front row left to right: Maranda Winter, Kristy Tompkins, Myles Stagemeyer
back row left to right: Jon Hunt, Collin Nemec, Shea Lueninghoener
The O'Neill High School Quiz Bowl team won the 21 team ESU 8 Quiz Bowl held on March 12th in Neligh. The win qualified O'Neill for state competition in Holdrege.
St. Mary’s hosted its annual T-shirt Tourney, Monday, March 10. OC won with 68 points, followed by St. Mary’s with 60. Ewing was third and Cedar Rapids, 4th. Jean Zak won persuasive speaking; Casey Vandersnick, 1st, serious prose and poetry; Jayde Rosenkrans and Ellery Butterfield, 2nd, duet acting; Noah Johnson, 2nd, informative; Jack Reiman, 3rd, persuasive; Wil Hupp, 3rd, extemporaneous speaking;Marcus Schneider, Jayde Rosenkrans, Ellery Butterfield, Amy Schmitz and Paige Gaughenbaugh, OID, 3rd; Zach Renshaw, 4th, extemporaneous speaking; Alex Storjohann, 4th, entertainment speaking; Kim Schneider, 4th, serious prose; Addie Wetzel, 4th, humorous prose; Will Atkeson and Hailey Eiler, 5th, duet acting; Carissa Soukup, 5th, humorous prose; Rachel Schmitz, 5th, informative;Cheyenne Rosenkrans, 6th, poetry; Noah Johnson, 6th, entertainment speaking; and Carissa Soukup, Josh Cuddy and Zach Renshaw, 7th, OID.
Tina Meier & the Megan Meier Foundation will have a presentation on Bullying and Cyberbullying at the O'Neill High School on Wednesday, March 12th at 7 p.m. for the Parent/Family Seminar and on Thursday, March 13th at 9 a.m. for the Student Seminar.
The purpose of this presentation is to be the change and stop bullying and cyber bullying.
This is being Hosted by Holt County Juvenile Services and KBRX visited with Trisha Ruzek about the presentation this week. Click here to Listen
Tina Meier & the Megan Meier Foundation will have a presentation on Bullying and Cyberbullying at the O'Neill High School on Wednesday, March 12th at 7 p.m. for the Parent/Family Seminar and on Thursday, March 13th at 9 a.m. for the Student Seminar.
The purpose of this presentation is to be the change and stop bullying and cyber bullying.
This is being Hosted by Holt County Juvenile Services and KBRX visited with Trisha Ruzek about the presentation this week. Click here to Listen
O'Neill Public Schools invite you to register your child for the 2014-2015 school year. Join them on Friday, March 14, 2014 from 7:30 am – 4:00 pm at the O’Neill Elementary School Library to register your child for kindergarten. Please bring your child’s Birth Certificate & Immunization Records. Your child does not need to attend registration. Buddy Day for your child will be Friday, March 21, 2014 from 1:30-2:30.
Nebraska chemigator applicators seeking first-time certification or recertification in 2014 to use an irrigation system to apply nitrogen, animal waste or pesticides to a growing crop can get training through University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension.
A chemigation license is valid four years following the training. At the completion of the training, an individual must pass a test prior to receiving their license. There is no fee associated with this program.
The training will be offered on Thursday March 27th at the Holt County Courthouse Annex at 1:30 & 6:30 and Thursday April 10 at 1:30. Questions regarding the training, please contact the Holt County Extension Office at 402-336-2760.
If you have diabetes, it is important that you learn to control it for life! Diabetes is a serious problem, but research shows that controlling diabetes makes a huge difference. Keep your blood sugar close to normal and you reduce your chances of serious
Story courtesy LuAnn Schindler - St. Mary's won the team championship at the NVC west division meet Monday in Bartlett. The Cardinals speechsters totaled 179 points as thirteen of St. Mary's 18 entries qualified for the final round.
