Zoo news: New animals serve as zoo ambassadors

The newest animals at the Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo include hissing cockroaches and a Kenyan sand boa. These can't be found among the regular exhibits, but are used as education animals that can be taken to remote programs. Zoo Curator Marge Bowen said the 6-inch long Kenyan sand boa, found in sandy areas of east Africa, may grow to be 1 or 2 feet long. Several children got to ...

Three generation art show featured at GBPL

Art appreciation began at an early age for Bev Simonson of Great Bend, and has been passed down to her daughter Kim Wiens and granddaughter Amy Wright. Now the three generations have their own works of art on display in a combined exhibit at the Great Bend Public Library, 1409 Williams St. The paintings, drawings and photographs will be in the Fine Arts Room of ...

Kansas Farm Bureau honors tradition and heritage of family farms popular ‘Century Farm’ effort enter

Tradition and heritage is a big part of what makes agriculture such an attractive way of life for so many Kansans. The lifeblood of our existence, the farms and ranches in Kansas, provide food, fuel and fiber for the world.

Barton's Breaking Traditions camp helps students explore non-traditional careers

Barton Community College will offer local and area high school students a chance to explore non-traditional careers in a Breaking Traditions event set for June 7-8. The program is for 2011-12 high school freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors, and 2011 high school graduates.

Kansas Commission on Veterans Affairs Mobile Office

The Kansas Commission on Veterans Affairs Mobile Office will be located at the Hoisington Town and Country Supermarket parking lot, 818 North Elm, on Friday May 6th from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to assist eligible veterans and family members in obtaining benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Such benefits might include service connected disability compensation, improved pension benefits, death pensions, VA health care benefits, education benefits, vocational rehabilitation and much more. ...

Grabast's trip delayed by court ruling

HUDSON - A potentially life-changing stem-cell appointment scheduled for their son in Germany has been canceled, leaving a Stafford County family searching for answers.

Barton forensics students to present end-of-year showcase

Barton Community College's Forensics Team will celebrate its national championship winning season with an end-of-the-year showcase from 2-3:15 p.m. Tuesday, May 3, in the college's Shafer Gallery. Admission is free. Good will donations for team travel and expenses will be accepted. Barton's forensics team became National Champions in Division II at the Junior Varsity Nationals Tournament at Hutchinson Community College in March. Performing in the showcase will ...

Barton student art exhibit opens Sunday

The Barton Community College Student Juried Art Exhibition will open Sunday, with a reception from 1-3 p.m. in the college's Shafer Gallery. The exhibit will continue through May 13. Theme for Barton's student show is "Art Is Born in Fire and Alchemy." The exhibit will be separated into two divisions, one for degree seeking and the other for non-degree seeking art students. Categories of works will include oil painting, watercolor, drawing, ...

Driver receives minor injuries after hitting turkey

Kristen Willison, 29, of Great Bend was taken to Great Bend Regional Hospital on Thursday morning after hitting a turkey with a car in the 500 block of NE 30 Road. Willison was reportedly treated for minor injuries. The accident occurred at 9:10 a.m. According to the Barton County Sheriff's Office, Willison was eastbound in a Mercury Grand Marquis and swerved to avoid a turkey in the road, but actually did ...

Pickup slides off road; driver treated for neck pain

A Hoisington man was taken to Great Bend Regional Hospital on Thursday afternoon, after the pickup he was driving went off NW 10 Ave. Harold D. Wiley, 55, was treated for neck pain. According to the Barton County Sheriff's Office, Wiley and a passenger were in a Ford F-150, towing a Chevy truck by way of a tow bar. The accident occurred at 1 p.m. in the 700 block, as the ...

Poker Pro Player with Ellinwood roots

Andrew Robl, 24, was featured at the final table of the World Poker Tour 5 Diamond Classic High Stakes Poker Tournament at the Bellagio Resort in Las Vegas, Nev. He is the son of Tim Robl and grandson of Ray Robl of Ellinwood. The event was televised in two parts by Fox Sports Network. The second and final segment will be shown at 8 p.m. on Sunday on the network. At the conclusion of the first segment, Andrew was the chip leader, along with two other participants at the final table.

Not just eggs

Members of youth groups from Great Bend's Assembly of God Church entertain between heats during last Saturday's big Easter egg scramble on the Great Bend High School football field. Hundreds of plastic eggs were thrown onto the field for each age group. At left is Jordan Ewing, 13, from the Jam Squad youth group.

Waiting for the Parade

The cast of "Waiting for the Parade" rehearses the D-Day scene, for the Great Bend Community Theatre production. Set in Calgary, Canada, the play takes place over the span of several years. It is the story of five women during World War II. The curtain goes up tonight at 8 at the Crest Theater. For ticket information call 620-792-GBCT (792-4228).

Two Barton MLT students earn KSCLS state awards

The Kansas Society of Clinical Laboratory Scientists (KSCLS) presented awards this month to two Barton Community College students enrolled in the Medical Laboratory Technology program. Barton's Maria Mayta received the KSCLS "Outstanding Student" plaque for this year. Her classmate Laura Thompson earned the KSCLS "Outstanding Student" scholarship for $500. The "Outstanding Student" awards are based on completion of first year MLT classes, overall GPA, employability, leadership demonstrations, community participation ...

Community Concert Association presents Jim Witter performing music of Elton John and Billy Joel

The Golden Belt Community Concert Association will present Jim Witter in a musical journey through the '70s featuring the songs of Billy Joel and Elton John. His performance of "The Piano Men" is set for 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 3, in the Great Bend Municipal Auditorium, Lakin and Stone, the last concert of the association's 2010-11 season. The concert is available to concert association members. Full-time students will be admitted ...

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.

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 ...

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