Archive By Author - Dale Hogg
Do what you can
The United Way of Central Kansas will launch its 2013 campaign Saturday with a goal of $235,000 to be reached by Dec. 31. Each year, Executive Director Julie Bugner-Smith comes up with a catchy theme to make the kick-off an entertaining and enjoyable evening. This year it's "Peace, Love and United Way," a 60s theme to coincide with the 50th anniversary of United Way in Barton County.
An exciting year
Looking at the energetic group of co-chairs and volunteers lined up for this year's campaign, United Way of Central Kansas Executive Director Julie Bugner-Smith said she is excited about the 2013 effort. It opens Saturday night.
Razing a bank, raising a curtain
Nelson Stone and his massive excavator began nibbling away at the old Bank of the West building at Lakin and Kansas Thursday as if it were a box of Junior Mints. The razing is in preparation for the new, six-screen movie theater that will eventually occupy that corner.
Some weather we’re having
Go anywhere and strike up a conversation.
THE RESULTS ARE IN
The Tuesday's primary election is over. The polls closed at 7 p.m. and the Barton County Clerk's office started continually updating posted results throughout the evening.
Davis ready for commission challenge
Don Davis may be new to political office, but he is not new to the Barton County Commission. Davis won the Republican primary for the commission's Third District against Buck Causey Tuesday by 450 votes to 213.
Johnson hopes to continue judicial tradition
For Great Bend attorney Steve Johnson, being a district judge was a natural evolution in the legal profession. Johnson defeated fellow Republican Robert Anderson of Ellinwood in Tuesday's 20th Judicial District judge primary.
A lot is going on with county agencies
Every two weeks, Barton County departments submit an activity report of statistical data or a summary of services. County Administrator Richard Boeckman presented highlights from the most recent reports to the County Commission Monday morning.
Officials shaping byway’s future
In applauding cooperation between Barton County and the City of Great Bend to promote the Wetlands and Wildlife Scenic Byway, Great Bend Convention and Visitor's Bureau President Cris Collier told the County Commission Monday morning the stretch of blacktop represents one of the most nationally touted byways in America.
Grants benefit parks. kids
Two Great Bend parks will get a nice boost, thanks to the generosity of a local woman.
Still, no fireworks
It may seem unpatriotic, especially as area residents cast their ballots in today's primary, that the Barton County Commission voted Monday to continue the ban of fireworks in unincorporated areas of the county. In the resolution, commissioners declined to set a deadline for them to reconsider the action. Instead, the prohibition is in place indefinitely.
Commission tackles streets’ legality
The residents of a small, landlocked subdivision in southwest Great Bend have a problem. Their streets don't exist.
No firecrackers for now
Barton County officials and local fire chiefs want to assure residents they will eventually be able to set off fireworks, but due to the on-going withering drought, that time is not now.
Election officer offers last-minute advice
Barton County residents will head to the polls Tuesday for the primary election, and county Election Officer Donna Zimmerman has a few last words for voters.
Get off that couch!
"A citizen of America will cross the ocean to fight for democracy, but won't cross the street to vote in a national election." – Bill Vaughan, columnist
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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