Mental health forum provides food for thought

The Reno County Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) starts with a profound statement, “Imagine if Reno County had what they needed to be healthy,” a statement that provided much food for thought during a discussion on mental health held Wednesday evening at the Hutchinson Public Library. 

The 60-minute discussion was moderated by Candace Davidson, health education supervisor for the Reno County Health Department. 

Panelists included Tyler Vance, director of community support services for Horizons Mental Health Center; Debbie Graber, coordinator of counseling and social work services for Hutchinson Community College; Matthew Caraway, a peer mentor; Lisa Omison, Rise Up Reno; Valerie Taylor, Community Impact Coordinator for United Way of Reno County; and Gary Race with the Reno County Health Department. 

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Race spoke of a need “to bring all parties to the table” for a discussion on mental health.

“Mental health affects choices people make,” Race said. “We need to normalize what it means to have a mental health issue so that the person dealing with the crisis is not ostracized.” 

Graber said Hutchinson Community College employs three full-time therapists and trains instructors and coaches on how to recognize mental health issues.

“A college is a community within a community so we are working to make certain students are urged to come forward to seek help,” Graber said. “If a student takes as little as one hour of coursework, they are still eligible for all our services. People often ask what do college students have to worry about. It is one of the most stressful times in life.” 

Omison said people should know it is okay to talk about mental health issues.

“You may even find that others you know are struggling with the same issue,” Omison noted. “Don’t hesitate to ask how people are doing should they be acting differently.” 

Graber said mental health issues are also affecting farmers and complimented companies such as Farm Bureau for its efforts to provide services.

“Farming is not a 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. job, and sometimes the stress of maintaining ownership of a multi-generational farming operation may seem hard to deal with,” Graber said. 

The panelists were unanimous in their support of the nationwide 988 suicide dial-in number, which is available 24/7, and were puzzled why it took so long to deploy. Although each expressed appreciation for improved technology such as Tele-Health, most seemed concerned that some insurance carriers are balking on coverage. 

Vance minced few words in his support of Medicaid expansion and how it could improve the healthcare of what is now 150,000 uninsured Kansans.

“Also, the correlation of homelessness and mental health issues is astounding,” Vance said. 

Davidson invited residents of Reno County to join in the conversation to learn and be engaged in the efforts being made to improve gaps of care and areas identified by CHIP.

“This is a great time for people to understand how much work is going on to better our community,” Davidson said. “We are excited about who is presenting on topics and believe our community can have a great impact on the steps we are taking to work on areas in the CHIP.” 

The third of four public meetings is slated for 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Thursday, July 10 at the Hutchinson Public Library. Dakota Sanders, Author, and ACT Peer Support Specialist at Horizons Mental Health Center, will speak and respond to questions from the audience.  

The Reno County Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) starts with a profound statement, “Imagine if Reno County had what they needed to be healthy,” a statement that provided much food for thought during a discussion on mental health held Wednesday evening at the Hutchinson Public

Commission votes to lift regulations on residential solar use, looks at county development

As debates ensue within the commission surrounding solar power usage, Reno County has remained under a temporary moratorium for this renewable energy. With the moratorium set to expire at the end of the month, however, the commissioners were forced to make an update on the proceedings. 

Director of Public Works Don Brittain announced that a Public Hearing will take place in late July and solidified regulations will appear shortly after, although Commissioner Daniel Friesen felt the pressure to make changes presently. While an extension to the moratorium would continue the current solar power prohibitions, Friesen altered the ban in a motion during Wednesday’s meeting. He suggested ending the moratorium with residential solar usage—both roof and ground mounted—for the current time while still operating under county codes, which passed in a 5-0 vote. 

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 “I think it would be better just to allow that to go through,” Friesen said. “I don’t think there’s anything egregious.”

Following the Public Hearing and updated regulations from Planning and Zoning, this lift may be adapted; structures placed now, however, would be protected under a grandfather clause, which Friesen referred to as a “pretty low risk.” 

The commission also heard from the South Central Kansas Economic Development District (SCKEDD) and Interfaith Housing, and United Way, who provided updates on American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds usage. Following Covid, Reno County residents were asked their top priorities, of which housing and childcare development stood out. After over a year of putting ARPA funds to use in these developments, the organizations shared their progress and future plans. 

Clint Nelson, the CEO of Interfaith Housing and Community Services, described their utilization of funds for housing improvements and stability in the county. Currently, 217 projects have been completed with $2.4 million of the $4 million in ARPA funding expensed. 

