The Year in Review 2024

High Speed in Neighborhood Intersection Reason for Crash; Continual Irresponsible Driving Patterns are Cause for Growing Community Concern

Kelsey Arrington

Sidney Sun-Telegraph

SIDNEY - The quiet neighborhood mirroring the Sidney Volunteer Police Department and the Sidney Public Library was rocked Wednesday afternoon, June 26th, by a serious collision caused by speeding in an intersection with no stop signs and no clear indication of right of way.

As the summer heats up and traffic increases, an important question should be asked - are our community children safe on the sidewalks, or crossing the street?

Residents Ray Garrett and Taylor Hagemeyer were traveling in separate directions around 2:00 pm; Garrett in a black Nissan Maxima was traveling at an accelerated speed above the 25-mile-per-hour limit, while Hagemeyer, who had the right of way, was driving a white Toyota Camry down Linden Street. Hagemeyer was listed as going at or below the listed limit.

An eyewitness account from a city employee reported Garrett attempted to leave the scene before police response had arrived; further, they commented that neither driver noticed the other until it was too late, with corrections from Hagemeyer not preventing the almost head-on collision. The city worker also voiced frustration with the extensive number of speeding cars and distracted drivers through the intersection regularly.

The exact listing of events is as follows, "Vehicle #1 traveling eastbound on Linden street at a high rate of speed, vehicle #2 traveling northbound on 12th crossing Linden, vehicle (1) due to speed was unable to yield to number 2 and struck number 2," so the police report reads. "Inattentive, Careless, Negligent or Erratic Manner," was listed as the contributing cause in the incident.

The accident required assistance from the "jaws of life," a hydraulic machine used to pry open the driver's side door of the Toyota; the Nissan suffered an extensive leak which required covering by fire personnel. Both cars were classified as totaled.

Hagemeyer's three children were buckled into car seats; all were unharmed during the afternoon incident.

Paramedics were on the scene, in addition to police and fire personnel. No further information is available at this time.

According to Nebraska Revised Statutes Chapter 60. Motor Vehicles § 60-6,146. "Vehicles approaching or entering intersection at same time; right-of-way; entering a highway or roadway roadways at approximately the same time, the driver of the vehicle on the left shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on the right." Which means in the absence of stop signs or lights at an intersection, the vehicle on the right has the Right-of-Way. If you are merging onto a highway or roadway, the opposite is true, as stated in article (2) of the same provision: "Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (1) of this section, a vehicle entering a highway from an acceleration lane, a ramp, or any other approach road shall yield the right-of-way to a vehicle on the main roadway entering such merging area at the same time, regardless of whether the approach road is to the left or the right of the main roadway, unless posted signs indicate otherwise."

We all know the frustrations of modern life and having a busy schedule, but speed limits are there to protect all road users. Faster doesn't mean safer." The statistics conclude that for two-decades speeding has been a factor in 1/3 of all motor vehicle fatalities.

Fortunately, at 2:00 pm Wednesday, June 26th, there were no children crossing the street to the Sidney Public Library. As the intersection by the public library is frequented by children and bicyclists, especially during summer, the old saying is more important now than ever- always look both ways before crossing the street.

Taking Back Summer: Obstacle Course and 5k Mud Run Makes Big Splash with Community

Kelsey Arrington

Sidney Sun-Telegraph

SIDNEY- The Cheyenne County Fair and Rodeo's final day began with a splash of mud, participants from surrounding areas got down and dirty for Take Back Health & Fitness' 4th annual obstacle course with a special addition this year Ð a 5k mud run.

Put on with the help of volunteers and sponsors, TBH&F owners, Amanda Bauer and Kalena Seaman, brainstormed the idea; the race serves as a community event to get out in the sun, sweat, and have fun with neighbors and friends. Held in the past at the beginning of June, the annual run moved to the end of July to partner with the Cheyenne County Fair and Rodeo. "The fair has been great to work with, they've helped us in any way that we've asked," Bauer says, noting that the fair helped to prep the grounds for the finish line mud pit.

Open to all ages, the race had over 20 participants, many of whom were local youth. With obstacles scattered along the 3.1-mile track, a giant slip-and-slide, balance beams, battle ropes, tire flips, and water stations graced the path with a mud pit sitting at the end. "I wanted to sign up for the obstacles because I love parkour activities," Lyiah Odgen comments after the race's end, "I honestly liked everything I didn't have a favorite part, but the water slide was nice."

Finishing with a time of 30 minutes, Kyle Weiser of Greeley, Colorado took first place in the adult category, "I have family from Sidney, so I came back to see them and to participate in this race," Weiser had to say, "The best part of the run was watching the camaraderie between the fellow runners, well, and the water slide too, I guess."

