News

After the Great Depression was over as well as World War II, the country was beginning to prosper, including the agricultural sector. Tractors, crude in comparison to those of today, were replacing work horses; REA was making its way to farms and ranches, and each year advances were being made.

The 2026 Nebraska Book Awards program, sponsored by the Nebraska Center for the Book (NCB) and NebraskaLibraryCommission,will recognize and honor books that are written by Nebraska authors and illustrators, published by Nebraska publishers, set in Nebraska, or relate to Nebraska.

The dates have been set for two scrap tire collections, giving residents a convenient and responsible way to dispose of unwanted tires. The North Central RC&D, in cooperation with Keya Paha County, will hold a tire amnesty in Springview, Nebraska, on April 28, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and on April 29 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The collection site will be at the Old Airport, 101 Airport Road, and will accept up to 400 tons.

February 10, 2026 (Ainsworth, Neb.) — The Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) announced that U.S. Highway 183 (US-183) and Nebraska Highway 7 (N-7) near Bassett will be renumbered in the spring of 2026. The change will revert the highway numbers to their 1966 designations. Area residents have requested this renumbering for several years through NDOT and the State Highway Commission. After previous denials, the request was approved by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Committee on Route Numbering in fall of 2025.

February 2026 Survey Results at-a-Glance: • The region’s overall or Rural Mainstreet Index sank below growth neutral after two straight months above the threshold. • Three of four bank CEOs urge Congress to provide more financial support to farmers.

During the week of February 15-21, the following arrests were reported by the Valentine Police Department: • On February 16, a complaint in the 300 block of North Hall Street lead to the arrest of a 19 year old Nebraska man and a juvenile male on the charge of Burglary. • On February 18, at 5:25 p.m., a disturbance was reported near the intersectionof 5thandGovernment Streets.

LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen has been appointed by President Donald Trump to serve on the Council of Governors, a bipartisan group of state leaders focused on strengthening state-federal partnerships in national security, disaster response, and military coordination. A meeting of the group was held Thursday in Washington, D.C.

• February 25, Berean Bible Church. • March 4, Lakeview Christian Reformed Church.

from the 25th annual Heart City Bull Bash celebrates 25 years of community and agriculture There was more than love flowing through the streets of Valentine on Cupid’s favorite holiday. On Valentine’s Day, the 25th annual Heart City Bull Bash once again transformed Main Street into the heart of the Sandhills, filling it with pens of bulls, horses, equipment, commercial displays, vendors, and activities that brought the entire community together.

Valentine, NE — Cherry County Hospital is proud to announce the receipt of a $947.25 donation to its Oncology Department following the annual Bomgaars Ladies Night event held this past fall. The event brought community members together for an evening focused on shopping and breast cancer awareness.