By John Mesh The Hutchinson Community College Blue Dragon football team held its annual intrasquad scrimmage Sunday morning at Gowans Stadium. HutchCC football coach Drew Dallas said he and his staff were pleased with the scrimmage. “I was pleased with the number of reps were able to get
CAPTION: Bruce Bingham plays fetch with his dogs and a few others at the Dog's Day at the Splash fundraising event for Cause for Paws at Salt City Splash in Hutchinson on August 19. CREDIT KATE IRELAN By Kate Irelan The annual Dog’s Day at the Splash brings
Monday Aug 19
Wednesday Aug 21
Thursday August 22
Friday August 23
Saturday August 24
Sunday August 25
Monday Aug 19 Lunch in the Park, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at DCI Park, at the corner of Main St. and 2nd Ave. Enjoy food trucks, yard games and entertainment Wednesday Aug 21 Reno County Farmer’s Market, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. at 103 W 2nd Ave. Thursday
The Hutchinson City Council will hold a public hearing regarding the status of The Atrium Hotel during its meeting on Tuesday, August 20, at 9 a.m. at City Hall, 125 E Avenue B.
The Atrium closed in 2019, and the property has continued to deteriorate. The hearing will allow the public to submit input before the council considers a resolution to condemn the property as unsafe and dangerous.
The council will also take action on two economic development resolutions. The first is approval to issue Industrial Revenue Bonds to help Meyer Landmark, LLC secure financing to remodel the historic Landmark building and convert it into apartments and retail space. The second proposes establishing a STAR Bond project district.
Several city ordinance changes regarding outdoor burning, traffic laws, and public offenses are on the agenda.
The council will take action to renew the city’s franchise agreement with Evergy.
New business items include the State Fair detention project, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the Landmark building development project, and a funding agreement with Meyer Landmark, LLC for Landmark building improvements. The council will consider the PWS #25 Well replacement for Well #15.
Finally, the council will hear remarks from council members and the city manager’s report before adjourning into two executive sessions to discuss privileged matters regarding acquiring real estate and non-elected personnel matters.
The Hutchinson City Council will hold a public hearing regarding the status of The Atrium Hotel during its meeting on Tuesday, August 20, at 9 a.m. at City Hall, 125 E Avenue B. The Atrium closed in 2019, and the property has continued to deteriorate. The
By John Mesh The Hutchinson Community College Blue Dragon women’s volleyball team was picked to finish fifth in the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference Division I out of nine teams in the league coaches poll. Reigning Jayhawk Conference champion Barton Community College has been picked to repeat
By Michael Glenn Rep. Michael Murphy reflected on his Republican primary election victory on Aug. 6 for the Kansas Senate District 34 race in an interview with The Hutchinson Tribune. Murphy said he attributes the victory to his supporters and personally campaigning in the district and talking
By Gina Long
Like many Reno County residents, I received a revised property tax increase statement, and I am puzzled by the 11% valuation increase over last year.
I am gobsmacked that my property’s valuation has increased a whopping 68% over its 2018 purchase price.
I live in a small house on a postage stamp-sized lot in College Grove. The house is undergoing some renovations, primarily due to age and breakdown (plumbing and electrical) and some from severe weather (two big limbs on my roof in May and June).
I have considered protesting the valuation, but taking time off work and adequately investigating the price per square foot on sales of comparable properties in the last 1-2 years is daunting. Demand and supply are driving the insane price increases. Reno County’s housing stock is shrinking because new buildings are not keeping pace with condemned properties and demolitions. Faceless out-of-state investors buy available properties, raise rents, and disregard neighborhood cohesion and aesthetics. Hutchinson is near the tipping point of more renters than homeowners, and higher property taxes mean higher rents.
The average Hutchinson family has been trying to keep up with 30-40 percent increases in food prices over the last two years due to multibillion-dollar corporations controlling the food supply literally from the ground to the table. Two of the largest meat producers are foreign-owned. Of the three largest grocery chains in Hutchinson, two send their profits out of state, and one is foreign-owned.
