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Articles written by Courtney Fletcher


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  • Career conference held Monday

    Courtney Fletcher, For The Sun-Telegraph|Mar 8, 2016

    The Southern Panhandle Sophomore Career Conference was held Monday at the WNCC Sidney campus. Sophomores from the following area schools attended: Sidney, Bridgeport, Garden County, Kimball, Creek Valley and Leyton....

  • King's Daughters annual holiday tradition

    Courtney Fletcher|Dec 18, 2015
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    For more than a century, the King's Daughters have been providing food baskets to area families over the holiday season. Nearly 150 boxes that include ham, potatoes, vegetables, milk and eggs, to name a few items, will be given to families in need to provide them with a Christmas dinner....

  • Top local light displays announced for annual house lighting contest

    Courtney Fletcher|Dec 17, 2015

    Many local houses are lit up to ring in Christmas, however one Sidney residence in particular grabbed the attention of judges during the annual Sidney House Lighting Contest. The Cheyenne County Visitors Committee has been hosting the contest for more than a decade to help promote Christmas spirit within the community. Each year different winners are selected, allowing a wide range of houses to be selected for the top prize. Brian and Jodi Dougherty won first place and $100 in the contest for...

  • Winter storm season reminds drivers to slow down

    Courtney Fletcher|Dec 16, 2015

    It's that time of year again to brush snow off your car and take precautions when driving around Nebraska roadways. According to the Cheyenne, Wyo., National Weather Service Forecast Office, the entire Nebraska Panhandle was under a winter storm warning Tuesday. With winds gusting up to 35 mph, 8 to 10 inches of snowfall and low visibility, it was recommended to stay off the roads. "People really just need to remember to slow down," said Cheyenne County Sheriff John Jenson. "Sometimes people...

  • Winter wonderland

    Courtney Fletcher|Dec 15, 2015

    Tuesday brought below freezing temperatures, wind, snow accumulation and school cancelations. According to the Cheyenne, Wyo., National Weather Service Forecast Office, the entire Nebraska Panhandle is under a winter storm warning scheduled until 3 a.m. Wednesday. "Right now Sidney is in the brunt of the storm for the rest of the afternoon," said Steve Rubin, meteorologist at the Cheyenne office, late Tuesday morning. "The airport in Sidney reported wind gusts up to 30 mph. North winds will...

  • West students donate to Table of Grace

    Courtney Fletcher|Dec 15, 2015

    West Elementary School's sixth grade student council members held a book and blanket drive. The students collected books, blankets and pajama sets and donated their collection to Sidney's Table of Grace Mobile Food Pantry Monday afternoon....

  • Bookmobile cruises across the county to promote reading

    Courtney Fletcher|Dec 14, 2015

    Since 1962, Sidney Public Library's bookmobile has been traveling around Cheyenne County giving locals of all ages to opportunity to check out books. "The bookmobile allows us to provide library services beyond the brick-and-mortar of the building. With it, we can deliver print and audio books to the children and adults at preschools, schools, retirement homes and neighboring villages that can't get to the library on their own," said library director Andrew Sherman. "These customers also tend...

  • Holiday hobby turns into tradition

    Courtney Fletcher|Dec 11, 2015

    It's the time of the year when locals get into the holiday spirit by putting lights on their house and decorations in their yard. For the Tomsick family, the holidays wouldn't be the same without a synchronized Christmas light display. With singing trees, Santa and classic Christmas music, there's something for everyone to enjoy at the Tomsick home. Dennis and Mary Beth Tomsick and their children, Cara and Joseph, have worked together since 2007 to make their house on Deaver Drive in Sidney scre...

  • Potter-Dix one act team takes runner-up at state

    Courtney Fletcher|Dec 10, 2015

    Potter-Dix took home second place at the state one act play competition in Norfolk Wednesday night, adding to its strong history in the competition. The team performed "Eurydice" by Sarah Ruhl at the Johnny Carson Theatre. According to the team's sponsor, Beth Bogert, the group had three members receive outstanding acting awards. Sam Bogert, Dawson Sharman and Noah Nelson received recognition for their performances. The team's technical crew was also named the best tech crew that competed. "The...

