Archive By Author - Susan Thacker
Cop ring goes after crime ring
Law enforcement has shut down a team that allegedly burglarized businesses in six area counties, according to the Barton County Sheriff's Office. Warrants were served Tuesday afternoon and evening at 5201 17th St. Terrance in Great Bend and at 114 First St. in Olmitz, with a number of law enforcement agencies assisting. Officers recovered items from more than 20 business burglaries in Barton, Pawnee, Ellsworth, Rush, Hodgeman and Stafford counties. ...
Woman reports being battered by stranger
A Great Bend woman reported being battered at her residence at 3:30 a.m. Wednesday by an unknown male. He was able to reach inside the front door and ripped the T-shirt she was wearing before leaving the residence at 2707 Morton St. Detective David Bailey from the Great Bend Police Department said the woman told police she heard the door knob rattling but at first thought a pet was responsible for ...
Early fair event focuses on 4-H skills
The Barton County Fair is one week away, but the first pre-fair events took place Wednesday. In the morning, entries such as 4-H clothing and fiber arts were judged at Trinity Lutheran Church. Items were also judged for the Fashion Revue held Wednesday evening at the Crest Theater. For those who missed it, there will be another style show during the fair, at 6 ...
Detective warns against dangers of youth sexting
Technology has brought us new ways to communicate, including electronically through texting, e-mail, chat rooms and social media such as Facebook. Photos and videos can be sent over a cell phone. While all of this technology can provide real benefits, Great Bend Police Detective Heather Smith said that young people need to be warned of the dangers of one form of electronic communication, a practice known as "sexting." The ...
Ellinwood man convicted of electronic solicitation
A 21-year-old man from Ellinwood could be looking at a 25-year prison sentence for soliciting young girls via text messages. Braeton Joshua Monk is scheduled to be sentenced next month on three counts of electronic solicitation of a minor. He was originally charged with seven felonies last year, after a woman discovered inappropriate text messages on her 12-year-old daughter's cell phone. As the Barton County Sheriff's ...
Four injured in weekend incidents
Two males and a female were reportedly injured during a fight in the McDonald's parking lot this past weekend. Great Bend Police were busy on another call - breaking up a loud party where underage drinking was reported - when 911 received the call of a fight in progress, at 2:50 a.m. Saturday. The caller estimated 10 people were involved. The Barton County Sheriff's Office responded to the call, along ...
Biking for a Cure
As the temperature shot up to 100 degrees Saturday, a group bicycling from Baltimore, Md., to San Franciso, Calif., pedaled toward Great Bend. Their first stop was the First Presbyterian Church, where they planned to spend the night. But they couldn't resist an offer to cool off at the Wetlands Aquatic Center. "It's fun trying to swim," said Zach Turner, a University of Florida graduate student who has raised ...
Fire damages Great Bend home
A fire at 3400 Lakin Ave. caused an estimated $12,000 in damage, Great Bend Fire Chief Mike Napolitano said. Fire trucks were dispatched at 6:10 p.m. Friday and found the main electrical line coming to the house had completely burned through and was arcing on the ground. The crew had to remove Sheetrock to gain access to the fire in the attic. No one was home at the time ...
Barton County Fair turns 20
The Barton County Fair turns 20 this year and has chosen that milestone as its theme. Although the fair officially runs July 6-10 at the Expo Complex west of Great Bend, a few "pre-fair" events take place this week. Judging for 4-H clothing, fiber arts and the fashion revue start at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday at Trinity Lutheran Church, and the fashion revue will be at 7 ...
SAFETY FIRST
In a scene reminiscent of the Oklahoma Land Rush, dozens of children ran onto the south baseball field at Brit Spaugh Park on Thursday to claim a free bicycle.
Campers hit the links at StoneRidge
Everyone was a winner at Wednesday's Camp Hope golf tournament. Camp Hope, sponsored by the American Cancer Society for kids who are fighting cancer, brought most of its young campers to the StoneRidge club for a few rounds of golf followed by lunch. Golfers Dade Cannon, 7, of Great Bend, and his 6 1/2-year-old friend Alec Barber from Kansas City, Mo., both reported making ...
