The 2013 Cornhusker State Games Torch Run begins Thursday, June 20th at the Norfolk National Guard Armory and will end in Lincoln on Friday June 28th. The Torch Run officially concludes with the lighting of the cauldron by a mystery athlete at the Games Opening Ceremonies on Friday, July 19th.
Five soldiers from the Nebraska National Guard will begin the Run out of Norfolk, including Staff Sergeant Jessie London of Norfolk, Sergeant Cory Nelson of Omaha, Staff Sergeant Justin Olson of Pierce, Sergeant Blake Thompson of Kenesaw and Staff Sergeant Joshua Wessel of Humphrey. This first leg will begin at about 11:30 am and is estimated to end around 6:45 pm in Columbus. Honorary runners into Columbus include standout high school student athletes Alyssa Fraundorfer of Humphrey, and Molly Gottschall, Alesa Foltz, and Skylar Ericson, all of Columbus.
Runners will relay the Torch from Columbus to Fremont Friday, June 21st after which the Torch heads west to the panhandle to join the LiveWellNebraska tour for next week's west-to-east statewide swing. Tour stops, featuring appearances by Nebraska Olympic Medalists, Jordan Larson and Curtis Tomasevicz will be made in Scottsbluff June 24th, North Platte June 25th, Kearney June 26th, Grand Island June 27th and Lincoln June 28th. Specific details of the Torch Run Arrival and Tour Stops can be found under the Special Events tab at cornhuskerstategames.com.
Ord, NE graduate Randy Cullers Inducted into Wrestling Hall of Fame
Randy Cullers, 1989 graduate from Ord High School, was inducted into the Nebraska Scholastic Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame on June 8th, 2013.
Cullers won the Class B championship in 1988 and 1989. He attended UNO, graduating in 1993 with an Environmental Geology degree. After graduating from UNL College of Law in 1996, Cullers returned to Ord where he practiced law for 14 years. While living in Ord he assisted Derry Trampe with the Ord High School wrestling team for ten years until he relocated to Chadron in 2010. In Chadron, Cullers continues to practice law and helps with the Chadron Junior Wrestling program.
Antique Appraisal Fair July 6th At Fort Hartsuff
LINCOLN, Neb. – The Antique Appraisal Fair will be held July 6 at Fort Hartsuff State Historical Park near Burwell. The event, featuring professional antique and coin appraiser Tom Bassett, will take place on the veranda of the Enlisted Men’s Barracks from 2-4 p.m.
People wishing to bring items for appraisal must register before July 6 at noon by calling the fort at 308-346-4715. There is a charge of $5 for each item to be appraised and a two-item limit.
This event is sponsored by the Friends of Fort Hartsuff. A park entry permit is required.
38th Annual Rod Run Show and Shine Results
A 40% chance of storms did not deter 95 hot rods and customs from traveling to Ord for the 38th Annual Rod Run. Entries came from Nebraska, Missouri, Iowa, Kansas and North Carolina. Entries that won awards are as follows:
Peoples Choice: Jim and Pat Proskocil of Plattsburg, MO with their '57 Ford Thunderbird
Club Choice: Donny and Michelle Rockford of Grand Island, NE with their '67 Chevrolet Chevelle
Best Muscle Car: Jerry Sack of St Paul, NE with his '61 Chevrolet Bel Air
Best Street Rod: Roger and Kay Peters of Juniata, NE with their '33 Ford Victoria
Best Restored or Original: Misty Horn of Brady, NE with her '56 Ford Customline
Best Paint: Donny Rockford of Grand Island, NE with his '67 Chevrolet Chevelle
Best Engine: Tony Palmieri of Gibbon, NE with his '40 Chevrolet Truck
Best Under Age 25: Shane Arduser of Ord, NE with his '70 Chevrolet Nova
Best Truck or Van: Max Wilson of Burwell, NE with his '63 Chevrolet Panel
Best Open (convertible): Jeremy Bonahoom of Grand Island, NE with his '69 Chevrolet Camaro
Rich Freeman Family Choice: Donald Cockerham of Lincoln, NE with his '66 Chevrolet Nova
Kenneth Zulkoski Family Pick: Bennie Schmidt of Cawker City, KS with his '27 Ford Coupe
Hard Luck: Jean Williams of Ord, NE with his D/D Dragster and '60 Ford Galaxie.
Loup Basin Public Health Wants You To Be Prepared
Most tornadoes in Nebraska happen in the spring and summer, with the majority of activity occurring in the months of April through July. Tornadoes are violent by nature and are capable of completely destroying well-made structures, uprooting trees and hurling objects through the air like deadly missiles.
The Loup Basin Public Health Department suggests you prepare in advance for Nebraska’s frequent severe weather. During any type of storm, listen to local news to stay informed about tornado/severe weather watches and warnings. Families should also practice periodic tornado drills so that everyone knows what to do if a tornado is approaching. The safest place to be is an underground shelter, basement or safe room. Mobile homes are never safe during tornadoes or other severe winds.
If you are caught outdoors and cannot quickly get to a shelter you should immediately get into a vehicle, buckle your seat belt and try to drive to the closest sturdy shelter. If flying debris occurs while you are driving, pull over and park.
Know the Difference: Tornado Watch - Tornadoes are possible in and near the watch area. Review and discuss your emergency plans, and check supplies and your safe room. Be ready to act quickly if a warning is issued or you suspect a tornado is approaching. Acting early helps to save lives! Tornado Warning - A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. Tornado warnings indicate imminent danger to life and property. Go immediately under ground to a basement, storm cellar or an interior room (closet, hallway or bathroom).
State Right Of Way Hay Permits
The State program allowing Nebraska landowners to obtain hay harvesting permits is
now in effect. Nebraska landowners whose land abuts the state highway right-of-way have until
July 30 to apply for and receive a $40.00 haying permit.
After July 30, anyone may apply. Proof of one-million dollar liability insurance must
accompany every application. Hay harvesting permits are governed in accordance with
Chapter 39, Article 13 of the Neb.Rev.Stat. §39-1359.01. Any hay harvested without a permit
will become the property of the State and may be confiscated by the Department.
Applicants wishing to obtain a permit are reminded that if a permit for mowing and
harvesting was issued last year, a permit for mowing and harvesting hay from that same area is
not allowed this year. Interstate highways and freeways are excluded from the program.
Abutting landowners who have obtained permits may begin harvesting on July 15, but others
are restricted to harvesting between August 1 and September 15.
The $40.00 permits will be available at NDOR area maintenance offices located across
Nebraska. Complete rules and regulations for hay harvesting can be found at http://www.transportation.nebraska.gov/hay/ or by calling your local state highway maintenance
or District office.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska landowners now have until Friday to enroll in a program that pays them up to $10 an acre for keeping their wheat and mill stubble 14 inches or taller during this year's harvest.
The program deadline to join the Crop Stubble Management, Wildlife and Water Conservation Program has been extended. The program is being offered through eight natural resource districts in southern and western Nebraska.
Participants must leave the tall stubble undisturbed until April 1. Eligible producers may enroll up to 320 acres per year per crop type for two years. Post-harvest chemical applications are allowed, but other disturbances - such as disking, grazing or haying - are not allowed before the April 1 deadline.
Tall stubble has proven beneficial to both wildlife and soil quality.
GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) - The Grand Island City Council wants a resident's profane, anti-government signs removed from his properties.
the council voted unanimously Tuesday to support the city administration's efforts to have Larry Tourangeau's signs taken down.
The signs criticize government officials because they refused to indict a former employee of Tourangeau. He erected the signs in 2011, and so far he's resisted city efforts to eliminate them.
City officials say their efforts are focused on the signs' violations of building ordinances, not on the harsh criticism they carry.
The signs have been vandalized with red and black spray paint and have been deemed public nuisances.
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LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - A judge has ruled that opponents of the Keystone XL pipeline in Nebraska can proceed with their legal challenge to a state law that paved the way for a new project route.
Lancaster County District Court Judge Stephanie Stacy on Tuesday rejected a motion by Nebraska state officials to dismiss the lawsuit.
The lawsuit filed by three Nebraska landowners asserts that Gov. Dave Heineman's decision to approve a new pipeline route was rooted in an unconstitutional state law. The law was passed during a special legislative session in 2011 as a way to reroute the pipeline away from Nebraska's environmentally sensitive Sandhills.
Stacy did not rule on the merits of the case, but said opponents should be allowed to present their evidence and arguments.
CHADRON, Neb. (AP) - A tornado is suspected of damaging houses and outbuildings in a rural area of the northern Nebraska Panhandle.
The National Weather Service says the twister was reported just after 8:30 p.m. Tuesday about 19 miles south-southwest of Chadron.
No injuries have been reported.
law enforcement reported the twister about seven miles southwest of Red Cloud Campground.
The weather service also says trees and power lines were downed.
The tornado report hasn't been confirmed.
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ELMWOOD, Neb. (AP) - Authorities say at least two people have been fatally injured and three others hurt in a collision between an ambulance and a pickup in eastern Nebraska.
The accident occurred around 10:30 p.m. Tuesday on U.S. Highway 34 near Elmwood.
Cass County Sheriff William Brueggemann (BROO'-geh-muhn) says deputies had been trying to find the pickup because of a report about an erratic driver. He says the pickup crossed into oncoming traffic and struck the ambulance. The Weeping Water ambulance was taking a patient to a Lincoln hospital.
Officials say the pickup driver died at the scene and that the ambulance driver died at a Lincoln hospital. Three others in the ambulance, including the patient, were taken to hospitals.
The names of those involved haven't been released.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Gov. Dave Heineman says he hopes to have a new adjutant general in place for the Nebraska National Guard by mid-July.
Heineman said Tuesday that a screening panel will likely name two to four finalists for the job by the end of June, so the change-of-command can be made in July.
The chosen finalist will replace outgoing Maj. Gen. Judd Lyons, who is taking a new job as deputy director of the U.S. Army National Guard in Arlington, Va.
The 50-year-old Lyons is Nebraska's 32nd adjutant general. He assumed command of the Nebraska National Guard in August 2009.
The adjutant general serves as the senior uniformed officer responsible for leading nearly 4,700 Army and Air National Guard personnel in Nebraska. The position is part of the governor's cabinet.
GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) - A Grand Island man convicted in the kidnapping and rape of a 4-year-old girl has been given 96 to 100 years in state prison.
Judge James Livingston on Tuesday sentenced 27-year-old Abraham Richardson to two consecutive terms of 48 to 50 years. Richardson had pleaded no contest in April after prosecutors lowered the charges and dropped another.
Prosecutors say he kidnapped the girl from a Grand Island apartment on Oct. 2, 2011, and savagely assaulted her.
Richardson already faces 20 years in federal prison on a child pornography conviction. Livingston ordered Richardson to serve his two state sentences after his federal sentence has been completed.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Four cities have submitted bids for a new Nebraska veterans home, including one pledge of more than $10 million.
State officials confirmed that they have received proposals from Grand Island, Hastings, Kearney and North Platte as of the Tuesday deadline.
The Kearney City Council voted Tuesday to commit $8.5 million in direct funding and utility cost reductions for the project, in addition to $1 million approved by Buffalo County officials, $100,000 from an economic development group, and $500,000 promised by a veterans' memorial committee.
The cities are competing for a $121 million project to replace an outdated, 225-bed facility in Grand Island. Grand Island has promised at least $3.3 million, and North Platte has committed at least $4 million. City officials in Hastings declined Tuesday to disclose their bid.
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - A so-called heat burst caused temperatures to briefly soar in southern Nebraska.
Rick Chermok, of the National Weather Service, says the temperature in Lincoln rose from 73 to 91 degrees between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. Tuesday.
In Grand Island, it spiked from 73 to 99 degrees between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m.
