Museum preparing annual 'Ghosts of Christmas Past'

The Barton County Historical Society invites the public to revisit the joys of winter holidays through the years at its annual open house, "Ghosts of Christmas Past." It will run from 1-4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 13, at the Historical Museum and Village, located just south of the Arkansas River bridge on U.S. 281 in Great Bend.

BCC approves agreement with GB

The Barton Community College Board of Trustees approved an interlocal agreement Tuesday with the City of Great Bend, adopting a new neighborhood revitalization plan. The plan allows the city to offer tax rebates on improvements that increase the value of the properties. The agreement will be in effect from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2016, when it can be extended, modified or allowed to expire.

USD 431 to buy chromebooks, sell iPads

The Hoisington USD 431 Board of Education met Monday and heard from District Technology Coordinator Kerry Mooney, who informed the board he had received a bid at noon that day from a company that would sell the district new Chromebooks for $170 each, significantly lower than other bids received. In addition, Mooney can service the Chromebooks himself, including switching out damaged screens. The iPads have to be sent off for service, so down the road the economic feasibility continues.

Water main break shuts water off to GBHS

There may have been a lot of legs crossed at Great Bend High School Tuesday afternoon.

Events Center work moving along

As the remodeling of the front office of the Great Bend Events Center progresses to accommodate the Convention and Visitors Bureau office, future plans for the facility are taking shape, City Administrator Howard Partington said Monday night.

Chamber Coffee

This week's Chamber of Commerce Coffee will be hosted by Habitat for Humanity at the Chamber Board Room, 1125 Williams, at 9:30 a.m., Thursday. Host will be Julie Smith with greeters Amanda Hackerott and Pete Schartz. Coffee, refreshments and door prizes will be available.

GBHS Debate places in both divisions

Pearl Harbor veteran honored at Hoisington High School

HOISINGTON - The mood was solemn Monday morning as students at Hoisington High School entered the auditorium. Passing through an American Legion honor guard on their way to their seats, the strains of "Forgotten Hope Theme" set the tone for what would be an opportunity to honor an accomplished man, Art Gruber, a former Hoisington High School student, a World War II veteran, and survivor of the Dec. 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor.

Changes made to CVB board

Bringing the Great Bend Convention and Visitors Bureau under the city's control has been discussed for a couple of years and was among the Great Bend City Council's top three priorities outlined last year. It came to pass Monday night when amendments to the Convention and Tourism Board Ordinance were approved.

City prepping transload application

As part of the effort to secure the transload facility, the Great Bend City Council Monday night authorized Mayor Mike Allison to sign the amendment to the railroad company Watco's lease agreement at the airport.

Stray gunfire startles area resident

A local resident experienced a scary surprise Saturday when a bullet zinged through his pickup windows, Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir said.

College trustees meet Tuesday

The Barton Community College Board of Trustees will have a combined study session and business meeting at 4 p.m. Tuesday in room F-30 of the Fine Arts Building.

Two injury accidents on Friday

Kansas Highway Patrol responded to two injury accidents on Friday, one in Barton County and another one in Ellsworth County.

Armed robbery at Casey’s

According to the Great Bend police Department, at approximately 3:30 a.m. on Dec. 7, officers from the Great Bend Police Department responded to the Casey's Convenience Store at 2716 10th St. in reference to an armed robbery.

Shafer Art Gallery calling on photographers for juried exhibit

Barton Community College's Shafer Art Gallery will host a juried art show titled "Exposure Time 3" in January and is encouraging photographers to enter. Awards of $100 will be given to winners in three categories and there will be one $200 "Juror's Award." There is no entry fee. A total of three works can be submitted. The deadline to enter is Jan. 8.

Culex mosquitoes do not transmit Zika virus, Kansas State University study finds

A Biosecurity Research Institute study has found important results in the fight against Zika virus: Culex mosquitoes do not appear to transmit Zika virus.

Huck Boyd Institute presents Lifetime Achievement Award to former U.S. Sen. Bob Dole

Kansas State University's Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development presented a Lifetime Achievement Award to former U.S. Sen. Bob Dole for service ...

Pawnee County/Larned Police reports

Pawnee County Sheriff's report - Sept. 21

Fuller Industries re-introduces itself to central Kansans

The management team at Fuller Industries LLC, which is seeing "exciting things happening every day," recently took the opportunity to re-introduce the company to the ...

Pawnee County/Larned Police reports

Pawnee County Sheriff's report - Sept. 20

Firefighters climb stairs in honor of 9/11

It was a time to honor those who died in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and a time to honor their own.

Child seats being recalled

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has announced two recalls involving child safety seats. They include:

Come Nov. 8, Barton County ‘motor voters’ good to go

Barton County Clerk Donna Zimmerman wants all county voters who registered via the so-called Motor Voter Act at the Department of Motor Vehicles offices to ...

GBRH presents forensics training for law enforcement

Great Bend Regional Hospital recently sponsored a forensic training program for area law enforcement officers, explaining what medical forensic examination means for criminal investigations.

'State Fair' activities at Cherry Village

Mary Mater, Cherry Village resident, enjoys a little face painting by Reva Vasquez, chef in the Cherry Village kitchen. Residents at the long-term-care facility were ...

Shafer offers free mask making workshop

Just in time for Halloween, the Shafer Art Gallery at Barton Community College will host a free workshop, "Marvelous Mask Making," for anyone from 5 ...

BCC online enrollment continues to see growth

Barton Community College's enrollment of students outside its traditional seven-county service area continues to increase, thanks to students taking courses online.

Sky's the Limit

Now that Great Bend High School owns its own fleet of drones, students are learning how Unmanned Aerial Vehicles could fit into their future.

Pulling to a victory

For the second year in a row Rick Remmert of Great Bend took first place in the 4,000-pound antique tractor pull at the Kansas ...

OSHA investigating worker’s amputation injury at Ellsworth

A 28-year-old male employee of The Ellsworth Co-op had his left leg amputated Monday when he stepped into an open auger well inside a steel ...