By John Mesh The Nickerson boys defeated the Bucklin Red Aces 45-39 and the Nickerson girls lost to St. John 65-24 Thursday on the second day of the Larned High School Gene Keady Classic. In the boys game, Nickerson trailed Bucklin 14-10 in the first quarter, but
By John Mesh The Hutchinson High School varsity girls and boys basketball team hit the road Friday night to play Reno County rival Buhler at Jim Baker Fieldhouse. The Hutchinson Salthawk girls improved to 2-0 with a 43-33 victory over the Buhler girls and the Hutchinson boys
CAPTION: Darryl and Susan Peterson chat in the kitchen of their living quarters in the former Winans Grade School at 805 East Avenue B. CREDIT RICHARD SHANK By Richard Shank 31 years after reciting his first prayer to open Hutchinson’s City Council meetings, Darryl Peterson is retiring from
CAPTION: Volunteers are needed for three events in Hutchinson to serve hot chocolate at the Zoo, distribute toys at the Salvation Army, or wrap gifts for TECH. Anyone interested in volunteering should contact the Volunteer Center, and not the organizations. CREDIT THE VOLUNTEER CENTER
By Kate Irelan
The Volunteer Center through Hutchinson Community College is in its final push to find volunteers for holiday events before wrapping up for the year. Jenna Martin, assistant director of the Volunteer Center said that they’ve been able to fill the spots for their bigger volunteer needs, but there are still a few opportunities to help.
Martin said that volunteers are needed for three different events unless they get a last-minute request. Anyone interested in volunteering at these events should call the Volunteer Center at 620-665-4960 and not call the individual organizations.
The Hutchinson Zoo’s Nights Before Christmas needs help from volunteers to serve hot chocolate and cookies on December 21, 27 and 28 from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
The Salvation Army Food Box and Toy Distribution needs volunteers to help distribute food boxes or toys on December 20 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
TECH Gift Wrapping needs volunteers to wrap gifts for TECH consumers on December 17 & 18 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
If a business or organization needs some volunteer help for the holidays, Martin says to turn in the requests now. “The Volunteer Center is closed when the college is closed, December 24 through January 2,” said Martin.
They do have some volunteer requests already for the new year in late January and early February.
One service the Volunteer Center provides is Friends in Action, where they match volunteers with seniors aged 65 and over to help them remain independent, improve their social and emotional well-being, and provide companionship. “These seniors will receive a Christmas letter from the Volunteer Center and a visit from their matched Friend in Action for Christmas, whether it is to have a cup of coffee or just visit,” said Martin.
Anyone interested in becoming a Friend in Action volunteer will need to contact the Volunteer Center, complete an orientation, and pass a background check.
CAPTION: Volunteers are needed for three events in Hutchinson to serve hot chocolate at the Zoo, distribute toys at the Salvation Army, or wrap gifts for TECH. Anyone interested in volunteering should contact the Volunteer Center, and not the organizations. CREDIT THE VOLUNTEER CENTER By Kate
Graphic courtesy of the Kansas Shrine Bowl By John Mesh Hutchinson High School head football coach Mike Vernon will be one of six assistant coaches for the West team at the 2025 Kansas Shrine Bowl all-star football game. The head coach for the West team is Wichita Heights’
By John Mesh The Nickerson boys defeated the Bucklin Red Aces 45-39 and the Nickerson girls lost to St. John 65-24 Thursday on the second day of the Larned High School Gene Keady Classic. In the boys game, Nickerson trailed Bucklin 14-10 in the first quarter, but
By Emmie Boese
The Hutchinson Public Library staff caught the “holiday bug,” and hosted a holiday activity night for the community on Thursday night.
Activities were available for all ages, including ornament making, a life-size candy land game for youth, a viewing of the movie “Gremlins,” a hot cocoa bar and popcorn, a cookie swap and spice kits.
Adult Program Coordinator Katie Broker planned the adult activities for the event, but she said that planning was an overall collaborative effort.
