Arts Commission state case against proposed cuts

Members of the Kansas Arts Commission say Gov. Sam Brownback's proposal to eliminate the agency will hurt the state's economy and cost people jobs. Brownback has promised to eliminate eight state agencies in all. He says eliminating the KAC would save the state $574,000 in the next fiscal year. He proposes giving the commission $200,000 in the next fiscal year as it transitions to a private, nonprofit corporation. Arts commission ...

Joiner named new head cheerleading coach at Barton

The Board of Trustees at Barton Community College on Thursday approved hiring Stephanie Joiner as the new head cheerleading coach, quickly replacing Debbie Warren. Trustee Don Learned praised the choice, commenting, "Her background's fantastic." Learned noted there have been several letters to the editor of the Great Bend Tribune protesting the decision to fire long-time coach Warren last month. "Some have said the program is dead in ...

County adopts hazard training programs

In the continuing effort to be prepared for any emergency that may come along, county officials have approved resolutions that address various aspects of hazard preparation this week.

Wetlands programs will grow in 2011

Though it's not even two years old, the Kansas Wetlands Education Center - located at Cheyenne Bottoms - had contact with more than 23,500 visitors last year. And it's got plenty of plans to grow more this year, the Great Bend City Council was told this week.

Heatland Cancer Center closed today

The Heartland Cancer Center is closed today due to the weather. It should reopen Friday.

BLACK ICE: Weather packs a punch

It didn't always look slick, but for anyone who tried to move around Wednesday there was no mistaking the treacherous winter conditions that hit the Golden Belt. Freezing drizzle and temperatures in the low 20s persisted throughout the day, causing vehicles to slide around corners and into ditches. One Great Bend man who was directing a semi-trailer in the alley behind Office Products Inc. in downtown Great Bend lost his footing ...

Tools, training help EEC correct behavior disorders

Cathy Estes knew that if she and her staff had specialized training and equipment they could help more children who display behavioral problems. The only question was how to gain access to that training and equipment. The answer came in the form of two grants from the Golden Belt Community Foundation to the Early Education Center and Incredible Years Preschool. Estes is coordinator at both entities, which are owned and operated ...

Great Bend Chamber - Coffee Canceled

Due to the increasingly unsafe weather conditions, this week's Great Bend Chamber Coffee has been canceled. Radcliffe Marble, who would've been hosting this week's coffee, has rescheduled for a later date. The grand opening ribbon cutting for Woodies Smokehouse has also been rescheduled for January 27th following that morning's Chamber Coffee. As of right now, the ribbon cutting for Murray Chiropractic on the afternoon of Friday the 21st and ...

County staffers recognized by commissioners

A number of county employees were honored by the Barton County Commission Tuesday when service awards were presented to those who have worked for the county for five, 10, 15, 20 and 25 years.

'Barton County's Got Talent' raises over $10,500 for Habitat for Humanity

The area Habitat for Humanity organization raised more than $10,500 for its next building project during last Saturday's second annual "Barton County's Got Talent" dinner theater, according to Habitat cochairman Rachel Mawhirter. "We moved the event to Grace Community Church this year to accommodate more people, and were only a few dozen seats away from being sold out," Mawhirter said. "We had over 375 people in the audience, and it seemed ...

Monks Feast serves Twain with a twist

The writings of Mark Twain, with a twist, will be served with venison stew and coarse bread at the 2011 Monks Feast, Sunday at the Barton County Arts Center in Great Bend. A vegetarian stew will be available as an alternative to the venison, said George Martin. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. This fundraiser turns the Arts Center at 1401 Main into the refectory of ...

City accepts CKMC parking plan

A lot has changed at CKMC in the past two years. A lot is going to continue to change in the months to come, which is why issues involving Central Kansas Medical Center and its proposed transition into St. Rose Ambulatory & Surgery Center came before the Great Bend City Council Monday night. The council, after meeting with Mark Mingenback of CKMC, agreed to extend its variance on parking regulations, which was to run out ...

Toddler diagnosed with cancer

A few months ago, Kaito Richter of Great Bend, was a normal healthy little boy full of energy. Then his mother, Amber Beverley, noticed a lump in his leg that did not go away.

NAMES IN TIME

The original Great Bend High School Memorial Stadium was razed last summer, but not before an important part of its history was preserved.

County tourism grew in 2010

his past year has been a busy one for a variety of Barton County departments and for local tourism efforts as well, as Financial Officer Janet Crane reported recently.

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