Elden E. Prazan, 76, of Columbus NE
May 16, 2015 Leave a comment
Elden E. Prazan, 76 years, of Columbus, Nebraska, passed away on Friday, May 15, 2015 at his home in Columbus.
FUNERAL SERVICE: Services are pending with Pelan Funeral Services.
Tekamah-Herman School Considering Future of School
May 15, 2015 Leave a comment
By Brandon Lavaley, T-H Superintendent
As I discussed in a previous article, the Tekamah-Herman Schools Board of Education contracted Jerry McCall with Educational Consulting Services to evaluate the options for the district. Through his work, he considered many factors including current facilities, school population trends, regional population trends, financial ramifications, and many others that the district could not have interpreted on its own. Through his work, he came to a recommendation to the Board as to a direction to pursue concerning the facilities and future of the district. His recommendation was to pursue a consolidated effort with Oakland-Craig and Lyons-Decatur Northeast. The initial presentation would suggest PK-8 attendance centers in Tekamah, Oakland, and Lyons, with a high school for grades 9-12 constructed between the communities at an undetermined location.
With that recommendation, a letter has been sent to the two districts to gauge their Board’s respective interests in pursuing a joint venture. The Tekamah-Herman Board has asked for a response in short time regarding any interest, or lack thereof. As this process moves along, as it is envisioned from our Board’s perspective, the three districts would establish committees composed of Board members and community members to work with Mr. McCall through the process. Eventually, a proposal would be brought to the voters of participating districts for backing of construction needs. At this time, the Tekamah-Herman Board is reaching out to determine the interest levels of the two other districts. If there is no interest on their parts, the Board will continue to work with Jerry to find a second solution that may work.
This time of year also means the end of the school year for most teachers and students, and the end of careers at Tekamah-Herman for graduates and retirees. While graduation is focused on those seniors moving on, I would like to recognize those behind the ceremony that make it possible. The custodial staff responsible for setting up the gym, Mr. Gross for organizing the ceremony, Mr. Steinke and Mrs. Niewohner for their preparation of music performed at the ceremony, Board President Gordy Bryant for the presentation of diplomas, and Sarah Chatt with the Tekamah-Herman Schools Foundation for her representation and the Foundation’s continued support of graduates through scholarships. Lastly, I would like to commend Ms. Nuss for her tireless work tracking student progress, encouraging students with scholarship applications and meeting graduation requirements, her work with the Foundation to get the students applications out and back to the Foundation, and preparing for the graduation ceremony. She does an excellent job for our district and our students. Finally, congratulations and good luck to our retirees: Jaccie Mencke, Kathy Mussack, Jim Steinke, Priscilla Warren, and Marsha Weise.
As is always the case, all articles, past and current, can be found at http://suptcorner.blogspot.com. Please communicate with a Board member or myself about any questions, comments, or concerns with Tekamah-Herman Schools. Have a great summer!!
Brandon Lavaley, Tekamah-Herman Superintendent
Need to Fix No Child Left Behind Nationally
May 14, 2015 Leave a comment
Rachel Wise, District 3, Nebraska State Board of Education
In March, I had an opportunity to attend the National Association of State Boards of Education’s board of directors meeting and legislative policy forum. As a member of the board of directors of this organization, I have had an opportunity to learn about educational issues around the country from my colleagues serving on state boards of education in other states. This month, I want to share some activities happening nationally as well as a few important initiatives underway “at home” here in Nebraska.
Nationally, the biggest issue is the need to fix or reauthorize a very broken Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) titled No Child Left Behind. I feel like a broken record, bringing this issue up every month! However, this month there is a glimmer of hope! It is anticipated that the House of Representatives will vote on its bill when Congress returns to Washington D. C, after its break. This week a draft bipartisan Senate bill has been made public. Apparently, the House and the Senate— from a bipartisan perspective—concur that ESEA needs to be reauthorized and that states should have greater control of education as they once did!
At the conference I attended a session on the effective use of digital educational resources and technology. Technology is significantly impacting our lives and education. Technology has changed my life! With the help of our great Nebraska public libraries and the application called OverDrive, I can use my phone to listen to a book while I am walking, cleaning the house or on the road. Technology can have a positive change in the classroom! Classroom teachers are engaging students with digital resources and a variety of applications. These are the new tools of the trade for teachers at all grade levels. An open educational resource is the term used to define a host of digital resources that teachers can access at low or no cost. Some states have created statewide networks to help teachers more easily access digital materials and resources. In Nebraska, we have resources and digital tools in place, but we need a statewide plan that allows educators easy access similar to the Nebraska OverDrive Libraries, which has expanded access to eBooks and audio books through the public library network. All Nebraska students, teachers and parents ought to have key educational resources at their fingertips through a few easy clicks on a phone or a tablet.
In April, the Nebraska State Board of Education released a draft of the new mathematics standards for public input. If you go to the Nebraska Department of Education website at the link below, you can review and provide comments on these draft standards. As Nebraskans, we should take pride in the process used to develop academic content standards. Nebraska teachers—with input from business, post-secondary education and the public—write the standards and then seek input in multiple ways, including the survey on the NDE website.
