News

A Super Celebration Returns to Hutchinson with Smallville Festival on June 19-21

Wednesday, May 14

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutch Rec, in collaboration with the Kansas State Fairgrounds, Strataca, Cosmosphere, Hutchinson Zoo, NaCl Comic Cons LLC, and Downtown Hutchinson, announce the 12th annual Smallville Festival taking place June 19-21, 2025.Each year, Hutchinson embraces its heroic alter ego by transforming into... Read More.

Hutchinson Community Foundation Hires New Director of Operations

Wednesday, May 14

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson Community Foundation announces Christy West as its director of operations.Among her responsibilities, West will oversee regulatory compliance, fund administration, gift stewardship, contracts and the administrative team. Her duties will begin May 20.West comes to the Community Foundation after serving as... Read More.

KHP Involved in Pursuit of Topeka Bank Robbery Suspset

Tuesday, May 13

On May 13, 2025, at approximately 10:14 a.m., Kansas Highway Patrol Troopers assisted local authorities in Marion County with a pursuit involving a bank robbery suspect from the Topeka area. Troopers attempted to stop the suspect while traveling northbound on I-135 in McPherson County.... Read More.

Ad Astra Radio’s May Classroom Hero Valerie Labenz, Presented by Heartland Credit Union

Tuesday, May 13

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Ad Astra Radio is proud to announce Valerie Labenz, Trinity Catholic Jr/Sr High School Mathematics teacher, as the most recent Classroom Hero presented by Heartland Credit Union.Each month, Ad Astra Radio honors a different educator, selected from community nominations, to receive... Read More.

Larned Man Arrested After Monday Altercation, Officer Injured

Tuesday, May 13

LARNED, Kan. — Charges have been filed against a Larned man in connection with an incident Monday morning east of the Edwards Park Public Golf Course where a law enforcement officer was injured and tasers deployed.According to Pawnee County Attorney Douglas McNett, Dustin Barnes... Read More.

Buhler School Board Approves New Virtual Platform for Ad Astra Academies, Updates Policies, and Discusses Future Projects

Tuesday, May 13

BUHLER, Kan. — The Buhler USD 313 Board of Education Monday night approved a change in the virtual platform that's used in Ad Astra Academies and for credit recovery at Buhler High School. Ad Astra Academies director Erica Shook said the system they have... Read More.

City of McPherson Planning and Zoning Administrator Virgil Lyon to Resign and Take Position in Georgia, Conditional Job Offer Approved for New Assistant City Clerk

Tuesday, May 13

McPHERSON, Kan. — McPherson City Commissioners have accepted the resignation of Planning and Zoning Administrator Virgil Lyon. The resignation was submitted to Public Works Director Jeff Woodward Monday and is effective May 23. Lyon is leaving to take a position in Savannah, Georgia where... Read More.

Early Morning Fire in the Landfill

Tuesday, May 13

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — At 02:38 AM Hutchinson Fire crews were dispatched to the area of the landfill for a possible outside fire. First arriving fire crews confirmed a working fire in the ‘Pit” and began coordinating extinguishment with landfill personnel. The initial involved area... Read More.

Friday Fire Leaves Two Hesston College Buildings Unusable

Monday, May 12

HESSTON, Kan. — The Kansas State Fire Marshal has ruled Friday's fire at Hesston College's JD Charles Hall of Science and Arts to be accidental. However, damage from the fire that began in the space between the original wood ceiling and roof directly above... Read More.

Plea Entered in Pawnee County Burglary Case

Monday, May 12

LARNED, Kan. — A former Great Bend man pled no contest Monday in Pawnee County District Court to charges stemming from a September 2023 burglary south of Larned in which several items including a .45 caliber handgun was taken.As part of a plea agreement... Read More.

Ad Astra Radio’s May Classroom Hero Jon Paden, Presented by Peoples Bank and Trust

Monday, May 12

McPHERSON, Kan. — Ad Astra Radio is proud to announce Windom Elementary School Principal Jon Paden as the most recent recipient of the Classroom Hero Award presented by Peoples Bank and Trust. Each month, Ad Astra Radio randomly selects a different educator, from community nominations,... Read More.

McPherson County Commission Updates: New Hires, Budget Plans, and Infrastructure Improvements

Monday, May 12

McPHERSON COUNTY, Kan. — The McPherson County Commission has approved the hiring of two temporary part-time employees for Planning and Zoning to assist with digitizing of files in the department. Administrator Jon Kinsey said both positions will be for up to 500 hours, and... Read More.