Archive By Author - Susan Thacker
GBCT ready for "The Long Weekend"
Great Bend Community Theatre is ready to raise the curtain on its latest production, "The Long Weekend." This clever comedy of manners brings together two couples, as Wynn and Max Trueman have invited Abby and Roger Nash for a visit to show off their new weekend home. However, their longtime friendship has not always been based on truth, said Sally O'Connor, GBCT manager/artistic director. Canadian playwright Norm Foster sticks to his ...
Female lion dies at Brit Spaugh Zoo
A 14-year-old female lion at Brit Spaugh Zoo died Monday. "Dakura" did not wake up after being anesthetized for her annual physical exam. She died around 12:30 p.m. Zoo Director Scott Gregory said staff had recently noticed the lion was lethargic and seemed to be having health issues. They had hoped to learn more after the exam. Instead, the medical team performed a necropsy to diagnose the cause of death, and ...
Suspected meth lab raided
The Barton County Sheriff's Office raided a suspected meth lab Tuesday morning in Pawnee Rock. A search warrant was executed at 674 SW 110 Ave. around 8:45 a.m. Twelve officers joined the search, and an ambulance was called to stand by. No one was injured, however, Undersheriff Larry Holliday reported. Three people were arrested at the scene. Officers found glassware, chemicals and other items consistent with the manufacturing ...
Ledesma receives Great Bend’s Local Hero Award
David Ledesma received Great Bend's Local Hero Award on Wednesday, for saving another man from being crushed under a semi-trailer on an icy day last January. Friends and family met at Marmie Motors, where Ledesma works as a wrecker driver, to see him receive the award. Among those able to stand and say thank you was the man he rescued, Tom Curran. Mark Bretches ...
GBRC releases annual report
The opening of the GBRC Activity Center last October tops the list of highlights for the Great Bend Recreation Commission, which released its 2009-10 annual report this week. The recreation commission is funded by user fees, grants and property taxes collected in its service area, which corresponds to Great Bend Unified School District 428. A total of 15,484 people enrolled in recreational activities. In this report, a person is counted ...
Parks and recreation offers economic benefits
BY SUSAN THACKER sthacker@gbtribune.com A new study shows money spent on parks and recreation program offers substantial economic benefits - $1.70 for every $1 invested. Diann Henderson, executive director of the Great Bend Recreation Commission, shared the highlights of the study conducted by Jayhawk Consulting, University of Kansas School of Business. Among other things, Henderson told her board of directors Monday, the study shows 73 percent of ...
Don't be SAD you missed Valentine's Day -- Thacker
Was yesterday a holiday or something? Many of my friends - even those in relationships - took some time out Monday to gripe about Valentine's Day.
And snow it goes
Tuesday could only be described as a Snow Day. School was canceled, but those who ventured outside encountered snow and blowing snow. Wind gusts up to 20 mph made the 3 degree temperature at noon feel like -18, and the Great Bend Police Department activated the Emergency Accident Reporting Plan, allowing motorists in non-injury accidents to exchange information and report the accident later, if no drugs or alcohol were involved and ...
DUI Victim Center seeks local input
One weekend last month, victims and survivors of drunk driving crashes met with 40 alcohol/drug offenders in Great Bend. Now the DUI Victim Center of Kansas is looking for more area people who are willing to share their stories with people who have been caught driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, said Paul Sidebottom, statewide coordinator of the program. For the past 13 years, the ...
Zoo news: Scouts choose Brit Spaugh Zoo for Eagle projects
Some animals at Great Bend's Brit Spaugh Zoo were able to bear this week's bitter cold spell in newly winterized quarters, thanks to two young men working on Eagle Scout projects. Bryce Divis and Nathan Brungardt, both Scouts in Troop 157, chose to build winter animals enclosures, Zoo Director Scott Gregory said. Both projects were completed in November. Divis built a winter tortoise house. He started with a partial donation from ...
Driver turns himself in after fatal accident
A 26-year-old woman died and a 30-year-old man was seriously injured Wednesday night, after a car went off the 100 block of NW 40 Ave. in Barton County and hit a tree. The driver, who is suspected of driving under the influence of a controlled substance, fled the scene but later turned himself in, the Barton County Sheriff's Office reports. Great Bend Fire Department ambulance was first on the ...
Fear of Facebook: Officer shares safety tips
Imagine a website where your friends could have instant access to your changes of mood, the picture of your newest big purchase or your thoughts on your job or school. Then imagine that access opening to friends of friends - and their friends, including people you've never heard of. That's how social networking sites on the Internet, like Facebook and MySpace can work, but it doesn't have to be that way, ...
Free tax help available
Once again, volunteers are available to help low- and moderate-income residents prepare their state and federal income tax returns, including the Kansas Homestead Claim for senior citizens who are homeowners. Kathy Ahlvers, who is volunteering as a trained AARP tax-aide, said she and three other volunteers will work in Room 101 of the Barton County Courthouse on Wednesdays through April 6, but appointments are required and the month of ...
Blizzard conditions hit statewide
They didn't exactly roll up the sidewalks, but even some of Great Bend's downtown stores closed Tuesday as snow whipped through the streets and temperatures plummeted. It's not as if no one saw this week's massive winter storm coming. Forecasters at the National Weather Service warned people last week, even as temperatures reached unprecedented highs, to expect highs in the teens and lows in single digits - along with ...
Rural community mourns Tanner Hlavaty
OTIS - Students and teachers at Otis-Bison Elementary School learned over the weekend that 7-year-old Tanner Hlavaty had died Saturday in a farm accident. Principal Mark Goodheart said Tanner will be remembered as a great kid who was always smiling. Families and staff received messages over the weekend, to make sure everyone was aware of the second-grade student's death. On Monday morning, the school district's service cooperative sent a crisis ...
Articles By Author - Susan Thacker
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.
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.
Page 1 of 1
