View of Arriving Storm North of Fremont
June 4, 2014 Leave a comment
Kristi Dahlgren took these pictures of the storm approaching from Fremont.
Storm Damage
June 3, 2014 Leave a comment
Uehling, NE had trees down, and one landed on a vehicle. Photo Credit for both photos/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.
Field Turn to Pond
June 3, 2014 Leave a comment
Rain pounded the area north of Uehling leaving water standing in this field. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.
Miles for Heroes on Last Leg of Walk
May 27, 2014 Leave a comment
Miles for Heroes came down Highway 77 late afternoon on Memorial Day, followed by fire, rescue and police from Hooper, Winslow and Fremont. Their mission began on May 22nd in Scottsbluff, marching across the entire state of Nebraska carrying the American flag. This year, the march was in honor of the late Lt. Donald Schwab, a native of Hooper. Josh Marreel, also of Hooper, and a Marine Corps Veteran, was among many others to make this journey. This was the second year in a row with last year’s journey beginning in York, Ne to bring awareness for wounded veterans. Congratulations to them and their effort, and above all, courage in undertaking such a task for those that serve in the military.
All Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.
Hassebrook Challenges Ricketts to Nebraska Clean Elections Pact
May 27, 2014 Leave a comment
This morning Chuck Hassebrook challenged Pete Ricketts to join him in a Nebraska Clean Elections Pact, through a letter delivered to the Ricketts campaign.
If Mr. Ricketts agrees to the Pact, both candidates will pledge to stop hidden donors from assaulting Nebraskans with mudslinging ads, limit negative advertising to statements that they personally make themselves, and keep general election spending under $3 million for each campaign.
“The Nebraska Clean Elections Pact will only work if both parties agree to abide by every component,” said Hassebrook. “No candidate can unilaterally disarm and survive, so I will not pledge to take these steps alone. I am challenging Mr. Ricketts to agree to this Pact because it is the only practical way for Nebraskans to get the kind of campaign they want and deserve.”
“We just endured the ugliest campaign in recent history. In the last two weeks, I’ve been in communities all across the state, and without fail, people approach me about the excessive amount of spending and negative advertising that we saw in this last primary election.”
“Elections are serious business. Nebraskans deserve a campaign that respects the democratic process and is focused on solutions to the issues facing our state. They deserve a campaign that does not insult their intelligence.”
Misguided U.S. Supreme Court rulings that equate buying elections with free speech and treat corporations as people endowed with inalienable rights have made the problem worse. We cannot change the Court’s decisions, so Nebraska leaders must step forward with practical, common sense solutions.
“It is in that spirit that I challenge Mr. Ricketts to sign this Pact”, said Hassebrook. “I have already signed it and am committed to abide by it if he agrees. I sincerely hope Mr. Ricketts agrees so we can have a constructive campaign focused on a meaningful, robust debate about our different visions for Nebraska’s future.”
Chuck Hassebrook
Miles for Heroes Cross the State in Honor of Lt. Schwab
May 25, 2014 Leave a comment
This Memorial Day weekend, Josh Marreel, a Marine Corps Veteran and native of Hooper, Ne along with friends, family, fellow veterans and active service members, are participating in a relay run, carrying the American Flag across the state of Nebraska. They began their journey May 22nd in Scottsbluff, NE and will end their run on Monday, May 26th in Hooper. “It’s going to hurt, burn whatever you want to call it, but we will not stop until that flag is on Main Street of Hooper,” Marreel stated.
Marreel was in a similar event last year bringing awareness for wounded veterans across the nation. This also took place on Memorial Day weekend, beginning in York, NE and ending in Hooper.
This year, they decided to do something extra special in honor of the late Lieutenant Donald Schwab, who also in a native of Hooper, NE. He is also Nebraska’s latest to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor. “Not every day do you have a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient come from your hometown. Mr. Schwab deserves the utmost respect and this is something we can do to help honor him. He is a hero,” Marrreel said.
The group’s scheduled stops along the way include the towns of Lewellen, North Platte, Kearney and Shelby. The team consists of other local’s including: Rachel Wapelhorst, Bailey Fletcher, John Herbolsheimer, Kenny Morrison and Michael Morrison of Scribner. James Berger is also a Hooper native participating in the event. Curtis Thomas of Ohiowa, NE is also a team member. He is a veteran that served with Marreel in Afghanistan.
“We have a strong team that knows exactly why and who we are doing this for,” Marreel said. “Not only for the men and women that have given more than time for their country, but for First Lt. Schwab. Real small town heroes are men like Don. I know he is going to be looking down at us and we are going to put on a show for him.”
If you wish to donate to the cause, please donate to the Miles for Heroes at First National Bank Northeast in Hooper or online at www.milesforheroes.com. Please greet Marreel and the entire team as they arrive in Hooper proudly carrying the flag Monday, May 26th, Memorial Day, between 5:00-6:00 p.m. on Hooper’s Main Street.
Miles for Heroes crossing the state of Nebraska in honor of Lt. Schwab. Photos Courtesy of Tammi Marreel.
Oakland Swimming Pool Opening Soon
May 23, 2014 Leave a comment
OPENING DAY IS TUESDAY MAY 27TH!!!! FOR THE FIRST WEEK OUR HOURS WILL BE 12-1 ADULT SWIM AND 1-6 OPEN SWIM.
Seery’s Journey to Help Those When Disaster Strikes
May 22, 2014 1 Comment
“Ever since I was little, I always wanted to find ways of helping people. That is why I became a volunteer firefighter,” stated Susan Seery of rural Oakland.
