BOOKED: Kurt Woods of Great Bend on Pawnee County District Court warrant for probation violation, no bond.
RELEASED: Ryan McHenry of Great Bend on BTDC case for abuse of a child, domestic battery, posted $50,000 through Dyn-O-Mite Bail Bonding.
RELEASED: Kurt Woods of Great Bend on Pawnee County District Court warrant for probation violation, transported to Pawnee County on their charges.
Like other public agencies, the National Weather Service is trying to take advantage of social media to reach more people in times of severe weather or other natural disasters. Chance Hayes is the Warning Coordination Meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Wichita. He says he has really seen where social media can be helpful with winter storms and flooding.
Chance Hayes Audio
But with the pros come the cons. Hayes says people who take to Facebook and Twitter to offer up their own predictions sometimes start a wave of misinformation that makes it hard for the Weather Service to contradict.
Chance Hayes Audio
Hayes says the weather service needs to be careful when forecasting high impact weather events online to make sure that they are not confusing the public. He says the goal should be to communicate the best forecast, along with an understanding of the uncertainty in that forecast, and both should be easy to interpret.
Barton County Sheriff Incident Log
12/21
DUMPING – At 7:30am a trash complaint / dumping was reported in the 5500 block of Oil Center South Rd in Great Bend.
NON-INJURY ACCIDENT – At 10:45am a non-injury accident was reported at NE 230 and Susank Rd in Barton County.
NON-INJURY ACCIDENT – At 12:35pm a non-injury accident was reported at 545 NW K-96 Hwy in Great Bend.
CATTLE OUT – At 3:48pm cattle were reported out at 545 NW K 96 Hwy, Great Bend.
NON-INJURY ACCIDENT – At 7:29pm a non-injury accident was reported at NE K 156 Hwy in Claflin.
CATTLE OUT – At 11:47pm cattle were reported out at N US 281 at mile marker 126 in Barton County.
12/22
NON-INJURY ACCIDENT – At 12:08am a non-injury accident was reported at NW K 96 Hwy at mile marker 168 in Barton County.
NON-INJURY ACCIDENT – At 4:53am a non-injury accident was reported at the 800 block of SE 20 Rd in Ellinwood.
MISSING PERSON / RUNAWAY – At 7:34pm a missing person was reported at 1515 Morton St in Great Bend.
ASSAULT – At 9:51pm an assault was reported at 1408 Kansas Ave in Great Bend.
12/23
ALARM – At 9:02am an alarm was reported at 222 N Washington Ave, Great Bend.
NON-INJURY ACCIDENT – At 3:38pm a non-injury accident was reported at NE 30 Rd and NW 10 Ave.
NON-INJURY ACCIDENT – At 5:41pm a non-injury accident was reported on E US 56 Hwy at mile marker 208.
ALARM – At 6:50pm an alarm was reported at 3024 Railroad Avenue in Great Bend.
NON-INJURY ACCIDENT – At 10:06pm a non-injury accident was reported at Fort Zarah, 330 E Hwy 56, Great Bend.
12/24
CATTLE OUT – At 2:13am cattle were reported out at the 500 block of SE 20 Road in Ellinwood.
CATTLE OUT – At 1:07pm cattle were reported out at SW 130 Ave and SW 50 Road in Barton County.
CRIMINAL DAMAGE – At 2:17pm criminal damage was reported at 5540 2nd St in Great Bend.
ALARM – At 4:56pm an alarm was reported at 181 A NE 40 Road in Great Bend.
TRESPASSING – At 4:02pm criminal trespassing was reported at 1324 NW 20 Rd in Great Bend.
NON-INJURY ACCIDENT – At 5:47pm a non-injury accident was reported at SE 50 and SE 70 Rd in Barton County.
12/25
STRUCTURE FIRE – At 8:57am a fire was reported at 1415 Morphy Street in Great Bend.
