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Holyoke third-graders get their first glimpse of the solar eclipse Monday, Aug. 21. Students are pictured from left, front row, Alexx Mateo Zazo and Claire Hubbard; second row, Ricardo Goytia, Elia Wear and Sophie Rahe; and back row, Peyton Adams, Maelynn Frost, Daniela Castillo Marquez, Jackie Santiesteban and Roxy Santos. — Johnson Publications file photo

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This scorched semitruck lies on the Phillips-Logan county line, a fitting representation of the violent power of wildfires. No lives were lost in the March 6-8 incident, but extensive property damage covering 50 square miles became evident as the smoke cleared. — Johnson Publications file photo

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Holyoke High School boys basketball team, led by head coach Scott Dille, brought home the championship trophy from the 2A state tournament in Loveland, giving them bragging rights alongside the two other HHS boys teams who won the title in 2010 and 1984. Team members get their hands on the coveted trophy after defeating Sedgwick County 44-41 Saturday, March 11, in front of a massive Holyoke crowd. Emotions are running high for team members, pictured from left, in front, Austin Herman, Tyler Camblin, Arturo Dominguez and Brendan Mayden; and in back, Alex Strauss, Slaten Burris, M.J. Taylor, Wyatt McCallum and Anthony Beltran. — Johnson Publications file photo

Goodbye, 2017!

Take a look back at the top headlines of the year

Jan. 5, 2017
    Jim and Mary Tomky visit the Australian wheat belt during its harvest time.
    Phillips County assessed value is $91,193,806, down nearly $2.8 million from a year ago. Mill levy increased from 27.43 mills for 2015 to 28.28 mills for 2016.
    Nohemi’s Mexican Grill opened Dec. 21, 2016, at 242 W. Denver St.
    The Okee Dokee Brothers are nominated for another Best Children’s Album Grammy for their latest album, “Saddle Up.”
    MMH announces the hiring of an in-house optometrist, Dr. Tim Meyer.
    MMH chooses a new electronic health records system, Athena, which will streamline everything from mail stuffing to report generation.  
    
Jan. 12, 2017
    Allyn and Sheila Robinson’s R&B Catering expands into a permanent establishment, as Happy Jacks Barbeque opens at 130 E. Denver St.
    Phillips County Judge Kim Killin and Phillips County commissioners Don Lock and Harlan Stern are sworn into office.
    Gospel favorites light up the stage as the Phillips County Players perform the third installment of the Sanders family cast in “Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming.”
    Sen. Jerry Sonnenberg of Sterling takes on a new role in the state Senate as president pro tempore. It is a full-time role in which he will facilitate communications among members of the Republican Senate caucus as well as with members of the House.
    
Jan. 19, 2017
    Kaylee Michael takes part in a two-week Italian archeological course, piecing together ancient ceramics in Montelupo, Italy.
    Deputy Sheriff Ryan Williams joins the Phillips County Sheriff’s Office.
    Haxtun Church of the Brethren celebrates its 100th anniversary.
    PC Telcom receives a $55,400 grant from the Broadband Deployment Board to provide broadband in Sedgwick County.
    Jessy Mosqueda makes her mark in wrestling as she wins the first-ever all-girls championship in Colorado in the 101-pound weight bracket.
    Craig Krueger joins Printers Paper & More for computer service and sales.

Jan. 26, 2017
    Traveling Giant Map of Colorado makes its 77th 2016-17 tour stop at Holyoke Elementary, teaching geography skills through games and activities.
    Northeast Colorado native Ryan Berges attends President Donald Trump’s inauguration in Washington, D.C.
    Ballyneal Golf Club climbs the ranks as one of the finest inland links courses in the nation, reaching No. 50 in Golf Digest’s America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses list.
    
