Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
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The Kimball School Board received the Mary Lynch administrator’s report listing current enrollment. The largest classes for the 2021-22 school term will be the kindergarten class and the sixth-grade class, both reporting 40 students. The total registration for Mary Lynch is 221 students. Mary Lynch will be debuting a new program called Moby Max. According to Principal Jamie Soper’s report: “We will put every student through a diagnostic test, and then the student will progress on this online program throughout the school year.” Both princip...
Winds, rough terrain and hot dry weather contributed to the massive wildfire which started in Banner County and spread into Morrill County. The fire started Thursday evening from a lightning strike and has produced smokey skies and nasty air quality for southern panhandle residents. The fire, 23 miles northeast of Kimball, was about 95% contained Tuesday, according to the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency. Known as the Hackberry Wildfire in the southeast portion of Banner County, the fire...
As the youngest in a devout Catholic family of seven, Father C.P. Varghese always knew what he wanted to do with his life. No dramatic moment occurred, but from the age of 7, the new priest at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Kimball had a desire to become a priest. "Everyone always told me it was good to be a priest," he recalled. "I come from a very devout Catholic family. From early childhood, I have always attended Mass every day. The family went to Mass." Father Varghese continued to...
Tuesday was the first day of the Kimball-Banner County Fair with the Fashion Revue and Clothing Judging comnpleted. Horses were on the agenda for Wednesday as about 30 kids showed their horses, beginning at 8 a.m. and finally concluding the day at 8:30 p.m. The 4-H'ers did everything from halter, showmanship, reining, trail, western pleasure, western horsemanship, barrels and poles. But the most encouraging part of the long day was late in the evening when the 8- to 10-year-olds yelled...
During the time she studied for her Early Childhood Education Endorsement, Potter-Dix kindergarten teacher Chari Mohr made some startling discoveries. "A kindergarten student who has not been read to could enter school with less than 60 hours of literacy nutrition," she said. "No teacher, no matter how talented, can make up for those lost hours of mental nourishment." It is not too late to help young children prepare for school although the clock is ticking. There is still time to encourage and...
Local business owners continue to feel the effects of the Chestnut Street water main break in downtown Kimball, which occurred two weeks ago. Hometown Hardware owners said they are waiting on "Infrastructure and air quality tests," which are being done by their insurance company. Kelli Patterson told the Observer that "We will open as soon as we know it is safe for all and can get it all cleaned out." Patterson was also appreciative of all the concern and support from the community. Meanwhile,...
The Kimball School Board tended to some general housekeeping issues in a special meeting Monday, July 26. Mary Lynch Parent-Student, High School Parent-Student, and Staff Handbooks for 2021-22 were approved. Those handbooks had been previously tabled to clear up some errors. A yearly subscription for $10,000 to Beyond Textbooks was approved by the board, as well as an engagement letter from Rauner & Associates for the 2020-21 audit. The board and superintendent continue to match board policies with the handbook so that the handbooks mirror the...
Topping the Aug.3 Kimball County Commissioners meeting agenda were farmers and landowners trying to get bindweed added as a noxious weed. Everyone agreed that it would cost more in taxes to control it, but Dave Hagstrom said, "Need to do it yesterday, not tomorrow." Weed Superintendent Rick Wrangler said that bindweed could not be eradicated, but it can be controlled. Banner County and Cheyenne County both have it classified as a noxious weed. After a lengthy discussion from the area farmers, it...
Standing underneath the Canadian choke cherry tree and awarded Yard of the Week is Colin Moul, center. Heather Entingh, left, and Nate Entingh present Colin with the award. Colin's yard has a beautiful lily in the background. He also has many grasses and wildflowers. This neatly manicured yard is located on the 700 block of Highway 30 or Third Street....
Nebraska Lt. Gov. Mike Foley travelled west for a stop in Kimball on Monday. The stop included a a tour of the town and a visit to Clean Harbors, plus visits to Kimball Health Services and the Kimball Public Schools. Foley told the Observer that he came to Kimball for two reasons. “I like to get out across the state and meet the economic development folks and find out what is really going in these communities.,” he said. “There is a lot happening in Kimball and about to happen, as we all know....
Usually, the Kimball Cemetery Board meets on a quarterly basis, but recent complaints from the public on the conditions at the cemetery instigated a special meeting. About a dozen citizens attended the noon July 22 meeting at the Kimball County Transit building, and many voiced their concerns. As the board discussed bids on a new sprinkler system, various questions and answers were exchanged between the board and citizens. One sprinkler bid had been received, and the city is awaiting an...
Cowboys and cowgirls from Texas, Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming, South Dakota, and Nebraska sorted steers in Kimball for the Halligan Agency LLC Ranch Sorting. Kimball was a prelude to ranch sorting at Cheyenne Frontier Days, known as the Big Daddy beginning on Thursday and concluding Aug. 1. The Big Daddy is also a Cinch-sanctioned event. Taking home a trophy headstall were weekend highpoint winners in the youth division Grady Watkins from Cheyenne; beginner/rookie division Ciara Coleman from...
Most of the projects for the girls of Sweet Stitches are ready for the Kimball-Banner County Fair. They will enter their static exhibits on Tuesday, Aug. 3. Hands down, the favorite activities for these members are baking, sewing and painting – or as a young member said, she just liked "everything." Sweet Stitches leader Erin Heidemann feels that 4-H teaches important life skills, and they make terrific friends. Erin said she enjoys "watching them learn and improve" in their skills. Erin said s...
