Steve Reif, 90, sat down in his recliner one evening and read about a number of scholarships in the Great Bend Tribune. He noticed the phone number for more information and made the call.

The result is the Steve and Mildred Reif Memorial Scholarship Fund, which was established at the Golden Belt Community Foundation (GBCF) for Hoisington High School (HHS) seniors and graduates. Reif funded the scholarship in his name and in memory of his wife, Mildred, who passed away on March 10, 2018.

“After I read that story in the paper, I knew I wanted to inquire about it,” Reif said.

“Mildred was a wonderful woman who could do anything. She came from a farming background too and we were married for more than 67 years.

“We wanted to support education for Hoisington graduates,” Reif continued. “Mildred would be tickled about this scholarship; she would be all for something like this.

“Both of us knew the importance of education. It can help you in everything you do. Members of my family received scholarships, and all my grandchildren have graduated from college and have good jobs.”

Even though Reif is retired, he still lives on his farm near Odin. The Reifs had four children: their sons Melvin and Raymond graduated from the former Odin High School, while their daughters, Janet and Theresa, graduated from HHS.

Criteria for the Reif fund also include: financial need; at least a 3.0 grade point average; and attendance at a trade or vocational school, or a two-year or four-year college or university. This includes in-state and out-of-state accredited institutions. It’s a one-time award but students may re-apply.

“The Golden Belt Community Foundation will answer all your questions and set up a scholarship for you,” Reif said. “Sue Cooper was very helpful getting this started. If you are thinking about a scholarship, the Foundation has lots of information.”

Amanda Brack, HHS student advisor in the Guidance Department, said she is excited to start spreading the word about this new scholarship.

“We have a lot of deserving students that can benefit from scholarships,” Brack said. “Some don’t apply because they assume only top-of-the-class students will be in the running.

“But in this case, Mr. Reif is looking for a well-rounded student who has a need for financial help. Many HHS students will be excited to hear about this opportunity. We can’t thank Mr. Reif enough for his generosity.”

GBCF will begin accepting scholarship applications for all funds on Dec. 1; deadlines vary. Students can apply online by visiting www.goldenbeltcf.org/scholarships.

For more information, contact Sue Cooper, program officer, by calling 620-792-3000. HHS students may contact Brack anytime.

BOOKED: Joel Munoz of Great Bend on Barton County District Court warrant for contempt of court with a bond set at $2,500 C/S. GBMC warrant for failure to appear with a bond set at $157.50 cash only.

BOOKED: Jacob Schenkel of Great Bend on Great Bend Municipal Court warrants for contempt of court, bond set at $747.50. Warrant for failure to appear, bond set at $2,000. Warrant on probation violation with no bond.

BOOKED: Muriel Hunter of Ellinwood on Barton County District Court warrant for failure to appear with a bond set at $1,000 C/S.

BOOKED: Brett Woods on Ellis County District Court warrant for possession of methamphetamine and possession of paraphernalia with a $7,500 C/S.

RELEASED: Kristal Buck of Great Bend for BCDC case for distribution of controlled substance, possession of paraphernalia with intent to manufacture, endangering a child, possession of paraphernalia with intent to manufacture, no drug tax stamp, possession of hallucinogenic drug, possession of paraphernalia after receiving a $50,000 OR bond from BCDC.

RELEASED: Dominique Burrow on GBMC for contempt after receiving an order of release from GBMC.

RELEASED: David Collier on BTDC case for serve sentence after time served.

RELEASED: Dakota Kocher of Larned on BCDC warrant for aggravated battery while DUI after posting a $10,000 surety bond through Dyn-O-Mite.

RELEASED: Jaime Ayala Jr. on BCDC warrant with an ankle monitor by PAAK Monitoring.

RELEASED: Joel Munoz of Great Bend on Barton County District Court warrant for contempt of court after posting a $2,500 surety bond through Dyn-O-Mite. GBMC warrant for failure to appear after posting $157.50 cash.

