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.

Students learn by playing in the dirt

To the average person, the gaping, 6-foot-deep soil pit that was dug last fall south of the Barton Community College campus is just a large, rectangular hole in the ground. To Barton agriculture students, it's a chance to play in the dirt and to earn college credit for doing it. But to Dr. Victor Martin, Barton's Agriculture instructor, the huge hole represents a portal to wondrous discovery of what took place hundreds ...

CKMC answers questions at website

Mark Mingenback understands that many people have questions about the upcoming changes at Central Kansas Medical Center. And as CKMC director of business strategy and marketing, he wants to help the public get answers. In April or May, CKMC will concentrate all its efforts on its many out-patient services. "While anyone should feel free to call me, we took the extra step of setting up a convenient method of communicating ...

Tickets on sale for GBHS Hall of Fame events

The Great Bend High School Hall of Fame induction ceremony for the Class of 2010 has been set for Feb. 18. Inductees include former GBHS vocal music director and pianist, Jenny Allford, and 1944 GBHS graduate, Glenn Opie. Opie may be best known for his years of service to the Argonne Rebels Drum and Bugle Corps.

County moves ahead on new radio system

Barton County began 2011 in a position that most counties, most businesses and most individuals can only dream about. It started with new that it would receive a grant for more than $160,000 to help pay for an important communications program this year.

A teacher who touches tomorrow

HOISINGTON - Andrea Dolezal, Hoisington Middle School science and social studies teacher, received the Kansas Horizon Award sponsored by the Kansas State Department of Education. The award identifies and recognizes exemplary first-year teachers who perform in a way that distinguishes them as outstanding.

A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE

A year ago the lives of thousands of Haitians were condensed into piles of rubble from an earthquake measuring 7.2 on the Richter Scale. Ironically, that same earthquake has opened up an entire world to gifted students in the center of Kansas.

Winter conditions lead to danger, death

(EDITOR'S NOTE: This is one in a series of winter danger articles.) Safety experts know that you don't have to be in the sub-zero weather that has afflicted this region recently to be in danger, though it certainly helps. It's the conditions that are faced that raise dangers, according to information from Emergency Risk Manager Amy Miller. Anyone who is going to be out in winter weather, even if it seems less threatening than what ...

DOUBLE LOCKS OF LOVE

Melissa Hittle and her 5-year-old daughter Bailey started the new year by donating a combined 26 inches of hair to Locks of Love. The nonprofit organization will use their hair to make wigs for financially disadvantaged children in the United States or Canada who have lost their own hair. According to information from Locks of Love, most of the children it helps have lost their hair due ...

Tickets available at the door for "Barton County’s Got Talent"

With only a few months left until Habitat for Humanity plans to break ground on its next project, the nonprofit organization is hosting its 2nd Annual "Barton County's Got Talent" dinner theater this Saturday, with hopes for raising at least $15,000. These funds will be acquired through a combination of ticket sales, table sponsorships from local business and freewill donations at the event, said Habitat cochairman Rachel Mawhirter. "This ...

EDH receives phony bomb threat

ELLINWOOD - A bomb threat was called into Ellinwood District Hospital early Wednesday morning. The threat turned out to be phony, but all patients and staff were evacuated while a search was conducted.

Broadway-Harrison interim change discussed

City Engineer Robert Winiecke will announce later when the next public comment session will be held, dealing with the plans to install traffic signals at Broadway and Harrison.

Winter poses special dangers for children

(EDITOR'S NOTE: This is one in a series of winter danger articles.) The cold weather does little to keep winter sports enthusiasts inside – especially children. In fact, children ages 14 and under are at a high risk for winter sports injuries. It's an age-old tradition for kids to get out and play in snow that their parents work hard to avoid. Unfortunately, it's also traditional for some of those kids to get hurt in ...

2010 brought lots of work and awards

2010 not only brought successful improvement projects to Barton County roads, but it also brought an important recognition for one of the county departments, according to Road and Bridge Director Dale Phillips.

Commission sees change of guard Monday

Kirby Krier already had a clock, a present from Barton County in recognition of his previous stint as a county commissioner. So, Monday when Krier was being recognized for his most recent term on the board, he was presented a boomerang as a parting memento, because, as County Administrator Richard Boeckman noted, Krier always returns. Krier performed his final duties as the chairman of the commission before stepping down from it, at the changing of ...

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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