Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
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Whether the luck of the Irish was with them or if a divine power intervened, emergency personnel are thankful that no fatalities or major injuries were reported in an explosion that rocked O'Neill before sunrise on Monday. At approximately 5:55 a.m., an explosion occurred in the St. Patrick's Parish Center, in the 300 block of Benton Street. KBRX Radio owner Scott Poese, of O'Neill reported flames as high as 50 to 60 feet were visible in the early-morning skies shortly after the blast occurred....
One. That's the number by which enrollment at Summerland Public Schools dropped for the 2024-25 school year. Superintendent Molly Aschoff supplied the numbers after final enrollment totals were given to the Nebraska Department of Education at the end of September. Records show 442 students are enrolled this year. One noticeable differences is the size of the senior class. Last year, 20 students were enrolled. This year's class has 42 students. Twenty-two students are enrolled in preschool this...
Unless something drastic occurs in the next week, when the Summerland Public School Board of Education is slated to meet, members will take action on three items. The board is scheduled to meet Oct. 16, at 7 p.m., in the board room. The first item of business will be a report from the American Civics Committee meeting. The Summerland Education Association will be considered as the bargaining agent for the district's non-supervisory certificated staff for the 2026-27 contract year. Policy...
Holt County's road department will receive two new motorgraders following approval from county supervisors at the Sept. 30 meeting in O'Neill. Representatives from Murphy Tractor and NMC CAT presented bids. Murphy Tractor's bid package was for a JD 772G Motorgrader with six-wheel drive and a snow wing, off the state bid, for $487,500, which includes a service agreement for $63,221. NMC's bid was for a 140-15AWD Caterpillar, with snow wing off the Sourcewell quote, for $432,900, which includes a...
Nebraskans will vote on six ballot issues during this fall's general election, including competing initiatives on the issue of abortion. Here's a rundown of three of those ballot issues, those concerning abortion and paid sick leave: – Initiative 434, titled the "Protect Women and Children" initiative, would, if approved, place the state's current policy on abortion, which allows the procedure only during the first 12 weeks of gestation, into the State Constitution. A "yes" vote for Initiative 4...
Here's a rundown of three of those ballot issues, a referendum to repeal a private school voucher law and the pair concerning medical marijuana: In one of the more hotly contested issues in recent years, voters will decide whether to repeal, or retain, a controversial law was passed earlier this year that allows the State Treasurer to administer a scholarship program to private and parochial K-12 schools that was funded with $10 million of state funds. Legislative Bill 1402 served to replace a l...
One of the best yearbooks my students produced is based on the theme, "Everyone has a story." Like a typical yearbook, it is stuffed with photos and cutlines and articles, from bleed line to bleed line, placed on double-truck spreads. The difference from others we previously produced: We looked for commonalities among students that weren't school related. In that edition, students wrote about their peers who participated in non-traditional sports outside of the school day, like trap shooting...
For more than 30 years, I worked among fellow journalists who were passionate watchdogs reporting on the actions of people in power as a way to hold them accountable. I'm proud to see that important work continue, from the reporting on local government budgets to investigations of corruption in the halls of Congress. Ensuring transparency and accountability of government remains the goal every day - and no one is above scrutiny. Unfortunately, Americans are gobbling up outlandish misinformation...
Hard to imagine, but in our deep-red state we now have a competitive race for the U.S. Senate. It's been a while since a Republican had to break a sweat to get re-elected to the Senate in Nebraska. Even former governor and U.S. Sen. Bob Kerrey – a widely known Democrat nationally – couldn't crack the GOP's grip on the state's two Senate seats. But here comes a regular guy and nonpartisan from Omaha, Dan Osborn. His long-shot run against two-term incumbent Sen. Deb Fischer has caught fire, ins...
The Neligh Faith Community Church will be distributing food to those in need on Tuesday, Oct. 15. Individuals who wish to receive food can meet at the Neligh American Legion Club, 115 West Third Street, in Neligh, between the 2 and 3:30 p.m....
The Rural Northwest Deanery Council of Catholic Women will hold its fall deanery meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 15, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Spencer. Registration will begin at 9 a.m., with the meeting to begin at 9:30. Mass will be celebrated at 11:15. Join us to hear Deacon Roger Filips speak on “Prayer, discernment and spirituality....
Irelyn Bearinger, of Clearwater, is one of approximately 100 students selected for Hawkfest, an honor band and honor choir festival. The event was held Monday, Oct. 7, at Northeast Community College. Bearinger, a soprano, participated in the honor choir. She is a student at Elkhorn Valley Public Schools in Tilden....
A combination firearm and bowhunter education course will be offered by Nebraska Game and Parks Commission volunteer instructors in Orchard on Oct. 28 and 29 and Nov. 2. Class times will be 5:30 to 9 p.m., on the 28th and 29th and 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 2. This free course will be held at the Orchard Community Center at 407 E. 4th Street in Orchard. The course will provide instruction in safe firearms use, safe bow use, tree stand safety, shooting and sighting techniques, hunter ethics,...
