Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
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When ESPN commentator Stuart Scott accepted the Jimmy V ESPY award in 2014, Scott said, about his fight with cancer, "I'm still here, I'm fighting. I'm not losing." Scott Leisy, physical education instructor at Clearwater Public Schools and co-coach for the Summerland Bobcat girls' basketball team, said similar words to the Advocate-Messenger in July 2019, in an article which appeared in the July 25th inaugural issue. Leisy's fight with colorectal cancer lasted a little more than two years. The...
The Holt County supervisors held a regular meeting at the courthouse in O’Neill last Tuesday, March 31, with all seven supervisors in attendance. The supervisors adopted a resolution, declaring a state of emergency in the county, beginning Jan. 31 and continuing, due to the health and safety of county citizens in relation to a global pandemic. The declaration allows expenditure of emergency funds if deemed necessary. Chad Thies with Zelle Human Resource Solutions in Lincoln discussed a proposed contract via phone conference. The board took t...
Nebraska Unified Board of Education will meet Monday, April 13, via Zoom, and at Orchard Public School. At 7:15 p.m., a budget hearing will be heard. The regular meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. Agendas for each meeting are included. The Zoom can be accessed at https:/zoom.us/j/487439950 Agenda - Budget Hearing 1. Call meeting to order, review Nebraska Open Meetings Act, recognize visitors A. Zoom meeting link - https:/zoom.us/j/487439950 2. Public participation 3. Discussion 4. Adjourn Agenda -...
The Summerland oversight/board committee will meet Wednesday, April 15, at 6 p.m., via Zoom. The meeting may be accessed at https://zoom.us/j/646553 AGENDA 1. Design update and options for new school 2. Zoning/roads update 3. Groundbreaking ceremony 4. Bond update 5. Update on staffing 6. Technology update 7. Policy and procedures for 2020-2021 8. Other possible discussion topics: curriculum and transportation 9. Activities update 10. Adjourn The agenda sequence is provided as a courtesy only. The board reserves the right to consider each item...
A subscriber posed an interesting question this week. Amid COVID-19 concerns, how safe are everyday objects many of us take for granted? Can pieces of mail - more importantly- your copy of the Summerland Advocate-Messenger, transmit the virus? What about styrofoam boxes containing a carryout order from local restaurants? Take it one more step. What about foods we eat? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, data indicates it is highly unlikely any of these items carry the...
The Nebraska Legislature remains adjourned until further notice. However, just over a week ago, we reconvened for three days to approve an emergency request from the governor to help fund the state response to COVID-19. The bill appropriates $83 million toward medical needs, protective measures, equipment,and programs related to the virus. It passed unanimously. That’s a statement I can rarely make, especially in these polarized times. I am proud to say legislators from across the aisle came t...
Garden fairies are so fun if you have a little one with you in the garden. As I look out to an early spring garden, there isn't much color other than sprouts of green iris. The garden fairies haven't been to work yet. I like to share with young garden visitors the tales of garden fairies. We even have a tree with a door and windows for the fairies. My story is that garden fairies give the blooming flowers their color early in the morning. Now wouldn't that be something to see out the kitchen...
Orchard school teachers ventured up, down and across town, Monday, during a parade of educators. Students and parents sat along the village's main street, hollered from the beds of pickup trucks, stood outside their homes and lined the school parking lot, greeting teachers of all grades as they completed the parade route. Some teachers decorated their vehicles with signs reminding students to complete homework. Others relied on witty puns to share messages of encouragement. Visit the...
Matthew Feusse, son of the Rev. Daniel and Kathy Feusse, of Clearwater, has received a $16,000 music scholarship to Concordia University Nebraska in Seward. He will receive $4,000 per year while enrolled at the school. Feusse will major in church music, studying organ and trumpet and working toward a goal of becoming a church music director. Feusse hopes to participate in band and choir at Concordia....
The process may be a little different for the May 12 Primary Election in Nebraska, but registered voters in the state will still have the opportunity for in-person voting. During a recent press conference, Governor Pete Ricketts announced the primary election will continue as scheduled. Ricketts emphasized that fulfilling the state's duty to carry out elections is vital to the health of the democratic republic. Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen confirmed polling sites will be open for...
Ewing Young Members Club will hand out hand out bags of eggs to hide at home and a treat for each child while supplies last, Saturday, April 11, from 12:30 to 2 p.m., in front of the Ewing Village Hall. This will replace the annual EYMC Easter egg hunt, traditionally held at the park, due to COVID-19....
Due to the new Directed Health Measure put in place by Governor Pete Ricketts on April 1, the 2020 Clearwater alumni banquet and golf tournament has been canceled. The event will not be rescheduled due to unforeseen planning with such public events. All pre-purchased ticket funds will be reimbursed as soon as possible. Organizers asked alumni help spread the word about the cancellation as letters will not be sent to honorary alumni noting the change in events. “We apologize for any inconvenience but cannot risk the health of any attendees in t...
Three football players with ties to area schools have been selected for the Northeast Nebraska All-Star Classic. OC's Eli Macke will join Clay Curtis of Royal, who plays for the Creighton Bulldogs and Josh Klabenes, of the CWCE Renegades, in the June 13 classic. The game will be played at Veteran's Memorial Field in Norfolk. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. Mike Sunderman, president of the event's board of directors stated the board will continue to plan for the game. A final decision will be...
