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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Stepping out of high school, diploma in hand, the next decision is often more education or a fulfilling occupation. Sometimes, in sifting through that stage, an unexpected opportunity occurs that sets the springboard for adult life. When Monty Worster graduated high school in 1981, he looked toward the oil field. It was a time that when the industry was good, it was really good, but when it soured, things were dire. It wasn't long before the tight economy encouraged him to reconsider military...
When Nebraska's Directed Health Measures (DHM) set in place social limits, it also restricted typical court proceedings, and court officials learned quickly how to adapt. On May 18, the Cheyenne County Commissioners Zoom meeting included a discussion with court officials on purchasing equipment to allow for more virtual conferencing. Cheyenne County Sheriff Adam Frerichs, Deputy Ron Kissler, and Judge Wiemer met with the commissioners with a proposal to purchase equipment for virtual...
Conversation is on again about activating pro sports seasons. The newscasters were punctuating the excitement of the Rockies hitting the field, the Broncos prepping for the fall season and the list of other teams that are expected to follow suit. Oh, by the way. These games are to be played without fans. The Mud Hens of Nowhere Special will face off against the Blaze... in an empty stadium. I have to say when the news first broke I got excited. I was mentally preparing for a day trip to a Rockie...
With all nine precincts reporting, voters favored challenger Matt Innis defeated incumbent US Senator Ben Sasse 1,299 votes to 737. Statewide, voters chose to keep Sasse in office 75 percent (213,806 votes) to almost 25 percent (70,406 votes). On the Democratic side, Chris Janick lead a narrow field with 30.70 percent of votes, followed by Angie Phillips with 23.82 percent and Alisha Shelton with 22.69 percent of votes. Janicek earned 117 votes in Cheyenne County, followed by Philips with 88...
About seven years ago, Jessica and Cody Renkoski began offering a service in Sidney and the surrounding area. The service is simple in explanation, not so much in delivery. They help keep a company's property looking presentable, so the company can do what it is in business for. They provide the landscaping and vegetation service to keep an agency or organization looking presentable, offering services including spraying, mowing and planting. “They've been a company here in Sidney since 2...
I went for a drive recently, to a region I haven't seen for, well, since the coronavirus was officially acknowledged. It is a location treated almost like a day trip destination. Go and do some shopping (only for those things not offered in Sidney). Take the time to see places and people not in Cheyenne County. Then load up for the windshield time home. I have to say I was disappointed. I was disappointed because the health measures in areas outside of Sidney squelch the very idea of tourism,...
The lights are returning to favorite locations in Sidney. Those favorite hangouts offering the coffees, delectable delights, and conversations with wait staff that have been put on hold for weeks are beginning to return. On April 24, Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts announced easing of the Directed Health Measure (DHM) that suspended dine-in options restaurants. As of May 4, restaurants were allowed to seat up to 50 percent of their capacity. Some Sidney businesses were quick to roll out the welcome...
On May 4, Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts. gave restaurants and cafes the go-ahead to offer limited dine-in seating, relaxing the previous Directed Health Measure (DHM) that had closed restaurants except for delivery, carry-out and curbside pickup. The relaxing of the DHMs also allows massage parlors, hair and nail salons to reopen. Since the change in DHMs, the State has also activated the Nebraska National Guard to assist in mobile COVID testing sites. Mobile testing was held in Sidney Saturday....
Two vehicles collided at the intersection of Seventh Avenue and Linden Street at 12:40 p.m. May 7. The collision occurred when a 1997 Acura sedan traveling east on Linden Street failed to stop for a 2015 Kia Soul traveling north in the 1200 block of Seventh Avenue. The Acura then collided with a fire hydrant and the Kia collided with a parked and unoccupied 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse sedan....
Few if any who offer their services to military service. Their experiences are unique to their duties. The uniform has an implied risk, a risk that sometimes results in injuries that follow service men and women the rest of their lives. A Claims Clinic is scheduled for June 25 in Sidney to assist veterans. The clinic will be held at the Cheyenne County Community Center. The clinic is conducted by QTC (Quality, Timeliness, Customer Service) who is subcontracted to conduct mobile clinics for...
Two months ago, give or take a few days or so, “normal” took a left turn in the Panhandle. We were strongly encouraged to stay home unless on an essential errand or duty. The “encouragement” was even stronger if we traveled outside of the Panhandle, at which point we were to take a two-week staycation i.e. self-quarantine. As of May 4, the economic, emotional and social lights are starting to flicker back on. Restaurants and cafes can have a limited number of dine-in customers. Custome...
In late March, the Cheyenne County Commissioners unanimously decided to close the courthouse offices to public access. Services were limited to use of the dropbox on the north side of the building, by phone call, email or through a department's website. Office visits were by appointment-only. The restrictions were set in place as a result of the State's Directed Health Measures (DHM) set in place in response to the COVID-19 virus. In Gov. Pete Ricketts' last announcement, restrictions were...