All University of Nebraska athletic venues now have full approval to sell alcohol. On Oct. 4, the Nebraska Board of Regents voted 7-1 in favor of allowing beer, wine and liquor sales at all NU athletic venues, replacing a 2022 vote that allowed alcohol sales case by case. Until today, Nebraska was the sole Big Ten school that did not sell alcohol in its football stadium. "The advantage of all 17 schools in the Big Ten doing this already is there are best practices," athletic director Troy Dannen...
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is giving its wildlife-viewing guides a makeover – with the help of the public. These Watchable Wildlife Guides are educational resources designed to help people identify, observe and appreciate wildlife in their natural habitats. They provide species descriptions, viewing tips and conservation information, promoting responsible wildlife watching. Their purpose is to foster a deeper connection with nature and encourage environmental stewardship. The public...
A new program is set to begin Oct. 18 at Clearwater Public Library. Stay-at-home moms are invited to meet between 10 a.m. and noon for an informal get-together. Library director Chelsea Silbernagel said she's been in contact with several SAH moms and it led to the group, which could be a way to make new friends, start a book club or share recipes and mom hacks in a safe environment. "I want to keep this program open to new ideas and completely led by the mothers. There's no homework or...
Fifteen bands, including Summerland Public School, marched through downtown Wayne on Saturday, Oct. 5, during Wayne State College's annual Homecoming Parade and Band Day festivities. Entrants can choose to compete against other bands within their class designation or simply participate for constructive comments. Winning bands were: Class B1, Wayne High; Class C1, Norfolk Catholic; Class C2, Stanton; Class D1, Wausa and Class D2, Plainview....
Isabella Kester was the lone Bobcat medalist, Friday, when the junior and senior high teams competed at Evergreen County Club near Battle Creek. Kester picked up the 12th-place medal, running 13:52.32. The junior girls finished sixth in team standings. Taylon Bertschinger placed 39th, running 16:54.33; Ali Sonnefelt, 41st, 17:22.33; Cady Soper, 46th, 21:11.84 and Jaden Robinett, 47th, 21:51.58. In the junior high boys' race, Dylan Gray was the first Bobcat to cross the finish line. He ran the 3,...
The 2024 Fall League Baseball season came to an end Sunday, Oct. 6 with the championship round of the Sioux City Area World Series. The O'Neill Area Prospects entered the semi-finals as the No. 1 seed vs. Mapleton, Iowa, in a re-match from two weeks ago. This time Mapleton had the upper hand as they defeated the Prospects. In a game that started as a good pitching and defensive battle, Mapleton was able to take advantage of some opportunities late in the game and won going away, 11-0. The loss...
Summerland traveled to Bassett, Oct. 3, for a match with the North Central Bobcats and brought the brooms for a sweep. The Bobcats won 25-16, 25-14 and 25-11. Lydia Robertson landed a dozen kills in the match, Kanyon Allemang and Bailey Ahlers each finished with four. Belle Anson connected on 93.3% of her serves and sent six aces to the floor. Ella Bolling was the lone Bobcat to finish with a block. Statiscs v NC: Robertson: 12k, 4a, 6d, 7a Talya Nilson: 3d Bolling: 3k, 4a, 1bl, 4d, 1a...
Artificial Intelligence or A.I. has gone from science fiction to a reality. This technology continues to evolve and find new applications in the world, including the world of medicine. With any new advancement, there are pros and cons to be considered when implementing it into regular use, especially in medicine. In 2023 the Journal of Medical Internet Research published an article where they had ChatGPT take two of the three USMLE exams. Step 1 is taken by third-year medical students and all...
As waterfowl season kicks off, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission reminds hunters to help prevent the spread of damaging aquatic invasive species. Zebra mussels, Eurasian watermilfoil, curly-leaf pondweed, brittle naiad and other aquatic invasive species can “hitchhike” on hunting gear and be spread by droplets of water or even tiny plant fragments. Aquatic invasive species cause irreparable harm to aquatic ecosystems and waterfowl habitat, severely impeding hunting, fishing and boating for future generations. Nebraska is one of the few...
A lot of Summerland Bobcats saw playing time, Oct. 3, when they met Lutheran High Northeast on the Bobcat's home field. On a beautiful fall evening, under orange and pink skies, the Bobcats manhandled the visiting Eagles, 55-0. The hometown boys scored 20 points in the first quarter, while holding LHNE scoreless. In Q2, the Bobcats added another 29 points to the effort. The final score came in the final quarter, when Summerland scampered into the end zone, establishing the final score. Michael...
Water levels at Calamus Reservoir State Recreation Area will remain low for the next few weeks so the Twin Loups Irrigation District can conduct crucial repair work to the soil cement on Virginia Smith Dam. Access to some boat ramps is affected. The ramps at Homestead Knolls and Nunda Shoals are open. However, large boats will have difficulty launching at Nunda Shoals because of shallow water. Ramps at Buckshot Bay and Valley View Flat are closed. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission appreciates the patience of its park guests and is...
The Kansas City Royals game played through the car radio as Jeff Hovden drove south on a Friday night. Jeff and his son Jack had tickets for the next day. During the drive, the broadcast team noted the strong Omaha contingent in attendance, many sporting jerseys with the name "Bohm" across the back. The next day the Hovdens experienced it in person. "It was pretty impressive," said Hovden, a Phillies fan and car wash soap salesman from Vermillion, South Dakota. The "Bohm" on the many jerseys...
