Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
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LINCOLN - Nebraskans gathered at the Nebraska State Capitol, Feb. 9, to debate medical marijuana legalization, which has been debated in the state for years. Efforts to legalize medical cannabis in Nebraska go back to 2016 when its first bill was presented by former State Sen. Tommy Garrett of Bellevue. Introduced by State Sen. Anna Wishart of Lincoln, LB588 would establish medical cannabis dispensaries where certified patients could possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana. Patients with specific conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, c...
Many people touted this year's legislative session as a Republican-dominated conservative body that could easily work with the Republican administration to get things done. They reasoned that 32 Republicans in the officially nonpartisan body would win out over the 17 Democrats. They tried valiantly to get 33 Republicans elected, a so-called "magic" number that could withstand filibusters by the dissenters and pave the way for a conservative agenda. Observers sighed relief when the number fell...
This week saw the Legislature begin the first of two weeks of all-day committee hearings. Traditionally, senators would meet as a body in the morning and split into different committees in the afternoons. However, Speaker Arch wanted to try to front-load the session with hearings so there will be more time for debate later in the session. Therefore, senators will not have an opportunity for floor debate until the week of Feb. 13. Two of my bills are scheduled for a public hearing later this...
Three bills that would alter Nebraska fire-arm laws were the topic of controversy for four and half hours on Thursday, Jan. 26. Dozens of constituents gathered to testify in front of the Judiciary Committee at the Nebraska State Capitol to testify on separate bills that would, respectively, waive training requirements for concealed carry permits, require suicide awareness training for the same permits and allow off-duty police officers to carry handguns when picking up their children on school...
Monday was National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day — an opportunity to thank the men and women who keep Nebraskans safe. It’s particularly important that we use this special day to celebrate our law enforcement officers because in some parts of the country, their lifesaving work is undervalued and even demonized. That lifesaving work was on full display recently as the Midwest was hit with intense winter storms. During December storms in Nebraska, law enforcement responded to hundreds of inc...
There’s been a lot of talk about preserving the officially nonpartisan nature of the Nebraska Legislature. But there is another issue, occasionally discussed with similar zeal in years past, that’s creeping up again. (Gasp!) It’s the urban-rural split. While the focus has been on party loyalty – there are 32 Republicans and 17 Democrats in the officially nonpartisan Legislature – there are also 26 “urban” lawmakers (18 from Omaha and 8 from Lincoln) to just 23 “rural” senators. That reflects the shift of two rural districts, 49 and 36) to the O...
Last week’s column focused on optimism. I figured it was appropriate as we were ready to open a new chapter for the new year. The column included examples of how optimism leads to improved mental and physical health. It focused on the “glass half full” mindset, which translates to positive thinking. It even included a quote from Dr. Seuss’ “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” I believe in every single word and idea in that column. But ... I did not write it. I “suggested” it. Last week’s column was an ex...
A longtime Ewing public servant was recognized during the board of trustees' Dec. 14 meeting at city hall. Chairman James Ramold thanked Bill Graber for 20 years of service to the community. "My last day and I show up late," Graber joked. The board reorganized during the meeting and swore in its newly-elected trustee, Katie Cunningam. Each trustee will oversee a specific department. Cunningham will handle parks; Kane Fry streets; Dustin Wright, water and sewer; cemetery, Ramold; and dump,...
ORDINANCE NO. 441 VILLAGE OF EWING AN ORDINANCE OF THE VILLAGE OF EWING, HOLT COUNTY, NEBRASKA, AMENDING THE RATES FOR THE USE OF WATER PROVIDED BY THE VILLAGE; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CHAIRMAN AND VILLAGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE VILLAGE OF EWING, NEBRASKA: Section 1. That the following monthly rates be and the same hereby are adopted and imposed upon the users of water provided by the village: Flat rate, 1” meter $23.50 per hookup Flat rate, 1.5” meter $36.00 per hookup Fla...
As 2022 comes to an end, the Nebraska State Patrol is urging all motorists to plan ahead if New Year’s celebration involves alcohol. Troopers will be working overtime on patrol for impaired drivers as part an ongoing nationwide enforcement campaign. “Travel across our state was impacted by severe winter weather last week, but as the weather improves, it’s still important to keep safe travel as your priority behind the wheel,” said Colonel John Bolduc, superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “Our troopers and partner agencies will be w...
A felony case against Justin M. Golter, 47, was dismissed in Antelope County court last week. Golter is currently incarcerated at the Nebraska Department of Corrections Reception and Treatment Center in Lincoln. Antelope County attorney Joe Abler filed a document Dec. 5, dismissing a 2022 Class 1D felony charge, possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver. The charge stemmed from meth allegedly found in a vehicle Golter had driven to the courthouse Aug. 31, the day he fled from officers after a district court appearance for a similar...
PROCEEDINGS SUMMERLAND PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD OF EDUCATION Dec. 14, 2022 Summerland Public School Board of Education held a regular meeting, Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022, at the school. President Ed Nordby called the meeting, which was advertised in the Dec. 7, 2022, newspapers to order at 5:46 p.m. Board members present: Candice Hoke, Marty Kerkman, Nordby, Nate Schwager, Steven Thiele and Jeremy Wagner. Nordby noted the Open Meetings Act posted in the board room. Motion by Thiele, seconded by Hoke, to approve the agenda as presented. Voting aye:...
