Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
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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...
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...
Clearwater's Big Rodeo was celebrated June 26 - 28th, 2026....
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...
The Advocate-Messenger has four summer interns who fill a variety of positions at the news office....
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...
Hello Beautiful Salon held an open house, Saturday, at 135 East 2nd Street. (l-r): Orchard Community Club assisted with the ribbon cutting ceremony. (far left and far right): OCC members Kristi Schutt and Becky Moser hold the ribbon, cut by salon and spa owner Natalie Dolezal and members of her family....
Summerland preschool students finished the school year by showcasing what they learned this year during a graduation ceremony....
Summerland Elementary students spent the final weeks of the school year working toward a memorable reward, and on May 19, their efforts paid off as approximately 200 students gathered outside to watch Principal Cathy Cooper get duct-taped to a school bus. The school's "Level-Up Challenge," created by the Multi-Tiered System of Supports team, was designed to keep students engaged and focused on positive behavior during the final three weeks of school. "This was the culmination of our last three...
Moments filled with laughter, reminiscing, and tears are a few of the highlights from Saturday's commencement ceremony at Summerland Public School. Following the processional, played by the Summerland band, Superintendent Molly Aschoff welcomed faculty, family and guests. Shaylie Kester provided the senior welcome. She told classmates it was a "privilege to stand among them." "Over the years, we have had experiences that have challenged us, shaped us, and ultimately prepared us for this moment....
Ashton Cleveland What are your plans after graduation? Work and have a life of my own. What makes you proud to be a student at Summerland Public School? Learning independently. Who is your role model and why? My great-grandpa, he always worked hard and had strong values and patience. What is your favorite high school memory? Taking Kaczor's classes. Karley Dawkins What are your plans after graduation? I plan on going to Wayne State College and major in Early Childhood Education. What makes you...
Wayne State College will hold commencement ceremonies for graduate students Friday, May 8, in Rice Arena and for undergraduate students Saturday, May 9, in the college's historic Willow Bowl amphitheater. The graduate student ceremony will be at 6:30 p.m. and the undergraduate ceremony will be at 10:30 a.m. In case of inclement weather, the undergraduate ceremony will be held in Rice Arena. The ceremonies will be livestreamed at www.wsc.edu/watch-live. A total of 637 degrees will be conferred...
Wayne State College students will present their honors research projects for the Spring 2026 Honors Colloquium on Thursday and Friday, April 30 and May 1. The public is invited to attend. Faith King, of Clearwater, will present "Reforming Drug Sentencing in Nebraska; The Current State, Progress, and The Path Forward," on April 30, at 2 p.m. Presentations will be held in the Kanter Student Center's Niobrara Rooms (east and west) on campus. All presentations will be made available to watch on the...
A complete surprise. That's how SAM co-publisher Scott Schindler described the moment his name was announced as the winner of the Feature Photo of the Year from the Nebraska Press Association. "You entered my picture?" He asked wife and co-publisher LuAnn, before making his way to the podium to accept the award during the Nebraska Press Association's Better Newspaper Contest awards banquet, Saturday, at The Cornhusker in Lincoln. "He sent me two photos that made the paper throughout the year,"...
PROCEEDINGS ANTELOPE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS April 14, 2026 Chairman opened the meeting. Notice of meeting published as required by statute. Approved agenda. Approved minutes of the April 7, 2026, meeting. Public comments. Quarterly jail inspection. Reviewed correspondence. Approved payroll. Approved vendor claims. General: AMERITAS ins 21,499.51; ANTELOPE CO COURT ex 210.00; ANTELOPE CO TREAS ex 4,294.74; APPEARA ex 80.79; APPLIED CONN TECH ex 8,841.37; FIRSTNET ut 652.42; BLACK HILLS ENERGY ut 1,300.76; BLACKBURN MFG ex 24.60; BCBS ins...
PROCEEDINGS HOLT COUNTY BOARD OF EQUALIZATION AND BOARD OF SUPERVISORS March 16, 2026 The Holt County Board of Supervisors met as a Board of Equalization with all members present except Tielke. County Assessor Tim Wallinger, County Treasurer Shelly Ross and County Clerk Cathy Pavel were also in attendance. This meeting publicized pursuant to Section 84-1411 R.R.S. 1943. Notice of meeting given in advance thereof by publication in paper as shown by Affidavit of Publication on March 5, 2026, in the Atkinson Graphic. Chairman Breiner convened the...
