Multiple agencies in Great Bend receive funding from the City to either finance their organization or supplement their budget for the year. The agencies went before the Great Bend City Council this week with their 2019 budget requests.

Out of the nine agencies listed, five of them were seeking increases in funding from the previous year.

The Barton County Fair asked for $10,000, a $2,000 jump from 2018. Fair President Charles Atkinson says the extra money would help with rising electricity bills from Midwest Energy. The Fair pays a portion of the electric bills for the Great Bend Expo Complex even when it is not being used.

Charles Atkinson Audio

The Great Bend Tree Board asked for $5,000 in 2019, compared to the $4,000 received in 2018. The Golden Belt Humane Society is seeking another five percent increase to take their City budget to $89,250 in 2019.

The Great Bend Senior Center’s request came in at $234,254, up $18,285 from 2018. Senior Center Director Rosie Tomlin says the Center is looking at purchasing two new vehicles for their public transportation fleet this upcoming fiscal year to meet Kansas Department of Transportation standards.

Rosie Tomlin Audio

As reported earlier this week, the biggest increase request came from the Great Bend Public Library. The Library received $727,000 this year, and asked for $755,050 for 2019. In 2017, the Library was given $555,000, but received a one-time payout in 2018 from an excess cash fund for the Library.

Other agencies asking for the same budget from the previous year…

Great Bend Beautification – $2,000
Great Bend Municipal Band – $2,500
Sunflower Diversified Services, Recycling – $18,000
Barton County Historical Society – $10,000

It was a first for the Golden Belt Community Foundation (GBCF) but it appears it won’t be the last. The debut of the My Hometown Scholarship Contest was a great success and the GBCF plans to offer it again in the future, said Sue Cooper, program officer.

Applicants from Barton, Pawnee, Rush and Stafford counties were asked to submit a 30- to 60-second video explaining “What makes my hometown great?”

“The encouraging feedback from the community and the scholarship review committee indicates we will offer this opportunity again next year,” Cooper said. “Our social media traffic soared when we shared the videos of students who wanted to champion their communities.

“It is a privilege to work with so many parents and students each year on a variety of scholarships,” she added. “All applicants expended a great amount of time and energy for this contest. We congratulate all of them and wish them the best in the pursuit of their education.”

The winners are Braeden Corman of Larned, Britani Grabast of Hudson and Jordan Taylor of Larned. Each earned a $500 scholarship.

“The videos had a common thread of hometown spirit influenced by family and friends,” Cooper said. “Applicants know they can rely on their communities for support; they have such pride about their hometowns. They know their communities want them to thrive and stay connected to their roots.”

Cooper also noted the importance of review committee members. Their professionalism and the GBCF’s scholarship process ensured recipients were selected fairly, she said.

“In addition, the committee thought the video applications were a refreshing variation to the traditional online process,” Cooper noted. “They allowed the review committee and our neighbors in central Kansas to see the students’ personalities and heart.”

Amber Rugan, rural Ellinwood/Stafford County, was one member of the video review committee.

“The winners shared attractive video editing and on-location shots,” she commented. “And they agreed that local people make their hometowns great. “Reviewing scholarships is a highlight of my year,” she continued. “My heart grows as I am introduced to applicants’ backgrounds, character and aspirations.”

Rugan mentioned highlights of the winners’ videos: Corman demonstrated unique interviews with the future generation at multiple locations; Grabast included local on-site trivia and passion; and Taylor offered a personal account of support throughout his childhood.

“Each captured the viewers’ attention,” Rugan said. “These videos have the potential to bolster community image and increase hometown pride.

“I love that the subject of the videos was the individual towns,” she continued. “The committee, as well as the public identified with the heart of these local towns. At the same time, they connected to the applicants through their unique creations.”

The GBCF should be commended for being innovative and always seeking to engage the community in positive projects, Rugan noted.

“The best part of the Foundation’s innovation with this project is that it allows applicants to demonstrate their skills, personalities and unique perspectives of what makes a hometown great. My Hometown is a homerun,” she said. “It produced a competitive field of creative videos. I look forward to hometown pride being showcased in more video applications.”

BOOKED: Austin Amos of Hutchinson on Barton County District Court warrant for probation violation, no bond.

BOOKED: Verdiana Dominguez of Great Bend on BTDC warrant for probation violation, bond set at $10,000 C/S.

BOOKED: Juvenile of Claflin on BTDC case for possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia, no bond.

BOOKED: Juvenile of Holyrood on BTDC case for distribution of marijuana, possession of paraphernalia, illegal turn, no bond.

RELEASED: Nicholas Ney of Great Bend on BTDC case for serve sentence in full.

MCPHERSON COUNTY — Three people died in an accident just after 8a.m. Wednesday in McPherson County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported law enforcement was in pursuit of a 2017 Nissan Versa driven by Casas, Miguel A. Casas, 29, Elmonte, CA., eastbound on  U.S. 56 just east of the Rice County line.

The vehicle crossed the center line and struck 1998 Ford Thunderbird driven by Gerald F. Mindrup, 73, Windom, almost head on.

Mindrup and a passenger in the Nissan Sara M. Morales, 28, Rosemead, California, were pronounced dead at the scene. Casas was transported to a hospital in Wichita where he died.