Feb. 2, 2017
    Phillips County Commissioner Joe Kinnie is elected as new chairman for 2017.
    Friends of the NRA holds first Phillips County fundraising banquet.
    Karen Nuñez and Brenden Kage are named queen and king at the recently revived Snowball Dance at HHS.
    Ron and Sherry Mari receive the Colorado Simmental Association President’s Award at the National
    Western Stock Show in Denver. Also at the NWSS, Kaylee Camblin receives a $1,500 grant from the Colorado FFA Foundation.
    Dr. Biff Gore, finalist from “The Voice,” performs at A Caring Pregnancy Resource Center annual fundraising banquet at the Phillips County Events Center.
    
Feb. 9, 2017
    Rocketing rates of Influenza A lead to closed doors at Holyoke School District Re-1J Friday, Feb. 3, to allow students and staff time to recover and a chance to disinfect the schools. Eighty-eight students and seven staff members were absent Thursday, Feb. 2, largely due to illness.
    Community members recognized at Chamber of Commerce Gala include Holyoke Fitness Club, LLC, Business of the Year; Josh Skelton, Employee of the Year; Morgan Philips, Youth of the Year; Adria Colver and Aly Brinkema, Citizens of the Year; Holyoke Lions Club, Citizens of the Years; and Melissa Memorial Hospital, Star of the Year.
    EMS pediatric packs are to be auctioned off at the 2017 MMHF Legacy Event, providing a new and meaningful way to give. The standardized packs for each ambulance will be auctioned off at the event to be donated back to the EMS department for use.
    Baucke Funeral Home of Holyoke and Yuma assumes the operations of Tennant funeral homes in Haxtun and Holyoke.
    Alex Vieselmeyer presents his winning debate team’s opening statement at the Capitol during the 4-H Leadership Development Conference.
    Aly Brinkema is named Tri-Valley Conference Coach of the Year for the 2016-17 girls swimming season, and Emily Krogmeier is named the league’s Swimmer of the Year.
    Two relays and six individual events are qualified for the first-ever Colorado 3A state swimming competition. Emily Krogmeier, Regan Van Overbeke, Lali Marquez and Anna Jelden qualified as a team in both the 200-yard medley relay and 200-yard freestyle relay. In individual events, Krogmeier also qualified in the 50-yard freestyle, 100-yard freestyle and 200-yard individual medley; Van Overbeke, 500-yard freestyle; and Marquez, 50-yard freestyle and 100-yard butterfly.
    
Feb. 16, 2017

    MMHF 2017 Legacy Event “Titanic Grandeur,” is a titanic success, raising $82,225.
    Stan Kreider announces his retirement after 14 years as Holyoke School District’s maintenance director, effective Sept. 1.
    A new school website is in place, www.hcosd.org, along with a mobile app for the site.
    Allen Reuter’s $86,200 per year bid for a three-year lease on a half-section of city farm ground was accepted at the Holyoke City Council meeting.
    A community meeting was held to air grievances and discuss ways to improve the local EMS department.
    HHS’s Knowledge Bowl team, coached by Josh and Amber Schroetlin, qualifies for the state competition in Fort Collins.
    FBLA members Emily Jelden, Shianne Willmon and Josie Herman encourage citizens to shop locally through their “Holyoke Grown” American Enterprise project.
    HHS wrestlers Jesus Trejo and Antoni Martinez qualify for the Big Show 2A state wrestling tournament. Trejo earned 120-lb. regional runner-up honors and Martinez finished fourth at 195 lbs. to qualify.
    Emily Krogmeier finishes 11th place in the 100-yard freestyle at the first 3A state swimming championship.
    
Feb. 23, 2017
    Girl Scouts celebrate the 100th anniversary of Girl Scout cookie sales in the U.S.
    Jes-c French joins the Holyoke Enterprise staff as a reporter.
    
March 2, 2017
    Legal description of the “pit” area involved in the lawsuit between Rupert and Claire O’Neal and the City of Holyoke is the focus for an evidentiary hearing granted by Judge Charles Hobbs in Phillips County District Court. Hobbs took over the case following District Court Judge Douglas R. Vannoy’s retirement June 30, 2016.
    Victoria Timm begins March 1 as the City of Holyoke’s first full-time recreation director.
    
