Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
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The Rural Broadband Association recognized Northeast Nebraska Telephone Company, at the NTCA Marketing eXcellence Awards, as the second runner up in website redesign. Northeast Nebraska Telephone Company is a member of NTCA, the premier association representing nearly 850 independent, community-based telecommunications companies in rural communities across America. The Marketing eXcellence Awards recognize the vital role marketing, sales and communications play in the broadband industry and are...
Three Summerland School students competed in the virtual SkillsUSA national competition earlier this summer. SkillsUSA prepares students for careers in technical, skilled and trade occupations. According to the organization's website, more than 372,655 students and instructors participate annually. The program helps students investigate 79 potential career paths in 16 career clusters. Summerland students competed in state competition, virtually, in April and winners advanced to the national...
The Honorable Mark Johnson handed down two sentences last week when he presided from the bench in the Antelope County district courtroom in Neligh. Michael G. Loy, 51, of Elgin appeared on a conviction of a Class W misdemeanor, driving under the influence of alcohol, less than .15 grams, first offense. Johnson found Loy was not a suitable candidate for probation, that a sentence less than incarceration would depreciate the seriousness of the crime and there was substantial risk Loy would engage in additional criminal activity during a period...
In a battle of wits ... and a little trivia ... Summerland - Clearwater and St. Mary's quiz bowl teams fought through two finals to determine a winner of the Niobrara Valley Conference quiz bowl. The local quizmasters brought home the runner-up award from the March 24 event, held in Niobrara. Summerland students defeated SMH, 35-25, to set the final round, which would require the Cardinals to push Summerland-Clearwater to two finals to earn the championship. St. Mary's capitalized on bonus...
The Nebraska Economic Forecasting Advisory Board met last week and revised the current forecast upwards. The board projected an increase of $204 million for fiscal year 2020-21, $165 million for fiscal year 2021-22 and $93 million for fiscal year 2022-23, for a total increase of $462 million. The three-year average growth rate increased from 2.9% to 3.4%. Under LB 1107, the property tax relief bill passed last year, property taxpayers are eligible for a refundable income tax credit based on the...
Like most people, I'm guessing, I know that Catholics don't eat meat on Fridays during Lent. (For the record, I'm Methodist.) And like most people, I'm also guessing, I never really stopped to think about why they don't. And why is fish OK? So, doing like most people do these days when looking for an answer to "why," I turned to our good friend Google. This is what I found on the website for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis at www.archspm.org: "Catholics abstain from flesh meat on...
Nebraska is in the green, at least when it comes to directed health measures. Governor Pete Ricketts announced Jan. 29 the state would transition from the blue to green phase, effective Jan. 30. The state's pandemic response plan links DHM restrictions to the percentage of staffed hospital beds in Nebraska filled by coronavirus patients. As of Jan. 29, hospital capacity in the state is below 10%, allowing the move to the green phase of the pandemic plan. During Friday morning's press...
An online portal where Nebraskans may register for the coronavirus vaccination debuted recently. During a Monday press conference, Gov. Pete Ricketts announced the website launch for vaccinate.nebraska.gov. Ricketts emphasized the state will not administer vaccines on a first come, first serve basis. Instead, the state will follow a vaccination plan introduced Jan. 15. Despite brisk winter weather, vaccinations have been rolling out quickly, with more than 161,000 vaccinations being administered...
PROCEEDINGS VILLAGE OF CLEARWATER BOARD OF TRUSTEES DECEMBER 2020 The Board of Trustees of the Village of Clearwater met in regular session Monday, Dec. 14, 2020, at 7 p.m., in the Fire Hall meeting room. Regular meeting was opened at 7:02 p.m. Notice of meeting was given in advance by publication in Summerland Advocate-Messenger and notice was given to chairman and village board members prior to meeting. Public was informed of location of Open Meeting Act poster. Present: Jay Snider, Kevin Filsinger, Steve Stearns and Paul Horman. Absent:...
Nebraska’s latest directed health measures mirror Centers for Disease Control recommendations, shortening quarantine times for individuals who have been exposed to the coronavirus. Gov. Pete Ricketts made the announcement during a Friday press conference. Mandates went into effect at 5 p.m., Dec. 3 and will continue through Dec. 31. “Even with the good news we’ve had with regard to vaccines that are on their way, we do need people to continue to practice all the good methods we’ve learned...
Front-line health care workers and individuals with underlying health conditions will be the first Nebraskans to receive a coronavirus vaccine, once approved. Gov. Pete Ricketts announced, during a Monday press conference, the state's vaccination plan was submitted to the federal government prior to the Oct. 16 federal deadline. "Part of the planning includes an efficient distribution network for the vaccine so as quickly as the vaccine arrives, they can get into the arms of Nebraskans," said...
Governor Pete Ricketss announced changes to Nebraska’s directed health measures, Friday. Hospitals, bars and restaurants, gatherings and wedding and funeral venues will adjust to the new DHMS, which went into effect, Wednesday, Oct. 21, and will remain effective through Nov. 30. “We still have the pandemic. There’s still a virus around. It’s still important you wear that mask, that you wash your hands and that you maintain six foot of distance between you and other people,” Ricketts said. The governor stressed that all steps taken to combat CO...
PROCEEDINGS SUMMERLAND PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD OF EDUCATION October 12, 2020 Summerland Public School Board of Education held a regular meeting, Monday, Oct. 12, 2020, at Summerland Public School at Clearwater. President Ed Nordby called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Attendance was taken. Present: Candice Hoke, Marty Kerkman, Nordby, Nate Schwager, Steve Thiele, Jeremy Wagner. All board members were present. President Nordby noted the Open Meeting Act posted in the room. Motion by Kerkman, seconded by Hoke, to approve the agenda as presented....
