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.

USD 431 names new school board member

HOISINGTON - After the April election, the Hoisington School Board had one open position. By a vote of 4-0, Don Fisher was voted in for the open position by the school board at its meeting this week. His term is a two-year term.

Step into the dark recesses of the mind

ELLINWOOD - Step into the deeper, darker reaches of the mind at the "Fine Wine , Good Friends and a Wicked Murder" at 6 p.m. on May 31 in Ellinwood at Lone Wolf Restuarant, the event opening the weekend for the 2nd annual June Jaunt. The cost of a ticket is $20 and only 50 will be sold and are available from the Ellinwood Chamber of Commerce.

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