Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
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NFPW Communicator of Achievement director Karen Stensrud and NPW COA director Ruth Brown contributed to this article. LuAnn Schindler of Clearwater received the 2022 Communicator of Achievement Award from the National Federation of Press Women. This prestigious award has been given for 65 years. Schindler received the honor during a celebration at the organization's annual conference, held June 23 to 25, in Fargo, North Dakota. Now in its 85th year, NFPW is a nationwide organization of... Full story
The University of Nebraska System will work to set “a new model for student access and success” and invest in people, workforce development and research strengths, under an updated strategic plan released recently by President Ted Carter. The plan – an update of the document the NU System created in 2020, following a collaborative process with students, faculty, staff and stakeholders from across the campuses – is accompanied by new sets of metrics by which the university will measure its progress in key areas like enrollment, student outcome...
REP. ADRIAN SMITH The importance of a strong agriculture economy to the state of Nebraska and our entire nation cannot be overstated. Often overlooked in policy conversations, products supplied by farmers and ranchers are fundamental to fueling our lives, filling our plates, putting shirts on our backs and so much more. Yet, American ag producers currently face a bevy of historic crises which threaten their livelihoods and the long-term health of our economy. This comes at a time when relief for Americans suffering because of inflation and the...
PROCEEDINGS ANTELOPE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Neligh, Nebraska June 14, 2022 Chairman opened meeting. Notice of meeting published as required by statute. Open meeting. Approved agenda and minutes of 6-7-2022 BOC meeting. Correspondence and pledge collateral was reviewed. Sheriff’s fee report. Heard report from Antelope County Library Association. Approve payroll claims. Approved vendor claims: General: JOSEPH E.W. ABLER ex 61.11; AKRS ex 52.26; AFLAC ins 850.00; AMERITAS LIFE INS CORP ins 16,287.10; AMH FAMILY PRACTICE ex 138.00; ANTELOPE...
This spring we celebrated 7,200 new graduates of the University of Nebraska – new Husker, Maverick, Loper and UNMC alumni who are future leaders of our state. It’s one of my favorite times of year. Commencement brings to life the fundamental reason why public higher education exists: To create opportunities for students to build a better future for themselves and the world around them. Each graduating class of the University of Nebraska transforms our state in ways that are impossible to qua...
One day after listening to community comment about a potential purchase of Ewing School property, Village of Ewing Board of Trustees voted to offer the Summerland School District, $10,000 for all Ewing school property and contents, contingent on passage of a 1% sales tax in this November's election. The motion was made following a short executive session and passed 4-0. Trustee Dustin Jorgensen was absent. Summerland School Board of Education approved a sale of the Orchard School property at...
The Village of Clearwater will hold a public hearing prior to Monday’s board meeting to get public input on a proposed downtown revitalization plan. Residents are invited to attend the hearing and share ideas to grow Main Street and downtown district. The hearing begins at 7:30 at the fire hall meeting room. Per the recommendation from Clearwater’s Economic Developoment Board, village officials approved, last month, to pursue a Community Development Block Grant, for planning purposes, for a DTR...
It’s easy to think of entrepreneurship as glamorous. “You get to be your own boss! Choose your hours! Run things your way! Be passionate about your work!” And then, as those big dreams start setting in, so do the realities and fears of risk. “What if I don’t bring in the revenue? Where will I find the startup funds? How do I even know where to begin? What about health insurance?” Entrepreneurship is hard. It’s messy. It’s a grind, especially at the beginning. And it can often be quite lonely. But the reality is that we need more entreprene...
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS VILLAGE OF CLEARWATER The Village of Clearwater is applying for a Downtown Revitalization grant from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. Proposals will not be considered if the intended services your firm wishes to provide are not clearly expressed. Contingent upon notice of grant award, the selected firm will create a Downtown Revitalization Plan for Clearwater to develop realistic short-term and long-term goals and objectives. The plan will provide Clearwater the guidance to create a revitalized downtown...
VILLAGE OF CLEARWATER ORDINANCE NO. 2022-8 AN ORDINANCE OF THE VILLAGE OF CLEARWATER, ANTELOPE COUNTY, NEBRASKA, SETTING WAGE FOR NEW AND RETURNING SUMMER HELP, BEGINNING MAY 9, 2022; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CHAIRMAN AND VILLAGE BOARD OF THE VILLAGE OF CLEARWATER, NEBRASKA: SECTION 1. That there be and hereby is an established wage for new and returning summer maintenance help, as follows: New summer employees: $12.00 per hour Returning summer employees: $13.00 per hour...
JESSICA CAMPOS Center for Rural Affairs Women’s Business Center director Many small business owners wonder how cybersecurity pertains to their business or think they could never fall victim to cybercriminals. But, according to the Small Business Administration, cyber-attacks are a growing threat for entrepreneurs and the U.S. economy. In 2020 alone, the FBI reported that the cost of cybercrimes reached $2.7 billion. While some small businesses have little to no financial resources to devote t...
It took two motions and nearly an hour of discussion for the Summerland Board of Education to approve the sale of the Orchard site to the Village of Orchard. The sale, for $10,000, was approved April 12, during the board's monthly meeting. Per the motion, the village will retain all contents in the school building. The sale also includes the parking lot, across the street, to the south of the site. Prior to the meeting, Village of Orchard officials presented a proposal for the building purchase...
