Archive By Section - News
County to be debt free this week
As of Wednesday, Barton County will be out of debt. That is just the county itself, not every citizen of the county. Still, it is an important achievement and one that has not been accomplished by most Kansas counties, it was announced Monday. Financial Officer Janet Crane reported to the Barton County Commission Monday on the accomplishment, which marks the conclusion of the county's indebtedness for two major construction projects. The county had let bonds ...
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. The original sign will again adorn the roof of the historic limestone Midland Railroad Hotel. The lighted red sign, which was removed for renovations to the Midland, has been reinstalled, and will be dedicated and lit at 9 p.m. on that Saturday. "It's kind of an iconic sign," said Tom Mahoney, a Dorrance native who along with his wife Heddy ...
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. "Bucks for Buckles" is being held in 53 cities across Kansas as residents hit the roadways and head to one last getaway as Labor Day ...
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. Jamie Lynn Hubbard waived her preliminary hearing and entered a plea of "no contest" Thursday to the charge of abetting theft. Assistant County Attorney Amy Mellor said two people were charged with burglarizing P&S Security on Dec. 19, 2010. "The defendant assisted in introducing them to ...
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. Thirty-six teams joined the four-person scramble tournament, which raises funds for an annual tribute to Kansas officers who ...
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. The average age of initiation of tobacco or marijuana use is slightly older than state average, starting at 13.29 for cigarette use, and 13.19 for alcohol use, and 14.16 for marijuana ...
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. Award recipients ...
Former teacher sent student sexual texts
Seth Converse Stevens sent text messages with sexual content to one of his female students when he was a teacher at Ellinwood High School in 2009, Assistant County Attorney Amy Mellor said Thursday in Barton County District Court. That was the case Mellor was ready to present to District Judge Mike Keeley at Stevens' preliminary hearing. However, Stevens waived his right to the hearing and entered a plea ...
Volunteers continue to guide county growth
It's not only elected officials, or even hired staff members who make decisions that affect the future of Barton County, but volunteers also have a hand in making important decisions.
Teen Court continues to impact young lives
Barton County continues to find ways to help youth offenders to get back on the straight and narrow, including through the use of peer programs.
UWCK wants to stuff a bus
Sometimes when it comes to the agencies in Barton and Pawnee counties that serve those in need, that need isn't about money.
Cerebral palsy ranch sale postponed
EL DORADO – A last-minute fund-raising campaign has saved a southeast Kansas ranch that has served as a camp for thousands of people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities, at least for now. The Kansas Cerebral Palsy Ranch was slated to go on the auction block Saturday, Aug. 27.
County accepts low bids on projects
As a lot of people have found out, expensively, with the rise in popularity of home electrical generators for emergencies, there is more involved in setting a building up with a gas-powered generator than just cranking one up when the power goes out.
Articles by Section - News
New standards, new measures: what it means
Editor's note: The Kansas State Department of Education earlier this month released it's 2013 School Report Card. At first glance, it appears Kansas kids are scoring poorly compared to even a year or two ago. But with schools all over the country rolling out of the new Common Core and College and Career Readiness standards, the rules of the game have changed. The tests haven't however, and that skews the data scores are supposed to ...
Great Bend Sports Complex lands state tourneys
The Great Bend Sports Complex will host the 2014 baseball and softball championships of the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference.
Great Bend lottery office to close
The Kansas Lottery is restructuring its field staff in order to provide better service to lottery players and retailers, and increase sales and transfers to the state. As part of the restructuring, the Lottery will close its Great Bend office. The last day the office is open to the public will be December 13, 2013.
Vandals striking again
Vandalized stop signs are once again been an issue in rural parts of Barton County, Road and Bridge Director Dale Phillips reported to the County Commission Monday morning. Four signs were damaged in this way with six other being reported as either vandalized or wind damaged.
KSBE gets 411 from USD 428
Monday, Dr. Max Heim and Gary Secrest from the Kansas State Board of Education arrived in Great Bend to meet with patrons, faculty and staff, administration and USD 428 board members to discuss the newly begun search for a superintendent.
2nd Grade Civics
Second graders from Park Elementary School took a trip to the Golden Belt Humane Society on Monday for story time. After Kennel Technician Aaron Pike read a story, there was time for cookies and juice. Children also got to pet some puppies and kittens while learning important lessons about animals from the shelter's staff. Heather Acheson, director of the humane society, compared lessons on approaching injured or stray animals to what kids learn about "stranger ...
County to observe Thanksgiving
Barton County Office Buildings will be closed on Thursday and Friday in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. The Barton County Health Department and the Records Division of the Sheriff's Office will also be closed both days. The Barton County Landfill will be closed on Thursday. It will reopen on Friday between the hours of 8 and 11 a.m. On Saturday, it will return to normal operational hours. Emergency services will be in normal operation.
Scenic overlook project gets extra funding
When it comes to grants, it's not often more money is offered than originally requested. But, that is the case for a joint county/state project to improve the Cheyenne Bottoms Scenic Overlook between Hoisington and Claflin, County Administrator Richard Boeckman told the County Commission Monday morning.
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