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.

​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.