Great Bend Police Department Incident Log
12/21
LOST PROPERTY – At 8:50am a lost handicap placard was reported at 2606 27th St in Great Bend.
FOUND PROPERTY – At 12:13pm at school ID card was found at 1217 Williams St, Great Bend. It was returned to the owner.
TRAUMATIC INJURIES – At 1:03pm traumatic injuries were reported at 2818 18th St in Great Bend.
NON-INJURY ACCIDENT – At 2:49pm a non-injury accident was reported at 1411 Madison.
NON-INJURY ACCIDENT – At 3:05pm a non-injury accident was reported at Broadway & McKinley.
NON-INJURY ACCIDENT – At 3:14pm a non-injury accident was reported at 3503 10th St.
NON-INJURY ACCIDENT – At 5:34pm a non-injury accident was reported at 16th and Williams. Vehicle 1 was making a right turn onto 16th from Williams and struck V2 who was northbound on Williams.
NON-INJURY ACCIDENT – At 6:01pm a non-injury accident was reported in the 3900 block of 10th Street.
12/22
CHECK SUBJECT – At 1:01am officer checked on subject who was hauling a washing machine with a bike at 2400 10th Street.
REMOVE SUBJECT – At 2:27am reports of a person causing a disturbance at 2716 10th Street. Person was advised to leave and advised he was not allowed back unless given permission from management.
CHECK SUBJECT – At 2:46am reports of a subject laying in the middle of the street at 11th & Holland.
ALARM – At 6:49am reports of an alarm at 4100 10th Street.
THEFT – At 7:09am a theft was reported at 2100 Main Street. Theft of electrical motors. Property was recovered.
CHECK AREA – At 12:20pm reports of a white SUV pulling into the drive at 1408 Kansas Ave in Great Bend asking questions and wanted them checked.
TRESPASSING – At 12:23pm reports of subject being in the store after she was trespassed from the property. Subject left prior to officer arrival.
JUVENILE COMPLAINT – At 1:00pm reports of a juvenile in the area throwing rocks. Subject left prior to officer arrival.
CHECK SUBJECT – At 1:42pm reports of a subject acting suspicious in the area of 1400 Main Street.
LOST WALLET – At 5:04pm found a lost wallet at 1438 20th St.
INJURY ACCIDENT – At 5:22pm an injury accident was reported a 3929 10th Street.
DISORDERLY CONDUCT – At 5:39pm reports an unknown subject yelling at her at 1811 Main Street.
BURGLARY / IN PROGRESS – At 8:19pm wanted to speak with an officer about possible trespassing at 2202 29th St. It was his brother who lives at the residence.
DISTURBANCE – At 10:44pm reports of a subject at 1715 Holland in the yard refusing to leave the property. Subject left upon officer arrival. Advised it was a miscommunication.
12/23
TRAUMATIC INJURIES – At 3:12am reports of traumatic injuries at 3910 Cedar Park Place.
ALARM – At 6:08am an alarm was reported at 1515 10th Street.
CRIMINAL DAMAGE – At 9:27am reports someone breaking a window on the building at 2111 10th Street.
NON-INJURY ACCIDENT – At 11:29am a non-injury accident was reported at 10th & Van Buren.
THEFT – At 1:28pm reports of theft of a Lincoln MKX displaying KS 60 Day B951567 at 1212 Warner Road.
CHECK SUBJECT – At 2:04pm reports of an older male on a bike yelling in the area of Lakin and Morphy.
CRIMINAL DAMAGE – At 3:30pm reports someone damaging the door to her vehicle at 1610 Odell Street.
SHOTS FIRED – At 10:49pm reports of possible gunshots in the area of 5th and Odell.
12/24
ALARM – At 1:03am reports of an alarm at 1002 281 Bypass.
CHECK SUBJECT – At 9:07am reports of a subject looking in cars at 4107 10th Street.
THEFT – At 11:46am reports of a trailer stolen at 421 Dogwood Street.
