 1, 2025 – 7:00 p.m. Sail On - It’ll be Fun, Fun, Fun!<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713631186169.jpeg" alt="Sail On-Photo Courtesy Hutchinson Community Concerts" />
 <figcaption>Sail On-Photo Courtesy Hutchinson Community Concerts</figcaption>
 </figure>Who doesn't love the music of “America's Band”? Enjoy the enthusiastic recreation of The Beach Boys’ classic hits with the timeless music of surfing, cruising, dancing, and dreaming.&nbsp;&nbsp;Monday, May 5, 2025 – 7:00 Alliance Brass - The Perfect Blend<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713631235072.jpeg" alt="Alliance Brass-Photo Courtesy Hutchinson Community Concerts" />
 <figcaption>Alliance Brass-Photo Courtesy Hutchinson Community Concerts</figcaption>
 </figure>They've been referred to as the perfect blend of virtuosity and vitality this exciting ensemble is known for dazzling audiences with the repertoire of great music celebrating both stage and screen.&nbsp;&nbsp;A season membership entitles each member to attend all six concerts. There are no individual concert tickets.&nbsp;If you want your tickets in advance, see their webpage at&nbsp;<a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hutchinsonconcerts.com%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2kkFb4PQ1Fed2UE0PUyKSee4Ei-GYFRKlKuEwl7VEdODtcNOupZHLI5Yg_aem_Ad9x96F9GHA4vm8vUTrxRKz3qdEdwLhRqwbDR8vrLanz5sM2bj7Y7dz9YgGbolb5dA9Q2dbK81zsk9L79BO8WOWa&amp;h=AT3mScsANJDeu8KZlH4L7p5--F1JZ8TYZyu_UwROXgL8jquHvsDLetV8rmCpZZSK0Ic5LVt8Aiq3ZnTK7kudfyYLE5BvkEHILL0ZuVyzT_kgPdAhV7-nd6syl6Tl2Xxtvw&amp;__tn__=-UK-R&amp;c[0]=AT1MZeq1AO2kWhZTAfilLy4Dr8TEppzVjtB47WRSzPi_di4pPfHI2f6cUGkDjjUoGWjkoDXouGvlbCwq6fSIt0twyfmntAq47YhwViJTlUgyrsNE7AheFbgYsOBvSy75FlTXW3WgzNMgChy5RCk15IXVYMyXHCkQS2cKM4jv56QA7MegexZ-2HququyZV67sJupCgvna5FPAdNBlK19FU4GhX8FuzfkmuVA2" target="_blank">www.hutchinsonconcerts.com</a><a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Community Concerts kick off Thursday

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;

9/19/2024 11:02 PM-William	John Mayer Jr.-Interference with Law Enforcement; Obstruct, Resist, Oppose, Misd case, Execution of Misd Warrant&nbsp;

9/19/2024 7:10 PM-Robert	Leonard Hill-Probation Violation&nbsp;

9/19/2024 6:33 PM-Dereck	Eugene Chappell Jr.-Agg assault of LEO; w/ deadly weapon; DUI; 1st conv; comp evidence of blood/breath .08+; Insurance; Fail to Show Proof of Liability Insurance; Poss of marijuana; Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body; Flee or attempt to elude; Comm of felony; Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body; Driving while license cancelled/suspended/revoked; misd; unknown conv; Flee &amp; Elude; 1st Offense

9/19/2024 12:28 PM-Joshua	Edward Stiles-Driving while license cancelled/suspended/revoked; misd; unknown conv; Ignition Interlock Device; Operate MV without device during restriction; Failure to Appear&nbsp;

9/19/2024 10:21 AM-Richard	Lavern Ehrlich-Failure to Appear

9/19/2024 9:46 AM-Matthew	Nathaniel Hall-Driving while license cancelled/suspended/revoked; misd; unknown conv; Insurance; Fail to Show Proof of Liability Insurance; Registration Violation; No/Expired License Plate

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681919611658.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;9/19/2024 11:02 PM-William	John Mayer Jr.-Interference with Law Enforcement; Obstruct, Resist, Oppose, Misd case, Execution of Misd Warrant&nbsp;9/19/2024 7:10 PM-Robert	Leonard Hill-Probation Violation&nbsp;9/19/2024 6:33 PM-Dereck	Eugene Chappell Jr.-Agg assault of LEO; w/ deadly weapon; DUI; 1st conv; comp evidence of blood/breath .08+; Insurance; Fail to Show Proof of Liability Insurance; Poss of marijuana; Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body; Flee or attempt to elude; Comm of felony; Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body; Driving while license cancelled/suspended/revoked; misd; unknown conv; Flee &amp; Elude; 1st Offense9/19/2024 12:28 PM-Joshua	Edward Stiles-Driving while license cancelled/suspended/revoked; misd; unknown conv; Ignition Interlock Device; Operate MV without device during restriction; Failure to Appear&nbsp;9/19/2024 10:21 AM-Richard	Lavern Ehrlich-Failure to Appear9/19/2024 9:46 AM-Matthew	Nathaniel Hall-Driving while license cancelled/suspended/revoked; misd; unknown conv; Insurance; Fail to Show Proof of Liability Insurance; Registration Violation; No/Expired License Plate

Daily Bookings

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 1800 block of North Plum on the east side.

In 1953, George and Lucille Hooper opened Hooper's TV Drive-In Restaurant (called that because it was right next to the new KTVH television station) at 1808 N. Plum. It didn't last very long though.

In 1959, the building was completely remodeled by William and Loretta Owens for the July 14, 1960, grand opening of the Red Rooster Restaurant. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/0078604c-5a55-463e-844b-034ca515b840">They also owned the A&amp;W Drive-In at 27 E. 30th.</a> The first photo shows the business, specializing in fried chicken, early on.

The second photo shows the restaurant during a winter snowstorm sometime in the 1960s.

William retired in 1974, and Carl and Janette Owens took over ownership. The Red Rooster made it until 1979.

