CAPTION: Fr. Will Stuever begins the Jan. 29, 2025 Kansas Senate chamber proceedings with an invocation and prayer for all Kansans. CREDIT AMBROSE PENNYCUFF/TRINITY CATHOLIC YEARBOOK DEPARTMENT By Michael Glenn TOPEKA - A local priest began the 2025 Kansas Day Celebrations in the Kansas State Senate Chamber
By Gina Long
When Michael and I collaborate on scheduling articles and assembling the following morning’s newsletter every Saturday evening, Michael leaves a placeholder for my editorial: “Opinion: Gina yells at something.”
I don’t generally yell at things, so when I ask Michael his opinion, his response is often prefaced with a deep sigh and a resigned, “We have very different ideas of what constitutes an editorial.”
But I will yell this week because I am more than annoyed — I am fed up, tired, and asking community leaders to take action.
My fellow Hutchonians, I beseech you:
STOP RUNNING RED LIGHTS
People who blast through red lights often cause t-bone accidents, resulting in totaled cars, expensive medical care, and higher community police, fire and EMS response costs.
Red light runners are so common now that I expect them at nearly every controlled intersection.
On Friday, I took my dog to the dog park. I followed 17th Ave to Severance, turned south, and continued across Avenue G to the park. On the 5-minute drive, I saw vehicles blast through 17th and Plum (turning left through a red light, cutting off cross traffic) and at 4th and Severance. On the way back, we went through Carey Park and north on Main St. In that ten-minute drive, someone with a phone plastered to their ear blasted eastbound at Avenue A. A lady in a van didn’t hesitate to continue through an obvious red light westbound at 4th, and a pickup somehow avoided causing a collision at 5th. At 11th, a van slammed on its brakes as another pickup blew through a light that turned while he was half a block away.
The runners were a mix of young and older, male and female, and each drove a pickup or SUV.
Granted, this is just one afternoon of observation. I compile the police blotter weekly and see a trend of increasingly dangerous intersections.
The Hutchinson Police Department can’t be everywhere, making consistent traffic enforcement difficult.
I propose more punitive measures, beginning with increasing the fines and then doubling the amount for causing an accident and tripling for multiple offenses, much like the more strict punishments for driving while impaired. I don’t know how much leeway local governments have for setting fine amounts or imposing more creative punishments.
Mandatory restitution for vehicle repair or replacement, as well as medical expenses and costs associated with first responders, should be included.
If a vehicle can be towed for an expired registration or insurance, surely it can be impounded until fines and restitution are fully paid or on a payment schedule.
Parents should be held legally and financially responsible for their minor children’s observance of traffic laws.
I encourage everyone to purchase and install a dash camera, preferably one that takes video when detecting a bump for those hit-and-run drivers who seem to have taken over most parking lots. Video evidence can help prove who is at fault in an accident, saving victims from higher insurance premiums.
Car insurance is getting crazy expensive because of the skyrocketing number of accidents caused by distracted drivers and red-light runners. It will take a community effort to mitigate those risks, starting with paying attention and obeying traffic control signals. Those who refuse to follow traffic laws need reminders that driving is a privilege, not a right.
By Gina Long When Michael and I collaborate on scheduling articles and assembling the following morning's newsletter every Saturday evening, Michael leaves a placeholder for my editorial: "Opinion: Gina yells at something." I don't generally yell at things, so when I ask Michael his opinion, his response
By Dan Deming
A special to The Hutchinson Tribune
Country singer/songwriter Loretta Lynn was 90 years old when she died just three years ago but her music came alive Friday night at Hutchinsons’ Fox Theatre. For those who enjoy traditional, classic, original-style country songs, there was no disappointment.
But I would argue the best part of a tribute concert to Loretta was when the second half opened with a fascinating historical accounting of how her original band got together to back up Lynn, some staying like lead guitarist Dave Thornhill for 55 years and more than 10,000 concerts.
Among his recollections was a mid-70s appearance by Loretta and the Coalminers at the Kansas State Fair. Of all the concerts Thornhill played, only a few, he said, including Hutchinson, stand out. That’s because a young George Strait opened for Loretta and was so popular with the audience that he returned to the grandstand stage for five encores, something the band has never seen since.
It was that kind of storytelling by Thornhill that enthralled the Fox audience before Emily Portman and the mostly still original Coalminers returned for the second half of music. Portman also personally knew Lynn and received a family endorsement to recreate and promote her songs on stage after originally helping recreate a tour featuring Conway Twitty, who Lynn often joined with. Her recreation of Loretta was near perfect, as were the five Coalminers, along with a veteran woman backup singer.
Loretta Lynn was a risk taker in the ’50s and ’60s, creating songs that some radio stations refused to play. While no longer “daring” today, vocals like “I Want You out of My Head and into My Bed” and “Don’t Come Home Drinkin’ With Lovin’ On Your Mind” were considered scandalous in those days of country music.
Lynn’s popularity over 6 decades came despite having four children by the time she was 20 and 48 years in an up-and-down marriage to a man she called “Doo” Lynn.
While two of the older Coalminers had to play either their guitar or keyboard sitting, they all looked fancy and stylish (unlike the sloppy appearance of many of today’s popular entertainers) in black tuxes complimented by red bow-ties. The second half of the music seemed more receptive because it included more of Always Loretta’s hit songs.
