News

By LINDA MOWERY-DENNING

Rate consultant Carl Brown’s presentation at the start of a March 28 workshop on an updated water and sewer rate study for Ellsworth included an apology of sorts.

When Brown conducted the original study in early 2014, he said officials underestimated the need for capital improvements.

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By MARK GARDNER

After a winter without significant moisture, Ellsworth County received general rains that amounted to three inches or more over the course of the past week.

As a result, Ellsworth County commissioners met in a special session March 30 to rescind burn ban resolution 17R06 that they implemented March 6.

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By Jennifer McDaniel

Larry Langerman had never seen anything like it. In the nearly 20 years he spent fighting grass fires, the flames threatening the community of Wilson, forcing a mandatory evacuation, were almost too much.

Whipped by gusty winds, the flames burned hotter as they swept across portions of Russell, Lincoln and Ellsworth counties, eventually shutting down Interstate 70 on March 6.

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Cold, windy, and rainy conditions were no match for 34 tough runners and walkers who participated in the Mac County Round Up 5K and 1 Mile on Saturday, March 25, in Marquette.

Participants ran or walked on the city streets and the eastern end of the Pioneer Trail. Top finishers in the 5K event were: Katie Sawyer, McPherson, 1st place female - 21:36, Holly Lindquist, Lindsborg, 2nd place female - 23:58, Becky Witte, Marquette, 3rd place female - 24:38, Bret Ide, McPherson, 1st place male - 21:42, Brandon Stupka, McPherson, 2nd place male - 21:48, Matt Friesen, 3rd place male - 22:27. Winners were awarded various cuts of beef.

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By Mark Gardner
Ellsworth County I-R

By Mark Gardner

Preston Sauers has reached a life goal he set for himself of having a pipe organ installed in his home. After several days and nights of hard work, stress, and joy, the job is done. Sauers hired a local company, RankinOrgans, owned by longtime friend, Dave Rankin, to travel to Indianapolis, Ind. to pick up, deliver, and install the organ. During this interview the organ was almost completely installed and took up to 12 people to carry and unload.

Originally, Sauers wanted to place it in the basement of his home but pieces of the organ wouldn’t fit when the trio tried to go downstairs. Sauers then realized a spare room was the only other option and to his surprise the organ fit nicely.

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By LINDA MOWERY-DENNING

Before the fire, Andy Phelps’ blue heeler, Tye, loved to run across the ranch where Andy has lived for the past 28 years. Tye chased rabbits. And mice. And anything else that caught her eye.

Those days are over — at least for now. Tye’s back paws are wrapped to protect them while they heal from the burns the dog suffered in a March 6 wildfire that started in the Wilson Lake area and spread across more than 28,000 acres in Ellsworth and Russell counties.

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By Mark Gardner

Monday morning’s commission meeting ended with good news. Sheriff Murray Marston said work on mold removal in the county jail will begin this week.

Since Marston took office in January, he has had a mountain of issues to address.

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By LINDA MOWERY-DENNING

The Logan-based Dane G. Hansen Foundation has awarded the City of Ellsworth two grants — $5,000 for a 60-minute Travel Kansas initiative and $25,000 for the Ellsworth Kiwanis Club Splash Park project.

Both projects have at least an indirect connection to this year’s 150th birthday celebration in August of Ellsworth and Ellsworth County.

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By LINDA MOWERY-DENNING

Three veterans and an auxiliary member were recognized Tuesday, March 14, at the annual birthday party of the Marquette American Legion. 

The members have 215 years of service between them. Recognized were:

• Vernon Olson of Marquette, a 65-year member of the local legion.

• Donald Bahr of McPherson, a 50-year member who was unable to attend.

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