The Youth Philanthropy Council of Hutchinson Community Foundation awarded $5,000 in grants to eight projects at a ceremony Sunday at the Hutchinson Art Center.

Led by students from across Reno County, the Youth Philanthropy Council is a grantmaking program designed to involve area students in philanthropy: the practice of giving money, time and talents to help make life better for other people. The group began meeting in November to discuss local issues of concern to youth and the community, learn about grantmaking, and present grants to youth-serving organizations.  

The grants were awarded from the Richard W. Dillon Memorial Fund for Youth Philanthropy, established by the Dillon family to honor Dick Dillon for his extensive philanthropic work in the community.

The 14 members of the 2025-2026 council are Ryan Cherry and Benjamin Gazaway, Buhler High School; Gavin Foster and Lucy Steen, Fairfield High School; Madison Richey and Kalya Rose, Haven High School; Annalee Eckhoff, Leah Foos, Margaret Kaplan, Kinsley Koestel, and Blake Patterson, Hutchinson High School; Will Barkley and Isaiah Hathaway, Nickerson High School; Sam Vogel Trinity Catholic High School.

Boys &amp; Girls Clubs of Hutchinson, $399: The grant will bring a new, more beginner-friendly 3D printer to the innovation lab at Avenue A after-school and summer programs for K-5 students.

Fairfield Schools-USD 310, $345: The grant will allow the school district to create a more engaging experience for elementary school students during the summer and provide them with services/opportunities to help minimize the learning gap from May to August.

Family Community Theatre, $505: Funding will be for the launch of the FCT Youth Social Media Team, an innovative, youth-led initiative designed to bridge the gap between theater arts and modern digital communication. This program will serve approximately 30 youth annually by rotating teams of five students across the theater’s six seasonal productions.

Love Hutch Daily, $1,000: The funding will go toward building a greenhouse for the after-school program to be used year-round but especially to expand gardening abilities in the winter months.

Love Hutch Daily, $500: The funding will go toward purchasing woodworking supplies to enhance the after-school program’s woodworking classes.

Sky Ryders Performing Arts Foundation, $750: This grant will help purchase drumsticks and mallets for the approximately 30 percussionists participating in the organization’s summer drum and bugle corps program.

The Mary Magdalene House, $700: This grant will provide funding to teach middle-school-age children in foster care basic cooking skills.

Wisdom in Motion, $801: Funding will help support the organization’s hands-on international cooking class that’s designed to help young people explore global cultures through food, storytelling and shared experiences. Each month, youth focus on one country and prepare a full menu consisting of an appetizer, entrée and dessert. In addition to cooking, youth learn about the country’s cultural traditions, geography and food history through guided discussion and reflection.

Hutchinson Community Foundation’s mission is to inspire philanthropy, leadership and collaboration to strengthen Reno County. Since 1989, the foundation has granted more than $115 million.

Youth Philanthropy Council awards $5K in grants

StartUp Hutch has been awarded a $50,000 grant from the Hutchinson Community Foundation to launch a new Housing Entrepreneurship Program aimed at strengthening the local contractor and skilled trades pipeline to support housing development in Hutchinson and Reno County.

The two-year pilot initiative addresses a critical gap in the community’s housing ecosystem: the shortage of local contractors, subcontractors, and skilled trades entrepreneurs needed to efficiently and affordably deliver new housing and rehabilitation projects.

While existing efforts like the City of Hutchinson’s Small-Scale Developers Alliance are helping move housing projects forward, limited contractor capacity has remained an upstream constraint impacting project timelines, costs, and feasibility.

“This program tackles housing challenges at their root,” said Graham Klemme, Executive Director of StartUp Hutch. “If we want more housing, we need more local entrepreneurs in the trades who are equipped not only with technical skills, but with the business training and support to grow sustainable companies.”

The Housing Entrepreneurship Program will:

Over the two-year pilot period, StartUp Hutch will provide trades-focused entrepreneurship training, one-on-one technical assistance, ecosystem convenings, and pilot project support.

Anticipated outcomes include increased trades-based business formation, improved contractor readiness, stronger coordination between developers and contractors, and reduced reliance on out-of-area labor.

Supporting Economic Growth Through Housing

Hutchinson and Reno County continue to face housing challenges that impact workforce recruitment, neighborhood stability, and long-term economic growth. Employers frequently cite housing availability as a barrier to attracting talent, while aging housing stock and limited new construction strain the local market.

