Gas inflation could spread to other prices, too

Despite the suggestion earlier this year that the nation was not facing serious inflation, if it seems like the price of fuel has been on the rise in recent months, that is because it has been. And national sources are acknowledging what drivers have been seeing for months now - that the nation is, indeed facing fuel inflation, which is undoubtedly going to translate into higher prices across the board.

It’s hot, it’s cold, it can’t make up its mind

(EDITOR'S NOTE: This is one in a series of reminders about emergency preparedness.) It's spring, it's summer, wait a minute, it's winter again ... What is clear is that we have entered that time of the year when weather can hit almost any extreme imaginable. In the past couple of weeks, this area has gone from near record cold and blizzards, to record highs, that really did feel more like early summer than spring. and ...

Local projects are moving forward

March 16 has been set for the next public input session to discuss proposed changes to the intersection of Broadway and Harrison, it was announced at the Great Bend City Council meeting Monday night.

'Building for the Future'

Members of the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce celebrated its successes at its 89th annual meeting and banquet Saturday, but also with a vision for the future by developing moderately priced housing.

Wally Straub posthumously awarded ‘Citizen of the Year’ by Great Bend Chamber of Commerce

Nearly a month after his death, at the age of 79, Wally Straub is being honored for a lifetime of community support and involvement. The lifetime area resident earned the award of "Citizen of the Year" posthumously during the 89th-annual Great Bend Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Banquet held Saturday night at the Highland Convention Center, Great Bend. The Straub family accepted the award on Wally's behalf.

Kustom Floor Designs Inc. chosen as ‘Business of the Year’ by Great Bend Chamber of Commerce

Thirty-two years ago this month, Mark Bitter partnered and began a home-building business in a tiny shop north of Great Bend. Today, that former home-building business has evolved into a one-stop location for home décor sales and service, providing 6,000 square-feet of showroom space and servicing customers across half the state.

BCC trustee weighs in on Warren firing

At a Barton Community College Board of Trustees meeting on Friday, trustee Don Learned spoke out against the sudden termination of longtime danceline/cheerleading coach Debbie Warren, who was fired by President Dr. Carl Heilman in December. Learned also criticized the board's system of management, saying, "Under Policy Governance®, of course, we trustees really have little input on the operation of the college. "I think many individuals in Barton County would be ...

CKMC emergency services will remain the same

If there is one thing Linda Farthing could shout from the rooftops, it would be this: Emergency services will remain the same when Central Kansas Medical Center's name changes to St. Rose Ambulatory & Surgery Center in May. As CKMC's chief nursing officer, Farthing wants to reassure the community that emergency physicians and specially trained nurses will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week ...

Service to others

It was all about service to youth and community at the Great Bend High School Hall of Fame luncheon Friday afternoon.

Don’t bet on winter being over, yet

(EDITOR'S NOTE: This is one in a series of reminders about emergency preparedness.) It may seem like spring out there, and certainly the days are getting longer, but weather experts warn that it's still early enough in the year that we could see conditions swing back to dangerously cold just as quickly as they have gotten warm. In fact one of the agricultural concerns now is that plants will begin to respond to the warmth, ...

County clerk helps with state refunds

Local residents who are able to file homestead or food sales refunds have less than a month left to do that, according to information from County Clerk Donna Zimmerman.

A PENNY PORTRAIT

For Great Bend High School Special Education Teacher Teresa Frieb, the toss of a coin always turns up heads, at least when Lincoln-head pennies are involved.

New scouting adventure group to form

For teens who like to grab their boots and climb mountains, or paddle a raft through whitewater, a new scouting troop, Venture Crew 157, for youth ages 14 through 20, will soon be starting. In addition, other scouting activities have been reactivated.

Female lion dies at Brit Spaugh Zoo

A 14-year-old female lion at Brit Spaugh Zoo died Monday. "Dakura" did not wake up after being anesthetized for her annual physical exam. She died around 12:30 p.m. Zoo Director Scott Gregory said staff had recently noticed the lion was lethargic and seemed to be having health issues. They had hoped to learn more after the exam. Instead, the medical team performed a necropsy to diagnose the cause of death, and ...

Suspected meth lab raided

The Barton County Sheriff's Office raided a suspected meth lab Tuesday morning in Pawnee Rock. A search warrant was executed at 674 SW 110 Ave. around 8:45 a.m. Twelve officers joined the search, and an ambulance was called to stand by. No one was injured, however, Undersheriff Larry Holliday reported. Three people were arrested at the scene. Officers found glassware, chemicals and other items consistent with the manufacturing ...

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.

County hopes to spark Vet Memorial donations

The Memorial Parks Advisory Committee was given the go-ahead by the Barton County Commission Monday morning to hold two much-needed fundraisers to build the Veterans Memorial at Golden Belt Memorial Park north of Great Bend.

Soaring with Eagles

America's Promise and DARE contest essay winners soared to the highest height on Saturday when members of the Experimental Aircraft Club in Great Bend took them on a 15-20 minutes airplane ride over Great Bend.

‘To parents, be the adults’

With high school and college graduations fast approaching, the Central Kansas Partnership is urging parents to keep the community safe by prohibiting underage drinking and not providing alcohol to underage youth at graduation celebrations.

Kansas 150 years 1861-1900

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