Business
Top Story Spotlight
Holiday Inn Express & Suites joins Lexington community with ribbon cutting
Holiday Inn Express & Suites by IHG officially joined the Lexington community with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Lexington Area Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, June 9.
Holiday Inn Express and Suites — Lexington South has recently opened to the public. It celebrated with a ribbon cutting on June 9. The hotel offers amenities including a pool, a fitness center, business center and spacious rooms.
Guests were welcomed with cupcakes, refreshments and smiles at the new hotel at 2811 Heartland Road, across from Heartland Museum of Military Vehicles.
“Having a brand-spanking-new, shiny-penny hotel in a city is always nice,” said Laurie Czyz, vice president of sales and marketing for Nightcap Management. “I hope it makes people proud. We’re excited to be in the city and welcome travelers, staycationers or people who even want to have a meeting in the community.”
The new hotel features a pool, spacious guest rooms, accessible accommodations, and in-room mini refrigerators and safes.
In-room coffee makers have been replaced with a 24-hour coffee bar in the lobby.
Guests can also take advantage of a business center, meeting room, snack center and continental breakfast area.
“We were a little nervous as we were going through construction when the announcement came out in December or January that the Tyson plant was closing,” Czyz said. “That caused everyone to panic a little and led to conversations with city officials. One thing that was interesting as I researched the city was that Tyson was critical to Lexington, but, selfishly from a hotel perspective, Tyson wasn’t the biggest source of people needing hotel rooms.”
Czyz said the hotel welcomed its first guest on May 5, Cinco de Mayo. Staff presented the guest with a holiday-themed gift basket to mark the occasion.
With the Dawson County Fair approaching, the hotel is preparing to accommodate individual reservations and is discussing rates for group bookings.
If the hotel reaches capacity, Czyz said, she and the staff have worked to build relationships with other hotels in Lexington so they can help one another accommodate guests.
Her goal is to work alongside, rather than compete against, other local lodging businesses.
Holiday Inn Express is a new hotel in Lexington. It is located across from the Heartland Museum of Military Vehicles at 2811 Heartland Rd. Reservations and bookings are now open to the public.
“For a city — any city — to be successful, the hotels have to work together. Although we’re new to the community and weren’t born or raised here, we want to be an integral part of the community," Czyz said. “We’re asking ourselves what we can do to help the community be successful. Sometimes, when you come into a community where you don’t have roots, it takes time to build trust. We want to be partners.”
In addition to joining the Lexington Area Chamber of Commerce, Holiday Inn Express has also joined the Gothenburg and Cozad chambers of commerce.
Czyz said the memberships will help support tourism efforts throughout the region.
For more information or to make a reservation, visit the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Lexington South Facebook page or call 308-217-6200.
Around Town
The Around Town section of the Clipper-Herald is to notify the public of upcoming events and to publicize pertinent information from individuals, groups or service organizations.
LEXINGTON HAPPENINGS
Layoff support for workers with the Nebraska Department of Labor Tuesday, June 16 at 9:30 a.m. at Central Community College, Room 204.
Mac's Short Stop is sponsoring a Free Day at the Lexington Family Aquatic Center Wednesday, June 17.
Crossroads Mission Avenue transitional housing open house Friday, June 26 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 907 W. Eighth St., in Lexington.
Discover the Fun of Fishing - Free fishing clinic with Nebraska Game and Parks and Orthman Community YMCA Saturday, June 13 for ages 6-18. Register with the YMCA by June 10. Ages 16 and up need Nebraska fishing license. Located at Plum Creek Park Pavilion.
Celebrate America's 250th at the Lexington Public Library Tuesday, June 16 from 5-7 p.m. presented by the Bonneville Chapter of DAR.
Lexington Area Christian Women's Connection presents "Music is in the Air" men's night Tuesday, June 16 at 6 p.m. at Kirk's. Reservations and cancellations by noon Monday, June 15. Call Sheri at 308-320-0952 or Jonelle at 308-325-8279.
Lexington Street Dance Friday, June 19 from 8 p.m. to 1 p.m. at The Well featuring DJ Lopez. $10 cover charge.
City of Lexington Plum Creek 5K run/walk Saturday, June 27 at 11:30 a.m. Starts and ends at Lexington Racquet Center. Register by Thursday, June 18 to guarantee event T-shirt.
City of Lexington Firework Show Wednesday, July 1 at 10 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Pavilion. Food trucks from 7-10 p.m. and live music by The Innocence from 7:30-9:30 p.m.
