Archive By Section - News
2010 was busy for county road department
The Barton County Road and Bridge Department accomplished a lot in 2010, according to a report from Director Dale Phillips.
DUI penalties can get severe
(EDITOR'S NOTE: This is one in a series of articles about driving under the influence of alcohol.)
Warrant issued for gun theft suspect
An arrest warrant was issued Tuesday for Richard Allen Etim, 21, the Great Bend Police Department's prime suspect in the theft of 23 guns on Dec. 19. Police have been looking for Etim since early last week, and at 5 p.m. Tuesday they were successful in securing the warrant for his arrest, Detective Denton Doze said. Etim is a black male with brown ...
It doesn’t take much to cause a tragedy
(EDITOR'S NOTE: This is one in a series of articles about driving under the influence of alcohol.)
County kept busy building in 2010
It's been a busy year for county projects and County Administrator Richard Boeckman passed on department updates this week.
New Year's taxi rolls again
There's no excuse for drinking and driving on New Year's Eve, because the Great Bend Police Department will be offering a taxi service from 10 p.m. until 3 a.m., Chief Dean Akings said. This is the third year that the GBPD has taken on the volunteer project. Akings and Sgt. Gary Davis will be doing the driving, taking partiers anywhere in Barton County for a $5 donation to the GBPD DARE ...
County leases landfill farm ground
Keith Miller will continue to farm land south of the Barton County Landfill, the Barton County Commission decided Monday.
BCSO to drop VIN inspections
After this week, the Barton County Sheriff's Office will no longer provide VIN inspections for vehicles coming to Kansas from other states, Sheriff Greg Armstrong said. Kansas Highway Patrol will take over the program, but with reduced hours. Vehicle Identification Numbers are used to check the title history of a vehicle. Motor vehicle title inspections are required when licensing a vehicle in Kansas which has an out-of-state title. The BCSO ...
Skull found in river
A partial human skull was discovered Sunday on the Wet Walnut Creek, Barton County Sheriff Greg Armstrong said. "It could be from the 1800s," the sheriff said Monday. Greg Brown said his sons Tanner and Layton were duck hunting with friends Kyle and Kevin Corbett Sunday morning when they found the skull less than a mile from his residence southeast of Great Bend. "Kyle was first to see it," Brown said. ...
Thieves break in, grab guns, more
Someone broke the glass to enter the Shooting Sports Company at 1912 17th St. and stole several guns, it was reported Sunday morning. Lt. Bill Browne at the Great Bend Police Department said more than 30 privately owned guns that were in for repairs were taken. Police are still investigating a Dec. 19 burglary at P&S Security, where 23 guns were reportedly stolen. Law enforcement officers have been attempting since ...
Rating is up and costs could go down
Businesses around Great Bend may see a break in bills in the coming year, thanks to hard work and planning by the Great Bend Fire Department.
Rural ID numbers will save lives
County officials are "recommending" that everyone who lives or works outside city limits in Barton County should "post and maintain 911 locator signage."
A helping hand
Rural ID numbers will save lives
County officials are "recommending" that everyone who lives or works outside city limits in Barton County should "post and maintain 911 locator signage."
Good news for city
Businesses around Great Bend may see a break in bills in the coming year, thanks to hard work and planning by the Great Bend Fire Department.
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 ...
