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Tuesday Apr 29

  • Semester’s End Concert – Symphonic Band, Instrumental Jazz, & Annual Student Art Exhibition, 7 p.m. at the Stringer Fine Arts Center. Doors open at 6:30. Tickets are $10 adults, $8 seniors, $5 students, and free with college ID for HutchCC students and staff

Wednesday Apr 30

  • Common Ground,” 6:30 p.m. in the Shears Technology Center on the Hutchinson Community College campus. Common Ground is a documentary on how farmers are restoring soil through Regenerative Farming methods and explains how soil health is the key to unlocking more and better food to feed America and the world while limiting the amount of climate heating. Presented by Earth Matters. For more information about the film, visit the Common Ground Film website. There is no charge to attend

Thursday May 1

  • Clubhouse Giving Day 2025, 9:30 – 3:30 at Milestone Clubhouse, 206 N Main St. The clubhouse’s main fundraising event. Grilled hot dogs, chips and a dessert avaiblae for a $3 suggested donation. Raffles for multiple gift baskets and gift cards to local businesses. The clubhouse will be open for tours. For more information, visit the event’s Facebook page
  • Sail On: The Beach Boys Tribune,” 7 p.m. at Memorial Hall. Part of the Community Concert Association series. 2025-2026 Memberbship Season Tickets are now on sale. Purchase them online or download and print a form and mail in a check at Hutchinson Community Concert Association/Memberships. TNew memberships are available from concert workers or at First National Bank at Sherman and Main, Wednesday, April 30, Thursday, May 1 and Friday, May 2 during banking hours

Friday May 2

  • Astronaut Nicole Stott “Space for Art” book signing and film screening, 6 p.m. at the Cosmosphere. Former NASA astronaut Nicole Scott will sign her book “Back to Earth” (available to purchase in the Cosmosphere gift store) beginning at 6 p.m. in the planetarium lobby, followed by a screening of the film “Space for Art” in the Justice Planetarium. The book signing begins at 6 and the film at 7. Seating is limited ot 110 people and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Admission to the film screening is free

Saturday May 3

  • The Reno County Farmers Market is celebrating 40 years in 2025, beginning May 3 – October, they will be open every Saturday, 7:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m., and Wednesdays, 10 – 1, at the Farmers Market Pavilion, 103 West 2nd Avenue
  • “Hats and Horses” Kentucky Derby Party, in the 1861 Club building on the Kansas State Fairgrounds. For more information, go to their website, email info@ksfgf.org, or call 620.615.7388
  • Hutchinson Regional Airport Fly-In and Open House, 8 – 4 at the Hutchinson Regional Airport, 1100 Airport Road. Multiple activities. Check the event’s Facebook page for the schedule
  • United. Read. Connect!, 11 – 1, at DCI Park, 208 North Main Street. A free family-friendly event with booths and activities from United Way of Reno County, the Hutchinson Public Library, local non-profits and businesses. New free Scholastic books for young readers, read to a therapy dog or local celebrity, Tough-A-Truck with the Hutchinson Fire Department and the Hutchinson Police Department, and bounce houses
  • Cinco de Mayo Festival, noon to 4 in George Pyle Park, Avenue B and Poplar Street. Free admission. Carnival games, bounce houses, food vendors, taco and hot pepper eating contests, Mexican folkloric dancing and live music
  • Nonpartisan Rally for Democracy, 2-3 at Crescent Park, 17th Avenue and Main Street
  • Murder in the Mine, 5 p.m. at Strataca, 3650 Avenue G. A Who Done It mystery dinner theater. Locally catered dinner and a cash bara are available. Tickets are $70 for individuals and $500 for a table of 8. The show is intended for adults and you must be 18 to enter and 21 to drink. You must show ID at check-in. Adult humor-oriented. For more information about the event length, check-in times, and to purchase tickets, visit the ticket purchase page
  • “The Association and the Cowsills,” 7:30 p.m. at the Fox Theatre. Part of the Fox Live Series. For more information and to purchase tickets online, visit the event page on the Fox Theatre website

