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November 23, 2014 Leave a comment
GERALD W. LARSON, 88 years of Uehling, Nebraska, passed away Saturday, November 22, 2014, at the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska
FUNERAL SERVICE: Services are pending with Pelan Funeral Services Oakland.
November 23, 2014 Leave a comment
WILMA M. “BILLIE” KUHLMANN, 93 years, of Tekamah, Nebraska, passed away Friday, November 21, 2014, at the Golden Living Center in Tekamah.
FUNERAL SERVICE: Services are pending with Pelan Funeral Services Tekamah.
November 21, 2014 Leave a comment
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration urges owners of certain Toyota, Honda, Mazda, BMW, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Chrysler, Ford and General Motors vehicles to act immediately on recall notices to replace defective Takata airbags. Over seven million vehicles are involved in these recalls, which have occurred as far back as 18 months ago and as recently as Monday. The message comes with urgency, especially for owners of vehicles affected by regional recalls in the following areas: Florida, Puerto Rico, limited areas near the Gulf of Mexico in Texas, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, and Louisiana, as well as Guam, Saipan, American Samoa, Virgin Islands and Hawaii.
“Responding to these recalls, whether old or new, is essential to personal safety and it will help aid our ongoing investigation into Takata airbags and what appears to be a problem related to extended exposure to consistently high humidity and temperatures. However, we’re leaving no stone unturned in our aggressive pursuit to track down the full geographic scope of this issue,” said NHTSA Deputy Administrator David Friedman.
Consumers that are uncertain whether their vehicle is impacted by the Takata recalls, or any other recall, can contact their manufacturer’s website to search, by their vehicle identification number (VIN) to confirm whether their individual vehicle has an open recall that needs to be addressed. Owners that have been contacted by their manufacturer should contact their dealer’s service department and make arrangements for the repair. In addition, consumers can sign up for NHTSA recall alerts, which go out before recall letters are mailed by the manufacturers to the affected owners.
Note: The list below corrects the list that accompanied our October 20 advisory, which incorrectly included certain vehicles. The numbers cited for potentially affected vehicles below are subject to change and adjustment because there may be cases of vehicles being counted more than once. Owners should check their VIN periodically as manufacturers continue to add VINs to the database. Once owner recall notices are available, owners can retrieve a copy from SaferCar.gov, or will receive one by U.S. mail and are advised to carefully follow the enclosed instructions.
BMW: 627,615 total number of potentially affected vehicles
2000 – 2005 3 Series Sedan
2000 – 2006 3 Series Coupe
2000 – 2005 3 Series Sports Wagon
2000 – 2006 3 Series Convertible
2001 – 2006 M3 Coupe
2001 – 2006 M3 Convertible
Chrysler: 371,309 total number of potentially affected vehicles
2003 – 2008 Dodge Ram 1500
2005 – 2008 Dodge Ram 2500
2006 – 2008 Dodge Ram 3500
2006 – 2008 Dodge Ram 4500
2008 – Dodge Ram 5500
2005 – 2008 Dodge Durango
2005 – 2008 Dodge Dakota
2005 – 2008 Chrysler 300
2007 – 2008 Chrysler Aspen
Ford: 58,669 total number of potentially affected vehicles
2004 – Ranger
2005 – 2006 GT
2005 – 2007 Mustang
General Motors: undetermined total number of potentially affected vehicles
2003 – 2005 Pontiac Vibe
2005 – Saab 9-2X
Honda: 5,051,364 total number of potentially affected vehicles
2001 – 2007 Honda Accord)
2001 – 2002 Honda Accord
2001 – 2005 Honda Civic
2002 – 2006 Honda CR-V
2003 – 2011 Honda Element
2002 – 2004 Honda Odyssey
2003 – 2007 Honda Pilot
2006 – Honda Ridgeline
2003 – 2006 Acura MDX
2002 – 2003 Acura TL/CL
2005 – Acura RL
Mazda: 64,872 total number of potentially affected vehicles
2003 – 2007 Mazda6
2006 – 2007 MazdaSpeed6
2004 – 2008 Mazda RX-8
2004 – 2005 MPV
2004 – B-Series Truck
Mitsubishi: 11,985 total number of potentially affected vehicles
2004 – 2005 Lancer
2006 – 2007 Raider
Nissan: 694,626 total number of potentially affected vehicles
2001 – 2003 Nissan Maxima
2001 – 2004 Nissan Pathfinder
2002 – 2004 Nissan Sentra
2001 – 2004 Infiniti I30/I35
2002 – 2003 Infiniti QX4
2003 – 2005 Infiniti FX35/FX45
Subaru: 17,516 total number of potentially affected vehicles
2003 – 2005 Baja
2003 – 2005 Legacy
2003 – 2005 Outback
2004 – 2005 Impreza
Toyota: 877,000 total number of potentially affected vehicles
2002 – 2005 Lexus SC
2002 – 2005 Toyota Corolla
2003 – 2005 Toyota Corolla Matrix
2002 – 2005 Toyota Sequoia
2003 – 2005 Toyota Tundra
Stay connected with NHTSA via: Facebook.com/NHTSA | Twitter.com/NHTSAgov | YouTube.com/USDOTNHTSA | SaferCar.gov
November 21, 2014 Leave a comment
The American Cancer Society marks the Great American Smokeout on the third Thursday of November each year by encouraging smokers to use the date to make a plan to quit, or to plan in advance and quit smoking that day. By quitting — even for one day — smokers will be taking an important step towards a healthier life – one that can lead to reducing cancer risk.
Tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the US, yet about 42 million Americans still smoke cigarettes — a bit under 1 in every 5 adults. As of 2012, there were also 13.4 million cigar smokers in the US, and 2.3 million who smoke tobacco in pipes — other dangerous and addictive forms of tobacco.
November 21, 2014 Leave a comment
The Nebraska Loess Hills Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) Council recently partnered with the Lower Elkhorn NRD, Papio-Missouri River NRD and the City of West Point to sponsor a scrap computer and electronics collection in West Point at the Nielsen Center. The collection provided the opportunity for area residents and businesses to dispose of up to four complete computer systems and small electronic devices at no cost. One hundred seventy two area households and businesses disposed of items at the October collection. The RC&D was able to collect over 22,000 lbs of materials during the three hour collection. Participants drove in from six Nebraska counties to dispose of items at this once a year event. Many thanks to the volunteers who devoted time and energy to unloading, directing traffic, and handling paperwork during the collection. The collection was made possible through a grant from the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality.
For more information about the collection, or the RC&D Council and its projects, contact Jean Schultz at the Nebraska Loess Hills RC&D Council office, (402)685-4020, or, visit the RC&D website at www.nlhrcd.org The RC&D Council exists to improve the quality of life in your community.
Jean Schultz
Program Assistant
Nebraska Loess Hills RC & D Council
P O Box 24
Oakland, NE 68045
402-685-4020
November 21, 2014 Leave a comment
Do you know when the first Thanksgiving was celebrated? Here are some of the details of the first Thanksgiving.
In November 1621, after the Pilgrims’ first corn harvest was a success, Governor Bradford held a celebratory feast with the colony’s Native American allies, including the Wampanoag chief Massasoit.
This is known as American’s “first Thanksgiving.” The festival lasted for three days. There isn’t a record of the banquet’s menu, but the Pilgrim chronicler Edward Winslow documented in his journal that Governor Bradford sent four men out for food in preparation for the event. The Wampanoag guests came to the event bearing five deer.
Historians believe the Thanksgiving meal was prepared using traditional Native American spices and cooking methods.
Because the Pilgrims didn’t have an oven and the Mayflower’s sugar supply had dwindled by the fall of 1621, traditional desserts, such as pies and cakes were not prepared as are traditionally done today.
November 20, 2014 2 Comments
It is the time of year to reflect on one’s life, being thankful for life and the blessings received.
The first thought I have is: This should be a daily occurrence, not just at Thanksgiving.
Every night when I go to bed, I say my prayers and thank God for my life. In the morning, I rise, thinking positive thoughts, knowing I am blessed to have another day to take on the world. I am thankful and say another prayer.
There have been times in my life when I didn’t feel thankful. I went through many struggles, as does everyone in their lives. Divorce was not something I ever had planned, but it happened. Learning to pick up the pieces and move on was very hard, especially with two kids. I was at the lowest point in my life and didn’t think I would ever be happy again.
I discovered that everything happens for a reason. I was meant to be somewhere else, with someone else. Jeff and I have been married for 18 years and together for 20. My kids adore him. He is more than a stepdad to them, because he has always been there for them and is also a wonderful grandpa. I am very thankful for my kids, husband and grandkids. We have one new granddaughter, Charli, born October 28th. We are expecting our next granddaughter today or tomorrow! Life is good!
