The process of fully integrating the Great Bend Zoo’s male lion Luke to two young female lion cubs continues. According to Zoo Curator and Supervisor Sara Hamlin, the “Howdy” phase of bringing Luke and the two female lions, Amana & Sauda, together is progressing well.
Amana and Suada were acquired by the Zoo in September of 2017 when the pair weighed in at just 75 pounds. Now the females are close to 200 pounds and have been in the same building as Luke since August.
Sara Hamlin Audio
Hamlin says staff uses trail cameras too keep an eye on the lions to see how their relationship is developing.
Sara Hamlin Audio
Hamlin says they will continue to give the animals time before taking the next step of fully integrating the lions to form a pride which has been the goal since Amana and Suada were acquired. Before the arrival of the two young females, Luke had been alone since the death of Boss, the Zoo’s only other lion in 2016.
The grand reopening of the disc golf course at Veteran’s Memorial Park included challenges, a tournament, a “how to clinic”, and a ribbon cutting. The event Tuesday afternoon in Great Bend was to celebrate the redesigned course with 18 tees, new tee boxes, and baskets.
Jeremy, Rusco, a Great Bend native and owner of Dynamic Discs, was on hand with the Dynamic Discs Mobile Store.
Jeremy Rusco Audio
Rusco started Dynamic Discs in 2005 in Emporia and since then the company has emerged as a leading brand for disc golf.
The disc golf course at Vet’s Park was designed in 2005 as well and the redesign was intended to make the course more inviting and challenging.
Jeremy Rusco Audio
Eric McCabe, professional disc golf world champion, engineered the redesign and stated the course needed to be tweaked to make it more challenging and make use of the existing obstacles more.
Eric McCabe Audio
The Golden Belt Community Foundation awarded the Great Bend Recreation Commission $41,047 to help with the disc golf project and for new toddler playground equipment in the southeast corner of Vet’s Park.
The Recreation Commission will be hosting a fall disc golf tournament on October 28 for all novice and junior divisions. The Great Bend Flyers Club will be hosting an Open Disc Golf Tournament on November 11.
NESS COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating suspects after a drug arrest.
Jonna Roop -photo Trego County
At approximately 7 p.m. Tuesday, officers with the Ness County Sheriff’s Office went to 101 Ohio Avenue in Brownell to arrest Jonna Roop for an outstanding Trego County warrant.
When officers arrived, they located Jonna Roop preparing to get into a vehicle. Roop is wanted for failure to appear on narcotics violations and battery on law enforcement, according to a media release from the Ness County Sheriff’s Office. Roop was taken into custody on this warrant without further incident.
As a result of this contact, officers then took the driver of the vehicle, Noel Vohs, into custody for possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
In addition, officers spoke to Virginia A. Roop at a nearby camper. While speaking with her, officers were able to locate suspected illegal substances and paraphernalia in the camper, the sheriff’s office said. Virginia Roop was taken into custody for distribution of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana and methamphetamine, and possession of drug paraphernalia. It was later discovered she also had a Missouri warrant for possession of controlled substances. She awaits extradition pending the Ness County case.
Jonna Roop was transported to the Trego County jail. Noel Vohs was transported to the Ness County jail and held in lieu of bond at $25,000. Virginia Roop was transported to the Ness County jail and held in lieu of bond at $50,000.
“The sheriff’s office was assisted by the Kansas Highway Patrol in the arrests of these subjects. We appreciate their help,” the sheriff’s office said in a release. “All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Formal charges are pending through the Ness County Attorney. This investigation is ongoing and additional arrests may occur.”
On Tuesday, October 23 at about 2:10 p.m. Barton County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the intersection of Northwest 130 Avenue at Northwest 90 road to a reported injury accident.
Upon arrival, Sheriff’s deputies discovered a Kenworth truck tractor and grain trailer that had overturned into the ditch. The driver was trapped inside. Albert Fire Department and Great Bend EMS responded to the location and were able to extract the driver after about 30 minutes. The driver was identified as Randy Schriner, age 68, of Albert.
