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

* Gary Wayne Stoeger, 65, of Quartzite, Ariz., formerly of Valentine pending

* LaNita Maurer, 87, of Columbus, Mont., formerly of Bassett 11 a.m. Jan. 17

* Ruby Dobias, 91, of Atkinson 10:30 a.m. Jan. 17

* Meeting reports located below for:

Jan. 15 Ainsworth City Council

Jan. 13 Ainsworth Community Schools Board of Education

Jan. 7 Brown County Commissioners

Dec. 17 Brown County Commissioners

Dec. 16 Ainsworth City Council

* Council debates eliminating some boards, committees

(Posted 7:30 a.m. Jan. 15)

The Ainsworth City Council on Wednesday discussed a proposal from Mayor Joel Klammer to eliminate some standing city committees and boards.

Klammer said he had been talking about reducing the number of city committees, stemming from the Nebraska Legislature passing a bill that allows city councils to serve as the Board of Adjustment instead of having to have a separate board of volunteers.

“I don’t want to diminish the input of committee members,” the mayor said. “With the Board of Adjustment, it makes sense for the council to handle that.”

City Administrator Lisa Schroedl said the Board of Adjustment looks at property lines, setback issues, square footage of buildings, and fence heights.

“Those are the things the Board of Adjustment hears,” Schroedl said. “There has to be a hardship for why the property owner cannot comply.”

Schroedl said the Board of Adjustment is different from the City Planning Committee, which deals with zoning issues.

Klammer said he also proposed the elimination of the Committee on Housing, which is no longer necessary because the fund is gone that was the reason for that committee existing.

The mayor also suggested the parks and recreation committee and the Sellors-Barton Cabin Advisory Board could be eliminated.

“The park board was set up a long time ago,” Klammer said. “It was a good idea, but it didn’t quite function in the manner for which it was created. The funds for parks are decided by the council. People can come in and talk to the council.”

Councilman Brad Fiala said the council members did not have to do all the research on recent park improvement projects.

“They handled all that on the pickleball court project,” Fiala said. “I don’t want all that put back on the council.”

Klammer said, for bigger projects, using the community fishing pond for example, there were usually community members who would spearhead those projects to make them happen.

Councilman Dustin Barthel said, “I don’t want to see the park board go. They put in a lot of time on the pickleball project. I would like the park board to work on a dog park project next.”

Klammer said the council could hold a public hearing each spring to have a discussion on park projects people would like to see.

Councilman Kent Taylor said, “In the park board’s defense, they come up with the project but yet we hold the purse strings.”

Schroedl said she felt the council needed to set the project and the budget and then let the park board go to work.

Barthel said, if the park board is given direction, they do a good job of going out and getting all the quotes.

North Central Development Center Executive Director Kristin Olson said the park board handled all the maps and drawings for the pickleball court project.

“They are an advisory board,” Olson said. “The council still makes the decisions.”

Schroedl said that was the park board’s frustration during the most recent project, when things weren’t moving.

Fiala said, “I felt sorry for them because we didn’t have the money for it.”

The council also discussed the Sellors-Barton Cabin Advisory Board after receiving a letter from the current board members discussing the poor condition of the cabin at the courthouse park and the damage that has occurred to the contents inside the museum.

Taylor said, “You can about push your hand through the rotten logs on the old cabin, and the addition is just as bad. Water has been in there, and they have mold.”

Schroedl said there was no real way to mitigate the issues at the cabin. She said the board talked about having a restoration company try to clean and restore the items on display.

Klammer said he felt the cabin board could act on its own independent of the council other than the city owns the building.

“I envision that group like the archery club,” Klammer said. “They are independent and use the archery range and they cooperate with the Game and Parks.”

Schroedl said the building is city property and was gifted originally by the Sellors-Barton family.

“There is not really room in the Coleman House Museum to display a lot more,” she said. “It is not a good setup. It is only open two months a year, and there is no controlled air.”

Taylor said it sounded like the city needed to get a quote from a professional crew to potentially clean the items in the cabin that are salvageable.

“The building is worthless,” Taylor said. “Does anyone think we can save that building? We will have to find a space for that stuff. It is probably not safe for anyone to even be in there.”

Klammer said, ultimately, the problem comes down to money.

“To me, it seems like there should be one historical group,” the mayor said. “My gut says the cost is going to come back so high that the council won’t be willing to spend that.”

Barthel said, if all the historical items could be put together and have the groups work together, that would make sense.

Taylor said he was all for eliminating the Board of Adjustment and the Committee on Housing Wednesday.

Schroedl said, since the ordinance was on the agenda with all the committees, the council should probably wait to take action until the next meeting instead of breaking it apart.

The council agreed to table action on reducing any committees until its February meeting.

In other business Wednesday, Brown County Commissioner Dennis Bauer provided the council with an update on the next phase of improvements at the community fishing pond.

Bauer said the next phase of the project includes pouring a concrete path where the current gravel path around the pond exists, placing four benches along the water’s edge and planting trees.

Bauer said he just received a contract from the Game and Parks Commission to hook the path around the pond to the Cowboy Trail.

“The Game and Parks also agreed at its fisheries meeting to put 250 to 300 trout 12 to 14 inches in length into the pond in both the spring and again in the fall,” Bauer said.

The next phase of the project would be the construction of a picnic shelter at the site.

Bauer said $22,000 has been raised for the project, with the Brown County Foundation contributing $5,000 and the Brown County Commissioners committing $5,000. He said the funds for numerous trees and benches have been donated by businesses and residents.

Bauer said all of the labor for the project is being donated, so the cost will only be for the materials.

Audience member Graig Kinzie said he planned to submit an application to the Ainsworth Betterment Committee on behalf of the Ainsworth Lions Club if the board agreed to continue supporting the project as the applicant as it has in the past.

He said he hoped to meet with the ABC Committee and have a recommendation for the council to consider during its February meeting.

Fiala said, “I think it has been a great project. It is a great idea to attach the path to the Cowboy Trail.”

Bauer said he had to give credit to the Brown County Foundation for that idea, as the foundation board members suggested connecting the path to the Cowboy Trail when they were approached to support the project.

Barthel said, “I am amazed by the amount of kids out there. I see kids walking down the street all the time with fishing poles.”

Klammer said, in his former job, he worked on a lot of city ponds.

“People gravitate to community ponds,” Klammer said. “I remember riding my bike with my brother to the Seward pond.”

The council thanked Bauer for the update on the project.

In the only other action item Wednesday, the council approved the mayor’s recommended appointments of Dr. Kenneth Wasmund as the municipal physician; Michael Scholes as the city attorney; Lisa Schroedl as the city administrator, clerk and treasurer; Brad Miller as the water and sewer superintendent; Jade Egle as the streets foreman; Bruce Papstein as the city’s representative on the KBR Solid Waste Board; the West Plains Bank, Homestead Bank, Union Bank & Trust, the Nebraska Public Agency Investment Trust and NFIT as bank depositories; and the Ainsworth Star-Journal and KBRB Radio for city publications.

The next meeting of the Ainsworth City Council is scheduled for 5 p.m. Feb. 11.

* Secondary principal submits resignation

(Posted 6:45 a.m. Jan. 13)

The Ainsworth Community Schools Board of Education on Monday accepted the resignation of Secondary Principal Steve Dike effective at the end of the 2025-26 school year.

Dike submitted his letter of resignation to the board after serving as the school’s principal for eight years.

Board President Brad Wilkins said the school district made some great strides during his time as principal.

Dike said, “I am fortunate to have worked with you.”

Superintendent Dale Hafer also read a letter of resignation from Educational Service Unit 17 school psychologist and special education coordinator Scott Steinhauser, who announced his retirement from the ESU effective at the end of the current school year after 29 years in education.

Wilkins said the district was losing a lot of experience with the resignations of both Dike and Steinhauser.

Following an executive session, the board, with board member Crystal Dailey absent, did approve a contract for the 2026-27 school year for Elementary Principal Kelsey Riesen.

At the outset of Monday’s meeting, the board held its annual reorganization, electing Wilkins to continue to serve as the board’s president for 2026. Bryan Doke was re-elected as the board vice president, and Frank Beel will continue to serve as the board’s secretary and treasurer.

Dedra Stoner, Bailie Kovarik and Hafer were appointed as recording secretaries for board meetings. Riesen was appointed as the district’s Title IX Coordinator and Hafer was appointed as the Compliance Coordinator for 2026.

In annual action items, the board approved continuing to meet at 7 p.m. on the second Monday of each month in the district office for 2026. Board member committee assignments will continue unchanged for the next year.

The board approved the Ainsworth Star-Journal for the publication of legal notices, and will also announce notices on KBRB and through the school web site.

The board approved Homestead Bank, West Plains Bank, Union Bank & Trust and the Nebraska Liquid Asset Fund as depositories for district funds.

In other action items Monday, the board approved authorizations to the superintendent and treasurer to pay bills, receive and invest funds and to serve as the purchasing agents for the district.

The board approved the 2024-25 district audit from Dana F. Cole of Ord as presented, and approved the superintendent’s 2026 goals as presented.

During his report, Hafer said the district made repairs to the heating and air-conditioning unit on the agricultural and industrial technology building. Hafer said, when the unit was installed last fall, the crew noticed there was damage on one of the coils upon delivery from the factory.

The superintendent said, when repairs were made to remedy the defective parts, it was discovered the unit had leaked oil and caused damage to the roof membrane.

“Matt Fisher from Guarantee Roofing repaired the roof and the HVAC equipment company was billed,” Hafer said. He said there was no additional cost to the school.

The next meeting of the Ainsworth Community Schools Board of Education is scheduled for 7 p.m. Feb. 9.

* NCDC establishes fund to assist Springview family

(Posted 2 p.m. Jan. 12)

A fund has been established through the North Central Development Center to assist a Springview family whose home was damaged during a fire.

On the evening of Dec. 30, a fire started in an electrical junction box in the attic of a home occupied by Carl and Hazel Chase and family of Springview.

Springview Fire Chief Scott Hallock said firefighters contained the fire to a bedroom, bathroom and hallway.

However, smoke damaged most of the family’s belongings and forced them to temporarily relocate.

The NCDC has established a fund to assist the family with rent, utilities, repairs to their home and replacing belongings that were damaged or destroyed.

To make a contribution to the Chase family, checks can be written to the North Central Development Center, specifying “Chase Fire” in the memo line and mailed to NCDC, P.O. Box 303, Ainsworth, NE  69210. 

Donations are also being collected in the West Plains Bank branches at Ainsworth and Springview.

Tax deductible donation receipts will be provided to donors.

* Brown County Sheriff’s Department weekly summary

(Posted 9:15 a.m. Jan. 12)

January 4

The sheriff and a deputy provided traffic control for cattle crossing Highway 20 west of Ainsworth.

The sheriff and a deputy were asked to provide a civil standby for possible stolen items in Johnstown. During the investigation, the sheriff and deputy were able to retrieve various items equaling approximately $100,000 worth of equipment. The items were turned over to their rightful owner.

The sheriff and a deputy provided traffic control for cattle crossing Highway 20 east of Ainsworth.

A dispatcher attended training at Lincoln.

Deputies received complaints of careless driving in Long Pine. The deputies were able to locate the suspected vehicle. The driver received a citation on charges of careless driving and muffler in not in good working condition.

January 5

No reportable activity.

January 6

A deputy investigated a report of a gas drive-off in Ainsworth. The reported driver of the vehicle was notified and returned to the gas station.

A deputy was notified of a high school student possessing a nicotine vape pen in Ainsworth Community Schools. The juvenile received a citation on a charge of possessing a nicotine vape pen under the age of 21.

A deputy attended online training for electronic citation and traffic accident forms used by the sheriff’s office.

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

The sheriff and deputies attended a two-state meeting at Winner, S.D.

January 7

The sheriff provided security during county court in Ainsworth.

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

A traffic stop was made in Ainsworth. The driver received a fix-it ticket for improper or defective vehicle lighting.

January 8

A traffic stop was made in Ainsworth. The driver received a written warning for not using a turn signal.

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

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

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

A traffic stop was made on Meadville Avenue. The driver received a citation for driving 19 mph over the posted speed limit.

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

January 9

Deputies investigated a traffic accident of an individual falling asleep while driving and hitting a parked vehicle. The driver was checked for sobriety and in addition to that the driver received a citation on charges of careless driving and no proof of insurance.

The sheriff responded to a report of an unhealthy wild animal in the city limits of Johnstown. The wild animal was dispatched and removed from Johnstown.

A traffic stop was made on Meadville Avenue. The driver received a fix-it ticket for improper or defective vehicle lighting and not having proof of registration inside of the vehicle.

Deputies received reports of a juvenile with mental health issues who may be intoxicated. Deputies searched Brown County and were unable to locate the juvenile. The juvenile was later found at a friend’s residence in a neighboring county.  

January 10

Deputies responded to an intoxicated individual who refused to leave a residence in Ainsworth. A deputy responded to the house and escorted the reported person out of the house and off the property.

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

A deputy provided traffic control for cattle crossing Highway 20 of Ainsworth.

The sheriff’s office received a report of a vehicle losing lumber out of their vehicle on Highway 20 east of Ainsworth. A deputy responded to the reported area and was unable to locate the reported vehicle.

The Brown County Ambulance Association responded to a lift assist call in Ainsworth.

Weekly Log
Phone calls – 1,023
Calls for service –  16
911 emergency calls – 4
Vehicle titles inspected – 8
Firearm permits purchased – 4
Inmates housed – 0

* Atkinson, Valentine libraries earn accreditation

(Posted 9 a.m. Jan. 12)

Nebraska Library Commission Library Development Director Christa Porter recently announced the accreditation of 34 public libraries across Nebraska.

Porter said, “We are dedicated to helping Nebraska libraries meet Nebraskans’ information needs, opening up the world of information for citizens of all ages. The Library Commission continues to work in partnership with Nebraska libraries and the regional library systems, using the Public Library Accreditation program to help public libraries grow and develop.”

Libraries earning accreditation include the Atkinson Public Library and the Valentine Public Library.

Public libraries in Nebraska are accredited for a five-year period.

“All Nebraskans will have improved access to enhanced library and information services, provided and facilitated by qualified library personnel, boards, and supporters with the knowledge, skills, abilities and attitudes necessary to provide excellent library and information services,” Porter said.

* Schaaf graduates from UNMC with nursing degree

(Posted 11 a.m. Jan. 9)

Diplomas were conferred on more than 400 University of Nebraska Medical Center students on Dec. 19.

Taylor Schaaf of Atkinson graduated with a Bachelor of Science in nursing from the UNMC College of Nursing Kearney Division.

* NCTA names Dean’s List, Honor Roll students

(Posted 10:45 a.m. Jan. 9)

The Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture announced its fall semester Dean’s List and Honor Roll distinction. Twenty-three students earned a perfect 4.0 grade point average and were named to the Dean’s List, and an additional 55 students earned Honor Roll recognition with GPAs between 3.50 and 3.99.

Sydney Sybrant of Bassett is among the Dean’s List students with perfect 4.0 averages in the fall.

Courtney McCarthy of Newport received Honor Roll distinction during the fall semester

* UNK names Dean’s List students for fall semester

(Posted 12:15 p.m. Jan. 7)

The University of Nebraska at Kearney announced students who earned a place on the Dean’s List for the fall 2025 semester.

Students who are on the dean’s list must have completed 12 credit hours or more of classes with a 3.5 grade-point average or better on a 4.0 scale.

Area students named to the UNK Dean’s List for the fall semester are:

Ainsworth – Jordan Beatty

Johnstown – Jaden Lee

Bassett – Ali Myers and Mason Hagan

Purdum – Libby Smith

Stuart – Addie Ketteler, Addie Karo, Cory Gubbels, Dawson Heiser, Lacey Paxton, Luke Ludwig and Makenna Schaaf

Atkinson – Andrew Rentschler, Grant Osborne, Kelcie Osborne, Mady Kramer and Sidney Burkinshaw

Valentine – Courtney Billings, Jaycie Cox, Lainey Egelhoff, Logan Muirhead and Traven Fletcher

* Mountain lion season ends in Niobrara Unit

(Posted 11 a.m. Jan. 7)

The 2026 mountain lion hunting season in Nebraska’s Niobrara Unit closed Tuesday when the harvest sublimit of three females was met.

The mountain lion season remains open in the Pine Ridge and Wildcat Hills units. The Pine Ridge has a harvest limit of 12 lions with a sublimit of six females. To date, two females have been harvested. The Wildcat Hills Units has a harvest limit of three lions with a sublimit of two females. To date, no lions have been harvested.

Season 1 in all three units began Friday, Jan. 2. If the harvest limit or female sublimit in the Pine Ridge or Wildcat Hills is not reached by the end of February, an auxiliary season that allows the use of dogs would take place March 14-31.

This is the state’s ninth mountain lion harvest season. The first was in 2014.

In accordance with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s management objectives, the harvest of mountain lions in the Niobrara Unit provides a harvest opportunity that allows the lion population to remain resilient and healthy, while keeping the population stable or slowing growth in the Niobrara Valley.

Mountain lion presence has been documented in the Niobrara River Valley of north central Nebraska since 2001. There has been a resident reproducing population there since 2013 and information gathered through research suggests a population that is growing and will be resilient to harvest.

* Missoula Children’s Theater auditions Monday

(Posted 10:45 a.m. Jan. 7)

An audition will be held for the Missoula Children’s Theatre production of “Sleeping Beauty” from 3:30 until 5:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 12, in the Ainsworth Community Schools Learning Center. Those auditioning should arrive at 3:30 p.m. and plan to stay for the full two hours. Some of the cast members will be asked to stay for a rehearsal immediately following the audition.

Approximately 50 to 60 roles are available for local students. All students, grades K-12, are encouraged to audition. No advance preparation is necessary. Most students will rehearse 4 hours, 15 minutes each day, Monday through Friday. The performance is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16, in the Ainsworth Community Schools Learning Center.

For more information, call Kathy Klammer at (402) 760-0518.

The production is part of the Missoula Children’s Theatre’s unique international touring project and is presented locally by the Brown County Arts Council.

* Commissioners set elected officials’ salaries

(Posted 9:15 a.m. Jan. 7)

By a 2-1 vote Tuesday, the Brown County Commissioners approved a resolution setting the salaries for elected officials for the 2027-2030 term. The commissioners are responsible for setting salaries ahead of the election cycle, as anyone running for elected office pays a filing fee based on a percentage of the salary of the elected position being sought.

The board, with Commissioners Dennis Bauer and Donnie Painter in favor and Commissioner Jeremiah Dailey against, set the county attorney’s salary at $112,000, the sheriff/jail administrator salary at $100,000, the clerk salary at $77,500, the treasurer salary at $74,000 and the assessor’s salary at $74,000. Each elected official will also receive a $1,500 annual increase during each subsequent year of the four-year cycle. The elected officials also receive full benefits.

The salary for each commissioner was set at $34,500 annually. The commissioners will not receive an annual increase in years two through four of the cycle like the other elected officials. Commissioners also receive full benefits.

In another payroll item, the commissioners made the effective date the Jan. 2 payroll period for the increases the board previously awarded to other county employees. Bauer said wage increases approved by the board have normally started at the next convenient pay period after the action is taken.

In other business Tuesday, the commissioners approved a resolution transferring $52,922 from the Brown County Ambulance Association fund to the debt services ambulance building fund and making the semi-annual bond payment from that fund.

The board also approved a resolution allowing the ambulance association to trade in two old Life-Pac defibrillator units and receive $5,000 credit from each unit toward the purchase of new defibrillator units.

A budget amendment will be addressed in March for the ambulance association for the purchase of the new defibrillator units.

The commissioners approved a law enforcement agreement between Brown County and Boyd County. Sheriff Brent Deibler said the Brown County Jail occasionally houses inmates for Boyd County. Deibler said Boyd County pays Brown County $60 per day for each inmate held.

The board, at Deibler’s request, also approved removing Tanya Cole and adding Vincent Lanas to all sheriff’s department accounts at Homestead Bank.

The board approved ACH direct deposit forms from Homestead Bank as presented.

In a final action item Tuesday, the board approved a $1,622 refund from the county’s inheritance tax fund after a family overpaid the county. County Attorney Andy Taylor said sometimes the inheritance tax owed by an estate is a guess in order to meet the deadline. To receive a refund, the estate presents information to the court and the court then issues an order for a refund, which occurred in this instance.

During his report, Highway Superintendent Kenny Turpin said he had checked in with U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer’s office on a potential federal appropriation for bridge construction projects in the county. Brown County has been earmarked for federal funds to update older bridges.

Turpin said Fischer’s office indicated there was nothing new to report as negotiations on a transportation appropriations bill were ongoing.

Turpin reported he was starting to work on the county’s annual one- and six-year highway improvement plan. The highway superintendent said the only new project he planned to add was a stretch of Richardson Road.

“If you have any other projects you want added to the plan, let me know,” Turpin said.

Weed Superintendent Scott Erthum presented his annual report to the board, with Bauer signing that the board had received the report.

The board tabled approval on an updated handbook for county employees until the board makes a decision on a time management system. Taylor said the commissioners could either approve the handbook as it is now and then amend it based on the decision made regarding the time management system, or the board could opt to approve the amended handbook after that item is finalized. The board opted to table action on the handbook.

The next meeting of the Brown County Commissioners is scheduled for 1:15 p.m. Jan. 20.

* Recent cases from Brown County Court

(Posted 3 p.m. Jan. 6)

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

Mesa J. Roghair, age 21, of Okaton, S.D., charged with speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, fined $75.

Laura J. Crites, 62, of Gordon, speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

Jennifer E. Verretta, 52, of Thornton, Colo., speeding 16-20 mph over the limit, $250.

Rachel L. Collatos 26, of Long Pine, speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

Ryan P. Beacom, 41, of Emerson, speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

Martha M. Fletcher, 44, of Ainsworth, assault by mutual consent, $100.

Travis A. Wolfe, 44, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, speeding 11-15 mph over the limit, $75.

Raymond J. Lux, 25, of Norfolk, speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

Kyle A. Eberhart, 30, of Omaha, speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

Mattee A. Dailey, 29, of Ainsworth, failure to use child passenger restraint, $25.

Xavien R. Kimbrough, 32, of Florrisant, Mo., speeding 11-15 mph over the limit, $250.

Jennifer L. Lammers, 42, of Ainsworth, violation of a stop or yield sign, $75.

Brenda Juarez, 44, of Ainsworth, speeding 11-15 mph over the limit, $125.

Denise K. Danielson, 66, of Colorado Springs, Colo., speeding 11-15 mph over the limit $125.

William E. Seymore, 45, of Easley, S.C., speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

Jarred D. Cronin, 35, of Panama City, Fla., speeding 21-35 mph over the limit, $300.

Madeline R. Strong, 31, of Omaha, no operator’s license, $75.

Jaci J. Swanson, 48, of Ainsworth, speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75; also charged with failure to wear a seat belt, $25.

Gregory B. Arendt, 71, of Valentine, speeding 21-35 mph over the limit, $300.

Alexis M. Nowlin, 29, of Ainsworth, violation of a stop or yield sign, $75.

Logan J. Leonard, 41, of Bassett, speeding 16-20 mph over the limit, $200.

Allen J. Duval, 35, of Lusk, Wyo., speeding 16-20 mph over the limit, $200; careless driving, $100.

* Fischer nominates students to military academies

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

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer released the names of the Nebraskans she is nominating this year for U.S. service academies.
“I’m proud to nominate 40 impressive Nebraska students for acceptance to our nation’s prestigious military academies. Each student has proven to be a dedicated leader, bringing unique skills and perspectives to their communities. I wish them the best as they continue through the process, and I thank them for choosing this path of service,” Fischer said.

Among the students nominated by Fischer are:

Alexander Gotschall of Atkinson to the U.S. Naval Academy

Landon Mooney of Valentine to the U.S. Military Academy and the U.S. Naval Academy

Izaak Vakoc of Verdigre to the U.S. Military Academy

* Brown County Sheriff’s Department weekly summary

(Posted 11 a.m. Jan. 5)

December 28

The sheriff’s office received a report of a possible vehicle roll-over accident in southern Brown County. A deputy patrolled the reported area and was unable to locate a vehicle.

A deputy was asked to perform a welfare check of an individual who may have been sleeping in his vehicle. The individual was found to be ok.

December 29

The sheriff’s office is investigating a report of a firearm stolen from a vehicle.

The sheriff and deputies responded to the Ainsworth Inn for a possible break-in. The building was found to be empty.

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

December 30

The sheriff investigated a report of a suspicious person and vehicle in Ainsworth.

The sheriff and a deputy were requested to perform a welfare check of an individual in Ainsworth. The person was found to be ok.

A traffic stop was made in Ainsworth. The driver received a repair order for vehicle lighting.

A traffic stop was made in rural Brown County. The driver received a written warning for not having a clear and visible plate.

December 31

A traffic stop was made east of Ainsworth on Highway 20. The driver received repair orders for defective vehicle lighting, no proof of insurance, and expired plate tags.

A traffic stop was made west of Ainsworth on Highway 20. The driver received a repair order for defective vehicle lighting.

A traffic stop was made in Ainsworth. The driver received a warning for not signaling a turn.  

January 1

Deputies responded to a physical altercation in Ainsworth. An individual was arrested on charges of third-degree assault and disturbing the peace and was booked into the Brown County Jail.

The Brown County Jail released an inmate after completing their court commitment.

