Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
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It started as a way to pay for a wedding but has now turned into 45 years of helping families celebrate the Fourth of July. Hamilton Fireworks, in Orchard, first started when Donna and Darrell Hamilton needed to pay for a November wedding in 1981 and decided to sell fireworks during the summer to cover those costs. "My husband and I were getting married in November and we sold fireworks that July," Donna Hamilton said. "A friend of ours hooked us up with somebody and we sold them out of the...
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...
Clearwater's Big Rodeo was celebrated June 26 - 28th, 2026....
South Dakota State University announces Carter Bergman of Orchard, has been named to the dean's list for the spring 2026 semester. Bergman is a student in SDSU's College of Nursing. To earn dean's list distinctions in SDSU's colleges, students must have completed a minimum of 12 credits and must have earned at least a 3.5 grade-point average on a 4.0 scale. Overall, 3,941 students from 38 states and 29 foreign nations are on the list....
A day before a 39-year-old Plainview man was scheduled to find out his fate in Antelope County District Court, Christopher Beltz requested a continuance. According to court records, Beltz petitioned for a continuance because his attorney required emergency abdominal surgery on May 24 and was unable to attend the hearing. Antelope County Attorney Joe Smith did not object to rescheduling the May 27 court case. District Judge Michael L. Long ordered Beltz to appear for sentencing on Aug. 26. Beltz...
The 2026 Nebraska Rod and Customs Association 33rd Tour Nebraska's traveling car show will travel through four Summerland communities this Saturday. The tour kicks off at the WarHorse Center in Norfolk, with vehicles departing at 7 a.m. Cars are expected to arrive in Clearwater at 7:55 a.m.; Ewing at 8:06 a.m.; Orchard at 8:25 a.m., and Royal at 8:32 a.m. Cars will leave Norfolk in two groups, approximately 20 minutes apart. Other stops along the route include Creighton, Center, Verdigre,...
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
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...
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
A new Flatwater analysis shows the state has fallen behind its neighbors. Business leaders are diagnosing why - and hoping new efforts will reverse the troubling trend. Not long ago, Nebraska's growth was quite literally a national cover story. Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts soared through the air wearing skis and goggles on the Olympic-themed March 2018 cover of Site Selection, an economic development industry magazine. The cartoon image illustrated Nebraska's high-flying, three-year run as...
Delores May (Besack) Wiemers was born on Feb. 3, 1945, in Beatrice, to Harold and Ruby (Hemphill) Besack. She was raised in Beatrice and graduated from Beatrice High School in 1963. It was also in Beatrice where she met the love of her life, Gene. While he was cruising in his new 1962 Chevy Supersport, Delores couldn't resist asking for a ride-and the rest is history. On April 28, 1964, she married Gene Wayne Wiemers, and together they built a life filled with love and laughter, raising three so...
More than 1,000 students completed all requirements for a degree and/or certificate program after the summer and fall 2025 semesters at South Dakota State University in Brookings. Overall, students from 35 states and 26 nations graduated. Nearly 40 students received two or more degrees or certificates from a college. Madison Melcher, of Page, graduated and earned a diploma....
Northeast Community College recently inducted students into Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society that recognizes academic excellence among students at two-year colleges. The spring induction ceremony celebrated students who have demonstrated outstanding scholarship, leadership potential, and a commitment to service. Sydni McConnell, Clearwater, and Omar Mejia Moncada, Orchard, were inducted. Phi Theta Kappa's purpose is to recognize and encourage scholarship among two-year college...
A South Dakota Highway Patrol trooper with local roots has been named a finalist for Trooper of the Year by the International Association of Chiefs of Police/Motorola Solutions. Kyle Knievel, a 2011 Pope John XXIII Central Catholic graduate, represented the Mountain Pacific region of the IACP State and Provincial Police Division during a March 12 award ceremony in Boston. He was one of four finalists recognized nationwide, standing among the best in a field defined by service and split-second...
A 19-year-old Page resident will serve two years probation, in addition to other conditions set, for involvement in July 23, 2025, incident that occurred north of Ewing on the 45B link. In Holt County District Court on March 9, Judge Mark Kozisek sentenced Samuel D. Cheatum on one amended count of leaving the scene of a property damage accident, a Class II misdemeanor, and an amended count of willful reckless driving, a Class III misdemeanor. Cheatum pleaded guilty to the amended charges in...
