Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
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When Jillian Henn first picked up a bundle of cord and began learning macramé, she was simply looking for a creative outlet. Today, the stay-at-home mother has turned that hobby into a growing side hustle. After purchasing $20 macramé plant hangers from Walmart, Henn examined them more closely and decided she could make them herself. Henn started learning macramé in March 2025 and launched a Facebook page to sell her creations just a few months later. Henn said, "You know what? I am going to do...
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...
After exiting an executive session, Ewing trustees voted Monday to purchase the former Ewing School playground, known as Tigerland, for $15,000. The purchase includes the area marked by white flags, with the village also covering surveying and legal costs. Tigerland has served local children since 2008, when it was installed at Ewing Public Schools. Created through fundraising efforts and grant writing spearheaded by Becky Kaczor, the orange-and-black playground features slides, climbing equipme...
Ewing Trustees finalized new playground equipment plans at Schmidt Park, located along Highway 275. After narrowing choices to two options last month, and asking for public input online, trustees approved the purchase of option two from Cunningham Recreation. The purchase price is $135,944.97, which includes installation fees. Trustee Kane Fry said the village is guaranteed one grant for the new equipment, which will cut between 40 to 50% from the final cost. Village Clerk Jennifer Ramold...
Jamie Hawkins of Oakdale appeared in Antelope County Court on July 1. The 33-year-old is accused of delivering drugs that resulted in the June 23 overdose death of Amy Dugal, 34, of Oakdale and overdose of 52-year-old Shane Sleister. Hawkins faces felony charges of manslaughter, delivery of fentanyl, and child abuse. Her attorney, Doug Stratton of Norfolk, requested a preliminary hearing. Antelope County Judge Danielle Fliam scheduled the hearing for July 15 at 2 p.m. At the beginning of...
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...
The Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park near Royal will celebrate its 35th anniversary this year. It was 1991 when Ashfall Fossil Beds opened to public visitation for the first time, allowing people to watch paleontologists excavating Nebraska's precious fossil resources one scrape of the knife and one swish of the brush at a time. Since that first day, tens of thousands of visitors have watched as 70 complete or nearly complete skeletons have been uncovered (with the potential for many...
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...
REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION FROM THE MIDWEST MESSENGER As the Fourth of July nears, a nationwide celebration reverberates from coast to coast in anticipation of America's 250th birthday. In Nebraska, another lesser-known place also has an upcoming milestone. Turning 150 years old, this community on the outskirts of the Sandhills will not be recognized with such fanfare or fireworks, though. That's because to most people, Deloit is a mystery on the map. If not for Kent Backer contacting Midwest...
Danna York was tired of feeling like an inconvenience. When she wanted to leave her home in Waverly and head to Lincoln for errands or for fun, she'd have to get a ride from a friend or family member. That changed around 2013 when York, legally blind since birth, learned about the Lancaster County Public Rural Transit program. It offers curb-to-curb transportation throughout the county and several nearby towns - provided one stop falls outside of Lincoln city limits. "It has just been...
A Neligh man accused of four counts that resulted in an injury accident appeared for further arraignment in Antelope County Court, July 1. A. Jared Blevins, 41, is charged with one count of possession a deadly weapon - prohibited person, a Class III felony; one count of DUI - cause serious bodily injury, a Class IIIA felony; and one charge of possession of a controlled substance, a Class IV felony, all related to an April 22 incident. Blevins, represented by Douglas Stratton of Norfolk,...
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...
Get a jump start on this weekend's plans by celebrating the nation's 250th birthday in Ewing. Members of the Ewing Young Members Club have planned a July 3 community get-together that will feature fun for all ages. All events will be held at Schmidt Park, along US Highway 275 in Ewing. Registration for a cornhole tournament will begin at 5 p.m. Kids won't want to miss time jumping on inflatables. They will be in operation from 6 to 9 p.m. Kiddie train rides will also be available. EYMC members...
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...
What do rhinos, cows, and fish have in common? This July, they will all be featured on the 2026 North American Manure Expo. Ashfall Fossil Beds, Grove Lake Wildlife Management Area, and 4 Aces Dairy have been selected as stops during this year’s Manure Expo. The first expo began in 2001 and combines an industry trade show, technological demonstrations, and education into one. The Professional Nutrient Applicators Association of Wisconsin and University of Wisconsin Extension Nutrient Management Team owned the expo for many years before the n...
North Central District Health Department is excited to announce that it will begin offering Women, Infants, and Children services beginning July 9. WIC is a program that helps pregnant women, new moms, babies, and young children stay healthy. Families in the program can get healthy food benefits, nutrition tips, breastfeeding support, and help finding other health services. In addition, participants will have access to all NCDHD services including same-day immunizations. Individuals who are...
When Natalie Dolezal and her husband moved near Orchard last year, she admired the small salon on Main Street every time they drove by. Owning a salon in a close-knit community had long been one of her dreams, so she decided to take a chance. "I reached out to the previous owner and asked if she'd ever be willing to sell," Dolezal said. "She was, and I took the opportunity." That opportunity became Hello Beautiful Salon, located at 135 E. Second St, where Dolezal officially opened her doors...
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...
Despite recent federal and state approval, construction of a controversial 226-mile transmission line is once again paused in parts of the Sandhills - the latest stumbling block in a 14-year battle. A federal judge issued a partial preliminary injunction on June 8 in response to a lawsuit brought by local ranchers, historic organizations and the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. They're seeking to block the 345-kilovolt electric transmission line proposed by the Nebraska Public Power District. Known as the...
Drivers did a double take. Some slowed down. Others smiled, pointed or reached for their phones. Parked beside a gas pump in Clearwater on June 19 sat what appeared to be a giant green pear on wheels. It wasn't a parade float or an art display. It was Andrew Glubbey's ride to Seattle. The Florida resident has traded the comforts of a car for a one-of-a-kind scooter wrapped inside a pear-shaped shell he built himself, traveling roughly 250 miles a day on a journey that has already carried him...
The community of Page celebrated their Community Day on June, 27th....
Clearwater's Big Rodeo was celebrated June 26 - 28th, 2026....
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...