As time passed, Susan realized she wanted to go beyond being a firefighter. She felt there was much more she could do to help others. “I decided to look into the Red Cross. I always hear about them. They are always on the scene after a disaster strikes,” Susan said. “I then thought to myself, that is another way I could help people out.”
Thus, the next chapter of her life began. “I looked them up, gave them a call and took some classes,” Susan stated.
After taking the required classes, Susan became a member of the Red Cross, responsible for client case work. “This means I would fill out their information and what they lost,” Susan said. “Some clients would receive funds to help replace some of what they lost.”
Her first time helping those in need was after a tornado hit Macy. “The people there were so nice and happy to see us,” Susan stated. “One gentleman gave me a big hug and told me thank you.” He also said he was surprised they were there. “He told me he didn’t think anyone would ever help us out. It broke my heart,” Susan said.
Having heard someone say that, Susan decided she wanted to help people even more. “I decided to become a Volunteer Red Cross Supervisor,” Susan stated. She took several online classes in pursuit of her goal, which she achieved.
Being a Supervisor means she has many more responsibilities when disaster strikes. “I can do mass feedings, help with shelters, damage assessment and much more,” Susan said. “I can also get called out when a home is destroyed by a fire.”
Susan’s next call of duty came after a tornado hit Beaver Crossing. “Pretty much the whole town lost everything. It was the first time I have seen such destruction like that in person,” Susan stated. “In Macy, we weren’t able to go out because everything was blocked off. In Beaver Crossing, we needed to survey the damage.”
Susan’s favorite movie is Twister. “To se a town destroyed in person is devastating. My heart went out to all the people there and the other seven towns that were affected by the storms on Mother’s Day,” Susan said.
Susan is also nationally recognized. “This means if there is a national disaster in another state, I would be deployed for up to two weeks to help with those affected for any type of disaster,” Susan stated. “This includes disasters from flooding to tornadoes.”
Susan was very moved by the disaster and how devastating a tornado can be to everyone in its path. “ After I got home that night, I hugged my kids and told them that I love them very much as I do every day,” Susan said. “But, I hugged them a little tighter, knowing things can change in an instant.”
Tornado strikes Battle Creek. All Photos/Credit of Susan Seery of the Red Cross and rural Oakland resident.
Susan Seery, Volunteer Red Cross Supervisor. Photo Courtesy of Susan Seery.
Oakland City Council Meeting Agenda
May 19, 2014 Leave a comment
REGULAR MEETING
CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF OAKLAND, NEBRASKA
MEETING NOTICE:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that a regular meeting of the Mayor and City Council of the City of Oakland, Nebraska, will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, May 19, 2014, at the Municipal Building, 401 North Oakland Avenue in Oakland, Nebraska for the regular monthly meeting.
An agenda for such meeting, kept continuously current is available for public inspection at the office of the City Clerk. Except for items of an emergency nature, the agenda shall not be enlarged later than twenty-four hours before the scheduled commencement of the meeting.
______________________________________________________________________________
PRELIMINARY AGENDA
I. CALL TO ORDER
A. Roll Call
B. Establishment of a Quorum
C. Reminder of Open Meeting Laws/Poster
D. Approval of Minutes of May 5, 2014 meeting
E. Treasurer’s Report: April, 2014
II. SCHEDULED CITIZENS AND VISITORS TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL
A. Laura Riggs: review of audit report
B. Jeff Zacharia – health and life insurance renewals
III. COMMITTEE AND DEPARTMENT REPORTS
A. Police Department Report – Dan Jacobs
B. Water/Sewer Dept – Dan Tanksley
C. Park Dept. Report – Brian Johnson
IV. OLD BUSINESS
A. Third reading of annexation ordinance 684 and consideration of passage
B. Replacement plans for third police officer
C. Donation of 302 N. Park Avenue to city
V. NEW BUSINESS
A. Hiring of summer pool staff
B. Pool fees and hours for 2014 season – same or changes?
VI. INFORMATION ITEM
A. Burt County Housing Fair Tour
B. Update on nuisances/condemnations
C. Preliminary new job description for clerk/treasurer
D. NENEDD dues due
VII. DISCUSSION
A. Leaf and grass disposal options
B. Drainage ditch through town
VIII. EXECUTIVE SESSION
IX. APPROVAL OF OPERATIONS BILLS AND WARRANTS
A. Approval by motion
X. ADJOURNMENT
Thank a Daycare Provider
May 15, 2014 Leave a comment
Last Friday was Daycare Provider Day, honoring the wonderful daycare providers that welcome children into their homes or place of business, taking care of them while the parents go to their places of employment.
Tiffany Raabe of Lyons is such a provider. She has been a daycare provider for two years. “I have always loved taking care of kids,” Tiffany stated. “It started out as a part-time job at first, then after a few months I realized I really wanted to do this full-time.”
She currently has seven children in her daycare, from seven months old to five years. “They love to play, inside and outside, do arts and crafts, read books and much more,” Tiffany said.
The state has many rules and regulations in becoming a licensed daycare provider. “There was a lot of paperwork, background checks and inspections I had to do before I could become a licensed daycare provider,” Tiffany stated.
With approximately 57% of two-parent households having both parents working, daycares are much needed and appreciated.
Remember to thank a daycare provider for taking care of the children!
The children at Tiffany’s daycare made these picture frames. Photo Courtesy of Tiffany Raabe.
Kat Country Hub 
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