Barton County Source 2022-23

Barton County

SOURCE

2022-2023

Great Bend Tribune

The Great Bend Tribune has been the Golden Belt’s trusted source for community news for 146 years. We focus on providing professional, accurate news about Barton County and its closest neighbors.

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Press releases and letters to the editor can be mailed to the Tribune or dropped off at 2012 Forest Ave., Great Bend, KS 67530. Please include your phone number for verification.

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GREAT BEND

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Great Bend Tribune

At A Glance

Number of Employees – 16

Number of Contract Carriers – 9

Mail Delivery — Ellinwood, Hoisington, Rural Great Bend, Olmitz, Bushton, Holyrood, Albert, Otis, Heizer

Dealers:

Ampride – 2302 10th St. Casey’s – Great Bend, Ellinwood, Hoisington and Larned Dillons – Great Bend and Larned Dollar General – Great Bend and Hoisington

Kwik Shop – Great Bend and Larned Walgreens – 3920 10th St. Walmart – 3503 10th St.

Racks: Great Bend2012 Forest Ave. 2100 16th St. 1221 10th St. 2010 10th St. 3620 10th St. 10th & Stone St. 17th & Washington

Claflin- 101 Main Street Ellinwood- 210 E. Santa Fe Hoisington- 818 N. Elm

Did you know?

Tons of paper used a year: 114 or 228,000 pounds. One roll of newsprint weighs about 656 pounds.

Miles of paper in a paper roll: If a roll were unrolled it would stretch 156,233 feet or 29.5 miles.

Pounds of ink used a year: Black ink — 1,895 Colored ink — 1,080

We are Barton County

Population (2020 census)

Albion Township ..........................60

Beaver Township .........................98

Buffalo Township .......................431

Cheyenne Township ..................200

Clarence Township ....................133

Cleveland Township ....................25

Comanche Township .................408

Ellinwood (city) .......................2,011

Eureka Township .........................70

Fairview Township .....................110

Grant Township ...........................50

Great Bend (city) ..................14,733

Great Bend Township .............1,365

Barton County, the geographic center of Kansas is made up of Albert, Claflin, Ellinwood, Galatia, Great Bend, Hoisington, Olmitz, Pawnee Rock and Susank. Unincorporated towns are Beaver and Odin.

The county is named in honor of Clara Barton, civil war nurse and founder of the American Red Cross. It is also the only county in Kansas to be named after a woman. When it was founded, the county lines were drawn in the shape of a 30-by-30mile square.

Barton County has many interesting places for residents and tourists to enjoy; museums, art galleries, sculptures, zoo, waterpark, historic places, Cheyenne Bottoms and other nature sites.

Barton County is the 22nd largest county in Kansas by population. Barton County is the 31st largest county in Kansas by area.

The highest point, about 3 miles northwest of Pawnee Rock in southwestern Barton County, has an altitude of about 2,080 feet, and the lowest point, where Cow Creek leaves the area, has an altitude of about 1,710 feet.

Agriculture, oil, manufacturing, health care and retail trade are key industries that drive the county’s

economy. Along with this there is hunting, fishing, birding and other sporting opportunities.

The Kansas Wetlands Education Center, and the Wetlands and Wildlife National Scenic Byways also add to the economy of Barton County.

Barton Community College is a great asset to our community. It is a two year college that was formed through an election by the people of Barton County and opened in 1969. It was created to provide students in Barton County an opportunity to obtain a higher education at a lower cost and be within commuting distance. BCC offers traditional general educations courses, fi performing arts, technical training, a nursing program, GED courses, and online classes. They also have an athletic program with 58 national championships. The “Gem of the Campus” is the Shafer Memorial Art Gallery, containing masterpieces by Chagall, Matisse, Picasso, as well as many others.

We have outstanding high-quality healthcare in Barton County featuring three major hospitals, urgent care, family health clinics, and specialty medicine groups.

Barton County has lots to offer and something for everyone.

Hoisington (city) .....................2,699

Independent Township ..............655

Lakin Township ..........................251

Liberty Township .......................248

Logan Township ........................165

North Homestead Township ......105

Pawnee Rock Township .............313

South Bend Township ................566

South Homestead Township ......338

Union Township ...........................77

Walnut Township .......................327

Wheatland Township ...................55

Where Are We?

GALATIASUSANK ODIN

Barton County is poised near the geographical center of Kansas, as well as the center of the United States. Once on the route of the famed Santa Fe Trail, it is now criss-crossed by four major highways – U.S. 56, U.S. 281, K-156 and K-4, as well as numerous railroads, making it a business and travel hub.

We are about four hours by car from Kansas City, three hours from the state Capitol in Topeka, two hours from the state’s largest city Wichita, and about an hour to an hour and a half from Hays, Salina, Hutchinson and Dodge City. There is a lot to do here, but we are ideally located for day trips.

Barton County Statistics

Top 4 Ethnic Groups

Education Attainment

people)

95.9% of Barton County residents are citizens

Median Property Value $93,300

Homeownership Rate 70.3%

88.3% of the Barton County population has health coverage

GREAT BEND CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU

The Great Bend Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) is located inside the front of the Great Bend Events Center at 3111 10th Street. The CVB staff books and bids on big events and conventions for the Events Center and for Great Bend in general. The Events Center is designated as a Kansas Travel Information Center which partners with State Travel & Tourism, a resource for the State of Kansas tourism opportunities.

In 2021, the City opened the newly renovated back area as breakout rooms, extra office space and these breakout rooms have open wonderful doors of opportunity to new and bigger conferences for our area. In 2022, the front bathrooms will be remodeled, a better security system put in place and the lighting for the ballroom will be worked on.

The CVB is part of Community Coordinator/CVB Director Christina Hayes’ department. CVB staff located at the office in the Events Center includes Angie Hicks and Amanda Gaddis, Visitor Services Representatives; and Larami Parsons, Administrative Assistant is located at City Hall. The CVB is 100% funded by Transient Guest Tax from hotel stays, 1% of that Transient Guest Tax helps fund the Events Center building along with revenue from events held there. The CVB in coordination with the Great Bend City Council strives to make the Events Center a premier event location for our area to improve the quality of life for Great Bend residents!

The staff works to promote Great Bend in various ways. Hayes’ goals include getting Great Bend’s attractions, events, fun things to do and places to stay information out to a bigger audience in the state, recruitment of new conventions, tournaments and more meetings into town. They continue to provide a hospitality program for hotels, gas stations, businesses and doctors’ offices so the front lines of our community know what’s happening in town and they can promote a positive image to those visiting here. A new program will start in Jan. 2023 the Be Our Guest in Great Bend program to help front lines with customer service and to know what great things we have here in Great Bend!

Every two years the CVB produces a new Visitor Guide for Great Bend, this is also distributed across the state to market and promote the Events Center as the premier location in this area, as they work to bring people to visit and move to our wonderful town!

CVB Board Members

Chairperson:

Allene Owen, Vice Chair:

Mark Mingenback

Members:

Wally Eldridge

Lacey Scholfield

Jan Westfall

Jolene Biggs

Kyle Walters

Claudia Elsen

Loren Unruh

Cory & Katie Zimmerman

Diann Henderson

Curtis Wolf

Non-voting members:

Mayor Cody Schmidt

Kendal Francis

Megan Barfield

Sara Hayden

Shawna Schafer

Christina Hayes

Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo

Kansas Wetlands Education Center

Beautiful Playgrounds & Parks

SRCA Drag Strip & Racing

Wetlands & Wildlife National Scenic Byway

Hike & Bike Trails

Long Pumpkin Patch

Explore Great Bend Month

Santa’s Around the World

Christmas Craft Mall

Trail of Lights & Christmas Festival FunFestivals!

GREAT BEND BRIT SPAUGH ZOO

TrailofLights&Christmas Festival

WetlandsWaterpark

CheyenneBottoms& QuiviraWetlands

Hike & Bike Path

SRCADragstrip GreatBendAirfest

Welcome To Our City!

City Offices

Administration......................................793-4111

Airport ..................................................793-4168

Cemetery .............................................793-4167

Convention & Visitors Bureau ..............792-2750

Events Center Booking ...................792-2750

Fire Department #1..............................793-4140

Building Inspection .........................793-4140

Fire Department #2..............................793-4145

Code Enforcement ..........................793-4106

Municipal Court....................................793-4149

Public Lands/Parks ...............................793-4160

Public Works.........................................793-4150

Street Division .................................793-4150

Property Maintenance Division .......793-4150

Water Division .................................793-4170

Water Emergency .......................793-4100

Front Door (Sewer & Water Payments) .... 793-4100

Sewer & Wastewater Division .........793-4170

Police Department ...............................793-4120

*In Case of an Emergency call 911

Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo

2123MainSt/281Hwy

620-793-4226

Wetlands Waterpark

2130MainSt/281Hwy

620-792-1516

Great Bend Events Center

311110thSt

620-792-2750

Great Bend Expo Complex & SRCA Dragstrip

455WBartonCountyRd.

620-793-4111

Great Bend Sports Complex 41McKinleySt.

620-793-4111

City Parks & Recrea n (Vets,JackKilby,K-96Park,BritSpaugh, StoneLake&More!)

620-793-4160

Explore Great Bend

From the top: Great Bend Air Fest, Wetlands Waterpark, Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo, SRCA Drag Strip

downtown, promoting local businesses, improving its popular parks to expanding housing options. At the crossroads of both Kansas and the nation as a whole, it has much to offer residents and visitors alike in terms of commerce, dining and recreation.

There are many parks and recreational areas, featuring activities from the water park, zoo, playgrounds, bicycle and walking trails, and disc golf to fishing. There is also the Great Bend Sports Complex with baseball and softball fields that are the envy of many communities.

There are numerous community-wide events as well such as an Art Walk, Cinco de Mayo, June Jaunt, Community Concerts, Summer Street Stroll, Final Friday’s on Forest, and Party in the Park. The Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, along with the Christmas Parade is a spectacular event. Numerous town locations have drive-through Christmas lights and Christmas light shows with music.

The community, which was named after the great bend of the Arkansas River, celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2022. Great Bend started life as a wild cow-town with deep agricultural roots before growing into a regional trade and service center. That role grew stronger with the oil boom, later it served as a major World War II Army Air Corps training base for B-29 bomber crews, a base that evolved into the Great Bend Municipal Airport.

Great Bend has a Municipal Airport with a runway large enough to land Air Force One, if it was ever needed. It is home to the SRCA historic drag strip, and was the home of the Argonne Rebels Drum and Bugle Corps. The corps achieved national fame, most notably winning the American Legion national championships in 1971, 1972, and 1973. The Rebels were one of the thirteen founding member corps of Drum Corps International, finishing in 5th place in 1972 and 11th in 1973.

Kevyn Soupiset – 620-791-7082

Jolene Biggs – 620-793-3443

Third Ward

Cory Urban – 785-760-4846

Davis Jimenez – 620-282-2475

Fourth Ward

Natalie Towns – 620-786-4344

Brock McPherson – 620-793-9237

Council members meet at 6:30 p.m. on the first and third Monday of each month in the City Council chambers at 1209 Williams. All governing body members serve two-year terms. Mayor and council members can be reached through City Hall, 1209 Williams, 620-793-4111.

CITY DEPARTMENTS

City Administrator Kendal Francis – 620-793-4111

City Attorney

Allen Glendenning – 620-793-4114

City Prosecutor

Jeffrey Kuhlman– 620-793-4114

Municipal Court

620-793-4124

City Clerk

Shawna Schafer – 620-793-4111

Public Lands

Scott Keeler – 620-793-4111

Public Works Director

Jason Cauley – 620-793-4150

Street Department

Anthony Bronson – 620-793-4150

Utility Superintendent 620-793-4100

Building Inspector

Logan Burns – 620-793-4106

Code Enforcement Officer

Art Keffer – 620-791-5010

Water Pollution Control (WPC) 620-793-4170

City Television Channel 20

City information and current events.

U.S. Post Office 2100 16th St., 620-792-4381

Zip Code 67530

downtown, promoting local businesses, improving its popular parks to expanding housing options. At the crossroads of both Kansas and the nation as a whole, it has much to offer residents and visitors alike in terms of commerce, dining and recreation.

There are many parks and recreational areas, featuring activities from the water park, zoo, playgrounds, bicycle and walking trails, and disc golf to fishing. There is also the Great Bend Sports Complex with baseball and softball fields that are the envy of many communities.

There are numerous community-wide events as well such as an Art Walk, Cinco de Mayo, June Jaunt, Community Concerts, Summer Street Stroll, Final Friday’s on Forest, and Party in the Park. The Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, along with the Christmas Parade is a spectacular event. Numerous town locations have drive-through Christmas lights and Christmas light shows with music.

The community, which was named after the great bend of the Arkansas River, celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2022. Great Bend started life as a wild cow-town with deep agricultural roots before growing into a regional trade and service center. That role grew stronger with the oil boom, later it served as a major World War II Army Air Corps training base for B-29 bomber crews, a base that evolved into the Great Bend Municipal Airport.

Great Bend has a Municipal Airport with a runway large enough to land Air Force One, if it was ever needed. It is home to the SRCA historic drag strip, and was the home of the Argonne Rebels Drum and Bugle Corps. The corps achieved national fame, most notably winning the American Legion national championships in 1971, 1972, and 1973. The Rebels were one of the thirteen founding member corps of Drum Corps International, finishing in 5th place in 1972 and 11th in 1973.

Kevyn Soupiset – 620-791-7082

Jolene Biggs – 620-793-3443

Third Ward

Cory Urban – 785-760-4846

Davis Jimenez – 620-282-2475

Fourth Ward

Natalie Towns – 620-786-4344

Brock McPherson – 620-793-9237

Council members meet at 6:30 p.m. on the first and third Monday of each month in the City Council chambers at 1209 Williams. All governing body members serve two-year terms. Mayor and council members can be reached through City Hall, 1209 Williams, 620-793-4111.

CITY DEPARTMENTS

City Administrator Kendal Francis – 620-793-4111

City Attorney

Allen Glendenning – 620-793-4114

City Prosecutor

Jeffrey Kuhlman– 620-793-4114

Municipal Court

620-793-4124

City Clerk

Shawna Schafer – 620-793-4111

Public Lands

Scott Keeler – 620-793-4111

Public Works Director

Jason Cauley – 620-793-4150

Street Department

Anthony Bronson – 620-793-4150

Utility Superintendent 620-793-4100

Building Inspector

Logan Burns – 620-793-4106

Code Enforcement Officer

Art Keffer – 620-791-5010

Water Pollution Control (WPC) 620-793-4170

City Television Channel 20

City information and current events.

U.S. Post Office 2100 16th St., 620-792-4381

Zip Code 67530

Hoisington

Hoisington although a small community of 2,699 has a lot to offer. It has three business advocacy organizations working to develop and boost the business environment. Hoisington has a number of incentitives available for growth and development for new or existing businesses.

Hoisington boasts that its students enjoy one of the best public school districts in the state of Kansas. They have excellent lodging accomodations, places of worship, three outstanding parks, a state of the art activity center, and a new municipal swimming pool.

Hoisington is home to excellent medical care facilities with a hospital, surgical services, an outreach clinic, chiropractic clinics, dentists, optometrist, veterinarian, pharmacy and numberous other health related service providers.

CITY COUNCIL

Mayor — Chris Kinnman

Ward 1

Councilman — Becky Steiner

Councilman — Karen VanBrimmer

Ward 2

Councilman — Carrol Nather

Councilman — Darren Reinert

Ward 3

Councilman — Jim Morris

Councilman — Duane Reif

Ward 4

Councilman — Christina Smith

Councilman — Gary Shook

Council members meet at 7:00 p.m. on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month at Hoisington City Hall, 109 E. 1st, 620-653-4125.

CITY DEPARTMENTS

City Manager — Jonathan Mitchell, 620-653-4125

City Clerk — Celia Conrad, 620-653-4125

Public Works Director — Jonathan Mitchell, 620-653-4385

City Attorney — John Horner, 620-793-7874

Recreation Director — Chris Kinman, 620-653-4050

Police Chief — Kenton Doze, 620-653-4995

Fire Chief — Jerry Stricker, 620-653-7772

Emergency Medical Service Director — Megan Elmore, 620-653-4150

Animal Control

620-653-4995 or 620-653-2333

Dolores Kipper

City Television Channel 20 – City Information and Current Events

U.S. Post Office 119 E. Second, 620-653-2838

Zip Code 67544

Ellinwood

Ellinwood, population 2,100, provides a warm, small town environment.

Community events are a staple in Ellinwood with the annual After Harvest Festival held the third weekend in July. A parade and family friendly events are a big draw as are class reunions at that time. Then in October there is the craft beer festival and the first Sunday in December the annual Christkindlmarket is held.

Ellinwood has many outstanding features including its schools, child development center, a senior citizen center, golf course, civic clubs, doctors, clinic, EMT unit, municipal airport, churches, historic musuem, and a hospital.

The Wolf Hotel and the Dick Building are significant historic landmarks, as are the underground tunnels that run adjacent to the community’s Main Street. The underground saloon is a great place to visit.

Shopping downtown is a fun event, check out all the stores including the candle store that periodically has “pour your own” candle events. The downtown has also been active on the “brick streets” with ladies night out

Ellinwood District Hospital has land purchased and is in the planning stage

CITY COUNCIL

Mayor, Irlan Fullbright

Councilmember – Kirk Clawson

Councilmember – Ken Lebbin

Councilmember – Steve Oelke

Councilmember – Jacque Isern

Councilmember – Scott Tillotson

The Ellinwood city council meets at 7:00 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month at 104 East 2nd St.

CITY DEPARTMENTS

City Administrator – Chris Komarek 620-564-3161

City Clerk – Kim Schartz 620-564-3161

Electrical Superintendent – Jon Perron

620-564-3046

Street Dept. Superintendent – Kevin Clair 620-564-3451

Water/Wastewater Superintendent Spencer Proffitt

620-564-3046

Light & Power Plant

Jon Perron, Electric, 620-564-3451

Jim McMullen, Power Plant 620-564-2211

Animal Control Police Department 209 W. 1st, 620-564-3001

U.S. Post Office 299 N. Main, 620-564-2840

since then to 163.

The community spirit is alive and well. In 2021, the city bought a new fire truck and the new post office was built.

The annual Albert Volunteer Fire Department Pancake Feed and Raffle is held every spring.

Claflin

CITY COUNCIL

Mayor – Rod Cushenbery

Councilman – Stan Ewy

Councilwoman – Kate Hazelhorst

Councilwoman – Marty Hanhardt

Councilman – Charles Keller

Councilman – Robert Ritterhouse

The Albert city council meets at 6:30 p.m. on the first Monday of each month at the city office, 2006 Main Street, 620-923-4665. The Albert Volunteer Fire Department then meets at 7:00 p.m. The City of Albert mailing address is P.O. Box 10, Main St.

City Clerk – Lois Ritterhouse

Animal Control

Golden Belt Humane Society

620-792-4297

U.S. Post Office

2002 Main, 620-923-4699

Zip Code 67511

Located in northeast Barton County, Clafl Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Refuge. This small town offers a quaint and quiet place to live, although it still offers fun activities for families with playgrounds, tennis courts, recreational kid sports, the library, and a pool.

According to the 2020 census, Claflin had a population of 583 citizens. It continues to grow and the number is over 600 currently.

Claflin has schools K-12, churches, a golf course, and its Main Street offers retail stores, a bank, places to eat, and a furniture store. Other businesses in town include the co-op, a grocery store, health and beauty salons, and oil field businesses, just to name a few.

City Council

Mayor – Mike Urban

Councilman – Dustin Daniels

Councilman – Casey Hubbard

Councilman – Robert Gunder

Councilman – Dorian Hickel

Councilman – Dan Michaelis

City Council members meet at 7:30 p.m. on the second Monday of each month at the City Hall, 111 E. Hamilton. Council members can be contacted through the City Hall office, 620-587-3707.

