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.

Safety Day

USD 431 to add pole vaulting event

HOISINGTON - At the school board meeting this week, USD 431 approved pole vaulting as a new sport for track next year. The sport will be funded by a private donation of $18,000.

Area students learn all about safety

Area fourth and fifth graders braved the wind on Wednesday to spend some time learning about safety at Veteran's Park. With over 20 safety stations and demonstrations, students from three counties attended the event.

Efforts continue to reduce Barton County teen pregnancy rate

Wednesday is the National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Day, and Barton County rates released from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment for 2009 shows work still needs to be done. "Sex has consequences" is the message this year from the National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy.

Birders flock to Bottoms, QNWR

Birders from all four corners of the country – including Connecticut, California, Michigan and New Mexico – flocked to Barton County this past weekend to enjoy all of the bird watching available during the spring migration at Cheyenne Bottoms and Quivira National Wildlife Refuge.

Swinging Stars dosado

The Hoisington Swinging Stars grab their partners, sashay, bend the line, and promenade to music a couple of times per month, except during summer, to have fun, get exercise, and make friends.

Last day to sign up for summer ball is April 29

ELLINWOOD - The last day to sign up for summer ball with the Ellinwood Recreation Department is April 29.

Council makes Arbor Day and Fair Housing Month Proclamation

HOISINGTON - In an effort to become once again a designated Tree City, the Hoisington City Council voted on Monday to start the process by making an Arbor Day Proclamation.

Hoisington holds Honor Banquet

HOISINGTON - USD 431 Superintendent Bill Lowry opened the district's honors banquet awards ceremony by saying that he was very proud of the students and their accomplishments. Nineteen students were recognized for having a grade point average of 3.5 or above.

Hoisington to host Mud Run

HOISINGTON - Engines will once again roar as adults try their hands at running a truck through the mud at the second annual Mud Run at 1 p.m. on May 14 in Hoisington in conjunction with the Kansas Mud Racing Organization. The cost is $10 with children 12 and under free. There will be concessions and a beer garden.

Birthdays and anniversaries

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