Archive By Section - News
High-speed police pursuit ends in fatal crash
A rural Great Bend man died Saturday morning after a police pursuit ended in a head-on collision with a semi-trailer. Kansas Highway Patrol reports Ryan L. Byers, 21, died at the scene in Rice County. The semi was driven by Scott D. Zwick, 51, of Lyons, who was taken to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita. A spokesman for the hospital said records show a 51-year-old man from Lyons was treated ...
Great Bend Airport not among those targeted
There were some tense moments at the Great Bend Municipal Airport over the past couple weeks as the partial shutdown of the Federal Aviation Administration threatened jobs and funding to some smaller airports.
Veteran memorial considered by county Monday
Plans for a county effort to honor local military veterans will be discussed when the Barton County Commission meets at 9 a.m. Monday in the courthouse.
Rescued cougar may be coming to zoo
An 11-year-old cougar that was rescued from the exotic pet trade years ago is headed to a new life. But before "Phoenix" is released to an exotic animal lodge in Texas, the cougar could spend up to a year at the Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo. Pending final paperwork, the cougar will be sent to Great Bend next month, Zoo Director Scott Gregory said. It will need some "down time" away ...
Shafer Gallery embraces steampunk
The Old West has a new look in pop culture, which is why the director of Barton Community College's Shafer Gallery gave college trustees a crash course Thursday in steampunk. Steampunk is a sub-culture of science fiction in the tradition of author Jules Verne; stories are set in an era such as the late 19th Century where steam power is still widely used, but featuring futuristic technology such as ...
College approves budget, discusses personnel
Barton Community College trustees allowed 30 minutes Thursday for the public to comment on its proposed budget but, as usual, no one showed up. At the conclusion of the budget hearing, the board approved the budget that was published in the July 24 edition of the Great Bend Tribune as a legal notice. The budget calls for an estimated tax rate of 32.307 mills, which is exactly 0.5 ...
Building for tomorrow
SPECIAL TO THE TRIBUNE - Terri Hurley For the last three months Holyrood residents have watched with interest as the skyline of the town has slowly changed. The change came as the Holyrood Branch of the Ellsworth Co-Op built a 104 foot high storage unit that will double the site's grain storage capacity. According Holyrood Co-Op branch manager Jeremy Kootz, "We are not building for today but for tomorrow. We are looking toward the future ...
Council approves school and grant projects
Local school officials will be able to move ahead in providing additional parking at a busy elementary school, city officials decided this week.
United Way to launch drive
This marks the second year and second campaign for the newly renamed United Way of Central Kansas. The annual drive to raise funds for charities begins Sept. 1.
Zoo News: Zoo animals treated to misting stations
Animals at the Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo have a new way to beat the heat. This week the staff is adding misting systems to all of the exhibits.
Hoisington teen dies in two-vehicle collision
The Barton County Sheriff's Office is investigating a head-on collision that claimed the life of a Hoisington teenager, Wednesday on U.S. 281 near the 4-H Building. Tyler James Wilson, 19, was transported to Clara Barton Hospital by ambulance and was later pronounced dead, due to injuries suffered in the crash. According to the Barton County Sheriff's Office, Wilson was traveling north in the 1993 Acura at 9:55 a.m. For unknown ...
Fire cause under investigation
Signs of criminal damage were evident at the scene of a Wednesday morning house fire at 15 Chisholm Trail, on the southeast side of Great Bend.
Looks like a ‘grand slam’
City officials report that work is progressing at the city's baseball complex on south McKinley and the work should be done soon.
Victims airlifted to hospital in Wichtia
A three-vehicle accident occurred at the intersection of 24th and Washington streets Tuesday. Two accident victims were airlifted to Wichita's Via-Christi Hospital following the accident. Great Bend police report an apparent medical condition by a driver triggered the accident at 2:25 p.m. Tuesday.
BCC ready to welcome parents, students
Barton Community College staff are gearing up for the fall semester, starting with one last early enrollment session at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Learning Resource Center. These programs, which were offered every Wednesday in July, provide a one-stop service that includes more than enrolling in classes, said Beth Keeley in the Admissions Office. "It's really for new students coming in," she said. They can meet with their advisers, take ...
Articles by Section - News
BCSO participating in 'Click It or Ticket'
Barton County Sheriff's officers are emphasizing seat belt laws by participating in the Click It or Ticket program. For the week prior to Memorial Day, and continuing until June 2, drivers can expect to see more BCSO deputies on the highways, aggressively enforcing "Kansas Occupant Restraint" laws and other traffic statutes. Click It or Ticket is sponsored by the Kansas Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Sheriff Brian Bellendir said his ...
Two Barton coaching contracts 'pending'
Nine head coaching contracts were renewed Wednesday when the Barton Community College Board of Trustees met, but the contracts of two head coaches are "pending final review." The board discussed personnel matters behind closed doors for nearly an hour before voting on head coach contracts, administrative contracts and contracts for managerial staff. Barton President Dr. Carl Heilman said there were no changes in head coaches, but the board did not approve a contract for a ...
Bridge work to cause traffic delays
Orange cones and construction crews are already in place on the U.S. 281 bridge just north of the Great Bend city limits as the Kansas Department of Transportation begins to replace the span, a project that could take until next spring.
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 ...