Since then, there has been a variety of restaurants, hair salons and roofing businesses in that location. The third photo shows the current business, The Rusty Needle Sports Bar &amp; Lounge, at 1808 N. Plum St., owned by Hm Holdings Inc. in Kansas City, Kansas.&nbsp;

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/2024/9/1726669621458.png" alt="Red Rooster Restaurant - 1808 N. Plum c. 1960s - Snowstorm - Owner William Owens. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection." />
 <figcaption>Red Rooster Restaurant - 1808 N. Plum c. 1960s - Snowstorm - Owner William Owens. 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 1800 block of North Plum on the east side.In 1953, George and Lucille Hooper opened Hooper's TV Drive-In Restaurant (called that because it was right next to the new KTVH television station) at 1808 N. Plum. It didn't last very long though.In 1959, the building was completely remodeled by William and Loretta Owens for the July 14, 1960, grand opening of the Red Rooster Restaurant. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/0078604c-5a55-463e-844b-034ca515b840">They also owned the A&amp;W Drive-In at 27 E. 30th.</a> The first photo shows the business, specializing in fried chicken, early on.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726669857674.png" alt="Red Rooster Restaurant - 1808 N. Plum c. 1965 - Owner William Owens. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection." />
 <figcaption>Red Rooster Restaurant - 1808 N. Plum c. 1965 - Owner William Owens. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.</figcaption>
 </figure>The second photo shows the restaurant during a winter snowstorm sometime in the 1960s.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726669621458.png" alt="Red Rooster Restaurant - 1808 N. Plum c. 1960s - Snowstorm - Owner William Owens. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection." />
 <figcaption>Red Rooster Restaurant - 1808 N. Plum c. 1960s - Snowstorm - Owner William Owens. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection.</figcaption>
 </figure>William retired in 1974, and Carl and Janette Owens took over ownership. The Red Rooster made it until 1979.Since then, there has been a variety of restaurants, hair salons and roofing businesses in that location. The third photo shows the current business, The Rusty Needle Sports Bar &amp; Lounge, at 1808 N. Plum St., owned by Hm Holdings Inc. in Kansas City, Kansas.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726669989401.png" alt="Red Rooster Restaurant - The Rusty Needle Sports Bar - 1808 N. Plum - Aug. 8, 2024. Courtesy of the Conard-Harmon Collection." />
 <figcaption>Red Rooster Restaurant - The Rusty Needle Sports Bar - 1808 N. Plum - Aug. 8, 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: Red Rooster - Vol. 88

MOUNDRIDGE, Kan. — The leaves are starting to change, and sooner or later the weather will too, but one thing is certain, fall begins on Sunday morning, and pumpkin patches will soon be open.

P and M Pumpkin Ranch in Moundridge will open for the season on Saturday, Sept. 21, for its 11th year.

"We are gearing up," co-owner Jamie Kaminkow said. "We are super excited to be ready, all the decorations are going into place. All of those just last minute details that we love to have ready for the families that come to see us."

If you attended P and M last year, you'll notice some changes in 2024.

"First we added our 'Piggy Back Ride,'" Kaminkow said. "Those are new for this season, we're super excited for everybody to come try those out. In that area we have also added a 'Mother Baby Barn' for nursing mothers and mothers with infants that just need a quiet place to pull away and take care of their babies. We've also added a paintball area, so we'll have paintball this season. The people can shoot the guns across the creek to take out the targets, there will be some friendly fire going on over there. We added a pavilion with extra seating for those that are eating, so they can get into the shade. We are adding a couple new food items, with the main one being the 'MacDog' which is macaroni and cheese on top of a hot dog."

The ranch first opened its doors in the fall of 2014 under owners Tim and Jamie Kaminkow. The couple never envisioned the patch becoming a destination like it has over the years.

"If someone would have even told us like season five, season six, that this is what it would look like in season 11, I don't think we ever would have believed them," Kaminkow said. "It has been such a crazy and amazing ride. We are just so thankful to all the families and schools, church groups and businesses that come out to see us every fall that let us continue to do what we do and provide new activities for them to come enjoy every season."

The idea of starting a pumpkin patch and ranch was something that the family never thought would happen on their 54-acre farm, that previously was a wheat field.

"It was a three-fold reason why we started the pumpkin patch," Kaminkow said. "The first reason was that my husband was super busy and just not on the farm very often, and we had two toddlers at the time. He realized he was going to miss them growing up if something didn't change, so we just started praying for a way to be able to provide an income off the farm, so that was the first reason. The second reason is that we wanted a way to teach our two daughters the value of hard work, and the third reason is that we are just so thankful for our farm. We wanted a way to give back to God what he had given to us and our farm, by providing a place for families to come, spend time together and enjoy fall."

The name of the ranch was chosen after the names of the two daughters, Paityn and Macy.

"We spent quite a bit of time just trying to come up with a name," Kaminkow said. "When we started this place, we were literally starting at ground zero. There was nothing that didn't have to be figured out. We did not have any history growing pumpkins at that point, so we had to come up with a name, a slogan, figure out how to build a website, so there was a lot to figure out. Once we did come up with 'P and M Pumpkin Ranch' it just kind of clicked. We knew that was the one to stick with out of all the other names we had came up with."

The process of making sure the grounds are ready for the season is quite a long one.

"We plant in mid-June, because most pumpkins take anywhere from 90-120 days to grow," Kaminkow said. "They are starting to turn orange by the beginning of September, and then they're ready to go by opening day this coming weekend. We actually added up our hours just guesstimating this summer and there's over 1500 hours in growing the pumpkins. There are three of us that are weeding five mornings a week."

Kaminkow has had to figure out how to make sure the pumpkins and the corn field grew, despite the state being in a drought.&nbsp;

"We've actually had a little bit more rain this year than we did last year," Kaminkow said. "So obviously we're kind of in our fourth year of a drought. Last year's corn maze we called it extremely family friendly, because it only got to be about three to four feet tall, so you could see out, so you never had to worry about being lost. We have had enough rain this year, because we cannot irrigate our corn maze, but we've had enough this year that it will be a challenge to find the way through the maze. Pumpkins don't like to have too much water, but they don't want to be too dry either, so you kind of just have to find that sweet spot that keeps them going the way they want to keep growing."

Although the Kaminkow family decided to plant pumpkins, there was a thought of growing Christmas trees since Tim grew up on a Christmas tree farm on the east coast.

"We did think about growing Christmas trees," Kaminkow said. "Where he grew up on the east coast Christmas trees grow really easy and a lot faster than you can in Kansas. They're not necessarily the easiest things to grow. Pumpkins kind of ended up being a fall season and figuring out how to grow pumpkins is kind of where we started with it. We love spending time with our girls, so it kind of seemed like the next best fit for us."

Kaminkow said she's not sure about how many pumpkins are in the field, but she knows there are a lot.

"We plant a little bit differently, but it's a total of 10-12 acres that we plant," Kaminkow said. "A mini pumpkin plant might put off 10-12 mini pumpkins, but your big jack o'lanterns might put off like 3-4. We have about 80 different varieties of pumpkins that we plant. Besides the traditional orange pumpkins, we have them in every shape and every size, white, pink, red, blue, greenish, spots, some have stripes, it's amazing all of the different ways pumpkins grow."

While P and M sees many families visit every fall, if you attend on a school day, you will more than likely find school busses in the lot. P and M offers school field trips to the ranch, and the staff has it down to a well-oiled machine.

"That rotation schedule came up during COVID when we were trying to have as many schools out here as possible, keeping them separate," Kaminkow said. "The feedback we got at the end of the season was how much the teachers loved the organization and structure. I don't think we'll ever get rid of it."

The ranch also implemented a change this summer, hosting it's first-ever 'Summer Nights' events.

