Archive By Section - News
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 ...
Ledesma receives Great Bend’s Local Hero Award
David Ledesma received Great Bend's Local Hero Award on Wednesday, for saving another man from being crushed under a semi-trailer on an icy day last January. Friends and family met at Marmie Motors, where Ledesma works as a wrecker driver, to see him receive the award. Among those able to stand and say thank you was the man he rescued, Tom Curran. Mark Bretches ...
MAKING THE PLEDGE
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." Students in Jay Black's classroom at Great Bend High School stood Wednesday morning, placed their right hands over their hearts and recited the above 31 words. They joined students in other GBHS classes, following the lead of a schoolmate speaking the ...
County tables payment on treasurer redesign
Changes that are coming down the line in all county treasurer office around the state will mean more equipment being used at work stations and in Barton County that means a structural change will need to be made, requiring remodeling of the work area, according to County Treasurer Kevin Wondra.
GBRC releases annual report
The opening of the GBRC Activity Center last October tops the list of highlights for the Great Bend Recreation Commission, which released its 2009-10 annual report this week. The recreation commission is funded by user fees, grants and property taxes collected in its service area, which corresponds to Great Bend Unified School District 428. A total of 15,484 people enrolled in recreational activities. In this report, a person is counted ...
College to host 'Dancing with the Barton Stars'
Local stars will shine when Barton Community College uses a friendly dance competition to propel plans to renovate its 40-year-old Fine Arts Auditorium. Ten community members have signed on for "Dancing with the Barton Stars," to be held at 7:30 p.m. April 19 in the auditorium. Admission is $5, with proceeds going to the $400,000 renovation project. The teams are busy raising money and training with local dance instructors, who are ...
Only the name has changed
New name, same mission. What was known as United Way of Barton County has changed is now United Way of Central Kansas.
Articles by Section - News
Myers walks out of meeting
After an often heated exchange between Great Bend City Council Member Randy Myers and several fellow council members over his alleged ethics violations, Myers stood up and walked out of the governing body's Monday night meeting.
GBFD roundup: Fire marshal investigates basement fire
An investigator from the Kansas State Fire Marshal's office was in Great Bend Monday to determine the cause of a fire Sunday afternoon at 2011 Jackson St. It was one of several fire calls over the weekend, Great Bend Fire Chief Mike Napolitano said. Firefighters received the report of a basement fire at 4:37 p.m., at the house owned by James and Krissy Jackson. The first truck arrived to find heavy smoke and fire coming ...
TOUTING TOURISM
It is fitting that Barton County celebrate Kansas Tourism Week this week, Great Bend Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Cris Collier told the County Commission Monday morning.
OF RISK AND REWARD
Three weeks ago, a fertilizer storage facility in West, Texas, not all that different from plants in many, small, rural communities, exploded. It killed 14 people, leveled much of the tiny town and rocked the nation.
CINCO DE MAYO
The weather did not exactly cooperate, but Joe Hernandez and his friends didn't let it interrupt their celebration.
Cooking up great soil
Gardeners may finally catch a break after unexpectedly cool weather last week. It's finally time to start digging and planting, and that means its the perfect time to think about soil health. For gardeners in Great Bend, the city provides plenty of rich dark compost free for the taking.
City of Great Bend cooking up great soil for local gardeners
Gardeners may finally catch a break after unexpectedly cool weather last week. It's finally time to start digging and planting, and that means its the perfect time to think about soil health. For gardeners in Great Bend, the city provides plenty of rich dark compost free for the taking.
Job Olympics celebrates abilities
Students from 13 schools demonstrated their life skills and vocational abilities Friday during the Job Olympics at Great Bend High School's Panther Activity Center. This competition, open to any special education student in Kansas, is sponsored by the Barton County Transition Council and the Special Services Cooperative. Events at tables throughout the arena mimicked real job situations and life skills, such as food preparation, office work or automotive checking. There was event a contest for ...
Refresher on health care highlights Chamber luncheon
Mike Minton with Benefit Management Inc. was the keynote speaker at the Great Bend Area Chamber of Commerce roundtable for human resources professionals Tuesday noon at The Page. He provided a refresher on the Health Care Reform and Affordable Care Act. While there were tips and updates for owners of large companies, only general advice could be offered for small business owners, as the federal government continues to grapple with a lot of unanswered questions, ...
e-Tribune