Clearwater middle school musicians participated in the Wayne State Middle School Music Festival, March 10. Director Sarah Kesting reported the grades four through six choir earned a superior rating. Members performing were Abby Arroyo, Abbey Chipps, Damien Hupp, Luke Kester, Shaylie Kester, Aiyana Krebs, Kenzie Sanne, Caydence Schumacher and Maria Velasquez. Sixth-grade band received a superior rating. Members performing included Ethan Kester, Shaylie Kester, Kenzie Sanne and Caydence Schumacher The beginning band received a superior rating....
All remaining Nebraska School Activities Association activity practices and competitions, including district and state competitions, have been canceled for this school year. The organization made the announcement April 2. The cancellations are part of a new Directed Health Measure issued by Governor Ricketts. Bylaw 3.2.7 - summer activities - will go into effect May 26. In the interim, Bylaw 3.2.6.1 - school-year, out-of-season - is expected to be followed by all member school athletic...
Graveside services for Scott Leisy, 34, of Atkinson were held Thursday, April 9, with burial in Woodlawn Cemetery in Atkinson. A celebration of life service is being planned for a later date. Leisy died April 6, at his home, near Atkinson. Seger Funeral Home of Atkinson is in charge of arrangements. ~~~ Scott Russell Leisy was born Oct. 28, 1985, in Sidney to Lisa (Sterling) Lamb. He was adopted by Darrel and Wilda Leisy at four months old, and he always felt the utmost gratitude to his birth...
How do we make our community better? That's a question many of our community leaders ask themselves every day. And most days that question goes unanswered. However, there is one program that rural Nebraskans are finding to be a useful tool in community development and that is the Local Option Municipal Economic Development Act, or what is more commonly referred to as LB 840. Most economic development projects are done using tools available in a community. Those tools are limited in many...
Korban A. Palmer, 24, of Meadow Grove appeared in the Antelope County courtroom for sentencing last Wednesday, April 1, on a Class W misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence of alcohol. The Honorable Donna Taylor sentenced Palmer to an eight-month term of probation, including fees of $280, a $500 fine, revoked his drivers’ license for 60 days and assessed him $307 costs for the Dec. 7, 2019, offense committed in Oakdale. He was credited $10 paid for a court-ordered alcohol evaluation. Palmer, a self-litigant, pleaded guilty when he was...
According to the 2018 Counties At-A-Glance report put together by Nebraska’s Legislative Research Office, 12% of our 6,421 individuals in Antelope County are food insecure. Food insecurity is described by Feeding America as “a household’s inability to provide enough food for every person to live an active, healthy life.” This means approximately 771 people in our county do not have regular access to food. While these are staggering numbers, I would like to discuss one of many ways we can help our neighbors in need. Help fight hunger this year b...
Clearwater Public School and Orchard Public School announced students who qualified for the principal's honor roll and honor roll for the third quarter of the 2019-2020 school year. Students named to the Clearwater principal's honor roll include Jackie Olivan, Hunter Klabenes, Eli Thiele, Jacob Behnk, Aislynn Kester, Adyson Mlnarik and Kelsey Schlecht. Avery Cheatum, Kaci Wickersham, Mason Hoke, Madison Melcher, Hadley Cheatum, Levi Cronk, Gunnar Shabram, Ashley Melcher, Carter Bergman, Sam...
Ewing Board of Education will meet Thursday, April 16, at 7 p.m. The meeting will be available via Zoom at https://zoom.us/j/4023405842 Meeting ID: 402 340 5842. AGENDA 1. Open meeting 2. Open Meetings Act 3. Roll call 4. Consent agenda A. Approve minutes of March 16, 2020 regular meeting B. Approve April 16, 2020 agenda C. Approve financial report D. Approve board bills of April 16, 2020 E. Excuse absent member(s) 5. Correspondence 6. Recognize visitors 7. Superintendent’s report 8. Principal’s report DISCUSSION ITEMS: Board topics, Sum...
Elly Herley knew she wanted to see instructor and coach, Scott Leisy, one more time. And, she wanted the rest of the Bobcats girls' basketball team to visit, too. "I wanted to do something for him so he knew how much I cared about and for all he had done for me," Herley said. "I knew from COVID-19 we couldn't gather in a group." So Herley, a junior at Clearwater Public Schools, made a few phone calls and organized a Saturday quarantine cruise night, April 4. One phone call snowballed into...
Nebraskans are urged to stay home and stay healthy for the next three weeks. Thursday afternoon, Gov. Pete Ricketts announced six rules to lessen the impact of COVID-19: stay home, social distance, shop alone once per week, assist children with social distancing, help older populations social distance and exercise at home. Ricketts said the recommendations are not a stay-at-home order or a shelter-in-place order. "As we wage war against the virus, we are asking Nebraskans to further limit...
Finding Easter eggs might be a little difficult for youngsters this year. While brightly-colored eggs may pop against a blanket of white snow predicted to hit the area tomorrow, high winds could cause poor visibility. The National Weather Service in North Platte has issued a winter storm warning for 10 counties, including Holt and Wheeler counties, effective 1 a.m., through 10 p.m., Sunday, April, 12. According to the NWS, heavy snow with accumulations of three to eight inches is expected, with...