Casey Vandersnick won the gold medal in serious prose. Vandersnick also finished second in poetry interpretation. Zach Renshaw finished second in extemporaneous speaking. Logan Spencer won bronze in entertainment speaking and Kim Schneider finished third in serious prose. Noah Johnson placed fourth in informative speaking; Molly Atkeson and Logan Spencer finished fourth in duet acting. Placing fifth for the Cardinals were Cheyenne Rosenkrans, poetry; Wilson Hupp, extemporaneous speaking; Carissa Soukup, humorous prose; and the OID team of Andrew Thompson, Marcus Schneider, Amy Schmitz, Paige Gaughenbaugh and Jayde Rosenkrans. Jean Zakrewski placed sixth in persuasive and Jayde Rosenkrans and Ellery Butterfield ended in sixth in duet acting.
The Cardinals host the annual T-shirt meet Monday, March 10. The meet begins at 3:45 p.m.
Lincoln – Registration is open for the 2014 Cornhusker State Games, and Nebraska Sports Council officials announced today that, to help celebrate the event’s 30th Anniversary, Opening Ceremonies on Friday, July 18 will take place at Lincoln’s Pinnacle Bank Arena.
The annual mid-summer sports festival features competition scheduled July 18-27 in more than 60 sports at 50 different venues in Lincoln, Omaha and surrounding communities. Officials expect more than 13,000 competitors, with several new offerings including a gravel race for cyclists, a new junior division in baseball and the return of crossfit after a one-year hiatus.
The Cornhusker State Games also welcomes, for the first time, athletes from neighboring states which either a) have no official State Games of their own or b) don’t offer State Games of America qualifying sports that are offered at the Cornhusker State Games.
The National Congress of State Games recently relaxed the state residency requirement for participation in the event to accommodate athletes from states, like South Dakota and North Dakota, which don’t have official State Games of their own. The new ruling also opens a path for Dakotans to partake in the organization’s biennial national event, the 2015 State Games of America, which will also be held in Lincoln. To qualify for the national competition, non-Nebraska residents must earn a medal in a recognized State Games event in 2014.
Last year, 12,343 Nebraskans participated in the Cornhusker State Games. Top five team sports last year included basketball, soccer, volleyball, softball and baseball. Top individual sports were track & field, shooting, 5K run, triathlon, swimming and wrestling. Participants ranged in age from one to 87.
All registered participants receive a shirt, souvenir yearbook and pass to the Opening Ceremonies. Entry fees vary by sport based on competition costs, but the average entry fee is $29 per person. Those interested can find information or register at CornhuskerStateGames.com.
The Games Opening Ceremonies moves from its traditional home at Lincoln’s Seacrest Field to the new Pinnacle Bank Arena to provide an air-conditioned, rain-proof setting with top-of-the industry audio-visual production capability.
“We wanted to do something big and fun for the 30th Anniversary. Between the newness of the venue, the production capability and the climate control, the Pinnacle Bank Arena offers a chance to celebrate in style,” Nebraska Sports Council Executive Director Dave Mlnarik said.
The Nebraska Sports Council, which conducts the Cornhusker State Games and the LiveWell Challenge Series, is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization whose mission is to provide quality sports competition and promote healthy lifestyle behaviors. Platinum partners include BlueCross and BlueShield of Nebraska, St. Elizabeth Regional Medical Center and Nebraska Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine. Learn more at NebraskaSportsCouncil.com.
Yankton, SD – March 3, 2014 – The Mount Marty College Nursing Program hosted a Pledging Ceremony for its BSN Nursing Class of 2016 and Practical Nursing Class of 2014 on January 20, 2014, in the Bishop Marty Chapel. BSN and Practical nursing students pledged their commitment to the nursing profession – a life of work and dedication.
This year Miranda Pribil of O'Neill received a BSN nursing student pledge.
The Pledging ceremony is one of commitment to uphold the standards of the nursing profession. It celebrated the beginning of each nursing student’s career as a student and then as a professional nurse. During the ceremony, the MMC nursing faculty reviewed the responsibilities professional nurses assume in their practice and the students took a vow indicating their dedication to the profession of nursing.
According to word from Jeff Going of the State Fire Marshall's office, a fire last night completely destroyed the business office of Iowa Select Hog Operation. The operation is located southwest of Ewing. The fire began about 11 p.m. Sunday night, and firemen were on the scene until about 10 a.m. Monday morning. The Chambers and Clearwater fire departments were called to help fight the fire. A rough estimate of the damage is in the range of $300,000. It has not yet been determined what caused the fire.
