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After 67 years in the same location, Wheat Belt Public Power District has announced that it will break ground on April 27 for a new Wheat Belt headquarters and warehouse facility. The new building will be located about six miles north of Sidney at the northeast corner of Highway 385 and County Road 32. The existing building – located at 2104 Illinois St., Sidney – will be sold. It has been the headquarters of the company since 1948. “We do not have the philosophy to just build something new for the sake of it being new, but rather we neede...
The Sidney Tree Board will celebrate Arbor Day with its annual tree giveaway on Saturday, April 25 at the Lodgepole Valley Youth Camp. The celebration and tree giveaway has become a big part of the Sidney Tree Board’s community work as it strives to maintain a healthy tree canopy in the City of Sidney, which has been designated a Tree City USA for more than 20 years. The board, which provides recommendations on the city’s tree plan and implementation, takes the opportunity to meet with community members and share information on the imp...
Designing, developing and maintaining yards and landscapes in Western Nebraska is, to say the least, challenging. From high P-H soils to weather extremes, the Panhandle throws many challenges toward homeowners and gardeners seeking healthy lawns and gardens. But the conditions can be overcome, and that’s what Landscape Wise, a workshop hosted by the South Platte Natural Resources District, sets out to demonstrate. Landscape Wise brings together experts to show how to overcome and work with local conditions to develop and maintain healthy l...
This is the last week to sign up for the Sidney Stingrays Swim Club. The Stingrays will have a presence at two events this week. On Thursday, they’ll have a booth set up at “The Happening” at the Cheyenne County Community Center from 5:30-7 p.m. The swim club will also have a booth at the Spring Expo at the fairgrounds this weekend. The Expo will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. The cost for joining the Stringrays is $25, which includes insurance and entry fees for all the meets. The final day to si... Full story
Average retail gasoline prices in Nebraska have risen 5.7 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.41 per gallon Sunday, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 1,150 gas outlets in Nebraska. This compares with the national average that has increased 6.6 cents per gallon in the last week to $2.45 per gallon, according to gasoline price website GasBuddy.com. Including the change in gas prices in Nebraska during the past week, prices Sunday were $1.14 per gallon lower than the same day one year ago and are about $1 per gallon higher t...
The Nebraska State Patrol conducted checks of underage tobacco retail compliance as part of the Tobacco Free in the Panhandles comprehensive plan to keep youth from starting to use tobacco products. Officers with the assistance of youth under the age of 18 checked 10 convenience stores, grocery stores and liquor stores throughout the cities of Sidney and Kimball in March. Of the 10 establishments, eight did not sell tobacco to the underage person. The two businesses that did sell tobacco were: • Two J’s Liquor, 1500 Illinois St., Sidney. Sec...
The Sidney High boys’ golf team teed it up at Lockland Country Coub in the Hastings Invite on Thursday and finished eighth among the 10 teams competing. Kearney won the event by a comfortable margin with 303 strokes, while Grand Island and McCook tied for second at 318. The Red Raiders’ total was 352. “I just feel in my gut we have the talent to compete with any team in our district, but we’re just very inconsistent,” said Raiders head coach Chuck Christensen. “We have to work on our short game and mental game and that’s all on me.” Sidney’s...
LINCOLN, Neb. – According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Nebraska corn farmers will plant 9.3 million acres of corn, equal to last year’s total acres planted. With those intentions, farmers will spend about $280 per acre to get the crop in the ground and off to a good start. This figure, multiplied by the estimated 9.3 million corn acres to be planted in Nebraska, grows to more than a $2.6 billion investment by the state’s corn farmers over a two-month period. That amount does not include land costs, labor or equipment – it’s purely in...
James F. Wright has been appointed to the Board of Directors at Cabela’s Inc. “I am delighted that Jim has joined our board,” said Tommy Millner, Cabela’s Chief Executive Officer. “Jim’s vision, passion, work ethic and unwavering commitment to Tractor Supply’s mission and values transformed Tractor Supply into a sophisticated and respected retailer. During his tenure, Jim led Tractor Supply to strong and sustained business growth. The Board and Cabela’s will greatly benefit from Jim’s substantial retail and leadership experience.” Wright served...
