News

KANOPOLIS — The results of the chicken survey are in. A dozen residents gathered June 14 at the Kanopolis City Council meeting to discuss the next steps.The non-binding vote was included in a recent water bill.

More budget requests for 2023 were received Monday by Ellsworth County commissioners during their weekly meeting. Theresa Richards andTheresa Richards and Mike Slechta of the Ellsworth Senior Center requested $50,000 for 2023 — $5,000 more than the $45,000 they requested in 2022.

Four years ago, when he was diagnosed with liver cancer, Wilson resident Larry Ptacek was shocked, but took the news in stride.“I’ve really been fortunate not to have a lot of symptoms from this,” he said Friday after speaking at the annual Ellsworth County Cancer Fund’s Triathlon.

School’s out for summer, but Ellsworth Community Vacation Bible School was in session at Ellsworth Elementary School from June 6-10.“It’s a good way to bring the kids together and bring all of the churches together,” said Tobina Norris, one of the event’s coordinators.

CLAFLIN — Enhanced security is coming to Wilson School and Central Plains Junior-Senior High School in Claflin.At Monday’s meeting of the Central Plains USD 112 board of education, bids from INA Alert of Ellinwood of $117,000 for CPJSHS and $35,819 for Wilson School were approved.

HOLYROOD — Greg Clark, superintendent of the Central Plains USD 112 school district, has resigned.The USD 112 board of education accepted his resignation May 31, during a special meeting at Central Plains Elementary School in Holyrood.

More budget requests for 2023 were received by the Ellsworth County commissioners Monday during their weekly meeting.Nathan Florian, director of the county EMS, requested $674,813 for 2023. That is a 21 percent ($118,093) increase from the $556,720 he requested for 2022.

Even though school was out for the summer, on May 31, the fourth grade classrooms in Ellsworth Elementary School took a field trip. The three classrooms were packed up and moved to Kanopolis.

The Ellsworth City Council has hired John Deardoff of Hutchinson to be the interim city administrator.That approval came during a May 26 special meeting after two executive sessions to discuss non-elected personnel (the administrator vacancy) lasting a total of 35 minutes.

“It’s definitely much-needed moisture,” said Craig Dinkell, crop production agent for K-State Research and Extension. “Weather has been our main factor, going from fall to winter to drought. Drought has been our biggest issue up until now. We’re a little on the late side for moisture.