By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Council electees sworn in; Commission handles housekeeping
municipal government graphic.png
Dale Hogg
Published: Dec 31, 2022, 8:01 PM

The Great Bend City Council will meet Tuesday night and the Barton County Commission will meet Wednesday morning, and both plan virtual meetings due to COVID-19 public gathering restrictions.

The Great Bend City Council will meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, at City Hall, 1209 Williams. One can also view the meetings on Access TV via Cox Cable Channel 20 or live online at www.facebook.com/gbcitycouncil/. The meeting will be recorded.  

The agenda includes:

• The oath of office to newly elected council members.

• The selection of a council president.

• A public hearing for an unsafe structure at 214 Locust.

• 2022 non-budgeted transfers.

• A fee schedule resolution.

• The purchase of a 2023 Massey Ferguson tractor for flood control levee mowing.

• A crack seal project change order.

• An executive session to discuss matters of attorney-client privilege.


The County Commission

The commission will meet at 9 a.m. Wednesday at the Barton County Courthouse, 1400 Main in Great Bend. The meeting will be open to the public but will also be streamed live due to COVID-19.

It will be streamed through Microsoft Teams. Citizens may view the meeting through their own sign-in or by signing in anonymously. 

To participate, follow the https://bit.ly/3dU02sO. Those who wish to take part in the discussion of any item can call 620-793-1800 for instructions.

The agenda includes:

• The designation of official depositories for county funds.

• A resolution on reissuing of outdated checks and submission of payments to the Kansas State Treasurer, Unclaimed Property Division.

• A resolution creating a cost application for the installation of culverts or entrances.

• The repair of a 2012 Ford F-350 for the Road and Bridge Department.

• The use of Equitable Solutions to handle mass appraisal analysis for the county.

Given that three new Commissioners will be sworn-in on Monday, limited study sessions will be held.  These will include resolutions presented by District 1 Commission Kirby Krier concerning procedures for economic development expenditures and a salary policy for elected officials. 
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.