Barton County Emergency Risk Management will once again seek funding from the Emergency Management Performance Grant Program. Barton County Emergency Risk Manager Amy Miller says the program is funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, She says it plays an important role in the implementation of the National Preparedness System by supporting the building, sustainment, and delivery of core capabilities essential to achieving the FEMA goal of a secure and resilient nation.

Amy Miller Audio

Miller attended Monday’s County Commission meeting in order to get the boards support with the 2018 application. She was asked if all the other natural disasters that have taken place across the country this year would siphon off dollars from the 2018 grant allotments.

Amy Miller Audio

Commissioners voted 5-0 Monday to support Emergency Management with their effort to secure grant funding for this year. Miller says they should know within 60-90 days whether or not they have been awarded funding and for how much.

HODGEMAN COUNTY– The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Hodgeman County Sheriff’s Office are investigating after a body was found Monday night in a field in Hodgeman County.

Just after 10p.m. on Monday, the Hodgeman County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from an area farmer reporting that he had located a body in his field. Responding deputies located a deceased Hispanic male approximately three miles West of Hanston, Kan., and East of the intersection of NE 225 Road and N Road, according to a media release.

The Sheriff’s Office requested KBI assistance at approximately 10:45 p.m. Monday night. KBI agents and the Crime Scene Response Team responded to investigate.

The deceased male has not yet been identified. An autopsy will be conducted. The case is being investigated as a homicide.

BOOKED: John Carson of Wichita on Barton County District Court warrant for failure to appear, no bond. Stafford County District Court cases for burglary x2, criminal damage to property x2, and interference with LEO, bond set at $20,000 C/S.

BOOKED: Jeremy McFann of Wichita on District Court case for serve sentence.

BOOKED: Pedro Alejandro Garcia on Barton County District Court case for possession of stimulant with a bond of $10,000 C/S.

BOOKED: Justin Herren of Great Bend on GBMC case for interference with LEO, failure to yield to EMS, bond set at $1,000 C/S or 48-hour OR bond.

BOOKED: Mercedes Gross on BTDC case for serve sentence.

BOOKED: Tomie Chism of Hoisington on Barton County District Court warrant for possession of controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia, bond set at $1,000 C/S.

BOOKED: Miguel Gonzalez of Great Bend on BTDC case for possession of cocaine, possession of paraphernalia, criminal use of a firearm, bond set at $10,000 C/S. BTDC warrant for distribute or possession with intent heroin or methamphetamine, bond set at $20,000 C/S.

BOOKED: Kennedy Beakey of Great Bend on Barton County District Court case for distribution of hallucinogenic and possession of paraphernalia, bond set at $50,000 C/S.

BOOKED: Candice Johnson of Great Bend on BTDC case for distribution of methamphetamine, possession of paraphernalia, bond set at $100,000 C/S.

BOOKED: Vincente Espino of Great Bend on Barton County District Court case for distribution of methamphetamine, distribution of cocaine, distribution of marijuana, distribution of heroin, possession of paraphernalia, and no drug tax stamp, bond set at $100,000 C/S.

BOOKED: Murel Amador on BTDC warrant for distribution or possession with intent to distribute meth, and no drug tax stamp, bond is set in the amount of $100,000 C/S.

RELEASED: Brian Bunch of Great Bend on Great Bend Municipal serve sentence after he served a partial sentence.

RELEASED: Milton Brown of Hoisington on Hoisington Municipal Court case for driving while suspended, no proof of insurance, possession of certain hallucinogenic, possession of drug paraphernalia after posting a $2,500 bond through Dynomite.

RELEASED: Renata A. Tryon on Hoisington Municipal Court case with an 18-hour OR bond.

RELEASED: Pedro Alejandro Garcia on BCDC case for possession of a stimulant and possession of drug paraphernalia after posting a $10,000 surety bond.

RELEASED: David McMullen on BCDC case for DUI and fail to maintain lane, posted bond amount through A-1 Bail Bonding of $1,000.