From Antelope County Sheriff - Antelope County Sheriff Department received a 911 call at 10:18 am on Saturday, March 1. The caller advised there was s serious accident with injuries 4 1/2 miles west of Clearwater, Nebraska on Highway 275. Clearwater and Ewing Fire and Rescue were dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, Fire & Rescue determined that Sharon A. Steskal, age 70, from Clearwater, Nebraska was a fatality at the scene. Steskal was driving a 2009 Mercury Marquis 4-door sedan and she was traveling east bound on High 275. Fire and Rescue treated and transported Zachary a. Salers, age 26, of O'Neill and also treated and transported Carrie Lynn Mulford, age 21, of Hampton, Iowa who was a passenger in the Salers pickup. Salers vehicle was west bound passing in the east bound lane at the time of the accident on Highway 275. The Salers vehicle struck the Steskal vehicle head on while attempting to pass other vehicles according to witnesses. This accident is currently being investigated by the Antelope County Sheriff Department, Holt C ounty Sheriff Department and the Pierce County Sheriff Department.
Caleb Ross a member of the O’Neill FFA Chapter has been selected to participate in the fourth annual Agricultural Issues Academy (AIA) on April 9th as part of the 2014 Nebraska State FFA Convention held in Lincoln. AIA is a leadership-based academy that focuses on providing participants with skills needed to become spokespeople for the agriculture industry. The day-long program will expose participants to current agricultural issues, develop communication skills, and provide an opportunity to meet with industry leaders and lawmakers.
Caleb was selected from a pool of 80 qualified applicants from across Nebraska and was narrowed down by a selection committee to 30 participants. Selected candidates were charged with a task to a research current “ag” issue of their choice and be prepared to explain the issue at the academy.
Through involvement in the FFA Caleb Ross has expanded his experience in the areas of Beef, Forage, Welding, and Fabrication. He hopes to gain further knowledge in these areas through his involvement and participation in the Agriculture Issues Academy.
At the Agricultural Issues Academy participants will be a part of the following activities:
Round-robin sessions presented by experts on learning how to speak to lawmakers, preparing a successful and positive message for TV and radio, and have first-hand training for written and online communications.
A visit to the State Capitol, accompanied by agriculture lobbyists who will introduce participants to the State Legislature, and provide an opportunity for them to meet with the senator from their home district.
The following day, academy participants will be expected to serve as peer leaders for the state convention’s annual legislative breakfast with State Senators and other FFA members.
Participants will be recognized and awarded pins for participating in the academy at the Opening Session of the Nebraska State FFA Convention on Thursday morning.
The Agricultural Issues Academy is sponsored by Alliance for Agriculture in Nebraska (A-FAN), Nebraska Cattlemen, Nebraska Corn Board, Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation, Nebraska Association of Resource Districts Foundation, Nebraska Corn Growers Association, Nebraska Soybean Board, and Nebraska Pork Producers Association.
Pictured are front row l/r: Mikayla Mosel, Lauren Osborne, Maddie Kaczor
Back row l/r: Amanda Pischel, Grace Bunner, Robyn Isom, Ariel Lichty, and Shea Coventry
Eight members of the O’Neill FCCLA Chapter attended the Peer Education Retreat on February 24, 2014 at the Holiday Inn Convention Center in Kearney. “SPOT Here, SPOT There, SPOT Everywhere!” was the theme for the conference. Ariel Lichty of O’Neill High School, secretary of the Financial Fitness Peer Education Team, took part in the planning.
Members heard from Mike Smith founder of Skate For Change and Dude.BeNice as the keynote speaker. He asked those in attendance to think about what their legacy is as well as what are they known for. He has a goal to collect one million pair of socks to distribute to the homeless. FCCLA members presented him with over 500 pair on Monday.
Finalists for the 2014-2015 Peer Education Teams were introduced. They include Grace Bunner and Amanda Pischel from O’Neill.
Attending from O’Neill were Ariel Licthy, Grace Bunner, Amanda Pischel, Mikayla Mosel, Shea Coventry, Robyn Isom, Maddie Kaczor, and Lauren Osborne, they were accompanied by chapter advisors Mrs. Mann and Mrs. Stelling as well as Mrs. Lichty.
