Week of July 11, 2024
Week of July 11, 2024
SIDNEY--Sidney's City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, and a discussion over the City of Sidney's Pay Grid and grant proposals were the main topics of the session. Only three of the five council members attended the meeting, with Vice-May Paul Strommen and Councilman Burke Radcliffe absent. After approving the minutes from the last meeting on June 25, and the minutes from the Strategic Planning session on July 2, the council went through the items on the agenda. First, City Manager...
SIDNEY--The Cheyenne County Board of Commissioners met on Monday, July 1 and listened to a number issues and took action where necessary. After initially approving of minutes and agenda, the commissioners first designated printing services for joint public hearing postcards. The cost works out to 50¢ per card. The commissioners unanimously approved to continue with CSG Printers in Lincoln for these services. Next, Jason Nelke asked for a letter of support for a City of Sidney grant for...
Recently, Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen penned a short column focusing on property valuation increases throughout Nebraska, and summed up the reaction most Nebraskans had with one word, "outrage". "Countless Nebraskans are in disbelief when they see the recent increases in their home values," Pillen said. Pillen chalks up much of the over double-digit increases in valuations to "special interest groups (that) have intimidated and paralyzed our Legislature". A preliminary report on real property...
One is surrounded by plants as you enter Take Back Health & Fitness' new location at 1700 Illinois Street; walk inside and you're greeted as a friend. Leaving after a morning workout, Kalena Seaman reminds her client of their progress and sends them off with a pleasant "K, love you, bye," as she and her patron exchange a "foot high five." The vision of Amanda Bauer and Seaman, TBH&F began as an idea seven years ago when the duo teamed up to help one another with their personal fitness goals....
Cars honk as they drive past the staple on the hill, Balfour's Firework Stand; a local hot spot of 55 years for those seeking only the best for their firework displays, Bob Balfour Sr. waves at the passersby and proudly welcomes all who step foot on his driveway. If you've ever made the trip to Balfour's during the first week of July, you know not only fireworks await you, but Bob Sr.'s spectacular sense of humor as well, offering a few "freebies," and if you're lucky, maybe a joke too....
SIDNEY--The Cheyenne County Visitors Committee met in the late afternoon on July 3, and among items on the agenda were discussions on a Promotional Grant Request and a Grant Reimbursement report. After approving the current agenda and minutes from the June 5 meeting, the committee reviewed information from the Financial Reports. It was reported that tax revenue from lodging was up 46.5% in April to the prior year, bringing the fiscal year's numbers up 6% year to date, and projected to be down...
For the fifth consecutive year, the average all-land value of agricultural land in Nebraska increased, reaching $4,015 per acre in the 12-month period ending Feb. 1, 2024, according to the final report from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s 2023-2024 Farm Real Estate Market Survey. This marks a 5% increase over the prior year and is the highest non-inflation-adjusted statewide land value in the history of the survey. Based on 2024 market values, Nebraska's estimated total value of agricultural land and buildings rose to approximately...
As we roll into mid-summer, many farmers are looking for opportunities to do some forward contracting for fall. This has led some farmers to ask, “What is a ‘good’ price for 2024 corn?” When asking yourself this question, recognize that “good” is a relative term. A good price for one farmer may not be a good price for another. First, determine what you are comparing the price against. Once you have determined your measuring stick, we can assess the viability of a price. Here are a few comparisons you might want to make as you...
LINCOLN – The Nebraska Department of Agriculture's (NDA) Poultry Photo Contest is currently accepting entries from poultry-raising 4-H and FFA members. Current 4-H and FFA members can submit up to four photos that they have taken during the year to be featured in NDA's 2025 poultry calendar. Official contest rules and entry forms are available at nda.nebraska.gov/animal/avian/. Entries must be submitted online at https://tinyurl.com/NDAPhotoContest by the July 15 deadline. "Caring for...
OGALLALA-- During the June 11 Quarterly Committee meeting for the Nebraska Brand Committee, after the review of annual financials, it was determined that the brand inspection charge will be raised from the current $.85 per head back to $1.00 per head. In the 2021 session Nebraska Legislature imposed a 2-year reduction of fees to assist in depleting the Brand Committee’s cash reserve account that had grown due to efficiencies gained with the implementation of the electronic brand inspection program and other advances and improvements. Those...
The Nebraska Open Meetings Act guarantees that every meeting of a public body shall be open to the public in order that citizens may exercise their democratic privilege of attending and speaking at meetings of public bodies. • Village of Potter Board of Trustees Meeting at the Village Office; 922 Sherman Street in Potter; Monday August 12th at 7pm • Village of Dalton Meeting at the Village Offices 306 Main Street in Dalton; Monday August 12th at 7pm • City of Sidney Council Meeting at City Hall 1115 13th Avenue in Sidney; Tuesday July...
All students will need a bus pass to ride the bus. Students living more than 4 miles from school get free passes but still need to register, while in-town students can buy passes on a sliding fee schedule. Updated routes will be on our website under the Families tab: www.sidneyraiders.org To purchase a bus pass, review the documents and complete forms on the website by August 1st. Alternative transportation options may be available through the City of Sidney (contact Kasey Kantor at 308-254-7070). For questions, contact your school...
