Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
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What caused more than $60,000 in losses since July 1, 2017 throughout Kimball County? USDA Wildlife Specialist, Matt Anderson reported at the June 5 meeting of the Kimball Board of Commissioners that vermin did. Anderson presented a 2017/18 summary of animal damage control which included verified losses to ag land, personal property, livestock and though loss of pets were reported due to vermin, they were not verified. Damage caused by racoons totaled $2,700. The largest culprit was not coyotes, though the predator caused nearly $4,000 in...
Tribute. Remembrance. Honor. More than 100 gathered at the Kimball Cemetery in remembrance of fallen heroes. Each year, as the event grows, coordinators, singers, speakers and presentations are added to honor the veterans who are no longer with us. Kimball County Veteran Service Officer, Bob Jenner, planned a tribute to Kimball County's most senior veteran, Walt Wann, this year. A flag, previously flown over the Capitol of the United States, was acquired, folded and placed in a triangular box fo...
Nearly two dozen Kimball students placed top ten at the recent West River Math Contest at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, according to teacher Danielle Reader. As part of the Pride in Excellence, the students, along with Reader, spoke to the board regarding their activities and the outcome of the contest. “We went up there the night before to give kids who may not have been to the area before a little cultural experience ahead of the contest,” Reader said. Students visited Rushmore Caves, rode a zip line and enjoyed a meal tog...
Honor Flight veterans were pleased with Kimball's reception and patriotism as their convoy made its way through the streets and past hundreds of citizens offering their respect and gratitude. Dozens of WWII and Korean veterans traveled through Kimball last Thursday, May 17, on their way to DIA as part of the Nebraska & Colorado WWII and Korean War Honor Flight Convoy. Two veterans who served in WWII joined nine Korean War veterans for the trip, which originated in Chadron. Once the veterans...
One of his first jobs as an adult paid him $5 each week and the second job was even better. He was saving for a 1936 Chevrolet with a rumble seat, but he never saved quite enough. "I carried home $47 a week, that was a lot of money," he said. "I was looking for an excuse to go somewhere and I knew I would end up being drafted anyway." Instead, in 1943, Walt Wann volunteered for the United States Navy in Elbert County, Colorado. He attended basic training in Idaho and eventually landed in the...
The 2018 Primary election results are in and Kimball County counted 921 votes of 2,773 registered voters, for a turnout of 33 percent. According to the Secretary of State, John Gale’s, office, voter turnout statewide was less than hoped for despite outstanding turnout in several counties. Statewide, preliminary turnout for this primary election was less than 25 percent prior to canvassing, but once all of ballots are counted, the total is likely to fall below the expected 28 percent. In a recent press release Gale said, “Unfortunately, whi...
In memory of those who offered up the ultimate sacrifice protecting the freedoms we enjoy as Americans, members of VFW Post #2243 and the Kimball County Veteran’s Service Office invite everyone to join them for the 2018 Memorial Day Service. Scheduled for 10 a.m. on Monday, May 28, at the Kimball Cemetery. The service will open with a welcoming message and a prayer by Pastor Rich Thomas. A patriotic song will be followed by the laying of the wreath for the unknown soldier by Joyce Witt and Amy Sapp, VFW #2243 Auxiliary members. A new demonstrat...
Kimball City Council discussed the March 30 meeting of the Park Planning Group. A number of improvements were considered and a plan was made to complete them in the next few months. Two local companies have been contacted to replace the wooden post perimeter fencing around Gotte Park with painted pipe, partially buried, capped with concrete and connected with cables. Mark Green, recently appointed council member, asked why the City wished to replace the posts and cable at all. “It looks like you are not welcome,” he said. Council member Kim...
The day before Mother's Day, one Kimball mom will be handing her graduating son his diploma. As a member of the local board of education Carrie Tabor will present her oldest child, Nicholas, with his diploma this weekend as he graduates valedictorian of his class. "I can't take credit for who Nicholas is, he just has done amazing things," she said. Carrie, a mom of five spanning from high school graduate to newborn, said she feels blessed to have the opportunity, though she knows it will be a...
After approval by the Planning Commission, the matter of a dog kennel license was discussed at the April 19 regular City Council meeting. Kathy Chapman addressed the board to ensure they understood that she was not seeking a commercial kennel license on Monroe St. in Kimball, but instead was looking for a conditional use permit so she and her husband, Rick, could keep their five dogs. “When we lived in town before I walked into the City Office, applied for a kennel license, I paid $25, gave them all the shot records and got the license,” she...
Editor's note: We are reprinting a past story this week, as Cristina Moore-Urrutia is in charge of an Air Force band, and this week the Offutt Brass Ensemble will perform in Kimball. Former Kimball resident, Christina Moore, who is the granddaughter of Mary Moore of Kimball, was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Air Force, on April 1, 2016, which is her third official command in the USAF. "I am in charge of 40 personnel, 25 in Japan and 15 in Hawaii. 39 of these...
The Kimball School board met in regular session on Monday, April 9, to approve a new math series for the district and review and prioritize capital projects needed for the safety and security of the schools. Following months of assessment by a group of eight elementary, junior high and high school teachers, Kim Beyer, Curriculum and Assessment Coordinator for the district, presented the group’s top pick for the new math series. “We reviewed several math series,” Beyer said, “and finally we were able to narrow it down, in the last three months,...
The Casper Mobile Vet Center (MVC) will be in Kimball for the upcoming Veteran’s Resource Fair. They can provide any veteran, current service member, service provider or veteran family member with information on a variety of services, programs and benefits through the Veteran’s Administration and Vet Center. Staff will be available to answer questions and assist with enrollment in veteran specific programs, such as, readjustment counseling and health care. Everyone is invited to the Veteran’s Resource Fair with up to 20 vendors, inclu...
