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April 25, 2015 Leave a comment
KATHRYN L. SHAFER, 89 years, of Tekamah, Nebraska, passed away Friday, April 24, 2015 at the Memorial Community Hospital in Blair, Nebraska.
MEMORIAL SERVICE: Services are pending with Pelan Funeral Services Tekamah
April 24, 2015 4 Comments
By Brandon Lavaley, Superintendent of Tekamah-Herman Schools
As is the case with most decisions involving the district, the Board is asking for patron input. This week, however, it is a topic more immediate than improving our facilities. The Board of Education has made a commitment to addressing transportation needs, specifically before- and after-school bus routes, for the 2015-16 school year.
Over the past two years, the district has been unable to attract and hire any new drivers, while losing drivers for various reasons. At one point this spring, we were unable to fill all obligations made at the beginning of the school year and paid parents mileage to bring their children to school because of a shortage of drivers. There are currently teachers that drive routes creating concerns because of after-school practices, before- and after-school meetings, and other obligations with the respective teaching contracts. With these concerns considered, the Board would like input from the public, especially those affected by routes, concerning a potential change.
The first consideration is paying mileage to parents and eliminating daily routes. The parents would be reimbursed the mileage from home to school at the state rate, which generally changes every January 1st. Parents would be required to turn in documentation to receive the mileage, for accounting purposes, and be reimbursed on a monthly basis.
The second alternative being considered is to establish pick-up points for riders. If the routes were condensed down to three or four, for example, the buses would drive to a predetermined location and meet all parents and students at that site. Parents would obviously be responsible for transporting their students to and from that location. The driver would establish a time at which they would be at the site, provide a wait time they will sit, then return to the school or on to a second site, if necessary.
With both of these possibilities, the amount of time the students spend traveling will be greatly reduced. As our routes currently run, especially with a shortage of drivers, there are times students are on the bus for over an hour to get to or from school. The Board recognizes and understands that there is uncertainty with change and these alternatives may create some inconveniences, but they want to be as fair to the patrons as possible while falling in line with regulations. Most importantly, they want to do what is in the best interest of the students and district of Tekamah-Herman Schools. Please feel free to provide feedback to any articles and read archived copies at suptcorner.blogspot.com or personally contact a Board member. Thank you to everyone for your continued support of our students and Tekamah-Herman Schools.
Brandon Lavaley
April 24, 2015 Leave a comment
By Senator Lydia Brasch
This week at the Legislature marked Days 62 through 65 of our 90-day session. Two key items are worth mentioning from this week’s business.
First, and with great disappointment, it has become clear the Revenue Committee has no interest in supporting my priority bill (LB350) to reduce the valuation of agricultural and horticultural land from 75% to 65% for the purposes of property taxation. Currently, LB350 is one vote short of advancing out of committee. The objection of some rural Senators is the lack of benefit LB350 would provide their districts. Despite efforts to add an amendment providing state aid funding for their rural school districts which do not receive any state aid, there continues to be a lack of support by these rural Senators. Notably, the Department of Revenue just released its Property Assessment Report for 2014-2015 indicating a nearly 20% average statewide increase in property tax valuations for agricultural land.
Second, this week largely focused on prison reform and the death penalty. On Tuesday and Wednesday, the Legislature debated LB605, LB598, and LB173. These bills are considered the prison reform bills and respond to the prison overcrowding issue which is a major concern.
As amended, LB605 would restore a state law requiring the minimum sentence for a serious felony be no longer than one-third the length of the maximum sentence. In addition, LB173 would eliminate mandatory minimum sentences for several felonies and restrict the use of enhanced penalties for habitual criminals to a limited list of violent crimes.
Overall, these bills are concerning. While we unquestionably face a serious problem with prison overcrowding, LB605 and LB173 are not the solution. Rather than be soft on crime, we need to remain tough on violent crimes and habitual criminals. We should address other solutions, such as assisting non-violent criminal’s rehabilitation and their re-entry into society.
LB268 was somberly addressed on Thursday morning. Introduced and prioritized by Senator Chambers, LB268 seeks to repeal the death penalty for first-degree murder and replace it with life imprisonment without parole. LB268 opponents, of which I am a part, insist on the necessity of capital punishment for the most heinous crimes to ensure strict justice is served. In addition, capital punishment provides an effective deterrent to other crimes. As well, our Attorney General offered data refuting the claim prosecution of capital punishment is a cost-burden and financial hardship to the State. Also, in response to affirmations about our God-given human dignity, opponents affirm the State has a unique God-given authority to ensure society is protected from violent criminals, even to the extent of using deadly force.
LB268 advanced to second round with 30 votes. While this is sufficient support to become law and override a Governor’s veto, LB268 needs 33 votes to override a filibuster. I voted against the repeal of the death penalty—the need for capital punishment is a rare but necessary tool for our civil society.
As always, please contact me, administrative aide, Katie Wattermann, or legislative aide, Tom Venzor, with questions or thoughts at (402)471-2728 or e-mail at lbrasch@leg.ne.gov.
