State Treasurer Ron Estes encourages Kansas families to Sstart saving for higher education with a 52

On May 29, Treasurer Ron Estes will join the College Savings Plans Network (CSPN) and State Treasurers around the nation in celebrating "529 College Savings Day" to increase awareness among Kansas families about the importance of saving for their children's higher education expenses. Learning Quest, the Kansas 529 Education Savings Plan, will also be holding three drawings this year for three $1,000 Learning Quest 529 Education Savings Plan accounts for those who like the plan ...

Nicholson installed as KFDA Vice President

Bill Nicholson of Hoisington, was recently installed as Vice President of the Kansas Funeral Directors Association at the Tri-State Convention held May 5-8, at the Sheraton Overland Park and the Overland Park Convention Center in Overland Park.

Carrie Witte retirement reception

A retirement reception to honor Carrie Witte will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. on Monday at St. Rose Ambulatory and Surgery Center. The public is invited to celebrate her 43 years of service.

CPI employee attains ASPPA’s TGPC designation

Heather Weathers of CPI Qualified Plan Consultants, Inc. (CPI) has recently passed all of the required exams to attain their TGPC (Tax-Exempt & Governmental Plan Consultant) designation through ASPPA (American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries). These exams include the Tax-Exempt Governmental Plan Administration & Plan Consultant (TGPC-1 & TGPC-2) exams.

Local FFA members earn Ford Trucks/Built Ford Tough scholarships

Local FFA members were among the 83 Kansas students awarded $1,000 Ford Trucks/Built Ford Tough scholarships during the third session of the 85th annual Kansas FFA State Convention on Thursday, May 30.

Brian Fry retires from KDOT

Brian Fry, Engineering Technician Senior for the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT), will retire on June 1 after 13 ½ years of valued service to the State of Kansas. As an Engineering Technician Senior in the Great Bend KDOT Office, Fry was lead inspector on numerous highway construction projects in Barton, Pawnee, Rice, Rush, and Stafford Counties. After retirement from KDOT, Fry plans to continue working in another area of employment.

Mid-Kansas Electric holds 6th annual meeting

HAYS - Mid-Kansas Electric Company LLC held its sixth annual meeting in Ulysses May 18.

Nicholson named KFDA vice president

HOISINGTON - Bill Nicholson of Hoisington was recently installed as vice president of the Kansas Funeral Directors Association at the Tri-State Convention held May 5-8 in Overland Park.

GBRC, Family Crisis Center, team up again

Great Bend Regional Hospital and the Family Crisis Center have a unique partnership that is beneficial to both organizations. The hospital sees firsthand the vast need for the Family Crisis Center's services in our community.

Backes joins Sunflower Electric Power Corp.

Sunflower Electric Power Corporation announced that Brian Backes has joined the company as a Line Technician Apprentice III. Backes joined Sunflower on May 20. He will assist with inspection and repairs of transmission lines and substation sites under the direct supervision of a journey or higher level line technician.

CPI employee Heather Weathers earns TGPC designation

Heather Weathers of CPI Qualified Plan Consultants Inc. has recently passed all of the required exams to attain her TGPC (Tax-Exempt & Governmental Plan Consultant) designation through ASPPA (American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries). These exams include the Tax-Exempt Governmental Plan Administration & Plan Consultant (TGPC-1 & TGPC-2) exams.

Sunflower Electric holds 56th annual meeting

HAYS - Sunflower Electric Power Corp. held its 56th annual meeting at Pioneer Electric Cooperative Inc. in Ulysses on May 17. The board of directors received the annual report of the corporation, which is available on the Sunflower website, and elected officers for the upcoming year.

M&F Plumbing, Inc. celebrates grand opening in new location

George and Patti Smith were all aglow as they led Chamber Ambassadors and longtime customers through their new location last month. The local heating, air conditioning, and plumbing contractor recently celebrated its grand opening in the new building, located at 1020 Frey in Great Bend.

