The Enterprise highlights the top news articles of the year

What were the top headlines of 2019? The Enterprise takes a week-by-week look at Holyoke’s most memorable events of the past year.

 

Jan. 3, 2019

Phillips County’s assessed value is $92,976,300, a slight increase from 2018. The mill levy is, again, 28.28.

Sharon Michael is sworn in as Phillips County treasurer.

Peerless Theatre’s annual CineMagic fundraiser doubles as a New Year’s Eve party.

Sisters Shayla (Fricke) Hecht and Molly (Fricke) Weils compete in North Platte, Nebraska, roller derby.

Salvation Army’s red kettle campaign raised $2,297.12 for Phillips County unit.

 

Jan. 10, 2019

Changes to rural telecom could affect PC Telcom and Viaero Wireless.

Midwestern or not, Holyoke natives use many of the Midwesternisms that pepper conversation in the American breadbasket.

 

Jan. 17, 2019

Holyoke Volunteer Fire Department practices ice rescue techniques.

County officials sworn in are sheriff Thom Elliott, coroner Dennis Jelden, clerk Beth Zilla, commissioner Terry Hofmeister and assessor Doug Kamery.

Optometrist John Bryant begins seeing patients at Melissa Memorial Hospital.

Ballyneal is the highest ranked golf course in Colorado.

“Hanging with the Hendersons” is new Animal Planet show.

Peerless Theatre adds equipment for hearing and visually impaired movie patrons.

 

Jan. 24, 2019

Locals find many ways to volunteer.

City pledges $2,000 for county housing assessment.

Impact of Martin Luther King Jr.’s 1968 slaying remembered on MLK Day.

Kwei Leong steps in at MMH Hometown Pharmacy while Amy Kleve is on maternity leave.

Nicole Lenz opens BarkWell Animal Care Center at 520 S. Interocean.

Theresa Lopez-Scott hired as physical therapist at MMH.

Busy community members share strategies for fitting in physical fitness.

National Puzzle Month celebrated.

 

Jan. 31, 2019

HVFD joins regional rescue agencies in grain bin rescue training.

Mike Smith Construction selected to build proposed child care facility.

Holyoke Elementary takes part in the Great Kindness Challenge.

Fire consumes the garage of Luis Perez and Dalia Ortiz.

About 300 eighth graders from 12 area schools attend career fair at Phillips County Event Center.

Holyoke Chamber of Commerce brainstorms solutions as money runs short.

A Caring Pregnancy Resource Center debuts mobile ultrasound vehicle at annual banquet.

Corben McCallum places third in district Voice of Democracy.

 

Feb. 7, 2019

Community Excellence Award winners were S&W Auto Supply NAPA, Business of the Year; Heather Kellan, Employee of the Year; Savannah Burris, Youth of the Year; Sew Caring, Citizen of the Year; and City of Holyoke, STAR of the Year.

Agencies brace themselves as America’s longest-ever partial government shutdown is set to resume.

Mike Hardy recounts 1969 Vietnam in “117 Days.”

Local hunters sell to Petska Fur in part of an expansive fur industry.

MMH looks to establish community paramedicine program.

Commissioner Harlan Stern elected as chairman of the Phillips County Board of Commissioners.

Allison Horton opens the Turquoise Chandelier Salon and Boutique in Paoli’s old town hall building.

Switzerland native Jonas Stocker interns at Double W Dairy.

 

Feb. 14, 2019

MMH Foundation’s Legacy Event highlighted by $75,000 cancer center gift donated by Ty and Patty Wernet in honor of Londa Wernet Bradford.

High school students connect with local businesses at FBLA business fair.

Physical therapist Leah Hoyer retires after 18 years at MMH.

Holyoke High School girls swim team members competing at the Colorado 3A state meet are Rylee Schneller, Traeli Hutches, Lali Marquez and Haley Van Overbeke.

Jessy Mosqueda competes in the first Colorado girls state wrestling tournament.

Freshmen learn about the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse in PARTY program.

 

Feb. 21, 2019

Former church building is now home to Matt Cole’s impressive golf collection.

Holyoke Elementary ESL teacher Yesenia Bencomo travels to Mexico for a teacher exchange program.

Brenna Sullivan awarded Chick Evans Caddie Scholarship.

Snowball Dance king and queen are Colby Purkeypile and Savannah Burris.

Coach John Baumgartner earns 300th win.

Crowned as royalty for Valentine’s Day are Glen Michael and Joyce Tarrent from Carriage House and Patricia Hite and Eldon Constable from Regent Park.

 

Feb. 28, 2019

Mary Allen celebrates 100th birthday.

