Out in the cabbage patch

CKCC keeps doing more with less

Doing more with less only goes so far, and county officials are seeing where that philosophy starts having negative dividends.

DOING A ‘POUR’ JOB

Bill Koelling and Max came out of their front door at 2530 20th St. Tuesday morning. In what has become a regular routine over the past six weeks, Max bolted across the grass, yipping at the men working in the street.

Job Fair

Employers, career consultants and job seekers mingle at a career and networking job fair, Tuesday at the Best Western Angus Inn courtyard area in Great Bend. This event was hosted by KansasWorks and supported by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. Edward Scott, Local Veterans Employment Representative with KansasWorks, said 15 employers were represented at the job fair, which was open to civilians as well as military veterans.

Highland to see improvements

There are changes and improvements in store for the venerable Highland Hotel, a facility that was once a jewel in Great Bend's tourism crown but that has since fallen on hard times.

Threat to whoopers discussed at local meeting

Barton County officials announced Monday that a national conservation organization will hold meetings here this week to discuss threats to one of the more endangered species of birds in this part of the world.

County to be debt free this week

As of Wednesday, Barton County will be out of debt.

Time to ‘Live United’

Residents of Barton and Pawnee counties will again have the opportunity to show they can "Live United" as the United Way of Central Kansas' 2011 campaign opens Thursday.

A SIGN OF PAST TIMES

WILSON – On Saturday, Sept. 3, a glowing landmark will return to the Wilson skyline.

Bucks rewarded to drivers who buckle up

Here's a driving tip that could save a life, or maybe just put a buck in your pocket. Starting Sunday, Aug. 28, and continuing through Sept. 10, local volunteers will be handing out $1 bills to drivers who have all occupants buckled up securely in their vehicle.

Woman who abetted sale of stolen guns convicted

A Great Bend woman who helped burglars sell guns stolen from a local business last December was convicted last week in Barton County District Court.

Golfers support Kansas law enforcement

Golfers were calling Great Bend Police Chief Dean Akings "Payne" - as in Payne Stewart - Friday at the Club at StoneRidge. Akings and his fellow team members emulated the late golf pro Stewart by wearing old-style bloomers and tam-o-shanters for the annual Law Enforcement Valor Awards Golf Tournament.

CTC data released

BARTON COUNTY - The Communities That Care data, which is a survey of 6th, 8th, 10th and 12th graders from across the state, has been released from the 2010-11 school year for Barton County. Some good news is reported in data.

Records staff fills in family history

If you drive up to Galatia some day and stop by the local cemetery, and you look around at the old headstones there, you may notice an old, old bed of flowers that could seem like something you'd have seen at your great-grandmother's house. And if it seemed that way to you, you would be right, because the bed of irises is just about that old.

Chief Akings earns law enforcement award

When a teenage mother was in danger of losing her home because it was not painted, Great Bend Police Chief Dean Akings worked alongside other high school students to help paint her house. Now the Kansas Juvenile Officers Association has recognized the role Akings plays in programs for the community's youth by presenting him with the Law Enforcement Administrator of the Year Award.

Out of the Morgue, July 17, 2014

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.

From crime crack down to run-down houses

On June 13, Great Bend City Council members toured city facilities as the first step in the 2015 budget-planning process. Next they gathered on July 2 for a brain-storming session with the purpose of establishing their goals for the upcoming year.

Changing of the Guard

The USD 428 Board of Education welcomed Superintendent Brad Reed to his first meeting Monday evening. At the beginning of each year, nominations and votes are made for president and vice president of the board. This year, the board was faced with the choice between Kevin Mauler, nominated by Dwight Young and seconded by Larry Kutina, and the incumbent, Joyce Carter, nominated by Doug Bender and seconded by Cheryl Rugan. Khris Thexton, director of business operations, called for a vote, which predictably saw the candidates and their supporters vote for themselves, resulting in a tie. Board member Wade Babcock's ...

Glow Party photos

Two more photos from Wedsday's Glow Party at the Great Bend Public Library.

Library treats kids to glow party

"Things that glow" was the subject Wednesday at the Great Bend Public Library, as the summer reading program continues. At Glow Parties in the morning and afternoon, kids sat under ultraviolet "black" lights that made neon colors glow as Children's Librarian "Miss Amanda" read "The Day-Glo Brothers," the true story of Bob and Joe Switzer's bright ideas and brand new colors.

Kans for Kids earns tax credits

The Kansas Department of Commerce announced this week that 25 nonprofit organizations, including the Kans for Kids Fighting Cancer Foundation, will share $4.13 million in tax credits under the Kansas Community Service Tax Credit Program. Since 1994, CSP has helped nonprofit organizations undertake major capital fund-raising drives for various projects.

Chapman trial on hold pending mental evaluation

Editor's Note: This story has been updated on July 16, changing the word "hearing" to "evaluation" in the first sentence.

USD 428 summer projects wrapping up

USD 428 Director of Business Operations Khris Thexton gave a brief update on the progress of various capital improvement projects at learning centers around the district Monday night at the July meeting of the Board of Education.

County braces for loss of oil and gas fund

To help shore up reserves, the Barton County Commission Monday morning approved transferring money from the Oil and Gas Valuation Depletion Trust Fund. However, the commission was warned this critical piece of county funding will not be around for much longer.

Farmers Market to begin in Ellinwood

ELLINWOOD - Ellinwood Farmers Market will begin Tuesday, July 22 from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at the American Legion parking lot. Fresh vegetables (in season) available. All bakers, craftsmen, artisans and more are invited to come to sell and showcase.

Volunteers named as grand marshals for Labor Day event

HOISINGTON - Hoisington Food Bank volunteers and board have been named as the 118th Annual Labor Day Parade Grand Marshals, the Hoisington Chamber of Commerce announced earlier this week.

Sentinel Gallery presents Who Knew? Art Exhibition showcasing art with Ellinwood roots

ELLINWOOD - Sentinel Gallery will present an Art Opening for the exhibition Who Knew? Art Exhibition Showcasing Art with Ellinwood Roots, taking place at 201 South Main on from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on July 18.

Ellinwood Library closed for cleaning

ELLINWOOD -Ellinwood School/Community Library will be closed for cleaning July 22- 25. It will reopen on July 28.

SOH announces dedication of new Haitian church

Star of Hope is proud to announce the dedication of the new church building in Hesse, Haiti. The original church building was rendered useless and unsafe by the 2010 earthquake that devastated Haiti. On June 28, more than 250 people gathered in the new mountain church to dedicate it to the use of the people in the area. The church is located next to the new Hesse School also rebuilt since the 2010 earthquake. In addition to being used for church services it will also be used by the school for assemblies.

Kansas 150 years 1861-1900