Fire engulfs barn

Flames engulf hay bales and machinery in a barn owned by Ron Gade in the early morning hours of Aug. 29. Firefighters worked for a good part of the day to get the fire under control and to keep it from spreading to a machine shed. Seward Fire and Rescue was called to barn fire just off of Alvo Road near the Highway 34 and Matzke Highway intersection in the early morning hours of Aug. 29. Wednesday, September 01, 2010

Enrollment rises at Seward, Malcolm schools

Enrollment rose for some area public schools and fell for others as school started this fall. The biggest surprise came for Milford Public Schools, which saw a drop in enrollment after a few years of increases. Wednesday, September 01, 2010

Church organ out for first time in 40 years

When the organ comes back, it will be better than ever. Originally installed in 1917, the Hinners pipe organ at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Staplehurst, is out of commission for the moment as it's cleaned and repaired for the first time in about 40 years. Wednesday, September 01, 2010

Tasty treats featured at chili cook-off

Extra spicy chili, deer chili, chicken chili and a wide variety of other recipes were available for tasting at the 2010 Goehner Volunteer Fire Department's chili cook-off. "This year we wanted to think of something that nobody else would do. We went with deer because we both like to hunt," said Dustin Blecha, who, working with Jared Koranda, entered a chili made with deer. Wednesday, September 01, 2010

Accident claims life, closes highway

A fiery three-vehicle crash on Highway 34 around 5:30 p.m. Aug. 23 claimed one life and closed the highway for more than an hour while crews worked to clean up the scene. Wednesday, September 01, 2010

Centennial starts first class of preschoolers

After seeing the need in the community, Centennial Public School decided it was time to add a preschool program. "The board saw a need with some of the kids we have coming into kindergarten and the fact that some families have not been able to do preschool," Centennial Superintendent Tim DeWaard said. "We have kids whose families couldn't afford preschool or can't transport their kids to preschool or Head Start. It's a good step to try to address that need." Wednesday, September 01, 2010