m
Recent Posts
Community Reporting
County News, Government
Connect with:
Saturday / May 3.
SECTION
logo
mobile-logo
HomeStandard Blog Whole Post (Page 72)
City News

By Emmie Boese

A new taxi service will be available in Hutchinson. On Monday evening, the city council approved a motion to approve Tyrone Riley’s application for necessity. 

Riley, the owner of Mama Kay’s Taxi Service, told the council he plans to start operating in the next 30 days. The taxi service will be a two-van service that will operate from 6 a.m.-11 p.m. Riley said he plans to hopefully operate his taxi service 24 hours a day. 

Hutchinson Regional Medical Center President and CEO Benjamin Jones made public comments to the council regarding the new taxi service. 

“Transportation is an enormous issue,” Jones said. “Especially out of our emergency department. If you are offering to bring a service to this community, it would help us facilitate the transportation of folks away from the hospital and into their homes or places of residence.” 

In addition to Riley’s approved background check by the Hutchinson Police Department, City Attorney Paul Brown said drivers employed by the taxi service will operate under Riley’s certificate. Each driver will have passed a background check and will have ID certificates with an ID issued by the city clerk.

Other business at Monday’s city council meeting included the approval of an ordinance authorizing general obligation bonds for the demolition of the Atrium Hotel and Convention Center. 

Angela Richard, the city’s finance director, said an ordinance would allow the city to bond expenses incurred in demolishing the Atrium. 

“This ordinance is a little bit different than the ordinances you normally see for capital improvement projects,” Richard said. “Normally, there is a charter ordinance that allows for capital improvements. This isn’t an improvement; it’s a demolition so we are using home rule for this ordinance in order to demolish the building.” 

Richard said the city is allowed to bond up to $1.2 million for the demolition. 

The next city council meeting is on Monday, Dec. 3, at 5:30 p.m. Council meetings are held in the council chambers at 125 E. Ave B.

0 Comments

By Emmie Boese A new taxi service will be available in Hutchinson. On Monday evening, the city council approved a motion to approve Tyrone Riley's application for necessity.  Riley, the owner of Mama Kay’s Taxi Service, told the council he plans to start operating in the next

Uncategorized

By Michael Glenn

Republican Challenger for the 102nd House District Kyler Sweely defeated Rep. Jason Probst for the district’s seat Tuesday evening in the Nov. 5 general election.

With 28 out of 28 precincts reporting for the 102nd as of 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sweely will be the district’s first Republican legislator since Jan Pauls switched political affiliations from Democrat to Republican in 2014.

The 102nd saw a turnout rate of 47.16%, lower than the county average of 61.23%.

Rep. Paul Waggoner retained his 104th district legislative seat by a 26-point margin in Reno County, defeating Democratic Challenger Lynnette Krieger-Zook with 6,914 votes to Krieger-Zook’s 4,034 votes, respectively.

At the writing of this story, McPherson County had not finished reporting precincts which are located in the 104th district.

The turnout for the 104th district was 68.87%.

The two other legislative house candidates in Reno County, Rep. Joe Seiwert and Kevin Schwertfeger, ran unopposed as Republicans. Seiwert serves as the 101st district representative and Schwertfeger as the 114th district representative.

For Kansas Senate District 34, Republican Michael Murphy defeated Democrat Shanna Henry in a 69% – 31% margin in Reno County. The senate district which encompasses all of the county also covers Kingman and Barber Counties.

Murphy will take Sen. Mark Steffen’s seat, who decided not to run for re-election after winning in 2020.

On the county level, Republican Ron Vincent defeated Democrat Garth Strand in the Reno County Commission District 3 race. Vincent garnered 4,025 votes with Strand receiving 2,161 votes. Vincent will replace current Commissioner Daniel Friesen.

Republican Richard Winger defeated Democrat Lindsey Hatfield in a 276 vote margin for the Reno County Commission District 4 race. Winger received 2,170 votes and Hatfield received 1,894 votes. The fourth commission district is the only district to be completely located within Hutchinson city limits.

Commissioner Ron Hirst won the Reno County Commission District 2 race unopposed.

