Archive By Author - Susan Thacker
WWII vet's story inspires author
Barton Community College history instructor Linda McCaffery told college trustees she hopes to commission a bronze honoring World War II veterans, using proceeds from her first book. "I'm Praying Hard for You," Love Letters to a Death Camp: The World War II Ordeal of Bill and Jo Brenner, was published last fall, and is available at the BCC Bookstore for $22.50. McCaffery spent three years researching and writing her book, which ...
Ney makes brief court appearance
Medical records will play a key role in the trial of Shawn Ney, charged with the first-degree murder of Steven Calderwood and the attempted first-degree murder of Sarah Ney on July 10, 2010. Mr. Ney was in court briefly on Tuesday as Barton County District Judge Hannelore Kitts held a status conference on the case with defense attorney Robert Anderson and Assistant Attorney General Travis Harrod, who joined the proceeding ...
BCC trustee weighs in on Warren firing
At a Barton Community College Board of Trustees meeting on Friday, trustee Don Learned spoke out against the sudden termination of longtime danceline/cheerleading coach Debbie Warren, who was fired by President Dr. Carl Heilman in December. Learned also criticized the board's system of management, saying, "Under Policy Governance®, of course, we trustees really have little input on the operation of the college. "I think many individuals in Barton County would be ...
GBCT ready for "The Long Weekend"
Great Bend Community Theatre is ready to raise the curtain on its latest production, "The Long Weekend." This clever comedy of manners brings together two couples, as Wynn and Max Trueman have invited Abby and Roger Nash for a visit to show off their new weekend home. However, their longtime friendship has not always been based on truth, said Sally O'Connor, GBCT manager/artistic director. Canadian playwright Norm Foster sticks to his ...
Female lion dies at Brit Spaugh Zoo
A 14-year-old female lion at Brit Spaugh Zoo died Monday. "Dakura" did not wake up after being anesthetized for her annual physical exam. She died around 12:30 p.m. Zoo Director Scott Gregory said staff had recently noticed the lion was lethargic and seemed to be having health issues. They had hoped to learn more after the exam. Instead, the medical team performed a necropsy to diagnose the cause of death, and ...
Suspected meth lab raided
The Barton County Sheriff's Office raided a suspected meth lab Tuesday morning in Pawnee Rock. A search warrant was executed at 674 SW 110 Ave. around 8:45 a.m. Twelve officers joined the search, and an ambulance was called to stand by. No one was injured, however, Undersheriff Larry Holliday reported. Three people were arrested at the scene. Officers found glassware, chemicals and other items consistent with the manufacturing ...
Ledesma receives Great Bend’s Local Hero Award
David Ledesma received Great Bend's Local Hero Award on Wednesday, for saving another man from being crushed under a semi-trailer on an icy day last January. Friends and family met at Marmie Motors, where Ledesma works as a wrecker driver, to see him receive the award. Among those able to stand and say thank you was the man he rescued, Tom Curran. Mark Bretches ...
GBRC releases annual report
The opening of the GBRC Activity Center last October tops the list of highlights for the Great Bend Recreation Commission, which released its 2009-10 annual report this week. The recreation commission is funded by user fees, grants and property taxes collected in its service area, which corresponds to Great Bend Unified School District 428. A total of 15,484 people enrolled in recreational activities. In this report, a person is counted ...
Parks and recreation offers economic benefits
BY SUSAN THACKER sthacker@gbtribune.com A new study shows money spent on parks and recreation program offers substantial economic benefits - $1.70 for every $1 invested. Diann Henderson, executive director of the Great Bend Recreation Commission, shared the highlights of the study conducted by Jayhawk Consulting, University of Kansas School of Business. Among other things, Henderson told her board of directors Monday, the study shows 73 percent of ...
Don't be SAD you missed Valentine's Day -- Thacker
Was yesterday a holiday or something? Many of my friends - even those in relationships - took some time out Monday to gripe about Valentine's Day.
And snow it goes
Tuesday could only be described as a Snow Day. School was canceled, but those who ventured outside encountered snow and blowing snow. Wind gusts up to 20 mph made the 3 degree temperature at noon feel like -18, and the Great Bend Police Department activated the Emergency Accident Reporting Plan, allowing motorists in non-injury accidents to exchange information and report the accident later, if no drugs or alcohol were involved and ...
DUI Victim Center seeks local input
One weekend last month, victims and survivors of drunk driving crashes met with 40 alcohol/drug offenders in Great Bend. Now the DUI Victim Center of Kansas is looking for more area people who are willing to share their stories with people who have been caught driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, said Paul Sidebottom, statewide coordinator of the program. For the past 13 years, the ...
Zoo news: Scouts choose Brit Spaugh Zoo for Eagle projects
Some animals at Great Bend's Brit Spaugh Zoo were able to bear this week's bitter cold spell in newly winterized quarters, thanks to two young men working on Eagle Scout projects. Bryce Divis and Nathan Brungardt, both Scouts in Troop 157, chose to build winter animals enclosures, Zoo Director Scott Gregory said. Both projects were completed in November. Divis built a winter tortoise house. He started with a partial donation from ...
Driver turns himself in after fatal accident
A 26-year-old woman died and a 30-year-old man was seriously injured Wednesday night, after a car went off the 100 block of NW 40 Ave. in Barton County and hit a tree. The driver, who is suspected of driving under the influence of a controlled substance, fled the scene but later turned himself in, the Barton County Sheriff's Office reports. Great Bend Fire Department ambulance was first on the ...
Fear of Facebook: Officer shares safety tips
Imagine a website where your friends could have instant access to your changes of mood, the picture of your newest big purchase or your thoughts on your job or school. Then imagine that access opening to friends of friends - and their friends, including people you've never heard of. That's how social networking sites on the Internet, like Facebook and MySpace can work, but it doesn't have to be that way, ...
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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