Archive By Author - Susan Thacker
Casagrande photos on exhibit
Photographs by Richard L. Casagrande, Ellinwood, are on display this month at the Barton County Arts Center, located at Forest and Main in Great Bend. The Arts Center is open weekday afternoons. The public can meet Casagrande during a reception from 2-4 p.m. Sunday at the Arts Center. Casagrande is the owner of the Ellinwood Emporium, which is an antique, art and consignment shop. He also operates the Ellinwood ...
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.
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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