CLEARING THE WAY

Nearly 390 miles of asphalt roads crisscross Barton County's 900 square miles, a fact not lost on Dale Phillips and his Road and Bridge Department when winter weather hits.

Think before you drink

We've dodged the Mayan end of the world, now it is time to party. New Years Eve is one of the most popular nights in America to imbibe alcoholic beverages.

County offices recap busy year

Editor's note: Below is a recap of some of the activities of Barton County departments presented to the County Commission Wednesday. It is the second of two stories highlighting the year-in-review. This is the second of two stories.

Take care when drinking New Year’s Eve

Monday night is New Year's Eve, and many area residents will ring in 2013 with a drink or two, or three.

Roads, bridges and trash keep things hopping

Editor's note: Below is a recap of some of the activities of Barton County departments presented to the County Commission Wednesday. It is the first of two stories highlighting the year-in-review. The second story will appear in Sunday's Tribune.

Social media helps United Way campaign

Although officially on vacation, United Way of Central Kansas Executive Director Julie Bugner Smith sat in her office Thursday morning catching up on the pile of work created by the holidays. However, even though the season has caused much of the door-to-door fundraising to grind to a halt, UWCK remains on track to meet its $235,000 goal, due in large part to the increased use of social media.

Workforce issues on commission agenda

The Barton County Commission Wednesday morning took steps to help both job seekers and employers.

On the naughty list

What kind of a Grinch would do such a thing?

Santa Claus still needed

In 1897, 8-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon wrote a letter to the New York Sun. "Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?" she asked.

Contest winners

Holiday travel to increase in Midwest

According to the American Automobile Association, Midwesterners will be on the move this holiday season in numbers higher than last year.

Time to carve the roast beast

We here at the Tribune have observed what has been dubbed "Christmas Spirit Week" this week. There have been days dedicated to wearing Christmas attire, Christmas bling and Christmas colors. Of course, all week, the table in the break room has loaded with Christmas cookies and assorted Christmas snacks.

Downtown promotion to change for new year

At a retail roundtable meeting Dec. 10, Great Bend Community Coordinator Christina Hayes, other officials and local business leaders decided to revamp the downtown promotional program known as Thank You Thursdays.

Convention Center plans on hold

With only two weeks before the City of Great Bend takes over management of the contentious city-owned Convention Center, the City Council Monday night learned that the cost of razing it and starting from scratch would cost about the same as remodeling the existing facility.

Now is a time for reason

In the wake of any horrific act of violence, be it the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, or the heart-wrenching massacre of first graders and their teachers in Newtown, Conn., there is an outpouring of emotions. Perhaps, it is because all of us seek solace as a national grieving community or we want to make sense of what has happened.

2015 tax sale in the works

The Barton County Commission Monday morning paved the way for the 2015 tax sale by authorizing tracts of real estate be sold for back taxes.

How would the county respond to Ebola?

It's a frightening possibility, but what would happen if there was an Ebola outbreak in Barton County?

On the front lines

The Great Bend City Council had a chance to get to know the members of the Police Department a little better when the officers and other personnel were introduced Monday night.

B-29 restoration effort approved by council

Noting that the popular B-29 Memorial Plaza is a valuable asset as a historical landmark and tourist attraction, the Great Bend City Council Monday night approved spending up to $18,050 to help restore the marker.

Council says farewell to Roberts

It was with regret Monday night that the Great Bend City Council accepted the resignation of First Ward Council Member Edwin Roberts.

A worthy effort

The Great Bend Municipal Airport is an important piece of our community's history. Dating back to World War II, it was constructed in the early 1940s as an Army Air Force Base to train Boeing B-29 Superfortress bomber crews.

Time to step up

There will be a general election in Barton County come April 7. On the ballot will be several school board, mayoral and city council positions, as well as openings on the Barton Community College and Ellinwood District Hospital boards.