“We did it last year,” Broker said. “It was a lot of fun. Our activities were a little different. We had a bookmark craft, and we did an ugly sweater-making contest. The exchange was actually held separately last year, but we decided to make it all one night of holiday activities right before Christmas.”
Broker said that the library decided to host a holiday activity night again this year because of the staff’s passion for providing for the community.
“It’s completely free,” Broker said. “You can come to the library, which is kind of our community hub anyway, and watch movies. There are activities for kids and activities for adults, and we really really want people to experience that without any cost-prohibitive barriers or anything like that. Plus, we just had a blast making a hot cocoa bar, baking cookies, and making something really cool.”
Broker said that in addition to helping plan the holiday night, her other favorite events include the pocket painting, in which patrons paint on miniature canvasses, and the art talk event with Hutchinson Community College.
“Students in Art History come here, and they do a talk for maybe about 30 minutes where they talk about creative art, and then we do an art project with anyone who attends,” Broker said. “And so we’ve done sculpting, we did a community painting with handprints, we painted on papyrus paper — kind of like what ancient Egypt would have done — and we are starting that back up again in the spring, so I’m really looking forward to seeing what the students do.”
Broker said the activity night is the library’s main event for the holidays.
“Life-size Candy Land in Youth Services will be all month and then maybe some smaller gatherings as well,” Broker said. We are doing holiday-themed book clubs. I know Salt City Readers is doing an ugly sweater contest and playing some holiday-themed games, so there may be some little pockets of activity leading up to Christmas, but this is the main one.”
A full calendar of events for the Hutchinson Public Library is available at hutchpl.org.
Adults from the community participate in a cookie exchange in the Sun Room at holiday activity night on Thursday, Dec. 12 at the Hutchinson Public Library. The cookie exchange was hosted as a separate event last year CREDIT EMMIE BOESE By Emmie Boese The Hutchinson Public Library
CAPTION: The Polar Express will be celebrating a 20th Anniversary at the Carey Digital Dome Theater at the Cosmosphere.
By Kate Irelan
For those looking up toward the dark December skies for the Christmas star, Santa, or wishing on a shooting star can find help with all these traditions, celestial events, and more from the Cosmosphere.
Gift ideas for Santa
The Cosmosphere gift store has toys for the science-minded, young and old. No admission ticket is required to shop in the store. Through December 24, the Cosmosphere gift store is offering a free tumbler with a rubberized embossed NASA logo with a $25.00 purchase. Purchases can also be made online at shop.cosmo.org
Wishing on a Shooting Star – Geminid meteor shower
According to Mary Smith, STEAM Educator at the Cosmosphere, the Geminid meteor shower happens every year, with the peak typically occurring December 13 and 14. “This year, however, the peak will occur pretty close to a full moon which will make some of the meteor showers harder to see,” said Smith.
“We get this shower every year because of Earth’s orbit and the orbit of the debris field. Most of the time it is comets the Earth intersects with, but this time it is the debris around the 3200 Phaethon asteroid,” said Smith. “In years past the Geminid meteor shower has not been as active as it is now, which is about 120 [shooting stars] per hour. As the sun goes down, the shower will be visible in the eastern sky, starting around 8:00 p.m.”
Unfortunately, the sky is predicted to be overcast during the peak shower. Smith recommends people not go out of their way to try to see it this year because of the brightness of the near full moon. If there is a break in the cloud cover, she recommends people get away from city lights and perhaps try to view it at Sand Hills State Park. “You don’t need a telescope or binoculars. You just need to view it with your eyes, and make it a cozy evening with warm clothes and maybe a hot chocolate,” said Smith. “Next year, the Geminid meteor shower will be close to a new moon, so it should be better.”
Discover the Christmas Star
From a Cosmosphere press release, “The Mystery of the Christmas Star” retells the Christmas story while exploring the scientific explanation behind the star that guided the wise men to infant Jesus.” This presentation is shown daily at the digital dome theater, Wednesday through Sunday at 2:00 p.m.
