Published Saturday May 1, 2010
THE PUBLIC PULSE (Letters to the Editor)
OMAHA WORLD-HERALD

An April 27 news story on Whiteclay, Neb., commendably focused on the cleanup efforts taking place. (more…)

Published Tuesday April 27, 2010
BY PAUL HAMMEL
OMAHA WORLD-HERALD

LINCOLN — Officials hope a weekend cleanup in the notorious border town of Whiteclay, Neb., will lead to more cleanups and a renewed effort to increase law enforcement. (more…)

Published Sunday April 25, 2010
BY KEVIN ABOUREZK
LINCOLN JOURNAL STAR

WHITECLAY – Jack Andersen pulled beer cans and plastic bottles from a flooded ditch Saturday, trying to make a dent in the pile of garbage that had collected for untold months and years in a neglected corner of this village near Pine Ridge, S.D. (more…)

Published Tuesday March 30, 2010
STAFF EDITORIAL
SCOTTSBLUFF STAR HERALD

SCOTTSBLUFF, NEB. — Over the years we’ve grown skeptical of efforts to “solve” the problem of beer sales in Whiteclay.

Much of the noise seems calculated to promote the careers of celebrity “activists” rather than address the real problem, which is rampant alcoholism on the nearby Pine Ridge Reservation. Critics of the beer merchants have always found it convenient to overlook that those buying the beer are willing customers who would simply look elsewhere if the Whiteclay stores were shut down. (more…)

Published Monday March 29, 2010
BY PAUL HAMMEL
OMAHA WORLD-HERALD

LINCOLN — After years of effort and scores of meetings, there is good news about Whiteclay, the Nebraska border town known as the “skid row of the Plains”:

– The Oglala Sioux Tribe, along with a group of Nebraskans, announced success in a complicated six-year effort to locate a 70-bed nursing home near Whiteclay.

– A faith-based nonprofit is getting a $30,000 federal stimulus grant to create jobs by starting a recycling business, greenhouse and possibly a day-labor endeavor.

– A religious-based group that runs a soup kitchen and craft mall in Whiteclay is holding a communitywide cleanup April 22 through 25. It will be funded by a $10,000 grant from the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office. (more…)

Published Saturday February 6, 2010
STAFF EDITORIAL
LINCOLN JOURNAL STAR

In a year in which spending measures are squashed in the Legislature almost before the ink dries, it’s encouraging that a few bills have been introduced to do something about the festering problem in Whiteclay.

As many Nebraskans know after a decade of media attention — including a film, “The Battle for Whiteclay,” directed and produced by Mark Vasina of Lincoln — four stores in the tiny village sell about 4 million cans of beer a year. (more…)

Published Sunday January 31, 2010
BY KEVIN ABOUREZK
LINCOLN JOURNAL STAR

Bruce BonFleur sees more than desperation, more than sadness in the eyes of the men and women he meets every day on the dusty streets of Whiteclay.

He sees hope, and he sees a desire to improve their lives.

“The street people of Whiteclay and Pine Ridge matter,” he said. “They are entitled to our help, and they are able to help themselves.” (more…)

Published Friday January 29, 2010
BY PAUL HAMMEL
OMAHA WORLD-HERALD

LINCOLN — Gov. Dave Heineman and a contingent of other state officials flew Friday to Gordon, Neb., to meet with Lakota Sioux tribal officials about a legislative proposal concerning Whiteclay, Neb. (more…)

Published Friday January 29, 2010
BY KEVIN ABOUREZK
LINCOLN JOURNAL STAR

A host of state officials flew to western Nebraska on Friday to meet with Oglala Sioux tribal leaders to explore solutions to massive alcohol sales at Whiteclay. (more…)

Published Monday January 25, 2010
BY JOHN KREJCI
PUBLIC PULSE (Letters to the Editor)
OMAHA WORLD HERALD

I was gratified to read a Jan. 15 editorial, “A sensible path forward,” and a Jan. 17 news story, “Effort afoot to rehab Whiteclay.” (more…)