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.

E-mail us at kbrb@sscg.net

Service Information can be found on the Obituaries Page

* Judy E. Arrowsmith, 79, of Mills 2:30 p.m. April 8

* Connie Smith, 72, of Atkinson 11 a.m. April 1

* Eunice Wulf, 98, of Ainsworth 10:30 a.m. April 1

* Jayne Gotschall, 92, of Atkinson 11 a.m. March 28

* Meeting reports located below for:

March 21 Brown County Commissioners

March 16 Ainsworth Irrigation District Board meeting

March 16 Ainsworth City Council special meeting

March 14 Sandhills Care Center Board of Directors

March 9 Ainsworth City Council

March 7 Brown County Commissioners

* Area students receive Engler Scholarships to UN-L

(Posted 10:45 a.m. March 27)

The Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln has announced the recipients of scholarships for the 2023-24 academic year.

The one-time scholarships will be awarded to 84 students totaling $184,000 for the ensuing academic year.

Incoming UN-L freshmen receiving Engler Scholarships include Brooklyn Buell of Bassett. Current UN-L students receiving continuing Engler Scholarships include Tom Ortner, Libby Wilkins and Sam Wilkins all of Ainsworth; Logan Hafer of Long Pine; Jillian Buell and Jaya Nelson of Bassett; Ty Schlueter of Wood Lake; and Brody Benson of Valentine.

The Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program was established in 2010 by a gift from the Paul and Virginia Engler Foundation. The mission of the program is to embolden people on the courageous pursuit of their purpose through the art and practice of entrepreneurship. The program offers an academic minor while serving as an intersection in which students from a diverse array of majors and business interests can come together in pursuit of the American Dream. 

For more information, contact program director Tom Field at 402-472-5643 or tfield2@unl.edu.

* Area students named NSAA Academic All-State

(Posted 7 a.m. March 27)

The Nebraska School Activities Association announced the student recipients of the Winter 2022-23Nebraska Chiropractic Physicians Association Academic All-State Awards.

Since 2006, this 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 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 activities season are:

Ainsworth
Trey Appelt and Christopher Fernandez in boys basketball, Cameryn Goochey and Emma Sears in girls basketball, Makenna Pierce and Dakota Stutzman in speech, Sam Titus in boys wrestling and Megan Jones in girls wrestling.

Keya Paha County
Jameson Painter in boys basketball, and Zachary Wiebelhaus in wrestling.

Rock County
Kol Otten in boys basketball, Brooklyn Buell and Allie Cosgrove in girls basketball, Kyra Anthony in speech, and Branson Anderson in wrestling.

Stuart
Anthony Heiser and Schuyler Mustin in boys basketball, Lacey Paxton and Sarah Wallinger in girls basketball, and Sydney Estill and Chiana Tubbs in speech.

West Holt
Mason Crumrine and Tyler Jelinek in boys basketball, Makinley Cadwallader and EmiLee Walnofer in girls basketball, Sidney Burkinshaw and Maci Nemetz in speech, Grant Osborne and Isaac Pistulka in boys wrestling, and Madison Davis and Renata Rodriguez Brambila in girls wrestling.

Boyd County
Charlie Adams and Zander Kluckman in boys basketball, Brynn Almgren and Leah Jockens in girls basketball, and Zoe Kaczor and Elizabeth Kersch in speech.

Sandhills
Kyle Cox in boys basketball, Emily Leach in girls basketball, Rhett McFadden in boys wrestling, and Taylor Weber in girls wrestling

Valentine
Connor Kreutner and Jack Lancaster in boys basketball, Kaetryn Bancroft and Malika Monroe in girls basketball, Emma Kreutner and Marybelle Ward in speech, Ashton Lurz and Will Sprenger in boys wrestling.

* Brown County Sheriff’s Department weekly summary

(Posted 6:45 a.m. March 27) 

Brown County Sheriff’s Office Weekly Summary

Week of March 19^th, 2023 through March 25^th, 2023

March 19

• Responded to a request for a welfare check on Wilson St. The individual was located and reported safe at this time.
• Received multiple reports involving a loose dog near Hartington and 4^th The owner of the dog was found, and called to return the dog home.
• Received a report of possible animal abuse/neglect on Richardson Drive. No citations were issued at this time.

March 20

• Received a report of a dog that showed up at a home along Highway 7. With the help of social media, the dog was able to be reunited to its rightful owner.

March 21

• Received a report of a wild animal carcass on 2^nd The Ainsworth City department was called to remove it from the roadway.
• Received a report of theft of services from the KBR waste dump. The driver of the vehicle was able to be identified and called to return to pay the fee.
• During a traffic stop at the Highway 183/20 Junction a Nebraska driver was issued a citation for speeding 11-15 mph over the 65mph posted speed limit.

March 22

• Received a report of a vehicle alarm activated on Pine Street. No stolen property was found at this time.
• Responded to a request for a welfare check on 1^st The individual was located and reported safe at this time.
• Received a report of a domestic disturbance near Johnstown. This is an ongoing investigation.
• Received a report of a loose dog found in a business parking lot in Ainsworth. The dog was taken to the Ainsworth Vet Clinic but reunited with their owner shortly thereafter.
• Responded to a report of a loose dog on Osborne Street. The dog was unable to be found.
• Received a report of a two-vehicle accident on Maple Street. A vehicle was backed into a parked vehicle.  Both vehicles had minimal damage occur, and no injuries reported.

March 23

• Received a burglary alarm from an atm machine. No criminal activity was found, false alarm.
• Responded to a report of a mental health crisis involving a juvenile.

March 24

• Received a report of a one vehicle deer collision on Highway 20, near mile marker 249. No injuries were reported, and the car was able to drive away from the scene but did have some notable damage.
• Received a report of suspected trespassing on a property in Ainsworth. No citations were issued at this time.
• Responded to a report of two loose dogs causing severe injuries and casualties to livestock on 437^th This is an ongoing investigation.
• Attended a meeting with the Ainsworth Community Schools to assist in training educators in identifying illegal substances within the school.
• During a traffic stop on Highway 7, mile marker 38, a Nebraska driver was issued a citation for speeding 11-15mph over the 65mph posted speed limit and no operator’s license.

March 25

• Received a report of a deer carcass in the road near Highway 7 and 876^th Also received a report of a down stop sign in the same area.  Both were reported to the Nebraska Department of Roads.
• Responded to a report of suspicious activity at a hotel facility in Ainsworth. Both subjects were unable to be located.  No criminal activity was found at this time.
• Received a report of a gas drive off from a station in Ainsworth. The vehicle was able to be identified and the owner was called and came back to take care of their purchase.

Weekly Summary
6-Burn Permits
19-Incident Reports
110-Telephone Calls
4-911 calls
3-Vin Inspections
2-Gun Permits

* Ainsworth students compete in scholastics contest

(Posted 6:45 a.m. March 27)

Ainsworth High School students competed in the Northeast Community College annual Scholastic Competition Wednesday at Norfolk. This was the first year Ainsworth entered the competition.

Twenty-three students took 28 tests, with the students earning six medals and 13 top 10 finishes. Students were allotted 60 minutes for each test with the number of questions ranging from 40 to 150.

The following students received a medal for placing first, second, or third in their test:

Ally Conroy, first in Foods and Nutrition,

Trey Appelt, second in Agri-Science,

Jace Haskell, second in American Government,

Cole Bodeman, second in American History and third in Trigonometry,

and Dakota Stutzman, third in English Composition.

Top ten finishers were:

Gracie Petty, fourth in Parenting/Child Development,

Makenna Pierce, fourth in Introduction to Psychology,

Katherine Kerrigan, fourth in World History,

Taylor Allen, seventh in Literature,

Airyan Goochey, seventh in Technical Mathematics,

Emma Sears, seventh in Physics,

and Dalton Jones, eighth in Welding.

Ainsworth tied for sixth place in Class C with 18 schools competing.

* Highway 20 Long Pine bridge project delayed

(Posted 10:30 a.m. March 24)

Construction of the proposed Long Pine Bridge project located on Highway 20 over Long Pine Creek has been delayed, according to the Nebraska Department of Transportation.

At this time, construction is now anticipated to begin sometime in 2024. Area citizens will be updated once further details regarding construction are known.

* KBRB Ag Week feature interviews

(Posted 2:30 p.m. March 23)

KBRB featured several area agricultural producers as part of its Agriculture Week programming.

To hear the conversations, listen to the audio links below.

* Area urged to support workforce housing application

(Posted 4:30 p.m. March 21)

North Central Development Center Executive Director Kristin Olson discussed the upcoming application deadline for the Rural Workforce Housing Program Tuesday with KBRB’s Graig Kinzie.

If awarded, the state would provide double the amount of funds pledged to construct housing in Keya Paha, Brown and Rock counties.

The pledges would not be collected if the state does not award the grant. Funds pledged for the housing program are 100 percent tax deductible.

In addition to letters pledging monetary support, the NCDC is accepting letters of support for the program and the need for housing in general for the three counties.

To obtain a pledge letter form or a letter of support form, contact the North Central Development Center at 402-387-2740 or 402-760-3834. Email ncdcdirector@gmail.com

More on the program can be heard in the audio file below.

* Commissioners again table road vacation

(Posted 1:30 p.m. March 21)

The Brown County Commissioners again tabled taking final action Tuesday to vacate a dedicated road south of Long Pine.

Following a public hearing March 7, the board tabled vacating the road as the resolution was not completed. In reviewing the resolution Tuesday, Highway Superintendent Kenny Turpin said the resolution did not include that the land for the roadway the county was abandoning would be given to the two adjacent property owners.

The highway superintendent said that language needed to be included in the vacation resolution or the county would technically maintain ownership, and therefore liability, of the land even though it would no longer be dedicated as a roadway.

The resolution will be amended for approval during the board’s April 4 meeting.

The board did approve two prepared resolutions Tuesday, one allowing county officials to discard broken and obsolete property that is of no significant monetary value.

County officials are required to keep an inventory list. Prior to the resolution being approved, those officials had to have property of little or no value declared surplus and bid for sale prior to it being able to be discarded.

The board approved a second resolution of foreclosure on a tax sale certificate and tax liens after past-due property taxes on a parcel were not paid.

Audience member Dan Spier asked the commissioners for clarification on funds being given to the Sandhills Care Center. Spier questioned how the $450,000 line of credit the care center had been approved to take out would be repaid.

The commissioners and the Ainsworth City Council, which jointly own the nursing home, previously approved the Sandhills Care Center Board to utilize a line of credit to operate the facility up to a maximum of $450,000, with those funds repaid using a portion of the voter-approved levy funds that will begin to be collected in the 2023 tax year.

The commissioners each indicated they would not be in favor of providing additional general funds to the care center if the voter-approved bonds were not sufficient.

The care center has utilized $123,000 from the line of credit, but did not borrow from the line of credit during its March 13 meeting as revenue was sufficient to cover expenses.

Grant Kobes of Bennington approached the board with information regarding a parcel of property he was in the process of purchasing. Though not on the agenda, Kobes said he wanted the commissioners to have some information ahead of time prior to asking to be on the board’s April 4 agenda.

Kobes said he is purchasing the Long Lake State Recreation Area from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. He said the Game and Parks Commission has an easement with a neighboring landowner to access the lake site.

Kobes said a portion of the trail road to the lake is under water, and there was currently no other access without driving onto another neighboring property. He said he has not been able to get an agreement for a permanent easement with the neighboring property owners, and will ask the county to dedicate right of way access since the property is otherwise landlocked.

“I think that may be my only option for access at this point,” Kobes said.

He agreed to maintain the road from Moon Lake Avenue to the site if the county could obtain the right of way.

Since not on the agenda, Commissioner Buddy Small said the commissioners could not comment on the issue specifically. Small said he would get the information Kobes provided to the board to Brown County Attorney Andy Taylor to review prior to the board’s April 4 meeting.

In a final action item Tuesday, the board approved an optional Madison National Life Insurance long-term disability benefit plan should any employees be interested in the coverage at their own cost. The board voted to deny providing an option supplemental life insurance coverage plan at county expense to employees.

During his report, Turpin said the roads department did some work moving some sporadic snowdrifts from roadways during the past week, and has been hauling sand in to improve soft areas on several roads.

“We are going to do more road maintenance this week,” Turpin said. “We will start pulling shoulders soon to get some of the gravel back that got pushed to the edges.”

Turpin said work is continuing on the Meadville Avenue bridge project at Sand Draw Creek. He said Western Engineering has an asphalt project on Highway 183 it plans to complete this spring prior to beginning the asphalt renovation on 7.5 miles of Meadville Avenue. He said the asphalt project on Meadville Avenue would likely begin in May.

The next meeting of the Brown County Commissioners is scheduled for 8:15 a.m. April 4.

* Stuart wins Class D-2 State Speech Championship

(Posted 7 a.m. March 20)

Nebraska State Speech Championships
University of Nebraska at Kearney
Class D-2
Team Scores
1. Stuart, 128; 2. Chambers, 110; 3. O’Neill St. Mary’s, 98; 4. Potter-Dix, 92; 5. Arthur County, 72.

Stuart Medal Winners
Entertainment Speaking – 1. William Paxton.
Extemporaneous Speaking – 1. William Paxton; 2. Dawson Heiser.
Informative Speaking – 1. Chiana Tubbs.
Oral Interpretation of Drama – 5. Hunter Tubbs, Sydney Estill, Benjamin Paxton and Lacey Paxton.
Oral Interpretation of Poetry – 2. Lacey Paxton.
Serious Prose – 1. Sydney Estill.

* Brown County Commissioners agenda for Tuesday

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

Brown County Commissioners
Meeting 8:15 a.m. Tuesday, March 21
Brown County Courthouse
Agenda

8:15  Roll Call.

Approve minutes of the 3-7-2023 Commissioner meeting.

Kenneth Turpin – Road Department Update

8:30   Public Statement on Brown County Commissioners intent to provide funding and amount for Sandhills Care Center for next five years – Dan Spier

Madison National Life Insurance Buy Up Long-Term Disability (LTD) & option for Supplemental Life Insurance Coverage – Hardy

9:00      Resolution to Vacate or Abandon, Road 38 – 438^th located in Section 19, T29N, R20. –  Taylor

Resolution regarding the Disposal of County Property that is broken, obsolete, or of no significant monetary value – Taylor

Resolution to Foreclose on Tax Sale Certificate 2508 and Tax Liens as stated therein – Taylor

Approve Claims

* Irrigation District hears options for retiming water

(Posted 9 a.m. March 16)

The Ainsworth Irrigation District Board of Directors on Tuesday delved into a feasibility study for utilizing the Plum Creek Reservoir located near the canal in western Brown County as a potential way to retime water in the canal released from Merritt Reservoir prior to rains hitting the area where crops are irrigated.

Irrigation District Board member Steve Bartak said, a year ago, the board discussed several issues the district faces.

“We wondered if it was feasible to take water out of the canal at the Plum Creek Reservoir and then put it back into the canal when needed,” Bartak said.

A feasibility study on retiming water releases was funded with assistance from the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources and the Middle Niobrara Natural Resources District.

Travis Hazard with Hazard Engineering presented the board and members of the Middle Niobrara NRD Board with results of a historical study he conducted and proposals for storing water from the canal in Plum Creek Reservoir and then moving the water back into the canal at a later time.

Hazard said his goal with the study was to review historical data and provide the stakeholders with information to make educated decisions.

“The main canal is 53 miles long,” Hazard said. “Plum Creek Reservoir is at mile 46 just upstream of your main distribution area. When water is released and then a rain happens, the water that has been released does not get used.”

Hazard said Plum Creek Reservoir has the capacity to store 470 acre-feet of water. If the canal were to be full upstream of the reservoir to the Merritt Dam release, the canal would contain about 480 acre-feet of water.

“Operationally, it takes 10 to 11 hours after the water is released from Merritt to reach the irrigated area,” Hazard said.

He said he looked at data from the past 10 years to determine how many times historically the irrigation district would have been able to utilize Plum Creek Reservoir to retime water from the canal instead of that water being released downstream and losing it.

Hazard said both 2017 and 2021 had several occasions where water released from the dam was lost due to rain being received and irrigators not needing the water.

“There were at least 35 events over a 10-year span,” Hazard said. “It amounts to about 1,710 acre feet per year on average that could be discharged into Plum Creek Reservoir.”

Hazard said, accounting for seepage loss from the reservoir, utilizing Plum Creek Reservoir to store and retime water to the canal could save the district about .80 of an inch of water per acre per year.

The irrigation district has the ability to release a maximum of 85,000 acre-feet of water each year from Merritt Reservoir.

Hazard presented the group with three proposals for projects that would allow the irrigation district to store water in Plum Creek Reservoir and then release it back into the canal.

The first alternative was constructing a gravity-return into the canal, which Hazard estimated would cost $1.29 million. He said the district would only be able to utilize a small portion of the water stored in the Plum Creek Reservoir with this option, as the elevation would not allow the full storage to flow back into the canal.

A second option would be to construct dual screw pumps to push water back into the canal from the reservoir. This, Hazard said, was his recommended option as it was the most efficient way to return water to the canal. The project would include the construction of two 104-inch augers powered either by diesel motors or electric motors. The screw pumps would allow the district to pump 35,000 gallons per minute back into the canal from the reservoir, amounting to approximately 156 cubic feet per second. When running at capacity, the canal can carry just over 620 cubic feet per second.

He said the screw pump augers would last between 30 and 50 years, with the bearings needed to be replaced approximately every 10 years.

Hazard and board members from both the irrigation district and the Middle Niobrara NRD Board discussed the options for diesel and electric motors to power the screw pumps.

There was not enough electric capacity currently at the site to power the motors, so approximately four miles of three-phase power lines would have to be constructed to the site by the KBR Rural Public Power District to reach the site. The cost to install the power line was approximately $51,000 per mile.

Diesel motors could be installed, but the cost to operate diesel motors would be close to $15,000 annually while the annual cost to operate electric motors was $6,763 annually. The district would save about $8,000 per year over time operating electric motors at the site but would be responsible for an upfront power line installation cost of approximately $205,000.

A third option would construct vertical line shaft turbines to move the water back into the canal at an estimated cost of $3.19 million, which Hazard said he would not recommend for several reasons, including that a large sump would have to be constructed to allow the vertical line shaft turbines to operate, and the vertical line shaft design did not work well when sand and other sediment was present.

When looking at the cost per acre-foot for each of the three alternatives, Hazard estimated the gravity-return canal would cost the district $71.43 per acre-foot of water captured, the vertical line shaft pump would cost $46.23 per acre-foot, with the screw pump alternative costing $42.91 per acre-foot of water salvaged.

The district currently charges $38 per acre-foot of water delivered to customers from Merritt Reservoir up to 16 inches, with the cost at $30 per acre foot above that 16-inch threshold.

