Gothenburg Mayor Verlin Janssen presented a $5,000 check on behalf of the 2026 Cattlemen’s Ball to the Gothenburg Volunteer Fire Department on Wednesday, Sept. 2. GVFD President Adam Finke explained that the amount is a percentage of the gross income from this year’s Cattlemen’s Ball, held in Dawson County. Janssen added that the event raised about $1.7 million, and of that approximately $170,000 was distributed locally through grants to the communities of Gothenburg, Cozad, and Lexington.
Finke said the funds will be used for updating some of the department’s EMS equipment. Pictured from left are: Rick Crown, Fire Chief Mark Ballmer, Jon Hudson, Mike Wagner, President Adam Finke, Mayor Verlin Janssen, Matt Farr, Jason Wagner, Jacob Rosse, Archer Jesen, and Brandon Carter.