Visitors to the KBRB Web site may listen to live programming, with news broadcasts from 6 until 11 a.m., and from noon to 1 p.m., plus all of our local sports broadcasts.

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Service Information can be found on the Obituaries Page

* Danny L. Cole, 61, of York formerly of Ainsworth 10 a.m. April 18

* Kenneth R. Turpin, 75, of Newport 10 a.m. April 17

* Meeting reports located below for:

April 14 Sandhills Care Center Board of Directors

April 14 Ainsworth Community Schools Board of Education

April 9 Ainsworth City Council

April 7 Brown County Commissioners

March 17 Brown County Commissioners

March 3 Primary Election candidate filings

* ACS adopts five-year strategic plan

(Posted 9:15 a.m. April 15)

Ainsworth Community Schools has adopted a new five-year strategic plan. Designed to support student success while reflecting the priorities and expectations of district stakeholders, the plan is the result of a months-long collaboration with the Nebraska Association of School Boards Leadership Team.

Using online surveys of administration, board members, staff, parents, and students, as well as information gathered through a series of community engagement meetings, the plan provides a clear set of priorities to guide district decision-making over the next five years.

“The purpose is that we’re deliberate in what we’re accomplishing while knowing our stakeholders have a voice in what we’re doing,” Superintendent of Ainsworth Community Schools Dale Hafer said. “Now that we’ve done this work, we will honor the effort and input that all of our staff, students, and stakeholders have given us.”

The plan allows the district to address challenges, set district-wide priorities, and align resources with the needs and expectations of students, staff, and the community. It identifies several key priority areas, known as Guiding Principles, that will serve as areas of focus for the district’s efforts:

Personnel Effectiveness: Recognizing that staff play a vital role in student success, the district is committed to supporting teachers and staff through comprehensive onboarding, relevant professional development, and opportunities for collaborative decision-making.

Family and Community Partnerships: Recognizing that strong family and community partnerships are a cornerstone of student success, the district will focus on clear, consistent communication, explore opportunities for community partnerships that enrich classroom experiences, and bolster family engagement to support meaningful involvement.

District Resources: Recognizing the importance of continued fiscal responsibility, the district is committed to maintaining safe, functional learning spaces and focusing on the recruitment and retention of quality staff to meet the evolving needs of students, families, and the community.

“Now we start to engage with our staff to make these things a reality,” Hafer said. “As we do district business, we need to have this plan in the background guiding our decisions.”

To learn more about the Ainsworth Community Schools Strategic Plan, contact the district office at 402-387-2333.

* Recent cases from Brown County District Court

(Posted 6:45 a.m. April 15)

During Brown County District Court Tuesday, Zachary W. Frazier, age 32, of Ainsworth, was found guilty of violating the sex offender registry, a Class IIIA felony. Frazier was sentenced to five years of probation.

Joe W. Crooker, 44, of Johnstown, was found guilty in District Court Tuesday of attempting to violate the sex offender registry, a Class IV felony. Crooker was fined $750 and ordered to pay court costs.

* Care Center Board discusses new facility construction

(Posted 1:45 p.m. April 14)

The Sandhills Care Center Board of Directors is debating whether to proceed with major renovations to its existing facility or explore the possibility of constructing a new facility.

The center’s contracted architect estimated the cost to bring the current facility up to date would be similar to the cost of simply building a new care center.

Board Chair Tom Jones said the board needed to figure out a path forward. He read a letter from board member and Brown County Commissioner Dennis Bauer, who was unable to attend Monday’s meeting but indicated his preference to build a new facility.

Bauer also indicated the cleanest way forward, in his opinion, would be for the nursing home to be a county-owned facility and dissolve the interlocal agreement with the city of Ainsworth. That way, if voters approved a levy to assist in paying for a new facility, that levy could be spread across the entire county and would not have to include ballot measures for both the county and the city of Ainsworth.

The Sandhills Care Center has been jointly owned and operated by the city of Ainsworth and Brown County through an interlocal agreement since it was reopened in 2016.

Board member and Ainsworth City Councilman Kent Taylor said the interlocal agreement served the facility well at the start, as the city of Ainsworth had some Community Development Block Grant funding at the time that helped with getting the facility reopened.

“I agree with what Denny wrote,” Taylor said. “The world has changed and what people expect is different. If fixing the current building was half the cost of building new, I would feel different, but it is about the exact same money.”

Taylor said he believed the Brown County Commissioners and Ainsworth City Council needed to have a joint meeting with the Care Center Board to determine the best way forward.

North Central Development Center Executive Director Kristin Olson said the $1.35 million application to Congressman Adrian Smith’s office for federal funding support was included on Smith’s earmarked appropriations list for the 2027 federal budget.

“It still needs to be approved by Congress,” Olson said. “But you would then either have to move forward with the projects we included or you would have to turn back that grant.”

Taylor said the care center could spend all the federal funds just improving the attic of the current facility.

He said a new facility with 24 dual-occupancy rooms would cost approximately $9.3 million, which is about the same as the cost would be to make all of the major renovations that are needed in the current building, constructed in the 1960s.

“It is not an easy decision, but I am not surprised the costs are about the same,” Taylor said. “It’s pretty similar to any big home renovation project.”

Taylor said the cleanest way to move forward with the potential construction of a new facility would be to have the facility owned and operated by the county, similar to the way the Brown County Hospital operates.

“With a new facility, you wouldn’t double up on a lot of rooms, and two residents would share one bathroom instead of four residents,” Taylor said.

Jones said trying to undertake major needed renovations to the current building would be about impossible with residents living in the facility.

“We would have to go to the community for a vote,” Jones said.

Board member Dr. Mel Campbell said having one entity own and operate the facility would be easier from a governing standpoint.

“I thought the cost for a new building would be closer to $15 million to $18 million,” Campbell said.

Campbell and board member Bruce Papstein both agreed having a joint meeting of the commissioners and the city council was warranted to discuss the best path forward.

Olson said, depending on the decision made by the group following a joint meeting, she could follow up with Smith’s office to see if the project could be amended to have the earmarked federal funds go to help with the construction of a new facility instead of making renovations to the current building.

Taylor said he would likely not be in favor of spending any additional money renovating the current facility.

Audience member Graig Kinzie said the care center could face some public relations issues if it moved forward with spending more than $1 million to renovate the current facility and then ask voters to approve a new building by passing a property tax levy to support the construction.

“If you accept those federal funds, you could look at improving the current building with things that could move to a new building to offset some of those costs,” Kinzie said.

Following the discussion, the board approved requesting the Brown County Commissioners and Ainsworth City Council set a joint meeting to discuss their preference for moving forward with either renovations or new construction.

Administrator Penny Jacobs said representatives from arCuretecture would attend the joint session to provide information on both options.

Olson reported Monday an application for a $100,000 grant to make energy efficiency improvements to the current building has been submitted. That grant would not require any matching funds if awarded, and could be used for things like insulation in the attic or new windows and doors for the facility.

Jacobs reported there are currently 30 residents calling the Sandhills Care Center home, with 13 from Ainsworth, 10 from Cherry County, four from rural Brown County, and one resident each from Long Pine, Rock County and Keya Paha County.

Jacobs said, of the 30 residents, 14 pay privately, 15 receive Medicaid assistance and one receives Medicaid hospice assistance.

Business manager Makenzie Crane reported the care center remains on solid financial footing. She said expenses were higher in March due to there being five Mondays in the month with supplies typically ordered on Mondays. She said the facility paid a quarterly bed tax to the state in March in the amount of $21,519 and also paid full-time staff for excess paid-time off hours that were not taken. She said the paid-time off buyouts are made in March and October.

The Sandhill Care Center generated $280,898 in revenue during March with expenses of $311,804 for a net loss during the month of $30,906.

Crane reported the care center has $129,707 available through its operating account and accounts receivable remaining after expenses are paid. The facility also has $19,435 in a savings/donation account, $54,016 in its interlocal account, $24,294 in its depreciation reserve account, and three CDs, each at $100,000, in local banks earning interest.

Crane requested and received permission from the board to open a checking account dedicated to the care center’s annual Back to School Bash. She said support for that event grows each year, and numerous donations for this year’s event scheduled from 4 until 7 p.m. Aug. 7 have been received.

“Some donors made checks out to the Back to School Bash so I would like a separate account for that event,” Crane said.

The board approved the request with the same signatories as the care center’s other operating accounts.

“That is very good PR for our facility,” Jones said. “Makenzie has really grown this event.”

Jacobs reported the new handicap-accessible whirlpool bath has been installed and is in use.

“It is very much appreciated,” Jacobs said.

She said residents can be seated on a chair that is lowered into the tub.

Jones said he was glad that project worked out, as the accessible whirlpool tub was definitely something the facility needed.

The next meeting of the Sandhills Care Center Board of Directors is scheduled for 5 p.m. May 11.

* School Board approves 4 new hires for 2026-27

(Posted 5:30 a.m. April 14)

The Ainsworth Community Schools Board of Education on Monday approved four teaching contracts for the 2026-27 school year and approved the resignation of two staff members effective at the end of the current year.

Spanish and government teacher Jessi Owen submitted his resignation after nine years with Ainsworth Community Schools, and Little Paws Preschool teacher Cee Anna Beel submitted her resignation effective at the end of the current school year. The board approved both resignations, with board member Frank Beel abstaining on Cee Anna Beel’s resignation vote.

The board approved a contract with Savannah Willesden for an open English/language arts position with the district created when current teacher Cory Friedrich was hired as the high school principal for the 2026-27 school year. Mathias Beyer was hired to teach industrial technology to replace Todd Pollock, who previously announced his retirement.

Hunter Kocian was hired for a social studies position created by Owen’s resignation. The board also approved a contract with Madisyn Steinkraus for the Little Paws Preschool position created by Beel’s resignation.

Superintendent Dale Hafer said every one of the staff members hired for the upcoming school year planned to help with coaching assignments as well. He said Willesden also has a license to drive a bus.

Board President Brad Wilkins read resignation letters from paraprofessional Karen Kackmeister and custodian Joe McMurtrey effective at the end of the current school year.

Hafer said the district planned to absorb the open activities director secretary position and have current staff handle those responsibilities. Hafer said the move to absorb that position would not only save the district money, it would empower current office staff to demonstrate their strengths as a team.

In other business Monday, the board approved allowing the building and grounds committee to review quotes to replace hallway flooring in the elementary building at a cost not to exceed $55,000.

Wilkins suggested, since quotes for the project have not all been received, the board could have the building and grounds committee review the quotes and make a decision on who to hire for the project.

Hafer said the cost of the project should be lower than what the board was authorizing the committee to approve. The goal of allowing the committee to make the decision was to make sure the project could move forward and be completed during the summer when school was not in session.

The board also discussed replacing the flooring on the Learning Center stage, but Wilkins said the board could make a decision on that project during its May meeting.

The board authorized the transportation committee to purchase an SUV from First Class Auto using depreciation funds.

Wilkins said the SUV would replace the district’s 2011 van.

In a final action item Monday, the board approved the purchase of new science curriculum for the elementary school from McGraw Hill at a cost of $27,414.

Elementary Principal Kelsey Riesen said the elementary teachers were excited to have the new curriculum for the next school year.

The board reviewed school policies 904.02 through 905.10 as it continues to go over the district’s policy book.

Prior to Monday’s meeting, the board held the first of two required Americanism meetings. The second Americanism meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. May 11 ahead of the board’s next regular meeting.

* Brown County Sheriff’s Department weekly summary

(Posted 10 a.m. April 13)

April 5

A deputy was notified of a possible reckless driver. The vehicle was located driving 74 mph and a traffic stop was made. The driver was given a written warning for speeding and a verbal warning for improper passing.

April 6

The sheriff provided a welfare check on a vehicle in southern Brown County. The individual was found to be ok.

A written warning for speeding was given to a motorist on Highway 7.

A written warning for speeding was given to a motorist on Highway 20 east of Ainsworth.

April 7

Deputies investigated a report of trash blowing into their pastures from another property south of Long Pine.

A traffic stop was made on Highway 183. The driver received citations for speeding 71 mph in a 65 mph zone, driving without a driver’s license and no proof of insurance.

Deputies assisted with getting cattle off the roadway on Norden Avenue.

A deputy was asked to help notify a Brown County resident who forgot to pay for fuel in Ainsworth.

April 8

The sheriff responded to an alarm going off in the courthouse. Everything was found to be ok.

A deputy responded to the location of a 911 hang up in Ainsworth. The person was found to be ok and it was an accidental dial.

The sheriff’s office and the Brown County Attorney’s office are assisting the Attorney General’s office with an ongoing investigation.

The Brown County Ambulance Association assisted the Brown County Hospital with the transfer of a patient.

The Ainsworth Volunteer Fire Department responded to a fire in rural Brown County.  

A deputy responded to suspicious activity reported in Ainsworth. The deputy was unable to locate the reported person.

April 9

A deputy responded to a vehicle that was reported to be driving recklessly. The sheriff’s office was notified that the vehicle was in another county and dispatchers relayed the information to the appropriate county.

Deputies responded to a report of suspicious activity at a vacant business in Ainsworth. Deputies checked the building and reported there was nobody inside and no vehicles were present. The deputies checked in the area and were informed there are people who are remodeling and cleaning up the building.

April 10

A reckless driver was reported to the sheriff’s office. The sheriff responded to the reported area and was unable to find the vehicle described.

A written warning for speeding was given to a motorist on Highway 20 west of Ainsworth.

Deputies responded to reports of smoke in rural Brown County. It was discovered the smoke was most likely due to the wind blowing smoke from burn permits issued in other counties.

Deputies responded to a report of minors doing “cookies” in a business parking lot in Ainsworth.

April 11

A written warning for driving left of center was given to a motorist in Ainsworth.

A deputy conducted a traffic stop on a semi after a complaint the semi was struggling to maintain its lane and speeding. The driver was given a written warning for speeding.

Deputies were at Prom and Post Prom activities providing alcohol breath testing for Ainsworth Community Schools.

Weekly Log
Phone calls – 804
Calls for service – 18
911 emergency calls – 9
Vehicle titles inspected – 5
Firearms permits purchased – 1
Jail inmates housed – 0

* Pozehl is state’s deputy emergency manager of the year

(Posted 1:15 p.m. April 10)

Brown/Rock Emergency Management Agency Deputy Jessica Pozehl was awarded the Deputy Director of the Year for 2026 during the NAEM conference Thursday. 

Pozehl began her career as deputy director for Brown and Rock counties Dec. 1, 2022. She completed her Basic Certification in October of 2023.

As a long-standing member of the Long Pine Rural Fire Department, Pozehl serves on the front lines of response providing accurate and real time information to her director while working side by side with firefighters. Pozehl pulled double duty during the Plum Creek Fire in April 2025 to include pursuing her state Finance Taskbook while meeting all local deputy requirements.

Pozehl is eager and capable of adding to her growing resume. Last year found her among a new group of contributing members in the North Central PET Region and at NEMA. Given the task of organizing and leading grant trainings including assuming the state training committee role, Pozehl has shown great improvements in an area that was lacking under prior leadership.

Among her many accomplishments of 2025, she has focused on obtaining a wider scope of grant writing abilities. Of the many grants Pozehl has received during her career, her most recent contributions to the Community Wildfire Defense Grant team led Brown and Rock counties to receive Community Defense Wildfire Grants totaling over $24 million.

Brown/Rock EMA Director Traci Booth said, “We knew locally how fortunate we are to have Jess, but now the state recognizes her contributions as well. I am confident that when our area is again confronted with a disaster or even a lesser devastating incident that Jessica will continue to contribute skillfully to support local agencies toward a sensible and successful conclusion, establishing a return to normalcy in a reasonable manner.”

* Council plans to increase water, sewer rates

(Posted 11 a.m. April 9)

The Ainsworth City Council plans to increase water and sewer rates soon after both funds finished in the red during 2025.

The city’s water fund generated $256,047 in revenue during 2025, with expenses of $391,573 for a net loss of $135,526. The sewer fund lost $43,115 in 2025, with revenue of $412,158 and expenses of $455,273.

City Administrator Lisa Schroedl said during Wednesday’s council meeting the city has not increased its water and sewer fees since 2018. A study conducted by the Nebraska Rural Water Association showed Ainsworth had the lowest fees charged for water among a dozen communities in the state with populations between 1,500 and 2,500.

Ainsworth’s current monthly fee of $12.50 was well below the $23.49 per month average of the group of communities, and its $1.55 charge per 1,000 gallons of water used matched Geneva for the cheapest among the group of communities.

Schroedl said it might be more palatable for water and sewer customers to spread the increases out over a period of time.

“We are lucky to have the debt service fund from the local option sales tax,” Schroedl said. “That has allowed us to get by up to this point.”

The debt service fund, which receives a portion of the 1.5-cent city sales tax, has been used to make payments on outstanding water and sewer bonds.

Councilmen Kent Taylor and Dustin Barthel, after discussing whether to spread the increase out over two years or to make the increase all at once, agreed that increasing the fees one time would be the preferred option.

Mayor Joel Klammer said, even by making the increase all at once, the city would still be below the average of what communities of similar size charge residents for water and sewer service.

Schroedl will craft an ordinance for the council to consider during its May meeting that would increase water service fees from $12.50 per month to $20.50 per month, with the rate per 1,000 gallons used increasing from $1.55 to $2.25.

Sewer rates would increase from $31 per month to $39 per month with the usage rate increasing from $2.30 per 1,000 gallons to $3.

Audience member Graig Kinzie suggested the council consider in May making small annual increases to its water and sewer rates so future councils weren’t put in the same position of having to make large one-time rate increases.

With council members Brad Fiala and Heather Lutter absent, Taylor and Barthel said it would be good to get those two members’ input in May before voting on the rate increases. Taylor said, though he would be absent for May’s meeting, he was in favor of approving the increased rates to get the water and sewer funds on more stable footing.

The council will vote on an ordinance to increase the water and sewer rates during its May meeting.

In a related item, the council approved declaring $2,963 in past-due utility bills as bad debt after a recommendation from the city’s auditor.

Schroedl said the accounts have gone unpaid for a long time.

“Some of the people have passed away, and some of the businesses are no longer operating,” she said. “Some have been on here for several years.”

In other business Wednesday, the council agreed to pay for half of the cost of repairs incurred by property owners on the west side of the city who had to dig up an area to find a water leak.

Property owner Jake Wilkins said the owners of townhomes on the west side of the city spent $6,550 to find a leak in the water line.

Wilkins said the leak was found to be coming from stripped threads on the outward side of a curb stop.

“Because it was a curb stop, which the city owns, we would request the city pay for half of the cost,” Wilkins said. “We should have probably stopped work to figure everything out first, so we are willing to take on half of the cost.”

Water Superintendent Brad Miller said it was difficult to figure out where the problem was occurring, and with plastic pipe in that area, it was difficult to locate the lines.

Klammer said there was a substantial discrepancy between the hours billed by a private contractor for the project and the hours the water department estimated it would have taken for city crews to perform the work.

Miller said it would be difficult to estimate the hours needed when digging to a plastic line. Contractor Grant Stec said a portion of the labor was hand-digging in a pit by the bucket full to excavate an area around the pit to determine if the leak was coming from there.

Barthel said, though he would be abstaining from the vote since he owns one of the townhomes in the area, he believed splitting the expense was fair.

Taylor said he was good with paying half of the cost. He said the city already paid $700, so that would leave $2,575 to cover the remainder of the city’s half.

By a 2-0 vote with Taylor and Klammer in favor and Barthel abstaining, the council approved paying for half of the cost of the repair work.

The council again discussed the Sellors-Barton Museum repair project with members of the museum committee.

CRDN Commercial of Lincoln provided the city with an estimate of $140,000 to $150,000 to remove the mold-damaged items from the museum and clean them in the company’s facility.

Klammer said he, Schroedl and Lutter met with the committee and had a productive discussion.

“There are still a lot of things to sort out to develop a plan,” Klammer said.

Museum committee representative Cindy Buckles said the committee will meet again next week to see if there are ways to pare down the estimate for the restoration work. She said the group will likely seek estimates from other companies.

“There is a company in Norfolk that did some work for Springview,” Buckles said. “We have to bring that figure down. They may be able to give us an idea of what we can do. We will keep working on it. There are more people jumping in to help.”

North Central Development Center Executive Director Kristin Olson said the NCDC has been pulling together some potential funding options to assist with both the restoration work and repairs to the museum building. No action was taken by the council.

The council approved declaring property at 227 E. Second St. as a nuisance as recommended by code enforcement officer Kelsie Evans. Evans said the resident has had a substantial amount of time to remedy the issues and has not complied. She said multiple residents have voiced concerns about the condition of the property.

With the nuisance declaration, the city can contract for the property to be cleaned up with the cost assessed to the resident.

The council received one bid for a three-year lease on farm acreage owned by the city east of town near the KBR Solid Waste Transfer Station.

Airyan Goochey submitted a bid of $2,720 annually during each of the next three years to farm the acreage.

The council approved recommendations by the mayor to reappoint Jean Hunt and Stacie Gilliland to four-year terms on the Ainsworth Public Library Board, and to reappoint Jim Hoch and Shari Luther to three-year terms on the Cemetery Board.

During her report, Schroedl said she is advertising for bids for Phase II of the pickleball court project at East City Park. Proposals are due May 1, and contractors can bid on all or portions of the project.

The next meeting of the Ainsworth City Council is scheduled for 5 p.m. May 13.

* Paving works begins soon on Highway 20

(Posted noon April 8)

Weather permitting, work will begin April 20 on Highway 20 between Stuart and Atkinson, from milepost 280 to milepost 288, according to the Nebraska Department of Transportation.

Werner Construction of Hastings is the prime contractor for the project. Work includes culvert repair, milling, asphalt paving and seeding. Traffic will be maintained with flaggers, Automated Flagger Assistance Devices and a pilot car for the milling and asphalt paving operations. Anticipated completion is the middle of July.

Motorists are reminded to drive cautiously in and near work zones, to buckle up, and put phones down.

* Ainsworth City Council Wednesday agenda

(Posted 6:30 a.m. April 8)

Ainsworth City Council
Meeting 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 8
Ainsworth Conference Center
Agenda

• Call to Order
• I. Routine Business
  • Announcement of Open Meetings Act
  • Roll Call
  • Pledge of Allegiance
• II. Consent Agenda – All items approved with the passage of one motion
  • Approve minutes from the March 11, 2026 regular meeting
  • Approval of claims
  • Treasurer’s report
  • Department head reports

• III. Mayor’s Appointments and Report
  • Mayor’s Report
  • Mayor’s Appointments
    • Library Board (4-year term):  Reappointments of Jean Hunt and Stacie Gilliland with terms ending 4/30/2030
    • Cemetery Board (3-year term):  Reappointments of Jim Hoch with term ending 12/9/2028 and Shari Luther with term ending 12/9/2027
• IV. Public Hearings
  • None
• V. Old Business
  • Open and consider sealed bids received for the farm lease
• VI. Regular Agenda
  • Water leak – Jake Wilkins
  • Sellors-Barton museum update
  • Consider the City of Ainsworth utilities bad debt listing
  • Discuss and consider the Ainsworth water and sewer utility rate studies prepared by Nebraska Rural Water Association
  • Discuss and consider nuisance properties identified:
    • Resolution #26-02:  227 E 2^nd St
  • Agreement with North Central Development Center – subgroup
  • City Administrator/Clerk/Treasurer Report
• VII. Adjourn

* Commissioners approve applying for care center grant

(Posted 2:45 p.m. April 7)

The Brown County Commissioners on Tuesday approved having the county be the applicant for a potential energy grant for the Sandhills Care Center.

North Central Development Center Executive Director Kristin Olson said an energy efficiency grant opportunity was potentially available through the Nebraska Department of Water, Energy and Environment. The $100,000 grant, if awarded, would be used by the Sandhills Care Center to make energy efficiency upgrades in the facility. The grant requires no matching funds from the local entities.

“The NDEE suggested having the county apply instead of the care center,” Olson said. “It could be used for lighting, windows or HVAC, we just need to decide which project we would apply for.”

Olson said the application was due Monday, so the timeline was short to complete the application.

Commissioner Dennis Bauer said there weren’t many chances to get grant funding without having local matching funds, so applying was a good idea.

“A lot is grandfathered in that doesn’t meet code,” Bauer said of the current facility. “As we start to make improvements, we may get forced into bringing more up to current code.”

Bauer said he would be comfortable having Olson meet with the architect spearheading the potential facility renovation project to determine which portion to include in the grant application.

“Lighting upgrades would have an impact on the workers and the residents,” Bauer said.

Commissioner Jeremiah Dailey said it was definitely worth applying for the grant. The board unanimously approved allowing the NCDC to apply for the grant on the county’s behalf.

In other business Tuesday, audience member Dan Spier provided the commissioners with language from the Open Meetings Act and asserted the county had been in violation on two recent occurrences, during a Feb. 11 joint meeting with the Rock County Commissioners and during a March 31 meeting of the Sandhills Care Center Board.

Spier said neither of those meetings were publicly advertised according to Open Meetings Act requirements.
Bauer said he took responsibility for the March 31 meeting of the Care Center Board.

“Originally, just two members were going to meet with the architect,” Bauer said. “But, other board members wanted to hear what the architects had to say so it was a miscommunication on how many of us could attend. Two of us needed to stay away. I showed up and I shouldn’t have.”

Spier said he wasn’t asking anyone to take action but boards cannot have meetings if notice is not provided.

Bauer said the commissioners would try to make sure the Open Meetings Act is followed and all meetings have proper public notice.

Commissioner Don Painter said advertising has now started in both the newspaper and on the radio for the weed superintendent position. Clerk Travee Hobbs said she received a phone call from someone who plans to stop in and pick up an application. The opening will run for two weeks on the radio and in three issues of the newspaper.

Treasurer Bruce Mitchell reported a recent delinquent tax sale led to 37 parcels being purchased by two entities and three individuals for a total of $48,329 that was paid to the county.

Those purchasing the delinquent property taxes either receive interest when the property owner pays the tax or, after a period of time, can file a lien against the property.

Mitchell said there are 34 delinquent properties remaining where the tax was not purchased.

In other action items, the board took no action on a request from Men’s Health Network to declare June as Men’s Health Month in Brown County.

The board approved renewing a sign permit through the Nebraska Department of Transportation for a Brown County Visitors Committee sign along Highway 20 on property owned by Mark Krieger.

Budget preparer Caleb Johnson said, with the county having to amend its budget to account for the federal dollars received for the cedar tree removal project and the money received by the Brown County Ambulance Association for the purchase of new defibrillator units, he planned to wait until May to make the amendment so everything could be lumped into one budget amendment and the county would not have the expense of having to amend its budget more than once.

Bauer said the budget amendment would also need to include the fishing pond line item, as money has been donated to the county for that improvement project as well.

Johnson said the amendments were all pass-throughs due to the additional funds coming in for each of the projects and would not affect the county’s tax funds.

Bauer provided an update on the fishing pond improvement project. He said 60 yards of concrete have been poured, which was more than half of the total.

“It looks good,” Bauer said. “We had a lot of help from the roads department and volunteers.”

Bauer said the next stretch has been formed up and is ready for concrete to be poured weather permitting. He said the plan was to pour the next stretch of concrete on April 16.

The next meeting of the Brown County Commissioners is scheduled for 1:15 p.m. April 21.

* Area residents receiving scam traffic court messages

(Posted 9:45 a.m. April 6)

Area residents have received a text message purporting to be from the state of Nebraska, Lancaster County Court. The message references final notice of a court enforcement action and asks the recipient to scan a QR Code to pay a past due traffic enforcement fine.

This is a scam, do not reply or scan the code. Anyone who has received this message and responded should contact local law enforcement or the Nebraska Attorney General’s office and notify any relevant financial institutions.

* Brown County Sheriff’s Department weekly summary

(Posted 9:45 a.m. April 6)

March 29

An inmate was released from the Brown County Jail on bond.

A traffic stop was made on Highway 20 west of Ainsworth. The driver received a citation for driving 12 mph over the posted speed limit.

Deputies were contacted regarding a person bitten by a dog in Ainsworth.

March 30

The sheriff assisted a business in Ainsworth with an abandoned vehicle left in their parking lot.

The Brown County Ambulance Association assisted the Brown County Hospital with the transfer of a patient.

A traffic stop was made in Ainsworth. The driver received a citation for driving without an operator’s license.

March 31

The sheriff assisted an Ainsworth resident with a fix-it ticket and assisted a resident with a license pick-up order.

April 1

The sheriff provided security during county court in Ainsworth.

