CAPTION: Chocolate chip pie takes the flavors of a good chocolate chip cookie and puts it into pie form, featuring little pockets of chocolate throughout every bite and a nice, thick layer of whipped topping to cap it off. By Lindsey Young One of my favorite parts
By Michael Glenn
Newspapers, as I’ve always believed, should be their communities’ biggest advocates and harshest critics.
As a newspaper in Hutchinson, every writer you may see and I have meaningful conversations and meetings with everyone from the mayor to regular citizens and everyone in between.
When Richard Shank, one of our contractors who help make our publication special, mentioned featuring the World War II veterans making a trip to Normandy, France, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day, I was very interested to read it. I’ve always been a history nerd and I knew Hutchinson would be interested in hearing how some of our own residents protected our freedom for all people from Nazi cruelty.
Mitchell was able to see and meet world leaders, visit cemeteries of fellow soldiers who had fallen in the war and wished that we as people would learn to live peacefully.
“War does not settle anything for a long period of time,” Mitchell said in a July story Richard wrote.
From how Richard spoke of Olen, someone who he looked at with sincere respect and honor, I knew it was an honor to hear and publish his story.
While Mitchell and many other heroic, honorable Hutchonians have passed away, each of us have the ability to create our own stories and impact the people around us.
While the Christmas season may be on the tail end and many of us are contemplating what to do for a New Year’s resolution, I encourage you to look at Mitchell’s story and think of how we can all be better to each other and make Hutchinson special.
From my year and a half writing in this publication, I’ve spoken with hundreds of different people who have completely different backgrounds, beliefs and stories.
When we work together and put our differences aside, we can truly better our community and make our lives better.
Rest in peace, Mr. Mitchell. You had an impact on so many people, fought for our freedom and made Hutchinson special.
By Michael Glenn Newspapers, as I’ve always believed, should be their communities’ biggest advocates and harshest critics. As a newspaper in Hutchinson, every writer you may see and I have meaningful conversations and meetings with everyone from the mayor to regular citizens and everyone in between. When Richard
By John Mesh The No. 1-ranked Hutchinson Community College women’s basketball team, boasting a 13-0 record and a 50-game winning streak, opens the 2025 portion of their schedule next Saturday (Jan. 4) against Cowley College at the Hutchinson Sports Arena. The Blue Dragon women play Cowley College
By John Mesh Hutchinson Community College head coach Drew Dallas has been named the 2024 American Community College Football Coaches Association (ACCFCA) Coach of the Year. The award will be presented to Dallas during the 2025 AFCA Convention on Monday, Jan.13, in Charlotte, N.C. Dallas earned his second
By Richard Shank
An early morning phone caller on Christmas Eve left a message that Olen Mitchell, a 103-year-old Hutchinson icon, had passed away in his sleep. The caller’s message was prefaced with the words, ”One of the greatest individuals I have ever known has died,” words that all who knew him would agree with.
It was the end of a life well lived, which started in 1921 and encompassed, to date, the administrations of 16 of the country’s 46 Presidents.
I do not remember when or where I first met Olen, but am happy to say we were friends for decades.
Following multiple careers, he found time for one more, lasting about two decades with Elliott Mortuary. Olen greeted family members and friends arriving for funerals and memorial services. He was, perhaps, the greatest ambassador a business could have.
Tom Elliott could not have hired a greater ambassador for his business. And Olen had a way of making people, even those dealing with grief, feel better.
As readers will remember, Olen was in the news this past June when he joined 70 other World War II veterans for a flight to France to observe the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
On May 29, the eve of his departure for France, it seemed like half of Hutchinson attended a sendoff party for Olen at Wesley Towers, where he resided. Dozens stood in a receiving line to greet Olen. To no one’s surprise, he called most attendees by their first name.
Among the sites they visited in France was a cemetery where veterans of both world wars were buried, including the graves of 22 Americans whose identities remain unknown. “It was very sad to see the graves of those who did not return to enjoy life as I did,” Olen said. “I knew some of those who died and wished there had been time to visit their graves.”
Seated at a D-Day ceremony, Olen said he caught himself thinking about those who fought on Omaha Beach and what they went through on that fateful day.
In the distance, the hedge rows where German soldiers hid in wait for the American invaders remain a testament to that war so long ago.
Following his return, Olen mentioned the visit to the beaches of Normandy was sobering. “My only wish is that people would learn how to live together,” Olen said. “War does not settle anything for a long period of time.”
Always a keen observer of his surroundings, Olen talked about sitting within a few feet of French President Macron, who, with his youthful appearance, as he said, “looked like a kid.“
Olen was a car buff, too. I once took a ride with Olen in his 1929 Model A Ford, which ran and looked like it just came off a showroom floor during the first third of the 20th century. Also, he was a proud owner of a 1973 Volkswagen Beetle.
