Archive By Section - News
Gas inflation could spread to other prices, too
Despite the suggestion earlier this year that the nation was not facing serious inflation, if it seems like the price of fuel has been on the rise in recent months, that is because it has been. And national sources are acknowledging what drivers have been seeing for months now - that the nation is, indeed facing fuel inflation, which is undoubtedly going to translate into higher prices across the board.
It’s hot, it’s cold, it can’t make up its mind
(EDITOR'S NOTE: This is one in a series of reminders about emergency preparedness.) It's spring, it's summer, wait a minute, it's winter again ... What is clear is that we have entered that time of the year when weather can hit almost any extreme imaginable. In the past couple of weeks, this area has gone from near record cold and blizzards, to record highs, that really did feel more like early summer than spring. and ...
Local projects are moving forward
March 16 has been set for the next public input session to discuss proposed changes to the intersection of Broadway and Harrison, it was announced at the Great Bend City Council meeting Monday night.
'Building for the Future'
Members of the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce celebrated its successes at its 89th annual meeting and banquet Saturday, but also with a vision for the future by developing moderately priced housing.
Wally Straub posthumously awarded ‘Citizen of the Year’ by Great Bend Chamber of Commerce
Nearly a month after his death, at the age of 79, Wally Straub is being honored for a lifetime of community support and involvement. The lifetime area resident earned the award of "Citizen of the Year" posthumously during the 89th-annual Great Bend Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Banquet held Saturday night at the Highland Convention Center, Great Bend. The Straub family accepted the award on Wally's behalf.
Kustom Floor Designs Inc. chosen as ‘Business of the Year’ by Great Bend Chamber of Commerce
Thirty-two years ago this month, Mark Bitter partnered and began a home-building business in a tiny shop north of Great Bend. Today, that former home-building business has evolved into a one-stop location for home décor sales and service, providing 6,000 square-feet of showroom space and servicing customers across half the state.
BCC trustee weighs in on Warren firing
At a Barton Community College Board of Trustees meeting on Friday, trustee Don Learned spoke out against the sudden termination of longtime danceline/cheerleading coach Debbie Warren, who was fired by President Dr. Carl Heilman in December. Learned also criticized the board's system of management, saying, "Under Policy Governance®, of course, we trustees really have little input on the operation of the college. "I think many individuals in Barton County would be ...
CKMC emergency services will remain the same
If there is one thing Linda Farthing could shout from the rooftops, it would be this: Emergency services will remain the same when Central Kansas Medical Center's name changes to St. Rose Ambulatory & Surgery Center in May. As CKMC's chief nursing officer, Farthing wants to reassure the community that emergency physicians and specially trained nurses will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week ...
Service to others
It was all about service to youth and community at the Great Bend High School Hall of Fame luncheon Friday afternoon.
Don’t bet on winter being over, yet
(EDITOR'S NOTE: This is one in a series of reminders about emergency preparedness.) It may seem like spring out there, and certainly the days are getting longer, but weather experts warn that it's still early enough in the year that we could see conditions swing back to dangerously cold just as quickly as they have gotten warm. In fact one of the agricultural concerns now is that plants will begin to respond to the warmth, ...
County clerk helps with state refunds
Local residents who are able to file homestead or food sales refunds have less than a month left to do that, according to information from County Clerk Donna Zimmerman.
A PENNY PORTRAIT
For Great Bend High School Special Education Teacher Teresa Frieb, the toss of a coin always turns up heads, at least when Lincoln-head pennies are involved.
New scouting adventure group to form
For teens who like to grab their boots and climb mountains, or paddle a raft through whitewater, a new scouting troop, Venture Crew 157, for youth ages 14 through 20, will soon be starting. In addition, other scouting activities have been reactivated.
Female lion dies at Brit Spaugh Zoo
A 14-year-old female lion at Brit Spaugh Zoo died Monday. "Dakura" did not wake up after being anesthetized for her annual physical exam. She died around 12:30 p.m. Zoo Director Scott Gregory said staff had recently noticed the lion was lethargic and seemed to be having health issues. They had hoped to learn more after the exam. Instead, the medical team performed a necropsy to diagnose the cause of death, and ...
Suspected meth lab raided
The Barton County Sheriff's Office raided a suspected meth lab Tuesday morning in Pawnee Rock. A search warrant was executed at 674 SW 110 Ave. around 8:45 a.m. Twelve officers joined the search, and an ambulance was called to stand by. No one was injured, however, Undersheriff Larry Holliday reported. Three people were arrested at the scene. Officers found glassware, chemicals and other items consistent with the manufacturing ...
Articles by Section - News
Mom, son walk across Kansas for a cause
A mother and son walking across Kansas find plenty of ways to pass the time between towns. There are friendly people to meet and historic markers to read, amazing sunrises/sunsets, and an occasional game of "tumbleweed toss" – where walking sticks are used like hockey sticks to pass tumbleweeds back and forth.
Wetlands Aquatic Center opens for summer
Great Bend's Wetland's Aquatic Center opened Saturday, making a splash as usual. "Everything is up and working," said Aquatic Director Paige Achatz. Weather permitting, the pool is open from 12:30-5:30 p.m. daily. Starting next week, on June 4, the pool will also be open for family nights from 7-9 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Achatz noted there will be no family nights this week because it is still a little too cold, and because she ...
Sequester resulting in preliminary Title 1 cuts for area schools
BARTON COUNTY - Congressional gridlock over the U.S. budget is trickling down to Barton County with the automatic spending cuts that went into effect March 1, called the sequester.
Wetlands Aquatic Center at Great Bend photos
Great Bend's Wetlands Aquatic Center opened for the summer on Saturday. Here are some photos taken in the afternoon.
Garden tour replanted
After a one-year hiatus, the once annual Gardens Galore garden tour will return Sunday, June 2. Only now, it is a project of the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce Beautification Committee. It had been sponsored by the local Soroptimist International, but it has since disbanded.
Great Bend prepares to honor vets
The Great Bend Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 3111 is organizing the Great Bend Memorial Day service this year. It is set for 10 a.m. Monday at the Veterans Circle, Great Bend Municipal Cemetery
Perfect attendance pays off
Perfect attendance is a rare accomplishment for most students. It takes planning and preparation, with illnesses and bad weather to contend with from time to time, to make it in to school every day on time. But for those who achieve it, it's nice to be recognized for the effort. Dale Shaner wanted to do that for USD 428 students. He had an idea, and after sharing it with his wife, Karen, and some friends, the group put the idea into action.
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.
