• Kansas Army National Guard SFC Gabriel Bailey gives the Memorial Day address at Wilson City Cemetery. JAN SHAW/Special to the I-R

    Bailey gives Memorial Day address at Wilson

    2 hours ago | By News Staff
    Special to the I-RWILSON — Ellsworth High School graduate and Kansas Army National Guard Sergeant First Class Gabriel K. Bailey, gave the Memorial Day speech May 25 at the Wilson City Cemetery.
  • A farmer loads sunflower seeds after a severe thunderstorm recently passed through rural Ottawa County May 18.

    Diehl weathers the storms

    2 hours ago | By Tanner Colvin
    Monday, May 18, 2026, was a day that the Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Okla., had outlined as one to keep an eye on.
  • U.S. Navy Commander Robert Laubengayer, Ret., Ellsworth, gives the Memorial Day address. ALAN RUSCH/Ellsworth County Independent-Reporter

    Local Memorial Day celebration nods to America’s 250th

    1 week ago | By Alan Rusch
    On Monday, Memorial Day, residents of Ellsworth County paused to remember their fellow Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice for their freedom.
  • Ripley Kepka celebrates as she’s recognized as the 2026 Reading Grand Champion and winner of the Claudia Patry Reading Award. In addition to the medal, certificate and trophy, her name is engraved on the plaque honoring each year’s winner. CATHERINE DOUD/Ellsworth County Independent-Reporter

    Remembering the Dragons

    1 week ago | By Catherine Doud
    WILSON — On May 19, Wilson Elementary School students gathered in the gym for the last time. It wasn’t just the end-of-the-year awards assembly, but a memorial to the end of the public school in Wilson.
  • Elyse Haxton tees off at the Salina Municipal Golf Course during regional competition Monday. She shot 112 and placed 62nd. CATHERINE DOUD/Ellsworth County Independent-Reporter

    Golf season ends Monday at regional competition

    2 weeks ago | By Catherine Doud
    SALINA — The Ellsworth varsity golf team competed at 3A regionals on a windy and wet course at the Salina Municipal Golf Course May 18. Due to heavy rains in Salina the night before, the 8:30 a.m. start time was moved back to 9:30 a.m.The Bearcats came in ninth out of 14 teams with 76 golfers total.

    Editor's Pick

    Kansas Army National Guard SFC Gabriel Bailey gives the Memorial Day address at Wilson City Cemetery. JAN SHAW/Special to the I-R

    Bailey gives Memorial Day address at Wilson

    2 hours ago By News Staff
    Special to the I-RWILSON — Ellsworth High School graduate and Kansas Army National Guard Sergeant First Class Gabriel K. Bailey, gave the Memorial Day speech May 25 at the Wilson City Cemetery.

    News

    KSDE delivers administrative review decision

    2 hours ago By Catherine Doud
    WILSON — The final chapter of the story of the closing of Wilson Elementary School was written with the publication of the results of an administrative review by the Kansas State Department of Education.The review, signed by R.

    Obituaries

    Savage

    Kathleen Lynn Savage (1956-2026)

    4 weeks 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.
    Rathbun

    Betty Louise Rathbun (1930-2026)

    4 weeks 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

    Track qualifies 7 for state meet

    1 week 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

    More questions than answers

    2 hours ago By News Staff
    Before Wilson Jr./Sr. High School closed in 2023, local residents explored copious options for a land transfer.These repeated conversations, which began in 2022 and went into 2023, went nowhere.

    EDITORIAL

    1 week ago By News Staff
    There seems to be the impression that things get easier with time. While this can be true with academic or athletic feats, it doesn’t seem to get easier to say goodbye. Or at least, not for me.May 19 marked another chapter for education in our rural community of Wilson.