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 – Avoiding public spaces and working remotely can help to reduce the spread of COVID-19, but for those experiencing domestic violence, staying home may be a dangerous prospect, especially as job losses and financial strain continue to escalate. "Domestic violence is rooted in power and control," said Sheri Dawson, director of the Division of Behavioral Health. In a time where employees work remotely, and the CDC is encouraging social distancing, abusers may take advantage of an a...
The Sidney City Council Wednesday, April 1, approved amending the City's appeals process for utility payment to include residents impacted by the corornavirus. The decision was made in a nearly two-hour Zoom - an audio/visual virtual networking program - meeting with each council member, staff and attendee taking part from a remote location. The primary discussion point on the agenda is "Utility Disconnect for Non-payment, Procedures for Domestic Subscribers." At issue is how the City can...
The Cheyenne County Commissioners tabled decisions on purchases for the Highway Department Monday. The commissioners were scheduled to open bids on the purchase of a semi-truck, bottom dump trailer and armor coating for County Road 46. The county received two bids for a truck-tractor, both from RDO Truck Center of Lexington. The bids submitted are for a 2008 International with about 376,000 miles for $30,000 and $500 delivery. The second bid is for a 2012 Mack with a little more than 400,000...
The impact of the coronavirus has businesses and employees reeling financially. Businesses are limited on they can serve customers, which results in few staff needed to conduct the remaining business. Last week, a webinar was held among business and employment officials explaining options to help keep local businesses open, and employees cover lost wages. The meeting included Sidney Economic Development Director Melissa Norgard, Lisa Laws from the Sidney office of the Nebraska Department of...
The Cheyenne County Commissioners officially addressed the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, during the April 6 meeting. The audio Zoom meeting was held with all in attendance participating from remote locations. The policy opens by clearly saying “if you have tested positive for COVID-19 virus, or have been diagnosed with the COVID-19 virus, you are quarantined and must have a Doctor's release to return to work.” The policy is for county employees only. The policy goes on to say if a person...
People in Nebraska are being warned to be extra vigilant as scam callers are likely to ramp up their activity over the next few weeks to take advantage of increasing amounts of people being at home due to the current Coronavirus outbreak. CPR Call Blocker, makers of the US’s best-selling call blocking device, is predicting that scammers and fraudsters will be ready to strike and take advantage of the situation as more states go into lockdown, forcing people to stay at home, and is warning people in Nebraska to be on their guard for a rise in b...
As you are aware, in consultation with Governor Ricketts, Commissioner Blomstedt, and the Panhandle Public Health COVID-19 Unified Command, Sidney Public Schools has determined that buildings in Sidney will remain closed for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year. We realize that this decision will have tremendous implications for our families, but we must do our part to keep our school and community safe and healthy. While our physical buildings are closed, the business of educating our students continues via the alternative learning...
Goodlettsville, Tenn. – Beginning today, Dollar General is proud to provide all medical personnel, first responders and activated National Guardsmen with a 10 percent discount on qualifying purchases*. Individuals can present their employment badge or ID at more than 16,300 stores to receive the discount. “At Dollar General, we are deeply appreciative for the ongoing and brave work that our medical professionals, first responder communities and National Guard activated continue to perform during these unprecedented times,” said Todd Vasos...
Food Safety and Supply PSA Watch and download FDA’s “What You Need to Know: Food and COVID-19” public service announcement with Frank Yiannas below (multiple file formats are available). A critical part of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s mission is safeguarding the human and animal food supply, helping to ensure that our food is not contaminated at any point during its journey along the supply chain. COVID-19 is a new frontier for all of us as we deal with the realities of a pandemic and the impact it is having on our lives, on our fam...
The Sidney City Council met with a full council March 24, but only a few council and staff in the council chamber. The Council is following safety protocol and introduced the public to its first webcast meeting. The meeting was held via Zoom, an audio/video communications system designed to conduct “cloud meetings.” Participants call by computer or mobile device and can then participate in the meeting without approaching the 10-person crowd limit. Mayor Roger Gallaway announced the State of Neb...
When the novel coronavirus presence in the United States was announced, its impact was noted in specific areas, people who had health struggles. Then it arrived on “Main Street” and it became everyone's concern. Two local families share their perspectives and what enduring the pandemic means to them. At the close of the March 24 Sidney City Council meeting, Brett Bently of Sidney asked what the City is doing for families facing utility disconnection. During the virtual meeting, Bently asked if...
People in Nebraska are being warned to be extra vigilant as scam callers are likely to ramp up their activity over the next few weeks to take advantage of increasing amounts of people being at home due to the current Coronavirus outbreak. CPR Call Blocker, makers of the US’s best-selling call blocking device, is predicting that scammers and fraudsters will be ready to strike and take advantage of the situation as more states go into lockdown, forcing people to stay at home, and is warning people in Nebraska to be on their guard for a rise in b...
The Potter American Legion Auxiliary Unit to Potter Post #291 has selected Mary Kasten, daughter of Jason and Amanda Kasten, and MiKayla Lee, daughter of Rob and Toni Lee, to attend the 2020 Cornhusker Girls State session in Lincoln on May 31 to June 6, 2020. Mary’s school activities are volleyball, basketball, track, one act plays, speech, band, choir, swing choir, quiz bowl, FFA, FCA, peer tutoring and class officer. Mary volunteered at the Art Loft, helped with the Youth involved In Potter program, Children’s Theater, Church youth gro...
