Graphic courtesy of Blue Dragon Sports Information By John Mesh The 500th career victory for Hutchinson Community College women’s basketball coach John Ontjes did not come easily even though the final score says otherwise. The Hutchinson Blue Dragon men’s basketball team won its sixth straight game with a
Daniel Friesen represented District 3 on the Reno County Commission. He did not file for reelection in 2024 CREDIT RENO COUNTY By Emmie Boese Daniel Friesen is officially no longer a Reno County Commissioner. He represented District 3 on the commission and served for one term. He
Hutchinson City Manager Enrico Villegas delivers the 2025 State of The City address in the 1861 Club building on the Kansas State Fairgrounds on Jan. 15, 2025 CREDIT RICHARD SHANK By Richard Shank The largest crowd ever to attend a Chamber of Commerce breakfast in Hutchinson was
CAPTION: Dr. Paul Erickson, left, Michael Ellegood, Rylie Sanders and Cindy Couchman. CREDIT SAMANTHA NEILL
USD 313 announced Wednesday Buhler High School Agriculture Education teacher Rylie Sanders was awarded Kansas Horizon Award on Jan. 9.
That’s according to a press release issued by Buhler USD 313 and the Buhler High School Journalism Department.
Sanders received a call from Dr. Randy Watson, Kansas Commissioner of Education, congratulating her on this distinguished award.
Horizon nominees must be in their second year of full-time teaching. Nominees are selected by district and building administration. Only 32 teachers across Kansas who rise above other novice teachers earn this award.
Sanders was working through a lesson with her students when family members, colleagues and district administration members walked into her room. They came together to share the news of her award with her.
“I was joyed and surprised to see my biggest supporters from different areas of life all together – my husband, my parents, my colleagues, and my administrators,” Sanders said.
USD 313 Superintendent Cindy Couchman spoke highly of Sanders and her impact on others.
“We are so blessed to have Mrs. Sanders in our district. She is a phenomenal FFA sponsor and Ag teacher for us at Buhler. It is a testament to the hours and hours she puts into the Ag program and her students. She pours her heart into them,” Couchman said. h
Buhler High School Principal Michael Ellegood echoed Sanders’ impact at BHS.
“Mrs. Sanders is wise beyond her years,” Ellegood said. “She brings expertise. She isn’t afraid to ask the hard questions.”
Sanders will receive her award with the other Horizon educators on February 14, 2025 in Topeka at the Kansas Exemplary Educators Network annual conference.
“She is a joy to work with, she’s always got a smile on her face,” Ellegood said.
“I truly believe I chose the best place to start my teaching career. The support and encouragement provided by USD 313 and my colleagues in the Agricultural Education Department have been exceptional,” Sanders said.
CAPTION: Dr. Paul Erickson, left, Michael Ellegood, Rylie Sanders and Cindy Couchman. CREDIT SAMANTHA NEILL USD 313 announced Wednesday Buhler High School Agriculture Education teacher Rylie Sanders was awarded Kansas Horizon Award on Jan. 9. That's according to a press release issued by Buhler USD
By John Mesh The Hutchinson Salthawk boys and girls basketball teams finally hit the hardwood for the first time in 25 days (because of Christmas break and weather postponements) and swept the Valley Center Hornets Tuesday night at the Salthawk Activity Center. The Hutchinson varsity boys (4-1)
CAPTION: CREDIT HUTCHINSON NAACP By Emmie Boese The Hutchinson Community College Social Sciences department and the Human Relations office in partnership with the Hutchinson NAACP will host its annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration on Jan. 17-Jan. 20. All events for the celebration are open and
By Kate Irelan
Mega hit songwriters Nicolle Galyon and her husband Rodney Clawson, along with a few of their friends, will be performing live at the Fox Theatre this Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
The concert, “Nicolle Galyon & Friends,” is a fundraiser for the Firstborn Fund, a benefit to help out people and the community in her hometown, Sterling, Kansas.
According to a Fox Theatre press release, Galyon is an award-winning songwriter with hits including Miranda Lambert’s “Automatic” and Dan + Shay’s “Tequila.” Galyon’s most recent EP (extended play) release is “Second Wife.” Prior to “Second Wife, Galyon released an artist debut, “Firstborn.” She founded the female-focused label and publishing house, Songs & Daughters.
Clawson is a mega-hit songwriter who has written nearly 30 number-one hit songs including some recorded by George Strait, Luke Bryan and Kenny Chesney.
