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Articles written by amanda tafolla


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  • Making a difference

    Amanda Tafolla-Sutton|May 13, 2016

    The mentoring program TeamMates is not only making a difference to students in Sidney, but also to people across the globe. At the annual "Fun Day" celebration held on Wednesday at the Sidney High School and Thursday at West Elementary, the program participants assembled kits to send to countries fighting the Ebloa virus. The activity that was chosen for this year's event was an outreach program called Heart to Heart. The Heart to Heart program is an outreach program that brings health care,...

  • New legislation could affect Sidney Public Schools

    Amanda Tafolla-Sutton|May 12, 2016

    Board members with Sidney Public Schools learned about new legislation that could potentially affect the district during this month's regular meeting Monday evening. Sidney Superintendent Jay Ehler said that when it comes to the new legislation, he doesn't expect to see a lot of changes for Sidney schools. However, it might affect the decision-making process. "There is just an awareness for the administration and the leaders of the school to perform within the new legislation," Ehler said One ne...

  • Primary Election is a long day for volunteers

    Amanda Tafolla-Sutton|May 11, 2016

    Election workers trickled into the Cheyenne County Courthouse in Sidney Tuesday night carrying large silver lock boxes with ballots inside for the statewide primary election day. With polls open for 12 straight hours, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., it made for a long day for everyone. Ann Schaaf has been been a volunteer during county elections for more than 25 years. "It's a privilege and an honor and I love it," Schaaf said. Early voting began on April 11, with in-person voting and ballot pickup at...

  • New grade, new school

    Amanda Tafolla-Sutton|May 11, 2016

    Sidney kindergarteners traveled to South Elementary School on Tuesday to familiarize themselves with the school and its teachers in preparation for their transition to the new campus next year. Right, first grader John Dhooge reads the story he wrote about what his favorite part of first grade was to kindergartener Dillon Schmidt....

  • Walking tour keeps social studies local for Sidney students

    Amanda Tafolla-Sutton|May 10, 2016

    North Elementary third grade students took a walking tour to various locations in downtown Sidney on Monday as part of their social studies class. Third grade teacher Karen Clark teamed up with City of Sidney Human Resources Director Jo Houser to organize the walking tour. Clark said that in years past, the Sidney city manager came to the school for a presentation, but this year they decided to do something different. "We began making contact for this at the beginning of April. Jo Houser helped...

  • Getting crafty

    Amanda Tafolla-Sutton|May 9, 2016

    Melissa Lauderdale displays her Princess House home goods at the Spring Craft Show held Saturday. Lauderdale hosted the show at the Cheyenne County Community Center....

  • False alarm

    Amanda Tafolla-Sutton|May 9, 2016

    The Sidney Volunteer Fire Department responded to a call of a fire alarm and smoke in the kitchen at Golden Living Center located at 1435 Toledo street in Sidney, Monday morning. After investigation it was found that the smoke was coming from a heating unit located on top of the building. The heating unit has been looked at and no longer poses a fire hazard to residents....

  • "Waka Waka"

    Amanda Tafolla-Sutton|May 6, 2016

    The dance routine Charles Ahovissi is teaching to North Elementary fourth grade students will be performed to the song "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" by singer-songwriter Shakira featuring South African band Freshlyground. Originally hailing from Benin, West Africa, Ahovissi toured the world as a member of Ballet National of Benin. Currently residing in Omaha, Neb. with his family, Ahovissi said he found a way to share his passion with others by teaching African culture through dance and...

  • Alexah's 'A-MAZE-ing Rabbits' visit two state competitions

    Amanda Tafolla-Sutton|May 5, 2016

    Last month, Alexah Fort attended the State Science Fair competition at the Strategic Air & Space Museum in Ashland, Neb., and will be bringing her project to the annual University of Nebraska Medical School State Science Meet this June in Omaha. Alexah's exhibit, "A-MAZE-ing Rabbits," was conducted by testing the cognitive and memory skills of two different breeds of rabbits through the use of maze activities over a 10-day period. About 30 students from five different schools in the Panhandle,...

