Nature workshops to be held at QNWR

Quivira National Wildlife Refuge is offering two educational nature workshops. "Beginning Bird-watching" will be held Sunday, July 17, from 1 to 4 p.m. "Learning about Grasses and Grass-like Plants" will be held Sunday, July 31, from 1 to 4 p.m. Both workshops are free of charge, and are open to anyone age 12 or older.

Join the “Butterfly Quest”

Take part in a butterfly count and learn how to identify our local butterfly species at the Cheyenne Bottoms 2nd Annual Butterfly Quest, beginning at 8:30 a.m. on July 16 at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center.

KDOT Survey of the US-56/K-96 in Ellinwood

The Kansas Department of Transportation will have a survey team surveying US-56/K-96 through the city of Ellinwood starting the week of July 5, to plan for possible future roadway improvements. The survey work is expected to be complete in about four months on this 1.65 mile area. KDOT asks drivers to be alert to the presence of the survey crew and drive cautiously.

Local wheat harvest better than forecast

By Jim Misunas jmisunas@gbtribune.com Grain elevators and wheat farmers in central Kansas surpassed modest expectations with a better harvest than projections. The lack of spring moisture delivered one blessing - little or no disease. Kanza Co-op, with 10 locations in central Kansas, reports 4.5 million bushels of wheat harvested. Jim Bob Lewton of Kanza Co-op, said the average between 30 and 40 bushels was 5 to 10 bushels better than anticipated. Dryland wheat ranged from ...

Faces & Places Tour will visit Great Bend, Larned

Great Bend and Larned will be stopping points for the Kansas Travel and Tourism's Faces & Places Tour Sunday.

The Ballet

Wetland Center summer program registration begins

Looking for something for the kids to do during the depth of summer vacation? Sign them up for the Kansas Wetlands Education Center summer programs that will begin July 7 and run through July 28.

Birthday bash

Wilson State Park holds annual O.K.Kids event

Wilson State Park will hold its annual O.K.KIDS Event on Saturday. O.K.Kids is a program sponsored by Kansas Wildscape. Outdoor Kansas for Kids (O.K.Kids) offers kids and their families an altemative to sedentary lifestyles. It gives children the opportunity to learn about nature and wildlife, and try new outdoor recreation adventures. This year's activities will qualify for Wildlifer Challenge which is another Kansas Wildscape opportunity geared toward promoting the outdoors. Parents should bring cameras and ...

Chamber Coffee

This week's Chamber of Commerce Coffee will be hosted by Sunflower Rod & Custom Association, 9951 B-29 Way, Great Bend Expo Complex, at 9:30 a.m., Thursday. Ambassador in charge will be Lana Dietz with greeters Erin Powers and Connie Oetken. Coffee, doughnuts and door prizes will be available.

Event encourages activity, helps a charity

Great Bend Regional Hospital wants to encourage people to get out and move, as well as help a local agency in need. To this end, the facility is sponsoring Human (e)Motion Saturday.

National Dump the Pump to be held on June 16

Take Public Transportation to Answer America's Biggest Challenges As America's economic challenges continue with rising gas prices, Sunflower Diversified Services – Catch-A-Ride will join with other public transportation systems nationwide to participate in the fifth annual National Dump the Pump Day on June 16. Sponsored by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), and supported by the Kansas Public Transit Association, the 2011 National Dump the Pump Day is a day that encourages people to ride ...

Former Great Bend resident devotes energy to Alzheimer’s Support

Visitors to the annual summer festival in Lee's Summit, Mo., on June 3 and 4 were treated to a flash mob dance performance by more than 50 staff and members of the local Jazzercise fitness center. The flash mobs were to raise awareness for Alzheimer's Disease in a fun manner.

May Marriage and Divorce Filings

May Marriage Licenses Corey Dean Long, Ellinwood and Jennifer Sue Parr, Ellinwood Bobby Charles Stark, ElDorado and Amie Marie Batchman, Great Bend Larry Eugene Fry, Great Bend and Joyce Ann Beadles, Great Bend Harold David Kilgore, Great Bend and Judy Rhea Sample, Great Bend James Dean Johnson, Utica and Kayla Marie Klug, Claflin Cody James Engle, Great Bend and Kristine Nicole Steinert, Great Bend Jason Ray Parson, Great Bend and Kelsey Ann Seiwald, Great Bend ...

Registration being taken for Bike Safety Rodeo

The annual Bike Safety Rodeo for children 5-14 years old will be held Thursday, June 23, at the Brit Spaugh Park south baseball field near 22nd and Morton streets. Free bikes and helmets will be available for children who don't have them, but the event is important for all children who ride bicycles, according to Janel Rose at the Barton County Health Department. All children who wish to participate must be ...

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