Kansas Governor Jeff Colyer knows all about elections. He has been elected to the Kansas House of Representatives, spent time in the State Senate, and served as Lieutenant Governor for seven years.

The 2018 election is slightly different though, this time he is already serving as Governor as he seeks to be reelected. Dr. Colyer moved into the position after Sam Brownback was appointed to a post in President Donald Trump’s administration.

Colyer briefly stopped in Great Bend Friday morning and said most of his campaign this year has centered on doing his job.

Jeff Colyer Audio

Colyer made stops in La Crosse, Larned, St. John, and at the Ampride convenience store in Great Bend Friday as part of his 105 County Tour.

Colyer visited Great Bend this past June learning about the two rural opportunity zones that were named in Great Bend. The Governor said Friday he is still hopeful a positive economic impact will come from the zones.

Jeff Colyer Audio

The opportunity zones are designed to provide investors incentives to invest money in local construction and new business. Colyer is in crowded race for Tuesday’s Republican primary that will include seven names on the ballot.

Press release from the United Way of Central Kansas…

United Way of Central Kansas is excited to announce our 2019 Campaign Co-Chairs. These individuals are an integral part of each Campaign year. Offering insight and a fresh perspective, being a voice for United Way in their communities, and learning more about what UWCK does in Barton and Pawnee counties.

Our Campaign Co-Chairs for 2019 are Barry and Monica Bowers, Patrick and Karisa Cowan, and Kenny and Cindy Vink. Each one of these individuals brings knowledge and experience to United Way and we are beyond pleased to have these six community members joining our team.

Barry and Monica Bowers have been married for 36 years and have lived in Great Bend most of their lives. Barry is a CPA and partner at Spectrum CPA Partners LLC. He is involved in many Great Bend and surrounding community boards. Monica is a horticulture volunteer at Brit Spaugh Zoo and the Barton County Historical Village. Barry and Monica are active members at Grace Community Church.

Karisa Cowan is a lifetime Barton county resident. She teaches 7th Grade Language Arts, 8th Grade Earth Science, STEM and Robotics in Hoisington. She is a graduate from Barton Community College where she graduated with highest honors. From there, Karisa received her Bachelors from Fort Hays State University graduating Summa Cum Laude. She will graduate Summa Cum Laude from FHSU with a Masters in Educational Leadership this summer. In her free time, Karisa likes to spend time with her two dogs, Charlie and Thea. Patrick Cowan is an IT Support Specialist for Adams, Brown, Beran, and Ball. He graduated from Barton Community College with an Associate’s degree in computer networking. He is currently working on his Bachelors in Management Information Services from FHSU. In his free time, Patrick enjoys golfing.

Kenny and Cindy Vink reside in Ellinwood. They are co-owners of Office Products Incorporated and Golden Belt Printing in Great Bend. Kenny is a lifetime Barton County resident and has served on many boards and committees. He has been a member of Great Bend Jaycees, and on the executive board of Central Kansas Development and My Town. He is the past president of Ambucs, Downtown Development, and the past Chairman of the Board of Great Bend Chamber of Commerce. Cindy retired last May after 34 years as a teacher, coach, and school counselor. She has held memberships in KNEA, Kansas Counseling Association, and Kansas Coaches Association. She also helps teach Awanas. Both Kenny and Cindy have been very involved in coaching their children’s sports. They have two grown daughters who have blessed them with 4 grandchildren, and their son Gavin, will be a senior at Kansas University.

BOOKED: James Drury of Great Bend on Great Bend Municipal Court case for driving while suspended, no proof of insurance, and no tail lights, bond set in lieu of $500 C/S.

BOOKED: Steven H. Giles of Claflin on BTDC case for DWS and no insurance, bond set at $1,000 C/S.

BOOKED: Michael Wheeler of Great Bend on GBMC warrant for FTA, bond set in the amount of $5,000 C/S.

BOOKED: Courtney Veitenheimer of Great Bend on GBMC warrant for contempt of court, no bond.

BOOKED: Israel Klein of Great Bend on BTDC case for aggravated assault, bond is set at $20,000 C/S.

BOOKED: Calvin Hinz on SADC warrant for probation violation, no bond.

BOOKED: Charles Albert Gann of Great Bend on a federal case for US Marshall’s hold, no bond.

BOOKED: Miguel Gonzalez on a Great Bend Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear, bond in lieu of $1,000 C/S.

RELEASED: James Drury of Great Bend on Great Bend Municipal Court case for driving while suspended , no proof of insurance, an no tail lights after posting a $500 surety bond through Ace Bail Bonding.

RELEASED: Kirk Sanders of Great Bend to Ford County Sheriff’s Department.

RELEASED: Steven H. Giles of Claflin posted a $1,000 surety bond through Ace Bail Bonding on BTDC case for DWS, no insurance.

RELEASED: Brianna Feist of Great Bend for Barton County District Court warrant for failure to appear by order of the court.