The sheriff’s office received reports of a suspicious vehicle in Ainsworth. A deputy was unable to find the reported vehicle.  

January 2

The sheriff and the Brown County Ambulance Association responded to a roll-over accident north of Ainsworth.

The sheriff’s office received a report of a jacked-knifed semi north of Ainsworth.

A deputy investigated a two-vehicle accident in Ainsworth.

The Brown County Jail released an inmate on a personal recognizance bond.

The sheriff and deputies trained on de-escalation scenarios utilizing tasers. The new deputy also received taser training.

January 3

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

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

A written warning for no registration was given to a motorist in rural Brown County.

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

A traffic stop was made on Highway 7. The driver received a repair order for the vehicle brake lights not working properly.

A traffic stop was made in Ainsworth. The driver received a written warning for driving without headlights at night.

Deputies investigated a suspicious activity call in Long Pine. Deputies patrolled the reported area and did not find anything out of the ordinary.

A traffic stop was made in Ainsworth. The driver received a written warning for driving without headlights at night.

Deputies contacted a person walking on the shoulder of Highway 20.

Weekly Log
Phone calls – 770
Calls for service – 15
911 emergency calls – 7
Vehicle titles inspected – 6
Firearms permits purchased – 3
Inmates housed – 2

* Icy roads make travel treacherous

(Posted 8 a.m. Jan. 2)

Freezing rain Friday morning has made roads icy and travel in the area is not advised.

Brown County Sheriff Brent Deibler reported Friday morning that all highways in the area have black ice and travel is extremely dangerous.

Anyone who doesn’t have to travel is urged to stay off the highways.

A winter weather advisory is in effect until 9 p.m.

* Area producers to receive federal per-acre payments

(Posted 8 a.m. Jan. 2)

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced the next phase in the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program (FBA), the eligible commodity per-acre payment rates. As announced earlier this month by President Trump and Secretary Rollins, $12 billion will be paid to American farmers in 2026. Of that amount, $11 billion consists of one-time FBA program payments. This is in response to four years of disastrous Biden administration policies that created record-high input and production costs, zero new trade deals, and a forgotten rural America.

“These one-time payments give farmers the bridge to continue to feed and clothe America and the world while the Trump Administration continues opening new markets and strengthening the farm safety net,” Rollins said. “USDA is making this process as simple and seamless as possible so producers can focus on what they do best – feeding and fueling our nation.”

Commodity, Per Acre Payment Rates
• Corn: $44.36
• Soybeans: $30.88
• Sorghum: $48.11
• Oats: $81.75
• Wheat: $39.35
• Barley: $20.51
• Sunflower: $17.32

Eligibility, Program Applications, and Crop Insurance Linkage 

FBA payments are based on 2025 planted acres, Economic Research Service cost of production, and the World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimate Report. Double crop acres, including all initial and subsequently planted crops, are eligible. Prevent plant acres are not eligible. 

All intended row crop uses are eligible for FBA except grazing, volunteer stands, experimental, green manure, crops left standing and abandoned or cover crops. 

* Area unemployment rates remain low in September

(Posted 9 a.m. Dec. 30)

Nebraska’s unemployment rate for September was 3.0 percent. The rate was unchanged from the August unemployment rate and was up 0.1 percent from the September 2024 unemployment rate of 2.9 percent.

The national unemployment rate for September was 4.4 percent, up 0.1 percent from the August unemployment rate and up 0.3 percent from the September 2024 unemployment rate of 4.1 percent.  Nebraska’s rate is tied with Montana and New Hampshire for the sixth-lowest rate in the nation.

South Dakota had the lowest jobless rate in September at 2 percent, followed by Hawaii and Vermont at 2.5 percent. North Dakota at 2.6 percent and Alabama at 2.8 percent rounded out the top five in the nation.

The highest unemployment rate in September belonged to California at 5.6 percent. Nevada at 5.3 percent, Oregon and New Jersey at 5.2 percent and Michigan at 5.1 percent rounded out the states with the highest jobless rate in the nation in September.

Brown County’s September unemployment rate was 2.2 percent, better than the state average and tied with Cherry County and Holt County for the best rates in the area. Those three area counties were behind only Boone County and Fillmore County at 2.1 percent for the best jobless rate in the state.

Boyd County at 2.4 percent, Blaine County at 2.5 percent and Rock County at 2.6 percent were also better than the state rate. Keya Paha County had a September jobless rate of 3.6 percent and was the only area county higher than the state average.

“In September, statewide employment reached a historical high for the ninth consecutive month at over 1,059,500,” Commissioner of Labor Katie Thurber said.

Nonfarm employment was 1,062,402 in September, down 239 from August but 440 more jobs than September 2024.

Private industries with the most growth between August and September were the financial activities sector (up 227 jobs), the information sector (up 53 jobs), and the manufacturing sector (up 34 jobs).

Industries with the highest growth during the past year were the private education and health services sector (up 6,603 jobs), the mining and construction sector (up 1,355 jobs), and the other services sector (up 510).

October and November jobless data was not collected due to the government shutdown.

* Students named to Chadron State College Dean’s List

(Posted 10:15 a.m. Dec. 29)

Chadron State College announced students who qualified for the Dean’s List and President’s List for the fall semester. The President’s List consists of students with a 4.0 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale. Students met the requirements for the Dean’s List by earning at least a 3.5 cumulative grade point average.

Area students receiving recognition were:

President’s List
Johnstown: Kerstyn Held

Bassett: Matyson Hollenbeck

Brewster: Elizabeth Peterson

Stuart: Jenny Forker

Valentine: Lindsey Boes, Caitlynn Mack., Ian Slama, Grant Springer, Marybelle Ward

Dean’s List
Ainsworth: Cody Kronhofman, Baillee Palmer

Springview: Hannah Thieman

Purdum: Kyle Cox

Atkinson: Rylee Poessnecker

Valentine: Cinch Miller, Sheldyn Rodgers, Ethan Sprenger

* Brown County Sheriff’s Department weekly summary

(Posted 9:30 a.m. Dec. 29)

December 21

Deputies and the Brown County Ambulance Association responded to a single vehicle rollover accident near Long Pine State Park. Both the driver and passenger were found to be ok. The driver of the vehicle received a citation for careless driving.

A deputy received a report of a gas drive off from a local gas station.

December 22

The sheriff’s office completed a highway only traffic enforcement selective. The sheriff and two deputies participated. There were six citations issued on speeding charges, two citations for no valid registration, one citation for no proof of insurance and one citation for no operator’s license. There were also four violations and warnings given.

December 23

A traffic stop was made on Highway 183 on a semi. The driver received written warnings for load securement and no registration in the vehicle.

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

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

December 24

A traffic stop was made on Highway 20 east of Ainsworth. The driver received a written warning for temporary license plates being expired.

A traffic stop was made in Ainsworth. The driver received a written warning for not coming to a complete stop at a stop sign.

A traffic stop was made on Highway 7. The driver received a citation for no proof of insurance and license plate not being clear and visible.

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

A deputy investigated a vehicle-deer accident east of Ainsworth on Highway 20.

December 25

Deputies were asked to perform a welfare check. The individual was found to be ok.

Deputies went to the range for firearms training.

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

December 26

The sheriff and a deputy provided traffic control for cattle crossing Highway 7.

A traffic stop was made on Highway 7. The driver received a written warning for not yielding to an emergency vehicle during the cattle crossing.

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

A traffic stop was made in Ainsworth. The driver received a written warning for not having his vehicle registered.

December 27

A traffic stop was made on Ponderosa Road. The driver received written warnings for no driver’s license on person, no registration in vehicle, and failure to display proper number of plates.

A traffic stop was made in Ainsworth. The driver received a repair order for a defective headlight.

A traffic stop was made on Highway 183. The driver received a repair order for a defective taillight.

Weekly Log
Phone calls – 733
Calls for service – 6
911 emergency calls – 10
Vehicle titles inspected – 2
Firearms permits purchased – 4
Jail inmates housed – 1

* Brown County Sheriff’s Department weekly summary

(Posted 9:15 a.m. Dec. 22)

December 14

The sheriff and deputies investigated a missing person report in rural Brown County. This is an ongoing investigation.

The sheriff’s office received a report of cattle out on Highway 183. The owner of the cattle was contacted and the cattle were moved from the highway.  

December 15

The sheriff and a deputy provided traffic control for cattle crossing Highway 20.

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

A deputy was notified of a traffic hazard in the middle of the highway. The reported item was removed from the highway.

A deputy responded to a report of a possible reckless driver on Highway 183. The reported vehicle was not located.

December 16

An inmate was booked into the Brown County Jail on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol.

The sheriff and a deputy responded to a report of suspicious activity in Ainsworth.

A deputy assisted a motorist with a broken-down vehicle.

A deputy attended an after-action review of an accident that occurred on Highway 20 in the Long Pine Hills earlier in the year.

December 17

The sheriff provided security during county court in Ainsworth.

A deputy responded to a suspicious acting person walking around in the Brown County Hospital.

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

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

Deputies received a report of a runaway teenager in rural Brown County. Deputies could not find the teenager. The teen was later found at school the next day.

December 18

A deputy responded to a report of possible trespassing in rural Brown County. The deputy checked the property and the house and was unable to find anyone on the property.

A deputy was asked to conduct a welfare check of a child in Ainsworth. The deputy spoke with the mother and checked on the child, who was found to be ok.

A new deputy graduated law enforcement basic training at Grand Island.

The sheriff attended law enforcement basic training graduation.

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

December 19

Deputies and dispatchers passed out candy canes at Ainsworth Community Schools.

Deputies received a report of a runaway juvenile in rural Brown County. The deputies were unable to locate the juvenile.

The Ainsworth Volunteer Fire Department responded to a fire in Ainsworth.

A traffic stop was made in Ainsworth. The driver received a repair order for vehicle lights not working properly.

December 20

Deputies provided traffic control during a funeral procession in Ainsworth.

A traffic stop was made on Highway 20 east of Ainsworth. The driver was given a written warning for driving on the shoulder of highway.  

Deputies located the runaway juvenile reported from the night prior in Ainsworth. The juvenile received a citation on a charge of being an uncontrollable juvenile.

A traffic stop was made in Ainsworth. The driver received a written warning for unsafe backing of their vehicle.

Weekly Log
Phone calls – 948
Calls for service – 15
911 emergency calls – 10
Firearms permits purchased – 2
Vehicle titles inspected – 3
Jail inmates housed – 2

* Friday fire damages home on North Maple Street

(Posted 7:45 a.m. Dec. 22)

A Friday evening fire damaged a home in Ainsworth. The Ainsworth Volunteer Fire Department was summoned at 7:45 p.m. Friday to a report of a fire on the porch of a residence at 467 N. Maple St., owned by Steve Bejot of Ainsworth.

Ainsworth Fire Chief Brad Fiala said a neighbor noticed the fire and called it in. He said a resident was home at the time of the fire and was able to evacuate safely.

The fire chief said the fire started when a curtain on the porch was pressed against an electric heater, which caused the curtain to eventually ignite. Fiala said firefighters arrived on scene and had the fire extinguished in minutes.

Furniture on the porch was destroyed, and the entire home sustained smoke damage. Fiala said firefighters were on scene for approximately 90 minutes.

* Area students receive degrees from UN-L

(Posted 6:45 a.m. Dec. 22)

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln conferred 1,197 degrees during commencement exercises Dec. 19 and 20 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

The degrees were earned by 1,175 graduates from 44 countries, 39 U.S. states and 140-plus Nebraska communities.

Chancellor Rodney D. Bennett presided over the ceremonies.

Area students who received degrees from UN-L are:

Wood Lake
Ty Schlueter, a Bachelor of Science degree in Agribusiness with high distinction from the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.

Stuart
Sadie Jarecke, a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Economics from the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.

Brewster
Emily Martindale, a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Education from the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.

Spencer
Jenny Choat, a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Engineering from the College of Engineering.

* Area students named Academic All-State by NSAA

(Posted 7 a.m. Dec. 18)

The Nebraska School Activities Association announced recipients of the Fall Nebraska 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 the fall, winter, and spring seasons who are nominated by their schools for their individual academic excellence, leadership, and significant contributions in their NSAA activity.

Area students named Academic All-State are:

Ainsworth
Jonathan Strand in boys cross country, Payton Moody and Kiley Orton in girls cross country, David Cook and Sam Titus in football, Puridy Haley and Erick Hitchcock in play production, and Jaylee Good and Megan Jones in volleyball

Keya Paha County
Angela Frick in girls cross country, Landon Stephen in football, and Zayle Stephen and Reece Taylor in play production

Rock County
Layton Deibler and Andrew Rowan in boys cross country, Kade Wiiest in football, and Ireland Buell and Sydney Hoffman in volleyball

Stuart
Jacob Kohle in boys cross country, Kayde Ramm and Drew Schmaderer in football, Maddux Alder and Drew Schmaderer in play production, and Paityn Sheffield and Kyra Tubbs in volleyball

West Holt
Jacob Panning in boys cross country, Ava Hoffman in girls cross country, Marek Dvorak and Cameron Pacha in football, Hannah Hooey and Daleni Knust in girls golf, Jacob Panning and Olivia Rentschler in play production, and Pavan Larson and Madalyn Pistulka in volleyball

Sandhills
Connor Sutton in boys cross country, Thatcher Teahon in football, Cesar Chavez and Shaylee Milleson in play production, and Paizley Zutavern in volleyball

Valentine
Landen Mooney and Isaac Utecht in boys cross country, Dominic Beebout in football, Tierney Miller and Samantha Sprenger in girls golf, Landen Mooney and Kasey Wietzke in play production, and Camilla Brown and Annalena Nelson in volleyball

Boyd County
Will Nelson in boys cross country, Addilyn Janousek and Kaci Koenig in girls cross country,  Ben Schmitz and Peyton Wickersham in football, and Mazee Johnson and Claire Reiman in volleyball

* Commissioners set elected officials’ salaries

(Posted 3 p.m. Dec. 17)

Following an executive session Tuesday, the Brown County Commissioners set salaries for elected officials for the 2026 cycle, with the annual compensation running from January 2027 through December 2030.

The highest paid elected position in the county is the Brown County Attorney. The attorney will receive an annual salary of $112,000 for the four-year cycle. The jail administrator position was folded into the county sheriff’s duties and the sheriff will receive $100,000 annually starting in January 2027.

The Brown County clerk’s salary will be $77,500 for the four-year cycle, with both the county assessor and county treasurer being paid $74,000 annually. Each Brown County Commissioner will earn $34,500 per year with benefits.

The board approved the salaries by a 2-1 vote, with Commissioners Denny Bauer and Don Painter in favor and Jeremiah Dailey against.

The commissioners also set wages for the upcoming year for non-elected positions. The custodian will be paid $23 per hour. The deputy emergency manager will receive $28 per hour. The weed superintendent will earn $28 per hour. The zoning administrator will receive $26 per hour, and the veterans services officer, a position shared with Keya Paha and Rock counties, will be paid $28.50 per hour.

The commissioners on Tuesday approved increases to solid waste fees for 2026. Treasurer Bruce Mitchell said, to keep pace with the costs to operate the KBR Solid Waste Transfer Station, fees would need to increase by $18 per year. Mitchell’s recommendation would have increased solid waste fees charged to $192 per year for county residents, $270 per year for businesses, and $96 per year for cabin owners.

“That is what we need to charge to break even,” Mitchell said.

The treasurer said there are a few people who are past due on their solid waste fees. He said those people should not be allowed to use the solid waste transfer station until the past-due amounts are paid.

County Attorney Andy Taylor said he would draft a letter to send to those who have not paid the solid waste fees informing them they will not be allowed to use the facility until the payments are made.

Dailey recommended rounding the fees to $200 per year for residential, $280 for businesses and $100 for cabin owners. The board approved those amounts for 2026. Residents have the option of paying quarterly or paying for the entire year.

In other business Tuesday, Scott Goodloe and Ann Fiala from the Brown County Ambulance Association approached the commissioners about an amendment to the association’s 2025-26 budget that will allow for the receipt of grant funding and the purchase of two new defibrillator units for the association’s ambulances.

Goodloe said the current budget did not reflect the grant revenue being received and the units purchased. He said the association did not expect to purchase the units until the next fiscal year, but it was deemed the current defibrillator units could no longer be serviced.

“We got a last-minute grant approval so we can get the new units purchased in this fiscal year,” Goodloe said. “We realize a budget adjustment isn’t ideal, but we want to do this the right way.”

Goodloe said the association has visited with the county’s budget preparer, Caleb Johnson, who indicated he could create the amendment documents at a cost of around $500, which Goodloe said the ambulance association would cover. He said there would be no cost to the county for the budget amendment or the new defibrillator units.

Goodloe said the association could also receive $5,000 in credit for each of the old defibrillator units if the commissioners agreed to allow the association to declare those units as surplus equipment to sell.

“That will also help offset the purchase of the new units,” Goodloe said. “The budget amendment will reflect the $85,000 coming in and going out for the defibrillators.”

Taylor said he would create a resolution that would allow the association to trade in the old units, and he would work with Johnson on the budget amendment. No board action was necessary.

The commissioners opened one sealed bid received for the vacant lot on Main Street in Long Pine. The county took ownership of the site after property taxes went unpaid. The roads department demolished and removed the building on the site.

Long Pine Feed Service, located next to the now vacant lot, submitted a bid of $3,500 to purchase the parcel, which was unanimously approved by the commissioners.

The board approved permit renewals for three promotional signs in the county. Two are “Discover the Sandhills” signs owned by the Brown County Visitors Committee and located along Highway 20. One sign in western Brown County is on property owned by John and Peg Gross. The other is on property on the east side of the county owned by Daniel and Angela Hladky.

The third sign is the “KBR Solid Waste” sign owned by the KBR Solid Waste Committee and located on property just east of Ainsworth owned by the Nebraska Public Power District.

In other action items, the commissioners approved $1,500 in tuition reimbursement for county employee Zach Welch. Taylor said Welch completed his degree and received straight A grades. Taylor said Welch appreciated the county’s tuition reimbursement benefit for county employees.

The board approved a budgeted transfer of $18,000 from the county’s miscellaneous general fund to the reappraisal fund, and approved closing the DARE program account at West Plains Bank.

The $154 in the account will be used by the sheriff’s department for candy canes and informational cards to be given to students following a presentation on the negative effects of using drugs.

The commissioners approved adding assistant clerk Nadine Starkey to the Homestead Bank safety deposit box and remove retired assistant clerk Becky Hardy from the safety deposit box and all accounts at Homestead Bank.

During his report, Highway Superintendent Kenny Turpin said the roads department has been cutting down trees in county road right of way and would be hauling the trees to the transfer station to be burned.

Turpin said the roads department planned to start running the newly purchased tar pot machine and fill cracks in asphalt roads in the county.

Turpin said the roads department also planned to work on a drainage issue west of the community fishing pond, and planned to create a path from the south side of the pond to the Cowboy Trail if the Game and Parks Commission approved a permit to attach a path to the trail south of the pond.

Bauer said he received verbal approval from the Game and Parks Commission to construct a path from the pond to the Cowboy Trail but the county would wait to do any of the work until the county has a permit in hand. Turpin said the roads department may level a spot for a future picnic shelter on the east side of the pond while it is performing the other dirt work at the site.

Turpin said the county’s surplus Caterpillar motor grader sold during an online auction for $56,600. The county will receive $51,708 after commission, which will help offset a portion of the cost of the new motor grader that was purchased.

Bauer discussed having the county potentially assist the Ainsworth Senior Center with some of the entity’s utility costs during the next budget cycle. Bauer said he was appointed to fill a vacancy on the senior center board and was trying to figure out a way to assist the senior center’s operations.

“In January, the senior center had a reserve balance of $33,000,” Bauer said. “That reserve balance in October was down to $17,000.”

Bauer said food costs have increased. He said the senior center has increased the price of meals and the facility does receive federal and state assistance, but that assistance has not kept up with the increase in expenses.

The senior center charges $6.50 per meal for those age 60 and over and $7 for carry-out or home delivery. Those under the age of 60 are welcome to eat lunch at the senior center daily at a cost of $8 per meal.

“The senior center served 1,154 meals in October and makes 25 to 30 deliveries per day,” Bauer said. “It is being used.”

Bauer said the senior center’s electric bill is approximately $514 per month or $6,200 per year while the natural gas bill is $156 per month. Bauer said the city donates $2,000 annually to support the senior center. He suggested the commissioners consider helping with one of the utility bills in the next budget cycle.

“I just want to throw that out as an idea,” Bauer said. “Maybe we could pick up the electric or gas bill to help them out. I am not asking to do anything today, I just wanted it talked about in public so people could think about it.”

Bauer said the senior center provides a great service to the community.

“I would hate to see it close,” Bauer said. “Talking about it like this will give people a chance to talk to us about what they think.”

The next meeting of the Brown County Commissioners is scheduled for 1:15 p.m. Jan. 6.

* Schlueter named Chancellor’s Scholar at UN-L

(Posted 12:30 p.m. Dec. 16)

Seventeen University of Nebraska–Lincoln students will be recognized as Chancellor’s Scholars during the undergraduate commencement ceremony Saturday in Pinnacle Bank Arena.

Chancellor’s Scholars are students who have maintained 4.0 grade-point averages on all collegiate work at the University of Nebraska and elsewhere.

Among the 17 Chancellor’s Scholars is Ainsworth High School graduate Ty Schlueter of Wood Lake. Schlueter is graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in agribusiness from the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.

* Council approves ATV/UTV ordinance changes

(Posted 11 a.m. Dec. 16)

After several months of discussion, the Ainsworth City Council on Monday approved updates to city ordinances regarding the operation of ATVs and UTVs inside city limits.

The two significant changes to the city’s ordinances are that people are required to bring their ATV or UTV to the city office for inspection when licensing the vehicle for use in the city, and flags must be 2 feet above the highest point of the vehicle and visible from all directions.

City Administrator Lisa Schroedl said the final draft of the ordinances include everything that had been discussed previously and requested by the council. She said code enforcement officer Kelsie Evans would go over the ordinances with people when they come in to license their ATV or UTV.

Audience member Rod Worrell asked the council to consider extending the hours of operation, since most UTVs are now equipped with headlights and taillights.

Schroedl said state statute dictates that ATVs and UTVs are only able to operate from sunrise to sunset with the exception of if they are being used for snow removal.

“Cities can be more restrictive than state statutes, but they cannot be more lenient,” Schroedl said.

Councilman Kent Taylor said he did not have any additional changes to what had previously been discussed. By a 3-0 vote with Councilwoman Heather Lutter absent, the council approved the ordinance updates and waived the three unique readings.

Schroedl said the ordinance will be published and pamphlets will be available for those who own and operate ATVs and UTVs in the city limits.

In other business Monday, Todd Kicken provided the council with an update on the Ainsworth Golf Course clubhouse. Kicken said, after originally looking into building a new clubhouse, the costs were prohibitive and the course was instead planning to try to build a 16×24 addition on the south side of the current clubhouse as well as repair the west wall of the current building.

“We raised only $13,000 for a new $800,000 clubhouse, so that is not an option,” Kicken said.

He said the cost to repair the west side of the clubhouse and build the 16×24 addition would be closer to $100,000.

Mayor Joel Klammer said that type of project at the golf course seemed more realistic than a new clubhouse.

Golf Course Board member Robert Magill said the course had a good year in 2025, with membership increasing by 37. He said, with the help of the city, the Brown County Foundation and private donors, the golf course has updated its equipment.

“We are in a way better situation with the equipment than we were two years ago,” Magill said. “We made about $100,000 of upgrades there in the past year.”

Magill and Kicken said they would pursue potential grant opportunities with the help of the North Central Development Center for the clubhouse addition project.

In other action items, the council approved an administrative subdivision for an irregular parcel located in Tract 4, Block 1 of Morrow’s Subdivision, located on the west side of Meadville Avenue.

Schroedl said the lot was divided in 2022 but never came before the council. She said it was the same parcel the council had previously addressed with zoning changes.

The council approved a retainer agreement with Heather Sikyta to continue serving as the city’s LB 840 attorney. The city is not required to pay a retainer. Sikyta charges the city $200 per hour for any work performed reviewing LB 840 program issues or applications.

Klammer said Sikyta was an expert on the LB 840 program.

“Heather has been our LB 840 attorney for quite a while,” Klammer said. “We haven’t had to use her a lot.”

The council approved a recommendation from the LB 840 loan committee to award a $2,475 façade grant to an applicant. Schroedl said the business is actually outside the city limits, but the LB 840 program does allow for funds to be used for businesses outside the city limits that have an economic impact to the city.

The council approved a special designated liquor license request for the Sandhills Lounge to serve alcohol in the Ainsworth Conference Center from 3 p.m. Jan. 10 until 1 a.m. Jan. 11 during the Ainsworth Area Chamber of Commerce Gala.

The council approved several appointments and reappointments to various city boards and committees.

Dane Sears and Kirk Peterson were reappointed to three-year terms on the LB 840 Loan Committee.

Dave Spann and Kwynn Shelbourn were reappointed to three-year terms on the Ainsworth Betterment Committee. Kara Welch was appointed to the ABC Committee replacing Mary Ritter, and Ashley Schroeder was appointed to the ABC Committee replacing Bryan Doke.

The council reappointed Lance Schipporeit, Harlin Welch, Chris Lammers and Rick Goochey to staggered terms on the City Planning Commission.

