James named as NBA MVP for fourth time

MIAMI - LeBron James is the overwhelming choice as the NBA's Most Valuable Player. The Miami Heat star took 120 of 121 first-place votes in this year's balloting, giving him the award for the fourth time. Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant finished second and the New York Knicks' Carmelo Anthony was third. James' selection was not unanimous, despite plenty of suggestions from people around the league in recent weeks that he was worthy of that honor. ...

FFA officers installed at banquet

April Marriage and Divorce Filings

Marriage Licenses Jason Wayne Green, Pawnee Rock and Brandie Jo Bunch, Pawnee Rock Christopher Don Wikoff, Hoisington and Haley Elizabeth Parker, Hoisington David Wayne Schofield, Ellinwood and Lacey Ellen Bryan, Ellinwood Jose Pablo Canales, Great Bend and Sandra Yessenia Hernandez, Great Bend John Joseph Keener, Hoisington and Honey Lee Hemken, Hoisington Austin Gerald Smith, Great Bend and Sarah Jerree Ritter, Great Bend Cody Dillon Kelly, Great Bend and Jessica Ann Schenk, Great Bend Eduardo Valles, ...

GBMS band concert

The Great Bend Middle School Band Department will be having their spring band concerts on Thursday at the Great Bend Middle School gym. The 7th Grade Band the GBMS Jazz Ensemble concert will begin at 6:45 p.m. The 8th Grade Band and the GBMS Jazz Ensemble concert will begin at 8:15 p.m. The concerts are free and open to the public. The bands are directed by Kurtis Koch and assisted by Mark DeWald.

Donate blood now

Dear Editor, Thank you all for all the support this year and all who have donated so far to the American Red Cross and our lifesaving mission of collecting blood. With your help, we are able to spread the word about the need for blood and help give patients another chance at life. Your support has made a significant impact on the community and the blood supply. We cannot thank you enough for helping patients ...

Great Bend City Band summer season

The Great Bend City Band will begin rehearsals for their season beginning at 7:30 p.m. on May 28th at the Crest Theatre. Any instrumentalist who loves to play is welcome to participate in the band. Summer concerts will be given at the courthouse band shell and will begin Thursday, May 30th and every Thursday in June. A special big band swing concert will also be given at the band shell on Friday, June 28th. All ...

Volunteers in Action News

The "Check Out Hunger" food drive for the Community Food Bank of Barton County was a huge success. RSVP volunteers partnered with 6th grade students from Holy Family School, a local Brownie troop, and Barton County Youth Care manned tables at Dillon's on 10th Street and Walmart on Saturday, April 6th. Persons entering the stores received a handout about the Community Food Bank with a grocery list of needed items. The volunteers collected 1,749 lbs ...

Soil Stewardship Week

In 1955, the National association of Conservation Districts began a national program to encourage Americans to focus on stewardship. Stewardship Week is officially celebrated from the last Sunday in April to the first Sunday in May. It is one of the world's largest conservation-related observances.

Desk and Derrick presents check

The Desk and Derrick Club of Barton County recently donated $100 to the Great Bend Military Moms, to help with the costs of sending care packages to deployed military personnel. The Great Bend Military Moms have sent more than 4,300 care packages, to those serving so far away from home, and are getting ready for the next shipment. If you know of anyone currently deployed, get their military address to Leslie Barrett, 620-792-2838, as soon ...

Local educator awarded statewide grant

Mr. Stan Ewy, a teacher at Otis-Bison Elementary School in USD 403, was recently awarded a classroom grant by the Kansas Association of American Educators (KANAAE), a non-union professional educators association serving Kansas teachers. Mr. Ewy will use the funds to purchase an educational nutrition program for his physical education classes.

Chlumsky Hall of Fame Inductee

On January 26, Nathan Chlumsky of Larned was inducted into Action Martial Arts Magazine's Hall of Honors 2013 as an "Ambassador of Goodwill to the Martial Arts" in the category of "Excellence in Teaching Martial Arts."

