Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
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Text 911 is now available in Kimball County. Alicia Downey from the Sheriff’s Department explained to the Kimball County Commissioners on Tuesday that texting 911 would work with the communication desk texting back and forth to the “caller.” Downey said calling 911 should always be the first option, but in some cases where coverage is limited, texting is a great option. The other reason to text to 911 is a possible domestic situation, and the “caller” must be silent. Texting 911 is nationwide and in Nebraska, the Public Service Commissio...
The Kimball School Board met in a special session on Tuesday, May 30, to accept the resignation of business teacher Ty Neill. Neill in his resignation letter wrote, “I appreciate the opportunity to teach in the district as a provisional teacher. Throughout the semester, I questioned whether or not this job would lead to a career. Recently, I have confirmed that teaching is not a profession I want to pursue.” The business classes will be handled with instructors on staff, according to Superintendent Trevor Anderson. In another agenda item, Tar...
A solemn ceremony honoring those who died in the service of their country was held Monday, Memorial Day, at the Kimball Cemetery. About 125 people attended the event, which began with 2023 graduate Emma Patterson singing the national anthem, Mayor John Morrison saying a few words of welcome, and Randy Bohac providing the beginning prayer and benediction. VFW member Larry Engstrom raised the flag to full staff, and the VFW Ladies Auxiliary placed a wreath to honor all those who served in the...
In a special meeting on Wednesday, May 24, the Kimball City Council unanimously approved the mayor’s appointment of Jose Ruiz as police chief. According to the Mayor John Morrison, Ruiz is in the process of purchasing a house and will be moving to Kimball in the near future. Morrison said, “I had an interview process, had two very good candidates. When it came down to it, based on the recommendation from the selection committee. My interview, I felt that Jose was the candidate that I wanted.” After Ruiz was approved, the council had to approve...
Educational Service Unit 13, which serves the Panhandle, would like to find some children and young adults in Kimball County to participate in its Title 1C Education Program. Title 1C helps students – who work in agriculture or fishing –with supplemental educational programs to catch them up to regular schoolwork. To qualify, the students must be younger than 22, have made a qualifying move to work in agriculture or fishing, moved from one school district to another, and made a change from one residence to another. The program helps reduce dis...
The Kimball City Council on Tuesday, May 16, spent a significant amount of meeting time on presentations and reports from Olsson Engineering on preliminary expansion and upgrades to the sewer and water systems in Kimball. Using GIS, surveys and opening up manhole covers, Olsson has determined efficiencies and problem areas. The town has anywhere from 4-inch sewer pipes, which are unacceptable, to 6-inch and 8-inch, with 8-inch required for new construction. Olsson Engeering recommended four...
Edward Tamsett, Four Winds Golf Course's new golf pro, arrived in Kimball about three weeks ago from Australia. About three or four days ago, he was joined by his wife, Wilkiria. The United States is familiar to Tamsett; he attended college at Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas, on a golf scholarship. After graduating with a business degree, Tamsett set out to play on the tour in Australia, Asia and Europe. After about 10 years on the tour, Tamsett realized he wasn't making money on the tour. He chang... Full story
Legal issues continue to follow Stoney Vance as the City of Kimball has filed a complaint against Vance individually and his Cuisine Caravan, L.L.C. in Kimball County Court. Vance was the former CEO/manager of Arrow Medical in Kimball. In March, Vance was charged with felony theft-receiving stolen property from a Kimball EMS ambulance. In another case, the late Dr. James F. Broomfield and nurse practitioners Holly F. Dobrinski and Keri D. Foster filed a complaint against Vance and others for a temporary restraining order, injunction and other e... Full story
The Kimball City Council planned to meet in special session on Wednesday evening, May 24, to consider Mayor John Morrioson’s appointment of Jose Ruiz as police chief. Ruiz would follow former Chief Andy Bremer and Interim Chief Dwain Murdoch on the job. In other police business, the City Council on May 16 considered the approval of the mayor’s appointment of Michael Youngquist, Damien S. Martinez and Greg Taylor as police officers. Councilwoman Christy Warner asked if all three officers were interviewed and if all the proper procedures wer...
Kimball County Manor residents were treated recently to a circus complete with games and prizes for everyone. Above, Paul Heidemann does a little fishing to catch the biggest fish in the pond. Other games and activities included balloon darts, tattoos, can toss, bean bag toss, duck pond, and a photo booth. Residents were treated to cotton candy, funnel cakes, and crackerjacks....
Kimball's Memorial Day observance will begin at 10 a.m. Monday at the Kimball Cemetery. The VFW also will serve burgers and fixings at their hall at 227 South Chestnut. Donations will be accepted for the meal. Kimball resident and Kimball High School social studies teacher Matthew Shoup will be the speaker for 2023 service. Shoup served in the Army for 10 years with the 101st Airborne. He was deployed to Afghanistan from 2001-02 and Iraq from 2003-04. Shoup spent another year in Iraq with the... Full story
Every couple of weeks, Rose Curless stops by the Kimball Public Library to get some parsley, lettuce and tomatoes. The tomatoes are for her husband. After gathering a bag of parsley, Rose said, "I have a recipe for Heart Tonic. You use some wine and some honey (along with the parsley) and cook that all up. Then when I start feeling a little something in my chest, I get a drink of it." In addition to parsley, lettuce, and tomatoes, the library produces spinach, onions, cilantro, thyme, snap peas...
Saturday was a memorable day for the Kimball Trap Team.The team held its first fundraising event. The team had hamburgers and hotdogs – and open shooting. It was a chance for team members to practice up on their shooting at the fundraiser. Meanwhile, after Week 5 of the Spring Trap Season, Kimball Public Schools' Teague Mazza is ranked fourth in the state. Teague is ranked third for male athletes, while Nolan Cook is tied for fifth, followed by Jarrett Schultz, Justin Klosterman and Travis F...
