Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
Sorted by date Results 276 - 300 of 1200
Keeping Sidney beautiful is more complicated than it needs to be when specific public places have rampant littering, littering that appears to be from a specific population. The Sidney City Council reviewed a memo submitted by Police Chief Joe Aikens, a proposal to reduce parking on Silverburg Drive. The resolution calls for no parking on Silverburg Drive from the southeast corner of the 3090 block north to the intersection with Jennifer Lane, and from the intersection of Chase Boulevard and Upl...
The weather was inviting Monday as a large crowd of supporters gathered for the Memorial Day service at Greenwood Cemetery in Sidney Monday. The service, held at the Veteran Section, was opened by Cheyenne County Veteran Service Office Fred Wiedeburg, followed by Evangelical Free Church Pastor Kyle Larson offering the invocation. 2021 Sidney High School graduate Elizabeth Weimer sung the National Anthem. This year's guest speaker was SCPO Bobby Martinez, USN, Ret. “I'm extra humbled to be h...
I’ve been thinking of some of my “unexpected journeys” lately. I’ve been thinking how life can change when stepping out of the familiar and walking life’s path with a stranger. About 10 years ago, I was presented an opportunity to go somewhere I had never been, do things I had only heard and read about, and meet people I might only envision after a National Geographic film. It sounds dramatic, even fictional, like being stranded on an island and encountering a primitive culture or something...
The Cheyenne County Commissioners on May 17 approved funding for two promotional projects. The commissioners approved a request by Gold Rush Days for $3,000, and $4,000 for Downtown Sounds. Gold Rush Days is an historic-educational-recreational weekend held at Legion Park. This year the event is scheduled for June 11-13. Event planners suspended activities in 2020 due to the coronavirus. It comes back this year with fan favorites including blacksmithing, woodworking, spinning, and gold panning....
The Cheyenne County Sheriff's Office is reaching out to county schools to create a partnership. It would be a partnership, that, according to Sheriff Adam Frerichs, could curb issues occurring in county schools. In the May 10 meeting of the Leyton School Board, interim Superintendent Charles Bunner said the sheriff's office had contacted the school regarding a possible resource officer that would be shared with Potter-Dix and Sidney High School. In the May 10 meeting, Bunner said the concept...
On Thursday morning, May 20, a rumbling of excitement entered Sidney from the west. The sound of thundering horsepower was the indicator the Pony Express Riders were approaching Sidney. They were riding with a purpose, to make people aware of children's mental health. “For the past 14 years, these dedicated motorcyclists have been a key partner in raising awareness for children’s mental health,” said Sheri Dawson, director of the Division of Behavioral Health. “Half of all lifetime mental...
In a few days, the flags will fly a little higher, grills will burn a little hotter and many will take the time to remember. It is a time to celebrate, although probably not in the raucous out-of-control method many might envision Memorial Day, once called Decoration Day, is a time to remember those who committed to the call of their country, and paid the ultimate sacrifice in doing so. It is a time for family, but it should be prioritized by remembering our freedoms, where we are since the call...
The Sidney City Council approved first reading of an ordinance funding the City's share of Link 17J costs. The road from Interstate 80 north to Sidney, and places beyond, is now tight and slower than normal as work is underway replacing the surface. The work is a part of a state project resurfacing the Link 17J from Fort Sidney Road north to just past the Highway 30 interchange, and west to where work stopped a couple of years ago. The City's 20 percent of the cost comes to about $2.6 million....
The Leyton Board of Education decided in its May 10 meeting to reinstate Superintendent Chris Geary. Geary was placed on administrative leave early this year. He was informed by the Nebraska Department of Education that all charges had been dismissed. The Leyton Board of Education discussed if interim Superintendent Charles Bunner should be kept through his contract as a transition period for Bunner and Geary to work on the budget. Board member Sam Schumacher moved for Bunner to be retained...
The Sidney High School gymnasium was busy with friends, family and supporters as the Class of 2021 was officially recognized as graduates. The afternoon started with a video presentation of graduates. Following the video, the Processional was played by Music Teacher Jennifer Mead as the senior made their way to the front of the room. Following the Processional and National Anthem performed by Sidney State of Mind, Sidney School District Superintendent Jay Ehler gave his welcome speech. “These gr...
The Sidney School Board of Education approved changes to graduation requirements. The changes align graduation requirements with the State's core curriculum requirements. Beginning this fall, ninth grade will be required to take World Geography, 10th grade American History, and 26 current juniors will need to take American Government, and 32 current juniors will need to take a semester of World History and a semester of Economics. Freshmen for the 2023 school year will have a semester World...
When the 30 x 30 concept hit the public, the initial impact in the rural areas such as Panhandle Nebraska was like the Old West had returned, and the money from the East came to tell the ranchers and farmers how to do things. The stories of water wars were returning, but with a tone of “future-speak” instead of quotes from a history book. Then was a time when the small operator could get squeezed out by someone with the ability to control natural resources. Cut off access to water and dry out...
