W. Kurtz Sears, 83, of Decatur NE

February 3, 2015 Leave a comment


W. KURTZ SEARS, was born March 12, 1931, in rural Decatur, Nebraska, to Willis “Bill” and Loretta “Toots” (Akins) Sears. He passed away Sunday, February 1, 2015 at his home in Decatur, after a short illness.

FUNERAL SERVICE: Friday, February 6, 2015, 11:00 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church in Decatur, with Rev. Mark Tomasiewicz, Celebrant.

CELEBRATION OF LIFE:  Thursday, 5-8 p.m., with family present at The Green Lantern in Decatur.

BURIAL: Hillcrest Cemetery, Decatur.

MEMORIALS: In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Decatur Museum..

Please feel free to send your condolences to the family.
Each condolence will be printed and given to the family after the service.

W. Kurtz Sears

W. Kurtz Sears

pelan@pelanfuneralservices.com

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Syngenta Lawsuit and Water Rights Meeting is Tomorrow

February 2, 2015 Leave a comment


An area informational meeting for corn farmers will be Tuesday, February 3rd at 10am at the Green Lantern in Decatur.  Dave Domina plans to be there to speak on the Syngenta Lawsuit & Water Rights. There are also other meetings on the subject listed below:

February 2, 2015 Hartington VFW Club 7:00 PM
February 3, 2015 Decatur Green Lantern Steak House 10:00 AM
February 5, 2015 Beatrice Aunt Mary’s 10:00 AM
February 5, 2015 Blue Hill Community Center 2:00 PM
February 5, 2015 Holdrege Super 8 7:00 PM
February 6, 2015 Cambridge Community Center 1:30 PM
February 8, 2015 Doniphan Event Center 1:30 PM
February 8, 2015 York Holthus Convention Center 4:00 PM

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Fluctuating Markets and Off Topic Thoughts

February 2, 2015 Leave a comment


Markets as of 10:12am 2/2/14

Corn +2 @ 3.72

Beans +2 @ 9.63

 

We start this week with the US dollar a little weaker and the stock market in the red, traders seem uncertain about “deflation” , the overall impact of the surging US Dollar and the meltdown in crude oil.  Especially after the disappointing 4th quarter GDP number released last week.  In the news, U.S oil workers began the largest national strike since 1980 this Sunday, calling 3800 United Steelworkers Union workers to strike, if a full strike is called USW says it could affect as much as 64% of US Fuel production.

 

Last week was quite negative for grains despite solid exports last week.  Some strength comes back into the market this morning, but trade volume is very low which adds to volatility.  This volume could be a combinations of the Midwest shutting down due to the blizzard and  a great Super Bowl game leaving less interested in trading.

 

Corn: 

March corn broke the support line of 3.76 last week which could lead to some added pressure for this week.  New Crop corn (Dec ’15) broke the $4.00 mark on Thursday and Friday, but managed to close above $4.00 both days.  Selling ahead to reduce risk is a sound strategy to capture levels above $4.25 and take some downside risk off the table.  Risk management should be part of any marketing plan to gain any advantage possible.  Ethanol continues to produce despite margins, as stocks continue to rise we may see production slow.  At least until oil prices move back into a range that makes ethanol profitable.

 

Beans:

Seeing pressure from slowing exports, beans lost nearly 12 cents last week.  Seasonally, prices are behaving normally as South American supplies become available.  The next major support line is at 9.20, and the current trend is downward.  Remember, the trend is your friend.

 

Recommendation:

Due to the current market levels, it is difficult to make a recommendation strategy, it seems the profitable selling window has currently passed us by.  If a producer needs to free up some capital for cash rents, payments, etc.  A great strategy is Extended Price, which frees up 70% of the money, but keeps the producer in the market to participate in potential future rallies or losses just like in the storage bin.

 

Thoughts Off Topic:

Wow the Super Bowl was a nail biter, at least for me, it remained neck and neck as the Patriots and the Seahawks went back and forth until the final seconds of the game where the Seahawks were 2nd down and inches from winning the game, but instead of handing the ball to Lynch over and over to get into the end zone, Wilson tried a pass…..and Malcolm Butler picked him off.  Brady was able to take a knee and run the clock for a Patriots victory.