Olen’s wife, Wilma, passed away in 2006. They had no children. He leaves behind several nephews and nieces and more friends than there are residents in Hutchinson.
Funeral services for Olen are scheduled for 10 a.m., Saturday, January 4, at Elliott Mortuary. The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, January 3, at the mortuary.
Rest in peace, Olen. You touched thousands of lives and made the world better.
Olen Mitchell visits with locals at Wesley Towers in May 2024 before his departure for France to attend the 80th anniversary of D-Day observance CREDIT/RICHARD SHANK By Richard Shank An early morning phone caller on Christmas Eve left a message that Olen Mitchell, a 103-year-old Hutchinson icon,
CAPTION: Evergy is planning on constructing a large substation at 22nd Ave. and Lorraine St. in Hutchinson. CREDIT MICHAEL GLENNTHE HUTCHINSON TRIBUNE By Michael Glenn Evergy provided an update on the development of a proposed substation located at 22nd Ave and Lorraine St. “The replat or rezoning of
On 2024-12-26 @ 13:11:00Hrs
Traffic – DUI at 400 Blk of W 11th Ave
JOSEPH TABER, WM/40, 1531 W 11TH AVE, was arrested for 1) DUI 2nd conviction, 2) Tamper with Ignition Interlock, 3) Poss Marijuana, 4) Possession of Methamphetamines, and 5) Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
On 2024-12-26 @ 04:00:00Hrs
Traffic – DUI at 00 Park Rd
DEREK TREVINO, HM/29, 827 E B AVE was arrested for 1.) DUI
On 2024-12-26 @ 03:51:00Hrs
Domestic Violence at City of Hutchinson
BOPHA PAL, AF/44, HUTCHINSON, was arrested for 1) DOMESTIC BATTERY, 2) INTERFERENCE WITH LEO
On 2024-12-25 @ 21:01:00Hrs
Traffic – DUI at 129 W 17TH AVE
JASON SINNETT, WM/45, 220 W 15TH AVE, was arrested for 1.) DUI 2.) Illegal Transport of Alcoholic Beverage 3.) Possession of Firearm While Under the Influence, after the vehicle he was operating struck the building at this location.
On 2024-12-25 @ 13:14:00Hrs
Traffic – DUI at 500 Blk E Avenue C
COLIN L. BROOMFIELD, BM/20, HOMELESS was arrested for 1.) DUI; DRUGS OR COMBINATION OF DRUGS.
On 2024-12-25 @ 13:04:00Hrs
Domestic Violence at CITY OF HUTCHINSON
ELEXIS BRASWELL, WF/31, 3404 N WALDRON ST, was arrested for 1.) Domestic Battery.
On 2024-12-25 @ 01:42:00Hrs
Domestic Violence at City of Hutchinson
MARCO A. REYES, HM/ 22, was arrested for 1.) Battery. 2.) Domestic Battery.
On 2024-12-24 @ 21:45:00Hrs
Warrant Service at 00 BLK N. ADAMS ST.
AMANDA J. KOEPPEN, WF/36, WICHITA, was arrested for 1.) HPD FTA; Theft.
On 2024-12-24 @ 08:35:00Hrs
Domestic Violence at CITY OF HUTCHINSON
KAYLA L. KILANO, WF/32, HUTCHINSON – was arrested for 1) Domestic Battery
On 2024-12-24 @ 06:00:00Hrs
Warrant Service at 2605 E 4th Ave
KAYLA L. KILANO WF/32, 2605 E 4TH AVE, was arrested for 1.) HPD FTA
On 2024-12-23 @ 23:51:00Hrs
Domestic Violence at City of Hutchinson
ALICIA L LEROY, WF/ 43, was arrested for 1.) Domestic Battery.
On 2024-12-23 @ 22:59:00Hrs
Warrant Service at 210 W 1st Ave
RYAN A. LEE WM/41, 612 E 2ND AVE, was arrested for 1.) HPD Failure to Appear
On 2024-12-23 @ 13:30:00Hrs
Domestic Violence at City of Hutchinson
LUIS VIVEROS HM/29 was arrested for 1) DOMESTIC BATTERY X2 and 2) INTERFERENCE LEO.
On 2024-12-23 @ 11:42:00Hrs
Warrant Service at 1800 S SEVERANCE
CHRISTOPHER CARRILLO, HM/54, WICHITA, was arrested for 1) HPD FTA Warrant
On 2024-12-23 @ 08:12:00Hrs
Warrant Service at 17 E 2nd Ave
NOAH WHITE WM/28 LINDSBORG was arrested for 1) HPD WARRANT.
