Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
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In 2020, as the country voted in and then sweated out a razor-thin presidential election, the voters of Clay County in rural south-central Nebraska participated in numbers never seen in this century. The number of potential voters living in the county had barely budged since 2016. And yet, during the 2020 election, some 507 more voters cast ballots than had in 2016 – a 16% spike. In total, some 84% of Clay County's 4,271 registered voters cast ballots, far higher than Nebraska's statewide t...
People gathered at the Nebraska Library Commission’s meeting, Nov. 16, to urge commissioners to limit the accessibility of certain databases and books available to Nebraska children in city and public school libraries. The Nebraska Library Commission, established in 1901 as a part of the Nebraska executive branch, promotes, develops and coordinates statewide library services in city, school, university and institutional libraries. The commission is governed by a six-member board appointed by the governor. The Nebraska Library Commission’s Nov...
Researchers are investigating how artificial intelligence can help improve Nebraska crops. Although AI has become a popular new topic for many, researchers have been discussing, for several years, the ways this technology may help the future of farming. Unlike what most people mean when they talk about using generative Large Language AI models like ChatGPT, Michael Tross, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln complex biosystems graduate student, said researchers are using AI to generate more than...
There's a certain charm and nostalgia related to farmers markets in rural communities. The tradition of farmers, gardeners, artisans and bakers bringing their wares to town to sell at the market has been around for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. From Aug. 6 to 12, communities across the country will come together to celebrate National Farmers Market Week, highlighting the role these venues play in supporting healthy communities, growing local food systems, and stimulating rural...
In a rare move, seven months into the Jim Pillen reign, I'm going to suggest we cut the new guy some slack. Seems that a social media tweet raised concerns about First Amendment rights and dredged up the decades-long discussion on brain drain. Pillen tweeted from the governor's official account that he hoped the 31 Nebraska high school graduates who had perfect scores on the ACT would "return and utilize your talents here" after college. Remember, it was Twitter and other social media that...
You discover a different perspective when you rely on a walker for mobility for several weeks. Following hip surgery, I pushed a walker, primarily for stability, strength and balance. Man, woman and child, did I learn a lot. The Americans with Disabilities Act defines accessible as “a site, facility, work environment, service or program that is easy to approach, enter, operate, participate in, and/or use safely and with dignity by a person with a disability.” The ADA became law on July 26, 1990, and was amended in 2008 and 2010. Here’s an obser...
Three proposals to cover the solution looking for a problem -- voter ID -- have proven to be about as confusing as the proponent’s explanation as to why the idea was necessary. After a lot of listening and a bunch of head scratching, I’m still not convinced. The only thing I know for sure, in Sen. Steve Erdman’s world there would be no mail-in ballots. Tell that to the 11 Nebraska counties that hold mail-only elections right now. Better yet, convince my 85-year -old neighbors that it’s a good idea. I’ve been voting by mail since Covid and...
Growing up on a hill overlooking North Omaha during World War II, Mary Carpenter remembers the numerous vegetable plots, called victory gardens, that dotted her Florence neighborhood. “Everybody had one,” said Carpenter, the reporter’s mother-in-law. “We grew everything - asparagus, potatoes, tomatoes, black raspberries, pears, even grapes. That’s what fed us and supplemented our food.” Over the ensuing decades, many of those gardens disappeared as grocery stores started carrying seasonal produce year round. Yet 80 years later, everything...
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS PLANNING GRANT VILLAGE OF CLEARWATER The Village of Clearwater is applying for planning funds through the Community Development Block Grant Program from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development and is seeking request for proposals from experienced and well-qualified planning firms to provide professional services for an evaluation of the village. A qualified professional planning firm shall be a professional firm that has experience in projects of similar scope and size as described in the scope of services...
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...
LINCOLN--Higher education institutions could adopt a statewide goal aimed to increase the percentage of Nebraskans who have a postsecondary education. A legislative resolution, LR335, introduced by the Nebraska Education Committee March 16, proposes a statewide goal that at least 70% of Nebraskans, 25 to 34 years old, have a degree, certificate diploma or other recognized credential with economic value by 2030. The current attainment rate for this age group is approximately 58%, according to the resolution, and rate is about 55% for Nebraskans...
Two rural Clearwater women have been appointed to fill vacancies on the Antelope County Board of Commissioners. Regina Krebs and Carolyn Pedersen fill board vacancies created by the Oct. 15 recall of commissioners Tom Borer and Allen Bentley, who were elected to the board last November. Pedersen will represent District Five and Krebs, District Three. A panel of Antelope County officials, clerk Lisa Payne, attorney Joe Abler and treasurer Deb Branstiter, interviewed seven potential commissioners...
