News

By LINDA MOWERY-DENNING

Anthony Joel Finch snuggled into his mother’s arms, unaware of the stir his birth had caused a month earlier.

If all had gone as planned, A.J., as his family calls him, would have been born at Salina Regional Health Center. Instead, he was born in the Marquette home his parents, Holly Dantic and Alan Finch, moved into 15 months ago from Salina.

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By Mark Gardner

Radon, a radioactive gas that is permeating from the ground, is the world’s secret second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. It’s not known much to the public as of yet, but will be an on going obstacle in the years to come. Radon is a natural, odorless, tasteless, and colorless radioactive gas originating from uranium that is found in nearly all soils. Radon gas moves from the ground under and around your home through the cracks and other voids in the foundation.

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By Alan Rusch

Wilson’s David Cox was named the 2017 Citizen of the Year at Saturday’s 69th annual Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce dinner and meeting at the Ellsworth American Legion building. For Cox, it was a complete — but pleasant — surprise. “I’ve been at chamber dinners in the past and I’ve seen a lot of citizens awarded in the past,” Cox said. “I’m just very honored to be considered for this.”

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Editor’s Note — Ellsworth County Independent-Reporter’s Mark Gardner was granted a tour of the Ellsworth County Jail this past week by Sheriff Murray Marston, who started his new job in early January. These are his impressions:

By Mark Gardner

From the time you enter to the time you leave the Ellsworth County Jail, it’s almost as if you’ve gone back in time. The main lobby or waiting area is original from the time the jail building was built 20 years ago. For more than one person there’s nowhere for everyone to sit — or even fill out paperwork. Conditions get worse behind the scenes. Ceiling tiles appear to be rotten. The hallway is lined with buckets to catch water and cluttered with old books and pieces of furniture that are no longer used. Several deputies share a computer, which can create a backlog of paperwork.

By Mark Gardner

Ellsworth County commissioners had no immediate solutions, but it’s safe to say they left their weekly Monday morning meeting with plenty to think about. Officials accepted an invitation from newly-elected sheriff Murray Marston to tour the Ellsworth County Jail in the wake of concerns over its condition.

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Brett Whitenack from the McPherson Museum shared information about Kansas and the Kansas symbols with the Soderstrom Elementary First Graders.

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First Bank Kansas is pleased to announce the promotion of Dustin Shanks to Vice-President and Branch Manager of the Ellsworth branch. Dustin has been a part of the Ellsworth community and Loan Officer for FBK since May 2013 and will continue to meet the consumer, real estate, commercial, and agricultural lending needs of the community while focusing on business development and managing the daily operations of the branch.
Curt Glaser, Executive Vice President/Regional Manager will step down as local branch manager but will continue to work out of the Ellsworth branch servicing his Ag/Commercial customers while providing management and Senior Lending Experience to all First Bank Kansas communities.

By Mark Gardner

Paying it forward is the phrase that comes to mind as Tina and Rick Davis talk about the program they have created on their restaurant Facebook page to reward deeds of kindness. The story of the program begins over the Christmas holiday. Tina looked down and realized she had lost her wallet, which contained money, credit cards, family photos and other personal items.

By Mark Gardner

Ellsworth‘s Kirkham Michael surveying company has taken to the skies with new trailblazing technology. The company has purchased two surveying drones. Some may call them tech toys, but these folks expect the drones to collect more information in less time than it would take a human. Company representatives recently staged a demonstration of the drones at the Ellsworth County Landfill.

By Alan Rusch

Former Kanopolis businessman Allen Eugene Lemley will be 65 years old when he completes his prison sentence with the Kansas Department of Corrections for two counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child younger than 14. District Judge Ron Svaty sentenced Lemley Jan. 19 in Ellsworth County District Court to 71 months in prison for count one and