News

Around the hills we call home, the calving is slowing and the brandings have officially begun. The mild weather is a blessing and curse, as the firemen keep one eye on the sky and their noses into the wind. We continue to pray for moisture as the pastures have yet to green.

April 8, 2026 ~ Ainsworth, NE — Weather permitting, work will begin April 20 on U.S. Highway 20 (US-20), between Stuart and Atkinson, from reference post 280.55 to reference post 288.35, according to the Nebraska Department of Transportation.

The Cherry County Visitor Promotion Board (CCVPB) has made several attempts to build an Event Center in Cherry County for over 30 years. Each attempt failed for one reason or another. The CCVPB is a volunteer board that assists and makes recommendations to the Cherry County Commissioners on the use of the lodging taxes collected in all of Cherry County. The CCVPB presented the current proposal to build the CCEC at Mid-Plains Community College (MPCC) to the Cherry County Commissioners and the discussion began between the Commissioners and MPCC. All parties agreed that MPCC would be an excellent site for the CCEC and MPCC was also willing to be a partner as well.

During the week of April 5 - 11, the following arrests were made by the Valentine Police Department: • On April 5, at 7:15 p.m., officers responded to a complaint of an erratic woman in the 200 block of South Main Street. A 25 year old South Dakota woman was contacted, and subsequently arrested for Third Degree Assault on a Peace Officer.

Lincoln, NE – As spring and summer mark peak tick activity in Nebraska, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services urges all residents to remain vigilant and take simple steps to protect themselves, their loved ones, and their pets from diseases spread by ticks such as Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Lyme disease, Ehrlichiosis, and Alpha-Gal Syndrome, also known as the red meat allergy.

Lincoln, NE ~ Following the federal enactment of H.R. 1, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” Nebraska is moving ahead of schedule to become the first state in the country to implement the law’s new Medicaid work requirements. With Nebraska’s enforcement set to begin May 1, 2026, the Nebraska Hospital Association (NHA) has launched a dedicated bilingual website to help residents navigate these changes and maintain their health care coverage.

Shootout at Sadie's Saloon! Good guys? Yes! Bad guys? You bet! Does good prevail over evil? Of course! Evil threats? Absolutely! Love is in the air... along with gunfights, trickery, and drama from the wild west! Enjoy this year's melodrama, complete with themes you expect, as well as a surprise or two!

Amy Arganbright of Valentine High School has been named the 2026NebraskaCoachesAssociation (NCA)-Hudl Dance Coach of the Year, following back-to-back state championships for her team. She successfully guided her team to Class C2 Jazz and Pom titles in 2026, overcoming significant challenges. The award is part of the 2025- 2026 NCA Coaches of the Year honors.

Lincoln, NE – April 2, 2026 – Senator Barry DeKay’s Legislative Bill 1187, known as the “brand bill,” advanced successfully through firstround debate on the floor of the Nebraska Legislature yesterday after a compromise amendment preserved the integrity of the state’s livestock brand inspection system.