Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
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After more than 100 days on the road, Camilo Ruiz has learned that America's highways tell only part of the story. The rest is written by the strangers who stop to offer a bottle of water, a meal, words of encouragement or simply a friendly conversation. "I think people over here are a lot nicer," Ruiz said while making his way through northeast Nebraska on Friday, June 26. "I've never really had people be mean anywhere, but places like Missouri rolled out the red carpet." Ruiz, 29, left...
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...
A 42-year-old Martinsburg, Nebraska, man arrived in Orchard, May 15, and ventured east the following day, part of a 432-mile walk across the state. He is a graduate of Ponca High School. Decked in his military uniform, Bo Ketelsen began his ruck - walking with a weighted backpack - to raise awareness about the increase in suicides and mental health, especially among veterans. He started May 1 along the Wyoming-Nebraska border, walking along US Highway 20, also known as the Medal of Honor...
Tom Muller jokes that his GPS hates him. That's how the Kingston, New York, rider chronicles his two-wheeled treks across America on YouTube - and how his daughters track Dad's latest spin. Currently pedaling the Cowboy Trail, Muller coasted into Clearwater on Aug. 17. Rolling down Main Street in search of shelter, he was flagged into the Clearwater Volunteer Fire and Rescue barbecue, where brisk conversation and curiosity paired with barbecue beef, baked beans, watermelon and chocolate cake....
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...
SUBMITTED ARTICLE Wake up to birdsong. Sip coffee under an open sky. End the evening by a crackling fire as the stars come out to play. Welcome to Tallgrass Retreat - a brand-new glamping destination nestled in the tranquil prairie just outside Neligh, located along the Elkhorn River and a short walk from Riverside Park. Tallgrass Retreat will feature Ferncrest at Elkhorn River, offering guests a luxurious escape into nature where comfort meets tranquility and the wilderness feels inviting....
A Seattle-based bicycle vacation company, with eight cyclists in tow, stopped in Clearwater recently. On June 12, Bubba's Pampered Pedalers pulled into Clearwater, giving cyclists a chance to rest and have refreshments. The group's journey began June 9 in Valentine, and they were set to reach Norfolk by Friday, June 13. After pedaling the day's route, Bubba's Pampered Pedalers employees shuttle cyclists to a local hotel. Lodging and meals are included in the package. According to one of the...
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 ...
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...
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...
They’re back in Nebraska exploring more state parks. Join hosts Patrice and Kevin McCabe as they return to Nebraska to explore Fort Robinson State Park and Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area during the third season of “RV There Yet?” The McCabes travel in their motorhome to destinations throughout the U.S. The show highlights special places for their culture and history and chats with local business owners who keep their communities thriving. At Fort Robinson, the McCabes went on a sunset hike, took a guided Jeep ride to top of Cheyenne Butte...
Cycling along the Cowboy Trail in the 105-degree heat requires faith for safe travels. It also requires hope for a successful mission. It's definitely a labor of love and a means to do the Lord's work. For a group of Ohio cyclists, who spent Aug. 21 in Ewing, it's all in a day's pedaling. "Our group started in the late 1980s," said Dr. Ken Gifford, a retired pastor from Youngstown, Ohio. Originally known as the Pedaling Parsons, the group was comprised of Methodist church pastors "who shared a...
To paraphrase Atticus Finch in "To Kill A Mockingbird," sometimes, you just need to walk in someone else's shoes. Noah Coughlan knows all about shoes. He figures he's gone through at least six pairs since he started a cross-country run known as Run For Revival, a 3,500-mile trek from near Seattle en route to Tampa Bay, honoring the nation's veterans and active service members. The journey began on Memorial Day. When he trekked across the Nebraska - South Dakota border, near the Rosebud...
Tim Hickele ventured into Clearwater, late Tuesday morning, in search of the village's park, hoping to set up camp after venturing from Ewing. Hickele wasn't pulling a recreational vehicle into the Antelope County town. Instead, Hickele detoured onto Main Street, off the Cowboy Trail, with his little house on wheels, a homemade camper that's kept him comfortable during his journey. "It's made of plastic," Hickele said to a trio of onlookers who checked out the structure. It's the second mini-cam...
A new housing unit in Ewing is one step closer to reality. Village chairman James Ramold confirmed funds for construction of a two-unit duplex, from the Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Fund, were received last week. During the village trustees’ Feb. 13 meeting, Carla Kimball, with the Central Nebraska Economic Development District, said the organization will work with village officials to establish a timeline for construction. “Some of that will be dependent on weather,” she said. “Some...