To have an event listed on the calendar, please email glong@hutchtribune.com

Tuesday Apr 29 Semester’s End Concert – Symphonic Band, Instrumental Jazz, & Annual Student Art Exhibition, 7 p.m. at the Stringer Fine Arts Center. Doors open at 6:30. Tickets are $10 adults, $8 seniors, $5 students, and free with college ID for HutchCC students and staff Wednesday

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By John Mesh Hutchinson and Garden City played for a second day in a row at Hobart-Detter Field Saturday in Hutchinson’s Carey Park. It was also Sophomore Appreciation Day. Sophomores on the Blue Dragon roster are Taber Stokes, Jarrett Herrmann, Trenton Roehler, CJ Reid, Quinn Maher, Sean

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By John Mesh KSHSAA Staff The state volleyball and basketball formats will look different starting next school year, and the shot clock is officially in the postseason.  Those items were approved during the KSHSAA Executive Board and Board of Directors Meetings on Thursday. • Volleyball — The traditional two-day format

CAPTION: The East entrance of Memorial Hall at 101 South Walnut in Downtown Hutchinson. CREDIT MICHAEL GLENN/THE HUTCHINSON TRIBUNE

By Gina Long

The Hutchinson City Council will host a public hearing on the future of Memorial Hall on Thursday, May 8, at 6 p.m. in the historic building located at 101 South Walnut Street.

Attendees will have an opportunity to discuss and offer input on any submitted Requests For Proposals (RFPs) to be presented at the May 6 city council meeting, two days prior.

The historic building has reached a critical juncture. It currently hosts events for the Community Concert Association, the Hutch Mini-con, boxing tournaments, fundraising galas, and many more private parties and celebrations. Last year, the Mexican Consulate in Kansas City ran a two-day mobile clinic to help people in the large area between Kansas City and Denver handle their affairs without needing to take 2-3 days for travel and appointments.

The former Convention Hall, built in 1911, has a storied history, having hosted three U.S. presidents and numerous musical talents, including Johnny Cash, Tina Turner, Willie Nelson, and Gene Autry.

The building is old and needed repairs have been put off for over thirty years. Structural deficiencies have required some of the top-level seating to be blocked off. The bathrooms badly need renovation.

The most pressing issue, however, is the air handling system and lack of air conditioning. The hall is generally not open from May 1 through September 30 of each year because our area’s increasingly longer and hotter summers render the building unusable.

I attended a crowded event in March, and the lack of airflow raised the inside temperature to an uncomfortable level even on a temperate end-of-winter day.

Memorial Hall has superb acoustics, and the Community Concert Association’s shows sound fantastic from any seat in the facility.

The venue is also one of the most affordable facilities to rent, and it hosts many fundraisers and activities run by local non-profits.

Unfortunately, the building incurs an operating net loss of just under $100,000 per year, and those funds could be diverted to repairing the city’s aging water lines and fixing more streets.

Renovations and updates would be expensive, but so would razing the building and converting the lot into more park space.

The prospects of an investor stepping in and purchasing the building seem slim.

So, what lies ahead?

Approximately thirty years ago, the citizens of Hutchinson voted to keep the building. The Hutchinson City Council will hear some RFPs during its regular meeting at 5:30 p.m. on May 6, followed by a community discussion at Memorial Hall on May 8 at 6 p.m. Information about the community discussion is on the city’s Facebook page.

Regardless of which option you prefer, this is your opportunity to let your voice be heard and to hear other community members bring their thoughts and ideas. Please attend.

CAPTION: The East entrance of Memorial Hall at 101 South Walnut in Downtown Hutchinson. CREDIT MICHAEL GLENN/THE HUTCHINSON TRIBUNE By Gina Long The Hutchinson City Council will host a public hearing on the future of Memorial Hall on Thursday, May 8, at 6 p.m. in the historic

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Hutchinson Community College pitcher Lachlan Rosser allowed two hits in the Blue Dragons’ 4-0 win over Garden City Friday night at Hobart-Detter Field. Game 1 starting pitcher Trenton Roehler was the winning pitcher as Hutchinson CC defeated the Broncbusters 7-3. (Photo courtesy of Hutchinson CC Sports