There was no action taken by the Irrigation District Board, as Tuesday’s meeting served as an informational session. Selecting a preferred alternative and finding potential funding sources for the project will be discussed at future meetings.

* Council approves Main Street beautification on fourth try

(Posted 7 a.m. March 16)

Following lengthy debate and three failed motions Wednesday, the Ainsworth City Council approved a modified plan for an improved Main Street streetscape that will include trees but removed several planned concrete planter areas.

Engineer Jess Hurlbert with Olsson Associates told the council it needed to get a plan approved so it can be turned in to the Nebraska Department of Transportation and incorporated into the NDOT’s renovation of Highway 7 through downtown Ainsworth.

“The NDOT will leave areas open for the next step of the project, which would include the landscaping and any tree planting,” Hurlbert said. “Things have come a long way since the last time you planted trees on Main Street. There are trees now that minimize the amount of leaves and don’t leave roots that damage the concrete.”

Hurlbert said the goal of the streetscape project is to create a warm and inviting place outside the businesses on Main Street, a place where people feel invited and want to stop.

Councilman Brad Fiala said he had concerns regarding snow removal around the trees and concrete planters included in the original design project, as well as the ongoing maintenance of trees after they are planted.

“I wouldn’t want a tree right in front of my business,” Fiala said. “I would hate that, four years from now, we are back cutting out trees. With snow removal, people have to park both tires up on the curb when snow gets moved to the center of the street. How quickly would we be able to get the snow removed?”

City Administrator Lisa Schroedl said the city utilized the existing Main Street design plan from 2011, which was created with input from the public.

“Downtown revitalization has always been a part of our strategic plan,” Schroedl said. “We knew maintenance would be an issue.”

She said the city planned to install a watering system under the concrete to water any vegetation planted on Main Street.

“There are going to have to be adjustments made,” Schroedl said. “The plan is not to make it harder for anyone. The city may have more of a maintenance burden.”

Main Street business owner John Gross asked the council if the curb elevations would be changed when Main Street is renovated.

“People right now pull up right on to the sidewalk because it is so slick at the curb,” Gross said.

Main Street business owner Clint Painter, who also handles snow removal for a majority of Main Street businesses, said he was all for making Main Street look great.

“Would we still even be able to push snow to the middle of the street if people can’t pull up past the curb to park?” Painter asked. “I have no problem moving snow around some things, but where can we go with the snow?”

Councilman Vance Heyer said it may come down to the city streets crew having to load up snow from the middle of the street at the same time it is being cleared from the sidewalks.

“I don’t think it will overwhelm our staff to do a little ongoing maintenance on Main Street,” Heyer said.

Audience member Greg Soles asked the council if the city planned to clean out the tree grates when they fill up with dirt.

“How much more work is all this going to create for the streets department?” Soles asked.

Schroedl said, every time the city has held a stakeholder meeting, people talk about beautification.

“This plan also adds upgrades to the mini park with restrooms and electrical outlets,” Schroedl said. “This highway plan is a 60-year plan. That is also why we are doing the water and sewer lines. This is an opportunity to make a lasting impact on the community. I think that is worth the investment.”

Councilman Shawn Fernau said he has never seen trees work long term.

“I have talked to the business owners, and a lot of them don’t want them,” Fernau said.

Councilman Dustin Barthel said he believed the trees and cutouts will be a maintenance nightmare.

“I like the colored concrete and the decorative poles,” Barthel said. “I like the minipark upgrades. But, I am not for the trees. I think it would be best to keep it simpler.”

Mayor Joel Klammer said this project was the city’s one chance to make enhancements to Main Street.

“Maybe it is shrubs and a few trees,” Klammer said. “It is a fact of life that it takes work to maintain and make things look nice.”

Audience member Rod Worrell said, the last time trees were planted on Main Street, they were supposed to be there for 10 years, then removed and replaced. The trees also were not supposed to be fruit-bearing, but many were.

“The council changed after 10 years, and those trees were never replaced,” Worrell said. “Some were cut down, but not replaced. Some were left to grow. The council changes every four to eight years. This entire room will change, and the new council won’t know what was planned.”

Heyer said he didn’t believe just putting in new concrete would make the downtown area look inviting.

“We need to make it a place that feels welcoming, a place where people want to move to,” Heyer said. “That is what people are looking for. Most of us grew up here. In order to grow, we need more than that. I am open to options, but I don’t agree with just improving the minipark and putting concrete everywhere else.”

Hurlbert told the council it needed to approve some kind of plan that could be given to the state so it could be included in the bids for the overall project.

“We can work on a few of the finishing details later,” Hurlbert said.

Schroedl said the council needed to approve an overall concept. Items like the types of trees the city wants to plant can be decided later.

Painter said a lot of the business owners had a bad taste in their mouths with what happened the first time trees were planted.

“I don’t want trees, but I can work around them if we can still move snow to the middle of the street,” Painter said. “If we do have an 8-foot area from the buildings to clear the snow, I am happy.”

Worrell said the composition of the businesses on Main Street has changed over the years.

“Ninety percent of Main Street businesses are now service oriented,” Worrell said. “Maybe 10 percent of them are retail.”

Fiala said he was open to the idea of including the 4-by-4 grates, but he was not in favor of including the concrete planter boxes and benches along Main Street.

“That would be a compromise,” Fiala said. “If people don’t like the trees years from now, we can fill in those grates.”

Heyer said he believed the city should include the irrigation and leaving the spots identified in the plan open for upgrades.

“I am willing to work on the type of vegetation, but we need to use this opportunity to do something or we are locked into that decision for 60 years,” Heyer said.

Heyer made a motion to move forward with the streetscape plan that included the irrigation, the tree grates, and the concrete planters and benches. That motion died for lack of a second.

Fiala made a motion to include the tree grates but leave the concrete planters and benches out of the final plan.

“I am ok with the trees, but not the planter walls,” Fiala said. “They would be too difficult to move snow around than just having trees.”

Fiala’s motion died for lack of a second.

Fernau made a motion to keep the beautification plans for the minipark but have only the decorated concrete for the remainder of the Main Street project. Barthel seconded that motion. The council split the vote 2-2, with Fernau and Barthel in favor and Heyer and Fiala voting against. Klammer was tasked with breaking the tie, and voted against Fernau’s motion.

Audience member Graig Kinzie said, following the results of the votes, the council would need to come up with some kind of compromise as the votes weren’t there to pass the full beautification project or to go strictly with concrete.

Fiala said he had bad memories from the past issues the city had with trees on Main Street, but he was willing to compromise and agree to beautify Main Street if it were made easier for snow removal.

Barthel said he has seen plenty of downtown areas that looked nice with decorative concrete and pole lights.

Hurlbert said the original design plan was based off input from public hearings.

“If you vary too much from that, grant funds for the project might not be available,” Hurlbert said.

Schroedl said, when applying for revitalization grants for the downtown project, the council would be required to submit a design study. The study the city currently has incorporates the trees on Main Street.

“The thought was the aesthetics could be captured in a downtown revitalization grant application,” Schroedl said. “The decorative concrete, the lights, the planters and the pole banners can all be included in the grant application.”

Heyer made a motion to substitute the concrete planters and benches with additional tree grates to keep the design spacing uniform. Fiala seconded the motion, saying individual businesses could then place removable planters in front of the buildings if they chose to do so instead of having the concrete planters.

That motion passed by a 3-1 vote, with Barthel casting the lone vote against.

“This was tough,” Fiala said. “We all want to make the city look nice. The citizens are going to have to help be a part of this.”

Painter thanked the council for the thoughtful discussion.

“You all have tough decisions to make,” Painter said.

In other only other agenda item during Wednesday’s special meeting, the council approved the city’s one- and six-year streets improvement plan following a public hearing.

Schroedl said the plan was basically a continuation of the previous year’s plan.

“There were no major adjustments,” she said. “With the highway projects, we don’t have the resources to do more than the North Main project this year.”

Schroedl said the goal was to include another street paving project in the six-year plan after the Highway 20 and Highway 7 renovation projects wrap up.

Fiala said he would like to see the city include Meadville Avenue from the Highway 20 intersection to the irrigation canal as part of its streets improvement plan.

“The county is redoing Meadville Avenue from the canal north,” Fiala said. “It might be a good time to try and have the contractor do that portion as well. It gets a lot of truck traffic, and it is pretty torn up. I would like to see concrete for the first block, then asphalt to the canal.”

Schroedl said the city’s budget this year for projects was all allocated for the North Main Street project.

Fiala said, when the city looks at a paving project, First Street also needed to be a priority as it is an emergency route.

Schroedl said the long-term goal for the city was concrete paving for both First Street and Pine Street.

Heyer said Pine Street was a priority for him. He said the city may receive some funds from the state if Pine Street was damaged while being used as the detour route during the Main Street renovation project.

Following the hearing, the council approved the one- and six-year plan adding the Meadville Avenue project as Fiala requested to the six-year plan.

The next regular meeting of the Ainsworth City Council is scheduled for 5 p.m. April 12.

* Brown County District Court proceedings

(Posted 5 p.m. March 15)

During Brown County District Court proceedings Tuesday, Matthew K. Zimmerman, age 22, of Long Pine was sentenced on two counts after previously entering pleas of guilty to charges of attempted assault on a peace officer and carrying a concealed weapon.

Zimmerman was sentenced to 60 days in jail with credit for three days served on the Class IV felony count of attempted assault, and was fined $800 on the misdemeanor concealed weapons count.

Also in District Court, James Wilson-Parker, 27, of Long Pine, appeared in court on a motion to revoke probation and the court’s order to appear and show cause. A bench warrant was issued for Wilson-Parker’s arrest in the amount of $5,000 cash bond.

* Census increasing, Care Center shows profit in February

(Posted 3:15 p.m. March 14)

There are now 26 residents living in the Sandhills Care Center, and the facility operated in the black during February.

The care center generated $212,716 in revenue during February. Revenue was bolstered by a higher than normal number of resident days paid for through Medicare, which reimburses at a much higher daily rate than both private pay and Medicaid.

Expenses during February were $196,381, leaving the facility with a net profit of $16,334 for the month. Administrator Penny Jacobs said, in addition to the increased Medicare revenue, expenses during February were down due to the fewer days in the month and no paid holidays.

The care center had sufficient cash and accounts receivable to cover expenses, and did not need to borrow additionally from its line of credit.

“We do have a three pay-period month in March, but that won’t be reflected until May,” Board Chairman Phil Fuchs said. “Our census is up, and our Medicare revenue was substantially higher.”

Jacobs said the care center admitted four new residents since the previous board meeting, with three residents discharged from the facility during that time. Of the 26 residents, 13 were paying privately, nine received Medicaid assistance, two received Medicare assistance and one was receiving hospice care.

Jacobs said the $50 daily rate increase for residents paying privately took effect March 1, which brings the private pay rate up to just above the Medicaid reimbursement level.

The administrator reported several students planned to return to work for the facility during the summer months, but the facility was in need of charge nurses and CNAs as well as help in the housekeeping and laundry departments.

“We did hire one new CNA, and we have one new full-time LPN in the works,” Jacobs said.

The board heard a report from Bryce Betke with RuralMED, who conducted a long-term review of the care center’s finances. Fuchs said Betke was brought in to review the care center’s operations and look for ways the facility could streamline.

Betke said, in reviewing the previous five years of operation, 2022 was just a horrible year for the care center, which was not unusual for nursing homes across the state and the country with COVID and a labor shortage.

“The government provided an additional $475,000 in COVID funds to help, but it wasn’t enough,” Betke said. “Your average residents per day went from around 24 down to 19 during COVID. It was just a hard time for residents and staff.”

Betke said resident numbers skewed more heavily toward those on Medicaid, which does not reimburse as well, and the facility had to utilize a substantial amount of contract labor during that period.

With that said, Betke said the care center is beginning to trend in the right direction.

“You have some great trends,” Betke told the board. “Your average residents per day increased from 19 in July to 21 in December, and now your average is 23.7 for January and February. Your average is above 24 for February. You are seeing improvement.”
Betke said a larger number of residents are paying privately, and Medicare resident days have increased.

“Your average cost per day has gone down as the census has increased,” Betke said. “That is another positive. You are on a good track. I know it is only two months, but you are starting a good trend. The goal is for this facility to be able to sustain operations on its own, generating enough revenue to pay for itself.”

Betke said, with the recent 12 percent and second 10 percent increase in Medicaid reimbursement rates, coupled with the facility increasing its private pay rates, the care center needed to average 24 residents per day to be near the break-even point.

Betke said there were specific items with the care center’s operations he would discuss with the board during executive session so as to protect employees.

The next meeting of the Sandhills Care Center Board of Directors is scheduled for 5 p.m. April 10.

* Hafer discusses Monday ACS School Board meeting

(Posted 10:15 a.m. March 14)

Ainsworth Community Schools Superintendent Dale Hafer provided information from Monday’s meeting of the Board of Education.

The audio is located below.

* Brown County Sheriff’s Department weekly summary

(Posted 7 a.m. March 13)

March 5

• Provided traffic control near the intersection of Highway 20 and 432^nd Ave for a cattle crossing.
• Responded to a report of a loose dog on Cedar St in Ainsworth. The dog remained unclaimed for over a week and was placed up for adoption with Live Love Wag.

March 6

• Received a report of a dog bite that occurred to a juvenile in Ainsworth. The dog was current with a vaccine schedule, minimal injury was noted, and no criminal charges were filed by the reporting party.
• Received a report of a threatening statement made from a social media account. This is an ongoing investigation.
• Issued a written warning to a homeowner on Cedar St for city ordinance violations for parking.
• Issued a deadline to a homeowner on Woodward St in reference to city ordinance violations for unlicensed vehicles.

March 7

• The Brown County Ambulance responded to a 911 call in Long Pine. One patient was transported to the Brown County Hospital.  Also on this day, they responded to a senior living facility and transported one patient to the Brown County Hospital.

March 8

• Received a report of a reckless driver near the intersection of 432^nd Ave and Highway 20. Without a vehicle description, deputies were unable to locate the vehicle.
• Received a report of livestock on Highway 20, near 434^th Contact was made with the owner, who promptly removed them from the roadway.
• Received a complaint from the City of Ainsworth in regards to a homeowner on Ash Street in violation of city ordinances for trash, and unlicensed pets. A written warning was issued.

March 9^th

• The Brown County Ambulance responded to a senior living facility and transferred one patient to the Brown County Hospital. The ambulance later transferred this patient from Ainsworth to a Kearney, NE medical facility.

March 10

• Responded to a report of a stolen vehicle near the Ainsworth city limits border. The vehicle was determined not stolen and found present at a scheduled maintenance appointment.
• Received complaints involving neglect/abuse of a horse residing inside Long Pine City limits. This is an ongoing investigation.
• Received a report of loose horses on Highway 20, near mile marker 229. The owner was able to quickly remove them from the roadway.
• Responded to a report of a juvenile suspected to be under the influence while at school. This is an ongoing investigation.
• Received a traffic complaint from 3^rd Street in Ainsworth in reference to excessive acceleration. Deputies were able to locate the vehicle, but unable to perform a traffic stop since the vehicle was parked.

March 11

• Received a report of a suspicious deer carcass found on a property South of Long Pine. All information was transferred to the Nebraska Game & Parks.
• Responded to a report of a suspicious individual in a business parking lot in Ainsworth. One Nebraska female was arrested for driving under the influence of drugs.  She was booked into the Brown County Jail, and later posted bond to be released.

Weekly Summary
5– Burn Permits
16– Incident Reports Were Taken
124– Phone Calls Were Received
1– 911 Emergency Calls Received
2– Titles Were Inspected
4– Handgun Permits Applied For
6– Paper Services Were Served

* NCDC applying for Rural Workforce Housing funds

(Posted 10 a.m. March 10)

The North Central Development Center is in the process of applying for Rural Workforce Housing funds from the state of Nebraska.

The funds, if awarded, are used to construct new housing in the area as well as rehabilitate existing homes. While there is a local match required, the matching amount has been reduced by 50 percent. The NCDC is attempting to raise $500,000 to receive $1 million in funding from the state, which is then used as a revolving loan fund as houses are constructed or rehabilitated and sold.

NCDC Executive Director Kristin Olson visited with KBRB’s Graig Kinzie about the application process and how the funds can be utilized, and also discussed how employers and others can make tax-deductible contributions to the NCDC to help with the local matching requirements.

To hear that conversation, click on the audio link below. For more information on the project, email kbrworkforcehousing@gmail.com, call 402-387-2740 or text 402-760-3834.

* Graff elected as NARD Board vice president

(Posted 1 p.m. March 9)

The voting members of the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts Board of Directors elected new officers during their board meeting March 6.

The NARD Board consists of representation from each of the Nebraska’s 23 Natural Resources Districts. The board meets five times throughout the year and helps guide the association and NRDs in decision making that protects lives, property and the future of Nebraska’s natural resources. The NARD Risk Pool Board governs the health insurance program for NRD employees.

The NARD Board elected Dr. Orval Gigstad from the Nemaha NRD as president. Gigstad has served on the Nemaha NRD Board since 1993 and the NARD Board since 1996.

Marty Graff of Ainsworth, representing the Middle Niobrara NRD, was elected as vice president of the NARD Board. Graff has served on the Middle Niobrara NRD Board 28 years.

Ryan Reuter of the North Platte NRD was elected secretary-treasurer of the NARD Board. Reuter, a sales manager with Betaseed and ACH Seeds, has served on the North Platte NRD and NARD boards since 2018.

Jim Eschliman from the Lower Loup NRD serves as past president of the NARD Board and NARD Risk Pool Board. He served as president from 2020-2022 and has been on the boards since 2016. Eschliman has served on the Lower Loup NRD Board 17 years, is the current chairman, and has also served on the program and projects committee.

* Council approves LB 840 loan, grant applications

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

Acting on recommendations from the LB 840 Loan Committee, the Ainsworth City Council on Wednesday approved a $140,000 business loan and a $10,000 façade grant from its LB 840 program.

City Administrator Lisa Schroedl said the loan committee recommended approval of the $140,000 loan to Winters Millwright to purchase real estate in the city for a business start-up. Schroedl said the business did have the required matching funds secured, and the city would take a position on the building as collateral for the loan.

The façade grant was awarded to Josh and Talia Benson to replace seven windows and a door in a downtown business. Schroedl said the project met the requirements of the façade grant program, which covers 50 percent of the cost of façade improvements up to $10,000.

With Councilman Dustin Barthel absent, the council approved the loan request and the grant application.

In other business Wednesday, the council took no action on a tort claim submitted by Century Link’s parent company against the city totaling $7,425. Schroedl said the city decommissioned a well house near the intersection of Third and Pine streets. During the excavation, a Century Link fiber line was struck.

“We went through the Digger’s Hotline,” Schroedl said. “Their mark was off 3 feet from where the line was actually located.”

