Rain Floods Part of Oakland’s Park
June 16, 2014 Leave a comment
Three inches of rain led to areas of flooding at the Oakland Park. All Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
June 16, 2014 Leave a comment
Burt County is in a severe thunderstorm warning until 11:30 a.m. Locations impacted include… Tekamah…Lyons…Hooper…Nickerson…Uehling…Craig…Oakland… Herman…Winslow and Summit Lake state Recreation Area. Hail and wind is possible with this storm.
Be safe!
Barada’s Donate Piano to Happy Days Senior Center
June 16, 2014 2 Comments
The new player piano at Happy Days Senior Center. Photos courtesy of Wendy Britton.
Jennifer and Kelly Barada (Laurene Appleby’s daughter; and Pearl Barada’s son) donated a beautiful ‘player piano’ to the Happy Days Senior Center.
The player piano is a Gulbranson Player Piano. It was made in 1927 and sold for $450 cash. Its biggest selling feature was having a unique pumping mechanism. It plays “old time” songs for those at Happy Days (such as, Christmas and Irish songs. There are 25 piano rolls — one is even in the German Language.
Jennifer and Kelly Barada bought it for their 6 year old daughter, Karly. That was back in 1996 when they lived in Missoula, Montana. Since then it has moved (with the family) to Columbus, Nebraska; then to Minneapolis, Minnesota; and finally to Lyons, Nebraska.
The family picture features three generations: Laurene Appleby (as grandma), Jennifer Barada (as her daughter); and, Landon Barada (Kelly & Jennifer’s son). Kelly wasn’t there. He was at work somewhere in Iowa for Walmart.
Landon was there to help with the moving of the piano — along with Terry Ueding and one of his friends. Landon is the music director at Logan View Public School (7th through 12th grades).
It is great to live in a community where people help each other out.
Bancroft Senior Center News
June 16, 2014 Leave a comment
Bancroft Senior Center News
* The senior center provides Information and Assistance to any individual who is looking for services for themselves or another person 60 years and older, the center manager and/or center participant can provide information to individuals on services available within the community. We link individuals to the services and opportunities that are available within or beyond the community itself. We will then establish adequate follow-up procedures to see that their needs were met. For more information call 402-648-3387.
*If you are 60 years and older and need information on programs designed to help keep you in your home longer or if you need legal help, contact Connie at 402-648-3387 or in the evening at 402-648-7648.
* We have the following medical equipment to loan out on an as need basis, wheel chair, bath seats, toilet seat riser and portable toilet chair, crutches or walkers. Call 402-648-3387 during office hours.
Meals on Wheels
Would you like to get Meals on Wheels? Anyone over the age of 60 years and lives within the city limits are eligible for these meals. You may sign up anytime for the Meals on Wheels program; you can get the meals delivered however many times you want them each week. You must call 402-687-2332 before 8:30 a.m. if you want a meal that day. The suggested donation for the meals is $4.00.
Weekly Activities:
Wed. June 18: Melody chimers will entertain at the Pioneer Senior Center at 1:30 and legacy Gardens in Pender at 2:30. The card game 65 is on the agenda at 1:30.
Thurs. June 19: Tai Chi class at 9:30 and the walking ex. class at 10:30. Stop in for coffee at 10:00. Sign up to play in the pinochle tournament at 1:30.
Fri. June 20: Chair exercise class at 10:00. The birthday/anniversary party starts at 1:30 and lunch is served at 3:30.
Mon. June 23: Sign up to play in the pitch tournament at 1:15. Monthly board meeting is at 3:30.
Tues. June 24: Tai Chi class at 9:30 and the walking ex. class at 10:30. Stop in for coffee at 10:00. The noon meal has been changed to hamburgers with mushroom gravy, potato casserole, trio blend casserole and dessert. Stop in and have your blood pressure taken at 11:45. Cards will be played after lunch.
Wed. June 25: Melody chimes practice at 9:00. Come and play bingo at 2:00.
Logan Creek is Running High
June 16, 2014 Leave a comment
Logan Creek that runs through Oakland is running very high. The recent rains here and to the north of Oakland have built up, causing the Logan to run high, full of tree branches and other such debris. The area to walk down and sit and fish is now under water. It is to rain again today, so it is doubtful it will go down right away.
The water is now where people could walk down and fish at Logan Creek in Oakland, NE. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.
Village of Decatur Meeting Minutes
June 16, 2014 Leave a comment
Village Board of Decatur
Regular Meeting
June 12, 2014
4:30 P.M.
