Construction to begin on 50 year old airport terminal

South Dakota State Fair opens today in Huron

Cheif of staff to Democratic U.S Rep. suspended for Drunk driving.

HEADLINE STORIES IN THE KBRX NEWS CENTER

Northeast Community College To Close For Labor Day

9/1/10
(NORFOLK, Neb.) – In observance of the Labor Day holiday, all offices at Northeast Community College in Norfolk and its education centers at South Sioux City, West Point, and O’Neill will close at 3 p.m. on Friday, September 3, and will remain closed through Monday, September 6. 

College and education center offices will re-open Tuesday, September 7, at 8 a.m.

Wagner Labor Day Celebration This Weekend

9/1/10

O'Neill Public School Board To Hold Special Open Meeting September 8

9/1/10
The O'Neill Public School Board of Education will hold a special open meeting at the O'Neill Elementary School on Wednesday, September 8 at 6:00 pm to receive support, opposition, criticism, suggestions. or observations regarding facility plans.  The agenda is kept continuously current and may be reviewd at the O'Neill Public School Administrative Offices at 410 East Benton in O'Neill.

High Winds & Heavy Rain Hit KBRX Area Monday Night

This tree lost a big limb in Ford Park in O'Neill Monday night. Entire trees being knocked
down in the area were also reported.

8/31/10

Rainfall reports from the area include: 1.8" at Spencer, 2.30" 8 miles north of Bristow, 1" at the County Shed in northeast Holt County and 1" at Marita Placek's in Lynch.

The University of Nebraska Medical Center Holds White Coat ceremonies in Omaha, Lincoln, Kearney, Scottsbluff and Norfolk

8/31/10
The University of Nebraska Medical Center held White Coat ceremonies in Omaha, Lincoln, Kearney, Scottsbluff and Norfolk in August to recognize 489 new students in pharmacy, nursing, medicine and dentistry. In a symbolic ceremony, students donned white coats signifying the beginning of their health career and took an oath of professionalism.

The UNMC College of Medicine held its White Coat ceremony for 132 students in Omaha.
The UNMC College of Nursing held its Nightingale White Coat ceremony for 243 students at its locations in Omaha, Lincoln, Kearney, Scottsbluff and Norfolk.
The UNMC College of Dentistry held its ceremony for 71 new dental and dental hygiene students in Lincoln.
The UNMC College of Pharmacy held its White Coat ceremony for 43 students in Omaha.

Here are students from the KBRX area that received their White Coats:

College of Pharmacy (Omaha)
Chambers -- Valarie Hoffman
Elgin -- Wade Hoefer
O'Neill -- Sloane Schneider

College of Medicine (Omaha)
Creighton -- Jon DeMuth
Neligh -- Kendra Timm
Spencer -- Mikaela Miller

College of Nursing Lincoln Division
Atkinson -- Jamie Rossman

UNMC College of Nursing Kearney Division
Atkinson -- Ross McClanahan

UNMC College of Nursing West Nebraska Division (Scottsbluff)
O’Neill – Amber Baseggio

UNMC College of Nursing Northern Division (Norfolk)
Atkinson -- Riley Ohde
Elgin -- Julie Henn
Stuart -- Jami Dvorak

Nebraska Corn And Soybeans Still In Good Shape

8/31/10
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska's corn and soybean crops remain in pretty good shape even after the recent hot weather.
     The U.S. Department of Agriculture said Monday that the state's corn and soybean crops remain near or ahead of last year.
     About 81 percent of Nebraska's corn is in good or excellent condition. That's ahead of last year's crop at the same time.
     And about 76 percent of the soybean crop is in good or excellent shape. That's near last year.
     About 78 percent of the state's sorghum crop is also in good or excellent condition. That's better than last year.

Brady Wakefield Wins Dan Barritt Memorial Buckle At O'Neill High School Rodeo

(left to right) Jay Barritt, Brady Wakefield, Dillon Tiede, Jamie Barritt

8/30/10
The O'Neill High School Rodeo was held Sunday at the Carney Park Arena in south O'Neill. Each event winner receives a Championship Buckle that is provided by donors.

This year the Team Roping Header Buckle was presented by the family of Dan Barritt. Dan passed away this year and was a member of the O'Neill Roping Club who helped get the O'Neill High School Rodeo started around 10 years ago. Dan was a volunteer helper at the first high school rodeos held here in O'Neill. The winner of the Team Roping this year was the team of Brady Wakefield and Dillon Tiede. Brady is the header in this team and was the lucky recipient of the Dan Barritt Memorial Buckle.

Ewing Man Dies In Bull Riding Competition

8/30/10
STAPLETON, Neb. (AP) - A Ewing man has died after being thrown from a bull during a rodeo competition at the Logan County fair.
     Sheriff Patrick McNeil says 20-year-old Clinton Koenig was thrown during Friday night's contest and the bull came down on top of him. He was flown to a Lincoln hospital, where he died.
     A moment of silence was held Saturday at fair to honor Koenig.,

Funeral services will be Wednesday, September 1, 2010 at 10 am at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in O'Neill.

Irrigation In Niobrara River Basin In Hands Of Judges

8/30/10
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - The Nebraska Supreme Court is expected to decide whether to scrap state restrictions that have kept a long stretch of the Niobrara River basin off-limits to new irrigation development for more than two years.
     On Thursday before the high court, state attorneys will square off against four natural resources districts. It will be a test of how the state decides if river basins can handle more irrigation without hurting existing water users.
     The case is one of a few tied to Nebraska Public Power District's 2007 decision to exercise senior water rights the district says it needs to produce power at the 80-year-old Spencer Dam, which it owns. That decision was the primary factor in the state's 2008 determination that the basin was fully appropriated.

New Cabin's For Scholars At Ashfall Fossil Beds

8/30/10
ROYAL, Neb. (AP) - New cabins at Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park near Royal are making the hard work of paleontology more comfortable.
     Each of three cabins has a common living area and kitchen, a bathroom and private bedrooms. They'll be used by visiting students and scholars but are not open to the public.
     The $263,000 project was funded by the Theodore F. and Claire M. Hubbard Family Foundation of Omaha through its donation to the University of Nebraska Foundation.

 Online: Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park: www.ashfall.unl.edu

Little Tots Daycare Center and Jumping Jellybeans holds Chamber Ribbon Cutting

8/27/10

The Little Tots Daycare Center and Jumping Jellybeans Preschool held their O'Neill Area Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting on Friday, Aug. 27 at their

619 East Fremont location in O'Neill.  Owners Leo and Stacey Vandersnick opened up the second childcare in order to meet a growing demand for child care need. 

Stacey Vandersnick is pictured Aug. 27 cutting the O'Neill Chamber Ribbon for Little Tots Daycare and Jumping Jellybeans Preschool

O'Neill Public High School To Hold Open House To See New Renovations

8/26/10
There will be an Open House at the O'Neill High School tonight (Thursday, August 26) from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. Come see the new gym floor, new restrooms and new flooring.

And while you're there the O'Neill Booster club will be hosting a membership kick-off, cook out on Thursday, August 26.  Athletes will be scrimmaging approximately 5:30 pm for any parents and interested parties to come and watch.  Bring the family and sign up for your 2010-2011 Booster membership, have a free burger and check out all thats new at the school!  Burgers will be served at the football field in the new Booster-gate building.  Serving will begin around 7:00 pm.  Activity passes, as well as school t-shirts and sweatshirts will be on sale. Please Join us!

Sign Up For Emergency Conservation Program Ends At End Of August

8/26/10
The Holt-Boyd County FSA Office has been approved for cost-shares on emergency conservation practices due to heavy precipitation and flooding of the Elkhorn River in Holt County and Ponca Creek in Boyd County on June 10th to June 15th 2010.