A capacity crowd gathered in the Longhorn gym on Saturday, May 13, to watch the Kimball graduating class of 2023 receive its diplomas. Recognized as the top 10 percent of their class were valedictorian Charlotte Hargreaves and salutatorian Emma Patterson. Other academic acknowledgments included members of the National Honor Society and seniors graduating with honors – Taylor Bernt, Madison Ebeling, Hargreaves, Angel Helms, Justin Klosterman, Keara O'Brien, Patterson, Jayden Paxton and Xavier T...
The Kimball County Commissioners’ first item of business on Tuesday, May 16, was to enter into an executive session. The subject of the session focused on real estate negotiations related to the High Point Welcome Center property. No decision was made after the session. The recent rains have nearly washed some country roads out, according to Kimball County Highway Superintendent Randy Bymer, but no one is complaining about the much-needed moisture. The road department is fixing the washouts, most in the area north of Dix. There was a r...
Potter-Dix School graduated 15 seniors at a commencement that began at 2 p.m. and was conducted in front of a large crowd of family, relatives, and friends. After introductions and singing the national anthem, the seniors were awarded their scholarships by guidance counselor Sarah Deeds. Then speeches followed. Salutatorian Luke Kasten's speech found humor and many lessons from receiving "second place" in events throughout the year. Co-valedictorians Zach Rotert and Jayden Shoemaker relived...
On Monday, Kyler Lusche placed ninth at the C5 district golf tournament in Kimball on May 15 at the Four Winds Golf Course. After missing most of the season with a back injury, Lusche shot a 39/42 for an 81 to earn a trip to the state meet in Columbus on May 23 and 24. The Four Winds was in tip-top shape, and the cool morning turned into a perfect afternoon of golf. The Kimball community was in full force to welcome golfers and volunteer as scorers. Mitchell's Cael Peters shot a 35/37 to win... Full story
William Serrano was sentenced May 2 on four charges, including involuntary manslaughter, two counts of terrorist threats, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. In March, a Kimball County jury of five women and seven men found Serrano guilty of the shooting death of his girlfriend, Tessa Ghering. The shooting occurred at their Kimball home on Jan. 3, 2022. The manslaughter conviction resulted in the sentence of “not more than 20 years and not less than 20 years” – a sentence of 20 years, in other words. The sente...
Kimball School Board member Chauncey Pederson submitted his letter of resignation to the board and Superintendent Trevor Anderson on Monday evening at the regular board meeting. Pederson’s resignation will be effective May 31. His letter stated, “I will be moving out of the district and will no longer be able to fulfill my position on the Board of Education.” Pederson continued, “I am very proud to have been part of all the positive changes at Kimball Public Schools and feel confident that the district will continue in a positive directi... Full story
Mitchell's Cael Peters won the Kimball Invite on Thursday with a solid game of 35/35=70 at Four Winds Golf Course. Jace Nelson from Gordon-Rushville shot a 35/36 for a 71 to take second. Third place went to Zaybreon Hanson from Perkins County with a 35/40=75. Sixty-four golfers in all hit the Four Winds course for the annual Invite. The Mitchell team also took first-place honors with a 328. Topping the area athletes was Potter-Dix's Trevor Williams with a 46/38=84, just one stroke out of... Full story
On Thursday, May 11, the Longhorn track team will travel to Grant for district competition. The state track meet is May 18-20 in Omaha and two Longhorns already have a ticket to go as Emma Patterson and Jayden Paxton will be singing the national anthem on Thursday, May 18, at 7:55 a.m. mountain time. In recent track results, the Best of the West qualifiers in the pole vault were Trevor Fuss placing 4th and vaulting 12-06.00, Peter Russell placed 9th and James McGinnis placed 10th. Addy Olson...
Emotions and tears are standard for many seniors on graduation day, but the immediate future is “all coming together” for one Kimball senior. KHS senior Justin Klosterman is “ready to go” and “excited” for the next chapter in his life. In fall, he will attend Chadron State College to pursue a wildlife management degree to become a game warden, something he has planned for the last 10 years. Shortly after graduation, Justin and fellow senior James McGinnis will gain some practical experience...
About 25 people attended state Sen. Brian Hardin's Town Hall meeting Saturday in Kimball. Hardin represents Kimball, Banner, and Scottts Bluff counties in Unicameral District 48. Hardin discussed some recent issues in the Nebraska Legislature, including information about the Sentinel missile project. For the Kimball area, it is big news. "The project has been pushed back," he said. "Frankly, if it was not pushed back because the rockets aren't working," he said. "We really would have needed to o...
An affidavit the Kimball Policeman Andrew Lawson shared with the Observer details the arrest and confiscation of suspected heroin, fentanyl, methamphetamine and marijuana in the parking lot of Kwik Stop. According to the affidavit, on April 22, Lawson was dispatched to locate a red Honda SUV in response to a driving complaint on Highway 71. The vehicle was discovered in the parking lot of Kwik Stop. “Lawson learned the driver, Shawn McNett of Scottsbluff, had multiple extraditable warrants,” according to the affidavit. McNett was han...
The Dix Road – Road 59 – will receive a double chip seal this summer. Bids for the double chip seal project were approved by the Kimball County Commissioners at the Tuesday, May 2, meeting. Top Coat, Inc. received the chip seal bid for $279,879.52. The project is scheduled to start mid-July. The chip seal rock hauling bid of $35,125 from Pine Bluffs Gravel was also accepted for the Dix Road. Highway Superintendent Randy Bymer estimated that the Road 59 project cost was now at $406,750, although labor, rental of the packer and some other ite...