CITY DEPARTMENTS

City Clerk – Patricia Schmidt

620-587-3707

City Attorney – Robert Suelter

620-587-3707

Superintendent of Utilities –Richard Hayes - 620-588-3723

Police Chief – Gary Vaughan, non-emergency 620-587-3344

Fire Chief – Doug Hubbard, non-emergency 620-587-3498

Animal Control

Claflin Police Department

620-587-3344

U.S. Post Office 218 Main Street, 620-587-3935

Zip Code 67525

Galatia

CITY COUNCIL

Mayor - Kevin Polzin

Councilman — Robert Kolas

Councilman — Michael Guertin

Councilman — Josh Keil

Councilwoman — Tammy Fishburn

Councilman — Dennis Funk

Council members meet at 7:30 p.m. (8:00 p.m. during Daylight Saving Time) on the first Tuesday of each month at 150 W. Floyd Council members can be reached by calling the Mayor Kevin Polzin 760-947-1355

City Clerk Diane Deines

Trash Service Shamrock Sanitation 620-792-1639

line extension ended growth. The population in the 2020 census was 45, but has declined since then to 36.

Galatia has a church, grill, auto repair and a few other businesses. The average commute for most residents is 18 minutes and Galatia’s cost of living is 31.3% lower than the U.S. average.

Olmitz

U.S. Post Office 800-275-8777

Rural route from Otis, 100 N. Main

Zip Code 67564

The community of Olmitz was settled in 1885 by a group of Austrian Catholics who carried with them a strong belief in their parish education.

St. Ann’s Catholic Church and accompanying parochial school were among the first buildings constructed, with the parochial school beginning classes in grades 1-8 in 1903. Students now attend school at either Otis-Bison or Hoisington, both less than 10 miles away.

St. Ann’s Church, the post office and a restuarant are a few of the quaint small town highlights.

In 2019, the population was 71 but according to the 2020 census it is now at 90.

CITY COUNCIL

Mayor – Curtis Peterson

Councilman - Josh Tessendorf

Councilman - John “Matt” Suchy

Councilwoman - Karla Hagans

Councilwoman - Ashley Elsen

Council Members meet at 7:00 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month at the Olmitz City Building, 219 Main Street. Council members can be reached at 620-586-3311

CITY DEPARTMENTS

City Clerk — Krisa Schneider

Streets — Tom Schneider

Treasurer — Krisa Schneider

Sewer & Water — Tom Schneider

Trash Service

Unruh Brothers Waste LLC

Great Bend – 620-792-2257

Animal Control

Golden Belt Humane Society – 620-792-4297

U.S. Post Office 223 Main St., 620-586-3319

Zip Code 67564

Pawnee Rock

Once a natural landmark on the Santa Fe Trail, the large rock formation comprised of Dakota Sandstone was a popular stop for Trail travelers heading west. The mid-point of the long road between Independence, Mo., and Santa Fe, N.M., had water provided by the nearby Arkansas River and fresh meat from an abundance of native game.

The rock exists today, covered with the signatures of thousands of trappers, soldiers, gold seekers and emigrants of days gone by. Later on, a great deal of stone from the bluff was utilized in settlers’ homesteads.

Antique stores and churches, playgrounds and a post office make up a good portion of the small town.

Pawnee Rock once hosted a population of 450, but has since dropped to 312 following the 2020 census. Students attend USD 495 schools in Larned.

Susank

The scars of old tracks mark the landscape on the south side of Susank, a reminder of the town’s beginnings as a Santa Fe railroad spur shortly after World War I. The community was once connected by rail to Galatia and Susank north of N. 190 Road in northern Barton County.

However, the town of about 30 residents is still very active, with a recently remodeled grain elevator operated by Great Bend Co-op. The elevator underwent a $4 million renovation in 2021. It’s home to Susank Bar and Grill, housed in an old schoolhouse on the corner of Union and Main streets in the small community.

Though its history is relatively short compared to other county communities, Susank has played an important role in the county’s lumber, farming and oil industries throughout its life, according to Mayor Dennis Trapp.

The town’s populace is mostly farmrelated or employed in other communities. Students from the area attend schools in nearby Hoisington.

CITY COUNCIL

Mayor – Paul Umble

Councilmember – Kerry Rose

Councilmember – Joyce Link

Councilmember – Monte Stambaugh

Councilmember – Lakin Dill

Councilmember – Caitlin Cross

Council members meet at 7:00 p.m. on the first Monday of each month at City Hall, 423 Rock Rd. 620-982-4386

CITY DEPARTMENTS

City Clerk – Chris Mead and Yvonne Link 620-982-4386

Maintenance – John Thomas, 620-982-7069

Animal Control

Golden Belt Humane Society , 620-792-4297

Trash Service

Arrow Trash, Great Bend, 620-793-5546

U.S. Post Office 501 Centre St., 620-982-4308

Zip Code 67567

— Jeff Cotten

— Bill Luerman

— Jackie DeBusk

— Rick Wilson

The Susank city council meets at 7:00 p.m. on the first Monday of each month at 127 Hoisington Road. Questions for council members can be directed through the mayor at 620-653-2769.

— Diane Wilson — Dennis Trapp

Unruh Brothers Waste LLC, Great Bend, 620-796-2257

Golden Belt Humane Society – 620-792-4297

Rural route from Hoisington, 620-653-2838

For the first time in more than two decades, the 2,000-seat Odin Rodeo Grounds will host a full schedule of events through the summer and fall of 2022.

The Prosser Arena, named for Norbert J. “Bones” Prosser, who is credited as the brainchild behind the Odin facility, hosted a variety of events in the 1980s and ‘90s, and was a premier destination for Kansas rodeo events, being recognized as the Rodeo of the Year by the Kansas State Rodeo Association from 1987 to 1990. Prosser’s son, Abe, renewed efforts to return events to the facilities beginning in 2020. Though the pandemic slowed efforts, the facility began hosting events again in 2021, and returned to a full schedule again this year.

The quiet town at the crossroads of NE 90 Avenue and NE 140 Road is also home to the Odin Store, a popular local gathering spot that has served as a community hub for many years for young and old alike. All of this, and a more than century-old limestone church, make Odin a place where residents and visitors can still find a slice of peaceful rural life as they reflect on the region’s nearly 150-year history of settlement, and at the same time look hopefully toward the future.

Odin Beaver

Tiny but industrious Beaver, Kansas has been a center of quintessential rural life for more than a century.

First established in 1919, the small, now unincorporated town of around 50 people situated about eight miles north of K-4 between Hoisington and Claflin, has been home to Beaver Grain Corp. for around 100 years, as evidenced by the century-old wooden elevator that stands in the shadow of the much more modern elevator across the street. The building was completed, according to reports of the time, shortly after World War I.

Though the town’s post office closed in 1992, the town is still hopping and lively, as a town still integral to the county’s modern agricultural production. It is also still home to a social center of northeastern Barton County, Miller Time, as its Facebook page describes a, “Family Friendly Bar & Grill. Come out to eat, stick around to play some Pool, Darts, and Cards.”

Nestled in the midst of quiet Barton County wheat fields, the community sits on the northwest side of the intersection of NE 190 Road and 60 Avenue. Come get a drink and a bite and enjoy a little bit of country hospitality in a community once described as the “most industrious of the new Barton County towns.”

Larned - A Regional Connection

To the west of Barton County lies the community of Larned, in Pawnee County. Larned was named for nearby Fort Larned and was laid out in December 1873. It later became the county seat.

The town grew quickly and by 1910 it had reached 3,000 residents. By 1916, Larned had the highest number of automobiles per capita in the state of Kansas. The 2020 census lists the population as 3,769. It is the biggest city in Pawnee County.

The Larned community of today maintains its connections with historic Fort Larned National Historic Site and the Santa Fe Trail Center as “mustsee” attractions. The community hosts several celebrations throughout the year. The Larned Antique Show is popular and has a steady following. The Tired Iron Show makes an appearance in October and November brings the Veterans Day Parade and is observed by the whole town. The usual Christmas events are popular and in May there is Santa Fe Trail Days, and the Pawnee County Fair in the summer. The end of summer is also fun for the four-legged friends as they get to swim the in the community swimming pool on its last day.

Also fun to do in Larned is attend the State Theatre. The theater is a community-owned and operated venue that shows newly released movies.

USD 495 is the Fort Larned Unified School District and consists of Fort Larned elementary School, Larned Middle School and Larned Senior High School. The school district participates in most of the KSHAA sanctioned sports.

CITY COUNCIL

Mayor - William Nusser

Ward 1

Carroll Bennet

Gary Rainbolt

Ward 2

Terry Clark

George Elmore

Ward 3

Josh Riedel

Jason Murray

Ward 4

Sharon McGinness

Kim Barnes

Council members meet at 6:30 p.m. on the first Monday of each month at 417 Broadway. Council members can be reached at the city office, 620-285-8500. Council members serve two-year terms.

CITY DEPARTMENTS

City Manager

Bradley Eilts, 620-285-8500

City Clerk

Kara Rath, 620-285-8500

Finance Director

Monica Steiner, 620-285-8500

Emergency Medical Service

In January 2022, the Pawnee County

Commissioners assumed oversight of EMS in Larned and Burdett to form Pawnee County

EMS. The director is Kara Lawrence. Nonemergency contact number is 620-285 8505.

Larned Swimming Pool

620-285-8570

Parks/Cemetery

620-285-8535

620-285-8500 (records)

Building Inspection

620-285-8509

Street Department

620-285-8560

Sanitation Department

620-285-8555

Wastewater Treatment

620-285-8513

Pawnee Sanitation

620-285-7780

U.S. Post Office

803 Broadway

620-285-2791

Zip Code

67550

Churches

ASSEMBLY OF GOD

Encounter Church

601 S. Patton Road, Great Bend

620-792-5211

BAPTIST

First Baptist Church

1601 19th Street, Great Bend

620-792-3894

BAPTIST –AMERICAN

Central Baptist Church

3301 Lakin, Great Bend

620-793-8491

BAPTIST –INDEPENDENT

First Bible Baptist Church

5962 4th Street, Great Bend

620-792-2936

Heritage Baptist Church

2000 Monroe, Great Bend

620-793-9990

BAPTIST –NORTH AMERICAN

First Baptist Church

503A SE 110th Ave. Ellinwood

620-564-2875

BAPTIST –SOUTHERN

Calvary Baptist Church

307 West A, Ellinwood

620-564-2070

Crosspoint Church

57 SE 20th Rd., Great Bend

620-796-2202

First Southern Baptist Church

3301 19th Street, Great Bend

620-793-8444

New Life Baptist

364 W. 12th Street, Hoisington

620-653-4028

Spanish Mission Church

Iglecia Bautista Genesaret

440 Grapevine, Great Bend

620-793-5266

Holy Family Church

1387 NE 90th Ave., Odin

620-587-3628

Immaculate Conception

310 Main, Claflin

620-587-2339

Prince of Peace Parish

4100 Broadway, Great Bend

620-792-1396

St. Patrick Church

4100 Broadway, Great Bend

620-792-1396

St. Rose of Lima Church

1424 Baker, Great Bend 620-792-1396

St. Ann’s Catholic Church

115 Cleveland, Olmitz

620-586-3306

St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church

122 E. 5th Street, Hoisington

620-653-2963

St. Joseph Catholic Church 214 N. Main, Ellinwood 620-564-2534

5230 Broadway, Great Bend 620-793-6603

CHRISTIAN –INDEPENDENT

Community Christian Church

253 NE 30th Rd., Great Bend 620-792-8215

Pawnee Rock Christian Church

519 Centre, Pawnee Rock 620-982-4406

CHURCH OF CHRIST

Church of Christ

1122 Stone, Great Bend 620-792-4647

CHURCH OF GOD

First Church of God

1224 Baker, Great Bend 620-793-5231

First Street Church of God

601 E. 1st Street, Hoisington 918-894-9580

EVANGELICAL FREE

Grace Community Church

210 McKinley, Great Bend 620-792-7814

FOURSQUARE

River of Life Foursquare Church

1219 Main, Great Bend

620-792-4933

HOLINESS CHURCH

Bible Holiness Church

502 Stone, Great Bend

620-603-6632

INDEPENDENT BIBLE

Hoisington Bible Church

501 E. 2nd Street, Hoisington 620-653-4533

LATTER DAY SAINTS (MORMON)

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

5851 Eisenhower, Great Bend

620-793-7328

LUTHERAN – ELCA

Emmanuel Lutheran Church

1109 N. Vine, Hoisington 620-653-4345

Peace Lutheran Church

1243 CR 400, Rural Albert 620-923-4624

St. Mark Lutheran Church

2101 Jackson, Great Bend 620-792-4796

St. Paul Lutheran Church

402 Main, Galatia 620-617-1590

LUTHERAN –MISSOURI SYNOD

Concordia Lutheran Church

460 W. 9th Street, Hoisington 620-653-4644

Our Saviour Lutheran Church

5860 Eisenhower, Great Bend 620-792-6901

St. John’s Lutheran Church 512 N. Wilhelm Ave., Ellinwood 620-564-2044

Zion Lutheran Church 121 5th Street, Claflin 620-587-3698

LUTHERAN – LCMC

Trinity Lutheran Church 2701 24th Street, Great Bend 620-793-7894

METHODIST

Foundry Methodist Church 5401 Broadway, Great Bend 620-793-3327

UNITED METHODIST

Ellinwood United Methodist Church 300 W. 1st Street, Ellinwood 620-564-2056

First United Methodist Church 2123 Forest, Great Bend 620-792-2148

First United Methodist Church 467 W. 3rd Street, Hoisington 620-653-2119

King United Methodist Church 1608 Odell, Great Bend 620-793-6778

Trinity United Methodist Church 5700 Broadway, Great Bend 620-793-6016

United Methodist Church 120 3rd Street, Claflin 620-587-3505

NAZARENE

First Church of the Nazarene 4811 Broadway, Great Bend 620-793-6139

Hoisington Church of the Nazarene 359 W. 9th St., Hoisington 620-653-4122

St. Patrick Church St. Rose of Lima Church 4100 Broadway Broadway & Baker

GreatBendCatholic.com 620-792-1396

Sunday Eucharist

Saturday 5:00 pm St. Patrick

Saturday 5:30 pm St. Rose

Sunday 8:00 am St. Rose

Sunday 10:00 am St. Patrick Sunday 12:30 pm St. Rose (Spanish)

Regular Worship & Fellowship

SUNDAY SERVICES

9:15 a.m. - Grow Groups (2 years to Adults)

Nursery Provided

10:30 a.m. - Worship Service & Children’s Church

(Ages 4 years through 4th Grade)

6:00 p.m. - Small Group Studies

WEDNESDAY NIGHT ACTIVITIES

5:30-8:00 p.m. - Evening activities for young and old starting with a meal

PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES

6:00 a.m. - Tuesday 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. - Thursdays

4811 Broadway, Great Bend, KS 67530 620-793-6139

NON-DENOMINATIONAL

The Cornerstone Fellowship

1609 24th Street, Great Bend 620-792-7852

Crosswinds of Kansas Bikers Church

2701 17th Street, Great Bend 620-282-1908

Faith Community Church 293 W. Barton Co. Road, Great Bend 620-793-8084

Fellowship of Faith Bible 1301 Sheridan, Great Bend 620-792-5440

3301 Lakin Great Bend 620-793-8491

Sunday School - 9:15 a.m. Sunday Worship Service10:30 a.m.

centralbaptistgb@gmail.com www.centralbaptistchurchofgb.com

Trinity Lutheran Church

Worship & Education Schedule

Saturday Worship - 5:00 p.m.

Sunday Worship - 10:30 a.m.

KICKS Midweek Education, Wednesdays during school year, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

TLC Discoveries After-School Program and Little Blessings Preschool: 620-793-8816

2701-24th Street, Great Bend, Kansas 620-793-7894

Office Hours: 9:00-Noon & 1:00-4:00 Monday-Friday http://tlcgbks.wix.com/trinity-church trinitychrch@hotmail.com

Facebook Page: TrinityLutheranChurchKS

Great Bend Gathering 407 McKinley, Great Bend (use back door)

Heartland Community Church 4907 10th Street, Great Bend 620-603-6061

Peace United Church of Christ 4 miles North of Hudson 492 NE 140th St. 785-259-2140

Prodigal Ministries

820 Hickory, Great Bend 620-793-5175

Solid Word Church

2005 Kansas St., Great Bend 620-797-0185

PRESBYTERIAN

First Presbyterian Church 2400 Washington, Great Bend 620-792-2594

PROTESTANT

New Jerusalem Church

300 Santa Fe, Pawnee Rock 620-982-4520

SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST

Seventh-Day Adventist Church 7 SW 30th Ave., Great Bend 620-793-5096

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

First Congregational United Church of Christ 3400 21st Street, Great Bend 620-792-5346

Immanuel United Church of Christ 701 N. Fritz Ave., Ellinwood 620-564-2950

Clubs and Organizations

4-H AND YOUTH PROGRAMS

Michelle Beran, 4-H and Youth Development Agent

3007 10th St., Great Bend 620-793-1910

Kids who are 7 and not yet 19 by January 1 of current year may join. Clover Buds are ages 5-6. 4-H is a community of young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills.

4-H JUNIOR LEADERS

Michelle Beran, 4-H and Youth Development Agent

3007 10th St. Great Bend 620-793-1910

AMERICAN LEGION

POST #180

1011 Kansas, Great Bend 620-793-5912

American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, American Legion Riders, Sons of the American Legion

AMERICAN LEGION

POST #320

117 E. Santa Fe Blvd., Ellinwood

620-564-3252

American Legion Auxiliary, Sons of the American Legion

AMERICAN LEGION

POST #286

204 N. Main, Hoisington 620-792-9961

American Legion Auxiliary, Sons of the American Legion

BINGO: ARGONNE REBELS, INC.

12th & Main, Great Bend Wednesday 7:15 p.m. and Sunday 1:45 p.m.

ARGONNE ALL STARS CHEER TEAM

Amanda Schnoebelen 620-617-2341

ARTISTS AT LARGE OF CENTRAL KANSAS

Brian Theyer, 620-653-2569

Meets the 1st Wednesday at Great Bend Public Library basement, 4:00 p.m.

BARTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION

245 NE 30 Rd., Great Bend Lindsey Bogner, 620-786-1141 foundation@bartonccc.edu

BARTON COUNTY ASSOCIATION OF CHURCHES

Nancy Sundahl, 620-793-5894

BARTON COUNTY ASSOCIATION OF RETIRED SCHOOL PERSONNEL

Judy Fox, 620-793-9702

Meets 4 times a year, call for meeting times

BARTON COUNTY FAIR FRIENDS

Barb Davenport 620-792-2647 or -797-FAIR Call for meeting times

BARTON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY, INC.

Leslie Helsel or Richard Lartz, Director P.O. Box 1091

Great Bend, 620-793-5125 www.bartoncountymuseum.org

BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA

QUIVIRA DISTRICT 316-264-3386

CAMP HOPE

Gail Moeder, 620-793-9052, 620-786-4055

CENTRAL KANSAS THREADBENDERS QUILT GUILD

Lois Wagner, 785-387-2236

Please leave message

Meets the 3rd Friday at 1:00 p.m. at Heartland Community Church 4907 10th St., Great Bend Visitors welcome

CLARA BARTON HOSPITAL AUXILIARY

Marty Schloemer 620-791-7127

CLARA BARTON HOSPITAL FOUNDATION

Michelle Moshier, Executive Director 620-292-0814

COLUMBUS CLUB

723 Main St., Great Bend 620-793-3930

Meets monthly

COTTONWOOD EXTENSION DISTRICT PROGRAMS

Donna Krug – District Director 3007 10th, Great Bend 620-793-1910

dkrug@ksu.edu

Extension Educational Programs in the areas of Family and Consumer Sciences, Agriculture, and Youth Development are presented across the Cottonwood District which includes Barton and Ellis Counties.

