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Articles from the December 13, 2017 edition


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  • Sidney Schools Test High Against State

    Don Ogle|Dec 13, 2017

    Sidney schools are among the top in the state, according to recently released reports released by the Cheyenne County School District #1 (Sidney). The report shows Sidney test results are consistently higher than state averages. “We’re a little higher than the state, and Nebraska averages a little higher than the U.S. average,” Sidney Superintendent Jay Ehler said last week. Ehler shared the report with the School Board at its regular monthly meeting Monday. It shows in nearly all areas, Sidne...

  • Fixit Station

    Don Ogle|Dec 13, 2017

    Sarah-Kate Splichal joined city parks department workers to install the first bike Fixit station along the city's trail system last week, bringing to life an idea approved by the Sidney City Council last August. Splichal's project is part of work toward her Gold Award, the highest award for Girl Scouts and is equivalent to the Boy Scouts Eagle award. Splichal presented her project to city council in August, explaining she thought about the project after she wrecked her bike going up a hill on...

  • Sidney To Host WWI Chautauqua In June

    Dec 13, 2017

    For the centennial remembrance of the end of the Great War, the communities of Wayne and Sidney will host “World War I: Legacies of a Forgotten War” next June. Presented by Humanities Nebraska, the free, four-day Chautauqua festival of entertainment,historic presentations, exhibits, youth camps and more will be presented in Wayne June 7-10 and in Sidney June 14-17. “This 100th anniversary is a good time for Nebraskans to come together and developa fuller understanding of how the Great War still affects the world today,” said Kristi Hayek C...

  • Leyton FFA Students Get Jackets

    Dec 13, 2017

    DALTON - The Nebraska FFA Foundation recently presented Jillian Ehlersand and AJ Bishop of the Leyton FFA Chapter their very own FFA jackets. The jackets were awarded to them during class time. Ehlers and Bishop were two of 277 students selected statewide as part of the Nebraska FFA Foundations Blue Futures Program. "Those that have been FFA members understand the excitement of putting on your blue jacket for the first time and wearing it proudly as you represent your chapter and state. You...

  • Scottsbluff Zoo Set To Display Orphaned Bear Cubs

    Dec 13, 2017

    SCOTTSBLUFF (AP) — A western Nebraska zoo is getting ready to display two orphaned bear cubs from Wyoming. The Scottsbluff Star-Herald reports that the cubs arrived at the Riverside Discovery Center a few months ago, and staff members have been working to reinforce an existing closure for them. The public can view the bears when the zoo opens for its regular hours on Saturday. The zoo is also hosting special bear talks throughout the day. The cubs were orphaned in the spring when a Wyoming black bear hunter illegally killed their mother. W...

  • LAURENCE A. HANSEN - FUNERAL NOTICE

    Dec 13, 2017

    Laurence Hansen, 83 of Rapid City, Nebraska and a former Potter area resident died Saturday evening, December 9, 2017 in Rapid City. Funeral arrangements are pending and will be announced when available. Holechek Funeral Home and Cremations in Sidney is serving the Hansen family....

  • SHS Students Selected For Honor Choir

    Dec 13, 2017

    The following Sidney High School student musicians were recently selected by audition for the Chadron State College High Plains Honor Choir: Autumn Arnett, Felicity Beyer, Destiny Backer, Taylor Stokes, Lauren Uhlir,Haile Christofferson, Kaitlyn Darnall, Elly Weimer, Alex Biberos, Sophie Price, Clara Kokjer, Karli Christofferson, Jakob Austad, Mason Mowery and Drew Reece. Sidney's vocal department continues the tradition of having the most students selected for the honor choir out of any school...

  • Tree of Remembrance

    Don Ogle|Dec 13, 2017

    Sidney Regional Medical Center's Hospice Program hosted its annual Tree of Remembrance Ceremony last week. The program included a performance by The Glory Bells and others offering inspirational readings, singing and performances. The night was capped off with those attending singing "Silent Night" while the tree was lit outside the Legion Park shelter house....

  • Rotary Gift To Local Learning

    Dec 13, 2017

    Fourth grade students at North Elementary explore new children's dictionaries given to them by members of the Sidney Rotary Club. Rotary also provided the books to students at Leyton Elementary as part of its annual program to help students. The dictionaries don't just have definitions, but also photos and other components to enhance the learning experience....