Creative Touch new stylist

On June 4, Amy Marable will join the stylists of Creative Touch Salon. Amy relocated to Great Bend two years ago from St. Joseph, Mo. Her husband, Jason Marable, is the manager at Old Dominion Truck Line, and they stay busy with three boys. She attended Missouri Western State University and received her cosmetology training at Northwest Missouri Community College. She has 19 years experience in the hair industry, specializing in hair cutting, styling, and ...

State of the art theater complex comes to life in downtown Great Bend May 31st

With the blockbuster movie season right around the corner, the timing couldn't be more perfect for the grand opening of Golden Belt Cinemas 6 on Friday, May 31st. The six-screen complex is the newest theater in Kansas, and the most technologically advanced facility between Wichita and Denver. "After acquiring the local theater in June of 2010 we made several improvements to the facility however we quickly moved forward with our plans to construct a new ...

Rosewood Ranch hosts ‘Kids Day’ for approximately 75 children

A bustling bunch of energetic children ascended onto Rosewood Ranch on June 8 for a hootin'-and-hollerin' time. Approximately 75 children and their family members participated in the third annual "Kids Day at the Ranch," presented by Rosewood Services.

ASB ranked 12th in Kansas

American State Bancshares Inc., the parent company of American State Bank and Trust Company, Great Bend, has been ranked as the state's 12th largest financial institution in terms of total deposits, according to a report by SNL Financial Services, a financial information firm. SNL survey reflects deposits at all banks and holding companies in Kansas. By the end of 2012, American State Bancshares had total consolidated assets of $686 million with four banking charters and ...

​Listings, updates sought for 2014 Official Kansas Visitors Guide

The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, & Tourism is currently accepting updates and listings for Official Kansas Visitors Guide. The guide is an annual publication and will features digital, mobile, and tablet editions to keep pace with the changing travel planning habits of Kansas visitors. Kansas tourism officials commented about the publication: "The Guide inspires the decision to visit specific places, delivers the advertising messages travelers take most seriously, and primes them to carry out ...

​Gambino’s Pizza offers online ordering, lunch buffet

Gambino's Pizza of Great Bend, 1309 Main, recently launched a website, www.getgambinos.com. It features restaurant information, coupon pages and an online ordering tool. Customers can plan ahead for any take-out or delivery orders from the convenience of a computer or mobile device. Orders may also be placed by calling 620-603-6272.

​Applebee’s raises funds for Okla. tornado victims

As soon as the news of the tornado in Moore, Okla., began to break, the folks at J.S. Ventures Inc., an Applebee's franchise operating out of Wichita, began to develop a plan to help. The Great Bend restaurant at 3209 10th St. is participating in a fundraiser.

Straub International welcomes new General Manager to Great Bend store and hires new Parts and Servic

Last week Dave Tremain replaced current General Manager and President Ron Straub at the Straub International Great Bend store. "The change was necessary as our company continues to grow; we need capable people at every level and the knowledge and experience Dave Tremain has to offer will have a positive impact on the company. I will now focus my full attention to special projects such as the expansion of the Wichita store and guiding our Marketing efforts." said Ron Straub.

United Way of Central Kansas June Jaunt fundraisers

Local FFA members participate in State FFA Chorus

A select group of FFA members used their musical abilities to entertain members and guests at the 85th Kansas FFA Convention this week on the Kansas State University campus.

Nicholson receives 50 Year Award

The Kansas Funeral Directors Association, Inc. recently held their 116th Annual Convention in Overland Park.

Summer jobs and taxes

Students working at a summer job may not earn enough to owe income tax, but they will probably have to pay Social Security and Medicare taxes.

St. Rose sponsors transition classes for local cancer patients

Paula Brozek, Great Bend, thought it was an "opportunity too good to pass up." And she was right.

TripAdvisor awards Best Western Angus Inn with Certificate of Excellence

Best Western Angus Inn has received a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence. This award signifies the Best Western in the top-performing 10 percent of all businesses worldwide on TripAdvisor.