More than 6 inches of snow fell across Ellsworth County over the weekend, with temperatures dipping below zero.
More than 6 inches of snow fell across Ellsworth County over the weekend, with temperatures dipping below zero.
Friends and family have been key to Charlie Kootz’s success as a farmer/rancher.
The Ellsworth-Kanopolis-Geneseo USD 327 Board of Education has unanimously hired Kenneth (Ken) Cravens as the district’s new superintendent.
By catherine doud
Twice a year, Brooke Webb gets to share her twirling talent with the crowd at a home football or basketball game.
HOLYROOD — The USD 112 Board of Education met during a special meeting Jan. 21 to discuss the future of Wilson Elementary School. During the meeting, which was held at Central Plains Elementary School, Holyrood, the board approved setting a public hearing for 6 p.m. Feb. 16.
Twice a year, Brooke Webb gets to share her twirling talent with the crowd at a home football or basketball game.
The Ellsworth Kanopolis Geneseo USD 327 Board of Education met a week early this month.
Afamiliar face in Ellsworth County was selected Monday by the Ellsworth City Council, as the new Ellsworth City Attorney.
KANOPOLIS — Seats shuffled as the Jan. 12 Kanopolis City Council meeting began.
Doris Marilyn Svoboda passed away on Dec. 21, 2025, at her home in Ellsworth, Kan., surrounded by her loving family. She was born on Feb. 28, 1930, to Bert and Clara (Shoemaker) Walker in Ellsworth. She attended Paradise Country School until 8th grade and then attended Ellsworth High School. She married Alvin Svoboda on Dec. 26, 1948.
Randy W. Soukup, 66, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, in Wichita, Kan., surrounded by his family. He was born Jan. 14, 1959, in Ellsworth, Kan., to Edward Jr. and Ann (Schulz) Soukup. Randy was a longtime resident of Ellsworth and Kanopolis, where he was the bridge foreman for the Ellsworth County Road and Bridge Department.
Diana Lee Magaña, 94, passed away Jan. 5, 2026, at the Good Samaritan Village in Ellsworth, Kan. She was born on a farm outside of Ellsworth to Frank and Bertha Schwerdtfeger. Diana lived her entire life in Ellsworth County.
Helen Gayle Lank, age 86, of Joplin, Mo., passed away on Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, at Freeman Hospital, Joplin, Mo.
HALSTEAD — The Ellsworth boys’ wrestling team competed in the Halstead Invitational Jan. 17, placing second out of 21 teams. The team once again had a good turnout, with nine wrestlers placing in the top six of their weight class, including three wrestlers claiming the top spot in their bracket.
The new year is already off and running, and as we look ahead to the months before us, one phrase continues to come to mind: Growing Together. It feels especially fitting as we reflect on where we’ve been, celebrate the strong work happening today and look forward to what’s next for USD 327.
Changes afoot for local districts
I have a few favorite calls when it comes to basketball officiating.
The peril and promise of moving the Chiefs indoors to a Kansas dome