21st annual Golf Tournament for the Lexington Chamber of Commerce Wednesday, July 8 from 2-7 p.m. at Lakeside Country Club at Johnson Lake.
Heartland Museum of Military Vehicle's second annual Summer Celebration Friday, July 3 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the museum. Join them to celebrate the US's 250th birthday with food trucks, live vehicle demonstrations, family activities and more.
"Ladies Night at the Fair" Thursday, July 16 from 4-9 p.m. at the Dawson County Fair Commercial Building. Vendors, door prizes and cocktails.
Wine & Wings, Beer & Brats fundraiser night for the Blanche Senior Scholarship at Mac's Creek Thursday, Aug. 20 from 5-9 p.m.
Parkview Baptist Church holds a food pantry every third Saturday of the month at the Refuge Building (1105 Park St.) in Lexington.
The Dawson County History Museum is hosting “Coffee with Carol” the first Wednesday of the month from 10 a.m. to noon.
The Lexington Lions Club meets at 7 p.m. every fourth Monday of the month at the Lexington Grand Generation Center.
Lexington Rotary Club meets the first and third Tuesday of the month at Dawson County Annex Building at noon. For more information or to join call 308-325-7006.
The Dawson County Democrats meet at 4 p.m. the first Sunday of each month at the Los Jalapeños Restaurant.
American Legion in Lexington meets the first Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at Heartland Museum of Military Vehicles.
WIC Clinic Sites, Dawson County: Lexington – Community Action Partnership of Mid-Nebraska Building, 931 W. Seventh St., Tuesday through Thursday the first 4 full weeks for each month.
RYDE Transit — Public Transportation is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. To schedule a ride in Dawson County or Lexington call 308-324-3670. Public Transportation is easy to ride and open to everyone.
COZAD HAPPENINGS
Dine In/Drive Thru Burger Night Thursday, June 11 from 5-6:30 p.m. at Cozad Grand Generation Center. $15.00 suggested meal price. Free grocery bags.
Monthly Coffee Chats - chat with Senior Life Solutions on mental health services for seniors Thursday, June 18 at 9:30 a.m. at Cozad Grand Generation Center.
Recycling Center - Goodwill Industries will have a community donation trailer available on Highway 30 from June 22-29. Your donated goods not only keep items out of landfills helping to reduce waste and the resell of donated items provide mental health, employment, developmental disability services, and more in local communities.
Charlie (The Noise Guy) Kind of a Dragon Show Thursday, June 11 at 2 p.m. at the Wilson Public Library.
City wide garage sales Saturday, June 13.
Maker Market every Tuesday from 5-7 p.m. starting June 16 at The Green Space, east of 222 Hardware.
The Writing Society meets the first and third Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Wilson Public Library. Open to all writers of all levels and genres.
Bands, Brews and BBQs will be held Saturday, July 11 with the Lemon Fresh Day band headlining the night and opener by Heather Wellman. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. More information on ticket sales will be provided at a later date.
Blood Pressure Clinic at the Cozad Grand Generation Center the third Tuesday of every month at 11 a.m.
The Cozad Grand Generation Center has Home Delivered Meals to the Community Monday — Friday. If you would like to receive Home Delivered Meals or would like to pick up a Curbside Meal at 410 W. Ninth St. from 11:30 a.m. — 12:30 p.m., please call us at 308-784-2747 by 9:30 a.m. that morning, so we can arrange everything for your convenience.
The Cozad Grand Generation Center Bus is available Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. To schedule a ride in Cozad call 308-784-2747.
GOTHENBURG HAPPENINGS
NE Chamber Road Show Tuesday, June 16 from 11:30 to 1 p.m. in the Cottonwood Room at Gothenburg Health. Please RSVP at 308-537-3505.
City Wide Garage Sales Saturday, June 20. Register for $20 to get your location on the map. Deadline is June 10.
Livin' Out Loud is set for Aug. 15-16 at Lake Helen.
SUMNER HAPPENINGS
S-E-M Cross Country 5K Fun Run/Walk Sunday, June 28 at 7:30 a.m. at Sumner's park.
AREA HAPPENINGS
76th annual Bertrand Fair and Rodeo June 27-30.
ON THE BIG SCREEN
LEXINGTON
Majestic Theatre, 615 N. Washington St.
Ticket Pricing: Adult $6, Students/Senior Citizens $5, Child $4
SHOWTIMES:
"The Breadwinner" (PG) - June 12-14, 17; Friday/Saturday at 7 p.m., Sunday at 6 p.m. and Wednesday at 7 p.m.
