Beautiful Moon


The moon was beautiful last night. I took these two pictures on the way home from Uehling.

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Gertrude Carlson, 88 of Bancroft, NE


Gertrude Carlson, 88, of Bancroft, Nebraska died on Saturday, January 18, 2014 at the Wisner Care Center in Wisner, Nebraska.

Funeral services for Gertrude are pending with Munderloh – Smith Funeral Home in Bancroft.

Senator Brasch Announces Re-election


Bancroft, Neb – State Senator Lydia Brasch, who is Vice-chair of the Natural Resources committee and also serves on the Rules, State-Tribal Relations, and Transportation and Telecommunications Committees, has officially filed to run for re-election to the Nebraska Unicameral.

“It is such an honor to be able to serve my constituents in the Legislature,” said Brasch. “I have worked hard to ensure my office is responsive to constituent needs and to provide effective representation for the individuals and interests of District 16.”

Some of Senator Brasch’s accomplishments include introduction and passage of:

  • LB690 (2011) amended parent parental notification requirements for an abortion to require notarized written consent from a pregnant woman less than eighteen years of age and one of her parents or a legal guardian before obtaining an abortion. (Introduced by Sen. Brasch, signed by Governor Heineman)
  • LB1039 (2012) increased penalties for violating school bus passing laws and required that vehicles remain stopped only until the stop signal arm is retracted and the bus resumes motion. (Introduced by Senator Brasch, signed by Governor Heineman)
  • LB860 (2012) – clarified a sales tax exemption for biochips used for genetic and/or protein analysis of production livestock, commercially produced plants, companion animals and research animals. (Prioritized by Senator Brasch, signed by Governor Heineman)
  • LB296 (2013) raised tax deduction limits for contributions made to the Nebraska College Savings Program from $2,500 to $5,000 for a married person filing separately and to $10,000 for a joint filing. (Cosponored and prioritized by Senator Brasch, signed by Governor Heineman)
  • LB499 (2013) gave the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission the power to pass “commission orders” which allows the commission to more easily respond to public input regarding conservation orders, seasons, bag limits, and open and closed areas. (Introduced by Senator Brasch, signed by Governor Heineman)

 

About Senator Brasch:                                  www.LydiaBrasch.com

Lydia has served District 16 in the Nebraska Unicameral since being elected in 2010. She and her husband Lee farm ground around Bancroft and she operates Brasch Marketing and Design.  They are members of St. Paul Lutheran Church of Bancroft and have two children and three grandchildren.

Prior to serving in the Unicameral, Lydia worked for Computer Automation Systems Education Solutions, was the marketing director for the Nebraska State Fair and also worked as the public information officer for the Nebraska Department of Revenue. She also served terms on the Nebraska State Fair Foundation ad the Cuming County Fair Foundation.  In 2012 Lydia was selected as a BILLD Fellow at the Council of State Governments.

Intern Nebraska (InternNE) Program


Please plan to attend an informational luncheon regarding the Intern Nebraska (InternNE) program which connects college students and employers from across the state. This program allows college students to gain valuable business experience that will help them in future careers while successful internships help businesses fill skilled positions. The InternNE Grant Program provides financial assistance, up to $5,000 per eligible internship, to eligible companies in Nebraska who are creating new internships.

The luncheon will be held on Thursday, January 30th, at 12:00 noon at the Oakland City Auditorium, Rosen Room.   InternNE underwent significant changes on October 1, 2013 – join us to learn more.  Allison Hatch with the Nebraska Department of Economic Development will share information about how a business can leverage this program to create competitive and engaging internships.  Internships create lasting connections between students and the region so whether you’re a business wanting to learn more about internship opportunities or a parent of a potential intern this presentation is for you!

Space is limited. The deadline to RSVP is Tuesday, January 28th.  You can respond either by email at burtcoedc@abbnebraska.com or calling 402-374-2953.  This seminar is hosted by the Burt County Economic Development Corporation.

 

Beginning Latino Farmer Workshops


Lyons, Nebraska -The Center for Rural Affairs is hosting a 10 week series of beginning farmer workshops as part of their Beginning Latino Farmer Program. Workshops are designed for those in the Latino community who are interested in starting their own farm or ranch.

The series of 10 workshops will be held Sunday afternoons beginning February 16 and ending April 27. This is the third installment of the Latino Farmer Workshops, which are being brought to Columbus after having taken place in Lexington in the spring and fall of 2013.

Workshops are free and open to the public, and will be taught in Spanish. Attendees will build their capacity for agricultural success, learning business management, financial literacy, and leadership tools.  Expert speakers will present on topics such as producer associations and marketing. At the end of the series, attendees will have the opportunity to visit specific area farms, participating in more hands-on workshops, to learn more about direct-marketing and crop and animal handling.

“The goal of the program is to help aspiring and beginning Latino farmers become viable producers and be connected to the resources necessary to be successful,” said Erin Frank with the Center for Rural Affairs. “One of the most important resources can be the Farm Service Agency. We always bring someone in from FSA to discuss their loan programs, especially their new microloan program, which is built for beginning and alternative farmers.”

