Archive By Author - Susan Thacker
GBRC adjusts fees, approves insurance bid
The processing fee for dropping a Great Bend Recreation Commission program will increase from $3 to $5, effective May 1. The GBRC Board of Directors approved the fee change when it met Monday. Executive Director Diann Henderson said people can get refunds for activities - minus the $5 fee - if they make their request prior to the starting date. The $2 increase reflects the cost to the Recreation Commission. <p ...
‘First Peoples’ exhibit added to museum
Great Bend's Robert Button, a longtime supporter of the Barton County Historical Society Museum and Village, has loaned the museum a collection of 30 native American Indian artifacts for a new exhibit. Navaho, Apache, Sioux and Anasazi are just a few of the tribes featured. The exhibit is called "First Peoples," because that is what the American Indians called themselves, explains Beverly Komarek, executive director of the ...
Library taking food for fines during week-long celebration
Great Bend Public Library, 1409 Williams St., will be waiving fines and giving away prizes all week, to celebrate National Library Week. Reference Librarian Cara Negaard said the theme for the week is "Create Your Own Story @ the library." Visitors can do just that -- publishing a children's story online or preparing a resume and cover letter with help from the staff this week. "All week we ...
BCC seeks more industrial opportunities
Barton Community College staff hope to offer a certificate in natural gas measurement in the near future, college trustees learned Thursday. Mike Baugh, coordinator/instructor of Barton's Natural Gas Transmission and Distribution program, said the industry has identified a need for this advanced certificate, and they already have a curriculum approved. Pending final approval by the Kansas Board of Regents, Barton hopes to offer the course this fall, or no later ...
Habitat prepares for next project
Members of Habitat for Humanity of Barton County left their shovels inside when an April shower threatened to dampen a scheduled groundbreaking on Thursday. But Rachel Mawhirter, co-chairman on the nonprofit group's board of directors, said a new home will be built at 19th and Hubbard this year. The three-bedroom house will have two bathrooms and will be sold to someone who meets the Habitat for Humanity criteria, which ...
Zoo news: It takes a village to raise a successful zoo
This week, the Great Bend Tribune will publish its annual guide to animals of the zoo. Watch for that supplement in Sunday's paper. In it, Zoo Director Scott Gregory talks about the ongoing effort to earn AZA accreditation. His original letter listed many people deserving of thanks. Unfortunately, there wasn't enough space to list them all. So, here's a portion of Gregory's letter than didn't make the final cut: "I ...
Kids' creations: 'Watching Young Artists Grow' exhibition opens
Complex sculptures and impressionistic paintings have been moved from the spotlight at the Barton County Arts Center this month, replaced with the media of youth. Now, crayons and construction paper take their rightful place for the annual "Watching Young Artists Grow" exhibition. The Barton County Arts Center, located at 1401 Main in Great Bend, is open weekday afternoons. For the month of April, BCAC is showing the work of ...
Company questions wasp spray tip
Last week I reported on Randy Smith's neighborhood watch tips for crime prevention.
Stolen vehicle recovered; two sought for questioning
A GMC pickup reported stolen on Friday was found Saturday morning in the area behind Diane's Diner, 807 10th St. in Great Bend. It was discovered by a Great Bend police officer around 4 a.m. The GMC had plenty of gas and there was also a rifle inside it when it was taken while the owner of the vehicle was farming. The Barton County Sheriff's Office reports the gun was also recovered. ...
Suspicious fire reported in Dundee
Great Bend Fire Department and the Barton County Sheriff's Office, along with the State Fire Marshal's Office, spent Friday investigating an early morning structure fire in a machine shed located at 633 West U.S. 56 in Dundee, Fire Chief Mike Napolitano said. A blue Ford F-150 pickup that was stolen from a two-car garage at the same location was later recovered. Authorities were dispatched at 1:38 a.m. Friday after someone passing ...
EAGLE TO FLY
No one remembers exactly when the neon "Eagle" stopped lighting Main Street at night, but it's been more than five years. Now the Fraternal Order of Eagles has contracted for the repairs, with hopes it will be relit when Great Bend hosts the state convention on June 1. Eagles President Jim Herrman said from what he's been able to learn, there is only one other sign like the one in Great ...
Great Bend native returns to Jazz Festival
The building blocks for a successful musical career were laid in Great Bend, according to Linda Richter Brady with Kansas City Youth Jazz. Brady will return to her hometown this weekend for the 17th Great Bend Jazz Festival. The festival will feature the KCYJ's Reno Band, the Friends University Jazz Ensemble and the FU Vocal Jazz Ensemble. It all takes place at 7:30 p.m. at the Crest Theater, 1905 Lakin Ave. ...
Former KBI agent has neighborhood watch tips
A key ring and wasp spray are among common household items that can be used to deter crime, according to Randy Smith, instructor and coordinator of the Criminal Justice program at Barton Community College. Smith, who is also a former Kansas Bureau of Investigation agent, recently shared tips with the Citizens Watchdog Association and also spoke to the Great Bend Noon Kiwanis. Smith suggests keeping car keys next to ...
Mitchell eligible for parole hearing
A man serving prison sentences for robbery in Barton and Pawnee counties, and additional crimes in other counties, is eligible for a parole hearing in May. The Kansas Parole Board has announced public comment sessions that will take place in April. Kevin L. Mitchell, 48, is in a high to medium level of custody at the El Dorado Correctional facility. His active convictions start with theft in ...
Walk ‘around the world’ raises awareness for people with developmental disabilities
sthacker@gbtribune.com While another group has teams walking the length of the state, Sunflower Diversified Services is joining a group effort that could circumnavigate the globe. The public is invited to help people with developmental disabilities by joining "Walk a Mile in My Shoes." Advocacy coordinator Mary Lou Warren said the statewide effort is bringing awareness for the more than 4,500 adults and children with developmental disabilities who are on the ...
Articles By Author - Susan Thacker
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.
German Wedding Roast a family tradition
One way to keep Mom out of the kitchen this Mother's Day is by taking her to lunch. Jeannie Munsch will be cooking German Wedding Roast to serve this Sunday at the Great Bend American Legion Post 180, 1011 Kansas Ave., from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
GBFD roundup: Fire marshal investigates basement fire
An investigator from the Kansas State Fire Marshal's office was in Great Bend Monday to determine the cause of a fire Sunday afternoon at 2011 Jackson St. It was one of several fire calls over the weekend, Great Bend Fire Chief Mike Napolitano said. Firefighters received the report of a basement fire at 4:37 p.m., at the house owned by James and Krissy Jackson. The first truck arrived to find heavy smoke and fire coming ...
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