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 2311 - 2335 of 3056
LINCOLN, Neb. — A devastating swine disease new to the United States hasn't shown up in Nebraska yet, but it's already forcing bacon prices nationwide to new highs. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Veterinary Diagnostic Center stands ready to test piglets for the Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus, said Dr. Bruce Brodersen, assistant professor in the center and the School of Veterinary Medicine and Biological Sciences. Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea – PED for short – has been around since at least the 1970s but first showed up in the U.S. this... Full story
Closure of the underpass, the gateway to the north side of town, has again been delayed. Following many schedule changes due to shallow utilities in the way of construction at the intersection of Illinois St. and 13th Ave., the underpass will finally be closed to traffic next week. After tests on the concrete on the south side or eastbound lanes of Illinois Street, it was determined that the pavement was not yet strong enough to hold the weight of traffic. The concrete will continue to be tested, but the underpass closure has been pushed back... Full story
It's hard to imagine that a little sand could be so important, but according to preschool teacher April Misegadis, a sandbox can be the key to preparing Sidney children for successful lives. "We build the future engineers in there," Misegadis said. Sidney Community Preschool moved to its new location at Central Elementary School in May. The facility did not have a sandbox. To the rescue, those in the Cabela's Emerging Leaders program, who resolved to help with the move—and to fix the problem of... Full story
A quick glance would lead passers by to believe that little transpires in panhandle fields, other than routine planting, irrigation and harvest. But a Field Day hosted this week by the University of Nebraska's High Plains Agriculture Laboratory, north of Sidney, suggests so much more. One research project, presented by Dipak Santra, focused on a new millet seed being developed that will require less water for germination and growth. Millet is often a risky crop—temperamental, yet with high r...
"We like to help prevent drug and alcohol abuse as well as cyber bullying," said LaNaya Gutierrez president of Teens in Prevention, referring to a group of local teens committed to community service. The Sidney group puts on various events throughout the year, such as alternatives to Oktoberfest, which usually involves a fair amount of alcohol, and provides information to the community about how to prevent teenage drinking. For younger people they assemble material about the pitfalls of... Full story
David McPhie, 51, was arrested Monday after a Nebraska state trooper discovered methamphetamines in his car during a routine traffic stop. McPhie was pulled over for speeding on County Highway 19 on the night of August 5. When the trooper approached the vehicle, he smelled marijuana and searched the vehicle based on probable cause. When the trooper asked McPhie if he had anything on his person, McPhie allegedly admitted to possessing a small knife. The trooper questioned him about this knife. During this process, McPhie reportedly confessed... Full story
A Sidney woman dealing with cancer credits the generosity of the community for lightening her burden. The support from those she knows and those she doesn't has been astounding, Jan Lawler said. Will Castner, a 14-year-old and incoming freshman at Sidney High School this year, is heading a group to raise money in Lawler's name for Night of Hope's yearly fundraiser walk. "Jan Lawler was just somebody that I've always admired," Castner said. "I've just always admired her and when I found out that she had cancer, I wanted to figure out what I... Full story
Many young people in Sidney are making efforts to raise funds for Night of Hope. Camille Highby, 10 and Elsa Highby, 8 started their own little enterprise this summer in the form of a lemonade stand. They've had the stand open a few times this summer, but yesterday they saw some relatively major success. The girls raised about $20 yesterday and had about 20 customers. The pair are donating all money made at their stand to Night of Hope. They're walking in the benefit this weekend for their uncle, Beau Mathewson, of Potter. Mathewson just went... Full story
The Nebraska Department of Roads held an open house in Chappell on Tuesday to present information an upcoming construction project. Work is scheduled to begin on Highway 30 west of Chappell in the spring of 2016, extending east of town the following year. Construction will start at Reference Post 97 and run to RP 107 on the west side and RP 87 to RP 97 east of Chappell. The open house was held at the NDOR's building in Chappell with representatives from the NDOR answering questions from residents living along U.S. Hwy 30. The plans include...
Keith Rexroth, who farms near Sidney and has a passion for conservation, has been recognized with the annual University of Nebraska-Lincoln Panhandle Research and Extension Center Outstanding Service to Panhandle Agriculture Award. The award was presented to Rexroth Tuesday at the High Plains Ag Lab field day near Sidney. Rexroth is a longtime supporter of agricultural research in the High Plains. A member of the High Plains Ag Lab Advisory Board since 1973, he chaired the committee to raise funds for a new headquarters and laboratory... Full story
Monica Gehrig of Sidney was arrested after an extensive investigation by the Western Nebraska Intelligence & Narcotics Group Task Force and Sidney police on charges of distribution of a controlled substance. The incident took place within 1,000 feet of a school. Gehrig is currently being held in Garden County. She is scheduled to appear in Cheyenne County Court on August XX. Interest in Gehrig's activities began in March of 2011 when a WING investigator received a telephone call from a cooperating individual informing him that they could make...
