Dates to Remember


By Mary Loftis, Extension Assistant

It’s time to make sure you put some important dates on your calendar.

Monday, November 30 will be the Annual 4-H Planning Meeting which will be held at the First National Bank NE in Tekamah at 7:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome to take part in this meeting to make our Burt County 4-H program even better in 2016. The total group will meet first to discuss any general topics and then will split into the livestock group and the general 4-H project area group. We will be setting dates, possible locations and brainstorming workshops, activities and creative ideas for the    4-H year.

 

December 1 is the deadline to return applications for the Martha & Don Romeo Scholarship. The Nebraska Association of Fair Managers will award a $500 scholarship to one qualifying 4-H male and 4-H female who are graduating seniors in the State of Nebraska who plan to continue with post high school education. The scholarship will be awarded at the annual NAFM convention in January. For the application, please call the UNL Extension Office in Burt County at 402-374-2929. Applications are due in the Extension Office December 1, 2015.

 

4-H Career Portfolios are due in the Extension Office on Thursday, December 10. This is a great opportunity to compile all your activities and projects into one important document and win awards as well. The on-line format makes it easy to add new activities this year to your previous year’s information. You will find the 4-H Career Portfolio on-line at: http://4h.unl.edu/careerportfolio. Scroll down the page to find the form you can fill in and you’re off and running! If you need any help getting started, or wrapping up this annual project please call the Nebraska Extension Office in Burt County at 402-374-2929.

 

Youth for 4-H Council

Are you 14 years of age or older (as of this coming January 1st)? Have you been a Burt County 4-H member for 3 years or more? Would you like to be part of the decision making process in the Burt County 4-H Program? We are looking for youth to become involved with the 4-H Council. You will have all the voting privileges of the adult 4-H Council Members and it is a two year term. If you are interested or know someone who would be a good candidate please call the Extension Office at 402-374-2929 by December 10.

 

More Medicare Comparison Sessions Planned

December 7th is the last day of the Medicare Open Enrollment period, but don’t wait any longer. You should compare your plans each year to make sure you get the best for the least. Due to popular demand, more Medicare Open Enrollment comparison sessions have been planned in Burt County to help make sure Medicare recipients get the coverage they need for the least cost. Upcoming Medicare sessions will be:

Tuesday, November 24 – Oakland Public Library, Oakland

Monday, November 30 – Lyons Public Library, Lyons

Call Nebraska Extension in Burt County at 402-374-2929 for an appointment or for a step-by-step instruction sheet on how to compare your plans on the www.medicare.gov website.

 

 

Fungus That Causes Bat Disease Detected in Nebraska


The fungus known to cause white-nose syndrome (WNS) in hibernating bats, a disease that has decimated bat populations in the United States and Canada, was recently discovered for the first time in Nebraska.

The fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans – or P. destructans – was detected in samples sent to researchers at the University of California, Santa Cruz for testing. The samples were collected in 2015 from bats hibernating in a mine in Cass County in eastern Nebraska. Northern long-eared bats, tri-colored bats and big brown bats tested positive for the fungus.

WNS has killed more than six million bats in North America since it was first discovered in New York in 2007. In some states, winter bat numbers have declined by more than 90 percent. Since it was first detected, WNS has been confirmed in 26 states and five Canadian provinces. The fungus has been detected in four additional states, including Nebraska.

“While the presence of the fungus is disappointing, it is not surprising,” said Mike Fritz, Natural Heritage zoologist with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. “With the fungus being present in states around us and the migratory nature of bats, it was probably only a matter of time before it was documented in Nebraska.

“Although the fungus has been found in Nebraska, the signs of WNS – white fungal growth on the nose and lesions on the wings – have not yet been observed on any bats in the state,” he said.

Recent studies have shown that the value of insect control by bats to agriculture is worth several billion dollars annually. This value includes reduced crop loss to insect pests, reduced spread of crop diseases and reduced need for pesticide application.

WNS does not infect humans and is only known to affect cave-hibernating bats. The fungus thrives in cold, humid environments and invades the skin of bats, disrupting their hibernating behavior and depleting their fat stores.