The Board of the Village of Decatur met in regular session at 4:30 P.M. at the Community Center on June 12, 2014. Guests signing in were Alta Wolf, Greg and Deb Haselhorst, Dorothy Connealy. Guests not signing in were Abby from the Plaindealer and Larry Lasher.
1) The meeting was called to order by Chairman Jim Nicola.
Roll Call: Walt Bolln-here, Jim Nicola-here, Bob Richards-absent, Margaret Tolby-here, Stephanie Warren-absent.
2) Agenda and minutes of the previous month’s meeting were received:
Roll Call: Walt Bolln-yes, Jim Nicola-yes Robert Richards-absent, Margaret Tolby-yes, Stephanie Warren-absent.
3) Approval and/or corrections and suspended reading of the previous month’s minutes.
Roll Call: Walt Bolln-yes, Jim Nicola-yes Robert Richards-absent, Margaret Tolby-yes, Stephanie Warren-absent.
4) EXCUSE BOARD MEMBERS NOT ATTENDING MEETING:
Bolln made a motion to excuse Richards and Warren.
Tolby seconded the motion.
Roll Call: Nicola-yes, Bolln-yes, Tolby-yes.
5) REPORTS OF OFFICERS, BOARDS, AND OR COMMITTEES
1) Police Monthly Report- No report. Sleuth was not working.
Bolln asked what we were going to do about this weekend? Our officer is out of town. Nicola stated that we have the Sheriff’s office to help us out. Bolln stated that he had talked with Sheriff’s office and they only have one officer on duty this weekend. Nicola stated that they are suppose to service us also. Nicola stated that he would try to find someone.
2) Light Monthly Report- There are two poles being replaced by the lift station at the ball park. They are there but Burt County has not had time to put them in due to the storms.
3) Water & Sewer Monthly Report- The Village has had two water leaks, they have been fixed.
4) Park Monthly Report- Income for May $4,468.75
Four new picnic tables and four fire rings have been ordered. They should be here by the 4th of July.
5) Street Monthly Report-
A. Jane Farber-West 10th Street
Jane was not able to attend the meeting. She asked for her name to be put on the July meeting agenda.
6) Recycling Monthly Report- hauled recycling May 30
6) OLB BUSINESS
1. Greg & Debbie Haselhorst Property
Greg and Deb Haselhorst came to the table. They have been working on their property at the Riverview addition. The Board told them it was looking much better. Haselhorst’s stated they are going to put it up for sale.
7) NEW BUSINESS
1) Closing 3rd Avenue from Elna Blevins to Don Warren’s shop for the BBQ
The Board felt they should not close that street. It is the main street to get to the boat ramp and the campground.
2) Larry Lasher-Fireworks and donation
Larry asked for permission to have a fireworks display by the recycling building on June 28, 2014. Bolln made a motion to allow the display, and provide port-a-pots. $300.00 donation towards the display.
Tolby seconded the motion.
Roll Call: Nicola-yes, Bolln-yes, Tolby-yes.
3) Dorothy Connealy-Senior Lease agreement
Dorothy came to the table to sign the Senior center agreement for the use of the Sears center for the coming year.
Tolby made a motion to have Jim Nicola sign the agreement.
Bolln seconded the motion.
Roll Call: Nicola-yes, Tolby-yes, Bolln-yes.
4) 450 West 7th Street-Building and weeds
There will be a letter sent to the owners of the property.
5) 460 West 11th Street-Retaining wall, fence and wood
Tom Farrens (our building inspector) and Jim Nicola went to look at the property in question. They could not find anything wrong. Jim stated he had put poles up for a fence, but no fencing yet.
6) Debit Machine
We have been having trouble with the billing for the debit machine. If nothing is resolved soon there will be a stop payment on the billing.
7) Community Representative for NENEDD
Nicola made a motion to keep Walt Bolln as Decatur’s representative with the North East Nebraska Economic Development District.
Tolby seconded the motion.
Roll Call: Bolln-yes, Nicola-yes, Tolby-yes.
8) Preparations for the 2014-2015 Budget
Therese asked the Board members to start looking over the figures for next year’s budget. Atalie our auditor’s baby is due the same day that our budget is due to the state.
8) ANNOUNCEMENTS
1) Hours for Cleanup day next year- 8:00AM to 12:00Noon.
2) 3,883 pounds of metal collected. Total $330.10.
