BAK riders enjoy a brief respite in Hoisington

HOISINGTON - Some 800 bicyclists rode into Hoisington on Tuesday on their journey with Biking Across Kansas.

BAK

Blackwell to receive stem cell transplant

HOISINGTON - Hoisington Middle School student Tanner Blackwell was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in 2010, has undergone chemotherapy treatment and will undergo a stem cell transplant this month in Houston.

Hoisington EMS receives grant to purchase Zoll E Defibrillator

HOISINGTON - Hoisington Emergency Medical Services has received a grant for $34,805 to purchase a new Zoll E Defibrillator.

Claflin celebrates Memorial Day, Ambulance Service

CLALFIN - On a windy Memorial Day, Claflin residents and former Claflin residents were present at the Claflin Cemetery to commemorate those who died in military service and, in a separate ceremony, the beginning of the Claflin Ambulance Service.

Hoisington trolley service in need of volunteers

HOISINGTON - A valuable service to Hoisington residents is the trolley service which is provided by volunteers. For only 25 cents, residents can ride the trolley anywhere within a mile of the city limits of Hoisington.

Tornado destroys property; leaves the spirit intact

BARTON COUNTY - When her husband didn't answer his cell phone on Tuesday evening, Teresa Cass became worried and hurried home as soon as she could from her job in Great Bend. Little did she know that her husband, Chuck, was hunkered down between two refrigerators while taking a direct hit from a tornado and unable to answer his phone.

USD 355 builds bus barn

ELLINWOOD - USD 355 Ellinwood Board of Education has purchased property, 901 E. Santa Fe, in Ellinwood to begin building a bus barn. The property was purchased from the City of Ellinwood for $15,000 and dirt work is done, the BOE heard at its regular meeting.

Steeple work

Asst. Sec. of Parks and Tourism visits Great Bend

BARTON COUNTY - Assistant Secretary of Parks and Tourism Linda Craighead was in town last week and met with 20 local leaders from the Economic Development Committee, National Byway Committee, Kansas Wetlands Education Center, Great Bend Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Friends of Cheyenne Bottoms and other community leaders. Members of the committees live throughout the area.

‘Landmark of the Plains’ to be restored

BARTON COUNTY - Long-viewed as the 'Landmark of the Plains,' Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church north of Ellinwood was seriously damaged in May 2007 when the steeple collapsed during a tornado. Standing firm for over a 100 years, the church was a center of activity during most of the twentieth century, where those seeking solace in times of trouble and those celebrating the good times could both find a place of rest.

Job Fair attracts large crowd

The local Job Fair, held Thursday at the Best Western Courtyard, attracted about 300 job-seekers and 24 local businesses, and was called a success by all who attended.

HHS FCCLA to travel to California

HOISINGTON - Members of the Hoisington High School Family, Career and Community Leaders of America Chapter will be traveling to the national meeting in Anaheim, Calif. on July 9-14. Those attending will be Drew Reisner, Kayla Reisner and Rondi Denning along with advisor Karla Reisner.

Claflin to remember 50 years of ambulance service

CLAFLIN - When a tragedy unfolded 50 years ago on Memorial Day in Claflin, out of the sadness came a determination for the community to begin an ambulance service.

City hears good audit report

ELLINWOOD - The City of Ellinwood heard a good audit report for 2010 at its regular monthly meeting. Amber Littler from Adams, Brown Beran and Ball praised the city on the organization of the books.

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.