Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
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The Cowboy Recreation and Nature Trail section west of Norfolk now has reopened to the public after repairs were made to stabilize the embankment and trail surface from the 2019 flood. The damage occurred near the trail bridge over the Elkhorn River about 3.75 miles west of the Ta-Ha-Zouka Park trailhead in Norfolk. Beginning in Norfolk and spanning 321 miles west to Chadron, the Cowboy Trail is one of the largest Rails-to-Trails projects in the United States. The trail is developed between...
They’re back in Nebraska exploring more state parks. Join hosts Patrice and Kevin McCabe as they return to Nebraska to explore Fort Robinson State Park and Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area during the third season of “RV There Yet?” The McCabes travel in their motorhome to destinations throughout the U.S. The show highlights special places for their culture and history and chats with local business owners who keep their communities thriving. At Fort Robinson, the McCabes went on a sunset hike, took a guided Jeep ride to top of Cheyenne Butte...
Cycling along the Cowboy Trail in the 105-degree heat requires faith for safe travels. It also requires hope for a successful mission. It's definitely a labor of love and a means to do the Lord's work. For a group of Ohio cyclists, who spent Aug. 21 in Ewing, it's all in a day's pedaling. "Our group started in the late 1980s," said Dr. Ken Gifford, a retired pastor from Youngstown, Ohio. Originally known as the Pedaling Parsons, the group was comprised of Methodist church pastors "who shared a...
To paraphrase Atticus Finch in "To Kill A Mockingbird," sometimes, you just need to walk in someone else's shoes. Noah Coughlan knows all about shoes. He figures he's gone through at least six pairs since he started a cross-country run known as Run For Revival, a 3,500-mile trek from near Seattle en route to Tampa Bay, honoring the nation's veterans and active service members. The journey began on Memorial Day. When he trekked across the Nebraska - South Dakota border, near the Rosebud...
Tim Hickele ventured into Clearwater, late Tuesday morning, in search of the village's park, hoping to set up camp after venturing from Ewing. Hickele wasn't pulling a recreational vehicle into the Antelope County town. Instead, Hickele detoured onto Main Street, off the Cowboy Trail, with his little house on wheels, a homemade camper that's kept him comfortable during his journey. "It's made of plastic," Hickele said to a trio of onlookers who checked out the structure. It's the second mini-cam...
A new housing unit in Ewing is one step closer to reality. Village chairman James Ramold confirmed funds for construction of a two-unit duplex, from the Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Fund, were received last week. During the village trustees’ Feb. 13 meeting, Carla Kimball, with the Central Nebraska Economic Development District, said the organization will work with village officials to establish a timeline for construction. “Some of that will be dependent on weather,” she said. “Some...
The sign on the backpack explains it all. Walking across America. Stephen Ashworth, a Terrell, Texas, native, estimates he's traveled more than 26,000 miles by foot. "I'm a traveler," he said. Ashworth ventured through the Summerland region last week, stopping in Clearwater, Wednesday. He dropped his gear at the village's park, pulled out his super cat stove - a well-worn cat food can - added fuel - HEET gas-line antifreeze works best - and placed a titanium pot on it to heat water for a Cup of...
Give a city a challenge and its people will meet it head on ... and then some. That's the sentiment expressed to more than 50 individuals who attended a celebration for the Neligh Area Community Fund, Aug. 15, at Blackburn Manufacturing in Neligh. The reason for celebrating: the completion of the Jim and Pat Blackburn Challenge Grant. The Blackburns added $100,000 to the fund after its members raised $200,000. The $300,000 fund is part of the Nebraska Community Foundation and will draw almost...
REGULAR PROCEEDINGS Village of Clearwater BOARD OF TRUSTEES June 13, 2022 The Board of Trustees of the Village of Clearwater met in regular session Monday, June 13, at 8 p.m., in the fire hall meeting room. Meeting opened at 8 p.m. Notice of meeting was given in advance by publication in Summerland Advocate-Messenger and notice was given to board members prior to meeting. Public was informed of location of Open Meeting Act poster. Present: Kevin Filsinger, Steve Hankla, Kelly Kerkman, Steve Stearns, Cody Kester. Others present: Kate Ahlers,...
Andrew J. Stephenson, 20, of Jacksonville, Florida, appeared in the Antelope County court last Wednesday morning, Jan. 5, on a Class 4 felony count, possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine, and two infractions, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia, all alleged Dec. 23. Stephenson requested court-appointed counsel. After reviewing his financial information, Judge Donna Taylor indicated the defendant was “borderline” for qualification. She appointed the public defender to represent him, cautioning that whe...
This week’s poll question asked readers to share what they believe our rural communities need - business or service - if money to open said business or service started was not an issue. The question surfaced following a discussion in our office. We were comparing photos of main street of old with current-day status. The talk made me curious what vision readers have to grow our local economies and build stronger communities. Trust me, there isn’t a single-pronged approach. It’s a combi...
Michael Myers had been on the job only one month when he learned the story of co-worker, Leo Cooney, and knew he had to make a difference. A package arrived on a job site, a rarity in the electrical business. Inside, a baseball cap with a Friends of Leo logo. Inquisitive, Myers asked about the significance of the cap. Co-workers shared Cooney's story and it hit home. "It hit me kind of hard because my dad had MS, a different disease but fairly similar, it affects the nervous system," Myers...
