Get a copy of this week's Atkinson Graphic to read about the West Holt One Act production. READ MORE >
By Lorraine Lieswald,Atkinson Graphic reporter Little could Nick Schrunk imagine when he signed up for the class “How to Pack a Mule” while he was attending tech school at Casper, Wyo. that it would take him on an adventure he could never imagine. “I signed up for the class so I could learn how to pack a mule and go into the wilderness,” Schrunk explained. “I... READ MORE >
For the second year in a row, Build Dakota Scholarship has teamed up with the mikeroweWORKS Foundation to award $50,000 in Finish Strong Scholarships to 10 second-year technical students across South Dakota. Each recipient will receive a $5,000 scholarship for tuition, tools, and/or books.Scholarship winners included Austin Wenner of Atkinson, a second year student... READ MORE >
Cathy Pavel, Holt County Election Commissioner has stated that every county in the State of Nebraska uses ES&S hardware and software to count ballots. ES&S is based out of Omaha. The software that has been claimed to improperly change ballot counts or allow such changes to be made easily is Dominion software. No one in Nebraska uses Dominion software or hardware.... READ MORE >
By Lorraine Lieswald,Atkinson Graphic reporter The Sunshine Girls brought a world of sunshine to local veterans and their families on Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11 by treating them to a home-cooked meal. Because of the pandemic the local American Legion had canceled its annual Veterans Day dinner so the Sunshine Girls stepped in with a plan of their own... READ MORE >
West Holt Medical Services (WHMS) has announced the completion of their new surgery suite at West Holt Memorial Hospital. The new suite was officially used for the first time on Oct. 28th. GET A COPY OF THE NOVEMBER 12TH ATKINSON GRAPHIC TO READ ALL ABOUT THE NEW SURGERY SUITE. READ MORE >
West Holt Public Schools superintendent Paul Pistulka released new information in the form of a letter to the school patrons about COVID-19 and schedule updates to the school’s schedule.Included in the letter was the following.West Holt Public Schools and 20 other area schools met with North Central, Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department, and Educational... READ MORE >
Atkinson native and part time resident Gerard Keating’s 56 year life came full circle last year when he and his family invested in a vacant building in downtown Atkinson. Keating, who has been restoring commercial real estate buildings throughout the U.S. for 35 years, purchased a 3,000 square foot 100 year old building located at 107 South Main Street which was... READ MORE >
By Lorraine Lieswald,Atkinson Graphic reporter The Tri-County Bank (TCB) in Stuart will observe 75 years of community banking on Tuesday, November 17. TO READ MORE OF THE HISTORY OF TCB GET YOUR NOVEMBER 12TH ISSUE OF THE ATKINSON GRAPHIC! READ MORE >
After a cold snap and snow on October 25 temperatures slowly climbed up and by Monday, November 2 temperatures were in the 70’s and predicted to be there through Saturday. On Halloween night at 6:00 p.m. the temperature was 52 degrees. The latest contest was to guess the temperature. TO FIND OUT THE WINNERS OF THIS CONTEST GET A COPY OF THE NOVEMBER 5 ATKINSON... READ MORE >
By Lorraine Lieswald,Atkinson Graphic reporter Monday, September 14, Eileen Osborne was looking forward to her new part-time morning job as secretary at the Presbyterian Church. Osborne said that morning her only concern was to continue to learn her new position.She remembered she woke with a slight dry cough but mentally passed it off as allergies. The day before... READ MORE >
Veterans Day is next Wednesday, November 11. The annual Veterans Day program at West Holt Public Schools has been affected by COVID-19 restrictions. According to Tara Frickel, Elementary Music teacher at the school, “We will honor our veterans in a slightly different manner this year. The students and staff at West Holt have prepared a presentation for our local... READ MORE >
By Lorraine Lieswald,Atkinson Graphic reporter Brian Martin and his 12 year old son Drew are new members of the Atkinson community. Martin who moved to Atkinson recently has been hired as the CEO of the West Holt Medical Services. He began that position October. 12th.His son, an eighth grader, will join his father in Atkinson for the second semester of school.An... READ MORE >
At their regular board meeting on October 5th the Holt County Ag Society met to discuss bids submitted for a proposed concession stand and restroom project at the fairgrounds.The Ag Society officially broke ground on October 14 for a new 25-foot by 68-foot concession stand, restroom and ticket booth. Five board members were present to kick off the start of the... READ MORE >
