• 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 days 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.
  • Micah Galvan hugs his mom, Heather McClendon, as Ambriana McClendon captures the moment on her phone. Seniors handed a rose to a significant adult near the start of commencement. Photos by KAREN BONAR/Ellsworth County Independent-Reporter

    Graduates remember their ABCs

    2 days ago | By Karen Bonar
    During the May 17 Ellsworth Jr./Sr. High School graduation, the class of 2026 was reminded to take it back. All the way back to the building blocks of their education: The ABCs.
  • Fifth grader Aiden Bayles shares information during Veterans Night Monday at Kanopolis Middle School. His presentation was about Kevin Lemieux. KAREN BONAR/Ellsworth County Independent-Reporter

    VETERANS NIGHT

    1 week ago | By News Staff
  • Johnny Barta is struck by a line drive as he heads to third base.

    Baseball falls to Little River

    2 weeks ago | By Jeremy Obermeyer
    The Ellsworth baseball team welcomed the Little River Redskins May 1 in a May Day doubleheader. The Bearcats played the Redskins close in both matchups, but just couldn’t get over the hump as they dropped both games.
  • Great Bend resident John Vsetecka drives his 1930 Ford Model A Sport Coupe May 1 in Wilson. Photos by KAREN BONAR/Ellsworth County Independent-Reporter

    ‘Paper Moon’ festive brings back memories

    2 weeks ago | By Karen Bonar
    WILSON — Sporting shirts declaring, “I want my $200,” the team from Camelback Films previewed its “Paper Moon” documentary May 1 during the annual Paper Moon Festival.“You’ll be the first people to see a little taste of what our movie will be.

    Editor's Pick

    Micah Galvan hugs his mom, Heather McClendon, as Ambriana McClendon captures the moment on her phone. Seniors handed a rose to a significant adult near the start of commencement. Photos by KAREN BONAR/Ellsworth County Independent-Reporter

    Graduates remember their ABCs

    2 days ago By Karen Bonar
    During the May 17 Ellsworth Jr./Sr. High School graduation, the class of 2026 was reminded to take it back. All the way back to the building blocks of their education: The ABCs.

    News

    Kanopolis hires city clerk

    2 days ago By Karen Bonar
    KANOPOLIS — Marne Herlan was hired as the new city clerk during the May 12 Kanopolis City Council Meeting.She will begin her role full time June 1.“We did do an interview yesterday,” Mayor Tom Wilkinson said.Council approved hiring Herlan for $22 an hour.

    Wilson city clerk to retire

    2 days ago By Alan Rusch
    WILSON — At Monday’s meeting of the Wilson City Council, approval was given to the resignation of longtime Wilson City Clerk Susan Kriley.No explanation was given for the resignation, which tentatively takes effect June 8.

    Obituaries

    Savage

    Kathleen Lynn Savage (1956-2026)

    2 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)

    2 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

    Ehrlich, 4x100 set new records at league meet

    2 days ago By Jeremy Obermeyer
    Fresh off of setting a new school record in the 3,200-meter run, junior Molly Ehrlich set a new school record in the 1,600-meter run at the NCAA League Meet May 14 at Shanelec Field.Ehrlich placed third overall in the event, completing it in 5:29.35 and breaking the old record of 5:31.

    Columns

    OPINION

    1 week ago By News Staff
    Students around the county, state and nation are counting down the days until the last day of school.Unfortunately, once again for students in Wilson, the last day of school means the last day of the school being open.
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    Merrily I roll along

    2 weeks ago By Karen Bonar
    Welcome to National Bike Month!While I don’t hit all of the impressive dates, such as Bike to Work Day (May 15) or Bike to School Day (May 6), I managed to squarely land one on May 3: National Ride A Bike Day.