CAPTION: There have been two cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Kansas backyard, non-poultry flocks in 2025. CREDIT KANSAS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE By Kate Irelan The highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI, is spread by wild birds, and the animals most at risk for contracting
By Gina Long
The Hutchinson Horticulture Club is hosting “Gathering For Gardeners” on Saturday, March 8, beginning at 9 a.m. at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 407 E 12th Ave. The event is the club’s community educational project.
Doors open at 8:30 a.m. Admission is free, but registration at the door is requested. Door prizes will be held throughout the day. Participants may attend any or all of the sessions.
In a press release, the club detailed the scheduled speakers and presentations:
By Gina Long The Hutchinson Horticulture Club is hosting "Gathering For Gardeners" on Saturday, March 8, beginning at 9 a.m. at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 407 E 12th Ave. The event is the club's community educational project. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. Admission is free, but registration
CAPTION: The site of what once was the Atrium Hotel and Conference Center on Monday, March 3, located at 1400 North Lorraine in Hutchinson. CREDIT MICHAEL GLENN/THE HUTCHINSON TRIBUNE
By Michael Glenn
The Atrium Hotel and Conference Center is on schedule to be completely demolished by the end of March.
That’s according to Hutchinson City Manager Enrico Villegas, who spoke to The Hutchinson Tribune in an interview Monday.
“We’re in really good shape,” Villegas said. “The contractor has done a phenomenal job, and we’re definitely on track to be done by the end of March.”
Villegas said the final step of demolition will be to remove the parking lot and replace it with straw and seed to make a grass site.
The City underwent the condemnation process to condemn and force the property owner to either demolish or repair the structure. In this case, the owner opted not to demolish it, and the City began demolition through a contractor. The cost of demolition will then be placed as a lien on the property. The property owner can then pay the lien, or after a number of years, the lien will go to the Reno County Sheriff’s tax sale.
“I do think that cleaning up blight is a good initiative for the City, and hopefully this is only further positive momentum for the City,” Villegas said. “A lot of people view this as a huge win, so hopefully, we can continue to build on that.”
CAPTION: The site of what once was the Atrium Hotel and Conference Center on Monday, March 3, located at 1400 North Lorraine in Hutchinson. CREDIT MICHAEL GLENN/THE HUTCHINSON TRIBUNE By Michael Glenn The Atrium Hotel and Conference Center is on schedule to be completely demolished by the
By John Mesh The 2024-25 basketball season will continue for the Hutchinson Central Christian boys squad with a 63-47 victory over No. 1-seed Weskan in the Kansas Class 1A Division II Dighton sub-state #1 semifinal game Monday night at Goodland’s Max Jones Fieldhouse. Brady Froese led the
By Kate Irelan On March 7, Sunshine Meadows will hold their 25th Annual Gala fundraiser at the Crystal Ballroom at the Burt, 3 West Avenue B in Hutchinson. They will be celebrating 80 years of service and the theme for the evening is “Excellence for His
CAPTION: Aerial photo taken by Nick Hemphill Photo Video after an explosion and fire at Steffens Auto Parts on South Main Street in Hutchinson shows extensive damage to the building and some damage to nearby business Lilypad Septic and Portable Restrooms. Melted remnants of some
Graphic courtesy of Blue Dragon Sports Information By John Mesh Hutchinson Trinity Catholic High School’s Mattie Galliher, a 5-foot-11 middle blocker, signed a letter of intent Wednesday afternoon to play volleyball at Hutchinson Community College. Galliher played volleyball for Celtic coaches Lauren Cost and Jan Frieb. She also
By Gina Long
The Hutchinson Community Foundation Youth Philanthropy Council awarded nine grants to eight local organizations Sunday.
Co-chairs Mary Newboles and Ellie Foos delivered the opening remarks, and Libby Trumpp and Haley McGill outlined the grant-making process.
Grants are awarded yearly from the Richard W. Dillon Memorial Fund for Youth Philanthropy, and each award aims to impact the lives of Reno County youth positively.
The 2024-2025 council members are:
Buhler High School
Claudia Taylor
Libby Trumpp
Fairfield High School
Gavin Foster
Lucy Steeb
Haven High School
Kayla Rose
Hutchinson High School
Ellie Foos
Hollyn Neufeldt
Nickerson High School
Will Barkley
Haley McGill
Trinity Catholic High School
Mary Newboles
Ruby Tovar-Contreras
Sam Vogel
“The work we do with this council is not just scholarships. We choose where our support could make the most impact.” Ellie Foos said. “Real change happens when people trust each other to make it possible.”
