Archive By Section - News
Program helps make Christmas brighter
The Men Motorcycle Club, with the help of Salvation Army of Barton County, the Sidewinders MC and the American Legion Riders, have made some children's Christmas a little brighter with their Toys 4 Tots program.
County considers its equipment needs
As this weekend's temperature dip has demonstrated, winter can come to the Great Plains just about any time it wants to, from here on out.
Heavenly host
Barton Community College cheerleading coach Warren fired
Debbie Warren, longtime head coach of Barton Community College's cheerleading program, said she was fired Friday by Barton President Dr. Carl Heilman. Dr. Penny Quinn, vice president of instruction and student services, confirmed that as of Friday afternoon Warren was no longer an employee of the college. Warren did not elaborate on the reason or reasons given for her sudden termination, saying she had been advised by an attorney not ...
Finals wrap up BCC fall
The fall semester of 2010 wrapped up this past week, with students taking final exams at Barton Community College. On Thursday and Friday, the campus bookstore called in extra help as students sold back textbooks, typically pocketing $100-300 for Christmas. But before they could collect, students presented their ID numbers so staff could check their accounts, and any money still owed on tuition went toward that. Some students who got money ...
BCC cheerleading coach Warren fired
Debbie Warren, longtime head coach of Barton Community College's cheerleading program, said she was fired Friday by Barton President Dr. Carl Heilman. The college's board of trustees is scheduled to meet at 4 p.m. Thursday in the Seminar Room, F-30, of the Fine Arts Building. Supporters of Warren say they plan to attend.
Pot use rising faster than tobacco
A federal study released this week indicates more high school seniors nationwide have used marijuana in the past month than have smoked a cigarette, as pot use slid up slightly as tobacco use stagnated. In addition, it showed daily marijuana use up in all grades surveyed.
Job program funding to be discussed by commission
County officials will consider spending $10,000 in tax dollars for a local effort to find workers for local jobs.
SWEET, SEASONAL SOUNDS
The sounds of the season will be carried by Great Bend High School A Cappella Choir members as they present the 74th-annual Vespers Concert at 2 p.m. Sunday at the high school auditorium.
Electrical short causes fire
Investigators from the Kansas State Fire Marshal's Office and the Great Bend Fire Department determined the blaze that destroyed a house southeast of Great Bend Thursday afternoon was likely caused by an electrical problem, Fire Chief Mike Napolitano said Friday morning.
Dogs find drugs at GBHS
Drug sniffing dogs from the Great Bend Police Department and Barton County Sheriff's Office made two positive "hits" on possible narcotics during a surprise, random search at Great Bend High School Thursday morning, Unified School District Superintendent Tom Vernon said.
Birding heritage expressed in bronze
Great Bend City Council members gave their approval this week to a plan to use public property to help advance a design plan that ties in downtown Great Bend with the region's birding attractions. The council approved using the lawn around the Great Bend Library for bronze statues that will include a bird design, according to Beautification Committee Chairwoman Linda Dougherty. She told the council that the bronzes, if the fund raising is successful, ...
FIRE DESTROYS RURAL HOME
There were times all Great Bend Fire Department personnel could do Thursday afternoon was stand back and watch as a house southeast of Great Bend burned. Although everyone had gotten out safely, authorities said the house was a total loss. A lack of water once halted the battle to save the home of Shawn Crane Jr., 144 SE 20 Ave. Pumper trucks from the Ellinwood, Hoisington and Stafford fire departments were called ...
Christmas Past
"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year." - Charles Dickens The Ghost of Christmas Past is a cheerful spirit, at least in Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol." At the Barton County Historical Village and Museum, staff and volunteers celebrate the season with the "Ghosts of Christmas Past" open house. The annual event will take ...
Child abuse prevention group changes name, hires director
Ourselves and Our Families Coalition to Prevent Child Abuse has changed its name to the Child Abuse Prevention Education and the board of directors has hired Dana Murphy as the executive director.
Articles by Section - News
First Steps: Aging out of foster care
This is part one of a three part series focusing on youth aging out of foster care.
Gov. Brownback addresses BCC graduates
Gov. Sam Brownback congratulated students on achieving a major milestone Friday, during Barton Community College's 43rd commencement ceremony. A crowd filled the Physical Education Building, where the governor offered several pieces of advice to the graduates, starting with, "Always, always, always listen to your mother." He also encouraged them to be lifelong learners, people of integrity and pursuers of dreams. "The why of a good dream is because somebody else benefits," he said, encouraging them ...
Important new addition to museum collection
SRCA board member Butch Fry made an important donation to the Barton County Historical Society Museum Saturday afternoon. He presented his SRCA 1964 Record Holder jacket.
The day the sculptures rolled in
Whether it was dragsters, street rods, Mopars, or vintage cars that struck their fancy, visitors and exhibitors alike were drawn to the Second Annual Barton Historical Society Museum Rolling Sculpture car show Saturday afternoon, May 18.
TLC Twisters bring comfort to shelter dogs
The TLC Twisters 4-H club at TLC Discoveries built eight dog beds which they presented to the Golden Belt Humane Society last week. The beds, made of donated PVC pipe and nylon material, will provide a place for puppies and smaller dogs to relax off the cement floor. They are easily hosed off, and are quick drying, making them ideal for a kennel environment.
Hoisington to host annual ‘Mud Run’
HOISINGTON - Engines will once again roar as drivers try to drive through the mud at the fourth annual Mud Run at 1 p.m. on June 1 in Hoisington, south of the railroad track on the east side of U.S. 281. It will be held in conjunction with the Kansas Mud Racing Organization.
Great Bend escapes Defense Department furloughs
The Great Bend Kansas National Guard armory should escape unscathed the round of federally mandated National Guard furloughs announced Tuesday by U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, said Sharon Watson with the KNG Public Affairs Office.
Foreign tourism developing in Barton County
Travel writer Matt Bates of Scotland and Lisa Weigt, International Program director for Kansas/ Oklahoma Travel and Tourism recently toured Barton County.
Game on
Out of the Morgue
Each week we'll take a step back into the history of Great Bend through the eyes of reporters past. We'll reacquaint you with what went into creating the Great Bend of today, and do our best to update you on what "the rest of the story" turned out to be.
Lyons man sentenced to 17½ years for rape, indecent liberties
LYONS – A Lyons man was sentenced Wednesday to 17½ years in prison after pleading no contest to charges of rape and aggravated indecent liberties, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt said.
Summer road work begins
Barton County Administrator Richard Boeckman offered his biweekly update on the activities of various county departments during the County Commission meeting Monday morning. Highlights included:
These masterpieces have wheels
Barton County Historic Society is celebrating the 60th anniversary of organized drag racing in the Golden Belt with a new exhibit and a car show during its open house this Saturday.
Living a "Glass half-Full' Life
In the early 2000s, like so many up and coming children of the prairie, Ellinwood native J. Basil Dannebohm, had the bright lights of the city shining in his eyes.
