By John Mesh No. 20 Monroe University upset No. 13 Chipola College, Fla. 79-78 in the third game of the NJCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament Saturday night at the Hutchinson Sports Arena. Four first-round games were played Saturday. It was the first time the NJCAA men’s
By Gina Long
Mr. Glenn visited Topeka this week to speak with Hutchinson’s elected officials. Results were mixed; you can read about his experiences in his opinion column.
I have been tuning in periodically to see if the legislature will take any action on property tax relief.
Not surprisingly, more hot air than ideas floated around the Statehouse.
Some ideas are currently in play, though.
The first proposes a constitutional change. Per HCR 5011’s text, “Proposing to amend section 1 of article 11 of the constitution of the state of Kansas to provide that valuations of residential property, commercial and industrial real property and mobile homes personal property shall be determined based on the lesser of the fair market value or the average fair market value.”
The bill’s history and textual changes can be viewed here on the legislature’s website.
Mainly, Wichita and Johnson County senators introduced the virtually identical SCR 1603.
If a 2/3 majority in both chambers passes this bill, all Kansas voters will have the opportunity to vote for or against it.
Representative Blake Carpenter of Derby introduced HCR 5014, “Proposing to amend article 11 of the constitution of the state of Kansas by adding a new section establishing the freedom from taxes fund, establishing the Kansas Citizens Freedom Review Board, authorizing the board to review tax exemptions and approve or eliminate such exemptions and eliminating the state-imposed property taxes and income and privilege taxes.”
Introduced on March 14, the resolution seeks to replace taxation with an unspecified fund referred to as a “sovereign fund,” which would function similarly to an endowment. The proposal is very thin on details about how such a massive hoard would be accumulated, which would presumably generate enough yearly revenue to replace property, income and sales taxes.
There is no mention of proper oversight and who would make asset-balancing decisions. Those who remember the shiny packaged economic bombs called subprime mortgages that triggered the most significant economic crisis since the Great Depression should be very wary of this proposal.
HB 2011, introduced on January 15, proposed decreasing the ad valorem tax rate imposed by a school district. Shortly afterward, that bill disappeared quietly.
While researching background information for this column, I came across the Tax Foundation’s web page, a nonpartisan tax policy analysis group. I didn’t review all the website’s information, but I did find an article analyzing Kansas’s property valuation system and the potential effects of policy changes. The author advocates for a levy limit and discusses the impacts of that versus limits on valuations. The article link is here if you wish to read more.
As we near the end of a very short legislative session which will be remembered more for posturing, virtue signaling, bullying and trashing the First Amendment than a serious effort to effect positive change in the lives of everyday Kansans, I am left staring at my property tax bill and wondering if there is anyone left in Reno County who represents working-class homeowners.
By Gina Long Mr. Glenn visited Topeka this week to speak with Hutchinson's elected officials. Results were mixed; you can read about his experiences in his opinion column. I have been tuning in periodically to see if the legislature will take any action on property tax relief. Not
CAPTION: Making red wine braised beef is a bit of a labor of love, but the rich flavors and tender vegetables produced by this recipe make it well worth the effort. By Lindsey Young Several years ago, my parents gifted me with a gorgeous, red braising pot. It’s
By Michael Glenn
To begin Spring Break this year, I went to Topeka. Going to our statehouse is something that I try to do at least once a state legislative session.
I’ve always been a preacher of government accountability and transparency: it’s important to have watchdogs who keep our government officials to their word– or at least let you know when they don’t.
If you read my statehouse coverage this year, you may have realized it was a bit lighter than in years past. For the two days I was there I was only able to write a few pieces. I wanted to write more, but there simply wasn’t much going on at the statehouse those days.
You also may have realized that there wasn’t any comment from one of Reno County’s legislators. That representative was Kyler Sweely.
Before I drove up to Topeka on Sunday, I messaged all of the legislators I knew I wanted to get an interview with: Rep. Paul Waggoner, Sen. Michael Murphy and Sweely. I wanted to give them enough time to carve out 10-15 minutes to talk to me.
Waggoner and Murphy both got back to me within a short period of time, and we had a productive and meaningful conversation, as shown in my stories. With Sweely, however, I’ll just show you the response I got.
Sweely didn’t have time to talk to me. In other words, Sweely didn’t have time to talk to you, the readers.
