Archive By Author - Veronica Coons
Out of the Morgue
Each week we'll take a step back into the history of Great Bend through the eyes of reporters past. We'll reacquaint you with what went into creating the Great Bend of today, and do our best to update you on what "the rest of the story" turned out to be.
Hunting for pig feet
This Easter Sunday, my family will attend church, and spend time together. One activities we look forward to is the annual family Easter egg hunt. Even though it really has nothing to do with the religious part of the holiday, it wouldn't seem right not to have it.
Four-time Paralympic medalist visits Great Bend
Nick Taylor decided in the eighth grade that he wanted to play high school sports. Because he was born with disabilities that kept him wheelchair bound, he knew right away all contact sports were out. That left tennis and golf as possibilities.
F.O.P funds new tools for C.A.C.
Great Bend's Lodge 23 of the Fraternal Order of Police Thursday met with representatives of the Childrens Advocacy Center to finalize a donation of $500. The donation came at exactly the right time, said CAC coordinator Sarah Schenek.
Out of the Morgue
Each week we'll take a step back into the history of Great Bend through the eyes of reporters past. We'll reacquaint you with what went into creating the Great Bend of today, and do our best to update you on what "the rest of the story" turned out to be.
Turnover in GBMS Music Program coming
The USD 428 Board of Education met for a noon meeting at Lincoln Elementary school Tuesday, and approved requests that will mean a major turnover in the music programs at Great Bend Middle School for the next school year. Board members approved the certified teacher retirement of Mr. Kurtis Koch, Teacher of Instrumental Music, and the certified teacher resignation of Mrs. Andrea Gardner, Teacher of Vocal Music at Great Bend Middle School. Gardner and her ...
There’s more reality to pageantry than t.v. shows
About two and a half years ago, I finally broke down and signed up for satellite television after about a decade living in rural Kansas without. Within a week, I was beginning to regret it, because my kids found "Toddlers in Tiaras", a ridiculous program in which girls who were barely old enough to walk "competed" in pageants to win crowns of which the mere size put winners in danger of stunting their growth. My ...
Winter weather returns for Spring Expo
Cold and freezing rain nixed outdoor activities around Great Bend Saturday, but several still came out for the Central Kansas Spring Expo at the Expo building at the Barton County fairgrounds. Both Expo one and two, plus the courtyard in between were full, but wind and moisture kept most visitors inside.
Out of the Morgue
Each week we'll take a step back into the history of Great Bend through the eyes of reporters past. We'll reacquaint you with what went into creating the Great Bend of today, and do our best to update you on what "the rest of the story" turned out to be.
Barton County Extension welcomes new Ag agent
It's been seven months since Barton County Extension had it's own Ag agent. This week, just in time to get her bearings at the start of the planting season, Alicia Boor arrived from Sedgewick county to take over the reins of that position, and she's excited to be here. It turns out, Boor and her husband, Richard Todd Boor, have plenty of ties in the area. Her father, Dennis Brauer, grew up in Great Bend, ...
Youth Hunt helps continue tradition
On Saturday, March 16, despite the cold and wind, twelve boys, ages eight to 16, woke early, dressed in warm clothes and met for a hunters breakfast at Braums before heading out on what for many of them would be their first pheasant hunting experience. Joining them were members of Rooster Booster Pheasants Forever Chapter. Some were fathers, and some were friends, but all were mentors who had one goal in mind-- to give the ...
Local organizations embrace reauthorization of V.A.W.A.
On March 7, President Barack Obama signed the "Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013", reauthorizing several VAWA grant programs through 2018. The legislation received bipartisan support, and passed unanimously. This is good news for the Family Crisis Center in Great Bend, and Barton County Community College students will benefit too.
Youth Academy grad career path leads to nation’s capital
Katie Niederee, a GBHS graduate, was recently picked by Sen. Jerry Moran to join his team as a Senate press secretary. It meant a move to Washington D.C., where she is settling in after two months. This week, she had the unique opportunity to visit with some of Great Bend's elected officials and Chamber members that unknowingly set her on her path when she took part in the Great Bend Youth Academy in seventh grade. ...
