Keep Looking Up!

May 3, 2016 Leave a comment


“Four Great Astronomy Programs for Your Computer”

By Gary Fugman

How can I use my computer to help me find objects and keep track of everything I’ve seen? What would it look like to fly to and orbit Saturn?  How about flying to and orbiting the Pleiades Star Cluster? What’s out there to help me find my way across the surface of the moon?  Can my computer do any “real science” that might lead to a new discovery? Come to Northeast Nebraska Astronomy Club (NENAC) May 6 at 9pm at the Lyons Library and Saturday, May 7 at 9pm at the Decatur Sears Center to check out some of these great computer applications. Then at 10pm, weather permitting, Friday we will go to Cory and Tracie Martins’ south of Lyons and Saturday to Fugman Observatory on the south side of Decatur to observe the night sky through large astronomical telescopes. You are invited to bring your binoculars or telescope as well.

For more information on this and future NENAC presentations, please call Pastor Gary Fugman at 349-1953, and Keep Looking Up!

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Horseman’s Update May 13th

May 3, 2016 Leave a comment


By Mary Loftis, Extension Associate

Horse owners are invited to the Nebraska Extension Horseman’s Update May 13 on East Campus of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

Horseman’s Update is an opportunity to discuss hot topics in the equine industry with industry professionals. The event will feature topics including health benefits of horseback riding, new online horse courses, horse health updates, pasture for horses, wearable technologies for horses and information on the Trail’s Challenge.

Featured presenters include:

  • Dennis Sigler, extension horse specialist, Texas A&M University
  • Gary Stauffer, Nebraska Extension educator in Holt County
  • Monte Stauffer, Nebraska Extension educator in Douglas-Sarpy Counties
  • Bruce Anderson, Nebraska Extension forage specialist
  • Lena Cottle, Nebraska Extension equine specialist
  • Kathy Anderson, Nebraska Extension horse specialist

The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Room A222 of the Animal Science Complex. Lunch will be provided. Registration fee is $30 per person in advance, or $40 day of the event. Advance registration is due by May 6. To register, visit http://horse.unl.edu.

 

Opportunities are available to those unable to attend the event in person. Contact local extension offices to learn how to attend by distance or watch the event at home live or at a later date.

 

For more information on Horseman’s update, contact Nebraska Extension Horse Specialist Kathy Anderson at 402-472-6486 orkanderson1@unl.edu.

 

Extra effort and Success in 4-H events

Casey Stone of Tekamah took the opportunity to attend a 4-H Dog Clinic held in Hastings, NE recently. As part of the clinic the 4-H members got to practice what the skills they learned and Casey and her Australian Shepherd “Bailey” received a purple in Agility, and first place in both Senior Showmanship and Novice Obedience. Way to go Casey!

 

Nick Bohannon of Tekamah participated in the Nebraska 4-H Shotgun Competition at Grand Island’s Heartland Public Shooting Park April 23 & 24. This was Nick’s final state shotgun event as he becomes age ineligible after this year. Nick was a member of the National Shotgun Team for Nebraska in 2015. He shot in the Senior Tier I division at this contest. Tier I is where shooters compete who are not attempting or eligible for the national team as shooters may only compete once on the national team.

Bohannon ended his 4-H Shooting Sports Shotgun career on a high note as he earned first place in Trap, third in Skeet, first in Sporting Clays and earned First Place Overall in the Senior Tier I division.

 

Mary Loftis,

Extension Associate
UNL Extension – Burt County
111 North 13th Street, Suite 6
Tekamah, NE 68061
Phone: (402) 374-2929

Fax: (402) 374-2930

Internet: mloftis2@unl.edu

Nick Bohannon participated in Nebraska 4-H Shotgun Competition. Photo courtesy of Mary Loftis.

Nick Bohannon participated in Nebraska 4-H Shotgun Competition. Photo courtesy of Mary Loftis.

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Connecting Through Safe Skies

May 3, 2016 Leave a comment


By U.S. Senator Deb Fischer

The U.S. Senate recently passed legislation to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). As the agency that manages the safety and security of our nation’s airspace, the FAA provides Americans with peace of mind as they travel for work, visit family, or take off for getaways all over the world. The legislation we passed in April provides new updates and improvements to our federal aviation laws that will help ensure more families can fly safely for years to come.

 

According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, in 2015, a record 896 million passengers traversed America’s skies. This aviation system contributes $1.5 trillion to our nation’s economy and supports 11.8 million jobs for hardworking Americans, as noted by the National Air Traffic Controllers Association. Better and safer aviation not only helps traveling families, it also boosts the American economy.

