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CELEBRATE HOPE: Relay for Life moves to PAC
Fundraiser benefits American Cancer Society
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The Relay for Life’s first lap is completed by cancer survivors, celebrating life. This year’s Barton County Relay was held Friday at the Panther Activity Center. - photo by Susan Thacker

Cancer survivors and caregivers celebrated hope and raised money for the American Cancer Society on Friday on the annual Relay for Life of Barton County.

The event was moved from Veterans Park to the GBHS Panther Activity Center to deal with the standing water and mosquitoes at the park.

After a survivors’ dinner, the opening ceremony got underway at 6 p.m.

“We want to light up the night!” Event Lead Jenny Boyer said. “We are here getting ready to walk the night.” The Relay has some team members on the floor and walking laps until the end, starting with the survivors’ lap. Dozens of cancer survivors, all wearing purple T-shirts, led the way and then others followed. The walking symbolizes the journey of a cancer patient, Boyer said. “We want to be there from the very first step of a cancer patient’s path.” There was also entertainment and more fun ways to raise money. That money provides programs and patient services, and helps fund ACS research. “That’s why we relay,” she said. 

“We have made an impact against cancer,” Boyer continued. ACS notes that its research and action — such as educating people about early detection — has contributed to a 26 percent decrease in the overall U.S. cancer death rate since 1991. That translates to nearly 2.4 million cancer deaths avoided during that time.

During the opening ceremony, the cancer survivors stood to sing “The Star Spangled Banner” with the American Legion Riders Post 180 serving as color guard. Then each survivor told the audience how many years he or she has been a survivor. The times ranged from months to years — in some cases more than 20 years. Others are undergoing treatment right now.

“The mission of the American Cancer Society is to save lives, celebrate lives, and lead the fight for a world without cancer,” said Kim Peach, a community manager for the American Cancer Society. “You’re a survivor from the moment you’re told you have cancer.”

Pat Jones from Great Bend was diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer in January. She has attended Relay for Life for more than 20 years with her sister Connie Jacobs from Hays, who was diagnosed with breast cancer on Jan. 11, 2011. So, while Jones is a regular on a Relay team sponsored by the Great Bend Tribune, this was her first year to wear the purple survivor shirt and walk in the survivors’ lap.

Jones said she’s a former smoker but hadn’t smoked for 18 years.

“Luckily, the cancer was caught early,” she said. “I credit Dr. (Robin) Durett with that.”

For fundraisers, participants held drawings for prizes or sold Relay swag. The teams were named after international cities, following this year’s theme, “City Lights,” and some members had fun dressing the part — from a Honolulu team wearing grass skirts to the New York City group, also known as the Relay Readers, whose team leader, Patty Collins, was dressed as the Statue of Liberty. Relay participants could visit each city to get their passports stamped and then use the passports to enter a drawing for gift baskets.

During the evening, JP Postlethwaite, director of the American Legion Riders Post, accepted a plaque as that group won the Community Engagement Award for 2019.

There was also entertainment from Danceography dance school in Great Bend.

Susan Stricker from the ACS spoke briefly about where the money goes. “One place is Hope Lodge,” she said, describing how the ACS helps cancer patients and their caregivers by providing a free home away from home in the Kansas City area. “You money stays in the state of Kansas,” she added.

The ACS reports 79% of its resources are allocated to program services that include cancer research, patient support, prevention information and education, and detection and treatment.


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Survivors wore purple T-shirts. “You’re a survivor from the moment you’re told you have cancer,” said Kim Peach with the American Cancer Society. - photo by Susan Thacker
Police busy with Meth arrests
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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.