Similar surges were noted in Hastings, Kearney and elsewhere.
Heat bursts occur when specific conditions exist.
Thunderstorms must be diminishing above a layer of dry air. Rain from those storm falls into drier air and evaporate, making the air cooler than surrounding air.
The cooler air sinks, causing atmospheric pressure to increase and warm the air again. Because of momentum, the air pushes to the surface and spreads out, causing temperatures to spike and winds to increase.
FALLS CITY, Neb. (AP) - The Richardson County Board of Commissioners has accepted the resignation of the county attorney and appointed a temporary replacement.
The Lincoln Journal Star reports the board on Tuesday unanimously accepted Robert J. Meyer's resignation as county attorney.
Commissioner Jim Davidson says Meyer didn't attend the board meeting.
The board appointed Deputy County Attorney Douglas Merz as county attorney while officials seek a permanent replacement. They have 45 days to make that decision.
Davidson says Merz was county attorney for more than 20 years before Meyer's election in 2010.
Meyer hasn't explained why he's resigning.
NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (AP) - A North Platte Fire and Rescue crew rescued a California traveler who became stranded in a canal while fishing.
David Van Westen was fishing in a canal Monday morning, as he'd done on previous occasions.
Van Westen is from Long Beach, Calif., but he and his wife, Beverly, now travel full time in their recreational vehicle.
They had stopped for several days in North Platte and Van Westen had fished in the canal. But on Monday, more water was released from the spillway upstream and Van Westen found himself trapped.
Fire and rescue crews strung a rope across the canal, and then sent a Lincoln County Dive Team member to help Van Westen to the shore.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - A Nebraska police chief will pay a $750 fine for storing campaign signs in a police station and using public money to buy more than $200 worth of snack food.
Sutton Police Chief Tracey Landenberger agreed to the civil penalty as part of a settlement with the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission. Commission members voted 8-0 last week to approve the fine.
The campaign signs were stored in the station between January 2010 and June 2012, and the snacks were bought between March 2010 and June 2012, according to the settlement.
The settlement says Landenberger did not intend to violate state law, and he believed at the time that his actions were allowed.
A phone message left for Landenberger at the police station was not immediately returned.
ELMWOOD, Neb. (AP) - Authorities say at least two people have been fatally injured and three others hurt in a collision between an ambulance and a pickup in eastern Nebraska.
The accident occurred around 10:30 p.m. Tuesday on U.S. Highway 34 near Elmwood.
Cass County Sheriff William Brueggemann (BROO'-geh-muhn) says deputies had been trying to find the pickup because of a report about an erratic driver. He says the pickup crossed into oncoming traffic and struck the ambulance. The Weeping Water ambulance was taking a patient to a Lincoln hospital.
Officials say the pickup driver died at the scene and that the ambulance driver died at a Lincoln hospital. Three others in the ambulance, including the patient, were taken to hospitals.
The names of those involved haven't been released.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska wildlife officials say people who spot a young wild animal alone should not assume it has been abandoned.
While the urge to "rescue" a young animal is normal, Nebraska Game and Parks officials say such young animals should be left alone.
Officials say a lone fawn, young bird or other animal may appear to be abandoned or injured, but the mother frequently is off feeding, drinking or drawing predators away from its young. Moving young animals could mean a longer separation from its mother and a slimmer chance that it will be reunited with her. In some cases, an orphaned fawn will be adopted by other deer.
Officials also warn against trying to raise wildlife young as pets. Most are protected, and it is illegal to possess them.
Keystone XL Opponents Proceed With Lawsuit
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - A judge has ruled that opponents of the Keystone XL pipeline in Nebraska can proceed with their legal challenge to a state law that paved the way for a new project route.
Lancaster County District Court Judge Stephanie Stacy on Tuesday rejected a motion by Nebraska state officials to dismiss the lawsuit.
The lawsuit filed by three Nebraska landowners asserts that Gov. Dave Heineman's decision to approve a new pipeline route was rooted in an unconstitutional state law. The law was passed during a special legislative session in 2011 as a way to reroute the pipeline away from Nebraska's environmentally sensitive Sandhills.
Stacy did not rule on the merits of the case, but said opponents should be allowed to present their evidence and arguments.
NRD Scrap Tire Cleanup June 22
The Lower Loup Natural Resources District has been awarded a 2013 Waste Reduction and Recycling Incentive Grant – Scrap Tire Cleanup from the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality.
A Scrap Tire Collection will be held Saturday, June 22, 2013 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Valley County Fairgrounds, E Hwy 11, Ord, Nebraska – north of John Deere. Tires on rims and tires for which a disposal fee has been received will not be accepted at the collection. Tires of all sizes: tractor, combine, pivot, truck and auto tires will be accepted. Local veterans will be taking the following information from those bringing in tires: name, address, phone number, number of tires and from where the tires came. The Scrap Tire Collection is for the residents of Blaine, Custer, Garfield, Greeley, Howard, Loup, Sherman, Valley and Wheeler Counties. The Ord FFA Chapter will be helping with the unloading of the tires and a portion of the free will donations will be given to the chapter. There will also be concessions on the grounds provided by 4-H members.
The recycling end use market will determine how the tires from the Tire Collection cleanup event will be used. Potential uses include feed bunks, sidewall rings for silage cover weights, traffic cones, and alternative cover for landfills. The Scrap Tire Cleanup is sponsored by the Loup Basin RC&D Council, Lower Loup NRD, NDEQ and the Loup Valley Ag Society. For more information contact Janet Sanders, Executive Director, Loup Basin RC&D Council at (308) 346-3393 or email info@loupbasinrcd.org
Arcadia 8th Grader qualifies for National Junior High Finals Rodeo
An 8th grader at Arcadia Public Schools has earned a position on the Nebraska National Junior High Rodeo Team. Clay Bauer will be traveling with fellow teammates to Gallup, NM June 23-29 to compete at the 9th Annual National Junior High Finals Rodeo. Bauer will compete in Tie-Down Roping, Chute Dogging and Goat Tying.
Bauer finished this season as State Runner Up in the Tie Down Roping, State Runner Up in the Chute Dogging, and 3rd place in the Goat Tying. He also finished 5th in the Ribbon Roping and Team Roping, earning himself the alternate position in both events. The National Team is decided by the accumulated point total earned throughout the 2012-13 Rodeo Season and the State Finals.
The finals in Gallup, NM start with one performance on June 23 starting at 7pm, followed by two performances daily starting at 9am and 7 pm through the 29th.
Highway 11 Roadwork
Construction work is scheduled to begin today (June 10) on N-11, between Elba and Howard/Greeley county line. Traffic will be maintained using flaggers and a pilot car. Work is anticipated to be completed by the end of July 2013, Motorist are reminded to drive cautiously through highway work zones.
May 2013- The American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) is pleased to announce the successful completion of its Maintenance of Certification Examination by Jennifer Bengston, MD. Board certification confers a standard of excellence in knowledge and practice to physicians who not only certify via the examination process, but who also work diligently on the maintenance of these skills during the cycle between examinations.
To achieve and maintain certification by the ABFM, Dr. Bengston must possess a full and unrestricted license to practice medicine in the United States; complete online educational self-assessment modules; verify the completion of 150 hours of acceptable continuing medical education every 3 years; demonstrate ongoing, systematic quality improvement within practice; and successfully complete a one-day, computer based examination of cognitive knowledge and problem-solving abilities. This examination covers, but is not limited to: adult medicine; care of newborns, infants, children, and adolescents; maternity and gynecological care; community medicine; care of the older patient; human behavior and mental health; and care of the surgical patient.
The American Board of Family Medicine, is the second largest medical specialty board in the United States. Founded in 1969, not-for-profit, organization whose purposes include improving the quality of medical care provided to the public by family physicians, establishing and maintaining standards of excellence in the specialty of Family Medicine.
Additional information regarding the American Board of Family Medicine may be obtained from its website at www.theabfm.org .
Dr. Bengston sees patients at VCHS Medical Clinics in Ord, Burwell, and North Loup. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Bengston, call 308.728.4202.
Ag Safety Day A Success
ORD --- The Valley County Ag Complex in Ord was the site for the Progressive Agriculture Safety Day hosted by the Central NE Farm Safety 4 Just Kids Chapter on Tuesday, June 4, 2013. According to Coordinator, Kayla Hinrichs, 187 area youth were treated to a fun day of learning how to identify and deal with the hazards of living in a rural area and how to take responsibility for their own safety. “Cargill Cares” of Ord generously donated the $7 registration fee and Green Plains LLC provided lunch for each participant. Orscheln’s Farm and Home store provided bottles of water throughout the day. DuPont Pioneer awarded Central NE FS4JK with a $1000 grant to purchase a table-top PTO demonstration unit to use at the safety day.
Hinrichs reported that a generous donation of an additional $1000 grant from DuPont Pioneer was used to purchase first aid kits for each family with youth attending the safety day. Additional contributors to this project included Bryce & Emily Bauer, Dale & Janie Zadina, Howard County Farm Bureau, Kent & Dorita Helm, Dan & Luella Spilinek, Little County Daycare/Janel Melia, Country Partners Cooperative, Seed Solutions/Kurt & Marty Petska, Cole Svoboda/Zadina Grant, Stowell & Geweke, Bryant & Kristina Foth, Walt Smith Shelter Insurance and the Erin Philbrick Agency. As a result of these very generous donations, 140 families received first aid kits. Participants also received a free T-shirt and “goodie-bag” filled with educational and fun items to reinforce the lessons learned at the safety day.
Coordinators for the safety day included Kayla Hinrichs and Heather DePra from UNL Extension, Cindy Ference from Loup Basin Public Health and Bev Smedra of Lower Loup NRD/NRCS. Business and agencies presenting safety sessions included: “Call before you Dig” with Jill Geyer of Diggers Hotline, “Wild World of Pest Management” with Larry Schulze of UNL; “Water Hazards” with Ethan Teter of Pheasants Forever, “Fearsome Flora” by Barb David, Master Gardener, “Take Off with PTO Safety” by Seth Smedra of Ord Equipment and John Obermiller of Plains Equipment, “911 What is Your Emergency?” with Region 26 and Jennifer Grooms and Tami Knutson of the Valley County Ambulance/EMT’s and “Risks and Results” by Becky Setlik and Jamie Copsey of the Valley County Health System P/T Dept. A special presentation during the afternoon featured Jerry Bauer, who was kind enough to show the children his prosthesis and explain how his life has changed since his accident. The youth were very interested in his story and I am sure that lesson with stay with them for a long time.
Publicity for the Safety Day plays a huge part in success of the event. The coordinators wish to acknowledge the significant role the area news media has in informing the public about this activity. Central NE FS4JK would like to thank KNLV Radio, the Arcadia Guide, Burwell Tribune, Greeley Citizen, Ord Quiz, St. Paul Phonograph Herald, Sherman County Times and the Spalding Newspaper for publicity before and after the Safety Day.
The safety day could not run so smoothly without the help of many volunteers. At least 48 volunteers from our community offered to help with registrations, acting as group leaders, presenter’s helpers, nurse, safety officer, and other tasks as needed. Special thanks to the NLS/Elba FFA Chapter for their help in setting up and packing goodie bags and the Ord FFA Chapter for their help at the Safety Day. Susan Schauer staffed the first aid station and Larry Schultz, Lower Loup NRD Information/Education Coordinator was the Safety Officer.
