By John Mesh The Hutchinson High School varsity girls and boys basketball teams took two games from the Valley Center Hornets Tuesday at Valley Center. The Salthawk girls won 41-30 and the Hutchinson boys won 60-47. The Hutchinson Salthawk girls led 11-4 after one quarter and 22-12 at
CAPTION: Eileen Cottingham, owner-manager of Downtown Sampler Restaurant, addresses a Meeting of the Hutchinson Executive Association Tuesday morning at the eating establishment, on the second floor of 1 North Main. CREDIT RICHARD SHANK By Richard Shank June 17, 1996, marked the first day of business for Eileen
CAPTION: Back row: USD 313 Board Members Chris Shank, Greg Lackey, Tim Lackey, Monte Cross Front row: Dr. Michael Green, Jessica Goering, Laura Meyer Dick CREDIT BUHLER USD 313 By Kate Irelan In their regular meeting on February 10, the Buhler USD 313 Board of Education adopted
Corps Officer with the Salvation Army are $18,000 short of their holiday season fundraising goal and are pressing forward with Valentine’s Day, the season of love, and the local need is immense.
That’s according to a press release from Major Paul James of the Hutchinson Salvation Army, who released the information Monday.
“Yearly, over 8,000 community members utilize the services at The Salvation Army,” said James. “Each year we help distribute coats, hats, gloves, Thanksgiving gift cards, Christmas food baskets and toys to thousands of people. The Salvation Army served over 3,000 individuals during the holiday season, and there was a lot of love from our friends and neighbors around the community.”
“This goal represents the beginning of The Salvation Army’s annual fiscal budget. but it’s also the largest fundraising portion of its overall annual need to operate the programs that help so many,” said James.
James said that the local Salvation Army helps people throughout the year with rent and utility assistance, and a representative payee program with the United Way of Reno County where they help manage the financial affairs of 120 people. They also help 15 families in the Pathway of Hope program who desire the break the cycle of poverty, and well over 1,000 showers for the unhoused population, and many more of those in need.
“The Salvation Army needs your financial support to meet the needs of our neighbors,” James said. “We’ll have to see if any outstanding donations come in, and we hope this information will spur people to give now and throughout the year.”
To give to the Salvation Army, visit their website, or stop by their location in Hutchinson, 700 N Walnut.
Corps Officer with the Salvation Army are $18,000 short of their holiday season fundraising goal and are pressing forward with Valentine’s Day, the season of love, and the local need is immense. That's according to a press release from Major Paul James of the Hutchinson Salvation
CAPTION: Hutchinson USD 308 Board Member Lance Patterson was unable to attend the board’s Monday evening meeting and Hatcher, a lil’ hawk associated with the Early Education Center, took his seat. CREDIT RICHARD SHANK
By Richard Shank
Dr. Dawn Johnson, USD 308 Superintendent of Schools, in remarks to the Hutchinson USD 308 Board of Education Monday evening, said nearly 50% of respondents to a recent survey oppose a two-hour delay to start school during times of inclement weather.
“46% of those (parents) responding to the survey did not favor a late start while 39% were interested,” Johnson said.
The Board of Education briefly discussed the issue immediately following Dr. Johnson’s remarks and later in the meeting but took no action.
Krystal Young, Deputy Superintendent for USD 308, is currently crisscrossing Kansas from Hays to Manhattan to interview applicants for vacancies in the 2025-2026 school year.
“We are attending multiple collegiate career fairs and conducting interview days in the coming months, as well as hosting in-person interview days within the district,” Young said. “One common thread we hear in the interview and hiring efforts are that people are hearing great things about Hutchinson from our current employees.”
Also, Young reported on the Parent Teacher Conferences, which were conducted Oct. 10, 2024, and Jan. 30, 2025. New this year, Hutchinson Middle School offered virtual conferences in the morning and in-person meetings in the afternoons and evenings, which matches the practices of Hutchinson High School.
Board of Education Vice President Darcie Canfield-Riggs spoke of a newly revised accreditation system completed for Kansas. The board will hear a formal presentation from the Curriculum Instruction and Assessment Team soon.
Johnson talked about a recent piece of mail that was received in the Superintendent’s office from a 96-year-old man in California who recently purchased a postcard at a second-hand store in the Golden State. The picture on the front of the postcard was of Hutchinson High School in 1915. Johnson said the postcard includes elaborate cursive handwriting on the back side of the card and was originally mailed with a one-cent stamp or about 75 times less than today’s postal rates. Dr. Johnson said she plans to correspond with the person to offer the school district’s thanks.
The next scheduled meeting of the USD 308 School Board is scheduled for 6 p.m., Feb. 24 in the USD Administration Center at 1520 North Plum Street.
CAPTION: Hutchinson USD 308 Board Member Lance Patterson was unable to attend the board’s Monday evening meeting and Hatcher, a lil' hawk associated with the Early Education Center, took his seat. CREDIT RICHARD SHANK By Richard Shank Dr. Dawn Johnson, USD 308 Superintendent of Schools, in remarks
By John Mesh The Hutchinson Blue Dragon men’s basketball team upset No. 14 Coffeyviille 76-66 n a weather makeup game Monday night at Nellis Hall in Coffeyville. The Blue Dragons, who played for the first time in nine days, are 15-8 overall and 11-6 (fifth place) in
Stage 9 opens its 2025 season on Thursday with the story of four Savannah, Ga. women, personal hardships, and the friendships that develop in “The Savannah Sipping Society.”