Overall, for those who don’t get to see and hear much classic country music, it was another well-researched and well-presented Fox concert. Garrison Keillors’ appearance on February 28th is close to being sold out, and don’t miss an evening of great Broadway and Jersey Boys era popular songs on March 21st when The Barricade Boys” come to town.
Always Loretta, featuring Emily Portman and the original Coalminers, playing the classic songs of Loretta Lynn CREDIT By Dan DemingA special to The Hutchinson Tribune Country singer/songwriter Loretta Lynn was 90 years old when she died just three years ago but her music came alive Friday
CAPTION: This cheesy Italian sausage potato chowder comes together easily and will warm you down to the tips of your toes. By Lindsey Young Editor’s Note: This column was first published on Jan. 28, 2016. Is it summer yet? I’m in need of some serious sun and some
Graphic courtesy of Blue Dragon Sports Information By John Mesh The No. 6-ranked Hutchinson Community College women’s basketball team posted its fourth-straight victory with a 90-49 victory over the Independence Pirates Saturday afternoon at the Hutchinson Sports Arena. The Hutchinson CC Blue Dragon men’s basketball team lost to
CAPTION: The Hutchinson Fire Department and Hutchinson Police Department at the scene of a fire that took place Saturday morning. Crews were still on the scene at roughly 12:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon. CREDIT MICHAEL GLENN/THE HUTCHINSON TRIBUNE
At 3:22 a.m. Saturday morning, the Hutchinson Fire Department was dispatched to the 1000 Block of East 3rd to a report of a structure fire with possible people trapped.
While en route, dispatch advised a neighbor notified the house was on fire and there were people in the basement. Hutchinson Police Department arrived on the scene and found one juvenile standing out front of the residence and they transferred care directly to EMS who was on scene.
First arriving fire crews found smoke coming from the 900 sq ft single-family residence. They initiated an aggressive interior fire attack and search operation. Crews were immediately met with a hole in the first floor. They were able to navigate to the interior stairwell and made entry into the basement where they found 3 victims and the fire. Crews worked diligently to remove all three victims from the basement as the stairwell had been compromised due to fire.
The fire was considered controlled shortly after. Two of the victims, one adult and one juvenile, were found deceased and 2, one adult and one juvenile, were transported to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center. The incident is still under investigation in collaboration with Kansas State Fire Marshals Office.
At this time any inquiries can be directed through the Hutchinson Police Department. There will be Hutchinson Fire and Hutchinson Police presence at the site for an extended period of time for investigation purposes.
This case is still under investigation. If you have any information regarding it, please contact Reno County Crime Stoppers or call Hutchinson Police Department 620-694-2816 and reference case number 2025-4633.
We would like to thank Hutchinson Reno County Emergency Communications, Reno County EMS, Kansas State Fire Marshalls Office, Kansas Gas, Evergy, Hutchinson Public Works, and Hutchinson Animal Control Officers.
CAPTION: The Hutchinson Fire Department and Hutchinson Police Department at the scene of a fire that took place Saturday morning. Crews were still on the scene at roughly 12:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon. CREDIT MICHAEL GLENN/THE HUTCHINSON TRIBUNE At 3:22 a.m. Saturday morning, the Hutchinson Fire Department
CAPTION: The CEDBR-Wichita State economic outlook conference is on Tuesday, Feb. 4 from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Crystal Ballroom at The Burt. The conference is a partnership between CEDBR and the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce. CREDIT EMMIE BOESE By Emmie Boese The CEDBR economic outlook
By John Mesh The Hutchinson Salthawk girls basketball team will play McPherson for third in place in the 30th annual Mid-American Girls Classic Saturday. The Salthawks (6-4) lost to Olathe South 49-19 and Manhattan defeated McPherson 48-38 Friday night in the tournament semifinals at the McPherson Roundhouse. Hutchinson
CAPTION: Giant Laundry at 5th and Adams in Hutchinson was purchased this week by Rob and Jill Garrett, owners of Busy Bee Laundry. Plans are to remodel the building to expand their community laundry services and add commercial services. The Garretts expect the remodeling to
By Michael Glenn
The Reno County Health Department issued a statement Wednesday about the recent outbreak of tuberculosis in the Kansas City, Kansas, area.
“Tuberculosis is a treatable disease that has been around for centuries,” the release wrote. “Active TB is contagious, but latent TB cannot be spread and doesn’t have any symptoms. There are normally a handful of cases each year here in Reno County and the health department follows each case to ensure treatment protocols are followed.”
The department said the outbreak in Wyandotte County poses a low risk of spreading beyond the area and into Reno County. Testing is available for TB but no vaccine is available.
“If you are concerned about an exposure to TB or have more questions, please contact your medical provider, or contact the Reno County Health Department at 620-694-2900,” the release wrote.
By Michael Glenn The Reno County Health Department issued a statement Wednesday about the recent outbreak of tuberculosis in the Kansas City, Kansas, area. “Tuberculosis is a treatable disease that has been around for centuries,” the release wrote. “Active TB is contagious, but latent TB cannot be
