Firefighter spaghetti boosts good causes

If the old saying is true - "There's no rest for the wicked and the righteous don't need it" - it certainly applies to the Great Bend Fire Department.

Firefighter spaghetti boosts good causes

If the old saying is true - "There's no rest for the wicked and the righteous don't need it" - it certainly applies to the Great Bend Fire Department.

PASS the fire test in your home

(EDITOR'S NOTE: This is one in a series of articles on fire prevention efforts. The articles will continue throughout October as the Great Bend Fire Department presents Fire Prevention Month.)

SCIENTIFIC METHOD

Storm chaser and research meteorologist Jon Davies brought new excitement to talking about the weather during his presentation as the keynote speaker for Jack Kilby Science Day on Tuesday morning at Barton Community College.

Ellinwood tennis stars honored

Ellinwood High School Girls Tennis Team Coach Lyle Stickney had more than a little praise for his team when he met with the Barton County Commission Monday.

Barton County awarded funds under national food, shelter program

Barton County has been chosen to receive $3,815 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county.

Courthouse Civil War statue condition assessed

"It's a terrific monument," said Dr. Dennis Montagna, director of the National Park Service's Monument Research and Preservation Program in Philadelphia. Monday morning, he inspected the south facing Union Civil War bronze statue located in the courthouse square.

Halloween is to be spooky, not dangerous

It's still a week away, so now is the perfect time to prepare - correctly - for those little goblins who will go door-to-door for Trick or Treat next Monday night.

Storm chaser Davies to speak at Jack Kilby Science Day

Storm chaser and research meteorologist Jon Davies will address more than 500 high school juniors and seniors on Tuesday morning, and a similar number of middle school students in the afternoon, during Barton Community College's Eighth Annual Jack Kilby Science Day.

Judgement House returns

It is not simply an alternative to a Halloween haunted house.

Carvers

Vet’s Lake remains under algae warning

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) samples recreational bodies of water for blue-green algae when the agency is alerted to a potential algae bloom. When harmful algal blooms are present, KDHE, in cooperation with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT), responds by informing the public of these conditions.

County takes on improvement projects

County departments are currently involved in a variety of new projects, County Administrator Richard Boeckman reported to the Barton County Commission this week.

Bow hunting on target for Camp Aldrich

Barton Community College trustees met Thursday and approved a plan to allow commercial bow hunting for deer at the Camp Aldrich facility.

Judge hears motion to suppress Ney confession

The attorney for Shawn Ney is seeking to suppress a confession and other statements reportedly made by for the man charged with shooting his estranged wife and fatally shooting his brother-in-law on July 10, 2010.

TIME TO CELEBRATE

LARNED – Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services Secretary Shawn Sullivan joined staff and members of the community Thursday to observe and celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of Larned State Hospital.

Clay shoot fundraiser canceled

The seventh Annual Barton Foundation Sporting Clay Shoot scheduled for May 4 has been canceled due to the fire in the dining hall at Camp Aldrich this past weekend.

Name plaque to be added to Kilby Plaza

Members of the Jack Kilby Committee plan to bring signage for the project up to date Friday when they add another bronze plaque recognizing donors to the Kilby Plaza, located on the west side of the Barton County Courthouse Square.

Pump prices continue march upwards

Average retail gasoline prices in Kansas have risen 5.0 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $3.51 per gallon Sunday, according to GasBuddy's daily survey of 1,329 gas outlets in Kansas. This compares with the national average that has increased 3.4 cents per gallon in the last week to $3.59.

Food Stamp program undergoes reduction in benefits

The federal Food Stamp program, now known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, underwent changes beginning in October of 2013, and as a result, local charities that provide food are now seeing an increase in usage.

Budding artists: Watching Young Artists Grow exhibit opens

The Barton County Historical Society Museum is holding its first art exhibit, with works inspired by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Andy Warhol, to name three.

Fire causes events to relocate or cancel

The Barton Community College Foundation Clay Shoot set for May 4 has been canceled, due to last Saturday's fire at the Camp Aldrich Conference Center. Meanwhile, sponsors of Camp Hope and dozens of other scheduled events are scrambling to find alternate locations.

Man indicted for identity theft in Barton County

KANSAS CITY, Kan. – A federal grand jury in Kansas City returned indictments Wednesday against a Mexican national charged with using false identification documents and identity theft in Barton County, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said.

Out of the Morgue

Each week we'll take a step back into the history of Great Bend through the eyes of reporters past. We'll reacquaint you with what went into creating the Great Bend of today, and do our best to update you on what "the rest of the story" turned out to be.

Appraiser reminds residents of tax deadlines

Property valuation notices were mailed to the Barton County taxpayers on March 17 and County Appraiser Barbara Konrade reminds residents they have 30 days to appeal their valuation from that mailing date.

County expands new software system

It's been about a year since Barton County offices switched to a unified bookkeeping software. Although the conversion was at times rocky, officials are now comfortable with the new system and ready to expand it.

Ball tournament expected to draw 2,000 to Great Bend

Editor's note: This updates a story that was previously published on the website.

‘HomeWords’ wanted

Kansas Poet Laureate Wyatt Townley wants to bring poetry home to Kansans, and in that vein, is beginning a weekly poetry column that will be published in the Great Bend Tribune.

Poet laureate magically weaves words

ELLINWOOD - Wyatt Townley, Shawnee Mission, finds poetry in every day life, in trains, in the Kansas wind, and in nature. Imaging magical ways to weave words, she comes home to poetry.

​Rec Commission sees health-care costs increase

The cost of employee health insurance at the Great Bend Recreation Commission is expected to increase 11 percent overall this year, Executive Director Diann Henderson told the GBRC Board of Directors on Monday. The board voted to renew the major health coverage for the next fiscal year, which starts July 1.