Sterling House residents collecting socks for children

Throughout the month of March, residents of Sterling House Great Bend will be collecting socks for impoverished children of Brazil. The sock drive has a two-fold purpose for residents, said Dawne Leiker, sales and marketing manager. "Sterling House, a Brookdale Senior Living community, is exploring the world throughout 2011 as part of its Celebrations program. March's focus is the country of Brazil. Residents are also reaching out to underprivileged children through ...

Grammy and Emmy winners Mize & Bramhall coming to Back Room

Grammy and Emmy award-winning musicians Bill Mize and Beth Bramhall will be featured in The Back Room of the Barton County Arts Center at 7 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $10 and, since seating is limited, advance reservations or tickets are encouraged, said Karen Neuforth with the Arts Council. Seats may be reserved weekday afternoons at the Arts Center, 1401 Main, Great Bend, by calling 620-792-5221 or by ...

BCC Theatre presents "Too Many Sopranos"

The BCC Theatre will present "Too Many Sopranos," a one-act student-directed opera, at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, on the stage of the Barton Community College Fine Arts Auditorium. The opera will be presented in black-box style with the audience seated onstage. The audience will enter through the stage door located in the hallway leading left from the Fine Arts Office. Students will be admitted free. Admission for the general public ...

Zoo news: Animal physicals continue at Brit Spaugh Zoo

Toby, the 5-year-old spotted leopard at Great Bend's Brit Spaugh Zoo, had his annual physical Wednesday, and a visit from local dentist and mayor Dr. Mike Allison. The leopard weighed in at 100 pounds, or five pounds less than a year ago. Zoo Curator Marge Bowen and Dr. Jackie Corbett, DVM, agreed the weight loss was not a cause for concern. Dr. Mike Malone, ...

GBPD detective to share warnings about Facebook

Detective Heather Smith from the Great Bend Police Department will present "Warnings About Facebooking" at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Great Bend Activity Center, 2715 18th St. This free program is open to adults and or youths 11 years of age and older accompanied by an adult. The program is hosted by the Great Bend Recreation Commission. Program Coordinator Garet Fitzpatrick explains, "Technology is an excellent tool in today's society, but ...

BOCK raises money for hospice patients

The Bikers of Central Kansas raised more than $900 during its annual Chili Challenge to benefit Golden Belt Home Health & Hospice. The money will be used to help the non-profit agency pay for hospice patients' medications. Johnny "Shorty" Adams of The Men MC won $100 for first place and donated his winnings back to GBHH&H. A trophy for second place was awarded to the Ellinwood Clinic, represented Rhonda Settle, ...

GBHS forensic team brings home 10 medals

The Great Bend High School Forensic Team competed in the Nickerson Forensic Tournament on Saturday, Febr. 26. Eleven students competed and brought home 10 medals. They had four State Speech Championship qualifiers and placed fourth overall in sweepstakes. 29 schools competed at the tournament. The rankings are as follows:

Competition sparks BCC auditorium revision

Barton Community College is using star power to help raise money for a renovation project to upgrade its 40-year-old Fine Arts Auditorium. Barton's stars are 10 community members who will compete in a dance competition this spring that will initiate a fund drive and create awareness for the renovation project. The auditorium needs new lights, sound equipment and carpeting, said Darnell Holopirek, executive director of Institutional Advancement at Barton. The renovation ...

Library announces March activities

Great Bend Public Library, 1409 Williams St., will have several activities for children in March, starting with the birthday celebration of "Green Eggs and Ham" author Dr. Seuss. There will also be free movies, and four days of scheduled activities during spring break, said Eric Coulbourne, children's librarian. The birthday party for Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, will be at 3:30 p.m. this Wednesday. Children are invited to ...

Some accidents weather-related

The Barton County Sheriff's Office and other area law enforcement agencies responded to several accidents last Thursday when the roads were icy. There was a minor-injury rollover 0.75 miles north of NE 10 Ave. and NE 50 Road, around 2:45 p.m. Thursday. A 2002 Volkswagen Passat went off the road and into a ditch. A non-injury accident on the west side of Pawnee Rock on U.S. 56 was reported at ...

Library News

Find Great Bend Public Library on FACEBOOK to see, through postings and photos, library events and updates.

Woman rams Sunflower mini-bus

A woman who intentionally drove into an unoccupied Sunflower Diversified Services mini-bus last Saturday may be charged with criminal damage to property, Captain Bob Robinson at the Great Bend Police Department said. However, no arrest has been made and the woman has since been admitted to Larned State Hospital. Police were dispatched at 4:50 p.m. Saturday, with a report there had been an accident at Sunflower's office at 8823 Fourth ...

Winter royalty

List of Sunflower Gala auction items growing

Many items have already been donated to Sunflower Diversified Services, but it is still collecting auction items for the 6th Annual Charity Gala. Those who attend the non-profit agency's biggest fundraiser of the year will have the chance to bid on a wide variety of products and services. The Charity Gala is set for 5:30 p.m. Saturday, March 5, in the Heritage Room at the Highland Hotel, 3017 10th, ...