Taking the youth division by storm was 12-year-old Hunter Elston just on the heels of Weiser, "The best part was probably the mud or getting washed off at the end," Elston says with a laugh, "It was all fun!"

Listening to the comments of other participants one thing was clear, the mud run obstacle course was a clear success, "This was by far the best 5k I've ever run," Kelsey Hauge mentions, "We ran, we crawled, we climbed, and we even swam!" Hauge ran the race with her friend, a first-time 5k participant, Stephanie Nelson.

Gaining steam for next year's race, Take Back Health & Fitness celebrated post-race with a cool down in the mud, "This (year) was the most fun yet," Bauer and Seaman's post reads on Facebook.

If you are interested in helping with the obstacle course or 5k mud run, contact Take Back Health & Fitness by calling (308)-203-1530.Pole Creek Estates is a New Home for Long-Term Care

MIKE MOTZ

Sidney Sun-Telegraph

SIDNEY--After many years of planning, construction was completed and the ribbon was cut. The public was eager to tour the new world-class Long Term Care facility at Sidney Regional Medical Center on Thursday, September 12. The ribbon-cutting ceremony and grand opening were attended by a large crowd, eager to see the completed project that was many years in the making, and that will offer the community a well-appointed long-term care solution. The addition of Pole Creek Estates was a project that required many people and organizations to work together and overcome challenges, and the result was as good as advertised.

Dr. Rebecca Allard, Medical Director of Pole Creek Estates, spoke about the new facility. She said, "There are 63 beds, some of them are double occupancy or semi-private rooms, but the vast majority of them are private rooms. We are close to full occupancy, but we still have a few beds available."

The facility is on the west side of SRMC and has an adjoining hallway for access. Rather than having a facility located miles away from the hospital, Pole Creek Estates is connected with the hospital, allowing residents to access the hospital's medical services without needing transportation to another facility. It not only makes living easier for the residents but makes the operations of the staff more efficient and smooth.

Allard said, "This is their home, but we also want it to be their community. We wanted to make sure all of the features of the old facility, like the hair salon, were kept while adding more things for them to enjoy like the coffee shop. We want to keep the people who are living here full-time as happy as we can and to make it as much as a home as we can."

"The biggest challenge about this is that we have been talking about this new facility for 11 years--ever since I first came here. The biggest hurdle was financing to start with and community support for it. It's always been the goal, especially

since we moved the hospital, to add the nursing home because we knew that we needed it and the community needed it. The biggest challenge was to figure out how we could do it and how we could make it function financially and physically"

When asked how she felt coming into the facility for the first time, Allard said, "I love it. I hadn't seen it with the furniture in it until today, so it's kind of a sigh of relief that we're finally at this point. I saw the facility a few months ago when it was just sheet-rock, and now to see it with paint and furniture is exciting."

Walking through the facility, people were impressed with the warm color tones and comfortable appointments throughout. New recliners and sofas, well-laid-out eating areas, and a modern yet familiar feel to the facility impressed the curious and future residents. Every modern convenience was designed into the facility, both inside and out. There are multiple patio areas with comfortable seating, and some have grilling stations for outdoor dining and to enjoy the outdoors steps away from the residents' rooms. Besides comfort, significant upgrades from the prior facility will help the staff and residents, such as having oxygen piped through the walls and available to every room, cutting out the need for oxygen machines that are noisy and require a staff member to operate.

Heath Faranzen and Vaughn Martin of Sampson General Contractors were the men behind the construction of the facility. When it was noted how quickly the construction was finished, Faranzen said, "I think a lot of things went our way. We bid the job out at the right time of year, in early winter. We had had the groundbreaking last June, and the weather during the time of construction was pretty much perfect."

Martin added, "We had a lot of great subcontractors on the job. Early on it was a little difficult to find the right subcontractors for the job as some were hesitant to come out here, so it took hundreds of phone calls, but we found the right team. We had maybe one or two people that we had to pull along, but for the most part, this was a very good job for everybody. And to see the support from the community that came out today for the ribbon-cutting is amazing"

Sampson did such a good job that the project came in over $300,000 under budget. This allowed SRMC to make a few upgrades and certain touches that they were going to have to find a way to pay for later on. But the efficient construction work saved enough money that upgrades like enhanced landscaping were done now, and wouldn't have to wait. The 44,500 sq. ft. facility was able to be loaded up with all of the enhancements that SRMC administrators believed would have to come later as another funded project.

Judy Frerichs, Vice President of Extended Care Services for SRMC, had the honor of cutting the ribbon at the dedication ceremony. She was very emotional during the ceremony and spoke about how she felt seeing the new facility open.