Sign up is now through the end of August. Producers affected by flooding need to contact the Holt/Boyd FSA office for assistance. Some important facts are:

• Cost shares are at 75% of cost.
• Inspections must be completed by this office prior to starting any work.
• Payment limitation is $100,000

Practices eligible are:

• EC1 - Remove debris from Farmland
• EC2 - Grading, Shaping, Re-leveling or Similar Measures
• EC3 - Restoring permanent fences
• EC4 - Restoring Conservation Structures such as dams

Please call the Holt-Boyd County FSA Office for more information or an appointment at (402) 336-3796 ext. 2

Nebraska Game & Parks Reports Fish Kill At Burwell

8/26/10
BURWELL, Neb. (AP) - The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is reporting a major die-off of carp at a Calamus State Recreation Area lake near Burwell.
     The agency says the dead carp were first reported Sunday, and the cause of the die-off is unknown. Game and Parks has taken samples of live carp to test for Koi Herpe virus, which only affects carp.
     The agency says there will be limited cleanup of the dead fish from the shoreline.

Recovery Summer Tour Visits O'Neill

Marv Fritz (center in tan shirt) give USDA staff a tour of Garden Fresh Vegetables

8/24/10
USDA Rural Development State Director Maxine Moul and staff toured the Garden Fresh Vegetables facility today in O’Neill, Neb. The stop was part of the Recovery Summer Tour which highlights and celebrates projects funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). 

“It is a great pleasure to see the many projects that have been funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act,” said Moul. “The Recovery Summer Tour highlights the great successes in Nebraska which have come through ARRA funding that helps rural areas of the state to stay strong and vibrant.”

Garden Fresh Vegetables (GFV), LLC received a nearly $4 million guaranteed ARRA loan.  The funds will expand their business through the purchase of an existing 10 acre greenhouse in Gothenburg that will be relocated to the O’Neill site and will include a new three fourths of an acre propagation unit.  GFV will contribute $1 million towards the project.  UMB Bank, NA provided the financing for this project; USDA Rural Development guaranteed the loan. 

GFV raises mainly tomatoes and cucumbers.  They are the primary supplier of locally grown tomatoes for all Wal-Marts and Hy-Vees in Nebraska, Russ’s Markets in Lincoln, Pegler Sysco in Nebraska, Lofreddo in Omaha and Balls Foods in Kansas City.  Runza Restaurants use only their tomatoes.  Many local stores, including Subway purchase GFV tomatoes and cucumbers. Several other grocery stores in Omaha and Kansas City purchase their products as well.  GFV has a retail store in Omaha and sells tomatoes to private vendors across Nebraska and South Dakota.  GFV participates in the Farm to Schools program and provides tomatoes to five schools and anticipates selling to many more educational facilities.

Marv Fritz, and 29 other investors, including many family members formed GFV, LLC and purchased the business in December 2007.  They have demonstrated tremendous success and improvement over the past two years.

A stop was also made at the City office to discuss the plans for the future O’Neill Community Center.  The Center received a $750,000 ARRA loan leveraged with $874,100 from the community.  The funds will construct a 14,322 square foot building for use as a community center.  O’Neill presently lacks a community center and has a limited number of existing facilities in the community and surrounding area to hold large gatherings. 

The center will be located on 10 acres and will be a pre-engineered building.  The facility will feature a large meeting room with the capacity to accommodate 522 people and will have an acoustical ceiling with a commercial sound system.  A smaller room will be available with two smaller board meeting rooms in order to accommodate more than one group at a time.  The building will have handicapped accessible restrooms and a small kitchen with commercial appliances for use by the public. O’Neill Development Corporation, a Nebraska non-profit corporation will own the Center and lease it to the City of O’Neill. 

Holt County has benefitted significantly through ARRA funding totaling more than $5.2 million.  In addition to the projects noted above, $484,000 has been invested in housing to help eight families achieve homeownership.

ARRA funding totaling nearly $153 million has been invested throughout Nebraska.  Nearly $41.3 million has assisted 24 communities with water and waste and/or community facilities projects; $49.2 million assisted 17 entities with business development; 740 households achieved homeownership through $60.4 million in direct loans and loan guarantees and 16 homeowners refinanced their loans through $1.8 million in direct loans and loan guarantees.

O'Neill Chamber of Commerce And Hideaway To Hold Poke Run Saturday

8/24/10
The Hideaway Bar and the O'Neill Chamber of Commerce will be sponsoring a Poker Run this Saturday, August 28. Sign up is from 9:30 am to 11:00 am at The Hideaway and the run starts at 11 am. Participants must finish by 5 pm.

The run starts at The Hideaway and the route will be to Chambers Corner, The Round Up Bar in Atkinson, Corner Bar in Butte, Angel's Straw Bale Saloon and then back to The Hideaway. All types of vehicles are welcome to participate. Cost is $20 per person and that will include door prizes, poker hand. a meal at the end of the run and then music by the Manoucheri Trio starting at 8 pm.

Ben Nelson: County By County Recovery Act Impact For Nebraskans

8/24/10
By Senator Ben Nelson -Everyone knows our economy is doing better today than over a year ago when layoffs, furloughs and plant closings were in the headlines across Nebraska. Certainly, we haven’t been as hard hit as many Americans in this recession, but everyone knows we have felt it.

Everyone doesn’t agree, however, that the Recovery Act Congress passed in 2009, with its targeted spending and tax relief, has helped save and create jobs and help communities in Nebraska perk up again.

County-by-County Fact Sheets Show Recovery Local Impact
I am not trying to persuade people one way or the other. I just want to talk about the facts. So, I have just posted on my website fact sheets, with pie charts, photographs and maps showing the Recovery Act’s impact for each of Nebraska’s 93 counties, and for the state as a whole.

I had my staff prepare them because I believe in transparency and accountability, and I want Nebraskans to have this information. They can be found here:
Antelope County
Boyd County
Holt County
Keya Paha County
Knox County
Rock County
Wheeler County

These fact sheets contain sources of the information, a county-by-county break down of the bill’s Making Work Pay tax cut, the First Time Homebuyer Credit, local community projects that received funding for such things as energy efficiency upgrades, human services, housing help, and how much local schools received that helped them avoid deeper cuts to their budgets.

Recovery Funds Fixing Roads That Will Drive Future Economic Development
Major roads improvement projects funded by the Recovery Act are tracked as well. In Hall County, for example, Interstate 80 between Wood River and Grand Island is being resurfaced with more than $5.2 million in Recovery funds. In Saline County, East 13th Street and Iris Avenue is being reconstructed with more than $2.2 million from the bill, the fact sheets show.

Recovery Tax Relief Keeps Money in Nebraskans’ Pockets
A fact sheet for the entire state shows that 648,000 Nebraskans are benefitting from the Making Work Pay tax cut that put $9 million a week back in their pockets last year. That gave Nebraskans a tax cut totaling $346 million, according to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office. This is a part of the Recovery Act that doesn’t get a lot of attention: a full one-third of the bipartisan bill I helped negotiate and that Congress passed in early 2009 went for tax relief. The bill provides a total of $337 billion in tax relief encouraging spending in our national economy for job creation and growth. That’s one of the biggest tax cuts ever. It helped people buy food, clothing or goods, pay bills, or spend on other routine needs. It has been a regular primer for our economy.

People can see that residents in Sarpy County received a tax cut of more than $29.4 million last year. Also, the tax cut put more than $54 million back into the pockets of Lincoln residents in Lancaster County; more than $7 million for residents of Scotts Bluff County; more than $8 million for residents of Buffalo County, and so on.

Help For Nebraska Students
When our national economy fell, school districts nationwide saw large holes in their budgets open up. Nebraska’s school districts were faced with large budget deficits and deep cuts. The Recovery bill stepped in and provided funding for education nationwide that has delivered $363 million to help Nebraska’s school districts. The county-by-county fact sheets show how much each district received and that money is helping to keep education for Nebraska’s students at the high level they will need to compete with other schoolchildren around the world.

These are just a few highlights from these reports that I hope Nebraskans will find useful. We all are entitled to our own opinions about the wisdom of passing the Recovery Act. But I hope we can stick to the facts when we consider what the Recovery Act has done for various programs and projects in our state.