Klammer said state statute now allows the City Council to serve as the Board of Adjustment, and Klammer said he will have recommendations to disband that committee and potentially others during the next council meeting.

That meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. Jan. 14.

* Brown County Commissioners Tuesday agenda

(Posted 6:45 a.m. Dec. 16)

Brown County Commissioners
Meeting 1:15 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16
Brown County Courthouse
Agenda

Roll Call.

Acknowledge posting of Open Meetings Law.

Opening Prayer.

Pledge of Allegiance.

Approve minutes of the 12-2-2025 regular meeting.

Kenneth Turpin Road Department update

Resolution regarding the transfer of funds and closure of the Brown County DARE program checking account at West Plains Bank –        Sheriff’s Office

Resolution regarding a budgeted transfer of funds from Miscellaneous General  within the General Fund to reappraisal fund $18,000.00

Set 2026 Landfill Fees

Kayla and Andrew Smidt – Landfill fees

Add Nadine Starkey to Homestead Safety deposit box and remove Becky Hardy from all accounts and safety deposit box.

Sign Permit Renewal – “Discover the Sandhills” 802002268SA located along Highway 20 Reference Post 226.80 – John Gross property –   Clerk

Sign Permit Renewal ––  “Discover the Sandhills”   802002517NB located N side of Hwy 20 Outside of Long Pine Reference Post 251.70 –  Daniel & Angela Hladky – landowner  –  Clerk

Sign Permit Renewal – “KBR solid waste” – 802002437NB located  North side Hwy 20 Reference Post 243.70 –  Nebraska Public power District- landowner  –  Clerk

Brown County Ambulance  1) Budget Adjustment

2) Trade in Equipment (2 Life Pac Unit)

Setting of Officials salaries for the 2027 – 2030 term.

Revisit Time Management system

Tuition Reimbursement for Zach Welch

Heating and Electric bills – Senior Center     Dennis Bauer

Homestead Bank sign for Payroll renewal

Open sealed bids – Long Pine Building site

Executive Session to discuss raises for the following departments: Courthouse Custodian,  Emergency Management, Veterans Service Officer, Weed and Zoning – Hobbs

Approve Claims

Correspondence

Public Comment

* Area students to graduate from UNK Friday

(Posted 2:45 p.m. Dec. 15)

Graduate and undergraduate degrees will be conferred for 362 winter graduates during the University of Nebraska-Kearney commencement exercises at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 19, in the UNK Health and Sports Center.

Area students graduating from UNK Friday are:

Theresa Fahrenholz of Stuart, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Education degree in early childhood education

Mindy Jo Frickel of Atkinson, graduating cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Education degree in early childhood education

Courtney Swisher of Halsey, graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration

* Brown County Sheriff’s Department weekly summary

(Posted 10 a.m. Dec. 15)

December 7

An inmate was booked into the Brown County Jail on a court ordered commitment.

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

A deputy responded to a two-vehicle accident in Ainsworth.

December 8

A traffic stop was made in Ainsworth. The driver received a citation on a charge of not coming to a stop at a stop sign in the school zone.  

An inmate was released from the Brown County Jail.

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

A deputy responded to a verbal altercation between family members in Long Pine. Both parties involved were separated for the night.

The sheriff and a deputy took a report of an intoxicated person stopping in front of them and threatening the reported party in Ainsworth. This is an ongoing investigation.

A deputy received a report of a possible drunk driver traveling westbound on Highway 20. The reported vehicle was not found in Brown County.

December 9

The sheriff took a report of possible child abuse. This is an ongoing investigation.

December 10

A traffic stop was made on Highway 7. The driver received a citation for traveling 10 mph over the posted speed limit.

December 11

The sheriff and a deputy checked on the welfare of children in Long Pine.

A deputy, with the assistance of the Ainsworth Volunteer Fire Department, provided traffic control for a feed truck that broke down on Highway 20.

A deputy investigated a fender bender accident that occurred during traffic control.

A deputy responded to a mental health call in Ainsworth.

A deputy investigated an abandoned vehicle at a local business in Ainsworth.

December 12

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

A traffic stop was made in Ainsworth. The driver received a written warning for not having his hay bales properly tied down.

Deputies responded to a bank alarm in Ainsworth. Deputies walked through the bank and everything was found to be ok.

Brown County Dispatch received a report of Viaero tower lights not working properly in Ainsworth and on Highway 20 west of Ainsworth. Dispatch notified Viaero tech support.

The sheriff and deputies received several complaints about a red and black pickup with no license plates driving recklessly and doing “donuts” in county road intersections.

December 13

A deputy investigated a single vehicle accident on Highway 7.

Deputies were called to a possible gas leak in Ainsworth. A deputy investigated the reported area and found that the gas meter was recently worked on and the meter was not leaking.

A traffic stop was made on a vehicle driving on the Cowboy Trail. The driver received a written warning for operating a vehicle in a prohibited area.

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

A traffic stop was made in Ainsworth on a previously reported red and black pickup that has been driving around carelessly on county roads. The driver received a citation on charges of no proof of insurance, no registration, no driver’s license on person and careless driving. The vehicle was towed due to the vehicle not being registered and not having valid insurance.

Deputies responded to a possible mental health call.

Weekly Log
Phone calls – 899
Calls for service – 16
911 emergency calls – 6
Vehicle titles inspected – 5
Firearms permits purchased – 6
Jail inmates housed – 1

* Ainsworth City Council Monday agenda

(Posted 2 p.m. Dec. 13)

Ainsworth City Council
Meeting 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 15
Ainsworth Conference Center
Agenda

• Call to Order
• I. Routine Business
  • Announcement of Open Meetings Act
  • Roll Call
  • Pledge of Allegiance
• II. Consent Agenda – All items approved with the passage of one motion
  • Approve minutes from the November 12, 2025 regular meeting
  • Approval of claims
  • Treasurer’s report
  • Department head reports

• III. Mayor’s Appointments and Report
  • Mayor’s Report
  • Mayor’s Appointments:
    • LB840 Loan Committee (3-year terms):  Reappointments of Dane Sears and Kirk Peterson with terms ending 11/01/2028
    • Ainsworth Betterment Committee (3-year terms):  Reappointments of Dave Spann with term ending 10/14/2028; and Kwynn Shelbourn with term ending 10/14/2027; Appointment of Kara Welch, replacing Mary Ritter, with term ending 10/14/2028; and Ashley Schroeder, replacing Bryan Doke, with term ending 10/14/2027
    • Planning Commission (3-year terms):  Reappointments of Lance Schipporeit with term ending 12/02/2027; Harlin Welch and Chris Lammers with terms ending 12/02/2028; and Rick Goochey with term ending 12/2/2026
• IV. Public Hearings
  • None
• V. Old Business
  • Discuss and consider a proposal regarding ownership of the property at 352 N. Wilson
• VI. Regular Agenda
  • Ainsworth Municipal Golf Course – update report
  • Discuss and consider Ordinance #1565:  All-Terrain and Utility Type Vehicles amendment
  • Consider a request for the administrative subdivisions of the following described real estate:  An irregular parcel of land located in Tract 4, Block 1, Morrow’s Subdivision, Replat of City Second Addition to the City of Ainsworth, Brown County, Nebraska
  • Discuss and consider Resolution #25-10:  Authorizing the Mayor to sign the retainer agreement for Heather L. Sikyta to act as the LB840 attorney for the city
  • Consider the recommendation by the LB840 Loan Committee:
    • Approve application #25-10 Façade in the amount of $6,330.00
  • Consider a Special Designated Liquor License for the Sandhills Lounge for the Chamber Gala to be held at the Community Center from 3:00 p.m. January 10, 2026 and ending at 1:00 a.m. January 11, 2026
  • City Administrator/Clerk/Treasurer Report
• VII. Adjourn

* Hallock, Knox discuss pharmacy transition

(Posted 12:45 p.m. Dec. 12)

Brown County Hospital Administrator Mirya Hallock and Rock County Hospital Administrator Stacey Knox discussed the Brown County Hospital transitioning its pharmacy business to the Rock County Hospital, which will open a location in the former Homestead Bank drive-through building.

Beginning in the spring, the Rock County Pharmacy will offer a tele-pharmacy at that location, with a Rock County pharmacist available via technology to interact with customers. Prescriptions will be available for pickup from that location, and the Rock County Pharmacy will continue to provide its delivery service in Ainsworth.

The conversation between Hallock, Knox and KBRB’s Graig Kinzie can be heard below.

* Ainsworth Pharmacy to close; Rock County stepping in

(Posted 7:30 a.m. Dec. 10)

The Ainsworth Pharmacy Board and Brown County Hospital Board of Trustees announced their intention to dissolve the Ainsworth Pharmacy entity in 2026.

The Brown County Hospital granted Ainsworth Pharmacy the necessary funding to purchase Ainsworth Drug in November 2024, which, according to the Board of Trustees, was a move aimed at ensuring the community retained access to a local pharmacy.

Since then, the Ainsworth Pharmacy Board and Brown County Hospital board worked to secure a new location and design updated facilities, including drive-up access and improved security.

However, the board determined the pharmacy’s future became uncertain in August with the unexpected departure of its sole pharmacist.

With the current pharmacy license, a pharmacist must be onsite for patients to pick up prescriptions. Brown County Hospital Administrator Mirya Hallock said the loss of the pharmacist created immediate challenges.

“Thankfully, West Holt Pharmacy had pharmacists they could send to Ainsworth to assist us,” Hallock said. “After some time, we were able to employ a contracted, temporary pharmacist to provide a regular schedule.”

Despite the interim efforts, Hallock said the long-term concerns proved significant. The boards cited the cost of constructing a new facility and ongoing difficulties recruiting a full-time pharmacist to the region as key factors in their decision to dissolve the pharmacy and pursue an alternative model of service.

Knowing the importance of having a pharmacy in the local communities, Hallock said the Brown County Hospital and Rock County Hospital collaborated on a solution to continue local services in both communities.  

Under a tele-pharmacy license, Rock County Pharmacy will operate a second location with real time face-to-face interaction via technology services. Rock County Pharmacy is now collaborating with the state of Nebraska to secure all required equipment and approvals to open the new tele-pharmacy in the former Homestead Bank drive-up building on Main Street in Ainsworth.

Ainsworth Pharmacy will continue full operation through the end of February, potentially into March, when the new tele-pharmacy is expected to become operational. Hallock said customers can expect continuity in familiar staff, who plan to remain with the new business.

Rock County Hospital Administrator Stacey Knox said the Rock County Hospital and Pharmacy is excited to continue pharmacy service in Ainsworth.

“It is an important need for the medical community there and we are pleased to collaborate with the Brown County boards.” Knox said.

Knox said pharmacist in charge Josh Coyle has been working with state licensure and pharmacy divisions to determine what is needed to provide a seamless transition.

“It is our hope that our pharmacy is ready to open when Brown County services end.” Knox said.

The Ainsworth location, yet to be named, will provide prescriptions as well as being a drop-off point for prescriptions brought from Bassett. 

Coyle said, “We expect the same level of high-quality service to be available at the Ainsworth location as what patients have received in Bassett. We will also provide an over-the-counter selection so patients can have one stop to get what they need and plans are to keep the drive thru operational as well.”

Hallock said, “We appreciate the efforts of Rock County Hospital and Pharmacy to continue serving our community.”

* Care center audit shows major financial improvement

(Posted 1:30 p.m. Dec. 9)

Auditor Steve Placke with Lutz Accounting of Grand Island told the Sandhills Care Center Board of Directors Monday the facility was in a pretty good spot financially.

“The impact from the growth in your census is monumental,” Placke said. “There are a lot of good trends with what I see. That you have an operating profit this year is a good story.”

Placke said his company handles audits for more than 30 facilities across the state.

“Some facilities’ bottom lines are a lot tougher to look at than yours,” he said

With the increase in census, Placke said the Sandhills Care Center has been able to lower its average cost of care per resident per day, while revenue has steadily increased during the past two years.

The care center generated $2.51 million in revenue during 2023 with expenses of $2.90 million. In 2024, revenue increased to $3.07 million while expenses came in at $3.01 million. For 2025, the care center has generated $3.67 million in revenue with expenses of $3.30 million.

The average rate to care for a resident per day went from $344 in 2023 to $313 per day in 2024, and has decreased to $293 per day for 2025. The facility generates on average $326 per day in revenue from each resident. That is up from $319 in revenue per day on average in 2024 and up from $298 per day in 2023.

Daily revenue per resident varies based on whether the resident pays privately, receives Medicaid assistance or is covered by Medicare. Placke said, while Medicaid reimbursement rates don’t typically cover the average daily cost of care, he said the reimbursement rates have increased.

“You still don’t recoup all your costs from Medicaid, but it is closer now than it has been for 15 to 20 years,” Placke said.

Medicaid reimbursed the care center an average of $252 per day in 2023. That increased to $284 per day for 2024 and is up to $299 per day in 2025.

“Your cash flow has gone from a negative $98,000 to a positive $107,000,” Placke said. “For a smaller facility, you are in a pretty good spot right now.”

Placke said the average cost per day to care for a resident for the 30 to 35 facilities his company audits is $305.

“Your $293 cost per day is right around that average,” Placke said. “That number has come down from $313 per day last year.”

The board thanked Placke for presenting information from the audit. Board member Kent Taylor said the board needs to have the audit presented in this way each year.

“This is great information for us,” Taylor said.

Administrator Penny Jacobs reported there are currently 31 residents calling the Sandhills Care Center home, though she anticipated two residents would be discharged from the facility back into the community in the next week.

She said the facility admitted one new resident during the past month, with two residents passing away and two being discharged.

Of the 31 current residents, 12 pay privately, three receive Medicare coverage and 16 receive Medicaid assistance. Of the current census, 13 are Ainsworth residents, nine are from Cherry County, six are from rural Brown County, two are from Long Pine, and there is one resident from both Keya Paha County and Rock County.

Jacobs said the care center hired a CNA student who will begin employment with the care center as soon as she passes the final CNA test. She said the facility also hired two part-time registered nurses but is still in need of additional nursing staff and CNAs.

In action items Monday, with board member Dennis Bauer absent and Taylor abstaining, the board approved allowing the care center’s line of credit with West Plains Bank to expire. The facility has not had to utilize the line of credit in more than a year.

Business manager Makenzie Crane said all of the care center’s accounts are in good shape. She said, when revenue is collected and bills are paid for the month, the care center’s operating account has $180,055. There is an additional $126,718 in the facility’s interlocal account as well as $200,000 in certificates of deposit. The facility has a contingency fund of $20,238 it has built up to pay for any unforeseen or emergency expenses, and there is $19,673 in the care center’s donation account.

During November, the Sandhills Care Center generated $341,115 in revenue with expenses of $407,715 for a net loss for the month of $66,600. The facility also received $21,917 in property tax from the voter-approved levy that was deposited into the interlocal account and is to be used for facility upgrades.

Crane said the care center paid the entirety of its property, vehicle and liability insurance policy premium for the year in November, which accounted for $50,563 in expense. She said the $12,550 cost of the annual audit was paid in November, and the facility paid one agency staffing invoice for $13,598 to a company that had not submitted a bill for three months of an agency CNA.

Crane said agency staffing costs continue to trend downward, as the GetMed Staffing Agency was paid $26,043 in November, well below what the costs had been for the past several months.

Crane asked the board if it wanted to make any adjustments to the 401K retirement plan offered to full-time staff. Currently, the care center supplies a 1 percent match to the retirement account for full-time employees who make contributions. The board opted to leave the match at 1 percent for the upcoming year.

Jacobs presented the board with two reports from architects who had visited the facility. She said, while the reports don’t provide any specific plans, they both indicated areas for the board to focus on when considering improvements.

“Re-insulating the attic is a priority,” Jacobs said. “A lot of what we need to focus on won’t be very visible.”

Taylor said the improvements that need to be made first are not glamorous, but they should help the facility’s efficiency. He said, if the board engages the services of an architectural firm to make major upgrades, the cost of the architect typically runs between 5 percent and 8 percent of the total cost of the project.

Board Chairman Tom Jones said the board members could review the documents submitted by the firms and begin the strategic planning process to identify areas to improve. Jacobs said she would follow up with the board in January after members have time to review the reports.

The next meeting of the Sandhills Care Center Board of Directors is scheduled for 5 p.m. Jan. 12.

* School Board approves repairs to boiler system

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

The Ainsworth Community Schools Board of Education on Monday approved a quote to replace three outdated boiler modules in the secondary school building. Superintendent Dale Hafer said Conditioned Air Mechanical suggested the module replacements. He said the price of the equipment would get more expensive in 2026.

“It will be interesting to see how efficient the system becomes,” Hafer said.

Board member Frank Beel said it made sense to get the boiler modules replaced now before the prices go up in 2026.

The modules cost $27,000 each for a total of $81,000. The district will use depreciation funds to replace the boiler modules.

In a related item Monday, the board approved $10,301 in repairs to the building’s HVAC system. Repair work includes valve and pipe insulator replacement. Hafer said the equipment being replaced is old.

Board member Brad Wilkins said, without replacing the valve and pipe insulator, there was a risk the system could dump the glycol used to cool the building. He said replacing the glycol in the system would cost the district $30,000.

The board unanimously approved the repair quote from Conditioned Air Mechanical, and will use depreciation funds to pay for the cost.

In other action items Monday, the board approved a request to allow seventh-grade student Cash Jenkins from Wood Lake to option in to the Ainsworth Community Schools District from the Valentine district. Hafer said he had no concerns with approving the option enrollment request.

The board approved the first reading of the revision of school policies 706.01 and 706.03 that both make adjustments to the amount that can be spent before bids are required.

Hafer said the revision reflects a change in state statute and increases the amount that can be spent from $109,000 to $136,000 before bids are required.

The board also acknowledged the review of school policies 706 to 718.

Scott Steinhauser discussed funds donated to the school by the family of Ann and the late Denton Weichman. Steinhauser said the Weichman family made an initial donation to the school in 2023 to improve the learning center. That money was used to replace the learning center’s sound and lighting system.

“That has been a huge upgrade in there,” Steinhauser said. “Those who use it are very pleased. It was a very generous donation.”

Steinhauser said, when Denton Weichman passed away, the school was named as a memorial beneficiary.

“We talked about using those funds for more updates to the learning center,” Steinhauser said.

He said the initial plan was to use the money to replace the entry doors to the learning center and the curtains that lead back stage. He said anyone who has been in the learning center knows that, when there is a performance underway and someone leaves or enters, the doors are loud.

He said the cost to replace the doors was higher than he anticipated, so other options were being considered.

Hafer said the donations made by the Weichman family were very generous.

“We are working on some quotes,” the superintendent said. “If you are ok with it, we could work with Scott as they gather quotes and meet with the building and grounds committee. Maybe the district could help to get those projects completed.”

Hafer said he appreciated the Weichman family for their support of the school.

“The lighting and sound upgrades have been super,” Hafer said.

In discussing the district’s current financial picture, he said the new property tax credits from the state have resulted in schools receiving fewer property tax dollars in the fall.

Hafer said the state does not provide funds to schools from the credits until around February, so the district will utilize some of its CDs that are maturing in the short term.

“We received over $1 million in property tax credits from the state last year in February,” the superintendent said. “The CDs give us the ability to weather the timing of the shortfall in funding in the fall. We will replenish the CD funds in the spring.”

Following an executive session Monday, the board approved the superintendent’s evaluation and a contract with Hafer through the 2027-28 school year.

The next meeting of the Ainsworth Community Schools Board of Education is scheduled for 7 p.m. Jan. 12.

* Deer harvest continues recent decline

(Posted 3 p.m. Dec. 8)

Preliminary results from the 2025 Nebraska November firearm deer season show statewide harvest fell 7% from 2024, which was expected, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

Harvest went from 28,056 last year to 26,029 this year. Given that populations are down after several years of drought, harsh winters, and disease outbreaks — and permit numbers have been reduced to aid in recovery — the lower harvest was no surprise.

Whitetail harvest is down 10% from last year. Whitetail buck harvest is off 3% from 2024. Antlerless harvest fell 26% from last year and 54% from five years ago.

Mule deer harvest rose 4% from last year. Mule deer buck harvest is up 6% from last year. Antlerless mule deer harvest is down 9% from last year and 67% from five years ago.

Game and Parks’ goal is for herds to recover to a high enough population that buck harvest can increase 20% for whitetail and 25% for mule deer.

“It’s important to remember herd recovery takes time,” said Luke Meduna, Game and Parks’ big game program manager. “We’ve taken action to help our deer populations rebound. We’ve reduced antlerless tags 64% over the last five years and buck permit sales have been reduced more than 15% — but we have a way to go before we get back to where we want to be.

“November Firearm permits were reduced 2% and antlerless tags were reduced 20% from last year, so the changes we’ve seen from last year’s harvest correlate with the changes in permits,” he said.

Meduna said hunters should start seeing the results of the reduced antlerless whitetail harvest in buck harvest results over the next few years.

Nebraska’s deer herds have faced several years of challenges, contributing to the current results. Permit numbers and harvest were increased in 2019 and 2020 to address depredation issues affecting producers across much of the state. Since then, severe drought has affected nearly all the state, increasing hemorrhagic disease and reducing habitat quantity and quality, which negatively impacted deer abundance. Severe winters also have reduced available food sources and increased stress, further affecting deer populations in northern Nebraska.

Available November Firearm permits have decreased each year since 2022. They decreased by 2% in 2025, 13% in 2024, 6% in 2023 and 4% in 2022.

Final harvest results will be available following the close of all deer seasons. Archery season closes Dec. 31, while muzzleloader season is Dec. 1-31. The late antlerless season is Jan. 1-15, while the River Antlerless late season is Jan. 1-15.

* Ambulance Association secures funds for new defibrillators

(Posted 11:45 a.m. Dec. 8)

The Brown County Ambulance Association received grant funding to move ahead with replacing the defibrillators in both of its mobile units after being notified service contracts could no longer be renewed due to the age of the current equipment.

Ensuring that both ambulances carry reliable, inspected defibrillators has been a top priority for maintaining strong emergency response across the county and is commensurate with state of Nebraska regulations for equipment maintenance requirements. 

The ambulance association has secured the $85,322 needed for the two new defibrillator units. The association received $26,800 from the Brown County Foundation, $26,800 from the Ainsworth Betterment Committee, $21,000 from a Jack Lewis Safety Grant, $10,000 from the Brown County Hospital Auxiliary and $722 from private donations.

With funding secured, the Brown County Ambulance Association will proceed with purchasing and installing the new equipment so both ambulances are fully prepared for future calls.

The association extends its appreciation to everyone involved in making the project possible, including community partners who contributed funds, emergency responders who serve with dedication across a large rural region, and to the North Central Development Center for writing the application that secured the final grant for the project.

* Brown County Sheriff’s Department weekly summary

(Posted 9:15 a.m. Dec. 8)

November 30

Deputies responded to a verbal disturbance in Ainsworth. The parties were separated for the night.

A deputy responded to a verbal disturbance where an individual would not leave the residence. The deputy walked the individual off the property.

December 1

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

A deputy attended Interdiction to Protect Children Training in Valentine.

The sheriff’s office received a report of possible fraud in their bank account.

December 2

A deputy attended Interdiction to Protect Children Training in Valentine.

A deputy provided traffic control for cattle crossing Highway 20.

December 3

A deputy investigated a possible 911 hang up. The deputy was unable to locate the caller.

Deputies responded to a reported theft of a camper. A deputy was able to locate the described vehicle and camper driving eastbound on Highway 20. The deputy initiated a traffic stop. During the traffic stop, it was discovered that the camper was not stolen but the driver of the vehicle had a suspended/revoked driver’s license and the passenger had an extraditable warrant out of Saline County. Both the driver and the passenger were placed under arrest and transported to the Brown County Jail. The driver also received citations on charges of no valid registration for the vehicle and bald or improper use of tires. The passenger received citations on charges of possession of marijuana less than an ounce and possession of drug paraphernalia.

December 4

The Brown County Jail released an inmate to a Saline County deputy held on a warrant.  

The sheriff’s office received a report of a possible mental health crisis. This is an ongoing investigation.

The sheriff’s office received a request to perform a welfare check on an Ainsworth family.

A deputy assisted the Ainsworth City Code Enforcement Officer in securing two dogs that have bitten multiple people in Ainsworth. The owner of the dogs received a citation for dangerous dogs.

December 5

The Brown County Ambulance Association responded to a call in Long Pine.

The sheriff and a deputy provided traffic control for cattle crossing Highway 183.

The Brown County Jail released an inmate on a personal recognizance bond.

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

December 6

A deputy was asked to check on a vehicle north on Highway 183 since it had been sitting in the ditch. The deputy was able to find the reported vehicle. After speaking to the driver of the vehicle it was determined that it was a traveler who began to get tired and pulled over to sleep for a few hours.

A traffic stop was made east of Ainsworth on Highway 20. The driver received a citation for traveling 15 mph over the posted speed limit and given a written warning for not having a driver’s license on person.

A traffic stop was made east of Ainsworth on Highway 20. The driver received a citation for traveling 10 mph over the posted speed limit and given a written warning for not having a driver’s license on person.

The sheriff’s office received a request to provide traffic control for cattle crossing Highway 7. By the time the deputy arrived, the cattle had already crossed the highway.

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

A traffic stop was made in Ainsworth. The driver received a written warning for not coming to a complete stop at a stop sign.  

