News

It was a normal day at the Ellsworth County Clerk’s office late last summer when a letter arrived from Colorado asking for help. The body of the letter read:“My son will be 40 in November. His middle name is Ellsworth, after my father. He has not been very “flattered” with the name.

KANOPOLIS — At the start of the Dec. 9 city council meeting, the City of Kanopolis swore in a new council member and a new city clerk.Khrystal Serrien was sworn in as city clerk and Theresa Kyler as a new city council member.

The Ellsworth Kanopolis Geneseo USD 327 Board of Education met for a special meeting Dec. 10 to review results from a community survey and feedback.Lori Blake from the Kansas Association of School Boards is leading the search for the district’s next superintendent.

CLAFLIN — USD 112 School Board of Education member Cherilee Ward was elected by write-in during the Nov. 4 election, despite not putting her name on the ballot.Following Monday night’s meeting, Board President Tamara Dody asked Ward if she intended to remain on the board.

Kathryn A. “Kay” Dees, 94, passed away Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, in Ellsworth, Kan. She was born Sept. 20, 1931, one of six children, to George and Vlasta (Doubrava) Barta. A lifetime resident of Ellsworth, Kathryn was a 1949 graduate of Ellsworth High School and a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church.

The Ellsworth Health and Recreation Center is getting new technology, thanks to the generosity of local organizations.At the Nov. 24 meeting of the Ellsworth City Council, approval was given to an agreement with Crosspoint Church and their donation of $50,000 towards the HVAC system at the facility.

At the Nov. 19 meeting of the Ellsworth County Medical Center board of directors, Chief Executive Officer Jim Kirkbride noted Ellsworth is running behind regarding regular seasonal illnesses as ECMC has not seen COVID or flu cases yet.“It’s a little slower,” he said.

WILSON — Kansas Originals Market and Gallery celebrated their move to downtown Wilson with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Nov. 4 at their new location, 2510 Ave. E.The popular business had been a staple on I-70 for years before making the move into town.

The Kansas Honor Flight program lifted off with rural Holyrood resident Gary Oller in September. The program takes qualified veterans on an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., to view the nation’s war memorials and other sites.“I served in Vietnam.

Ellsworth County Commissioners were given an update on unfortunate circumstances involving two sheriff ’s office patrol cars Monday during their weekly meeting.