  • West Elementary students participate in Presidential Fitness Challenge

    Amanda Tafolla-Sutton|May 5, 2016

    West Elementary students cheer on their classmates at Tuesday's Presidential Fitness Challenge at the Sidney High School Track. The mile run completed the 5th and 6th grade challenge, which also included sit ups and the V sit-and-reach. Pictured from left are Aiden Conner, Connor Uhrig, Cauyer Glanz-Sikes, Paige Maddox, Emily Wieser, Hailey Dinges, Brynna Ross, Alecca Campbell and Kaitlyn Pile....

  • University of Nebraska President Hank Bounds visits Sidney High School

    Amanda Tafolla-Sutton|May 4, 2016

    University of Nebraska (UNL) President Hank Bounds visited Sidney High School on his week long tour across the state to talk about the university's "Commit to Complete" campaign. "Commit to Complete" is a campaign created by the UNL to help college students graduate sooner and with less student debt. The campaign lays out steps to help students succeed in their college careers. In his presentation Wednesday, Bounds said, "In the next decade tens of millions of jobs will be created, what we...

  • Sidney man killed in car accident near Julesburg

    Amanda Tafolla-Sutton|May 3, 2016

    Sidney resident Victor Wooley, was killed when a semi truck struck the back of a 1997 Dodge minivan near Julesburg, Colorado, Sunday morning. According to the Nebraska State Patrol, the accident happened Sunday at 1:28 am. The minivan, driven by Sophia Wooley, 26, of Sidney, was headed eastbound in a construction zone near the I80-I76 split west of Julesburg. The minivan was was stopped in a driving lane when it was struck by a 2005 Peterbuilt semi truck driven by Timothy Medicine Horn of Murdo, South Dakota. Sophia Wooley was taken to the...

  • Ambulance task force discussions discontinued

    Amanda Tafolla-Sutton|May 3, 2016

    In Monday’s regular meeting, the Cheyenne County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to discontinue the formation of an ambulance task force. Last month, the commissioners discussed a proposed ambulance task force that would perform a fiscal evaluation for services provided within the county. Currently, the county’s ambulance service is provided by Emergency Response Care (ERC), which is based in Sidney and under the operation of Regional West Medical Center (RWMC). The service is under a three-year rolling contract with the City of Sid...

  • Western Nebraska Community College offers free summer classes

    Amanda Tafolla|Apr 28, 2016

    Western Nebraska Community College (WNCC) is offering free classes on all three of their campuses this summer. The #SummerFree courses are offered to WNCC currently enrolled full-time, part-time, through CollegeNOW! or who have previously attended but not graduated with their degree. The Students must also have a current GPA of 2.0 or higher, declare a program of study and choose courses for that program of study to be eligible. "Several years ago, the federal government eliminated the summer...

  • BWS survivor Jessica Stokes awarded medal, donation from Just for Kix dance group

    Amanda Tafolla|Apr 22, 2016

    Last month, Jessica Stokes was awarded the Hero Medal by her dance group Just for Kix in recognition of her battle with Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome, a condition she has lived with since birth. Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome, or BWS, is an overgrowth disorder, usually present at birth, characterized by an increased risk of childhood cancer and certain congenital features. "The JFK hero medal was awarded to Jessica for her strength, courage and positive attitude as she faces the challenges of living...

  • WNCC campus awards ceremony held Thursday

    Amanda Tafolla|Apr 22, 2016

    Western Nebraska Community College held their 2016 Sidney Campus Awards Ceremony at the Sidney Municipal Airport on Thursday. The ceremony recognized various students from the Sidney campus for their achievements throughout the 2015-2016 academic year....

  • 'Raiders Reaching Out' collects toy donations for pediatric rehabilitation

    Amanda Tafolla|Apr 21, 2016

    Sidney High school students are collecting toy donations through Tuesday next week to benefit the Pediatric Rehabilitation Ward of Regional Medical Center in a project called "Raiders Reaching Out." This is the project's second year. Teacher Brett Avila's sixth period Human Development Class began brainstorming their concept for the project earlier this month. Carley Witt, a sophomore in the class, said that the students were inspired to choose the Regional West Medical Center Pediatric...

