Archive By Author - Susan Thacker
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 ...
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 ...
Zoo news: Animal physicals continue at Brit Spaugh Zoo
Toby, the 5-year-old spotted leopard at Great Bend's Brit Spaugh Zoo, had his annual physical Wednesday, and a visit from local dentist and mayor Dr. Mike Allison. The leopard weighed in at 100 pounds, or five pounds less than a year ago. Zoo Curator Marge Bowen and Dr. Jackie Corbett, DVM, agreed the weight loss was not a cause for concern. Dr. Mike Malone, ...
10th Walk Kansas forming teams
This marks the 10th year for Walk Kansas, a statewide fitness challenge coordinated by K-State Research and Extension. Teams are forming now for the eight-week challenge that starts March 13 and concludes on May 7, said Donna Krug at the Barton County Extension office. The goal of each six-person team is to get active, by walking or other exercise. Members log their minutes of exercise, which are converted to ...
Countdown begins for spelling bee
With the Great Bend Tribune's Sunflower Spelling Bee less than two weeks away, coordinators are working on final details. This year's bee will see as many as 76 contestants from 66 counties. Each county is allowed to send at least one champion, and some can send more, based on the number of schools registered to compete in the 2011 Scripps National Spelling Bee, to be held June 1-2 in Washington, D.C. ...
Library announces March activities
Great Bend Public Library, 1409 Williams St., will have several activities for children in March, starting with the birthday celebration of "Green Eggs and Ham" author Dr. Seuss. There will also be free movies, and four days of scheduled activities during spring break, said Eric Coulbourne, children's librarian. The birthday party for Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, will be at 3:30 p.m. this Wednesday. Children are invited to ...
One killed, two injured in collision
A Great Bend man died and two people were injured on Saturday, after vehicles collided at the U.S. 281/K-19 junction, 11 miles north of St. John in Barton County.
Legislators discuss budget, redistricting
Sen. Ruth Teichman, R-Stafford, said western Kansas may have one less senator when voting districts are redrawn in 2013 to keep them relatively equal in population. "We're going to lose a vote out here," she told an audience in Great Bend on Saturday, noting the state's population is shifting to the east. The seat most vulnerable is for the 36th Senate District, held by Sen. Janis Lee, D-Kensington, until she resigned ...
Some accidents weather-related
The Barton County Sheriff's Office and other area law enforcement agencies responded to several accidents last Thursday when the roads were icy. There was a minor-injury rollover 0.75 miles north of NE 10 Ave. and NE 50 Road, around 2:45 p.m. Thursday. A 2002 Volkswagen Passat went off the road and into a ditch. A non-injury accident on the west side of Pawnee Rock on U.S. 56 was reported at ...
Bill to allow alcohol sales in grocery stores draws concern
A spokesman for the Northwest Kansas Regional Prevention Center says a proposed law to allow wine and spirits to be sold in grocery and convenience stores would increase youth access. Senate Bill 54 was passed by the Senate Committee on Federal and State Affair, and will be voted on by the senate today, said Christina Hayes, community prevention specialist with the Prevention Center. She said the bill's latest version ...
SENIOR SAFETY: Small changes help elders stay at home
Anyone who has ever stumbled over a throw rug should realize, being safer at home can start with small modifications. That's why Karen Sessler, care manager at the regional ElderCare office in Great Bend, recommends picking up tripping hazards as a first step for senior safety. Sessler spoke about everything from wall grab bars to the Do Not Call Registry for home phones ...
Family Crisis Center earns state kudos
The Family Crisis Center in Great Bend is one of five sexual and domestic violence advocacy organizations in Kansas to receive a new form of accreditation. The process required months of self-study followed by a two-day site visit, but has resulted in service that is more supportive and effective for survivors, said Laura Patzner, executive director of the Center. Joyce Grover, executive director of the Kansas Coalition Against ...
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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