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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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...
The Sidney City Council recently it can receive a new public transportation bus through the CARES Act. "As part of the CARES Act, we're eligible to apply for a bus," said Sidney City Manager David Scott. The bus, a 12-passenger, with a handi-cap lift, is valued at $75,000. The bus has to replace a unit from the City's fleet that is at least 10 years old and has $100,000 miles. The grant covers the full cost of the bus. The City frequently purchases buses through a federal program at an 80-20...
In the world of the cynic, “No good deed goes unpunished.” In the world of Karen and Bill Sydow of Sidney, serving a friend in need resulted in their own illnesses. The symptoms caused concern because they aligned with the general description of the nuvo coronavirus symptoms. “I was exposed when I took care of someone who came home from a hospital, not here,” Karen Sydow said. She said her friend likely contracted the virus while in the hospital because of how quickly after coming home she tes...
LINCOLN – Panhandle Public Health District will be the fourth local health department to move to Phase 4 of the Directed Health Measures (DHMs). Phase 4 is the highest of the four phases with Phase 1 closing all dine-in services, gatherings limited to 10 people, 50 percent of capacity for restaurants and bowling alleys. Phase 4 allows indoor at 75 percent of capacity, up from 50 percent and a maximum of 10,000 people. Outdoor activities are at 100 percent of rated occupancy as of Friday, Sept. 11. As of Sept. 8, the Panhandle area had 12047 t...
LINCOLN – Gov. Pete Ricketts ordered flags to fly at half-staff to honor the passing of Lincoln Police Department Investigator Mario Herrera. “Susanne and I were devastated to learn of the passing of Investigator Mario Herrera,” said Gov. Ricketts. “Investigator Herrera’s service and sacrifice will never be forgotten. I also want to thank people across the state who stepped up to support the Herrera family in the midst of this terrible tragedy. From holding prayer vigils to donating blood, the community’s response was powerful and inspiring....
The Cheyenne County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a situation that occurred Sunday afternoon near Sidney, during which a suspect stole a Nebraska State Patrol cruiser, in an attempt to avoid arrest, and crashed a short time later. Early Sunday afternoon, NSP received a report of a Cadillac SUV passing other vehicles on the shoulder on Interstate 80. A trooper located the vehicle east of Sidney, as it was traveling westbound on I-80 at 92 miles per hour. The trooper performed a traffic s...
The Sidney City Council approved a proposal that is expected to save the city thousands of dollars on loans. Paul Donna, managing director of public finance for Robert W. Baird & Co. Inc., addressed the city council Aug. 25 regarding options to lower the City's interest rate on bonds they are paying. “About a week ago (prior to the meeting), we hit historic lows again,” Donna said. He addressed three different bond obligations with interest rates expected as low as 1 percent. One of the Cit...