Investigation at the scene indicated Schriner was eastbound on Northwest 90 Road approaching Northwest 130 Avenue. Schriner attempted to turn right onto Northwest 130 Avenue but was traveling too fast to make the turn. The truck tractor and semi-trailer went into the east ditch on Northwest 130 Avenue and rolled one half time coming to rest on its top.
The trailer was loaded with corn at the time of the accident. Officers believe vehicle speed and a shift in the load were contributing factors in the accident.
Schriner was transported to University of Kansas Health System – Great Bend Campus with non-life-threatening injuries.
The Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Albert Fire Department, and the Great Bend EMS and Fire Department.
BOOKED: Jose Sanchez-Chavez on GBMC warrant for FTA, bond is set in the amount of the $500 C/S. BTDC case for possession of controlled substance and possession of paraphernalia, bond is set at $10,000 C/S.
BOOKED: Ryan Shull of Salina on a BTDC warrant for giving a worthless check, bond set at $344.03 cash only.
BOOKED: Alex Delgadillo of Great Bend on EMC warrant for failure to appear, bond set at $500 cash only.
BOOKED: Joshua Frydendall of Great Bend on BTDC warrant for probation violation, no bond.
BOOKED: Dominque Hoch of Great Bend on BTDC warrant for probation violation, no bond.
BOOKED: Daniel Glaze of Hoisington on BTDC warrant for probation violation, no bond.
BOOKED: Shawn Epp of Great Bend on GBMC warrant for failure to appear, bond set at $1,000 C/S.
RELEASED: Steven Reed for time served.
RELEASED: Randal Long of Garden City to KDOC.
RELEASED: Rodney Dee Campbell Jr. to KDOC.
RELEASED: Ernesto Montez of Great Bend to KDOC.
RELEASED: Ryan Shull of Salina on a BTDC warrant for giving a worthless check, posted bond of $344.03 cash.
RELEASED: Alex Delgadillo of Great Bend on EMC warrant for failure to appear, posted bond amount of cash only $500 paid by defendant.
RELEASED: Shawn Epp of Great Bend on GBMC warrant for failure to appear, posted bond amount of $1,000 through Ace Bail Bonding.
The general election is less than two weeks away, and the Barton County Election Office is primed with less to worry about. Despite the typically larger turnout during the general election compared to the primary election in August, Barton County is dealing with far fewer voting machines and less voting locations.
Barton County Election Officer Donna Zimmerman says the process of Election Day is usually easier in November.
Donna Zimmerman Audio
Zimmerman says her office is processing advanced voters and a larger-than-normal amount of mail ballots.
Barton County utilized 87 voting machines this past August in 23 locations. The November election will trim voting locations to 11. Less voting locations has made it easier to staff poll workers and will reduce the cost to replace the aging machines that were purchased in 2005 with an anticipated shelf life of 10 years.
Donna Zimmerman Audio
Voters can view a list of candidates for city, county, and state races by visiting bartoncounty.org. You can find additional information including where your voting place is by going to voteks.org.
Ronnie Lewis, Sunflower Diversified Services client, performs his job at Walmart where he has been a maintenance associate for more than a year. The upcoming Disability Mentoring Day event in Great Bend is designed to help Lewis and his peers with employment-related skills.
Participants in the upcoming Disability Mentoring Day (DMD) activities will learn new employment-related skills, while networking with their peers from across central Kansas.
The DMD mini-conference is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26 at the Great Bend Public Library.
Cody Harris, community employment specialist at Sunflower Diversified Services, is coordinating the event with the help of several other entities. Sunflower serves people with developmental disabilities and delays; the non-profit agency has been involved in DMD since 2002.
“We are stepping it up a bit this year,” Harris said. “This mini-conference format will be conducive to learning from experts who will share information in a variety of ways.”
For example, the audience will hear from a keynote speaker and choose from several breakout sessions.
“We are inviting Sunflower clients who will benefit from this information,” Harris said. “In addition, other local agencies and a school district are extending invitations.”
These entities include Rosewood Services, USD 428 and The Center for Counseling & Consultation. Barton Community College (BCC) also is involved.
