Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 216
Starting a small business requires dedication and, often, taking out a loan. A loan can be a practical step for those seeking growth and can allow small business owners to tackle challenges like cash flow gaps, space constraints, or inventory needs. Why apply for a loan? A loan can be a powerful tool for small businesses when used strategically. Loans are versatile and can be used for equipment, working capital, or real estate. Additionally, programs like the Nebraska Advantage Microenterprise...
PROCEEDINGS VILLAGE OF CLEARWATER BOARD OF TRUSTEES Dec. 9, 2024 The Board of Trustees of the Village of Clearwater met for a regular meeting Monday, Dec. 9, at 7 p.m., in the fire hall meeting room. Meeting opened at 7 p.m. Notice of meeting was given in advance by publication in “Summerland Advocate-Messenger,” was posted at US Post Office in Clearwater, Clearwater Market and Cornerstone Bank-Clearwater and was given to board members prior to meeting. Public was informed of location of Open Meeting Act poster. Present: Kelly Kerkman, Mar...
Justin Harris could use the money. The McCook farmer and businessman is already behind on last year’s property taxes, and still owes $3,200 that’s growing with interest. And Harris is also missing out on a tax rebate thanks to a much-misunderstood change that Nebraska lawmakers made earlier this year. It’s costing him $1,300 – money he could have nabbed had he paid his property taxes by Dec. 31, 2023. “There was no chance for us to be able to take advantage of that discount because we're living paycheck to paycheck,” he said. The vast majori...
Holt County Supervisors approved a change order for work on the Ewing Southeast project C45, on the St. John's bridge. During the Nov. 18 meeting, road superintendent Gary Connot said Dixon Construction had planned to start construction Nov.4. "They revised it initially for a couple weeks, Nov. 18, and they revised it again for a December start," Connot said. Ramsy Robertson, engineer with Mainelli Wagner & Associates, reviewed the construction schedule with supervisors. "It's up to you if...
When it comes to running a successful small business, providing a great product or service is only half the battle. Whether you’re selling handcrafted products, offering professional services, or running a local shop, knowing who your potential customers are—and how to reach them—can make all the difference in your business’s success. What is a target market? Think of your target market as a group of your ideal customers. These people likely have similar characteristics outside of being most lik...
PROCEEDINGS VILLAGE OF CLEARWATER BOARD OF TRUSTEES Nov. 11, 2024 The Board of Trustees of the Village of Clearwater met for a regular meeting Monday, Nov. 11, at 7 p.m., in the fire hall meeting room. Meeting opened at 7 p.m. Notice of meeting was given in advance by publication in Summerland Advocate-Messenger, was posted at US Post Office in Clearwater, Clearwater Market and Cornerstone Bank-Clearwater and was given to board members prior to meeting. Public was informed of location of Open Meeting Act poster. Present: Kelly Kerkman, Marsha...
Shaylie Kester envisioned a future as a veterinary technician. After working as a student teller at Cornerstone Bank's Clearwater branch, the Summerland FFA member is consider a career change. "This experience opened my eyes to the world of finance and made me realize how much I enjoy working in the field of business. Now, I plan to pursue a career in something on the financial side, like ag business." Kester, who serves as the local chapter president, initially considered showing fair cattle...
Holt County Supervisors approved the purchase of a new pickup, Monday, when they met in regular session at the courthouse in O'Neill. Deputy Ed Nordby presented a bid of $49,446 from Anderson Auto Group through the State of Nebraska purchasing Bureau. The new vehicle will be a 2024 Ford F150 Super Crew XLT 4x4, with a push bumper, full-length running boards and driver-side spotlight. Nordby said, "Sheriff Matchett has it in the budget." County Clerk Cathy Pavel said American Recovery Plan Act...
REGULAR PROCEEDINGS VILLAGE OF CLEARWATER BOARD OF TRUSTEES Sept. 9, 2024 The Board of Trustees of the Village of Clearwater met for a regular meeting Monday, Sept. 9, immediately following the budget and tax request hearings, in the fire hall meeting room. Meeting opened at 6:50 p.m. Notice of meeting was given in advance by publication in Summerland Advocate-Messenger, was posted at US Post Office in Clearwater, Clearwater Market and Cornerstone Bank-Clearwater and was given to board members prior to meeting. Public was informed of location...
VILLAGE OF CLEARWATER ORDINANCE NO. 2024-6 AN ORDINANCE OF THE VILLAGE OF CLEARWATER, NEBRASKA, TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE PERTAINING TO DISCONTINUATION OF UTILITY SERVICE AND NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNERS; 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 Municipal Code...
Eight street projects will fill Clearwater's six-year street plan. The one-year plan can be summed up in a single word: maintenance. Village engineer John Zwingman told trustees he went through the prior plan "with a fairly fine-tooth comb." "Last year's plan costs made zero sense to me and the attached maps didn't match project descriptions," he said during Monday's public hearing held at the fire hall meeting room. Projects include: • Nebraska Street, from Iowa Street to Main Street, .22 m...