NPPD Announces Automated Meters To Come To Boyd County Communities

8/23/10
Columbus, Neb. - Four Boyd County communities will have new electric meters installed by the Nebraska Public Power District beginning the week of September 1, as part of its automated meter information system.

Approximately 600 customers in Anoka, Bristow, Butte and Lynch will have new meters installed as part of this program, with all installation work expected to be complete by the end of the year.

This technological upgrade, also known as a two-way automated communications system, allows NPPD personnel to automatically read electric meters from service centers, providing a higher level of customer service. Installation of the new meters in these communities will be non-intrusive with NPPD contacting customers before changing out the meters. A short power outage to the residences will occur when the new meter is installed by badged NPPD technicians.

"AMI is an enabling technology that revolutionizes the way NPPD and our customers interact. It will aid both the customer and the utility in resolving billing issues and determining remotely if there is an electrical outage at the business or residence," explained Ed Wagner, vice president of customer services. "AMI also enhances our customer service and provides cost savings."

Following installation of the meters, customers' electric usage information will be electronically transported over power lines via a two-way communications system. Metering information is picked up by a decoder at a substation, routed to a computerized processing center at NPPD headquarters in Columbus, and accessed by customer service personnel at service centers and NPPD's 24-hour Centralized Customer Care Center (1-877-ASK-NPPD).

With the new meters, billing inquiries can be answered over the phone or at a service center with readings that are timely. Also, customer service representatives can address outage reports, quickly determine the source of the problem (whether it is on the utility side or on the customer's equipment), and dispatch solutions promptly.

 "When a customer contacts NPPD with billing concerns, we can read the meter in a matter of minutes remotely and resolve the problem," Don Peterson, NPPD's AMI project manager explained. The new meters also monitor voltage levels and alerts NPPD to possible issues that could potentially cause an interruption of service.

Since the summer of 2007, NPPD has installed the new AMI meters in 48 communities in its service territory. A total of 39,800 meters are expected to be installed by the end of 2010 in NPPD's retail service territory.

Information on the AMI system can be found at http://www.nppd.com/ami

Northeast Plans Another Basic Nurse Aide Class In O'Neill

8/23/10
(O’NEILL, Neb.) - A three-credit-hour Basic Nurse Aide course will be offered by Northeast Community College in O'Neill in September.

            The class, with course number NURA 1110-35/10F, begins Tuesday, September 7, and ends Thursday, September 30.  The class meets Monday through Thursday from 4-9:15 p.m. and Saturdays from 3-5 p.m. in the O’Neill Education Center, Room 301, at 439 East Adams Street.  Karen Hoffman is the instructor.

           Students in this three-credit-hour or 76-contact-hour class will learn the skills necessary to administer responsible health care to the ill and elderly in nursing homes and long-term care facilities under qualified supervision.  They will be taught to recognize the aging process and changes which accompany aging.  Physical/emotional needs of geriatric patients in the clinical setting will also be reviewed.

            Students will also be taught basic knowledge, skills and attitudes specific to geriatric care and to identify means to assist residents in obtaining and maintaining optimal, functional potential.

          Cost of this three-credit-hour Basic Nurse Aide class is $273.75.  Books are not included. 

          For more information or to register, call the Northeast Community College West Region Office at l-888-421-6322.

New Program To Air Wednesday Nights On KBRX

8/19/10
Coming to KBRX a brand new program, “Natural Way Radio” !  What is Natural Way Radio? A show that will discuss Natural Health Treatments, Diet and Nutrition.  You’ll learn about herbal and vitamin supplementation, and hear from noted researchers and authors on the latest clinical research and information.  It’s also your chance to call or e-mail your questions about Alternative and Preventative treatments.  Tune in Wednesday night at 6:15 pm on KBRX 102.9 FM and on KBRX.com.  The show will be hosted by Kevin Stevenson

Recovery Summer Tour Visit to Garden Fresh Vegetables Also, Discussion on New Community Center That is to be Constructed

8/19/10
USDA Rural Development Director, Maxine Moul, will be in O’Neill to announce two ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act)projects. Garden Fresh Vegetables has recently received a $3.9 million dollar guarantee loan from USDA to expand its greenhouse business by purchasing a 10-acre greenhouse, and by constructing a new facility. The expansion will create an estimated 35 new jobs in the community

Another ARRA project is for the O’Neill Development Corporation to construct a new, 14,322 square foot community center. The O’Neill Development Corporation received a $750,000 loan from USDA to construct the building.

Moul and USDA offices will be in O’Neill on Monday, August 23rd and will be touring Garden Fresh Vegetables from 11-12:30 and then will be traveling to the City of O’Neill offices to discuss the O’Neill Community Center project at 12:30.

Angel's Straw Bale Rockfest This Saturday And Sunday

Boyd And Holt Among Counties That Can Apply For Help

8/18/10
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Nine Nebraska counties have been declared disaster areas because of agricultural losses caused by storms that began in June.
     The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Tuesday that the following counties are disaster areas: Boone; Box Butte; Boyd;
Cheyenne; Dawson; Garfield; Holt; Johnson; and Kimball.
     Farmers in another 30 counties that border those nine counties also qualify for assistance.
     Farmers in the counties can be eligible for low-interest loans. They have eight months to apply for loans to help cover part of their actual losses.
     Other programs are also available, including the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Program.
     Farmers should contact their local USDA Service Center about eligibility requirements and to apply.

Johanns Applauds USDA Announcement Regarding Recent Storm Damage

8/18/10
WASHINGTON—U.S. Sen. Mike Johanns (R-Neb.) today issued the following statement after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) declared nine Nebraska counties as primary natural disaster areas and thirty Nebraska counties as contiguous disaster areas:

“Farmers and ranchers throughout Nebraska sustained heavy losses from the powerful storms that battered the state earlier this summer. With this Secretarial disaster designation, farmers and ranchers in the covered counties are eligible to be considered for assistance from USDA. I encourage them to contact USDA or my office for more information.”

Background:

• The following Nebraska counties have been designated primary natural disaster areas: Boone, Box Butte, Boyd, Cheyenne, Dawson, Garfield, Holt, Johnson and Kimball.

• The following Nebraska counties have been designated contiguous disaster areas: Antelope, Banner, Buffalo, Custer, Dawes, Deuel, Frontier, Gage, Garden, Gosper, Greeley, Keya Paha, Know, Lancaster, Lincoln, Loup, Madison, Morrill, Nance, Nemaha, Otoe, Pawnee, Phelps, Platte, Rock, Scotts Bluff, Sheridan, Sioux, Valley and Wheeler.

• In July, Sen. Johanns wrote a letter to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack requesting the disaster designation.

O'Neill Booster Club Fall Sports & Membership Kickoff To Be August 26

South Side view of new entrance to O'Neill Football Field. Construction is about complete.
Ticket booth is on left and burger serving area on the right.

8/18/10
The O'Neill Booster club will be hosting a membership kick-off, cook out on Thursday, August 26.  Athletes will be scrimmaging approximately 5:30 pm
for any parents and interested parties to come and watch.  Bring the family and sign up for your 2010-2011 Booster membership, have a free burger and check out all thats new at the school!  Burgers will be served at the football field in the new Booster-gate building.  Serving will begin around 7:00 pm. 
Activity passes, as well as school t-shirts and sweatshirts will be on sale. Please Join us!

Northeast PTA Graduation Honors 13 Students

8/18/10
(NORFOLK, Neb.) – Some 13 physical therapist assistant (PTA) students at Northeast Community College in Norfolk were honored recently at a special ceremony for completing their course of study.

            Dr. Jill McNally, PT, Northeast PTA program director/instructor, welcomed the graduates and guests and Northeast Vice President of Educational Services John Blaylock congratulated the students for completion of their challenging program of study. 

             Ryan Brenden, CP and owner of OrthoMedics of Norfolk, was the guest speaker.  He was born with a birth defect in his leg and has needed many different prosthetics over his lifetime.  He recently took his second trip to Nicaragua where he and others with Step Global fit 49 people with limbs they were unable to afford themselves.

