BCC Foundation targets April 17 Clay Shoot to offer mini grants for education

The Barton Community College Foundation anticipates another growth spurt for its Fourth Annual Sporting Clay Shoot, which has attracted more and more participants each year since the first event in 2008. The clay shoot is a fund-raiser to provide mini grants for Barton faculty to enhance student learning, said Darnell Holopirek, Barton's Executive Director of Institutional Advancement. This year's event is set for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 17, ...

Kansas amphibians reptiles and turtles program, book signing planned at KWEC

Many people have a strong fear of snakes. However, some people get excited every time they encounter one of these misunderstood critters. One such person is herpetologist Joseph Collins of the Center for North American Herpetology. Collins has many stories about encountering snakes in the wild. He also has recently co-authored a revised edition of the "Amphibians, Reptiles, and Turtles of Kansas."

Wade Babcock seeking election

Wade Babcock is seeking election to the school board this coming Tuesday. Babcock a western Kansas native moved to Great Bend in 2001. He and his family came to Great Bend when he began employment with Central Kansas Orthopedic Group as a practicing Physician Assistant. Wade and his wife Lisa have three children Kaleb, Jacob, and Sophia. Kaleb and Jacob currently attend school at Jefferson Elementary. Babcock has served on the 428 school board since ...

BMI Relay for Life Dream Team fundraiser

The BMI Relay for Life Dream Team will hold a Quarter Mania Fundraiser from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Thursday at the Best Western, 2920 10th Street. Tickets are $5. Over $1,000 in products will be auctioned for 25 cents to $1. To see a complete catalog visit www.celebratinghome.com. Get a free second paddle when you order $35 from the catalog. For more information call Michelle at 620-804-1777.

Castro’s daughter to share Cuban insight during talk at FHSU

An appearance at Fort Hays State University by Alina Fernandez, daughter of Cuban dictator Fidel Castro, has been scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 5, in the Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center in Sheridan Hall on the Fort Hays State University campus.

Cheryl (Dunlap)Rugan candidate for USD 428 School Board

Cheryl (Dunlap) Rugan has announced her candidacy for USD 428 board of education. She considers herself a concerned mother of children in the public school system, far from a politician. However, after consideration of the importance of sound leadership and the impact that the USD 428 school board has on our children and the community, she has a vested interest to get involved. "I would approach the school board position with no hidden agenda, but ...

KU Barnstorming Tour coming to BCC

University of Kansas basketball players will be here April 17 for the Kansas Barnstorming Tour, coming to the Barton Community College Gym in the Kirkman Center. This is a benefit basketball game highlighting the talents of area high school seniors against former Kansas Basketball senior players of Brady Morningstar, Tyrel Reed and Mario Little. There will also be time for autographs and meeting the public, starting at 2 p.m. ...

Barton County Historical Society to hold volunteer orientation

The Barton County Historical Museum and Village will conduct an orientation meeting at 1 p.m. Thursday at the village, located south of the river bridge on U.S. 281. The meeting is for anyone in Barton County who seeks information about volunteer service at the museum, said Karen Naylor, volunteer coordinator. Volunteers, new or returning, will become acquainted with life at the Village, including events and new displays at the museum. There ...

Eagle Project benefits hospice patients

Sam Phillips of Great Bend was keeping his eyes, mind and heart open for a way to meet the requirements of his Boy Scout Eagle Project. After considering a number of ways to lend a helping hand, the 17-year-old decided that hospice patients might enjoy a little bird-watching and set out to make it happen. Phillips now has 25 bird feeders to show for his ...

'Tenacious' 6-year-old reaches milestones

Cathy Soeken and Connor Robl have developed such a good rapport and reached so many milestones that they are sharing the Focus on Abilities recognition at Sunflower Diversified Services. Soeken, Sunflower children's case manager, has been collaborating with the Robl family of Ellinwood for two years to help young Connor use his abilities to the fullest. Sunflower is a non-profit agency that serves people with developmental disabilities in ...

GBHS Class of '71 announces 2011 memorial scholarship

Each year, the Great Bend High School Class of 1971 offers a $1,000 scholarship in memory of a deceased classmate. The GBHS Class of 1971 Memorial Scholarship is being presented this year in memory of Mona Lynn Youtsey.

Shafer Gallery shows Kansas landscapes; planetarium presents starscapes

Barton Community College's Shafer Gallery will feature Kansas landscapes in a photography exhibit starting Sunday, with an opening reception from 1-3 p.m. That same afternoon, Barton's Planetarium will present "Kansas Starscapes" with 30-minute showings at 12:45 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. "Here in rural Kansas, we are blessed with dark skies, broad horizons and amazing views of the heavens," said Planetarium Director Dr. Timothy Folkerts. He ...

Young Seeks Position on USD 428 Board of Education

Dwight Young formally announces his candidacy for the USD 428 School Board. Young's first involvement with the Board of Education started when he Co-chaired the Building Excellent Schools Together (B.E.S.T.) Committee and was appointed to the Board for the 1996-97 school year. That process demonstrated the importance of maintaining the districts structures for future use. Young pledges to care for the infrastructure of the district as well as the students, staff and patrons that utilize ...

Sexton wins charity poker tourney

Roxanne Sexton of Albert took home the $750 first-place prize in the recent Sunflower Diversified Services Texas Hold 'Em tournament. Yvonne West of Great Bend won $300 for second, and Craig Grauerholz of Kensington won $150 for third. Winners of fourth through eighth places and their prizes were: Steven Kaeberle of Claflin, $75; Jay Hrabik of Lyons, $50; Alan Clark of Great Bend, $40; John Svaty of Ellsworth, $30; and Ken ...

Entries sought for Congressional Arts Competition

DODGE CITY - Congressman Tim Huelskamp announced that entries are now being accepted for the 2011 Congressional Arts Competition. All high school students in the First Congressional District are encouraged to participate. The winning artwork will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year. "Every day I walk through the Cannon Tunnel of the Capitol Complex and see students' artwork from across the country adorning the walls," Huelskamp said. "It ...

Use of KanCare for disabled questioned

A Great Bend woman's situation is one example of what could happen if people with developmental disabilities are included in KanCare instead of the state-run Medicaid system, Ladeska "Decky" Makings cautioned.

FBLA Color Run

It's not an official color run, but it promises to be just as much fun according to Great Bend High School Future Business Leaders of America members.

Bison to celebrate 125th

The city of Bison will celebrate its 125th anniversary on Saturday. The festivities will begin by digging up the time capsule at 2 p.m., which was buried near the old City Hall on Main Street during the towns centennial. This will be followed by a firemans water fight between the Bison and Timken volunteer firemen.

Job Fest deemed huge success – laptop winner announced

For the seventh year in a row, local job seekers were given a unique opportunity to network with area employers at the community Job Fest event held May 9th at the Best Western courtyard in Great Bend.

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.

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