Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 43
For many communities in western Nebraska, the Fourth of July was celebrated without fireworks. While much of the state marked America's 250th anniversary with colorful displays, many western communities went without the fanfare. Amid rising wildfire activity and worsening drought conditions, state and local officials chose caution over celebration. Communities that have recently been impacted by wildfires, including Alliance, Chadron and Crawford, voted to ban fireworks. Box Butte, Dawes and Kim...
Chadron State College has announced the undergraduate students on the srping 2026 president's list, which consists of students with a 4.0 cumulative grand-point average on a 4.0 scale. To qualify for the list, students must be enrolled in 12 credit hours of coursework, pursuing their first bachelor's degree and have no incomplete grades during the semester. Cecily Thiele, of Clearwater, and Shayne Strope, of Orchard were named to the president's list....
Memorial Day has come and gone, so it's time to hit the road. As a lover of Nebraska stuff (you know, corn, the Huskers, Busch Light) I've never understood why more people don't vacation in our state. There's plenty of stuff to see and experience. And with gas prices through the roof, you can save a buck or two. But I guess the Cornhusker State isn't for everybody. (Oops, that last phrase got a state tourism director fired. Better be careful). Anyway, here's my list of cool, and sometimes...
Todd D. Drury 1962 - 2026 Funeral services for Todd D. Drury, 64, of Clearwater, were Monday May 18, at Full Gospel Church in Ewing. Pastor Mark Hoffman officiated. Burial was in Orchard Hill Cemetery in Orchard. Todd died on May 12, 2026, in Omaha. Condolences may be directed to the family at http://www.snidermemorial.com. ~~~~~ Todd Duane Drury was born in Gregory, South Dakota, on March 17, 1962. He was the oldest son of Keith and Dorthea (Anderson) Drury. Todd lived in Jamison, Nebraska,... Full story
Funeral services for Todd D. Drury, 64, of Clearwater, will be 10:30 a.m., Monday May 18, at Full Gospel Church in Ewing, with Pastor Mark Hoffman officiating. Burial will be in Orchard Hill Cemetery in Orchard. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m., Sunday, May 17, at Snider Memorial Funeral Home in Clearwater. Todd died on May 12, 2026, in Omaha, Nebraska. Condolences may be directed to the family at www.snidermemorial.com In lieu of flowers memorials suggested to the family for later designation.... Full story
Visit Nebraska is thrilled to announce the stops included in the 2026 Nebraska Passport program. The Passport helps Nebraskans and out-of-state visitors to travel and discover the state's hidden gems while supporting tourism destinations and local businesses. "The Nebraska Passport is our signature in-state marketing program, and it's one of the most fun things we do all year," said Jenn Gjerde, executive director of Visit Nebraska. "It's designed specifically to encourage Nebraskans to explore...
Gene Leahy didn't like what he saw. Rushville's baseball field was one of the finest in Nebraska, thanks to the generosity of two bachelor brother ranchers. But the diamond saw little action. So, Leahy - big brother to Frank, Notre Dame's legendary football coach - convinced the Milwaukee Braves in the mid-1950s to host an annual summer baseball school in this Sandhills town of only 1,200 residents. Teens and young men traveled hundreds of miles to attend. "It was the thrill of my lifetime to...
If you're like me, you were sickened to read about the wildfires running amok across sections of Nebraska in mid March. Thousands and thousands of acres, as far as the eye could see in areas of the Sandhills, in bluffs and hills southeast of North Platte and south of Kilgore, and (once again) in areas near the Nebraska National Forest in Halsey. As I write this, more than 800,000 acres have burned, according to the Nebraska Public Media. That's pasture that could feed hundreds of thousands of...
PROCEEDINGS HOLT COUNTY BOARD OF EQUALIZATION AND BOARD OF SUPERVISORS FEBRUARY 27, 2026 Board meetings are held on the first working day after the 15th and the last working day of the month. Meetings are held at the Holt County Courthouse meeting room. Board of Equalization at 9:30 a.m., and Board of Supervisors at 9:45 a.m. Notice of meeting given in advance thereof by publication in paper as shown by Affidavit of Publication on Feb. 19, 2026, in the Atkinson Graphic. The agenda for all...
After reviewing three bids submitted for a 7,200 square-foot pre-engineered metal shop, Holt County Supervisors, on Friday, approved a $1,798,965 bid submitted by Green Gable Contracting for a new District 6 shop, which will be located at 46748 882nd Road in Stuart. The bid also included a $25 per cubic yard cost for removal of soil and materials. The Ft. Calhoun-based business was recommended by officials from JEO Consulting, who are overseeing the project. A start date has not been set, but...
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...
I like to drive, and Nebraska gives you plenty of opportunities. The state's best road trip might be up the old Oregon Trail, past Chimney Rock to Scotts Bluff. Scenic. Historic. In the fall, you can't beat wandering the hills around Indian Cave State Park. Driving along Highway 12 from Ponca to Niobrara is a close second. Colors galore. The Sand Hills are beautiful in spring, with wildflowers blooming. And you can't beat driving through the Pine Ridge after a fresh snow – as long as it's not bl...
