CSI actress comes home to N. Bend

NORTH BEND - Television star Marg Helgenberger will be visiting her hometown of North Bend on Sunday, May 21.

Helgenberger, a 1977 graduate of North Bend Central High School, is one of the stars of “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” now in its sixth season on CBS.

Helgenberger will attend a reception in her honor at North Bend Central High School. The event is open to the public and is a fundraiser for the Sesquicentennial Committee and the NBC Drama Club.

Helgenberger received an Emmy in 1990 for her role in the TV drama “China Beach.” She has also won a Peoples' Choice Award, two other Emmy nominations and a Golden Globe nomination for her television work. Helgenberger has starred on the big screen in “Erin Brockovich,” “Species,” “Cowboy Way” and “Always.” She is currently working on the film, “Mr. Brooks,” with Kevin Cosner, William Hurt and Demi Moore.

Helgenberger is a fourth-generation North Bender; her grandfather and father owned businesses in town and her family was active in the community.

As part of the welcome-home activities, a portion of Locust Street in front of her childhood home will be given the honorary name of “Helgenberger Avenue.” A short program will be held in front of the home west of the North Bend City Park at 4 p.m. and is open to the public.

After touring her former home, Helgenberger will attend the reception at the high school. Tickets are $15 per person and can be obtained by sending a check and a stamped, self-addressed business envelope to Helgenberger Event, General Delivery, North Bend, NE 68649.

Doors at the high school will open at 5 p.m. Included in the ticket price is food, a souvenir ticket and program, an NBC Drama Club tribute to Helgenberger, a question and answer time and a chance to meet other members of the Helgenberger family. There will also be door prizes.

For an additional cost, attendees will be able to obtain an autograph or have their picture taken with Helgenberger.

Final prices have not been determined yet, but officials said an autograph will be $5; to have your picture taken with Marg will be $10 and you have to provide the camera. There may be glossy pictures that she will autograph for $10. But the tickets are autographable and there may be a program that also is autographable.

Another television personality with ties to North Bend, Jon Schuetz, will emcee the event. He is a 1982 NBC graduate and sports director at KETV, Channel 7 in Omaha. Mick Mines, state senator from Blair, and a 1968 NBC graduate, will also participate in the day's activities honoring Helgenberger.