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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Brenda Roberts cannot explain the grilled cheese phenomenon. Just about every American craves the warm, gooey sandwich from time to time. The Cheyenne County Chamber of Commerce even made it a centerpiece of this year’s newcomer’s social, adding a grilled cheese contest to their event lineup. On film, Johnny Depp famously whipped up a batch using an iron rather than a grill. Yes, the simple sandwich can be prepared cheaply and quickly at home, yet people order it in Roberts’ restaurant almos...
The 9th Street apartments, located on 9th and Jackson, were evacuated yesterday after suffering extensive damage during Monday's storm when a tree crashed through the structure. "The roof sustained severe, catastrophic damage," said Sidney Police Chief B.J. Wilkinson. The building was deemed unsafe for habitation by the city building inspector, according to the evacuation notice. Residents had to be out of the building by 3 p.m. Tuesday. Landlords worked with the city to attempt to refund...
Sidney's school bond was voted down by a narrow margin of 105 votes on Tuesday. The final results were 1139 votes for the bond and 1244 against. The bond would have financed new K-4 school, consolidating three of the system's current schools, the oldest of which was originally constructed in 1929. The school board cited difficulty with installing new technology in the older buildings, the newer of which were built in the 1950s, as one of the reasons students needed a new structure. "I think it was good to have an election," said Sidney schools...
The following people appeared in Cheyenne County Court on Monday, September 9, before the Honorable Randin Roland: Casey Diedrich, age 25 of Sidney, appeared for entry of plea on a charge of 2nd Degree Trespass. This is a class II misdemeanor. A pre-trial conference has been scheduled for Oct. 15. Atinot Staman, age 26 of Potter, appeared for entry of plea on a charge of 3rd Degree Assault: Fight by Mutual Consent, a class II misdemeanor. A pre-trial conference is scheduled for Oct. 15. Harold Dunkle Jr, age 45 of Potter, appeared for entry of...
The Cheyenne County Chamber of Commerce is holding the 16th annual Newcomer’s Social on September 26th at Sidney High School. The Newcomer’s Social originated to help people new to town—due to Cabela’s, the hospital or otherwise—meet people and get acclimated. “We know that it’s a big adjustment to move to a new community,” Cheryl Jones said. The social is for those who are new to town within the last two years. Last year, around 40-50 newcomers showed up at the event. The Chamber of Commerce has sent out 300 postcards. They give the postcards...
A hearing open to the public to voice criticism or suggestions about Sidney schools proposed 2013-2014 budget received little public interest last night. The hearing was opened and closed with no public comments. After the hearing the school board approved next fiscal year's budget with a general fund of around $6.5 million. The qualified capital purchase undertaking fund for kindergarten through 8th grade was approved for around $50,000 as well as the qualified capital purchase undertaking fund for kindergarten through twelfth grade for...
Extensive flash flooding paralyzed the city of Sidney Monday night. High winds related to the storm caused damage to houses, signs and trees across the city. Heavy rains around 6:30 p.m. soon overwhelmed the city's storm drains and filled many streets with deep and fast flowing water, which made travel in parts of the city dangerous or impossible. The underpass to the North side of town was still closed at press time due to extensive flooding that left it impassible. Illinois street at 13th...
Sidney Schools technology integration teacher Rick Meyer received a $2,000 grant for his efforts to use technology in creative ways. The grant, awarded by ING, a national financial institution is called the ING Unsung Heroes Award. "Since I applied for it in January, with how fast technology goes, my original idea is not even close to what we're doing now," Meyer said. "But the same premise is still in place." Originally he wanted to use QR codes, which can be scanned by any smart device and...
With the fall harvest just around the corner, many are wondering what farmers are anticipating. The yields depend on when the crops were planted, but overall, this year will yield a good harvest for corn, millet and wheat. However, wheat crops are significantly below average, but the Crossroads Co-op refused to expand on that detail. Due to multiple hailstorms, a few farmers had fields wiped out, causing some fields to look healthier than others. The summer heat had an effect on the crops. “The heat didn’t help,” said Logan Snyder from Scoul...
After receiving only one bid during the first attempt to contract out work on the city's golf course irrigation project earlier this summer, the city's second effort went much more smoothly. "There was far more competition in bidding," City Manager Gary Person said. Sidney contracted with Staples Golf Design to design, plan and coordinate the irrigation project for improvements to the municipal golf course. Project One, a project management firm, is coordinating with Staples on the plan. Although the project initially only received interest...
The body of Martin Wilson, 30, of Texas was located at 3:30 p.m. Friday in the pasture to the north of the Dinklage Feedlot in Cheyenne County. Wilson was reported missing Thursday evening after walking off a job site on the day before. He was last seen on Wednesday, traveling on foot in the hills north of the feed lots, carrying a .410 shotgun. The feedlot is located about six miles west of Sidney on county road 20. The Cheyenne County Sheriff's Office received a missing persons report from the company Wilson was working for at about 5 p.m. Th...
Josef Slezak, 36, of Rivergrove, Ill. pled no contest Friday afternoon to four counts of motor vehicle homicide, a class IIIA felony and one count of motor vehicle homicide involving an unborn child, a class IV felony. Judge Derek Weimer, ruling over Cheyenne County district court accepted the pleas and found Slezak guilty of all counts. Weimer ordered a pre-sentence investigation report and scheduled sentencing for October 16 at noon. On Sept. 9, 2012 Slezak was driving a commercial tractor...
Martin Wilson, a 30 year-old white male from Texas, was reported missing yesterday evening after walking off a job site on Wednesday. He was last seen walking with a shotgun in the hills north of the Dinklage Feedlots, located about six miles west of Sidney on county road 20. Wilson is 5'10" tall and weighs around 160-165 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen Wednesday at around noon. The Cheyenne County Sheriff's Office received a missing persons report from the company...
If you've got scrap tires, during at least one week of September Sidney has the means for free disposal. Currently, the Sidney landfill takes tires for a fee. Car tires are $5, truck tires are $10 and tractor tires are $20. "When we have enough, we send them off to get recycled," said Rob Campbell, solid waste superintendent with the city of Sidney. Cheyenne County's first scrap tire cleanup since 2009 will start Sept 16 and will run through Sept 21, or until a 300 ton quota is reached. Tires...
Cultural norms in the United States are constantly evolving. One facet that has arguably changed the most is the way people dress. Women have traded in long dresses lined with petticoats for fitted mini skirts and men swapped three-piece suits for collared shirts and khakis. One example of the massive change is the Axe Body Spray commercial about the “crisis” of girls getting hotter over the decades. The pictures simply show women in tinier bathing suits. Acceptable clothing has become increasingly more casual. This change in trend can esp...
Gabriel Portillo, 37, of Sidney sustained a gunshot wound to the chest area Wednesday evening. At this time, it appears to law enforcement that Portillo was accidentally shot by a juvenile. Portillo was flown to Loveland, Colorado for surgery and is currently in stable condition. Witnesses have been identified in this case and the investigation is ongoing....
Today, Governor Dave Heineman announced that Lt. Gov. Lavon Heidemann and members of the Nebraska trade delegation to Asia signed agreements with Taiwanese grain and soybean trade officials for approximately $400 million of Nebraska corn, soybeans and wheat to Taiwan. Lt. Gov. Heidemann is currently leading a Nebraska trade mission to Taiwan and Japan. “This is good news for Nebraska,” Governor Heineman said. “This agreement shows the value of developing and fostering relationships when it comes to trade opportunities.” “Throughout this visi...
Area senior citizens were surprised to learn yesterday that they have a place to turn for free legal help. Shelldon Skelcher, an attorney out of Scottsbluff with Legal Aid of Nebraska, spoke with seniors at the Cheyenne County Community Center about their rights and the services his firm provides. "We're the organization for individuals who don't have another place to turn legally," Skelcher said. He advises all those who can afford their own legal help to pay for a lawyer, but understands that...
With the 39th year of Oktoberfest just around the corner, Judy Harris met with the Cheyenne County Board of Commissioners to propose a special designated liquor license. In the past the license has been somewhat of a tough sell to all board members, despite the nature of the annual event. “They’ve said ‘I have nothing against your celebration and it’s a wonderful thing you’re doing, but I can’t vote for drinking,’” Harris explained. Perhaps the board's unanimous passage of the measure this time around stems from 2012. Last year was the first t...
Painful budget cuts due to sequestration hit Nebraska's Head Start programs hard this year. According to officials with the organization, 372 children and families in the state will be cut off from Head Start's services because of these rollbacks. More than 100 early childhood program staff will lose their jobs or have their hours reduced as well. Budget sequestration went into effect March 1 of this year, causing massive budget cuts to many federally funded organizations. Sidney's Head Start is feeling these budget cuts in a big way,...
Levi Hallett, 25, of Sidney was arrested last week in connection with alleged possession and manufacture of child pornography. He was charged with five counts of manufacture of child pornography, five counts of possession of child pornography and one count of child abuse by the Cheyenne County attorney's office. According to arrest records, a probation officer heard second hand that Hallett allegedly stored multiple photos of nude underage females on his cell phone, but none of those who spoke...
Sheriff John Jenson appeared before the Cheyenne County Board of Commissioners to discuss a proposed Jail Medical Agreement. The Cheyenne County jail currently holds 18 inmates, leaving only three beds open. “Because of the way the statutes are written, our hands are tied,” Jenson said. “If they’re in our custody, we have to provide whatever medical care we can.” The changes in the Affordable Care Act should allow inmates to become eligible for Medicaid in certain circumstances. Clauses are in place to deal with scenarios such as an inmate ne...
A train slipped from the tracks west of Sidney late Monday night. Only one boxcar near the engine was included in the incident and no one was reported injured. “I wouldn’t classify it a derailment,’ Sheriff John Jenson said. The incident occurred near Potter and a crew from Kimball was sent to begin clean up. However, it was not necessary to repair nine mile stretch of track involved in the derailment, as nearly no heads were found pulled off the railroad spikes. Two roads were closed down—county routes 22 and 105—during the inspectio...
Local teens LaNaya Gutierrez and Brandon VanDeMortel learned valuable lessons about leadership and gained lasting bonds at this year's Rotary Youth Leadership Awards camp. Sidney's chapter of the rotary club sponsored the two Sidney High School seniors to the camp held in Halsey each summer. At the camp the students listened to various speakers for a few hours per day. Some of the counselors told stories about their own lives. "Some of them were really touching and kind of explained to you why...
Those volunteering with TeamMates believe that every student can benefit from having a mentor, not just those at risk. Angie Jacobsen, the Sidney chapter’s program coordinator thinks the largest benefit of taking part in the program herself is having the opportunity to hang out with a young person without any added worries. “It’s the best part of my week,” Jacobsen said. This program matches an adult mentor with a child mentee to meet for one hour per week during the school year. The Sidney...
