News

from the 25th annual Heart City Bull Bash celebrates 25 years of community and agriculture There was more than love flowing through the streets of Valentine on Cupid’s favorite holiday. On Valentine’s Day, the 25th annual Heart City Bull Bash once again transformed Main Street into the heart of the Sandhills, filling it with pens of bulls, horses, equipment, commercial displays, vendors, and activities that brought the entire community together.

Valentine, NE — Cherry County Hospital is proud to announce the receipt of a $947.25 donation to its Oncology Department following the annual Bomgaars Ladies Night event held this past fall. The event brought community members together for an evening focused on shopping and breast cancer awareness.

It was a special day for the Valentine CommunitySchoolsFoundation, this past Valentine Day, when they received a donation of $1,289.60 - proceeds from the Valentine Marathon, held here last summer. Marathon founder, Mark Gudgel, said, “I’m reminded of how special Valentine High School is every time I run into my classmates later in life.

Born and raised in Valentine, Benson returned to the community after earning her degree with a desire to bring industry knowledge andprofessionalfinancialguidance back to the area she calls home. Over the past decade, she has built her career helping individuals and families make confident financial decisions through all stages of life.

The Sand Painters Art Club has named local oil painter Joan Swim as the Featured Artist of the Month for February. A seasoned artist with a deep connection to the region, Joan specializes in rich oil compositions.

VALENTINE, NE — The Sand Painters Art Club and Valentine Public Library are the proud hosts of the Association of Nebraska Art Clubs (ANAC) Travel Show throughout the month of February. The exhibit showcases a premier selection of artwork from across the state, bringing Nebraska’s finest creative talents to the Sandhills.

A great crowd was treated to six fantastic soups for the final preliminary round of the Vets Club soup contest which was sponsored by the Dent Ranch and Barnes family! Matt Benzing won this round with his be cool chicken noodle soup. In a tight race for second and third, Alisha Reikofski’s creamy chicken tortellini edged out busy day soup made by Leo DrivingHawk. Elvira Bordeaux made a hearty prime rib delight with tortilla strip topping, Sara Fernau had shrimp and corn chowder and Mark Retzlaff prepared stuffed pepper soup.

Candidates filing for the Primary Election as of February 10, 2026 are as follows: Neil Wescott, City of Valentine Councilmember, 4 year term Maxwell Renning, Cherry County Sheriff, 4 year term Brad Arnold, City of Valentine Councilmember, 4 year term Barry D. Lancaster, Nenzel Village Board,4yearterm-GENERAL Jessica Dawson-Coyle ,Valentine Community Schools - Board of Education Member, 4 year term Erick Wickman, Cherry County Sheriff, 4 year term Kathy Hammond, Cherry County Treasurer, 4 year term Andrew C. Johnson, Cherry County Public Defender, 4 year term Gregory Gass, Valentine Community Schools - Board of Education Member, 4 year term Eric A. Scott, Cherry County Attorney, 4 year term Timothy A. Hanson, Cherry County Surveyor, 4 year term HenryBrown,MerrimanVillage Board, 4 year term - GENERAL Timothy J. Nollette, Nenzel Village Board,4yearterm-GENERAL Shara L. Ford Cody-Kilgore Unified Schools - Board of Education Member, 4 year term Jessica R. Hanson, Cherry County Clerk of the District Court, 4 year term Melissa J. Bancroft, Cherry County Assessor, 4 year term Samantha Leonard, Cherry County Clerk, 4 year term Nina M. Nelson, Cherry County Commissioner, 4 year term Duane Kime, Cherry County Commissioner 4 yrs Luke Storer, Merriman Village Board, 4 year term Mike McConaughey, Cherry County Commissioner, 4 year term Hayley A. Nelson Merriman Village Board, 4 year term Non-incumbents have until Monday, March 2, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. to file.

The 2026 Heart City Bull Bash Livestock Judging Contest welcomed more than 200 youth and collegiate participants to Valentine on Friday, February 13, marking one of the largest turnouts in the event’s history. Held on a beautiful February morning, the contest brought competitors, coaches, families, and industry supporters together from across eight states for a day centered on education, agriculture, and sportsmanship.

The Valentine Bull Bash Quilt Show, held Saturday, February 14, 2026, was a great success. With 61 quilts representing many patterns, styles, colors, and decades from Valentine and the surrounding communities, it made the show a challenge for those willing to cast their votes for their favorite quilts.