  • Gloribells are ready to 'Ring in the Season'

    Courtney Fletcher|Dec 10, 2015

    The First United Methodist Church's Gloribells have been ringing in the holidays for 18 years. The Gloribells are getting their brass bells prepared for spreading the Christmas spirit at their annual "Ringing in the Season" bell concert. It is set for 3 p.m. Sunday at the First United Methodist Church in Sidney. Under the direction of Marva Schiessler, the 11 members that make up the Gloribells begin practicing for their Christmas concert in early October. "We only meet once a week for about an...

  • Church donates stuffed bears to law enforcement agencies

    Courtney Fletcher|Dec 9, 2015

    Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Sidney donated small stuffed bears to local law enforcement agencies and Sidney Regional Medical Center Wednesday morning. The congregation donated money to purchase the bears for the "Bears to Show We Care" project. According to Deb Aikens of the church, this is the first year the congregation has participated in the project. Sidney's police, sheriff's office and the state patrol will be able to keep the bears in their cars in order to comfort children who are...

  • Sidney welcomes new $53 million hospital

    Courtney Fletcher|Dec 8, 2015

    Sidney Regional Medical Center officially opened its new facility Tuesday afternoon with a packed house for its ribbon cutting and grand opening ceremony. Several locals and community members, as well as USDA Rural Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Vernita Dore, and Maxine Moul, USDA Rural Development's State Director, attended the celebration of the new facility. The facility was funded in part by $32 million in United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development direct...

  • More than 30 booths at vendor, craft event

    Courtney Fletcher|Dec 7, 2015

    Several locals turned out for the Holiday Vendor and Hand Craft event at the Cheyenne County Community Center Gym last Sunday. More than 30 booths were set up offering a variety of businesses as well as hand crafted items....

  • Locals pack Shelter House for Tree of Remembrance ceremony

    Courtney Fletcher|Dec 4, 2015

    Sidney Regional Medical Center Hospice's annual Tree of Remembrance ceremony brought out several locals to the Shelter House in Legion Park Thursday night. The ceremony featured a talk from Sidney resident Derek Weimer about his personal experience with the hospice. Singers from Creek Valley High School and a talk from Rev. Thomas Hyde of Sidney's First United Methodist Church were also part of the ceremony. The tree lighting tradition has typically been held in the lobby of the hospital for...

  • Headed to state: Potter-Dix wins district one-act competition

    Courtney Fletcher|Dec 3, 2015

    Potter-Dix earned the top spot at the district one act play competition in Hyannis on Wednesday and will advance to the state competition next week. Potter-Dix presented "Eurydice" by Sarah Ruhl to beat out seven other schools in its division. According to the team's sponsor, Beth Bogert, the group had five members receive outstanding acting awards. Sam Bogert, Justice Palmer, Noah Nelson, Audrey Juelfs and Dawson Sharman received recognition for their performances. "The team has put in...

  • Mintken-Davison Post 301 hosts "Sons of the American Legion" meeting

    Courtney Fletcher|Dec 3, 2015

    Dalton American Legion Mintken-Davison Post 301 will host a meeting Monday night to establish a Sons of the American Legion (S.A.L.) squadron. The Mintken-Davison Post 301 organizational meeting will begin at 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 7, at Legion Hall in Dalton. The Sons of the American Legion exists to honor the service and sacrifice of Legionnaires. Sons, grandsons, great-grandsons and any male descendants of veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces are invited to attend the informational meeting. The group is made up of male descendants of veterans...

  • Night of the Arts

    Courtney Fletcher|Dec 2, 2015

    The sixth annual "Night of the Arts" was held at Sidney High School Tuesday evening. The night featured a dinner, a silent auction, Jazz Band and vocal performances. The event ended with a One Act play performance of "The Addams Family."...