March 9, 2017
    Over 30,000 acres burn in a massive grass fire through Logan and Phillips counties March 6-8, fueled by high winds. The fire began near Proctor around 11:30 a.m. Monday and spread southeast  near Fleming and toward Haxtun. Caliche, Fleming and Haxtun schools were evacuated Monday, and Haxtun and Holyoke schools closed Tuesday when containment remained a concern.
    Three members of the Holyoke Police Department were injured in the arrest of Rene Nevarez.
    District Wildlife Manager Kyle Gordon is a new Parks & Wildlife employee in Phillips and Sedgwick counties.
    The Good Morning Guys of K99, Todd Harding, Brian Gary and Susan Moore, are to be inducted into the Country Music Radio Hall of Fame. Harding is a 1984 HHS graduate, and Gary is the father of Holyoke resident Nick Flaa.
    Casey Gerk, chairman of the CHS Grainland board of directors, retires after 21 years on the board.
    HHS boys basketball is state bound for the fourth year running, defeating Byers for the regional championship.
    
March 16, 2017
    Holyoke Dragon boys basketball claims the state title in dramatic fashion, winning against Fowler 43-38, defeating Paonia 64-63 in overtime and finally conquering rival Sedgwick County 44-41 in the Colorado 2A state championship.
    Recovery begins after the March 6-8 wildfire. A total of 32,563 acres were lost, as well as four homes and 13 outbuildings.
    Holyoke JR/SR High School Principal Susan Ortner submits her formal notice of retirement, effective June 30, 2017. The board approved her working two 110-day contracts for the 2017-18 school year to allow the administration the chance to conduct a search and find a replacement for the principal position.
    After extensive negotiation, a final settlement agreement for the health plan with the Boards of Education Self-funded Trust will see Holyoke Re-1J School District paying back $200,000, to be made in installments of $40,000 over five years. The settlement is down from what BEST was saying was a $620,000 debt.
    
March 23, 2017
    Agenda Club celebrates 70 years of service, camaraderie and broom sales.
    Lions Club kids’ fishing clinic celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Lions Fishin’ Hole just east of Holyoke.
    Seven HHS students compete at the State Knowledge Bowl.
    Erin Vieselmeyer finishes record-breaking basketball season at Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska.
    Tyler Camblin and Wyatt McCallum take gold in FFA supervised agriculture experience programs.
    
March 30, 2017
    FCCLA members conduct Every 15 Minutes program for HHS students.
    Cara Wilson holds “I’ll Drop You Off” book signing for her late husband, Kris Wilson.
    Austin Herman is awarded full-ride Boettcher Scholarship.
    Kayla Marshall and Morgan Philips named Daniels Scholarship recipients.
    Scott Dille is Colorado 2A boys basketball Coach of the Year.
    Austin Herman, Alex Strauss and Gunnar Kroeger make Colorado 2A All-State basketball teams.
    HHS drama department presents “Witness for the Prosecution.”
    
April 6, 2017
    Austin Vieselmeyer tours agriculture facilities in India with Colorado state FFA officers.
    East Phillips County Hospital Board supports land donation for Holyoke Child Care Initiative.
    Pedro Jofre hired as the new pastor for Spanish services at Zion Lutheran Church.
    Grace Dille is All-Conference and Emily Jelden receives honorable mention in LPAA 2A basketball.
    
April 13, 2017
    Wes White joins Melissa Memorial Hospital as CFO.
    Katie Gerk uses a sit ski to hit the slopes with Adaptive Recreation for Childhood Health program.
    Holyoke City Council approves an ordinance for a 10 p.m. curfew at City Park in response to a recent rash of late-night vandalism.
    Holyoke Elementary School and the Skillet are recognized by Northeast Colorado Health Department for excellence in food safety.
    Monthly dermatologist services offered at MMH.
    Austin Herman breaks school boys basketball records for career blocks, most rebounds in a game and free-throw percentage in a state tournament. M.J. Taylor broke the record for single-season 3-point field goal percentage.
    