"We've also planted veenus and sunflowers, mainly just to help decorate the farm and for our customers in the fall to enjoy and take pictures with," Kaminkow said. "This past summer we thought well let's do a 'U-Pick' flower event and we'll open up the big red with the slides and the mini golf. We did some summer themed donuts and a lemonade slushy. It went over so well that we are definitely going to be continuing that in the summer seasons to come. It will be the first three weekends in July each year with the 'U-Pick' flower event."

P and M Pumpkin Ranch is open Sept. 21-Nov. 3 at 311 16th Ave in Moundridge. They will be closed on Monday and Tuesday, but open Wednesday and Thursday (4 p.m. - 7 p.m.), Friday (10 a.m. - 7 p.m.), Saturday (10 a.m. - 8 p.m.) and Sunday (10 a.m. - 7 p.m.). You can find out more information on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pandmpumpkinranchmoundridgeks?mibextid=LQQJ4d">P and M Pumpkin Ranch Facebook page</a>.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726678768398.jpeg" alt="P and M Pumpkin Ranch in Moundridge will open for its 11th season on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. This is an aerial view of the grounds from 2023. (Photo Courtesy Jamie Kaminkow, P and M Pumpkin Ranch)" />
 <figcaption>P and M Pumpkin Ranch in Moundridge will open for its 11th season on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. This is an aerial view of the grounds from 2023. (Photo Courtesy Jamie Kaminkow, P and M Pumpkin Ranch)</figcaption>
 </figure>SEAN BOSTON Hutch PostMOUNDRIDGE, Kan. — The leaves are starting to change, and sooner or later the weather will too, but one thing is certain, fall begins on Sunday morning, and pumpkin patches will soon be open.P and M Pumpkin Ranch in Moundridge will open for the season on Saturday, Sept. 21, for its 11th year."We are gearing up," co-owner Jamie Kaminkow said. "We are super excited to be ready, all the decorations are going into place. All of those just last minute details that we love to have ready for the families that come to see us."If you attended P and M last year, you'll notice some changes in 2024."First we added our 'Piggy Back Ride,'" Kaminkow said. "Those are new for this season, we're super excited for everybody to come try those out. In that area we have also added a 'Mother Baby Barn' for nursing mothers and mothers with infants that just need a quiet place to pull away and take care of their babies. We've also added a paintball area, so we'll have paintball this season. The people can shoot the guns across the creek to take out the targets, there will be some friendly fire going on over there. We added a pavilion with extra seating for those that are eating, so they can get into the shade. We are adding a couple new food items, with the main one being the 'MacDog' which is macaroni and cheese on top of a hot dog."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726678832304.jpeg" alt="P and M Pumpkin Ranch in Moundridge will open for its 11th season on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. This is the new Piggy Back Ride that will debut on Saturday. (Photo Courtesy Jamie Kaminkow, P and M Pumpkin Ranch)" />
 <figcaption>P and M Pumpkin Ranch in Moundridge will open for its 11th season on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. This is the new Piggy Back Ride that will debut on Saturday. (Photo Courtesy Jamie Kaminkow, P and M Pumpkin Ranch)</figcaption>
 </figure>The ranch first opened its doors in the fall of 2014 under owners Tim and Jamie Kaminkow. The couple never envisioned the patch becoming a destination like it has over the years."If someone would have even told us like season five, season six, that this is what it would look like in season 11, I don't think we ever would have believed them," Kaminkow said. "It has been such a crazy and amazing ride. We are just so thankful to all the families and schools, church groups and businesses that come out to see us every fall that let us continue to do what we do and provide new activities for them to come enjoy every season."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726678902753.jpeg" alt="P and M Pumpkin Ranch in Moundridge will open for its 11th season on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. This is the new Mother Baby Barn, which will debut Saturday. (Photo Courtesy Jamie Kaminkow, P and M Pumpkin Ranch)" />
 <figcaption>P and M Pumpkin Ranch in Moundridge will open for its 11th season on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. This is the new Mother Baby Barn, which will debut Saturday. (Photo Courtesy Jamie Kaminkow, P and M Pumpkin Ranch)</figcaption>
 </figure>The idea of starting a pumpkin patch and ranch was something that the family never thought would happen on their 54-acre farm, that previously was a wheat field."It was a three-fold reason why we started the pumpkin patch," Kaminkow said. "The first reason was that my husband was super busy and just not on the farm very often, and we had two toddlers at the time. He realized he was going to miss them growing up if something didn't change, so we just started praying for a way to be able to provide an income off the farm, so that was the first reason. The second reason is that we wanted a way to teach our two daughters the value of hard work, and the third reason is that we are just so thankful for our farm. We wanted a way to give back to God what he had given to us and our farm, by providing a place for families to come, spend time together and enjoy fall."The name of the ranch was chosen after the names of the two daughters, Paityn and Macy."We spent quite a bit of time just trying to come up with a name," Kaminkow said. "When we started this place, we were literally starting at ground zero. There was nothing that didn't have to be figured out. We did not have any history growing pumpkins at that point, so we had to come up with a name, a slogan, figure out how to build a website, so there was a lot to figure out. Once we did come up with 'P and M Pumpkin Ranch' it just kind of clicked. We knew that was the one to stick with out of all the other names we had came up with."The process of making sure the grounds are ready for the season is quite a long one."We plant in mid-June, because most pumpkins take anywhere from 90-120 days to grow," Kaminkow said. "They are starting to turn orange by the beginning of September, and then they're ready to go by opening day this coming weekend. We actually added up our hours just guesstimating this summer and there's over 1500 hours in growing the pumpkins. There are three of us that are weeding five mornings a week."Kaminkow has had to figure out how to make sure the pumpkins and the corn field grew, despite the state being in a drought.&nbsp;"We've actually had a little bit more rain this year than we did last year," Kaminkow said. "So obviously we're kind of in our fourth year of a drought. Last year's corn maze we called it extremely family friendly, because it only got to be about three to four feet tall, so you could see out, so you never had to worry about being lost. We have had enough rain this year, because we cannot irrigate our corn maze, but we've had enough this year that it will be a challenge to find the way through the maze. Pumpkins don't like to have too much water, but they don't want to be too dry either, so you kind of just have to find that sweet spot that keeps them going the way they want to keep growing."Although the Kaminkow family decided to plant pumpkins, there was a thought of growing Christmas trees since Tim grew up on a Christmas tree farm on the east coast."We did think about growing Christmas trees," Kaminkow said. "Where he grew up on the east coast Christmas trees grow really easy and a lot faster than you can in Kansas. They're not necessarily the easiest things to grow. Pumpkins kind of ended up being a fall season and figuring out how to grow pumpkins is kind of where we started with it. We love spending time with our girls, so it kind of seemed like the next best fit for us."Kaminkow said she's not sure about how many pumpkins are in the field, but she knows there are a lot."We plant a little bit differently, but it's a total of 10-12 acres that we plant," Kaminkow said. "A mini pumpkin plant might put off 10-12 mini pumpkins, but your big jack o'lanterns might put off like 3-4. We have about 80 different varieties of pumpkins that we plant. Besides the traditional orange pumpkins, we have them in every shape and every size, white, pink, red, blue, greenish, spots, some have stripes, it's amazing all of the different ways pumpkins grow."While P and M sees many families visit every fall, if you attend on a school day, you will more than likely find school busses in the lot. P and M offers school field trips to the ranch, and the staff has it down to a well-oiled machine."That rotation schedule came up during COVID when we were trying to have as many schools out here as possible, keeping them separate," Kaminkow said. "The feedback we got at the end of the season was how much the teachers loved the organization and structure. I don't think we'll ever get rid of it."The ranch also implemented a change this summer, hosting it's first-ever 'Summer Nights' events."We've also planted veenus and sunflowers, mainly just to help decorate the farm and for our customers in the fall to enjoy and take pictures with," Kaminkow said. "This past summer we thought well let's do a 'U-Pick' flower event and we'll open up the big red with the slides and the mini golf. We did some summer themed donuts and a lemonade slushy. It went over so well that we are definitely going to be continuing that in the summer seasons to come. It will be the first three weekends in July each year with the 'U-Pick' flower event."P and M Pumpkin Ranch is open Sept. 21-Nov. 3 at 311 16th Ave in Moundridge. They will be closed on Monday and Tuesday, but open Wednesday and Thursday (4 p.m. - 7 p.m.), Friday (10 a.m. - 7 p.m.), Saturday (10 a.m. - 8 p.m.) and Sunday (10 a.m. - 7 p.m.). You can find out more information on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pandmpumpkinranchmoundridgeks?mibextid=LQQJ4d">P and M Pumpkin Ranch Facebook page</a>.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726678951115.jpeg" alt="P and M Pumpkin Ranch in Moundridge will open for its 11th season on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. (Photo Courtesy Jamie Kaminkow, P and M Pumpkin Ranch)" />
 <figcaption>P and M Pumpkin Ranch in Moundridge will open for its 11th season on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. (Photo Courtesy Jamie Kaminkow, P and M Pumpkin Ranch)</figcaption>
 </figure>