I still wanted to get comment from our representative, but I wasn’t going to chase him down. I figured my only shot would be to try and catch him walking in and out of the House convening to do business for the day.
When they were wrapping up, I headed down a side staircase to ensure I could catch him.
Boy, was I wrong!
He’s pretty fast, faster than I thought, because when I started walking down all I saw was him and Rep. Avery Anderson, a Newton Republican who helped him get elected and is a friend of his, strutting down another staircase.
He offered to have me email him while in Topeka. I didn’t think that was fair to you, readers. I drove two and a half hours to communicate in person with the people whose salaries we pay. An email just wasn’t going to cut it.
Here’s why email is bad:
Admittedly, I probably let Sweely email me his thoughts longer than I should have. I wanted to cut him slack since he was simply a candidate until January, but when I’m paying your salary, you better speak up.
Maybe I’m making a big mistake. Maybe he legitimately was busy. Let’s take a look at Sweely’s schedule for those days.
9 a.m.: Financial Institutions and Pensions Committee (sounds amusing): Meeting on Call of the Chair was the only business called for that day. That means they weren’t meeting. It wasn’t streamed on the Kansas Legislature’s YouTube either.
11 a.m.: House Calls into Session. I was there for this, and they recessed a little after Noon until 4 p.m.
1:30 p.m. Higher Education Budget Committee meeting. Meeting on Call of the Chair. Come on man, really? Again?
3:30 p.m. Judiciary Committee Hearing. I was personally there for this one, and they actually did do stuff.
Just from Monday’s schedule alone, it sounds like Sweely had a lot of free time to talk to one of the few remaining journalists from his district about issues that impact it. But, to no avail.
Every other legislator I wanted to talk to, I got ahold of. Waggoner and I probably spoke for 15 – 20 minutes about a number of policies that he either supported or didn’t. He told me why he supported or opposed those policies. I thanked him for his time and went on.
This is how it’s supposed to work.
I spoke with Murphy for probably around 10-15 minutes. He legitimately had a busy schedule, vice-chairing a committee and being on three others.
Rep. Kevin Schwertfeger, the rural representative for most of the county, spoke with me for 15-20 minutes as well. He brought up multiple pieces of legislation and information that he thought would be helpful to me because he believed that they would benefit his community.
From all of this, we see three legislators who understand that talking to the press is a part of their job. Three legislators took the time out of their day to speak with one of the few journalists remaining in their district.
Evidently, one of our new legislators hasn’t picked that up yet.
I’m disappointed in our legislator. I’m disappointed that he didn’t want to talk to me or let any of you know what he would like to do with the seat we elected him to.
Maybe we can change that. Here’s my challenge to you, the readers. I would like you to get a hold of Sweely in any way possible except by email. This can include a phone call to his office (785) 296-7695, a letter to his office (Room number 512-N) or a visit to his office if you find yourself in Topeka.
Let’s make sure we can hold our legislators accountable.
By Michael Glenn To begin Spring Break this year, I went to Topeka. Going to our statehouse is something that I try to do at least once a state legislative session. I’ve always been a preacher of government accountability and transparency: it’s important to have watchdogs who
By Richard Shank
Spring has sprung, and the Kansas State Fair is open for business to host non-fair events, including a Kentucky Derby party and the 20th annual “Boots and Bling” fundraising auction.
Coinciding with the actual Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs May 3 in Louisville, Kentucky, partygoers will gather in the 1861 Club on the Kansas State Fairgrounds for the first annual “Hats and Horses,” a fundraising event sponsored by the Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation (KFF).
Sponsorships are available for tables of 6 or 10, along with individual tickets for festivities scheduled to kick off at 4 p.m. and last as long as participants choose to stay.
Dubbed the “Newest Luxury Fundraising event,” “Hats and Horses” will include a Derby-inspired menu, Mint Juleps, with the actual race simulcasted on a big screen and 15 large television sets situated throughout the 1861 Club. Derby attire contests will be a part of the festivities, along with other ways to support and cheer on your favorite horses.
Interested parties should call the KFF at 620-615-7388, log on to the foundation’s website KsFairgroundsFoundation.org, or email to info@ksfgf.org.