By investing in local trades entrepreneurs, the program ensures that housing investments circulate dollars within the community, build generational wealth, and strengthen Reno County’s economic resilience. The initiative also serves as a pilot toward a future Center for Entrepreneurship at Hutchinson Community College, with a focus on skilled trades entrepreneurship aligned with Elevate Reno County.

A Scalable, Community-Driven Model

The $50,000 investment will support staffing, training, technical assistance, convenings, pilot implementation, and evaluation of the program. StartUp Hutch designed the initiative as a scalable model that can expand as community partnerships and resources grow.

“As Reno County’s rallying community for entrepreneurs, StartUp Hutch is uniquely positioned to connect trades professionals with the tools, training, and relationships they need to thrive,” said Klemme. “This program strengthens our housing system by strengthening the people who build it.”

More details—including how to get involved and upcoming info sessions—will be shared in the coming weeks.

Contractors, skilled trades professionals, and partners interested in learning more about the program should complete the interest form at <a href="http://startuphutch.com/housing">startuphutch.com/housing</a> or contact Graham Klemme, Executive Director of StartUp Hutch at <a href="mailto:graham@startuphutch.com.">graham@startuphutch.com. </a>

StartUp Hutch awarded $50K grant

Here's a list of events happening around the area.&nbsp; If your club or organization has an event, you can e-mail the information to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:hutchpost@eaglemedia.com">HutchPost@eaglemedia.com.</a>

So Bad It's Good Movie Night: "Little Shop of Horrors - 6:30 p.m. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Senior Center at Elmdale Park&nbsp;– 400 East Ave. E

HutchCC Symphonic Band and Concert Choir concert with Salt City Orchestra: "Between Sound and Silence" - 7 p.m. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Stringer Fine Arts Center&nbsp;– 600 East 11th Ave.

HutchCC Women's Basketball vs Colby - Region 6 Second Round - 6 p.m. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Hutchinson Sports Arena - 700 East 11th Ave.

Trends in Data Center Development - 11 a.m. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Stringer Fine Arts Center - 600 East 11th Ave.

KSHSAA 3A and 4A State Basketball Championships &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Hutchinson Sports Arena - 700 East 11th Ave.

KSHSAA 3A and 4A State Basketball Championships &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Hutchinson Sports Arena - 700 East 11th Ave.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"Hoppers" Movie - 7 p.m. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Cosmosphere - 1100 North Plum

KSHSAA 3A and 4A State Basketball Championships &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Hutchinson Sports Arena - 700 East 11th Ave.&nbsp;&nbsp;

A Gathering for Gardeners – 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Our Redeemer Lutheran Church - 407 E. 12th Ave.&nbsp;

Irish Road Bowling - 9 a.m. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Carey Park - 601 S. Plum St., Hutchinson.&nbsp;

Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce Legislative Forum - 9a.m. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Stringer Fine Arts Center - 600 E. 11th Ave.

Card, Comic, &amp; Toy Show - 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Meadowlark Building, Kansas State Fairgrounds, 2000 N. Poplar St.&nbsp;

Creative Jump Start Workshop - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Hutchinson Art Center - 405 North Washington

Fox Live Series: Tom Papa Grateful Bread Tour - 7:30 p.m. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Historic Fox Theatre - 18 East First Ave.

Mid-America Flea Market - 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Meadowlark Building, Kansas State Fairgrounds, 2000 N. Poplar St.

Happenings Around Hutch • March 9 - March 15

A Kansas Senate bill that would eventually eliminate property taxes in the state is scheduled for a public hearing on Tuesday.

The Kansas Senate Committee on Federal and State Affairs will hold a hearing on Senate Bill 488 at 9:30 a.m. on March 10. The measure is titled the Kansas Property Tax Freedom Act of 2026.

The proposal would phase out property taxes over several years. Under the bill, local governments would be limited to 50% of their 2025 mill levy in tax year 2026 and 25% of the 2025 levy in 2027. Beginning in 2028, property taxes on real and personal property would be prohibited under the plan.

To replace lost revenue, the legislation would establish a “Kansas fair share purchase surcharge” beginning Jan. 1, 2027. Purchases of $20 or more would carry a flat $1.60 surcharge, while purchases under $20 would be charged 7.6% of the purchase price.

Revenue from the surcharge would be distributed primarily to local governments and schools, with 48% allocated to school districts and 35% to counties, cities and other local taxing entities. Additional funds would support the state general fund and a reserve fund intended to stabilize revenue and potentially provide taxpayer rebates if the balance exceeds $500 million.

