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 meets

ELLINWOOD - At its regular monthly meeting, the Ellinwood City Council held a public hearing on the 2012 budget and approved it.

Business considers moving to Hoisington and occupying the former Duckwall building

HOISINGTON - The Hoisington City Council heard good news last night when the Hoisington Community Development Corporation announced that they had a home and farm business considering opening a location in Hoisington in the old Duckwall store. It would create six new jobs for Hoisington.

Two for twins

Hoisington hopes to become E-Community

HOISINGTON - The City of Hoisington is applying to become designated as an E-Community. When a community becomes designated as an E-Community, their donors help them to create a $125,000 in 75% Entrepreneurship Tax Credits.

Donation scam targeting Kans for Kids

HOISINGTON -Kans for Kids Fighting Cancer Foundation reports that an unidentified male has, over the past two weeks, been making phone calls to individuals seeking donations for Kans for Kids.

Ellinwood City Council to meet

ELLINWOOD - The Ellinwood City Council will meet at 7 p.m. on Aug. 9 at the Ellinwood city offices.

Hoisington Briefs

Church holds VBS The first United Methodist Church, 467 W. 3rd St. will hold Vacation Bible School from 5:30- 8:30 p.m. on Aug. 1-5. It is for ages 2-10. The theme is Big Jungle Adventure, a Faith Journey with Jesus. Missionaries to speak Don and Florina Burns, international missionaries will speak at Hoisington Bible Chkurch, 501 E. 2nd St.The burns are currently serving in Puebla, Mexico. They will speak ...

Veg-out with vegetables class held

HOISINGTON - Barton County Extension Agent Donna Krug and Rena Barrett held a class in Hoisington on new ways to cook fresh vegetables.

City of Lorraine raises funds for new fire station

LORRAINE - There will be a hog feed and street dance starting at 6 p.m. on Aug. 6 in Lorraine on Main Street to raise money for a new fire station. The band will be "The Classics, and the cost is a free will donation.

Area post offices face possible closure

LORRAINE - The United States Post Office is considering possibly closing 3,653 offices, branches and stations including central Kansas locations such as Alden, Belpre, Burdett, Garfield, Lorraine, Olmitz, Paradise, Pawnee Rock and Sylvia .

HRC to hold play

HOISINGTON - The Hoisington Summer Recreation will bring live entertainment to the stage at 7 p.m. on Thursday at Hoisington High School auditorium with the play "The Lion Who Wouldn't" starring participants in the rec program.

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.

Ellinwood Food Bank has new hours

ELLINWOOD - The Ellinwood Food Bank has been around for 25 years, providing food to those who are in need. Karen Schmidt will now be in charge of the program, taking the reins from Lorraine Rickert. Schmidt has announced new hours for the Food Bank.