This week, we’re going to play the close your eyes and imagine game. Ready? Close your eyes. No peeking. You need to tune in and think. Your future depends on it. Think of a building in your community you consider prominent. What sets it apart from other structures in town? Now, think about a building that may be a diamond in the rough. You know the type of place I’m talking about. Once upon a time, this building was the centerpiece of the community, a drawing card with a welcome sign, a str...
Joshua A. Boettcher, 29, of Stuart was sentenced to 18 months in a facility under the jurisdiction of the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services for a July 2019 crime. Boettcher was sentenced by the Honorable Mark Kozisek in the Holt County district courtroom Jan. 22. “Your prior history of criminal behavior is a concern…it began when you were a juvenile and has continued more or less consistently since,” Kozisek said, while reviewing sentencing guidelines with Boettcher. “Placing blame on your victim flies in the face of the facts…y...
If 2020 vision existed, the past year may have turned out differently. Or, maybe we needed this year to define our strengths and guide us toward a revision of what we deem as normal. The year 2020 caused us to slow down and realize what matters most. While coronavirus - and all its implications - dominated the news cycle, other news items drew attention: groundbreaking for the new school site, cruise nights honoring graduates, new businesses opening and surviving a pandemic, pumpkin patches spro...
Drew W. Steskal, 31, of Spencer, appeared in Antelope County court last Wednesday, Sept. 2, following an Aug. 31 crash northwest of Clearwater and an extensive subsequent search for the driver. According to documents filed by Antelope County sheriff Bob Moore, passersby had reported an abandoned vehicle about three miles northwest of Clearwater. Moore reported finding a red Ford Escort in the west ditch of a county road, about 200 yards north of the highway, with the driver door open. Moore said evidence indicated the vehicle had entered Cliffo...
A group of horseback riders ventured along the Cowboy Trail, and occasionally along Highway 275 Monday. Destination: Valentine. What initially began as a fundraiser for wildlife conservation in the state has turned into a week-long venture for four college friends and the father of two of the riders. Cooper Blum, Wyatt Blum, Jonathan Johnson, Jackson Leonard and Rick Blum started the journey Saturday in Norfolk. After COVID-19 struck, the group was concerned about requesting donations. "It...
There are many ways to define history. But no matter what definition is accepted, it is important to see that history is the story of people and what has happened to people in families and communities. History is all around us, no matter where we live, and it is our story. The newly-renovated one-Room schoolhouse, located in the Antelope County Museum Complex, is hosting two Lunch Box Learning programs that look back in time about Nebraska and Western History. Programs and curriculum topics...
Holt County citizens filled the county supervisors’ meeting room in the courthouse last Friday morning as the county leaders took care of business. Bryan Steskal of Steskal read a letter penned by his wife, Diana Steskal, who was unable to attend the meeting. In the letter, Steskal wrote the Holt County zoning board members denied TransCanada’s conditional use permit until two conditions are met, including one that requires obtaining easements. Many, she said will most likely be appealed. She also cited three federal court cases filed aga...
Sergio V, Velasquez, 31, of O’Neill was sentenced by the Honorable Kale Burdick in the Holt County court last Tuesday, Jan. 14, on three counts, Count II, no operator’s license, a Class 3 misdemeanor; Count III, refuse to submit to pretest, a Class 5 misdemeanor; and Count IV, refuse to submit to test, first offense, a Class W misdemeanor. Burdick sentenced him to fines of $75, $100 and $500, respectively; eight months’ probation, including fees totaling $210; and $50 costs of prosecution. Velasquez changed his not guilty pleas to guilty on the...
The Holt County supervisors met Monday, Dec. 16, in front of a crowd of concerned citizens. Agenda items regarding a TC Energy road-haul agreement and some township road concerns drew the visitors. The supervisors heard an update on a bronze statue planned for the courthouse lawn by the “Finian Women.” They are a group headed by daughters of longtime Holt County resident, Doc Cook, who referred to himself as a Finian, according to county clerk Cathy Pavel. Natalie Cook Butterfield addressed the leaders regarding fundraising and planned placemen...
On a sunny fall morning, five individuals gather in the community room at Flats on 8th, an upscale apartment complex located near the Cowboy Trail on Neligh's west side. Each has their own story of what led them here: separation, loss of a loved one, downsizing, moving closer to family. All agree the move has made a difference, especially here, where neighbors watch out for neighbors, where strangers have become fast friends. The complex, located at 705 West 8th Street, offers 12 all-inclusive...
If you want to catch a glimpse of real America, try cycling from coast to coast. Jemma Stilwell, an English native, traveled along U.S. Highway 275, Friday, making short stops in Ewing and Clearwater. A chance conversation with a group of coffee drinkers at Westend Mini-Mart in Ewing altered Stilwell's route, sending her to the Summerland Advocate-Messenger for a quick visit about her trek. Stilwell departed Seattle, July 25, riding between 80 and 100 miles a day, en route to Washington, D.C. "I...