Schroedl said, if a digger utilizes 811 and has utilities located, the digger is not responsible if a line is marked incorrectly and then struck.

“I don’t feel the city is at fault as the line was marked incorrectly,” Schroedl said. “Twelve to 18 inches is standard for staying away from a marked line.”

Schroedl said, if the city had not used 811, the city would have been at fault.

“I think we have a pretty good argument that the city is not liable,” the city administrator said.

She said the council could either deny the claim, which would allow the company to file suit against the city immediately if it chose to do so. Or, the council could take no action. After six months, the company could file suit. She said she has visited with the League Association of Risk Management, the city’s liability insurance carrier, about the situation.

The council opted to take no action on the matter.

The council approved a pair of subdivisions Wednesday, one for Cory Griebel to subdivide one parcel into two. Griebel said he sold his house and his shop separately, and the purchaser of the home preferred to have the trees on the property included as part of the parcel that included the home.

Griebel said he had the property surveyed, and both the purchasers of the shop and the home were agreeable to the subdivision.

Schroedl said the subdivision met the city’s zoning regulations, and the council approved the request.

The second subdivision was requested by Casey Jones for property located just east of the Ainsworth city limits but within the city’s 1-mile zoning jurisdiction.

Jones said a 5-acre parcel located east of his former body shop location was being split between the new business owner and the property owners to the east of the parcel.

The council approved that subdivision request as well.

Following a public hearing, the council recommended approval to the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission of a Class D Liquor License requested by Yogi’s Place LLC at the former J’s Keggers location.

After numerous meetings and negotiations back and forth, the council approved a counter proposal from Tower Alliance for leasing space on a tower owned by the city.

In the latest counter proposal, the company increased the upfront payment to the city to $10,000 and agreed to the $8,400 annual payment. However, instead of a 3 percent annual increase, the company put forth a 2 percent increase and added an additional five-year term to the previous proposal, meaning the agreement would extend the lease for five additional five-year terms instead of four.

The council approved advertising for bids to lease 34 irrigated farm acres owned by the city just south of the KBR Solid Waste Transfer Station. Schroedl said the agreement for the land lease was the same as it had been in the past. She said she would advertise for bids, which would be opened during the council’s April meeting.

The council took no action on a renewed law enforcement agreement between the city and the Brown County Sheriff’s Department. Mayor Joel Klammer said the city has continued to have discussions with the sheriff but was not at a point where it was ready to vote on a new agreement.

Councilman Brad Fiala said the sheriff’s department is doing a better job enforcing the city’s ordinances.

During her report, Schroedl said the city sent 35 letters to owners of properties in the city deemed to be vacant and violating city ordinance. She said there were 57 letters sent last year, so there had been efforts by some property owners to rehabilitate and either rent or sell vacant properties.

She said no fines were issued last year, but if those who receive letters this year do not make an effort to address the vacant building ordinance, the city could levy a $250 fine.

The next meeting of the Ainsworth City Council was moved forward one day to Tuesday, April 11, as Klammer said he would be unavailable during the normally scheduled meeting April 12.

* Allen, Stutzman qualify for state speech

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

Class C2-3 District Speech
Team Scores
1. Plainview, 270; 2. Crofton, 212; 3. Summerland, 128; 4. Hartington Cedar Catholic, 112; 5. Bloomfield, 64; 6. Ainsworth, 58; 7. Tie between Burwell and Boyd County, 28.

Ainsworth
Duet Acting – 1. Dakota Stutzman and Taylor Allen (state qualifier)

Serious Prose – 3. Taylor Allen (state qualifier); 5. Dakota Stutzman.

Extemporaneous – 6. Cole Bodeman

Boyd County

Duet Acting – 3. Brooklyn Eckert (state qualifier) and Brynn Almgren

Entertainment – 5. Brynn Almgren

Class D1-3 District Speech
Team Scores
1. Wausa, 330; 2. Creighton, 198; 3. Elgin/Elgin Pope John, 122; 4. Cody-Kilgore, 102; 5. Neligh-Oakdale, 60; 6. Sargent, 52; 7. Rock County, 26; 8. Randolph, 10.

Rock County
Persuasive – 3. Kyra Anthony (state qualifier)

Poetry – 6. Dawson Deibler

* Stuart wins district speech championship

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

Class D2-4 District Speech
Team Scores
1. Stuart, 362; 2. Wheeler Central, 154; 3. Loup County, 88; 4. Mullen, 84; 5. Verdigre, 70; 6. Keya Paha County, 64; 7. Sandhills, 14; 8. Thedford, 10.

Stuart
Entertainment; 1. William Paxton (state qualifier); 3. Maddux Alder (state qualifier)

Extemporaneous – 1. William Paxton (state qualifier) 2. Dawson Heiser (state qualifier)

Informative – 1. Chiana Tubbs (state qualifier) 2. Addisyn Ketteler (state qualifier)

Oral Interpretation of Drama – 1. Benjamin Paxton, Hunter Tubbs, Lacey Paxton and Sydney Estill (state qualifier) 3. Cameron Kaup, Elly Steinhauser, Gavynn Mustin, Megan Karo and Savannah Kramer (state qualifier)

Humorous Prose – 1. Benjamin Paxton (state qualifier); 3. Hunter Tubbs (state qualifier)

Poetry – 1. Lacey Paxton (state qualifier) 2. Savannah Kramer (state qualifier)

Serious Prose – 1. Sydney Estill (state qualifier); 2. Drew Schmaderer (state qualifier)

Persuasive – 1. Chiana Tubbs (state qualifier); 3. Andrew Yemma (state qualifier)

Program of Oral Interpretation – 1. William Paxton (state qualifier); 2. Elly Steinhauser (state qualifier)

Duet Acting – 3. Cameron Kaup and Drew Schmaderer (state qualifier); 5. Benjamin Paxton and Elly Steinhauser

Keya Paha County

Humorous Prose – 2. Elijah Clay (state qualifier) 4. Brenna Caulfield

Informative – 3. Ally Wenger (state qualifier)

Poetry – 3. Elijah Clay (state qualifier)

* Gotschall, Vogel qualify for state speech for West Holt

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

Class C1-5 District Speech
Team Scores
1. Boone Central, 298; 2. Grand Island Central Catholic, 236; 3. West Holt, 154; 4. Centura, 114; 5. Ord, 58; 6. Kearney Catholic, 26; 7. Gibbon, 14.

West Holt
Extemporaneous – 1. Carter Gotschall (state qualifier); 5. Brooklynn Butterfield

Persuasive – 3. Lily Vogel (state qualifier); 5. Maci Nemetz

Duet Acting – 4. Hannah Olson and Teagan Butterfield

Humorous Prose – 4. Abigail Thiele; 5. Mary Hamilton

Poetry – 4. Violet Schwager

Entertainment – 6. Hannah Olson

Informative – 6. Sidney Burkinshaw

Serious Prose – 6. Madysen Kramer

Program of Oral Interpretation – 6. Violet Schwager

* Commissioners approve 1- and 6-year roads plan

(Posted 1 p.m. March 7)

Following a public hearing Tuesday in which no public comment was made, the Brown County Commissioners approved the county’s annual one- and six-year highway improvement plan.

Highway Superintendent Kenny Turpin reported the roads department completed nine projects from the 2022-23 one-year plan, six using its own crew and three projects that were contracted.

“We usually get six or seven projects done, so it was a good year,” Turpin said.

Among the projects completed during the past year were regrading projects on portions of Road 884, 423^rd Avenue, 428^th Avenue and 429^th Avenue.

The roads department resurfaced a northern portion of Meadville Avenue with clay, and replaced a closed bridge with culverts on 430^th Avenue. In addition, the roads department performed overlay work on a portion of the South Pine Avenue asphalt, and changed a gravel road to asphalt on the Canal Road just north of Ainsworth.

The contracted projects completed during the past year were all armor coating projects.

The highway superintendent submitted a list of 20 projects on the 2023 one-year plan.

“Twenty projects is a lot to have on a one-year plan, but I like to have those projects there for flexibility,” Turpin said. “There are some that can only get done depending on the conditions. A lot of them are grading projects to alleviate snow drifting, which we really saw this year.”

The four largest projects on the county’s one-year plan are all on Meadville Avenue, including the replacement of the box culvert with a bridge across Sand Draw Creek. The price tag for that project is more than $2.1 million, for which the county is only responsible for a small percentage.

The commissioners previously approved replacing the asphalt on Meadville Avenue and taking out bonds to pay for the work over a period of time and take advantage of low interest rates. The asphalt overlay of Meadville Avenue was broken into three 2.5-mile segments, with each segment costing approximately $813,000.

Those projects have all been contracted out to private companies, with the county crew assisting with some of the grading and ditch work.

The other major project on the one-year plan is the replacement of a canal bridge on 427^th Avenue at a cost of $133,000.

The one-year plan includes armor coating work on portions of Moon Lake Avenue, Norden Avenue and Road 880. On Tuesday, the commissioners opened two bids for armor coating work. The board approved the low bid of $18,747 per mile submitted by TopKote of Yankton, S.D. Figgins Construction of Red Cloud submitted a bid of $24,265 per mile for the work. Turpin said he planned to armor coat 12 to 15 miles of asphalt roads along those three routes near Johnstown, and may also armor coat the asphalt leading to the Ainsworth Airport.

The remainder of the projects on the one-year plan are gravel resurfacing and grading work.

Some of the major projects on the county’s six-year plan are bridge replacement projects on the Bar 25 Road, 426^th Avenue and 432^nd Avenue.

Turpin said he visits fairly frequently with people inquiring about road improvement projects as he works in the county, but he found it interesting that people don’t attend the public hearing to discuss projects on the one- and six-year plan.

Commissioners Denny Bauer and Jeremiah Dailey told Turpin they both had received compliments from members of the public about the road department’s work clearing snow this winter.

“You guys have done a great job,” Bauer said.

Following the public hearing, the commissioners approved the one- and six-year highway improvement plan as presented.

In another public hearing Tuesday, the commissioners heard no arguments against closing a portion of 438^th Avenue located in Section 19, Township 29 North, Range 20 south of Long Pine.

The bridge on the stretch of dedicated road has been gone for several years and the road is impassable. The commissioners tabled taking action following the public hearing until a resolution on the road closure was prepared. That item will appear on the board’s March 21 agenda.

In other action items Tuesday, the commissioners approved a $5,850 quote from KPE Architecture and Engineering Forensics of Omaha to survey the existing courthouse roof structure and provide the board with a recommendation to either try and repair the existing roof structure or replace it.

The board also approved an agreement with Caleb Johnson to again serve as the county’s budget preparer. Johnson quoted the board $3,500 for that service, an increase of $300 from the previous year.

The next meeting of the Brown County Commissioners is scheduled for 8:15 a.m. March 21.

* Speech team competes in SWC meet

(Posted 7 a.m. March 7)

Six members of the Ainsworth High School speech team who were not competing at the District CDE competition traveled to Cozad Feb. 27 to compete in the Southwest Conference Speech competition. All Ainsworth speakers earned superior ratings, with the lone medalist for the day being Katherine Kerrigan with a sixth-place finish in persuasive speaking. The District C2-3 Speech Contest is scheduled for Wednesday at Plainview.

Individual results: 

Persuasive

Katherine Kerrigan – 6th

Superior Ratings

Duet – Taylor Allen and Dakota Stutzman

Entertainment – Cole Bodeman

Extemp – Cole Bodeman

Extemp – William Biltoft

Humorous – Levi Goshorn

Persuasive – William Biltoft

Serious – Taylor Allen

Serious – Dakota Stutzman

* Brown County Sheriff’s Department weekly summary

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

February 26

• Received a traffic complaint near the intersection of Rauscher Ave and 881^st road involving a vehicle not stopping at the stop sign. The vehicle was later observed stopping at the sign. 
• Issued a written warning for a city ordinance violation on Wilson St for vehicles with expired plates.
• Received a traffic complaint of a vehicle travelling in excessive speeds on 2^nd

February 27

• Released an inmate from the Brown County Jail after serving time towards a court commitment sentence.
• Received a traffic complaint on Highway 183 of a reckless driver. Deputies were able to make contact with the driver.

February 28

• Responded to a domestic disturbance in Ainsworth.
• Responded to a report of a stolen vehicle from Ainsworth. The vehicle was recovered later in the day.
• Received a report of suspicious activity on 2^nd Street in Ainsworth.
• Responded to a report of suspicious activity on Maple St in Ainsworth.
• Provided a welfare check on Elm Street in Ainsworth. The individual was located and reported safe at this time.

March 1

• Received a report of livestock on Highway 20, East of Ainsworth. The owner was contacted and removed them from the roadway.

March 2

• Responded to a civil matter involving a property dispute. This is an ongoing investigation.
• Responded to a juvenile in a mental health crisis.
• The Brown County Ambulance responded to a 911 call in Ainsworth. One patient was transported to the Brown County Hospital, and later transferred to the airport.

March 3

• Booked an inmate into the Brown County Jail to serve time for a court commitment sentence.
• Released inmate from the Brown County Jail after completing a court commitment sentence.
• Received a report of a suspicious vehicle on a property near Long Pine. The property owner was contacted and confirmed the vehicle had access to be on that property.
• Received a report of an accident that occurred on March 2^nd, near the Elm and 4^th Street intersection. No injuries were reported, and both vehicles drove away from the scene. 
• Responded to a report of suspicious activity on the cowboy trail. An individual was found removing spikes from the trail that could cause a hazard to bike tires or a tripping hazard.  The individual was assisted in finishing the removal of the spikes.
• Received a written statement regarding harassment on an Ainsworth individual. This is an ongoing investigation.

March 4

• Provided traffic control at the intersection of Highway 7 and 876^th road for cattle crossing.

Weekly Summary
17 – Incident Reports Were Taken
112 – Phone Calls Were Received
7 – 911 Emergency Calls Received
6- Titles Were Inspected
6 – Handgun Permits Applied For
4 – Paper Services Were Served

* False 911 calls claim active school shooters

(Posted 1 p.m. March 2)

The Nebraska State Patrol received information regarding several false reports of school shootings placed to 911 call centers across Nebraska Thursday morning. There is no credible information that any such school shooting has taken place in Nebraska. Among the schools targeted in the false calls were Valentine, Gering, Columbus, Grand Island, Hastings, Kearney, Lincoln and Omaha.

Earlier this week, the Nebraska Information Analysis Center, a division of the Nebraska State Patrol, provided a bulletin to law enforcement agencies across the state and the Nebraska Department of Education regarding a trend of “swatting” calls that had been reported in several other states this year, including Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Texas, and Vermont. That bulletin advised local agencies to be prepared in the event the calls target Nebraska schools, which is occurring today.

There have been distinct similarities in the calls received by schools in other states, such as the use of voice over internet technology to mask the caller’s identity and location, using or mocking a foreign accent, mispronouncing school or town names, and pretending that they are hiding inside the school themselves.

The Nebraska State Patrol is assisting any local law enforcement agencies and school districts that receive these calls. Anyone with information regarding the origin of these calls is urged to call NIAC at 888-580-6422 or submit an online tip at the NIAC Suspicious Activity Report site https://sars.nebraska.gov.

* Recent cases from Brown County Court

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

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

Sandra S. Nilson, age 53, of Ainsworth, attempting a Class 4 felony, sentenced to one year of probation and ordered to pay $8,100 in restitution; also charged with procuring or selling alcohol to a minor, fined $500; speeding 16-20 mph over the limit, $125.

Karsyn L. Irwin, 24, of Long Pine, barking dog, $100.

Barend J. Engelbrecht, 35, of Winner, S.D., speeding 16-20 mph over the limit, $125.

Edward J. Vodopich, 51, 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.

Patsy-Kay Palmer, 20, of Ainsworth, attempting a Class 4 felony, $1,000; possession of marijuana less than 1 ounce, $300; possession of drug paraphernalia, $100.

Collin D. Jewett, 18, of Long Pine, minor in possession, $300.

Jared J. Kremlacek, 51, of Brandon, S.D., no valid registration, $25.

William B. Downing, 22, of Mitchell, S.D., possession of an open alcohol container in a vehicle, $50.

Amber K. Paulson, 19, of Long Pine, no proof of insurance, $50.

Seann M. Prigge, 20, of Brighton, Colo., speeding 16-20 mph over the limit, $125.

Kate I. Lange, 30, of Denver, Colo., speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $25; possession of drug paraphernalia, $100.

Kiara J. Irwin, 22, of Atkinson, no license on person, $25.

Mariah A. Utter, 28, of O’Neill, 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.

Michelle Hamar, 32, of Bassett, disturbing the peace, no fine levied.

Gregory C. Irwin, 41, of Ainsworth, assault by mutual consent, sentenced to 15 days in jail; misdemeanor false reporting, sentenced to 30 days in jail.

Jose E. Munguia Esparza, 29, of Baytown, Texas, 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.

Tyler W. Cress, 33, of Ainsworth, no valid registration, $25.

Dalton R. Keating, 18, of Cody, speeding 11-15 mph over the limit, $75.

* Louisiana man arrested after shooting near Hartington

(Posted 6:45 a.m. March 2)

The Nebraska State Patrol, with assistance from the Cedar County Sheriff’s Department, is investigating a shooting that occurred Wednesday morning in rural Cedar County, north of Hartington.

The incident occurred at a work site near the intersection of Highway 57 and 885 Road, approximately 1 mile north of Hartington. The Cedar County Sheriff’s Department responded and located a victim with multiple gunshot wounds. Witnesses at the scene were attempting life-saving measures on the victim.

The victim was transported to the Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton where he succumbed to his injuries. The Cedar County Sheriff’s Department requested the Nebraska State Patrol conduct the homicide investigation.

Preliminarily, investigators believe the shooting occurred during a workplace argument between the suspect and the victim. The suspect, identified as David Phillips, 20, of Kenner, Louisiana, was taken into custody by the Cedar County Sheriff’s Department at the scene. Charges are pending.

The investigation remains ongoing. The identity of the victim is being withheld at this time pending notification of family.

* Schuckman discusses winter fish die-offs in area lakes

(Posted 2 p.m. March 1)

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Fisheries Biologist Jeff Schuckman visited with KBRB’s Graig Kinzie Wednesday about the potential for substantial winterkill of fish populations in northern Nebraska.

Schuckman encouraged anglers to report any findings of dead fish on area water bodies, public or private, to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

The conversation can be heard below.

* Thursday fire destroys building, equipment east of Springview

(Posted 10:30 a.m. Feb. 27)

The Springview Volunteer Fire Department battled drifting snow and bitterly cold temperatures to reach the site of a building fire Thursday morning in eastern Keya Paha County.