Brenden emphasized to the graduates the importance of service learning and volunteering in the professional realm.  A small amount of time taken out of one’s busy life can make a large impact in a community, he said.

Honored Graduates from the KBRX area include:

Burwell           Danae Reiter.  The daughter of Jana Reiter, Burwell, is a graduate of Burwell Junior/ Senior High School.  She now lives in Grand Island.

Clearwater     Natalie (Christopher) McKillip.  The graduate of Orchard High School is the daughter of Mark and Ruth Hawk of Elkhorn

Beef Producers Urged To Ride Bus To Meeting

8/17/10
Beef producers will have the opportunity to voice their opposition to having increased government involvement in their daily business dealings on August 27, 2010 in Fort Collins, Colo. The United States Department of Justice and the United States Department of Agriculture will be hosting a workshop on “Competition in the Livestock Industry”. This workshop will be addressing the Grain Inspection, Packers, and Stockyards Administration’s (GIPSA) proposed ruling.

Richard Schrunk with the Shamrock Livestock Market has lined up buses for those that want to attend and make the statement even louder. It is very important that a large crowd is on hand. The bus will leave from O'Neill on August 26 at 10 pm and attend the meeting on August 27 at Colorado State University in Ft. Collins, Colorado and then return back to Nebrask after the meeting. Cost for the trip is $45 and you can make a reservation by calling Richard Schrunk at (402) 336-1675 or his cell at (402) 340-1222.

Now is your opportunity to make your voice heard and let the Secretary of Agriculture know you, as a beef producer, have worked relentlessly to have less government and more entrepreneurship in our businesses. Let USDA know that this rule invites the government to be a majority shareholder in your business and you will not stand for that.

83% Of Corn Rated Good Or Excellent

8/17/10
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - The U.S. Department of Agriculture says last week's high heat and humidity helped crops mature in Nebraska.
     About 83 percent of the corn crop rated in good or excellent condition at the end of last week - higher ratings than last year at this time.
     The soybean crop also looks good: 79 percent of the crop rating good or excellent, nearly as high as last year's ratings at this time.
     Sorghum was rated 81 percent good or excellent, also near last year's ratings.
     Around 69 percent of the state's alfalfa fields had been cut for a third time, 9 percentage points better than the average by this time.

National Weather Service Report On Wind Damage Monday In KBRX Area

8/17/10

.TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON  
   
.DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE.  
  
            ..REMARKS..  
  
0145 PM     TSTM WND GST     7 NNW STUART            42.69N 99.19W   
08/16/2010  E70.00 MPH       HOLT               NE   FIRE DEPT/RESCUE  
  
            FIRE DEPARTMENT SPOTTER ESTIMATED 60 TO 70 MPH   
            THUNDERSTORM ASSOCIATED WIND GUSTS...ALONG WITH GREATLY   
            REDUCED VISIBILITY.   
  
0208 PM     TSTM WND DMG     2 N STUART              42.63N 99.14W   
08/16/2010                   HOLT               NE   FIRE DEPT/RESCUE  
  
            POWER LINES BLOWN DOWN 2 TO 3 MILES NORTH OF STUART AND A  
            METAL POLE BUILDING BLOWN OFF FOUNDATION ACCORDING TO   
            EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL.  
  
0208 PM     TSTM WND GST     3 N ATKINSON            42.58N 98.98W   
08/16/2010  E80.00 MPH       HOLT               NE   LAW ENFORCEMENT   
  
0229 PM     HAIL             3 E EMMET               42.48N 98.75W   
08/16/2010  M0.88 INCH       HOLT               NE   LAW ENFORCEMENT   
  
            NICKEL SIZED HAIL ALONG WITH ESTIMATED 70 TO 80 MPH WIND   
            GUSTS REPORTED BETWEEN EMMET AND ONEILL...ABOUT 3 MILES   
            EAST OF EMMET.   
  
0229 PM     TSTM WND GST     ONEILL                  42.46N 98.65W   
08/16/2010  E75.00 MPH       HOLT               NE   LAW ENFORCEMENT   
  
            LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL ESTIMATING 70 T0 75 MILE AN   
            HOUR THUNDERSTORM WIND GUSTS IN ONEILL.   
  
0230 PM     TSTM WND GST     2 W O'NEILL             42.46N 98.69W   
08/16/2010  M68.00 MPH       HOLT               NE   AWOS              
  
0300 PM     TSTM WND GST     EWING                   42.26N 98.34W   
08/16/2010  E50.00 MPH       HOLT               NE   FIRE DEPT/RESCUE  
  
            EWING FIRE CHIEF ESTIMATED 40 TO 50 MPH WIND GUSTS ALONG   
            WITH HEAVY RAIN.  
  
0303 PM     TSTM WND GST     EWING                   42.26N 98.34W   
08/16/2010  E80.00 MPH       HOLT               NE   FIRE DEPT/RESCUE  
  
            FIRE CHIEF NOW ESTIMATING 70 TO 80 MPH WIND GUSTS   
            ASSOCIATED WITH THUNDERSTORMS IN EWING...ALONG WITH PEA   
            SIZED HAIL.  

              

15 Minute Monsoon Hits O'Neill Area Monday

South 5th Street in O'Neill looking north toward Everett on Monday after heavy rain fell.

8/16/10
Around 2:20 pm Monday afternoon a 15 minute storm swept through the KBRX area and it looked like a monsoon. Heavy rain, pellet size hail and winds around 60 mph blew the rain horizontally reducing visibility to about a block. Tree limbs, patio umbrellas and trash cans were strewn around O'Neill and the rain stopped around 2:45 pm. Here at the KBRX studios we received .77 inches of rain and small hail.

Michael Poese wading on John Street in North O'Neill.

Holt County Families & Individuals Receive Awards At Holt County Fair

8/16/10
Friday night at the Holt County Fair there were three awards presented before the rodeo. Here are winners and their stories.

The Ramm Family received the Aksarben Pioneer Farm Family Award

Ramm Ranch History
Chris Ramm immigrated with his family from Germany in 1867 to a farm near Bankston, Iowa. Chris married Margarte Mannlein of Alton, Iowa in 1889 and they made their home in Alton. In 1900 Chris and Margaret bought a farm north of Petersburg, Nebraska and moved their growing family there. On March 7, 1908 they purchased a farm on the west side of Stuart and moved there that Spring with their family of six children. This became known as the North Place. On October 11, 1918 their oldest son Joe and his wife Johanna bought a small farm a half mile to the south and another son Bert took over running the North Place. After World War II, Joe Ramm's two sons Bob and Gene went into a partnership with Bert, and they converted the farm ground back to grass and pasture. In 1952, Bob and Gene formed the Ramm Brothers Partnership and began expanding the Ranch, and also started their Angus Cattle Herd. In 1963 they formed a corporation called Valley View Angus Ranch and operated it until 1974 when they dissolved the corporation and divided up the land. Bob and his wife Helen then formed a partnership with three of their sons, Jim, Mike and Jon on their half of the ranch. Presently Helen Ramm continues to live on the South Place with Jim and Jon running cattle on part of the Ranch. Her grandson, Justin Ramm, and his wife Megan live on the West Place and together with Justin's mother Rose, run their Angus Cattle herd out there.

Ed & Francis Hawk Family and also pictured are Leonard & Joan Hawk received the Aksarben Pioneer Farm Family Award

Ed & Francis Hawk Family History
Ed & Francis Hawk moved to Holt County from David City in 1911. It was the good hunting and fishing along the South Fork river that they loved so much. Ed passed on in 1935. Francis was able live there with the help of son John until her death in 1949. At that time John and his wife Daisy bought the land and lived there until Daisy moved to town. In 1972 Leonard and Joan purchased it, farmed it and cared for it. At this time Mike & Theresa Hawk are caring for it.