Keeley - Birt

Mike and Jan Keeley of Great Bend announce the engagement of their daughter, Christy Diane to Mitchell Birt, son of Randall and Christine Birt of Omaha, Neb. Grandparents of the bride-elect are Bill and Pat Schartz of Larned and the late Terry and Barbara Keeley.

Koelsch - Ramsey baby girl

Josh Koelsch and Meredith Ramsey announce the birth of their daughter, Lennon Ramsey Koelsch, on March 23. She weighed 8 lbs. 1 oz. and was 21 in. long.

Wetzel — Hafner

Bill and Joni Hafner of Prairie Village announce the engagement of their son, Joshua Hafner, to Heidi Wetzel, daughter of Mark and Rita Wetzel of Roeland Park.

Hurd 74th

Della Hurd will celebrate her 74 birthday on May 8 with a card shower. Cards may be sent to her at 1218 Baker, Great Bend, Ks. 67530.

Barton County Farm Bureau awards scholarships

Scheuerman Reunion

The Scheuerman Reunion will be held at 12.30 p.m. on June 2 at the Rush Center City Hall on Hwy 96 in Rush Center. A potluck dinner will be held and everyone is asked to notify family members and bring table service. Drinks will be furnished. Bring pictures and paper clippings to share.

Leave it to a mother to connect the dots, and in record time

Last week's Wall Street Journal featured a story about over-sharing - asking, "What triggers people to reveal too much?"

Trees need care through dry weather

The question that I seem to get most often right now is why are my trees dying? Most of the time, the answer is the drought. Even though we have had some moisture recently, we are still in a severe drought. Driving around the county, you will even see old, big Red Cedars dying in the tree rows. That is because we have had two summers that were extremely hot and dry which baked the ...

Reds crush Phillies

PHILADELPHIA - Bronson Arroyo pitched five-hit ball over 7 2-3 innings, Joey Votto was 4 for 4 with a homer, and the Cincinnati Reds beat the Philadelphia Phillies 10-0 Saturday.

Oxbow upsets triple-crown hopeful Orb at Preakness

BALTIMORE - Right from the start, a horse trained by one not so over-the-hill Hall of Famer and ridden by another took control of the Preakness. The result: a huge upset and the end of any hopes for a Triple Crown attempt at the Belmont Stakes.

Lady Eagles win team title at Class 2A regional meet

HERINGTON - The Ellinwood High School girls' track and field team won a Class 2A regional championship on Friday, scoring 93 points to top Berean Academy, which finished with 88.

Lady Panthers seize 12th place at state

TOPEKA - With a 12th-place finish, the Great Bend High School Lady Panthers did something no other swim team has done at the Class 5-1A state swimming championships.

Indians to compete in state tourney

The Larned High School boys' golf team will compete on Monday morning in the Class 4A state tournament at Cherry Oaks Golf Course in Cheney.

Pacers put down Knicks in Game 6

INDIANAPOLIS - Lance Stephenson scored nine of his playoff career-high 23 points during a late 11-2 run Saturday night, leading the Indiana Pacers past the New York Knicks, 106-99 and into the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2004.

Rays rally to pummel Orioles 10-6

BALTIMORE - Matt Joyce hit a big two-run double in a six-run ninth-inning rally, lifting the Tampa Bay Rays to a 10-6 victory over the Orioles on Saturday, ending Baltimore's franchise-record streak of 109 straight wins when leading after seven innings.

Red Wings even series with Blackhawks 1-1 with 4-1 victory

CHICAGO - In case they weren't aware already, the Chicago Blackhawks now know they're going to have to earn it if they want to get past Detroit.

Smith becoming leader for Chiefs

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - It hasn't taken long for Alex Smith to become the leader of the Kansas City Chiefs.

Kansas State walks off with Big 12 baseball championship

MANHATTAN - Kansas State outfielder Tanner Witt scored on a bases-loaded passed ball in the bottom of the ninth inning, sending the 18th-ranked Wildcats to their first Big 12 Championship in school history with a 6-5 victory over No. 19 Oklahoma Friday evening at Tointon Family Stadium.

BCC recognizes student ambassadors

Barton Community College has announced its 2012-13 Brant J. Ballhorst Student Ambassadors of the Year.