RELEASED: Michael Wheeler on GBMC warrant for FTA after posting a $5,000 surety through Ace Bail Bonding.

RELEASED: Cletus Wolford of Ellinwood on BCDC case for obstruction, cruelty to animals and maintain public nuisance, received $2,500 OR bond through the Court.

RELEASED: Matthew Nimmo of Great Bend on Barton County warrant for abuse of a child after posting a $10,000 surety bond through Ace Bail Bonding.

RELEASED: Courtney Veitenheimer of Great Bend on GBMC warrant for contempt of court per order of the Court.

RELEASED: Miguel Gonzalez on a Great Bend Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear after posting $1,000 surety through Dynomite Bail Bonding.

Governor Jeff Colyer is expected to make a few stops within the Golden Belt Friday, August 3 as part of his 105 County Tour.

Colyer will be at the Rush County Fairgrounds in La Crosse from 8 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.

Colyer will be in Great Bend from 9:15 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. at Ampride, 2302 10^th Street.

The Governor then moves to Larned at the Pawnee Valley Community Hospital from 10:15 to 10:45 a.m.

Colyer will also be in St. John from 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at the Stafford County Farm Bureau.

In a bid for his first full term after following former Governor Sam Brownback in January, Kansas Governor Jeff Colyer faces six challengers in next Tuesday’s Republican primary. One of those candidates is Jim Barnett. The former State Senator is making his final campaign stops before the election arrives and visited Great Bend again on Wednesday.

Barnett continues to preach on the idea that the whole state needs to advance and grow, not just the larger cities.

Jim Barnett Audio

Barnett was a member of the Kansas State Senate from 2001 until his resignation in 2010. The Topeka physician understands most the polls show Colyer and Kris Kobach leading the race, but Barnett says polls do not mean everything.

Jim Barnett Audio

Barnett says 11 newspapers across the state have endorsed his campaign, including the Wichita Eagle.

The Barton County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance in locating Austin L. Lemonds.

Lemonds is wanted for two counts of aggravated battery. He is a white male, 29 years of age, 5 feet 5 inches tall, 183 pounds, brown hair and brown eyes.

If you have information about this crime or any other crime, please call Crime Stoppers at 620-792-1300 or 888-305-1300.

The Barton County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a case of suspected arson north of the City of Great Bend.

On Thursday, August 2 at about 1:53 a.m. Sheriff’s deputies responded to the 500 block of North US 281 highway. Upon arrival deputies found an abandoned mobile home and shed fully engulfed in flames.

The fire was quickly brought under control by the Hoisington Fire Department. Initial investigation indicates there were no utilities hooked up at the location. The structures had been abandoned for several years. Sheriff’s Deputies believe the fire was intentionally set.

Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers of Barton County or the Sheriff’s Office. The estimated amount of loss is still pending.

BOOKED: Christopher Stamm of Stafford on GBMC warrant for failure to appear, bond set at $1,000 cash only.

BOOKED: Philmoon Kuku of Garden City on BTDC warrant for failure to appear, no bond.

BOOKED: Tia K. Hatten on Barton County District Court warrant for a serve sentence.

BOOKED: Dakota Conaway of Great Bend on BTDC warrant for aggravated battery, bond set in lieu of $20,000 C/S.

BOOKED: Matthew Nimmo of Great Bend on Barton County warrant for abuse of a child, bond set in lieu of $10,000 C/S.

BOOKED: Vickey Alexander of Great Bend on Barton County Court warrant for cruelty to animals, bond in lieu of $2,500 C/S.

BOOKED: Ashley Feil of Great Bend on Great Bend Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear, bond set in lieu of $2,000 C/S. GBMC warrant for failure to appear, bond set in lieu of $2,000 C/S. Barton County District Court warrant for probation violation, no bond. BCDC warrant for probation violation, no bond. GBMC case for criminal trespass, bond set in lieu of $500 C/S.

BOOKED: Jeffrey Kramer of Hoisington on Hodgeman County District Court warrant for contempt of court with a bond set at $500 cash only. GBMC warrant for contempt of court with a bond set at $552.50 cash only. BCDC warrant for failure to appear with a bond set at $200 cash only.

RELEASED: Brett Woods of Victoria on BCDC case for criminal trespass after posting a $1,000 surety bond through Ace Bail Bonding.

RELEASED: Derek Lysinger of Claflin on CMC warrant for failure to appear. Received $2,000 bond through Judge Jackson on CMC. Released to Ellis County on their hold.

RELEASED: Christopher Stamm of Stafford on GBMC warrant for failure to appear, after posting a $1,000 surety bond through Ace Bail Bonding.

RELEASED: Dakota Conaway of Great Bend on BTDC warrant for aggravated battery, posted bond through Ace Bail Bonding.

RELEASED: Vickey Alexander of Great Bend on BCDC warrant for cruelty to animals after posting a $2,500 surety bond through Dynomite.