“There is no cure for white-nose syndrome, “said Jeremy Coleman, National White-nose Syndrome Coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “But researchers are studying several potential treatments that show promise for controlling the fungus and reducing impacts of the disease on bats.” These include bacteria and fungi that inhibit the growth of P. destructans, environmental manipulations, genetic modifications to reduce the virulence of the fungus, vaccines and other biologically-based anti-fungal compounds.

Researchers from the Commission, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Nebraska-Omaha and University of Nebraska-Kearney began monitoring mines for the fungus in 2014. Researchers are asking for landowners’ help in locating and accessing mines for tracking the spread of the fungus. Those with knowledge of such sites are asked to contact Fritz at 402-471-5419.

For more information about WNS, visit: whitenosesyndrome.org/, or contact Fritz at the Commission or Bob Harms of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at 308-382-6468, extension 208.

Village of Decatur Meeting Agenda


VILLAGE OF DECATUR

REGULAR BOARD MEETING AGENDA

November 12, 2015
4:30 P.M. CITY HALL

 

NOTE: Everyone must use the microphones at the table. The audience must be quiet during the meeting. If you want to ask a question and you are not on the Agenda, you must raise your hand, get permission from the Chairman, and come to the microphone before speaking. If you are on the Agenda the same rule applies.

 

THE VILLAGE BOARD HAS THE RIGHT TO MODIFY THE AGENDA AT THE PUBLIC MEETING WHEN CONVENED. MEETING IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

 

1)         Meeting Called to Order by Chairman Kellogg

Roll Call: Bolln _____, Kellogg_____, Richards ______, Tolby _____

 

2)        Agenda and minutes of the previous month’s meeting received:

Roll Call: Bolln _____, Kellogg_____, Richards ______, Tolby _____

 

3)        Approval and/or correction and suspended reading of the previous month minutes.

  1. A) Correction on the year of the police car purchased from Oakland is 2008.
  2. B) The alley in Block 50 lots 3 and 4 is currently an open alley.

 

Roll Call: Bolln _____, Kellogg____, Richards ______, Tolby _____
4)        EXCUSE BOARD MEMBERS NOT ATTENDING THE MEETING:

 

Roll Call: Bolln _____, Kellogg____, Richards ______, Tolby _____

 

5)         REPORTS OF OFFICERS, BOARDS AND OR COMMITTEES:

 

1)         Police: Monthly Report

  1. A) Large live trap for Nuisance animals (dogs)

 

2)         Lights: Monthly Report
3)         Water & Sewer: Monthly Report
4)         Parks: Monthly Report-

  1. A) Income of $2257.55
  2. B) Women’s Bathroom has a pipe that is leaking in one of the shower stalls.

 

5)         Streets: Monthly Report -Sales tax for July $4741.84

 

6)        Recycling Report:

A)Recycling hauled to Tekamah 5930 lbs of cardboard, 7070 lbs of newspaper, and 480 lbs of plastic.                      Hauled on 10-14-2015.

  1. B) Clerk would like permission to purchase a sign for the Recycling Center price $20.00.

 

6)        OLD BUSINESS

1) Park Fence

 

2) Family Insurance (was tabled from last meeting)

 

3) Dump- received return to compliance letter. People calling when they need in is working well.

 

4) 2006 Crown Victoria- Put out for Bids?

 

5) Burt County Economic Development Corporation- Was tabled from 10-8-2015 meeting

7)       NEW BUSINESS

 

1) Simplex Grinnell- Proposal & Service agreement to perform 5 year maintenance inspection. $1125.00

 

2) Steve Bird- Dogs barking behind Green Lantern

 

3) Sue and Joe Wewel/ Greg and Deb Haselhorst would like permission to split lots 4,5,6 at Riverview edition       into two 1.5 lots

 

4) Tim Slaughter- Streets

 

5) Blue Chevy Truck estimates for repairs

 

6) Discuss Seat Vacancy

 

7) Chris Wanamaker- Thank you to City Maintenance workers

 

8) Bulldog Fitness Center open house November 21st from 1:00PM. They would like to have a Village employee there to open Memberships. They are asking the Village to donate 3 Family Memberships, 3 Single Memberships, 3 Senior Citizens Memberships and to promote discount for memberships of 20% on each annual and 10% for monthly memberships. This would run from November 21st until December 21st.