DAUGHTERS OF ISABELLA, IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CIRCLE #744

Donna Gales, 620-786-2093

Great Bend, Ellinwood, Hoisington, Olmitz, Clafl

organization. Meets 2nd Monday at St. Patrick’s Parish Center, 4100 Broadway at 7:00 p.m.

DUCKS UNLIMITED

John Ritchey, Senior Regional Director over Central Kansas 785-844-1136(w)

jritchey@ducks.org

Josh Williams, Regional Director, Western Kansas jwilliams@ducks.org

785-824-3833(w)

Kansas State Chairperson

Lynne Rozine, 913-909-0622 lrozine@yahoo.com

ELLINWOOD COMMUNITY HISTORICAL SOCIETY & MUSEUM

Joyce Schulte, 620-564-2886

ELLINWOOD HOSPITAL AUXILIARY

Sandy Roth, Ellinwood 620-786-5638

ELLINWOOD GARDEN CLUB

June Stevens or Rosie Joiner, 620-792-9553

P.O. Box 23, Ellinwood

Meets 2nd Wednesday at 9:30 a.m.

March - June and September - November

ELLINWOOD KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS #1187

211 W. 2nd St., Ellinwood

John Clayton, 620-566-7040

Meets the 4th Monday at 7:30 p.m.

ELLINWOOD PUBLIC EDUCATION AND LIBRARY FOUNDATION

300 N. Schiller, Ellinwood 620-564-3226

EPSILON SIGMA ALPHA/ BETA NU

Kathie Keller, 620-793-6397

ETUDION CLUB

Barbara Steiner, 620-793-9614

Meets the 2nd Thursday, September - May

FRATERNAL ORDER OF THE EAGLES

1024 Main, Great Bend

620-792-4582

Meets 1st and 3rd Monday 7:00 p.m.

GIRL SCOUTS OF KANSAS HEARTLAND

888-686-6468

Troops are active during the school year, time and date of meeting times determined by troop leader.

GOLDEN BELT COMMUNITY CONCERT ASSOC.

Linda Jerke, 620-793-2748

Professional musical entertainment brought to this area.

GOLDEN BELT COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

Christy Tustin, 620-792-3000

GOLDEN BELT MODEL RAILROADERS ASSOC.

PO Box 2069, Great Bend Mark Orth, Great Bend 620-282-1432

Jim Loesch, 620-653-2575

Chuck Hawkins, 620-797-1572

Meets 1st Tuesday and 3rd Monday at 7:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church (church basement)

2123 Forest, Great Bend Monday is meeting night, Tuesday is work night

GOLDEN BELT WOOD CARVERS

Barry Bowers, Great Bend 620-793-6121

Meets on Thursdays from 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. at the Great Bend Senior Center, 2005 Kansas

GREAT BEND COMMUNITY THEATER Arabia Albert 620-792-4228

GREAT BEND DESK & DERRICK

Sharon Hiss, 620-793-4878

Jessica Walters, President www.addc.org

Meets the 1st Thursday at 7:00 p.m. locations to be determined. Membership open to anyone who wants to learn more about petroleum, energy and allied industries.

GREAT BEND GARDEN CLUB

Nancy Williams, 620-792-2379

Meets the 3rd Thursday at 10:00 a.m. (September - May) Call for meeting place. Anyone interested in plants and gardening is welcome.

GREAT BEND KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS COUNCIL #862

723 Main, Great Bend

Meets the 3rd Tuesday at 7:00 p.m.

GREAT BEND MASONIC LODGE #15

1917 17th St., P.O. Box 613

Great Bend

GREAT BEND SADDLE CLUB

Judy Demel, Secretary, 620-791-7297

Meets the 4th Thursday at 7:00 p.m. at Farmers Bank and Trust 1612 Main, Great Bend For over 65 years,the goal is to promote good horsemanship throughout the area. Active in play days, trail rides and parades. Facebook pageGreatBendSaddleClub-theoriginal

GREAT BEND

ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY

620-793-4226

Great Bend Brit-Spaugh Zoo

2123 Main, Great Bend

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, BARTON COUNTY

Sister Judith Lindell

620-792-1232

HabitatBartonCounty@hotmail.com

Facebook - BartonCountyHabitat

HOISINGTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Kenny Eaves, 620-786-5975

120 E. 2nd, Hoisington

HOISINGTON KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS COUNCIL 152

John Yanda, 620-653-2586

PO Box 149, 114 N. Main, Hoisington

Meets the 2nd Monday at 7:30 p.m.

HOISINGTON MASONIC LODGE

Jim Morris, 620-786-4585

INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS

VALLEY LODGE NO. 95

Ken Edgett, 620-793-0793

Meets last Thursday at 7:00 p.m. upstairs at 2025 Forest, Great Bend (back stairwell at rear of Forest Avenue Antiques)

KANS FOR KIDS FIGHTING CANCER FOUNDATION

PO Box 178, Hoisington 620-653-2210

kans4kids@ruraltel.net

www.kansforkids.org

Organization provides funding and emotional support for Barton County children 18 years of age or younger, undergoing treatment for cancer.

KIWANIS CLUB OF GREAT BEND

Frankie Pelster, 620-603-6502

Barb Esfeld, 785-483-1384

Noon on Wednesdays at Walnut Bowl, 3101 N. Washington.

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS

Janice Walker, 620-617-4568

janicew1949@gmail.com

Meets for lunch and program on the 2nd Tuesday at the Senior Center, 2005 Kansas.

LIONS CLUB - CLAFLIN

Lois Krier, 620-792-9922

Meets the 4th Monday, Independent Township Library, 108 Main, Claflin.

LIONS CLUB, EVENINGGREAT BEND

Elwyn Maneth, 620-282-2598

Meets 1st Monday at 6:30 p.m. First Presbyterian Church 2400 Washington, Great Bend

LIONS CLUB, NOONGREAT BEND

Lori Waters, 620-639-1442

Meets each Tuesday at noon at Perkins, 2920 10th St., Great Bend

MID AMERICA

MOPAR CAR CLUB

Gary or Daryl Hertel

MU KAPPA CHAPTER

BETA SIGMA PHI

Jonelle Niles, 620-617-1008

OPTIMIST OF GREAT BEND

Steve Kummer, 620-792-5415

PEO CHAPTER HR

Jan Keeley, 620-617-2039

Meets the 2nd Monday, at 7:00 p.m.

PHEASANTS FOREVER ROOSTER BOOSTERS

Scot Moeder, 786-0273 http://sagamorepf.com

PILOT CLUB OF GREAT BEND

Barbara Watson, 620-992-7575 gb4n6@yahoo.com

Meets 1st and 3rd Tuesday at noon at Perkins, 2920 10th St., Great Bend

Their mission is to improve the quality of life in the community.

Their goal is to achieve universal awareness and prevention of brainrelated disorders and disabilities.

PRAIRIE GODMOTHERS GOLDEN BELT COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FUNDS

620-792-3000 goldenbeltcf.org/prairie-godmothers

PROGRESS STUDY CLUB

Jan Keeley, 620-617-2039

Meets the 1st Monday at 1:15 p.m. October - May, 2400 Washington.

ROSEWOOD ROOTS & WINGS FOUNDATION

620-796-2242

1213 Main St., Great Bend www.rosewoodservices.com

Non-Profit organization helping fund the medical, educational, instructional, therapeutic and recreational needs of clients.

ROTARY CLUB OF ELLINWOOD

Mark Cook mcook@usd355.org

ROTARY CLUB OF GREAT BEND gsanty@ckls.org

SOCIETY FOR CREATIVE ANACHRONISM www.sca.org or seneschal@westumbria.cal Meets monthly.

SUNFLOWER DIVERSIFIED SERVICES FOUNDATION

620-792-1325

SUNFLOWER ROD & CUSTOM (SRCA)

Hank Denning, 620-792-5079 www.srcadragstrip.com

TRI CIRCLE DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB

Bob Goeller, 620-617-8592

Every Friday at First Congregational United Church, 3400 21st St., Great Bend at 12:30 p.m. Open to the public.

TWILIGHT STITCHERS QUILT GROUP

Gracie Demel, 620-562-8448

Meets 2nd Thursday at 7:00 p.m. at the Ellinwood School Community Library, 210 N. Schiller.

TWISTED STITCHERS

Pam Atteberry, 620-587-3610

Meets 3rd Wednesday, except December, at 7:00 p.m. Independent Township Library, 108 Main Street, Claflin.

UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL KANSAS

Charell Owings, 620-792-2403 1125 Williams, Great Bend

VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS, POST 3111

504 Washington, Great Bend

620-792-2754

VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS, POST 7428

256 S. Main, Hoisington

VINTAGE WHEELS CAR CLUB, INC.

www.facebook.com/ vintagewheelscarclub

VOLUNTEERS IN ACTION/ AMERICORPS SENIORS

Linn Hogg, 620-792-1614

1025 Main, D114, Great Bend

WOMEN FOR KANSAS

Pam Martin, 620-285-1083

Meets 3rd Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at Kansas Wetlands Education Center, 592 NE K1-156 Highway, Great Bend.

XI DELTA CHAPTER OF BETA SIGMA PHI

Nancy Sundahl, 620-793-5894

First Responders

FIRE DEPARTMENTS

GREAT BEND

Fire Department Administrative Office and Station 1

Fire Chief Luke McCormick

1205 Williams St., 620-793-4140

Station 2 - 5851 10th St., 620-793-4144

Service is available 24/7

Office hours 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Monday through Friday.

The department provides fire protection and rescue for the City of Great Bend and the four surrounding townships. In addition, the department provides EMS response and transport to the same area plus an additional 2 1/2 townships west of Great Bend. The total population served is 20,000 people, and the average response time is 3.5 minutes in the city and eight minutes in the county.

LAW ENFORCEMENT

BARTON COUNTY

SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT

Sheriff Brian Bellinder

1416 Kansas Ave. Great Bend 620-793-1876

COUNTY JAIL

1408 Kansas Ave. Great Bend 620-793-1876

The office serves a population of about 25,400 and 894 square miles, which includes nine cities and 22 townships. VIN inspections for vehicles are done in front of the jail, 1408 Kansas Ave. Tuesdays 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. and Thursdays 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

ALBERT

Fire Chief Charles Keller

5000 3rd 620-923-4504

The Albert Volunteer Fire Department serves the city of Albert and several surrounding townships.

BEAVER

Fire Chief Gerald Schauf 481 NE 190 Rd 620-587-3352

CLAFLIN

Fire Chief Doug Hubbard 309 W. Front 620-587-3498

ELLINWOOD

Fire Chief Spencer Proffitt 200 W. Santa Fe 620-564-3161

CLAFLIN

Police Chief Gary Vaughan

111 E. Hamilton 620-587-3344

ELLINWOOD

Police Chief Chance Bailey

209 W. 1st 620-564-3001

GREAT BEND

Police Chief Steven Haulmark

1217 Williams 620-793-4120

HOISINGTON

Police Chief Kenton Doze 109 E. 1st 620-653-4995

GALATIA

Fire Chief Don Sommers

PAWNEE ROCK

Fire Chief Victor Link

508 Centre 620-282-1908

BARTON COUNTY

FIRE DISTRICT #2

HOISINGTON

Fire Chief Jerry Stricker

114 E. Broadway

P.O. Box 412, Hoisington, KS 620-786-5494

OLMITZ

Fire Chief Jerry Stricker

114 E. Broadway

P.O. Box 412, Hoisington, KS 620-786-5494

CRIME STOPPERS

1217 Williams, P.O. Box 454

Great Bend

620-792-1300 or 888-305-1300

Cash rewards for anonymous information.

KBI CONTACT INFORMATION

800-KS-CRIME (800-572-7463)

To report or provide information for a crime or to report any drug activity

Local Office:

625 Washington, Great Bend 620-792-4354

Topeka (Headquarters)

1620 SW Tyler, Topeka 785-296-8200

FOR EMERGENCIES DIAL 911

MORE IMPORTANT NUMBERS TO KNOW

The Kansas Crisis Hotline

888-363-2287

Animal Abuse Reporting

620-792-4297 or 911

Child/Adult Abuse Reporting

800-922-5330

Childhelp®

800-422-4453

Stop It Now!

888-773-8368

Missing/Abducted Children - National Center Missing & Exploited Children

800-843-5678

Child Find of America

800-426-5678, 845-883-6060

Youth in Trouble/Runaways

800-786-2929

Domestic Abuse Sexual Assault

888-363-2287, 888-END-Abuse

800-799-7233

Rape/Incest

800-656-4673, ext. 1

National Center for Victims of Crime

855-4-VICTIM

Fraud Abuse Hotline

800-432-3913

Poison Control

800-222-1222

www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

Get Involved

Public Transportation

GREAT BEND MUNICIPAL AIRPORT

Martin Miller, Airport Manager

620-793-4168, 620-792-9446 greatbendairport@ruraltel.net https://www.greatbendks.net/190/ Municipal-Airport

Great Bend Municipal Airport is a full-service regional facility serving all aspects of civil aviation and military activity. Services include self-service and full-service aviation fuels, aircraft repair and maintenance, flight training, aircraft towing and hangars.

With 44 leased aircraft hangars, the airport is also utilized by private recreational and business aviation aircraft. Military aircraft occasionally use the airport as a refueling stop and for training. It is a popular mid-America fuel stop for personal and business aircraft. Medical professionals and their staffs arrive at the airport weekly to provide services in Great Bend.

GENERAL PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

Catch-A-Ride

620-792-7797, Great Bend

Ellinwood Public Bus

620-564-3649

Monday – Friday, 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Closed Holidays

Must call one day in advance. $0.75 for each boarding - $1.50 round trip. $10 round trip to Great Bend (multiple stops are additional $0.75). Wheelchair occupants must be accompanied by someone (at no charge) to assist loading.

Our Trolley (mini-bus)

620-653-2555, Hoisington

Fare is 25 cents per person one way in Hoisington.

Hours are 9:00 a.m. to11:30 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

www.hoisingtonks.org/trolley

Catch-A-Ride is a service offered by Sunflower Diversified Service. Minibuses are available in the city limits of Great Bend and a 10 mile surrounding. The buses are available from 5:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The mini-bus requires advanced notice. Passengers must call at least the day before to schedule their rides. An after-hours answering machine is available to leave a message. The dispatcher collects all messages the next day, or on Monday mornings. Fare is $2 per person per stop.

Med-Trans (EagleMed) bases an airambulance helicopter at the airport.

The City of Great Bend has an eightmember airport advisory committee that has the authority to make recommendations and advise the City Council on matters related to the airport. The airport is located at 9047 Sixth St., Great Bend.

Mini-Bus & Van

620-792-3859, Great Bend

Transportation is available in the Great Bend city limits and in a limited radius outside town, including west to the airport, south of Redbarn, east to the Doonan dealership, and north to Barton Community College (with special student rate).

Van hours are 6:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Mini-Bus with wheelchair lift operates from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Let the dispatcher know if you need a wheelchair lift.

An answering machine is available after hours.

Fares in town with 24-hour advance notice are $1.50 for one way or $3.00 for a round trip, and $1.00 for each extra stop. The fare for same-day service is $4.00 per person one way and $1.00 for each extra stop.

Fares outside of Great Bend are $8 per person one way.

Recycling

RECYCLING CENTERS

GREAT BEND

City of Great Bend selfservice recycling trailer

18th and Williams St.

Open 24/7

Items accepted: Plastic bottles; milk jugs; glass; newspapers; and magazines. In addition, the trailer has a large slot for cardboard, which can be broken down and slid into the trailer.

Rosewood Bargain Barn

1215 Main St. - 620-796-2223

Monday-Friday 10:00 a.m.6:00 p.m.

Items accepted: Rosewood has created a place for businesses and individuals to donate quality items for sale. Proceeds benefit citizens in local communities who have disabilities.

Rosewood ECycle

2200 Main St. – 620-603-8348

Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.5:00 p.m.

There’s an outdoor bin for 24-hour drop-off.

Items accepted: All types of electronic waste (E-waste) which means just about

anything with an electrical cord (with a few noted exceptions). Rosewood ECycle accepts computers, monitors, printers, fax machines, laptops, televisions, video game consoles, DVD players and VCRs, cameras, cellphones, telephone equipment and just about any other electronic device. Donors will receive a tax deduction receipt when they drop off working electronic equipment for re-sale.

Not accepted: Microwave ovens, cathode ray tubes (CRTs) and refrigerators.

Sunflower Recycling

Drop off Center

5605 10th St. – 620-793-5800

Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m.6:00 p.m. Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Items accepted: Paper, magazines and catalogs, newspapers, books, cardboard; plastic; aluminum (cans may be sold or donated); glass jars and bottles; steel or tin cans (rinse); rechargeable batteries & misc. metals; plastic bottles #1 (PET), plastic bottles #2.

APPLIANCES, TIRES & HAZARDOUS WASTE

Barton County Landfill 350 NE 30 Rd. – Great Bend

620-793-1898

Hazardous Waste may be disposed of from 8:00 a.m. to noon on the 3rd Saturday of each month, April through October.

Fee charged for appliances and tires.

CLOTHING & HOUSEWARES

Salvation Army Store 2545 10 St. – Great Bend

620-792-4299

Goodwill Industries

1705 Main – Great Bend

620-792-4000

Anything put into the recycling stream should be clean of any food, particles, grease, etc. RINSE YOUR RECYCLING BEFORE YOU TOSS IT!

Flags are accepted for retirement. The recycling center now accepts E-waste.

Document shredding: Office paper is accepted but will not go through the confidentialshredding process. Confidential shredding services are provided at a per pound rate.

Not accepted: Carbon paper, wax paper, foil coated paper, colored plastic containers, plastic food wrap, paper towels, photographs, motor oil containers, window glass, batteries, household hazardous waste containers, plastic foam.

CLAFLIN

Recycling Center

710 W. Front St.

HOISINGTON

Recycling Center

Parking lot of Wilson State Bank, 2nd and Main

COMPOST SITES

Great Bend

One half (1/2) mile south of Railroad Avenue on SW 6 Avenue

Ellinwood

1/2 mile north of intersection of Park and 7th at the Ellinwood Airport, use first entrance south.

Hoisington 150 NE 100 Road

Available for City of Hoisington residents.

SCRAP METAL

Acme Pipe & Steel Inc.

700 Frey St.

Great Bend

620-793-7851

Heavy Metal Recyclers Inc.

70 SE 16 Road Great Bend

620-388-5636

ELLINWOOD

Recycling Center

203 West 1st St. Open 24 hours

OLMITZ

Recycling Trailer from Rush County picks up the first week of each month.

Types of Plastic

Plastic #1, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is most frequently used in water bottles and other beverage bottles, food jars, salad dressing bottles and mouthwash bottles. The bottles are usually clear in color and not intended for multiple uses.

Ask YOUR local recycling facility whether caps should be left on the bottles or removed.

Plastic #2, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) is the stiff plastic used to make milk jugs, fruit juice bottles, yogurt cups and detergent bottles.

ALUMINUM CANS

Kans for Kids 24 hour drop-off at these locations:

Albert 5000 3rd

Claflin 108 Main St.

Ellinwood 305 E. Santa Fe Blvd.

Great Bend 2920 10th St. 700 Frey St. 2801 N. Main St.

Hoisington 201 N. Main St.

Olmitz

At the Recycling Trailer

Odin Knights of Columbus

Senior Services

GREAT BEND

Great Bend Activity Center

Megan Hammeke

2715 18th, 792-2604, ext. 210

Bridge, Friday, 1:00 p.m.