“Journey back 2000 years to Bethlehem as we seek to discover a scientific explanation for the star the wise men followed to find the baby Jesus. We’ll investigate possible dates for the birth of Christ and look at recorded sightings of significant astronomical events during this time frame. We’ll explore which of these signs in the sky could have been remarkable enough to cause the wise men to cross the desert from Babylon to Bethlehem just to see a newborn King. This modern retelling of the Christmas story is sure to charm and captivate audiences of all ages.”
Opening night for Polar Express on December 13, will also be a 20th-anniversary celebration. According to a press release from the Cosmosphere, “The Hutchinson Salvation Army will bring its canteen vehicle to the Cosmosphere parking lot to serve free cocoa and cookies. At 7:00 p.m. the Polar Express screening begins. Showtimes will be available daily from December 13 to January 5, except for December 24, when the showing will be at 3 p.m., and December 25, when the Cosmosphere will be closed.”
For more information, call 620-662-2305 or visit www.cosmo.org for tickets and showtimes.
And more…
Renovated displays
According to a Cosmosphere press release, “The renovated galleries in the Cosmosphere’s Hall of Space are open. While many artifacts are on display during this time, the exhibits and graphics won’t be fully completed until Spring 2025. Until then, to assist with identifying significant artifacts on display in the newly renovated galleries, a Gallery Guide is available through this link. Please be aware that occasionally, parts of the renovated galleries could be off-limits when crews install exhibits and graphics.”
The Cosmosphere also welcomes new board members this December
In a December 9 press release, six new members have been elected to the Cosmosphere’s Boards of Directors. Three individuals will join the Governing Board, and three will serve on the Foundation Board.
The new Foundation Board members include Lauren Bates, Director of Federal Affairs at Skyryse, Jeff Dillon, Chief Operating Officer at VanTrust Real Estate, LLC., and Gerald D. “Gerry” Griffin, former Director, NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center; former Deputy Director, NASA John F. Kennedy Space Center.
The new Governing Board members include Miranda Konowitz, Chief Engineer at Textron Aviation, Rosemary Lesser, Head of Engineering at Airbus Americas Engineering, and Tysen Pina, Department Head of Aviation at Kansas State University Salina.
“We are thrilled to welcome such a talented and diverse group of individuals to our Boards,” said Jim Remar, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Each new member brings their unique insights and a deep commitment to our mission. Their leadership will be invaluable as we continue to grow and serve the international aerospace community in impactful ways.”
From December 13 to January 5, the Cosmosphere and Cosmosphere Cafe will be open for extended hours. The Cosmosphere will be open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The Cosmosphere will close early on Christmas Eve at 3:00 p.m. and be closed all day on December 25 for Christmas.
The Cafe will be open 11:00 am to 3:00 p.m., closed on Mondays and on Christmas eve.
The Cosmosphere and the Cafe will both be open New Years Day. The Cosmosphere will be open 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and the Cafe will be open 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Starting January 6, the Cosmosphere and the Cafe will return to regular hours.
CAPTION: The Polar Express will be celebrating a 20th Anniversary at the Carey Digital Dome Theater at the Cosmosphere. By Kate Irelan For those looking up toward the dark December skies for the Christmas star, Santa, or wishing on a shooting star can find help with all
On 2024-12-12 @ 19:42:00Hrs
Sexual Offense at 820 E 30th Avenue
JOHNATHAN THEODORE CARSON WM/41 715 WEST 14TH AVE was arrested for 1) SEXUAL EXPLOILATION OF A CHILD; POSSESS MEDIA OF A CHILD, 2) INDECENT SOLICITATION OF A CHILD, 3) ELECTRONIC SOLICITATION OF A CHILD, 4) POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAMINE and 5) POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA
On 2024-12-12 @ 16:47:00Hrs
Warrant Service at Unit BLK S Adams St
ANDRE R BYRD, BM/31, HOMELESS was arrested for 1.) HPD FTA
On 2024-12-12 @ 16:42:00Hrs
Warrant Service at 1905 E 4TH AVE
NATHAN FAIRHURST, WM/29, 2605 E 4TH AVE, RM 129, Was arrested on a HPD Warrant for 1.) FTA; Original Charge Speeding
On 2024-12-12 @ 15:54:00Hrs
Warrant Service at 328 E 6TH
SIMON HERNANDEZ, HM/52, 328 E 6TH, on a HPD Warrant.
