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For weather freaks, these past few weeks were something to ENJOY! There was a little bit of everything for everyone, really. Without a doubt, this autumn has been balmy, a jacket was all anyone has needed - if that. Then it was back to capris, lawnmowers clearing up the last of autumn leaves, and BBQ’s out back. A record setting high temperature of 81 degrees was recorded by NOAA Weather Friday, November 14, 2025, which broke the old record of 79 degrees set in 1990.

Lincoln, NE – The Nebraska Forest Service (NFS), part of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR), has secured more than $24 million in Community Wildfire Defense Grants from the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) to implement wildfire mitigation projects across Brown and Rock counties. These efforts will expand partnerships with landowners, the counties, protect communities, and improve resilience in some of the state’s most fire-prone regions.

I just wanted to reach out and let you all know about a program called Project Share Your Story. It is a project by the Nebraska Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundation to collect stories from Vietnam Era Veterans and share those stories.

Whitney Jennings of Seneca, NE, has been selected as Mid-Plains Community College’s Business Student of the Month for November. Although she initially planned to attend college out of state, a tour quickly changed her mind.

Out here in the Sandhills, where good horses are part of our everyday rhythm and the heartbeat of many families, we pay attention when something threatens their wellbeing. From ranch work to rodeo arenas to the long winter miles hauled across the region, our horses carry us through it all. And as the busy season of big events approaches, so does a renewed concern making its way through barns, trailers, and warm -up pens across the country: the rise of EHV1 or Equine Herpesvirus.

Ainsworth 133-141 - Royal Foote's place is 4th and has scored 1.0 team points. Round 1 - Royal Foote (Valentine Middle School) won by fall over Paxton Mathews (O`Neill Juinor High) (Fall 2:05) Round 2 - Bo Gubbels (West Holt) won by forfeit over Royal Foote (Valentine Middle School) (FF) Round 3 - Grady Licking (Sandhills/ Thedford) won by medical forfeit over Royal Foote (Valentine Middle School) (MFFL) Ainsworth 138-147 - Cruz Joseph's place is 2nd and has scored 3.0 team points.

There’s something special about thumbing through Grandma’s old recipes. They hold more than ingredients - they hold memories, stories, and the kind of love that doesn’t fade with time. Some families have traditions passed carefully from one generation to the next; others find themselves reconnecting with long - lost favorites tucked inside a weathered recipe box. Whatever your story may be, why not dust off those cherished cards and bake a little life back into them? And what better place to share these treasures than right here in your communitynewspaper,celebrating good ol’ local favorites? Do you have a recipe you adore - maybe one with a memory that still warms your heart? We’d love to keep those stories and flavors alive, shared, and enjoyed throughout our community. Truly, we’d love to hear

If you like a variety of weather, this was your week. Last Tuesday, anything that wasn’t tied down might be in the next county now! Valentine reported a peak gust of 72 mph. On Friday the snow started, and though we only had an inch or two, the cold wanted me to stay inside. Sunday morning was -10. I guess winter is here!

We are all aware that the economy is on most peoples minds, especially in the midst of the holiday season, and many folks are feeling financial pressure, some of which is of our own making. There also seems to be an interest in economizing, especially in many folks struggling to maintain a household, many with young children and trying to live on a fixed budget. Because of this, there are several Facebook pages based on homesteading and the basic life skills inherent to that. I find myself reading many of their posts and find them interesting. In fact, I occasionally find myself posting a comment if it fits the narrative, especially sharing an old family recipe, as many of these young homesteaders are involved with cooking from scratch, sharing sourdough starter, raising gardens and canning; but there is always someone who likes to stir the pot, so to speak.

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