Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
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The process may be a little different for the May 12 Primary Election in Nebraska, but registered voters in the state will still have the opportunity for in-person voting. During a recent press conference, Governor Pete Ricketts announced the primary election will continue as scheduled. Ricketts emphasized that fulfilling the state's duty to carry out elections is vital to the health of the democratic republic. Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen confirmed polling sites will be open for...
Governor Pete Ricketts welcomed news that the Small Business Administration has issued a statewide economic injury declaration for Nebraska. The declaration qualifies small businesses throughout the state to apply for SBA disaster assistance loans. “As Nebraska steps up its efforts to combat coronavirus, we’ve limited the size of public gatherings and asked people to stay home when possible,” said Ricketts. “These temporary measures are vitally important to public health, but they present challenges for the day-to-day operations of many sm...
As I neared age 40, a wave of depression washed over me, sweeping me into an abyss of self-pity. When I look back at that time, life was a jumbled mess and saying I was unhappy was an understatement. On my birthday, I took a long look in the mirror and knew I needed to focus on positive elements of life. Too much negativity already existed in the world. I didn’t need to add to it. My personal present - a bitchslap to the face - worked. I started by focusing on gratitude, listing the little t...
The first University of Nebraska-Lincoln Dairy Store started in 1917 on the back of a wagon. "If you brought your own glass and paid a nickel, you could drink all the milk that you could drink," said Michael Boehm, vice chancellor of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. The UNL Dairy Store offers dairy products including ice cream and cheeses which are handmade by UNL students in the dairy plant. In October 2019, the Dairy Store opened its new location on the opposite side of the...
Ewing voters will determine if a one-half cent sales tax increase earmarked for economic development will be approved. During Monday's board meeting, village trustees approved Resolution 399 and 400, which will place the issue on the ballot. Per Resolution 399, the purpose of the increase is to create an LB 840 fund for economic development. According to Chairman James Ramold, passage of the resolution will "create an economic development plan that will create jobs, generate employment opportuni...
In the last two weeks, a lot of things have happened at the Legislature in Lincoln, and at the same time, very little has happened. A number of good bills have advanced: supporting victims of human trafficking, providing an income tax break to military retirees and others. But we haven’t had the opportunity yet to give an up-or-down vote on any of the bills dealing directly with property tax relief. The session is still young and I am hopeful that we will get something meaningful moved forward t...
Keeping small-town businesses alive seems to be a concern, especially when it comes to selling a business. After having their business on the market for awhile, Cliff and Shirley Erb are excited about turning over the keys to new owners, Tammy and Glen Cheatum. “They have some energy and ideas, and they are going to continue to keep the doors open on Main Street,” said Shirley. For 52 years, the Erbs owned Corner Hardware Store in Orchard. They bought the building in 1968 Throughout the yea...
The art of woodworking has experienced an industrial transition that calls for work to be fast, seamless and reproducible. However, when this becomes the primary focus of what should be an art, the personality and story is lost behind each finalized product. While reproducible, cheap furniture is an industry demand, Clearwater is home to a business that works against the grain and provides a unique, quality product for the area communities. Clearwater Custom Cabinets, owned by Allan Drudik, can...
BRIAN DEPEW, Executive Director, Center for Rural Affairs The Center for Rural Affairs has long focused on strategies to support economic vitality for small communities. Our work to assist small businesses, develop value-added agriculture and improve policy, all focus on creating widespread opportunity for people who live in rural areas. Increasingly, we see small town housing as an economic development issue. While adequate and affordable housing is a quality of life issue, it also plays an important role in economic development. A lack of...
Antelope County Commissioners adopted a new snow removal policy when they met last Tuesday at the courthouse in Neligh. Casey Dittrich, road superintendent, presented the policy that he and road foreman Aaron Boggs have been drafting over the past few weeks, with input from Tim Baxter from the Nebraska Intergovernmental Risk Management Agency, the county’s liability-insurance carrier. Input also came from road crew members and, according to Dittrich, has the “blessing” of county attorney Joe Abler. The policy establishes protocol for the order...
A recent New York Times article, "Farm Country Feeds America. But Just Try Buying Groceries There," by Jack Healy, nailed what happens when a community loses its grocery store. The article shares the story of Winchester, Illinois, whose only grocery store shuttered. After fundraising efforts, similar to a grassroots movement we experienced in Clearwater, a community-owned grocery store opened; however, members were unable to land a produce supplier. Now, the store sells produce and baked goods...
Rhea Landholm | Center for Rural Affairs Shopping at a locally-owned and operated business is truly a unique experience. The atmosphere surrounds you as soon as you step out of your car. Sometimes, holiday music flows through the main thoroughfares of your small town. Almost always, twinkling snowflakes line the streets. Large storefront windows decorated for the season beam welcoming lights onto the sidewalk. These windows offer a snapshot of what you can expect when you enter the small business. Upon taking that step inside, chances are...
"Strong schools attract families and feed a town." The observation, made by Cross County Superintendent Brent Hollinger, showcases how the idea of a cornfield school benefits educational opportunities and provides financial efficiencies. Cross County Community Schools, located near the intersection of Nebraska Highway 66 and U.S. Highway 81, sits approximately three miles south of Stromsburg or five miles north of Benedict, a neutral location between two communities it serves. Hollinger did not...
The Oct. 10 edition of the Summerland Advocate Messenger included a section of frequently asked questions regarding the proposed Summerland school building project. Questions and responses were supplied by Bobcats Unite, a group of volunteers from Clearwater, Ewing and Orchard communities who have been researching the issue, finding answers to questions and presenting information to the public. This article contains the second half of questions and responses. Summary Statements (based on...
Drama unfolded once again and the county attorney was called in for advice at a meeting of the Antelope County commissioners at the Neligh courthouse last Tuesday, Oct. 1. The final item on the agenda, taxpayer concerns/general comment/Regina Krebs, was moved up. Krebs assists various county officials and subdivisions with budget preparation and, in her capacity as a certified public accountant, has conducted audits of public entities, including Antelope County in years past. She introduced...