West Holt Medical Services (WHMS) has announced the hiring of Brian D. Martin, FACHE, as the new CEO of WHMS. Martin, who is board certified by the American College of Healthcare Executives and has achieved Fellow status with that same organization, previously served as the CEO of Loring Hospital in Sac City, IA. During Martin’s tenure, Loring Hospital was... READ MORE >
The West Holt Cross Country team competed in the D-4 District meet last week in Ainsworth.For the girls Maddie Davis finished seventh, qualifying individually for the State Meet.The West Holt boys’ team of Aaron Kraus, Joseph Albrecht, Tyler Jelinek, Carter Gotschall, and Rylan Olson qualified as a team by placing third at the district meet.Kraus also qualified... READ MORE >
GET YOUR COPY OF THE OCTOBER 15TH ATKINSON GRAPHIC TO READ COMPLETE RESULTS FOR THE WEST HOLT HUSKIES CROSS COUNTRY TEAM AT THE NIOBRARA VALLEY CONFERENCE MEET. READ MORE >
THE OCTOBER 15TH ISSUE OF THE ATKINSON GRAPHIC CONTAINS COMPLETE RESULTS FOR THE WEST HOLT CROSS COUNTRY TEAMS AT THE CONFERENCE MEET! GET YOUR COPY TODAY! READ MORE >
By Lorraine Lieswald,Atkinson Graphic reporter Four years ago Whole Seed Farm began a seed potato operation in Holt County.Whole Seed Farm manager, John Gilley said soil and weather conditions are favorable in this area for the two or three years required in growing a tuber seed potato to the size needed to be marketed to other seed farms or commercial seed farms... READ MORE >
By Coach Jeff Kraus On an unusually warm day for the 2020 season, the West Holt Cross Country teams competed in the Niobrara Valley Conference meet hosted by CWC and ran at the Antelope County Country Club. The temperatures were near 90 with very little wind last Thursday. Typically, this is not a big deal, but when we have had cooler weather leading up to this... READ MORE >
GET THE OCTOBER 8 ISSUE OF THE ATKINSON GRAPHIC TO READ ALL ABOUT THE STUART HOMECOMING ROYALTY. READ MORE >
By Lorraine Lieswald,Atkinson Graphic reporter Will Paxton was assigned to write a report on bees when he was in the second grade at Stuart Public School. He wrote the report and hated every word. He hated bees!That all changed two years later on a trip to Carmel, Calif. with his grandparents when they visited the Bee Farm where guests were allowed to put on a... READ MORE >
Reghan Kerkman placed sixth at the Class C-3 District Golf Meet held on Monday, October 5 at Fairplay Golf Course in Norfolk. Kerkman will compete at Elks Country Club in Columbus on October 12th and 13th. It will be a 36-hole tournament and there will be live scoring available on the NSAA website both days. West Holt Public Schools will hold a sendoff to honor... READ MORE >
Andy Hoffman and Brent Kelly have announced the sale of Andrew Hoffman Law, PC, LLO, to Brent Kelly. Hoffman is retiring from the practice of law to spend more time with his family. Kelly will continue to serve existing clients, as well as the greater Atkinson area and will maintain the same office location on the east side of Atkinson.Kelly and Hoffman are... READ MORE >
By Coach Dani Kuchar The West Holt lady golfers traveled to the Laurel Invitational over the weekend to play against Laurel-Concord-Coleridge, Wayne, Crofton, Elkhorn Valley, and Battle Creek. Although the sun stayed hidden all day, the players had an enjoyable day in the 70’s to compete. In the team competition, West Holt shot a 456 on Saturday. Fellow district... READ MORE >
By Coach Teresa Ruppert The West Holt Volleyball teams were at home Tuesday, September 22nd where all three squads (“C”, JV and V) took on the Lady Cougars of Niobrara-Verdigre. The matches began at 5:00 p.m. with the “C” team match.GET THIS WEEK'S OCTOBER 1ST ISSUE OF THE ATKINSON GRAPHIC TO READ MORE ABOUT THIS VOLLEYBALL MATCHUP PLUS OTHERS THAT WERE HELD LAST... READ MORE >
By Advisor David Gibbens On September 17th, West Holt FFA hosted a range judging contest for FFA Chapters around the state.Area and state events have been cancelled but that did not stop 437 students from 17 FFA Chapters from competing in a “socially distanced” competition. Students competed in junior (freshmen and sophomores) and senior (juniors and seniors)... READ MORE >
West Holt Public School crowned their Homecoming royalty last Friday afternoon. The Homecoming King was Jaxson Cadwallader, and the Queen was Kevonna Brown. Courtesy Photo READ MORE >
By Superintendent Paul Pistulka In mid-September West Holt Public Schools was informed that the federal lunch program would be extending the “free meals to all students” option which was available for the end of last school year. Known as the summer food service program, this program will be offered to all students at West Holt Public Schools and will begin on... READ MORE >