  • High Plains Arts Council presents New Orleans-style brass band

    Amanda Tafolla|Apr 21, 2016

    The High Plains Art Council presents the Funky Butt Brass Band this Friday, April 22, at the Sidney High School Performing Arts Center. The band formed in 2008 and is comprised of six members: Tim Halpin (guitar, vocals), Austin Cebulske (sax, vocals), Aaron Chandler (trombone, vocals), Ron Sikes (drums), Adam Hucke (trumpet, vocals) and Cody Henry (sousaphone). Integrating influences from traditional New Orleans brass, the band puts their own "twist" on the music they perform. "In the style of...

  • Sidney Public Schools educators attend autism awareness conference

    Amanda Tafolla|Apr 20, 2016

    Sidney Public Schools administrators and special education teachers attended a conference held in Kearney in early April to further their education on autism awareness. With April designated as National Autism Awareness Month, a group of special educators for Sidney Public Schools went to the Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) Network’s 12th Annual State Conference in Kearny on April 7 to learn more on the increasingly prominent disorder. Autism is a pervasive developmental disorder that involves abnormal development and function of the brain. P...

  • Commissioners once again table action on ambulance task force

    Amanda Tafolla|Apr 19, 2016

    For the second straight time, the Cheyenne County Commissioners tabled a proposal for the formation of an ambulance task force at Monday's regular meeting. Currently, the county's ambulance service is provided by Emergency Response Care (ERC), which is based in Sidney and under the operation of Regional West. The service is under a three-year rolling contract with the City of Sidney and Cheyenne County. The contract is up for renewal in June of 2017. District 3 Commissioner Philip Sanders said...

  • West Elementary student wins state essay competition

    Amanda Tafolla|Apr 18, 2016

    Macey Bosard, a West Elementary student in Sidney, was the winner of the Nebraska State Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) essay contest in the sixth grade category. Each year the National DAR American History committee declares a specific topic for all fifth through eighth grade students to research and write a 600- to 1000-word essay following detailed requirements for writing format as well as for the historical accuracy and organization of the material. Students wrote from various...

  • Sidney Public Schools offers positive behavioral support to students

    Amanda Tafolla|Apr 15, 2016

    Positive behavioral support is the umbrella term for the training and tools provided to Sidney Public Schools (SPS) teachers, administration and counselors. Seven main ideas make up the positive behavioral support programs: behavior support, evidence based interventions, proactive screening for all students, progress monitoring, treatment integrity, data-based decision making, and collaborative problem solving. There are three tiers to the program, prevention, at risk children and intense needs. All children kindergarten through sixth grade...

  • 'Cultural Expressions' held Wednesday evening

    Amanda Tafolla|Apr 14, 2016

    Aztec dancers from The Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU) performed for the community in the Sidney High School's Performing Arts Center. Dr. Renee Fajardo, Chicano Studies at MSU, was at the event as a presenter. Spanish teacher Brett Avila spearheaded the event with SHS students who recently won awards for their mural as well as a skit that was also performed....

  • Thayer receives award from University of Nebraska Medical Center

    Amanda Tafolla|Apr 14, 2016

    Dr. James Thayer of the Sidney Regional Medical Center was awarded the Volunteer Clinical Faculty Award by Alpha Omega Alpha with the University of Nebraska Medical Center's (UNMC) College of Medicine. Alpha Omega Alpha, or AOA, is the national honorary organization for physicians whose membership is based upon scholarship and moral qualities. Its Volunteer Clinical Faculty Award is presented annually to recognize a community physician who contributes with distinction to the education and...

  • Smith named to Sidney School Board

    Amanda Tafolla|Apr 12, 2016

    A vacancy on the Sidney Public Schools Board of Education was filled during the March regular meeting, held Monday evening, with Brenda Smith finishing out remainder of the seat's term beginning in May. "All of our applicants want to do what's best for the students of our district," Board president Tom Von Seggern said. "It is plain to see, and comforting to know, that we have such excellent applicants for our vacancy on the schools board. "Let me say that this board takes dedication to...

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