Local teen collects war memorabilita

ELLINWOOD - A sophomore at Ellinwood High School, Forrest Williams and his friend Collin Werhahn have an unusual hobby for boys of that age-they collect war memorabilia.

Hoisington trolley in need of drivers

HOISINGTON - The city of Hoisington will soon be receiving a new 20 passenger trolley, but they need volunteer drivers during the weekdays to take people to doctor's appointments, grocery shopping and to the bank.

Adopt-A-Dog If affordable for the family

A new program has begun to encourage local families to Adopt-A-Dog. It's a great program.

Hoisington VFW to close

HOISINGTON - The Hoisington Veterans of Foreign War Hall, 256 S. Main, closed after its last event on New Years Eve.

Hoisington woman injured in vehicle crash

BARTON COUNTY - About two miles east of Great Bend in the 300 block of East Barton County Rd., Dianna L. Werick of Hoisington was eastbound at 8:40 a.m. on Saturday. She lost control of the vehicle and it left the roadway, went through the south ditch and struck a tree, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol Crash Log.

EDH to raise funds for telemetry unit

ELLINWOOD - The Ellinwood Area Health Foundation newest project is to provide a wireless telemetry system for cardiac patients at the hospital. The amount needed to complete the project is $15,000-$16,000. Donations are tax deductible.

City to hire part time EMS workers

HOISINGTON - The Hoisington City Council, at its regular meeting moved to Dec. 26, agreed to hire three part-time Emergency Medical Services workers. They will be given a list of job duties which will include keeping the facilities and equipment restocked and clean.

New pastors take over Living Joy Community Church

HOISINGTON -New Pastors Steve and Jennifer Hopkins moved to Hoisington last August and have begun ministering at Living Joy Community Church, 354 W. 1st. They have taken over the position from Dale and Cheryl Curtis, who are preparing for retirement.

Gun control is a matter of common sense

Part of the lethality of a gun is determined by the person behind it. However, the rules governing gun control are too loose and new legislation, screening and registration are needed.

Adopt-A-Dog program to begin

A new Adopt-A-Dog program has begun in Great Bend to help lost or unadopted dogs to find their forever home. Volunteer RaShann Southard and the Golden Belt Humane Society will take adoptable dogs to the Orschselen Farm and Home store, 5320 10th St., for viewing once a month with dates and times to be announced, beginning in February.

Animal favorites decorated BCC Christmas tree

ELLINWOOD - Using real looking paper mache masks, Ellinwood Grade School fifth graders used the opportunity to decorate their annual Barton Community College Christmas tree with paper mache masks of a wide variety of animals including the cute, cuddly panda bear, a dog and a bat.

Hoisington Utility Task Force meets

HOISINGTON - The Hoisington Utility Task Force met on Tuesday and reviewed the findings of Sawvel and Assoc. Inc., the engineering firm hired to look into the electric utility and find savings if possible.

Cookies and cutting

ELLINWOOD - Ellinwood Grade School fourth graders learned practical measurement skills to supplement in-the-classroom learning on Tuesday, spending the day at Ellinwood High School using the student kitchens and wood lab.

All aboard the Polar Express!

HOISINGTON - The steam whistles sounds, the conductor hollers, "All aboard" and students from second grade at Roosevelt Elementary School quickly walk to board the imaginary Polar Express Train which annually passes through Hoisington close to Christmas time.

Ellinwood Commission on Aging acquires new van

ELLINWOOD - The Ellinwood Commission on Aging has a new used minivan which will be used to transport seniors and others who need a ride in Ellinwood.

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.