9) APPROPRIATIONS AND CONSIDERATIONS OF THE CLAIMS:
1) Claims preapproved by Tolby and Nicola
2) Motion to Approve the Claims as Submitted
Bolln 2nd Tolby
Roll Call: Nicola-yes, Bolln-yes, Tolby-yes
Any questions from the audience? There were none
10) MOTION TO ADJOURN THE MEETING
Bolln 2nd Tolby
ADJOURNMENT TIME 4:55 P.M.
Jim Nicola
Chairman
Therese Magill
Village Clerk
Ann Brownrigg of Winnebago, NE
June 15, 2014 Leave a comment
Ann Brownrigg, of Winnebago, Nebraska passed away Friday, June 13, 2014 at Lexington Regional Hospital in Lexington, NE.
Funeral services are pending with Munderloh – Smith Funeral Home in Pender, NE.
Academic Standards on State Board’s Agenda
June 13, 2014 Leave a comment
Rachel Wise, District 3, Nebraska State Board of Education
Rachel Wise
Too Much To Write….Too Little Time!!
This month there are three major topics that I would like to touch base on. All three of these topics are important to the State Board of Education, to Nebraska schools and in ensuring continued high-quality public education in Nebraska!
First, I want to touch base on standards, again! A review of the academic standards in English/Language Arts has been underway at the Nebraska Department of Education. During the April meeting, a draft of the revised standards was released for public comment. The revised standards as well as a survey for public comment can be found on the NDE website at http://www.education.ne.gov/StandardsSurvey/index.html. Please go online to provide your input by May 31st. In June, the standards will be revised based on your feedback and additional public comment will be requested in July. As stated in previous articles, the primary authors of Nebraska standards are Nebraska teachers–elementary teachers, secondary teachers and faculty from community colleges, colleges and universities. Nebraska’s standards development process included a review of standards from other states and national standards before identifying broad standards, grade level standards and curricular indicators. Local school districts are responsible for developing their local curriculum based on standards and for adopting appropriate instructional materials.
Second, I want to talk about Nebraska State Assessments (NeSA), the statewide tests that look at student progress in writing, reading, math and science. As I have stated in previous articles, we have had technical difficulties with testing this year. We have been working through assurances for next year with the testing vendor, Data Recognition Corporation, and we will make a decision in June regarding the 2014/2015 DRC contract. The challenges we have encountered this year and the feedback we are receiving about “too much testing” has told us that we need to take a good hard look at what we are doing with assessment. Over the next few months, we will seek input and review what the state is asking schools to do relative to assessment. I will keep you posted on the progress of this review and on your opportunities to provide input.
Finally, we have moved forward on some accountability issues. We have two levels of accountability requirements to consider; a new state law and federal requirements under No Child Left Behind. At the May state board meeting, we asked Commissioner Matt Blomstedt to put together a potential plan to seek a waiver from the federal government’s accountability requirements in No Child Left Behind and to define the relationship between a possible waiver request and the expectations in the new state law on accountability. At the federal level, 2014 is the magic year for all students to be 100 percent proficient in reading and math. Nebraska students have been making gains in reading and math. However, it is unrealistic for the federal government to expect all students to be 100 percent proficient. The consequences the federal government has set for not meeting this unrealistic benchmark are also unrealistic for schools and communities, especially those in rural settings! I will spend a little more time in June on this issue, including strategies and next steps Nebraska may take relative to a waiver as presented by Commissioner Blomstedt.
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 http://www.education.ne.gov to learn more about education in our state.
Eliminating Mosquitos
June 12, 2014 Leave a comment
John Wilson
Nothing spoils working in your garden or an enjoyable evening in the backyard quicker than being swarmed by mosquitos. The recent rains have provided relief for farmers and homeowners, but they also cause problems for anyone working outside. Rain creates ideal sites with standing water for mosquitoes to develop.
To reduce this problem, eliminate mosquito breeding areas that catch and hold water. Check for leaf-clogged gutters, puddles, bird baths, old tires, cans, bottles, lagoons, and children’s wading pools. Drain water from these when practical. Rinse out your bird bath weekly.
Still water in birdbaths, ponds or lagoons may also be treated with Bacillus thuringiensis, or Bt, in the form of biscuits, available at some garden and hardware stores. The sustained release of the active ingredients of these products may provide up to 30 days control of mosquito larvae. These products specifically attack mosquito larvae and will not harm fish or birds or wildlife that drink the water.
