Archive By Section - News
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 ...
Great Bend Airport is flying high
Great Bend Municipal Airport Manager Martin Miller had quite a bit of news for the Great Bend City Council this week, and it was all good - well, almost all.
Head Start closed, for now
A long-standing program that serves economically disadvantaged children and their families in Unified School District 428 is no more, at least for now, local education officials learned Thursday.
GBHH&H plans for area expansion
Donita Wolf is laying the groundwork for a future expansion of Golden Belt Home Health & Hospice into two more central Kansas counties. As director of the non-profit agency, Wolf said she is excited about being able to help more families with home-health and hospice services. "We know there is an under-served population in our area," Wolf commented. "These folks deserve the care and treatment we can provide. "It ...
Holy Family School Fun Day
Children from Holy Family School are shown with some of the school's Fun Day prizes. Fun Day is actually a two-day event, with bingo from 7-9 p.m. Saturday at the St. Patrick Parish Center (ham sandwich meal served from 6:30-8:30) and the official Fun Day from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday at the Parish Center and HFS Commons Area. There will be carnivals, raffles, silent auction and a meal.
Bill to allow alcohol sales in grocery stores draws concern
A spokesman for the Northwest Kansas Regional Prevention Center says a proposed law to allow wine and spirits to be sold in grocery and convenience stores would increase youth access. Senate Bill 54 was passed by the Senate Committee on Federal and State Affair, and will be voted on by the senate today, said Christina Hayes, community prevention specialist with the Prevention Center. She said the bill's latest version ...
Local street projects approved for 2011
State and local money will unite in the coming year to improve a number of streets in the community, Great Bend City Council members decided Monday night.
SENIOR SAFETY: Small changes help elders stay at home
Anyone who has ever stumbled over a throw rug should realize, being safer at home can start with small modifications. That's why Karen Sessler, care manager at the regional ElderCare office in Great Bend, recommends picking up tripping hazards as a first step for senior safety. Sessler spoke about everything from wall grab bars to the Do Not Call Registry for home phones ...
Family Crisis Center earns state kudos
The Family Crisis Center in Great Bend is one of five sexual and domestic violence advocacy organizations in Kansas to receive a new form of accreditation. The process required months of self-study followed by a two-day site visit, but has resulted in service that is more supportive and effective for survivors, said Laura Patzner, executive director of the Center. Joyce Grover, executive director of the Kansas Coalition Against ...
Majesty of Cheyenne Bottoms, Quivira celebrated in 'KANSAS' magazine
The majesty of Cheyenne Bottoms and Quivira National Wildlife Refuge are being celebrated with a story in the Spring 2011 volume of Kansas magazine.
County moves ahead with design payment
A project to remodel the Barton County Treasurer's Office in order to make room for state-mandated computer equipment changes moved forward Tuesday when the Barton County Commission approved payment of a designer's fee.
WWII vet's story inspires author
Barton Community College history instructor Linda McCaffery told college trustees she hopes to commission a bronze honoring World War II veterans, using proceeds from her first book. "I'm Praying Hard for You," Love Letters to a Death Camp: The World War II Ordeal of Bill and Jo Brenner, was published last fall, and is available at the BCC Bookstore for $22.50. McCaffery spent three years researching and writing her book, which ...
Articles by Section - News
Important new addition to museum collection
SRCA board member Butch Fry made an important donation to the Barton County Historical Society Museum Saturday afternoon. He presented his SRCA 1964 Record Holder jacket.
The day the sculptures rolled in
Whether it was dragsters, street rods, Mopars, or vintage cars that struck their fancy, visitors and exhibitors alike were drawn to the Second Annual Barton Historical Society Museum Rolling Sculpture car show Saturday afternoon, May 18.
TLC Twisters bring comfort to shelter dogs
The TLC Twisters 4-H club at TLC Discoveries built eight dog beds which they presented to the Golden Belt Humane Society last week. The beds, made of donated PVC pipe and nylon material, will provide a place for puppies and smaller dogs to relax off the cement floor. They are easily hosed off, and are quick drying, making them ideal for a kennel environment.
Hoisington to host annual ‘Mud Run’
HOISINGTON - Engines will once again roar as drivers try to drive through the mud at the fourth annual Mud Run at 1 p.m. on June 1 in Hoisington, south of the railroad track on the east side of U.S. 281. It will be held in conjunction with the Kansas Mud Racing Organization.
Great Bend escapes Defense Department furloughs
The Great Bend Kansas National Guard armory should escape unscathed the round of federally mandated National Guard furloughs announced Tuesday by U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, said Sharon Watson with the KNG Public Affairs Office.
Foreign tourism developing in Barton County
Travel writer Matt Bates of Scotland and Lisa Weigt, International Program director for Kansas/ Oklahoma Travel and Tourism recently toured Barton County.
Game on
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 ...
