News

EPA to Permit More Ethanol Sales

Tuesday, March 7

UNDATED (HPM) - The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has granted a request to allow several midwestern states to sell gasoline with 15% ethanol year-round. But the new rules don’t take effect until the summer of 2024.Troy Bredenkamp is the vice president of public policy... Read More.

Wichita Teacher’s Union Wants to Ban Cell Phones in Schools

Tuesday, March 7

WICHITA, Kan. (KNS) - The union representing Wichita teachers is asking the state’s largest school district to ban cell phones from classrooms. The proposal from United Teachers of Wichita comes as several districts across the country have tightened their policies regarding cell phones.The union... Read More.

Peoples Bank and Trust Pledges $500,000 To Major McPherson College Building Project

Tuesday, March 7

MCPHERSON, Kan. - A McPherson business with deep roots in the community is making a significant investment in McPherson College’s most ambitious building campaign. Peoples Bank and Trust has committed $500,000 toward the college’s signature building project – the Campus Commons. In appreciation of... Read More.

Hutchinson Public Works Repairing Roadway After Water Line Break on E 17th Ave

Monday, March 6

HUTCHINSON, Kan. - The water line on 17th Ave, east of Apple Lane has been repaired and street repair has begun. The Street Division plans to complete the street repair by Monday, March 13th.Weather permitting, the road will be opened Monday, March 20th after... Read More.

Jerry Jacobs, Former HCC Football Player and Current NFL Player, to Visit Hutchinson

Monday, March 6

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – Boys & Girls Clubs of Hutchinson welcomes Jerry Jacobs, a cornerback for the Detroit Lions, back to where his NFL journey began, Gowan’s Stadium.Jacobs’ path to the NFL started in a place where many promising football careers end: in junior college.... Read More.

Hutchinson’s Sonoco Paper Closing Its Doors, Plant’s 116 Workers Notified Monday

Monday, March 6

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – A Hutchinson industry is closing its doors, leaving 116 people out of work. Employees of Sonoco Paper were informed Monday morning of plans to close the plant. Sonoco officials have not yet responded to requests for comment from As Astra News.... Read More.

Total Number of U.S. Farms Declines by Nearly 10,000

Monday, March 6

UNDATED (HPM) - The USDA’s latest report on farms estimates that the U.S. lost nearly 10,000 farms in 2022. The number of acres of farmland also decreased, while the average size of a farm has gone up slightly, especially for farms making a million... Read More.

Salvation Army To Receive $10,000+ from Members of 100+ People Who Care Group

Monday, March 6

GREAT BEND, Kan. – The Salvation Army of Barton County is pleased to announce that they are the 2023 first quarter recipients of $10,000+ in charitable donations from members of the 100+ People Who Care in Barton County group. As the group celebrated the... Read More.

Reno County VOAD Still Assisting Families a Year After the Cottonwood Complex Fires

Monday, March 6

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – The Reno County VOAD continues work to assist families where needed after a year since the Cottonwood Complex Fires.“It’s been such a heartbreaking but rewarding year of recovery for our Cottonwood Complex efforts” United Way Director Lisa Gleason said. “The residents... Read More.

Annual Festival of Remembrance Schedule for August 18 at Prairie Dunes

Monday, March 6

Hutchinson, Kan. — The 22nd annual Festival of Remembrance, a yearly fundraising auction to benefit Hospice & Homecare of Reno County, has been scheduled for Friday, August 18, 2023 at Prairie Dunes Country Club. This one night of fun includes silent and live auctions, raffle drawings... Read More.

Sens. Moran, Marshall Urge President Biden to Continue the Year-Round Sale of E15 Fuel

Monday, March 6

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kan.) joined a bipartisan group of their colleagues in urging President Biden to permit the year-round sale of E15 fuel in 2023 in order to reduce the United States’ reliance on foreign sources of... Read More.

March is National Reading Month, United Way of Reno County Partners with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to Give the Gift of Reading

Friday, March 3

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – March is designated as National Reading Month, a month to motivate Americans of all ages to read every day. Reading is fun and has many benefits, regardless of your age. It's a key component of education and professional development.The United Way... Read More.