RELEASED: Muriel Hunter of Ellinwood on BCDC warrant for failure to appear after posting a $1,000 surety bond through Ace Bail Bonding.

Golden Belt Community Foundation is pleased to announce over $22,000 was awarded for our youth grant cycle. Golden Belt Community Foundation’s competitive grants bring in applications from several area nonprofits with a variety of needs. Awards are based on projects most closely aligned with specific grant criteria and available funding.

GBCF presented the Hoisington grantees their awards at the Hoisington Chamber of Commerce Coffee, held earlier in August. There were three charitable projects funded in Hoisington:

$6,825 – USD 431 Hoisington Kansas Health Foundation Children’s Health Endowment Fund

USD 431’s Wellness Committee finds ways to make healthy choices available to kids, including education regarding sun safety. This grant, along with a match from the USD 431, will provide both Lincoln and Roosevelt Elementary Schools each with a 10’ permanent square shade shelter. The proposed vender, ATHCO, is a Kansas based company with a reputation for providing durable recreation equipment.

$718 – City of Hoisington Kansas Health Foundation Children’s Health Endowment Fund

The City of Hoisington accepted a grant to continue to support youth recreational and educational activities on days school is not in session. The grant is a collaborative effort with Hoisington Recreation Commission and the students of the FCCLA chapter to create activities and programs to keep kids active on days off during the academic year and throughout the summer.

$500 – Hoisington Public Library Kansas Health Foundation Children’s Health Endowment Fund

Because of the grant awarded to Hoisington Public Library, they were able to purchase over eighty new and replacement books for their young readers. Early readers, ages 5 to 12 years-old, are some of the most frequent visitors of the library. They will now be able to enjoy new content, along with the replacement of classic literature that was well-worn.

$12,030 – Assembly of God Church in Larned Kansas Health Foundation Children’s Health Endowment Fund

The church has taken on the task of providing the community with a full-size outdoor basketball court. The concrete portion of the court will be 95 by 50 feet and have two 54-inch basketball hoops. This space is available for use by the entire community of Larned.

$683 – St. John’s Episcopal Church in Great Bend The Children’s Fund

St. John’s is one of the local churches that works to ensure that kids have food over the weekend. They work with the schools and Kansas Food Bank in identifying kids that are food insecure and who are not getting enough food outside of school on a regular basis. This grant is to provide food for the weekend food backpack program.

$732 – St. John’s Child Development Center Wilhelm Campus Kansas Health Foundation Children’s Health Endowment Fund

The Wilhelm Campus needed a shed to store outside children’s toys and equipment from natural wearing caused by the weather. The grant assisted with not only the addition of a shed but also some additional toys.

$600 – Ida Long Goodman Memorial Library Kansas Health Foundation Children’s Health Endowment Fund

This grant is to assist an outdoor classroom. The library has been working on this space for the last three years. The grant is for three viewing tables, eight binoculars, and four digital cameras.

For questions regarding the competitive grant process, donor advised funds and other opportunities, please call Golden Belt Community Foundation at 620-792-3000 or email gbcf@goldenbeltcf.org.

On Tuesday, September 4 at about 12:53 p.m. Barton County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to the 900 block of west K-4 Highway approximately nine miles west of Hoisington.

Citizens had reported two individuals walking on the highway and a vehicle pulled into an abandoned farmstead. Deputies arrived at the location and contacted the individuals who were walking. The individuals stated their vehicle had become stuck when they pulled into the farm.

Sheriff’s officers went back to the vehicle and located what appeared to be freshly cut copper pipe and copper wire. Upon investigation of the farmstead it was evident these persons were in the process of burglarizing the location when the vehicle became stuck. Both were arrested for burglary and theft.

Arrested at the scene was Brett D. Woods, age 47 of Victoria, also arrested was Aundria M. Pasek age 44, of Victoria. There was an active warrant for Woods arrest from Russell County. Both were taken into custody and transported to the Barton County Jail without incident.

Upon arrival at the jail it was found that Pasek also had a suspected meth pipe in her possession. Pasek was booked on charges of burglary and possession of drug paraphernalia and is being held in lieu of a $10,000 bond.

