BOOKED: Jason Kramer of Great Bend on Barton County District Court case for driving while suspended and possession of paraphernalia, bond set at $2,500 C/S.

BOOKED: Maria Luna on BTDC case for domestic battery, bond set at $2,500 C/S.

BOOKED: Baudilio Hernandez of Great Bend on BTDC case for aggravated domestic battery, bond set at $20,000 C/S.

BOOKED: Christopher Huges on HPD case for DWS, illegal tag, no insurance, with a bond set at $2,500 C/S.

BOOKED: Alexandria Brianne Garcia on Great Bend Municipal Court warrant for contempt of court, bond of $1,053 cash only.

BOOKED: Cody Reed of Great Bend on BTDC case for murder in the second degree, bond set at $250,000 C/S.

BOOKED: William Fields of Great Bend on BTDC warrant for failure to appear, bond set at $1,000 cash only. BTDC warrant for failure to appear, bond set at $1,000 cash only.

BOOKED: Michael Brohaugh on BTDC case for criminal threat, his bond is set in the amount of $5,000 C/S.

BOOKED: Brittany N. Brown on Barton County District Court warrant for unlawful possession of a controlled substance with a bond of $10,000 C/S.

BOOKED: Clifford Young on Barton County District Court warrant for probation violation, no bond.

RELEASED: Jason Kramer of Great Bend on BCDC case for driving while suspended and possession of paraphernalia, posted $2,500 bond through Ace Bail Bonding.

RELEASED: Maria Luna on BTDC case for domestic battery, posted bond amount of $2,500 through Ace Bail Bonding.

RELEASED: Baudilio Hernandez of Great Bend on BTDC case for aggravated domestic battery, posted bond amount of $20,000 through Ace Bail Bonding.

RELEASED: Cody Casper to Russell County for their warrant.

RELEASED: Laveina Sue White on BCDC warrant with a $500 cash bond.

RELEASED: Alexandria Brianne Garcia posted a $1,053 cash bond through GBPD on GBMC warrant for contempt of court.

RELEASED: Morgan McHenry of Great Bend received a 48-hour OR bond for GBMC case for domestic battery and possession of alcohol by a minor.

RELEASED: David Buck of Junction City posted a $5,000 surety bond through Dyn-O-Mite on BCDC case for DUI, aggravated child endangerment, open container, DWS, ignition interlock, failure to maintain, impede normal flow, tag light.

RELEASED: Brittany N. Brown on BCDC warrant with a $10,000 surety bond through Dyn-O-Mite Bail Bonds.

Thousands of Kansans lost their electrical power, hundreds of vehicle accidents were reported throughout the state, and different parts of Kansas received several inches of snow. The winter storm that went across Kansas the January 12^th weekend caused a lot of problems and cancellations but Barton County avoided some of the heavier snow. Barton County still received its fair share of ice and slick roads.

County Administrator Phil Hathcock noted it cost the county more than $23,500 to treat the roads that weekend.

Phil Hathcock Audio

The county’s expenses come from labor, equipment, fuel, and salt-sand mix for the roads. Multiple blizzard, winter storm, and wind warnings were issued throughout the state during the January weekend.

After not sending anyone a year ago, the city of Great Bend will once again send representatives to Washington D.C. as part of a Western Kansas Congressional Delegation in late March. The group that is made up of city, county and economic development officials from Western Kansas make the trip each year to meet with elected officials and their staff to discuss topics of vital interest to the western part of the state. City Administrator Kendal Francis estimated that it would cost $1,500 per person for the trip that would include airfare, meals and lodging. At Monday’s meeting, council members discussed the pro’s and con’s of sending someone from Great Bend on the trip with Brock McPherson coming out strongly against it.

Brock McPherson Audio

That representative is Congressman Roger Marshall who lives in Great Bend. Councilman Chad Somers had the same thought that McPherson did until he made a phone call.

Chad Somers Audio

Cory Urban felt it looked bad for Great Bend not to have a representative on the trip and said he was in favor of the city being represented.

Cory Urban Audio

Urban made a motion that was passed 6-2 to send no more than three on the trip that will take place on March 23-25. McPherson and Councilman Dan Heath provided the two no votes.

U.S. Representative Dr. Roger Marshall resides in the U.S. House now, but if it were up to his wife, he would definitely try to turn that seat into a spot in the U.S. Senate. The Great Bend obstetrician noted the open spot in 2020 election for the Senate position is worth consideration, but something he has not fully committed to yet.

Discussions about the possible run for U.S. Senate are in their infant stages but Marshall’s wife, Laina, feels he has to run.

Roger Marshall Audio

Marshall started his second term in the U.S. House this past January. U.S Senator Pat Roberts announced he will not seek re-election next year, leaving a list of Republicans that potentially could make a run at the position.

