Archive By Author - Susan Thacker
New fees, rules approved for Burnside Room
New rules and fees for using the Great Bend Recreation Commission's Burnside Room and kitchen were approved Monday at the GBRC's board meeting. Director Diann Henderson said these were the first changes since 1981. The Burnside Room is located in the Carl Soden Recreation Center at 1214 Stone St. and can hold up to 260 people standing, or 123 with tables and chairs. The new options are more simple ...
TOYS FOR TOTS
In 30 years, Luie Philbern has seen things that have made Santa cry. Like the year he and fellow members of The Men MC carried a box of toys and a bag of potatoes to a poor family's home for Christmas. A young boy ran to greet them, and excitedly grabbed the bag of potatoes – ignoring the toys. Another year, members of the ...
Murder suspect Shawn Ney dies in Barton County Jail
Hoisington resident Shawn Ney, awaiting trial for murder and attempted murder, died early Saturday at the Barton County Jail. Ney shot his estranged wife Sarah Ney and fatally shot her brother-in-law Steven Calderwood, who she reportedly planned to leave her husband for, on July 10, 2010. His trial was schedule to take place next month. Barton County Sheriff Greg Armstrong confirmed Shawn Ney's death, which was discovered around 1 a.m. ...
Farmers Bank hands out holiday gifts to givers
Farmers Bank & Trust donated $5,400 to local nonprofit organizations this past week, at its 15th annual Charity Holiday Coffee. The bank branch at 10th and Harrison in Great Bend was packed with area volunteers on Wednesday morning, as names of the organizations were drawn. More than 30 organizations received monetary gifts ranging from $50 to $500. There was also music by the Madrigal Singers of Great Bend High School, refreshments ...
Great Bend man gets green light on Green card
Angel Armendariz-Galindo wasn't born in Great Bend; his family left Mexico when he was 10 months old. But, like Nobel Prize winner Jack Kilby, he claimed Great Bend as his boyhood home, and graduated from high school here. Now, after wrangling with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for nearly four years, the 23-year-old man is on the verge of getting his Green card. During an immigration court hearing Thursday in Kansas ...
GHOSTS OF CHRISTMAS PAST
The Barton County Historical Museum and Village will be open for some old fashioned holiday fun this Sunday, when it hosts its annual "Ghosts of Christmas Past" open house.
Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration planned
Prince of Peace Parish Catholic Church will celebrate a miracle when members observe the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Sunday, Dec. 11, and Monday at the St. Rose Auditorium, 1412 Baker Ave. Religious dances known as "matachines," food and worship are scheduled from 4 p.m. to midnight on Sunday, and 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Monday. Most activities take place in the auditorium, but the "Las Mañanitas," ...
MYSTERY MUSICAL
This year's musical by students of Holy Family School adds some light-hearted twists to the story of the birth of Jesus, but the true meaning of Christmas is at the heart of "The Mystery of Simon Shepherd."
Longtime local resident fights removal from US
Angel Armendariz-Galindo was in junior high school, thinking about getting his driver's license, when he first realized his family lived in the shadows. Angel, and many of his friends who grew up with him in Great Bend, didn't think of themselves as citizens of Mexico, without legal documentation to live in the United States. He and his family came to this country legally when he was 10 months old, they stayed ...
College trustees plan trip to Topeka
Trustees at Barton Community College have changed the date of their December business meeting, and may move their January study session to Topeka, where they hope to repeat last year's visit to the Capitol. The board of trustees usually holds its study sessions on the first Thursday of each month, discussing issues but taking no formal action. Voting takes place at the business meetings, usually on the third Thursday of ...
Defense requests court pay juror wages
In the state's latest pretrial motion for the capital murder case of Adam Longoria, prosecutors disagree with the defense's request for jurors to be compensated at their current wages and reimbursed for day-care costs. In the alternative, the defense states, the court should increase the flat rate paid to those called for jury service. Barton County pays jurors $10 a day for their service, and those who live more than ...
Protesters deserve to be heard
Those who would describe Occupy protests as a "hissy fit" by "a whole army of freeloaders" who "have no interest in just getting to work and doing their part" are missing the point.
BCC Student Union to undergo face-lift
Barton Community College will spend about $200,000 to update its Student Union, college trustees learned Thursday at their monthly study session. Dean of Administration Mark Dean said the changes are mostly cosmetic, although they do address from accessibility issues. However, no tax dollars will be used. The college's Foundation has provided the first $100,000, and the rest of the money will come from Student Union funds, which are derived ...
Police: Woman kidnapped, forced to take drugs
HOISINGTON - Three arrests were made Wednesday at a Hoisington residence, where authorities said a woman was held against her will and forced to use drugs. Police Chief Denton Doze said officers entered a residence in the 200 block of West Broadway at 11:42 a.m. with a search warrant for drugs. During the search they found suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, and something they weren't looking for – the alleged kidnapping ...
Zoo News: Cell phone tours coming to Brit Spaugh Zoo
Thanks to three recent gifts, Great Bend's Brit Spaugh Zoo will soon be able to offer guided tours – over a cell phone.
Articles By Author - Susan Thacker
'Jungle Jack' Hanna coming to Brit Spaugh Zoo
Jack Hanna, the star of award winning animal television shows, is coming to Great Bend on Oct. 16, 2014, Brit Spaugh Zoo Director Scott Gregory announced Thursday.
Salvation Army ringing in donations
Thanksgiving may be later than usual this year, but the local Salvation Army's annual Kettle Campaign is right on schedule.
Barton County mapper receives lifetime achievement award
Barton County Cartographer BJ Wooding has received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Kansas Association of Mappers. She has worked for the county for 23 years.
