Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Sorted by date Results 751 - 775 of 4073
The National Weather Service in Cheyenne reported that Kimball received totals of between 18-20 inches of snow on Saturday and Sunday. Cheyenne received 30.8 inches of snow during the same period, which, when melted, proved to be 3 inches of moisture in the Cheyenne area. Region 21 Emergency Management Director Ron Leal said his concerns during the storm were Deuel and Kimball counties. He reported that vehicles went around the barricades at Big Springs and were stranded, causing some problems.... Full story
The recent snowstorm caused absences and postponements on the agenda for the Kimball County Commissioners Tuesday meeting. Chairman Larry Engstrom was unable to attend, leaving Vice Chairman Carl Stander to run the meeting. Agenda items not considered at this meeting will appear next month. Ken Hunter, CEO, and Cassie Gasseling, CFO, Kimball Health Services and Jim Cederburg, chairman of the Kimball County Hospital Board of Trustees, were to give an update on Kimball Health Services, provide...
One year ago this week, the toilet paper aisle at Dollar General in Kimball was stripped empty, area schools closed for two weeks only to eventually switch to online classes for the remainder of the year. School activities were canceled, the school food service director Danessa Terrill began preparing and delivering breakfast and lunches to students. The Kimball County Manor began a mandatory lockdown period with no physical visitation. Kimball Health Services restricted patients to using the main door with all other entrances locked, and some...
The heavy snow made it difficult for downtown businesses to get their sidewalks scooped, but Beer and Loathing had extra help from Kaylie Neveah, Aubrie Grace and Alaska Wayne Entingh. In the background, Thersa Lockwood shovels Shear Images' sidewalks. On Tuesday morning, city employee Mark Nelson finished the job here and on sidewalks throughout downtown....
The unsung heroes of small-town America are the volunteers who sit on boards, committees, and commissions; they help run the town and make it a great place to live, work and play. Unbeknownst to many residents of Kimball are many volunteers that give their time to run these boards. One such volunteer board is the five-member Airport Authority Board which meets on the third Monday of every month. Ryan McElroy is the chairman, and he has served four years of his six-year term. Unlike most boards,...
According to Panhandle Public Health District, five new cases of COVID-19 were reported since March 1 in Kimball County. The PPHD’s risk dial remains in the yellow or moderate category for the Panhandle. However, Kimball, Scottsbluff, Box Butte and Sheridan counties are in the high-risk level category. Last week, Kimball County had no new cases of the virus and other countries also experienced a drop in numbers; PPHD Director Kim Engel said, “How quickly things can change.” As of Monday, 21.3% of Panhandle adults have received the COVID... Full story
Students from across the Panhandle attended the District 12 FFA contest in Kimball on Wednesday. Over 180 students from 20 different schools participated in various competitions, including Meat Judging, Livestock Judging, Biotechnology, Nursery/Landscaping, AgriScience, and Agronomy. First-year teacher Kortni Burnett brought 15 students from Bridgeport. She would have had an additional 20 students, but the Bridgeport basketball team made it to State and those other 20 students went to Lincoln...
On Friday, March 12, and Monday, March 15, the City of Kimball will have its regular power source, Western Area Power Administration, shut off for updates. Still, the City’s power plant will operate its generators to power the city, although the power may not be consistent throughout the day. The city has requested that businesses and residents prepare for possible disruptions, fluctuations and outages. The city is urging people to protect sensitive equipment by unplugging it. The Kimball County Transit building at Chestnut and Highway 30 w...
The Kimball Volunteer Fire Department was called out to a grassfire just off the south lanes of Highway 71 on Monday afternoon. They contained the flames quickly despite the warn, dry conditions over several days prior....
The Kimball School Board met for a full agenda on Monday evening. The board approved the items on the agenda, the minutes of the past two meetings, board bills and the treasurer’s report. Superintendent Trevor Anderson’s report explained that Kimball Public School would receive $271,376 as part of the ESSER II funds. ESSER is the Elementary and Secondary Emergency Relief Fund to help districts deal with the effects of COVID-19 funded by the Nebraska Department of Education. Anderson’s report also stated that Kimball Public Schools would recei...
Livestock judging participants look at the hogs during the FFA District 12 contest in Kimball. See story on Page A1 and another photo on A5....
On Monday afternoon, Dave Roberts works a field for Mike Reuter. Roberts was land-finishing on cornstalks just east of Kimball. Other area farmers were busy putting fertilizer on their fields before the snow hit....
Banner County High School freshman Jacob Parsons takes the written test for the Meat Judging contest at the District 12 FFA Contest in Kimball. See story on Page A1....
