Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
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Celebrating Arbor Day, Gotte Park received six new trees to increase the number of trees in the park to well over 100. Street department employees Jim Shoup, Jon Heidemann, Mark Nelson and Stacy Daily received help from 23 Mary Lynch fourth graders as they planted the trees and "got their hands dirty," according to Shoup. The 7- to 8-foot trees were donated by the SPNR District and included a Hackberry tree, two Cork trees, a Flowering Lilac, a Locust tree, and a Hybrid Elm. Other attendees... Full story
Mary Lynch Elementary students sent over $3,300 to the American Heart Association this year. Second grader Mason Anderson, 8 years old, raised $1,000, while the brother-sister team of Katie Hawthorne and Timothy Hawthorne each raised over $500. The program is called the Kids Heart Challenge. The Hawthorne grandparents donated $100 to both Katie and Timothy if they jumped rope for an hour. They both were successful. Timothy is a fourth grader and Katie is a fifth grader. The Kids Heart Challenge... Full story
Agencies throughout the area came together to provide a learning experience for Kimball High School students and a chance to work in unison. Kimball Health Services used the mock accident at Kimball Jr./Sr. High School to practice for a mass casualty. The event involved the Kimball County Sheriff's Office and dispatch, Kimball Volunteer Fire Department, Nebraska State Patrol, Kimball Health Services EMS, Kimball Police Department, Air Link, UC Health Lifeline and Cantrell Funeral Home. Others in...
The Longhorn golfers have a busy couple of weeks ahead of them. Thursday, the Longhorns will host the Kimball Invite with 12-15 teams making the trip. Then on May 9 the team will travel to Bayard and follow that up at the Leyton Invite in Sidney on May 11, and districts on May 15. Last Thursday, Kimball golfers played in the SPVA tourney hosted by Hershey. Kyler Lusche continues to be out with back issues, but the rest of the team is playing tough. Bransyn Kiefer shot a 104, Landon Norberg had...
The Nebraska State Patrol served a search warrant to the Kimball Police Department, Kimball County Sheriff’s Office, and the Kimball County Attorney’s Office on April 12. On April 21, the search warrant was filed in District Court and made available to the public. Key to the warrant is an investigation into whether uncertified Kimball police officers were doing work that should have been done by certified officers. The search warrant was issued on a written affidavit and executed to obtain “law enforcement documents to include but not limit...
The Kimball City Council met in special session on Tuesday April 25 at 2 p.m. to officially accept the resignation of Police Chief Andy Bremer. The resignation was approved 4-0. Bremer resigned on Thursday, April 20, stating "personal reasons," according to an email from Mayor John Morrison. Morrison said in the email, "He was a good chief and I reluctantly accepted his resignation." Bremer told the Observer that he served as a Kimball policeman for three years before becoming chief. He has...
At Tuesday's Kimball City Council meeting, Mayor John Morrison shared with the council and the public his thoughts on possible future acquisitions for the City of Kimball. Morrison expressed interest in acquiring the Evertson Well Service building east of Kimball with the intention of making it the Street Department building and shop. Currently, the street department shop is on the north side of Kimball on Main and Elm Streets. According to Morrison, the street department "is pretty sad. It is t...
The City of Kimball’s Town Hall meetings on Wednesday and Thursday of last week began the public involvement in the update for the city’s existing Comprehensive Plan. Marvin Planning, the company hired for the project, explained that a Comprehensive Plan is like a Business Plan for a Community. On Thursday, about 40 residents participated in the update at the KCTS building. In groups, residents discussed and listed their thoughts on five questions about Kimball, and then each group was able to report on their ideas. Question 1 – How would... Full story
According to Kimball Longhorn golf coach Chuck Christensen, the golf team is improving. As he put it, "The best team score this year is 60 strokes better than last year." A busy stretch is coming up for the Horns. Christensen and his team will be at the SPVA Tournament on Friday. On Saturday, they will play in Gordon at the Western Trails Conference meet. A dual meet with Shelton is scheduled for May 1st on the Four Winds Course, and on May 4, 12-14 teams will be on the Four Winds Course for... Full story
Discussion of making the Kimball County Annex building into a local Law Enforcement Center was one of the newest topics at the Kimball County Commissioners meeting on Tuesday. A motion was made to engage the city in discussions about the idea. The Extension Office is housed in the annex, but Commissioner Carl Stander spoke with Shane Hays, who said he has considered renting his building to house the Extension Office for $3,000 a month. Talks will be arranged with the sheriff, chief of police,...
Larry Brower has been saving Kimball County residents and businesses thousands of dollars annually for the past 25 years. Last year, from Kimball to Alliance to York, he saved folks over $600,000. Anyone on the Choice Gas program can call Brower. He can save you money and does everything for you, including filling out the forms for no charge. Brower said, "No one else can come close to the price. I go with whoever is the cheapest (natral gas provider). He said he can arrange a cost of 45 cents... Full story
Kimball County and Kimball County Transit Service administrator Christy Warner have received recognition for their work and leadership to meet Panhandle transit needs. Nebraska Legislature Resolution 51 – introduced by Brian Hardin of District 48, Steve Erdman of District 47 and Mike Jacobson of District 42 – acknowledges that community transportation is a growing need in the Panhandle and that through the leadership of Warner, the operation has grown immensely. KCTS covers the fifth lar...
