Community Leaders Attend Better Together Leadership Summit

October 5, 2015 Leave a comment


Twelve community representatives from across Burt County came together for food and fellowship on Wednesday evening, September 23rd at the new Lyons Auditorium. Burt County Economic Development sponsored the event, “Better Together Leadership Summit” as a chance for city council/village board members and their staff to get acquainted and share experiences.

 

Patty Plugge, Executive Director of BCEDC, welcomed the group and talked about the trends affecting rural communities. “Regionalism is vital to our rural communities.”
The mayor of Lyons, Andy Fuston, explained how the city went about the renovation of the city auditorium. He stressed the importance of having a good grant writer for your community and how helpful that was in the process. Plugge also reminded the group that the Northeast NE Development District can assist its members in grant writing.

 

The group had representatives from Lyons, Tekamah and Decatur at Wednesday’s meeting. They agreed to hold this type of meeting again, possibly on a quarterly or semi-annual basis. The goal is to share information and learn more about topics that can help their communities thrive. Plugge agreed to organize the meetings and will be asking for suggestions on interesting topics. All community representatives will be invited to participate.

Patty Plugge addresses those attending the leadership summit recently. Photo courtesy of Patty Plugge.

Patty Plugge addresses those attending the leadership summit recently. Photo courtesy of Patty Plugge.

Lyons Mayor Andy Fuston discussed the renovation of the community center in Lyons with other community leaders at the summit. Photo courtesy of Patty Plugge.

Lyons Mayor Andy Fuston discussed the renovation of the community center in Lyons with other community leaders at the summit. Photo courtesy of Patty Plugge.

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Fire Prevention

October 5, 2015 Leave a comment


By Mary Loftis, Extension Assistant

Fire Prevention

Almost daily we hear fire sirens, many going to medical emergencies but way too many are in route to a home or apartment fire. Are you prepared?

Keeping you and your family safe is a top priority.  There are simple steps to take to keep our homes safe.  Preparing for emergencies such as fire is often talked about but proper action in never taken.  Fires can be prevented by taking time and precautions to remove the risk factors from your home or daycare.

Risk factors include: unattended cooking, smoking, burning candles, electrical malfunctions, and failure to maintain heating equipment and no smoke alarm.

Every home should have a smoke alarm.  Smoke alarms should be placed outside all sleeping areas and on every level of the home.

Check your smoke alarm monthly. If you don’t have a working smoke alarm, install one now.  Working smoke alarms give you early warning so you can escape quickly.

Every family should have a fire escape plan. It should be practiced and children should be aware of all escape routes. Nearly half of the families who have a plan have practiced it. Having a plan without reviewing it with all family members is not a good practice. Always get out of the home and call 911. Many people think they will have several minutes to get out after the smoke alarm sounds. It is often less than 6 minutes.

  • Cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries, followed by heating equipment.
  • Two of every five home fires started in the kitchen
  • Smoking is a leading cause of civilian home fire deaths.
  • Electrical failure or malfunctions caused an average of almost 48,000 home fires per year, resulting in roughly 450 deaths and nearly $1.5 billion in direct property damage.
  • If you have upper levels in your home, a rope ladder can be installed to use in case of emergency.
  • Always remember to put out candles and smoking materials before going to bed or leaving the home.
  • Ashes from fireplaces and woodstoves should be disposed of correctly in a metal container and away from the house. Make sure grill fires are completely out when done grilling.
  • A home inventory is also important. In case or fire, do you know what all you have in your home and its value? This is very important for insurance and replacing items.
  • Approximately 3 out of 5 fire deaths happen in homes with no smoke alarms or the alarms are not working.
  • Smoke alarms should be replaced after 10 years.

Take time to keep your family safe by removing risk factors from your home and daily activities.

Source:  National Fire Prevention Agency     www.nfpa.org

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City of Lyons Meeting Agenda

October 5, 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

October 6, 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 HEARING
  1. None.