Current sophomores and juniors in O’Neill are encouraged to apply for Great Plains RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards.) RYLA is a leadership training program that promotes, encourages and rewards outstanding young people. It is an all expenses paid, six day, five night conference that brings together a special group of young men and women from Central and Western Nebraska to share ideas about becoming better leaders. The camp consists of an action-packed program of activities that help build confidence and leadership skills.
The camp will be held July 20th through July 25th at Halsey State 4H Camp. All expenses are paid for by the Rotary Club of O’Neill.
If you are interested in making new friends, want to become a better leader, have demonstrated or want to demonstrate leadership in your school or community, then RYLA is for you! Apply today at www.greatplainsryla.org. Application deadline is February 28th.
For questions, please contact O’Neill Rotary Club RYLA Representative Nicole Sedlacek at (402) 336-1504 or email at nicole@growholt.com.
LINCOLN - The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission recently placed tracking collars on 11 elk in north-central Nebraska. The collars provide real-time location data and help Game and Parks better determine populations.
Game and Parks contracted a helicopter animal capture crew to tranquilize and place GPS tracking collars and ear tags on the animals. Four elk - a bull, two cows and a female calf - were collared near the Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge on Feb. 21. Later that day, one bull and six cows near Bassett were equipped with the tracking devices. The elk were shot with a tranquilizer dart and processed by the crew on location.
At Fort Niobrara, biologists are using the data to determine if there are enough elk in the area to warrant hunting on the refuge. Six elk in that region received collars by the same process in 2013.
Back Row (L to R): Abby Reiman, Jacie Laetsch, Nicole Beed, Brant Pavel, Alexa Farewell
Front Row: Chyenne Burrell, Jamie Laetsch, Jeremy Hubel, Molly Lambert
The Nebraska Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) Peer Education Retreat was held on Monday, February 24, 2014 at the Kearney Holiday Inn. The theme was “ SPOT Here, SPOT There, SPOT Everywhere.” SPOT is an acronym for the three FCCLA State Peer Officer Teams who serve throughout the year to educate other students. The keynote speaker, Mike Smith of Skate for Change, spoke to members about how to help the less fortunate and leave their own legacy. Other speakers included Britnie Olson, leading a Zumba session; Gary Shada who spoke about “Spread the Word to End the ‘R’ Word;” and the FCCLA State Peer Officer team members who educated attendees on aspects of family, finance, and health. Members donated a total of 528 pairs of socks for Mike Smith’s Skate for Change project.
Nine members from the Chambers Chapter attended accompanied by their adviser, Mrs. Marilyn Whitaker. At the Opening General Session current SPOT team members were introduced as well as candidates for the 2014-2015 SPOT offices. SPOT chapter awards were presented as well as scholarships. Bethany Lambert and Alexa Farewell were each recognized as scholarship recipients.
Bethany Lambert also served as one of the presenters for the Sunday evening National Programs Leadership Workshop.
NORFOLK - Several students at Northeast Community College have qualified for membership in Phi Theta Kappa, (PTK), Tau Chi Chapter. Since the installation of Northeast’s Tau Chi chapter in 1996, some 2,779 students have been inducted into the intern
(left to right) Holt County Kathy Pavel of O'Neill Lions Club, Emily Eacker, Chandra Spangler & Justin Appleby
The Holt County Spelling Bee was held on Friday, February 21st in the O’Neill Elementary Gym. There were 50 students representing Ewing, O’Neill, Stuart, St. Joseph, St. Mary’s and West Holt.
All 50 students began competition with a written round consisting of 10 words. After the written round 12 students advanced to the Oral Round Finals.
The winner of the Spelling Bee was Emily Eacker of Ewing spelling the winning word of boutique. Chandra Spangler of O’Neill placed second and Justin Appleby of O’Neill placed third. Eacker advances to the Midwest Spelling Bee on Saturday, March 15th in Omaha.
The other 9 finalists were: Kelsey Osborne, Justin Beeks, and Abbie Flower of O’Neill, Peyton Alder of Stuart, Lily Fischer of St. Joseph, Benjamin Renshaw of St. Mary’s, Starlea Bowen of Chambers and Dalton Rotherham and Ashley Loenig of Ewing.
