CAPTION: Kansas House of Representatives District 104 Paul Waggoner (left) and District 102 Kyler Sweely (right) talked about a variety of topics from questions from the audience at the first legislative forum of the year. the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce is hosting three
CAPTION: The Hutchinson Fire Department responded to a structure fire Wednesday afternoon. CREDIT HFD
The Hutchinson Fire Department responded to 228 West B. Ave for the report of a structure fire Wednesday afternoon, according to a press release issued by the department.
First arriving crews found a 2.5-story multi-family residence with heavy smoke and fire showing from the first and second floors. Crews attempted an aggressive interior attack through the front entry and were met with excessive storage conditions and high heat. Crews were able to find a large area of fire and started extinguishment. As more crews arrived on scene, the fire escalated and entered the attic. All crews were removed from the interior of the structure and a defensive attack ensued. Crews used aerial operations and multiple handlines to get the fire under control.
The fire was considered controlled in 1.5 hours.
Seven people and multiple dogs occupied the home. Four were home at the time of the fire. Four of the occupants were seen by Reno County EMS, one of which had minor medical concerns. No firefighter injuries were noted.
An investigation of the fire showed that a space heater started the fire, The home is a total loss displacing all 7 occupants. Red Cross provided assistance.
HFD crews worked in single-digit temperatures for multiple hours. HFD appreciates the kind help from neighbors who stepped up and assisted with warm drinks.
HFD reminds homeowners to make sure that all space heaters have a three-foot clear area to operate in and that the home’s electrical system is capable of handling the power draw.
CAPTION: The Hutchinson Fire Department responded to a structure fire Wednesday afternoon. CREDIT HFD The Hutchinson Fire Department responded to 228 West B. Ave for the report of a structure fire Wednesday afternoon, according to a press release issued by the department. First arriving crews found a
By John Mesh The Hutchinson Community College women and the Blue Dragon men both struggled on the road Wednesday night against Cowley College. The 8th-ranked Hutchinson Blue Dragon women lost to Cowley College 70-60 and the Blue Dragon men lost to the 8th-ranked Cowley College men 87-71
CAPTION: February 20 Third Thursday in Hutchinson is canceled. CREDIT HUTCH REC THIRD THURSDAY
By Kate Irelan
The Hutch Rec’s February Third Thursday activities for February 20 have been canceled due to dangerously low winter temperatures. But Hutch Rec Arts and Humanities Coordinator Jacelyn Chambers says “Don’t worry, we’ll be back bigger and better in March.”
According to the Hutch Rec website, the theme for Third Thursday in March will be Developmental Awareness Month. The evening will be a collaboration with TECH and Disability Supports. The Facebook post says, “Dive into a world where creativity knows no bounds, featuring interactive art, live performances, and community connections. Together, let’s honor abilities, foster inclusion, and spark imagination, infinitely.”
To learn more about Third Thursday, visit the Hutch Rec website, https://www.hutchrec.com/third-thursday/ , call (620) 663-6179, or visit their Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/ThirdThursdayHutch
CAPTION: February 20 Third Thursday in Hutchinson is canceled. CREDIT HUTCH REC THIRD THURSDAY By Kate Irelan The Hutch Rec’s February Third Thursday activities for February 20 have been canceled due to dangerously low winter temperatures. But Hutch Rec Arts and Humanities Coordinator Jacelyn Chambers says “Don’t
By Michael Glenn Hutchinson USD 308 does not plan on modifying the school calendar for the remainder of the school year in the event of additional inclement weather days where school is called off. USD 308 Director of Communications, Marketing & Public Relations Stacy Goss said any
CAPTION: Director of Parks and Facilities for the City of Hutchinson Justin Combs presenting to council regarding the recommendation for approval of an agreement for $18,053.00 with Garver LLC for the conceptual design and cost estimate for the constriction of a new park at the
The Hutchinson Tribune has entered into negotiations with Kansas Publishing Ventures to secure the Tribune’s future and ensure its longstanding health after its co-founder leaves for college in the fall.