The Sidney Elks Lodge has been awarded a $415,000 Community Development Block Grant for renovation of the Elks Lodge building. The project would focus on restoration, rehabilitation and preservation of the Sidney Elks. Total funding including the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) grant, in-kind work and a grant from Sidney's LB840 fund will total about $500,000. "We already had 400 to 500 hours of in-kind work," said Elks Lodge member John Phillips. Work so far has included cleaning rooms...
Cheyenne County voters will be facing a busy ballot for the Primary Election. Locally, county voters will be deciding on seats for the county commission, Sidney City Council, Sidney Airport Authority, Leyton District No. 3 School Board, Potter-Dix No. 9 School Board, Sidney School District No. 1, Creek Valley School District School Board, Village of Dalton Board of Trustees and Village of Lodgepole Board of Trustees. Of the list, some candidates will not appear on the Primary ballot. Names of...
The Sidney City Council approved the purchase of a new mower for Hillside Golf Course during the council's April 28 meeting. Golf Operations Director Patrick Kilbride presented the council with three bids for a new mower: a Toro Groundsmaster 4300-D from LL Johnson in Denver, a Jacobsen AR522 from TurfWerks in Johnston, Iowa, and a John Deere 8800A TerrainCut from Stotz Equipment in Evansville, Wyo. As presented, the low bid was submitted by TurfWerks at $50,978. Stotz Equipment is the highest...
Months in the making, the Sidney City Council debated how to proceed on a short-term contract with the Cheyenne County Community Center. The CCCC is under contract to administer the city's recreation programs. In the April 28 meeting of the city council, a short term contract was presented to allow programs continue until an annual contract can be written. The contract was due to expire May 1. If a contract is not approved, the Community Center will cease to be in charge of community athletic...
The number of people in western Nebraska confirmed to have the COVID-19 virus is increasing. However, more than half of that number have recovered and are out of isolation. As of April 22, 40 positive cases of people infected with the COVID-19 virus have been confirmed. The agency also confirmed 21 patients have recovered from the illness. In the latest report, Cheyenne County has five cases and two recoveries and out of isolation. Scotts Bluff County has the most with 23 cases; nine have...
The annual tree give-away changed locations this year to accommodate for the social distancing directives in place. The annual event took place at Legion Park near the Forestry building. Recipients were given trees without having to leave their vehicles. About 70 trees were given away within 30 minutes....
With the onset of the COVID-19 virus and the social distancing limits set, local businesses felt the pinch hard and fast. Businesses that depended on constant foot traffic found themselves questioning their future. A few weeks ago, Sidney Economic Development Director Melissa Norgard approached the city council about applying LB840 funds to assist businesses struggling because of the COVID-19 virus. The proposal was for limited funds to be available as low-interest and forgivable loans. The Econ...
The Cheyenne County Commissioners rejected bids submitted for purchase of a truck-trailer for the county's highway department Monday, April 20, 2020. Both bids were submitted by RDO Truck Center in Lincoln. In the teleconference meeting, discussion included how closely the bids fit the needs of the county. During the meeting, company representatives said to change the truck's transmission to bid specs would increase the cost by $5,000. The company representatives asked if the county would be...
The Sidney City Council recently approved changes to the LB840 fund, allowing the awarding of loans specifically to assist businesses stressed by the COVID-19 shutdowns. The streets of Sidney are quiet compared to a few weeks ago, the kind of eerie quiet that comes with mandated restrictions and even business shutdowns. City officials want to help businesses keep the lights on. During the April 14 city council meeting, Economic Development Director Melissa Norgard presented a plan to assist busi...
The halls are dark and empty with the exception of the few staff assigned to work the building, but education is still taking place, for students and staff. On April 13, the Cheyenne County School District No.1 Board of Education publicly commended staff for its service to the district's children and education goals. The school board held its first virtual board meeting with Zoom. During the meeting, Superintendent Jay Ehler said the District is feeding about 280 students per day. “Everybody i...
Sidney Regional Medical Center (SRMC) will no longer be accepting referrals or admissions for the Home Health and Hospice services,as these services are being discontinued at this time. The hospital stopped taking new Home Health and Hospice patients when the announcement was made. However, some of these services that were provided at home will now be available in an outpatient setting for those traditionally home bound. This decision was made due to the lack of utilization and the ever...
From the World Health Organization to the Panhandle Public Health Department (PPHD), the public is encouraged to stay home more and interact with other people less. The instructions are promoted as a means of reducing the impact of the COVID-19 virus. The challenge is how do people maintain their health, not just physically, but also mentally and emotionally. How do you stay physically active with new social limits? How do you maintain relationships when the familiar hug, even a handshake, is...
The house is cleaned, meals are prepped and the first of several doorbells ring. The door opens to frantic smile and a child hurrying to his other home, the home-based daycare. While much of society is told to clean diligently, the practice is habit for daycare providers. Their first priority is the children they are taking care of, and then the family. In doing so, a licensed child care provider has an extensive list obligations they must meet, many of which almost prepared them for the...