Hinrichs said the safety day’s success is due in large part to the support of many local organizations and businesses. Local members of the Central NE Farm Safety 4 Just Kids include American Family Insurance/Erin Philbrick, Anderson Pharmacy, Burwell Insurance Agency, Country Partners Co-op, Jeffres & Sons, Inc., Ken’s Equipment, L & D Insurance, Loup Basin Public Health Dept., Lower Loup NRD/NRCS, Ord Memorial Chapel, Ord Veterinary Clinic, Petska Backhoe & Plumbing, Seed Solutions/Kurt & Marty Petska, Shelter Insurance/Walt Smith, Sherman-Valley County Farm Bureau, Thoene Farm Service, Titan/Ord Equipment, UNL Extension in the Central IV Area, Valley County Health System, and Wray/State Farm Insurance. Sponsoring banks include Bank First, Ericson State Bank, First National Bank, First Nebraska Bank-Arcadia, Great Western Bank, Heritage Bank, North Loup Valley Bank, Pathway Bank, State Bank of Scotia and Union Bank & Trust in Taylor. Other contributors include AAA Nebraska, Arby’s of Ord, Loup Valleys Rural Public Power Dist., NE Beef Council, and NE Pork Producers.
The Central Nebraska Farm Safety 4 Just Kids Chapter has decided to host another Progressive Agriculture Farm Safety Day in the summer of 2014. Individuals, businesses and organizations interested in becoming members of the Farms Safety 4 Just Kids Chapter, serving as volunteers, or in monetary support can call Kayla Hinrichs or Heather DePra at (308) 728-5071; Cindy Ference at (308) 346-5795 or Bev Smedra at (308) 728-3781, Ext. 3 for more information.
Power Back On In Ravenna
RAVENNA, Neb. (AP) - Electricity has been restored to the central Nebraska towns of Ravenna and Pleasanton after a crop-dusting plane clipped a line and knocked out power.
The Buffalo County Sheriff's Department says the pilot wasn't injured and the plane landed safely. The accident occurred north of Pleasanton around 5:15 p.m. Tuesday.
Dawson Public Power District says a transmission switch north of Pleasanton also was damaged.
Nebraska Public Power District spokesman Mark Becker says power was restored to its Ravenna customers by 5:45 p.m. Dawson district spokeswoman Marsha Banzhaf (BAHN'-shahf) says all of its customers in the area had their power back on by 10 p.m.
New VCHS Medical Clinic Manager
ORD – Gary Satchell began on June 3, as Medical Clinic Manager at Valley County Health System. He will be responsible for coordination of all medical clinic activities and coordination with other departments.
Gary comes to us from Milford, Nebraska. He spent 24 years in the U.S. Army. In 2000, he retired from the Army and joined corporate America. Since that time, he has held a variety of positions and has extensive experience with technology software products and services. He most recently worked for Hewlett Packard as an Operations and Training Engineer. He and his wife, Deb, have a home at the Calamus Reservoir and will be moving there this summer. Gary and his wife have two sons. Patrick is 25 and is in Veterinary School at Cornell. Terence is 27 and currently stationed in Afghanistan as an Army Engineer Officer but is due home in mid-June.
Sargent Woman Sentenced
- A Sargent woman has been sentenced to three months in jail for a crash last year that killed one of her daughters and a friend.
29-year-old Amanda Wilder was sentenced Monday in Buffalo County District Court on two counts of felony manslaughter. She was given four years of probation and required to get outpatient counseling.
Wilder was driving south of Miller on U.S. Highway 183 in a borrowed pickup truck last August when she lost control. Eleven-year-old Destani Wilder and 24-year-old Rebecca Veeder died at the scene. Amanda Wilder and her other daughter, who was 8 years old at the time, survived. No one was wearing seatbelts.
Prosecutors argued Wilder made a choice when she drove a vehicle without enough seatbelts.
Burwell Chamber Ag Appreciation Next Week
Burwell, N.E., June 3, 2013 – The Burwell Chamber of Commerce has announced the details of its Ag Appreciation Evening to be held in downtown Burwell on Friday, June 14th. Event highlights will include special entertainment hosted by KNLV’s J.J. Johnnie James, and feature cowboy poet R. P. Smith, as well as blue-grass musical entertainment by Sandy Miller and Mike O’Neill (Fun Bunch).
The evening will start with a BBQ Feed between 5:30 and 8:00 PM that will include beef and pork BBQ sandwiches, baked beans, chips, watermelon and cookies. During the meal attendees will be able to enjoy the featured blue-grass music from Miller and O’Neill. At 7:00 PM the special entertainment begins when radio personality J.J. Johnnie James takes the stage and cowboy poet R.P. Smith engages the audience with his unique cowboy poetry. About 7:30 PM the Burwell Chamber of Commerce will announce its Ag Education Scholarship awards for recent high school graduates that are planning to continue their education in an Ag related field, and recognize the Ag Appreciation Evening business sponsors.
During the evening attendees will also have the opportunity to check-out various business displays from event sponsors.
“Everyone is invited to a great evening to celebrate the Ag industry in our community and say “thank you” to our area Ag producers and supplies,” stated David Sawyer, Director of the Burwell Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development. Sawyer also said: “We are particularly grateful for our many Chamber business sponsors that made this special event possible.” Sponsors for the Burwell Chamber of Commerce’s Ag Appreciation Evening include: Ag West Feeds; Big Red Feeds; Burwell Dental Clinic, P.C.; Burwell Feeders; Burwell Insurance; Burwell Livestock Market; Dry Creek Western Wear; Ericson State Bank; Farm Bureau Financial Services-Greg Duryea; Great Western Bank; Jeffres Sand and Gravel, Inc.; KNLV Radio; Maverick Truck Stop and Fertilizer; Pathway Bank; Pizza Palace; Rowse Rakes; Sandstone Grill; Seidel Construction; State Farm Insurance-Denise Wray; Thoene Farm Services and Town & Country Insurance Agency.
The Ag Appreciation Evening event will be located on the south side of the downtown square in Burwell. Free-will donations will be accepted for the BBQ meal to benefit the Chamber’s Ag Education Scholarships for area high-school graduates. The Burwell Chamber of Commerce office can be contacted at 346-5210 for more information.
Oldson Gets Life
John Oldson who was convicted of killing a former Ord waitress was given a life to life sentence Monday morning June 3rd 2013.
A life to life sentence means that Oldson is not eligible for parole.
Oldson was found guilty earlier this year of the murder of Catherine Beard.
Attorney General Jon Bruning today announced John Oldson, 47, was sentenced life-to-life in prison for the 1989 death of Cathy Beard. He was convicted of second degree murder on February 8, 2013. The sentence requires Oldson to serve no less than life imprisonment.
“After more than 20 years of deception and misdirection, this man has been brought to justice for murdering Cathy Beard,” said Bruning. “Today’s sentence stands as a testament to the dogged efforts of Nebraska law enforcement.”
Cathy Beard was last seen leaving the Some Place Else Tavern in Ord with John Oldson, on May 31, 1989. The skeletal remains of the 31-year-old waitress were found in a rural Valley County pasture three years later.
At trial, forensic pathologist Dr. Matthias Okoye explained that a team of forensic experts were on hand during the examination of Beard’s remains in 1992. After the examination, he ruled the death a homicide and determined the cause to be blunt force trauma to the head and trunk. He said stab wounds to the rib and vertebrae would have contributed to her death.
More than 40 witnesses testified during the two-week trial. The jury returned with the conviction after nearly seven hours of deliberation.
Assistant Attorneys General Corey O’Brien and Matt Lierman handled the case in cooperation with Valley County Attorney Glenn Clark. Investigative support was provided by investigators Pat Mason and Bill Black of the Attorney General’s Office, Jay Morrow of the Nebraska State Patrol and Valley County Sheriff Casey Hurlburt.
Ord North Loup/Scotia School Merger?
As first reported in March, Ord Public Schools and North Loup Scotia Public Schools have been discussing the possibilities of a future merger. The most recent communication, took place after a special meeting in Scotia on Monday, May 27th.
The NL-S Board voted 4-2 to pursue merger discussions with Greeley Wolbach for the 2014-15 school year.
In a separate motion the NL-S Board voted 5-1 to ask Ord Public Schools to enter into a Volleyball Coop for the 2013 Volleyball Season.
NL-S Superintendent Jim Duval made contact with the Ord Public Schools Board Planning committee on Tuesday, May 28th to propose the volleyball coop for 2013.
The Ord Public Schools Planning Committee counter offered with a Full Sports Coop for the 2013-14 school year, with the agreement that a Board to Board Petition for a full merger in the 2014-15 School Year would be signed between North Loup Scotia Public Schools and Ord Public Schools. The NSAA requires schools entering a Sports Coop to sign a two year agreement, however, a merger with another district would cancel a Sports Coop agreement.
The Ord Public School Board feels that a long term commitment is the best way for the two schools to formulate a positive relationship in the best interest of all the students in both districts. Ord Board President Bill Ziegler indicated, “Our Board would still like the opportunity to seek further negotiations with NL-S for a more sustainable agreement.”
Sandhills Sandbur Run Saturday
The annual Sandbur Run is this Saturday, June 1st beginning at 8:30 a.m. at Calamus Outfitters north of Burwell. You can enter in a 5K Walk (no jogging allowed), 5K Run, 5 K Mud Run or 10K Run. Costumes welcome and will be judged 8:15 a.m. Registration forms are available at the Chamber office, or you can go to www.sandburrun.com to register as well. Packet pickup and late registration will start at 7:30 a.m. on June 1st. Event proceeds will be donated to the local “4 The Cure” account set up to help provide transportation expenses to local cancer patients. To volunteer or for more information contact Sarah Dowdy at 308-880-1957 for more information.
Severe Weather Hits Area
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - The National Weather Service says nearly a dozen tornadoes have been reported in south-central and southeastern Nebraska but no injuries.
We received 1.03 inches of rain at the KNLV studio, and have had reports of up to 1.50 inches. We had reports of tornadoes in the listening area yesterday. Highway 2 between Broken Bow and Callaway had water over the road last night and some roads in that area remained closed this morning.
Weather service meteorologist Merl Heinlein (HYNE'-lyne) said Thursday that his office in Hastings had narrowed down reports and suspected that nine tornadoes touched down Wednesday afternoon, including several in York and Clay counties. His office keeps tabs on 24 counties in south-central Nebraska and six in north-central Kansas.
The storms damaged farm outbuildings, irrigation equipment and trees.
Farther east, a twister was reported three miles northeast of Rising City and another about six miles southeast of Utica.
Heinlein says several of the sightings have yet to be confirmed.
Hail and heavy rain and street flooding also were reported.
Jack Has Own Trading Card
A 7-year-old cancer patient who had a trading card issued in his honor after he ran roughshod over the Nebraska Cornhuskers has found new buyers for cards set aside for his charity.
Among those stepping up: actor James Denton, who was on "Desperate Housewives."
Video of Jack Hoffman's run during Nebraska's spring football game was an Internet hit. The Upper Deck Co. issued a card for Jack, with signed blow-ups for his foundation to auction off.
The winning bidder for the first card declined to pay, saying he hadn't authorized the $6,100 bid. Jack's father, Andy Hoffman, says news coverage prompted three buyers to offer $10,000 each for a signed card.
Denton lives in suburban Minneapolis, and the Hoffmans traveled from Atkinson to meet him Tuesday.
Ag Appreciation Night June 14th In Burwell
Everyone is invited to a great evening to celebrate the Ag industry in our community and say “thank you” to our area Ag producers and suppliers. The Burwell Chamber of Commerce has announced the details of its Ag Appreciation Evening to be held in downtown Burwell on Friday, June 14th. The evening will start with a BBQ Feed between 5:30 and 8:00 PM that will include beef and pork BBQ sandwiches, baked beans, chips, watermelon and cookies. During the meal attendees will be able to enjoy the featured blue-grass music from Miller and O’Neill. At 7:00 PM the special entertainment begins when radio personality J.J. Johnnie James takes the stage and cowboy comedian R.P. Smith engages the audience with his unique humor. About 7:45 PM the Burwell Chamber of Commerce will announce its Ag Education Scholarship awards for recent high school graduates that are planning to continue their education in an Ag related field, and recognize the Ag Appreciation Evening business sponsors. During the evening attendees will also have the opportunity to check-out various business displays from event sponsors. Free-will donations will be accepted for the BBQ meal to benefit the Chamber’s Ag Education Scholarships for area high-school graduates. Event flyers are currently being distributed , and additional promotional activities are starting soon.