Michael Glenn, a Trinity Catholic High School student and co-founder of the Hutchinson Tribune, reached out to Kansas Publishing Ventures Majority Owners Joey and Lindsey Young when he and Gina Long originally launched the Tribune a few years ago.
Glenn and Long, a research librarian, have been running the Tribune part-time and growing its audience since the summer of 2023. Both have been featured in Editor & Publisher magazine, the “Hatteberg’s People” television show, KCUR radio, Spectrum News and other outlets for their leadership in seeing a need in their community and tackling it head-on with the Tribune.
“Joey and Lindsey have been excellent mentors in journalism, and they are some of the most trusted people I know in this industry,” Glenn said. “As I step back from Hutch to pursue a college education, the Youngs and KPV will ensure Hutchinson has a locally owned newspaper that advocates for its community.”
Joey and Lindsey Young are both Reno County natives—Joey a 2003 graduate of Buhler High School and Lindsey a 2002 graduate of Haven High School. They are extremely interested in making sure quality journalism continues in Hutchinson.
“Lots of folks in Hutch know I have wanted to do something here from the day I found out Gatehouse was purchasing The Hutchinson News,” Joey said. “I worked at The News for a couple of years, know how good that paper once was, and I look forward to expanding on what Michael and Gina have started with the Tribune and hope we can ensure Hutchinson never goes without quality local journalism ever again.”
Kansas Publishing Ventures started a newspaper to compete with a private-equity-owned legacy newspaper in Newton 10 years ago, so they know what it takes to compete and thrive in a competitive media market.
“There are a lot of things I wish we would have known when we launched in Newton,” Joey said. “We are going into this Hutchinson project with our eyes fully open about what it takes to start and maintain a publication. Those experiences launching in Newton will only make our Hutchinson venture that much stronger.”
Hutchinson native Jackson Swearer will be a co-owner and the publication’s publisher when the purchase is complete in May.
“Local ownership is important to us and to Michael and Gina, so if we were going to enter into negotiations, we wanted to make sure the public knew we had someone locally with skin in the game who was going to be involved at an intimate level,” Joey said.
“After several rewarding years working alongside business owners across Reno County, I’m eager to dive into this exciting entrepreneurial venture this summer,” Swearer said. “Local journalism offers a powerful way to deepen my commitment to serving Hutchinson and Reno County, helping build a more informed and connected community.”
The transition is planned to begin in May, with Glenn staying on through the summer to lead editorial operations before going off to college in the fall.
“Readers, subscribers and supporters of The Tribune should look to the future with hope and excitement, as I am,” Glenn said. “While change can be difficult, I firmly believe Hutchinson’s publication will only improve as time goes on”
Kansas Publishing Ventures has been featured in Editor & Publisher’s “10 Publishers that do it Right,” on PBS’s “Market-To-Market,” by Spectrum News, and in several trade journals as an example of what can be done with quality local ownership in a media market. Joey and Lindsey regularly travel the country to speak at state press associations about their experience in rural journalism.
“Michael and Gina have done an amazing thing in Hutchinson already,” Joey said. “We want to bring resources, our expertise and a full-time effort to growing what they have started in our hometown.”
Joey and Lindsey both spend a lot of time in Hutchinson, with both their families and lots of friends located in Reno County. Joey’s parents own Scuttlebutt’s Coffee in the Clayworks in Hutchinson. Lindsey’s parents are both retired and volunteer locally.
“Hutch is home,” Joey said. “Lindsey and I met at Hutchinson Community College. We eventually left Hutchinson to start a newspaper in Newton, because, at the time, Hutchinson had a great family-owned paper. There was no need for what we wanted to do at the time. Now there is, and we are excited that Michael and Gina trust us to take what they have started and shepherd it forward.”
“Launching a local publication in Newton has been so rewarding for us over the past decade,” Lindsey said. “We have such a passion for community journalism, and building a robust local news product in Hutchinson is such an exciting opportunity.”