Agricultural land is also a hot commodity. Corporate and foreign investors are on a buying spree, particularly for land on the country’s largest underground aquifer. Hostility to alternative revenue streams, including wind energy, has not broadened the tax base. The county commission did relent on commercial solar power, but only after a loud public outcry.
Meanwhile, city and county budgets are trying to catch up after four decades of economic stagnation and a shrinking tax base. The people who keep the roads paved and the water flowing, who answer the phones and face the public daily, have finally seen higher pay after a long stretch with no pay increases. Years of deferred maintenance are catching up with infrastructure—the Woodie Seat Bridge and the city’s fragile water mains are prominent examples.
Property taxes have increased exponentially as the traditional three-legged stool of taxes toppled working families during the Brownback tax “experiment” from 2014 – 2017. That balance has not been restored, although state sales tax has declined slightly and is heading towards zero on food. Rural depopulation shrinks sales tax revenue, tilting the burden towards landowners. Agricultural land net rental income drops, lowering the local economic ecosystem’s multiplier effect.
What is the solution? A surge in new locally-owned small businesses broadens the tax base and primes the economic pump. However, the positive benefits will not show overnight.
It would help if the assessor slowed down on eye-popping property valuations just long enough for the rest of us to catch up.
By Gina Long Like many Reno County residents, I received a revised property tax increase statement, and I am puzzled by the 11% valuation increase over last year. I am gobsmacked that my property's valuation has increased a whopping 68% over its 2018 purchase price. I live in
By John Mesh The Inman Teuton cross country team, guided by 11th-year head coach Jay Parsons, returns five experienced runners, including junior two-time state qualifier Tyler Martisko. Juniors Riley Roots, Abigail Siemens, Addison Wedel and sophomore Lily Heflin also have experience. “I am sure Tyler’s goal for this
CAPTION: Raspberry sugar cookies are not overly sweet and have a nice, light fruity flavor that is complimented by vanilla and butter. Plus, they’re just a pretty cookie to feature on your dessert table. By Lindsey Young As I promised, I’m back in this week’s column with
Faculty have returned to the Hutchinson Community College which means the start of the fall semester is just around the corner for its students.
With classes starting August 21, the campus has been busy with students getting enrolled and last-minute preparations.
HutchCC is currently experiencing a positive trend, according to a press release issued by the college.
“Hutchinson Community College was very fortunate throughout the pandemic and in the years following to maintain strong enrollment,” President Dr. Tricia Paramore said. “Community colleges, including HutchCC, have been able to capitalize on the rising costs of a college degree by expanding scholarship opportunities, continuing to grow our partnerships with high schools and continuing to utilize technology to grow our online offerings.”
Specifically in Hutchinson, several programs are at capacity with the start of the semester still more than a week away.
“We’re experiencing very strong enrollment in many areas such as automation engineering technology, welding and several allied health programs – nursing, radiology, physical therapy assistant, surgical technology and respiratory therapy. In addition, we currently have over 200 students on the waiting list for our CDL program,” Paramore said.
Enrollment is up, overall. With HutchCC’s 34 high school partners, dual credit enrollment is up 31.6% since 2021 with enrollment for this fall still in progress.
Many Kansas community colleges have dorms that are already full before the semester even begins. Director of Resident Life and Student Activities Shelby Branting said HutchCC is already at capacity for dorm living.
“Our waiting list is increasing daily so anyone who’s interested in the potential of on-campus housing is encouraged to contact us sooner rather than later,” Branting said.
While dorms may have a waiting list, many opportunities still exist at HutchCC’s main campus, its centers in McPherson and Newton and through the college’s online program. Email MyFuture@hutchcc.edu or visit www.hutchcc.edu/starthere for more information to sign up for educational experiences.
Faculty have returned to the Hutchinson Community College which means the start of the fall semester is just around the corner for its students. With classes starting August 21, the campus has been busy with students getting enrolled and last-minute preparations. HutchCC is currently experiencing a