"Toy Story 5" (PG) - June 19 - July 1; Saturday/Sunday at 4:10 and 7:10 p.m., Monday-Thursday at 7:10 p.m.
"Scary Movie 6" (R) - June 13-18; Saturday/Sunday at 4:20 and 7:20 p.m. and Monday-Thursday at 7:20 p.m.
"Disclosure Day" (PG-13) - June 13-18; Saturday/Sunday at 4 and 7 p.m. and Monday-Thursday at 7 p.m.
GOTHENBURG
Sun Theatre, 404 10th St.
Ticket Pricing: Adult $5, Child (12 and under) $3, Senior Citizen $4
SHOWTIMES:
"The Breadwinner" (PG) - June 12-14; Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 5 p.m.
"Toy Story 5" (PG) - June 19-21 and 26-29; Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 5 p.m.
PUBLIC LIBRARIES
The Lexington Public Library hours are: Monday-Thursday: 9 a.m. — 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday: 9 a.m. — 5 p.m., Sunday: Closed. Watch for lots of fun programs and activities this summer. Also, we are continuing curbside services; call the library at 308-324-2151 for information.
Novel Stitchers meets on Tuesdays from 3-5 p.m. in the Board Room of the Library.
Storytime meets at the Library on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m.
The Wilson Public Library normal hours are: Monday-Thursday: 10 a.m. — 7 p.m., Friday: 10 a.m. — 5 p.m. and Saturday: 10 a.m. — 1 p.m. Public and private meetings have resumed, with 24-hour notice appreciated. Limits to how many attendees based upon room need, what equipment is available and other restrictions can be found by calling us at 308-784-2019 or stopping at the front desk. Normal policies about room rental can be found under Policies at wilsonpubliclibrary.org.
LEXINGTON GRAND GENERATION CENTER
The exercise room is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
MONDAY
10 a.m. - Frog
12:45 p.m. - I've Got It
TUESDAY
12:45 p.m. - Pool
1 p.m. - Bunco
2:30 p.m. - Hot Cookies
WEDNESDAY
9 a.m. - Coffee Time
12:45 p.m. - Cards
1 p.m. - Frog
THURSDAY
9 a.m. - Steering Committee
12:45 p.m. - Farkle
12:45 p.m. - Pool
1 p.m. - Bridge
FRIDAY
12:45 p.m. - Cards
1 p.m. - Frog
LEXINGTON GRAND GENERATION CENTER MENU
Homemade bread every day. Choice of skim, 2% or chocolate milk. No reservations are needed except for large groups. Serving time: 11:30 a.m. Please call 308-324-2498 by 10 a.m. for delivery or carryout meals.
MONDAY
Spaghetti with Meat Sauce, Tri Taters, Italian Green Beans, Peaches, Garlic Bread
TUESDAY
Italian Chicken, Candid Yams, Wax Beans, Tropical Fruit
WEDNESDAY
Mushroom Steak in Gravy, Red Diced Potatoes, Lima Beans, Apricots
THURSDAY
Turkey Dressing Casserole, Corn and Broccoli Casserole, Potato Casserole, Applesauce
FRIDAY
Bacon Wrapped Pork Kebobs, Boiled Potatoes, Peas and Carrots, Pineapple, Dessert
COZAD GRAND GENERATION CENTER
When Cozad schools are closed due to inclement weather, the center will also be closed. Check KRVN or the TV for weather related closings.
MONDAY
10 a.m. - Free Groceries
1 p.m. - Pitch
TUESDAY
Noon - Rotary
1 p.m. - Bridge
1 p.m. - Dominos
1:15 p.m. - Foot Clinic
WEDNESDAY
10 a.m. - Free Groceries
THURSDAY
9:30 a.m. - Community Chat
COZAD GRAND GENERATION CENTER MENU
Salad Bar is available daily with meals served from 11:30 a.m. — 12:30 p.m.
MONDAY
Ham Salad Sandwich, Potato Soup, Broccoli Salad, Peaches, Pumpkin Bars
TUESDAY
Beef Roast, Mashed Potatoes, Brussel Sprouts, Jello Mandarin Oranges, Ice Cream
WEDNESDAY
Oven Baked Chicken, Baked Potato, Tropical Fruit, Corn, Dessert
THURSDAY
Liver and Onions or Cooks Choice, Au Gratin Potatoes, Mixed Veggies, Pears, Ice Cream
FRIDAY
Sausage Gravy over Biscuits, Scrambled Eggs, Veggie Sticks, Hot Fruit, Bread Pudding
FARNAM SENIOR CENTER
The center will be closed on Fridays until further notice. When Eustis-Farnam Schools are closed due to the weather, the Senior Center will also be closed. Call ahead by 9:30 a.m. to get a meal 308-569-2359.
