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Western Nebraska Observer

Western Nebraska Observer
TypeWeekly newspaper
Owner(s)Gary and Sue Stevenson
Founder(s)Charles H. Randall
FoundedMay 1, 1885
Headquarters118 E. 2nd Street Kimball, NE 69145
Websitewesternnebraskaobserver.net

The Western Nebraska Observer is a weekly newspaper covering Kimball, Nebraska and surrounding Banner County. It has a circulation of 892 copies[1] and is currently owned by Gary and Sue Stevenson.[2] The newspaper is the town's oldest continuously owned business.[3]

History

Founded May 1, 1885[4][5] by Charles H. Randall, it was the first paper in Kimball,[5] founded when the town, then called Antelopeville, had only four buildings.[6] The first issue was cranked out on Randall's old army hand press.[6] Originally dubbed the Nebraska Observer, the name was changed to the Kimball Observer after the town's name was changed from Antelopeville to Kimball.[5] In the late 1800s it passed through a series of owners, including A. B. Beard, G. L. Carlyle, R. D. Wilson, and V. B. Cargill.[5][7] While the paper's name would change several times throughout the 20th century, the paper was first called the Western Nebraska Observer in 1886.[8]

The paper moved from hand press to linotype machine in November 1915,[9] and to offset printing in 1964.[10]

Robert J Pinkerton, publisher of the paper, starting in December 1962,[3][11] was elected president of the Nebraska Press Association in 1972.[12] He had worked at the paper as an editor from 1958 forward,[12] and was a 1954 graduate of the University of Nebraska School of Journalism.[13] In 1995, while still publishing the paper, he was named master editor-publisher by the Nebraska Press Association, the highest honor awarded by that organization.[11]

References

  1. ^ "Nebraska Newspaper Locator Map | Nebraska Press Association". 2012-11-21. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  2. ^ "Western Nebraska Observer". Mondo Times.
  3. ^ a b "Paper bought by Pinkerton". Lincoln Journal Star. 2 December 1962.
  4. ^ "Kimball Newspaper Entering 67th Year". The Lincoln Star. 5 May 1951.
  5. ^ a b c d Shumway, Grant Lee (1921). History of Western Nebraska and Its People. Western Publishing & Engraving Company. p. 325.
  6. ^ a b "Kimball Observer Marks 63rd Year of Publishing". The Nebraska State Journal. 1 May 1948.
  7. ^ "[Untitled Item]". The Beattie Eagle. 9 April 1908.
  8. ^ "[Untitled Item]". The Nebraska State Journal. 5 October 1886.
  9. ^ "Nebraska Editors". Omaha Daily Bee. 4 November 1915.
  10. ^ "Nebraska's Fourth Estate". The Lincoln Star. 16 February 1964.
  11. ^ a b "Pinkerton named master editor-publisher". Lincoln Journal Star. 9 April 1995.
  12. ^ a b "Kimball Publisher Elected NPA Head". The Lincoln Star. 22 April 1972.
  13. ^ "Strange Object Sighted By Newsman". Lincoln Journal Star. 10 December 1957.