0 Comments

By Michael Glenn Republican Challenger for the 102nd House District Kyler Sweely defeated Rep. Jason Probst for the district's seat Tuesday evening in the Nov. 5 general election. With 28 out of 28 precincts reporting for the 102nd as of 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sweely will

Culture

Local artist John Depew announced the upcoming release of his third album, "Bell of Hope." The first single, "Neon Hawk," was released on Nov. 4, and the second, "Joyful Sound," is scheduled for Nov. 25. The vinyl and CD full album will be released on […]

You are unauthorized to view this page.

0 Comments

Local artist John Depew announced the upcoming release of his third album, "Bell of Hope." The first single, "Neon Hawk," was released on Nov. 4, and the second, "Joyful Sound," is scheduled for Nov. 25. The vinyl and CD full album will be released on Dec. 2,

Sports

You are unauthorized to view this page.

0 Comments

CAPTION: Inman cross country runners Tyler Martiski (left) and Riley Roots placed sixth and 30th at the Kansas Class 2A state cross country meet Saturday. CREDIT LILY HEFLIN PHOTOGRAPHY By John Mesh The cross country program at Inman High School started in 2014.  During that time, there’s been

Vote 2024

By Tribune Staff

Updated as of 11:57 p.m.

U.S. Congressional District 1

Paul Buskirk (D) – 7124

Tracey Mann* (R) – 17688

Senate District 34 

Michael Murphy (R) – 16846

Shanna Henry (D) – 7812

House District 102

Jason Probst* (D) – 3370

Kyler Sweely (R) – 3619

House District 104 

Lynnette Krieger-Zook (D) – 4034

Paul Waggoner* (R) – 6914

Reno County Commission District 3

Garth Strand (D) – 2161
Ron Vincent (R) – 4025

Reno County Commission District 4 (Unexpired Term)

Lindsey Hatfield (D) – 1894
Richard Winger (R) – 2170

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

* Asterisk marks incumbent candidate

Bold indicates victor

0 Comments

By Tribune Staff Updated as of 11:57 p.m. U.S. Congressional District 1 Paul Buskirk (D) - 7124 Tracey Mann* (R) - 17688 Senate District 34  Michael Murphy (R) - 16846 Shanna Henry (D) - 7812 House District 102 Jason Probst* (D) - 3370 Kyler Sweely (R) - 3619 House District 104  Lynnette Krieger-Zook (D) – 4034 Paul

Opinion

CAPTION: CREDIT MIRAMAX/IMAGEMOVERS

By Dan Deming

If you enjoy being depressed for an hour and forty-five minutes there’s no better way than watching the just-released Tom Hanks movie called “Here”.  For a long time, I’ve said there isn’t a bad movie Hanks has made but that conclusion has now been retracted.  It’s not that Hanks doesn’t do good acting it’s simply that Here has a number of flaws such as too many characters, complicated time-jumping storytelling and several visuals not typical of Director Robert Zemeckis who brought Hanks and his Forrest Gump co-star Robin Wright back together for another Zemeckis directed movie.

The story expands on a 2014 novel by Richard Mc Guire about multiple families in the same house over a century in time.  It mostly takes place in one room showing love, loss and life that leaps from opening scenes of dinosaurs and the ice age to Benjamin Franklin, multiple eras of music and a touching memory loss scene as it closes.  The 68-year-old Hanks is called upon to play an 18-year-old who progresses through the years in sometimes less than convincing style.  And the movie moves at a dizzying speed that is difficult to clearly follow meaning if you leave the theater for a restroom break or popcorn you’re liable to come back lost and confused.  

I’ve been surprised to see many reviewers sharply critical of Here and the early audience ratings from Rotten Tomatoes are a dismal 36 percent.  While Here may be creditable filmmaking for its’ artsy editing and challenging blending of families over time I bet most people who go will come away both disappointed and depressed, perhaps because it paints a true life picture that is hard to accept and watch.  Two out of a possible four stars for Here, now showing at Hutchinsons’ B and B Theaters.

On a much brighter note, you’ve probably never heard of Jared Freiburg and the Vagabonds but they gave quite a performance last week at the latest Hutchinson Community Concert with a variety of 50s rock and roll music.  Freiburg was among the original Million Dollar Quartet singers in one of Broadway and tourings’ more memorable shows and most people came away highly impressed by the concert associations’ offering.  If you missed the show because it was Halloween night ticket-holders should circle next April 4th when the same show will be in Great Bend and you can take advantage of the reciprocal that lets you attend there.  And if you are a Floyd Cramer piano fan there will be a tribute Community Concert honoring him Sunday afternoon, Nov. 17th, at Memorial Hall.

