The 19th annual Nebraska Sandhills Cowboy Hall of Fame banquet and induction ceremony will be held June 8, 2024 at the 4-H Building at the Cherry County Fairgrounds, in Valentine. Social Hour will begin at 4:00 p.m., benefit auction will take place at 5:00 p.m., banquet at 6:00 p.m. and induction ceremony will begin at 7:00 p.m. CST.

You may have noticed the bison herd grazing in new areas this spring, north of the Fort Niobrara Visitor Center. In May 2023, the Refuge transferred their four horses to the National Forest Service in Arizona. “We no longer use the horses to round up bison and they were getting up there in age. We were fortunate to find a new home for them. Hopefully they appreciate the warmer Arizona weather,” said Refuge Manager Matt Sprenger.

The famed high school turned into a museum now called Centennial Hall, has undergone a little bit of a face-lift. In an effort to keep the building in great condition, as well as protect the different assemblages, with help from the Pestel Foundation, and fund-raisers, new windows were purchased and have been installed.

The Valentine Badger Track Team qualified eight athletes for the 2024 NSAA State Track Meet in Omaha at Burke High School on Friday and Saturday, May 17-18. Sophomore Isaac Cronin earned two medals at the State Track Meet.

The Cody-Kilgore Track Team qualified two athletes for the 2024 NSAA State Track Meet in Omaha at Burke High School on Friday and Saturday, May 17-18. Qualifying for Cody-Kilgore were: • Aubree Johnson in the High Jump.

Each year, the Leo Brinda Unit #90 American Legion Auxiliary hosts a poppy poster contest for local students in grades 2-12. First through third places in each age group are selected by local Veterans and the public had a chance to vote in the 'People's Choice Awards' on April 27, as part of 1884 Days festivities.