Archive By Author - Susan Thacker
Zoo News: New perimeter fence going up at Brit Spaugh Zoo
The Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo is being staffed 24 hours a day this week while the city replaces the perimeter fence along Main Street with a "newer, nicer, 8-foot chain link perimeter fence," Zoo Director Scott Gregory said. The work began Tuesday and should be done by Friday. Meanwhile, the Raptor Center is closed ...
Good Question: What's Great Bend's record for 100-degree days?
It's been some time since readers have submitted questions to this column, but lately we've received several, all weather-related. That's only natural, when Wednesday's high was predicted to be near 106 degrees, and today's high will push 107 for good measure. One reader asks where the temperature for Great Bend is measured. Another asks, "What year holds the record number of 100 degree (or higher) days in Great Bend, ...
Woman who abetted sale of stolen guns convicted
A Great Bend woman who helped burglars sell guns stolen from a local business last December was convicted last week in Barton County District Court. Jamie Lynn Hubbard waived her preliminary hearing and entered a plea of "no contest" Thursday to the charge of abetting theft. Assistant County Attorney Amy Mellor said two people were charged with burglarizing P&S Security on Dec. 19, 2010. "The defendant assisted in introducing them to ...
Golfers support Kansas law enforcement
Golfers were calling Great Bend Police Chief Dean Akings "Payne" - as in Payne Stewart - Friday at the Club at StoneRidge. Akings and his fellow team members emulated the late golf pro Stewart by wearing old-style bloomers and tam-o-shanters for the annual Law Enforcement Valor Awards Golf Tournament. Thirty-six teams joined the four-person scramble tournament, which raises funds for an annual tribute to Kansas officers who ...
Just Paint It owner brightens community with murals
While a Great Bend couple vacationed in Michigan this summer, Great Bend artist Sally Rychlec was busy painting a mural on the privacy fence in front of their home.
Former teacher sent student sexual texts
Seth Converse Stevens sent text messages with sexual content to one of his female students when he was a teacher at Ellinwood High School in 2009, Assistant County Attorney Amy Mellor said Thursday in Barton County District Court. That was the case Mellor was ready to present to District Judge Mike Keeley at Stevens' preliminary hearing. However, Stevens waived his right to the hearing and entered a plea ...
No hearing scheduled in Ney murder case
The Kansas Attorney General's Office is handling two first-degree murder cases from 2010 in Barton County District Court. But while the capital murder case against Adam Joseph Longoria continues to grab headlines, less is known about the first-degree murder case against Shawn Ney. Both cases are in pre-trial stages. Longoria is charged with murdering 14-year-old Alicia DeBolt on or about Aug. 21, 2010, after attempting to rape her. ...
One year after death Alicia DeBolt’s death, family sends message
One year after the death of Alicia DeBolt, family members are planning to honor the memory of the Great Bend teenager by releasing message-laden balloons. Sunday marks the anniversary of the night Alicia disappeared, just days before she was scheduled to start her freshman year at Great Bend High School. Her sister, Dawn DeBolt, has posted a message on the Great Bend Tribune's Facebook page, inviting the public to ...
Stansfield promoted to captain at GBFD
Kevin Stansfield has traded his yellow fireman's helmet for a red helmet, signifying his promotion to captain. Chief Mike Napolitano said Great Bend Fire Department has a total of six captains - one for each shift at each station - and when Capt. Steve Root transferred to the Great Bend Park Department it created an opening. Seven firefighters applied for the position. The selection involved evaluations and an outside assessment. ...
BCC trustees approve new hires; meet with foundation president
The hiring of Barton Community College's head women's basketball coach became official Thursday when the college's Board of Trustees approved new employees. Darin Spence has been on the job for several days, and BCC Athletic Director Trevor Rolfs acknowledged the appointment two weeks ago, "pending board approval on Aug. 18." It isn't unusual for new employees at the college to start getting organized before their contract is approved. Barton President ...
