Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
According to Kimball County Commissioner, Daria Anderson-Faden, the Kimball County Manor announced the opening of two new spas, anyone can call and make an appointment for a low cost.
A public hearing was held to receive comments for or against a conditional use permit application from Ray Freeburg (Travis Freeburg) to request approval for mining excavation in Section 31, Township 16 North, Range 58 West, Kimball County.
Travis Freeburg attended the hearing to elaborate on the permit request. According to Freeburg the application for mining excavation usage has been used for many years, however, the new permit request is just for expansion.
“We are basically moving the site further west to find some better material,” he said.
The Planning Commission set this matter for approval by the Commissioners on June 25 at a past meeting.
County Highway Superintendent, Dave Hottell, stated to Freeburg that a pit in that area is a necessity.
“We would be more than happy to work with the county for pit runs or what is needed, this is a military grade material,” Freeburg said.
There was no other public at the hearing to protest, the board saw no concerns allowing the permit to expand the mining excavation.
Christy Warner, County Transit Service Administrator, addressed the Board of Commissioners last Tuesday, July 17, during the regular meeting to discuss the need for an out-of-town Veteran Service Officer (VSO) to sign off for the Highway Rural Transportation Grant. A VSO signature is needed for completion of this grant application.
The Highly Rural Transportation Grant makes available up to $50,000, including three options on how to use the funds received. According to Warner one option is to purchase a vehicle strictly to offer veterans free rides, a second option is to ask for a certain amount of dollars to pay out fares for each vet riding; the third option is to ask for a percentage of matched funds. Warner believes the third option is the best way to go, she added this option is clean and easy.
Once accepted, during the new applicant process, the organization has the option to apply for this grant annually, but, in order to have the annual application option, the organization must first apply during the new applicant process.
“We have neighboring states that have applied but no one from Nebraska has applied for this grant yet,” Warner added. This process occurs every three to five years.
Part of this, she believes, is because a highly rural area is considered seven people or less per square mile. A large majority of the counties in Nebraska do not fall under that category.
This grant will allow veterans in Kimball, Banner and even Cheyenne Counties to ride for free, along with one immediate family member each.
The Board was more than willing to allow an out-of-town VSO to sign the grant application. John Brehm, the Banner County Veterans Service Officer, was approached to sign the grant, he greatly agreed, according to Warner.
Warner added that she will know if Kimball County Transit is awarded the grant sometime in October.
In other transit system news, most have likely seen the new wrap on the shuttle. The red, white and blue wrap is very eye-catching and easily noticed.
“It’s only Tuesday and we are already hearing good comments and more talk around town,” Warner added.