Weekly Log
Phone calls – 761
Calls for service – 15
911 emergency calls – 7
Vehicle titles inspected – 6
Firearms permits purchased – 5
Inmates housed – 3

* Recent cases from Brown County Court

(Posted 10:45 a.m. Dec. 4)

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

David G. Kramer, age 64, of Sterling, Colo., charged with speeding 11-15 mph over the limit, fined $125.

Tiffany A. Gerbig, 34, of Denver, Colo., 11-15 mph over the speed limit, $125.

Nick A. Jarzynka, 60, of Gretna, speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

Melanie R. Holloway, 50, of Thornton, Colo., speeding 11-15 mph over the limit, $75.

Jimmy R. Douga, 46, of Richards, Texas, speeding 11-15 mph over the limit, $125.

Kendall W. Miller, 42, of Aurelia, Texas, speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

Jacen N. Rohwer, 30, of Bassett, speeding 11-15 mph over the limit, $125; also charged with careless driving, $100.

Shannon M. Painter, 42, of Ainsworth, violation of a stop or yield sign, $75.

Matthew D. Esterly, 51, of Ainsworth, speeding 1-5 mph over the limit, $50.

Tod K. O’Hare, 65, of Ainsworth, speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

Amber N. Valadez, 34, of Lake Elsinore, Calif., speeding 16-20 mph over the limit, $200.

Henry Whited III, 29, of Springview, careless driving, $100.

Justin M. Nelson, 45, of Bassett, violation of a stop or yield sign, $75.

Gregory J. Boatright, 39, of Patterson, Ga., speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

Valerie D. Martin, 47, of Aberdeen, S.D., speeding 16-20 mph over the limit, $200.

Shaley Starkey, age not listed, Ainsworth, dangerous dog, $25 and ordered to pay $236 in restitution.

Katherine J. Ortner, 46, of Long Pine, violation of a stop or yield sign, $75.

Stanley N. Daniels, 48, of Ainsworth, violation of a stop or yield sign, $75.

Christiaan W. Bothma, 38, of Ainsworth, speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

Megan R. Grupe, 26, of Ainsworth, speeding 11-15 mph over the limit, $125.

Tyson C. Stengel, 23, of Valentine, possession of an open alcohol container in a vehicle, $50.

Shawn P. Robinson, 42, of Nenzel, speeding 11-15 mph over the limit, $75; no license on person, $25.

Braydon J. Lofgren, 21, of Wahoo, no valid registration, $25.

Jacob B. Wilkins, 29, of Columbus, speeding 16-20 mph over the limit, $200.

Ruben De La Rosa Jr., 19, of Edinburg, Texas, speeding 11-15 mph over the limit, $125.

Marvin J. Piper, 57, of Scribner, speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

Valarie L. Morris, 23, of Newport, assault by mutual consent/bodily injury, $100.

Laura M. Carpenter, 19, of Gilson, Ill., speeding 11-15 mph over the limit, $125.

* Commissioners approve final hospital bond payment

(Posted 9:30 a.m. Dec. 3)

The Brown County Commissioners on Tuesday approved the final bond payment for the voter-approved Brown County Hospital addition.

With the $215,591 approved by the commissioners for payment Dec. 15, the hospital addition will be paid in full.

The board, with Chairman Dennis Bauer absent Tuesday, also approved making a $273,012 bond payment for the Meadville Avenue renovation project. To make that payment, the board will use $64,336 from its highway buyback fund and $208,676 from the inheritance tax fund.

When approving the Meadville Avenue paving project to take advantage of less than 1 percent interest rates, the commissioners approved making interest only payments until the hospital bond payments were complete. The December payment will be the only one where full bond payments are made for both the hospital bond and the Meadville Avenue bond.

In other business Tuesday, the commissioners approved a resolution calling for the use of $99,327 from the county’s inheritance tax fund to pay for the upfront costs of the new dispatching equipment for the sheriff’s department, with the inheritance tax fund being reimbursed when the grant funding from the Nebraska Crime Commission is received.

The county received a grant for the full cost of the dispatching equipment. The inheritance tax fund will serve as a bridge funding source for the equipment until the grant funding is received.

In another financial item, the commissioners approved a $3,000 request from its miscellaneous general fund to assist in upkeep for county cemeteries.

The commissioners approved a resolution proceeding with foreclosure on property located at 733 N. Elm St. in Long Pine. County Attorney Andy Taylor said there is more than $1,100 in property taxes that have not been paid on the parcel going back numerous years.

Taylor said the property was not purchased during a sheriff’s tax sale, so the next step was to foreclose on the property. He said state statute dictates that the county foreclose, even if it does not want the property.

“We have put this off as long as we could,” Taylor said. “The property owner has been deceased for some time. The law says we have to foreclose.”

Commissioners Jeremiah Dailey and Don Painter discussed the condition of the property and their aversion to the county taking ownership, but Taylor said the county did not have a choice.

The county had previously taken ownership of a dilapidated property on Main Street in Long Pine and had the roads department tear down a building at that site.

The board approved the recommended appointment of Kate Samuelson to the BKR Extension Board to replace Kelly Gambill, whose term is expiring. Samuelson is the outreach coordinator for the Nature Conservancy’s Niobrara Valley Preserve and lives in Ainsworth.

Taylor reported he checked with the state and there was no mechanism for returning the $154 remaining in the DARE program account the board voted to close during its previous meeting.

Sheriff Brent Deibler said he planned to make a presentation to Ainsworth elementary students about staying drug free and would use the funds to give the students candy canes.

Deibler also told the commissioners the revised county employee handbook had been reviewed by Taylor and NIRMA. He asked the commissioners to review the recommended updates to the handbook and provide the committee with any requested changes before the handbook is finalized.

During his report, Turpin said the roads department was trying to keep county roads as smooth as possible during the harvest season.

“We fixed some holes in various areas,” Turpin said.

He said the roads department has been hauling clay from pits around the area to have on hand, and there are some ditches in the county the department could dig out and use the material elsewhere.

The highway superintendent said performing annual evaluations and providing merit wage increases had helped with the roads department’s turnover rate.

“They are not my favorite thing to do,” Turpin said. “They can be uncomfortable, but they are a great tool.”

Prior to adjourning, the commissioners held an executive session with elected officials to discuss setting salaries for those officials for the 2027-30 term. No action was taken following the executive session.

The next meeting of the Brown County Commissioners is scheduled for 1:15 p.m. Dec. 16.

* Brown County Sheriff’s Department weekly summary

(Posted 9:45 a.m. Dec. 1)

November 23

A deputy provided a civil standby in Ainsworth.

Deputies investigated a possible theft of money from a church in Ainsworth.  

A deputy received a report of suspicious activity by juveniles in Ainsworth. The deputy was able to speak to the reported juveniles, and everything was found to be ok and they were worried about a dog that had been left in a vehicle for an extended period of the day.

November 24

Deputies provided traffic control for five different cattle crossings around Brown County.

A traffic stop was made on Highway 7. The driver was given a repair order for failing to display the proper number of plates.

A traffic stop was made in Ainsworth on a semi-truck. The driver was given a citation for not coming to a stop at a stop sign.

November 25

A traffic stop was made in Ainsworth. The driver received a written warning for driving without having headlights on and the license plates not being clear and visible.

A deputy was called to assist a Nebraska State Patrol trooper on a traffic stop on Highway 7. During the stop, the driver of the vehicle was placed under arrest on charges of possession of three controlled substances (methamphetamine, cocaine, and THC) and the driver was transported to the Brown County Jail.

The sheriff’s office received a report of suspicious vehicles following another vehicle for an extended period of time on Highway 7. A deputy was able to meet the vehicles on the highway and make a traffic stop on the reported suspicious vehicles for following too closely.  The deputy was able to speak with the parties, and a written warning was issued for following too closely.

November 26

The sheriff’s office was notified of what appeared to be a lost juvenile. The sheriff responded to the reported area and was not able to locate the reported juvenile.

A deputy was asked to walk through a home in Johnstown to verify that the previous renters had moved out.

 A traffic stop was made in Ainsworth. During the traffic stop, it was discovered the driver had a suspended driver’s license. The driver was given a citation on a charge of driving with a suspended driver’s license and a verbal warning for having an unreadable license plate.

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

A traffic stop was made east of Ainsworth on Highway 20. The driver was given a written warning for speeding and driving left of center.

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

A Nebraska State Patrol trooper made a traffic stop in Ainsworth that resulted in the driver being arrested on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol. The driver was transported to the Brown County Jail.  

November 27

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

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

A traffic stop was made west of Ainsworth on Highway 20. The driver received a citation for driving on the shoulder of the highway and not having proof of insurance.

November 28

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

November 29

A deputy responded to a verbal disturbance in Long Pine.

A traffic stop was made on Highway 20 for speeding. During the traffic stop, it was discovered the vehicle may have been stolen from another state. During the investigation and speaking with the actual owner of the vehicle and the reporting agency, it was determined that the vehicle was not stolen and the driver and the vehicle were released from the traffic stop.  

Weekly Log
Phone calls – 790
Calls for service – 15
911 emergency calls – 2
Vehicle titles inspected – 2
Firearms permits purchased – 2
Inmates housed – 3

* Brown County Sheriff’s Department weekly summary

(Posted 7:45 a.m. Nov. 24)

November 16

The sheriff’s office took a written statement of inappropriate behavior in the reporting party’s household. This is an ongoing investigation.

The sheriff’s office arrested a 42-year-old man for attempted first degree sexual assault of a minor. This is an ongoing investigation.

November 17

Deputies performed a welfare check on a suspicious vehicle at the Long Pine State Park. The deputy was able to contact the owner of the reported vehicle, and everything was found to be ok.

Deputies conducted a search warrant on a house in Springview.

November 18

A traffic stop was made just outside of Ainsworth. The driver received citations on charges of exhibition driving and muffler required in good working order.

The Brown County Jail released an inmate on bond.

November 19

The sheriff provided security during county court in Ainsworth.

A traffic stop was made on Highway 7. The driver received a citation for speeding 18 mph over the posted limit.

A deputy received a complaint about an individual exposing their genitals to another person in a public place. The deputy was able to speak with the reported person. After the investigation was completed, the person was given a citation on a charge of public indecency.

A deputy was notified of suspicious activity of an individual walking around Ainsworth near local businesses. The deputy patrolled the reported area and was not able to find the reported person.

A deputy investigated a report of a drunk individual trying to get into a business after the business had already closed for the night. Once the individual was told that the business was closed for the night, the individual left.

November 20

The sheriff and a deputy responded to a reported vehicle that was stuck in a ditch in rural Brown County. Upon arrival the driver was contacted still inside of the vehicle. The driver was later arrested on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol and cited for possession of drug paraphernalia.

A traffic stop was made in Long Pine. The driver received a citation for failing to use a child passenger restraint.

November 21

A deputy was asked to walk around a residence in Ainsworth due to a loud bang outside their front door. The deputy walked around the property and was unable to find anyone or anything unusual.

The Ainsworth Volunteer Fire Department and Long Pine Volunteer Fire Department responded to a fire in Rock County as mutual aid.

A traffic stop was made on Meadville Avenue. The driver received a written warning for speeding.

November 22

The sheriff’s office received a report of check fraud. This is an ongoing investigation.

A traffic stop was made on Highway 7 on a vehicle driving 98 mph. The driver received a citation for speeding 33 mph over the posted limit.

A traffic stop was made on Meadville Avenue. The driver received a repair order for not having a registered vehicle and not having proof of ownership of the vehicle.

 A traffic stop was made on Highway 183. The driver received a citation for driving 13 mph over the posted speed limit.

A deputy responded to a mental health call in Ainsworth.

Weekly Log
Calls – 733
Calls for service – 11
911 emergency calls – 6
Vehicle titles inspected – 4
Firearms permits purchased – 1
Inmates housed – 2

* Board approves funds toward pond improvements

(Posted 3:15 p.m. Nov. 18)

The Brown County Commissioners on Tuesday approved allocating $5,000 from its miscellaneous general fund to put toward the second phase of the community fishing pond project.

Commissioner Dennis Bauer said the pond looks good and was holding water better than he anticipated.

“I have been giving this some thought,” Bauer said. “I got some calls about weeds this summer so I went and seeded it this fall and got a good stand of bluegrass and fescue started between the water’s edge and the trail.”

Bauer said there was about $5,000 remaining in the pond line item in the county’s budget, and the Lions Club has about $1,600 left that is allocated to the pond.

“I would propose we put a cement sidewalk around it, 4 feet wide and 4 inches thick, place four to six park benches so people could sit by the water’s edge and plant some shade trees by the benches,” Bauer said. “I will spearhead that project.”

Bauer said red maple and bald cypress trees would grow well near the water’s edge. He said he, with help from the roads department, would take care of the forms and the labor needed when the concrete is poured. He estimated the cost of the concrete at $12,000 to $13,000 and the total project would be around $19,000 or little higher.

“It would be about a quarter mile around the pond if people wanted to walk around it,” Bauer said. “I would ask if the commissioners would put $5,000 toward the project from the miscellaneous general fund and we could raise the rest from other organizations.”

Bauer said his goal would be to have the concrete path finished, the benches placed and the trees planted by June 1, 2026.

Audience member Graig Kinzie thanked Bauer for taking the lead on the second phase of the project. Kinzie offered to see if the Lions Club would again be a partner to apply to the Ainsworth Betterment Committee for $5,000 for the second phase of the project, and he said he would fill out an application to the Brown County Foundation on the county’s behalf for $5,000 to go toward the project if awarded.

Bauer indicated he would also apply to the Brown County Visitors Committee and to the KBR Rural Public Power Operation Round Up Program for funds for the project.

The commissioners unanimously approved using $5,000 from the county’s miscellaneous general fund toward the project.

In other business Tuesday, Sheriff Brent Deibler discussed a letter sent to the county from NACO to gauge the county’s interest in negotiating a contract to house prisoners in the Brown County Jail on behalf of another entity.

Deibler said he wasn’t advocating in favor or against the request, but he said he would have several stipulations that would need to be agreed to for him to be interested in housing prisoners from outside the area.

“It would have to be safe for the community, would have to bring us income, and would have to comply by the rules of our jail,” Deibler said. “If those are met, I am ok with it.”

Commissioner Jeremiah Dailey said he believed those were good criteria that would need to be agreed to for the county to consider any contract.

“I don’t want to bring in any problems,” Dailey said. “I am ok to leave it up to the sheriff’s discretion.”

Bauer said the county would likely need more information before making a decision on whether to negotiate a contract. Deibler said, since the request came from NACO, he did not know if the request is from the state or if it is a federal request. He said he would obtain additional information and report back to the commissioners at a future meeting.

The board voted to close the DARE program bank account as requested by Deibler. The sheriff said the account had been inactive for at least the past eight years. There is currently $154 remaining in the account.

The board approved closing the account. Taylor said he would check to see if the funds were earmarked for a specific purpose and if the county would need to return the funds to the state.

After agreeing to the appointment during its previous meeting, the board on Tuesday approved a resolution appointing Ann Fiala to the Brown County Hospital Board of Trustees to fill the remainder of Deibler’s term, which expires in December 2026.

The board tabled a request to provide $3,000 for the maintenance of the East Woodlawn and Grand Prairie cemeteries. Bauer said the group approached the county about assistance for the maintenance and upkeep of the cemeteries during the summer.

“They presented this request to us, and I don’t remember us having any objections,” Bauer said. “But, we didn’t get a line item into the budget. We could provide it through the miscellaneous general fund. I think it is important to keep up the rural cemeteries.”

County Attorney Andy Taylor said he could draft a resolution and have it available for the commissioners to consider during their next meeting.

During his report, Highway Superintendent Kenny Turpin said the roads department finished cleaning the ditch on South Pine Avenue and used the material to firm up a sandy area of a road in that area.

Turpin said he helped out at the Brown County Fairgrounds last Thursday and Friday, using the scraper to move some dirt for the agricultural society.

The highway superintendent said he issued a permit to Prouty Construction to put a water line under 430^th Avenue, and approved a permit for KBR Rural Public Power to run an electric line under Road 877 near Long Pine.

He said the roads department planned to remove more trees along county road right of way if the weather holds. Turpin said he would like to have the department construct about a dozen auto gates during winter since the county was down to about five on hand.

Turpin requested he be allowed to purchase heaters for the Ainsworth and Johnstown road shops. He said the cost would be $1,000 to $1,500 and he did have the heaters included in his budget.

Following an executive session Tuesday for Turpin’s annual performance evaluation, the commissioners approved providing Turpin a wage increase of $1.46 per hour.

Wage decisions for the custodian, emergency management, weed superintendent and zoning administrator were tabled until the board’s Dec. 16 meeting, at which time the commissioners will also set the salaries for elected officials for the 2027-30 cycle.

The next meeting of the Brown County Commissioners is scheduled for 1:15 p.m. Dec. 2.

* Storer discusses interim activity, upcoming session

(Posted 11:30 a.m. Nov. 18)

Nebraska 43rd District State Sen. Tanya Storer visited with KBRB’s Graig Kinzie, discussing her work during the interim period, the bills she is working on for the 2026 session and the budget shortfall the Legislature will have to address.

The conversation can be heard below in two parts.

* Clay receives NHA Caring Kind Award

(Posted 11:30 a.m. Nov. 18)

Rock County Hospital and Long Term Care recognized Michael Clay, the 2025 recipient of the Nebraska Hospital Association Caring Kind award for the facility. The award is given during the NHA annual conference and recognized Clay with the following nomination:

“Michael works as an LPN and charge nurse in our long-term care. He is kind and compassionate with our residents and their families. He is always willing to lend a helping hand whether it be at work donating vacation hours to co-workers in need or assembling some new facility furniture or outside of work when he helped a co-worker find a replacement vehicle. He is a member of the volunteer ambulance association. He was recently voted as our employee of the month by our Long-Term Care residents. He joined the Nebraska Nurse Honor Guard to continue his support of the nursing profession and all of those within. Michael is not only a charge nurse but he works every day to advance the knowledge of his co-workers. He listens to all team members so they can continue to provide the best care possible. Because of his leadership in nursing, he has influenced others to pursue education to become a nurse and to even return to our facility to work. He continues to go above and beyond in the field of nursing and we are fortunate to have him as a part of our stellar long-term care nursing team.  Michael has been a team member for nine years.”

* Brown County Sheriff’s Department weekly summary

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

November 9

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

November 10

The sheriff’s office was asked to give a death notification of a family member.

Deputies collected a couple of driver’s licenses in Brown County after receiving notifications from Nebraska DMV for license pickup orders.

A traffic stop was made on Meadville Avenue. The driver was given a warning for incorrect license plates on their vehicle.

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

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

November 11

A deputy was requested to perform a welfare check on a student who did not show up to school in Ainsworth. The student was found to be ok and was just feeling ill.

A deputy was requested to perform a welfare check on a Long Pine resident. The resident was found to be ok.

A traffic stop was made east of Ainsworth on Highway 20. The driver received citations on charges of driving 12 mph over the posted speed limit and careless driving.

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

A deputy investigated a two-vehicle accident where one of the vehicles left the scene of the accident without furnishing information.

A deputy responded to a verbal altercation in Ainsworth. An individual received a citation on a charge of disturbing the peace and was dropped off at the hotel for the night.

November 12

The sheriff provided security during district court in Ainsworth.

The Brown County Jail booked an individual for a court ordered commitment.

A deputy transported an individual to Lincoln Correctional Center for a court commitment.

The sheriff responded to a broken-down semi blocking traffic at the intersection of Highway 20 and Highway 183. The sheriff assisted until the semi was able to be towed back to Ainsworth.

The sheriff’s office received reports of a vehicle-deer accident near Keller Park on Highway 183. A deputy responded and before he got to the described location the vehicle left.

The sheriff’s office received robocall of a location of a possible accident west of Ainsworth on Highway 20. Deputies searched the area that was reported and were unable to locate an accident.

November 13

The sheriff’s office received a report of a child custody problem between parents.

The sheriff and a deputy investigated a report of harassment at a business in Ainsworth.

A deputy responded to a complaint about a vehicle struggling to maintain its lane on Highway 20. The deputy was able to locate the vehicle and observed the vehicle to be driving appropriately.

A deputy investigated a report of suspicious activity of a vehicle in Ainsworth.

A traffic stop was made east of Ainsworth on Highway 20. The driver received a written warning for driving on the shoulder of the highway.

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

November 14

The sheriff’s office took a report of suspicious activity at a business in Rock County with the vehicle coming toward Brown County. A deputy was able to find the vehicle and contact the driver. Everything turned out to be ok and there was a misunderstanding between the reporting party and the driver of the vehicle.

A traffic stop was made in Ainsworth. The driver received a repair order for vehicle headlights not working properly.

A deputy made a traffic stop on Highway 183 on a vehicle driving 118 mph. Both the driver and a passenger in the vehicle were placed under arrest. The driver was charged with possession of a controlled substance (THC), possession of marijuana less than 1 ounce, driving under the influence of alcohol, minor in possession of alcohol, possession/consumption of an open alcohol container, possession of drug paraphernalia, speeding 36+ mph, and willful reckless driving. The passenger of the vehicle was charged with possession of a controlled substance (THC), possession of marijuana less than 1 ounce, minor in possession of alcohol, minor in possession of electronic nicotine use, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession/consumption of an open alcohol container.

November 15

A deputy received a request to perform a welfare check on a Long Pine resident. The person was found to be ok.

A traffic stop was made east of Ainsworth on Highway 20. The driver received a written warning for speeding and no driver’s license on person.

A traffic stop was made east of Ainsworth on Highway 20. The driver received a citation for driving 15 mph over the posted speed limit.

The Brown County Jail released two inmates on bond.

A traffic stop was made in Ainsworth. The driver received a written warning for not coming to a complete stop at a stop sign.

A deputy investigated a vehicle-deer accident in the Long Pine hills on Highway 20. The driver of the vehicle requested to take possession of the deer and was issued a permit to possess roadkill deer.

A deputy spoke with an individual who recently got kicked out of the house where he was staying. The individual was waiting on a ride to go to a friend’s house to stay.

Weekly Log
Phone calls – 847
Calls for service – 22
911 emergency calls – 11
Vehicle titles inspected – 5
Inmates housed – 1

* Brown County Commissioners Tuesday agenda

(Posted 2:15 p.m. Nov. 17)

Brown County Commissioners
Meeting 1:15 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18
Brown County Courthouse
Agenda

Roll Call.

Acknowledge posting of Open Meetings Law.

Opening Prayer.

Pledge of Allegiance.

Approve minutes of the 11-4-2025 regular meeting.

Kenneth Turpin Road Department update

Resolution to appoint Ann Fiala to replace Brent Deibler on the Brown County Hospital Board of Trustees

County Surveyor – Turpin

County Highway Superintendent review and pay raise – Board

Raises for the following departments: Courthouse Custodian, Emergency Management, Veterans Service Officer, Weed and Zoning – Hobbs

Letter regarding housing out of county prisoners in the Brown County jail – Deibler            

East Woodlawn and Grand Prairie cemeteries $2,000 budget request – Jackman 

Proposal RE: Closure of Brown County D.A.R.E. Program Bank Account – Lanas

County, Community Pond project – Bauer

Resolution Budgeted Transfer of $450,000 from Miscellaneous General within General to County Highway Fund – Clerk

Approve Claims

Correspondence   

Public Comment

* Bassett student wins NDOT Name a Snow Plow Contest

(Posted 10:45 a.m. Nov. 14)

Nebraska Department of Transportation District 8 employees will visit Bassett Grade School at 1:45 p.m. Tuesday to recognize one of 16 winners in NDOT’s 2025 Name-a-Snowplow competition.

NDOT selected “Polar Express” from nearly 4,500 entries. Each winning name will be displayed on one of NDOT’s snowplows, which are part of a fleet of more than 600—each trackable in real time on Nebraska 511.

The school celebration will include a presentation by NDOT maintenance employees, recognition of the winning student or class, and an opportunity for students to tour the newly named snowplow and ask questions. NDOT employees will be available for interviews.

Now in its fifth year, NDOT’s Name-a-Snowplow competition teaches students (and future drivers) about winter road safety and the essential work of snowplow operators. The contest is open to K–6 students statewide, with two winners selected from each of NDOT’s eight geographical districts.

* NPPD Board approves 3 percent retail rate increase

(Posted 7 a.m. Nov. 14)

Nebraska Public Power District’s board of directors approved a 3% retail and 1% wholesale rate increase during its November meeting.  

The average residential retail customer uses around 1,000 kilowatts of electricity a month, and based on this amount, would experience an increase of about $5 per month. 

“NPPD’s strong history of maintaining low rates has enabled existing customers to grow within the state and has attracted new industries looking to establish operations in Nebraska, driving economic growth across the communities we serve,” NPPD President and CEO Tom Kent said. “We continue to manage costs at a time when inflation, supply chain constraints, and rising material, fleet, and facility expenses present challenges. Despite these pressures, our focus remains on delivering affordable, reliable energy, and that commitment is reflected in how NPPD’s rates compare to peer utilities across the nation.” 

NPPD benchmarks its retail rate using data from U.S. Energy Information Administration, who collected data from over 2,600 utilities across the nation. According to finalized EIA data for 2024, NPPD continues to meet the goal to maintain a total retail base rate position among the lowest 15 percent of providers, with the most recent ranking finishing in the lowest 6.5 percent. 

NPPD benchmarks its wholesale rates, using a database maintained by the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation. The large group includes more than 800 electric utilities, across the nation, which purchase wholesale power. NPPD’s Board of Directors set a goal to remain in the lowest 25 percent and NPPD continues to meet that goal by finishing at the 12.5 percentile in the most recent rankings.  