MMH and Holyoke School District adopt Guard911 app to rapidly alert law enforcement and local users about potential shootings.

SWAT team called in; Anthony Hansen and Melissa Damrom-Scheffer arrested.

The first Northeastern Colorado Emergency Trauma Conference is held at the event center.

E-books and digital audio books now available through Heginbotham Library.

Jesus Trejo and Luis Chafino compete in Colorado 2A state wrestling.

Paul and Laura Krogmeier, Daniela Baeza and Iris Clark attend World Youth Day in Panama.

 

March 7, 2019

Sullivan’s Appliance remains open after sudden death of owner Jim Leibbrandt.

Patricia McPherson and Robert Weir take over responsibilities of general surgeon James Schiefen.

“Tidying Up With Marie Kondo” sparks decluttering craze across town.

Harry Brinkema and Ross Brinkema recognized as top performers in 2018 National Corn Yield Contest by the National Corn Growers Association.

HHS girls basketball season ends at regional championship game.

FBLA members take Adopt-A-Grandparent program to Regent Park and Carriage House.

 

March 14, 2019

MMH has new MRI machine.

Sylvia Noteware is new dentist at MMH dental clinic.

FBLA members team up with fifth graders for mock interviews and a Rural AmeriTowne field trip.

Slaten Burris, Emily Jelden, Taeryn Trumper and Kristin Vieselmeyer are All-Conference basketball players.

 

March 21, 2019

Phillips County Administrator Randy Schafer dies unexpectedly.

Several rescues made during snow storm.

Holyoke School District completes System Supports Review as a part of the Student-Centered Accountability Program.

“Ocean of Grass” film tells story of cattle ranchers in Nebraska Sandhills.

St. Patrick’s Day card party has decades-long history at Catholic church.

Phillips County Pheasants Forever and Ballyneal Golf Club host youth hunt.

 

March 28, 2019

Holyoke and Wauneta 4-H clubs host farm safety day.

Friends of NRA dinner raises over $10,000 for shooting sports in Phillips County.

Jessica Skomp, FNP, is selected as a regional Nightingale Luminary Award winner.

Taeryn Trumper earned All-State basketball honorable mention.

 

April 4, 2019

Thanks to DNA matching technology, Ted Roos meets biological brother Ken Jacobson of Sterling.

Phillips County Economic Development is awarded $12,500 grant by Department of Local Affairs for housing assessment.

FFA state officer Taylor Hendrix visits Costa Rica to learn about its agriculture.

 

April 11, 2019

Peggy Bennett appointed to Heginbotham Trust.

Dragon Theatre Company’s spring play is “Arsenic and Old Lace.”

FCCLA members send pocket flags to U.S. troops.

The Skillet is honored for excellence in food safety by Northeast Colorado Health Department.

Ex-NASCAR staff trains first responders in preparation for Phillips County Raceway season.

Kathryn L. Wernsman is best of show at Phillips County Arts Council art show and sale.

 

April 18, 2019

Teachers reflect on Columbine shooting 20 years after the tragedy.

Volunteer firefighters honored at annual banquet.

Enterprise wins General Excellence, Advertising Sweepstakes, Photo and Design Sweepstakes, and 20 individual awards in annual CPA contest.

 

April 25, 2019

Many organ and tissue recipients have lives changed thanks to donor Cassidy Hale.

Holyoke School District looks at four potential options for master facility plan.

Attorney Tammy Kelley is Holyoke’s new municipal judge.

 

May 2, 2019

Students from JR/SR high serve community in Random Acts of Kindness Day.

Emerald Award winners are Carly Daniel, Leader Among Us; Melanie Wheeler, Innovator of the Year; and Rhonda Mehring-Smith, Heart Award.

Ivan Wiebke, Jim Kienholz, Caden Sporhase and Caiden Krueger travel to Genoa, Nebraska, to help with flood recovery.

Kylie Purkeypile elected as Colorado FBLA state officer.

HHS prom king and queen are Seth Watson and Taeryn Trumper.

 

May 9, 2019

Holyoke Police Department gives out cold drinks, popsicles, stickers and bubble wands to help promote community engagement.

Dance Fuzion presents “Alice in Wonderland” themed recital.

 

May 16, 2019

Holyoke blood drives contribute 178 pints to Red Cross in the past year.

Holyoke High School graduates 38, including co-valedictorians Kyra Loutensock, Kaylee Camblin and Savannah Burris. Citizenship Award winners are Burris and Colby Purkeypile.

Art teacher Rhonda Smith retires after 36 years in the classroom.

