What started out in the State of Washington in 1985 is now participated by millions of people in 27 countries. Relay For Life is the signature fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. The events bring communities together to remember loved ones lost, honor survivors of all cancers, and raise money to fight cancer.

Barton County will participate in the Relay again this year with the event scheduled for Friday, June 8 at Veterans Memorial Park. The 2018 Lead Jenny Boyer says volunteers are putting the finishing touches on this year’s event.

Jenny Boyer Audio

The opening ceremony will begin around 6:30 p.m. and the evening will wrap up at 2 a.m. Saturday, June 9. Along with the remembrance ceremony, there will be food, games, and music planned throughout the night.

Relay is a team fundraising event where team members take turns walking around a track or path with all the money donated to the American Cancer Society.

The Centennial Celebration at the Barton County Courthouse took place Friday afternoon with tours, a presentation, and light refreshments and cake. The 100-year old building was constructed in November 1917 and the cornerstone was laid March 28, 1918. The total cost of the Courthouse was in the neighborhood of $250,000.

Present day Barton County Commission Chair Jennifer Schartz has spent the past 14 years on the Commission serving inside the historic building.

Jennifer Schartz Audio

 

The second floor was originally the main entrance with a large staircase leading up to the doors, but in 1952 the steps needed repairs. The repairs were going to cost $19,000, so the commissioners ordered the steps removed.

Schartz says the recent structural analysis done on the Courthouse proved that there will be repairs needed in the future.

Jennifer Schartz Audio

The four outside corners are separating from the center of the building on the fourth floor. In May, Barton County Administrator Phil Hathcock estimated the cost of repairs could be anywhere from $500,000 to $1 million.

Story by Micah Oelze-gobarton.com

The Barton Theatre Department will hold open auditions for its summer production of the comedy one-acts “The Proposal” and “The Bear” by Anton Chekhov from 4-6 p.m. June 12 and 13 in the Fine Arts Auditorium. The Theatre Department is looking to cast four males and four females who are 25-60 year’s old. Those who wish to audition may show up during the allotted hours on either night. No preparation or experience is necessary.

“The Proposal,” is a comedy which tells the story of a soon to be bride and groom who fight right from the start of courtship.

“The Bear” takes love to the absurd level of comedy. The story features a widow in mourning who is confronted by a man claiming her husband owes him money. In the classic example of a farce, insults fly and a weapon is pulled before love is found.

The shows will be performed in Great Bend, Larned and St. John on July 24-26. Support in part from Dr. Donald Beahm, Dr. Luis Perez and St. John National Bank of Kansas.

For more information, contact Dr. Abel at abelr@bartonccc.edu or (620) 792-9333.

The filing deadline passed at 12 p.m. June 1, 2018. These are the names that submitted applications in Barton County for the elected positions that will be on the ballot in the Primary or General Elections in 2018.

Barton County Commission (1 position for each District)
District 1: Kenny Schremmer (incumbent)
District 4: Alicia Straub (incumbent), Randy Suchy
District 5: Jennifer Schartz (incumbent)

Great Bend City Council (1 position for each Ward)
Ward 1: Bobby Lee Roller, Alan Moeder, Bradley E. McCune, Josh Ellis, Jessica Milsap
Ward 2: James Breitenbach, Chad Somers
Ward 3: Dana Dawson, Jacob R. Davis
Ward 4: Brock McPherson

Hoisington City Council (1 position for each Ward)
Ward 1: Travis Sinn
Ward 2: Carrol Nather
Ward 3: N/A
Ward 4: Robert Bruce, Gary Shook

Ellinwood City Council (3 At-large positions)
Kirk Clawson, Kenneth A. Lebbin, Jacque K. Isern

Ellinwood Hospital District (1 position)
David Gonzales

Albion Township Clerk
Ronald (Rocky) Meitner

Beaver Township Clerk
Scott Schlochtermeier

Buffalo Township Clerk
Jerry Holtaus

Cheyenne Township Clerk
N/A

Clarence Township Clerk
N/A

Cleveland Township Clerk
N/A

Comanche Township Clerk
N/A

Eureka Township Clerk
Michael Edward McCurry

Fairview Township Clerk
Deric Funk

Grant Township Clerk
N/A

Great Bend Township Clerk
N/A

North Homestead Township Clerk
Richard W. Lacey

South Homestead Township Clerk
Brandon Yeakley

Independent Township Clerk
N/A

Lakin Township Clerk
Aaron Birzer

Liberty Township Clerk
N/A

Logan Township Clerk
Joseph V. Zink

Pawnee Rock Township Clerk
Roy D. Prescott

South Bend Township Clerk
N/A

Union Township Clerk
Justin Robert Ludwig

Walnut Albert Township Clerk
N/A

Walnut Olmitz Township Clerk
N/A

Wheatland Township Clerk
N/A

View a complete list, including Barton County Precinct Committeemen & Committeewomen, at www.bartoncounty.org.

