• The business consists of a liquor store on the right, the bait shop and a large community room added to the back. Photos by CATHERINE DOUD/Ellsworth County Independent-Reporter

    Bait shop continues to reel in customers

    6 hours ago | By Catherine Doud
    For years the old Simmons Bait Shop on Highway 141 south of the Kanopolis Lake dam on the corner of the turn to Marquette was known for its live bait and other offerings. After the owner died about 20 years ago, the building fell into obscurity and eventually became a private residence.
  • 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

    1 week 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.
  • Youth participate in the song “God Is” June 2 during Ellsworth Community VBS in the Ellsworth Elementary School gym. Students participated in songs, games, bible adventures, sticky scriptures and other activities throughout the week. Photos by KAREN BONAR/Ellsworth County Independent-Reporter

    VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

    2 weeks ago | By News Staff
  • Ellsworth City Street Department employee Daren Webb clears a tree from West 2nd Street Tuesday morning. KAREN BONAR/Ellsworth County Independent-Reporter

    Storm causes damage around county

    2 weeks ago | By High Winds Cause Rollovers On I-70
    By i-r StaffNearly 100-mph winds caused a minimum of six rollover accidents along Interstate 70 in central Kansas Monday evening, as a thunderstorm made its way southeast through this part of the state.According to the Kansas Highway Patrol dispatch in Salina, at 8:37 p.m.
  • 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

    3 weeks 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.

    Editor's Pick

    The business consists of a liquor store on the right, the bait shop and a large community room added to the back. Photos by CATHERINE DOUD/Ellsworth County Independent-Reporter

    Bait shop continues to reel in customers

    6 hours ago By Catherine Doud
    For years the old Simmons Bait Shop on Highway 141 south of the Kanopolis Lake dam on the corner of the turn to Marquette was known for its live bait and other offerings. After the owner died about 20 years ago, the building fell into obscurity and eventually became a private residence.
    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

    1 week 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.

    News

    USD 327 cuts 4 days

    6 hours ago By Karen Bonar
    School will be out for summer a little earlier next year.During Monday night’s Ellsworth-Kanopolis-Geneseo USD 327 Board of Education meeting, the board approved adding 10 minutes to each school day, which resulted in subtracting four days from the calendar.
    Workers prepare to remove the old projector on the podium at the Kanopolis Drive-In March 2 to make room for a 4K laser projector. KAREN BONAR/Ellsworth County Independent-Reporter

    Drive-in awarded commerce grant; free movie July 9

    6 hours ago By Karen Bonar
    KANOPOLIS — “Superman” under the stars will help celebrate a preservation grant at the Kanopolis Drive-In July 9.Monday, the Kansas Department of Commerce announced a $65,000 grant was awarded to the Kanopolis Drive-In to assist with replacement costs of the new projector.

    Obituaries

    Savage

    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.
    Rathbun

    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

    Track qualifies 7 for state meet

    4 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

    EDITORIAL

    6 hours ago By News Staff
    This week’s Ellsworth-Kanopolis-Geneseo USD 327 Board of Education meeting was the final one for Superintendent Deena Hilbig.I don’t often personally address public figures in editorials, but today I’m going to make an exception.Both Mrs.

    Picture perfect

    1 week 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.