Basement fire at Albino Nuñez’s house is a close call.

Jessica Skomp, FNP, is awarded the State Nightingale Luminary Award for Leadership in a Nurse in a Clinical Practice.

Jody Maupin is the new Holyoke Chamber of Commerce director.

MedSafe Collection Receptacle is installed at MMH, allowing locals to safely dispose of unwanted medications.

Keegan Shaw earns National Choral Award and John Philip Sousa Award.

 

May 23, 2019

Tracy Trumper puts CPR training to work in state track emergency.

Local supporters of Children’s HopeChest welcome representative Simon Okello from Uganda.

Emali Torres wins girls shot put at 2A state track meet. Other HHS athletes who competed are Taeryn Trumper, Correy Koellner, Lauren Herman, Emily Jelden, Jacky Mosqueda, Jessy Mosqueda, Emma Roll, Josie Herman, Kylie Purkey­pile, Aaron Sierra, Luis Chafino, Michael Ramos, Chase Beckner, Ethan Johnson, Joey Beckner, Kaison Kinnie and Miguel Soto.

Keegan Shaw competes at boys 4A State Swimming & Diving Championships.

HHS baseball finishes season at regional tournament.

Inaugural Chop Hills Classic at Ballyneal raises $70,000 for scholarships.

Phillips County Players present “Death by Dessert.”

 

May 30, 2019

Paragon Club disbands.

Wild weather brings storm chasers to the area.

MMH unveils new ambulance added to fleet.

Traeli Hutches and Brenna Sullivan compete at girls Colorado 3A state golf tournament.

Emali Torres is named to All-State track list.

Luis Chafino, Lauren Herman, Aaron Sierra and Taeryn Trumper receive All-Conference track honors.

All-Conference baseball players are Jesus Trejo, Caleb Deaver, Blake Mosenteen and Seth Watson.

All-Conference golfers are Brenna Sullivan and Traeli Hutches.

Lt. Col. Bob Russell speaks at the Memorial Day service at Holyoke Cemetery.

 

June 6, 2019

Pamela Jensen hired as Phillips County administrator.

Colorado Junior Angus Association’s Golden Trend Show held at Bank of Colorado Pavilion.

Hog barn at Seaboard Foods burns down.

Mark Werts appears in Investigation Discovery’s “Murder in the Heartland.”

Brett Cumming opens Cumming Construction.

 

June 13, 2019

Peerless Theatre turns 100 years old.

Alex Vieselmeyer elected to state FFA officer team.

Holyoke is third and final stop on Rural Prosperity Tour.

Reese Mechanical purchases Sullivan’s Appliance & Air.

Immanuel Lutheran Church in Haxtun celebrates 100 years.

 

June 20, 2019

KC Martin completes 140.6-mile Boulder Ironman.

Melissa Memorial Hospital is one of seven entities selected to join the Colorado Innovation Community as a founding member.

Enterprise wins five honors in National Newspaper Association’s Better Newspaper Editorial Contest and Better Newspaper Advertising Contest.

Lauren Bergner and Josie Herman attend Colorado Girls State, and Slaten Burris and Seth Watson attend Colorado Boys State.

New stained glass window at St. Patrick Catholic Church is first addition in more than 70 years.

Alvin Schumann recognized by Veterans of Foreign Wars for his support of local veterans.

 

June 27, 2019

Medics and law enforcement train in active shooter response.

Investors warm to hemp as growers take the plunge.

 

July 4, 2019

Dennis Herman is the new general manager at Highline Electric Association.

Brand wall recognizes sponsors at Bank of Colorado Pavilion.

First Dragon Chinese restaurant reopened by Tommy and Kathy.

Brothers Jorge and Junior Goytia and Jorge’s wife, Johana Nevarez, have opened Charro Panzón.

Alicia Klinzmann is executive director for Phillips County’s Farm Service Agency.

Travis Taylor hired as livestock extension agent for the Golden Plains Area.

 

July 11, 2019

Tornado sends Fourth of July out with a bang.

Lee and Bev Struckmeyer named Phillips County Fair Parade grand marshals.

Methodist fair stand transitions to be a community project.

Trampas Hutches to serve on Primary Care Payment Reform Collaborative.

Ten HHS students attend national FBLA conference.

HHS sends seven to FCCLA national conference.

 

July 18, 2019

Locals recall when Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon 50 years ago.

Janel Wailes combines passions for dairy and desserts in making toffee.

New sign at Phillips County Fairgrounds honors the late Randy Schafer.

 

July 25, 2019

Daniel O’Keef is new physical therapist at MMH.

