Archive By Author - Susan Thacker
Man reports being pulled from car, kidnapped; car set on fire
A Great Bend man told police he pulled from a car, beaten, and then driven into the country late Saturday. At 5 a.m. Sunday, the car he was driving was found burning on an oil lease road north of Great Bend. The Great Bend Police Department, Barton County Sheriff's Office and State Fire Marshal's Office are investigating.
Home fire caused by short
Great Bend Fire Department responded to back-to-back fires on Easter morning, Fire Chief Mike Napolitano said.
Historical Society showing ham radios used by Kilby
Years before Jack Kilby invented the integrated circuit, the future Nobel Prize winner was learning about electronics at a Radio Shack at 12th and Monroe in Great Bend. Now the Barton County Historical Village and Museum is displaying some of the objects that sparked young Kilby's interest in science.
Youth art on display; new contest announced
The Barton County Arts Center is currently displaying its annual Watching Young Artists Grow exhibit, and is announcing another opportunity for students to have their artwork on display.
Finances strong, BCC looks at major improvements
Barton Community College administrators delivered a rosy financial report to college trustees Thursday, with enrollment income up and some projects coming in under budget.
Officer Davis settling in at School Liaison post
One month after being promoted to school liaison and youth coordinator at the Great Bend Police Department, Officer Jefferson Davis says the department's partnership with local schools is as strong as ever.
Zoo news: Monkeying around
Great Bend veterinarians Dr. Mike Malone and Dr. Jackie Corbett paid a visit to Great Bend's Brit Spaugh Zoo on Wednesday, conducting a physical examination of a male grivet monkey named Tupac.
Judge denies Rykiel’s plea for leniency
Joseph Rykiel, the man convicted in the death of 15-year-old Jessica Cheyanne Shearer after he injected her with morphine on July 4, 2011, was sentenced on Monday to four years and nine months in prison. Barton County District Judge Ron Svaty approved the standard sentence for someone with Rykiel's criminal history, even though the defendant's court-appoint attorney filed a motion seeking a reduced sentence.
Witness says Longoria asked him to lie
After Alicia DeBolt disappeared on the night of Aug. 21, 2010, Adam Longoria asked Hugo Hernandez to lie to police and back up his alibi for that night, Hernandez testified Monday.
It's election day (Tuesday)
Duty. Responsibility. Privilege.
Dragons disappear if no one cares
"One gray night it happened, Jackie Paper came no more.
Nazarene Easter drama offers new perspective
Great Bend's First Church of the Nazarene invites members of the community to enjoy its Easter dramatic musical, "More Than Just a Man."
Dragon stolen from shelterbelt
About 11 years ago, Jim Vance's grandson told him every forest needs a dragon. Not long after, one appeared in the rural Claflin resident's shelterbelt.
Opening arguments in Longoria trial may start Thursday
A jury for Adam Longoria's capital murder trial should be selected by 9 a.m. Thursday, when the State expects to deliver its opening statement, a judicial administrator said.
Nite Owls present gold star quilts
For their latest community service project, members of the Nite Owls Quilt Guild have made patriotic quilts in honor of U.S. military personnel from Kansas who lost their lives in 2011. These red, white and blue quilts are being presented to gold star families through American Legion posts, said guild member Joyce Burnham.
Articles By Author - Susan Thacker
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."