Fit for Life Class

Monday, Wednesday, Friday 8:30 a.m.; 9:45 a.m. Tai Chi, 620-793-3755

Great Bend City Auditorium

1214 Stone (Lakin and Williams)

Monday-Friday

8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Walkers and Joggers

Great Bend Public Library

1409 Williams, 620-792-2409

Senior Net, Internet for Senior Adults, Point & Click Internet Class

Great Bend Regional Service Center (SRS)

1305 Patton Road, Great Bend

620-793-5324

Jean Cavanaugh Wellness Area - Great Bend Rec Center

1214 Stone

620-793-3755, ext. 2

Monday-Thursday

7:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Saturday, 8:00 a.m. - noon

Kansas Equipment Exchange

866-666-1470

Kansas Guardianship Program

800-672-0086

Great Bend Recreation Commission

1214 Stone Street, Great Bend

620-793-3755

Senior Center 2005 Kansas Ave., Great Bend

620-792-3906

Commission on Aging

3rd Tuesday, 9:30 a.m.

Friendship Meals

Monday-Friday, noon

Birthdays & Anniversaries,

3rd Thursday, 1:00 p.m.

Canasta

Tuesday-Thursday, 1:00 p.m.

Dominoes

Tuesday & Thursday, 1:00 p.m.

Pitch, Wednesday, 7:00 p.m.

Potluck, 2nd Tuesday, 5:30 p.m.

Senior Center Advisory Council

1st Thursday, 9:30 a.m.

Educational sessions, parties are held at 1:15 p.m.

Newsletters available at Senior Center, Great Bend Recreation Commission, High Rise, Central Kansas Public Library Senior Center Rental. 620-792-3906

Legal Services, 620-792-3906

Volunteers in Action of Central Kansas Advisory Council

1025 Main, D114, Great Bend 620-792-1614

2nd Tuesday, every other month

Volunteers in Action of Central Kansas

1025 Main, D114, Great Bend 620-792-1614

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program

1025 Main, D114, Great Bend 620-792-1614

CLAFLIN

Claflin Community Center

409 A Street, 620-587-3707

Activities, Meetings, Games, Birthday Cake and Coffee

3rd Wednesday, 9:00 a.m.

Bingo, 2nd Tuesday, 1:30 p.m.

ELLINWOOD

Ellinwood Heritage Center

103 N. Main, 620-564-3649

Monday - Friday

11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Friendship Meals, 11:45 a.m.

Potluck Dinner, 2nd & 4th

Monday Games, Finger Foods, Card Party

1st & 3rd Sunday, 6:00 p.m.

Cards, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

HOISINGTON

Friendship Hall

419 E. 3rd, 620-653-2555 or 620-617-2116

Friendship Meals, noon

The Hoisington Commission on Aging 109 E. 1st

2nd Tuesday, 4:30 p.m.

OTHER SERVICES

Barton County Health Department

1300 Kansas, Great Bend 620-793-1902

Central Kansas Dream Center

2100 Broadway, Great Bend 620-282-4014

Center for Counseling & Consultation

5815 Broadway, Great Bend 620-792-2544, 800-875-2544

Elder Care

1121 Washington, Great Bend 620-792-5942, 866-792-5942

Honorary Sportsman Card

Barton County ClerkCourthouse, 620-793-1835

Living Independently in Northwest Kansas (Link) Inc. 2401 East 13th St., Hays 800-569-5926 linkinc.org

Medicaid (Customer Assistance)

816-426-5925

Meals on Wheels of Barton County

1025 Main, D114, Great Bend

620-792-1614, 620-792-1833 Also serves Ellinwood and Hoisington

Pathways, ResCare Home Care

2317 Washington, Great Bend 620-793-8501

Personal care assistance, instrumental activities of daily living, wellness monitoring, housekeeping

Parent Teacher Resource Center Washington School

2535 Lakin, Great Bend

620-793-1633

Educational service, copying, binding, laminating, spiral binding

Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas (SHICK)

800-860-5260

Social Security Administration

877-846-8333

811 E. 30th Ave., Hutchinson

Southwest Kansas Area Agency on Aging

620-793-6633

1905 Washington, Great Bend

Veterans Affairs

800-827-1000

Benefit questions

Veterans Hospital

Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center

5500 E. Kellogg Ave., Wichita, KS, 316-685-2221

Thursday, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Southwest Kansas Agency on Aging

1905 Washington, Great Bend 620-793-6633, 620-225-8230 800-742-9531

HOUSING

Cardinal Apartments, Inc. 1400 N. Clay, Hoisington 620-653-4342

Cedar Park Place

3910 Cedar Park Pl., Great Bend 620-793-8115

TRANSPORTATION ~ CALL 620-792-3859

VAN: General Public Transportation ~ 6 am - 6:30 pm

Mini-Bus: Elderly, handicapped, & general public. Transportation Services - 7 am - 5 pm

FRIENDSHIP MEALS ~ CALL 620-792-3906

Served Monday - Friday at Noon

Persons 60 years of age and older are welcome. A suggested contribution of $3.50/person

Persons under 60 – $6.00/person ~ Carryout meals also available Please call by 5:00 p.m. the day before for reservation.

515 S. Bismark, Ellinwood 620-564-2180

Great Bend Housing Authority

1101 Kansas, 620-793-7761

Medicalodges Great Bend 1401 Cherry Ln., Great Bend 620-792-2165

Housing Opportunities Inc

1313 Stone, Great Bend 620-792-3299

Income based rental properties open to ages 55 and over and/or disabled

Barton County Rental Housing Developments

Ellinwood

The Oaks, Ellinwood

Great Bend

Northglenn Apartments Bedford Place LLC

Walnut Creek Apartments

Walnut Glenn Apartments

CreekSide Place

Kensington Square LLC

Quail Cove LLC

Hoisington

Cheyenne Ridge LLC

WheatRidge Apartments

EastWood Apartments LLC

8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Community Food Bank of Barton County 3007 10th, Great Bend 620-792-4001

Monday, Wednesday, Friday 1:00 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.

Kansas Weatherization Assistance Program For Barton CountyNorth Central Regional Planning Commission, 800-432-0303

https://kshousingcorp.org/homeowners/weatherization-assistance/

Low Income Energy Assistance Program

1305 Patton Road, Great Bend 620-792-5324 ext. 200 866-445-4327

Salvation Army 2545 10th Street, Great Bend 620-792-4299

2005 Kansas, Great Bend

Support Services

ABUSE SUPPORT

Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Support Group

620-792-1885, 866-792-1885

Family Crisis Center

1924 Broadway, Great Bend 620-792-1885, 620-793-9941, 1-866-792-1885 (24 hour crisis line)

Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence

888-END ABUSE, 888-363-2287

Kansas Crisis Hotline

ADOPTION

Catholic Charities of Southwest Kansas

2201 16th, Great Bend 620-792-1393, 1-800-794-9756

ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES

Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services

785-296-4986, 800-432-3535

Kansas Department of Health & Environment –Bureau of Health Facilities

785-296-1500, 800-842-0078

Nursing home complaints

ALCOHOLISM/DRUG

ABUSE

Addition Support Group: High on Life Recovery

2701 17th St.

620-617-1063

Monday noon

Tuesday and Sunday 7:00 p.m.

Friday and Saturday 8:00 p.m.

Alcoholics Anonymous

Great Bend 1620 Hubbard, Great Bend 620-793-3962

Sunday 7:00 p.m.

Monday 10:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m.

Tuesday 10:00 a.m.

Wednesday 10:00 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.

Friday 10:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m.

Saturday 10:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m.

“Grapevine” Group

1910 17th St., Great Bend

Sunday 10:00 a.m.

Tuesday 5:30 p.m.

Thursday 10 a.m. & 5:30 p.m.

Ellinwood 701 Fritz - United Church of Christ, Ellinwood, 620-564-2950

Thursday 7:00 p.m.

Hoisington

419 East Third St., Hoisington

Sunday 9:00 a.m.

Wednesday 8:00 p.m.

Tri-County Claflin Group 108 Main St.

Monday 10:00 a.m.

Al-Anon 17th & Hubbard, Great Bend 620-639-4124

Wednesday noon

Saturday 9:00 a.m.

1910 17th St., Great Bend

Tuesday 7:00 p.m.

Central Kansas Dream Center 2100 Broadway, Great Bend 620-282-4014

Christian 12-Step Program

Dream Inc.

2006 Washington, Great Bend 620-792-5152

The Center for Counseling & Consultation

5815 Broadway, Great Bend 620-792-2544

www.thecentergb.org

Narcotics Anonymous 620-603-0920

www.marscna.net

“Living By Faith” Group

1910 17th St., Great Bend

Sunday 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday noon

Wednesday 5:30 p.m.

Friday & Saturday 8:00 p.m.

“Wecovery” Group

2123 Forest Ave., Great Bend West entry, upstairs on right

Tuesday 6:30 p.m.

Thursday 7:00 p.m.

AUTISM SUPPORT

Sunflower Diversified Services, Inc.

Early Education Center

1312 Patton, Great Bend 610-792-4087

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Autism program. Serving chidren birth to entering kindergarten.

Barton County Health Department, 1300 Kansas Ave., Great Bend

Meets the second Thursday of the month at 6:00 p.m. Call Robin 620-617-1663

CANCER SUPPORT

Barton County Relay for Life

620-797-5651

Kandi Wolf, Chairperson

Breast Friends Mi Tierra Restaurant

118 E. 1st St., Hoisington Third Wednesdays, 6:00 p.m. This group is only open to breast cancer survivors.

CHILD CARE SUPPORT

Kansas Department for Children and Families

1305 Patton Road, Great Bend 620-792-5324, 888-369-4777

Employed parents financial help with child care expenses. (Cash assistance) www.dcf.ks.gov

CHILDREN IN NEED

20th Judicial District Court Services

1400 Main, Rm. 306, Great Bend 620-793-1856, Martha Rivas mrbtdistcrt@cpcis.net

Barton County Young Men’s Organization

1515 Morton, Great Bend 620-792-1619

Barton County Youth Care

2212 Forest Ave., Great Bend 620-792-2902

director@ckcasa.org

Kansas Department for Children and Families

800-922-5330, 888-369-4777 Call to report abuse.

COUNSELING/MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

The Center for Counseling & Consultation

5815 Broadway, Great Bend 620-792-2544

(24 hour emergency number) www.thecentergb.org

A Full Service, licensed, Community Mental Health Center

DEMENTIA CAREGIVERS SUPPORT

Dementia Caregivers Support Hoisington Public Library Macy Ingham, RN 620-292-0830

Michelle Niedens, LSCSW 913-945-7310

First Tuesday, 5:30 p.m.

For family members supporting and caring for individuals with dementia. Open format for information gathering, asking questions, learning strategies and sharing concerns.

DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED

Rosewood Services

384 N. Washington, Great Bend 620-793-5888

Vocational training assistance and support services.

Southwest Developmental Services, Inc (SDSI)

1103 Main, Great Bend 620-793-7604, 888-793-7604

Sunflower Diversified Services

5611 10th St., Great Bend

620-792-1325

Vocational training assistance, early childhood intervention/ education, support services for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

DIABETES SUPPORT

La Nueva Esperanza Hispanic Heart of Kansas Family Health Care Inc.

1905 19th St., Great Bend 620-792-5700

Heart of Kansas Family Health Care Inc.

1905 19th St., Great Bend 620-792-5700

Naturally Sweet - Type I

620-617-6700

Candace Herrman

ELDERLY

Southwest Kansas Area Agency on Aging

1905 Washington, Great Bend

620-793-6633

EMERGENCY SERVICE AID

American Red Cross Disaster Response and Planning

1321 SW Topeka Boulevard, Topeka, KS

785-354-9238

Barton County is part of American Red Cross of Greater Kansas www.redcross.org

Catholic Charities of Southwest Kansas

2201 16th, Great Bend

620-792-1393, 1-800-794-9756

Emergency Aid Council

3007 10th St., Great Bend

620-793-3345

Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Central Kansas Dream Center

2100 Broadway, Great Bend

620-282-3094 or 620-282-4104, centralksdc@gmail.com

LIEAP-Low Income Energy Assistance Program

1-800-432-0043

620-272-5985

The Salvation Army

2545 10th St., Great Bend 620-792-4299

United Way of Central Kansas Charell Owings

1125 Williams, Great Bend 620-792-2403

unitedwaycentralks@hotmail.com

EMERGENCY AND TRANSITIONAL SHELTER

Central Kansas Dream Center

2100 Broadway, Great Bend 620-282-3094 or 620-282-4104 centralksdc@gmail.com

Transitional living ministry for women with or without children.

Prodigal Ministries of Kansas

620-793-5175

815 Hickory, Great Bend 820 Hickory - office Mens transitional and emergency shelter.

EMPLOYMENT

Great Bend Regional Service Center Kansas Department for Children and Families

1305 Patton Road, Great Bend 620-792-5324

www.dcf.ks.gov

Barton Community College Career Center

245 NE 30 Rd., Great Bend 620-792-9349

Central Kansas Educational Opportunity Center

1025 Main, Great Bend

620-793-8164, Jamie Hatfield, coordinator/academic advisor hatfieldj@bartonccc.edu

Flint Hills Job Corps Center

4620 Eureka Drive Manhattan, KS 66503 785-564-4900

KansasWorks

1025 Main, Great Bend 620-793-5445

greatbendjobs@ks.gov

Barton Community College Center for Adult Education 1025 Main, Second Floor

Great Bend 620-786-7560

SER Corporation

1008 E. 17th St., No. 7 Hays, KS 67601 785-623-4016, www.sercorporation.com

FAMILY PRESERVATION

Kansas Department for Children and Families

785-296-4653

Intensive in-home services are provided through a contract with a Child Welfare Case Management Provider.

FAMILY SERVICE

Healthy Families

Kansas Children’s Service League

3520 Lakin Ave. Suite 107 Great Bend

620-603-8442 ext. 1922

Vicki Richardson

Family Engagement Coordinator

620-868-0139 (cell) vrichardson@kcsl.org

Healthy Families of Barton, Rice, Pawnee and Stafford counties is a service that partners with parents to build a community of happy, healthy, safe and smart children ready for school.

FOOD ASSISTANCE

Barton County Health Department WIC Program

1300 Kansas Avenue, Ste. B

Great Bend

620-793-1909, 620-793-1902

Commission on Aging

2005 Kansas, Great Bend

620-792-3906, Brenda Lebbin

ElderCare Inc.

1121 Washington St., Great Bend

620-792-5942, 866-792-5942

Food Bank-Ellinwood

701 N. Fritz, Ellinwood

620-564-3044

Community Food Bank of Barton County

3007 10th St., Great Bend

620-792-4001

Monday, Wednesday, and Friday

8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Food Bank-Hoisington

467 W. 3rd St., Hoisington

620-653-2119

Great Bend Regional Service Center Kansas Department for Children and Families

1305 Patton Road, Great Bend 620-792-5324 www.dcf.ks.gov

Hungry Heart Soup Kitchen 1515 Williams, Great Bend 620-282-4014

Commodities - Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)

Financial help with food expenses 888-369-4777

Meals on Wheels of Barton County

1025 Main, D114, Great Bend 620-792-1614, 620-792-1833 Also serves Ellinwood and Hoisington

The Salvation Army 2545 10th St., Great Bend 620-792-4299

FRIENDSHIP MEALS/ SENIOR MEALS

Ellinwood Heritage Center

103 N. Main, Ellinwood 620-564-3649

Great Bend Senior Center 2005 Kansas, Great Bend 620-792-3906

Hoisington Friendship House 419 East 3rd, Hoisington 620-653-2555

GRIEF SUPPORT

Golden Belt Home Health and Hospice Grief Support Group

6:30 p.m. Mondays

UKHS St. Rose Pavilion

3515 Broadway, Great Bend 620-792-8171

Family and Friends Suicide Loss Survivors Group

Central Kansas Dream Center 2100 Broadway, Great Bend (Use the west door off Stone Street) 620-792-8171

Monday 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Surviving Suicide Foundation

1411 Wilson, Great Bend

Thursday 7:00 p.m.

Broken Hearts

Grief Support Group

7:00 p.m. Mondays

104 East Santa Fe, Ellinwood. For all types of grief. For questions call Donita Zamarripa, 620-566-7384.

Golden Belt Home Educators (GBHE)

620-793-7359

www.facebook.com/

GoldenBeltHomeEducators

www.homeschool-life.com/KS/ gbhe

HOUSING – SUBSIDIZED

Cardinal Apartments

1400 N. Clay St., Hoisington

620-653-4342

Cedar Park Place

3910 Cedar Park Place, Great Bend, 620-793-8115

Cheyenne Village

5900 Eisenhower Ct., Great Bend

620-792-6074

Ellinwood Heights

515 S Bismark Ave., Ellinwood 620-564-2180

Great Bend Housing Authority 1101 Kansas

Great Bend, 620-793-7761

Habitat for Humanity

620-792-1232

Housing Opportunities Inc.

1313 Stone St.

Great Bend

620-792-3299

Sommerset Place

5803 16th Street Terrace

Great Bend

620-793-8075

Sunflower Housing

5611 10th St., Great Bend 620-792-1325

Kansas Legal Services, Inc. 800-723-6953

www.kansaslegalservices.org

Medicaid (Customer Assistance)

816-426-5925

Tobacco Cessation

800-QUIT-NOW

PHYSICAL DISABILITIES

Living Independently in Northwest Kansas (Link) Inc.

2401 East 13th St., Hays 800-569-5926 linkinc.org

PREGNANCY

Birthright

1420 Wilson, Great Bend

Betty Schneider – Director

620-792-3316, 800-550-4900

Monday 2:00-4:00 p.m., Tuesday 1:00-3:00, Wednesday 10 a.m.Noon, Thursday 3:30-5:30 p.m.

Catholic Charities of Southwest Kansas

2201 16th St., Great Bend 620-792-1393, 800-794-9756

Serving all faiths. Adoption, Teen Moms, pregnancy counseling. Help with drug & alcohol, addiction counseling, marriage education classes, & income assistance.

ower ed Services for parents and caregivers of children with special needs.

STROKE SUPPORT

Stroke Support Group

6:00 p.m. on first and third

Mondays

Medicalodges, 1401 Cherry Lane

Great Bend, 620-792-2165

VISUALLY IMPAIRED

Central Kansas Association

Visually Impaired

1:00 p.m. on fourth Monday Great Bend Senior Center, 2005 Kansas 620-617-8980, 620-793-5645 620-786-0731

WEIGHT LOSS

TOPS (Take Off Pounds

Sensibly) No. 827

Claflin Independent Township Library Meeting Room. Monday 4:30 p.m.

TOPS (Take Off Pounds

Sensibly) No. 1151

First United Methodist Church 2123 Forest Ave., Great Bend Tuesday 5:30 p.m. Use the west doors.

TOPS Area Coordinator Beverly A. Bednasek bednasek@networksplus.net

The Great Bend Tribune publishes a listing of area support groups on the first Sunday of each month.

To have your support group added to the list, changes made or featured in a story, contact Susan Thacker at sthacker@gbtribune.com or call 620-792-1211, ext. 227.

ELECTRIC

MIDWEST ENERGY

1025 Patton Rd., Great Bend

620-792-1301

www.mwenergy.com

Provides electricity for Albert, Beaver, Claflin, Odin, Pawnee Rock, rural areas of Great Bend.

WHEATLAND ELECTRIC

200 10th St., Great Bend

620-793-4223

www.weci.net

Provides electricity for Great Bend.

WESTERN COOPERATIVE ELECTRIC

635 S. 13th St., P.O. Box 278

WaKeeney, KS 67672

785-743-5561

www.westerncoop.com

Provides electricity for Galatia, Olmitz and Susank.

CITY OWNED ELECTRIC

ELLINWOOD

104 E. Second St., 620-564-3161

www.cityofellinwoodks.com

HOISINGTON

164 S. Elm, 620-653-4675

www.hoisingtonks.org

NATURAL GAS

MIDWEST ENERGY

1025 Patton Rd., Great Bend

620-792-1301

www.mwenergy.com

Provides natural gas for Albert, Beaver, Odin, Olmitz, Pawnee Rock and Susank.

