Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First

Articles from the December 3, 2020 edition


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  • PICKUP & CARRYOUT ONLY

    Daria Anderson-Faden, The Observer|Dec 3, 2020

    The First English Lutheran Church had a long list of reservations for its annual Thanksgiving dinner and the calls continued to come in even on Thanksgiving Day. Church member Diana Engstrom said, "It was hard to plan this year." That was due to COVID-19 and, of course, the weather is always difficult to plan for. But this year's meals were either delivered or picked up for carryout. There was no dining on site. The members of the First English Lutheran Church started early Thanksgiving Day by d...

  • Tough COVID Period Ahead

    Daria Anderson-Faden, The Observer|Dec 3, 2020

    Assistant Director Jessica Davies from Panhandle Public Health District told the Observer that the region is now “entering a difficult phase with the COVID pandemic where people need to think through their Thanksgiving and Christmas safety plans and not gathering in large groups. It remains critical for people to not let their guard down with safety precautions.” Davies said there “will come a time when standard family get-togethers will be safe again, but this isn’t the time unfortunately. I’ve seen where Zoom is lifting its 40-minute...

  • KIMBALL'S PARADE OF LIGHTS

    Daria Anderson-Faden|Dec 3, 2020

    Brantley Brower, 4, was in the Christmas Spirit on Saturday at the Parade of Lights in downtown Kimball. Brantley and other children rode in the barrel train, which is usually seen at the Kimball Fairgrounds during Fair Week. Brantley is the son of Trevor Brower and the grandson of Brad Brower, all of Kimball. See other Parade of Lights photo on Page A5....

  • Administrator Candidate Tells Kimball No

    Daria Anderson-Faden|Dec 3, 2020

    The City of Kimball is still looking for a city administrator after the candidate interviews on Nov. 16. Jonathan Canon from South Carolina was offered the job but received another offer, Mayor Keith Prunty said. Prunty said Canon took the other job simply because the salary was significantly higher than the salary in Kimball. The other interviewed candidate was Alan Lanning of Steamboat Springs. – Daria Anderson-Faden...

  • It's Beginning To Sound A Lot Like Christmas

    Dec 3, 2020

    The Salvation Army bell ringing season in Kimball will begin on Friday, Dec. 4, and continue until Christmas on Fridays and Saturdays. The local Salvation Army kettle will be set up at Main Street Market from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. According to project coordinator Pastor Roger Gillming, the proceeds from the bell ringing stay in Kimball and help local folks with things such as utility bills and other necessities. – Daria Anderson-Faden...

  • Craft-Aganza!

    Dec 3, 2020

    The Sagebrush hosted the Holiday Craft-aganza on Saturday with over 30 vendors participating. Organized by Amber Schadegg, the craft fair had 75-100 shoppers during the four-hour time span. Shoppers could find anything from baked goods and jewelry to décor and handmade items and much more. Amber reported that "It was a great way to celebrate Small Business Saturday."...

  • Banner County Residents Expecting Changes This Holiday Season

    Barb Cross, The Observer|Dec 3, 2020

    Good morning Banner County, neighbors near and far. Here we are in December, and I am wondering after spending months and months and many holiday celebrations in very uncustomary ways how many December customs will be altered or cancelled. Christmas is at our doorstep! There will be changes and restrictions I am pretty sure. But if we look at what we have in our lives we will have more than if we look at what we don’t have in our lives and never have enough. I am trying really hard to remember that as we finish this year. Here is what is h...

  • Pat Dowd

    Dec 3, 2020

    Pat Dowd of Kimball passed away November 24, 2020, in Fort Collins, Colo. She was proceeded in death by her husband, Gene, and grandsons Adam Spargo and Ty Brandt. She is survived by her children Gene, Rock Springs, Wyo.; Joni (Dennis) McCann, Omaha; Kathy Zimmer, Lincoln; Lorrie Dowd, Fort Collins, Colo.; and Coni (Scott) Brandt, Windsor, Colo.; grandchildren Jessica, Tanner, Sam, Serra and Lexi; three great-grandchildren, Asher, Emma and Ella; and sister Dee Schindler. Cremation has been held...

