Story by Joe Vinduska

Over 75 cyclists, 200 craft beer drinkers, and droves of barbecue lovers came together and raised upwards of $5,500 for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at the third annual Bike Brew Q event at the Great Bend Expo Complex on July 28.

Cyclists headed out in the morning and routes were available from 20-72 miles and included road and gravel routes. All routes included support and gear (SAG) stops sponsored by local businesses and philanthropy groups giving riders a chance to rest, hydrate and refuel.

The SAG stops were sponsored by Golden Belt Bicycle Co., Barton County Young Professionals, The Errand Lady, Yoga Central, Rhythm Makings, Perks Coffee Shop, Eric and Janet Dowson, and Christine Wondra.

Following the cycling event the Craft Brew Expo took place from 1-4  featuring 15 breweries from 4 states. The breweries brought their own personnel and beer to the event. Expo attendees had access to unlimited samples, free giveaways by the breweries and all ticket holders received a free commemorative Bike Brew Q can glass.

The expo included the following breweries represented: Wichita Brewing Company, Lawrence Beer Company, Tallgrass Brewing Company, Three Rings Brewery, Salt City Brewing Company, Rogue Ales, LB Brewing, Kansas Territory Brewing Company, Dodge City Brewing, Defiance Brewing Co., COOP Ale Works, Augustino’s Brewing Company, Aero Plains Brewing, Goose Island Brewing and Shock Top Brewing.

The Event was presented by Red Barn Pet Products and sponsored by:

Stone Sand Co, INC
Eagle Radio
Panzer Insurance
Charlies Place
Stueder Contractors
Innovative Livestock Service
Golden Belt Bicycle
Clara Barton Hospital
Henjy Liquor
Farmers Bank and Trust
Western Beverage
Demel Family
Benefit Management

Event Chair Ryan Fairchild said he was very happy with the event.

“2018 showed us that the community has embraced us,” Fairchild said. “The amount of support leading up to the event was amazing. This was our biggest year yet and we have no plans of slowing down. We have raised education in the community on both Cystic Fibrosis and craft beer! That is what I’ve wanted from the beginning and will continue to push.”

Craft Brew Expo Director Joe Vinduska said the event was a success.

“This was a landmark year for the event,” he said. “We are so thankful to every single person that came out, all of our volunteers and of course our sponsors. The vibe this year was just so much fun. From the cyclists, to the food vendors to the beer drinkers and the brewery representatives; it was just this large mass of people having a good time. The energy was way up all day and you could just feel it. I loved it. Very excited for next year and to keep raising money for the CFF.”

Golden Belt Humane Society Director Heather Acheson says the animal shelter in Great Bend is at capacity for animals. The ebb and flow of animal intake can always fluctuate quickly, but currently the Humane Society if full of dogs and cats and are hoping the community can take a few of the pets off their hands.

Acheson encourages citizens to adopt the pets but also wants to remind everyone of the responsibility that comes with owning a dog or cat.

Heather Acheson Audio

Acheson adds there is an adoption special for medium to large sized dogs that the Humane Society has housed for a while. Those dogs have seen their adoption price go down to $50 with an approved adoption application. Also, two cats for the price of one is being promoted by the shelter.

The Golden Belt Humane Society is located at 151 South U.S. Highway 281.

Barton County Attorney Amy Mellor stated in a press release that last Friday (July 27) was not a good day to be someone in violation of probation or in possession of drugs. Several individuals who violated their probation are now facing prison confinement as a result.

After being placed on probation two years ago for a methamphetamine offense, John P. Stevenson reappeared in Barton County District Court after being convicted in Hays on a separate felony charge. As a result of the new conviction, Stevenson’s probation in his Barton County case was revoked and he was ordered to serve 30 months in confinement.

Harold Jason Hunt was ordered to serve a total of 48 months of prison confinement due to his probation violation in two different cases, both felonies. Hunt was originally convicted in one case of criminal damage to property, and in the other he was convicted on a charge of possession of methamphetamine.

Robert Stanley Jr. was sent to the Kansas Department of Corrections for 40 months on a felony conviction for possession of marijuana. Stanley had been on probation for another case from Tennessee when he committed the new crime in Kansas. Tennessee authorities have announced that they will seek Stanley’s extradition due to his probation violations in that state.

