By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Petr Grigorev exhibits his work in Bartons Fine Arts display cases
new slt grigorev exhibit
Petr Grigorev, Ellinwood, originally from Vladivostok, Russia, prepares to hang his watercolor painting, Roads, in the display cases in Barton Community Colleges Fine Arts Building. - photo by COURTESY PHOTO
Updated: Apr 24, 2011, 12:32 PM
Published: Apr 24, 2011, 12:34 PM

Petr Grigorev, who came to Barton Community College as an international student almost four years ago, is exhibiting five of his works in the display cases in the college’s Fine Arts Building.

Grigorev came from Vladivostok, Russia, to Barton to study business and play tennis, but soon found his true calling as an artist. He had never taken an art class before entering one of Barton art instructor Steve Dudek’s classes. He credits the instructor for helping him develop his artist talent.

"He just took the class as an extra credit, for fun," Dudek said. "But we found out he had a lot of talent."

Since that first class, Grigorev has continued to develop his art and has won numerous awards in many area art exhibits. In 2010, one of his paintings was accepted in the National Watercolor Society’s 90th Annual Open Exhibition. Along with acceptance in this prestigious exhibition comes an invitation to submit additional paintings to be reviewed by a panel of NWS jurors. Grigorev submitted the additional works and was accepted as a Signature Member of the society.

He is exhibiting one of those paintings with this show in the Fine Arts display cases. The watercolor titled "Roads" is a dimensional surrealistic painting similar in style to the painting accepted in the NWS exhibition. Grigorev has been accepted to attend the Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia, where he hopes eventually to study.

He is staying in Barton County for now, working to help finance his education at the Savannah art college. In addition, he is working to attain U.S. citizenship. He and his wife, Jessica Herl Grigoreva, reside in Ellinwood.

His exhibit of two watercolors and three digital photographs will continue through mid May in the college’s fine arts display cases.
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.