State law at the time allowed Tim Decker to continue his law enforcement career in Nebraska. Now decades later with no additional incidents, supporters say he is the right man for the top job in Dakota County. The off-duty police officer had been drinking heavily at a casino and at a South Dakota bar in September 2005 when a convicted felon who had bad blood with Officer Tim Decker walked in. Within minutes, the North Sioux City cop approached, and the two men began to argue. Soon, both were...
South Dakota State University has recognized more than 4,100 students for their outstanding academic performance over the fall 2025 semester at SDSU by being named to the dean's list. To earn dean's list distinctions in SDSU's colleges, students must have completed a minimum of 12 credits and must have earned at least a 3.5 grade-point average on a 4.0 scale. Overall, 4,147 students from 40 states and 31 foreign nations are on the list. Carter Bergman of Orchard is included on the dean's...
Dillon W. Eckstein, 29, of Oshkosh, requested a preliminary hearing in Antelope County Court, Feb. 4, after being arrested on three charges on Dec. 13 Eckstein is charged with one count of DUI-.15+ or refusal (2 prior convictions), a Class IIIA felony; one count of refuse to submit to pretest, a Class V misdemeanor; and one count of possess marijuana 1 oz or less-1st offense, an infraction. Eckstein was arrested west of Neligh, by Antelope County Deputy Keegan Barker, who observed Eckstein cross the centerline while driving a dark colored SUV...
As nurses rushed Rachel Woollen to an Omaha operating room, all she could do was pray for the four tiny babies she was about to deliver. "All I could say was, 'Please, God, help them.' I repeated it over and over. One nurse heard me, grabbed my hand, and told me she and everyone else on the medical team were praying the same thing." Brett entered the world at 2:04 p.m. Brother Kaden, sister Parker and brother Cooper followed within the next two minutes. None weighed more than 1.8 pounds. The...
Funeral services for Ruby J. (Carl) Williamson, 84, of Orchard were at 10:30 a.m., Monday, Jan. 12, at St. Peter de Alcantara Catholic Church in Ewing. Burial was in Orchard Cemetery. Ruby died on Jan. 5, 2026, at the Accura Care Center in O'Neill from metastatic lung cancer. Snider Memorial Funeral Home handled the arrangements. Condolences may be directed to the family at www.snidermemorial.com. Memorials may be directed to Orchard Volunteer Fire and Rescue and/or St. Peter de Alcantara... Full story
Ring in the new year with laughs and a steak dinner at the 2025 New Year's Eve Comedian Night, sponsored by the Clearwater Sons of the American Legion. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with a steak or chicken dinner served at 7:30 p.m. The comedy starts at 8:30 p.m. and features comedians James Johann and Heather Jones. Johann, a 10-year comedy veteran, includes reflections on life, including failures. He has performed at the Just For Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal, Canada, and toured with the Blue...
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...
Dental caries (decay) remains the most common chronic disease in the U.S. and globally, despite decades of research and proven preventive strategies. In South Dakota, 60–65% of adults and over half of children have experienced tooth decay, with higher rates among low-income, rural and tribal populations. These disparities reflect longstanding challenges in accessing preventive care, especially in underserved areas. Two of the most effective, evidence-based strategies to prevent dental caries are...
Funeral services for Dr. Vernon C. Rockey, 91, will be Saturday, Nov. 15, at 10 a.m., at Living Rock Church, 800 Shoshone Ave., in Gillette Wyoming. Visitation will be at 9 a.m. at the church. Burial will be in Black Hills National Cemetery at Sturgis, South Dakota. Gillette Memorial Chapel and Walker Funeral Home are in handling arrangements. Vernon died on Nov. 7, 2025, at Monument Health in Rapid City, South Dakota. Vernon was an optometrist and practiced for more than 60 years. He is a 1952 graduate of Ewing Public Schoo...
Funeral services for Robert "Bob" Chipps, 81, of Clearwater, will be 11 a.m., Monday, Oct. 27, at Snider Memorial Funeral Home in Clearwater, with Bob Daiton officiating. Burial will be in Clearwater Cemetery, with Military Rites conducted by the Clearwater Legion Post #267 and Sons of Legion. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m., Monday, Oct. 27, at Snider Memorial Funeral Home in Clearwater. Bob died on Oct. 19, 2025, at Faith Regional Hospital in Norfolk. Snider Memorial Funeral Home is...
