THE STUFF OF LEGENDS: Vern Miller returns to Great Bend

To some, Vern Miller was the "Super Cop," who, as Kansas Attorney General, raided night clubs - including the Great Bend Petroleum Club - and confiscated cases of liquor from Amtrak trains. Others had a less charitable view of Miller, and took to spray painting the name "Vern" under the word "Stop" on stop signs in the 1970s.

New K-9 officer learning the ropes

Members of the Great Bend Noon Kiwanis got to see K-9 officer Rocco in action Wednesday, during a demonstration presented by the Barto County Sheriff's Office.

Community colleges support new funding model

Kansas community colleges are supporting a proposed cost model for technical education, but advising legislators not to fund vocational schools at their expense.

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.

BCC dorm should be ready for fall semester

After reportedly falling behind schedule for an August completion date, construction of a new residence hall at Barton Community College is back on schedule, college trustees learned this week.

For kids' sake

Requests for help – from people needing food, or cash to pay their rent or utilities – are on the rise in our community, and Great Bend is not alone. Locally, we know that our Barton County Emergency Aid Association and Food Bank, Catholic Social Service and others have seen an increase in requests.

​Reboot adds up for BCC math department

A new approach to how developmental mathematics are taught at Barton Community College has raised success rates from mediocre to above average, Barton math instructor Brian Howe told college trustees Wednesday.

Farm & Ranch Expo draws crowd to Great Bend

One of the largest farm shows in the United States got underway Wednesday, with the 2014 Great Bend Farm & Ranch Expo. The show is taking place April 9-11 at the Expo Complex west of Great Bend.

Local art featured in Talking Books exhibit

The Talking Books program has taken a decidedly visual approach to public awareness with the launch of a traveling art exhibit titled "Through Different Eyes: Achieving a New Perspective."

GOP unchained

Kansas loves the Second Amendment, as the Senate proved again this week when approving the "gun-rights bill," 34-2, and sending it to an equally receptive House.