According to Springview Fire Chief Scott Hallock, at approximately 6:30 a.m. Thursday, a fire was reported in a steel building 9 miles east of Springview on property owned by Springview Farms.
Hallock said the steel building was full of farm equipment, and it took firefighters approximately 45 minutes to reach the scene as trucks had to plow a path through the drifted snow for the firefighters to reach the location.

The fire chief said the temperature was 9 below as firefighters arrived on site. He said the steel building and all the equipment housed inside were a total loss. Firefighters kept the fire from spreading further.

The Nebraska State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the fire. Firefighters were on scene until late Thursday afternoon.

* Area entities receive NDEQ grants

(Posted 7:15 a.m. Feb. 27)

Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy Director Jim Macy announced $7.7 million in grants to support 140 projects across the state. The grants will help fund litter and waste reduction projects, recycling programs, and pay costs for scrap tire cleanups and collections for household hazardous waste, electronic waste, and pharmaceuticals.

“There were many outstanding applications submitted to NDEE this year,” Macy said. “These grants will assist many important local efforts to promote litter and waste reduction and help handle the costs of proper disposal of many materials, such as household hazardous waste and scrap tires.”

Keya Paha County was awarded $64,638 in grant funding to clean up 300 tons of scrap tires.

Keya Paha County Public Schools received a $4,000 grant to reimburse half the cost of rubber mulch it purchased.

The village of Stuart earned a $58,638 grant to clean up 300 tons of scrap tires.

The city of Atkinson received a pair of grants, one for $35,712 to clean up 200 tons of scrap tires in the community, and another for $4,535 to reimburse for 50 percent of the cost of rubber mulch and 25 percent of the cost of playground borders.

West Holt Public Schools received a $49,349 grant to reimburse the school for 25 percent of the cost of a spray-on rubber track surface.

Waste Reduction and Recycling Incentive funds are generated by a fee on solid waste disposed in landfills, an annual retail business sales fee, and a fee assessed on the sale of new tires. Grants are provided to local integrated waste management projects and can include recycling systems, household hazardous waste collections, and composting. For 2023, 26 projects totaling $2.8 million were funded under the Business Fee and Disposal Fee categories.

Also included in the Waste Reduction and Recycling Incentive program are Scrap Tire funds, which are generated from a $1 fee on new tires purchased in Nebraska. In 2023, 68 grants totaling $2.5 million were awarded. These grants will fund 30 scrap tire cleanup events across Nebraska. Enough funding was awarded to cleanup up 6,775 tons of scrap tires. Funds will also be used to partially reimburse the cost of many products made from recycled scrap tires, such as artificial turf football, soccer, baseball and softball fields, athletic running tracks, and playground surfacing.

Litter Reduction and Recycling funds are generated from a fee charged to certain manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers of products that commonly contribute to litter. The program has provided grants annually since 1979. In 2023, 46 litter grants totaling $2.43 million were awarded in the public education, cleanup, and recycling categories. Public education programs educate citizens on litter reduction and recycling through a variety of school and community activities.

Cleanup grants provide funding for Nebraska residents of all ages who pick up litter and debris along Nebraska’s highways, waterways, recreation lands, urban areas, and other public use areas within the state. Not only are the public areas improved through the removal of litter, but much of the material collected is also recycled. Recycling programs provide an alternative to the disposal of solid waste in Nebraska’s landfills.

Priority is given to programs that promote markets for recycled materials or purchasing products made from recycled materials.

* Brown County Sheriff’s Department weekly summary

(Posted 6:30 a.m. Feb. 27)

February 19

• Issued a written warning for expired license plates to a vehicle parked on Elm St.
• The Brown County Ambulance responded to a 911 call in Ainsworth. One patient was transported to the Brown County Hospital.
• The Brown County Ambulance responded to a 2^nd 911 call on this day, near mile marker 236 on Highway 20. One patient was transported to the Brown County Hospital.
• Lastly, for the Ambulance crew on this day they responded to a business in Ainsworth and transported one patient to the Brown County Hospital.
• Responded to a one vehicle deer collision on Highway 183, mile marker 201. No injuries were reported, but the vehicle was towed from the scene.

February 20

• Received a dog at large complaint from 6^th Street in Ainsworth. The dog was caught and taken to the vet clinic, and later picked up by its owner.
• Issued a written warning to a business owner in Ainsworth for a city ordinance violation in regards to overgrown vegetation, and cleaning up of the property.
• Issued a written warning to a homeowner in Ainsworth for cleaning up trash from the property.
• Received a traffic complaint of a vehicle traveling on 2^nd St in excess speed in Ainsworth. Deputies were unable to contact the driver at this time.

February 21

• The Brown County Ambulance responded to a request for a lift assist in Ainsworth. No transport was required at this time.  Also on this day, they responded to a business in Ainsworth and transported one patient to the Brown County Hospital.  Lastly, they responded to a 911 call in Ainsworth and transported one patient to the Brown County Hospital.
• Responded to a request for a welfare check on an Ainsworth citizen. The individual was found and reported safe at this time.

February 22

• Received a report of harassment on an Ainsworth business manager. The information was forwarded to the Nebraska State Patrol for further investigation.
• Received a report of stolen property involving work phones that weren’t returned upon termination of employment. The individuals in possession of the phones were contacted and all stolen property was returned.

February 23

• Received a report of an abandoned vehicle on 431^st A tow truck was called to remove the vehicle.

February 24

• Booked an inmate into the Brown County Jail to serve the remainder of a weekend court commitment sentence.
• The Brown County Ambulance responded to a 911 call from Highway 20, mile marker 228. One patient was transported to the Brown County Hospital.
• Responded to a report of a two-vehicle accident at the intersection of Elm and 4^th Streets in Ainsworth. No injuries were reported, and one vehicle was towed from the scene.

February 25

• Received a report of loose livestock on Paradise Valley Road. The owner was contacted and resolved the issue.
• Provided motorist assistance on 878^th road in reference to a delivery vehicle stuck in a rural driveway.
• The Brown County Ambulance responded to a 911 call at a business in Ainsworth. Upon arrival, the patient refused transport.
• During a traffic stop on Highway 20, mile marker 247, a Minnesota driver and passenger was issued a citation for possession of marijuana over one ounce to one pound.

Weekly Summary
 3-Burn Permits
17 – Incident Reports Were Taken
86 – Phone Calls Were Received
15 – 911 Emergency Calls Received
5 – Titles Were Inspected
3 – Handgun Permits Applied For
3 – Paper Services Were Served

* Game & Parks reports snow cover causing fish die-offs 

(Posted 10:45 a.m. Feb. 24)

Substantial snowfall during the 2022-23 winter season has now claimed less visible victims — countless fish in at least 20 Sandhills and Panhandle lakes.

Low oxygen levels have been recorded in many of the regions’ shallow, highly vegetated lakes, said Al Hanson, fisheries supervisor for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s northwestern district. As anglers are reporting dead plants and fish on their underwater cameras, people making long trips to Sandhills lakes for fishing in the near future likely will be disappointed.

Winterkills can occur when snow is deep, ice is thick and ice is covered by snow for a long time, Hanson said. These variables combined prevent light from reaching the plants below.

“When the photosynthesis stops, imagine that as a big hay meadow down there and all that hay has died,” he said. “As it decays, it creates hydrogen sulfide, reduces oxygen levels, and creates toxic conditions for fish and other aquatic species. Unfortunately, we can’t do anything about it.”

Low water levels from drought have worsened the problem.

Oxygen tests administered by Hanson and his coworkers have found numerous lakes below the level at which fish begin to die, about 1½ parts per million. The list of sites suspected to have significant winterkill include most of the lakes on the Valentine National Wildlife Refuge; Walgren and Cottonwood state recreation areas; Smith Lake, Shell Lake, Avocet, Frye and Defair wildlife management areas; and Smith Lake, Island Lake and Crane Lake on the Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge.

Others, such as Box Butte and Lake Minatare state recreation areas, Whitney Lake wildlife management area, Winters Creek Lake on the North Platte National Wildlife Refuge, were found to have sufficient oxygen levels.

After the ice melts, fisheries staff will conduct surveys to assess winterkill severity. Hanson is hopeful some fish have survived to serve as breeding stock for coming years. Based on survey results, Game and Parks will prioritize lakes that need initial restocking with largemouth bass, bluegills and yellow perch, and hatcheries will do their best to meet demand.

He is optimistic the lakes will recover and offer outstanding fisheries as they have in the past.

“In three growing seasons, we can have perch up to 10½ inches in these lakes. Bluegill get about 7 inches and bass about 12 to 14. We’ll rebound, but it’s not going to be a one-year thing.”

Hanson said this winter is similar to those of 1996-’97, 1984-’85 and 1978-’79, when prior large winterkills occurred.

* Speech team wins home invitational Saturday

(Posted 10 a.m. Feb. 20)

The Ainsworth High School speech team finished fifth Feb. 11 at the Gordon-Rushville Speech Invitational. Several members earned medals, including:

Persuasive Speaking
Katherine Kerrigan – 1st

OID
Tessa Barthel, Katherine Kerrigan, Makenna Pierce, and Brianna Starkey – 4th

Serious Prose
Preselyn Goochey – 6th

Program of Oral Interpretation (POI)
Preselyn Goochey – 5th
Emma Kennedy – 6th

Poetry
Brianna Starkey – 5th

Informative
Hannah Beel – 5th

On Saturday, the team hosted the Ainsworth Invitational. The Bulldogs won the team sweepstakes, and all Ainsworth speakers brought home an individual medal. Individual results:

Duet
Taylor Allen and Dakota Stutzman – 1st

Extemporaneous
Emma Kennedy – 1st
Novice – William Biltoft – 1st

Humorous
Levi Goshorn – 3rd
Novice – Tessa Barthel – 2nd

Informative
Hannah Beel – 1st
Makenna Pierce – 2nd
Novice – Terra Shoemaker – 1st

OID
Tessa Barthel, Katherine Kerrigan, Makenna Pierce, and  Brianna Starkey – 1st

Persuasive
Katherine Kerrigan – 3rd
Novice – William Biltoft – 2nd

Poetry
Hannah Beel – 4th
Novice – Brianna Starkey – 1st

POI
Emma Kennedy – 2nd
Novice – Preselyn Goochey – 1st

Serious Prose
Dakota Stutzman – 1st
Taylor Allen – 2nd
Novice – Preselyn Goochey – 1st

The team will see its last regular-season competition next Saturday at Best of the West in North Platte before condensing into the Conference and District teams.

* Brown County Sheriff’s Department weekly summary

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

February 12

• Booked an inmate into the Brown County Jail to serve a court commitment.
• Responded to a request for a welfare check on infant children in Ainsworth. Both infants were found to be safe at this time.
• Released an inmate from the Brown County Jail, after they posted bond.
• Located and spoke with individuals on Dawes, Osborne, Ash, and Walnut streets regarding city ordinance violations. Each violation was issued a written warning.
• During a traffic stop near mile marker 243 on Highway 20, a North Dakota driver was issued a citation for no operator’s license, possession of marijuana over 1 oz, and driving left of center.

February 13

• Responded to a report of a struck mailbox on Elm St in Ainsworth.
• During a traffic stop at the Highways 183 and 20 Junction, a Nebraska driver was issued a citation for driving under the influence of alcohol 2^nd offense, driving during revocation, no valid registration, no proof of insurance, possession of open alcohol container, and driving left of center. The driver was subsequently booked into the Brown County Jail.

February 14

• Released an inmate from the Brown County Jail after they posted bond.

February 15

• Booked an inmate into the Brown County Jail after they were extradited from Akron, Ohio on a Brown County arrest warrant.
• Responded to a nuisance complaint on Walnut St in Ainsworth. The homeowner was issued a verbal warning and agreed to correct the issue.

February 16

• Assisted Department of Health and Human Services in completing a welfare check at a home in Ainsworth. This is an ongoing investigation.
• Contacted multiple homeowners in Ainsworth regarding City Ordinance violations for expired vehicle registrations, parking complaints, dilapidated buildings, and removal of trash.   

February 17

• Received a report of possible stolen seven head of cow/calf pairs from the Elsmere Road area. This is an ongoing investigation.
• The Ainsworth and Long Pine Fire departments were paged for an equipment fire near the Keller State Park entrance on Highway 183.
• Responded to a request for a welfare check on Elm St in Ainsworth. The individual was found safe at this time.

February 18

• Received a report of an abandoned wrecked motor vehicle near the intersection of 433^rd Ave and 883^rd The vehicle was unable to drive away from the scene and was removed by a tow truck.  A Nebraska driver was issued a citation for leaving the scene of an accident and failure to furnish information.
• Received a report of a vehicle blocking an alley near North Main St. The vehicle owner was phoned and removed it from the alley.

Weekly Summary
7 – Burn Permits
35– Incident Reports Were Taken
104 – Phone Calls Were Received
5 – 911 Emergency Calls Received
2 – Titles Were Inspected
2 – Handgun Permits Applied For
5 – Paper Services Were Served

* Turpin cautions potential for water crossing county roads

(Posted 9:30 a.m. Feb. 17)

Brown County Highway Superintendent Kenny Turpin reported Friday that, in addition to causing muddy roads in the county, the melting snow has caused water to go over the roadway on Road 876 between 429^th Avenue and 430^th Avenue.

Turpin said, with many culverts still full of snow and ice, the potential exists for melting snow to pool and go across additional roadways until the culverts are clear. Drivers are cautioned to watch for areas where water runs across county roadways, and to report those areas to the Brown County Roads Department.

* Care center increases census, borrows from line of credit

(Posted 7 a.m. Feb. 15)

Though the census has increased to 25 residents, the Sandhills Care Center Board of Directors Monday voted to borrow another $53,000 from its previously established line of credit to pay claims due prior to its next meeting.

During January, the care center generated $218,625 in revenue with expenses of $235,948 for a net loss of $17,322 for the month.

However, the care center had $189,268 available in cash and accounts receivable with liabilities due of $241,711, causing the board to approve another $53,000 from the line of credit it has taken out to operate the facility which it will pay for using voter-approved property tax levies that will begin to be collected next year.

Administrator Penny Jacobs said the reason for the disparity between the facility’s $17,322 loss in the January profit-loss statement and the $52,442 shortfall for the claims is the result of some claims being submitted that were from December and other claims that will come due for February prior to the board’s next meeting.

The Ainsworth City Council and Brown County Commissioners voted to allow the care center to borrow up to $450,000 as a line of credit to operate as the additional funds approved by voters begin to arrive. That $450,000 is to last the care center three years. Those funds are to be paid back using the final years of the voter-approved levies, which amount to $200,000 annually for a five-year period. The facility has now borrowed $123,000 from the line of credit.

Jacobs reported the facility has admitted five new residents since the January board meeting, with two deaths and one resident discharged home for a total of 25 residents currently in the facility.

Of those, 12 are paying privately, eight receive Medicaid assistance, four receive assistance from Medicare, and one resident is Medicaid-pending. She said the facility is also working with two families for the potential admission of residents.

Board Chairman Phil Fuchs said the facility is continuing to move forward.

“We were at 21 or 22 residents in December,” Fuchs said. “We have had several admissions since then, and we are gaining ground. That is what is going to get us over the hump, getting to 28 to 30 residents.”

Jacobs said the care center did receive an increase in its Medicaid reimbursement rate in January, and an increased private pay rate goes into effect March 1.

The administrator reported the facility’s temporary director of nursing has accepted the position permanently, but the facility could now use charge nurses, CNAs and help in the dietary and housekeeping departments. She reported the facility hired an LPN and part-time housekeeping and dietary department help during the past month, and has one new CNA who would likely begin employment soon.

In other business Monday, the care center discussed future snow removal, with the county agreeing to remove snow from the front and back driveways and the city removing snow from the streets leading to the facility. Board member Shawn Fernau previously volunteered his snow removal crew to clear the sidewalks at the care center free of charge.

Board member Buddy Small said, if the wind blows the driveways closed after the county clears them, staff can contact Highway Superintendent Kenny Turpin and the county would return.

The board discussed a continued maintenance contract with the Brown County Hospital after the staff member shared by the two facilities resigned. The care center had hired a part-time employee to assist with maintenance at the facility.

Hospital Administrator Mirya Hallock told the board the hospital had hired a full-time replacement, and asked if the care center planned to continue using that person part-time.

Care Center Business Manager Makenzie Crane said her husband would be going back to full-time work soon with the change in season, so his part-time help with the facility would likely not be permanent. The two entities will discuss continuing the contract for a shared maintenance position now that the hospital has a second full-time employee on staff.

The board approved a contract with Ruralmed Management Resources to review the facility’s operation and provide suggestions for cost savings.

Fuchs said the contract would cost the care center between $5,000 and $10,000, depending on the time spent as the contract calls for the facility to pay Ruralmed Management Resources a price of $175 per hour for services.

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

* School Board hears report on after school program

(Posted 7 a.m. Feb. 14)

The Ainsworth Community Schools Board of Education Monday heard an update on the new after school program being offered to kindergarten through eighth-grade students.

After receiving a federal ESSER III grant to establish the program, coordinator Amanda Ganser told the school board Monday 50 students have registered for the program, which runs from 3:30 until 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

“Our average attendance is 24 to 25 students per day,” Ganser said. “It is closer to 30 to 33 per day if you exclude Wednesday, which has church activities.”

Ganser said the after school program is based out of the elementary library, but some groups move to other rooms for activities. She said most activities that are offered follow a weekly theme, and there are three staff members who help run activities most days, with two staff members on Wednesdays.

“Some of the kids otherwise would just be home by themselves until their parents get home from work,” Ganser said.

While the program is open to students in kindergarten through eighth grade, Ganser said a majority of the students are in the second, third or fourth grades.

Elementary Principal Ben Wright said he has been hearing great things from the kids who attend.

“They really look forward to it each day,” Wright said.

Superintendent Dale Hafer said Ganser had done a great job getting the program started and serving as the director.

“We work together on the reporting and data aspects,” Hafer said. “We are using ESSER III funds, so there is quite a bit of reporting required. I am glad we are able to offer this for the kids.”

The board Monday also heard updates from the Nebraska Association of School Boards legislative conference and budget and finance workshop. Board President Brad Wilkins said Gov. Jim Pillen has proposed an additional $1 billion in school funding, including $1,500 per student and additional funding for special education.

Board member Jessica Pozehl, who attended the budget and finance workshop, said she heard some horror stories from other districts.

“We are in good shape here,” Pozehl said.

Hafer said some districts dropped their levies too far and got to the point where they don’t have a cash reserve and can’t pay all their bills.

In action items, the board approved contracts for Luke Wroblewski to serve as the activities director for the 2023-24 school year and for Brenda Konkoleski to fill an opening as a first grade teacher. Hafer said both Wroblewski and Konkoleski were currently working for Keya Paha County Public Schools.

During his report, Activities Director Jared Hansmeyer said the improvements to the Learning Center were 95 percent complete, but they were still waiting on the new sound board.

