News

The Niobrara Council met August 21, 2025 at the Cherry County South Building. The meeting was called to order at 1:16 p.m.

In recent editions of the Valentine Midland News, Cherry CountyZoningAdministratorJane Stolzenburg shared her findings of permit violations against BSH Blue Stem, including the end date of their wind project as October 15, 2024. BSH Blue Stem stated otherwise, and shared that several of her permit findings were incorrect, including their deposit.

Everyone was a winner at the Chaduza Cook-off ! Beautiful Valentine Chamber of Commerce weather, games, prizes, raffle, vendor booths, music by Dage Lee and Jared William Gottberg of the American Rebel Tour, along with delicious food! And for the encore, up and coming musician Kate Watson.

VALENTINE, NE – As fall approaches, the Niobrara National Scenic River Visitor Center will transition to their off- season schedule. Saturday, September 20, will be the final weekend day the Visitor Center is open for the 2025 season.

Friends of the Niobrara, Inc., stated that recent statements [story above] from MNNRD General Manager Mike Murphy weren’t accurate or were misleading in regard to the National Park Service’s Visitor Center located in Valentine. A call to NPS Superintendent Susan Cook, and did confirm that she is retiring from the position in October.

The Beed’s Landing boat ramp at Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area will close to access September 9-19 to allow for concrete work and improvements. Visitors might see machinery and site preparations beginning prior to the closure.

Recent comments by the general manager of the Middle Niobrara Natural Resources District, Mike Murphy, who is also a member of the Niobrara Council, have raised serious concerns—and confusion—about the role of the National Park Service (NPS) along the Niobrara National Scenic River. It’s time to clarify the facts.

The digital era has its benefits. People from all over are able to connect almost instantaneously. Computers have made fast work of many tasks that once took hours or days to complete. Information or even funds can be shared at the click of a button. But for all of the benefits technology has provided, there is a darker side to the connectivity of themodernworld.Whathasbecome easier for the general public also has become easier from those looking to take advantage of others.

Ask any farmer/rancher over the age of fifty, what they believe is the biggest change in their operation during their lifetime, and they will undoubtedly say, “The method of putting up hay.” Harvesting corn is often mentioned; however, both comments will be followed by, “It used to be a lot of work.”

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