Inventor has local ties

Ever since Great Bend native Jeff Sallee played drums in the Argonne Rebels Bugle Corps more than 30 years ago, he's been captivated by the percussion sound.

Artists exhibit ceramics at BCC

Three artists who are ceramics students of Barton Community College art instructor Bill Forst are exhibiting their works in the display cases located outside the Shafer Gallery in the college's Fine Arts Building.

Three die in Ellsworth County collision

Kansas Highway Patrol reports three people died Wednesday following a head-on collision at 1:55 a.m., five miles east of Wilson on Interstate 70 in Ellsworth County. Joseph O. Pena, 27, of Corpus Christi, Texas, was driving a Ford F-150 pickup traveling west in the eastbound lanes. Kylie B. Jobe, 20, and Kyle D. Thornburg, 22, both of Wichita, were in the eastbound Chevrolet Equinox that collided with the pickup. Officers were ...

North Washington rollover

10th Street accident

Pinewood Derby winners

Boy Scout Pack 149, sponsored by the Trinity United Methodist Church in Great Bend, recently held its Pinewood Derby Race. The top three were, from left: Devin Brown, third place; Ross Phillips, first place; and Austin Moore, second place. Moore was also the Best of Show winner.

Going Green at TLC Preschool

TLC Preschool celebrates "Going Green!" in this photo taken on St. Patrick's Day. Cathy LaTourell, school director, and Ron Ensle, Trinity Lutheran Church custodian, are pictured with the children of TLC Preschool. "We are turning off lights, turning thermostats, and helping our friend Ron," LaTourell said. "We have a new green recycling trash container in our classroom." Kids are also selling Jack Links Beef Sticks as a fundraiser for the church's utilities. For information call ...

Chamber Coffee

This weeks Chamber of Commerce Coffee will be hosted by Murray Chiropractic, 2100 Kansas, at 9:30 a.m., Thursday. Ambassador in charge will be Nancy Sundahl with greeters Lana Dietz and Barry Bowers. Coffee, doughnuts and door prizes will be available.

Boy injured in go-cart accident

A 7-year-old boy from Kinsley was injured Sunday afternoon while driving a go-cart at Val Energy Inc., 250 SE 10 Ave., Great Bend. The Barton County Sheriff's Office reports the motorized go-cart, which was not equipped with a seat belt, struck a parked vehicle in the oilfield storage lot at 3:55 p.m. and the boy sustained a severe cut to his forehead. He was transported by private vehicle and met by ...

Early Ed Center/Incredible Years Preshcool to hold reunion

Organizers of the upcoming five-year reunion hope it will serve a dual purpose: Sunflower Diversified Services can learn about the progress made by children who attended its Early Education Center (EEC) and Incredible Years Preschool; and families can re-discover that both our children's services have an extended family for support, explained Cathy Estes, services coordinator. Families of youngsters that are currently enrolled and those who received ...

BCC's Dudek takes first at Garden Art exhibit

Steve Dudek was awarded the first-place Betty Sieler Award for his watercolor painting in the Wichita Garden Art Exhibit, which took place Feb. 23 through March 6. Dudek's painting was of roses from a photograph taken in the Great Bend Garden Club Memorial Rose Garden in the Great Bend Cemetery. He had two pieces accepted in the show.

Stafford County students donate to Heartland Cancer Center

Patients at the Heartland Cancer Center, Great Bend, will reap the benefits of a special fundraiser sponsored by the St. John High School Booster Club. The "Think Pink Night" raised approximately $3,300 for HCC. "We were all overwhelmed by this donation," said Jamie Hutchinson, R.N., HCC director. "It is gratifying to know there is this spirit of generosity in our central Kansas communities. We cannot thank the ...

Vehicles collide on county roads

Three people were taken to Great Bend hospitals on Friday after a driver ran the stop sign at NE 20 Ave. and NE 30 Road. According to the Barton County Sheriff's Office report, Brittney L. Smith, 16, of Ottawa was driving a Pontiac Grand Am south on NE 20 Ave. at 12:30 a.m. when she ran the stop sign. A Chevrolet Tracker driven by Kevin A. Davis, 19, of ...

Duke Special to perform Saturday in St. John

By Tribune Staff ST. JOHN - Irish musician Duke Special will return to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York next week, but on Saturday he'll stop in St. John for a "house gig" to raise money for the local food bank. The program will take place from 7-9 p.m. at the St. John High School Auditorium, said Linda Welch, concert organizer. A freewill donation is requested for the ...

Indie Award winner Jerry Barlow playing at The Back Room Tuesday night

The Barton County Arts Council will present acclaimed Celtic fingerstyle guitarist Jerry Barlow in concert at 7 p.m. Tuesday at The Back Room, 1401 Main St., Great Bend. Tickets are $10 and available at the door. Since seating is limited, reservations are recommended and may be made by calling the Arts Council this afternoon at 620-792-4221 or e-mailing bartonarts1@sbcglobal.net

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.

Kansas 150 1901-1925