Writing prompt: The Song of Home

By Ander Thorn

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Prompt: “What would Earth look like without human life?”

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Outside of the shattered window, the world awakens once again. Moans and whistles creep inside. Groans start slowly, as the trees practice their morning stretch and the birds begin to greet them. 

A symphony of cicadas chimes in, as if to harmonize with the arrangement nature is performing. Together the song of mid-Summer in Kansas comes to a crescendo, just as the first rays of light grip the window sill.

Light pours in through the broken window. Warmth overtakes my weak form. A gust of wind spills into the room, inviting a troupe of dancing dust clumps to perform for their audience of one. 

The scorching Hutchinson sun is a welcome departure from the desolate void I sat in all night. A perfect beverage to accompany such a bittersweet ballad. It almost feels as if I am alive again, almost…

Day after day, I wander about these empty grounds in this hallowed house. Alone I wander—accompanied by the songs of nature, and the dancers of dust, and the bugs. You might underestimate the company of bugs, but they are in fact captivating and brilliant. I wonder if that’s what we looked like.

Night after night, I watch the sunrise. Accompanied by the whistling trees, and the singing cicadas, and the sun—the uncompromising, unvarying, and unbearable sun. This weathered prison is my home; this unwavering ambience, the soundtrack to life in this town. At least, life after we left the orchestra.

Here is where I was born and where I lived my short life. This old house is where I stole candy from my grandma’s purse, where I brought my first partner to meet my family, and where I was buried. 

Truly, I could ask for no better grave, and I could ask for no worse confinement. Even after the world’s end, there’s no place like home.

End

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Prompt: “Go to the local pond to go fishing, but something else is in the water.”

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The Song of Home Inspiration

Hello Readers! I hope everyone enjoyed this bittersweet short story! This story was inspired by a couple of things. First, I wrote a draft of this during a workshop. The task was to write a short story using a photo as a prompt. The photo I used was a young boy sitting inside a dark room. Sunlight was streaming in a broken window, illuminating the child, sitting on the empty floor. The scene had a similar feeling to a movie I love called a Ghost Story.

I wanted to portray life on earth after human life was no longer on earth. It is a bittersweet story because the character loves their home and loved their life, however, they don’t love loneliness. No one does. 

As the story unfolded, it started to become symbolic of our life, living in one place for so long. It is amazing to become a part of a greater community and to help develop its roots, but it is also heartbreaking when you become the only one continuing to help it grow. 

I personally feel like our community was on a decline for many years, however, I think that in the past few years, there has been a fresh breath of mid-Summer air. I think the community has started to blossom once again.

Thank you for reading, for engaging, and for being a part of this blossoming community. Every bit of engagement, no matter how small, no matter how direct, helps us all blossom.

By Ander Thorn Prompt: “What would Earth look like without human life?” Outside of the shattered window, the world awakens once again. Moans and whistles creep inside. Groans start slowly, as the trees practice their morning stretch and the birds begin to greet them.  A symphony of cicadas

Unofficial 2024 primary election results

By Tribune Staff

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Senate District 34 (R)

Bob Fee – 3904 (47%)

Rep. Michael Murphy – 4443 (53%)

House District 102 (R)

Kyler Sweely – 656 (57%)

Tyson Thrall – 490 (43%)

House District 114 (R)

Steve Schweizer – 1340 (41%)

Kevin Schwertfeger – 1938 (59%)

Reno County Commission District 2 (R)

Ron Hirst – 684
Melony Ball – 263
Kenneth L Nisly – 356

Reno County Commission District 3 (R)

Timothy Davies – 576
Ron Vincent – 877

Reno County Commission District 4 (R)

John Whitesel – 264
Richard Winger – 395

The Hutchinson Tribune will update this page frequently throughout the evening.

By Tribune Staff Senate District 34 (R) Bob Fee - 3904 (47%) Rep. Michael Murphy - 4443 (53%) House District 102 (R) Kyler Sweely - 656 (57%) Tyson Thrall - 490 (43%) House District 114 (R) Steve Schweizer - 1340 (41%) Kevin Schwertfeger - 1938 (59%) Reno County Commission District 2 (R) Ron Hirst - 684Melony

UPDATE: One unaccounted for in East 4th fire

CAPTION: Firefighters and police officers address the fire that occurred at 2404 East 4th Ave. CREDIT MICHAEL GLENN/THE HUTCHINSON TRIBUNE

By Michael Glenn

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The Hutchinson Fire Department is currently managing a fire that occurred at 2404 East 4th Avenue, according to a press release issued by the department at 9:50 a.m. Tuesday.

All available fire apparatuses in the HFD have been called to deal with the fire.

“In addition to the Hutchinson Fire Department, mutual aid has been provided by Pretty Prairie District 3, Buhler District 8, and South Hutchinson,” the press release read. “Newton and Mcpherson have been requested to help run additional calls while this incident is still undergoing. Heavy equipment from the Department of Public Works is on the scene, alongside an F500 foam trailer provided by Colwich, to aid in the firefighting efforts.”

One individual is unaccounted for as of 9:50 a.m. and has been found.

4th Avenue is scheduled to reopen at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, August 6.

Two firefighters were treated for dehydration and both have since been released. The fire has been fully extinguished and will be monitored for the next 24 hours for any potential hot spots. All mutual aid has been dismissed.

CAPTION: Firefighters and police officers address the fire that occurred at 2404 East 4th Ave. CREDIT MICHAEL GLENN/THE HUTCHINSON TRIBUNE By Michael Glenn The Hutchinson Fire Department is currently managing a fire that occurred at 2404 East 4th Avenue, according to a press release issued by the

Primary election today: Where to vote in Reno County

CAPTION: A pennant outside the Reno County Clerk’s Office at 125 West 1st Ave in Hutchinson. CREDIT MICHAEL GLENN/THE HUTCHINSON TRIBUNE

By Michael Glenn

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The 2024 Primary Election is today, and Reno County voters can vote in-person at polling stations from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

There are 27 polling stations across Reno County, with the largest station having moved buildings this year. Fager said the voting location on the Kansas State Fairgrounds has changed slightly. Voters who live in Hutchinson precincts 1 – 35 will vote in the Sunflower North and Sunflower South buildings instead of the Meadowlark building.

For those interested in reviewing their ballot before voting, Deputy County Clerk Jenna Fager said to use this link from the Kansas Secretary of State.

Kansas primaries are considered “closed,” meaning only registered voters of a certain political party can vote for their party’s candidate.

The Hutchinson Tribune will follow election results and will post them as they come in.

CAPTION: A pennant outside the Reno County Clerk’s Office at 125 West 1st Ave in Hutchinson. CREDIT MICHAEL GLENN/THE HUTCHINSON TRIBUNE By Michael Glenn The 2024 Primary Election is today, and Reno County voters can vote in-person at polling stations from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. There are