"All of the residents and individuals over years that have been frustrated with a roommate, or not having enough room for their stuff, to be able to give 51 of 63 individuals their own room without having to share it with a roommate is the best gift we could ever give these people. That's always been a big thing, as they would ask "Can't we have our own rooms?", so for us to give that to them now, and the rooms are beautiful, it's such a great gift."

On Wednesday, September 18, the move to the new facility will start early in the morning for the residents. The goal is to have all the residents over into the new facility by lunchtime. Upgraded kitchen and laundry facilities give the residents and staff a better place to live and work, and Frerichs said that the residents are excited about their new living spaces.

SRMC CEO Jason Petik was proud of the facility and reflected upon the hard work required to complete the project.

"This facility came in at a total cost of 24.5 million dollars. We had the Board fund half of that, the USDA gave us long-term financing for another $12 million, and Points West Bank helped with the construction financing. The County Commissioners and City Council were very supportive during this whole process, and many phone calls and letters were sent to the USDA on our behalf to make this project a reality. We can't thank all of those involved enough for their help."

Petik has made significant improvements to SRMC during his tenure, and with Pole Creek Estates now completed, he is turning his attention to another project that will add even more services to SRMC and benefit the community.

"We have a big project coming up, and we're looking to partner with Regional West Medical Center to build a new cancer center facility, and we're moving forward. The land has been re-zoned for its use, and hopefully, by next spring we will start on the new facility here in Sidney," said Petik.

local assistance

PHOTO COURTESY OF SUSAN MEYERS

ABOVE: Megumi Willson (left) and Lily Zeleny enjoyed a bike ride in downtown Sidney after school. When asked about opportunities for improving safety for cycling in Sidney, Willson replied, "There needs to be a pathway through the underpass that allows bicycles. Right now, we ride on the street."

BARBARA PEREZ

Sidney Sun-Telegraph

The City of Sidney was recently awarded federal grant funds from the US Department of Transportation's Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program to complete an Action Plan focused on reducing traffic deaths and serious injuries and improving safety for all roadway users in the community of Sidney.

There will be multiple upcoming opportunities to engage with the City of Sidney's Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Action Plan. The public is strongly encouraged to stop by the SS4A booth during Oktoberfest on Friday through Sunday, October 4-6, in the Farmers Market Building. A pop-up event will also be held at Sidney High during the football game on Friday, October 4, 2024.

The Safe Streets Plan, funded by a $300,000 federal grant, focuses on improving transportation safety for all roadway users in the Sidney community, including walking, biking and rolling. The city has hired consultants MCS (M.C. Schaff and Associates) to create the plan. One of the most important aspects to this program being successful is the input from the community.

"Gathering feedback from the community is crucial for us to establish the plan," said MCS Project Engineer, David Schaff. "Data helps us to understand the collisions in our community, but it only tells a piece of the picture. We need input from the community."

The community is encouraged to get actively get involved and share their concerns, thoughts, and ideas to help shape the plan over the coming months. The project website has a commenting map where users can "drop pins" to plot locations of area that raise safety concerns and ideas, as well as to comment on or upvote the comments of others. Citizens can complete online surveys, submit comments via the online map, and also submit comments directly to project manager Susan Myers, (M.C. Schaff & Associates) as ways to provide feedback for the next three to four months. Says Meyers, "The success of Sidney's Safe Streets for All Project is highly dependent upon meaningful input from Sidney's community members and constituents. Our ultimate goal is to support the City of Sidney in crafting a plan (Sidney Safety Action Plan) that will support the safety and wellbeing of our citizens of all ages and travel modes, for generations to come. We sincerely thank each and every individual who offers input through our Open Forums and Survey opportunities."

It is important to note that all information gathered from the website will be anonymous, and no identifying information will be needed in order to participate or to contribute. "The online survey and commenting map are completely anonymous. All public input received will be included and considered, and lead to a more effective and sustainable plan, reflecting Sidney's priorities and realities."

The action plan focuses on enhancing connectivity, meeting user-specific safety requirements, implementing traffic calming measures, and improving accessibility and visibility in high-traffic areas, with a special focus being placed on tackling transportation safety issues in school zones. There will also be an emphasis on identifying designated school routes that prioritize biking and walking.

After developing the action plan, the City of Sidney can then apply for implementation grants provided by the Federal Highway Administration.

Schaff mentioned that the city can use those grants to implement real infrastructure improvements.

"In the meantime, educating the public and exercising caution can enhance safety on local streets, particularly in high-traffic zones like downtown areas, commercial districts, and around schools."

The public is encouraged to drop by to view exhibits and share feedback with the planning team. The police department and school district are also key stakeholders in developing the action plan. The pop-up events being held at upcoming athletic events and Oktoberfest are excellent places for the public to be provided with information about the planning process, share initial findings on data already collected, and gather public feedback on community transportation safety goals and priorities.

