Archive By Section - News
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 ...
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.
Articles by Section - News
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.
Wanted: Several good homes
At an adoption event this past Saturday, Ebert warmed the hearts of many. But, he still needs a home.
