Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
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An economic development program, designed to assist Clearwater businesses through COVID-19, will end Dec. 31. The Village of Clearwater LB840 Emergency Commercial Grant Program was established this summer and offered grants of $750 to businesses affected by the pandemic. Businesses with a net income of less than $75,000, per 2019 income taxes, are eligible to apply. Grant applications are scored on four categories: closed/reduced service due to directed health measures; length of time in...
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many events to be canceled this year, but it does not take away the opportunity to shop local during the holiday season. Communities across the country have found innovative ways to keep both business owners and customers safe. For example, the Valley County Chamber in Ord, made its annual Snowball Drop a virtual event. Starting in early November, the Chamber posted questions about local businesses on their social media. Every community member who responds to a...
A leap of faith and a desire to meet community needs has led to a new business opening on Clearwater's Main Street. The Sidebar, a mix of handmade crafts and locally produced items, fills a spot in The Office, located at 522 Main Street and will be accessible on the west side of the building. The business, a division of ColdType Publishing, will have a soft opening, Nov. 19. The Sidebar is a take on the journalism term. Merriam-Webster's definition of sidebar reads: "A short news story or...
I’ve read quite a few gratitude posts on social media lately, the ones where people share what they’re grateful for. Always reminds me of the scene from the movie “Arthur 2, “where Dudley Moore’s character is asked what he’s thankful for. His response, as he stares at full dinner plate made by his middle-class wife, played by Liza Minelli: I’m thankful I’ve got the smallest piece of meatloaf. Daughter Amanda likes to pull that line during our holiday gatherings. Never gets old. I count my bles...
What is the difference between news and opinion? This, friends, is the question of the week. In last week's issue, I explained how SAM began a partnership with Trusting News, a project of the Reynolds Journalism Institute and American Press Institute. We worked to devise strategies that promote responsible and ethical journalism. One goal I established, through the project, is to provide a breakdown of what makes a news article, an editorial and a column. In the Advocate-Messenger, opinion and...
A social media benefit for the Scott Leisy family will begin Friday, Oct. 23, at 8 a.m. and continue until 8 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 25, on Facebook. Auction items are available for perusal on Facebook, under Leisy Family Benefit....
She was a spitfire. From the first moment she walked into my classroom at Lutheran High Northeast, I knew Janelle would be one of those students: the ones you forge a bond with and see the potential for infinite growth. It didn’t hurt that she was a younger sister to one of Courtney’s best friends and I knew the type of person she was and wanted to be. With Janelle, there was no illusion or pretense. She was simply Janelle, a confident young woman, comfortable in her own skin. She loved Jes...
Discussion and debate has always been a part of rural America. From coffee shops to the local co-op, rural residents aren't afraid to show their loyalty for one candidate or another, share their thoughts on the issues of the day and voice their distrust of the government. Sometimes opinions can spur disagreement and raise tensions. But, in the end, most of us will agree to disagree, shake hands, and go about our day. Lately, this seems to have changed. The divisive politics of Washington have ma...
d it to make informed decisions as we navigate life. But, we must challenge ourselves to think deeper about the media we consume. Misinformation and disinformation campaigns are increasingly everywhere and we must be prepared to identify falsehoods, verify truths and protect ourselves from too much news. As a media maker and content consumer, I know firsthand how fatiguing the news cycle can be. From the endless comments, push notifications, social feeds, emails and more. Yet, it is important...
Eli Thiele, a senior at Summerland School, has been named one of 48 finalists in the U.S. Bank and Nebraska School Activities Association Believers and Achievers program. Thiele, the son of Jim and Leenda Thiele, attends the Clearwater campus. To be eligible for the award, seniors must have a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.50 and take part in NSAA-sponsored activities. Scholastic achievement, activity participation, school and community involvement and citizenship are considered....
Last week, I spent part of Thursday, Friday and Saturday meeting colleagues via Zoom, taking part in sessions of the National Newspaper Conference. The socially-distanced version offered multiple chances for sharpening skills and networking with newspaper publishers and reporters from across the United States. The event renewed nearly all of the ethics I believe are key to providing community journalism. And, several sessions left me re-evaluating some ideas newspapers use because “it’s the way...
I’ve said it before. I’ll say it again. I have a love-hate relationship with social media. While I appreciate being able stay informed about family members, I don’t like the divisiveness I see brewing. Whatever happened to the “we can agree to disagree” mantra? That is the beauty of free speech. If you don’t agree, scroll by. If you are inclined to comment, great, but civility goes a long way. But the reality of social media, especially when it comes to social media seen as a means of “free ad...
Family, Career and Community Leaders of America members, chapters and advisers were recently recognized via social media platforms for their efforts during the 2019-2020 school year. This year, more than 700 students from across the state earned the opportunity to compete in STAR Events at the State Leadership Conference. Students Taking Action with Recognition recognizes members for proficiency and achievement in chapter and individual projects, leadership skills, and career preparation. Due...
