A public meeting has been scheduled for March 4 at the Pawnee County Courthouse, to offer information in opposition to the proposed 88,000-head feedlot to be located in Pawnee County by Innovative Livestock Services. The hour-long session, scheduled for 6:30 p.m., is intended to bring to light environmental concerns which, if the feedlot was allowed to be constructed, would exacerbate conditions already being experienced in Pawnee County. Source: Great Bend Tribune

With a reported 95% of required landowner easement contracts now in hand, Grain Belt Express (GBE or GBX) has begun statutory eminent domain procedures to acquire the remaining land needed to begin construction of its approved electric transmission line across the state into Missouri. Source: Great Bend Tribune

With 44 years in city service, Cecelia Conrad has experienced several firsts in her career. A retirement reception was held Friday morning at the Hoisington City Auditorium in her honor, recognizing her latest service as City Clerk from 2019. Source: Great Bend Tribune

Water supply to rural residences and agricultural operations without rural or public water systems is usually obtained from a private well or surface water supply. In Kansas, more than 73,000 individuals rely on private wells for a water supply. When public and rural water systems that use well water are added to the private well numbers, 34.6% of the Kansas population relies on groundwater for their water supply. Municipal and rural water systems must maintain water quality standards specified by local, state, or federal requirements; however, owners of private wells are responsible for the water quality of their wells. Permanent contamination [...]

Voters in Great Bend, Ellinwood, and Pawnee County all had special election questions on their ballots Tuesday and all three passed. Great Bend’s half-cent sales tax will continue, Ellinwood USD 355’s bond issue was approved, and in Pawnee County, establishments will be able to sell liquor by the drink without a minimum food sales requirement. Source: Great Bend Tribune

On Oct. 19, over 75 family members, friends and colleagues gathered at “The Bates Farm” one mile north of Nicodemus, to celebrate her remarkable 38-year legacy as the founding President and Executive Director of the Nicodemus Historical Society (founded in 1986). Angela’s tireless efforts have ensured the preservation of Nicodemus, Kansas – an essential icon of the African American experience in post-Reconstruction on the Great Plains of western Kansas. She’s also protected and secured the legacy of Nicodemus safeguarding it for future generations. Under her leadership, she spearheaded efforts to secure Nicodemus as a National Historic Site, securing federal funding for [...]

The Great Bend City Council sent an ordinance on solar regulations within the 3-mile zone back to the Planning Commission when it met Monday. City Administrator Logan Burns had already recommended that action so the commission could consider recommended changes. After Great Bend resident Leslie Barrett shared community concerns about setbacks, the council added those to the list of possible changes. Source: Great Bend Tribune

With the start of advance voting beginning next Wednesday and the fact that most candidate races were decided at the close of the August Republican primary election, Pawnee County voters may wish to speed through their choices for the general election leading up to Election Day on Nov. 5. But before turning in their ballots, Pawnee County voters are advised to slow down, and check the back. Pawnee County Attorney Douglas McNett noted that last February, the Board of County Commissioners of Pawnee County determined that voters should be given a choice as to the appropriate restriction to the sale of [...]

With a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and resolutions calling for two public hearings, the Great Bend City Council took preliminary steps Monday that will help a developer build an 80-room hotel and one or more restaurants on 10th St. The actions are also aimed at making the Great Bend Expo Complex a destination for tourism and entertainment using STAR Bonds. Improvements might include a drag racing museum and more seating at the drag strip; a banquet hall with multi-purpose courts for sporting events; an amphitheater; improvements to the existing rodeo grounds; and an additional hangar/restaurant. Source: Great Bend Tribune

The Barton Arts Movement (BAM) invites the public to a special Community Paint Party as part of their latest mural project at the Barton County Health Department. This unique opportunity will allow community members to make their mark on Barton County’s newest mural, celebrating health-care heroes and wellness initiatives, sponsors said. The event runs from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Sept. 28, at the Health Department, 1300 Kansas Ave. Local artists Jessica Kerr and Taylor Carr, the talented duo behind the mural’s design, will be on-site to guide volunteers through the painting process. No artistic experience is needed – “just [...]