Nebraska private pesticide applicators seeking first-time certification or recertification in 2013 to use or purchase restricted-use pesticides can get training through University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension.
A private pesticide applicator license is required by any farmer/rancher or employee who purchases and/or apply restricted use pesticides such as Grazon-P+D or atrazine for example on their own or employers property to control pests. To become certified individuals a required to attending a local training. The certification is valid for 3-years following the training which has a $30 cost with an additional payment of $25 following the training to the Nebraska Department of Agriculture. All applicators are licensed through the Nebraska Department of Agriculture who is also responsible for enforcing the laws and regulations associated with restricted use pesticides.
For individuals certifications expiring in April should be receiving a letter with a list of training dates in the mail within the next week. For individuals seeking initial certification or who do not receive a letter a full list of training dates can be found at https://edmedia.wufoo.com/reports/z5p4k0/ or contact your local extension office for local dates. Below is the list of training dates for March and April DateTimeLocation
Mar 6 1:30 pm Methodist Church, Bassett
Mar 11 1:30 pm Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Spencer
Mar 12 1:30 pm Wheeler County Fairgrounds, Bartlett
Mar 13 1:30 pm Garfield County Courthouse, Burwell
Mar 24 1:30 pm Antelope County Fairgrounds, Neligh
Mar 24 6:30 pm Antelope County Fairgrounds, Neligh
Apr 10 9:00 am Holt County Courthouse Annex, O’Neill
Apr 10 6:30 pm Holt County Courthouse Annex, O’Neill
Choose a date that works best for you schedule. If trainings are canceled due to inclement weather please listen to the local radio station for these cancelations or call the extension office. Any question regarding who should be have a license or training dates, contact the Holt County Extension Office at 402-336-2760.
Back row left to right: Christopher Jennings, Michael Poese, Taya Rainforth, Sable Davis, Kelsey Osborne
Front row left to right: Spencer Otto, Makayla Hilker, Morgan Breiner, Sara Morrow, Delaney Wallwey
Ten students from O’Neill Elementary School participated in the Twelfth Biannual Sing Around Nebraska Festival held at Bartlett on Saturday, February 22. This event which was sponsored by the Nebraska Choral Directors Association was an honor children’s choir held at eleven sites across Nebraska. Each choir had around 150 - 200 voices.
The students prepared music in advance and then worked with a guest clinician all day. A final concert was held at 4:00 p.m. the day of the festival. The clinician for the Bartlett site was Thomas Young who is currently the 4-12 Director of Choral Activities for Minden Public Schools.
Students from O’Neill Elementary who participated were:
5th Grade 6th Grade
Christopher Jennings Morgan Breiner
Sara Morrow Sable Davis
Kelsey Osborne Makayla Hilker
Spencer Otto Michael Poese
Delaney Wallwey Taya Rainforth
Dr. Michael Chipps, president of Northeast Community College, and Dr. Mary Hawkins, president of Bellevue University,
sign a Memorandum of Understanding Tuesday on Northeast’s Norfolk campus.
NORFOLK – Northeast Nebraska residents will soon have the opportunity to take additional college level courses through a new articulation agreement between Northeast Community College and Bellevue University.
The presidents of the two institutions signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Tuesday on Northeast’s campus in Norfolk that will allow Bellevue University to offer upper level undergraduate and graduate level courses and programs for constituents in the Northeast Community College service area with a primary focus on non-traditional working adults.
“It is with great pleasure that I share the news about our newest partner, Bellevue University,” said Dr. Michael Chipps, Northeast president. “We are delighted to expand educational opportunities for residents in our 20 county service area. They will have additional choices for aligning associate degrees with bachelors and masters degrees through Wayne State College, the University of Nebraska Medical Center, and now Bellevue University,” he said. “Each of our partner senior institutions offer several types of programs as well as different methods for completing them, which appeals to many sectors of our public. This is an exciting day for our colleges and for the residents of Northeast Nebraska.”
