Archive By Author - Dale Hogg
Power plays
What's not surprising following the November general election was that the Kansas Legislature is dominated by Republicans. However, party primaries in August saw the conservative wing of the GPO oust several moderates, including Senate President Steve Morris, who were willing to reach across the aisle to Democrats. In the House, Speaker Mike O'Neal decided to retire after 28 years in the chamber, including two terms as speaker.
Commission OKs repair to damaged bridge
In June, a county bridge south of Cheyenne Bottoms was damaged when a motorist left the roadway and plowed into it. Monday morning, the Barton County Commission approved having the bridge repaired and suing the driver to recoup the cost of the project.
Mixed messages
On Monday, Barton County commissioners learned the details of a proposed transmission line that would carry wind-generated electricity from Ford County to points east. The project thrusts Barton County smack in the center of a gale-force political debate amid talk of the impending "fiscal cliff."
Spirit of giving
Every year, children of all ages fill their Christmas wish lists, hoping the items will sit beneath their glittering tree on Christmas morning. Sadly, for those in needy families, those wishes go unfulfilled.
A time of giving
"Black Friday and Cyber Monday are good for the economy, and #GivingTuesday is good for the soul." This comment referring to the official opening of the Christmas shopping season is posted on 92nd Street Y's website.
Deck the halls safely for the holidays
The holidays can be a time of joy, but they can also be a time of potential hazards, safety and health officials said.
New power line could cross Barton County
The central part of the United States supplies grain to the entire nation. It can also supply wind energy.
Opening the door
Often when chamber of commerce and other economic development officials stand before governing bodies to give their reports, they fill the room with vague generalities. Frustratingly vague generalities.
Advertisers giving Thanksgiving the bird
The wild turkeys are back. I have yet to see them, but someone submitted a photo of the large native American birds cruising through a northwest Great Bend neighborhood.
Dogs walk owners to help humane society
The first-ever Get off you Butt and Walk your Mutt is set for 1-4 p.m. Saturday at the Barton County Courthouse Square. Early registrations are encouraged to guarantee a T-shirt, but they will also be taken Saturday starting at noon.
Welcome to Great Bend
It may only be mid November, but a blizzard is coming to Great Bend.
Voices from the west
It has been two weeks since the general election and one week since the Barton County Commission canvassed the ballots from that election. One of the results of the voting was the election of commissioner John Edmonds to the Kansas House of Representatives.
Hedging their bets
After approving the gas agreement with Seminole Energy at its last meeting, the Barton County Commission Monday morning approved hedging on a portion of its natural gas purchases for the upcoming winter.
GBHS Hall of FAME
The 2012 Great Bend High School GBHS Hall of Fame inductees have been announced. Honored will be longtime teacher and school administrator Karla (Bender) Leibham and civic leader Bill McKown, who refuses to let paralysis keep him from being active in the community.
Articles By Author - Dale Hogg
Replacing Cates on Commission explained
The death of Barton County Commissioner Don Cates in a spray plane crash Tuesday afternoon left some questions as to how to fill his seat on the governing body, questions that occupied much of the day Wednesday for Barton County Clerk Donna Zimmerman.
Fate of old opera house likely sealed
At its March 17 meeting, the Great Bend City Council gave the owners of the old, crumbling opera house at 2103 Forest until April 21 to hire a contractor to fix the historic structure or raze it.
Council OKs EMS fee increases
The last time ambulance fees for Great Bend Emergency Medical Services were adjusted was in 2009. Much has happened since then and Fire Chief Mike Napolitano told the City Council Monday night a change was in order.
Take time to celebrate the planet
Today marks the official Earth Day 2014. It is a chance for us to step back and look at the natural world around us and examine how we can make it a better place for future generations.
Commission OKs agreement with Hoisington
In an effort to help to continue to spur growth in Hoisington, the Barton County Commission Monday morning approved an interlocal agreement with that city.
Appraiser reminds residents of tax deadlines
Property valuation notices were mailed to the Barton County taxpayers on March 17 and County Appraiser Barbara Konrade reminds residents they have 30 days to appeal their valuation from that mailing date.
County expands new software system
It's been about a year since Barton County offices switched to a unified bookkeeping software. Although the conversion was at times rocky, officials are now comfortable with the new system and ready to expand it.
Joint effort
They are words one doesn't often hear in the same sentence – local government, federal government, state government and cooperation. However, they were strung together during the Barton County Commission meeting Monday morning.
FEMA money to flow into county
Last August, some areas of Barton County experienced severe flooding. The cost of dealing with those storms was high, prompting county officials to apply for a federal disaster declaration to help clean up the soggy aftermath.
A big ‘atta boy’
The third-annual Great Bend Farm and Ranch Expo closed Friday after another successful three-day run. The hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of attendees have gone and the Expo Complex is empty.
Polling place changes explained
One more election in the books, said County Clerk Donna Zimmerman. The April 1 results were canvassed by the Barton County Commission Monday morning and are now finalized.
OUT TO THE BALL GAME
The boys and girls of summer have already returned to the Great Bend Sports Complex, the Great Bend City Council learned Monday night. Ballfield preparations have been made and high school games have started at the new facility.
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