Archive By Author - Veronica Coons
Voice of experience should not be silenced
It's ironic. Kansas Governor Sam Brownback wants Kansas to become one of the most hospitable states in the nation for business, but one of the steps he's taking to do this might spell the end of a proven program that helps business start-ups get off to the right start and offers continuing assistance into the future.
Cuts threaten to close doors on business coaching program
For 10 years, the Prairie Enterprise Project has been offering free and confidential business coaching to entrepreneurs in Barton, Russell, and Edwards counties. Karmi Green, the non-profit organization's Enterprise Facilitator, has helped business start-ups get off to a good start and helped tweak existing businesses, bringing and helping to retain jobs and tax dollars to the towns and counties where they locate. Sadly, unless it can secure new funding, the project will have no choice ...
New Year’s baby 2013 arrives
The first baby of the new year is a special club, and Wednesday, Jan. 2, Mason Allen Leroy Verstraete became the latest member when he was delivered at 4:28 p.m. at Great Bend Regional Hospital to mom Brandi Cook and dad Dylan Verstraete of Stafford.
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.
Kids Day Out makes 'full hit'
The Great Bend Recreation Center hosted Kids Day Out Thursday and Friday, December 27 and 28. The two-day camp offers kids ages six to 12 a break after several days home from school during winter break. The kids played games, made crafts, decorated cookies and had snacks, watched movies and went bowling.
New Year means time to dream
The year 2012 was not my most eventful year ever but it definitely made the top ten list. I have to say, the events were mostly all life-affirming. They represented finally reaching the light at the end of a tunnel. I finished phase one of a college experience, married a wonderful man, travelled outside the United States for the first time ever, found a new and better job and moved to my new home. Of ...
Diversions for dipping digits
Students have been out of school enjoying winter break, and there's still another six days to go. As temperatures dip into the teens and 20s, and snow remains elusive, kids are either reaching ever increasing levels and high-scores on popular video games, making ever deeper indentations on the family sofa as they watch yet one more episode of Good Luck Charlie or Phineas and Ferb, or driving their siblings and/or parents up a wall out of sheer boredom.
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.
Ghosts of Christmas trees past
"I'll be home for Christmas," the song says. This is the first Christmas in my new home, and the first one I've spent at home in several years. Since I moved to Kansas almost ten years ago, I've gone to visit my family in the Denver area every year, and stayed through New Year's Eve. We've travelled in all sorts of weather--including the knuckle-whitening, low-visibility blizzard type, and made it safely to and ...
Vandalism at Vets Park
Great Bend city workers discovered extensive vandalism of Trail of Lights lighting displays at Veterans Park Friday morning during a routine check of the area and reported damage to Great Bend Police. The majority of the damage was done to the "12 Days of Christmas" displays on the north end of the park, in addition to a Santa and sleigh display pulled down on the roof of the picnic shelter and two displays in front ...
GBHS go-getter new intern
Recently Great Bend city Manager Howard Partington gave the nod to community coordinator Christina Hayes to hire an intern to assist her. After observing her outstanding organizational skills at work with the Panther Paw Craft Fair, Hayes knew GBHS junior Sara McAfee was just the person for the position.
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.
Students spotlighted at Chamber coffee
Christmas carols, hot apple cider, and gourmet cupcakes greeted members of the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce Thursday morning.
Great Bend to apply for national designation
A steering committee made up of representatives from the City of Great Bend and several local organizations is making preparations to apply for the designation as one of the "100 Best Communities for Young People," awarded by the America's Promise Alliance each year.
Christmas of Sadness
The saddest Christmas experience I ever had was helping a friend bury her 16-month-old son the day after Christmas. He died on Dec. 22, 1999. I learned about it the next day, late at night, after I finished tucking my youngest daughter, one years old that day, into bed. I went downstairs to check my e-mail, and there it was – he most solemn letter I've ever read, from a distraught friend who knew no ...
Articles By Author - Veronica Coons
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.
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