Ellinwood, GBCF beneficiaries of nearly $3 million bequest

The city of Ellinwood, the Ellinwood School Foundation and the Golden Belt Community Foundation will evenly split nearly $3 million dollars in a bequest from Vivian Archer, formerly of Ellinwood.

Christmas lights illuminate Hoisington

HOISINGTON - "Light up Hoisington" became a community project in 1999, and homes and buildings throughout the city are now illuminated throughout the Christmas season. "It's a good project," said Lee Van Scyoc, chamber volunteer. Spearheaded by Van Scyoc, there was 100 percent participation from the businesses to buy the lights early in that year. He found a track system from a company in Oklahoma, where the lights are clipped to ...

Third graders make thankfulness turkey

ELLINWOOD - The featherless construction paper turkey at Ellinwood Grade School regained his plumage when third graders brought back to school uniquely designed feathers, each distinct with the personality of the family and child just in time for the holiday.

USD 112 goes green, saves on trash fees

HOLYROOD -Central Plains USD 112 school district heard at its regular monthly meeting that Wilson school has cut its trash collection fee from one-half to one-third primarily by recycling.

Hoisington to see slight sewer rate increase in 2012

HOISINGTON - Hoisington residents will see a slight increase in sewer rates with January bills. The Hoisington City Council adopted the increase at its regular meeting on Monday after budget reviews last summer.

HMSI hires new director

rinlee of Hoisington has been hired as the new director of Hoisington Main Street Inc. and began her duties on Nov. 7.

Body of Great Bend man found

The body of a Great Bend man was found southwest of Great Bend by hunters Saturday morning, according to Barton County Sheriff Greg Armstrong.

USD 431 receives $43,362 grant

HOISINGTON - Hoisington School District USD 431 has received a grant for $43,362 to take a leadership role in providing Barton County school districts and communities with an alcohol and drug plan of action for teens. The grant is from the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services.

Charlie Brown play to be performed at EHS

ELLINWOOD - Ellinwood High School will present "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown" at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday night at the EllinwoodHigh School auditorium.Tickets are $5.

‘Hiking Humanitarian’ walks through Great Bend

"Have a spoonful of kindness with your coffee in the morning," says Kirk Sinclair, who is walking the American Discovery Trail across America to promote the humanitarian needs of housing, health and hunger. Having walked from the coast, he was in Great Bend on Wednesday and Thursday. "Under natural conditions, we are kind to each other," said Sinclair. He is interviewing people and communities to find how people and communities are kind ...

Hoisington principal chosen as ‘Exemplary Principal’

HOISINGTON - Hoisington Middle School Principal Pat Reinhardt has been chosen as one of three Kansas Association of Middle School Administrator's Exemplary Principal. In addition to Reinhardt, Brad Miner, principal of Royster Middle School of Chanute, and Dr. Michael Wolgast, principal of Pioneer Trail Middle School of Olathe were also chosen.

EHS promotes positive atmosphere

ELLINWOOD - With new Ellinwood High School principal Shawn Henderson, the school is starting new programs to build a positive school atmosphere for learning.

Missing dog returned to college student

CLAFLIN - Twenty-three -year-old Fort Hays State University student Jessica Thayer and her dog Addie, were heading back to Fort Hays after spending a few days with family in her hometown of Wichita early in the morning on Oct. 28.

Cemetery tours offer insight into area history

Each rich in heritage, area cemeteries are their own book telling the story of the harsh prairie life in the 1800s and 1900s in central Kansas. Not the scary places of movies or of tomorrow's holiday, they are calm, quiet places of peace.

Cooney’s name added to Legion Memorial

ELLINWOOD - After 61 long years, the name of Thomas Edward Cooney has been added to the American Legion War Memorial in Ellinwood.

City of Ellinwood to purchase property

ELLINWOOD - The Ellinwood City Council, at its regular meeting on Tuesday, agreed to purchase 11-12 acres of property from Alfred Pohlman for $3,600. The property is located north of 7th St. It is west of Kennedy and north of the water tower.

Hoisington to host annual ‘Mud Run’

HOISINGTON - Engines will once again roar as drivers try to drive through the mud at the fourth annual Mud Run at 1 p.m. on June 1 in Hoisington, south of the railroad track on the east side of U.S. 281. It will be held in conjunction with the Kansas Mud Racing Organization.

USD 355 board taking steps for iPad initiative

ELLINWOOD - The USD 355 School Board, at its regular meeting Monday night, agreed to take another step in the iPad initiate. Currently, about twenty percent of the certified staff have iPads. The board agreed to buy approximately 30 more so that the remaining staff would have an iPad.

Foreign tourism developing in Barton County

Travel writer Matt Bates of Scotland and Lisa Weigt, International Program director for Kansas/ Oklahoma Travel and Tourism recently toured Barton County.

Living a "Glass half-Full' Life

In the early 2000s, like so many up and coming children of the prairie, Ellinwood native J. Basil Dannebohm, had the bright lights of the city shining in his eyes.

School board makes appointments

ELLINWOOD - At its regular monthly meeting, the USD 355 school board made two appointments to the new Ellinwood Recreation Commission Board of Directors. They were Mel Waite for four years, and Rob Fisher for one year. The ERC will soon begin planning a budget, hiring a director, and making plans for 2014.

Soaring with Eagles

America's Promise and DARE contest essay winners soared to the highest height on Saturday when members of the Experimental Aircraft Club in Great Bend took them on a 15-20 minutes airplane ride over Great Bend.

Just swinging

School bell rings the last time for two retiring teachers

HOISINGTON - Touching the lives and improving the minds of over a 1,000 children after three decades of service, USD 431 teachers Darla Clark and Becky Andereck will close the last book bags of their careers this month. Both began and ended their service in Hoisington.

Logical flood insurance rules finally passed

At long last, Congress, yes that gridlocked legislative body in D.C., has made changes to the National Flood Insurance Program. Astoundingly, the new rules actually make sense.

"Lulu does the Hulu in Hawaii' is a super bad baby name. Really.

What's with baby names these days?

USD 431 considers adding FBLA

HOISINGTON - At its regular meeting last night, the USD 431 School Board heard a presentation from teacher Jennifer Steinert about adding a Future Business Leaders of America organization to the school next year.