Ellis Wiltsey
Reporter
Lincoln, NE
:no_upscale()/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/gray/71a9a29d-15a5-4a5f-aee7-4be9207b5668.jpg)
Ellis graduated from the University of Kansas with a Bachelor's Degree in Broadcast Journalism.
Ellis is a native of Bellevue, Nebraska and excited to be reporting in her home state!
Before coming to KOLN-TV, Ellis worked as a reporter, producer and anchor at KUJH at the University of Kansas and interned at KETV in Omaha, Nebraska.
In her free time Ellis enjoys cooking, Jazzercise and volunteering at animal shelters.
When she's not cheering on the Huskers, Ellis is a proud Alabama Football fan and Tottenham Hotspur soccer fan! Watch out during basketball season because she is all in for her Jayhawks to take it all this year!
Ellis would love to hear from viewers on social media. You can find and follow her Facebook and Twitter accounts.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/I63RKVVCHREERIIBB3RCDVAGGQ.jpg)
The 17 from UNL rolled out on Monday and will spend the next month covering hundreds of miles, and they hope for handfuls of storms.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/CIIA4W6E6ZCCHFWIRN2UCHVTZQ.jpg)
Rochelle Settles has been a teacher with LPS since 1995. Friday she was given the award, after being picked out of thousands of employees within the district for her work with children over that 26 years.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/JFYGCMEQAFE6RDSHAFT4LLLXP4.jpg)
A new congressional report shows that top officials worked with the Trump administration to keep meatpacking plants open, despite internally acknowledging an ongoing risk of COVID spread.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/L2JD5BDKRFFDPKTBDME5D62JQM.jpg)
The Craft Brewery Cookbook features more than 70 recipes and beer pairings from chefs and brewers across the U.S., following a growing trend of pairing foods with other beverages than wine.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/YXYSV4OWIREUTPDSR2ICKUFSQY.jpg)
Over the past few weeks, strong winds have been causing damage to both roofs and siding, and experts said, if left unchecked and unrepaired it could lead to big bills later.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/XEFKPXXSOVA4PCWZYU62BOIPNA.jpg)
Eighteen-year-old Lily Lautenschlager was recently named to the World Team Cup Junior Team. She’s played the sport for a while but she’s only been competing in tournaments for about a year. She will represent the U.S. for 10 days in Portugal.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/2YARRVKEJBH7XHPOFJNCMIU5UU.jpg)
Nebraska’s State Climatologist said in general April is usually a pretty windy month but this spring there are a few more factors at work like drought and less ground cover.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/SQH5AT5G3VFOXJ3V6YFDHBB5NQ.jpg)
The group Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana is making another big push to get on the November ballot. This time with two ballot initiatives well underway.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/BTXUBO4WSBDR3PG5IGXIQUJ4QY.jpg)
The Lincoln Airport said that they are going to follow the TSA directive and will make masking optional, effective Tuesday morning.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/BNEACCFSX5HVVGLEXL2KHEQUXI.jpg)
Dalton Robinson is an assistant manager for Toppers Pizza in downtown Lincoln. For him and his family Toppers is like a second home. So when he got sick, they were some of the first to step up and help.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/AOCAXZRYIFFZRIGYZXYVAJPTZE.jpg)
Steve Owen, the city’s Manager of Water production said thankfully we aren’t seeing as bad of conditions as in 2012 which was the last time the city had mandatory water restrictions in place. But models and predictions show conserving water now will set us up better for the coming months.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/LVBLSJREWBHVTKIM45YNYIKWJQ.jpg)
That fire in south-central Nebraska took over about 35,000 acres and still isn’t fully contained. Nebraska’s State Climatologist Martha Shulski said this spring is proving to be perfect conditions for fire.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/V2KDN63G4JGT3JALVNR2S2ELHI.jpg)
The fifth floor of Pinnacle Bank Arena was buzzing Friday as hundreds of FFA students lent their hands to a large-scale service project that will bring tens of thousands of ready-made meals to Ukraine and beyond.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/XEYLHW3J6VDHVBEDYICPIMEY5I.jpg)
