News

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) released the following statement after 20 living hostages were released from Gaza: “This is a great first step towards peace. Families can be reunited once again,” said Ricketts. “The remaining bodies of the deceased hostages must be returned immediately as well. Once this happens, and Gaza becomes a deradicalized terror-free zone that no longer poses a threat to Israel, peace can truly begin.”

Jacob D. Mollman, Huxley, IA.

Valentine, NE – The Friends of the Library are excited to announce the installation of a brand-new Little Free Library in town. This project, titled Expanding Community Literacy Opportunities in Valentine, is built on a simple but powerful idea: one of the best ways to support literacy is to make books easy to find and easy to share. Little Free Library does just that— putting books into the hands of children, families, and neighbors whenever they want them, not just during regular library hours.

For the sixth year running, the Bowen family of Ainsworth has turned their corner of the Sandhills into a fall playground for families near and far. What began as J.W. Bowen’s simple idea - to give the community something more to enjoy together - has grown into a beloved local tradition that’s equal parts hard work, heart, and hometown fun.

Celebrating Community, Commerce, and Holiday Cheer! Moonlight Madness will be held Thursday, October 30, from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. Get ready for an evening full of fun, shopping, and prizes! Join us downtown for Moonlight Madness, featuring a Scavenger Hunt and Receipt Match Raffle.

Cyclists took to Highway 20 from Valentine’s Trail Head Park out to Arabia Ranch, in celebration of 30 years of the Cowboy Trail last month. Cyclists could also rider further - out to Long Pine and back.

Valentine, NE — The Sand Painter’s Art Club is proud to announce BJ Roshone as its October Artist of the Month. Roshone, founder of Wannabe Wandering Photography, is recognized for her ability to capture the spirit of the Sandhills through both photography and writing.

Sand Painter Art Club member, Laura Vroman, is honored to have her art on display at the Valentine City Library Meeting Room for the month of October. This is what she said of her photography and art interests: The need is irresistible...to feel the landscape changing in the Sandhills...

The 2025 4 -H Horse Show was held on Tuesday August 5 at the Cherry County Fairgrounds. Chelsea Sallach was the judge for the day, and Ann Neiffer was her ring steward. The Trail judge was Howard White. Breakaway roping calves were provided by Clete Scheer, and the Working Ranch Horse cattle were provided by the Kenner Ranch. Hope Ramm from Little Bay Mare Photography was the photographer for the day.

“One person’s junk is another one’s treasure” means that something one person considers worthless or useless may be valuable or cherished by another person. We better understand that age-old statement after recently attending the 22nd annual Nebraska Junk Jaunt, which is literally a non-stop junk sale with vendors sporting their wares over a 300 mile road trip that circles through towns, villages and countryside in central Nebraska. Actually, we did not just “attend” the event, held annually on the last weekend of September, but we were one of the several hundred vendors, which was quite an eye-opening experience to say the least.