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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“Lunch Hour” was exchanged for a question and answer session Thursday when Congressman Adrian Smith visited Sidney. Smith, Republican Representative for Nebraska's Third District, held at meeting at the Cheyenne County Chamber of Commerce to hear concerns and questions from local residents. He started by saying he is concerned with the proposed infrastructure bill, a package with a $3.6 trillion price tag. He said while it is said that half of the package is paid for, it will be financed by dou...
The Sidney City Council on July 13 approved an ordnance that affects pet owners and how they take care of their animals. Ordinance No. 1824, which amends Section 618 Animals of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Sidney, identifies who is considered the owner of an animal, the definition of animals allowed in the city limits and where and how they can be kept. The owner of a dog or cat is defined as “anyone who harbors or permits any dog or cat to be harbored for 10 days or more or who l...
The U.S. Air Force is planning some major upgrades to its missile defense system, including those in western Nebraska, eastern Wyoming and northern Colorado. Joseph Coslett and Terry Higgins, both of the Public Affairs office at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyo., met with the Cheyenne County commissioners on July 6. The meeting was in part a public relations tour, an opportunity for Air Force officials to meet local officials. During the county commissioners meeting, Joseph “Cos” Cos...
When an ambulance is called, the expectation is someone is needs a timely and professional response. The need for on-site medical care moved to ambulances informally called mobile emergency rooms. With the change of need came the change of response. That is what inspired the Potter Volunteer Fire Department to purchase a new ambulance, a unit capable of rougher terrain and taking care of patients. Mark Onstott, Fire Chief for the Potter Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department, met with the...
One of my favorite pictures was taken at a home construction. I was in another country, generally doing things the way they did things, when I saw an image that felt as much emotional or spiritual as it was physical. There before me was a window still lacking the frame and glass. In this area, the window offers protection as much as appearance. Looking into the half-finished building is another window, then a third. It was almost poetic. I can’t say one was any better than the other except t...
Kim Matthews is the new Economic Development Director for the City of Sidney. She takes the duties vacated by Melissa Norgard when Norgard resigned to spend more time with the family business, Sam & Louie's Pizzeria. Matthews has experience in rural and urban settings, and has spent time in locations globally. She is a fourth-generation Nebraskan and has multi-cultural experiences. She taught in Korea, and most recently on the Zuni Reservation in New Mexico. “Although I had an opportunity to l...
When life appears normal, and suddenly isn't, the door opens for countless questions, questions that often go unanswered. The sudden loss of a close friend or family member makes those questions even more glaring. The family of Cheyenne “Chey” Matthews faced these questions recently when they received the phone call every parent dreads. Their beloved daughter died by her own means on June 19. Chey, as her friends and family called her, was born in Sturgis, S.D., and grew up close to mot...
The loss of a loved one leads to a multitude of questions and emotions. Among them are the “20-20 hindsight” questions. They “If only I had...” “Why didn't I..?” “Why didn't he (or she)...?” The survivor's guilt as some call it, can result in a trauma of its own, according to Nichole Peralta of Karuna Counseling in Sidney. Peralta is a therapist and trauma specialist. “I think hindsight is horrible,” she said. Peralta and Liz Borgmann, who is the local volunteer for the American Foundation for S...
I read a comment recently that would probably make most parents drop their morning coffee. The earth-shaking comment goes against everything most parents would consider “fair and holy.” It is the kind of statement that doesn’t make sense on the average day… until you read deeper. Then maybe. How many parents would wish pain on their children? “None of sound mind” is the likely answer. The mindset of parents is to spare their children from the trials and grief they have gone through. They want th...
The Nebraska Department of Labor is streamlining the process for some job seekers, and moving to more up-to-date furnishings. At Western Nebraska Community College’s Sidney campus, the location that evolved from the cosmetology program to a Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship center now includes offices for job seekers. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Thursday morning to celebrate the program relocation with Sidney staff, the State Commissioner of Labor John Albin, Reemployment S...
Each 10 years, the United States conducts a census, a count of its population. The last census resulted in the State of Nebraska directing Cheyenne County to reapportion its districts. In April 2021, Nebraska Public Media reported the state had grown in population by 7.4 percent from 2010. Nebraska's population was last recorded at 1,961,504, up from 1,826,341 in 2010, making Nebraska the 37th largest state, adding more than 135,000 people in the last 10 years. What that means to Cheyenne...
The Sidney City Council is facing a question, probably a series of questions. Now that they know of the fund for developing part of the trail system, what should be done, followed by what can be done within the budget, or does the council choose to finance the project beyond the fund balance? The City Council learned recently it has funds collected through a Cabela's Occupation Tax of one-half cent per dollar. The fund totals about $740,000. The fund is earmarked for trail development along Old...
Over time, I’ve heard several coaches bark at their teams “practice like its game time,” and likewise “the play isn’t over until the whistle is blown.” They’re references that probably don’t make sense unless you’re a sports fan, and even more if you’ve spent time in the sweaty practices and under the Friday Night lights. I’m recalling these moments of high-strung coaches and players struggling for their places on the roster as I observe the many levels of society. None of the players on any gi...
