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Zion Lutheran Church is hosting Vacation Bible School this week with 50 kids registered. Though the building has sold, the congregation continues to meet every Sunday for worship service and holds fun events like the annual summertime VBS. (Leader photo by Leta Connell) THIS SPACE LEFT BLANK FOR MAILING LABEL

Zion Lutheran Church is hosting Vacation Bible School this week with 50 kids registered. Though the building has sold, the congregation continues to meet every Sunday for worship service and holds fun events like the annual summertime VBS. (Leader photo by Leta Connell) THIS SPACE LEFT BLANK FOR MAILING LABEL

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Worship Still Very Much Alive at Zion

Ellen Mortensen
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
About five miles north of Gothenburg sits a beautiful brick church that has served the congregation of Zion Lutheran for more than 60 years. Over the years, Zion - like many rural churches - has seen an aging and declining membership.
The Joy Waiting Outside Your Comfort Zone

The Joy Waiting Outside Your Comfort Zone

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The Joy Waiting Outside Your Comfort Zone

News Staff
Tuesday, June 9, 2026
The day had been a long one, and I didn’t really feel like stepping out of my comfort zone to try something new.The evening started with a bit of stress. When I agreed to call bingo, I had no idea what equipment was involved.
The set of “The Play That Goes Wrong” is a character within itself, said director Kevin Butters-Savoie. The Gothenburg Community Playhouse will perform the live comedy murder-mystery show Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 7 p.m., and on Sunday at 3 p.m. at the Sun Theatre. (Leader photo by Ellen Mortensen)

The set of “The Play That Goes Wrong” is a character within itself, said director Kevin Butters-Savoie. The Gothenburg Community Playhouse will perform the live comedy murder-mystery show Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 7 p.m., and on Sunday at 3 p.m. at the Sun Theatre. (Leader photo by Ellen Mortensen)

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Live Theater Comes to Gothenburg This Weekend

Ellen Mortensen
Tuesday, June 9, 2026
If you thought you had to go to a big city to see quality acting entertainment, you couldn’t be more wrong. The Gothenburg Community Playhouse is back in action this weekend and will be performing a show guaranteed to impress.

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Crash Near Cozad Closes I-80 For Two Hours

News Staff
Tuesday, June 9, 2026
Gothenburg residents likely noticed a larger- than-usual influx of traffic coming through town on Saturday, May 30.The increased traffic flow was due to an accident on I-80, which had traffic backed up in both directions for miles.

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Hastings College Announces Spring Honor Students

News Staff
Tuesday, June 9, 2026
Hastings College has announced the Dean’s List for its spring 2026 semester. For the semester, 327 students from 21 states and 8 countries were named to the Dean’s List. To be eligible for the Dean’s List, a student must achieve a grade point average of 3.7 to 4.
Wedding

Wedding

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Wedding

News Staff
Tuesday, June 9, 2026
Grace Blake and Aaron Cooper were united with God's blessings of eternal love on March 14, 2026, in Brisbane, Australia.The bride is the daughter of Rebecca (Brad) Cary of Gothenburg, and Josh Blake of Cozad. She has finished her school abroad and is now an enrolled nurse in Brisbane, Australia.

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CSC Announces Spring Honor Students

News Staff
Tuesday, June 9, 2026
Chadron State College has announced the undergraduate students on the Spring 2026 President's and Dean’s Lists. The President's List consists of students with a 4.0 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale. Students met the requirements for the Dean's List by earning at least a 3.
The Gothenburg city swimming pool is open for the season! The dedicated team of lifeguards who will be watching over the swimmers this year are: Front Row, from left, Molly Therrien, Emily Cornwell, Landon Feather, Alexavia Mendez, Iva Rickertsen, and Blake Rickertsen. Not pictured is Logan Feather, Mavrix Butterfield, MJ Williams, and Teague Butterfield; Back Row, Payton Stienike, Mariana Beavers, Kiarra Jonas, Greenlee Jeffries, Halsey Thomalla, and Brant Miller. (Courtesy photo)

The Gothenburg city swimming pool is open for the season! The dedicated team of lifeguards who will be watching over the swimmers this year are: Front Row, from left, Molly Therrien, Emily Cornwell, Landon Feather, Alexavia Mendez, Iva Rickertsen, and Blake Rickertsen. Not pictured is Logan Feather, Mavrix Butterfield, MJ Williams, and Teague Butterfield; Back Row, Payton Stienike, Mariana Beavers, Kiarra Jonas, Greenlee Jeffries, Halsey Thomalla, and Brant Miller. (Courtesy photo)

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Time to Dive Into Summer Fun

News Staff
Tuesday, June 9, 2026
The Gothenburg city swimming pool is open for the season! The dedicated team of lifeguards who will be watching over the swimmers this year are: Front Row, from left, Molly Therrien, Emily Cornwell, Landon Feather, Alexavia Mendez, Iva Rickertsen, and Blake Rickertsen.
Construction was coming right along on the new Stickelman sale pavilion. The building was to be 78 x 68 feet with seating capacity of 1,500. (Photo courtesy Gothenburg Historical Museum)

Construction was coming right along on the new Stickelman sale pavilion. The building was to be 78 x 68 feet with seating capacity of 1,500. (Photo courtesy Gothenburg Historical Museum)

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HISTORICAL Memories

News Staff
Tuesday, June 9, 2026
The monthly historical memories column is provided for you by the Gothenburg Historical Museum. For more information about the museum, go to www.gothenburghistory.
Births

Births

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Births

News Staff
Tuesday, June 9, 2026
Adam and Ainsley Cole of Gothenburg happily announce the birth of a son on May 4, 2026, at Gothenburg Health. Cooper Madox Cole was born at 3:55 p.m. weighing and even 8 pounds and measuring 19.5 inches in length.
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