News

All was quiet along the Niobrara River until an electrical pole snapped just above Assistant Fire Chief Mark Johnson’s home near Kilgore. At approximately 3:30 p.m. Mountain Time, a fire ignited on the ridge near Anderson’s Bridge.

Cherry County Veterinary Clinic has long been rooted in the ranch country it serves - and for Dr. Brad Rodgers, that connection runs generations deep.

Leo Brinda Unit #90 American Legion Auxiliary is sponsoring the annual Poppy Poster contest for second grade through 12th and entries are due March 30, by 5:00 p.m. THIS DEADLINE IS FIRM due to the judging and mailing timeline for State!

The Nebraska Library Association (NLA) announced that Chris Bitner has been recognized as a 2026 Outstanding Volunteer Award winner for their service as President of the Friends of the Valentine Public Library.

VALENTINE, Neb.– Niobrara National Scenic River is inviting artists to submit original works for an open art show commemorating the river’s 35th anniversary in May 2026. Artists may submit up to two pieces in any medium.

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 Wade Andrews Cherry County Commissioner 4 yrs Kimberly D. Schmit Nenzel Village Board 4 yrs Terry Thayer Merriman Village Board 4 yrs Clinton L. Assarsson Valentine Community Schools - Board of Education Member 4 yrs Maggie Cox Cody-Kilgore Unified Schools - Board of Education Member 4 yrs Jason McNare Cody-Kilgore Unified Schools - Board of Education Member 4 yrs Theresa Vaile Merriman Village Board 4 yrs Bradley Cardinal City of Valentine - Councilmember 4 yrs Bree Hill Cody-Kilgore Unified Schools - Board of Education Member 4 yrs Non-incumbents had until Monday, March 2, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. to file.

MARCH 4, 2026 — As the nation marks Red Cross Month this March, the American Red Cross is honoring the growing number of people across generations who are stepping forward to support their communities when help can’t wait. New Red Cross data highlights a nationwide surge in volunteerism, reflecting how individuals of all ages are strengthening communities and caring for one another.

In Part I, we talked about how the concentration in the marketplace exploded from 1980 to 2021, and how that explosion in concentration resulted in a complete reversal of the allocation of the consumers’ beef dollar to each participant in the beef supply chain.

Record winter high temperatures are causing earlier weeds emergence; so now is the time to control winter annual weeds in alfalfa. Thin field stands combined with open soil surfaces and adequate moisture can result in high weed pressure. So, prior to alfalfa shoot green-up or dormancy break, scout fields for early green winter annual weed patches of pennycress, downy brome, mustards, cheatgrass, and shepherd’s purse. Left unchecked, these weeds can lower first cutting hay yield, quality and palatability. Also, excessive weeds can extend dry-down and lengthen harvest time.

BILLINGS, Mont., March 5, 2026 — Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) introduced the Family Grocery and Farmer Relief Act that aims to deconsolidate the U.S. beef-packing industry, address foreign ownership of beef-packing facilities, and focus on eliminating unfair and unjustly discriminatory pricing practices in retail and wholesale meat markets.