The City of Great Bend Administration and Public Works Departments would like the public to be aware of a street closure this week for the continued waterline project. The water main replacement will take place (weather permitting) on Thursday, February 28, 2019 at Hubbard & 2^nd Street.

This street and intersection closure should happen quickly, typical construction hours are Monday through Friday 7am to 5pm. Every effort will be taken to restrict repairs to the hours of 8am to 5pm, barring any unforeseen circumstances. Traffic will be re-routed to Holland, 3^rd & Heizer Streets.

Public Works Director Simon Wiley said, “We want to be sure things go smooth for the public.” The contractor for this project is APAC out of Hutchinson. Wiley also stated, “Thank you for your understanding, please let the Public Works Department know if you have special questions or concerns.”

The City of Great Bend appreciates the patience of motorists and residents while this work is being performed. Please contact Scott Wilkey with APAC at 620-200-3393 with questions regarding this project.

The annual Academic Enrichment Fund Campaign for the Barton Community College Foundation officially begins on Friday and the awareness efforts continue throughout the month of March. All funds raised are used toward academic scholarships and program enhancements. The campaign, which is the Foundation’s second-largest fundraiser, also allows donors to choose which department or program their contribution will benefit. Coleen Cape is the Director of the Barton Foundation.

Coleen Cape Audio

This year’s AEF Campaign Chair is Lori Werth. Werth who grew up in and resides in Rush County, is very aware of what opportunities the college offers to both the traditional and non traditional student.

Lori Werth Audio

The mechanism for donation is also designed to be simple and easy, with potential donors receiving a mailing with a return envelope and a simple form to donate. Contributions are also accepted online at BartonCCFoundation.org.

The hunting seasons are limited for many hunters at this time of the year, but for those that enjoy goose hunting, this time can be a lot of fun.

The Light Geese, Conservation Order has been around since 1999 in an attempt to reduce the population of snow and Ross’ geese, referred to as light geese. This allows hunters to hunt snow geese from February 18 to April 30.

Cheyenne Bottoms Area Wildlife Manager Jason Wagner says hunters enjoy the extended season because there are far less restrictions or guidelines when hunting.

Jason Wagner Audio

The Light Geese, Conservation Order has unlimited daily bag and possession limits.

In the late 1990s, studies showed the population of the light geese increased more than 300 percent since the mid-1970s. Extraordinary numbers of geese have devastated portions of their tundra breeding habitat in the arctic, which can take years to recover.

Wagner says one of the theories for the uptick in population comes from improved food resources throughout their migration routes.

Jason Wagner Audio

Hunters will still need a Kansas hunting permit, state waterfowl stamp, and federal waterfowl stamp to hunt the snow geese during the Light Geese, Conservation Order.

Great Bend High School recently launched a comprehensive alumni data verification project with the help of Publishing Concepts from Dallas, TX.

Up-to-date alumni information is essential for developing career placement guides to benefit our students and alumni as well as maintaining contact with GBHS graduates.

Alumni of GBHS may receive a post card, email or phone call in the weeks ahead, prompting them to call the GBHS hotline at 1-800-258-4279 to verify their data.

“This is a project we like to tackle about every five years,” said GBHS Principal Tim Friess. “Each time our alumni information is gathered and a directory is assembled, we learn a great deal about the tremendous careers and lives our graduates go on to pursue. Flipping through the pages of a finished directory makes you proud to be a Great Bend High Panther!”

From Kansas House of Representative Greg Lewis…

I am announcing my endorsement of Pratt School Board Member Donna Hoener-Queal to fill my seat and represent the 113^th House District in Topeka.
 
Republicans in our district voted overwhelmingly (over 65%) in the last August Primary in support of the ideals and values that I carried to Topeka on behalf of our district. Donna will continue the fight for our rural interests and carry on the legacy of service to our area that I have fought for.
 
As I stated on the House floor, the Kansas House of Representatives is the people’s house…not the house of self-interest and not the house of special interests. Donna will be just that: a representative of our conservative values and our rural district in the same way that I have.
 
Republican precinct members from the 113^th House District will meet in the near future to elect my replacement to serve out the remainder of my term. If you are a precinct committee member, I ask that you vote for Donna. If you are not a member yourself but know someone who is, please pass along my strong support of Donna and her ability to continue to fight for our rural way of life.

Lewis announced his resignation from the Kansas House of Representatives last week stating “It has become clearly apparent to me that I cannot represent and serve my District and the people of my District at the level they so deserve.”

Lewis found out last December he had a mass on the right side of his brain, a cancerous tumor. The 113th District includes Stafford and Pratt counties, and parts of Barton, Pawnee, and Rice counties.

BUSINESS NEWS

The Great Bend Recreation Commission will be hosting a free Stop ‘N Learn Session titled “Drone 101” on Wednesday, February 27^th, from 12:00 – 1:00 pm at the Great Bend Activity Center (2715 18^th Street).  Drones are just one of the new technological devices being used in several ways around the world.  Park Elementary School Principal Phil Heeke has developed a drone “unmanned aerial vehicles” club at Park Elementary School.  Join Phil and some of his club members as they share information about drones and show you a few of the projects they have completed using their drones.  Participants will be entered in a door-prize drawing.  A complete list of programs and class details can be found at the GBRC web site at www.greatbendrec.com.  Please contact the Recreation Commission office at 793-3755, ext 110, or stop by the office located at 1214 Stone Street for more information or with any questions you may have.

The Great Bend High School Forensics Team traveled to Salina South February 15 – 16 to test their skills in a more competitive tournament. Because Salina South will host the 5A State Championship tournament in May, the Panther Forensics Team wanted to become familiar with the style of judges they would see. The team placed 5th out of 16 schools. They finished behind Wichita East, Garden City, Newton and Sumner Academy from Kansas City.

The tournament was large enough to include a semi-final round in many of the individual events. Fourteen of GBHS’s 28 entries broke into the first elimination round and finished in the top 12.

● Jalyn Lear – 8th place in Prose Interpretation, 3rd place in Dramatic Interpretation, 2nd place in Program of Oral Interpretation
● Bayle Sandy – 11th place in Impromptu Speaking, 10th place in Original Oration, 5th place in Dramatic Interpretation, 4th place in Duet Acting
● Dinah Newman – 3rd Place in 7-minute Informative Speaking, 4th place in Duet Acting
● Patrick Heath – 3rd place in 10-minute Informative Speaking, 3rd place in Humorous Interpretation
● Malachi Wasson – 12th place in Domestic Extemporaneous Speaking, 6th place in Humorous Interpretation, 6th place in Duo Interpretation
● Isaiah Smith – 6th place in Congressional Debate, 6th place in Duo Interpretation
● Tia Mitchell – 7th place in Dramatic Interpretation
● CJ Gibson – 7th place in 7-minute Informative Speaking

Monday evening, February 18, the Panthers were represented by five novices at the Hutchinson Trinity Invitational. They finished 6th out of 12 schools.

Freshman, Tia Mitchell, earned a spot at State by placing first in Dramatic Interpretation. The Panthers had a strong showing in seven-minute informative speaking. CJ Gibson finished 4th, Skylar Fletcher was in 6th place and Dinah Newman placed 7th. Freshman Malachi Wasson earned multiple medals. He received 5th place in Extemporaneous Speaking and Humorous Interpretation, and 6th place in Impromptu Speaking.

The blizzard prevented travel this last weekend, but the team will be competing at Moundridge on Saturday, March 1.