News

Cherry County once again competed in the Nebraska State 4-H Robotics competition in Lincoln on March 20-21, 2026. Ryan Adams, Tyson Cochran, and Luke Osnes came home sitting in 18th place in the Robot Games out of 98 teams and received a Rising Star Award.

Setting a herd health protocol with your veterinarian is one of the most valuable investments you can make in your operation. A well-planned vaccination program, especially when branding calves, helps build immunity early, reduces sickness, and protects your bottom line. Working closely with your vet ensures you’re using the right vaccines at the right time, tailored to your specific herd and regional disease risks.

The Valentine Farmers Market is making a comeback for 2026! To be successful, a variety of vendors are needed! If you are interested, please plan to attend an informal - rescheduled - Vendor meeting on April 14, at 11:30 a.m. CST at 201 Restaurant on Main Street.

As temperatures begin to rise, don’t’ forget to take a bit of time to assess alfalfa stand health going into this year’s growing season. Snow cover over the winter helped insulate plants from extreme temperatures, but exposed plants, older stands, or late harvested alfalfa still have a potential for winter kill.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is offering pastures and hay tracts on some of its properties to landowners affected by the recent wildfires. Game and Parks manages land for wildlife habitat management and recreation.

by Carolyn Applegate | Nebraska Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Good guy or bad guy? Believe it or not, many insects in the landscape are beneficial to our gardens. When spotting insects in your landscape, it is important to first identify if they are beneficial or harmful. Plus, the beneficial insects can eat the bad guys, helping plants to flourish.

LINCOLN, NE – April 2, 2026, Governor Jim Pillen rescinded his most recently issued burn ban, which clears the way for burn permits to be issued through the authority of local fire chiefs or designated department members. The new executive order (2610) cites a reduction in the potential for drought-related emergencies across the state.

Addyson Hawthorne of Crookston has been selected to attend American Legion Auxiliary Cornhusker Girls State May 31- June 6, 2026 on the campus of the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. Hawthorne will study local, county and state government processes in this nonpartisan political learning experience.

I hope everyone had a blessed Easter. Despite the chill, the Cody Easter egg hunt was well attended by a crew of energetic young‘uns and one giant rabbit.

We were so blessed to receive moisture this past week! Some rain, and a little snow. We don’t care what form it came in, but it was an answer to prayer. St. Francis reported about 1.45” and Valentine had about Nick Stuetelberg of Mitchell spent Wednesday through Sunday with his uncle and aunt, Vern and Marlys Walkling. On Easter Sunday the Walklings had 33 at their home! Besides their children and grandchildren, joining them were LonnieandRenaeColeman,Brooks Coleman, Tyler and Marki Paskach and family of Omaha, Kim and Deb Markus, Ben and Montana Wegner and daughters Lydia, Eleanor and Paisley, James and Roth Doyle and Duncan Mosner. Prairey and Jamie Brennan and family were guests at Walklings on Thursday through Monday.