P and M Pumpkin Ranch opens for 11th season on Saturday

HAVEN, Kan. — Ariel Fleming, an EMT in Haven and with the Sedgwick County Jail, is the Allen Samuels Spotlight a Hero winner for September.

"I went into EMS as a challenge to myself at first," Fleming said. "To show my kids that, if you wanted to do something, that you can do it. Just put in time and hard work. I just enjoy being the person that's there when someone doesn't know what to do, or they are alone."

The daily work is what she enjoys, understanding that no two days are the same.

"It's nothing like the TV shows," Fleming said. "I think when I was watching them and being in it, it's completely different. People need you for so many different things, so many different reasons. I think that's why I like getting up every day and doing this job."

Staying calm under pressure is about working together, according to Fleming.

"If my team and I, we're calm, it's easy to calm down somebody," Fleming said. "It's really hard to calm down somebody who is super heightened. If you can go in the situation and you're just calm and cool and collected and you get them from point A to point B, then, after the call, then you debrief and then you calm yourself down."

Fleming was nominated by Keighla Humphries, “She is an amazing person, the most selfless person who would do anything for others," Humphries said. "She’s a single mama doing what she has to, to always make sure she’s the best for her kiddos! She is truly a model that anyone would be lucky to look up to. She's been through hell and back and that never once stopped her. It only further pushed her to follow her dream and never give up. She has made the life she wanted for herself and I’m so proud of her.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726674816488.jpeg" alt="September Spotlight a Hero winner Ariel Fleming. Photo by Ashley Weve." />
 <figcaption>September Spotlight a Hero winner Ariel Fleming. Photo by Ashley Weve.</figcaption>
 </figure>NICK GOSNELL Hutch PostHAVEN, Kan. — Ariel Fleming, an EMT in Haven and with the Sedgwick County Jail, is the Allen Samuels Spotlight a Hero winner for September."I went into EMS as a challenge to myself at first," Fleming said. "To show my kids that, if you wanted to do something, that you can do it. Just put in time and hard work. I just enjoy being the person that's there when someone doesn't know what to do, or they are alone."The daily work is what she enjoys, understanding that no two days are the same."It's nothing like the TV shows," Fleming said. "I think when I was watching them and being in it, it's completely different. People need you for so many different things, so many different reasons. I think that's why I like getting up every day and doing this job."Staying calm under pressure is about working together, according to Fleming."If my team and I, we're calm, it's easy to calm down somebody," Fleming said. "It's really hard to calm down somebody who is super heightened. If you can go in the situation and you're just calm and cool and collected and you get them from point A to point B, then, after the call, then you debrief and then you calm yourself down."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726675038380.jpeg" alt="Staff from Allen Samuels CDJR and EAGLE Media presents prizes to the Spotlight a Hero Winner." />
 <figcaption>Staff from Allen Samuels CDJR and EAGLE Media presents prizes to the Spotlight a Hero Winner.</figcaption>
 </figure>Fleming was nominated by Keighla Humphries, “She is an amazing person, the most selfless person who would do anything for others," Humphries said. "She’s a single mama doing what she has to, to always make sure she’s the best for her kiddos! She is truly a model that anyone would be lucky to look up to. She's been through hell and back and that never once stopped her. It only further pushed her to follow her dream and never give up. She has made the life she wanted for herself and I’m so proud of her.”

Fleming is September Spotlight a Hero winner

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — City Manager Enrico Villegas told the Hutchinson City Council at their meeting Tuesday that the city's 911 director, Kevin Irwin earned an award.

"This is kind of a surprise," Villegas said. "He was nominated for and then won director of the year for the work that he does. I would also think, it's equally as important to state that it was his staff that recommended this for him. I think that speaks volumes for his leadership. He has completely turned around a department. Especially, in my short time here, I'm hearing a lot of praise from employees on his leadership style, his demeanor and his work."

Assistant Director Stacy Eaves helped write his nomination.

"Kevin has been integral in building relationships between public safety agencies and our community," Eaves said. "Decisions made by the agency are done in partnership and consideration of stakeholders involved. He his highly engaged in tasks, not to micromanage, but to contribute his knowledge and expertise."

"It's an honor to work here," Irwin said. "It's an honor to provide the services that we do and to work with the leadership team we have here."

Irwin also called Eaves the best assistant director in the state.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1714225561062.jpeg" alt="Kevin Irwin-Hutchinson/Reno County 911" />
 <figcaption>Kevin Irwin-Hutchinson/Reno County 911</figcaption>
 </figure>NICK GOSNELL Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — City Manager Enrico Villegas told the Hutchinson City Council at their meeting Tuesday that the city's 911 director, Kevin Irwin earned an award."This is kind of a surprise," Villegas said. "He was nominated for and then won director of the year for the work that he does. I would also think, it's equally as important to state that it was his staff that recommended this for him. I think that speaks volumes for his leadership. He has completely turned around a department. Especially, in my short time here, I'm hearing a lot of praise from employees on his leadership style, his demeanor and his work."Assistant Director Stacy Eaves helped write his nomination."Kevin has been integral in building relationships between public safety agencies and our community," Eaves said. "Decisions made by the agency are done in partnership and consideration of stakeholders involved. He his highly engaged in tasks, not to micromanage, but to contribute his knowledge and expertise."Irwin, for his part, praised his staff."It's an honor to work here," Irwin said. "It's an honor to provide the services that we do and to work with the leadership team we have here."Irwin also called Eaves the best assistant director in the state.

