News

What do you think banking was like 45 years ago? Could you pull up to an ATM machine and get cash or deposit your check? Well, that technology was just being developed. Most people had to bank in person, there wasn’t the ability to take a photo of your checks to have them deposited. Inflation was ridiculous and times were tough.

Valentine, NE — The Valentine Public Library Foundation, established to encourage private donations and bequests that provide an added “margin of excellence” for the library, has announced a new name. Foundation support enables the library to fund programs, services, and purchases that fall outside the regular operating budget, enhancing opportunities for the entire community.

The Valentine’s Day Card Contest, an annual highlight organized by the Valentine Chamber of Commerce, invites residents of all ages to submit their artistic interpretations of love and community. Winning designs are used to promote Valentine’s unique charm and its special connection to the holiday of love, along with $250 to the winning entry.

The Heart City Heart Award was presented to Steve Isom, Sunday, February 1, 2026 during the 82nd annual Coronation. Congratulations Steve! The nomination read: Tonight, we get to recognize someone who truly shows what it means to have a big heart for our community.

Valentine, NE – The Chesterman Foundation, the charitable arm of Chesterman Coca-Cola, has expanded its community giving this year to strengthen the local communities where its employees live and work. As part of this initiative, the Chesterman Foundation has awarded a $2,500 donation to the Sandhills Area Foundation.

The Niobrara Council met January 15, 2026 at the Cherry County South Building in Valentine. The meeting was called to order at 1:05 p.m. with the following present: Karl Connell, Dallas Dodson, Les Hall, Wade Hollenbeck, Rich Mercure, Mike Murphy, Nina Nelson, Tony Tiefenthaler, Scott Wessel.

Let’s take a moment to celebrate the incredible experience of some outstanding young ladies from the Cherry County Rodeo Royalty program who recently traveled to the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo in Texas.

(York, NE) Central Valley Ag (CVA) would like to announce the Blue Jacket Challenge in celebration of National FFA Week. From February 2 - 13, 2026, the challenge invites past and present FFA members to show off their FFA blue jacket.

Wednesday, January 28, 2026 we went to North Platte, NE to compete at our first round of CDE contests. Results from the day are as follows: Natural Resources 4th Place State Qualifier River Doyle - Purple Raken Tinant - Blue Colter Austin - White Garrett Cumbow - White Welding 4th Place State Qualifier Laken Krogman (MIG) - Red Deklin Titus (TIG) - Blue Trevor Burdick (ARC) - White Westin Witte (ARC) - White Landen Mooney (OA) - Red Prent Parker (OA) - Red Meats Evaluation 3rd Place State Qualifier Kate Dorsey - Blue Annalena Nelson - Red Ali Weller - White Clarrah Beebout - White Nursery and Landscape 2nd Place State Qualifier Josie Shaul - Blue River Doyle - Red Blake Boone - Red Landen Mooney - Red Ag Sales 3rd Place State Qualifier Ruby Shelbourn - Blue

LINCOLN – The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) is currently accepting applications from high school juniors and seniors for the Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute (NAYI). NAYI is one of Nebraska’s largest agriculture youth outreach events. This five-day program brings students together, offering networking opportunities with ag leaders and a chance to learn more about the industry, discover careers and make new friends. NDA helps sponsor and coordinate NAYI every year. This year’s theme is Passion Meets Purpose.