The Summerland Advocate-Messenger - Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community

Twenty-six Nebraska senators took their oaths of office, Wednesday, Jan. 4, and selected more than a dozen leaders who will fill out the ranks of the Legislature for the next two years. The 108th...

Pretend for a moment that Nebraska somehow halted all use of nitrogen fertilizer – not a single speck more on our lawns, golf courses and corn fields. What would happen? Nothing fast. That's b...

The farmer was growing impatient. He and dozens of other central Nebraska farmers had gathered for mandatory training in Columbus a few weeks before last Christmas. In response to high nitrate...

A new duplex is under development in Clearwater, with assistance from a $221,000 Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Fund grant. A groundbreaking ceremony was held Thursday, Oct. 27, at the site on the...

The 107th Legislature, second session, has adjourned sine die. The last day was filled with last-minute items, the governor’s closing speech and ceremonial procedures. The 13 senators who won’t be...

The Legislature passed nearly 100 bills during the first three days of this past week. We will now recess for several days, thereby giving the Legislature the opportunity to override any potential...

Many major issues were dealt with this past week in the Legislature, with the most significant being the passage of LB 873. When fully implemented, LB 873 will result in almost $900 million in annual...

Even though only a handful of days remain in the 2022 legislative session, District 40 Sen. Tim Gragert said he wants to hear from constituents. Gragert met area residents, Friday, at the Antelope...

The public had an opportunity to hear platforms of four candidates vying for the District 40 legislative seat, last Thursday, during a forum held in Plainview. Barry DeKay, of Niobrara; Robert...

The Legislature gave final approval to the budget bills. During the 90-day legislative session, the biennial budget is crafted. During the 60-day session, adjustments are made. This was a much more...

The Legislature gave second-round approval to budget bills this past week, working late each evening. This will allow the budget to be read on Final Reading next week, meeting the requirement to have...

We change our clocks twice a year, switching from standard time to daylight saving time and back again, even though we may not like it. This could soon change. The Legislature gave first-round...

Nebraska Farm Bureau will sponsor a District 40 candidate forum, Thursday, March 31, at 7 p.m., at Mary's Restaurant, at 108 S. West Street, in Plainview. Individuals interested in learning more...

A new event center and lodge at Niobrara State Park, a new boat launch near the village of Niobrara and expanding the Weigand Marina at Lewis and Clark State Recreational Area, are one step closer to...

The public hearing process is now complete. A hearing was held on every bill that was introduced before the committee with jurisdiction over the subject matter. The Legislature began meeting in...

The Legislature has passed the midway mark in this 60-day legislative session. The priority bill designation process is also complete. From this point on, generally only bills with priority status...

Nebraska’s agricultural economy relies on soil and water, so when the quality of those natural resources are in jeopardy, so too is the health of our state at large. Since the beginning of modern a...

The Legislature spent four hours this past week debating LB 906, which focuses on employer vaccine mandates. As amended by Health and Human Services Committee amendments, LB 906 would apply to...

The public hearing on LB 1023 was held Thursday, Feb. 10 before the Natural Resources Committee. It reflects the work of the Statewide Tourism and Recreational Water Access and Resource...

We have reached the one-third mark of this 60-day legislative session but still have a great deal of work to do. The various standing committees are busy holding public hearings on the 600 bills that...

SUBMITTED ARTICLE Barry DeKay of Niobrara announced recently he has filed paperwork with the Nebraska Secretary of State to run for the Nebraska Legislature in District 40. On Jan. 26, State Senator...

This past week, the Legislature gave first-round approval to two bills offering tax relief for Nebraskans. Further debate on the two proposals will wait until we are further along in the session and...

Just more than 600 bills and constitutional amendments were introduced during the 10-day bill introductory period for this legislative session. Currently, various committees are in the process of...

Nebraska State Senator Tim Gragert announced Sunday, he will not be seeking a second term in the Legislature in 2022. Gragert was elected to the Legislature in 2018. After winning the Primary...