Christmas concert

Total eclipse of the moon

Obama is right on schedule

HOLLYWOOD - God bless America, and how's everybody? President Obama signed a bill extending tax cuts for the rich Friday. He hopes to win reelection by governing from the middle as Bush and Clinton did. Now all he needs to do is invade the wrong country or get caught in a sex scandal and he's in for another six years. Barbra Streisand led all movie stars in slamming President Obama for extending tax cuts for ...

Bet Obama didn't get one of these

Two University of Sydney researchers reported recently that the food-acquisition "strategy" of the brainless, single-cell slime mold appeared to resemble one of the strategies familiar to us so-called brain-containing humans, specifically, making a selection only after comparing it to readily available alternatives.

Warren deserves to remain at college

Dear Editor, Twenty years ago three small town girls embarked on a journey in which their paths would cross in Great Bend. These girls came to Great Bend to attend Barton County Community College to simply fulfill their childhood dreams of becoming college cheerleaders. Little did they know that because of cheerleading, they would become lifelong friends, that their lives would be forever changed, molded, and shaped by the one person they had in common: ...

AP Top 25 Capsules

No. 1 Duke 98, Elon 72 DURHAM, N.C. (AP) - Kyle Singler scored 24 points to help No. 1 Duke beat Elon 98-72 on Monday night, moving coach Mike Krzyzewski into a tie for second place on the all-time wins list. Nolan Smith added 22 points as the Blue Devils (11-0) gave their Hall of Fame coach his 879th win in 36 seasons at Duke and Army. Krzyzewski is now tied with Dean ...

Duke again No. 1 in AP basketball Top 25 rankings

Duke is again No. 1 in The Associated Press men's basketball poll, although for the first time in three weeks it's not unanimous. Central Florida joins the Top 25 for the first time in school history.

Royals trade Greinke to Brewers

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Goodbye, Johnny Damon. So long, Carlos Beltran. See ya later, Jermaine Dye.

College Bowl Glance

Saturday, Dec. 18 New Mexico Bowl At Albuquerque BYU 52, UTEP 24 Humanitarian Bowl At Boise, Idaho Northern Illinois 40, Fresno State 17 New Orleans Bowl Troy 48, Ohio 21 Tuesday, Dec. 21 Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl At St. Petersburg, Fla. Louisville (6-6) vs. Southern Mississippi (8-4), 7 p.m. (ESPN) Wednesday, Dec. 22 MAACO Bowl At Las Vegas Utah (10-2) vs. Boise State (11-1), 7 p.m. (ESPN) Thursday, Dec. 23 ...

Cassel makes triumphant return to Chiefs

ST. LOUIS (AP) - Matt Cassel made a rapid recovery. Same goes for the rest of the Kansas City Chiefs.

Library observes holidays

Great Bend Public Library will be closed Friday, Saturday and Sunday for Christmas. The library will also be closed Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 for New Year's.

Post Office closes at noon Friday

The Great Bend Post Office will close at noon Friday and will remain closed until Monday. There will be no mail delivery on Christmas day.

GBRC announces holiday hours

The Great Bend Recreation Commission Office and Activity Center offices will be closed Thursday through Monday. The Carl Soden Recreation Center, GBRC Activity Center, City Auditorium and Cavanaugh Wellness Center closed Friday through Sunday. The Activity Center will be open Thursday from 1-5 p.m and on Monday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The City Auditorium and Cavanaugh Wellness Center will be open Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on ...

Great Bend American Legion to close for Christmas

The American Legion in Great Bend will be closed Friday and Saturday.

Menta Hofmeister

CLAFLIN - Menta Hofmeister, 88 died at Great Bend Health and Rehabilitation.

​Library’s summer hours begin

The Great Bend Public Library will be closed Sunday and Monday, May 26 and 27, in observance of Memorial Day. The library will also switch to summer hours on May 28. It will be open Monday through Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The library will be closed Sundays through Labor Day.

​Blood donors could win $1,000 gift card

WICHITA - Donors who present to give blood between May 23 and 31 in honor of Memorial Day could win one of five $1,000 American Express gift cards, the American Red Cross announced. In addition, their donations will honor those who gave their life for our country and support those in need of care. The Red Cross serves about 3,000 hospitals and transfusion centers across the country, including many Veterans Affairs medical centers.

