Archive By Author - Chuck Smith

Radium Bridge work is ahead of schedule

Work is under way to get the first of Barton County's stressed bridges back to normal - and ahead of schedule - County Administrator Richard Boeckman announced at Monday's Barton County Commission meeting.

Downtown landmark damaged by fire

For a long time, it was the Great Bend Petroleum Club.

Craigslist needs to take responsibility

We are still in the process, as a society, of deciding just how this relatively new communications facility, the Internet, is to operate in our society, and we have tended so far to allow it to be a free-wheeling operative. That's not always bad, but it is frequently not good.

Emergency plan continues to develop

Work is continuing on a plan that will help prepare for emergencies that could strike our community, according to Barton County Emergency Risk Manager Amy Miller.

Time to connect to rainbows

Why are there so many songs about rainbows

Local gas prices are still in the middle

Local motorists who had traveled around the state over the past weekend reported to the Tribune that they found significantly lower prices on gasoline in other parts of the state, especially in Wichita, and according to an Internet site that tracks fuel prices, there are several points in Kansas where gasoline is lower-priced than the common local price, at $2.66.

Keep kids safe

Some of you claim that you can't believe it, that the school year is starting again - as if you were so carried away with the mosquitoes and the pain of trying to grasp a red-hot steering wheel was so pleasing that the time just flew by this summer.

Council invests in SRCA improvements

If there is anything for which Great Bend is nationally - even internationally - known, it is drag racing.

It’s bad, or good

In the words of Jimmy Cagney - "Never steal anything ... small."

County, city, release $100,000 to Red Barn

It appears that there have been enough new jobs added to Red Barn Pet Products since the operation opened in the former Great Bend Packing facility south of Great Bend that more than $57,000 in county funding will be released. However the Barton County Commission is seeking proof that the jobs were created before that money is released, it was decided Monday.

DAV program will land in Great Bend next week

Harley's Heroes are coming to Great Bend next week to offer free help to veterans.

Leave them wild

In the old Disney movies, it all looks so simple.

2009 audit has good news for the county

At a time when it's difficult to pick up the national news without finding out about more financial tragedy, the results of the Barton County 2009 audit were a ray of sunshine.

Mill increase will fund city pay raises

Great Bend City Council members indicated Monday night that they wavered on whether to approve an increase of approximately 1 mill in the city tax levy for 2011 or not, and ended up supporting the increase because of a need for city employee raises.

Today’s the day