Director and Stage 9 Board President Theresa Teufel described the play as “lighthearted, warm, caring and feel-good.”
“We are performing it on Valentine’s Day weekend, which is perfect because it’s a great ‘galentines’ show,” she said. “It is ‘Steel Magnolias’ meets ‘Golden Girls’ meets ‘Sweet Home Alabama.'”
Gayle Hamblin portrays Marlafaye Mosely, whom she describes as “larger than life.”
“She’s all out there. A good ol’ Texas gal,” she said.
This is Hamblin’s first production at Stage 9. She has performed in Pratt, Wichita, Kingman and Pretty Prairie and lives in the Kingman area.
“It was very serendipitous,” she said. “I heard a radio ad about Stage 9 needing ‘mature women.’ I said, ‘Well, I’m a mature woman.’ There aren’t a lot of roles for older women, so I auditioned, and the worst thing that could happen to me is to get cast.”
Hamblin retired a year ago from 17 years as the office manager for Wheatlands Healthcare Center in Kingman and decided to get back into theater. She said her parents encouraged her to participate in high school theater.
“For a shy person, I’m used to projecting my voice. It’s very easy to be someone else on a stage,” she said. “The show is very fun and very funny. There is a good connection between the characters and the cast. I feel very blessed to meet people I would never have met in my life. Hopefully, the audience will join us in the laughter and fun.”
Michele Waln appears as Dot Haigler, a recent widow who is trying to manage as a single woman.
“Dot is someone who was happily married for a long time and has to navigate life without him. It’s a journey for her. She has a lot of spunk left in her and wants new experiences,” she said. “She definitely warms up to the group as she goes along.
Waln is the Chief Culture Officer at Heartland Credit Union, working roles in marketing, human resources and educational development. She last performed in Stage9’s 2019 production “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder.” The Valentine, Neb. native lives in Hutchinson.
“Come enjoy yourself. It is lighthearted. It is poignant. It is about making things happen and not sitting around waiting. It’s relatable,” she said.
Debi Dunlap portrays Randa Covington, a high-strung, recently employed perfectionist on whose porch the ladies begin gathering.
This is Dunlap’s first Stage 9 production. She previously appeared in community productions in Hays and lives in Cunningham.
Dunlap describes Randa as someone who “is trying really hard to put on the right image. She just wants to be good enough. She’s a workaholic. Throughout the show she learns how to relax and have balance. She is very uptight.”
Skye Colaw appears as Jinx Jenkins, the free-spirited, loyal friend of the group. Colaw most recently appeared in the Family Community Theater’s 2024 production of “12 Angry Jurors.” She lives in McPherson.
“I think it’s the show that makes you feel like you’re hanging out with your friends. You’re just so excited to be with them,” Colaw said. “Women of my age can relate to how you are with your friends, telling each other secrets when things go wrong. It’s your girls that are there for you.”
“The Savannah Sipping Society” opens runs Thu. through Sun., Feb. 13-16. The Thu. through Sat. shows begin at 7:30 p.m. and the Sun. at 2 p.m.
Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and $10 for children. They are available at the door and online at Stage9hutch.com.
The next Stage 9 production will be “A Piece of My Heart,” running Apr. 24 – 27. Auditions will be held Thu. Feb. 20, at 6:30 p.m. and Sat., Feb. 22, at 11 a.m. at 9 South Main St.
Stage 9 opens its 2025 season on Thursday with the story of four Savannah, Ga. women, personal hardships, and the friendships that develop in "The Savannah Sipping Society." Director and Stage 9 Board President Theresa Teufel described the play as "lighthearted, warm, caring and feel-good." "We are
By Gina Long
The Reno County Board of Commissioners will meet on Wed., Feb. 12, at 9 a.m. in the Veteran’s Room at the Reno County Courthouse.
The agenda’s business items include a public hearing for the county-wide Neighborhood Revitalization Plan, an LED lighting project for the Reno County Correctional Facility at 1800 South Severance St., and the 911 annual report.
Multiple fixes, replacements and upgrades to existing facilities, including a new HVAC system for the Health Department building and the South Hutchinson maintenance building, repairs to the Law Enforcement Center’s elevator, and new fire panels for multiple county facilities.
The commissioners will break into an executive session to discuss a potential real estate acquisition.
The Reno County Board of Commissioners meets the second, fourth and fifth Wednesdays of each month at 9 a.m. in the Veterans Room in the Reno County Courthouse. View the agenda and supporting documentation here on the Reno County website.
By Gina Long The Reno County Board of Commissioners will meet on Wed., Feb. 12, at 9 a.m. in the Veteran's Room at the Reno County Courthouse. The agenda's business items include a public hearing for the county-wide Neighborhood Revitalization Plan, an LED lighting project for the
CAPTION: LeAnn Cox, Vice President of Operations and Tourism for the Hutchinson Reno County Chamber of Commerce, in her office at the Chamber of Commerce. CREDIT RICHARD SHANK By Richard Shank By Richard Shank 25 years into a career with the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce, LeAnn Cox
CAPTION: Nickerson High School alumnus and sports standout Ava Jones, who was nearly killed when a car crashed into her family almost three years ago, announced that she has been diagnosed with cancer. CREDIT IOWA HAWKEYES WOMEN'S BASKETBALL By John Mesh Nickerson High School alumnus and