Sponsorsfor this year’s Ag Appreciation Evening,
· Ag-West Feeds
· Big Red Feeds
· Burwell Dental Clinic, P.C.
· Burwell Feeders
· Burwell Insurance
· Burwell Livestock Market
· Dry Creek Western Wear
· Erickson State Bank
· Farm Bureau Financial Services-Greg Duryea
· Great Western Bank
· Jeffres Sand & Gravel, Inc.
· KNLV Radio
· Maverick Truck Stop & Fertilizer
· Pathway Bank
· Pizza Palace
· Rowse Rakes
· Sandstone Grill
· Seidel Construction
· State Farm Insurance-Denise Wray
· Thoene Farm Services
· Town & Country Insurance
Storms Batter Nebraska
- Officials began a damage and site survey on Tuesday to confirm whether tornadoes or straight-line winds battered houses and farm buildings and ripped up trees and road signs in south-central and southeast Nebraska.
Clay County emergency manager Loren Uden (YOO'-dehn) says two minor injuries were reported after a storm that struck Edgar a little after 7:30 p.m. Monday, including a driver whose car was lifted off a road.
Uden says 10 to 15 Edgar houses were damaged, some by the wind and some by blown-down trees or tree limbs. He says five grain bins were heavily damaged at the Edgar Co-op.
No severe weather in our immediate area, but reports of .95 to 1.35 inches of rain was reported in the Ord and Burwell areas.
National Weather Service meteorologist Van DeWald (deh-WAWLD') says a storm caused some minor damage a little after 9 p.m. Monday near Diller in Jefferson County.
Deadline For Ag Safet Day Approaching
May 29, 2013 is the deadline to register for the local Progressive Agriculture Safety Day.The registration fee will be paid by the Cargill Cares Council, but parents will still need to sign and return the registration form. Registration forms are available through their schools, UNL Extension offices in Howard, Sherman, Greeley, Garfield and Valley Counties, the Valley County NRCS office or many local businesses. Late registrations will be accepted with an additional $10.00 registration fee paid by the participant; however, NO registrations will be accepted after May 31. The safety day includes lunch, snacks, a take-home “goodie bag” and a farm safety day T-shirt. The Pioneer Company and other local donors have helped sponsor the purchase of a home first aid kit for each family with youth attending the Safety Day. Green Plains LLC, the local ethanol plant in Ord, will be sponsoring lunch for participants that day. This year, the Progressive Agriculture Farm Safety Day will be held on June 4, 2013 at the Valley County Fairgrounds. Kindergarten through second graders will attend the morning session beginning at 8:30 AM. Third through sixth graders will participate in the afternoon session starting at 12:00 Noon.
Rural areas have statistically higher accident rates than urban areas. Even if you don’t live or work on a farm, most local families are involved in rural activities throughout the year. Every year accidents involving lawn mowers, machinery, incidents involving animals, shop accidents, fires, dangerous chemicals, and many other threats to the safety of youth are a part of everyday life in rural communities. The coordinators of the Progressive Agriculture Safety Day believe that rural parents can do more to ensure that accidents don’t become a part of their kid’s childhood memories. According to Kayla Hinrichs of the Central Nebraska Farm Safety 4 Just Kids Chapter, one way to start is by having their Kindergarten through sixth grade children attend the Farm Safety Day on Tuesday, June 4th in Ord.
The safety day is designed to increase children’s awareness of a wide variety of rural hazards, as well as providing them with hands-on, first aid training to help them or someone else survive an accident should one occur. Many local community members are contributing their knowledge to this learning experience. Safety day demonstrations this year will focus on: PTO Safety by Ord Equipment, Inc. and GreenIron Inc., Water Safety by Ken Ferris, Disabilities by the Valley County Health System PT Department, First Aid/Ambulance by local EMTs, Common Reptiles in Nebraska by Larry Shultz of UNL, Poisonous Plants featuring local master gardeners, and Underground Utilities by Diggers Hot-line.
Local farmers, manufacturers, and merchants donate their time and equipment to ensure that each safety day is a fun and valuable learning experience.
For more information, parents can call Bev Smedra at (308) 728-3781 Ext. 3, Kayla Hinrichs or Heather DePra at (308) 728-5071 or Cindy Ference at (308) 346-5795.
Summer Grazing Tour In Burwell
The Summer Grazing Tour will stop at four ranches in the southeastern Nebraska Sandhills next month.
The ranches sit northwest of Burwell. They are the Gracie Creek Ranch, the Shovel Dot Ranch, the Twin Creek Ranch and UNL grazing research on the Barta Brothers Ranch.
The tour is scheduled for June 11th and is jointly sponsored by the Nebraska Grazing Lands Coalition and the Nebraska Cattlemen.
The ranch operators will discuss grazing techniques and managerial practices that make their operations work. Box lunches will be provided.
The day concludes with an evening steak dinner at the Barta Brothers Ranch and a panel discussion.
Registration costs $15 per person. Preregistration is required for meal counts by contacting Ron Bolze at 402-426-2033 or Ron(at)NebraskaGrazingLands DOT org by June 3rd.
North Loup/Scotia Community Theatre
The North Loup/Scotia Community Theater Performance of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs of the Black Forest will be held this week-end in Ord. The performance dates are Friday and Saturday May 24th and 25th at 7:00 p.m. with a Sunday mantinee at 2:00 p.m. All performances will be held at the Blank Slate theatre in downtown Ord.
Area Memorial Services
A Memorial Day service will be on the East side of the Ord City Cemetery at 10:30 Monday morning. The invocation will be given by Rev. Greg Barnes. The speaker for the event will be Robert Stowell. The VFW, American Legion and Auxiliaries and Son's of the American legion color guards will participate. Following the service a luncheon at the Vets Club will provide a free lunch to all Veterans and their spouses, with a charge for all others attending.
A Memorial Service will be held Sunday, May 26th at 3 p.m., at the National Cemetery west of Ord. Fellowship time will be held at the National hall following the service.
The Greeley American Legion will be holding a Memorial Day program at the Greeley Cemetery, Monday, May 27th at 10:00 a.m. Master Sergeant Michael Shane Nordhues will be the main speaker. The Rev. Delano Cunninghams will give the opening and closing prayers. Kim Graff and Kim Wood will be among the singlers.
Help will be needed putting up and taking down flags at Cottonwood Cemetery in Burwell. Call 346-5144 or 214-0518 for more information.
The Avenue of Flags will put up in the Ord Cemetery Monday morning at 7 a.m. and taken down Monday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. Help would be appreciated and welcome.
Normal Roasting Co. Competing For America's Best Espresso
The Normal Roasting Company, a coffee micro-roastery located in Ord, NE, has been invited to compete for America's Best Espresso in Chicago this June. The competition will take place at Coffeefest Chicago from June 7-9th. The field includes a total of 24 roasters throughout the central region of the United States. The competition will feature head to head battles with the winner advancing to the next round. The Normal Roasting Company will be the only Nebraska-based roaster in the competition.
The Normal Roasting Company was founded in Normal, IL in 2011 and relotcated to Ord, NE in 2012. They supply fresh roasted specialty coffee to clients throughout Nebraska, Colorado, and Illinois. Roaster, Kelly Kreger takes an artisan's approach to carefully roast each batch to it's full potential. Every batch of coffee is roasted to order and shipped the following day.
The Normal Roasting Company's espresso in served locally at Valley Fire on the square in Ord.
Health Walk In Loup City
The Loup City Wellness Committee is joining forces with the Sherman County Historical Society to accomplish fitness and learning at the same time. On Saturday, June 1st, the Polish Days Wellness Walk will be held from 4:00 – 5:00 pm. The historical walk will start at 4:00 p.m. by meeting at the southeast corner of the courthouse (6th and "O" Streets). From the courthouse to Jenner's, our guide will give a brief history of the park. Upon reaching Jenner’s, the tour will continue around the park where information will be presented about each of the Park’s past features and related history from the early 1900’s.
Come learn about the bear den, the mummy house, and the ocean wave ride, all part of what used to be the regional equivalent to Disney Land. A free gift will be given to walkers, while supplies last. All ages are welcome. For more information contact Dennis Welty at (308) 745-0706.
Central IV 4-H Tag In's
Central IV 4-H tag-in of market and breeding sheep and meat goats will take place the at the four following locations:
ü May 22nd @ Valley County Fairgrounds from 6 - 7 p.m.
ü May 23rd @ Howard County Fairgrounds from 6 - 7 p.m.
ü May 29th @ Sherman County Fairgrounds from 10 -11 a.m.
ü May 30th @ the Fairgrounds in Spalding from 6 - 7 p.m.
Clover kids are not required to bring their project animal to tag-in but should pick up an official 4-H eartag at the local extension office and be sure to turn in a livestock ID sheet by the May 31 deadline.
For any 4-H member planning to show breeding heifers, feeder calves, bucket calves, market or breeding sheep and meat goats, swine, dairy cattle, or dairy goats at the county fair, animal identification forms are required to be turned in on or before May 31. Livestock ID forms are available at any extension office or under the “4-H Forms” link of the Central IV website: central4.unl.edu
Nebraska Cattlemen and Nebraska Grazing Lands Coalition Team Up to Host Summer G
Mark your calendars for the Nebraska Cattlemen (NC) - Nebraska Grazing Lands Coalition (NGLC) joint Summer Grazing Tour scheduled for June 11, 2013 in the southeastern Nebraska Sandhills.
The tour will involve four long standing Sandhills ranches northwest of Burwell including the Gracie Creek Ranch; the Shovel Dot Ranch; the Twin Creek Ranch, and UNL grazing research on the Barta Brothers Ranch. Gracie Creek Ranch is a commercial beef operation managed by the Bob Price Family, and is located in the eastern Sandhills near Burwell, Nebraska. This is a family operation including Bob, son Aaron and daughter Lindsey and her husband Clayton Smith. The ranch’s main production goal is to promote grassland conservation through a profitable planned grazing system that allows for optimum levels of production and environmental services. To reach this goal, a year-round planned grazing system is implemented, supplementing when needed, and minimizing harvest feed demand. The ranch strives for management simplicity and production flexibility to account for climate and market volatility. The Price Family firmly believes conservation and agricultural production practices can be integrated, profitable, and sustainable for future generations. Conservation practices abound on the operation, and the entire ranch was recently enrolled in the USDA’s Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program. The Buell Family first took roots in the Nebraska Sandhills when Benjamin Franklin Buell homesteaded in Southern Rock County in 1882. Since that time each generation has worked to preserve and maintain the unique landscape of the Sandhills while at the same time running a profitable ranch. The fourth generation, Larry and Homer and their families operated the Shovel Dot Ranch as a partnership for over 30 years but in 2009, to facilitate the generational transfer of the ranch, they separated. At the present Homer, his wife Darla, and son Chad and his wife Tricia operate the Shovel Dot Ranch while Larry and his wife Nick operate the Twin Creek Ranch along with their son-in-law Kelby and daughter Devon. Each ranch, using about 15,000 acres, is a cow calf, backgrounding, yearling operation with management of native grasses of paramount importance. Homer and his brother Larry, starting back in the 1970s, were always quick to adopt new ideas and technology. The Grazing Manager software program is just one of the tools that they use to set up grazing plans and monitor affects on range health over time. Other technology like Palm Pilots, Quickbooks accounting software, EID, Cow Calf 5, and AI all contribute to managing both the land and the cattle well. As stewards of the land rotational grazing, cross fencing, water pipelines, calving later, winter grazing, and close monitoring of pasture use and production have all helped to improve the quality and quantity of the native grasses. The Buell Family is proud to have the fifth generation working the land with profitable cattle ranches. One of the goals of each generation has been to pass along a heritage that runs deep with love for the Nebraska Sandhills, its gently rolling prairies, and its landscape bubbling with life which has continued for 130 years. Barta Brothers Ranch was gifted to the University of Nebraska Foundation in 1992 by Clifford and Jimmy Barta. Research trials were started in 1998 on the 5,300 acre ranch resulting in eleven M.S. and eight PhD’s thus far. Some of the trials that have been conducted include:
Long term grazing study (10 years)
4- vs 8-pasture rotation system
Supplementing yearling steers wet distiller’s grain on native range and feedlot performance
Finishing yearling heifers on grass with a self-feeder
Lead plant utilization by beef cows
Bio complexity study
Sand dune re-stabilization
Fly control trials
Cedar tree wind break renovation
Prairie chicken habitat & mallard duck nesting study
Current studies include:
Above ground plant production by topographic positioning since 1999
Plant and soil response to stocking rate and grazing period length
Plant, soil and yearling weight response to grazing systems(including mob grazing )on sub irrigated meadow
Effect of grazing period length (number of moves/day) on harvest efficiency and trampled vegetation
Timing of rainfall events on herbage production under drought conditions
Effect of pasture shape on harvest efficiency & trampled vegetation.