“As part of the national DMD effort during October, all of us are collaborating to ensure we present the best information possible,” Harris said. “It is gratifying to have this great cooperation from our community.”
The conference will begin with registration and then Tami Allen will deliver her keynote address: “Charting the Life Course – a Trajectory Toward the Good Life.” Allen represents FEAT, which stands for Family Employment Awareness Training; she is program director at Families Together in Garden City.
Allen will provide a framework for individuals and families of all abilities and ages to develop a vision for a good life. The interactive session will focus on factors to consider when making choices about employment and daily-living activities.
Morning breakout sessions are: FEAT; the process of enrolling at BCC; and how to stay involved in the job search. The next sessions are: FEAT; BCC services; and knowing your vocational rehabilitation counselor, with Don Crouse. The last breakout meetings are: FEAT; BCC success stories; and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.
“This well-rounded, interactive agenda will provide great information,” Harris commented. “I appreciate the teamwork that went into planning this event.”
Frankie Pelster, employment specialist at Rosewood Services, is part of the planning committee that made arrangements for the location, speakers, food and door prizes.
James Johnson, Rosewood Services client, has worked as a cook at Casey’s for six months. He participated in the vocational-rehab program.
“Our conference will serve many purposes,” Pelster said. “Participants will learn about resources to help with finding community employment, while enhancing their knowledge of informed choices and rights in the workplace.
“And to top it off,” she continued, “it is just a fun day with their peers who have the same goal of community employment.”
Pelster and Cody Harris will present the breakout session on staying involved with the job search.
“This collaboration with Cody and many others demonstrates that our agencies have a common goal,” Pelster commented. “We want to assist consumers with finding community employment and putting their needs first. It takes a community.”
Jon Prescott, Sunflower executive director, agreed that local cooperation has been excellent and mentioned Don Crouse, rehabilitation counselor for Rehabilitation Services.
“Don has invaluable mentoring expertise and this conference will be successful, in part, because of him,” Prescott said. “When it comes to having a coaching partner, Don is the best.”
The 100+ People Who Care group of Barton County will be holding their next meeting on Tuesday, November 6th, at 5:30 p.m., in the Courtyard of the Best Western Angus Inn, 2920 10th Street, Great Bend.The meeting will include presentations from three charities nominated at the previous meeting.Following the presentations, members will vote on the charity to receive their $100 donations.With membership continuing to grow, the winning charity will receive over $10,000 to further their work in Barton County!
Charities who were nominated this quarter include the Prairie Godmother Funds, Golden Belt Humane Society, and Meals on Wheels- Barton County. Current members are permitted to vote or nominate future charities. If you are interested in learning more, we welcome you to attend the November meeting.To join prior to the meeting, please visit www.100bartoncounty.org.You can also find our group on Facebook!
On Monday afternoon in the Pawnee County District Court, Jacob Rives, 18 of Ellsworth, entered a no contest plea to vehicular homicide, a Class A Person Misdemeanor, and was adjudicated a juvenile offender.
The charge stems from a traffic accident that occurred on Highway K-156 near Rozel during the early morning hours of June 7, 2017.
According to the Kansas Highway Patrol accident report, Rives’ vehicle was westbound when it crossed the center line and struck an eastbound semi-tractor trailer. The impact ruptured the front driver’s side tires of the semi causing the truck to pull strongly into the westbound lane where it struck a Ford F-150 operated by Michael Heim of Pratt. Heim did not survive the accident. He was 38 years old at the time of his death.
Following the plea, Pawnee County Magistrate Judge Julie Cowell took a short recess to review impact letters from Heim’s family. Since Rives was under the age of 18 at the time of the accident, he was sentenced pursuant to the Juvenile Code to six months supervision with Court Services.
As an additional sanction, Judge Cowell suspended Rives’ driving privileges for a period of 90 days to be followed by a 90-day period of restricted driving privileges.
The process of fully integrating the Great Bend Zoo’s male lion Luke to two young female lion cubs continues. According to Zoo Curator and Supervisor Sara Hamlin, the “Howdy” phase of bringing Luke and the two female lions, Amana & Sauda, together is progressing well.
