News

Lincoln, April 30, 2024- The Nebraska Public Service Commission has awarded 11 grants totaling nearly $680,000 as a part of the inaugural Precision Agriculture Infrastructure Grant (PRO- AG) program (C-5529).

If you have an interest in Niobrara River issues, you might want to consider submitting your name for consideration for one of the seven positions coming up for re-appointment very soon on the Niobrara Council. The seven, three year term positions coming up include four landowner representatives, one recreational business representative, one timber industry representatives and one representative of a recognized, nonprofit environmental, conservation or wildlife organization. Each position is chosen by the Governor from a list of qualified individuals submitted by the county board representatives on the Niobrara Council. If you or someone you know has an interest and would like to find out more information on the above mentioned positions, please contact the Niobrara Council office at 402-376-2793 or email them at info@niobraracouncil. org. Names will be accepted for consideration until Wednesday, June 12, 2024.

We are buzzing with excitement!! The annual Mother Daughter Banquet will be held on Wednesday, May 15, at 6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of the Methodist Church in Valentine.

Valentine Nebraska, April 11, 2024 — Northwest Community Action Partnership’s(NCAP)Community Services office and the Extra Helpings Food Pantry is thrilled to announce their new location! The new location has expanded space and versatility, while also being more visible to the public, all of which will allow us to best meet the needs of the community.

A highway widening and resurfacing project is underway on Highway 97 around Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area southwest of Valentine. Visitors can expect delays.

We’re back! First Baptist Church is excited about kicking off our second year of the 3 Nails Cycling Community Bike Shop on Saturday, May 4, 2024. What’s 3 Nails Cycling? Well, it’s a faith-based community outreach ministry that promotes healthy living, healthy relationships, healthy families, safety, and fun while promoting the wellness benefits of cycling and supporting various local businesses.

MNNRD educated the fourth graders in Ainsworth Elementary School about Arbor Day and proper tree planting. Each student received a conservation tree on Arbor Day to take home and plant. In Valentine, Michelle Garwood and Wendy Murphy educated the fourth graders. Middle Niobrara NRD provided trees for all of the students to take home and plant.

Maybe, because it had been on it’s almost last leg, the Out with the Old and In with the New Old West Days, seemed more connected with a greater sense of community this past weekend. It’s entirely possible that the loss of homes in eastern Nebraska - due to tornadoes and storms Friday, April 26 - where family, friends, and acquaintances, knew of someone who suffered, ultimately brought people together - the sense of community? Perhaps it’s simply something new...

Governor Jim Pillen issued the following statement in the aftermath of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes that resulted in damage across eastern Nebraska Friday, April 26, 2024: “Suzanne and I extend our deepest prayers to all those impacted by today’s storms. I have ordered that state resources be made available to assist with the emergency response and to support local first responders as they assess the damage. Nebraskans are tough, resilient people, and our neighbors and communities will rally around affected families and businesses to assist them. Nebraskans are no strangers to severe weather and, as they have countless times before, Nebraskans will help Nebraskans to rebuild.”

Incidents/Arrests On 04/14/2024 at 9:42 p.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop in the 700 block of North Wood Street. A juvenile male was cited for being a minor in possession of alcohol.