Harold Norman’s probation was revoked and he was ordered to serve 34 months confinement with the Kansas Department of Corrections. Norman was originally convicted of felony marijuana possession, but he did not follow the conditions of his probation and it was revoked.

Other cases…

Brett Hammond was ordered to serve a total of 33 months of confinement following convictions for residential burglary and theft. Hammond was sentenced after being convicted of both felony and misdemeanor crimes. His past record in several other states did not help him. He will serve a majority of the 33-month sentence in prison, while the remainder will be served in county jail.

Crystal Duncan was placed on probation after being convicted of forgery. Earlier this year, Duncan forged several checks and passed them to a local merchant. When she was arrested, Duncan was also found to be in possession of methamphetamine. Because she was also the subject of a warrant from Louisiana, she will be extradited back to that state.

These cases were prosecuted by Mellor and Assistant County Attorneys Douglas Matthews and Colin Reynolds. All the cases were heard by District Judge Scott McPherson.

The Kansas Attorney General’s Office has issued a gag order to all investigating agencies associated with an alleged murder that took place at the Barton County Fair on July 13.

Four people are in custody in connection with the death of fair vendors Sonny and Pauline Carpenter of Wichita.

Great Bend Police Chief David Bailey was a guest Wednesday on “City Edition” on 1590 KVGB and 97.7 FM, and was able to discuss how the four suspects were apprehended in Arkansas which eventually led to the discovery of the Carpenter’s bodies in a forest near Van Buren, Arkansas.

David Bailey Audio

Bailey says that any murder trial that would take place would be conducted in Barton County which means the process is underway to get those four individuals back to Kansas.

David Bailey Audio

Michael Fowler, Rusty Frazier and Kimberly Younger, also known as Myrna Khan continue to be jailed in Crawford County, Arkansas while the investigation continues. Last week a fourth suspect, 37-year-old Christine Marie Tenney of Santa Fe, Texas was also taken into custody.

Crawford County Sheriff’s Detective Jonathan Wear believes the Carpenters were killed July 13 after meeting the carnival workers as the couple sold crafts, jewelry, purses and other handmade items during the Barton County fair.

BOOKED: Wade Wagner on BTDC serve sentence.

BOOKED: Joseph Johns of Great Bend on BTDC warrant for failure to appear, bond is set at $1,000 C/S. BTDC warrant for failure to appear, bond set at $1,000 C/S.

BOOKED: Gregory Carey on BTDC warrant for FTA, bond is set in the amount of $360 cash only. BTDC warrant for FTA, bond is set in the amount of $500 C/S.

BOOKED: Travis Good of Great Bend on GBMC case for battery DV, criminal damage, bond is set at $1,000 C/S or 48-hour OR bond.

BOOKED: Aundria Pasek of Victoria on Barton County District Court case for criminal trespass with a bond set at $1,000 C/S.

BOOKED: Brett Woods of Victoria on BTDC case for criminal trespass, bond set in lieu of $1,000 C/S.

RELEASED: Crystal Duncan of Mansfield, LA to Desoto Parish Sheriff’s Office.

RELEASED: Joseph Johns of Great Bend on BTDC warrant for failure to appear x2, posted bond of $2,000 through Dynomite Bail Bonding.

RELEASED: Travis Good of Great Bend on GBMC case for battery DV, criminal damage, posted bond through Dynomite Bail Bonding in the amount of $1,000 C/S.

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

Through the budgeting process, Barton County plans for cash transfers, as savings, to the Capital Improvement Plan. The plan, as revised each year, allows for the projected maintenance and remodeling of County buildings and major modifications to roads and bridges.

Commissioner Alicia Straub felt the County budgeted to the best they could for the 2019 operating budget without spending unnecessary funds.

Alicia Straub Audio

Commission Chair Jennifer Schartz commented that it was good that the Capital Improvement Fund was fiscally sound because of the future improvements that will be needed for the Barton County Courthouse.

WDM Architects performed a structural analysis of the Courthouse, a building that turned 100 years old this year. The analysis found the four outside corners were separating from the center of the building on the 4^th floor. Barton County Administrator Phil Hathcock said the project could cost anywhere from $500,000 to $1 million.