Archive By Author - Susan Thacker
Walk ‘around the world’ raises awareness for people with developmental disabilities
sthacker@gbtribune.com While another group has teams walking the length of the state, Sunflower Diversified Services is joining a group effort that could circumnavigate the globe. The public is invited to help people with developmental disabilities by joining "Walk a Mile in My Shoes." Advocacy coordinator Mary Lou Warren said the statewide effort is bringing awareness for the more than 4,500 adults and children with developmental disabilities who are on the ...
Court orders Longoria DNA swab
Attorneys for Adam Longoria agreed Tuesday to the collection of his DNA sample for the KBI databank. Longoria is charged with capital murder and criminal sodomy in connection with last year's killing of 14-year-old Alicia DeBolt. He appeared in Barton County District Court for about 15 minutes Tuesday, as attorneys discussed pre-trial motions with District Judge Hannelore Kitts. Assistant Attorney General Andrew Bauch, who entered his appearance in the ...
Slain Houston hero had local ties
A good Samaritan who lost his life defending a Houston woman from an armed robber last November has been recognized by Congressional Medal of Honor recipients. Sam Irick, 24, was shot and killed outside a Chevron gas station on Nov. 11, 2010, according to reports in The Houston Chronicle. Police said he intervened when Anthony Ferrell put a gun in Amberly Wait's stomach and demanded she hand over her purse. The ...
Judge to hear motions in Longoria case Tuesday
Barton County District Judge Hannelore Kitts is scheduled to hear and/or rule on pre-trial motions in the case of Adam Joseph Longoria on Tuesday. Longoria, 36, is charged with capital murder in connection with the death of 14-year-old Alicia DeBolt of Great Bend last year. Tuesday's motions hearing is set for 10 a.m. at the Barton County Courthouse. Last week Assistant Attorney General Andrew D. Bauch ...
Locals get break on BCC tuiton hike
Tuition at Barton Community College will increase by $3 per credit hour this fall, but Barton County residents will receive a $3 per credit scholarship to offset the increase. The college's board of trustees approved new tuition rates when it met Thursday. Each credit for Kansas residents will now cost $57, but Barton County residents will end up paying only $54 after the scholarship, according to Dean of Administration ...
Jazz Festival puts spotlight on youth
The Great Bend Jazz Festival has received an infusion of youthful talent this year. The Kansas City Youth Jazz Reno Band and the Friends University Jazz Ensemble and Vocal Jazz Ensemble with perform Saturday, April 2, at the Crest Theater. The evening of jazz music starts at 7:30 p.m. When the doors open at 7 p.m., the public can purchase adult tickets for $10, and student tickets ...
KU players coming to Great Bend
University of Kansas basketball players will meet the public and play a game with local all stars at the annual KU Barnstorming Tour, Sunday, April 17 in the gym of the Barton Community College Kirkman Center. Diann Henderson, executive director of the Great Bend Recreation Commission, discussed the upcoming fundraiser at Monday's GBRC Board of Directors meeting. Tickets for a suggested donation of $8 will go on sale soon, with proceeds ...
Three flown to Wichita after head-on collision
Three people were seriously injured in a head-on collision Friday night in Barton County. According to the Kansas Highway Patrol Online Crash Logs, Michael S. Grauer, 38, Great Bend, was driving east on K-156, 14 miles northeast of Great Bend, at 9:22 p.m. His Chevy Impala went across the center line for an unknown reason and hit an approaching Jeep head-on. Grauer was flown to Via Christi's St. Francis Hospital ...
CASTING A 'SPELL'
Allen County spelling champion Clara Wicoff correctly spelled "geriatrician" Saturday to win the Great Bend Tribune's 2011 Sunflower Spelling Bee. Wicoff, a seventh grader from Iola, won the spell-down in 2009, and this year she outlasted 2010 winner Matthew Wegner from Parsons and 79 other contestants. Wegner and Barton County's Allison Regehr made it to the final nine, but by Round 7 there were only four remaining contestants: Wicoff, ...
Crime Stoppers seeks info on home invasion
Crime Stoppers is seeking information about an altercation that occurred Feb. 28 at 1305 MacArthur Road. Although they arrested Travis Myers, the adult son of Great Bend City Councilman Randy Myers, on suspicion of domestic battery of his brother Nathan, authorities said Thursday that they'd like to hear from anyone who may have seen people entering the house early that morning. In a Crime Stoppers announcement released this week, Police Chief ...
One more day until Tribune's Sunflower Spelling Bee
Saturday's Sunflower Spelling Bee will be a battle of champions, with the winners receiving medals, scholarships and other prizes, including the grand prize of a trip to the week-long national bee in Washington, D.C. Two former champions of the Great Bend Tribune's Sunflower Spelling Bee will be back - 2010 winner Matthew Wegner from Parsons and 2009 winner Clara Wicoff from Iola - but all 80 of the contestants registered for ...
Fire departments respond to vehicle fires
Fire departments from Ellinwood and Great Bend responded to two separate vehicle fires on Tuesday and early Wednesday. Both caused major damage but no serious injuries. A hazardous materials crew was called to U.S. 56 at SE 150 Ave. after a 2006 Newmar truck caught on fire around 1 a.m. Wednesday. The Barton County Sheriff's Office reports Hazmat cleared burnt vehicle parts from the road. Driver David Craddock of Great ...
Prevention specialist comments on 'Skins'
A local community prevention specialist warns parents that MTV's new TV series "Skins" depicts teens who display unsafe behavior without consequences. Christina Hayes with the Northwest Kansas Regional Prevention Center said parents should be aware of the show and talk to their teenagers about real life vs. MTV. "Skins" is far from the realistic snapshot of American teens it portends to be, said Hayes, who has offices in Great Bend and ...
Zoo Society gets wild
Membership has its privileges, at least for those who join the Great Bend Zoological Society. Those who join not only support work going on at the Brit Spaugh Zoo, but they can take part in members-only programs and behind-the-scenes zoo tours, said Robin Fabricius, secretary of the zoo society's board of directors. "We're starting to plan more activities for members," she said. One goal is to schedule quarterly educational seminars. ...
Stiles to join self-defense, empowerment event for girls
Former professional basketball player and Claflin native Jackie Stiles will help present an afternoon and evening of empowering activities for young girls. Two programs for girls in grades 2-8 will take place from 3:30-8:30 p.m. Friday at the Barton Community College gym, said Sara Nettleingham, community development manager with Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland. The event starts with Fearless and Female, a workshop geared toward teaching age-appropriate self-defense. Then ...
Articles By Author - Susan Thacker
Two flee; child left in truck
A minor child was left in a truck with a loaded gun Monday night as two suspects fled from Barton County deputies.
Our zoo is famous and other local news
Tying up a few loose ends on stories that didn't make the front page:
Higher gas prices not likely to drop by weekend
Gasoline prices have risen dramatically in the past two weeks throughout much of the Midwest. While the price increases may ease off by June, but don't expect relief at the pump this Memorial Weekend, industry experts say. The American Automobile Association's online daily fuel gauge report and GasBuddy.com both showed the average price for a gallon of regular gas Monday in Kansas was $3.92. Just one week ago, the average price was $3.64, and it ...
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.
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