Also, the 20th annual “Boots and Bling,” the foundation’s top fundraiser, is scheduled for August 9 in the Meadowlark Building. Approximately 700 attend the event each year, which includes a live and silent auction. Following the live auction, attendees are treated to food, drinks, live music, and a party. Table sponsorships and individual tickets are available.
More companies, organizations and individuals are booking the 1861 Club for events such as corporate meetings, retirement parties, wedding receptions, annual dinners, and graduation parties.
Nearly 600 non-fair events are held on the Kansas State Fairgrounds each year.
The proceeds from all Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation fundraisers are earmarked to support improvements to the Kansas State Fairgrounds. The foundation’s vision, established at the time of the organization’s inception, is to inspire excellence and understanding of the Kansas agriculture industry and culture through the Kansas State Fair. The 2025 Kansas State Fair opens at 11 a.m. on Friday, September 5.
The 1861 Club on the Kansas State Fairgrounds will host "Hats and Horses" Kentucky Derby party on May 3 and the 20th annual "Boots and Bling" fundraiser on Aug. 9 CREDIT RICHARD SHANK By Richard Shank Spring has sprung, and the Kansas State Fair is open for
By John Mesh The NJCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament will be held at the historic Hutchinson Sports Arena for the 77th consecutive year dating back to 1949. The NJCAA men’s basketball tournament schedule tips off Saturday with a new schedule. The tournament used to start on
CAPTION: CREDIT CITY OF HUTCHINSON
The City of Hutchinson is beginning road construction on 30th Avenue Monday, March 24, and will be closing a portion of the street.
The City will begin a roadway improvement project on W 30th Street between N Main St and N Adams. The project will involve the removal of the existing road, curb and gutter on the north side of 30th Street. The road will be narrowed to create space for a new multi-use trail along the north side.
In addition to removing the old road infrastructure, crews will install a new base, asphalt pavement, curb and gutter and pavement markings, and perform grading in the affected areas. This work will help improve both the safety and accessibility of the street for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers.
During construction, thru traffic will be closed between Main and Adams streets. Motorists are advised to follow the posted detour route via 17th Avenue, Monroe Street, and Main Street. Residents will have access to 30th Street, but there will be lane changes, lane reductions, and active construction in the area.
The closure of thru traffic will begin Monday, March 24th, and the project is expected to last approximately seven weeks. Drivers and pedestrians are encouraged to use caution and follow all detour signs in place during construction.
CAPTION: CREDIT CITY OF HUTCHINSON The City of Hutchinson is beginning road construction on 30th Avenue Monday, March 24, and will be closing a portion of the street. The City will begin a roadway improvement project on W 30th Street between N Main St and N Adams.
CAPTION: The scene of a fire Friday morning at the 200 Block of West 15th Ave. CREDIT HFD
The Hutchinson Fire Department received a call for a possible structure fire in the 200 Block of West 15th Avenue in Hutchinson at 3:48 a.m. Friday.
While en route, dispatch advised HFD of possible victims inside the structure. Upon arrival, the crew found a 1 ½ story residential structure that was fully involved with multiple exposures that consisted of residential homes. Crews completed Vent Enter Search operations in the survivable space that was left. Crews then quickly initiated a defensive attack on the structure involved and started exposure protection on the two residential structures.
The two residential exposures sustained moderate damage and were saved. The fire was considered controlled 1.5 hours after arrival. One victim was located inside the structure. HFD Structural Collapse personnel brought in special equipment to shore up a load-bearing wall and secure a chimney before personnel were allowed into the structure to remove the victim and complete the extinguishment. Hutchinson Public Works Department brought in a loader to assist in the removal of debris to assist in the process of victim removal.
The initial structure is a complete loss. The 2 residential exposures were damaged but remain habitable. The initial structure was occupied by 1 adult and 1 dog, both deceased. The 2 exposures were also occupied at the time of the fire. No firefighter injuries were reported.
The HFD fire investigator and the State Fire Marshal are currently investigating to determine the cause and origin. A medical examiner from Wichita has also been brought in to assist. Crews will remain on scene for multiple hours.
HFD asks residents to avoid the area. The cause of the fire is currently undetermined.
