Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community
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The extreme cold spell that Nebraska and other states experienced during the middle of February increased energy needs across the region, resulting in unprecedented short-term rolling blackouts. Public power districts were directed by the Southwest Power Pool to shed electricity usage immediately in order to prevent longer, more widespread power outages. The urgency of the situation, in which power demand exceeded generated power and minimum reserves were exhausted, prevented advance notice to...
On Feb. 26, the Revenue Committee voted to advance LB 408, as amended by AM 371, on a 7-1 vote. The amended version of the bill would limit the annual increase in property tax askings to no more than 3%, with some exceptions. The sponsor of the bill, Sen. Tom Briese of Albion, commented on its advancement. “Property tax relief requires a multi-pronged approach. One approach must be to place reasonable restrictions on property taxes. And that’s what this bill does.” Briese continued, “This...
This week, we’re going to play the close your eyes and imagine game. Ready? Close your eyes. No peeking. You need to tune in and think. Your future depends on it. Think of a building in your community you consider prominent. What sets it apart from other structures in town? Now, think about a building that may be a diamond in the rough. You know the type of place I’m talking about. Once upon a time, this building was the centerpiece of the community, a drawing card with a welcome sign, a str...
Before becoming a parent, I really never noticed how colorful and loud children's toys could be. I've become familiar with that fact during about the past 15 months, thanks to all of the playthings Christina, my wife, and I have purchased for Hazel, our daughter. Her toys are located mainly in our house's living room, though they often make their way to her bedroom or the kitchen. Hazel has small plastic balls; stackable buckets, cups and rings; and other miscellaneous toys that don't make noise...
The Legislature passed the one-third mark this week in the 90-day legislative session. The Appropriations Committee also presented its preliminary recommendations for the biennial budget. This provides a starting point for discussion of the various budget actions suggested so far. After the Appropriations Committee finishes its committee work, it will develop formal recommendations to be presented to the Legislature by mid to late March, at which time floor debate will take place. Although we...
“If you’re going to talk the talk, you better be able to walk the walk.” A superintendent I worked for said this phrase during monthly faculty meetings too many times to count. I’ve been thinking a lot that quote - and how he leveraged the phrase to spur people to action. Since the November election, I’ve listened to grumbling about everything from political candidates’ qualifications to an overabundance of government overreach to a general dissatisfaction with public policy. Most conversatio...
Governor Ricketts testified before the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee this past week, expressing his support for LB 388, the Nebraska Broadband Bridge Act. The purpose of the program is to facilitate and fund the development of broadband networks in unserved and underserved areas. LB 388 contains intent language to appropriate $20 million annually to the Public Service Commission to be distributed as grants. Providers, cooperatives or political subdivisions could apply for the...
Super Bowl Sunday was a fun day for me, as it featured three of my favorite things: family, food and football. The only disappointing part, though? The final score of the big game, which didn't go in favor of my favorite pro football team. I didn't expect the Kansas City Chiefs to get beat down, 31-9, by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a team Kansas City defeated, 27-24, on Nov. 29 in a regular-season road game. What I did expect was a close championship contest, with the Chiefs coming out on top in T...
A blanket of snow covers the view out my kitchen window and inside the numbers on the outdoor thermometer are frighteningly low. On my kitchen counter, a willow branch is covered with soft puffs of pussy willows. Roots have sprouted and the willow twig is ready to plant. Brrr, planting during the cold snap sure wasn’t on my mind these days. What a long blast of cold we were dealt this month. The only good part of it was that the moisture from the snow should help when plants shoot up this s...
Summerland parents and teachers held mid-term conferences this week. It reminded me of days gone by ... Grandma Larson would give Laurie and me a buck for every “A” we earned on our report cards. I appreciated the extra cash, but I really did not need the incentive. It wasn’t like Grandma was dangling dollars and I was off on a chase to earn “A”s. I’ve told you before, I’m kind of a nerd when it comes to school. I liked it and school - except for algebra - came easy. Now I know there are peo...
Dear Editor, The Orchard Historical Society would like to thank the people of Orchard and its surrounding communities for the interest and support shown to us over the years. With that support, we have restored the Rex Theatre and the District 57 one-room schoolhouse. The society desires to take on the project of digitization of the Orchard News newspapers dating back to 1902. These papers are currently on microfilm through 2003 but not out on the World Wide Web. That’s over 5,000 newspapers full of history, but only accessible by using a m...
I’m guilty ... and I imagine you are, too. I’m guilty of spending dollars outside the community, sharing my wealth with box stores and high-dollar chains, instead of investing in mom and pop establishments. Granted, I don’t do it all the time, but if I happen to be in Norfolk or Lincoln, I’ll stop and pick up items I may need soon. I’ve written it before, but it bears repeating. Spending locally makes dollars and sense. (Yes, that’s a play on words.) Let’s use my shopping example mentioned abo...