April 20, 2017
    New evidence in the case of Kelsie Schelling’s disappearance is unearthed while excavating the backyard of Donthe Lucas’ former residence in Pueblo.
    Haxtun wildfire benefit raises over $150,000.
    Twenty FCCLA members qualify for the national conference in Nashville, Tennessee.
    Lynette Hudiburgh, former HHS math teacher, receives the E. Phillip Knox Distinguished Teaching Award.
    Tate Dille, Alex Strauss, Kayla Marshall, Austin Herman and Luke Krogmeier place in NJC math and science contest.

April 27, 2017
    Brenda Brandt named Colorado Newspaper Person of the Year at the Colorado Press Association’s annual convention.
    New speed limit is 45 mph on paved portion of County Road 41, where an auto-pedestrian accident claimed the life of Cassidy Hale in September 2015.
    Patrick Svoboda arrested on charges of fourth-degree arson and reckless endangerment in starting the Logan/Phillips wildfire.
    Eleven individuals from North Platte, Nebraska, to Wray were arrested on charges including conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, felon in possession of a firearm and money laundering.
    The Enterprise brings home 11 awards from CPA convention.
    FBLA qualifies six for national convention.
    Optometrist Tim Meyer begins work at the new Holyoke Family Eye Care Clinic at MMH.
    Happy Jacks receives Best BBQ in Northeast Colorado award from Discover Northeast Colorado.
    Northeast BOCES receives Creating Healthy Schools grant to promote health and wellness.
    
May 4, 2017
    Emerald Award winners are Yesenia Bencomo, Leader Among Us; Scott Dille, Heart Award; and Cristine Mallari, Innovator of the Year.
    The former Cedar Inn is demolished, 70 years after being built.
    Prom king and queen are Anthony Beltran and Anna Jelden.
    
May 11, 2017
    Grace Dille qualifies for the first ever Colorado 3A girls state golf tournament.
    Holyoke Marketplace opens new deli for grab-and-go meal options.
    Colorado Health Information Management Association recognizes MMH’s Julie Kinner as a rising star in the industry.
    Phillips County Raceway season opens with 73 cars through the gate.
    
May 18, 2017
    Deputy J.R. Myers joins Phillips County Sheriff’s Office.
    Forty-four graduate from HHS, with Logan Osborne as valedictorian and Austin Herman as salutatorian. Juana Penzing and Alex Strauss receive citizenship awards.
    Phillips County receives $550,000 Energy Impact grant for Pavilion and Education Center.
    Veterans Stan Fisher and George Browning honored as participants in 18th Northern Colorado Honor Flight.
    Grace Dille receives All-Conference golf honors, and Brenna Sullivan receives honorable mention.
    Eight qualify for Colorado 2A state track, including Brook Prottsman, Taylor Hendrix, Kyra Loutensock, Jacky Mosqueda, Taeryn Trumper, Emily Jelden, Josie Herman and Luis Chafino.
    HHS baseball qualifies for regionals.
    Gunnar Kroeger receives the Paul Krumm award as an outstanding student who has made a difference in the life of a student with a disability.
    
May 25, 2017
    Holyoke School District receives one-time $212,409 boost as a result of Senate Bill 17-267.
    The City works with University of Colorado engineering students to draw up conceptual plans for new fire and police buildings.
    Phillips County Players present “Play On!”
    At the state track meet, Taeryn Trumper places second in long jump, fifth in the 100 meter dash and fifth in the 200 meter dash. Emily Jelden ties for fourth in pole vault. The girls 4x400 meter relay, made up of Jelden, Trumper, Josie Herman and Brook Prottsman, places sixth.
    Nancy Miles is named outstanding special education teacher by Northeast BOCES.
    
June 1, 2017

    Tyler Camblin earns full-ride Colorado Garden Foundation Scholarship.
    Gunnar Kroeger, Brenden Kage, Tristan Sullivan and Brendan Mayden earn baseball All-Conference.
    