CAPTION: The scene of a fire Friday morning at the 200 Block of West 15th Ave. CREDIT HFD The Hutchinson Fire Department received a call for a possible structure fire in the 200 Block of West 15th Avenue in Hutchinson at 3:48 a.m. Friday. While en
By Emmie Boese
“Lucky Duck: At the mall, in the 80s, with a dog” is a crime-fiction novel by Mike Garretson. Garretson, a Salina resident and retired middle school Language Arts and Social Studies teacher, put the idea of a classic 80s and 90s mall in the novel.
Specifically, he included the Central Mall in Salina and the Hutchinson Mall. Garretson said the novel never states “the Hutchinson Mall,” but it does mention some former stores. The novel’s setting takes place in Salina, Hutchinson, and Kingman.
“In the 80s and the 90s, the mall was the thing, you know,” Garretson said. “This is a walk back through the malls, and the book takes place in the Salina Mall and the Hutchinson Mall because the main character works at the Salina Mall at the shoe store. Then he has friends in the Hutch Mall, and he also gets an assignment in the Hutch Mall for a while. So he goes back and forth between Salina and Hutchinson, and that’s how those two places come into play.”
Garretson said the mall is essentially like one of the characters in the novel.
“You know, all the employees,” Garretson said. “You know, kind of the friendships that they had, and you know, just seeing each other daily. You know, now people go to cool coffee shops, or they just do everything online. Back then, the mall was the town meeting place. That’s where you go and see your friends and catch up on the gossip, buy some records or some cassette tapes, depending on the year, and then get some snacks and do some shopping. Everybody hung out there because they weren’t connecting on social media. They were connecting at the mall because that’s where you’d see people.”
Garretson said the novel’s main event is about a man named Joel Howard who decides to rob the mall on Black Friday in 1987. He said the lucky duck theme from the title comes into play with the main event. The theme of “lucky duck” also comes from Howard’s conversation with his father in the novel.
“He’s going to need a lot of luck because he’s made a decision now that’s very, very uncharacteristic of anything you would expect of this young guy to do because he was just a joe-average guy,” Garretson said. “And he was a guy who pretty much just sat on the bench for his college basketball team up here in Salina at Kansas Wesleyan. He just kind of sat on the bench and got to play a little bit, and then he graduated, and he got a job at the mall, and kind of some things happened to him in his life, and then you just follow him and find out where it goes.”
Garretson said “Lucky Duck” is his first novel published by a publishing company. Before writing Lucky Duck, he self-published a few children’s novellas while teaching. He said he has always loved telling stories, which is why he enjoyed teaching Language Arts and Social Studies.
“It was a great mix for me,” Garretson said. “I was always very happy to teach those topics with the kids and just explore stories together. I grew up in a big family, and with six kids, there was a lot of storytelling. We would sit around the dinner table every night, and we were always connected through storytelling, and that’s just sort of what I enjoyed.”
Garretson said his passion for writing started in high school and college when he covered high school games for the Salina Journal. He said the love for older forms of communication and media also come to fruition in his novel.
“When he gets off work every day, he runs home, and he gets his message machine because that’s what we did in the 80s,” Garretson said. “He checks his message machine because he really wants to get a message from his girlfriend. For kids nowadays, that’s not a thing. It’s instantaneous.”
Garretson said that, overall, he hopes others find his novel interesting.
“I hope for people who experienced the 80s and 90s, they’ll read it, and it’ll be a light, quirky, fun adventure,” Garretson said. “If you didn’t experience that, I think it’ll be fun to read and think about your parents and grandparents and think, oh yeah, I’ve heard them tell these stories about, you know, you had to call the operator to make a collect call. Whatever the heck a collect call is.”
“Lucky Duck: At the mall, in the 80s, with a dog” can be purchased on Amazon, at Barnes & Noble and at Red Fern Booksellers.
Red Fern Booksellers will host a launch party for Garretson’s novel on Wednesday, March 26, at 5:30 p.m. at its store located at 106 South Santa Fe Avenue in Salina.
"Lucky Duck at the mall. in the 80s. with a dog." is a novel written by Salina resident and retired teacher Mike Garretson. Garretson's launch for the novel will take place at Red Fern Booksellers in Salina on Wednesday, March 26, at 5:30 p.m. By Emmie
By John Mesh Sterling High's Tyus Wilson named Big 10 Indoor Field Athlete of the Year The Hutchinson Community College baseball team split a Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference doubleheader from Seward County Thursday afternoon and evening at Brent Gould Field in Liberal. The Blue Dragons won the