Irwin wins award

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;

9/19/2024 3:14 AM-Karyee	Ann Opat-Disorderly Conduct; Fighting words or noisy conduct&nbsp;

9/19/2024 3:09 AM-Christina	Marie Curley-Domestic Battery; Knowingly Cause Physical Contact (1st conviction); Disorderly Conduct; Fighting words or noisy conduct&nbsp;

9/18/2024 9:50 PM-Keeon	Patrick Roberts-Failure to Appear

9/18/2024 8:25 PM-Aaron	Rayleigh Smith-Poss of marijuana; Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body&nbsp;

9/18/2024 7:00 PM-John	Lee Sizemore-Domestic Battery; Knowingly Cause Physical Contact (1st conviction)&nbsp;

9/18/2024 6:35 PM-Alejandro	Leon Foster-Failure to Appear&nbsp;

9/18/2024 5:02 PM-Audra	Lynn Sisler-Failure to Appear

9/18/2024 4:58 PM-Jonathan	Wayne Beer-Operate a MV w/o a valid license

9/18/2024 4:00 PM-Tristan	J Delaney-Agg battery; Knowingly cause great body harm&nbsp;

9/18/2024 3:35 PM-Matthew	Lee Rollman-Failure to Appear

9/18/2024 3:11 PM-Landon	Arthur Nusser-Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant

9/18/2024 10:58 AM-Samuel	Travis Hallman-Failure to Appear&nbsp;

9/18/2024 9:17 AM-Trenton	James Bland-Criminal Damage to Property; Without consent; $1,000 to $24,999

<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;9/19/2024 3:14 AM-Karyee	Ann Opat-Disorderly Conduct; Fighting words or noisy conduct&nbsp;9/19/2024 3:09 AM-Christina	Marie Curley-Domestic Battery; Knowingly Cause Physical Contact (1st conviction); Disorderly Conduct; Fighting words or noisy conduct&nbsp;9/18/2024 9:50 PM-Keeon	Patrick Roberts-Failure to Appear9/18/2024 8:25 PM-Aaron	Rayleigh Smith-Poss of marijuana; Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body&nbsp;9/18/2024 7:00 PM-John	Lee Sizemore-Domestic Battery; Knowingly Cause Physical Contact (1st conviction)&nbsp;9/18/2024 6:35 PM-Alejandro	Leon Foster-Failure to Appear&nbsp;9/18/2024 5:02 PM-Audra	Lynn Sisler-Failure to Appear9/18/2024 4:58 PM-Jonathan	Wayne Beer-Operate a MV w/o a valid license9/18/2024 4:00 PM-Tristan	J Delaney-Agg battery; Knowingly cause great body harm&nbsp;9/18/2024 3:35 PM-Matthew	Lee Rollman-Failure to Appear9/18/2024 3:11 PM-Landon	Arthur Nusser-Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant9/18/2024 10:58 AM-Samuel	Travis Hallman-Failure to Appear&nbsp;9/18/2024 9:17 AM-Trenton	James Bland-Criminal Damage to Property; Without consent; $1,000 to $24,999

HUTCHINSON, Kan. —&nbsp;The four members present of the Hutchinson City Council heard once again from Joshua Joseph at their meeting on Tuesday. They remained unconvinced that his plan to turn the former rooms of the Atrium into storage and the convention center into retail would actually fly, so they made no changes to the current timeline.

"If he has a bond to tear the building down, then he can tear it down," said Mayor Greg Fast. "If he does not, then we tear it down."

Joseph argued that he could not get an insurer to authorize a $2 million bond. He thought he could get $1 million, but that didn't satisfy the council, because they don't believe he'll follow through. He also talked a lot about redevelopment, but not much about mitigation of the current hazards.

"What about those conditions?" asked City Attorney Paul Brown. "Our ordinance says the resolution shall fix a reasonable time, within which the repair or removal of such structure shall be commenced and shall require a cash bond sufficient to cover the cost of removal. That's where we're at currently. Have these things been addressed, if there's additional time given, it requires a cash bond."

The meeting where the final decision will be made is on October 1.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1719935400666.jpeg" alt="A hazmat team with the Hutchinson Fire Department, along with City Manager Enrico Villegas and Mayor Greg Fast, inspected the Atrium Hotel property in June. Image Courtesy City of Hutchinson" />
 <figcaption>A hazmat team with the Hutchinson Fire Department, along with City Manager Enrico Villegas and Mayor Greg Fast, inspected the Atrium Hotel property in June. Image Courtesy City of Hutchinson</figcaption>
 </figure>NICK GOSNELL Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. —&nbsp;The four members present of the Hutchinson City Council heard once again from Joshua Joseph at their meeting on Tuesday. They remained unconvinced that his plan to turn the former rooms of the Atrium into storage and the convention center into retail would actually fly, so they made no changes to the current timeline."If he has a bond to tear the building down, then he can tear it down," said Mayor Greg Fast. "If he does not, then we tear it down."Joseph argued that he could not get an insurer to authorize a $2 million bond. He thought he could get $1 million, but that didn't satisfy the council, because they don't believe he'll follow through. He also talked a lot about redevelopment, but not much about mitigation of the current hazards."What about those conditions?" asked City Attorney Paul Brown. "Our ordinance says the resolution shall fix a reasonable time, within which the repair or removal of such structure shall be commenced and shall require a cash bond sufficient to cover the cost of removal. That's where we're at currently. Have these things been addressed, if there's additional time given, it requires a cash bond."The meeting where the final decision will be made is on October 1.

Hutch City Council continues forward with Atrium demo timeline

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Special Education Department at Hutchinson USD 308 is looking forward to an event next month at the Hutchinson YMCA.

"We're doing a partnership with them and RCEC on October 5th," said Jessica Engelland with USD 308. "We're going to do a swim night and it'll open it up to families of students with disabilities to come and see what the Y is all about and just give them a night out."

Having relationships is hard for families with special needs kids.

"That's why we're really excited about our work with the CDDO," Engelland said. "From 2013 to last year, we only had 13 families connected with the CDDO. And since we started this parent night with the CDDO last year, we have had 18 additional families start in the last year. And so that's a great jumping off point for them to have supports and be connected."

The Reno County Community Developmental Disability Organization is the application process to getting supports post-secondary for special needs kids as they transition to adulthood.&nbsp;

"It's just about educating and supporting families," Engelland said. "Meeting them where they're at and working through that process with them."