 

    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 meetings held September 1.
  2. Claims as presented.
  3. Treasurer report.
  4. Clerk Report of Mayoral Action of September 1 meeting: Resolution No. 2015-5: The 2015-2016 Budget Year – Set Property Tax request at a different amount than prior year was signed. Resolution No. 2015-6: Increase the restricted funds authority by one percent, to become three and one half percent was signed. Resolution No. 2015-7: Adopt the 2015-2016 Budget was signed.

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

 

 

  1. REGULAR AGENDA / NEW BUSINESS

Consideration and Action:

 

 

  1. Chad Buller of Federated Insurance – Discuss Health Insurance options.

 

  1. Burt County Fair Board – Discuss rental rate for Community Center.

 

  1. Lyons Housing Authority – Appointment of George Fritts as Chairman.
    1. Motion and second by Council members.
    2. Tabulation of votes.

 

  1. Wyatt Fraas/Matthew Mazzotta – Update on the Store-Front Theatre. Requesting to close off one block of Main St the evening of Tuesday, October 20, (pending completion) for the Grand Opening.

 

  1. Approve/not approve Change Order No.6 (Final) for a decrease of $751.00 on the Community Center.
  2. Motion and second from Council members.
  3. Tabulation of votes.

 

  1. Approve/not approve Pay Request #9 (Final) for $14,249.00 to Fauss Construction on the Community Center.
  2. Motion and second from Council members.
  3. Tabulation of votes.

 

  1. Consider to accept the work completed by Fauss Construction Inc for the City of Lyons on the Partial Renovation-Phase II Lyons Community Center Improvements Project.
  2. Motion and second from Council members.
  3. Tabulation of votes

 

  1. Police report by Chief Buck.

 

LYONS CITY COUNCIL

AGENDA

October 6, 2015 – 5:30 P.M

 

 

  1. Library & Grant reports by Mike Heavrin.

 

  1. Utilities report.
    1. CEU hours.
    2. Condemned properties.
    4. Main St trees.
    5. Brink Park.
    6. Fiber Optics.

 

  1. Clerk’s Report.
    1. Income Statement – General.
    2. Income Statement – Utility.
    3. Budget Reports – General and Utility.
    4. The 2015/2016 Adopted Budget was filed with the Nebraska State Auditor’s office and Burt County Clerk’s office.
    5. Request to attend the Three Rivers Clerks Meeting in Fremont on Thursday, October 15, 2015.
    6. Set up a special Council Meeting to review the health care plans in October.

 

  1. Consider to approve/not approve the transfer of deed from City of Lyons to Three Rivers Housing Development Corporation on Lot 6 & 7, Block 1 of Fritts Addition, City of Lyons, Burt County, Nebraska.
    1. Motion and second by Council members.
    2. Tabulation of votes.

 

  1. Consider ORDINANCE NO. 722: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF LYONS, NEBRASKA, TO AMEND CHAPTER 5, ARTICLE 6, SECTION 5-602 OF THE LYONS MUNICIPAL CODE, TO AUTHORIZE THE OPERATION OF ALL-TERRAIN AND UTILITY-TYPE VEHICLES WITHIN THE COPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES; TO IMPOSE RESTRICTIONS ON THE USE OF ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES AND UTILITY-TYPE VEHICLES; TO PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION; TO REPEAL ALL PREVIOUS ORDINANACES, AMENDMENTS, AND SECTIONS IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; AND TO PROVIDE AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (To change the renewal date to May 1).
    1. Motion to suspend the statutory requirement of reading on three separate days.
    2. Motion and second from Council Members to adopt Ordinance 722.
    3. Tabulation of votes.

 

  1. Consider to approve/not approve NPPD’s 2016 Wholesale Power Contract (Option A).
    1. Motion and second by Council members.
    2. Tabulation of votes.

 

  1. Consider to approve/not approve a special designated liquor license to the Lyons Community Club for a dance on October 31, 2015 at the Lyons Community Center.
    1. Motion and second by Council members.
    2. Tabulation of votes.

