• The Ellsworth varsity girls’ tennis team won regionals for the fourth consecutive year and will move on to state this weekend. JENNA ZAMRZLA/Courtesy photo

    Tennis team qualifies for state

    October 14, 2026 - 06:22 | By Catherine Doud
    Girls’ tennis team wins regionals for 4th consecutive year; entire team advances to stateThe Ellsworth varsity tennis team advances to compete at state after the team won the regional meet Oct. 9-10 at home.“This is the fourth consecutive year that the girls’ tennis team has won their regional and...
  • Second Assistant Chief Jeff Landon keeps the flattop filled with hot dogs for hungry guests. The freewill donation meal is an annual part of Fire Prevention Week.

    Fire department celebrates Fire Prevention Week

    October 14, 2026 - 06:22 | By Catherine Doud
    Ellsworth Volunteer Fire Department trucks hit the streets around noon Saturday, but they weren’t fighting fires. They were carrying a special load of young citizens celebrating annual Fire Prevention Week.“This is our annual event during Fire Prevention Week every year.
  • No. 2 singles player Hannah Vague placed 1st at league.

    Tennis dominates league meet

    October 07, 2026 - 06:22 | By Catherine Doud
    The Ellsworth varsity tennis team stayed afloat despite a rainy week that canceled two scheduled home tournaments last week.
  • Celeste Rodriguez, left, examines her work, as Cindy Lloyd drags a stencil to the next 10-yard line marker Sept. 2 at Shanelec Field. The custodial workers paint the field before the football season begins, and maintains it throughout the season. Photos by KAREN BONAR/Ellsworth County Independent-Reporter

    Celeste, Cindy walk, paint the lines

    October 07, 2026 - 06:22 | By Karen Bonar
    Before the Bearcat football team can take the field to play Friday night, the field has to be gameready.The starting lineup to the draw lines on the field is Celeste Rodriguez and Cindy Lloyd.Members of the custodial staff, Celeste and Cindy wheel out the string to create lines and fire up the...
  • Sophomore Octavio Rodriguez competes at the SES meet, where he placed ninth and set a personal record of 17:25.

    Girls’ cross country places third at SES

    September 30, 2026 - 06:22 | By Jeremy Obermeyer
    GYPSUM — The Ellsworth cross country teams competed in the Southeast of Saline Invitational Sept. 22.“This was the first meet we’ve been able to have in the afternoon this season, and Mother Nature was good to us,” head coach Eric Coonrod said.

    Editor's Pick

    Second Assistant Chief Jeff Landon keeps the flattop filled with hot dogs for hungry guests. The freewill donation meal is an annual part of Fire Prevention Week.

    Fire department celebrates Fire Prevention Week

    9 hours ago By Catherine Doud
    Ellsworth Volunteer Fire Department trucks hit the streets around noon Saturday, but they weren’t fighting fires. They were carrying a special load of young citizens celebrating annual Fire Prevention Week.“This is our annual event during Fire Prevention Week every year.
    New Ellsworth City Administrator Emily Burns, left, is sworn in Monday by City Clerk Louise Ranker. RUSS ALLEN/Courtesy photo

    City swears Burns in as new administrator

    9 hours ago By Alan Rusch
    The Ellsworth City Council welcomed new City Administrator Emily Burns at Monday’s council meeting.Burns, who succeeds Interim City Administrator Allen Dinkel, was sworn in at the beginning of the meeting by City Clerk Louise Ranker.Burns was born and raised in southwest Kansas in the Dodge...

    News

    Ellsworth Police Chief Chad Murphy briefs county employees on the active shooter training for the day. ALAN RUSCH/Ellsworth County Independent-Reporter

    Multiple agencies collaborate for drill

    9 hours ago By Alan Rusch
    With the county courthouse officially closed for Columbus Day Monday, employees gathered there for a day of basic training on CPR, AED, first aid and active shooter training.Ellsworth Police Chief Chad Murphy said he was asked to train the courthouse staff on active shooter.

    Obituaries

    Alt Text for Image

    Willis J. McClure

    1 week ago By News Staff
    (1950-2026)Willis J. McClure, 76, of Ellsworth, Kan., passed away on his birthday, Sept. 19, 2026, at Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice in Wichita, Kan. He was born Sept. 19, 1950, in Kansas City, Kan., the son of Willis Stephen McClure and Blanche Lucille Adams McClure.
    Alt Text for Image

    Diane M. Krupp

    1 week ago By News Staff
    (1944-2026)Diane M. Krupp, 82, passed away Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, in Wichita, Kan. She was born Feb. 22, 1944, in Great Bend, Kan., to Melvin and Angela (Penka) Weers. Diane married John Wayne Krupp in Great Bend on March 27, 1982.

    Sports

    Senior Molly Ehrlich, left, starts the race strong on the Ellsworth Golf Course Oct. 6.

    Bearcats host cross-country meet

    9 hours ago By Jeremy Obermeyer
    The Ellsworth cross-country team hosted their home meet Oct. 6, with 99 runners competing in both high school varsity divisions on what is the toughest course most of the competitors have run all season.On the team’s home course, senior Molly Ehrlich placed third and set an Ellsworth course PR time...
    The Ellsworth varsity girls’ tennis team won regionals for the fourth consecutive year and will move on to state this weekend. JENNA ZAMRZLA/Courtesy photo

    Tennis team qualifies for state

    9 hours ago By Catherine Doud
    Girls’ tennis team wins regionals for 4th consecutive year; entire team advances to stateThe Ellsworth varsity tennis team advances to compete at state after the team won the regional meet Oct. 9-10 at home.“This is the fourth consecutive year that the girls’ tennis team has won their regional and...

    Columns

    From Our Readers

    9 hours ago By News Staff
    Fire prevention week?Dear Editor: After watching all the 9-11 television shows, and I tried to watch all, we should all appreciate our first responders.