Kimball County Sheriff Harry Gillway confirmed to the Observer that a Jet Ski incident resulting in an injury occurred at Oliver Lake on Sunday shortly before 7 p.m. A local individual, whose name has not been released, was taken by Life Flight to Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff with head trauma. Gillway said a Jet Ski turned and the back end of it hit the individual in the head. He said the individual never lost consciousness. After the incident, a bystander was able to pull the injured party to the shore. A Nebraska Game and...
Just a few more weeks left of the Kimball Women’s Golf Association league play before the final events, including Battle of the Sexes, the Horserace and Solheim Cup. For Week 7 of league play, high school golfer Katie Heeg took low gross with a 49. And in a crowded field of Donna Loyd, Kathy Robinson and Katie Heeg, all had a low net of 35. Shellon Anderson’s putter was hot as she recorded low putts of 17. Daria Faden holed out on number 7. Flag prizes went to Katie Heeg, Sally Plover, and Donna Loyd for closest to the pin from off the gre...
Over the past seven years, the Nebraska Department of Education has developed standards in the content areas of English/language arts, mathematics and science, which are assessed statewide and required by statute. Although not required by law, fine arts, physical education, health education and world languages standards have also been developed. David Jespersen, from the Nebraska Department of Education Public Information Office, told the Observer concerning the standards, "I can't speak for the...
The Kimball County Commissioners met for their regular session Tuesday, receiving updates and information from a variety of county departments. While time allowed, the commissioners authorized a contract with Standard Appraisal Services for support in the assessment of property. The contract is for 15 days of assessment, but those days are not required to be used. Standard Appraisal Services is based on an hourly rate of $110 an hour. Wheat harvest continues, and the county roads are under constant usage; Randy Bymer, county highway...
Kimball County Manor was awarded Yard of the Week for this week. After 17 months of COVID restrictions, the facility was needing a celebration. The manor experienced a facelift over a couple of weeks as 177 flowers and trees were planted in just five hours by employees and friends of the manor. Participating in the renewal of the grounds were, in the front row from left, Jo Herman, Shannon Monheiser, Patty Watson and Heather Entingh (award presenter). Back row: Greg Stull, Sarah Stull, Morgan...
Kimball's fine miniature bull rider, Cody Brinkman, has already qualified for the finals at his level in Mesquite, Texas, in October. Cody has been busy this summer competing in events and learning from the best bull riders. Traveling to California and Oklahoma to fine-tune his skills, Cody worked with world champion bull rider Gary Leffew and David Berry. Then he participated in the Rez Games at Okmulgee, Okla., in late June. He now plans to ride in the Soldiers and Sailors Veteran Memorial in...
The Kimball-Banner County Fair is a little less than three weeks away and the schedule is full. Today, Thursday, July 15, is the deadline for all pre-entries due in the Extension Office. Monday, Aug, 2 at 5 p.m., pre-fair cleanup is on the calendar. The first day of 4-H kids showing their projects will be Tuesday, Aug. 3, with the Fashion Revue, Clothing Judging, Public Fashion Show, and all 4-H and FFA Static Exhibits will be entered at the 4-H Building. Wednesday is a full day of horse showmanship, halter showmanship, pleasure, trail, pole...
Panhandle Public Health District remains diligent in its fight against COVID-19. With a slight uptick of cases, Kimball County reported five cases in the 14 days prior to July 12. Kimball County has a 30% vaccination rate. Cheyenne County, with a vaccination rate of 30%, has six cases in the same amount of time, and Scotts Bluff has seen 23 confirmed cases while their vaccination rate is 35%. While the COVID risk dial had not moved over the last few weeks, it now has taken a sharp increase for the current week but remains in the Moderate...
Havoc for a few business owners ensued when a 6-inch water main broke on the 200 block of Chestnut Street. On Sunday, about 11:30 p.m., water was spotted bubbling up through cracks in the asphalt in the middle of Chestnut Street. The cracks and wavy asphalt near the center line on Chestnut Street are results. Early Monday morning, the Water Department realizing the possibility of a water main break, began tearing up asphalt and looking for the break. Their guess was pretty spot on as they found...
Drew and Sheryl Biesecker at 210 West 9th St. received the Yard of the Week for their stunning array of flowers. Having lived in their house 23 years, the Bieseckers have done all the yard and flowers themselves. The property has been a work in process as they had continually added trees and garden areas in the backyard. The flowers are a heat-resistance type, such as Salvia, Rosemella, Creeping Phlox and Bleeding Hearts. Presenting the Yard of the Week award are Heather Entingh, left, and...
Matt Anderson from the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service recently met with the Kimball County Commissioners to provide a summary of the past year's predator control. For the past 13 years, Anderson has targeted badgers, raccoons, red fox, coyotes, skunks, prairie dogs, and many raptor species in five Nebraska counties, including Kimball, Banner, Scotts Bluff, Morrill, and Cheyenne. Although the USDA has a contract with the counties, a landowner must request Anderson. He said area farmers and ranchers are dealing well with the...
The Kimball School Board reviewed the 2021-22 handbooks for Mary Lynch, the Jr/High School and the staff at their regular meeting on July 12. In reviewing the handbooks, a few errors existed, and the approval process has been postponed to the August meeting. Principal Danielle Reader explained to the board the new tardy and absenteeism policy will be combined with what is going to be called a “Stampede” card. The new Stampede card will provide incentives for student attendance and punctuality. A list of surplus property has been compiled to...