Hollie Gerk is the new clerk of the combined courts as Joy Strack retires after 14 years in the role.

Emali Torres competes in shot put at International Games in Australia.

BOCES awards Jay Wisdom the All State Board Award and Bret Miles the Roy G. Brubacher Award.

Local churches take 10 youth to the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Youth Gathering.

 

Aug. 1, 2019

Despite concerns about weather and harvest, the 2019 Phillips County Fair sees a great turnout.

Megan Pennington replaces Erin LeBlanc as the Area Agency on Aging’s senior service coordinator.

 

Aug. 8, 2019

New Zealand native Kerry Johnson does a final job near Holyoke before retiring from 62 years of shearing sheep.

Sgt. Mark Werts of HPD fatally shoots an aggressive dog at large.

Dragon Booster Club mouse races raise $17,000 for Holyoke athletics.

Phillips County Players present “Miracle in Mudville.”

Ted Roos meets with his five biological siblings; it was the first time they were all in the same place at the same time.

 

Aug. 15, 2019

Community celebrates law enforcement at National Night Out.

Paoli Farmers Co-op turns 100 years old.

Holyoke Community Childcare Initiative kicks off capital campaign to raise $500,000 locally.

Buckley Bombers play in 16-18-year-old Babe Ruth World Series in Mobile, Alabama.

Jim Fisher honored with new bench at Lions Club Fishin’ Hole.

 

Aug. 22, 2019

New teachers for the 2019-20 school year are Ashley Gragg, Allie Balog, Cecilia Marquez, Stephanie Rau, David Mauler, Clark Ginapp, Desiree Mosenteen and Kody Timm.

Alec Sprague undergoes six-hour surgery for Chiari Malformation.

Rachel Schneider studies ancient Maya graffiti in Belize.

Dani Brandt begins student teaching at Holyoke Elementary.

Northeast BOCES director Bret Miles receives the Colbert Cushing Award.

Baby Bear Hugs sweetest babies and toddlers are Bristol McCallum, Christian Loya and Hudson Borland.

Erin Vieselmeyer begins physician assistant rotation at MMH.

 

Aug. 29, 2019

First-week K-12 student count is 597, up 31 from 2018.

Colorado Attorney General’s Office investigates district attorney Brittny Lewton for “potential criminal activity.”

Kylie Donovan is overall grand champion in leadership and Megan Walker overall reserve grand champion in photography at the Colorado State Fair.

Community fair stand raises $9,000 for local food banks and transient funds.

Siena Donnelson earns grand champion large chicken in youth poultry at the Colorado State Fair.

 

Sept. 5, 2019

Author Jennifer Hughes launches children’s book “All Hallow’s Eve.”

Adair Reese wins Mrs. Congeniality at Mrs. America pageant in Las Vegas.

Kleve family recognized for Centennial Farm.

 

Sept. 12, 2019

Sgt. Mark Werts absolved of wrongdoing in Aug. 2 shooting of an aggressive dog.

Ran Daikoku of Osaka, Japan, is foreign exchange student at HHS.

Chris Edwards opens Hometown Heating and Air.

 

Sept. 19, 2019

Volunteer firefighters Sam Distefano and Lance Murray honor fallen brothers in 9/11 stair climb.

Heginbotham mansion reaches century milestone.

Deeona Johnston hired as family and consumer sciences Extension agent in Phillips County.

 

Sept. 26, 2019

Jorge Salas joins Phillips County Sheriff’s Office as deputy.

Rich Cummings is new owner of Blisties.

Holyoke students celebrate “Drag’em Down” homecoming.

Haxtun Conservation District and HHS ag classes host Ag Safety Day.

 

Oct. 3, 2019

New Dragon mascot named “Spike.”

Dylon Lousberg finishes third in 2019 Slackline World Cup FullCombo.

Library celebrates 50 years at Heginbotham mansion.

MMH named No. 1 healthiest organization by Modern Healthcare.

MMH Glow-a-thon raises funds, cancer awareness.

2019 homecoming queen Shianne Willmon and king Michael Ramos crowned at football game.

 

Oct. 10, 2019

Adan Barbosa Lopez arrested for attempted sexual assault on a child.

Alexandra Gada is new optometrist at MMH.

Kindra Plumb named 2019 Friend of 4-H.

Lisa Ault is new clerk of the combined courts.

 

Oct. 17, 2019

Lions Club passion for aiding blind and visually impaired people highlighted during Blindness Awareness Month.

Community educated on safety in the age of social media.

Scheunemann’s auction clears out 120-year-old local business.