GETTING REVVED UP
With clear skies expected in Great Bend Friday evening, the sound of thunder filling the air west of town won't be coming from the skies. The 2013 drag racing season opens with a Test and Tune and Grudge Match at the Sunflower Rod and Custom Association drag strip located at the Great Bend Expo Complex. Marking the 60th anniversary of the SCRA, it's not going to be a quiet one.
Great Bend Firefighters respond to garage fire
The Great Bend fire department was called to a structure fire around 8:30 a.m. Wednesday morning at 821 Morphy Street. A white Chevrolet SUV was on fire, which caught the detached garage behind the house on fire. Firefighters sprayed fire-retardant foam on the fire for several minutes until a front-end loader arrived, and the vehicle was pulled from the building by a chain. Once in the open, firefighters were able to open doors to the ...
Articles By Author - Veronica Coons
GBHS 2013 grads strive to “have a life worth living”
Great Bend High School principal Tim Friess welcomed family and friends to the graduation ceremony at Panther Stadium Sunday, where he announced the 206 graduates of the Class of 2013. The sun broke through clouds briefly late afternoon, making it possible for the ceremony to be held outside, despite the threat of impending thunderstorms.
First Steps: Aging out of foster care
This is part one of a three part series focusing on youth aging out of foster care.
Important new addition to museum collection
SRCA board member Butch Fry made an important donation to the Barton County Historical Society Museum Saturday afternoon. He presented his SRCA 1964 Record Holder jacket.
The day the sculptures rolled in
Whether it was dragsters, street rods, Mopars, or vintage cars that struck their fancy, visitors and exhibitors alike were drawn to the Second Annual Barton Historical Society Museum Rolling Sculpture car show Saturday afternoon, May 18.
Edna I. (Craig) Logan Francis, 1913-2013
Edna I. (Craig) Logan Francis, 99, formerly of Claflin, died Friday, May 17 at Woodhaven Care Center in Ellinwood. Born Nov. 5, 1913 near Caldwell, she was the daughter of Homer Francis and Katie Elmira (Siebenthaler) Craig.
TLC Twisters bring comfort to shelter dogs
The TLC Twisters 4-H club at TLC Discoveries built eight dog beds which they presented to the Golden Belt Humane Society last week. The beds, made of donated PVC pipe and nylon material, will provide a place for puppies and smaller dogs to relax off the cement floor. They are easily hosed off, and are quick drying, making them ideal for a kennel environment.
Out of the Morgue
Each week we'll take a step back into the history of Great Bend through the eyes of reporters past. We'll reacquaint you with what went into creating the Great Bend of today, and do our best to update you on what "the rest of the story" turned out to be.
Spring and music in the air
The Panther Jazz Band pumped up the audience at the GBHS Panther Bands Spring Contest Concert Monday night with their opening rendition of Watermelon Man by Herbie Hancock. It was a night to celebrate the accomplishments of the high school music program and a select group of accomplished musicians who competed at the state level earlier this spring. Senior band members also recognized and thanked their parents for the support offered through the years of ...
More sleep time? USD 428 gives a nod
High schoolers may get a few extra zs next year thanks to a proposal approved at the USD 428 board meeting Monday night. But not for teachers. Board members approved a series of late starts for the high school during the 2013-2014 school year that would give teachers the time they need to collaborate, but take away two hours of student contact time a month
Salad days
With high hopes that the area has seen the end of frost for the year, a full-house turned out to learn the how-tos of container gardening at the Great Bend Rec activity center Thursday.
Letting the dogs out
Saturday morning, leashes will be rattling and tails will be wagging all over the Great Bend area. Pooches will bound out the door and into the car as their owners make their way to Veterans Memorial Dog Park for the first ever Bark for Life Festival from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event, sponsored by local Relay for Life teams, precedes the annual event coming up on June 7.
Traveling through rain to get to Swan Lake
Living in the middle of Kansas doesn't mean we're devoid of culture. In fact, there's a lot more appreciation for the finer things in life out here than the mainstream media gives us credit for. We are more likely to travel long distances to seek culture than those who live in a large metropolitan area. It's easy, after all, to take in a play, a concert, or the ballet if you're a short subway or ...
Cooking up great soil
Gardeners may finally catch a break after unexpectedly cool weather last week. It's finally time to start digging and planting, and that means its the perfect time to think about soil health. For gardeners in Great Bend, the city provides plenty of rich dark compost free for the taking.
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