All three were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.

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MCPHERSON COUNTY — Two people died in an accident just after 8a.m. Wednesday in McPherson County.

Just after 7:30 a.m., deputies learned of an erratic driver eastbound on U.S. 56 four miles west of Lyons, according to Rice County Sheriff Bryant Evans. The driver, traveling at dangerous speeds nearly ran a westbound Rice County Deputy off the road, according to Evans. The deputy turned and attempted to stop the vehicle. Due to the unsafe speeds, the deputy lost sight of the vehicle, according to Evans.

The vehicle continued eastbound and was observed by law enforcement as it continued through Lyons and Little River, according to Evans.

The vehicle was involved in a fatal head-on crash as it traveled into McPherson County, according to Evans.

US-56 is now back open in western McPherson county following a two vehicle crash that killed three occupants.

— Trooper Ben (@TrooperBenKHP) June 6, 2018

The Kansas Highway Patrol Critical Highway Accident Response Team (CHART) is investigating the crash. U.S. 56 between 4th Avenue and Plum was temporarily closed to facilitate the investigation.

Names of the victims have not been released.

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MCPHERSON COUNTY —U.S. 56 Highway is closed between 4th Avenue and Plum Avenue on the west side of McPherson county, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol.

The Critical Highway Accident Response Team (CHART) has arrived to investigate the Wednesday morning two vehicle fatal crash.

Rice County Law Enforcement had attempted to stop one of the vehicles involved in Rice County prior to fatal crash in McPherson County.

Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

 

Kansas Governor Dr. Jeff Colyer took a stroll through downtown Great Bend Wednesday afternoon. Colyer was viewing communities that have been designated as rural opportunity zones.

Opportunity zones are designated by the federal government to identify areas that have economic difficulties and in turn provide investors incentives to invest money in local construction, renovations, and new business.

Jeff Colyer Audio

There were two zones identified, or census tracts, in Great Bend with a rough outline of the two zones encompassing a section between Washington Street and Frey Street and north and south between NW 20 Road and Railroad Avenue. Great Bend was awarded two of the 74 zones in Kansas.

Growing up in Hays, Colyer was familiar with Great Bend’s economic outlook over the years and felt there is currently good energy and a good plan in place to improve its economy.

Jeff Colyer Audio

Investors that build or invest in the designated zones will not have to pay capital gains for 10 years on the federal taxes. Colyer felt this will help get and keep private money in communities like Great Bend.

PRATT COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating an accidental shooting.

The shooting on Wednesday morning injured a 5-year-old girl in the southeast part of Pratt County, according to a media release from Sheriff Jimmy White.

The girl suffered a single gunshot wound from a shotgun to the left arm. She was shot by a sibling.

Pratt County EMS, and Pratt County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the incident. No names are being released at this time.

A life Team helicopter transferred the girl to a Wichita hospital.

The sheriff’s department released no additional details.

written by: Donna Krug, Cottonwood Extension District Director and Family & Consumer Science Agent

My job as an Extension Educator switches gear during the summer months and I have the opportunity to spend time supporting youth activities. This past week our office was literally buzzing when twelve youngsters signed up to learn how to be a responsible babysitter.

Our four-hour class touched on understanding the ages and stages of children, safety issues, first aid, and nutrition. Marissa, our summer intern, and McKinna, from the Rec. Center staff, helped with leading some of the activities. We made sure to include a quiet game as well as making shaker pudding which is always a favorite.

Another fun activity which will be held twice this summer is “StoryWalk.” Wednesday, June 20, we’ll be setting up the book, “What Pet Should I get?” This fun book will be displayed on white boards and placed around the perimeter of My Backyard Playground located at 2715 18 th Street from 9:30 – 11:30 am. Besides reading the book, kids will have a chance to learn about caring for and approaching a pet dog.

The July StoryWalk book is titled, “Count on Pablo.” It is another fun story which will reinforce the counting and money. Children pre-school age through age 12 are welcome to join us for our StoryWalks.

4-H camp at Rock Springs Ranch and a Day camp in Barton County on June 21 to introduce 4-H projects to younger children are all great learning activities. Barton County pre-fair activities are just around the corner too. 4-H’ers are busy finishing up project work and filling out pre-entry forms. One activity I am involved with is the Clothing Construction, Fashion Revue and Fiber arts judging. Mark your calendars for the Public Fashion Revue, which is set for Thursday, July 5, at 7:00 p.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall.

And while you are filling out the summer calendar make sure you note the Barton County Fair dates: July 11-15. I hope to see you there!

On Tuesday, June 5 at 6:36 p.m., the Ellinwood Police Department executed a narcotics related search warrant at 208 West B Street in Ellinwood.

Upon entering the residence officers located a substantial amount of suspected methamphetamine and marijuana.

Five adult suspects were arrested and transported to the Barton County Jail. According to the Barton County Sheriff’s Office Booking Log from Tuesday, Tina Creamer, Larry Carpenter, Antonio Brison, Cierra Most, and James Cline were all arrested for possession of meth.

All five subjects were booked on a $10,000 bond. Creamer posted her bond and was released.

This is an ongoing investigation, additional arrests are anticipated.