“There are a lot of cool features, but there is a huge learning curve to run the lights,” Hansmeyer said.

Hafer thanked the Weichman family for making a donation to the school that was used to make the upgrades to the learning center.

Hafer reported the contractor continues to work on finalizing the elementary heating and air conditioning project. He said it has been frustrating as they are still waiting for parts and equipment to finish the mini-split units. Hafer said the contractor plans to provide an update to the board during its March meeting.

The board reviewed the first draft of the 2023-24 school calendar. The final draft of the calendar will be presented during the board’s March meeting.

Hafer reported he initially believed the district only had two or three more days of school that could be missed before needing to make up the time.

However, Hafer said the inventory of course offerings in the high school have been a benefit to the district and there is now less of a concern about completing the required amount of instructional time.

The district is required to conduct 1,080 hours in the high school and 1,032 hours for the first through eighth grades. He said that only results in 150 or so school days to fulfill those hours.

Hafer said instructional hours, instructional units, course credit and statutory requirements all create a complicated system of counting time for every school district, and each district could have unique variables that affect the calculations.

Even with the number of days missed due to the weather, the district is still on track to exceed the required hours.

The next meeting of the Ainsworth Community Schools Board of Education is scheduled for 7 p.m. March 13. The board will hold a strategic planning session at 6 p.m. ahead of the regular meeting.

* Titus wins KBRB Big Game Contest, missing final by just 1

(Posted 12:30 p.m. Feb. 13)

Missing the 38-35 final score by just one point, Atley Titus of Ainsworth was this year’s winner of the KBRB Big Game Call-In Contest.

Titus was the only caller from among the 191 scores submitted to miss the final score by a single point, picking the Chiefs to best the Eagles, 37-35. That missed the 38-35 final by just one point.

Two contestants missed the final by just two points, with Braelynn Rudnick of Ainsworth picking a 39-36 Chiefs victory and Kristin Kinnick of Ainsworth picking the Chiefs to win, 37-34.

Ryan Welke of Long Pine and Suzy Wentworth of Springview each missed the final score by just three points, with Welke picking a 38-32 final and Wentworth taking the Chiefs by a 41-35 score.

Terry Hoke of Long Pine picked a 37-32 Chiefs victory to miss the final score by just four points and take sixth in the contest.

Buck Johnson of Rose (36-30), Shaylor Platt of Bassett (35-31) and Jhett Hansmeyer of Ainsworth (35-31) each missed the final by seven total points to tie for seventh place, and rounding out the winners this year missing the total score by eight points were Dixie DeBolt of Newport (34-31), Shauna Rudnick of Ainsworth (42-39), Sutton Owen of Ainsworth (36-29) and Bryan Kaup of Bassett (41-40).

Winners may pick up their certificates from the KBRB Studios and redeem them at the sponsoring business listed on the certificate.

KBRB thanks callers for each of the 191 scores submitted this year, and a big thank you to this year’s Big Game Contest sponsors, who included:

Red & White Market
First Class Auto
The Ainsworth Elks Club
Ainsworth Flowers & Gifts
Huskerland Communications of Valentine and O’Neill
Buckles Automotive
The Whistle Stop of Bassett
Something Special by Marilyn of Atkinson
Needles and Pins
Nelson Furniture of Valentine
McIntosh Jewelry of O’Neill
G&V’s Market of Bassett
Shamrock Nursery of O’Neill
The Grand Theater
Cast Iron Bar & Grill of Stuart
The Silver Circle
Palmer Embroidery & Boutique
First Stop of Atkinson
Sandhills Lounge of Long Pine
Turp’s Automotive of Bassett
Scott’s Place of Bassett
Circle B Livetock of Bassett
Husker Meats
Ainsworth Motors
The 402 Bar
H&R Food Center
Yogi’s Place
Century Lumber Center
Carquest Auto
Simple Solutions of Long Pine
Long Pine Lumber
Speedee Mart

* One-vehicle rollover accident reported Friday

(Posted 12:30 p.m. Feb. 13)

A one-vehicle accident on Friday south of Ainsworth prompted the response of the Ainsworth Volunteer Fire Department, Raven Volunteer Fire Department and the Brown County Ambulance Association.

According to the Brown County Sheriff’s Department, at approximately 1:45 p.m. Friday on Highway 7 south of Ainsworth near milepost 16, a 2005 Chevy Impala, driven by Madison Inbody, 20, of Ainsworth, was northbound when the vehicle left the roadway and rolled in the west ditch.

No injuries were reported, with volunteer fire departments assisting the Brown County Sheriff’s Department with traffic control. The Chevy sustained moderate damage and was towed from the scene.

* Brown County Sheriff’s Department weekly summary

(Posted 7 a.m. Feb. 13) 

February 5

• Responded to a report of an intoxicated driver on Highway 20. Deputies were able to locate the vehicle near mile marker 227.  The Nebraska driver was issued a citation for driving under the influence of alcohol and booked into the Brown County Jail.
• The Brown County ambulance transported one patient from an Ainsworth address to the Brown County Hospital.
• Confirmed extradition on an active arrest warrant from Brown County. The subject will be transferred from Ohio back to Brown County.
• Responded to a request for a welfare check on the living conditions inside a home. A report was sent to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.
• The Brown County Ambulance transferred a flight crew to the Brown County Hospital to pick up a patient.

February 6

• Booked a subject into the Brown County Jail to serve out court commitments.
• Assisted the Ainsworth Community Schools for fire drill practice.
• Responded to a report of a parking complaint on North Main Street. The driver was contacted and removed the vehicle from the street.
• Received a report of stolen items in Ainsworth. This is an ongoing investigation.
• Received a Nebraska Crime Stopper’s Tip regarding a Juvenile in Ainsworth. A report was sent to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.
• Issued verbal warning for equipment parked near Walnut Street in Ainsworth.
• Received a report involving an Ainsworth resident involved in a phone scam. This is an ongoing investigation.
• Responded to a report of harassment in Ainsworth. A traffic stop was initiated at the Main and 4^th Street intersection.  One Nebraska passenger was issued a citation for open container.

February 7

• Received multiple complaints of an individual walking on 4^th Street in Ainsworth.
• Assisted a Long Pine resident who is involved in a phone scam from an individual claiming they owe money for a DOT number. The caller was advised to contact the Nebraska State Patrol carrier enforcement to report the scam.
• Responded to a report of assault involving 3 individuals at an Ainsworth residence. All 3 subjects filled out written statements regarding the occurrence and a report will be sent to the Brown County Attorney’s office.
• Received a report of suspected animal neglect/abuse in Long Pine. This is an ongoing investigation.
• Received a complaint regarding a vehicle travelling in excess speeds within the city limits.

February 8

• Responded to a request for a welfare check at an Ainsworth home. The individual was found safe at this time.
• Released an inmate from the Brown County Jail after they received a personal recognizance bond.

February 9

• Responded to a civil disturbance on Maple Street in Ainsworth.

February 10

• Received a request for a welfare check on an infant in an Ainsworth home. The infant was found safe at this time.  A report was sent to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.
• The Brown County Sheriff’s Office and Ambulance, Ainsworth and Raven Fire departments all responded to a one occupant, vehicle rollover accident on Highway 7, near mile marker 16. No injuries were reported, the driver refused medical transport, and the vehicle was towed from the scene.
• Responded to a domestic disturbance in Johnstown.
• During a traffic stop on Highway 7, mile marker 27, a citation was issued for speeding 81mph in a 65mph zone.

February 11

• Received a tip regarding a matching car description sighting of an elderly missing couple in Nebraska. Caller was encouraged to report this to the Nebraska State Patrol as sighting was in Loup County and headed South. Dispatcher followed up on tip to ensure was reported.
• Responded to a domestic disturbance in Long Pine.
• Responded to a report of a semi traveling Westbound from Rock County on Highway 20 with a flat tire. A Deputy was able to make contact with the driver at the 4^th and Pine St intersection and assisted locating a tire repair.
• During a traffic stop in Ainsworth near the Ulrich and 2^nd Street intersection, a Nebraska driver was booked into the Brown County Jail for driving under the influence of alcohol.

Weekly Summary
15– Burn Permits
22– Incident Reports Were Taken
157– Phone Calls Were Received
9 – 911 Emergency Calls Received
2 – Titles Were Inspected
3 – Handgun Permits Applied For
8– Paper Services Were Served

* Swanson among those elected to state chamber board

(Posted 6:45 a.m. Feb. 10)

The Nebraska Chamber of Commerce welcomed a new chair and 17 new members to its Board of Directors during its annual meeting last week. Ryan Parker, President & CEO of Endicott Clay Products Co. of Fairbury, will serve as chair for the 2023 term.

“I’m excited to get going this year and help find new ways to accelerate our state,” Parker said. “Workforce, tax modernization and statewide innovation are front and center for our members. We are focused on addressing these challenges and unleashing economic growth.”

Among the new members on the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce Board are:

Dennis Swanson, President, Sandhill Equipment, Bassett, serving as District Representative

Kyle Arganbright, Executive Vice President and Co-Founder, Sandhills State Bank, Valentine, serving as District Representative

Nicole Sedlacek, Economic Development Manager, Nebraska Public Power District, O’Neill, serving as Economic Development Council Chair

“Our board is made up of individuals with a track record of leadership, both in their companies and in their communities, and a passion for the Good Life,” Chamber President Bryan Slone said. “We’re fortunate that they are volunteering their time and talent to help keep our businesses competitive and growing.”

New board members are nominated by the current board and elected by the broader Nebraska Chamber of Commerce membership. Board members promote economic growth across the state and establish the association’s policies with input from members and 12 councils.

* Council approves subdividing apartment complex

(Posted 7 a.m. Feb. 9)

Following a public hearing Wednesday, the Ainsworth City Council approved the subdivision of an apartment complex on the west side of the city, allowing the owners to market and sell each unit separately as opposed to continuing to rent the units.

Requested by H&S Partnerships of Omaha, the subdivision takes the entire complex and breaks it into 18 separate parcels, 12 housing units and six garages.

City Administrator Lisa Schroedl said the consensus of the Ainsworth Planning Commission was that the subdivision request met city regulations, but the commission had questions regarding two units having shared roofing, siding, sewer lines and lawn maintenance.

Michael Sands, an attorney representing the company, appeared by phone to discuss the request. Sands said the owners would like to subdivide and market the units for sale individually instead of having a single parcel.

Sands said H&S Partnerships would form a homeowners association prior to any individual units being sold. The homeowners association would create covenants regarding roofing and siding maintenance and repair, sewer line repair and the other issues of concern.

When asked about the current tenants living in the complex, Sands said the easiest transition would be for current tenants to purchase the unit they live in. Each unit would be marketed and listed for sale.

“People could buy units as investment properties, so some could still be used as rentals,” Sands said.

Schroedl said if the council found the written plan for the homeowners association acceptable, that addressed any concerns shared by the Planning Commission.

Following the hearing, the council approved the subdivision, with the one parcel becoming 12 distinct living spaces and six separate garages.

In an old business item Wednesday, Mayor Joel Klammer reported the council received a response from the Nebraska Department of Transportation regarding the city’s request that Pine Street to Road 877 be used as the detour route for Highway 7 during the 2024 renovation of Main Street as opposed to using Oak Street to South Street.

Klammer said the NDOT indicated it would plan to use the city’s recommended Pine Street route, but would cap the repair costs it would pay if the detour route is damaged to the estimate the NDOT determined for the shorter Oak Street route.

In another item discussed during several meetings, the council Wednesday approved the latest counter offer from American Tower Alliance for the lease of a tower owned by the city.

Klammer said City Attorney Michael Sholes recommended approving the lease extension as the one-time buyout payment offered by the company was fairly low.

Klammer said the company offered the city a one-time payment of $61,000 for a perpetual lease, or offered the city $8,400 annually with a 3 percent annual increase and a one-time upfront payment of $7,500 for the city to agree to extend the current lease that expires in 2036 by an additional 20 years.

The council approved the proposal extending the current lease.

Doug Louden with Olsson Associates provided the council with updates on the water, sewer and paving project for Main Street to coincide with the renovation of Highway 7 by the NDOT.

Louden said the north end of the project from Highway 20 north to the treatment plant was ready to go out for bids.

“We have the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy’s approval on the north portion of the project, so we are essentially ready to go out for bids and find a contractor,” Louden said.

Louden said the plan is to get the new sewer line buried deeper, which requires the new line to run all the way to the city treatment plant. The north portion of the project includes water and sewer line replacement, followed by new paving on North Main Street. Louden said the bids request contractors to provide bids for both asphalt and concrete paving.

The council approved allowing Olsson Associates to request bids for the project. Louden asked the council if it would be possible to either postpone its March meeting a week or hold a special meeting to review and potentially award the bids, as there was not enough time to advertise and have the bids opened and reviewed prior to the next council meeting March 8.

The council indicated it would plan hold a special meeting March 15. Louden said the plan would be to undertake the northern portion of the project this year before the NDOT begins the Highway 7 renovation in 2024.

The city received a Community Development Block Grant to assist with the cost of paving the portion of the project north of Highway 20 and received loans from the NDEE for the water line and sewer line replacements.

The council approved resolutions accepting the terms for the loan agreements with the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy for the water and sewer line replacements.

The loan for the sewer line is for $2 million, with the NDEE forgiving $810,000 of that amount after 10 years. The water line loan is for $1.5 million, with $675,000 of that total forgiven.

Schroedl said the loan forgiveness kicks in after 10 years of the 30-year notes, with 40 percent of the total loan amount, about $1.5 million of the $3.5 million, forgiven.

Councilman Brad Fiala said the loan to replace the lines under Main Street should not force the city to have to raise rates.

Schroedl said the city should be able to service this note, as there is a water bond that expires in 2024 that opens up the city’s ability to service the debt.

“The CDBG funds have been awarded, so we are now good to go on the north portion of the project,” the city administrator said.

Austin Vachal with Olsson Associates provided the council with plans for the landscaping of Main Street to coincide with the NDOT’s renovation project in 2024.

Vachal said most of the streetscape improvements include decorated sidewalks and curb and brushed concrete on the crosswalks.

Vachal said a sign welcoming travelers to Ainsworth would be installed a the Highway 20 intersection with Main Street, and a smaller monument would be placed on the south end of Main Street.

Trees would be interspersed along Main Street from the Cowboy Trail to the Highway 20 intersection using metal grates to incorporate them into the concrete, and native grasses would be placed in planters on the south end of the project.

Fiala asked if all handicap spaces would have ramps onto the sidewalk. Vachal said they would, and all parking aspects of the renovation project were being handled by the NDOT.

Councilman Dustin Barthel asked if the renovation and curb and sidewalk improvements would be wide enough to allow vehicles to park on Main Street when snow is piled into the center of the street.

“This looks like you won’t be able to park on Main Street or we can’t pile snow in the middle of the road,” Barthel said. “It is a good idea, but if the city piles snow on Main Street, people won’t be able to park up on the curb like they do now.”

Schroedl said the city may have to adjust how it removes snow from Main Street, with the council agreeing the current winter was an outlier for the amount of snow the city was forced to remove.

Fiala said he hoped the renovation also improved the flow of water on Main Street.

“I hope it no longer pools up and people have to get out in a big puddle,” Fiala said.

No action was taken on the landscaping portion of the project at this point, as the plans were not finalized.

In other action items, the council approved a bid from Topkote Inc. of South Dakota for armor coating city streets. The cost to armor coat streets increased from $1.11 per square foot to $1.60 this year.

“The price did increase significantly, which is not a surprise,” Schroedl said.

She said the city typically budgets $65,000 for armor coating work, so this year the city may armor coat 26 blocks instead of 28 to 30 blocks.

“I think the streets department is in for a hellacious spring of patching streets after this winter,” Schroedl said.

She said the city typically has a rotation for armor coating streets, but can adjust if some streets need substantial patching work.

The council approved participating in a nationwide water sampling project that looks to identify the presence of PFAS (per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in municipal water supplies.

Schroedl said the sampling is precautionary, and there is no known risk to the city’s water supply.

PFAS was a chemical used in fire suppressants. Nationwide, there is concern the substance might seep into drinking water if present in a high enough amount. She said the sampling is a preventative measure being undertaken in all 50 states.

“The initial sampling just gives data back to the Legislature,” Schroedl said. “There is no cost to the city to participate.”

Water Superintendent Brad Miller said the chemical does not break down, and the government was potentially going after the global manufacturer of the chemical if issues were found.

Should any municipal water system confirm the presence of the chemical, there are funds available for remediation.

Louden said PFAS was used in a lot of products, including no-stick chemicals like Teflon. However, the presence of the chemical in fire suppressant was the biggest concern.

The council approved participating in the water sampling project.

The council discussed a continued law enforcement agreement with the Brown County Sheriff’s Department. The previous agreement expired June 30, 2022, and the city has just been paying the county the same monthly rate for law enforcement coverage until the newly elected sheriff had a chance to weigh in on a new agreement.

Klammer said he and council members Brad Fiala and Vance Heyer met with Sheriff Brent Deibler and the county attorney regarding the law enforcement agreement.

Fiala said the city discussed code enforcement and a better reporting system.

“For the kind of money we are paying, we weren’t getting much information on how they were providing enforcement of our ordinances,” Fiala said. “We want to see that the deputies know our ordinances and enforce them when they see violations, not just enforce them only after a complaint is received.”

Fiala said, after the initial discussion with the sheriff’s department, he believed the reporting to the council will be better moving forward.

Klammer said the city pays a little less than half of the entire sheriff’s department budget, and the contract increased by 35 percent over the past three years.

“This costs the city about $23,000 per month,” Klammer said. “Both sides agreed this would be a one-year contract. The goal is to have something for the council to discuss and approve in March. The agreement is a benefit to both the city and the county.”

Schroedl said the sheriff’s department insures there is always an officer covering Ainsworth if an officer gets called out to another part of the county.

Heyer said the council needs to know that it is getting the service it is paying for.

“There needs to be accountability,” Heyer said. “There has been no accountability previously on what the city’s dollars are being used to do.”

During her report, Schroedl said the city had been named as a defendant in a lawsuit along with Ainsworth Community Schools. She said the suit concerns an individual from out of town who apparently fell on a sidewalk at the school last year.

Schroedl said LARM is formulating a response to the suit for the city, and she would keep the council updated.

Klammer said, in his opinion, it was a baseless claim.

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

* KBRB’s Big Game Contest kicks off Wednesday

(Posted 10 a.m. Feb. 7)

The annual KBRB Big Game Call-in Contest begins Wednesday morning. It is a chance to call in your score of the big game between the Eagles and the Chiefs.

KBRB has extended the contest to Wednesday this year, and will take calls from 8:30 until 9 a.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. There will not be an afternoon call-in this year.

