Public Invited to Free Family Archery Events

November 28, 2015 Leave a comment


Join the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission on consecutive weekends in December for a day of free family-friendly archery. All ages and experience levels are welcome. Equipment is provided.

The Dec. 5 event will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Roger G. Sykes Outdoor Heritage Education Complex at Platte River State Park. The Dec. 12 open house will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Nebraska Game and Parks Outdoor Education Center in Lincoln.

Archery, 3-D archery, crossbows, tomahawk throwing, and an indoor firearm range will be available. There also will be campground games, kids’ crafts, and hot chocolate and s’mores. All activities are offered at no cost. A valid Nebraska State Park Permit is required for the Platte River State Park event.

Learn more about each Archery on Fire event online.

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News from Bancroft Senior Center

November 25, 2015 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.

Our annual Cookie Walk will be Sat., Dec. 3 at the community building. Anyone in the community is welcome to bring cookies, candies or snack items for our cookie walk. We are still collecting items for the raffle; we accept craft items, cash, homemade sweet rolls and pies, etc.

Weekly Activities:

Wed. Nov.25: No melody chime practice today. Come for coffee at 10:00 am. Bingo will be played at 1:30 p.m.

Thurs. Nov.26: Happy Thanksgiving. The center is closed today.

Fri. Nov.27: Contact the center if you want to play in the pinochle tournament at 1:30.

Mon Nov.: Sign up for the pitch tournament that begins at 1:30 p.m.

Tues. Dec. 1: Tai Chi class is at 9:30 a.m. and walking club at 10:45 a.m. Come and have coffee with us. The golf game will be played at 1:30 p.m.

Wed. Dec. 2: There will be melody chime practice at 9:00 a.m. If you are interested in playing in the pitch tournament at 1:30 p.m., call and sign up.

 

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Happenings at Oakland Heights

November 25, 2015 Leave a comment


Oakland Heights News by Nancy Silvey

Hope everyone has a good Thanksgiving; we will be having a Thanksgiving worship service on Wednesday November 25th at 2:30pm, then on Thursday Thanksgiving the residents will enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving day dinner. Next week we start the month of December, we kick it off with our annual Holiday Bazaar on Friday December 4th from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm. So come on in and do a little holiday shopping.

Church Service for Sunday November 29th at 2:30 pm will be given by the Salem Covenant Church with a luncheon served afterwards. On Wednesday December 2nd at 1:00 pm is communion with Pastor Hoden.

Activities for the week of November 30th to December 5th   are as followed, Reading with Marilyn, Manicures, Reminiscing group, Sing A Long, Game Day, Bingo w/WOW, Reading Group, Bible fellowship, Saturday morning movie, and Lawrence Walk.

Volunteers signing in last week were; Marilyn Baker, Judy Nelson, Betty Hanna, Mary Donavan, Anne Anderson, Dani Moseman, Di Ruwe, Nadine Anderson, Pat Anderson, Bonnie Fleischman, Cathi McMurtry, Seth Anderson, and Sylvane Rouse.

 

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Giving Thanks

November 25, 2015 Leave a comment


By U.S. Senator Deb Fischer

It’s hard to believe that another year has almost come and gone. Nebraskans, and all Americans, have a lot on their minds as we head into the holiday season. From juggling family obligations to busy jobs and hectic schedules, it can be challenging to take time, reflect, and give thanks.

 

Every year, Thanksgiving offers a special time for family, friends, and loved ones to gather and focus on the things we hold dear. Our state is home to the good life, and we are blessed with productive land and hardworking people. Because of this, Nebraska feeds the world. On Thanksgiving, millions of American families will gather at tables filled with food grown and nurtured here in our state.

 

Nebraskans are also innovators. The creative and exciting work taking place at start-ups in Lincoln, Omaha, and around our state is having an effect across the country. I visited with a number of these entrepreneurs and businesses this year. Through their unwavering commitment to our communities, they drive our state’s economy and shape the future. They prove there’s no need to leave the good life in search of cutting-edge work and meaningful job opportunities. We are lucky enough to have them right here at home.

