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.

Encore Sound livens up events with zany D.J. and karaoke

By day he's Brian Ewing, a stand-up employee for Office Products Inc. By night, he's "Money B," the wig-wearing and costume-donning karaoke D.J. extraordinaire. Ewing, along with business partner Dawn Jaeger, own Encore Sound, a D.J. and karaoke service, which brings the fun to any party across the state.

Stone Waste Management becomes sister company to Stone Sand

A Great Bend Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting was recently held to celebrate the successful opening of Stone Waste Management LLC. The new business opened Jan. 1 at 421 Washington, becoming a sister company to Stone Sand Company Inc.

Widener brings skills to St. Rose Rehab Services

Those who suffer from back pain don't often think about physical therapy as a way to find relief. But they may want to consider the experience of the new physical therapist at St. Rose Ambulatory & Surgery Center when seeking treatment.

Conference to deal with ecommerce

HAYS – Registration opened on July 25th for the 2011 Kansas Jubilee: eBay to eCommerce. This national conference will be held Friday and Saturday, Sept. 30-Oct. 1 at Fort Hays State University's Memorial Union Conference Center, 600 Park St., Hays. A grassroots initiative sponsored in part by Fort Hays State University School of Business and supported by the FHSU Small Business Development Center, this two-day event will cover topics ranging from eBay to other ecommerce venues to social networking for business and independent sellers who wish to sell online.

Russell Area Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours Vintage Place Assisted Living

The Russell Area Chamber of Commerce will have August Business After Hours at Vintage Place Assisted Living Facility from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, at 1070 E. Wichita Ave. Come and visit with the residents and staff, enjoy some refreshments, and find out what's going on at Vintage Place Assisted Living.

Kim Stejskal joins Sunflower Electric Power Corporation

Sunflower Electric Power Corporation announcees that Kim Stejskal has joined the company as a Records Management Assistant. Kim joined Sunflower on Aug. 1. She will maintain the integrity, completeness, accuracy, and availability of documents, records, and information resources.

Russell Area Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting - Tumbleweed Mobile Veterinary Services

The Russell Area Chamber of Commerce will be having a ribbon cutting for Tumbleweed Mobile Veterinary Services at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, at the Chamber office, 507 N. Main. Help Erica Daniels celebrate the opening of her new veterinary business and visit with her about everything she has to offer.

Four named Rosewood Shining Stars for summer quarter

Rosewood Services Inc. recently recognized four of its standout staff members for the summer quarter "Shining Stars Award." The winners' respective supervisors recognized their commitment, exuberance and pride in striving to help those with developmental disabilities.

Students begin John Deere Construction and Forestry Technology Program

WICHITA – Thirteen students began the 74-week Construction and Forestry Technology program at Southeast Community College in Milford, Neb. The program is a partnership between John Deere Construction and Forestry, participating John Deere dealerships and local colleges. As a John Deere partnership program, it is designed specifically to prepare individuals for trouble shooting and repair of construction equipment. Students completing curriculum receive tuition reimbursement and a tool allowance. Graduates are guaranteed job placement at a sponsoring dealership location and earn an associate of applied science degree in John Deere Construction and Forestry Technology.

BCC hires adult ed director

Barton Community College has hired Doug Lippstreu as the new director of the BCC Center for Adult Education.

St. Rose laboratory continues its prestigious CAP accreditation

It's not like St. Rose laboratory personnel set aside time to prepare for inspection. Instead, it is part of the daily routine.

Local cattlewoman Michelle Beran elected to national board

The National Hereford Women (NHW) Board of Directors recently elected Hereford enthusiast Michelle Beran, of Great Bend, to their board representing the northwest quadrant of the U.S. The quadrant includes Washington, Oregon, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho and Montana.

Dianne Morse named to Coldwell Banker® International Diamond Society

Dianne Morse, Associate Broker with Coldwell Banker Sell Real Estate, has earned membership in the company's International Diamond Society, a level achieved by only the top 11 percent of the approximately 82,000 sales associates worldwide in the Coldwell Banker® system.

Community Bank helps mark Community Bank Week

Recently, Kansas Governor Sam Brownback signed a proclamation recognizing next week as Community Bank Week in the Sunflower State, and local bankers are echoing the need to promote this event.

Landmark National Bank promotes Hlavaty

Landmark National Bank announces the promotion of Camie Hlavaty to Assistant Vice President. Hlavaty is a retail and mortgage banker in the Great Bend location.

Four hours of continuing education available for area insurance agents

Great Plains NAIFA and Lamunyon partner to bring continuing education courses to local insurance agents. Wednesday, April 16, classes are 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Front Door Community Center in Great Bend with lunch provided to participants by Lamunyon Cleaning & Restoration. Space is limited so pre-registration is recommended.

Office Products Inc. celebrates its 55-year history in central Kansas

There have been some twists and turns since Melvin Vink started what would become a fixture in central Kansas 55 years ago. But each of those paths has led to Office Products Inc.'s continued growth with a strong emphasis on customer service, the current owners said.

Children’s Horse Therapy Enters Spring Session at Rosewood Ranch

Six-year old Landon Titsworth smiles from ear to ear as he rides atop his horse, Daisy Duke. It's a crisp Friday morning and the spring session of equine therapy has begun at Rosewood Ranch for children with developmental disabilities.