The Atkinson Graphic VOL. 137 - Rural School Closes Doors, Hoffman Health Update, and Community Events - July 23, 2020

Sep 24, 2026

Upload by Blitz

The Atkinson Graphic issue dated Thursday, July 23, 2020 reports local school and community developments in Holt County. It describes the decision to close District 74R Union School, outlines background reasons involving enrollment and preschool needs, and mentions a district transition plan. The paper also covers health news about Atkinson resident Andy Hoffman and updates drawn from his social media. Additional community information includes blood drive scheduling, graduation coverage for Stuart Public School, and a website redesign launching a new mobile app.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryPresentations

FormatPDF

Pages10

Reading Time4 min

AccessFree to download

Officers sworn in

Rural school closes doors

Hoffman stricken with brain tumor

Blood drive to be held in O’Neill July 27

Stuart holds graduation ceremony

Graphic launches mobile app

TheAtkinson Graphic 75¢ VOL. 137 ATKINSON, HOLT COUNTY, NEBRASKA • THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2020 NO. 30 Officers sworn in . . . Atkinson Farley Tushla American Legion Post 86 swore in their Vice Commander Gerry Bouska and Commander Jake Dvorak on Thursday June 11 at their originally scheduled monthly meeting. Photo courtesy Ken Stenka This photo was from the September 4 , 1964 issue of The Atkinson Graphic. The photo was by Mrs. Merrill Anderson. Rural school closes doors By Lorraine Lieswald, Atkinson Graphic reporter For the first time in almost 140 years Holt County won’t have a rural school that is open. When school opens this fall the last remaining rural school in the county, District 74R Union School's doors will be closed, according to West Holt Public Schools superintendent Paul Pistulka. “Closing Union School was basi- building and land will be dealt with appropriately in line with all Nebraska laws and statutes. As yet the board has not had thorough time to address what will happen with the building (Union) or the site. The school does not intend to keep the land or building for district use. “West Holt Public Schools’ preschool was forced to expand due to demand in our community,” Pistulka said. “Several years ago, when we began our high needs program at Hoffman stricken with brain tumor News was beginning to be reported on the afternoon of Tuesday, July 21 concerning the health of Atkinson local, Andy Hoffman, and an announcement he made on his private social media page on Tuesday. Hoffman reported on his page that this past Sunday he had been out running and suffered a seizure that led to the discovery of a massive brain tumor. Hoffman said that he was currently at the Mayo Clinic “developing a plan ofattack.” Hoffman and his family gained national attention a number of years ago, with the diagnosis of their son, Jack’s, own pediatric brain cancer, which led to the nationally recognized TeamJack organization, which has been partnered with the University of Nebraska Husker football team and many athletes and leaders to support the discovery of a cure for pediatric brain cancer. From Hoffman’s page: “After spending the last 9 years helping my son with his fight with brain cancer, and many others, I have now learned first hand what these people have gone through.” Updates will be reported when it is tactful to do so to respect the family’s time together. Blood drive to bein O’Neill July 27 LifeServe Blood Center is asking community members to book an appointment to give blood in O’Neill on Monday, July 27 [from 12:30 p.m. to](from 12:30 p.m. to)[ ](from 12:30 p.m. to)[5:30 p](5:30 p).m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall located at 410 W. Douglas. Appointments are required. Schedule a blood donation appointment online at lifeservebloodcenter.org or call 800-287-4903. Only donors with temperatures under 99.5 will be allowed to donate. Blood donors are required to wear a mask for the duration of their appointment. Donors who do not have masks will be provided with one. Members of the 2020 graduating class of Stuart High School were front, Brad ly Miksch, Colton Kaup, Alex Jarecke, and Reaghan Engel; middle row, Logan Reynolds, Grant Pease, and Lainey Paxton; back row, Morgan Wallinger, Madison Stracke, and Tyler Steinhauser. Courtesy Photo Stuart holds graduation ceremony Commencement exercises were held at Stuart Public School on Saturday, July 18th at 10:00 [a.m. in](a.m. in) the school gymnasium. “You can fail at what you don’t want, so you might as well take a chance at doing what you love” was the motto chosen by the class of 2020, consisting of 10 graduates. Class colors were light blue, royal blue and white and the class flower was a white daisy. Valedictorian Madison Stracke and Co-Salutatorians Reaghan Engel and Colton Kaup gave addresses. Gary Olberding, Board of Education President, presented the diplomas. The Stuart American Legion Post \#115 cit

FAQs

Why is Union School in Holt County closing?

The superintendent says the rural school will close because it is no longer serving enough students, with enrollment expected to remain low. The district also expands preschool capacity at West Holt, reducing the need for the Union School attendance center.

What health update was shared about Andy Hoffman?

Andy Hoffman reported that he had been running, suffered a seizure, and doctors discovered a massive brain tumor. He said he was at the Mayo Clinic developing a plan of attack.

When and how can community members schedule blood donation appointments in O’Neill?

Appointments are required for a LifeServe Blood Center blood drive on Monday, July 27 from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall at 410 W. Douglas, and appointments can be booked online or by phone.

Sep 24, 2026

Upload by Blitz