By Coach Steve Neptune “On a beautiful evening in Orchard the West Holt Huskies come home with their first win of the season. The final score was 34-22 as the Huskies start of district play with a win. I told our team after the game that our effort was as good as I have seen in awhile, especially with as many young kids as we played.”GET THE SEPTEMBER 24 ISSUE OF... READ MORE >
By Patty Hanzlik Stuart High School is preparing for their upcoming Homecoming celebration to be held September 28th through October 2nd. Homecoming coronation and a kick-off pep rally will take place on Monday, September 28th beginning at 9:30 a.m. in the gymnasium. This event will only be open to the student body, faculty, staff, and senior parents. GET YOUR... READ MORE >
GET YOUR COPY OF THE SEPTEMBER 24 ATKINSON GRAPHIC TO READ ABOUT THE FLAGS THAT WERE DONATED. READ MORE >
By Coach Jeff Kraus “The West Holt Cross Country teams had a perfect day to run last Friday at the Boyd County Invite held at the Butte country club. It is not often that the athletes get to compete in this nice of running weather this early in the season, but hopefully it continues and the athletes can take advantage of it.” GET THE SEPTEMBER 17TH ISSUE OF THE... READ MORE >
By Lorraine Lieswald,Atkinson Graphic reporter Hilja Haase's nine months as an exchange student at West Holt Public Schools is not for a book learning experience but to see and feel first-hand the education of life as a teenage student in America.Haase is from the city of Tornio in Lapland, Finland, an isolated region spaced in the Arctic Circle, education is... READ MORE >
West Holt Public Schools will be having Homecoming Week beginning on Sunday, September 20. The Dress-up days will be as follows: Monday, the 21st - Teacher In-service - No SchoolTuesday, the 22nd - Pajama DayWednesday, the 23rd - Beach DayThursday, the 24th - Husker DayFriday, the 25th - Blue and Gold DayCoronation of the Homecoming Royalty will be held at 12:30... READ MORE >
By Lorraine Lieswald,Atkinson Graphic reporter While Pam Bergstrom calls herself the Tree Lady others might call her the Tree Doctor.Whatever she's called Bergstrom knows her trees. Knowing trees is her business.Bergstrom works under the Nebraska State Forest Service specializing in windbreaks. She was recently assigned to Keya Paha, Rock, Holt, Boyd, Knox,... READ MORE >
West Holt Medical Services has announced the addition of Samantha L. Sholes, M.D. to their Primary Care Clinic team, effective September 1. Dr. Sholes is a 2009 graduate of Elkhorn High School. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences with High Distinction from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2013, and her medical degree with honors... READ MORE >
By David Gibbens, Advisor West Holt FFA members competed in the State FFA Career Development Events during the months of July and August. With the State FFA Convention cancelled, competition events were rescheduled to be held in a virtual format during the summer. West Holt FFA members competed in four state events, finishing as state runner-up in both... READ MORE >
By Coach Neptune Due to an unfortunate circumstance the West Holt football game for this Friday has been canceled. The football team will have a scrimmage starting at 5:30 pm. The little girl drill team will also perform at the half way point of the scrimmage. Concessions will be open and the scrimmage will last about an hour. If you have any questions please... READ MORE >
By Coach Neptune Due to an unfortunate circumstance the West Holt football game for this Friday has been canceled. The football team will have a scrimmage starting at 5:30 pm. The little girl drill team will also perform at the half way point of the scrimmage. Concessions will be open and the scrimmage will last about an hour. If you have any questions please... READ MORE >
By Lorraine Lieswald,Atkinson Graphic reporter Their classroom is bursting with color, imagination and creativity! That's what one sees at the first glance of the new preschool class room at West Holt Public Schools.It's an additional Little Paws Preschool classroom for three year olds located in the agriculture building's extra classroom at the school.GET YOUR... READ MORE >
By Coach Neptune Due to an unfortunate circumstance the West Holt football game for this Friday has been canceled. The football team will have a scrimmage starting at 5:30 pm. The little girl drill team will also perform at the half way point of the scrimmage. Concessions will be open and the scrimmage will last about an hour. If you have any questions please... READ MORE >
By Coach Jeff Kraus The West Holt Cross Country season got underway last Thursday at a new meet for the Huskies. The Burwell Invite was started this year for teams to get an early jump on the season. It was a 4k race for high school runners and a 2k race for junior high runners.TO SEE ALL THE INDIVIDUAL RESULTS FROM THIS MEET GET A COPY OF THE ATKINSON GRAPHIC,... READ MORE >
