Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Sorted by date Results 26 - 50 of 81
The Nebraska Broadband Office, along with the Nebraska Department of Transportation, Nebraska Information Technology Commission and the Office of the Chief Information Officer have announced seven public meeting locations across Nebraska in an effort provide and seek information about the quality and availability of high-speed internet access. These sessions build upon the Nebraska Public Service Commission and the OCIO/NITC earlier sessions and are intended to assist the state in developing comprehensive approach to addressing digital access...
This week saw the Legislature debate the mainline state budget. The latest projections from the Economic Forecasting Board lowered revenue projections for the current fiscal year by $80 million to $6.36 billion. The adjustment was based on anticipated decrease of $200 million in individual income, sales and use tax receipts, offset in part by projected increases of $120 million in corporate and miscellaneous tax receipts. Total projected revenue receipts for Fiscal Year 2023-24, however, were ra...
Dear Editor: I am sure everyone who is getting the new underground fiber optics are excited about the new reliable services being installed in your local area. It will be great to finally have an end to the unreliable satellite dishes hanging on every roof and yard. No longer will you lose your TV or computer when a storm is approaching. Our local phone company received $8.9 million under the Remote Access Rural Broadband Grant program. The phone company does have to cover 25% of the budget or cost. This information is available online and at t...
This week saw the Legislature pass the first four bills of the year. LB 376 would create a brand registration for the state Liquor Control Commission to accurately identify and track alcoholic products imported into Nebraska. LB 296 would both (a) create a framework for pet insurance and (b) require that the reimbursement rate for any telehealth service shall, at a minimum, be the same as a comparable in-person health care service in order to ensure there is no disincentive to health care...
Using a laptop at her farm near Clatonia, and some help from the state’s public power districts, a rural broadband advocate has uncovered oversights that may brings millions of extra federal dollars to Nebraska to expand high-speed internet service. Emily Haxby, who also serves on the Gage County Board, said she started doubting the accuracy of federal maps showing areas that were “unserved” by broadband. Just in her own rural neighborhood, Haxby said, she could tell there were at least a dozen rural homes, machine shops and other locat...
A resolution regarding perpetual water and conservation easements will go back to the Holt County Planning and Zoning Commission. The directive was given by Holt County Supervisors, Friday, following a public hearing about the 2021 resolution. The easement resolution was sent to planning and zoning for a public hearing, based on a recommendation from county attorney Brent Kelly, who was not in attendance at Friday’s public hearing. During the supervisors’ March 31 hearing, interim planning and...
Guests at northeast Nebraska state park areas were treated to some improvements in 2022, with more set to be completed in 2023. The following is a roundup of those improvements and projects: Summit Lake State Recreation Area Summit Lake State Recreation Area near Tekamah saw aquatic habitat and angler access improvement projects completed to improve the fishery and guests' experience. The west and south sediment basins were excavated to restore them to their original capacity and prevent...
The Legislature is now past Day 40 and is almost halfway through the current Legislative session. In floor debate, only a couple of bills have been discussed in depth. LB 753 would adopt the Opportunity Scholarships Act and provide education scholarships to assist eligible students to attend a qualified, nonprofit, private elementary or secondary school. Under the act, individual and corporate taxpayers would qualify for a non-refundable tax credit equal to the amount the taxpayer contributed...
The schedule of morning debate on the floor and afternoon public hearings continues for a few more weeks. At times, the days seem long, but soon the Legislature will begin all-day debate before finally adjourning later this spring. Three of my bills were heard in committee last week. On Tuesday, LB 453 and LB 454 were heard before the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee. LB 453 would allow the Nebraska Department of Transportation to change how the administrative costs of the Divisio...
This week saw the Legislature conclude the second and final week of all-day committee hearings. The schedule will return to a traditional format, where floor debate is in the mornings and committee hearings in the afternoon. The question of whether Nebraska should legalize medical marijuana will again be considered by the Legislature. Sen.Wishart introduced LB 588, the Medicinal Cannabis Act, which would provide a regulatory framework to establish access to cannabis specifically for medical...
Late last week I learned of my appointment to three special committees: justice reinvestment oversight, state-tribal relations, and statewide tourism and recreation water access and resource sustainability. I am pleased to both be the vice chair of State-Tribal Relations (Committee) and be able to provide the 40th District with continued representation on the STAR WARS Committee. As a member, I hope to bring the proposed event center and lodge at Niobrara State Park, boat launch near the...
PROCEEDINGS ANTELOPE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Neligh, Nebraska January 10, 2023 Vice chairperson opened the meeting. Notice of meeting published as required by statute. Approved agenda. Approved payroll. Approved vendor claims. General: AMERITAS LIFE INS CORP ins 18,615.51; ANTELOPE CO COURT ex 160.00; ANTELOPE CO SHRF ex 198.51; APPEARA ex 36.31; APPLIED CONN TECH ex 4,013.64; BLACK HILLS ENERGY ut 1,960.45; BCBS ins 77,750.80; BOB BARKER CO ex 179.96; BOMGAARS ex 230.19; DEBORAH BRANSTITER ex 29.49; CASEYS ex 582.87; CITY OF NELIGH ut 5,...
Northeast Nebraska Telephone Company, headquartered in Jackson, is one of 14 Nebraska broadband providers to receive state funding to expand broadband services into rural areas of Nebraska who do not have broadband access of at least 100/100 megabites per second (up/down). NNTC will receive $2.5 million from the Nebraska Broadband Bridge Program on behalf of the Nebraska Public Service Commission to expand into rural Dakota and Antelope counties. In Antelope County, NNTC will be installing...