Dr. Mary Hawkins, president of Bellevue University, is looking forward to partnering with Northeast. “I have worked for many years with Dr. Chipps and I know he understands that Bellevue University works from a collaborative model, which will greatly benefit people in the Northeast service area and the higher education institutions that work so hard to serve them. Dr. Chipps and I believe in partnerships. And I am certain this collaboration will work well with Northeast and Wayne State College, as well as strengthen ties to business and industry in Northeast’s service area.”
Under terms of the MOU, Bellevue University will hire a full-time coordinator this spring to build programming needs to be offered in the Northeast region. The coordinator will have an office on Northeast Community College’s campus in Norfolk and at Northeast’s new extended campus in O’Neill. Bellevue University programs and services will also be made available at Northeast Community College’s Extended Campus in West Point. In addition, Northeast will provide lecture, laboratory, and distance learning classroom space for Bellevue University’s upper level undergraduate and graduate credit courses.
“We are prepared to offer residential (in-class) undergraduate degree completion programs that allow Northeast Community College associates degree holders a transfer option that allows them to complete bachelors or masters’ degrees while remaining in their community,” said Matthew Davis, vice president at Bellevue University. “These degree completion programs are also matched to meet the needs of the Northeast Community College Extended Campus in O’Neill.”
Bellevue University will offer several undergraduate degrees through the partnership. This includes programs such as sustainability management, investigations, advance manufacturing, business analytics, cybersecurity, IT (Information Technology) operations management, project management, graphic design, game studies, adult education, supply chain and logistics management.
John Blaylock, vice president of educational services at Northeast Community College, said Bellevue University understands the students who attend a community college. “Transferability from Northeast to Bellevue University will be greatly enhanced by having a local representative in the region to serve students. Additionally, for the working adult, the opportunities to complete a bachelor’s degree will now be available locally and in the western regions of our Northeast service area,” he said.
“The agreement with Bellevue University is a wonderful opportunity for not just Northeast Community College, but for the people we serve,” Chipps said. “This collaborative venture will allow Northeast and Bellevue to work as a team, combine our resources and open yet another door for students to pursue additional higher education opportunities.”
Established by the Nebraska Legislature in 1973 as a comprehensive community college offering vocational/technical, liberal arts college transfer, and continuing education, Northeast Community College is an accredited two-year college serving 20-counties in Northeast and North Central Nebraska. In addition to its main campus in Norfolk, Northeast Community College has extended campuses in O’Neill, West Point, and at the College Center in South Sioux City.
Bellevue University, founded in 1966, is a private, non-profit, regionally accredited institution with its main campus in Bellevue, NE. It serves more than 16,000 students annually at nine locations in three states, as well as through its on-line learning platform.
The St. Mary's speechsters have been fine tuning their speaking skills in the last few days.
On Valentine's Day, the team traveled to the Lutheran High Northeast Invite in Norfolk and brought home quite a few medals.
In Varsity competition, Casey Vandersnick earned the silver medal in Poetry, Jean Zakrewski placed third in Persuasive Speaking and Brittany
Soukup finished 6th in Informative Speaking. The novice team had an outstanding tournament. Jack Reiman won the gold medal in Persuasive Speaking, Cheyenne Rosenkrans claimed the Poetry title, Kim Schneider placed second in Serious Prose, Noah Johnson got the silver medal in Informative, Josh Cuddy and Andrew Thompson placed third in duet acting, the OID team of Makayla Pardun, Taylor Colman, Hattie Blumenstock, Kendra Kozisek and Breanna Hedstrom finished third,
and Alex Storjohann placed fifth in Entertainment
.
On Tuesday, February 19, St. Mary's brought home the runner up team trophy from the Cedar Rapids Invite. Boone Central won the meet. Zach Renshaw ended second in Extemporaneous Speaking, Logan Spencer finished third in Entertainment, Casey Vandersnick placed third in Serious Prose, Jean Zakrewski finished third in Persuasive, Logan Spencer and Molly Atekson placed third in Duet Acting, Wil Hupp placed fifth in Extemporaneous Speaking, Jayde Rosenkrans and Ellery
Butterfield ended sixth in Duet Acting and Jack Reiman, the top novice speaker in Persuasive, broke into the final and finished seventh. Noah Johnson was awarded the top novice award in Entertainment Speaking.
The speech team travels to the Newman Grove Invite next Wednesday,
February 26.