In addition, the NPPD Board of Directors has voted to provide approximately $30.8 million to wholesale customers, which will appear in the form of a Production Cost Adjustment credit on wholesale customer bills. This is the eighth consecutive year that NPPD’s wholesale customers will receive a PCA credit. 

* Highway 20 reduced speed zone will expand east

(Posted 7 a.m. Nov. 13)

The Nebraska Department of Transportation agreed to conduct a traffic study on Highway 20 and Highway 7 in Ainsworth after receiving requests from the Ainsworth City Council and the Brown County Sheriff’s Department to decrease the speed limits on the two highways in the city.

The NDOT provided the results of that traffic study Wednesday to the City Council, agreeing to extend the 35 mph speed zone farther to the east on Highway 20 but declining to change the limits on the western and southern approaches.

City Administrator Lisa Schroedl told the council the 35 mph speed limit would be extended 1,200 feet east of Hunt Street on the eastern edge of the city, with the 45 mph speed limit also moving the same distance.

Councilman Brad Fiala said he was disappointed in the study.

“I was hoping the 45 mph limit would extend past the church,” Fiala said.

Councilman Dustin Barthel said the NDOT did not extend the reduced speeds very far and it denied his request to extend a no passing zone farther east on Highway 20.

Councilman Kent Taylor said the city would need to update its ordinance to include the reduced speed limits on the east side of the city. He asked if the city also needed to remove the 25 mph school zone speed limit from its ordinance since there are no longer 25 mph signs in place after Highway 20 was renovated.

Schroedl said she would have City Attorney Michael Sholes review the ordinance taking the NDOT study into account and draft an update for the council to approve.

In another streets item Wednesday, the council approved an agreement with Olsson Associates to have the company serve as the city’s streets superintendent for 2026 as well as handle on-call professional engineering services for the city.

Schroedl said most area communities use their contracted engineering firm as their streets superintendent.

“To have them as our street superintendent, we have to have an agreement for them to also be our engineering firm,” Schroedl said. “Then, they can serve as our street superintendent.”

Schroedl said the cost for the street superintendent portion of the agreement would not exceed $3,000, which is the amount the city receives from the Nebraska Department of Transportation in highway allocation funds for having a certified streets superintendent to prepare the city’s one- and six-year streets plan and complete other paperwork required by the NDOT.

Schroedl said Jess Hurlbert with Olsson Associates, who has done engineering work for the city in the past, is a certified street superintendent.

The council approved the agreement. Olsson Associates replaces Niobrara Valley Consultants of Valentine, which had served as the city’s streets superintendent for numerous years.

Under the on-call professional engineering agreement with Olsson Associates, the city would be billed on a per-hour basis only for services requested.

In a related item, the council approved a resolution affirming the city had a certified streets superintendent for 2025, which allows the city to receive the $3,000 incentive payment from the NDOT.

The council approved two façade applications as recommended by the LB 840 loan committee and voted to deny a business loan application as recommended.

Schroedl said one façade grant application approved for $9,309 goes to the Brown County Historical Society for improvements to the Coleman House Museum on Highway 20. The council also waived the application fee since the historical society is a non-profit organization.

The second façade grant, approved by a 3-0 vote with Barthel abstaining, will go to Northern Plains Supply for signage for their business being constructed just east of Ainsworth.

Schroedl said, even though the business is outside city limits, the LB 840 program does allow applications for businesses to be approved if they provide an economic impact to Ainsworth.

Schroedl said the LB 840 loan committee recommended the $500,000 business loan application be denied for the simple fact that the LB 840 fund did not have $500,000 available to loan.

She said the loan would have been for the acquisition of an existing business.

The council approved two administrative subdivisions, turning one larger parcel outside city limits but inside the city’s 1-mile zoning jurisdiction into three smaller parcels.

The first subdivision creates a 1.438-acre parcel, with the second creating a 1.088-acre parcel. The property is located in the southwest quarter of the southeast quarter of Section 26, Township 30 North, Range 22 West.

Schroedl said the council has approved similar administrative subdivisions in the past. She said the property is zoned commercial, and the use of the property would not change.

The council again discussed making changes to the city’s UTV ordinances. Schroedl provided the council with a draft created by Code Enforcement Officer Kelsie Evans that would update the UTV ordinance.

Evans said changes include removing the weight limit on UTVs since there is now no limit on the weight of the vehicles in state statute. She said UTVs are allowed to operate on both Highway 20 and Highway 7 inside city limits. Hours of operation would remain dawn until dusk with the exception of when removing snow, as that remains in state statute.

The ordinance would require anyone younger than 19 to wear a helmet while operating or riding in a UTV, and seat belts would be required.

Audience member Rod Worrell questioned the age requirement for the helmets.

Fiala said, if it is not a state statute, he would be OK with helmets being required for riders age 12 and under.

“I agree 19 is excessive,” Fiala said.

Taylor said Evans would need to research to see if state statute covered helmet requirements.

The ordinance would require UTVs to display a flag at the rear of the vehicle that extends at least 2 feet above the cab.

Worrell said almost all UTV owners would be unable to comply with that portion of the ordinance as the only place where flag poles can be mounted is behind the cab, not in the rear of the UTV.

Schroedl said the document was a draft and could be revised after discussion by the council.
Fiala said he asked for the language regarding the display of flags be included.

“We can adjust that,” Fiala said. “As long as the flag is 2 feet above the highest point, I would be OK with that.”

Fiala asked Evans how she would enforce the ordinance once changes are finalized. She said she would either contact the UTV owner if a violation is observed or, if she does not know the owner, she would follow the UTV and have a conversation with the operator when the vehicle came to a stop.

She said traffic enforcement would be handled by the sheriff’s department.

Barthel said he hoped the adjustments to the draft could be made and ready for the council to approve during its December meeting.

Fiala thanked Evans for her work on updating the ordinance.

“Kelsie, you did a good job with this,” Fiala said.

The council tabled action on the ordinance until its December meeting.

Schroedl said there was nothing new to report on the city taking ownership of property located at 352 N. Wilson St. She said Sholes has drafted documents but had not been able to reach the property owner for agreement.

With Mayor Joel Klammer absent Wednesday, Barthel announced the city had received a grant to finish the basketball and pickleball court project at East City Park as well as to install a handicap-accessible chair lift for the swimming pool. The city will not have to use any general fund money to complete the improvement project at the park.

The next meeting of the Ainsworth City Council is scheduled for 5 p.m. Dec. 10.

* Ainsworth student wins Name a Snow Plow contest

(Posted 10:30 a.m. Nov. 12)

The Nebraska Department of Transportation District 8 will visit McAndrew Elementary School at 2:45 p.m. Friday to recognize one of 16 winners in NDOT’s 2025 Name-a-Snowplow competition. 

NDOT selected “Clear-a-path-ra” from nearly 4,500 entries. Each winning name will be displayed on one of NDOT’s snowplows, which are part of a fleet of more than 600—each trackable in real time on Nebraska 511.

The school celebration will include a presentation by NDOT maintenance employees, recognition of the winning student or class, and an opportunity for students to tour the newly named snowplow and ask questions.

Now in its fifth year, NDOT’s Name-a-Snowplow competition teaches students (and future drivers) about winter road safety and the essential work of snowplow operators. The contest is open to K–6 students statewide, with two winners selected from each of NDOT’s eight geographical districts.

* Photos from Tuesday night’s Aurora Borealis

(Posted 7 a.m. Nov. 12)

The Northern Lights, Aurora Borealis, made a brilliant showing Tuesday night in north central Nebraska. Caused by a large geomagnetic event, the lights were clearly visible across much of the northern continental United States.

The geomagnetic storm was caused by an ejection of particles from the sun. The storm pushed particles deeper into the atmosphere than normal, making the Northern Lights visible farther south.

The particles collided with the Earth’s atmosphere, causing them to emit the green and red light known as Aurora Borealis.

Several photos were submitted to KBRB showing the brilliance of the green and red lights in the northern sky.

(Photo by Betty Bower)

(Photo by Dianah Schrad)

(Photo by Margo Larsen)

(Photo by Melissa Freudenberg)

(Photo by Nichole Flynn)

(Photo by Stephanie Kinzie)

(Photo by Shirley Hansen of O’Neill)

* Ainsworth City Council Wednesday meeting agenda

(Posted 7 a.m. Nov. 12)

Ainsworth City Council
Meeting 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12
Ainsworth Conference Center
Agenda

• Call to Order
• I. Routine Business
  • Announcement of Open Meetings Act
  • Roll Call
  • Pledge of Allegiance
• II. Consent Agenda – All items approved with the passage of one motion
  • Approve minutes from the October 8, 2025 regular meeting
  • Approval of claims
  • Treasurer’s report
  • Department head reports
  • Cemetery Certificate

• III. Mayor’s Appointments and Report
  • Mayor’s Report
  • Mayor’s Appointments
• IV. Public Hearings
  • None
• V. Old Business
  • Discuss and consider a proposal regarding ownership of the property at 352 N. Wilson
• VI. Regular Agenda
  • Discuss and consider Ordinance #1565:  UTV
  • Consider a request for the administrative subdivisions of the following described real estate:  An irregular tract of land located in the SW ¼ of the SE ¼ of Section 26, T30N, R22W of the 6^th P.M., Brown County, Nebraska
    • Tract A:  1.438 acres
    • Tract B:  1.088 acres
  • Discuss and consider the results of the NDOT traffic study
  • Consider the recommendation by the LB840 Loan Committee:
    • Approve application #25-06 Façade in the amount of $9,309.07
    • Approve application #25-08 Façade in the amount of $5,316.91
    • Deny application #25-09 Business Loan in the amount of $500,000
  • Consider Resolution #25-09:  Signing of the year-end certification of city street superintendent 2025
  • Discuss and consider the Master Agreement for professional services with Olsson to include on-call services requested and street superintendent services for 2026
  • City Administrator/Clerk/Treasurer Report

* Care Center Board discusses financial picture

(Posted 11:30 a.m. Nov. 11)

Sandhills Care Center Board members on Monday expressed concern over the facility being in the red for the second straight month despite a robust census.

“I am a little concerned we have 34 residents and we are still losing some money,” board member Dennis Bauer said.

Care center business manager Makenzie Crane said the facility had some one-time large expenses come due recently.

“We have the workman’s compensation premium on this month’s books,” Crane said. “We pay for the entire year so we don’t have the monthly service fees.”

The workman’s compensation premium was $34,436. Crane said the facility paid some agency staffing costs during the month that would be coming off the books in the future, including $3,540 for dietary agency staffing and a portion of $38,486 in agency nursing staff costs.

Crane said two more agency positions were eliminated in November, with the facility down to two RNs and one CNA from agencies. She said the facility also pays a $12,480 placement fee quarterly for the two international CNAs who are now working in the care center full time. She said, after that three-year contract is complete, those employees will become permanent residents or citizens.

Crane said the $7,000 cost for the facility’s annual audit was also among the one-time expenses, as was $4,095 for the annual directors and officers liability insurance premium.

Crane said there are five people signed up for an upcoming CNA class being offered by the care center.

The care center generated $340,897 in revenue during October with expenses of $354,693 for an operating loss during the month of $13,796. The care center did receive $19,574 in voter-approved property tax in addition to its operating revenue.

Crane reported, after bills are paid and revenue collected for the month, the care center has $187,744 in its operating account. There is an additional $309,753 in the facility’s interlocal account for future upgrades, generated by the voter-approved property tax levies being collected by both the city of Ainsworth and Brown County. Of that, $200,000 has been placed into certificates of deposit generating 4 percent interest.

During her report Monday, Administrator Penny Jacobs said there are currently 33 residents calling the Sandhills Care Center home with one additional bed on hold while a resident is treated in the hospital. She said the care center admitted two new residents during the past month.

Jacobs reported there are 12 residents paying privately, 17 receiving Medicaid assistance and four receiving Medicare assistance. She said the facility hired a full-time cook during the past month and was still in need of CNAs and an employee or two in the dietary department.

The board held a preliminary review of the annual audit report for the care center. Board member Dr. Mel Campbell said the audit report showed a lack of segregation of duties over financial controls. He said every smaller entity receives that adverse finding.

Board member Kent Taylor said the audit report showed the care center increased its assets by $300,000 during the past year, and that figure did not include the tax levy money the facility has received.

The board tabled action on the audit, requesting the auditor make a presentation on the full audit findings during the board’s December meeting.

Jacobs reported a rebuttal letter has been sent by the facility regarding an Equal Employment Opportunity complaint that was made against the care center. She said it may take up to a year for any findings to be released.

Board Chair Tom Jones reported the grant to the Nebraska Department of Transportation for a handicap-accessible van had been submitted on time. It will likely be January before the care center learns whether the application has been accepted and grant funding awarded.

Jacobs reported the disconnect replacement has been made for the care center’s electrical system. She reported Ainsworth Electric indicated a smaller electrical box also needs to be replaced at a cost of $1,044. The board approved having the box replaced.

Jacobs reported she sent five letters to architectural firms for proposals on infrastructure improvement recommendations. She said three firms have set up times to visit the facility at no charge to take a look at the facility and then provide proposals for the board to consider. The item will be discussed in more detail during the board’s December meeting after the firms have all visited the facility.

Taylor said one of the priorities should be upgrading the facility’s boiler, which he said was an antique.

The next meeting of the Sandhills Care Center Board of Directors is scheduled for 5 p.m. Dec. 8.

* Hafer discusses School Board meeting

(Posted 10 a.m. Nov. 11)

Ainsworth Community Schools Superintendent Dale Hafer appeared on KBRB’s Open Line program Tuesday to go over action taken by the Board of Education during its Monday meeting and data retreat.

Listen to the full report below.

* Brown County Sheriff’s Department weekly summary

(Posted 8:45 a.m. Nov. 10)

November 2

A traffic stop was made on a semi just west of Ainsworth. The driver received a citation for driving 10 mph over the posted speed limit.

A traffic stop was made west of Ainsworth on Highway 20. The driver received a repair order for a broken windshield and a written warning for not having their driver’s license with them while driving.

The sheriff’s office was notified of a horse on the roadway south of Ainsworth on Highway 7. A deputy was able to get the horse off the roadway and into a nearby pasture.

The sheriff’s office was asked to perform a welfare check on an individual in Ainsworth. During the welfare check, a deputy discovered the individual had passed away.

November 3

The sheriff and a deputy interviewed an individual and collected evidence from an incident that occurred behind the Silver Circle on Halloween. The individual received a citation on charges of criminal mischief and third-degree assault.

A deputy investigated possible trespassing at a business in Ainsworth. After completing the investigation, the individual who was found to be trespassing received a citation.

November 4

The sheriff was notified of trespassing at a rural Brown County property. This is an ongoing investigation.

A deputy investigated a two-vehicle accident in Ainsworth.

The Raven, Calamus, Ainsworth and Johnstown volunteer fire departments provided mutual aid for a fire in southern Cherry County.

Deputies attended a two-state meeting in Valentine.

November 5

The sheriff provided security during county court in Ainsworth.

Deputies responded to a bank alarm going off in Ainsworth. It was reported that the alarm was accidentally bumped into, and everything was reported to be ok.

A deputy responded to a rural Brown County property after reports of trespassing. The deputy walked around the property and other buildings and was unable to find anyone on the property.

A deputy responded to a report of suspicious activity at a rural Brown County property. The deputy drove the property and was unable to locate anything out of the ordinary.

The sheriff’s office received a request to have an employee go over to a house in Ainsworth to turn off their coffee pot since they were going to be out of town for an extended period of time.  

November 6

A deputy is investigating a report of false impersonation and theft of money.

The sheriff attended an annual meeting with Bright Horizons in Ainsworth.

Deputies provided traffic control for cattle crossing Highway 20 near Johnstown.

Deputies and the head dispatcher assisted Ainsworth Community Schools with a lockdown drill.  

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

A traffic stop was made on Highway 183. The driver received a citation for driving 20 mph over the posted speed limit.

A traffic stop was made in Long Pine. The driver received a repair order for no registration.

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

A traffic stop was made in Johnstown. The driver received a repair order for a headlight not working.

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

November 7

The sheriff and a deputy looked for a reported semi hauling unsecured bales of hay on Highway 20.

After completing the investigation of an incident that occurred behind the Silver Circle Bar in Ainsworth, four more individuals received citations. One citation was issued to an individual on charges of terroristic threats and mutual consent fighting. Two citations were issued for assault by threatening and menacing manner and one citation was issued on a charge of disturbing the peace. 

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

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

A traffic stop was made in Ainsworth. The driver received a written warning for plates not clear and visible.

November 8

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

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

The sheriff’s Office was requested to perform a welfare check in rural Brown County. This is an ongoing investigation.

Weekly Log
Phone calls – 995
Calls for service – 18
911 calls – 6
Vehicle titles inspected – 9
Firearms permits purchased – 3

* Class D2-7 All-District football players named

(Posted 11:15 a.m. Nov. 7)

The Class D2-7 All-District football teams have been selected by the district’s coaches. District champion O’Neill St. Mary’s landed the most all-district players with seven.

Ainsworth had three make the all-district team and three earn honorable mention recognition.

Two North Central Knights were selected, with two more earning honorable mention.

All-District players are:

Ainsworth                                         
Witten Painter- Senior
Chris Fernandez- Senior
Jacob Ortner- Sophomore

Honorable Mention
Easton McMillin- Sophomore
John Lewis- Sophomore
Zaine Evans- Sophomore

North Central
Keian Fischer- Junior
Landon Stephen-Sophomore

Honorable Mention
Riar Lezotte- Sophomore
Brandt Lezotte- Junior

St. Mary’s
Gage Hedstrom- Sr.
Ben Barlow- Jr.
Dalton Herley- Jr.
Eli Banks- Jr.
Lane Bybee- Sr.
Drake Berg- Jr.
Carter Cole- Jr.

Honorable Mention
Ben Pongratz- Jr.
James Eby- Jr.
Keigan Couch- So.

Neligh-Oakdale
Cooper Arehart – So.
Breckin Kight – Jr.
Andrew Henery – Sr.
Grayson Kight – Sr.
Jase Schmoldt – Jr.

Honorable Mention
Trevan Torres – Fr.
Tyler Furstenau – So.
Corbin Hoefer – Sr.

Creighton
Ethan Kuhl- Senior
Ethan Kuhlman- Junior
Owen Doerr-Senior
Calvin Wilmes-Senior

Honorable Mention
Braxton Eggerling- Junior
 Haiden Horstmann-Freshman

EPPJ
Jarek Erickson – Senior
Grady Drueke – Senior
Trey Rittscher – Senior
Landyn Veik – Senior
Max Henn – Sophomore
Evin Pelster – Sophomore

Honorable Mention
Karson Kallhoff – Senior
Justice Blecher – Junior
Jayvin Erickson – Freshman

* Be prepared for winter travel season

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

Nebraska officials are encouraging residents to take proactive steps now to get ready for the winter season. From severe snowstorms to extreme cold, winter in Nebraska can be unpredictable and dangerous— but early preparation can help keep families and communities safe.

“The ferocity of a winter storm can catch many of us off guard. That’s why it’s important to think about preparation now,” said Gov. Jim Pillen. “No matter if it’s in our homes, our businesses or our vehicles, we should have a plan in place and supplies at the ready that will ensure we are ready to manage the challenges of the season ahead.” 

The Nebraska Emergency Management Agency urges Nebraskans to build or update emergency kits, stay weather-aware and check road conditions before traveling.

The Nebraska Department of Transportation’s Nebraska 511 map provides real-time traffic cameras, winter road conditions and snowplow tracker information across the state.

“The decisions we make before a storm can shape how we get through it,” said NEMA Assistant Director Erv Portis. “Whether it’s charging your phone, packing extra gear in your car, or simply delaying a trip, small steps can make a big difference in your safety.”

Every vehicle should be equipped with a winter emergency kit. At minimum, include the following items:

*Warm blankets or sleeping bags

*Extra dry clothing (hats, gloves, socks)

*Ice scraper and snow shovel

*Jumper cables

*First aid kit

*Flashlight with extra batteries

*Cell phone charger or power bank

Winter kits should be tailored to each family member’s needs, especially for children, older adults, or individuals with medical conditions.

* Commissioners to sell Long Pine lot by sealed bid

(Posted 3 p.m. Nov. 4)

The Brown County Commissioners on Tuesday approved accepting sealed bids for a Main Street lot in Long Pine the county previously acquired.

Board Chairman Dennis Bauer said the roads department did an excellent job clearing the dilapidated building on the lot.

“I think we are in agreement to start proceedings to get (the sale) done,” Bauer said.

Highway Superintendent Kenny Turpin said it cost the roads department $5,000 or less to complete the demolition work and remove the debris from the site.

County Attorney Andy Taylor said the board could opt to accept sealed bids for the lot or have the sheriff conduct an in-person auction. The board agreed accepting sealed bids was the preferred method.

“Sealed bids are simple,” Commissioner Jeremiah Dailey said.

Taylor asked if the board had a value in mind it would be willing to accept for the property.

Assessor Peg Gross said the two lots total 100-feet by 53-feet and were currently valued at $6,675. She said lots typically sell for between $2,000 and $15,000 depending on the location and level of interest.

Commissioner Don Painter agreed the county needed to start the process of advertising for sealed bids.

The board voted to advertise for sealed bids for the property, with bids due by Dec. 12 and opened during the board’s Dec. 16 meeting.

In other business Tuesday, the commissioners approved a license renewal application for the Brown County Hospital and to have Bauer sign the application as the board’s chair.

Hospital Administrator Mirya Hallock said the hospital recently purchased a new CT scanner at a cost of $1.5 million, replacing the older 20-slice scanner with a new machine that is a 500-slice CT. She said the upgrade would be a long-term benefit to the facility and would allow cardiovascular scans to be conducted in-house.

Bauer applauded the hospital for the purchase.

“We need to keep updated on equipment or we will fall behind,” Bauer said.

Hallock said the hospital’s provider schedules are consistently full and the hospital is searching for an additional physician.

“We are still recruiting another physician,” Hallock said. “We are trying to find the right fit.”

She said Dr. Bohlen is now providing orthopedic specialty services to the Brown County Hospital and already has two surgical procedures scheduled that can be performed in the hospital without the patient having to travel.

“He has a great reputation in Nebraska,” Hallock said of Dr. Bohlen.

She said the hospital was still trying to hire a permanent pharmacist but has a pharmacist contracted into early 2026.

“The pharmacy location is still up in the air,” Hallock said. “We are working on the highway location and on hiring a permanent pharmacist.”

Dailey asked if the pharmacy construction project was moving forward or if it has stalled.

Hallock said the project is somewhat stalled until the hospital can find a permanent pharmacist, but the hospital was starting to run out of office space. She said some staff have moved to the specialty clinic building to open up space, but if another physician is hired, more office relocation would be needed.

In another hospital-related item, the board approved the appointment of Ann Fiala to complete the remainder of Board of Trustees member Brent Deibler’s term. That term expires in December 2026.

Bauer said the commissioners may have to have a resolution created to officially appoint Fiala but it would be a formality.

In roads items, the board approved a year-end certification to the Nebraska Department of Transportation that the county has employed a highway superintendent for 2025.

Turpin said the county receives a $9,000 incentive payment from the state for employing a Class A highway superintendent. He said the county would only receive half of that incentive payment if Turpin carried a Class B license instead of his Class A license.

During his report, Turpin said the warmer weather has given the roads department additional time to blade roads.

Bauer said he had two people talk to him about gravel piles on county roads in the Johnstown area.

Turpin said he drove several roads in that area, and some of them were in the best shape he had ever seen them.

Sheriff Brent Deibler said the material has to get pulled up onto the roads to save the roads.

“There wouldn’t be a road if they didn’t do that,” the sheriff said. “If we see any problems when we are out, we drop a pin to Kenny.”

Bauer said local traffic needs to be aware there is heavy truck traffic on the county roads during the harvest season.

“Locals need to slow down when they meet semis and yield to them this time of year,” Bauer said. “There are a lot of trucks on the roads right now.”

Turpin said the roads department performed culvert repair work on Road 876 and was working on a drainage project on South Pine Avenue.

Treasurer Bruce Mitchell reported he would issue two distress warrants for unpaid personal property tax, one for $25.64 and the other for $4.14.

“There was less than $30 in uncollected personal property tax this year,” Mitchell said.

The commissioners briefly discussed salaries for elected officials for the 2027-30 term. Bauer urged the board to look through comparables from other counties and the commissioners would consider setting the salaries for elected officials during the board’s Dec. 2 meeting.

Taylor said the board had to set the salaries for elected county officials for the 2027-30 term by Jan. 15, 2026.

Deibler asked the commissioners to consider the full duties of the offices when making comparisons with other counties.

Clerk Travee Hobbs reported after attending a recent meeting of the Nebraska Intergovernmental Risk Management Association that the county would receive a $6,800 dividend check from NIRMA.

The next meeting of the Brown County Commissioners is scheduled for 1:15 p.m. Nov. 18.

* Brown County Sheriff’s Department weekly summary

(Posted 8:45 a.m. Nov. 3)

October 26

A deputy transported a transient to Cherry County.

The sheriff, deputies and jail staff passed out Halloween candy for trunk or treat in Long Pine. 

October 27

The sheriff and deputies provided traffic control for cattle crossing Highway 7.