Weather permitting, you can expect the next few Thursday nights in Great Bend to include trucks slowly driving down streets spraying insecticides to kill mosquitos. The annual spraying for mosquitos throughout the Great Bend city limits started May 31 and is scheduled through June 21.

Great Bend Street Superintendent James Giles says staff will evaluate the mosquito situation later this month to determine if more spraying is needed.

James Giles Audio

Giles explains the process of spraying once a week comes from the multiple stages of a mosquito’s life. The larva stages of the mosquito’s life occur in water, a stage where the insecticides will not reach the insects. About every seven days, there is fresh batch of mosquitos leaving the water and hitting the air and that is when city crews want to take them out.

Because of the high temperatures in July and August, there is no need to keep spraying all summer.

James Giles Audio

Great Bend will spray from 8 p.m. to midnight on June 7, June 14, and June 21. Residents are advised to keep their doors and windows closed during this time.

A Great Bend woman died in an accident just after 3p.m. Sunday in Ellsworth County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1999 Kenworth semi driven by Marino Ramirez, 26, Beaver, OK., was westbound on Kansas 156 one mile north of Ellsworth. The driver braked to avoid striking a farm implement, jackknifed into the eastbound lanes and struck a 2017 GMC Yukon driven by Christina L. Sanchez, 36, Great Bend.

The Yukon rolled and came to a rest at the east ditch. Sanchez died at the scene and was transported to Ellsworth County Medical Center.

Two passengers in the Yukon Christian Villalovos,16 and Ethan Sanches, 3, both of Great Bend, were transported to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita.

Ramirez, a passenger in the semi Melissa Recendez, 23, Beaver, OK., and two passengers in the Yukon Alyse Sanchez, 14; Matthew Allison, 16 both Great Bend were transported to the hospital in Ellsworth.

The drivers were properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP. Details on seat belt usage by the children in the Yukon were not available.

BOARD OF BARTON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Agenda Meeting, Monday, June 4, 2018 9:00 a.m. Until Close

I. OPENING BUSINESS:
A. Call Meeting to Order.
B. Recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.
C. Consider Approval of the Agenda.
D. Minutes of the May 21, 2018, and the May 29, 2018, Regular Meetings are not available at this time.
E. Any citizen wishing to make statements during the discussion of any item must first be recognized by the Commission Chair. After being recognized, that person should state their name and the name of any organization represented. Statements should be limited to five minutes.
F. Cell phones and other electronic devices, other than those used by the media and law enforcement, should be shut off.

II. OLD BUSINESS – Items tabled, or scheduled, from previous Commission Meetings, will be heard at this time.
-There is no Old Business at this time.

III. NEW BUSINESS – All new business to be considered by the Commission will be heard at this time.

A. COUNTY CLERK’S OFFICE: Request for Approval – Added / Abated / Escaped / Refunded Taxes:
-Donna Zimmerman, County Clerk, will present a listing of Added / Abated / Escaped / Refunded Taxes. Orders for these actions are kept on file in the County Clerk’s Office. These are used to correct assessments and are requested by the County Appraiser’s Office or the County Clerk’s Office.

B. PROCLAMATION 2018-13: American Cancer Society Relay for Life, Proclamation for Barton County, Kansas:
-Relay for Life is the signature activity of the American Cancer Society and honors cancer survivors (anyone ever diagnosed with cancer) and remembers those lost to the disease. Michelle Robinson, Relay for Life of Barton County Co-Event Lead, has asked that the Commission pass a Proclamation as a means of showing support for the Relay for Life event. Locally, Relay for Life will be held June 8, 2018, at Veterans Park, Great Bend, Kansas. Ms. Robinson will provide details.

C. ROAD AND BRIDGE: Replacement of Front End Loaders:
-The Road and Bridge Department accepted bids for the replacement of two John Deere 644K front end loaders until May 22, 2018. Darren Williams, County Works Director, suggests that the Commission authorize Murphy Tractor to buyback the two loaders currently used by the Road and Bridge Department. If the buyback is authorized, it is suggested that the Commission authorize the purchase of two CAT 950M loaders from Foley Equipment. The County would then be able to take advantage of Foley’s certified rebuild program in the future.

D. COUNTY SERVICES: Informational Update:
-Phil Hathcock, County Administrator, will provide the informational report of work completed during the last period. The report, which will be made available to the media, will serve as a public reminder of the services provided by the County on a regular basis.

IV. ENDING BUSINESS – After new items are heard by the Commission, the following items, including announcements, will be heard.

