Apartment project falls through

In January, the Great Bend City Council supported the use of federal low-income housing tax credits to help finance the building of a 32-unit apartment complex in Great Bend.

RAMP UP!

Imagine the damage a small piece of concrete an inch in diameter can do if it's picked up in the blast of a jet engine. It can rip a hole in aircraft body panels, damage propellers, crack windshields, and even injure airport personnel on the ground.

Youth Bike Safety Rodeo Friday

The Barton County Health Department, Barton County Sheriff's Office, Great Bend Police Department and the Barton County Landfill have teamed up to provide their annual Bike Safety Rodeo for children ages 5 to 14 on Friday at the Britt Spaugh Park northeast baseball field near 22nd and Morton streets.

The bridge is official

The bridge on West 10th Street spans the City of Great Bend's flood-control ditch and was built by the city in the late 1980s as part of that massive anti-flooding effort.

JUNE JAUNT DELIVERS

June Jaunt delivered something for every age group in Great Bend. The weather cooperated after a chilly start with cloudy skies. The afternoon was blessed by sunny skies and temperatures into the 70s. The children had their games and train show. Their parents and grandparents enjoyed the variety of musical entertainment. Drawing one of the loudest ovations of the day was 13-year-old singer Ashlyn Prescott. She was voted People's Choice Award at "Barton County's Got ...

Summer school means summer school zones

Motorists, beware. Summer school in Unified School District 428 begins Monday, and along with it come summer school zones.

More Cruise Night photos

Kansas SpeedWeek Cruise Night was Friday, May 31, in downtown Great Bend. Here are a few cars seen in Jack Kilby Square.

Kansas SpeedWeek cruisers return

The weather at the first of May was decidedly un-springlike, forcing several outdoor events to reschedule. The last day of May was more to everyone's liking, and the Kansas SpeedWeek Cruise Night brought dozens of classic cars and racers to Great Bend's Jack Kilby Square. After a parade lap, car owners parked along the courthouse square, sometimes answering questions or popping hoods for curious onlookers. The free car show was organized by Sunflower Rod and ...

Teen's inspiring song goes global

A Minnesota teenager who died May 20 from a rare form of bone cancer has become a global role model for others battling serious illness. Zach Sobiech's song "Clouds" is a viral hit, reaching Number One on at least one digital music chart, but it made a bittersweet debut this week on Billboard's Hot 100. "Clouds" was inspired by his girlfriend Amy Adamle and written as a goodbye to friends and family when he learned ...

A TASTE OF THE REAL THING

SALINE COUNTY – The elite firefighters from Great Bend, Newton, Hutchinson, Sedgwick County and Winfield met in McPherson Wednesday morning. From there, the team made its way to the tornado-ravaged community.

Committee to study ban pit bull ban formed

Great Bend Mayor Mike Allison has selected the members of the committee charged with studying the banning of pit bull dogs within the city limits.

Blizzard makes area eligible for federal aid

On April 26, Barton County Emergency Management received notice that President Barack Obama signed a federal disaster declaration which ordered aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area affected by the Feb. 20-23 blizzard, including Barton and surrounding counties, the Barton County Commission learned Monday morning.

Court of Appeals overturns dismissal in suit against city

A lawsuit filed after an on-duty Great Bend Police officer was involved in an automobile accident in 2005 recently came before the Kansas Court of Appeals.

Local firefighters part of statewide training

SALINE COUNTY – Great Bend Fire Department firefighters are among more than 230 emergency personnel from across Kansas taking part in an intensive a two-day, large-scale training exercise that wraps up today in Saline County. First responders, emergency managers and other members of the public safety professions were invited to participate in and observe the exercise and tour the state-owned Crisis City training facility.

No ticket required

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.

June events at Great Bend Public Library

Great Bend Public Library, 1409 Williams St., will offer the following programs in June: • Summer Reading activities begin Monday, June 10. Registration for all ages will open that day. The children's department will have its kick-off party at 3:30 p.m. Dan Dan the Magic man will perform a magic show that fits in with the Dig Into Reading! Summer Reading Club theme. Students in grades 7-12 can register for the Beneath the Surface Teen ...

Historic Wolf Hotel reincarnated

ELLINWOOD - The historic Ellinwood Wolf Hotel has a new owner, and great plans are in place to renovate and reinvent the hotel. Christopher McCord, 26, of Ellinwood plans to return the building to its roots as a hotel.

Larned native Gene Keady present at street renaming

Gene Keady, born in Larned in 1936, was honored Saturday at Moffett Stadium on Third Street, where Keady was raised by his parents, Mary Helen and Lloyd Gibson Keady.

PEDAL POWER

In July 2011, Rhiannon Becker's 13-year-old cousin Mikal Bond was severely injured when a vehicle collided with her bicycle near Lawrence.

Butterflies

Monarch butterflies alight on wire mesh at the Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo Butterfly Garden. Various species of butterflies in all stages of live can be found in the garden.

Cale sculpture going up at Historical Society

The history of Barton County, from unbroken grassland to modern wind turbines, is the latest subject for Great Bend artist Chet Cale. A series of bas relief panels by the sculptor is going up at the Barton County Historical Society. Bev Komarek, executive director of the historical society, said the artwork – 8 feet wide and 6 feet high – will be the focal point of the museum's new recognition wall. Names of significant donors ...

Study: Drought impacting fish populations

MANHATTAN – The Plains-parching drought gripping North American has caused dramatic changes in native fish communities, including those that call Arkansas River home, a Kansas State University researcher said. These changes could have a damaging impact on the health of the Ark as it trickles around Great Bend. "A couple of key species that we have been studying have virtually disappeared where they historically were abundant," said Keith Gido, a KSU biology professor who studies ...

Barton County doing well, for now

Three local lessons can be gleaned from a new Kansas State University report outlining the fiscal health of the 105 counties in the Sunflower State.

Great Bend sends two to Miss Kansas

PRATT - The next Miss America could come from Barton County. The next step toward the title is the Miss Kansas Pageant, which starts today at Pratt and concludes Saturday. Twenty-five women will compete, including two from Great Bend.

Keeping memories alive

The Memorial Parks Advisory Committee is on a mission.

Volleyball tournament honors Klug

Sixteen teams participated in the Rhonda Klug Memorial Volleyball Tournament held Sunday afternoon at Vets Park. It was only one of the activities planned for that day for the final day of the second June Jaunt festival in Great Bend that got residents out and about enjoying the attractions the city has to offer.

June Jaunt lives up to hype in Great Bend

Overwhelming success!

A SPECIAL RIDE

The American Legion Riders will once again lead the way in the opening ceremony as they have for several years. This year, the ride will have special meaning for J.P. Postlethwaite, who has been the lead rider. This year he will be the featured speaker for the opening ceremony.

Vets Lake looking good

The Great Bend Water Department has begun testing for nutrients at Veterans Memorial Lake which has, in the past, been plagued by toxic blue-green algae.