Do not miss this opportunity to learn from some of the most progressive grazers in Nebraska as they relate their unique incorporation of grazing techniques and time tested managerial practices that make their operations work. Box lunches will be provided for consumption en route between stops. The day concludes with an evening steak dinner at the Barta Brothers Ranch featuring a panel discussion of the owners from the tour stops and UNL grazing researchers. Come and learn more about the activities of the NGLC and NC. Registration fee is $15 per person and preregistration is required for meal counts by contacting Ron Bolze, NGLC Coordinator at 402.426.2033 by June 3. The Nebraska Grazing Lands Coalition is an independent organization of ranchers, interest groups, and agencies whose mission is to collaborate on projects that improve the management and health of Nebraska grazing lands and ensure long-term stability of rangeland resources. The NGLC is funded through grants from the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Nebraska Environmental Trust, and the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, USDA. Nebraska Cattlemen is a grassroots organization whose individual producer members determine issues of importance to the Nebraska beef industry. The mission of Nebraska Cattlemen (NC) is to work for Nebraska beef producers providing leadership, education, and representation. NC represents the beef cattle industry to the legislative and administrative branches of state and federal governments. NC addresses issues so producers can focus on what they do best – produce beef.
No Retrial For Oldson
John Oldson's motion for a retrial of his conviction for the murder of Cathy Beard was denied Tuesday, May 14th.
Oldson's attornies had requested a retrial based on a new witness, Doug Olson. Doug Olson was jailed in Valley County on ch...arges unrelated to the Oldson trial and while in Jail made phone calls concerning a journal that offered an alternative theory in the death of Cathy Beard. This journal was also mailed to John Oldson's home after Oldson's original trial and murder conviction. John Oldson claimed that this journal was written by Jean Backus and referenced several females being held against their will at a ranch near Chambers, Nebraska and that persons living on the ranch had kidnapped and murdered Cathy Beard.
In the retrial hearing, Doug Olson denied writing and or mailing the journal and Ms. Backus testified that she had never seen the journal and that the writing in the journal was not hers.
In her denial motion, Judge Noakes characterized the journal as hearsay and unreliable and stated that even if this new evidence had been available for the original trial it would not have changed the outcome because the journal would not have admitted as evidence.
Valley County Sheriff, Casey Hurlburt said he was not surprised by the denial of the retrial. Hurlburt said his department had investigated the so-called new evidence and said he had no doubt in his mind that journal was not valid.
Oldson will now face sentencing on a second degree murder conviction on June 3rd at 11 am at the Howard County Courthouse in St. Paul
Valley County Fair July 28th-August 3rd
The Valley County Fair Boosters have booked Kahuna Beach Party for the headline entertainment at the Valley County Fair. Kahuna Beach Party will entertain fairgoers Friday, August 2nd. Kahuna Beach Party plays Beach Boys and 4 Seasons, and similar music from the 60's.
The Valley County Fair Parade will be held on Sunday, July 28th. This years theme is "Fun In The Sun".
Burwell Rotary Scholarships Awarded
Burwell, N.E., May 7, 2013 – The Burwell Rotary Club has announced and presented scholarships to three area high school graduates. “The objective of our unique scholarship opportunity is to find and recognize students that show strong potential and desire for continuing their education, and have exhibited strong service examples as promoted through the principles of Rotary,” stated Dixie Weber, Burwell Rotary Club president.
2013 Burwell Rotary Club Scholarships have been awarded to the following graduates:
Tyler Mares – $500 scholarship
Julie Timmerman – $400 scholarship
Cody McBride – $500 scholarship (not pictured)
The Burwell Rotary Club was established in 1997. “Service Above Self” is the Club’s motto and the Club fulfills that objective by supporting the Burwell area community with a number of important services and activities. The Club meets every Tuesday at 12:00 P.M. for a lunch meeting at the Burwell Legion Club – and guests, as well as new members, are always welcome. More information is available by calling 346-5210.
Hwy 22 & & 70 Detour
Valley County Sheriff Casey Hurlbert would like to make the citizens of Valley and surounding Counties aware that from Junction 22 and 70, to the Arcadia turn off, will be closed Thursday May 9th from 9:00a.m. to 11:00a.m. There will be Officers and a Flagman to direct traffic for the detour.
VCHS Foundation Office Has New Location
Ord – The Valley County Health System Foundation office has moved from the basement of the VCHS Home Health and Hospice building to the old medical building on 207 South 26th Street, Ord, NE. Along with the location change for the VCHS Foundation, the VCHS Marketing and Public Relations Department will also be occupying the old medical clinic building.
We are hoping the move will create better access and visibility of the Foundation for the community.
Please fill free to stop by our new location. For more information or directions, contact Becky Ries at the VCHS Foundation by calling 308-728-3011.
Judge Noakes Will Decide If Oldson Gets New Trial
John Oldson attorneys presented a new witness at a hearing Monday in Howard County Court.
Now judge Karin Noakes will decide if Oldson will get a new trial. The judge will decide before June 3rd.
Oldson was found guilty of murder for the 1989 killing of Cathy Beard of Ord, but his attorneys claim
they have a diary that they say was written by Jean Backus, a Garfield County rancher, that recounts the murders of four girls in the 1980's, including someone named Kathy.
Doug Olson, worked for Backus on and off from 2007 to 2010, was on the stand Monday. He claimed that he had never before seen either the diary or the envelope that mailed the diary to Oldson's mother, even though Oldson's attorney's produced a DNA test result that showed Olson's DNA was on the envelope flap and the stamp. Oldson's attorney asked Olson if he knew what the penalty for perjury was. Olson said he had never seen the envelope as it was addressed. Olson is currently in the Valley County Jail on an unrelated charge.
Kremke Wins 2012 Cornhusker Cup
DONIPHAN, Neb. – Keenan Kremke of Karp and Krow 4-H in Ord/Burwell broke 66 of 75 targets on a day of gusty winds Saturday at the 44th Cornhusker Trapshoot. Combined with his perfect 75 shot Friday, he earned the overall Cornhusker Cup with a 141.
It is Kremke’s second title at the Cornhusker. He won the junior high championship in 2010.
The Lincoln Pius X team of Aaron Lafler, Joshua Borzekofski, Adam Greitens, Adam Erskine and Andrew Rempe won the overall team title, breaking, 663 of 750 targets over two days.
Omaha Marian’s Brianna Rakes won the girls’ title with a 138 of 150 and helped the Marian Blue team to the girls’ team championship. That team, which also includes Maddie Worth, Natalie Bialas, Lori Nevole and Anna Vasko, scored 650 of 750.
Hastings repeated as the 4-H team champion with Cody Newlun, Adam Florian, Genny McKown, Andrew Rutt and Gus Clark scoring 655 of 750. Newlun won the Cornhusker Cup in 2011.
There were approximately 1,400 shooters competing in the senior high division Friday and Saturday at the home grounds of the Nebraska Trapshooting Association (NTA). The event is hosted by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and the NTA.
“The end of the 44th Cornhusker Trapshoot was a grand success, with the cooperation of 2,300 of Nebraska’s finest youth, Game and Parks and the Nebraska Trapshooting Association,” shoot director Terry Brentzel said. “The record number of shooters endured Nebraska’s harsh climate to compete in the largest youth shoot in the world.”
Results from Saturday are:
Overall
Top Three Individuals – 1. Keenan Kremke, Karp and Krow 4-H, 141 of 150; 2. Joshua Borzekofski, Lincoln Pius X, 138; 3. Nick Peterson, Omaha Creighton Prep, 138.
Top Teams – 1. Lincoln Pius X I (Aaron Lafler, Joshua Borzekofski, Adam Greitens, Adam Erskine, Andrew Rempe), 663 of 750; 2. Omaha Creighton Prep Blue, 661; 3. Fremont I, 656; 4. North Platte High Blue, 650; 5. Norris I, 646; 6. Omaha Creighton Prep White, 646.
Top Three Girls – 1. Brianna Rakes, Omaha Marian, 138 of 150; 2. Genny McKown, Hastings 4-H, 137; 3. Bailey Kustka, Papillion-LaVista South, 132.
Top Three Girls Teams – 1. Omaha Marian Blue (Brianna Rakes, Maddie Worth, Natalie Bialas, Lori Nevole, Anna Vasko), 650 of 750; 2. Papillion-LaVista South Titan Lady I, 622; 3. Lincoln Southwest Pink, 621.
Top Three 4-H Teams – 1. Hastings 4-H I (Cody Newlun, Adam Florian, Genny McKown, Andrew Rutt, Gus Clark), 655 of 750; 2. Karp and Krow 4-H I, 654; 3. Oak Creek 4-H I, 643.
Handicap
Top Three Girls – 1. Bailey Kustka, Papillion-LaVista South, 67 of 75; 2. Lori Nevole, Omaha Marian, 66 (won shoot-off); 3. Brianna Rakes, Omaha Marian, 66.
Top Three Individuals – 1. Wyatt Matulka, Raymond Central, 71 of 75; 2. 3. Tylan Thompson, North Platte High, 70; 3. Cody Krula, Thayer County, 69.
Top Teams – 1. Raymond Central I (Wyatt Matulka, Kylie Rech, Cory Storm, Zach Setje, Jacob Huck), 325 of 375; 2. North Platte High Blue, 314; 3. Lincoln Pius X I, 309; 4. Omaha Creighton Prep Blue, 308; 5. Omaha Creighton Prep White, 305; 6. Wood River I, 301.
Top Three 4-H Teams – 1. Stanton 4-H I (Landon Steffen, Derick Gansebom, Lukas Steffen, Kaleb Reigle, Ethan Gansebom), 315 of 375; 2. Oak Creek 4-H I, 302; 3. Karp and Krow 4-H I, 299.
Top Three Girls High School Teams – 1. Omaha Marian Blue (Brianna Rakes, Maddie Worth, Natalie Bialas, Lori Nevole, Anna Vasko), 308 of 375; 2. Papillion-LaVista South Titan Lady II, 295; 3. Papillion-LaVista South Titan Lady I, 291.
