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City operations easing back to normalKansas Gov. Laura Kelly’s announcement last Tuesday that management of the COVID-19 pandemic is up to county officials, and Barton County’s response Wednesday lifting restrictions, should have little impact on the City of Great Bend, City Administrator Kendal Francis said.May 30, 2020 -
County ends COVID-19 restrictionsMeeting as the Board of Health, Barton County commissioners met Wednesday morning and let lapse COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on gatherings, businesses and residents. Instead, they left the onus on individuals to take precautions to stem the spread of the virus. The hastily called meeting was in response to actions by Kansas Gov.May 27, 2020 -
County sees more COVID-19 testingThe Barton County Health Department and private health care providers have stepped up their COVID-19 testing efforts, Interim Health Director Karen Winkelman told county commissioners Tuesday morning. This comes ass the county has seen a jump in the number of positive virus cases.May 27, 2020 -
One grant OKed for pandemic-stricken business, two tabledWanting to assure equitable use of the Barton County’s Economic Development Loan Fund to bolster COVID-19 pandemic-hit businesses, the County Commission Tuesday morning approved one working capital grant for First Class Auto Design, Hoisington. But, it tabled grants to Rodeway Inn and Suites, Hoisington, and Industrial Services of Kansas, rural Great Bend, and set a hard deadline of this Friday for additional applications.May 27, 2020 -
Hip hop/indie pop artist Blayne B. Signs to Indie Cleopatra RecordsLOS ANGELES, Calif. - Great Bend native and up-and-coming musician Blayne B. has signed with Los Angeles-based indie label Cleopatra Records, the record company announced.May 21, 2020 -
State to cover most of intersections’ repair costA year ago, two intersections south of Ellinwood were damaged by flood water. Now, the county will receive most of the cost to repair those junctions reimbursed by the State of Kansas. The County Commission Monday morning approved applying for Kansas Department of Transportation emergency funding for the work.May 21, 2020 -
Great Bend City Council quick reads – May 18Election filing deadline looms The deadline to file for the Aug. 4 primary and Nov. 3 general election is noon on June 1, Great Bend City Administrator Kendal Francis said Monday night, addressing the City Council. All candidates must file with the Barton County Clerk’s Office at the courthouse, 1400 Main Street, Room 202, in Great Bend.May 21, 2020 -
Council OKs Events Center remodel projectTo start getting more use out of the city-owned Events Center, the Great Bend City Council Monday night approved an over $500,000 renovation to a portion of the long-vacant office complex attached to the back of the venue.May 21, 2020 -
Kelly moves Kansas into modified phase 2Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly Tuesday afternoon said she planned to sign an executive order moving Kansas into phase 2 of her four-phase COVID-19 pandemic Ad Astra plan to open Kansas, effective Friday. This comes less than a week after Kelly issued an order creating a phase 1.5, delaying phase 2 until June 1 instead of mid May due to a lack of progress in halting the virus.May 19, 2020 -
Grants available to help COVID-19-hit businessesBusinesses across Kansas are feeling unprecedented pressures from the economic and health impacts of COVID-19. The Kansas Department of Commerce called for a strong and creative response, and the Barton County Commission echoed that by announcing the availability of over $100,000 for working capital loans.May 19, 2020