Archive By Author - Susan Thacker
Great Bend residents recall 9.11.01
The Great Bend Fire and EMS Department is planning a short remembrance ceremony next Sunday on the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. The ceremony at 8:30 a.m. at Fire Station No. One, 1205 Williams St., is in honor of all the public safety and military personnel who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001, GBFD Fire Chief Mike ...
BCC opens high-tech portal
Cutting edge technology at Barton Community College includes a portal to the website, and electronic money systems. The president's staff described the innovations last week at the BCC Board of Trustees Study Session. The MyBarton Portal is in the late test stages, and will evolve based on student feedback, said Charles Perkins, Dean of Information Services. A portal is by definition an entrance or point of access; on a ...
BCC to train area firefighters
Administrators at Barton Community College shared plans Thursday for a program to train firefighters. Barton will partner with the Great Bend Fire Department to offer a fire science certificate. Karyl White, director of Barton's Emergency Medical Service Education Program, said the college already has state approval to offer a two-year degree in the field. But for several years, the college hasn't taught fire science courses. "Unfortunately, we have ...
Zoo News: New perimeter fence going up at Brit Spaugh Zoo
The Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo is being staffed 24 hours a day this week while the city replaces the perimeter fence along Main Street with a "newer, nicer, 8-foot chain link perimeter fence," Zoo Director Scott Gregory said. The work began Tuesday and should be done by Friday. Meanwhile, the Raptor Center is closed ...
Good Question: What's Great Bend's record for 100-degree days?
It's been some time since readers have submitted questions to this column, but lately we've received several, all weather-related. That's only natural, when Wednesday's high was predicted to be near 106 degrees, and today's high will push 107 for good measure. One reader asks where the temperature for Great Bend is measured. Another asks, "What year holds the record number of 100 degree (or higher) days in Great Bend, ...
Woman who abetted sale of stolen guns convicted
A Great Bend woman who helped burglars sell guns stolen from a local business last December was convicted last week in Barton County District Court. Jamie Lynn Hubbard waived her preliminary hearing and entered a plea of "no contest" Thursday to the charge of abetting theft. Assistant County Attorney Amy Mellor said two people were charged with burglarizing P&S Security on Dec. 19, 2010. "The defendant assisted in introducing them to ...
Golfers support Kansas law enforcement
Golfers were calling Great Bend Police Chief Dean Akings "Payne" - as in Payne Stewart - Friday at the Club at StoneRidge. Akings and his fellow team members emulated the late golf pro Stewart by wearing old-style bloomers and tam-o-shanters for the annual Law Enforcement Valor Awards Golf Tournament. Thirty-six teams joined the four-person scramble tournament, which raises funds for an annual tribute to Kansas officers who ...
Just Paint It owner brightens community with murals
While a Great Bend couple vacationed in Michigan this summer, Great Bend artist Sally Rychlec was busy painting a mural on the privacy fence in front of their home.
Former teacher sent student sexual texts
Seth Converse Stevens sent text messages with sexual content to one of his female students when he was a teacher at Ellinwood High School in 2009, Assistant County Attorney Amy Mellor said Thursday in Barton County District Court. That was the case Mellor was ready to present to District Judge Mike Keeley at Stevens' preliminary hearing. However, Stevens waived his right to the hearing and entered a plea ...
No hearing scheduled in Ney murder case
The Kansas Attorney General's Office is handling two first-degree murder cases from 2010 in Barton County District Court. But while the capital murder case against Adam Joseph Longoria continues to grab headlines, less is known about the first-degree murder case against Shawn Ney. Both cases are in pre-trial stages. Longoria is charged with murdering 14-year-old Alicia DeBolt on or about Aug. 21, 2010, after attempting to rape her. ...
One year after death Alicia DeBolt’s death, family sends message
One year after the death of Alicia DeBolt, family members are planning to honor the memory of the Great Bend teenager by releasing message-laden balloons. Sunday marks the anniversary of the night Alicia disappeared, just days before she was scheduled to start her freshman year at Great Bend High School. Her sister, Dawn DeBolt, has posted a message on the Great Bend Tribune's Facebook page, inviting the public to ...
Stansfield promoted to captain at GBFD
Kevin Stansfield has traded his yellow fireman's helmet for a red helmet, signifying his promotion to captain. Chief Mike Napolitano said Great Bend Fire Department has a total of six captains - one for each shift at each station - and when Capt. Steve Root transferred to the Great Bend Park Department it created an opening. Seven firefighters applied for the position. The selection involved evaluations and an outside assessment. ...