“We’ve had some really tremendous results,” Nelson said. 

Through this program, Interfaith has engaged in new partnerships to assist the community, in addition to over 10,000 hours of skilled volunteer labor put towards rehabilitating houses. Nelson described that the remaining funds will continue the housing work they have completed, impacting the lives of low-income and middle-class residents, and increasing the value of the county.

 “We have grown our experience and capacity greatly over the last year and certainly will have far-reaching benefits for the county in the future,” he said. 

Lacey Mills, the president and CEO of United Way, provided a similarly positive report to the commission regarding childcare development, with an emphasis on creating not just immediate change for childcare needs, but systemic, sustainable plans for the county. 

“The ARPA dollars that we have been able to expend to this point have made a huge difference in our community,” Mills said. 

United Way Consultant Abby Stockebrand shared that the funding has reached 62 different providers across the community and led to a 12% increase in home providers, as well as a projected increase in daycare slots by 372. Other goals have been to improve consistency in business practices and provide employee benefits, which is currently unavailable to many home providers. 

“We’re making a huge impact, collectively, together,” Stockebrand said. “We would not be able to do it without having the partners around the table and having people step up and say ‘Yes, we want childcare, this makes a difference in our community.’” 

Consultant Heather Faulkner also revealed plans for a childcare cooperative model, an increasingly popular solution for establishing high-quality childcare in communities. The plan is set to run in 2025 and provide systemic and streamlined improvements to childcare. 

Kari Mailloux with Hutchinson Community Foundation noted that these changes were possible due to Reno County residents voicing their needs following COVID-19. A second survey, led by the Love Where You Live Initiative, is available online through July 1, where people can share what they would like to see in the county moving forward. 

“We’re excited to see what the residents say, what we learn from this process, and what kind of action we inspire,” Mailloux said.

The next commission meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 10 at 9 a.m. in the Veterans Room at the Reno County Courthouse. 

As debates ensue within the commission surrounding solar power usage, Reno County has remained under a temporary moratorium for this renewable energy. With the moratorium set to expire at the end of the month, however, the commissioners were forced to make an update on the

Woodie Seat opens for rest of year

The City of Hutchinson announced the Woodie Seat Freeway is reopening as of Wednesday afternoon.

“The engineering department has received notification from APAC that Phase 1 of the Woodie Seat Freeway Improvements project has been successfully completed,” the official city press release read. “As a result, the traffic control measures have been removed, and the roadway is now open for public use.”

Vice Mayor Stacy Goss said the work was focused on improvements south of Avenue C through the bridge crossing the Arkansas River.

“They did some stabilization repairs, some structural repairs and they removed the medians from the center,” Goss said. “There are parts that were not really repaired since they are the parts that are being demolished.”

The parts being demolished are north of Avenue C, with a new roundabout replacing the current Avenue A exits going east and west. 

“The roundabout is part of phase II,” Goss said. “That part is being demolished and then rebuilt at a lower angle to turn into the roundabout.”

Phase II will begin during the 2025 construction season, leaving the freeway open for the rest of this year. It could potentially begin as early as late 2024.

“The City of Hutchinson appreciates the patience and cooperation of residents and commuters during the construction phase and looks forward to continuing to provide updates as Phase 2 progresses,” the press release read. 

The City of Hutchinson announced the Woodie Seat Freeway is reopening as of Wednesday afternoon.“The engineering department has received notification from APAC that Phase 1 of the Woodie Seat Freeway Improvements project has been successfully completed,” the official city press release read. “As a result,

Smith, Ontjes, Wesslund pick up awards at WSC banquet

The 2024 Wichita Sports Commission’s Junior College Female Athlete of the Year award went to Blue Dragon women’s basketball’s Kiki Smith.

Smith received the award at the WSC Sports Banquet Wednesday night at Intrust Bank Arena.

Hutchinson Community College’s John Ontjes was named the commission’s Gene Stephenson Coach of the Year. HutchCC assistant women’s coach Phil Anderson received the award tonight on behalf of Ontjes.

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Hutchinson Blue Dragon baseball’s Cooper Wesslund was a finalist for the commission’s Junior College Male Athlete of the Year.

Other award winners were announced Wednesday night:

• The Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award went to Sam Houston State University’s Walter Janek.

• The Lynette Woodard High School Female Athlete of the Year Award was given to Elizabeth Tjaden, a multi-sport athlete from Clearwater High School.