June 8, 2017
    Nine-day Trans-Nebraska Tractor Relay begins in Holyoke.
    Milton and Leona Oltjenbruns celebrate 70th anniversary.
    Gov. John Hickenlooper signs the hospital provider fee bill.
    Over $265,000 donated to Logan/Phillips County Fire victims is disbursed.
    Lopez Party Rentals opens for business.
    HHS is represented by 34 students in the Bolder Boulder.
    Fidget spinner craze hits Holyoke.
    Holyoke Volunteer Fire Department places first in the six-man district fire races.
    
June 15, 2017

    Building New Bridges sees a smaller crowd this year.
    New K-12 reading curriculum purchased by Holyoke School District.
    New rail, ties and ballast are laid at Highway 385 railroad crossing.
    Twenty-one visit New York City and Washington D.C. on Travel First Explore America tour.
    Mike Grauberger named next CEO of Premier Farm Credit.
    Disruptive Distributed Denial of Service attack targets Zyxel routers and leaves many without internet access.
    Seaboard Foods is the official Operation BBQ Relief premier pork supplier for 2017, supporting natural disaster relief efforts.
    Gunnar Kroeger makes All-State baseball second team, and Brenden Kage receives honorable mention.
    Alex Strauss plays in Colorado High School Coaches Association All-State basketball game.
    The Enterprise wins first in the National Newspaper Association 2017 Better Newspaper Contest for the Emerald Awards special section.

June 22, 2017
    Father Jerry Rohr is new priest at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.
    Sgt. Mark Werts delivers medical supplies and offers training to police officers in El Salvador.
    Deaver Guns & Ammo one of many in the Centennial Mental Health Gun Shop Project to display suicide prevention materials.
    Alex Vieselmeyer attends FFA Washington Leadership Conference.
    State FFA degrees awarded to Tyler Camblin, Gunnar Kroeger, Wyatt McCallum and Brendan Mayden.
    Phillips County Museum hosts Take Apart Day.
    First official Relay for Life of Northeast Colorado in Sterling raises $30,000.
    
June 29, 2017

    Vicki Ocken writes “Vintage Trailer Voyeur: A Peek Inside the Unique Custom Trailer Culture.”
    Cross Eyed Cow frozen yogurt shop opens in Olde Holyoke Square.
    Dylon Lousberg qualifies for the Slackline World Cup in Japan after competing in the GoPro Mountain Games in Vail.
    Phillips County Players children’s theatre workshop performs “Booked.”
    
July 6, 2017
    MMH CEO Trampas Hutches represents Colorado Hospital Association against the Better Care Reconciliation Act at the State Capitol.
    Regan Van Overbeke attends National Rural Electric Youth Tour in Washington, D.C.
    
July 13, 2017
    Garrett Stephenson was fatally shot in an altercation with his roommate, Jon McMartin, at their home in Holyoke.
    Phillips County Fair Queen Kaitlyn Kent prepares for “A Barn-Raising Good Time” fair.
    Betty and Howard Hunter celebrate 70 years of marriage.
    Five FFCLA members earn gold and eight earn silver at FCCLA National Leadership Conference.
    Steve Young is reappointed to the State Agricultural Commission.
    Mariah Pell attends Congress of Future Medical Physicians at the University of Massachusetts in Lowell.
    Anna Jelden, Dominique Penzing and Grace Dille attend Colorado Girls State, and Drew Stewart, Brandon Nevarez, Luke Krogmeier and Jarrett Woodhead attended Colorado Boys State.
    
July 20, 2017
    HHS alumnus Robbie Doman appears on American Ninja Warrior.
    Twelve-hole Mulligan Course opens at Ballyneal in honor of the late Charlie Mulligan, the club’s original caddie.
    USS Arizona Mall Memorial honors 1,177 killed on the USS Arizona in the attack on Pearl Harbor. That includes two Holyoke natives, Richard Allen Owens and John Virgel Zeiler.
    
July 27, 2017
    New parish hall and narthex completed at St. Patrick Catholic Church.
    Grand marshals Clark and Laverne Starkebaum lead Phillips County Fair parade.
    Judge Charles Hobbs ruled with the City of Holyoke in defining the easement boundary for the “pit” area involved in a lawsuit between Rupert and Claire O’Neal and the City.
    
