New endowment benefits Locust Grove Village

The Golden Belt Community Foundation is pleased to announce that Locust Grove Village (formerly Rush County Nursing Home), has established a new endowment fund. This partnership between the community foundation and Locust Grove Village gives individuals and businesses interested in supporting the nursing home or retirement community a vehicle for their charitable giving.

Rosewood Ranch receives grant from CMN Hospitals at Via Christi Health to offer therapeutic riding s

Rosewood Ranch, a 900-acre full-working horse ranch, in Pawnee Rock, that offers equestrian and therapeutic riding classes to people with developmental disabilities, has been awarded a grant for $1,950 by Children's Miracle Network Hospitals at Via Christi Health.

Farm Show winners

The Jordan Hickel family of Great Bend won the grand prize at the American State Bank booth during the recent Great Bend Farm and Ranch Expo. The bank let participants spin its prize wheel for a chance to win a Sanyo 42-inch high definition TV. Pictured from left: Jordan and Katrina Hickel and their two children Kate and Mack, along with Robert Rugan and Jerry Renk representing American State Bank and Trust.

Russell KS native featured in national publication

281 Bypass Antiques located at 1135 Hwy 281 Bypass in Great Bend will host a reception for artist Dustin Poche from 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday May 11.

Be True to Our School's Campaign check

Farmers Bank and Trust promotion

Farmers Bank & Trust announces the promotion of Bobbi LaViolette to an Assistant Vice President and Assistant Operations Officer/Assistant Cashier. Bobbi has worked for Farmers Bank & Trust for six years, all of which she has been an essential part of the banks deposit team.

Great Bend native moves home to open downtown business

A Great Bend High School graduate who had lived out-of-state and worked for a large corporation decided it was time for a change. That change will result in a new Main Street business that will complement its downtown neighbors.

Charitable donation

Riggs hired by Stutzmans

Stutzmans Greenhouse announced this week the hiring of Keith Riggs as garden center manager for its location in Great Bend.

First Kansas Bank Pays It Forward

First Kansas Bank is giving back. During the holiday season for every new loan and deposit account opened, First Kansas Bank made a donation to the Golden Belt Foundation "Pay It Forward Fund", administered by the DARE program. This fund is available to local schools where teachers and administrators use the money to purchase clothing, supplies, and other basic necessities that arise for students in need.

Nex-Tech’s Private Cloud

Nex-Tech's Business Technology Group announced today that it now offers Private Cloud services through its remote datacenters. Located in separate communities, these high-tech facilities offer the latest in technology innovations with the physical and virtual security and redundant core services necessary to properly store and protect a business' critical applications and data.

Roger Marshall elected Vice Chairman of Farmers Bank Board

The Board of Directors of Farmers Bank & Trust elected Roger Marshall, M.D. to the role of Vice Chairman in January of 2013. Dr Marshall has served on the board for thirteen years, in various capacities and leadership positions of committees associated with Farmers Bank & Trust.

FHSU grad Alan Burton, CPA, named one of 39 national Sells Award winners

Alan Burton, Great Bend, a 2005 Fort Hays State University graduate with a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting, is one of 39 winners nationwide, out of a pool of 92,000, of the 2012 Elijah Watt Sells Award of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).

CPI Barton County Endowment accepting ideas for projects

The CPI Barton County Endowment is accepting Letters of Inquiry for its 2013 grant cycle. The intent of the CPI Barton County Endowment is to improve the quality of life in the Barton County area. Projects eligible for grants will make tangible improvements that provide a visible improvement to one or more of the communities in Barton County. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) public charities. Interested organizations must first submit a Letter of Inquiry. After ...

Knudson visits Federal Lawmakers

Rhonda Knudson joined 1,000 other professional insurance agents, advisors, brokers, consultants and employee benefit specialists from across the country in Washington, D.C., April 8-9 to meet with U.S. Senate and U.S. House members and staff as part of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisor's Congressional Conference.

Dr. Markiewicz brings new procedures to St. Rose

To say that Dr. Richard Markiewicz is animated when he talks about the procedures he performs would be an understatement. It is obvious he is eager to explain his minimally invasive procedures because they are the "wave of the future."