Both Mary Lynch Elementary School and Kimball Jr./Sr. High School will receive some much needed attention during the summer months. Bids were received, and the Kimball School Board accepted bids Monday for new flooring, asphalt, and an entrance vestibule for the high school. The Mary Lynch Elementary parking and driveway will be repaired and receive asphalt paving, as well as the workshop area at the Jr./Sr. High School. Flooring will be poured in the north and south hallways, art room, and FCS... Full story
The Observer interviewed Paula Tarnago on Tuesday, her second day as Kimball city clerk. Tarnago said she was "excited to make this my long term home." Tarnago was recently hired to replace Kim Barnwell, who is moving. The City Council approved the appointment at the Tuesday evening meeting. Tarnago said she is settling into her new position and "looking forward to being a part of this family." She explained that "I like to learn new things, I like challenges, and I love helping people. I...
Ordinance #814, the Semi-Truck Parking Ordinance, was the main topic of discussion at the Kimball City Council meeting on Tuesday, April 4. The ordinance read that "No one shall allow, permit or suffer any semitrailer or truck-tractor to be parked or stored on public streets or private lots in the City of Kimball Residential Zoning districts R1 and R3 as defined in the City of Kimball Zoning Ordinance #736." When the public discussion opened, resident and over-the-road trucker Dan Schildhauer...
On April 4, after 108 days in jail, a brother and sister from Pennsylvania have been released from jail with time served. Brett Donohue, 22, and Diamond Donohue, 19, were arrested on Dec. 18 and charged with three felonies, including possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, possession of marijuana (more than 1 pound) and no Drug tax stamp. In the case of Diamond Donohue, Count 1 for delivery, distribution, possession of controlled substance was dismissed. For Count 2 for possession of more than 1 pound of marijuana, she...
Banner County High School FFA results from the Nebraska State Convention in late March saw the Meats Judging team placing 10th in the state. The team received a blue ribbon, as well as each member. Team members are Adam Knaub, Brendyn Onstott, Jacob Parsons, and Tobey May. Logan Mason received a red ribbon and was a member of the Agriscience team, which also included Abigayle Jones and Micah Dittbenner. The Environmental and Natural Resources team received a white ribbon at the state contest...
After 48 years, U.S. Army Private Gary Adelbert Barker of Kimball will be honored at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial for his service and sacrifice to this country. The pre-acceptance letter to his family reads: "On behalf of the Vietnam Veteran Memorial Fund, I am pleased to inform you that we would be proud to honor Gary Adelbert Barker at the 2023 In Memory ceremony on the grounds of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D. C." The ceremony will be held June 17 and his widow Barb Barker,...
PlainsWest CASA is planning a fundraising event in Kimball at the Sagebrush on April 27 from 5-7:30 p.m. The event is called “Wine Down with PlainsWest CASA.” More than 50 bottles of wine will be included in the Silent Auction and Wine Pull. One of the bottles of wine donated to the CASA fundraiser is priced at $300. CASA is Court Appointed Special Advocates for Cheyenne, Kimball and Deuel counties. CASA volunteers advocate for abused and neglected children’s best interests. The CASA volunteers are specifically trained for the advocacy inter... Full story
Former Kimball County Sheriff's Deputy Brandon Loy was recognized by the Sheriff's Office for his 14 years of service to Kimball County at the county commissioners meeting on Tuesday, April 4. Kimball County Highway Superintendent Randy Bymer met with the commissioners to seek bids for the Road 59 project. The road south of Dix is scheduled for a double chip seal job but will require four new tubes or culverts and repair of the potholes before the chip sealing. The county road department...
The Kimball FFA Chapter left the State Convention and Contest in Lincoln with impressive wins for teams and individuals. The Food Science team composed of juniors Grace Anderson, Carlee Murdoch, Julia Winstrom and Hayden Sours placed second in the entire state. Grace Anderson took individual honors with first place, while Carlee Murdoch and Julia Winstrom placed third and fourth, respectively. They were just 7 points from first place, which figures out to be only one or two questions...
Stoney Vance, former CEO/manager of Arrow Medical, is scheduled to be arraigned in Kimball County Court on April 26. He is charged with a Class 4 felony theft-receiving stolen property. The value of the stolen property from a Kimball EMS ambulance was estimated to be $2,269. An arrest warrant was issued March 21 for the former CEO. In a joint team arrest, Kimball Police and the Kimball County Sheriff's Office arrested Vance at his home in Bushnell and transported him to the Kimball County Jail....
Kimball’s Hometown Medical Group, formerly Arrow Medical, says it plans “to continue to care for people in the area” following the death of Dr. James Broomfield and arrest of former CEO Stoney Vance. Caregivers there now include nurse practitioners Keri Foster and Holly Dobrinski. Foster and Dobrinski said they will continue on without their colleague and friend, the late Dr. Broomfield. “He is a part of the vision that started this place, and we intend to move forward,” Foster said. She said he genuinely cared for people’s well-being....
The High Point Welcome Center is scheduled to reopen on April 1, but a bid was opened as part of Kimball County's process to sell the property. The County Commissioners rejected the one and only bid. Stephanie Risk McElroy and Ryan McElroy of Antelope Ridge, LLC submitted a bid of $300,000. The bid was rejected since it did not abide by all the requirements, mainly required starting and completion time restrictions for projects on the site. Jeanine Perry from Red Diamond Realty told the... Full story
A Nebraska Arts Council creative district is in the works for the community of Potter. The announcement came at a Town Hall meeting on Tuesday evening. Over 50 people attended the meeting, with two items on the agenda – a creative district and the American Legion Hall plans and finances. In Nebraska, six communities have been designated creative districts: North Platte, Benson, Ashland, Cozad, Norfork, and Brownville. Sidney is also applying for this economic driver. Voting by the group c... Full story