 

 

8)         CORRESPONDENCE

 

1) Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District- Providing grants for up to $2,500 for trees.

 

2) Thank you from James Moseman with the Campaign for a Presidential Youth Concil.

9)       ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

10)       APPROPRIATIONS AND CONSIDERATION OF THE CLAIMS:

 

1) Claims preapproved by Bolln &__________________

 

2) Motion to Approve the Claims as Submitted

 

________________2nd_________________

 

 

Roll Call: Bolln _____, Kellogg _____, Richards _____, Tolby ________

Are there any questions from the audience?

 

 

10)       MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING          

_______________2nd________________
Adjournment Time:

Wind Advisory


MONONA-HARRISON-SHELBY-POTTAWATTAMIE-MILLS-MONTGOMERY-FREMONT-
PAGE-KNOX-CEDAR-THURSTON-ANTELOPE-PIERCE-WAYNE-BOONE-MADISON-
STANTON-CUMING-BURT-PLATTE-COLFAX-DODGE-WASHINGTON-BUTLER-
SAUNDERS-DOUGLAS-SARPY-SEWARD-LANCASTER-CASS-OTOE-JOHNSON-NEMAHA-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ONAWA...MAPLETON...MISSOURI VALLEY...

WOODBINE...LOGAN...DUNLAP...HARLAN...COUNCIL BLUFFS...GLENWOOD...

RED OAK...SIDNEY...HAMBURG...TABOR...FARRAGUT...CLARINDA...

SHENANDOAH...CREIGHTON...BLOOMFIELD...CROFTON...WAUSA...

VERDIGRE...NIOBRARA...HARTINGTON...LAUREL...RANDOLPH...

COLERIDGE...PENDER...MACY...WALTHILL...WINNEBAGO...NELIGH...

ELGIN...PIERCE...PLAINVIEW...OSMOND...WAYNE...ALBION...

ST. EDWARD...NORFOLK...STANTON...WEST POINT...WISNER...TEKAMAH...

OAKLAND...LYONS...DECATUR...COLUMBUS...SCHUYLER...FREMONT...

BLAIR...DAVID CITY...WAHOO...ASHLAND...YUTAN...OMAHA...BELLEVUE...

PAPILLION...LA VISTA...SEWARD...MILFORD...LINCOLN...PLATTSMOUTH...

NEBRASKA CITY...TECUMSEH...STERLING...AUBURN
1044 AM CST THU NOV 12 2015

...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM CST THIS
AFTERNOON...

* TIMING...WINDS WILL INCREASE AGAIN BY LATE MORNING.

* WINDS...NORTHWEST 25 TO 35 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 45 MPH.

* IMPACTS...WIND SPEEDS OF THIS MAGNITUDE WILL BE HAZARDOUS TO 
MOTORISTS...ESPECIALLY THOSE WITH HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES. 
CERTAIN OUTDOOR ITEMS WHICH CAN BE BLOWN AWAY SHOULD BE 
SECURED OR BROUGHT INDOORS. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

WINDS THIS STRONG CAN MAKE DRIVING DIFFICULT...ESPECIALLY FOR
HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES. USE EXTRA CAUTION.

A WIND ADVISORY MEANS THAT SUSTAINED WIND SPEEDS BETWEEN 30 TO
39 MPH OR GUSTS BETWEEN 45 TO 57 MPH ARE EXPECTED. WINDS THIS
STRONG CAN MAKE DRIVING DIFFICULT...ESPECIALLY FOR HIGH PROFILE
VEHICLES. USE EXTRA CAUTION.

No Artist of the Month in December


There will be no open house for the Artist of the Month in December at the Swedish Heritage Center, 301 N Charde Ave in Oakland. However, there will be other activities through the holiday season.

Contact Julie Johnson at 402-685-5652 for more information.

Darrell K. Andersen, 86, of Decatur NE


Darrell K. Andersen, 86 years, of Decatur, Nebraska, passed away Wednesday, November 11, 2015 at the Pleasant View Care Center in Whiting, Iowa.

Visitation

Friday Nov. 13th from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Pelan Funeral Services Tekamah
1103 J Street, Tekamah, NE

Funeral Service

Sat., Nov. 14th at 10:30 AM
Trinity Lutheran Church
603 4th Avenue, Decatur, Nebraska

Visitation will also be held at the church one hour prior to services. Military Honors will be conducted at the cemetery.

