• Acclaimed blues artist James Armstrong talks to the crowd while presenting a master class Saturday afternoon at the Roots & Blues Festival in T he Barn at the Midland Railroad Hotel.

    Wilson draws crowd to Roots & Blues Festival

    September 22, 2026 - 14:07 | By Ellsworth
    WILSON — It was still a hot Kansas afternoon when the Roots and Blues Festival kicked off at 2 p.m. Sept. 19 with a master class by acclaimed blues musician James Armstrong.
  • Darren Kempke, left, and Brian McClendon watch the drone lift off the track near the end zone at Shanelec Field during the Sept. 4 football game.

    Football manager utilizes drone to capture game footage

    September 22, 2026 - 13:42 | By Ellsworth
    About 100 feet off the ground, near the end zone, flies a drone.Below, seated in a camping chair, Ellsworth Jr./Sr. High School sophomore Darren Kempke records the game action.“It started in eighth grade year,” Kempke said. “I filmed for Coach Hipp. I kinda just thought it was right for me.
  • Ellsworth’s Gage Laas tries to grab a few more yards as Sacred Heart’s Landon Pfeifer grabs Laas’ jersey. The Bearcats lost the homecoming game 26-0. KAREN BONAR/Ellsworth County Independent-Reporter

    Football falls to Sacred Heart on Homecoming

    September 16, 2026 - 06:22 | By Jeremy Obermeyer
    Coming off a win from a week ago, the Ellsworth football team welcomed the Sacred Heart Knights to Shanelec Field for Homecoming Sept. 11. The Knights came into the contest with a 1-0 record and are ranked No. 10 in Class 1A.The Bearcats fell to the Knights, 26-0.
  • Freshman Mazie Barta leads the pack at the Hesston Invitational Sept. 10. She set a PR during the race. ERIC COONROD/Ellsworth County Independent-Reporter

    Girls’ XC shows strength at Hesston meet

    September 16, 2026 - 06:22 | By Jeremy Obermeyer
    HESSTON — The Bearcat cross country team competed on a damp and overcast day Sept. 10 in the Hesston Invitational.
  • The crowd gathers at Douglas Avenue and East 1st Street while the homecoming candidates are introduced.

    Homecoming activities bolster community spirit

    September 16, 2026 - 06:22 | By Karen Bonar
    At 11 a.m. Friday, it was a breezy 80 degrees outside.Up and down Douglas Avenue and around the community, Ellsworth Jr./Sr. High School students were spreading school spirit ahead of that night’s homecoming game.“I’ve always enjoyed window painting. I think it’s fun,” junior Isabelle Tripp said.

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    News

    Darren Kempke, left, and Brian McClendon watch the drone lift off the track near the end zone at Shanelec Field during the Sept. 4 football game.

    Football manager utilizes drone to capture game footage

    3 days ago By Ellsworth
    About 100 feet off the ground, near the end zone, flies a drone.Below, seated in a camping chair, Ellsworth Jr./Sr. High School sophomore Darren Kempke records the game action.“It started in eighth grade year,” Kempke said. “I filmed for Coach Hipp. I kinda just thought it was right for me.

    Kanopolis sets new date for budget hearing

    1 week ago By Karen Bonar
    KANOPOLIS — No city council meeting took place Sept. 8 because not enough council members were in attendance.“It’s been past five minutes, no response from Michelle (Schwerdtfeger, council president),” Mayor Tom Wilkinson said.

    Obituaries

    Alt Text for Image

    Ann P. Kaiser

    2 days ago By News Staff
    (1948-2026)Ann P. Kaiser peacefully passed away on Sept. 13, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. Born in Great Bend, Kan., Ann lived a life marked by deep love, creativity and an unwavering belief in the potential of every child.
    Alt Text for Image

    Betty Jean (Langerman) Heinze

    2 days ago By News Staff
    (1930-2026)Betty Jean (Langerman) Heinze died Sept. 13, 2026, at Salina Regional Hospital. She was born on Nov. 26, 1930, in Ellsworth, Kan. Betty graduated from Wilson High School. She was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart, Earl Robert Heinze, on Aug. 15, 1948.

    Sports

    Junior Makenna Anderson, left, and senior Reygan Coonrod celebrate a point during the season opener in Ellsworth Sept. 1.

    Tennis continues to dominate at home, away

    3 days ago By Ellsworth
    The Ellsworth varsity girls’ tennis team was on a roll last week, winning on the road at Phillipsburg Sept. 15, followed by a win at home at the Ellsworth Invitational Sept. 17.Head coach Eric Anderson said he is pleased with the team’s progress.

    Volleyball goes 3-4 in busy week

    3 days ago By Ellsworth
    The Ellsworth volleyball team had a busy week, hosting Sacred Heart Sept. 15, followed by traveling to Little River Sept. 17, then to Wichita Sept. 19 to compete in the Wichita Trinity Invitational.

    Columns

    Sharing stories of success

    3 days ago By Ellsworth
    As the heat waves of summer start to give way to fall, it brings to mind the commitment and patience that are necessary to bring about change and success. This is true for our students, athletes and musicians. It’s also true for all the educators and staff who make our schools special.