Editor's Pick

    Candidates file for office

    1 hour 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.

    USD 327 BOE grills OPAA! about food service

    1 hour ago By Karen Bonar
    An addendum to renew a fixed price food service management contract sparked discussion during the May Ellsworth-Kanopolis-Geneseo USD 327 Board of Education meeting. The discussion continued during Monday night’s meeting.

    News

    Karen Bonar displays sweepstakes awards for both the Ellsworth County Independent-Reporter and Marquette Tribune newspapers. WAYNE MIKOLS/Ellsworth County Independent-Reporter

    Three-peat: Newspaper wins sweepstakes

    1 hour 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.
    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

    1 hour 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.

    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

    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

    EDITORIAL

    1 hour 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.

    Betting on wheat harvest

    1 hour ago By Jackie Mundt
    For the first time in decades, the FIFA World Cup is being played in the United States, with Kansas City serving as one of the host cities. The host cities are expected to see unprecedented crowds, bringing equal parts excitement and logistical challenges.