Archive By Author - Dale Hogg
Old train cars find new use
The Barton County Commission Monday morning learned the Road and Bridge Department has a new tool in its toolbox.
Optimism is cheap
With all the political rancor polluting the media nationally, with all the talk of continued economic mayhem at home and abroad and with all the negative energy circulating, it's tough to remain optimistic.
Fuller sale deal in the works
A group of local investors led by Rick Ball and Norbert Schneider with Innovative Livestock Service Inc. has entered into a tentative agreement with Victory Park Capital to purchase the commercial product segment of the Fuller Brush Company.
County departments stay busy
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.
Council to hire insurance consultant
The Great Bend City Council Monday night rejected the recommendation of its Health Insurance Independent Consultant Selection Committee to not hire an outside consultant. It instead opted to sign a contract with Charlesworth Benefits of Overland Park to guide the council in bidding and selection an insurance carrier for the city.
A big undertaking
In an era of more regulation, a Barton County agency has seen to it that these problems are lessened locally. The Barton County Planning Commission is to be commended for its efforts.
Tax sale clears books
The 2012 Barton County Tax Sale is in the books, and County Treasurer Kevin Wondra told the County Commission Monday morning the annual event was a success.
Tired of tires
The City of Great Bend Monday will launch a two-week campaign to rid the community of old tires. The city-wide tire clean-up rolls to a conclusion on Oct. 28.
Flats wanted
Looking for a place to retire those old tires? The City of Great Bend may have a solution.
Healthy endeavor
There was a conference in Wichita last week. It was a gathering sponsored by the Kansas Health Foundation for communities across the state that have qualified for $25,000 grants aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles. Barton County is one of the recipients.
Byway summit considered success
The purpose of the Wetlands and Wildlife National Scenic Byway Planning Summit last Wednesday in Hoisington was two fold, said Barton County Administrator Richard Boeckman. First, attendees wanted to tout the route's successes and, second, they wanted to identify ways to continue its relevance in the future.
Newspapers remain community cornerstones
This week marks the 2012 installment of National Newspaper Week, an annual observance that runs through the first full week in October during which newspapers take the opportunity to promote themselves. Print journalism executives across America have sponsored the NNW since 1940.
Voter registration to close
The last day to register to vote for the Nov. 6 General Election is at the close of business on Tuesday, Oct. 16, and Barton County Election Officer Donna Zimmerman wants to remind residents there are numerous locations and opportunities for them to do this.
Byway focus of commission meeting
The Wetlands and Wildlife Scenic Byway took center stage at the Barton County Commission meeting Monday morning as commissioners honored many of the project's volunteers and heard a report about efforts to market it.
Articles By Author - Dale Hogg
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.
SOME NEW FACES
The make-up of the Great Bend City Council changed Monday night as it reorganized and new members took the oath of office.
First impressions
The Great Bend City Council Monday night received some good economic development news when it learned that the Grand Island, Neb.,-based HeartlandAg wanted to open a new site just outside the city limits. The company has purchased in the neighborhood of 33 acres just north of the city limits on the west side of U.S. 281 to build a new commercial fertilizer equipment sales, parts and supply facility.
Courthouse to get new security cameras
A few weeks back, Barton County commissioners toured the 911 Communications Center. They had an eye-opening experience.
County gets funds from retired bond program
John Isern, district court administrator for the 20th Judicial District, presented a $5,000 check to the Barton County Commission Monday morning. The money came from a now-defunct bond program.
Farming important to us all
It's been four years since the 3i Show packed its tents and left Great Bend for the last time. The biannual event which alternated between Great Bend and Garden City drew throngs to town, and filled motels and restaurants.
ROLLING A STRIKE
Head basketball coaches Gregg Marshall, Wichita State University, Bill Self, University of Kansas and Bruce Weber, Kansas State University, are joining local Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters officials in urging participation in the upcoming Bowl for Kids' Sake. The idea is to boost awareness of the positive impact of and urgent need for mentoring Kansas kids.
Winter of 2014 proves costly for road crews
Thankfully, the winter of 2014 appears to be over, allowing road crews to finally breathe a sigh of relief. The snow-prone season has been an expensive one.
Hazardous waste collection underway
The Barton County Landfill is gearing up for the start of household hazardous waste collection season which officially began Tuesday, Solid Waste Manager Mark Witt reported to the County Commission Monday morning. The first on-site collection will be 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 19, at the facility.
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