News

By Vince Hancock
Ellsworth County I-R

After standing vacant for almost two decades, Ellsworth’s old hospital building has a new owner. That was the news delivered to the Ellsworth County Commission Monday by Ellsworth city administrator Scott Moore.

The building, just a few years shy of its hundredth birthday, was purchased by an individual in Nebraska, said real estate agent Wally Storey in a later interview. He expressed excitement about the sale, following a long time on the market. His understanding was that renovation work will soon begin, in order to establish housing units.

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By the I-R staff

This year’s 7th annual Kiwanis Club Home and Garden Show will spill over from the Ellsworth American Legion building to the Ellsworth County Medical Center Administration Building, north of the hospital.

The growth of the event — from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday — will be recognized with new activities and a glossy magazine produced by the Ellsworth County Independent- Reporter in cooperation with show organizers.

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By Judi Brown
Marquette Tribune

The Marquette Chamber of Commerce met for their regular monthly meeting at noon Wednesday, Feb. 28 at City Sundries.

President Steve Piper took the podium to chair the meeting, his first since taking office, and turned the floor over to his wife, Mary Piper, for the treasurer’s report.

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The Central Plains boys will be at Manhattan this week to compete for the 2A title in state basketball.

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By Vince Hancock
Ellsworth County I-R

The signatures are still visible, but the ink on the original Future Farmers of America charter has oxidized over time, leaving a pale yellow behind.

For 70 years, the Ellsworth FFA charter has featured the names of its first 32 members. Four members are still alive and live here today: Keith Bailey, Bill Gwinner, Donald Kihn, and Fred Peppiatt. They’re among the invited guests for the FFA’s alumni celebration Saturday, March 10, in the Ellsworth High School Commons. Tours of the agricultural facilities start at 5 p.m., followed by dinner, speakers and auctions at 6 p.m.

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By Vince Hancock
Ellsworth County I-R

The manufacturing days of the Acme Brick plant at Kanopolis have come to an end — despite rumors over the years the long-time local employer might reopen when the housing market rebounded.

Ellsworth County Commissioners learned the news Monday from Teresa Shute, noxious weed and landfill supervisor.

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By Vince Hancock
Ellsworth County I-R

After meeting three times as a single large group, and countless times under their own auspices, the eight Ellsworth county organizations taking part in “strategic doing” have some early results.

Kanopolis’ Community Beautification/Clean-Up group is one of them. It’s capitalizing on past success and setting itself up as a continued project, according to Judy Gebhardt.

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By JUDI BROWN
Marquette Tribune

If you’ve been on Third Street recently, you might have noticed a new addition near the museum and across from the public restrooms. The “Little Free Pantry” was installed as a public service by members of the Marquette United Methodist Church.

A member of the church, who wishes to remain anonymous, felt there was a need by some members of the community who might be feeling the pinch of an empty bank account before payday arrives. She decided to take action. After acquiring the approval of the church council and the city of Marquette, she and her husband created and installed the selfserve food pantry.

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Members of Ellsworth County’s most recent Leadership Class are, from left, Eric Heath, Dianne Hochman, Dennis Katzenmeier, Lindsey Hlad and Amanda Webb. Also pictured is instructor, Stacie Schmidt.

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By Vince Hancock
Ellsworth County I-R

As one of the City of Ellsworth’s more prolific Facebook authors, Police Chief Emil Halfhill has discovered how to reach the public.

He writes Valentine’s greetings to would-be criminals. He’s broadcast live from the scene of emergencies, to simultaneously satisfy public curiosity and announce which streets to avoid. He’s even posted spoof animal complaint reports (complete with video footage of a tyrannosaurus rex on a trampoline).

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