The Boy Scout motto “be prepared” also applies to the Great Bend Fire Department, Fire Chief Brent Smith told the City Council Monday night as he outlined improvements taking place at his department’s training facility behind Fire Station 2. “We’ve been working with Hazmat Response, our neighbor to the west of us out there station,” Smith said. The business has “been nothing but generous in donating equipment and time to do some dirt work and hauling some buildings for us to add to our burn facility.” In addition, “we’re going to be putting in a grain elevator rescue props and some [...]

Claflin Fire District No. 1 has received a grant from Anheuser-Busch through the Emergency Drinking Water for Wildland Firefighters program. Drinking water is used directly for firefighter comfort and safety. The grant included a case of powdered electrolyte replacement additive and 98 cases of canned drinking water, which is loaded to coolers on each truck and helps firefighters stay hydrated on fire calls. Source: Great Bend Tribune

After about two decades of outsourcing animal control services to the local veterinary clinic, the City of Hoisington is looking to go back to self-service. At last Monday’s meeting of the Hoisington City Council, City Manager Jonathan Mitchell told council members that Hoisington Veterinary Hospital will terminate its city animal control contract effective Dec. 31, and so the city needs an alternative solution up and running by the first of the year. City council discussion of alternatives began in early August, when Mitchell informed council members that fees for services from the Hoisington Veterinary Clinic would be going up. Investigating the prospect of [...]

Barton County Register of Deeds Pam Wornkey announced her plans to retire Aug. 1. On Tuesday morning, the County Commission recognized her for her years of service. Her last day on the job is Thursday. “The best indicator of the future is a study of the past and holds true for you,” said commission Chairman Shawn Hutchinson, District 3, said, reading from a letter to Wornkey. “You will continue to be a remarkable presence in this community for years to come. “It is apparent from your employment history with the county that you’re centered on the greater good time and time [...]

With school back in session, the 2023 Summer Reading Program at the Macksville City Library has come to a close. Library Director Jody Suiter shared a recap: We embraced the All Together Now theme with puzzles, games, books, special speakers, and TEAM-work reminding participants that “Together Everyone Achieves More.” It was a dream come true to host Summer Reading in our new library addition! For the first time, ever, we were able to spread out, beyond the walls of our former one-room library. And, while we are still raising funds for shelves and furnishings, the kids didn’t ever complain. Source: Great [...]

Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland announced on Tuesday that $275,000 will be available through a second round of Strategic Economic Expansion and Development (SEED) grants. The SEED program supports economic development and revitalization efforts in smaller counties across Kansas through investments in quality-of-life initiatives. “SEED grants help improve community appeal and have already been game-changing for more than 60 cities across the state,” said Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland. “The Kelly Administration is committed to developing community assets and investing in new opportunities that will support growth in rural areas throughout Kansas.” The grants will be [...]

The Kansas Rural Justice Initiative Committee visited Great Bend and held a public meet-in-greet Thursday evening at Dry Lake Brewing in advance of the committee’s business meeting Friday at the Holiday Inn Express. At the community welcome, residents of Great Bend and the surrounding area were invited to meet committee members, learn about the committee’s work, and share their thoughts, said Lisa Taylor, public information director with the Office of Judicial Administration. “Rural justice. We can’t just sit in Topeka and talk about rural justice,” said Kansas Supreme Court Justice K.J. Wall, who chairs the committee. He and committee members present Thursday night [...]

The Kansas Supreme Court will conduct a special evening session Tuesday, Nov. 14, in Dodge City as part of its ongoing outreach to familiarize Kansans with the court, its work, and the overall role of the Kansas judiciary.  The court will be in session from 6:30 p.m. to about 8 p.m. at Dodge City High School, 2201 W. Ross Blvd. It will be the Supreme Court’s first time to hold a docket in Dodge City in the court’s 162-year history.  The public is invited to attend the special session to observe the court as it hears oral arguments in two cases to [...]

Using for the first time an ordinance created to deal with council vacancies, Great Bend City Council Monday night declared the Ward 4 seat currently held by Brock McPherson vacant due to his continued absences and lack of participation. Now, Mayor Cody Schmidt “with advise and consent of the council” will begin the process of finding a suitable elector for appointment at the next council meeting Monday, Aug. 21. ...The reason for the ordinance approved in June by the council was the repeated lack of attendance by McPherson. Each of the city’s four wards has two council representatives, leaving Ward 4 with only [...]

Should the Great Bend City Council Ward 4 seat currently held by Brock McPherson be declared vacant due to his continued absences? That question will be before the council as it meets Monday night. It will consider using for the first time an ordinance created to deal with these sorts of issues, one crafted because of McPherson’s lack of council participation. Should a vacancy be declared, Mayor Cody Schmidt “with advise and consent of the council” will begin the process of finding a suitable elector for appointment at the next council meeting Monday, Aug. 21, the agenda for Monday night reads. [...]