Public input will be gathered over the next 3 months, but will continue to be accepted until the draft plan is completed early next year, 2025.

Additional in-person opportunities for public input will be provided and announced in the coming weeks and months.

The public is encouraged to engage in the Action Plan online at anytime at https://bit.ly/SSAP-plan where users can complete a short survey, add comments to a map, and pledge commitment to streets that are safe, accessible, and shared by everyone in the community.

It's crucial to provide feedback on what Schaff and Myers refer to as "near misses"Ñ areas and incidents that don't necessarily lead to accidents but indicate potential problems. The city's consulting team has collected extensive data on reported accidents and issues. However, without community input, it will be challenging to include "near misses" in the action plan.

Myers concluded the interview with, "Everyone in the community has a say in how the Safety Action Plan is developed. ÊResidents have firsthand knowledge of the most dangerous intersections, roads, and travel ways in Sidney. ÊCommunity feedback brings diverse perspectives and those firsthand experiences; it highlights unique challenges experienced by members throughout the community including pedestrians, cyclists, persons with disabilities; and this crucial input can lead to innovative, inclusive and practical solutions that might not be apparent to engineers and planners alone."Ê

Submit comments at any time to Susan Myers, via email at [email protected], or by calling 308-635- 1926.

OCTOBER 24, 2024

Football and Fun for a Good Cause

PHOTO/MIKE MOTZ, SIDNEY SUN-TELEGRAPH

Krista Bruns of PlainsWest CASA announces raffle winners during a break in the Husker's game.

Kelsey Arrington

Sidney Sun-Telegraph

Saturday, October 19, 2024, was a beautiful day for Husker football, chicken wings, and for the community to come together to support a great cause. PlainsWest CASA's third annual Lori Bartling Memorial Husker Tailgate Party, hosted at Lazy S Ranch just outside of Sidney, was once again a rousing success.

Friends and family gathered together to remember Bartling, while also supporting her lasting legacy that was a cause dear to her heart, Plains

West CASA. Krista Bruns, Plains West CASA director had this to say about the annual celebration, "This is our third year working with this event, and we are working towards raising $5,000 for next year's scholarships for the kids in the CASA program. We offer scholarships to any incoming college student, technical school student, trade or vocational school student, and support them throughout their college careers. Every May we accept applications, and every kid gets $1k in scholarship money. The first student we supported is now a senior, and she will be graduating in December."

An impressive array of delicious food was offered and served by Lazy S, including the fan favorites of sloppy joes, hickory-smoked wings, and other game-day finger foods.

Ron Kissler, Cheyenne County Deputy Sheriff, worked with Bartling for ten years during her time as County Clerk. He remembered her warmly, "Lori was such a humble person and she would be overwhelmed at all the people who have come out every year to honor her memory for such a great cause."

Next year's fundraiser is set for October 11, 2025, again at Lazy S Ranch.

If you would like more information about the program or would like to donate, you can contact them at 308-203-1120 or visit their websitewww.plainswestcasa.org

OCTOBER 31, 2024

Sidney Police Chief Aikens Resigns After 42 Years of Service

Denies Allegations of Misconduct, Retains All Benefits

PHOTO/MIKE MOTZ, SIDNEY SUN-TELEGRAPH

Sidney Police Chief Joe Aikens announced his resignation effective October 31,2024 after 42 years of service.

MIKE MOTZ

Sidney Sun-Telegraph--A press release dated October 25, 2024 marked the sad ending to a long career dedicated to the service of the Sidney community, as Sidney Police Chief Joe Aikens officially resigned his position effective October 31, 2024. The announce came after weeks of speculation regarding Aikens being placed on Administrative Leave, but no reason for the leave was given by City of Sidney officials, nor any time frame for the completion of the investigation.

A press release issued by City Manager David Scott read as follows:

A compliant was made on September 11, 2024, alleging misconduct by the Sidney Nebraska Police Chief. The Police Chief denies the complaint and all allegations made. After 42 years of service, the Police Chief has decided to resign his position with the City of Sidney effective October 31, 2024, to spend more time with his family. The Police Chief will receive all benefits to which he is entitled per city employee policy.

Joe Aikens started with the Sidney Police Department in 1982 as a dispatcher. He was promoted to patrolman in 1986, then moved into a command position with the department in 1991, and then became Assistant Chief in 2001. He was named Interim Chief in March, 2013, when Sidney Police Chief Mike Brown announced his resignation from the department to return to his family in Kansas to tend to family members dealing with illnesses.

