Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Sorted by date Results 151 - 175 of 183
Powdery particles of soil sifted through the air Friday afternoon, as school officials broke ground on the Summerland school project. Summerland Board Committee members, along with original boards of education from Clearwater, Ewing and Orchard, each tossed a shovel full of earth to commemorate the occasion, while practicing social distancing measures throughout the ceremony. Dirt work on the site, situated at the intersection of 513 Avenue and Summerland Road, began nearly six weeks ago....
By Terri Hahn With social distancing still the norm and the common sense move of "shelter in place," a big family gathering to celebrate Mom, Grandma and other important women in our lives probably isn't going to happen on a grand scale this year. That doesn't mean we can't celebrate Mother's Day, no doubt it's going to be different. FaceTime and Zoom conferencing don't replace actual one-on-one contact of course, but in these uncertain times, that's the best thing to do. And of course, they...
On April 21, Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts announced a plan for testing for COVID-19. A public-private partnership will expand testing over several weeks. Per program guidelines, residents will be able to enlist in the program to take an assessment, get tested and track health. "I am excited to roll out our Test Nebraska initiative to accelerate our ability to defeat the virus and get Nebraskans back to work," Ricketts said during a press conference. "Having good data will give us the confidence...
Ewing Public Schools Graduation will be held Sunday, July 26, at 2 p.m. School officials noted the ceremony will either be a regular graduation ceremony, a limited attendance ceremony or some type of virtual/diploma pick up ceremony. "We will honor the class of 2020, the last graduating class of Ewing Public Schools," according to a statement issued by the school on social media....
Orchard principal Cathy Cooper told Orchard board members that graduation is still planned, when the original and advisory boards met recently. She said graduation will “definitely” take place, but factors regarding timing will have to be worked out. Cooper is consulting with other administrators in the Unified district regarding graduation and other end-of-year award ceremonies. “Safety is obviously the first priority,” she said. “We definitely want to recognize our seniors…We’re still planning for graduation…there are just so many things that...
A third case of COVID-19 has been identified in Antelope County. North Central District Health Department, in O'Neill, was made aware of a positive COVID-19 case. The individual and their family are in quarantine. The case is due to work-related travel in Dawson County, where a high incident of confirmed cases exists and community spread is present. As of noon, Thursday, April 30, 424 cases have tested positive in Dawson County; 844 individuals have been tested there. NCDHD has initiated...
After seeking advice from county attorney Joe Abler, the Antelope County commissioners approved issuing a COVID-19 pandemic disaster declaration for Antelope County, beginning Jan. 31, and continuing, per recommendation of the Nebraska Association of County Officials. The attorney was called after county clerk, Lisa Payne, suggested the declaration be backdated to January. After further discussion and Abler's input, the declaration was approved unanimously and dated April 14, but covered...
A team of Nebraska Air and Army National Guard members arrived in O'Neill and Bloomfield Friday. Their mission: complete critical COVID-19 testing. North Central District Health Department assisted with the event. According to a media release, received April 16, NCDHD stressed testing events were not due to a large number of COVID-19 cases in the district. "Nebraska National Guard has been in contact with local health departments ... to set up these testing events to gain a clearer picture of...
A one-time testing event will be held Friday, April 17, in O'Neill and Bloomfield. North Central District Health Department will oversee the event, with assistance from the Nebraska National Guard. According to a media released, received April 16, NCDHD stressed the presence of the National Guard and testing events are not due to a large number of COVID-19 cases in the district. "The Nebraska National Guard has been in contact with local health departments across the state of Nebraska to set up...
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...
UPDATED: APRIL 1, 2020 @ 8:04 P.M. North Central District Health Department, in communication with state officials, have signed the NCDHD counties, including Antelope, Boyd, Brown, Cherry, Holt, Keya Paha, Knox, Pierce and Rock, into the Directed Health Measures, effective April 1, at 10 p.m., through May 11, unless the order is extended. Please read the Directed Health Measures in full carefully, they can be found on the Department of Health and Human Services website at htt...
Chubby Checker's 1959 classic "The Twist" blasted from cars, pickups, SUVs and the occasional minivan traveling the main drag in area towns Saturday night. Unlike a scene from the 1950s or early '60s, carloads of teenagers didn't unload and fill a local malt shop, sharing cheeseburgers and sipping chocolate shakes from separate straws. In the age of COVID-19, participants of the Coronavirus Cruise Night, sponsored by KBRX, in O'Neill, remained in their vehicles, took a few whips along Main...
It's the end of the school year as we know it. Unlike the comeback line of R.E.M.'s 1987 pop hit, not everyone feels fine about the decision, which was announced Monday afternoon. Ewing Public, Nebraska Unified District #1 and other schools in the Educational Service Unit 8 area reported they were following recommendations from local health officials, Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts and Dr. Matt Blomstedt, commissioner of the Nebraska Department of Education, to keep school buildings shuttered...
