Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
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Nebraska Public Power District representative Jason Hofer presented the Antelope County Commissioners with an update on the proposed Antelope County to Holt County Transmission Line Project. The ACC met yesterday and heard Hofer inform them that a second public meeting concerning the route of the 345kV Transmission Line will take place July 21 from 3 to 7 p.m., at the American Legion in Clearwater. If approved, all physical structures of the transmission line will be on private land. However, aerial lines will cross Antelope County roads and...
Forty years. Thousands of sloppy joes. Countless laughs. For one group of friends, working the concession stand at Clearwater's Big Rodeo has become as much a tradition as the rodeo itself. When the group first started working at the concession stand at Saturday night's rodeo, there were seven close friends, who are considered the original members, said DeeAnn Sanne, a community volunteer. Two friends stopped working the stand, so now there are only five original members, plus many other...
For Kaylee Thiele, the title of Miss Clearwater Rodeo was never about wearing the crown, it was about representing the people who inspired her love of rodeo. As her reign comes to a close, she credits her community and father for helping shape her journey. A Clearwater native, Thiele grew up around Clearwater's Big Rodeo. "I've been involved in it for as long as I remember. Whether I was hauling hay or helping carry flags, I've been a part of the organization for a long time," she noted. Her lov...
For Jon Pudwill and 12-year-old Jhett Pudwill, team roping is more than a rodeo event – it's an opportunity to compete side by side. The father-son duo from Ericson was among the competitors at this year's Clearwater Big Rodeo, where they continued a partnership built through years of practice, travel, and time spent preparing for competitions. The pair has competed together for four years and has participated in Clearwater's Big Rodeo for the last three years, said Jon Pudwill. Jon Pudwill s...
Dori Hollenbeck proved why she's the queen of barrel racing after completing a 15.92 run during Saturday's performance at Clearwater's Big Rodeo. The Winner, South Dakota, resident took home $1,365.73 for her efforts. Hollenbeck and fellow performers in all events pocketed more than $30,000 in prize money from the three-day event sponsored by the Clearwater Chamber of Commerce. Kyle Nall-Sillivan of St. Paul finished second in barrels, running 16.14. She received $1,130.26. Dianne Axman of Loup...
When Tyler Braden takes the stage on Main Street during Clearwater's Big Rodeo on Saturday night, concertgoers can expect more than just a string of country hits. They can expect the same energy, emotion and connection that have helped propel the former firefighter from playing local shows to becoming one of country music's rising stars. Braden will headline the annual Clearwater's Big Rodeo concert on June 27, bringing a performance he describes as high-energy, personal and designed to take...
You've heard of "A Tale of Two Cities" by Charles Dickens, but have you heard of A Tale of Three Clearwaters? The communities of Clearwater, Minnesota; Clearwater, Kansas; and Clearwater, Nebraska, all share a name - as well as a love for rodeo. The Silver Bullet Saddle Club hosts an annual rodeo located between Clearwater, Minnesota, St. Cloud, and the Twin Cities. In an interview, Kari Wrobel, secretary of the club, said, "We were established in 1979 as a saddle club and started putting on...
Clearwater Chamber of Commerce's rodeo committee is busy putting the final touches on the group's 59th annual rodeo, which begins June 26 and continues through June 28 at Gene Snodgrass Arena located along West US Highway 275 in Clearwater. Chamber President Curt Thiele said planning for the 2026 event began last summer, and chamber members continue to make improvements to the three-day show. "We're a fan-friendly and family-friendly rodeo," Thiele said. A fun addition to this year's rodeo is...
The Board of Trustees of the Village of Clearwater met for a regular meeting Mon., Jun. 8, 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, posted at US Post Office, Clearwater Market, and Cornerstone Bank and given to Board members prior to meeting. Public was informed of location of Open Meeting Act poster. Present: Kelly Kerkman, Marsha Hart, Cody Kester, Brian King, Jeff Schlecht. Others present: Angie Hupp, Michael See, Lauren Sheridan...
Young women ages 14 to 24 are invited to apply for the Miss Clearwater Rodeo contest. Applications are due by June 19 and are available by contacting Devon Baum, contest director, at missclearwaterrodeo@gmail.com or texting or calling 402-843-0446. The queen contest will be held Friday, June 26. That afternoon, contestants will be judged in several categories in the arena before proceedings to interviews at Two Bills Steakhouse. All candidates will take part in mutton busting activities as...
Call-ins for mutton busting for the 59th annual Clearwater Rodeo will be Monday, June 22, from 5 to 6 p.m. To enter, call Elly Herley at 402-640-9738. Text messages will not be accepted. Participants must be 3 to 7 years of age. Each night, 15 spots will be reserved for call-ins. The remaining 10 spots will go to walk-in participants who register the night of the rodeo. Organizers suggest individuals wanting to register the evening of the rodeo should arrive early. Mutton busting will begin at...
Every summer in rural America begins the same way: somebody unfolds a lawn chair. Not because they particularly want to sit in the heat for six hours. Not because the food lines are short. Not because mosquitoes have suddenly become enjoyable. They show up because that’s what small towns do. This weekend begins another season of community celebrations across the Summerland area, and before long our calendars will blur into parades, rodeos, ballgames, barbecue smoke, gravel parking lots and l...