What:  Beginning Latino Farmer Program
When and Where:
Start date:  Sunday, February 16th
Workshops run every Sunday (10 in total) through April 27th
No class will be held on April 20 in observance of  Easter Sunday
Time:  4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Location:  Centro Hispano Comunitario (located in the Family Resource Center)
3020 18th Street, Ste. 7, Columbus, NE 68601

 

Potential attendees should contact Erin Frank at erinf@cfra.org or (402) 822-0066 to receive a detailed itinerary and to sign up.

 

Potential attendees should contact Erin Frank at erinf@cfra.org or (402) 822-0066 to receive a detailed itinerary and to sign up.

 

 

 


Oakland Public Library Receives Gift


Look who’s new in the library and just waiting to share a story with a little person! Thank you to Wells Fargo Bank for this wonderful gift!

A new addition to Oakland Public Library! Photo Credit/Rosa Schmidt, Library Director of Oakland Public Library.

A new addition to Oakland Public Library! Photo Credit/Rosa Schmidt, Library Director of Oakland Public Library.

Getting to Know You: Kay Throener


Kay, middle, pictures with daughter Evelynn and fiancé Greg. Photo courtesy of Kay Throener.

Kay, middle, pictures with daughter Evelynn and fiancé Greg. Photo courtesy of Kay Throener.

Occupation: Certified Nursing Assistant.

Family: Fiance Greg,  Daughter Evelynn.

What is your greatest accomplishment? As of right now being a mother and getting my CNA but i plan on doing more to improve our lives.

If you had three wishes, what would they be? 1.To be able to go threw college without worrying about money 2. To be able to see my father a lot more 3.To have plenty of money set aside for Evelynn to go to college and help her get on her feet after she gets out of high school.

If you won the lottery, what would be your first purchase? A puppy!

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? I always wanted to be a singer or a Vet.

What was your favorite food as a child? Pizza like alot of other kids haha.

What are your hobbies? I love to read!

What is your favorite song? You’ll Be In My Heart.. Song from Disney Movie Tarzan.

If you were president, what would be your first priority? To get all this health care figured out.

What would be your dream vacation? Hawaii.

What is your favorite childhood memory? Taking Pepper (bunny) out of her cage and setting in the swing holding her and singing to her without a care in the world.

What do you think of Oakland? It’s alot like any other small town, but i think it will be a great town to raise my daughter in.

Valentine’s Day Trivia


Valentine’s Day Trivia. Yesterday’s answer was false, more cards are exchanged at Christmas than Valentine’s Day. It is Christmas, Valentine’s Day then Mother’s Day. Lauri had the correct answer and order. Today’s question is: How much does the average American spend on Valentines Day? $50, $75, $80, $100.
Post your answers here!

3-Star Status Awarded to Oakland Public Library


“A star review from Library Journal is impressive, but the smiles we see on our patron’s faces put the “stars” in our eyes!” stated Oakland Library Director Rosa Schmidt.

Oakland’s library was one of nine libraries in the state of Nebraska to be awarded 3-Star status from the Library Journal. “We were one of nine libraries in Nebraska to be given a star rating. Four of us were first timers; Bloomfield Public Library, Genoa Public Library, Creighton Public Library and Oakland Public Library,” Rosa said. “The remaining libraries, Atkinson, Central City, Neligh, Hartington and Falls City Public Libraries have been awarded star reviews in the past as well.”

One of the requirements of achieving yearly State Certification is to complete the annual State Statistical report. “This is a very in depth report that I will soon be completing for the last fiscal year. The information is then available via Bibliostat Connect,” Rosa stated.

This information is then analyzed and compared by those such as a Library Journal. “Library Journal issues an “Index of Public Library Service: each year, rating libraries across the nation,” Rosa said.

Rosa could only think about completing the state stat report on time and getting back to the job at hand in the library. “I was completely caught unaware that we, the Oakland Public Library, had achieved star review,” Rosa stated.

The measures used in this year’s ratings by the Library Journal were circulation per capita, visits per capita, program attendance per capita and public internet computer use per capita.

“It is always a good feeling to be recognized by your peers for your successes, so receiving this Star Rating and having the Oakland Public Library be listed among so many wonderful libraries is an amazing thing!” Rosa said.

Rosa is aware that there is no guarantee that doing well one year will result in the same outcome year to year. “Our goal is always to provide the best possible service to our community that we can,” Rosa stated.

 

 

Proudly displaying the award are: JoAnne Peterson and Coleen Denton. (Back row l-r) Kristi Arlt, Audrey Unwin, Nancy Wonka, James Mashek, Vivian Forks, and Rosa Schmidt. Photo courtesy of Oakland Public Library.

Proudly displaying the award are: JoAnne Peterson and Coleen Denton. (Back row l-r) Kristi Arlt, Audrey Unwin, Nancy Wonka, James Mashek, Vivian Forks, and Rosa Schmidt. Photo courtesy of Oakland Public Library.

Scott Storm, 47 of Wakefield, NE


Scott Storm, 47, of Wakefield, Nebraska died on Friday, January 17, 2014 at his home in Wakefield.

Funeral services for Scott are pending at this time with Bressler – Munderloh – Smith Funeral Home of Wakefield.