Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
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If the shelves in the Summerland school library seem a little emptier this year, there's a good reason. Circulation numbers are already soaring past last year's total ... and it's only February. According to media specialist Tricia Whiting, students checked out 9,261 items during the entire last school year. As of Feb. 12, they've already surpassed that mark with 9,714 circulations. "We are way up!" That surge reflects something Whiting sees every day: a building full of readers who are eager...
Art students from Summerland Public School will have artwork on display, March 1 - 13 at the Advocate-Messenger, 522 Main Street in Clearwater. The public is invited to stop and visit the artwork between 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. "Summerland has a lot of talented artists, and we want to showcase their work during Youth Art Month," said SAM publisher LuAnn Schindler. Youth Art Month began in 1961 as a way to "emphasize the value of participating in art for all ch...
A longtime Orchard business announced Monday, via social media, that it will close its doors. Lazy T Tire & Implement, known for its flatbed installation and mower sales, will cease operations immediately. "Lazy T Tire has been an asset to many. It became so much bigger because of you - our customers, friends, and community. Your support, encouragement, and loyalty carried us through every season. "Though this chapter is coming to an end, we are deeply thankful for the relationships and...
A 32-year-old Orchard man appeared in Antelope County Court, Feb. 18, for a preliminary hearing. The Honorable Kale Burdick heard a status report from county attorney Joe Smith in a case against Michael F. Doty, who faces one count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, a Class IB felony, and two counts of terroristic threats, both Class IIIA felonies. Doty's attorney, Kaz Long, requested a continuance prior to the court date, noting that the "defendant is negotiating a resolution in...
An assault case involving Dillan Knapp, 24, of Lincoln, will be continued to March 26. The charges are the result of an incident alleged to have occurred on or about June 29, leading to Knapp's arrest. He faces one count of assault-cause bodily injury, a Class I misdemeanor. Defense council Michael C. Moyer requested a continuance in Antelope County Court, Feb. 18, asking for "additional time to review discovery and (council) is not yet prepared for pretrial or trial." Moyer discussed the...
School is often associated with reading, writing, and math, but for many students it is also where they learn how to navigate stress, relationships, and personal challenges. At Educational Service Unit 8, Licensed Mental Health Professionals are helping ensure students receive support that goes beyond academics. ESU 8 introduced Licensed Mental Health Practitioner services in schools during the 2019–2020 school year, beginning with two full-time therapists. Since then, the program has steadily g...
The Nebraska Department of Agriculture is accepting applications from high school juniors and seniors for the Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute. NAYI is one of Nebraska's largest agricultural youth outreach events. This five-day program brings students together, offering networking, opportunities with ag leaders, and a chance to learn more about the industry, discover careers and make new friends NDA helps sponsor and coordinate NAYI every year. This year's theme is "Passion Meets Purpose."...
South Dakota State University has recognized more than 4,100 students for their outstanding academic performance over the fall 2025 semester at SDSU by being named to the dean's list. To earn dean's list distinctions in SDSU's colleges, students must have completed a minimum of 12 credits and must have earned at least a 3.5 grade-point average on a 4.0 scale. Overall, 4,147 students from 40 states and 31 foreign nations are on the list. Carter Bergman of Orchard is included on the dean's...
Learn about the history of Ireland, including the backstories that brought people to Holt County and O'Neill in a March 9 class, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., at O'Neill's Northeast Community College location. The class, taught by Natalie Butterfield, also focuses on the evolution of the St. Patrick's Day celebration in O'Neill from the 1880s through the present day. Take this class taught by an old-school insider and never be called a Plastic Paddy again. Cost for the class is $30. Call 402-336-3590...
Students at Summerland Public Schools are making a meaningful difference through their Family, Career and Community Leaders of America chapter service project, The Essentials Program. Created and led by Braelyn Bergman and Jenna Funk, the program was developed to support students who may not have access to basic hygiene and personal care items. Through FCCLA, Funk and Bergman wanted to identify a need within their school community and take action. After recognizing that some students face...
Three Summerland music students will represent the program in March at Class C All State Music in Kearney. Jack Heim will perform in wind ensemble, third chair. Jennie Mejia will play in the symphonic band and fill the second chair. Ella Crosley will play in the junior high band, seventh chair....
Prescribed burns will begin this spring on some Nebraska Game and Parks Commission wildlife management areas, state parks and state recreation areas where weather allows. Burning allows habitat managers to positively affect more acres. Those burns not completed this spring will be attempted this summer, fall or winter as weather allows. Burned acres often become more attractive to wildlife species, and for some species, the effect is immediate. The long-term effects on wildlife habitat are much better if prescribed burning is used as a...
According to Supreme Court Justice John R. Freudenberg, the Judicial Nominating Commission for County Court in the Seventh Judicial District will hold a public hearing on Thursday, March 26, beginning at 10 a.m. CST, at the Madison County Courthouse, Courtroom #1, 1313 N Main Street, Madison, Nebraska. At the hearing, the commission will receive information on the qualifications of candidates to fill the vacancy in the office of County Court Judge due to the retirement of Judge Donna Farrell...