By Coach Steve Neptune Finally the 2020 football season kicked off and everyone got to see some live football action. The Burwell Longhorns came to town and looked like the number one team in the state getting the win 50 to 15. TO READ THE REST OF THIS STORY AND VIEW THE STATISTICS FOR THE GAME GET YOUR COPY OF THE SEPTEMBER 3 ATKINSON GRAPHIC. READ MORE >
By Lorraine Lieswald,Atkinson Graphic reporter In the early 80's stress with the farm crisis led Neal Garwood to take up running. He soon learned running not only helped control stress but also gave him a positive perceptive of life. He liked that feeling! Garwood and his wife Shirley were living near Chambers at the time and as his confidence with running grew he... READ MORE >
Holt County and the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) have announced that the first local permanent repair project from the flooding events was let August 20th. The project is located on 470th Avenue, approximately seven miles south of the village of Naper in Boyd County and approximately 18 miles north of the village of Stuart in Holt County. During the... READ MORE >
GET YOUR COPY OF THIS WEEK'S ATKINSON GRAPHIC TO READ THE FULL STORY ON BRAUN'S FOOD CENTER'S NEW FREEZERS AND A LITTLE HISTORY OF THE FAMILY'S TIME IN THE GROCERY BUSINESS! READ MORE >
By Lorraine Lieswald,Atkinson Graphic reporter While the Corona virus has kept many senior citizens in lock down this summer it can't keep them from taking a car ride around town. Worth driving out to see is the miniature flower gardens planted at both entrances to the Bluebird Trail at Mill Race Park. The colorful displays are kept that way by volunteers working... READ MORE >
Stuart Public School began their new year on Thursday, August 13 with several new faces.To read all about the new faces at Stuart Public School get your copy of this week's August 27th Atkinson Graphic. READ MORE >
By Lorraine Lieswald,Atkinson Graphic reporter This year is fruit basket upset with teacher assignments at St. Joseph's Catholic School. Jordan Moser is the new teacher teaching 6th, 7th and 8th grades. Last year those grades were split between two teachers, Laura Olson and Andrea Borer. TO READ ABOUT THE CHANGES AT ST. JOSEPH'S SCHOOL GET YOUR COPY TODAY OF THE... READ MORE >
By Lorraine Lieswald,Atkinson Graphic reporter Cary Gotschall and two of her children Allie, 6 and Jackson, 3 will all be going to at West Holt Public Schools this school year. Allie will be in the first grade, Jackson will enter preschool and Cary will be teaching fourth grade math, science and writing. GET YOUR COPY OF THE AUGUST 27 ATKINSON GRAPHIC TO READ... READ MORE >
The Holt County Assessor’s office released valuation information for Atkinson and the rest of Holt County this week, showing a slight growth in Atkinson’s valuation, and general growth in value throughout the county.The county-wide numbers came in with Holt County showing a decrease of $252,158,520 in total valuation.GET YOUR COPY OF THE AUGUST 27TH ATKINSON... READ MORE >
Check out the August 20th issue of The Atkinson Graphic to read the article about the Farmers to Families Food Boxes being given out at the Atkinson-Stuart Food Pantry! READ MORE >
The City of Atkinson has been awarded a $500 Lean on LARM Safety Grant. Nancy Kopejtka, Atkinson City Clerk, applied for the grant to help fund the purchase of security cameras for the City Pool.TO READ MORE ABOUT THE NEW CAMERAS GET YOUR COPY OF THE AUGUST 20 ATKINSON GRAPHIC! READ MORE >
By Amanda SindelarEconomic Development DirectorCity of Atkinson The City of Atkinson will be hosting an open house on Wednesday, August 26, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. for its new rental duplex project. The duplex is located at 202 and 204 E. Union St. just one block east of Braun’s Food Center.The duplex units each feature three bedrooms and two baths as well as... READ MORE >
By Coach Dani Kuchar The West Holt girls’ golfers kicked off their season on August 10th as the season opened across the state for all fall sports. The girls are excited to get out in tournaments and get the opportunity to compete and show off their talents. Four girls are out for the 2020 season. There will be some experience coming back this season with three... READ MORE >
The local community surpassed the goal of 1,000 pounds of food donated during the Can Care-A-Van held at the gazebo in downtown Atkinson on Friday, August 7.GET YOUR COPY OF THE AUGUST 13 ATKINSON GRAPHIC TO READ HOW MUCH FOOD WAS COLLECTED. READ MORE >