BCC Foundation honors Mary Cohen with Distinguished Service Award

The Barton Community College Foundation honored Dr. Mary Davidson Cohen with the 2013 Distinguished Service Award during Barton's 43rd commencement on Friday. Cohen was unable to attend, but Barton Foundation Director Darnell Holopirek accepted the award on her behalf. The Distinguished Service Award was created in 1981 by the Barton Community College Foundation to recognize individuals who have shown genuine regard for, and have performed outstanding service to Barton Community College. The Barton Foundation ...

Gov. Brownback addresses BCC graduates

Gov. Sam Brownback congratulated students on achieving a major milestone Friday, during Barton Community College's 43rd commencement ceremony. A crowd filled the Physical Education Building, where the governor offered several pieces of advice to the graduates, starting with, "Always, always, always listen to your mother." He also encouraged them to be lifelong learners, people of integrity and pursuers of dreams. "The why of a good dream is because somebody else benefits," he said, encouraging them ...

Kans for Kids announces scholarship recipients

Kans for Kids announced its 2013 scholarship recipients. Any child who has received assistance from Kans for Kids is eligible to receive two scholarships from the organization upon graduation from high school and each year following while they pursue higher education.

Honor student

Barton Community College student Terra Hull, shown with President Dr. Carl Heilman, is inducted into the Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society on Thursday evening in the Dorothy Moses Morrison Chapel at Barton Community College. Alpha Sigma Lambda is primarily for non-traditional students. Its aim is to recognize the special achievements of adults who accomplish academic excellence while facing competing interests of home and work. Barton had 36 new members in 2013.

Dr. Markiewicz brings new procedures to St. Rose

To say that Dr. Richard Markiewicz is animated when he talks about the procedures he performs would be an understatement. It is obvious he is eager to explain his minimally invasive procedures because they are the "wave of the future."

First recipients of new Information Security certificate at BCC look to bright future

Barton Community College students Orlando Hernandez and Jesse Siefkes are ecstatic. Both have taken a huge step in their educational and professional lives by earning Barton's very first certificates in Information Systems Security along with four other students.

Rosewood Wine Cellar expands opportunities with new products

Rosewood Wine Cellar has been open for only four months, but already it's become a popular shopping destination in downtown Great Bend. Business has been growing for the retail gift store, which promotes work opportunities for people with developmental disabilities with every purchase made by customers.

GBRH celebrates National Hospital Week

Great Bend Regional Hospital joined hospitals across the nation in celebration of National Hospital Week 2013 this past week.

Investing in Kids

Darin Johnson presents Connie Oetken, Sunflower Diversified Services director of development, a check for $1,030 for the non-profit agency's Invest in Kids membership club. These proceeds, which will be directed to children with developmental disabilities and delays, represent a portion of a month's invoices at Darin's Auto Repair, Great Bend.

Agents earn American Star Excellence in Customer Experience awards

MADISON, Wis. - American Family Insurance agents Rhonda J Knudson, Shawn L. Panzer and Frank Callahan Jr. have been recognized for providing outstanding customer experience under the American Star Excellence in Customer Experience Certification. They join other American Family agents who have demonstrated the highest level of commitment to outstanding customer service.

Art on the Hill

Barton Community College's Shafer Gallery will host an opening reception for their annual faculty and staff exhibit from 1-3 p.m. today, which will include additional artwork from an array of local artists and three featured artists.

Water recycling is big business for oil, gas support firms

(MCT) – Just a few years ago, Fort Worth, Texas-based Bosque Systems mostly operated wastewater disposal wells for oil and gas operators. And another oil field company, FTS International, was busy becoming one of the nation's biggest providers of hydraulic fracturing services.

City Council to discuss pit bull ban

The Great Bend City Council will meet at 7:30 p.m. Monday at the City Office, 1209 Williams. On the agenda are a request to ban pit bulls and other vicious dogs, a lease request at the airport industrial area from National Co Operative Refinery Association and a cereal-malt beverage request for June Jaunt.