Milestone Clubhouse member April Smith with her painted ceramic plate entry at the Hutchinson Art Center opening reception of "Visible Voices: Art Beyond the Struggle" on Apr. 25, 2025 CREDIT GINA LONG/THE HUTCHINSON TRIBUNE By Gina Long Members of the Milestone Clubhouse opened its art […]

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Milestone Clubhouse member April Smith with her painted ceramic plate entry at the Hutchinson Art Center opening reception of "Visible Voices: Art Beyond the Struggle" on Apr. 25, 2025 CREDIT GINA LONG/THE HUTCHINSON TRIBUNE By Gina Long Members of the Milestone Clubhouse opened its art exhibit with

CAPTION: Women for Kansas co-leaders Betty Taylor (left) and Tomi Foust (holding microphone) asked questions of Reno County schools superintendents at a forum organized by the group at Hutchinson Community College Shears Technology Center on Monday, April 21. Superintendents (seated left to right) Dr. Dawn Johnson (USD308), Curtis Nightingale (USD309), Craig Idacavage (USD312), and Cindy Couchman (USD313).

By Kate Irelan

At a public forum organized by Women for Kansas at Hutchinson Community College Shears Technology Center, four of the six Reno County school superintendents expressed their frustration with decisions made by Kansas State legislators, the negative impact on public schools and suggested ways to combat disinformation, advocate for public schools and hold legislators accountable. The superintendents at the forum were Dawn Johnson (USD 308), Curtis Nightingale (USD 309), Craig Ivacavage (USD 312) and Cindy Couchman (USD 313).

Question:

Betty Taylor, a co-leader with Women for Kansas, asked the panel to clarify the voucher program, special education accountability, and athletic program participation for students and parents of private schools or homeschooled children compared with public schools. 

Answers:

Nightingale said, “I would say this. If you’re a reader, there’s a book called ‘The Wolf at the Schoolhouse Door.’ I would encourage you to read that book, because it’s all about vouchers and the horrible failure in every state that has been implemented, the financial fraud and outright theft.”

“People have gone to prison over the amount of money they’ve stolen from the taxpayers in all these states, Arizona, Ohio, et cetera, et cetera,” said Nightingale. “And I would point this out. In the bill that was presented in Kansas this year, there was actually a part of the bill that directed the Department of Revenue that they were not to audit people.” He gave the example of a person claiming to have 10 children in a private school could get vouchers for all 10 children, but the Department of Revenue was restrained from auditing to determine whether any of those taxpayers were telling the truth. “That was part of the bill. Research it,” said Nightingale.

He said, “Now explain to me if they’re up front and this is honest and this is being done for the good of Kansas, why would you feel the need to put that part in that policy? Why would that be in there?”

Johnson said that there are other inequities. She said that they can take homeschool students to play in athletics, but if they have a student who transfers from USD 308 to 309, they have to be passing five classes in order to participate in sports. But if they’re in homeschool, they might not be keeping records, and they might not have five classes.

“So basically, a letter from mom is good enough to say, ‘yes, they’re passing, please allow them to play athletics,'” said Johnson. “So, again, I think we want to serve all students, right? Students are not the enemy. So if we have 10 kids who want to play football, I have to outfit them in that football uniform. There’s no money that comes with them to support.”

Couchman said that it was true that private schools don’t have to accept special education students, but if they do, public schools still send people over to service the Individualized Education Program (IEP) for the student. And, their federal funds title money goes to private schools.

“By law, we have to service Title I students enrolled in a private school, and they get Title II-A money, which is professional development,” said Couchman. “We actually do get some money for them, but it’s not a full-time student equivalency (FTE) funding for them. It’s just the weighted portion of the FTE.”

She said there is a lot of work they do with private schools, and yet they’re not meeting the same accountability. “That’s where it gets frustrating to me,” said Couchman. “I would have a lot less problem with all of this if the standards were the same and we were all playing on the same ball field. But it feels like they’re playing on artificial turf, and we have a non-seeded football field, because they’re getting to run a lot faster than us by not having to meet any of the qualifications. Their teachers don’t have to be certified. We have to be certified.”