For more information on the YMCA event, call Engelland at (620) 615-5502.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1717377637145.jpg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>NICK GOSNELL Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Special Education Department at Hutchinson USD 308 is looking forward to an event next month at the Hutchinson YMCA."We're doing a partnership with them and RCEC on October 5th," said Jessica Engelland with USD 308. "We're going to do a swim night and it'll open it up to families of students with disabilities to come and see what the Y is all about and just give them a night out."Having relationships is hard for families with special needs kids."That's why we're really excited about our work with the CDDO," Engelland said. "From 2013 to last year, we only had 13 families connected with the CDDO. And since we started this parent night with the CDDO last year, we have had 18 additional families start in the last year. And so that's a great jumping off point for them to have supports and be connected."The Reno County Community Developmental Disability Organization is the application process to getting supports post-secondary for special needs kids as they transition to adulthood.&nbsp;"It's just about educating and supporting families," Engelland said. "Meeting them where they're at and working through that process with them."For more information on the YMCA event, call Engelland at (620) 615-5502.

Special event coming up for special needs kids

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Steve Ford, the youngest son of former President Gerald Ford, is the latest to speak as part of the Dillon Lecture Series on Tuesday at the Hutchinson Sports Arena.

Ford talked about several different topics at his press conference before the lecture itself, including what it was like spending two-plus years in the White House, his acting career, life as a rancher, and dealing with alcoholism.&nbsp;

The 18-year-old at the time, who had just graduated from high school and was getting ready to head to college, was now the son of the President of the United States after Richard Nixon resigned from office in August 1974.&nbsp;

"My dad was a congressman for most of my childhood," Ford said. "It wasn't until he became Vice President that things changed. All of a sudden, it got elevated to a new level in 1973. He was only Vice President for about 10 months; we didn't have secret service during that period. It wasn't until he became President in August of 1974 that we got secret service, and then it changed. Luckily, my 10 secret service guys were all in their late 20s, so they kind of remembered what it was like being an 18-year-old kid."&nbsp;

Ford said life changed, and he became a little more defensive once his dad took over as President.

"This would be something I didn't think was a good thing, but you almost had to do it," Ford said. "Because all of a sudden now you had all these people wanting something from you that you didn't know, so you had people approaching you. Thank God we were old enough that we had established friendships, so we weren't looking to go out and add a whole bunch of new friends. Overall, to be blessed in that way, to be able to live in the nation's home, the White House, that was just a real joy and a real treat. It's pretty government housing. It's temporary because we were only there for two-and-a-half years. To live in the White House, to be there; everything on the wall is historical from Jefferson, Washington, and Lincoln; you're living in a museum basically."

Although Ford didn't get to spend a lot of time in the White House while his dad was in office, he did have one favorite spot.

"The third floor of the White House is where the kids live, the second floor is where mom and dad lived, and then the first floor is where the Red Room, the Green Room, the East Room, all the diplomatic areas. I think the favorite place for me was up on the third floor; they have an area called the Solarium; it's kind of a sunroom; it was probably the most relaxed."

He then went on to talk about one of the fun memories he had with a friend in the White House.

"I probably shouldn't tell this story," Ford said while laughing. "One of the first nights we moved to the White House, remember I'm an 18-year-old kid, I called one of my best friends, his name was Kevin, and told him he had to come see this place. He comes over, we're up on the third floor, and back in 1974, stereo equipment was huge. We decided it'd be a good idea to take my stereo up to the roof of the White House. You couldn't do that today because of terrorism. We get it up there, and if I remember right, we were playing Led Zeppelin's 'Stairway to Heaven.' It was like Dumb and Dumber on the roof of the White House."

Ford was asked how the son of the President of the United States ended up becoming a rancher.

"I was trying to figure out how I was going to move into the freshman dorm at Duke University with 10 secret service guys with machine guns and radios, and it didn't really have a good feel to it. I walked into dad's office, which was the Oval Office, and said I'm just not ready to go to college yet; I'd like to take a year off. He asked me, 'What are you thinking of doing?' and I told him I had always dreamed about going out west and becoming a cowboy. He was kind of shocked, but mom and dad were great parents because they allowed us kids to kind of go find our hearts. I promised I'd go back to school next year."

Ford ended up falling in love with living on a ranch and becoming a cowboy in the western United States.

"I took my 10 secret service agents, and we headed west to Utah and Montana," Ford said. "I started working on ranches, cowboying, and rodeoing and fell in love with it. That was what I studied in college: animal science, production, nutrition, and beef cattle. I thought I was going to run a ranch, and instead I spent 30-plus years working as an actor."

The acting career kind of happened by accident for Ford.

"I was going to school, and I was rodeoing at the time, and a friend of mine was producing a movie down in Mexico," Ford said. "It was a western, and he needed some people that could fall off horses to do some stunts. It was summer time, so I wasn't taking any classes, and he said he'd pay me to come down and to fall off a horse, so I ended up going to Mexico and spending the summer working. That was a little bit about my introduction into the TV and film business, so yeah, a horse got me my first acting job."

Ford appeared in 16 different movies while also appearing in 23 different TV shows.&nbsp;

Like his mother, former First Lady Betty, Steve also battled alcoholism in his younger life.

"I was in my 30s when I raised my hand and said, 'My name is Steve, and I'm an alcoholic'," Ford said. "The foundation for that was probably first laid back when I was in high school. My disease doesn't care who you are; whether you're an ex-President's son or an actor, it doesn't care. I speak in a lot of halfway houses; I go into prisons and colleges and just try to give back. You would think Betty Ford's son should know better, because my mother 10 years before me raised her hand. That was a life-changing thing for the addiction community, because she somewhat took some of the shame off of this disease."

The last thing Ford touched on in his press conference was how the United States is today, and whether or not the country will get back to its ways of the past.

"I am still optimistic," Ford said. "The pendulum does seem to swing both ways, and you get through these periods, but I'm concerned. I'm concerned people don't reach across the aisle and try to find a compromise and keep things moving in a reasonable fashion. At times I'm concerned about the honesty of our politicians today. They'll say anything to get a vote and that's both sides, Republicans or Democrats. They say things they know they can never get through Congress. They're campaigning for a vote, but not to actually fix the problem. My dad loved being a public servant, and it has to be in your blood."