 

Small businesses account for 63 percent of all new jobs, and nearly half of the jobs in the private sector, nationwide. In the Senate, I am working to ensure that we help them thrive by creating a regulatory environment that provides incentives to grow. As a member of the Senate Small Business Committee, I am focused on eliminating red tape so that our businesses at home can better compete in the global marketplace. To encourage people to support our local businesses, I cosponsored a resolution designating November 28 as “Small Business Saturday.” Through this resolution, which passed the Senate, we can help raise awareness and encourage Americans to shop at businesses in their communities this holiday season.

 

When you head out to the stores after Thanksgiving, I hope you will consider supporting Small Business Saturday and visit local businesses.

 

Also this time of year, we keep in our hearts and minds those who have served and are currently serving in our armed forces. It is because of their sacrifice that we enjoy living in the greatest country on Earth. This year, I am proud to once again team-up with the American Red Cross for the 2015 Holiday Mail for Heroes Campaign. This initiative is a simple way for Nebraskans to send holiday wishes to members of the military, their families, and our veterans. I hope the people of Nebraska will join me in sending greetings to those who put their lives on the line so we can be free. You can find out more information about how to participate by visiting my website.

 

I am thankful for our beautiful state and the wonderful people who make our nation a better place. There is truly no higher honor than representing you in the U.S. Senate, and for that, I am eternally grateful.

 

As you prepare the turkey, set the table, and visit with family this year, I hope you will reflect on your own blessings as Nebraskans and Americans. From my family to yours, I wish you all a happy Thanksgiving.

 

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

 

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Keeping Nebraska Safe

November 25, 2015 Leave a comment


By Governor Pete Ricketts

Nebraska has been a welcoming place to people from around the world for years, and my administration is committed to continuing to make our state a great place to live, work, and raise a family.  In light of the events in Paris, it is critical, however, that the Obama administration consider the safety of Americans first before moving forward with plans to resettle Syrian refugees.  Over the past couple years, ISIS has grown rapidly and extended their influence throughout Syria and Iraq.  Along the way, their members have terrorized communities, beheaded Christians, and displaced thousands from their homes.  Now, the events of Paris demonstrate that ISIS has been successful in recruiting or dispatching members of their organization outside the Middle East.

 

Following the attacks in Paris, a bipartisan group of governors, lawmakers, and law enforcement leaders have raised security concerns.  News that at least one of the suicide bombers in Paris was a Syrian, who traveled to France via Greece, has highlighted the necessity of taking every precaution to ensure that refugees originating from Syria do not have ties to ISIS or other terrorist organizations.  The rationale for such a review was confirmed by President Obama’s CIA Director who declared that the United States needs to “see what we can do to strengthen that system that allows us to have as best insight as possible into the backgrounds of these individuals…” The CIA Director’s comments come on the heels of recent congressional testimony from FBI Director James Comey who revealed that background checks can be difficult for refugees originating from Syria because intelligence databases do not have the same quality of information available from Syria as it does from other regions.

 

These concerns among others compelled me to request that refugee resettlement agencies in Nebraska refrain from pursuing plans to resettle Syrian refugees in our state until these security concerns have been addressed.  My request is not about keeping Syrian refugees out of Nebraska, but rather ensuring that we keep potential terrorists out of our state and our country.  The sentiment of my request to these agencies has been echoed by a bipartisan group of governors across the nation.  Twenty-six of these governors joined me in sending a letter to President Obama urging him to suspend efforts to resettle Syrian refugees in the United States until steps had been taken to affirm the integrity of our security screening process for refugee resettlement.

 

Congress is also taking action.  In recent days, a bipartisan group of lawmakers, including all three Nebraska congressmen, voted to pass the American Security Against Foreign Refugees (SAFE) Act.  This legislation sought to expand the screening process for refugees, and would require the FBI director and Homeland Security Director to sign off on the relocation of refugees from Iraq and Syria.  Even though the Senate has yet to vote on it, this legislation’s future remains uncertain because President Obama has threatened to veto the bill.

 

In addition to these safeguards, it is also important for states to have involvement in the resettlement process.  Right now, the State of Nebraska’s role in the refugee resettlement process is limited to commenting on proposals submitted by resettlement agencies to their national organizations.  Under the current system, the State of Nebraska does not even receive notification when refugees are resettled in our state.  On a conference call with 33 other governors last week, I urged Obama administration leadership to look for ways to involve states in resettlement, so that states can have confidence in the reliability of the resettlement process.