Kimball City Council heard they were doing a good job keeping costs down at the March 20 City Council meeting. Michael Hoback of Almquist, Maltzahn, Galloway and Luth, CPA, presented the audit report for the 2016-17 fiscal year. Hoback reviewed the funds in each budget for council, as well as, revenue and expenses. Each of the utilities are operating within their prospectives budgets and all show increased revenues, according to Hoback, but most of them do not currently have the cash reserves needed for unforeseen issues. “This kind of s...
Children in Kindergarten through 5th grade are invited to learn more about Cub Scouts at the local recruitment night, Tuesday, April 17 at 5:30 p.m. in Kimball’s City Park. In case of rain, the recruitment night will take place across the street at Trinity United Methodist Church in Kimball. Scouts in Kindergarten enter as Lions, they progress to Tiger in first grade, then progressively to Wolf, Bear, first year Webelos and second year Webelos. Following a scout’s fifth grade year, they move up to Boy Scouts. BSA Troop 100 meets Thursday nig...
The Banner County tracksters have started their 2018 Spring season under the guidance of head Coach, Kari Gifford, returning for her eighth year with the assistance of Bill Gifford and Priscilla Bastian. The Wildcats return senior MaKenna Dahlgrin, a state qualifier last year in shot put and discus. Dahlgrin broke the Banner County school record in both of her events last year and is sure to be a tough competitor in her final season for the Lady Cats. Also returning is letter winner, senior,...
Mary Lynch Elementary students were the highlight of the recent Kimball School Board meeting, with presentations from the PBiS (Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports) Leadership group and the State Stock Market Game winners at the March 12 board meeting. Mrs. Laurie Janicek appeared with several young students, from fourth, fifth and sixth grades, for the presentations, as the advisor of each of these groups. The Mary Lynch Stock Market Game winners addressed the board as part of the Pri...
Following up on a January meeting to gather ideas for park improvements, the City of Kimball has planned a meeting to review cost estimates for some suggestions. According to a recent press release, many great ideas were received and the City needs public input to prioritize park improvement projects. The public is asked to attend this follow-up meeting, planned for 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 28, at the Kimball Public Library Community room....
With the region’s largest mental health provider closing doors throughout the Panhandle, Region 1 Behavioral Health has begun preparing for the transition. Region 1 has partnered with Panhandle Health Group and have scheduled three Consumer Focus Group meetings at the Cirrus House Conference Room, located at 23 East 15th Street in Scottsbluff. The meetings are scheduled for March 20 from 10 a.m. to noon, April 18 from 1 - 3 p.m. and May 22, from 10 a.m. to noon. Furthermore, Region 1 asks anyone with questions regarding the transition of s...
What will an additional $4,000 do for the community of Kimball? This is a question facing the Kimball City Council as the Public Alliance for Community Energy (ACE) board has approved a disbursement to Kimball totaling $4,281.98 through ACE’s revenue return program. According to a recent press release, ACE has returned more than $50,000 to Kimball since 1998, money that has been used for a variety of improvements, including new banners, flags, the gazebo and kiosk at the Kimball Cemetery and new swimming pool outdoor furniture. The 2017 r...
As the new Kimball Wind Farm nears completion, the Board of Public Works reviewed a land lease contract for the wind farm substation, to be placed adjacent to the City of Kimball’s south substation. The land, a one-acre parcel, was paid for by Kimball Windfarm LLC., but was acquired in the City of Kimball’s name. “Kimball Windfarm folks approached us and they asked us to secure a piece of land, take title to it and lease it to them for their substation,” Kimball City Administrator Dan Dean said. “They paid for all the expense to subdivide...
With the filing deadlines past, and several last minute filings, Kimball has several races that will be presented in the primary election in May. Five non-incumbents filed following last week’s story, each for a different office. Stephanie Pedersen filed for City Council, Travis Cook for Board of Education, Darcee Wheeland (R) for Clerk of the District Court, Brandon Mossberg (R) for Kimball County Commissioner and Dawn Hickman (R) for County Clerk. “My message as the Election Commissioner of Kimball County, is to encourage the voters to com...
Kimball Mayor, Keith Prunty, appointed Annette Brower to the position of City Treasurer, and council approved the appointment at a special meeting on Monday, March 5, at noon. Brower is expected to assumer her new role on March 26, and she brings several years of experience to the position, according to a news release from the City of Kimball. Her experience includes work for the Ft. Collins, Colo., Police Department and she was the Technical Communications Supervisor for the Ventura County Sheriff in California. Brower, who has served as...
With the first filing deadline past and the final one looming, incumbents planning to run for office, have filed and non-incumbents must do so by 5 p.m. tomorrow, Friday, March 1. At the time of this writing, 27 candidates have filed for various public offices. Kimball County has two open County Commissioner offices up for election and incumbents Larry Engstrom and Daria Anderson have both filed for reelection as Democrats. Currently, there are no other interested parties listed. Sherry Winstrom has filed for reelection as the Kimball County...
The difference a year makes can be huge. During a full school lockdown on Wednesday, Feb. 21, the Kimball Police Department, along with Kimball Public Schools, Kimball County Sheriff’s Office, the Deuel County canine unit and the Nebraska State Patrol, performed a contraband search at the Kimball Jr. Sr. High School. This year, Kimball Police Chief Andy Bremer said, no contraband was found, and when compared with last year’s search, that is a vast improvement. “The fact that we found nothing is a huge improvement. I couldn’t be more proud;...