News

Without a doubt, there was below freezing weather over the weekend, when temperatures dipped to a low of 26 degrees Saturday, October 7. However, the flowers above didn’t get that notification and continued blooming - yes, lilacs blooming in October, acting like it’s spring not autumn!

The mountain lion that was euthanized Thursday, September 21, 2023, was a young male weighing 106 pounds. A visit with Furbearer/ Carnivore Program Manager Sam Wilson, with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission said the animal hadn’t killed any pets or livestock that they know of.

North Central RC&D will offer on site paper shredding in Valentine, October 16, 2023, from 10:00 - 11:15 a.m. at Middle Niobrara NRD, on Highway 83 and 20. The shredding is done by Security Shredding Services of Laurel, a free will donation is appreciated.

Get ready for a spine-tingling challenge that will awaken your inner ghoulish decorator! The Friends of the Library are thrilled to announce our Gingerbread Haunted House Decorating Challenge, and we want YOU to be a part of it!

The Niobrara Council met September 21, 2023, at the Peppermill, in Valentine.Themeetingwascalledto order at 1:37 p.m. with the following in attendance: Jason Appelt, Karl Connell,LesHall,WadeHollenbeck, RichMercure,MikeMurphy,Buddy Small, Andrew Steinhauser, Mike Tuerk (arrived at 1:40 p.m.), Scott Wessel, and Matt Sprenger.

On October 2-3, Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge completed the annual bison roundup. Each year, the refuge moves the bison herd from their summer range south of the Niobrara River, to their winter range located north of the Niobrara River. During the move from the summer to winter range, a portion of the herd is “rounded up” and moved through the bison corrals so that we can separate and remove a portion of the herd. Every spring around 60-70 calves are added to the herd and if we do not remove a portion of the herd each year, the herd would overgraze their available habitat.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Old West Days Committee Member Ann Krueger had this to say about this 32nd annual Old West Days: The 32nd Old West Days and Nebraska Cowboy Poetry Gathering is set to take place Friday, October 13 and Saturday, October 14, 2023. Due to the Valentine Volleyball invite in the gym on Saturday, the trade show has been moved to the Commons Area and the Board Room.

South Dakota cowboys and cowgirls rounded up a herd of more than 1,500 bison Friday as part of an annual effort to maintain the health of the species, which has rebounded from near-extinction. Visitors from across the world cheered from behind wire fencing as whooping horseback riders chased the thundering, wooly giants across hills and grasslands in Custer State Park.

NEW YORK (AP)-Millions of Americans must start repaying their federal student loans again in October, with monthly payments averaging hundreds of dollars a month. To get ready, borrowers are cutting expenses, taking on additional work, and looking for options to reduce their monthly payments.