In Nebraska, our airports link local communities with the rest of the nation and the world. But, over the years, these rural and community airports have struggled due to diminished funding and misplaced priorities in Washington. It is time to fix these problems, which is why I worked to include several provisions in the FAA bill. These initiatives will strengthen funding for Nebraska’s rural and community airports and provide certainty for airports in Lincoln and Omaha as well.

For example, the legislation includes an important provision I worked to include, known as the Small Airport Regulation Relief Act. I am cosponsor of a stand-a-lone version of this bill in the Senate, and Congressman Adrian Smith authored companion legislation in the House. Small airports across the country are being threatened by new rules that direct resources to major hubs like Denver and Atlanta. These rules are giving priority to major cities and threatening funding for local airports like Western Nebraska Regional Airport in Scottsbluff. The Small Airport Regulation Relief Act would preserve this funding, under the Airport Improvement Program, and exempt the airport in Scottsbluff from this harmful regulation.

We also need to protect commercial service for rural and small communities in Nebraska and across the country. The Essential Air Service (EAS) program incentivizes passenger carriers to continue providing service to these airports. Under the Senate FAA bill, we included a provision that will allow airports like those in Alliance, Chadron, Grand Island, McCook, North Platte, and Scottsbluff to continue benefiting from this program.

Furthermore, I was successful in including a provision that would assist Central Nebraska Regional Airport in Grand Island. Grand Island’s airport is growing and hosts a privately-operated federal contract tower. The provision I fought for would compel the FAA to complete a cost-benefit analysis, which would help alleviate financial constraints for this local airport.

Additionally, agricultural aviators in Nebraska will also benefit from safety enhancements in the bill. Far too many agricultural pilots have died in recent years after collisions with unmarked utility towers. In light of this, I advanced a provision requiring these towers to be clearly marked, thereby enhancing safer skies for our agriculture pilots.

I am proud of what the Senate has accomplished with the FAA bill. It is truly a victory for Nebraska and the American people. As the legislative process continues, I will work to maintain Nebraska priorities. Through safer skies and peace of mind, we are making progress for the American people.

 

Thank you for participating in the democratic process. I look forward to visiting with you again next week.

 

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News From Bancroft Senior Center

May 3, 2016 Leave a comment


 

* The senior center provides Information and Assistance to any individual who is looking for services for themselves or another person 60 years and older, the center manager and/or center participant can provide information to individuals on services available within the community. We link individuals to the services and opportunities that are available within or beyond the community itself. We will then establish adequate follow-up procedures to see that their needs were met. For more information call 402-648-3387.

*If you are 60 years and older and need information on programs designed to help keep you in your home longer or if you need legal help, contact Connie at 402-648-3387 or in the evening at 402-648-7648.

* We have the following medical equipment to loan out on an as need basis, wheel chair, bath seats, toilet seat riser and portable toilet chair, crutches or walkers. Call 402-648-3387 during office hours.

Meals on Wheels

*Would you like to get Meals on Wheels? Anyone over the age of 60 years and lives within the city limits are eligible for these meals. You may sign up anytime for the Meals on Wheels program; you can get the meals delivered however many times you want them each week. You must call 402-687-2332 before 8:30 a.m. if you want a meal that day. The suggested donation for the meals is $4.00.

 

Weekly Activities:

Wed. May 4: The melody chimers will practice at 9:00 a.m. The golf game will be played at 1:30 p.m.

Thurs. 5: Tai Chi class at 9:30 a.m. and walking club at 10:45 a.m. Rolls and coffee from 9-11 a.m. Chair exercises at 1:00 p.m. Sign up to play in the pitch tournament at 1:30 p.m.

Fri. May 6: Come and have coffee at 9:30 a.m. Sign up if you would like to play in the hand and foot or pinochle tournament at 1:30 p.m.

Sat. May 7: Join us at the music jam at 7:00 p.m. Bring a food item for lunch break.

Mon. May 9: The monthly potluck dinner is today, bring a covered dish and join us at noon time. Cards and games will be played in the afternoon.

Tues. May 10: Tai Chi class is at 9:30 a.m. Stop in for coffee at 10:00 a.m. Walking exercises 10:45 a.m. The chair exercise group meets at 1:00 p.m. Sign up for the pitch tournament at 1:30 p.m.

Wed. May 11: The melody chimers will practice at 9:00 a.m. The chair exercise group meets at 1:30. Bingo is at 2:00 p.m.

