New gluten-free, celiac support group off to good start

When Geneva Ost asked Mary Bieker for help starting a new support group in Great Bend, there was no arm-twisting involved. Bieker jumped at the chance.

Use-of-Force Simulator trains officers

The Barton Community College service area will be a safer place thanks to a new tool employed by the college's criminal justice program, a Use-of-Force Simulator. The simulator puts officers in extreme situations and forces them to make split-second decisions on what type of force to apply in a given situation.

Great Bend Fire Department donates to Kans for Kids

Barton to host Annual Sidewalk Art Contest with prizes worth $300

Barton Community College will host its sixth annual Sidewalk Art Contest May 1 and 2 on the sidewalk outside the Shafer Art Gallery.

Southwest Kansas artists present 'Human Tribe'

RUSSELL - Deines Cultural Center is featuring "Human Tribe," which opens with a reception from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, April 28.

Gallery recognizes talent at opening reception

Awards for the art exhibit featuring works by Barton Community College students were presented Sunday at the Shafer Gallery.

USD 428 Board of Education meeting

USD 428 Board of Education will meet at noon on April 23 at Eisenhower Elementary School, 1212 Garfield. Items on the agenda include 2013-2014 School Calendar, approval of paper bids, approval of licensed personnel resignations and licensed personnel appointments; and act on resolution to nonrenew contract on a nontenured teacher. Eisenhower Elementary School Principal, Tina Reiser, and other staff members will share information regarding the academic programs and the school improvement efforts at the school.

GBHS instrumentalists compete at regional

Twenty-six band students from Great Bend High School competed in 20 events at the Regional Music Festival on April 13 at Barton Community College.

Barton Cougars pitcher Skylar Hill diagnosed with cancer

The past few weeks have been a period of transition for Skylar Hill. He will graduate from Barton Community College in May, and the young pitcher for the Cougars recently signed to play baseball for Missouri Southern State University. Though these developments might have seemed like big news at the time, they pale in comparison to the moment his doctor told him he had cancer about two weeks ago. "When you hear news like that ...

Planning Committee meeting moved

The Barton County Local Emergency Planning Committee will meet at 1:30 p.m. Monday, April 22, at the Barton County Health Department Conference Room, instead of at the Barton County Courthouse as was originally planned. The agenda will include discussion on Tier II Reporting Facilities in Barton County, a review of the Barton County Household Hazardous Waste program, an LEPC by-laws update and reports from members.

Student Showcase

The Shafer Gallery will host an opening reception 1-3 p.m. Sunday, April 21, featuring the work of Barton students in a juried exhibit and will include refreshments, a juror's talk and an awards ceremony. The judge for the exhibit will be Fort Hays State Art Professor and former Barton Art Instructor Linda Ganstrom. She has a master's of fine arts degree from Fort Hays State University and specializes in ceramics. "It's always fun to ...

Garden Club approves plans for cemetery rose garden

During a recent April meeting, Great Bend Garden Club members made several decisions which will honor memorials given to the Great Bend Cemetery Rose Garden, enhance its beauty and ready the garden for the spring and summer seasons.

Rosewood Services brings world-renowned circus to Great Bend

To commemorate its 15th anniversary next month and to help raise funds for its non-profit foundation, Rosewood Services is bringing the world's largest big-top circus to Great Bend on May 16. The Carson & Barnes Circus will host two shows – one at 4:30 p.m. and the other at 7:30 p.m., at the Great Bend Expo Complex. Advance ticket sales will be announced soon and ticket sales will go toward Rosewood's non-profit Roots & Wings ...

Christian Howes Jazz Trio coming to McPherson Opera House

McPHERSON - The Christian Howes Jazz Trio will appear at the McPherson Opera House at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 27. A portion of the program will include the McPherson High School Orchestra, with whom Howes will have worked in a two-day series of workshops.

FBLA travels to Topeka for conference

It was a great showing at regional competition and an even better one at state. After placing high at regionals, more than three dozen Great Bend High School students travelled to the state Future Business Leaders of America leadership conference in Topeka last weekend. Ten scored high enough to move on to national competition in Anaheim, Calif., this summer. Cody Lee, Great Bend High School business teacher and FBLA sponsor, also noted that Sophomore Sarah ...

Use of KanCare for disabled questioned

A Great Bend woman's situation is one example of what could happen if people with developmental disabilities are included in KanCare instead of the state-run Medicaid system, Ladeska "Decky" Makings cautioned.

FBLA Color Run

It's not an official color run, but it promises to be just as much fun according to Great Bend High School Future Business Leaders of America members.

Bison to celebrate 125th

The city of Bison will celebrate its 125th anniversary on Saturday. The festivities will begin by digging up the time capsule at 2 p.m., which was buried near the old City Hall on Main Street during the towns centennial. This will be followed by a firemans water fight between the Bison and Timken volunteer firemen.

Job Fest deemed huge success – laptop winner announced

For the seventh year in a row, local job seekers were given a unique opportunity to network with area employers at the community Job Fest event held May 9th at the Best Western courtyard in Great Bend.

Poppies to honor veterans available

The American Legion Auxiliary will be out this Memorial weekend asking for donations to help with its Poppy Program. Members will be in front of Great Bend businesses with poppies this evening and all day Saturday. They will also be out on Sunday if they still have some of the 3,000 poppies, said Marianne Krallman, cochair of this year's Poppy Program. Look for volunteers in front of Walmart, both Dillon's stores, Orscheln's and True Value ...

Investing in Kids

Darin Johnson presents Connie Oetken, Sunflower Diversified Services director of development, a check for $1,030 for the non-profit agency's Invest in Kids membership club. These proceeds, which will be directed to children with developmental disabilities and delays, represent a portion of a month's invoices at Darin's Auto Repair, Great Bend.

Art on the Hill

Barton Community College's Shafer Gallery will host an opening reception for their annual faculty and staff exhibit from 1-3 p.m. today, which will include additional artwork from an array of local artists and three featured artists.

City Council to discuss pit bull ban

The Great Bend City Council will meet at 7:30 p.m. Monday at the City Office, 1209 Williams. On the agenda are a request to ban pit bulls and other vicious dogs, a lease request at the airport industrial area from National Co Operative Refinery Association and a cereal-malt beverage request for June Jaunt.

Knoblich and Jamieson Recognized by ElderCare, Inc.

Julie Knoblich, Director of Human Resources, Barton Community College and Bernie Jamieson, accountant with Benefits Managements Inc. were recognized for serving six years on the Board of Directors of ElderCare, Inc. Knoblich served as Board chair and Jamieson served as Board Secretary–Treasurer. Janet Splitter, Executive Director of ElderCare, Inc. presented each with a plaque in appreciation of their leadership and counsel guiding the service to older adults. Current members of the Board include: Julie Knoblich, ...

911 computers on commission agenda

The Barton County Commission will meet at 9 a.m. Monday at the Barton County Courthouse, 1400 Main in Great Bend. The agenda includes new computers for the Communications Department (911), dispatcher training and an overview of criminal victims' services.

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