Archive By Section - News
Emergency room busy after rollover accidents
The Barton County Sheriff's Office responded to one injury accident on Friday and two early Saturday.
Bikers take stand against child abuse
Members of an international motorcycle group gathered north of the Barton County courthouse Saturday afternoon. The red and black patches on their leather jackets showed chains and the letters B.A.C.A. written across the fingers on a closed fist.
Birders flock to Bottoms, QNWR
Birders from all four corners of the country – including Connecticut, California, Michigan and New Mexico – flocked to Barton County this past weekend to enjoy all of the bird watching available during the spring migration at Cheyenne Bottoms and Quivira National Wildlife Refuge.
Boeckman on panel reviewing Kansas judiciary
A three-member panel of the Blue Ribbon Commission that has been appointed to review all facets of the Kansas judiciary will conduct two public meetings in Hutchinson on Wednesday, to hear local concerns and suggestions to improve access and efficiency in the state's court system.
Irsik named St. Rose administrator
It's not exactly like coming home for Leanne Irsik but there certainly is a lot that is familiar. She is a Kansas native who is acquainted with some of her new colleagues in the organization she had served for many years.
High school warns of ACT/SAT scam
Unified School District 428 officials are warning Great Bend parents of a scam involving ACT/SAT testing.
CKCC does more with less -- again
Central Kansas Community Corrections continues to work to keep this region's non-violent offenders out of the prison system, and again this year it appears it will do the work with less.
Dismissed DUI case back in court
A 2008 felony drunk driving case against Delbert Leroy Adams Jr. that was dismissed by a Barton County District Judge is back in the court system, following a ruling by the Kansas Court of Appeals.
Tentative teacher agreement on the table
Although it remains to be ratified by district teachers and approved by the School Board, negotiators for the teachers and administrators reached a preliminary contract Wednesday, Superintendent Tom Vernon told the Unified School District 428 School Board Thursday afternoon.
LETTING THEIR GARDEN GROW
For some green-thumbed fifth graders, education is taking place not only in the classroom, but also across the street from their school in a once-vacant lot. But coming from a school named Park, it's not much of a stretch to think that students there would be interested in gardening.
Design work begins on plan to restore historic bridges
County Engineer Clark Rusco is moving ahead with work on historic Barton County stone bridges, he reported recently.
Members of GBHS class of 1961 sought
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Fifty-one years after being selected to take part in the Project Talent study of American high school students, the class of 1961 from Great Bend High School is being asked to participate once again.
Governor requests disaster declaration for 21 counties
TOPEKA – As much of the Southern United States withers under an unrelenting dry spell, Kansas Governor Sam Brownback Wednesday requested U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, issue a drought disaster declaration for 21 Kansas counties.
Oil’s well that ends well
Not only will a new piece of equipment at the Road and Bridge Department do a better job than the old one it is replacing.
Articles by Section - News
Food Stamp program undergoes reduction in benefits
The federal Food Stamp program, now known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, underwent changes beginning in October of 2013, and as a result, local charities that provide food are now seeing an increase in usage.
Budding artists: Watching Young Artists Grow exhibit opens
The Barton County Historical Society Museum is holding its first art exhibit, with works inspired by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Andy Warhol, to name three.
Fire causes events to relocate or cancel
The Barton Community College Foundation Clay Shoot set for May 4 has been canceled, due to last Saturday's fire at the Camp Aldrich Conference Center. Meanwhile, sponsors of Camp Hope and dozens of other scheduled events are scrambling to find alternate locations.
Man indicted for identity theft in Barton County
KANSAS CITY, Kan. – A federal grand jury in Kansas City returned indictments Wednesday against a Mexican national charged with using false identification documents and identity theft in Barton County, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said.
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.
Appraiser reminds residents of tax deadlines
Property valuation notices were mailed to the Barton County taxpayers on March 17 and County Appraiser Barbara Konrade reminds residents they have 30 days to appeal their valuation from that mailing date.
County expands new software system
It's been about a year since Barton County offices switched to a unified bookkeeping software. Although the conversion was at times rocky, officials are now comfortable with the new system and ready to expand it.
Ball tournament expected to draw 2,000 to Great Bend
Editor's note: This updates a story that was previously published on the website.
‘HomeWords’ wanted
Kansas Poet Laureate Wyatt Townley wants to bring poetry home to Kansans, and in that vein, is beginning a weekly poetry column that will be published in the Great Bend Tribune.
Poet laureate magically weaves words
ELLINWOOD - Wyatt Townley, Shawnee Mission, finds poetry in every day life, in trains, in the Kansas wind, and in nature. Imaging magical ways to weave words, she comes home to poetry.
Rec Commission sees health-care costs increase
The cost of employee health insurance at the Great Bend Recreation Commission is expected to increase 11 percent overall this year, Executive Director Diann Henderson told the GBRC Board of Directors on Monday. The board voted to renew the major health coverage for the next fiscal year, which starts July 1.
Camp Aldrich fire ruled accidental; cause unknown
The cause of Saturday's fire at the Camp Aldrich Conference Center Dining Hall hasn't been determined, Claflin Fire Chief Doug Hubbard said Monday.
Larned State Hospital resident pleads guilty to sending obscene material to a minor
WICHITA – A registered sex offender residing at Larned State Hospital pleaded guilty Monday to sending obscene material to a minor while he was a patient at Larned State Hospital, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said.
KHP works injury accidents
On Monday morning, Kansas Highway Patrol responded to at least three injury accidents caused by icy roads. KHP also responded to accidents Friday and Saturday, in which central Kansas residents were injured.
FEMA money to flow into county
Last August, some areas of Barton County experienced severe flooding. The cost of dealing with those storms was high, prompting county officials to apply for a federal disaster declaration to help clean up the soggy aftermath.