Yardage Winners
Top Three 18-19 Yards – 1. Kayla Hampton, Hyannis 4-H, 66 of 75; 2. Nick Collins, Stanton 4-H, 65; 3. Ali Tanbouza, Aurora, 64.
Top Three 20-21 Yards – 1. Anthony Weyers, Waverly, 68 (won shoot-off); 2. Patrick Dvorak, Lewiston, 68; 3. Marshall Nichelson, Fairbury, 67.
Top Three 22-23 Yards – 1. Tristan Carlson, Omaha Roncalli, 69; 2. Chris Quinn, Omaha Creighton Prep, 68; 3. Ryan Winkler, Crete, 67.
Top Three 24-25 Yards – 1. Nick Peterson, Omaha Creighton Prep, 66 (won shoot-off); 2. Austin DuVall, Central, S.D., 3. Genny McKown, Hastings, 4-H, 66.
Senator Sullivan's Newsletter
From the Legislature by Senator Kate Sullivan
Newsletter May 3, 2013
Earlier this week, the Appropriations Committee advanced the $7.8 billion, two-year state budget package to the full Legislature. The budget package embodies a 5.2 percent average annual growth in state spending. The budget package advanced without dissenting votes, however there's no guarantee that committee members will continue to support the $7.8 billion budget in its entirety.
Last week, the Nebraska Economic Forecasting Advisory Board unexpectedly increased state revenue projections by more than $51 million. The new revenue generated intense discussion among Appropriations Committee members. Chairman Heath Mello recommended that the money go into the state cash reserve fund, often called the rainy day fund. The addition brings the cash reserve balance at the end of the current fiscal year to approximately $625 million, about 14 percent of the state's budget.
I strongly support the transfer of this additional revenue into the cash reserve. Over the last four years, a healthy state cash reserve fund has helped Nebraska cope with the recession, somewhat like a savings account that helps the state pay its bills when the economy slows.
Although I'm cautiously optimistic about the state's economic outlook, we must also plan ahead for the unknown – such as whether our current weather pattern will hold and the drought eases its grip on our state. Economists have predicted that state job growth will be modest and farmers’ incomes are predicted to decrease from recent all-time highs – just a few good reasons to save the extra revenue.
As advanced, the Appropriations Committee's budget prioritized education with a $66.5 million increase in funding to the University of Nebraska and state colleges which includes an increase for the University of Nebraska that keeps a two-year tuition freeze in place. There's a $146.3 million increase in K-12 school funding and $8 million in funding for early childhood programs. The budget also contains more funding to serve people with intellectual disabilities on the state waiting list and to increase payment rates for child welfare and health care providers. There's also $47 million for a new Central Nebraska Veterans' Home and $230 million for property tax relief.
If you'd like to review the state budget in detail, it's available on the Nebraska Legislature's home page at www.nebraskalegislature.gov under Recent Legislative Information. It's also on the Fiscal Division Report page at http://www.nebraskalegislature.gov/reports/fiscal.php. These are the same documents that senators will use when budget debate begins May 7.
LB 344, the bill I discussed in my April 19 newsletter, was passed by the Legislature on May 1 on a 46-0 vote with three senators excused and not voting. LB 344 was delivered to the Governor's Office and now awaits his signature. As I mentioned before, the passage of LB 344 may allow some rural communities to re-establish a long-term care facility without going through the certificate of need process or purchasing expensive long-term care beds on the open market.
If you have questions about this newsletter, please call my legislative office at (402) 471-2631; write to me c/o P.O. Box 94604, Lincoln, NE 68509 or email me at: ksullivan@leg.ne.gov. If you write or email, please include your full name and mailing address.
VCHS Emergency Department Temporarily Relocated
ORD – Valley County Health System will be temporarily relocating the Emergency Department from Friday, May 10 to Thursday, May 16. The temporary emergency department entrance will be south of the existing emergency department/ambulance entrance. Easy to follow signage will be posted to direct public and emergency vehicles. We will have staff at this entrance to assist you. The temporary emergency department will be fully functional.
If you have any questions please call Valley County Health System at 308-728-4223.
Ord High School FBLA
Local High School Group Earn Recognition for Waste Reduction/Recycling Efforts
Honored at Keep America Beautiful Conference in Washington D.C. in January and at the FBLA Spring Banquet on April 30, 2013, the Ord High School Future Business Leaders of America was awarded the National Distinguished Service plaque in the Youth/School Waste Reduction/Recycling category for their “Recycle the Recycling Trailer” Project.
Previously, the FBLA group had received the 1st place trophy in the School Recycling category from Keep Nebraska Beautiful (KNB) at their annual conference held June 28, 2012. The group was nominated for these awards by Keep Loup Basin Beautiful.
Lead by sponsor, Jennifer Remmereid, in the fall of 2011 the FBLA partnered with school administrators, the Valley County Community Foundation and Director, and other individuals to obtain a recycle trailer to be located at the High School. The recycling began with the “Go Green” recycling challenge during the October 21, 2011 football game. They continued to promote recycling by participating in Recycle-Bowl and America Recycles Day activities, and by wearing “I Recycle” t-shirts. The FBLA students continues to promote recycling at their school and in the Ord community.
This is a very successful project that has turned into a sustainable program for recycling education for the Ord Public School system. For more information on this project contact Jennifer Remmereid at the Ord High School.
If you would like more information about Keep America Beautiful, Keep Loup Basin Beautiful or the Loup Basin RC&D contact 308-346-3393.
Accident Kills Sargent Man
An accident Tuesday evening has claimed the life of a Sargent man. According to the Nebraska State Patrol, 58 year old Joe Willhoit, of Sargent was east bound on Highway 70 between Highway 183 and Road 452 and was driving a tractor. 25 year old Joe White, of Burwell was driving a car and struck the tractor from behind. Willhoit died at the scene and White was taken to the Broken Bow hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The Nebraska State Patrol continues to investigate the accident.
Willhoit was the owner of Doc's Heating and Air Conditioning.
Bartlett Water Tower Gets Cleaned
The village of Bartlett recently had their water tower cleaned.
Some residents will experience a strong chlorine smell and the
water may have a chlorine taste as well.
However officials say the water is drinkable and useable.
Snow In May?
After days of temperatures in the 80s, Nebraska is again in line to get more spring snow.
The National Weather Service says a storm system moving from the west will move into Nebraska on Tuesday, dropping rain and some snow on parts of the state.
The weather service says there will be a chance of showers in western Nebraska and thunderstorms possible in the southeastern part of the state later Tuesday. By Tuesday night, the system is expected to bring of mix of rain and snow to the western part of the state.
By Wednesday, colder air could bring more rain and snow to the state and some freezing temperatures. The eastern part of the state is expected to see snow by Thursday.
Drug Takeback A Success In Burwell
Saturday April 27th, 2013 Garfield Sherriff Larry Donner participated in the National Drug Take Back Day. Many people stopped by to take advantage of the opportunity to clean out their medicine cabinets. Sherriff Donner was able to collect 19lbs of no longer used or out of date medicines.
It is important to keep drugs out of the hands of those they are not intended for and out of our water systems. Some medications have instructions to flush them down the sink or toilet here is the list of those medications.
Medicines Recommended for Disposal by Flushing Listed by Medicine and Active Ingredient
There is a small number of medicines that may be especially harmful and, in some cases, fatal with just one dose if they are used by someone other than the person for whom the medicine was prescribed. This list from FDA tells you what expired, unwanted, or unused medicines you should flush down the sink or toilet to help prevent danger to people and pets in the home. Medicine
Active Ingredient
Abstral, tablets (sublingual)
Fentanyl
Actiq, oral transmucosal lozenge *
Fentanyl Citrate
Avinza, capsules (extended release)
Morphine Sulfate
Daytrana, transdermal patch system
Methylphenidate
Demerol, tablets *
Meperidine Hydrochloride
Demerol, oral solution *
Meperidine Hydrochloride
Diastat/Diastat AcuDial, rectal gel
Diazepam
Dilaudid, tablets *
Hydromorphone Hydrochloride
Dilaudid, oral liquid *
Hydromorphone Hydrochloride
Dolophine Hydrochloride, tablets *
Methadone Hydrochloride
Duragesic, patch (extended release) *
Fentanyl
Embeda, capsules (exteded release)
Morphine Sulfate; Naltrexone Hydrochloride
Exalgo, tablets (extended release)
Hydromorphone Hydrochloride
nFentora, tablets (buccal)
Fentanyl Citrate
Kadian, capsules (extended release)
Morphine Sulfate
Methadone Hydrochloride, oral solution *
Methadone Hydrochloride
Methadose, tablets *
Methadone Hydrochloride
Morphine Sulfate, tablets (immediate release) *
Morphine Sulfate
Morphine Sulfate, oral solution *
Morphine Sulfate
MS Contin, tablets (extended release) *
Morphine Slfat
Nucynta ER, tablets (extended release)
uTapentadol
Onsolis, soluble film (buccal)
eFentanyl Citrate
Opana, tablets (immediate release)
Oxymorphone Hydrochloride
Opana ER, tablets (extended release)
Oxymorphone Hydrochloride
Oxecta, tablets (immediate release)
Oxycodone Hydrochloride
Oxycodone Hydrochloride, capsules
Oxycodone Hydrochloride
Oxycodone Hydrochloride, oral solution
Oxycodone Hydrochloride
Oxycontin, tablets (extended release) *
Oxycodone Hydrochloride
Percocet, tablets *
Acetaminophen; Oxycodone Hydrochloride
Percodan, tablets *
Aspirin; Oxycodone Hydrochloride
Xyrem, oral solution
Sodium Oxybate
If you cannot make it to a Drug Take back day here is another way to dispose of your medicines.
Mix medicines (do NOT crush tablets or capsules) with an unpalatable substance such as kitty litter or used coffee grounds;
Place the mixture in a container such as a sealed plastic bag; and throw the container in your household trash.
Before throwing out your empty pill bottle or other empty medicine packaging, remember to scratch out all information on the prescription label to make it unreadable.
Sherriff Larry Donner and GLW Children’s Council want to thank all who did participate.
Dr. Unterseher Resigns From VCHS
Ord, NE —Valley County Health System regrets to announce the resignation of Chris Unterseher, MD who will be leaving at the termination of his contract on July 31, 2013.
Dr. Unterseher’s fiancé, Sela, was accepted into the PhD program in clinical psychology at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She begins her studies in September, therefore requiring their move to Kalamazoo in August.
Dr. Unterseher remarked, "I greatly value the time that I have spent as a physician at Valley County Health System. I will miss working with the excellent medical providers and staff of VCHS."
“Dr. Unterseher has served VCHS as a member of our Medical Staff since October 10, 2010. He sees patients in our Ord and Loup City Medical Clinic. We all send our best wishes to Chris and Sela on their future endeavors”, stated William Sugg, VCHS President & CEO.
Arbor Day Today 4/26/13
Those heading to state and local government offices on Friday will find most of them closed to observe Arbor Day.
The holiday is meant to encourage the planting and nurturing of trees. Many states around the country also recognize the holiday.
The tree-honoring occasion originated in Nebraska City in 1872, founded by Nebraska City native and U.S. Agriculture Secretary J. Sterling Morton. An estimated 1 million trees were planted that day.
Nebraska City residents will hold their 141st Arbor Day celebration Friday and will extend the festivities into Saturday and Sunday, with tree giveaways, a parade, races, home and garden and craft shows, a chili cook-off and commemorative tree plantings.
OHS Student Andrew Fields Big Winner In GI
Ord High School running sensation Andrew Fields had a big day in Grand Island at the Central Nebraska Track and Field championships Wednesday at Northwest Hight School.
The Chants 3,200 meter relay team which consists of Fields, Trevor Fahrenholz, Dylan Miller and Philip Langthaler won with a time of 8:29.9.
