News

For 50 years, Father Lou Nollette has been serving the Lord’s sheep, in many towns of Nebraska to pilgrimages in Rome and Fatima. “It started in the house next door.” He motions out the window of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Nenzel. “That’s where we would have daily Mass with Father Carl Ferris. I was an alter server. I’d serve Mass and go home for breakfast then go to the grade school across the street.”

Kids and fishing. What could be a better combination? On Saturday, May 3, 2025 the Nebraska Game and Parks, in association with the Nebraska Walleye Association put on a free Kids Fishing Day at the Valentine Fish Hatchery Pond. This has been an annual event for a number of years.

Valentine, NE – Lace up your hiking boots and bring your binoculars! The Sandhills Prairie Refuge Association (SPRA) is excited to invite the community to check the Bluebird Nesting Boxes at Fort Niobrara NWR Saturday, May 17, 2025. Come discover the wonder of bluebirds with us! The Sandhills Prairie Refuge Association warmly invites everyone, especially children and families, on a fun guided tour. Join us as we explore our bluebird nest boxes and share the special experience of seeing these beautiful birds, maybe even near their nests!

Nebraska Game and Parks is extending the temporary ban on campfires at Nebraska state park areas and wildlife management areas in central and western Nebraska through May 10. This is in alignment with the executive order issued April 29, a precautionary measure to reduce wildfire risks.

The Sparks NE Spurs Cowboy Fast Draw Club hosted their Cinco DeMayo shoot at their clubhouse on May 3 - 4, 2025 in Valentine. Approximately 30 shooters from the states of Nebraska, Minnesota, South Dakota, Iowa and Kansas attended this event.

LINCOLN, NE (May 1, 2025) – The Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation (NSHSF) officially kicked off the 2025 WanderNebraska Travel Adventure Program. WanderNebraska was created to promote the work of local museums, historical societies, and libraries, while increasing awareness of the fascinating historical and cultural sites found along Nebraska’s scenic backroads and in communities often overlooked by typical tourists.

Results: Class 1 - second and third grade 1st - Kadence Bear Heels 2nd - Gabrielle LaPointe 3rd - Kwynn Graham People’s Choice - (3-way tie) Brit Beck, Brynn Hoefs, Harper Wright Class 6 - 12th grade 1st - Jenalee Garwood.

r esults Monday, April 28, 2025, the JV Golf Team played at the Thedford Invitational and placed second. Individually, Cooper Phillips placed second with 83; seventh place, Garrett Cumbow with 87.

The First Baptist Church is excited to announce that 3 Nails Cycling Community Bike Shop is re-opening for its third year on Saturday, May 17…stop by for a free hotdog and chips! The bike shop is located in the garage behind the church on E. 2nd Street and will be open on Saturdays from 9:00 - 11:30 a.m.

Janet Cady’s brother and sisterin- law, Don and Virginia Thomas of Yuma, AZ arrived last Thursday to visit Janet and Duane for a week. They celebrated Virginia’s May 2 birthday and Duane’s birthday on May 6.