PROCEEDINGS Summerland Public School Board of Education Sept. 14, 2020 Summerland Public School Board of Education held a regular meeting, Sept. 14, 2020, at the Orchard site. President Ed Nordby called the regular meeting that was duly published in Antelope County News on Sept. 9, 2020, to order at 7:21 p.m. Nordby noted the Open Meetings Act posted in the room. Roll call was taken with all members present: Candice Hoke, Marty Kerkman, Ed Nordby, Nate Schwager, Steve Thiele, Jeremy Wagner. Motion by Schwager, seconded by Kerkman, to approve th...
Family, Career and Community Leaders of America members, chapters and advisers were recently recognized via social media platforms for their efforts during the 2019-2020 school year. This year, more than 700 students from across the state earned the opportunity to compete in STAR Events at the State Leadership Conference. Students Taking Action with Recognition recognizes members for proficiency and achievement in chapter and individual projects, leadership skills, and career preparation. Due...
The ability to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions is the definition of the adjective resilient. Since March, resiliency has been shown on many levels, at many ages and in many different situations. Whether being released from a job, experiencing financial struggles, sent home from school, forced to homeschool, battling an illness or standing by someone’s side as they fight an illness, nothing has been easy. Since March, life as we know it has been turned upside down, s...
Approximately 35 Holt County residents crowded the supervisor’s meeting room and adjoining hallway, Monday, to listen to discussion about whether the county should dissolve townships and move to a seven-member board of commissioners. A motion to the effect, made by Steve Boshart, would have placed the item on the November ballot, giving the people of Holt County the ultimate decision. Prior to the motion being made, supervisors spent more than 90 minutes hashing over the item, which was added t...
MADELEINE GRANT Nebraska News Service More than 90,000 additional Nebraskans are now eligible to apply for Medicaid, the government’s health insurance program for low-income individuals, the governor has announced. Nebraska residents can begin applying Aug. 1 at ACCESSNebraska.ne.gov and the coverage will take effect on Oct 1. The expansion was first approved in 2018 by Nebraska voters via Initiative 427. The department's Medicaid division submitted state plan amendments to the federal government in April 2019 and made preparations, such as sta...
The Holt County supervisors finalized seating of a board of adjustment when they met at the courthouse in O’Neill last Tuesday, June 30. Vice chair Steve Boshart presided, due to the potential for board of adjustment action related to TC Energy matters, with which chairman Bill Tielke has a declared conflict of interest. Clayton Goeke of Atkinson was selected, by written ballot from a pool of three interested citizens, to serve as the alternate board member. Goeke garnered three votes, Cheri Frisch of Atkinson, two, and Tom Schaaf of Lynch, non...
MADELEINE GRANT Nebraska News Service Ballot initiatives that encourage economic development and repeal slavery language in the state constitution will appear on the Nebraska ballot in November. The Nebraska Tax Increment Financing Repayment Amendment increases the repayment period for TIF in blighted areas, which can help stimulate economic growth. The second amendment on the ballot is Remove Slavery as Punishment for Crime, which removes language in the Nebraska state constitution that says slavery can be used as punishment for a crime. Both...
The Holt County board of supervisors approved more than $60,000 in courthouse maintenance projects when they met there May 29. On a motion by supervisor Bob Snyder, the leaders unanimously approved a proposal from Beckenhauer Construction for several maintenance projects at the courthouse. The proposal included replacement of a metal door and frame for $21,165; cleaning and painting 26 window frames for $22,825; and clean and paint the metal stairs for $19,085. Steve and Janene Peterson addressed the board regarding ongoing drainage issues...
Ten district health department areas across the state, including North Central District Health Department, which includes Antelope and Holt counties, will have changes to restrictions on social gatherings and business operations, beginning May 4. Governor Pete Ricketts announced upcoming changes to Directed Health Measures across the state during an April 24 press conference. The current state DHMs for Douglas County will be extended through May 3. Local DHMs from the Sarpy/Cass Health Department and the Douglas County Health Department will al...
Orchard principal Cathy Cooper told Orchard board members that graduation is still planned, when the original and advisory boards met recently. She said graduation will “definitely” take place, but factors regarding timing will have to be worked out. Cooper is consulting with other administrators in the Unified district regarding graduation and other end-of-year award ceremonies. “Safety is obviously the first priority,” she said. “We definitely want to recognize our seniors…We’re still planning for graduation…there are just so many things that...
The Holt County supervisors approved hiring a human resource firm when they met at the courthouse in O’Neill on April 16. With all seven supervisors in attendance at the meeting, the leaders voted 5-2 to contract with Zelle Human Resources of Lincoln to provide consulting services for an initial six-month term, after holding a phone conference with Zelle representative Chad Thies. Supervisors Bob Snyder and Don Butterfield voted nay. According to Thies, the firm would update the county’s employee handbook, making sure it is relevant and mak...
June 30 retirement of longtime Antelope County clerk of the district court, Judy Cole was announced during the April 14 meeting of the Antelope County commissioners. The meeting was held via video conference, with commissioner Eli Jacob and chairman Charlie Henery present in the meeting room, along with clerk Lisa Payne. Commissioners Dean Smith, Regina Krebs and Carolyn Pedersen participated remotely via Zoom. Sheriff Bob Moore, county attorney Joe Abler, zoning administrator Liz Doerr and...