“Community needs are almost always more than available resources,” Haley McGill said. “These are projects that matter in the community. They are centered on youth.”
“No one is ever too young to make a difference in the community,” Libby Trumpp said.
The presenters repeatedly thanked YPC mentor, Hutchinson Community Foundation Program Director Sarah Blake.
“She supports and encourages us in everything, not just the youth council,” Mary Newboles said. “I speak for all the council when I say from the bottom of my heart: Thank you, Sarah.”
The programs receiving awards are:
Members of the Hutchinson Community Foundation's Youth Philanthropy Council from left: Hutchinson Community Foundation Program Officer Sarah Blake, (back) Gavin Foster, Sam Vogel, Ellie Foos, Libby Trumpp, Kayla Rose, Hollyn Neufeldt and Will Barkley. Front from left: Claudia Taylor, Ruby Tovar-Contreras, Mary Newboles, Lucy Steen
Thursday March 6 “Lady and The Tramp,” part of the Fox Classic Film Series, 7 p.m. at the Fox Theatre, 18 E 1st Ave. Admission is $5. The Fox Film Series Passes are $45 and include 10 admissions and 5 small popcorns Spring Flourishes Symphonic Band Concert
CAPTION: The East entrance of Memorial Hall at 101 South Walnut in Downtown Hutchinson. CREDIT MICHAEL GLENN/THE HUTCHINSON TRIBUNE
By Michael Glenn
Caution signs: we’ve seen a lot recently.
I live in South Hutchinson, so navigating the closed Woodie Seat Freeway and Main Street has caused me to read a lot of orange signs around the south side of town.
I’ve never minded caution or road work signs a lot because I tend to think of it as a good thing that the city is keeping up on maintenance and construction.
With maintenance, the Hutchinson City Council is in the middle of deciding the fate of one of its most iconic buildings: Memorial Hall.
Memorial Hall is a building synonymous with Downtown Hutchinson, such as the Historic Fox Theatre and the Landmark Building. While we don’t have much of a skyline, if someone were to draw a silhouette of downtown, Memorial Hall would be in it.
The Council, at its last meeting on Feb. 19, heard a presentation about the future of the building. To be frank, it’s not in great shape. Much work needs to be done in HVAC, and $5.3 million in renovations is needed to bring it up to modern standards, according to the City’s Parks and Facilities department.
Furthermore, it doesn’t make any money for the city. The total amount of expenses for Memorial Hall in 2023 was $110,548 in expenses, $15,160 in revenue and $95,388 in net loss. In 2024, it was $126,098 in expenses, $27,080 in revenue and $99,018 in net loss.
It would be erroneous to demolish the Hall and turn it into green space simply because of that. Many different organizations, community groups and private parties have utilized the space. Here’s a list I came up with just from events we’ve reported on:
Here’s a thought that I think most of us forget: the government is not a business. If you run a government like a company, it will fail. Running a stable government is more than just dollars and cents. Memorial Hall holds much sentimental and nostalgic value to many people who live here, even if it isn’t in the greatest shape today.
With the Downtown Masterplan beginning to take shape, Memorial Hall has the chance to be the literal crown jewel of Hutchinson, supported by the Landmark and the Fox Theatre.
From the information we have, here are the three most likely options for its fate, in no particular order:
It’s difficult to say what the “correct” option is here. Selling it would be the most cost-effective and most efficient, but then the developer gains hefty rights to the building, which could include demolition. On the other hand, the building can’t stay the way it is. And on the park, convincing Hutch residents that tearing down the Hall to put a park in would be difficult.
Depending on the design done for a potential park, there could be benefits to having a green area in the center of downtown. The park could also honor the past events and prestige the Hall has had on Hutchinson while not being a financial burden on the City’s coffers.
As a young person, I would prefer the Hall to stay in some form. It’s a historic building that has a unique space that can be used. If it’s truly not possible to simply renovate and bring it up to standards, having a central green space downtown could benefit local businesses in the area and provide a leisurely break from the busy streets.
The best option right now for the council, which they have rightfully done, is to wait and see what is available. If there’s a can’t-beat-that offer available, maybe that’s the best option.
Proceed with caution, council.
CAPTION: The East entrance of Memorial Hall at 101 South Walnut in Downtown Hutchinson. CREDIT MICHAEL GLENN/THE HUTCHINSON TRIBUNE By Michael Glenn Caution signs: we’ve seen a lot recently. I live in South Hutchinson, so navigating the closed Woodie Seat Freeway and Main Street has caused me to
