GBCT ready for "The Long Weekend"

Great Bend Community Theatre is ready to raise the curtain on its latest production, "The Long Weekend." This clever comedy of manners brings together two couples, as Wynn and Max Trueman have invited Abby and Roger Nash for a visit to show off their new weekend home. However, their longtime friendship has not always been based on truth, said Sally O'Connor, GBCT manager/artistic director. Canadian playwright Norm Foster sticks to his ...

Valentine Royalty

Marvin Riggs and Doris Berkley are shown in Valentine's Day regalia after being crowned king and queen at the Great Bend Senior Center's Valentine Party on Tuesday. They were crowned before lunch. After lunch, Eisenhower 1st and 2nd graders entertained, followed by refreshments.

Barton Forensics recaps its fall season of tournaments

The Barton Community College Forensics Team had a busy and successful fall semester traveling far and wide from Manhattan, Kan., to Lawton, Okla., Hastings, Neb., and beyond for 18 debate and speech contests. Every competing member of Barton's team received trophies in the Barton/Hutchinson Forensics Rodeo tournament on Barton's campus Nov. 5-7. On the parliamentary debate team, freshman Corrie Henderson, Nickerson, and sophomore Brandi Moral, Ulysses, were novice debate ...

A not-so-beauty pageant

Guest artist recital at Barton features FHSU music instructor

The Barton County Community College music department will host a guest artist recital at 7:30 p.m. Friday, in the Dorothy Moses Morrison Chapel, located in the college's Fine Arts Building, F-157. This event is free and open to the public. The recital will feature Dr. Irena Ravitskaya, assistant professor of music at Fort Hays State University. Ravitskaya enjoys a dynamic performing and teaching career that has taken her across ...

Fifth Quarter

Courtesy photo The Great Bend Youth Workers Alliance is sponsoring a free Fifth Quarter this Friday, for all Great Bend middle school and high school students. The event will take place after the Panther basketball games, from 9 p.m. to midnight at Faith Community Church, located at 293 Barton County Road. Video games, basketball, free food and a concert by The Lost Colors, a pop/rock band from Wichita pictured ...

Truck fire

This photo was submitted by Coleen Suchy, who reports the truck caught on fire around 4 p.m. on Thursday, south of Claflin K-156. "The driver said the truck started missing out and then just lost all power. The next thing he knew it was on fire."

Juvenile arrested on felony charges

A 16-year-old male from Great Bend was booked into the Barton County Jail on Thursday on charges of: Felony possession of stolen firearms, conspiracy to distribute meth, conspiracy to distribute stolen firearms, using a telecommunications device for distribution of stolen firearms and meth, burglary of an unoccupied non-dwelling, possession of cocaine, and eight counts of criminal possession of a firearm. He was taken to Reno County Youth Services.

Tire spikes stop fleeing suspect

A Great Bend man was arrested Friday after a pursuit on U.S. 56, Undersheriff Larry Holliday said. The Barton County Sheriff's Office was dispatched to Pawnee Rock at 2:30 p.m. after Chris Ketch, 26, reportedly drove away from a domestic dispute but clipped a family member with his vehicle. Deputies driving to the call met Ketch on the highway. After he passed them, they turned around and gave pursuit. After the ...

Perfect Panthers

CKMC offers meal-planning tips for people with diabetes

When a family member has diabetes, meal planning can be a challenge. After all, diet is a crucial factor in controlling the disease. Since Gloria Siefkes, Central Kansas Medical Center R.N. and diabetes educator, understands this situation, another free evening diabetes class has been scheduled. There will be special emphasis on planning menus. The event is set for 7-9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 17 in Room 450 ...

More winter mishaps reported

The Barton County Sheriff's Office received several weather-related calls on Wednesday. A vehicle was in the ditch at NE 10 Ave. and NE 20 Road at 1:49 a.m., and was removed by its owner. A truck was in the ditch at 3408 Railroad Ave. at an unspecified time. Two trucks collided at NE 30 Road and NE 10 Ave., and one slid into the ditch, at 9:24 a.m. It ...

GBHS business students attend conference

A large contingent of Great Bend High School business students traveled to Canton/Galva last weekend to participate in the Future Business Leaders of America district competition.

Kansas twins will share their abuse story Tuesday on Oprah

Kellie and Kathie Henderson, sexual abuse victims and twins from Wichita, will appear on the Oprah Winfrey show at 4 p.m. Tuesday on KWCH-TV, channel 12. The twins traveled to Chicago last week for taping, and the entire show is dedicated to their story. Their story was also reported by Roy Wenzl of the Wichita Eagle, in a series titled "Promise Not to Tell." Kellie Henderson is a student at Barton ...

Central Kansas 9.12 Coalition meeting is Thursday

The next meeting of the Central Kansas 9.12 Coalition has been set for 7 p.m. Thursday, at the Burnside Room, in the Great Bend Recreation Center, 1214 Stone.

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