 

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Nebraska Game and Parks Receives Grant

April 27, 2016 Leave a comment


LINCOLN – Several Nebraska state park areas will receive picnic tables made of recycled tires, thanks in part to a grant.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has received a grant from the Waste Reduction and Recycling Incentive Grants Program administered by the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality for the purchase of 155 picnic tables made from 25 percent recycled tire material.

“The purpose of the grant is to provide park areas with picnic tables that use scrap tire product to replace aging and worn tables and to increase inventory for areas that do not have enough picnic tables,” said Jim Swenson, administrator of the Parks Division. “These picnic tables will be used at pavilions and picnic shelters and will be a welcome amenity for our guests.”

Nebraska Game and Parks will purchase the tables from Champlin Tire Recycling of Concordia, Kan., and the grant award will reimburse 25 percent of the cost.  The tables are made with recycled tires and are durable, maintenance-free and have an expected life of 40-45 years.

“Tires are a problematic source of waste, due to the large volume produced, their durability, and the fact they contain many components that can be ecologically harmful,” Swenson said. “By using Nebraska recycled tire picnic tables, we will be creating a market for recycled tires,” he said. “Recycling tires reduces spending on landfills and prevents the additional energy use needed to produce more materials.

“We appreciate the grant from the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality and plan on continuing to update our picnic shelters and pavilions with recycled tire tables in the coming years.”

The picnic tables will be received by the Commission in May. They will be distributed to the following state park areas:

Bowring Ranch State Historical Park (SHP), Calamus Reservoir State Recreation Area (SRA), Chadron State Park (SP), Enders Reservoir SRA, Eugene T. Mahoney SP, Fort Kearny SHP, Indian Cave SP, Keller Park SRA, Lake Minatare SRA, Lewis and Clark SRA, Louisville SRA, Medicine Creek Reservoir SRA, Platte River SP, Red Willow Reservoir SRA, Sandy Channel SRA, Sherman Reservoir SRA, Two Rivers SRA, Union Pacific SRA, and Wildcat Hills SRA.

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News From Bancroft Senior Center

April 26, 2016 Leave a comment


Bancroft Senior Center News by Connie Bargmann

* The senior center provides Information and Assistance to any individual who is looking for services for themselves or another person 60 years and older, the center manager and/or center participant can provide information to individuals on services available within the community. We link individuals to the services and opportunities that are available within or beyond the community itself. We will then establish adequate follow-up procedures to see that their needs were met. For more information call 402-648-3387.

*If you are 60 years and older and need information on programs designed to help keep you in your home longer or if you need legal help, contact Connie at 402-648-3387 or in the evening at 402-648-7648.

* We have the following medical equipment to loan out on an as need basis, wheel chair, bath seats, toilet seat riser and portable toilet chair, crutches or walkers. Call 402-648-3387 during office hours.

Meals on Wheels

*Would you like to get Meals on Wheels? Anyone over the age of 60 years and lives within the city limits are eligible for these meals. You may sign up anytime for the Meals on Wheels program; you can get the meals delivered however many times you want them each week. You must call 402-687-2332 before 8:30 a.m. if you want a meal that day. The suggested donation for the meals is $4.00.

 

Weekly Activities:

Wed. April 27: No melody chimes practice today. We will be playing Skip-Bo at 1:30 p.m.

Thurs. April 28: Tai Chi class at 9:30 a.m. and walking club at 10:45 a.m. Rolls and coffee from 9-11 a.m. Chair exercises at 1:00 p.m. Sign up to play in the pitch tournament at 1:30 p.m.

Fri. April 29: Come and have coffee at 9:30 a.m. Sign up if you would like to play in the hand and foot or pinochle tournament at 1:30 p.m.

Mon. May 1: No potluck today. Chair exercises at 1:30 p.m. There will be hand & foot or any other game you would like to play at 1:30 p.m.

Tues. May 2: Tai Chi class is at 9:30 a.m. Stop in for coffee at 10:00 a.m. Walking exercises 10:45 a.m. Sign up for the pitch tournament at 1:30 p.m.

Wed. May 3: The melody chimers will practice at 9:00 a.m. Play the card game of golf at 1:30 p.m.

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Senator Brasch Gives Last Legislative Update of Session

April 26, 2016 Leave a comment


This is my last legislative update of the session. Wednesday, April 20 was the final day of the 104th Legislative Session. We adjourned Sine Die (Latin for “without day”), meaning “without assigning a day for a further meeting or hearing.” The last day of the second session of a biennium is more ceremonial in recent years because of term limits.  It is not only a time to debate and vote on motions of gubernatorial overrides, but also for farewell speeches by term-limited senators. I, myself, will be term-limited in two years. There were 11 senators who said their goodbyes and bid the rest Godspeed. There are another 14 current members up for re-election, where three are unopposed. Next year, the Legislature will elect a new speaker, new committee chairmen, and could potentially welcome 22 new senators.

