Archive By Author - Susan Thacker
Mute swan's death linked to bird's age
A mute swan that died recently at Veterans Memorial Lake apparently died of health problems related to old age, according to Great Bend-Brit Spaugh Zoo Director Scott Gregory.
Teen Court seeks friends who don't use tobacco
The social network is being used locally for a anti-tobacco promotion aimed primarily at teens.
Court to look at pending motions in Longoria case Wednesday
Adam Longoria is scheduled to appear in Barton County District Court on Wednesday morning for a pretrial hearing on pending motions. Longoria is charged with capital murder in the death of 14-year-old Alicia DeBolt on or about Aug. 20, 2010. His jury trial is scheduled to start March 26.
State could add $8 million for tech education
Kansas community colleges and technical schools could receive an additional $8 million next year, all for technical education, Barton Community College Dean of Administration Mark Dean told the BCC Board of Trustees on Monday, at the monthly study session.
Woman reports being cut, held against her will
Great Bend police are searching for a man who allegedly attacked a 22-year-old woman Sunday night at her residence. The woman knew and identified the suspect, whose name has not been released.
Myers found not guilty of battery change
Travis R. Myers was found not guilty on the charge of misdemeanor battery, during a bench trial Wednesday in Barton County District Court.
Schinstock, Bryant, up for parole
Two men serving prison sentences for unrelated, high profile crimes from the past two decades in Great Bend are again eligible for parole hearings.
College funding proposal could help BCC
Barton Community College trustees will learn more about the Legislature's plans to change how state community colleges are funded, during the Board of Trustees' next study session, at 4 p.m. Monday in room F-30 of the BCC Fine Arts Building.
Rykiel found guilty in teen girl's death
Joseph Rykiel injected a 15-year-old girl with morphine the morning of July 4, 2011, Barton County Attorney Douglas Matthews told a district judge on Wednesday. Jessica Cheyanne Shearer died from an overdose later that day.
Historical Society to preserve South Hoisington stories
The Barton County Historical Society and Museum has been awarded a Kansas Humanities Council mini-grant for a project entitled "South Hoisington: Stories From the Other Side of the Tracks."
Zoo news: Mute swan at Veterans Park dies
One of six mute swans at Veterans Memorial Lake has died, Great Bend-Brit Spaugh Zoo Director Scott Gregory said Wednesday.
WIND SONGS: Two-Hawks shares native wisdom
The first notes from John Two-Hawks' wooden flute filled the Crest Theater, quieting the large audience. A stand behind him held more flutes of various lengths and woods.
We Learn. We love. We. Serve.
This year's theme for Catholic Schools Week sums up what Holy Family School is all about, Principal Karen Moeder said. The theme is, "Catholic Schools: Faith. Academics. Service." which echoes the mission statement at Holy Family School,"We learn. We love. We serve."
CO exposure sends to local residents to hospital
Two Great Bend residents were treated for carbon monoxide exposure Wednesday evening, Fire Chief Mike Napolitano said. Great Bend police officers entered the apartment building at 3900 Forest Ave. around 6 p.m., and they found Brenda Pardee, 60, and Charles Morgan, 55, on the floor.
BCC housing at record levels
Barton Community College officials may look at expanding student housing in the future, in light of a report presented last week to the board of trustees.
Articles By Author - Susan Thacker
Ball tournament expected to draw 2,000 to Great Bend
Editor's note: This updates a story that was previously published on the website.
Rec Commission sees health-care costs increase
The cost of employee health insurance at the Great Bend Recreation Commission is expected to increase 11 percent overall this year, Executive Director Diann Henderson told the GBRC Board of Directors on Monday. The board voted to renew the major health coverage for the next fiscal year, which starts July 1.
Camp Aldrich fire ruled accidental; cause unknown
The cause of Saturday's fire at the Camp Aldrich Conference Center Dining Hall hasn't been determined, Claflin Fire Chief Doug Hubbard said Monday.
KHP works injury accidents
On Monday morning, Kansas Highway Patrol responded to at least three injury accidents caused by icy roads. KHP also responded to accidents Friday and Saturday, in which central Kansas residents were injured.
Farm & Ranch Show wraps up
The final sprayer demonstration of the 2014 Great Bend Farm & Ranch Expo never got off the ground.
Huelskamp holds Town Hall at farm show
Congressman Tim Huelskamp talked about America's regulation frustration, Washington's broken spending process and his commitment to Kansas farmers, energy producers and veterans during an hour-long Town Hall, Friday at the Great Bend Farm & Ranch Show.
Church bulletin
• "Increase the Reach Summit" presented by Rev. Scott Hinkle will be held at Faith Community Church on Saturday, April 12th from 9 a.m. until noon. The church is located 1 mile west of 10th and Patton Road in Grea Bend. The Rev. Hinkle will also be speaking in the Sunday Morning Worship Service, April 13 at Faith Community Church at 10:30 a.m. Both services are open to the public. Scott Hinkle, an evangelist now headquartered in the Dallas /Forth Worth Metroplex once lived a life that pointed to only one direction…prison and ultimately an early grave.
Cinema 6 showing 'God's Not Dead' at a discount
How far would you go to defend your belief in God?
BCC dorm should be ready for fall semester
After reportedly falling behind schedule for an August completion date, construction of a new residence hall at Barton Community College is back on schedule, college trustees learned this week.
For kids' sake
Requests for help – from people needing food, or cash to pay their rent or utilities – are on the rise in our community, and Great Bend is not alone. Locally, we know that our Barton County Emergency Aid Association and Food Bank, Catholic Social Service and others have seen an increase in requests.
Reboot adds up for BCC math department
A new approach to how developmental mathematics are taught at Barton Community College has raised success rates from mediocre to above average, Barton math instructor Brian Howe told college trustees Wednesday.
Farm & Ranch Expo draws crowd to Great Bend
One of the largest farm shows in the United States got underway Wednesday, with the 2014 Great Bend Farm & Ranch Expo. The show is taking place April 9-11 at the Expo Complex west of Great Bend.
Local art featured in Talking Books exhibit
The Talking Books program has taken a decidedly visual approach to public awareness with the launch of a traveling art exhibit titled "Through Different Eyes: Achieving a New Perspective."
GOP unchained
Kansas loves the Second Amendment, as the Senate proved again this week when approving the "gun-rights bill," 34-2, and sending it to an equally receptive House.
Zoo News: Babies arrive as zoo director signs contract with Jungle Jack Hanna
This week, Zoo Director Scott Gregory signed the contract that will bring Jack Hanna, the star of award winning animal television shows, to Great Bend this October.