A traffic stop was made on Highway 7. The driver received a citation for an expired registration.

The Ainsworth Volunteer Fire Department, Long Pine Fire Department and the Brown County Ambulance Association responded to a structure fire in rural Brown County north of Ainsworth.

April 2

A traffic stop was made on Highway 20 east of Ainsworth. The driver received a citation for driving 13 mph over the posted speed limit.

A deputy provided civil standby during a custody exchange.

April 3

The Brown County Ambulance Association responded to a call in Ainsworth and transported a patient to the Brown County Hospital.

A deputy was notified of people trespassing on a property in Ainsworth. The people trespassing were asked to leave the property.

A traffic stop was made on Highway 20 west of Ainsworth. The driver received a citation for driving 24 mph over the posted speed limit.

A deputy responded to a verbal altercation between family members in Ainsworth. Both parties were separated.

April 4

Deputies provided civil standby at a residence in Ainsworth so an individual could retrieve their belongings.

A traffic stop was made on Highway 20 west of Ainsworth. The driver received a citation for driving 17 mph over the posted speed limit.

A traffic stop was made near Long Pine. The driver of the vehicle received citations on charges of minor in possession of alcohol, minor in possession of tobacco, no proof of insurance and no operator’s license. The driver also received a repair order for improper and defective vehicle lighting.

Weekly Log
Phone calls – 900
Calls for service – 7
911 emergency calls – 7
Vehicle titles inspected – 7
Jail inmates housed – 1

* Stuart places fifth in State Speech Championships

(Posted 7:30 a.m. April 6)

Class D-2 State Speech
Kearney
Team Sweepstakes
1. Osmond, 128; 2. Chambers, 92; 3. O’Neill St. Mary’s, 72; 4. High Plains Community, 72; 5. Stuart, 66.

Stuart Medal Winners
Entertainment Speaking – 1. Thomas Paxton (State Champion)
Oral Interpretation of Drama – 2. Matthew Yemma, Drew Schmaderer, Maddux Alder and Thomas Paxton
Humorous Prose – 4. Maddux Alder
Serious Prose – 4. Drew Schmaderer

* Recent cases from Brown County Court

(Posted 2:30 p.m. April 2)

In addition to fines, each case carries $50 in court costs

Daniel R. Forgey, age 62, of Dallas, S.D., charged with speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, fined $75.

Sheldon K. Wernick, 44, of Cheyenne, Wyo., speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

Karen V. Brace, 36, of Florissant, Colo., speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

Gerald P. Denny, 77, of Long Pine, careless driving, $100.

Stephanie M. Altamirano, 31, of Ainsworth, speeding 11-15 mph over the limit, $125.

Robert J. Cox, 33, of Valentine, no proof of insurance, $100; also charged with failure to display plates, $50.

Austin L. Root, 32, of O’Neill, assault by threatening in a menacing manner, sentenced to two days in jail with credit for two days served.

Tristin J. Tarrell, 26, of Long Pine, first offense driving under the influence, $500, also sentenced to six months of probation, driver’s license revoked for 60 days, and ordered to install an ignition interlock device; violating a stop or yield sign, $75; failure to wear a seatbelt, $25.

Dillon R. Bacon, 25, of Ainsworth, third degree assault causing bodily injury, sentenced to six months of probation; criminal mischief between $500 and $1,499, sentenced to six months of probation and ordered to pay $1,234 in restitution.

Mark E. Engardt, 63, of Ainsworth, second degree criminal trespassing, $100.

Isaac W. Hood, 23, of Ainsworth, disturbing the peace, $100.

Nakoa M. Fletcher, 46, of Ainsworth, disturbing the peace, $100.

Joseph L. Mixon, 42, of Newport, careless driving, $100; no proof of insurance, $100.

Gregory J. Rudloff, 28, of Verdigre, no proof of insurance, $100; no registration in vehicle, $25.

Kya L. Kariuki, 21, of Colorado Springs, Colo., speeding 11-15 mph over the limit, $125.

Ethan P. Arens, 21, of Ainsworth, speeding 11-15 mph over the limit, $125.

Edgardo Chavarria Wilmer, 21, of Willmar, Minn., speeding 11-15 mph over the limit, $125.

Todd W. Eberle, 63, of Broken Bow, speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

Kylie M. Hewett, 23, of Orchard, speeding 11-15 mph over the limit, $125.

Brett J. Ruzicka, 38, of Ravenna, speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

Newt R. Bussinger, 27, of Long Pine, no valid registration, $25.

Donald E. Graham, 82, of Ainsworth, speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

Taylor S. Rensch, 32, of Hot Springs, S.D., speeding 16-20 mph over the limit, $200.

John J. Waldron, 34, of Lincoln, speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

Ida J. Vandewalle, 41, of Ord, speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

Tammy S. Wright, 54, of Ainsworth, speeding 16-20 mph over the limit, $200.

Cody L. Simmons, 38, of Garretson, S.D., possession of marijuana less than 1 ounce, $300; possession of drug paraphernalia, $50.

Charles L. Kaiser, 44, of Farmington, N.M., speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

Tanner J. Fuelberth, 30, of Ainsworth, commercial vehicle load securement violation, $100; no valid registration, $25.

Kaleab S. Kloppel, 23, of Ainsworth, two counts of having a dangerous dog, fined $50 on each count and ordered to pay $358 in restitution.

Gary L. Ross, 68, of Springview, speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

Kaari M. Robertson, 37, of Westminster, Colo., speeding 11-15 mph over the limit, $125; no valid registration, $25.

Levi M. McFarland, 22, of Lincoln, speeding 11-15 mph over the limit, $125; Expired in-transit decals, $50.

* Fire destroys home north of Ainsworth Wednesday

(Posted 10:45 a.m. April 2)

A Wednesday evening fire destroyed a home north of Ainsworth and prompted the response of four area fire departments.

According to Ainsworth Volunteer Fire Department Assistant Chief Devin Painter, firefighters received a call at approximately 7:55 p.m. of a structure fire north of Ainsworth. Painter said, upon arrival, the attached garage of a home owned by Mike and Wanda Johnson was fully engulfed.

The fire quickly spread to the home itself. Painter said one occupant was in the home and was assisted outside and transported by the Brown County Ambulance Association to the Brown County Hospital.

Painter said Ainsworth called for mutual aid from the Long Pine, Raven and Springview fire departments. Beck’s Well and Irrigation also provided a tanker and opened a pivot to use as a water source while firefighters battled the blaze.

The house and garage were considered a total loss. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. The State Fire Marshal’s Office will investigate the fire’s origination.

Painter said firefighters remained on scene until approximately 1:30 a.m. Thursday.

* Work begins soon on Highway 91 east of Brewster

(Posted 1:30 p.m. March 31)

Weather permitting, micro-surfacing work will begin April 13 on Highway 91 east of Brewster, beginning at milepost 15 and proceeding east to milepost 24, according to the Nebraska Department of Transportation.

Werner Construction, Inc., of Hastings, has the contract. Traffic will be maintained with a pilot car and flaggers. The anticipated completion is November.

Motorists are reminded to drive cautiously in and near work zones, to buckle up, and put phones down.

* Brown County Sheriff’s Department weekly summary

March 22
The Brown County Ambulance Association assisted the Brown County Hospital with the transfer of a patient.

Deputies responded to a single vehicle accident north of Ainsworth. After completing their investigation, the driver of the vehicle was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol.

A traffic stop was made on Highway 20 west of Ainsworth. The driver was given a citation for driving 16 mph over the posted speed limit.

March 23
An inmate was released from the Brown County Jail on bond.

A traffic stop was made on Meadville Avenue. The driver received a citation for driving 25 mph over the posted speed limit.

A traffic stop was made on Highway 183. The driver received a citation for driving 12 mph over the posted speed limit.

A deputy responded to an alarm going off at a bank after normal banking hours. The deputy walked the building and reported no one inside of the bank or anything that would be out of the ordinary.

The Brown County Jail held an inmate after an arrest by the Nebraska State Patrol.

March 24
An inmate was released from the Brown County Jail on bond.

A traffic stop was made on Highway 7. The driver was given a citation for speeding 10 mph over the posted speed limit, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possessing or consuming an open alcohol container in a vehicle.

A citation for exhibition driving was given to an individual in Ainsworth after deputies observed the vehicle revving the engine, squealing tires and accelerating in an aggressive manner on Highway 20 near East City Park.

Members of the Ainsworth Volunteer Fire Department attended storm spotter training in the Raven Fire Hall.

March 25
The Ainsworth Volunteer Fire Department responded to a possible fire after a report of a strong odor of smoke was reported in Ainsworth.

The Brown County Ambulance Association responded to a call in Ainsworth and transported a patient to the Brown County Hospital.

The sheriff’s office was notified of young children playing too close to a road in Ainsworth. A deputy spoke with the parents of the children.

A traffic stop was made on Highway 20 west of Ainsworth. The driver was given a citation for driving 12 mph over the posted speed limit.

A deputy was notified of a suspicious vehicle that was not from the area. It was also reported that it appeared to be broken down in rural Brown County. The deputy responded to the reported area but was unable to find the vehicle.

March 26
The Ainsworth Volunteer Fire Department responded to a possible fire in rural Brown County.

The sheriff investigated a hit and run in Ainsworth.

A deputy received report of a theft. This is an ongoing investigation.

A traffic stop was made on Highway 20 west of Ainsworth. The driver was given a citation for driving 14 mph over the posted speed limit.

A traffic stop was made on Highway 7. The driver was given a citation for driving 22 mph over the posted speed limit.

The Ainsworth Volunteer Fire Department, Long Pine Volunteer Fire Department and Brown County Ambulance Association responded to a garage and camper fire in Ainsworth.

March 27
The sheriff’s office was asked to assist an out of state law enforcement agency on investigating a hit and run accident.

A reckless driving citation was given to a juvenile in Ainsworth after a deputy saw the juvenile doing burn-outs on Second Street in Ainsworth. The sheriff’s office has received numerous complaints of vehicles doing burn-outs in that area.

A traffic stop was made in Ainsworth. The driver was arrested on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol fourth offense, driving under revocation and minor in possession of alcohol.  

A traffic stop was made on Highway 7. The driver was given a citation for driving 15 mph over the posted speed limit.

March 28
A traffic stop was made on Highway 20 east of Ainsworth. The driver received a citation for driving 13 mph over the posted speed limit.

Deputies responded to a call about an individual disturbing the peace at a local meeting in Ainsworth. Deputies spoke to everyone at the meeting and asked the individual who was disturbing the peace to leave. 

Throughout the week there were four warnings given for speeding, driving left of center and not stopping at stop signs. There were also four repair orders given for improper or defective vehicle lighting and no registration in the vehicle.

Weekly Log
Phone calls – 931
Calls for service – 14
911 emergency calls – 7
Vehicle titles inspected – 2
Firearms permits purchased – 0
Jail inmates housed – 2

* Hospitals partner for wildfire relief challenge

(Posted 7 a.m. March 30)

The Rock, Brown and Cherry County hospitals have joined in a collaborative effort to support the many individuals, homeowners, ranchers, and farmers affected by wildfires. 

The Rock County Hospital, using its “Partners in Life” program, helped formulate the effort to partner with other hospitals.  They challenged all local residents to donate cash and/or hay to be directed to those affected by the recent and ongoing wildfires.

Spokesperson Walter Mauch said, “We have created a great motivator for potential donors by placing a trusted local face on the project.”

Every donation will be recorded by the donor by writing in their check memo “Fire Rescue” followed by your county initials, RC for Rock, BC for Brown and CC for Cherry.  Keya Paha residents are invited to choose any of the three counties to support the hospital of their choice. 

Cash donations can be mailed to Sandhills Area Foundation; 103 North Cedar Street in Valentine, NE 69201 or donate online at www.sandhillsareafoundation.com and click on the “Donate Now” button.  Cash donations will receive a receipt to be used for tax purposes.

This challenge will end May 1.  The online funding link will remain open on the foundation website until we finally get grass from these recovering lands.

On the topic of grass, hay donations will be transferred to the most needed locations by Danielski Trucking.  Donated hay needs to be delivered to the Danielski location at 633 West Highway 20 in Valentine.  A tractor and operator will be available to unload hay at this location. Contact John Johnson at 308-280-0259 to coordinate your delivery. Danielski Trucking will also take fencing supplies and lick tubs to deliver to areas of need at no cost.

This challenge represents partnerships consisting of Rock, Brown and Cherry County hospitals, the Sandhills Area Foundation and Danielski Trucking.

For questions contact Mauch at 402-684-2991.

* Thursday fire damages property in Ainsworth

(Posted 8:45 a.m. March 27)

A Thursday evening fire destroyed a detached garage and several vehicles in Ainsworth. According to Ainsworth Fire Chief Devin Painter, the fire was reported at approximately 8:15 p.m. Thursday at 924 E. First St. at a property owned by Robert Clark.

Painter said, upon firefighters’ arrival, a detached garage on the property was fully engulfed and the fire had spread to a fifth-wheel camper parked next to the garage.

He said the Ainsworth Volunteer Fire Department requested assistance from the Long Pine department to subdue the fire. Painter said firefighters were able to keep the fire from spreading to a second detached garage nearby.

Painter said the detached garage and the fifth-wheel camper were total losses, as were two motorcycles that were parked in the garage. A third motorcycle was damaged.

The assistant fire chief said the property owner was doing mechanical work in the garage when the fire started and called the fire department when the fire started and spread.

Painter said firefighters remained on scene until 10:30 p.m. The cause of the fire has not been determined.

* Two new fires start north of Morrill Complex fire

(Posted 1:30 p.m. March 26)

Two new fires started overnight Wednesday in Grant County northeast of the Morrill Fire. The Ashby Fire, which started near the community of Ashby and is approximately 60,000 acres, quickly spread southward and has burned into the area already burned by the Morrill Fire northeast of the Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge.

The Minor Fire, south of the community of Hyannis and approximately 15,000 acres, is moving southward toward Arthur County and the Morrill Fire.

Around 1 a.m. MDT Thursday, the Rocky Mountain Incident Command team mobilized initial-attack resources. They are actively engaged, assisting local volunteer fire departments and Nebraska State Fire Marshal’s Wildland Incident Response and Assistance Team. At Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen’s request, Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 1 is assisting with both the Ashby and Minor Fires.

Very strong winds from the north all day Thursday are challenging firefighters despite cooler, moister conditions. To assist with the suppression of the Ashby and Minor Fires, Rocky Mountain CIMT 1 has ordered numerous engines and other resources; additional aerial resources arrived Thursday to assist the suppression effort.

Four Nebraska and Iowa National Guard Black Hawk helicopters are working the Ashby Fire, and three single-engine air tankers are working the Minor Fire. The incident has additional initial-attack groups staged and ready to immediately respond to requests from local or state officials to assist with the initial suppression of any other new fires that may start Thursday.

The State Emergency Operations Center at the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency has been and remains fully operational to coordinate with Rocky Mountain CIMT 1.

* NSAA names Winter Academic All-State winners

(Posted 2:30 p.m. March 25)

The Nebraska School Activities Association announced the recipients of the Winter 2025-26 Nebraska Chiropractic Physicians Association Academic All-State Awards.

The NSAA Awards program has recognized students who meet the criteria for nomination by their school in the season of their activity.

Each year the NSAA recognizes students during the fall, winter, and spring seasons who are nominated by their schools for their individual academic excellence, leadership, and significant contributions in their NSAA activity.

Area students named Academic All-State for the winter season are:

Ainsworth
Christopher Fernandez and Bear Rea in boys basketball, Willa Flynn and Jaylee Good in girls basketball, Erick Hitchcock and Raelynn Reagan in speech, Sam Titus in wrestling, and Megan Jones and Makenna Koch in girls wrestling

Keya Paha County
Karlene Kepler and Kit Painter in girls basketball, Bailey Kaufman and Courtnie Krueger in speech, and Zachary Wiebelhaus in boys wrestling

Rock County
Trey Anthony and Carter Buell in boys basketball, Kade Wiiest in boys wrestling, and Myley Hoffman and Paisley Hoffman in girls wrestling

Stuart
Kayde Ramm and Drew Schmaderer in boys basketball, Paityn Sheffield and Kyra Tubbs in girls basketball, and Maddux Alder and Drew Schmaderer in speech

West Holt
Marek Dvorak and Andrew Goeke-Schulte in boys basketball, London Konrad and Pavan Larson in girls basketball, Peyton Olberding and Jacob Panning in speech, Dominick Ogden and Jamison Slaymaker in boys wrestling, and Madalyn Pistulka and Morgan Schaaf in girls wrestling

Boyd County
Will Nelson and Ben Schmitz in boys basketball, and Jaylee Lechtenberg and Claire Reiman in girls basketball

Sandhills
Thatcher Teahon in boys basketball, Cora Martindale in girls basketball, Heath Larsen and Mason Sutton in speech, Mason Sutton in boys wrestling, and Shaylee Milleson in girls wrestling

* Scam callers spoofing West Plains number

(Posted 11:45 a.m. March 24)

West Plains Bank has been made aware of scam callers spoofing the bank’s phone number and claiming to be calling from the bank. The scam callers then ask for personal information. West Plains Bank asks anyone who receives such a call to hang up immediately and call the bank directly.

West Plains Bank will never call a customer and ask for personal or banking information. If you have received a similar call and provided any information, call the West Plains Bank immediately at 402-387-2381.

* Erickson learns UNMC residency post

(Posted 10:15 a.m. March 24)

A total of 124 senior medical students at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, including Megan Erickson of Bassett, learned about their residency assignments Friday during an event in the Omaha Design Center. 

Erickson, a Rock County High School graduate, is specializing in family medicine and will complete her residency with the Lincoln Medical Education Partnership.

The 2026 Main Residency Match — referred to as Match Day — is an annual rite of passage for medical students, a day when students across the country learn where they will train for the next three to seven years, depending on the medical area of their choice. Students are matched through a computer program to align their preferences for residency programs to fill the thousands of training positions available at U.S. teaching hospitals. 

Thirty-four percent of UNMC medical students are staying in Nebraska for their training, with 31% at UNMC. Fifty-three percent matched in primary care, which includes family medicine, internal medicine, internal medicine/pediatrics, medicine-preliminary, medicine-psychiatry, obstetrics and gynecology, and pediatrics.

Nationally, there were 44,344 residency positions.

* Deceased individual located during investigation

(Posted 3 p.m. March 23)

The discovery of a deceased individual in rural Brown County Tuesday, March 17, is being investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol.

According to Lt. Tim Arnold with the State Patrol Troop D Headquarters based at North Platte, a missing person’s report for an area resident was filed with the Nebraska State Patrol in December 2025.

Arnold said the Brown County Sheriff’s Department recently requested assistance from the State Patrol’s drone operator to conduct an aerial search of property in southern Brown County.

Arnold said the initial drone search conducted March 12 led to the discovery of evidence that prompted additional investigation.

“The search found evidence that led us to believe a person was deceased,” Arnold said.

At that point, Arnold said the Brown County Attorney’s office asked the State Patrol to take the lead on the investigation.

Arnold said a ground search of the private property located between Ainsworth and Brewster March 17 by the State Patrol led to the discovery of a deceased individual. Additional evidence was located at the scene.

A forensic investigation into the death is being conducted, and the investigation into positively identifying the individual and the manner of death is ongoing.

Additional information will be released as it becomes available.

* Three Bulldogs earn medals at C2-3 District Speech

(Posted 1:15 p.m. March 23)

Class C2-3 District Speech
Team Scores
1. Hartington-Newcastle, 332; 2. Hartington Cedar Catholic, 272; 3. Creighton, 196; 4. Bloomfield, 58; 5. Ainsworth, 32; 6. Boyd County, 10.

Ainsworth Medal Winners
Extemporaneous Speaking – 6. Raelynn Reagan.
Informative Speaking – 5. Erick Hitchcock.
Oral Interpretation of Drama – 6. Erick Hitchcock, Jodie Denny, Kristopher Hitchcock, Miranda Phares and Raelynn Reagan.

* Stuart wins D2-3 District Speech Championship

(Posted 1:15 p.m. March 23)

Class D2-3 District Speech
Team Scores
1. Stuart, 316; 2. Wheeler Central, 80; 3. Loup County, 70; 4. Keya Paha County, 68; 5. Tie between Sandhills and Sargent, 50; 7. Spalding Academy, 14.

Stuart Medal Winners
Entertainment Speaking – 1. Thomas Paxton (state qualifier); 2. Maddux Alder (state qualifier).
Extemporaneous Speaking – 1. Jasmine Davis (state qualifier); 2. Robert Peterson (state qualifier).
Informative Speaking – 1. Matthew Yemma (state qualifier); 3. Jaxon Kohle (state qualifier).
Oral Interpretation of Drama – 1. Drew Schmaderer, Maddux Alder, Matthew Yemma and Thomas Paxton (state qualifier).
Humorous Prose – 1. Maddux Alder (state qualifier); 2. Thomas Paxton (state qualifier).
Oral Interpretation of Poetry – 2. Jasmine Davis (state qualifier); 3. Jaxon Kohle (state qualifier).
Serious Prose – 1. Drew Schmaderer (state qualifier); 2. Jaxon Kohle (state qualifier).
Persuasive Speaking – 1. Matthew Yemma (state qualifier); 2. Robert Peterson (state qualifier).
Program of Oral Interpretation – 1. Drew Schmaderer (state qualifier); 3. Robert Peterson (state qualifier).

Keya Paha County Medal Winners
Oral Interpretation of Poetry – 1. Bailey Kaufman (state qualifier).
Informative Speaking – 2. Courtnie Krueger (state qualifier).
Humorous Prose – 4. Zoey Snyder.
Serious Prose – 3. Zoey Snyder (state qualifier).

* West Holt sending 2 to State Speech Championships

(Posted 1:15 p.m. March 23)

Class C1-5 District Speech
Team Scores
1. Boone Central, 326; 2. Battle Creek, 262; 3. O’Neill, 126; 4. West Holt, 82; 5. Valentine, 56; 6. Summerland, 20; 7. Norfolk Catholic, 18; 8. Madison, 10.

West Holt Medal Winners
Duet Acting – 6. Alyssa Dobias and Madisyn Hilkemeier.
Entertainment Speaking – 2. Olivia Rentschler (state qualifier).
Oral Interpretation of Drama – 4. Emersyn Mlady, Jacob Panning, Olivia Rentschler, Peyton Olberding and Taylor Nowlin.
Humorous Prose – 2. Olivia Rentschler (state qualifier); 6. Peyton Olberding.
Program of Oral Interpretation – 5. Peyton Olberding.

* Brown County Sheriff’s Department weekly summary

(Posted 11 a.m. March 23)

March 15

The Ainsworth Volunteer Fire Department and Johnstown Volunteer Fire Department responded to mutual aid requests for a fire in Cherry County.

March 16

A deputy investigated a suspicious vehicle at East City Park in Ainsworth.

March 17

The sheriff took a report of neglect of a donkey. The sheriff contacted the owner of the donkey, and the donkey was going to be trimmed at a later date.

A traffic stop was made on Highway 7. The driver received a citation for driving without a driver’s license.

The sheriff assisted a motorist by helping them change a flat tire on the side of Highway 20.

A traffic stop was made on Highway 20 west of Ainsworth. The driver received a citation for their vehicle registration being expired.

A deputy responded to a report of cattle out on Highway 20.

A traffic stop was made on Highway 20 west of Ainsworth. The driver received a citation for driving 13 mph over the posted speed limit.

The Brown County Ambulance Association responded to a call in rural Brown County and transported a patient to the Brown County Hospital.

March 18

The sheriff provided security during county court in Ainsworth.

The Brown County Jail released an inmate on a personal recognizance bond issued by the court.

The sheriff’s office received domestic violence training provided by Bright Horizon in Ainsworth.

A traffic stop was made on Highway 20 west of Ainsworth. The driver received a citation for driving 11 mph over the posted speed limit.

Two traffic stops were made on Highway 183. Both drivers received citations for driving 15 mph over the posted speed limit.

A traffic stop was made in Ainsworth. The driver received a citation for driving 12 mph over the posted speed limit.

March 19

A traffic stop was made on Highway 20 east of Ainsworth. The driver received a repair order for a headlight not working.

A deputy was called to a report of a pig in the middle of the roadway on Highway 20 that had been hit by a vehicle. A deputy was able to move the pig off of the roadway and figured out who owned the pig. The owner of the pig was contacted.

March 20

The Brown County Ambulance Association assisted the Brown County Hospital twice with the transfer of patients.

The sheriff and deputies participated in firearms training at the Ainsworth Range.

The sheriff’s office was notified of a vehicle driving erratically and at high rates of speed eastbound on Highway 20. A deputy was able to find the vehicle and initiate a traffic stop. The driver was issued a citation for driving 101 mph in a 65 mph zone and was also cited for careless driving.

A traffic stop was made on Highway 183. The driver received a citation for driving 15 mph over the posted speed limit.

A traffic stop was made on Highway 7. The driver received a citation for driving 17 mph over the posted speed limit.  

A traffic stop was made on Highway 20 east of Ainsworth. The driver was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and cited for possession of an open alcohol container.

March 21

The sheriff’s office received a complaint about dogs chasing horses and barking at all hours of the night in rural Brown County. The owner of the dogs was contacted by a deputy.

The Brown County Jail released an inmate on bond.

A deputy assisted a motorist by helping them push their vehicle to a gas station in Ainsworth after running out of gas.

A deputy was requested to perform a welfare check on occupants sleeping in their pickup on the Cowboy Trail in Long Pine. Both occupants were reported to be ok. However, during the contact it was discovered that there was an intoxicated minor. Both individuals were given citations. One received a citation for procuring/selling alcohol to a minor and the other received a citation for minor in possession of alcohol. The owner of the vehicle was given a verbal warning for driving and parking on the Cowboy Trail.

A traffic stop was made on Highway 20 west of Ainsworth. The driver received a citation for driving 13 mph over the posted speed limit.

The sheriff’s office received a report of a vehicle driving without headlights on in Ainsworth. A deputy reported the vehicle was already in its driveway.

While patrolling East City Park, deputies checked on an unattended vehicle. Owners were later contacted.

Weekly Log
Phone calls – 935
Calls for service – 14
911 emergency calls – 4
Vehicle titles inspected – 10
Firearms permits purchased – 2
Jail inmates housed – 2

* Firefighters gaining ground on wildfires

(Posted 6:45 a.m. March 20)

The Cottonwood and Morrill Fires’ acreage figures changed due to additional aerial and ground surveys that provided fire managers with more precise perimeter information. Despite hot, dry and windy conditions Wednesday, neither fire spread beyond established firelines. All fire activity that did occur was on interior portions of both fires as pockets of unburned vegetation ignited and were consumed.

As anticipated, fire managers increased containment on both fires due to several days and nights of a coordinated and effective firefighting effort. However, heat can linger in the ground and smoldering vegetation near containment lines, so crews must continue to find and extinguish those heat sources, which takes time to complete on fires of this magnitude.

With critical fire weather conditions persisting, incident resources remain ready to quickly respond and give initial-attack assistance to local volunteer fire departments. Helicopters are available to conduct water drops should fire activity increase or new fires start. Drones are assisting firefighters with perimeter mapping and hotspot detection. Both fires are also being monitored overnight.

Cottonwood Fire: On Wednesday, the fire was most active in Divisions A and D from Jeffrey Reservoir westward. Suppressing the fire on that northwest corner is taking more time because the rugged terrain requires crews to access the fire on foot. Also, the abundant woody vegetation retains heat, flares up under current weather conditions, and is more resistant to control than grass. This area of the fire is a priority for fire managers, and five 20-person hand crews are constructing fireline directly on the fire’s edge, cutting trees near the fireline to minimize fire activity and extinguishing flames or hotspots they encounter to prevent additional fire growth.

Morrill Fire: Fire activity and smoke production was moderate Wednesday despite very dry, warm and windy conditions. While many firefighters continue to work along the fire perimeter, some are accessing the interior to ensure all smoldering heat is extinguished in tree windbreaks near structures. A drone equipped with infrared sensors detected several areas of heat—primarily in hardwood draws—scattered throughout Divisions KK and HH north and west of Lake McConaughy. These areas of residual heat are all interior and are not expected to burn beyond existing firelines or containment lines.

Temporary Flight Restrictions are in place over both fires. Wildfires are no-fly zones for unauthorized aircraft, including drones.