The bill also outlines exemptions from the surcharge, including groceries eligible for SNAP, prescription drugs, motor fuel, utilities, child care services and K-12 tuition.

Even if approved by lawmakers, the plan would only take effect if Kansas voters pass a constitutional amendment prohibiting property taxes during a statewide election.

Kansas 'Property Tax Freedom Act' set for legislative hearing

Qualifying high school seniors are encouraged to apply for several scholarships administered by the Hutchinson Community Foundation, with applications due by noon on March 27.

The scholarships are available to students meeting specific eligibility requirements and are designed to support Reno County students pursuing higher education in a variety of fields.

Among the scholarships currently accepting applications are the Denny Hart Family Athletic Scholarship, the Lois and Avory Johnson Scholarship for Reno County Students, the Hutchinson News Future Journalist Scholarship, and the Myrtle F. and M. Eugene Hobson Memorial Fund for Nursing Education.

Each scholarship has its own criteria and may support students pursuing athletics, journalism, nursing or other educational paths. The Hutchinson Community Foundation administers the funds annually to help local students continue their education after high school.

Students interested in applying can review eligibility requirements and submit applications online through the Hutchinson Community Foundation website at <a href="http://hutchcf.org/nonprofitsandgrants/scholarships">hutchcf.org/nonprofitsandgrants/scholarships</a>.

Questions about the scholarships or application process can be directed to Senior Program Officer Jan Steen at 620-663-5293 or by email at jan@hutchcf.org.

Deadline for Hutchinson Community Foundation scholarships approaching

Here’s the latest booking activity from the Reno County Jail. This information is provided by the Reno County Sheriff’s Office and is not criminal history. The Hutch Post assumes no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, or completeness, of this information. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. ——————————————

Miguel	Angel	3/8/2026 9:02&nbsp;AM	Gaytah Trejo		DL Violation; No Drivers License,					In Transit From-To Other Agency

Kolton	Matthew	3/8/2026 11:23&nbsp;AM	King		Probation Violation

Sarah	Rene	Blanton		3/8/2026 10:24&nbsp;PM	Failure to Appear

Ricky	Rydell	Tipton		3/9/2026 3:17&nbsp;AM	Driving while license cancelled/suspended/revoked; misd; unknown conv,					Use or Possess with Intent to use Drug Paraphernalia into Human Body,					Poss of marijuana

Jeremy	Evan	Vansyckle		3/9/2026 3:17&nbsp;AM	Kidnapping; To Inflict Bodily Injury or to Terrorize the Victim or Another,					Interference with Law Enforcement; Obstruct, Resist, Oppose; Felony Case, Execution of a Felony Warrant

Daily Bookings

Families across Kansas can now apply for SUN Bucks, a summer food assistance program designed to help households purchase groceries for school-aged children when school meals are unavailable.

SUN Bucks, also known as Summer EBT, is a permanent federal program administered in Kansas by the Kansas Department for Children and Families. The program provides a one-time annual benefit of $120 per eligible child to help families buy food during the summer months.

The benefit is issued as a single payment and can be used like other SNAP EBT benefits to purchase food such as fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy products and whole grains at grocery stores, farmers markets, online retailers and other locations that accept EBT.

Applications are currently being accepted for the summer 2026 program. However, benefits will not be issued until summer 2026.

Some families will automatically qualify for the benefit and will receive a notification letter from the Department for Children and Families confirming their eligibility. Those households will not need to apply.

Children may qualify for SUN Bucks in several ways. Eligible children include those ages 7 to 17 who live in households that have received Food Assistance or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families since July 2025. Children enrolled in Kansas schools who have been approved for free or reduced-price school meals may also qualify automatically.

Other families whose children meet income guidelines for free or reduced-price school meals but who have not been approved through their school may still be eligible but will need to apply through the DCF Self-Service Portal.

Children in the custody of the Kansas Department for Children and Families and enrolled in a Kansas school are also eligible for the one-time benefit. Foster families, relatives or other caregivers must submit an application after April 1, 2026, to ensure the benefits are issued to the correct address.

Households that need to apply will be asked to provide basic information about the child, including age, birth date, school, mailing address and household income. Social Security numbers, proof of citizenship and pay stubs are not required to apply.

If approved, the $120 benefit will be added to an existing Kansas Benefits Card or issued on a new card mailed to the household.

Officials say the program is intended to supplement other summer food resources. Children who receive SUN Bucks can still participate in local summer meal programs offered through schools or community organizations.

