All school sixth grade band showcases budding musicians

The Great Bend sixth grade citywide concert drew parent of musicians from each of the city's elementary schools to the Great Bend High School auditorium Monday night for a showcase of skills learned over the past year. Retiring middle school band teacher Kurtis Koch and high school band teacher Mark DeWald directed the students through nine pieces many former band students will recognize. There were marches, like the "Here we go March", Beethoven's "Ode to ...

CHANGING OF THE GUARD

There were some changes to the Great Bend City Council following the April 2 general election. Those changes were noted as the governing body reorganized during its meeting Monday night at City Hall.

SPANNING THE PAST

There are two historic limestone bridge north of the tiny northeast Barton County community of Hitschmann that may be nice to look at, but don't meet the grueling needs of today's faster, larger and heavier traffic.

Hoisington plot returned to native roots

HOISINGTON -With vision, a love for the outdoors and the peaceful, native Kansas prairie, Terry Nech of Hoisington will be restoring the Shop Creek Nature Area to its natural state. It is located in south Hoisington on Vine St.

Top teachers visit USD 428, share ideas

Kansas Teachers of the Year from region one visited Great Bend USD 428 Friday to observe and gather insights and ideas to take back to their districts, said Kim Heath, an English teacher at GBHS. She and fourth grade teacher Laurie Harwood hosted the day-long tour for five other teachers from Dodge City, Liberal, Ellis and Pratt.

Another in the books

The Great Bend Farm and Ranch Expo wrapped up its second successful show Friday afternoon. Jan Westfall, chairman of the Great Bend Area Chamber of Commerce expo committee, said while the first day of the Expo started off slow because of cold, wet weather, subsequent days saw the numbers of visitors building.

Guide to help keep city clean

As of last week, Great Bend City Sanitarian Gregg Vannoster's department had received 397 complaints of trashy properties so far this year. Some come from residents, but most come from his staff as it combs the streets.

Old and young to take a shot at nixing malaria

Great Bend First United Methodist Church and Trinity Methodist Church will co-sponsor the Shoot For No Malaria contest Sunday, April 14 at the GBHS Panther Activity Center starting at 2:00 p.m. All proceeds will go to "Imagine No Malaria." Funds received will purchase mosquito netting and help in educating people in tropical, under-developed nations where malaria is still a menacing killer.

Reverse transfers could mean more BCC graduates

Students who transfer from Barton Community College to Wichita State University before completing their associate degrees may still be able to graduate from BCC, Barton President Dr. Carl Heilman said Thursday. Heilman told BCC trustees he signed a memorandum of understanding with WSU for a "reverse transfer agreement" that allows students to transfer credits from WSU back to BCC to complete their associate degree while working toward their bachelor's degree. Barton is looking at a ...

Not getting pets vaccinated against rabies could cost a bundle

Locally, a rabies vaccination for a cat or dog costs on the average $15, plus a mandatory examination which can cost around $25. For most people who drive the average truck, that's about the same as a half a tank of gas at today's prices. While its nothing to sneeze at, it's a lot easier to manage than the $8,832 cost of post exposure treatment.

Ice lollipops

USD 428 new hire to fill big shoes

Khristopher J. Thexton, superintendent of Marysville School District 364, has been hired by USD 428 as the new director of finance, operations and federal programs. A quorum of four school board members met in a special meeting Thursday, waiving their right to three days prior notice. After a five minute executive session, they voted to make the offer, which he has accepted.

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.

Former Honor Flight program director to stand trial

A jury will try LaVeta Miller, the Great Bend woman charged with stealing more than $100,000 from the area Honor Flights program. As Miller stood beside him, her attorney entered a plea of not guilty on her behalf Thursday on two counts of theft by deception. Ellinwood attorney Richard Anderson waived the reading of the charges during Miller's arraignment, which followed the conclusion of her preliminary hearing. District Magistrate Don Alvord ruled that the state, ...

“Drones” give birds eye view, make fast work for ag apps

"Not all drones are created equal," Dr. Kevin Price, a Kansas State University professor of agronomy and geography told the audience at the Wednesday noon presentation on drone technology at the Great Bend Farm and Ranch Expo.

Living a "Glass half-Full' Life

In the early 2000s, like so many up and coming children of the prairie, Ellinwood native J. Basil Dannebohm, had the bright lights of the city shining in his eyes.

Wanted: Several good homes

At an adoption event this past Saturday, Ebert warmed the hearts of many. But, he still needs a home.

Spring and music in the air

The Panther Jazz Band pumped up the audience at the GBHS Panther Bands Spring Contest Concert Monday night with their opening rendition of Watermelon Man by Herbie Hancock. It was a night to celebrate the accomplishments of the high school music program and a select group of accomplished musicians who competed at the state level earlier this spring. Senior band members also recognized and thanked their parents for the support offered through the years of ...

More sleep time? USD 428 gives a nod

High schoolers may get a few extra zs next year thanks to a proposal approved at the USD 428 board meeting Monday night. But not for teachers. Board members approved a series of late starts for the high school during the 2013-2014 school year that would give teachers the time they need to collaborate, but take away two hours of student contact time a month

GBRC shares Blue Ribbon Award to promote health

Several people working to make Barton County a healthier place received some recognition and financial assistance Monday during the Great Bend Recreation Commission Board meeting. Doug Vance, executive director of the Kansas Recreation & Park Association, visited the meeting along with representatives from BlueCross BlueShield of Kansas, to present a $2,500 facsimile check and a banner in honor of Great Bend winning the Blue Chip award.

Residents fear stray gunfire near river

It's only a matter of time before someone is hit by a stray bullet while enjoying the Arkansas River bed south of Ellinwood, local resident Tom Komarek told the Barton County Commission Monday morning.

County hopes to spark Vet Memorial donations

The Memorial Parks Advisory Committee was given the go-ahead by the Barton County Commission Monday morning to hold two much-needed fundraisers to build the Veterans Memorial at Golden Belt Memorial Park north of Great Bend.

Soaring with Eagles

America's Promise and DARE contest essay winners soared to the highest height on Saturday when members of the Experimental Aircraft Club in Great Bend took them on a 15-20 minutes airplane ride over Great Bend.

‘To parents, be the adults’

With high school and college graduations fast approaching, the Central Kansas Partnership is urging parents to keep the community safe by prohibiting underage drinking and not providing alcohol to underage youth at graduation celebrations.

Kansas 150 years 1861-1900

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