Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
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Candidates who filed to run in the 2026 primary election in Antelope County have recently been announced. Candidates running include: Weed board: Robert Lewis, Rachel A. Shrader Airport Authority: 6-year term: Maurice Soper, Brian Whitesel 4-year term: Joe McNally County Attorney: Joseph M. Smith, R County Commissioner: District 1: Neil Williby, R District 5: Casey Dittrich, R; Duane Miller, R; Eric T. Meis, R District 3: Regina L. Krebs, R; Don Zegers, D County Assessor: Kelly...
Nebraska Extension and 4-H will hold an open house, March 22, from 4 to 6 p.m., at the Antelope County fairgrounds. UNL educators will be available to meet with guests and answer questions about 4-H enrollment and the Antelope County Fair. Several 4-H projects, including livestock and static projects will be on display. Attendees will also be able to learn about volunteer opportunities through the extension and 4-H programs. For more information, contact the Antelope County Extension office at...
The Center for Rural Affairs will soon hold several classes, including: • Online - Custom Logos with Canva, Thursday, March 19, from noon to 1 p.m. This online workshop will show attendees the basics of how to create a business logo using Canva. For more information, contact Angelina Magerl at angelinam@cfra.org or 402-260-9850. • Online - Buffer Strip and Field Border Webinar, Thursday, March 26, from 9 to 10 a.m. This online panel discussion features Nebraska farmers Kevin Fulton of Loup Cit...
The first-ever Ewing Mini Golf Tournament will be held April 10. Proceeds from the event will go to the Ewing Fire and Rescue Department. Following the tournament, a meal will be held at the fire hall. Music will be available at DW's after the meal. Registration is underway now for four-person teams, with a $100 entry fee. Players must be at least 21 to play. Payout will be made to the top three teams and the best dressed team. To register, contact Amber Wagner at 402-394-7330....
A benefit for Brooke Bartak-Jensen will be held Saturday, April 11, from 6 to 8:30 p.m., at St. John's Parish Hall. Proceeds from the spaghetti feed will assist with current and future medical expenses. A benefit raffle will also be held with a 2024 Aodes WorkCross 650 as the top prize. Three cash prizes - $1,000, $500 and $200, will also be given away. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Matt Kurpgeweit at 402-394-1432; Emily Kurpgeweit at 402-336-6422; or Laura Fry at...
The Nebraska Tobacco Quitline is offering free quit medications to eligible Nebraskans through June 30, or while supplies last. Participants may receive two free quit medication kits that include both a two-week supply of nicotine patches and an additional two-week supply of either nicotine gum or lozenges. Using more than one form of nicotine replacement therapy, known as combination therapy, has been shown to increase quit success. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that...
On March 4, Attorney General Mike Hilgers announced a major consumer‑protection and child‑safety lawsuit against Roblox Corporation, alleging that the company has knowingly created and maintained an online environment that exposes millions of children to sexual predators, violent content, and illegal activity while misleading parents about the platform's safety. The complaint asserts that Roblox, despite having detailed knowledge of widespread exploitation occurring on the platform, markets its...
Russ Befort now has completed the Nebraska Upland Slam four times in four seasons. The 43-year-old from Shawnee, Kansas, knows he couldn’t have done it alone. He credits his dog, Otis, for playing a “critical” role. While hunting the greater prairie-chicken and sharp-tailed grouse, after walking several miles, Befort was presented just one shot on each bird. Otis, a Kliene Munsterlander, was able to retrieve each downed bird. Befort was randomly drawn as the grand prize winner in the eighth year of the Upland Slam, winning a Winchester SX4 U...
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...
Incumbents and a few new faces have filed to run for office in the 2026 Primary Election in May. Holt County Clerk Cathy Pavel said races that will be on the Primary will be the State Partisan races, Legislature, State Board of Education. "Auto-advance races will be NRDs, PPDs, airports, community college, if they do not have more than double the number of seats plus one," Pavel said. Several Holt County and local races will be on the ballot. "In Holt County, I will have county clerk; county...
On March 4, Gov. Jim Pillen signed LB653 into law to improve classroom environments. The new law will provide school districts the flexibility to work with students and their families to address disruptive behaviors, ensuring that classrooms are a place for learning. “We’re investing in Nebraska’s kids while ensuring classrooms are safe and great learning environments,” said Pillen. “I signed LB653 into law and I’m grateful for the legislature’s work – especially Sen. Murman for carrying this legislation on my behalf – to get this to my desk t...
The 2026 Great American Comedy Festival will be bringing a Midwestern voice that's made millions laugh to the Johnny Carson Theatre stage. Charlie Berens will be headlining the annual gala on Saturday, June 20 at the Johnny Carson Theatre in Norfolk. Berens is a comedian, New York Times best-selling author, Emmy-winning journalist, musician and creator of the viral sensation, The Manitowoc Minute, a comedic news show about the Midwest which first launched him into notoriety in 2017. Since then,...
