Svaty named senior adviser to EPA’s Region 7 administrator

KANSAS CITY, Kan., – Thursday, Environmental Protection Agency Region 7 Administrator Karl Brooks announced the selection of Ellsworth native Josh Svaty, who just served as secretary of the Kansas Department of Agriculture, to be his senior adviser.

SRS to accept applications for Low Income Energy Assistance Program

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services is accepting applications for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) through Thursday, March 3. The program opened Thursday.

‘Zen Cowboy’ Chuck Pile brings straight-from-the saddle music to Back Room

Zen Cowboy says, "Always ride the horse in the direction it's going." This week his direction is toward Great Bend, for a concert in the Back Room of the Barton County Arts Center.

City supports zoo's AZA goal

For several years, the goal at Great Bend's Brit Spaugh Zoo has been to gain accreditation from the American Zoos and Aquariums Association. Now Zoo Director Scott Gregory says he's ready to apply for the coveted AZA stamp of approval - one year ahead of schedule.

Grief support group sessions start Tuesday

Golden Belt Home Health & Hospice will sponsor a Tuesday evening grief support group in Great Bend from Jan. 11 through March 15.

Dinners a time for giving thanks through giving

Editor's note: Mary Leidig submitted this recap of holiday events in Rush County.

Streamlined system at Early Ed Center helps parents

Families seeking support from Sunflower's Early Education Center have long relied on its expertise. And now, families can count on even more rewarding relationships with the non-profit agency's professionals, said Cathy Estes, EEC coordinator.

A ton of goodwill

Jesse Torres, left, and Loren Phillips, of the Central Kansas Medical Center maintenance department, load the 2,885 food items collected during the CKMC employee food drive. All items were delivered to the Food Bank in Great Bend.

Family Crisis Center to hold volunteer training

Volunteer Training will be held for anyone interested in helping to provide services and support to survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Sessions will take place at the Family Crisis Center's administrative office on the following dates and times:

YouthFriends at Riley School Breakfast

YouthFriends at Riley School sponsored a breakfast last Tuesday morning to show appreciation for their volunteers and their student matches. YouthFriends director Michelle Daniel said that CPI provides time off for nine employees to volunteer at Riley. "They are the best volunteers," Daniel said.

Great Bend Regional Hospital deliver gifts

Employees from Great Bend Regional Hospital Steve Schenkel, Elle Slater, Kristie Thill and Sonya Rein deliver Christmas presents to Laura Patzner, Executive Director for the Family Crisis Center for area families for the holidays

Big Brothers Big Sisters enjoy Christmas with help from the community

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Barton and Pawnee Counties has been the recipient of much Christmas cheer and good will this holiday season, Executive Director Stephanie Joiner reports.

Burglary reported at P&S Security

P&S Security at 1705 K-96 in Great Bend was burglarized on Sunday, Police Chief Dean Akings reports. A front window was broken to gain entry. Two rifles, 21 handguns, one pair of handcuffs and flashlights were stolen.

Library concludes Food for Fines

For the second year the Great Bend Public Library held its "Food for Fines" program to benefit the Barton County Food Bank.

Christmas concert

​On-line book study combines photography, Christian contemplation

The Heartland Center for Spirituality will explore Christian contemplation through photography with an online study of the book "Eyes of the Heart: Photography as a Christian Contemplative Practice," by Christine Valters Paintner.

Trinity UMC prepares for Joyful Noise Praise concert

Trinity United Methodist Church, 5700 Broadway, will be the site of a Joyful Praise Concert at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 27. The concert will include the chancel choir, kid's choir, Trinity Ringers, a french horn quartet, vocal and instrumental soloists and duets and guest singers from Escue Chapel.

First Assembly of God welcomes youth pastor

Ryan McCallum is the new youth pastor at Great Bend's First Assembly of God Church. He comes to Great Bend from Nixa, Mo.

Fellers agrees, 'Heaven is for Real'

Terry Fellers, 59, didn't need to watch the movie "Heaven is for Real" to know that is the case. After seeing the story of a 5-year-old boy who claims to have visited heaven during a near-death experience, Fellers decided it was time to share his own experience of heaven.

Great Bend’s Winder helps with ESPN’s “From Harlem With Love”

Great Bend's Allen Winder coordinated Meadowlark Lemon's interviews for the ESPN 30-for-30 Short (about 12 minutes) that premiered Thursday entitled "From Harlem with Love."

Birthday service project

Thelma Northcutt hits the trifecta with Sunflower Diversified’s help

It is not at all uncommon for a Sunflower Diversified Services client to reach a new milestone. But Thelma Northcutt has hit the trifecta in recent weeks, taking personal growth to the next level.

A check from the chili cookoff

Danny Riggs presents a $700 check to Donita Wolf, director of St. Rose's Golden Belt Home Health & Hospice, while Lori Grauer, left, and Annette Schremmer look on. The three joining Wolf represent the Bikers of Central Kansas, who raised money for GBHH&H at their recent Chili Challenge.

​New grief support series starting soon

Golden Belt Home Health & Hospice (GBHH&H) will sponsor a Monday evening grief support group in Great Bend from May 5 through June 30. It will meet each Monday (except Memorial Day) from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in Conference Room 103 of the Medical Building at 3520 Lakin. Entrance is on Lincoln Ave.

Local cattlewoman Beran elected to national board

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The National Hereford Women Board of Directors recently elected Hereford enthusiast Michelle Beran of Great Bend to its board representing the northwest quadrant of the United State. The quadrant includes Washington, Oregon, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho and Montana.

Thunderstorm watch issued along with red flag warning

WICHITA - The National Weather Service in Wichita issued a thunderstorm watch for Barton County and north central and western Kansas at 3:05 p.m. Wednesday. The watch includes the following counties until 11 p.m. Wednesday - Barton, Cloud, Decatur, Ellis, Gove, Graham, Jewell, Lane, Lincoln, Logan, Mitchell, Ness, Norton, Osborne, Phillips, Republic, Rooks, Rush, Russell, Scott, Sheridan, Smith, Thomas, Trego and Wichita.

Weather spotters can submit information

WICHITA - The National Weather Service in Wichita has launched a new online storm report form for storm spotters and the general public to use.

Music teacher to give Kansas travel program

Steve Elmore, early childhood music teacher from Wichita Collegiate School, will offer a presentation about his travels through Kansas. The presentation, "Kansas Like You've Never Seen It," conveys information about interesting or unusual Kansas sites. The sites are little known to most tourists.

Barton opera standout Jessica Perez to present recital

Barton Community College music student and opera specialist Jessica Perez will present a special recital at 7 p.m. Friday, May 2 in the Dorothy Moses Morrison Chapel in the Fine Arts Building.

Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan Meeting to be held April 25

The Kansas Division of Emergency Management will be hosting a Regional Mitigation Plan Kickoff Meeting at 1 p.m. on April 25, in the Stafford County Annex Building, 201 E. 3rd St., St. John. Entities, including school districts, municipalities, special districts, and certain non-profits, within Barton County have been invited to attend the meeting. Interested individuals are also invited to attend the meeting to learn more about the plan and the planning process.