Keeping the Good Life Growing in Nebraska,
Senator Lydia Brasch, District 16
Senator Lydia Brasch
April 24, 2015 Leave a comment
Oakland Heights News
By Nancy Silvey Activity Director
It was nice to see all of the beautiful Prom outfits that the OC students wore last Saturday the residents enjoy seeing the students all dressed up. The winners of the $25.00 drawing for the seniors that signed in Saturday night are Ashleigh Carr and Bryce Uhing. Next week is the Resident Council Meeting at 2:30 pm on Monday April 27th , next week we is also the beginning of the month of May so on Tuesday April 28th at 2:30 pm we will be making May Baskets for the Assisted Living residents.
Church Service for April 26th at 2:30 pm will be given by the Salem Covenant Church with a luncheon served afterwards.
Activities for the week of April 27th to May 2nd , are as followed, Reading with Marilyn, Manicures, Sing a Long, Crafts, Bingo w/VFW Aux., Bible Fellowship, Reading the Local Paper, Word Games, Let’s Play Ball, Friday Bingo, and Saturday morning movie.
Volunteers signing in last week were; Judy Nelson, Betty Hanna, Bonnie Fleischman, Donnie Baldwin, Patty Miller, Mary Donavon, Anne Anderson, Mary Alice Pearson, Pat Anderson, Dani Moseman, Seth Anderson, Lola Bridgeford, Nadine Anderson, and Sly Rouse.
Guest signing in this past week were; Kristie Peters to see Dale and Jeanette Johnson.
April 23, 2015 Leave a comment
There has been a change in plans on the closing date of highway 32 east towards Tekamah during the roundabout construction at the 32/77 junction. “The contractor plans on closing east Highway 32 Wednesday or Thursday of next week.The contractor tried placing asphalt for the temporary roads, but had to suspend that operation. The subgrade is being reworked,” stated Jeff Francis, Highway Project Manager.
Stay tuned to Kat Country Hub for further updates on the roundabout progress.
The future location of the roundabout at highway 32/77 junction. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.
April 23, 2015 Leave a comment
Governor Pete Ricketts
By Governor Ricketts
The first 100 days of my administration have moved quickly as we have focused our priorities and resources on a single goal: Growing Nebraska. As I have said before, the key to growing our state for the next generation starts with creating jobs, lowering taxes, pushing back on regulation, and expanding educational opportunities. To achieve these goals and objectives, we have spent the first days of my administration focused on hiring transformational and innovative leaders and building a budget that reflects the fiscal restraint we need to provide Nebraskans with the tax relief they need and deserve.
We are building a great team. With the help of an executive search firm and the financial support of Nebraskans across our state, we were able to identify directors for key positions in the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Corrections, and the Department of Economic Development. These leaders are already making a difference.
Here are just a few examples of the wonderful work my team has been doing these first few months: DHHS CEO Courtney Phillips announced with my office just last week a new transparency initiative that creates public performance metrics for ACCESSNebraska. The data will be updated online every month. This measure will help hold the program’s performance accountable not only to my office, but also to the people of Nebraska that this program serves. In the Department of Correctional Services, Director Scott Frakes is taking steps to upgrade software that calculates sentences to remove manual processes and reduce the probability of error in sentence calculations. Finally, Nebraska Department of Economic Development Director Brenda Hicks-Sorensen and Nebraska Department of Agriculture Director Greg Ibach are planning the first trade mission of my administration which will take us to the European Union in June to promote Nebraska business and agriculture.
As a part of my budget recommendation, I put forward a plan to slow the growth of government and provide tax relief – the “3 percent plan.” If the Legislature holds the line on spending to around the 3 percent mark that I recommended in my budget while revenue continues to grow, the difference can provide tax relief to hardworking Nebraskans. Nebraska’s 2015 Business Tax Climate Index ranking by the Tax Foundation ranks us at 29th for competitiveness. If we plan to continue to create good-paying jobs for the next generation and to stay competitive nationwide and globally long-term, our business tax climate must improve.
I am pleased that the Appropriations Committee has adopted my recommendation to transfer an additional $60 million a year into the Property Tax Credit Relief Fund. This represents a nearly 43% increase and would bring the total transfer to the fund for the biennium to nearly $400 million. This is tax relief for all property owners in Nebraska. While the full Legislature must still consider this recommendation, this represents significant property tax relief if adopted. There are additional tax relief measures under consideration in the Legislature for which I continue to advocate, and there is still time for the Legislature to provide additional property tax relief this year.
During these past few months, we made some exciting announcements. A few weeks ago, my office announced that Nebraska attained the lowest unemployment rate in the nation, and this month it dropped even further to 2.6%. Last week we revealed that Sheldon Station in Hallam, Nebraska would become the first large utility to utilize hydrogen which will be provided by the first clean carbon black plant in the United States. This week, I joined leaders from the University of Nebraska to unveil Suji’s Korean Cuisine as the first international business to join Nebraska Innovation Campus. These stories are all great news for Nebraska and serve as evidence that our state is growing and vibrant.