A longtime Orchard staple flipped its sign back on Jan. 12, and it's serving up more than just seconds. The Lunch Box, now owned by Monte Shabram and family of Orchard, is dishing out homecooked meals, early-morning breakfasts and a daily buffet built to satisfy even the heartiest appetites. Before reclaiming its Lunch Box name, the cafe operated as Sugarz. Then-owner Matt Wood was ready to step away from the restaurant business and planned to close if a buyer didn't step forward. "We got wind...
Questions recently circulating on Facebook about Orchard's water quality prompted discussion at the Feb. 9 Orchard Village Board meeting, according to Village Chairman Stephanie Cleveland. "During our board meeting last night, it was brought to our attention that there have been some questions circulating on Facebook regarding the water in Orchard," Cleveland said in a statement released on social media. "After discussing the matter, the village board would like to clarify some issues."...
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...
After reviewing three bids submitted for a 7,200 square-foot pre-engineered metal shop, Holt County Supervisors, on Friday, approved a $1,798,965 bid submitted by Green Gable Contracting for a new District 6 shop, which will be located at 46748 882nd Road in Stuart. The bid also included a $25 per cubic yard cost for removal of soil and materials. The Ft. Calhoun-based business was recommended by officials from JEO Consulting, who are overseeing the project. A start date has not been set, but...
The Holt County Sheriff's Office responded to a single-vehicle accident, four miles north of O'Neill, on Feb. 24. Michael Simon was driving a gray 2010 Ford Focus SE, southbound on US 281. He became dizzy and blacked out. The vehicle left the road to the west side, continuing south, and impacting the north side of an embankment. The vehicle continued south over the roadway at 877 Avenue, and struck the south side of the ditch. The Ford Focus went through the fenced and flipped on its top. O'Neill Fire and Rescue responded to the scene to...
Holt County Sheriff’s Office personnel responded to a two-vehicle collision, Feb. 24, between 877 and 878 Roads, on Highway 281 north of O’Neill. At approximately 4:53 p.m., a 2017 Ford F150, driven by Kyle Sobotka, was southbound on Highway 281. Daniel Nickeson was driving a 2014 Chrysler 200 LX, headed north on Highway 281. Nickeson crossed the center line, entering the southbound lane. Sobotka attempted to avoid the oncoming vehicle but was unable to avoid a collision. Sobotka’s vehiclecame to rest on the shoulder of the southbound lane....
In their own words, former Tyson workers and community members describe the fallout after their town was rocked by one of Nebraska's biggest-ever layoffs When the Tyson Foods plant in Lexington laid off more than 3,000 employees in January, it wiped out jobs for nearly half the town's work force and left no aspect of life untouched. Already, the loss of the plant has forced families to leave town in search of work elsewhere. Dozens of students have left the school system. Businesses have...
March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Colorectal cancer is the third-most common cancer in both men and women and is very preventable. The most common form of colorectal cancer starts out as small abnormal growths, called polyps, that can grow and mutate over time to transform into cancer. If these polyps are removed when they are small, they never get the chance to evolve into cancer. These polyps grow slowly so screening doesn't need to be an annual event. Intervals depend on several...
A third phone system upgrade was presented to the Antelope County Commissioners yesterday. A representative from Applied Connective of Albion gave a presentation to the ACC for two different options for phone upgrades. One consisted of a web-based system and the other a more traditional “in-house” system. The ACC looked the options over, considering service, pricing, and reliability. At next week’s meeting, county clerk Lisa Payne will be requesting all three companies that made upgrade proposals (Stealth Broadband, Great Plains Commu...
During a Feb. 9 Antelope County District Court hearing covering pretrial motions in a case involving Thomas Warnke, 22, of Beatrice, the Honorable Michael Long was notified a plea agreement, with amended information, was reached. Earlier that morning, Antelope County Attorney Joseph Smith requested to consolidate two cases against Warnke for the purpose of the hearing. Long granted the motion. Defense attorney Dustin Garrison made a motion to sequester witnesses. Smith did not object but requested the two lead witnesses remain in the courtroom....
A continuance was granted in a case involving 63-year-old Denise Blevins of Norfolk, during a Feb. 11 Antelope District Court session. She is charged with one count of possession of a controlled substance, a Class IV felony. Martin Klein, representing Blevins, made the request to the Honorable Mark Johnson. Antelope County Attorney Joe Smith did not object and Johnson granted the motion. The judge continued bond at $1,500 personal recognize, with all previously ordered conditions still in...
Art students from Summerland Public School will have artwork on display, March 1 - 13 at the Advocate-Messenger, 522 Main Street in Clearwater. The public is invited to stop and visit the artwork between 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. "Summerland has a lot of talented artists, and we want to showcase their work during Youth Art Month," said SAM publisher LuAnn Schindler. Youth Art Month began in 1961 as a way to "emphasize the value of participating in art for all ch...
A longtime Orchard business announced Monday, via social media, that it will close its doors. Lazy T Tire & Implement, known for its flatbed installation and mower sales, will cease operations immediately. "Lazy T Tire has been an asset to many. It became so much bigger because of you - our customers, friends, and community. Your support, encouragement, and loyalty carried us through every season. "Though this chapter is coming to an end, we are deeply thankful for the relationships and...
