By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
City hoping for bowling convention/tourney in 2017
bowling art
Special to the Tribune
Updated: Feb 29, 2016, 9:37 PM
Published: Feb 29, 2016, 9:40 PM

 City of Great Bend Community Coordinator Christina Hayes announced that with efforts made by the Convention and Visitors Bureau, as well as the Great Bend Knights of Columbus, Great Bend is currently in a close race to being voted as the location for the 2017 Knights of Columbus Bowling Tournament.  

Even though Emily Goad, the new CVB director, didn’t officially start until Monday, the city had her busy with recruitment efforts in Lawrence for the past two weekends, Hayes said. 

Each Saturday, Goad along with local Knight Patrick Burnett have traveled to Lawrence, the 2016 Tournament host location, to greet bowlers and promote Great Bend for next year’s tournament site. This three-weekend tournament brings teams from all across the state to the host location.  

The bowlers show up and get to vote for where they want next year’s location to be. “We have noticed that the bowlers are not the only people attending this event,” Goad said. Because of the way the tournament has been set up, family members, spouses and even grandchildren seem to attend this tournament for the weekend of fun

“This is a great opportunity to get those visitors into town and give them the chance to Explore Great Bend shopping, dining, attractions and hotel features,” Goad said.

Last weekend’s votes brought Great Bend in the second place spot, with only seven votes behind Topeka. The final votes will be cast this Saturday, and Goad will be there to push Great Bend over the edge into the first place spot.

For additional information or questions, contact Goad at 620-792-2750 or cvb@visitgreatbend.com. 
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.