Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
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Superintendent Dale Martin shared the following information with Summerland families, July 28. Our district administrative team and the Summerland Board of Education, in consultation with the North Central District Health Department, Nebraska Department of Education and following the Center for Disease Control guidelines, is planning to start the 2020-2021 school year with in-person, normal instruction, Aug. 13. The schools of Summerland - Clearwater, Ewing and Orchard - will operate within the...
With fall hunting seasons coming up, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission reminds hunters of temporary Hunter Education changes from which they can benefit. Until further notice, online-only Hunter Education courses, without the Hunt Safe Session requirement, is allowed for ages 11 and older in Nebraska. Youth ages 11-15 who take the online Hunter Education course normally are required to attend a two-hour Hunt Safe Session before they can receive a certificate of completion. That Hunt Safe Session requirement temporarily has been waived...
Luna Stephens and Katie Anderson Nebraska News Service During the Nebraska Legislature’s second week back in session, senators advanced the state’s budget to final reading. Senators also attempted to bring new pieces of legislation to address pandemic-related issues like evictions and regulations for meatpacking workers. State budget Senators advanced two state budget bills to final reading on July 28 including $55.2 million for damage from the 2019 floods, $10 million to the rural workforce housing investment fund and $3.7 million inc...
Luna Stephens and Katie Anderson Nebraska News Service Senators passed two state budget bills on July 31 including $55.2 million for damage from the 2019 floods, $10 million to the rural workforce housing investment fund and $3.7 million increase in developmental disability provider rates. LB1008, presented by Speaker Sen. Jim Scheer of Norfolk at the request of Gov. Pete Ricketts, is the $9.4 billion mainline state budget bill. After final reading, bills are submitted to the governor. The governor must sign, veto or line item veto the budget...
North Central District Health Department has been made aware of five additional positive COVID-19 cases in the district. One case in Cherry County is currently under investigation. One case in Holt County is due to direct contact with a positive individual. All close contacts have been contacted and asked to quarantine. One case in Knox County is due to community spread and all close contacts have been identified and asked to quarantine. One case in Pierce County is due to community spread and...
State senators resumed the legislative session July 20, after breaking for almost four months due to coronavirus. We are set to complete this 60-day session Aug. 13. During this first week back, we immediately began debating the major issues left pending. Senators voted 30-8 to pull LB 814 from the Judiciary Committee and place it on General File so it can be debated. LB 814 would prohibit live dismemberment abortion and provide for criminal penalties for physicians who perform such abortions....
The Nebraska Legislature reconvened on July 20, after a break of more than four months due to the pandemic. When we recessed, we had 17 working days remaining to debate and pass legislation, and those days have been moved to late July through early August in order to complete our work. While things could always change again, we are currently slated to work through the 13th of August to finish out the 60 working days of our session. In the intervening weeks and months, many Nebraskans have had...
The Nebraska School Activities Association is preparing to begin the 2020 fall sports season as currently scheduled. First practices for football, volleyball, cross country, girls' golf, boys' tennis and softball are set to begin Aug. 10. "The health and safety of our student participants, coaches and officials has been our priority as we work to provide activities for our member schools," the association said in a press release. "This will not change and modifications may have to be made. Pleas...
Summerland schools will have a normal opening, Aug. 13. Superintendent Dale Martin made the announcement Monday during the board of education's regular meeting. He distributed information about a health dial, which rates risk for COVID-19. The dial consists of green, yellow, orange and red levels. North Central District Health Department will be creating a district-specific dial, according to Martin. It will change on a week-by-week basis. Holt and Antelope counties are currently in the green....
North Central District Health Department reported Monday it has been made aware of six additional COVID-19 cases in the region. Four cases in Antelope County, though not all contact-related to one another, are result of direct contacts with positive cases. All direct contacts have been contacted and asked to quarantine. All cases are at home in isolation. One case in Antelope County is due to community spread, which has been present in the county. The individual is in isolation at home. All direct contacts have been contacted and asked to...
After much consideration, the Holt County Ag Society has made a decision regarding events for the 2020 Holt County Fair. Due to the nature of the Covid-19 virus and restrictions required to be in compliance with today’s health guidelines, the Holt County Ag Society has moved to reschedule all entertainment events to the 2021 fair dates. Open class events at the 2020 fair, including the dog show and junior exhibits, will not be held. The Holt County Extension office will still offer 4-H and FFA events, with changes in the schedule to be a...
St. Peter Lutheran Fellowship Hall, in Orchard, will be the site for a blood drive, scheduled for Monday, July 20. Donations will be accepted between 10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Rita Shabram will contact donors to make appointments. She may be reached at 402-893-2691. Donors may also make an appointment on the blood donor app or by visiting redcrossblood.org and searching for the Orchard drive. Social distancing guidelines will be in place. Appointments are preferred. Walk-ins will be accepted only...
The 4-H division of the Antelope County Fair will have a different look in 2020. Tessa Hain, 4-H youth development coordinator, said, extension personnel appreciate input for how fair events will look due to COVID-19 concerns. “We had to make some tough decisions to put on a safe fair for all of our youth and for our community,” she wrote in a July 1 email. “We are really happy that we can get together face to face to celebrate our 4-Hers and their hard work.” On Sunday, July 12, shooting sports...
