​BCC trustees set to approve contracts

The Barton Community College Board of Trustees will approve contracts for head coaches, management staff and administrative personnel when it meets at 4 p.m. Wednesday in the Seminar Room, F-30 of the Fine Arts Building. There will also be an executive session for discussion of personnel.

Free fishing Saturday at Kanopolis State Park

KANOPOLIS - The public is invited to take part in a short nature hike and free fishing this Saturday at Kanopolis State Park. Meet at the Wildlife Viewing Area west of the office at 9 a.m. and follow the park naturalist on the trail. Bring a fishing pole for fishing in the ponds after the hike.

Virginia Manning

ELLINWOOD - Virginia Manning died May 20 at her home in Ellinwood. Services and survivors are pending with Kimple Funeral Home in Ellinwood.

​Driver leaves ER after arrest

After a one-vehicle accident at 6:26 a.m. Sunday at U.S. 56, milepost 211, the driver was arrested by the Barton County Sheriff's Office on suspicion of driving under the influence. At the jail he requested medical assistance for shoulder pain. At 9:27 a.m., a Great Bend Police Officer responded to a disturbance at the Great Bend Regional Hospital Emergency Room, and the BCSO was called to assist. The suspect was served a notice to appear ...

Colo. family injured on I-70

Several people from Colorado Springs, Colo., were injured at 6:10 p.m. Sunday in Russell County, when a Suburban pulling a camper-trailer attempted to pass a semi-trailer on Interstate 70, 1 mile east of Bunker Hill. Kansas Highway Patrol reports the vehicle became unstable as it passed the semi, entering the median. The driver over-corrected and the vehicle entered the ditch, rolling several times. The trailer broke free and landed upright, while the Suburban landed on its roof.

Fatality reported in Pratt County

A 2-year-old boy died Monday and others were injured in a one-vehicle accident in Pratt County. Kansas Highway Patrol reports the accident occurred at 10:18 a.m.. on K-61, 1.5 miles north of Preston.

Don’t trash it

June Jaunt is just over a week away. This event, which showcases communities from Tribune to Great Bend along K-96, is a chance for these towns to shine.

Continuing education classes to be offered

ELLINWOOD - Dr. Catherine Strecker of Educational Strategies, 17 N. Main, will offer four continuing education workshops on May 31. Two CEU credits will be offered for each session.

Bowling fun

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.

Martin “Marty” C. Smith 1954 - 2013

HOISINGTON - Martin "Marty" C. Smith, 58, passed away Sunday May 19, at KU Medical Center in Kansas City. Born October 7, 1954 in Denver, Colo., he was the son of Robert E. and Evelyn (Collins) Smith. On Jan. 16, 1998 he married Karen King in Springfield, Mo. Marty moved to Hoisington in 2008 coming from Lovington, New Mexico. He served his country in the United States Army and worked as a Heavy Equipment Operator until he was disabled.

These services are always needed

The last week in April may have been National Crime Victims Rights Week, but the needs of those impacted by crime continue even without any special recognition, Camila Komarek told the Barton County Commission Monday morning.

Although pricey, road sealing vital

When Dale Phillips first started working for Barton County, the oil used to seal the county's 380-plus miles of paved roads cost 15 cents per gallon. This year, it costs $2.50.

GBHS 2013 grads strive to “have a life worth living”

Great Bend High School principal Tim Friess welcomed family and friends to the graduation ceremony at Panther Stadium Sunday, where he announced the 206 graduates of the Class of 2013. The sun broke through clouds briefly late afternoon, making it possible for the ceremony to be held outside, despite the threat of impending thunderstorms.

Pawnee County Sheriff's Report

Friday, May 17

James named as NBA MVP for fourth time

MIAMI - LeBron James is the overwhelming choice as the NBA's Most Valuable Player. The Miami Heat star took 120 of 121 first-place votes in this year's balloting, giving him the award for the fourth time. Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant finished second and the New York Knicks' Carmelo Anthony was third. James' selection was not unanimous, despite plenty of suggestions from people around the league in recent weeks that he was worthy of that honor. ...

