Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
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I was interim editor at a nearby newspaper about 20 years ago. I approached the office each day with the goal of turning out the best paper I could with the resources I had, staff and technology. On Sept. 11, 2001, I entered the building a little earlier than usual, even more focused on my deadline than usual. I had stories to review and pages to design and only a few hours to get it all done. Then the phone rang. This call is both expected and odd. It was my publisher asking if I was watching...
Daryl Koptiva grew up farming. When he wasn't farming, he was custom harvesting. When he wasn't cutting grain, he was repairing machinery to get back in the field. Now he is offering his experience to farmers and ranchers in western Nebraska. He said he left the farm when the work load became more than he could handle. "The farm grew to be a little too much," he said. He had a trucking business that he closed when the last driver retired. His service will include most anything that can break...
Sometimes the best way to promote what you have is to offer to host an event. That occurred Aug. 25-27 when Sidney hosted the Nebraska Economic Development Association (NEDA)'s annual meeting. NEDA is an association of professional economic developers dedicated to the prosperous growth of Nebraska's business climate. It's purpose is to foster economic development in the state, encourage the advancement of the expertise of its members, foster cooperation among economic development professionals...
The City of Sidney is focused on revamping and updating downtown, specifically areas that have lacked attention. To complete the goal, the City needs funding. One funding source is the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). The CDBG program provides annual grants based on a formula to states, cities and counties for the development of viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities, primarily for low and moderate...
Labor Day is historically a time to recognize and celebrate the worker, and labor unions. In 1882, Matthew Maguire encouraged all 56 unions in his area to make a “public show of support,” about 12 years before President Grover Cleveland made Labor Day an official holiday. The parade culminated with a festival including a dance pavilion, beer garden, playgrounds and picnic areas. In some ways, community hasn't changed more in the 100-plus years. Two Cheyenne County communities are having communit...
I’m reading some news stories of the day when I am reminded of a bike ride I took several years ago. I was a rookie in many respects, and in comparison to the two guys I hoped to ride with. On this day, riding an older bike as I recall, I was promptly told to skip this ride. I wasn’t ready. My equipment — tires — were not safe. So how’s that tie in with current events? Don’t stage an event you’re not prepared for. The American people were shocked to learn President Biden apparently ma...
North of Cabela’s and with Interstate 80 in view stands a “watering hole” offering a variety of coffee and smoothies, and alcoholic options. It is designed as a meeting place of friends, business associates, or just a quick coffee while traveling the interstate. Since the day Beans & Steams Coffee House came to life it has been a local couple’s dream to give Sidney and the surrounding community a place to gather and enjoy a treat with family and friends or quick and friendly service in a drive...
Sidney City Manager David Scott presented the 2021-2022 budget before the council on Aug. 24. The proposal shows expenses totaling $33,584,440. Capital Projects is at almost $3 million, the City's share of the 17J Link cost. The General Fund expenses total $9,980,243. The Electric Department shows expenses totaling $11,951,301. Scott said the amount reflects budgeting for the generation project. The Electric Department is taking 36 percent of the budgeted expenses, followed by the General Fund....
Developing a community has at least two factors: employment opportunities, and available homes. Employers have their signs out seeking additional staff. The challenge now is where will they live. RDG Planning and Design, who was also contracted to updated the City of Sidney Master Plan, recently presented findings on its housing study. The study defines the types of households in Sidney, costs of houses, income levels of people seeking and purchasing homes and types of homes needed. “Melissa N...
The Cheyenne County Commissioners were given a new challenge in managing wildlife in the area. On Monday, Aug. 16, the commissioners were told each county will have to finance the full cost of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Wildlife specialist that had been a shared cost. Wildlife Specialist Matt Anderson and Jerry Feist met with the commissioners on Aug. 16 to discuss the contract with the USDA. Feist said procedures are changing in the USDA, and the cost-sharing program...
The Sidney City Council and department managers met Aug. 17 to discuss the 2021-2022 budget. The meeting included a presentation by City Manager David Scott on the two recent years. “The last few fiscal year's budgets have been challenging. In fiscal years 2019 and 2020 there were large budget cuts across the board as property tax revenue was reduced due to large decreases in the city's full value determination (assessed value),” Scott said in his presentation to the council. He added that som...
Of the many changes that occurred with the announcement of the coronavirus in 2020, the need for children to have an advocate in the court system remains. Krista Bruns, director of PlainsWest CASA, met with the Cheyenne County Commissioners on Aug. 16 to update the board on the program. She said the need for volunteer advocates has not changed; how the services were delivered sometimes involved creativity. “We were really creative with COVID,” Bruns told the commissioners. The creativity is a r...