RELEASED: Justin  Herren of Great Bend on GBMC case for interference with LEO, failure to yield to EMS, posted bond amount through Ace Bail Bonding amount of $1,000.

RELEASED: Tomie Chism of Hoisington on BCDC warrant for possession of controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia after posting a $1,000 surety bond.

RELEASED: Miguel Gonzalez of Great Bend on BTDC case for possession of cocaine, possession of paraphernalia, criminal use of a firearm. BTDC warrant for distribute or possession with intent heroin or meth, posted bond amount of $30,000 through Dynomite Bail Bonding.

Press Release from the Barton County Sheriff’s Office and Sheriff Brian Bellendir…

In the early morning hours of Monday, October 1 the Barton County Sheriff’s Office executed several search warrants. This operation is the culmination of several months of investigative work conducted by Sheriff’s Office
detectives. The Sheriff’s Office along with several other agencies executed a total of nine search warrants in Barton County. The operation had been dubbed “Operation Snowplow.”

Search warrants were executed at the following locations in Great Bend:

2019 Elm Street
704 Odell Street
5808 16th Street Tr. Apt. 5C
401 Firethorn Street
2528 8 th Street
162 NE 20 Ave

The remaining three search warrants were for motor vehicles which were located and searched.

The investigation began as a cocaine distribution case. Detectives had used undercover techniques to purchase illicit drugs.

The case mushroomed drastically into a major distribution case involving all types of drugs. Of particular concern was the fact the detectives came into possession of imitation hydrocodone tablets. The tablets had been manufactured to look like 5 mg hydrocodone prescription drugs. Upon analysis it was discovered the tablets contained fentanyl. Fentanyl is an extremely powerful painkiller, more powerful than morphine. Fentanyl is far more likely to cause an overdose leading to death. Further lab analysis showed these tablets to be some of the strongest ever analyzed in the State of Kansas.

Also, during the course of the investigation detectives obtained quantities of black tar heroin. Heroin has not been common in western Kansas for nearly two decades. Heroin is particularly dangerous due to it’s addictive qualities and tendency to cause overdoses.

Investigation indicates a very strong likelihood most of these drugs originated in Mexico and were smuggled into the United States. Evidence of money order and wire transfers of money to Mexico were also discovered by law enforcement.

Deputies are in the initial stages of weighing and processing the evidence. The following are estimated total amounts:

200 doses of LSD, 10 kilos of high-grade marijuana, 1.5 kilos marijuana wax, 2 ounces of black tar heroin, 160 fluid ounces of liquid codeine, 1 kilo of methamphetamine, 2 kilos suspected china white heroin, 8 oz. cocaine, 6 oz. suspected Fentanyl.

All the above substances are pending laboratory analysis and certified weights. Estimated street value of the drugs is believed to be in excess of $500,000.

Along with the drugs sheriff’s deputies seized three firearms, one rifle and two shotguns. One of these shotguns had been sawed off to approximately 12 inches. Multiple rounds of buckshot were found with the gun.

The Sheriff’s Office also seized more than $25,000 cash and three vehicles. It is anticipated that asset forfeiture proceedings will be filed on the cash and vehicles. The Sheriff’s Office is also considering the seizure of real estate related to the case.

Arrested Monday morning were the following:

Iban Martinez – Enrique Age 21 of Great Bend
Distribution of methamphetamine, distribution of cocaine, distribution of marijuana, distribution of heroin, possession of paraphernalia, criminal use of a weapon, and no drug tax stamp bond is set at $100,000.

Miguel Gonzalez age 22 of Great Bend
Possession of cocaine, possession of paraphernalia, and criminal use of a firearm bond $10,000.

Candice Johnson age 42 of Great Bend
Distribution of Methamphetamine and possession of paraphernalia Bond is set at $100,000.

Kennedy Beakey age 19 of Great Bend
Distribution of a Hallucinogenic and possession of paraphernalia. Bond is set at $50,000.

