Archive By Section - News
4th Annual Veteran Appreciation Day
All military veterans and their families, as well as individuals who want to express their appreciation, are invited to attend the 4th Annual Veteran Appreciation Day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m on Nov. 10 at the KANSASWORKS office located at 1025 Main St. in Great Bend.
Here’s where to cast your vote
Polling places for Tuesday's general election have been announced by the Barton County Clerk's Office.
Parrish chosen as grand marshal of holiday parade
Bob Parrish has been chosen to lead Great Bend's holiday parade on Nov. 27, sponsors at Sunflower Diversified Services announced. Parrish was a logical choice for grand marshal of this year's Home for the Holidays event, because the parade theme is "Our Favorite Christmas Story." According to a press release from Sunflower, Parrish has been a local leader and storyteller his entire life. Teaming up with Ray Schulz, he co-hosted a ...
MONSTER MASH
Little lawmen and firefighters walked the streets with cowboys, ninjas and princesses, Saturday in downtown Great Bend. Mild fall weather boosted attendance at the annual Halloween parade, where hundreds of kids picked up candy.
8 Wonders of Kansas people announced
INMAN – After six weeks of voting, the Kansas Sampler Foundation announced the results of the 8 Wonders of Kansas People contest. Former Great Bend resident and microchip pioneer Jack Kilby, and Civil War nurse and veterans advocate Mary Ann "Mother" Bickerdyke (who lived at Bunker Hill, Ellsworth, Great Bend and Russell) were not among the top vote getters.
Courthouse opens Saturday for walk-in voting
Another opportunity to cast ballots in the general election has been announced by County Clerk Donna Zimmerman.
Trick-or-Treat
A dozen cowgirls? That's right. These girls, all Kayettes and Great Bend High School students, were among the 130 to 140 in the Commons Area at the school Thursday night, waiting to go Trick-or-Treating for UNICEF. Faculty sponsors are Barbara Harris and Karen Clark. Harris said the Kayettes have done this yearly at Halloween time "for a long time." They go from home to home, and have maps, and each sub-group has its own particular ...
Sixth-grader Muth sings for crowd
It's not often that the Great Bend High School marching band yields the field to a guest singer when it's time to perform the national anthem. But for the Oct. 15 football game, the honor went to 12-year-old Allison Muth.
Candidates file pre-general campaign reports
On Oct. 25 treasurers for candidates running for state and county office filed their pre-general election campaign reports. In addition, on Oct. 28, a report of last minute contributions will also be filed by any state or local candidate who receives any contributions in the amount of $300 or more. These reports are a matter of public record and are available for review in each candidate's home county with his or her county election officer. ...
Teen problem behaviors high in Barton County
BARTON COUNTY - Regional Prevention Centers around the state are highlighting the 2010 Communities That Care student school surveys, and the results show Barton County's rates for overall alcohol use, binge drinking and drug use is higher than the average for the state and surrounding counties. Regional Prevention Consultant Christina Hayes of the Regional Prevention Center of Northwest Kansas Smoky Hills Foundation explains the reasons. "Barton County is extremely high on risk ...
Tricks are no treat for our pets
There are all sorts of preparations under way for a successful Halloween. Decorating, costume production, treat preparation, even safety planning for the trick-or-treaters, are all important. But according to information from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals - ASPCA - much of the time that planning doesn't extend to our pets, which can prove unfortunate for them, and expensive for us. Some of the tips to keep pets safe at Halloween ...
Topeka couple visits state’s courthouses
Weeks before the Jack Kilby Plaza in Great Bend became a construction site, a Topeka couple was on a summer quest to visit every courthouse in each of the state's 105 counties. Barton County's courthouse ranked as an overall favorite with travelers Randy and Gayla Starkey. It took the Starkeys 13 days to stop at every Kansas courthouse, Randy Starkey told the Great Bend Tribune. "We ...
Firefighters holding fundraiser
Great Bend's Firefighters hope to honor a World War II veteran with some of the proceeds from this year's Spaghetti Feed and Raffle, firefighter Brad Descher said.
Commission candidates respond to questionnaire
In next Tuesday's general election, votes will be cast in three of the five Barton County Commission districts. To help inform the public on where the candidates stand, the League of Woman Voters of Great Bend asked each of them to respond to a series of five questions.
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.
