Archive By Author - Susan Thacker
HOMETOWN COUNTRY: Country rocker Kory Brunson plans Great Bend homecoming
A Denver, Colo., band that is hitting the country music charts will put on a benefit concert in Great Bend next month for the Kans for Kids Fighting Cancer Foundation.
Woman who called 911 safe
Barton County Communications and responders were kept busy for more than two hours early Wednesday, after a 24-year-old woman called 911 from her cell phone and said something that sounded like "I am hurt."
Otis woman dies, 2 others injured in collision
An Otis woman died Monday in a two-vehicle accident in Rush County.
School liaison officer Bretches resigns
The City of Great Bend and Unified School District 428 will say farewell to Great Bend Police Officer Mark Bretches on Thursday, with a reception from 2:30-4:30 p.m. at the Front Door, 1615 10th St.
'Butterfly Effect' applies to insects, too
Ray Bradbury didn't invent the phrase "Butterfly Effect," but in 1952 he used it in the seminal science fiction story, "A Sound of Thunder." In his story, time travelers visit prehistoric times, taking great care to alter nothing. But one traveler accidentally steps on a prehistoric butterfly, creating a ripple effect that changes modern history for the worse.
Fond Farewell: Zoo director recalls Maggie the bear
If there are stars at the Great Bend-Brit Spaugh Zoo, Maggie the grizzly bear was one of them. Her early life in captivity, when she was known as Bear 60, could be described as tragic. But she was rescued in the early 1980s and brought to Great Bend, and in 1984 her photo appeared on the cover of Life magazine.
‘Tis the season for fire safety
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and Great Bend Fire Chief Mike Napolitano reminds residents to follow seasonal precautions to ensure a safe and happy holiday.
College sticks with local dealerships
Barton Community College's Board of Trustees voted Tuesday to buy from local car dealerships, even though a Topeka dealership submitted lower bids on replacement vehicles. The total cost will be $116,786.10 for one three-quarter ton 4 x4 Chevrolet truck and two Chevy Impalas from Dove Chevrolet Buick Cadillac, and three Ford Fusions from Marmie Ford.
Simplify Christmas to beat 'holidaze'
Take a deep breath. Turn on some soothing music. Light an aromatic candle - that is, if candles don't stress you out.
Car slides into ditch; driver injured
Patricia M. Halseth, 41, of Great Bend, was transported to Clara Barton Hospital in Hoisington on Sunday after the car she was driving slid off U.S. 281 near NE 60 Road in Barton County.
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.
TOYS FOR TOTS
In 30 years, Luie Philbern has seen things that have made Santa cry.
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.
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.
Articles By Author - Susan Thacker
Home Run: Smithsonian exhibit open in Ellinwood
The Smithsonian Institution traveling exhibit, "Hometown Teams: How Sports Shaped America," and a local exhibit on hometown "Heros on the Sideline" opened Saturday at the Ellinwood School/Community Library, located at 210 N. Schiller Ave.
Great Bend Public Library lists February events
The Great Bend Public Library will reopen at the its temporary location on Monday, Feb. 2, at 11 a.m. The temporary address is 3407 10th Street, next to AT&T.
CASA Chocolate Auction helps children in need
Central Kansas CASA will reach a milestone this year, celebrating its 30th year of helping area children. On Saturday, Feb. 7, the nonprofit organization will reach another milestone, holding its 10th annual Chocolate Auction.
Chapman jury selection starts Monday
Jury selection starts Monday for the trial of Jeffrey Wade Chapman, who is charged with the first-degree murder of 25-year-old Damon Galyardt. District Judge Ron Svaty said 220 potential jurors have been summoned.
Small fires reported
The Great Bend Fire Department responded two small structure fires, one Wednesday and one Thursday, each resulting in about $500 damage.
Julie Zeck joins Hearts Aflame lineup
Julie Zeck is one of the featured speakers scheduled to minister at the 2015 Hearts Aflame Women's Conference in Great Bend.
Playing Chicken: Moran pushes for common sense
Sen. Jerry Moran often talks about his "common sense" solutions, but they aren't always an easy sell in Congress. On Wednesday, the Senate rejected an amendment sponsored by Moran that would have removed the lesser prairie chicken from the federal government's threatened species list.
Barton administration supports Fort Riley
The future of Fort Riley will be the subject of a town hall meeting Feb. 9 in Junction City. Barton Community College representatives plan to attend and be heard as officials from the Department of the Army listen to community members' input on how possible personnel reductions on the base could affect them.
Temporary library outpost opens Monday
With renovation at the Great Bend Public Library underway, staff are busy moving books and other essentials to the temporary outpost at 3407 10th St.
HOMETOWN TEAMS
ELLINWOOD - Twenty-one crates from the Smithsonian Institution arrived at the Ellinwood School/Community Library on Monday. Inside those crates was an American story: the story of athletes, coaches and the fans who cheer them on. The traveling exhibit, "Hometown Teams: How Sports Shaped America," will open officially at 10 a.m. Saturday at the library, located at 210 N. Schiller Ave., but those who attend the Chamber of Commerce Coffee at 10 a.m. on Friday can get a sneak peek at the artifacts and over 200 photographs from the Smithsonian's collection highlighting Americans and their love for sports.
Barton showcases campus on Senior Day
In colloquial terms, "senioritis" is defined as an ebbing of motivation and effort by school seniors as they move closer to graduation. The opposite might be dubbed "senior excite-is," a condition in evidence Saturday at Senior Day on the Barton Community College campus.
Emotional recharge
Who doesn't like to see Kansas ranking near the top of a positive poll? This week we learned that Kansas is ranked the No. 4 Most Emotionally Recharged state for 2015, according to the Lantern Emotional Balance Index.
BCC sets new teacher credential standards
Barton Community College will change its polices on faculty credentials to comply with changes in Kansas Board of Regents regulations, BCC Vice President Dr. Penny Quinn told the college's board of trustees on Thursday. Now, off-campus instructors will need to have the same minimum credentials as full-time faculty.
The Amazing Spidey
Most spider monkeys live to be about 25 years old, so the 50th birthday of Great Bend's Spidey is amazing. In fact, the staff at Brit Spaugh Zoo believe he's the second oldest spider monkey in the world.
Spidey's birthday photos
Photos taken Saturday, Jan. 17, 2015, in celebration of Spidey's 50th birthday. Spidey, at the Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo, is believed to be the second-oldest living spider monkey in the world.
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