Archive By Author - Susan Thacker
Rec Commission improving social media
Just in time for baseball and softball season, the Great Bend Recreation Commission plans to improve its presence on Facebook. GBRC is already on the Internet's most popular social networking site. However, Executive Director Diann Henderson told her board of directors Monday that staff is working on creating a more active Facebook page. The improvements should be made shortly after Memorial Day, and then people will be able to ...
Driver in fair condition following Saturday’s tanker rollover
The man injured when a tanker trailer hauling 8,000 gallons of gasoline went off a Barton County road Saturday morning was in fair condition Monday afternoon, a spokesman at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita said. The Freightliner driven by Michael S. Manning, 60, of Great Bend, went off U.S. 281, 3.5 miles north of Great Bend, at 11:39 a.m., when he swerved to avoid a vehicle that was stopped ...
Vandalism to signs costs thousands
An upturn in the amount of vandalism to road signs is costly and potentially dangerous, local law enforcement officers report. From Jan. 1 through April 30, 165 road signs belonging to the county have been stolen, spray painted, shot with guns or broken off with vehicles. Great Bend Police Chief Dean Akings, speaking for Crime Stoppers of Barton County and Great Bend, said it will cost more than $7,100 to replace ...
Longoria attorneys want sodomy charge dropped
Attorneys for the man accused of murdering a 14-year-old Great Bend girl have asked the court to dismiss a charge of criminal sodomy, saying it creates double jeopardy. Adam Joseph Longoria, 36, is charged with capital murder, in the August 2010 slaying of Alicia Debolt. It is based on a claim of premeditated murder done in commission of or subsequent to the crime of criminal sodomy. He ...
BCC to conduct emergency drills
Anyone who drives past Barton Community College this Saturday may see several police cars and a couple of ambulances on campus. But they shouldn't reach for a cell phone to call 911, college officials said, because it's all part of a planned learning event. The annual Barton Field Operations Day will start at 9 a.m., said Karyl White, director of the college's Emergency Medical Services program. The college ...
Yessenia Bustamante chosen as Cinco de Mayo Queen
Knowing something about her Mexican heritage helped Yessenia Bustamante in her quest to become this year's Cinco de Mayo Queen for Great Bend's annual celebration. But a desire to help others is what cinched the decision for the judges.
GBPL adds TV; changes web address
Check this out: There's a television in the library. This sound is turned off most of the time, as the flat-screen TV flashes notices of upcoming events at the library, and community events such as Relay for Life. Cara Negaard, who is in charge of the reference and acquisitions departments at the Great Bend Public Library, said it was installed a couple of weeks ago. "I think it's eye-catching," Negaard ...
Zoo news: New animals serve as zoo ambassadors
The newest animals at the Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo include hissing cockroaches and a Kenyan sand boa. These can't be found among the regular exhibits, but are used as education animals that can be taken to remote programs. Zoo Curator Marge Bowen said the 6-inch long Kenyan sand boa, found in sandy areas of east Africa, may grow to be 1 or 2 feet long. Several children got to ...
Three generation art show featured at GBPL
Art appreciation began at an early age for Bev Simonson of Great Bend, and has been passed down to her daughter Kim Wiens and granddaughter Amy Wright. Now the three generations have their own works of art on display in a combined exhibit at the Great Bend Public Library, 1409 Williams St. The paintings, drawings and photographs will be in the Fine Arts Room of ...
Cinco de Mayo festival set for Saturday
The Cinco de Mayo Committee of Great Bend will hold its 18th annual celebration on Saturday in Jack Kilby Square. The public can enjoy authentic south-of-the-border cuisine and soak in Latino culture, according to committee members Roberto Hernandez and Mercedes Helms. Activities will start at 9 a.m., with entertainment for children and booths with a variety of ethnic foods - including tamales and sea food - and other merchandise ...
Emergency room busy after rollover accidents
The Barton County Sheriff's Office responded to one injury accident on Friday and two early Saturday. Muriel N. Hunter, 15, of Hoisington was driving north on NE 10 Ave. at 3:15 p.m. Friday and lost control of the car. The 2000 Buick went sideways, striking the embankment, and rolled while striking four fence posts. The car rolled at least two and a half times, coming to rest on its wheels. Passengers ...
Bikers take stand against child abuse
Members of an international motorcycle group gathered north of the Barton County courthouse Saturday afternoon. The red and black patches on their leather jackets showed chains and the letters B.A.C.A. written across the fingers on a closed fist. Not just anyone can wear these colors. To join, a prospective member must first undergo a background check and ride with the group for a year. Then there's a vote by the board, ...
Boeckman on panel reviewing Kansas judiciary
A three-member panel of the Blue Ribbon Commission that has been appointed to review all facets of the Kansas judiciary will conduct two public meetings in Hutchinson on Wednesday, to hear local concerns and suggestions to improve access and efficiency in the state's court system. Barton County Administrator and legal counselor Richard Boeckman is one of the panelists who will conduct the meeting. He will be joined by Doris Miller, co-owner ...
Dismissed DUI case back in court
A 2008 felony drunk driving case against Delbert Leroy Adams Jr. that was dismissed by a Barton County District Judge is back in the court system, following a ruling by the Kansas Court of Appeals. All charges, including driving under the influence of alcohol on the fourth or subsequent conviction, were dismissed by District Judge Ron Svaty at a preliminary hearing last year. The judge said the arresting officer ...
Cast in bronze
This time next year, Nobel Laureate Jack Kilby may be standing in Barton County's courthouse square. Great Bend artist Chet Cale has finished three sculptures for a Kilby memorial and plans to deliver them to the Art Casting of Colorado foundry in Loveland, Colo., on Sunday. It will take several months to complete bronze castings that will grace the area, also known as Jack Kilby Square. Cale was ...
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 ...
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