The Foster Grandparent Programs at Community Action Partnership of Western Nebraska (CAPWN) and Northwest Community Action Partnership (NCAP) will jointly host a 50-year “Birthday Bash” in recognition of Corporation for National and Community Service volunteers on April 23 from 2-4 p.m. at The Lodge at Heritage Health Care, 2325 Lodge Drive, Gering. This will be in conjunction with the 2015 Mayors Day of Recognition for the CNCS volunteers that serve in the area. More than 13 Panhandle mayors have been invited to come as well as local and nat... Full story
SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. – Head Start and Early Head Start programs in Scotts Bluff, Morrill, Kimball, Garden, Cheyenne and Deuel counties will be administered through Educational Service Unit #13. The Administration for Children and Families approved ESU #13 for a $2.8 million grant last week. The award includes Head Start and Early Head Start services to nearly 350 children annually in the counties. “Head Start and Early Head Start programs have been important to children and families in the Panhandle for many years,” administrator Jeff West said....
The Nebraska Rural Electric Association sponsors a Youth Energy Leadership Camp every year at the Nebraska State 4-H Camp in Halsey, Neb., that stresses leadership and team building activities. The camp will be held July 13-17. Wheat Belt Public Power District will select area youth to attend this camp. It is at no cost to the students. Campers must be currently a freshman, sophomore or junior in high school, and preference is given to those students who are dependents of Wheat Belt PPD customers. Once students have participated in the Youth... Full story
CHADRON, Neb – Two students from the area have been awarded academic scholarships to Chadron State College for the 2015 fall semester. Barrett Browne, of Sidney, received the Henry Freed Business scholarship for $600. Natausha Holtz, of Sidney, received the Board of Trustees Scholarship for $4,704, the Barbara Barnes Memorial theatre scholarship for $234, the G. Christofferson FA theatre scholarship for $670 and the Fred/Lucile Wheeler Fine Arts for $850. Chadron State College, which was founded in 1911, is the only four-year, r... Full story
Mike Trader’s Annual Mid-America Basketball Camp will conduct five individual sessions this summer. The overnight and commuter camps for boys will be held June 21-24 at Central Community College (Platte Campus) in Columbus, on July 13-16 at Hastings College, and July 19-22 at Doane College. Day Camps will be held for both boys and girls at Grand Island Central Catholic on May 26-29 and July 26-29. In addition, there will be overnight and commuter camps for girls June 21-24 at Central Community College (Platte Campus) in Columbus, on July 1...
Average retail gasoline prices in Nebraska have fallen 3.1 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.35 per gallon on Sunday, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 1,150 gas outlets in Nebraska. This compares with the national average that has increased 0.5 cents per gallon in the last week to $2.39 per gallon, according to gasoline price website GasBuddy.com. Including the change in gas prices in Nebraska during the past week, prices yesterday were $1.20 per gallon lower than the same day one year ago and are 7.8 cents per gallon lower...
The South Platte Natural Resources District has two scholarship opportunities for students wishing to attend one of two camps focusing on natural resources education this summer. Each year the Nebraska Section of the Society for Range Management, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, University of Nebraska-Lincoln and IANR and the Cooperative Extension Service host a learning experience for high school students wishing to increase their knowledge of natural resources. The 52nd Annual Nebraska Range Youth Camp will be held at the State...
The Peetz High baseball team dropped a doubleheader to league-rival Fleming on the road on Saturday by the scores of 8-5 and 10-3. The games were a makeup from Thursday’s rainout. Though the Bulldogs’ overall record slipped to 2-5 on the season, their league mark suffered by only one game due to league rules. With only the opening contest of doubleheaders counting toward league standings, Peetz is now 1-1 in 1A District 4 play. “It does hurt our chances a little bit of getting a league title, but we can still go into the league tourn...
