News

We had a taste of winter weather over the weekend. A little snow, high winds, and just plain blustery. With subzero temperatures, the ice fishermen are still holding out hope for ice. It was a good weekend to hunker down – read a book, bake some bread, or take a nap. (Unless you have livestock!)

322 N. Macomb 402-376-1400 M-F • 8:00 a.m.

Heartland Energy will continue providing electric service to the city of Valentine, NE, strengthening a partnership that began eight years ago when the city first sought a new power supplier. Since then, Heartland has supported Valentine with reliable service and an array of programs to support community growth and prosperity.

Lincoln, NE – The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services(DHHS)extendedthetimeline for providers and the public to submit feedback on the Behavioral Health Service Definitions for Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders. DHHS is also receiving feedback on the Mental Health, Substance Use Disorder, and Applied Behavior Analysis Provider Manual. The public comment period for both has been extended to January 31, 2026.

Rural Mainstreet Index records highest reading since July 2023 More than one-third of bank CEOs report local recession January 2026 Survey Results at-a-Glance: • The region’s overall or Rural Mainstreet Index climbed to its highest reading since July 2023. • Almost one in four bankers, or 23.1%, support reducing short-term interest rates by .25% at the Federal Reserve’s interest rate meeting on January 27-28.

Reuben Powell, White River, SD. Theft / unlawful taking $501 - $1,499, class I misdemeanor, amended, probation 12 months, $50 cost - Officer D.

During the week of January 1117, 2026 the following arrests were reported by the Valentine Police Department: • On Wednesday January 14, at 11:25 p.m., officers responding to a disturbance in the 700 block of East 7th Street located two males who had entered into a vacant apartment. The men, ages 24 and 31, were arrested for Criminal Trespassing and booked into the Cherry County Jail.

January 16, 2026 Lincoln, NE — The Nebraska State Patrol is pleased to announce multiple command staff promotions and a change in the agency leadership structure. Under the new command structure, the agency will be divided into two parts: Operations and Services.

Ryan Connot was vacationing with his family on St. Croix in the U.S.

Date: January 8, 2026 Goal: 97 Total units collected: 104 and with 104 units collected, there’s potential for 312 patients to benefit!! Single units: 67 Power reds: 19 for a total of 37 units Began with most appointments filled; schedule is very fluid; numbers were fluctuating due to illness in area. Deferred: 11 Canceled: 4 - notification on the day before helped to try to fill those canceled times! No-shows: 1 Beds: 12 Staff: 10-12, staff from other sites joined us; very adequate staffing! Rapidpass: 68 out of 95 used Rapidpass for 69% New donors: Dana Ramm; and several of our 12 new donors from last blood drive returned to donate again.