Joyce Stone received the Outstanding Service Award from the Holt County Fair

Joyce Stone - Outstanding Service Award
Is her name Joyce Stone or is it faithful? Or is it servant? Or unselfish? Or friend to all? Or "let me help"? or "sure, I'll do it."
Yes, you can always count on Joyce. She has faithfully served us all here at the Holt County Fair as superintendent of farm produce for many, many years. He work behind the scenes is not done to be thanked of praised.
Joyce is always will to volunteer. She shows up and asks, "What do you want me to do?" and she expects nothing in return.
Congratulations Joyce Stone on a well deserved honor.

Nebraska Department of Natural Resources Receives $350,000 Grant To Study Water Management Options in Niobrara River Basin

8/16/10
(Lincoln, NE) The Nebraska Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will receive a $350,000 grant from the Bureau of Reclamation’s Basin Study Program to study water management options in the Niobrara River Basin. 

DNR Director Brian Dunnigan said, “I am pleased that the Department’s basin study proposal for the Niobrara River basin was selected as one of only six projects from across the seventeen state region.  My staff and I look forward to working closely with the basin stakeholders and the Bureau of Reclamation to develop tools and a complete analysis that will assist the stakeholders in effectively managing the water resources of the basin.” 

The Niobrara River Basin study is one of six projects that the Bureau will fund in 2010.  The purpose of the study will be to provide the foundational water supply and demand information for evaluation and implementation of water management options for the basin.  Evaluation of management options will include impacts to both the water supply and the economy of the region. 

The study region will include the Niobrara River from its headwaters in Wyoming to its confluence with the Missouri River in northeast Nebraska.  The project proposal received support from a large group of basin stakeholders, including the Upper Niobrara-White Natural Resources District, the Upper Elkhorn Natural Resources District, the Ainsworth Irrigation District, the Nebraska Public Power District, the National Park Service, the Fish and Wildlife Service, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, and the State of Wyoming. 

The study will begin immediately, with project completion expected in two years.

Visit A Red Cross Blood Drive For A Chance To Fuel Your Fall Road Trip For Free

8/16/10
Summer blood donors can mean the difference between an adequate blood supply and a shortage. To help ensure sufficient blood supplies before and after the Labor Day holiday weekend, and to thank generous blood and platelet donors, the American Red Cross is raffling off a $500 gas gift card.

From August 30 through September 10, 2010, all presenting donors at Red Cross blood drives the Midwest Region of the American Red Cross will automatically be entered for a chance to win a $500 gas gift card. All presenting donors will also receive a complimentary Red Cross Racing-themed can cooler while supplies last.

Upcoming Blood Drives:

O’Neill Blood Drive
Monday, August 30th from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Tuesday, August 31st from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Knights of Columbus Hall
For an appointment, please contact Ellie Kirkpatrick at 336-3036.

Spencer Blood Drive, sponsored by: West Boyd Schools FCCLA
Wednesday, September 1st  from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm
Our Saviours Lutheran Church
For an appointment, please contact the high school at 589-1333.

Bartlett Blood Drive- Wednesday, September 1st from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Wheeler County 4-H Building
For an appointment, please contact Julie Nichols at 654-3434.

Chambers Blood Drive- Wednesday, September 8th from 12:00 pm to 4:30 pm
American Legion
For an appointment, please contact Louanne at 482-5526 of Muffy at 482-5587.

Help the Red Cross prepare to meet the needs of patients. Call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (448-3543) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information.

Omaha Man, Former O'Neill Resident, Sues Makers Of Drug Rituxan

8/12/10
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - An Omaha man has sued two pharmaceutical companies that marketed Rituxan despite the alleged dangers of the immunosuppressant, which court filings say rendered him a quadriplegic.
     The lawsuit filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Omaha says South San Francisco, Calif.-based Genentech Inc. and Cambridge, Mass.-based Biogen Idec were aware of the drug's dangers well before issuing a warning in 2007.
     The lawsuit says 23-year-old Jesse Peetz began taking Rituxan in 2003 for treatment of an autoimmune disorder, which unknowingly made him more susceptible to untreatable infections. In September 2005, he developed a viral infection that cost him his motor function.
     Messages left Wednesday with Genentech and Biogen Idec weren't immediately returned.

Johanns Calls On TransCanada To Be Fair On Land

8/12/10
WASHINGTON (AP) - U.S. Sen. Mike Johanns is urging the Canadian company that wants to build an oil pipeline to the Gulf of Mexico to be fair in its negotiations with Nebraska landowners.
     In a letter sent Wednesday to TransCanada President and CEO Russell Girling, the Nebraska Republican says he's heard from Nebraskans who've been threatened with use of eminent domain if they don't sell their land for the Keystone XL project.
     TransCanada spokeswoman Terry Cunha says the company was reviewing the letter.
     Keystone XL would move oil from Canada through Montana, along the border of North Dakota and across South Dakota and Nebraska. The pipeline then would hook up with another pipeline in Kansas and move oil through Oklahoma and Texas.

Now We Know Why They Call It A "Blazer"

The O'Neill Fire Department responded to this fire Wednesday around 4:00 pm at the ALCO Parking lot in east O'Neill.

O'Neill Rotary Club presents pledge of $25,000 (left to right) Bob Berg, Ron Cork-Avera St. Anthony's CEO, Jim Rabe and Ed North

8/11/10
O’Neill Rotary President, Ed North, and former President, Jim Rabe, present a pledge for $25,000 to Avera St. Anthony’s Hospital CEO, Ron Cork, and St. Anthony’s Hospital Foundation Board Member, Bob Berg.   The O’Neill club’s support of the Capstone of Care Capital Campaign, which was launched to complement the renovation and expansion project currently underway at Avera St. Anthony’s Hospital, demonstrates the club’s commitment to “Service Above Self” and the Rotary theme for 2010-2011, “Building Communities, Bridging Continents.”  The purpose of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service in each Rotarian’s personal, business and community life.  This generous gift, coupled with many other donations received in support of the Capstone of Care Campaign, will be dedicated to the completion of a three-phase renovation project to include a new Women’s Center, expanded laboratory facilities and a remodeled Emergency Department.

Atkinson Hay Days Events Results

8/11/10
St. Joe’s Home & School Association sponsored the Duck Races at this year’s Atkinson Hay Days. The winners were as follows: 1st - Todd Seger; 2nd - Morgan Schaaf; 3rd - Kennison Kunz; 4th - Brooke Rossman and 5th - Candy Keogh. The Consolation Race winner was Chase Garrett.

The Atkinson Hay Days Parade was held Saturday, August 7th with the following winners: 1st - Immanuel Lutheran Church; 2nd - Greater Sandhills Family Healthcare; 3rd - West Holt Medical Center; 4th - St. John’s Lutheran Church; 5th - West Holt Medical Services; 6th - Atkinson Senior Center.

The Hay Days Committee sponsored a Hay Sculpture Contest again for 2010. A panel of five judges chose the following winners who will receive cash prizes from the Committee. Winners were: 1st - Bruce and Shirley Rossman - The Teddy Bear, at Triple R Tire; 2nd - Shane Farms and Peterson Farms - The Tractor, at Sandhills... Guesthouse; & 3rd - Shining Stars 4-H Club - The Rocket Ship, next to Greater Sandhills Healthcare

The 19 teams entered in the Haymazing Race battled the clock as they devoured ice cream sundaes, biked around the JLP addition, hit baseballs, threw horse shoes, answered riddles and searched blindfolded in the baby pool for coins. The top time of 15 minutes went to Mike and Julie Fritz. Second place went to James and ...Austyn Lech and third place went to Kassidy and Keri Jelinek.

Knox County Fair August 12th Through 15th

8/11/10
The 127th Knox County Fair will be held Thursday August 12 through Sunday August 15 in Bloomfield. Below is a schedule of events:

127TH KNOX COUNTY FAIR

August 12 – 15, 2010

Bloomfield, Nebraska

 ** Dedicated to Marvin & Marian Schroeder Family **
D.C. Lynch Midway on Grounds August 12-15
Tents Provided by United Rental of Norfolk &Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.
Meals Available on Grounds at Church Stands
Season Passes Available Only on Thursday for $28 Each
Gate Admission $8 Per Person until 4:00 p.m. and then $10 Per Person, 7 & Under Free

 All Grandstand Performances at 8:00 p.m.

