Five Sunflower Diversified Services employees recently were surprised to be in the spotlight when their co-workers honored them for 36 years of combined military service.

Those honored, their service branches and Sunflower positions are: Kent Yetsche, U.S. Army National Guard, residential services; John Lichter, U.S. Army, director of facility maintenance; Ron Heine, U.S. Navy, General Public Transportation driver; Dennis Steele, U.S. Army, recycling manager; and Meg Trapp, U.S. Army, day services.

“All of these veterans demonstrated their giving hearts when they were protecting our country and our freedoms,” said Jon Prescott, Sunflower executive director. “That legacy continues today as they serve Sunflower individuals with developmental disabilities and delays.

“This recognition was a total surprise to them,” Prescott noted. “None of them had ever been honored at a job site before. Everyone at Sunflower’s Manufacturing Plant walked up and shook their hands and said ‘thank you.’ They were very appreciative.”

Vicki Keffer, Sunflower’s director of Human Resources, organized this first-ever recognition event.

“Vicki and her colleagues wanted to honor our veterans because Veteran’s Day is not celebrated with the passion and appreciation that it should be,” Prescott commented. “Veterans offer their lives so that we can enjoy our freedom. That is a gift that should never go unnoticed, unrecognized or unappreciated.

“Freedom is not free; it always comes at a price,” Prescott added. “Our veterans pay that price for all of us here in the United States.”

Keffer said the idea for the recent event started when she and Tammie Caley, chief financial officer, talked about ways to honor veterans.

“I wanted to make something special happen and decided on custom-made T-shirts, cards and a receiving line,” Keffer said. “I intend to find even more ways to honor veterans in the future.

“Our personal freedoms are available only because of our military – past and present,” Keffer added. “I am proud of my family’s military background and enjoy teaching our grandson to understand the respect due to all those who serve in the armed forces.”

Sunflower serves infants, toddlers and adults with developmental disabilities and delays in Barton, Pawnee, Rice, Rush and Stafford counties. The non-profit agency is in its 52nd year.

It’s rare when a governing body offers up a letter of support for another elected official but that is what the Barton County Commission has done on the eve of Sheriff Brian Bellendir’s misdemeanor assault case. Commissioners voted 5-0 Tuesday to approve the letter of support which came one day before the Bellendir case goes to trial in  Barton County District Court.

The letter reads: “The Barton County Commission has had the privilege of working with and supporting Sheriff Brian Bellendir since 2013. During this time period, Sheriff Brian Bellendir has actively promoted, preserved and delivered a feeling of security and safety to the residents and businesses of Barton County.”

Here’s Commission Chair Jennifer Shartz.

Jennifer Schartz Audio

Bellendir, who was at Tuesday morning’s Commission meeting, says he is very thankful for all the support he has received.

Brian Bellendir Audio

The case against Bellendir dates all the way back to August 10 of 2017 where it is alleged that he spoke to Nathan B. Manley who was in handcuffs in a vulgar, rude and/or angry manner and struck him on the side of the head. Bellendir was officially charged in October with one count of mistreatment of a confined person which is a Class-A misdemeanor.

In Kansas, a Class-A misdemeanor is punishable by up to one year in jail with a fine of up to $2,500. A conviction could also mean desertification by the Kansas Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training.

11/9

BOOKED: Dustin Turner on Barton County District Court serve sentence.

BOOKED: Christy Green (Hamby) on Barton County District Court warrant for failure to appear with a bond of $500 C/S.

BOOKED: Zachary Briggs of Garden City on Barton County District Court case for serve sentence.

BOOKED: Misty Bryant of Great Bend on GBMC case for serve sentence.

BOOKED: Tracy Driscoll of Great Bend on Barton County District Court warrant for serve sentence to serve 60 days in jail.

BOOKED: Kyle Kruckenberg on BTDC case for serve sentence.

BOOKED: Craig Gowdy of Great Bend on GBMC case for serve sentence.

BOOKED: Rodney Drake of Great Bend on BTDC case for serve sentence.

BOOKED: Ouray Gray of Great Bend on BTDC case for serve sentence.

BOOKED: Aaron Pohlman of Ellinwood on BTDC case for serve sentence.