Woods was booked on burglary and possession of drug paraphernalia and is being held on a $20,000 bond as well as the Russell county warrant.

The idea for a flower garden and other landscaping had been on the agenda for at least a year at Almost Home. But it wasn’t in the budget. Recently, however, two families suggested memorials to the short- and long-term-care residence in honor of loved ones. Now, Mother Nature is blooming in the backyard at 1919 Van Buren.

Hope Ney, Hoisington, is a member of one of the families that established a memorial. Her mother, Ruth Axman, 87, passed away March 24. She lived at Almost Home, a non-profit entity, for almost three years.

“We were attracted to the ratio of staff members to residents,” Ney said. “Mom had dementia and I knew they would keep a good eye on her. We wanted to prevent her from falling and we knew someone would be watching out for her at all times here.

“Within a few months at Almost Home, she was a new woman. Since Mom and the staff had planted flowers out front earlier, I know she would be so happy the memorial went to a garden. She loved everything about flowers and gardening.”

Ney also noted her family was drawn to Almost Home because it is a large house in a nice residential area. “When you walk in, it immediately feels like home,” she said.

“Mom loved the staff and the staff loved her. Many of them came to her funeral.” Liz Schartz, Great Bend, was quick to note her family appreciated the staff-to-resident ratio too because it allows for a lot of one-on-one care.

Schartz’ father, P.D. Smith, 89, passed away April 27 and lived at Almost Home nearly four years.

“Dad would have loved this garden,” Schartz said. “He was a farmer and loved to plant things and watch them grow. He also loved sitting on the front and back porches to visit with his friends.

“We immediately liked the idea of this beautiful facility,” she added. “It is just the peace of mind that comes with it. They become your family. Never did we feel like we had to check up on Dad constantly. The residents don’t just sit in a room. They are engaged with activities, outings and visits from volunteers.”

The Schartz family also relied on Almost Home’s hospice service for about a week and took advantage of the on-site retreat house.

“It was a comfort to know the same people were caring for Dad at the end,” she said. “Because of the retreat house, we were able to have a birthday party here.”

Schartz also noted the addition of the solarium, a 14-by-36-foot, high-ceiling room that allows family visits in an airy, pleasant atmosphere. Ney and/or Schartz mentioned other reasons their families were drawn to Almost
Home. Reasons include: three home-cooked meals daily, with breakfast made to order when each resident is ready in the morning; low staff turnover rate; exceptional personal hygiene practices; celebrations at every holiday; clergy and doctors’ visits; competitive pricing; and more.

Leilani Schenkel, executive director, said that without the generosity of these two families, the landscaping would have been put on hold even longer. The memorials paid for items such as mulch, plants, dirt work, paving stones, a bench and statue.

“Our residents love it,” Schenkel said. “It is just the serenity of it – the colors and peaceful environment. And since one thing leads to another, residents have planted squash, cucumbers and cherry tomatoes.

“If it wasn’t for generous donations, we couldn’t do a lot of things. In addition to these memorials, 100+ People Who Care donated seed money of $10,000 for the solarium.”

Shenkel noted that families making short- and long-term-care decisions should know that Almost Home can serve a large majority of people.

“As long as we can meet their physical needs, they are more than welcome,” she said. “Some are quite mobile, while others use walkers and wheelchairs. We can accommodate most people and our pricing is very competitive.”

In addition to full-time residency, Almost Home offers adult daycare, respite care and end-of-life care.

BARTON COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating stolen property found after several arrests in Barton County, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir.

Sheriff’s office detectives executed six search warrants in the course of three days as the result of several arrests over the last few weeks.

Warrants were executed on vehicles, sheds and garages.  Detectives recovered in excess of $12,000 in stolen property.  Several burglary cases in Barton County were cleared because of these warrants.  Detectives also discovered evidence in cases from Rush County and Stafford County.

This investigation is ongoing, and detectives will continue to follow the evidence where leads take them.

Bellendir released no additional details.