Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
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In their own words, former Tyson workers and community members describe the fallout after their town was rocked by one of Nebraska's biggest-ever layoffs When the Tyson Foods plant in Lexington laid off more than 3,000 employees in January, it wiped out jobs for nearly half the town's work force and left no aspect of life untouched. Already, the loss of the plant has forced families to leave town in search of work elsewhere. Dozens of students have left the school system. Businesses have...
PROCEEDINGS VILLAGE OF CLEARWATER BOARD OF TRUSTEES JANUARY 12, 2026 The Board of Trustees of the Village of Clearwater met for a regular meeting Mon., Jan. 12, at 7 p.m., in the fire hall meeting room. Meeting opened at 7 p.m. Notice of meeting was given in advance by publication in Summerland Advocate-Messenger, was posted at US Post Office in Clearwater, Clearwater Market, and Cornerstone Bank-Clearwater and was given to board members prior to meeting. Public was informed of location of Open Meeting Act poster. Present: Kelly Kerkman,...
When did dinosaurs and aliens become Christmas decorations? I ask because I'm kind of stunned (my natural condition) at some of the strange, weird and downright odd things you see in people's yards this time of year. A lime-green Santa-saurus in our neighborhood caught my eye, and somewhere, I've seen a Santa alien wishing "humans" a Merry Christmas. Just today, I drove by a place that featured an inflatable Santa riding a motorboat in the front yard. (Maybe I missed a line in " 'Twas a Night...
After writing news articles for the past dozen years, it felt good to flex my creative writing skills and create the story on the front page of this week’s edition. When I taught, I spent considerable time fine-tuning my creative writing craft alongside my students. My preferred genre: poetry, although I did begin a young adult novel during that time. Some may think writing is writing. While the process remains the same, creative writing taps a different part of the brain, pulls from d...
The Nebraska Public Service Commission is a five-member elected board responsible for oversight of several essential infrastructure sectors and services affecting all Nebraskans. The Commission’s jurisdiction includes broadband and telecommunications, the statewide 911 system contract, natural gas regulation and pipeline routing, railroad safety, commercial grain storage, commercial ground transportation, and modular and manufactured housing safety. This winter quarter has been active across a...
Santa Claus visited two Summerland-area communities over the weekend, spending time listening to wish lists, taking Christmas card-worthy photos, and sharing the joy of the season. On Sunday, Santa stopped by the Orchard Community Center. Later that evening, he took part in the Ewing Light Parade and stopped by the Ewing United Methodist-Presbyterian Church to meet area youngsters....
Friday night fun begins at 7:30, Dec. 19, at the Clearwater American Legion. Share in the Christmas cheer with a game of Bingo. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with games starting at 7:30. The first card will be $5. Additional cards will be available for $1 each. Drinks and food will be available....
Employees of Antelope Memorial Hospital were recognized for years of service and Caring Kind at the AMH Christmas Party held on Saturday, Dec. 13 at the American Legion in Neligh. Receiving awards for number of years honored were (front row, l-r): Peggy, 40; Dennis, 40; Kathleen, 50; Shannon, 15; Jean, 30; Deanna, 25; (back row, l-r): Sheila, 15; Martha, 25; Michelle, 10; Melodie, 10; Vince, 5; Marvi, 10; Anne, 15; Vicky, 15; Bailey, 5; Kirstyn, 5; and (not pictured): Bentley, 5; Kelly, 5;...
Around this time of year, senators are often asked this question: “What legislation are you bringing next year?” This week, I would like to provide a brief preview of three legislative proposals that I am considering for the next session. Please be aware that any proposal discussed here is subject to change and may or may not be ultimately introduced at my discretion. Earlier this year, an individual reached out to me who qualified for the disabled veteran homestead exemption but was unable to submit the necessary documents prior to the Jun...
PROCEEDING SUMMERLAND PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD OF EDUCATION December 10, 2025 Summerland Public School Board of Education met in regular session, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, at 7 p.m., in the school board meeting room. President Schwager called the meeting, which was advertised in the Dec. 3, 2025 newspapers, to order at 7 p.m. President Schwager noted the Open Meetings Act posted in the board room. Roll call was taken. Present: Ryan Ahlers, Chelsi McLain, Nate Schwager, Scott Thiele, Austin Twibell. Absent: Jeremy Wagner. Motion by Ahlers, seconded...
Summerland School's music department presented two holiday concerts, Monday, Dec. 15. Kindergarten though sixth-grade students performed, "Lights! Camera! Christmas!" The musical featured caricatures of famous movie directors, who then "directed" various genres Christmas. Ms. Sarah Kesting directed the performance. Prior to the musical, fifth- and sixth-grade bands performed a variety of holiday tunes. The junior high and senior high choirs and bands presented a concert featuring holiday tunes,...
Karissa Denae Johnson can still remember the indignity of it all - the day her life fell to pieces. It came in college, sometime between traveling the country as a childhood performer and traveling the globe as a young adult given a second chance. Between going on mission trips with her family and writing her first book. Between singing Sundays at Omaha-area churches and pursuing a career on stage in New York City. The moment intersecting those experiences came April 23, 2007, the day...
A full evening of holiday entertainment and Christmas joy will take place Monday, Dec. 15, as Summerland students present two concerts. At 6 p.m., in the main gym, Kindergarten to sixth-grade students will perform "Lights, Camera, Christmas!" Sarah Kesting will direct the production which includes characters like Cecil B. DeGrille, Alfred Pitchfork, and Steven Reelberg. Both fifth- and sixth-grade bands will also perform musical selections. At 7:30 p.m., junior and senior high school bands and choirs will perform in the auxiliary gym....
