News

Ellsworth County commissioners voted unanimously Thursday afternoon (July 2) to approve Resolution 2020-R-10, opting the county out of Gov. Laura Kelly’s executive order No. 20-52 requiring masks or other face coverings be worn in public as of 12 a.m. Friday, July 3.

WILSON — With COVID-19 still an ever present concern, a summertime staple in Ellsworth County, the Wilson After Harvest Czech Festival, will take place this year — albeit in a much scaled down version.

The $1.2 million Ellsworth County recently received from the state will soon be getting somebody to oversee that program locally.

Russell “Rusty” Varnado, left, Ellsworth’s new city administrator, greets Cindy Bender with an elbow bump June 25 during a welcome reception at Room 900 at the Ellsworth Golf Course. I-R photo by Alan Rusch

Superintendent Greg Clark offered a brief update Tuesday on graduation plans for the Central Plains Junior-Senior High School Class of 2020, during a year-end meeting at Central Plains Elementary School in Holyrood. The ceremony is set for 7 p.m. Sunday, July 5, inside the school gym.

Though they’re just a week in, Clint and Sarah Freeman are feeling the excitement of seeing their new business venture already filling a need for Ellsworth County residents. The Kanopolis couple opened K & K Car Wash on June 18, after launching their plans a year ago, Sarah said.

A fourth positive COVID-19 case in Ellsworth County has been confirmed June 30 according to a news release issued by Kerianne Ehrlich, Ellsworth County Health Department Administrator.

Gov. Laura Kelly has issued a mandatory mask order that will go into effect at 12:01 a.m. Friday, July 3. Masks must be worn in stores, shops, restaurants and in any situation where social distancing of 6 feet cannot be maintained - including outside - according to the order.

  The Kansas Department of Health and Environment, along with local public health, is encouraging people who are attending sporting tournaments to please exercise appropriate prevention measures for COVID-19 as clusters are beginning to develop and potential exposures have occurred.