Aikens is well-known and respected in the Sidney, and the news of his being put on Administrative Leave sent shockwaves through the community. Due to Civil Service procedures and privacy concerns, no statement was provided by the Sidney Police Department or the City of Sidney concerning the reason or reasons why Aikens was placed on Administrative leave. The announcement of Aikens' resignation did not include any details of the allegation made against the Chief, only that Aikens denied the compliant and allegations leveled against him. City manager David Scott said that Chief Aikens would be entitled to be paid out any vacation time or sick time he is due, as would any other City employee that resigned, was terminated, or retired.

The City of Sidney will now initiate the process of finding a permanent replacement for Aikens, following the Civil Service laws of Nebraska. Currently, Sidney Police Officer Sam Lovato is serving as Interim Police Chief. As per state law, the City of Sidney will post the job opening for four weeks, and then the Civil Service Commission will meet, interview, and test applicants for the job. The time frame for this process is based on the availability of the Civil Service Commission and could take anywhere from weeks to months, depending upon the number of applicants.

NOVEMBER 7, 2024

2024 Results are In!

Fischer wins U.S. Senate, Strommen takes Legislative Seat, Smith re-elected, Kuhns elected to City Council, Radcliff keeps seat

PHOTO/MIKE MOTZ, SIDNEY SUN-TELEGRAPH

Poll workers Bonita Dickinson and Donna Cornelius had a busy day on Tuesday, as election-day turnout was high.

SIDNEY--Incumbent Burke Radcliff retianed his seat for the City of Sidney Council, earning 1216 votes after 10 out of 10 precincts reported there totals on Tuesday night. Robert J. Kuhns earned the second most number of votes with 1,172, followed by Brian Fort with 1049 votes and incumbent Brock Buckner, Sr. received 787. The top two candidates take seats on the City council.

Sidney City Councilman and Vice-Mayor Paul Strommen won a seat in the Nebraska Legislature with a big win over Larry S. Bolinger/ Strommemnt earned 3100 votes to Bolinger's 653.

Three seats on the Sidney School Board were up for election this years, and Amber Talich earned the most votes with 2167, and she was followed by Brad Kennedy, who earned 2,113. Kevin Challburg received 1,631 votes, while Caleb Jones rounded out the field with 739.  Talich, Kennedy, and Challburg earned seats on the Sidney School Board.

For the Village of Lodgepole Board of Trustees, Susan Mitchell earned 112 votes, Alan C. Runge earned 96 votes, Gwen T. Devie had 67 and Eric L. Dana had 78 votes, while R. J. Savely Jr. received 25 votes.

The Potter Village Board race saw Melanie Rotert earn 109 votes, followed by Jerry Deines with 91, Edward Revord with 116 votes and Alisha Juelfs with 113 votes.

Initiative Measure 436

Paid Sick Leave Initiative

This measure seeks

to establish a statute providing paid sick time for personal or family leave, for employers with both more than twenty employees and less than twenty employees.

Initiative Measure 439

Protect the Right to Abortion Constitutional Amendment

The measure would amend Article I of the Nebraska Constitution to add a new section providing a right to abortion until fetal viability.

Initiative Measure 434

Protect Women and Children Constitutional Amendment

This measure would amend the Nebraska Constitution to provide that except when a woman seeks an abortion necessitated by a medical emergency or when the pregnancy results from sexual assault or incest, unborn children shall be protected from abortion in the second and third trimesters.

Initiative Measure 437

Medical Cannabis Patient Protection Initiative

This initiative would enact the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Patient Protection Act. The act would legalize the use of up to five ounces of marijuana for medical purposes by qualified patients

Initiative Measure 438

Medical Cannabis Regulation Initiative

This initiative would legalize possession, manufacturing, distribution, delivery, and dispensing of marijuana for medical purposes. It would establish the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission to regulate and provide the necessary registration for the medical marijuana program.

Referendum Measure 435

Private Education Scholarship Partial Referendum

This is an official summary of the measure provided by your election administrator.

Repeal Section 1 of LB 1402, passed by the 108th Nebraska Legislature in 2024, which directs $10 million dollars annually for financial grants-in-aid for eligible students to attend a qualifying privately operated elementary or secondary school in Nebraska.

NOVEMBER 28, 2024

Food trucks Create Challenge for Local Restaurants

More Choices Can Hurt Local Established Restaurants

STOCK PHOTO/

Are out-of-town food trucks offering locals more dining choices at the expense of local restaurants?

MIKE MOTZ

Sidney Sun-Telegraph

SIDNEY--Lately, it seems that not only the frequency of food truck vendors setting up in local business parking lots has increased but the number of vendors has also increased. From burgers to fish, there are many varieties of foods to purchase, and in most cases, customers say the quality of the items is excellent. Most would think that having more choices for food in Sidney is a good thing, but the additional options presented by these mobile eateries can cause problems for established restaurants in Sidney.

