Archive By Author - Susan Thacker
Library taking food for fines during week-long celebration
Great Bend Public Library, 1409 Williams St., will be waiving fines and giving away prizes all week, to celebrate National Library Week. Reference Librarian Cara Negaard said the theme for the week is "Create Your Own Story @ the library." Visitors can do just that -- publishing a children's story online or preparing a resume and cover letter with help from the staff this week. "All week we ...
BCC seeks more industrial opportunities
Barton Community College staff hope to offer a certificate in natural gas measurement in the near future, college trustees learned Thursday. Mike Baugh, coordinator/instructor of Barton's Natural Gas Transmission and Distribution program, said the industry has identified a need for this advanced certificate, and they already have a curriculum approved. Pending final approval by the Kansas Board of Regents, Barton hopes to offer the course this fall, or no later ...
Habitat prepares for next project
Members of Habitat for Humanity of Barton County left their shovels inside when an April shower threatened to dampen a scheduled groundbreaking on Thursday. But Rachel Mawhirter, co-chairman on the nonprofit group's board of directors, said a new home will be built at 19th and Hubbard this year. The three-bedroom house will have two bathrooms and will be sold to someone who meets the Habitat for Humanity criteria, which ...
Zoo news: It takes a village to raise a successful zoo
This week, the Great Bend Tribune will publish its annual guide to animals of the zoo. Watch for that supplement in Sunday's paper. In it, Zoo Director Scott Gregory talks about the ongoing effort to earn AZA accreditation. His original letter listed many people deserving of thanks. Unfortunately, there wasn't enough space to list them all. So, here's a portion of Gregory's letter than didn't make the final cut: "I ...
Kids' creations: 'Watching Young Artists Grow' exhibition opens
Complex sculptures and impressionistic paintings have been moved from the spotlight at the Barton County Arts Center this month, replaced with the media of youth. Now, crayons and construction paper take their rightful place for the annual "Watching Young Artists Grow" exhibition. The Barton County Arts Center, located at 1401 Main in Great Bend, is open weekday afternoons. For the month of April, BCAC is showing the work of ...
Company questions wasp spray tip
Last week I reported on Randy Smith's neighborhood watch tips for crime prevention.
Stolen vehicle recovered; two sought for questioning
A GMC pickup reported stolen on Friday was found Saturday morning in the area behind Diane's Diner, 807 10th St. in Great Bend. It was discovered by a Great Bend police officer around 4 a.m. The GMC had plenty of gas and there was also a rifle inside it when it was taken while the owner of the vehicle was farming. The Barton County Sheriff's Office reports the gun was also recovered. ...
Suspicious fire reported in Dundee
Great Bend Fire Department and the Barton County Sheriff's Office, along with the State Fire Marshal's Office, spent Friday investigating an early morning structure fire in a machine shed located at 633 West U.S. 56 in Dundee, Fire Chief Mike Napolitano said. A blue Ford F-150 pickup that was stolen from a two-car garage at the same location was later recovered. Authorities were dispatched at 1:38 a.m. Friday after someone passing ...
EAGLE TO FLY
No one remembers exactly when the neon "Eagle" stopped lighting Main Street at night, but it's been more than five years. Now the Fraternal Order of Eagles has contracted for the repairs, with hopes it will be relit when Great Bend hosts the state convention on June 1. Eagles President Jim Herrman said from what he's been able to learn, there is only one other sign like the one in Great ...
Great Bend native returns to Jazz Festival
The building blocks for a successful musical career were laid in Great Bend, according to Linda Richter Brady with Kansas City Youth Jazz. Brady will return to her hometown this weekend for the 17th Great Bend Jazz Festival. The festival will feature the KCYJ's Reno Band, the Friends University Jazz Ensemble and the FU Vocal Jazz Ensemble. It all takes place at 7:30 p.m. at the Crest Theater, 1905 Lakin Ave. ...
Former KBI agent has neighborhood watch tips
A key ring and wasp spray are among common household items that can be used to deter crime, according to Randy Smith, instructor and coordinator of the Criminal Justice program at Barton Community College. Smith, who is also a former Kansas Bureau of Investigation agent, recently shared tips with the Citizens Watchdog Association and also spoke to the Great Bend Noon Kiwanis. Smith suggests keeping car keys next to ...
Mitchell eligible for parole hearing
A man serving prison sentences for robbery in Barton and Pawnee counties, and additional crimes in other counties, is eligible for a parole hearing in May. The Kansas Parole Board has announced public comment sessions that will take place in April. Kevin L. Mitchell, 48, is in a high to medium level of custody at the El Dorado Correctional facility. His active convictions start with theft in ...
Walk ‘around the world’ raises awareness for people with developmental disabilities
sthacker@gbtribune.com While another group has teams walking the length of the state, Sunflower Diversified Services is joining a group effort that could circumnavigate the globe. The public is invited to help people with developmental disabilities by joining "Walk a Mile in My Shoes." Advocacy coordinator Mary Lou Warren said the statewide effort is bringing awareness for the more than 4,500 adults and children with developmental disabilities who are on the ...
