Mike Johnson joins Great Bend Refrigeration

Tom White, owner of Great Bend Refrigeration, 2112 Main, announced that Mike Johnson has joined the company as manager of the residential heating and cooling services. Johnson is a longtime Barton County resident with 39 years of experience in refrigeration, heating and air conditioning.

New graphic artist brings talent to OPI

Some customers have an idea of what they want, while others don't quite know which direction to go. In either situation, Dana Peterson can help.

C&V announces new hours, welcomes newest hire.

C&V Home Improvement of Great Bend has hired Sarah Flipse's for customer relations and sales.

Adams, Brown, Beran & Ball adds new human resources director

The certified public accounting firm of Adams, Brown, Beran & Ball, Chartered announces the addition of Ruth A. Bealer to its professional staff. Bealer works in the firm's Great Bend office.

New masseuse available at Club 1

Constance Winkler is available on call for members and non-members appointments at Club 1 Fitness during their regular operating hours. Services available are the Raindrop Therapy, Synergie Treatment and Bio-mat sessions.

Ledesma and Trimmer earn top finishes

Patricia Ledesma is now the Reserve World NSBA Champion in the category of trail pattern for Riders with Disabilities. The Rosewood Services Inc. client earned her new title at the National Snaffle Bit Association World Horse Show, held in Tulsa Aug. 17-21 at the Built Ford Tough Expo Complex in Tulsa.

FHSU joins Nex-Tech and Nex-Tech Wireless to create customized smartphone applications

As of the first of July, anyone with access to cellular, Wi-Fi or Internet service could download free smartphone applications -- called "apps" -- that allow them to engage with Fort Hays State University, Nex-Tech and Nex-Tech Wireless from anywhere in the world.

Rejuvenation, Inc. announces new employee

Rejuvenation, Inc., a full service Day Spa, Salon and Boutique, for men, women and children, announces the hiring of Elisabeth Wiethoff. Elisabeth is a Licensed Massage Therapist who graduated from Professional Fitness Institute in 2005. Her formal training includes Anatomy and Physiology I and II, Pathology, Kinesiology and Business Management. Her practicum experience includes Bodyworks, Body Mechanics, Sports Massage and Eastern Influence. Elisabeth is specialized in Swedish, Deep Tissue and Acupressure massage.

Just Paint It owner brightens community with murals

While a Great Bend couple vacationed in Michigan this summer, Great Bend artist Sally Rychlec was busy painting a mural on the privacy fence in front of their home.

Chris Frye returns to OPI as technician

Regular customers at Office Products Inc. in downtown Great Bend may have done a double-take recently in the service department. The familiar face is that of Chris Frye, who has returned to OPI as a copier technician.

American State Bancshares acquires Rose Hill Bank

Sunflower Early Education Center receives grant

Cathy Estes and her staff at Sunflower Early Education Center accepts a grant check from Golden Belt Community Foundation for a specialized printer that works with their hearing screening equipment for more accurate and long-term record keeping. Golden Belt Community Foundation's next competitive grant cycle deadline is Nov. 1. Visit www.goldenbeltcf.org or call at 620-792-3000, for more information.

Package Express opens in downtown Great Bend

R.B. Tellers, one of the seven MyTown LP stores in downtown Great Bend, has a new service that makes shipping packages more convenient for customers. Package Express recently opened inside of the business, which sells products manufactured by JanSport, Fuller Brush and Coleman. Package Express offers packaging, wrapping and UPS shipping services Tuesdays through Saturday at its convenient downtown location.

Raptor Center becomes learning playground with new exhibits

Walk into the Kansas Raptor Center at Brit Spaugh Zoo and you'll instantly enter the world of Ornithology. Instead of feeling like you are studying birds, however, you will feel like you just encountered them in their natural habitat. Three permanent exhibits with life-like birds, trees, grasses and plants were installed in early July, and three traveling exhibits were also added. The exhibits provide a fun way to learn for kids of all ages, said Brit Spaugh Zoo Director Scott Gregory.

Callahan takes charge of Great Bend American Family Insurance agency

American Family Insurance agent Frank Callahan Jr. announced he is now in charge of the Great Bend office, as well as his American Family office in Larned.

