Archive By Section - News
BCC's Camp Aldrich still a 'hidden gem'
An Ellinwood man who attended Thursday's study session of the Barton Community College Board of Trustees had questions after listening to discussion on the college's Camp Aldrich facility near Cheyenne Bottoms. "Does this board have a vision for Camp Aldrich?" Dennis Carson asked. If so, the former owner of C&V Home Improvement continued, what is it? If the board doesn't have a vision, why not? The question of what ...
Fish kill at Vets normal for time of year
The deaths of a handful of small fish at Veterans Memorial Lake are the result of the cold and not the recent toxic algae that plagued the popular recreational area, city and state officials said.
County, state prepare for winter storms
It is that time of year, when everyone is making sure they are ready for the first blast of serious winter weather. We've had a couple of days when early risers had to scrape their windows, but that's nothing. And as anyone who's lived here more than a year or two should realize, winter can go either way around here. We could see conditions warm back into the 60s and stay that way for almost ...
Decorating safely can save the holiday
There are all sorts of ways to get ready for winter, according to safety experts. On of them is getting ready for safe celebrations in this festive opening to the winter season. And that includes using some sense in decorating. According to information from Safe Kids Kansas, a state agency dedicated to keeping children safe in Kansas homes, it's important to pay attention when decorating. As has been the case for years, one of the ...
Binturong arrives at Brit Spaugh Zoo
What has the head of a cat, the body of a bear - and smells like freshly popped popcorn? That would be a binturong (BIN-tu-rong), commonly known as an Asian bearcat, and it's the newest animal at Great Bend's Brit Spaugh Zoo. The binturong arrived Wednesday afternoon from Dakota Zoo in Bismarck, N.D. Great Bend Zoo Director Scott Gregory said the animal has a clean bill of heath, but ...
Mystery couple gives ride to boy
Police were asked to conduct extra patrols near one Great Bend school after two strangers in a car gave a boy a ride home Tuesday afternoon. Lt. Bill Browne at the Great Bend Police Department said officers wrote up a "miscellaneous case" report to document the incident, but their investigation did not show any crime was committed. The man and woman may have been two Good Samaritans, concerned to see ...
Library accepting food for fines
For the second year, the Great Bend Public Library will offer the program "Food for Fines." People with overdue items can bring one nonperishable food item for each overdue material returned and overdue fines will be waived, said Terri Hurley at the library, located at 1409 Williams St. Those with existing fines for items already returned to the library will have their fines forgiven if they bring one nonperishable item for ...
A SEASON OF GIVING
Several local charities received an early Christmas present Wednesday afternoon as Farmers Bank and Trust held its 14th-annual Holiday Charity Coffee.
Commissioners work to avoid conflicts
To get right to the heart of things - Bob Suelter was reappointed by the Barton County Commission to the Center for Counseling board of directors. In fact, when the vote was taken, he was unanimously reappointed.
Larned judge to sit on state Supreme Court
Bruce T. Gatterman, chief judge of the 24th Judicial District, will sit with the state Supreme Court Thursday, Dec. 9, to hear appeals in four matters on the Court's docket.
Program offers holiday support after death of a loved one
Golden Belt Home Health and Hospice will offer a free community program called "Surviving the Holidays When a Loved One Has Died." It is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 7, in the Thelma Faye Harms Room off the cafeteria in the basement level of Central Kansas Medical Center in Great Bend. Hospice Chaplain John Grummon and GBHH&H Social Worker Cathy Soeken will present the program. Grummon and Soeken also co-facilitate ...
BCC history instructor to sign copies of new book
Barton Community College history instructor Linda McCaffery will sign copies of her first book, "I'm Praying Hard for You," Love Letters to a Death Camp: The World War II Ordeal of Bill and Jo Brenner, from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, during the Shafer Gallery's Holiday Open House. McCaffery spent three years researching and writing her book about the World War II ordeal of Dr. Bill Brenner and his ...
Barton’s Shafer Gallery to host Holiday Open House Sunday
Barton Community College's Shafer Gallery's annual Holiday Open House is set for 1-5 p.m. Sunday. The gallery now has its holiday trees lighted and decorated, thanks to the efforts of area school children and community organizations, in anticipation of the open house. The trees have been decorated by Holy Family School students, Ellinwood Grade School students, Claflin and Quivira Heights third graders, Park Elementary School ...
Stitches required after brawl
A woman received 40 stitches to her face Sunday after being cut in a fight, officials report. Great Bend Police were dispatched to investigate the alleged aggravated battery at 2:28 a.m. Sunday. According to Lt. William Browne, officers were first dispatched to Central Kansas Medical Center, where they learned that "a very large fight" involving several people had occurred a short time earlier at a residence at 12th and ...
Hoisington Duckwalls to close
HOISINGTON - Duckwall-ALCO stores announced today it will close all 44 Duckwall stores including the one in Hoisington. Forty-three of the stores will be closed permanently, except for one in Hettinger, N.D. which will be reopened as an ALCO.
Articles by Section - News
Perfect attendance pays off
Perfect attendance is a rare accomplishment for most students. It takes planning and preparation, with illnesses and bad weather to contend with from time to time, to make it in to school every day on time. But for those who achieve it, it's nice to be recognized for the effort. Dale Shaner wanted to do that for USD 428 students. He had an idea, and after sharing it with his wife, Karen, and some friends, the group put the idea into action.
BCSO participating in 'Click It or Ticket'
Barton County Sheriff's officers are emphasizing seat belt laws by participating in the Click It or Ticket program. For the week prior to Memorial Day, and continuing until June 2, drivers can expect to see more BCSO deputies on the highways, aggressively enforcing "Kansas Occupant Restraint" laws and other traffic statutes. Click It or Ticket is sponsored by the Kansas Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Sheriff Brian Bellendir said his ...
Two Barton coaching contracts 'pending'
Nine head coaching contracts were renewed Wednesday when the Barton Community College Board of Trustees met, but the contracts of two head coaches are "pending final review." The board discussed personnel matters behind closed doors for nearly an hour before voting on head coach contracts, administrative contracts and contracts for managerial staff. Barton President Dr. Carl Heilman said there were no changes in head coaches, but the board did not approve a contract for a ...
Bridge work to cause traffic delays
Orange cones and construction crews are already in place on the U.S. 281 bridge just north of the Great Bend city limits as the Kansas Department of Transportation begins to replace the span, a project that could take until next spring.
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.
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.
Claflin set to open Community/Fitness Center
CLAFLIN - Numerous volunteers have put their hands together and established a new Community/Fitness Center for the Claflin area. The project involved refurbishing the old Claflin Elementary School for the new purpose.
City Council: Dog laws need more teeth
Great Bend residents George and Zola Weber said they love living in this community. But now they live in fear of their neighbors' pit bulls and suggested to the City Council Monday night it ban such vicious dogs from inside the city limits.
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 ...
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.
GBHS 2013 grads strive to “have a life worth living”
Great Bend High School principal Tim Friess welcomed family and friends to the graduation ceremony at Panther Stadium Sunday, where he announced the 206 graduates of the Class of 2013. The sun broke through clouds briefly late afternoon, making it possible for the ceremony to be held outside, despite the threat of impending thunderstorms.
First Steps: Aging out of foster care
This is part one of a three part series focusing on youth aging out of foster care.