* Pillen visits Brady Wednesday, sees wildfire damage

(Posted 5:30 a.m. March 19)

Governor Jim Pillen and Major General Craig Strong, adjutant general for the Nebraska National Guard, viewed the Cottonwood Fire from the air Wednesday before meeting with firefighters, ranchers and others affected by the wildfires.  The Cottonwood Fire has destroyed 131,259 acres across Dawson, Frontier and Lincoln counties. It is 40% contained.

The governor and Strong traveled to the fire department in Brady where they met with emergency management representatives, members of the Nebraska State Patrol, firefighters, and county and village leadership from Brady and other nearby communities. Based on the latest information shared with the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency, the Cottonwood Fire has destroyed at least 44 structures and threatened 170 others, some of which may be homes.

Pillen said, “Right here is the heart and the soul of this community – our volunteer firefighters. I can’t imagine what you have been through these past 72 hours or more. Our goal is to get you what you need. There are people from across our state and the nation who want to help Nebraska.”

Strong said, “I feel in awe being here with you today. I am humbled to be in your presence. When the fire started, the governor had three words for us, ‘whatever it takes.’”

In addition to Cottonwood, there are three other significant wildfires burning in the state. Together these fires – Cottonwood, Morrill, Road 203 and Anderson Bridge in Cherry County – have consumed nearly 827,000 acres of land.

Additional firefighting equipment is being provided by Colorado and North Dakota to support efforts to extinguish the flames. They, along with Iowa, are answering requests made by Nebraska through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact. The Iowa National Guard and the Nebraska National Guard are both utilizing helicopters with buckets to make aerial water drops. An additional 20-person Nebraska National Guard ground firefighting hand crew is supporting the effort. That team is equipped with three military tactical firefighting trucks.

The number of personnel fighting the Cottonwood and Morrill fires, both on ground and overhead, is estimated to be over 400. Those fires are being managed by the Complex Incident Management Team, under the direction of the state of Nebraska.

At least three areas near the Cottonwood Fire remain under an evacuation order. That fire has also caused ranchers to move cattle herds out of the path of flames and to find areas of pastureland suitable for grazing.

Following their stop at the Brady Fire Department, Pillen and Strong went to the Brady Community Center where they, along with Laura Field, executive vice president of the Nebraska Cattlemen, spoke with a large group of community members, farmers and ranchers.

Pillen acknowledged the hardships presented by the raging fires and their effect on people in the community.

“When we have a fire here, it affects our way of life,” Pillen said. “It’s our livelihood and it’s our economy. Ask for help. A lot of you have been through some tough stuff. We have to take care of each other.”

Field said, “The resilience and determination of our ranchers in the face of wildfire is deeply inspiring. The courage of first responders and volunteer firefighters who are risking their lives while stepping away from their own families and operations is nothing short of extraordinary. In the weeks and months ahead, Nebraska Cattlemen stands ready to support recovery in every way it can. We are profoundly grateful for the heart and soul of Nebraska rallying around neighbors in need.”

Nebraska Cattlemen has established a disaster relief fund to help producers who have experienced property loss or damage because of the wildfires. Applications for assistance are now being accepted. That information is available on the organization’s website as well as information about a variety of resources, both local and national.

Additionally, the Nebraska Department of Agriculture is maintaining a running list of resources. It can be found at www.nda.nebraska.gov/disasterresources.

Red flag warnings remain in effect across much of the state, complicating firefighting efforts. Assistant Director for NEMA Erv Portis reinforced the need for extreme caution in the face of ongoing weather conditions.

“Due to drought conditions, low soil moisture, strong winds, and extreme temperature changes, we are urging all Nebraskans to remain cautious,” Portis said. “Fires can start quickly and spread unpredictably under these conditions, putting lives and property at risk. Please avoid burning and consider safer alternatives only when conditions improve.”

Currently, a ban exists on the issuance of burn permits. The governor’s executive order, signed last week, will continue through March 27.

Ainsworth Fire Chief Brad Fiala reminds residents the burn ban includes all open burning, including trash barrels. All open burning is banned until the order is lifted by the governor’s office.

* Update provided on wildfires

(Posted 1 p.m. March 18)

Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 1 is managing the Cottonwood and Morrill Fires under the direction of the State of Nebraska.

Current Situation: Despite strong winds Tuesday, neither the Cottonwood nor Morrill Fires grew notably beyond their current perimeters. Active fire behavior occurred within the existing fire perimeters. All resources continue to work cooperatively on the fire-suppression effort, constructing fire lines directly at the fire’s edge and extinguishing areas of heat as they work their way around each fire’s perimeter. Structure-protection crews also remain in place on both fires. And should a new fire start in the area, firefighters assigned to both Cottonwood and Morrill Fires are available and ready to respond quickly. Both fires are also being staffed overnight.

Cottonwood Fire: Tuesday afternoon, the Cottonwood Fire experienced strong winds for about two hours. Fire activity was greatest in Division G, the fire’s southeastern half. However, crews reported that the burning vegetation was within the fire perimeter. Existing containment lines were not threatened and successfully held the fire in place. In the northwestern Divisions A and D, rugged areas with more woody vegetation are retaining the most heat. Where engines cannot access the fire’s edge, four hand crews are accessing the fire’s edge on foot, constructing fire line and extinguishing hotspots.

Morrill Fire: Gusty winds Tuesday caused unburned vegetation within the fire perimeter to ignite and burn actively, particularly on the fire’s eastern and southeastern sides in Divisions HH and KK. Several local volunteer fire departments responded, coordinating with the firefighting resources managed by Rocky Mountain CIMT 1. Blowing dust, smoke, and ash severely restricted visibility, but crews extinguished all of the flareups and successfully kept the fire from escaping its current perimeter.

Unburned vegetation within the fire perimeters could continue to ignite and readily burn. Should any new fires start in the area, they will likely spread rapidly. If wildfire smoke is affecting your area, refer to the Air Now website, specifically the Fire and Smoke Map (Fire.AirNow.gov) to monitor air quality and get information on reducing your smoke exposure.

Temporary Flight Restrictions are in place over both fires. Wildfires are no-fly zones for unauthorized aircraft, including drones.

* NCF establishes wildfire relief fund

(Posted 9:15 a.m. March 18)

In response to the catastrophic and historic wildfires raging though central and western Nebraska, Nebraska Community Foundation, a statewide community development and philanthropy organization, has established the Nebraska Wildfire Recovery Fund.

The fund aims to provide financial support to Nebraska communities impacted by the 2026 wildfires which may include grants to 501(c)(3) non-profits and governmental entities providing direct support to affected individuals and families, safety equipment, and investments in emergency management infrastructure to build community resilience and preparedness for the future.

Nebraska Community Foundation works with 266 communities across the state including many in areas impacted by the Morrill and Cottonwood fires. The foundation is accredited by Community Foundations National Standards for its commitment to rigorous, sector-driven best practices that exceed federal and state requirements to demonstrate accountability and excellence to communities, policymakers and the public.

Over the last three decades, NCF has utilized its robust network of volunteers, now 1,500 strong, to respond to numerous disasters in recent memory including the COVID-19 pandemic and the floods of 2019.

“Our hearts go out to our fellow Nebraskans navigating this tragic loss,” said NCF President and CEO Jeff Yost. “Nebraska Community Foundation is focused on supporting Nebraska hometowns as they co-create their future and prepare for what’s next. When the communities and places most impacted by these fires enter their rebuilding phase, the Nebraska Wildfire Recovery Fund will be a resource as they turn the lessons of this tragedy into investments toward a more resilient, adaptable future.”

For more information and to contribute to the fund, visit www.nebcommfound.org/give/nebraska-wildfire-recovery-fund.

* Ag land values decline in 2025

(Posted 9 a.m. March 18)

The value of agricultural land in Nebraska declined 1% over the past year to an average of $3,905 per acre as of Feb. 1, according to the preliminary report from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s 2025-26 Farm Real Estate Market Survey. It is the second consecutive year of declining land values since the market reached $4,015 per acre in 2024.

The survey’s preliminary report was published March 18 by the university’s Center for Agricultural Profitability, based in the Department of Agricultural Economics. It provides current estimates of agricultural land values and cash rental rates, broken down by region and land class across Nebraska.

Land industry professionals who participated in this year’s survey attributed the decline to lower crop prices, higher farm input costs and prevailing interest rates.

“Many operations are facing tighter liquidity as crop revenues decline while input costs remain elevated,” said Jim Jansen, extension agricultural economist who leads the annual survey and report. “Those conditions are leading producers and lenders to take a more cautious approach when navigating these financial pressures.”

Crop receipts in Nebraska declined by about $576.6 million, or 16%, in 2025 as corn prices fell and soybean and wheat production dropped. Those losses were partially offset by a $3.22 billion increase in livestock receipts statewide. Jansen said the differences in crop and livestock profitability were reflected in land value trends across the state.

The report found cropland values generally declined across Nebraska over the past year as tighter crop margins weighed on land markets. Center pivot irrigated cropland averaged 2% lower statewide, while gravity irrigated cropland declined 3%. Dryland cropland with irrigation potential fell 2%, and dryland cropland without irrigation potential decreased 1%. In contrast, grazing land and hayland values increased between 4% and 7% as strong cattle prices supported demand for pasture acres.

Average cash rental rates in Nebraska followed a similar trend. Rental rates for dryland and irrigated cropland declined between 1% and 9% across the state, reflecting lower commodity prices and tighter margins for crop producers. In contrast, rental rates for pasture and cow-calf pairs increased about 4% to 5% compared with the previous grazing season.

“Flexible lease provisions can help landowners and tenants manage production and price risk when margins are tight,” Jansen said. “Factors such as crop prices, input costs and drought conditions all play a role in how lease agreements are structured.”

The Nebraska Farm Real Estate Report is available on the Center for Agricultural Profitability website at https://cap.unl.edu/realestate. Two virtual workshops covering 2026 land values, cash rental rates and leasing strategies will be held March 24 and 26. Registration is free at the webpage above.

The Nebraska Farm Real Estate Market Report is the product of an annual survey of land professionals, including appraisers, farm and ranch managers and agricultural bankers. Results are divided by land class and agricultural statistics district. Land values and rental rates in the report are averages of survey participants’ responses by district. Actual land values and rental rates may vary depending on the quality of the parcel and local market for an area. Preliminary land values and rental rates are subject to change as additional surveys are returned. The final version of the report will be published in July.

* New defibrillators placed into service

(Posted 6:45 a.m. March 18)

Brown County Ambulance Association members completed training and have placed into service two new, state-of-the-art LifePak35 defibrillators.

The Ambulance Association received a $21,000 grant through assistance from the North Central Development Center and received donations from the community through the Brown County Foundation, the Brown County Hospital Auxiliary, the Ainsworth Betterment Committee and the (George) Bill Snyder memorial.

The new defibrillators replace models that were more than 20 years old. The Brown County Ambulance Association members expressed their thanks to the community for the support in being able to place the new machines in their two ambulance units.

* Commissioners hear update on NPPD project

(Posted 3:30 p.m. March 17)

Representatives from the Nebraska Public Power District provided information to the Brown County Commissioners Tuesday on a planned transmission line project from the windmill substation south of Ainsworth to a substation south of Bassett.

Project Manager Daniel Weyer with NPPD said notices have been sent to landowners inviting them to attend upcoming open houses on the project March 25 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. in the Ainsworth Conference Center and from 4 until 7 p.m. in the Rock County Community Center.

“We want to communicate with all potential landowners involved and get their input,” Weyer said. “The line will provide additional reliability and handle future projected load growth in the area.”

NPPD Engineer Traci Custard said the new line would connect two existing NPPD substations.

“We don’t have a route identified yet,” Custard said. “We will take opinions from the open houses into account.”

Weyer said the March 25 open houses in Ainsworth and Bassett are the first of three rounds of public meetings NPPD will hold regarding the project.

He said the next round would include NPPD’s preferred and alternate routes for the project that will be identified following the first round of meetings with stakeholders.

After public input is received on the preferred and alternate routes, NPPD will select a final route and hold another round of public comment.

Weyer indicated the preferred and alternate routes would be determined this summer, with the proposed route selected by the fall. Easement acquisition for the project is planned for the summer of 2027, with final construction of the transmission line completed by the fall of 2029.

The commissioners thanked the NPPD representatives for the information.

In other business Tuesday, the commissioners approved a job description for the weed superintendent position that will be coupled with a roads department position to create a full-time employment opportunity.

County Attorney Andy Taylor said the job description Commissioner Jeremiah Dailey put together addressed all of the state requirements for the position. The board approved advertising for the opening.

After discussion over a couple meetings, the commissioners approved having the county apply for a slip-on tanker pilot program grant available through the Department of the Interior. Deputy Emergency Manager Jessica Pozehl said the grant is for $53,120 and would cover the cost of purchasing and outfitting two pickups and one UTV with new tank units. She said the pickups were owned by the Johnstown and South Pine volunteer fire departments, and the UTV was owned by the Ainsworth Volunteer Fire Department.

Dailey said, after seeing which vehicles would be equipped with the tanks, he was fine with having the county be the applicant. If approved, the grant would cover 100 percent of the cost with no matching funds required.

Brittany Spieker with the BKR Extension office presented the commissioners with the Extension office’s annual report.

Spieker said Extension partnered with the Niobrara Valley Preserve for 4-H programming that was well-attended.

“The kids learned a lot,” Spieker said.

She said Extension also conducted cedar control workshops and various other events throughout the year. She said there are currently two vacancies in the BKR office, with the livestock specialist and 4-H educator positions currently open.

“We have an interview next week for the 4-H educator,” Spieker said. “We are working on getting those positions filled.”

Bauer asked if the Extension office evaluated the programs conducted to determine their impact.

“That’s the first thing my old boss asked for,” Bauer, a former Extension educator, said.

Spieker said one of the big goals of the Extension office was to show the impact of the programs offered to the community and youth of the three counties.

In other action items, the board approved a special designated liquor license requested by Niobrara Valley Vineyards for a wine tasting event from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. on April 24 and April 25 as part of the annual Bargain Buyway event. The tasting would be held on property owned by Mike Baxter at the intersection of Highway 20 and 433^rd Avenue.

The board approved a quit claim deed to sell a vacant lot on Main Street in Long Pine to Dustin Dailey with Long Pine Feed Service. The county acquired the property after past-due property taxes went unpaid. The county then demolished the structure on the site and agreed to sell the vacant lot to Dailey for $3,500.

Taylor said the quit claim deed provided no guarantees or warranties on the sale, such as otherwise would be seen with a sale where title insurance was provided.

The board approved a budgeted transfer of $10,000 from the county’s miscellaneous general fund to the reappraisal fund.

During his report, Highway Superintendent Kenny Turpin said the roads department finished a drainage project at the community fishing pond site.

Bauer said, “It looks great. You guys did a good job on that.”

Bauer said the first stretch of concrete for the path around the pond was scheduled to be poured on Wednesday.

Turpin said the roads department also built the access road on the west side of the pond to the site where the picnic shelter will be constructed. He said they would add some rock to the road soon.

The highway superintendent said the department planned to remove trees from Meadville Avenue soon and was also working on a tree removal project on South Pine Avenue.

He said he ordered four additional pallets of tar product and planned to conduct more crack seal work on asphalt stretches of 431^st and 432^nd avenues.

The next meeting of the Brown County Commissioners is scheduled for 1:15 p.m. April 7.

* Progress on wildfire containment made Monday

(Posted 2:45 p.m. March 17)

The Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 1 is managing the Morrill and Cottonwood Fire under the direction of the State and provided an update Tuesday on the wildfires burning in Nebraska.

Current Situation: Firefighters took advantage of the break in the wind Monday to make significant gains in containment. The Cottonwood Fire was mapped from the air Monday allowing for a more accurate mapped perimeter. Firefighters continue to ground-truth estimated perimeters to increase mapping accuracy on both fires. An initial attack group is in place to quickly respond to any new starts. Night crews will continue patrolling both fires.

Cottonwood Fire – 131,259 acres, 40% contained
Firefighters on the ground Monday coordinated with Nebraska and Iowa National Guard Black Hawk helicopters making bucket drops to check fire activity around Jeffrey Reservoir in Division A, where thick stands of red cedar are holding heat. Today firefighters will continue to work areas of active fire on the north side while patrolling, mopping up, and strengthening fire lines throughout the perimeter.

Morrill Fire –572,084 acres, 18% contained
On Monday local volunteer firefighting crews completed the containment line on the southwest side of the fire in Division TT. Crews on Tuesday continued engaging areas of active fire while strengthening containment lines and mopping up. The structure protection group will work the southeast side in Division KK, where some fire remains in the cottonwood areas. Areas with cottonwoods and cattails on the north side in Divisions BB and EE continue to hold some heat. Two Unmanned Aircraft Systems are available.

Weather, Fuels, and Fire Behavior: Firefighters expect fire activity to increase due to conditions and the potential for more red flag fire weather warnings.

A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place over the Morrill and Cottonwood Fires. Wildfires are a no-fly zone for unauthorized aircraft, including drones.

* Brown County Sheriff’s Department weekly summary

(Posted 9 a.m. March 16)

March 8
Deputies investigated a single vehicle accident on Highway 20 east of Ainsworth. The driver of the vehicle was located and found to be ok. The driver of the vehicle received citations on charges of leaving the scene of an accident, minor in possession of alcohol and possession/consumption of an open alcohol container in a vehicle.

An inmate was released from the Brown County Jail after completing a court-ordered commitment.

A deputy provided civil standby in Ainsworth.

Deputies responded to an area of a reported careless driver. The deputies were unable to find the reported vehicle.

March 9
The sheriff assisted with a juvenile issue in Ainsworth.

A deputy responded to a vehicle-deer accident near Johnstown.

The sheriff assisted an individual in Ainsworth with suspicious activity around their house. The sheriff spoke with neighbors who may have been involved.

The sheriff’s office housed an inmate for the Rock County Sheriff’s Office from a Nebraska State Patrol DUI arrest.

The sheriff investigated a complaint of a missing horse in rural Brown County. The sheriff was able to contact the individual training the horse. During the investigation the horse was found dead. The sheriff documented the deceased horse, and proof was sent to the owner.

March 10
The sheriff provided security during district court in Ainsworth.

The sheriff and the county attorney spoke with the FBI regarding a runaway juvenile from a few weeks prior.

The sheriff, Ainsworth Fire Chief and deputies investigated an unattended death in Long Pine.

A traffic stop was made in Ainsworth. The driver received a repair order for none of the lights working to the rear of his vehicle.

Deputies attended a two-state meeting in Valentine.

March 11
The sheriff and a deputy investigated an unattended death in rural Brown County.

A traffic stop was made in Ainsworth. The driver received a written warning for speeding.

A traffic stop was made near Long Pine. The driver received a written warning for speeding and no driver’s license on person.

The sheriff’s office received reports of a careless driver where multiple cars had to drive into a ditch to avoid possible collisions. The driver of the vehicle was contacted by a deputy, and a citation was issued to the driver for careless driving.

A deputy assisted a motorist who ran out of fuel on Highway 7.

The sheriff’s office received numerous complaints about an individual in Ainsworth who has been purchasing and providing alcohol to underage minors. Deputies contacted the reported individual while the exchange of alcohol was being done with minors in Ainsworth. The individual providing alcohol to minors received citations on charges of procuring/selling alcohol to minors and possession of drug paraphernalia. The minors involved received citations on charges of minors in possession of alcohol, tobacco/electronic nicotine use under 21 years of age, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

A deputy responded to a report of a suspicious person near the airport ponds off Highway 20.

March 12
The sheriff assisted with removing an injured deer in the roadway on Highway 20.

The sheriff provided traffic control for cattle crossing Highway 7.

A traffic stop was made in Ainsworth. The driver received a written warning for no registration.

March 13
The sheriff and a deputy along with Nebraska State Patrol investigators and drone pilots worked in rural Brown County in an attempt to locate a missing person.

The Brown County Administrator attended leadership training in Norfolk.

March 14
The sheriff’s office received a report of a vehicle tailgating their car on Highway 20. The deputy was able to observe the reporting vehicle and witness the tailgating that was reported. A traffic stop was made, and the driver received a citation for following too closely.

A traffic stop was made on Highway 20 east of Ainsworth. The driver received a citation for driving 11 mph over the posted speed limit.

A traffic stop was made on Highway 20 west of Ainsworth. The driver received a written warning for driving left of the center line.

A traffic stop was made in Ainsworth. The driver received a repair order for improper/defective vehicle lighting and obstructed view.

A traffic stop was made in Ainsworth. The driver received a warning for driving without headlights turned on.

Weekly Log
Phone calls – 1065
911 emergency calls – 4
Vehicle titles inspected – 3
Firearms permits purchased – 1
Jail inmates housed – 2

* Wildfires burn more than 600,000 acres

(Posted 8:15 a.m. March 15)

Governor Jim Pillen provided an update Saturday on operations following an aerial tour of wildfires burning across Nebraska. He was joined in the briefing at the Keith County Fairgrounds by U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts and U.S. Representative Adrian Smith. Lt. Colonel Scott Henrickson, chief of the joint staff for the Nebraska National Guard also spoke, providing an update on personnel and equipment deployed by the Nebraska National Guard to support local firefighters.

In total, three of the state’s largest wildfires have damaged around 600,000 acres. Pillen spoke specifically about impacts resulting from the Morrill County Fire, which has consumed 460,000 acres and the Lincoln County (Cottonwood Fire) near Gothenburg, which has burned 100,000 acres. The Road 203 Fire near Halsey has burned 40,000 acres.

Pillen emphasized that the state is taking a proactive approach to enlisting additional resources for fire suppression and providing assistance to community volunteer firefighters, who have been working around the clock. Earlier today, he called the mayors of Omaha, Lincoln and Columbus to see what fire personnel and equipment they would be able to provide. He also indicated he would contact other mayors and nearby states like Iowa, to see what assistance they could lend.

“This is a fight from the river to Harrison, and I’m really excited that we’re getting people deployed to help our volunteer firefighters,” Pillen said.

The Nebraska National Guard deployed 29 airmen and soldiers to assist with firefighting efforts in central and western Nebraska.  That includes a ground firefighting hand crew, which is working shoulder to shoulder with local fire teams. Two Nebraska Army National Guard UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters equipped with Bambi buckets have also been flown to the area for aerial firefighting support.

“We are working to get more resources into the state, but as we heard, there are multiple fires across multiple states,” said Lt. Col. Henrickson. “We are still working to see what is available and of course, bring that up in a unified effort here with the local emergency management team as well as our Nebraska Emergency Management Agency.”

NEMA has requested and received approval from FEMA for a Fire Management Assistance Grant, which is designed to help support efforts to mitigate, manage, and control fires on public or private forests or grasslands. That assistance may help recover some of the costs associated with the state’s ongoing fire response.

Pillen also mentioned ongoing assistance from the Nebraska Department of Transportation which is providing road graders in order to create necessary roadblocks to prevent the spread of flames.

The governor reiterated a message shared previously – the need to heed any locally-issued evacuation orders. Officials have confirmed one fire-related fatality.

* Pillen issues statewide burn ban

(Posted 8:15 a.m. March 15)

Governor Jim Pillen issued a statewide burn ban to help reduce the potential for additional wildfires in Nebraska. Dry and windy conditions have caused the spread of significant fires in the central and western parts of the state. Pillen issued an emergency proclamation activating the deployment of state resources to help combat fires, including the use of aircraft and personnel from the Nebraska National Guard.

The governor’s executive order prohibiting burning will remain in effect until 11:59 p.m. on March 27.

* NPPD to host open houses March 25 on new project

(Posted 8:15 a.m. March 15)

The Nebraska Public Power District will host open houses on March 25 in Ainsworth and Bassett to gather public input for a new transmission project in the area.

NPPD plans to build an approximately 25-mile, 115 kilovolt transmission line to connect the existing Ainsworth Wind Substation, south of Ainsworth, to the existing substation south of Bassett. NPPD plans to build this line to provide a necessary path between the two substations to increase the system’s transmission capacity to meet increasing demand and further enhance reliability and resiliency in the north central Nebraska area.

At the open houses, NPPD will collect property information from landowners in the study area. Input from landowners and interested stakeholders will help NPPD evaluate potential routes for the 115kV transmission line.

The open house sessions are informal and provide the opportunity to review project information and visit with project team members. The in-person meetings will be held Wednesday, March 25. The first meeting will be held at the Ainsworth Community Building from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the second meeting will be held at the Rock County Community Center from 4 until 7 p.m.

For those unable to attend in person, a self‑paced virtual open house will be available on nppd.com/AinsworthWind-Bassett with the same project information and an opportunity to submit feedback. The virtual open house will be available from Tuesday, March 24, through Friday, April 10.

The upcoming open houses are the first of three rounds of public informational meetings NPPD plans to host for the project. This includes the first round of open houses to gather information on the study area, a second set of open houses to highlight potential routes and gain additional feedback, and a set of public hearings to announce a proposed route. 

For more information and to stay involved with the project, visit nppd.com/AinsworthWind-Bassett,

* Wiiest accepted into KLOP at UNK

(Posted 8:15 a.m. March 15)

Nineteen high school seniors from across the state, including Kade Wiiest of Bassett, will study at the University of Nebraska at Kearney as members of the prestigious Kearney Law Opportunities Program, the largest incoming class in the program’s history.

Arriving on campus this fall, the record-setting group demonstrates strong interest in a program designed to address the shortage of attorneys in rural Nebraska.

Launched in 2016, KLOP is a partnership between UNK and the University of Nebraska College of Law that recruits and trains students committed to practicing law in greater Nebraska.

Selected from communities outside Lincoln and the Omaha metropolitan area, participants receive a partial room waiver and tuition assistance during their time at UNK, with most scholarships covering the full cost of tuition. The program also provides academic support, including one-on-one mentorship from faculty and peers, professional development and experiential learning opportunities.

KLOP participants can major in any academic discipline at UNK as long as they plan to pursue a law degree after graduation.

Program director and UNK political science professor Chuck Rowling said the newest class reflects both the strength of students across rural Nebraska and the growing visibility of the program.

“These students arrive with an impressive combination of academic ability, leadership experience and a clear desire to serve their communities,” said Rowling, who chairs the UNK Department of Political Science. “What stands out most is their commitment to using a legal education as a way to strengthen the places they call home.”

KLOP scholars regularly connect with current law students, judges, attorneys and other professionals through on-campus events and visits to the Nebraska College of Law in Lincoln. Those experiences often lead to internships both locally and nationally. Students are also encouraged to pursue undergraduate research and experiential learning opportunities, including field study courses focused on international human rights law in Europe and the legal history of the Civil Rights Movement in the Southern U.S.

After earning a bachelor’s degree at UNK, KLOP students are guaranteed admission to the Nebraska College of Law, provided they meet GPA and Law School Admission Test requirements.

A total of 52 students are currently part of KLOP, an encouraging sign as the university works to expand access to legal services throughout the state.

“Many rural areas across our state face a significant shortage of attorneys,” Rowling said. “Programs like KLOP help build a pipeline of talented young people who understand those communities and are motivated to return and make a difference.”

* City Council approves streets plan

(Posted 7:45 p.m. March 11)

The Ainsworth City Council held a public hearing Wednesday for the city’s one- and six-year streets improvement plan.

The one-year plan includes rubber asphalt sealant work on 20 blocks of Second, Third and Pine streets at an estimated cost of $90,000.

Streets Superintendent Jess Hurlbert with Olsson Associates said the rubber sealant was a newer product and should work well on the city’s asphalt streets.

“We put together this plan after going over things with Lisa and the streets department,” Hurlbert said. “We can amend this plan any way you would like.”

The six-year plan includes replacing several older asphalt streets with 6-inch thick concrete. Concrete paving projects in the six-year plan include:

East First Street from Main to Pine streets, estimated cost of $1.3 million

Seventh Avenue from North Maple to North Oak streets, $287,700

North Harrington Street from East First to East Fourth streets, $746,000

East Eighth Street from North Maple to North Ash streets, $447,000

North Elm Street from East First to East Sixth streets, $792,000

Meadville Avenue from Highway 20 north 220 feet, $144,000

The asphalt overlay over the remainder of Meadville Avenue from the end of the concrete project to the north city limits was also included on the six-year plan at an estimated cost of $468,000.

Councilman Kent Taylor said he believed improving Meadville Avenue was a priority for the council.

“That road gets a tremendous amount of truck traffic,” Taylor said.

City Administrator Lisa Schroedl said, in visiting with Mark Kovar from the Nebraska Department of Transportation, the state has an asphalt project from Ainsworth to Johnstown scheduled for 2027.