The sign on the backpack explains it all. Walking across America. Stephen Ashworth, a Terrell, Texas, native, estimates he's traveled more than 26,000 miles by foot. "I'm a traveler," he said. Ashworth ventured through the Summerland region last week, stopping in Clearwater, Wednesday. He dropped his gear at the village's park, pulled out his super cat stove - a well-worn cat food can - added fuel - HEET gas-line antifreeze works best - and placed a titanium pot on it to heat water for a Cup of...
Give a city a challenge and its people will meet it head on ... and then some. That's the sentiment expressed to more than 50 individuals who attended a celebration for the Neligh Area Community Fund, Aug. 15, at Blackburn Manufacturing in Neligh. The reason for celebrating: the completion of the Jim and Pat Blackburn Challenge Grant. The Blackburns added $100,000 to the fund after its members raised $200,000. The $300,000 fund is part of the Nebraska Community Foundation and will draw almost... Full story
REGULAR PROCEEDINGS Village of Clearwater BOARD OF TRUSTEES June 13, 2022 The Board of Trustees of the Village of Clearwater met in regular session Monday, June 13, at 8 p.m., in the fire hall meeting room. Meeting opened at 8 p.m. Notice of meeting was given in advance by publication in Summerland Advocate-Messenger and notice was given to board members prior to meeting. Public was informed of location of Open Meeting Act poster. Present: Kevin Filsinger, Steve Hankla, Kelly Kerkman, Steve Stearns, Cody Kester. Others present: Kate Ahlers,...
Andrew J. Stephenson, 20, of Jacksonville, Florida, appeared in the Antelope County court last Wednesday morning, Jan. 5, on a Class 4 felony count, possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine, and two infractions, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia, all alleged Dec. 23. Stephenson requested court-appointed counsel. After reviewing his financial information, Judge Donna Taylor indicated the defendant was “borderline” for qualification. She appointed the public defender to represent him, cautioning that whe...
This week’s poll question asked readers to share what they believe our rural communities need - business or service - if money to open said business or service started was not an issue. The question surfaced following a discussion in our office. We were comparing photos of main street of old with current-day status. The talk made me curious what vision readers have to grow our local economies and build stronger communities. Trust me, there isn’t a single-pronged approach. It’s a combi...
Michael Myers had been on the job only one month when he learned the story of co-worker, Leo Cooney, and knew he had to make a difference. A package arrived on a job site, a rarity in the electrical business. Inside, a baseball cap with a Friends of Leo logo. Inquisitive, Myers asked about the significance of the cap. Co-workers shared Cooney's story and it hit home. "It hit me kind of hard because my dad had MS, a different disease but fairly similar, it affects the nervous system," Myers...
This week, we’re going to play the close your eyes and imagine game. Ready? Close your eyes. No peeking. You need to tune in and think. Your future depends on it. Think of a building in your community you consider prominent. What sets it apart from other structures in town? Now, think about a building that may be a diamond in the rough. You know the type of place I’m talking about. Once upon a time, this building was the centerpiece of the community, a drawing card with a welcome sign, a str... Full story
Joshua A. Boettcher, 29, of Stuart was sentenced to 18 months in a facility under the jurisdiction of the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services for a July 2019 crime. Boettcher was sentenced by the Honorable Mark Kozisek in the Holt County district courtroom Jan. 22. “Your prior history of criminal behavior is a concern…it began when you were a juvenile and has continued more or less consistently since,” Kozisek said, while reviewing sentencing guidelines with Boettcher. “Placing blame on your victim flies in the face of the facts…y...
If 2020 vision existed, the past year may have turned out differently. Or, maybe we needed this year to define our strengths and guide us toward a revision of what we deem as normal. The year 2020 caused us to slow down and realize what matters most. While coronavirus - and all its implications - dominated the news cycle, other news items drew attention: groundbreaking for the new school site, cruise nights honoring graduates, new businesses opening and surviving a pandemic, pumpkin patches spro...
Drew W. Steskal, 31, of Spencer, appeared in Antelope County court last Wednesday, Sept. 2, following an Aug. 31 crash northwest of Clearwater and an extensive subsequent search for the driver. According to documents filed by Antelope County sheriff Bob Moore, passersby had reported an abandoned vehicle about three miles northwest of Clearwater. Moore reported finding a red Ford Escort in the west ditch of a county road, about 200 yards north of the highway, with the driver door open. Moore said evidence indicated the vehicle had entered Cliffo...
