Archive By Author - Dale Hogg
City OKs revolving loan for local business
It took just a matter of minutes for the Great Bend City Council to unanimously approve Monday night a $43,300 loan to Custom Re-Bath from the city's Economic Development Revolving Loan fund.
County loans funds to business for expansion
By a split vote Monday morning, the Barton County Commission voted to lend $43,300 of the county's Community Development Block Grant funds to Custom Re-Bath of Great Bend for an expansion/remodeling project. The approval came amid concerns from some commissioners about the what they called the riskiness of the loan.
Whooping cough found in Barton County
A cough may not be just a cough. Barton County is one of several counties in the state in the midst of a whooping cough outbreak, said Barton County Health Department Administrator Lily Akings.
Time to get pay attention
On Thursday night, the Great Bend League of Women Voters will hold a candidates' forum. The group has invited those on the ballot for all the county-level offices as well as for the state House and Senate.
LWV to hold candidate forum
The Great Bend League of Women Voters will hold a candidates' forum for those filed to run in April 7 primary election. The event is set for 7 p.m. Thursday, July 19, at the Crest Theater, 1905 Lakin in Great Bend.
For JJA, numbers a double-edged sword
For 20th Judicial District Juvenile Services Director Laurie White, the inexplicable drop in the number of young people passing through her office in the past year brings both good news and bad news. As prevention takes root, her office could lose funding.
A fair is picture perfect
Flowers. Have you ever really looked at flowers?
County departments recap activities
Barton County Departments submit a bi-weekly activity report of statistical information or a summary of services. County Administrator Richard Boeckman presented highlights from the most recent reports to the County Commission Monday morning.
Commission learns of day care needs
There is never enough child care available, especially in smaller communities, the Barton County Commission was told Monday morning.
Shoot or don’t shoot
Law enforcement students at Barton Community College and law enforcement officers in Barton County will have a new high-tech training option to help them in dangerous situations. This is due in part to a donation from the County Attorney's Office.
Burn ban continues
Even as a gray sky threatened rain, the Barton County Commission Monday morning signed a resolution continuing the county-wide burn ban. Despite showers over the weekend, "we still haven't received a measurable amount of rain," said Amy Miller, county emergency risk manager.
ALMOST SHOW TIME
The Barton County Fair organizers were sweating away inside the steamy buildings at the Great Bend Expo Complex this weekend as they made their last-minute preparations for the event that opens Wednesday.
‘Center’ of attention
Great Bend City Council member Dale Westhoff recently approached Great Bend Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Cris Collier in regards to the Convention Center now owned by the city. Collier said Westhoff asked some very pointed questions and was shocked by the answers.
No insurance card, no tag
As if it didn't have enough to worry about with the recent snag-plagued computer upgrade, the Barton County Treasurer's Office is now being told by state official it has to strictly enforce the requirement that current insurance information be presented when vehicular tags are renewed.
Barton County on drought emergency list
TOPEKA – As drought conditions intensify in Kansas, Barton County has withered it way to the most severe drought stage as ranked by the Kansas Water Office.
Articles By Author - Dale Hogg
Leading by example
On Saturday night, the Barton County Soil Conservation District (part of the Natural Conservation Service) held its annual Conservation Awards banquet at Barton Community College.
United Way of Central Kansas tops goal
United Way of Central Kansas Executive Director Julie Bugner Smith had good news for her board members and campaign co-chairs Wednesday. She announced that the 2015 fundraising drive had met and surpassed its goal.
Commission OKs Community Corrections staff increase
It is much cheaper for an offender to be to be supervised than it is to throw them in jail. For that reason and due to increasing demands for its services, the short-handed Central Kansas Community Corrections requested the addition of an extra supervisor.
ALL OUT OF OPTIONS
TOPEKA – Seven-year-old Owen Klug suffers from a severe form of epilepsy and endures dozens of seizures every day.
Health Department wants to boost HPV vaccination rates
The Barton County Health Department has been chosen to participate in the Kansas Foundation for Medical Care Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Initiative, Health Director Shelly Schneider said.
Winter isn’t over yet
Although the Golden Belt area has experienced a warm-up over the weekend, Barton County Emergency Risk Manager Amy Miller cautions that winter weather can return at any time to the area.
Edmonds resigns from House budget committee
TOPEKA - Citing an already heavy work load in the Kansas House, veteran local lawmaker John Edmonds resigned from the state House Appropriations Committee, relinquishing his position as its vice chairman.
A WORTHY INVESTMENT
If one goes back two or three years, they would find the condition of the flood control levees around Great Bend had deteriorated, a fact driven home in less-than-flattering reports from the United States Army Corps of Engineers in the past.
2015 tax sale in the works
The Barton County Commission Monday morning paved the way for the 2015 tax sale by authorizing tracts of real estate be sold for back taxes.
How would the county respond to Ebola?
It's a frightening possibility, but what would happen if there was an Ebola outbreak in Barton County?
On the front lines
The Great Bend City Council had a chance to get to know the members of the Police Department a little better when the officers and other personnel were introduced Monday night.
B-29 restoration effort approved by council
Noting that the popular B-29 Memorial Plaza is a valuable asset as a historical landmark and tourist attraction, the Great Bend City Council Monday night approved spending up to $18,050 to help restore the marker.
Council says farewell to Roberts
It was with regret Monday night that the Great Bend City Council accepted the resignation of First Ward Council Member Edwin Roberts.
A worthy effort
The Great Bend Municipal Airport is an important piece of our community's history. Dating back to World War II, it was constructed in the early 1940s as an Army Air Force Base to train Boeing B-29 Superfortress bomber crews.
Time to step up
There will be a general election in Barton County come April 7. On the ballot will be several school board, mayoral and city council positions, as well as openings on the Barton Community College and Ellinwood District Hospital boards.
