News

Friends of the Niobrara, Inc., stated that recent statements [story above] from MNNRD General Manager Mike Murphy weren’t accurate or were misleading in regard to the National Park Service’s Visitor Center located in Valentine. A call to NPS Superintendent Susan Cook, and did confirm that she is retiring from the position in October.

The Beed’s Landing boat ramp at Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area will close to access September 9-19 to allow for concrete work and improvements. Visitors might see machinery and site preparations beginning prior to the closure.

Recent comments by the general manager of the Middle Niobrara Natural Resources District, Mike Murphy, who is also a member of the Niobrara Council, have raised serious concerns—and confusion—about the role of the National Park Service (NPS) along the Niobrara National Scenic River. It’s time to clarify the facts.

The digital era has its benefits. People from all over are able to connect almost instantaneously. Computers have made fast work of many tasks that once took hours or days to complete. Information or even funds can be shared at the click of a button. But for all of the benefits technology has provided, there is a darker side to the connectivity of themodernworld.Whathasbecome easier for the general public also has become easier from those looking to take advantage of others.

Ask any farmer/rancher over the age of fifty, what they believe is the biggest change in their operation during their lifetime, and they will undoubtedly say, “The method of putting up hay.” Harvesting corn is often mentioned; however, both comments will be followed by, “It used to be a lot of work.”

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Lincoln, NE, September 2 - The Nebraska Sandhills, a richly illustrated collection of essays celebrating the history, geography, ecology and culture of Nebraska’s Sandhills, has been named the winner of the 2025 Nebraska Book Award in the category of Nonfiction: Nebraska as Place.

Duff and Kathy Tinant traveled to Oklahoma last week to visit her sister, Rosemary Bolton and family. Vern and Marlys Walkling spent Labor Day taking in the sights at the State Fair in Huron.

Two weeks of Valentine Police Department’s protection of Valentine. During the week of August 31 September 6, the following arrests were reported by the Valentine Police Department: • On August 31 at 4:50 p.m., officers contacted a woman in the parking lot of the Dollar General Store.

People interested in becoming a Nebraska Master Naturalist may sign up for the Fall Core 24 training at the Crane Trust Nature and Visitor Center in Wood River. The workshop on October 17-18 and 24-25 allows participants to learn about Nebraska’s natural resources and achieve Master Naturalist in-Training status.