Knitted Knockers group formed to knit and crochet breast prostheses for women who have undergone mastectomies.

 

Oct. 24, 2019

Established in 1986, Because nonprofit is rebooted with new board.

The Dragon Times school newspaper published weekly by junior high journalism class.

HHS softball finishes season at regional tournament.

At 98 years old, Margie Jeffers puts a lot of love into bags of goodies for trick-or-treaters.

 

Oct. 31, 2019

Londa Wernet Bradford Cancer Center opening celebrated at MMH.

Most successful CineMagic fundraiser to date nets over $30,000 for Peerless Theatre.

Caryl Harvey featured in “Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Forgiveness Fix.”

Phillips County Players present “The Bilking of Lord Bilgeworthy Or ... Froggy Went a-Courtin’.”

 

Nov. 7, 2019

Heginbotham Trust funds 13 new automated external defibrillators.

Local electors opt to change City elections to November and extend the school’s mill levy override.

Holyoke School District purchases new 14-passenger activity bus.

Sources of Strength is implemented at schools, and adults are educated too at community training.

MMHF’s Legacy of Thanks event recognizes Holyoke FFA with Outstanding Youth Volunteer Award; Linda Alberts, Outstanding Adult; Bank of Colorado, Outstanding Business; Gayln Einspahr, Outstanding Philanthropist; and Sue Razo, MMH Angel.

MMH receives 14 new AEDs from Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation.

 

Nov. 14, 2019

School board candidates elected are newcomer Justin Clayton and incumbents Chas Lengfelder, Summer Maloney and Dusty Sprague.

MMH CEO Trampas Hutches to leave the hospital at the end of the year.

A new fire truck is delivered to Holyoke Volunteer Fire Department.

Vietnam veteran Mike Hardy speaks at Veterans Day program.

HHS sends 10 to FFA national convention.

Family of Delmer Moss pays it forward with contribution to Honor Flight, giving other veterans a chance to apply for the trip.

Holyoke School District selected for Homegrown Talent Initiative.

Sew Caring teams up with JWILL Pink Village to sew pillows for patients who have had a mastectomy.

HHS volleyball competes in 2A regional tournament.

Haley Van Overbeke places first in Voice of Democracy, followed by Max Kleve, Michael Pell and Erick Marroquin.

 

Nov. 21, 2019

Highline Electric Association completes construction of Riverview solar project.

Lauren Herman and Shianne Willmon are named to All-State softball list.

Kristin Vieselmeyer and Emily Jelden receive All-Conference volleyball honors.

 

Nov. 28, 2019

HHS football finishes its season in the state semifinals.

Dragon Theatre Company’s fall musical is “Damn Yankees.”

 

Dec. 5, 2019

Cathy Harshbarger is named interim CEO at Melissa Memorial Hospital.

Kevin German and Keonna Carter are charged with first-degree murder of Annika Swanson in Chase County, Nebraska.

Pfaltzgraff Farms is named the Colorado Association of Conservation Districts’ Conservationist of the Year.

Kristin Vieselmeyer receives All-State honorable mention in volleyball.

Holyoke’s All-Conference football players are Caleb Deaver, Joey Beckner, Aidyn Shafer, Michael Ramos, Slaten Burris, Seth Watson, Miles Sprague, Blake Mosenteen, Luis Chafino and honorable mention Ethan Andersen.

 

Dec. 12, 2019

FFA serves farmers appreciation breakfast.

HHS cheerleaders compete in new game day cheer division at state spirit championships.

Dave Rice is inducted into Colorado High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

 

Dec. 19, 2019

Christmas lighting/decorating contest winners are Tina and Lane Looka, first; Roxanne and Ron Miles, second; and Olga and Jeff Sullivan, third.

At just 20 years old, Rey Reyna dies in a car accident southeast of Holyoke.

Churches team up to host a community Christmas Eve service at HHS.

Max Kleve wins district Voice of Democracy contest.

Gunsmith Gary Engels opens Victorian Arms Company at 610 S. Baxter Ave.

Group forms to address rural mental health and suicide.

 

Dec. 26, 2019

Top stories from the past decade remembered.

Shirley Hethcote of Imperial, Nebraska, writes her first children’s book, “Pokie.”

Central Plains Equipment, in conjunction with First Christian Church, helps parents give 55 bicycles as Christmas gifts for their children.

Melissa Honeycutt opens Creative Kutz by Melissa.

HHS football players on the All-State list are Aidyn Shafer, Miles Sprague, Slaten Burris, Blake Mosenteen, Seth Watson, Joey Beckner, Luis Chafino and Michael Ramos.