Archive By Author - Dale Hogg
Drills offer valuable insight
During the month of June, Barton County Emergency Management Director Amy Miller completed reports and improvement plans following two exercises she attended.
Work continues on rural road sign improvements
County Engineer Clark Rusco continues to meet with Kansas Department of Transportation officials concerning the KDOT High Risk Rural Roads signing grant. This is a $200,000 grant to help pay for signage that meets new, more stringent national traffic standards.
Property re-inspections under way
If you see vehicles marked with the Barton County logo roaming about, don't be surprised, said County Appraiser Barbara Konrade.
‘Clean’ audit has some exceptions
Barton County is in good fiscal shape, accountants for Adams, Brown, Beran and Ball told the County Commission Monday morning. However, the 2012 audit report included a few caveats.
Lions Club takes a seat
A couple Tuesdays ago, Barton Community College Director of Institutional Advancement Darnell Holopirek gave a program at the Great Bend Noon Lions Club meeting. Among her topics was the much-needed and on-going renovation of the college's Fine Arts Auditorium.
THE DROUGHT DRAGS ON
A gentle, brief rain fell on Great Bend Monday morning.
A melting pot
Community Coordinator Christina Hayes hit the nail on the head when she described Great Bend the Great Bend City Council Monday night.
Keeping us safe
Without blinking an eye, they put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe from Mother Nature, accidents and the bad guys out there. They are the first responders who jump into the breech with out questioning what is on the other side.
Vicious dog recommendations sharpened
It will take the committee charged with putting more teeth vicious dogs regulations one more meeting to put the finishing touches on its report to the Great Bend City Council. The panel met Wednesday and will meet again at 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 31.
Event to honor emergency personnel
Area residents are invited to an opportunity to thank the men and women to keep them safe. The first-ever Emergency Services Preparedness Day is set for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday in the parking lot of Waters True Value Hardware, 1649 W. K-96 in Great Bend.
City-wide promotions on the horizon
There are a lot of diverse people in this area with a lot of diverse interests, Community Coordinator Christina Hayes told the Great Bend City Council Monday night.
Petition presented to stop Venture building
Rural Great Bend resident Reland Cole did not find the answers he was looking for from the Great Bend City Council Monday night.
Low bid questioned
The Barton County Commission Monday morning voted to award Bridges Inc., a Newton-based company, the contract to make much-needed repairs to the Arkansas River bridge south of Ellinwood. Replaced will be the expansion joints which allow the bridge deck to expand and contract with the changes in temperature. The joints rusted and are stuck in the expanded position.
Commission OKs budget publication
In giving his budget presentation to the Barton County Commission Monday morning, County Administrator Richard Boeckman, said the county's mill levy has been anything but consistent over the past few years.
Band of neighbors
The final Great Bend City Band concert of the 2013 season will open at 8:15 Tuesday at the Crest. For anyone who hasn't taken the time yet to attend one of these performances, you don't know what you are missing.
Articles By Author - Dale Hogg
A MATTER OF VALUES
The Barton County Appraiser's Office is in the middle of establishing 2015 valuations, County Appraiser Barb Esfeld said. Real Estate values will be mailed on or before March 13.
Plans forming for June Jaunt
Community Coordinator Christina Hayes met with the K-96 Regional June Jaunt Committee, plans are coming along nicely, she said.
Police to enforce seatbelt use near schools
Beginning Feb. 23 and running through March 6, the Great Bend Police Department will join other Kansas Law Enforcement agencies to stop what has been an epidemic for the past several years – teens not using seatbelts.
GBPD cracking down on overly tinted windows
Overly dark vehicle windows are a threat to the safety of the public and to the police officers patrolling the streets, Great Bend Police Sgt. Jay Bachar told the Great Bend City Council Monday night. So, the City of Great Bend Police Department is undertaking a strong effort to monitor window tinting.
Two confirmed whooping cough cases in county
As of this weekend, there were two laboratory-confirmed cases of whooping cough in Great Bend, Barton County Health Director Shelly Schneider said Monday morning. One of the cases is in a school-age child and the other in a younger child, both of whom had been vaccinated.
STICKING AROUND
The county employees honored for longevity by the Barton County Commission represented 270 collective years of service to the county. Recognized were folks who have had continuous employment for five, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 35 years.
Public to have chance to meet police chief candidate
There will be two public, open meetings later this week to give residents, City Council members and others an opportunity to meet the finalist for the job of Great Bend police chief.
Council again backs Job Fest
The Great Bend City Council Monday night approved sponsoring the annual Job Fest for $1,000. The city has been a sponsor of Job Fest since its inception. The ninth-annual Job Fest event is set for Thursday, April 30.
A BIG OVERDUE NOTICE
After a heated discussion Monday night, the Great Bend City Council authorized Mayor Mike Allison to sign an agreement with the Great Bend Public Library Board for the payment and reimbursement of the new heating and air conditioning system at the library in the amount of $762,012.92.
Tobacco tax hike good idea
For once, Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback's efforts to correct the state's massive budget shortfall make a modicum of sense. He has forwarded proposals to raise alcohol and tobacco taxes which are now being reviewed by a legislative committee.
