Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
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After visiting St. Joseph Catholic Church in Kimball on Wednesday this week, the National Eucharistic Procession planned to travel through Nebraska. On Thursday, June 13, the procession will stop in Sidney at St. Patrick’s Church for Mass at 10 a.m. From Sidney, they will stop in Colton, then Ogallala, and move on to North Platte. As part of the procession’s western route, the pilgrimage stopped at St. Joseph’s Church in Kimball from 6-7 p.m. June 12 for a procession followed by a potluck supper. The journey began on May 17 and will end July...
The second annual Red/White Classic Golf Tournament on Saturday June 8 raised more than $40,000 for the Kimball Longhorns athletic programs. Of the 25 teams, first place went to Kimball Auto Parts with a 51 total score, Team Tolstedt came in 2nd with a 55. Third place went to Kimball Insurance with a 56. A variety of games add to the fun at the Classic. The games include closest to the basketball, closest to track shoes, hit ball off the water bottle, wearing football helmet, and Kyler Lusche...
The imminent resignation of long-time Kimball County Attorney Dave Wilson surprised many June 4 at the regular county commissioners meeting. His resignation will become effective July 31. Wilson has served as Kimball County attorney for 37½ years – and according to one of his sons’ calculations, Wilson has served as county attorney for 27% of the time that the county has existed. Wilson said he would like to slow down and move closer to family, and “that it had been an honor to serve.” He said has met a lot of great people. He advised the commi...
From Germany to Argentina and then north to Alaska. Two German college students, Antonia Staacke and Laura Moller, have shown remarkable resilience on their journey from Germany to Argentina and then north to Alaska. They embarked on their bicycle trek in Patagonia, traveling through South America and Central America, and now they are biking through North America. This journey that has spanned almost eight months since October 2023. Antonia Staacke, 27, and Laura Moller, 28, have demonstrated...
Pulling up the rear of the parade on Banner County Historical Day last Saturday is the hit of the parade, Banner County's famous Lawnmower Ladies. Linda Barret started the group more than 10 years ago to add a little spice to the parade. The group is open to anyone and everyone with a riding lawnmower and a Hawaiian shirt....
The weather cooperated for a great Saturday evening for the 15th annual Kimball Ranch Rodeo. The rodeo, which returned after being rained out last year, started with wild bronc riding. Sixteen riders tried their hand at staying atop the broncos with 10 individuals staying on until the buzzer. Ty Fenster won the contest with an 86, followed by Wes Aragon in second with an 82 and Beau Lake in third with a 79. Eight ranch rodeo teams competed in four timed events, from trailer loading to wild cow...
The Kimball Board of Commissioners conducted three executive/closed-door sessions at the May 22 meeting on Wednesday afternoon. The first session required the commissioners to deal with an employee/personnel matter. The second and third executive sessions centered around the strategy and terms regarding the sale of real estate involving the former Kimball County Hospital and the strategy and disposition of real estate involving the Kimball County Annex building. When the commissioners emerged fr...
The Kimball County Board of Commissioners met May 22 with appointed heads of department Randy Bymer, highway superintendent; Matthew Meyers Veterans Service officer; Monica Todorov, interim building and grounds superintendent; and Christy Warner, administrator of KCTS; along with elected official Sheriff Dave Hottell. Bymer explained that while he was on vacation, an unfortunate incident occurred at the county shop. An inexperienced individual was servicing the 2018 CAT 120M long block when due to miscommunication he put all the oil into the tr...
The spring morning Monday was perfect for the local Memorial Day ceremony. John Beatty, vice commander of the Kimball VFW, opened the ceremony and Randy Bohac provided the opening and closing prayers honoring veterans. Two Kimball High School graduates, Emma Patterson and Jasmine Gawith, honored the veterans with the singing of the Star-Spangled Banner and playing of Taps. Marine Corporal Noah Thomas of Cheyenne was the speaker. Accompanied by his wife and two children, he referenced the bond...
At the Kimball City Council meeting on Wednesday, May 15, the City of Kimball announced a settlement with Hometown Hardware, Inc., regarding an incident involving a waterline break that occurred July 12, 2021. As a result of the incident, Hometown Hardware claimed property damage. The city’s insurance company settled in the amount of $210,000 through mediation. State law requires notice to the general public of any municipal settlement. No council action was required. In a variety of action items for the council, the new playground equipment or...
Jeffrey Barborak has been sentenced to be incarcerated in a facility to be determined by the Nebraska Department of Correction for a term of 18 months after an incident in April. Barborak was arrested for a bond violation, then was arrested for terroristic threats when he refused to comply for a urine analysis. During the booking process, Barborak told the deputy and staff that “I’m going to come in here and shoot you guys up.” He told the deputy that he was going to come back and after he gets out that he would blow the deputy’s head off. Ba...
Two Kimball City Council agenda items on May 15 were discussed but no action was taken on either a salary increase for the city clerk or an interlocal agreement for a proposal in which the city would purchase the Windbreak Restaurant from Kimball County. The discussion of the Windbreak purchase prompted council member-elect Austin Garner to read this prepared statement: “The progression of the ballpark/land swap and Windbreak transaction to most seems to be convoluted and veiled in secrecy. The lineage of this idea is cloudy and details are vag...