She said that private school teachers don’t have to take Letters Training, which is a mandated phonics reading training program for public school teachers to get a license. “There’s so many things I could go on and on about, but they don’t have to meet that,” said Couchman.  

Question:
An audience member asked for clarification about public schools receiving funding for serving a special education student at a private school. 

Answers:
Couchman said a student who attends school full-time is considered one FTE and that the base aid per pupil next year is $5,611. “It keeps changing,” said Couchman. “It’s a moving target right now.” She said that currently a homeschool parent does not get that funding because the voucher bill was defeated this year. “But it will be back every single year, which is a dangerous game to play,” said Couchman. “They tell us that they have no money to spend on state education. Well, now they’re going to fund all of these kids that are enrolled in a private school or homeschooled out there. So think of how many thousands of kids right now that you’d have to now add to their budget. And so that’s why one of the reasons the vouchers fail in every state they’ve done it is because all of a sudden kids appear out of nowhere are getting funded, that they’ve not written into their budget.”

Nightingale said that he thinks the disconnect is that people think each district is funded for all the kids that live there, and public schools are only funded for the kids that show up at the school building. They do a student count on a specific day and if a child is absent, they don’t get to count the child and public schools are not funded for all of the homeschool or private school students. He said that these students are not on the state budget books anywhere.

Question:
A member of the audience asked the panel what those who want to reach out and advocate for public schools might be missing.

Answer:
Idacavage said that the schools in Reno County are producing a really good product and parents don’t see the people doing the hard work to keep things going in spite of budget cuts. He said that advocates need to get people educated enough to know that legislators aren’t holding their end of the bargain and what our representatives are doing and how their votes are negatively impacting their own kids. “When it comes to public education, as I said, they’re extremely disconnected and they will continue to vote down party lines and not talk to us,” said Idacavage. “And we as school systems do a really good job of protecting the kids.”

Couchman said she thinks they need to do a better job by running “to the roar” and meeting those groups that are not supportive of public education, and ask to talk with their group and actively listen, and also share the public schools’ stories. “We tend to stand in our echo box, because it’s easier to have these opinions in groups that agree with you,” said Couchman. “I’m opening to hearing feedback, but it needs to be a two-way conversation. And, that’s something maybe that we could do a better job of.”

Nightingale said that he would encourage people to know who their local representatives are and how they’re voting for and against public schools. He said that the State Board of Education almost eliminated Parents as Teachers at the state board meeting this month, and that would have made a real impact on what the local schools do on a daily basis. “That’s people who live in our community,” said Nightingale, “Take them to task on how they vote. If you see they voted no on something like that, if you reach out as their representative populace and you say, “Hey, what are you doing? Explain this to me.” Because if they can’t say more than what we were told to do that by the party, they better have a better answer than that. If they’re asked enough times, they’re going to have to start thinking about it when they vote because they know they’re coming back and they’re going to face you again.” 

Question:

Taylor asked about upcoming school board elections in November, how many positions are open and what they feel makes a good school board member. 

Answers:

Johnson said that 308 will have three at-large positions open, and they don’t run it by district boundaries. She said, “We have probably 10 different committees that the board can serve on. So it’s not just for an hour twice a month. There’s lots of opportunities that sometimes I think is more than probably they were thinking when they first ran. But I think it really informs and helps them understand the 365 days a year where we’re serving kids.”

Nightingale said that Nickerson is unique with five open positions this fall. He said that two board members retired, one had to resign and they had to have several appointees serve on the board, and by state law, an appointee then has to run in the next election cycle. He hopes that the appointees will run for their seats. 

Nightingale said that what he thinks makes a good board member is someone who is open-minded and has a willingness to learn. “Because I think a lot of people, I know before I got into education, I thought I knew. Because I’ve gone to school, I know what schools do. And then you get in and find out that’s not even close to what’s going on. But also, I think they have to have a passion for learning and a passion for education,” said Nightingale.

