Press Release from the City of Great Bend (from Howard Partington’s desk)…

Effective 5 p.m. today, August 16, I am announcing my retirement from my position as city administrator of the City of Great Bend.

I have dedicated the past nearly 36 years to serving this community and looked forward to retirement early next year; however, the recent actions of a loud and malicious minority including bullying, relentless harassment, threats, and untrue comments made about me have caused great pain to my family. This group has chosen to turn a policy dispute into a very personal attack on me and other officials. These malicious attacks have taken a devastating toll on my health, my wife’s health and the health of my daughter. Therefore, I find it necessary to take this action today.

I am 67 years old, a United States Army veteran and a cancer survivor. Even though these harassing attacks have been the most difficult challenge I have faced in my life, I am still proud to have the support of the majority of the people in this community, and proud of the many projects I have been a part of with this city over the past years. Projects like the flood control project, helping retain major businesses such as CPI and Fuller Brush, major improvements to our water, sewer, and street infrastructure, and more recently the development of the Wetlands Water Park and the Great Bend Sports Complex. We are also in the process of developing numerous current and future projects. I am proud of the City’s solid financial position as I leave and of the carefully managed city portion of property taxes which favor the taxpayers of this community.

But the greatest joy I have truly experienced here has been the people I have been privileged to work with, the outstanding employees,  the dedicated department heads, the supportive governing body members and the great people of Great Bend…you have made my years here fulfilling. Thank you Great Bend for letting me serve you as your city administrator for so many years. We have found and will always appreciate the many friends we have in this community which has been our home for so long. My family and I will always care for this wonderful community and wish the very best for it.

Howard D. Partington
Great Bend

Coach Randy Beck has been with the Great Bend school district for several years, and he says the current weightlifting and conditioning programs the district is using now are the best he has ever seen.

During a presentation at Monday’s USD 428 Board of Education meeting, Beck acknowledged that previous weight classes and concentrations were centered on football athletes only.

Randy Beck Audio

USD 428 teachers and coaches now focus on the total athlete with more core and flexibility routines. Technique and proper rest in between lifts has received more attention. Beck also says communication between coaches has increased to make sure athletes do not overdo it on game days or before upcoming contests.

Randy Beck Audio

Beck noted each student has their own individual plan for lifting and conditioning with a chance to increase their personal levels throughout the year.

Press Release from the Great Bend Police Department…

As a matter of public safety the Great Bend Police department is requesting that signage placed on the city right of way adjacent to public streets be moved back to the property owners curtilage. Such signage on the City right of way is prohibited by City ordinance.

It is unlawful to place advertising or signs on the public right-of-way. Each day’s violation of this section shall constitute a separate offense.

With school starting Wednesday August 23, many children and young adults will be walking to school. In order to provide pedestrians and drivers the best view of each other especially at intersections and crosswalks, any obstructions should be moved off of the right of way.

We respect all person’s right to free speech and in no way will interfere with such expression as long as it doesn’t interfere with public safety or violate local, state or federal laws or regulations.

Thank you for help in protecting the children of our community.

(Many blue and white signs were placed in yards following Great Bend Police Chief Cliff Couch’s suspension with possible termination following a July 24, 2017 special meeting. Read more on Couch’s suspension and reaction here.)

EDWARDS COUNTY—  A Kansas man was injured in an accident just after 5:30a.m. Wednesday in Edwards County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2007 semi driven by Eric Hernandez, 52, Ulysses, was eastbound on US. 50 one mile east of Belpre.

The semi crossed the center line into the westbound lane.  The truck traveled off the north shoulder. The driver overcorrected and rolled the semi onto the driver’s side.

Hernandez was transported to the hospital in Kinsley. He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.