Archive By Author - Susan Thacker
The Age of Aquarius
It all started when a few local artists realized they shared the same sign of the Zodiac: Aquarius. Friendly, humanitarian, honest, loyal, original, inventive, independent and intellectual are all traits that have been assigned to Aquarians. The lineup has changed over the years, and one or two people born under other signs have slipped in, but "The Aquarians" enjoy meeting once a month to share ideas. Works by the five ...
Former teacher's sentencing set for Tuesday
A former Ellinwood teacher convicted of attempted electronic solicitation is scheduled to be sentenced this week in Barton County District Court, and another man convicted of sexting teenagers began his prison sentence last week. Seth Lee Converse Stevens is scheduled to appear in Barton County District Court for sentencing at 1 p.m. Tuesday. Stevens is a former Ellinwood teacher who entered a plea of no contest to one count ...
BCC trustees issued iPads
Playing Angry Birds or learning how to download a song on iTunes may not make board meetings run more smoothly, but it can be a good introduction to 21st Century technology, Barton Community College President Dr. Carl Heilman said Thursday. Notebook computers are popping up all over the BCC campus, and now each of the six college trustees has been issued one.
Rain or shine, the zoo is open
It's time for residents of central Kansas to adjust to colder weather, and that includes the birds and animals that reside at the Great Bend-Brit Spaugh Zoo.
Library recruits 'Totally Awesome Group'
An increasingly popular after-school hangout is the Great Bend Public Library.
Revenue Secretary touts state income tax cuts
Kansas Revenue Secretary Nick Jordan stopped in Great Bend Tuesday to talk about the "flatter, simpler and fairer" tax plan Gov. Sam Brownback says he wants for the state. "I'm glad you all could join us for this 'secret meeting,'" Jordan told those who sipped coffee at the public meeting in the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development office. That morning, the Topeka ...
Tricks or treats
By SUSAN THACKER sthacker@gbtribune.com Monday night may be the official date for Tricks or Treats in Great Bend, but plenty of children found themselves enjoying a three-day weekend that began Saturday. Several families braved 30-degree temperatures to attend the annual Kiwanis parade Saturday morning and the Great Bend Brit-Spaugh Zoo Boo in the evening. Three gift certificates were awarded shortly after noon Saturday, for the best costumes ...
Bow hunting on target for Camp Aldrich
Barton Community College trustees met Thursday and approved a plan to allow commercial bow hunting for deer at the Camp Aldrich facility. Two of the biggest hurdles have been crossed, with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism and the college's insurance company both giving their approval, Dean Mark Dean told trustees. Barton President Dr. Carl Heilman commented, "Quite a lot of attention and detail has been ...
Judge hears motion to suppress Ney confession
The attorney for Shawn Ney is seeking to suppress a confession and other statements reportedly made by for the man charged with shooting his estranged wife and fatally shooting his brother-in-law on July 10, 2010. Ney appeared in Barton County District Court on Thursday with his court-appointed attorney, Robert Anderson. Assistant Attorney General Travis Harrod represented the state at this motions hearing, with District Judge Hannelore Kitts presiding. Ney ...
Spooky ‘Dead Hollow’ opens Friday
Starting Friday, area residents can enjoy being scared silly - for a good cause. The Barton County Sheriff Reserves are putting the finishing touches on "Dead Hollow," a maze of Halloween terror for the strong-hearted. The haunted house will again be located at 5215 West 10th St., which is at 10th and Kennedy, across the street from Taylor Petroleum in Great Bend. The annual haunted house is the ...
AQIP Portfolio paints portrait of BCC
A document that outlines the strengths and goals of Barton Community College is completed or near completion, and awaits final approval from the BCC Board of Trustees this week. The Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP) Portfolio for 2011 will then be submitted to the Higher Learning Commission, the entity responsible for Barton's accreditation. According to the report, the college has more than 4,200 students. With 77 percent of the ...
Longoria attorneys seek controls on juror electronics
Attorneys for Adam Longoria want to ensure that jurors at his trial refrain from posting information on Facebook and other social media. They also want to keep jurors away from cell phones and other electronic devices to prevent texting, Tweeting and Googling. Last week, attorneys Tim Frieden and Jeffrey Wicks from the Kansas Death Penalty Defense Unit filed new motions of behalf of Longoria, 37, who is charged with murdering Great ...
Subject of three-county chase arrested Saturday
At 2:24 p.m. Saturday, the Barton County Sheriff's Office received a request from Reno County to assist in pursuit of a white GMC Jimmy entering Barton County from Rice County. The units first responded to the southeast corner of Barton County, but the suspect vehicle was later seen in the northeast corner of the county. When the vehicle was seen in a tree line at 2:38 p.m. with the suspect on foot, the K-9 ...
Adams shares 30-year anniversary celebration with Cedar Park Place
When Cedar Park Place celebrated its 30th anniversary last week, one special guest was Mary Adams, a resident of the housing complex for 30 years.
Celebrating 30 years: Cedar Park Place observes milestone
A faded photo taken 31 years ago shows Sister Rene Weeks standing in an alfalfa field west of the Dominican Sisters' motherhouse in Great Bend. Soon the sisters would begin an ambitious undertaking, building Cedar Park Place, a housing complex intended primarily for low income elderly and disabled occupants.
Articles By Author - Susan Thacker
Wetlands Aquatic Center at Great Bend photos
Great Bend's Wetlands Aquatic Center opened for the summer on Saturday. Here are some photos taken in the afternoon.
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.
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