Hurlbert said, “It wouldn’t need much engineering on that project. You would want to look at the sub-grade. But if a plant is going to be here you could just work with the contractor.”

He said, if an asphalt plant was going to be in the area in 2027, the council could consider moving that project up.

Councilman Brad Fiala said, “If that asphalt plant is going to be here in 2027, I think we should just plan on that.”

Revenue sources for streets maintenance and improvements in addition to general funds include $277,447 from the state in highway allocation funds, $78,860 in local option motor vehicle taxes, and a $3,000 incentive payment from the state for having a Class A streets superintendent.

The council approved the plan as presented following the public hearing.

Another public hearing Wednesday provided the council with the six-month review of the LB 840 program conducted by the Citizen Advisory Review Committee.

Mayor Joel Klammer said there was nothing in the six-month review that was out of the ordinary.

“All of the loans are being paid back,” Klammer said.

North Central Development Center Executive Director Kristin Olson said the six-month review was pretty straightforward this time. The CARC consists of Chairman Marcus Fairhead and members Mark Kovar, Rod Worrell, Jennifer Schuett and Lacey Marbry.

In other business, the council again discussed the Sellors-Barton Museum with representatives from the museum committee and interested audience members.

Klammer said he, Schroedl, Councilwoman Heather Lutter and representatives from the museum committee met with a representative from the cleaning company last week.

“We haven’t received any information back from them yet on the total cost to clean the items,” Klammer said.

Lutter said the company’s representative commented that the museum included a sizeable inventory.
“So, the bid may be higher than the initial estimate,” Lutter said.

Schroedl said the city should have an official quote back prior to the April meeting.

Klammer said there was not much else to report from the previous month’s discussion.

Fiala said, “It is in their hands to give us a bid.”

Audience member Bill Lentz said friends of the museum have been discussing ideas and potential options with the committee.

“This is not an uncommon issue for small Nebraska museums,” Lentz said. “Sarpy County has 100,000 museum pieces that need to be cleaned. We know our facility has to be changed.”

Lentz said there hasn’t been much clarity over the past 10 years on how much money is available from the city for the museum.

“We want to preserve as much as we can,” Lentz said. “We just need a starting point, and we need to understand the finances.”

Schroedl said the Brown County Visitors Committee provided $20,000 for repairs to the cabin. That money is still in an account. She said the city budgets annually for the museum as it does for each city department.

She said it is all part of the general fund, but the money does not carry over each year.

“It is not like a sinking fund,” Schroedl said.

Taylor said everything comes down to spending tax dollars, and the museum has never been a high priority with all the other infrastructure issues the current and previous councils face.

“There are always other fires to put out,” Taylor said.

Klammer said the next step is to develop a plan the city can afford that works for everyone.

“When we get the bid back, we can have a planning meeting to determine the next steps,” the mayor said.

In other action items, the council approved a bid from West Plains Bank to finance the newly purchased 2019 sewer vacuum truck. The council approved the purchase during an emergency meeting after the previous truck broke down.

During that emergency meeting, the council approved the $195,000 purchase, using $50,000 from the city’s sewer fund and going out for bids to finance $145,000.

West Plains Bank provided a bid of 4.95 percent to finance the $145,000 over a four-year term with annual payments. Union Bank & Trust quoted 5.19 percent interest for the same term, and Homestead Bank’s bid was at 5.35 percent interest.

Fiala asked if the yearly payments to service the debt would come from the sewer fund.

Schroedl said the payments could come from the sewer fund with the council adjusting the rates, or the payments could be made from the city’s debt service fund which is generated through a portion of the local option sales tax.

Fiala said, “I would rather not see it come from debt service.”

Schroedl said the council did not need to make a decision right away on where the funds would come from to service the loan.

The council approved the West Plains Bank bid.

The council tabled action on leasing 34 acres of farmable ground east of Ainsworth after not receiving any bids. Klammer said he did receive contact from someone potentially interested in the lease who forgot about the deadline. The council extended the date to accept bids on the lease until April 1 and will open bids during its April 8 meeting.

Brittney Koenig with the Nebraska Public Power District provided the council with an annual update from the utility. Koenig said, in 2025, NPPD remitted $286,480 in lease payments to the city and paid $27,816 in sales tax to the city. Additionally, she said the utility paid $116,386 in gross revenue tax to Brown County, which is then distributed to all taxing entities in the county.

She reported NPPD’s rates are among the best in the nation at 10.98 cents per kilowatt hour. The national average is 15.99 cents per kilowatt hour. Koenig said NPPD has also consistently ranked in the top three utilities in the country for reliability and is currently ranked No. 1 in the nation.

She said the utility has received unprecedented requests for power recently and is in the process of spending $2 billion for new electric generation projects. She said the larger projects scheduled for construction will be fueled by natural gas. She anticipated NPPD would also move forward this year with selecting two to four sites to construct small nuclear reactor facilities.

“Every town we approached was in favor,” Koenig said.

She thanked local NPPD employees Lee Conroy, Chris Lammers and Todd Keller for their work in keeping power to the community reliable.

During her report Wednesday, Schroedl said the city office completed the transition to its new software system in February.

“We had a couple early snafus but the customer support was good and the issues were fixed,” Schroedl said.

She said utility customers who were set up for online payments under the previous system would need to either come in to the city office and set up autopay free of charge, or customers could set up autopay online for a small fee.

Schroedl also reported the city hired Brock Hobbs as the new park manager.

The next meeting of the Ainsworth City Council is scheduled for 5 p.m. April 8.

* Dailey, Crouse inducted into Cowboy Hall of Fame

(Posted 8:15 a.m. March 11)

The 21^st annual Nebraska Sandhills Cowboy Hall of Fame announced this year’s class of inductees.

Those chosen for induction include Dan Dailey from Brown County, Steve Crouse from Keya Paha County, Deloris Adamson and Jerry Adamson of Cherry County, John Ravenscroft of Cherry County, Jim Johnston of Thomas County, Bob Woodward of Custer County, Gary Powles of Grant County, Brad Wilson of Arthur County, James Alworth of Garden County and Sam Connell of McPherson County.

The banquet and induction ceremony will be held June 6 in the 4-H building at the Cherry County Fairgrounds in Valentine, with the banquet at 6 p.m. followed by the induction ceremony at 7 p.m.

* Ainsworth City Council Wednesday agenda

(Posted 7 a.m. March 11)

Ainsworth City Council
Meeting 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 11
Ainsworth Conference Center
Agenda

• Call to Order
• I. Routine Business
  • Announcement of Open Meetings Act
  • Roll Call
  • Pledge of Allegiance
• II. Consent Agenda – All items approved with the passage of one motion
  • Approve minutes from the February 11, 2026 regular meeting and the February 17, 2026 Emergency Meeting
  • Approval of claims
  • Treasurer’s report
  • Department head reports

• III. Mayor’s Appointments and Report
  • Mayor’s Report
  • Mayor’s Appointments
• IV. Public Hearings
  • Hearing to review the Citizen Advisory Review Committee’s (CARC) 6-month report on the LB 840 program
  • Consider Resolution #26-01:  Adopting a long-range six-year plan of highway, road, and street improvements based upon priority of needs
• V. Old Business
  • None
• VI. Regular Agenda
  • NPPD Update – Brittney Koenig, NPPD
  • Open and consider sealed bids received for the farm lease
  • Discuss and consider the Sellors Barton Museum
  • Discuss and consider bids for a loan on the purchase of a 2019 SECA Eco 900 Sewer Vacuum
  • Discuss and consider the recommendation by the LB840 Loan Committee to approve:
    • Application #26-02 Façade in the amount of $6,220
  • City Administrator/Clerk/Treasurer Report
• VII. Adjourn

* Care Center Board discusses federal funding opportunity

(Posted 2:30 p.m. March 10)

The Sandhills Care Center Board on Monday discussed a federal funding application that, if awarded, would help fund substantial infrastructure improvements in the building.

North Central Development Center Executive Director Kristin Olson said the application for federal funding was submitted Friday and has been received by Congressman Adrian Smith’s office.

“It is a federal allocation, not a grant, so these would be earmarked appropriations,” Olson told the board.

Olson said her office worked with the potential architect on the scope of the project. The application requests $1.35 million in federal funds to be matched with $450,000 in available care center funds for $1.8 million in total improvements to the facility.

Olson said, in a short turnaround time, dozens of letters of support for the project were received, including a letter of support from Gov. Jim Pillen.

“The letters came from across the region,” Olson said. “You had very good community support.”

Care center business manager Makenzie Crane said the staff started collecting letters of support on Wednesday, and by the Friday deadline had received more than 60 letters supporting the project.

“It was really overwhelming support from the community,” Crane said.

Olson said the board should be proud of the work done by everyone involved to pull the information together in a short time frame.

“I think it is a great application,” she said. “The need is there. You should be proud of what you’ve done in the past 10 years with this facility.”

Board member Dennis Bauer said the congressional office did not provide much notice of the potential funding opportunity, so everything had to get put together quickly.

Board chair Tom Jones thanked everyone who played a role in putting the information together for the application as well as those who provided letters of support.

“That is awesome to see,” Jones said.

Architect Jeff Ahl with arCuretecture of Lincoln said he worked with Olson on the potential scope of projects that could be included with the application. If awarded, the funds would have to be spent within one year, which is a quick turnaround time for a major renovation project.

“I have been doing this for 30 years,” Ahl said. “You are in a unique situation where you are actually in the black and also have some tax levy dollars coming in. There are not a lot of nursing homes in Nebraska doing that well.”

Ahl said, for large-scale renovation projects, nursing homes typically need to have a way to fund the work without relying on money from operations.

Ahl said, during a preliminary visit to the facility, the attic was quickly identified as a major issue.

“Right now, you have to run water so the pipes don’t freeze,” Ahl said. “The sprinkler system is also up there. Priority No. 1 needs to be stabilizing the building and its systems.”

Ahl said the second priority for the funds, if awarded, would be improving the quality of the individual resident rooms. Finally, the third priority would be improvements for staff.

Ahl said the standard in the nursing home industry, in the near future if not now, would be private rooms for residents.

“You are licensed for 46 beds, and you currently have 23 rooms,” Ahl said.

He said, to completely renovate the entire building would cost around $5.8 million. A new 23,000 to 25,000 square foot nursing home would be about $10 million with the current cost of construction.

“You will pay significantly more to renovate the building with people living in there,” Ahl said.

Bauer said making improvements to the attic would be his top priority.

“Having to run water to keep the pipes from freezing is unacceptable,” Bauer said. “The attic, electrical system and the boiler have to be the priority.”

Board member Dr. Mel Campbell said replacing the windows should also be a priority.

“I can’t imagine many windows that are less energy efficient,” Campbell said.

Jones said he would hate to have all $1.8 million go toward just structural improvements and not use some of the money to improve the resident rooms.

“I lose sleep over four residents having to share a bathroom,” Jones said.

Jones asked what the next step would be to proceed with setting priorities and a plan for improvements.

Ahl said he had not charged the care center for any of his time thus far. He recommended a preliminary study of the facility, where his team would analyze the entire building and provide recommendations for the most pressing issues.

“We need to be shovel ready if the funding is approved,” Ahl said. “Our team can put together a priority list for you to look at. Then we would put budget numbers together.”
Following the discussion, the board approved having Ahl’s company perform a comprehensive assessment of the building and provide recommendations to the board. The cost of the assessment is not to exceed $25,000.

Olson said the application was for 2027 funding, so the board had some time to set its priorities and create a budget. But, if awarded, the funds had to be spent within 12 months of being awarded.

She said there were potential grant opportunities to pursue in conjunction with the federal appropriation, such as energy efficiency grants to replace the facility’s windows.

In other business Monday, Administrator Penny Jacobs reported there are currently 29 residents calling the Sandhills Care Center home. Of those, 12 are from Ainsworth, 10 are from Cherry County, four are from rural Brown County, and there is one resident from Long Pine, Rock County and Keya Paha County.

Of the 29 residents, 13 pay privately, 15 receive Medicaid assistance and one is receiving Medicare assistance. Jacobs reported two new residents were admitted during the past month. One resident was discharged and there was one resident death.

Jacobs said there are three trainees taking a CNA class who would become new employees upon the completion of the course work and testing.

Crane reported the care center’s financials are in a very strong position.

“The interlocal account is growing,” Crane said. “Everything looks good.”

During February, the care center generated $275,580 in revenue with expenses of $216,288 for a net profit of $59,292 for the month. In addition, the facility received $33,737 from the voter-approved levy. This is the third of five years voters approved property tax funding to the facility. Between the 1-cent county levy and the 10-cent city levy, the facility receives a little more than $200,000 annually.

The board keeps those funds separated from the facility’s operating account. The lion’s share of those funds would be used to help match the potential federal application for improvements to the facility.

The board currently has $100,000 earning interest in a certificate of deposit at West Plains Bank. The board renewed an expiring $100,000 CD for 12 months with Union Bank & Trust, and used an additional $100,000 from the interlocal fund to begin an 11-month CD with Homestead Bank.

After accounting for claims for the month, the care center has $222,807 available between its operating account and its accounts receivable.

In a final action item Monday, the board approved a 5 percent salary increase for Jacobs.

The next meeting of the Sandhills Care Center Board of Directors is scheduled for 5 p.m. April 13.

* School Board discusses purchasing skid steer

(Posted 9 p.m. March 9)

The Ainsworth Community Schools Board of Education on Monday approved having the board’s building and grounds committee make a decision on the purchase of a skid steer.

Superintendent Dale Hafer said the district has leased a skid steer for several years, but leasing costs have risen substantially.

“My first year here, the lease was $2,800,” Hafer said. “Now it is $5,000 for a smaller machine.”

He said leasing a larger Bobcat skid steer would cost the district $7,000 for the upcoming year.

“We put 32 hours on it in the past year,” the superintendent said. “We put 220 hours on a machine one year when we had a lot of snow.”

Hafer asked, with the cost of the annual lease continuing to increase, would it make sense for the district to purchase a skid steer instead.

“There is more of an up-front cost, but we would probably be money ahead in the long run,” he said. “We can run a machine for several years.”

Board President Brad Wilkins said he did some research on skid steers, and 5-year-old Bobcat skid steers typically hold between 70 percent and 80 percent of their original value. He said Kubota skid steers typically retain between 50 percent and 60 percent of their original value at five years.

With the district potentially receiving a more than $20,000 government discount to purchase a skid steer, the district could likely operate a machine for five years and then be able to sell it for close to what it cost to buy it. 

The board discussed whether to purchase a skid steer with wheels or tracks. While machines with tracks typically have a higher re-sale value, the board discussed the potential that a tracked machine would damage the grass when removing snow.

Board member Frank Beel said, “We are money ahead if we purchase as long as we have money available in the budget.”

Hafer said there were funds available in the district’s facility and vehicle acquisition budgets within the general fund to allow for the purchase of a skid steer.

The board unanimously approved allowing the building and grounds committee to review quotes and make a decision on which skid steer to recommend for purchase.

In other items Monday, the board approved the resignation of industrial technology teacher and girls wrestling coach Todd Pollock. Pollock, who has been with Ainsworth Community Schools since the 2009-10 school year, announced he planned to retire effective at the end of the current school year.

Hafer said, “Todd has been great. He is excellent with the shop, and he has been super helpful behind the scenes and with coaching.”

The superintendent said an interview with a potential replacement for Pollock would be conducted this week.

Hafer said there was a potential in-house option for the middle and high school language arts position being vacated by Cory Friedrich after Friedrich was hired as the district’s secondary principal for the 2026-27 school year. Hafer said there were still some details to work out, but the in-house option has degrees and has been accepted into the transition to teaching program through the University of Nebraska-Kearney.

The board Monday approved a 3.29 percent wage increase for classified and support staff for the 2026-27 school year. Wilkins said the increase mirrored the one approved for the district’s certified staff.

The board approved the 2026-27 school calendar as presented. The first day of class for students will be Aug. 13, with graduation set for May 16, 2027. Hafer said graduation typically falls on Mother’s Day, but with the way the calendar worked out graduation would be the following Sunday next year as Mother’s Day is May 9, 2027.

“I can rework it if you want me to, but we would have to start school earlier,” the superintendent said. “This calendar is the traditional calendar.”

The board opted to leave the calendar as presented, with graduation the Sunday after Mother’s Day.

In other action items, the board approved a request to allow Bentley Davis to option into the district for the 2026-27 school year. Hafer said Davis will be a kindergarten student in the fall and has been attending preschool in Ainsworth.

The board approved having members conduct a self-assessment using a form provided by the Nebraska Association of School Boards, similar in makeup to the superintendent evaluation forms the board members complete.

The board approved the review of school policies 901 to 903.09.

Secondary Principal Steve Dike reported the district is looking at updating its social studies curriculum. He said they are looking at three different sources for the curriculum, and were waiting to make a decision until curriculum standards are updated by the Nebraska Department of Education.

Dike reported just 4.2 percent of high school students and 4.6 percent of middle school students missed 10 percent of the class days during the first semester. He reported the percentages are a little higher right now for the second semester as there has been some illness going through the school. He said the chronic absenteeism rate so far this semester is 8.5 percent for high school students and 6.25 percent for middle school students, but those rates could decline if the students don’t miss many more days prior to the end of the semester.

Elementary Principal Kelsey Riesen reported staff and administration are looking at three potential sources for updating the district’s science curriculum. She said the district will work with the Educational Service Unit to take a closer look at two of the options. She said the cost to update the science curriculum would be approximately $50,000.

During his report, Hafer said a power surge damaged an electrical panel in the boiler room. He said the approximate cost to repair the damage is $18,000, and the district would file a claim with its insurance carrier.

Hafer said Dan Morrell and crew are getting things prepared to replace the remaining older boiler and install the new boiler modules that were purchased earlier this year.

The next meeting of the Ainsworth Community Schools Board of Education is scheduled for 7 p.m. April 13.

* Brown County Sheriff’s Department weekly summary

(Posted 10 a.m. March 9)

March 1
A traffic stop was made on Highway 20 east of Ainsworth. The driver received a written warning for speeding.

A lost cell phone was turned in to the sheriff’s office. The owner of the cell phone was contacted and the phone was returned.

A traffic stop was made on Highway 183. The driver received a written warning for speeding.

A traffic stop was made on Highway 20 east of Ainsworth. The driver was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol and received citations for driving left of the center line and driving on the shoulder of the highway.

The sheriff’s office was notified of a runaway juvenile from the mother and a Michigan Police Department. Deputies were able to locate the runaway juvenile as soon as they arrived in Ainsworth. The juvenile was brought to the sheriff’s office. Juvenile probation was notified and placement was found at a juvenile holding facility in Sarpy County until a legal guardian or a parent could pick up the juvenile.

An inmate was released from the Brown County Jail on bond.

March 2
The sheriff took a report of possible theft from a business in Ainsworth.

The sheriff and a deputy responded to an uncontrollable juvenile sneaking out of their house. The sheriff and deputy found the juvenile and returned the uncontrollable juvenile back to the parents.

March 3
The sheriff took a report of check fraud. This is an ongoing investigation.

A traffic stop was made on Meadville Avenue. The driver received a citation for driving 15 mph over the posted speed limit.

March 4
The sheriff’s office is investigating a domestic assault and a possible sexual assault.

A traffic stop was made on Highway 20 east of Ainsworth. The driver received a written warning for speeding.

A traffic stop was made on Meadville Avenue. The driver received a citation for driving 15 mph over the posted speed limit.

A deputy responded to a report of possible underage drinking. The deputy patrolled the reported area and was unable to find the reported vehicle.

March 5
A deputy is investigating a possible hit and run in Ainsworth.

March 6
A traffic stop was made on Highway 7. The driver received a written warning for speeding.

The Brown County Ambulance Association responded to a call in Long Pine and transported the patient to the Brown County Hospital.

The Brown County Ambulance Association responded to two calls in Ainsworth and transported both patients to the Brown County Hospital.

The sheriff’s office was requested to perform a welfare check in Ainsworth. Before the deputy arrived at the residence, the reporting party called back and informed the sheriff’s office they had spoken with the person and everything was ok.

March 7
A traffic stop was made on Highway 20 east of Ainsworth. The driver received a written warning for speeding.

A traffic stop was made in Ainsworth. The driver received a repair order for not having registration in the vehicle.

A traffic stop was made on Highway 7. The driver received a written warning for an improper turn.

Weekly Log
Phone calls – 936
Calls for service – 9  
911 emergency calls – 8
Vehicle titles inspected – 7
Firearm permits purchased – 0
Jail inmates housed – 2

* Rock County Commissioners meeting notes

(Posted 6:45 a.m. March 6)

During the Rock County Commissioners meeting Tuesday, Stacey Knox met with the board representing the Bassett/Rock County Chamber of Commerce regarding the countywide cleanup day to be held June 6. The commissioners approved paying for a dumpster at Rose and Newport and splitting the cost of a dumpster in Bassett with the city.

Ally Grant met with the commissioners on the Rock County Ambulance Association’s claims for damage to the ambulance barn. The board approved the quote from Raynor for the door & JP Construction for the labor, for a total cost of $2,845.93.

Trenton Gurnsey and Kathleen Schaaf met with the commissioners to discuss the excessive damage claims to the county for the ambulance. The new ambulance is being housed at the airport.

Policies for credit cards and meals were discussed, and the board approved updates to both policies as presented. The changes will be included in the employee handbook.

The commissioners appointed Faye Smith to serve as the alternate representative to the North Central Development Center Board of Directors if Colby Sybrant is unable to attend.

NCDC Executive Director Kristin Olson and Deputy Emergency Manager Jessica Pozehl met with the commissioners on a grant application to the Department of Interior. The skid tanks that will be purchased with the grant money have to be dedicated to an existing vehicle. Most of the county’s rural trucks are owned by the Forestry Service. A waiver from the Forestry Service will need to be obtained before the skid tanks can be put on one of the forestry trucks. The board approved having the county be the applicant for the grant. The grant would cover 100 percent of the cost of the tanks.

Bernie Hart, representing the Rock County Airport Authority, met with the board to discuss the county storing signs, a sign trailer and the new ambulance at the airport. No action was taken.

The next meeting of the Rock County Commissioners is scheduled for 1 p.m. March 17.

* Commissioners approve highway improvement plan

(Posted 10:15 a.m. March 4)

The Brown County Commissioners on Tuesday approved the county’s Highway Improvement Plan as presented by Highway Superintendent Kenny Turpin.

Turpin reported the roads department completed three projects from last year’s one-year plan and added only one project to this year’s plan – regrading and gravel resurfacing of Richardson Road from the Highway 7 intersection east 1 mile.

Turpin said the roads department has mostly completed the relocation of a stretch of Raven Road that was on the one-year plan.

“We dug clay from the Daniels pit and hauled it onto the Raven Road,” Turpin said. “We still have some more to do there.”

The department also completed grading work on Kicken Road and cold mix asphalt repairs and armor coating on a stretch of the Elsmere Road.

“We had a lot of rain last year so maintaining roads was our first priority,” Turpin told the commissioners during a hearing on the plan. “We have to have this plan on file with the state to receive our highway allocation of $700,000 to $800,000.”

The highway superintendent reported there are 24 projects on the county’s one-year plan and an additional 13 projects on the six-year plan.

“The one-year plan is overloaded but that gives us options depending on the weather,” Turpin said.

He reported the one-year plan includes all the bridge replacement and rehabilitation projects that were awarded federal funding. The one-year plan also includes armor coating the remaining section of the Elsmere Road. The remainder of the projects are grading and gravel resurfacing.

In a related item, the commissioners approved a bid from Midwest Coatings Inc. of Modale, Iowa, for armor coating. The company quoted $25,134 per mile for armor coating, with the county supplying the gravel. The bid from Midwest Coatings was the only one the county received after advertising for the work.

Turpin said the company did a good job for the county the previous year. He said he planned to budget for 15 miles of armor coating in the 2026-27 budget that includes a stretch of the Elsmere Road and 432^nd and 433^rd avenues where the roads department performed crack seal work.

Commissioner Jeremiah Dailey said it would have cost the county roughly $50,000 to contract for the crack sealing work the roads department performed itself after purchasing a machine.

“I think we got our money’s worth on that machine already,” Dailey said.

Turpin agreed, saying the machine cost a little over $20,000 and the county paid $15,000 for the tar used to seal cracks in the asphalt roads.

“It is definitely something we can handle as long as there isn’t a lot of snow,” the highway superintendent said.

He said the department was sealing cracks on 433^rd Avenue near the Ainsworth Airport and should have that work completed soon.

Turpin said the roads department had also widened an intersection on Moon Lake Avenue and next planned to install a new culvert on Road 880 and remove trees near the canal on the south end of Meadville Avenue.
In another roads department matter, Dan Carson approached the commissioners about being paid to operate a county maintainer in the southern part of the county.

Carson said he has run the maintainer for more than 30 years and had never drawn a wage. He maintains 8 miles of road in the southern part of the county.

Commissioner Dennis Bauer asked Carson how much time he spends each month maintaining the stretch of road.

Carson said he typically runs the maintainer about three times per month, and it takes four to five hours each time.

“I don’t really enjoy it, but I will do it if you don’t want to,” Carson said.

Turpin said it is a long way for roads employees to travel to maintain that stretch of road, so the work Carson does to maintain the stretch is a big help to the department.

The commissioners approved paying Carson $30 per hour for up to 15 hours per month going forward.

County Attorney Andy Taylor said an appraiser is working on creating an appraisal for the new route that has been mutually agreed to by all parties for a new road to isolated property in the southwest portion of the county.

“Once the damages are determined and the property owner has paid, then the county officially designates the route,” Taylor said. “You can then determine whether it will be a private road or a public road maintained by the county.”

In other business Tuesday, the board signed a contract renewal with Paulsen Lawn Service to maintain the courthouse grounds for 2026. Taylor said the contract has the same terms as 2025, with the county paying Paulsen Lawn Service $8,000 for the season.

Sheriff Brent Deibler said a sewer line had to be replaced at the sheriff’s department and the yard was torn up. Paulsen’s will handle the dirt work and reseeding at the site.

The commissioners approved having the county be the applicant for a grant application for improvements at the Sandhills Care Center.

Bauer said the county received information on a potential federal funding opportunity to renovate the care center.

“It needs a lot of work – wiring, heating and air-conditioning,” Bauer said.

North Central Development Center Executive Director Kristin Olson said the application had a quick turnaround time and was due this Friday. She said Congressman Adrian Smith’s office indicated the project would score better if the county was the applicant instead of the interlocal board.

The grant would cover 75 percent of the cost of renovations. She said the care center board has $250,000 available as a match, so the application would be for $1 million, with the grant providing $750,000 if approved.

“There is no cost to the county to apply,” Olson said. “If awarded, we would only have 12 months to complete the project and spend the funds. We worked with the architect, who assured us we could meet that timeline. There is no guarantee we will get it, but I think we will score pretty high with this project for the Community Facilities Fund.”

Even if not approved this year, Olson said applying this year would put the county in a better position to reapply next year.

“It is a fiscal year 2027 funding cycle, so we would have time to budget for it if approved,” Olson said.

Dailey said, if the care center has the matching funds available, he didn’t see any reason why the county wouldn’t apply for the grant funds.

Bauer said, “If we can get the $750,000, the nursing home board can prioritize the projects.”

The board unanimously approved having the county be the applicant for the grant.

The commissioners again tabled action on having the county be the applicant for a slip-on tanker pilot program grant application through the Department of the Interior.

Olson said quotes have been received, and outfitting existing fire department vehicles in Brown County with the tanks would be $118,000. The grant would cover 100 percent of the cost.

Deputy Emergency Manager Jessica Pozehl said the tanks have to be applied to existing vehicles, and a total of seven have been identified. That includes three UTV tanks and four for pickups.

Dailey said he wanted to see a list of the vehicles the tanks would be installed on before agreeing to proceed with the application.

Olson said she would email that information to the commissioners prior to their next meeting.

“That would be great,” Dailey said.

In a final action item Tuesday, the commissioners approved an updated handbook for county employees. The handbook had been reviewed by a committee with updates recommended. The commissioners had waited until agreeing on a new time management system for employees before approving the handbook updates.

The next meeting of the Brown County Commissioners is scheduled for 1:15 p.m. March 17.

* Numerous state, federal races on Primary Ballot

(Posted 9:15 a.m. March 4)

Numerous federal and state offices are up for grabs during the 2026 elections. Races include a U.S. Senate seat, all House of Representative seats, the governor, attorney general, secretary of state, treasurer and auditor and other regional offices.

