Gas prices are on the rise again

BY CHUCK SMITH csmith@gbtribune.com As of Tuesday morning, local motorists had their choices of prices to pay for unleaded fuel. They could pay $3.20, $3.23, or the newest price, $3.30 per gallon. The $3.13 of the day before was gone, however. Also gone, according to a statewide Internet site that follows fuel costs, is gas under $3 per gallon in Kansas. The low price recorded ...

County looks at future health CHANGE

BY CHUCK SMITH csmith@gbtribune.com Barton County Health Department officials are looking at needs for local CHANGE, however county officials are concerned that the health initiatives don't add to stresses already being felt by local businesses. The Barton County Commission was briefed by the health department Monday on the Community Health Assessment and Group Evaluation - a process that is required of communities that intend to continue receiving ...

A time to plant

10th Walk Kansas forming teams

This marks the 10th year for Walk Kansas, a statewide fitness challenge coordinated by K-State Research and Extension. Teams are forming now for the eight-week challenge that starts March 13 and concludes on May 7, said Donna Krug at the Barton County Extension office. The goal of each six-person team is to get active, by walking or other exercise. Members log their minutes of exercise, which are converted to ...

Barton County residents received $4.5 million in Earned Income Credits

BY STAFF REPORTS ST. LOUIS – More than 2,100 Barton County taxpayers received more than $4.5 million in Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC) last year. "The EITC can put an extra $457 to $5,666 into the pockets of low-income working individuals and families," said IRS spokesman Michael Devine. "If they qualify and claim the credit, they could pay less federal tax or even receive a refund beyond the amount of ...

New cemetery plots up for sale

Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy wrote in the 1880s the question, "How much land does a man need?"

Communications director starts work on a high point

It's not often that you get to wake up and give thanks that you are out of a job, but County Administrator Richard Boeckman got to do that Monday morning.

Schugarts lead BCC fund drive

Larry and Kathy Schugart have supported Barton Community College in many ways from its beginning. Continuing their support, they helped launch the Barton Foundation's 2011 Academic Enrichment Fund Campaign today as honorary co-chairs of the event. The month-long annual campaign raises money for academic scholarships for Barton students and programs. As they lead the campaign, the Schugarts talk about the benefits the college offers their community. They experienced ...

Red Barn had a red letter first year in Great Bend

The word that the Great Bend City Council received from Red Barn executives about the company's first year in Great Bend was welcome news, indeed, and it was the type of message any community would like to hear from any business.

Of mice and (other) mammals

Ayden Davis, Hoisington, gets an up-close view of Digger, a black-tailed prairie dog, during the "Mammals R Us" program at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center on Saturday. Participants also viewed a least shrew, grasshopper mice and big brown bat, made their own prairie dog, and played a mammal matching game.

Countdown begins for spelling bee

With the Great Bend Tribune's Sunflower Spelling Bee less than two weeks away, coordinators are working on final details. This year's bee will see as many as 76 contestants from 66 counties. Each county is allowed to send at least one champion, and some can send more, based on the number of schools registered to compete in the 2011 Scripps National Spelling Bee, to be held June 1-2 in Washington, D.C. ...

One killed, two injured in collision

A Great Bend man died and two people were injured on Saturday, after vehicles collided at the U.S. 281/K-19 junction, 11 miles north of St. John in Barton County.

Legislators discuss budget, redistricting

Sen. Ruth Teichman, R-Stafford, said western Kansas may have one less senator when voting districts are redrawn in 2013 to keep them relatively equal in population. "We're going to lose a vote out here," she told an audience in Great Bend on Saturday, noting the state's population is shifting to the east. The seat most vulnerable is for the 36th Senate District, held by Sen. Janis Lee, D-Kensington, until she resigned ...

Yowell to share life's adventures at KWEC

BARTON COUNTY - Skip Yowell, a man who has made it his life's goal to discover for himself and possibly climb all four corners of the earth, who chooses to motivate with kindness, respect and fun, will inspire nature lovers with his spectacular photographs and stories of his adventures at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center at 7 p.m. April 15. Snacks will be served at 6:30 p.m.

City accepts Schulz memorial gift

Those who studied local history might be tempted to paraphrase the old axiom and suggest that Ray "Jiggs" Schulz forgot more about local farming history than most people ever knew, except that those who knew him would argue Schulz never forgot anything. At any rate, the late local historian's understanding of the importance of farming to the development of this region of the nation is being memorialized with a local monument, the construction of which ...

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.

BCC may opt out of conceal carry law

Barton Community College trustees may request an exemption to a new gun law taking effect July 1.

Salad days

With high hopes that the area has seen the end of frost for the year, a full-house turned out to learn the how-tos of container gardening at the Great Bend Rec activity center Thursday.