  • STRAIGHT TALK: All I Want For Christmas Is Property Tax Relief

    Steve Erdman, Senator, Nebraska District 47|Dec 13, 2017

    Nebraskans pay too much in property taxes. According to the Tax Foundation, Nebraskans pay the seventh highest property taxes in the nation. Nebraskans pay 1.65 percent of their home’s value in property taxes every year. The best state in the country for property taxes is Hawaii, where homeowners pay only 0.28 percent of their home’s value. Most importantly, though, we pay more in property taxes than any of our neighboring states. In Wyoming, for example, homeowners pay only 0.51 percent and in...

  • Empowering Individuals

    Adrian Smith, U.S. Congressman, Nebraska|Dec 13, 2017

    Empowering people to achieve independence and productivity is our mission on the Ways and Means Human Resources Subcommittee, of which I serve as chairman. President Trump is urging Congress to focus on welfare reform after we finish our tax code overhaul, and I am eager to dive into this effort to help more Americans reach self-sufficiency. In the fight against poverty, four main principles in House Republicans’ “A Better Way” plan serve as guideposts for the task ahead. First, we must promote human dignity by expecting able-bodied recipients...

  • Standing Up For Rural America

    Deb Fischer, U.S. Senator, Nebraska|Dec 13, 2017

    Shortly after the founding of our nation, American citizens engaged in a debate about what kind of country they and later generations would live in. No one understood the value of rural Americans more than Thomas Jefferson. Writing in a letter to John Jay, the author of the Declaration of Independence stated, “Cultivators of the earth are the most valuable citizens. They are the most vigorous, the most independent, the most virtuous, and they are tied to their country and wedded to its l...

  • Can You Afford To Retire Early?

    Dec 13, 2017

    Some people dream of retiring early. Are you one of them? If so, you’ll need to plan ahead – because a successful early retirement can’t be achieved through last-minute moves. So, if you’re determined to retire early, consider taking the following steps: Pick a date. Early retirement means different things to different people. But it’s important to pick an exact age, whether it is 60, 62, 64, or whatever, so you can build an appropriate retirement income strategy. Think about your retirement lifestyle. You may know that you want to retire ea...

  • Langley Commits To North Platte

    Forrest Hershberger|Dec 13, 2017

    Trinity Langley, senior at Potter-Dix High School, signed a letter of intent Thursday, Dec. 7, to play volleyball at North Platte Community College. The formal signing and a reception were held at Potter-Dix High School. "Trinity has worked hard, probably since before junior high," said NPCC assistant coach Sally Thalken. Thalken said to transition to the college level, an athlete has to show specific characteristics, including willing to learn and a strong work ethic. "I can't be more proud of...

  • Red Raiders Defeat Chase County 72-48

    Forrest Hershberger|Dec 13, 2017

    The Sidney Red Raiders defeated the visiting Chase County Longhorns 72-48 Friday, improving their record to 3-1. The Red Raiders outpaced the visiting Longhorns for most of the game. By the halftime, the Red Raiders were leading by a 2:1 margin, 48-24. Sidney earned 25 points in the first quarter and 23 in the second. Scoring slowed some in the second half with Sidney only scoring 11 in the third and 13 in the fourth. Sidney Coach Austin Lewis said he has six seniors, all whom display good...

  • Sidney Downs Chase County

    Forrest Hershberger|Dec 13, 2017

    The Sidney Lady Raiders defeated Chase County Friday night, 53-39. The Lady Raiders put up 14 points in the first quarter and 15 in the second for a 29-point half while keeping Chase County to 19 points. The Lady Raiders then scored 12 in the third and fourth quarters to finish the game at 53 points. "We played good defense tonight," coach Tyler Shaw said after the game. He said they hit some jump shots early in the game which speared the team forward. Junior Katelyn Sylvester lead the team in...