  • "House Lighting" contest to spread Christmas joy

    Courtney Fletcher|Dec 2, 2015

    The Cheyenne County Visitors Committee will hold its annual "House Lighting" contest next week. The contest has been going on for more than a decade to help promote Christmas spirit within the community. Each year different winners are selected, allowing a wide range of houses to be selected for the top prize. Judges will drive by houses in Sidney Dec. 10-11 and decide whose house has the most Christmas spirit flare. First place receives $100, second place receives $75 and the third-place...

  • 'Dreams for Teens' project seeks funds

    Courtney Fletcher|Dec 1, 2015

    For more than 20 years, Light Memorial Presbyterian Church in Sidney has been reaching out to local teens that may need financial assistance during Christmastime. The local mission project “Dreams for Teens” originated when former Sidney teachers in the congregation saw the need to help older kids in the community. The Cheyenne County Ladies Chamber of Commerce also helped drive the project before dissolving membership in February. Sidney students in seventh to 12th grade that qualify for the assistance will each receive Cheyenne County Cha...

  • Toys for Tots gives back to local children

    Courtney Fletcher|Dec 1, 2015

    The annual U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program has been serving Cheyenne County for several years through the gift of giving, and continues to do so this year. The mission of the program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December to distribute as Christmas gifts to less fortunate children in the community so they are able to experience the joy of the holiday, and to unite all members of local communities in a common cause for three months each year...

  • Ceremony to remember loved ones during holiday season

    Courtney Fletcher|Nov 30, 2015

    Sidney Regional Medical Center Hospice's annual Tree of Remembrance ceremony will allow the community to remember loved ones this holiday season. The tree lighting tradition was typically held in the lobby of the hospital for many years. However, with the transition to the hospital's new locations, the hospice has taken the opportunity to incorporate the community and not just those that have used the hospice services. This year's Tree of Remembrance ceremony will be at 6 p.m. on Thursday in...

  • Cook receives state honor

    Courtney Fletcher|Nov 25, 2015

    Local veterinarian Ken Cook was recognized at this year's ServeNebraska Step Forward Awards ceremony in Ashland. Cook was nominated for the Lifetime Achievement Award for his 40 years as a 4-H leader. At the 4-H banquet, he was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from the state 4-H office for his many years of leadership. ServeNebraska, the Nebraska Volunteer Service Commission, coordinates and supports community involvement by Nebraskans that address the needs of our communities. The group hel...

  • Christmas Kickoff on tap for Saturday

    Courtney Fletcher|Nov 23, 2015

    The annual Holidays in Hickory Square Christmas Kickoff will begin at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday. According to Bev Arellano of the Cheyenne County Chamber of Commerce, the event draws a couple hundred people downtown. The celebration has taken place in Sidney for more than 25 years. This year's kickoff will include hot chocolate and coffee for purchase provided by the Cheyenne County Young Professionals group. Union Pacific will give mini train rides until 4:30 p.m. Santa will also be at the Elks...

  • Increase in graduation rates for Nebraska high schools

    Courtney Fletcher|Nov 20, 2015

    Nebraska public high schools graduated nine out of every 10 seniors in 2015, setting a nearly 89 percent graduation rate. According to the Nebraska Department of Education, this is a slight decrease from the nearly 90 percent graduation rate set the previous year. In 2015, Sidney's graduation rate was nearly 94 percent, slightly down from the previous year's rate of 98.8 percent. According to Sidney High School principal Chris Arent, Sidney High School has been above the state average...

  • Christmas comes to life downtown

    Courtney Fletcher|Nov 19, 2015

    It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Hickory Street Square as setup starts for the Christmas kickoff. The event will be held Nov. 28. A mini train ride, parade of lights and the lighting of the Christmas tree with Santa will be a few main events at the annual kickoff....

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