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 Council hears blighted property report

HOISINGTON - The Hoisington City Council heard a report this week on blighted properties from Don Doerschlag, the city's code enforcement officer.

More Claflin All-School Reunion news and updates

CLAFLIN - Former Claflin resident Phil Grosshardt has been named as the announcer for the parade for the upcoming All-School Reunion in Claflin on Memorial Day weekend. Entries for the parade will line-up at the baseball field at Claflin High School at noon on May 29, the day of the parade.

Rotary Club to hold athletic banquet

ELLINWOOD - A time-honored tradition in Ellinwood, the Rotary Club Athletic Banquet for high school athletes will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, May 13 at Ellinwood High School. Rotary Burgers will be served, and the cost is $5. It is open to the public.

Claflin to hold school reunion

CLAFLIN - "Once a Wildcat-Always a Wildcat" will be the theme as the city of Claflin holds an All-School Reunion on May 29 with a day filled with activities.

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.

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

What's with baby names these days?

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.