Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
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While Pete Ricketts was governor, he and his parents spent serious money supporting state senators – and opposing fellow Republicans who had displeased the governor. Longtime observers say that money helped morph the Legislature, making it less independent and more partisan. In January 2017, Patrick O'Donnell entered the Nebraska State Capitol's cavernous legislative chamber, air heavy with the echo of history's fierce debates and whispered negotiations. The longtime Clerk of the Legislature s...
Farm to School is a win for students, a win for farmers and a win for communities. It strengthens our food system and our local economies, and it provides opportunities for students to develop new skills, such as agricultural or livestock production, and marketing, business and entrepreneurship. Over the past decade, the farm-to-school movement has exploded across the U.S., reaching millions of students in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and U.S. territories. School gardens, school farms, high...
Here's a rundown of three of those ballot issues, a referendum to repeal a private school voucher law and the pair concerning medical marijuana: In one of the more hotly contested issues in recent years, voters will decide whether to repeal, or retain, a controversial law was passed earlier this year that allows the State Treasurer to administer a scholarship program to private and parochial K-12 schools that was funded with $10 million of state funds. Legislative Bill 1402 served to replace a l...
All University of Nebraska athletic venues now have full approval to sell alcohol. On Oct. 4, the Nebraska Board of Regents voted 7-1 in favor of allowing beer, wine and liquor sales at all NU athletic venues, replacing a 2022 vote that allowed alcohol sales case by case. Until today, Nebraska was the sole Big Ten school that did not sell alcohol in its football stadium. "The advantage of all 17 schools in the Big Ten doing this already is there are best practices," athletic director Troy Dannen...
Online learning seems new, but it’s older than you think. The field’s predecessor, distance education, can be traced back centuries. From Sir Isaac Pitman, who taught shorthand by correspondence in 1840, to lectures broadcast on the radio in the early 1920s, all the way through to the early 1990s when colleges and universities took advantage of the newly minted World Wide Web and began to offer online education programs, it has evolved alongside technological advances. In those early days of the internet, online learning was an adjustment for...
The group of teachers had a straightforward but daunting assignment before them: How could Cody-Kilgore, a small district nestled in the Nebraska Sandhills, buck the trend of rural decline and revitalize the school? Teachers Stacey Adamson and Tracee Ford latched onto an unusual idea that started as a joke – one that grew more unusual as it progressed. What about a grocery store run by students? Now nearly two decades after the idea first surfaced, the Circle C Market – a student-run gro...
The potential for economic growth, job creation and additional tax revenue for rural communities continues to drive interest in renewable energy development across the country. But, as some decision makers are learning, there are other ways such projects can positively impact a community. Rural leaders in Iowa, Minnesota and South Dakota, for example, have negotiated Community Benefit Agreements to receive additional funding, scholarships and local donations. The project-specific agreements are negotiated between community groups and...
Summer is usually a relaxing time in Lincoln. College students have left, state lawmakers have gone home, the weather gets hot, the backyard tomatoes get ripe, and the biggest debate around town is whether this is the year the Huskers become relevant again in football. Optimism always abounds in the pre-season, before the first kickoff. But not sure the same optimism accompanies the special session Gov. Jim Pillen has convened to address the state's traditionally high property taxes. Every...
By the time you read this, state senators are expected to be trudging back to Lincoln for a special session on property tax relief. The word "trudging" reflects the general distaste senators have for special sessions, which disrupts the lives of these part-time, underpaid ($12,000 a year plus all you can eat and drink) lawmakers. Generally, special sessions are called to address emergencies, such as a court ruling that renders laws or taxes untenable, or an economic downturn that requires...
Summerland Public School introduced the salutatorian and valedictorians during Saturday's commencement ceremony. Adyson Mlnarik was named salutatorian. She welcomed faculty, students, parents and guests at the beginning of graduation activities. Co-valedictorians include Kelsey Schlecht, Aislynn Kester and Preslie Robertson. Their speeches are included below: Kelsey Schlecht: Good afternoon family, friends, faculty, staff, and board of education. Since Aislynn, Preslie, and I are all sharing...
Dear editor: I would like to express my support for our teachers and coaches/sponsors at Summerland Public Schools. I want you to know, as a parent, I have the utmost confidence in your abilities to continue to teach our children. My trust is in your hands to continue with your jobs. Even though things at the top seem to be in disarray, I need you to PLEASE hang in there! Have confidence in your own abilities to continue doing what you are doing ... providing our kids with a great education....
Dozens of Nebraskans lined the rows and walls of Room 1525 at the Nebraska Capitol, waiting to testify during the Education Committee hearing Tuesday, Feb. 13. The hearing, lasting late into the night, saw more than 70 people testify in-person and more than 500 people submit online testimony about LB 1330, a bill aimed at eliminating some diversity, equity and inclusion – better known as DEI – programs for public educational institutions. “This ban is an erasure of the soul and essence of people from racially marginalized groups and other...
