By John Mesh The Hutchinson varsity girls soccer team rallied from a 2-1 halftime deficit to defeat Valley Center 3-2 in double overtime Tuesday at the Salthawk Soccer Complex. The Salthawks’ Rhyan Galyon scored the game-winning goal with 15 seconds left in the second overtime. Galyon scored
CAPTION: Reno County schools superintendents answered questions at a forum organized by Women for Kansas at Hutchinson Community College Shears Technology Center on Monday, April 21. Left to Right: Dr. Dawn Johnson (USD308), Curtis Nightingale (USD309), Craig Idacavage (USD312), and Cindy Couchman (USD313). By Kate Irelan At
The Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce is hosting its final legislative forum for the 2025 Kansas State Legislative Session. The forum will take place at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 26, at the Stringer Fine Arts Center at Hutchinson Community College. The Reno County legislators invited to participate
CAPTION: Claire Foy (left) and Beth Southern (right) visit during a Rotary luncheon at Monday noon at Hutchinson Community College before addressing the organization on Earth Day activities. CREDIT RICHARD SHANK By Richard Shank 2021 may have been the peak of a worldwide pandemic that has come
By John Mesh Saltcity Racing's “Kids Night 2025 Season Opener,” sponsored by B&B Hydraulics, is slated for Friday. The first races will feature the Heartland Modified Tour and the United Rebel Sprint Car Series. The two classes competing are IMCA RaceSaver Sprint Car URSS United Rebel Sprint
By Gina Long
The Reno County Commission will hear budget requests from the county extension office, drug court, Horizons Mental Health and TECH during its meeting this Wednesday.
Additional items on the agenda include new 2026 solid waste fees at the Reno County Landfill and more discussion regarding solar regulations in the county’s unzoned areas.
Developer Jim Strawn will present a request for funding assistance towards lowering the purchase costs of new houses under construction near Plum Creek Elementary School.
The commissioners will discuss the Reno County Economic Development Strategic Plan and determine if the county wants to contribute funds to the plan, and, if so, the amount.
The commission will recognize Cindy Martin, who is retiring from the Reno County Clerk’s office.
The Reno County Commission meets on the second, fourth and fifth Wednesday of each month, beginning at 9 a.m. in the Veterans Room in the Reno County Courthouse.
The meeting agenda and supporting documents are available on the Reno County website here.
By Gina Long The Reno County Commission will hear budget requests from the county extension office, drug court, Horizons Mental Health and TECH during its meeting this Wednesday. Additional items on the agenda include new 2026 solid waste fees at the Reno County Landfill and more discussion
By Michael Glenn
TECH will be hosting its annual Main Street Hops for Tech event in Downtown Hutchinson Friday, April 25.
Participants will be able to sample beers and appetizers from 16 different venues downtown from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and winners will be announced for best appetizer of the evening.
Director of Marketing and Development for TECH, KT Gates, said the event will also feature art completed by TECH artists.
“I think it’s a really good way to get some exposure to new things that may be happening in our downtown businesses and checking out the art we have at TECH. It’s an evening out in Downtown Hutch,” Gates said.
All participants will also be entered into a raffle, with the winners receiving two tickets to TECH’s annual gala held in the Fall.
Tickets are still available as of April 21 and are $50. All participants must be 21 years of age or older, and those interested in purchasing tickets can visit TECH’s event website here.
By Michael Glenn TECH will be hosting its annual Main Street Hops for Tech event in Downtown Hutchinson Friday, April 25. Participants will be able to sample beers and appetizers from 16 different venues downtown from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and winners will be announced for
By John Mesh The Buhler High School boys tennis team captured second place at the 11-team McPherson Invitational Saturday, just 5 points behind first-place Manhattan. In a 20-player singles draw, Buhler’s Davian Spies reached the finals for the fourth consecutive year, coming up just short in the
From the NJCAA and Blue Dragon Sports Hutchinson Community College Sports Information Director Steve Carpenter has been named SID of the Year by the NJCAA. Carpenter is in his 21st year as the Sports Information Director for the Hutchinson Blue Dragons and is the only SID Hutchinson
By Richard Shank
The Salt City got an early start Saturday in observing Earth Day, with a 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. event called “Party for the Planet” held at the Hutchinson Zoo.
Earth Day events worldwide are slated for Tuesday, April 22, the 35th anniversary of the first observance held on this date in 1970. Today, nearly 200 countries, with a combined population of over one billion people, participate in Earth Day.
Its website defines Earth Day as an annual event to demonstrate support for environmental protection.
Not even a cool Saturday morning could dampen the spirits of parents and young children walking around the nine-acre zoo, visiting with representatives of local organizations and attractions. The 160 animals that call the zoo home seemed attentive to the weekend visitors and appeared to be enjoying their company.
Sierra Wood, Education Coordinator for the zoo, dubbed the event an opportunity to celebrate our ecosystem, which, as she said, “Makes Hutchinson awesome.”
Local groups set up tables throughout the zoo to discuss their programs, including the Dillon Nature Center. A handout pamphlet describes the center as an attraction with “beautiful gardens, bronze sculpture, and nature-themed art exhibits.” Those wishing to view nature in its purest form are invited to take the walking trails, open daily from dawn to dusk.
Amy Johnson, Youth Outreach Coordinator for the Hutchinson Public Library, said the library works closely with area schools and touted the organization’s summer programs.
Stepheni Phillips, a beekeeper with Nickerbee Farms near Nickerson, was on hand marketing honey products, including soap and candles.
Pat Droste, a representative of the 52-member Master Gardener Club of Hutchinson, was available to invite locals to the annual 2025 Garden Tour, slated for Saturday, June 14, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Droste said she hopes the event will spark a conversation about planting garden plants.
A table attracting considerable attention explained the zoo’s program to rehabilitate injured wildlife. Jaisman Travelbee, a representative from the zoo, spoke with passion about a program believed to be the largest of its kind in Kansas. “During 2025, the Hutchinson Zoo rehabilitated 830 rescued wildlife,” Travelbee said. “The species and animals treated included gray horned owls, fox puppies, squirrels, birds, possums and others.”
“Treatments included everything from broken bones to hydration issues,” she continued.
Travelbee said all services are without charge, but donations are accepted. “In some situations, we assess the situation and decide no treatment is needed,” Travelbee said.
When the rehabilitation is completed, animals and birds are released back into their natural habitat, which may be a field in the country or even Carey Park.
The six-hour event offered something for everyone. For party enthusiasts, one could pick up a paper party hat. Photographer Molly Foster displayed high-quality pictures she had taken of birds and wildlife, which were offered for sale.
One participating organization, Hutch in Harmony, may not have discussed topics such as gardening and wildlife preservation, but it did have a message urging everyone to work together as a team.
Hutch Harmony’s mission and vision state: “We encourage community bridge-building through advocacy, empowerment, and multi-faceted strategic impact that is productive of social justice. We envision a vibrant, inclusive community where all residents can find empowerment and belonging, free from exploitative systems and discrimination.”
One Hutchonian said attendance at the Party for the Planet reaffirmed the city has a long list of organizations that work tirelessly for the good of the community—a true testimonial for what happened on Saturday.
Jaisman Travelbee from the Hutchinson Zoo explains the zoo’s program to treat injured wildlife and return them to their normal habitat during Party for The Planet on Apr. 19, 2025 CREDIT RICHARD SHANK By Richard Shank The Salt City got an early start Saturday in observing Earth
