News

Spring is here, flowers are blooming, and outdoor activities are back in full swing. Unfortunately, warmer weather also brings mosquitoes, ticks, spiders, snakes, and stinging insects. Your Poison Center shares these tips to help prevent and treat common bites and stings.

The area received about a half inch of rain over the weekend! Yes, it was much needed, and hopefully high temps and winds don’t dry it out right away. The country looks refreshed! Ron and Becky Patton attended Maria Grillo’s graduation in Wanblee on Thursday, then went to Mitchell for graduation on Friday, and enjoyed a visit with David and Katelynn Williams.

Lincoln, NE – The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) will issue its first round of Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) benefits. Summer EBT is available to families with eligible school-age children to help them buy groceries during the summer months.

May 27, 2026 (Ainsworth, Neb.) — Weather permitting, work will begin May 29 on Nebraska Highway 70 (N-70), from reference post 171.94 proceeding east to reference post 179.94 at the Wheeler/ Antelope County Line, according to the Nebraska Department of Transportation.

Lincoln, NE – The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is celebrating Community Action Month, honoring the agencies throughout the state that create economic opportunity, strengthen local communities, and help families find pathways to prosperity.

Last year, prescribed fires in Nebraska burned more acres than any year in recentmemory.Recentwildfiresshowed how those burns can offer protection and risk peril. This story is made possible through a partnership between Flatwater Free Press and Grist, a nonprofit environmental media organization.

Lincoln, NE – May has been recognized as National Foster Care Month. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is celebrating the dedicated foster parents and foster homes who provide safe, stable, and supportive environments for children and youth across Nebraska.

LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen announced his appointment of Scott Gray as executive director of the Nebraska Commission on Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice (i.e. Crime Commission). Gray, a decorated 30-year veteran of the Omaha Police Department, willassumehisrolewiththeagency on August 9. He succeeds Bryan Tuma, who announced his retirement from the Crime Commission in April.

During the week of May 24 - 30, the following arrests were made by the Valentine Police Department: • On May 25, at 1:00 a.m., a call of a domestic disturbance in the 500 block of West 3rd Street lead to the arrest of a 36 year old South Dakota man on the charge of Domestic Assault. • On May 25, at 10:35 p.m., officers responded to a disturbance complaint in the 800 block of Dowden Street.

The 21stannual Nebraska Sandhills Cowboy Hall of Fame Banquet and Induction Ceremony will be held June 6, 2026 at the 4-H Building at the Cherry County Fairgrounds in Valentine, NE. Social Hour will begin at 4:00 p.m., Benefit Auction will take place at 5:00 p.m., Banquet at 6:00 p.m.