Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
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Country star Nate Smith knows a thing or two about fire. In 2018, he lost everything he owned in the wildfires which whipped through Paradise, California, the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California's history. Despite being safe, Smith found it difficult to adjust to the devastation and turned to music. He wrote "One of These Days," about his experiences, hoping it would resonate with others. The song caught on, going viral. Soon, Smith found himself singing at benefit concerts...
Early on a hot, summer Monday morning, a string of cars line Nebraska Street in Clearwater. They slip out of their vehicles and trek across a driveway to a mint-green stand, complete with crock pots, mini fridge and drop box. The sign in front of it says it all: Self serve stand open. Welcome to Rollin' Farm Stand, the brainchild of Haily Schlecht. It's a little bit produce stand, a little bit grab-and-go food source. No matter how it's labeled, it's filling Clearwater residents' stomachs with...
It’s almost “the best weekend in June.” Are we having fun yet? With the exception of contestant pages, the rodeo program has been at the printer for almost two weeks. Hallelujah! There are plenty of noticable changes. At the rodeo grounds, the bull - formerly part of the old steakhouse sign - towers above the entrance, foreshadowing action visitors are about to view. The bull’s devilish facial expression may be a nod to Laredo, the infamous bull that reveled in jumping the fence in the early d...
The countdown is on for the best weekend in June as rough and tumble action will take center stage at the 57th annual Clearwater's Big Rodeo. Competition begins Friday, June 28 and continues through Sunday, June 30, at the Gene Snodgrass arena, located along U.S. Highway 275. Clearwater Chamber of Commerce sponsors the annual event. Rodeo visitors will see a few new additions on the grounds. Clearwater Chamber president Curt Thiele said the rodeo committee and chamber members continue to make...
Call-ins for mutton busting for the 56th annual Clearwater Rodeo will be Monday, June 24, from 6 to 7 p.m. To enter, call Elly Herley at 402-640-9738. Text messages will not be accepted. Participants must be 3 to 7 years of age. Each night, 15 spots will be reserved for call-ins. The remaining 10 spots will go to walk-in participants who register the night of the rodeo. Organizers suggest individuals wanting to register the evening of the rodeo should arrive early. Mutton busting will begin at...
The name of a Brunswick area man who drowned Monday at Grove Lake, north of Royal, has been released. Antelope County Sheriff Bob Moore said Jody Hansen, 52, was pronounced dead at the scene. On Monday, June 17, at approximately 12:38 p.m., the Antelope County Sheriff's Office received a 911 call about a body floating in the lake. Two fishermen made the discovery near the south dock. It is unclear how long the body had been in the water. The Antelope County Sheriff's Office and Nebraska Game...
Another Father’s Day is nearing an end. How have we spent it? With the exception of a two-hour lunch date, the “Yellowstone” Father’s Day marathon has been playing. And, just like the “Yellowstone” Mother’s Day marathon and the Memorial Day marathon and any other excuse needed to air 72 hours of the popular TV show, John Dutton’s family’s woes have provided background noise. Thank goodness it has a solid soundtrack to sing along with while I work on the paper and fiddle with household chores....
Summerland board of education members approved two resignations during the June 10 meeting. Alyssa Beed, a paraprofessional, resigned since she is moving out of the area. Superintendent Kyle Finke said, "At this time, we'll kind of wait to see where we're going. I don't know if we necessarily need to replace her." Finke said that decision could be made closer to the beginning of the school year. Kathy Strope informed Finke she was not interested in returning to work in the kitchen, but she...
Expansion of a storage business in Clearwater passed a final hurdle, Monday, after village trustees approved a building permit following approximately 10 minutes of discussion, an executive session and another 15 minutes of consideration. On May 9, 2023, Elkhorn Valley Storage representatives originally applied for and received a building permit for the expansion. According to Bryan Funk, the permit expired since work did not begin within six months of issuance. The action item was tabled...
Nebraska Lottery officials reported, Monday, that a $2,000 ticket for Lotto America was sold at Speedee Mart in Clearwater. As of Tuesday, the winner had not claimed their earnings....
Film producer Rick McCallum said, “It’s easy to be a backseat driver. It’s even easier to be a backseat driver when you’re not even in the same car.” Spoken like a true backseat driver. I never realized how often I make driving suggestions to Scott until Sunday, when he drove to Verdigre. As we near Royal, I politely suggest we should take the road past Grove Lake to avoid road construction on Highway 14. There was construction earlier in the week when the grandkids played baseball in the Kolac...
Antelope County Sheriff Bob Moore reported his office is investigating at drowning at Grove Lake, north of Royal. On Monday, June 17, at approximately 12:38 p.m., the Antelope County Sheriff's Office received a 911 call about a body floating in the lake after two fishermen made the discovery near the south dock. The victim is a 51-year-old Clearwater man, according to Moore. It is unclear how long the body had been in the water. The Antelope County Sheriff's Office and Nebraska Game and Parks...
Three veterans were recognized for their service during recent presentations in Clearwater and Ewing. On May 18, in Clearwater, brothers Ed Muff, of rural Clearwater, and Wayne Muff, of Fremont, each received a Quilt of Valor. On Memorial Day, Ewing resident Alan Potter received a quilt. The presentation was made during the Memorial Day program. Veterans heard the story of Blue Star military mom, Catherine Roberts, whose dream of a solider facing difficult times resulted in the same solider...