STATE FAIR ENTERTAINMENT AT COUNTY FAIR PRICES

 Thursday – August 12th

5:00 – 7:00 p.m. 100th Anniversary Customer Appreciation BBQ Sponsored by Great Plains Communications
7:00 p.m. Bull-A-Rama Sponsored by Great Plains Communications
Free Open Air Dance in Beer Garden by Soundz Unlimited Sponsored by Doering Trenching & Plumbing

 Friday – August 13th
Bingo 5:00 – 11:00 p.m.
Locash Cowboys in Front of Grandstand Co-Sponsored by CHS of Wausa
Free Open Air Dance in Beer Garden by Outback Sponsored by Brockhaus Funeral Home

 Saturday – August 14th
Wristband Day 1:00 – 6:00 p.m.
FFA Tractor Pull 1:00 p.m. with a Local Division and Northeast Nebraska Pull Association Co-Sponsored by CVA Central Valley Ag, Farmers & Merchants State Bank, Carlson Home & Auto, Northeast Equipment, and Mark’s Machinery
Bingo 2:00 – 11:00 p.m.
Colors Da Clown 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. Sponsored by Commercial State Bank of Wausa
Joey & Rory in Front of Grandstand Co-Sponsored by Bloomfield Ag & Aerial Service Inc. & Creston Fertilizer Bloomfield Branch
Free Open Air Dance in Beer Garden by Soundz Unlimited 

Sunday – August 15th
9:00 a.m. is Open Horse Show Play Day
Kids Pedal Tractor Pull 2:00 p.m. Adults to Follow Sponsored by Elkhorn Ridge Wind LLC
Colors Da Clown 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. Sponsored by Helena Chemical & Brunswick State Bank
Bingo 3:00 – 11:00 p.m.
Gloriana in Front of Grandstand Co-Sponsored by Michael’s Foods Inc./Bloom ‘N’ Egg Farm
Free Open Air Dance in Beer Garden by Soundz Unlimited

Dr. Mark Meyer To Bring Orthopedic Services To Avera St. Anthony's Hospital

8/10/10
Avera St. Anthony’s Hospital is pleased to announce that Dr. Mark Meyer, an orthopedic surgeon in Kearney, will begin his permanent practice at the hospital on October 18.  Dean Benson, PA-C will continue to assist with the orthopedic practice that Dr. Meyer will now be leading.

Dr. Meyer and Mr. Benson will be on staff at Avera St. Anthony’s to provide a wide range of orthopedic services.  Meyer will hold clinic two times a week, perform surgery and do outreach to surrounding communities in the future.  His surgical services will include total joint replacement and a large variety of sports medicine injuries.

Dr. Meyer has maintained a practice in Kearney with several outreach clinics sites for the past 32 years and is highly respected in Kearney and the surrounding area.

He and his wife, Jayne, both have roots in Nebraska and are looking forward to establishing his practice in O’Neill.  They have four children and several grandchildren.  The Meyers currently live on a farm north of Kearney and will maintain a weekend residence at the farm.

For more information about the services provided by Dr. Mark Meyer and Avera St. Anthony’s Hospital, please contact the Specialty Clinics department at (402) 336-5122.

2010 Holt County Fair Week

8/10/15
The 2010 Holt County Fair is going on today, August 10, through Sunday, August 15 in Chambers, Nebraska. Some of the events include a ranch rodeo, live entertainment, rodeo, worship service, demolition derby and all of the 4-H exhibits and shows.

Click Here For The Complete Schedule Of The Holt County Fair

Nebraska Troop Support Golf Tournament Held Saturday

Servicemen and local golfers took part in Golf Tournament Saturday at O'Neill Country Club.

8/10/10
Eleven teams were entered in the Nebraska Troop Support Golf Tournament held Saturday at the O'Neill Country Club. Several servicemen from Ft. Riley Kansas were entered in the tournament along with local golfers.

Beth Tielke with Nebraska Troop Support would like to thank all those who took part in the tournament. The proceeds from the tournament will go to the Nebraska Troop Support program. Linda Luther did a great job in getting the teams signed up and heading the tournament. According to Beth Tielke the Nebraska Troop Support Golf Tournament will be an annual affair.

Winning in the mixed team division was the Linda Luther Team of Mike Luther, Dan Havranek and Dan Wallace and second was the Kathy Winterburn team with John Winterburn, Izzy Pavel and Karen Cisler. Winning the men's dividion was the Gordy Givens team.

Hail, Heavy Rain & Damaging Winds Hit KBRX Area Sunday

Hail in Atkinson (photo by Kevin McNichols)

8/9/10
Sunday afternoon, August 8, the KBRX area was hit with severe weather again. This time hail, damaging winds and heavy rain pelted the area. Hail reported from golf ball to baseball size damaged property and crops in the Atkinson and Stuart areas.

Rainfal Reports:
KBRX - .56
18 miles northwest of O'Neill 3"
15 miles north of O'Neill 2"
1 mile northeast of Naper 1.90"
5 miles north of O'Neill 3.50"
8 miles northeast of O'Neill 3.90"
2 1/2 miles west of the County shed 2.50"
Steve Boshart 10 miles north of O'Neill 3.50" in 47 minutes
12 miles northeast of O'Neill at the Putnam Ranch 3.10"
Orchard - .90

Golf ball and bigger size hail in Atkinson

Hail in Atkinson (photo by Kevin McNichols)

Hail in Atkinson

Windshield 2 miles southwest of Atkinson (photo by Cameron Shaw)

Upper Elkhorn NRD To Screen Water At Holt County Fair

8/9/10
The Upper Elkhorn NRD will be screening drinking water from private wells for nitrates during the upcoming Holt County Fair.  Anyone interested in having their drinking water checked should plan to bring a cup of water in a clean container on Friday August 13 between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.  Stop by and visit the NRD booth, spin the prize wheel and order trees for the upcoming spring planting season. 

Canadian Pipeline Firm Makes Safety Concessions

8/9/10
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - The Canadian company that wants to build an oil pipeline from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico has dropped a proposal to run the pipeline at a higher pressure level and agreed to follow U.S. safety standards for the project.
     TransCanada officials said Thursday the company would withdraw its application for a special permit and operate the Keystone XL pipeline at a normal pressure level.
     Keystone pipeline vice president Robert Jones says TransCanada is responding to the concerns aired at public meetings on the project earlier this year.
     Keystone XL would move oil from Canada through Montana, along the border of North Dakota and South Dakota to Nebraska. The pipeline then would hook up with another pipeline in Kansas and move oil through Oklahoma and Texas.

KBRX Junior Golf Tournament Held Thursday

8/5/10
The KBRX Junior Golf Tournament was held Thursday at the O’Neill Country Club.  Here are the winners in the different age groups:

Girls
10-12 years old 9-holes
(left to right) 1st Hayley Harmon, O’Neill  64, 2nd Torie Osterman 72, 3rd Tejlor Strope, O’Neill 106

13-15 years old 18-holes
(left to right) Ellie Carr, Morgan Langan and Laura Hynes
1st Laura Hynes, Ewing 92, 2nd Ellie Carr, Ainsworth 135, 3rd Morgan Langan, O’Neill 142

Boys 10-12 years old (9-holes on shortened course)
(left to right Tucker Knaak, Mason Hale and Josh Cuddy)
1st Mason Hale, Atkinson  35, 2nd Josh Cuddy, O’Neill 37, 3rd Tucker Knaak, Plainview 39

13-15 years old 18-holes
(right to left) 1st Cody Belzer, O’Neill 78, 2nd Cameron Bancroft, Valentine 87, 3rd Brooks Coleman, Valentine 92

16-18 years old 18-holes
(left to right) 1st Sam Meuret, Plainview 76, 2nd Riley Meuret, Plainview 78
Tie for 3rd Dillon Barta, Verdigre and Dalton Jackson of O’Neill 90
4th, Michael Hynes, Ewing 92

O'Neill School Board To Hold Lease Purchase Information Meeting

8/5/10
The O’Neill School Board will be hearing information from a representative from DA Davidson about utilizing a lease purchase to fund building additions at the Elementary School and the High School at their regular school board meeting on Monday, August 9th.  Following this presentation, the board will hear from representatives from three architectural firms in relation to the possible projects.  The meeting will begin at 6:30 that night to allow time for these presentations.  Discussion will also include advice from the Nebraska Department of Education on the upcoming budget.  The “funding cliff” created by use of the ARRA (American Reinvestment and Recovery Act) funds to supplement state aid and a decrease in state revenues will likely decrease state aid to schools, especially those in rural areas with rising valuations.   The board welcomes any interested patrons to attend the meeting Monday night.

