Archive By Section - News
He's no hero
Sure, Richard Klema and his squad crept through the North African desert by night to avoid the Germans.
KDHE urges smokers to quit during Great American Smokeout
Thursday marks the 35th anniversary of the American Cancer Society's Great American Smokeout, and the ACS, Barton County Health Department and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment are encouraging residents to celebrate by quitting.
Council addresses local blight battles
Great Bend city officials continue to work with state experts and officials on two very different blights that have struck the community, and there are some signs of success in both battles, the Great Bend City Council learned Monday night.
Two injured in rural accidents
Travis Eugene Hall, 31, of Garfield, was seriously injured in a one-vehicle accident Sunday afternoon in Pawnee County.
Red Kettle time
The Salvation Army in Barton County opens its annual Christmas Red Kettle Campaign Thursday and Great Bend Salvation Army Store Manager Jane Berg said the goal locally is $39,000.
River: The dog with the big heart
LORRAINE - River, the Wonder Dog, opens his heart to the school children of Unified School District 112 and they, in turn, open their hearts in return. Owned by USD 112 Superintendent Steve Woolf, River, who is a trained therapy dog, spends school days hard at work. He listens to children read, lets them pet him, and provides an oasis of calm for students with both big and little problems. "He's ...
FHSU Madrigal Feaste returns to bring ancient Christmas traditions to life
"Castles and feasting meet dinner theatre" is one way to describe a madrigal feaste. During the Middle Ages and continuing into the Renaissance, the Christmas season was a time of great celebration.
Holiday grief support events planned
One of the ironies in life is that it is often when others are having the most fun that we seem to notice our pain and loss the most.
Other types of gifts are out there
Delete - Merge Upbodycopy This Christmas season, you can buy the old, traditional gifts for family and friends: Clothing, toys, appliances, jewelry, electronic items, cell phones, video games, MP3 players, etc. And, as comic Jerry Seinfeld might say, "not that there's anything wrong with it." But there are other types of gifts available, too. Some of them were on display Saturday in Great Bend at two (probably more) locations - ...
Lightning stikes C Building at Barton
Barton Community College canceled Friday morning classes in its Classroom Building, due to a lightning strike to the building Thursday night. There was a small fire after the first attempt to restore power. Classes after noon were moved to another building if necessary, but the Classroom Building was fully operational by about 1 p.m., according to Michael Dawes in the college's communications department. "The direct lightening strike occurred to an outside ...
BCC Jazz Band, Prairie Winds Band and Jazz Ensemble present Winter Concert
Barton Community College instrumental music groups will present a Winter Concert at 7:30 p.m. on Monday in the Fine Arts Auditorium. The concert will feature the BCC Jazz Band, Prairie Winds Community Concert Band and Prairie Winds Jazz Ensemble. Steven Lueth, Barton's director of instrumental activities, is the conductor of these ensembles. The public is invited and admission is free.
New Shafer Gallery director embraces traditions
Dave Barnes was as surprised as most people when he stepped into Barton Community College's Shafer Gallery for the first time and saw a gallery of such beauty, spaciousness and versatility in the midst of its rural central Kansas setting. "The gallery is really a remarkable institution," Barnes said, four weeks later as he talked about his plans as the new Shafer Gallery director. "It's ...
County will raise rail issue at KAC meeting
Barton County Commissioners won't be in office Monday, as usual, but they will be at work for the county as they travel to Topeka for the annual Kansas Associations of Counties meeting. While they are there, state legislative issues will be discussed, including issues that could affect Barton County taxpayers, according to information from County Administrator Richard Boeckman.
Vets made this the ‘land of hope and dreams’
"Every man thinks meanly of himself for not having been a soldier, or not having been at sea." - Dr. Samuel Johnson, 1709-1784, British essayist, poet and author.
Trail of Lights holiday greeters return
Great Bend continues to invite visitors to follow the Trail of Lights from one end of town to the other this holiday season. Folks at home can get involved as greeters on select evenings, said Sarah Krom with the holiday committee. The Trail of Lights includes the Barton County Historical Society Museum and Village on south U.S. 281, "Wild Lights" at Brit Spaugh Park, a Christmas Nativity scene at 10th ...
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.