FFA officers installed at banquet

April Marriage and Divorce Filings

Marriage Licenses Jason Wayne Green, Pawnee Rock and Brandie Jo Bunch, Pawnee Rock Christopher Don Wikoff, Hoisington and Haley Elizabeth Parker, Hoisington David Wayne Schofield, Ellinwood and Lacey Ellen Bryan, Ellinwood Jose Pablo Canales, Great Bend and Sandra Yessenia Hernandez, Great Bend John Joseph Keener, Hoisington and Honey Lee Hemken, Hoisington Austin Gerald Smith, Great Bend and Sarah Jerree Ritter, Great Bend Cody Dillon Kelly, Great Bend and Jessica Ann Schenk, Great Bend Eduardo Valles, ...

GBMS band concert

The Great Bend Middle School Band Department will be having their spring band concerts on Thursday at the Great Bend Middle School gym. The 7th Grade Band the GBMS Jazz Ensemble concert will begin at 6:45 p.m. The 8th Grade Band and the GBMS Jazz Ensemble concert will begin at 8:15 p.m. The concerts are free and open to the public. The bands are directed by Kurtis Koch and assisted by Mark DeWald.

Donate blood now

Dear Editor, Thank you all for all the support this year and all who have donated so far to the American Red Cross and our lifesaving mission of collecting blood. With your help, we are able to spread the word about the need for blood and help give patients another chance at life. Your support has made a significant impact on the community and the blood supply. We cannot thank you enough for helping patients ...

Great Bend City Band summer season

The Great Bend City Band will begin rehearsals for their season beginning at 7:30 p.m. on May 28th at the Crest Theatre. Any instrumentalist who loves to play is welcome to participate in the band. Summer concerts will be given at the courthouse band shell and will begin Thursday, May 30th and every Thursday in June. A special big band swing concert will also be given at the band shell on Friday, June 28th. All ...

Volunteers in Action News

The "Check Out Hunger" food drive for the Community Food Bank of Barton County was a huge success. RSVP volunteers partnered with 6th grade students from Holy Family School, a local Brownie troop, and Barton County Youth Care manned tables at Dillon's on 10th Street and Walmart on Saturday, April 6th. Persons entering the stores received a handout about the Community Food Bank with a grocery list of needed items. The volunteers collected 1,749 lbs ...

Soil Stewardship Week

In 1955, the National association of Conservation Districts began a national program to encourage Americans to focus on stewardship. Stewardship Week is officially celebrated from the last Sunday in April to the first Sunday in May. It is one of the world's largest conservation-related observances.

Desk and Derrick presents check

The Desk and Derrick Club of Barton County recently donated $100 to the Great Bend Military Moms, to help with the costs of sending care packages to deployed military personnel. The Great Bend Military Moms have sent more than 4,300 care packages, to those serving so far away from home, and are getting ready for the next shipment. If you know of anyone currently deployed, get their military address to Leslie Barrett, 620-792-2838, as soon ...

Local educator awarded statewide grant

Mr. Stan Ewy, a teacher at Otis-Bison Elementary School in USD 403, was recently awarded a classroom grant by the Kansas Association of American Educators (KANAAE), a non-union professional educators association serving Kansas teachers. Mr. Ewy will use the funds to purchase an educational nutrition program for his physical education classes.

Chlumsky Hall of Fame Inductee

On January 26, Nathan Chlumsky of Larned was inducted into Action Martial Arts Magazine's Hall of Honors 2013 as an "Ambassador of Goodwill to the Martial Arts" in the category of "Excellence in Teaching Martial Arts."

Keeley - Birt

Mike and Jan Keeley of Great Bend announce the engagement of their daughter, Christy Diane to Mitchell Birt, son of Randall and Christine Birt of Omaha, Neb. Grandparents of the bride-elect are Bill and Pat Schartz of Larned and the late Terry and Barbara Keeley.

Koelsch - Ramsey baby girl

Josh Koelsch and Meredith Ramsey announce the birth of their daughter, Lennon Ramsey Koelsch, on March 23. She weighed 8 lbs. 1 oz. and was 21 in. long.

Wetzel — Hafner

Bill and Joni Hafner of Prairie Village announce the engagement of their son, Joshua Hafner, to Heidi Wetzel, daughter of Mark and Rita Wetzel of Roeland Park.

CINCO DE MAYO

The weather did not exactly cooperate, but Joe Hernandez and his friends didn't let it interrupt their celebration.