BURGLARY / IN PROGRESS – At 4:59pm reports of criminal damage and trespassing at 1036 Madison.
PROWLER – at 9:50pm reports of a subject walking around the building at 1560 NW K 96.
12/25
OTHER – At 8:32am reports that she lost her tv remote somewhere in the apartment at 1101 Kansas Avenue.
DISTURBANCE – At 8:32am reports not getting along with other tenants and wanting help finding another residence.
STRUCTURE FIRE – At 8:57am a fire alarm was reported at 1415 Morphy Street.
FOUND PROPERTY – At 10:36am reports finding a wallet at at 3907 Broadway. It was returned to the owner.
SHOTS FIRED – At 4:49pm reports hearing several gunshots in the area of 1515 Morton Street.
CHECK AREA – At 9:37pm reports a male subject running from 30 NE 30 Rd in the country and leave in a blue S10 pickup. County requested that PD look for the subject.
PROWLER – At 11:25pm reports an unknown person knocking on her door at 5901 Eisenhower Ct.
12/26
THEFT – At 2:00am reports subject stealing a speaker at 4701 10th Street.
ALARM – At 7:41am an alarm was reported at 1821 Kansas Ave.
A project that began in September of 2017 is nearing completion in the city of Great Bend.
The $6 million dollar waterline replacement project that consisted of replacing nearly 40,000 linear feet of pipe is 95% complete according to City Administrator Kendal Francis.
Kendal Francis Audio
Unlike a large construction project that takes place above ground, Francis says replacing water lines is something that cannot be seen after the work is done. Despite the lack of aesthetics, it was and will be in the future an important focus of the city.
Kendal Francis Audio
The work included replacing water mains that were old, copper, cast iron and too thin with new longer-lasting plastic pipe.
The contractor for the project has been APAC out of Hutchinson who will finish the project ahead of schedule.
We have heard a good deal about how the United State’s trade war with China is affecting different parts of the U.S. economy including agriculture, but we haven’t hear much about how tariff’s are affecting health care in the country. Research done by the American Action Forum examined the overall effect of tariffs specifically on U.S. health care when it comes to medical equipment. Kansas 1st District Congressman Roger Marshall realizes the effect the trade war is having on all sectors of the economy but says a line in the sand needs to be drawn somewhere.
Roger Marshall Audio
That AAF report shows that tariffs against China will impact nearly $1.8 billion of medical imports each year. Both medical practitioners and consumers of medical services can expect to shoulder the burden of these costs. To the extent that providers face an increased cost in acquiring medical equipment, they will try to recoup those costs through higher prices to patients. The immediate impact on patients will depend primarily on whether they hold insurance, what kind of insurance they hold, and the generosity of their insurance plans.
Anyone who has called the Eagle Media Center over the past 15 years has been welcomed by a friendly voice that let them know that they would be taken care of…
Mattie Begg Audio
That voice belongs to Mattie Begg, who was hired to be a receptionist, but turned that position into the “Director of First Impressions.” After working for Eagle Communications since 2003, Friday will be the last day for Mattie, who is retiring.
Mattie grew up in Kingfisher, Oklahoma, eventually moved to Elkhart, Indiana where she worked for a manufacturing company that made axles for heavy duty vehicles and trailers. After her husband passed away, Mattie moved to Great Bend in 2002 and was hired by then General Manager Rick Nulton. She says she wasn’t sure if she could do the job but soon found out her talents would lead her into many different jobs at the radio station.
Mattie Begg Audio
That included John O’Connor’s friendly sidekick on Trading Post along with assisting with data entry and work on the Great Bend Post. Mattie says she will miss interacting with both her fellow employees and the all the people who have called the station or walked into the building.
Mattie Begg Audio
Everyone is invited to stop by the Eagle Media Center at 12th and Baker Friday from 1-3 pm for a retirement celebration in honor of Mattie’s 15 years of service to Eagle Communications and the people of the Golden Belt.