More road construction, on county roads this time, is in store for the Sidney area. At yesterday's commissioner meeting, County Highway Superintendent Tom Noel informed the board of plans for a maintenance asphalt overlay on County Highway 19A for some three miles west of Sidney and County Road 20 along approximately three miles west of Highway 19. The job received two bids. Werner Construction's total price was around $940,000. Simon Contractors put in a bid at about $860,000. "I was surprised," Noel said. "I thought that it would be the... Full story
Sidney's new police chief is here and ready to get to work. Byron R. "B.J." Wilkinson was sworn in yesterday morning by District Judge Derek Weimer in Cheyenne County district court. "I feel wonderful," Wilkinson said. "The community is very welcoming and friendly." Before the swearing in, Weimer took a few moments to speak to Wilkinson about his choice to devote himself to service. "As we make decisions in our lives about what we want to do going forward in the community, we are often faced... Full story
The scheduled closure of the underpass linking the north and south sides of Sidney on 13th Ave. was once again delayed by authorities. Last week the city announced a change in the original plans, moving the closing date to Tuesday, Aug. 6. They hoped to open the lanes again after one week. But on Tuesday they announced that the project must wait until the concrete on the south side of Illinois Street is strong enough to bear the weight of vehicles. Once this portion of construction starts, traffic will continue solely on the south side of... Full story
Starting next Tuesday, the underpass on 13th Ave. will be closed to vehicle traffic, according to public services director, John Hehnke. The city had planned earlier this week to push back the underpass closure, but was forced to move up the construction again. Scheduling conflicts involving some utilities that must be relocated due to the pavement project on 13th and Illinois made this change necessary, Hehnke said in a press statement. On Tuesday, August 6, traffic on Illinois Street will be shifted from the north to the south side of the... Full story
A Sidney volunteer firefighter got a pleasant surprise at the fire house's annual meeting Thursday, in the form of a $10,000 check. "I feel awesome," prize winner Tom Vail said. "It's always good to get a little extra." Vail entered California Casualty's Work Hard, Play Hard contest, which honors and rewards everyday heroes such as firefighters, volunteer firefighters, peace officers and EMTs. The insurance company, which only insures those employed in public safety, conducts this nation-wide drawing each year. This time, the choice of prizes... Full story
Upgrades to the Cheyenne County Fairgrounds will depend on the charity of the community. A charity account set up specifically for donations to improve the fairgrounds was approved in late July. Two donors have already stepped up for the initial donations. These donors will be honored for their contributions at 1 p.m. today at the livestock arena, before the auction. Both are significant contributions, Connie Hancock of the Cheyenne County Fairgrounds Association said. She admits that it still won't be enough to pay for all the upgrades her...
For Ray Thompson, hypnotism isn't just a gimmick, it's a way to change bad habits. Thompson, of West Des Moines, Iowa will perform his hypnotism show at the Cheyenne County Fair grounds at 7 p.m. at the grandstands. He of course hopes to entertain the crowd, to make people laugh. But Thompson isn't just a sideshow, he has a clinical background in hypnotism. "I started using it as a mental health therapist in 1974," Thompson reported. He originally intended to become a clinical psychologist. But... Full story
Casey Diedrich was arrested on July 30 by Sidney police for the alleged theft of an automobile form 1900 Ash St. Police received a report of the missing 2000 Kia Sportage from its owner, Linda Dickey. When Officer Curtis Hofrock arrived, Dickey informed him that two female neighbors watched Diedrich enter her apartment and run back out. According to police reports, the witnesses informed Officer Hofrock that Diedrich waited for them to re-enter the building. They added that they did not see him take the vehicle. One of the witnesses also...
Steve "Snorkel" From's rodeo adventures have taken him all over the world and to performances throughout the west. But soon he'll be ready to give up bull fighting and comedy to focus on farming in his hometown of Lodgepole. The 52-year-old, who served as clown at the Cheyenne County Fair Rodeo has been a part of the rodeo scene as a rider and comic for the past 26 years. He explains his transition into the career simply. "I was in Australia riding bulls and I was broke," From said. "I turned... Full story
Seatbelts save lives and everyone knows it, yet people still suffer when they fail to buckle up. Deaths in motor vehicle accidents are up this year, according to Bob Grant, highway safety manager at the Nebraska Department of Roads. There have been 122 fatalities on Nebraska roads this year. At this time last year, there had been 110. Although around 80 percent of drivers obey the safety law, well over half of those who die in auto accidents aren't wearing seatbelts, Grant said. For instance, in June 22 people died in vehicle accidents on state... Full story
The Cheyenne County Fair is one of the largest summertime gatherings in Sidney. On some nights thousands will converge on the grounds for rodeos, concerts, food and carnival rides. Crowds also create a need for additional law enforcement. County Sheriff John Jensen reports that crime is down this year, compared to past fairs, though he and his deputies have encountered the usual minor violations. Daytime events are smaller and more family oriented. The rodeo crowd was also relatively quiet before and after the events. But, Jensen assured, deput...
A new doctor joins the staff of Sidney Regional Medical Center this week. Dr. Rebecca Allard will begin seeing patients at SRMC on August 1. "Dr Allard's focus is toward providing care for the entire family," said SRMC director of public relations Evie Parsons. "She is dedicated to serving all ages and needs." The incoming doctor was most recently employed at Cheyenne County Hospital in St. Francis, Kans. Because she spent the last five years working at this small town hospital, she is familiar with the unique challenges patients face in a... Full story
Road construction projects will continue to jog traffic across the city of Sidney for the foreseeable future. The Illinois Street project is well underway, which is evident to anyone who lives on the north side or who travels across town on Highway 30. City officials hope that work on this roadway will be complete by Oktoberfest. "It's progressing," said Sidney Public Services Director John Hehnke. "There have been afew twists along the way." The portion of the Illinois Street project which... Full story
A Nebraska State Trooper received a big surprise during what he first thought was a routine traffic stop last Thursday: a vehicle stuffed with around $500,000 worth of marijuana. "It's one of the bigger [finds] we've made in a year or two," said Lieutenant Jamey Balthazor of the Nebraska State Patrol. Nebraska State Trooper XXXX Reed was traveling south on L17C, which links Interstate 80 with highway 30 west of Sidney, when he spotted a grey vehicle parked on the wrong side of the road. Reed was working with other troopers at a nearby drug... Full story
