Summer brings out the good, the bad and the noxious weeds

Summer brings out the weeds in western Nebraska and Jeff Lampmann, Inspection Specialist for the Nebraska Department of Agriculture joined Kimball County Weed Superintendent Rick Wangler at the recent Kimball County Board of Commissioners meeting, June 6, to review the scores for control of noxious weeds in Kimball County.

Kimball County scored 3,373 out of 3,400 potential points that are the expected goal throughout the state.

Lampmann said, “Its just like school where you had 100 percent, does it happen all the time? No, but that is the goal.” Lampmann added that Kimball County and Wangler do a great job.

The score method is just the paperwork-side of how things are measured and scored, according to Lampmann, another way is to visit the county and visualize the noxious weed control.

While the Board of County Commissioners is the control authority, land owners are asked to be an additional voice in the community and report their findings and feedback.

Paul Heidemann, Kimball County resident since 1934, spoke up about Bindweed throughout the county. Bindweed was once on the noxious weed list, and Heidemann previously contacted the State asking that it be returned to that list.

He said that he was told the Kimball County Commissioners would be required to hold a public meeting regarding Bindweed, at which the public in attendance would vote and the results would have to be sent into the State.

All the surrounding counties have Bindweed as a county designated noxious weed, according to Heidemann, at one point many years ago Bindweed was actually a State designated Noxious weed.

“If we start spraying bindweed on the roadsides and more places the budget will need to increase,” Wangler said. “Everyone needs to be in conjunction with one another, land owners as well as the county. The Bindweed is getting bad and needs to be addressed.”

Other items before the board:

Jeri Ferguson, Kimball High School Civics instructor, thanked officials for the County Government Day, held on February 28. “The kids really enjoy this day, and I just wanted to say thank you,” she said.

Dave Hottell reported that the crews were finishing necessary projects.

Ken Hunter, CEO of Kimball Health Services, gave an update on the financials. Hunter reported that this year is looking better than last, being they paid off a lot of bills last year. Hunter also commented on the Transition to the Regional West EMS Services, 90 days into the transition, Hunter says things are going great.