The Sun-Telegraph was contacted by a local restaurant owner who had also spoken with other area restaurant owners and many are all concerned about the amount of customers these food trucks are taking away from their brick-and-mortar businesses. Established restaurants that pay property taxes and utility fees are essential for the well-being of a town like Sidney. However, allowing food trucks to operate often gives consumers more choices in meal options, and can be more convenient for some people. Most notable, most of these food trucks offer menu choices that local restaurants simply do not provide.

Many cities have this issue where established brick-and-mortar restaurants that pay property taxes and other fees see their businesses get hurt by an influx of food trucks. In large cities, this is often a big problem as some of these food trucks will be set up right outside of established eateries. Larger cities often deal with this issue by not allowing food trucks to sell similar types of food within a certain radius of brick-and-mortar restaurants. They will also charge Food Truck vendors extremely high permit fees and have limits on the number of permits issued. A city of the size of Sidney generally does not have this type of problem, as there are usually very few food trucks operating within city limits, but the recent increase in the amount of Food Truck and frequency of operation has become a cause of concern for established restaurants.

The Sun-Telegraph contacted City Manager David Scott, who directed us to ask questions to City Clerk Lori Borchert as she manages the permit process for the City of Sidney. From her information, we can report that the current cost for a food vendor permit per day is $30. They also can pay $350 for an annual permit. Vendors must pay all Federal, State, and City taxes, and be inspected and have a Food License through the Nebraska Department of Health. Borchert said the fee amounts are reviewed yearly, and that daily fees were increased in 2019, and the $350 yearly fee was added in 2022.

Borchert said that there are no limits to the amount of days they can operate, as long as the daily or annual permit fees are paid. The city issues an occupation license to display for public viewing. She noted that most Food Truck vendors operate for one day only, and most only operate one day per month, and are seasonal. She also said that all vendors pay applicable federal, state, and city taxes, and along with their license from the NE Department of Agriculture, Food & Safety, all proper documentation must be submitted to obtain a permit.

The Sun-Telegraph also contacted neighboring cities Scottsbluff and Ogallala to find out their process and fee amounts. Scottsbluff, with a little more than double the population of Sidney, has all of the same permitting requirements as Sidney when it comes to taxes and Food & Safety requirements. There is a difference in fees, however. Scottsbluff charges $25 for a weekly permit, $50 for a two-week permit, and $100 for a yearly permit.

Ogallala is closer in population to Sidney than Scottsbluff, and follows all of the same procedures as Sidney when it comes to tax and health and safety requirements. Their permitting fee is different from Sidney and Scottsbluff, as Ogallala only offers a 30-day permit option for $100. Many of the Food Truck operations in Ogallala and the area are seasonal, with most of these vendors located at or near Lake McConaughy.

The Sun-Telegraph contacted Sidney Mayor Brad Sherman about his issue. He said, "I understand the concerns of our local restaurants, as they are paying property taxes and other fees to the city, and we don't want to put them in a position where they are losing significant amounts of business to these trucks. However, these trucks also generate some revenues for the city, and give the residents some other food options, which is a good thing. I think that this is an issue that the council will address in the future to see if any adjustments on fee amounts or permitting processes need to be made."

The City of Sidney faces a commerce challenge with this issue, where the desire to add businesses generating sales tax and permitting fees has to be tempered by ensuring established brick-and-mortar businesses that pay not only sales taxes but a relatively large share of property taxes and utility costs are not hurt by these vendors. Sidney does charge more for permits than other nearby cities, however, the issue of fees and number of days these food trucks are allowed to operate are reviewed annually. We believe that food trucks offering different options than the local fare are a good thing for Sidney residents, however, we strongly urge citizens to visit these trucks as a special treat and remember that our established local restaurants depend upon the patronage of the citizens to keep in business. And these establishments staying in business is a big part of Sidney remaining prosperous and successfully growing into the future.

DECEMBER 12, 2024

Cheyenne County Holiday Heroes Save All is Bright Christmas Tour

Sheriff's Department arrest rabble-rousing ruffian, Capture Grinch Trying to Disrupt Saturday's Event

PHOTO/ MIKE MOTZ, SIDNEY SUN-TELEGRAPH

Lt. Knappen and Deputy Tvrs of the Cheyenne County Sheriff's Department take the Grinch into custody and escort him out of the All is Bright Christmas Tour Saturday evening.

