My Dad was a P.E. teacher, a coach, and an athletic director at Chadron State College; however, his advanced degree was not in physical education, not in coaching, and not in administration. His degree was in recreation…outdoor recreation.

Greetings District 36. Following CDC recommendations, the legislative session was suspended last week to limit gatherings of more than 10 people. Before the suspension, the Legislature had shifted its focus from property tax and economic development to a debate on the updated biennial budget…

There will be a new face in town on Monday, March 30, and it is one residents will become very familiar with. His name is Gary Greer, and he has been hired as the next City Administrator of Gothenburg.

“No, I don’t wanna.” I whine.

We don’t know a lot about the coronavirus disease, called COVID-19.

In a continuing effort to keep the residents of Gothenburg informed on the latest updates and information concerning the Coronavirus, various community leaders hosted a virtual town hall meeting on Monday afternoon, March 23. The meeting became even more important with the confirmation of a …

Community leaders and health professionals have warned us for the past week that it was only a matter of time before the novel Coronavirus would land in Gothenburg. 

**COVID-19 Update** Gothenburg Health has confirmed a positive COVID-19 case in the community. This is a travel-related case, NOT due to community spread; the individual has been requested to be in self-isolation. Out of an abundance of caution, Gothenburg Health is quarantining all exposed …

Community leaders hosted a virtual town hall March 19, giving Gothenburg residents the opportunity to hear from medical professionals and businesses in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Yes, his dad is a dentist. So was his grandfather. And his great-grandfather, who was in one of the first graduating classes from Creighton University. However that family tradition was not the thing that most inspired Ashton Hecox to become a dentist - oddly enough, it was a sporting event.

It’s amazing the difference 22 minutes can make.

These five Dawson County 4-H’ers tested their bull judging skills at the 4-H Beef Judging Clinic recently held at the Darr Feedlot. Attending the clinic and earning purple ribbons were: front row, from left, Samual Winter, Gothenburg; and Mollie Spradlin, Cozad; back row, Greg Treffer, Cozad…

The epiphany hits. I am shaking my head in amazement. It all makes sense. Pieces fall into place and the picture is clear.

Twenty-one Dawson County 4-H members participated in the 4-H Public Speaking Contest Monday, March 9, at the Dawson County Extension Office in Lexington, according to Andrea Nisley, UN-L Extension Educator.

Jerry Barlow played a wonderful performance March 16 at the Gothenburg Public Library. His set was full of stories and tunes ranging from Celtic songs passed down from the early 19th century to “Here Comes The Sun” by the Beetles. A throughly engaging performance, fun was had by all. 

The Gothenburg Volunteer Fire Department was one of 14 departments from across the region who responded to a large grass fire Thursday afternoon, March 12, 15 miles north of Gothenburg. The fire was located just west of Highway 47, and north of Road 792.

The highly anticipated reveal of the contestants for year three of Dancing With the Stars has been announced. The event is scheduled for Saturday, April 25 at 7 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center at Gothenburg High School. DWTS is a fundraiser for the Gothenburg Community Playhouse/Sun Theat…

The West Central District Health Department in North Platte has confirmed in a press release issued late on March 17, that a Lincoln County man has tested positive for COVID-19.

The Gothenburg Early Childhood Learning Coalition hosted a meeting for the community’s child care providers on March 17 to discuss the impacts of the school closing and the need for childcare in Gothenburg in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Greetings District 36. It’s been a busy week at the Legislature. We continue with a full-day session debating many issues. This week, Senators were briefed by officials from the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) about the coro…

We are traveling through uncharted waters, and as circumstances continue to change and evolve so will our responses. That was the sentiment echoed by Gothenburg Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Todd Rhodes, and school board president and GIC President Nate Wyatt this week.

The Gothenburg City Council held their bi-monthly meeting as usual on March 17, and decided to not make any changes to that schedule at this point.

The Gothenburg Volunteer Fire Department have joined firefighters from communities all across the area Thursday afternoon to battle a grass fire 15 miles north of Gothenburg. The fire is located just west of Highway 47, and north of Road 792. 

Growing up the daughter of two physicians, one might have just expected that Anna Dalrymple would follow in their medical footsteps. And while that is indeed what she did, becoming a doctor was not her original plan.