The sheriff took a report of threats being made in Long Pine. This is an ongoing investigation.

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

A deputy investigated a two-vehicle accident in Ainsworth.

A traffic stop was made in rural Brown County. The driver received a repair order for brake lights not working properly.

A traffic stop was made in Ainsworth. The driver received a repair order for a head light not working properly.

October 28

A deputy received a call of possible trespassing in rural Brown County. A deputy spoke with the reporting party and searched the property for anyone trespassing. The deputy did not locate anyone. 

A deputy went to the first responder ice cream social at Ainsworth Community Schools.

A deputy received a report of trespassing at a residence in Ainsworth. The deputy was able to locate an individual on the property who had permission to be there for the owner.

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

October 29

A deputy took a report of an individual receiving harassing phone calls all day. This is an ongoing investigation.

October 30

The sheriff’s office received a complaint about a semi truck parking on Main St. It was learned the driver parked there to go into a business.

A deputy spoke to a semi truck driver parked illegally on private property next to Pump and Pantry. The driver was instructed to move his semi-truck to the gas station down the road. 

A deputy was requested to perform a welfare check of a semitruck driver that has been sitting on a county road in rural Brown County. The driver was found to be ok.

A deputy investigated a two-vehicle accident at the Subway parking lot in Ainsworth.

October 31

The sheriff, deputies and jail staff passed out Halloween candy for trunk or treat in Ainsworth.

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

A traffic stop was made east of Ainsworth on Highway 20. The driver received a written warning for driving on the shoulder of the highway.

A traffic stop was made in Ainsworth. The driver received a citation for misuse of a school permit driver’s license. The driver also received a verbal warning for driving without headlights on at night.

A deputy responded to a report of an individual receiving threatening and harassing social media messages. The person sending the messages was contacted by deputies.

November 1

Deputies responded to the parking lot behind the Silver Circle Bar in Ainsworth. Deputies investigated vandalism to a vehicle and a victim of an assault. This is an ongoing investigation.

A traffic stop was made on Highway 20 east of Ainsworth. The driver received a citation for driving 15 mph over the posted speed limit.

A deputy was notified of an injured deer next to Highway 20 near Long Pine. The injured deer was not found.

A traffic stop was made on Highway 20 west of Ainsworth. The driver received a citation for driving 18 mph over the posted speed limit.

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

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

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

Weekly Log
Phone calls – 813
Calls for service – 19
911 emergency calls – 6
Vehicle titles inspected – 6
Firearms permits purchased – 4

* City receives grant to complete East City Park projects

(Posted 6:45 a.m. Oct. 31)

The city of Ainsworth has received a grant to help complete improvement projects at East City Park.

City Administrator Lisa Schroedl said the $40,000 grant from a private foundation will assist in completing the new pickleball and basketball courts, placing a handicap-accessible chair lift at the Ainsworth Swimming Pool and upgrading amenities to make the park more enjoyable for residents of all ages.

Schroedl said the city and North Central Development Center worked together throughout the process, with the NCDC authoring the grant application that was awarded.

The $40,000 grant comes in addition to the $107,000 provided by the Ainsworth Betterment Committee to complete Phase 1 of the pickleball and basketball court project, $40,000 from the Brown County Foundation toward Phase 2 as well as a $1,000 private donation that will be used for benches.

Schroedl said the city will not have to use any money from its general fund to complete the project, showcasing the power of partnerships and community support to enhance local recreational spaces.

“The city of Ainsworth extends its sincere appreciation to the private foundation, the Brown County Foundation, the Ainsworth Betterment Committee, the NCDC and all who continue to invest in projects that strengthen community pride and quality of life,” the city administrator said.

* Recent cases from Brown County Court

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

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

Jose M. Martinez, age 43, of Lake Elsinore, Calif., charged with speeding 11-15 mph over the limit, fined $125; also charged with no valid registration, $25.

Dustin S. Privett, 27, of Ainsworth, no valid registration, $25.

Marcus I. Fox, 41, of Avon, Colo., speeding 11-15 mph over the limit, $125.

Mohammad Maruf Billah, 36, of Brookings, S.D., speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

Travis W. Gilliland, 54, of Ainsworth, speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

Nicholas M. Gurnsey, 74, of Bassett, disturbing the peace, sentenced to six months of probation.

Julie Kurzenberger, 67, of Ainsworth, nuisance ordinance violation, costs only judgment.

Trenton D. Schmeckpeper, 27, of Johnstown, 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.

Parker M. Weckwerth, 34, of Kirkland, Wash., speeding 36 mph or more over the limit, $400.

Logan J. Stokes, 32, of Albuquerque, N.M., speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

Jeremiah E. Beltran, 24, of Bellevue, no operator’s license, $100; speeding 16-20 mph over the limit, $125.

Jack D. King, 61, of Johnstown, improper turn, $25.

Brittany R. Santosdelgado, 33, of Norfolk, speeding 16-20 mph over the limit, $125.

Hunter Kuykendall, 28, of Ainsworth, third-degree domestic assault, sentenced to 70 days in jail with credit for 70 days served; violating a protection order, sentenced to 70 days in jail with credit for 70 days served; speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $25.

Travis L. Hissong, 49, of Valentine, speeding 11-15 mph over the limit, $75.

Susan K. Fisher, 62, of Norfolk, speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

Douglas A. Troupe, 64, of Omaha, speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

Cole D. Swanson, 19, of Ainsworth, no valid registration, $25.

Kyle A. Peters, 31, of Watertown, S.D., speeding 11-15 mph over the limit, $125.

Maverick L. Stutzman, 22, of Ainsworth, first offense driving under the influence, $500, also sentenced to seven days in jail with credit for one day served, driver’s license revoked for six months and ordered to install an ignition interlock device.

Betzabel Cerda Villanueva, 56, of Ainsworth, speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

Curtis L. Burrowes, 35, of Northborough, Mass., speeding 16-20 mph over the limit, $125.

Ralph M. Gracey, 71, of Ainsworth, 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.

Carey K. Wells-Haskell, 57, of Long Pine, no valid registration, $25.

Joshua P. Stammis, 31, of Valentine, no valid registration, $25.

Kelly L. McKay, 35, of North Platte, speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

Robert C. Lapp, 70, of Muskego, Wis., speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

Lisa E. Stoll, 33, of North Platte, speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

William W. Bogert, 61, of Marion, Iowa, speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $75.

Tanya Haskell, 32, of Ainsworth, compulsory education attendance violation, cost only judgment.

Raige R. Fernau, 28, of Norfolk, 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.

* Paper shredding provided to 11 area communities

(Posted 7 a.m. Oct. 29)

The North Central Nebraska RC&D recently hosted its annual paper shredding routes, allowing members of 11 communities to dispose of outdated records.

The event offered individuals and businesses the opportunity to safely destroy paperwork on-site, helping prevent identity theft while supporting local recycling efforts. Stops were made along Highways 20 and 12, in Cherry, Brown, Rock, Holt, Keya Paha and Boyd counties. In total, almost 12 tons of paper were collected, shredded, and sent for recycling.

Security Shredding Services shredded the sensitive documents, then took the paper confetti to its recycling facility at Laurel, where it was all compressed into large, dense bales, making for easier transportation.

The bales were then hauled to a paper mill in Oklahoma, where the paper was broken down with water into individual fibers, cleaned to remove staples, glue, and ink, and then processed into a final product.

Bales that contain a higher quantity of colored paper are typically made into paper towels and toilet paper, whereas bales that contain more office paper are made into printing paper. The turnaround time is quick. Within one week of the paper shredding events, the bales were trucked to Oklahoma, and about 72 hours later, the new product was made and on store shelves.

Lathan Asbra, owner of Security Shredding Services, said he was pleased with the number of retirees who participated in the recent events.

“Sorting through and disposing of your old tax documents and bank statements is important,” Asbra said. “It really is a gift to your children to clear out those old files.”

Local volunteers, community leaders and the RC&D assisted at each site. The paper shredding event wasn’t just about clearing clutter, but also about protecting identities and reducing landfill waste.

* Results from Hocus Pocus events Saturday

(Posted 7 a.m. Oct. 28)

Results from the Ainsworth Commercial Club’s Hocus Pocus events are as follows:

Bed races:

1^st Place Team: The Misfits

Stan Daniels, Dustin Dailey, Eric Freudenberg, Cam Palmer, Jeremiah Dailey

2^nd Place: Ainsworth Fire Dept.

Scott Fuelberth, Cody Heller, Mason Painter, Randy Johnson, Caeleb Irwin

3^rd Place: H&R Inmates

Rozalynn Goss, Vanessa Garcia, Josh Fiello, Tom Theis, Teresa Lentz

4^th Place: TDTDB

Karissa Beck, Karli Kral, Gracie Kinney, April Good, Jocelyn Good

Business Scavenger Hunt:

1^st Place – the Buckles Brood: Monroe, Sutton, Anniston and Jade Buckles

2^nd Place – Cathie Pankowski

3^rd Place – Caren Fernau

4^th Place – Jaylee Good

5^th Place – Gracyn Painter

Winners can pick up their gift cards at Palmer Embroidery and Boutique

Chili Feed:

1^st Place traditional category: Andie Young

1^st Place non-traditional category: Shannon Painter

1^st Place spicy category: Kay Anderson

* Brown County Sheriff’s Department weekly summary

(Posted 1:30 p.m. Oct. 27)

October 19

A deputy assisted a motorist with a broken-down vehicle south of Ainsworth on Highway 7.

October 20

The sheriff and deputies responded to the reported area of a possible motor vehicle accident on Highway 183. The sheriff and deputies were unable to locate any sign of a motor vehicle accident in Brown County.

A deputy investigated a report of possible trespassing in Ainsworth. Reporting party and individuals were contacted by the deputy. It was discovered that the individuals were taking care of the property since no one is currently living in the house.

A deputy issued a citation to a juvenile for being in possession of a nicotine vape pen at Ainsworth Community Schools.

A traffic stop was made north of Ainsworth on Meadville Avenue. The driver received a written warning for speeding.

A traffic stop was made in Ainsworth. The driver received a written warning for not stopping at a stop sign and received a repair order for not having insurance documents in the vehicle.

A deputy assisted an individual on Highway 20 with changing a tire.

October 21

The Brown County Jail released an inmate after completing a court commitment.

The sheriff had a meeting with Ainsworth Community Schools personnel.

October 22

The sheriff and a deputy provided traffic control for cattle crossing west of Johnstown.

The sheriff drove around radio testing towers around Brown County documenting the repeater towers that weren’t working properly.

The sheriff made a traffic stop west of Ainsworth on Highway 20. The driver received a citation for not stopping at a stop sign. The driver also received written warnings for not having the correct number of license plates on a commercial vehicle and not having registration in the vehicle.

A deputy responded to a Long Pine residence for a welfare check. The individual was found to be ok.

October 23

The Brown County Jail released an inmate after completing a court commitment.

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

The sheriff’s office received a report of buckets with an unknown liquid sitting off a county road in rural Brown County. A deputy discovered the buckets were from a broken-down vehicle earlier in the week.

A deputy spoke to an individual about harassing social media messages.

October 24

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

Deputies provided traffic control for cattle crossing Highway 183.

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

A traffic stop was made south of Ainsworth on Highway 7. The driver received a citation for speeding 21 mph over the posted limit.

A traffic stop was made north of Ainsworth on Meadville Avenue. The driver received a citation for speeding 25 mph over the posted limit.

A traffic stop was made in Ainsworth leading to the driver being arrested on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol. The driver also received citations for possession of an open alcohol container in a vehicle and improper or defective vehicle lighting. The passenger in the vehicle also received a citation for possession of an open alcohol container.

October 25

The Brown County Jail released an inmate on bond.

A deputy notified an individual in Ainsworth that they were not allowed to go back to a property and issued a no trespass order.

A traffic stop was made on 879^th Road. The driver received a repair order for a rear taillight not working.

A traffic stop was made west of Ainsworth on Highway 20. The driver received a written warning for driving on the shoulder of the highway and a repair order for no proof of ownership inside of the vehicle.

Weekly Log
Phone calls – 698
Calls for service – 15
911 calls – 1
Vehicle titles inspected – 5
Firearm permits purchased – 4
Inmates housed – 2

* Lentz named Ainsworth Lion of the Year

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

Connie Lentz was recognized as the 2024-2025 Ainsworth Lions Club Member of the Year during the club’s Oct 20 meeting.  Lentz was presented a certificate and her name was placed on the Member of the Year plaque. Lentz has served as the chair for the Adopt-a-Highway clean-up project and has been instrumental in organizing and volunteering numerous hours to complete the vision screenings during the ESU 17 school health checks.  She is also a consistent contributor for all other service projects.

A total of 16 Lions volunteered to work the admission gate for four varsity football games this season, with no one needing to work more than one game.  Those members were Roland Paddock, Rita Paddock, Geraldine Erickson, Vance Heyer, Stacey Gilliland, Rhonda Lechtenberg, Doug Weiss, Bob Beatty, Steve Salzman, Connie Lentz, Scott Steinhauser, Christi Hafer, Evan Evans, Tim Sinsel, and John Gross. Non-Lion Michelle Sinsel also volunteered.  Jerry Ehlers coordinated the service project and was present to assist at all games.  The Ainsworth Lions Club has provided this service since 1973.

A total of 10 Lions volunteered for the Adopt-A-Highway fall clean-up project Sept. 21 and collected approximately eight bags of trash. Members assisting were Bob Beatty, Kim Bejot, Steve Dike, Amy Dike, Jerry Ehlers, Phil Fuchs, Connie Lentz, Rhonda Lechtenberg, Steve Salzman and David Spann.

A total of 660 students from the ESU 17 schools (Cody-Kilgore, Valentine, Ainsworth, Keya Paha County and Rock County) were provided vision screenings during the fall school health checks. Connie Lentz volunteered 21.5 hours and Geraldine Erickson volunteered 11.5 hours to the service project.

There was a total of $3,098.75 in expenditures for completed service projects during the 2024-2025 year. The expenditures included the Melvin Jones Fellowship donation to LCIF, sponsorship for the Nebraska Lions Foundation golf tournament, Ainsworth Chamber of Commerce dues, and donations to Brown County Hospital for health screenings and their fundraiser golf tournament, the Food Pantry, and the Senior Center.  The proposed budget of $3,000 for the 2025-26 year was presented and approved.

The fall rally is scheduled for November 7-9 at Grand Island.  The Ainsworth Lions Club will host a soup supper fund-raiser December 11 during the high school basketball games vs. West Holt. 

The Ainsworth Lions Club’s next regular meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. Nov. 17 in the Ainsworth Senior Center.

* Eight perfect football contest cards submitted in final week

(Posted 10:45 a.m. Oct. 23)

Week 8 of the KBRB Football Contest finally yielded a perfect card. In fact, eight cards submitted did not miss any of the 13 high school and college games on the card. However, all eight picked the Huskers to win the tie-breaker over Minnesota, so KBRB Sports Director Cody Goochey claims he did not yield a truly “perfect” card for the 2025 contest.

All eight contestants – Dwight Neiman of Ainsworth, Daxton Myers of Johnstown, Tatum Swan of Winner, S.D., Greg Dostal and Maxine Brink of Atkinson, and Jasmine Stout, Kristie Mundorf and Russ Richey of Springview – picked the Huskers to beat Minnesota and were as disappointed as the rest of Husker nation when the Gophers prevailed, 24-6.

Russ Richey picked a 27-24 Husker win, getting Minnesota’s point total correct and missing the final by 21 points. Russ Richey wins the $40 first-place certificate for the final week of the contest.

Greg Dostal picked a 24-20 Husker win to miss the final score by 22 points and earn the $20 second-place certificate for Week 8.

Jasmine Stout (31-24) and Dwight Neiman (28-21) both missed the total by 25 points to just miss out on a certificate. Tatum Swan (30-27) missed by 27 points, followed by Maxine Brink (31-21, off 28 points), Daxton Myers (35-28, off 33 points) and Kristie Mundorf (30-12, off 36 points).

Winners may pick up their certificates from the KBRB Studios or make arrangements to have the KBRB sports crews deliver cards when traveling for broadcasts.

Certificates are redeemable from 2025 KBRB Football Contest sponsors Buckles Automotive, Speedee Mart, the Sandhills Lounge, West Plains Bank, Circle B Livestock, Cast Iron Bar & Grille, and the Tri County Bank.

KBRB thanks this year’s contest sponsors and everyone who submitted cards weekly. Study up and best of luck when the football contest rolls back around in 2026.

* Schmaderer, Hoffman earn Believers & Achievers nod

(Posted 10:15 a.m. Oct. 23)

Currency and the Nebraska School Activities Association announced the 2025-26 Believers & Achievers. Believers & Achievers is a statewide program designed to give recognition to Nebraska’s future leaders.

Beginning in November and continuing through April, the 48 Nebraska high school seniors will be recognized as Believers & Achievers.

Among the statewide winners are Drew Schmaderer of Stuart and Ava Hoffman of West Holt.

From the 48 statewide winners, eight will receive $1,000 scholarships from Currency to use for the college or university of their choice during a scholarship banquet in April.

The 48 students will be recognized at NSAA State Championships throughout the 2025-26 activities year and on a poster sent to all NSAA member schools.

* WMA in Rock County to be named for Lyman

(Posted 11:45 a.m. Oct. 22)

Bassett native Nick Lyman will be memorialized when the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission renames the Twin Lakes R.C. Wildlife Management Area in his honor.

The public is invited to attend the event at 2 p.m. Nov. 3 at the south lake access (middle parking lot) of the WMA located 18 miles south of Bassett in Rock County.

The event will include remarks from Game and Parks staff, as well as Lyman’s family and friends. A sign revealing the renamed 703-acre WMA will be unveiled.

Lyman became an award-winning waterfowl biologist during his 40-year career with Game and Parks, where he was instrumental in establishing a nesting area for Canada geese in the Sandhills. He flew hundreds of hours conducting aerial waterfowl surveys in the U.S. and Canada. Lyman also assisted with the Central Flyway Wingbee parts collection survey identification for 40 years, and he helped with banding projects for many years.

Among the many awards Lyman received were from Ducks Unlimited, Nebraska Game and Parks, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Nebraska Conservation Officers Association.

The Commission approved the renaming of the Nick Lyman WMA during its August meeting.

Lyman passed away last November at the age of 83.

* Bone Creek channel straightening approved

(Posted 9 a.m. Oct. 22)

The Brown County Commissioners on Tuesday approved the potential realignment of two spots on Bone Creek to straighten out the creek channel near intersections with Meadville Avenue and 430th Avenue in an effort to keep the roadways from potentially washing out during high-flow events.

Highway Superintendent Kenny Turpin told the commissioners, when there are high water levels flowing through Bone Creek, the Meadville Avenue and 430^th Avenue road edges both have a history of washing out. He said the high flows and swirling water suck the fill away from the culverts.

“Straightening the creek channel would force the channel away from the roads,” the highway superintendent said.

Turpin said straightening the creek channel near both roadways would require a wetlands delineation from an engineer. He said the cost for the engineering work would be $3,500 for each site.

Commissioner Jeremiah Dailey said he thought straightening the creek channel at those sites was a wise idea.

“There is one spot near Meadville Avenue where the water just swirls,” Dailey said. “It is definitely beneficial to get it done on Meadville Avenue where that road washes out.”

Commissioner Dennis Bauer said he would hate to see the new asphalt on Meadville Avenue get washed out, and encouraged Turpin to proceed with the wetlands delineation permits.

“It would help to put some rock in there as well,” Bauer said.

The board approved proceeding with the $7,000 in engineering costs to create the wetlands delineation permits for the two sites.

In other roads items Tuesday, the board declared a 2009 Caterpillar motor grader as surplus equipment and to have Turpin sell the machine at auction.

The county replaced the machine with a new 2025 Caterpillar. Turpin said he planned to sell the 2009 Caterpillar on Auction Time as that company has a local representative in Logan Leonard.

Bauer said he hoped the county would get $50,000 or more from selling the machine.

The board approved both an annual certification of program compliance and a standardized system for annual reporting of expenditures, revenue and equipment operation costs for the roads department. Both reports are required by the Nebraska Department of Transportation for the county to receive its nearly $900,000 in highway allocation funding from the state.

Turpin said the certification of program compliance simply certifies to the NDOT that the county has a one- and six-year highway improvement plan and keeps a report of the roads department’s revenue, expenditures and inventory on hand.

He said the standardized system of annual reporting tracks the expenditures for the roads department and the cost to operate each machine in the department’s fleet on a per-mile basis.

Dailey said the report provides excellent information to the board.

“I love this report,” Dailey said. “It tells us a lot.”

Bauer said the report gives the board a good idea of whether an older machine is costing so much to maintain that it needs to be replaced.

“If we have a lemon that causes us fits, this is a valuable report,” Bauer said. “It makes for interesting reading.”

During his report to the board, Turpin said the roads department is trying to fix holes in roads created by heavy truck traffic during the harvest season. He said the stretch of Meadville Avenue treated with Permazyme got muddy following the first rain the area received, but the department bladed the road, compacted it and added some sand.

“That seemed to help,” Turpin said. “The last 2-inch rain didn’t hurt it a bit.”

Bauer thanked Turpin and his crew for their work in tearing down the building on Main Street in Long Pine the county was forced to obtain.

“You did a hell of a job tearing that building down,” Bauer said.

Weed Superintendent Scott Erthum presented his year-end report to the commissioners.

Erthum said he always tries to check in with the board when the spraying season winds down. He said he completed 132 inspection reports that noted the presence of noxious weeds in the county. He said he does not fill out a report for inspections he conducts where noxious weeds are not found.

Erthum said he coordinates with the roads department to spray trees in road ditches. He said he only has one tank, so he waits until the fall to spray trees as he uses a different chemical for trees than he does for leafy spurge and other noxious plants.

Bauer said, “I like the idea of spraying the volunteer trees in the road ditches. That helps the county a lot if we take care of those trees before they get 30 feet tall.”

Erthum said late fall was the most effective time to spray trees.

Erthum said he heads up the state’s biological weed control program. He said he used a Canada thistle fungus rust to treat two marshy areas near Clear Lake that he couldn’t reach to spray with herbicide.

Erthum said the biological control was applied on about 20 acres, and as the rust spores reproduce, it will allow him to use those spores to treat additional areas.

The commissioners approved a resolution appointing Thad Jones to fill the remainder of John Gross’s term on the Brown County Hospital Board of Trustees. The term ends Dec. 31, at which time Jones would be eligible for appointment to a full term.

“I visited with Thad and I think he will be a good board member,” Bauer said. “He is committed and will attend the meetings.”

The board also approved a budgeted transfer of $15,000 from the county’s miscellaneous general fund to the reappraisal fund.

The next meeting of the Brown County Commissioners is scheduled for 1:15 p.m. Nov. 4.

* Care Center Board approves holiday bonus structure

(Posted noon Oct. 21)

The Sandhills Care Center Board of Directors on Monday approved providing Christmas bonuses to employees based on the number of hours they worked during the year.

During the past two years, the Care Center Board awarded retention bonuses during the holiday season using American Rescue Plan Act grant funding. The board at the time indicated those funds would not be available in future years, but increased resident census and highly improved financial performance allowed the board to reward employees who helped build the census and improve the facility.

Business Manager Makenzie Crane said employees were not generally interested in receiving a mug or a shirt as a Christmas bonus.

“If you want employees to be happy, pay them a bonus,” Crane urged the board. “I know it is maybe a bad time to present this with our payables high this month.”

Board member Dr. Mel Campbell said the board had the ARPA funds available then that it doesn’t have now.

“We informed employees then that this was a special circumstance and they wouldn’t be available again,” Campbell said.

After the board awarded $40,000 in ARPA funds in 2023 and $31,384 in 2024 as holiday-timed bonuses to employees, Crane presented the board with two options for potentially rewarding employees for 2025.

The first option would provide a holiday bonus based on how many years each employee had worked in the facility. The second, which the board indicated it favored, would provide a bonus based on the total number of hours an employee worked during the year.

Board members Kent Taylor and Campbell said they supported awarding a bonus based off the hours an employee worked as opposed to how long they have been employed by the care center.

Board member Bruce Papstein said he was concerned with the current high agency staffing costs if the board would be able to provide that kind of bonus.

Director of Nursing Sara Mayhew said the care center went the first several months of the year without having to use agency staffing, but the increasing census coupled with numerous CNAs leaving the facility to return to college led to an increase in agency staffing during the past couple months.

“We hope by the first of the year we will be down to two agency night nurses,” Mayhew said. “We also have double the residents we had when we were losing money on a monthly basis.”

Administrator Penny Jacobs recommended the board consider the hours worked bonus option.

“We need to recognize the staff who are out there working,” Jacobs said.

Board Chairman Tom Jones said, if the board provided a $1 per hour bonus for 70 percent of the hours an employee worked during the year, the approximate cost of the bonuses would be $25,000.

“I am in favor of rewarding people who have helped get us to the place we are now,” Jones said.

With board member Dennis Bauer absent, the board on Monday approved awarding $1 per hour bonuses based on 70 percent of the total hours worked during the year.

Jacobs reported the care center currently has 32 residents, with 13 paying privately, 16 receiving Medicaid assistance and three receiving Medicare assistance. The facility admitted four new residents during the past month, with one resident discharged to an assisted living facility and two residents passing away during the past month.

She said the facility hired two full-time RNs, an LPN and two CNAs during the past month, as well as a full-time housekeeper and two part-time dietary aides. She said the care center was still in need of charge nurses, CNAs and another dietary employee.

