News

St. John’s Episcopal Church welcomed Bishop Scott Barker, of Omaha, for a visit on May 29, 2024. After worship there was good conversation about the proposed childcare center in the church basement. Bishop Barker is a candidate in the June 26 election of the next presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church U.S.A.

In parts of the High Plains region, recent developing dry conditions are starting to raise concerns that we may see reduced forage production from pasture and rangelands as we move on into the rest of the spring and summer. The www.weather.gov/ gid/NebraskaPrecipitation map shows many parts of the Sandhills and Panhandle regions receiving below-average precipitation for the last 30 days. This time frame is critical for precipitation that drives cool-season forage production on rangeland and pasture.

Get ready for an unforgettable event! The North Central District Health Department is hosting our very first Healthy Living Expo in Niobrara on June 11, and you're invited! Join us at Niobrara Public School from 1:00-7:00 p.m. for a day packed with fun, education, and community spirit – and it's FREE to attend! We've partnered with 30+ fantastic organizations to bring you an event like no other.

Jean Burge Congratulations to Trent and Amanda Cady on the birth of their son, Tate Duane, born May 28 weighing 8 lbs 2 ozs. He joins sisters Kaylee and Ellie.

Lincoln-As spring and summer months are the primary tick season in Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) urges all residents to be mindful of ticks and protect themselves from tickborne diseases such as Ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Lyme disease.

Perspectives It has been a few years since my children were babies! Having spent my youth as a babysitter and a career in pediatrics, I was pretty comfortable in watching the developmental of babies, toddlers and young children. (Teenagers are another story for another day!!) That isn’t always the case for young parents who may not have experience with this age group.

U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy confirmed that the U.S. Postal Service will pause the movement of mail processing operations, which includes the facility in North Platte, NE until January of 2025.

Open Plains Transit (OPT) will be offering rides, within the Valentine community, to the evening meal at the Valentine Senior Citizens Center on Friday, June 7th. The service is open to the public of all ages and will be free of charge. As seating is limited, a five-dollar deposit will be collected in advance but refunded upon boarding the bus the day of. OPT invites everyone to come listen to one of their very own super stars, Mark Stoeger, as he and the band, “Old Bones”, entertain locals of all ages, enjoy a great dinner, camaraderie and support the Valentine Senior Citizens Center. Transit reservations are required by 4:00 pm on Thursday, June 6, please call 402389-2975. Please contact the Senior Center directly, regarding meals and additional details, at 402-3761400.

It’s time to plant. Some veggies are friends, some foes.

Open Plains Transit encourages families to sign up for free public transportation rides connecting them to Valentine Community Schools curbside free lunch program. Contingent upon how many families sign up, a route is developed, all passengers are picked up, transported to Valentine High School and transported back home.