We’re in the middle of making history on so many levels. For years now, repaving Main Street, aka Highway 83, or the IN VALENTINE Project as it’s become known, was always going to be done.

Mary Schubert Hollopeter dedicated an American flag to the residents of Cherry Hills at the May resident birthday party on May 25, 2022. The flag was flown over the Capitol in Washington, D.C.

The blue water mains are being laid six feet underground. You can see the special connections they have at the T’s. There is a special tool that is used to tighten the connections. When the bolt is as tight as it should be, it will snap off for safety and a secure fit. Photo courtesy of NDOT

Unbeknownst to the world, the perfect storm was setting up. In time, the repercussions of that storm would spill over impacting people in one way or another. Youth would have difficulty navigating the unknown of the pandemic; think of all of the things that were once within their control...now stripped away, as well as changing from day to day. As adults, our heads were spinning, imagine what was going on for the youth.

The Sandhills Prairie Refuge Association will be sponsoring repairs of the turtle fences along Highway 83 through Valentine National Wildlife Refuge. The plan is to work June 11-14. The group is looking for people who can work one or more days on the project. The fences, built to reduce road kill on the highway, are in need of repair due to high water, ice, and vehicle collisions. SPRA has raised funds to purchase 250 feet of chain link fence to replace damaged sections. SPRA will also host a cookout with a speaker following work on Saturday June 11. Volunteers will get a Blanding’s turtle T-shirt. If you would like to volunteer, contact: sandhillpra@gmail.com with the day or days you will volunteer and a notice of the meeting place, time, and what to bring will be sent to you.

Jesus uses many ways to get a hold of His children. Lead singer Joseph Rojas was a four time convicted felon, with a $400 a day cocaine habit with suicidal thoughts. He shared his testimony Wednesday, May 25, 2022, at the Cherry County Fairgrounds.