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

What's with baby names these days? Growing up, I had a last name that drew a lot of fun- at my expense. It rhymed with pickle. Throughout elementary school, I went from being Karen H to Karen Hickel pickle. It was made worse when I got to college when my last name went through another permutation and became hickey, for no good reason. True story. Then, I got a 1970 Impala that was painted grass ...

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.

USD 431 receives grant

HOISINGTON - Hoisington Middle School was notified that they have received a grant for $4,500 to promote and educate students about composting, and they plan to use waste from the lunchroom for that. Students will be trained in waste management with real life and career applications.

KDOT designs US Highway 56 replacement through Ellinwood

ELLINWOOD - The Kansas Department of Transportation has designed a reconstruction plan for U.S. Highway 56 through Ellinwood. This includes all new concrete pavement, curbs, gutter and work on the storm sewers, starting at Park Ave. and ending at SE 115 Ave.

Attorney General requests additional funding for lawsuits

Kansas Attorney General, Derek Schmidt, has requested an additional $1.2 million dollars from the state legislature to cover potential lawsuits over laws passed this year, according to the Associated Press and the Topeka Capital-Journal.

May 1 is prevent Teen Pregnancy Day

There is good news and bad news regarding teen pregnancy rates over the last two decades, and the good news is that the teen pregnancy rate in the U.S., which is the highest in the industrialized world has dropped over the last two decades.

Transitioning era: Students thinking of jobs, resumes

ELLINWOOD - Graduation from high school is major transition for students and signals the beginning of a new era of independence, increasing freedom, jobs and careers.

Council discusses developing own animal impound facility

HOISINGTON - The Hoisington City Council met at its regular meeting on Monday night and discussed at length developing its own pound as a cost saving measure.

Time for internet sales tax

Finally, Congress is considering an internet sales tax for items purchased online called the Marketplace Fairness Act. Traditional brick and mortar businesses must be breathing a sigh of relief.

Woodhaven offers restaurant-style dining

ELLINWOOD - Woodhaven Care Home has begun offering restaurant style dining to its residents and visitors.With a restaurant-style menu, residents can order a wide variety of fresh food all at a dining table with a dining cloth.

Live Like Jesus Today Ministries works in the U.S. and overseas

ELLINWOOD - About two years ago, Buzz Birney left his secure job at a major insurance company and took a leap of faith with his wife Clifann to begin a ministry called "Live Like Jesus Today Ministries."

New pastor at Immanuel UCC

ELLINWOOD - A new pastor has begun work at the Immanuel United Church of Christ in Ellinwood, Pastor Kasey Crosby, who has been in the city since January.

Life is a dangerous prospect

As a nation, we have watched the incident in Boston and been saddened by the loss of life and cruelty exhibited by some unselfish, uncaring individual or individuals.

Statue dedicated to Spangenberg

On a sunny day in a place that Alvena Spangenberg loved, a statue of a little bronze girl, Emily, was dedicated to the long-time teacher and principal in the butterfly garden at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center. Spangenberg passed away on Aug. 12, 2012.

Hoisington plot returned to native roots

HOISINGTON -With vision, a love for the outdoors and the peaceful, native Kansas prairie, Terry Nech of Hoisington will be restoring the Shop Creek Nature Area to its natural state. It is located in south Hoisington on Vine St.

Copper recycling

Copper recycling can be a good thing coming out of old air conditioning or plumbing during replacement. Copper is a non-renewable resource, and apparently recycled copper is worth nearly as much as new copper.

Hoisington City Council discusses animal control

HOISINGTON - The Hoisington City Council decided at its regular meeting last week to continue the animal control options the way they currently are. The city currently takes all stray animals to the Hoisington Veterinary Hospital. The council had looked at a proposal to take care of the animals by the city as a cost saving measure, but turned it down.

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.