News

Fall Fest draws visitors downtown

headline/notes.With cloudy skies and a temperate 68 degrees, the streets of Ellsworth were filled with revelers to enjoy Fall Fest Oct. 23.More than two dozen vendors and businesses provided options for visitors throughout the late afternoon and into the evening.
Alyssa Jewell from Central Kansas Mental Health Center interacts with Sunni Kralik, right, during Fall Fest Oct. 23 in downtown Ellsworth. KAREN BONAR/Ellsworth County Independent-Reporter

Candidates on ballot for city, mayoral seats

Advance voting for the Nov. 4 general election is in progress at the office of Ellsworth County Clerk and Election Officer Shelly Vopat. It closes at noon Nov. 3 and polls will be open from 7 a.m.7 p.m. the next day.Editor’s note: Candidates were contacted and asked to submit answers.
Criswell

Voters to consider special sales tax question

In a few weeks, Ellsworth County voters will have the chance to decide if the county should add a one-quarter percent sales tax to goods sold, in order to make improvements and upgrades to the county courthouse and jail.According to the proposed resolution, the project is not to exceed $3.2million.
Voters will consider a special sales tax to fund improvements for the Law Enforcement Center and Ellsworth County Courthouse on the Nov. 4 ballot. KAREN BONAR/Ellsworth County Independent-Reporter

Candidates seek seat on USD 327, USD 112 BOEs

Advance voting for the Nov. 4 general election is in progress at the office of Ellsworth County Clerk and Election Officer Shelly Vopat. It closes at noon Nov. 3 and the polls will be open from 7 a.m.7 p.m. the next day.Editor’s note: Candidates were contacted and asked to submit answers.
Holt

USD 327 super to retire at end of school year

Monday night’s Ellsworth Kanopolis-Geneseo USD 327 Board of Education meeting ended with a few hugs.During executive session, the board accepted the retirement of Superintendent Deena Hilbig, who will retire at the conclusion of this school year.“Thank you.
Hilbig

Repairs move forward in PAC

Cleanup and repairs to The Performing Arts Center at Ellsworth Jr./ Sr. High School continue after the Sept. 21 flood.
The stage flooring in the Performing Arts Center was removed to allow the surface to dry completely before new plywood is installed. Courtesy photo

Truck stop near Wilson close

The owner of the new truck stop at Exit 206 on Interstate 70 visited with Ellsworth County Commissioners during Monday’s meeting.“We’d like to open it up next month,” Chuck Patel said about a potential November opening. “For me, this is the biggest project I have done.

Hospital prepares to take next step with addition

It’s been a little over a year in the making, but ground is finally being broken at the Ellsworth County Medical Center Administration Building, Ellsworth, to transform it into a new rehabilitation department.The ground breaking is at 10 a.m. Sept. 30 in front of the admin building.

Ellsworth approves 2026 city budget

At Monday’s meeting of the Ellsworth City Council, the 2026 city budget was approved as presented after a public hearing.Interim City Administrator Allen Dinkel said each year, the city adopts a budget for the following year and levies ad valorem taxes to fund certain items of the budget.

Ellsworth grants another extension for 304 N. Douglas

The owners of 304 N. Douglas Ave. in downtown Ellsworth have been given an extension to Dec. 31 to complete the demolition/ reconstruction of the back of the building.The Ellsworth City Council approved that motion at their meeting Monday.
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