Ford County

Great Bend Chamber of Commerce officials announce plans for a new farm and ranch expo in Central Kansas. The announcement today comes after an announcement Wednesday that the 3i Show is moving to Dodge City. For the past six decades the annual 3i agriculture trade show by the Western Kansas Manufacturers Association has alternated between Garden City and Great Bend. The Great Bend chamber says it is developing an annual show to be called The Great Bend Farm and Ranch Expo. It would be held the second week of every April.

11 Sedan, KS (Chautauqua County) 6:30pm CST The talk will be held at the VFW located at 520 W. Walnut.         13 Eureka, KS (Greenwood County) 6:30pm CST Talk will be held at the Eureka High School Auditorium.     20 Lincoln, KS (Lincoln County) 6:30pm CST The talk will be at Lincoln High School located at 701 E. North St.     21 Salina, KS (Saline County)

In the middle of Dodge City Days, the Ford County Courthouse celebrates its own place in history. Today marks the buildings 100th year anniversary. It was built in 1912 with $100,000. Through the years, the building has undergone new enhancements and various renovations. Ford County District Judge, Van Hampton told Eyewitness News, "I was very pleased to see all the people and their interest they have with the court and the Courthouse. And it is interesting to look at the history of the Courthouse here because of course the courthouse is an important part of the county" Certain sections of the Ford County Courthouse were open to the public for tours.

Four people are dead after a crash in Ford County. The crash happened at 5:50 Tuesday afternoon at Highway 50 and Howell Road. Location of Crash The Kansas Highway Patrol says a truck was going southbound on Howell when it failed to stop at the stop sign, and struck a SUV. 37 year-old Clemente Guerra from Dodge City was driving the SUV and died. Passengers in the SUV Genero Navidad, 42 year-old Hector Rosales, and 32 year-old Pedro Barron-Raymundo also died.

A 17-year-old girl dies and another person is hurt after a car and semi collide in Ford County. The accident happened around 4:00 on Tuesday morning on U.S. 54 about 11 miles east of the intersection with highway 283. The Kansas Highway Patrol says 17-year old Aracely Martinez was driving east on 54 when she crossed into the westbound lane.  That's when her car struck a semi with two trailers going westbound.  Martinez's car then lost...

A company in Ford County wants a tax break in order to expand. Ellis James, Inc., will ask the Ford County Commission for a 10-year, prorated tax abatement for the project. The company plans to manufacture counter top surfaces. The company would go in next to the current Kitchens, Inc., building. The tax break would pay for a new showroom and fabrication shop. Under the expansion plan, Ellis James says it will hire five people in the first year and five more people over the next four years.

United Wireless will pay more than $700,000 for the rights to add its name to the new Dodge City/Ford County Events Center. The United Wireless Arena is set to open in February. United Wireless will also pay to advertise inside the area The new events center is part of a push by the city and county to make the area a destination for travelers throughout southwest Kansas. It will have just more than 6,000 seats and will host concerts, trade shows, sports events as well as public ice skating.

The man accused of killing a three-year-old Dodge City girl made his first appearance in court today.  Twenty-eight year-old Brock Cunningham was charged with first degree murder and child abuse for the 2008 death of Natalie Pickle. Cunningham was taking care of her at the time she died.  Police ruled Pickle's death as a homicide at the time, but Cunningham wasn't arrested until this month. He's out on a $75,000 bond.  His next court appearance hasn't yet been scheduled. During the hearing, the courtroom was packed with his family and friends.  "It's hung over his head for four years now," said Karen Rader, Cunningham's aunt.  "It just needs to be done away with and dismissed.  He is not guilty.  Absolutely not guilty.

Ford County gets help from four other agencies to serve 30 arrest warrants on November 2nd, 2011. The agencies involved were Ford County Sheriff Department, Dodge City Police Department, Kansas Bureau of Investigation, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. All of the warrants served were the result of several narcotic investigation conducted by the drug task force. 25 of the 30 arrest warrants have been served. Suspects will face a wide array of narcotic related charges.