Good Old Days 09-11-15

Compiled By Delaney Uhrig

These stories from the past first appeared in The Sidney Telegraph. Original writing is preserved, though some stories were shortened for space reasons.

50 Years Ago

'U.P. Cuts Two Trains'

September 13, 1965

The Union Pacific Railroad has discontinued passenger trains No 7. and 8, combining them with mail trains No. 5 and 6.

The newly combined trains will handle all of the mail, passenger, baggage and express services formerly offered by the four trains. The new schedule went into effect last Thursday.

Train No. 6 eastbound leaves Sidney at 8:55 a.m. and arrives in Omaha at 5:45 p.m.

Train No. 5 westbound leaves Omaha at 10:30 a.m. and arrives in SIdney at 5:15 p.m.

There will be no diner service on either train.

Actually, on main line passenger service through Sidney, the Union Pacific is now operating only its streamliners, No. 103 westbound and No. 104 eastbound.

Earlier, it was reported that Trains No. 5 and 6 were being eliminated, but if this was contemplated it has not yet taken effect.

The removal of Trains No. 7 and 8 marks the continuing decline of passenger service on the nation's major railroads.

Alliance, Casper, and other communities are now fighting against the loss of two Burlington passenger trains, but there is little possibility that the protests will be effective.

At one time in Sidney's history, the Union Pacific operated fifteen to twenty passenger and mail trains daily. However, better highways and expanded bus and air travel have made passenger service the stepchild of all railroads, and the gradual decline of service has been taking place for several years.

Only last week, The Omaha World Herald ran a feature story on the Omaha Union Station and the inactivity to be found there now that railroads are cutting back passenger service as rapidly as they are allowed to do so by the Interstate Commerce Commission.

Once a bustling industry providing Sidney with by far its largest payroll, the Union Pacific personnel employed in Sidney has dwindled to a skeleton force.

25 Years Ago

'Board Adopts New Meeting Right'

September 12, 1990

The Sidney Board of Education met and approved a number of routine requests. Reports from building principals' were heard, and a decision made to move the regular meetings to Monday nights starting in October.

The board approved a request for South Elementary under the Choice Enrollment provision of state law. The Vera family lives at the airport and asked that Kelena attend Sidney schools rather than travel the required distance to Lorenzo.

Director of food Services June Katen told the board that the pilot school breakfast program at North is well accepted. After feeding 47 on the first day, the number of daily breakfasts served has risen to 64. She anticipates 75 to 100 per day by the end of the month, she said.

Sharon Segelke was appointed secretary to the Board.

The Board approved the contract of Neal "Stan" Custer as assistant principal and activities director at the high school.

The board voted to include the reporting requirements of "Rule 10" as part of its written policies. Rule 10 is a section of state law requiring that schools annually report performance of the school and its students to patrons of its district.

Federal law also requires that schools include a "drug-free workplace" policy in written policies, and the Board voted to officially include it in Sidney schools. Copies of the document will be sent home with each student and parents asked to read it.

High School Principal John McLane told the Board, "We are off to a good beginning of the school year, both for the students and teachers." Mclane said he heard a lot of "thank you's" from staff and students for the early dismissal time during the recent heat wave. He recommended that the Board begin thinking about a "heat day plan." Such a plan should involve an earlier opening in the morning, or a later calendar start of the school year, he said.

Elementary Principal Lowell Hawks told the board that "We have a a very cooperative working administrative group. It's the first time since I've been here that we've been able to work together this smoothly." he also said that South has collected $45,000 worth of Safeway receipts for computer equipment, and North $40,000. "The new teachers and the counselor are doing a super job," Hawks said. He added that the schools are seeing "more and more children in special education who qualify as severely handicapped." Many of these problems are in the areas of language development, he said.

10 Years Ago

'Woman Notified Her Husband Injured By Roadside Bomb'

September 13, 2005

The world came to a screeching halt for Rebecca Bramlett, of Sidney, on Sept 11.

Her husband, Staff Sgt. Shannon J. Bramlett, is on active duty, stationed with the 211th HHT in Kalsu, Iraq, and she is uneasy every day. Sept. 11 he called home from a medical aid station to tell her he was injured by a roadside bomb attack.

"Yesterday, which would have ben Sept. 11 for us, he called," Rebecca said. "To me it really hits home as to why we are over there. Freedom isn't free because people are getting wounded, people are dying over there so that we can be free."

Rebecca said Shannon called her cell phone from an army medical station where he was being treated. He called four times but she didn't hear the phone ring.

Shannon knew he had to inform her that he was injured because he contacts her everyday and knew she would be worried.

Shannon reached Rebecca at her mother's house, where she is staying.

"I couldn't believe it - it couldn't be. Well at least he's alive," she said.

Rebecca said it was clear that Shannon was in pain on the phone.

"He said, 'we were out on patrol and I was with two other guys.' When the bomb hits, shrapnel comes out of it. Shannon is the gunner. It busted up the driver's window but I don't know how bad the driver was wounded. The passenger was OK and my husband was hit in the face. We don't know how bad it is. I was told he has lesions - he hasn't actually seen his face," she said.

Rebecca said Shannon was pretty cut up and he also has a concussion.

"He is up for a Purple Heart now. He was upset of those jokey people and he was like, "Yep, I'm up for a Purple Heart.' He really didn't want to talk about it. He was trying to make it sound not as bad as it may be," Rebecca said.

Being half a world away from her injured husband is very difficult for Rebecca."I am scared because this is his second tour. His first was 14 months over there. I don't know if I will hear from him from one day to the next. If you don't tell him you love him that night, even if you are arguing, you may not get a chance to tell him that," she said.

Rebecca said she hopes Shannon will be able to come home but she really doesn't know how severe his injuries are.

"They'll probably try and keep him because the 211th has lost a lot of guys lately. It's worse over there now then it was," she said.

The Army's 211th HHT is based out of Fort Irwin, Calif. and Shannon is a native of Russellville, Ark. Rebecca is a native of Sidney and the two have been married one year this month.

4 Years Ago

'Mutts To Strut Their Stuff'

September 11, 2011

SIDNEY - The first Mutt Strutt 5K Walk and Run will take place on Saturday, Sept. 17, to benefit the Sidney Paw Park and Western Nebraska Community College.

"The idea came from WNCC who thought it would be great to have something which included out K-9 friends. Linda Roelle of WNCC approached the Sidney Paw Park with the idea, and we ran with it," event coordinator Amanda Glenn stated.

The Strutt will kick off at 8 a.m. with a Fly-Ball demonstration by certified instructor Tammy Fehringer.

The Fly-Ball demo will be followed at 8:45 by the Mutt Strutt 5K Walk and Run. The even is meant to encourage human participants and their furry friends to enjoy a run or walk.

A first and second place award will be given in the walking and running categories.

Enjoy the Mutt Strutt K-9 Contest from 10 to 11 a.m.. Categories for the contest includes: Smallest Dog, Largest Dog, Furriest Dog and Most Unique Dog, and prizes will be awarded to the first-place winner in each category.