KANSAS GAS SERVICE

7421 W. 129th St.,

Overland Park, KS 66213

800-794-4780

www.kansasgasservice.com

Provides natural gas for Claflin, Ellinwood, Great Bend, Hoisington.

MID-STATE CO-OP

818 West Union St., P.O. Box 195 Rush Center, KS 67575

785-372-4239

www.midstatefarmerscoop.net

Provider for Galatia.

First American Title Company, Inc.

(Formerly Barton County Abstract &Title Co.)

Established in 1874 ~ Title Insurance Issuing Agency

–

– MAPS AND FORMS

Member of American & Kansas Title Associations

620-793-3781 ~ 2010 Forest Avenue

Great Bend, KS 67530

With special financing and affordable monthly payments available, you’re one free in-home assessment away from identifying the right generator for your backup power and financial needs. Don’t wait for the next outage to leave your home powerless.

24/7 MONITORED ALARM SYSTEMS

As Low As $35 Mo.

NO MONEY DOWN PREMIUM FEATURES INCLUDED AT NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE

Commerce

Business Overview

Barton County offers a rich and diverse shopping and dining experience.

From antique stores to coffee shops to a winery and a brewery, to local and chain restaurants, to unique shops and boutiques, opportunities abound in the county’s communities. With hotels, bed and breakfasts and Air BnBs, one can spend a day or weekend exploring what is available.

Live here? Then enjoy the many amenities offered in larger cities right here at home.

Pull Factor: the relative strength of the retail business community. The county pull factor is computed by dividing the per capita sales tax of a county by the statewide per capita sales tax. A value greater than 1.0 indicates local businesses are pulling trade from beyond the county borders. A county pull factor value less than 1.00 indicates more trade is being lost than pulled in, that residents are shopping outside the county. Barton County’s 2020 Pull Factor is 1.14.

Then there is industry. Home to Fuller Industries, Essex Manufacturing, Rotomix and other manufacturers, products made in the county do work and fill shelves across the nation and around the globe. The Great Bend Transload facility near the Great Bend Municipal Airport serves as a link between the railroads and highways to move items to all four corners of the world.

Great Bend Appliance celebrates 24 years of business

“We have a phenomenal staff who understands customer courtesy. They know their product and how to treat a customer the way that they want to be treated,” Great Bend Appliance, Furniture & SleepSource owner Dale E. Pruter said. This philosophy has served the business well as they just celebrated 24 years of business in Great Bend and the surrounding communities.

The store’s franchise agreement with Brand Source is the backbone of its variety and competitive edge. Brand Source collaborates with 4,000 individual business owners across the United States to buy brand-market appliances and furniture. “BrandSource gives the independent owners the visibility of the bigger box stores because we carry the same brands,” Pruter said. “It levels the playing field with the bigger companies. Some people come in and need it all and we can make truly competitive package deals.”

“We started out with just my wife and me, and have expanded to 21 employees as the business has grown,” Pruter said. Appliance service has been a big part of their success. They have two certified service technicians, Steven Nagel and Eric Johnson, to keep up with the demand for service and installations, both trained to service all Whirlpool, Maytag and Kitchenaid appliances. “We are happy and proud to have such quality young service techs who know how to treat customers and hold customer service as their number one priority,” Pruter said. In addition to service, they offer delivery, installation and set

up as well as in-home design and consulting services for customers.

Great Bend Appliance showcases Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid and Amana appliances and have recently added several new brands to keep up with customer demand. The Sleep Source offers beds, mattresses, headboards and sheets. Serta’s gel-infused iComfort bed is a best seller, and they offer Corsicana and the new Tempurpedic family of products, plus a line of Sealy hybrid mattresses.

The England furniture division is a La-Z-Boy company that offers many different furniture products. Additions over the years include: Oreck vacuum cleaners, SunHeat infrared heaters and LG, Samsung flat-panel televisions.

“We are always looking for that next niche in the market,” Pruter said. “We try to have something for everyone. That’s how we succeed – by diversifying and listening to customer requests and needs.” The business has received honors as Outstanding Business of the Year by the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce and BrandSource Dealer of the year in 2005 through their regional buying group.

Employees include co-owner Sherry Pruter, Kenny Pruter, Steven Nagel, Rachel Nagel, Eric Rostine, Eric Johnson, Audra Rostine, Chonny Simonson, Teresa Wondra, Shelly Post, Jeni Doan, Pablo Ibarra, Michael “Mo” Oberle, Tammy Dreese, Daniel Hammeke, Chris Jeska, Kevin Wondra, Roland Nagel, Kenny Harman, and Grant Doan.

Dale Pruter

Ag Systems, Inc. 810 E 14th/U.S. 56, Larned has serviced this area since 1974.

Rocke Foster, Manager has worked in irrigation design & service since 1997. The service department of 8 factorytrained technicians has more than 200 years of combined experience. For service or irrigation design, contact Rocke Foster, Tyson Atteberry, Justin Woods, Monte Hirsh, Bryan VanSickle, or Brandon VanSickle.

They service and stock parts for all brands of center pivots covering an area from Dodge City to Ellinwood and Hays to Prattatt.

Valley Center Pivots are celebrating 60 plus years of service and are committing all of their future years in conserving w water with the newest innovations in sprinkler packages and c computerized panels.

To better serve their customers, Valley Center Pivot Dealer, A Ag Systems, Inc. of Larned, provides insurance services for all

major brands of irrigation equipment

Debora Fox-Johnson is licensed by the state of Kansas and Nebraska to write policies through Diversified Agrisurance. Diversified has been insuring and financing center pivots, new and used, for more than 40 years. They are the largest single insurer of irrigation equipment. Contact Debora for your “no obligation” quote for your financing and insurance needs.

Services at Ag Systems include a well stocked parts department carrying McCrometer flow meters, galvanized checkvalvesandAgSensemonitorsTheyarenowusing check valves, and Ag Sense monitors. They are now using technology to enhance water management with Valley Scheduling and Valley 365. Contact Rocke Foster or Justin Woods for more information

Ag Systems is committed to offering the best Service, Parts, and Irrigation Design for years to come.

Agriculture

As settlers poured into Barton County, the surrounding prairie was broken and farmed, and agriculture thrived. Wheat performed very well, and Barton County became a “banner” wheat county in Kansas.

Kansas was ranked as the first leading wheat production state with about 363 million bushels produced in 2021. Kansas produces nearly 20% of all wheat grown in the United States. It was also tops in grain sorghum (milo), and third in cattle production. Barton County lists at 37th among the 105 counties for wheat and 10th for livestock.

In 2021, agriculture and agriculture-related sectors directly contributed $402 million in output and 1,232 jobs to the Barton County economy. Including indirect and induced effects, they have a total impact of $524 million in output, 1,943 jobs and 12% of the total Gross Regional Product.

The top ten agriculture employment sectors are: beef

cat food manufacturing (136); other real estate (124); all other crops farming (114); truck transportation (65); landscape and horticultural services (61); nondurable goods(58); and veterinary services (55).

Ag Systems Inc. 810 E. 14th St. (U.S. 56), Larned, only wants the best for their Customers. That is why they utilize Diversified Agrisurance for their Customers’ center pivot insurance needs. Trouble – even disaster – can happen in the blink of an eye. Don’t wait until you have a claim to find out what is and isn’t covered!

When choosing an insurance provider for your “major brand” center pivots, it is important to pick a Company that knows and understands the irrigation business. Diversified Agrisurance has over 40 years of experience and has f become the single largest insurer o mechanized irrigation equipment in the nation! Coverage is provided through Ce C ntral States Indemnity Co. of Omaha, an A+ rated I Insurance Company.

Their policy covers most direct physical losses to covered p property Unlike most of the competitors, their policies do n not depreciate the value of the equipment in the event of a

loss. They pay full cost, less deductible, on pivots up to 35 years of age, to repair or replace, whichever is less, up to the insured value shown on the policy. In addition, coverage is available for sudden structural damage to your pivot caused by or resulting from mechanical or electrical failure for qualifying pivots less than 35 years old. Limited coverage is available on pivots over 35 years of age.

Claims always seem to happen at the most inopportune time – usually within the heart of irrigation season. Ag Systems Inc. promises to get you up and running as quick fi as possible – Diversi ed Agrisurance can settle most claims quickly with an estimate, photos of damage, and simple proof of loss form!

Is it time for a Center Pivot Insurance Checkup? They have competitive premiums! Feel free to stop in or call Debora Fox-Johnson for your “No Obligation” Quote.

i Agrisurance RelationshipiiiDriven.

Oil and Gas

In the late 1800’s oil was discovered in Cheyenne Bottoms, a vast marshland of international importance north of Great Bend. The first well didn’t produce, but subsequent drills were successful, and touched off an oil boom in the county.

Then early in the 20th century, there was another boom. The oil and gas industry is still strong in Barton County. It provides many good paying jobs, and is important for the local tax base. There are many local service companies who reap the beneift of the strong olifi

landowner royalty payments and a potentially new tax base.

Oil is a by-product for many items we use daily in our community, Kansas and the world.

Kansas ranks ninth nationally in terms of oil production, and in 2021, Barton County ranked third among Kansas counties.

Barton County is also home to the Kansas Oil & Gas Hall of Fame & Museum. Learn about or expand your knowledge on the various phases of oil and gas production, from geology and drilling to production and product manufacturing.

Education

Public Schools

USD 428 - GREAT BEND

Mascot: Panthers

620-793-1500, 620-793-1585 (fax)

201 South Patton Rd., Great Bend TV Channel 21, www.usd428.net

The Board of Education meets at 5:00 p.m. the second Monday of each month

District Education Center

201 S. Patton Road, Great Bend

Superintendent Khris Thexton 620-793-1500

Athletic Director Matthew Westerhaus 620-793-1521

Schools and Principals

Park Elementary School 1801 Williams, Great Bend Kelsey Sciacca, 620-793-1505

Eisenhower Elementary School

1212 Garfield, Great Bend

JoAnn Blevins, 620-793-1501

Jefferson Elementary School 2716 24th, Great Bend

Adam Niedens, 620-793-1502

USD 355 - ELLINWOOD

Mascot: Eagles

300 N. Schiller, Ellinwood 620-564-3226, 620-564-2206 (fax) www.usd355.org

The Board of Education meets at 6:00 p.m. the second Monday of each month at Ellinwood School

Community Library

210 N. Schiller, Ellinwood

Superintendent Ben Jacobs

620-564-3226

Schools and Principals

Ellinwood Grade School

310 E. 6th, Ellinwood

Joel Kahnt, 620-564-2750

Ellinwood Middle School

210 E. 2nd, Ellinwood Mark Cook, 620-564-3136

Ellinwood High School 210 E. 2nd, Ellinwood Mark Cook, 620-564-3136

Lincoln Elementary School 5630 Broadway, Great Bend Misty Straub, 620-793-1503

Individual Learning Center 2027 Morton, Great Bend Bill Maddy, 620-793-1521

USD 431 - HOISINGTON

Mascot: Cardinals

165 West Third, Hoisington

620-653-4134, 620-653-4073 (fax) www.usd431.net

The Board of Education meets at 7:00 p.m. the first Monday of each month at Education Office

165 West Third, Hoisington

Superintendent Patrick Crowdis pcrowdis@usd431.net

620-653-4134

Athletic Director Faron Craft fcraft@usd431.net

620-653-2141

USD 112 - CENTRAL PLAINS

Mascot: Oilers

600 S. Main, P.O. Box 168, Holyrood

785-252-3695

www.usd112.org

The Board of Education meets at 6:00 p.m. the second Monday of each month at various locations

Superintendent Bill Lowry Athletic Director Pat Stiles 620-587-3801

Schools and Principals

Central Plains Elementary School

600 S. Main, Holyrood Jane Oeser, 785-252-3666

Central Plains High School

700 Albro, Claflin Toby Holmes, 620-587-3801

Wilson Schools

Mascot: Dragons

3005 Ave. D, P.O. Box 220, Wilson, KS

Ken Windholz, 785-658-3555, 785-658-2202

Lakeside Learning Center

785-658-2462

Schools and Principals

Hoisington Middle School

360 W. 11th, Hoisington

Bob Brungardt, 620-653-4951 bbrungardt@usd431.net

Hoisington High School

218 E. 7th, Hoisington Joel Mason, 620-653-2141 jmason@usd431.net

Lincoln Elementary School

516 N. Pine, Hoisington Karisa Cowan, 620-653-4549

Roosevelt Elementary and Pre-School

315 N. Vine, Hoisington Shellby Walker, 620-653-4470 swalker@usd431.net

Independent Schools

PAROCHIAL AND PRIVATE

Central Kansas Christian Academy (private K-8)

215 McKinley, Great Bend 620-792-3477

dottie.dozier@ckcacademy.com

Dottie Dozier, Administrator

Holy Family School (parochial pre-school-6)

4200 Broadway, Great Bend Debbie Hagans, 620-793-3265 office@gbholyfamily.org

St. Joseph’s School (parochial K-8)

111 W. 3rd, Ellinwood Cami Thomas, Lead Teacher 620-564-2721

Seventh Day Adventist Church and Elementary School (parochial K-8)

7 SW 30 Ave., Great Bend 620-793-9247

PRE-SCHOOL AND PRE-KINDERGARTEN

Barton Community College Child Development Center

245 NE 30th Rd., Great Bend 620-792-9360

Great Bend Children’s Learning Center

1802 22nd, Great Bend 620-792-2421

Helping Hands Preschool 2535 Lakin, Great Bend 620-793-1615

Holy Family School

4200 Broadway, Great Bend 620-793-3265

Lamb’s Gate Christian Preschool

210 S. McKinley, Great Bend 620-792-3343

Little Blessings Preschool

Trinity Lutheran Church

2701 24th, Great Bend 620-793-8816

Little Panthers Preschool 3400 21st St., Great Bend 620-793-1662

Noah’s Ark Preschool

First United Methodist Church 2123 Forest, Great Bend 620-793-3451

Riley Preschool 1515 10th, Great Bend 620-793-1506

Roosevelt Preschool

315 N. Vine, Hoisington 620-653-4470

St. John Lutheran Child Development Center

615 N. Main and 512 N. Wilhelm, Ellinwood 620-564-2885

Sunflower Diversified Services, Inc. Incredible Years Preschool

1312 Patton, Great Bend 620-792-4087

USD 112 Central Plains

600 S. Main, Holyrood 785-252-3666

AFTER SCHOOL ENRICHMENT

Barton Community College Child Development Center 245 NE 30 Rd., Great Bend, 620-7929360

TLC Discoveries Trinity Lutheran Church 2701 24th, Great Bend, 620-793-8816

GPS Kids Club 352 W. 12th, Hoisington, 620-292-6114 gpskidsclub@yahoo.com

SPECIAL NEEDS

Early Childhood

Special Education Services 2535 Lakin, Great Bend, 620-793-1508

Sunflower Diversified Services, Inc.

Early Education Center

1312 Patton, Great Bend, 620-792-4087

SPECIAL NEEDS VOCATIONAL

Pathways, ResCare Inc.

2317 Washington, Great Bend, 620-793-8501 Residential, Day Program, Vocational, Case Management, Health Maintenance.

Rosewood Services

384 N. Washington, Ave. Great Bend 620-793-5888, 620-793-8393 (fax) www.rosewoodservices.com

Sunflower Diversified Services, Inc.

8823 4th St., Great Bend 620-792-1321

www.sunflowerdiv.com

OTHER EDUCATIONAL SERVICES

Barton County Academy/ESSDACK

Steven Polley

1010 Taft, Great Bend 620-792-7995

A wide variety of classes are available. Students can earn their diploma.

Center for Adult Basic Education

1025 Main (Upstairs), Great Bend 620-793-5794

online: bartonccc.edu/community/adulted Basic math and reading, English as a Second Language, citizenship, workplace literacy, GED tutors, free practice tests, final tests.

TRIO Central Kansas Educational Opportunity Center

1025 Main (Downstairs, D-111), Great Bend, 620-793-8164

online:

bartonccc.edu/supportservices/eoc Free services include academic adviser; career exploration and advising; assessments of academic skills and financial needs; information about vocational/technical schools, colleges and universities; assistance with applications for admission and financial aid, reference library.

COLLEGES

Barton Community College 245 NE 30 Rd., Great Bend 620-792-2701

www.bartonccc.edu (GoBarton.com)

K-State at Barton Science and Math Building

Room S-105

245 NE 30 Rd., Great Bend 620-786-1188

Libraries

GREAT BEND PUBLIC LIBRARY

1409 Williams St. 620-792-2409

www.greatbendpl.info

email gbcirc@greatbendpl.info

Hannah Grippin, outreach manager Follow GBPC on Facebook

Hours: Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.;

Friday and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Closed Sunday.

CLAFLIN INDEPENDENT TOWNSHIP LIBRARY

108 Main St./P.O. Box 163

620-587-3488

claflin.mykansaslibrary.org

Pam Atteberry, librarian email claflin.itlibrary@gmail.com

Hours: Monday, 3:30 - 8:00 p.m.;

Tuesday and Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.;

Thursday 1:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.;

Saturday, 9:00 a.m. - noon.

Closed Sunday and Wednesday.

ELLINWOOD SCHOOL/ COMMUNITY LIBRARY

210 N. Schiller Ave. 620-564-2306

hslibrary.urd355.org

Sheri Holmes, director email sholmes@usd355.org

Hours: Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.; Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.;

Saturday, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Closed Sunday.

HOISINGTON PUBLIC LIBRARY

169 S. Walnut St. 620-653-4128 hoisingtonpl.weebly.com

Karen la Pierre, director email library@hoisingtonks.org

Hours: Monday and Wednesday, 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.;

Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, noon to 6:00 p.m.; Saturday; 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Closed Sunday.

Experience the Wetlands

What comes to your mind when someone says Cheyenne Bottoms? So many local residents have memories and stories of their experiences at Cheyenne Bottoms. It’s a local jewel and an amazing natural resource we can all be proud of.

Cheyenne Bottoms is a 41,000 acre wetland complex designated a Wetland of International Importance due to its importance as a stopover for migrating birds along the Central Flyway. More than 350 species of birds have been documented at the wetlands. Ducks, geese, herons, egrets, cranes, pelicans, and sandpipers are commonly seen throughout the year.

Birds are not the only visitors to the largest wetland on the interior of the United States. watch, hunt, and to see the expansive landscape and wildlife.

The wetlands include the Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area managed by Kansas Department of Wildlife Parks and Tourism and the Cheyenne Bottoms Preserve managed by The Nature Conservancy. Visitors can easily immerse themselves in the wetlands by vehicle by driving raised dike roads and county roads through the wetlands. Check out the observation tower located at the K-4 Highway overlook for one of the best views of the wetlands.

The Kansas Wetlands Education Center (KWEC) is your one-stop shop for every visit to Cheyenne Bottoms and is located at Cheyenne Bottoms along K-156 highway 10 miles northeast of Great Bend. The 11,000 square foot museum operated by Fort Hays State University is home to the Koch Wetlands Exhibit gallery with newly renovated interactive exhibits, a classroom with live animal exhibits, an auditorium, and the Wetlands Gift Store. Admission is free! Van tours, a nature trail, a pollinator garden, and many public programs provide a glimpse of what Kansas about Cheyenne Bottoms! Staff at the KWEC will answer your questions about the wetlands and give advice for how you can experience Cheyenne Bottoms.

The KWEC is open Monday through Saturday 9a.m. to 5p.m. and Sunday 1-5p.m. The Center is closed on Mondays from November 1 through March 31 and on major holidays.

The KWEC offers a wide selection of public programs and events throughout the year. Check the KWEC website (http://wetlandscenter.fhsu.edu) for more information or call 877-243-9268.

Plan your visit around these favorite programs: Perseid Meteor Shower viewing party

Hunter Appreciation Breakfast (October), Star Gazing (October), KWEC Holiday Open House (December), Winter Kids nature programs (February), Greater Prairie Chicken Lek Tours (April), Wings & Wetlands Birding Festival (odd years in April), Summer Kids nature camps (July), and many other public programs throughout the year.

