Higher gas prices not likely to drop by weekend

Gasoline prices have risen dramatically in the past two weeks throughout much of the Midwest. While the price increases may ease off by June, but don't expect relief at the pump this Memorial Weekend, industry experts say. The American Automobile Association's online daily fuel gauge report and GasBuddy.com both showed the average price for a gallon of regular gas Monday in Kansas was $3.92. Just one week ago, the average price was $3.64, and it ...

OTR for May 21, 2013

Great Bend Fire/EMS

​BCC trustees set to approve contracts

The Barton Community College Board of Trustees will approve contracts for head coaches, management staff and administrative personnel when it meets at 4 p.m. Wednesday in the Seminar Room, F-30 of the Fine Arts Building. There will also be an executive session for discussion of personnel.

Free fishing Saturday at Kanopolis State Park

KANOPOLIS - The public is invited to take part in a short nature hike and free fishing this Saturday at Kanopolis State Park. Meet at the Wildlife Viewing Area west of the office at 9 a.m. and follow the park naturalist on the trail. Bring a fishing pole for fishing in the ponds after the hike.

Virginia Manning

ELLINWOOD - Virginia Manning died May 20 at her home in Ellinwood. Services and survivors are pending with Kimple Funeral Home in Ellinwood.

​Driver leaves ER after arrest

After a one-vehicle accident at 6:26 a.m. Sunday at U.S. 56, milepost 211, the driver was arrested by the Barton County Sheriff's Office on suspicion of driving under the influence. At the jail he requested medical assistance for shoulder pain. At 9:27 a.m., a Great Bend Police Officer responded to a disturbance at the Great Bend Regional Hospital Emergency Room, and the BCSO was called to assist. The suspect was served a notice to appear ...

Colo. family injured on I-70

Several people from Colorado Springs, Colo., were injured at 6:10 p.m. Sunday in Russell County, when a Suburban pulling a camper-trailer attempted to pass a semi-trailer on Interstate 70, 1 mile east of Bunker Hill. Kansas Highway Patrol reports the vehicle became unstable as it passed the semi, entering the median. The driver over-corrected and the vehicle entered the ditch, rolling several times. The trailer broke free and landed upright, while the Suburban landed on its roof.

Fatality reported in Pratt County

A 2-year-old boy died Monday and others were injured in a one-vehicle accident in Pratt County. Kansas Highway Patrol reports the accident occurred at 10:18 a.m.. on K-61, 1.5 miles north of Preston.

Don’t trash it

June Jaunt is just over a week away. This event, which showcases communities from Tribune to Great Bend along K-96, is a chance for these towns to shine.

Continuing education classes to be offered

ELLINWOOD - Dr. Catherine Strecker of Educational Strategies, 17 N. Main, will offer four continuing education workshops on May 31. Two CEU credits will be offered for each session.

Bowling fun

Hoisington City Council discusses animal control

HOISINGTON - The Hoisington City Council decided at its regular meeting last week to continue the animal control options the way they currently are. The city currently takes all stray animals to the Hoisington Veterinary Hospital. The council had looked at a proposal to take care of the animals by the city as a cost saving measure, but turned it down.

Martin “Marty” C. Smith 1954 - 2013

HOISINGTON - Martin "Marty" C. Smith, 58, passed away Sunday May 19, at KU Medical Center in Kansas City. Born October 7, 1954 in Denver, Colo., he was the son of Robert E. and Evelyn (Collins) Smith. On Jan. 16, 1998 he married Karen King in Springfield, Mo. Marty moved to Hoisington in 2008 coming from Lovington, New Mexico. He served his country in the United States Army and worked as a Heavy Equipment Operator until he was disabled.

These services are always needed

The last week in April may have been National Crime Victims Rights Week, but the needs of those impacted by crime continue even without any special recognition, Camila Komarek told the Barton County Commission Monday morning.