BOOKED: Albert Hass Jr. of Great Bend on GBMC case for contempt of court, bond set at $1,162.18 cash. GBMC case for contempt of court with bond set at $851 cash. BTDC case for possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia, bond set at $10,000 C/S.

RELEASED: Melissa Loveall on GBMC for serve sentence after serving.

RELEASED: Tommy Perez III of Dodge City on BCDC warrant for probation violation after posting $795.29 cash bond.

RELEASED: Christy Green (Hamby) on BCDC warrant with a $500 surety bond through Ace Bail Bonding.

RELEASED: Suzanne Witten back to KDOC.

RELEASED: Sydney Willmes of Great Bend on Hoisington Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear, posted bond of $1,000 through Ace Bail Bonding. Released Hoisington Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear, bond posted by defendant of $150 cash only.

RELEASED: Megan Goodwin on BCDC warrant for forgery x5 and theft x5, with a bond and BCDC warrant for probation violation. Released to probation.

RELEASED: Gary Waller on BTDC case for serve sentence.

RELEASED: Chris Harper on BTDC case for driving while habitual, released per County Attorney Amy Mellor. Still has Ellis County charge.

RELEASED: Cynthia King of Hoisington on BCDC case for possession with intent to distribute, possession of controlled substance, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia, posted bond amount of $10,000 C/S through Ace Bail Bonding.

11/10

BOOKED: Nester Lopez-Barrera on BTDC case for possession of marijuana, possession of paraphernalia, DUI, MIP, ITOL, and turn signal with a bond set in the amount of $2,500 C/S.

BOOKED: Janie Bryant of Great Bend on BTDC case for aggravated battery (domestic violence), bond set at $20,000 C/S.

RELEASED: Nester Lopez-Barrera on BTDC case for possession of marijuana, possession of paraphernalia, DUI, MIP, ITOL, and turn signal after posting a $2,500 bond through Dyn-O-Mite.

RELEASED: Randy Chambers on an order to report for case after serving time.

11/11

BOOKED: Margaret D. Becker of Hoisington on a case for driving while suspended, bond is set at $1,000 C/S.

BOOKED: Lori Fiscus of Great Bend for probation violation. BTDC warrant for RCDC warrant. Bonds set at $1,750 cash only and $3,000 cash only.

BOOKED: Patrick Dorty of Great Bend on Alfalfa Count, OK District Court warrant for failure to appear, bond set at $1,500 cash only.

BOOKED: Rusty Siever of Great Bend on BTDC case for kidnapping, battery DV, bond set at $100,000 C/S.

RELEASED: Margaret Becker of Hoisington for driving while suspended, posted bond of $1,000.

RELEASED: Courtney Veitenheimer of Great Bend on GBMC warrant for contempt of court, served sentence.

RELEASED: Misty Bryant of Great Bend on GBMC case for serve sentence.

RELEASED: Craig Gowdy of Great Bend on GBMC case for serve sentence.

RELEASED: Kyle Kruckenberg on BTDC case for serve sentence, time served.

RELEASED: Sean Brown on Community Correction order for incarceration. Released to Oxford House per Community Corrections Officer Powell.

RELEASED: Rodney Drake of Great Bend on BTDC case for serve sentence, time served.

RELEASED: Ouray Gray of Great Bend on BTDC case for serve sentence, time served.

RELEASED: Aaron Pohlman of Ellinwood on BTDC case for serve sentence, time served.

11/12

BOOKED: Ryan McCaslin of Great Bend on Great Bend Municipal Court case for battery DV and criminal damage to property with a bond set at $1,000 C/S.

RELEASED: Michael Philbern on Community Correction arrest and detain for parole violation, time served.

RELEASED: Kirk Jackson of Great Bend for time served.

RELEASED: Ryan McCaslin of Great Bend on GBMC case for battery DV and criminal damage to property, posted bond of $1,000.

BUSINESS NEWS

The Great Bend Recreation Commission will be hosting a free Stop ‘N Learn Session titled “The Political Cartoons of Ding Darling” on Wednesday, November 14^th, from 12:00 – 1:00 pm at the Great Bend Activity Center (2715 18^th).