SUN Bucks benefits must be used within 122 days of being issued. Any unused funds will be removed from the card after that time.

Families who did not receive an eligibility letter but believe their child qualifies can apply through the DCF Self-Service Portal at dcfapp.kees.ks.gov or contact DCF customer service at 1-888-369-4777 for more information.

Applications Open for Kansas SUN Bucks 

<a href="https://hutchpost.com/pages/weather">Click here for the KSStorm.info forecast.</a>

Three-day Outlook

When residents of three western Kansas counties raised concerns about rising cancer rates and potential environmental cancer risks in their communities, Kansas State University researchers responded with research and collaboration that led to results.

A project led and funded by K-State's&nbsp;<a href="https://cancer.k-state.edu/">Johnson Cancer Research Center</a>&nbsp;has been studying and testing groundwater contamination in private wells and radon levels in homes in Russell, Ellsworth and Lincoln counties since&nbsp;<a href="https://www.k-state.edu/news/articles/archives/2024-02/Johnson-Cancer-Research-Center-evaluates-cancer-risks-in-three-KS-counties.html">March 2024</a>. The project was initiated from residents' concerns about increasing cancer rates in these counties, including colorectal cancer in Russell County and prostate and lung cancers in Lincoln County.

Now that the initial research phase has concluded, the researchers have identified results and implemented strategies to help reduce cancer risks and promote community health.

<a href="https://www.k-state.edu/chem/about/people/faculty/rafferty/">Ryan Rafferty</a>, interim director of the Johnson Cancer Research Center and associate professor of chemistry, is leading the research team alongside collaborators in geology, public health, environmental science and&nbsp;<a href="https://extension.k-state.edu/">K-State Extension</a>.

As part of the project, community members could volunteer to have K-State researchers test their homes for radon at no cost. Rafferty said the radon testing results have been a significant concern, prompting the need to install radon mitigation systems.

"The radon tests were off the charts," Rafferty said. "It was concerning to see what the levels were, but luckily, once we got mitigation systems into about 90% of the houses tested, they were back down to safe levels. Anyone who wanted help received it."

Private well water testing across the three counties, also conducted voluntarily, found elevated mineral levels that may also pose health risks, Rafferty said, and improved water filtration systems could help reduce the public's exposure.

Jessica Kootz is a family and consumer sciences specialist in Ellsworth for the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.midway.k-state.edu/">K-State Extension Midway District</a>. As a dedicated catalyst for improving community health, she has been a strong advocate and partner for the project.

"Sometimes a lot of our focus is just on healthy living, but healthy living can run a lot deeper," Kootz said. "With this project, one of the focuses was, if there is something in the ground that's contributing to our health, how long has it been there? What we're doing to our environment today might not affect us, but it could affect generations to come."

Kootz helped coordinate town halls in Ellsworth, Lincoln and Russell counties for residents to learn more about the project and how they could participate in research efforts.

During follow-up town hall meetings, the researchers shared anonymized results of their findings with community members for their awareness.

"The people in these counties are hungry for knowledge," Rafferty said. "They want to know what is happening in the ground that they farm and live on."

Living K-State’s land-grant mission

The project reflects K-State’s land-grant commitment to addressing real-world health challenges, Rafferty said, helping to provide not only education, but also education for Kansans’ quality of life. The group is working on the next steps to continue the project and implement additional mitigation efforts.

"We are working to rebuild the team, as both professors who started this great work have retired," Rafferty said. "The team is excited to return to these communities, continue to provide results and build connections so that the community members can continue to feel like their voices are being heard."

With the anticipation of additional funding from the Johnson Cancer Research Center and potential support from other entities, the team could expand water and radon testing to more homes, he said.

"We are living our land-grant institution's mission," Rafferty said. "That's why it was so important for us to get out there with the center's mission for fighting cancer. Radon is a big cause of cancer, and we're happy that we can mitigate it in so many homes in that area, and we look forward to helping many others."

"Every single person in this wonderful state of Kansas deserves to live a healthy and long life," he said.

The project team also includes Shreepad Joglekar, professor and head of the art department, who is documenting the daily lives of community members through photography and video interviews for the project "Surveying the Invisible: Cancer and Research in Kansas"; Helene Avocat, visiting assistant professor in geography and geospatial sciences; Luke Romang, a 2025 graduate in geology; Karin Goldberg, adjunct professor of geology; Matt Kirk, professor of geology; and Sherry Fleming, former director of the Johnson Cancer Research Center.

