Ellsworth Correctional Facility inmates show talent for theater

More than 130 people, mostly residents of the Ellsworth area, packed an auditorium recently for a dinner-theater performance of the comedy "The Ransom of Red Chief" this past weekend. But they weren't there to see some performance of a traveling drama troupe. Nor were they on hand to support members of the town in a community theater.

Prom royalty

Great Bend High School Prom King and Queen Wyatt Bayless and Amy Christopher are shown, April 20. Both are seniors and were chosen by their classmates. This year's prom was "Masquerade," and many of the students donned masks of many different styles. The evening began with dinner and then "The Promenade" at the high school track. Following the dance, couples went to a huge party at the bowling alley courtesy of the junior class parents. ...

USD 428 Ed Foundation minigrants

Finding a way to make exciting things happen in local classrooms, despite budgetary constraints, is a challenge that the USD 428 Education Foundation has accepted and met for nearly 25 years. The organization has raised and donated nearly $250,000 to enhance education in the district through minigrants for teachers.

American Red Cross Blood Drive donors to receive special thanks during Kansas Pork Association Commu

Blood donors participating in the Great Bend Community Blood Drive on Monday, May 6, at Bank of the West, 1222 Kansas Avenue, will receive a special thanks from Kansas Pork Farmers. The Kansas Pork Association (KPA) is teaming up with the Central Plains Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross as part of its 2013 Be Inspired to Make a Difference community program. The KPA program is providing support to organizations that are making ...

Child Education Fair a hit

Barton Community College held its annual Child Education Fair on Saturday and sponsors report it was a hit with teachers, who sang "If You're Happy and You Know It ..." as they learned about using music to help in the development of children.

Barton Foundation Sporting Clay Shoot nets record proceeds

The clay targets at LaSada Sporting Clays and Hunting Service in Russell never had a chance.

'Shirley's Koi'

Barton Community College art instructor Steve Dudek took home a cash award at the 44th annual Smoky Hill Art Exhibition for his watercolor painting of a Japanese koi fish titled "Shirley's Koi." The juror for the show was Stephen Gleissner, who is the chief curator for the Wichita Art Museum. The exhibit is at the Hays Arts Council Gallery until June 6.

Cheyenne Culture to be Topic of Talk in Kinsley

Henrietta Mann, Ph.D., a member of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes located in Oklahoma, will give a talk on "Walking the Cheyenne Road of Life" in Kinsley from 2-3 p.m. on Sunday, May 5 at the Methodist Church, 803 Marsh St, Kinsley.

Curtain time: Community concerts bring entertainment excellence to Golden Belt

The Golden Belt Community Concert Association brings a long-standing tradition of entertainment excellence to its 2013-2014 season with six concerts ranging in genre from country to classical, Broadway to bluegrass, and The Diamonds' own classic rock 'n' roll. The association has launched its new membership campaign, which will continue through May 11. Opening in September, the season will feature six concerts selected to entertain members with a variety of musical tastes. Concerts are performed at ...

Degner-Keenan retires from board, continues service to St. Rose

Patty Degner-Keenan is stepping away from some official duties at St. Rose Ambulatory & Surgery Center. But there is no way she is turning her back on the health-care facility she has served for decades.

New gluten-free, celiac support group off to good start

When Geneva Ost asked Mary Bieker for help starting a new support group in Great Bend, there was no arm-twisting involved. Bieker jumped at the chance.

Use-of-Force Simulator trains officers

The Barton Community College service area will be a safer place thanks to a new tool employed by the college's criminal justice program, a Use-of-Force Simulator. The simulator puts officers in extreme situations and forces them to make split-second decisions on what type of force to apply in a given situation.

Great Bend Fire Department donates to Kans for Kids

Barton to host Annual Sidewalk Art Contest with prizes worth $300

Barton Community College will host its sixth annual Sidewalk Art Contest May 1 and 2 on the sidewalk outside the Shafer Art Gallery.

Southwest Kansas artists present 'Human Tribe'

RUSSELL - Deines Cultural Center is featuring "Human Tribe," which opens with a reception from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, April 28.

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 ...

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.

Kansas 150 1901-1925