We're more like Cratchit than Scrooge

Ever been stuck in holiday traffic fighting to be stuck in a holiday cashier's line so you can purchase low-price presents on your high-balance Visa listening to high-volume holiday music and think, "Why am I doing this to myself? I don't even really like Christmas. It's just a scheme to get me to gain more weight and gain more debt."

Brady passes Vick to top final fan Pro Bowl voting

NEW YORK (AP) - Tom Brady has overtaken Michael Vick to lead all players in the final fan voting for the Pro Bowl.

Broncos run away with MAACO Bowl, 26-3

LAS VEGAS (AP) - Doug Martin shook Boise State out of its brief postseason funk with an 84-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, and the 10th-ranked Broncos dominated the rest of the way Wednesday night to beat No. 20 Utah 26-3 in the MAACO Bowl.

AP Top 25

MEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL No. 4 Connecticut 81, Harvard 52 HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Kemba Walker's 20 points and a suffocating defense led No. 4 Connecticut to an overwhelming win over Harvard on Wednesday night, hiking the Huskies' record to 10-0. It was the ninth straight game in which Walker scored 20 or more points for UConn, which also had Jeremy Lamb (11) and Alex Oriakhi (10) in double figures. UConn's man-to-man defense blanketed ...

NFL Picks

Washington (plus 6½) at Jacksonville - Jaguars can't afford another loss or their playoff hopes will disappear. They will welcome Rex Grossman back to the Sunshine State by raining down sacks. ... BEST BET: JAGUARS 24-13

Johnson named for AFC weekly defensive honor

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - Linebacker Derrick Johnson of the Kansas City Chiefs has been named AFC defensive player of the week.

Big Brothers Big Sisters enjoy Christmas with help from the community

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Barton and Pawnee Counties has been the recipient of much Christmas cheer and good will this holiday season, Executive Director Stephanie Joiner reports. "Our Little Brothers and Little Sisters have been blessed by the generosity of many local businesses and community organizations this holiday season. As an agency, we are truly grateful for the kindness and consideration of our community," she said. Last week, members ...

Dec. 23, 2010

Great Bend Police A forgery case was taken on Tuesday. Christmas decorations at 2219 San Domingo St. and 1618 Van Fleet were damaged, it was reported Tuesday. Theft of cold medications from Dillon's, 4107 10th, was reported Tuesday. Barton County Sheriff A vehicle hit a deer in the 400 block of East Barton County Road at 7:23 p.m. Tuesday. Great Bend ...

EDIBLE ENVIRONMENT

It's like a 3-D aerial photo except in this version of the Veteran's Park complex, everything is completely edible.

New Christmas carol

Ghost of Christmas future

Christmas wrapping

Please silence the phone

Christmas debt

Wildcats drop game to UNLV

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - An angry Frank Martin refused to take questions about the loss of Kansas State's top two players right before the Wildcats played UNLV. But coach Lon Kruger was perfectly willing to admit that having seniors Jacob Pullen and Curtis Kelly suspended by the NCAA helped his Runnin' Rebels ring up a 63-59 victory Tuesday night over ...

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.

​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.