District Court Declares Nebraska Pipeline Law Unconstitutional - Governor’s Approval Of Pipeline Declared Invalid - TransCanada KXL Pipeline Hits Wall In Nebraska Court
OMAHA, Neb. – February 19, 2014 – The Nebraska Legislature’s 2012 L.B.1161 allowing TransCanada Keystone XL Pipeline Co. to proceed with construction across Nebraska was declared unconstitutional and void. The ruling came from Lancaster County District Court Judge Stephanie Stacy, today.
The Court ruled for three Nebraska landowners who challenge the law. The ruling includes a permanent injunction preventing Gov. Dave Heineman, and the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality from taking any further action to authorize or advance the pipeline under the unconstitutional law.
Judge Stacy concluded that LB 1161 unconstitutionally confers upon the Governor of Nebraska authority to approve a crude oil pipeline route, and to authorize the crude oil pipeline company to exercise the power of eminent domain against Nebraska landowners.
Siding with three landowner plaintiffs, the District Court concluded that under Nebraska’s State Constitution, exclusive regulatory control over pipeline companies like TransCanada Keystone XL must be exercised by the Nebraska Public Service Commission, and cannot be given to the Governor.
The Court declared LB 1161, unconstitutional and void. Judge Stacy also concluded that action by Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman purporting to approve TransCanada’s route and to empower the pipeline company to take land from Nebraska property owners is null and void. The court’s action effectively rescinds Gov. Heineman’s notification to Pres. Barack Obama that Nebraska legal procedures had been satisfied.
Now, it is back to the drawing board for Gov. Heineman and the Legislature. Dave Domina, the lawyer who handled the case for the landowners summarized the Ruling: “Under the Court’s ruling, TransCanada has no approved route in Nebraska. TransCanada is not authorized to condemn the property against Nebraska landowners. The pipeline project is at standstill in this State.”
The Court’s extensive, 50-page opinion is accompanied by 248 footnotes. The opinion dissects LB1161 on state constitutional grounds. The decision turns largely on the pipeline’s status as a “common carrier”. Common carriers are regulated by the Public Service Commission under the Nebraska Constitution.
Dave Domina noted that “this case is not about the merits of any pipeline in particular. This is a landowner rights case involving whether a specific statute was invalid under the Nebraska State Constitution.”
Domina’s clients contend the law was, and is, unconstitutional and void. The District Court agreed.
Domina stressed, “This is not a commentary on the pipeline project. That subject belongs to the President of the United States exclusively. This ruling means that, in Nebraska, the Governor’s office has no role to play, and all state law decisions must be made by the Public Service Commission."
(Left to right front) Layne Priest, Monsanto Rep.; Marge Stracke; Steve Brewster; Janet Brewster; Mary Jane Lenhard; Melroy Stracke.
(Left to right back) Rodger Lenhard; Rita Olberding; Don Schmaderer
STUART, Neb. (Feb. 17, 2014) – Local farmer Mel Roy Stracke has directed a $2,500 donation to the Stuart Community Foundation. Funded by America’s Farmers Grow Communities, the donation will help purchase new signage.
Thanks to the support of farmers across the country, more than $3.2 million is being directed to nonprofits in 1,289 counties in 39 states.
“I know that the Stuart Community Foundation could really use the extra funding,” said Stracke. “I was excited to direct the donation to them, because they do a lot of good for the community, so it is nice to give back to them.”
America’s Farmers Grow Communities works directly with farmers to support nonprofit organizations like the Stuart Community Foundation, who are doing important work in their communities. The program offers farmers the chance to win $2,500, which is then donated to the farmer’s nonprofit of choice. The search for funding to sustain and enhance programs is a year-round job for nonprofit organizations across the country. Through America’s Farmers Grow Communities, farmers have been able to support a variety of groups, such as schools, fire departments, community centers and youth organizations like 4-H and FFA.
America’s Farmers Grow Communities launched in 2010, and has since donated over $13 million to more than 5,200 nonprofit organizations across the country. America’s Farmers Grow Communities, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund, is part of the America’s Farmers initiative, which highlights and celebrates the important contributions of farmers like Mel Roy Stracke.
For a complete list of Grow Communities winners and more program information, please visit growcommunities.com.