Sidney Regional Medical Center (SRMC) announced recently the move to "essential staffing" as a precautionary measure. Essential staffing is a general definition for reducing staff to only those needed during emergent situations, yet being able to provide patient care. The decision to decrease non-essential personnel at this time was made through consulting with the medical staff and the Panhandle Public Health District (PPHD). "The organization is taking every precaution to ensure the safety...
Omaha – In light of the national shortage of one-use personal protective equipment (PPE), Nebraska Medicine has developed a safe and effective method to decontaminate these items so they can be used multiple times, instead of just once. A team led by John Lowe, PhD, UNMC assistant vice chancellor for inter-professional health security training and education, is using ultraviolet light towers to irradiate high numbers of masks, which were originally designed to only be used once. The strategy will allow Nebraska Medicine to greatly extend its su...
LINCOLN, Neb. – In a continued, proactive effort to prevent the potential for spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission temporarily will close state park and recreation area playgrounds and play structures beginning March 30. The closures are in keeping with national recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which encourages maintaining physical distance’ and limiting in-person social interactions. Game and Parks will continue to keep open state park and recreation areas gro...
The Cheyenne County Commissioners have stated that the Court House is open; however, individuals are strongly encouraged to use the online services, if possible, to conduct business and limit personal visits to the Court House. The Cheyenne County Commissioners held an emergency meeting Monday morning to address the impact of the coronavirus on county business. The meeting was held in the Cheyenne County District Courtroom with a maximum of 10 people in attendance, and numerous local officials...
Not all disabilities are visible. Not all service dogs are about physical help. Sometimes, the best of service dogs match what the handler needs, not what he or she wants. The Disability Dogs clinic held at the Cheyenne County Fairgrounds Saturday and Sunday focused on matching service veterans and first responders. The clinic brought together veterans with a variety of needs. Disability Dogs founder Ashley Tomberg, of Gainesville, Fla., is a no-nonsense direct speaking veteran who focuses on...
A young couple moved from Sidney a few months ago, setting up house in Parker, Co. Life moved on for the young parents and their child, until a night out resulted in becoming a statistic, a coronavirus-19 patient. Dylan Gregg talked about his experience with the virus also referred to as COVID-19 by phone recently. “It pretty much feels like you're having constant asthma attacks,” he said. He said it started March 12 following his attending a hockey game. He started experiencing symptoms, inc...
The Panhandle region welcomed spring with a dose of heavy wet snow and wind last week. As the first day of spring arrived, so did moisture-heavy snow, resulting in power outages and closed roads throughout the region. The National Weather Service recorded readings near Sidney from clear but overcast and breezy on Tuesday afternoon to windy and heavy snow on Thursday. Between then, the area also experienced heavy fog officially reducing visibility at the airport to a quarter-mile before falling...
Lincoln – Judge Randin R. Roland of Sidney is one of 30 distinguished Nebraska lawyers honored as a Fellow of the Nebraska State Bar Foundation. The lawyers were recognized March 13 at the Foundation's 32nd Annual Fellows Dinner at the Holland Center in Omaha. Roland is County Judge for the 12th Judicial District. Also, at the dinner Supreme Court Justice Mike Heavican received the Foundation's Public Service Award and Prof. Edward J. Birmingham of Creighton University Law School received the O...
Panhandle Public Health Director Kim Engel says all COVID-19 tests as of March 18 have returned negative. However Nebraska did record its second case of “community spread,” this time in Douglas County. During a recent video press conference, Engel also said restaurants are still open, for take-out and delivery only. She added that small business loans for up to 30 years and $2 million will be available. “Of course they (businesses) are being impacted,” she said. At that time, she said stores...
Facebook group Nebraska Beekeeping is buzzing with activity as local beekeepers find out if their hives survived the winter. With over 800 members on the social networking platform, ranging from serious professionals to newcomer enthusiasts, the group has become a central hive for beekeepers looking to find mentors, equipment, and even new bees. As the weather warms and spring approaches, the Facebook group’s members are sharing the status of their hives and whether or not they “overwintered.” If temperatures drop too low it’s possible not eno...
NORTH PLATTE – In a proactive state and national effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and ensure the health of its customers and staff, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is closing the public crane viewing blind at North River Wildlife Management Area north of Hershey. The Commission aims to protect its staff and customers by removing opportunities for crowds to gather at facilities and events and by maintaining clean areas that are available to the public. A prairie-chicken viewing blind located south of North Platte, is a p...
Worship leader, Sarah Jenkins is welcomed and appointed to the Lodgepole and Chappell United Methodist Churches. Sunday, March 1st was when the congregation first heard from their new district appointed lay speaker. Sarah has said, "Yes Lord" in response to filling a four month period as pulpit supply for these two church families. During the past 20 years Sarah has served in a variety of leadership roles. Her early years of public speaking began with 4-H speech and demonstration projects in...