Cancer rates are rising in western Kansas. K-State is helping community members address the issue

In last month’s column, I took policymakers to task for forgetting former Kansas Governor Sam Brownback’s tax-cutting experiment, which cratered state revenues. School funding cuts&nbsp;landed&nbsp;the state in court. Kansas also borrowed over&nbsp;$1 billion&nbsp;from the state highway fund (the “Bank of KDOT”), fell out of compliance with federal regulations&nbsp;regarding&nbsp;the minimum staffing at mental hospitals, and&nbsp;witnessed&nbsp;a prison riot in overcrowded conditions.&nbsp;&nbsp;Yet last year, the Kansas Legislature passed a new “glide&nbsp;path”--&nbsp;this one to a flat rate income tax.&nbsp;&nbsp;Meanwhile, Missouri’s governor has proposed an income tax phaseout similar to Brownback’s.&nbsp;

My critics on X suggested that these budget cuts were&nbsp;actually the&nbsp;responsibility of former Kansas Governors Kathleen Sebelius and Mark Parkison.&nbsp;&nbsp;Meanwhile, Patrick Tuohey of the Better Cities Project published a reply in the&nbsp;Topeka Capital-Journal,&nbsp;arguing that the economic troubles during the Brownback years were&nbsp;actually caused&nbsp;by problems in the farm economy, that Kansas’ real problem was too much spending, and that Missouri’s plan has better safeguards.&nbsp;

In fact, the second term of the Sebelius-Parkinson Administration coincided with the bursting of the housing bubble in 2008-9, which triggered the Great Recession and slashed state tax collections. Governors and legislators responded with deep spending cuts to keep the state budget in balance. Sebelius and Parkinson also fought to keep the state in compliance&nbsp;on&nbsp;school funding.&nbsp;&nbsp;Sebelius even called a special session of the Kansas Legislature for this purpose.&nbsp;&nbsp;They also&nbsp;sought&nbsp;to&nbsp;leverage&nbsp;federal matching&nbsp;funds.&nbsp;&nbsp;Kansas revenues had&nbsp;largely recovered&nbsp;by fiscal year 2013, then dipped dramatically after Brownback’s tax cut.&nbsp;&nbsp;Sebelius and Parkinson made clear that their solutions were both painful and temporary, while Brownback’s “glide path” made these budget cuts permanent, with no end in sight, until they were repealed in 2017.&nbsp;

Former Kansas Budget Director Duane Goossen considered the farm economy.&nbsp;&nbsp;He compared Kansas to Oklahoma,&nbsp;Nebraska,&nbsp; Missouri, and Colorado, finding that Kansas had the slowest population growth during the Brownback years.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also, the other states did not experience fiscal crises then. The farm economy is important throughout this region, yet only Kansas experienced a fiscal crisis.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

My critics suggest that Kansas&nbsp;failed to&nbsp;cut spending.&nbsp;&nbsp;Yet I already discussed the deep cuts in spending made to cope with this&nbsp;manmade&nbsp;budget catastrophe, which shorted social services and landed the state in court over school funding.&nbsp;&nbsp;These are the largest items in the state budget.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Tuohey ends his column by writing, “In short, Brownback never had a plan to balance the budget. Missouri does.” While vague, he may be referencing the revenue triggers included both in the 2025 Kansas income tax cut, and in the Missouri proposal.&nbsp;&nbsp;No income tax cuts occurred this year in&nbsp;Kansas, because&nbsp;the revenue thresholds were not reached.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

The triggers provide some relief, but are they the right priorities?&nbsp;&nbsp;For example, once again, Kansas appears on track to&nbsp;short&nbsp;the funding for special education programs.&nbsp;&nbsp;Without the tax cuts, the revenue from economic growth could fund this in the future.&nbsp;&nbsp;Should it instead be diverted to a flat tax, which overwhelmingly&nbsp;benefits&nbsp;the wealthy?&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

I commend my critics for engaging with a civil tone.&nbsp;&nbsp;Yet one thing&nbsp;remains&nbsp;clear: fourteen years after the “Glide Path to Zero,” voters need to remind policymakers just how costly these policies really were

Michael A. Smith is a Professor of Political Science at Emporia State University.&nbsp;

Remembering the Brownback tax cut experiment– accurately 

The Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce is inviting community members to learn more about the growing data center industry during an upcoming public information session and panel discussion next week.