In early 2020, the coronavirus was announced and resulting health precautions. By spring and early summer, schools were hoping to reopen, posting modified schedules as they adapt to health agency directives. Meanwhile, popular parks and attractions in the region were sitting empty as crowding was prohibited and social distancing encouraged. Restaurants, hotels and recreation areas went from breathtakingly busy to some becoming financial victims of the virus. Cheyenne County Visitor Center...
The Cheyenne County Commissioners took a formal stand against the part of President Joe Biden's Executive Order 14008 known as the “30 x 30” program. In late April, the commissioners discussed the proposal during a commission meeting. The concern included the impact on privately-owned land and potential impact on local tax revenues. The 30 x 30 plan is an effort to have 30 percent of land in a conservation program, “at least 30 percent of the lands and waters in the United States by 2030....
The Cheyenne County Commissioners and Emergency Communications Manager Heidi Gillespie met in the May 3 meeting regarding the Interlocal Cooperation agreement between the county and the City of Sidney. The Communications Center dispatches communication services for the Sidney Police Department, Cheyenne County Sheriff’s Office, Deuel County Sheriff’s Office, Regional West Emergency Medical Service, Potter Volunteer Fire Department, Sidney Volunteer Fire Department, Gurley Volunteer Fire Dep...
Among the many shops and coffee houses off the beaten paths in Nebraska are specific locations participating in the Passport Nebraska program. The locations in this year's program include a print shop, a bigfoot museum, a church made of baled straw, and a new coffee house and weaving and wool shop in Cheyenne County. The Passport Nebraska program is being featured in the Wall Street Journal. Business participants were cautioned their role in the program could increase business by at least 25...
Recently I was in a discussion on law enforcement and social morality as a general rule. It started with a sentence or two promoted on a social media platform, and took off in unexpected directions. It quickly felt like I was reliving a college philosophy class or retired and sipping a warm cup in a coffee house somewhere. To start with, unless we discuss a specific official contact with a police officer, we need to use generalities, which will always have exceptions. We can say doctors are in...
The Sidney City Council tabled action on proposed changes to the Cheyenne County Communications Center agreement. The proposed changes include adjusting cost sharing of the service to increase Deuel County's share and including the Deuel County sheriff as a voting member of the board. Two years ago, the City and Cheyenne County signed an agreement for the Cheyenne County Communications Center to dispatch Deuel County agencies. The discussion centered around if the City is receiving adequate...
Leyton School District Superintendent Chris Geary was placed on administrative leave during a special meeting held by the school board on Jan. 22. The board held a meeting Jan.29 when it appointed Charles Bunner to serve as the interim district superintendent. On Friday, April 30,Geary confirmed he had been contacted earlier in the week that all charges had been dismissed with “Non-Public Sanction,” which means the charges will not be on his record. In a telephone call with Geary Friday, Apr...
Some would call them an unlikely team, a rural and agricultural background on one side and urban roots on the other. However, bringing the Nebraska voters together means starting with a united team. That is the philosophy of Charles W. Herbster, Republican candidate for Nebraska governor. Herbster, his Lieutenant Governor Theresa Thibodeau, and his election team were in Sidney on April 28. When asked why he is running for office, his answer was simple, and direct. “I'm concerned about W...
Houses of worship do not always come with an abundance of finances. Some are as the poet describes, the church in the wildwood. As the poet, songwriter describes, this church is a small fellowship in the vale. It is a church likely small enough building it took a lot of volunteers and time. Maintaining it took just as long. The Panhandle has many churches where the Word of God is shared with the faithful few, and when an emergency occurs, they have to rely on their brothers in faith. That is the...
The Sidney City Council on Tuesday, April 27, approved $40,000 in ACE funding for the Sidney Park Project. In City Manager David Scott's response to the request, he wrote that the City has used ACE (Public Alliance for Community Energy) funds for other park projects. The park project promoters have not asked the City for General Fund support. The ACE Fund is generated by rebates received by the city from ACE. ACE is a supplier option of natural gas for Black Hills Energy customers. ACE refunds...
On Jan. 27, 2021, President Biden issued an executive order on “Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad.” “The United States and the world face a profound climate crisis. We have a narrow moment to pursue action at home and abroad in order to avoid the most catastrophic impacts of that crisis and to seize the opportunity that tackling climate change presents. Domestic action must go hand in hand with United States international leadership, aimed at significantly enhancing global actio...
Cheyenne County is expecting funds totaling nearly $2 million from the federal government. The problem is, so far no one knows what it can or cannot be used for, or the specific accountability needed. In the April 19 meeting of the county commissioners, County Treasurer Shelley Bowlin proposed a resolution establishing Fund 2580 COVID American Rescue Plan. She said the county will be receiving a total of about $1.7 million in two installments. “The first wave of it should hit in May,” Bow...
Each year, the Cheyenne County Chamber of Commerce hosts a banquet to recognize businesses and community members for their contributions to the Cheyenne County community throughout the year. This year's event was held at the Cheyenne County Fairgrounds with the dinner catered by Outlaw Catering. The event started with introductions by Chamber CEO Hope Feeney and Hunter Arterburn of KSID. The opening prayer was done by Chad Rademacher of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, and the National Anthem was s...