Founder of the National Wildlife Federation and illustrator of the very first Federal Duck Stamp, J.N. “Ding” Darling was a renowned Pulitzer Prize winning editorial cartoonist who advocated for conservation of our nation’s natural resources.  Come study the meaning behind some of his cartoons as well as learn how the Federal Duck Stamp has changed wildlife conservation efforts since its conception in 1934 and helped raise over 2 billion dollars preserving 6 million acres of habitat.  Mandy Kern, KWEC Program Specialist, will be the presenter for this program.  For more information about this program and other programs the Great Bend Rec offers, please go to our web site at www.greatbendrec.com or call the Recreation Commission office at 793-3755 ext. 110.

Nearly 30 years ago, the USD 428 Education Foundation formed to help fund innovative ideas and projects in the classroom that are not covered by state financing. The fundraiser used to collect money for the mini-grants distribution is the annual dinner and auction. That dinner takes place Tuesday, Nov. 13 at the Great Bend Events Center, beginning at 6:30 p.m. with the social.

Foundation president Paul Snapp says there will be plenty of food options for those in attendance.

Paul Snapp Audio

More than 270 tickets have been sold for the event, an amount USD 428 Superintendent Khris Thexton said Monday night is the highest the district has seen in some time.

The night includes district talent with a junior from Great Bend High School playing piano.

Paul Snapp Audio

The Foundation has handed out more than $300,000 worth of mini-grants to Great Bend schools and teachers over the span of 29 years.

As Barton Community College celebrates Academics Month in November, one of the highlighted programs is STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. In a world that’s becoming increasingly complex, fewer American students pursue expertise in STEM fields which has resulted in an inadequate pipeline of teachers skilled in those subjects. Charlotte Cates teaches Biology at Barton Community College and says it’s more important than ever for our youth to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to solve tough problems, gather and evaluate evidence, and make sense of information. She says changes in how STEM courses are taught is helping to attract students to those type of programs and degrees.

Charlotte Cates Audio

Other Barton programs that are being highlighted during Academics Month include English and Literature, Athletic Training, Fine Arts and Dance.

In early October, Great Bend Mayor Joe Andrasek appointed a committee to research the possibility of installing artificial turf at the baseball and softball fields at the Great Bend Sports Complex.

City Administrator Kendal Francis, who is a member of the committee, told the Great Bend City Council that the committee hopes to have a recommendation for the Council by early December.

Kendal Francis Audio

There is a fund set aside for possible improvements to the Sports Complex south of town, but the committee is assigned with the responsibility of determining if turf is the best decision for the facility rather than other improvements.

The committee has met a couple of times and consists of a councilmembers Jolene Biggs and Cory Urban, Public Lands Director Scott Keeler, USD 428 Superintendent Khris Thexton, USD 428 Director of Maintenance Cody Schmidt, Shawn Behr, and Francis.

The first City Council meeting next month is December 3 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.

If you are making your way to the Great Bend Walmart by taking Grant Street, you may notice parts of concrete missing from the curb on the southwest corner of the intersection of 10^th & Grant. The narrow turning radius has caused problems for drivers of large trucks and semis trying to make the turn to the south.

With a plan to make improvements at the intersection started in 2015, Great Bend City Administrator Kendal Francis says they are putting the plan further in motion by accepting a bid to do the construction.

Kendal Francis Audio

The Great Bend City Council approved the bid from Morgan Brothers’ Construction out of La Crosse. The Kansas Department of Transportation solicited bids for the project with Morgan Brothers’ submitting the lowest amount out of the three bids received.

The project is funded through a KDOT grant which requires 10 percent City matching funds. The city is committing matching funds in the amount of $214,000 for the project that will widen the intersection.

The Kansas Economic Development Alliance (KEDA) was established in 1980 to continue the education for economic development departments throughout the state and advocate on their behalf to legislators.

Great Bend Chamber of Commerce CEO Jan Peters attended the KEDA Fall Conference in late October in Mulvane. Peters left the conference with a survey related to retail in Great Bend put together by Janet Ady with Ady Advantage.

Jan Peters Audio

The Retail Strength Evaluation from Ady Advantage stated Great Bend dropped from third in 2014 to seventh in 2017 for pull factor with sales tax collection per capita. The comparison ranks all cities with a population of 10,000 or more in Kansas. In 2017, Great Bend was outpaced by Garden City and Dodge City.

Great Bend continued to collect sales tax at a rate 27 percent higher per capita than the state average.