This month the board also reviewed the Nebraska Coordinated School Health program, and NDE’s role in providing support for schools in health education, human growth and development and sex education. This role involves providing resources and support to schools as they work to develop curriculum and strategies that work well for local school districts. While NDE provides resources and support, it is the responsibility of local school districts—with input from their communities and their locally-elected school boards —to address these sensitive and sometimes controversial issues within their individual communities. Each community has unique needs and challenges. Who knows better how to deal with those issues other than local community members and parents of children in the school district? One reason I ran for the State Board of Education was to become an advocate for a balance in the responsibilities between state and locally-elected school board members. The approach taken with the Nebraska Coordinated School Health program is balanced, respectful and has led to a meaningful process and practice.
This article represents my personal view, not that of the State Board of Education or my role as president. Feel free to contact me at rachel.wise@nebraska.gov. Search the Nebraska Department of Education website at www.education.ne.gov to learn more about education in our state.
Rachel Wise
Sunday Swap at Hiway Cafe in Lyons
May 14, 2015 Leave a comment
Starting June 7th the Hiway Cafe in Lyons will be hosting “Sunday Swap”! What’s Sunday Swap? It’s a county swap meet/ Flea market. It will be held the first Sunday of every month in June, July, August, September and October. If you need to make a little extra room in your house, why not make a little extra cash and sell your items at Sunday Swap? After all, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.
The hours will be 3:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. The cost is $20 per booth/space for approximately a 15’X20′ area. The cafe closes at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday but refreshments will be available. For questions or to reserve a table, call or text 402-738-0268.
Wakeley and Henneman Top Placers at O-C Invite
May 14, 2015 Leave a comment
By Clare Wiltse, Sports Contributor
Coach Steve Hosch used the O-C Invite for a tune up for the district track meet coming up on Wednesday May 13. The Cougar boys scored in three individual events and skipped the relays. They tallied 16 points and finished 8th.
Jon Christiansen competed in just the long jump and had P.R. leap of 19 feet 8 inches. He placed fourth.
Chevy Henneman ran a 52.4 400M and took second. Benny Estrada won his heat in a P. R. 54.3. He finished in fifth place.
Joey O’Connor ran his best 3200M race of the season. His clocked an 11:13.8 took the fifth place medal. Dylan Hardeman ran a P.R. time of 2:12 in the 800M, but finished just out of the medals.
The Lady Cougars had nine scoring entries as they scored 35 points for a 7th place finish.
Kelly Wakeley took the silver in the long jump with a leap of 15 feet 6 inches. Her triple jump of 32 feet 0.75 inch was good for fifth place.
The 1600M girls, Sophia Henneman and Tessie Collins both set P.R.s as they took third and sixth place. Sophia turned in a 6:05.0 and Tessie a 6:12.0. Coach Hosch was pleased to see how hard they competed to move up in the last lap.
In the sprints Northeast got a fifth in the 100M from Cierra French and a fourth from Brianne Haskell in the 200M. Cierra had a time of 13.5 and made the finals of the 200M with a P.R. of 28.2. Brianne posted her career best of 27.9 The 400M relay team changed order with Cierra handing to Brianne followed by Madie Ronnfeldt and Kelly Wakeley and had their best time of the season at 54.2 for a 3rd place.
In the discus, Abby Peterson continued to improve as she threw 111 feet 7 inches and took fourth place. It was a tough day for Darcey Simonson who had four throws sail out of bounds. She took fifth on her one good toss of the day, 107 feet 4 inches.
HCI Elects New Board Members
May 14, 2015 Leave a comment
Healthy Communities Initiative (HCI) is a substance abuse prevention coalition serving the counties of Burt, Cuming, Stanton, and Madison. The board meets three times per year and is made up of community leaders from the four counties representing 12 distinctly separate sectors including: youth, parents, business, media, schools, police, religious or fraternal organizations, civic or volunteer groups, minorities, health care experts, state, local, or tribal government agencies, and other organizations involved in reducing substance abuse.
At the May 7, 2015 HCI board of directors meeting, the board elected two new members representing the government and media sectors. Byron Brogan, City Director and Economic Development Director for Madison, NE, was approved as the new government sector representative. Jeffrey Steffen, Operations Manager at WJAG 106 KIX and Lite Rock 97.5 in Norfolk, NE, was selected as the new media sector representative.
Kathy Becker, Coordinator for HCI, stated, “The board looks forward to working with Messrs. Brogan and Steffen serving on the HCI board. Their expertise and passion for youth and substance abuse prevention make them invaluable to achieving HCI’s goals and mission.”
If you are interested in learning more about HCI, attending a meeting, or becoming involved, visit our website at www.elvphd.org (Programs/Services—Drug & Alcohol Abuse Prevention) or call (402) 529-2233.