Pedro Garcia age 20 of Great Bend
Possession of a stimulant, and possession of paraphernalia bond was set at $10,000.00 He has bonded out of jail.

Vincente Espino age 51 of Great Bend
Distribution of methamphetamine, distribution of cocaine, distribution of heroin, distribution of fentanyl, distribution of LSD and distribution of marijuana. Bond set at $100,000.

Deputies were unable to locate one suspect and seek the public’s assistance in finding Murel Dean Amador. Amador is a Hispanic male, 63 years of age, 5’11”, 230 pounds, brown eyes, black hair, which is balding and graying. Amador is wanted for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Warrants from the Barton County District Court have been issued. If you have information as to Amador’s location, please call 911.

The Sheriff’s Office requested assistance from other county and state agencies. We were assisted by officers from Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Office, Rush County Sheriff’s Office and the Rice County Sheriff’s Office. Command officers from the Great Bend Fire Department were present at the morning briefing in the event of accidental overdose or injuries during the operation.

This investigation has netted the widest variety and largest quantity of drugs seized by the Sheriff’s Office in approximately the last 30 years.

I would especially like to thank Detective Sgt. David Paden, Detective Adam Hales and Detective Bryan Volkel. Many hours have been spent on this case with positive results. I would also like to thank members of the various agencies listed above for their assistance.

Despite the weather keeping the B-29 warbirds grounded the first two days of Great Bend Airfest, the three days of entertainment at the Great Bend Municipal Airport did not go unnoticed.

Councilmembers at Monday’s Great Bend City Council meeting took time to give credit to those that helped organize the event. Jolene Biggs thanked all the city crews that spent time assisting with the show.

Jolene Biggs Audio

Dozens of historic aircraft filled the airport for shows and displays. Rides, concessions, Ladies for Liberty appearances, historical displays, a dance, and much more filled the weekend that attracted thousands of visitors to the town.

Councilmember Brock McPherson recommended a letter of commendation be placed in Airport Manager Martin Miller’s file for the job he did setting up the show.

Councilmember Dan Heath expressed his pride of being affiliated with the city after such a successful weekend.

Dan Heath Audio

Fire Chief Luke McCormick added extra staff from Albert, Olmitz, Ellinwood, and Hoisington assisted with covering the event to provide EMS care if needed. McCormick added only minor EMS support was needed but nothing related to the aircraft.

In other Great Bend City Council news from Oct. 1…

– The Council approved a committee to research the pros and cons of installing turf at the baseball and softball fields at the Great Bend Sports Complex. The committee will consist of councilmembers Biggs and Cory Urban, City Administrator Kendal Francis, Public Lands Director Scott Keeler, USD 428 Superintendent Khris Thexton, and citizen Shawn Behr. The council moved to add Cody Schmidt to the committee.

– Fire Chief McCormick reminded everyone that Fire Prevention Week will start the week of October 8. Demonstrations and safety tips will be presented to grade school students.

-The intersection of Baker & 18th Street will be closed on Monday, Oct. 8 for repairs to the storm water box underneath the street.

– Great Bend Chamber of Commerce CEO Jan Peters reminded everyone that a group of representatives from Great Bend will testify before the 2018 Transportation Task Force this Thursday in Newton. The group will encourage the Task Force to look at the proposed K-96 Project from Nickerson to Lyons that was delayed in 2016. The diagonal corridor from Wichita proceeding northwest to the cities of Hutchinson, Great Bend, and Hays.

– The visioning group, “Great Bend, Better Than Great,” will hold an open meeting Nov. 8 at the Great Bend Events Center to community members to share ideas on how to improve the City.

– The Council approved the $38,225.28 bid from Kirkham-Michael to handle the inspection work on the 8th Street paving project.

USD 428 has found their replacement for the soon-to-be-open position of Public Information Director.

