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Heartland Center for Spirituality marks 40 years
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The Heartland Center for Spirituality will celebrate its 40th anniversary on Feb. 16 at its Dominican Chapel of the Plains, 3600 Broadway Ave.
Published: Feb 11, 2025, 9:10 PM
Hayley Shoemaker
Mezzo-soprano Hayley Shoemaker is shown in her reprisal of the role of Carmen in Eutin, Germany, in June 2024.

The Heartland Center for Spirituality, known as a retreat-conference center for people of all faiths and a ministry of the Dominican Sisters of Peace, is observing 40 years of serving others. The first of its anniversary celebrations is a gathering open to the public at its Dominican Chapel of the Plains, 3600 Broadway, on Sunday, Feb. 16 at 1 p.m. 

Bishop John B. Brungardt will offer prayer and a blessing for the Heartland Spirituality Center and accomplished mezzo-soprano Hayley Shoemaker will share a range of spiritual selections and a French operatic piece. Shoemaker is a voice professor at Fort Hays State University who offers public performances regularly and recently reprised the role of Carmen at the 2024 Eutiner Festspiele in Eutin, Germany. 

“We are blessed to be experiencing a renewal at Heartland. We are excited about what is to come and new opportunities opening to the public –near and far – this year,” said Ann Axman, Heartland co-director. “We will touch on a few upcoming events including a Lenten Retreat during the kick-off occasion but the full rundown and explanation of what’s ahead in 2025 will be revealed soon, so stay tuned for that.” 

Keith Funk, another co-director of Heartland says, “Our vision is to build bridges between different faiths in the community, which is the same belief of our sponsors, the Dominican Sisters of Peace, who promote interfaith collaboration and welcome associates from a variety of faith traditions.  Everyone here is very excited for what is ahead in 2025.” 

Tours of the Heartland Spirituality Center will be available after the Feb. 16 event and refreshments will be offered. 

The Heartland Center for Spirituality provides overnight accommodations, meeting space for individuals, church organizations and non-profits who are interested in spiritual enrichment, education programs, staff development, conferences, and retreats. 


About the Dominican Sisters of Peace 

Dominican Sisters of Peace, members of the Order of Preachers, are vowed Catholic women who preach the Gospel of Christ through lives of service and peace-making. The Dominican Sisters of Peace are present in 22 states and Nigeria. The Sisters serve God’s people in many ways, including education, health care, spirituality, pastoral care, prison ministry, the arts, and care of creation. There are more than 300 Sisters and more than 300 lay women and men associated with the congregation. 
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.