Young women ages 14 to 24 are invited to apply for the Miss Clearwater Rodeo contest. Applications are due by June 14 and are available by contacting Devon Baum, contest director, at [email protected] or texting or calling 402-843-0446. The queen contest will be held Friday, June 28. Candidates will take part in mutton bustin' activities as Clearwater's Big Rodeo kicks off its 57th annual event. According to Baum, contestants will vie for several awards, including horsemanship,...
Summerland Board of Education will face a light agenda when it meets in regular session, June 10, at 7 p.m. Only three items of new business appear on the agenda as of June 4. A copy of the agenda, reflecting changes, will be available for public inspection at the administrative office at the school during normal business hours. Meal prices for students and adults will be reviewed and set. Policy updates will also be noted. One action item includes resignations. The meeting will be the final...
Antelope County officials discovered how a salary study, comparing county employee wages, could be used when they met in regular session, Tuesday, June 4, in Neligh. Luke Bonkiewicz, research program analyst for the Nebraska Association of County Officials, told commissioners the study came about after several counties had reached out about the ability to compare wages with like-sized counterparts. Commissioner Casey Dittrich asked if the study is available to the public. According to...
Challenge your limits. I’ve been flirting with the idea of trying a no-buy challenge. Unfamiliar with a the concept? It’s pretty basic. Make a list of non-essential items you won’t buy for a set period of time. Then, stick to the plan. Sounds easy, right? I’m not so sure. A year seems impossible, heck, a month may be, too. Maybe I should try a week and see how it plays out. The first step: owning up to my weaknesses. Check that off the list. Do I need to visit the convenience store for a glass...
Clearwater voters will decide whether to allow keno gambling in the November general election. Clearwater Village Board of Trustees held the first reading of Ordinance 2024-2, regarding placing the question of allowing the lottery within village limits on the November 2024 ballot when it met May 13. Second reading will take place at the June 10 meeting, with the third reading to take place during the July meeting. The public will have an opportunity to ask questions or offer comments during the...
Describing life as a Marine Corps recruit, Jacob Hoffman said, "I was broke down mentally, physically and emotionally." Hoffman shared his experiences as a member of the 2nd Battalion, 5th Regiment, based at Camp Pendleton, California, during a Memorial Day address at St. Dominic's Hall in Ewing. "Once you step on the yellow footprints and walk through the door, you are no longer yourself," Hoffman said as he explained why recruits are trained to talk and think in third person. "You're either...
A longtime educator will fill a void this fall at Summerland Public Schools. Laurel Miller, who previously taught at Clearwater, will teach math. Cathy Cooper, elementary principal, said only a handful of applications were received to fill a position left vacant after Jacob Birch accepted the junior/senior high school principal's job. Cooper, along with incoming superintendent Molly Aschoff, talked with former retirees about the position. "Laurel (Miller) has both a science and math...
Baseball, hot dogs and apple pie are considered All-American staples. Should ranch dressing be added to the list? The condiment - oh, it’s more than a salad dressing - is an every-meal accessory for a couple of our grandkids. Drizzle it on pizza? Check. Add dry ranch seasoning to oyster crackers for “squeaky snacks,” as my kids call the treat? Absolutely. Dip chicken strips and fries in a dollop or twenty? All the dang time. Buy it by the gallon? Heck no, not in this house. (Dorothy, on the o...
Hourly pay rates for Summerland Public School classified staff will increase 4% beginning this fall. Superintendent Kyle Finke suggested the increase during the board of education’s May 14 meeting. He also recommended increasing bus wages for any regular bus route more than 40 miles or activity pay to $15 per hour. “Looking at what we have for classified staff, I think it’s a fair increase for them. It gets everyone over the minimum wage shift to $13.50 on Jan. 1,” the superintendent said. N...
Antelope County’s primary election resulted in only 1,080 ballots being cast. The structure of the party-line election, and lack of multiple candidates in many of the races, may have led to the low turnout. Only one county race took place, which was for the District 4 commissioner seat. Incumbent Charlie Henery advances to the general election after receiving 123 votes. Challenger Harlan Brandt, a former Antelope County supervisor, ended the night with 58 votes. President Joe Biden received 54 v...
Blood may be thicker than water. It's the fluid of life, an essential force providing a constant flow of resources and creating energy. For Jesse Thiele, son of Jim and Leenda, the constant flow slowed to a trickle on a fateful September day in 2016. Thiele, then a fifth-grade student, was at home in Clearwater on Sept. 29, working on a math worksheet, alongside older brothers Eli and Alex. Alex and Jesse took a break, which turned into a wrestling match. "I still had a pencil in my hand,"...
This article is a companion piece to https://www.summerlandadvocate.com/story/2024/05/22/news/from-near-death-experience-to-lifesaver-thiele-makes-blood-donation-a-priority/6209.html Before the accident, Jesse had asked Leenda about being baptized. After discussion, he agreed to wait. You've got to have faith, even in the darkest moments. The Thiele family's faith played a major part in how they reacted to Jesse's accident. Leenda said she knew how the trauma was handled would have a stronger...
