Archive By Section - News
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.
House candidates Wolf and Stein express views
Incumbent Republican Bill Wolf and challengerDemocrat Christina Stein, both of Great Bend, are facing off in next Tuesday's general election to fill the 112th District Kansas House seat. Each took time recently to respond to five questions posed by the League of Woman Voters of Great Bend.
Here’s how to PASS the fire test
While it has been the point of Fire Prevention Month in October to keep fires from happening, it is also important to know what to do in case there is a fire, and how to be prepared with the right equipment.
Sparking Curiosity: Science Day lights the fires of imagination
First came a sizzle/whoosh!, like a firework launching into the air. That was followed by the sound of running feet, as two high school students came around the Fine Arts Building. "Did you see where our rocket landed?" Approximately 600 Kansas high school students and their science teachers descended on Barton Community College on Tuesday for the college's seventh-annual Jack Kilby Science Day. They could compete in math and ...
Library hosting ‘World Series’
The World Series is set to begin Wednesday and the Great Bend Public Library is having a World Series of its own.
K-96 highway meeting is Thursday
City and county officials are planning to travel to Hutchinson, Thursday, for an important highway meeting and they are encouraging more local residents to go also.
County has to make other plans
Barton County Commissioners approved a new contract with a juvenile detention center in Finney County, though it's hoped the center won't be needed, due to the distance from Barton County. One reason an alternative detention area is needed is because the juvenile section that was designed for the county jail taxpayers funded wasn't designed correctly, commissioners were told. Sheriff Greg Armstrong told commissioners that the agreement with the Finney County juvenile detention facility is ...
Chocolate heaven
STAFFORD – It's all about the chocolate as the second-annual Chocolate Sampler AFair is set to tickle taste buds Saturday is Stafford.
Articles by Section - News
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 ...
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.