Fields won the 1,600 with a time of 4:31.3 and then the 3,200 with a time of 9:58.8.
Fields said he was excited to win the three events. Fields also said it was a tough meet with
great runners.
OHS Shot Putter, Clayton Lange also had a first place finish at the event with a throw of 51-6 1/2.
Rodeo Parade Theme Announced
Burwell, N.E., April 29, 2013–The Burwell Chamber of Commerce has announced the parade theme for the 92nd Annual Nebraska’s Big Rodeo Parade. This year’s theme will be “Rodeo Rocks”.
The date of this year’s parade is set for Saturday, July 27th, beginning at 10:00 AM. The annual parade is an opportunity for families, businesses, churches and organizations to show their spirit and support of the Burwell Community. Those interested in participating in the parade can pick up an entry application at the Chamber of Commerce office or call (308)346-5210 to have an application mailed or faxed.
The Burwell Chamber of Commerce is also seeking volunteers to assist with the parade event. Any individual, business or organization willing to help with this year’s event is encouraged to contact the Chamber office at 308-346-5210.
Nebraska Takes Stand Against Bullying
Stand for the Silent is part of a statewide movement that began in 2012 in which youth and adults stand together against bullying. Bullying has been a continuous and fearful problem that has taken over many youth’s lives and Stand for the Silent is a day where the state can come together and bring awareness to the issue. More than 50,000 youth will participate on April 26 in communities across Nebraska.
“As an advocate for mental wellness, I have seen how much bullying has affected our schools, families, and our society in general. Bullying has become the cause of self-inflicted harm and worse, teen suicide. It’s time for all of us to take a stand to stop bullying,” said Senator Amanda McGill.
Glow sticks and pledge cards have been provided for those who have registered at www.serve.nebraska.gov. The glow sticks represent a candle light vigil and are something the youth can take with them to remember the event. The Stand for the Silent pledge will be recited followed by silence for seven seconds (to represent that every seven seconds someone is bullied) in commemoration for those who have been bullied.
For more information and how you can get involved, contact Cathy Plager, at 402-471-6226 or cathleen.plager@nebraska.gov.
Senator Kate Sullivan Pleased LB 344 Advanced
Good news for rural Nebraska! The Legislature advanced LB 344 to select file on Friday. LB 344 creates a specific narrow exception to a moratorium on new long-term care beds in small communities.
Hindsight is 20/20. In 2009, the Legislature passed a bill that allowed owners of long-term care beds to sell those beds outright or transfer them to other facilities owned by the same company.
Although there was no opposition to the bill's passage four years ago, rural communities were negatively affected by the bill's provisions since then as their long-term care facilities closed. Our actions in 2009 continue to exact a toll on rural Nebraska.
A long-term care facility in my district closed in 2011. The beds were transferred to other facilities owned by the same company. The closure left my community without any long-term care and had a negative impact on the local economy since the facility was a large employer.
Since 2011, the community has actively explored their options to rebuild or replace and reopen a long-term care facility. Community leaders said the statutory moratorium on licensing of new long-term care beds in NRS §71-5829.04(1)(b) is the largest obstacle blocking any community from proactively meeting their long-term care needs locally. I introduced LB 344 in direct response to their statements.
LB 344 eliminates that obstacle by creating a statutory exception that applies only to facilities developed and licensed by a political subdivision or nonprofit organization in a second class city or village. The exception applies only when all long-term care beds in a second class city or village were sold or transferred outside a 25 mile radius from the city or village – resulting in no long-term care beds within the corporate limits of the second class city or village.
The number of new beds cannot exceed the number of beds sold or transferred. New beds can't be sold for five years after first occupancy. Additional beds can't be added under subdivision (2) of NRS §71-5829.03 for five years after first occupancy. Any long-term care facility developed under the exception must comply with all state and federal licensing and code requirements.
As legislators, we must never be afraid to examine and reassess our past decisions. With LB 344, some rural communities may be able to re-establish a long-term care facility without going through the certificate of need process. It's a good result for the unintended consequences of our 2009 actions.
If you have questions about this newsletter, please call my legislative office at (402) 471-2631; write to me c/o P.O. Box 94604, Lincoln, NE 68509 or email me at: ksullivan@leg.ne.gov. If you write or email, please include your full name and mailing address.
Weekly Drought Monitor
Soaking rain across much of the nation's midsection has helped further alleviate drought in the crop growing states of Iowa, Missouri, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Small portions of Nebraska also saw improvement.
A weekly drought monitor, released Thursday by the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, showed a few regions missed out from the wet weather, including Texas, where southern counties are in exceptional drought - the driest level possible level.
Eastern Nebraska and the western edge of the state improved. Most of Nebraska remains in extreme drought. Kansas saw little change, remaining in exceptional or extreme drought.
With snow in parts of Nebraska and heavy rain in much of the Midwest, some farmers are now hoping for a dry spell so they can get into fields.
Keystone XL Opponets And Supporters Meet In G.I.
Opponents and supporters of the Keystone XL oil pipeline are converging on a Nebraska town for what could become a pivotal moment for the project.
The U.S. State Department hearing Thursday in Grand Island is expected to draw at least several hundred people from Nebraska, as well as out-of-state activists from both sides who consider the state a key battleground.
After months of quiet, a State Department report has cleared the way for a final decision on the plan to transport oil extracted from Alberta tar sands more than 1,700 miles, to refineries on the Gulf Coast.
Opponents are now focused on the new Secretary of State, John Kerry, who will make a recommendation to President Barack Obama on whether to green-light the project.
Ord Boxing Club Receives Check
The Ord Boxing Club received a donation from Cargill Inc through their employee Jo Moraczewski. Cargill gives each employee an amount of money to be used for the charity of their choice, and they can be doubled through the corporate office if they meet certain criteria, through not all donations can be matched.
Jo presented the check for $500 to Coach Dan Klimek, Coach Dustin Claypool, and Assistant Coach Jacob Sautter, on Monday April 15, 2012, to be used for improvements to the equipment and additional needs. All the coaches are volunteers and we don’t charge for the lessons like some other clubs do.
Our Club’s purpose is to sharpen everyone up mentally and physically and give them another sport to compete in. The other towns besides Ord that the kids are coming from this year are Elba, Greeley, Spalding and Burwell. This year we have 35 kids signed up, ages 8 thru 34 years to compete in matches, but we let younger and older individuals train too. We train 3 times a week and then attend matches on Saturdays when they have them.
The Ord Boxing Club is very appreciative of the donation. Dan Klimek stated “It is go to replacing some of the equipment that is old and supplies. Thank you! The last donation we received was a $20 memorial from someone, this really helps.”
Winter Weather Headed Our Way
- A spring storm is bringing much-needed moisture to parts of the Rockies and the Plains but winds are raising the wildfire danger to the south.
Rocky Mountain National Park has already gotten over 2 feet of snow and more is expected to fall through Wednesday. Southeastern Wyoming could also get up to a foot. It's also snowing in western South Dakota and Nebraska and the storm is expected to push into Iowa Wednesday night.
The storm has boosted the mountain snowpack and extended Colorado's ski season. Vail and Breckenridge ski resorts will open for an extra weekend.
However, parts of southern Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona are forecast to get only strong winds, making it easier for wildfires to spread in dried-out vegetation.
Blaha and Flessner Appointed to VCHS Board of Trustees
The Valley County Board of Supervisors has appointed Charles Blaha, DDS, and Nathan Flessner as new members of the VCHS Board of Trustees. Blaha and Flessner will serve three-year terms. Blaha and Flessner join the six current board members Gary Garnick, Carl Streeter, Garry Miska, Roger Lansman, Michelle Zangger, and William T. Sugg (ex officio), VCHS President and CEO
Following graduation from Ord High School in 1956, Charles Blaha, DDS, attended the University of Nebraska at Kearney where he graduated with a degree in Science. He then attended the Universtiy of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry in Lincoln. After graduation, Dr. Blaha returned to Ord, and started his private practice in 1971. Charles and his wife, Jean, have 3 children, Mike Blaha, Mark Blaha, and Shelley Petska, and a total of 11 grandchildren.
Dr. Blaha is now retired from private practice but currently serves on the Dean’s Advisory Council at the University Medical Center at Lincoln. He has also served on other boards including, State Chairman for Ducks Unlimited, Game and Parks Board Commission, and currently serves on the Game and Parks Foundation.
Charles stated, “I am honored to join the VCHS Board of Trustees. I have a genuine interest in our Health System, and the importance it has in our community. I hope to use my years of experience to support and help make it even stronger.”
Nathan is originally from Missouri, his family moved to Ord when he was in the seventh grade. Following graduation from Ord High School, he attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, and then transferred to the University of Nebraska at Kearney where he graduated with a Bachelors degree in Biology. Nathan is an EMT with the Ord Volunteer Fire Department, and has always been interested in the medical field.
Nathan returned to Ord in 2001, where he lives with his wife, Kimberly, a fellow Ord High School graduate. Nathan and Kimberly have three children Zachary, 13, Alex, 10, and Kaitlyn, 7, who attend Ord Public Schools. Nathan is an associate at First National Bank in Ord, where he has worked since 2001.
When asked why he sought to serve on the VCHS Board of Trustees, Nathan stated, “I am excited to be part of our community Health System, it is a great chance for me to be part of something big, something that enriches our community.”
Declining enrollment and aging buildings that need repairs or replacement are two issues forcing some area school districts to make decisions about possible merger scenarios. School board representatives from five area school districts met Tuesday night in Greeley to discuss collaborations between the districts. The meeting included representatives from North Loup-Scotia, Ord, Greeley-Wolbach,
Scratchtown Brewing Company is well on it's way to having a completed building on the square in Ord. Caleb Pollard, President and Business Director in charge of Sales and Marketing spoke with KNLV about the company's future plans and how the idea of opening a brewing company in Ord came to be. Pollard, a home brewer himself since 2006 was sitting at home back in January of 2012
GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) - The mayor of Grand Island has been arrested for suspicion of drunken driving.
Mayor Jay Vavricek was arrested in Howard County on Saturday. According to Valley County Sheriff Casey Hurlburt, Vavricek was booked into Valley County Jail March 2nd on a DUI charge from Howard County. Mr. Vavricek bonded out
Sargent Man Killed In Tractor Accident
A 55-year-old man has died after being run over by a tractor in central Nebraska's Custer County.
Sargent Fire Chief Reece Jensen that Dennis Seidel was killed Sunday afternoon.
Jensen reports that Seidel was refueling the tractor when he apparently hit the tractor's starter button. The tractor fired up, slipped into gear and ran over Seidel.
A funeral is scheduled for Friday. Hitchcock Funeral Home of Burwell is in charge of arrangements.
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BARTLETT, Iowa (AP) - A Nebraska man has been crushed under a vehicle that he was working on near a maintenance shop.
Fremont County deputies and rescue workers were sent to the shop in Bartlett around 2:15 p.m. Saturday. They found that 57-year-old Earl Schmitt, of Omaha, Neb., and another man had been working on the vehicle when it slipped off jack stands
Closing arguments ended the 3 day trial of a Broken Bow man for shooting up a Custer County Deputy's cruiser on March 18, 2012 in front of the deputy's home. Trent Esch was found guilty by a jury that deliberated briefly before handing down the verdic of guilty on both felony criminal mischief and using a weapon to commit a felony.
The jury trail of 36-year-old Trent Esch of Broken Bow, began Monday in Custer County District Court. Esch is accused of shooting an unoccupied Custer County Sheriff patrol vehicle March 18, 2012, parked in front of the home of Deputy Sheriff Dan Spanel. Esch is being tried on charges of criminal mischief, and use of a weapon to commit felony criminal mischief.
