On Tuesday afternoon in the Pawnee County District Court, James Allen Roe, 58 of Larned, waived his preliminary hearing and entered a no contest plea to involuntary manslaughter, a severity level 5 person felony. He was originally charged with one count of distribution of a controlled substance causing death alleged to have occurred in Pawnee County on or about July 27, 2015.

The controlled substance alleged to have been distributed was a fentanyl transdermal patch. The charge stems from an ongoing investigation by the Larned Police Department and Coroner Dr. Lyle Noordhoek related to the accidental overdose death of Ryan J. Henderson. Henderson was found non-responsive at his residence in Larned the morning of July 28, 2015. He was 33 at the time of his death.

Roe was arrested by the Larned Police Department at his home on January 30, 2018, without incident and is currently released on a supervised bond. Sentencing has been scheduled for June 25, 2018.

BOOKED: Sandra Thompson of Great Bend on Great Bend Municipal Court case for driving while suspended, no tag light, no insurance, illegal tag with a bond set at $500 C/S.

BOOKED: Timothy Chism of Great Bend on KDOC parole violation, no bond.

BOOKED: Charles Albert Gann of Ellinwood on United States Federal warrant for distribution of child pornography, no bond.

RELEASED: Sandra Thompson of Great Bend on GBMC case for driving while suspended, no tag light, no insurance, illegal tag after posting a $500 cash bond.

RELEASED: Karie McBride of Claflin to KDOC.

RELEASED: Cody Buckingham of Great Bend to Dallas County, TX for their warrant.

RELEASED: Savannah Sullivan of Great Bend on BTDC case for possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana. Bond was reduced from $100,000 to $1,000 cash only. Bond posted by defendant with $1,000 cash.

RILEY COUNTY —A Barton County man is in jail in Riley County.

Just before 9a.m. Tuesday, police arrested 23-year-old Alex JayPaul Herren of Hoisington on a probation violation, according to the Riley County Police Department Arrest report.

He is being held on a $5,000 Bond.

Herren has a 2016 conviction in Riley County for criminal threat. He also has previous convictions in Barton County for burglary, forgery, DUI, theft and criminal damage to property, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

The college plans for Great Bend High School senior Aaron Clark were already mapped out by committing to play football at Emporia State University next fall. Clark now does not have to worry about paying for any of those plans.

The Rudd Foundation announced 20 winners across the state who will receive a four-year full ride scholarship. Clark says he found out he received the scholarship in January, but it was publicly announced May 1.

Aaron Clark Audio

The scholarship program covers any remaining cost of attendance to Kansas high school seniors who qualify for a Pell Grant and attend either Emporia State, Fort Hays State University, or Wichita State University. The Rudd Scholarship covers all the tuition and fees, books and supplies, and room and board for four years.

As for Clark, he plans to major in biology education and physical education and hopes to get involved with coaching football.

Aaron Clark Audio

The scholarship renews each year while in college if the student submits a renewal application and maintains a 3.0 GPA and is on track to graduate in four years.

After submitting his application online with his essays, Clark was one the 48 finalists for the scholarship. Clark then went to Wichita for an interview before eventually being selected.

Clark joked that his parents were especially happy because the scholarship covers food, saving them a lot of money.

BUSINESS NEWS

The Great Bend Recreation Commission and the Barton County Extension Office will be hosting a free “Walk Kansas Celebration / Wise Bucks Luncheon” on Wednesday, May 9^th, from Noon to 1:00 pm at the Great Bend Rec Activity Center (2715 18^th St.).  This fun meal will raise your awareness about making healthier food choices.  This luncheon is free of charge if you’re on a Walk Kansas Team.  If you’re not on a 2018 Walk Kansas team, you can attend for a $5.00 fee.  All participants must register for this luncheon by Friday, May 4^th.  For more information and to register for the luncheon, call the Cottonwood Extension District Office at 793-1910.  The speaker for this program will be Donna Krug, Barton County FCS Agent.

BOOKED: Trisha Johnson of Great Bend on Central Kansas Community Corrections order for incarceration.

BOOKED: Derek Lysinger of Hoisington on a Claflin case for battery DV and criminal damage to property, bond was set at $500 C/S or 18-hour OR.

BOOKED: Roberto Castellanos of Great Bend on Barton County District Court warrant for criminal threat and criminal trespass, bond set at $5,000 C/S.

BOOKED: James Burton of Ark City on BTDC warrant for probation violation, bond is $1,470.75 cash only.

BOOKED: Gerald Martin of Great Bend on GBMC case for failure to appear, bond is set at $2,000 C/S.

RELEASED: Andrew Decoudres of Larned after serving sentence in full.

RELEASED: Roberto Castellanos of Great Bend on BCDC warrant for criminal threat and criminal trespass after he posted a $5,000 surety bond.

RELEASED: Tyler Bittel on GBMC case with no conditions.

RELEASED: Derek Lysinger of Hoisington on a Claflin case for battery DV and criminal damage to property, posted bond through Ace Bail Bonding in the amount of $5,000.

RELEASED: John P. Lynch of Great Bend posted a $1,000 surety bond through Dyn-O-Mite Bail Bonding on BTDC case for DWS and illegal tag. Posted a $926 cash bond on GBMC case for contempt of court.