Archive By Author - Dale Hogg
County gives nod to tire recyclers
It was a small step Monday morning, but it was a step forward for the tire recycling firm Blizzard Energy Inc. in its efforts to open shop at the Great Bend Municipal Airport. The Barton County Commission agreed that the company's business process was consistent with the county's Solid Waste Management Plan.
ANOTHER MARCH MADNESS
HAYS - It was a taste of March Madness this past weekend as members of the Storm Special Olympics teams headed to Hays and participated in the 37th-annual Special Olympics State Basketball and Cheerleading Competition.
Commitment to service
The Monday night meeting of the Great Bend City Council was almost the meeting that didn't happen.
Bill would boost farming in state, ag officials say
A Kansas Senate bill aimed at expanding the corporate farming opportunities in the state would bolster farming in general, say supporters of the measure known as the Kansas Agricultural Growth and Rural Investment Initiative. However, detractors of SB 191 say it would pave the way for corporate farms to overrun the state's family farm tradition.
Barton not the most nor least healthy county
When it comes to the overall health of residents, Barton County ranked 76th out of the 105 counties in Kansas, according to the fourth annual County Health Rankings, released Wednesday by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute.
Election prep well underway
With advance voting becoming available last week ahead of the April 2 county-wide general election County Clerk Donna Zimmerman told the Barton County Commission Monday morning that voting was slow.
Convention Center improvements in the works
The Great Bend City Council Monday night approved bids to make the first cosmetic improvements to the embattled Great Bend Convention Center
Council OKs motocross project
The Big Bend Bike Rally Planning Committee approached the Great Bend City Council Monday night requesting permission to establish a motocross track at the Expo Complex for a motocross race during the rally set for September 28.
New server paves way for new software
Before Barton County officials could begin using the new commercial software the County Commission approved last week, a new server was needed to handle the upgrade. Monday morning, commissioners authorized spending up to $9,000 to make this happen.
Looming tax sale doing its job
In January, the Barton County Commission approved holding the annual tax sale in October. At the time, there were 405 properties on the auction block.
Of health and wealth
In December of 2011, the Travel Industry Association of Kansas challenged Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback to push for bike trails along every scenic and historic byway in the Sunflower State. The association's report listed five "product development opportunities upon which Kansas tourism professionals believe Kansas should focus," two of which highlighted bicycling and its potential impact on tourism.
Candidates vie for city, school posts
The residents of Barton County will cast their ballots for a host of city, school and other officials come the general election Tuesday, April 2. The candidates had to register by Tuesday and there was no need for a primary.
Ag officials issue burn advisory
About two inches of moisture. That is how much the foot or so of snow dropped by the recent blizzards served to a drought-parched Golden Belt. "We'll take what we can get," said Ron Klein, supervisory conservationist for the Great Bend Natural Resources Conservation Service office. But, "while that's nice, its not enough to make up the lingering dry conditions," he said. So, on Thursday, Adrian J. Polansky, state executive director of U.S. Department of ...
Successful pageant sends teens to Miss Kansas event
Great Bend Community Coordinator Christina Hayes reported to the City Council Monday night that the first-ever Miss Barton County and Miss Golden Belt Pageant held March 9 at Great Bend High School was a crowning achievement.
National Guard open house Saturday
The Army National Guard units based at the Great Bend Expo Complex wants to strut their stuff. To this end, guard members stationed there are planning the units' first-ever open house, said SFC Kevin Hammeke, Great Bend-based Guard recruiter.
Articles By Author - Dale Hogg
Myers walks out of meeting
After an often heated exchange between Great Bend City Council Member Randy Myers and several fellow council members over his alleged ethics violations, Myers stood up and walked out of the governing body's Monday night meeting.
TOUTING TOURISM
It is fitting that Barton County celebrate Kansas Tourism Week this week, Great Bend Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Cris Collier told the County Commission Monday morning.
OF RISK AND REWARD
Three weeks ago, a fertilizer storage facility in West, Texas, not all that different from plants in many, small, rural communities, exploded. It killed 14 people, leveled much of the tiny town and rocked the nation.
