Grey skies and strong winds punctuated Valentine’s Day this year; as if the Creator was thrusting hugs on everyone, demonstrating His love for human kind. The Valentine Chamber of Commerce showed their love for the community with their Raising of the Heart and dropping of the ping-pong balls.

Open Plains Transit held a Ribbon Cutting at the Nebraska Park Service Niobrara River Ranger Station. The transit service had a soft opening in November, and offers transportation around the town of Valentine. Reservation hours are from 10:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, with service hours of 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Door to door assistance is available contingent upon request. Riders may schedule trips up to 24 hours in advance, and same day service contingent upon availability. There is a $2.00 fee per one-way trip.

NorthStar Services held their annual Valentine’s Day Party on February 8, 2023 and crowned King Nathan Finley and Queen Tracy Aaberg. Congratulations!.

Two Lady Badger wrestlers will be attending NSAA State - for the very first time. Ever! Wrestling Coach Shane Allison said, “Last year was the first year the NSAA sanctioned girls wrestling, and this is the first year we qualified anyone.”

The Badgers competed in the C4 district meet in Mitchell this past weekend. Valentine ended up second behind #1 ranked Broken Bow.

Wednesday, February 8, 2023, the Cherry County Courtroom was full. Not to see an accused get sentenced. Instead, it was for a very good cause. President and Co-Founder of Black Hills Badges for Hope, Dustin Calhoun came to Valentine after he’d heard about the incident that occurred to Officer Jasmie Hoefs during the storm before Christmas, Friday, December 17, 2022. Hoefs was critically injured while helping a citizen who was experiencing a medical emergency. During the incident, Officer Hoefs was accidently backed over by a payloader that was on scene helping EMS get to the citizen having the medical emergency. Many, many, surgeries later, she is healing and calls the incident, “Nightmare before Christmas.” However, to help offset the costs of healing, Calhoun made a donation that would help keep her children, Jeremiah, and Brynn, doing the things they like doing best, such as wrestling and dancing. Afterwards, there were treats made by Deb Hand. Attending the reception were Valentine Police Department, Cherry County Sheriff Department, Nebraska State Patrol, Cherry County EMS, Cherry County Dispatch, Cherry County Jailers, Courthouse staff, Health and Human Resources friends, and family. Hoefs has hopes of returning to the Valentine Police Department sometime this coming December. She is still working on mobility and dexterity. Pictured are from L to R: Jeremiah Hoefs, Officer Jasmine Hoefs, and President and Co-founder of Badges for Hope Dustin Calhoun.