It was a proud moment for the City of Great Bend during the City County meeting Monday night at the Events Center. Mackenzie Mitchell, development and communications coordinator with the Golden Belt Community Foundation, presented a sign and check to City Administrator Kendal Francis. This marked the city’s earning the Most Generous City Award from the foundation’s eighth-annual Giving Tuesday held Dec. 1. “This is very exciting,” Mitchell said. You guys do have a generous community.” This was the second year for the Most Generous City award, which was calculated with gift totals by zip code per capita. Great Bend received [...]

In mid-December, Barton County hospitals received some of the first allocated doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and began administering them to health-care workers. This week, the Barton County Health Department set up a drive-through vaccination clinic at the Expo Complex west of Great Bend. Approximately 200 people received the vaccine Wednesday and Thursday, according to County Administrator Phil Hathcock. Most of those were administered Wednesday during the county’s biggest drive-through vaccination clinic to date. Hathcock said the county made phone calls to employers who had people in the state’s Phase One group for vaccine eligibility. “The Kansas Department of Health and [...]

The parking of recreational vehicles within the City of Great Bend would be better defined by ordinance revisions, but the City Council Monday night tabled the matter so administrative staff could better hone the guidelines. At the Nov. 2 council meeting, Josh Blankenship and Danyon Holden addressed the governing body about the ordinance pertaining to parking recreational vehicles on their property. Per the ordinance, one you legally park a recreational vehicle on your property as long as the recreational vehicle is aligned with the front of your house. If it does not comply, then you one be fined. Both individuals felt [...]

An empty desk at the front of the Barton County Commission’s courthouse chamber spoke volumes Monday morning. The name plate still read Kenny Schremmer, chairman. It was a tribute to Schremmer, the longtime First District commissioner who died at his home on Thanksgiving Day. “Let’s pause for a prayerful moment of silence for our friend and colleague Kenny Schremmer,” Commissioner Jennifer Schartz said. The room fell silent before the weekly meeting proceeded as normal. As part of the agenda, Schartz was named as commission chairperson, to replace Schremmer. Jim Daily was named chairman pro tem, the post formerly held by Schartz. “He [...]

There are 370 bridges in Barton County, some of which are a century old. A lot has changed in 100 years, and some of the older structures can’t handle today’s heavier vehicles. As a result, County Engineer Barry McManaman told the County Commission Monday morning that traffic has to be restricted on an increasing number of them. So, commissioners approved establishing weight limits on a new batch of bridges maintained by the county, action that rescinded a resolution adopted in March 2019.Source: Great Bend Tribune

Meeting as the Barton County Board of Health, county commissioners Monday morning accepted the resignation of Dr. Stanley Hatesohl as the county’s health consultant. Next, they appointed Dr. Jonathan Pike to fill the vacancy. Hatesohl was named to the post on March 16 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. However, he has retired and moved from Kansas, said county Health Director Karen Winkelman. “During his tenure, he has successfully provided a vital community service.” Hatesohl advised the county of his resignation via email. “It has been a pleasure working with Karen Winkelman and the county during these challenging times,” he said. Source: Great [...]

In an effort to offset a shortage of weekend emergency medical staff, the Hoisington City Council recently approved a financial incentive to recruit and retain volunteer technicians. Adequate weekend emergency staffing has been an issue for the city. State law mandates all ambulance services providing emergency care (as defined by the rules and regulations adopted by the Kansas Board of EMS) will offer emergency service 24 hours a day, every day of the year. “The problem of being able to provide weekend technician staff has evolved overtime,” said City Manager Jonathan Mitchell. “Trying to develop a solution to get volunteers to [...]

The Great Bend Municipal Airport will host the World War II B-29 superfortress “Doc” for ride flights on Saturday, Oct. 24, Airport Manager Martin Miller announced Friday. The plane, based in Wichita, has scheduled two rides for 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., before flying to Olathe that afternoon. Each flight offers nine seats, positioned at different locations on the aircraft, Miller said. Tickets are now available for purchase ranging in price from $600-1,500 at www.etix.com/ticket/o/5476/docs-friends. Great Bend Municipal Airport, formerly Great Bend Army Airfield, was built in 1943 and dedicated to aircrew and maintenance training on the brand new B-29 bomber. [...]

In accordance with Executive Order 20-30, Governor Laura Kelly has ordered U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff at all state buildings, grounds, and facilities beginning today, Wednesday, Sept. 30, until the day of interment, in honor of Kansas Rep. Leonard Mastroni. Mastroni, La Crosse, has represented Kansas House District 117 since 2017. “I was saddened to hear of the passing of Representative Mastroni, who was a dedicated public servant during his tenure in the Kansas House of Representatives,” Governor Kelly said. “I respected and admired his commitment to working with his colleagues in the Legislature to improve the lives of [...]

Monday afternoon, the Hoisington Chamber of Commerce Labor Day committee announced big changes to the 2020 weekend long celebration. In addition to canceling the 124th Annual Labor Day Parade, several other activities were canceled in an effort to curb the rise of positive cases of COVID-19. Among them, the following events have been canceled: Community BBQ & Beer Garden, Carnival, KIDSTOP activities at the Activity Center, Downtown Street Market, Demolition Derby and Street Dance. (Read more: Great Bend Tribune)