The care center during September generated $302,148 in revenue with expenses of $326,338 for a net loss of $24,190 during the month.

Crane said the facility had elevated agency staffing expenses during the past month, with four agencies providing staffing.

Papstein asked if the more than $75,000 paid to agencies during the month would be the same in future months.

“Are we heading down a path to start losing money again?” Papstein asked.

Crane said agency staffing costs for a dietary consultant and an LPN would be going away at the end of October. She said agency staffing costs would be closer to $50,000 per month for the next few months.

“We are replacing a few of those agency positions when their contracts expire at the end of the year,” Crane said.

Taylor said, a few months ago, the board was told hiring agency staffing was not much higher than having in-house employees. Crane said agency RNs cost the facility $80 per hour, while the care center pays nurses $58 per hour.

Campbell said the $58 per hour cost does not include the benefits the facility also provides.

Mayhew said the facility hoped to offer a CNA class soon so it could be done with using an agency for CNAs.

“We lost 14 CNAs when they went back to school,” Mayhew said of summer CNA staff members.

Jones said the nursing shortage never seems to improve.

“I hope we can keep paring that monthly agency total down,” Jones said.

Mayhew said the nursing shortage remains a nationwide issue.

The board discussed a claim from Stec Lawn Care to replace underground sprinklers after tabling it the previous month since it was higher than the bid the board approved.

Jones said the $22,989 bill was about 40 percent higher than the bid.

“We are responsible for the money,” Jones said. “We need an explanation of what changed.”

Grant Stec said maintenance director Darrell Olson wanted an area in the back of the property added to the original sprinkler system layout, which added additional sprinkler heads and an additional zone.

Stec said, during the bidding process, bidders were told to re-use some of the existing sprinkler system. However, when connecting the new equipment, the back-flow preventer that was to be re-used was broken and needed replaced. He said he received approval to replace the back-flow preventer. There was also a leak in the old ball valve when the system was turned on, so that had to be replaced. He said another system leak was discovered inside a wall that had to be replaced.

“We weren’t far from the original bid,” Stec said. “The overage was mainly from the additional work we had to do on the old system. We ended up finding one thing after another.”

Taylor said, if Olson had approved of the changes, he was fine with paying the full amount of the claim.

Jones thanked Stec for the explanation and itemization of the charges.

“There should be some sort of procedure for approving changes to bids,” Jones said.

Campbell said, going forward, if future situations like this come up, someone needs to communicate any changes to the board chairman.

Jones said, “We did that with the cement work. I then talked to some of the other board members on that one. I know it takes time for the full board to meet and approve changes.”

Crane said the care center’s lawn looks great following the sprinkler system upgrade.

The board approved the $22,989 claim and will pay it using the interlocal account, which is the property tax money the care center receives the board has indicated it will use for facility upgrades.

The board also approved a $10,586 claim from Ainsworth Electric Motor for a switch replacement. Jacobs said the switch will be made Friday, so the facility may be without electricity for about an hour.

Campbell said the interlocal account is to be used for improving the facility.

Crane said, by using the property tax levy funds to pay for claims that upgrade the facility, the public can see that the money is being used well and not going toward the care center’s operations.

In a final action item Monday, the board approved getting quotes from architectural firms to provide consulting service for upgrades to the facility that have been identified through strategic planning sessions held by the facility’s managers.

Jacobs said managers have created a priority list of long-term improvements that would help the operation of the care center. Those include one-time equipment purchases as well as infrastructure improvements.

Jacobs said improvements to the facility’s bathrooms and showers were at the top of the priority list, as there is one bathroom shared by two rooms, which means four residents to a bathroom.

Jacobs said they need more of a professional look at what could be done structurally with the facility. She provided the board with several architectural firms who have worked with nursing homes in the state.

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

* Ainsworth students compete in Chadron Scholastics Contest

(Posted 9:45 a.m. Oct. 21)

Ainsworth High School had 33 students travel to Chadron October 15 to participate in the annual Scholastic Day at Chadron State College. Students took a total of 48 tests in many different subjects as well as created a drawing from a still life arrangement, wrote a story from a prompt and analyzed a literary work.

The college had several activities for students to participate in during the time they weren’t testing. Students placing in the top three spots for their tests earned medals and students placing in the top 25% of their tests received awards of merit and scored points for the school. Ainsworth students placed in 17 of 48 tests, finishing second of 13 schools in Division IV. Students from 32 schools competed on the college campus.

Medalists from Ainsworth were Megan Jones, who won gold in the Veterinary Science test. David Cook won silver in World History, Kristofer Hitchcock won bronze in General Science and Puridy Haley won bronze in Personal Finance.

Students placing in the top 25 percent of their tests include Erick Hitchcock, fourth in American History; David Cook, fifth in Nebraska History; Skylar Flageolle, fifth in General Biology, Aiden Rowley, fifth in Business Law; Sam Titus, sixth in American History; Erick Hitchcock, sixth in both Chemistry and World History. Colby Beegle, seventh in American Government; William Biltoft, seventh in American Government; Ben Clingman, seventh in Algebra II; Kristofer Hitchcock, seventh in Plane Geometry; Aiden Rowley, ninth in Animal Science; and Easton McMillin, 10th in Animal Science.

* Believers and Achievers school nominees named

(Posted 7:30 a.m. Oct. 21)

NSAA Believers and Achievers
School Nominees
Ainsworth – Adysson Sears, Payton Moody and Megan Jones

Keya Paha County – Zachary Wiebelhaus and Reece Taylor

Rock County – Trey Anthony, Eliesha Moravec, Kade Wiiest and Carter Buell

Stuart – Drew Schmaderer and Maddux Alder

West Holt – Ava Hoffman, Pavan Larson, Taylor Walnofer and Avery Nemetz

Sandhills – HayLynn Glidden and Connor Sutton

Boyd County – Benjamin Nelson and Claire Reiman

Valentine – Reeves Witte, Trace Buechle, Maeli Patterson and Samantha Sprenger

* Rock County LTC launches new program

(Posted 7:45 a.m. Oct. 21)

Rock County Hospital Long Term Care announced the launch of its new “Partners in Life” program, aimed at improving the lives of residents through community support and philanthropic engagement.

The “Partners in Life” program invites individuals, business and organizations to make contributions that directly benefit the long term care residents, including enhanced dining experiences and expanded recreational activities.

“We believe every resident deserves to live with dignity, comfort and joy,” said LTC staff member Walter Mauch, who helped launch the program. 

Administrator Stacey Knox said, “This program will offer meaningful ways for the community to become a part of our mission and make a lasting difference in the lives of our residents.” 

Donors can choose from a variety of giving options, including one-time gifts, monthly contributions or memorial donations.  All donors will receive recognition in the facility’s advertising and invitations to exclusive events. 

Knox said, “By launching the “Partners in Life program, we hope to build a network of compassionate supporters dedicated to enriching the lives of our residents and ensuring the continued excellence of our care.”

More information on how to become a donor will be forthcoming. The inaugural event will be a steak meal furnished by Bassett Livestock Auction.

* Brown County Sheriff’s Department weekly summary

(Posted 9:30 a.m. Oct. 20)

Week of Oct. 12-18
October 12

A traffic stop was made south of Ainsworth on Highway 7. The driver received a citation for driving 21 mph over the posted speed limit.

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

A deputy responded to a welfare check following a report of a possible domestic assault. The deputy found the individual to be ok and both parties had already separated for the night. This is an ongoing investigation.

October 13

The sheriff’s office made an arrest on an individual who failed to notify and update the sex offender registry.

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

A traffic stop was made on Meadville Avenue. The driver received a citation for driving 20 mph over the posted speed limit.

A traffic stop was made on Meadville Avenue. The driver received written warnings for speeding and driving a commercial motor vehicle with no CDL on person.

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

A traffic stop was made west of Ainsworth. The driver received a written warning for following too closely.

A traffic stop was made on Wilson Street in Ainsworth. The driver received a citation for driving 10 mph over the posted speed limit.

The sheriff’s office was notified of a dead deer in the middle of the roadway. The deer was removed from the roadway.

October 14

A deputy provided security during District Court in Ainsworth.

A traffic stop was made east of Ainsworth on Highway 20. The driver was given a written warning for not having their headlights on and no proof of insurance in the vehicle.

October 15

A traffic stop was made in the school zone in Ainsworth. The driver received a citation for not stopping at a stop sign and no proof of insurance. The driver also received a written warning for not having their driver’s license on person.

The sheriff provided security during County Court in Ainsworth.

A deputy provided traffic control during a fire drill at Ainsworth Community Schools.

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

October 16

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

A traffic stop was made east of Ainsworth on Highway 20. The driver received a citation for driving 15 mph over the posted speed limit.

A neighboring county utilized the Brown County Datamaster for a DUI arrest.

A traffic stop was made west of Ainsworth on Highway 20. The driver received a citation for driving 21 mph over the posted speed limit.

The Brown County Jail housed an inmate for a neighboring county.

October 17

The Brown County Jail released an inmate on a personal recognizance bond.

The sheriff’s office turned over an inmate to the Department of Homeland Security. The inmate was arrested last week in Brown County on a felony child abuse charge.

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

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

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

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

October 18

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

A welfare check was requested for a child and mother in Ainsworth. A deputy checked on the child and the mother and found everything was ok.

A traffic stop was made in Ainsworth. The driver received a repair order for having taillights not working.

A traffic stop was made north of Ainsworth on Meadville Avenue. The juvenile driver was placed under arrest on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol. The juvenile also received citations for minor in possession of alcohol, possession of an open alcohol container in a vehicle and not coming to a stop at a stop sign. The juvenile was later released to parents.

Weekly Log
Total calls – 756
Calls for service – 6
911 calls – 13
Vehicle titles inspected – 6
Firearms permits purchased – 0
Inmates housed – 4

* Moravec claims top prize in Week 7 Football Contest

(Posted 12:30 p.m. Oct. 16)

With one week remaining, there has still not been a perfect card submitted during the KBRB Football Contest. Area pickers had a tough time in Week 7, with two missed games claiming the top prize for the week.

Dr. Marty Moravec of Bassett missed one of the seven high school games and one of the seven college games on the Week 7 card, which earns him the $40 first-place certificate for the week.

Six contestants missed three games, which sent us to the tie-breaker, Nebraska’s 34-31 come-from-behind victory over Maryland.

Becky Schelm of Ainsworth picked a 28-24 Husker victory to miss the total by 13 points and claim the $20 second-place certificate. Roger Brink of Atkinson had a 28-21 Husker victory, missing the total by 16 points to just miss out on a certificate. Doug Walton of Ainsworth picked the Huskers 28-14 (23 points) and Deanna Pfister of Ainsworth picked a 24-17 Husker win to miss by 24 points.

Briley Naprstek of Johnstown picked Maryland to beat the Huskers, and Kenny Schelm of Ainsworth missed three games but did not fill in a tie-breaker score.

Winners may pick up their certificates from the KBRB Studios or make arrangements to have the KBRB sports crew deliver certificates when on the road.

The final week of the KBRB Football Contest is upon us. Cards can be picked up from Buckles Automotive and Speedee Mart in Ainsworth, the Sandhills Lounge in Long Pine, West Plains Bank in Springview, Circle B Livestock in Bassett, the Cast Iron Bar & Grille in Stuart, the Tri County Bank branches in Bassett, Stuart, and Atkinson, or from Speedee Mart in Atkinson.

Certificates are redeemable from those contest sponsors.

Cards must be returned to the KBRB Studios by 4 p.m. Thursday or carry a Thursday postmark if mailed.

* School Board approves repairs to facility’s roofing

(Posted 7 a.m. Oct. 14)

The Ainsworth Community Schools Board of Education on Monday approved making substantial repairs to the school’s roofing system after an annual inspection showed the facility sustained damage from summer windstorms.

Superintendent Dale Hafer told the board Monday Heartland Roofing recently conducted its annual roof inspection and noted damage to the roofing systems of McAndrew Gymnasium, the elementary building, commons and middle school.

“They give us an independent review of the facility’s roofing,” Hafer said. “They found some problematic areas.”

Hafer said Guarantee Roofing had replaced the school’s gym roof in 2019, and Matt Fisher from Guarantee Roofing was on site the day after Heartland Roofing’s inspection found the damage.

“Matt recognized it was a weather-related incident, and he went to work with ALICAP for us,” the superintendent said. “ALICAP is going to handle most of this.”

Fisher said he was committed to the district after working on the gym roof and middle school roof in 2019.

“It was a wind damage issue,” Fisher said. “It popped 40 percent of the gym roof up in the windstorm. This will be the third time repairing this section. You keep getting whupped by the wind in that spot. It is up high facing the west.”

Fisher said, after repairing the gym roof, the company is going to space out 75-pound pavers to help keep the roof from popping up during severe windstorms. He said, after working with the school’s insurance company, ALICAP was going to handle the cost of the repairs to the gym roof and the middle school section after core samples on that roofing system showed water.

Fisher said his company will come up during a day when there are no classes and get the roofs secured for the winter, then will come back make the permanent repairs during the summer as that work will require heavy equipment and would be intrusive if classes were in session. He said ALICAP agreed to cover the $10,000 cost of securing the roofing systems for the short term.

Repair work to the middle school roof will cost $99,806, with gym roof repairs coming in at $44,396. The school will only be responsible for its $2,500 wind and hail deductible.

Fisher said there was about $20,000 worth of upgrades to make the repairs correctly that insurance would not cover.

“We are just going to take care of that for you at no charge,” Fisher said. “We want to do this right.”

Fisher also recommended the board make $51,855 in seam repairs through Guarantee Roofing’s sister company, Blackwoods Roofing, to provide an additional seven to 10 years of life to three additional sections of the school’s roof.

He said, with the elementary building roof undergoing that seam work several years ago, it bought the district more years on its current roof. He said the board should plan to replace the elementary building roof in the summer of 2027. Making these seam repairs on the additional sections would keep the district from needing to undergo two major roof replacement projects at the same time.

Board President Brad Wilkins said the school’s insurance and Guarantee Roofing covering most of the cost of the repairs was a great outcome for the district.

“We’ve been treated far better than I’ve been treated by insurance,” Wilkins said.

Board member Bryan Doke said Fisher had come up with a good plan.

“I appreciate you working with us and what you are willing to do for us,” Doke said.

The board approved the repairs from the storm damage as well as the $51,855 in seam repairs as recommended.

In other business Monday, the board approved a quote from Ainsworth Motors to purchase a 2022 or newer Ford Expedition with preferred mileage under 35,000 to replace the district’s 2009 Chevy van with 183,371 miles.

Hafer said the transportation committee met Sept. 24 and recommended the district replace one SUV now, with the goal of replacing the district’s 2011 Chevy Express van with 123,092 miles in the future.

Board member Jake Graff said the district tries to use both local car dealerships when making vehicle purchases.

“The first one is going to come from Ford,” Graff said.

The district received $2,750 in trade value for the 2009 Chevy van.

In other action items, the board approved an update to the district’s multicultural education plan, and recognized the review of the district’s special education policies 602.06 to 602.20.

Lisa Schluter, Kathy Klammer, Brandon Evans, Rowdy Clapper and Jamie Davis presented information regarding the school’s Teammates chapter. Schlueter said the chapter is always looking for additional mentors, but they do have about 100 percent of mentees matched with a mentor.

Schlueter said she typically presents information on the Teammates program to the fifth-grade class, as that is the first year students are eligible for the program.

Being in the Teammates program provides students with substantial scholarship opportunities from colleges across the state, as well as a $250 local chapter scholarship.

Wilkins asked about the process for someone interested in becoming involved as a mentor.

Schlueter said anyone interested can go online to teammates.org. At the top of the home page is a link to apply to become a mentor. She said the applicant must pass a background check and provide several references. Once approved, there is a training process.

The board thanked the volunteers for their work with the local Teammates chapter.

Activities Director Luke Wroblewski’s written report congratulated seniors Megan Jones, Payton Moody and Adysson Sears for being the school’s nominees for the NSAA’s Believers and Achievers program.

Wroblewski reported the school will host the Class D-3 District cross country meet Thursday at the Ainsworth Golf Course.

The next meeting of the Ainsworth Community Schools Board of Education is scheduled for 7 p.m. Nov. 10. The board will hold a data and curriculum retreat at 6 p.m. prior to the regular meeting.

* Scammers claim to be from sheriff’s office

(Posted 5 p.m. Oct. 13)

The Brown County Sheriff’s Department has received reports from county residents receiving phone calls from a private number claiming to be someone from the sheriff’s department.

The caller may provide a badge number, and proceeds to ask for personal information.

The calls are not originating from the Brown County Sheriff’s Office. Anyone who receives a suspicious call should not provide any information. Hang up and call the sheriff’s office directly at 402-387-1440.

The sheriff’s office prioritizes the safety and privacy of Brown County residents. Anyone with questions and those who have received suspicious calls claiming to be someone from the sheriff’s office should contact the office.

* Week 6 Football Contest goes to the tie-breaker

(Posted 9 a.m. Oct. 9)

Three contestants missed two games to tie for the top spot during Week 6 of the KBRB Football Contest.

UCLA’s upset of Penn State tripped up almost every participant in Week 6, and Florida’s win over a top 10 rated Texas Longhorn squad also hurt most of the pickers.

Bill Carr and Kenny Schelm of Ainsworth, Kallie Mundorf of Springview missed two of the 13 games on the Week 6 card. That sent us to the tie-breaker game, Nebraska’s 38-27 victory over Michigan State. All three contestants had faith that the Huskers would win.

Kenny Schelm picked a 34-21 final to miss the score by 10 points. That wins Schelm the first-place, $40 certificate for Week 6. Kallie Mundorf picked a 28-21 Husker victory, missing the final by 17 points to capture the $20 second-place certificate. Bill Carr picked the Huskers, 27-17, to miss by 21 points and just miss a certificate.

Nine contestants missed three games on the Week 6 card.

Winners may pick up their certificates from the KBRB Studios or make arrangements to have the KBRB sports crew bring the certificates along during a broadcast.

Week 7 KBRB Football Contest cards are available now from Buckles Automotive and Speedee Mart in Ainsworth, the Sandhills Lounge in Long Pine, West Plains Bank in Springview, Circle B Livestock in Bassett, the Cast Iron Bar & Grille in Stuart, the Tri County Bank branches in Bassett, Stuart, and Atkinson, or from Speedee Mart in Atkinson.

Certificates are redeemable from those contest sponsors.

Cards must be returned to the KBRB Studios by 4 p.m. Thursday or carry a Thursday postmark if mailed.

* Council declares 3 properties as nuisances

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

In a continuing effort to enforce its nuisance ordinances, the Ainsworth City Council on Wednesday declared three properties in the city as nuisances, which will allow for citations to be issued to the property owners.

In each instance, City Code Enforcement Officer Kelsie Evans said the property owners had either not responded at all to numerous notices to remedy the issues identified or had not yet taken care of the violations.

Evans said she issued two violation notices to the property owner at 373 N. Oak St. and had provided more than four weeks to remedy the issue.

“There has been no action taken by the property owner and no contact,” Evans said.

She said she had issued a similar notice a year ago and the issue was taken care of at that time.

Councilman Dustin Barthel said he didn’t understand why the property owner didn’t just take care of the vegetation issue, as it would not be a big project.

Evans said she issued two notices to the owner of property at 530 N. Woodward St. to remedy a vegetation issue and move a vehicle from the street that had been parked in the same spot with a flat tire. She said nothing had been done to abate the nuisance violations.

Evans said the owner of property at 121 W. Second St. had contacted her Wednesday morning after not complying following two notices being sent.

Evans said the violations include a greenhouse in disrepair and excessive vegetation in the greenhouse.

“The property owner said she would take care of it this weekend and would call me when it was done,” Evans said.

Councilman Brad Fiala asked if the council should give that property owner one more month since she had made contact.

“I think they should repair the structure,” Fiala said. “There are probably four tubes that can’t be reused.”

Evans said each property owner still has five business days after the council declares the property a nuisance to remedy the violations or appeal the decision before a citation is issued.

City Administrator Lisa Schroedl said each property owner has known for months that there were issues.

“Kelsie does a good job working with people,” Schroedl said. “By the time it comes here, they have had a lot of opportunities.”

Mayor Joel Klammer said he recommended the council move forward and declare each of the three properties as nuisances.

“It is a long process to get to this stage,” Klammer said. “They have a lot of opportunities to correct before it gets to this point.”

Barthel asked if most people are cleaning up their properties when they receive the initial notice from Evans.

Evans said a majority of property owners do comply and take care of the identified issues.

Klammer said, in reading Evans’ monthly report, it looked like about 80 percent of the people who receive initial notices are complying.

The council, with Councilwoman Heather Lutter absent, voted to declare all three properties as nuisances.

In other business Wednesday, the council approved owning three new solar-powered flashing speed signs that will be placed on the east, west and south entrances to the city. The council previously agreed to purchase two of the signs for the entrances to Ainsworth on Highway 20 at a cost of $8,208, and will also own the sign purchased by the Brown County Sheriff’s Department for the south entry to the city on Highway 7. Brown County Emergency Manager Traci Booth said the Brown County Roads Department also purchased a sign for Meadville Avenue on the north entrance to the city, but that sign would be owned by the county since it was being placed outside city limits.

Booth said, by agreeing to own the signs, the city would take responsibility for any maintenance needed.

Schroedl said she did not see any problems with the city owning the signs.

Fiala said the city would be responsible for maintaining the signs and fixing them if anything breaks.

“I am glad we are getting them,” Fiala said.

The council approved taking ownership of the signs.

The council approved a recommendation from the Ainsworth Betterment Committee to award $3,075 to JDLB LLC to pay for half of the cost of purchasing a Double A Frame Chair Lift for placement at a former church that was now being used to host Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon meetings.

North Central Development Center Executive Director Kristin Olson said it was a worthwhile project, but she asked if the city had the ability to award ABC funds to a private business as the LLC was not a non-profit organization.

Schroedl said the guidelines for using ABC funds only require that the funds be used for community betterment.

The council approved the recommendation from the committee to award the funding as long as the building continues to be used for public betterment. Fiala said the way the building was being utilized was good for the community.

The council also approved a recommendation from the city’s LB 840 loan committee to award a $10,000 façade grant to a business in the community to pay for upgrades. Olson said it is a much larger project, so the maximum $10,000 the council can award would not pay for half of the cost of the total work. Business owners in Ainsworth can apply for façade grant funding from the LB 840 program to pay for half the cost of improvements up to a maximum award of $10,000.

The council approved a special designated liquor license request from the Sandhills Lounge to serve alcohol during the Pheasants Forever banquet in the Ainsworth Conference Center Nov. 7 from 3 p.m. until 11:59 p.m.

The council also approved a request from the Ainsworth Commercial Club to close a portion of Third Street from Walnut Street west to the alley in front of the Ainsworth Fire Hall from 6 until 11 p.m. Oct. 25 during the downtown bed races.

During her report, Schroedl said she attended a League of Nebraska Municipalities meeting in Lincoln focused on the issue of emergency medical services in small cities and rural areas. She said having enough personnel to operate emergency medical services is becoming a big issue for smaller cities.

Fiala said the dwindling number of emergency medical technicians is a big concern.

“It takes about nine months of classes and being able to pass the registry test,” Fiala said. “Our EMTs are all getting older, and there just aren’t a lot of young people coming up.”

Fiala said the EMT class costs $2,000, but local banks will loan the money at no interest to anyone interested in becoming an EMT. If the person completes the coursework and passes the test, the county reimburses the bank and there is no cost to the person who completes the coursework.

In an old business item, the council discussed an offer from a property owner to gift vacant property at 352 N. Wilson St. to the city in exchange for the city waiving vacant building fines that have been levied against the property.

Schroedl said City Attorney Michael Sholes had a conversation with the property owner, who agreed to make payments on past-due property taxes owed.

Fiala said the Ainsworth Volunteer Fire Department should be able to burn the structure on the property as it is a safe enough distance away from neighboring properties.

“We don’t want to get into the business of acquiring property, but this is next to city property,” Fiala said. “There is value to the city.”

Initially, the council indicated the property owner would need to pay the back taxes before the city agreed to take ownership.

“That will delay us taking ownership, but the taxes need to be paid,” Fiala said.

Klammer suggested the city pay the back taxes and write into the agreement to accept the property that the current owner repay the city for the cost of the taxes.

“Then we can keep the ball rolling,” the mayor said.

The council approved acquiring the property at 352 N. Wilson St. and to pay the past-due property tax with the property owner agreeing to repay the city for the $800 to $900 in back taxes.

In another old business item, the council again tabled action on amending city ordinance regarding the operation of UTVs inside city limits. Klammer said the goal would be to have proposed amendments to the ordinance drafted for the council to consider during its November meeting.

That meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. Nov. 13.

* Runners complete Cowboy Trail Ultra-Marathon

(Posted 1:15 p.m. Oct. 8)

Thirty-seven competitors completed the Cowboy Trail 200-mile Ultra-Marathon Sept. 26-29.

Starting at Norfolk and finishing in Valentine, those who signed up for the grueling trek had to negotiate the 200-mile stretch of the Cowboy Trail. Only 37 of the 70 competitors to start the race finished the course, with Lucas Vidal of Cape Coral, Fla., completing the course in a time of 46 hours, 4 minutes, 24 seconds, which was 6 hours, 43 minutes faster than runner-up Brian Harms of George, Iowa.