Six Gothenburg High School art students have been awarded for their talents, one of which will now be considered for national recognition. Teens in grades 7–12 (ages 13 and up) apply for the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards in 29 categories of art and writing. In 2019, students submitted …

Eastside Animal Center partners with Zoetis Animal Health each year to support the Gothenburg FFA Chapter. Eastside Animal Center supports these students who will become the next generation of agricultural leaders. This year, Eastside Animal Center donated $990 to the FFA Chapter. Pictured a…

*Continuing series

Dawson County Veteran Services Officer Steve Zerr is inviting all Vietnam era veterans to a special photo opportunity later this month. In honor of Vietnam Veterans Remembrance Day on March 21, all Vietnam era veterans are invited for a group photo at the Heartland Museum of Military Vehicle…

For the second consecutive year, Horizon Ag in Gothenburg hosted a competition for chili connaisseurs. This year’s chili cook-off was held on Saturday, March 7.

There can be a whole host of factors contributing to a child’s social, emotional or behavioral issues in a school environment. That was the topic of conversation at the March 4 meeting of the Gothenburg Public Schools Stakeholders, with a presentation from the four GPS counselors. The meetin…

Country Partners Cooperative believes in giving back to the communities that support their business, and one way they do that is through contributions to local rural fire departments. Since the Spring of 2017, Country Partners has been donating to the local departments, and representatives o…

Ninety percent. That’s the giant part of a child’s brain formed by age 6. Ninety percent. That’s the two-word answer that pops into Sam Meisels’s head when the founding executive director of the Buffett Early Childhood Institute at the University of Nebraska is quizzed by a stranger.

Dawson County Head Start is now taking applications for the 2020-21 year. A program of Community Action Partnership of Mid Nebraska, Head Start provides comprehensive services to 10 families in Dawson County.

There has been a lot of media hype about COVID-19, a novel variant form of coronavirus which originated in China. The staff at Gothenburg Health has been following this carefully, and is prepared to respond. Weekly communication with the Public Health department, Two Rivers, has been maintai…

With confirmed cases of Coronavirus now in Nebraska, many school districts across the state are putting a plan in place. Gothenburg Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Todd Rhodes spent two hours of his Sunday this past weekend on a conference call with representatives from the state health de…

On Friday, Feb. 7, Gothenburg Public School teachers and administrators met with law enforcement and site representatives at the school’s two off-site evacuation and reunification sites as part of the Safe Schools Plan. Dudley Elementary Principal Angie Richeson explained at the March 9 scho…

Some people thrive on challenging themselves, sometimes to the point that the more difficult something is, the greater the motivation to accomplish it. Becky Jobman is one of those people.

It is unconventional for a news story to be written in first person, but this is an extraordinary story. It is one of generosity, kindness, support, love - and above all, faith.

The Gothenburg Speech team has been having a tremendous season, and continued their impressive journey as they traveled to Holdrege this past weekend to compete in the Voice of the Plains Tournament. Though they had a small team of only 20 members, the Swedes won the varsity sweepstakes by 8…

My dad had many quotes to share. One of his favorites was “Don’t sweat the small stuff. And remember that all things are small things.”

The Dawson Public Power District board has approved a rate increase across all rate classes beginning April 1, 2020. The vote came at the board’s Feb. 12th meeting, at which approval was given for the rate increase of an average 2%.

In November 2019, the Dawson County Recovery Group (DCRG) was formed in response to those who had experienced flooding in the area earlier in the year. Dawson County residents who suffered losses from that July flooding may be able to get some financial assistance from the recovery group.

Mark Watje is the kind of guy who sees an opportunity, and goes after it. Commitment and follow-through are also qualities of obvious importance to him, evidenced by the fact that he is married to his high school sweetheart.

Nebraska is a national leader in crop and livestock production, and that presence plays a vital role in the economic health of our communities. One of the largest consumers of Nebraska exports is Vietnam, and last week the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) hosted a forum and networkin…

Friends, co-workers and well wishers gathered at the Home Agency on Friday, Feb. 28, to celebrate with Janet Haas as she enters a new chapter in her life. After more than 50 years in the insurance business, 30 of them with the Home Agency, Janet is hanging up the phone and retiring.