The event is scheduled for Wednesday, March 11, beginning at 11 a.m. at the Stringer Fine Arts Center in Hutchinson. Organizers expect the program to last about two hours. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required.

Debra Teufel, president and CEO of the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce, said the session was organized in response to questions and concerns raised by community members about the potential impact of data center development in the region.

“We have been hearing questions and concerns in the community about the data center industry,” Teufel said. “We thought it would be helpful if the chamber could partner with other entities to provide an information session to help educate the public, answer questions, dispel myths and give people a chance to have a healthy dialogue about the topic.”

The chamber is hosting the event in partnership with Greater Hutch, the region’s economic development organization.

Two keynote speakers will open the discussion. Paul Hughes, who manages mega projects for the Kansas Department of Commerce, will discuss statewide trends and opportunities related to large-scale development projects. Jason Klindt, senior director of external affairs for Evergy, will provide insight into energy policies and regulations that govern how utilities supply power to large industrial users such as data centers.

Klindt is also expected to address how energy costs for large consumers are structured and how those costs affect both the utility provider and customers.

Following the keynote presentations, a panel of industry representatives will discuss several aspects of data center development, including the economic impact of projects, emerging water-cooling technologies, environmentally responsible development practices and infrastructure considerations for host communities.

Panelists are expected to include representatives from companies involved in the data center supply chain. Among them is Superior Boiler, a Hutchinson-based manufacturer now owned by Watts Water Technologies, which produces water-cooling systems used in large facilities such as data centers.

Teufel said the discussion will also include developers who work with communities on data center projects and can speak about how companies evaluate potential locations and negotiate agreements with local governments.

Organizers hope the event will provide a broad look at the industry and help residents better understand both the opportunities and considerations involved.

“We want this to be a holistic conversation,” Teufel said. “Any responsible community that wants to look at different industry sectors should do its due diligence and consider all the factors when making important decisions.”

The panel discussion will conclude with a moderated question-and-answer session led by the chamber, giving attendees the opportunity to engage directly with industry experts.

Community members are encouraged to submit questions ahead of time or bring them to the event.

Chamber to host information session on data centers

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man accused in a deadly shooting last week made his first court appearance in the case Friday.

Tristan D. Miles, 40, was charged with first degree murder, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Just after 7:30p.m. Monday, police responded to report of a shooting in the parking lot of the&nbsp; American Legion in the 1300 Block of North Hydraulic in Wichita. According to an online statement from police, the suspect called 911 and reported he had just shot someone.

First responders found the&nbsp; shooting victim,&nbsp;56-year-old Darnell Guiden of Wichita,&nbsp;inside a 1998 Chevrolet pickup. EMS transported him to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased just before 8p.m.

The suspect, identified from county booking records as 40-year-old Tristan D. Miles, was taken into custody without incident. He had previously been banned from the business from a previous incident, according to police.

Miles is being held a&nbsp;$1-million dollars bond, according to the district attorney's office.

Man who called 911 to report shooting faced a judge

WASHINGTON (AP) — Justice Department lawyers announced Monday that they'd reached a settlement in their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/justice-department-live-nation-ticketmaster-antitrust-lawsuit-df9b552d127e1494db13e3cd625787a8">antitrust lawsuit against Ticketmaster</a>&nbsp;and its parent company, Live Nation Entertainment, in a case that alleged an illegal monopoly over live events in America. But it remained possible that some states might continue a trial on their own.

The announcement by the Justice Department at the start of the trial in federal court in Manhattan was greeted angrily by Judge Arun Subramanian, who said no one informed him of the tentative deal until late Sunday even though a term sheet for a possible settlement was signed on Thursday.

“It's entirely unacceptable,” he said.

Adam Gitlin, a lawyer for the District of Columbia, said the states were requesting a mistrial, although the state of Texas had expressed “serious concerns” about the deal between the U.S. and Live Nation and states have not yet agreed to the deal.

David Marriott, a lawyer for Live Nation, said the company opposed a mistrial and believed it should proceed.

The Department of Justice and Live Nation didn’t immediately respond to requests by The Associated Press for comment.

It comes as the two sides face trial in New York over whether to dismantle the monopoly the Justice Department said was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/live-nation-ticketmaster-antitrust-trial-ecfd6cb3e77459412584ed002653bc8f">squelching competition and driving up prices for fans</a>.

The case, brought under President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;'s Democratic administration in 2024, accused Live Nation of using threats, retaliation and other tactics to “suffocate the competition” by controlling virtually every aspect of the industry, from concert promotion to ticketing.

