Archive By Section - News
Myers walks out of meeting
After an often heated exchange between Great Bend City Council Member Randy Myers and several fellow council members over his alleged ethics violations, Myers stood up and walked out of the governing body's Monday night meeting.
GBFD roundup: Fire marshal investigates basement fire
An investigator from the Kansas State Fire Marshal's office was in Great Bend Monday to determine the cause of a fire Sunday afternoon at 2011 Jackson St. It was one of several fire calls over the weekend, Great Bend Fire Chief Mike Napolitano said. Firefighters received the report of a basement fire at 4:37 p.m., at the house owned by James and Krissy Jackson. The first truck arrived to find heavy smoke and fire coming ...
TOUTING TOURISM
It is fitting that Barton County celebrate Kansas Tourism Week this week, Great Bend Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Cris Collier told the County Commission Monday morning.
OF RISK AND REWARD
Three weeks ago, a fertilizer storage facility in West, Texas, not all that different from plants in many, small, rural communities, exploded. It killed 14 people, leveled much of the tiny town and rocked the nation.
CINCO DE MAYO
The weather did not exactly cooperate, but Joe Hernandez and his friends didn't let it interrupt their celebration.
Cooking up great soil
Gardeners may finally catch a break after unexpectedly cool weather last week. It's finally time to start digging and planting, and that means its the perfect time to think about soil health. For gardeners in Great Bend, the city provides plenty of rich dark compost free for the taking.
City of Great Bend cooking up great soil for local gardeners
Gardeners may finally catch a break after unexpectedly cool weather last week. It's finally time to start digging and planting, and that means its the perfect time to think about soil health. For gardeners in Great Bend, the city provides plenty of rich dark compost free for the taking.
Job Olympics celebrates abilities
Students from 13 schools demonstrated their life skills and vocational abilities Friday during the Job Olympics at Great Bend High School's Panther Activity Center. This competition, open to any special education student in Kansas, is sponsored by the Barton County Transition Council and the Special Services Cooperative. Events at tables throughout the arena mimicked real job situations and life skills, such as food preparation, office work or automotive checking. There was event a contest for ...
Refresher on health care highlights Chamber luncheon
Mike Minton with Benefit Management Inc. was the keynote speaker at the Great Bend Area Chamber of Commerce roundtable for human resources professionals Tuesday noon at The Page. He provided a refresher on the Health Care Reform and Affordable Care Act. While there were tips and updates for owners of large companies, only general advice could be offered for small business owners, as the federal government continues to grapple with a lot of unanswered questions, ...
Landmark Bergthal Mennonite Church closing its doors
PAWNEE ROCK - Bergthal Mennonite Church was built to last forever, or at least until the Lord returned. Settlers had first outgrown a little stone church near Dundee, and then a wooden church northeast of Pawnee Rock. A massive brick building, complete with a bell tower, replaced the wooden building in 1915.
Sheriff steps up patrols with new program
Sheriff Brian Bellendir said a new traffic safety program aims to reduce accidents, especially at problem areas. The first effort will take place between 7:30 and 9 a.m. Wednesday, May 8, on U.S. 281 from the Great Bend city limits to milepost 108. "As spring and summer approaches, there will be more traffic on central Kansas roads and highways," Bellendir noted. The Barton County Sheriff's Office is initiating this traffic safety program to help ensure ...
Cinco de Mayo Saturday
For Jose Hernandez, helping organize the 2013 Cinco dey Mayo celebration Saturday is about much more than throwing a party.
No injuries reported at rollover crash
Great Bend police responded to a rollover accident at the intersection of Morphy and 16th Street in Great Bend Thursday afternoon at about 3 p.m. A Pontiac Firebird was travelling southbound on Morphy street when it was struck by a Mercury Mountaineer heading westbound on 16th Street. According to Great Bend Police Lt. Bill Browne, the driver of the Mountaineer failed to yield right of way at the uncontrolled intersection. No injuries were reported ...
Rick Bealer donates Cougar statue in son’s name
Emotions eventually fizzle and memories gradually fade. In an effort to maintain some potency and longevity with these fleeting elements of human nature, Barton psychology instructor Rick Bealer has donated a cougar statue to the college "In loving memory of his son, Ryan J. Bealer," who passed away in 2011.
May 1 is prevent Teen Pregnancy Day
There is good news and bad news regarding teen pregnancy rates over the last two decades, and the good news is that the teen pregnancy rate in the U.S., which is the highest in the industrialized world has dropped over the last two decades.
Articles by Section - News
Two flee; child left in truck
A minor child was left in a truck with a loaded gun Monday night as two suspects fled from Barton County deputies.
Tornado-safe room building starts
Workers began pouring the foundation of the new Great Bend Middle School tornado safe room Tuesday morning, less than a day after the devastating F4 tornado that struck Moore, Okla., tore the roofs off two elementary schools, injuring many and killing nine confirmed at the time of this writing.
Bridge work completed
Work on the bridge north of the Club at StoneRidge has been completed and the road is open, according to the Barton County Engineers Office.
Claflin set to open Community/Fitness Center
CLAFLIN - Numerous volunteers have put their hands together and established a new Community/Fitness Center for the Claflin area. The project involved refurbishing the old Claflin Elementary School for the new purpose.
City Council: Dog laws need more teeth
Great Bend residents George and Zola Weber said they love living in this community. But now they live in fear of their neighbors' pit bulls and suggested to the City Council Monday night it ban such vicious dogs from inside the city limits.
Higher gas prices not likely to drop by weekend
Gasoline prices have risen dramatically in the past two weeks throughout much of the Midwest. While the price increases may ease off by June, but don't expect relief at the pump this Memorial Weekend, industry experts say. The American Automobile Association's online daily fuel gauge report and GasBuddy.com both showed the average price for a gallon of regular gas Monday in Kansas was $3.92. Just one week ago, the average price was $3.64, and it ...
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.
First Steps: Aging out of foster care
This is part one of a three part series focusing on youth aging out of foster care.
Gov. Brownback addresses BCC graduates
Gov. Sam Brownback congratulated students on achieving a major milestone Friday, during Barton Community College's 43rd commencement ceremony. A crowd filled the Physical Education Building, where the governor offered several pieces of advice to the graduates, starting with, "Always, always, always listen to your mother." He also encouraged them to be lifelong learners, people of integrity and pursuers of dreams. "The why of a good dream is because somebody else benefits," he said, encouraging them ...
Important new addition to museum collection
SRCA board member Butch Fry made an important donation to the Barton County Historical Society Museum Saturday afternoon. He presented his SRCA 1964 Record Holder jacket.
The day the sculptures rolled in
Whether it was dragsters, street rods, Mopars, or vintage cars that struck their fancy, visitors and exhibitors alike were drawn to the Second Annual Barton Historical Society Museum Rolling Sculpture car show Saturday afternoon, May 18.
TLC Twisters bring comfort to shelter dogs
The TLC Twisters 4-H club at TLC Discoveries built eight dog beds which they presented to the Golden Belt Humane Society last week. The beds, made of donated PVC pipe and nylon material, will provide a place for puppies and smaller dogs to relax off the cement floor. They are easily hosed off, and are quick drying, making them ideal for a kennel environment.