LINCOLN – Attorney General Bruning today announced Matthew Hinrichsen, 34, of Ewing was sentenced to two life sentences for murdering newlyweds Alex and Victoria Lee Vargas of Antelope County. In October, Henrichsen was convicted by jury in Antelope County District Court. He received a life sentence for each of two counts of first degree murder, 25 to 30 years for one count of possessing a firearm while committing a felony and 40 to 50 years for one count of using a firearm to commit a felony. All sentences will run consecutively.
“This man shot and killed Alex and beat Victoria to death before setting their home on fire,” said Bruning. “Today’s sentence ensures he will spend the rest of his life behind bars.”
On December 8, 2012, the bodies of Alex and Victoria Lee Vargas were found in a burned mobile home in rural Antelope County. Autopsies showed Alex Vargas died from three gunshot wounds to his midsection and Victoria Lee Vargas died from traumatic blunt force trauma to the head. Hinrischsen, an ex-boyfriend of Victoria’s, was arrested the same day at his parent’s home.
Assistant Attorney Generals Corey O’Brien and Sandra Allen handled the case.
LINCOLN - The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is seeking information on a bald eagle that was illegally shot recently near Verdigre in northeast Nebraska.
The adult eagle was found dead approximately 1½ miles southwest of Verdigre. It was reported on Tuesday, Jan. 21, and on the following day it was confirmed to have been shot. The eagle's body had not shown decomposition and there was fresh blood on the beak.
Eagles are protected by the federal Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA), which prohibits the take, possession, sale, purchase, barter, offer to sell, purchase or barter, transport, export or import, of any bald or golden eagle, alive or dead, including any part, nest, or egg, unless allowed by permit. Maximum penalties for violating BGEPA can reach $250,000 and imprisonment for up to two years.
To report information about the shooting, call Conservation Officer Jeff Jones at 402-762-5022 or Nebraska Wildlife Crime Stoppers at 1-800-742-7627. Callers may remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward.
Norm and Ginny Hammer who live near Ford Park in O'Neill have been watching a fountain of ice develop on their fish pond. They have an aerator in the pond for the fish, but with our extreme cold temperature it created an ice sculpture which is nearing seven-feet tall and you can almost watch it continue to grow. Obviously our wind that we had the past week has subsided, allowing the ice to grow.
The Relay For Life of Holt County will be kicking off the 2014 season on January 29th at 5:30. If you are a team captain, planning committee member or would just like to learn how to get involved with Relay For Life, please plan on joining us at the Holt County Extension Meeting Room located at 128 N 6th St in O’Neill on January 29th at 5:30.
The mobile food pantry, sponsored by We Care, Inc., will be dispersing food on Tuesday, January 21, beginning at 6 pm, at the O'Neill Community Center. Our goal is to provide free food to those whose needs are great and resources are limited. Items include canned goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, pastries, desserts, and usually something special and unique. Gates open at 5 p.m. There is no need to arrive earlier. Bring your own boxes or bags. Volunteers are needed and appreciated. Come at 5 pm if you would like to help with this ministry.
Lincoln – Registration is open for the 2014 Cornhusker State Games, and Nebraska Sports Council officials announced today that, to help celebrate the event’s 30th Anniversary, Opening Ceremonies on Friday, July 18 will take place at Lincoln’s Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Caleb Ross a member of the O’Neill FFA Chapter has been selected to participate in the fourth annual Agricultural Issues Academy (AIA) on April 9th as part of the 2014 Nebraska State FFA Convention held in Lincoln. AIA is a leadership-based academy that focuses on providing participants with skills needed to become spokespeople for the agriculture industry. The day-long program will expose participants to current agricultural issues, develop communication skills, and provide an opportunity to meet with industry leaders and lawmakers. 
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LINCOLN - The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission recently placed tracking collars on 11 elk in north-central Nebraska. The collars provide real-time location data and help Game and Parks better determine populations.
The Relay For Life of Holt County will be kicking off the 2014 season on January 29th at 5:30. If you are a team captain, planning committee member or would just like to learn how to get involved with Relay For Life, please plan on joining us at the Holt County Extension Meeting Room located at 128 N 6th St in O’Neill on January 29th at 5:30.