If you are interested in getting in touch with Joey or Lindsey, you can reach them at joey@kspublishingventures.com and lindsey@kspublishingventures.com.
The Hutchinson Tribune has entered into negotiations with Kansas Publishing Ventures to secure the Tribune's future and ensure its longstanding health after its co-founder leaves for college in the fall. Michael Glenn, a Trinity Catholic High School student and co-founder of the Hutchinson Tribune, reached out
By John Mesh The Haven High School boys basketball team lost to Pratt 54-43 Monday night at Pratt. The Wildcats dropped to 16-2 and Pratt improved to 13-5. Nash Wray led the Haven boys with 16 points and 3 assists. Blake Richey had 10 points and 5 rebounds.
Sleep Shoppe & Furniture Gallery announced the closure of its physical storefront at 11 North Main St. in downtown Hutchinson and will transition to an online-only storefront. That's according to a press release issued by the Sleep Shoppe Tuesday, which said the furniture store has served
CAPTION: Hutchinson City Hall on Feb. 18, 2025. CREDIT CITY OF HUTCHINSON
By Kate Irelan
According to KWCH News, Hutchinson snowfall amounts on Feb. 18 totaled about 7 inches at 4:00 p.m. and snow was still falling.
Jake Matz, Street Supervisor for the City of Hutchinson, said that they’ve been monitoring the snowstorm and the snow removal has gone well to the degree that it can with the snow blowing like it is. They’ve been pushing as much snow as possible to maintain a driving lane so that people can somewhat get around in case of an emergency.
“With this storm, it’s more about maintaining the road and creating a driving lane,” said Matz. “Our new plans of approach are doing well, and we’ve been pushing as much snow as possible. We have been working through the night and into the day downtown, moving snow from the street and parking spaces with the small trucks. Now we are moving into residential areas.”
Matz says residents should stay off the roads as much as they can.
“We understand that not everyone gets off work because of the snow,” Matz said. “We are working hard to maintain the roads and keep a driving lane open. Currently, it is very hard for drivers to keep from getting stuck. There is not a lot we can do to keep roads passable, especially with the snow still coming down. We are trying to do as much as we can do.”
“We are hoping the snow ends around 6:00 p.m. but there is a chance it could continue to fall in the night. We hope that doesn’t happen. We are running trucks around the clock with plows. We will continue to push off as much snow as we can. When the snow stops, and we’ve moved as much snow as possible, then maybe we will salt the roads.”
Matz said, “When the temperature is much under 15 degrees, salt loses its effectiveness. A lot of what we do in winter storms is reactionary. If a sunny day is predicted and temperatures are higher, we can put salt down. We are looking for when the snow stops if we can shift to clearing the road and keeping it clear. We adjust as needed in the moment to keep things as safe as possible.”
“What we are doing differently this year is addressing residential roads. Each run of residential roads takes 14 to 18 hours, and it takes a lot of time, but we do think it helps to get people to the main roads. We are trying new blades and tactics and hoping we are met with a good response.”
Matz said that not much has changed with the plan of using large trucks and arterial routes.
“Sometimes finding which tactic works best. With the last storm, we had with ice before the snow, salt worked best. For this storm, using salt could create an ice pack underneath the snow. We are trying to nail down the best tactics for the storm we have. In addition, there is residual salt left on the roads from the previous storm.”
“The city workers are excited about the progress they make with this new plan. “They have high morale, and are happy to come in and fight this storm for their city,” said Matz.
If you have questions or concerns for the City of Hutchinson streets, call 620-694-1900.
CAPTION: Hutchinson City Hall on Feb. 18, 2025. CREDIT CITY OF HUTCHINSON By Kate Irelan According to KWCH News, Hutchinson snowfall amounts on Feb. 18 totaled about 7 inches at 4:00 p.m. and snow was still falling. Jake Matz, Street Supervisor for the City of Hutchinson, said