On 2024-12-12 @ 14:56:00Hrs
Warrant Service at 1800 S Severance
Kenneth E. Pittsley WM/54 4100 S Yoder Rd was arrested on an HPD warrant for FTA.
On 2024-12-12 @ 14:47:00Hrs
Violation of Court Order at City of Hutchinson
JERI STORIE, WF/43, was arrested for 1.) Violation of a No Contact Order
On 2024-12-12 @ 14:37:00Hrs
Warrant Service at 9 Emerson Loop
Zachary C. Hiskey WM/26 901 N Adams Apt. 2 was arrested on a US Marshall’s warrant.
On 2024-12-12 @ 14:34:00Hrs
Warrant Service at 716 E AVENUE B
DIRK KUKULA, WM/35, 716 E AVENUE B, On a HPD Warrant
On 2024-12-12 @ 12:22:00Hrs
Warrant Service at 1902 N MONROE
ALAN WENZEL, WM/51, 1902 N MONROE, arrested on an HPD warrant.
On 2024-12-12 @ 07:21:00Hrs
Domestic Violence at CITY OF HUTCHINSON
LEVI WICKLIFFE, BM/35 was arrested for 1) Criminal Damage DV.
On 2024-12-12 @ 00:31:00Hrs
Traffic – DUI at 2100 BLK N MONROE ST
MATTHEW KING, WM/53, 1510 AURORA DR, Was arrested for 1.) DUI
On 2024-12-11 @ 22:45:00Hrs
Warrant Service at 718 E B AVE
NICHOLES MORALES, HM/33, 718 E B AVE, was arrested for 1) FTA ORIGINAL CHARGE; SPEEDING
On 2024-12-11 @ 17:50:00Hrs
Theft – All Other at 1905 E 17th Ave, Walmart
SAVANNAH M ALVARADO, HF/24, 1607 N QUAIL RIDGE RD was arrested for 1.) Theft by Deception (M), and 2.) Criminal Damage to Property (M). Alvarado was advised of CT from Walmart.
On 2024-12-11 @ 03:04:00Hrs
Burglary – NonRes at 1228 E 4TH AVE
An employee of Dough Co. reported the business being burglarized. After investigation, ZACKERY L REAVES, WM/35, HOMELESS, was arrested for Burglary, Criminal Damage >$1000, and Theft
On 2024-12-11 @ 02:55:00Hrs
Violation of Court Order at UNDISCLOSED
DESTIN L POPE, BM/21, was arrested for 1.) Violation of no contact order 2.) HPD FTA warrant
On 2024-12-11 @ 02:44:00Hrs
Warrant Service at 1800 S. Severance St.
ALLEN R. PFAF, WM/40, 19311 WARRIOR ST, ARLINGTON, was arrested for 1.) HPD Failure To Appear
On 2024-12-10 @ 23:48:00Hrs
Drug Offense at 320 E. Sherman Ave.
TERAN T. HILL, BM/24, 320 E. SHERMAN AVE., was arrested for 1.) DISTRIBUTION OF FENTANYL WITHIN A 1000′ OF A SCHOOL, 2.) DISTRIBUTION OF HEROIN WITHIN A 1000′ OF A SCHOOL, 3.) DISTRIBUTION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA, 4.) POSSESSION OF FENTANYL, 5.) POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA, 6.) ACQUIRE DRUG PROCEEDS, and 7.) 3 counts of ARRANGE DRUG SALES UTILIZING A COMMUNICATION FACILITY.
On 2024-12-10 @ 16:35:00Hrs
Battery – Agg at City Of Hutchinson
TORI RANDLE, WF/44, 1801 LYMAN AVE was arrested for 1)Agg Battery (DV), 2)Criminal Damage (DV), 3)Felony Interference, 4)DWS, 5)Illegal display, and 6)Fail to show proof of insurance.