Nine candidates have filed for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican Pete Ricketts of Omaha. Ricketts will face off against Eric Mortimore of Kearney, Todd Knobel of Lincoln, Mac Stevens of Bushnell and Debb Axtell Schultz of Grand Island in the Republican Primary. William J. Forbes of Paxton and Cindy Burbank of Omaha will compete in the Democratic U.S. Senate Primary. Earl Starkey of Minatare and Mike Marvin of Omaha have filed from the Legal Marijuana NOW Party.

Independent Dan Osborn is also campaigning for U.S. Senate.

For the 3^rd District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, incumbent Republican Adrian Smith of Gering faces a challenge from David P. Huebner of North Platte in the Republican Primary. Becky Kelly Stille of South Sioux City has filed for the U.S. House seat from the Democratic Party, and David J. Else of Overton filed from the Legal Marijuana NOW Party.

Republican Gov. Jim Pillen of Columbus will face five challengers in the Republican Primary in his bid for re-election. Republicans Sheila J. Korth-Focken of Long Pine, Gary L. Rogge of Auburn, Jacy Todd of York, Sal Holguin of Omaha, and John Walz of Hastings all filed for governor to challenge Pillen in the Primary.

After losing to Pillen in the 2022 Primary Election by 3 percentage points, Charles Herbster announced Monday he would not file to challenge Pillen this cycle.

Lynne Walz of Fremont and Larry Marvin of Fremont filed for governor from the Democratic Party, and Rick Beard of Omaha and James J. Charvat III of Valley filed for governor from the Legal Marijuana NOW Party.

Incumbent Secretary of State Bob Evnen of Lincoln faces a Republican Primary challenge from Scott Petersen of Omaha in his bid for another four-year term. Lee M. Cimfel of Lincoln and Sarah J. Slattery of Plattsmouth filed for secretary of state from the Democratic Party.

Republican incumbent State Treasurer Joey Spellerberg of Fremont is running unopposed in the Primary Election, and will face Daniel Ebers of Lincoln, who is running unopposed in the Democratic Primary, during the November General Election.

Republican Attorney General Mike Hilgers of Lincoln is unopposed in the primary, as is Democrat Jocelyn Brasher of Omaha. They will meet in the General Election.

Republican incumbent Mike Foley was the only candidate to file for the state auditor of public accounts position.

There are numerous seats in the Nebraska Legislature up for election in 2026. The top two candidates in each district in the non-partisan Legislature advance from the Primary to the General Election.

Barry DeKay of Niobrara is running unopposed for a second, four-year term in the Legislature representing the 40^th District.

Elizabeth Tegtmeier of North Platte is running unopposed for another term to represent District 7 on the Nebraska State Board of Education.

Carol A. Sibbel of O’Neill is running unopposed for another term representing District 2 on the Northeast Community College Board of Governors.

Incumbent Justin Hammond of Valentine is being challenged by Robert Shelbourn of Valentine for the Subdistrict 2 seat on the Middle Niobrara Natural Resources District Board.

Incumbent Stephanie Ladely of Valentine is being challenged by Casey J. Foster of Sparks for the Middle Niobrara NRD Subdistrict 4 seat.

Martin Graff of Ainsworth is unopposed for another term on the Middle Niobrara NRD Board representing Subdistrict 6.

Incumbent Mark Monroe of Valentine is being challenged by Tonny W. Beck of Ainsworth and Jeff Ward of Valentine for an at-large seat on the Middle Niobrara NRD.

Larry Baumeister of Stuart in Subdistrict 8 and Dwain Marcellus of Atkinson in Subdistrict 7 are unopposed for additional terms on the Lower Niobrara Natural Resources District Board.

Three candidates – Matt Keating of Atkinson, Joseph Olson of Stuart and Paul E. Allen of Bristow – are running for an at-large seat on the Lower Niobrara NRD Board.

Bill Tielke of Atkinson and Dennis Sperling of St. Paul are running for the Subdivision 2 seat on the Nebraska Public Power District Board of Directors.

The Primary Election is scheduled for Tuesday, May 12, with the General Election slated for November 3.

Those not already registered to vote may do so in the county clerk’s office or online at nebraska.gov/apps-sos-voter-registration/

* Niobrara Valley Conference Speech results

(Posted 7 a.m. March 4)

Niobrara Valley Conference Speech
Elgin High School
Team Scores
1. Chambers, 256; 2. O’Neill St. Mary’s, 152; 3. Stuart, 140; 4. Elgin Pope John, 136; 5. Elgin, 102; 6. Ainsworth, 56.

Individual Results
Duet Acting – 1. Alex Otte and Ben Pongratz, O’Neill St. Mary’s.

Entertainment Speaking – 1. Maddux Alder, Stuart; 4. Thomas Paxton, Stuart; 6. Willa Flynn, Ainsworth.

Extemporaneous Speaking – 1. Robert Peterson, Stuart; 5. Raelynn Reagan, Ainsworth; 6. Jasmine Davis, Stuart.

Informative Speaking – 1. Ben Pongratz, O’Neill St. Mary’s; 6. Courtnie Krueger, Keya Paha County.

Oral Interpretation of Drama – 1. Alex Otte, Anna Otte, Aubrey Wohlert, Ben Pongratz and Lauren Winkelbauer, O’Neill St. Mary’s; 2. Drew Schmaderer, Maddux Alder, Matthew Yemma and Thomas Paxton, Stuart.

Humorous Prose – 1. Rose Woeppel, Chambers; 4. Thomas Paxton, Stuart; 6. Kristofer Hitchcock, Ainsworth.

Poetry – 1. Abby Ehlers, Chambers; 4. Madison Phares, Ainsworth.

Serious Prose – 1. Rose Woeppel, Chambers; 2. Drew Schmaderer, Stuart; 6. Madison Phares, Ainsworth.

Persuasive Speaking – 1. Lauren Winkelbauer, O’Neill St. Mary’s.

Program of Oral Interpretation – 1. Rose Woeppel, Chambers; 3. Drew Schmaderer, Stuart; 6. Robert Peterson, Stuart.

* Larson accepted into KHOP program

(Posted 7 a.m. March 4)

As communities across the state continue to face health care provider shortages, the University of Nebraska at Kearney is investing in students committed to changing that reality.

More than 60 high school seniors have been selected to join the Kearney Health Opportunities Program this fall, beginning their academic journeys at UNK with the goal of serving rural Nebraska as future health care professionals.

Representing communities from the Panhandle to the Missouri River, the incoming students were chosen for their academic achievement, leadership potential and commitment to practicing in rural or medically underserved areas. Among the students accepted into the KHOP program is West Holt senior Pavan Larson, who plans to major in nursing.

“These students represent the future of health care in Nebraska,” said Peggy Abels, director of UNK Health Sciences. “The work they begin at UNK will have a ripple effect across the state, expanding access to care, strengthening local health systems and ultimately improving the quality of life for countless Nebraskans.”

According to data from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, more than 80% of the state’s health diagnosing and treating practitioners are located in metropolitan areas, while much of the state remains federally designated as medically underserved. Programs like KHOP are designed to address that imbalance by recruiting students from rural communities and supporting them through professional training.

Launched in 2010, KHOP provides financial assistance, academic support and professional development opportunities for students pursuing careers in 12 different health professions: dental hygiene, dentistry, medical laboratory science, medical nutrition, medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician assistant, public health and radiography. Many participants receive full-tuition scholarships to attend UNK and guaranteed admission to UNMC upon successful completion of program requirements.

Through the Douglas A. Kristensen Rural Health Education Complex, most students can complete both undergraduate and professional training in Kearney before entering practice. The model reflects a shared commitment by UNK and UNMC to educate providers closer to the communities they are most likely to serve.

As part of the KHOP Learning Community, first-year participants live together in a residential setting that provides structured academic support and early exposure to health careers. Students meet with health care providers, tour medical facilities and build connections that prepare them for professional school and future practice. The program provides a $2,000 scholarship for all KHOP Learning Community members during the first year.

More than 170 students are currently part of KHOP, and the 67 high school seniors accepted for fall 2026 represent the second-largest class in program history.

“The continued interest in KHOP shows that students across Nebraska are ready to step up and address the health care challenges facing our state,” Abels said. “We’re excited to welcome these outstanding individuals into our community, and we look forward to supporting them as they prepare to make a meaningful impact in the years ahead.”

* May Primary Election races are set

(Posted 3 p.m. March 3)

The Primary Election races are set as the non-incumbent filing deadline passed Monday. In Brown County, four candidates filed for county commissioner for two expiring seats. All four candidates are Republicans, including incumbent Commissioner Jeremiah Dailey. Patrick Brede, Thomas Jones and Eric (Sherm) Goochey filed for commissioner. Incumbent Dennis Bauer did not seek another four-year term. Two candidates will be elected to commissioner seats during the May Republican Primary.

Two candidates filed as Republicans for county sheriff. Incumbent Sheriff Brent Deibler is being challenged by current Nebraska State Trooper Aaron Nilson.

Current Clerk Travis Hobbs, Treasurer Bruce Mitchell and Assessor Peggy Gross do not face a challenge in their bids for re-election.

County Attorney Andy Taylor did not file for another term in office. Republican Reagan Wiebelhaus filed for the county attorney position.

Kevin Shaul is the sole candidate for Ainsworth Mayor. Incumbent Mayor Joel Klammer did not seek another term in office. Incumbent Ainsworth City Council members Dustin Barthel and Bradley Fiala do not face any opposition for additional four-year terms. That race will not appear on the Primary ballot.

Three incumbents on the Ainsworth Community Schools Board of Education whose terms are expiring filed for re-election. Those board members are Frank Beel, Jessica Pozehl and Bryan Doke. No other candidates filed for the school board, and the race will not appear until the General Election.

Two candidates filed for Long Pine City Council, incumbent Bryan Sanford and non-incumbent Michael Stogner. Incumbent Linda Alberts did not seek another term on the Long Pine Council.

There were no filings received for the Long Pine mayor position, as Ed Brown did not seek another term in office.

Incumbent Pamela Lynn Clay filed for another term on the Johnstown Village Board, and Jimmy Ferguson also filed for a seat on the Village Board.

In Rock County, both incumbent Republican Commissioners Colby Sybrant and Faye Smith filed for re-election. They will face challenges from Duane Pfister and Tyler Buoy in the Republican Primary, with the top two earning four-year terms.

Republican incumbents filing for re-election include Sheriff Benjamin Shelbourn, Clerk Daunitta Buoy and Assessor TJ Ellermeier.

Current Treasurer Mona Davis did not file for another term in office. Republican Lacey Friedrich filed for treasurer and is unopposed.

Eight candidates filed for the Rock County Public Schools Board of Education, none of them incumbents. Lucas Fischer, Joshua Severin, Courtney Knox, Rebecca Kroll, Johanna Babcock, Tamara Nielsen, Kasey Foster and Tamra Blake have filed for seats on the school board. The race will appear on the May Primary ballot, with the top six vote-earners advancing to the General Election. Three will then be elected in November to seats on the school board.

Tonya Larson, Kristy Beard and Tim Shaw did not file for additional four-year terms on the Board of Education.

Incumbent Reno Gordon and non-incumbent Michael LeZotte filed for seats on the Bassett City Council.

In Keya Paha County, current East District Commissioner John Frederick faces a challenge from Thomas Munk in the Republican Primary. Republican incumbent Corey Nilson is running for another term as Center District Commissioner. He faces a challenge in the Republican Primary from Cameron Mizner.

Kyle Linse has filed as a Republican for Keya Paha County sheriff. Current Sheriff Jeff Kirsch is not seeking another term.

Incumbent Republican Treasurer AnneJeanette Painter and Republican Clerk/Assessor Suzy Wentworth are running unopposed for additional four-year terms in office.

Incumbent Blaine Kinney filed for an additional four-year term on the Keya Paha County Public Schools Board of Education. Non-incumbents Jed Snyder, Janell Kaupp, Trevor Ferguson and Beth Rutar also filed for seats on the school board. Darcy Wiebelhaus and Todd Painter did not file for additional terms. That race will not appear until the General Election.

KBRB will provide a look at the statewide races appearing in the Primary Election later this week.

* Brown County Sheriff’s Department weekly summary

(Posted 9 a.m. March 2)

February 22

A deputy assisted with a trailer that was blocking a parking area at a local business in Ainsworth.

Deputies responded to a dispute between neighbors in rural Brown County. Both involved parties were spoken to and given warnings to stay off each other’s property.

February 23

The Brown County Ambulance Association responded to a call in Long Pine and transported a patient to the Brown County Hospital.

A deputy investigated the area of a 911 hangup in rural Brown County. The deputy did not find anything out of the ordinary in the area from which the call originated.

A deputy responded to a report of a careless driver on Highway 20. The deputy was unable to locate the described vehicle.

February 24

The sheriff’s office was notified of a probation warrant for a person in the area. The sheriff and deputies attempted to locate the individual.

A traffic stop was made in rural Brown County. The driver was given a written warning for not having the correct year’s tabs on their license plate, a repair order for brake lights not working properly and a verbal warning for turning too wide.

February 25

The sheriff investigated a vehicle-deer accident on Highway 20 near Long Pine.

The sheriff assisted a resident in Ainsworth with a possible scam.

The sheriff helped an individual with a complaint about registering their vehicle in Nebraska.

A traffic stop was made in Ainsworth. The driver received a written warning for no registration on their vehicle.

The Brown County Ambulance Association responded to a call in Ainsworth and transported a patient to the Brown County Hospital.

A traffic stop was made in Ainsworth. The driver received a repair order for improper and defective vehicle lighting.

A deputy investigated a report of a suspicious vehicle in an alley in Ainsworth. Nothing appeared out of the ordinary, as the vehicle was parked on private property and not blocking the alley.

February 26

A traffic stop was made on Highway 183. The driver received a citation for driving 10 mph over the posted speed limit and also received a written warning for not having a current copy of their insurance card in the vehicle.

February 27

The sheriff investigated abandoned property reported on the Cowboy Trail.

The sheriff’s office assisted with notifying a resident that they forgot to pay for their gas.

The sheriff and a deputy assisted DHHS with an investigation with a family in Ainsworth.

The sheriff and a deputy investigated the area of a 911 hangup call just north of Ainsworth. Nothing out of the ordinary was found in the area.

A traffic stop was made in Ainsworth. The driver received a citation for not stopping at a stop sign.

February 28

A deputy provided traffic control for cattle crossing Highway 7.

A deputy responded to a verbal altercation between household members in Ainsworth. The deputy spoke with the two individuals involved and de-escalated the situation between the parties.

The sheriff’s office received a lost cell phone. The owner of the cell phone was contacted, and the cell phone was returned to its owner.

Weekly Log
Phone calls – 824
Calls for Service – 15
911 emergency calls – 9
Firearm permits purchased – 5
Vehicle titles inspected – 6
Jail inmates housed – 7

* Area recreational sites receive upgrades

(Posted 6:45 a.m. Feb. 27)

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is reinvesting into the state’s recreational resources to enhance outdoor experiences, support state tourism, and provide safe and accessible amenities in state park areas and trails. Completed projects will appeal to an array of park users, from campers to anglers.

Among the projects receiving funding were:

Cowboy Recreation and Nature Trail – After being damaged by the historic 2019 flood, more than $34,000 in Capital Maintenance Funds were used to restore a section of trail just east of Long Pine to pre-flood conditions, including removing debris and fallen trees. Federal Emergency Management Agency funds also were used.

Long Pine State Recreation Area – A design was completed for a new electrical campground and shower house, ADA access, as well as road milling and overlay. The project cost more than $66,000 in CMF funds and used LWCF dollars as well.

Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area – Twenty new 50-amp campsites and a shower house were built between Cedar Bay and West Beeds, including ADA accessibility, to enhance revenue potential. This project used more than $575,000 in CMF funds. Federal dollars also were used.

Plum Creek Wildlife Management Area – A fishing node adjacent to the boat ramp was removed for public safety after sustaining significant damage. A new, roll-in dock system that fluctuates with changing water levels was installed using $12,000 in CMF funds. Also used with Sport Fish Restoration Grant funds and the agency’s Game Cash Fund.

The projects funded by Capital Maintenance and Land and Water Conservation Funds improve safety and accessibility, protect natural habitats, boost local economies, and ensure long-term sustainability. These investments create more welcoming parks for everyone to enjoy now and in the future.

Capital Maintenance Funds were established by the Nebraska Legislature to help preserve Nebraska’s public outdoor recreation facilities and parklands. These, as well as state and federal funding sources, and Nebraska Game and Parks’ funds generated from user fees of the state park system, funded these park improvement projects.

* Recent cases from Brown County Court

(Posted 2 p.m. Feb. 26)

In addition to fines, each case carries $50 in court costs

Jeffrey T. Rief, age 63, of Brookings, S.D., charged with speeding 11-15 mph over the limit, fined $75.

Louis A. Maring, 51, of Merna, speeding 16-20 mph over the limit, $200.

Amanda K. Dittman, 45, of Norfolk, speeding 11-15 mph over the limit, $125.

Nicholas L. England, 46, of Fargo, N.D., speeding 16-20 mph over the limit, $200.

Diette M. Glenn, 67, of Ainsworth, speeding 16-20 mph over the limit, $200.

Donald C. Windsperger, 63, of Colome, S.D., speeding 16-20 mph over the limit, $200.

Amber M. Polen, 42, of Ainsworth, third offense driving under the influence, $1,000, also sentenced to 30 days in jail with credit for three days served, one year of probation, driver’s license revoked for two years, and ordered to install an ignition interlock device.

Brandon J. Potts, 29, of Stratford, Iowa, speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

Dolores Tritle, 60, of Albert Lea, Minn., speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

Jennifer N. Vonheeder, 52, of Ainsworth, second degree criminal trespassing, ordered to pay a court costs only judgment.

Kristina L. Gunwall, 53, of Ainsworth, driving under the influence with a blood-alcohol content of 0.15 or greater, $500, also sentenced to six months of probation, driver’s license revoked for one year, and ordered to install an ignition interlock device.

Hunter C. Clark, 23, of Lincoln, no operator’s license, $75.

Kira B. Simmons, 27, of Sioux Falls, S.D., speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

Jordan S. Highelk, 31, of Plankinton, S.D., speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

Noah W. Nielson, 19, of Littleton, Colo., speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

Morgan L. Crider, 27, of Miami, Fla., speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

Stash M. Otto, 41, of Jefferson, Wis., speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

Tenchi M. Porter, 24, of Cedar Falls, Iowa, speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

David W. Moe, 48, of Alexandria, Minn., speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

Amanda K. Murphy, 44, of Springview, speeding 11-15 mph over the limit, $125.

James D. Clopton, 62, of Ainsworth, failure to yield the right of way, $25.

Madison M. Svenson, 22, of Marquette, speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

Austen J. Neill, 31, of Fremont, speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

Katherine A. Kusek, 40, of Albion, speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

Britt T. Hollenbeck, 24, of Long Pine, careless driving, $100.

Kent S. Zook, 66, of Grand Island, speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

S Fernandez Arcipreste-Peralta, 50, of Ainsworth, no valid registration, $25.

* Non-incumbent filing deadline is March 2

(Posted 2 p.m. Feb. 24)

The deadline for non-incumbents to file for elected offices appearing on the May Primary Election is fast approaching. The final day to file for those seeking elected office for the first time is Monday, March 2. Candidates may file for office in the county clerk’s office. In some cases, there is a filing fee due when filing for office.

In Brown County, three candidates have filed for county commissioner for two expiring seats. All three candidates are Republicans, including incumbent Commissioner Jeremiah Dailey. Patrick Brede and Thomas Jones have filed for commissioner. Incumbent Dennis Bauer did not seek another four-year term.

Two candidates have filed as Republicans for county sheriff. Incumbent Sheriff Brent Deibler is being challenged by current Nebraska State Trooper Aaron Nilson.

Current Clerk Travis Hobbs, Treasurer Bruce Mitchell and Assessor Peggy Gross do not yet face a challenge in their bids for re-election.

County Attorney Andy Taylor did not file for another term in office. Republican Reagan Wiebelhaus has filed for the county attorney position.

Kevin Shaul is the sole candidate thus far for Ainsworth Mayor. Incumbent Mayor Joel Klammer did not seek another term in office. Incumbent Ainsworth City Council members Dustin Barthel and Bradley Fiala do not yet face any opposition. If four or fewer candidates file for City Council, the item will not appear on the Primary ballot.

Three incumbents on the Ainsworth Community Schools Board of Education whose terms are expiring filed for re-election. Those board members are Frank Beel, Jessica Pozehl and Bryan Doke. If six or fewer candidates file for the Board of Education, that item will not appear until the General Election.

Two candidates have filed for Long Pine City Council, incumbent Bryan Sanford and non-incumbent Michael Stogner. Incumbent Linda Alberts did not seek another term on the council.

Incumbent Pamela Lynn Clay filed for another term on the Johnstown Village Board, and Jimmy Ferguson has also filed for a seat on the Village Board.

In Rock County, both incumbent Republican Commissioners Colby Sybrant and Faye Smith filed for re-election and do not yet face challengers.

Republican incumbents filing for re-election include Sheriff Benjamin Shelbourn, Clerk Daunitta Buoy and Assessor TJ Ellermeier.

Current Treasurer Mona Davis did not file for another term in office. Republican Lacey Friedrich is the lone candidate for treasurer thus far.

Six candidates have filed for the Rock County Public Schools Board of Education, none of them incumbents. Lucas Fischer, Joshua Severin, Courtney Knox, Rebecca Kroll, Johanna Babcock and Tamara Nielsen have filed for seats on the school board. If one additional candidate files prior to the Monday, March 2, non-incumbent deadline, the race will appear on the May Primary ballot.

Tonya Larson, Kristy Beard and Tim Shaw did not file for additional four-year terms on the Board of Education.

Tyler Ammon filed for a four-year term on the KBR Rural Public Power Board of Directors.

Joshua Wright filed for the six-year board seat representing Rock County on the KBR Rural Public Power Board.

Incumbent Reno Gordon and non-incumbent Michael LeZotte have filed for seats on the Bassett City Council.

In Keya Paha County, current East District Commissioner John Frederick faces a challenge from Thomas Munk in the Republican Primary. Republican incumbent Corey Nilson is thus far running unopposed for another term as Center District Commissioner.

Kyle Linse has filed as a Republican for Keya Paha County sheriff. Current Sheriff Jeff Kirsch is not seeking another term.

Incumbent Republican Treasurer AnneJeanette Painter and Republican Clerk/Assessor Suzy Wentworth are currently running unopposed for additional four-year terms in office.

Incumbent Blaine Kinney filed for an additional four-year term on the Keya Paha County Public Schools Board of Education. Darcy Wiebelhaus and Todd Painter did not file for additional terms, and Kinney is thus far the only candidate for the three expiring seats.

Non-incumbents have until the close of business Monday, March 2, to file for offices appearing on the May Primary Ballot. KBRB will provide an additional update following the non-incumbent deadline.

* Brown County Sheriff’s Department weekly summary

(Posted 10 a.m. Feb. 23)

February 15

A traffic stop was made on Highway 20 east of Ainsworth. The driver received a repair order for a taillight not working properly.

The sheriff’s office received a report of an injured bald eagle on Highway 7. A deputy contacted the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission.

A traffic stop was made on Highway 20 east of Ainsworth. The driver received citations for driving 11 mph over the posted speed limit and white lights displayed to the rear of the vehicle.

February 16

Deputies provided traffic control for a funeral procession.

Deputies took part in firearms training at the shooting range in Brown County.

February 17

Deputies provided traffic control for cattle crossing Highway 20 east of Ainsworth.

The sheriff provided testimony opposing a bill in the Legislature that would abolish the Nebraska Brand Committee.  

Long Pine, Ainsworth, Johnstown, Raven, Calamus, and Rock County fire departments along with mutual aid fire departments responded to a fire southeast of Long Pine near the Brown County and Rock County line.

The Brown County Ambulance Association provided standby service for the firefighters battling the fire southeast of Long Pine.

Deputies responded to individuals disturbing each other’s peace in Ainsworth. Both people involved were given verbal warnings to leave each other alone.

February 18

The sheriff provided security during county court in Ainsworth.

A written warning was given to a motorist for speeding on Highway 20 east of Ainsworth.

The sheriff took of a report of harassment between neighbors in Long Pine. The reported person doing the harassing was contacted and was told to stop harassing his neighbor.

Deputies assisted a gas station in Ainsworth with contacting an individual in Brown County who forgot to pay for their gas.

February 19

A traffic stop was made on Highway 20 west of Ainsworth. The driver received a written warning for no registration in the vehicle.

The Brown County Ambulance Association assisted the Brown County Hospital with the transfer of a patient.

February 20

The sheriff arrested an individual in Ainsworth with a bench warrant for multiple counts of child sexual abuse material.

Deputies received a report of a suspicious vehicle parked at the end of their driveway in rural Brown County. Deputies contacted the driver, who indicated he was tired and had pulled over to sleep. The driver continued driving west on Highway 20.

A traffic stop was made on Highway 20 east of Ainsworth. The driver received a citation for driving 15 mph over the posted speed limit and also received a written warning for no driver’s license on person.

A traffic stop was made on Highway 20 west of Ainsworth. The driver was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol and received citations for no registration and no proof of insurance.

February 21

A traffic stop was made in Ainsworth. The driver received a written warning for speeding.

The Brown County Ambulance Association responded to a call and transported a patient to the Brown County Hospital.

The Brown County Jail released two inmates after receiving payment on the bond set forth by the courts.

The Ainsworth, Long Pine and South Pine fire departments responded to a reported fire near Long Pine.

A traffic stop was made in Ainsworth. The driver received a written warning for an unsecured load of hay.

Traffic stops were made on Highway 20 and Highway 7. The drivers each received a citation for traveling 11 mph over the posted speed limit.

Deputies arrested an individual in Ainsworth with a bench warrant for drug related charges and not appearing in county court.

A traffic stop was made on Highway 20 east of Ainsworth for a vehicle driving 89 mph. Both the driver and the passenger were placed under arrest and booked into the Brown County Jail. The driver was arrested on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol and possession of a controlled substance (cocaine) and received citations for driving 24 mph over the posted speed limit, minor in possession of alcohol, possession of an open alcohol container, minor in possession of tobacco, and possession of drug paraphernalia. The passenger was arrested on charges of possession of a controlled substance (cocaine) and had an extraditable warrant from Custer County. The passenger also received citations for minor in possession of alcohol, possession of an open alcohol container, minor in possession of tobacco, and possession of drug paraphernalia.  

Weekly Log
Phone calls – 1014
Calls for service – 13
911 emergency calls – 5
Vehicle titles inspected – 3
Firearms permits purchased – 3
Jail inmates housed – 6

* Lions Club makes donation to pond upgrades

(Posted 9:30 a.m. Feb. 20)

The Ainsworth Lions Club met February 16.

The application to the Ainsworth Betterment Committee on behalf of the Lions Club for funding in the amount of $15,000 for the Phase 3 project for the Community Fishing Pond was presented to the Ainsworth City Council with a recommendation to be approved.  The city council approved the amount.

In previous action, the club had agreed to donate $1,000 to the pond project and apply to the District 38I Assistance Fund to provide matching funds in the amount of $500.  After discussion, the club agreed to earmark those funds to assist in purchasing picnic tables for the shelter when it is built.  An application will be made to the District 38I Assistance Fund for the matching funds when that purchase is ready.  The club also agreed to volunteer to assist in the construction of the shelter when that takes place.

The club received a newsletter from the Ainsworth Child Development Center that was sent to past supporters of their organization, providing updates and seeking additional support.  The Ainsworth Lions Club had donated funds to ACDC as they were beginning the formation of their entity and later donated funds to their tuition assistance fund to assist families with tuition.  The club approved a motion to donate $500 to ACDC for tuition assistance.

Arrangements have been made with the Natural Resources District and the school for the Fourth Grade Forester Project, which is scheduled for April 24.  The annual All-Sports Tailgate will be held at McAndrew Gymnasium on April 28.

The Ainsworth Lions Club’s next regular meeting will be held Monday, March 16, at noon in the Ainsworth Senior Center.

* Commissioners hear process for federal bridge funds

(Posted 7:15 a.m. Feb. 20)

Highway Superintendent Kenny Turpin reported to the Brown County Commissioners Tuesday a kickoff meeting was held recently for the $897,000 in federal funding that was awarded to Brown County for bridge replacement projects.

Turpin said all of the funding will flow through the Nebraska Department of Transportation.

“We are going to have to use a state engineer on some of the projects,” Turpin said.

