LuAnn Schindler, Publisher

When life comes full circle, pay attention. Usually, there's a lesson worth learning. The lesson starts in Clearwater where Adam Ahlers, a "snot-nosed brat kid" spent summers mowing the yard at the Ocea Kirchner residence. Kirchner, a widow, would invite Ahlers into her "little yellow house" after he finished the job. "I had to go to the front door and get my $10," Ahlers told a crowd of approximately 275 people attending Saturday's fundraiser for the Clearwater Veteran's Park, held at the... Full story

LuAnn Schindler, Publisher

Longtime American Legion and Auxiliary members Ralph and Barb Tichota, of Clearwater, were recognized Saturday, for providing the inspiration and dedication to bring the veterans park to life in Clearwater. "It will have a lasting and significant impact," said Steve Stearns, veterans park committee member, during the presentation. "Your legacy will live on through this beautiful park and your work in creating a place of reflection and remembrance has touched all of our hearts." The park,...

Lori Potter, Flatwater Free Press

One word best defines how Megan Landes-Murphy and her husband Tom Murphy met, made career choices and launched a unique-to-Nebraska business. Sheep. Neither spent much time around the animals while growing up in northwest Wisconsin and the Omaha area, respectively. Now, they have sheep, a few chickens and two Great Pyrenees dogs named Milo and Birdie on their 12-acre ranch east of the small south-central Nebraska town of Lawrence. Two years ago, Landes-Murphy launched Kestrel Ridge Pellet Co.,...

No medals. Just a lot of experience and personal bests. That describes the Summerland high school cross country teams' results from the first-ever Greater Nebraska Athletic Conference meet, held Oct 10 at the Plainview Country Club. Senior Lenora Kester was seconds away from a medal. She finished 17th, running 24:35.45. Carlee Livingston was two spots behind Kester. She placed 19th, running 25:17.32. Aubrey Parker ended 27th in the field of 34 runners. She cross the line in 27:52.62. West Holt...

Paul Hammel, NPA Correspondent

Was driving home from a fishing trip the other day when I heard the news – Pete Rose, probably the best hitter in the history of baseball, had died. When I played in high school, I used a "Pete Rose" Louisville Slugger bat. It was as thick as a telephone pole, and almost as heavy. But I was like a lot of people – we loved the way Rose played the game. All-out. Sliding head-first into the bases. Knocking down catchers in plays at home plate. And best of all, slamming hit after hit, and...