On 2024-12-10 @ 01:04:00Hrs
Domestic Violence at City of Hutchinson
JERI A. STORIE, WF/ 43, was arrested for 1.) Criminal Damage-DV.
On 2024-12-09 @ 23:14:00Hrs
Criminal Damage at CITY OF HUTCHINSON
CALEB BAKER, WM/20, 500 E AVE B, was arrested for 1.) Criminal Damage $1,000 to $24,999, 2.) Possession of Marijuana, 3.) Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, 4.) Felony Interference with LEO.
On 2024-12-09 @ 21:01:00Hrs
Warrant Service at 8 E. 28TH AVE.
COURTNEY J. STUART, WM/39, HOMELESS, was arrested for 1.) HPD FTA; No DL in possession.
On 2024-12-09 @ 20:59:00Hrs
Warrant Service at 8 E. 28TH AVE.
COURTNEY J. STUART, WM/39, HOMELESS, was arrested for 1.) HPD FTA; Speed Limit Violation.
On 2024-12-09 @ 20:53:00Hrs
Warrant Service at 8 E. 28TH AVE.
COURTNEY J. STUART, WM/39, HOMELESS, was arrested for HPD FTA; Possession of Marijuana.
On 2024-12-09 @ 17:41:00Hrs
Warrant Service at 901 N. MAIN ST.
RYAN J. KESSLER, WM/41, HOMELESS, was arrested for 1.) Possession of Methamphetamine 2.) Possession of Marijuana 3.) Possession of Drug Paraphernalia 4.) HPD FTA; possession of MJ.
On 2024-12-09 @ 14:26:00Hrs
Traffic – Other at 100 N Spencer Street
JOHN TIMOHTY BAKER WM/40 1207 E 2ND AVENUE was arrested for 1) OPERATE WITH NO DL
On 2024-12-09 @ 13:22:00Hrs
Criminal Trespass at 1420 W 2nd Ave
JAMES WITT, WM/41, 1422 W 2ND AVE, was arrested for 1.) Trespassing 2.) Interference with LEO and was advised of Criminal Trespass from 1420 W 2nd Ave.
On 2024-12-09 @ 10:40:00Hrs
Criminal Trespass at 701 N Main St
JAMES WITT, WM/41, 1422 W 2ND AVE, was advised of Criminal Trespass from 701 N Main St.
On 2024-12-08 @ 18:33:00Hrs
Traffic – DUI at E 4th Ave / N Ford St
TODD D KOOB, WM/57, 529 E 5TH AVE was arrested for 1.) DUI +.08, 2.) Failure to Report an Accident after striking a vehicle driven by JENNIFER J MEYERS, WF/40, 1211 N HENDRICKS ST. Meyers grey 2006 Saturn Ion bearing KS ABA56 was towed by J7
On 2024-12-08 @ 01:34:00Hrs
Traffic – DUI at 300 blk E 11th Ave
HANNAH CASTILLO, WF/23, OKLAHOMA, was arrested for 1)DUI; 1st conviction
On 2024-12-08 @ 01:04:00Hrs
Traffic – DUI at Unit BLK W 15TH AVE
STEVEN CALLOWAY, BM,31, 51 MEDOWLARK LN, was arrested for 1.) DUI; 1st Conv .08 or Greater, 2.) Illegal Transport of Alcoholic Beverage 3.) Operate MV With No Ignition Interlock Device During Restriction
On 2024-12-07 @ 16:19:00Hrs
Theft – Shoplifting at 1905 E 17TH AVE
JESSE BASURTO, WM/45, 514 N PLUM ST was arrested for 1) Theft.
On 2024-12-07 @ 05:27:00Hrs
Domestic Violence at CITY OF HUTCHINSON
JORDAN JACKSON, WM/34, 700 W SHERMAN AVE was arrested for 1) interference with LEO 2) Criminal Damage DV 3) Criminal Trespass DV.
