Albert, KS

For the past 15 years, Paige Wagner has been staying in her lane. And all that bowling is paying off. In the past year, Wagner competed in the U.S. National team trials and just missed a spot on national television. A former state runner-up for Great Bend High School, Wagner recently signed a letter of intent to bowl for national powerhouse Wichita State University.

The Kansas Wetlands Education Center July WILD program will be a tour of Kansas Trophy Experience outside of Great Bend. They will show how they raise pheasant chicks for guided hunting experiences. On July 11, school-age kids and their families can either meet at Kansas Trophy Experience at 10am, or...

Since Heather Holaday, nurse practitioner, has completed advanced training in wound care, she now provides all treatment in this specialty at Pawnee Valley Community Hospital. Previously, Holaday worked side-by-side with Kelly Miller, advanced practice registered nurse certified in wound care. Miller traveled regularly to Larned from HaysMed, her home base. Miller and Dr. Zurab Tsereteli, HaysMed general surgeon, provided the specialized training.

The City of Great Bend reminds all citizens that although the Barton County Commission allowed an extra day of shooting fireworks in rural parts of the county on July 3 and July 4, that is NOT allowed within the city limits of Great Bend. Fireworks are only allowed in town...

Institute for Organization Management, the professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, is pleased to announce that Megan Barfield, President, of the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce, has recently completed her second year at Institute for Organization Management, a four-year nonprofit leadership training program at the University of Wisconsin School of Business in Madison, WI.

While personal fireworks are not allowed to be discharged in Great Bend until July 4, the city is preparing for another large fireworks display the night before to kick off the holiday celebration. Great Bend Community Coordinator Christina Hayes said the Sunday, July 3 fireworks display frees up the holiday for citizens and for city staff.

From the Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo... "Did you know on hot days it's important to water your bears?? Our bears love their pool, but on super hot days we also will play with them with the hose and they also like ice!"

Each year, the Clara Barton Foundation awards scholarships to applicants interested in pursuing a degree in the medical field. These scholarships have been funded through scholarship endowments that have been established over the years. This year the Foundation awarded nine scholarships, totaling $4,500. The Verda Lane scholarship was made possible...

Be Well Barton County hosts a family-friendly bike ride every Friday evening this summer at 6 p.m. The ride leaves from Jack Kilby Square in Great Bend. The pace is relaxed and the route goes down the designated bike route on 19th Street, around Veterans Lake, and then back down 19th, returning to Jack Kilby Square.

Patriotism, police complaints, fire calls, and the economy. Those were the factors debated in Thursday's Barton County Commission special session pertaining to the dishcharge of fireworks in unincorporated parts of the county. After hearing from various first responders, the commission voted 4-0 to allow the discharge of fireworks in rural Barton County on July 3 and 4 this year.

A few thunderstorms are expected this evening and tonight, mainly along and north of Great Bend to Salina. The strongest activity will be capable of 55 mph winds and brief heavy rain.

In the current workforce environment, many businesses are struggling to find employees and Barton Community College is no different. As of Tuesday, Barton Vice President of Administration Mark Dean said the college had 65 openings. Some of those vacancies have been open for over three years. Barton has seen an...