Village of Decatur Meeting Agenda
May 14, 2015 Leave a comment
VILLAGE OF DECATUR
REGULAR BOARD MEETING AGENDA
May14, 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 _____, Wolf
2) Agenda and minutes of the previous month’s meeting received:
Roll Call: Bolln _____, Kellogg_____, Richards ______, Tolby _____, Wolf____
3) Approval and/or correction and suspended reading of the previous month minutes.
Roll Call: Bolln _____, Kellogg____, Richards ______, Tolby _____, Wolf____
4) EXCUSE BOARD MEMBERS NOT ATTENDING THE MEETING:
Roll Call: Bolln _____, Kellogg____, Richards ______, Tolby _____, Wolf____
5) REPORTS OF OFFICERS, BOARDS AND OR COMMITTEES:
1) Police: Monthly Report
2) Lights: Monthly Report
3) Water & Sewer: Monthly Report
4) Parks: Monthly Report- Income of $600.27
5) Streets: Monthly Report
6) Recycling Report:
6) OLD BUSINESS
7) NEW BUSINESS
1) Ann Chytka- 90 day probation period up.
2) Commercial Insurance- Kay Kellogg
3) Don Light- Clean up days.
4) Norma Farrens – Riverfront Days.
5) Fire Dept.- Liquor License for River Front Days Fish Fry, June 19, 2015.
6) Fire Dept.- Mowing of grass at Fire Hall.
7) Bridge signs
8) Amy Soll- Center for Rural Affairs
9) Amy Soll- Burt County Broncos
10) Run down properties
8) CORRESPONDENCE
9) ANNOUNCEMENTS
1) Clean up day is Saturday May 16, 2015. Any volunteers would be greatly appreciated.
10) APPROPRIATIONS AND CONSIDERATION OF THE CLAIMS:
1) Claims preapproved by Wolf and Tolby
2) Motion to Approve the Claims as Submitted
________________2nd_________________
Roll Call: Bolln _____, Kellogg _____, Richards _____, Tolby _____, Wolf _____
Are there any questions from the audience?
10) MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING
_______________2nd________________
Adjournment Time:
Marlice J. Sebade, 78, of Fremont NE Formerly of Oakland NE
May 14, 2015 Leave a comment
Marlice J. Sebade, of Fremont, Nebraska passed away Tuesday, May 12, 2015, in Fremont, after a courageous fight with cancer at the age of 78 years.
Marlice was born November 2, 1936, in rural Waterbury, Nebraska, to Hugo and Edna (Kuhl) Zastrow, and was their only child. She graduated from Emerson High School in 1954 and attended Wayne State College.
On October 28, 1956, Marlice married high school classmate, Tom G. Sebade, at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Emerson, a 51 year marriage that would end with his death in 2008.
Marlice spent her life in various employments in Sioux City, Iowa, Denver, Colorado, and Albion, Nebraska. She became an Executive Director to the Oakland Housing Authority in 1975 and remained thus for ten years. In 1985, Marlice became the Fremont Housing Authority Executive Director, and continued this position (16 years), until her retirement in 2001. She was always known for the special holiday dinners she prepared for the tenants. Marlice never met a stranger, her interest was in always helping people in any way she could, and she devoted her life to doing so. Marlice served on the Fremont Senior Citizens Board and was Past-President of Ambassador Downs Tenant Organization in Mesa, Arizona. She was very active in her church and her Popovers bible study. Marlice loved to entertain, cook, garden, and play cards and games. She painted and recreated beauty from old things. She canned vegetables from her garden, made salsa and decorated cakes for her family and friends. She loved to paint, wrote poetry and she loved to dance.
She was preceded in death by her husband and her parents.
Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Renae & Alan Johnson of Oakland; sons and daughters-in-law, Kevin and Marilyn of Lindsay, TX, Todd & Jessica of Columbus, NE; five grandchildren, Aaron & Girlfriend, Beth Nelsen of Blair, WI, Nathan & Fiancé Daisy Wheelhouse of Parker, SD, Natalie & Fiancé Mitch Anderson of Baltic, SD, Matthew & Lucas Sebade of Lindsay, TX; special friend, Bill Smith of Mt. Morris, MI.
FUNERAL SERVICE: Friday, May 15, 2015, 10:30 a.m. at the First Lutheran Church, 3200 E. Military St., Fremont, Nebraska.
VISITATION: Thursday, 4 – 7 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. PRAYER SERVICE at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Second Street & Hwy 77, Oakland, Nebraska
BURIAL: at a later date. Oakland Cemetery, Oakland, NE
MEMORIALS: Donor’s choice
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
Marlice Sebade
Governor Ricketts Announces Flags to Flown at Half-Staff Friday
May 13, 2015 Leave a comment
Today, Governor Pete Ricketts, in accordance with a proclamation from President Obama, announced that all U.S. and Nebraska flags are to be flown at half-staff on Friday, May 15, 2015, in honor of a Peace Officers Memorial Day.
Flags will be flown at half-staff until sunset on Friday, May 15, 2015.
Oakland Swimming Pool to Open Soon
May 13, 2015 Leave a comment
Weather Permitting the Oakland Swim Pool will be open Monday May 25th. Pool hours will be posted next week.
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