Heartland Cancer Center patients benefit from fundraising activities

Not only did a downtown Great Bend business raise money for Heartland Cancer Center (HCC) patients, its fundraising activity gave other entities the opportunity to do the same.

Steve Wondra receives award

Steve Wondra, Ecowater Sales Manager for Stueder Contractors for 24 years, was named Admiral (reserved for the highest position in the Admirals Club) for being the top salesman in U.S. small markets (cities with population of 100,000 or less) and will be part of the exclusive Fleet Admiral's Club, an elite group of only the top salespeople. Steve learned of his outstanding achievement while attending the Ecowater International Dealer Convention in St. Pete Beach, Fla.

Jazzercise adds new instructor and Saturday classes

Carrie Feist, a newly certified Jazzercise instructor, has begun offering classes at the Jazzercise Great Bend Fitness Center. Feist earned the right to teach Jazzercise by completing an intense two-day workshop and performing a letter-perfect audition. Becoming a Jazzercise instructor requires dedication and thorough training. After submitting adequate references and putting in long hours of practice, Feist recently participated in a rigorous workshop in Leawood, sponsored by the Franchise Programs and Services Department of Jazzercise Inc. She was required to learn approximately 15 Jazzercise routines for her audition; pass a written exam on basic anatomy, exercise physiology and nutrition; learn ...

New OPI graphic artist brings talent, expertise to the job

The new graphic artist at Office Products Inc. understands that sometimes customers don't know exactly what they want and may need a little guidance.

Dr. McCaulley re-elected

Dr. Russ McCaulley of Great Bend has been re-elected to his third two year term on the Heart of America Contact Lens Society Board of Directors at the societies 53rd annual congress held in Kansas City Mo. on Feb. 14-16th. Dr. McCaulley will continue as a Director of Education.

Statewide Food Drive Campaign aims to raise 100,000 meals for Kansas families

Governor Brownback signed a proclamation declaring March 23 – 29 as Kansas Agriculture Week and Mar. 25, Kansas Agriculture Day. A cornerstone of the agriculture celebration is the Neighbor to Neighbor Food Drive.

Top teachers attend conference

Nearly 300 of Kansas best educators gathered in Topeka in February for the 2014 KEEN (Kansas Exemplary Educators Network) Conference. This by-invitation only conference was hosted by the Kansas State Department of Education. It is for active KEEN members, their principals and superintendents, and recognized educators. They met to discuss current education issues and classroom practices. The two days were spent celebrating the achievements of Kansas public schools and collaborating on ways to better serve Kansas students.

Mosaic invites you to discover the possibilities

You may remember the gentleman with disabilities that held the door for you at Ellsworth Steak House or the young woman with disabilities serving you popcorn at the bank. You may remember how happy they seemed, but what you might not know is how they obtained that job or were connected with the volunteer opportunity. Mosaic's mission is to help people with intellectual disabilities discover possibilities in their lives.

Nex-Tech to Host Tech Edge Conference for I.T. Professionals

Nex-Tech will be hosting a technology conference on June 12 for information technology professionals, called Tech Edge.This one-day conference will be in Hays on the campus of Fort Hays State University inside their Memorial Union.

Credit Union of America donates books to Roosevelt Elementary

Credit Union of America donated 36 Dr. Seuss books, valued at $395, to Roosevelt Elementary in Hoisington. The presentation was made Friday at the school.

Zena Jacobs now oversees all clinic administration at St. Rose

Zena Jacobs, R.N., still cares for patients whenever she can but she has taken on another role at St. Rose Ambulatory & Surgery Center.

Cancer patients, families enjoy new TV in HCC waiting room

The picture was fading out on the big, boxy television in the Heartland Cancer Center (HCC) waiting room and it was time for a change.

Adams, Brown, Beran & Ball Promotes local accountants

The certified public accounting firm of Adams, Brown, Beran & Ball (ABBB) is proud to announce the promotion of Brett Behrends, CPA, Danielle Hollingshead, CPA and Nicole Zink, CPA.