The next Dillon Lecture Series presenter is Kansas State men's basketball coach Jerome Tang. He will speak Oct. 8.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726586756289.jpeg" alt="Steve Ford, the son of former President Gerald Ford, spoke at Hutchinson Community College on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, as part of the Dillon Lecture Series. (Hutch Post Photo/Sean Boston)" />
 <figcaption>Steve Ford, the son of former President Gerald Ford, spoke at Hutchinson Community College on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, as part of the Dillon Lecture Series. (Hutch Post Photo/Sean Boston)</figcaption>
 </figure>SEAN BOSTON Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — Steve Ford, the youngest son of former President Gerald Ford, is the latest to speak as part of the Dillon Lecture Series on Tuesday at the Hutchinson Sports Arena.Ford talked about several different topics at his press conference before the lecture itself, including what it was like spending two-plus years in the White House, his acting career, life as a rancher, and dealing with alcoholism.&nbsp;The 18-year-old at the time, who had just graduated from high school and was getting ready to head to college, was now the son of the President of the United States after Richard Nixon resigned from office in August 1974.&nbsp;"My dad was a congressman for most of my childhood," Ford said. "It wasn't until he became Vice President that things changed. All of a sudden, it got elevated to a new level in 1973. He was only Vice President for about 10 months; we didn't have secret service during that period. It wasn't until he became President in August of 1974 that we got secret service, and then it changed. Luckily, my 10 secret service guys were all in their late 20s, so they kind of remembered what it was like being an 18-year-old kid."&nbsp;Ford said life changed, and he became a little more defensive once his dad took over as President."This would be something I didn't think was a good thing, but you almost had to do it," Ford said. "Because all of a sudden now you had all these people wanting something from you that you didn't know, so you had people approaching you. Thank God we were old enough that we had established friendships, so we weren't looking to go out and add a whole bunch of new friends. Overall, to be blessed in that way, to be able to live in the nation's home, the White House, that was just a real joy and a real treat. It's pretty government housing. It's temporary because we were only there for two-and-a-half years. To live in the White House, to be there; everything on the wall is historical from Jefferson, Washington, and Lincoln; you're living in a museum basically."Although Ford didn't get to spend a lot of time in the White House while his dad was in office, he did have one favorite spot."The third floor of the White House is where the kids live, the second floor is where mom and dad lived, and then the first floor is where the Red Room, the Green Room, the East Room, all the diplomatic areas. I think the favorite place for me was up on the third floor; they have an area called the Solarium; it's kind of a sunroom; it was probably the most relaxed."He then went on to talk about one of the fun memories he had with a friend in the White House."I probably shouldn't tell this story," Ford said while laughing. "One of the first nights we moved to the White House, remember I'm an 18-year-old kid, I called one of my best friends, his name was Kevin, and told him he had to come see this place. He comes over, we're up on the third floor, and back in 1974, stereo equipment was huge. We decided it'd be a good idea to take my stereo up to the roof of the White House. You couldn't do that today because of terrorism. We get it up there, and if I remember right, we were playing Led Zeppelin's 'Stairway to Heaven.' It was like Dumb and Dumber on the roof of the White House."Ford was asked how the son of the President of the United States ended up becoming a rancher."I was trying to figure out how I was going to move into the freshman dorm at Duke University with 10 secret service guys with machine guns and radios, and it didn't really have a good feel to it. I walked into dad's office, which was the Oval Office, and said I'm just not ready to go to college yet; I'd like to take a year off. He asked me, 'What are you thinking of doing?' and I told him I had always dreamed about going out west and becoming a cowboy. He was kind of shocked, but mom and dad were great parents because they allowed us kids to kind of go find our hearts. I promised I'd go back to school next year."Ford ended up falling in love with living on a ranch and becoming a cowboy in the western United States."I took my 10 secret service agents, and we headed west to Utah and Montana," Ford said. "I started working on ranches, cowboying, and rodeoing and fell in love with it. That was what I studied in college: animal science, production, nutrition, and beef cattle. I thought I was going to run a ranch, and instead I spent 30-plus years working as an actor."The acting career kind of happened by accident for Ford."I was going to school, and I was rodeoing at the time, and a friend of mine was producing a movie down in Mexico," Ford said. "It was a western, and he needed some people that could fall off horses to do some stunts. It was summer time, so I wasn't taking any classes, and he said he'd pay me to come down and to fall off a horse, so I ended up going to Mexico and spending the summer working. That was a little bit about my introduction into the TV and film business, so yeah, a horse got me my first acting job."Ford appeared in 16 different movies while also appearing in 23 different TV shows.&nbsp;Like his mother, former First Lady Betty, Steve also battled alcoholism in his younger life."I was in my 30s when I raised my hand and said, 'My name is Steve, and I'm an alcoholic'," Ford said. "The foundation for that was probably first laid back when I was in high school. My disease doesn't care who you are; whether you're an ex-President's son or an actor, it doesn't care. I speak in a lot of halfway houses; I go into prisons and colleges and just try to give back. You would think Betty Ford's son should know better, because my mother 10 years before me raised her hand. That was a life-changing thing for the addiction community, because she somewhat took some of the shame off of this disease."The last thing Ford touched on in his press conference was how the United States is today, and whether or not the country will get back to its ways of the past."I am still optimistic," Ford said. "The pendulum does seem to swing both ways, and you get through these periods, but I'm concerned. I'm concerned people don't reach across the aisle and try to find a compromise and keep things moving in a reasonable fashion. At times I'm concerned about the honesty of our politicians today. They'll say anything to get a vote and that's both sides, Republicans or Democrats. They say things they know they can never get through Congress. They're campaigning for a vote, but not to actually fix the problem. My dad loved being a public servant, and it has to be in your blood."The next Dillon Lecture Series presenter is Kansas State men's basketball coach Jerome Tang. He will speak Oct. 8.

Steve Ford delivers powerful message as part of Dillon Lecture Series

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;

9/18/2024 1:38 AM-Brandi	Lynn Harrington-Viol protection order; Abuse ordet; Probation Violation

9/17/2024 9:18 PM-Christopher	Tomas Sainz-Possess, Consume, Purchase Alcoholic Liquor/CMB by 18-20 YOA; 1st Conviction&nbsp;

9/17/2024 9:10 PM-Ryan	Lovell Fry-Domestic Battery; Knowingly Cause Physical Contact (1st conviction); Criminal Damage to Property; To injure or defraud; &lt; $1,000

9/17/2024 4:51 PM-Sabin	Micheal Schroeder-Failure to Appear&nbsp;

9/17/2024 3:06 PM-Matthew	James Castleberry-Direct Contempt

9/17/2024 1:39 PM-Alexsa	Ann Armstrong-Failure to Appear&nbsp;

9/17/2024 1:18 PM-Jessie	Antonio Villa-Failure to Appear

9/17/2024 10:37 AM-Kolton	Michael Ralph-Probation Violation&nbsp;

9/17/2024 9:06 AM-Lacey	Elizabeth Mollhagen-Battery; AGGRAVATED, Reckless Great Bodily Harm or Disfigurement

9/17/2024 4:07 AM-Esequiel	Jesus Galindo-DUI; 1st conv; incapable of safely driving; DL Violation; No Drivers License; Alcohol; Illegal Transportation of Alcoholic Beverage; Probation Violation