Aug. 3, 2017
    Phillips County Raceway hosts fan appreciation night with motocross.
    BOCES director of special projects Arlene Salyards receives Friend of Technology Award.
    Austin Vieselmeyer takes first in National Junior Angus Show judging contest.
    
Aug. 10, 2017
    Holyoke School District to pilot Student-Centered Accountability Program.
    Phillips County Pavilion project receives $30,000 capital grant from the Boettcher Foundation.
    Sharon Greenman, HR director at MMH, is workers’ compensation manager of the year.
    Kyla Steinman evangelizes on a mission trip to Northern Ireland.
    Kaylee Ham spends semester in Sydney, Australia, for study abroad program.
    
Aug. 17, 2017
    Eight join the Holyoke teaching staff, including seven teachers and an elementary school counselor.
    Scott Dille honored as an influential teacher at Boettcher scholar program.
    Phillips County Players present “Baker Street Irregulars.”
    Mothers of Preschoolers group begins.
    Jaime and Elvira Parra open Los Parra’s Mexican restaurant at 116 N. Interocean.
    Kelley Sullivan joins the Enterprise staff as a reporter.
    
Aug. 24, 2017
    Historic Great American Eclipse viewed by many Aug. 21.
    Holyoke police involved in high speed chase that ended 6 miles into Nebraska on Highway 6. Two hostages were released.
    First-day K-12 count is 580 students, down nine from 2016.
    4-H member Megan Walker wins overall grand champion in photography at Colorado State Fair.
    $13,000 raised at EMS Golf Tournament to fund a paramedic scholarship in memory of Stan Willmon and for EMS uniforms.
    
Aug. 31, 2017
    Holyoke Lions Club celebrates 75 years of community service.
    Phillips County Family Education Services teams up with Northeastern Junior College to provide ESL and GED classes for local residents.
    Over 50 percent of Colorado school districts now approved for four-day school week.
    Drew Stewart recovers after accident with a semitruck that resulted in spinal fractures, among other injuries.
    Hail strips corn and millet fields southeast of Holyoke.
    
Sept. 7, 2017
    Exchange students Julia Pagola from Spain and Marvin Canitz from Germany are welcomed at HHS.
    Phillips County Pavilion and Education Center is awarded $125,000 grant from the Daniels Fund.
    HHS hosts a four-part sexting and sexual health workshop for parents, community members, teachers and students.
    Chelsey Salyards PT, DPT, begins offering physical therapy services at Koch Chiropractic Clinic on Aug. 31.
    
Sept. 14, 2017
    New specialized “experience classroom” for students with significant support needs is added to Holyoke JR/SR high.
    Gene Bittner fills city council vacancy left by J.C. Peckham.
    Students celebrate homecoming with “Imagine the Dragons” theme.
    Christina Martinez is recognized as Elementary Art Educator of the Year in Colorado.
    FFA receives $25,000 America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education grant for Expanding our Roots greenhouse project.
    Flag football program is added to new City recreation department.
    New Golden Plains Recreation Center youth gaming room opens in Peerless Center basement.
    
Sept. 21, 2017
    M&L Oltjenbruns Farms receives Colorado Centennial Farm designation at the state fair.
    Dominique Penzing and Tyler Lamm are crowned 2017 HHS homecoming king and queen.
    Xander Speicher, Trey Bennett and Eli Meakins compete at regional golf.
    
Sept. 28, 2017
    Police officers Joe Marcum and Mark Werts receive Outstanding Service and Lifesaving Awards from the Fraternal Order of the Police for their response to Jeremiah Krieger’s gunshot wound Oct. 22, 2016.
    Baby Bear Hugs begins Baby Box University program to give babies a safe start to life.
    
