News

By Vince Hancock
Ellsworth County I-R

As the winter holidays approach, many activities and community services become available in Ellsworth County. From visits with Santa to festive food and crafts, there’s nearly something for everyone.

One of the longest traditions is the Ellsworth County Christmas Store — with a short time remaining for registration. This is the 17th year of the event, said founder, Tami McGreevy. “It’s definitely evolved over time.” For years, many knew it as a service supported by the Ellsworth Alco store, to make sure parents could provide gifts to their children. When the discount retailer closed three years ago, McGreevy decided to offer it on a freelance basis.

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By Vince Hancock
Ellsworth County I-R

Certain combinations of words can be deadly in small communities, and Betty Johnson tries not to use them. “Strategic planning” is a phrase she avoids.

When she comes to Ellsworth Tuesday, Nov. 28, her sleeves will be rolled up.

“This is strategic doing,” she said, during a recent interview. “This is more grassroots. People will get more ownership and passionate.”

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By JUDI BROWN
Marquette Tribune

Marquette patrol officer Randy Lillard was among the 57 new law enforcement officers graduated Nov. 3 from the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center (KLETC). FBI Special Agent in Charge Darrin Jones of the Kansas City, Mo. office, was the speaker for the ceremony in KLETC’s Integrity Auditorium near Hutchinson.

The new officers were members of the 247th basic training class at the center. Located one mile west and one mile south of Yoder near Hutchinson, the center is a division of University of Kansas Professional & Continuing Education.

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By Vince Hancock
Ellsworth County I-R

For Tyler Renard, the third time was the charm. Of all the candidates running for election, he was perhaps the most persistent.

Renard won a seat Tuesday, Nov. 7, on the Ellsworth City Council with 178 votes. Technically, he had no opponent. Neither did incumbent Stephen Magette, who retained his seat with 187 votes.

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By Vince Hancock
Ellsworth County I-R

The Veterans Day ceremony at Ellsworth Junior/Senior High School focused on a table, set for six, but no one sat down. On stage at the Performing Arts Center Friday, Nov. 10, flanked by fellow veterans holding flags, Doug Stefek stood. He described each item on the table and what it stood for. Some symbolic elements, such as the yellow ribbon, were familiar. Others, less so.

“The tablecloth is white, for the purity of their motives,” he said. “The slice of lemon reminds us of their bitter fate.”

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By Vince Hancock
Ellsworth County I-R

The Ellsworth City Council took another step forward Monday with its plans to direct floodwaters away from downtown. At its Monday meeting, the council voted to request pricing from Kirkham Michael of Ellsworth for an update on the drainage study prepared by the engineering firm four years ago.

The estimate request was prompted by the Kansas Department of Transportation, which turned down the city’s recent request for funding. Jon Halbgewachs, with Kirkham Michael, said he thinks KDOT will view the project more favorably once the city provides more details. “They want to see which option the city is pursuing,” he said. “They want to see a pretty defined footprint.”

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BY LINDA MOWERY-DENNING
Ellsworth County I-R

Members of the Ellsworth- Kanopolis-Geneseo School District board of education moved a step closer Monday night to improvements at Ellsworth Elementary School.

By a unanimous vote, the board agreed to allow HTK Architects to draft plans for a new cafeteria. No cost was attached to the motion; however, superintendent Dale Brungardt said the work is expected to total about $71,000.

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Special to the MT

New exhibitions opening at the Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery in Lindsborg include paintings by Rich Thibodeau of Marquette; mixed media works by Clark Britton of Wichita; selected pieces by Joe Jones from the Moffett Collection; and the Gallery’s annual Holiday Gift Show. They will be on display from Nov. 5, 2017, through Jan. 14, 2018.

Marquette painter Rich Thibodeau is originally from Massachusetts and spent extended periods of time in Riverside, Calif.; Flagstaff, Ariz.; and Santa Fe, N.M. prior to relocating to the Central Plains. He worked in business until 1970, then pursued his passion in the visual arts, operating art-related businesses such as galleries and a frame shop. He currently runs ArtSpace in Marquette and is a dedicated painter.

By Vince Hancock
Ellsworth County I-R

In 50 years, Charlie Williams may not recall what was inside the time capsule, but he might remember that he was there. He and his mother, Melissa, attended the burial of the capsule Sunday, Oct. 29, with about 20 others at the Hodgden House Museum Complex.

“If we have anyone under 10, make sure you get up close,” said Dru Richard, treasurer of the Ellsworth County Historical Society.

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By Jennifer McDaniel
For the Ellsworth I-R

Leonard Haverkamp was 23 when he shipped off to Vietnam. It was 1968 when the Kansas National Guardsman learned his unit was activated, offering him a one-way ticket to Fort Carson in Colorado Springs, Colo.

After months spent training, Haverkamp was deployed overseas to a warzone unlike anything he had ever imagined.

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