I am also thankful for a few other things. I always wanted to go to college. I was finally able to achieve this goal in May of 2013, graduating with a degree in journalism. My husband thought I should make a job change, going out on my own, becoming owner/editor and chief of my own online newspaper. I was terrified, but I can’t tell you how much I love it. I have been doing this for over a year now and it has brought nothing but joy into my life. I am also working on becoming a better photographer, looking to expanding my horizons even further! I will never be too old to learn anything!
I also enjoy serving on the Oakland City Council. I am working for the people of Oakland. Their concerns are of utmost importance to me. It is a challenge that I am up for every minute of the day!
My life is always busy, always challenging and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I am thankful every moment for every thing I am blessed to be doing. But, what I am thankful for the most is my family. Without them, I wouldn’t have the courage to do the things I do. They are my rock and I love them more than anything!
Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy your family today and everyday. Remember, being thankful isn’t just for this time of year. It is every day.
Now, to go back to waiting for our new granddaughter, hurry up baby PP!!! Nana and papa are waiting!
Nana, papa and granddaughter Charli.
November 20, 2014 Leave a comment
Rachel Wise, District 3, Nebraska State Board of Education (October, 2014)
Rachel Wise
State Board of Education members in October spent a great deal of time on an issue that I believe illustrates the challenge of finding a balance between state and local control of PreK-12 education.
The issue sweeping the country and brought forward to the state board regarded the College Board’s Advanced Placement U.S. History course, APUSH. A state board policy committee took this issue up and put forward a resolution that generated quite a bit of discussion that was covered by several newspapers.
The College Board is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1900 with a mission to help students transition successfully to college. It provides opportunities for students to take SAT, a college entrance exam and to participate in Advanced Placement or college level courses. The APUSH course is considered a college-level course in U. S. History. It is a part of a host of courses approved by the College Board to allow students an opportunity to “test out” of various college courses while still in high school. Typically, students as freshmen or sophomores take high school level courses in subjects such as biology, chemistry, history, English, etc., and then, in some school districts, they take an Advanced Placement course in one or multiple subject areas as juniors or seniors. To put APUSH in perspective, 1,371 Nebraska students enrolled in AP U.S. History compared to 26,133 students enrolled in other U.S. History courses offered in Nebraska schools during the 2013-2014 school year. That means the proposed resolution focused on a course that only 5 percent of Nebraska students take.
So, you may be wondering, what is the controversy?
Recently, the College Board rolled out the new APUSH framework which contained gaps in what some people consider essential historical information. I am not going to delve into the content of the framework, but instead share with you why I believe this issue should be discussed and resolved at the local school district level rather than the state level. In my view, this issue is an excellent example of the balance that needs to be established between state and local control.
First, school districts follow the Americanism statute (79-724) which is in Rule 10, a rule that provides the foundation for school accreditation. Secondly, school districts use the Nebraska social studies standards to develop curriculum and purchase materials to augment courses such as APUSH. Finally, on issues regarding specific courses, it is hard for me to understand why the Nebraska State Board of Education would step into an arena in which citizens across the state have elected 1,560 local school board members to make such decisions.
I do think it is important for the State Board of Education to establish and adopt standards, frame accountability for a quality education system and accredit schools. However, I think we should continue to work to find and respect the balance between state control and support for local school district authority in decisions related to curriculum, materials and instructional practices.
In my opinion, the proposed resolution and subsequent board discussion was important. However, this is an example of overreach that really does not benefit the students of this state; locally elected officials understand the needs of their communities. After much discussion, the State Board of Education did not vote on the resolution at the October meeting. The policy committee, however, will review, discuss and possibly bring the resolution forward again at a later date.
This article represents my personal view, not that of the State Board of Education or my role as president. Feel free to contact me at rachel.wise@nebraska.gov. Search the Nebraska Department of Education website at www.education.ne.gov to learn more about education in our state.
November 20, 2014 Leave a comment
Thanksgiving Trivia: The first department store to hold a Thanksgiving parade was:
(a) Montgomery Wards
(b) J.C. Penney’s
(c) Gimbel’s
(d) Macy’s
(e) None of the above.
It was a non-commercial event.
Kat Country Hub 
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