Oct. 5, 2017
    The historic bell is reinstalled at the mini park as renovations near completion.
    MMH successfully implements new Athena Health electronic records management system Sept. 19.
    Rupert and Claire O’Neal file appeal with the Colorado Court of Appeals with regard to the lawsuit with the city of Holyoke.
    Caryl Harvey makes history come alive with “Katy and Molly: from the tenements to the Titanic” program.
    M&L Oltjenbruns Farms Scholarship established through the College of Agricultural Sciences at Colorado State University-Fort Collins.
    Denean Fuesz is recognized as 2017 Friend of 4-H.
    
Oct. 12, 2017
    Wages Church, south of Paoli, celebrates 100th anniversary.
    Beau Waln’s recovery continues a month and a half after an ATV accident that included nine broken vertebrae.
    Jason Koberstein is recognized for having the largest herd of registered Angus beef cattle in Colorado. Gale and Cynthia Haynes ranked second-largest.
    LaVonne Dalton and family are honored as 50-year Broncos season ticket holders.
    Cierra Sullivan qualifies to represent Team USA at the International Triathalon Union competition in Odense, Denmark.
    Holyoke schools launch the 100 Mile Club with the entire student body taking laps around the track.
    
Oct. 19, 2017
    Kevin Scott returns home after a successful liver transplant.
    John McMartin receives a 20-year sentence for the murder of Garrett Stephenson.
    Pleasant Valley Community Center — formerly Pleasant Valley Ball Park — is dissolved by vote at a community meeting.
    Speer Cushion Co. closes after 59 years of business.
    Ballyneal and the City of Holyoke recreation department partner to offer holiday cooking classes.
    Kendall Kroeger is trapshooting champion of champions and rookie of the year.
    
Oct. 26, 2017
    Dunkard Cemetery, southeast of Amherst, is restored, and unmarked graves are found.
    PC Telcom prepares to discontinue Basic Cable TV package Jan. 1, following national trend of “cutting the cord.”
    Lutheran churches celebrate 500th anniversary of the Reformation.
    HHS graduate Preston King and his girlfriend Courtney Carver forced to evacuate due to Nunns Fire in California.
    
Nov. 2, 2017
    Sale ring, beef barn and hog/sheep building demolished to make way for Pavilion and Education Center at the fairgrounds.
    MMH is recognized as the third-best critical access hospital in Colorado.
    GPRC/Peerless Center’s CineMagic fundraiser is a Halloween masquerade. Phillips County Players entertained guests with “Cheating Death.”
    Ron Lock and Cooper Goldenstein are on the road to recovery after being seriously injured in a vehicle accident.
    Dorothy (Ortner) Horrell is inducted into the 2018 Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame.
    HJHS robotics team attends Golden Plains Robotics BEST competition in Sterling.
    
Nov. 9, 2017
    HHS graduate Jennifer Willard makes over 500 heart-shaped seat belt pillows to give to women leaving the hospital after breast cancer surgery,
    Phillips County Sheriff Rob Urbach resigns after 15 years.
    Jon Kleve, Patricia Wiebers and Trampas Hutches are elected to Re-1J school board.
    “Night on Broadway” is announced as the 2018 MMHF Legacy event theme.
    Eric Luedke shoots bull elk near the Phillips County landfill.
    Josilyn Lutze, Sidney Struckmeyer, Nicholas Ortner and Austin Vieselmeyer earn American FFA degrees. Wyatt McCallum is national Agricultural Proficiency Awards finalist at national convention.
    
Nov. 16, 2017
    HHS alumnus and Army veteran Robbie Doman is speaker at HHS Veterans Day program.
    Holyoke City Council approves addition of fifth police officer.
    Pat Wiebers is elected to serve as school board president, Dusty Sprague vice president, Summer Maloney secretary and Trampas Hutches treasurer.
    Drew Stewart places first in the local Voice of Democracy contest, followed by Tayler Hale, Dylan Miles and Brenna Gatton.
    Holyoke Lumber is opened by Martin and Rosa Montelongo.
    Trisha Herman is hired as director at Phillips County Economic Development Corporation.
    New general manager at the Peerless Theatre is Katie Andersen.
    MMHF’s Legacy of Thanks event recognizes Kimberlee Bennett and Linda Statz as outstanding adult volunteers; Dominique Penzing and Juana Penzing as outstanding youth; Michael Auction Service outstanding business; the Jelden family (Dennis, Linda, Anna and Emily) outstanding philanthropist; and Sharon Greenman, Mary Kay Knode and Diana Baeza “angel” award recipients. A patient room designation also recognizes the Wernet family.
    Grace Dille and Taeryn Trumper earn All-Conference volleyball honors.
    Holyoke softball’s Molly Brown earns All-State honorable mention. Brown, Julia Casady and Hailey Mavis are All-Conference.
    Colorado Association of School Boards McGuffey Award goes to Kris Camblin after 11 years of service.
    
