Dreams come true CKDC a plus for county

The Central KS Dream Center is, well, a dream come true for those in the county who the people caught in the cycle of poverty, abuse, and homelessness that need extensive help but that help is unavailable in many situations.

Second graders flock to KWEC for education day

Four hundred second graders from throughout Barton County, the largest amount ever, flocked to the Kansas Wetlands Education Center on Wednesday to learn about the wetlands in their own backyard on a warm sunny fall day.

New Dream Center opens for residents to change destructive cycle

For those overcoming life-controlling relationship addictions and other destructive cycles, help may be hard to come by. The new Central KS Dream Center in Great Bend opened in August to fill that gap.

Bressler resigns as Hoisington chamber administrator

HOISINGTON - Stacey Bressler, who has worked the last 26 years as the Hoisington Chamber of Commerce executive vice-president, has submitted her resignation to the board of directors.

Music All-Star

Lease approved for golf range

HOISINGTON - At its meeting on Monday, the Hoisington City Council approved a lease with "The Long Drive" driving range for property located south of the city. It will be owned by Mark and Kristi Lovett.

Suicide Prevention Task Force to hold walk/run/bike fundraiser

The Suicide Prevention Task Force, a sub-committee of the Central Kansas Partnership, will hold a Walk/Run/Bike Fundraiser on Sept. 28 to create awareness and raise funds for education and community awareness.

The story of Ryan Bealer

Yesterday, several families in America lost a young adult child to suicide. Today, several more families will lose a young adult child to suicide. And tomorrow, several more families will lose a young adult child to suicide. Mental health professionals and families would like these deaths to drop to zero. Ryan Bealer was a 21-year-old man who, from the outside, looked to have a bright future. Intelligent, from a good family, hard working, and was ...

iPads rolled out to second grade in Otis-Bison

OTIS - USD 403 Otis-Bison School District rolled out its iPad initiative for the second grade classroom this Thursday as a part of the continuing move towards the use of technology. Each student received an iPad Mini for use in the classroom. The iPad Mini is a tablet that has a smaller screen size as compared to a regular iPad tablet.

Bedtimes books a plus

Recent studies indicate that parents are reading to children less and less with video games taking its place.

Heartland ferments local band Homebrew

HOISINGTON - Offering great music and a good party, home grown boys Kyle Jeffrey, vocalist, Cody Cale, lead guitar , Ryan Hammeke and Aaron Hammeke, drums sing to the beat of their own drum at area musical events. The group played at every major event in the county this summer.

USD 355 enrollment up; solicits bids

SD 355 Board of Education met at its regular meeting on Monday with a large number of items on the agenda.

Playing games

Ellinwood Library Foundation plans new award for educator

ELLINWOOD - As an award for excellence, the Ellinwood Public Education and Library Foundation will choose an "Educator of the Year" and award a stipend of $3,000 to the teacher, beginning in the spring in 2014.

Kimple Furniture doors to close; funeral service to continue

A tradition in Ellinwood, Kimple Furniture will close its doors one final time later this year when Richard and Linda Kimple retire.

Pathways to Progress reading program results in early readers

ELLINWOOD - At one time, kindergarten was a place where students learned social skills, to sit still, and even to take a nap during their half day of school. No more.

USD 431 board hears plans for K-6 after school program

HOISINGTON - At its regular meeting on Monday, the USD 431 heard a report from board member Deb Stephens on a new K-6 after school program which, she said, "is a desperate need in the community." It would be held at the Hoisington United Methodist Church on school evenings until 6:30 p.m.

Check It Out!

There are new audio books at the Ellinwood School/Community Library. They are:

Internet sales tax

The U.S. Supreme court refused Monday to hear a case by Amazon and Overstock.com challenging the state of New York's ability to collect sales tax on items sold online. Good for them - and especially to do so on Cyber Monday.

Dream Center plans to open floor for former foster care kids

The Central Kansas Dream Center continues offering help and hope to those hurting people who have fallen through the cracks of the system. And with that thought in mind plans have begun for a unit for young adults aging out of foster care, called the Dream Center Living Youth.

Community celebrates birth of the Christ child

ELLINWOOD - Decorated Christmas trees, German food, a living nativity, and shopping galore all marked Ellinwood's first ever Christkindlmarket on Sunday.

Fall fun

Thanksgiving Holiday time to say thanks

Thanksgiving Holiday is traditionally a time to give thanks for bountiful blessings, food and family.

Central Plains students receive awards for essays

BUSHTON - Central Plains Middle School students recently wrote an essay on "What Patriotism Means to Me?" as part of the Veterans of Foreign Wars' Patriots Pen essay contest.