The show promises to be a special evening with Will Bundy (2024 CMA Award winner for producing the Musical Event of the Year: Ella Langley and Riley Green’s smash hit, “You Look Like You Love Me”), Lauren Watkins (Big Loud / Songs & Daughters), Logan Mize and Jill Martin (The Mizes) performing, and Morgan Huelsman (Bobby Bones Show) hosting.
Tickets for the show can be purchased on the Fox Theatre’s ovationtix website. VIP tickets are $100, and are available on a first-come first served basis. VIP tickets include a seat in the first four rows and a meet and greet with the performers. Regular seating tickets range from $35 to $65. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. and the show begins at 7:30 p.m.
The Fox Theatre is located at 18 East First Avenue in Hutchinson, Kansas. For more information visit the Fox Theatre website or call 620-663-5861. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
By Kate Irelan Mega hit songwriters Nicolle Galyon and her husband Rodney Clawson, along with a few of their friends, will be performing live at the Fox Theatre this Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The concert, “Nicolle Galyon & Friends,” is a fundraiser for the Firstborn Fund,
CAPTION: Commissioner Richard Winger is sworn in by Chief Judge Patricia Macke Dick Monday at the Reno County Courthouse. CREDIT SANDRA MILBURN/RENO COUNTY
By Michael Glenn
Commissioners Ron Vincent and Richard Winger were both sworn in Monday as Reno County’s newest commissioners.
Winger represents the fourth commission district and the only district completely within Hutchinson city limits. Winger said he is ready to get to work as commissioner and help the county grow.
“My goal is to make the county as efficient but have the services that all people expect, and also have a forward-looking perspective in trying to get businesses to move here, working with the city and infrastructure things that need to be done, trying to make Hutch a place people want to come and live in,” Winger said.
Winger has lived in Hutchinson for over 50 years and has four children and 13 grandchildren. Winger ran as a Republican and has not held a political office before, but did work in the Reno County Maintenance/Facilities Department after retiring from the pool and spa industry. He now works at Hutchinson Community College.
Winger added he will also be connected with rural residents of the county and plans on attending town halls and meetings that are in rural areas.
“I appreciate everyone that participated in the election and the people that voted for me, but I want to be a good commissioner for the county,” Winger said. “I appreciate the people that work in the county and I’m looking forward to the next couple years.”
Vincent represents the third district which encompasses northeastern Hutchinson, Medora and Buhler.
“I became more interested in what was going on commission-wise, and that’s why I decided to run,” Vincent said. “I’m pretty interested in the way they spend money. They’ve had some projects in the past that I feel have gotten out of hand or were not very well planned. I’m really wanting to look into that.”
Vincent has lived his entire life in Hutchinson and owned a business before retiring two years ago. He said he wants to work to grow the county and Hutchinson as well as increase the amount of businesses in the county.
Vincent said even though he ran as a Republican, he has no political agenda he wants to push while on the commission. He said he wants to focus only on growing revenue and population in the county.
Commissioner Ron Hirst also won re-election in November and was sworn in for a third term.
Winger, Vincent and Hirst will join Commission Chair Randy Parks and Vice Chair Don Bogner to make up the commission. All five are Republicans.
Other county officials sworn in Monday include Reno County Sheriff Darrian Campbell, Reno County Register of Deeds Michelle Updegrove, Reno County Clerk Jenna Fager, Reno County, District Attorney Thomas Stanton, Reno County District Court Judge, Dist. 27 Div. II Keith Schroeder, Reno County Magistrate Judge, Dist. 27 Jeff Newsum and District Court Judge, Dist. 27, Div. IV Greg Bell.
CAPTION: Commissioner Richard Winger is sworn in by Chief Judge Patricia Macke Dick Monday at the Reno County Courthouse. CREDIT SANDRA MILBURN/RENO COUNTY By Michael Glenn Commissioners Ron Vincent and Richard Winger were both sworn in Monday as Reno County’s newest commissioners. Winger represents the fourth commission district
By John Mesh The Hutchinson Trinity Catholic boys basketball team defeated Marion 68-64 for its first victory of the season Monday night and Marion defeated Trinity 52-16 in the varsity girls game. The Trinity Catholic girls and boys basketball teams hosted Marion Monday night at the Trinity
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 Emmie Boese In relation to the Hutchinson Clinic’s decision to terminate its in-network contract with Blue Cross