It’s been a weird summer, hasn’t it? Traditional Memorial Day programs were few and far between. Father’s Day was observed with proper “social distancing.” Fourth of July celebrations were canceled and most of the fireworks we saw were on TV. “Back to school” for many students across the country meant “back to the kitchen table.” And as for fall, I’m still trying to wrap my head around September, October and November with no Husker football or volleyball. And even the sporting events tha...
A dad, who had been remanded to the county sheriff’s custody to serve a jail sentence, drove away from the courthouse in a private vehicle last Wednesday, with his children as passengers. Shane Sleister did not go directly to jail. Instead of proceeding north toward the Antelope County Law Enforcement Center, Sleister’s vehicle headed west on 5th Street, followed by Antelope County deputy and courtroom bailiff, Lyle Juracek, The 46-year old Oakdale man faced Taylor for sentencing on a Class 3 misdemeanor count of disturbing the peace, a cha...
After more than 50 years of reporting, writing and distributing stories, an Albion couple sent something unusual off to print: a for-sale ad for their newspaper business. Jim and Julie Dickerson own three weekly papers in Boone County: the Albion News and Petersburg Press — both of which they have owned for 13 years — and The St. Edward Advance, which they have owned since 2018. They are looking to sell all three. Jim Dickerson, 67, writes and reports on meetings and community events, and Jul...
Last Wednesday was not a typical day in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh. The Honorable Donna Taylor heard from a man who requested a year in jail and a woman who cited religion as a reason not to appear. Billy Russell, 29, of Elgin had spent the previous 96 days in the county jail on charges of driving under the influence, third offense, and resisting arrest, as his case proceeded to the point of sentencing. He nearly begged Taylor to keep him there. Russell’s mother sent a letter to the judge, asking her to keep him “as long as you can...
A couple of weeks ago, a lifelong friend and I took a road trip through Western and North Central Nebraska. We checked out Chimney Rock, the Scotts Bluff National Monument, Toadstool Geologic Park near Crawford and the Niobrara River near Valentine. Social distancing was not a problem. The first night of that five-day trip we spent in Oshkosh, where I grew up and where my travel companion and I met on her third birthday. Her family was new to the neighborhood, her mom was looking for enough...
The Nebraska Department of Agriculture reported Tuesday Nebraska citizens have received unsolicited packages of seeds in the mail in recent days. "Our team has, and will continue to, work with USDA Animal Plant Health Inspection Service on any reports received in Nebraska," department personnel reported on its social media accounts. Individuals who receive one of these packages should not open it. The seeds should not be planted, either. Anyone receiving a sealed seed packet should keep packets...
I first met Vinne about 10 years ago, when he ventured from Boulder, Colorado, to Norfolk, to participate in the amateur division of the Great American Comedy Festival. He had a presence on stage that was hard to forget. He paced back and forth, wearing a path, like a tennis ball ricocheting side-to-side. And, there was something about his voice. He commanded attention. His timing was impeccable, delivering the twist of a joke. He made an impression. We chatted after the competition and...
Angela Mortensen of Neligh has been appointed clerk of the district court in Antelope County, effective July 1. Mortensen, who has served as deputy clerk for more than 25 years, will serve the balance of the term of office, until January 2023, currently held by Judy Cole, who will retire June 30. Mortensen was appointed by a panel of four Antelope County commissioners Tuesday morning after applicants were interviewed. Questions were directed to three applicants, Mortensen, Tabitha Kerkman and...
In mid March, churches were forced to close their doors due to the coronavirus epidemic. Two months later, services were allowed to be held again with restrictions still in place. In March, when the coronavirus was growing rapidly in case numbers, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services made a statement that places of worship were not going to be able to meet with more than 10 people. Many churches like Full Gospel Church in Ewing, decided to offer a live-streamed service instead....
A Wayne State College senior will join the Summerland Advocate-Messenger staff, as an intern, through a program sponsored by the Nebraska Press Association. Morgan Cardenas, a 2016 graduate of Gothenburg Public Schools, majors in journalism, with a minor in online, social and electronic media at WSC. She was originally accepted into the Rural Health Opportunities Program at WSC. "After about two years, I realized that it wasn't what I actually wanted to do with my life. I have loved to read and...
As Memorial Day Weekend marks the unofficial start of the summer travel season, Nebraska State Troopers will be on the road working day and night to keep Nebraska roads safe. "Troopers have been working diligently throughout the pandemic and that will continue as traffic is expected to increase during the summer months," said Colonel John Bolduc, superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. "Travel plans may have changed for many people this summer, but for those who hit the road, it's...
MIA AZIZAH | Nebraska News Service When the novel coronavirus swept the globe and made its way to the communities across Nebraska, community newspaper publishers like Kurt Johnson of the Aurora News-Register, witnessed how the global pandemic became a challenge much closer to home. As businesses shut down and positive cases were confirmed in the Aurora area, Johnson said he felt the public angst grow. And in his 20 years of running the weekly newspaper with a circulation of 2,500, he faced the...
