The two Troops utilize the Girl Scout Cabin in the City Park for most of their activities and meetings. The troops try to do fun activities for the girls, and their families, together throughout the year. Some of the highlights from the last couple years are Summer Sleepovers, Swim Parties, Trash Pick-up, Sock Hop, Bowling, Bell-Ringing, and Holiday Parties.

Monday, February 27, the VHS Badger Speech Team competed at Southwest Conference in Cozad. As always, the competition was fierce and our sole medalist was Finley Mosner who finished second in poetry. After conference, we travelled to Bridgeport for districts on Tuesday, February 28. The sixperson VHS speech team excelled at districts. Finley Mosner placed first in poetry, earning a spot at state. Marybelle Ward placed second in persuasive, also securing a spot at state. Our novice team rocked it. They competed as varsity at districts. Jenalee Garwood took fourth in extemporaneous. Emma Kreutner and Landen Mooney also placed fourth in duet. This was an impressive finish. The top three placers at district go to state. Although our fourth place finishers didn’t earn a place at state this year, celebration was the prevailing attitude. The students and coaches were thrilled with these results because they reflect the fact that state is reachable for all our students. Hard work does pay off! With the regular season in the books, we are looking forward to the state tournament which was held Thursday, March 16 in Kearney.

Lincoln – Each year, the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office invites fifth graders from across the state to participate in the Nebraska Missing Children’s Day poster contest. The posters are intended to raise awareness of missing children and remind parents, guardians, and caregivers to make the safety of their children a priority.

by Laura Vroman Many professions require continuing education - in this instance, the education came to the professionals who volunteer to take care of our residents in the event of an emergency. Cherry County EMS and law enforcement personnel trained with the SimNE - Simulation In Motion, Nebraska - semi earlier this year.

Weather permitting, work is scheduled to resume this week. Construction will consist of establishing project detours, removing existing concrete pavement, sanitary sewer and water main utilities, storm sewer, grading, concrete pavement, and roadway lighting.

Our final installment of the Valentine Police Deparment’s annual report will include the officers who are patrolling our streets, along with Administrative Assistant Bobbi Johnson who helps to keep the department evidence.