The Sidney school board approved a proposal for an on-site law enforcement officer, School Resource Officer (SRO), to be shared between three schools. The proposal is for a Cheyenne County Sheriff's deputy to be assigned to Sidney Public Schools, Potter-Dix Public Schools and Leyton Public Schools. In the Aug. 10 meeting of the Leyton School Board, no decision was made with board members saying the District had not received a contract. The goals of the program include * Foster educational...
The Sidney City Council reviewed two board appointments, approving both. The Economic Development Citizen's Advisory Review Committee is a board of five to 10 members. The Economic Development Advisory Review Committee consists of seven citizen members, who oversee the use of the LB840 local economic development revolving loan fund authorized by voters in 1997. The board currently consists of six members. Economic Development Director Kim Matthews submitted a request for the council to approve...
The Leyton Board of Education met on Monday, Aug. 9 at Leyton High School. Among the many issues discussed, the board reviewed salaries for special education paraprofessionals. The discussion came during review of Classified Staff wages. Previously, the board approved a 3 percent increase for staff. Superintendent Chris Geary asked about the pay rates for bus drivers — Activity Bus rate, Substitute Shuttle and Substitute rate. Board members told Geary they believed the increase was across the b...
Legion Park was the gathering place Friday, Aug. 13, as Sidney's Night of Hope returned to its annual location. The Night of Hope is an event to support those in treatment for cancer, and to remember those who fought the battle and lost. Proceeds from the event support local patients. The event is more of a community celebration with the popcorn and hot dogs, friends walking the perimeter of the pond while others are setting the free barbecue dinner. On the other side of the pond, volunteers...
Some events in life defy reason. They leave us with a handful of parts and no readable directions on how to assemble them. In 2006, our family changed. Overnight, actually in seconds, we went from encouraging our daughter’s future to hearing the news no parents want to receive.Our daughter went on a drive and didn’t make it home. It was one of the longest nights in my life. To learn that she did what most teens her age do, but the script for her night was different. It didn’t include retur...
“ What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show...
He just entered his 99th year walking this planet, with his focus on 100. Yet, for his age, he is an example of an active lifestyle to people much younger. Vince Havorka has probably forgotten more adventures than many of us have lived; not because he is forgetful, but because of how much he has been involved with. He was born in Randolph, Neb., in northeast Nebraska near the Missouri River. He graduated high school in 1940, then enlisting in the U.S. Navy. “I tried to join the Navy as a b...
Amid the afternoon sun and heat, a long baritone screech from the past made its way into Sidney. The Union Pacific “Big Boy 4014” whistled and chugged as it made its way into Sidney minutes ahead of schedule. The massive locomotive is polished and ready to tour the United States from Cheyenne, Wyo. It is a symbol of how the railroad expanded across the western United States. Built in the 1940s, the locomotive was designed to conquer the mountains while carrying equipment in support of World War...
Hope: The Key To Endless Possibility “Woke up ‘cause the light poured in.” — Toby Mac Within Hope lies the ability to see light in the darkness. Hope, the evidence of things not seen. To Hope is to risk despair. Hope is the last thing ever lost. There are so many meanings behind such a simple word. When the world crashes in around you with the delivery of the terrifying phrase, “It’s cancer,” this simple word, HOPE, becomes a mantra! Hope is the most powerful word in the community of cancer pat...
Thursday evening’s Cheyenne County Fair events included displays of hand stitchery and mastery of cloth and design. Beginning the night was a presentation of honor and of craftsmanship. The Quilts of Valor Foundation is a national organization founded in 2003 by “Blue Star” mom Catherine Roberts. With her son deployed in Iraq, a Gunner sitting atop a Humvee, she felt “only 10 seconds away from panic,” Laura Narjes quoted at the introduction of the presentation Thursday. Roberts had a vision of...
“Middle Age Sports” aka softball is famous for the quote “Walk it off. You’ll be fine!” Sometimes that works, and sometimes that compounds the issue. The last time I heard that famous phrase eventually ended my recreational “career.” Likewise, it is a lesson of how much mental focus many games and sports truly require. Sometimes the simplest of processes can be derailed by not having the mental focus. The 2021 Olympics is a good example of that. We have athletes who are treated by royalty only...
Several years ago, when I was just starting this adventure called community journalism, I was taking pictures at a gymnastics event. The picture turned out decent, but I was a little nervous about having the right contestant identified. It was during the meet so I couldn’t just walk up to her and ask her name. Gymnastics is like golf at that point. There is a very revered process where an unusual sound or disruption in light could change the course of things. So I submitted said picture for p...
The Sidney School Board approved a measure standing against the health education curriculum proposed by the Nebraska Department of Education. The measure was approved unanimously in the July 12 meeting. The resolution states that “parents and guardians are the primary educators of their own children, especially in matters of faith and morals, including sex education.” The measure continues that the district should act in support and assist in educating children, not replace the parent. The mea...