The Holt County supervisors finalized seating of a board of adjustment when they met at the courthouse in O’Neill last Tuesday, June 30. Vice chair Steve Boshart presided, due to the potential for board of adjustment action related to TC Energy matters, with which chairman Bill Tielke has a declared conflict of interest. Clayton Goeke of Atkinson was selected, by written ballot from a pool of three interested citizens, to serve as the alternate board member. Goeke garnered three votes, Cheri Frisch of Atkinson, two, and Tom Schaaf of Lynch, non...
Six of seven defendants who faced the Honorable Donna Taylor last Wednesday morning, July 1, when she presided from the bench in the Antelope County court, faced charges stemming from alleged fights. If convicted of their individual third-degree assault, fight by mutual consent charges, they each face a possible fine of up to $1,000, six months in jail, or both, for the Class 2 misdemeanor. Hugo Estrada, 28, and Smokie J. Pike, 24, who resided in Neligh for the past several months, were cited for a May 3 fight at their residence. Pike pleaded...
NEBRASKA NEWS SERVICE The Small Business Administration, on Monday, released some details about 4,179 Nebraska businesses that took out Paycheck Protection Program loans of $150,000 or more. The Small Business Administration did not report the exact amount each business took out in loans, offering a range that the loan fell into. Only loans of $150,000 or more were reported. Of the 4,179 loans, 2,394 of them were for the lowest range, $150,000 to $350,000. Statewide, 36 businesses got loans of $5 million to $10 million. Orchard loans reported...
SUBMITTED ARTICLE Although COVID-19 canceled the in-person State FFA Convention in Lincoln this year, FFA members have still been able to participate in virtual events. In December, four members qualified for the state convention in leadership development events. These students were able to compete in events virtually last week. Results were announced July 2, via Facebook Live. Ashley Melcher received a bronze medal for her ag literacy speech. Receiving a silver medal was Carlee Livingston in...
After months of planning and rescheduling, Ewing Public School students will have a prom. The event will take place Friday, July 17 at St. Dominic's Hall. The theme is Las Vegas Nights and members of the junior class will decorate Thursday at 6:30 p.m. The traditional grand march will still take place at 6:30 p.m., Friday, after sponsor Jan Miller takes pictures at 6. Audience members are asked to remain in their vehicles while students walk along the sidewalk, showing their outfits. Before...
While the 53rd version of Clearwater's Big Rodeo will look familiar, several adaptations will be in place because of COVID-19 concerns. According to Clearwater Chamber of Commerce President Curt Thiele, the organization has worked hand-in-hand with North Central District Health Department personnel to develop a plan so the rodeo would come to fruition. "We're taking precautions," Thiele said, noting hand sanitizer will be available and facilities will be disinfected every two hours. Social...
The Fourth of July is only a few days away and one Ewing business is prepared to ignite everyone's passion for all things pyrotechnic. RTS Fireworks, located at Rotherham Tire Service, at 201 E. Nebraska Street, in Ewing, opened June 24 and is on pace to have a banner year. Owner Eddie Rotherham said he has operated the stand for nine years. His daughter, Hailey, assists. Rotherham added his sons "used to be some of his best customers." Prior to opening RTS Fireworks, Ewing Volunteer Fire and Re...
North Central District Health Department reported June 24, an Antelope County resident, in his 70s, was determined to be the first COVID-related death in the region. The individual was reported to have underlying health conditions. On June 29, NCDHD reported it is receiving an increase in trends for cases and direct contacts over the last week. With the July 4 holiday approaching and guidance loosening in the state, NCDHD reminds district residents to stay healthy and safe by being mindful of the importance of social distancing, only making...
Midland University is recognizing more than 800 students for their outstanding achievements in being named to the Spring 2020 academic awards’ list. Midland also announced the addition of three new awards for the 2020 spring semester: President’s Achievement Award, Dean’s Achievement Award and Warrior Grit Academic Achievement Award. Dean’s list honorees must have a term grade-point average of 3.50 to 3.99, all course requirements completed and at least 12 credits on the A-F grade scale. Warrior Grit Academic Achievement Award honorees must ha...
KATIE ANDERSON Nebraska News Service With the summer session less than three weeks away, Nebraska Legislature's leaders say there are important tax and revenue topics to be debated and hope to keep everyone safe inside the Capitol. When the 17-day session reconvenes July 20, changes most notable to the public will be how the George W. Norris Legislative Chamber is set up and how it will function. Due to COVID-19, the Legislature is taking safety precautions for senators' return. "The speaker...
MADELEINE GRANT Nebraska News Service Ballot initiatives that encourage economic development and repeal slavery language in the state constitution will appear on the Nebraska ballot in November. The Nebraska Tax Increment Financing Repayment Amendment increases the repayment period for TIF in blighted areas, which can help stimulate economic growth. The second amendment on the ballot is Remove Slavery as Punishment for Crime, which removes language in the Nebraska state constitution that says slavery can be used as punishment for a crime. Both...
LUNA STEPHENS Nebraska News Service While much of the attention on this summer's legislative session will likely be focused on property tax relief, Nebraska state senators passed a variety of bills before the session was suspended and have more to discuss. The Nebraska Legislature's 2020 session was suspended March 16 because of COVID-19 concerns and will resume July 20. Here's a look at some of the legislation that became laws, and some that will continue to be debated when the Legislature resu...