Mystery animal to replace bison
Brit Spaugh Zoo Director Scott Gregory said he's gotten approval for the next animal or animals at the zoo, but he isn't saying just what will take the place of the bison that were removed earlier this month. "It's going to be a surprise," Gregory said Tuesday. "Here's the first clue: We're going to be building a barn." There will be four stalls in the barn, but that doesn't ...
Raptor rapture
The Great Bend Raptor Center at Brit Spaguh Zoo is about to get a major exhibit makeover that will tie in to the Scenic Byway and Cheyenne Bottoms, Zoo Director Scott Gregory said Tuesday. The Raptor Center opened in 2008 and serves as the main entrance to Brit Spaugh Zoo. It houses a meeting area, restrooms, vending machines and gift shop, as well as Gregory's office. But its mission is protect ...
EduKan reports growth in online college
Barton Community College will soon receive a $50,000 check, the latest dividend on a $125,000 investment made in 1999. While that may seem like a pretty good return, college officials hinted last week that Barton's arrangement with EduKan - the online education consortium paying the dividend -- may need to change in the future. However, trustees were mostly positive when they met with Dr. Mark Sarver, EduKan director. EduKan ...
BCC to form Camp Aldrich advisory group
Trustees of Barton Community College have approved a "mission of purpose" statement for a future Camp Aldrich advisory committee that will have input on the future of the college-owned conference center/camp facility located near Cheyenne Bottoms. The action taken at Thursday's board meeting is the first step in the creation of the committee. Barton President Dr. Carl Heilman will now begin looking for possible advisory board members. Board members ...
Articles By Author - Susan Thacker
It's not persecution
The Military District of Washington issued a statement concerning Master Sgt. Nathan Sommers, a 25-year veteran of the U.S. Army Band.
Hot cars quickly become deadly for children, pets
It doesn't take triple-digit temperatures outside for unattended vehicles to reach oven temperatures inside. But as summer weather returns to the Golden Belt, safety experts remind people to never leave a child or pet alone in a vehicle. Lt. Bill Browne at the Great Bend Police Department said it isn't unusual for people to call 911 when they see an unattended vehicle with a child or pet inside. More often than not, the vehicle is ...
Summer reading off to magical start
The yellow hard hats seen Monday at Great Bend Public Library weren't for construction work. Staff wore the hats to celebrate the theme for this year's summer reading program: "Dig Into Reading."
SDS axes contract with Rec Commission
Last month the Great Bend Recreation Commission's board of directors approved a new contract to provide day services to Sunflower Diversified Services, but on Monday GBRC's Executive Director Diann Henderson said Sunflower won't approve a contract for the coming year.
Inmate in custody after walking away from Barton County Jail
This story has been updated. An inmate who walked away from the Barton County Jail sometime Sunday night was back in custody by 11:40 a.m. Monday. Lee W. Dean, 23, who was being held for probation violation, was located in the southeast part of Great Bend and 201 Plum St., Sheriff Brian Bellendir announced in a news release. "(Dean) was taken into custody without incident," Bellendir said. "A second subject at the location was taken ...
Summer reading programs start Monday
The Great Bend Public Library has a new look going into the summer reading programs. The front desk has moved and the Children's Department has been refurnished.
Tax Troubles: Deep Cuts Hurt Most of Us
Enjoy your tax cut, Kansans.
Cale sculpture going up at Historical Society
The history of Barton County, from unbroken grassland to modern wind turbines, is the latest subject for Great Bend artist Chet Cale. A series of bas relief panels by the sculptor is going up at the Barton County Historical Society. Bev Komarek, executive director of the historical society, said the artwork – 8 feet wide and 6 feet high – will be the focal point of the museum's new recognition wall. Names of significant donors ...
Nex-Tech Zoo Fest is Saturday
The annual Nex-Tech Zoo Fest runs from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, June 8, at the Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo. There will be free food and live entertainment for the whole family.
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