The highway superintendent said he was hoping to have the Matteos from Norfolk Contracting handle all of the bridge work.

“But it looks like they will only be able to do the rehab projects,” Turpin said. “I was hoping we would have a little more control, but it was still good to receive that $897,000.”

Turpin said the county is responsible for paying 20 percent of the cost of the bridge rehabilitation and replacement projects included for federal funding support.

The highway superintendent also reported Tuesday the roads department had sealed cracks in the asphalt on 432^nd Avenue and 433^rd Avenue. He said the department still needs to crack seal portions of Meadville Avenue, 431^st Avenue, 432^nd Avenue north of Highway 20, and 423^rd Avenue near the airport.

“Anything we can get sealed up and keep the moisture out will help those roads last longer,” Turpin said.

The board previously approved the purchase of equipment to allow the roads department to handle crack sealing instead of having to contract for the work.

Turpin said the roads department had cleaned more than 30 culverts south of Long Pine, and was removing trees from Road 886.

In other items Tuesday, the commissioners appointed deputy emergency manager Jessica Pozehl to serve as the grant manager for the Community Wildfire Defense Fund grant.

The board approved moving forward with advertising for a full-time position for a weed superintendent/roads department employee.

Turpin said one person had expressed interest in the position.

“I think he would be a good candidate,” Turpin said. “If I am going to be in charge of that position, I should probably take the training too.”

Turpin said none of the current roads department employees wanted to take on the weed superintendent position. The board will advertise for the opening.

North Central Development Center Executive Director Kristin Olson asked the commissioners if they would be willing to have the county be the applicant for a potential tanker grant for fire departments in the county.

“Jessica Pozehl and I started looking at this grant,” Olson said. “Brown County is rated at high risk for wildfire.”

The grant would be for tanks to be placed on fire department vehicles.

Commissioner Jeremiah Dailey said he was not in favor of the grant, as it would likely require fire departments to purchase additional chassis to place the tanks.

“We have numerous businesses already supplying tankers,” Dailey said.

Emergency Manager Traci Booth said the grant was for small tanks that could be placed on ATVs and UTVs.

Olson said the grant would not require the purchase of any new vehicles.

Commissioner Denny Bauer said, like Dailey, he was also thinking the grant was for large tanks for trucks.

The board opted to table the item until its March 3 meeting for more details on the application.

In a final action item, the commissioners approved renewing a contract with Paulson’s Lawn Service for maintaining the courthouse grounds. Jerry Paulson said there would be no change from the previous contract.

Bauer said, “We are happy if you are happy. We will have the county attorney draw up a contract renewal.”

The next meeting of the Brown County Commissioners is scheduled for 1:15 p.m. March 3.

* Erthum named grant manager for CWDF grant

(Posted 9:30 a.m. Feb. 18)

The Rock County Board of Commissioners met Tuesday.

Traci Booth met with the commissioners on the appointment of a grant manager for the Community Wildfire Defense Fund grant. Scott Erthum visited with the commissioners about being the grant manager, and the board approved having Erthum serve as the county’s grant manager for the federal funds.

The board approved the NMC quote for the courthouse generator for a three-year annual inspection at a cost of $1,370 annually.

Treasurer Mona Davis, Clerk Daunitta Buoy, Sheriff Ben Shelbourn and Ally Grant from the assessor’s office met with the commissioners regarding a new water station from Culligan for the main floor and the sheriff’s office. Seven Springs has closed. The board approved having Culligan install new water coolers in the courthouse.

Grant met with the commissioners about the ambulance-deer accident. Main Street Auto submitted a quote for $474. The ambulance barn door damage was discussed. Grant received two quotes from the city for the door damage. Elite Door’s quote was $6125.65 for a new door. JP Construction quoted $600 for labor and $2,245.92 for parts for a bid of $2,845.92. The JP Construction bid was approved.

North Central Development Center Executive Director Kristin Olson met with the commissioners on a grant application for fire equipment for all Rock County fire departments. The county would need to be the grant applicant. The item was tabled until the board’s March 3 meeting.

The commissioners discussed the roads department’s storage of signs at the airport. There is nothing written between the two entities for storing the signs. County Attorney Kurt Arganbright will work on an agreement for the storage space the county uses at the airport.

Fiber optic lines were discussed for the courthouse and Rock County Public Library. Both sites have internet issues. Buoy has been in contact with Fastwyre and Applied Connective. The commissioners approved having county officials move forward with getting fiber optic to their offices and to the library.

The next meeting of the Rock County Commissioners is scheduled for 1 p.m. March 3.

* Tuesday night fire leads to response from 14 departments

(Posted 7:45 a.m. Feb. 18)

A Tuesday evening fire south of Highway 20 near the Brown County and Rock County line was pushed by strong winds and dry conditions, prompting the response of 14 area volunteer fire departments.

According to Ainsworth Fire Chief Brad Fiala, the fire started at approximately 8:15 p.m. Tuesday and was caused by strong winds sparking power lines. Fiala said the fire began south of the old drive-in movie theater and spread southeast across several cornfields.

“I have never seen fire move across cornfields like that,” Fiala said. “The flames were pretty high.”

Fiala said the fire burned into four or five tree groves and about the same number of bale piles as it spread southeast toward RK Feeders.

Fire departments from Valentine east to O’Neill provided mutual aid to firefighters from Brown and Rock counties. Fiala said firefighters were able to stop the leading edge of the fire by about 11 p.m.

The fire chief said firefighters will spend Wednesday mopping up hot spots, cutting down trees and breaking up bale piles that were impacted by the fire. He said firefighters worked Tuesday night to protect one home in the potential path of the fire approximately 1 mile west of RK Feeders.

The fire burned approximately 800 acres. No structures were reported damaged.

* Storer discusses brand bills, other items

(Posted 7 a.m. Feb. 18)

Nebraska 43rd District State Sen. Tanya Storer discussed bills in the Legislature that would drastically change Nebraska’s brand inspection program.

Storer also discussed with KBRB’s Graig Kinzie other bills she introduced that were working their way through the Legislature. The conversation can be heard below.

* Brown County Sheriff’s Department weekly summary

(Posted 10 a.m. Feb. 16)

February 8

Deputies and the Brown County Ambulance Association responded to a motorcycle accident on Highway 7.

A traffic stop was made in Ainsworth. The driver received citations for no registration in the vehicle, no proof of insurance and unlawful display of fictious plates.

A traffic stop was made on Highway 20 west of Ainsworth. The driver received a written warning for an unsecured load of hay.

A traffic stop was made in Ainsworth. The driver received a written warning for speeding.

A deputy helped get cattle back into a pasture in rural Brown County.

February 9

An inmate was booked into the Brown County Jail for a court ordered commitment.

A deputy responded to a report of suspicious activity of a person in their backyard in Ainsworth. This is an ongoing investigation.

The sheriff’s office contacted the owners of cattle that were out on Highway 20. The cattle were moved off the highway.

A deputy assisted a motorist with a broken-down semi-truck on Highway 183 near Kellar State Park.

 A traffic stop was made on Highway 7. The driver received a written warning for driving on the shoulder of the highway.

A traffic stop was made in Ainsworth. The driver received a verbal warning for failing to maintain lane and given a citation for their driver’s license being expired.

February 10

The sheriff provided security during district court in Ainsworth.

Deputies took a complaint of possible harassment.

February 11

The sheriff assisted with removing cattle from Highway 20.

The sheriff’s office was notified of a runaway juvenile. The sheriff was able to locate the juvenile walking on the Cowboy Trail west of Ainsworth.

The Brown County Ambulance Association responded to a call in Ainsworth and transported a patient to the Brown County Hospital.

Deputies responded to a report of suspicious activity in Ainsworth. Deputies spoke with people in the area and continued to patrol around the reported area in Ainsworth.

February 12

A deputy assisted the Brown County Hospital with contacting a person in Ainsworth.

The sheriff and deputies assisted with blocking traffic around Ainsworth Community Schools during a fire drill.

The sheriff responded to the Brown County Courthouse after receiving an automated call for help. The sheriff checked on everyone and reported that everything was alright.

A traffic stop was made on Highway 20 west of Ainsworth. The driver received a repair order for a headlight not working.

Deputies patrolled an area in rural Brown County after multiple 911 hang ups.

February 13

The Brown County Jail released an inmate to the issuing law enforcement agency who was being held on a extraditable warrant.

The sheriff and a deputy provided traffic control for cattle crossing Highway 20.

The sheriff is investigating a reported theft in Brown County.

The Brown County Ambulance Association responded to a call in Ainsworth.

Two written warnings were issued for speeding. One written warning was given for driving on the shoulder of the highway on Highway 20. A repair order for defective vehicle lighting was issued to a motorist on Highway 183.

February 14

Two citations were issued for speeding, one on Highway 183 and the other on Highway 20 west of Ainsworth.

Two traffic stops were made in Ainsworth. Both drivers received repair orders for defective vehicle lighting.

Two traffic stops were made on Highway 20. Both drivers received written warnings for speeding.

Weekly Log
Phone calls – 914
Calls for Service – 16
911 emergency calls – 7
Vehicle titles inspected – 3
Firearms permits purchased – 1
Jail inmates housed – 2

* Council discusses future of city museum

(Posted 7 p.m. Feb. 11)

Following a lengthy discussion Wednesday with members of the Sellors-Barton Cabin Advisory Board regarding the future of the museum and its contents, the Ainsworth City Council approved having a restoration specialist make the trip and provide recommendations on items that are salvageable and a cost estimate.

Sellors-Barton Cabin Museum Advisory Board member Danny Bennett thanked the council for allowing the group to discuss the future of the museum, located south of the Ainsworth Public Library, and its contents.

“Are you committed to moving forward with restoring the museum and the contents?” Bennett asked the council. “To walk away from this now would be a travesty. It is an invaluable part of our history.”

Mayor Joel Klammer said that would be a tough question for him to answer without knowing what it would cost to restore the mold-damaged contents of the museum and a long-term answer on where to house those items.

Bennett said questions were first raised about the mold issues in the museum in 2013.

“We can’t keep kicking the can down the road,” Bennett said. “We don’t see you prioritizing it. If you are not willing to move forward, we might as well all go home.”

Bennett said some of the items were likely beyond repair.

“Those that can be restored need to be moved,” he said. “We would like some kind of commitment.”

Councilman Brad Fiala said he would hate to see the museum and its contents go by the wayside, but the council would need an estimate on what it would cost to restore the contents.

Cabin Advisory Board member Cindy Buckles said the group met with the mayor and City Administrator Lisa Schroedl in September to discuss restoring the contents and provided information on a company in Omaha that does that type of work.

Schroedl said she has had contact with CRDN of Omaha on estimates to restore the damaged display items.

“I took a bunch of pictures of the building and the items,” Schroedl said. “We went back and forth. He said it would take a crew of five people working for a week.”

She said the rough estimate to restore the contents would be between $50,000 and $60,000. She said the company representative was willing to come to Ainsworth and look at the items at a cost of $1,000 and could provide a better idea of the items that could be restored and the cost.

She said the council included $20,000 for the museum in its current budget.

Fiala said he believed the building itself was too far gone to try and repair.

Councilman Dustin Barthel asked how much space the museum would need to display the current contents.

“It is pointless to clean it if there is not a place to go with it,” Barthel said.

Buckles said she had someone willing to pay for the cost of storing the items in a facility for one year while a decision is made on how to proceed.

“It is a great museum,” Buckles said. “It is amazing the amount of out of town people who came. We used to have school classes come in, they can’t now. This is our history.”

Buckles said the items were donated to the city by families to display and care for them.

“It is the city’s moral responsibility to care for those things,” Buckles said.

Klammer said a lot of cities refuse to accept donated items now unless there is a clear plan to fund the maintenance.

“Danny’s first question is the crux,” the mayor said. “How much are you willing to spending on it? I went back, they have been talking about mold issues for 30 years. It was a lower priority thing that has been kicked down the road. That is the reality.”

Fiala said spending $50,000 to $60,000 just to restore items would be difficult for the council to manage.

“I appreciate our volunteers,” Fiala said. “But what happens 10 years from now? Will we even have volunteers willing to keep it open?”

Barthel said it would be great if an area of the Ainsworth Public Library could be utilized to display the museum items after they are restored.

“I don’t know how much room you need, but it is climate controlled,” Barthel said.

Bennett said there would not be enough room in the library without adding on to the building.

“It already has traffic and it is already staffed,” Bennett said.

Fiala said he liked the idea of potentially adding on to the library and displaying the items there.

Barthel said, if there was a way to make that work, it would make sense.

“Or maybe use the north side of the movie theater building,” Barthel said.

Taylor said he believed the work of the museum group was similar to what the golf course does.

“It is city property and we give them some money, but they run it,” Taylor said. “I don’t see any way the council could spend $60,000 to clean it and $250,000 for a building.”

Audience member Graig Kinzie suggested the museum apply for a grant from the Brown County Visitors Committee to assist with the restoration project.

Commissioner Dennis Bauer said he visited with a member of the lodging tax committee and there was some potential funding available there.

“You need to have an idea of what you want to request,” Bauer said. “I strongly encourage you to visit with them.”

Barthel said he believed the council should have the company in Omaha come up and provide an idea of what was needed.

Fiala said, “It is going to be sad, because some things will just have to be thrown away. I think we are all in agreement that the structure is too far gone.”

Bennett said the restoration of the display items was critical.

Taylor said, whatever happens, the future of the museum will be run by volunteers with very little money from the city.

By a 3-0 vote with Councilwoman Heather Lutter absent, the council approved having CRDN make the trip to review the contents of the museum and provide the council with a scope of work.

Klammer said, “I would encourage the committee to come up with a plan for a permanent location.”

In other business Wednesday, the council approved recommendations from the Ainsworth Betterment Committee to award funding for two community projects.

The first was a $15,000 request from the Ainsworth Lions Club to fund the next phases of improvements at the community fishing pond.

“That is a great improvement to the community,” Fiala said. “A lot of people are using it.”

Bauer said the goal is to have all the improvements completed in time to hold an open house at the pond during alumni weekend in June.

The project includes concrete sidewalk to the fishing pier and around the pond’s perimeter that also connects to the Cowboy Trail to the south. Benches will be placed near the water’s edge with trees planted, and a picnic shelter would be constructed on the southwest side of the pond.

The city of Ainsworth submitted the second ABC application for $6,959 to purchase patriotic banners for the light pole brackets on Highway 20 and Main Street. Schroedl said the banners would be generic and could be used well into the future. She said she was working on a separate fund-raiser to purchase America’s 250^th Birthday banners for display this year. Anyone willing to purchase one of those unique banners for display at a cost of $99 would be given the banner after 2026.

The council approved both ABC funding requests as recommended by the committee.

The council also approved a façade grant application in the amount of $5,741 to cover half the cost of new signage for an existing business. The LB 840 Loan Committee recommended the council approve the request.

In other action items Wednesday, the council approved a special designated liquor license request for Sandhills Lounge of Long Pine to serve alcohol during the Ainsworth Area Chamber of Commerce Gala March 28 in the Conference Center.

The council approved an ordinance having the council serve as the city’s Board of Adjustment and to disband the city’s Committee on Housing after Klammer said the funds previously handled by that committee had been reallocated. The council approved the ordinance and waived the three unique readings.

The council approved a recommendation from Klammer to appoint Ainsworth High School junior Kiley Orton to serve on the Ainsworth Betterment Committee for a term ending Sept. 15, 2027.

During her report, Schroedl said the city finally received $488,618 in FEMA reimbursement from the 2019 flooding. She said she was now working on submitting reimbursable administrative costs, which would finally close out the project. She said the funds were placed in the streets department fund.

Schroedl said the city’s sewer vac truck pump is not working and the cost to repair the pump on the 1994 truck would be $40,000. She said there were also other large repair bills potentially looming on the current truck.

She said there was a used 2018 truck available for $195,000. The city could lease the truck for seven years at $34,000 annually and then would own the truck after the lease period.

The council opted to schedule a special meeting for 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17, to make a decision on purchasing the 2018 truck since it was not specifically on Wednesday’s agenda.

The next meeting of the Ainsworth City Council is scheduled for 5 p.m. March 11.

* Schroedl discusses patriotic banners for city

(Posted 9:45 a.m. Feb. 11)

Ainsworth City Administrator Lisa Schroedl appeared on KBRB’s Open Line program Wednesday to discuss the purchase of patriotic banners for the light poles on Highway 20 and Main Street to celebrate America’s 250th birthday.

Schroedl said the city is encouraging businesses and community members to consider purchasing an American 250 banner for display this year at a cost of $99. At the end of the year, those who donated an America 250 banner will receive it for private display. Contact the city office for more information.

The conversation can be heard below.

* UNMC recognizes fall Dean’s List students

(Posted 1:30 p.m. Feb. 10)

The University of Nebraska Medical Center has announced its fall 2025 Dean’s List for students enrolled in the colleges of nursing, dentistry, pharmacy and allied health professions.

To qualify for the dean’s list, nursing and the allied health students must be enrolled for 12 or more hours during the semester and have a grade point average of 3.75 or above.

Area students named to the UNMC Dean’s List are:

College of Nursing – Norfolk
Sadi Osnes of Valentine

College of Nursing – Scottsbluff
Benjamin Klemesrud of Bassett

College of Dentistry
Kendra Kozisek of Atkinson

Radiography
Jessa Klabenes of Ainsworth
Tessa Krolikowski of Valentine

* Portions of Highways 183 and 7 to be renumbered

(Posted 10:45 a.m. Feb. 10)

The Nebraska Department of Transportation announced U.S. Highway 183 and Nebraska Highway 7 near Bassett will be renumbered in the spring. The change will revert the highway numbers to their 1966 designations.

Area residents have requested this renumbering for several years through NDOT and the State Highway Commission. After previous denials, the request was approved by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials Committee on Route Numbering in fall of 2025.

The renumbering is now possible following recent resurfacing work along Highway 7. It will also shorten Highway 183 and eliminate overlapping highways in the area.

The renumbering will affect approximately 17 miles of Highway 183, from reference post 193.94 to 211.51, and about 23 miles of Highway 7, from reference post 60.67 to 86.65. The change impacts portions of Brown, Rock, and Keya Paha counties, including the communities of Ainsworth, Bassett, and Springview.

Ahead of the renumbering, NDOT will contact local agencies, businesses, landowners, and residents affected by the change.

Motorists are reminded to drive cautiously in and near work zones, to buckle up, put phones down.

* Friedrich hired as 2026-27 ACS principal

(Posted 10:30 a.m. Feb. 10)

Ainsworth Community Schools Superintendent Dale Hafer reported Tuesday a contract was approved by the Board of Education to have current middle school English teacher Cory Friedrich to serve as the district’s secondary principal for the 2026-27 school year.

Friedrich has six years of experience as a principal with Creighton Public Schools.

Hafer also provided updates on the district’s strategic plan. The full report can be heard below.

* Robertson wins KBRB Big Game Contest

(Posted 10:45 a.m. Feb. 9)

Picking a 29-14 Seattle victory over New England, Lynn Robertson of Long Pine missed the 29-13 final score by just one point to best 170 other scores and win the top prize in the annual KBRB Big Game Call-In Contest. Robertson receives $225 in gift certificates for finishing first.

Three callers tied for second, missing the final by just two points. Joe Mashburn, Dean Magill and Blake Hansmeyer all of Ainsworth each picked a 28-14 Seattle victory. Each earns $125 in certificates.

Four contestants missed the final score by three points to each earn $75 in certificates. Joe Lutz of Bassett, Jhett Buoy of Winner, S.D., and Shirley Carson of Elsmere each called in a 27-14 Seattle victory, and Jett Hansmeyer of Ainsworth picked a 31-14 Seattle win.

Three contestants tied for ninth, missing the final by just four points. Todd Kicken and Donnie Painter of Ainsworth each picked a 28-10 final, and Judy Baxter of Ainsworth predicted a 32-14 Seattle win. Each earns $50 in certificates, redeemable from our Big Game sponsors.

KBRB thanks this year’s 42 Big Game Contest sponsors and everyone who called in a score. Certificates are available for pickup from the KBRB Studios.

This year’s sponsors are:

Ainsworth
The Elks Club, Willow Creek Mercantile, The 402 Bar, Red & White Market, Buckles Automotive, First Class Auto, The Grand Theater, The Silver Circle Bar, The Book Peddler, Ranchland Western Store, Kelly Gambill Massage Therapy, Palmer Embroidery & Boutique, Ainsworth Motors, Stella’s Floral and Sweets, Needles N Pins, Calista’s Family Styling Salon, Husker Meats, Pizza Hut, Speedee Mart, Auto Value, H&R Food Center, Century Lumber Center, Yogi’s Place and Big John’s Restaurant

Johnstown
The L-Bow Room

Long Pine
Simple Solutions and The Sandhills Lounge

Bassett
Scott’s Place, The Whistle Stop, Circle B Livestock, G&V’s Market, Turp’s Automotive and The Scissor’s Edge

Stuart
Bloomin’ Daisies and The Cast Iron Bar & Grille

Atkinson
Wettlaufer’s Flower Shop, RF Goeke Variety/Daze of Wine and First Stop

Valentine
Nelsen Furniture

O’Neill
Shamrock Nursery

Lynch
Springlake Angus Center

Winner, S.D.
Office Products Center

* Brown County Sheriff’s Department weekly summary

(Posted 9 a.m. Feb.9)

February 1

An inmate was released from the Brown County Jail after completing their court commitment.

A traffic stop was made on Highway 20 east of Ainsworth. The driver received citations for driving 12 mph over the posted speed limit and expired in-transits.

A traffic stop was made on Highway 20 east of Ainsworth. The driver received a written warning for speeding.

February 2

A traffic stop was made on Highway 7. The driver received a citation for driving 22 mph over the posted speed limit.

A traffic stop was made in Ainsworth. The driver received a written warning for an unsecured load.

A deputy investigated a vehicle-deer accident on Highway 183.

The sheriff’s office was asked to help assist in an investigation from another state’s police department with a juvenile issue.

A deputy assisted an Ainsworth resident with a possible scam phone call. 

A deputy responded to a domestic disturbance. This is an ongoing investigation.

February 3

The Brown County Ambulance Association responded to a call in Ainsworth and transported a patient to the Brown County Hospital.

A traffic stop was made on Highway 7. The driver received a citation for driving 13 mph over the posted speed limit.

The Brown County Ambulance Association assisted the Brown County Hospital with the transfer of a patient.

The sheriff and deputies responded to a report of cattle on the roadway on Highway 183. The cattle were placed back into the pasture.

February 4

The sheriff provided security during county court in Ainsworth.

A traffic stop was made on Highway 183. The driver received a citation for driving 16 mph over the posted speed limit.

The sheriff’s office was requested to perform a welfare check on a rural Brown County resident.

February 5

The sheriff attended a legislative session at Lincoln to discuss jail standards in Nebraska.

A traffic stop was made on Highway 20 east of Ainsworth. The driver received a citation for expired registration and a written warning for driving on the shoulder of the highway.

The sheriff’s office performed a welfare check on an Ainsworth resident.

February 6

A traffic stop was made on Highway 20 west of Ainsworth. The driver received a citation for driving 17 mph over the posted limit.

February 7

A traffic stop was made on Highway 20 east of Ainsworth. The driver received a written warning for speeding.

A deputy was asked to perform a welfare check on a vehicle that has not moved for a couple of days in Ainsworth. The deputy contacted a person in the vehicle. During the contact, it was discovered the person had an extraditable warrant, and the individual was placed under arrest and transported to the Brown County Jail.

Deputies responded to cattle out south of Ainsworth. The owner of the cattle was contacted and the cows were moved back into the pasture.

Deputies, the Brown County Ambulance Association and the Ainsworth Volunteer Fire Department responded to a vehicle-cow accident on Highway 7.

Weekly Log
Phone calls – 1020
Calls for service – 11
911 emergency calls – 6
Vehicle titles inspected – 3
Firearm permits purchased – 2
Jail inmates housed – 1

* Wroblewski advances to Elks State Hoop Shoot

(Posted 6:45 a.m. Feb. 9)

During the recent Elks District Hoop Shoot, Tiana Wroblewski of Ainsworth won the girls 12-13 age division and advances to the upcoming Elks State Hoop Shoot, scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, in York High School.

Myles Heimann of Cozad won the boys 12-13 age division. Other winners were Beckham Copley of Cozad and Mylah Braithwait of North Platte in the 8-9 year-old divisions, and Brook Behrends of Sidney and Ivy Wood of Ogallala in the 10-11 year-old divisions.

* Commissioners discuss weed superintendent position

(Posted 3 p.m. Feb. 3)

The Brown County Commissioners on Tuesday discussed the county’s part-time weed superintendent position after current Weed Superintendent Scott Erthum resigned to accept a position as the Rock County Weed Superintendent, which in that county is a full-time position.

Commissioner Dennis Bauer said the board needed to decide how it wanted to proceed with the position.

“You have to be a certified commercial applicator,” Bauer said. “We could incorporate that position into another department or let them work as an independent contractor.”

Commissioner Jeremiah Dailey suggested there may be a current roads department employee who may be interested in serving as the weed superintendent.

Highway Superintendent Kenny Turpin said that employee may be willing to help, but he would not be interested in moving from a full-time position to part-time.

Bauer said he had contemplated having someone serve as the weed superintendent and then work in the roads department in the off-season in an effort to make the position full time.

“That position would then be under Kenny’s supervision,” Bauer said. “I think we could get a lot of sites coordinated for spraying that way. If that position was under the roads department, other crew members could help identify spots to spray.”

Taylor said the law states that each county must employ a weed superintendent and they have to be certified as an applicator upon the time of their employment.

Dailey encouraged Turpin to check with the current roads department employees to see if anyone was interested in taking on the weed superintendent position.

The item was placed on the board’s next agenda for further discussion on how to proceed.

During his roads department update, Turpin said the department planned to conduct crack sealing work on 432^nd Avenue and 433^rd Avenue.

“It is a little wet today, but we are hoping to get out on that Wednesday,” Turpin said. “One pallet of material is $2,900, but that is a lot cheaper than having a contractor do it.”

The highway superintendent said an armor coat layer would be applied after the crack sealing work is completed.

Turpin said the iron has arrived and he planned to have the roads department build 10 auto gates when the weather is too cold to do any other maintenance work.

Turpin requested the board consider a pay raise for part-time roads department employee Crit Mitchell. He said Mitchell works two to three months each year and has not had a wage increase since 2023.

“He is really good help,” Turpin said. “You won’t find a part time guy better than him.”

The board approved a $3 per hour increase for Mitchell.

The commissioners approved a new employee time management system through MIPS. Clerk Travee Hobbs said the hardware and onsite training on how to use the system would cost the county $1,160, followed by a monthly service charge of $97.80.

Hobbs said the system would make employee hours easier to track than the current method. Turpin said he and Hobbs have to get together now every pay period to go over time sheets.

Hobbs said the employees could sign in through either a personal computer or a cell phone, and they can only sign in when they are in close proximity to their workstation. She said that eliminates someone from signing in from elsewhere.

Both Bauer and Dailey said they preferred to have the training on the system conducted on site instead of the remote training option, which would have been $400 less for the initial setup.

The commissioners approved the county’s 2024-25 fiscal year audit as presented by Contryman Associates of Kearney. Hobbs said there were no major deficient findings in the audit.

Audrey Worthing with 3^rd District Rep. Adrian Smith’s office provided an update on the work done by Smith’s three state offices.

She said the state offices provide constituent case work for anyone in the district struggling with a federal agency.

“We try to serve as a middleman and get people answers quickly,” Worthing said.

She said Rep. Smith has a Youth Advisory Council that meets with him at least twice per year. Applications for the youth council will be due in the summer.

She said the Congressman also nominates students to the nation’s military academies. She said applicants are interviewed extensively by a panel of professionals, most of whom have military experience.

Worthing said there are also college internships available for students in the Congressman’s Washington, D.C., office.

“That can get their feet in the door if that is the career path they choose to pursue,” Worthing said.

The next meeting of the Brown County Commissioners is scheduled for 1:15 p.m. Feb. 17.

* Brown County awarded $897,000 to replace bridges

(Posted 2:30 p.m. Feb. 3)

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced over $60 million in funding has been awarded to support critical infrastructure projects and firefighting capabilities across Nebraska.

Among the projects awarded was $897,000 to replace or repair multiple bridges in Brown County.
The funding was included in the Fiscal Year 2026 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Act – passed by Congress – which now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law.