Entertainment

Calendar of Events

GREAT BEND

2022

September 9-10 ................SRCA Races

15....................Third Thursday Food Trucks with Summer Street Stroll

16-17 ..............Pontiac Uprising Race

22....................Ladies Night Out Murder Mystery

27....................24th Annual Great Bend Tribune’s Women’s Expo

23-24 ..............SRCA Races 30....................Great Bend Alive

October

2......................Rosewood Rodeo

7-8 ..................SRCA Races

20....................Third Thursday Food Trucks with Summer Street Stroll 21-22 ..............SRCA Races

28....................Great Bend Alive

29....................Kiwanis Downtown Halloween Parade Summer Street Stroll Season Ends

November

5......................Explore GB Month: Mingling & Mimosas

12....................Explore GB Month: Open Houses

13....................Fall Pickelball Classic

19....................Explore GB Month: Find A Turkey

19....................SRCA Awards Banquet

25....................Explore GB Month: Black Friday 25....................Great Bend Alive 26....................Home for the Holidays

Parade & Fire & Ice Performance - Cookie Contest

February 1.......................I Heart GB Promo Starts

4.......................KS Youth Basketball Tournament

4.......................Heart Health Walk

5.......................Spring Pickleball Classic (PAC)

11.....................CASA Chocolate Auction

20.....................I Heart GB Promo

Final Winner Chosen

25.....................Chamber of Commerce Banquet

March

16.....................Ladies Night Out

25 ....................Eagle Communications Home & Garden Expo

April

1.......................Family Crisis Center’s Bunco Night

9 Catholic Charities Wine Tasting Event

May

3-6 ...................KCAC League ChampionshipsBaseball/Softball

5.......................Art & Wine Walk

6.......................Cinco

ALBERT

2023

March TBD .................Pancake Feed Fundraiser

CLAFLIN

2022

December 4......................Christmas Market

ELLINWOOD

2022

September 6, 13, 20, 27 ....Brick Street Farmers Market 24....................Fall City Wide Garage Sales

December 4......................10th Annual Christkindlmarket

2023

April 29....................Spring City Wide Garage Sales

July 4......................City Firework Display

13-15 ..............50th Annual After Harvest ........................Festival

TBD .................Brick Street Farmers Market

September 30....................Fall City Wide Garage Sales

December

3......................11th Annual Christkindlmarket Ellinwood Chamber of Commerce: www.ellinwoodchamber.com

HOISINGTON

Races

26.....................Barton Community College Foundation Annual Auction

For more events go to the following websites: www.greatbendks.net www.exploregreatbend.com

www.greatbend.org

2022

September 2-5 ..................Labor Day Celebration

BBQ, Carnival & Midway KIDStop, Street Market, BBQ Cook-off, Poker Run, Carnival & Midway, Concert

4-5 ...................Demolition Derby, Carnival & Midway, Street Dance

Hoisington Chamber of Commerce: www.hoisingtonkansas.com

Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo

The Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo is dedicated to the conservation, preservation and rescue of animals and to the education and entertainment of children and adults. The zoo staff also treats wounded birds of prey, known as raptors.

Outdoors, find the Bill McKown Memorial Pavilion, a handicap accessible gazebo located next to a freshwater pond. Visitors can enjoy this shaded area and feed the fish and waterfowl.

The reptile building is where the tortoises and larger snakes are housed. Zoo Supervisor and Curator Ashley Burdick noted these are easily accessible for those in wheelchairs and strollers.

Open year-round (except Christmas and Thanksgiving days) from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., the zoo is fun and educational — and admission is free!

SRCA Drag Strip

GREAT BEND’S HISTORIC DRAG STRIP

Since 1954, organized drag racing in Great Bend has brought auto and speed enthusiasts together at the former B-29 air strip west of the city.

The founders called themselves the Gasket Blasters, but soon became a national organization, the Sunflower Rod and Custom Association, or SRCA. In 1955, the drag strip hosted the first-ever National Hot Rod Association National Championship and in 1956 Great Bend hosted the first-ever American Hot Rod Association Championship.

According to SRCA track president Hank Denning, much of the funds used each year to keep the track operational are invested directly back into the city. As a 501(c) not-for-profit organization, the SRCA Club does not accept public funding. The staff is volunteer, which allows any money the club takes in to be invested directly back into the facility.

In 1994 the drag strip was placed on the Register of Historic Kansas Places. Regular drag races are still held at the historic drag strip.

The track as a vital part of both Great Bend’s past and its future, and its positive exposure. Thousands of racers and spectators travel to Great Bend each year to compete, test here or just watch the events,

A mural entitled “Starting Line” features Calvin Rice, the winner of the first National Rod and Custom Association race in 1955. It is located on the side of the building at 1111 Main Street.

Museums and the Arts

BARTON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM & VILLAGE

85 U.S. 281, Great Bend, 620-793-5125

• Located south of Great Bend on US 281, across the Arkansas River Bridge, the Village boasts several authentically furnished period buildings including a one-room school house, a church, a pioneer cabin and a Lustron home. Collections tell the story of this area from the Paleo Period through the Indian Wars to World War II and beyond.

• Admission $4 for non-members 16 & older.

Summer Hours (April - October)

Tuesday through Friday 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Saturday & Sunday 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Winter Hours (November-March)

Tuesday through Friday 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

CLAFLIN MUSEUM

406 N. Main Street, Claflin 620-786-9307 or 620-793-0546

• Open by appointment only.

• Housed on the second floor of the old Claflin Grade School with over 4,000 items and old photographs.

• Pertains mainly to the history of northern Barton County, including the towns of Claflin, Odin, Beaver, Hitschmann, Dubuque and Sts. Peter & Paul Church.

• Free Admission.

• Self-guided tour, spend as much time as you like.

HOISINGTON HISTORY MUSEUM

120 E. 2nd, Hoisington, 620-653-4320 or 620-617-7453

• Call for appointment.

• Facebook - Hoisington History Museum.

MUSEUM OF ELLINWOOD

104 N. Main, Ellinwood, 620-564-2886 ellinwoodhistoricalsociety.com

• Open Thursday - Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Open mid-April until October. Or by appointment.

• Check Museum of Ellinwood facebook for information or the Ellinwood Community Historical Society web page.

GOLDEN BELT CINEMA 6

1222 Kansas Ave., Great Bend, 620-792-5769

• Movies shown Thursday - Sunday.

GREAT BEND COMMUNITY THEATRE

Crest Theater

1905 Lakin Ave., Great Bend 620-792-4228

• Renovated former movie theater.

• Live performances.

JACK

Downtown Great Bend

• The grounds that surround the Barton County Courthouse.

• Massive bronze sculpture created by local artist Chet Cale entitled “The Gift.”

• Splash pad.

• Holiday lights.

SHAFER ART GALLERY

Barton Community College

245 NE 30th Road, Great Bend 620-792-9342

https://www.bartonccc.edu/ community/shafergallery

• Attached to the Fine Arts Building on BCC campus.

• Featuring trending regional and national artists.

• Workshops and family activities.

• Free admission, open year round Hours: Monday - Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

• Tour groups welcome.

KANSAS OIL & GAS HALL OF FAME & MUSEUM

5944 10th St., Great Bend https://www.ksoilandgasmuseum.com/

• Displaying the history of the oil & gas industry, geography of Kansas, and much more.

• The Kansas Energy Education Center offers an interactive space for youth programming.

• The Biggs Conference Room is available for private party rentals.

• The Hall of Fame Room highlights with photos and information the pioneers of the Kansas oil and gas industry.

• Summer Hours: May 1 - Sept. 2 Mon - Fri: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Winter Hours: Sept. 3 - April 3 By Appointment Contact Dee Volpert, director, at 620-786-9320 for more information.

• Available for rent.

CLAYTON M. MORRISON MEMORIAL BANDSHELL AND THELMA FAYE HARMS STAGE

South side of Jack Kilby Square between Main St. and Kansas St.

• Home of the Great Bend City Band summer concert series, various events and live music during June Jaunt.

For rental information contact Community Coordinator at chayes@ greatbendks.net.

• Gallery is closed for most college observed holidays.

DOROTHY MOSES MORRISON CHAPEL

Barton Community College

245 NE 30th Road, Great Bend 620-792-9342

https://bartonccc.edu/ publicresources/chapel

• Part of the Fine Arts Building on the BCC Campus, the chapel boasts five stained glass windows from the razed First Congregational Church in Great Bend. The chapel can be rented for events such as small weddings or performances.

KILBY SQUARE

Places To Visit, Things To Do

PLACES TO VISIT ARGONNE FOREST

2100 McKinley, Great Bend 620-793-4160

• North side of Veterans Memorial Park

• Dedicted to the young men from Barton County and the surrounding area who fought in World War I with emphasis on the Battle of Argonne in Germany on Sept. 26, 1918.

• Displays, artwork, photos and signage.

CHEYENNE BOTTOMS

204 NE 60 Rd, Great Bend 620-793-3066

• The largest marsh in the interior of the United States, designated a “Wetland of International Importance”.

• The Bottoms is one of the most important ecosystems in Kansas and one of the most important migration points for shorebirds in North America.

SANTA FE TRAIL

In 2021, the Santa Fe Trail commemorated its 200th Anniversary of the trail. Barton County is proud of the trail history and heritage. There are four sites tributed to the trail and these include: Walnut Creek Ranch, Fort Zarah, Barton Co. Historical Museum And Pawnee Rock. From Plum Buttes to the Walnut Creek Crossing to Pawnee Rock, the area that is now Barton County played a major role in the history of the Santa Fe Trail.

• Big Bend of the Arkansas River — This was the next overnight campground after leaving Cow Creek and the only reliable source of water in the area. Located on the west edge of Ellinwood.

B-29 BOMBER MEMORIAL PLAZA

Great Bend Municipal Airport entrance

The Great Bend Municipal Airport was constructed in 1943 as a World War II Army Air Force Base to accommodate the B-29 Superfortress bomber.

• Great Bend’s B-29 Memorial Plaza is open to visitors every day, to honor the men and women of the Great Bend Army Air Field and those involved in building, flying and providing support for the B-29 Superfortress.

• No admission charge.

• Self-guided.

FARMER’S MEMORIAL

K-96 Park, at the corner of K-96 and 10th St., Great Bend

• 20-foot stainless steel sculpture created by Bruce and Brent Bitter, B & B Metal Arts of Hoisington. A tribute to early pioneer families who settled Great Bend and the surrounding communities.

FORT ZARAH

East of Great Bend on Hwy. 56

• Roadside park located near one of the two original locations of the fort.

• Fort was established in 1864 to help protect mail service along the Santa Fe Trail.

• A mecca for bird watchers expecially during spring and fall migration.

• Hunting, primarily duck and goose, is a big draw for locals and those from other states.

• A scenic overlook is located 8 mi. East of Hoisington with a 10-foot tower for viewing bottoms. The tower is reached by a series of handicapped-accessible ramps.

• Walnut Creek Crossing — Located east of Great Bend. Also known as Allison Booth Ranch and Peacock Ranch. From 1855 through 1872, a number of enterprises were located there, including a trading post (ranch), stage station, post office, toll bridge, Camp Dunlap and Fort Zarah.

GOLDEN BELT VETERANS’ MEMORIAL

59 NW 50 Rd., Great Bend

• Honoring Barton County Veterans from all six branches of the military from the Civil War until today.

• Project paid for through donations, call 620-793-1800 for information. Details also found at www.bartoncounty.org and on the County’s social media pages.

• Three stones are in place with the names of 1,139 veterans.

• Stone IV is anticipated to be dedicted in late 2022.

FARMERS MARKET

• Broadway parking lot of Great Bend Public Library, Great Bend. Every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday mornings in the spring, summer and

SUMMER STREET STROLL FARMERS MARKET

• Jack Kilby Square, downtown, Great Bend.

• Thursday nights, 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. May - October.

• Food trucks allowed on Third Thursday.

PAWNEE ROCK HISTORIC STATE SITE

12 miles west of Great Bend on U.S. 56 Hwy., Pawnee Rock

• Natural landmark along the Santa Fe Trail. In the trail days it was 30 feet higher than it is today. A pavilion atop the rock, erected through the efforts of several women’s service clubs a century ago, indicates the original height before the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad took the top portion of the rock to use as fill in railroad construction.

• Enjoy a panoramic view across the prairie.

• Carving in rocks mark where travelers on the Santa Fe trail paused in their journeys, some as far back as the early 1800s.

THINGS TO DO

• Bring your lawn chair.

• Free concert

• Thursday evenings in June and July but watch the Great Bend Tribune as dates vary

POLLINATOR GARDEN

Troy Schroeder

On the west side of the old Albert School on NW130 Ave. on the western edge of the town of Albert.

• A mown path prvovides access to native plants with pollinator insects present.

• 50 acres enrolled in the the Conservation Stewardship Program pollinator proje4ct offered through the Natural Resources Conservation Service. It is full of yellow Maximillian sunflowers

• Travel along K-96 west of Albert near the turn-off to Otis.

A set of wings at 16 N. Main is a great photo opportunity. This one is part of the series “Rise Above”, the other two are located in Hoisington and Claflin.

The Dick Building in Ellinwood is on the state register of historic places. The mural on the side of this building portrays the historical

HEARTLAND FARM

www.heartlandfarm-ks.org

1049 CR 390, Pawnee Rock, 620-923-4585 hfarm@gbta.net

Facebook: HeartlandFarmKS

• Non-profit ministry of the Dominican Sisters of Peace.

• Registered agritourism operator.

• Tours and visitors welcome by appointment.

• Workshops and demonstrations year-round.

• Open-air pavilion, gift shop, arts and fiber studio, walking trails, and labyrinth.

• Organically-managed gardens. Find us at the Summer Street Stroll Farmers Market!

• Great spaces for bird watching.

• Guest housing available for individuals and groups up to 9.

• Official hosting site for Harvest Host.

• Day, short-term, and long-term volunteer opportunities.

• Home to a herd of lovable alpacas.

SANTAS AROUND THE WORLD

1223 Main St., Great Bend, 620-792-2536

• Open around 6:30 p.m., following the Home for the Holiday Parade on Nov. 26, 2022

REGULAR HOLIDAY HOURS NOVEMBER 27 - DECEMBER 23

Thursdays & Fridays, 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Saturday & Sunday, 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

By Appointment: Contact Mike, info@RosewoodServices.com 620-792-2536, https://www.santasaroundtheworld.com/ Admission is a freewill donation. Presented by the Rosewood Roots and Wings Foundation.

TRAIL OF LIGHTS GREAT BEND

•Our light displays twinkle in various places around town, Brit Spaugh Park & Zoo, Jack Kilby Square, Veteran’s Memorial Park, K96 Hwy & 10th and MORE! Many light displays have been crafted by the City Park Department Employees. For more information contact Great Bend Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, 620-792-2750 or City of Great Bend 620-793-4111. www.exploregreatbend.com

GREAT BEND ALIVE – FINAL FRIDAYS ON FOREST

Forest Avenue comes alive the last Friday of the month from April to November. Meet your friends on Forest Ave. in downtown Great Bend for some fun! Adult beverages, entertainment, food trucks and games for the kids.

ELLINWOOD UNDERGROUND TOUR

1 N. Main St. Ellinwood, KS 67526

Northwest corner of Main & Santa Fe, U.S. 56 at the stoplight. To make tour reservations call 620-617-6915 or 620-564-2400 or historicwolfhotel.com

Admission $12/adult - $6/kid 12 & under

• Built in 1887 and listed on the Kansas State Historical Register.

• Tunnels originally connected the business district.

• Original flooring, wallpaper, and barber’s mirror.

• Tunnels under the Dick Building and the Historic Wolf Hotel.

• Tours are conducted only by advance reservation.

• Prohibition era Speakeasy open on Friday and Saturday nights.

• Period style lunch the 3rd Sunday of every month.

• Hotel open year around by reservation.

Hear the Sounds of the Barton County Fair

When someone says “Hear the Sounds of the Barton County Fair”. Most people may think about the concerts. But if you close your eyes and really think about it, and imagine only using your sense of hearing. What you would hear?

Of course the music, but what about the cattle mooing, pigs oinking, chickens clucking in Expo III. Outside you may hear the sounds of tractor engines roaring as they pull the sled down the track or over at the beer garden the pouring of a cool beverage while hearing the corn bags hit the boards as another team wins a round of corn hole. Over in Expo II, you will hear people talking, and exhibitors explaining their projects to the judges. Hammers and saws running to build that final display, laughter, and don’t forget the sizzle of the hamburgers on the grill and the smell of the pie you just ordered. And on your way over to EXPO I you can hear the grinding of ice being made into snow cones, the sizzle of gator tators in the fryer, and the chomping of corn on the cob being eaten. As you move over to Expo I, the band is warming up for the evening concert and you can hear the music as it fills the air. Then inside Expo I you can hear the moving of tables and chairs as commercial vendors are setting up and manning their booths. People talking about their products and friendships being made. In the office you can hear staff answering the phone, explaining the rules of a contest, registering exhibits, helping visitors find their way around, clicking of computers entering results, copiers running, fans blowing people hustling and bumps and bruises being tended as some folks just have too much fun at the fair. But when you step out of the office you can also hear the Family Fun Night games being run by volunteers, kids playing, laughing, parents trying to keep up with all the excitement, balloons popping, balls bouncing, rings tossing, and clanking over bottles. There is so much activity you feel the overload of fun.

Now, you open your eyes and the rest of your senses take over as you experience all the events and excitement you have come to expect during the fair. Come enjoy the vast experiences that await you at the Barton County Fair.

Loads of fun & prizes!

Tuesday, September 27, 2022

Great Bend Events Center

3:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Free Admission - Exhibits Galore

Door Prizes - Demonstrations

oin your gal pals at the Women’s Expo. This event has become a highly anticipated September tradition for women throughout the area.

Get your tickets at the Great Bend Tribune office, 2012 Forest, in your newspaper or online at www.gbtribune.com

As part of this annual event, donations and nonperishable food or pantry items will be collected at the door to benefit the Barton County Food Bank. Donations will also be taken to help fill the list of items Barton County teachers need for their classrooms.

The Great Bend Tribune’s Women’s Expo is a chance for you to see what’s in and new in the worlds of fashion and beauty, health and fitness, personal and work life. Check out exhibits, demonstrations, services and wares from area businesses as well as door prizes and give-aways provided by vendors and so much more!

Don’t forget to register for tons of prizes. There will be a Grand Prize drawing again this year.

Government

This office has bookkeeping and records keeping responsibilities; real estate transfer record – records transfer of ownership from deeds filed with the register of deeds, probates, divorce decrees, death certificates, etc.; Issues Fish and Game licenses, large game permits, etc.; Certification of valuation; Prepares homestead/food sales tax returns for low income or elderly persons; Prepares financial reports to the state of Kansas; Acts as the official election officer.

James Jordan County Treasurer

1400 Main, Room 208, Great Bend 620-793-1831 • 620-793-1978 fax

This office acts as a collection agency for the county. It is responsible for collection of all taxes and distributes tax money to all taxing units in the county. For vehicle registrations and title workproof of insurance is required. Real estate and personal property taxes are due and payable on or before Dec. 20. First half must be paid at that time, second half due by May 10 the following year. Personal property becomes due and payable in full if the first half is not paid by Dec. 20. Personal property includes boats, campers, trailers, motor bikes, etc. Oil and gas is considered to be personal property.

M. Levi Morris County Attorney

1400 Main, Room 302, Great Bend 620-793-1851 • 620-793-1855 fax barton.cntyatty@bartoncounty.net

The county attorney is the chief law enforcement officer in Barton County.

This office handles felony crimes, select misdemeanor and traffic prosecutions. These cases include murder, rape, robbery, juvenile offenses, care and treatment actions, child in need of care, criminal appeals, select traffic offenses, and many others.