MONDAY
Meatloaf, Baked Potato, Broccoli, Dinner Roll
TUESDAY
Beef Tacos, Lettuce Salad, Carrots, Pineapple
WEDNESDAY
Chicken Casserole, Tater Tots, Mixed Veggies, Peaches, Dinner Roll
THURSDAY
BBQ Pork Ribs, Cheesy Potatoes, Baked Beans, Peaches, Cornbread
GOSPER COUNTY SENIOR CENTER
All meals are served with vegetables, fruit and a sweet item. Please call before 10 a.m. for your reservation 308-785-2500. Menu is subject to change without notice.
MONDAY
Cheesburgers
TUESDAY
Sweet and Sour Pork
WEDNESDAY
Liver and Onions or Hamburger Steak
THURSDAY
Chicken Salad Wrap
FRIDAY
Beef and Broccoli over Rice
ORGANIZATIONS
It Works Group: AA meetings are held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from noon to 1 p.m. at 303 E. Sixth St., in Lexington.
First Christin Church NA: meets Sundays at 7 p.m., Tuesdays at 8 p.m. 1206 N. Erie St., in Lexington.
Westside Group: AA/NA: open meeting on Monday and Friday nights from 7-8 p.m. Meetings are held at Grace Lutheran Church, 105 E. 17th St., Lexington, use the south door.
Women's Group: meets every Tuesday from 7-8 p.m. on the second floor lounge at the Dawson County Courthouse (700 N. Washington St.)
Celebrate Recovery: Meetings at 7 p.m. on Fridays at Parkview Baptist Church’s Refuge Building (1105 Park St., Lexington) Contact: 308-324-4410.
Four Roads Group AA: meetings are held on Tuesdays from noon to 1 p.m., Fridays from 7-8 p.m. and Sundays from 7 p.m. at 1801 W. 18th St., in Lexington.
Grupo Lexington AA (Spanish Speaking): open meetings on Saturdays from 8-9 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to noon at 114 W. 6th St. in Lexington.
Group Nueva Vida Lexington (Spanish Speaking): open meetings on Fridays at 8 p.m. and Saturdays at 11 a.m. at 114 W. Eighth St., in Lexington.
Full of Grace: Meetings from 6-7 p.m. on Tuesdays at the Nazarene Church at 919 H St., in Cozad.
Southview Group: Meetings from 8-9 p.m. on Wednesdays at 1804 Papio Lane in Cozad.
SMART Recovery meets at St. Peter’s in the Valley Episcopal Church, 905 East 13th St., Tuesdays and Thursdays 7-8:30 p.m., Saturdays, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Sumner AA Group: meets Sundays and Tuesdays from 8-9 p.m. at 205 E. Fifth Avenue, in Sumner. For more information call 308-325-5827.
Bertrand Thurs Night Group: Meetings from 8-9 p.m. on Thursdays at Hope Lutheran Church, 74094 Road 436 in Smithfield. Call 308-785-3567 or 308-472-3376.
Odie Group AA/NA: meetings at 8 p.m. on Sundays in Elwood at 501 Calvert Avenue.
Pony Express Group AA: meetings are held from 7:30-8:30 p.m. on Mondays at the Gothenburg Evangelical Free Church (515 18th St.) in Gothenburg.
Thirsty Thursday by the Cemetery: Meetings held on Thursdays from 7-8 p.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church (2002 27th St.) in Gothenburg.
Parkinson’s Disease Support Group meetings are held the second Thursday each month at 2 p.m. at Lexington Regional Health Center (1201 N. Erie St., Lexington). For more information contact Dixie Menke at 308-325-5350.
Community Action Partnership of Mid-Nebraska Immunization Clinic, first and third Mondays every month: Open 10 a.m. to noon and 1-4 p.m. by appointment at 931 W. Seventh St., Lexington. Previous vaccination records required. Contact 308-325-3436 or 308-325-3169.
Dawson/Gosper County CASA: seeking Volunteers. CASA Volunteers are everyday people from all walks of life, who advocate through the court system in the interests of children. Contact 308-324-7364.
