News

After three months and two separate rounds of candidate interviews, the City of Ellsworth finally has a new city administrator.An employment contract with Dustin Stambaugh of Walsenburg, Colo., was approved during a special meeting of the Ellsworth City Council July 19 at city hall.

Cheryl Urbanek, 79, of Colby, died Monday, July 18, 2022, in Colby. She was born Sept. 19, 1943, in Stafford, Kan., to Howard and Verda (Staley) Jimison. She graduated from Lorraine High School in 1961 and on Oct. 17, 1964, she married James Urbanek.

William Henry Shepherd November 8, 1932 – July 10, 2022William (Bill) Henry Shepherd was proud to share he was born the day FDR was elected to his first term, Nov. 8, 1932, on a farm near Sylvia, Kan. to Marion and Clara (Lawrence) Shepherd.

Sherry Jo Novotny was born May 30, 1952, in Abilene, the daughter of Kenneth and Muriel “Butch” (George) Cain. She graduated from Abilene High School with the class of 1971.Sherry was united in marriage to Stuart Novotny on Aug. 6, 1971, in Abilene.

KANOPOLIS — After several months of discussion, the Kanopolis City Council voted not to proceed with an ordinance permitting chickens within the city limits.“Enforcement is probably the biggest worry for me,” Mayor Anthony Hopkins said.

WILSON — Concerns about speeders coming into Wilson from the south were again voiced at Monday’s meeting of the Wilson City Council.“There was a good effort with the Ellsworth County Highway Department on the (speed) sign, but they (motorists) are not seeing it,” said Mark Hill of Wilson.

More moderate income housing (duplexes) could soon be coming to three communities in Ellsworth County.At Monday’s meeting, Ellsworth County aommissioners approved an application for a Moderate Income Housing (MIH) grant through the Kansas Housing Resource Program.

KANOPOLIS — Bonnie and Pete Orozco were named the Volunteer of the Year Saturday night in Kanopolis City Park to cap off Fort Harker Days.

Water issues bubbled to the surface during Monday night’s Ellsworth City Council meeting.While the city originally intended to replace 100 meters this year, Jim Jackson suggested changing about 1,200 meters.“(The cost) is what you’d spend over the next three years anyway,” he said.

WILSON — The Wilson PRIDE Spray Park is back up and running again, Wilson City Superintendent Joe Soukup announced during the July 5 meeting of the Wilson City Council.Wilson Mayor Mike Peschka said the park was hit by a lightning strike recently and went down.