Bring out your shining accomplishments, whether it's a masterpiece quilt or a flourishing garden! Dive into the Cheyenne County Fair fun by showcasing your crafty creations. Swing by the fairgrounds on July 21st from 1-4:00 p.m. to flaunt your talents in the Open Class Building. Everyone is invited to join the excitement this year! For a sneak peek at what to bring, check out the Extension's Facebook page, /UNLCheyenneCounty, or swing by their office at 920 Jackson Street for a printed guide. To breeze through entry day, jot down your entries...
If conditions are right and mosquito counts warrant spraying, the City of Sidney Parks Department will begin spraying for mosquitoes on Sunday nights in July. The first Sunday night spraying will be July 21, 2024. Those persons wishing to be placed on the “No Spray List” are encouraged to call the City Offices at 254-5300 and leave their name and address. Public health safety for West Nile Virus dictates that the truck will only shut off immediately in front of the residence listed on the No Spray List. For the most part, the sprayer...
The overpass over I-80 on county road 125 is now open to one lane traffic. This one lane traffic is restricted to 17’ wide. ... The candidate filing deadline for incumbents for the office of Public Power District Board of Directors, Educational Service Unit Board and Village Board of Trustees is July 15, 2024 at 5:00 P.M., and August 1, 2024 at 5:00 P.M., for nonincumbents. An incumbent is anyone serving in an elective...
LINCOLN, Nebraska - NE Chamber President Bryan Slone today welcomed Toshia Jones , pictured above, to the NE Chamber team. Jones will serve as Regional Navigator for the Western Region through 6 Regions, One Nebraska. 6 Regions, One Nebraska was founded in 2024 in partnership with Governor Pillen and the Nebraska Department of Economic Development to enhance statewide economic development through community and partnership relations that will benefit each unique region of the state. "Toshia...
Mary A. Bowker, age 81 of Sidney, NE passed away on Monday, July 1, 2024 at Sidney Regional Medical Center. No funeral services will be held. The family will do a celebration of life at a later date. You may view Mary's Book of Memories, leave condolences, photos and stories at www.gehrigstittchapel.com. Gehrig-Stitt Chapel & Cremation Service, LLC is in charge of Mary's care. Mary was a social butterfly and made anyone she encountered smile. Mary was loved by many. Mary was born in Kimball, NE...
Tyler Daniel Behm passed away on the evening of June 19th, 2024, surrounded by some of those dearest to him, doing something he loved. Tyler was born on October 12, 1989 in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. He was the first child to Timothy and Christine (Vitt) Behm. Tyler grew up in North Platte, Nebraska and spent his childhood developing his love of the outdoors. He attended the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, and moved back to North Platte shortly after meeting the love of his life, Carrie Egging....
The Post 17 American Legion Baseball team has had a fine early summer of play, with a winning record of 18-13-1 as they headed into their final two games of the regular season in Ogallala on Tuesday, July 9. After the Sidney boys tore through the Bridgeport Bombers junior and senior teams on July 1, winning both contests by lopsided scores of 20-to-2 and 17-to-0, on July 2 they split two games against the Chadron Valley Bank juniors and seniors, 12-to-0 and 3-to-5. The squad then traveled north...
SIDNEY--The Cheyenne County Fair Board met for the final time on Monday before the start of the Cheyenne County Fair on July 20. After approving the agenda and minutes from the last meeting, the board got down to business. First was the Treasurer's Report, and Kip Miller said he had nothing new to report, as all bills had been paid out and they were ready to start the next fiscal year. He mentioned Floyd's Auto had sent in a sponsorship check and that Tim Lecher State Farm Insurance agreed to...
"Then the Lord said, as I live, all the earth will be filled with the glory of the Lord!" Numbers 14:20-21 "Do not quench the Spirit, do not despise prophecy, test all things and hold fast what is good." I Thessalonians, 5:19-21 Prophecy is given to instruct, encourage or reveal Father's heart. This prophesy came from a man and wife in New York: "The Lord says, 'I founded Israel because I loved the people but, the United States was founded because the people loved Me.'" John 3:16, 17 Today the...
Sometimes we need to stop and look back in our nation's history and see some of the grander and better seeds that were planted by our elected leaders. Here are some seeds from both sides of the political aisle that were planted years ago. We need to water them and help them to grow in these troubled days. FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT QUOTES: The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today. Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose...
Alice, a high school guidance counselor, was conducting a job and career seminar for seniors. During their four years in high school, she overheard students worrying about their hair, their clothes, who was dating who, what cars people were driving, along with all the other typical teenage angst. Alice wanted to impress upon the students what's important in life versus the small stuff. As the students sat down in Alice's room, they saw some items on her desk more appropriate for an earth...
Today it is with great disappointment that I must report that the EPIC Option Consumption Tax team did not meet the required signature count to place our two initiatives for constitutional amendments on the November general election ballot. While the team met the first goal of securing signatures from at least five percent of registered voters in 38 counties, the team fell short of the second requirement of securing signatures from ten percent of the registered voters statewide. I would like to...