Celebrate 30 years of the Cowboy Recreation and Nature Trail with a bike ride, dinner and social on the bridge on Friday, Sept. 5 in Valentine. Register to attend the bike ride and dinner portions at OutdoorNebraska.gov by searching "Cowboy 30." Proceeds from the event will support trail improvements of the Valentine Trailhead area. Registration is not required to attend the social. Hit the trail The Cowboy Trail signature event will kick off with a 9 a.m. bike ride along the trail. Ride either...
Chadron State College has announced the names of students who qualified for its honor list. Cecily Thiele, of Clearwater, and Kaci Wickersham, of Verdigre, were named to the president's list....
Visitors to state park areas in northeastern Nebraska will find enhanced day-use and camping amenities. Projects in the works or completed will appeal to an array of park users. The following is a roundup of those improvements and projects: Ponca State Park – Electrical pedestals were installed at Ponca State Park's Eric Wiebe Shooting Complex for use by vendors during the annual Missouri River Outdoor Expo. This $20,000 project was paid for with Land and Water Conservation Funds. Niobrara SP ...
Starting charting summer travel plans now and add several local spots to the list. Corner Hardware and More, in Orchard, River Mill Coffee Company in Neligh, Flat Iron Bar and Grill in Atkinson, Bloomin Daisies Floral & Gifts, Stuart and Winnetoon Mall & Post Office are among the 2025 Nebraska Passport program stops. The Passport program urges travel throughout Nebraska. Visitors collect stamps to earn prizes while supporting Nebraska tourism destinations and local businesses. "Year after year,...
Summerland wrestlers battled through the NSAA Class C2-3 District Wrestling Tournament on Feb. 15, finishing ninth overall with 69 team points. Minden captured the team title, while Pierce took second. Three Bobcats - Isaac Mendoza, Austin Mendoza, and Ethan Kester - punched their tickets to the 2025 NSAA Class C State Wrestling Championships, set for Feb. 20-22 at the CHI Center in Omaha. State Qualifiers 132 – Isaac Mendoza will take a 39-16 record to the state meet. He finished third in the d...
Summerland's Alec Schindler will trade his Carolina blue for Wayne State College gold and black as he becomes one of 42 recruits who committed to play football for the Wildcats on Feb. 5, on national signing day. "We are very excited to announce our 2025 recruiting class. I am very proud of the work our staff did get identifying student athletes that fit Wayne state College and building relationships with these young men," said Logan Masters, head coach. Developing a wide receiver corps is top o...
Just as pioneers once measured their progress west by the towering presence of Chimney Rock, Nebraska's young female wrestlers continue forging their own path in a growing sport. The Summerland Lady Bobcat wrestling team took another step forward last weekend, securing a fifth-place finish at the NSAA Girls Class B4 District tournament in Bayard, home of the famous rock formation. Head coach Dan Roeber called the district meet "an emotional rollercoaster." "We had our highs and our lows all in...
Summerland Public School will host the Nebraska School Activities Associaton Class C3 District wrestling tournament, Saturday, Feb. 15. Competition is set to begin at 10:30 a.m. In addition to the Bobcats, teams competing in the meet include Cedar Bluffs, Chadron, Crofton/Bloomfield, Cross County/Osceola, Elkhorn Valley, Fillmore Central, Grand Island Central Catholic, Minden, North Bend Central, Pender, Pierce, Raymond Central, Red Cloud/Blue Hill, Superior and Tri-County No...
Record another first in the Summerland girls wrestling history books. Dan Roeber's squad represented Bobcat nation, Jan. 30, in the girls' state wrestling duals at the Nielsen Community Center in West Point. The Bobcats, entered as the eighth seed, finished in that spot following three matches with tough opponents. In the quarterfinals of the tournament, Summerland Girls' defeated by Minden, 54-24. Individual results include for the Bobcats include 105: Lenora Kester was pinned by Keira Crane...
Chadron State College has announced the students named to the fall 2024 president's and dean's list. The President's List consists of students with a 4.0 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale. Students met the requirements for the Dean's List by earning at least a 3.5 cumulative grade point average. To qualify for either list, students must be enrolled in 12 credit hours of coursework, be seeking their first bachelor's degree, and have no incomplete grades during the semester. Cecily...
The Cowboy Recreation and Nature Trail sections near Neligh and Long Pine have reopened to the public after repairs were made from the 2019 Elkhorn River flood. Repairs two miles west of Neligh included bank stabilization and new trail surfacing. Trail users now can enjoy a closer view of the Elkhorn River in this area. Repairs a mile east of Long Pine included installation of new culverts, rebuilding the embankment, and trail surfacing. See an interactive map of the trail and closed sections, at OutdoorNebraska.gov/guides-maps/maps/. More...
Back in the day, the Omaha World-Herald provided me with a company car and the instructions: "Drive across the state and find some stories." It was obviously a more formal command than that, something like, "If you like your job, you'll write something interesting." It was an incredible adventure in various vintages of Ford Taurus'. On the road, you realize that there are fascinating stories – sometimes tragic and sad, sometimes heart-warming and uplifting – in every corner of the state. You rec...
The Cowboy Recreation and Nature Trail section west of Norfolk now has reopened to the public after repairs were made to stabilize the embankment and trail surface from the 2019 flood. The damage occurred near the trail bridge over the Elkhorn River about 3.75 miles west of the Ta-Ha-Zouka Park trailhead in Norfolk. Beginning in Norfolk and spanning 321 miles west to Chadron, the Cowboy Trail is one of the largest Rails-to-Trails projects in the United States. The trail is developed between...
