When the National Weather Service office at Wichita issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook and Winter Storm Watch for most of central Kansas last Thursday, Barton County residents prepared for the worst. The Barton County Sheriff’s Office urged caution and reported that the Road and Bridge Department was prepared for a major storm with up to 1 inch accumulation of ice Friday through Sunday.
Although parts of Kansas did have ice Friday and Saturday, Great Bend’s streets remained clear into Saturday afternoon. However, rain or freezing rain was expected in most areas Saturday evening.
Today’s forecast calls for freezing rain, a high near 32, east-northeast wind 5-8 mph and an 80 percent chance of precipitation. New ice accumulation of 0.2 to 0.4 of an inch possible. Rain is likely Sunday night and Monday morning.
Several area events have been canceled or postponed due to the expected ice storm:

D of I Soup Sampler date changed
The Daughters of Isabella Soup Sampler Supper, scheduled for Sunday, has been postponed for one week. It is now scheduled for 4:30-6:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 22, at the Prince of Peace Parish Center, 4100 Broadway Ave.

Relay kickoff moved to Jan. 28

The Relay For Life of Barton County 2017 Kickoff set for Jan. 14 has been rescheduled. It will take place on Saturday, Jan. 28, from 9-10 a.m. at the Columbus Club in Great Bend. The Knights of Columbus will serve breakfast at 10 a.m.

GBCCA postpones annual meeting

The Golden Belt Community Concert Association has postponed its annual meeting, which was set for Sunday, Jan. 15. The new date for the annual meeting will be announced later.

No potato bar Sunday
The Walnut Valley Potato Bar scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 15, has been canceled. The next potato bar will be Feb. 19 at the Walnut Valley Senior Center, 220 Washington St. in Rush Center.

Hoisington Chamber Banquet rescheduled
The Hoisington Chamber board has decided to postpone the Annual Dinner and Awards Banquet until Saturday, Jan. 28. Anyone who has already RSVP’d or paid and is unable to attend the banquet on the 28th should contact the Hoisington Chamber of Commerce to arrange a full refund. The Chamber is re-opening the time for RSVPs until Monday, Jan. 23.

Shafer reception changed
The Shafer Gallery exhibit opening reception for “Quarks, Quirks & Conundrums,” originally scheduled for last Friday evening, has been rescheduled as a closing reception at 4 p.m. on Feb. 11. In addition to this exhibit featuring works by Wayne Conyers, the gallery is showing ceramics by studio potter Brenda Lichman.

Church services canceled
Trinity Lutheran Church in Great Bend canceled Saturday and Sunday services. Additional cancellations are likely.