News

I apologize for so little Cody News as of late, but after years without the news in the paper, I’m hearing a lot of “Jean, don’t put that in the paper!” So my new rule is “if it’s on social media, it’s public information.” Unfortunately, you really don’t want to know what everyone had for supper this week.

The 82nd Coronation crowned its royalty on February 1, 2026. Crowned as King and Queen were seniors Jekhi Williams and Samantha Sprenger, Prince and Princess Caden Stankoski and Katelyn Dorsey, Duke and Duchess Deklin Titus and Rylee Wackler, Count and Countess Jackson Huggins and Annalena Nelson, Pages Aiden Buckendahl and Tylee Tinant.

During the week of January 25 - 31, the following arrests were reported by the Valentine Police Department: • At 7:41 p.m., on January 26, a traffic stop in the 500 block of Highway 20 lead to the arrest of a 33 year old Oklahoma man on drug possession charges. • On January 28 at 6:55 p.m., a 43 year old Nebraska man was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol following a traffic stop at the intersection of Highway 20 and South Hall Street.

We finish our look back at 2025 with Heart City Rocks and Sandhills Boutique Company holding a ribbon cutting ceremony. Heart City Rocks is located at 148 E. First Street in Valentine where can find all natural self care items. In the same location, but a completely different business is Sandhills Boutique Company with a custom gift shop.

The 82nd Coronation Hearts in Wonderland is set to crown its royalty on Sunday, February 1, 2026 at 5:30 P.M. at Valentine High School.

third round of the Vets Club soup contest, which was sponsored by Ward Plumbing and Heating, had five fantastic soups! Winning the night was Brittany Benzing’s ham and potato, followed by the taco soup from Tony Hanson. Marry me chicken soup prepared by Chelsea Fuhrer and taco soup made by Tina Anthony tied for third place. Suzanne Schultz made a creamy carrot soup. The last preliminary round will be held on January 30!

Orion has always been my favorite constellation and with the SeeStar S30, it is most definitely my favorite to photograph! Orion is 1,344 light years away and is 24 light years across! A light year is the distance light travels in one year, which is about 5.88 trillion miles! The Orion Nebula, also called M42, is included in a very large system called the Orion Molecular Complex and includes several other nebulae. (astrobackyard.com) This nebula in the photograph can actually be seen without a telescope.

Cherry County Attorney Eric Scott, has announced that in Cherry County District Court on Thursday, January 22, 2026, the following sentences were issued: • Cynthia Poorman, age 53, of Saint Francis, South Dakota, appeared and was sentenced to 4-8 years in the Nebraska Women’s Correctional Facility of York, for the crime of First Degree Assault. Sherayne Herman, age 28, of Valentine, Nebraska, appeared and was sentenced to 8-16 years in the Nebraska Women’s Correctional Facility of York for the crime of First Degree Assault.

30 years ago From Midland News, January 31,1996 Enjoying the Polar Bear Open.......caption under the picture: The weather cooperated Saturday, Jan. 27 for the Polar Bear Open at Merritt Reservoir. Gerald Keech putts the ball into the hole, while teammate Jim Butler looks on. Fourteen. three-person teams participated in the event. The results were: The Polar Guys - Cold Day in Hell - Bill Weller, Toby Miller and Jon Davenport - 29. BKW Jim Butler, Gerald Keech and Hugh Wilber - 30. The Polar Mix - Mighty Ducks - David Nelsen, Gordon Nelsen and Jim Nelsen - 31. Deer Park Rangers - John Michalek, Sr., John Michalek, Jr., and Lisa Michalek - 33.

Cherry County, NE – 1/9/2026 – Cherry County is alerting residents and businesses that they should plan ahead when submitting time-sensitive mail following a recent clarification by the United States Postal Service (USPS) regarding postmarking practices.