“Making investments in our communities to upgrade our infrastructure is one of my core missions as the U.S. Senator for Nebraska,” Fischer said. “And as a member of the Appropriations Committee, I’ve worked closely with our communities to make sure they get the resources they need. I’m proud to have secured $60 million in this package – on its way to the President’s desk – that will strengthen emergency services, enhance our airports, and improve infrastructure across Nebraska.

In a separate appropriation through the Fiscal Year 2026 Labor, Health, and Human Services Appropriations Act – passed by Congress – which now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law, the city of O’Neill was awarded $3.5 million to replace the boiler and water heating systems at Avera St. Anthony’s Hospital.

* Brown County Sheriff’s Department weekly summary

(Posted 9 a.m. Feb. 2)

January 25

A traffic stop was made on Highway 7. The driver received a written warning for speeding and driving left of center.

A traffic stop was made on Highway 7. The driver received a citation for driving 18 mph over the posted speed limit. The driver also received a written warning for not having the correct year’s tags on their license plate.

A traffic stop was made on Highway 7. The driver received a repair order for defective vehicle lighting.

Deputies responded to a possible domestic disturbance in Ainsworth.

The Brown County Ambulance Association responded to a call in Ainsworth.

A deputy issued a repair order to a motorist for defective vehicle lighting.

January 26

The Brown County Ambulance Association responded to assist a patient near Long Pine.

The sheriff and a deputy were requested to perform a security sweep for a church in Ainsworth. The sheriff and deputy discovered that someone had been staying in the basement of the church. The suspect was contacted and was told he was not allowed back into the church.

A traffic stop was made in Ainsworth. The driver received a written warning for not coming to a complete stop at stop sign.

A deputy investigated a report of alcohol being purchased for minors in Ainsworth. This is an ongoing investigation.

A deputy took a report of trespassing on a property in rural Brown County south of Ainsworth. This is an ongoing investigation.

A deputy took a report of a possible domestic assault. This is an ongoing investigation.

A deputy investigated an unattended death in Ainsworth.

January 27

The sheriff and a deputy provided traffic control for cattle crossing Highway 20 east of Ainsworth.

A deputy investigated damage done to a trailer on private property near Highway 7.

A traffic stop was made on Meadville Avenue. The driver received a written warning for speeding.

The sheriff initiated a traffic stop in Ainsworth on a vehicle that was reported for driving recklessly. During the traffic stop, the driver was checked for sobriety. The driver of the vehicle was placed under arrest on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol and cited for no registration.

January 28

The Brown County Jail released an inmate on bond.

A deputy received a report of a concern of an oversized load traveling eastbound on Highway 20. The deputy investigated the report and reported back that the oversized load had multiple pilot cars escorting it.

A traffic stop was made on Highway 7. The driver received a written warning for speeding.

A traffic stop was made on Highway 20 east of Ainsworth. The driver received a written warning for speeding.

A traffic stop was made in Ainsworth. The driver received a warning for no registration on the vehicle and not having their driver’s license with them.

A traffic stop was made on Highway 20 west of Ainsworth. The driver received a written warning for speeding.

Deputies investigated concerns of a possible noncompliant person on the sex offender registry in Johnstown.

The Brown County Ambulance Association responded to a call in Long Pine and transported a patient to the Brown County Hospital.

January 29

A traffic stop was made on Highway 7. The driver received citations for an unsecured load of hay and no registration on their truck tractor trailer.

A deputy provided assistance to a motorist near Long Pine.

A traffic stop was made on Highway 20 east of Ainsworth. The driver received a written warning for speeding.

A traffic stop was made on Highway 183. The driver received a written warning for speeding.

Deputies were asked to provide a welfare check on an elderly resident in Ainsworth. The person was not found at home or in Brown County.

A deputy investigated a vehicle-deer accident on Highway 20 near Long Pine.

January 30

The Brown County Ambulance Association responded to a call in Long Pine.

The Brown County Jail booked in an inmate from a nearby county for a court-ordered commitment.

January 31

The sheriff and a deputy provided traffic control for cattle crossing Highway 183.

The sheriff and a deputy provided traffic control in Ainsworth for a funeral procession.

A deputy took a report of an issue with a tenant in Ainsworth.

Weekly Log
Phone calls – 968
Calls for service – 21
911 emergency calls – 9  
Vehicle titles inspected – 1
Firearms permits purchased – 2
Jail inmates housed – 2

* Hale a finalist for National Golf Coach of the Year

(Posted 7 a.m. Feb. 2)

West Holt golf coach Todd Hale has been named as a finalist for the National High Schools Athletic Coaches Association National Golf Coach of the Year.

Eight finalists from across the country in each sport will be recognized during the National Coach of the Year Award Banquet July 1 in the Hyatt Regency Hotel at Coralville, Iowa.

Hale was nominated for the award by the Nebraska High School Coaches Association. The nomination was based on longevity, service to high school athletics, honors, championship years and winning percentage.

The finalists are evaluated by experts in the field of coaching using a sport-specific rubric to assign points in each category.

* Wilkins selected for UN-L Dean’s Commendation List

(Posted 7 a.m. Feb. 2)

More than 400 University of Nebraska–Lincoln students have been named to the Deans’ Commendation List for the fall semester of the 2025-26 academic year.

The Commendation List recognizes students in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, College of Arts and Sciences, College of Education and Human Sciences, College of Engineering and/or College of Journalism and Mass Communications who met or exceeded a specified grade-point average and carried six to 11 graded semester hours. Qualification for the Commendation List varies.

Area students named to the Deans’ Commendation List are:

Ainsworth
Libby Wilkins, senior, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, agricultural leadership, education and communication.

* Area students named to UN-L Deans’ List for fall

(Posted 7 a.m. Feb. 2)

More than 7,000 University of Nebraska–Lincoln students have been named to the Deans’ List for the fall semester of the 2025-26 academic year.

Qualification for the Deans’ List varies among the eight undergraduate colleges and the Explore Center. Area students named to the Deans’ List at UN-L are:

Johnstown
Hannah Elizabeth Beel, freshman, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, agricultural leadership, education and communication.

Long Pine
Dylan Benemerito, junior, College of Business, business analytics.

Allie Morgan Cosgrove, junior, College of Education and Human Sciences, child, youth and family studies.

Lauren Marie Ortner, senior, College of Business, marketing.

Wood Lake
Ty Schlueter, senior, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, agribusiness.

Bassett
Brooklyn Buell, junior, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, environmental and sustainability studies.

Stuart
Brynn Mikalan Almgren, junior, College of Education and Human Sciences, nutrition and health sciences.

Hunter Tubbs, freshman, College of Arts and Sciences, biological sciences.

Atkinson
Abby Thiele, sophomore, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, animal science.

Valentine
Pryce Johnston, sophomore, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, fisheries and wildlife.

Doc Lancaster, freshman, College of Business, accounting.

Titus Maunu, freshman, College of Engineering, computer engineering.

Finley Melisande Mosner, sophomore, College of Engineering, software engineering.

Lauren Schoonveld, sophomore, College of Education and Human Sciences, communication sciences and disorders.

Cadence Rachelle Swanson, freshman, College of Business, marketing.

Kaylee Wenig, senior, College of Architecture, architectural studies.

* Recent cases from Brown County Court

(Posted 3 p.m. Jan. 29)

In addition to fines, each case carries $50 in court costs

Cristian Alva, age 31, of Denver, Colo., charged with speeding 11-15 mph over the limit, fined $125.

Seth A. Williams, 48, of Thedford, speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

Harmony M. Brown, 47, of Loveland, Colo., speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

Kyle A. Hollenbeck, 24, of Ainsworth, muffler not in good working order, $25.

Wyatt T. Killion, 28, of Ainsworth, no proof of ownership, $50.

Wyatt R. Platt, 22, of Norfolk, speeding 16-20 mph over the limit, $200.

Lucas N. Clay, 19, of Bassett, attempting a Class IV felony, $1,000; also charged with possession of marijuana less than 1 ounce, $300; zero tolerance violation, $300.

Aaron T. Rahn, 21, of Piedmont, S.D., speeding 16-20 mph over the limit, $200.

Xaiyveyus A. Calma-Viloria, 22, of Colorado Springs, Colo., speeding 11-15 mph over the limit, $125.

Chad A. Kooiker, 27, of Orange City, Iowa, speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

Chad J. Sutherland, 50, of Ogallala, speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

Sara R. Oxford, 31, of Hot Springs, S.D., speeding 16-20 mph over the limit, $200.

David D. Butterfield, 66, of Atkinson, violating a stop or yield sign, $75.

Shalee M. Klein, 18, of Mills, careless driving, $100.

Kamberlyn A. Lamer, 29, of Humboldt, S.D., speeding 11-15 mph over the limit ,$125.

Harley J. Finazzo, 31, of Omaha, disturbing the peace, $100.

Jackson G. Irwin, 19, of Ainsworth, zero tolerance violation, $100; minor in possession of alcohol, $300.

Yaneli Y. De Gallegos, 42, of Norfolk, speeding 11-15 mph over the limit, $125.

Jayme M. Kinney, 48, of Ainsworth, speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

John J. Peterson, 52, of Avon, Utah, speeding 11-15 mph over the limit, $125.

John Boyd, 27, of Mission, S.D., speeding 21-35 mph over the limit, $300; no operator’s license, $75; no valid registration, $25.

Jess D. Gruenwalk, 40, of Colorado Springs, Colo., speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

Kema S. Scheer, 42, of Elsmere, speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

Ronald D. Hollmann, 76, of Ogallala, speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

Broderick A. Sheard, 40, of North Platte, speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

Aaron F. Smith, 47, of Littleton, Colo., speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

Noel P. Montoya, 33, of Denver, Colo., speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75; no operator’s license, $75.

Brent R. Johnson, 52, of Denver, Colo., speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

Gage M. Herrington, 19, of Bassett, attempting a Class IV felony, $1,000; possession of marijuana less than 1 ounce, $300; possession of drug paraphernalia, $100.

Annette Hessert, 66, of Ainsworth, second degree criminal trespassing, $100.

Cody W. Swanson, 27, of Bassett, first offense driving under the influence, $500, also sentenced to six months of probation, driver’s license revoked for 60 days, and ordered to install an ignition interlock device.

Maverick L. Stutzman, 22, of Ainsworth, disturbing the peace, $100.

Hunter J. Kykendall, 28, of Ainsworth, disturbing the peace, $100.

James T. Graff, 61, of Ainsworth, speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

Amanda C. Hollis, 40, of Littleton, Colo., speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

Luke P. Engan, 46, of Erie, Colo., speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

Shawn D. Damhoff, 30, of Parker, Colo., speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

Knute B. Gundersen, 35, of Golden, Colo., speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

Jessica A. Tyburec, 39, of Winner, S.D., speeding 16-20 mph over the limit, $200.

* Valentine Airport named Project of the Year by NDOT

(Posted 12:15 p.m. Jan. 29)

The Nebraska Department of Transportation announced a series of achievements recognizing excellence in aviation and transportation at the Nebraska Aviation Council’s annual symposium in Kearney on Jan. 28-29. The Lincoln Municipal Airport was named Part 139 2025 Airport of the Year. The Wayne Municipal Airport/Stan Morris Field was named the 2025 Airport of the Year for its strong commitment to community relations. The Valentine Miller Field apron expansion was selected as the 2025 Project of the year for elevating the airport’s operational capacity, safety, and long-term functionality. 

The 2025 Project of the Year award went to Valentine Miller Field for the apron expansion project at Miller Field. The project is a transformative investment that significantly elevates the airport’s operational capacity, safety, and long-term functionality.

The project included construction of a new 400’x190’ apron and adding four new aircraft tie-downs, optimizing aircraft parking, improving circulation, and supporting increased aviation activity. Strategic relocation of existing tie-downs and the addition of new fillets on Taxiways A and C further enhance aircraft movement and reduce operational constraints.

The project demonstrates a strong commitment to safety and efficiency through comprehensive airfield improvements, including reconfigured taxiway lighting, upgraded lighting along new fillets, clearly defined pavement markings, relocating the rotating beacon and tip-down tower, and installing new apron perimeter fencing. Overall, the Apron Expansion Project exemplifies excellence in planning, design, and execution.

* Area jobless levels remain low in December

(Posted 1 p.m. Jan. 27)

Nebraska’s unemployment rate for December was 3.0 percent. The rate has been unchanged in the past eight months that data was collected and was up 0.1 percentage points from the December 2024 unemployment rate of 2.9 percent.

 The national unemployment rate for December was 4.4 percent, down 0.1 percent from the November unemployment rate and up 0.3 percent from the December 2024 unemployment rate. 

Hawaii matched South Dakota for the lowest unemployment rate in the nation in December at 2.2 percent. South Dakota held a solo grip on the lowest rate for more than a year. North Dakota and Vermont tied for the third-best rate in the country at 2.6 percent, followed by Alabama in fifth at 2.7 percent and Nebraska with the sixth-lowest rate.

The highest December unemployment rate belonged to California at 5.5 percent, followed closely by New Jersey at 5.4 percent. Oregon, Nevada and Delaware rounded out the bottom five in the nation with jobless rates of 5.2 percent.

Brown County’s December unemployment rate of 2.4 percent was better than the state average. Cherry County enjoyed the lowest rate in the area in December at 2.2 percent, which tied for the second-best rate in the state behind only the 2.1 percent rate for Boone County in December.

Rock County and Holt County at 2.3 percent were also among the state leaders in December. Boyd County and Blaine County each had jobless rates of 2.8 percent in December, better than the state average.

Keya Paha County at 3.2 percent had the only area December rate that was above the state average. Thomas County experienced the highest unemployment rate in the state in December at 4.6 percent.

“Nebraska continues the streak of a record high labor force,” Commissioner of Labor Katie Thurber said. “The employment level for December is over 1,066,000, up over 2,000 from November.”

The labor force includes both employed workers and those who are actively looking for work.

Nonfarm employment, the number of jobs filled, was 1,059,247 in December, down 5,489 from November and down 6,463 jobs from December 2024.

Private industries with the most growth between November and December were the trade, transportation and utilities sector (up 1,623 jobs), the other services sector (up 343 jobs), and the  information sector (up 91 jobs).

The industries with the highest growth during the past year were the private education and health services sector (up 4,464 jobs), the mining and construction sector (up 1,353 jobs), and the other services sector (up 550 jobs).

* Brown County Sheriff’s Department weekly summary

(Posted 8:45 a.m. Jan. 26)

January 18

The Brown County Ambulance Association responded to a call in Ainsworth.

A traffic stop was made on Highway 20 west of Ainsworth. The driver received a citation for driving 10 mph over the posted speed limit.

Deputies investigated a vehicle-deer accident on Highway 7.

January 19

The Brown County Ambulance Association responded to a call in Ainsworth and transported a patient to the Brown County Hospital.

A traffic stop was made in Ainsworth. The driver received a written warning for not coming to a complete stop at a stop sign.

Deputies provided traffic control for cattle crossing Highway 183.

A deputy responded to a herd of cattle out on Highway 183.

A traffic stop was made in Ainsworth. The driver received a citation for no registration in their vehicle.

Deputies responded to a theft of a motor vehicle in Ainsworth. The stolen vehicle was found in Ainsworth. The suspect who had stolen the vehicle was also found inside of the stolen vehicle. The suspect was arrested for the stolen vehicle and also charged with driving under the influence of alcohol.

January 20

The Brown County Ambulance Association responded to a call in Ainsworth and transported a patient to the Brown County Hospital.

The Brown County Ambulance Association assisted the Brown County Hospital with the transfer of a patient.

January 21

The sheriff provided security during county court in Ainsworth.

The Brown County Jail released two inmates on bond.

Deputies provided traffic control for cattle crossing Highway 7.

 A search warrant was executed on a vehicle seized during a prior incident.

Deputies responded to a welfare check of a person having a mental health crisis in Ainsworth.

A traffic stop was made in Ainsworth. The driver received a repair order for a headlight not working properly.

January 22

The Brown County Ambulance Association responded to a call in Ainsworth and transported a patient to the Brown County Hospital.

A traffic stop was made on Highway 20 west of Ainsworth. The driver received a citation for driving 12 mph over the posted speed limit.

The sheriff attended a meeting at Bassett with nearby county sheriffs.

A traffic stop was made on Highway 20 east of Ainsworth. The driver received a written warning for speeding.

A traffic stop was made on Highway 7. The driver received a written warning for speeding.

Deputies received a complaint about a possible impaired driver. Deputies were able to locate the reported vehicle. After deputies conducted a sobriety test, the driver was placed under arrest on a charge of driving under the influence of drugs. The driver also received citations for not having their driver’s license with them while operating a motor vehicle and improper turning.

The Brown County Ambulance Association assisted the Brown County Hospital with the transfer of a patient.

January 23

The sheriff and a deputy received a complaint about a vehicle driving erratically and faster than the posted speed limit. The reported vehicle was found in Ainsworth at a local business and contacted by the sheriff and deputies.

A deputy responded to a welfare check in Long Pine. The deputy found out that it was an accidental press of a life alert button.

A traffic stop was made on Highway 20 west of Ainsworth. The driver received a written warning for a not clear and visible plate.

January 24

The Brown County Jail released an inmate on bond.

A traffic stop was made in Ainsworth. The driver received a written warning for speeding.

A traffic stop was made east of Ainsworth. The driver received a written warning for driving left of center and failing to display proper number of plates.

A traffic stop was made on Highway 183. The driver received a written warning for failing to dim their high beam lights.

Weekly Log
Phone calls – 1,035
Calls for service – 10
911 emergency calls – 8
Vehicle titles inspected – 1
Firearms permits purchased – 4
Inmates housed – 3

* Area students named to NECC honor lists

(Posted 1:30 p.m. Jan. 23)

Northeast Community College in Norfolk announced the President’s Honor List and Dean’s Honor List for both full– and part–time students for the fall semester.

To be named to the President’s Honor List, students must earn a grade point average of 4.0 and be enrolled for at least 12 credit hours. Students named to the President’s Part–Time list attained a 4.0 grade point average while taking at least six credit hours.

Students named to the Dean’s Honor List earned a graded point average of at least 3.75 while taking at least 12 credit hours. Students named to the Dean’s Part–Time list earned a grade point average of 3.75 or above while taking at least six credit hours.

President’s Honor List – Full–Time

Ainsworth — Megan Jones, Payton Moody.

Elsmere — Terra Shoemaker.

Atkinson — Cole Poessnecker.

Butte — Elizabeth Bernt.

Valentine — Cooper Jordan, Austyn Kieborz, Tatiana Williams.

President’s Honor List – Part-Time

Ainsworth — Jaylee Good, Puridy Haley, Kiley Orton.

Springview — Bailey Kaufman, Kit Painter, Zayle Stephen, Zachary Wiebelhaus.

Newport — Reece Taylor.

Stuart  — Crystal Baumeister, Madison Kratz.

Atkinson — Monica Chavez, Alyssa Dobias, Ava Hoffman, Aleigha Ogden, Cameron Pacha, Madalyn Pistulka, Morgan Schaaf, Taylor Walnofer.

Naper — Kaci Koenig.

Butte — Matthew Bernhardt, Madelyn Brown, Jaylee Lechtenberg, Claire Reiman, Estrella Santiago, Kaylee Warnke.

Valentine — Courtnie Krueger.

Dean’s Honor List – Full–Time

Bassett — Ella Mitchell.

Springview — Gavin Prewitt.

Stuart  — Charlene Bock.

Atkinson — Caeden Lech.

Butte — Trina Wetzel.

Dean’s Honor List – Part–Time

Ainsworth — Zaily Daniels, Aiden Rowley.

Bassett — Macy Bearnson, Jaiden Ertzner, Aspen Greve, Marissa Kruse, Ryleey Schulte.

Newport — Mason Schubauer, Olivia Strand.

Atkinson — Morgan Mitchell, Taylor Peek.

* New route to isolated property to be reappraised

(Posted 10 a.m. Jan. 21)

The Brown County Commissioners approved having Agri-Affiliates conduct a second appraisal of a route to an isolated property in southwestern Brown County.

County Attorney Andy Taylor told the commissioners on Tuesday, after the initial route was selected and an appraisal was performed to determine the damages neighboring property owners will incur to have a road built to the former Long Lake State Recreation Area, property owner Grant Kobes sued the county after disagreeing with the appraisal and the parameters of the road.

Taylor said all parties have now agreed to a route, which changed from the original that had been appraised. The new route has a road width of 33 feet, instead of the original 66 feet width that was included in the initial appraisal.

The county attorney said it is up to the commissioners to determine the amount of damage neighboring property owners will incur for the road to be built through their property. The county is obligated to construct the road to the isolated property, at the property owner’s expense.

Commissioner Denny Bauer said he believed the route that had now been agreed to needed to be professionally appraised. Commissioner Jeremiah Dailey agreed, saying the property owner could either pay for the appraisal or pay the commissioners to try and figure out how much damage will be incurred.

Taylor said, “I would be more comfortable having someone appraise it. Judge Kozisek thought it might be able to be done without a new survey.”

After discussion, the board approved having Agri-Affiliates reappraise the property that will be used to construct the road and determine the amount Kobes will owe the neighboring property owners.

In other business Tuesday, the commissioners approved a 25-year lease with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission to connect a trail around the community fishing pond to the Cowboy Trail.

Bauer said there is no cost for the lease, and it allows the county to tie in the fishing pond walking path to the Cowboy Trail.

“It is a pretty straightforward, 25-year lease that allows us to build an approach and connect the walking path,” Bauer said.

Taylor said the only thing he saw in the lease agreement for the commissioners to note is the county would be responsible for the cost of removing the connection if the Game and Parks Commission ever decided to end the lease.

Bauer said, after speaking with Game and Parks officials, they would not plan to ever remove the approach but that language is included in the event the Cowboy Trail was ever returned to railroad service.

The board unanimously approved the lease.

The commissioners agreed to provide a letter to the Nebraska Department of Transportation indicating a Highway 20 renovation project east of Ainsworth would not disturb anything of cultural significance.

Taylor said the NDOT is required to see if there are any impacts to areas of cultural significance before undertaking the project, since federal dollars are being utilized.

Bauer said, since the renovation is being performed on a highway that is already in existence, there shouldn’t be any issues.

The board approved renewing a Highway 20 law enforcement agreement as presented by Sheriff Brent Deibler. The sheriff said it is a standard agreement that is renewed annually and allows all law enforcement entities along Highway 20 in the area to back each other up in times of need.

The board approved renewing a sign permit for the “Discover the Sandhills” sign located near Highway 20 on property owned by John Gross.

The commissioners held their annual reorganizational meeting. Bauer was reappointed as board chair with Dailey reappointed as vice chair. All board committee assignments will remain the same as 2025.

The board approved West Plains Bank, Homestead Bank, Union Bank & Trust, Tri County Bank, NPAIT and NFIT as official depositories for county funds.

The Ainsworth-Star Journal will serve as the official publication for legal notices. Board meetings will remain on the first and third Tuesdays of each month, with the Board of Equalization meeting at 1 p.m. and the Board of Commissioners meeting at 1:15 p.m.

Holidays will remain the same, with 13 official holidays for 2026. In addition, the county will observe any additional federal holidays that are declared during the year.

Dailey, Traci Booth, Kenny Turpin and Scott Erthum were reappointed to the county safety committee. Tammy Grupe was appointed to the safety committee to replace Kade Gracey, and Rebekah Smith was appointed to replace Tanya Cole on the committee.

The board approved the 2026 IRS mileage reimbursement rate of 72.5 cents per mile, up from 70 cents per mile in 2025.

Bauer provided an update from a recent meeting of the Ainsworth Senior Center. Bauer said the county provides the senior center with $2,700 annually. From 1980 to 2025, the county provided about $55,000 to the senior center. During that same time period, the senior center has received $2.3 million in meal reimbursement funding from the state and federal governments.

During his roads report, Turpin said the department worked to keep the asphalt-paved hills on Meadville Avenue, South Pine Avenue and near the Long Pine State Park sanded and salted during recent stretches of icy weather conditions. Turpin said the roads department closed the Long Pine State Park road during the Jan. 9 icy conditions.

“We knew we wouldn’t be able to make it down that hill with the truck,” Turpin said. “It was too dangerous.”

Turpin reported the roads department planned to construct some new auto gates during the winter and had secured the iron needed to build the gates.

“We are down to three auto gates in our inventory,” the highway superintendent said.

Bauer said he had received some compliments about the condition of the roads in the county. He asked Turpin how the stretch of Meadville Avenue was holding up north of the asphalt where the bonding material was applied.

Turpin said it seems to be holding up ok, but he was not sold that the product was something the county would want to use again.

The next meeting of the Brown County Commissioners is scheduled for 1:15 p.m. Feb. 3.

* Wayne State announces fall Dean’s List students

(Posted 10 a.m. Jan. 21)

Wayne State College included 1,300 students on the Dean’s List for exemplary academic achievement during the fall semester. Students on the Dean’s List are full-time undergraduate students who have achieved a GPA of 3.5 or above on a 4.0 scale for the semester. An asterisk (*) denotes a 4.0 GPA for the term.

Area students named to the Dean’s List include:

Ainsworth
Cameryn Goochey*, Madelyn Goochey*, Brandt Murphy, Kaitlyn Nelson*, Emma Sears*, Cheyan Temple and Zachary Welch

Bassett
Bridget Lewis and Carson Shaw*

Stuart
Elly Steinhauser

Atkinson
Ella Goeke-Schulte, Olivia Jarman, Andrew Martin and Cadey Schaaf

Naper
Paige Drueke

Valentine
 Jack Lancaster* and Taycee Reimers

Thedford
Drew McIntosh

* Area students chosen for UNK honor band, choir

(Posted 7 a.m. Jan. 21)

More than 600 students from 100 high schools across the state will participate in the annual Honor Band and Choral Clinic at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.

Presented by the UNK Department of Music, Theatre and Dance, the event provides advanced musical instruction and performance opportunities for outstanding band and choir students. Participants work closely with UNK faculty and other respected Nebraska educators.

The clinic will conclude with two public concerts Monday evening in UNK’s Health and Sports Center. A 5 p.m. performance will feature the UNK Wind Ensemble, Festival Band and Honor Band, followed by a 6:30 p.m. concert showcasing the Treble Choir, Festival Choir and Honor Choir.

Tickets, which are valid for both concerts, will be available for $3 at the Health and Sports Center beginning at 4:30 p.m. Admission is free for clinic participants and preschool children.

Clinicians for the event are:

•  Honor Band – Duane Bierman, professor of music and director of bands at UNK
•  Festival Band – Jonathan Jaworski, band director at Otte Blair Middle School in Blair
•  Honor Choir – John Petzet, associate professor of music and director of choirs at UNK
•  Festival Choir – Jeff Vyhlidal, choir director at Northwest High School in Grand Island
•  Treble Choir – Valerie Leising, choir director at Arapahoe-Holbrook Public Schools

Area students selected to participate include:

Ainsworth
William Biltoft, Erick Hitchcock, Realynn Reagan, Colby Beegle, Natalie Auten, Madison Phares, Jodie Denny and Miranda Phares

Rock County
Lyndsey Sybrant, Cenzie White, Mia Heyden, Shelby Connell and Eliesha Moravec

West Holt
Emersyn Mlady, David Armstrong, Taylor Nowlin, Peyton Olberding, Claire Sholes, Madisyn Hilkemeier and Leah Pistulka

Valentine
Roman Dillon, Praise Maunu, Allen Ward, Sari LaDeaux, Evelyn Rolfe and Lilybet Rolfe

* Saturday morning fire reported north of Ainsworth

(Posted 2 p.m. Jan. 19)

A Saturday morning fire north of Ainsworth prompted the response of the Ainsworth Volunteer Fire Department.

According to Ainsworth Fire Chief Brad Fiala, at approximately 5:30 a.m. Saturday, a fire was reported in a hay barn on property owned by Rolling Stone Feed Yard.

Fiala said a hay grinder was used Friday evening and then parked in the hay barn overnight. Early Saturday morning, an employee noticed smoke coming from the barn and alerted firefighters.

Working in wind chills of approximately 35 degrees below zero, the fire chief said damage was limited to the hay grinder and chassis. The hay barn was saved. Fiala said the fire likely started from a hot bearing that eventually ignited hay remnants on the grinder.

Fiala said firefighters were on scene for about 90 minutes in the bitter cold temperatures getting the fire under control.

* Council debates eliminating some boards, committees

(Posted 7:30 a.m. Jan. 15)

The Ainsworth City Council on Wednesday discussed a proposal from Mayor Joel Klammer to eliminate some standing city committees and boards.

