Veterans memorial progressing nicely

It's been a long time coming, but the Barton County Commission Monday morning learned the dedication for the much-anticipated Golden Belt Veterans Memorial has been set. The ceremony will take place at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 25, the day before Memorial Day.

Playing (lesser prairie) chicken

In response to the rapid and severe decline of the lesser prairie-chicken, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in March announced the final listing of the species as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, as well as a special rule under the ESA that will limit regulatory impacts on landowners and businesses from this listing. Under the law, a "threatened" listing means the species is likely to become in danger of extinction within the foreseeable future; it is a step below "endangered" and allows for more flexibility in how the act's protections are implemented.

Stop light work could cause traffic delays

Beginning this week, there may be some traffic hold-ups at 24th and Main, which has been under reconstruction since March. On Monday, the contractor will begin installing the new traffic signal mast arms.

United Way to aid Baxter Springs recovery

JOPLIN, Mo. - The twister that ravaged the eastern Kansas community of Baxter Springs may have happened half a state away, but it could have happened anywhere, said Julie Bugner Smith, executive director of the United Way of Central Kansas.

American State seeks merger with Holcomb bank

Pending nods from the Kansas State Bank Commissioner and the Federal Reserve Board, Great Bend-based American State Bank will merge with First National Bank of Holcomb in Holcomb, said Don LacKamp, president and CEO of the holding company American State Bank Shares and vice-chairman of American State Bank and Trust.

GBHS teacher to join state Hall of Fame

DODGE CITY - Great Bend High School math teacher Tina Hiss will be inducted into the Kansas Teachers' Hall of Fame for the class of 2014.

Commission OKs engineering work for Landfill

It wasn't the cheapest option, but it was the best option. Citing a proven track record, that was the call made by the Barton County Commission Monday when it green-lighted contracting with SCS Aquiterra for engineering services at the Barton County Landfill through 2016.

Study aims to get a handle on hazardous materials

On any given day, there could be hazardous materials crossing the area by land or by air. However, just how many and how often remains unknown to even emergency personnel.

Hauling trash? Keep the load covered

With spring arriving, the thoughts of Barton County residents might turn to spring cleaning and seasonal yard work, Barton County Solid Waste Manager Mark Witt told the County Commission Monday morning.

CKCC’s 2015 funding application approved

It's unfortunate, Barton County commissioners said Monday morning, that Central Kansas Community Corrections has to function under the constant threat of cuts in state funding. But, despite this, CKCC continues to exceed its goal in helping keep released felons from returning to prison.

A double blessing

At their meeting Monday morning, the Barton County commissioners approved three proclamations – one honoring their late colleague Don Cates who died in a agricultural plane crash last week, and two honoring Barton County high school students from Ellinwood, Great Bend and Central Plains high schools.

‘THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT’

In what was an emotional meeting Monday following the death of Commissioner Don Cates last week, The Barton County Commission found solace in passing proclamations honoring several Barton County youth for their academic and athletic accomplishments.

A fitting tribute

When Proclamation 2014-08 came to a vote during the somber Barton County Commission meeting Monday morning, there was one very noticeable ballot absent.

Long-time utility contractor continues to grow

Glen Amerine and his wife Pat started Amerine Utilities Construction Inc. in 1977 with three employees. Today, 37 years later, the long-standing Great Bend-based underground utility contractor employs 40-50 people.

Making a difference

It was difficult to travel the streets of Great Bend Wednesday without seeing young people in bright, fluorescent-green T-shirts. They were everywhere.

Look beyond the debates

It was anticipated that the first presidential debates between Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton which took place Monday night would draw an audience ...

Commission sets meeting on GB Coop zoning request

To accommodate Great Bend Coop's growing grain glut, the Barton County Commission Monday morning approved a special meeting for 9 a.m. Wednesday, Oct ...

County administrator announces planned retirement

Barton County Administrator Richard Boeckman publicly told county commissioners Monday morning that he plans to step down from his post come next March, but he ...

Setting a standard,for now

Kansas roads are in great shape, at least for the time being.

New feature goes up at Bark Park

First, it is announced that a new fitness trail for humans is going up at Veterans Memorial Park. This week, the popular park went to ...

Firefighters climb stairs in honor of 9/11

It was a time to honor those who died in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and a time to honor their own.

Come Nov. 8, Barton County ‘motor voters’ good to go

Barton County Clerk Donna Zimmerman wants all county voters who registered via the so-called Motor Voter Act at the Department of Motor Vehicles offices to ...

Wornkey earns state honor

City proceeds with GBPD remodeling effort

The Great Bend City Council voted Monday night to proceed with plans on how to best way to remodel the Great Bend Police Department. The ...

ANOTHER CHANCE

Citing progress in the cleaning up and repairing of four run-down homes in the 2100 block of 16th Street, the Great Bend City Council voted ...

Council OKs leases for two baseball teams

It was a double play at the Great Bend City Council meeting Monday night as the council authorized Mayor Mike Allison to sign lease agreements ...

Keep those kids safe

Every day in Kansas children are traveling in vehicles, riding to and from school or sports practice, the grocery store, or heading to a friend ...

Replacement of run-down historic bridge to start soon

The Barton County Commission Monday morning accepted a bid to replace a dilapidated historic limestone bridge and widen to other existing structures, all in the ...

Get the shot

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases reports that the flu affects between 5 and 20 percent of the U.S. population each year ...

‘I’m in the aisle’

Independent congressional hopeful Alan LaPolice shuns special interest endorsements and says he's the one who can bring a voice of compromise to Washington, D ...