Accurate data is a must if Nebraska is going to improve broadband access in rural areas. Due to recent federal legislation, accuracy is also the key to ensuring states receive their full share of federal grant funding. Soon the Federal Communications Commission will determine the amount of money each state is allocated through the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program. Because these decisions are based on the FCC’s new broadband availability map, correcting inaccurate data is more i...
VILLAGE OF CLEARWATER APPROVED CLAIMS General Checking: City of Neligh, srv, 3,490.69; Bomgaars, sup, 618.05; Bearinger Tax & Accounting, srv, 70.00; EMC Insurance, ins, 3,628.75; WEX Bank, fuel, 500.68; Big Iron Auction, equip, 4,200.00; Rueter’s, sup, 211.01; NNTC, util, 166.54; ColdType Publishing, adv, 210.72; ERPPD, util, 1,220.14; Black Hills Energy, util, 194.67; Rueter’s, equip, 35,700.00; Summerland Public School, fees, $900.00; Capital One Spark, sup, 45.94; Neb. Dept. of Revenue, tx, 1,556.56; Jarecki Sharp & Petersen, lgl, 300...
Two initiative measures - one requiring photographic identification, one increasing minimum wage - were passed by Nebraska voters during the Nov. 8 General Election. Initiative 432 amends Nebraska's constitution, to require voters to "present valid photographic identification" prior to voting. Nebraska's Legislature will hammer out the details, according to language in the measure. Voters also approved Initiative 433, which will gradually raise the state's minimum wage from the current rate of...
With the annual dove season opener on Sept. 1, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has some reminders for hunters, as well as recommendations for areas to hunt. Doves are abundant statewide and, with generous bag limits, provide excellent wing-shooting opportunities. Doves may be hunted statewide Sept. 1 – Oct. 30, 2022, with daily bag and possession limits of 15 and 45, respectively. Bag and possession limits are for mourning, white-winged and Eurasian collared-doves in aggregate. Shooting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise until s...
June is National Camping Month and now is the perfect time to explore the local hidden gems Grove Lake has to offer. Information from the "Royal Centenniel" highlights the complete story of Grove Lake, written by Jack Strain and Eugene Baker. Grove Lake construction began late in the summer of 1953. Grove Lake received it’s name from Philo Grove, an area resident and former owner of part of the land included in the purchase. Construction of Grove Lake came about when the Nebraska Game and P...
PUBLIC HEARING Notice Conditional Use Permit On Farm Animal Mortality Transportation Service WHEREAS, Antelope County Planning Commission held a public hearing for a conditional use permit regarding an ‘On Farm Animal Mortality Transportation Service’ to be operated by Tyler Pedersen and Terri Pedersen, located in Section 1, Township 27 North, Range 7 West of the 6th Principal Meridian, Antelope County, Nebraska. WHEREAS, the intent of the hearing was to receive public comments regarding the application for a conditional use permit (CUP #22...
REGULAR PROCEEDINGS Village of Clearwater BOARD OF TRUSTEES May 9, 2022 The Board of Trustees of the Village of Clearwater met in regular session Monday, May 9, at 8 p.m., in the fire hall meeting room. Meeting opened at 8:02 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, Steve Hankla, Kelly Kerkman, Steve Stearns. Others present: Kate Ahlers, Kyle Petersen,...
PUBLIC NOTICE ANTELOPE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION The Antelope County Planning Commission will hold an open, public hearing regarding the application for a conditional use permit, #CUP2201, for Tyler and Terri Pedersen, who operate an on-farm animal mortality pickup transportation service to local farmers and livestock producers, in SE4 1-27-07W on Wednesday, May 25, 2022, in the county board of commissioners’ meeting room in the Antelope County Courthouse Annex, beginning at 8 p.m. The agenda is kept continually current and is available for p...
Update: 11:05 p.m.: Jim Pillen has won the Republican primary in the Nebraska governor's race. With 810 precincts reporting, Pillen received 72,197 votes. All election results are unofficial until verified by a county's canvassing board. 8:15 p.m. Nebraska polls closed at 8 p.m., May 10, and early results from across the state show Brett Lindstrom leading Jim Pillen, in the Republican race for Governor. Lindstrom currently has 20,987 votes, or 41%, while Pillen has received 29.1% - or 14,885 - o...
Since its inception in 1972, Nebraska’s Natural Resources Districts have been planting conservation trees and shrubs for windbreaks, erosion control, wildlife habitat and other conservation purposes. This spring, the NRD Conservation Tree Program plants its 100 millionth tree – that’s approximately 50 trees for each Nebraskan. “Nebraska has a proud history of planting trees, and putting the 100 millionth tree in the ground reflects Nebraskans’ willingness to invest in the future,” said Dr. Orval Gigstad, Nebraska Association of Resources D...
PROCEEDINGS VILLAGE OF EWING BOARD OF TRUSTEES March 14, 2022 The Ewing Village Board of Trustees convened in regular session on March 14, 2022, at 7 p.m., at the City Hall. Notice of the meeting was published March 9, 2022, in the Summerland Advocate. An agenda was kept current and on file at the village clerk’s office. Chairman James Ramold called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Notice was given to the posted location of the open meetings law. Board members present were Kane Fry, Dustin Jorgensen, Dustin Wright, and James Ramold. Absent was B...
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...
