No news; Bell Calif. council scandal happens without media

The city of Bell, Calif. has become infamous for the misappropriation of public funds over the last decade.

Spring in Kansas

Ellinwood Rec question on ballot

ELLINWOOD- Members of the proposed new Ellinwood Recreation Commission were present at the Ellinwood Chamber of Commerce meeting on Friday to explain the goals of the group and answer any questions residents might have. Ellinwood voters will be asked on the April ballot to vote for a separate Recreation Commission with a mill levy assessment of up to three mills or against.

USD 431 offers four day preschool

HOISINGTON - Preschool, kindergarten and first grade have come a long way since the days of Tom, Dick and Jane and even from the days when preschool was time for children to learn social skills.

Hoisington to begin new single stream trash recycling April 15

HOISINTON - At a well-attended Chamber of Commerce coffee, Stutzman Refuse Disposal hosted the event, showing the automated trash truck, the new polycarts, and having a ribbon cutting.

Abortion bill victimizes victims

Twelve-year-old girls are generally greatly interested in their hair, who's popular and who's not, and are embarrassed to be seen in public with their parents.

Council allows for student fundraising through address painting

Two Hoisington High School students, Hannah Wilborn and Lexi Stephens were present at the Hoisington City Council meeting held recently to ask permission to paint Cardinal faces on driveways and addresses on curbs to raise money for a spring break school trip to the east coast. They will use industrial grade concrete paint. This was approved by the council.

Bellendir, Cates host Ellinwood Chamber coffee

ELLINWOOD - Barton County Commissioner Don Cates and Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir hosted the Ellinwood Chamber of Commerce last Friday held at Ellinwood District Hospital.

Walmart evacuates after bomb threat

At about 4 p.m. Saturday afternoon, the local Walmart received a call that four bombs had been placed in the store. Employees and customers were told to leave the store immediately.

National Guard open house introduces area to military life

At its first ever open house, the Army National Guard units based at the Great Bend Expo Complex showed military equipment, building facilities and held some fun activities for children. The facility in Great Bend shares two units, an artillery-radar unit, and a transportation unit for large trucks.

USD 431 holds Honor Banquet

HOISINGTON - Fifteen Hoisington High School seniors were recognized last week for their achievements academically throughout high school. The Honor Banquet is reserved for those students who have maintained a grade point average of 3.5 or greater on a 4.0 scale for seven consecutive semesters.

Hoisington City Council unanimously approves new trash service providing single stream recycling

HOISINGTON - The Hoisington City Council unanimously approved a service agreement with Stutzman Refuse Disposal Inc. out of south Hutchinson to provide solid waste and recycling services for the community. The agreement will start April 15.

USD 355 to allow 6th graders to play junior high basketball next year only

ELLINWOOD - The USD 355 school board meeting met at its regular meeting on Monday night with four members present and three absent. Those absent included Doll, Billinger and Schlessiger.

Local piano students receive I ratings at state

BARTON COUNTY - Several students from around the county received a I for their piano performances at the state competition at Tabor College, Hillsboro in February. Those students were Melanie Maneth from Great Bend, Hannah Wilborn from Hoisington and Kaylyn Oberle from USD 112.

Restaurant charges fee for restroom use

Recently a restaurant in Tennessee charged a woman to use the restroom who was not a customer. An employee as The Flood Zone in Erin, Tenn. was asked by Patricia Barnes if she could use the facilities.

City of Hoisington passes new sidewalk ordinance

HOISINGTON - The city of Hoisington passed a sidewalk ordinance at its regular meeting last week, according to the unofficial city minutes.

Council limits vehicle access to old city dump

ELLINWOOD - The Ellinwood City Council, as its regular monthly meeting, voted to limit access to the old city dump due to liability issues.

USD 355 considers iPad initiative for K-12

ELLINWOOD - At its regular meeting on Monday, USD 355 School Board discussed the K-12 iPad initiative. The information was for discussion only, but under consideration is providing each child K-12 with an iPad. The goal is to roll out iPads in the next year.

Common Core Standards make sense

The Common Core standards are being talked about a lot these days. The Common Core is simply a set of educational standards that are the same from state to state and are designed for students to be career ready when they graduate from high school. They are reasonable and make sense. The state legislature should let the state school board decide what is best for students.

Local artist intermingles art with life

ELLINWOOD - Staying busy and loving life, Rhea Grandon finds fulfillment in her art, hobbies, family and friends.

Larned native Gene Keady present at street renaming

Gene Keady, born in Larned in 1936, was honored Saturday at Moffett Stadium on Third Street, where Keady was raised by his parents, Mary Helen and Lloyd Gibson Keady.

Historic Wolf Hotel reincarnated

ELLINWOOD - The historic Ellinwood Wolf Hotel has a new owner, and great plans are in place to renovate and reinvent the hotel. Christopher McCord, 26, of Ellinwood plans to return the building to its roots as a hotel.

Larned native Gene Keady present at street renaming

Gene Keady, born in Larned in 1936, was honored Saturday at Moffett Stadium on Third Street, where Keady was raised by his parents, Mary Helen and Lloyd Gibson Keady.

Breastfeeding is best for babies

Breastfeeding is a normal and natural function and, since the beginning of time, has allowed human beings to get a good start on life. Not only are infants fed the healthiest milk designed for their bodies, they develop their first relationship.

Board hears community strategic planning report

HOISINGTON - The USD 431 Comprehensive Planning Committee, which were citizens of Hoisington appointed by school board members, met earlier this April to discuss strengths and weaknesses of USD 431, at a meeting facilitated by Kansas Association of School Board Deputy Director Dr. Doug Moeckel. They presented their ideas to the school board on Monday night.

Ellinwood June Jaunt was a success

ELLINWOOD - Ellinwood streets bustled with activity at the second annual June Jaunt in Ellinwood. Out-of-county license plates filled the parking lots in the city, and that, said Nancy Baird Ellinwood Chamber of Commerce director, was a sign of success.

Ellinwood Food Bank has new hours

ELLINWOOD - The Ellinwood Food Bank has been around for 25 years, providing food to those who are in need. Karen Schmidt will now be in charge of the program, taking the reins from Lorraine Rickert. Schmidt has announced new hours for the Food Bank.