The Barton County Sheriff’s Office serves a population of 27,703, which includes nine cities, and 22 townships. Additionally, the sheriff’s office provides assistance to municipal police departments and assists state and federal law enforcement agencies. It is also equipped with specialized units, such as the Crisis Response Team, K-9 Unit, a Reserve Deputy Force and an Explorer Group.

In addition to investigation and patrol duties, the department also maintains the county’s detention facility. The Civil Process Officer serves and executes legal papers, garnishments, divorce papers, protection from abuse orders, evictions, mental petitions, and other legal papers.

Pam Wornkey Register of Deeds

1400 Main, Room 205, Great Bend 620-793-1849

This office is charged with recording and preserving all land records. This office has custody of and safely keeps and preserves all the books, records, deeds, maps, papers and microphotographs deposited or kept in the office of the Register of Deeds. The office also records or causes to be recorded all deeds, mortgages, maps, instruments and writings authorized by law to be recorded in the office of the Register of Deeds, maintains county school records, Uniform Commercial Code and corporation records, processes passports for the general public and is responsible for the private sale of lots or transfer of ownership through another means for both County owned cemeteries.

All records in the office of the Register of Deeds are open records except for the Kansas Real Estate Sales Validation Questionnaire which is open to those protesting their taxes, Kansas Certified General Real Property Appraisers, Bankers and Realtors.

Barton County Commissioners

Barton County Commission Districts

Barton County Department Directory

Appraiser

Wendy Prosser

1400 Main, Room 206, Great Bend 620-793-1821, 620-793-1820 fax

Duties include: This office has the responsibility to discover, list, appraise and maintain records of data relating to all taxable and exempt real and personal property within the county.

Central Kansas Community Corrections

Amy Boxberger

1806 12th St., Great Bend 620-793-1940, 620-793-1893 fax

Communications / 911 Director

Dena Popp

1300 Stone, Great Bend 620-793-1920

Duties include: Provides emergency dispatching services for Barton County Sheriff, police departments of Claflin, Ellinwood, Great Bend and Hoisington, Kansas Highway Patrol, and all fire departments and emergency medical services in the county.

Emergency Management and Risk Management

Amy Miller, KCEM

1400 Main Room 108, Great Bend 620-793-1919, 620-786-4450 cell 620-793-1983 fax

Services Provided: This department provides emergency preparedness functions to prevent, minimize, and repair injury and damage resulting from disasters. Provides public education and information to encourage personal emergency management. In addition, risk management and safety functions for Barton County are handled by this department.

Engineering

Barry McManaman, PE

1400 Main Room 108, Great Bend 620-793-1808

Services Provided: Plans, develops and maintains the county’s infrastructure to provide safe travel and enhance the life of Barton County citizens. Coordinates related activities with cities, townships and other governmental units.

Environmental Management/ Zoning

Judy Goreham

1910 18th St., Great Bend 620-796-4300, 620-792-9905 cell 620-796-2282 fax

Duties include: Enforces the Barton County Environmental & Sanitary Code. Permitting includes water wells, septic systems, licensing of wastewater contractors, water testing, property transfer inspections and

environmental assistance. It also enforces the Barton County Zoning Regulations, the Barton County Nuisance Code and licenses fi areas of the county. It also handles most of the Floodplain Regulations compliance for the unincorporated areas.

Facilities Management

Pam Christendon

1400 Main, Rm 109, Great Bend 620-793-1873, 620-793-1807 fax

Finance Offi Director/Operations Director

Matt Patzner

1400 Main, Room 107, Great Bend 620-793-1800, 620-793-1807 fax

Duties include: In-house fiscal responsibilities, investments, payroll and some community development. Operations generally involves budget management, staff supervision, fleet and asset control and other duties as assigned by the Board of Barton County Commissioners.

Health Director

Karen Winkelman

1300 Kansas, Suite B, Great Bend 620-793-1902, 620-793-1903 fax

Information Technology

Dereck Hollingshead

1400 Main, Rm 201, Great Bend 620-793-1841, 620-793-1990 fax Provides technical support to all county offices.

Juvenile Intake and Assessment Services

(JIAS)

Marissa Woodmansee

1213 Baker Ave., Great Bend 620-793-1930, 620-793-1977 fax

Solid Waste Management,

• Household Hazardous Waste collections are

October (weather permitting). Check website for other locations, www.bartoncounty.org. By appointment, Monday through Friday. Citizens may contact the Barton County Landfill for more information, 620-793-1898.

• The program is open to all residents of Barton, Ellsworth, and Pawnee counties and it is free of charge. Hazardous waste from commercial businesses is not allowed.

• What is allowed includes: Herbicides, pesticides, fungicides, any gardening chemical, household cleaners, automotive cleaners or fluids, all paint related products, and batteries. The facility does not accept agricultural pesticides over 2.5 gallons or 10 pounds total volume per customer. Check website for complete list and requirements. There is also a giveaway program of these items, call for information.

Road and Bridge/Noxious Weeds/ Memorial Parks & Cemeteries, Road and Bridge

Darren Williams

2401 7th St., P.O. Box 518, Great Bend 620-793-1816

Noxious Weeds:

2300 6th St., P.O. Box 518, Great Bend 620-793-1936, 620-793-1938 fax

Memorial Parks & Cemeteries: 1400 Main, Rm. 205, Great Bend 620-793-1816

Township Officials

ALBION

Clerk—Rocky Meitner, 620-653-7596 or 620-282-8633,1280 NW 60 Ave.

Olmitz, KS 67564

Treasurer—Sarah Younger, 620-617-3021

773 NW 160 Rd., Olmitz, KS 67564

Trustee—Raymond V. Christians

620-653-7684, 532 NW 160 Rd.

Hoisington, Kansas 67544

BEAVER

Clerk—Scott Schlochtermeier, 620-639-6595

856 NE 210 Rd., Hoisington, KS 67544

Treasurer—Terry R. Miller, 620-786-5385

573 1st Ave., Beaver, KS 67525

Trustee—Jennifer Steinert, 620-791-8755

1922 Main, Beaver, KS 67525

BUFFALO

Clerk—Gerald Holthaus, 620-793-6894

496 NW 50 Ave., Great Bend, KS 67530

Treasurer—Russell Carson, 620-793-7453

441 NW 70 Ave., Great Bend, KS 67530

Trustee—Herbert L. Phillips, 620-797-1639

578 NW 40 Rd., Great Bend, KS 67530

CHEYENNE

Clerk—John Lamatsch, 620-587-9977

1396 Lewis–Odin, Claflin, KS 67525

Treasurer—Francis J. Debes, 620-587-3668 or 620-786-4501, 749 NE 130 Rd.

Claflin, KS 67525

Trustee—John Klug, 620-587-3952

908 St. Stephan Ave., Claflin, KS 67525

CLARENCE

Clerk—Dennis Comer, 620-923-4688

172 NW 140 Ave., Albert, KS 67511

Treasurer—LaVerne Oetken, 620-793-6905

1116 NW 10 Rd., Great Bend, KS 67530

Trustee—David LeRoy, 620-793-7153 or 620-791-7193, 955 NW 20 Rd. Great Bend, KS 67530

CLEVELAND

Clerk—Brian Hoffman, 620-587-2348 or 620-562-7619, 1938 NE 100 Ave.

Claflin, KS 67525

Treasurer—Kevin Wirth

620-587-3687 or 620-791-7874

2150 NE 110 Ave., Claflin, KS 67525

Trustee—Greg Lamatsch, 620-587-3856

1080 NE 190 Rd., Claflin, KS 67525

COMANCHE

Clerk—Linda Borror, 620-564-2484

1043 SE 20 Rd., Ellinwood, KS 67526

Treasurer—Barry Borror, 620-566-3187

1043 SE 20 Rd., Ellinwood, KS 67526

Trustee—Kenneth Spangenberg

620-786-4230, 573 SE 80 Ave.

Ellinwood, KS 67526

EUREKA

Clerk—Michael McCurry, 620-791-8622

232 NW 100 Rd., Hoisington, KS 67544

Treasurer—Luke Keener, 620-617-4667

850 NW 50 Ave., Olmitz, KS 67564

Trustee—Gary A. Tindall, 620-653-4688 or 786-0911, 995 NW 40 Ave.

Hoisington, KS 67544

FAIRVIEW

Clerk—Deric Funk, 785-445-2958

2093 NW 90 Rd., Russell, KS 67665

Treasurer—Dennis N. Steinert

620-935-4333 or 620-923-5489

2257 NW 80 Ave., Russell, KS 67665

Trustee—David W. Keil, 785-445-5175

1007 NW 220 Rd., Russell, KS 67665

GRANT

Clerk—Mark Stos, 620-786-7017

1333 NW 150 Rd., Otis, KS 67565

Treasurer—Daphyna Epperson

620-617-0014, 1249 NW 150 Rd. Otis, KS 67565

Trustee—Joe F. Axman, 620-586-3274

898 NW 140 Rd., Olmitz, KS 67564

GREAT BEND

Clerk—R.L. Engle, 620-793-7767

1314 College View Dr. Great Bend, KS 67530

Treasurer—Mike Snyder, 620-793-7043

48 NW 48 Rd., Great Bend, KS 67530

Trustee—Denis Bachand, 620-792-1932

304 NE 30 Ave., Great Bend, KS 67530

INDEPENDENT

Clerk—Ryan Oeser, 620-282-3449

109 B St., P.O. Box 184, Claflin, KS 67525

Treasurer—James J. Debes, 620-786-1342

310 E. Hamilton, P.O. Box 45 Claflin, KS 67525

Trustee—Randy Oeser, 620-588-2362 or 620-617-7967, 101 6th, Claflin, KS 67525

LAKIN

Clerk—Aaron Birzer, 620-564-2130 or 620-786-1555, 1146 NE 20 Rd. Ellinwood, KS 67526

Treasurer—Corey Robl, 620-786-6810

996 NE 10 Rd., Ellinwood, KS 67526

Trustee—Mark Knop, 410 E. 6th St. Ellinwood, KS 67526

LIBERTY

Clerk—T.R. Esfeld, 620-793-3643

314 SW 50 Ave., Great Bend, KS 67530

Treasurer—Brad Kershner, 620-792-6222

673 SW 20 Rd., Great Bend, KS 67530

Trustee—N/A

LOGAN

Clerk—Joseph V. Zink, 620-562-8417

850 NE 150 Ave., Claflin, KS 67525

Treasurer—Joy Hertach, 620-587-3450 or 719-306-4606, 947 NE 160 Ave.

Claflin, KS 67525

Trustee—David P. Wirth, 620-587-3795 or 786-0589/786-1361, 673 NE 150 Ave. Ellinwood, KS 67526

NORTH HOMESTEAD

Clerk—Richard W. Lacey, 620-653-4929

2 NW 120 Rd., Hoisington, KS 67544

Treasurer—Angi Beck, 785-650-7649

1219 NE 40 Ave., Hoisington, KS 67544

Trustee—Shawn D. Jonas, 620-653-2935

56 NE 150 Rd., Hoisington, KS 67544

PAWNEE ROCK

Clerk—Roy Prescott, 620-639-2690

1183 SW 30 Rd., Pawnee Rock, KS 67567

Treasurer—Scott Loving, 620-982-4393

1049 W. Hwy. 56, Pawnee Rock, KS 67567

Trustee—Dale D. Dirks, 620-982-4663 or 620-786-0677, 1235 SW 10 Rd., Pawnee Rock, KS 67567

SOUTH BEND

Clerk—Darren Nicolet, 620-786-8829

59 SW 20 Rd., Great Bend, KS 67530

Treasurer—Marilyn J. Selle, 620-617-4987

198 SE 30 Rd., Great Bend, KS 67530

Trustee—Craig A. Amerine, 620-793-9705 or 620-793-0206, 325 SE 40 Ave. Great Bend, KS 67530

SOUTH HOMESTEAD

Clerk—Brandon Yeakley, 620-653-4035

846 NW 10 Ave., Hoisington, KS 67544

Treasurer—Scott Heier, 620-617-7307

761 NW 10 Ave., Hoisington, KS 67544

Trustee—Wayne Reif, 620-653-2022

171 NW 80 Rd., Hoisington, KS 67544

UNION

Clerk—Justin Ludwig, 620-617-8267 or 620-617-8267, 197 NE 220 Rd. Hoisington, KS 67544

Treasurer—Brittany Woydziak, 661-916-3724

1826 NE 10 Ave., Hoisington, KS 67544

Trustee—Rob Goreham, 620-786-0846

1705 NE 20 Ave., Hoisington, KS 67544

WALNUT

Clerk—Dale Kuhlman, 620-793-4537 or 620-923-7542, 966 NW 70 Rd. Olmitz KS 67564

Treasurer—Dale E. Maneth, 620-586-3326 or 785-532-8971, 1171 NW 110 Rd. Olmitz, KS 67564

Trustee—Steve Schneider, 620-586-3280 or 620-923-5432, 897 NW 120 Ave. Olmitz, KS 67564

WHEATLAND

Clerk—Tim Maier, 620-653-4665

525 NW 190 Rd., Hoisington, KS 67544

Treasurer—Garry Batt, 620-935-4390 or 785-483-1109, 2269 NW 30 Ave. Russell, KS 67665

Trustee—Kevin Nettleingham, 620-653-7695 749 NW 180 Rd., Olmitz, KS 67564

Township officials are elected by residents of their township. Elections are held during regular county-wide elections.

Clerks: Term 2019-2023

Treasurer: Term 2021-2025

Trustee: Term 2021-2025

Township Map

State Government

STATE EXECUTIVE BRANCH

Governor

Laura Kelly

State Capitol

300 SW 10th Ave., St. 241S

Topeka, KS 66612-1590

Phone: 785-368-8500

Toll Free: 877-579-6757

https://governor.kansas.gov

Secretary of State

Scott Schwab

Memorial Hall, 1st Floor

120 SW 10th Ave.

Topeka, KS 66612-1594

Phone: 785-296-4575

kssos@ks.gov

Attorney General Derek Schmidt

120 SW 10th, 2nd Floor

Topeka, KS 66612-1597

Phone: 785-296-2215

1-888-428-8436

https://ag.ks.gov

Consumer Protection Hotline: 785-432-2310

1-800-432-2310

STATE SENATOR

National Government

Lt. Governor

David Toland

State Capitol

300 SW 10th Ave.

Topeka, KS 66612-1590

Phone: 785-368-8500

HOUSE LEGISLATORS

District 113

Brett Fairchild, Republican

Capitol Room: 167-W

Phone: 785-296-7667

Email: brett.fairchild@house.ks.gov

Home: 150 NW 40th St. St. John, KS 67576

Phone: 620-546-4510

Email: Fairchild_2@hotmail.com

State Treasurer

Lynn Rogers

900 SW Jackson, Ste. 201 Topeka, KS 66612-1235

Phone: 785-296-3171

Unclaimed Property: 785-296-4165 www.kansasstatetreasurer.com

Insurance Commissioner

Vicki Schmidt

1300 SW Arrowhead Road

Topeka, KS 66604-4073

Phone: 785-296-3071

Consumer Assistance Hotline: 1-800-432-2484 (KS only) kid.commissioner@ks.gov

District 33

Senator Alicia Straub, Republican Capitol Room: 237-E

Seat: 4

Phone: 785-296-7682

Email: Alicia.Straub@senate.ks.gov

Home: 401 S. Kennedy, Ellinwood, KS 67526

Phone: 620-564-2196

Email: straubforkansas@gmail.com

District 112

Representative Tory Arnberger, Republican

Capitol Room: 512-N

Phone: 785-296-7363

Email: ToryMarie.Arnberger@house.ks.gov

Home: P.O. Box 103, Great Bend, KS 67530

Phone: 620-603-8967

Email: tmarnberger@gmail.com

District 109

Troy Waymaster, Republican

Capitol Room: 111-N

Phone: 785-296-7672

Email: troy.waymaster@house.ks.gov

Home: 3528 192nd Street, Bunker Hill, KS 67626

Phone: 785-483-2822

Email: twaymaster@aol.com

U.S. Senator

Jerry Moran, Republican Dirksen Senate Office Building Room 521

Washington, D.C. 20510

Phone: 202-224-6521

Fax: 202-228-6966

www.moran.senate.gov

U.S. Senator

Roger Marshall, Republican Russell Senate Office Building Ste. 479A

Washington, D.C. 20510

Phone: 202-224-4774

www.marshall.senate.gov

U.S. Representative Tracey Mann

Republican, 1st District 522 Cannon House Office Building

Washington, D.C. 20510

Phone: 202-225-2715

www.mann.house.gov

Judicial Services

BARTON COUNTY COURTHOUSE

1400 Main, Great Bend

County Attorney

M. Levi Morris 620-793-1851

20th JUDICIAL DISTRICT

The 20th Judicial District consists of the following counties: Barton, Ellsworth, Rice, Russell and Stafford.

District Court Clerk

Martha Rivas 620-793-1856

Honorable Steve Johnson Chief Judge 1400 Main Great Bend 620-793-1863

Honorable Carey L. Hipp District Judge 210 North Kansas Ellsworth 785-472-8931

Honorable Lisa Beran, District Judge 1400 Main Great Bend 620-793-1863

Honorable Timarie Walters District Magistrate PO Box 365 St. John 620-549-3295

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Health

Immunization Requirements for the 2022-2023 School Year

K.S.A. 72 - 6261 - Kansas Statutes Related to School Immunizations Requirements and K.A.R. 28-1-20, published July,18, 2019 in the Kansas Register, defines the immunizations required for school and early childhood program attendance.

• Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTaP/Tdap): Five doses required. Doses should be given at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15-18 months, and 4-6 years (prior to kindergarten entry). The 4th dose may be given as early as 12 months of age, if at least 6 months have elapsed since dose 3. The 5th dose is not necessary if the 4th dose was administered at age 4 years or older. A dose of Tdap is required at entry to 7th grade

• Hepatitis A (Hep A): Two doses required. Doses should be given at 12 months with a minimum interval of 6 months between the 1st and 2nd dose.

• Hepatitis B (Hep B): Three doses required. Doses should be given at birth, 1-2 months, and 6-18 months. Minimum age for the final dose is 6 months.

• Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR): Two doses required. Doses should be given at 12-15 months and 4-6 years (prior to kindergarten entry). Minimum age is 12 months and interval between doses may be as short as 28 days.

• Meningococcal-Serogroup A,C,W,Y (MenACWY): Two doses required. Doses should be given at entry to 7th grade (11-12 years) and 11th grade (16-18 years). For children 16-18 years, with no previous MenACWY, only one dose is required.

• Poliomyelitis(IPV/OPV): Four doses required. Doses should be given at 2 months, 4 months, 6-18 months, and 4- 6 years

(prior to kindergarten entry). Three doses are acceptable if 3rd dose was given after 4 years of age and at least 6 months have elapsed since dose 2.

• Varicella (Chickenpox): Two doses are required. Doses should be given at 12-15 months and 4-6 years (prior to kindergarten entry). The 2nd dose may be administered as early as 3 months after the 1st dose, however, a dose administered after a 4-week interval is considered valid. No doses are required when student has history of varicella disease documented by a licensed physician.

Legal alternatives to school vaccination requirements are found in K.S.A. 72-6262. In addition, to the immunizations required for school entry the following vaccines are recommended to protect students:

• Human Papillomavirus(HPV): Two doses recommended at 11 years of age or three doses if the series is started after 15 years.

• Influenza: Annual vaccination recommended for all ages > 6 months of age. Number of doses is dependent on age and number of doses given in previous years.

• Men. B: Recommended started at 16 years old.

• Covid-19 Immunizations: recommended.

