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, ...

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."

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.

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