HPD to add Tasers

HOISINGTON - The Hoisington Police Department will add Tasers for police officers, the Hoisington City Council heard at its regular meeting.

Local officers Hanzlik and Kirkland play integral role in deer poaching convictions

HOISINGTON - Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks game wardens Brian Hanzlik of Hoisington and Phil Kirkland based out of Stafford County played an integral role in the investigation of James and Marlin Butler, two men recently convicted in a deer poaching scheme.

Hoisington 4-H Jets preparing for fair

HOISINGTON - The Hoisington 4-H Jets have worked hard getting projects ready and learning new skills for the Barton County Fair on July 6-10. The group showed their work at the Hoisington Chamber of Commerce coffee on Thursday.

EDH usage rates increasing

ELLINWOOD - At its meeting this week, the Ellinwood District Hospital Board of Directors heard that usage of the facility and clinic is going up.

Hoisington artist to create airport metal art

HOISINGTON - Intricate, unique and delicate metalwork is the hallmark of Hoisington artist Bruce Bitter. For this reason, the Transportation Security Administration approached Bitter earlier this year to craft a 9/11 Memorial for Kansas airports using a steel I-beam from the World Trade Center.

USD 355 to slightly increase lunch fees

ELLINWOOD - The USD 355 Board of Education will slightly increase the cost to eat meals for the 2011-12 school year. All meal prices went up five cents. The meal fees are: breakfast (K-6) $1.15, (7-12) $1.55, (adult) $1.55; lunch, (K-6) $1.90, (7-12) $2.15, (adult) $3.15, and extra milk (K-12) 40 cents; Other fees are: book rental (K-6) $50, activity fee and books (7-12) $75; athletic fees (middle school) $20 ...

End of an era

HMSI to hold get out of jail fundraiser

HOISINGTON - No, not real ones. Local Hoisington dignitaries will be locked-in jail as part of a fundraising event for Hoisington Main Street Inc. from 10 a.m. to noon on June 27, and the "jail" complete with bars is being constructed. The jail will be located on Main Street in front of HMSI.

City of Ellinwood to have fireworks show on July 3

ELLINWOOD - At its meeting this week, the Ellinwood City Council approved the annual city fireworks show for July 3. Private fireworks can be shot on July 4 only. The show will honor long-time resident Jerry Menges.

Gene Roberson 1936 - 2011

WICHITA - Gene Roberson, 74, passed away on June 16 surrounded by his family at St. Francis Hospital. He was born on June 17, 1936 in Great Bend. After serving in the United States Army, he spent his career as a sales representative of wholesale steel products until his retirement.

Service award

Seamstresses make blankets to keep babies safe

BARTON COUNTY - Sewing gifts of caring, area seamstresses have been making baby blankets on a volunteer basis for infants born in Great Bend.

City to allow fireworks on Sunday, July 3

HOISINGTON - The Hoisington City Council voted Monday night to allow fireworks on July 3, 2011 from 1-11 p.m. for this year only. The shut-down times will be enforced.

Parenting times three

CLAFLIN - In the last graduating class from Claflin High School, the Maier trio has graduated and are preparing to go into the world of college and work.

Seamstresses make blankets to keep babies safe

BARTON COUNTY - Sewing gifts of caring, area seamstresses have been making baby blankets on a volunteer basis for babies born in Great Bend.

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.