PROCEEDINGS VILLAGE OF CLEARWATER BOARD OF TRUSTEES May 11, 2026 The Board of Trustees of the Village of Clearwater met for a regular meeting Monday, May 11, 2026, 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, posted at US Post Office, Clearwater Market, and Cornerstone Bank and given to board members prior to meeting. Public was informed of location of Open Meeting Act poster. Present: Kelly Kerkman, Marsha Hart, Brian King, Jeff Schlec...
Nine years after winning her first rodeo queen title, Taylor Bolling hopes to add one more. The Clearwater native will compete in The Miss Rodeo Nebraska Pageant, June 14 - 17, in North Platte. Bolling graduated from Northeast Community College with a degree in veterinary technology. The third generation to grow up on her family's farm, Bolling has a passion for animals and agriculture. She helps manage, grow and improve her family's Sim-Angus cattle herd....
Clearwater village officials considered four bids for hay and/or pasture during the April 13 meeting held at the fire hall. Jay Snider bid $3,500 to pasture the lagoon parcels and $700 to hay the tree dump and dike. Fred Thiele submitted a bid of $2,551 to pasture lagoon parcels and install or repair fence line as needed. Blake Kester submitted a $2,750 bid to hall all parcels, and Kasey Shenshew bid $2,000 to hay all parcels. Trustee Cody Kester said he would like to see permanent fencing...
PROCEEDINGS VILLAGE OF CLEARWATER BOARD OF TRUSTEES APRIL 13, 2026 The Board of Trustees of the Village of Clearwater met for a regular meeting Mon., April 13, 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, posted at US Post Office, Clearwater Market, and Cornerstone Bank and given to Board members prior to meeting. Public was informed of location of Open Meeting Act poster. Present: Kelly Kerkman, Marsha Hart, Cody Kester, Brian King,...
On a cool Monday morning, the kind that carries the quiet promise of spring on the Nebraska plains, pride filled the streets of Clearwater. "Holy cow, it's just so fun to be with you here in Clearwater," Gov. Jim Pillen said, smiling as he addressed a crowd gathered to celebrate something bigger than an award, a way of life. That way of life earned the village of 380 people the state's 2026 Governor's Showcase Community Award, an honor given annually to one Nebraska town that exemplifies...
I've traveled to different places over the years - overpopulated cities and rural villages - and one element makes certain places stand out. You just know when a place has a defined sense of community. It isn't necessarily a bustling downtown or cutesy storefronts. It's a feeling experienced while talking to residents, the pride shown in its collective history, the initiative to look ahead and map a future. It's an energy that encourages collaboration, a chance to dream big and celebrate...
The Clearwater Chamber of Commerce is offering an exciting opportunity to win a 2026 Can-Am Outlander DPS 500 as part of this year's Clearwater Rodeo festivities. The drawing will take place June 28, 2026, during the rodeo event. Participants must be present to claim the prize. The ATV, presented by Motoplex USA, combines power and durability, making it ideal for both work and recreation. Tickets are available through the Clearwater Chamber of Commerce. Community members and visitors alike are...
Informal discussion on whether Clearwater, Ewing and Orchard could share a police officer took place Feb. 16, when representatives from each village's board of trustees met at Ewing City Hall. John Shaver currently fills the police chief position in Ewing. He said the biggest benefit of a co-op is that will be customized for the communities. "If there's an issue at this time of the day, patrolling will be easy," he said. According to Shaver, police departments can focus more in certain areas. "T...
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., Feb. 9, 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...
Two rising country stars will headline the Clearwater Rodeo concert, set for June 27. Tyler Braden will headline the 2026 show. Hailing from Slapout, Alabama, Braden is currently based in Nashville, where he performs and writes music. His debut song, "Little Red Wine," brought success. He followed with two EPs, and his hit "Try Losing One," landed at No. 1 on Sirius XM The Highway's Hot 30 Weekend Countdown. In 2024, he launched, "Devil You Know," which has been streamed more than 335 million...
Clearwater's Hi-Way Mart will soon sport noticable changes as the business transitions to SpeedeeMart Phillips 66. Customers will soon notice changes occuring at the location at 303 US Highway 275. Dino the Dinosaur will be heading back to the Sinclair warehouse soon. "SpeedeeMart would like to thank Dino for providing Clearwater with a recognizable landmark for directions, all the selfies the tourists took, and memories provided with the different hats and outfits he has worn over the years,...
PROCEEDINGS VILLAGE OF CLEARWATER BOARD OF TRUSTEES October 13, 2025 The Board of Trustees of the Village of Clearwater met for a regular meeting Mon., Oct. 13, 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,...
Clearwater village trustees approved a number of bids for updates and services on village-owned properties during Monday's meeting at the fire hall meeting room. Two bids were submitted for a roofing project on the library, office and ambulance bay to replace a 48 foot by 47 foot flat roof with a mono-slope trussed roof. Ruterbories Construction submitted a cost of $28,966 to complete the project. Stearns Construction bid $29,600. Per the village's request for proposals, the project shall be...