 

  1. Executive Session: Discuss employee evaluation reviews: Terry Ueding, Gregg Simonsen, Robert Rivera, Mike Heavrin as Grant Writer, and Mary Lou Ritter (being certified).

 

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

 

 

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Free Hunting Workshops Being Offered This Fall

October 5, 2015 Leave a comment


The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will provide free workshops to novice hunters and trappers this fall.

Game and Parks specialists will cover successful strategies, equipment, biology, techniques and other topics at locations around the state throughout the months of October and November. All workshops run from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. A full list of workshops, along with registration info, is available on our website.

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Constance “Connie” Denker, 78, of Emerson NE

October 5, 2015 Leave a comment


Constance “Connie” Marlene (Pittenger) Denker, 78, of Emerson, Nebraska passed away Saturday, October 3, 2015 at the Pender Community Hospital in Pender, Nebraska. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, October 7, 2015 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Emerson; with Pastor Gretchen Ritola officiating. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 6, 2015 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church with a prayer service starting at 7:00 p.m. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery in Emerson. Memorials are suggested to the family for future designation. Arrangements are under the direction of Munderloh – Smith Funeral Home in Emerson.

Connie was born September 16, 1937 in Jackson, Nebraska to Edward C. and Violet C. (Johnson) Pittenger. She attended and graduated from Jackson High School in 1953. She continued her education earning a teaching certificate in 1956 from Wayne Teachers College. Connie taught country school in Dixon and Dakota County.

Connie was a member of the Good Neighbors Extension Club, she was a Sunday School Teacher and an LCW member and officer. Connie also served as the bookkeeper for the Emerson Rural Fire District. She enjoyed baking, especially apple pies, making jelly, collecting stamps, crocheting and reading.

Connie is survived by her sons, Fred Denker of Emerson, NE, David Jon Denker of Emerson, NE, Jim Denker (Jill Matousek) of Dakota Dunes, SD; daughters, Joanne (Todd) Von Seggern of Pender, NE, Jeanine (Todd) Hale of Atkinson, NE; sisters, Beverly Baker of Sioux City, IA, Evelyn Schimmel of Little Rock, AR; brothers, Ed Pittenger of Bondurant, IA, John Pittenger of Sioux City, IA; and 6 grandchildren.

Connie is preceded in death by her parents and husband David Denker.

Connie Denker

Connie Denker

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Market Report

October 5, 2015 Leave a comment


Markets 10/5/15 @ 10:33am

Dow +188.44
S&P +24.11
Nasdaq +45.37

 

Grain Markets 10/5/15 @ 10:09am

Dec Corn +1 ¾ @ $3.91
Nov Beans +7 ¼ @ $8.81 ½ 

 

A firmer tone at the open this am.  There will be a USDA S&D Report on October 9th.  Harvest seems to be in full swing now, and combines are in the field.  Hearing some pretty impressive yields as well!

 

Quick Look: USDA Stocks report from 9/30/15

Grain Stocks Report  

USDA

 Avg Estimate

(mbu)

 Estimate Range Last Year % Change vs LY
Corn 1,731 1,739 1,647 – 1,850 1,232 +40.5%
Soybeans 191 205 165 – 250 92 +100.1%
Wheat 2,089 2,149 1,987 – 2,285 1,907 +9.6%

 

 Yield Estimates from last week:

  • USDA in September estimated the corn yield at 167.5; soybeans at 47.1
  • Informa’s most recent corn yield estimated at 168.4; soybean at 47.2
  • FC Stone’s most recent corn yield estimated at 167.0; soybean at 46.9  

Corn: I remain optimistic on corn, with plenty of time for an opportunity to present itself sometime between now and July, storage may be the best plan for now.  If you are short on storage, we can use a buy back strategy.  If you have presold or hedged you could consider rolling to the March capturing .11 to .12 cents and putting additional money on that sale.

