On Tuesday, March 19, Barton County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a location at SE 50th Rd. and SE 20th Ave. to a reported motor vehicle accident, according to a social media post. Upon arrival deputies located a 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe, silver in color. The vehicle had overturned and came to rest on the driver side.

Investigation at the scene indicates the vehicle was eastbound on 50 Road. The vehicle went off the roadway toward the south ditch. It appears the driver overcorrected, when he came back onto the roadway and the vehicle rolled 1 ¼ times. As the vehicle rolled the driver sustained fatal injuries.

If you are noticing a lot of potholes throughout Great Bend streets, you are not alone. The City of Great Bend is aware of many of them and even took to social media last week to inform the public they were working on the issue.

Director of Public Works Simon Wiley says the winter’s freezing and thawing has been detrimental to the roadways this year. Wiley adds that the City is trying to properly repair the holes for a more permanent fix.

Simon Wiley Audio

The Public Works Department was out Saturday fixing potholes and will continue to do so as the weather allows. Wiley says crews are working on 10th Street and the 281 Bypass first, and will work their way into residential streets.

City Administrator Kendal Francis asks for patience from residents as fixing all the potholes throughout town is a timely process.

Kendal Francis Audio

To appropriately report a pothole, the City asks residents to use the “Request Tracker” process on the website, greatbendks.net. Go to the report a concern button, and then click on pothole complaints under the street section.

Spring officially arrives this Wednesday March 20th, and with it comes an increased risk for severe thunderstorms, lightning, flash floods and tornadoes. Those severe weather events can cause widespread damage – and, in the worst case – loss of life. But as Kansas State University climatologist Mary Knapp says, there are many different risks that coming along with the change in seasons.

Mary Knapp Audio

As for the threat of tornadoes, Knapp says that each one of those storms are different and urges people to be prepared to act quickly.

Mary Knapp Audio

Knapp says having a severe weather plan, practicing that plan and putting it into action when the weather turns bad is the best way to stay safe this severe weather season.

The tradition of the fireworks display at the Great Bend Expo Complex to celebrate the 4^th of July goes way back. That tradition comes with a price, and the City of Great Bend continues to search for donors that want to pay for the tradition.

Great Bend Community Coordinator Christina Hayes again called upon local businesses and community members to step up and help fund the $15,000 fireworks display.

Christina Hayes Audio

Sunflower Diversified Services used to volunteer to solicit the needed funds for the display. Sunflower quit the volunteered service two years ago so the City of Great Bend decided to cancel the show. Hearing a lot of negative feedback from the community over the eliminated display, the City handled the fundraising themselves last year.

The City Council also voted to move the display to July 3 and Hayes says the move was successful with great attendance last year.

With the City donating $5,000, Hayes says they are still $7,500 short of their goal.

Christina Hayes Audio

Hayes is considering asking the civic clubs throughout Great Bend for donations and an online vendor fair, where businesses can donate a certain percentage of the proceeds on a particular day to the fireworks fund.

The City Council seemed to agree that Hayes should wait to see if more donations are received in the next couple of months. If the necessary funds are not available by June 1, the City Council was in favor of having a fireworks show every other year.

BUSINESS NEWS

The Great Bend Recreation Commission will be hosting a free Stop ‘N Learn Session titled “Becoming A Citizen Scientist” on Wednesday, March 20^th, from 12:00 – 1:00 pm at the Great Bend Activity Center (2715 18^th Street).  Citizen scientist projects are activities sponsored by a wide variety of organizations so non-scientists can meaningfully contribute to scientific research.  KWEC hosts several projects such as Frog Watch, Christmas Bird Count, Monarch Watch and NABA butterfly count.  Learn about these projects and others and how you can contribute.  Participants will be entered in a door-prize drawing.  Mandy Kern, KWEC Program Specialist, will be the presenter for this program.

A complete list of programs and class details can be found at the GBRC website at www.greatbendrec.com.  Please contact the Recreation Commission office at 793-3755, ext 110, or stop by the office located at 1214 Stone Street for more information or with any questions you may have.

BOOKED: Crysti Mortimer of Wichita on Great Bend Municipal Court warrants for contempt of court, bond in lieu of $8,305.85 cash only and contempt of court with bond in lieu of $1,082.50 cash only.

BOOKED: Ryan A. Hardey on Marian County District Court warrant for failure to appear with a $15,000 surety bond. Marian County District Court warrant for failure to appear with a bond of $15,000 surety. Marian County District Court warrant for failure to appear with a bond of $15,000 surety.

BOOKED: Tyler Schwager of Great Bend on BTDC warrant for probation violation, bond set at $10,000 C/S.

BOOKED: Andrea J. Clark on Hoisington Municipal Court case for domestic battery with a bond of $2,500 C/S.

RELEASED: Stephen Koch of Great Bend on BCDC case for DUI after he posted a $1,000 surety bond.

RELEASED: Stacy Warren on BCDC case by order of the court after time served.

RELEASED: Kyle Stroud to probation.

RELEASED: Andrea J. Clark on Hoisington Municipal Court case for domestic battery after posting a $2,500 bond.