Blakelee Cooper, a 2012 graduate of Hoisington High School, is the newest staff member to join the intervention team at the Juvenile Services office in Great Bend. The office in Great Bend serves the 20th Judicial District which includes Barton, Rice, Stafford, Russell and Ellsworth Counties.

Blakelee Cooper Audio

Cooper says that world that children and teens face is much different than even the one she remembers growing up in Hoisington just a few years ago.

Blakelee Cooper Audio

Juvenile Services is the host agency for six separate programs available to all youth and families in the Judicial District. These programs represent a “Continuum of Care” that provides a variety of services from Prevention to Intervention and ending with Graduated Sanctions programs. There are programs that are attended on a voluntary basis and those that are court ordered that involve informal supervision to adjudication.

Barton County Sheriff’s Office Media Log (8/31)

BOOKED: Akins, Cory of Great Bend, KS on Great Bend Municipal Court Case for ITOL with bond set at $300 Cash or Surety or 48 hour Own Recognize Bond.

RELEASED: Akins, Cory of Great Bend, KS on Great Bend Municipal Court Case for ITOL after posting a $300 Surety Bond through TNT Bail Bonding.  Warrant out of Maize Non Extraditable.

BOOKED: Crawford, Cody of Great Bend, KS on Great Bend Municipal Court Case for Habitual Violator, no proof of insurance and ITOL.  Bond is set at $1,000 cash or surety or 48 hour Own Recognize Bond.

RELEASED: Crawford, Cody of Great Bend, KS on Great Bend Municipal Court Case for Habitual Violator, no proof of insurance and ITOL after posing a $1,000 surety bond.

BOOKED: Sohom, Jason of Great Bend, KS on a Hoisington Municipal Court Case for Driving While Suspended.  Bond was set at $2,500.

RELEASED: Sohom, Jason of Great Bend, KS on a Hoisington Municipal Court case for Driving while suspended, after posting a $2,500 surety bond.

BOOKED:  Bretz, Brent G on Barton County District Court case with a $1,000 C/S bond.

RELEASED: Anderson, Alexander of Great Bend, KS on Barton County District Court case for criminal threat after he was granted probation.

RELEASED:  Green, Dakota W. previously release on Barton County cases and released to Pawnee County for their warrant.

RELEASED:  Katuka, Jamie S. released on Barton County case to a $2,500 OR bond.

BOOKED: Fiscus, Lori on Barton County District Court warrant for probation violation.  Siscus is held on a no bond warrant.

RELEASED: Winchester, Joshua Steven on Great Bend Municipal Court warrant by order of the court.

BOOKED:  Carey, Gregory A on Barton County District Court warrant for failure to appear with a bond of $500 cash only.

RELEASED: Shelor, Laken on Barton County District Court warrants with a combined bond of $10,000 surety.

BOOKED: Hood, Joseph of Great Bend, KS on BTDC warrant for failure to appear.  Bond is set in lieu of $500 C/S.

RELEASED: Hood, Joseph of Great Bend, KS on BTDC warrant for failure to appear.  Posted bond of $500.

RELEASED: Bretz, Brent G on BTDC case with a $1000 surety bond.

RELEASED: Carey, Gregory A on Barton County District Court warrant with a $500 cash bond.

From USD 428 September Relay – USD 428 Superintendent Khris Thexton received something he asked for and something completely unexpected during his address at the district’s welcome-back event on Aug. 21.

“If we are going to have a great year, I am going to need a sign like the sun being blotted out today,” he joked to staff about the
solar eclipse set for later in the day.

What Thexton didn’t expect was a rousing show of support in the form of a standing ovation. He said he was moved by the gesture and hopeful he could live up to the faith people have in him.

“I am very excited to start my first year as superintendent for Great Bend schools and thank you for your overwhelming support
these past seven months. It means a lot to me and my family,” he said. “I can feel the excitement in the room for the coming year. We have a blank slate in front of us and we get to write the story,” Thexton said. “We have the power to shape the future and help our students start their journey in life and to help them write their own story. You will have a major part in how their story will develop.

“You may be the only positive person in a child’s life to be a role model,” he said. “What an opportunity to leave a lasting impression on a child! “We have students whose only meals will be the ones we provide or the only place where they feel safe,” Thexton said. “That is a lot of pressure, but we are the rock in some of our students’ lives. “We need teachers to share the good and not focus on the bad,” he said. “Everyone has bad days at their job, but instead of posting bad things, share the good. Sometimes we are our own worst enemy. “Please continue to build up the profession because the good always outweighs the bad. We are constantly bombarded with negativity and we must fight back with a positive message.

“Be positive,” he said. “We have a great profession. Let’s share
it.”

Great Bend Police Incident Log 8/31

Animal Complaint

At 1:09 AM reports of a dog barking in the area of 2530 McBride Pkwy.

Criminal Damage

At 8:43 AM reports criminal damage to an apartment at 5926 Eisenhower.

Fraud

At 11:46 AM had questions in reference to a phone scam at 5901 Eisenhower Ct.

Found Property

At 12:16 PM found drivers license at 1811 Main Street.  Was returned to owner.

Animal Complaint

At 4:17 PM reported dog bite in Ellinwood.  Ellinwood Police Department handled the call.

Check Area

At 6:33 PM reported hearing a loud boom in the area of 21st and Holland St.

Shots Fired

At 11:17 PM reported shots fired coming from the river.

Barton County Sheriff’s Department Incident Log (8/31)

Theft

At 11:47 AM, theft reported at NE 180 Rd & NE 120 Ave.

The Great Bend Britt Spaugh Zoo has added two female lion cubs to its collection. The zoo has been searching for over a year to find a companion for the zoo’s lone lion Luke. Two six month old sister cubs, Sauda and Amana, were located at a small zoo in Florida and brought to Great Bend.

The pair are currently living in the Tiger building and yard until they have grown large enough to be able to be introduced to Luke. Right now the young lions are weighing in around 75 pounds compared to Luke’s 425 pounds, so it will be a year or two until they are big enough for them to safely be introduced to each other. The young pair currently do not have access to the yard while zoo staff “baby proofs” the area.

Zoo Supervisor/Curator Sara Hamlin said, “I’ve been searching for a female to provide companionship for Luke before Mumbasa (Boss) had even passed away but there weren’t any available. We are really fortunate to find a zoo looking to place two lion cubs.”

“Even though they won’t live together for another year or two, we are really excited to have a whole pride together so they can fulfill the social needs lions require.”

A public debut is planned for some time next week. Zoo Society members should keep an eye on the Zoo Society’s Facebook page for a first look opportunity to view the girls before the general public.

To become a Zoo Society member, you can pick up a form at the Zoo or request one from their Facebook page. Yearly membership costs only $25 and all money goes directly for the care of zoo animals.