The contest is limited to one score per person, and two scores per call. Those picking the winning team closest to the actual score will be in the mix for hundreds of dollars in gift certificates from our Big Game Contest sponsors.

Gift certificates will be awarded to:
Red & White Market
First Class Auto
The Ainsworth Elks Club
Ainsworth Flowers & Gifts
Huskerland Communications of Valentine and O’Neill
Buckles Automotive
The Whistle Stop of Bassett
Something Special by Marilyn of Atkinson
Needles and Pins
Nelson Furniture of Valentine
McIntosh Jewelry of O’Neill
G&V’s Market of Bassett
Shamrock Nursery of O’Neill
The Grand Theater
Cast Iron Bar & Grill of Stuart
The Silver Circle
Palmer Embroidery & Boutique
First Stop of Atkinson
Sandhills Lounge of Long Pine
Turp’s Automotive of Bassett
Scott’s Place of Bassett
Circle B Livetock of Bassett
Husker Meats
Ainsworth Motors
The 402 Bar
H&R Food Center
Yogi’s Place
Century Lumber Center
Carquest Auto
Simple Solutions of Long Pine
Long Pine Lumber
Speedee Mart

* Ainsworth competes in West Holt Speech Invite Saturday

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

After having a week off due to winter weather, the Ainsworth High School Speech Team was back in action on Saturday at the West Holt Invitational.

This meet offered the Ainsworth team a glimpse at some of the competition they will encounter during districts.

Of the 18 teams competing at the varsity level, Ainsworth placed eighth. On the novice side, Ainsworth placed sixth out of 11 teams. The team will compete in the Gordon-Rushville Invitational Saturday, which was rescheduled from January 28.

Ainsworth individual medal winners:

Varsity
Serious Prose
Dakota Stutzman – 5th
Taylor Allen – 6th

Entertainment
Cole Bodeman – 6th

Duet Acting
Taylor Allen & Dakota Stutzman – 3rd

Novice
Informative
Terra Shoemaker – 5th

Extemporaneous
William Biltoft – 2nd

Poetry
Brianna Starkey – 1st

* Area students complete education at Northeast

(Posted 8:15 a.m. Feb. 6)

Northeast Community College saw 253 students complete their degree, diploma or certificate programs in the summer and fall 2022.

The names of the students will be listed in the program during the college’s commencement ceremony in May.

Area students completing their education at Northeast Community College are:

Ainsworth

Kaitlin Pozehl, an Associate of Arts degree

Dylan Graff, an Associate of Applied Science degree in business

Stuart

Jenny Forker, an Associate of Arts degree

Jason Fahrenholz, a certificate in information technology

Atkinson

Jazmyne Neal, an Associate of Applied Science degree in early childhood education

Monique Lange, a certificate in drug and alcohol counseling

Naper

Gina McCarthy, an Associate of Applied Science degree in administrative professional

Butte

Samanda Pickinpaugh, a diploma and a certificate in health information management systems

Valentine

Brianna Henkenius-Laleff, an Associate of Applied Science degree in early childhood education

* Brown County Sheriff’s Department weekly summary

(Posted 7:45 a.m. Feb. 6)

January 29

• Provided a civil standby for an individual to collect personal belongings after they were served a protection order.
• Booked an inmate into the Brown County Jail to serve one day of their court commitment sentencing.

January 30

• The Brown County Ambulance was paged to provide lift assistance in Ainsworth, no transport to the hospital was needed at this time.
• Received a report of a stuck vehicle blocking the roadway on Meadville Ave. The Brown County road department moved the vehicle off the road.
• Released an inmate from the Brown County Jail for serving one day towards their court commitment.

January 31

• Received a report of excessive dog barking from 7th Street in Ainsworth. The owner was contacted to resolve the issue.
• Responded to a report of a neighbor dispute near North Main St.
• Received a request for a welfare check on a juvenile in Ainsworth. The juvenile was located and reported safe at this time.

February 1

• Released an inmate from the Brown County Jail after receiving a personal recognizance bond for protection order violation.
• Responded to a neighbor dispute on North Main St.
• Responded to a report of a neighbor dispute in Long Pine. Both parties were contacted, and no citations were issued at this time.
• Responded to a report of littering in Long Pine. One male subject was issued a verbal warning.

February 2

• Responded to a report of stolen property from a vehicle in Ainsworth.

February 3

• Provided traffic control for a cattle crossing on Highway 7, near the 876th intersection.
• Received a report involving two male subjects that had a physical altercation while at their place of work. Statements were received from both parties and a report will be sent to the Brown County Attorney’s office.
• During a traffic stop on Highway 183, mile marker 193, a citation was issued to a South Dakota driver for speeding 82mph in a 65 mph zone.
• The Brown County Ambulance were paged and transported one patient from Ainsworth to the Brown County Hospital.

February 4

• During a traffic stop on Highway 20, near mile marker 246, a New York driver was issued a citation for speeding 94 mph in a 65 mph zone.
• Received a request for a welfare check on a female subject in Johnstown. The individual was found and reported safe at this time.
• Two warnings for speeding and a warning for driving on the shoulder were also issued on this day during traffic stops.
• Received a report of cattle out on Norden Ave. Owner’s were contacted and removed them from the roadway.

Weekly Summary
14– Incident Reports Were Taken
103 – Phone Calls Were Received
4 – 911 Emergency Calls Received
4– Titles Were Inspected
5– Handgun Permits Applied For
1 – Paper Services Were Served

January Summary
2 – Accidents
6 – Arrests
79– Calls for Service
9– Citations were issued
0 – Defect Cards issued
12– Handgun permits issued
18 – Paper Service served
617 – Phone calls were received
54 – 911 emergency calls received
13 – Titles inspected
6– Verbal & Written Warnings issued

* Area students named to UN-L Deans’ List

(Posted 7:15 a.m. Feb. 3)

More than 6,900 University of Nebraska–Lincoln students have been named to the Deans’ List for the fall semester of the 2022-23 academic year.

Qualification for the Deans’ List varies among the eight undergraduate colleges and the Explore Center.

Area UN-L students named to the fall semester Deans’ List are:

Ainsworth

• Megan Jo Appelt, senior, Dean’s List, College of Education and Human Sciences, nutrition and health sciences.
• Rebecca Anne Taylor, senior, Dean’s List, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, environmental science.
• Libby Wilkins, freshman, Dean’s List, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, agricultural leadership, education and communication.
• Samuel Duane Wilkins, senior, Dean’s List, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, agricultural economics; Dean’s List, College of Engineering, agricultural engineering.

Long Pine

• Logan Kenneth Hafer, sophomore, Dean’s List, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, biochemistry.

Bassett

• Jillian Mckenna Buell, sophomore, Dean’s List, College of Journalism and Mass Communications, advertising and public relations.

Wood Lake

• Ty Schlueter, freshman, Dean’s List, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, agricultural economics.
• Shyanne Dawn Urbin, junior, Dean’s List, College of Engineering, biological systems engineering.

Stuart

• Sadie Jarecke, freshman, Dean’s List, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, agricultural leadership, education and communication.
• Cameron Sattler, freshman, Dean’s List, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, animal science.
• Morgan Wallinger, junior, Dean’s List, College of Business, accounting and agribusiness.

Atkinson

• Emma Alder, freshman, Dean’s List, Explore Center, pre-health.
• Grace Alder, freshman, Dean’s List, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, biochemistry.
• Lindsey Kate Jelinek, junior, Dean’s List, College of Education and Human Sciences, elementary education.
• Luke Olson, freshman, Dean’s List, College of Business, finance.
• Will Thiele, senior, Dean’s List, College of Education and Human Sciences, secondary education.

Butte

• Melissa Marie Sextro, senior, Dean’s List, College of Arts and Sciences, English.

Valentine

• Sarah Butler, freshman, Dean’s List, Explore Center, pre-health.
• Logan Michael Cate, junior, Dean’s List, College of Business, supply chain management.
• Dillion Muirhead, senior, Dean’s List, Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts, emerging media arts.
• Ryan OKief, junior, Dean’s List, College of Business, finance.
• Kaylee Wenig, sophomore, Dean’s List, College of Architecture, architectural studies.

* Duester wins Ainsworth Spelling Bee Wednesday

(Posted 3:15 p.m. Feb. 1)

Correctly spelling the words “conifers” and “maneuverable,” seventh-grader Graham Duester won this year’s Ainsworth Community Schools Spelling Bee for students in the fifth through eighth grades.

Duester outlasted 19 other spellers, with sixth-grade student Gracyn Sisson finishing second and fifth-grade student Isabelle Arens placing third.

In the fourth-grade spelling bee, Tristan Sedlacek correctly spelled the words “bargain” and “rainforest” to win age group. Landre Stephen finished second, followed by Diego Godoy-Gramajo in third.

Sophia Schroedl spelled “shook” and “motion” to win the third-grade spelling bee, with Gracie Gillespie placing second and Isabella Pike third.

In the second-grade contest, Kalli Kempcke correctly spelled “write” and “charm” to win the championship trophy. Rowan Alberts placed second and Henry Mashburn third.

Bently Mashburn spelled “awake” and “shell” to win the first-grade spelling bee, with Keegan O’Hare placing second and Jazzlyn Navarro third.

* Registration still open for ACS after-school program

(Posted 7 a.m. Jan. 31)

The Ainsworth Community Schools after-school program is underway. Registration is still open for the no-cost after-school program. Students begin the session with a snack and a brain puzzle, then have a choice of activities for the remainder of each session.

Sessions have included making soap and homemade ice cream, drumming, building marble runs, playing board and card games, breaking out of boxes with locks, coloring, exercising, singing karaoke, playing musical chairs, playing name that tune, composing original music on iPads and laptops, puzzling and cutting out snowflakes

Each week there is a theme that many of the activities revolve around. The after-school program runs Monday through Thursday each week on days regular school is in session. To register a student for the program, go to the school’s web site for a registration form or call the school.

* Ainsworth FCCLA competes in STAR event

(Posted 7 a.m. Jan. 31)

On January 25, the Ainsworth FCCLA chapter traveled to Boyd County for the District 9 STAR competition. “STAR, Students Taking Action with Recognition, Events are competitive events in which members are recognized for proficiency and achievement in chapter and individual projects, leadership skills, and career preparation.”

The Ainsworth chapter ended the day with seven medals and three state qualifiers. The state qualifiers, including Willa Flynn, Kiley Orton and Korah Dunbar, will present their STAR projects during the State Leadership Conference at Lincoln April 3. 

Ainsworth Results
Entrepreneurship: Willa Flynn – District Champion; Gold
Career Investigation: Kiley Orton – District Runner-Up; Silver
Career Investigation: Korah Dunbar – District Runner-Up; Gold
Professional Presentation: Emma Kennedy; Silver
Professional Presentation: Chloe DeBusk and Allison Cole; Bronze
Professional Presentation: Kinsey Walz; Bronze
Focus on Children: Addison Held, Kenley Welke and Jaylee Good; Bronze

* Brown County Sheriff’s Department weekly summary

(Posted 9:15 a.m. Jan. 30)

January 22

• A written warning and a citation for speeding 45mph in a 35mph zone were issued during traffic stops on Highway 20.
• Received a report of a civil matter regarding the return of property in Long Pine. The owner of the property was able to civilly pick up their items.
• The Brown County Ambulance responded to a 911 call. Upon arrival, transportation was refused.  They also responded to a 2nd 911 call on this day, and transported one patient to the Brown County Hospital.
• Released an inmate from the Brown County Jail after they served 2 days of their court commitment.
• Booked an inmate into the Brown County Jail to serve partial time for a court commitment.

January 23

• The Brown County Ambulance responded to a rural address, near mile marker 22 on Highway 7. One patient was transported to the Brown County Hospital.
• Received a report regarding unsafe living conditions in an Ainsworth home. This is an ongoing investigation.
• Received a report of a civil matter of possible tampering with equipment and suspected stolen items. The caller was advised to fill out a statement form and to transfer video footage and pictures for further investigation.
• Responded to a disturbance near 4th St and Ash St regarding multiple suspects not allowing a business to close. When deputies arrived the suspects left the business amicably.

January 24

• Responded to a report of a disturbance on North Main St in Ainsworth. One female was issued a written warning for disturbing the peace.

January 25

• No reportable news.

January 26

• Provided traffic control on Highway 183 for a cattle crossing, near mile marker 200.
• Made contact with a vehicle owner that was left abandoned in the ditch along Highway 20, near mile marker 247. The owner complied and removed the vehicle.
• Responded to a request for a welfare check in Ainsworth. The individual was reported safe at this time.
• Released an inmate from the Brown County Jail after serving 17 days for a court commitment.
• Provided traffic control for a cattle crossing on Highway 7, near mile marker 42.
• Responded to a report of suspected harassment in Ainsworth. The suspect was not able to be located at this time, and no further issues have occurred since the initial report.
• Received a report from an Ainsworth business involving the theft of money from a former employee. This is an ongoing investigation.
• Responded to a request for a motorist assist near the 9A and Highway 20 junction. The motorist driving a semi and trailer lost a set of duals, and they were able to be recovered from the ditch.
• Responded to a request for a welfare check on Elm St in Ainsworth. The individual was reported safe at this time.
• Received a list of vehicles from the City of Ainsworth that needed removed from the street to complete snow removal. Everyone on the list was contacted and issued a written warning.
• Responded to a report of a domestic disturbance on Woodward St in Ainsworth. A citation was issued to a male subject for committing child abuse negligently with no injury.  A report will be sent to the Brown County Attorney’s office.
• The Brown County Ambulance responded to a 911 call in Ainsworth. One patient was transported to the Brown County Hospital.

January 27

• Received a report of suspicious activity at an apartment complex in Ainsworth. No criminal activity was found at this time.
• Provided traffic control on Highway 20 for a cattle crossing, near mile marker 244.
• Issued a citation for excessive barking on Pine Street to the dog owner after receiving numerous complaints.
• A loose dog was brought into the Sheriff’s Office. The dog was transferred to the Ainsworth Vet Clinic.  The dog was later claimed by its owner.
• Received a report of suspicious activity from an Ainsworth business.

January 28

• Responded to a report of an abandoned vehicle in the Long Pine State Park. The owner was contacted to remove the vehicle.
• The Brown County Ambulance responded to a Main St business and transported one patient to the Brown County Hospital.

Weekly Summary
26 – Incident Reports Were Taken
150 – Phone Calls Were Received
12 – 911 Emergency Calls Received
3 – Titles Were Inspected
0 – Handgun Permits Applied For
3 – Paper Services Were Served

* Northeast Community College names Dean’s List students

(Posted 6:45 a.m. Jan. 30)

Northeast Community College released its President’s Honor List and Deans’ 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 Deans’ Honor List must have earned a grade point average of 3.75 or above and be enrolled for at least 12 credit hours.

Those named to the President’s Part-Time list attained a 4.0 grade point average while taking at least six credit hours, and students named to the Deans’ 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, Fall 2022
Atkinson – Ellie Burkinshaw, Nacesha Zahnd.
Springview – Ryan Painter.
Stuart – Jason Fahrenholz, Jenny Forker, Lexi Schroder.

DEANS’ HONOR LIST-Full-time, Fall 2022

Ainsworth – Madelyn Goochey, Kaitlin Pozehl, Saylen Young.
Atkinson – Reghan Kerkman.
Bassett – Katherine Gurnsey.
Butte – Kannin Ellwanger.
Long Pine – Oren Pozehl.
Stuart – Wade Paxton.
Valentine – Renee Fisbeck, Hayden Larabee, Becca McGinley.

PRESIDENT’S HONOR LIST—Part-time, Fall 2022

Ainsworth – Ally Conroy, Emma Sears, Brianna Starkey, Dakota Stutzman.
Atkinson – Ella Goeke-Schulte, Leah Jockens, Isaac Pistulka, Madeline Rentschler, Abigail Thiele, EmiLee Walnofer.
Bassett – Brooklyn Buell, Taylor Fales, Olivia Micheel, Mariah Ost, Tatelyn Smith, Gracie Swanson.
Long Pine – Jennifer Brown, Allie Cosgrove, Korah Dunbar.
Naper – Paige Drueke, Natasha Zeisler.
Springview – Hannah Linse, Beth Rutar.
Stuart – William Paxton, Chiana Tubbs.

DEAN’S HONOR LIST Part-Time, Fall 2022

Ainsworth – Ian Finley, Cameryn Goochey, Makenna Pierce.
Bassett – Bralee Jepsen, Garrett May.
Butte – Lanie Lechtenberg.
Long Pine – Makenzy Cheatum.
Naper – Jacob Corrado.
Springview – Heather Hespe.
Stuart – Mackenzie Kaup.

* Nebraska jobless rate ticks upward in December

(Posted 2:30 p.m. Jan. 26)

The unemployment rate in Nebraska ticked upward in December to 2.6 percent, up 0.1 percent from November’s 2.5 percent rate and up 0.3 percent from December 2021’s rate of 2.3 percent.

Nebraska’s unemployment rate is the sixth lowest in the country. Utah had the lowest unemployment rate in December at 2.2 percent, just ahead of the 2.3 percent jobless rates of North Dakota and South Dakota. Florida and Minnesota tied for the fourth-lowest rate in the country at 2.5 percent, with Nebraska matching Vermont for the sixth-lowest rate.

“Nebraska has seen a 3 percent increase of nearly 31,000 nonfarm jobs over the year,” said Commissioner of Labor John H. Albin. “This is the largest December to December growth since 1984.”

December’s nonfarm employment is down 1,301 over the month and up 30,880 over the year. Private industries with the most growth month to month were financial activities (up 1,088); manufacturing (up 440); and trade, transportation, and utilities (up 363). Private industries with the most growth year to year were mining and construction (up 6,481); leisure and hospitality (up 5,041); and trade, transportation, and utilities (up 3,933).

The state added 657 people to its labor force between November and December, with 1,064,029 either employed or seeking employment. The 1,036,683 people working in non-farm jobs in December was 1,301 fewer than the number employed in November. The number of Nebraskans collecting unemployment benefits rose by 859 to 27,346 in December.

Brown County’s unemployment rate increased in December to 2.9 percent. That is up from 2.0 percent in November.

Rock County had the lowest unemployment rate not only in the area in December but in the entire state at 1.3 percent. On the flip side, Blaine County had the second highest unemployment rate in the state in December at 3.9 percent. Only Banner County’s 4.0 percent rate was higher in Nebraska.

Cherry County and Boyd County had jobless rates of 1.7 percent in December, well below the state average. Holt County’s unemployment rate increased to 2.0 percent, and Keya Paha County’s rate crept upward from the previous month to 2.6 percent.

The national unemployment rate for December was 3.5 percent. This rate was down 0.1 percentage points from the November rate of 3.6 percent and down 0.4 percentage points from the December 2021 rate of 3.9 percent.

