Archive By Author - Susan Thacker
Plan for in-county tuition break gains momentum
The next tuition increase at Barton Community College may include a price break for local residents. The idea was suggested at a recent BCC Board of Trustees study session, and discussed again briefly on Thursday, at the January study session. Last year, trustee Mike Johnson said he'd like to see Barton County residents pay less for tuition, since they already support the college with their tax dollars. On Thursday, ...
Winter traffic accidents reported
The winter storm that began last week contributed to several accidents in central Kansas, including a fatality Sunday in Pratt County. Kansas Highway Patrol also worked one injury accident last Friday in Ellsworth County, and one Sunday in Rush County. Lazaro Antonio Garcia, 43, of Emporia, died when the pickup he was in went out of control on any icy Pratt County road some time Sunday afternoon. The KHP ...
Burglary suspect arrested
The suspect in the Dec. 19 burglary of P&S Security, Richard Allen Etim, was arrested just after 3 p.m. Thursday, the Great Bend Police Department reported. Lt. William Browne said an officer made a traffic stop on a red Honda car at Lakin and Harding. During the stop it was discovered that Etim, 22, was in the car, and there was an outstanding warrant for his arrest. He was ...
Heart transplant a success
Former Great Bend resident Brent Tiede received a successful heart transplant this week, and is recovering at St. Luke's Hospital in Kansas City, Mo. Tiede, 38, who now lives in Maize, is a 1991 graduate of Great Bend High School. He has known for years he would eventually need a heart transplant, after bring diagnosed with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, a condition in which the heart beats ...
Police: Leave the guns at home
Ring in the new year tonight, but don't celebrate by firing guns in the air, authorities warn. Last New Year's Day, 4-year-old Marquel Peters was killed by a stray bullet that came through the roof of the Church of God of Prophecy in DeKalb County, Ga. Officials believe the bullet had been fired into the air to celebrate the new year. Celebratory gunfire is dangerous; it can cause ...
Warrant issued for gun theft suspect
An arrest warrant was issued Tuesday for Richard Allen Etim, 21, the Great Bend Police Department's prime suspect in the theft of 23 guns on Dec. 19. Police have been looking for Etim since early last week, and at 5 p.m. Tuesday they were successful in securing the warrant for his arrest, Detective Denton Doze said. Etim is a black male with brown ...
New Year's taxi rolls again
There's no excuse for drinking and driving on New Year's Eve, because the Great Bend Police Department will be offering a taxi service from 10 p.m. until 3 a.m., Chief Dean Akings said. This is the third year that the GBPD has taken on the volunteer project. Akings and Sgt. Gary Davis will be doing the driving, taking partiers anywhere in Barton County for a $5 donation to the GBPD DARE ...
BCSO to drop VIN inspections
After this week, the Barton County Sheriff's Office will no longer provide VIN inspections for vehicles coming to Kansas from other states, Sheriff Greg Armstrong said. Kansas Highway Patrol will take over the program, but with reduced hours. Vehicle Identification Numbers are used to check the title history of a vehicle. Motor vehicle title inspections are required when licensing a vehicle in Kansas which has an out-of-state title. The BCSO ...
Skull found in river
A partial human skull was discovered Sunday on the Wet Walnut Creek, Barton County Sheriff Greg Armstrong said. "It could be from the 1800s," the sheriff said Monday. Greg Brown said his sons Tanner and Layton were duck hunting with friends Kyle and Kevin Corbett Sunday morning when they found the skull less than a mile from his residence southeast of Great Bend. "Kyle was first to see it," Brown said. ...
Thieves break in, grab guns, more
Someone broke the glass to enter the Shooting Sports Company at 1912 17th St. and stole several guns, it was reported Sunday morning. Lt. Bill Browne at the Great Bend Police Department said more than 30 privately owned guns that were in for repairs were taken. Police are still investigating a Dec. 19 burglary at P&S Security, where 23 guns were reportedly stolen. Law enforcement officers have been attempting since ...
Explore the wetlands
Editor's note: This is the final story in a series about things for families to do over the winter break.
Man jumps from window in burning house
A Great Bend man was taken to Great Bend Regional Hospital after jumping from a window in a burning house Thursday evening, Great Bend Fire Department Battalion Chief Rick Robison said. Another man stayed inside the one-story house at 1308 Eighth St. and apparently suffered no injury, refusing treatment at the scene.
YMA reaches out to the community
Youth groups from several Great Bend churches have combined efforts this year by forming Teen Workers Alliance. As many as 100 students in grades 7 through 12 attended its first major event, a "Fifth Quarter" gathering after a recent home basketball game. The goal of Fifth Quarter was to create a safe place where kids can have fun, said Ashley Dowgwillo from Trinity Lutheran Church. For the first event, students met ...
Raptors check in for rehab
Two birds of prey - raptors - rehabilitated from recent injuries, were released back into the wild Wednesday near Larned, and an injured falcon found its was to Great Bend's Brit Spaugh Zoo. Area Wildlife Manager Karl Grover from the Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area found the injured prairie falcon in a field in the northern part of the wildlife refuge, Zoo Director Scott Gregory said. Dr. Mike Malone, veterinarian to ...
Burglary reported at P&S Security
P&S Security at 1705 K-96 in Great Bend was burglarized on Sunday, Police Chief Dean Akings reports. A front window was broken to gain entry. Two rifles, 21 handguns, one pair of handcuffs and flashlights were stolen.
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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