Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
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Kimball woodcarver Don Story said, "I don't sell anything; I have never sold a carving; I give a lot of them away." Story shared some of his carvings and his love of the skill with the crowd at the Kimball Friendship Center last week. Each and every carving is a work of art with tiny details and intricate designs. Every Christmas, he makes an ornament for his kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids, that is, 19 ornaments he will make. He began his carving days while delivering fuel, waiting for the...
Eldon B. Lewis, 27, of Kimball, has been arraigned and appeared in court again on Wednesday, Oct. 23. Lewis is accused of a Class 3A felony, intentional cruelty to an animal, during an alleged Oct. 8 incident in Kimball in which he killed and ate a pet cat. Mark L. Kovarik, attorney for Kimball County, said in a complaint that Eldon Lewis “then and there … knowingly and intentionally, cruelly mistreated an animal by intentional torture, repeated beating, or mutilation of the animal.” In addition to the felony, Lewis is charged with viola...
The Sons of the Union Soldiers of the Civil War ceremoniously honored George W. Beard, the last Civil War Union soldier to be buried in Kimball during a brief ceremony at 11 a.m. Oct. 19 at Kimball Cemetery. The ceremony was conducted by the organization's John Surman. Beard's grave is highlighted by a Grand Army of the Republic marker. This marker, a symbol of his service and dedication to the Union, serves as a poignant reminder of his contributions. Beard was in his 30s when he fought for...
The Kimball County Emergency Dispatch is open and staffed 24/7, 365 days a year, to field calls for various agencies making response times as quick as possible. Last year, county dispatch answered 7,244 calls for Kimball Fire Department, Kimball ambulance, the Kimball Police Department, Bushnell Fire, Dix Fire and, of course, public calls. On occasion, they receive calls out of Banner County for fire response. Dispatchers sit on the third floor of the Kimball County Courthouse and often are need...
Former Kimball City Councilman and former Mayor Greg Robinson was appointed by current Mayor John Morrison to fill a council seat left vacant by the resignation of Don Muench. Robinson’s appointment was approved at the Oct. 15, 2024 meeting by the council in a 3-0 vote, and the former Larsen’s Jewelry Store owner will assume his duties in November. Morrison said in December there would be two new council members with no experience, and he felt he needed to appoint someone with experience. An executive session completed the council meeting. How...
Kimball's annual Trick or Trunk event and Halloween parade will occur on Oct. 31 from 4 to 6 p.m. on Chestnut Street. Anyone and everyone, from those in businesses and other individuals, are encouraged to reserve a spot for their own "trick or trunk." The event is organized by Tammy Land at Plummer Insurance, who can be reached at 308-235-7312. Cash prizes will be awarded to the best themed trunk, trailer, pickup bed or decorated table. The plans mark a change for Trick or Trunk, which has been...
George Thomas Adcock was born in Henry County, Kentucky, on July 18, 1848. He was the son of Elijah and Susana Adcock, which was sometimes spelled as Atcock or even Adtock. He was the 4th of a known 5 children. By 1860, he was listed as a farm laborer for the James G. Evans and Nancy Lyons Evans family in New Salem, Illinois. One of their daughters was a 3-year old named Ida Evans. At the age of 15 years and 10 months, he enlisted May 15, 1864, for a 100-day enlistment period in Company G of...
Eleven law enforcement personnel converged on 404 Myrtle St. in Kimball shortly after 9:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 11, to execute a search warrant in reference to possible animal cruelty case. In an affidavit, Kimball Police Officer Logan Luft stated that Eldon Blake Lewis, 27, was being investigated for capturing, killing, skinning, eating and keeping the head of his ex-wife's cat. While Lewis was detained in the patrol car, the household, garage and property were searched. Luft's affidavit states...
The Kimball County Commissioner accepted the resignation/retirement of highway superintendent Randy Bymer on Tuesday, Oct. 15. Bymer has served in the superintendent capacity for five years and will retire effective Dec. 27. After a review of the job description, the county will begin the search for a new road superintendent. In other business at the meeting, discussion centered on filling a vacancy on the Kimball County Visitors Committee and seeking a person to fill an at-large position to represent the county on the City/County Park and...
On Thursday, Oct. 10, Lori Maas captured the beauty of the Northern Lights from her home north of Potter. She took the picture with her iPhone. The lights occurred about 8:20 p.m. She said they didn't last long but it was "pretty cool." This week, Lori is waiting for Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS (C/2023 A3) to appear in the evening sky. The comet should be visible 45 minutes after sunset in the western sky, but the position will change throughout the week. This comet has an 80,000-year orbit, and...
Kimball Public Schools Food Service Director Danessa Terrill praised local groups and community members for the generous donations to pay off previous lunch debts. The lunch debt fund received significant contributions from the Knights of Columbus, the Red Knights and the Masonic Lodge. Other donations came from an account that Terrill set up in honor of former employee Vicki Kaczar; they received $750 from that account, which paid for milk and seconds on food items for children. Terrill shared with the board on Monday evening, October 14, that...
A Dix man is facing a variety of charges after an incident on Oct. 8. Mike Evans has been charged with assault on a peace officer, resisting arrest, obstruction of law enforcement, flight to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving, and driving under revocation for the incident which started with a Kimball County Sheriff’s deputy attempting to stop Evans south of Dix on county roads 59 and 18. Deputy Youngquist said that while he was on patrol, he observed a vehicle run off the road, get back on the road, and drive down the center. When Y...