With their approval of several key pieces of legislation, Nebraska lawmakers solidified the importance of small entrepreneurs, local meat processors and family farms to our state’s economy and way of life. Their support also preserves a healthy future for rural Nebraska. Entering this legislative session, lawmakers faced tough decisions regarding how to spend the state’s allotment of recovery funds from the federal American Rescue Plan Act. For rural senators, priorities included support for...
1. Every county has a U.S. Department of Agriculture Service Center that houses Farm Service Agency and National Resource Conservation Services. This is where farmers and landowners go to access their programs. As a renter, you can still work with these agencies. 2. With FSA and NRCS, you can access financial assistance through conservation programs, farming loans and disaster assistance. 3. What are farm numbers? As a farmer, renter or landowner, you need a farm number to access NRCS or FSA pro...
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 it passed by the 50th legislative day. The budget provides funding to cover salary increases recently negotiated with the union and the state for employees at correctional facilities and other 24/7 facilities that were experiencing dangerous staffing shortages. Worker shortages and competition also...
After existing for 42 years, Holt County's comprehensive plan will be updated. But, a proposed 18-month moratorium on industrial pipelines, wind and solar power, will not be in effect while updates take place. Supervisors voted 6-0, Wednesday, March 16, to deny the moratorium, following a public hearing in O'Neill. The moratorium request came from the county's planning and zoning commision, which voted 6-2 in favor of the moratorium, March 7, following a two-hour public hearing. At that time, la...
PROCEEDINGS SUMMERLAND PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD OF EDUCATION March 15, 2022 Summerland Public School Board of Education met in regular session, Tuesday, March 15, 2022, at 5 p.m. at the school. President Ed Nordby called the meeting, which was advertised in the March 9 newspaper, to order at 5 p.m. Nordby noted the Open Meetings Act posted in the board room. Members present: Marty Kerkman, Nordby, Nate Schwager, Steve Thiele, Jeremy Wagner. Absent: Candice Hoke. Motion by Kerkman, seconded by Thiele, to approve absence of board member Candice Hoke....
On March 1, U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development announced the availability of $19.75 million in total funding for projects as part of the Value-Added Producer Grants program. Individual farmers and ranchers, as well as agricultural businesses and producer groups, may apply for the grants, which must be used to develop new products or expand existing markets for value-added products. The applicant must produce at least 50% of the raw agricultural product to which value is being added...
Editor’s note: In last week’s edition of SAM, the jump for this story was not included. We are running the article in its entirety and regret the error. After hearing public comment on a proposed moratorium, March 7, Holt County Planning and Zoning Commission members voted 6-2 to recommend an 18-month moratorium on all industrial pipeline, wind and solar power development to Holt County Supervisors. Commission member Mary Kaczor told an audience of more than 35 individuals, that the cou...
Temperatures soared near 75 degrees on Feb. 28, but that didn't stop Summerland students and staff from purchasing a warm beverage for a cause. Members of the sixth-grade class served a hot chocolate bar, offering flavored syrups, chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, sprinkles and whipped cream to top the drink, served during the school's Bobcat Academy. The project incorporated multiple disciplines and resulted in a service-learning experience students won't soon forget. Instructor Chantelle...
Owners of microbusinesses, sole proprietors, and farmers spend many hours developing plans and attending training sessions to educate themselves on operating a business and what to do in the face of adversity. A key component of their planning should include being prepared for a major weather event. As the seasons change, flooding becomes a concern in many parts of the country. The most common and costly natural disaster in the U.S., according to The Pew Charitable Trusts, flood-related...
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 will be debated by the Legislature. Every senator gets to select one bill as their priority bill, every committee can pick two and the speaker is authorized to designate 25 bills as speaker priority bills. I selected LB 925 as my priority bill and it received first-round approval this past week on a...
Clearwater trustees amended the village's economic development plan, to include a workforce housing plan, during its Feb. 16 meeting. A 2017 housing study, conducted by Miller & Associates, of Kearney, rated housing stock available for sale or rent in Clearwater as deficient. Without adequate housing, businesses may not be able to recruit new employees. In simple terms, the workforce housing resolution will allow for a program to support construction or rehabilitation of single-family housing...
REGULAR PROCEEDINGS VILLAGE OF CLEARWATER BOARD OF TRUSTEES February 16, 2022 The Board of Trustees of the Village of Clearwater met in regular session Wednesday, Feb. 16, at 8 p.m., in the fire hall meeting room. Meeting opened at 8:01 p.m. Notice of meeting was given in advance by publication in Summerland Advocate-Messenger and notice was given to board members prior to meeting. Public was informed of location of Open Meeting Act poster. Present: Kevin Filsinger, Kelly Kerkman, Mike Klabenes, Steve Stearns. Others present: Kate Ahlers, Kyle...
ORDINANCE NO. 2022-2 VILLAGE OF CLEARWATER AN ORDINANCE OF THE VILLAGE OF CLEARWATER, NEBRASKA TO AMEND THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN TO ADOPT A WORKFORCE HOUSING PLAN; TO REPEAL ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; TO PROVIDE WHEN THIS ORDINANCE SHALL BE IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT; AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE PUBLICATION OF THIS ORDINANCE IN PAMPHLET FORM. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CHAIRPERSON AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE VILLAGE OF CLEARWATER, NEBRASKA: SECTION 1. That the Board of Trustees, has by Ordinance, adopted an Economic...
