Archive By Section - News
Landmark Bergthal Mennonite Church closing its doors
PAWNEE ROCK - Bergthal Mennonite Church was built to last forever, or at least until the Lord returned. Settlers had first outgrown a little stone church near Dundee, and then a wooden church northeast of Pawnee Rock. A massive brick building, complete with a bell tower, replaced the wooden building in 1915.
Sheriff steps up patrols with new program
Sheriff Brian Bellendir said a new traffic safety program aims to reduce accidents, especially at problem areas. The first effort will take place between 7:30 and 9 a.m. Wednesday, May 8, on U.S. 281 from the Great Bend city limits to milepost 108. "As spring and summer approaches, there will be more traffic on central Kansas roads and highways," Bellendir noted. The Barton County Sheriff's Office is initiating this traffic safety program to help ensure ...
Cinco de Mayo Saturday
For Jose Hernandez, helping organize the 2013 Cinco dey Mayo celebration Saturday is about much more than throwing a party.
No injuries reported at rollover crash
Great Bend police responded to a rollover accident at the intersection of Morphy and 16th Street in Great Bend Thursday afternoon at about 3 p.m. A Pontiac Firebird was travelling southbound on Morphy street when it was struck by a Mercury Mountaineer heading westbound on 16th Street. According to Great Bend Police Lt. Bill Browne, the driver of the Mountaineer failed to yield right of way at the uncontrolled intersection. No injuries were reported ...
Rick Bealer donates Cougar statue in son’s name
Emotions eventually fizzle and memories gradually fade. In an effort to maintain some potency and longevity with these fleeting elements of human nature, Barton psychology instructor Rick Bealer has donated a cougar statue to the college "In loving memory of his son, Ryan J. Bealer," who passed away in 2011.
May 1 is prevent Teen Pregnancy Day
There is good news and bad news regarding teen pregnancy rates over the last two decades, and the good news is that the teen pregnancy rate in the U.S., which is the highest in the industrialized world has dropped over the last two decades.
Child's letter prompts Kansan's journey
A child's letter to the editor seeking information about Kansas prompted a Great Bend resident's upcoming visit to Conway School in Mt. Vernon, Wash. Vicki Keffer, who works at CPI Qualified Plan Consultants, was reading the Great Bend Tribune on March 22 when she saw this letter from Bo Owens: Dear Editor, Hello! My name is Bo Owens. I am a fifth grader at Conway School in Mount Vernon, Wash. In fifth grade we do ...
Cruise Night postponed until May 31
Great Bend residents are invited to take part in the first ever Cruise Night in downtown Great Bend. More than 70 cars from the SRCA & Vintage Wheels clubs will line up at Jack Kilby Square to parade through the City of Great Bend on Friday, May 31st. (The Cruise Night was originally scheduled for Wednesday, May 1st as part of KANSAS SPEEDWEEK but cold weather caused the event to be postponed.) The cars will ...
Runners turn out for Wild Goose Chase
Saturday morning, April 27, 160 runners congregated at Cheyenne Bottoms for the first ever Wild Goose Chase.
Transitioning era: Students thinking of jobs, resumes
ELLINWOOD - Graduation from high school is major transition for students and signals the beginning of a new era of independence, increasing freedom, jobs and careers.
Deer and turkey hunting a possiblity for Quivira plan
Officials with the National Wildlife Refuge System met with the public Monday evening at the Stafford Senior Center in Stafford to present three proposed options for a 15 year plan for managing the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge.
GROWTH FOR THE FUTURE
In observance of National Arbor Day each year, the Tree Board visits fourth graders in Great Bend, gives them each a tree, and encourages them to plant it. Board members made their rounds last Wednesday through Friday, which was the official Arbor Day.
Jail showers to be updated
A nagging problem dating back to when the Barton County Detention Facility was completed in 2004 should be eliminated after action taken by the County Commission Monday morning.
Teen shot in eye with arrow
A 15-year-old boy was flown to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita on Saturday after being shot in the right eye with an arrow, Sheriff Brian Bellendir reports. The Barton County Sheriff's Office was dispatched to the 1900 block of NE 130 Ave. around 1:30 p.m., and found Claflin Emergency Medical Service treating the teenager. Bellendir said the boy looked inside a 6-inch plastic pipe at the same time his friend, also a juvenile, shot an ...
Change on the menu
Students at Park Elementary school Friday voted for their favorite among 11 menu proposals as offered by Eric Dowson's sixth grade class. For the past three weeks, the class has been studying the progressive era of the late 1890s to the early 1920s in American History. The period was marked by an increase in social activism, with sweeping changes brought forth such as the women suffrage movement and prohibition to name a few.
Articles by Section - News
Hoisington to host annual ‘Mud Run’
HOISINGTON - Engines will once again roar as drivers try to drive through the mud at the fourth annual Mud Run at 1 p.m. on June 1 in Hoisington, south of the railroad track on the east side of U.S. 281. It will be held in conjunction with the Kansas Mud Racing Organization.
Great Bend escapes Defense Department furloughs
The Great Bend Kansas National Guard armory should escape unscathed the round of federally mandated National Guard furloughs announced Tuesday by U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, said Sharon Watson with the KNG Public Affairs Office.
Foreign tourism developing in Barton County
Travel writer Matt Bates of Scotland and Lisa Weigt, International Program director for Kansas/ Oklahoma Travel and Tourism recently toured Barton County.
Game on
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.
Lyons man sentenced to 17½ years for rape, indecent liberties
LYONS – A Lyons man was sentenced Wednesday to 17½ years in prison after pleading no contest to charges of rape and aggravated indecent liberties, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt said.
Summer road work begins
Barton County Administrator Richard Boeckman offered his biweekly update on the activities of various county departments during the County Commission meeting Monday morning. Highlights included:
These masterpieces have wheels
Barton County Historic Society is celebrating the 60th anniversary of organized drag racing in the Golden Belt with a new exhibit and a car show during its open house this Saturday.
Living a "Glass half-Full' Life
In the early 2000s, like so many up and coming children of the prairie, Ellinwood native J. Basil Dannebohm, had the bright lights of the city shining in his eyes.
Wanted: Several good homes
At an adoption event this past Saturday, Ebert warmed the hearts of many. But, he still needs a home.
Spring and music in the air
The Panther Jazz Band pumped up the audience at the GBHS Panther Bands Spring Contest Concert Monday night with their opening rendition of Watermelon Man by Herbie Hancock. It was a night to celebrate the accomplishments of the high school music program and a select group of accomplished musicians who competed at the state level earlier this spring. Senior band members also recognized and thanked their parents for the support offered through the years of ...
More sleep time? USD 428 gives a nod
High schoolers may get a few extra zs next year thanks to a proposal approved at the USD 428 board meeting Monday night. But not for teachers. Board members approved a series of late starts for the high school during the 2013-2014 school year that would give teachers the time they need to collaborate, but take away two hours of student contact time a month
GBRC shares Blue Ribbon Award to promote health
Several people working to make Barton County a healthier place received some recognition and financial assistance Monday during the Great Bend Recreation Commission Board meeting. Doug Vance, executive director of the Kansas Recreation & Park Association, visited the meeting along with representatives from BlueCross BlueShield of Kansas, to present a $2,500 facsimile check and a banner in honor of Great Bend winning the Blue Chip award.
Residents fear stray gunfire near river
It's only a matter of time before someone is hit by a stray bullet while enjoying the Arkansas River bed south of Ellinwood, local resident Tom Komarek told the Barton County Commission Monday morning.
