Archive By Author - Susan Thacker
'Butterfly Effect' applies to insects, too
Ray Bradbury didn't invent the phrase "Butterfly Effect," but in 1952 he used it in the seminal science fiction story, "A Sound of Thunder." In his story, time travelers visit prehistoric times, taking great care to alter nothing. But one traveler accidentally steps on a prehistoric butterfly, creating a ripple effect that changes modern history for the worse.
Fond Farewell: Zoo director recalls Maggie the bear
If there are stars at the Great Bend-Brit Spaugh Zoo, Maggie the grizzly bear was one of them. Her early life in captivity, when she was known as Bear 60, could be described as tragic. But she was rescued in the early 1980s and brought to Great Bend, and in 1984 her photo appeared on the cover of Life magazine.
‘Tis the season for fire safety
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and Great Bend Fire Chief Mike Napolitano reminds residents to follow seasonal precautions to ensure a safe and happy holiday.
College sticks with local dealerships
Barton Community College's Board of Trustees voted Tuesday to buy from local car dealerships, even though a Topeka dealership submitted lower bids on replacement vehicles. The total cost will be $116,786.10 for one three-quarter ton 4 x4 Chevrolet truck and two Chevy Impalas from Dove Chevrolet Buick Cadillac, and three Ford Fusions from Marmie Ford.
Simplify Christmas to beat 'holidaze'
Take a deep breath. Turn on some soothing music. Light an aromatic candle - that is, if candles don't stress you out.
Car slides into ditch; driver injured
Patricia M. Halseth, 41, of Great Bend, was transported to Clara Barton Hospital in Hoisington on Sunday after the car she was driving slid off U.S. 281 near NE 60 Road in Barton County.
New fees, rules approved for Burnside Room
New rules and fees for using the Great Bend Recreation Commission's Burnside Room and kitchen were approved Monday at the GBRC's board meeting. Director Diann Henderson said these were the first changes since 1981.
TOYS FOR TOTS
In 30 years, Luie Philbern has seen things that have made Santa cry.
Murder suspect Shawn Ney dies in Barton County Jail
Hoisington resident Shawn Ney, awaiting trial for murder and attempted murder, died early Saturday at the Barton County Jail.
Farmers Bank hands out holiday gifts to givers
Farmers Bank & Trust donated $5,400 to local nonprofit organizations this past week, at its 15th annual Charity Holiday Coffee.
Great Bend man gets green light on Green card
Angel Armendariz-Galindo wasn't born in Great Bend; his family left Mexico when he was 10 months old. But, like Nobel Prize winner Jack Kilby, he claimed Great Bend as his boyhood home, and graduated from high school here. Now, after wrangling with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for nearly four years, the 23-year-old man is on the verge of getting his Green card.
GHOSTS OF CHRISTMAS PAST
The Barton County Historical Museum and Village will be open for some old fashioned holiday fun this Sunday, when it hosts its annual "Ghosts of Christmas Past" open house.
Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration planned
Prince of Peace Parish Catholic Church will celebrate a miracle when members observe the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Sunday, Dec. 11, and Monday at the St. Rose Auditorium, 1412 Baker Ave. Religious dances known as "matachines," food and worship are scheduled from 4 p.m. to midnight on Sunday, and 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Monday.
MYSTERY MUSICAL
This year's musical by students of Holy Family School adds some light-hearted twists to the story of the birth of Jesus, but the true meaning of Christmas is at the heart of "The Mystery of Simon Shepherd."
Longtime local resident fights removal from US
Angel Armendariz-Galindo was in junior high school, thinking about getting his driver's license, when he first realized his family lived in the shadows.
Articles By Author - Susan Thacker
Real estate
The City of Great Bend continues to take positive steps to encourage housing development.
Zoo News: Zoo hoping for spring babies
The animal population at Great Bend's Brit Spaugh Zoo has sometimes been described as "geriatric," but Zoo Director Scott Gregory is working to change that.
Zoo director gives update on lions, bears
Three grizzly bears at Great Bend's Brit Spaugh Zoo turned 1 year old in January, and have been good companions to Max, the older bear in the grizzly exhibit, Zoo Director Scott Gregory said Monday.
Fire does extensive damage to home, garage
A fire at the Karl and Virgina Harmony home, 3106 26th St., did extensive damage Tuesday afternoon, Great Bend Fire Chief Mike Napolitano said. Virginia Harmony was the only one home at the time and got out safely.
Storm watcher recommends ‘situational awareness’
Dramatic videos of flying cameras, storms chasers, and a family emerging from a demolished home after a tornado were among the highlights of "Storm Fury on the Plains," a severe weather awareness program presented Tuesday at the Crest Theater. But Warning Coordination Meteorologist Chance Hayes didn't come to Great Bend just to entertain; his presentations provided potentially life-saving information for anyone with a desire to chase after tornados, or anyone who wants to stay safe in case of severe storms.
GREEN EGGS AND HAM
Great Bend Public Library staff celebrated the 110th birthday of Dr. Seuss on Monday with a party for children. "Miss Amanda," as children's librarian Amanda Moran-Jones is known, read the Seuss book "Green Eggs and Ham," and then The Cat in the Hat invited the children to sample the same dish - scrambled eggs with green food coloring.
Education issues highlight Legislative Coffee
HOISINGTON - Joining Senator Mitch Holmes (R-St. John) and Rep. John Edmonds (R-Great Bend) at Saturday's Legislative Coffee in Hoisington was Kansas Board of Education member Sally Cauble (R-Dodge City).
Know the drill
Tornado sirens will be tested throughout the state, including Barton County, next Tuesday at 1:30 p.m.
Christian groups defend House Bill's intent
Last week, I reported about churches speaking out against House Bill 2433.
BCC trustees hear from PTK advisers
The Barton Community College Board of Trustees took another opportunity Thursday to discuss the recent selection of four students from the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society, who were recognized Feb. 13 at Topeka. They were BCC's 2014 choice for the PTK All-Kansas Academic Team.
Barton County ready for state tornado drill
Tornado sirens will be tested across the state on Tuesday, as Kansans prepare for severe weather season.
Branson eligible for parole hearing
Robin Lee Branson, the man serving two life sentences for Great Bend liquor store robberies that ended in murder in 1982, may be eligible for parole on June 1.
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