To borrow a line from one of my favorite podcasters, Kylie Kelce - I’m not gonna lie. I cried like a schoolgirl breaking up with her adolescent crush Sunday afternoon when the Husker senior basketball players and their families were recognized at the season finale in Lincoln. Watching this group battle through the worst of times and flip this season on its head to become the best in Husker history has been amazing. It seems like yesterday they upset the BYU Cougars men’s basketball team in an...
Wayne State College included 1,300 students on the dean's list for exemplary academic achievement during the Fall 2025 semester. Students listed on the dean's list are full-time undergraduate students who have achieved a grade-point average of 3.5 or above on a 4.0 scale for the semester. An asterisk denotes a 4.0 GPA for the term. Area students receiving academic recognition include Faith King * and Keaton Thiele * of Clearwater; Sharon Bartak *, Aubrey Parker *, Alec Schindler, Danielle...
Legal Minds announces that the Wayne State College Mock Trial team will soon head to regionals. The American Mock Trial Association hosts collegiate mock trial competitions across the country. WSC will compete in Ohio, Feb. 28 and March 1. The team will face other colleges from across the country including John Carroll University, Tennessee, Miami University, Penn State, Ohio State, Eastern Michigan University, Wittenberg University, Kentucky University, Carnegie Mellon, Xavier University, Bellarmine University, Guelph, Ohio Northern, and Denis...
The 2025 Open Class Non-Livestock Exhibit Results. Please note, the following results were taken from handwritten lists of names matched against exhibit cards. Therefore, spelling errors may easily have occurred. We regret any errors that may have occurred in the process of creating this listing. Ron Gilg – Craft, Red; Woodworking, Blue; Garden Produce – Vegetables, Blue; Garden produce – Vegetables, Blue; Garden Produce – Vegetables, Red; Garden Produce – Vegetables, White; Garden Produce – Veg...
Cowboys from across Nebraska and South Dakota converged on Clearwater, Aug. 9, for the fifth-annual Rough Stock Challenge, sponsored by the Clearwater Chamber of Commerce. The event also culminated a summer of rough stock action in Nebraska's Roughest Stock Series, sponsored by Justin Boots and Rocking Plus Rodeo Company. Prior to competition, contestants took part in a calcutta, with bidders hoping to capture a share of winnings. Three riders took home pocket change in bareback competition....
The Clearwater Rough Stock Challenge returns for its fifth-annual event, Saturday, Aug. 9. Competition is slated to begin at 7:30 p.m., in the Gene Snodgrass Arena, located along West Highway 275. A calcutta will be held at 7 p.m., prior to the first event. Elgin Livestock auctioneer, Ted Baum, will handle auction duties. Stock for the challenge will be provided by Justin Boot and Rocking Plus Rodeo Company. The Clearwater show will be the finals in the Nebraska's Roughest Stock Series, hosted b...
Clearwater is a small village of a few hundred people, boasting no Dollar General -a true Midwest feat -but filled with hearts of gold. Every year, the Clearwater Chamber of Commerce organizes the best weekend in June, three days of fun-filled action. For 58 years, Clearwater's Big Rodeo has brought some of the best contestants, bullfighters, and fans around. Although small, the village is mighty and unites to put on a great weekend. A question often asked is, "Why Clearwater's Big Rodeo?"...
The 2025 Miss Clearwater Rodeo knows her way around the arena - and a saddle. Kaylee Thiele, of Clearwater, grew up horseback, riding alongside her dad, Curt Thiele. Working cattle with him taught her a valuable rodeo rule: when the ride gets rough, adjust your grip. She put that lesson to the test Friday night in the Gene Snodgrass Arena, during the crowning ceremony. "My horse was acting up. I was trying to listen and not focus on him," the 16-year-old said. Then the crowd let out a roar. "It...
Bayker Blankenship is hitting new highs and signing record deals, all while still being a young adult. At 20 years old, Livingston, Tennessee, native Blankenship went viral on social media with his song "Maxed Out." Blankenship will perform Saturday, June 28, at 8:45 p.m., on Clearwater's Main Street. In a short period, his viral tune was all over the music world and had more than 100 stitches on TikTok. This success led the artist to sign with Santa Anna Label Group, an accomplishment for such...