A motion was made to override the Governor’s veto of LB947. After two hours of debate, thirty-one senators voted to override the veto; thirteen, including me, voted to sustain the veto; five abstained from voting.

My opposition to LB947, and to uphold the Governor’s veto, is from the high regard I hold our immigration laws, especially as a daughter of Ukrainian, legal immigrants. Many others, sharing this same sentiment, called or emailed and referenced their ancestry and other generations of legal immigrants. As of 2013, exactly 123,182 legal immigrants made Nebraska their home, many with extended family waiting patiently to join them through the legal process. There are exactly 4,422,600 foreigners waiting to legally immigrate to the United States. The American Dream was not created through lawlessness, but through a just and stable law. The passage of LB947 sends the wrong message to individuals and families who, out of deference and fairness, abide by our laws and wait to enter our country legally.

Nebraska’s LB947 allows anyone who is work authorized to obtain a professional or commercial license. Many individuals who entered the United States illegally are now work authorized via President Obama’s expansion of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and Deferred Action for Parental Accountability (DAPA) program. As of 2012, it is estimated there are approximately 55,000 illegal immigrants in Nebraska. President Obama’s expansion of DACA, and the implementation of DAPA, are what 26 states, including Nebraska, sued the Federal Government over. A Federal District Court judge in Texas initially blocked the program, and a federal appeals court ruled 2-1 in favor of the injunction. The Supreme Court will submit its opinion in June.

These two programs were implemented via executive orders and therefore can be undone via executive orders. To prevent such inconstant and impulsive lawmaking, America’s Founding Fathers divided authority. A foundational principle of the U.S. Constitution is separation of powers: laws are not passed by one person in this country, not even by one branch. If Congress, elected by the people, is deadlocked on an issue and chooses not to act, that does not give the President the authority to act independently. If the people elect divided government, then that is final until the next election. Either we will have rule of law and therefore a stable government, or we start down the road of anarchy. Unfortunately, our immigration predicaments are a result of a decades-long negligence of duty by the Federal Government to not secure our borders and enforce immigration laws.

LB947 puts Nebraska far beyond other states, even California and New York, in terms of issuing professional or commercial licenses to illegal immigrants of every profession. In Iowa, professional licensing boards issue commercial and professional licenses if a person issues a valid social security number. California offers professional or commercial licenses in over 50 professions to individuals, regardless of their immigration status. New York offers licenses for 53 different professions to only DACA recipients. Illinois and Florida allow DACA recipients to receive a license to practice law. Lastly, Nevada grants only a teaching license to DACA recipients. After the passage of LB947, Nebraska now grants professional or commercial licenses to any person – including those who are waiting to be approved for asylum – with work authorization for over 170 professions who might not have been educated in Nebraska or even our country.

Please contact me; my administrative aide, Katie Wattermann; or my legislative aide, Brett Waite, with questions or concerns at (402) 471-2728 or by email at lbrasch@leg.ne.gov; or stop by Room 1016 in the Capitol.

Senator Lydia Brasch

Senator Lydia Brasch

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National Diabetes Prevention Program

April 22, 2016 Leave a comment


Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department is continuing efforts to grow a referral network to link people with pre-diabetes to attend the National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP) classes in Burt, Cuming, Madison and Stanton counties. Having a strong referral network of health care providers, fitness centers, agencies and organizations helps ELVPHD to grow the NDPP classes which in turn helps participants commit to healthier lifestyles and lower their risk for diabetes.

Weight control, healthy eating and exercise lowers people’s risk of developing diabetes. During ELVPHD’s 2016 community health survey of 1,480 people who live, work or go to school in the service area, 71% indicated that they were overweight or obese. Diabetes ranked as the 5th highest health concern among those taking the survey. In addition, according to the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) 2014 data, 9.7% of people in ELVPHD’s district have been diagnosed with diabetes as compared with 9.2% for Nebraska overall.

The NDPP program consists of classes held once per week for 16 weeks by a trained health coach. With the support of the health coach and peers, participants learn to eat healthy, how to add fitness to their life, handle stress, and stay driven. DPP is an evidence-based prevention program and is recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The goal of the program is to prevent diabetes and/or to delay the onset of diabetes. Results of the classes taught by ELVPHD and community partners from 2015 show that 76% of participants lost at least 5% of their body weight. ELVPHD will be hosting a new classes starting in July. If you are interested in taking a DPP class or in learning more about being a part of our referral network, please contact ELVPHD at 402-529-2233 or info@elvphd.org for more information.

