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.

Jan Knispel, former Valentine High School English teacher, has been awarded the 2022 Carol Mc- Daniel Teacher of the Year award from Nebraska Writing Project at UNL according to the Nebraska Writing Project website. The Mc- Daniel award was created in 2000 to recognize “a Nebraska teacher who exemplifies the principles for which Nebraska Writing Project stands.” Recipients are chosen through a teacher monitored nomination process. The Carol McDaniel Teacher of the Year is awarded to a “Nebraska teacher who has made a significant contribution to writing education in the state and honors a teacher who has not only taught writing well, but also has inspired other teachers or connected school to community, or publicly advocated for teacher expertise. These are the activities that the Nebraska Writing Project values as its purposes and includes in its vision for Nebraska education.”

Cherry County Hospital EMS celebrated EMS Week: Rising to the Challenge, May 15-21, 2022. Pictured are back row, from L to R: Kevin Meyer, Doug Kroeger, Jim Wright, Jocille Brinda, Lois McCann, Linda Ramos, Billie Whiting, Christine Lousias, Matthew Garwood, Steve Garwood.