Archive By Section - News
Wally Straub posthumously awarded ‘Citizen of the Year’ by Great Bend Chamber of Commerce
Nearly a month after his death, at the age of 79, Wally Straub is being honored for a lifetime of community support and involvement. The lifetime area resident earned the award of "Citizen of the Year" posthumously during the 89th-annual Great Bend Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Banquet held Saturday night at the Highland Convention Center, Great Bend. The Straub family accepted the award on Wally's behalf.
Kustom Floor Designs Inc. chosen as ‘Business of the Year’ by Great Bend Chamber of Commerce
Thirty-two years ago this month, Mark Bitter partnered and began a home-building business in a tiny shop north of Great Bend. Today, that former home-building business has evolved into a one-stop location for home décor sales and service, providing 6,000 square-feet of showroom space and servicing customers across half the state.
BCC trustee weighs in on Warren firing
At a Barton Community College Board of Trustees meeting on Friday, trustee Don Learned spoke out against the sudden termination of longtime danceline/cheerleading coach Debbie Warren, who was fired by President Dr. Carl Heilman in December. Learned also criticized the board's system of management, saying, "Under Policy Governance®, of course, we trustees really have little input on the operation of the college. "I think many individuals in Barton County would be ...
CKMC emergency services will remain the same
If there is one thing Linda Farthing could shout from the rooftops, it would be this: Emergency services will remain the same when Central Kansas Medical Center's name changes to St. Rose Ambulatory & Surgery Center in May. As CKMC's chief nursing officer, Farthing wants to reassure the community that emergency physicians and specially trained nurses will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week ...
Service to others
It was all about service to youth and community at the Great Bend High School Hall of Fame luncheon Friday afternoon.
Don’t bet on winter being over, yet
(EDITOR'S NOTE: This is one in a series of reminders about emergency preparedness.) It may seem like spring out there, and certainly the days are getting longer, but weather experts warn that it's still early enough in the year that we could see conditions swing back to dangerously cold just as quickly as they have gotten warm. In fact one of the agricultural concerns now is that plants will begin to respond to the warmth, ...
County clerk helps with state refunds
Local residents who are able to file homestead or food sales refunds have less than a month left to do that, according to information from County Clerk Donna Zimmerman.
A PENNY PORTRAIT
For Great Bend High School Special Education Teacher Teresa Frieb, the toss of a coin always turns up heads, at least when Lincoln-head pennies are involved.
New scouting adventure group to form
For teens who like to grab their boots and climb mountains, or paddle a raft through whitewater, a new scouting troop, Venture Crew 157, for youth ages 14 through 20, will soon be starting. In addition, other scouting activities have been reactivated.
Female lion dies at Brit Spaugh Zoo
A 14-year-old female lion at Brit Spaugh Zoo died Monday. "Dakura" did not wake up after being anesthetized for her annual physical exam. She died around 12:30 p.m. Zoo Director Scott Gregory said staff had recently noticed the lion was lethargic and seemed to be having health issues. They had hoped to learn more after the exam. Instead, the medical team performed a necropsy to diagnose the cause of death, and ...
Suspected meth lab raided
The Barton County Sheriff's Office raided a suspected meth lab Tuesday morning in Pawnee Rock. A search warrant was executed at 674 SW 110 Ave. around 8:45 a.m. Twelve officers joined the search, and an ambulance was called to stand by. No one was injured, however, Undersheriff Larry Holliday reported. Three people were arrested at the scene. Officers found glassware, chemicals and other items consistent with the manufacturing ...
Ledesma receives Great Bend’s Local Hero Award
David Ledesma received Great Bend's Local Hero Award on Wednesday, for saving another man from being crushed under a semi-trailer on an icy day last January. Friends and family met at Marmie Motors, where Ledesma works as a wrecker driver, to see him receive the award. Among those able to stand and say thank you was the man he rescued, Tom Curran. Mark Bretches ...
MAKING THE PLEDGE
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." Students in Jay Black's classroom at Great Bend High School stood Wednesday morning, placed their right hands over their hearts and recited the above 31 words. They joined students in other GBHS classes, following the lead of a schoolmate speaking the ...
County tables payment on treasurer redesign
Changes that are coming down the line in all county treasurer office around the state will mean more equipment being used at work stations and in Barton County that means a structural change will need to be made, requiring remodeling of the work area, according to County Treasurer Kevin Wondra.
GBRC releases annual report
The opening of the GBRC Activity Center last October tops the list of highlights for the Great Bend Recreation Commission, which released its 2009-10 annual report this week. The recreation commission is funded by user fees, grants and property taxes collected in its service area, which corresponds to Great Bend Unified School District 428. A total of 15,484 people enrolled in recreational activities. In this report, a person is counted ...
Articles by Section - News
First Steps: Aging out of foster care
This is part one of a three part series focusing on youth aging out of foster care.
Gov. Brownback addresses BCC graduates
Gov. Sam Brownback congratulated students on achieving a major milestone Friday, during Barton Community College's 43rd commencement ceremony. A crowd filled the Physical Education Building, where the governor offered several pieces of advice to the graduates, starting with, "Always, always, always listen to your mother." He also encouraged them to be lifelong learners, people of integrity and pursuers of dreams. "The why of a good dream is because somebody else benefits," he said, encouraging them ...
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.