The program is known as the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Project it aims to make these people more visible so they can more easily get the help they might need.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/4UNNABDE2ZCKTCECY6ATVR64CA.jpg)
Husker volleyball player Nicklin Hames took time to take a tour of their Lincoln facility and learn more about the work they’re doing.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/3WHFK3AJ45KRVH7DPESZZYWJL4.jpg)
Now, a vital community partnership with the Lincoln Police Department will become even more intertwined to give kids personalized help, all under one roof.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/S4CJ42HWH5ETXGJ5JLUKT74FMQ.jpg)
Nebraska has 13 participating sites collecting samples to be used in this research.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/AHYTVDNAFJEFRPZX73ZSJYRNYU.jpg)
Nebraska state senators are debating for the first time as a full body on legislation that would bring prison reform to the state.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/WS35D7PTNZHKZPIM6HTTVKUK6Q.PNG)
As the COVID threat diminishes significantly, places like long-term care facilities are still struggling.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/MDHXRJ2VKBHLJCIV7WVIXGBVFU.jpg)
For many nonprofits around Lincoln, the pandemic has caused a shift in the way they operate. As our COVID situation becomes more stable, it also means a sense of normalcy can slowly start to return to these places as well.
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/PQ5U3XTBTZF2LI3JNNYH32ICQU.jpg)
Confirmed cases of bird flu at a poultry farm in Nebraska now means that more than half a million chickens being raised for meat will have to be euthanized and uneaten.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/VGRZSM4RKVFLFD62MURY7XIAX4.jpg)
Orion Ross was the only person barricaded in a bedroom with Vazquez on the day LPD Investigator Mario Herrera was shot.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/LEMT3QB4X5ASPI73GGPQIZGJXM.jpg)
While many 9-year-olds like Madison are focused on play, she’s focused on her work.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/APZ63S2BYJGCLLWEAS3SHOY4EU.jpg)
The city laid out its findings in a 75-page report about how that trial of 15 months had gone. Some key takeaways included ridership information. More than 25,000 people took just over 91,000 rides. It also brought in about $13,700 in rider fees for the city.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/HAQYRYV2MJGMVDX4PFVMMR3YGE.jpg)
Sprious, a Lincoln-based tech company, has 19 employees based in Ukraine, who are also Ukrainian citizens.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/DMNGAY5JWNGKNEDEAN3OGXSF2A.jpg)
A Geneva sixth grader is being called a hero thanks to his quick reaction in a time of potential crisis. He was just hanging out with friends at the neighborhood park when he saved a stranger from icy waters.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/LFVKH64LGNHP7OOER7CFUZG4AA.jpg)
First Plymouth Church in Lincoln is pooling its resources to buy medical debt. In other words, paying off overdue medical bills.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/CIUZHPGKANFE5J37VEFFN6OW4U.jpg)
For those with ties to Ukraine, watching the current conflict unfold from afar can be extremely difficult. For many, it’s also a call to action.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/SY4U3MP5BJDBFJ27PBDU4PB56Q.jpg)
The Inspector-General of Corrections acts as a watchdog of NDCS. Over the past few months, he and his team has been interviewing inmates who have walked away from these lower security level facilities where there are work release programs and supervision is more relaxed.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/G764QNYKIVGV7MLTPYVTHQ42AU.jpg)
Studio 8 is following a new national trend. It essentially adopts an Air BnB format, for photography space. It’s located in a newly renovated building near 27th and South Streets and celebrates its opening Tuesday.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/TJEBN2JDFJAJVPPBVDIB4KIZ6Y.jpg)
33-year-old Rachel McGill is the first Lincoln chef to ever make the cut and be nominated for a James Beard Award: Best Chef Midwest. Many in the industry liken the award to an Oscar or Emmy for food.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/2L5MVIUEIVGEJFGQRRHHSCKXJE.jpg)