NNTC is set to pay out capital credits to 5,228 current customers and 1,626 former customers for a total of $4,731,377.13 While it sounds too good to be true, NNTC can pay customers back because of the company's status as a cooperative. NNTC is one of seven telephone cooperatives in Nebraska. Co-ops have the ability, with board approval, to pay back earnings to customers when the company's financial situation allows. Since NNTC made a profit, that money stays in northeast Nebraska, providing an...
On Wednesday, Nov. 19, Summerland FFA traveled to Osmond to compete in the District IV Leadership Development Events. "They did an outstanding job and qualified 19 members for state convention in the spring," said advisor Jacob Goldfuss. Leadership Development Events are contests that help students develop critical thinking, public speaking, and communication skills in a variety of areas, ranging from parliamentary procedure to prepared speeches on agricultural issues. The state convention will...
T-minus eight days and counting. By the time you read this, my surgery date will be closing in. A little more than two and one-half years ago, I replaced my right hip. The procedure went smoothly, recovery went smoothly and, by July, walking felt natural again instead of looking like I was auditioning for a hobbling contest. Within months, though, my knee — the joint I originally suspected was the troublemaker — flared up. Swelling. Lost motion. Grinding pain. Eventually, I couldn’t straighten my leg when I went to bed. After pushing throu...
What began 10 years ago as a heartfelt tribute to a twin brother in heaven and a fleeting moment of joy for a toddler granddaughter has grown into one of the Midwest's biggest and brightest holiday traditions: Christmas at Comstock. The event started modestly, with a single decorated home. But when an anonymous donor delivered nearly $3,000 worth of lights and inflatables to organizer Henry Nuxoll's doorstep over a 30-day period, the display quickly grew-transforming Comstock into a Christmas...
This December, Clearwater will step back in time to create a family-friendly holiday event. The Old-fashioned Christmas, sponsored by the Clearwater Chamber of Commercee, will be held Sunday, Dec. 7, at the Clearwater American Legion. Soups, sandwiches and desserts will be served between 5 and 7:30 p.m. Freewill donations to the Antelope County Food Pantry, or canned items, will be acceepted. Sleigh rides will be available on Main Street through the event. Santa Claus will make an appearance,...
Antelope County residents have an opportunity to make someone's Christmas a little more merry and bright. Applications for the county's Ribbon Tree are currently being accepted through Nov. 21. "The Ribbon tree helps give some children a Christmas in which they may not get to have," said organizer, Mikayla Armitage. Applications are available at Neligh banks, Thriftway Market, and by the vending machines at the courthouse. Schools in Antelope County communities received a copy or are available...
Clearwater Public Library will host its annual Secret Kids’ Shopping Corner during the Old-Fashioned Christmas on Dec. 7 at the American Legion. “This special shop will be available for children to buy gifts for their loved ones,” said library director, Chelsea Silbernagel. Price of items will range between $1 and $5. Library personnel will assist children shop and wrap gifts so they remain a secret. The library is accepting donations of new or like-new items to use in the shop. Items may be dropped off during library hours, 1 to 5 p.m. on Tu...
“Thanksgiving: When the people who are the most thankful are the ones who didn’t have to cook.” Author Melanie White nailed it with that line. By the end of most family gatherings, I’ve not only cooked and baked a majority of the dishes, but I’ve also drawn clean-up duty. No rest for the wicked, er, cook. Thankfully, Courtney has stepped up in recent years, and we now split the food prep. I don’t like turkey, so I leave that to Scott. He mans the deep fryer and somehow times it perfectly f...
Three area sites - Niobrara State Park, Magnolias Home Decor and Design in Norfolk, and Shamrock Nursery in O'Neill - have been selected for the 2025 Nebraska Holiday Passport, sponsored by Visit Nebraska. Across the state, 24 stops will be open for travelers to visit for shopping or relaxation. The fourth year of the Holiday Passport will have a few upgrades. Travelers will have from Nov. 14 to Jan. 11 to visit stops and collect stamps, a longer window than in previous years, and the 24 stops...
A longtime pastoral transition has led to a new chapter of cooperation and faith among three area congregations. Following the 2024 retirement of Pastor Dan Feusse, who faithfully served Concordia Lutheran Church in Clearwater for 26 years, members began to ask an important question: what comes next? "When a Pastor leaves or retires, the natural question for a Church is 'what is next?'" said Pastor Ryan Janke, who now serves as the spiritual leader for the newly formed tri-parish of Concordia...
Julie Montpetit didn't see it coming. Not her newfound passion for criminal justice reform, and certainly not her current predicament: blocked from talking to the man she loves, a man locked in prison thousands of miles away. Her husband, Nicholas Ely, is suing several employees in the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services, alleging that the department cut off their means of contact after Montpetit launched a podcast that aims to destigmatize relationships like theirs. She interviewed...
Are you ready for Christmas? Me, either. I ask because I recently discovered it takes 10 months for the average Nebraska household to save enough greenbacks to afford the winter holiday season. Oh crap. My family is in trouble. In a perfect world, I would select gifts throughout the year, hole them away in a closet, and bring the pile out to place under the tree in December. Except, this isn’t a perfect world, and I’m usually 10 steps behind when it comes to the holidays. Last year, I han...