 

But what’s up with the commercials this year?  I didn’t laugh once and quite frankly felt pretty depressed after a couple.  Especially theNationwide ad on preventable childhood deaths. It opens with a young boy listing several things he’ll never get to do, like ride a bike, get “cooties,” or travel the world with his best friend. “I couldn’t grow up, he says, “because I died from an accident.”  I have learned I shouldn’t say “you throw like a girl” ever again, and I am very excited about taking my kids to see the “Geriatric Terminator” because you know it will be a good movie.  I am not discounting the importance of protecting our children, but I it does not discount that the method used left folks feeling a bit creeped out.  Read more on NBC News “Super Bowl Ads Left Us Creeped Out or Crying”

Greg Mockenhaupt

ProEdge Risk Management Consultant

P: (402) 685-5613 | C: (402) 380-9855 | Greg.Mockenhaupt@cvacoop.com

1007 County Road O

Oakland, NE 68045

www.cvacoop.com

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Redesigning Medicaid in Nebraska

February 2, 2015 Leave a comment


By John Crabtree, johnc@cfra.org, Center for Rural Affairs 

Nebraska’s failure to participate in the new Medicaid program under the Affordable Care Act has, for two years, allowed low-income, working Nebraskans to fall into a health care coverage gap that has left them economically and medically vulnerable. At least 54,000 of our friends, family members and neighbors do not qualify for Medicaid, cannot afford private insurance, and have incomes too low to qualify for tax credits in the new health insurance marketplace. Yes, you read that right… with incomes too low to qualify for coverage in the healthcare exchange.

 

The Medicaid Redesign Act, LB 472, would help redesign Nebraska’s Medicaid program, creating a Nebraska-specific plan for better, more cost-effective health coverage while also closing the coverage gap and providing coverage to working Nebraskans with low incomes who cannot afford insurance under the current system.

 

LB 472 sets out a framework to redesign Medicaid and close the coverage gap, providing the Governor and Department of Health and Human Services broad latitude to design and implement a plan for Nebraska.

 

Moreover, through 2016, 100% of the cost will be covered by the federal government. The federal share will then gradually settle to 90% in 2020 where it will then remain. And most enrollees would be required to contribute up to two percent of their income to the cost of their coverage.

 

The Medicaid Redesign Act – LB 472 – is a responsible, commonsense Nebraska solution to closing the health care coverage gap. Let’s get this done.

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Work Continues at Lyons Community Center

February 2, 2015 Leave a comment


The Lyons Community Center is coming along, with hope of it being completed this spring. All photos credit of Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

The Lyons Community Center is coming along, with hope of it being completed this spring. All photos credit of Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

DSC06348 DSC06349 DSC06350 DSC06351

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Lyons City Council Meeting Agenda

February 2, 2015 Leave a comment


 

A Copy of the “Open Meetings Act” Has Been Posted on the Bulletin Board on the North Side in the Council Chambers.

 

LYONS CITY COUNCIL

AGENDA

February 3, 2015 – 5:30 P.M.

 

The City Council reserves the right to go into Executive Session at any time as deemed appropriate and in accordance with State Statute.

 

  1. ROUTINE BUSINESS

 

  1. Meeting called to order.

 

  1. PUBLIC HEARINGS
  1. Mayor Fuston to open a Public Hearing to consider objections to automatic renewals for a Class D Liquor License for KB’s Mini-Mart.

 

  1. Mayor Fuston to open a Public Hearing to consider objections to automatic renewals for a Class D Liquor License for Save More Market.

 

 

    III. CONSENT AGENDA

Recommended Action: Approval of Consent Agenda

NOTE: All items are automatically approved when the Consent Agenda is approved unless moved to the Regular Agenda by the request of any single Council member.