ADULT IMMUNIZATION SCHEDULES MAY BE FOUND ON THE BARTON COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT WEBSITE www.bartoncounty.org

Barton County Health Department

Family Planning Consultation

Education, Management and Supplies

Abstinence Education

Pregnancy Testing

Pregnancy and Parenting Services

Pregnancy Maintenance Initiative

Pregnancy Education and Support

Teen Pregnancy Targeted Case Management

Teen parent support and encouragement

WIC (Women, Infant and Childrens Supplemental Food Program) Nutrition Education

Breastfeeding Education and Support

Supplemental Foods

Maternal Child Health (MCH)

Healthy Start Home Visitor Program

Education and Reassurance

Lead Testing and Case Management

Community Outreach Services

Call for more information

COVID Testing By Appointment

www.bartoncounty.org/Health

Emergency Preparedness

Disaster Management and Recovery

Community Awareness and Response

Healthy Living Laboratory Services

Select laboratory services provided

Immunizations

All Ages Foreign Travel Back to School

Off to College

Annual Flu Shots

Sexual Assault Care Referrals

STD Testing

Adult Health

Well Woman Check

Self Breast Exams

Blood Pressure Checks

Weight/Height Checks

BMI (Basic Metabolic Measurements) Education

Chronic Disease Risk

Reduction Grant Awardee

Tobacco Cessation, Healthy Living Guidance Educational Services

Communicable Disease Management

TB (Tuberculosis) Testing and Medication Management Education

STD Testing, treatment and follow-up Disease Investigation

Rabies Investigation

Children with Special Health Care Needs Satellite Office

Providing specialty medical services and care coordination to infants, children, and youth up to age 21 who have eligible medical conditions.

www.kdheks.gov/shcn

Child Care Licensing Services

Provides guidance and direction with new and existing Child Care

In-Home and Public Facilities

Car Seat Safety Technicians

Guidance and Education on Car Seat

fitting and safety

Recovery Resource Coordinator

Call for more information

CLARA BARTON MEDICAL CENTER

250 W. 9th, Hoisington • 620-653-2114

CLARA BARTON MEDICAL CLINIC

252 W. 9th, Hoisington • 620-653-2386

Nathan Knackstedt, DO | Internal Medicine

T. Scott Webb, DO | Family Practice

Kyle Renner, MD | Family Practice

Kayla Johnson, MD | Pediatrics

Ken Baxa, DO | Rheumatology

Debra Brockel, PA Phillip Barnes, PA

Kelci Burkey, PA-C Taylor Bieberle, PA-C

Jenna Snell, PA-C Brandi Goetz, PA-C

Therapy Services

Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy

250 W. 9th, Hoisington • 620-653-5065

CLARA BARTON MEDICAL CLINIC GREAT BEND

906 McKinley, Great Bend • 620-793-6900

T. Scott Webb, DO | Family Practice

Kyle Renner, MD | Family Practice

Kayla Johnson, MD | Pediatrics

Kelci Burkey, PA-C Jenna Snell, PA-C

Taylor Bieberle, PA-C Brandi Goetz, PA-C

CLARA BARTON SURGICAL SERVICES

353 W. 10th St., Hoisington • 620-653-4191

P.J. Stiles, MD

Roxanne Stiles, MD

Jeremy Howes, MD, FACS

Leah Alpers, PA-C Ashley Boxberger, PA-C

Pediatric Care

252 W. 9th St., Hoisington

Cardiology

Bassem Chehab, MD

316-265-1308

2nd and 3rd Monday

Costy Matar, MD

620-669-2717

Every other Tuesday

Neurosurgery

Scott Boswell, MD

785-823-1032

Fourth Tuesday

ENT

Urology

Andrew Jensen, MD

316-636-6100

First and Third Thursday

Orthopedics

Randall Hildebrand, MD

620-792-4383

First and Third Friday

Obstetrics and Gynecology

Christine Sanders, MD

800-779-6979

Second Wednesday

1031 Jackson, Great Bend

Neurosurgery

620-669-2555

Matthew Voorman, MD

First Wednesday

Wade Gaeddert, MD

Third Wednesday

Robert Epp, MD

Fourth Wednesday

Cardiology

620-669-2717

Hallie Leiker, APRN

First and Third Wednesday

Matthew Henry, MD

877-685-2525

Fourth Monday

Pulmonology

620-694-2098

Humayun Ashraf, MD

First Tuesday

Tricia Gilligan, PA

First and Third Tuesday

906 McKinley, Great Bend

Nephrology

316-263-5891

Amanda Valliant, MD

First Monday and Tuesday

Dr. Kayla Johnson

Pediatrician Brandi Lowe, PA-C Kelci Burkey, PA-C

CLARA BARTON SPECIALTY OUTREACH CLINICS

ELLINWOOD HOSPITAL AND CLINIC

605 N. Main, Ellinwood, 620-564-2548

ellinwooddistricthospital.org

PROVIDERS

Charlie Joslin, MD

Christopher Brown, MD

Robin Durrett, DO, FACS, FACOS

Kelli Nash, APRN

24/7 ER CARE INPATIENT CARE OUTPATIENT SERVICES

IV Therapy & Injections, Port-A-Cath & PICC Line Care. Allergy Injections

THERAPY SERVICES

Physical, Occupational, & Speech Therapy

Troy Moore, DPT

Scott Tillotson, PT

IMAGING SERVICES

X-Ray, CT Scan, MRI, Ultrasound, Mammography, DXA, & EKG

DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL LABORATORY

ELLINWOOD CLINIC

611 N. Main, Ellinwood, 620-564-3771 ellinwooddistricthospital.org

FAMILY CARE

Well-Child & General Checkups, School & DOT Physicals, Well-Woman Exams, Acute Illnesses, Chronic Illnesses and Conditions, Sports/Work Injuries, Childhood Vaccinations

SPECIALTY SERVICES

Endoscopy and Cardiology

Why choose Ellinwood Hospital and Clinic for your care?

For generations, families have chosen Ellinwood Hospital and Clinic for their family’s healthcare needs.

We’ll treat your family like our family.

Providing the care you need close to home.

Sometimes you need a little extra care. When you do, you can turn to The University of Kansas Health System in Great Bend. Whether you are welcoming a baby, need a knee replacement or require extra care for your heart, our care teams are here for you. You can count on our obstetrics and gynecology, orthopedics and cardiology specialists, along with our family medicine and surgical care teams, to care for you and your family close to home, where you need it most.

KansasHealthSystem.com/GreatBendLocations

Recreation

City Parks and Playgrounds

GREAT BEND

Great Bend Brit Spaugh Park and Zoo

2123 Main St., Great Bend

Includes Tot Spot playground for smaller children and larger playground for older children. Skateboard arena, located immediately northwest of the zoo, is open during regular park hours (6:00 a.m. to midnight). Users must bring their own skateboards and safety equipment. Visitors to the park can enjoy several ramps and other trick props. Users of the park are urged to use the facility with extreme caution. The City of Great Bend accepts no liability for injuries that result through usage of the park.

Harms Park 2305 Heizer, Great Bend

Heizer Park

Eighth and Heizer, Great Bend

Santa Fe Trail Park 10th and Frey, Great Bend

Veterans Memorial Park 4800 17th St. Terrace

Great Bend

Lots to do here. Fitness trail, Argonne Forest, ballparks, tennis courts, sand volleyball, 12 acre lake, fishing, shelter houses, and includes toddler playground for smaller children and larger playground for older children.

Dog Park

Northwest side of Veterans Memorial Park at 17th and McKinley, open daily.

Lafayette Park

Barton County Courthouse

Square, Great Bend

You may know this park better by the name Jack Kilby Square, thanks to the legacy of Nobel

HOISINGTON

Bicentennial Park

West 7th & Monroe, Hoisington Playground, tennis courts, ballfields, horseshoe pits, walking trail, pickleball courts.

Heritage Park

Clay & 3rd, Hoisington

Leisure Activities & Water Fun

YOUTH AND ADULT ACTIVITIES

See your local Recreation Centers for more seasonal youth sports and lessons.

Claflin Recreation Commission

406 Main St., Claflin 620-588-4321 claflinrec.weebly.com

Ellinwood Recreation Commission

13 N. Main St., Ellinwood 620-566-7323

ellinwoodrec@gmail.com

www.ellinwoodrec.com

Great Bend Recreation Commission

Carl Soden Recreation Center 1214 Stone St., Great Bend

Great Bend Activity Center 2715 18th St., Great Bend 620-793-3755 greatbendrec.com

Hoisington Recreation Commission

1200 Susank Road, Hoisington 620-653-4050 hoisingtonrec.com

SWIMMING

Barton Community College 245 NE 30 Road, Great Bend 620-786-1144

www.bartonsports.com/facilities/ poolindex

Claflin

Municipal Swimming Pool

400 W. Front St. 620-588-3655

www.cityofclaflin.com/city-pool

Ellinwood

Municipal Swimming Pool 209 W. 1st St., 620-564-3441 www.cityofellinwoodks.com/ services/pool/

Free splash pad is located next to the pool.

Great Bend

Wetlands Waterpark 2303 Main, 620-792-1516

www.greatbendwaterpark.com

Splash Pad

1400 Main, Great Bend

The free pad is located on the south side of the Barton County Courthouse.

Hoisington

Municipal Swimming Pool 721 N. Center St., 620-653-2535

www.hoisingtonks.org/ swimming-pool

Wetlands Waterpark

When summer arrives, there’s one local attraction that’s guaranteed to make a splash: the Great Bend aquatic center –Wetlands Waterpark.

Weather permitting, the pool is open from 12:30-5:30 p.m. daily from Memorial Day weekend in May to mid-August. Once things heat up, the pool is also open for Family Nights from 7:00-9:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It’s located in Brit Spaugh Park at 2303 Main St., next to the Brit Spaugh Zoo.

More than just a municipal swimming pool, the water park’s fun wetlands artwork and big play features make it a unique, regional attraction.

The pool features seven water slides, zero-depth entry for small children, spray features and floatables that separate the deep end from the shallow end, a climbing wall and a 300 gallon tipping bucket that periodically spills onto those who dare to stand under it.

For those taking a break in the shaded areas, there are brightly colored umbrellas and a concession stand. Visitors can also find green grass and a bathhouse for changing.

Admission to the Wetlands is $3 for youths 3-17 years old, $4 for adults 18 and older, and free for children under 3. Admission on Family Nights is $2, and discount passes good for 15 visits are available for $40. The aquatic center is also available for private parties and special events. For more information call 620-792-1516 during the pool season. Outside of the pool season contact Parks Superintendent Scott Keeler at the City Office, 620-793-4111.

The Great Bend Recreation Commission offers summer swimming lessons taught by American Red Cross Certified

Youth & Adult Sports

YOUTH SPORTS

See your local Recreation Centers for more seasonal youth sports and lessons.

SUMMER BASEBALL

Great Bend Bat Cats

Roger Ward, 620-282-8159

American Legion

Darrin Hall, 417-291-6133

Class AAA – Great Bend Chiefs

Class A – Great Bend Braves

Class AA – Hoisington

Bombers Baseball (16 and under) Mike Minton, 620-617-8007

Sunflower League

Hap Dumont

Great Bend Recreation Commission, 620-793-3755

Hoisington Little League Hoisington Recreation Commission

620-653-4050

SUMMER SOFTBALL

ASA Girls Fast Pitch Softball

Great Bend Quicksilver Lyles Lashley, 620-792-9750 lyleslashley@hotmail.com

FOOTBALL

Pride of Kansas League

Great Bend

Rex Kern, 620-791-8464

Hoisington Gene Mooney, 785-445-5151 genemooney17@yahoo.com

Ellinwood Chad Heinz, 620-562-7017 chad.heinz@ greaneyconsulting.com

BASKETBALL

Barton Summer League BCC Athletic Office 620-792-9377

Mid-America Youth Basketball (MAYB) 316-284-0354 mayb@mayb.com www.mayb.com

SWIM TEAM

Golden Belt Swim Squad Shannon Somers, 620-792-6466 scsomers@hotmail.com

BOXING

Silver Boy Boxing Club Silverio Garcia, 620-282-1836 Eighth & Jefferson, Great Bend Membership required.

KIDS WRESTLING

Great Bend Wrestling Club Jesse Richter, 620-282-2910 gbwrestlingclub@gmail.com gbkwc@hotmail.com

Hoisington Kody Cook, 620-617-5258

VOLLEYBALL

Heart of America/ USA Volleyball (17 and under) www.hoavb.org

Velocity Volleyball Club Greg and Becca Maxwell 620-617-1594

GOLF COURSES

Stoneridge Country Club 1438 24th Street, Great Bend 620-792-4306; 620-792-4303

Lake Barton Golf Club 673 U.S. 281 North 620-653-4255

Between Great Bend and Hoisington

Grove Park Golf Club 407 W. 3rd, Ellinwood 620-564-3123

Claflin Golf Course NE 150 Ave., Claflin, just off of K-156, 2 miles east and 1/2-mile north of Claflin

2100 McKinley, Great Bend Barton Community College 245 NE 30 Road, Great Bend

MINIATURE GOLF

Walnut Bowl Miniature Golf Course

3101 N. Washington, Great Bend 620-793-9400

BOWLING

Cardinal Lanes 814 N. Elm St., Hoisington 620-653-4140

Walnut Bowl 3101 N. Washington, Great Bend 620-793-9400

COURTESY PHOTO

The Quicksilver 12-and-under capture the 2022 USSSA Class C National Softball Championship July 10 at Branson, Mo. Team members include front row—Baylie Kelly, Jaya Stroup, Riley Stanley, Jenna Schmeidler, Brooklynn Kelly, head coach Carrie Minton; back row— coach Chris Smith, Jimena Montes, Mikala Minton, Chayla Prendergast, Adelle Smith, Adalie Kippes, coach Ashley Stroup.

Hike, Bike, and More

Great Bend

Clara Barton Hospital

Walking Path

906 McKinley

Great Bend Levee Trail

HORSESHOES

DROP-IN HORSESHOES

Horseshoe pits located at Brit Spaugh Park across from Park School in Great Bend. Call the Great Bend Recreation Commission 620-793-3755 for league times and dates.

HIKE OR BIKE

RIVER HIKE. BIKE TRAIL

Travel South on Washington to Stone Lake. Across the dike is a double track to the west between the dike and river. After 1/4-mile there is a single

LAKE BARTON

MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL

Travel North on U.S. 281 from Great Bend to NW 60 Road. Turn left at former 4-H Building. Signs direct to a 2-mile loop, The single-track roue is a dirt/mountain bike trail. The 1.8-mile walking trail takes an average of 33 minutes. Trail is perfect for birding, hiking, and mountain biking.

OFF-ROADING

OFF-ROAD ASSOCIATION

Todd Honomichl, 620-786-1581

for membership information. One mile south of K-156 on Radium Road. Facebook (Central Kansas Off-Road Association).

RACING

SRCA DRAGSTRIP

455 W. Barton County Road ower Rod and Custom Association Inc. 620-792-5079

www.srcadragstrip.com.

WALKING TRAILS

Tradition Trail & City Loop

Both are popular trails used by residents - directions can be found on bartoncounty.org

West Barton County Road and Locust Street. The Great Bend Levee Trail runs atop the flood control levee on the north bank of the Arkansas River on the edge of Great Bend. Users will encounter rural, suburban and industrial environments. The trail offers views of the Arkansas River and nearby

Kansas Wetlands Education Center

George Stumps Trail

592 NE K-156, Great Bend. The 0.4-mile loop trail takes an average of 7 minutes to complete. The popular trail for birding and walking is open year-round.

Hoisington

Clara Barton Hospital

Walking Path

250 W. 9th St., Hoisington

Hunting and Fishing

FISHING AND BOATING

Cheyenne Bottoms

Wildlife Area

620-793-7730

56 NE 40th Road

Hunting, fishing, trails, bird watching. Kansas Dept. of Wildlife, & Parks.

Rotary Lake

7th & McArthur, Great Bend

Scott Keeler, Parks Director, 620-793-4160

Public access.

Stone Lake

Washington St. & Railroad Ave. Great Bend

Scott Keeler, Parks Director, 620-793-4160

Public access.

Picnic area, nature trail. Must follow motor, fishing regulations.

Veterans Memorial Park and Lake

4800 17th St. Terrace

Great Bend

Scott Keeler, Parks Director 620-793-4160

Public access.

No motors, must follow fishing regulations.

Wolf Pond

West U.S. 56, Ellinwood 620-564-3161

Public access. Must follow fishing regulations.

Purchase a fishing license at: Barton County Clerk

1400 Main, Great Bend 620-793-8835

P&S Security

255 West Barton Co. Road Great Bend 620-796-2133

Smokin Aces LLC

268 Highway 281, Great Bend 620-792-9914

Sutherlands Lumber

5520 10th, Great Bend 620-792-2900

Wal-Mart

3503 10th, Great Bend 620-792-3632

HUNTER SAFETY COURSES

Great Bend Recreation Commission

620-793-3755

Barton County Sheriff’s Offi

620-793-1876

The BCSO also offers concealed carry classes.

Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks https://programs. ksoutdoors.com/ Programs/Hunter

The Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks Wildlife Manager Jason Wagner (620-793-3066) supervises hunting at the Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area northeast of Great Bend. A yearly hunting schedule is available at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center, or online at www.ksoutdoors.com. For 24-hour and current conditions, call (620-793-7730).

Area Lakes

Wilson Lake

Wilson Lake is a reservoir north of Wilson, 54 miles northeast of Great Bend, 5 miles north of I-70, west of K-232 on the border of Russell County and Lincoln County.

Wilson Lake was built and managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for irrigation, flood control, recreation, fish and wildlife habitat. Several parks are located along its shoreline, including Wilson State Park. Wilson Reservoir features a rugged shoreline with scenic cliffs and rocky outcrops. The wildlife area features deer, pheasant, waterfowl, songbirds and furbearers.

Wilson Reservoir features white bass and striped bass fishing. The Cedar Trail in the Otoe area offers a 1-mile loop with a concrete surface perfect for a low-stress walk. The 25-1/2-mile Switchgrass Bike Trail offers mountain bikers a challenge.

The Wilson Wildlife Area is located on the upper end of the 9,000acre Wilson Reservoir. The 8,069-acre public hunting area made up of 5,000 acres of rugged, rolling hills of native prairie, next to the Saline River, Cedar Creek, Turkey Creek and Elm Creek. The waterfowl refuge was established in 1996.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers planned, designed, and constructed Wilson Dam in 1964 at a cost of $20 million.

Kanopolis Lake

Kanopolis Lake is 44 miles northwest of Great Bend, located on the Prairie Trail Scenic Byway northwest of Marquette along K-141, five miles north of the K-4/K-141 junction, or 7 miles south of the K-140/K-141 junction east of Ellsworth.

Kanopolis Lake was the first state park in Kansas, situated in the rolling hills, bluffs and woods of the scenic Smoky Hills region. The park offers towering Dakota sandstone bluffs to caves and crevices of Horsethief Canyon. It offers rugged beauty and stunning vistas. The park is split into areas north and south of the dam and features two federal parks.

Kanopolis features 30 miles of trails open to hikers, horseback riders and mountain bikers. Fifteen miles are located in the Smoky Hill Wildlife Area. The 3,500-acre lake and 12,500acre wildlife area provides anglers and hunters plenty of fish and game. Faris Caves is located near the Smoky Hill River towards the northwest portion. The caves were carved by early pioneers and served as a school house, milk house and living quarters.

Wildlife viewing and photography opportunities are plentiful. Kanopolis State Park manages the nearby Mushroom Rock State Park, a picnic area with unique geologic formations.

607 W. 15th, Ellsworth, KS www.cashco.com

If you like the ability to combine your work life with hobbies of hunting and fishing, scope out Cashco located in Ellsworth offering entry level job opportunities that can become a career. Check out their website for a listing of what is available.

View descriptions online at www.cashco.com/careers. Applications can be submitted online or at our office. Contact Ellen Kempke at 785-380-7035 or ellenk@cashco.com for more information. EOE/AAP/ADA employer.

Cashco manufactures a proprietary line of self-contained regulators and control valves along with tank blanketing vents. We supply our products on a global basis. We are always looking for mechanically inclined employees to work as machinists or assemblers.