MIKE MOTZ

Sidney Sun-Telegraph

SIDNEY--A call to the Cheyenne County Sheriff's Department Saturday evening stopped potential mistle-toe mishap. Reports of the Grinch causing a disturbance at the All is Bright Christmas Tour at the Cheyenne County Fairgrounds prompted a response from Cheyenne County Sheriff's Department personnel. Their quick reaction stopped a major problem that could ruin any Christmas celebration. Fortunately, the well-trained Sheriff's Department personnel were prepared for this type of disturbance, and their quick action saved the All is Bright Christmas Tour Saturday evening.

The suspect, identified as the Grinch, or "Mister Grinch" as he refers to himself, was described as a cranky, solitary creature, pear-shaped with a pot belly, covered with green fur, with a heart purported to be two sizes too small. He lives most of the year on Mount Crumpit overlooking Whoville, the home of the Whos. Psychologists have said that the Grinch suffers from antisocial personality Disorder, which makes him hate joyous celebrations such as Christmas and causes him to develop schemes to ruin the joy of others involved in these celebrations. He is known for disguising himself as Santa Claus to help with his dastardly plans of stealing Christmas presents and food for feasts. It is said that the Grinch steals these items not out of a desire for riches or property, but to spoil the fun of others. In summary, he's a low-down cantankerous so-and-so that should be avoided at all costs.

Had been spotted riding in the parade on a motorcycle. Although he was disguised in an outfit similar to Santa Claus, the children along the parade route were not fooled and pointed out the Grinch.

"There he is! It's the Grinch!" shouted one young boy to a Sidney Police Officer watching the parade, but the officer had no cause to arrest the Grinch as he was properly riding his motorcycle, and his license and registration sticker were properly affixed to the vehicle. However, a sharp eye was kept on the Grinch during the Hickory Square celebration.

Upon this reporter's arrival at the Fairgrounds it was observed that two Cheyenne County Sheriff's personnel, identified as Lt. Tony Knappen and Deputy Mason Tvrs pulled up in their vehicles with emergency lights flashing, and they ran into the Pavilion at the Fairgrounds. The two officers quickly corralled the Grinch on the outskirts of Whoville, much to the delight of the people celebrating inside the All is Bright Christmas Tour. As the officers brusquely pulled the Grinch out of the Pavilion, one small child was heard to say, "Please don't hurt the Grinch," showing that the children of Cheyenne County have far more compassion for such a loathsome creature as he does them.

Cheyenne County Tourism Director Kendra Mitchell was the eagle-eyed citizen who spotted the Grinch up to no good and immediately reported him to the Sheriff's Department, with nary a thought towards her own safety.

"I happened to step outside for a moment and I saw the Grinch lurking around in the dark. He was dressed as Santa Claus, but he didn't fool me," Mitchell said.

Mitchell kept a close eye on the Grinch, but he was a slippery fellow, and he disappeared behind one of the buildings at the Fairgrounds.

Mitchell said, "I went back inside, and a few minutes later I noticed somehow the Grinch squeezed under one of the overhead doors and started causing trouble in Whoville. He was scaring the kids and causing a ruckus, stealing presents from one of the children."

Mitchell was not unprepared, as the weekend's theme for All is Bright was "Whoville", and she thought that with such joy in Whoville, the Grinch might make an appearance.

"I immediately called the Sheriff's Department and they arrived within a minute. The Grinch tried to make his escape towards the west side of the Pavilion, but Santa blocked his way. Santa does not like the Grinch and it bothers him that the Grinch dresses like Santa to try to fool children," said Mitchell.

Knappen and Tvrs were able to quickly capture the Grinch and return the stolen presents to the young girl, then they removed the Grinch from the Pavilion and placed him inside one of the Sheriff's vehicles. Also in the vehicle was K-9 Deputy Riggs who had been anxiously waiting since first picking up the Grinch's scent. Riggs was a very good boy and barked at the Grinch any time he tried to move or squeeze through one of the doors. When questioned about where Deputy Riggs first picked up the Grinch's scent, he responded simply, "Roof!"

Knappen and Tvrs reported leaving the scene and heading to the Cheyenne County Jail. As they traveled, it was discovered the Grinch's eyes seemingly welled up with tears. K9 Deputy Riggs licked his face and the Grinch started to bawl uncontrollably. Knappen asked the Grinch what was going on and the Grinch replied that he had a dog once, and he misses him very much. During the holidays, it is hard for the Grinch as he remembers his dog, and is reminded how lonely he truly is. Knappen and Tvrs spoke with the Grinch about how everybody can participate in the Holiday Season, and even if you're sad, you can find joy in the little things and in the generosity the season offers. The officers presented the Grinch with a plate of cookies and some milk, which the Grinch quickly ate and drank, and a big smile started to creep across his face. Both the officers noticed that his chest was swelling, and the Grinch said that his two sizes too small heart was growing to normal size and that he suddenly felt so much better.

