Ellsworth County Independent Reporter

Editor's Pick

Cancer survivor Fred Smith with Deb Mog June 13 at the Ellsworth County Cancer Fund Community Appreciation Picnic at the American Legion. Photos by ALAN RUSCH/Ellsworth County Independent-Reporter

Support grows for ECCF during picnic

2 hours ago By Alan Rusch

Alarge crowd gathered at the Ellsworth American Legion June 13 for a delicious meal, great musical entertainment, silent auction and raffle prizes — and most important of all — the opportunity to donate funds to help local cancer patients in Ellsworth County win their battle against the disease.

Candidates file for office

1 week ago By I-r Staff

Local residents have thrown their hat in the ring for local office. Filing deadline was noon June 1, ahead of the Aug. 4 primary election.The District 1 seat for Ellsworth County Commission drew one candidate, Todd Heitschmidt.

News

Wilson discusses staffing needs for city; accounting firm to assist with...

2 hours ago By Alan Rusch

WILSON — With the search for a full-time city clerk/ treasurer/municipal court clerk still ongoing, and with preparation of the 2027 Wilson city budget looming, Wilson City Council members began discussion of possibly hiring an accounting firm — specifically Gudenkauf and Malone Inc.

Three-peat: Newspaper wins sweepstakes

1 week ago By I-r Staff

HUTCHINSON — For the third consecutive year, the Ellsworth County Independent-Reporter earned the sweepstakes award at the Kansas Press Association Awards of Excellence June 5.“Collectively, the I-R staff earned 46 awards, which is more than we earned last year,” Editor/Publisher Karen Bonar said.

Obituaries

Kathleen Lynn Savage (1956-2026)

1 month ago By Ellsworth

Kathleen Lynn Savage was born Sept. 6, 1956, in Russell Kan., to Kenneth and Helen (Withrow) Savage. She passed from this life on March 31, 2026, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Betty Louise Rathbun (1930-2026)

1 month ago By Ellsworth

Betty Louise Rathbun, 96, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 26, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family at her home in Ellsworth. She was born Jan. 18, 1930, in Sapulpa, Okla., to William “Dan” and Ada (Moore) Stockstill.On March 18, 1949, Betty married Ronald K. Rathbun in Ellsworth.

Sports

The girls’ 4x100-meter relay team of, from left, Kinly Place, Kari Place, Lainey Peschka and Kathryn Buggeln, celebrate a fifth place finish. The team also set a new school record for the race. Photos by jeremy obermeyer/Ellsworth County Independent-Reporter

Girls’ 4x100 relay sets new school record at state meet

2 weeks ago By Jeremy Obermeyer

WICHITA — The Ellsworth girls’ track team posted some big finishes as they competed at the KSHSAA State Track Championships May 29-30 at Wichita State University’s Crossland Stadium.

Track qualifies 7 for state meet

3 weeks ago By Jeremy Obermeyer

BELOIT — Qualifying members of the Ellsworth boys’ and girls’ track and field teams competed in the KSHSAA Class 3A Regionals May 21.Facing some inclement weather and stiff competition, the Bearcat girls placed sixth in team competition, qualifying in seven events to compete at the state meet.

Columns

Picture perfect

2 hours ago By Kim Baldwin

Sixteen Junes ago, my soon-to-be-husband and I had our engagement photos taken. We went into the photographer’s Main Street studio to have a number of photos taken with different backdrops that were to be used for invitations and wedding announcements in the coming months.

EDITORIAL

1 week ago By News Staff

The first time the Ellsworth County Independent-Reporter earned a sweepstakes award, I was on my bicycle riding from the Colorado border to the Missouri border, across the state of Kansas.