A. ANNOUNCEMENTS: -Following the close of the Agenda Meeting, the Commission will consider the authorization of personnel changes for classified positions, sign any documentation approved during the agenda meeting or sign any other documentation required for regular County business. Similar action may take place throughout the day.

B. APPOINTMENTS: JUNE 4, 2018
Immediately following the close of the Agenda Meeting – Fire District No. 1 meeting.
Immediately following the close of the Fire District Meeting – Regular Business Discussion – Phil Hathcock, County Administrator, and Donna Zimmerman, County Clerk
10:30 a.m. – Supplemental Agreement No. 2 for Emergency Relief Federal Aid Road Construction, Agreement No. 38-16, KDOT Project 5 C-4817-01-02-03-04-05-06-07 – Barry McManaman, County Engineer
11:00 a.m. – 2019 Budget Meeting – SDSI
11:15 a.m. – 2019 Budget Meeting – Sunflower Diversified Services
11:30 a.m. – Program Update – Great Plains Development
Afternoon Schedule for 2019 Budget Meetings
1:00 p.m. – County Treasurer
1:15 p.m. – RSVP
1:30 p.m. – Sheriff’s Office and related departments
2:00 p.m. – 911
2:15 p.m. – Solid Waste
3:00 p.m. – County Works departments
4:00 p.m. – County Fair Board
THE COUNTY EDITION, KVGB-AM – Thursdays at 11:05 a.m. Sheriff Brian Bellendir is scheduled for June 7, 2018.

V. OTHER BUSINESS:
A. Discussion Items.
B. Citizens or organizations may present requests or proposals for initial consideration.
C. The Commissioners are available to the Public on Mondays during regular business hours.
D. The Commissioners may, individually, schedule personal appointments related to County business at their discretion.
E. The next Regular Meeting will be at 9:00 a.m., Monday, June 11, 2018.

VI. ADJOURN.

BUSINESS NEWS

GREAT BEND, Kan. –  CUNA Mutual Retirement Solutions awarded two local organizations with a grant from their endowment fund, the Barton County Quality of Life Fund, held at Golden Belt Community Foundation. Both organizations were presented with a check and thanked for their contributions to our communities.

CUNA Mutual Retirement Solutions requested online grant proposals for funding earlier this year.  Since the fund was established in 2011, it has paid out more than $120,000 to Barton County organizations.  The grants seek to improve the quality of life in Barton County.  They received several applications from area organizations but only two nonprofits were selected for funding.

GPS Kids Club was awarded $4,000.00 to assist with a heating system being installed at their facility before the cold sets in this winter.  GPS is a nonprofit child care organization, located in Hoisington, that provides services during non-school hours to approximately 40 children during the school year and 60 kids during the summer months.  They work to provide care in a safe environment and are licensed for 120 children.  The new heating system will replace their 1950’s boiler and be more efficient, which will in turn reduce their energy costs.

Central Kansas Dream Center was awarded $2,507.00 to assist with the remodeling the bathrooms in the Soup Kitchen area.  The renovation includes the addition of a shower, available for people without running water, in a state of homelessness, or transients.  Central Kansas Dream Center is a residential and outreach ministry-based organization that reaches hurting people, helping to restore their lives and realize their dreams.

At over $22 million in total assets and more than 180 funds under management, the Golden Belt Community Foundation has been connecting people who care to causes that matter since 1996. Golden Belt Community Foundation exists to provide non-profit organizations in central Kansas with a permanent source of support and to serve as a vehicle for charitable giving for donors. GBCF serves the counties of Barton, Pawnee, Rush, and Stafford.  For more information about Golden Belt Community Foundation, call (620) 792-3000 or visit their website at www.goldenbeltcf.org.

BUSINESS NEWS

The Barton Theatre Department will hold open auditions for its summer production of the comedy one-acts “The Proposal” and “The Bear” by Anton Chekhov from 4-6 p.m. June 12 and 13 in the Fine Arts Auditorium. The Theatre Department is looking to cast four males and four females who are 25-60 year’s old. Those who wish to audition may show up during the allotted hours on either night. No preparation or experience is necessary.

“The Proposal,” is a comedy which tells the story of a soon to be bride and groom who fight right from the start of courtship.

“The Bear” takes love to the absurd level of comedy. The story features a widow in mourning who is confronted by a man claiming her husband owes him money. In the classic example of a farce, insults fly and a weapon is pulled before love is found.

The shows will be performed in Great Bend, Larned and St. John on July 24-26. Support in part from Dr. Donald Beahm, Dr. Luis Perez and St. John National Bank of Kansas.

For more information, contact Dr. Abel at abelr@bartonccc.edu or (620) 792-9333.