Archive By Section - News
College to host 'Dancing with the Barton Stars'
Local stars will shine when Barton Community College uses a friendly dance competition to propel plans to renovate its 40-year-old Fine Arts Auditorium. Ten community members have signed on for "Dancing with the Barton Stars," to be held at 7:30 p.m. April 19 in the auditorium. Admission is $5, with proceeds going to the $400,000 renovation project. The teams are busy raising money and training with local dance instructors, who are ...
Only the name has changed
New name, same mission. What was known as United Way of Barton County has changed is now United Way of Central Kansas.
VIN inspections will continue in Barton County
County officials, who have been discussing options since it was announced earlier this year that the Barton County Sheriff's Office would drop VIN inspection, agreed Monday to use other county funds to offset BCSO expenses for the VIN program.
Parks and recreation offers economic benefits
BY SUSAN THACKER sthacker@gbtribune.com A new study shows money spent on parks and recreation program offers substantial economic benefits - $1.70 for every $1 invested. Diann Henderson, executive director of the Great Bend Recreation Commission, shared the highlights of the study conducted by Jayhawk Consulting, University of Kansas School of Business. Among other things, Henderson told her board of directors Monday, the study shows 73 percent of ...
Stadium name plates still available
When the original Great Bend High School Memorial Stadium was razed last summer, Unified School District 428 personnel salvaged 881 brass name plates.
Winter royalty
GBHS Winter Homecoming King Josh Prescott and Queen Karla Reza were crowned Friday.
Perfect Panthers
The 27th-annual Mr. Perfect Panther Pageant will be at 2 p.m. today at the Great Bend High School auditorium. Doors open at 1 p.m. Tickets are $2 at the door, but all other donations will be accepted. Senior contestants include Greg Hildebrand, Dakota Ellis, Dakota Zecha, Ian Sheppard, Louis Burley, Josh Prescott, Austin Morgan and David Monceaux (not pictured). The Mr. Perfect Panther contest is a Kayette-sponsored service project and this year proceeds will ...
Regehr wins county spelling bee
BY SUSAN THACKER sthacker@gbtribune.com Allison Regehr from Jefferson Elementary School won this year's Barton County Spelling Bee, Saturday at Great Bend Middle School. She and runner-up Ethan Woodcock from Hoisington Middle School will represent the county on March 12, at the Great Bend Tribune's Sunflower Spelling Bee. Miss Regehr, a sixth grader from Great Bend, was also the 2009 county champion. At Saturday's bee, she outlasted the ...
'Widow's Mite' fundraiser will help Emergency Aid
BY SUSAN THACKER sthacker@gbtribune.com Local churches are collecting money for the poor, during the weeks leading up to Easter. The Widow's Mite fundraiser will start on Ash Wednesday, which is March 9 this year, and continue through the season of Lent, to Easter on April 24. This is one of two fundraisers conducted each year by the Barton County Association of Churches, on behalf of the Emergency ...
GBFD contracts to help protect rural areas
Great Bend Fire Department will provide fire protection to four townships in Barton County for 2011, according to contracts approved by the Great Bend City Council this week.
Million dollar track awaiting final touches
By SUSAN THACKER sthacker@gbtribune.com Regional track and field championships may one day return to Barton Community College, coaches said recently. With all but the finishing touches done on the new track and soccer field, coaches took time at the last board of trustees meeting to thank the administration and college trustees. Bryan Sailer, head women's soccer coach, called the new facility "awesome," and David Schenek, head track ...
Flower sales benefit cancer fight
With the bitter cold and drifts of snow, it may not be easy to think about spring. But, that is exactly what Debbie Finn wants folks to do.
Oakley firm will open next landfill phase
An Oakley construction firm has the contract to create the next phase of the Barton County Landfill.
County attorney appeals to higher court
BY SUSAN THACKER sthacker@gbtribune.com Barton County Attorney Douglas Matthews argued a case before the state Court of Appeals, Tuesday in Topeka. Matthews is appealing a ruling by Barton County District Judge Ron Svaty, who tossed out a case in which Delbert Adams Jr. was charged with driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Svaty had ruled there was no probable cause for the traffic stop or ...
Two charged in fatal wreck
BY SUSAN THACKER sthacker@gbtribune.com Felony charges have been filed against two people involved in the Feb. 2 accident that claimed the life of Casey Ann Goodwin, Barton County Attorney Douglas Matthews said. Lee Brett Jacobs and Joni D. Margheim, both of Great Bend, had their first court appearances on Wednesday. District Judge Hannelore Kitts read the charges and set dates for their preliminary hearings. Jacobs, 30, ...
Articles by Section - News
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.
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.