Today known as the E-Free Church, the Log Cabin building was constructed in 1946 for veterans but has served many valuable purposes for the city of Kimball. Located at 101 S Walnut St., the building known as the Log Cabin was built for such veterans as the American War Dads and those in the American Legion. It was a recreational place for servicemen. In 1946, the 105-foot-long and 65-foot-wide building was estimated to cost $20,000, with $12,000 raised "by popular subscription." The facility had...
Valentine Murdy and Hugo Rodriguez, both 16, have spent the last school year attending the rural high school and living in Banner County. Valentine is from the south of France, while Hugo is from Spain. Valentine, hailing from the south of France, was taken aback by the vastness and spaciousness of Banner County, a stark contrast to his home. His most significant adjustment was to the culture and the language. Initially, he struggled to string a sentence together, but now he's proud to say he's...
Good morning! After a couple of cool days earlier this week, we are off to warmer temperatures once again. The tumbleweeds still continue to be a pain in the derriere and we sure do need some rain. School is out for the summer, so here in town things are pretty quiet. The stoplight during the roadwork out on the spur is slowing things down also. The first stop light in Banner County, and most likely the last! In town, there are kids everywhere. Summer swimming lessons, reading programs, baseball and soccer! Today, May 23rd, the Calvary...
The first three Class C high jumpers at the state meet in Omaha all jumped 5 feet, 3 inches, but it came down to misses to determine the placings. Kimball Longhorn high jumper Addison Olsen jumped 5feet, 3 inches at State and came home with third place in state. The jump tied her personal record from her first place at District. The sophomore high jumper will participate in an extra meet June 1 and has plans to attend a high jump camp. Addison said about her first trip to Omaha, "I thought how...
The primary election results from Tuesday, May 14 had only one race of local importance. Four individuals filed for Kimball County Commissioner on the Republican ticket and Tuesday determined the next commissioner because no Democrats sought the seat. In the commissioner race, David R. Hottell had 218 votes while incumbent Carl Stander had 197 votes cast in his favor, Hottell will serve as commissioner for the next four years beginning in January 2025. Matt Bright had 147 votes cast for him,...
Superintendent Trevor Anderson informed the Kimball School Board on Monday evening at the school board meeting that expenses are up mainly due to salary increases and benefits, which were necessary to retain and attract quality staff. The superintendent’s financial update stated that 51.41% of the budget had been spent, with 67% of the fiscal year completed. At the end of April 2024, 51.41% has been spent compared to 49.18% in 2023 and 2022 45.84% was spent. Anderson mentioned that the property tax draw to date is about half of previous y...
The Kimball High School Class of 2024, a group of individuals with some remarkable achievements, celebrated its graduation on May 11. The ceremony began at 11 a.m. with 29 individuals, each with unique accomplishments, receiving their long-awaited diplomas. The National Anthem was sung by Rachel Berger, Amber Childers, Carlee Murdoch and Rene Murdoch. Special recognition was given to former elementary guidance counselor Mr. Jim Reeves, who unexpectedly passed away five years ago. Mr. Jim Reeves...
The Banner County Wildcat Class of 2024, the 104th graduating class from Banner County School, has shown resilience. In her welcoming remarks, Superintendent Dr. Evelyn Browne acknowledged the class's struggle through the pandemic, a time period that tested their strength and determination. The 11 graduates will head off in a variety of different directions after graduation. Nathan Clement will attend Southeast Community College in Milford to study Automotive Technology in the Ford ASSET...
In a one-hole playoff, Kyler Lusche took first at the District golf meet Monday in North Platte. And with a third-place team finish, the entire Kimball golf team will play at the State meet next Tuesday and Wednesday at North Platte Lake Mahoney. The Longhorns shot 374. According to Kimball golf coach Chuck Christensen, Lusche shot an 80 on a challenging North Platte course. Christensen said it was "set up really tough." In reference to Lusche, Christensen said he would "practice 24/7. He puts...
The last week of school for the 29 graduating Longhorns in 2024 was full of many final events. Graduation is on Saturday at 11 a.m. And it will be the culmination of years of hard work, and as Longhorn senior Hayden Sours said, it will be “sad and stressful” although they are all excited to the next chapter of their lives. Grades had to be completed on Friday to have time to calculate the GPA for valedictorian, salutatorian and scholarships. Academic awards were presented on Monday at Lon...
Due to scheduling needs of the Kimball County Commissioners, their May meeting was held Friday, May 3, instead of Tuesday, May 7. The second May meeting also was moved to accommodate scheduling requests from Tuesday, May 21, to Wednesday, May 22. Before the agenda items, the board was informed of an 8.7% increase in the county's health and dental insurance. Two county departments, roads and transit, updated the board on business. Randy Bymer, county highway superintendent, reported that...
The Kimball Longhorn golf team took first in both the WTC and the Kimball Invite last Friday with Kyler Lusche leading the pack. Lusche talked about the highlights: "My chipping, my wedges were the best. I couldn't really hit any good drivers but made up for it with chipping. I didn't really have any bad chips, left me short putts." He said the greens were a little slower, but he was able to land the ball closer to the hole. Lusche shot 35/38 for a 78 and first place to lead his team. Landon Nor...
The Kimball City/County Parks and Recreation Executive Board members tabled the only item on their agenda Monday evening under current business. They discussed but took no action on items related to the timeline, finances and budget of the operating board pertaining to a proposed land swap. Six months are left for approval from the federal government for the trade in which involves 44 acres of what is now the four ballfields being exchanged for three acres and the Windbreak restaurant property at Four Winds Golf Course. The Park and Rec...