Tagged: Hutchinson

Plant officials at Siemens Wind Energy in Hutchinson say new orders will help the company avoid more layoffs for now.

The plant recently received orders to supply parts for wind farms being built in Southern California and Chile.

Siemens announced in September that it was cutting 60 percent of its Hutchinson workforce. The layoffs were completed this week, leaving the plant with 150 workers.

It once had more than 400 employees. Siemens also laid off 570 people at its Fort Madison, Iowa, plant and 62 others around the country.

Hutchinson voters in November might face ballot issues that would either repeal gay rights or broaden them. 

In June, the Hutchinson City Council added protections against discrimination in housing and employment for gay, lesbian and bisexual people.

After the vote, opponents began gathering signatures on petitions to require a November vote to repeal that ordinance. Today, the Kansas Equality Coalition announced it would gather signatures on a ballot question asking voters to approve wider protections for gays, lesbians and bisexuals.