News

Summer is here! Whether you are enjoying fireworks, backyard barbecues, camping trips, or days on the water, these Poison Center tips can help keep your holiday safe. Fireworks - Fireworks have chemicals that can be harmful if swallowed and can cause serious burns and eye injuries.

During the week of June 21-27, two arrests were reported by the Valentine Police Department. • On June 26, at 10:00 p.m., a traffic stop in the 200 block of North Main Street lead to the arrest of a 70 year old Nebraska man for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol.

At Mount Hope Cemetery, a grove of young native trees stands as Cherry County’s contribution to the Nebraska Memorial Forest, a statewide initiative created by Honor and Remember Nebraska to honor every Nebraska military member and first responder who gave their life in service to others. Dedicated on Memorial Day 2025, the Cherry County grove is one of many being established across Nebraska.

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Landen Mooney, a graduate of Valentine High School in Valentine, NE, was inducted into the Naval Academy Class of 2030 on June 25, marking the beginning of six challenging weeks of basic midshipman training during Plebe Summer.

All Trails Lead to Art was the theme for the Association of Nebraska Art Clubs 61st annual Exhibition and Conference held in Ogallala, NE. The Sand Painters ArtClubwaswell-representedwith 18 pieces in the exhibition of nearly 300. Idaho artist, Dallen Lambson, presented awards to seven of the Sand Painter artworks, which was thehighestnumberof awardsgiven to any single club this year.

“I've about had it with you, pilgrim!” If you were on set and John Wayne was talking to you, brace yourself — you’re about to get decked! The definition of a Pilgrim: An Eastern Dandy who doesn’t quite understand the ways of the West. Is John Wayne the greatest male movie star Hollywood ever produced? Yes, says Brian Downes, executive director of the John Wayne Birthplace and Museum in Winterset, IA.

VALENTINE, Neb. – The 2026 Light Up the Falls celebration at Smith Falls State Park shone brighter than ever this year, welcoming nearly 750 visitors to an evening of patriotic color, outdoor adventure, and community partnership.

People planning to launch boats in Nebraska this summer should be aware of low-water conditions affecting many reservoirs across the state. Water elevations and ramp conditions can vary significantly from one reservoir to another and may change from week to week.

There was a total of 13 participants in the Cherry County 4-H Cupcake War and Special Foods Contest that was held June 9, 2026, with Shalee Arendt and Hannah Beel as the judges. Youths between the ages five through 18 participating in cupcake decorating, complete with a creatively designed tablescape.

Washington, D.C. – June 12, 2026 – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced the distribution of a comprehensive directive to all U.S. Forest Service employees from the Office of the Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment (NRE). These actions advance implementation of the Advancing Grazing on Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Lands Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and the USDA–Department of the Interior Grazing Action Plan, delivering on the Trump Administration’s commitment to strengthen American ranching, restore multiple-use management on federal lands, and combat regulatory lawfare against producers.