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Celebrate independence at a state park
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Updated: Jun 29, 2018, 6:57 PM
Published: Jun 29, 2018, 6:58 PM

TOPEKA — What could be better than watching a gorgeous fireworks display, every ember trail and brilliant explosion mirrored in a lake that’s coating you in a cool breeze? Getting to enjoy it two or three times over at Kansas state parks!
Consider making a day of your visit since some parks will have special events throughout the holiday. Nearly all offer easy access to water and good opportunities for picnicking, fishing, disc golf, great hiking trails and more. You’ll just need a daily vehicle permit, $5, that can be purchased at the park’s entrance. Remember to park in designated areas, and that it’s illegal to ignite personal fireworks unless the state park manager has designated a special area.
Below is a list of Kansas state parks offering fantastic views of brilliant displays across the upcoming week celebrating America’s Independence. For additional information on Kansas state parks, visit travelks.com or ksoutdoors.com.

Cross Timbers State Park – June 30 (rain date to be announced)
The fireworks display from the park’s Toronto Point camping area has become one of the region’s biggest attractions. Guests will be directed to specified parking and viewing areas as soon as they enter the campground.

Glen Elder State Park – June 30 (rain date July 3)
Fireworks will be launched from the park’s Osage Area. Best viewing will be in the Cheyenne, Kanza, Osage and Sioux campgrounds.
At 9 a.m. that morning, a day-long celebration will begin for the opening of the park’s Waconda Visitor and Education Center. A variety of activities for kids and refreshments are planned.

Lovewell State Park – June 30 (rain date July 1)
Fireworks will be launched from the Walleye Point Area, where there is plenty of parking and space for viewing. Watching the fireworks display from boats has become a tradition here, too.

Pomona State Park – June 30 (rain date July 7)
Any place on the east side of the park can offer good views of this fireworks display, particularly the Kansa, Red Oak, Osage, and Bunkers Cove campgrounds.

Webster State Park – June 30 (no rain date)
Lakeview and Hilltop campgrounds and the Townsite Area are great places to watch the display put on by the Friends of Webster State Park.
The celebration begins at 8 a.m. with a flag ceremony at the park office, then there’s a poker run for cars, bikes and boats beginning at noon. The group will hold a cookout at the Townsite Area at 6 p.m. Guests are asked to make a free-will donation.

Crawford State Park – July 2 (no rain date)
The park’s swimming area may offer the best view of the fireworks, but there’s really not a bad place to pitch a lawn chair and enjoy the park’s biggest event of the year.
Beginning at 5 p.m., grilled burgers and other food will be sold by Friends of Crawford State Park.

Kanopolis State Park – July 7 (rain date July 14)
The lake’s marina annually provides a great fireworks display near the south end of the dam. That means about any place in the Langley Point Area of Kanopolis State Park can offer fantastic viewing.

Historic Lake Scott State Park – July 7 (no rain date)
The El Cuartelejo parking area is the prime location for watching a legendary fireworks display over nearby private property. Viewers are reminded that parking in the cabin area is restricted to those renting the cabins. It is also illegal, and dangerous, to park along Highway 95, just outside the park.

Wilson State Park – July 7 (rain date to be announced)
The fireworks display at one of America’s most scenic state parks can best be seen from around the Hell Creek boat ramp, New Otoe Beach, as well as Dakota and Sunflower campgrounds.

For more information about other July 4 events, go online, ksoutdoors.com, and view the “State Parks Calendar of Events.”
Police busy with Meth arrests
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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.