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.

PURPLE PALACE

RUSH CENTER - Greg Patterson is a busy guy. When he's not closing an oil and gas lease, he spends time managing Greg's Sports Pub & Grub in Rush Center. "I'm very much a hands-on owner at the restaurant," he said. "I do everything from helping with dishes at lunch and helping up front with customers. I enjoy doing the cooking Friday and Saturday. I'm definitely an active owner. Our place has a local small-town ...

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 ...

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

Toxic blue-green algae bloom affecting Veterans Lake

OPEKA– The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued Public Health Warnings for Marion Reservoir, Marion County; and Memorial Park Lake (a.k.a. Veterans Lake), Great Bend due to toxic blue-green algae populations above minimum public safety levels. Logan City Lake in Phillips County remains on the warning list, bringing the total to three so far in 2013.

FROM TUMULT TO SUCCESS

As Bob Feldt took his seat at the Barton Community College Board of Trustees table for the last time Thursday afternoon, fellow trustee Don Learned came over to him and shook his hand.

From bridges to weeds, county crews stay busy

A number of county road and bridge issues came to the attention of the Barton County Commission Monday morning as County Administrator Richard Boeckman gave his bi-weekly update on the activities of county departments.

Senior nutrition program adds local farmers market as site

The Kansas Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program has added Great Bend's Summer Street Stroll Farmers Market as a site for the 2013 market season said Janel Rose, chronic disease risk reduction coordinator, Barton County Health Department. "Our community was fortunate to be selected to participate in this valuable resource."

OF DOGS AND OWNERS

Great Bend resident George Weber stood Wednesday morning before the newly minted committee formed to study banning pit bulls within the city limits and apologized.

Hot cars quickly become deadly for children, pets

It doesn't take triple-digit temperatures outside for unattended vehicles to reach oven temperatures inside. But as summer weather returns to the Golden Belt, safety experts remind people to never leave a child or pet alone in a vehicle. Lt. Bill Browne at the Great Bend Police Department said it isn't unusual for people to call 911 when they see an unattended vehicle with a child or pet inside. More often than not, the vehicle is ...

Local artist intermingles art with life

ELLINWOOD - Staying busy and loving life, Rhea Grandon finds fulfillment in her art, hobbies, family and friends.

Youth Academy set for Friday

If you see local youth being hauled around this Friday and Friday June 28, in police cars or in the back of ambulances it is not because they are in trouble with the law or injured in an accident.

Summer reading off to magical start

The yellow hard hats seen Monday at Great Bend Public Library weren't for construction work. Staff wore the hats to celebrate the theme for this year's summer reading program: "Dig Into Reading."

Sports, activities and mentoring spotlighted at USD 428 June BOE meeting

The USD 428 Board of Education welcomed Delores Baker and her family and friends Monday evening at the district office. Board president Dwight Young awarded her the R.O.S.E. (Recognizing Outstanding Support of Education ) certificate, recognizing her for her years of commitment to a Riley student through her 12 years of education in the district through the Youth Friends program.

​SDS axes contract with Rec Commission

Last month the Great Bend Recreation Commission's board of directors approved a new contract to provide day services to Sunflower Diversified Services, but on Monday GBRC's Executive Director Diann Henderson said Sunflower won't approve a contract for the coming year.

Agreement a sign of improvement

An engineering agreement approved by the Barton County Commission Monday mornings helps pave the way to better signs on major rural county blacktops.

Inmate in custody after walking away from Barton County Jail

This story has been updated. An inmate who walked away from the Barton County Jail sometime Sunday night was back in custody by 11:40 a.m. Monday. Lee W. Dean, 23, who was being held for probation violation, was located in the southeast part of Great Bend and 201 Plum St., Sheriff Brian Bellendir announced in a news release. "(Dean) was taken into custody without incident," Bellendir said. "A second subject at the location was taken ...

USD 428 recognizes mentor with a R.O.S.E.

For six years, Delores Baker, Great Bend, volunteered as a Youth Friends mentor for a Riley Elementary School student. For six more years, they nurtured their friendship through letters and lunch visits. This year, Baker had the great joy of seeing her friend graduate from Great Bend High School. And on Monday night, the USD 428 Board of Education will honor her with a R.O.S.E. (Recognizing Outstanding Support of Education) award at their regular June meeting.

Summer reading programs start Monday

The Great Bend Public Library has a new look going into the summer reading programs. The front desk has moved and the Children's Department has been refurnished.