From big box to online

During the Dust Bowl days, jalopies leaving the drought-ravaged plains would often carry a sign saying "California or Bust" as promises greener pastures out west lured dirt-poor farmers.

What is wrong with this picture?

The newspaper business-both small and large papers-has sounded full-throated opposition this past month about a plan by the U.S. Postal Service to purposely entice advertising out of the newspaper so ads can be placed instead with USPS favored stakeholder Valassis Inc., which bought direct mail company ADVO in 2006.

The season is a changing

As of Friday afternoon, anyway, the temperature had dipped to 59 degrees, a far cry from the 90-plus-degrees the day before. A drive down Broadway brings to mind the changing of the leaves from green to gold.

Not so marvelous

This month members of the American Federation of Musicians picketed the Screen Gem studios in Wilmington, N.C., where Marvel (a Walt Disney Co. subsidiary) is shooting "Iron Man 3." AFL-CIO, the federation of labor unions, reports AFM musicians are upset because Marvel Entertainment "takes millions of taxpayer film production incentive dollars and then offshores the musical scores in foreign countries under sub-standard conditions. Their latest blockbuster, The Avengers, was filmed stateside with $30 million ...

It’s all about teamwork

It was an issue brought to light by the concerns of some Villa South residents over the maintenance of their streets. Villa South is a housing development in the northwest part of Great Bend that actually falls outside of the city limits.

Do what you can

The United Way of Central Kansas will launch its 2013 campaign Saturday with a goal of $235,000 to be reached by Dec. 31. Each year, Executive Director Julie Bugner-Smith comes up with a catchy theme to make the kick-off an entertaining and enjoyable evening. This year it's "Peace, Love and United Way," a 60s theme to coincide with the 50th anniversary of United Way in Barton County.

Still, no fireworks

It may seem unpatriotic, especially as area residents cast their ballots in today's primary, that the Barton County Commission voted Monday to continue the ban of fireworks in unincorporated areas of the county. In the resolution, commissioners declined to set a deadline for them to reconsider the action. Instead, the prohibition is in place indefinitely.

Get off that couch!

"A citizen of America will cross the ocean to fight for democracy, but won't cross the street to vote in a national election." – Bill Vaughan, columnist

A commission divided

The Barton County Commission carries a heavy yoke into the Aug. 13 budget presentation and public hearing.

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Now is the time to think of future

The Aug. 7 primary is just over a week away. Amid the clamor of the contentious presidential race, it is easy for this important local election to get lost in the shuffle.

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Time to get pay attention

On Thursday night, the Great Bend League of Women Voters will hold a candidates' forum. The group has invited those on the ballot for all the county-level offices as well as for the state House and Senate.

‘Center’ of attention

Great Bend City Council member Dale Westhoff recently approached Great Bend Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Cris Collier in regards to the Convention Center now owned by the city. Collier said Westhoff asked some very pointed questions and was shocked by the answers.

Election letters

Well, here we are, smack in the middle of another election year with the Aug. 7 primary looming. Elections always stoke the editorial furnace here at the Tribune, and this year should be no different. With some candidate endorsement letters starting to trickle in and some campaigns starting to call and ask about how to make such submissions, it is a good time to offer a refresher course on out political campaign letter policy.

Of pedals and petrol

A week ago Friday, cyclist Gail Kline of Salina was struck from behind and killed by a hit-and-run driver while riding. The driver, who was later found, left her to die beside the road.