Not gonna lie, my heart skipped a beat when I checked numbers for the Top 5 articles read online in last week’s edition. Why? Two legal notices made the list. Public notices are required to keep citizens informed about actions of government entities. A public notice holds the government accountable, relying on an independent third party to print proof of publication. By doing so, each public notice has verifiable proof - via paper trail - of its permanent existence in print. Simply posting a n...
This past week, the Agriculture Committee heard two bills at a public hearing: LB1187 and LB1258. Both bills propose changes to the state’s livestock branding law. The Nebraska Livestock Brand Act requires cattle owners in the western two-thirds of the state to comply with mandatory brand inspections. These inspections are overseen by the Nebraska Brand Committee and are meant to safeguard against cattle theft. Last year, the Agriculture Committee held an interim hearing to examine the L...
A U.S. Department of Agriculture program is helping producers turn raw commodities into value-added products, allowing more of the income to remain in rural communities. The Value-Added Producer Grant program, administered by USDA Rural Development, supports agricultural producers, as well as farmer and rancher cooperatives, that want to start or expand value-added activities. Producers can apply for up to $50,000 in planning grants or up to $200,000 in working capital grants. Applications are...
Mentoring programs are a great thing. They help kids – mostly kids in single-parent families – gain confidence, and learn leadership and life skills from adults. I've seen first-hand how beneficial they are, first as a "big brother" in the Big Brothers-Big Sisters program, and then as a participant in the TeamMates Mentoring program. My "little brother" was the first in his family to graduate from high school (imagine that!) and my TeamMate graduated from high school despite problems with att...
State officials said Nebraska-specific plans to mark the nation's semiquincentennial will highlight history and contributions from many, including Indigenous people. The Spanish soldiers did not stand a chance. As they hastily broke camp to continue their southward retreat, arrows began raining down from the sky. When it was done, 45 Spaniards and allied Native Americans lay dead in the grass near present-day Columbus. The slaughter, carried out by Pawnee and Otoe warriors, became known as the...
Spring stockings of rainbow trout into ponds and lakes across Nebraska are beginning. Nebraska Game and Parks Commission fish hatcheries staff are releasing 12-inch trout to enhance fishing opportunities this spring and jump-start the open water fishing season. “This popular program emphasizes our urban and community waters statewide,” said Daryl Bauer, Game and Parks’ fisheries outreach program manager. “We encourage anglers to get out and enjoy the weather and harvest a few trout.” Those just getting into fishing, are encouraged to read Game...
The Valentine Badgers took control early, Friday, in a home contest against Summerland, downing the visitors 73-37 in a non-conference game that ended regular season play. The Badgers drew first blood, reaching 48 points by the midway mark and didn't slow down until the fourth quarter. The Bobcats struggled offensively, scoring half a dozen points in the first quarter and hitting 15 by the half. Summerland shot 17% from three-point range, connecting on two of 12 attempt. The Bobcats hit 44%...
Being on the mat is a mental game, a balance of quick decisions and occasional regrets. Ava Cleveland, a junior, said the most difficult match she competed in at the 2026 State Girls Wrestling Championships was the one she lost - a 6-3 overtime loss to Abby Negley of Cozad. "It didn't physically feel different from other matches. I needed to mentally recover from that and keep wrestling," the junior said. Cleveland rebounded with a win over Ashlyn Dailey of Cedar Catholic and survived the...
Ryder Hemenway scored 25 points, Monday, to lead Summerland to a 63-37 win over the Huskies in the opening round of subdistrict play in Crofton. It was all Bobcats, all four quarters, as Brett Kaczor's squad hit their stride to take a 48-19 lead into the locker room at the half. Preston Watson pulled down eight rebounds. Rogan Robertson finished with three assists. The Bobcats were set to play Crofton, Tuesday, Feb. 24. SAM went to press before game time. Statistics v West Holt Mason Schwager:...
Summerland senior Ethan Kester will join the White Team, June 12, in the Red vs. White Northeast Nebraska All Star Football Classic. The game will kickoff at 7 p.m., at Veterans Memorial Field in Norfolk. Andrew Carlson, president of the NEN Classic board of directors said the organization is excited with the selection of coaches for the 2026 game. "The Northeast all star game is excited to have this excellent group of coaches for this year's game. They have done an outstanding job of selecting...
Orchard native Wyatt Shabram is undefeated on the season for the York University Panthers baseball team. On Feb. 9, Shabram started the second game in a doubleheader and three six pitches in the first inning before the batters went down in order. On Feb. 17, York won two games against Hesston College. Shabram allowed one run, two hits, a base on balls and six strikeouts. On Monday, York competed at Kansas Wesleyan, where Shabrm threw six innings, finishing with six strikeouts, and allowed one...
A 19-year-old Sioux City, Iowa, woman facing a Class IV felony, appeared before the Honorable Kale Burdick, Feb. 18, in Antelope County Court. Ivy J. Romo was advised of a demand for extradition made by the State of Nebraska. She waived extradition and agreed to voluntarily return to Nebraska. Romo’s council, Martin Klein of Neligh, requested a March 12 preliminary hearing. Antelope County Attorney Joe Smith did not object. Burdick conducted a bond hearing. Smith requested $10,000-10% be set, with conditions that Romo not use alcohol or c...