Idacavage said that Haven (312) is similar to Nickerson school district and they have four positions open, one had to step down and one is an appointee. He said, “I’m very fortunate to have the seven board members that will come and ask questions and make sure we have enough information for them and understand that we’ve got a lot of really good employees, that we’ve been hired to do jobs and allow us to do those things. And so for me, that’s been really positive is trust in the people that they’ve hired and then also open and be able to communicate, not just with us, but people within the district.” 

Couchman said that they have three open positions and they are losing long-time board members and a lot of experience. She said that no one has filed yet, and the deadline is early June. She encourages anyone interested in any of the positions to apply. Couchman said, “I think being involved at the board level, it is one of the few not-paid positions that you run for office for. It is nonpolitical, and we like to keep it that way.”

For information on how to file to be a potential candidate for your district school board, visit the Reno County Election website.

CAPTION: Women for Kansas co-leaders Betty Taylor (left) and Tomi Foust (holding microphone) asked questions of Reno County schools superintendents at a forum organized by the group at Hutchinson Community College Shears Technology Center on Monday, April 21. Superintendents (seated left to right) Dr.

The Hutchinson Police Department arrested three individuals and charged them with distribution of a controlled substance causing death on April 8, 2025.

In July 2024, HPD investigated two separate overdose deaths. The Special Operations Unit was assigned both cases and began their investigation. Detectives identified Brandi A. Long, age 47, Michael D. Long, age 61, and Kristopher L. Richards, age 36, as suspects in the illegal distribution of controlled substances, which led to both deaths. The results of the investigations were forwarded to the Reno County District Attorney’s Office. Reno County District Attorney Thomas Stanton reviewed the information presented and subsequently filed criminal complaints in the Reno County District Court charging the defendants with alleged violations of Kansas law.

On April 8, 2025, Brandi A. Long, age 47 of Hutchinson, and Michael D. Long, age 61 of Hutchinson, were charged with two counts of Distribution of a Controlled Substance Causing Death, Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance Causing Death, Violation of the Kansas Racketeering Statute, Distribution of Morphine, Distribution of Marijuana, 28 counts of Unlawful Distribution of a Controlled Substance Using a Communication Device, Possession of Oxycodone with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Marijuana.

On April 8, 2025, Kristopher L. Richards, age 36 of Hutchinson, was charged with two counts of Distribution of a Controlled Substance Causing Death, Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance Causing Death, Violation of the Kansas Racketeering Statute, Distribution of Morphine, Distribution of Marijuana, 28 counts of Unlawful Distribution of a Controlled Substance Using a Communication Device, and Possession of Oxycodone with Intent to Distribute.

If you have information regarding these cases, contact HPD at 620-694-2816, your local law enforcement agency, or Crime Stoppers of Reno County at 800-222-TIPS. You can also use the P3Tips App on your smartphone or text RENOKS to 738477 to receive a link to our anonymous tip form.

The Hutchinson Police Department arrested three individuals and charged them with distribution of a controlled substance causing death on April 8, 2025. In July 2024, HPD investigated two separate overdose deaths. The Special Operations Unit was assigned both cases and began their investigation. Detectives identified Brandi

Wesley Towers announced Thursday that it is now named The Wesley.

Vice President of Public Relations Jennifer Shroyer stated in a press release, “After more than 50 years of serving seniors in the Hutchinson community, Wesley Towers is adopting a new name: The Wesley. While the name has changed, the organization remains committed to providing exceptional living options, including independent and assisted living, skilled nursing, and memory care.”

The new name reflects the community’s growth from its original building to the entire campus and the expanded levels of care.

The organization unveiled a new logo featuring a hummingbird, “symbolizing energy, resilience, and the vibrant community it represents.”

The Wesley will celebrate with an open house and world record attempt for the most hummingbird feeders in one location on Saturday, May 17, at 700 Monterey Place. The celebration will also include a car show, hummingbird feeders, and entertainment, among many activities.

Visit thewesleyks.com for more information about the community and its living options.

Wesley Towers announced Thursday that it is now named The Wesley. Vice President of Public Relations Jennifer Shroyer stated in a press release, "After more than 50 years of serving seniors in the Hutchinson community, Wesley Towers is adopting a new name: The Wesley. While the