The 2018 November general election was the last for the county’s 89 aging voting machines. Purchased in 2005 and put into use in 2006, the machines had an estimated shelf life of 10 years which has now come and gone.

In early February, Barton County Clerk Donna Zimmerman, will meet with vendors to look at both electronic and paper voting systems and determine which direction the county will move toward in the future. Due to the cost of purchasing new electronic equipment, Zimmerman is leaning at least right now to returning to paper.

Donna Zimmerman Audio

The 89 voting machines were purchased in 2005 for $300,000 but thanks to a federal grant, the cost to the county was just $30,000. Federal monies are not available this time around to purchase new machines, a big reason why Zimmerman is exploring the paper option.

Donna Zimmerman Audio

That’s because of the electronic tabulator that will be at each voting location. Once the polls close, results will be placed on a fire stick and brought to the courthouse. Zimmerman says they should have the final results available in the same amount of time that they have had in the past.

The City of Great Bend’s revamped website that was completed in 2018 made it easier to find the more popular items users search for when going to the City’s website. One of the easily accessible features is job openings within the City of Great Bend.

City Administrator Kendal Francis wanted to everyone to know that the City currently has multiple job openings.

Kendal Francis Audio

The Great Bend Fire Department is looking for a Building Official that ensures codes are being enforced. The Fire Department is also looking for firefighters and EMTs. The Police Department is searching for an officer and crossing guards. Public Lands is taking applications for a part-time zoo maintenance person. The Public Works Department is hiring for spots in both the street and wastewater divisions.

You can view the job descriptions by going to greatbendks.net.

GREAT BEND, KS – The Great Bend High School A Cappella Choir invites the community to attend a hog feed luncheon on Sunday, January 13 in the Great Bend High School Commons Area from 12 – 1:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased in advance from choir members, or limited tickets will be available at the door, both dine-in and carry-out options are available. The menu will include pulled pork, green beans, stuffing, a beverage and cake for dessert. Both the main entrance and south entrances to the high school will be open for guests. All proceeds benefit the A Cappella Choir as they prepare for their upcoming trip to Washington, DC in March.

The nursing program at Barton Community College is accepting student applications for the 2019-20 academic year. The priority deadline is Jan. 31, 2019. The secondary deadline is March 1, 2019. Those wishing to apply to the Barton Nursing Program should first visit apply.bartonccc.edu, then stop by the Nursing Office in the Technical Building to receive an application packet for the program. Barton Nursing Instructor Karla Johnston urges those interested in applying not to delay in getting started.

Karla Johnston Audio

Once the applications are received, staff begin reviewing those applications to check out the information thas has been provided.

Karla Johnston Audio

The Barton Nursing Program accepts up to 50 students for both the LPN and the ADN programs.

Barton’s nursing program was fully re-accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, which requires a minimum pass rate of 80 percent at the Registered Nurse (RN) level.

Licensed Practical Nurse graduates achieved a 100 percent pass rate in 2018 on their National Council Licensure Examination, and the RN graduates had a 80.79 percent pass rate.

BOOKED: Jaynie Brazda of Hays on Barton County District Court serve sentence and Hoisington Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear, bond set at $303 cash only.

BOOKED: Zachary McHenry on Great Bend Municipal Court case for battery DV, bond set at $1,000 C/S.

BOOKED: Ryan McHenry on Great Bend Municipal Court case for battery DV, bond at $1,000 C/S.

BOOKED: Angela Spence of Hoisington on Barton County District Court case for burglary with a bond set at $20,000 C/S.

BOOKED: BJ Corter of Hoisington on Barton County District Court case for burglary with a bond set at $20,000 C/S.

RELEASED: Aylinn Dominguez of Great Bend on BTDC case for possession of marijuana after posting a $2,500 surety bond through B and K.

RELEASED: Zachary McHenry after posting a $1,000 bond.

RELEASED: Ryan McHenry of Great Bend after posting a GBMC case for battery DV with $1,000 surety bond.

RELEASED: Jeanna Marie Richter on GBMC case for driving while suspended after posting a $500 surety bond through Ace Bail Bonding.

RELEASED: Christian Winder of Great Bend on GBMC case for DUI, no insurance, and headlight out after receiving a 48-hour OR.

A soybean school will be hosted by the Cottonwood Extension District in Great Bend on Friday, January 25th from 3 to 7:00 p.m. at American Ag Credit, 5634 10th Street.

Come hear the latest research and updates from K-State Extension specialist on weed and insect control, crop production and soil fertility considerations and the market prospects for soybeans in 2019.

Following the school at 6:30 p.m. a catered dinner by Baked Blessings will be provided courtesy of the Kansas Soybean Commission.

There is no cost to attend, but participants are asked to pre-register by Friday, January 18th. You can register on-line at www.cottonwood.ksu.edu or call 620-793-1910, that’s 793-1910.

The Hoisington Police Department was able to arrest a man on drug charges after a successful search warrant, according to a social media post.

Last Friday, at approximately 1:16 p.m., the Hoisington Police Department executed a narcotics-related search warrant in the 200 block of South Center Street. Methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were found.

Arrested at the scene was 33-year old Cori Galliart. Galliart was charged with possession of meth, possession of drug paraphernalia, and an outstanding arrest warrant for parole violation.

The Hoisington Police Department was assisted by the Great Bend Police Department, Barton County Sheriff’s Office, and a parole officer with the Kansas Department of Corrections.

The City of Great Bend altered how they attempt to collect late utility payments, and there is now an effort to provide an option for citizens to pay their bill online.

City Administrator Kendal Francis says the City has been approached multiple times requesting the online payment option. Francis acknowledged the online payment is a goal for 2019, but the City first wants to establish the utility network.

Great Bend started a policy January 1, 2019, that if you are late on your bill, your utility service will be cut off without a face-to-face reminder. The move was made to eliminate time spent by staff running around town and the liability of handling cash.

Since 1996, Housing Opportunities Inc. has attempted to provide affordable housing to people, mainly senior citizens. The organization manages single-family homes and duplex style apartment units across Barton, Pawnee, and Rice counties.

Housing Opportunities (HOI) is applying for tax credits through the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation to build a 24-unit rental house development for senior citizens in Great Bend.

Vicky Dayton, Executive Director of Housing Opportunities, says there is a need to build more housing.

Vicky Dayton Audio

Housing Opportunities currently has a waiting list with 186 names on it that are in need of affordable housing.

HOI wants to build the new houses on the west side of Great Bend between Broadway and Eisenhower streets. The City of Great Bend supported their application to receive the tax credits, but Dayton says obtaining the credits is getting more challenging.

Vicky Dayton Audio

During the past 19 years, HOI has successfully received credits or request for funding 17 times. The proposed project is to be an estimated $4 million project. HOI already has six rental properties in Great Bend which includes 92 total units.

The Great Bend City Council supported the application and approved the waived building permits, utility tap fees, and extension of a nearby water main. Dayton says the tax credit application is due by February 1.