Rensch chosen as Hoisington Labor Day Grand Marshal

HOISINGTON - Brent Rensch, retired plant manager of Superior Essex, is known for his love of people and for this reason, was named Hoisington Labor Day Grand Marshal.

Out in the cabbage patch

Former NFL player speaks at USD 112

CLAFLIN - Former NFL player for the Minnesota Vikings and team captain in 1983, Keith Nord, was in Claflin last week to work with students and parents of USD 112 on coming together, leadership and character education.

CTC data released

BARTON COUNTY - The Communities That Care data, which is a survey of 6th, 8th, 10th and 12th graders from across the state, has been released from the 2010-11 school year for Barton County. Some good news is reported in data. The average age of initiation of tobacco or marijuana use is slightly older than state average, starting at 13.29 for cigarette use, and 13.19 for alcohol use, and 14.16 for marijuana ...

St. John School to be torn down

HOISINGTON - Dubbed Hoisington's finest school by "The Catholic Advance" when it was built in 1930, St. John School will be torn down in October, marking the end of an era for Catholic students. The school had already closed to students in 1990 due to low enrollment.

Hoisington City Council meets

HOISINGTON - The Hoisington City Council met at its regular meeting on Monday night.

HMSI holds state-wide conference in Hoisington

HOISINGTON - Hoisington Main Street Inc. held a quarterly training session in Hoisington for the state-wide Main Street Inc. program with over 80 people from across the state in attendance last Thursday. On Friday, about 30 directors also attended the directors-only conference.

Hoisington celebrates 115th annual Labor Day

HOISINGTON - For 115 years and with the theme of "There's No Place Like Home," Hoisington will once again celebrate Labor Day weekend, Sept. 2-5 with a full round of activities. The city of Hoisington is also celebrating its 125th birthday.

Park has gone to the dogs

Friends of the four-footed variety cooled off, swam, played on the grass and chased balls at the 2nd annual Bark in the Water Park at the Great Bend Aquatic Center. With tails wagging and perked ears, their joy was evident with their day of sunbathing and swimming. The pool has already been closed to humans, but dogs were allowed prior to its draining. Organizer Mindy Hickel expected 140-150 dogs to show up ...

USD 112 teachers, administrators attend conference

HOLYROOD - USD 112 teachers and administrators attended the Jostens Renaissance conference in Anaheim, Calif. to inspire students and staff to build a positive school atmosphere, generate school pride and promote education and attendance during their break this summer.

Wichita TSA visits Hoisington to see progress on 9/11 Memorials

HOISINGTON - Made out of stainless steel and the I-beam from the World Trade Center, the 9/11 Memorials by B & B Metalarts were on display in Hoisington on Thursday.

Transportation Security Administration to visit Bitter studio

HOISINGTON - The studio of Hoisington metal artists Bruce and Brent Bitter will be a busy place today when a representative from the Transportation Security Administration will be present to highlight the progress on the World Trade Center memorials that will be displayed at various Kansas airports.

USD 112 to begin wind energy program

HOLYROOD - USD 112 Central Plains school district will begin a new wind energy program for their students to allow for education and some electrical generation.

Clyde trades bright lights of Calif. for a home on the prairie

With a barnyard full of animals, retired couple Billie and Robert Bonomo enjoy the quiet life in northern Barton County after having lived in many areas around the country.

‘Meet and greet’ meets in Great Bend

The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission met Thursday in Barton County, and area dignitaries joined with them in a "meet and greet" session over the noon hour.

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.