• The Barry Sanders High School Male Athlete of the Year winner was Omari Elias, a running back from Wichita Kapaun-Mount Carmel High School.

• The Junior College Male Athlete of the Year Award was given to basketball guard Jeff Nwonkwo from Cowley Community College.

• The College Female Athlete of the Year Award was given to Wichita State University pentathlon athlete Destiny Masters.

• The College Male Athlete of the Year Award was given to Keegan Martin, an offensive lineman from Friends University.

• The Professional Athlete of the Year Award was given to Jay Dickman, a hockey player with the Wichita Thunder.

The 2024 Wichita Sports Commission’s Junior College Female Athlete of the Year award went to Blue Dragon women’s basketball’s Kiki Smith.Smith received the award at the WSC Sports Banquet Wednesday night at Intrust Bank Arena.Hutchinson Community College’s John Ontjes was named the commission’s Gene Stephenson

John Ontjes named WSC College Coach of the Year

Hutchinson Community College women’s basketball coach John Ontjes, who guided the Blue Dragons to the NJCAA Division I national championship and a 37-0 record, has been named College Coach of the Year by the Wichita Sports Commission.

Ontjes became the HutchCC women’s basketball coach in 2007 and led the Blue Dragons to their first Region VI championship since 1975.

Ontjes has led the HutchCC women’s program to 10 Jayhawk Conference championships. 11 NJCAA Tournament appearances, one NJCAA championship and three NJCAA Tournament second-place finishes.

Ontjes’ coaching record is 483-96 overall and 276-57 in Jayhawk Conference games.

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In addition to winning the national title, the 2023-2024 Blue Dragons won the Jayhawk Conference title and Region VI championship.

“Ontjes has made the Blue Dragon program a stepping stone to Division I,” said the WSC. “Ontjes has helped several players springboard to the next level. Ontjes now has 40 Division I signees and 69 overall four-year signees in his first 16 seasons. Ontjes is one of the most recognizable Blue Dragons in school history.”

The WSC named Wichita Bishop Carroll softball coach Steve Harshberger as the High School Girls Coach of the Year and Cheney football coach Shelby Wehrman as the High School Boys Coach of the Year.

Harshberger has a record of 226-14 during his 11 seasons as Bishop Carroll softball coach (in 2020, there was no season because of coronavirus/COVID-10).

His teams have won straight Greater Wichita Athletic League championships and qualified for the state tournament every season.

The Golden Eagles have competed in the state championship game six times during Harshberger’s tenure and have won four Class 5A state titles.

Prior to being named head football coach at Cheney High School, Wehrman played football at Kansas State University, was an assistant coach at Rose Hill and Clearwater and served as a coordinator in Derby.

Wehrman led the Cardinals to two wins over Andale (including ending the state’s longest winning streak), a 13-0 record and a Class 3A state championship.

Ontjes, Harshbeger and Wehrman will be honored at 5:45 p.m. Wednesday at the 26th annual Greater Wichita Sports Banquet a Intrust Bank Arena.

The guest speaker is former Wichita Collegiate High School star Maurice Evans, who played college basketball at Wichita State and the University of Texas and played in the NBA.

Area players make Sports in Kansas state softball teams

Several area high school softball players received recognition on the Sports in Kansas All-State Teams released on Monday.

In Class 2-1A, Inman High School pitcher Lyle Levin and infielder Tyler Froese made the First Team.

Honorable mention selections were Addison Crockett, Hutchinson Trinity Catholic; Ellie Thimmesch, Marlee Ballard, Chensey Black, Savannah Smith and Alexis Noone, Inman; Blaine Locke, Sterling; Kinsley Wohletz, Jailyn Miller, Addie Strecker and Ella Stansbury, Little River.

In Class 3A, Haven outfielder Sadie Estill made the First Team and pitcher Avery Brawner made the Second Team.

Honorable mention selections were Kaci Young, Dallyn Devine and Brett Young, Halstead; and Mattie Warden, Haven.

In Class 4A, honorable mention selections were Sydney Quaint and Lily Horne, Buhler.

In Class 5A, Kohlbie Craft, Hutchinson, was an honorable mention selection.

Hutchinson Community College women’s basketball coach John Ontjes, who guided the Blue Dragons to the NJCAA Division I national championship and a 37-0 record, has been named College Coach of the Year by the Wichita Sports Commission.Ontjes became the HutchCC women’s basketball coach in 2007