Our life circumstances and experiences often play a large role in shaping our personalities, priorities and ultimately the person we become. Even in her young life, Jaycee Stupka realizes that - and credits her family situation for impacting the young adult she is today.

The Sun Theatre and Gothenburg Community Playhouse is hosting a talent show, and is seeking individuals from Gothenburg and the surrounding area to participate. The event will be held at the Sun Theatre, 404 10th Street in Gothenburg, on Sunday, Feb. 16 beginning at 2 p.m.

Ann Scott graduated from Creighton University with her Master’s in Nursing-Family Nurse Practitioner. Ann also has her American Academy of Nurse Practitioners certification and she is a FMCSA Certified Medical Examiner.

Some of the most profound things pop out of my mouth, and I startle myself.

Members of the Nebraska Cattlemen met for the organization’s 2nd Annual Gala on Saturday, Jan. 11 at Kirk’s Nebraskaland in Lexington. The event is a fundraiser for the Nebraska Cattlemen Political Action Committee and included food, entertainment and an auction.

We have seen an increase in the number of students who are ill. We have had a couple of diagnosed cases of influenza in the school. Influenza is an infection of the nose, throat, and lungs caused by the influenza virus that is constantly changing. Flu illness can vary from mild to severe.

Five Gothenburg Public Schools elementary teachers addressed the Board of Education Monday evening, Jan. 13, to present a new curriculum proposal for English/language arts (ELA) for grades K-6. The teachers represent the ELA committee, who has conducted extensive research over the past few m…

The staff at Eastside Animal Center in Gothenburg recently hosted a retirement reception for Jim Hendricks. Jim has served the veterinary community for 50 years. “Jim’s hard work and dedication is an inspiration. He is a true example of what to look for and follow in an employee and friend. …

The Gothenburg Health Foundation is busy preparing for the annual Gala, this year set for Saturday, Feb. 28. The theme for the 2020 Gala is Masquerade.

The case may be cold, but the search for answers is heating up

KEARNEY – Students from 101 high schools in Nebraska and Kansas will participate in the annual Honor Band and Choral Clinic hosted by the University of Nebraska at Kearney’s Department of Music, Theatre and Dance.

Gothenburg High School senior Addisyn Gibbens has been around agriculture and animals as long as she can remember. That upbringing left little doubt that she would become active in FFA as she got older - and active she is.

Flatwater Bank of Gothenburg recently honored bank president Luke Rickertsen for 20 years of service to the bank, community of Gothenburg and all those it serves. In recognition of his work, the staff of Flatwater Bank noted that Rickertsen’s “leadership helps make our mission, vision and va…

The Gothenburg Early Childhood Learning Coalition invites community members to participate in a survey. As part of a county-wide effort, Gothenburg will hold a survey day on Friday, Jan. 17, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church Parish Hall, 1915 Ave. J. Lunch …

The annual Gothenburg Public Schools junior high science fair was held Dec. 17, with 133 students competing in three categories. Medals were awarded to the top five presentations, and 60 students earned special “Project of Excellence” ribbons. Judges for the science fair are provided by area…

Gothenburg High School Counselor Jerry Wiggins has been named a finalist for the High School Counselor of the Year award for the 2019-20 school year. The recognition was announced by the Nebraska School Counselor’s Association at its annual awards luncheon on Nov. 7, 2019. At that luncheon, …

Two educators from Gothenburg junior/senior high school were recently selected to the Commissioner’s Talent Pool for demonstrating exceptional teaching and leadership. The two were recognized by their peers at GPS during a teacher inservice on Jan. 3.

With the hustle and bustle of the holidays behind us, this is a perfect time to relax and rejuvenate with a delicious bowl of comfort. January is National Soup Month, which calls for digging out your favorite recipes and fixings and gathering the family together for a hearty meal.

The Leader recently held a subscription drive, with the names of all new subscribers and those extending their current subscriptions going into a drawing. The staff was extremely pleased with the response, and on Dec. 31 Cheryl Alberts Irwin’s name was drawn as the winner of a 65” smart TV. …

Kayla Knauss graduated from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln with her Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry in 2011. From there she continued her education at Rocky Vista University, College of Osteopathic Medicine in Parker, Colorado. She completed her residency through Via Christ Family M…

The Sun Theater has been a fixture in the Gothenburg community for more than a century, and thanks to the support of the community once again the theater will undergo a major renovation this year.

I am writing this on Christmas morning. The sky is gray, which makes the glow of the Christmas lights even more beautiful. As I sit here sipping my coffee, in the quiet of the morning, my thoughts turn to the new year just around the corner. Another year.

More than 900 teachers from across the nation were honored by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for their work in positively shaping the Huskers’ high school experiences and preparing them for college.

Take a close look at the recipes in your favorite cookbooks. Can you tell what is missing from most of the recipes? If you said safe food handling directions, then you are correct! In a study that reviewed 1,497 recipes that included a raw animal ingredient from 29 popular cookbooks, only 8%…

Aaron Salomon is a Physicians Assistant at Gothenburg Health.

As I’m sitting in a hot tub looking out over a range of the Rocky Mountains, a beautiful bluejay flies by. The moment is breathtaking. I pause and breathe deep. I want to savor every second.

After rounding out 2019 with a review of some of the news stories making headlines during the year, it seems only appropriate to begin 2020 by taking a look ahead. While we obviously cannot predict the future and everything the year will have in store, there are plans underway to enhance our…

The vision of my administration is to grow Nebraska, and we’ve worked hard throughout 2019 to make that vision a reality. This has been a tough year because of historic floods, but Nebraska has been resilient. We’ve experienced tremendous growth in 2019 by building on four pillars of prosper…

Late last week the National Weather Service in North Platte issued a winter storm warning for most of the region, including the city of Gothenburg, from Friday evening, Dec. 27, through Sunday, Dec. 29. But when there was still no snow on the ground by noon Saturday, residents who love the w…

Neligh Andersen is a very determined and focused young woman, who admits she has known for many years what she wants to be when she grows up. She has spent her high school years working toward achieving that goal.

The following obituaries/death notices appeared in the Gothenburg Leader

Tucker Robert Max, born Aug. 20 to Shane and Kelsey Max of Gothenburg.

Though no one can predict the future, it is always a good idea to have a plan of action. The City of Gothenburg has long operated with a short-term, one-year plan, and a longer-term, six-year plan. This year the city has devised an additional plan for utility and street upgrades - Project 2020.

A major item on the agenda as we look ahead to 2020 has got to be the election. There is no denying the current political climate in our nation is a hot one, and for only the third time in American history, a U.S. president has been impeached. However, to date, no president has ever been rem…

The Gothenburg Early Childhood Learning Coalition (GECLC) is seeking public input and is asking members of the community for help. In conjunction with the Nebraska Child Well Being Initiative, the community of Gothenburg, and Dawson County, residents are being asked to participate in a commu…

The Gothenburg Leader printed its first issue on July 3, 2019, and with all that is happening in and around Gothenburg there was plenty to report on! From an abnormal year of weather, to the changing of the guard at Gothenburg Public Schools, to the announcement of a new business coming to t…