The Orchard Alumni have decided to postpone the 2020 alumni gathering from May 23 to July 25. Members will be receiving notifications by mail or social media. Alumni festivities will be joining in the activities of the Orchard Celebration Days, July 24 through 26, with an open house/last dance at the school gym on Saturday, July 25, beginning at 2 p.m. There will be time for self-guided tours, photo-ops and visiting. Jerry Stingley, a recent inductee to the Nebraska Music/Nebraska Rocks Hall of Fame will provide music for a last dance in the...
By now, you’ve more than likely seen photos on social media or in other media outlets showing bare shelves in grocery stores. Those photos give the appearance that America is running out of food (and toilet paper, but that’s another issue). Those photos lead to unnecessary panic and anxiety. While a picture is worth a thousand words, those photos don’t tell the whole story. Ask dairy farmers and meat producers. The food supply chain isn’t empty. In many cases, a large surplus of goods is stoc...
The Nebraska School Activities Association issued the following statement Monday, March 16: Effective Monday, March 16 all NSAA activity practices are suspended until Monday, March 30 and all NSAA activity competitions are suspended until Thursday, April 2. These suspensions may be extended should the conditions warrant. Member schools and student-participants are expected to adhere to the NSAA Constitution and Bylaws and activity manuals during this time. As more information becomes available,...
The stereotype was established more than a century ago. Home economics curriculum focused on making life at home more efficient and included coursework covering nutrition, cooking, sewing construction and child care. In fact, The Morrill Act of 1862, which established land-grant colleges, led to the offering of domestic science courses adapted for farmers' wives, who were expected to maintain the household while assisting with the family farm. By 1945, home economics leaders pushed for the...
I spent the summer of 1998 at Northwestern University, one of 10 speech instructors from across the United States selected as a fellow in the communications program, with an opportunity to work on a master’s degree. Despite living half a block from the El and easy access to Chicago and all it offered, despite the bustling city life surrounding me, I savored the silence and solitude of my dorm room, quiet walks around downtown Evanston, time to reflect on life and love and the future. I never f...
Corner Hardware, a long-time staple among Orchard businesses, is under new ownership. On Jan. 11, Glen and Tammy Cheatum, of Orchard, completed the purchase from Cliff and Shirley Erb, who operated the business for more than 50 years. It was business as usual on Jan. 13, when the Cheatums opened the doors as the owners. For now, the Cheatums plan to keep their current jobs. Tammy works as a staff developer for ESU 8; Glen farms. That did not stop the couple from taking a leap of faith. "I've...
Robert E. Wagle, 35, of Summerville, South Carolina, faced the Honorable Donna Taylor on Monday, Dec. 30, on three felony counts, theft by unlawful taking, more than $5,000, a Class 2A felony; first-degree false imprisonment, a Class 3A felony; and operating a motor vehicle to avoid arrest, a Class 4 felony, all alleged Dec. 5. Taylor set bond at $200,000, 10% cash, and set a preliminary hearing for Jan. 13. Antelope County public defender Patrick Carney of Norfolk was appointed Dec. 11 to...
Not that I’m in a Bah Humbug kind of mood, but Christmas has lost some of its luster. Wait! Hear me out, says the women who hasn’t - and probably won’t - deck the halls of the Schindler casa this year. (In my defense, the miniature Husker-themed tree stays up year round, so one room is decorated.) I like Christmas, the story of peace, joy and love brought to the world with the birth of Jesus. Listening to the story of his miraculous entrance in the world gives me hope and makes me realize how pr...
Antelope County Commissioners adopted a new snow removal policy when they met last Tuesday at the courthouse in Neligh. Casey Dittrich, road superintendent, presented the policy that he and road foreman Aaron Boggs have been drafting over the past few weeks, with input from Tim Baxter from the Nebraska Intergovernmental Risk Management Agency, the county’s liability-insurance carrier. Input also came from road crew members and, according to Dittrich, has the “blessing” of county attorney Joe Abler. The policy establishes protocol for the order...
The Holt County supervisors addressed a recent article submitted to area media when they met at the courthouse Monday, Nov. 18. According to the letter submitted by Holt County attorney Brent Kelly, published in the Nov. 20 edition of the Advocate and online at SummerlandAdvocate.com, and by other area news media, his purpose was to explain some of the issues county residents and elected officials will face as TC Energy proceeds with its effort to build a pipeline. Chairman Bill Tielke turned...
Most of us have one, that single being who keeps us grounded and offers support even when we don't deserve it. I'm talking about man's - and woman's - best friend that is not of the canine persuasion. In a time seemingly filled with countless obligations, family demands and self-imposed craziness, we rely on friendships for a sense of stability, a key element for living a happy and fulfilling life. Even when we reach a low point in our lives, friends provide a sounding board and offer guidance....
The Antelope County Commissioners worked through their agenda in short order Oct. 8, at the Neligh courthouse, authorizing claims and payroll before hearing Casey Dittrich's road report and a complaint that had been posted on social media. "We had some complaints about south of Clearwater, grinding up the road," Dittrich said. "I reached out to some of the people who started a post on Facebook that's gained a lot of attraction," he said. The road in question is 846 Road, from the bridge...
