• Phyllis Orozco unwraps tamales for take-out orders in advance of the annual fiesta at St. Ignatius of Loyola Church.

    Community prepares for annual fiesta

    September 09, 2026 - 06:22 | By Karen Bonar
    KANOPOLIS — As more than half a dozen pots filled with tamales steam on the 10-burner gas stove, Phyllis Orozco and her sister, Teresa Trujillo, prepare to-go orders.“We make these in July and freeze them and cook them. I come back and help make tamales,” Orozco said.
  • Visitors fill their plates for lunch Sept. 6 at the Lorenz Picnic in rural Ellsworth County. KAREN BONAR/Ellsworth County Independent-Reporter

    Annual picnic continues family tradition

    September 09, 2026 - 06:22 | By Karen Bonar
    CARNEIRO — About three dozen guests gathered for the annual Lorenz Picnic Sunday afternoon.While temperatures leading up to the Labor Day weekend were consistently in the triple digits, at 1 p.m. under the trees of the Lorenz homestead, the temperatures were much cooler.
  • The old welcome to Holyrood sign on the edge of town will be getting a new makeover soon, thanks to a grant from the Smoky Hills Community Foundation.

    Holyrood sign gets refresh thanks to SHCF

    September 02, 2026 - 06:22 | By Catherine Doud
    HOLYROOD — The Smoky Hills Community Foundation’s spring 2026 grant cycle funded eight projects across Ellsworth County. Two of those grants will make an impact in the community of Holyrood.An old sign welcomes visitors to the community, but not for long.
  • From left, EMT Scout Tokoi, paramedic Alex Winters and paramedic Elisabeth Mohler show the new IV pump purchased with grant funds. Courtesy photo

    Grant allows EMS to equip new ambulance

    August 26, 2026 - 06:22 | By Catherine Doud
    The Smoky Hills Community Foundation’s spring 2026 grant cycle funded eight projects across Ellsworth County, but one grant could have a particularly important impact for residents living miles from town, helping bring an added measure of safety and security to the county’s rural communities.
  • Ellsworth High School FFA students provided oldtime games like sack races and tug-o-war on the museum grounds after the parade.

    Cowtown parade, activities provide fun for all

    August 19, 2026 - 06:22 | By Catherine Doud
    Cowtown Day stampeded back into Ellsworth over the weekend with the return of the Cowtown Day parade at 11 a.m. Saturday morning.

    Editor's Pick

    Phyllis Orozco unwraps tamales for take-out orders in advance of the annual fiesta at St. Ignatius of Loyola Church.

    Community prepares for annual fiesta

    9 hours ago By Karen Bonar
    KANOPOLIS — As more than half a dozen pots filled with tamales steam on the 10-burner gas stove, Phyllis Orozco and her sister, Teresa Trujillo, prepare to-go orders.“We make these in July and freeze them and cook them. I come back and help make tamales,” Orozco said.
    Visitors fill their plates for lunch Sept. 6 at the Lorenz Picnic in rural Ellsworth County. KAREN BONAR/Ellsworth County Independent-Reporter

    Annual picnic continues family tradition

    9 hours ago By Karen Bonar
    CARNEIRO — About three dozen guests gathered for the annual Lorenz Picnic Sunday afternoon.While temperatures leading up to the Labor Day weekend were consistently in the triple digits, at 1 p.m. under the trees of the Lorenz homestead, the temperatures were much cooler.

    News

    The cross country team stretches during a morning practice Sept. 4. ERIC COONROD/Ellsworth County Independent-Reporter

    Lengthy heat causes issues for games, adjustments for practices

    9 hours ago By Catherine Doud
    Unrelenting late August and early September heat has been punishing for high school athletes this season. Ellsworth coaches, athletes, parents and teachers are feeling the heat as they work to keep athletes practicing and competing while still studying without risking their health.Ellsworth Jr./Sr.
    Kansas State School Board of Education candidates answered questions at a meet-and-greet event at the USD 400 Board of Education offices Aug. 25. From left, Destry Brown, (R), Dist. 9; Alana McWilliams, (R), Dist. 7; Ann Zimmerman, (D), Dist. 7; and Heather Guernsey, (D), Dist. 9. CATHERINE DOUD/Marquette Tribune

    Candidates discuss education issues

    1 week ago By Catherine Doud
    LINDSBORG — Marquette-area residents were given the opportunity to question Kansas State Board of Education candidates Aug. 25 at the Smoky Valley Board of Education office, Lindsborg.

    Obituaries

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    John Ralph Westerman

    1 week ago By News Staff
    (1946-2026)John Ralph Westerman was born on April 7, 1946, in Ellsworth, Kan., to Ralph and Neva Westerman. He passed away peacefully on July 24, 2026, with his wife Dorothy and daughter Julie at his side.John was the oldest of his parents’ four children and grew up helping on his father’s farm.
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    Elaine Jo Legere

    1 week ago By News Staff
    (1952-2026)Elaine Jo Soukup-Legere passed away on Aug. 19, 2026, in Fort Worth, Texas, at the age of 74.Elaine was born on May 4, 1952, in Ellsworth, Kan., to John Soukup and Arline Bettenbrock-Soukup.

    Sports

    Reygan Coonrod competes in No. 1 doubles during the Sept. 1 Ellsworth Invitational.

    Tennis takes home meet, off to strong start

    9 hours ago By Catherine Doud
    The Ellsworth varsity girls’ tennis team hosted eight teams in their invitational tournament Sept. 1, and managed to claim a first-place team victory, despite an early start due to the heat.Overall, the Ellsworth team placed first with 64 points.
    Junior Bo Kyler runs the ball during the first half of the home season opener Sept. 4. KAREN BONAR/Ellsworth County Independent-Reporter

    Bearcats claw past Lions in season opener

    9 hours ago By Jeremy Obermeyer
    The Ellsworth football team hosted the Minneapolis Lions Sept. 4 to open the 2026 season and NCAA league play.Following a touchback on the opening kickoff, Minneapolis put together a 12-play, 80-yard drive to take an early 8-0 lead over the Bearcats with 7:24 remaining on the clock.

    Columns

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    25 years later: still struggling to understand

    9 hours ago By Karen Bonar
    Friday marks the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.Like so many of our readers, I remember exactly where I was on that day.I was standing in the middle of a field on the Konza Prairie, photographing a pair of horse trainers. This was a self assignment for a photojournalism class.

    EDITORIAL

    1 week ago By News Staff
    The queen is dead. Long live the queen.That queen, of course, would be legendary country entertainer Dolly Parton, who slipped the surly bonds of Earth on Aug. 25 at the age of 80.