Archive By Author - Dale Hogg
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.
Rodeo ‘pedals’ health and good will
It wasn't the Tour de France which opened this past weekend, but the annual Great Bend Bicycle Safety Rodeo last Friday was a success.
Council continues pondering Convention Center
After much discussion over income potential of the Great Bend Convention Center and what some Great Bend City Council members called the dismal maintenance of the facility by Highland Hotel management, the council voted Monday night to form a committee to look at the center's short-, medium- and long-term fate.
Commission postpones fireworks use
Ellinwood may now be the only place in Barton County where fireworks will be welcomed on the Fourth of July. It earned this honor after the County Commission followed the lead of other county cities and voted Monday morning to postpone the use of fireworks until there is relief from the bone-dry conditions plaguing the region.
Fuller realty sign not a cause for alarm
Outside the Great Bend headquarters of Fuller Brush stands a Weigand Realty sign, but company President and Chief Executive Officer Brady Gros said residents need not be alarmed.
Commission postpones fireworks use
The Barton County Commission Monday morning approved a resolution postponing the discharge of fireworks in the county.
Election letters
Well, here we are, smack in the middle of another election year with the Aug. 7 primary looming. Elections always stoke the editorial furnace here at the Tribune, and this year should be no different. With some candidate endorsement letters starting to trickle in and some campaigns starting to call and ask about how to make such submissions, it is a good time to offer a refresher course on out political campaign letter policy.
3rd-annual Renaissance Faire this weekend
The third-annual Great Bend Renaissance Faire is set for this weekend at the Great Bend Expo Complex, running from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday.
Officials lawmakers react to health care ruling
The ink was barely dry on the United States Supreme Court-issued ruling over the landmark health care reform legislation Thursday morning as many state officials and members of the Kansas congressional delegation blasted the decision, decrying it an act of tyranny and call to elect a new president, while others praised the action.
County departmental activities recalled
Barton County Departments are asked to 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.
Election year woes
Due to headaches created by the statewide House and Senate redistricting, it is a frustrating year for Barton County Election Officer and County Clerk Donna Zimmerman.
Articles By Author - Dale Hogg
DROUGHT IMPACT LINGERING
Last May, Governor Sam Brownback issued an executive order declaring a drought emergency in most of Kansas. That order, which includes Barton County remains in effect, said Barton County Emergency Management Director Amy Miller.
Whooping cough vaccines available
In response to the whooping cough outbreak that has cause on death in Barton County, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment has provided the Barton County Health Department additional pertussis vaccine supplies to prevent the disease.
Barton County jobless rate holds steady
TOPEKA – Showing a continued strong jobs market, Kansas' December seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.2 percent, unchanged from the November revised unemployment rate and down from 4.9 percent in December 2013, the Kansas Department of Labor reported.
Take time to immunize
It was sobering news Barton County Health Director Shelly Schneider delivered to the County Commission Monday morning. The county, she said, is in the midst of a whooping cough outbreak.
Commission district to remain unchanged
The Barton County Commission districts, last set three years ago, will remain the same for another three years, it was decided at the commission meeting Monday morning.
Whooping cough outbreak hits Barton County
With five current cases of whooping cough and one fatality from the disease in the past month, Barton County is now in the throws of a pertussis outbreak, Health Director Shelly Schneider said Monday morning.
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.