LINCOLN--In week six of the 2024 Nebraska Legislative Session, Nebraska lawmakers continued discussion on LB 1339, a bill that would allow school districts to authorize employed security personnel, law enforcement and members of the U.S. Armed Forces to lawfully carry concealed handguns on school grounds. Initially introduced on Jan. 17 by Sen. Tom Brewer of Gordon, LB 1339 has garnered attention from both sides of the aisle in the Legislature as well as many Nebraskans and organizations. Speaking on behalf of the Nebraska Council of School Adm...
PROCEEDINGS SUMMERLAND PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD OF EDUCATION Jan. 17, 2024 Summerland Public School Board of Education met in regular session, Wednesday, Jan. 17, at 7 p.m., in the board meeting room. President Steve Thiele called the meeting, which was advertised in the Jan. 10, 2024, newspapers, to order at 7 p.m. Thiele noted the Open Meetings Act posted in the board room. Roll call was taken, with all board members present: Ed Nordby, Nate Schwager, Scott Thiele, Steve Thiele, Austin Twibell, Jeremy Wagner. Thiele read the "Written Acceptance...
As recent events have demonstrated, the readiness and modernization of the United States’ defense capabilities are as important as ever. Keeping Americans safe and prioritizing American interests must always be a leading goal. Our open borders, paired with ongoing global unrest, not only threaten national security for the United States and our allies, they have serious implications for economic security around the world. This was clearly evidenced on a recent trip I made with many of my c...
In the intricate tapestry of education, the threads that weave together to create an inclusive and supportive environment for students with special needs are fraying at the edges. The current crisis of a shortage of special educators threatens to unravel the progress made in ensuring that every child, regardless of their abilities, has equal access to a quality education. Special educators play a pivotal role in nurturing the unique potential of students with diverse learning needs. Their expertise extends far beyond traditional teaching...
The holidays are for celebrating and Small Business Saturday is a celebration of the key role independent, locally-owned businesses play in Nebraska's economy. Founded by American Express in 2010 and officially co-sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration since 2011, Small Business Saturday will be Nov. 25, the Saturday following Thanksgiving. Chambers of commerce, economic development organizations and small businesses across Nebraska have embraced Small Business Saturday and the...
North Central Community Care Partnership Coalition, a local 501c3 non-profit organization whose fiscal agent is North Central District Health Department, successfully concluded its second annual winter coat drive, spreading warmth to local schools in need. Four area schools actively participated in the initiative, facilitated by the collaborative efforts of dedicated coalition partners. Val Wecker, representing Avera St. Anthony's, Bob Thomas from Building Blocks, Tonya Hytrek of CASA, and...
Last week, I heard the story of a veteran trying to use his GI benefits and attend school. After retiring from service, this veteran, who requires the use of a service dog, decided to enroll at a Commercial Driver’s License school. Obtaining a CDL will qualify this veteran for a good career as a truck driver. The veteran lives near a city with a new CDL school branch — but there’s a problem. Because it’s less than two years old, the branch isn’t yet approved to receive the military GI benefits...
There has been no formal request, but speculation runs high that the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Athletic Department may ask for funds to help with the planned $450 million renovation of Memorial Stadium. Earlier this year the Legislature directed $30 million in state funds to Creighton University in Omaha, including millions to help the private school build new baseball and softball stadiums to accommodate needs for the annual College World Series. School officials said the baseball stadium...
Here it is, August. Summer has flown by and already there is Halloween candy roaming the shelves of Walmart. For most of us, August also brings the normal adjustment of transitioning back to the school year. It is normal for this to look differently for everyone, especially depending upon the age of your child. You may find yourself stressing to find the school supplies list, supporting your youth through two-a-day practices for athletic season or looking forward to getting back to the routine...
During the interim, I have talked to many constituents who had questions regarding a bill enacted by the Legislature earlier this year: LB583. LB583 makes adjustments to the Tax Equity and Educational Opportunities Support Act formula for state aid to Nebraska's public schools. As reported in the Unicameral Update, "Under LB583, introduced by Bellevue Sen. Rita Sanders at the request of Gov. Jim Pillen, the state will pay public school districts $1,500 in foundation aid per student beginning...
Not many students can say that their parents are attending college at the same time they are, and even fewer can say all three are attending the same college. My unique journey started when my father, mother, and I all decided to attend Wayne State College this fall. Three Wildcats is much better than only one. Our Wayne State journey started when my father, Brian, decided to go back to college in August 2019 after his company went through a merger. Job insecurity was a risk and he wanted to...
Almost a year after receiving notification that the Village of Ewing was selected to receive funds to construct a two-unit duplex, officials broke ground on the project, Aug. 1. The $431,640 project, from the Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Fund, will start construction in mid-August, according to village clerk Sharon Swails. The village will provide a $100,000 match. Village chairman James Ramold said each unit will feature two bedrooms, one bathroom and a single-car garage, available for...
The new governor says, jubilantly, the honeymoon cruise with the Nebraska Legislature was a huge success. Sorry governor, I'm seeing flags. Red flags. The cheering I hear is, "See you in court!" So, let's wait until the lawsuits are filed and the petition drives are all launched before we get too excited. In a "report card" from his office, Governor Jim Pillen said he was elected to office "with a clear mandate to make transformational change in the areas most important to our future: our kids;...