On 2024-12-22 @ 23:24:00Hrs
Battery – Agg at 1801 Lyman Ave apt 805
JOSHUA M. ASBURY, WM/33, 715 S PATTIE ST, WICHITA, was arrested for 1) AGG BATTERY; RECKLESS GREAT BODILY HARM.
On 2024-12-22 @ 17:00:00Hrs
Warrant Service at AVE A / MAIN ST
COLLIN BOTT, WM/23, WICHITA, was arrested for 1)FTA OPERATE WITHOUT DL.
On 2024-12-22 @ 16:39:00Hrs
Warrant Service at 1800 S Severance St
KIMBERLY D LAUGHLIN, WF/37, 100 E 15TH AVE was arrested for 1.) HPD FTA
On 2024-12-22 @ 15:50:00Hrs
Warrant Service at AVE A / MAIN ST
COLLIN BOTT, WM/23, WICHITA, was arrested for 1)FTA THEFT.
On 2024-12-22 @ 09:05:00Hrs
Warrant Service at 1403 W. 14th Ave.
MALLORY D. MARTINEZ, WF/24, 1403 W 14TH AVE was arrested for 1.) FAILURE TO APPEAR; PRE-TRIAL: NO LIABILITY INSURANCE.
On 2024-12-22 @ 03:18:00Hrs
Traffic – DUI at 2400 blk N Main St
HALLIE M. BURROWS, WF/42, 706 N ADAMS ST, was arrested for 1)DUI; 1st Conviction
On 2024-12-21 @ 17:40:00Hrs
Warrant Service at 1800 S Severance St.
KAYLA R. HUDGEONS, WF/30, 3501 W. 7TH AVE was arrested for 1.) FAILURE TO APPEAR; INITIAL ARRAIGNMENT: VIOLATION OF PROTECTIVE ORDER.
On 2024-12-21 @ 15:29:00Hrs
Warrant Service at 300 N AIRPORT RD
JUSTIN N LINN, WM/44, 5520 N MONROE ST was arrested for 1: Failure to Appear, original charge General Exterior Structure Violation.
On 2024-12-21 @ 01:11:00Hrs
Public Intoxication at 200 E 4th Ave
QUINTON BOWER WM/41, HOMELESS, was arrested for 1) Public Intox and was advised CT from Burger King
On 2024-12-20 @ 21:06:00Hrs
Domestic Violence at CITY OF HUTCHINSON
KEITH M DANNEBOHM, WM/32, HUTCHINSON, was arrested for 1) Criminal damage-DV, and 2) Disorderly conduct-DV
On 2024-12-20 @ 00:05:00Hrs
Warrant Service at 1800 S SEVERANCE ST
TROY OTTINGER, WM/54, 404 W 1ST AVE, was arrested on two HPD Warrants for 1.)Failure to Appear.
Want to see more in the blotter? Contact Publisher Michael Glenn at mglenn@hutchtribune.com or Managing Editor Gina Long at glong@hutchtribune.com.
Hutchinson Police Department On 2024-12-26 @ 13:11:00Hrs Traffic - DUI at 400 Blk of W 11th Ave JOSEPH TABER, WM/40, 1531 W 11TH AVE, was arrested for 1) DUI 2nd conviction, 2) Tamper with Ignition Interlock, 3) Poss Marijuana, 4) Possession of Methamphetamines, and 5) Possession of Drug
By John Mesh The player selection show for the Kansas Shrine Bowl football game is 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 1 (New Year’s Day) at www/kansasshrinebowl.com and https://www.youtube.com/live/dlvYdP7-4_8. There will be 88 players (44 for the West squad and 44 for the East team) selected for the 52nd Kansas Shrine Bowl
The City of Hutchinson opened two Christmas tree disposal sites Thursday morning in Rice Park and the Salt City Splash Pool Parking Lot.
That’s according to a Facebook post issued by the City, which announced the open sites from Dec. 26 – Jan. 3, 2025.
The City asks residents using the disposal sites to ensure trees are free from lights, ornaments and decorations.
The City of Hutchinson opened two Christmas tree disposal sites Thursday morning in Rice Park and the Salt City Splash Pool Parking Lot. That's according to a Facebook post issued by the City, which announced the open sites from Dec. 26 - Jan. 3, 2025. The City
CAPTION: The Landmark Building, known as the Hotel Stamey in this postcard, is getting a new start in 2025. CREDIT CITY OF HUTCHINSON By Kate Irelan The historic Landmark building at 5th and Main in Hutchinson will finally get its fresh start in the new year. Owner