Klammer said he had been talking about reducing the number of city committees, stemming from the Nebraska Legislature passing a bill that allows city councils to serve as the Board of Adjustment instead of having to have a separate board of volunteers.

“I don’t want to diminish the input of committee members,” the mayor said. “With the Board of Adjustment, it makes sense for the council to handle that.”

City Administrator Lisa Schroedl said the Board of Adjustment looks at property lines, setback issues, square footage of buildings, and fence heights.

“Those are the things the Board of Adjustment hears,” Schroedl said. “There has to be a hardship for why the property owner cannot comply.”

Schroedl said the Board of Adjustment is different from the City Planning Committee, which deals with zoning issues.

Klammer said he also proposed the elimination of the Committee on Housing, which is no longer necessary because the fund is gone that was the reason for that committee existing.

The mayor also suggested the parks and recreation committee and the Sellors-Barton Cabin Advisory Board could be eliminated.

“The park board was set up a long time ago,” Klammer said. “It was a good idea, but it didn’t quite function in the manner for which it was created. The funds for parks are decided by the council. People can come in and talk to the council.”

Councilman Brad Fiala said the council members did not have to do all the research on recent park improvement projects.

“They handled all that on the pickleball court project,” Fiala said. “I don’t want all that put back on the council.”

Klammer said, for bigger projects, using the community fishing pond for example, there were usually community members who would spearhead those projects to make them happen.

Councilman Dustin Barthel said, “I don’t want to see the park board go. They put in a lot of time on the pickleball project. I would like the park board to work on a dog park project next.”

Klammer said the council could hold a public hearing each spring to have a discussion on park projects people would like to see.

Councilman Kent Taylor said, “In the park board’s defense, they come up with the project but yet we hold the purse strings.”

Schroedl said she felt the council needed to set the project and the budget and then let the park board go to work.

Barthel said, if the park board is given direction, they do a good job of going out and getting all the quotes.

North Central Development Center Executive Director Kristin Olson said the park board handled all the maps and drawings for the pickleball court project.

“They are an advisory board,” Olson said. “The council still makes the decisions.”

Schroedl said that was the park board’s frustration during the most recent project, when things weren’t moving.

Fiala said, “I felt sorry for them because we didn’t have the money for it.”

The council also discussed the Sellors-Barton Cabin Advisory Board after receiving a letter from the current board members discussing the poor condition of the cabin at the courthouse park and the damage that has occurred to the contents inside the museum.

Taylor said, “You can about push your hand through the rotten logs on the old cabin, and the addition is just as bad. Water has been in there, and they have mold.”

Schroedl said there was no real way to mitigate the issues at the cabin. She said the board talked about having a restoration company try to clean and restore the items on display.

Klammer said he felt the cabin board could act on its own independent of the council other than the city owns the building.

“I envision that group like the archery club,” Klammer said. “They are independent and use the archery range and they cooperate with the Game and Parks.”

Schroedl said the building is city property and was gifted originally by the Sellors-Barton family.

“There is not really room in the Coleman House Museum to display a lot more,” she said. “It is not a good setup. It is only open two months a year, and there is no controlled air.”

Taylor said it sounded like the city needed to get a quote from a professional crew to potentially clean the items in the cabin that are salvageable.

“The building is worthless,” Taylor said. “Does anyone think we can save that building? We will have to find a space for that stuff. It is probably not safe for anyone to even be in there.”

Klammer said, ultimately, the problem comes down to money.

“To me, it seems like there should be one historical group,” the mayor said. “My gut says the cost is going to come back so high that the council won’t be willing to spend that.”

Barthel said, if all the historical items could be put together and have the groups work together, that would make sense.

Taylor said he was all for eliminating the Board of Adjustment and the Committee on Housing Wednesday.

Schroedl said, since the ordinance was on the agenda with all the committees, the council should probably wait to take action until the next meeting instead of breaking it apart.

The council agreed to table action on reducing any committees until its February meeting.

In other business Wednesday, Brown County Commissioner Dennis Bauer provided the council with an update on the next phase of improvements at the community fishing pond.

Bauer said the next phase of the project includes pouring a concrete path where the current gravel path around the pond exists, placing four benches along the water’s edge and planting trees.

Bauer said he just received a contract from the Game and Parks Commission to hook the path around the pond to the Cowboy Trail.

“The Game and Parks also agreed at its fisheries meeting to put 250 to 300 trout 12 to 14 inches in length into the pond in both the spring and again in the fall,” Bauer said.

The next phase of the project would be the construction of a picnic shelter at the site.

Bauer said $22,000 has been raised for the project, with the Brown County Foundation contributing $5,000 and the Brown County Commissioners committing $5,000. He said the funds for numerous trees and benches have been donated by businesses and residents.

Bauer said all of the labor for the project is being donated, so the cost will only be for the materials.

Audience member Graig Kinzie said he planned to submit an application to the Ainsworth Betterment Committee on behalf of the Ainsworth Lions Club if the board agreed to continue supporting the project as the applicant as it has in the past.

He said he hoped to meet with the ABC Committee and have a recommendation for the council to consider during its February meeting.

Fiala said, “I think it has been a great project. It is a great idea to attach the path to the Cowboy Trail.”

Bauer said he had to give credit to the Brown County Foundation for that idea, as the foundation board members suggested connecting the path to the Cowboy Trail when they were approached to support the project.

Barthel said, “I am amazed by the amount of kids out there. I see kids walking down the street all the time with fishing poles.”

Klammer said, in his former job, he worked on a lot of city ponds.

“People gravitate to community ponds,” Klammer said. “I remember riding my bike with my brother to the Seward pond.”

The council thanked Bauer for the update on the project.

In the only other action item Wednesday, the council approved the mayor’s recommended appointments of Dr. Kenneth Wasmund as the municipal physician; Michael Scholes as the city attorney; Lisa Schroedl as the city administrator, clerk and treasurer; Brad Miller as the water and sewer superintendent; Jade Egle as the streets foreman; Bruce Papstein as the city’s representative on the KBR Solid Waste Board; the West Plains Bank, Homestead Bank, Union Bank & Trust, the Nebraska Public Agency Investment Trust and NFIT as bank depositories; and the Ainsworth Star-Journal and KBRB Radio for city publications.

The next meeting of the Ainsworth City Council is scheduled for 5 p.m. Feb. 11.

* Secondary principal submits resignation

(Posted 6:45 a.m. Jan. 13)

The Ainsworth Community Schools Board of Education on Monday accepted the resignation of Secondary Principal Steve Dike effective at the end of the 2025-26 school year.

Dike submitted his letter of resignation to the board after serving as the school’s principal for eight years.

Board President Brad Wilkins said the school district made some great strides during his time as principal.

Dike said, “I am fortunate to have worked with you.”

Superintendent Dale Hafer also read a letter of resignation from Educational Service Unit 17 school psychologist and special education coordinator Scott Steinhauser, who announced his retirement from the ESU effective at the end of the current school year after 29 years in education.

Wilkins said the district was losing a lot of experience with the resignations of both Dike and Steinhauser.

Following an executive session, the board, with board member Crystal Dailey absent, did approve a contract for the 2026-27 school year for Elementary Principal Kelsey Riesen.

At the outset of Monday’s meeting, the board held its annual reorganization, electing Wilkins to continue to serve as the board’s president for 2026. Bryan Doke was re-elected as the board vice president, and Frank Beel will continue to serve as the board’s secretary and treasurer.

Dedra Stoner, Bailie Kovarik and Hafer were appointed as recording secretaries for board meetings. Riesen was appointed as the district’s Title IX Coordinator and Hafer was appointed as the Compliance Coordinator for 2026.

In annual action items, the board approved continuing to meet at 7 p.m. on the second Monday of each month in the district office for 2026. Board member committee assignments will continue unchanged for the next year.

The board approved the Ainsworth Star-Journal for the publication of legal notices, and will also announce notices on KBRB and through the school web site.

The board approved Homestead Bank, West Plains Bank, Union Bank & Trust and the Nebraska Liquid Asset Fund as depositories for district funds.

In other action items Monday, the board approved authorizations to the superintendent and treasurer to pay bills, receive and invest funds and to serve as the purchasing agents for the district.

The board approved the 2024-25 district audit from Dana F. Cole of Ord as presented, and approved the superintendent’s 2026 goals as presented.

During his report, Hafer said the district made repairs to the heating and air-conditioning unit on the agricultural and industrial technology building. Hafer said, when the unit was installed last fall, the crew noticed there was damage on one of the coils upon delivery from the factory.

The superintendent said, when repairs were made to remedy the defective parts, it was discovered the unit had leaked oil and caused damage to the roof membrane.

“Matt Fisher from Guarantee Roofing repaired the roof and the HVAC equipment company was billed,” Hafer said. He said there was no additional cost to the school.

The next meeting of the Ainsworth Community Schools Board of Education is scheduled for 7 p.m. Feb. 9.

* NCDC establishes fund to assist Springview family

(Posted 2 p.m. Jan. 12)

A fund has been established through the North Central Development Center to assist a Springview family whose home was damaged during a fire.

On the evening of Dec. 30, a fire started in an electrical junction box in the attic of a home occupied by Carl and Hazel Chase and family of Springview.

Springview Fire Chief Scott Hallock said firefighters contained the fire to a bedroom, bathroom and hallway.

However, smoke damaged most of the family’s belongings and forced them to temporarily relocate.

The NCDC has established a fund to assist the family with rent, utilities, repairs to their home and replacing belongings that were damaged or destroyed.

To make a contribution to the Chase family, checks can be written to the North Central Development Center, specifying “Chase Fire” in the memo line and mailed to NCDC, P.O. Box 303, Ainsworth, NE  69210. 

Donations are also being collected in the West Plains Bank branches at Ainsworth and Springview.

Tax deductible donation receipts will be provided to donors.

* Brown County Sheriff’s Department weekly summary

(Posted 9:15 a.m. Jan. 12)

January 4

The sheriff and a deputy provided traffic control for cattle crossing Highway 20 west of Ainsworth.

The sheriff and a deputy were asked to provide a civil standby for possible stolen items in Johnstown. During the investigation, the sheriff and deputy were able to retrieve various items equaling approximately $100,000 worth of equipment. The items were turned over to their rightful owner.

The sheriff and a deputy provided traffic control for cattle crossing Highway 20 east of Ainsworth.

A dispatcher attended training at Lincoln.

Deputies received complaints of careless driving in Long Pine. The deputies were able to locate the suspected vehicle. The driver received a citation on charges of careless driving and muffler in not in good working condition.

January 5

No reportable activity.

January 6

A deputy investigated a report of a gas drive-off in Ainsworth. The reported driver of the vehicle was notified and returned to the gas station.

A deputy was notified of a high school student possessing a nicotine vape pen in Ainsworth Community Schools. The juvenile received a citation on a charge of possessing a nicotine vape pen under the age of 21.

A deputy attended online training for electronic citation and traffic accident forms used by the sheriff’s office.

The Brown County Ambulance Association assisted the Brown County Hospital with the transfer of a patient.

The sheriff and deputies attended a two-state meeting at Winner, S.D.

January 7

The sheriff provided security during county court in Ainsworth.

A traffic stop was made on Highway 20 east of Ainsworth. The driver received a written warning for speeding.

A traffic stop was made in Ainsworth. The driver received a fix-it ticket for improper or defective vehicle lighting.

January 8

A traffic stop was made in Ainsworth. The driver received a written warning for not using a turn signal.

A traffic stop was made on Highway 20 east of Ainsworth. The driver received a written warning for speeding.

The Brown County Ambulance Association responded to a call in rural Brown County and transported a patient to the Brown County Hospital.

A traffic stop was made on Highway 20 of Ainsworth. The driver received a written warning for speeding.

A traffic stop was made on Meadville Avenue. The driver received a citation for driving 19 mph over the posted speed limit.

A traffic stop was made on Highway 7. The driver received a written warning for speeding.

January 9

Deputies investigated a traffic accident of an individual falling asleep while driving and hitting a parked vehicle. The driver was checked for sobriety and in addition to that the driver received a citation on charges of careless driving and no proof of insurance.

The sheriff responded to a report of an unhealthy wild animal in the city limits of Johnstown. The wild animal was dispatched and removed from Johnstown.

A traffic stop was made on Meadville Avenue. The driver received a fix-it ticket for improper or defective vehicle lighting and not having proof of registration inside of the vehicle.

Deputies received reports of a juvenile with mental health issues who may be intoxicated. Deputies searched Brown County and were unable to locate the juvenile. The juvenile was later found at a friend’s residence in a neighboring county.  

January 10

Deputies responded to an intoxicated individual who refused to leave a residence in Ainsworth. A deputy responded to the house and escorted the reported person out of the house and off the property.

The Brown County Ambulance Association assisted the Brown County Hospital with the transport of a patient.

A deputy provided traffic control for cattle crossing Highway 20 of Ainsworth.

The sheriff’s office received a report of a vehicle losing lumber out of their vehicle on Highway 20 east of Ainsworth. A deputy responded to the reported area and was unable to locate the reported vehicle.

The Brown County Ambulance Association responded to a lift assist call in Ainsworth.

Weekly Log
Phone calls – 1,023
Calls for service –  16
911 emergency calls – 4
Vehicle titles inspected – 8
Firearm permits purchased – 4
Inmates housed – 0

* Atkinson, Valentine libraries earn accreditation

(Posted 9 a.m. Jan. 12)

Nebraska Library Commission Library Development Director Christa Porter recently announced the accreditation of 34 public libraries across Nebraska.

Porter said, “We are dedicated to helping Nebraska libraries meet Nebraskans’ information needs, opening up the world of information for citizens of all ages. The Library Commission continues to work in partnership with Nebraska libraries and the regional library systems, using the Public Library Accreditation program to help public libraries grow and develop.”

Libraries earning accreditation include the Atkinson Public Library and the Valentine Public Library.

Public libraries in Nebraska are accredited for a five-year period.

“All Nebraskans will have improved access to enhanced library and information services, provided and facilitated by qualified library personnel, boards, and supporters with the knowledge, skills, abilities and attitudes necessary to provide excellent library and information services,” Porter said.

* Schaaf graduates from UNMC with nursing degree

(Posted 11 a.m. Jan. 9)

Diplomas were conferred on more than 400 University of Nebraska Medical Center students on Dec. 19.

Taylor Schaaf of Atkinson graduated with a Bachelor of Science in nursing from the UNMC College of Nursing Kearney Division.

* NCTA names Dean’s List, Honor Roll students

(Posted 10:45 a.m. Jan. 9)

The Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture announced its fall semester Dean’s List and Honor Roll distinction. Twenty-three students earned a perfect 4.0 grade point average and were named to the Dean’s List, and an additional 55 students earned Honor Roll recognition with GPAs between 3.50 and 3.99.

Sydney Sybrant of Bassett is among the Dean’s List students with perfect 4.0 averages in the fall.

Courtney McCarthy of Newport received Honor Roll distinction during the fall semester

* UNK names Dean’s List students for fall semester

(Posted 12:15 p.m. Jan. 7)

The University of Nebraska at Kearney announced students who earned a place on the Dean’s List for the fall 2025 semester.

Students who are on the dean’s list must have completed 12 credit hours or more of classes with a 3.5 grade-point average or better on a 4.0 scale.

Area students named to the UNK Dean’s List for the fall semester are:

Ainsworth – Jordan Beatty

Johnstown – Jaden Lee

Bassett – Ali Myers and Mason Hagan

Purdum – Libby Smith

Stuart – Addie Ketteler, Addie Karo, Cory Gubbels, Dawson Heiser, Lacey Paxton, Luke Ludwig and Makenna Schaaf

Atkinson – Andrew Rentschler, Grant Osborne, Kelcie Osborne, Mady Kramer and Sidney Burkinshaw

Valentine – Courtney Billings, Jaycie Cox, Lainey Egelhoff, Logan Muirhead and Traven Fletcher

* Mountain lion season ends in Niobrara Unit

(Posted 11 a.m. Jan. 7)

The 2026 mountain lion hunting season in Nebraska’s Niobrara Unit closed Tuesday when the harvest sublimit of three females was met.

The mountain lion season remains open in the Pine Ridge and Wildcat Hills units. The Pine Ridge has a harvest limit of 12 lions with a sublimit of six females. To date, two females have been harvested. The Wildcat Hills Units has a harvest limit of three lions with a sublimit of two females. To date, no lions have been harvested.

Season 1 in all three units began Friday, Jan. 2. If the harvest limit or female sublimit in the Pine Ridge or Wildcat Hills is not reached by the end of February, an auxiliary season that allows the use of dogs would take place March 14-31.

This is the state’s ninth mountain lion harvest season. The first was in 2014.

In accordance with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s management objectives, the harvest of mountain lions in the Niobrara Unit provides a harvest opportunity that allows the lion population to remain resilient and healthy, while keeping the population stable or slowing growth in the Niobrara Valley.

Mountain lion presence has been documented in the Niobrara River Valley of north central Nebraska since 2001. There has been a resident reproducing population there since 2013 and information gathered through research suggests a population that is growing and will be resilient to harvest.

* Missoula Children’s Theater auditions Monday

(Posted 10:45 a.m. Jan. 7)

An audition will be held for the Missoula Children’s Theatre production of “Sleeping Beauty” from 3:30 until 5:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 12, in the Ainsworth Community Schools Learning Center. Those auditioning should arrive at 3:30 p.m. and plan to stay for the full two hours. Some of the cast members will be asked to stay for a rehearsal immediately following the audition.

Approximately 50 to 60 roles are available for local students. All students, grades K-12, are encouraged to audition. No advance preparation is necessary. Most students will rehearse 4 hours, 15 minutes each day, Monday through Friday. The performance is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16, in the Ainsworth Community Schools Learning Center.

For more information, call Kathy Klammer at (402) 760-0518.

The production is part of the Missoula Children’s Theatre’s unique international touring project and is presented locally by the Brown County Arts Council.

* Commissioners set elected officials’ salaries

(Posted 9:15 a.m. Jan. 7)

By a 2-1 vote Tuesday, the Brown County Commissioners approved a resolution setting the salaries for elected officials for the 2027-2030 term. The commissioners are responsible for setting salaries ahead of the election cycle, as anyone running for elected office pays a filing fee based on a percentage of the salary of the elected position being sought.

The board, with Commissioners Dennis Bauer and Donnie Painter in favor and Commissioner Jeremiah Dailey against, set the county attorney’s salary at $112,000, the sheriff/jail administrator salary at $100,000, the clerk salary at $77,500, the treasurer salary at $74,000 and the assessor’s salary at $74,000. Each elected official will also receive a $1,500 annual increase during each subsequent year of the four-year cycle. The elected officials also receive full benefits.

The salary for each commissioner was set at $34,500 annually. The commissioners will not receive an annual increase in years two through four of the cycle like the other elected officials. Commissioners also receive full benefits.

In another payroll item, the commissioners made the effective date the Jan. 2 payroll period for the increases the board previously awarded to other county employees. Bauer said wage increases approved by the board have normally started at the next convenient pay period after the action is taken.

In other business Tuesday, the commissioners approved a resolution transferring $52,922 from the Brown County Ambulance Association fund to the debt services ambulance building fund and making the semi-annual bond payment from that fund.

The board also approved a resolution allowing the ambulance association to trade in two old Life-Pac defibrillator units and receive $5,000 credit from each unit toward the purchase of new defibrillator units.

A budget amendment will be addressed in March for the ambulance association for the purchase of the new defibrillator units.

The commissioners approved a law enforcement agreement between Brown County and Boyd County. Sheriff Brent Deibler said the Brown County Jail occasionally houses inmates for Boyd County. Deibler said Boyd County pays Brown County $60 per day for each inmate held.

The board, at Deibler’s request, also approved removing Tanya Cole and adding Vincent Lanas to all sheriff’s department accounts at Homestead Bank.

The board approved ACH direct deposit forms from Homestead Bank as presented.

In a final action item Tuesday, the board approved a $1,622 refund from the county’s inheritance tax fund after a family overpaid the county. County Attorney Andy Taylor said sometimes the inheritance tax owed by an estate is a guess in order to meet the deadline. To receive a refund, the estate presents information to the court and the court then issues an order for a refund, which occurred in this instance.

During his report, Highway Superintendent Kenny Turpin said he had checked in with U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer’s office on a potential federal appropriation for bridge construction projects in the county. Brown County has been earmarked for federal funds to update older bridges.

Turpin said Fischer’s office indicated there was nothing new to report as negotiations on a transportation appropriations bill were ongoing.

Turpin reported he was starting to work on the county’s annual one- and six-year highway improvement plan. The highway superintendent said the only new project he planned to add was a stretch of Richardson Road.

“If you have any other projects you want added to the plan, let me know,” Turpin said.

Weed Superintendent Scott Erthum presented his annual report to the board, with Bauer signing that the board had received the report.

The board tabled approval on an updated handbook for county employees until the board makes a decision on a time management system. Taylor said the commissioners could either approve the handbook as it is now and then amend it based on the decision made regarding the time management system, or the board could opt to approve the amended handbook after that item is finalized. The board opted to table action on the handbook.

The next meeting of the Brown County Commissioners is scheduled for 1:15 p.m. Jan. 20.

* Recent cases from Brown County Court

(Posted 3 p.m. Jan. 6)

In addition to fines, each case carries $50 in court costs

Mesa J. Roghair, age 21, of Okaton, S.D., charged with speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, fined $75.

Laura J. Crites, 62, of Gordon, speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

Jennifer E. Verretta, 52, of Thornton, Colo., speeding 16-20 mph over the limit, $250.

Rachel L. Collatos 26, of Long Pine, speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

Ryan P. Beacom, 41, of Emerson, speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

Martha M. Fletcher, 44, of Ainsworth, assault by mutual consent, $100.

Travis A. Wolfe, 44, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, speeding 11-15 mph over the limit, $75.

Raymond J. Lux, 25, of Norfolk, speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

Kyle A. Eberhart, 30, of Omaha, speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

Mattee A. Dailey, 29, of Ainsworth, failure to use child passenger restraint, $25.

Xavien R. Kimbrough, 32, of Florrisant, Mo., speeding 11-15 mph over the limit, $250.

Jennifer L. Lammers, 42, of Ainsworth, violation of a stop or yield sign, $75.

Brenda Juarez, 44, of Ainsworth, speeding 11-15 mph over the limit, $125.

Denise K. Danielson, 66, of Colorado Springs, Colo., speeding 11-15 mph over the limit $125.

William E. Seymore, 45, of Easley, S.C., speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

Jarred D. Cronin, 35, of Panama City, Fla., speeding 21-35 mph over the limit, $300.

Madeline R. Strong, 31, of Omaha, no operator’s license, $75.

Jaci J. Swanson, 48, of Ainsworth, speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75; also charged with failure to wear a seat belt, $25.

Gregory B. Arendt, 71, of Valentine, speeding 21-35 mph over the limit, $300.

Alexis M. Nowlin, 29, of Ainsworth, violation of a stop or yield sign, $75.

Logan J. Leonard, 41, of Bassett, speeding 16-20 mph over the limit, $200.

Allen J. Duval, 35, of Lusk, Wyo., speeding 16-20 mph over the limit, $200; careless driving, $100.

* Fischer nominates students to military academies

(Posted 9:30 a.m. Jan. 6)

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer released the names of the Nebraskans she is nominating this year for U.S. service academies.
“I’m proud to nominate 40 impressive Nebraska students for acceptance to our nation’s prestigious military academies. Each student has proven to be a dedicated leader, bringing unique skills and perspectives to their communities. I wish them the best as they continue through the process, and I thank them for choosing this path of service,” Fischer said.

Among the students nominated by Fischer are:

Alexander Gotschall of Atkinson to the U.S. Naval Academy

Landon Mooney of Valentine to the U.S. Military Academy and the U.S. Naval Academy

Izaak Vakoc of Verdigre to the U.S. Military Academy

* Brown County Sheriff’s Department weekly summary

(Posted 11 a.m. Jan. 5)

December 28

The sheriff’s office received a report of a possible vehicle roll-over accident in southern Brown County. A deputy patrolled the reported area and was unable to locate a vehicle.

A deputy was asked to perform a welfare check of an individual who may have been sleeping in his vehicle. The individual was found to be ok.

December 29

The sheriff’s office is investigating a report of a firearm stolen from a vehicle.

The sheriff and deputies responded to the Ainsworth Inn for a possible break-in. The building was found to be empty.

A traffic stop was made in Ainsworth. The driver received a written warning for speeding.

December 30

The sheriff investigated a report of a suspicious person and vehicle in Ainsworth.

The sheriff and a deputy were requested to perform a welfare check of an individual in Ainsworth. The person was found to be ok.

A traffic stop was made in Ainsworth. The driver received a repair order for vehicle lighting.

A traffic stop was made in rural Brown County. The driver received a written warning for not having a clear and visible plate.

December 31

A traffic stop was made east of Ainsworth on Highway 20. The driver received repair orders for defective vehicle lighting, no proof of insurance, and expired plate tags.

A traffic stop was made west of Ainsworth on Highway 20. The driver received a repair order for defective vehicle lighting.

A traffic stop was made in Ainsworth. The driver received a warning for not signaling a turn.  

January 1

Deputies responded to a physical altercation in Ainsworth. An individual was arrested on charges of third-degree assault and disturbing the peace and was booked into the Brown County Jail.

The Brown County Jail released an inmate after completing their court commitment.

The sheriff’s office received reports of a suspicious vehicle in Ainsworth. A deputy was unable to find the reported vehicle.  

January 2

The sheriff and the Brown County Ambulance Association responded to a roll-over accident north of Ainsworth.

The sheriff’s office received a report of a jacked-knifed semi north of Ainsworth.

A deputy investigated a two-vehicle accident in Ainsworth.

The Brown County Jail released an inmate on a personal recognizance bond.

The sheriff and deputies trained on de-escalation scenarios utilizing tasers. The new deputy also received taser training.

January 3

A traffic stop was made east of Ainsworth on Highway 20. The driver received a written warning for speeding.

A traffic stop was made west of Ainsworth on Highway 20. The driver received a written warning for speeding.

A written warning for no registration was given to a motorist in rural Brown County.

A traffic stop was made on Highway 183. The driver was given a written warning for speeding.

A traffic stop was made on Highway 7. The driver received a repair order for the vehicle brake lights not working properly.

A traffic stop was made in Ainsworth. The driver received a written warning for driving without headlights at night.

Deputies investigated a suspicious activity call in Long Pine. Deputies patrolled the reported area and did not find anything out of the ordinary.

A traffic stop was made in Ainsworth. The driver received a written warning for driving without headlights at night.

Deputies contacted a person walking on the shoulder of Highway 20.

Weekly Log
Phone calls – 770
Calls for service – 15
911 emergency calls – 7
Vehicle titles inspected – 6
Firearms permits purchased – 3
Inmates housed – 2

* Icy roads make travel treacherous

(Posted 8 a.m. Jan. 2)

Freezing rain Friday morning has made roads icy and travel in the area is not advised.

Brown County Sheriff Brent Deibler reported Friday morning that all highways in the area have black ice and travel is extremely dangerous.

Anyone who doesn’t have to travel is urged to stay off the highways.

A winter weather advisory is in effect until 9 p.m.

* Area producers to receive federal per-acre payments

(Posted 8 a.m. Jan. 2)

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced the next phase in the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program (FBA), the eligible commodity per-acre payment rates. As announced earlier this month by President Trump and Secretary Rollins, $12 billion will be paid to American farmers in 2026. Of that amount, $11 billion consists of one-time FBA program payments. This is in response to four years of disastrous Biden administration policies that created record-high input and production costs, zero new trade deals, and a forgotten rural America.

“These one-time payments give farmers the bridge to continue to feed and clothe America and the world while the Trump Administration continues opening new markets and strengthening the farm safety net,” Rollins said. “USDA is making this process as simple and seamless as possible so producers can focus on what they do best – feeding and fueling our nation.”

Commodity, Per Acre Payment Rates
• Corn: $44.36
• Soybeans: $30.88
• Sorghum: $48.11
• Oats: $81.75
• Wheat: $39.35
• Barley: $20.51
• Sunflower: $17.32

Eligibility, Program Applications, and Crop Insurance Linkage 

FBA payments are based on 2025 planted acres, Economic Research Service cost of production, and the World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimate Report. Double crop acres, including all initial and subsequently planted crops, are eligible. Prevent plant acres are not eligible. 

All intended row crop uses are eligible for FBA except grazing, volunteer stands, experimental, green manure, crops left standing and abandoned or cover crops.