Nov. 23, 2017
    Kept in limbo for nearly two weeks due to computer malfunction and required voter signature verification, the Holyoke Fire Protection District’s mill levy increase was approved in a slim 205-202 vote.
    The Salvation Army’s red kettle campaign comes to Holyoke for the first time, with a goal to raise $1,500 for the community.
    Colorado Livestock Association names Sen. Jerry Sonnenberg 2017 Legislator of the Year.
    Bruce Rosenbach is named Conservationist of the Year by the Haxtun Conservation District.
    HHS drama department presents “Spamalot.”
    Jesus Trejo, Seth Watson and Slaten Burris are football All-Conference. Luke Krogmeier receives honorable mention.
    Dusty Sprague receives the Silver Anniversary Team award from the National Football Foundation.
    
Nov. 20, 2017
    Susanne Drescher facilitates the mailing of 800 Christmas cards through Prayer for Prisoners International.
    Thom Elliott is sworn in as Phillips County Sheriff.
    Crop Production Services purchases Lamar Fertilizer from the Dillan family.
    Elementary students collect 90 pairs of shoes and $114.43 for school supplies for students in need.
    Allen Strong and Rudy Haynes win Nebraska One Box Pheasant Hunt in Broken Bow.
    
Dec. 7, 2017
    Donthe Lucas is arrested in Pueblo on first-degree murder charges in Kelsie Schelling’s case.
    The Association of Colorado County Administrators recognizes Randy Schafer as County Administrator of the Year.
    A contract between the United States Postal Service and Amazon increases the number of packages delivered by Holyoke carriers to 200-300 per day.
    Community shares in March of the Toys Country Christmas.
    Painting by Jimena Nuñez is featured in Colorado Kids Create “If I had a Wagon” book.
    
Dec. 14, 2017
    Rick Unrein, general manager at CHS Grainland, retires after 35-year career.
    CHS Grainland donates land to the City for a new fire hall.
    Trish McClain is the new public health director at Northeast Colorado Health Department.
    
Dec. 21, 2017
    National Finals Rodeo Gala nets close to $5,000 for Pavilion and Education Center.
    Helena Chemical Company purchases Centennial Ag Supply Co.
    Nancy Berges retires from Highline Electric Association after 53 years there.
    Late ’80s sound system is replaced at HHS auditorium for a major upgrade.  
    Christmas lighting/decoration contest winners are Jeff and Olga Sullivan, first; Ben and Kayla Kafka, second; and Thom and Julie Elliott, third.

Dec. 28, 2017
    Kim Killin and Michelle Van Overbeke address Holyoke School Board with concerns about information potentially withheld from the board, as well as compliance with behavior and/or safety plans.
    Holyoke City Council approves the purchase of a new crack seal machine for $52,397.78.
    Holyoke School District’s ending fund balance drops $952,907 but is expected to correct itself next year due to expense adjustments.
    Mike Neill’s State Farm Insurance plans move from Denver Street to empty building at 118 N. Interocean Avenue.
    Maria Rivas and Jorge and Deisy Guadarrama open Chayos Mexican Food at 430 E. Denver St.
    High Plains Picker offers ever-changing selection of antiques and vintage goods.

Holyoke Enterprise

970-854-2811 (Phone)

130 N Interocean Ave
PO Box 297
Holyoke CO 80734