• Sophomore Octavio Rodriguez competes at the SES meet, where he placed ninth and set a personal record of 17:25.

    Girls’ cross country places third at SES

    September 30, 2026 - 06:22 | By Jeremy Obermeyer
    GYPSUM — The Ellsworth cross country teams competed in the Southeast of Saline Invitational Sept. 22.“This was the first meet we’ve been able to have in the afternoon this season, and Mother Nature was good to us,” head coach Eric Coonrod said.
  • The Fort Harker Guardhouse Museum is considered by some paranormal investigators to be the epicenter of the fort’s paranormal activity, possibly due to its prior use as a cellblock. Local residents have occasionally reported seeing what appear to be military guards standing on the upper deck of the building.

    Haunting at Fort Harker

    September 30, 2026 - 06:22 | By Catherine Doud
    KANOPOLIS — Fort Harker Guardhouse Museum is a popular place for historic tours yearround. Fort Harker Interpretive Guide Greg Heller has led thousands of informative visits around the complex.But this weekend’s tour will be a little different.
  • Acclaimed blues artist James Armstrong talks to the crowd while presenting a master class Saturday afternoon at the Roots & Blues Festival in T he Barn at the Midland Railroad Hotel.

    Wilson draws crowd to Roots & Blues Festival

    September 22, 2026 - 14:07 | By Ellsworth
    WILSON — It was still a hot Kansas afternoon when the Roots and Blues Festival kicked off at 2 p.m. Sept. 19 with a master class by acclaimed blues musician James Armstrong.
  • Darren Kempke, left, and Brian McClendon watch the drone lift off the track near the end zone at Shanelec Field during the Sept. 4 football game.

    Football manager utilizes drone to capture game footage

    September 22, 2026 - 13:42 | By Ellsworth
    About 100 feet off the ground, near the end zone, flies a drone.Below, seated in a camping chair, Ellsworth Jr./Sr. High School sophomore Darren Kempke records the game action.“It started in eighth grade year,” Kempke said. “I filmed for Coach Hipp. I kinda just thought it was right for me.
  • Ellsworth’s Gage Laas tries to grab a few more yards as Sacred Heart’s Landon Pfeifer grabs Laas’ jersey. The Bearcats lost the homecoming game 26-0. KAREN BONAR/Ellsworth County Independent-Reporter

    Football falls to Sacred Heart on Homecoming

    September 16, 2026 - 06:22 | By Jeremy Obermeyer
    Coming off a win from a week ago, the Ellsworth football team welcomed the Sacred Heart Knights to Shanelec Field for Homecoming Sept. 11. The Knights came into the contest with a 1-0 record and are ranked No. 10 in Class 1A.The Bearcats fell to the Knights, 26-0.

    Editor's Pick

    The Fort Harker Guardhouse Museum is considered by some paranormal investigators to be the epicenter of the fort’s paranormal activity, possibly due to its prior use as a cellblock. Local residents have occasionally reported seeing what appear to be military guards standing on the upper deck of the building.

    Haunting at Fort Harker

    3 hours ago By Catherine Doud
    KANOPOLIS — Fort Harker Guardhouse Museum is a popular place for historic tours yearround. Fort Harker Interpretive Guide Greg Heller has led thousands of informative visits around the complex.But this weekend’s tour will be a little different.
    Public restrooms, that will be open year-round, are proposed at the site of the World’s Largest Czech Egg in Wilson. File photo by Catherine Doud

    Restrooms planned for Czech Egg visitor’s area

    3 hours ago By Catherine Doud
    WILSON — Big plans have been incubating around the World’s Largest Czech Egg, and now they are getting ready to hatch.A combination of entities has been working together to bring new public restrooms and shelters to Czech Egg Park.

    News

    Match Month begins for SHCF

    3 hours ago By Catherine Doud
    October means different things to different people. For some, it’s the beginning of spooky season. For others, it’s the real peak time of fall. And for some, it’s all about football. But in Ellsworth County, Oct. 1 is the first day of the annual Smoky Hills Community Foundation’s Match Month.

    Obituaries

    Alt Text for Image

    Ann P. Kaiser

    1 week ago By News Staff
    (1948-2026)Ann P. Kaiser peacefully passed away on Sept. 13, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. Born in Great Bend, Kan., Ann lived a life marked by deep love, creativity and an unwavering belief in the potential of every child.
    Alt Text for Image

    Betty Jean (Langerman) Heinze

    1 week ago By News Staff
    (1930-2026)Betty Jean (Langerman) Heinze died Sept. 13, 2026, at Salina Regional Hospital. She was born on Nov. 26, 1930, in Ellsworth, Kan. Betty graduated from Wilson High School. She was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart, Earl Robert Heinze, on Aug. 15, 1948.

    Sports

    Sophomore Octavio Rodriguez competes at the SES meet, where he placed ninth and set a personal record of 17:25.

    Girls’ cross country places third at SES

    3 hours ago By Jeremy Obermeyer
    GYPSUM — The Ellsworth cross country teams competed in the Southeast of Saline Invitational Sept. 22.“This was the first meet we’ve been able to have in the afternoon this season, and Mother Nature was good to us,” head coach Eric Coonrod said.
    Junior Makenna Anderson, left, and senior Reygan Coonrod celebrate a point during the season opener in Ellsworth Sept. 1.

    Tennis continues to dominate at home, away

    1 week ago By Ellsworth
    The Ellsworth varsity girls’ tennis team was on a roll last week, winning on the road at Phillipsburg Sept. 15, followed by a win at home at the Ellsworth Invitational Sept. 17.Head coach Eric Anderson said he is pleased with the team’s progress.

    Columns

    From Our Readers

    3 hours ago By ‘somewhere In Iran’
    My father, Cpl. Harold P. Byerley, served in the U.S. military between 1942-45 in the European theatre and southeast Asia.So many of my father’s generation didn’t talk about their service.My father was attached to a quartermaster company, serving as a truck driver.

    Sharing stories of success

    1 week ago By Ellsworth
    As the heat waves of summer start to give way to fall, it brings to mind the commitment and patience that are necessary to bring about change and success. This is true for our students, athletes and musicians. It’s also true for all the educators and staff who make our schools special.