When I entered my senior year of high school, I knew I wanted to pursue a degree in education. I was adamant that I wanted to complete an endorsement in elementary education. However, I waivered on other endorsement areas to add to my degree program. As I ventured through my senior year, I constantly fought the internal battle of choosing an endorsement in early childhood education or special education. At that time, I had the opportunity to be a teacher’s assistant in the preschool classroom an...
I constantly have to encourage myself to be positive and not paranoid during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. When I say positive, I don't mean testing positive for the coronavirus, of course, but rather having an optimistic outlook. It's been difficult for me now and then to not feel defeated by the world we live in, thanks to a disease that seems to be far from done doing damage. The COVID-19 vaccines have made me hopeful that victory over this virus will arrive sooner rather than later, but...
Martin Luther King, Jr., said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” I was reminded of the quote during Sunday’s town hall meeting in Orchard. The quote isn’t specific to our local communities. No, it’s a question worth asking no matter where you call home. But, the premise of King’s words - the notion that volunteering and making an impact in another person’s life - is what sticks out. Sunday’s meeting reinforced the meaning. It’s one of the great...
In early December, the former chair of the executive board, along with chairs of standing committees, sent an email to senators suggesting they limit the number of bills introduced. This would assist with safety measures being developed for senators and the public, in preparation for the legislative session during a pandemic. However, 684 bills were still introduced during 10 days of bill introduction. Although this number was less than the 739 bills in 2019, it was more than the 667 bills...
You could say I'm super excited the Kansas City Chiefs are returning to the Super Bowl for the second straight season. I knew the Chiefs were going to be good again entering the 2020 season and I held out hope that they would get back to the big game. Before that could happen, Kansas City had to beat the Buffalo Bills in the AFC championship game, which was held Sunday evening at Arrowhead Stadium. While my wife, Christina, entertained our daughter Hazel – who was dressed in a red Chiefs o...
In late December, Congress passed the Emergency Coronavirus Relief Act of 2020. A lot has happened in the time since, but we believe this legislation deserves a second look. As a joint COVID-19 relief and fiscal year 2021 appropriations bill, funded at $2.3 trillion, this act has strong implications in rural America. Within the spending package, several U.S. Department of Agriculture programs advocated for by the Center for Rural Affairs were included and funded at requested levels. The Rural...
If I asked you to name four movies that define your teenage years, what would be your response? In the past two weeks, I’ve seen social media posts asking individuals to select four films they identify with from their teen years. Naming four would be a snap if I grew up in the 1980s ... “Sixteen Candles,” “The Breakfast Club,” “Karate Kid,” “Fast Times at Ridgemont High.” Those ‘80s comedies celebrated teen angst at its best and provided comic relief. Movies from my era, a decade prior, ran t...
Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good. That's how I view the Kansas City Chiefs' 22-17 win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, that sent my favorite pro football team on to the next round of the playoffs. Going into the game, I thought the Chiefs were going to win, of course, but not with backup quarterback Chad Henne finishing off the victory. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City's starting quarterback, was knocked out of the contest in the third quarter with an injury, which was reportedly a...
Governor Pete Ricketts delivered his State of the State address to the Legislature this past week. He highlighted 2021-23 state budget recommendations for senators. This will be his last biennial budget proposal, as his eight years in office will be completed at the end of next year. Ricketts recounted the devastating flood in 2019 and coronavirus pandemic that followed in 2020. He commended Nebraskans for responding in the Nebraska Way - by working together to overcome challenges. The...
I’m enjoying the now view of my flower garden out my kitchen window. If you are wondering what could be worth looking at out there, I’ll try to describe it. Despite being covered with white fluffy snow, I see swags of greenery and pots filled with clippings of evergreens. The red bows still add a pop of color to the scene. The snow is deep enough that the decor will probably stay through February. There is bird bath with open water, where birds perch and dip their beaks in for a drink. Clo...
“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes ... including you.” Anne Lamott’s quote hits home this week. So, I’ll keep this short and sweet. I am taking a week off writing a full column. I’ve written during a whirlwind cross-country road trip from San Diego to Nebraska when my sister moved home. I wrote while both parents were nearing the end of life. I’ve written through sickness and health. After a two-week emotional roller coaster, I’m taking time to unplug for a...
Last week, the Nebraska Unicameral convened the 107th Legislature. On the first day, we elected officers. Sen. Mike Hilgers of Lincoln was unanimously elected speaker and I am very glad to have him serving us. I was honored to be re-elected as chair of the General Affairs Committee, a post I have held the last two years. The General Affairs committee handles subjects as wide ranging as breweries and distilleries, gambling, tobacco, intellectual property, libraries and cemeteries. I have enjoyed...
Good friends are difficult to find. That's why I'm thankful to have a friend in my life like Ty Rushing, a former co-worker of mine at Iowa Information Publishers and Printers. I started working in January 2014 for the Sheldon, Iowa-based publishing company while Ty joined the business during November of that same year. We've been friends from the first day we met and become so close that our other friends tease us about our bromance. Being such good friends with Ty made the decision to move awa...