 

Beans: Weds stocks report was friendly the beans, and $9 resistance was broken following the report for the first time since August.  It’s promising to know the market is still willing to go there.

 

Strategy: With a small bounce in corn I am seeing a $3.40/$4.40 Triplex within reach for December ’16.
I will also add for both Corn and Beans CVA’s Grain Adviser Program is a good opportunity as well to have some bushels marketed for you.

 

For Fun: 

So I have wanted to buy a chicken coop and some chickens…..wife says I am nuts.  I have done countless amounts of research and even have my building plans.  Though it will probably never happen I stumbled across something unexpected?!?!?

 

Does your chicken need a sweater?

When the temperature drops and chickens lose feathers, many people bundle up their flocks, but others say the garments are more about fashion than function.  While there are patterns available to knit on your own, you can also buy chicken sweaters online.  I think hot coffee blew out my nose!  I must be insensitive thinking chickens are produce and not pets.  Boy was I wrong!

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Greg Mockenhaupt

ProEdge Risk Management Consultant

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

1007 County Road O

Oakland, NE 68045

www.cvacoop.com

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Doran L. Goll, 90, of Tekamah NE

October 5, 2015 Leave a comment


DORAN L. GOLL, 90 years, of Tekamah, Nebraska, passed away Monday, October 5, 2015 at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Home in Blair, Nebraska.

MEMORIAL SERVICE: Will be held at a later date

NO VISITATION

BURIAL: Tekamah Cemetery

MEMORIALS:

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

pelan@pelanfuneralservices.com

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Judith Shinkle is Artist of the Month

October 4, 2015 Leave a comment


Judith Shinkle is the featured Artist of the Month for October. Judy taught piano for nearly 50 years. In the meantime, she started to paint and later was a founding member of the PASSAGEWAY GALLERY. Besides painting in oils, she travels and volunteers.

Her painting, “Piano Bouquet” was featured on the cover of “Clavier” magazine. Come see her works of art at the Swedish Heritage Center, 301 N Charde Ave in Oakland, October 4, 2015, 11:00-1:00p.m. An Italian flair meal will be available. For more information, contact Julie Johnson at 402-685-5652.

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Garlen Lee Tuma, 87, of Herman NE

October 4, 2015 Leave a comment


Garlen Lee Tuma, of Herman, Nebraska, was born April 20, 1928, in Cotesfield, Nebraska, to John and Farra (Jacobs) Tuma. He passed away Saturday, October 3, 2015, at Memorial Community Hospital in Blair, Nebraska, at the age of 87 years.

Garlen moved to Burt County in 1936. He joined the Army, and served in the Korean Occupation.

Garlen married Betty Jean McWilliams on October 11, 1947.

He worked at Red D Mix Concrete in Omaha until his retirement. He belonged to Legion Post #154 and VFW Post #2503. He also loved hunting, fishing and flying his own Piper J-3 Cub airplane.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; grandson, Jason Tuma.

Survivors include his son and daughter-in-law, Gary and Nancy Tuma of Blair, NE; 2 great-grandsons, Gavin and Cole Tuma of Omaha; nieces and nephews, other family and friends.

Private Immediate Family Services will be held at a later date.

Garlen Tuma

Garlen Tuma

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

pelan@pelanfuneralservices.com

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Flags to Fly at Half-Staff to Honor Victims of Oregon Tragedy

October 3, 2015 Leave a comment


Today, Governor Pete Ricketts, in accordance with a proclamation from President Barack Obama, announced that all U.S. and Nebraska flags are to be flown at half-staff in honor of the victims of the tragedy in Roseburg, Oregon.

 

According to the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, “[t]he lowering of the flag in honor of the victims of the tragedy in Roseburg, Oregon, will this year coincide with Sunday’s Fallen Firefighter Memorial Service…”

 

Flags will be flown at half-staff beginning immediately until sunset on October 6, 2015.  The President’s proclamation can be found here.

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