News
Top Story Spotlight
Treyvan Berry and Maylin Novoa win Mingus and Ramsey awards
Lexington's Maylin Novoa places her name plate on the Llyod Ramsey award board after being honored as the outstanding female student-athlete.
Lexington's Treyvan Berry places his name plate on the board hanging in Lexington High School after receiving the Kenneth Mingus outstanding male student-athlete award.
Lexington High School announced that graduated seniors Treyvan Berry and Maylin Novoa were the recipients of Mingus and Ramsey awards.
In order to win the award, the student-athletes had to participate in three sports during their senior year, have a 2.5 GPA or higher, be a strong leader, be a contributor on the varsity team of each sport, and be a good citizen.
Each of the head coaches votes on the eligible athletes, and the boy and girl with the most votes win the award.
"Treyvan had an excellent senior year, excelling in football, unified and varsity bowling, and unified track," said Phil Truax, Lexington High School athletic director.
"Maylin was a leader on the Maid cross country team, basketball in the winter and soccer in the spring," Truax said. "Unfortunately, she had an injury in soccer this spring, but still played an important part in the successful season the Maids had."
The Kenneth Mingus award is awarded to a male athlete, and the Lloyd Ramsey award is for a female athlete.
Mingus and Ramsey were teachers and coaches in Lexington in the 1960s and mid-1970s.
"These awards represent the outstanding student-athletes in the senior class each year," Truax said. "Thank you, Treyvan and Maylin, for representing the orange and black with true character and pride!"
Local
Top Story Spotlight
Gov. Pillen, farmers, ranchers and ag industry supporters celebrate passage of LB 525
GOTHENBURG — On June 6, Gov. Jim Pillen, Sen. Mike Jacobson and Sherry Vinton, director of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, joined members of Nebraska’s agricultural industry at the Machine Shed near Gothenburg to celebrate passage of a first-of-its-kind bill to protect agricultural data.
Legislative Bill 525 was introduced initially in the 2025 legislative session by Jacobson on behalf of Pillen, and was passed this year.
It established clear rules for the collection, processing and use of agricultural data in a way that best protects the privacy of farmers and ranchers who own the data.
“Nebraska has always been a leader when it comes to agricultural innovation. LB 525 represents critical, forward-thinking policy when it comes to preserving the future of our family farms,” Pillen said. “Who better to lead the country in this space than us? Again, Nebraska is setting the standard — one that will add value and protect our state’s key economic engine — agriculture.”
Over the past 30 years, agricultural production has been significantly transformed through advances in technology, just like many other industries.
Farmers rely on GPS-guided steering in tractors, sprayers and combines, computerized seeding rate systems, variable-rate chemigation and irrigation technology, and real-time yield data captured during harvest.
Every season, an incredible amount of information is collected that farmers and producers can capitalize on if it's properly protected.
“Agriculture is Nebraska's largest industry, and modern operations generate significant amounts of proprietary digital data that our producers rely on," Jacobson said. "I was proud to partner with Gov. Pillen to pass LB 525 to establish clear legal protections for this valuable operational data, explicitly prohibiting its unauthorized sale and requiring reasonable security standards.
"As the first state in the nation to enact these specific digital privacy safeguards, Nebraska is not waiting for federal regulations to address this issue. Instead, we have enacted a practical, state-level framework that protects the private business records of our farmers and ranchers while ensuring technology providers respect the privacy rights of our producers.”
LB 525 addresses this digital evolution by clearly defining "agricultural data" — a definition that previously did not exist in state statue.
The legislation ensures that the unique expertise and production practices farmers develop through years of decision-making are legally protected under clear data ownership laws.
“This legislation brings important clarity for Nebraska farmers and ensures they maintain control of their data as agriculture continues to evolve,” said Michael Dibbern, president of the Nebraska Corn Growers Association. “It is an important step in supporting producers as they adopt new technology and make decisions for their operations.”
The heart of the legislation explicitly states that ag producers own the data originating from their farms and ranches.
This puts them in the driver’s seat, permitting them to decide how to use their data, whom to share it with, and how to derive further value from it.
Additionally, the law mandates clear, conspicuous disclosure, requiring written consent from the producer before a third party can sell the data.
Under LB 525, all contracts and agreements involving agricultural data must be updated by Jan. 1, 2027, to reflect these new statutory changes.
“Nebraska feeds the world and saves the planet,” Pillen said. “It’s a privilege to join the farmers and ranchers who do this work every day. By securing these data rights, we are securing the future of Nebraska agriculture.”