BCC trustees approve new hires; meet with foundation president
The hiring of Barton Community College's head women's basketball coach became official Thursday when the college's Board of Trustees approved new employees. Darin Spence has been on the job for several days, and BCC Athletic Director Trevor Rolfs acknowledged the appointment two weeks ago, "pending board approval on Aug. 18." It isn't unusual for new employees at the college to start getting organized before their contract is approved. Barton President ...
Community Bird Sanctuary dedication Thursday
An area created to attract songbirds to the courthouse square was added during construction of the Jack Kilby monument. Although birds have been using the habitat on the north side of the courthouse for several months, the "official opening" takes place Thursday. This small garden on the north of the courthouse will be dedicated with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10 a.m., following the Great ...
Barton Community College Foundation names new members, elects officers
The Barton Community College Foundation Board of Directors recently welcomed five new board members and elected officers for the 2011-12 academic year. Elected for three-year terms, the new board members are Sylvan Bleeker, Harmony Kistler, Robert Peter and Tim Hammeke, all of Great Bend, and Lori Werth of La Crosse. Gary Burke of Great Bend was elected to serve as the board chairman for 2010-11. Other officers include ...
Articles By Author - Susan Thacker
Poppies to honor veterans available
The American Legion Auxiliary will be out this Memorial weekend asking for donations to help with its Poppy Program. Members will be in front of Great Bend businesses with poppies this evening and all day Saturday. They will also be out on Sunday if they still have some of the 3,000 poppies, said Marianne Krallman, cochair of this year's Poppy Program. Look for volunteers in front of Walmart, both Dillon's stores, Orscheln's and True Value ...
Ironic freedom
On Thursday, Gov. Sam Brownback signed a bill that establishes "Celebrate Freedom Week" during the week of Sept. 17 and requires schools to teach students about the Constitution, Bill of Rights and Declaration of Independence in grades K-8 each year during that week. (Sept. 17, 1787, is the date the U.S. Constitution was adopted in Philadelphia.)
Two Barton coaching contracts 'pending'
Nine head coaching contracts were renewed Wednesday when the Barton Community College Board of Trustees met, but the contracts of two head coaches are "pending final review." The board discussed personnel matters behind closed doors for nearly an hour before voting on head coach contracts, administrative contracts and contracts for managerial staff. Barton President Dr. Carl Heilman said there were no changes in head coaches, but the board did not approve a contract for a ...
Two flee; child left in truck
A minor child was left in a truck with a loaded gun Monday night as two suspects fled from Barton County deputies.
Our zoo is famous and other local news
Tying up a few loose ends on stories that didn't make the front page:
Higher gas prices not likely to drop by weekend
Gasoline prices have risen dramatically in the past two weeks throughout much of the Midwest. While the price increases may ease off by June, but don't expect relief at the pump this Memorial Weekend, industry experts say. The American Automobile Association's online daily fuel gauge report and GasBuddy.com both showed the average price for a gallon of regular gas Monday in Kansas was $3.92. Just one week ago, the average price was $3.64, and it ...
Cool/Not Cool
The Imagination Playground is coming to Great Bend and will make its public debut during June Jaunt. The portable playground is a set of oversized blocks, lightweight but sturdy enough to build with. They were designed by award-winning architect David Rockwell, who was inspired by watching his own children play.
These masterpieces have wheels
Barton County Historic Society is celebrating the 60th anniversary of organized drag racing in the Golden Belt with a new exhibit and a car show during its open house this Saturday.
GBRC shares Blue Ribbon Award to promote health
Several people working to make Barton County a healthier place received some recognition and financial assistance Monday during the Great Bend Recreation Commission Board meeting. Doug Vance, executive director of the Kansas Recreation & Park Association, visited the meeting along with representatives from BlueCross BlueShield of Kansas, to present a $2,500 facsimile check and a banner in honor of Great Bend winning the Blue Chip award.
Trash talk
The senior class president of Heights High School in Wichita was suspended for the rest of the school year after posting a bit of trash talk about the school football team on Twitter.
BCC may opt out of conceal carry law
Barton Community College trustees may request an exemption to a new gun law taking effect July 1.
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