There was also a 100-mile course that began at Atkinson and finished at Valentine. Competitors had 32 hours to complete the course. Only 33 of the 61 who started the 100-mile event crossed the finish. Shad Mika of Westminster, Colo., was the first across the finish line on the 100-mile course in 16 hours, 31 minutes, 28 seconds.  He was 3:09 faster than runner-up Ben Connot of Pierre, S.D. Leah Chohon of O’Neill crossed the line third in 20:12.14.

Area finishers included Don Forker of Stuart, who completed the 100 miles 17th in 28:29.04, Terri Kaup of Stuart, 23rd in 29:24.55, and Nick Martin of Ainsworth, 28th in 30:45.51.

Martin discussed his journey and his motivation for pushing his body to the limit in a conversation with KBRB’s Graig Kinzie.

Cowboy Trail 200 Ultra-Marathon
(37 of 70 competitors finished)
1. Lucas Vidal, Cape Coral, Fla., 46 hours, 4 minutes, 24 seconds.
2. Brian Harms, George, Iowa, 52:47.49.
3. Amy Nichols, Oklahoma City, Okla., 55:50.15.
4. Jason Kaplan, Boston, Mass., 55:50.36.
5. Lisamarie Fosdal-Griffin, Farnam, 61:33.04.
23. Andrew Fehringer, O’Neill, 77:05.28.
24. Frank Jesse, Chambers, 77:52.41.

Cowboy Trail 100 Ultra-Marathon
(33 of 61 competitors finished)
1. Shad Mika, Westminster, Colo., finished in 16 hours, 31 minutes, 28 seconds.
2. Ben Connot, Pierre, S.D., 19:40.14.
3. Leah Chohon, O’Neill, 20:12.14.
4. Anthony Perlinski, Chadron, 20:25.32.
5. Harrison Stark, Lincoln, 22:32.16.
12. Teresa Simons, O’Neill, 26:35.50.
17. Don Forker, Stuart, 28:29.04.
19. Ryan Kelly, O’Neill, 29:13.27.
23. Terri Kaup, Stuart, 29:24.55.
25. Dean Benson, O’Neill, 29:31.56.
26. Dan Rentschler, O’Neill, 29:31.59.
28. Nick Martin, Ainsworth, 30:45.51.

* Ainsworth City Council Wednesday agenda

(Posted 7 a.m. Oct. 8)

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

• Call to Order
• I. Routine Business
  • Announcement of Open Meetings Act
  • Roll Call
  • Pledge of Allegiance
• II. Consent Agenda – All items approved with the passage of one motion
  • Approve minutes from the September 10, 2025 regular meeting, September 22, 2025 special meeting and October 1, 2025 special meeting
  • Approval of claims
  • Treasurer’s report
  • Department head reports
  • Cemetery Certificate

• III. Mayor’s Appointments and Report
  • Mayor’s Report
  • Mayor’s Appointments
• IV. Public Hearings
  • None
• V. Old Business
  • Discuss and consider a proposal regarding ownership of the property at 352 N. Wilson
  • Discuss and consider potential amendments to City Ordinance regarding UTV operation
• VI. Regular Agenda
  • Consider a request by the Ainsworth Commercial Club for a street closure for bed races
  • Discuss and consider speed signage – Traci Booth, Brown/Rock EMA
  • Consider the recommendation by the Ainsworth Betterment Committee:
    • Approve funding of $3,075 to JDLB, LLC for a Double A Frame Chair Lift project
  • Consider the recommendation by the LB840 Loan Committee:
    • Application #25-05 Façade in the amount of $10,000
  • Discuss and consider an SDL for Sandhills lounge for the Pheasants Forever Banquet to be held at the Ainsworth Conference Center on November 7, 2025 from 3:00 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
  • Discuss and consider nuisance properties identified:
    • Resolution #25-06:  373 N. Oak Street
    • Resolution #25-07:  530 N. Woodward Street
    • Resolution #25-08:  121 W. 2^nd Street

City Administrator

* Commissioners hear details of $24.8 million grant award

(Posted 3:30 p.m. Oct. 7)

Emergency Manager Traci Booth on Tuesday shared details with the Brown County Commissioners of the more than $24 million in federal wildfire defense funds that were awarded for Brown and Rock counties.

Booth said she appreciated having the support of both the Brown County Commissioners and the Rock County Commissioners to pursue the federal Community Wildfire Defense Fund grants.

Booth said the Nebraska Forest Service will hire a project manager for each county, and a minimum of 2,500 acres have to be controlled within the first three years of the grant and then maintained over time.

“This grant is a generational game-changer,” Booth said. “It took several years to build the foundation to be able to get these awards.”

Booth thanked Brown County Clerk Travee Hobbs for helping her get everything set up from the county standpoint.

Commissioner Jeremiah Dailey said, “Thanks to you and Jess (Pozehl). This a lot of dollars being brought in to help. People can see what emergency management does.”

A portion of the grant funding is dedicated to creating and maintaining fire breaks in the Hidden Paradise area, with additional funds awarded to Brown County and Rock County to reduce the risk of wildfire spreading in identified areas of concern, which would include the Niobrara River valley.

Booth said Brown/Rock Emergency Management would be responsible for helping to administer the grants. A committee will be formed to identify areas where the fire breaks would be created and work with willing property owners.

More details will follow on how the fire breaks will be created and how the grant will be administered.

Commissioner Don Painter said, “This is going to be very important for Hidden Paradise.”

In other business during Tuesday’s meeting, the commissioners, with Board Chairman Denny Bauer absent, discussed the demolition of a building owned by the county on Main Street in Long Pine.

The county was forced to take ownership of the property after property taxes went unpaid for several years and those back taxes were not purchased by an investor. The property went unsold during a subsequent sheriff’s sale.

Dailey said the commissioners and Highway Superintendent Kenny Turpin have looked at the site with neighboring property owner Dustin Dailey.

“We had someone come do an inspection, and there is no asbestos in it,” Dailey said.

Dailey said the commissioners received a quote of $35,642 to have the building demolished by a private contractor.

“I feel like we have the capability with the roads department to take care of that building on our own,” Dailey said.

Dailey said the county had checked with its insurance provider, and demolishing the building would be covered under the county’s liability insurance.

Turpin said the county owns a spot near the site where the roads department currently gets gravel that could be used to haul the debris, burn it and bury it.

“We could probably haul it there in dump trucks as short a trip as that would be,” Turpin said. “I think that would be a great spot to go with it.”

Turpin asked the commissioners if they wanted the roads department to haul in material to fill in the basement hole after the demolition.

Dailey said the hole would need to be filled.

“I will come help to free up a road guy if you let me know a little ahead of time when you plan to do it,” Dailey said.

Turpin asked the commissioners if they had a timeline for the roads department to get the demolition work completed.

Dailey said, “The sooner the better. I would like to get it done sometime in November.”

Turpin said, “I will go in and take pictures of everything ahead of time and document how things are before we get started. Just keep in mind, we are not professional demolition experts so I can’t promise you how everything is going to fall.”

During his report, the highway superintendent said the roads department completed a resurfacing project on 440^th Avenue in eastern Brown County. He said the road base was improved in a hilly area that was sandy, and gravel and rock were added.

Turpin said the roads department completed a project on Meadville Avenue, retreating a stretch of the gravel roadway north of the asphalt with Permazyme.

“We cut down 2 or 3 inches and retreated it,” Turpin said. “We used more moisture in the mix this time. We will see how it holds up to traffic. I went out yesterday and it was holding up well. They supplied the material, our only cost was our time.”

Turpin said armor coating work on a portion of the Elsmere Road has been completed.

“Midwest Coatings Inc. did the work,” he said. “They have the same foreman as TopKote had. I think they did a nice job.”

Turpin said the roads department was also working on projects on South Pine Avenue and the Raven Road.

In another roads item, Turpin discussed a request from a property owner for the county to relocate an auto gate to match a new fence line being built in the northeast quarter of Section 36, Township 26 North, Range 21 West.

He said the property owner has a fencing crew coming in and wanted the county to move the auto gate from its current location to match the fence line. Turpin said a neighboring property owner contacted him and had a potential issue with the movement of the fence.

County Attorney Andy Taylor said, if there was a dispute with the fence line being moved, the property owner would need to resolve that issue prior to moving the fence.

“If the neighbor objects and there is an issue, you may have to go to court and get an order,” Taylor said. “We can’t move the auto gate until it gets resolved.”

Dailey said he would not have an issue with the roads department moving the auto gate once the issue is resolved. The board took no official action on the matter.

The board voted to ratify a resolution regarding previous action to use the NACO Leasing Corporation to finance the purchase of a new Caterpillar motor grader. Hobbs said the action finalizes the payment amounts and when they will be due.

With the federal government shut down, National Park Service Niobrara Scenic River Superintendent Susan Cook was not able to attend Tuesday’s meeting. Hobbs said Cook was leaving the post and indicated she wanted to thank the county for its partnership.

Painter said State Sen. Tanya Storer has proposed having the scenic river go from being managed by the National Park Service to being managed by the state.

“I think we should stand against that,” Painter said.

Painter said the federal government doesn’t have the money to finance the operation of the scenic river, and Nebraska taxpayers should not have to pay for it either by having the state take over.

“I think they should take away the scenic river designation and let the landowners control it again,” Painter said.

The board approved taking over the electrical account with the Nebraska Public Power District for the operation of the well at the community fishing pond east of the Brown County Hospital.

Graig Kinzie said he had been paying for the cost of operating the electric well personally after the solar well that was installed was not able to keep up with maintaining the pond’s water level.

He said, on average, the pond is holding water and the well only needs to be run for about a week every couple months.

Kinzie said he had checked with Treasurer Bruce Mitchell and there was still approximately $5,600 in the county’s fishing pond account. He said that should pay for the electric costs for several years, as Phase I of the project had been completed with a generous amount of donated and in-kind labor contributions from several partners.

The board approved taking over the electrical account for the long-term benefit of the pond.

Audience member Jim Baker questioned where in the budget the county places the cost of care for people taken into emergency protective custody. Baker had previously stated he did not believe that cost should have to come from the sheriff’s budget.

Hobbs said she had not been able to find a claim paid for an emergency intake that could lead her to the line item in the budget used to pay the claim.

“I don’t have any new information for you yet,” Hobbs said. “Without a bill to compare it to, I can’t go in and see where it is coming from. Every budget has things in it the official can’t control. I have district court costs in my budget.”

She said the commissioners can move money from the county’s miscellaneous general fund if that particular line item goes over budget.

Painter said, “That has to go into the budget somewhere.”

In a final action item Tuesday, the board approved a budgeted transfer of $300,000 from the county’s miscellaneous general fund to the county highway fund.

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

* ACS Board, Wilkins recognized by NASB

(Posted 1:45 p.m. Oct. 6)

The Nebraska Association of School Boards staff and Board of Directors recognized 15 boards from across the state, including the Ainsworth Community Schools Board of Education, that earned a 2025 Board of Excellence Award.

The boards were recognized during nine area meetings throughout August and September.

In addition, ACS Board President Brad Wilkins received an individual board member Level 10 Award of Excellence. Level 10 is the highest level of achievement for a board member. Wilkins was one of just four board members in the entire state to achieve the Level 10 Award, which is earned through participation in workshops and events and the school district’s participation in NASB programs and services.  

NASB is a private, nonprofit organization that serves the needs of board members in Nebraska public school districts and Educational Service Units. Nebraska’s 1,700 school board members may participate in board development training throughout the year by attending workshops and conferences to help strengthen their role in governance, legislative advocacy, and stewardship of district resources in support of student achievement.

In recognition of their volunteer time and commitment to education, the NASB recognizes continued participation and growth in best practice governance.

* Brown County Sheriff’s Department weekly summary

(Posted 9:15 a.m. Oct. 6)

September 28

The Brown County Ambulance Association was on standby during the Pheasants Forever Youth Mentor Hunt.

The Raven, South Pine and Long Pine volunteer fire departments responded to a reported fire south of Long Pine.

The sheriff’s office received a report of dangerous dog attack in Ainsworth. The owner of the dog was contacted and issued a citation for having a dangerous dog.

The sheriff’s office received noise complaints and reports of UTVs driving recklessly in Long Pine. A deputy drove around the reported area and was unable to locate the UTVs described.

September 29

The sheriff’s office was notified of a silage truck that broke down in the ditch south of Ainsworth on Highway 7.

A deputy responded to a complaint about a speeding vehicle on Highway 20. The deputy found the vehicle reported and observed it be driving the speed limit.

September 30

A deputy received a voluntary statement of possible vandalism to a residence in Long Pine.

Deputies arrested an individual in Ainsworth on a warrant.

October 1

A traffic stop was made in the school zone in Ainsworth. The driver received a citation for not coming to a complete stop at a stop sign.

The sheriff provided security during county court in Ainsworth.

A traffic stop was made in the school zone in Ainsworth. The driver received a citation for not coming to a complete stop at a stop sign.

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

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

A traffic stop was made east of Ainsworth on Highway 20. During the traffic stop, 24 grams of marijuana were found inside of the vehicle. The driver was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol and cited on charges of possession of marijuana less than 1 ounce, possession/consumption of an open alcohol container in a vehicle and improper or defective vehicle lighting.

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

October 2

The sheriff contacted a motorist after reports of a vehicle driving all over the roadway. It was discovered the driver may have been experiencing a medical emergency. The Brown County Ambulance Association responded and made sure the driver was ok to continue to drive.

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

The sheriff’s office was notified of cattle out on Meadville Ave. The sheriff drove to the reported area and was unable to locate any cattle out or on the roadway.

The sheriff’s office received a report of a vehicle driving at a high rate of speed coming into Ainsworth on Wilson St.

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

A traffic stop was made on Wilson St. in Ainsworth. The driver received a citation for driving 9 mph over the posted speed limit.

The sheriff’s office received a report of a possible domestic assault in Ainsworth. This is an ongoing investigation.

A traffic stop was made in Ainsworth. The driver received a written warning for failing to yield to a pedestrian at a crosswalk and no driver’s license on person.

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

October 3

The sheriff responded to a vehicle-deer accident on Highway 20.

An inmate was booked into the Brown County Jail for a court ordered commitment.

The sheriff and a deputy provided traffic control for the Ainsworth Community Schools Homecoming parade.

The Brown County Ambulance Association was on standby for the Ainsworth homecoming football game at East City Park. Deputies were on foot patrol during the game.

Deputies administered preliminary breath tests at the Ainsworth Community Schools homecoming dance. 

October 4

A deputy patrolled in the area of a wedding after being notified of possible harassment during the wedding ceremony.

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

A deputy was asked to conduct a welfare check on an Ainsworth resident. The resident was found to be ok.

A deputy spoke to a person regarding possible harassment in Ainsworth. This is an ongoing investigation.

A traffic stop was made in Ainsworth. The driver received a repair order for the rear taillights not working.

A traffic stop was made in Ainsworth. The driver was given a citation for driving 10 mph over the posted speed limit.

Weekly Log
Phone calls – 753
Calls for service – 15
911 calls – 2
Vehicle titles inspected – 6
Firearm certificates purchased – 1
Inmates housed – 5

* Jones, Fernandez crowned homecoming royalty

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

Megan Jones was crowned the Ainsworth High School homecoming queen for 2025 Friday following the Bulldog football team’s 71-6 victory over North Central.

Bulldog quarterback Chris Fernandez was crowned the homecoming king.

Madison Phares was named the homecoming princess, with Sam Titus the homecoming prince. Queen finalists were Adysson Sears, Addah Booth and Payton Moody. King finalists were Trevor Pike, Jace Johnson and Witten Painter.

* UN-L Homecoming King has local tie

(Posted 7 a.m. Oct. 6)

A rare tie has resulted in three seniors — Caden Connelly of Lincoln, Ava Hollingsworth of Omaha and Claire Kelly of Grand Island — being crowned homecoming royalty at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. 

The three were elected in an online vote of the student body Oct. 1 and 2 and crowned on the field at Memorial Stadium during halftime of the Oct. 4 Nebraska-Michigan State football game. With 2,387 ballots cast — nearly 10% of the student body — Hollingsworth and Kelly tied.

Connelly is a fisheries and wildlife major in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. He is part of the university’s Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program, launching the business CMC Media, and has worked on the Platte Basin Timelapse project. He is the son of Lonnie Connelly and Lorinda Rice and the grandson of Linda Rice of Ainsworth.

Hollingsworth is an accounting, finance and management major in the College of Business. She is also a student in the Jeffrey S. Raikes School of Computer Science and Management. A member of Kappa Alpha Theta and president of the Panhellenic Executive Council, she is the daughter of Robert and Addie Hollingsworth.

Kelly is an elementary education major in the College of Education and Human Sciences. She has also served as a New Student Enrollment orientation leader, a Nebraska Human Resources Institute mentor and a strengths coach in the Clifton Strengths Institute. President of Chi Omega, she is the daughter of Brian and Stacy Kelly.

* Coulter receives LEAD scholarship

(Posted 7 a.m. Oct. 6)

Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation awarded six agricultural professionals with scholarships to participate in the Nebraska LEAD program, keeping with the mission of cultivating the future of agriculture.

Among the scholarship winners is Erika Coulter of Bassett.

“These individuals continue to push to make agriculture better across Nebraska,” said Megahn Schafer, executive director of the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation. “We are proud to support these individuals as they make an investment in their future, becoming equipped to better serve their communities and agriculture through the Nebraska LEAD program.”

The LEAD Scholarship awards agricultural stakeholders that participate in the Nebraska LEAD program. The LEAD program improves leadership skills and abilities of Nebraska’s future agricultural leaders through exposure to diverse topics, issues, concerns, points of view, and innovative ideas. The winners of the LEAD Scholarship are current Farm Bureau members that commit to serving in a leadership role with Farm Bureau upon completion of the program.

* Portion of Meadville Avenue to remain closed

(Posted 7:15 a.m. Sept. 30)

Brown County Highway Superintendent Kenny Turpin reported the 2-mile stretch of Meadville Avenue north of the asphalt will remain closed through the weekend.

Turpin said Meadville Avenue will remain closed between Road 886 and Road 888 to allow the Perma-zyme that was applied to the roadway to cure. The product is designed to harden the road surface.

Turpin will announce when the road has reopened to traffic.

* AHS homecoming royalty to be crowned after football

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

Ainsworth High School’s homecoming king and queen will be crowned Friday following the Bulldogs’ football game against North Central.

Homecoming queen candidates are Madison Phares, Adysson Sears, Addah Booth, Payton Moody and Megan Jones.

Homecoming king candidates are Trevor Pike, Sam Titus, Jace Johnson, Chris Fernandez and Witten Painter.

The homecoming parade begins at 2:20 p.m. and will travel west on Second Street from the school to Main Street, north on Main Street and then back east on Third Street to the school. A pep rally in McAndrew Gymnasium follows the parade.

* Recent cases from Brown County Court

(Posted 2:15 p.m. Oct. 2)

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

Savannah A. McGowan, age 20, of Ainsworth, charged with no registration in the vehicle, fined $25.

Edgar A. Silva Olivas, 30, of Las Cruces, N.M., speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $25.

Ethan D. Huff, 33, of Omaha, speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $25.

Ronald P. Liewer, 81, of Mills, no valid registration, $25.

Peter T. McDermott, 45, of Sergeant Bluff, Iowa, speeding 11-15 mph over the limit, $75.

Luke A. Paczosa, 33, of Battle Creek, speeding 11-15 mph over the limit, $75.

Airyan J. Goochey, 20, of Johnstown, speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $25; also charged with violating a trailer brake requirement, $25; brake light/turn signal violation, $25.

Joseph F. Wiegand, 50, of Omaha, speeding 11-15 mph over the limit, $75.

John A. Snover, 73, of Nickerson, speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $25.

Irving F. Edwards, 86, of Gordon, no valid registration, $25.

Shanda M. McCrory, 52, of Colorado Springs, Colo., speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $25.

Virginia K. Sears, 72, of Valentine, speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $25.

Jonathan D. Bigman, 60, of Sanders, Ala., speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $25.

Eliesha K. Moravec, 18, of Ainsworth, speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $25.

Miguel E. Roberto Vazquez, 18, of Valentine, speeding 16-20 mph over the limit, $125.

Michael P. White, 40, of Omaha, speeding 11-15 mph over the limit, $75; no registration in vehicle, $50.

Aaron P. Westmoreland, 42, of Emporia, Kan., speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $25.

Cipriano Longoria Herrera, 44, of Ainsworth, no proof of insurance, $100; no registration in vehicle, $25.

Robert V. Allen, 65, of Ainsworth, first offense reckless driving, $100.

Ashton M. Key, 22, of Burwell, speeding 11-15 mph over the limit, $75.

Dasani M. Phillips, 23, of Cincinnati, Ohio, speeding 21-35 mph over the limit, $200.

John C. Gross, 69, of Johnstown, speeding 11-15 mph over the limit, $75.

John W. Lewis, 15, of Johnstown, speeding 16-20 mph over the limit, $125.

Matthew E. Larsen, 31, of Springview, speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $25.

Rhett L. Prine, 55, of Lindon, Utah, failure to display emergency flag or reflectors, $50; improper stopping or parking, $25.

Pamela K. Theis, 62, of Johnstown, speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $25.

Andrea N. Malek, 31, of Zanesville, Ohio, speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $25.

Christopher A. Hardy, 53, of Hayden, Idaho, speeding 6-10 mph over the limit, $25.

* Licking claims KBRB Football Contest Week 5 win

(Posted 10:30 a.m. Oct. 1)

Flint Licking of Bassett missed just one of the 14 games on the KBRB Football Contest card for Week 5. Licking’s lone miss came in the high school ranks. By being the only contestant to miss one game, Flint Licking wins the $40 first-place certificate for Week 5.

Five contestants missed two games this week, which sent us to the tie-breaker. With the Huskers on a bye week, BYU’s 24-21 victory over Colorado served as the tie-breaking contest.

Stacey Knox and Dr. Marty Moravec of Bassett, Crystal Stout of Springview, Dwight Neiman of Ainsworth and Joel Colburn of Atkinson all missed two games on the Week 5 card and correctly picked BYU to defeat the Buffaloes in the tie-breaker.

Dwight Neiman picked a score of 27-21 to miss the final by just three points. That earns him the $20 second-place certificate for the week. Dr. Marty Moravec and Crystal Stout both had the Cougars to win by 27-14 margins, missing the total by 10 points. Colburn picked BYU 42-20 to miss by 19, and Stacey Knox predicted a 49-37 BYU win to miss by 41 points.

Winners may pick up their certificates from the KBRB Studios or make arrangements to have the KBRB sports crew bring the certificates along during a broadcast.

Week 6 KBRB Football Contest cards are available now from Buckles Automotive and Speedee Mart in Ainsworth, the Sandhills Lounge in Long Pine, West Plains Bank in Springview, Circle B Livestock in Bassett, the Cast Iron Bar & Grille in Stuart, the Tri County Bank branches in Bassett, Stuart, and Atkinson, or from Speedee Mart in Atkinson.

Certificates are redeemable from those contest sponsors.

Cards must be returned to the KBRB Studios by 4 p.m. Thursday or carry a Thursday postmark if mailed.

* Area counties among best in state for jobless rates

(Posted 10:15 a.m. Oct. 1)

Nebraska’s unemployment rate for August is 3.0 percent. The rate is unchanged from July and is a 0.1 percent increase from the August 2024 rate of 2.9 percent. The national unemployment rate for August is 4.3 percent, up 0.1 percent from both the July rate and the August 2024 rate of 4.2 percent.

South Dakota is the runaway leader in the nation for the lowest unemployment rate at 1.9 percent in August. That is 0.6 percent better than North Dakota and Vermont, who tied for second nationally with rates of 2.5 percent. Hawaii at 2.7 percent and Montana and Alabama at 2.9 percent round out the top five states with the lowest jobless rates.

Nebraska is tied with New Hampshire for the seventh-lowest rate in the country.

California had the highest unemployment rate in the nation in August at 5.5 percent. Nevada at 5.3 percent, and New Jersey, Oregon and Michigan at 5 percent round out the states with the worst jobless rates in the country in August.

Brown County’s August unemployment rate of 2.1 percent is better than the state average and is among the best in the state. Rock County and Holt County also saw jobless rates of 2.1 percent in August.

Cherry County tied Fillmore County for the top unemployment rate in the state in August at 1.9 percent. Boyd County’s rate of 2.3 and Blaine County at 2.8 percent were better than the state average. Keya Paha County at 3.5 percent had a rate higher than the state average.

Thomas County saw the highest jobless rate in the state in August at 4.8 percent.

“The labor force in Nebraska has continued to grow, led by record high employment in the Omaha metro,” said Labor Commissioner Katie Thurber. “August was the second straight month of historically high employment in Omaha at over 525,500.” 

Nonfarm employment, the number of filled jobs, was 1,062,438 in August, up 5,288 from August 2024 but down 886 jobs from July.

The private education and health services sector (up 7,801 jobs), the leisure and hospitality sector (up 2,009 jobs), and the mining and construction sector (up 1,998 jobs) had the most growth during the past year.

Private industries with the most growth from July to August were the private education and health services sector (up 649 jobs), the other services sector (up 443 jobs), and the information sector (up 72 jobs). 

The labor force includes both employed workers and those who are actively looking for work. The counts of employed and unemployed in the labor force are based on a survey conducted by the Census Bureau regarding employment status.