The 2020-2021 Nebraska Junior High Rodeo season kicked off at Lexington with two rodeos with one held each day on Saturday, August 8th and Sunday, August 9th. The Platte Valley fairgrounds saw several Holt County contestants take home points and prizes from those rodeos. GET YOUR COPY OF THE AUGUST 13 ATKINSON GRAPHIC TO READ THE RESULTS FROM THIS OPENING SEASON... READ MORE >
By Lorraine Lieswald,Atkinson Graphic A year ago on August 12 was the official day Ju Ju Bean Coffee began drive-through service at the newly opened Atkinson Floral building. The popular specialty coffee bar has been busy ever since and today has built its drive-through business to serving 50 to 60 customers daily who order lattes, and other coffee drinks.GET YOUR... READ MORE >
By Lorraine Lieswald,Atkinson Graphic reporter Kendra Vanderbeek was born with theater running through her veins. It was her life. It was her passion. She knew it was her calling and she worked hard to make it so. In her growing into a teenager years, Vanderbeek was a cast member in the Atkinson Children's Theater (ACT). When theater regulations deemed her too old... READ MORE >
By Lorraine Lieswald,Atkinson Graphic reporter In 1992 Jack Wolf's livelihood was operating the Round Up Bar in downtown Atkinson. That was 28 years ago and the long hours began having an effect on Wolf. He knew he needed to make a lifestyle change. “I began selling seed corn. I would go out and visit the farmers in the afternoon and they would come in and visit... READ MORE >
By Paul Pistulka,Superintendent Amidst all of the unknown, West Holt Public Schools is excited for another great year. Monday, August 17 will be the first day of school. A list of times is included at the end of this article.The school’s website, www.westholtps.org, has been updated with articles that include the district’s COVID-19 plan document and a quick... READ MORE >
By Staff Sgt.Melanie A. Bulow-Gonterman, 35 Fighter Wing Public Affairs MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --Col. Kristopher W. Struve relinquished command of the 35th Fighter Wing to Col. Jesse J. Friedel at the 35th FW change of command ceremony at Misawa Air Base, Japan, July 13.Lt. Gen. Kevin B. Schneider, U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force commander, presided over the... READ MORE >
Check out the ad in this week's issue of The Atkinson Graphic to read about the Post Prom party that the West Holt Booster Club hosted recently! READ MORE >
Get your copy of the July 30 issue of The Atkinson Graphic and read the latest results from Stuart Raceway! READ MORE >
Get your copy of the July 30 Atkinson Graphic to read how the Atkinson Pony League team finished out their season and check out the photos of the team in action. READ MORE >
By Todd Hale Tuesday, July 21st was the final week of the five-week Junior Golf League at the Atkinson-Stuart Country Club. The league was split into two groups to comply with coronavirus social distancing and contact tracing. The League was also opened to participation for just the kids that played last year or attended last year’s golf camp. About half of the... READ MORE >
An updated look for The Atkinson Graphic website, www.atkinsongraphic.com, was launched last week, bringing a new style and increased functionality to the paper’s online presence and adding a new feature, a distinct mobile app for use on all mobile devices.“It was past-due time for an upgrade,” said Publisher Brook D. Curtiss, “The Atkinson Graphic’s website had... READ MORE >
By Lorraine Lieswald,Atkinson Graphic reporter For the first time in almost 140 years Holt County won’t have a rural school that is open. When school opens this fall the last remaining rural school in the county, District 74R Union School's doors will be closed, according to West Holt Public Schools superintendent Paul Pistulka. “Closing Union School was basically... READ MORE >
Atkinson Farley Tushla American Legion Post 86 swore in their Vice Commander Gerry Bouska and Commander Jake Dvorak on Thursday June 11 at their originally scheduled monthly meeting. Photo courtesy Ken Stenka READ MORE >
Sunshine Girls are around town . . . The Sunshine Girls were out and about last week. Pictured are Sandy Schrunk, Patti Skrdla, and Diane Alden. READ MORE >
Lech leads Atkinson Ponies to victory By Brent Hooey The Atkinson Pony Baseball Team opened up its season on Thursday, June 18 with a home game against Creighton. Atkinson won the game 10-0. The game was called after five innings due to the 10-run rule. Get the details in the story in this week's edition of the Graphic. READ MORE >
When the high school basketball teams from two of your communities take the court against each other, it's the perfect time to have a little fun as well! Kevin from our Plainview location and Tyler from our Creighton location squared off at halftime of the Creighton vs. Plainview basketball game for a free throw shooting contest! Each of them shot free throws for... READ MORE >