 

Swift action by the President to address these concerns can allow the United States to provide relief to refugees that truly need our country’s help.  Nebraskans feel a duty to help those who have been tortured, persecuted, and displaced.  We must, however, strengthen the integrity of the security screening process before proceeding with resettlement to ensure that Nebraska remains a safe place to live, work, and raise a family for generations to come.  As this issue continues to develop, you are welcome to share your thoughts with my office by emailing pete.ricketts@nebraska.gov or by calling 402-471-2244.

Governor Pete Ricketts

Governor Pete Ricketts

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Thankful for the Little Things

November 24, 2015 Leave a comment


By Elisha Smith, elishas@cfra.org, Center for Rural Affairs 

I don’t usually reflect much on the abundant amenities of where I live. Generally I take the wide open spaces, fresh air, breathtaking sunsets and a myriad of other things for granted.
But a recent Rural Housewives article reminded me of the many benefits that small town and rural living provide that are easy to overlook. There are the obvious things like beautiful landscapes, bright stars at night, friendly people, knowing your neighbors and so on.
Then there’s the less obvious…little things that are unique to small towns that our urban counterparts probably can’t imagine.
Little things like tabs, charge accounts and accepting checks. Most stores and cafes in small towns still honor these. And the act of bartering is another viable payment option…
Speaking of bartering, just the other day I traded home raised ground beef (raised in my backyard) for farm fresh eggs. And I can’t count the times my husband has baled someone’s hay, gathered cattle for others, fixed a neighbor’s fence or lent out equipment in exchange for another service or critter.
Recently after baling hay for a neighbor, we received a pony as payment! Now I can’t say for sure, beings I don’t reside in a city, but I highly doubt that an animal qualifies as an acceptable form of payment there…
So during this month of thanks instead of focusing on what our small towns may lack, why not be thankful for all the wonderful small things that only a small town can provide?

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Governor Ricketts Joins Letter to President Obama on Syrian Refugee Resettlement Security Concerns

November 20, 2015 Leave a comment


Today, Governor Pete Ricketts sent a letter with 26 other governors calling for a review of security screening measures before resettling Syrian refugees in the United States.

 

A copy of the letter is attached and is excerpted below.

 

“As governors, we are charged with ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our citizens. In order to adequately fulfill this duty, we request that you immediately review the process by which you conduct background checks on all individuals applying for refugee status and address the gaps acknowledged by your director of the FBI.

 

“In the wake of this recent tragedy, and until we can ensure the citizens of our states that an exhaustive review of all security measures has been completed and the necessary changes have been implemented, we respectfully request that you suspend all plans to resettle additional Syrian refugees.”

The Honorable Barack Obama President of the United States The White House Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President:

November 20, 2015

Our country has long served as a welcoming beacon to individuals and families who seek safety and refugee status within the borders of the United States. For years we have been proud to welcome refugees into our communities in their pursuit of a better life and future.

However, we are deeply concerned that the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria may have exploited the generosity of the refugee system to carry out Friday’s terrorist attack in Paris. While the tragic event was a direct assault on the European Union’s refugee system, the potential for this situation to arise in the United States is escalated by information revealed by the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, James Comey. In testimony before Congress, he admitted to certain inadequacies in the system that would prevent the thorough vetting of the 10,000 refugees your administration has pledged to admit into the United States.

As governors, we are charged with ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our citizens. In order to adequately fulfill this duty, we request that you immediately review the process by which you conduct background checks on all individuals applying for refugee status and address the gaps acknowledged by your director of the FBI.

In the wake of this recent tragedy, and until we can ensure the citizens of our states that an exhaustive review of all security measures has been completed and the necessary changes have

been implemented, we respectfully request that you suspend all plans to resettle additional Syrian refugees.

Sincerely,

Governor Robert Bentley Alabama

Governor Douglas A. Ducey Arizona

Governor Asa Hutchinson Arkansas

Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter Idaho

Governor Rick Scott Florida

Governor Nathan Deal Georgia

Governor Bruce Rauner Illinois

Governor Terry E. Branstad Iowa

Governor Sam Brownback Kansas

Governor Bobby Jindal Louisiana

Governor Paul R. LePage Maine

Governor Pete Ricketts Nebraska

Governor Brian Sandoval Nevada

Governor Chris Christie New Jersey

Governor Susana Martinez New Mexico

Governor Pat McCrory North Carolina

Governor Jack Dalrymple North Dakota

Governor Nikki Haley South Carolina

Governor John R. Kasich Ohio

Governor Mary Fallin Oklahoma

Governor Greg Abbott Texas

Governor Dennis Daugaard South Dakota

Governor Bill Haslam Tennessee

 