Although pricey, road sealing vital

When Dale Phillips first started working for Barton County, the oil used to seal the county's 380-plus miles of paved roads cost 15 cents per gallon. This year, it costs $2.50.

PARTNERSHIP NIXED

For the City of Great Bend and its Convention Center, it's back to square one – sort of.

BITTERSWEET

GARDEN CITY - Having to share a Western Athletic Conference baseball championship turned out to be bittersweet for the Great Bend High School Panthers.

Orioles edge Royals

BALTIMORE - The Baltimore Orioles usually like to slug their way to victory.

Knicks rip Pacers to tie series at 1-1

NEW YORK - Carmelo Anthony hung from the rim, the helpless defender who tried to stop his dunk lying on the court below after falling down.

Lady Panthers struggle against McPherson

Great Bend High School freshman forward Alondra Garcia kept her team from getting shut down completely on Tuesday afternoon against McPherson at Cavanaugh Soccer Fields.

Indians sweep doubleheader on road at Nickerson

NICKERSON - Larned High School's baseball team swept Nickerson 14-3 and 4-2 on Tuesday evening to maintain momentum heading to a Thursday doubleheader at Great Bend.

Completely Kids combines storefronts with The Gallery

Completely Kids announced the store will be combining efforts with The Gallery in downtown Great Bend, starting June 1. The new shop-within-a-shop will still carry all their customer favorites. "We want to thank our customers for 10 years of support," owner Dana Long said. "We hope that they'll enjoy the new combined shopping experience inside The Gallery."

Jazzercise encouraging kids to get up and dance

Fitness should not be a chore. In fact, it can and should be fun, says Charise Oelger, Great Bend Jazzercise instructor. Kids can learn this valuable life lesson and channel their inner Bieber during the Junior Jazzercise "Kids Get Fit" program at the Jazzercise Great Bend Fitness Center, Saturday, May 11 from 9:30-10 a.m.

German Wedding Roast a family tradition

One way to keep Mom out of the kitchen this Mother's Day is by taking her to lunch. Jeannie Munsch will be cooking German Wedding Roast to serve this Sunday at the Great Bend American Legion Post 180, 1011 Kansas Ave., from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Student clean-up

From left: Chandra Gray, Holly Foster and Kole Stiner team up at St. Rose Ambulatory & Surgery Center for the community-wide clean-up day May 1. The Great Bend High School Student Council helped organize the event as a community-service project.

Girl Scout volunteers recognized for service

Wichita - Ninety-three volunteers across 80 counties were honored by Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland recently at the 2013 Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast and Annual Meeting.

OTR for May 8, 2013

Great Bend Police A burglary at 8701 Sixth St. was reported Monday. A welding torch was stolen. A hit-and-run vehicle struck a parked vehicle Monday at 2027 Morton St. Someone damaged the side window on a truck at 601 Baker Ave. Loss was $2,000. Crime Stoppers Between 7 p.m. on Sunday, May 5, and 7:45 a.m. Monday, a Polaris Rhino 660 was stolen from Jacobs Golf Cars, 901 Kennedy St. in Great Bend. It is ...

Job Fest offers chance for networking

People looking for full- or part-time work will have an opportunity to meet employers during Job Fest 2013, taking place from 4-7 p.m. Thursday at the Best Western Courtyard, 2920 10th St.

"Lulu does the Hulu in Hawaii' is a super bad baby name. Really.

What's with baby names these days? Growing up, I had a last name that drew a lot of fun- at my expense. It rhymed with pickle. Throughout elementary school, I went from being Karen H to Karen Hickel pickle. It was made worse when I got to college when my last name went through another permutation and became hickey, for no good reason. True story. Then, I got a 1970 Impala that was painted grass ...

Letting the dogs out

Saturday morning, leashes will be rattling and tails will be wagging all over the Great Bend area. Pooches will bound out the door and into the car as their owners make their way to Veterans Memorial Dog Park for the first ever Bark for Life Festival from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event, sponsored by local Relay for Life teams, precedes the annual event coming up on June 7.