  • Karoleen R. Mika

    Dec 3, 2020

    Karoleen R. Mika, 76, of Sidney, died at Sidney Regional Medical Center on Sunday, November 22, 2020. Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, November 30, 2020 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Kimball with Father Mike McDermott officiating. Burial was held in the Bushnell Cemetery. Visitation was held from 1:00 until 5:00 p.m. on Sunday at the Cantrell Funeral Home in Kimball. Vigil Prayer service was held following the visitation. Friends can visit www.cantrellfh.com to view...

  • Ready For Some Winter Sports?

    Jim Orr, The Observer|Dec 3, 2020

    Here we go. The winter sports season opens this week under a number of coronavirus safety precautions for Kimball, Potter-Dix and Banner County high schools. For the Kimball Longhorns, it's time for wrestling and a new basketball era with first-year coaches Jaclyn Burks leading the girls and Chad Miller the boys. In Potter-Dix, it's all about Coyotes boys and girls basketball. And in Banner, the Wildcats are competing in wrestling and JV basketball. Here are the multi-sports schedules, as of...

  • COWBOY UP!

    Daria Anderson-Faden, The Observer|Dec 3, 2020

    In less than a week, 13-year old Cody Brinkman of Kimball will climb aboard a mini bull to participate in the International Miniature Bullriders Association World Finals in Mesquite, Texas. "I can't explain it; I love it," remarked Cody about riding mini bulls. Cody qualified for the Dec. 7-12 World Finals while competing with a team out of Oklahoma, where the top two riders in the event qualified for the world finals. Competing in the senior division for 12- to 14-year-olds, Cody will ride...

  • Coyotes Haul In Awards

    Daria Anderson-Faden, The Observer|Dec 3, 2020

    Topping off a successful 9-1 football season, eight Potter-Dix Coyotes have been named to the All-District team and head coach Dale Frerichs has added to the team's 2020 accolades by receiving the Six-Man Berens Coaching Award from Huskerland Preps. "There are lots of good coaches and it is an honor to win," he said. "It is very humbling." Frerichs started his coaching career with eight-man football at Potter-Dix in 2005, when the enrollment numbers in high school were higher. The school went...

  • Birkhofer Sings Anthem At Title Game

    Daria Anderson-Faden, The Observer|Dec 3, 2020

    Out of 160 recordings of the "Star Spangled Banner" submitted to the Nebraska School Activities Association, seven high school students were selected to sing the national anthem at the recent NSAA Football Championships. Students from Lincoln, Omaha, Wayne, Aurora, Pawnee City were all represented – as was Kimball High School junior Amy Birkhofer. With the help of her high school vocal teacher, Jacob Hoffman, Amy's recorded audition was sent into NSAA and by the beginning of November, the t...

  • COVID Precautions For High School Sports

    Dec 3, 2020

    Winter sports practices and activities have been happening for the past few weeks. As games and competitions are nearing, the Nebraska School Activities Association and the Governor’s Directed Health Measure outline the following requirements for student, staff, and attendee safety: • Participant households are only being allowed entry, they must sit as a household group at least six foot from other household groups. Attendees must also be on the school list to gain entry. Each school may have a specific limit. • Masks are required, if anyon...

  • Wrestling

    Dec 3, 2020

    Kimball High wrestling coach Wade Brashear instructs a couple of his Longhorns at a preseason practice in preparation for the season opener at Bayard on Dec. 4, a day later than originally scheduled. Coach Brashear said he has nine wrestlers checked out....

  • DEER HUNTER LANE WASIELEWSKI

    Dec 3, 2020

    Kimball County hunter Lane Wasielewski poses after his successful outing during Nebraska's 2020 rifle season for deer hunters....