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 1644 - 1668 of 3067
LINCOLN — Nebraska lawmakers gave initial approval Tuesday to a proposed $8.8 billion two-year budget despite major disagreements over funding for the University of Nebraska and family-planning services, including Planned Parenthood. Lawmakers advanced all three of the budget measures that make up the package, even as many senators raised concerns that state officials are relying too much on their emergency cash reserve. Two additional votes are required before the bills go to Gov. Pete Ricketts. The package would balance the state’s fin...
The Sidney School District Board of Education renewed the contract for superintendent Rodney “Jay” Ehler during the March 12 meeting. Ehler is contracted with an annual salary of $149,000, a $300 monthly travel allowance, health, dental and life insurance. The District also pays Ehler’s professional dues and professional publications. The board also reviewed expenditures for February. The District is operating with a budget of about $15.5 million. Year to date expenditures account for 47.31 perc...
Sidney Volunteer Fire Department responded to a small grass fire at the top of Haskell Hill Road Tuesday, extinguishing the blaze quickly. No cause for the fire was determined....
It might be a service that is no longer available but should be, or the next greatest kitchen or garage tool. Many people have ideas that could develop into prospering businesses. Sometimes the obstacle is connecting the vision with how to make it reality. That is where events scheduled for March 15 and March 16 could help. A Network Reception is scheduled for 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 15 at Dude’s Steakhouse Back Room. The reception is hosted by the Sidney & Cheyenne County Economic Development. The reception will be a time to meet o...
The deadline has passed for challengers to submit their intentions with the May 15 Primary Election and there are plenty of candidates for local offices. The Cheyenne County Commissioner race remains at Darrell Johnson, Republican, for the Second District and Philip Sanders, Republican, for the Third District. Both are seated commissioners. The Cheyenne County Assessor's seat will be decided in the primary with Republican Melody Keller challenging incumbent Republican Sybil Prosser. Cheyenne...
Bass Pro Shops announced in a memo late last week an update in its plans, along with the announcement of a campaign advertising buildings for lease following changes to its Sidney Cabela’s campus. In its memo, Bass Pro announced it is investing more than $100,000 in an advertising campaign that began Thursday with an ad in the Wall Street Journal. The ad leads off with the header, “Usually We’re All About The Catch. This Time There Isn’t One.” It follows with the offer of leasing world-class bui...
LINCOLN - Staff Sgt. Richard L. Vath, a 2011 graduate of Leyton High School and a member of the Nebraska Air National Guard's 155th Air Refueling Wing in Lincoln, was nominated to compete in the Nebraska Air National Guard's 2017 Airman of the Year competition for the 155th Maintenance Group. Staff Sgt. Vath is an Avionics Technician for the 155th Maintenance Group. The son of Gregory Vath of Dalton and Romy Vath of Gering, Neb., Vath was nominated for the award as part of the Nebraska Air...
Ninth grade students from across the region attended Nebraska Extension's Connecting the Dots Career Exploration Program at Sidney High School on March 5. Nearly 150 students spent the morning exploring their skills, learning to write a good resume and how to behave in an interview. In addition to Sidney High, students from Leyton High School, Kimball High School and Banner County High School participated in the simulation. After lunch, students had the opportunity to see how they can connect th...
The Sidney School Board Monday approved a program that will offer more flexibility for teachers and students. Labeled the 1 to 1 Chromebook Iniative, Sidney students will have access to a computer they can take with them on field trips, to a local wifi hotspot, home or anywhere within the school to do their homework. The District has 1,006 devices for students in grades five through 12, according to Technology Facilitator Matt McKay. The new computers will allow students the flexibility of...
At Monday’s school board meeting, the Sidney School Board recognized six students for their work over the past month. The Monthly Performance Award acknowledges other criteria as well as achievement. These criteria are: Superior academic performance, (or), dramatic improvement of classroom work, G.P.A. or attitude toward learning. Exceptional work effort toward a particular class project. Outstanding Contribution to the class. Leadership exhibited in the class/school. Citizenship emphasized and modeled. Service to school. Recognized for the F...
With staff reductions related to the Bass Pro absorption of Cabela’s, the Sidney School District is bracing for a related loss of students. In the school board’s work session Tuesday, Supt. Jay Ehler reported the District is down 53 students since the start of the school year. “We know that we will have a significant number leaving this spring and summer so we will continue to have discussions based around appropriate staffing and making cost effective decisions regarding facilities,” Ehler s...
It isn't often a person can experience time in two places at almost the same moment, as if sideways instead of backward or forward. That happened recently when I had the opportunity to participate in a weeklong mission trip to Panama. Panama is a unique area with its own vacation attractions including white and black sand beaches perfect for swimming, surfing or time to imagine beach music and a classic writer in front of his keyboard. It has bicycle races through amazing mountains and valleys....
A regional fund raising effort is currently underway to make services at the Nebraska State Veterans Cemetery in Alliance more comfortable for those participating in services for loved ones. At last count, 272 families have received free burial services at Nebraska's state veteran cemetery in Alliance since it opened in January 2011. Often, attendees to the enhanced military memorial ceremonies will think, say, or hear "I have never seen anyone receive this much honor." Unfortunately, for too...
Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) will meet constituents of the Third District during a mobile office on Monday, March 12, in Bridgeport to discuss issues such as tax reform, trade, immigration, and infrastructure. A mobile office allows constituents to meet directly with Congressman Smith about federal issues and take advantage of the services available through his office. Smith, who has offices in Grand Island and Scottsbluff, will hold the mobile office in Bridgeport at the Commissioner’s Room in the Morrill County Courhouse from 9-10 a.m. F...
The national statistics keep climbing. Historically safe spaces are redefined as "soft targets." Victims range from school children to court officials. Cheyenne County officials want to prevent the courthouse from being on that list. Courthouse security officer Ron Kissler and Cheyenne County Sheriff John Jenson met with the county commissioners Monday to discuss providing an active shooter training program for county staff. "We're blessed here," Kissler said. "We have a fairly hard target,...
The Cheyenne County Commissioners are looking for options. A bridge project is scheduled for completion, replacing a bridge with two side-by-side culverts. The conflict is rancher Galen Bartling doesn’t believe his cattle will use the six-foot culverts to cross from one pasture to the other. The bridge in question is located northeast of Sidney and east of Gurley between County Roads 42 and 45. Bartling said he is wanting a solution that won’t cost him an extensive investment. “Ge...
The emergency communications center is secure, but it doesn’t have the air circulation needed for the computer equipment and for a comfortable work environment. Communications Director Heidi Gillespie said she purchased a thermostat, and turns on a fan when it reaches 74 degrees. Buildings and Grounds Superintendent Roger Conley said the system “is shot.” Replacement of the air conditioning unit will cost about $1,200 from the building repair budget. The board of commissioners also appro...
The Statewide Services Arm of the Nebraska Lions Foundation stopped in Gurley and Dalton on Thursday to conduct annual Hearing and Vision Testing for the Leyton School District. Since 1987, the Lions Club has sponsored the screening for over 700,000 students in Nebraska, including over 27,000 students this year alone. In partnership with Blue Cross/Blue Shield, and with help from five volunteers from Farm Credit Services of America, Allen Darell of the Nebraska Lions Foundation conducted the...
CHADRON – Three Sidney students are among 33 Nebraska high school students selected for the Rural Health Opportunities Program (RHOP) at Chadron State College (CSC). The list includes 26 participants and seven alternates in nine fields. According to Director of Health Professions Kristal Kuhnel, CSC and University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), potential participants are identified through an application and interview process, which shows those students who have an understanding of the rigorous path ahead and are committed to returning t...
Wheat Belt awarded one $1,000 Basin Electric Scholarship, one $100 Arbor Wealth Scholarship, two $500 Tri-State Scholarships and one $2,000 Wheat Belt Lineman Scholarships to five outstanding area youths. Samantha Rae Schmid was selected to receive the $1,000 Basin Scholarship. Samantha is the daughter of Daniel Lee and Michelle Lee Schmid of Oshkosh. Samantha Rae plans to attend the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. Her major course of study will be Psychology. Derek Robb was selected to receive a $500 Tri-State Scholarship. Derek is the son...
Sidney's City Council approved the use of $250,000 of LB840 funds for the proposed Hickory Street Square Project at its regular meeting Tuesday. The approval designates a needed match for a grant sought through the state's Civic and Community Center Financing Fund as part of financing for the project, which has a projected cost of $743,000. During a review of the request, Melissa Norgaard, the city's economic development director, reminded council the LB840 funds come from a half-cent tax...
After wrestling with the decision for a couple of months, the Leyton School Board this month voted on its RIF (Reduction in Force) Plan. Faced with the possibility of cutting more than three teachers and several classes to become more efficient, the board chose to drop one-half of a special education position for next year. That means one of Leyton’s two special education teachers next year will be half time. As for the remainder of needed cuts, those will be accomplished through attrition, s...
LINCOLN – Today, Governor Pete Ricketts, in accordance with a proclamation from President Donald J. Trump, announced that all U.S. and Nebraska flags are to be flown at half-staff on Friday, March 2nd in honor of Rev. Billy Graham, who passed away on February 21, 2018 at age 99. "Billy Graham's life and work reflected the love, charity, and compassion of his Savior, Jesus Christ. Through his ministry, Reverend Graham touched the lives of countless Americans across our country and people a...
Creek Valley school students went to school under increased security Thursday after a threatening letter was found in the school. Creek Valley sent out an announcement Wednesday telling students, parents, staff members, and community members, that a terroristic threat was found written on a restroom stall at Creek Valley High School. The threat stated March 1st as the date of occurrence. The Deuel County Sheriff's Office was immediately contacted once the threat was found. School officials and...
LINCOLN, Neb. – Catchable-size rainbow trout are being stocked in city ponds, park lakes, and other waters across the state by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. These stockings will enhance fishing opportunities this early spring. Trout fishing is a great way to introduce children to fishing because simple and inexpensive equipment may be used. A spinning or spin-cast rod and reel with a hook baited with a worm will work well. Add a split shot a couple of feet above the hook and a bobber a couple of feet above the split shot. Trout a...