* New scam circulating on computers

(Posted 12:15 p.m. Jan. 26)

The Valentine Chamber of Commerce is urging businesses and individuals to be aware of a new scam circulating in the area.

A warning will pop up on your computer screen indicating there is a virus on your computer. The pop up will not leave the screen, and it provides a number to purporting to connect to Microsoft.

The number is not for Microsoft and instead connects you with a scammer who will try to sell you a software fix, and will then contact you indicating you will receive a refund if you provide banking information.

Anyone who has this message pop up on their computer is encouraged not to call the number, and instead shut down and restart your computer.

Anyone with questions or concerns about any email or pop up that seems suspicious should contact a trusted IT professional.

* Speech team finishes fifth at Broken Bow

(Posted 10 a.m. Jan. 23)

The Ainsworth High School Speech Team finished fifth among 18 teams competing Saturday in the Broken Bow Invitational. Coach Heather Lutter said the meet provided a preview of what Southwest Conference competition will look like later in the season. Next Saturday, the speakers will participate in the Gordon-Rushville Invitational.

Individual medal winners Saturday at Broken Bow for Ainsworth were:

Varsity Serious Prose

Dakota Stutzman – 9th

Taylor Allen – 10th

Varsity Extemporaneous

Cole Bodeman – 11th

Varsity Informative

Hannah Beel – 12th

Varsity Entertainment

Cole Bodeman – 2nd

Varsity Persuasive

Katherine Kerrigan – 4th

Varsity Duet

Taylor Allen & Dakota Stutzman – 3rd

Novice Persuasive

William Biltoft – 5th

Superior Ratings

Makenna Pierce – Varsity Informative

Hannah Beel – Varsity Poetry

* Brown County Sheriff’s Department weekly summary

(Posted 8:45 a.m. Jan. 23)

January 16

• Received two complaints of excessive dog barking on North Pine Street.
• Received a report of furniture falling out of a moving vehicle, East of Ainsworth, on Highway 20. The furniture was removed from the roadway and disposed of.
• Contacted a homeowner on 5th St to remove a vehicle from the street for snow removal.
• During a traffic stop on Highway 7, a Colorado driver was issued a citation for speeding 86 mph in a 65mph zone.

January 17

• Responded to a parking complaint on 3rd St in Ainsworth. The vehicle was parked in front of a business, and needed to move for snow removal.  The owner was contacted and moved the vehicle.
• Provided traffic control for a cattle crossing near the Moonlake Ave and Highway 20 intersection.
• Released two inmates from the Brown County Jail for time served on county court commitments.
• Received a parking complaint near the intersection of 5th and Ash St of equipment blocking the view of the intersection. The business owner moved the equipment.
• Booked an inmate into the Brown County Jail for a protection order violation. They were able to post bond, and were released.
• Responded to a report of unauthorized selling of a prescription medication. The social media post was taken down, and the individual was trained on appropriate medication advertisement.

January 18

• The Brown County Ambulance responded to a 911 call from a Long Pine address. One patient was transported to the Brown County Hospital.
• Provided traffic control on 4th Street while a vehicle was pulled out of a snow bank.

January 19

• Responded to a civil dispute over a towing bill. The dispute was settled and payment was received.
• Responded to a 911 call for a carbon monoxide detector alert. The Ainsworth Fire Chief also responded with testing equipment.  The detector was found to be faulty, and no further action was needed.
• Responded to a complaint against the City of Ainsworth by a property owner. A statement was received and the reporter was advised to contact the city office.
• Received a report of a parking complaint on Osborne Street from the City of Ainsworth. The owner of the vehicle was issued a written warning for the parking complaint and moved the vehicle for snow removal.

January 20

• Responded to a vehicle accident near the intersection of 5th and Maple Street in Ainsworth. No injuries were reported, and minimal damage occurred to both vehicles.
• Responded to a domestic dispute near South Main Street in Ainsworth. Arrangements were made for parties to separate.
• The Brown County Ambulance responded to a 911 call from 427th Road. One patient was transported to the Brown County Hospital.
• During a traffic stop on Highway 20, mile marker 247, a citation was issued to a Nebraska driver for speeding 76 mph in a 65 mph zone, and no operator’s license.
• During a traffic stop, near the 4th and Main Street intersection, a citation was issued for no proof of insurance.

January 21

• During a traffic stop near the Highway 20 and 9A Spur intersection, a Nebraska driver was issued a citation for speeding 86 mph in a 65mph zone, and possession of a controlled substance.
• Responded to a report of suspicious activity on North Main Street in Ainsworth. No criminal activity was found at this time.

Weekly Summary

19 – Incident Reports Were Taken

102 – Phone Calls Were Received

16 – 911 Emergency Calls Received

2– Titles Were Inspected

3 – Handgun Permits Applied For

7 – Paper Services Were Served

* Area musicians selected for UNK Honor Band & Choir

(Posted 10:15 a.m. Jan. 20)

Students from 92 high schools in Nebraska will participate in the annual Honor Band and Choral Clinic hosted by the University of Nebraska at Kearney’s Department of Music, Theatre and Dance Jan. 30.

The event includes 558 high school music students who will work with UNK faculty and guest instructors before performing two public concerts at UNK’s Health and Sports Center. The 5:30 p.m. performance will feature the UNK Wind Ensemble along with the festival and honor bands. The 7 p.m. concert will showcase the UNK Choraleers along with the treble, festival and honor choirs.

Selected to participate from the area are:

Ainsworth – Breanna McLeod, Chloe DeBusk, Kaitlynn Inbody, Kyla Pyle and Makenna Pierce.

Valentine – Grant Springer, Grace Maunu, Kadon Wenig, Marybelle Ward, Nathan Perrett, Neeley Cronin and Titus Maunu.

* Sand Draw bridge replacement project to begin soon

(Posted 2:15 p.m. Jan. 19)

During Tuesday’s meeting of the Brown County Commissioners, Chairman Buddy Small reported the Sand Draw Creek bridge replacement project will begin the week of Jan. 30.

The first phase of the project is the installation of bridge abutments. Meadville Avenue has been closed at Sand Draw Creek since 2019 when flooding destroyed the box culvert at the site.

The board held its annual reorganizational meeting, moving the time the commissioners meet to 8 a.m. for the Board of Equalization and 8:15 a.m. for the Board of Commissioners on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. The board previously met during the mornings, but for the past several years has been meeting in the late afternoon. The new meeting time will become effective with the March 7 board meeting.

Small was reappointed as the board’s chair, with Commissioner Denny Bauer reappointed as the vice chair.

Commissioners were appointed to various boards and committees, with Small representing the county on the Niobrara Council, the KBR Solid Waste and Lexington Area Solid Waste boards, and the Region IV Behavioral Health Board.

Bauer was appointed as the county’s representative on the Central Nebraska Community Services Board, the Area Agency on Aging, the North Central District Health Department Board and the North Central Development Center Board.

Commissioner Jeremiah Dailey will represent the county on the Office of ODD – North Star Region IV Board, the revitalization committee, the countywide law enforcement committee and the Brown County safety committee.

Kenny Turpin was reappointed as the county’s highway superintendent, and Lloyd Smith was reappointed as the county surveyor.

The board approved 13 paid holidays for county employees, as well as any additional holidays approved at the federal level.

Also as part of its annual reorganization, the board approved Homestead Bank, West Plains Bank, Union Bank & Trust and the Nebraska Public Agency Investment Trust as depositories for county funds, and approved the Ainsworth Star-Journal as the county’s official newspaper for the publication of legal notices, with the board also announcing meetings and issues on KBRB Radio and the county’s website.

The board acknowledged the IRS mileage rate for 2023 of 65.5 cents per mile for county employees having to use a personal vehicle for official county business.

The commissioners approved a resolution removing Bruce Papstein and Judy Cole from the sheriff’s department account and adding Brent Deibler and Tanya Cole as signatories on the account.

The board also approved removing Reagan Wiebelhaus and adding Dailey as a signatory on county accounts.

The commissioners approved a resolution transferring a pickup from the county clerk’s inventory to the assessor’s inventory, and approved a home health license renewal form for the Brown County Hospital.

The board voted to renew its contract with Paulson’s Lawn Service for mowing, watering and maintenance of the courthouse grounds.

Brown County Weed Superintendent Scott Erthum presented the annual weed report and evaluation, which the board approved as presented.

The next meeting of the Brown County Commissioners is scheduled for 5:15 p.m. Feb. 7.

* Brown County Sheriff’s Department weekly summary

(Posted 1:45 p.m. Jan. 18)

January 8

• Booked an intoxicated driver into Brown County Jail. Driver bonded out the next morning.
• Responded to a report of Hit & Run to rural property north of Ainsworth.
• Received a 911 call report from Rock County Sheriff Office for an incident in Brown County. The individual calling 911 was contacted and a non-emergency issue was reported and dealt with.
• Released an inmate at the end of their Weekender stay.
• Responded to a 911 disturbance call in Ainsworth. Individual left the residence to stay with a friend for the night.

January 9

• Brown County Ambulance responded to a request in rural Brown County.
• Responded to a request from the City to have several vehicles moved on 3rd St due to snow piled behind them after streets were cleared.
• Caller self reporting Hit & Run from rural property north of Ainsworth was given landowner information in order to provide insurance info.
• Provided traffic control for a funeral procession.
• Responded to a request for a welfare check in Ainsworth.
• Transported an individual to Richard Young.
• Assisted with a welfare check on Ainsworth resident who was found to be safe.

January 10

• Responded to a dog complaint report on Pine St.
• Booked an individual into Brown County Jail on a Court Commitment.
• Responded to a request for a welfare check in Long Pine. Individual was later transported by Brown County Ambulance to the Brown County Hospital.
• Responded to a report of vandalism in Ainsworth.
• Received a BOLO report of Hit & Run to State property from Cherry County. Offers responded by watching for the BOLO on Hwy 20.
• Received information in regards to a protection order violation. A report was made and sent to the Brown County Attorney’s office.
• Responded to a request for a welfare check on an Ainsworth resident who was found to be at home and safe.

January 11

• Received a report of reckless drivers in the oneway at Ainsworth Community Schools. Ainsworth Community schools called on follow-up.
• Responded to a dog complaint report on Pine St.
• Assisted an individual with fingerprint cards.
• Responded to a welfare check on a local Ainsworth resident.

January 12

• Assisted individuals with fingerprint cards
• Received report from City of Ainsworth of several more vehicles on Walnut St that need to be moved due to need for clearing snow. Owners both contacted and will move them.
• Received a report of a child locked in a car and was able to get a locksmith to respond.
• Responded to a Hit & Run report on Woodward St.
• Assisted Valentine PD with BOLO on an individual with a Warrant believed to be in Brown County.
• Responded to a dog complaint report on Pine St.
• Received a report of cattle out on the Meadville detour road. Owner contacted and was already in the process of moving them.

January 13

• Brown County Ambulance assisted Rock County Hospital with a transfer request to take a patient to Omaha.
• Responded to a dog complaint report on Pine St.
• Responded to a welfare check in Long Pine.
• NDOT responded to a report of debris on the road near the Hwy 20 & Hwy 183 intersection. Debris was removed.
• Provided traffic control for a funeral procession.
• Received a report of a vehicle parked the wrong way on Pine St which is a no parking zone. Officer made contact with the owner.
• Responded to a 2 vehicle accident without injuries on North Main St.
• Responded to a welfare check in Ainsworth.

January 14

• Responded to a report of suspicious activity in Ainsworth.
• Provided traffic assistance for cattle crossing on Hwy 7.
• Brown County Ambulance responded to a request at a local business.

Weekly Summary
11 – Burn Permits
21 – Incident Reports Were Taken
184 – Phone Calls Were Received
7 – 911 Emergency Calls Received
4 – Titles Were Inspected
3 – Handgun Permits Applied For
1 – Paper Services Were Served

* Rock County approves hiring help for snow removal

(Posted 1:30 p.m. Jan. 18)

The Rock County Commissioners on Tuesday approved hiring additional emergency help for the roads department to remove snow. Glen May and Jim Stout were hired to assist the roads department in removing snow at a rate of $20 per hour.

Roads Foreman Darrell Olson reported the department is getting wings placed on all snow plows to help push drifts off roadways in the county.

During discussion on the Carns Bridge replacement project across the Niobrara River, Rock County’s projected share of the bridge replacement is $1.05 million.

Emergency Manager Traci Booth discussed the potential to declare a snow emergency for the county.

The commissioners Tuesday held their annual reorganization meeting, Meetings will be held at 9 a.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of the month, with additional meetings June 29 and Dec. 28 for the end of the fiscal and calendar years.

The board approved the Rock County Leader for official county notice publications in addition to posting notices on the county website. The Tri County Bank, Sandhills State Bank and NPAIT were approved as depositories for county funds.

The commissioners approved wages for the roads department as well as rates for renting equipment with operators. Lloyd Smith was reappointed as the Rock County Highway Superintendent and as the county surveyor. Smith discussed informal quotes received for bridge work south of Newport. The board opted to accept formal bids for the work. Bids will be opened Feb. 21.

Commissioner Wade Hollenbeck was appointed to represent Rock County on the Niobrara Council and the North Central District Health Department.

Commissioner Faye Smith was appointed to the Northeast Nebraska Area Agency on Aging Board and the Region IV Mental Health Board.

Commissioner Colby Sybrant was appointed to the Central Nebraska Community Services Board. Sybrant was also appointed as the county’s authorized representative to DR4420 relating to the 2019 flooding.

Sheriff Ben Shelbourn met with the commissioners regarding the potential replacement of the department’s 2015 patrol vehicle. The board voted to table the item to seek more information on a replacement.

The board met with budget preparer Caleb Johnson, Treasurer Mona Davis and Clerk Daunitta Buoy regarding paying off the first road bonds that were established following the 2019 flooding. The item was tabled as Buoy will contact bonding company DA Davidson for the amount needed to pay off the bond.

The commissioners approved the 2022-23 weed report as presented by Weed Superintendent Mitch Dean. The board also approved a special designated liquor license application requested by Niobrara Valley Vineyard for a wine tasting during the Sandhills Ranch Expo June 21-22.

The commissioners approved the Rock County Hospital’s home health license renewal.

The board tabled an agenda item on repairing the courthouse ramp. The county will publish a request for bids to repair the ramp and stair rails.

Acting as the Board of Equalization Tuesday, the commissioners approved a tax exemption for the Tangier Shrine Temple.

The next meeting of the Rock County Commissioners is scheduled for 9 a.m. Feb. 7.

* Chamber recognizes community members with awards

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

The Ainsworth Area Chamber of Commerce recognized individuals and businesses Saturday with awards during a gala in the Elks Lodge.

Cole Bodeman was named the chamber’s Youth of the Year, given to a well-rounded, responsible youth who demonstrates exceptional achievements in academics, community/organizational involvement, and leadership.

Larry Rice was named the Senior Citizen of the Year. The award recognizes an individual who has been influential in the growth of the community, who has served as a positive role model for others, and who personifies Ainsworth’s spirit.

GJW/Sandy Pines was recognized as the Ag Business of the Year, demonstrating outstanding leadership in agribusiness, reaching into the community to help with local events and promoting agriculture within the community.

Ainsworth Family Dental received the Outstanding Business of the Year Award in recognition of its contributions to the economic growth and quality of life in Ainsworth and its exhibition of professional conduct, community involvement and exceptional customer service.

The Chamber Give Back Award, presented to Gene and Rhonda Buechle with the Moon Lake Wildlife Ranch, recognizes an outstanding business, organization or community member who consistently goes above and beyond to bring special services, opportunities and events to the area that enrich the culture and bring joy to community members.

The awards were presented to the community members during the chamber’s annual meeting. A silent auction to raise funds for the chamber was held in conjunction with the event.

* Speech team places third at Valentine

(Posted 8:45 a.m. Jan. 16)

The Ainsworth High School Speech Team kicked off the season at the Valentine Icebreaker Tournament Saturday.  

Team placed third out of six teams.

Individual results:

Varsity Serious Prose

Taylor Allen – 1st

Dakota Stutzman – 3rd 

Novice Serious Prose

Preselyn Goochey – 1st

Varsity Poetry

Hannah Beel – 5th

Brianna Starkey – 6th

Varsity Extemporaneous

Emma Kennedy – 4th

Novice Extemporaneous

William Biltoft – 1st

Varsity Entertainment

Cole Bodeman – 3rd

Varsity Persuasive

Katherine Kerrigan – 2nd

Varsity Informative

Makenna Pierce – 2nd

Hannah Beel – 6th

Varsity Duet

Taylor & Dakota – 1st

Cole & Cameryn – 2nd

Varsity OID

Tessa Barthel, Kat Kerrigan, Makenna Pierce, and Brianna Starkey – 1st

* Northeast to offer free credits to high school students

(Posted 7 a.m. Jan. 13)

The Board of Governors at Northeast Community College has approved a plan to offer free dual enrollment classes to high school students enrolled in early college beginning in the 2023-24 academic year.

Dual enrollment includes dual credit courses, which are most often taken in area high schools and taught by instructors who meet Northeast’s qualifications outlined by the College’s accrediting body, the Higher Learning Commission. HLC is the accrediting body for all public institutions in the state of Nebraska and establishes the required credentials for all instructors teaching college level courses.

Additionally, dual enrollment courses include high school students who choose to take a college-level course, not necessarily for high school credit. More and more students are choosing to take college-level classes online, virtually and at any Northeast location. In Fall 2022, 48 high schools in the 20-county service area offered Northeast dual credit classes at their locations with 1,867 students enrolled in early college.

In Spring 2021, the Nebraska Legislature began to provide funds directed to support dual enrollment offered by the state’s six community colleges. In Spring 2022, the Unicameral then provided the community colleges with $15 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to accelerate their efforts to offer free dual enrollment. Metro Community College led the way by offering free college courses to all high school students beginning in Fall 2022. Likewise, the ARPA funds will allow Northeast to make free dual enrollment a reality in Fall 2023. 

“Experiencing success in college level work for high school students can be the catalyst for choosing to attend college,” said Dr. Leah Barrett, Northeast president. “Eighty-six percent of the students in our service area who are successful with an early college class go on to college. Dual enrollment is a tool for us to improve the college-going culture in northeast Nebraska.” 

Dr. Jami Jo Thompson, superintendent of Norfolk Public Schools, said early college courses have always been a great opportunity for students to earn college credit during high school, but many of the district’s families could not afford to take advantage of the opportunity. 

“Making dual credit courses free is a game changer for those students! I am looking forward to seeing the positive impact that this will have on our lower-income students, and I anticipate that it will lead to a higher number of those students choosing to attend post-secondary education,” she said.

Makala Williams, director of early college at Northeast, said the College offers many different subjects as dual credit classes, including academic transfer, as well as career and technical education courses. 

