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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The Sidney City Council recently approved an engineering firm for work at the Sidney Elks Lodge. The City received $415,000 in Community Development Block Grant Tourism Development Funds for the Elks Lodge project. The intent is for the funds to be used to initiate a restoration effort for the building. A Request For Qualifications was sent out in September for architectural design and engineering services. Four firms submitted qualifications: Joseph R. Hewgley and Associates (office in North Pl...
SCOTTSBLUFF - Western Nebraska Community College has updated more COVID-19 related protocols for the Alliance, Scottsbluff, and Sidney campuses, due to the recent elevated risk level in the Panhandle. All classes are scheduled to continue with face-to-face instruction until Nov. 24. After the Thanksgiving break, all classes, with the exception of Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs, will complete the semester online. "We understand that the hands-on style of instruction is critical for successful learning for the students in our CTE...
Nic Haas and Jesse Mueller have are seeking voter support as write-in candidates for the Sidney Airport Authority Board. The board has two positions open, and two candidates. The ballot will show Jim Price as a candidate for the board. However, he has left Cheyenne County. He was appointed earlier this year to fill a vacant seat. Mueller is a pilot for a major airline, and involved in aviation in his spare time. He owns a personal airplane which is hangared at the Sidney airport. He graduated...
Five COVID Cases at Sidney High School are under quarantine. In a report on the Sidney Public Schools website, the District reports five cases under quarantine at Sidney High School, one at Sidney Middle School, one at West Elementary School and one at South Elementary School. The report also shows there are three defined as recovered cases at Sidney High School, and one at Central Elementary School. There is also one active case at SHS. Active is defined as staff or student “who have not yet been deemed as recovered.” A staff member or stu...
In any given town, there are attractions that draw people, social cathedrals in a sense, that people value as part of the community's identity. In many towns, especially smaller communities, theaters fall within that definition of cathedral. There is the anticipated release of a new movie. Historically, theaters started as a venue for stage performances, then the black-and-white reels. Along the way children saved their allowances for the night out; the five cents that a generation later turned...
The Sidney City Council on Oct. 13 approved the Sidney Volunteer Fire Department contracting for a new fire truck. Fire Chief LaVerne Bown reported the truck to be replaced is 30 years old and undergoes frequent repair. The truck will take about a year for assembly and delivery, according to Bown. City Manager David Scott said because of when payment would be made, the council is committing into the Fiscal Year 2022. Bown said the biggest difficulty is finding parts for the current engine. He...
LINCOLN – On Oct. 16, Gov. Pete Ricketts announced changes to the State’s directed health measures (DHMs) that will take effect statewide today, Oct. 21. The Governor also launched a campaign to encourage Nebraskans to avoid the “Three C’s” to help slow the spread of the virus: 1) crowded places, 2) close contact, and 3) confined spaces. Dr. James Lawler, associate professor of infectious disease at UNMC, joined the Governor to emphasize the increasing spread of the virus across the state. Th... 
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The Panhandle Public Health District announced on Oct. 19 that the level of concern has moved further into the Orange, or High Risk stage. As of Monday, Oct. 19, there have been more than 17,000 people tested, 1,396 who were positive for the COVID-19 virus, 1,010 who recovered, 375 currently active, 20 active hospitalizations and 11 deaths related to COVID-19. The PPHD report on Oct. 12 that the COVID-19 caution level increased to Orange, or High Risk. As of the school board meeting that night, the change in status has little impact on the...
When life gets challenging, Nebraskans come together. The Nebraska Chamber of Commerce held its Fall Forum via Zoom conference from Western Nebraska Community College in Scottsbluff on Oct. 7. Wednesday's teleconference was part of a series of Zoom meetings. Thursday's virtual forum included Nebraska Chamber President Bryan Slone and Blueprint Nebraska President Jim Smith. The Fall Forum was named “Straight Talk with State Leaders,” designed to inspire community dialogue on economic dev...
The Panhandle Public Health District (PPHD) released a statement Monday afternoon, Oct. 12, that six Panhandle counties have joined Box Butte County in moving to orange on the risk dial. The risk dial is a four-level definition of COVID-19's impact on the Panhandle region. Green is the lowest level, then Yellow (Moderate), Orange (High risk) and finally Red (Severe risk). The chart has shown a slow but steady increase in recent weeks. The PPHD stresses the chart is only guidance and does not...
The Alan Hartzler Memorial Basketball Court is a step closer to reality. In the Oct. 5 meeting of the Cheyenne County commissioners, the commissioners were asked to consider a donation from Keno Funds. On Jan. 28, John Phillips and Sidney Parks/Aquatic Center/Cemetery Superintendent Tom Von Seggern first presented the proposal of constructing a memorial basketball court to the city council. The site will be at 519 Toledo St., east of the Cheyenne County Community Center. In February, a project...