  1. Dispense with reading of minutes of meeting held January 6.
  2. Claims as presented.
  3. Treasurer report.
  4. Clerk’s Report of Mayoral Action of January 6 meeting: Resolution No. 2015-1 – One & Six Year Plan was signed. Resolution No. 2015-2 – To call the Water Bonds for payment was signed. Ordinance No. 717- AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION REFUNDING BONDS, SERIES 2015, OF THE CITY OF LYONS, NEBRASKA, IN THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THREE HUNDRED SIXTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ($360,000) TO REFUND CERTAIN OUTSTANDING BONDS OF THE CITY; PRESCRIBING THE FORM OF SAID BONDS; PROVIDING FOR A SINKING FUND AND FOR THE LEVY AND COLLECTION OF TAXES TO PAY SAID BONDS; PROVIDING FOR THE SALE OF THE BONDS; AUTHORIZING THE DELIVERY OF THE BONDS TO THE PURCHASER; PROVIDING FOR THE DISPOSITION OF THE BOND PROCEEDS AND ORDERING THE ORDINANCE PUBLISHED IN PAMPHLET FORM was signed and published.

 

Motion and second to approve the Consent Agenda/Tabulation of Vote.

 

 

  1. REGULAR AGENDA / NEW BUSINESS

Consideration and Action:

 

 

  1. Chad Kehrt of Olsson Associates – Update on the Lyons Community Center Project.
    1. Approve/not approve Pay Request #4 for $96,763.50 to Fauss Construction on Phase 2 of Lyons Community Center.
  1. Motion and second from Council Members.
  2. Tabulation of votes.

 

  1. Approve/not approve drawdown #8 (Final) for CDBG funds of $916.34 for Admin fees to NENEDD.
    1. Motion and second from Council Members.
    2. Tabulation of votes.

 

 

LYONS CITY COUNCIL

AGENDA

February 3, 2015 – 5:30 P.M.

 

 

  1. Approve/not approve United States Department of Energy, Western Area Power Administration Contract No. 14-UGPR-5005: Assignment of Specific Rights, Duties, and Obligations of the City of Lyons, Nebraska’s Firm Electric Service Contract to Nebraska Public Power District.
    1. Motion and second from Council Members.
    2. Tabulation of votes.

 

  1. Accept/not accept the 2013/2014 Audited Financial Report.
    1. Motion and second from Council Members.
    2. Tabulation of votes.

 

  1. Police report by Chief Buck.

 

  1. Library & Grant reports by Mike Heavrin.

 

  1. Utilities report.
  1. Auditorium front doors.
  2. School playground equipment.
  3. Sewer plant grinder.
  4. Engine No. 3.
  5. Diamond St sewer service.
  6. ACES proposal on Main St lighting.

 

  1. Clerk’s Report.
  1. Income Statement – General.
  2. Income Statement – Utility.
  3. Budget Reports – General and Utility.
  4. Will advertise for pool managers and lifeguards in February.
  5. Discuss revising Community Center rates and agreement.

 

  1. Consider to approve/not approve Class D Liquor License renewal for KB’s Mini-Mart.
    1. Motion and second from Council members.
    2. Tabulation of votes.

 

  1. Consider to approve/not approve Class D Liquor License renewal for Save More Market.
    1. Motion and second from Council members.
    2. Tabulation of votes.

 

  1. Discuss updating the Blight Study to include area of 1st to 3rd of Main St and area north of Main St to city limits between the old railroad tracks and 2nd St; area east of current railroad tracks to Highway 77 and from Lincoln St north to city limits.
    1. Motion and second from Council Members.
    2. Tabulation of votes.

 

  1. Discuss plan for TIF.

 

  1. Reschedule the March 3, 2015 Council Meeting.

 

  1. Executive Session – Personnel Review of Chief Jim Buck & Pam Stansberry.

 

  1. Motion and second by Council members to adjourn the meeting.
  2. Tabulation of vote.

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Oakland City Crew Plowing and Cleaning Streets

February 1, 2015 Leave a comment


Oakland's City Crew worked many hours cleaning the streets after many inches of snow fell over the weekend. The wind is still blowing, causing the snow to blow all over. All photos credit of Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

Oakland’s City Crew worked many hours cleaning the streets after many inches of snow fell over the weekend. The wind is still blowing, causing the snow to blow all over. All photos credit of Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

IMG_0539 IMG_0540 IMG_0541

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