BCC Theatre presents "Too Many Sopranos"

The BCC Theatre will present "Too Many Sopranos," a one-act student-directed opera, at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, on the stage of the Barton Community College Fine Arts Auditorium. The opera will be presented in black-box style with the audience seated onstage. The audience will enter through the stage door located in the hallway leading left from the Fine Arts Office. Students will be admitted free. Admission for the general public ...

Zoo news: Animal physicals continue at Brit Spaugh Zoo

Toby, the 5-year-old spotted leopard at Great Bend's Brit Spaugh Zoo, had his annual physical Wednesday, and a visit from local dentist and mayor Dr. Mike Allison. The leopard weighed in at 100 pounds, or five pounds less than a year ago. Zoo Curator Marge Bowen and Dr. Jackie Corbett, DVM, agreed the weight loss was not a cause for concern. Dr. Mike Malone, ...

GBPD detective to share warnings about Facebook

Detective Heather Smith from the Great Bend Police Department will present "Warnings About Facebooking" at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Great Bend Activity Center, 2715 18th St. This free program is open to adults and or youths 11 years of age and older accompanied by an adult. The program is hosted by the Great Bend Recreation Commission. Program Coordinator Garet Fitzpatrick explains, "Technology is an excellent tool in today's society, but ...

BOCK raises money for hospice patients

The Bikers of Central Kansas raised more than $900 during its annual Chili Challenge to benefit Golden Belt Home Health & Hospice. The money will be used to help the non-profit agency pay for hospice patients' medications. Johnny "Shorty" Adams of The Men MC won $100 for first place and donated his winnings back to GBHH&H. A trophy for second place was awarded to the Ellinwood Clinic, represented Rhonda Settle, ...

GBHS forensic team brings home 10 medals

The Great Bend High School Forensic Team competed in the Nickerson Forensic Tournament on Saturday, Febr. 26. Eleven students competed and brought home 10 medals. They had four State Speech Championship qualifiers and placed fourth overall in sweepstakes. 29 schools competed at the tournament. The rankings are as follows:

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.

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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