This is just the beginning of our quest to grow Nebraska. As we work together, I will continue to listen to your ideas on how we can grow our state. Please contact my office at 402-471-2244 or pete.ricketts@nebraska.gov. I look forward to hearing from you!
April 23, 2015 Leave a comment
The West Point Scout Troop 165 will be hosting a pancake fundraiser on Sunday, April 26th from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at the West Point Fire Hall. The money raised will go to the Boy Scouts High Adventure Trip this summer. “The boys will be cave exploring, going on hikes and camping,” stated Susan Seery. Susan’s husband, Nick, is the leader of the boy scouts. John Lierman is the assistant leader.
Everyone is encouraged to attend the fundraiser in support of the boy scouts.
From left to right Nick Seery, Brendan Cropp, Micah Schu,t Robby Mayberry, Devon Priestly, Robert Kinebaum, Jon Lierman. Front left to right Marcus Kienbaum, Brandon Mitzel, Dominick Seery, Landen Bock. Photo courtesy of Susan Seery.
April 23, 2015 Leave a comment
Twelve members of the Oakland Garden Club met in the Rosen room at the Oakland auditorium at 2:00 p.m., on Thursday April 9, 2015. Leila Heineman was hostess. Members gave pledge to the American flag and read the Garden Club Creed from their handbooks. Each member answered roll call. It was agreed that garden bed assignments would remain the same unless someone requested a change. Audrey Unwin reported she had bought coffee and a decorative container for it to keep in the cupboard. The rest of the meeting was devoted to the guest speaker.
Ina Glaubius from Wisner talked about taking pictures of flowers, butterflies, and insects. She brought framed examples of her work to illustrate points she made and passed them around as she talked. As she also likes to write, she began by reading two poems she had written about her work. The first contrasted human work with that of nature: construction and spider webs, painters and flowers, planes and butterflies or birds, track meets and grasshoppers. She continued with asking “Why not love dandelions, etc. They only reflect the regeneration and timing of nature—in plants, butterflies, moths, the orchestra of crickets, mosquitoes, etc. The second work read celebrated nature’s spectacular ballet in wild salsify–accompanied by many pictures if it.
When people have asked her about a preferred time of day to photograph she said “Not in summer between 11 and 4. Also, she uses a SLR digital camera with a macro lens which enables her to get close to her subject. She passed a close up of raindrops on dandelion puff, then ones of milkweed and then cosmos. Look at things from different angles. Don’t look directly at a flower—unless there’s a bug in it.
She showed a clear picture of a green plant under water taken at Yellowstone Park. Her pictures of sunflowers showed parts of a flower, some very close up. Of two different pictures of an African spoon daisy, the vibrant blue of one was subdued in the other. This type of variation will occur with the same flower being photographed at different times of day or even at different age of flower.
Two dramatic black and white photos—dewdrops on a spider web and an argiope spider on a spider web—she had taken at an earlier time with film rather than digital camera. She showed pictures of clematis and iris—try different angles or different parts of the flower. She reminded us—always to deadhead surrounding spent flowers first! A beautiful close picture of several purple allium, like the milkweed seeds and cleome, was difficult to take because the camera kept trying to re-focus on different parts of the tiny flower parts.
Flowers show up well in color, but yellow ones show up best in black and white. She showed a collection of bachelor button pictures, each a little different. Someone asked how many shots of each flower she would take before she found one she would like, and her answer was “about 20.” Then she would look at them, and if she didn‘t like any would erase them all and re-try.
For her insects and bugs, she will capture one with a small container, fasten netting over it, and put it in the refrigerator perhaps over night for it to chill. Then it will move slowly enough for her to photograph it. After about 3 minutes it will warm too much to photograph, and she will return it to its original spot. Pictures shown were butterfly on bachelor buttons, a fly on a storm window, close up of green and gray caterpillar, detail of a grasshopper showing its geometric color design, a painted lady on zinnas, azure dragonfly on weed stem, yellow swallowtail on zinna, a 5-spotted hawk moth or hummingbird moth in black and white on a 4-o’clock and one in color.
A b & w photo of a fly taken with film emphasized its enormous eyes, and a color of a snake
skin showed that its skin even covered its eyes. A b & w was taken of a pink and white lined sphinx moth on a mirror. One of a bee was taken on a detail of a mum, another was a close up showing pollen on one leg. A close shot of a very green praying mantis illustrated its bending a leg at an angle a human could never replicate! One insect on a mirror had a very blue sky as background. Other b & w’s were cicada-killer wasp, monarch caterpillar on mum, empty monarch cocoon, spider web with entrapped fly, celery looper moth on mum, honey bee on a mum, and detail face of a predatory insect.
Proof that she has won prizes at county fairs and NE State Fair was in evidence from the many ribbons attached to her works. She has been judging photographing at fairs for 17 years, judging 4-H two times and open class three times at Burt Co. Fair. This year she is scheduled to judge at six county fairs.
Cathi McMurtry, Secretary
Kat Country Hub 
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