Three former inmates praised by Governor as they graduate from BCC

Graduation days are celebrations of hard work expended and the future opportunities that have been earned. They are a chance to look back on what it took to get there, as well as to look forward to what lies ahead. And many thanks are offered to those who helped along the way.

OTR for May 22, 2013

Barton County Jail

Two flee; child left in truck

A minor child was left in a truck with a loaded gun Monday night as two suspects fled from Barton County deputies.

Our zoo is famous and other local news

Tying up a few loose ends on stories that didn't make the front page:

Tornado-safe room building starts

Workers began pouring the foundation of the new Great Bend Middle School tornado safe room Tuesday morning, less than a day after the devastating F4 tornado that struck Moore, Okla., tore the roofs off two elementary schools, injuring many and killing nine confirmed at the time of this writing.

Bridge work completed

Work on the bridge north of the Club at StoneRidge has been completed and the road is open, according to the Barton County Engineers Office.

Virginia Manning 1921 - 2013

ELLINWOOD - Virginia Manning, 91, died May 20 at her home in Ellinwood. Born Dec. 16, 1921 in Ellinwood, she was the daughter of E. Aubrey Smith and Hazel Converse Smith. In 1939, she graduated from Ellinwood High School. On May 17, 1940 she married Delmar Manning in Ellinwood. He died on Oct. 11, 2005. A lifetime resident of Ellinwood, she was a homemaker.

Sienna Michelle Meeks 2013 - 2013

Sienna Michelle Meeks, 3 months, died on May 21 at her home in Great Bend. Born Feb. 22, in Great Bend, she was the daughter of Nolan and Collette (King) Meeks.

Paul J. Linenberger

Paul J. Linenberger, 90, died May 21 at Great Bend Regional Hospital. Services are pending with Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Road, Great Bend.

Kansas State's first baseball championship reaps several rewards

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. - Kansas State reaped the rewards of its first-ever Big 12 baseball championship season as a school-record seven players earned all-conference first-team honors on Tuesday. Wildcats head coach Brad Hill was named coach of the year for the second time.

Unique art treasures shown at gallery

Unique artwork and ceramics will be shown at a gallery opening at 7 p.m. Friday at Petr's Frame House, 2009 16th St. The show features the work of Darnel Row, Joshua Garret and Lili Vialacres.

Chamber Coffee

This week's Chamber of Commerce Coffee will be hosted by Sunflower Bank, 3600 10th Street, at 9:30 a.m., Thursday. Ambassador in charge will be Ronda Sjogren with greeters Connie Oetken and Karmi Green. Coffee, refreshments and door prizes will be available.

With Memorial Day, city readies for summer

BY DALE HOGG

Claflin Community/Fitness Center

Peter named 2013-14 KMU president

Bob Peter, city administrator and city attorney for Ellinwood, was named the 2013-14 Kansas Municipal Utilities president at a recent conference.

Boeckman part of historic judicial panel

TOPEKA – In light of reduced judicial resources statewide, a new "Blue Ribbon" commission has been named to take a thorough and critical look at the Kansas court system to find ways to improve it and make it more efficient, it was announced Wednesday.

Marilyn L. Hoyt 1925-2011

HOISINGTON – Marilyn L. Hoyt, 85, died Jan. 4, 2011, at Country Place Living Center, Hoisington. Born April 25, 1925, at Grenola, the daughter of George A. and Mary Westling Warner, she was a long-time Hoisington resident. She married Robert Hoyt Sept. 13, 1959, at Hoisington.

Jan. 7, 2011

Great Bend Fire Department Firefighters made five ambulance runs on Wednesday. At 3:25 p.m. they responded to a controlled burn that got out of control at 201 Patton. Chief Mike Napolitano said it was a small fire and caused no damage. Barton County Sheriff Christopher Phillips was in an eastbound pickup on East Barton County Road when he started swerving at 10:41 a.m. Wednesday. The vehicle ...

Program aims to grow local successes

County Administrator Richard Boeckman is hoping that there are some Barton County businesses that could bloom in the state's garden in 2011, and he will provide what help he can to direct them to a program that could help.

How does this garden grow?

Gardening isn't for every body. To be honest, gardening is hard work. You have to prepare the ground, create a good seed bed, plant, weed, water, weed some more, and, finally if you do everything right, you get a harvest - unless when you don't, of course. That's right. Some years, even when you do everything right, when you do all the work you are supposed to, you still don't get a harvest and through ...

Some folks have too much time

David Rees draws the political cartoon "Get Your War On," but in his new day job, he is an artisan - of pencil-sharpening.

Whole board should have decided

Dear Editor, I'm writing this letter to voice my concern with the firing of Debbie Warren. The two men making the decision to fire Debbie from our community college are short-term members of our community, who should not have the authority to terminate a long-term employee and member of our community. This decision should have to be approved by the board of trustees, who can better evaluate what's in the best interest of not just ...

Keep the library quiet

Dear Editor, The common people of Great Bend wonder why the library of Great Bend is not keping things quiet. I mean quiet! People show up with cell phones and they can be kept quiet. The library system needs to keep the library system quiet. Mike Loughner, Great Bend

Be careful with home improvements

Dear Editor, This is just a reminder to everyone. You know of all the scams today, but never think it would happen in your own town. Well, there is another going around Great Bend, one from a handy man who calls himself a contractor. He says he is out of the service, trying to find a job. He is very reasonable in price and can start right now. He wants half down, which is fine. ...

Warren deserves our support

Dear Editor, I write this letter with great concern regarding the recent decision by Barton County Community College's athletic director to terminate long time employee and coach, Debbie Warren. While this decision appears to be fully supported by the president and board of trustees, I feel I would be doing a disservice to all past, present and future students if I did not voice my opinion regarding Debbie, her role as coach, mentor and co-worker. ...

Briefly

Barton Community College is hosting a winter baseball camp starting Jan. 8-9 and continuing every Saturday or Sunday in January, depending on which age group the child is in.

Cloud women hold off Barton, 66-56

CONCORDIA - Cloud County Community College withstood every challenge Barton's women made at them Wednesday night at Arley A. Bryant Gymnasium.

CLOUD SURVIVES BCC RUSH

CONCORDIA - The Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference Western Division opener between Cloud County Community College and Barton was a matter of survival.

Selby leads No. 3 Kansas past UMKC, 99-52

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) - No. 3 Kansas was too much for UMKC. Josh Selby had 16 points to lead six Kansas players in double figures and the No. 3 Jayhawks defeated UMKC 99-52 Wednesday night. Kansas (14-0) scored the game's first 15 points and extended the nation's longest homecourt winning streak to 68 games. Tyshawn Taylor added 15 points for Kansas. Travis Releford and Elijah Johnson had 13 each for the Jayhawks. Jay Couisnard and ...

Battered Cassel getting back on track

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - Matt Cassel is in bounceback mode. At least he's still on his feet.