Voters will be deciding on several local races, including school boards, the Sidney City Council and a county commissioner seat. Sidney voters will have two seats and three candidates for city council. Incumbent Joe Arterburn is seeking a return to office, as is Burke Radcliffe. Loren Hoekema has tossed his hat in the ring to unseat one of the incumbents. The Sidney School District No. 1 School Board has two incumbents and one newcomer on the ballot. Incumbents Brad Kennedy and Kathy Nienhueser...
The Sidney City Council candidates were asked to respond to a few short questions regarding their candidacy. Below are their responses: 1. There appears to be a gradual economic recovery momentum in Sidney; more small businesses, medium to larger players showing interest in the area. How do you propose keeping the momentum positive? Joe Arterburn: Positive is the key word. It is the positive attitudes of Sidney residents creating the momentum; positive attitudes of former Cabela’s employees w...
LINCOLN – Cheyenne County has received another membership dividend, this time in the amount of $16,530, from the Nebraska Intergovernmental Risk Management Association (NIRMA), the county’s property, liability and workers’ compensation coverage and risk management services provider. The dividend was part of a $1 million distribution shared with 81 Nebraska counties and eight county-associated agencies. With this latest distribution, Cheyenne County has now received a total of $423,709 in dividends since becoming a member of NIRMA in 1988....
LINCOLN -The Appropriations Committee of the Nebraska Legislature is studying the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the early childhood workforce as well as the financing requirements needed to ensure a high-quality early childhood system in the state. Senator John Stinner (District 48), Appropriations Committee chair and member of the Nebraska Early Childhood Workforce Commission, introduced Legislative Resolution 390 in July to authorize the study. Today’s hearing at the Capitol features invited testimony from various experts and s...
“Affordable” has different meanings, depending on if the buyer has two quarters in his pocket or an extensive line of credit. The same can be said for determining a community's housing market. Additionally, available housing is a key part of encouraging economic development of a community. Sidney Economic Development Director Melissa Norgard met with the Sidney City Council on Sept. 22 proposing a comprehensive housing needs assessment of the community. In her proposal, Norgard said the study is...
LINCOLN – Cheyenne County has received another membership dividend, this time in the amount of $16,530, from the Nebraska Intergovernmental Risk Management Association (NIRMA), the county’s property, liability and workers’ compensation coverage and risk management services provider. The dividend was part of a $1 million distribution shared with 81 Nebraska counties and eight county-associated agencies. With this latest distribution, Cheyenne County has now received a total of $423,709 in dividends since becoming a member of NIRMA in 1988....
The Cheyenne County Chamber of Commerce continues to stay active in promoting the business community of Sidney and the county, according to Chamber President and CEO Hope Feeney. Feeney met with the Sidney City Council Sept. 16 to present her quarterly report. In her report, Feeney reported an “uptick” in responses to business outreach efforts. She said the Chamber received four business relocation contacts this quarter. Charlotte & Emerson Boutique was approved for rental assistance. She sai...
Sidney to Observe Columbus Day The City of Sidney will be observing the Columbus Day holiday on Monday, October 12. All City Departments will be closed, including the Library and the Landfill, and the public transportation bus will not be running. Trash collection normally scheduled for Monday will be picked up on Tuesday and Tuesday's trash will be picked up on Wednesday. 'Trunk or Treat' Cancelled The City-sponsored Trunk or Treat event will be cancelled this year due to COVID-19. "This is one of the hardest things I have had to do as city...
As of Sept. 28, the Nebraska Panhandle has experienced nine deaths related to the COVID-19 virus. The Panhandle Public Health District reported 14,052 people have been tested since March. Of that number, 810 cases returned positive for COVID-19, and 716 of those have recovered. There are three active hospitalizations at this time, 80 active cases, 779 total recovered of 868 positive cases for a cumulative positivity rate of 6.1 percent. The risk dial used by the Unified Command shows the region...
Downtown Sidney woke early Saturday as the "Stronger Together" program participants opened their doors to shoppers. The event is designed to encourage shoppers to see what Sidney's small businesses have to offer. Businesses offered first looks as they had just opened their doors, and others offered event discounts and coupons to encourage people to try their offerings....
Numerous large wildfires in the Western United States may affect the air quality in Nebraska. Nebraska continues to monitor smoke levels and wind directions and provides updates accordingly to the media and public. Smoke advisories are issued for impacted areas by notifying the media and local health departments, and posting information on the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy's (NDEE) webpages and social media sites....
“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States.” -- Preamble to the United States Constitution, 1787 On Tuesday, Sept. 8, the Cheyenne County Commissioners signed a proclamation declaring Sept. 17-23 as Constitution Week, and Sept. 17 as Constitution Day. Constitution Day is observed eac...
The Sidney Airport Authority Board meet Sept. 10, approving its budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year. The budget shows actual disbursements and transfers increasing from $335,485.51 for the 2018-2019 fiscal year to $720,912.76 for the 2019-2020 fiscal year and regressing a little more than $94,000 for the 2020-2021 fiscal year to $626,599.96. The proposed budget includes cash reserves of $1,873.89, funds from personal and real property tax of $159,449, carryover from the current fiscal year of...