Rosewood Wine Cellar expands opportunities with new products

Rosewood Wine Cellar has been open for only four months, but already it's become a popular shopping destination in downtown Great Bend. Business has been growing for the retail gift store, which promotes work opportunities for people with developmental disabilities with every purchase made by customers.

GBRH celebrates National Hospital Week

Great Bend Regional Hospital joined hospitals across the nation in celebration of National Hospital Week 2013 this past week.

Agents earn American Star Excellence in Customer Experience awards

MADISON, Wis. - American Family Insurance agents Rhonda J Knudson, Shawn L. Panzer and Frank Callahan Jr. have been recognized for providing outstanding customer experience under the American Star Excellence in Customer Experience Certification. They join other American Family agents who have demonstrated the highest level of commitment to outstanding customer service.

Investor Alert: Kansans cautioned about potential fraud tied to international investment scheme

The Kansas Securities Commissioner issued a cease and desist order after learning that at least four Kansas residents had invested a total of $22,000 in an international investment scheme.

St. Rose shares message of Better Sleep Month; provides only accredited center in area

Brandi Gruber will talk about the value of a good night's sleep any time, but this month she is making a special effort to spread the word. As director of cardiopulmonary services at St. Rose Ambulatory & Surgery Center, Gruber and her staff in the Sleep/Wake Disorders Center are observing Better Sleep Month.

Sandstone Bridge therapy center opens in Great Bend

Mindy Nicholson wanted to make life easier for her Great Bend-area patrons and decided to take action. Her idea recently came full circle, when Sandstone Bridge Center opened in Great Bend.

Candidate selected as Kansas 911 Liaison

The Kansas 911 Coordinating Council and the Kansas Adjutant General's Department have selected Scott Ekberg as the Kansas 911 liaison. Ekberg will begin his duties May 13th.

Adams, Brown, Beran & Ball announces new Managing Partner

The certified public accounting firm of Adams, Brown, Beran & Ball, Chartered is pleased to announce Brian Staats as the firm's new Managing Partner, effective May 1st.

Heart Association declares GBRH Emergent Stroke Ready

Great Bend Regional Hospital has been documented as able to adequately care for a stroke patient brought to the facility, the American Heart Association and the Kansas State Stroke Task Force announced last Wednesday. GBRH was added to a list that already included Clara Barton Hospital in Hoisington as hospitals that provided the necessary documentation to be named as Emergent Stroke Ready as part of the Kansas Initiative For Stroke Survival (KISS).

'Brain Weather' topic for free cancer talk

The role of emotions in day-to-day life after a cancer diagnosis is the topic for the next Interactive Television (ITV) presentation at St. Rose Ambulatory & Surgery Center. The event, which is free and open to the public, is scheduled for 3 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 22 in the basement-level St. Dominic Room.

Dr. Sotelo expands practice to include more shoulder surgeries

Alice Walter acknowledged that if she had to do it over again, she wouldn't wait so long. Hindsight tells her she could have returned to her daily activities much sooner.

Brown Mackie students experience hippotherapy at Rosewood Ranch

Two Brown Mackie College occupational therapy assistant students spent four days last week involved with the equine therapeutic riding program at Rosewood Ranch. It's the second consecutive year that Rosewood Ranch has welcomed first-year OTA students from the Salina college to its award-winning therapeutic ranch so that the students can complete fieldwork required for their OTA practicum. Brown Mackie OTA students Megan Collins and Ashley Overbey attended the ranch from April 29 through May 2, ...

Food Bank donation

On a recent afternoon visit to the Barton County Food Bank the volunteers were scurrying about trying to assist local residents who were overflowing the waiting room, many with children in tow, hoping for emergency food assistance. It clearly demonstrated the urgency of ongoing needs still existing for local families in Barton County as well as the critical commitment needed from the community for ongoing financial support for this worthwhile endeavor.

Completely Kids combines storefronts with The Gallery

Completely Kids announced the store will be combining efforts with The Gallery in downtown Great Bend, starting June 1. The new shop-within-a-shop will still carry all their customer favorites. "We want to thank our customers for 10 years of support," owner Dana Long said. "We hope that they'll enjoy the new combined shopping experience inside The Gallery."