2025 Russell Co Free Fair Marquee
Stage 2 Water Warning Declared: Additional Conservation Measures Adopted

The City of Russell utilizes two water sources, one of which being Big Creek. Big Creek has stopped flowing over the low head dam immediately downstream from the City’s intake structure. This benchmark as provided within our Water Conservation Plan, moves the City into a Stage 2 Water Warning.

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Local News

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly
Local Governor Kelly, 17 Governors, Demand Trump Administration Release $6.8 Billion in Withheld Education Funding

Governor Laura Kelly on Thursday joined a coalition of 17 governors in sending a letter to United States Secretary of Education Linda McMahon demanding the immediate release of approximately $6.8 bill...

Jul 17, 2025
Connie Blanke Receiving the Community Impact Award on 7-15-25
Local Connie Blanke Selected as the Russell Community Impact Award Winner for June 2025

The Russell Community Impact Award Committee is pleased to announce Connie Blanke as the distinguished recipient of the June 2025 Russell Community Impact Award.

Jul 17, 2025
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Local Cleaning Crew Member Rescued After Falling Into Ellinwood Water Tower

The Ellinwood water tower cleaning crew were doing their duties inside the water tower when one of the male crew fell in the tower.

Jul 17, 2025
Police Lights
Local One Man Injured in Single Vehicle Crash in Ellis County

On Wednesday July 16, at 5:14 am, a man was hospitalized at Hays Medical Center after an accident in Ellis County.

Jul 16, 2025
Kansas Department of Transportation
Local KDOT to repair I-70 bridges near Walker

The Kansas Department of Transportation will begin a bridge repair project along I-70 in Ellis County the week of July 21.

Jul 16, 2025
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Local Stage 2 Water Warning Declared: Additional Conservation Measures Adopted

The City of Russell utilizes two water sources, one of which being Big Creek. Big Creek has stopped flowing over the low head dam immediately downstream from the City’s intake structure. This benchmar...

Jul 16, 2025

Sports

Plainville celebrates its third consecutive K-18 State Softball Championship after their 13-10 victory over Osborne at the Lucas Ballpark on Sunday, July 13, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Rita Sharp, Lucas-Sylvan News).
Sports Plainville Completes K-18 State Softball Three-Peat

Plainville captured its third consecutive K-18 State Softball championship by outslugging Osborne 13-10 in the title game on Sunday at the Lucas Ballpark.

Jul 14, 2025
Basketball
Sports KSHSAA Unveils State Basketball Format and Sites for 2026 and 2027

The Kansas State High School Activities Association on Thursday announced its State Basketball Tournament format and sites for all classes for 2026 and 2027.

Jul 10, 2025
Russell-Victoria beat Colby 6-0 to capture the Colby 3A Regional on Tuesday, May 20. (Photo by Jason Drake)
Sports Several Area Athletes Receive All-State Recognition from Sports In Kansas

Four Baseball players and one Softball player from area High Schools received all-state honors from the publication Sports in Kansas recently.

Jul 01, 2025
From left: Former Smith Center Football Coach Roger Barta (left) poses with grandson Mason Barta and son Brooks Barta at a Kansas State University Football camp in 2019. (Photo courtesy of Kansas Pregame via Tony Barta).
Sports Iconic Smith Center Football Coach Roger Barta Dies at 79

Kansas pregame reported on Tuesday morning that former Smith Center High School Football coach Roger Barta who guided the Redmen to a historic winning steak and multiple state championships, passed aw...

Jun 17, 2025
Members of the 1975 8-Man State Champion Luray Panthers Football team gathered for a reunion recently to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their historic title.  (Photo courtesy of Kansas Pregame).
Sports Alumni Celebrate 50th Anniversary of Luray's 1975 State Football Title

Over the Memorial Day Holiday weekend, several members of Luray's 1975 8-Man State Championship Football team came together to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the historic milestone.

Jun 17, 2025
The Northern Plains League All-Star Girls Basketball team celebrates their victory in the State Line All-Star Game at Rock Hills Junior-Senior High School in Mankato, Kansas on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Photo by Becky Rathbun, Lincoln Sentinel).
Sports State Line All-Star Weekend: NPL Sweeps TVL in Hoops, Falls in Volleyball

The Northern Plains League and Nebraska's Twin Valley League renewed their All-Star series this past weekend at Rock Hills Junior-Senior High School in Mankato.

Jun 15, 2025