On 2024-12-07 @ 02:36:00Hrs
Traffic – DUI at 1200 blk N Plum St
NICHOLES F. MORALES, HM/32, TEXAS, was arrested for DUI; 2nd Conviction.
On 2024-12-07 @ 02:03:00Hrs
Traffic – DUI at 1200 blk N Plum St
MARIA E. MARTINEZ, HF/30, 718 E AVE B, was arrested for 1) DUI; 2ND CONVICTION 2) BATTERY ON LEO and 3) INTERFERENCE WITH LEO.
On 2024-12-06 @ 23:43:00Hrs
Firearms; Criminal Use/Possess at 600 W 36TH AVE
EVERETTE W HARDY, WM/34, 815 N ADAMS ST #2, was arrested for 1) Criminal possession of a firearm; convicted felon within 10 yrs.
On 2024-12-06 @ 22:30:00Hrs
Traffic – DUI at 2000 N. Monroe
MICHAEL CHINN, WM/37, 2405 OLD OX RD APT B, was arrested for 1.) DUI
On 2024-12-06 @ 11:21:00Hrs
Drug Offense at 401 E 4TH AVE
CASEY MACLAREN, WM/35, HOMELESS was arrested for 1) possession of methamphetamine 2) possession of paraphernalia.
On 2024-12-06 @ 10:47:00Hrs
Warrant Service at 1800 S SEVERANCE ST
STEPHANIE ROBINSON, WF/37, 431 S RENO was arrested for 1) HPD FTA.
On 2024-12-05 @ 20:18:00Hrs
Traffic – DUI at 121 E. A Ave.
TOMAS RIVERA, HM/ 58, 401 E. CARPENTER ST. was arrested for1.) DUI >.08. 2.) Driving with no DL. 3.) Fail to Provide Proof Liability Insurance. 4.) Criminal Depravation of Property.
On 2024-12-05 @ 17:39:00Hrs
Violation of Court Order at CITY OF HUTCHINSON
CHAVEZ M. WILLIAMS, WM/29, HUTCHINSON, was arrested for 1.) 2x Violation of a protection order 2.) RNSO warrant
On 2024-12-05 @ 16:50:00Hrs
Drug Offense at 4th/Ford
SHELLIE R. CAP, WF/42, 507 E 5TH – was arrested for 1) Possession of Methamphetamine; 2 prior conviction’s 2) Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and RYAN W. PINKSTON, WM/46, 23 W 30TH was arrested for 1) Driving while suspended
On 2024-12-11 @ 01:24:00Hrs
Traffic – Other at 421 S Thompson St, Sylvia
Allen Pfaff 40YO W/M of Reno County was arrested for Driving While Suspended.
On 2024-12-10 @ 10:30:00Hrs
Traffic – Other at 10500 S Yoder Rd
David Carney 50 YO of Wichita was arrested for DWS and Expired registration.
On 2024-12-05 @ 22:15:00Hrs
Traffic – DUI at 1500 W US 50 HWY
IAN LAYMON 40YO of Lyons was arrested for DUI 2nd and ITOL.
Want to see more in the blotter? Contact Publisher Michael Glenn at mglenn@hutchtribune.com or Managing Editor Gina Long at glong@hutchtribune.com.
Hutchinson Police Department On 2024-12-12 @ 19:42:00Hrs Sexual Offense at 820 E 30th Avenue JOHNATHAN THEODORE CARSON WM/41 715 WEST 14TH AVE was arrested for 1) SEXUAL EXPLOILATION OF A CHILD; POSSESS MEDIA OF A CHILD, 2) INDECENT SOLICITATION OF A CHILD, 3) ELECTRONIC SOLICITATION OF A CHILD,
From left: Reno County Commissioners John Whitesel, Ron Hirst, Randy Parks, Don Bogner and Daniel Friesen CREDIT SANDRA MILBURN/RENO COUNTY By Emmie Boese Reno County District Attorney Thomas R. Stanton presented an annual DA report to the Reno County Commissioners at the first commission meeting of this