12/21/18
BOOKED: Matthew Kibler on a Great Bend Municipal Court case for battery domestic violence. Bond set at $1,000.
BOOKED: Elizebeth Melton of Great Bend on a SAMC warrant for contempt of court. Bond set at $375.00 plus $50 warrant fee. Also booked on a SAMC warrant for probation violation. NO BOND. Also booked on a SAMC warrant for probation violation. Bond set at $35.00.
RELEASED: Matthew Kibler on a Great Bend Municipal Court case for battery domestic violence. Posted $1,000 bond.
BOOKED: a juvenile on a Barton County Disrict Court warrant for probation violation. Later released for transport to Reno County youth detention.
RELEASED: James Skinner of Great Bend on a Barton County District Court warrant for probation violation, failure to appear after being transported to the Department of Corrections. Also a Reno County District Court warrant for failer to appear after being sent with a detainer. Also a Sedgwick County District Court warrant for possession of meth, criminal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon after being sent with a detainer.
RELEASED: Tyler Bittel on a Great Bend Municipal Court warrant and transported to the Saline County Detention Center.
RELEASED: Elizabeth Melton of Great Bend to Saline County for transport.
BOOKED: a juvenile on a Barton County District Court case on five county of battery and criminal damage to property.
BOOKED: Dakota W. Green on a Central Kansas Community Corrections order to report on a Barton County District Court case to serve sentence.
RELEASED: Brandi L. Gutierrez on a Barton County District Court case after posted a $10,000 bond
BOOKED: Melissa Slack of Great Bend on a Barton County District Court case to serve sentence.
BOOKED: Ouray Gray of Great Bend on a Barton County District Court case to serve sentence.
BOOKED: Aaron Pohlman of Ellinwood on a Barton County District Court case to serve sentence.
BOOKED: Lee Leon of Great Bend on a Great Bend Municipal Court case for battery domestic violence. Bond set at $1,000.
RELEASED: Lee Leon of Great Bend on a Great Bend Municipal Court case for battery domestic violence. Posted $1,000 bond.
12/22/18
BOOKED: Ryan Mchenry of Great Bend on a Lee Leon of Great Bend on a Barton County District Court case for aggravated domestic battery. Bond set at $20,000.
12/23/18
BOOKED: Scottie ketch of Great Bend on a Great Bend Municipal Court cae for assault and criminal damage to property. Bond set at $1,000.
BOOKED: Keylin Phelps of Great Bend on a Barton County District Court case for aggravated battery. Bond set at $20,000.
RELEASED: Scottie ketch of Great Bend on a Great Bend Municipal Court cae for assault and criminal damage to property. Posted $20,000 bond.
RELEASED: Melissa Slack of Great Bend after having served sentence.
RELEASED: Ouray Gray of Great Bend after having served sentence.
RELEASED: Keylin Phelps of Great Bend on a Barton County District Court case for aggravated battery. Posted $20,000 bond.
RELEASED: Aaron Pholman of Ellinwood after having served sentence.
12/24/18
RELEASED: Matthew Cooley on a Barton County District Court warrant for failure to appear after receving a 48-hour sentence. Also on a Central Kansas Community Corrections case. Served sentence.
BOOKED: Michell Wallace of Great Bend on a Barton County District Court warrant for failure to appear. Bond set at $350.
RELEASED: Michell Wallace of Great Bend on a Barton County District Court warrant for failure to appear. Posted $350.00 bond.
12/25/18
RELEASED: Jason Sohm of Great Bend on two Barton County District Court warrants for probation violation after serving Department of Corrections sanction.
Sue Cooper is spreading her wings by taking over a program that is based on helping people with developmental disabilities to spread their wings. She started her new role as director of Roots & Wings Foundation for Rosewood Services on Dec. 17, after serving for more than six years as program officer for Golden Belt Community Foundation.
