Winter dangers require planning ahead

(EDITOR'S NOTE: This is one in a series of winter danger articles.) We're not even a month into winter, and safety experts warn that the taste of severe winter weather that hit this area over the last couple of days is just one example of how bad things can get - and how quickly they can get that way. It's a good time to pay attention to the weather and plan ahead, according to Emergency ...

Two BOE members say no to another term

When the new Unified School District 428 School Board takes over July 1, there will be two familiar faces absent.

Search is on for best snow sculpture

With snow on the ground, Garet Fitzpatrick, leisure coordinator at the Great Bend Recreation Commission, reminds residents of the annual GBRC snow sculpture contest. Program coordinators reported on this and other events when the GBRC Board of Directors met Monday. Groups and individuals are invited to make a snow sculpture this winter and send a photo of it, along with information about the people who worked on it. Mail ...

NO PLACE LIKE HOPE

Relay for Life of Barton County volunteers started down that yellow-brick road Saturday morning as they held their annual kick-off event.

County filings open until Jan. 25

Barton County residents have an opportunity to get involved in local government as the county prepares for a variety of local elections, coming up this spring, according to County Clerk Donna Zimmerman.

Gas hits three bucks in Great Bend

Saturday, you could still shop around and find gas for $2.96 in Great Bend, but the community woke Friday to find that some stations had already made the move up to $3 per gallon for regular unleaded.

Next 9.12 Committee meeting is Thursday

The next 9.12 committee meeting has been set for 7 p.m., Thursday at the Great Bend Recreation Center, 1214 Stone.

Second burglary suspect arrested

Great Bend Police arrested a second suspect Thursday in connection with last month's burglary at P&S Security, where a number of guns were stolen. Lt. Bill Browne said the 16-year-old suspect was arrested at approximately 4:19 p.m. Thursday in the 5900 block of Eisenhower. His name was not released. He is being held in a juvenile detention center near Reno County. The burglary at P&S Security, 1705 K-96, occurred Dec. ...

Gun show draws crowd at Expo

Gun dealers from across the state brought their wares to Great Bend this weekend, for a gun show at the Great Bend Expo Complex west of town. The show continues today, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., but Saturday's turnout was enough to convince Anthony Lutz with R.K. Shows - sponsor of the gun show - that his first Great Bend show won't be his last. ...

Sesquicentennial project honors 150 years of Kansas science

What state gave the world an aviation pioneer, the co-developer of Google Earth, the Nobel prizewinning inventor of the microchip and a member of a Nobel prizewinning panel on climate change? Kansas.

Arizona Rep. Giffords shot, several wounded

TUCSON, Ariz. - Rep. Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona was shot in the head Saturday when an assailant opened fire outside a grocery store during a meeting with constituents, killing at least five people and wounding several others in a rampage that rattled the nation.

Wolf set to start third term

As he sat back and relaxed late Thursday morning, state Rep. Bill Wolf realized it may be the last time in over three months he would have the chance to take it easy.

City replaces fire station heater in emergency repair

A $100,000-plus project at the downtown fire station wasn't in the plans when this year's budgeting was handled, but when it became clear that the heating system, which is more than 40 years old, was reaching a point that it wasn't safe, there wasn't much of a choice.

Plan for in-county tuition break gains momentum

The next tuition increase at Barton Community College may include a price break for local residents. The idea was suggested at a recent BCC Board of Trustees study session, and discussed again briefly on Thursday, at the January study session. Last year, trustee Mike Johnson said he'd like to see Barton County residents pay less for tuition, since they already support the college with their tax dollars. On Thursday, ...

Boeckman part of historic judicial panel

TOPEKA – In light of reduced judicial resources statewide, a new "Blue Ribbon" commission has been named to take a thorough and critical look at the Kansas court system to find ways to improve it and make it more efficient, it was announced Wednesday.

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

e-Tribune