Court orders Longoria DNA swab
Attorneys for Adam Longoria agreed Tuesday to the collection of his DNA sample for the KBI databank. Longoria is charged with capital murder and criminal sodomy in connection with last year's killing of 14-year-old Alicia DeBolt. He appeared in Barton County District Court for about 15 minutes Tuesday, as attorneys discussed pre-trial motions with District Judge Hannelore Kitts. Assistant Attorney General Andrew Bauch, who entered his appearance in the ...
Slain Houston hero had local ties
A good Samaritan who lost his life defending a Houston woman from an armed robber last November has been recognized by Congressional Medal of Honor recipients. Sam Irick, 24, was shot and killed outside a Chevron gas station on Nov. 11, 2010, according to reports in The Houston Chronicle. Police said he intervened when Anthony Ferrell put a gun in Amberly Wait's stomach and demanded she hand over her purse. The ...
Articles By Author - Susan Thacker
Representation: 3-mile zone creates issues
A while back the League of Women Voters asked Great Bend City Attorney Robert Suelter to discuss the three-mile zone around the city limits, which has been overseen by the city since 2000. The area has a mix of agricultural, industrial and residential uses.
Zoo News: Brit Spaugh Zoo continues search for new animals
One of the new animals at Great Bend's Brit Spaugh Zoo is a 6-month-old African serval cat named Akida. This male cat was shipped to the zoo from New Zealand and Zoo Director Scott Gregory said he will try to find a female from another zoo so they can attempt to breed the pair. Although the zoo already has a female serval, she dates to an earlier time when zoo record keeping was not as ...
Historical Society announces ‘Ghosts of Christmas Past’ open house
Nostalgia, entertainment and music are on the agenda for the Barton County Historical Society's holiday open house, "Ghosts of Christmas Past." It will take place 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, at the museum. Admission is free for the day. The Barton County Historical Museum & Village is located just south of the Arkansas River bridge on U.S. 281 in Great Bend. Regular winter hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Executive Director ...
Every Christmas Story
Last year, Great Bend Community Theatre's holiday gift to the community was "It's A Wonderful Life, a Radio Show." This year director Sally O'Connor will deck the halls with "Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some)." The play opens Thursday, Dec. 5, with nightly shows at 8 p.m. through Dec. 7, and ends with a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, Dec. 8, at the Crest Theater, 1905 Lakin Ave. The box office will be ...
'Trick or Tree' contest pleases tree lovers
As the fall colors began to turn, Great Bend's Tree Board announced its first Trick or Tree photography contest. Contest coordinator Toni Rice announced the winners this past week. "We had so many wonderful entries," Rice said. Although six were named winners – and will be awarded gift certificates – Rice had many "favorites" among the submissions – which brought out the variety in species as well as the history of trees in Barton County. ...
Wholistic center celebrates quarter century of healing hands
The "Heartland" ministries of Great Bend's Dominican Sisters of Peace have always been intended to address body, mind and spirit. One of those ministries, the Heartland Center for Wholistic Health at 1005 Williams St., is celebrating 25 years.
Acres for birds
You'd think people would be happy with the rise of ethanol, a renewable energy source, taking the place of some oil, which is non-renewable. By creating another market for corn farmers, it should be a win-win.
Santa's Workshop opens Monday
After Thanksgiving, the elves at the north pole get busy. A winter tradition, Santa's Workshop will be open from 6-8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 2, at the City Auditorium. Garet Fitzpatrick at the Great Bend Recreation Commission notes that a number of volunteers will help to transform the City Auditorium into the 17th annual Santa's Workshop, a free event "designed for preschool through sixth graders and their families and those young at heart." Enter through the ...
Mayor to throw switch on 'Trail of Lights'
The newest holiday display in Great Bend is located on the north side of the courthouse square. Christina Hayes, Great Bend Community Coordinator, described the interactive light display. "We are very excited about this new feature," she said. "It's set to music where you can park your car and tune in your radio, and the lights will dance with the music." Parks Director Terry Hoff described the synchronized light show as a major addition to ...
2nd Grade Civics
Second graders from Park Elementary School took a trip to the Golden Belt Humane Society on Monday for story time. After Kennel Technician Aaron Pike read a story, there was time for cookies and juice. Children also got to pet some puppies and kittens while learning important lessons about animals from the shelter's staff. Heather Acheson, director of the humane society, compared lessons on approaching injured or stray animals to what kids learn about "stranger ...
Library announces Food for Fines and other events
The Great Bend Public Library is once again holding Food for Fines to support the local food bank. From Dec. 2 until Jan. 4, bring in one non-perishable food item for every $1 in late fines on library materials. Food may be dropped off inside the library anytime during library hours.
Home for the Holidays events listed
Great Bend's holiday events calendar explodes this week as Thanksgiving and the annual Home for the Holidays celebration approaches.
House fire does extensive damage (updated report)
A fire at 1418 20th St. did extensive damage to the house, Great Bend Fire Chief Mike Napolitano said. Firefighters were dispatched at 2:42 a.m. Friday, for a possible window air conditioner on fire. They arrived to find smoke coming from the attic. Inspector Luke McCormick from the GBFD said police also arrived at the house and said the door was hot to touch. Firefighters forced open the front door and found fire in the ...
Great Bend youth learn 'Pillars of Stewardship'
Students at Great Bend's Holy Family School and the Prince of Peace Parish accepted a challenge to make videos about "The Four Pillars of Stewardship."
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