Zoo loses a fan favorite ‘Boss,’ the African lion

The skies over the Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo are gray today after the zoo had to say goodbye to one of their oldest and most beloved animals.

Wetlands Center to hold Perseid Meteor Shower party

The Kansas Wetlands Education Center will host a viewing party for the Perseid Meteor Shower. Activities will start at 9 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 12, at the KWEC, 592 NE K-156, Great Bend, said Jean Aycock, KWEC Educator.

BCC trustees approve raises

Barton Community College's Board of Trustees approved next year's operational budget and a 2016-2017 budget for publication Tuesday. The operational budget includes a 4 percent increase in the money budgeted for most salaries. The published budget makes the same mill levy request as last year and the year before, based on the latest information on valuations.

Hoisington approves purchase of new ‘Jaws of Life’

HOISINGTON - Hoisington City Council members approved the purchase of a new 'jaws of life' extraction unit by the Hoisington Fire Department at the meeting Monday. Previously, Hoisington EMS was responsible for the extraction unit, but when the new ambulance arrived, EMS Director Scott Fleming realized there would not be room for the old unit on the new vehicle.

Hoisington City Council Wilborn steps down, Bruce to serve Ward 4

HOISINGTON - Monday night, after a study session concerning the 2017 budget, Hoisington City Council members recognized outgoing councilman Brian Wilborn , awarding a plaque for his service to the council. The newly re-elected representative resigned following a move out of Ward 4, which he was elected to represent. His family will be moving to a home in the country.

Back in the games

Great Bend native Bryan Pinkall is attending another Olympics, this time in Brazil.

Chamber Coffee

This week's Chamber of Commerce Coffee will be hosted by Best Western, 2920 10th Street, at 9:30 a.m., Thursday. Host will be Steve Swigart with greeters Amanda Baxter and Shelly Peacock. Coffee, refreshments and door prizes will be available.

Commission eyes tower to improve communications

For some time, Barton County law enforcement officers have had a difficult time with communications in the far northeast part of the county. Officials hope to change that.

State, county jobless numbers tick upwards

TOPEKA – The state's June seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.8 percent. This was up from 3.7 percent in May and down from 4.2 percent in June 2015.

County audit clean, but reflects scam

Melissa Ille of Adams, Brown, Beran and Ball prefaced Barton County's 2015 audit report to the Barton County Commission on a positive note.

Great Bend resident “Beats the Clock” to win $30,000 in Hot Lotto

You've heard the expression about being "in the right place at the right time." That certainly was the case with David Keeler of Great Bend when he bought his Hot Lotto ticket for the Saturday, July 9, drawing.

Demel named employee of the quarter

Gary Demel started at Barton County Road and Bridge Department over four decades ago with a shovel in his hand and rose to become the shop foreman. Monday morning, he was honored as the county's Employee of the Quarter during the County Commission's meeting.

Competition up for high tunnel grants

A Natural Resources Conservation Service administered grant program that pays for high-tunnels has been growing in popularity over the past few years, and that is increasing competition for the grants in some areas, said Barton County District Conservationist Ron Klein. The goal of the program is to get locally grown produce into the hands of people, especially those who have low income or live in areas that may be in food deserts. One common definition of a food desert is where the distance to a grocery store is either more than one mile in an urban area, or more than ...

REACHING NEW HEIGHTS

Bruce Swob has been raising bees and harvesting honey for years. When the Great Bend Summer Street Stroll Farmer's Market was formally organized a few years ago, he was one of the first vendors to sign up, attend the required training at a workshops in Hays, and become certified to accept senior vouchers through a program administered by the Barton County Health Department. During one workshop, he saw the kind of production that was possible in a high-tunnel. When he learned last year that he could apply for a grant to get a tunnel of his own, he didn ...

Poll tests waters for primary, key issues

HAYS – The Great Bend Tribune joined other Kansas newspapers and Fort Hays State University's Docking Institute of Public Affairs to conduct a political poll of the First Congressional District measuring Kansans' candidate and policy preferences on key issues.

Marshall on shooting at Congressional Baseball practice

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Roger Marshall, M.D., issued the following statement after Wednesday morning's shooting at Congressional Baseball practice:

BUSY BEES: Story Time entertains children

Great Bend Public Library's "Miss Amy" had children listening, singing and playing on Tuesday during Story Time. This week's subject was Bees.

Todd Leech sentenced to 14 years for child rape

A Great Bend couple arrested on rape and child abuse charges in 2016 have been sentenced in Barton County District Court.

Kansas Wheat Harvest report: Day 2

Day 2: With the hot summer rays of sunshine and the constant Kansas wind, harvest is progressing quickly throughout central Kansas.

Kansas 150 1901-1925