The words “burglary” and “theft” have found themselves littered on the most recent Call Log for the Great Bend Police Department. Multiple reports from the area show a variety of things stolen, and Lieutenant David Bailey of the Great Bend PD says that the biggest item stolen recently was 1999 Brown Oldsmobile Cutlass at 1608 Holland in Great Bend. The car is valued at $5,000, with a tag number of 417 DHR. In an update, the car has been recovered. The car was found in the 300 block of NE 20 Road.

Additionally, Lt. Bailey says that a 12-gauge shotgun, .22 rifle, and colt .22 pistol were taken from the residence at 1807 Stone Street in Great Bend, leading to a loss of $1600 dollars.

And finally, more tools were taken in the city, this time, from a shop at 2525 5th street. Encompassing these thefts and others, Lt. Bailey reminds the public to contact CrimeStoppers with any information, at 792-1300.

Per state statue, no retailer shall sell any cereal malt beverage without having secured a license for that particular business. When a business is located in the unincorporated portion of the County, their application shall be made to Commissioners, and County Clerk Donna Zimmerman presented many businesses in the county up for license renewal at yesterday’s (WED) meeting.

Zimmerman added that no backgrounds checks have been performed on the licenses, as the Barton County Sheriff’s office can no longer provide such checks. Commissioners discussed and approved of each business’ license renewal for 2013.

Eagle Communications is now officially 100% employee owned. The Eagle Communications Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) has successfully completed the purchase of the remaining shares of the company’s stock.

An ESOP is designed so that each eligible employee shares in the ownership of the company.

This stock purchase, in addition to being named the Heart of America ESOP of the Year, the purchase of radio properties in Manhattan and Junction City and the addition of Whole Home DVR and up to 100 MG Internet for the broadband division has made it a very successful year for the employee owned company.

“When I first heard about the ESOP and how it might work I thought it was a wonderful opportunity for our employees,” Eagle Chairman Bob Schmidt. “If I had written a script, it would not have varied from exactly how this has played out with the leadership of Gary Shorman and Kurt David. I want to thank everyone. I am pleased to have loaned the dollars and financed this and I want our employee owners to know that this has been good for me and it is certainly good for them. It is what our ESOP is all about.”

“With the commitment and guidance of company chairman Bob Schmidt, we were able to make this important step on behalf of our employee owners,” said Eagle Communications President and CEO Gary Shorman. “This is an exciting time for our employee owners and today’s purchase will have a very positive impact on them. Bob and Pat have continued to show their generosity by helping make this important process possible, as we turn another chapter in our award winning ESOP story.”

Eagle employees have held ownership in the company since 1998. Now holding a 100% ownership interest, the employees more than ever have a clear and tangible interest in the long-term success of the company. United by this common goal Eagle employee owners are dedicated to the customer’s success as well as their own.

Eagle Communications participates and is a member of the Heart of America Chapter of the ESOP Association.

During Wednesday’s Barton County Commission meeting, Commissioners approved of an updated agreement with Kansas WorkforceOne that aids in the connection between employers and potential employees. Executive Director for the program, Deb Scheibler.

As required by the Workforce Investment Act, the membership of the Local Workforce Investment Board consists of representatives from business, educations, rehabilitation services, public assistance agencies, and public employment services. The LWIB exists to connect employers to a motivated workforce, and The Chief Elected Official Board conducts oversight of these programs. After approving of this updated agreement, Commissioner Don Cates was named a new member of the agency’s Chief Elected Official Board.

During Wednesday’s Barton County Commission, County Counselor and Administrator Richard Boeckman presented an informational report and update on work completed and services provided throughout various departments of the County. Boeckman says that work continues on the troublesome Ellinwood Bridge.

Things like cutting the shims for expansion have been tried to fix the bridge, but County Engineer Clark Rusco reports that now, the designer of the pin and hanger replacement assemblies is currently working on plans to repair the concrete deck located above newly installed pin and hanger assemblies. Work on the concrete deck repairs will begin in 2013 in an attempt to finally repair the bridge entirely.

As a public reminder of the services provided by the County on a regular basis, County Counselor and Administrator Richard Boeckman briefed the Barton County Commission Wednesday on the business of the Solid Waste Department, saying Landfill Manager Mark Witt reports significant work completed not only within the last period, but all year.

Witt’s report included:

· 21,777.26 tons of municipal solid waste
· 4,554.49 tons of construction/demolition waste
· 1,288 passenger tires
· 526 truck tires
· 18 tractor tires
· 34 uncertified CFC (Freon containing) appliances evacuated
· 78 annual charge account permits were issued
· 97 Special Waste Disposal Authorizations (SWDA) approved for disposal
· The following Special Wastes were received for disposal:
· 0.44 tons absorbent material
· 30.63 tons animal carcasses
· 60.49 tons friable asbestos
· 70.83 tons non-friable asbestos
· 7.97 tons blast media
· 760.33 tons brine debris
· 110.26 tons drill cuttings
· 2.60 tons expired products
· 4.04 tons filter media
· 27.70 tons food waste
· 96.51 tons gun barrels (oil field)
· 6.61 tons honing sludge
· 30.27 tons medical waste
· 0.19 tons molecular sieve material
· 1,062.37 tons non-petroleum contaminated soil
· 13.53 tons paint filters
· 506.78 tons petroleum contaminated soil
· 171.47 tons sewer screenings
· 0.46 tons veterinary medical waste
· 0.68 tons separator filters
· 0.32 tons hook ash
· 7.19 tons filling compound
· 632.18 tons oil decanter sludge
· 1.54 tons fiberglass tanks
· 45.56 tons water treatment residue
· 7.10 tons ceramic solids
· 0.01 tons medication
· Total tons of waste received for disposal estimated at 30,135.74 tons.
· Estimated revenue for the 11 month period: $1,000,810.23

2012 saw several projects and a new program established at the Barton County Landfill. A Medication Collection Program was established through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Bureau of Waste Management to assist individuals and health care providers with the safe disposal of unused or out dated pharmaceuticals. The Barton County Household Hazardous Waste Facility accepts uncontrolled pharmaceuticals, and then properly disposes these items per regulations.

The year also brought the building of Phase 3, Construction and Demolition Landfill, which added capacity to the existing Construction and Demolition Landfill at the facility. This project was completed by Department staff and equipment, saving the County several thousand dollars, instead of hiring outside contractors to complete the project.

With the drought conditions that persisted throughout 2012, landfill staff completed cleanout of two storm water detention ponds located north of the permitted facility on land owned by Barton County. These storm water detention ponds provide for sedimentation settlement, thus protecting other areas downstream.

All persons included in this post are innocent of crimes until proven guilty in a court of law.

Booked Wiltshire, Jeffrey of Stafford, KS on SFDC case for Agg. Battery and Criminal Threat. Bond is set in lieu of $20,000 C/S Bond

Released Rowe, Charles J. Sr. He Served Sentence in full for Central Kansas Community Corrections.

Released Julian, Jr, Marvin of Stafford KS on Stafford County Warrants, are served in full for the courts, Stafford County Case was granted $500 OR.

Booked in Collins, Dustin of Winfield, KS on a BTDC warrant for Failure to Appear. Bond set in lieu of $7,652.30 CASH only.

Released Keenan, Mark of Wichita KS on BTDC warrant for Probation Violation and BTDC warrant for Probation Violation. Sentence Served in full.