Superintendent Khris Thexton announced at last week’s Board of Education luncheon at Riley Elementary School that Andrea Bauer will take over for Jennifer Schartz.

Khris Thexton Audio

At the August 13^th meeting it was mentioned that Schartz was retiring November 1 after spending 10 years with the Great Bend school district.

USD 428 initially wanted the new hire to start at the beginning of October to train with Schartz. Thexton noted Bauer wanted enough time to wrap things up at her current employer, the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce, and will begin work with the district towards the end of October.

Bauer serves as the Director of Business Development at the Chamber and has been working with the Chamber since 2012.

President Donald Trump Monday celebrated a revised North American trade deal with Canada and Mexico as a return of the United States to a “manufacturing powerhouse,” vowing to sign the agreement by late November.

The agreement replaces a 24-year old North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which Trump viewed as a job-wrecking disaster that has hollowed out the nation’s industrialized base.

Kansas Congressman Dr. Roger Marshall stopped by the Eagle Media Center in Great Bend Monday and thought the deal will have a big impact in Kansas.

Roger Marshall Audio

Trump threatened to go ahead with a revamped NAFTA, with or without Canada after Mexico and the United States already came to an agreement this past summer. The agreement will still need to be ratified by Congress.

Varsity debaters Daniel Abbott and Patrick Heath teamed up to earn 4th place medals and lead the Great Bend High School debate squad to a third-place sweepstakes trophy at the Arrowhead Classic debate tournament held at Hays High School last Saturday.

Five panther duos traveled to Hays for the tournament and all finished with winning records.

In the varsity division, Bayle Sandy and Geoffrey Pafford went 3-2 and earned 8th place medals. In the novice division, three teams also won three of their five rounds of competitions. These teams and their placings included: Robby Brining and C.J. Gibson-7th, Skylar Fletcher and Isaiah Smith-10th (tie), Tia Mitchell and Christopher Clark-10th (tie).

The Panthers top three finish out of 17 schools was their best so far this season. The varsity division featured 34 teams and the novice division 24.

“All of our debaters finished in the top half of competition, and all had winning records,” said first year coach, Kim Heath. “One of our goals for the season was for all of our teams to finish a tournament with winning records. That goal has been met thanks to the hard work and talent of these awesome kids.”

The debate topic chosen by the National Speech and Debate Association for this year focuses on the resolution: Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially reduce its restrictions on legal immigration to the United States.

“The topic this year is a national hot-button issue,” said Coach Heath. “With all of the media attention focused on immigration, our kids feel much more connected to the topic than in previous years. They are finding out how complicated this issue really is. Immigration policy is something that almost everyone agrees is broken, but how to fix it has stymied leaders since our country first erected the Stature of Liberty.”

The GBHS debate squad will not debate next weekend as they will be hosting their own invitational tournament at the high school. Eight area schools are signed up to bring their squads to Great Bend. Coach Heath and the team are still looking for local community judges.

According to Heath, “You do not need debate experience, only an open mind and a willingness to give up a few hours to support some of the brightest young people in this part of the state.”

For more information about judging or how you can help support the GBHS debate team, contact Kim Heath at the high school, 620-793-1521, or e-mail her at kim.heath@usd428.net.

Barton County Commissioners have joined the Golden Belt Community Foundation and other partners in the administration of the “Talent Retention Reverse Scholarship” Program. The effort is designed to lessen the burdens of government by improving income levels and increasing the percentage of resident with college degrees living and working in Barton, Rush, Pawnee and Stafford Counties. Christy Tustin is the Executive Director of the Golden Belt Community Foundation.

Christy Tustin Audio

Also part of the agreement is the “Come Home” Reverse Scholarship Fund that will provide qualified recipients to be eligible to receive up to $10,000 to live and work in the three county area.

Christy Tustin Audio

GBCF will be responsible for raising money to fund the scholarships since no tax dollars will be used for the programs. Tustin says she expects fundraising to begin within the next thirty days as soon as agreements are reached with other participating counties.