“Rosewood Services is progressive and innovative in how it serves people with disabilities and the community,” said Cooper. “Roots & Wings is an open book for me. It allows me to put the leadership skills I’ve developed into action and facilitate goals to see what will develop from them. In a sense, it is me spreading my wings for this amazing cause.”
Roots & Wings Foundation was founded in 1998 to help advance the physical and mental needs of individuals with disabilities. It funds educational, instructional, therapeutic and recreational opportunities by providing wheelchairs, technical and assistive equipment, dental and medical care and legal assistance. It also strives to enrich the life experiences of disabled individuals by funding trips to museums, concerts and other activities.
“Sue is the perfect person to lead Roots & Wings because of her experience with community leadership, foundations and fundraising,” said Rosewood Services founder and executive director Tammy Hammond. “We are excited to have her on board and we look forward to her leading our foundation in its role of advancing possibilities for people with disabilities, as well as advancing opportunities within our community.”
Beyond her experience with Golden Belt Community Foundation, Cooper earned a bachelor’s degree in Organizational & Leadership Management from Friends University. She brings a wealth of knowledge with more than 12 years of experience working with both federal and local grants. Over the past several years, she has served on committees and boards for the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce, 100 People Who Care Barton County, and Prince and Peace Parish in Great Bend.
“It’s always hard to move on to a new adventure,” exclaimed Cooper. “I have a heavy heart because (Golden Belt Community Foundation) was my home and I took my role there very seriously. But I’ll still be working with the same community stakeholders, just in a different position. Part of my new role is to be out of the office more than it is to be in the office, telling the Rosewood story. I’m looking forward to getting started.”
A Liberal women was injured in a one vehicle crash in Pawnee County on Christmas Day.
According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, a 2001 Pontiac Firebird driven by 19-year old Jessica Trejo of Liberal was north bound on US 183 10 miles northeast of Kinsley when the vehicle left the roadway to the right, over corrected and crossed the center line, left the roadway again before over turning over and and landing on it’s top.
Trejo was transported to Pawnee Valley Community Hospital in Larned with unknown minor injuries.
The Highway Patrol indicated Trejo was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident.
The Great Bend High School KSHSAA Regional Debate team of Patrick Heath, Bayle Sandy, Geoffrey Pafford, Isaiah Smith, Malachi Wasson and Skylar Fletcher tied for third place at Regionals at Salina South December 15th. After tie breakers, the team officially finished in fourth place.
The regional tournament is unique in that one, four-person squad plus alternates is chosen to represent the school. While debaters usually alternate affirming the resolution and attacking the resolution, at regionals one team debates affirmative all day while the other team debates negative all day. The tournament is also a round-robin tournament with every school having the opportunity to debate every other school on both sides of the question.
Great Bend defeated Valley Center, Salina South and McPherson on one side of the question. The Panther debaters lost both rounds against Newton, but soundly defeated Hays on both the affirmative and the negative.
Selected to represent Great Bend on the affirmative side were the team of Bayle Sandy and Patrick Heath. Mrs. Heath noted, “Patrick and Bayle consistently outdebated teams with an affirmative case that they had poured their hearts into all season long. They did it while setting tremendous examples for my novices of how to work hard, take coaching advice and speak confidently and maturely. I am blessed that they will be returning as senior leaders next year.”
On the negative side, the team was handicapped when junior Daniel Abbott was unable to debate due to illness. Freshmen alternates, Wasson and Smith, stepped up and rotated in to debate with senior Geoffrey Pafford.
Heath praised Pafford saying, “When faced with his last debate tournament ever and confronted with the reality of losing the partner he had strategized with and prepared with all season long to illness, Geoffrey stepped up to lead these two novices on the negative side. His wonderful attitude is a model for all my students of how they should act in the face of adversity.” She continued, “The lessons learned by Malachi and Isaiah, who got this opportunity to debate with Geoffrey at the Regional level, will carry them far in this activity. I am going to greatly miss his senior leadership.”
