Opinions

As anyone who keeps a household budget can attest, the unexpected happens all the time. A refrigerator evaporator fan motor fails. Some part on your car you never realized existed breaks down. A loved one passes away and you have to — you want to — be at the funeral 1,000 miles away.

In this week’s Ellsworth County Independent-Reporter you’ll find our annual edition on the state of the Ellsworth County economy. As always we’re impressed with the dedication and hard work generated by residents determined to make their communities better places to live and play.

The June 25, 1874, Leavenworth Weekly Times carried a story on page three under the captivating title, “Strange Homicide”. On further investigation the homicide spoken of had occurred west of Hutchinson, Kan., in Medora Township.

When I moved to a rural area two years ago to work for Valley Hope, a drug and alcohol addiction treatment organization, little did I realize that I would see a resurgence of problems related to methamphetamine and other stimulants.

USD 112 — Who is next? On June 10 USD 112, at Wilson, voted to close CPMS at Bushton. There was a fairly large group in attendance; it would have been a different group if the vote was at Bushton, Wilson is as far from Bushton as you can get in USD 112 as far as attendance centers go.

Editor’s Note — This editorial appeared in the May 30 edition of the Manhattan Mercury. We thought it was an excellent reminder of the many ways our lives touch others. We’re seeing something on certain social media posts that we don’t like.

The devastating raids through north-central Kansas in August of 1868 brought a decisive response from Gen. Philip Sheridan. Operating out of Fort Hays the general organized a surprise attack during the winter while the tribes were at rest on their reservation.

We’re beginning to notice small changes in our wheat crop. The short green fields are growing tall. Before long, the wheat will begin turning from the vivid greens to the golden hues signaling the nearness of summer harvest.

As if there wasn’t enough going on in Ellsworth County this past week, representatives from NetWork Kansas announced the county has been named a Kansas E-Community. We were the only applicant chosen in western Kansas.

This week’s edition of the Ellsworth County Independent-Reporter could be dedicated to an issue that has challenged local leaders for decades. For years now, those with an eye to growth have wrestled with housing — too few houses, affordable housing, rental houses, too many houses ...