SIDNEY, Neb. -- Among the awards given at the Cheyenne County Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Banquet Saturday night at the Cheyenne County Fairgrounds in Sidney was the "Community Leader Award."

The Community Leader Award recognizes an individual who has had a significant impact on the community through leadership and service. The recipient of the Community Leader Award "goes to a well-deserved gentleman that is known across the entire county," Master of Ceremonies Don Davis, of Projekt 3D, announced. 

This year's recipient of the Community Leader Award for 2024 was given to the Station Manager of 987 The Big Boy and Cheyenne County Country Hunter Arterburn.

Davis, in announcing the award with "Sweet Caroline" by Neil Diamond in the background, described Arterburn as someone whose presence is known beyond the office.

"You may know him from growing up here, supporting organizations and projects throughout the community, or just his famous voice on our local radio," Davis said. "His leadership and service goes beyond the workplace, extending into the heart of community where he volunteers helping several local organizations."

Arterburn, who also hosts the morning show on The Big Boy, is known for the expression "the best day ever," adopted from his former principal at Sidney Public Schools, Brent Jeffers. A principal, he says, was the only one to ever give him ISS.

After the Awards night, Arterburn said the award is not his alone, instead it's an award built with a community behind him.

“There’s no community leader award without a great community of people, supporters and coworkers backing you," Arterburn said. "We’re blessed to live in, work with and serve the best communities in the region. I'm honored and humbled to receive this recognition from the Cheyenne County Chamber. Thank you for making the return to subzero temperatures from our honeymoon in Jamaica a little less painful."

Flood Communications CEO Andy Ruback commends Arterburn on his award.

"We are proud of Hunter's work in Sidney and Cheyenne County," Ruback said. "His efforts are an example to all in our company of how to live out the Flood Communications goal of serving our communities."

Arterburn's constant theme in the office is "let's go have some fun," while he looks for new ways to promote the community and its businesses. He applied for his first radio job at KSID Radio in Sidney in the sixth grade in 2001, officially entering the industry during his junior year at Sidney High School in 2006.