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]
| Type | Weekly newspaper |
|---|---|
| Owner(s) | Gary and Sue Stevenson |
| Founder(s) | Charles H. Randall |
| Founded | May 1, 1885 |
| Headquarters | 118 E. 2nd Street Kimball, NE 69145 |
| Website | westernnebraskaobserver |
History
editFounded 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
edit- ^ "Nebraska Newspaper Locator Map | Nebraska Press Association". 2012-11-21. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
- ^ "Western Nebraska Observer". Mondo Times.
- ^ a b "Paper bought by Pinkerton". Lincoln Journal Star. 2 December 1962.
- ^ "Kimball Newspaper Entering 67th Year". The Lincoln Star. 5 May 1951.
- ^ a b c d Shumway, Grant Lee (1921). History of Western Nebraska and Its People. Western Publishing & Engraving Company. p. 325.
- ^ a b "Kimball Observer Marks 63rd Year of Publishing". The Nebraska State Journal. 1 May 1948.
- ^ "[Untitled Item]". The Beattie Eagle. 9 April 1908.
- ^ "[Untitled Item]". The Nebraska State Journal. 5 October 1886.
- ^ "Nebraska Editors". Omaha Daily Bee. 4 November 1915.
- ^ "Nebraska's Fourth Estate". The Lincoln Star. 16 February 1964.
- ^ a b "Pinkerton named master editor-publisher". Lincoln Journal Star. 9 April 1995.
- ^ a b "Kimball Publisher Elected NPA Head". The Lincoln Star. 22 April 1972.
- ^ "Strange Object Sighted By Newsman". Lincoln Journal Star. 10 December 1957.