CRP Meetings Scheduled Statewide

8/5/10
LINCOLN, Neb. – Several partner organizations are hosting public Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) information meetings across the state this month, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

Among the issues to be discussed are how CRP works, how to increase chances of qualifying for the program, landowners' options, how CRP can increase farm and ranch income, and how CRP can benefit wildlife.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is having a general CRP sign-up period through Aug. 27. It is the first general sign-up period since 2006.

The following is a schedule of the meetings in the KBRX area

Aug. 10 – Spencer, Fire Hall, 7 p.m.

Aug. 11 – Creighton, Dover's Steak House, 7 p.m.; Neligh, Extension Service, 7 p.m.;

Aug. 12 – Bartlett, fairgrounds, 7 p.m.; Burwell, Pizza Palace, 9 a.m.;

Aug. 17 – O'Neill, Extension Service, 5 p.m.

Aug. 18 – Ainsworth, Community Center, 7 p.m.

The meetings are organized by Farm Service Agency, Pheasants Forever, Quail Forever, Game and Parks, and Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Traffic Accident With Fatality Tuesday Near Emmet

8/4/10
The Nebraska State Patrol investigated an accident with fatality on Tuesday, August 3 that occurred at 2:00 pm one and a half miles east of Emmet, Nebraska on Highway 20.  A car driven by Scott Dennis, age 19 of Neligh, was westbound and crossed the center line and struck a semi truck driven by Kyle Heiss of Page.  Killed was Scott Dennis of Neligh.  Seat belts were in use.

Boyd County Fair Continues Through Friday

8/4/10
The 2010 Boyd County Fair is running now through Friday in Spencer. To check out the events for the rest of the week click below.

2010 Boyd County Fair Schedule

Atkinson Celebrates 70th Hay Days Celebration This Weekend

8/4/10
From the Hay Days King & Queen Coronation on Friday night with the band "Full Choke" playing, to a Parade, Ribfest, Golf Tournament, Childrens Theatre, Free Barbecue and more you don't want to miss the 70th Hay Days Celebration this Friday, Saturday and Sunday in Atkinson.  There will be a memorial video for Janessa Schaaf prior to the Children's Theatre on both Saturday and Sunday prior to the play at 1:30 p.m.

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

O'Neill City Council To Advertise For Bids For Community Center

Architects sketch of O'Neill Community Center

8/3/10
At their monthly meeting of the O'Neill City Council on Monday, August 2 they approved to advertise for bids for the O'Neill Community Center which is to be constructed just south of the Depot at the south entrance to O'Neill.

The advertising for bids will be for three weeks with bids to be opened at 6:00 pm on August 31 with awarding of the bid on September 2.

The Community Center will be a facility that will be able to seat 500 people and will be a great asset to O'Neill.

Clearwater To Celebrate National Farmers Market Week Wednesday And KBRX Cruise Night Part Of It

8/3/10
In honor of National Farmer's Market Awareness Week, which is from Aug. 1 through Aug. 7, the town of Clearwater has planned a fun filled night beginning  at 5 p.m., Aug. 4.  Activities will begin at the Clearwater Rodeo Grounds with the Farmer's Market featuring local artists, working displays, free hay rack rides and much more.  The event will continue into the evening with a Cruise Night at 8 p.m. on main street in Clearwater, KBRX will be there providing the live music and coverage of the evening.  A John Deere Museum and tractor rides will also be present for the event.  If you would like to participate with the Farmer's Market or would like to cruise with other cars, trucks or motorcycles participating call 402-485-2155 or 402-640-8381.

Homebuyer Education Workshop Scheduled For O'Neill In August

8/3/10
For families dreaming of owning their own home, but uncertain about how to make that dream a reality, the Central Nebraska Housing Developers (CNHD) will conduct a REACH-Approved Homebuyer Educational workshop in O’Neill in August.  This workshop will be held at Northeast Community College at 409 E. Adams Street on August 19 & 26, from 6-10 p.m. both evenings.  Participants are required to attend both evenings to receive a certificate of completion.

CNHD has a down payment assistance program, and participation in a REACH-certified workshop is a requirement for applying for these funds or other down payment assistance, as well as to qualify for low-interest mortgage loans.  To participate in these special programs, all persons to be listed on the property deed must complete Homebuyer Education.

The cost of the workshop is $25 per household, which covers books and materials.  Pre-registration is required.

To sign up for this workshop, or to inquire about future workshops, please contact Melissa Krysl, Housing Assistant, at 402-482-5795 or via e-mail at melissa@cnedd.org, or visit the CNHD website for housing information at www.cnedd.org/housing.html.

Northeast In O'Neill To Use Gift As CPR Training Tool

8/3/10
(NORFOLK, Neb.) – Representatives of the Nebraska New Car and Truck Dealers Association visited Northeast Community College last week to present a gift that will enhance CPR training at Northeast’s education center in O’Neill.

            Pat "Sully" Sullivan, vice president of dealer relations for the association, Darrel Novacek,  Courtesy Ford Lincoln Mercury in Norfolk, and Al Rajaee of Cornhusker Auto Center in Norfolk presented a Resusci Anne Training Unit to Northeast President Dr. Bill Path and Mary Marston, director of Northeast’s Allied Health program.  The unit will be taken to O’Neill for use at Northeast’s education center.

            According to Sullivan, the Nebraska New Car and Truck Dealers Association gives approximately 15 Resusci Anne Training Systems to daycare centers, colleges, Red Cross offices, hospitals, fire departments, and rescue units every year.

            Marston said students from the O’Neill area will now have another training tool to teach them how to help when an individual has a heart attack.  “If the right kind of treatment is given a heart attack victim within seconds after being stricken, the chances are good that the life can be saved,” Sullivan said.  “CPR training teaches a person how to keep the heart beating until professional help arrives.”

            He also said that since the massive involvement of Americans training in CPR, there has been an increase in long-term survivors of patients struck with ventricular fibrillation.  “There are countless cases where trained citizens have saved individuals who otherwise would have died,” Sullivan said.  “Often, those citizens can be returned to normal activities if treated quickly with a Resusci Anne Training Unit before emergency help arrives.”

            In accepting the CPR training unit, Marston said the system will help train countless people in the O’Neill area.  “We are very grateful for the donation of this system,” she said.  “More and more people are realizing the benefits of CPR training and this will help us train even more people this life-saving technique out of our education center in O’Neill.”

            The Resusci Anne Training Unit gives signals that indicate when the CPR administrator is applying the right pressure in the right spot or breathing correctly into the victim’s mouth.  “With the training, students learn the ‘feel’ of giving quick, lifesaving emergency treatment,” Marston said.

KBRX Junior Golf Tournament This Thursday

8/2/10

Area Cowboys & Cowgirls Among Best In World At Little Britches Finals Rodeo

8/2/10
A number of area Cowgirls and Cowboys did well at the Little Britches Finals Rodeo held last week in Pueblo, Colorado. Here is how they placed in the finasl last week and also in parenthesis how they fared in the World Results.

NECC Education Centers To Close Briefly August 11.....Getting Ready For Fall

8/2/10
(NORFOLK, Neb.) - Northeast Community College in Norfolk and its education centers in West Point, O’Neill, and South Sioux City will close for an in-service program on Wednesday, August 11, from 8-10 a.m. 

