Rice County News

Officials Welcome new K-14 Realignment in Reno, Rice Counties

Wednesday, June 14

NICKERSON, Kan. – Local officials and representatives of the Kansas Department of Transportation held a ribbon cutting today for the new K-14 realignment between Hutchinson and Sterling.The new highway opened this afternoon, after the ribbon cutting.The realigned K-14 provides a 15-mile asphalt freeway with...

Walmart’s $257 Million Beef Processing Facility Coming to Olathe

Wednesday, June 14

OLATHE, Kan. (KNS/KCUR) — Walmart is spending a quarter of a billion dollars on a beef packaging plant in Olathe. That will bring hundreds of jobs and signal a big change in the way beef gets to your shopping cart.Walmart’s Olathe packaging plant will...

Kansas Families Struggle to Find Child Care, According to Annual Kids Count Report

Wednesday, June 14

By Sam Bailey,

Wichita Woman Crowned Miss Kansas 2023

Tuesday, June 13

PRATT, Kan. - On Saturday, Courtney Wages of Wichita was crowned the 2023 Miss Kansas. Sixteen women from across the state competed in this year’s pageant in Pratt.Following Courtney was Sierra Marie Bonn as the first runner-up, Alexis Smith as the second runner-up, Lluvia...

2 Hospitalized After Helicopter Crash in Pratt County Wheat Field

Tuesday, June 13

PRATT COUNTY, Kan. – Two people were injured when their helicopter ran out of fuel and crashed into a Kansas wheat field. The Kansas Highway Patrol says the accident happened Sunday afternoon in Pratt County.According to authorities, the 1972 Bell Helicopter was piloted by...

Hutchinson Doctor Killed in Commercial Rafting Accident

Tuesday, June 13

FREEMON COUNTY, Co. – A Hutchinson man died Friday after a raft he was riding in reportedly flipped in the area of Sunshine Falls on the Arkansas River. According to Fremon County Coroner Randy Keller, 47-year-old Dustin Harker died on the scene.County Undersheriff Derek...

Kansas Man Drowns in Kayak-Related Accident at Kanopolis State Lake

Tuesday, June 13

ELLSWORTH COUNTY, Kan. – Authorities are investigating the drowning of a Kansas man Sunday at Kanopolis State Lake. According to the Ellsworth County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a report of a potential kayak-related drowning Sunday just before 6:30 p.m.Ellsworth County Sheriff Murray Marston...

Kansas Officials: Medicaid Recipients Losing Coverage

Tuesday, June 13

TOPEKA, Kan. (KNS) — About 70% of Kansas Medicaid recipients who’ve had their eligibility reviewed since April have lost their coverage. The Kansas News Service reports that this spring, Kansas had one of the highest rates of taking people off Medicaid rolls.Most of the...

Kansas State Fair Offering Buy One Get One Ticket Deal on June 21st

Tuesday, June 13

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – You won't find a better deal on gate admission than the Kansas State Fair’s (KSF) $10 Buy One Get One Free ticket offer. Order on Wednesday, June 21st from 10 am to 10 pm to get this First Day of Summer...

K-State Salina Campus Getting Millions to Address Pilot Shortage

Monday, June 12

SALINA, Kan. (KNS) — Kansas State University's Aerospace and Technology Campus in Salina is receiving almost $5 million in federal funding to help address the national shortage of pilots. The money from Congress will go toward building a flight simulation center at the K-State...

Nurses, State Officials Mark New Law Improving Workplace Safety

Monday, June 12

WICHITA, Kan. (KNS) –Doctors, nurses and other medical staff joined Governor Laura Kelly last Thursday to celebrate a new law that improves workplace safety for health care workers and increases penalties against people who assault medical personnel. Kelly says that workers in medical fields...