  • Charlie Lake Dual Wrestling Results

    Dec 13, 2017

    Sidney 48, Douglas, Wyo.36 220 Dawson Stinson (Douglas) Over Hayden Hofrock (Sidney) (Fall 1:47) 0 6 285 Dallas Wik (Douglas) Over Lane Hughes (Sidney) (Fall 0:34) 0 6 106 Deekun Cerenil (Sidney) Over Chance Himle (Douglas) (Fall 2:50) 6 0 113 Jacob Smylie (Douglas) Over Unknown (For.) 0 6 120 Tristan Ahrendt (Sidney) Over Devon Swisher (Douglas) (Fall 2:24) 6 0 126 Kaden Vowers (Sidney) Over Charlie Koss (Douglas) (Fall 0:39) 6 0 132 Trey Arellano (Sidney) Over Ethan Eklund (Douglas) (Fall 1:44) 6 0 138 Brody Raines (Sidney) Over Cayden Dowse...

  • Potter-Dix Adds Two Wins

    Don Ogle|Dec 13, 2017

    Potter-Dix girls jumped out hard on Creek Valley Friday, then outlasted a late Lady Storm attempt at overcoming the large lead built by the Lady Coyotes early. Potter-Dix moved to 2-1 on the season by virtue of the 35-25 win. Creek Valley couldn't get anything to go its way in the early going, as the Lady Coyotes played with ferocious full court pressure, denying the Storm any unhurried look at the basket. Potter-Dix applied half and full court pressure through much of the game, but it was the...

  • Creek Valley Splits Weekend Contests

    Don Ogle|Dec 13, 2017

    Creek Valley's boys split contests over the weekend, man handling Potter-Dix Friday, then losing to Bayard Saturday. The Storm whirled around Potter-Dix, using its experience and a tough defense to log a 64-23 wire-to-wire win. The following evening, the Storm came up short on scoring in the first and fourth quarters, falling to Bayard 58-42. "We missed too many layups and point-blank shots," Creek Valley Coach Roger Behrends said of the Bayard game. "We just need to have some focus, and we...

  • Peetz dominates Pawnee 75-47

    Mike Motz|Dec 13, 2017

    The Peetz Bulldogs dominated the Pawnee Coyotes 75-47 in a home conference game on December 8th. Three Bulldogs scored in double digits and a solid defensive effort let Peetz coast to an easy victory at home and stay undefeated during the early part of the season. Peetz senior Logan Sircy led the Bulldogs with 23 points, senior Jake Curlee scored 17, and junior Bryson Long added 13 as the Bulldogs started strong and did not let up against the Coyotes. Outscored 13-7 in the first quarter, Pawnee...

  • Leyton defeats South Platte 40-32

    Mike Motz|Dec 13, 2017

    The Leyton boys basketball team started strong and outlasted the South Platte Blue Knights 40-32 in a conference match-up Friday. The visiting Warriors outscored the Blue Knights 16-7 in the opening quarter, and maintained their lead throughout the game. The Warriors were led by Senior Jayden Gartner’s 14 points, and Freshman Zach Henke’s nine points from the field. Leyton Head Coach Bill Willbur has implemented a new system that is beginning to pay dividends. “The kids are becoming more confi...

  • Peetz girls fall to Pawnee, Leyton

    Forrest Hershberger|Dec 13, 2017

    PEETZ — The Lady Bulldogs of Peetz lost to Leyton and Pawnee Thursday and Friday. The Lady Bulldogs hosted both teams, losing to Leyton 46-19 Thursday and to Pawnee 65-29 on Friday. The Leyton’s Warriors dominated the first quarter, scoring 20 points while keeping Peetz off of the board. Peetz led the second quarter by a 13-6 score, resulting in a 26-13 half favoring Leyton. The third quarter was an almost even match with Leyton earning four points and Peetz three. Leyton came back in the fou...

  • Digitized Yearbooks Offer 37,000 Pages Of Husker History

    Dec 13, 2017

    LINCOLN – University of Nebraska-Lincoln alumni, students and friends recently completed transcribing the last of 37,000 pages of the university’s Cornhusker yearbooks, making them accessible for alumni, scholars, genealogists and history buffs. Volunteers from all over the country typed the text from scanned yearbook pages using Transcribe Our Past, a crowdsourcing website created by the University Libraries. The text and images were then combined to create the fully searchable University of Nebraska Yearbooks site. Beginning in 2013, Universi...

  • Christmas Decorations

    Dec 13, 2017

    Christmas decorations can be enjoyed nearly anywhere you go these days. Residents and visitors to Sidney Regional Medical Center's Extended Care will see this beautiful display as they enter the facility....