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681919611658.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;9/18/2024 1:38 AM-Brandi	Lynn Harrington-Viol protection order; Abuse ordet; Probation Violation9/17/2024 9:18 PM-Christopher	Tomas Sainz-Possess, Consume, Purchase Alcoholic Liquor/CMB by 18-20 YOA; 1st Conviction&nbsp;9/17/2024 9:10 PM-Ryan	Lovell Fry-Domestic Battery; Knowingly Cause Physical Contact (1st conviction); Criminal Damage to Property; To injure or defraud; &lt; $1,0009/17/2024 4:51 PM-Sabin	Micheal Schroeder-Failure to Appear&nbsp;9/17/2024 3:06 PM-Matthew	James Castleberry-Direct Contempt9/17/2024 1:39 PM-Alexsa	Ann Armstrong-Failure to Appear&nbsp;9/17/2024 1:18 PM-Jessie	Antonio Villa-Failure to Appear9/17/2024 10:37 AM-Kolton	Michael Ralph-Probation Violation&nbsp;9/17/2024 9:06 AM-Lacey	Elizabeth Mollhagen-Battery; AGGRAVATED, Reckless Great Bodily Harm or Disfigurement9/17/2024 4:07 AM-Esequiel	Jesus Galindo-DUI; 1st conv; incapable of safely driving; DL Violation; No Drivers License; Alcohol; Illegal Transportation of Alcoholic Beverage; Probation Violation

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson City Council officially established a STAR Bond District at their meeting on Tuesday.

The STAR Bond District is along 11th and 17th and along Main, to encompass the Cosmosphere, the new Hilton Garden Inn area and the area surrounding the Landmark Building for the purposes of projects at the Cosmosphere, the Landmark and Memorial Hall.

STAR Bond Approval Process: The approval process for STAR Bonds involves several steps and Tuesday night's action was just step one.

"I just want to say thank you," Laura Meyer-Dick said to the council Tuesday. "This project of the Downtown Master Plan started about four years ago and the partners have been great. Debra from the Chamber could not be here tonight, but she's been instrumental, so has the community foundation and everybody else that kind of brainstormed this idea with me after Dad passed away. I'm super excited for the things it's going to do. I've had a lifelong love of the Cosmosphere and I think it's really exciting that it's going to attract more people here, and it's going to provide more STEM education to the children from states surrounding. Your city staff has been amazing, all of them."

The tax rates in those areas will not go up from what was already planned. The STAR Bonds will be paid back through the additional visitors to those areas. Meyer-Dick also gave a thumbnail sketch of the plan for the Landmark's bottom floor.

"It will have four different commercial spaces," Meyer-Dick said. "Hopefully, we will get a restaurant in the front space to showcase on Main Street, and then two retail spaces just to the west of the lobby. Then, my husband's dream is to put a speakeasy in the back, if we can make it work and find somebody to run it for us."

The next step is the full-blown feasibility study from the state to make sure that the revenue increases project to pay the bonds back.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726620108839.jpeg" alt="Laura Meyer-Dick" />
 <figcaption>Laura Meyer-Dick</figcaption>
 </figure>NICK GOSNELL Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson City Council officially established a STAR Bond District at their meeting on Tuesday.The STAR Bond District is along 11th and 17th and along Main, to encompass the Cosmosphere, the new Hilton Garden Inn area and the area surrounding the Landmark Building for the purposes of projects at the Cosmosphere, the Landmark and Memorial Hall.STAR Bond Approval Process: The approval process for STAR Bonds involves several steps and Tuesday night's action was just step one.<ol>
 <li>Approval of the STAR Bond District: The city will establish a designated area where the STAR Bonds will be used.</li><li>Approval of the STAR Bond Project Plan: Detailed plans for each project within the district will be reviewed and approved.</li><li>Issuance of Bonds: Once approved, the bonds will be issued to fund the projects.</li>
 </ol>"I just want to say thank you," Laura Meyer-Dick said to the council Tuesday. "This project of the Downtown Master Plan started about four years ago and the partners have been great. Debra from the Chamber could not be here tonight, but she's been instrumental, so has the community foundation and everybody else that kind of brainstormed this idea with me after Dad passed away. I'm super excited for the things it's going to do. I've had a lifelong love of the Cosmosphere and I think it's really exciting that it's going to attract more people here, and it's going to provide more STEM education to the children from states surrounding. Your city staff has been amazing, all of them."The tax rates in those areas will not go up from what was already planned. The STAR Bonds will be paid back through the additional visitors to those areas. Meyer-Dick also gave a thumbnail sketch of the plan for the Landmark's bottom floor."It will have four different commercial spaces," Meyer-Dick said. "Hopefully, we will get a restaurant in the front space to showcase on Main Street, and then two retail spaces just to the west of the lobby. Then, my husband's dream is to put a speakeasy in the back, if we can make it work and find somebody to run it for us."The next step is the full-blown feasibility study from the state to make sure that the revenue increases project to pay the bonds back.

City Council approves STAR Bond District

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson City Manager Enrico Villegas told Hutch Post that the sidewalk program proposal on the City Council agenda for Tuesday is quite a change.

"To boil it down, the proposed policy consideration here is that the city will just fund outright the removal and replacement of sidewalks," Villegas said. "No money has to be put forth by the by the adjoining property owner, if the sidewalk needs to be replaced or rehabbed in some form or fashion. But that's just the tip of the iceberg here. Embedded with and how we plan to utilize this program will be to overlay it with our street maintenance program."

The idea is to be efficient when tearing areas up anyway.

"Wherever our street maintenance program goes, our sidewalk improvement program will go with that," Villegas said. "As we touch the street, we'll also touch the sidewalks. We'll improve curb and gutter, and to continue to build upon this, we would also rehabilitate any of our stormwater as well, really trying to beautify the area in one shot. Potentially, too, we'll include tree pruning or anything like that.&nbsp;I'm very excited about this. This is a way to really beautify neighborhoods through the lens of infrastructure."

The Hutchinson City Council meets at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726497334126.jpeg" alt="Sidewalk photo by Nick Gosnell" />
 <figcaption>Sidewalk photo by Nick Gosnell</figcaption>
 </figure>NICK GOSNELL Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson City Manager Enrico Villegas told Hutch Post that the sidewalk program proposal on the City Council agenda for Tuesday is quite a change."To boil it down, the proposed policy consideration here is that the city will just fund outright the removal and replacement of sidewalks," Villegas said. "No money has to be put forth by the by the adjoining property owner, if the sidewalk needs to be replaced or rehabbed in some form or fashion. But that's just the tip of the iceberg here. Embedded with and how we plan to utilize this program will be to overlay it with our street maintenance program."The idea is to be efficient when tearing areas up anyway."Wherever our street maintenance program goes, our sidewalk improvement program will go with that," Villegas said. "As we touch the street, we'll also touch the sidewalks. We'll improve curb and gutter, and to continue to build upon this, we would also rehabilitate any of our stormwater as well, really trying to beautify the area in one shot. Potentially, too, we'll include tree pruning or anything like that.&nbsp;I'm very excited about this. This is a way to really beautify neighborhoods through the lens of infrastructure."The Hutchinson City Council meets at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall.