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 376 - 400 of 3098
In late 2021, Theresa Thibodeau stepped away from the Charles W. Herbster campaign. On April 20, 2022, she stopped in Sidney to meet voters. Thibodeau is in a field of nine seeking the top office in the state. She stopped at the Coffee Corner in Highby Outdoors Wednesday for a question and answer session with voters. Thibodeau calls herself “an experienced entrepreneur who knows what it is like to work hard, build a business from the ground up, and navigate the complexities of government b...
The Cheyenne County Commissioners approved on April 18 an agreement with Paul Reed Construction for a conditional use permit to stockpile soil, aggregate, concrete and asphalt. The conditional use permit will include crushing and staging for the Interstate 80 Brownson East Project. The permit is for a tract of land owned by Beyer Farm, Inc. The commissioners also accepted the 2023 Community-based Juvenile Services Aid Grant award in the amount of $40,000. The grant helps finance the salary of...
What is the best, most equitable tax and accountability system for food vendors, specifically for those who don't anticipate significant presence or revenue in town? That is a question the Sidney city council has been debating since it was first approached by a man who wanted to start a hot dog cart, but was frustrated by the daily fee requirement. On April 12, the Sidney City Council met over an agenda including a proposed annual fee schedule for food vendors. City Manager David Scott proposed...
In downtown Sidney, about a block from the Cheyenne County Courthouse and near the business district is a clinic designed to serve a specific population, the veterans who have served the United States and often have specific health needs resulting from their service. There is also discussion of closing the clinic, a location defined as an “Other Outpatient Services (OOS) clinic. OOS clinics are for veterans to receive services that do not meet the criteria to be classified as a health care c...
For much of its history, the Sidney community has had a some degree of military presence. Recently, a part of the past resurfaced in another part of the country to tell its story, and thank those who served. In August 1956, the U.S. Army delivered a 1956 Chevrolet 150 sedan to the Sioux Army Depot northwest of Sidney. The Army green in color 216 CI six-cylinder sedan with a “three-on-the-tree” looked like what it was commissioned for: use as a staff car. It served its duty at the Depot unt...
In a little less than a month, Cheyenne County voters will cast their choices on the few contested races on the Primary Ballot. Races that are not contested will not appear on the Primary Ballot. They will, however, be on the General Election ballot in November. The one contested race is for Clerk of the District Court with Incumbent Debra Hume and Mindy Wiegand competing for the seat. Both are Republican and the decision will be made in the Primary Election. Also new to the ballot are Paul Stro...
There's a quote that when you have a good job, keep an eye out for the next one. Likewise, some business managers live by the principal of advertise when business is good, and advertise more when business is struggling. The same can be said about economic development. When things are going well, look for the next opportunity, and when the community is struggling, work even harder. Economic Development starts with believing in your community, according to Sidney City Manager David Scott. Scott...
On Friday, April 8, students in the Sidney School District who may often be seen as vocal, even bubbly, chose to be silent. Their silence, they admitted later, caused some awkwardness throughout the day. But they did it for a cause, for the Day of Silence. Day of Silence is promoted by GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network), which according to the organization's website, was formed by a group of teachers in 1990. “We conduct extensive and original research to inform our e...
Republican candidate for Nebraska governor Charles W. Herbster calls this year's election the most important governor's race. Herbster made another stop at Beans and Steams Coffee House in Sidney on Wednesday, March 30. In his visit, he said issues and candidates make this a critical election for the governor's race. Among the issues, he said, is the Critical Race Theory (CRT). He said governor's races will impact the states and the country. He said CRT has been in the state for several years....
About two years ago, Cheyenne County added technology necessary to adapt to COVID-19 restrictions. The new technology allowed the county and district courts to continue remotely. Inmates or defendants could make an appearance for a court procedure by a secure Zoom type of conference, and likewise Judge Derek Weimer admitted he held court remotely from his home while recovering from COVID. “Our court rooms are right where they need to be,” he said. “I would put our court up against any of them...
The Cheyenne County Republicans met in the basement conference room at Security Bank on March 22. The night included a briefing on the Primary election by Cheyenne County Clerk Beth Fiegenschuh. Fiegenschuh talked about how the Primary ballot may not appear as some voters expect. The only races to be decided in the Primary election are contested races, she said. She said there needs to be more candidates than open seats to have an election; including incumbents and challengers. “Locally, t...
A community college has an extensive list of possibilities, of opportunities to be part of the community. Western Nebraska Community College's Interim President John Marrin met with Cheyenne County community representatives Thursday, March 17. The visit was part of a listening tour hosted by WNCC. The goal is to visit all 13 counties in the service area. “We want to hear from as many people as possible,” Marrin said in a press release on the college's website. The Sidney visit was initially sch...
The Sidney City Council on March 8 approved a crack seal contract with Hein Construction of Fairbury, Neb. In his presentation to the city council, Street Superintendent Hank Radtke said two companies submitted bids; Hein at .27 per linear foot and Bader's Highway & Street at .40 per linear foot. The council had already approved $75,000 for crack sealing. Hein Construction was awarded the contract as low bid. The council also approved a proposal by John Phillips for purchase of new light bulbs f...
