New shredder caters to low-volume walk-ins at Sunflower Recycling

The new equipment is installed and ready to shred confidential documents for lower-volume, walk-in customers at Sunflower Recycling's new drop-off location, 5523 10th.

GBHS instrumentalists perform Regional Music selections Monday

Musicians at Great Bend High School will present their solo and small ensemble selections at 7 p.m. Monday in the GBHS band/orchestra room.

Stairs for BCC pool funded by gifts

A new set of stairs has been added to the swimming pool at Barton Community College, making the pool more accessible. The addition was funded by Barton's Silver Cougar Club and the Bill J McKown Endowment.

'Take a Seat' to help renovate Fine Arts Auditorium

The photo cutline was updated Friday for clarification. -- ed The stage of Barton Community College's Fine Arts Auditorium has been the venue for more than 40 years of performing arts enthusiasts. Those four decades are visible in every scuff on the stage and stain on the curtains, which is why the college has begun the renovation process. The community is invited to participate in the Barton Foundation's "Take a Seat" campaign to raise funds ...

Zoo news: Enjoying snakes and dragons

About half of the visitors to Great Bend's Brit-Spaugh Zoo really like looking at snakes, Director Scott Gregory said.

Barton County Food Drive

Death ruled a suicide

The death of a 38-year-old woman whose body was found late Wednesday afternoon in a home at 2204 Adams St. has been ruled a suicide, Great Bend Police Chief Dean Akings said. The woman's body was transported Wednesday evening to Brock Funeral Home in Hays for an autopsy because authorities were originally concerned that the death was suspicious. The results of the autopsy were made known Thursday morning.

Haney seeks reelection to council

Mitch Haney has announced his candidacy for re-election to the City Council Ward One in Great Bend. In a statement submitted to the Tribune, he said:

Teacher of the Year

While school may seem like child's play for her students, kindergarten teacher Marla Davidson knows that it takes a lot of work and dedication to make it look easy.

Levee gate to be opened Friday

The Great Bend Public Works Department will open a gate across the flood control levee system at south Washington Street sometime the Friday afternoon, said City Engineer Rob Winiecke. This is meant to provide access to the Arkansas River for all-terrain and off-road vehicles. Winiecke saod users are advised to be mindful of pedestrians and to stay outside of the fenced areas (including the levees).

BCC trustees look at academic advancement

With the 2012-13 school year wrapping up, the Barton Community College Board of Trustees has a short agenda for the next regular meeting, set for 4 p.m. Thursday, March 28, in the Seminar Room, F-30 of the Fine Arts Building. Trustees will hear a report on academic advancement.

BCC Foundation's 6th annual Clay Shoot registrations being accepted

Registrations are being accepted for the Barton Community College Foundation's sixth annual Clay Shoot, which runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 21, at LaSada Sporting Clays and Hunting Serving, 3721 183rd St., Russell. The last shoot begins at 3 p.m.

Winter Storm Warning Issued

A WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM SATURDAY TO 1 PM CDT SUNDAY...FOR BARTON COUNTY, IN ADDITION TO ELLSWORTH, RUSSELL AND RICE COUNTIES AND THOSE COUNTIES WEST AND NORTH OF GREAT BEND.

Santa Fe Trail Antiques & Collectibles

Ellinwood is known for an array of antique shops, and in the last year a new one has been added, Santa Fe Trail Antiques and Collectibles. Opened last September by Fred Troyer, it features quality pottery, glassware and furniture.

Lenten Luncheon: First UMC

The final 2013 Lenten Luncheon will be Wednesday, March 27, at First United Methodist Church, 2123 Forest Ave. The Rev. Lennie Maxwell is host pastor and the speaker will be the Rev. Leroy Keith, First Baptist Church. Serving begins at noon – not earlier – and lunch ends at 1 p.m. Freewill offerings will be taken to defray the expenses of the host congregation. The public is invited to attend.

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.

Applicant's briefing scheduled for Barton County

On April 26, Barton County was declared eligible for Public Assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) due to a snowstorm that occurred Feb. 20-23, 2013. An Applicants' Briefing for township officials, cities, county, school districts and certain non-profits organizations within Barton County has been scheduled for 3 p.m. on Tuesday, May 14 at the Barton County Courthouse, Room 101, Great Bend. This meeting is for public officials and officers from these agencies and ...

GBHS Variety Show tickets on sale

Great Bend High School Variety Show tickets are still available in the high school vocal music room. Please use the east front doors of the school.

Keep Children and Pets Safe by Teaching Any Dog May Bite

Each year, 4.5 million people in this country are bitten by dogs and 885,000 of those require medical attention, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Among children, the rate of dog bite–related injuries is highest for those ages 5 to 9 years, and children are more likely than adults to receive medical attention for dog bites than adults. Children, because of their inexperience and size, are particularly prone to serious injury from ...

Keep children and pets safe by teaching any dog may bite

TOPEKA - Each year, 4.5 million people in this country are bitten by dogs and 885,000 of those require medical attention, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Among children, the rate of dog bite–related injuries is highest for those ages 5 to 9 years, and children are more likely than adults to receive medical attention for dog bites than adults. Children, because of their inexperience and size, are particularly prone to serious ...

Full entry takes 8th at State

On Saturday May 4th the Great Bend Forensics squad traveled to Emporia High School for the 5A State Championship Speech Tournament. They competed in 16 events, which gave them a full entry. Placing 8th out of 25 schools, the team had five events break into semifinals.

German Wedding Roast a family tradition

One way to keep Mom out of the kitchen this Mother's Day is by taking her to lunch. Jeannie Munsch will be cooking German Wedding Roast to serve this Sunday at the Great Bend American Legion Post 180, 1011 Kansas Ave., from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Student clean-up

From left: Chandra Gray, Holly Foster and Kole Stiner team up at St. Rose Ambulatory & Surgery Center for the community-wide clean-up day May 1. The Great Bend High School Student Council helped organize the event as a community-service project.

Girl Scout volunteers recognized for service

Wichita - Ninety-three volunteers across 80 counties were honored by Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland recently at the 2013 Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast and Annual Meeting.

North Frey bridge work to begin Friday

According to the Barton County Engineers Office, L&M Contractors of Great Bend will begin bridge repair work on NE 10 Ave. (or North Frey Street), north of the Club at StoneRidge on Friday. Barricades will be placed at the intersection North and South of the structure, allowing access to local traffic only for about three weeks.

GBHS Technology Challenge team wins FHSU Challenge