Holidays bring special security risks

(EDITOR'S NOTE: This is one in a series of articles about property crime in Great Bend and the steps that are being taken to address it.)

Mums the word

Shirley Degenhardt sits in her flower bed filled with mums on Hemlock Street in Great Bend Friday morning. For several years, Degenhardt would buy mums then plant them after the flowers' season had waned. They survived and have taken over part of the front yard, exploding into an array of reds, golds and other fall colors each autumn. "I don't buy them anymore," she said.

Seasonal places settings

This year is sixth the Great Bend Beautification Committee will offer those planning holiday parties ideas on how to decorate for the season, while at the same time, earning some money to improve the community.

Fair Trade Market returning for holidays

This holiday season, one can find unique gifts made by artisans from around the world at the Fair Trade Market at R.B. Tellers, 1210 Main St. in downtown Great Bend.

Learning of our world at State Eco-Meet

BARTON COUNTY - Armed with determination in search of knowledge of their own surroundings, more than 100 high school students from across the state participated in a scavenger hunt and an interpretive play, and took tests about herpetology and woodland ecology on Thursday at the Kansas State Eco-Meet held at Camp Aldrich and the Kansas Wetlands Education Center. The Eco-Meet is where learning of Kansas' wildlife and plants led to fun and scholarships.

Ney to stand trial for murder, attempted murder

Shawn Ney will stand trial for the first degree murder of Steven Calderwood, and for attempted first degree murder of Sarah Ney, Shawn's wife, on July 10. After a preliminary hearing Friday in Barton County District Court, Senior Judge Barry Bennington found probable cause for both counts, and for a last-minute charge of aggravated burglary. Following the preliminary, Bennington presided over Nye's arraignment during which the charges were read ...

College trustees discuss ENDS

The conversation at Barton Community College's board study session Thursday centered on the ENDS. That's what college trustees call the keys to how they oversee Barton. "ENDS," as in goals, final outcomes and desires, are usually referred to in all capital letters and are presented in the form of six ENDS statements, such as ENDS Statement No. 1: "Students will have the essential skills to succeed in the workplace." ENDS ...

Auditions scheduled for 2nd annual Barton County's Got Talent dinner theater

The area Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors will hold auditions next week and the following Sunday, for the second annual Barton County's Got Talent dinner theater. The program, on Jan. 15, 2011, will be a fun, local spin-off on the TV show "America's Got Talent," sponsors said. Audition sessions will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday and 4-6 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 14, at Grace Community Church, 210 ...

Two plead in drug ring that included Great Bend

TOPEKA - Two men who were part of a drug- trafficking operation that sold methamphetamine in Great Bend, Topeka and Kansas City, Kan., have pleaded guilty, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said Thursday.

EAA Chapter to give airplane rides to youth

Smoky Hill EAA Chapter #1127 will host a Young Aagle Day on Saturday at the Ellsworth Airport. Young people age 8 to 17 are welcome to experience a demonstration flight in an airplane. The flights are provided free of charge to any youth wishing to participate. Registration and flights will begin at 9 a.m. and continue until 1 p.m. Each youth must have a signed permission form from their parent/guardian. Forms are available from chapter members or can be filled out Saturday.

Interior home security begins with exterior work

(EDITOR'S NOTE: This is one in a series of articles about property crime in Great Bend and the steps that are being taken to address it.)

Rollover wreck

Repeat water tests find no bacteria

Tests performed on Great Bend water in September found e. coli and total coliform bacteria. However, a second set of "repeat" samples all tested negative, city Water Department officials said. They will continue the required routine testing.

K-96 project enjoys lots of support

(EDITOR'S NOTE: This is one in a series of articles about the continuing effort to promote the K-96 highway project.)

The old is new again

BUSHTON - Harkening back to the days of yesteryear prior to rural electrification in central Kansas, food was kept in the first half of the 20th century by home canning and smoking. Women would work through the night to ensure that food was safely preserved for their families.

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.