The Cheyenne County Chamber of Commerce recently announced McKailie Carnahan-Kuhns as the new President/CEO. Carnahan-Kuhns takes over for Hope Feeney. Feeney and her husband Eamonn have accepted education positions at Maxwell High School. Feeney's last day at the Chamber is scheduled for July 23. She is assisting Carnahan-Kuhns with the transition into her new role as Chamber president and CEO. “I think McKailie is doing a good job so far,” Feeney said Friday. “I'm really excited about the f...
More than 30 years ago, Doug Birky was finishing his degree at Dallas Theological Seminary when he was contacted about a church in Sidney. He was contacted after the midwest district of the Evangelical Free Church received his resume. He calls the delivery of his resume “another story.” What is real, he says, is he and his wife Carolyn and their family, have been blessed to be part of the Sidney community since 1986. “We had never imagined we'd be here this many years,” Birky said recentl...
The Cheyenne County Fair Board recently announced that Chase Bryant will be providing the entertainment for the 2021 county fair. The concert is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, July 30. His music will include Top 10 Country Music song “Take It on Back.” The Cheyenne County Fair Board favored Bryant because of the timing. He is releasing his new album shortly before the fair. The board chose Bryant from three favored performers. An opening act is planned but the performer has not been named yet. Tic...
The gem about most small towns is you're only a visitor a time or two. Even if you don't live there, if you frequent the cafes and watering holes you soon become as if a minor character in "Friends," where everybody knows your name. That is an atmosphere Jody Aure hopes to continue at the Potter Sundry. The cafe and sweetshop long known for the decadent Tin Roof Sundae is expanding to include bakery items, longer hours to serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, and souvenir items such as t-shirts...
Early this year, the Sidney City Council learned they had an unexpected budget surplus nearing three-quarters of a million dollars. The fund, however, is not completely free money. The Cabela's Occupation Tax — one-half cent collected per dollar spent — was collected for “trail projects and beautification projects located within or adjacent to a dedicated Enhanced Employment Area,” according to the memorandum submitted by Economic Development Director Melissa Norgard in the June 8 meeting...
The annual contract with the United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection was approved by the Cheyenne County Commissioners. The contract, at $9,421.22, reflects a 5 percent increase in cost. Much of the discussion with Wildlife Specialist Matt Anderson focused on responding to prairie dog infestations. Prairie dog colonies are known to endanger livestock, and spread the bubonic plague. Anderson said the agency is looking at employing a part-time position solely...
The Sidney Airport Authority Board met with Jeff Wolfe, of M.C. Schaff & Associates, June 10, to discuss options for updating the facility. The airport authority board has been researching how to increase and improve hangar space. Discussions have included type of hangars – t-hangar vs box, where to build them and at what cost. The board has also discussed if hangars could be sold In Thursday's meeting, Wolfe said a six-place t-hangar building would cost about $1.3 million. The estimated cost i...
Among the quiet streets of Sidney is a point of curiosity. The “attraction” actually started with questions of “I wonder…?” and maybe even statements related to the X-Files: the answer is “out there.” In this case, the answer might be somewhere else but the effort to recreate or represent it is near the front door. Sometimes there is a sense of peace in expressing the unknown. Fiction addresses what we can't explain. Likewise imagination can fill in the gap between the seen and unseen, and h...
A week ago, a few of us met. It is a tradition that started out of a need for support. We had been thrust into a chapter in life no parent wants to experience. In what still seems like a heartbeat, we went from guiding an 18-year-old to planning her funeral. The day is forever stuck in replay. The day starts with some creative time at m keyboard, followed by an argument with my daughter. A hot noon lunch with my daughter and wife, later hearing an apology message she left. I do my shift in a...
Energy production today is focused on renewable options, leaving the smallest carbon footprint possible and meeting needs consistently. It is a time when decision-makers are seeking sources besides drilling for fossil fuels. That hasn't always been the case. Less than a century ago, energy was fuel-based. Pioneers in the area had gasoline-powered cars and trucks... as well as much of the home. Wheat Belt Public Power District is celebrating 75 years serving parts of Cheyenne, Deuel, Garden and...
In 1980, Cindy Heilbrun developed a working relationship with the City of Sidney. Nearly 38 years of experience and 41 years of history later, she turning over her office keys to another. She started her career in public service as secretary to the city manager. After taking a leave of absence, she came back at the urging of Geri Anthony to serve as cashier. She was then promoted to deputy clerk. The position of Deputy City Clerk was designed under Anthony. At about the same time, the office of...
President Trump’s criticism of news and commentary desks have quite possibly resulted in unintended results. Or did they? I try to be careful of rabbit trails, especially those that lead to dark holes with unknown personalities. This one can go either way, a long walk on a shadowy path, or a discussion in the daylight. Like him or not, Trump was known among things for calling out the press. “Fake news” is a label given to many reporters, stories and agencies. It became a First Amendment discu...