ORDINANCE NO. 2022-18 VILLAGE OF CLEARWATER AN ORDINANCE OF THE VILLAGE OF CLEARWATER, ANTELOPE COUNTY, NEBRASKA, SETTING WAGES AND SALARIES FOR OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE VILLAGE FOR THE YEAR COMMENCING JANUARY 1, 2023, AND CONTINUING TO AND THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2023; 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 are established wages and salaries for the officials and employees of the...
ORDINANCE #440 VILLAGE OF EWING AN ORDINANCE OF THE VILLAGE OF EWING, NEBRASKA, IMPOSING AN ADDITIONAL 1% SALES TAX ON ALL TAXABLE SALES WITHIN THE VILLAGE; PROVIDING A DATE WHEN SUCH TAX IS TO BE IMPOSED; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE AND REPEALING ALL CONFLICTING ORDINANCES. Be it ordained by the village board of the village of Ewing, Nebraska, as follows: Section 1. Pursuant to the authority granted by the electors of the Village of Ewing there be and hereby is imposed a sales tax and use tax of an additional 1% of the purchase price upon the...
Public safety has rightfully been on the minds of Americans across the country. Violent crime rates remain high. So far this year, nearly 300 police officers have been shot in the line of duty – an 11% increase from this point in 2020. Deadly drugs like fentanyl and methamphetamine continue to flow into the United States at disturbing rates. Regardless of whether you live in a larger city or a small town, so many Americans are worried that their communities simply don’t feel as safe as they use...
The search for a new high school principal at Summerland Public School is underway. Greg Appleby, longtime Ewing and Summerland administrator, announced he will retire at the end of the current academic year, after a career spanning more than 30 years in education and 29 in the Ewing and Summerland districts. The board of education accepted Appleby's resignation during its Nov. 15 meeting. In his letter to the board, Appleby wrote, It's been my honor and pleasure to serve Ewing Public Schools an...
ORDINANCE NO. 2022-16 VILLAGE OF CLEARWATER AN ORDINANCE OF THE VILLAGE OF CLEARWATER, ANTELOPE COUNTY, NEBRASKA, SETTING WAGE FOR ANGIE HUPP, CLERK FOR THE VILLAGE, BEGINNING OCT. 1, 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 Angie Hupp, Clerk for the Village, as follows: Clerk, Angie Hupp $20.00 per hour SECTION 2. That all ordinances or parts of ordinances...
ORDINANCE NO. 2022-17 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...
ausing to reflect on the heroic service of the servicemembers in our nation’s history is an important American tradition. Extending recognition for the immeasurable impact our veterans have made through selfless devotion and love for the United States is why we pause each Veterans Day. We can never fully repay those who have put their lives on the line for freedom in America and around the world, but we can work to ensure those who have served and sacrificed have access to the care and b...
North Central District Health Department board of health members learned two things Friday about personal protective equipment storage at the O’Neill Armory, during Friday’s monthly meeting in O’Neill. NCDHD interim director Liz Parks said efforts to dispense surplus PPE, including gowns and masks, had been exhausted. At the board’s Sept. 29 meeting, Danielle Roessler, emergency response coordinator, said she had contacted multiple schools and agencies about potential use of some of the PPE, in...
Brooke Ross, of Page, has joined the SAM newspaper team and is excited to add an additional column. Ross said, "This particular column is actually quite unique." Ross is asking you, our readers, to either volunteer or nominate someone you think has a great story to tell. "I want a challenge, I want to learn and I am excited to get started. Whether you are a stay-at-home mom, daycare provider, law enforcement officer, farmer, rancher, restaurant owner or any other profession, I want to not only...
LINCOLN — Nebraska does not require people to present a photo ID at a poll booth on Election Day. Ballot Initiative 432, a bill that caused contention for members of Nebraska’s 1st Congressional District, is designed to change that. The last of three hearings for this initiative took place Tuesday, Oct. 16, when seven proponents and 11 opponents testified in front of Secretary of State Bob Evnen. Appearing on Nebraska’s ballot in the Nov. 8 election, this initiative would require a physical ID, with photo identification, to cast a vote, which...
Dialogue between Antelope County Commissioners and members of the Antelope County Patriot group became contentious, at times, during the Oct. 11 commissioners’ meeting in Neligh. Prior to the Patriots’ presentation, county attorney Joe Abler suggested the board enter executive session to review a letter from Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson, regarding clarification of terms in the state’s election statutes. Following executive session, which lasted approximately 15 minutes, audie...
It’s a case that could be ripped from the headlines. Teenager Bill E. Kid is accused of drinking at a party and starting hay bales on fire at McDonald’s farm. Will the jury believe the standout athlete? Or, will justice prevail for farmer who lost everything? Students from Antelope County high schools conducted the mock trial during County Government Day, held Oct. 6 at the courthouse. In addition to the trial, students met elected county officials, toured the law enforcement center and att...
ORDINANCE NO. 2022-15 VILLAGE OF CLEARWATER AN ORDINANCE OF THE VILLAGE OF CLEARWATER, NEBRASKA TO ESTABLISH A PURCHASING CARD POLICY; 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. The Board of Trustees of the Village of Clearwater hereby adopts the following purchasing card policy...
