From postal service to Salvation Army, Bill Dill's optimism just won't quit

Bill Dill used to be a career postal employee. "One day, my knee went out, I landed on my other knee which then took out hip," he said. The incident essentially destroyed his postal career. Too young for social security to kick in, he opted for an early retirement over disability which would limit his future options for employment if he ever should recover. The experience more or less drained his and his wife's savings, ...

Emergency Aid collecting names for help

The holidays can be particularly stressful for families facing financial upheaval, and Jenny Gordy, Director of the Barton County Emergency Aid and the Barton County Food Bank has been collecting names of people who could use some extra help during this time.

GBHS gives new look to old gymnasium

The old high school gym had a bold new look Tuesday morning, The new lower-level bleachers and handicap seating products arrived at Great Bend High School last week. Workers were busy assembling and installing them through the weekend. Dave Meter, GBHS athletics director was there to test them for the first time Monday night.

Decking the Halls

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.

We’ve Got The Power

Math. For many, the word can induce a cold sweat as recollections of struggling to understand lessons, humiliation from failing at board work and feeling too embarrassed to ask questions come to mind.

The plan revealed

Just because the election is over doesn't mean the arguments are over. Arguments between conservative and liberal, rural and urban, east and west, rich and poor, citizen and immigrant, man and woman, young and old.

Ambassadors share hope for Alzheimer’s

For most of the past century, Alzheimer's patients and their families were advised the disease was something to be managed, not cured. Without medication and cognitive therapy, the debilitating loss of memory eventually progresses until the body forgets to do automatic functions like swallowing, and those effected usually die of secondary diseases caused by a decrease in health. But thanks to people like Hazel Mannik, new options and a new outlook is beginning to come ...

GBHS presents fresh take on ‘The Election’

The Great Bend High School Theatre Department will present a comical play, "The Election" by Don Zolidas, from Nov. 11-13 at the GBHS Auditorium.

Engle wields brush and lens

Enter the office of Diane Engle and she greets you with a warm hello in her Oklahoma accent. Raised on a farm in western Oklahoma, she is drawn to old homesteads, farm equipment, and just about anything else she finds interesting when she's visiting.

Great Bend honors veterans this weekend

This weekend several events are scheduled in Great Bend to honor veterans and observe Veterans Day Sunday, Nov. 11.

Bringing “Local Color” into focus

Six years ago, Karole Erikson and husband Jay Miller bought digital cameras and began photographing the landscape and inhabitants of both the Cheyenne Bottoms and their own backyard. For Miller, it was a chance to rekindle and interest born 30 years ago while studying art and photography at Barton Community College. For Erikson, it was a chance to delve into a creative realm far from her everyday work as a music teacher at BCC. On ...

Chili cook off results

Chili lovers had the opportunity to try 19 different chili recipes Saturday, Nov. 3 at the Explore Great Bend Chili Cook Off, sponsored by Sunflower Diversified Services. Cook off coordinator Sarah Krom said 140 tasters bracelets were sold, and a $663 donation will be made to the Community Food Bank with the proceeds.

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.

Chili cookoff a good "draw"

Brad Smalley and Ana Klecker, historical reenactors from the Longbranch Saloon museum in Dodge City, deputized several young lawpersons at high noon Saturday, Nov. 3 at P and S Security in Great Bend. It was part of the Explore Great Bend chili cookoff taking place along Mainstreet and at the Westgate Shopping Center from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. For $5, tasters purchased a bracelet which gave them a chance to sample 18 different chilis ...

Tornado-safe room building starts

Workers began pouring the foundation of the new Great Bend Middle School tornado safe room Tuesday morning, less than a day after the devastating F4 tornado that struck Moore, Okla., tore the roofs off two elementary schools, injuring many and killing nine confirmed at the time of this writing.

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.