0 Comments

CAPTION: CREDIT MIRAMAX/IMAGEMOVERS By Dan Deming If you enjoy being depressed for an hour and forty-five minutes there's no better way than watching the just-released Tom Hanks movie called "Here".  For a long time, I've said there isn't a bad movie Hanks has made but that conclusion

County News

In a press release, Reno County announced that it is participating in a nationwide effort to bring awareness to veterans and to the resources available to them as part of “Operation Green Light For Veterans.”

The Reno County Courthouse will be illuminated in green from Nov. 4 through 11, joining counties throughout the nation, the National Association of Counties (NACo) and the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers, demonstrating support for veterans and raising awareness about resources available for veterans and their families.

“Participating in ‘Operation Green Light’ allows Reno County to support and honor our veterans, not only by raising awareness of the sacrifices they’ve made, but also fostering a sense of community that shows these veterans that they are valued and appreciated,” said Reno County Commission Chairman Randy Parks in the press release.

Community members and businesses can show their support by changing a light bulb to a green bulb.

“Operation Green Light For Veterans” is in its third year, and more information about the event is available at https://www.naco.org/program/operation-green-light-veterans

Counties and residents across the country are sharing their participation on social media using the hashtag #OperationGreenLight. For more information on Operation Green Light, go to https://www.naco.org/program/operation-green-light-veterans

0 Comments

In a press release, Reno County announced that it is participating in a nationwide effort to bring awareness to veterans and to the resources available to them as part of "Operation Green Light For Veterans." The Reno County Courthouse will be illuminated in green from Nov.

City News, Government

You are unauthorized to view this page.

0 Comments

CAPTION: Enrico Villegas, city manager for Hutchinson, visits with Lacey Mills, Rotary Club President at the club’s luncheon in advance of Villegas's speech at Hutchinson Community College. CREDIT RICHARD SHANK By Richard Shank “Hutchinson is Kansas’ best kept secret,” City Manager Enrico Villegas told the city’s Rotary

Sports

You are unauthorized to view this page.

0 Comments

By John Mesh The Hutchinson Community College Blue Dragon volleyball team (18-20) will be the No. 6 seed at the NJCAA Division I Plains District Tournament. Hutchinson will play at No. 3 Dodge City (20-13 overall) at 6 p.m. Wednesday. Dodge City upset third-seeded Hutchinson last year to

Vote 2024

CAPTION: A pennant outside the Reno County Clerk’s Office at 125 West 1st Ave in Hutchinson in August 2024. CREDIT MICHAEL GLENN/THE HUTCHINSON TRIBUNE

By Michael Glenn

10,109 Reno County residents have voted early in-person by the end of the day Monday, Nov. 4, according to Deputy County Clerk Jenna Fager in an interview with The Hutchinson Tribune.

Fager said the last opportunity to vote before election day Tuesday finished up at the Reno County Annex Monday at noon. 

“We do get some people who come here,” Fager said. “By law, we have to close our early voting location at noon the day prior to the election.”

By political affiliation, Fager said 2,227 registered Democrats, 63 Libertarians, 9 No Labels Kansas, 6,370 Republicans, 1,439 Unaffiliated and 1 United Kansas voter have cast their ballots for the general election. 

For mail-in ballots, Fager said the county has sent out 889 Democratic ballots, 12 Libertarians, 5 No Labels Kansas, 1,134 Republican, 342 Unaffiliated and 0 United Kansas ballots.

Fager said Saturday’s early voting, which took place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the annex, brought 671 voters to the polls. Two satellite voting locations which took place in October saw 433 voters cast their ballots early.

The final chance for Reno County voters to vote is Tuesday, Nov. 5, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at their designated polling place. Fager said the polling locations and sample ballots can be looked up at voteks.gov, and that voters should bring a photo ID to the polls.

1 Comment

CAPTION: A pennant outside the Reno County Clerk’s Office at 125 West 1st Ave in Hutchinson in August 2024. CREDIT MICHAEL GLENN/THE HUTCHINSON TRIBUNE By Michael Glenn 10,109 Reno County residents have voted early in-person by the end of the day Monday, Nov. 4, according to Deputy