Archive By Section - News
DOUBLE LOCKS OF LOVE
Melissa Hittle and her 5-year-old daughter Bailey started the new year by donating a combined 26 inches of hair to Locks of Love. The nonprofit organization will use their hair to make wigs for financially disadvantaged children in the United States or Canada who have lost their own hair. According to information from Locks of Love, most of the children it helps have lost their hair due ...
Tickets available at the door for "Barton County’s Got Talent"
With only a few months left until Habitat for Humanity plans to break ground on its next project, the nonprofit organization is hosting its 2nd Annual "Barton County's Got Talent" dinner theater this Saturday, with hopes for raising at least $15,000. These funds will be acquired through a combination of ticket sales, table sponsorships from local business and freewill donations at the event, said Habitat cochairman Rachel Mawhirter. "This ...
EDH receives phony bomb threat
ELLINWOOD - A bomb threat was called into Ellinwood District Hospital early Wednesday morning. The threat turned out to be phony, but all patients and staff were evacuated while a search was conducted.
Broadway-Harrison interim change discussed
City Engineer Robert Winiecke will announce later when the next public comment session will be held, dealing with the plans to install traffic signals at Broadway and Harrison.
Winter poses special dangers for children
(EDITOR'S NOTE: This is one in a series of winter danger articles.) The cold weather does little to keep winter sports enthusiasts inside – especially children. In fact, children ages 14 and under are at a high risk for winter sports injuries. It's an age-old tradition for kids to get out and play in snow that their parents work hard to avoid. Unfortunately, it's also traditional for some of those kids to get hurt in ...
2010 brought lots of work and awards
2010 not only brought successful improvement projects to Barton County roads, but it also brought an important recognition for one of the county departments, according to Road and Bridge Director Dale Phillips.
Commission sees change of guard Monday
Kirby Krier already had a clock, a present from Barton County in recognition of his previous stint as a county commissioner. So, Monday when Krier was being recognized for his most recent term on the board, he was presented a boomerang as a parting memento, because, as County Administrator Richard Boeckman noted, Krier always returns. Krier performed his final duties as the chairman of the commission before stepping down from it, at the changing of ...
Winter dangers require planning ahead
(EDITOR'S NOTE: This is one in a series of winter danger articles.) We're not even a month into winter, and safety experts warn that the taste of severe winter weather that hit this area over the last couple of days is just one example of how bad things can get - and how quickly they can get that way. It's a good time to pay attention to the weather and plan ahead, according to Emergency ...
Two BOE members say no to another term
When the new Unified School District 428 School Board takes over July 1, there will be two familiar faces absent.
Search is on for best snow sculpture
With snow on the ground, Garet Fitzpatrick, leisure coordinator at the Great Bend Recreation Commission, reminds residents of the annual GBRC snow sculpture contest. Program coordinators reported on this and other events when the GBRC Board of Directors met Monday. Groups and individuals are invited to make a snow sculpture this winter and send a photo of it, along with information about the people who worked on it. Mail ...
NO PLACE LIKE HOPE
Relay for Life of Barton County volunteers started down that yellow-brick road Saturday morning as they held their annual kick-off event.
County filings open until Jan. 25
Barton County residents have an opportunity to get involved in local government as the county prepares for a variety of local elections, coming up this spring, according to County Clerk Donna Zimmerman.
Gas hits three bucks in Great Bend
Saturday, you could still shop around and find gas for $2.96 in Great Bend, but the community woke Friday to find that some stations had already made the move up to $3 per gallon for regular unleaded.
Next 9.12 Committee meeting is Thursday
The next 9.12 committee meeting has been set for 7 p.m., Thursday at the Great Bend Recreation Center, 1214 Stone.
Second burglary suspect arrested
Great Bend Police arrested a second suspect Thursday in connection with last month's burglary at P&S Security, where a number of guns were stolen. Lt. Bill Browne said the 16-year-old suspect was arrested at approximately 4:19 p.m. Thursday in the 5900 block of Eisenhower. His name was not released. He is being held in a juvenile detention center near Reno County. The burglary at P&S Security, 1705 K-96, occurred Dec. ...
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.
