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CASA, United Way celebrate move to 2000 Washington St.
casa ribbon cutting 2025
Central Kansas CASA and United Way of Central Kansas have moved from the Chamber of Commerce building to 2000 Washington St. in Great Bend. To celebrate the move and remind everyone of their new location, there was a double ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday. Chamber members stood in front of the Court Appointed Special Advocate entrance and director Jennifer Gregg cut the ribbon. Then they moved to the UWCK entrance, where director Charell Owings held the scissors.
Susan Thacker
Published: Jan 17, 2025, 8:37 PM
UWCK ribbon cutting 2025

Central Kansas CASA and United Way of Central Kansas have moved their offices to 2000 Washington St. To celebrate the move and make sure people know where to find them, the nonprofit agencies had ribbon cuttings on Thursday after the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce Coffee.

Both agencies were previously based in upstairs offices at 1125 Williams St., home of the Chamber since 2007. The Chamber plans to move from downtown to the new Ignite Innovation Center on west 10th St. after it opens next year. CASA and United Way have already moved.

Central Kansas CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) Director Jennifer Gregg and UWCK Director Charell Owings both thanked the Chamber for sharing space but said they don’t miss climbing the stairs to get to their office. They said they are glad they are still neighbors, located in separate suites of the same building.


CASA

The Kansas CASA Association (KCA) is a network of 20 community-based programs that recruit, train and support citizen-volunteers to advocate in court for the best interests of abused and neglected children.

Gregg said CASA is making preparations for the 20th anniversary of its annual Chocolate Auction as it celebrates its 40th anniversary of serving children in the Golden Belt. The auction will be on Feb. 1 at the Great Bend Events Center. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. There will be “hors d’oeuvres and decadent chocolate desserts.” Tickets can be purchased online at events.handbid.com/lp/20th-anniversary-central-kansas-casa-chocolate-auction.

Tickets to the Chocolate Auction are still available but going fast, she said. 

“You can also support us by purchasing raffle tickets for our ‘Toes in the Sand’ raffle. Those are one for $25 or five for $100.” The prize is a prepackaged vacation for two to Florida, or it can be used toward a vacation of the winner’s choice.

They will use an app called Handbid for this year’s silent auction. Items in the silent auction may be previewed via the app, and even those without tickets to the auction may bid from home. A live auction will again be held in-person at the event and items in the live auction may also be previewed via the Handbid app.

For more contact the CASA office at 620-792-5544 or find Central Kansas CASA on Facebook.


UWCK

United Way of Central Kansas supports 19 community partners dedicated to improving lives and strengthening communities throughout central Kansas. By mobilizing resources, fostering partnerships, and advocating for social change, United Way of Central Kansas works to address the most pressing needs facing the community and create lasting impact. For more information about United Way of Central Kansas and its initiatives, visit www.uwck.org. 

Owings said UWCK also has some things coming up, such as Reality U in Larned next week and Hoisington the following week. This program gives eighth-graders a glimpse into their future lives of earning a monthly income and paying bills, helping them prepare now for success as adults.

“Then on Valentine’s Day we have our Box of Love program,” Owings said. This year, about 500 home-bound senior citizens in Barton and Pawnee counties will receive Valentine’s Day goodie bags. Anyone who would like to donate to the project can contact UWCK at 620-792-2403 or email unitedwaycentralks@hotmail.com. People can also request a box for a recipient. The price is $15, which includes delivery on Feb. 14.
Police busy with Meth arrests
police_drug_bust.jpg
Published: Mar 13, 2025, 7:40 PM

Great Bend Chief of Police Steve Haulmark issued a press release Thursday morning pertaining to the arrest of three individuals on drug and weapons charges.

At approximately 2:25 p.m., Monday, March 10, an officer with the Great Bend Police Department stopped a white in color Chevrolet Tahoe in the 800 block of Morphy Street in Great Bend, driven by Mitchell Anspaugh, W/M 63. Anspaugh was placed under arrest for driving with a suspended driver’s license. Great Bend Police K9 Niko responded to the stop to assist. A free air sniff of the vehicle was performed during which K9 Niko alerted to the presence of illegal narcotics in the vehicle. Officers searched the vehicle and located methamphetamine, evidence of distribution, and drug paraphernalia. 

Anspaugh was transported the Barton County Jail on requested charges of Distribution of Methamphetamine (3.5-100 grams), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, No Drug Tax Stamp, and Driving While Suspended. Anspaugh was booked in lieu of $100,000 cash surety bond. Anspaugh was also booked on an outstanding Great Bend Municipal Court warrant for Failure To Appear. Anspaugh was booked on $1,000 cash surety bond for the warrant.

Later that same day, at approximately 5:47 p.m., officers from the Great Bend Police Department responded to United Parcel Services located at 2316 9th Street in Great Bend in reference to a suspicious package. Upon arrival, officers were notified that a package had been intercepted by staff and flagged as suspicious. Inside of the suspicious package, officers discovered 7.6 grams of crystal methamphetamine hidden within the contents of the package. Shortly thereafter, the investigating officers were able to identify the suspect attempting to mail the package.

On Tuesday, March 11, officers from the Great Bend Police Department responded to a residence located at 2087 NW 60th Street, in Stafford County, in reference to the execution of a Narcotics Search Warrant. Upon arrival, officers apprehended the suspect from the UPS incident identified as Chandler Wieland, W/M 57. Officers also apprehended Lisa Rugan, W/F 56, at the residence. During a search of the residence, officers located over 100 grams of Methamphetamine, Marijuana, other controlled substances, evidence of drug distribution, as well as illegal and stolen firearms. 

Wieland was arrested and transported to the Barton County Jail. Wieland was booked on two (2) counts of Distribution of Methamphetamine, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Controlled Substances, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Criminal Use of Weapons, Possession of a Stolen Firearm, and No Drug Tax Stamp. Rugan was also arrested and transported to the Barton County Jail. Rugan was booked on one (1) count of Distribution of Methamphetamine, Felony Interference with Law Enforcement, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Controlled Substances, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Criminal Use of a Weapon, and No Drug Tax Stamp.  

These investigations are still ongoing. Anyone with further information regarding these or any other crimes is encouraged to contact the Great Bend Police Department at 620-793-4120 or Crimestoppers at 620-792-1300 or online at p3tips.com.