Great Bend Tribune

09/08/2026

Don't forget! There will no Great Bend Tribune tomorrow! It will be on-line and delivered on Wednesday the 9th instead. Normal schedule will begin again on Thursday the 10th.

09/07/2026

09/05/2026

It has begun! Our last big living history weekend of the year has kicked off and will run from now until Monday (9/7). So don’t miss out on plenty of learning and fun for the whole family as we bring Fort Larned to life once again. Come on out and enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of a frontier post!

Photo by Joel F. Carberry

09/05/2026

Great Bend homicide suspect arrested in Salina

Homicide suspect arrested

09/05/2026

09/04/2026

On Sept. 2, 2026, at approximately 6:23 p.m., officers with the Great Bend Police Department were dispatched to a residence in the 300 block of Plum Street in Great Bend regarding a reported stabbing. Upon arrival, officers contacted the reporting party, who stated that Justin Juarez, 30 years of ag...

09/04/2026

Coming in the Tribune, Saturday, September 5th.
Lots of sports--cross country, tennis, volleyball
Stafford County solar
Daughters of Isabella
Sarah's Blessing
Jeremy Elliott's "When Hope is Hard to Hold"
and lots more....

Couple reminders: we're closed Monday, Sept. 5th for Labor Day. Instead of a paper on Tuesday it will be published on Wednesday, Sept. 9th.

We still need nominations for the 20 under 40!

Enjoy your weekend!

09/04/2026

Kate Caroline Liebl

CLAFLIN – Kate Caroline Liebl passed away Sept. 1, 2026, surrounded by her loving family at Children’s Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, Mo. She was born on July 22, 2026, at Salina Regional Hospital, Salina, to Adam and Gina (Bogner) Liebl.
Though her days with us were few, Kate was loved by many. She knew nothing but love, stories, and snuggles from family and friends. From the very beginning, she was surrounded by people who cherished her and held her close.
In The Velveteen Rabbit, we are reminded that being deeply loved is what makes us real. Kate was so very real to us. She was our daughter, our granddaughter, our sister, our family, and a precious part of our story. Though we wish we could have shared a lifetime of adventures and ordinary days with her, she was deeply loved, and that love will remain with us always.
She is survived by her parents; big brother, Parker Liebl; grandparents, Todd and Carla Liebl of Claflin, and John and Juanita Bogner of Odin; great-grandmother, Diane Zink; aunts and uncles, Corey and Carly Liebl, Evan Liebl and Cindy Stueder, Brett and Haven Liebl, and Mark and Lindsey Bogner; cousins, Jack Liebl, Leo Liebl, Zoey Bogner, and Otto Bogner; and many extended family and friends. She was preceded in death by her father’s paternal grandparents and maternal grandfather; and mother’s grandparents.
Private family service will be scheduled. In lieu of flowers or gifts the family requests contributions be made to the Kate Liebl Memorial Fund, which will benefit the Claflin City Park, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544. Notices may be viewed and condolences sent at www.nicholsonrickefh.net.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home
P.O. Box 146
Hoisington, KS 67544
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Sept. 5, 2026

09/04/2026

Christine Ann Smith 1955 - 2026

STERLING — Christine Ann Smith, 71, of Sterling, Kan., passed away Aug. 9, 2026 in Hutchinson, Kan. She was born on March 26, 1955 in Sterling, the daughter of Dwayne and Virginia (Drake) Miller. She had lived with her children in Sterling since 2022, after residing in Russell since 1977.
Christine graduated from Sterling High School with the class of 1973. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Fort Hays State University. She worked as a nurse for 43 years, much of which as a hospice nurse for Golden Belt Home Health and Hospice in Russell and Great Bend. She retired in 2020. On Aug. 14, 1976, Christine was united in marriage with Dallas Smith in Sterling. He preceded her in death on Sept. 23, 2023. She is also preceded in death by her parents.
Christine is survived by her three children and one granddaughter, Tyler Logan Smith of Kingman, Kan., Austin Dwayne Smith of Sterling, KSan., and Shelby Ann Smith and her daughter Emily Vera Raine Smith of Sterling, Kan.; brother, Terry Miller and wife Deborah of Hutchinson, Kan.
Christine was a believer in Jesus Christ, God’s only son, who came from Heaven to sacrifice Himself as payment for our sins, and that all who trust in Him will receive forgiveness and eternal life. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Bunker Hill, Bible Baptist Church in Russell, and Calvary Baptist Church in Sterling.
Christine enjoyed quilting, gardening, and most of all spending time with her family. She was loved by many who were fortunate to know her in this life.
Funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling, with Pastor Dale Jordan officiating. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery, Hutchinson. Visitation will be from 2 until 7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, at Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling, with family present from 5 until 7 p.m. Memorials may be given to Calvary Baptist Church, Sterling, or Bible Baptist Church, Russell in care of Birzer Funeral Home, Sterling.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Birzer Funeral Home
214 West Ave. South
Lons, KS 67554
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Sept. 5, 2026