Darrell K. Andersen

Darrell K. Andersen

Governor Ricketts Veteran’s Day Statement


Today, Governor Pete Ricketts issued the following statement in observance of Veterans Day:

“Veterans Day provides an opportunity to celebrate the commitment and sacrifice of our state’s military heroes.  It is a day deeply steeped in patriotic symbolism commemorating and honoring generations of past and present military service members and their families.

“On behalf of all Nebraskans, Susanne and I thank all of our state’s veterans for their service and their sacrifices.  You have made Nebraskans proud.  You are part of what makes Nebraska so great.”

 

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer’s Veteran’s Day Statement


U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) released the following statement today in honor of Veterans Day:

 “Our country is safe thanks to the generations of exceptional citizens who have answered the call of duty. Their sacrifices have been borne to ensure our grandchildren and greatgrandchildren can grow and thrive in the land of the free. I hope all Nebraskans will continue our state’s proud commitment of honoring our veterans on Veterans Day, and every day.”

High Wind Warning


STRONG WINDS DEVELOPING TODAY AND EXTENDING INTO TONIGHT...

A VIGOROUS LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM WILL MOVE ACROSS THE CENTRAL
PLAINS TODAY AND INTO THE UPPER MIDWEST TONIGHT. SOUTHERLY WINDS
WILL OCCUR AHEAD OF THE LOW WITH STRONG NORTH OR NORTHWEST WINDS
BEHIND THE LOW. SUSTAINED WINDS MAY REACH 30 TO 45 MPH WITH GUSTS
50 TO 60 MPH.


KNOX-CEDAR-THURSTON-ANTELOPE-PIERCE-WAYNE-BOONE-MADISON-STANTON-
CUMING-BURT-PLATTE-COLFAX-DODGE-BUTLER-SAUNDERS-SEWARD-LANCASTER-
SALINE-JEFFERSON-GAGE-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...CREIGHTON...BLOOMFIELD...CROFTON...

WAUSA...VERDIGRE...NIOBRARA...HARTINGTON...LAUREL...RANDOLPH...

COLERIDGE...PENDER...MACY...WALTHILL...WINNEBAGO...NELIGH...

ELGIN...PIERCE...PLAINVIEW...OSMOND...WAYNE...ALBION...

ST. EDWARD...NORFOLK...STANTON...WEST POINT...WISNER...TEKAMAH...

OAKLAND...LYONS...DECATUR...COLUMBUS...SCHUYLER...FREMONT...

DAVID CITY...WAHOO...ASHLAND...YUTAN...SEWARD...MILFORD...

LINCOLN...CRETE...WILBER...FAIRBURY...BEATRICE
302 AM CST WED NOV 11 2015

...HIGH WIND WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM THIS AFTERNOON
TO MIDNIGHT CST TONIGHT...

* TIMING...3 PM WEDNESDAY THROUGH MIDNIGHT WEDNESDAY NIGHT

* WINDS...35 TO 45 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 60 MPH.

* IMPACTS...WIND SPEEDS OF THIS MAGNITUDE WILL BE HAZARDOUS TO 
MOTORISTS...ESPECIALLY THOSE WITH HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES. 
CERTAIN OUTDOOR ITEMS WHICH CAN BE BLOWN AWAY SHOULD BE 
SECURED OR BROUGHT INDOORS. ALSO...THE POTENTIAL FOR REDUCED 
VISIBILITIES EXISTS DURING TIMES WHERE SNOWFALL MIXES WITH 
RAIN. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A HIGH WIND WARNING MEANS A HAZARDOUS HIGH WIND EVENT IS EXPECTED
OR OCCURRING. SUSTAINED WIND SPEEDS OF AT LEAST 40 MPH OR GUSTS
OF 58 MPH OR MORE CAN LEAD TO PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Darrell K. Andersen, 86, of Decatur NE


Darrell K. Andersen, 86 years, of Decatur, Nebraska, passed away Wednesday, November 11, 2015 at the Pleasant View Care Center in Whitting, Iowa.

Funeral Services are pending with Pelan Funeral Services.