            All offices will re-open at 10 a.m.

             Fall semester classes begin Monday, August 16, at Northeast Community College.  New freshman students at NECC planning to take six or more credit hours during the fall semester are required to participate in Orientation/Registration before the first day of classes.  Students will learn more about college life and meet with advisors to plan class schedules at Orientation/Registration.  Parents and family members are welcome to attend.

            Orientation/Registration sessions are planned for Monday, August 2, from 12:30-5 p.m.;  Monday, August 9, from 4-8:30 p.m.; Tuesday, August 10, from 4-8:30 p.m., and Friday, August 13, from 8:30 a.m.-noon and again from 12:30-5 p.m.   All sessions will be held in the College Welcome Center on the campus in Norfolk.

            New, incoming students are reminded that their ACT or COMPASS scores must be on file at NECC before registration.  If the student has not taken the free COMPASS test, he or she is encouraged to contact the NECC Testing Center at (402)844-7281 to schedule an appointment to complete the test before Orientation/Registration.  Those able to complete the testing before Orientation/Registration will expedite the entire registration process and be finished earlier than those who have not been tested.

            Anyone planning to attend an Orientation/Registration Session should pre-register by calling Northeast Community College at (402)844-7261 so an advisor can be available for all students.

For more information, call (402)844-7261.

Holt And Boyd Among Nine Counties That May Be Eligible For Farm Aid

7/29/10
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman wants federal officials to declare agricultural disasters in nine counties.
     Heineman sent a request for the declarations into the U.S. Agriculture Secretary on Wednesday.
     Heineman says extensive crop damage was found in the nine counties because of heavy rains, hail, high winds and flooding.
     Once disaster declarations are issued, farmers in the covered counties will be eligible for USDA disaster assistance programs, including low-interest loans.
     Heineman's request includes Boone, Box Butte, Boyd, Cheyenne, Dawson, Garfield, Holt, Johnson and Kimball counties.

Area Cowgirls and Cowboys Do Well In First Round Of Little Britches National Finals Rodeo

7/28/10
The first round of the Little Britches National Finals Rodeo is in the books in Pueblo, Colorado and a number of cowgirls adn cowboys from the KBRX area did well. Here are those from the area who finished in the Top 15 in events in the first round.

Senior Boys Tie Down Roping - Tanner Stec, Bassett 12th 12.86
Senior Boys Team Roping - Brady Wakefield of O'Neill and Klay O'Daniel of Ogallala 1st 6.9
Senior Girls Breakaway- Kelsey Knust, Verdigre 10th 3.33
Junior Boys Goat Tying - Riley Wakefield, 6th  9.85
Junior Boys & Girls Team Roping - Riley Wakefield along with Rickie Engessor of Spearfish South Dakota 1st 8.4
Junior Girls Breakaway - Delynn Strand, Amelia 6th 3.77
Junior Girls Trail Course - Delynn Strand, Amelia 14th 23.383

The rodeo continues through Saturday.

O'Neill Fireman Awards Night Held

7/29/10
The O'Neill Fire Department held its annual awards night last Saturday evening at the fire hall in O'Neill.

The guest speaker for the evening was Lt. Governor Rich Sheehy of Hastings.

Fireman honored for their years of service were Ben Kurtz-one year, Adam Kurtz-five years, Earl Hipke-25 years, Jim Cobb-25 years, Rod Ludemann-25 years, Ron Schmit-35 years and Ben Bazelman-45 years.

(Left to right) Ron Schmit-35 years, Lt. Governor Rick Sheehy and Ben Bazelman-45 years.

(Left to right) Lt. Governor Rick Sheehy, Earl Hipke-25 years, Jim Cobb-25 years and Rod Ludemann-25 years.

Senator Nelson: Views Of State And Local Officials Must Be Considered In Proposed Keystone Pipeline

7/28/10
July 28, 2010 – Nebraska’s Senator Ben Nelson said today that he sent a letter to the U.S. State Department asking for an update and copies of correspondence concerning its efforts to gather analyses and viewpoints from federal, state and local officials about the Keystone XL pipeline proposed to be constructed from Canada through Nebraska.

“Certainly with the continuing Gulf of Mexico oil spill tragedy and a break in a pipeline this week in Michigan, the State Department should seek to gain a better understanding of safety issues and the environmental impacts of the proposed oil pipeline on our state,” Senator Nelson said in his weekly conference call today with Nebraska media. “It is important that the Department seek all analyses regarding the Keystone project, not only from federal sources but also from state and local government agencies.

“It is my understanding that the Department did extend its deadline for public comment to allow for additional views from state officials in Nebraska. That will help answer concerns and uncertainties I’m hearing from many Nebraskans.

“Whatever decision the Department reaches on the proposed Keystone pipeline, it must take into full account all viewpoints—from federal and state sources--and consider the importance of the Ogallala Aquifer and the Sandhills to Nebraska's economic and agricultural livelihood,” Nelson said.

Senator Nelson sent the letter on July 27. A copy follows:

The Honorable William Burns
Undersecretary for Political Affairs
U.S. Department of State
Washington, DC 20520

July 27,2010

Dear Under Secretary Burns:

I write as a follow up to our July 2, 2010, phone call, wherein I visited with you and other officials at the U.S. Department of State regarding the Keystone XL pipeline.

During our conversation, I stressed to you the importance of the State Department seeking further information and viewpoints from state and local officials within my home state of Nebraska regarding the pipeline before completing your agency's review of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). This is absolutely essential in light of recent concerns raised by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding the Draft EIS and an extension of the timetable for review of the EIS, as recently posted on the State Department's website: "After further consultation with those agencies, the Department has extended the time for all consulted federal agencies to provide their views to the Department until ninety (90) days following issuance of the final EIS."  By doing so, the State Department will gain a better understanding of the safety issues and environmental impacts which the proposed oil pipeline would have on Nebraska and its ecosystem.

With the ongoing tragedy in the Gulf of Mexico and today's pipeline break into the Kalamazoo River in southwest Michigan, it is important in my view that the State Department seeks out all of the analyses it can regarding the Keystone XL pipeline, not only from federal sources, but also from state government agencies.  Doing so will help in answering the many concerns and uncertainties my constituency has raised regarding the proposed pipeline and ensure that whatever decision the State Department makes will take into full account the importance of the Ogallala Aquifer and the Sandhills to Nebraska's economic and agricultural livelihood.

Therefore, I respectfully request an update as to the State Department's efforts, including copies of letters from the agency and responses received, to gain a greater understanding from state and local officials surrounding the environmental and economic impacts the proposed pipeline will have on my home state of Nebraska.

Mr. Under Secretary, thank you for your consideration of my request. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

Senator Ben Nelson

CNCS Accepting Additional Caseload

7/28/10
Central Nebraska Community Services (CNCS) Commodity Supplemental Food Program needs your help!  The program is accepting additional caseload immediately. Clinics are conducted in O’Neill monthly.  

Who is eligible?  Women who have had a baby within the last 12 months, or are pregnant now, children 0-6 years of age, and seniors 60 years of age and greater.

Let this free nutrition assistance program stock your shelves and meet your grocery needs.

For more information or to see if you qualify, contact Theresa at the O’Neill CNCS warehouse 402-336-4298, ext. 16 Monday through Thursday.

Nebraska Hunters Must Sign Up For Bird Harvest Program

7/28/10
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - The required hunter registration in the state's Harvest Information Program begins Aug. 1.
     The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission says program registration is required of Nebraskans 16 and older and all nonresidents who plan to hunt migratory game birds between Aug. 1 and July 31 next year.
     The federally mandated program helps officials keep track of how many birds are killed each year by hunters. The data help the setting of limits and seasons.
     Hunters may register online at www.nehip.com or by telephone at 877-634-8687. The hunters will be given numbers that they must keep with them while on hunts.
     Permits are available at the commission website, OutdoorNebraska.org.