Hoisington to begin new single stream trash recycling April 15

HOISINTON - At a well-attended Chamber of Commerce coffee, Stutzman Refuse Disposal hosted the event, showing the automated trash truck, the new polycarts, and having a ribbon cutting.

Abortion bill victimizes victims

Twelve-year-old girls are generally greatly interested in their hair, who's popular and who's not, and are embarrassed to be seen in public with their parents.

Council allows for student fundraising through address painting

Two Hoisington High School students, Hannah Wilborn and Lexi Stephens were present at the Hoisington City Council meeting held recently to ask permission to paint Cardinal faces on driveways and addresses on curbs to raise money for a spring break school trip to the east coast. They will use industrial grade concrete paint. This was approved by the council.

Bellendir, Cates host Ellinwood Chamber coffee

ELLINWOOD - Barton County Commissioner Don Cates and Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir hosted the Ellinwood Chamber of Commerce last Friday held at Ellinwood District Hospital.

Walmart evacuates after bomb threat

At about 4 p.m. Saturday afternoon, the local Walmart received a call that four bombs had been placed in the store. Employees and customers were told to leave the store immediately.

National Guard open house introduces area to military life

At its first ever open house, the Army National Guard units based at the Great Bend Expo Complex showed military equipment, building facilities and held some fun activities for children. The facility in Great Bend shares two units, an artillery-radar unit, and a transportation unit for large trucks.

USD 431 holds Honor Banquet

HOISINGTON - Fifteen Hoisington High School seniors were recognized last week for their achievements academically throughout high school. The Honor Banquet is reserved for those students who have maintained a grade point average of 3.5 or greater on a 4.0 scale for seven consecutive semesters.

Hoisington City Council unanimously approves new trash service providing single stream recycling

HOISINGTON - The Hoisington City Council unanimously approved a service agreement with Stutzman Refuse Disposal Inc. out of south Hutchinson to provide solid waste and recycling services for the community. The agreement will start April 15.

USD 355 to allow 6th graders to play junior high basketball next year only

ELLINWOOD - The USD 355 school board meeting met at its regular meeting on Monday night with four members present and three absent. Those absent included Doll, Billinger and Schlessiger.

Local piano students receive I ratings at state

BARTON COUNTY - Several students from around the county received a I for their piano performances at the state competition at Tabor College, Hillsboro in February. Those students were Melanie Maneth from Great Bend, Hannah Wilborn from Hoisington and Kaylyn Oberle from USD 112.

Restaurant charges fee for restroom use

Recently a restaurant in Tennessee charged a woman to use the restroom who was not a customer. An employee as The Flood Zone in Erin, Tenn. was asked by Patricia Barnes if she could use the facilities.

Sweanys prepare for mission to Africa

Eli and Margaret Sweany will this week board an airplane for the long flight to Senegal, Africa, where they will take jobs as house parents in a school for the children of missionaries.

Ellinwood native to show art

With a eye towards the surreal and with the deep roots of faith, Ellinwood native Todd Fox will exhibit his artwork of the Passion of Christ at the Barton Community College Schafer Gallery from March 6- 29. On March 7, there will be a reception from 6-8 p.m. at the gallery.

Dr. Seuss Day

Woolf resigns as Superintendent

HOLYROOD - USD 112 Superintendent Steve Woolf has submitted his resignation to the USD 112 Board of Education effective at the end of his contract, which at the end of June.

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.