Archive By Section - News
Deal in works to solve special education dilemma
It was a topic on the agenda for two area school boards Monday night, a topic very close to the hearts of a handful of parents in both districts.
USD 428 eyeing 7th grade sports
Great Bend, some parents say, is losing its competitive edge with other school districts by not offering competitive sports at the seventh grade level. This was the message delivered by one of these parents who addressed the Unified School District 428 School Board Monday night.
Someone will bury over 1,000 dogs
It was one of those unusual issues that you just hope is some sort of a misunderstanding, but it surely doesn't appear to be. Barton County came close to providing the final resting place for more than 1,000 dogs that either are being or already have been euthanized by state officials and volunteers in what has to be one of the largest animal abuse cases in the history of the nation. At Monday morning's Barton ...
Rec Commission gets clean audit report
The Great Bend Recreation Commission's board of directors received a clean 2009-10 audit report on Monday from Curtis W. Kuhn, a certified public accountant with McMillen Folkerts & Associates, P.A. Kuhn noted the recreation commission ended its fiscal year with $767,591 in unencumbered cash, more than $1 million less than the year before, having a major capital outlay expense with the construction of the new GBRC Activity Center. Revenue from activities ...
A CHANCE TO GIVE
Have yourself a merry little Christmas and make someone else's Christmas merrier at the same time. All you have to do is give less than an hour a week to a child.
Program helps make Christmas brighter
The Men Motorcycle Club, with the help of Salvation Army of Barton County, the Sidewinders MC and the American Legion Riders, have made some children's Christmas a little brighter with their Toys 4 Tots program.
County considers its equipment needs
As this weekend's temperature dip has demonstrated, winter can come to the Great Plains just about any time it wants to, from here on out.
Heavenly host
Barton Community College cheerleading coach Warren fired
Debbie Warren, longtime head coach of Barton Community College's cheerleading program, said she was fired Friday by Barton President Dr. Carl Heilman. Dr. Penny Quinn, vice president of instruction and student services, confirmed that as of Friday afternoon Warren was no longer an employee of the college. Warren did not elaborate on the reason or reasons given for her sudden termination, saying she had been advised by an attorney not ...
Finals wrap up BCC fall
The fall semester of 2010 wrapped up this past week, with students taking final exams at Barton Community College. On Thursday and Friday, the campus bookstore called in extra help as students sold back textbooks, typically pocketing $100-300 for Christmas. But before they could collect, students presented their ID numbers so staff could check their accounts, and any money still owed on tuition went toward that. Some students who got money ...
BCC cheerleading coach Warren fired
Debbie Warren, longtime head coach of Barton Community College's cheerleading program, said she was fired Friday by Barton President Dr. Carl Heilman. The college's board of trustees is scheduled to meet at 4 p.m. Thursday in the Seminar Room, F-30, of the Fine Arts Building. Supporters of Warren say they plan to attend.
Pot use rising faster than tobacco
A federal study released this week indicates more high school seniors nationwide have used marijuana in the past month than have smoked a cigarette, as pot use slid up slightly as tobacco use stagnated. In addition, it showed daily marijuana use up in all grades surveyed.
Job program funding to be discussed by commission
County officials will consider spending $10,000 in tax dollars for a local effort to find workers for local jobs.
SWEET, SEASONAL SOUNDS
The sounds of the season will be carried by Great Bend High School A Cappella Choir members as they present the 74th-annual Vespers Concert at 2 p.m. Sunday at the high school auditorium.
Electrical short causes fire
Investigators from the Kansas State Fire Marshal's Office and the Great Bend Fire Department determined the blaze that destroyed a house southeast of Great Bend Thursday afternoon was likely caused by an electrical problem, Fire Chief Mike Napolitano said Friday morning.
Articles by Section - News
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.
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 ...