“Many of our area high schools have their own instructors who have obtained the appropriate credentials to teach college level courses in addition to high school courses. This gives high school students a wonderful opportunity to earn both high school and college credit simultaneously. Students can work with their school counselors to learn what dual credit courses are offered in their respective schools.”

Williams said the credits students earn through the early college program may be used towards a degree at Northeast or transfer to another college or university.

“It allows students to become familiar with the college environment before their first day as a college freshman.”

While early college at Northeast Community College will be at no cost to high school students, they will be responsible for any books, tools or fees associated with a course.

* Recent cases from Brown County District Court

(Posted 12:30 p.m. Jan. 12)

During Brown County District Court proceedings Tuesday, Thomas E. Wiedell, age 74, of Pender, appeared for sentencing after previously entering a guilty plea to a Class IIIA felony count of making terroristic threats, and a Class I misdemeanor count of carrying a concealed weapon. Wiedell was sentenced to 20 days in jail, 18 months of probation, was ordered to obtain a psychological evaluation, complete an anger management class and repay Brown County $1,500 for the cost of his defense counsel.

Matthew K. Zimmerman, 22, of Long Pine, entered pleas of guilty in District Court Tuesday to a Class IV felony count of attempted assault on a peace officer and a Class 1 misdemeanor count of carrying a concealed weapon. Zimmerman will be sentenced in District Court March 14.

* Council recommends Pine Street as NDOT detour route

(Posted 6:45 a.m. Jan. 12)

After months of discussion amid concerns from residents, the Ainsworth City Council voted Wednesday to send a letter to the Nebraska Department of Transportation expressing the council’s preference to have Pine Street to Road 877 be the detour route during the 2024 renovation of Main Street.

The NDOT had selected Oak Street to South Street as the detour route it would use when Highway 7 is renovated in Ainsworth. Numerous residents living along Oak and South streets expressed their concerns to the council about that route.

Mayor Joel Klammer said there was good discussion between the council and the public, and he met with Mark Kovar at NDOT expressing residents’ concerns. Klammer said, if the council wanted to take an official position on the detour route, the NDOT would need something in writing from the council.

Newly elected Councilman Dustin Barthel said he did not think the NDOT should use Oak Street as the detour route. Councilman Shawn Fernau said he agreed.

Council President Vance Heyer said Pine Street is a better, more natural detour route.

“There is already no parking on Pine Street, and it is wider,” Heyer said.

The council unanimously voted to send a letter to the Nebraska Department of Transportation expressing the council’s preference that Pine Street to Road 877 be used as the detour route during the Main Street construction as opposed to the NDOT’s preferred route of Oak Street to South Street.

In other business Wednesday, the council approved recodifying its general ordinances and publishing those ordinances in book form.

Jim McNally with Municipal Code Services of Neligh said it had been 12 years since the council last updated its ordinances in book form. McNally said approving the ordinance and resolution would allow the company to update the city ordinance books from that time to the present.

“We do this for 165 to 170 towns in Nebraska,” McNally said. “We handle about 90 percent of this work in the state. It is the second time we will have updated your ordinances.”

McNally said it was a three-step process for the council to update its ordinance books. The first was to adopt the ordinance recodifying the city’s general ordinances, wave the three separate readings of the ordinance, and then approve the resolution directing the city clerk to have the ordinances published in book form.

The council approved all three steps to have the city’s ordinances recodified in book form. Each council member will receive a copy of the updated code book, as will the Brown County sheriff. Copies will be available to the public in both the city office and the Ainsworth Public Library.

The council approved a special condition from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development related to the Community Development Block Grant the city received for a paving project on North Main Street in conjunction with the Highway 7 renovation project in Ainsworth.

City Administrator Lisa Schroedl said the special condition requires the city to conduct a fair housing activity to receive the grant funds.

“This is just one more requirement of the CDBG grant,” Schroedl said.

Schroedl said the Department of Housing and Urban Development has a list of eligible activities the city could undertake to fulfill the requirement. She proposed publishing notice in the newspaper that the city supports fair housing laws and listing those laws. Doing so fulfills the grant requirement.

In old business, the council again tabled a counter proposal from American Tower Alliance for the lease on a tower owned by the city.

Schroedl said she talked to newly appointed City Attorney Michael Sholes.

“He asked for a little more time to review the proposal,” Schroedl said. “He plans to call the American Tower Alliance contact and then provide us with a recommendation.”

Schroedl said Sholes has handled a similar lease agreement for the city of Atkinson.

The council approved recommendations from the mayor to appoint Ainsworth High School student Jocelyn Good to a two-year term on the Ainsworth Betterment Committee and to appoint Brent Deibler as the city’s chief of police and nuisance abatement officer after Deibler was sworn in as the new Brown County sheriff.

During her report, Schroedl said the streets department removed 240 loads of snow off Main Street and the first blocks of Second and Third streets following the first snow storm, and had already removed another 240 loads of snow following the second storm.

“They are working to try and get the water flowing as the snow melts,” Schroedl said.

Klammer said he appreciated the work of the city crew and community members in clearing snow from streets and sidewalks.

“There have been a lot of skid steers out moving snow,” the mayor said.

Councilman Brad Fiala took the oath of office Wednesday after he was absent in December when Barthel and Klammer took the oath after being elected in November.

The next meeting of the Ainsworth City Council is scheduled for 5 p.m. Feb. 15.

* Care Center Board advances $60,000 from line of credit

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

The Sandhills Care Center is unfortunately back in search of a director of nursing after the facility’s DON passed away recently.

Members of the Care Center Board of Directors expressed their condolences during Monday’s meeting, and Administrator Penny Jacobs said one of the facility’s current registered nurses has agreed to handle the director of nursing duties for the time being.

“We are compliant with the state,” Jacobs told the board. “We won’t have to solicit an agency. We have people willing to step up.”

Jacobs said the facility is currently advertising for a permanent replacement as the director of nursing, and could also use one or two charge nurses and help in both the housekeeping and dietary departments.

Jacobs said, since the December board meeting, the care center had hired one full-time registered nurse, one PRN and one CNA.

During December, the care center generated $220,088 in revenue, however, $49,751 of that total was a one-time bonus payment from Medicaid. Expenses of $237,623 left the care center with a net loss for December of $17,534. Jacobs reported the facility received $5,100 in donations during December.

With the $49,751 received prior to the board’s December meeting, the Care Center Board had to borrow only $10,000 from its line of credit established following approval of additional property tax levies by both Brown County and city of Ainsworth voters.

With the $49,751 in additional Medicaid money already having been utilized, the board Monday voted to advance an additional $60,000 from its line of credit to cover current expenses.

The county and the city voted to allow the care center to borrow up to $450,000 as a line of credit to operate the facility, and use funds from the incoming levy to repay the line of credit.

Board Chairman Phil Fuchs said the facility was at 20 residents for much of December before increasing its census to the current 22 residents.

“We projected we would be three residents higher than we currently are,” Fuchs said. “It boils down to we need to have more residents. Unless we get the resident population up, the line of credit is not going to make it the three years we projected.”

Board member Buddy Small said increasing the census is what is needed, but it just doesn’t seem to happen.

Fuchs said the city of Ainsworth has paid $80,000 less than the county in support of the care center, and he asked board member and City Councilman Shawn Fernau to address that funding disparity with the City Council.

“It would be nice to have them commit to something so it is a level playing field with the county,” Fuchs said. “Even if it is over a two-year period, we are going to need those funds.”

Jacobs reported the facility did admit two residents during December and was working on two additional referrals, one a resident of Ainsworth and the other a Valentine resident.

Of the 22 current residents, Jacobs said 11 pay privately, eight receive Medicaid assistance, two are pending Medicaid assistance, and one resident receives Medicare assistance.

Discussion turned to snow removal, as Jacobs reported the snow at the facility was not removed in a timely manner during the most recent snowstorm.

Fuchs said the city agreed to clear the streets leading to the facility, and the county had agreed to clear the circle drive. He asked Small if the county would start clearing the circle drive again.

Fernau volunteered to have the crew from his business remove the snow from the care center’s sidewalks free of charge.

In the only other action item, the board discussed a salary increase for Jacobs to keep her pay in line with similar-sized facilities.

Fuchs said the board approved a 15 percent salary increase for Jacobs during August and said at the time it would address an additional increase in the future. Fuchs said the administrator is currently paid less than the director of nursing and some registered nurses, who are paid an hourly wage.

Small said, with the facility already struggling to pay its bills, he did not believe an additional salary increase was a good idea.

The board then entered into executive session, and took no action following the completion of the session.

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

* New board member seated Monday, committees assigned

(Posted 7 a.m. Jan. 10)

After three terms, Ainsworth Community Schools Board of Education President Jim Arens exited the board Monday, with Bryan Doke taking the oath of office and Brad Wilkins elected as the new board president.

Mark Johnson was elected vice president of the board during its organization Monday, and Scott Erthum was elected as the board’s secretary/treasurer.

In addition, board members were seated on various committees Monday. Frank Beel, Erthum and Jessica Pozehl will continue on the curriculum, Americanism and multicultural committee. Pozehl, Wilkins and Johnson will serve on the transportation, building and grounds committee. Pozehl, Doke and Beel will serve on the activities and athletics committee. Wilkins, Johnson and Doke will serve on the budget and finance committee. Representing the board on the negotiations and personnel committee are Wilkins, Pozehl and Erthum. The board’s policy committee will consist of Erthum, Johnson and Doke.

Beel will represent the board on the North Central Development Center Board of Directors, with Doke serving as the alternate representative. Wilkins will serve as the board’s government relations network representative.

The board also approved its annual appointments Monday, including naming the Ainsworth Star-Journal and KBRB Radio for official publications. The West Plains Bank, Homestead Bank, Union Bank & Trust and the Nebraska Liquid Asset Fund were approved as depositories for district funds.

The board approved authorizations to the superintendent and treasurer, and named Laurie Witte, Dedra Stoner and Superintendent Dale Hafer as recording secretaries for board meetings.

The board established regular meeting dates for the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m. from November through March and at 8 p.m. from April through October.

In other action items, the board recognized a review of board member code of ethics, and approved the district’s 2021-22 audit report as presented. Hafer said the district, in addition to its typical audit, also underwent a federal audit due to the federal grant funds it received during the year.

“It was an uneventful audit,” Hafer said. “There were no issues. Dedra and Laurie do a great job tracking and getting everything prepared for the audit.”

Following an executive session, the board approved contracts for the 2023-24 school year for both Elementary Principal Ben Wright and Secondary Principal Steve Dike.

Hafer reported the district has hired Luke Wroblewski as the activities director for the 2023-24 school year. Wroblewski is currently an administrator with Keya Paha County Public Schools. Hafer said the district received nine applications and interviewed four candidates for the position.

The superintendent reported a leak surfaced in the elementary roof following all the snow, but the leak was not related to the recent seam repairs that were made to the roof. He said Guarantee Roofing will work to identify the area where the leak is occurring, but will have to wait until the snow clears away.

Hafer said the district received a donation from the Weichman family that will be put toward improvements to the Learning Center. Activities Director Jared Hansmeyer said the learning center upgrades will start next week, as one of the items the district was waiting to be delivered arrived this week.

Hansmeyer said requests for bids have also been sent for the construction of a new storage shed at East City Park, and those bids would likely be available for review during the board’s February meeting.

Wright reported 26 students attended the first day of the afterschool program Monday.

“I think the numbers will continue to grow,” Wright said.

The district received federal grant funds to initiate the afterschool program. Wright said five staff members plan to assist with the program daily as it gets underway. Hafer said part of the grant requires at least one staff member for every 15 students in the program.

During his report, Dike said the district had to make some changes to the schedule with all the snow days to get semester tests completed, but he complimented the students and staff on their effort to complete the first semester exams. Semester test days were reduced from the scheduled three down to two.

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

* Elks Hoop Shoot winners qualify for district event

(Posted 2:45 p.m. Jan. 9)

One of the larger turnouts of shooters in several years took toed the line Sunday during the annual Ainsworth Elks Lodge Hoop Shoot.

Free-throw shooters ages 8 to 13 competed for a chance to advance to the Elks District Hoop Shoot Jan. 21 at Cozad.

In the girls shoot, Jaylee Good won the 12- to 13-year age division, connecting on 15 of 25 free-throw attempts. Payton Sears finished second with 11 makes and Addilyn Doke took third with six made shots.

Julieta Carranza won the girls 11-12 bracket with Livia Vonheeder in second. Kimberlyn Doke won a five-shot shoot-off over Elsie Graff to win the girls 8-9 division. Bella Pike took third.

On the boys side, Jaxon Rucker won a shoot-off over Nash Hesse of Valentine after both made 14 of 25 free throws. Rucker went 3-for-5 in the shoot-off, with Hesse making one. There was also a shoot-off for third place after both Zaine Evans and Aiden Buckendahl made 10 of 25 in regulation. Buckendahl made 3 of 5 in the shoot-off to take third place.

Blake Hansmeyer won the boys 10-11 division, with Rex Lammers second and Baden Pike third. Easton Lammers won the boys 8-9 division, followed by Carter Johnson in second and Myles Fatile in third.

The six winners have the opportunity to participate in the District Hoop Shoot Jan. 21 at Cozad for a chance to advance to the Elks State Hoop Shoot.

* Brown County Sheriff’s Department weekly summary

(Posted 6:30 a.m. Jan. 9)

January 1

• Received multiple reports of a reckless driver, Eastbound on Highway 20, near the Brown and Cherry County Line. The Nebraska State Patrol later located the vehicle, and issued a citation for driving under the influence of alcohol.  The Nebraska driver was booked into the Brown County Jail, where they later posted bond and were released.

January 2

• Responded to a report of a loose dog in a business parking lot. With no identification, the dog was taken to the vet clinic.  The dog was picked up later by its owner.
• Responded to a report of stuck vehicles on 4th Street and Hwy 20 near mile marker 250. Traffic control was provided until a tow truck was able to remove them.
• Responded to a report of a vehicle fire near the Dawes and Main Street intersection. The Ainsworth Fire and Ambulance also responded.  A citation was issued for driving under the influence of alcohol to a Nebraska driver.  The driver was booked into the Brown County Jail, and later released after posting bond.

January 3

• The Brown County Ambulance responded to a page for a lift assist in Ainsworth. No transportation was required at this time.
• Provided traffic control at the Main and 4th Street intersection for a stuck semi while they waited for the tow truck.

January 4

• The Ainsworth Fire responded to a report of a struck gas line on Walnut St, and remained on scene until Black Hills Energy could make the repair.
• Received a report of two loose dogs in the East City Park. With no identification, the dogs were transported to the vet clinic, and later claimed by their owner.

January 5

• Received information in regards to a protection order violation. A report was made and sent to the Brown County Attorney’s office.

January 6

• Responded to a request for a welfare check on Hull St. The individual was located safe, and ministerial aid was contacted to further assist.

January 7

• Received a report regarding information of a protection order violation. A report was made and sent to the Brown County Attorney’s office.

Weekly Summary

10– Burn Permits

6– Incident Reports Were Taken

139 – Phone Calls Were Received

15 – 911 Emergency Calls Received

0– Titles Were Inspected

1 – Handgun Permits Applied For

5– Paper Services Were Served

* Brewer previews Nebraska Legislature session

(Posted 10:15 a.m. Jan. 5)

Nebraska 43rd District State Sen. Tom Brewer discussed the bills he plans to introduce in the Nebraska Legislature this session, as well as the work he plans to undertake as chair of the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee and some of the bigger topics the body will debate this session.

The conversation between Col. Brewer and KBRB’s Graig Kinzie can be heard below.

* Commissioners to hold public hearing on road vacation

(Posted 7 a.m. Jan. 4)

The Brown County Commissioners will hold a public hearing Feb. 7 on the potential vacation of a portion of dedicated county road south of Long Pine after reading a report on the road’s usage.

Brown County Highway Superintendent Kenny Turpin submitted a report on the usage of Road 38 between Sections 19 and 24 of Township 29 North Range 21 West. A former county bridge and 100 feet on either side of the bridge were previously vacated by the county in 1997.

Turpin’s report indicated there is very little if any vehicular use of the portion of county road. Vacating the road would not result in any property owners becoming landlocked, and the report indicated the county’s liability would be reduced by vacating the approximately 2,000 feet of dedicated road.

Turpin’s report suggested the commissioners schedule a public hearing on vacating the road to see if there was any public opposition. All adjacent landowners will be notified by mail of the public hearing.

Commissioner Denny Bauer said the stretch of road is nothing more than a trail that goes to Long Pine Creek.

“No one uses it,” Bauer said. “The bridge is gone, and you can’t even tell that it is a road.”

By a 2-0 vote with Commissioner Reagan Wiebelhaus absent, the board voted to hold a public hearing on the road’s vacation during its Feb. 7 meeting.

In other business Tuesday, the commissioners approved an interlocal agreement with Rock County for a deputy emergency manager. Jessica Pozehl has been hired to fill the role of assisting Emergency Manager Traci Booth.

Commissioner Buddy Small said the interlocal agreement is the same as the two counties share for the emergency manager.

The Rock County Commissioners approved the interlocal agreement during its most recent meeting.

In a final action item Tuesday, the commissioners approved a $250,000 transfer from the county’s miscellaneous general fund to the county highway fund.

The next meeting of the Brown County Commissioners is scheduled for 5:15 p.m. Jan. 17.

* Plows are out, travel still not advised on county roads

(Posted 1:45 p.m. Jan. 3)

Brown County Highway Superintendent Kenny Turpin said county snow plows have started trying to open county roads, but travel is still not advised until the crews have had a chance to make progress.

Turpin said it would likely be a while before motorists could again safely travel on county roads. The highway superintendent will keep KBRB updated with the progress made by the roads department.

* Fire destroys vehicle Monday night in Ainsworth

(Posted 10:30 a.m. Jan. 3)

A vehicle fire Monday night on the south side of Ainsworth prompted the response of the Ainsworth Volunteer Fire Department.

According to Assistant Chief Justin Nickless, at approximately 11:15 p.m., a vehicle fire was reported in the 200 block of South Main Street near the Dawes Street intersection.

Nickless said a Chevy van became stuck in the snow, and the fire started as the driver tried to get the vehicle freed.

The Chevy was considered a total loss. Firefighters kept the fire from spreading, and returned to the fire hall at approximately 12:15 a.m. Tuesday.

* Travel on Brown County roads not advised

(Posted 9:30 a.m. Jan. 3)

Brown County Highway Superintendent Kenny Turpin reported Tuesday morning that travel on county roads is not advised.

Turpin said county plows will not head out until the snow subsides and the wind dies down. He asked motorists to refrain from using county roads until the plows have a chance to make it out. The roads department will respond to emergencies but travel is not advised.

Stay tuned to KBRB for further updates from the Brown County roads department.