Journal Star News

Helen Ianniello breaks down barriers and becomes the first woman to own Stockmen’s Drug

By Scott Bidroski

A new face has taken over a longtime staple on Main Street in Gordon and in doing so, is breaking down walls and glass ceilings.

For the first time in its long storied history in Gordon, Stockmen’s Drug is under the watchful eye of a woman.

Helen Ianniello has purchased the business and has already hit the ground running; sledgehammer in tow.

“When I purchased Stockmen’s Drug, I was given a sledgehammer to symbolize breaking down walls and glass

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Monday, 20 March 2023 08:57

Post #34 designated as official stop on Medal of Honor highway

By Scott Bidroski

On Saturday, March 4, members of the American Legion Post #34 met at the Gordon location to commemorate a special distinction.

Post #34 was designated as an official stop on the Nebraska Medal of Honor Highway, Highway 20 and was officially welcomed in as a Nebraska Medal of Honor Community.

In a project that was started by the Nebraska Medal of Honor Foundation, two green signs were originally placed on the eastern and western side of Highway 20. But funding and permission

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Thursday, 16 March 2023 15:02

Housh celebrates 20 years behind the chair

By Scott Bidroski

For the past 20 years, many a residents of Hay Springs and beyond have had a seat in the chair with Heather Housh ready to accommodate all their beauty needs.

The 2001 Hay Springs High School graduate was born and raised in the Northwest Nebraska town and is living her dream of owning her own business on Main Street.

Housh, whose maiden name is Persons, attended Western Nebraska Community College for Cosmetology following her graduation. She passed her board in March of

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Thursday, 16 March 2023 14:56

Mustang Cheer earns second place finish at State Competition

By Reece Simonson, GRHS Journalism Student

This year the GRHS cheerleaders wrapped up their season Friday, February 17, in Grand Island at the 2023 State Cheer and Dance Competition. The squad competed in both the Class C2 Game Day Division and the Class C2 Traditional Performance.

“Mother nature played a toll on our program this year with canceled and postponed practices forcing us to put in a lot of practice time just two weeks prior to state,” said coach Ruschelle

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Thursday, 16 March 2023 14:54

New faces join Gordon Chamber of Commerce with hopes to take organization to new heights

By Scott Bidroski

A changing of the guard of sorts has happened for the Gordon Chamber of Commerce. And the new faces are looking to make an immediate positive splash on the community of Gordon.

Cassie Craven has taken over as President of the organization and she has a few individuals with deep ties to Gordon joining her on the Board.

Donald Hlava is the Vice President, Valerie Mann is the Secretary, Helen Ianniello is the Treasurer, Richae Malara is the Director, and McKenzie Harrison is

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Thursday, 16 March 2023 14:50

Gordon native Anna Shadbolt has one of kind experience at LEAD seminar

Nebraska LEAD Program Fellow Anna Shadbolt participated in a ten-day National Study/Travel Seminar conducted by the Nebraska LEAD Program, February 8-17. Dr. Terry Hejny, Director of the Nebraska LEAD Program served as group leader for the study/travel seminar to Kansas City, Washington, D.C., and Chicago. Shadbolt is a native of Gordon, Neb.

During the seminar Nebraska LEAD Fellows met with business, industry and government leaders. Several highlights included visits to: CenterPoint, MyCo

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Thursday, 16 March 2023 14:48

Plans for remainder of school year discussed; policies clarified

By Scott Bidroski

The Gordon-Rushville School Board met for their regular monthly meeting on Monday, February 13 beginning at 5:30 p.m.

The meeting was opened and everyone in attendance stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

No members were excused as absent. Members who were present included Carrie Child, Bobbi Archibald, Zach Kearns, Candie Johnson, Cassie Craven, and Seth Tausan.

The meeting agenda was approved and the Public Forum was opened.

Joe Headrick spoke in the forum

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Friday, 03 March 2023 15:54

Walton, Sons of the American Legion donate 100 flags for Veterans

By Scott Bidroski

Gordon resident Casey Walton is being recognized for his efforts in supporting an amazing program in our area that is dedicated to honoring Veterans.

Walton, and the Gordon Post 34 Sons of the American Legion, were able to purchase 100 4x6 American Flags for the Chadron Community Hospital Home Health and Hospice organization.

Sarah Hageman runs the program which finds a special way to honor and serve the area Veterans with those flags.

“In 2017, our staff was

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Friday, 03 March 2023 13:05

Hay Springs School Board welcomes two new members

By Emily Summers

The Hay Springs School Board met for their regular monthly meeting on Monday, January 9. The meeting began at 6:44 p.m.

The call to order was given by George Clear as the regular presiding members were not present. Board members present at the time of the call to order included Greg Heiting and Mariam Kearns, as well as newly elected members, Justin Anderson, and Katie Stock.

Many school staff were present at this meeting including, but not limited to, Superintendent

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Wednesday, 15 February 2023 09:05

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Rushville resident Joan Colwell reflects on 90 years of life in the Sandhills

By Hadleigh Hoos, Gordon-Rushville Journalism Student

Joan Colwell is a 90 year-old woman who has spent her entire life around the town of Rushville, Nebraska.

As a young girl, Joan lived two miles east of Rushville on her parents ranch with her grandparents. Her grandmother was originally from Czechoslovakia and still spoke Bohemian in the household.

“I truly regret not having her teach me Bohemian because I know she would have loved for us to learn the language as much as

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Wednesday, 15 February 2023 08:58

G-R’s Jace Freeseman makes it official, signs with Dakota Wesleyan

By Scott Bidroski

Another pen was pressed to paper this past week, as Gordon-Rushville senior Jace Freeseman has signed his Letter of Intent to run track at Dakota Wesleyan University (DWU).

Freeseman, who has excelled on the football field, wrestling mat, and the baseball diamond, has set his sights on another sport which he has had a lot of success in; track.

DWU is located in Mitchell, S.D. and is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).

The Tigers

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Wednesday, 15 February 2023 08:58

Gordon City Council swears in Carr as newest member of Gordon PD

By Scott Bidroski

The Gordon City Council held their regular monthly meeting on Thursday, January 12. The meeting began at 6:00 p.m.

Council members Alyssa DeHart, Dennis Child, Tim Bounous, Tom Evans, and Kelly Grant were all present at the meeting.

The minutes from the December 8, 2022 meeting and the minutes from the January 5, 2022 meeting were both approved.

That was followed up by the presentation of the December 2022 Treasurer’s Report.

City Manager Glen Spaugh gave the

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Thursday, 26 January 2023 09:33

Voice of Democracy winners recognized at GRHS

By Scott Bidroski

The 2022-23 Voice of Democracy contest, which is hosted by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), recognized three students of Gordon-Rushville High School this past week.

Venus Keller, Colton Archibald, and Stella Wegner all received medals and a bit of cash for their participation in the annual contest.

All in all, GRHS submitted 78 entires into the contest, the most of any school in the Panhandle.

The three individuals who placed in the contest had the opportunity to

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Thursday, 26 January 2023 09:31