The corner of Jackson Street and 10th Avenue has a history of mixing venues. There was a bookstore, and beside it a coffee shop. There was the coffee shop within the retail store, and soon there will be a coffee bar as part of a firearms store. A few years ago, as the Cabela's-Bass Pro change was being felt locally, several employees decided try their own ventures, resulting in two additional stores selling firearms and related accessories. Highby Outdoors started as an online business, then...
“It's a matter of life or meth.” The message is simple and straight-forward, and has resulted in a campaign against use of methamphetamines. Nebraska State Patrol Troopers Tim Flick and Brandon Smith were guests at West Elementary School for a presentation on drug use and abuse. The program is through the US Attorney’s Office, Nebraska State Patrol, Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) of Omaha, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Omaha Division, and the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office....
Methamphetamine is defined as the significant threat to the state of Nebraska. It has caught the attention of law enforcement and drug counselors to the point a campaign has been launched: “It's a matter of life or meth.” “Meth is a major threat across the state of Nebraska, Phil Lenz, FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Omaha, said at a meeting at Western Nebraska Community College in Sidney March 8. “We held our first training in Kearney,” he said. From Kearney, officials met with law enfor...
The May 10, 2022 Primary Ballot is dominated by candidates seeking to return to office. Of the 30 seats available, seven are challengers and one seat is vacant. No names were submitted for the office of county surveyor. Mindy Wiegand is challenging incumbent Debra A. Hume, both Republicans, for the office. County Commissioners Darrell J. Johnson (R-Second District) and Philip E. Sanders (R-Third District) are running unopposed, as is County Assessor Melody H. Keller (Republican), County...
Thursday afternoon, people started to gather at the west side of Sidney. It had the feeling of something expected, almost supernatural, as the American Freedom Convoy trucks were anticipated. Early this year, Canadian truckers protested the vaccine mandates in Canada. The protests and blockades were against the COVID-19 vaccine requirement to enter the country. The protest evolved into a protest against COVID-19 mandates in general. “Many around the world have watched the Freedom Convoy and p...
On February 22, the Sidney City Council held a changing of the guard in a matter of speaking. February 22 was councilman Joe Arterburn's last day as a seated councilman. He had submitted his resignation in the January 25 council meeting. His resignation came with his wife Kathy retiring and they were spending less time in the Sidney community. On February 22, Mayor Roger Gallaway announced the City had received two applications for Arterburn's seat. “We had a couple of people apply,” Gal...
The Sidney City Council approved pursuing a contract to support solar energy generation in the community. If a solar field is established, Sidney's electricity superintendent Mike Palmer said, it won't affect the cost to the city much. Solar production is only about 5 percent of the energy purchased by Sidney. “No matter what we do, it's not going to be a big windfall,” he said. The concept was first brought before the council Dec. 14, 2021. MEAN (Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska), the who...
Nebraska candidate for governor Brett Lindstrom stopped in Sidney Saturday, Feb. 19, for a meet and greet event at the Sidney Elks Lodge. Lindstrom grew up in Omaha and was a walk-on for the Huskers following high school. In 2014, Lindstrom ran for the Nebraska Legislature from the 18th District in northwestern Omaha. In the 2015 Legislative session, Lindstrom was appointed to the Banking, Commerce and Insurance Committee, and to the Natural Resources Committee. Lindstrom is an avid outdoorsman...
The idea might sound little bit like a fish out of water, but Sidney and Cheyenne County have some of the characteristics to be home of one of the first inland port authorities Adams Industries is seeking designation as an Inland Port Authority (IPA). Kim Matthews, Business Development Manager at Adams Industries, met with the Cheyenne County Commissioners and the Sidney City Council for support of Adams Industries receiving Inland Port Authority designation. An Inland Port Authority is a...
Sometimes lunch is on the run, a quick sandwich and a drink. Sometimes “quick” is a street corner vendor, but what are the options when the vendor has days when the daily receipts aren't much more than the daily fee to operate an approved food cart? That is the question Stephen Wood brought before the Sidney City Council in the February 8 meeting. Wood asked to be on the agenda to gain clarification on licensing for “transient merchants,” those who include food trucks and carts and tempora...
Offer a cause $10 in support and you get a smile and a thank you. If 100 people each offer $100 to the same cause, change happens. That is the goal of “One Hundred Women Who Care.” 100 Women Who Care is a national organization, although affiliation might be a better description, according to Amber Kerkman. The concept is one of combining resources for a selected cause. There is no treasurer, no dues. Members of the group meet quarterly for an evening of fun and socializing, and of choosing bet...
In April 2021, Cheyenne County stood in line with numerous other municipalities expecting yet another round of federal recovery funds. The county's share of Fund 2580 COVID American Rescue Plan funds was expected to be about $1.7 million. The challenge from the beginning is no one knew what the county can or should do with the funds. The lack of direction came back before the Cheyenne County Commissioners Feb. 7 when the board was approached with a funding request they didn't know if they could...