Marshall says discussions continue about a possible race, but for now he is taking his time making the decision.

Roger Marshall Audio

The 82-year old Roberts is serving his fourth term in the Senate. He began his career on Capitol Hill as an aide in 1967.

Three Great Bend High School freshmen brought home medals from the Student Congressional Debate Tournament held at Newton High School on Friday, February 1, 2019.

GBHS students that placed included Skylar Fletcher, third place, Novice House 1; Malachi Wasson, first place, Novice House 2; and Isaiah Smith, second place, Novice House 2.

Great Bend High School students were divided into two different novice chambers and debated legislation that included banning single use plastics, implementing federal court term limits, and recognizing Taiwan as an independent state.

Student Congress is a mock congressional session ran by the students. The purpose of the student congress competition is for high school students to present bills and resolutions, and weigh the benefits and problems created by the legislation being discussed. Students are also expected to utilize parliamentary procedure and hone their public speaking skills in the debate.

GBHS students began the process of passing legislation last fall when they learned how to research and write mock legislation. The challenge for writing legislation is to find topics that are serious in nature and substantial in scope, but also debatable. Most topics have a national scope and can include a social, economic or political focus. They are timely and relevant to the students. The GBHS delegation settled on proposing a bill to secure net neutrality.

The students’ written legislation is gathered and dispersed so that competitors can begin their research, write arguments and organize speeches in favor and in opposition to each piece of legislation. When the students arrive at a competition, they set a docket and begin debate. The speeches alternate between those who are in favor and those who are opposed to the legislation. The speeches are usually three minutes in length and include two to three well-developed arguments with credible evidence as support.

In addition to speaking, students also learn the art of asking and answering questions. Questions range from clarification questions to questions that expose potential flaws in the speakers’ arguments, as well as questions that lay the groundwork for upcoming arguments on the legislation.

Judges assign scores to students based on speeches and questioning. All student competitors must know basic parliamentary procedure, such as how to end debate on a piece of legislation or amend a motion. They are critiqued on their ability to effectively present unique arguments that further the debate and refute the opposition.

GBHS speech and debate instructor, Kim Heath, is pleased to see her students excited to compete in congressional debate.

She believes that, “it is one of the most valuable events because all areas of communication are practiced. Students must express their thoughts clearly and accurately with solid evidence and good reasoning.”

Heath continues, “I can’t tell you how impressed I am that a room full of teens can conduct themselves in such a mature and organized way without the direction of any adults. Our students spent their Friday night analyzing, assessing and improving upon issues that are timely and relevant. While few students who participate in student congress may go on to hold public office, these students are learning skills that they can use regardless of what they do after high school.”

Great Bend High School Debate students are currently researching the second wave of West Kansas legislation. Their submissions to this packet were bills to remove political party affiliation from ballots and lower the age of compulsory school attendance. These bills and resolutions will be debated for the first time on Friday, February 8, in Abilene.

The Golden Belt Community Concert Association will present Under the Streetlamp singing classic music from the 1950s-1970s at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16, at the Great Bend Municipal Auditorium, Lakin and Stone.

This GBCCA event is open to association members. No single concert tickets are available. Season memberships will NOT be available for purchase at this concert. Full-time students will be admitted for a $5 donation at the door. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

With tight harmonies and slick dance moves, Under the Streetlamp takes audiences back to an era of sharkskin suits, flashy cars and martini shakers. Flash back to a time when, on hot summer nights, people would gather under a streetlamp to sing their favorite rock and roll songs.

Classic hits first performed by Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, Elvis Presley, Tom Jones, The Beatles, Roy Orbison, Bobby Darin and more are reborn for today’s audiences in this evening of great music and hilarious behind-the-scenes tales. With an abundance of charm and rapport, Under the Streetlamp offers audiences the opportunity to get to know four critically acclaimed stars of stage and screen, Eric Gutman, David Larsen, Brandon Wardell and Shonn Wiley, accompanied by an exceptional seven-piece band also composed of world-class musicians.

Between them, these performers have appeared on Broadway, in feature films and on television – including special appearances during the New Year’s Eve celebration in Time Square, on The Tonight Show, The Primetime Emmy Awards, The Tony Awards and The Oprah Winfrey Show.

After achieving initial success performing in and around Chicago, the original performers in Under the Streetlamp aired their first PBS special in 2011, a second special in 2014 and then their third National PBS special in 2016. Also in 2017, the guys release “Harmonies for Healing,” a two part docu-series shown on PBS around the country, about a singing competition that shined a spotlight on the undeniable power of music to inspire and affect positive change in the lives of individuals in their communities.

For more information about GBCCA, visit the association’s web site: www.goldenbeltcca.org, or call 620-793-2748.