Community Bird Sanctuary dedication Thursday
An area created to attract songbirds to the courthouse square was added during construction of the Jack Kilby monument. Although birds have been using the habitat on the north side of the courthouse for several months, the "official opening" takes place Thursday. This small garden on the north of the courthouse will be dedicated with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10 a.m., following the Great ...
Barton Community College Foundation names new members, elects officers
The Barton Community College Foundation Board of Directors recently welcomed five new board members and elected officers for the 2011-12 academic year. Elected for three-year terms, the new board members are Sylvan Bleeker, Harmony Kistler, Robert Peter and Tim Hammeke, all of Great Bend, and Lori Werth of La Crosse. Gary Burke of Great Bend was elected to serve as the board chairman for 2010-11. Other officers include ...
Track and soccer field dedication set for Aug. 27
This year's "Meet The Cougars" event for Barton Community College sports fans has been expanded to a full schedule of events, including the dedication of the new track and soccer field at noon Saturday, August. 27. Student athletes from all sports will interact with the public and will join Barton President Dr. Carl Heilman and representatives of the Barton Community College Foundation, the Board of Trustees and the Athletic ...
New equipment helps GBRC monitor heat
Great Bend Recreation Commission has purchased a portable device so it can check the heat index of any playing field, GBRC Director Diann Henderson told her board of directors Monday. The decision to cancel a game or practice is based on indexes that combine temperature and humidity. The Kansas State High School Activity Association has published charts for both hot and cold weather to show dangerous levels, Henderson said. Coaches ...
BCSO DARE car wins trophy
The Barton County Sheriff's Office patrol car driven by Sgt. David Smith took first place in the car show sponsored by the Kansas Juvenile Officers Association during its conference in Wichita. The conference was attended by Kansas DARE officers to gain training and teaching ideas for their Drug Abuse Resistance Education classes. Sheriff Greg Armstrong said one facet of the conference is to allow each agency to enter a car show ...
Articles By Author - Susan Thacker
Cool/Not Cool
The Imagination Playground is coming to Great Bend and will make its public debut during June Jaunt. The portable playground is a set of oversized blocks, lightweight but sturdy enough to build with. They were designed by award-winning architect David Rockwell, who was inspired by watching his own children play.
These masterpieces have wheels
Barton County Historic Society is celebrating the 60th anniversary of organized drag racing in the Golden Belt with a new exhibit and a car show during its open house this Saturday.
GBRC shares Blue Ribbon Award to promote health
Several people working to make Barton County a healthier place received some recognition and financial assistance Monday during the Great Bend Recreation Commission Board meeting. Doug Vance, executive director of the Kansas Recreation & Park Association, visited the meeting along with representatives from BlueCross BlueShield of Kansas, to present a $2,500 facsimile check and a banner in honor of Great Bend winning the Blue Chip award.
Trash talk
The senior class president of Heights High School in Wichita was suspended for the rest of the school year after posting a bit of trash talk about the school football team on Twitter.
BCC may opt out of conceal carry law
Barton Community College trustees may request an exemption to a new gun law taking effect July 1.
German Wedding Roast a family tradition
One way to keep Mom out of the kitchen this Mother's Day is by taking her to lunch. Jeannie Munsch will be cooking German Wedding Roast to serve this Sunday at the Great Bend American Legion Post 180, 1011 Kansas Ave., from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
GBFD roundup: Fire marshal investigates basement fire
An investigator from the Kansas State Fire Marshal's office was in Great Bend Monday to determine the cause of a fire Sunday afternoon at 2011 Jackson St. It was one of several fire calls over the weekend, Great Bend Fire Chief Mike Napolitano said. Firefighters received the report of a basement fire at 4:37 p.m., at the house owned by James and Krissy Jackson. The first truck arrived to find heavy smoke and fire coming ...
Job Olympics celebrates abilities
Students from 13 schools demonstrated their life skills and vocational abilities Friday during the Job Olympics at Great Bend High School's Panther Activity Center. This competition, open to any special education student in Kansas, is sponsored by the Barton County Transition Council and the Special Services Cooperative. Events at tables throughout the arena mimicked real job situations and life skills, such as food preparation, office work or automotive checking. There was event a contest for ...
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