Only female mosquitoes possess piercing-sucking mouthparts and require a blood meal to produce viable eggs. Eggs are laid in batches between blood meals. A single female may deposit several hundred eggs in her lifetime. Under favorable conditions, a new generation of mosquitoes can be completed in less than a week.
To keep mosquitoes out of your home, check all doors, windows and window screens, to make sure these are tight and in good repair. Screens should be 1/16th-inch mesh or smaller to prevent mosquito entry into the home. Keep porch lights off as much as possible in the evening. Or, replace traditional white light bulbs with yellow ones to help reduce the attractiveness of your home to mosquitoes and other night-flying insects.
To prevent mosquito bites when working outside, wear long-sleeved shirts and full length pants. Two layers of clothing are more difficult to penetrate by biting mosquitoes. Wearing light-colored clothes will reduce also your attractiveness. Work outdoors when it is cooler, or when there is a brisk air movement or strong sunlight. Different species of mosquitoes have specific feeding periods, but many are most active in the early evening hours, generally from 5 to 9 p.m.
But, because female mosquitoes are attracted to the carbon dioxide that we exhale, using an insect repellent while outdoors may be the most important method to prevent mosquito bites. You can use repellents containing DEET. These come under numerous brand labels and many formulations such as lotions, gels, aerosols, creams, and sticks.
Mosquitoes are always a nuisance, but they can also pose a health risk because of their potential to transmit West Nile Virus (WNV). In humans, WNV causes flu-like symptoms such as fever and muscle weakness. WNV can also cause encephalitis (an inflammation of the brain), disorientation, convulsions and paralysis. People over 50 and those with weak immune systems are especially vulnerable to the disease and should take extra precautions to avoid mosquito bites.
The Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department will be working with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services West Nile Virus Surveillance Program this summer to monitor for West Nile virus. West Nile is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito that has picked up the virus by feeding on an infected bird and in turn the mosquito can transmit the virus to humans.
This year, testing will only be done on corvid species of birds (blue jays or crows in our area). If you find a dead bird, and it is in good condition and has been dead less than 24 hours, please double bag the bird in sealable plastic bags, freeze it, and immediately contact the Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department at 877-379-4400. Testing will only be conducted on birds that are in good condition with no evidence of maggots or rotting.
The goal of the surveillance program is to collect dead birds for submission to a laboratory for testing. Finding the virus in birds provides an indicator to public health officials of the level of the virus in the area and the risk to human beings of contracting the disease.
For more information on mosquito control, or on the WNV Surveillance Program, contact your local UNL Extension office.
Happenings at Oakland Heights
June 12, 2014 Leave a comment
Oakland Heights News
B
Hula Hoop Contest with Jeanette McNeil and David Deemer. Photo Courtesy of Oakland Heights.
y Nancy Silvey Activity Director
This week we will be having a new entertainer starting our monthly line up; on Thursday June 12 Charlie Davis will be here to perform at 2:30 pm. This Sunday June 15th is Father’s Day and we would like to wish all Father’s out there a good day. On Monday June 16th is our Father’s Day Dinner at 11:30 am down in the Family Dining Room, each Male Resident can have one family member accompany them. One Wednesday June 18th at 2:00 pm we will be taking a Van ride. On Thursday June 19th is our monthly Waffle Supper at 5:30 pm, and to end up the week on Saturday June 21st the Rusty Buckets will be here to sing.
Church Service for Sunday June15th at 2:30 pm will be given by the First Baptist Church with refreshments served afterwards. On Monday June 16th at 2:30 pm is Communion with First Lutheran and on Tuesday June 17th at 9:30 am is Catholic Mass given by Father Paul.
Activities for the week of June 16th to June 20th are as followed, , Reading with Marilyn, Sing a Long, Game Day, Bingo w/Salem, Van Ride, Bible Fellowship, General Store, Let’s Play Ball, Crafty Cooking, Friday Bingo, Saturday morning movie, and Lawrence Welk.
Volunteers signing in last week were; Judy Nelson, Mary Donovan, Seth Anderson, Betty Hanna, Dani Moseman, Anne Anderson, Marge Maller, Di Ruwe, Bonnie Fleischman, Pat Anderson, and Mary Alice Pearson.
Guest’s signing the Guest book this past week was Betty Anderson to visit with Marcella. Also visiting was Anne Anderson and Dawn, Brooke, Paisley and Hadley Peterson to see Iva Anderson, Beth and Merlin Moseman here to see Mildred Moseman.
Kat Country Hub 
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