Wanda Madden president of the Kimball Senior Friendship Center told the Observer that on Wednesday, Oct. 23, the senior center will sponsor a noontime program. Kimball resident Don Story will be the speaker and show his wood carving and figurines, including some with a baseball theme, to the attendees. Madden promises that it will be a program worth attending and sung the praises of Story’s artistic abilities. Lunch reservations are necessary. Call the senior center at 308-235-4505 before 9:30 a.m. on Oct. 23 to be guaranteed a meal. Lunch i...
Budgets for area governmental entities have been approved by their boards and submitted to the state. Here’s how the budget numbers break down for the city of Kimball, comparing the 2023-24 and 2024-25 budgets. Property Tax Request: $533,102.24 in 2023-24 and $743,113.56 in 2024-25. Valuations: $147,439,939.00 in 2023-24 and $179,818,174.00 in 2024-25. Municipal Levy: 0.361572 in 2023-24 and 0.413258 in 2024-25. Value Attributable to Growth: $2,081,295.00 in 2023-24 and $2,172,301.00 in 2024-25. Real Growth Percentage: 1.68 in 2023-24 and 0...
The Kimball Volunteer Fire Department celebrated National Fire Prevention Week, observed from Oct. 6-12 this year, with its annual open house on Wednesday, Oct. 9. Leading up to the event at the fire hall, community support for the department remained strong. KVFD's first open house was held in 2007, and this now-established successful community event continues to this day. This year's turnout was not immediately available, but more than 180 people attended last year. A light supper and...
Traveling parts of the state of Nebraska, Republican U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer visited Kimball and the Western Nebraska Observer for an interview Monday. She is seeking a third six-year term and facing off against registered Independent challenger Dan Osborn. Fischer outlined her recent official stops in Kimball, with elected Scottsbluff officials, in North Platte for an airport opening, and at meetings in Broken Bow and Ogallala. "So that is the job," she remarked. Fischer also touched on topics...
The story of the Kimball Senior Friendship extends far beyond its physical location at 107 S. Oak St – more than 50 years into the past and a few blocks west to its first home. Back on March 2, 1971, a group of citizens at the request of Nebraska Gov. Exon met to establish a Senior Citizens Opportunity Center. Irma Elrod was chairman and Prestin Wright vice chairman. Other members of the elected committee were Lula Martin, Grace Powel and Lily Filer. The group had 73 members by March 17, 1971, w...
Ty Cook of Kimball heaves the sledge hammer in an attempt to do some destruction during the "Longhorns Football Smash a Car" event on Second Street during Farmer's Day weekend....
Edward Barnes and his sister, Autumn Uglow, aren't your typical siblings. They spend their time behind the wheel, crashing and smashing their way through local demolition derbies. And with their combined 23 years of experience – nine years for Edward and 14 for Autumn – they are seasoned veterans in the local derby scene. Their preparation for the Farmer's Day Demolition Derby started long before the engines revved up on Saturday night. "Stripping everything out, including the seats," is the...
During the Kimball County Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 1, two public hearings were held regarding conditional use permits. The first hearing involved the renewal of Real Western Wings' conditional use permit for indoor and outdoor recreational facilities. With no public comments either for or against, the commissioners renewed the permit for another five years to align with the Nebraska Game and Parks contract, which also operates on a five-year basis. The second public hearing...
A number of mayoral appointments were made Sept. 24 at the Kimball City Council meeting. Mike Downey was appointed to the Planning Commission, Tammy Land to the Board of Public Works, and Jodel “Jody” Keeler to the Housing Authority Board. In other business, Police Chief Jose Ruiz presented a mutual aid agreement with the City of Sidney Police Department, which was approved by the council. This agreement allows Kimball officers to assist in Sidney when necessary, particularly in executing search or arrest warrants. Sidney officer also will ass...
A Kimball man died Friday in an accident on I-80 west of Kimball, the Nebraska State Patrol told the Observer. At approximately 4:20 p.m. Friday, an eastbound pickup crossed the center line in a construction zone and struck a semi, NSP spokesman Cody Thomas said. The driver of the pickup, Chad Cook, 47, of Kimball was pronounced dead at the scene. The semi driver was treated for minor injuries. The accident, a few miles west of Kimball, forced the temporary closure of I-80 in the area and traffic was detoured to Highway 30. The crash remains...
In the annual tradition, Kimball crowned its 2024 Farmer's Day Queen and attendants, honoring three young women who have distinguished themselves through their achievements and community involvement. This year's Farmer's Day Queen is Gabriela Cruz, a senior with big dreams of becoming a professional pastry chef. Attendants are Renee Murdoch and Joey Miller, each with their own plans for success. Gabriela Cruz, a senior at Kimball Jr./Sr. High School, was crowned this year's Farmer's Day queen,...
As the town gears up for its 98th Farmer's Day celebration, the Kimball Public Library is set to be a central hub of activity, featuring a silent auction that promises a variety of enticing items. With the theme "Our Land, Our Legacy," this year's festivities will kick off on Friday, Sept. 27, and continue through the weekend, showcasing both new events and beloved traditions. The silent auction, taking place on Friday and Saturday, will include unique items, such as an under-bed safe, themed...
Kimball’s annual Farmer’s Day celebration is set to promote the spirit of community and dedication to growth and agriculture with a lineup of distinguished dignitaries. This year’s celebration, always a special event for locals, will honor several pillars of the community whose contributions have left a lasting impact. Paul and Jacque Whiting, selected as Grand Marshals for the parade, have played a vital role in Kimball’s development over the past 25 years. Paul, a senior-level manager at Clean Harbors, has been a driving force behind communi...