On Thursday, October 12, 2023, Mike Burge was presented with the Paul Harris Fellow recognition by the Valentine Rotary. Rotarians associate the naming of a Paul Harris Fellow as a tribute to a person who has demonstrated a shared purpose and support for the educational and humanitarian objectives of The Rotary Foundation.

In 2021, Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts proclaimed October as “Nebraska StateTeammateRecognition Month.” During the month of October, the dedicated teammates of the State of Nebraska are recognized for their hard work and dedication to the State of Nebraska. Ricketts said that “Nebraska’s competent and productive teammates consistently display theircommitmenttoexcellence,and it’s important to recognize these workers for their professionalism and integrity.” On Wednesday, October 18, 2023, local Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s Conservation Officer Frank Miller was recognized as one of the designated teammates for his 25 years of service to the State of Nebraska.

Valentine, NE – The newest “branch” of Sandhills State Bank is set to open at Valentine Elementary School on October 26, 2023. The Badger Branch of Sandhills State Bank will be open weekly to collect students’ deposits and start the habit of saving at a young age.

The D3 District Cross Country championship meet was held in Ainsworth, Wednesday, October 11, 2023. The conditions had temeratures in the mid 60s with east winds 10-15 mph.

Michaela Hobbs, who previously served as Assistant Clerk in Cherry and Brown Counties, has been selected to serve as Cherry County Court Clerk Magistrate in Valentine. Hobbs began work as clerk magistrate on October 5, 2023.

School is well underway, however, for Grace Lutheran School, the hallways and classrooms are a little more packed! Actually, their student population has doubled. They began their 2022 school year with 21 students in grades Kindergarten through eighth grade. For 2023, the students number 42!