News

Learn, paddle, and stay safe on the water Valentine, NE– Niobrara National Scenic River is pleased to announce the upcoming Water 101 series to help visitors of all ages learn the essentials of water safety and—if they choose—gain hands-on experience with canoeing and kayaking. Throughout the summer, Niobrara National Scenic River rangers will offer presentations on the basics of water safety at various locations along the river valley.

Have you noticed odd bumps or growths on your tree leaves this year? At first glance, they can look like a serious disease or insect infestation. Fortunately, appearances can be deceiving. In many cases, these unusual growths are harmless leaf galls. While they may make trees look a little unusual, they rarely threaten the health of established trees.

July 15, 2026 -- The University of Wyoming accorded degrees upon Hayes Hammond BS, of Valentine, NE at the completion of the 2026 spring semester. The University of Wyoming provides quality undergraduate and graduate programs to 10,819 students from all 50 states and 76 countries.

InNebraska,therearetwospecies of fly that cause the most economic injury to pasture and rangeland cattle. They are the horn fly and face fly. Selection of an appropriate control method for each will depend on the time of year; the efficacy, cost, and convenience of the treatment; and your herd management practices.

Anglers can use all the help they can get in the heat of summer when fishing gets tough. They, and their baits, really are up against all the competition in the water.

Any age, any instrument, you’re invited to play with the Valentine Marching Band in the upcoming Cherry County Fair parade! Contact Mrs. Bethany Springer to join in the practices for one outstanding performance.

July 11, 2026 the Cherry County Rodeo Royalty held their pageant with six categories to compete from: horsemanship, written test, interview, modeling, impromptu questions and speech. Crowned Cherry County Royalty Queen was Calie Troyer, she is the 21-year-old daughter of Yvette and Kyle Troyer and proudly calls Hershey, NE, home.

Heat stress is often talked about with feedlot cattle, but animals on pasture can be at risk too. All livestock can struggle when high temperatures, humidity, low wind, and warm nights stack together.

Summer annual forages such as sudangrass, sorghum-sudan hybrids and pearl millet planted this spring soon could be ready to graze. There are some grazing guidelines to help avoid potential hazards.

July traditionally means the beginning of the haying season for Sandhillssubirrigatedmeadows. A key point related to the quality of meadow hay is harvest date. Crude protein and energy concentration decline as plants become stemmy and mature. As this happens, the types of livestock that can be fed that hay with little or no supplements become more limited.