Installation of Trimlight lighting along Ewing's business district hit a snag. Joe Kaup, owner of Trimlight Lighting, told Ewing village officials, on Aug. 19, "Found out the hard way, can't have a wireless network in the post office or bank, because of security rules, so that threw a major monkey wrench in my original plan." He spoke with representatives from Great Plains Communication, who suggested establishing multiple hot spots to run the lighting. "We're not going down that road," Kaup said. He also contacted Rise Broadband and did not...
An interlocal agreement may be required if Antelope County assists the Village of Clearwater with updates to a portion of River Road, from Highway 275 to the first bridge, heading north. The key word: If. During Tuesday's commissioners' meeting, Brian McDonald, highway superintendent, learned that Clearwater officials asked for a quote to fix the road. "I think you run into some obligation authority on spending county funds on city roads," McDonald said. "I have mixed emotions about dealing...
State lawmakers have long since finished their long, 17-day special session in Lincoln and headed back home. The summer session unfolded as a lot of people, including me, expected - a lot of ideas for reducing property taxes were discussed, but only a small, incremental change, one that will result in a 3% drop in property taxes for some taxpayers, was passed. As we've discussed before, reducing property taxes, while a noble and needed move, is a complicated task and requires an adept hike...
REGULAR PROCEEDINGS VILLAGE OF CLEARWATER BOARD OF TRUSTEES Aug. 12, 2024 The Board of Trustees of the Village of Clearwater met for a regular meeting Monday, Aug. 12, at 7 p.m., in the fire hall meeting room. Meeting opened at 7 p.m. Notice of meeting was given in advance by publication in Summerland Advocate-Messenger, was posted at US Post Office in Clearwater, Clearwater Market and Cornerstone Bank-Clearwater and was given to board members prior to meeting. Public was informed of location of Open Meeting Act poster. Present: Kelly Kerkman,...
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...
In a time before Prohibition, tiny Wilber, Nebraska, produced something nearby metropolis Omaha envied. Today, more than a century later, Wilber is trying to make Omaha jealous again. In its heyday, the Wilber Brewing Company produced 40,000 barrels of beer per year, and almost all of it was consumed by residents of the small town, located 40 miles southwest of Lincoln, and nearby communities. Gary Wooten, secretary of Wilber Czech Brewery Company LLC, said his organization wants to bring back t...
The message from Clearwater residents is overwhelmingly clear: fix the streets. "We've been researching different options and trying to figure out a way to start improving the streets. When we went through the surveys done for the Downtown Revitalization project, and the housing grant two years ago, streets were the No. 1 concern of citizens of the community," said Clearwater Economic Development Director Lauren Sheridan. Navigating Clearwater's business corridor may get a whole lot smoother if...
As you may have read or heard, Governor Pillen announced his intention to call the Legislature back in special session relating to property taxes beginning July 25 until “unfinished business” is resolved. On the last day of session, the Legislature did not take a final vote on the session’s property tax package since that bill’s introducer did not believe they had the votes necessary to overcome a filibuster. Since the Legislature adjourned, senators, including myself, have spent countless hours...
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...
REGULAR PROCEEDINGS VILLAGE OF CLEARWATER BOARD OF TRUSTEES July 15, 2024 The Board of Trustees of the Village of Clearwater met for a regular meeting Monday, July 15, at 7 p.m., in the fire hall meeting room. Meeting opened at 7:02 p.m. Notice of meeting was given in advance by publication in Summerland Advocate-Messenger, was posted at US Post Office in Clearwater, Clearwater Market and Cornerstone Bank-Clearwater and was given to board members prior to meeting. Public was informed of location of Open Meeting Act poster. Present: Kelly...
Many have tried, and few have succeeded in expanding the state’s sales tax base by taxing things now exempt from taxation. But that is where Gov. Jim Pillen is venturing in his pursuit of property tax relief. His initial plan, which failed to win approval in the state Legislature this spring, would have imposed new taxes on a host of items that could be labeled “low-hanging fruit.” I mean who’s going to get upset if we start imposing taxes on edibles infused with hemp, those slot machine...
Scotti Fullbright 1951-2024 Scotti Dean Fullbright, beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend, was promoted to his 'Long Home' on May 28, in Wichita, Kansas, after battling an infection in his body for several months. He was born June 3, 1951, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to parents Paul and Myrna (Wilcox) Fullbright. He was a rambunctious child by all accounts and his early life was punctuated by tragedy when his father passed away suddenly when he was just 13. In his high school years, his...
Let's face it, Nebraska has high property taxes, the seventh highest in the country according to the Tax Foundation, which tracks such things. "Lots of land, not a lot of people," has always been the catchphrase, which translates into a higher burden of property taxes. But I almost fell out of my chair when Gov. Jim Pillen proposed, initially, to raise the state's sales taxes by two cents to achieve property tax relief. Never did I imagine that a conservative Republican governor would propose a...
Scotti Dean Fullbright, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend was promoted to his 'Long Home' on May 28, 2024, in Wichita, Kansas, after battling an infection in his body for several months. He was born on June 3, 1951, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Paul and Myrna (Wilcox) Fullbright. He was a rambunctious child by all accounts and his early life was punctuated by tragedy when his father passed away suddenly when he was just 13. In his high school years, his family, including siblings...
