Archive By Author - Susan Thacker
Woman reports being battered by stranger
A Great Bend woman reported being battered at her residence at 3:30 a.m. Wednesday by an unknown male. He was able to reach inside the front door and ripped the T-shirt she was wearing before leaving the residence at 2707 Morton St. Detective David Bailey from the Great Bend Police Department said the woman told police she heard the door knob rattling but at first thought a pet was responsible for ...
Early fair event focuses on 4-H skills
The Barton County Fair is one week away, but the first pre-fair events took place Wednesday. In the morning, entries such as 4-H clothing and fiber arts were judged at Trinity Lutheran Church. Items were also judged for the Fashion Revue held Wednesday evening at the Crest Theater. For those who missed it, there will be another style show during the fair, at 6 ...
Detective warns against dangers of youth sexting
Technology has brought us new ways to communicate, including electronically through texting, e-mail, chat rooms and social media such as Facebook. Photos and videos can be sent over a cell phone. While all of this technology can provide real benefits, Great Bend Police Detective Heather Smith said that young people need to be warned of the dangers of one form of electronic communication, a practice known as "sexting." The ...
Ellinwood man convicted of electronic solicitation
A 21-year-old man from Ellinwood could be looking at a 25-year prison sentence for soliciting young girls via text messages. Braeton Joshua Monk is scheduled to be sentenced next month on three counts of electronic solicitation of a minor. He was originally charged with seven felonies last year, after a woman discovered inappropriate text messages on her 12-year-old daughter's cell phone. As the Barton County Sheriff's ...
Four injured in weekend incidents
Two males and a female were reportedly injured during a fight in the McDonald's parking lot this past weekend. Great Bend Police were busy on another call - breaking up a loud party where underage drinking was reported - when 911 received the call of a fight in progress, at 2:50 a.m. Saturday. The caller estimated 10 people were involved. The Barton County Sheriff's Office responded to the call, along ...
Biking for a Cure
As the temperature shot up to 100 degrees Saturday, a group bicycling from Baltimore, Md., to San Franciso, Calif., pedaled toward Great Bend. Their first stop was the First Presbyterian Church, where they planned to spend the night. But they couldn't resist an offer to cool off at the Wetlands Aquatic Center. "It's fun trying to swim," said Zach Turner, a University of Florida graduate student who has raised ...
Fire damages Great Bend home
A fire at 3400 Lakin Ave. caused an estimated $12,000 in damage, Great Bend Fire Chief Mike Napolitano said. Fire trucks were dispatched at 6:10 p.m. Friday and found the main electrical line coming to the house had completely burned through and was arcing on the ground. The crew had to remove Sheetrock to gain access to the fire in the attic. No one was home at the time ...
Barton County Fair turns 20
The Barton County Fair turns 20 this year and has chosen that milestone as its theme. Although the fair officially runs July 6-10 at the Expo Complex west of Great Bend, a few "pre-fair" events take place this week. Judging for 4-H clothing, fiber arts and the fashion revue start at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday at Trinity Lutheran Church, and the fashion revue will be at 7 ...
SAFETY FIRST
In a scene reminiscent of the Oklahoma Land Rush, dozens of children ran onto the south baseball field at Brit Spaugh Park on Thursday to claim a free bicycle.
Campers hit the links at StoneRidge
Everyone was a winner at Wednesday's Camp Hope golf tournament. Camp Hope, sponsored by the American Cancer Society for kids who are fighting cancer, brought most of its young campers to the StoneRidge club for a few rounds of golf followed by lunch. Golfers Dade Cannon, 7, of Great Bend, and his 6 1/2-year-old friend Alec Barber from Kansas City, Mo., both reported making ...
Mystery animal to replace bison
Brit Spaugh Zoo Director Scott Gregory said he's gotten approval for the next animal or animals at the zoo, but he isn't saying just what will take the place of the bison that were removed earlier this month. "It's going to be a surprise," Gregory said Tuesday. "Here's the first clue: We're going to be building a barn." There will be four stalls in the barn, but that doesn't ...
Raptor rapture
The Great Bend Raptor Center at Brit Spaguh Zoo is about to get a major exhibit makeover that will tie in to the Scenic Byway and Cheyenne Bottoms, Zoo Director Scott Gregory said Tuesday. The Raptor Center opened in 2008 and serves as the main entrance to Brit Spaugh Zoo. It houses a meeting area, restrooms, vending machines and gift shop, as well as Gregory's office. But its mission is protect ...
EduKan reports growth in online college
Barton Community College will soon receive a $50,000 check, the latest dividend on a $125,000 investment made in 1999. While that may seem like a pretty good return, college officials hinted last week that Barton's arrangement with EduKan - the online education consortium paying the dividend -- may need to change in the future. However, trustees were mostly positive when they met with Dr. Mark Sarver, EduKan director. EduKan ...
BCC to form Camp Aldrich advisory group
Trustees of Barton Community College have approved a "mission of purpose" statement for a future Camp Aldrich advisory committee that will have input on the future of the college-owned conference center/camp facility located near Cheyenne Bottoms. The action taken at Thursday's board meeting is the first step in the creation of the committee. Barton President Dr. Carl Heilman will now begin looking for possible advisory board members. Board members ...
Great Bend students band together to fight hunger
Today and Saturday, Great Bend students will fast so that hungry children may have food. The public is invited to help members of the Youth Workers Alliance break their fast Saturday evening with a meal and concert on the southeast lawn of the Heartland Center for Spirituality at 3600 Broadway Ave. "We invite the community to join us," said Ashley Dowgwillo with Trinity ...
Articles By Author - Susan Thacker
Mom, son walk across Kansas for a cause
A mother and son walking across Kansas find plenty of ways to pass the time between towns. There are friendly people to meet and historic markers to read, amazing sunrises/sunsets, and an occasional game of "tumbleweed toss" – where walking sticks are used like hockey sticks to pass tumbleweeds back and forth.
Wetlands Aquatic Center opens for summer
Great Bend's Wetland's Aquatic Center opened Saturday, making a splash as usual. "Everything is up and working," said Aquatic Director Paige Achatz. Weather permitting, the pool is open from 12:30-5:30 p.m. daily. Starting next week, on June 4, the pool will also be open for family nights from 7-9 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Achatz noted there will be no family nights this week because it is still a little too cold, and because she ...
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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