The prosecution, Custer
Caleb Pollard from Loup Valley LEAD presents Mayor Goldfish and Utility Superintendent Paul Markowski a $500 check to help update the lighting at the city softball fields. Loup Valley LEAD is comprised of young local leaders and business owners seeking to make the Loup Valley a better place to live and raise a family.
The jury deliberated for approximately 6 hours at most and came back early this afternoon (Friday, February 8, 2013) with a verdict of guilty of murder in the 2nd degree. John Oldson will be sentenced on April 1, 2013. Jurors have found Oldson guilty of killing Catherine Beard, Ord NE more than 23 years ago. The two week long trial brought about witness
The defense rested it's case early this morning(Thursday, February 7, 2013). They presented their final 3 witnesses and had a hearing concerning a residual statement made by, the now deceased, Robert (Bob) Hopkins. The defense's first witness was Valley County Sheriff Casey Hurlburt. Sheriff
On Tuesday, February 5, 2013 the state rested its case in the 23 year old murder of Catherine Beard with John Oldson up for felony murder. This morning (Wednesday, February 06, 2013) the defense came out ready to roll with five witnesses and 3 police reports being read to the jury. Let it be noted that two of these police reports are from two deceased men: Michael Howely and
A professional tension existed in the courtroom this morning, as the state and defense teams each awaited evidentiary decisions on motions placed before the court. Judge Noakes later ruled and allowed certain pages of John Oldson's journal to be read aloud before, but with stipulations and a special instruction to be provided by the Judge.
Day 6 of the Oldson murder trial continued this morning, without the presence of the jury. The attorneys for the state and the defense participated in hearings about evidence they wished Judge Noakes to rule on whether the evidence could be added to evidence list and submitted to the jury. The defense began with a hired private investigator from Shelton
Former Ord Church Burns
An early morning fire has damaged a former Ord Church.
The former Unitarian church has been used recently as
a social gathering site. The fire was called in at about 5:40
Monday morning by a person going to work. No one lived in the building which also was a former residence, and no
injuries have been reported.
Day 5 of the John Oldson Murder trial. Oldson being led into the Howard County Courthouse.
The State put forth a powerful witness on day 5 of the murder trial of John Oldson at the Howard County Courthouse in St. Paul, NE. The expert witness, a Professor at Mercyhurst University in Erie, PA, Dr. Steven A. Syme, spent the morning discussing his evaluation of Catherine
Photo from Day 4 of the trial. John Oldson being led fromt the Howard County Courthouse in St Paul NE
Details filled the morning testimony given in day four of John Oldson's murder trial. The state presented numerous photo's of the site where Catherine Beard's skeletal remains were discovered back in April of 1992. Like the previous days of the trial, Oldson
Day 3 in the trial of John Oldson for the 23 year old murder of Catherine Beard. The jury of 7 women and 5 men with 2 alternates, continued to listen to witness accounts of what happened to Beard on the night of May 31, 1989. Witness Larry Karschner, a retired former detective-investigator for the Nebraska State Patrol, discussed his interviews with Oldson, after then Ord Police Chief
The John Oldson murder trial continued in the Howard County courthouse.
On Day two, opening statements were given by the State and the Defense. Co-prosecutor Matt Lierman of the Attorney General's office began with a timeline of how Oldson and Beard met on or about May 31, 1989 at the Somewhere Else Tavern in Ord. Defense Attorney Sarah Newell's opening statement took
District Court Judge Karen Noakes oversaw saw the selection of a jury on Monday by prosecutors Corey O'Brien and Valley County Attorney Glen Clark and Defense attorneys James Mowbray and Sarah Newell. The jury was selected for the trial of John Oldson, for the alleged 1989 murder of Catherine Beard. The trial will resume Tuesday, January 29, 2013, in Howard County. The selection
The trial in the case against John Oldson for the 1989 murder of Cathy Beard begins at 9am in Howard County court. The case was moved back in December by order of Judge Karen Noakes due in part because the bar where Catherine was a waitress is in full view of the Valley County courtroom.
John Oldson was arrested back in January in Randolph MO charged with
A landlord/tenant cash lease workshop will be hosted by University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension at the Legion Club in Arcadia on Monday, February 4 from 5:30 to 8:30 pm. The workshop is designed to help landlords and tenants establish and maintain a positive farm leasing relationship. Supper will be provided thanks to the Nebraska Soybean Board and the North Central Risk
O'NEILL, Neb. (AP) - An ethanol company's plant in northeast Nebraska has been sold at a public auction.
NEDAK Ethanol's Atkinson plant was sold for $22 million Tuesday at the Holt County Courthouse in O'Neill.
Choice Ethanol Holding of Fargo, N.D., bought the plant as the only bidder.
It is unclear what will happen to the plant or to the company.
The plant uses approximately 19 million bushels of corn a year, and produces approximately 51 million gallons of denatured fuel-grade ethanol.
The company temporarily stopped production last May to monitor the corn and ethanol markets.
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LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - A state senator is worried that law enforcement authorities in Nebraska may try to deploy drones as spy gear.
Sen. Paul Schumacher of Columbus introduced a bill on Tuesday that would prohibit law enforcement from using drones as a surveillance tool to gather evidence against law breakers.
Schumacher says a constituent concerned about privacy rights convinced him that Nebraska needs to regulate drone use.
The measure would make it illegal for law enforcement to collect evidence using drones. Nebraska residents would be allowed to sue law enforcement if drones are used improperly.
Schumacher says the bill would allow law enforcement to use drones for counter-errorism purposes if Homeland Security has evidence of a potential high security risk.
The senator says he modeled his proposal after similar legislation in Florida.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - A bill has been introduced in the state legislature that would prohibit employers from discriminating against potential workers based on their sexual orientation.
Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln proposed a measure Tuesday that would prohibit employers from considering orientation when hiring, firing, promoting or managing workers.
Conrad says now is the right time to revisit employment discrimination. She says she was inspired by recent conversations over gay-rights ordinances in Omaha, Lincoln and other parts of the country.
Lincoln and Omaha recently considered gay-rights ordinances, which faced opposition from social conservatives. Omaha passed an ordinance extending legal protections to gay and transgender residents last year. Lincoln city officials approved a similar measure, but opponents launched a successful petition drive to force a public vote on the issue later this year.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Lawmakers have introduced two tax reform measures championed by Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman.
State Sens. Beau McCoy and Brad Ashford, both of Omaha, submitted the proposals on Tuesday. One option would eliminate the state's income tax and make up the lost revenue by ending $2.4 billion in state sales tax exemptions.
The other would reduce the amount of income taxes paid by retirees, while getting rid of about $395 million in sales tax exemptions.
Heineman, a Republican, argued in his State of the State address that Nebraska's current tax system is outdated and needs an overhaul. Many of the sales-tax exemptions now on the books were enacted in 1967.
Heineman has said he wants a public debate about the exemptions, though he opposes lifting a sales tax exemption for food.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman has approved a new route for the Keystone XL oil pipeline that avoids the state's environmentally sensitive Sandhills region.
Heineman sent a letter Tuesday to President Barack Obama confirming that he would allow the controversial project to proceed in his state.
The pipeline has faced strong resistance in Nebraska from a coalition of landowners and environmental groups who say it would contaminate the Ogallala aquifer, a massive groundwater supply.
Canadian pipeline developer TransCanada and some workers' unions say the project is safe and will create thousands of jobs.
The original route would have run the pipeline through a region of erodible, grass-covered sand dunes. The new route skirts that area.
CHICAGO (AP) - The FBI says a man dubbed the "Ray Bandit" for the distinctive sunglasses he allegedly wore during 17 bank robberies in seven states is in custody in Chicago.
Authorities say Jeremy Evans of Carol Stream was arrested last week in a car matching the description of one used during a holdup moments earlier of a bank in Elgin.
The FBI says Evans is believed to have absconded with more than $75,000 from 17 banks since last summer in Illinois, California, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Wisconsin and Virginia.
That robber has been nicknamed the "Ray Bandit" because he wore Ray-Ban sunglasses during the holdups.
Evans is charged with one count of bank robbery and is jailed without bond.
His attorney, Donna Hickstein-Foley, hasn't returned a message seeking comment Tuesday.
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Former Nebraska Sen. Ben Nelson has gotten a new job: chief executive officer of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
The Democrat just left the U.S. Senate after 12 years in office.
The association announced Tuesday that Nelson will represent the group's interests in Washington, D.C., which includes "outreach to federal and international governmental entities." The association noted that Nelson was its executive vice president and chief of staff from 1982 to 1985.
Association members include chief insurance regulators from the 50 states, the District of Columbia and five U.S. territories.
Nelson briefly served Nebraska as director of the Insurance Department, 1975-1976.
He was governor of Nebraska from 1991 until 1999. He began representing Nebraska in the U.S. Senate in 2001.
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska is sponsoring an essay-writing contest for seventh- and eighth-graders to encourage participation in a state-sponsored college savings plan.
The 11th annual "Why I Want to Go to College" contest is open to students in Nebraska and across the country.
Judges will pick three winners from each of Nebraska's three congressional districts and three winners from out of state. First-place winners will receive a $3,500 contribution to a Nebraska college savings plan and a one-night hotel stay in Omaha. Second-place winners will receive a $1,000 contribution, and third-place winners will each receive a $500 contribution.
Essays are due on April 5. The contest is organized by the Nebraska State Treasurer's Office and the Omaha Storm Chasers baseball team. More details are available on the treasurer's website.
North Platte native Julie Geiser has joined the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission as a public information officer for west-central and southwest Nebraska. She began her duties, working out of the agency’s North Platte office, on Jan. 14.
Geiser’s duties include community and media relations, public information, and photography and writing for NEBRASKAland Magazine and all agency
On Monday, January 21, 2013 a vehicle was reported stolen in the Scotia area on Springdale road. The theft occurred between 5:30am and 6am. According to Greeley County Deputy Jon Howard, they do have a suspect who remains at large and is considered armed and dangerous. A wrecked truck was found close to the scene near the building where the van was taken that is believed to be that of the
The Valley County Philanthropic Partners (VCPP) invites you to join us in hosting the first annual Big Give to Valley County! Due to the overwhelming interest in event, the VCPP has expanded participation to include 501(c)(3) public charities and nonprofit organizations who contribute to the overall betterment of Valley County.
Ten local youth entrepreneurs will be featuring their business at the first-ever Youth Entrepreneur Showcase (Y.E.S.), an event sponsored by the Valley County Community Foundation Fund, Ord Area Chamber of Commerce, and Ord High School FBLA Chapter. Community members are invited to attend the Y.E.S. which will take place on Friday, January 25th in the new commons area at Ord High School from
The ballroom of the Ord Veteran’s Club was turned into a beautiful destination in the Orient this past Saturday evening for the Valley County Health System Foundation’s Annual Gala.
From red and white Chinese lanterns hanging from the ceiling to the details of branches, Japanese cherry blossoms,
The ballroom of the Ord Veteran’s Club was turned into a beautiful destination in the Orient this past Saturday evening for the Valley County Health System Foundation’s Annual Gala.
From red and white Chinese lanterns hanging from the ceiling to the details of branches, Japanese cherry blossoms,
Lauren Welniak, a Physician Assistant student at Shenandoah University in Winchester, VA, has chose Valley County Health System to complete her first rotation. Jeff Breitkreutz, PA-C is her supervising provider. Lauren is originally from Ord, NE, and will graduate in December 2013. Lauren stated, “I am excited to complete a rotation, in my hometown. I look forward to being a part of the
With the growing numbers of reported flu cases, Valley View Living Center is taking extra precautions to stay virus-free. We ask that all visitors that are sick, have flu like symptoms, or have family and friends who are sick, refrain from visiting at this time.
In a place with elderly residents, it's particularly important to keep symptoms away to prevent the flu in the building. At Valley