The Justice Department accused Live Nation of engaging in a slew of practices that have allowed it to maintain a stranglehold over the live music scene. The Justice Department has said the company uses long-term contracts to keep venues from choosing rival ticketers, blocking venues from using multiple ticket sellers and threatening venues that they could lose money and fans if they don’t choose Ticketmaster.

Live Nation has maintained that artists and teams set prices and decide how tickets are sold.

Ticketmaster and Live Nation Entertainment, based in Beverly Hills, California, have a long history of clashes with major artists and their fans, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-music-taylor-swift-af5d58d2a8c6def368ded1bd2ddd8a6f">Taylor Swift</a>&nbsp;and Bruce Springsteen.

Ticketmaster, which was established in 1976 and merged with Live Nation in 2010, is the world’s largest ticket seller across live music, sports, theater and more.

Ticketmaster parent company reaches landmark antitrust settlement

MIAMI COUNTY —Three people are safe after a weekend water rescue in Miami County.

Emergency personnel from the Miami County, Kansas Sheriff’s Office, Osawatomie Volunteer Fire Department, and Miami County EMS worked a water rescue in the area of 347th Street and Hospital Drive on Sunday, according to a social media report from the sheriff's office.

The driver traveled into flooded roadways, requiring emergency rescue. The occupants, two adults and a juvenile, reportedly did not know how to swim, making this situation even more dangerous for both them and the responders working to reach them.

&nbsp;All occupants were rescued and are safe. There were no injures to anyone involved.&nbsp;

&nbsp;The sheriff office reminded, "Turn around, don’t drown. Never attempt to drive through flooded roadways. It only takes a small amount of moving water to sweep a vehicle away.Please avoid flooded areas and allow emergency crews space to work safely."

2 adults, child rescued after driver stuck on flooded Kansas road

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/mchilson/">Morgan Chilson</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/02/24/gov-laura-kelly-skeptical-kansas-houses-anti-tenure-legislation-will-reach-her-desk/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Five Democratic candidates vying to unseat U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall told more than 150 people Sunday how they will deliver in Washington, D.C., if the state can flip the seat blue.

While sharing their experience and goals for Kansas, the five took a few shots at Marshall. They&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RU4oovkjmWY" target="_blank">were on stage</a>&nbsp;during the closing day of the Kansas Democratic Party’s annual meeting, which began Friday at Townsite Topeka.

“I just want you to know I’m ready, willing and able to send Roger Marshall back to Florida for good,” said Sandy Spidel Neumann, who is challenging Marshall for his Senate seat.

Democrats have accused Marshall of living at his second residence in Florida more than his Kansas residence, an accusation Marshall denies.

Spidel Neumann said she made the decision to run, after a long career in financial services, after seeing Marshall storm out of a town hall.

“I saw Roger Marshall’s infamous town hall, and I saw him walk out on Kansans — people that reminded me of my cousins who voted for Trump and Marshall,” she said. “It was so bad that I thought, ‘Oh, hell to the no, you work for us, and we need somebody to fight for us.’ I’m that person.”

The five candidates talked about issues they’ve heard from Kansans as they’ve toured the state, echoing many of the same challenges other candidates spoke about at the convention: education, immigration, health care, tariffs and reproductive rights.

Erik Murray, a real estate developer, said the “politician-created problems,” such as tariffs and tax policies that benefit billionaires, “are tearing apart the fabric of our communities.”

“We know that this is a country of immigrants, and protecting and standing up for folks is what we believe in,” Murray said. “So we’ve got to restore our Kansas values in Washington.”

Anne Parelkar, an immigration attorney, called for a full investigation of what U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers have been doing nationwide.&nbsp;

“The American people need and deserve to see everything that they have done and everything that has gone wrong,” she said. “We deserve the truth, and if that investigation shows us that there isn’t anything in that entity worth saving, then we abolish it, and we use that money for actual immigration reform that serves our people in our country.”

Spidel Neumann called for body cameras, the elimination of masks and better training.

“We need them to have the right goals,” she said, noting that ICE agents have goals set based on the number of arrests, rather than on convictions or other criteria.

Jason Hart, an assistant U.S. district attorney, said his job for 21 years has been “standing in the breach against bullies” for marginalized communities.

“You have to be there and be able to hold their hand, to meet them where they are, and show them that you care and that you are an ally,” he said.