Often times, the inspiration to create something can come from a person’s heritage or childhood. For one Lincoln woman’s emerging purse business, her showcase honors her native culture.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/RYRNISMO6NHTDBFH344BK7A6GE.bmp)
As conflict is underway between Ukraine and Russia in Eastern Europe, back here in Nebraska it’s leaving many unanswered questions.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/QUTHRCBRRZCUPHTE5ZM5GUA3KA.jpg)
Medical marijuana has become a familiar topic in recent years in the Nebraska unicameral and this session is no different.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/56V77WMDW5KQNLO5SCSB5P4AVQ.jpg)
In 2021 alone, about 10% of Nebraska’s registered nurses left their jobs. Experts say if something doesn’t change, that number will continue to decline.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/PH34CBFQIFEVTPWDXMVYZ2PNN4.jpg)
It’s known as the Leighton District, which for years sat in limbo as piles of dirt and has now developed into mixed-used use buildings for living and fun.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/H34YGEIXRRE3NLY344ZYYJBCJ4.jpg)
The project, tied to the South Platte River, would invest half a billion federal relief dollars to build and maintain a canal and reservoir system.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/MZW5XL6N3JC67FGPBQ6OT47NH4.jpg)
It’s a problem that can have dangerous consequences for those six and under. That report showed 11 facilities in Lancaster County with enough lead to raise a flag. It was broken down in severity, from yellow to orange to red.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/EY6HECYEH5GLXF2GF3PCK4CFL4.jpg)
Thursday, the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce hosted an event for six candidates talking about priorities when it comes to things like job creation and the economy.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/IHAPPLHLN5DETPLUDSTZYLNKOQ.jpg)
According to the National Educators Association, about half of all educators took out a loan to pay for school, and about half of those people still owe an average of $58,000.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/T6FO4USN75AU3FESIZAUHWZSPE.jpg)
Over the weekend, a young boy's new dirt bike was stolen from his front yard.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/5Q7GCCVCMRASLBZE37Q52MXAEU.jpg)
Monday was a full night for the Lincoln City Council for their last meeting of the month, with affordable housing developments up for discussion.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/VQAXRPFB4NDR3IFLQSRL5Z5DNU.jpg)
For almost eight hours Tuesday night members of the unicameral Appropriates Committee heard testimony on how Nebraskans think upwards of $1 billion in federal relief money should be spent.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/2GVLRXPGLBEC5LMTPYSGLJ7M7I.png)
Dozens came out on Monday to honor Lincoln Veteran Irvin Brown, after those organizing it put out a call when it was revealed he had little to no family.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/Y66DSWP5QZE3BIE5EP3CY65K4Y.jpg)
The program was started by Allison Walbrecht in a barn in southwest Lincoln. The program is run by her with help from her mom. It starts with creating pairs and teaching them how to show lambs.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/6ZYBZE42DJOBTA2LMKQIGL5CIU.jpg)
Nebraska exported around $7.1 billion in agricultural goods in 2020. More than $800 million higher than 2019.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/SBWAZZIGQFAVBCGLHJ3ZSLVSHA.jpg)
A decade ago the area was a bustling shopping center, with a Shopko, Valentinos, and other stores. Now, developers say it’s about 97% vacant and they hope to demolish everything that’s now behind fences.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/F5RAPYQTQFBI7GOLJLI2HBLAYY.jpg)
As the pandemic continues it seems like we’re losing more restaurants by the day, but new Lincoln-focused data shows over the last year more of them actually opened.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/3RZYKXUVIJGGZOHUY6KXNGRKF4.jpg)
Two arrests have been made in connection to the death of 23-year-old Carly Schaaf.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/7XEZ4QM6INBM7PE3VQNTK3SIUY.jpg)
At the beginning of the pandemic, four-year-old Dorthea Haack’s family locked down almost immediately. Leaving her to find a new obsession - mail trucks.