LINCOLN, Neb. – The University of Nebraska–Lincoln Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts held its Nebraska Young Artist Awards on April 8, and two local students were honored. The Nebraska Young Artist Awards annually recognize 11th grade students from Nebraska who are gifted and talented in the areas of visual art, dance, music, theatre, and film and new media. These students exemplify the pinnacles of creativity in one of the fine and performing arts. Sara Gingerich of Pot... Full story
Brian Hiett, the Cheyenne County weed superintendent, attended the Nebraska Weed Control Association Spring Training, held in Kearney on April 1-2. NWCA Spring Training was the second of four opportunities to obtain the required 20 hours of continuing education annually. Each superintendent must answer roll call twice per day, complete and pass the exam at the end of each day to receive his or her 10 hours of continuing education credit. The next training opportunity will be NWCA Fall Training in Kearney this November.... Full story
Led by medalists Brett Godfrey and Austin Rowley, the Creek Valley Storm golf team finished fifth among the 10 teams entered at the Bayard Invite Tuesday with a score of 418. Bridgeport won the event with a 374 total while Kimball was runner up with 382 and Crawford third at 395. Jordan Greenwood of Kimball was the individual medalist with a 75. Godfrey’s 91 was good enough for fifth place while Rowley’s took the ninth-place medal with a 94. “We need to get below 400 as a team and those scores over 100 really kill us,” said Storm head coach C...
Sidney Shooting Park standings as of April 8: Teams Better Lucky Than Good BLTG 167 The Big Losers TBL 165 Leftovers LO 164 Banded Warriors BW 162 The Nobody’s TN 151 E Free EF 150 Barely Legal BL 144 Missed Again MA 101 Individuals – Ladies Jenni Dailey BLTG W 45 Hannah McCloud TN W 40 Diane Sill EF W 35 Carla Lutz EF W 26 Shellie Jacobucci MA W 25 Tabitha Woodden EF W 20 Individuals Walt Kern LO 48 Randy Haddix BLTG 45 Andy Brown BLTG 44 Dennis Highby TBL 44 John Boldt TBL 44 Evan Riddle BW 42 Kevin Weher TBL 42 Randy Moeller BW 42 Tom Noe... Full story
The Peetz High School baseball team continued playing through its challenging schedule with a 13-1, five-inning setback to Haxtun on Tuesday in Peetz. Haxtun (9-3), a Top 10-ranked team in Colorado’s Class 2A, jumped on Peetz with four runs in the top of the first and never looked back. While the Bulldogs record slipped to 2-3, they still maintain a 1-0 mark in league play. Garrett Roelle (0-1) started the game and took the loss while Brian Roelle came on and pitched the fifth inning. Offensively, Peetz managed only three hits with Cody W...
Average retail gasoline prices in Nebraska have fallen 1.6 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.37 per gallon on Sunday, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 1,150 gas outlets in Nebraska. This compares with the national average that has fallen 3.0 cents per gallon in the last week to $2.39 per gallon, according to gasoline price website GasBuddy.com. Including the change in gas prices in Nebraska during the past week, prices yesterday were $1.15 per gallon lower than the same day one year ago and are 5.9 cents per gallon lower t...
Nebraska Extension Educator Natalia Bjorklund will conduct a training class in Scottsbluff in April for those interested in being part the Nebraska Bee Survey. The survey is intended to determine what bees live in Nebraska. More than 4,000 different types of bees live in North America. The training will take place at the University of Nebraska Panhandle Research and Extension Center on Tuesday, April 14 from 1-3 p.m. There is no charge to attend. Pre-register by April 9 by calling (308) 632-1230 or (308) 632-1480. Bjorklund will discuss the...
Agriculture Under Secretary Lisa Mensah has announced that USDA is seeking applications for grants to support rural businesses and help create jobs. “This USDA funding will ensure continued investments in rural businesses,” Mensah said. “Too often, rural businesses and the communities they serve lack access to the capital and resources they need to grow and thrive. These grants will help remedy that and allow all Americans the chance to share in the nation’s economic recovery.” Approximately $3.7 million Native American earmark funding is expec...