Christy Cauble Davis, a fifth-generation Kansan, said about 20% of the voters in Chase County, where she lives, are registered Democrats. Even with those numbers, her county voted about 50-50 on protecting abortion in the Kansas Constitution.

“What that says to me is we can’t count rural Kansas out,” she said. “We need to work statewide.There are more people who agree on issues than disagree.”

Spidel Neumann said she couldn’t believe Kansas is still debating this issue.

“I am beyond floored by it,” she said. “I’m a pro-choice Catholic. I’m pro women making decisions that they need to make with their doctor, with their family. Politicians should not be involved, and they should stay away from our hoo-has.”

Across the board, the candidates supported women choosing what happens with their bodies.

“We have got to protect women’s rights to make their own decisions about their own bodies,” Murray said. “We do not need the same leaders in Washington that are screwing up everything in this world to be in our doctor’s offices and in our schools and in our hospitals trying to make decisions on behalf of women.”

Cauble Davis said she is used to working with hard-line Republicans to find solutions and drew laughter after a comment about Rep. Pat Proctor, a Leavenworth Republican who is well-known for his conservative views.

“I’ve also navigated this landscape in my advocacy work in the state Legislature,” she said. “ I worked with Pat Proctor on an issue that we agreed on. If I’m able, as a woman and a leader, to work with Pat Proctor on issues, I can work with anyone.”

Parelkar said she’s modeling the idea of compromise throughout her campaign, where the idea is to “throw out the idea of an aisle.”

“At my community round tables, which we’re holding in every county in this state, we make it a point to invite everybody, not just the people who agree with us — Democrat, Republican, independent, inexperienced in politics,” she said. “I say throw out the old idea of us vs. them.”

Today, she said, it’s “us vs. the elite.”

It was a sentiment that brought Murray’s full agreement.&nbsp;

“We’re all struggling because of the actions that Washington is taking in our communities,” he said. “All of the lies, all of the division, it’s all a distraction from the grift, right? We need to come together as the 99% of Americans who are not part of that grift, not part of that hate, to realize that we need to work together on solutions.”

As an attorney, Hart said he is used to reaching agreement, and it’s all about the question you ask.

“What are your interests, not your positions,” he said. “Because all we’ve been doing right now is arguing from the corners. Everybody’s staked out a position, and they can’t get in the middle. The middle is where you need to be standing in order to bridge the gap.”

Spidel Neumann said reversing some impacts of the “big abomination of a bill” that cut Medicaid would be a good first step because health care is a significant concern in rural Kansas. She also pointed out the need to get a Farm Bill passed and to stop using tariffs “willy-nilly.”&nbsp;

“That’s not economics. That’s market manipulation,” she said.

Cauble Davis said Democrats need to keep in mind that not everyone in rural communities are farmers or ranchers.

“Only 2% of the folks who live in rural America are engaged in production agriculture,” she said, and issues like health care, mental health care and education are critical in rural communities.

Hart said the most important thing is to show up for rural Kansans.

“How do you bring folks together? You go out and talk to them,” he said. “I ask people questions for a living, and that’s what we need more of, not talking at people. I listen to the experts, and the experts are our Kansas voters, our Kansas constituents, our Kansas communities that can tell us exactly what they need, and then take that and go to D.C. and advocate for them.”

Kansas Dems in U.S. Senate campaign focus on defeating GOP incumbent

SEDGWICK COUNTY —&nbsp; Police arrested a suspect after responding to an incident involving an 8-year-old girl in west Wichita.

Just before 11:30a.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to the 2800 block of West Central in Wichita for a reported disturbance. The caller told police that their 8-year-old had left home and was walking in the 600 block of North Gordon when a man approached her and grabbed her.

The girl was able to break free and run to her grandparents' location, who called 911.

Officers arrived quickly, located the suspect, later identified in Sedgwick County booking records as 27-year-old Tanner J. Warren, near North Gordon, and detained him without incident.

Detectives with the Exploited and Missing Child Unit conducted the follow‑up investigation and arrested Warren. He was booked into Sedgwick County Jail on requested charges of aggravated kidnapping and child abuse.

Kansas man accused in attempted abduction of 8-year-old girl

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military said it killed six men Sunday in a strike on an alleged drug-smuggling vessel in the eastern Pacific Ocean as part of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-maduro-venezuela-drug-cartels-military-timeline-91e242e5c56eec39b6b7d72bf55dbd2d">Trump administration’s campaign</a>&nbsp;against alleged traffickers.

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