The Grinch then told the officers that he couldn't wait to get out and get presents for the children and all kinds of treats like popcorn, plums, Who pudding, and Who Roast Beast. But then he remembered the trouble he had just caused as they pulled up to the Cheyenne County jail, and started to become sad again. Cheyenne County Sheriff Sheriff Adam Frerichs said that the two officers came to him and told him about what happened, and it seemed that the Grinch just missed his dog, and that Deputy Riggs cheered him up so much that it got the Grinch into the Christmas spirit.

"Well, when you a see a Grinch with a heart two sizes bigger than usual, and that he's filled with Christmas spirit, it's hard to charge him with crimes when there was no harm done. He said he looked forward to joining in Christmas Celebrations and helping to bring toys to kids. He said that he was very skilled at making musical instruments like floofloovers, tartookas, whohoopers, and gardookas. . Although he could have been booked for trespassing, disturbing the peace, attempted burglary, and malignant Grinchery, we decided that it was in everybody's best interest to let him go with a warning. I'm not saying that the Grinch is completely rehabilitated, but he promised to be good and not ruin anyone's fun," said Frerichs.

If you see the Grinch out and about, he could be in a good mood, however, be cautious because you can never be too careful around an unpredictable schemer like the Grinch. Perhaps if enough Cheyenne County children ask Santa to bring the Grinch a new dog, he might be happy all the time, and stop being a menace.

DECEMBER 19, 2024

Law Enforcement Executes Search Warrants on Multiple Homes

Tips from Community Lead to North Side Drug Raid

PHOTO/MIKE MOTZ, SIDNEY SUN-TELEGRAPH

Multiple law enforcement agencies served search warrants in the North Side of Sidney and took 10 individuals into custody on Wednesday, December 11, 2024.

MIKE MOTZ

Sidney Sun-Telegraph

SIDNEY-- On Wednesday, December 11, 2024, multiple law enforcement groups executed search warrants on two houses, outside structures, and mobile homes on Elm Street near the former North Side Elementary School location. 10 individuals were taken into custody and detained at the Cheyenne County jail.

Interim Sidney Police Chief Sam Lovato spoke with the Sun-Telegraph. Although he was unable to give full details of the operation due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, he was able to add a few details to the original statement given by the Sidney Police Department on the day of the arrests.

Lovato said that the search warrants were obtained after tips from the community over the past few weeks led law enforcement to believe some type of drug operation was operating on Elm Street, near the former North Side Elementary School location. Due to the nature of the operation, Lovato said it was necessary to bring in a large force from multiple law enforcement agencies. Sidney Police, Cheyenne County Sheriffs, Nebraska State Patrol, and the Kimball Police Department participated in the action.

Lovato said that none of the individuals involved resisted arrest, and the operation went smoothly. He said the warrants involved two residences, outlying structures at the residences such as sheds, and more than one recreational vehicle that was searched. Lovato said the Sidney Volunteer Fire Department provided law enforcement with tools to open locked doors and panels, and that interagency cooperation was key to the successful operation. He said that the investigation was ongoing, so no other details could be shared with the public at this time, but he assured community members that there was no immediate threat in the area.

In other Law Enforcement news, on December 8, 2024, at about 8:40 pm, the Sidney Police Department responded to a report of an assault in progress at the Sioux Villa Apartments. The caller stated that an intoxicated male was involved in a physical altercation with another male and a female.

Upon arrival, the Sidney Police apprehended a male suspect who was intoxicated and transported to the Cheyenne County Jail. The suspect faces charges related to the assault. The victim was transported to Sidney Regional Medical Center by the Sidney Regional Ambulance Service due to the severity of his injuries. Interim Sidney Police Chief Sam Lovato said that the incident arose from one male having too much to drink and tempers flaring. The victim sustained facial injuries.

Lovato also noted that three new Sidney Police Department Officers had completed their academy training. Officers Stone, Meyer, and Parker have completed their academy training and now will partner with senior officers to complete the rest of their local training. Lovato also noted that Officer Stone was honored with the prestigious Academic Award for achieving the highest GPA in their class. Lovato said the localized training usually takes about 16 weeks, however, it will be shorter for Officers Stone and Meyer as they completed a substantial portion of their training before going to the academy. After completion, the Officers will be certified to patrol alone. Lovato said that Sidney had benefitted from an uptick in recruitment, and in addition to the Police Department's new headquarters, he believes that the Department mentality and changes with community focus and working with other departments have attracted a new pool of applicants. He said that he expects the Sidney Police Department to be at full staff, which numbers 14 in addition to the Police Chief, by July of 2025.