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The Badgers are District Champions! They hosted Kearney Catholic, Friday, October 25, 2024, and won with a score of 20-14. Scoring by quarters: Valentine - 0, 6, 14, 0 = 20 Kearney - 0, 0, 7, 7 = 14 Andon Olson made the first TD in the game with a six yard pass from Trace Buechle in the second quarter.

Congratulations to the Valentine Middle School first quarter Badger Effort Award recipients! The Badger Effort Award is based on the school’s character education. Students who demonstrate Character In Action (CIA), responsibility, accountability, honesty, empathy, and respect were nominated by their classroom teachers and staff.

The Nebraska Department of Roads recently moved into their brand new 27,000 square foot facility at 89954 Highway 97. The shop features 20,000 square feet, and the rest of the space is used for offices, storage, and a large meeting room with lockers. “It has been a lot of years in the making,” said Maintenance Superintendent Dennis Connot of the $8.2 million building which sits on 20 acres.

Members of the Cherry County Veterans Memorial Committee are hosting a dedication, Monday, November 11, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. The dedication is being held on Veterans Day for the newly placed Korean and Vietnam Memorials and will be in front of the Cherry County Justice Center. Everyone is invited to attend. “Over the eight years in the making - I’m really proud of our area people, especially the CCVMC members,” said organizer and CCVMC member Don Nelsen.

This sportsman’s paradise is ready for fishing regardless of the season! This autumn the water levels are down, revealing pristine, super sandy beaches with the “occasional” cocklebur at Merritt Reservoir. Ainsworth Irrigation District Manager Lance Philben said the reservoir had been drained to an elevation of 2,930.59 this year. “Our starting elevation was 2,946.0. That means Merritt was down 15.41 feet. In 2022 it was down to 2,930.38 so it was an identical year. Historically 2012 was the lowest elevation at 2,926.65; 2,923.0 is as low as we are allowed to take the reservoir.” With the drought conditions, irrigation was essential for crops. “Merritt holds around 75,000 acre feet and we released 74,000 acre feet to crops in the district this year. We are guaranteed 84,949 acre feet per year in our contract with the Federal Government. The water travels through 52.8 miles of concrete canal and waters 35,000 acres through 140 miles of earth ditch around the Ainsworth, Johnstown, and Long Pine areas,” Philben said. With the irrigation season done, and harvest on going, the reservoir is beginning to fill again. “The Snake River and Boardman Creek fill Merritt and good inflows are what give us the ability to release that much water and not completely drain the Dam.” Philben estimates Merritt to be filled by Thanksgiving. A drive through the many campsite areas reveal that this mild autumn is a great time to recreate at Merritt and still catch plentiful fish. Pictured above is the shoreline at the end of September, at left, the end of October. Enjoy our pristine, sandy shores!