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Fischer Teams-Up with Red Cross for 2015 Holiday Mail for Heroes Campaign

November 20, 2015 Leave a comment


U.S. Senator Deb Fischer’s office is teaming up with the American Red Cross to help Nebraskans send holiday wishes and appreciation to members of the military, their families, and our veterans. This is the third year Senator Fischer’s office has coordinated the Holiday Mail for Heroes campaign with the Red Cross. Senator Fischer released the following statement encouraging Nebraskans to participate:

 

“The Holiday Mail for Heroes program is a simple way for Nebraskans to share their holiday cheer, along with their gratitude, to the men and women of our military. I hope the people of Nebraska will join me in sending greetings to the dedicated members of our armed services around the world, their families, and our veterans.”

 

The Holiday Mail for Heroes program collects cards and messages to send to our military men and women serving both abroad and in our local communities. Nebraskans who wish to participate can make or purchase a card to sign, and mail them to Senator Fischer’s Omaha office. In order to guarantee delivery, cards must be received by December 6, 2015.  They can be dropped off at, or mailed to, the following address:

 

Office of Senator Deb Fischer

11819 Miracle Hills Drive

Suite 205

Omaha, NE 68145

 

In addition to your homemade cards, Senator Fischer and the Red Cross have created a card specifically for Nebraskans that can be printed and signed at home. You can download cards through Senator Fischer’s website by clicking here.

 

To ensure holiday cards can be quickly screened and mailed, the Red Cross asks participants to follow the guidelines listed below:

 

  • Ensure that all cards are signed.

 

  • Use generic salutations, such as “Dear Service Member.” Cards addressed to specific individuals cannot be delivered through this program.

 

  • Only cards are being accepted. Do not send or include letters.

 

  • Do not include email or home addresses on the cards. The program is not meant to foster pen pal relationships.

 

  • Do not include inserts of any kind, including photos. These items will be removed during the reviewing process.

 

  • Please refrain from choosing cards with glitter or using loose glitter, which can aggravate the health issues of ill and injured warriors.

 

  • If you are mailing a large quantity of cards, please bundle them and place the cards in large mailing envelopes or flat rate postal shipping boxes. Each card does not need its own envelope. All envelopes will be removed from all cards before distribution.

 

 

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Happenings at Oakland Heights

November 19, 2015 Leave a comment


Oakland Heights News by Nancy Silvey

The Holidays are fast approaching; we have our monthly Waffle Supper this Thursday November 19th serving from 5:30pm to 6:00 pm. Then next week on Wednesday November 25th at 2:30 we will be having a Thanksgiving Church service with Pastor Hoden. On Thursday Thanksgiving Day the residents will have a traditional Thanksgiving meal at 11:30 am.

Church Service for Sunday November 22nd at 2:30 pm will be given by the St. John Lutheran Church with a luncheon served afterwards. On Tuesday November 24th there will be Catholic Mass at 9:30am given by Father Paul.

Activities for the week of November 23rd to November 28th   are as followed, Reading with Marilyn, Manicures, Sing A Long, Bingo w/Methodist,  Saturday morning movie, and Lawrence Walk.

Volunteers signing in last week were; Marilyn Baker, Judy Nelson, Betty Hanna, Mary Donavan, Anne Anderson, Dani Moseman, Di Ruwe, Nadine Anderson, Pat Anderson, Bonnie Fleischman, Cathi McMurtry, Seth Anderson, and Sylvane Rouse.

 

 

 

 

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Governor Ricketts Comments on TransCanada’s Decision to Withdraw Keystone XL Application

November 18, 2015 Leave a comment


Today, Governor Ricketts issued the following statement regarding the announcement that TransCanada filed a motion to dismiss without prejudice their application for approval of the Keystone XL pipeline route with the Nebraska Public Service Commission (PSC):

 

“My administration continues to support TransCanada’s goal of building the final leg of Keystone XL, and I encourage them to reapply with the PSC, when appropriate, so that Nebraska can receive the benefit of the jobs and tax revenue that will come from the project.”

 

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