Concert Association to present the New Christy Minstrels

In its sixth concert of the season, the Golden Belt Community Concert Association will present the world-famous and much-loved classic American folk ensemble, the New Christy Minstrels. The concert is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday in the Great Bend Municipal Auditorium. The concert is available to concert association members. Full-time students will be admitted for a $5 donation at the door. The auditorium, located at Lakin and Stone, ...

GBRC Stop 'N Learn

The Great Bend Recreation Commission will be hosting a free program at the Senior Center (2005 Kansas Ave.) at 1 p.m. on Friday, June 21, titled, "Fall Prevention". This program will discuss the five building blocks for preventing or reducing falls in the home and around town. Rick Schaffer, South West Kansas Area Agency on Aging, will be the presenter for this program. For more information call the Recreation Commission office at 793-3755 ext. 2 ...

Jin Shin Jyutsu explained at free St. Rose ITV presentation

Those who face the challenges of cancer and other chronic illnesses may find a way to alleviate their pain and discomfort by learning about the ancient Japanese art of Jin Shin Jyutsu, said Liz Paugoulatos, practitioner of the art.

Birdhouse Scavenger Hunt winner announced

Tracy Miller of Great Bend is this year's Birdhouse Scavenger Hunt winner of $100. Great Bend Convention and Visitors Bureau chairman Loren Unruh and president Cris Collier personally presented the cash to Miller. The winner was chosen at random from the successfully completed hunts. The number of scavenger hunt entries submitted increased 10 times compared to last year, and included those of children, young adults, and senior citizens. Each birdhouse was included in one of ...

Jin Shin Jyutsu may alleviate pain

Those who face the challenges of cancer and other chronic illnesses may find a way to alleviate their pain and discomfort by learning about the ancient Japanese art of Jin Shin Jyutsu, said Liz Paugoulatos, practitioner of the art.

Pit bull committee meets tonight

The City of Great Bend Pit Bull Committee will meet at 6 p.m. tonight at the City Office, 1209 Williams. The purpose of meeting is to hear comments from the public.

Parkinson’s patients hear from guest speaker at St. Rose

An upcoming support-group session will present ways to identify and treat Parkinson's disease, along with advice about discovering new ways to get the most out of life, said Catherine Strecker of Ellinwood, PhD, who will lead the meeting.

Great Bend man benefits from HCC connection to Midwest Cancer Alliance

Bill Mead of Great Bend has been through it all – five surgeries, three complete radiation treatments and skin grafts. He is currently undergoing more chemotherapy.

Golden Belt Community Foundation accepting grant applications for July

The Golden Belt Community Foundation invites proposals for its upcoming competitive grant cycle. Applications now are being accepted from qualified 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations and public institutions, including schools, government entities, and clubs and civic/community organizations in Barton, Pawnee, Rush, and Stafford counties. Funds are available primarily for the health and well-being of youth; however, limited funds are available in many other categories.

Teenage drowning victim found at Kanopolis Lake

By Jim Misunas jmisunas@gbtribune.com KANOPOLIS LAKE - A three-day search for a drowning victim ended when a body of an 18-year-old teenager surfaced at Kanopolis Lake at 8 a.m. Friday, according to the Ellsworth County sheriff. Ellsworth County Sheriff Tracy Ploutz said the body of Salina's Derek Wheeler, 18, washed ashore at Boldt Bluff in the southwest corner of Kanopolis Lake. Ellsworth County deputies and personnel from the Kansas Wildlife and Parks Department and the ...

Human eMotion promotes active lifestyles and local organizations

Great Bend Regional Hospital is gearing up for another successful Human eMotion Event to support Great Bend Family Crisis Center and GBHS Future Business Leaders of America. Saturday, June 15th, the streets of Great Bend will be filled with runners, walkers, and bikers.

Wilson State Park O.K.Kids event

Wilson State Park will hold its annual O.K.KIDS Event on Saturday, June 15th. O.K.Kids is a program sponsored by Kansas Wildscape. Outdoor Kansas for Kids (O.K.Kids) offers kids and their families an alternative 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 ...

May Marriage and Divorce Filings

Marriage Licenses

Golden Belt Community Foundation accepting grant applications for July

The Golden Belt Community Foundation invites proposals for its upcoming competitive grant cycle. Applications now are being accepted from qualified 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations and public institutions, including schools, government entities, and clubs and civic/community organizations in Barton, Pawnee, Rush, and Stafford counties. Funds are available primarily for the health and well-being of youth; however, limited funds are available in many other categories.

USD 428 Board of Education meeting

USD 428 Board of Education will meet at 5 p.m. on Monday at the District Education Office, 201 South Patton Road. Items on the agenda include budget hearing/budget approval; R.O.S.E. Award recipient; David Meter will present an overview of the year's activities and athletics; approval of insurance for 2013-2014; approval of change for GBMS gym construction; approval of GBHS track surface project bid; approval of roof bid for District Education Center; approval of curriculum grant; ...

Sunflower Diversifed nets almost $20,000 with tasty fundraiser

Q. What do you get when you add 6,800 bierocks and 3,500 cinnamon rolls?