The Kimball Power Plant will be brought on line to help out during a planned shutdown of a power station outside of town, but according to Mayor Keith Prunty, "We just don't know what is going to happen." The city's power plant previously ran during the extreme cold without incident. On March 12 and 15, Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) will be making upgrades to their substation south of town, and they will be shutting down power to the City of Kimball. According to a press release from... Full story
Kimball's most recent addition to the police department has always wanted to serve the community in a police officer's capacity, and she has finally taken the leap. For the next couple of months, Taylor Schmid will buddy up with fellow officers in the field; then, she will attend the police academy in Grand Island in May. When she completes the 16-week program, she will be a "full-fledged officer." She admits that she has "a lot to learn.." Officer Schmid hopes to make a positive impact. "I...
Clerk of the District Court Deb Diemoz presented information on LB 102 to the commissioners. LB 102 would force the court system’s consolidation in more rural areas. Diemoz opposes LB 102, which would affect District 12. The Board of Commissioners made a motion and voted to oppose LB 102 and authorize staff to draft a letter to send to the committee. Proponents say it will save taxpayer money, although it may lead to a possible reduction of staff. Diemoz also talked about the security of the district courtroom and requested approval of a s...
Kimball County had no new COVID-19 cases for the past week, and the Panhandle Risk Dial is in the yellow or moderate zone. The last time the area saw yellow was in October 2020. Only Banner, Box Butte, and Grant counties are in the high category. To date, in the Panhandle, 11,324 adults have been vaccinated, and 2,400 doses plus the required second doses will be arriving this week. The newly approved Johnson and Johnson vaccine will come to the Panhandle next week. Officials at Panhandle Public...
Weather permitting, Four Winds Golf Course will open March 15, according to course Superintendent Jeremy Williams. Williams said “the greens are in good shape” due to constant watering during the winter. He worries about the tee boxes and fairways, but the last snow helped with moisture. The Nebraska winds are brutal on the course. Improvements to the course will include a cart path on the sixth hole. Although not completely done, as soon as the ground thaws Shane Hays’ crew will be back out to finish the pathway. In addition, a new sand trap... Full story
Kimball cheerleaders captured second place at the Nebraska State Cheer competition in Class D Non-Building/Non-Tumbling, receiving the highest overall scores in their division. Representing Kimball at the Grand Island event were seniors Samantha Bemis, Raven Johnson, and Melai Casimiro and sophomore Xavier Thomas-Lewis. Assistant coach Ashley Heidemann said the cheer competition was such a supportive and enjoyable environment, and they also were able "to see what else is out there." The Head...
Last week proved to be an enormous strain on the electrical grid as temperatures dipped and electricity demand increased. The Kimball Municipal Power Plant, which has not operated continuously since 1980, did just what it was supposed to do in such a critical period. It was running and producing extra needed electricity for the grid. Under a contract with Municipal Energy Association of Nebraska/Nebraska Municipal Power Pool, the local power plant must be tested quarterly and be on standby to... Full story
The regular February Kimball City Council meeting included discussion on Business Facade Grants and Business Infrastructure Grants. Former Flower Haven owner Kay McBride asked for an explanation for denying her infrastructure grant reimbursement on the roof at the business. After a lengthy discussion, the council returned McBride's reimbursement request to the Loan Advisory Board. The council appointed Keith Jones as the latest member of the Loan Advisory Board. Receiving infrastructure or...
The Kimball Spelling Bee began last Thursday with a practice round for 23 students and concluded an hour later with only two students left spelling. In the final round, Andrew Hawthorne, a fifth-grader, drew the word "casualty." Unfortunately he misspelled it. Anna Coleman, a seventh-grader, would have to spell "casualty" correctly and then spell the next word correctly to win the spelling bee. That is just what she did. For the win, Anna spelled "plague."...
Officials at Panhandle Public Health District said on Monday at their briefing that the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine is 80.2% effective after 14 days. Their data shows that 14.3% of adults in the Panhandle have received the COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine process was interrupted last week due to adverse weather, and PPHD is in the process of catching up. The Panhandle will receive 3,700 doses this week, plus the required second doses. The shipment comes at a time when new virus cases in Kimball County were at four this past week, the same n...
Receiving the prestigious Fireman of the Year award for the second time in his career with the Kimball Volunteer Fire Department is Marv Nelson. Marv always responds and is essential in helping to train the younger members....
Ron Leal, Director of Region 21 Emergency Management, recently purchased a drone with a thermal camera. Leal said the drone would help law enforcement in search and rescue operations. It will also be valuable for storm damage documentation, tower inspection, fires, and various other things. Over the years, local law enforcement has repeatedly asked him if he had any such equipment to help in search and rescue operations, so he pursued the idea. Leal received approval to purchase the drone from...