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Nebraska Legislature Wraps Up

April 21, 2016 Leave a comment


By Senator Lydia Brasch

Day 60, the final day of this short session, is Wednesday, April 20. It will be used for – among other legislative business – any motions made by members of the Legislature to override gubernatorial vetoes; but is also used to present awards and to say farewell to those legislators who are term-limited.

During the two days the Legislature was in session last week, there were numerous bills that easily passed Final Reading and only a few which caused extended debate.

A few of the bills that passed Final Reading were the following:

  • LB958, LB959, and LB1067, were the trio of bills dealing with property taxes, education, and the learning community, respectively. All three bills underwent significant debate and transformation since the time they were introduced to the time they passed Final Reading. In their final forms: LB958 added $20 million to the Property Tax Credit Cash Fund, LB959 eliminated the minimum levy requirement for state aid purposes and the levy requirements for the averaging adjustment, and LB1067 eliminated the common levy for the Learning Community, while adding a component to the state aid formula for schools with 40% of their students in poverty, and it also adds the option for educational service units and learning communities to create community achievement plans for state aid purposes. I voted in support of all three bills.
  • LB1106 adds another component of transparency to government throughout Nebraska. The bill requires that in order for law enforcement to seize property from an individual, the individual must at least be charged with a crime. If law enforcement do seize property from an individual, the law enforcement entity must report any and all property seized to the Auditor of Public Accounts, along with the value of the property seized. Also, the bill provides a way for innocent property owners to reclaim their property if it was involved in the seizure. I voted in support of this bill.
  • LB960 creates the Transportation Infrastructure Bank, which was my priority bill. The bill initially started off by transferring $150 million from the Cash Reserve Fund through 2023, but was lessened to $50 million by an amendment. The intent of the bill is to speed up the pace of construction for Nebraska’s expressway system by making more funds available and to provide a way for counties to repair their bridges through the County Bridge Match Program. I voted in favor of this bill.

One bill that passed Final Reading with extended debate was LB824. This bill eliminates some regulatory barriers for private wind energy developers that will make Nebraska a more wind-friendly state. The opponents of LB824 presented their concerns about the potentially negative impact that privately developed wind farms may have on our public power system in this state. However, the regulations related to building wind farms that LB824 left in place, are still stricter than several neighboring states. This legislation would not preempt any existing local ordinances or zoning laws that regulate the building of wind farms; and will also require consultation with Game and Parks 30 days prior to the start of a project. While there were very compelling arguments on both sides of this issue, I believe the evidence in favor of the bill outweighed the concerns presented by the opponents of it. I voted for the bill.

Please contact me; my administrative aide, Katie Wattermann; or my legislative aide, Brett Waite, with questions or concerns at (402) 471-2728 or by email at lbrasch@leg.ne.gov; or stop by Room 1016 in the Capitol. You can follow the Legislature online at http://netnebraska.org/basic-page/television/live-demand-state-government. Live broadcasting is also available on NET2.

Senator Lydia Brasch

Senator Lydia Brasch

 

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Happenings at Oakland Heights

April 21, 2016 Leave a comment


 

Oakland Heights News by Nancy Silvey

We will be having our monthly Waffle supper this Thursday April 21st at 5:30 pm. Next week on Monday April 25th at 2:30 pm is our monthly Resident Council meeting. Then on Tuesday April 26th is a Puttin on the Ritz Salad Luncheon for the Residents noon meal. On Thursday April 28th is the General  Store for the residents to come in and do some shopping from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm.

Church Service for Sunday April 24th at 2:30 pm will be given by the First Lutheran Church with a luncheon served afterwards. On Tuesday April 26th at 9:30 am is Catholic Mass given by Father Paul.

Activities for the week of April 25th to April 29rd are as follows, Reading with Jill, Manicures, Sing a Long, Game Day. Bingo the w/Staff, Coffee and Conversation, Bible Fellowship, Let’s Play Ball, Crafty cooking, Friday Bingo, Saturday morning video, and Lawrence Walk.

Volunteers signing in last week were; Judy Nelson, Mary Donavan, Anne Anderson, Betty Hanna, Patty Miller, Dani Moseman, Sly Rouse, and Seth Anderson.

Guest signing in this past week was: Kris and Patrick Peters to see Dale and Jeanette Johnson. Also visiting was Leslie Welker visiting Jimmy Carlson.

 

 

 

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