Longoria attorneys seek to strike death penalty

Attorneys for Adam Joseph Longoria have filed a motion seeking to have the Kansas death penalty declared unconstitutional. Longoria, 36, is awaiting trial on a capital murder charge for allegedly killing 14-year-old Alicia DeBolt of Great Bend last year.

ROLLING OUT THE DOUGH

Members of Boy Scout Troop and Pack 184 were up to their elbows in dough Saturday, making noodles for the upcoming fundraising dinner.

Arts Commission state case against proposed cuts

Members of the Kansas Arts Commission say Gov. Sam Brownback's proposal to eliminate the agency will hurt the state's economy and cost people jobs.

Joiner named new head cheerleading coach at Barton

The Board of Trustees at Barton Community College on Thursday approved hiring Stephanie Joiner as the new head cheerleading coach, quickly replacing Debbie Warren.

BLACK ICE: Weather packs a punch

It didn't always look slick, but for anyone who tried to move around Wednesday there was no mistaking the treacherous winter conditions that hit the Golden Belt.

Monks Feast serves Twain with a twist

Stitches in time

Throughout the years, Kansas settlers marked their weddings or the birth of a child with one of the most functional works of art known - the quilt. Some are fabric masterpieces; others were made with scraps, flour sacks or whatever fabric was available, for the sole purpose of providing warmth.

Opportunity quilt

Central Kansas Thread-Benders Quit Guild members Ronnie Drees, left, Iva Behrens and Susan Gray show the Opportunity Quilt, which was won by Behrens in a drawing in December. Each year members raffle one quilt, using the money donated for tickets to buy materials to make TLC quilts, which are provided to people after a fire, serious illness or other disaster. Drees and Behrens were co-chairwomen for the 2010 Opportunity Quilt promotion, and Gray is president of the quilt guild, based in Great Bend.

DOUBLE LOCKS OF LOVE

Melissa Hittle and her 5-year-old daughter Bailey started the new year by donating a combined 26 inches of hair to Locks of Love. The nonprofit organization will use their hair to make wigs for financially disadvantaged children in the United States or Canada who have lost their own hair.

Search is on for best snow sculpture

With snow on the ground, Garet Fitzpatrick, leisure coordinator at the Great Bend Recreation Commission, reminds residents of the annual GBRC snow sculpture contest. Program coordinators reported on this and other events when the GBRC Board of Directors met Monday.

Second burglary suspect arrested

Great Bend Police arrested a second suspect Thursday in connection with last month's burglary at P&S Security, where a number of guns were stolen.

Gun show draws crowd at Expo

Gun dealers from across the state brought their wares to Great Bend this weekend, for a gun show at the Great Bend Expo Complex west of town. The show continues today, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., but Saturday's turnout was enough to convince Anthony Lutz with R.K. Shows - sponsor of the gun show - that his first Great Bend show won't be his last.

City supports zoo's AZA goal

For several years, the goal at Great Bend's Brit Spaugh Zoo has been to gain accreditation from the American Zoos and Aquariums Association. Now Zoo Director Scott Gregory says he's ready to apply for the coveted AZA stamp of approval - one year ahead of schedule.

Plan for in-county tuition break gains momentum

The next tuition increase at Barton Community College may include a price break for local residents. The idea was suggested at a recent BCC Board of Trustees study session, and discussed again briefly on Thursday, at the January study session.

Winter traffic accidents reported

The winter storm that began last week contributed to several accidents in central Kansas, including a fatality Sunday in Pratt County. Kansas Highway Patrol also worked one injury accident last Friday in Ellsworth County, and one Sunday in Rush County.

Real estate

The City of Great Bend continues to take positive steps to encourage housing development.

Zoo News: Zoo hoping for spring babies

The animal population at Great Bend's Brit Spaugh Zoo has sometimes been described as "geriatric," but Zoo Director Scott Gregory is working to change that.

Zoo director gives update on lions, bears

Three grizzly bears at Great Bend's Brit Spaugh Zoo turned 1 year old in January, and have been good companions to Max, the older bear in the grizzly exhibit, Zoo Director Scott Gregory said Monday.

Fire does extensive damage to home, garage

A fire at the Karl and Virgina Harmony home, 3106 26th St., did extensive damage Tuesday afternoon, Great Bend Fire Chief Mike Napolitano said. Virginia Harmony was the only one home at the time and got out safely.

Storm watcher recommends ‘situational awareness’

Dramatic videos of flying cameras, storms chasers, and a family emerging from a demolished home after a tornado were among the highlights of "Storm Fury on the Plains," a severe weather awareness program presented Tuesday at the Crest Theater. But Warning Coordination Meteorologist Chance Hayes didn't come to Great Bend just to entertain; his presentations provided potentially life-saving information for anyone with a desire to chase after tornados, or anyone who wants to stay safe in case of severe storms.

GREEN EGGS AND HAM

Great Bend Public Library staff celebrated the 110th birthday of Dr. Seuss on Monday with a party for children. "Miss Amanda," as children's librarian Amanda Moran-Jones is known, read the Seuss book "Green Eggs and Ham," and then The Cat in the Hat invited the children to sample the same dish - scrambled eggs with green food coloring.

Education issues highlight Legislative Coffee

HOISINGTON - Joining Senator Mitch Holmes (R-St. John) and Rep. John Edmonds (R-Great Bend) at Saturday's Legislative Coffee in Hoisington was Kansas Board of Education member Sally Cauble (R-Dodge City).

Know the drill

Tornado sirens will be tested throughout the state, including Barton County, next Tuesday at 1:30 p.m.

Christian groups defend House Bill's intent

Last week, I reported about churches speaking out against House Bill 2433.

BCC trustees hear from PTK advisers

The Barton Community College Board of Trustees took another opportunity Thursday to discuss the recent selection of four students from the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society, who were recognized Feb. 13 at Topeka. They were BCC's 2014 choice for the PTK All-Kansas Academic Team.

Barton County ready for state tornado drill

Tornado sirens will be tested across the state on Tuesday, as Kansans prepare for severe weather season.

Branson eligible for parole hearing

Robin Lee Branson, the man serving two life sentences for Great Bend liquor store robberies that ended in murder in 1982, may be eligible for parole on June 1.

Reality TV?

Watching for the latest bills in the Kansas Legislature is as entertaining as a reality TV show – think "Duck Dynasty." You just never know what will happen next.

Churches speak out against 'relgious freedom' act

Last week the Kansas House of Representatives passed HB 2453, described as an act "protecting religious freedom regarding marriage." Nationally, it was described as an "anti-gay marriage proposal." By Tuesday, the chairman of a state Senate committee assigned to review the bill pronounced it dead.