Broadband Business Initiative

September 12, 2013 Leave a comment


Lt. Gov. Heidemann Announces Broadband

Business Initiative

State’s Businesses to Improve Efficiencies and Drive Growth through Broadband Technology

(Lincoln, Neb., Sept. 6, 2013) Today, Lt. Gov. Lavon Heidemann, as Chair of the Nebraska Information Technology Commission, is inviting Nebraska businesses to participate in a new project through the Nebraska Broadband Initiative. The Nebraska Broadband Initiative is launching a statewide survey and scorecard project in early September to help the state’s businesses increase their economic vitality by better utilizing broadband technologies.

“The vision of the Nebraska Information Technology Commission is to improve the quality of life of all Nebraskans by promoting the use of information technology in education, health care, economic development and all levels of government,” said Lt. Gov. Heidemann. “By utilizing this opportunity, our businesses can have valuable feedback and, as a state, Nebraska can leverage its strength as a leader in business technology.”

“The State of Nebraska has long realized the importance of the adoption of broadband technologies,” said Brenda Decker, Nebraska’s Chief Information Officer. “With an average of 98% of Nebraskans having access to broadband technologies, the natural progression is to explore business use of this resource.”

Over the next few months, businesses will be asked to conduct an online assessment of their use of broadband technologies. The survey results will provide valuable information on broadband usage by Nebraska businesses and will allow for a comparison of business broadband usage and impacts with peers nationwide.

Additionally, up to 500 businesses will receive a personalized scorecard and the opportunity to work with a business broadband coach. The scorecards will include ideas on how to better utilize broadband technologies and the return on investment.

Lt. Gov. Heidemann cited Hudl as an example of how Nebraska businesses are utilizing technology. Hudl is a Lincoln-based company recently identified by Inc. magazine, an internationally recognized publication for entrepreneurs and business owners, as the fastest growing private company in Nebraska and is listed at 149 on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest- growing companies in the nation.

Nebraska’s broadband mapping and planning project is led by the Nebraska Public Service Commission in partnership with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Nebraska Information Technology Commission, Nebraska Department of Economic Development and AIM Institute.

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The University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the Nebraska Department of Economic Development are leading the business survey project.

Visit the Nebraska Broadband website to learn more about the Nebraska Broadband Initiative at: http://broadband.nebraska.gov/. Businesses interested in participating in the survey may contact: Jim Keeler, Business Broadband Manager with the University of Nebraska at 402-472- 4235 or jkeeler8@unl.edu.

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A minute with the Mayor

September 12, 2013 Leave a comment


This is an exciting time in Lyons.  Lots of good things have been happening.  2013 has proven thus far to be a year of “moving forward”.  Our “little engine that could” mentality is really paying off.  The city has had many accomplishments to celebrate and they are accomplishments we did as a community.  Lyons is committed to making life a better place to work, live and play.   It is because of this commitment that Lyons will continue to be a community on the

Lyons Mayor Andy Fuston

Lyons Mayor Andy Fuston

move.

We have improved the downtown aesthetics by removing two buildings on Main Street.  One of the buildings, a corner anchor, came down completely and the other retains its front façade to blend into the downtown landscape.  Both were safety issues and painted a picture of the community that wasn’t very flattering.  That isn’t the case any longer.  Now we have a great space on Main Street that is ready for someone’s dream to be built on.  The costs of these two projects were in excess of $250,000.  We were able to secure a deconstruction/recycling grant from the state to help cover the cost of much of the project.

The community is blessed with several wonderful partners who continue to invest and reinvest in their business and property to enhance the quality of life of Lyons.  Brehmer Manufacturing spent the last couple of years expanding its business with the help of a Community Development Block grant that was channeled through the city.  The Lyons-Decatur school system just laid a new track this past summer for a superior experience for its athletes.  And Three Rivers Housing in Tekamah and the city have partnered on a couple of projects that are in the works that will bring new housing opportunities to the community.  Communities, like Lyons, can’t move forward or make progress if they don’t have community partners that commit to making them a better place to live.  We are so fortunate to have partners like these and the countless others in town who not only believe in Lyons but also backs that belief up with action and deed.

Lyons has also been blessed with the generosity of others.  The city auditorium has been the benefactor of two such wonderful gifts.  The city received a $125,000 grant from the Nielsen Foundation to help jump start the city’s renovation of the city auditorium.  With this wonderful gift, the city of Lyons will be able to start upgrading the electrical and heating and cooling systems, add a fire sprinkler system and perform many cosmetic upgrades.  Lorraine and Floyd Glissman loved Lyons and with Lorraine’s recent passing, proved it financially by leaving the city approximately $130,000 to be used for the city auditorium project as well.  This donation will allow more of the phase two remodel to be completed more quickly.  The Glissmans are perfect examples of people who understood how important it was to give back to their community.  Their legacy will not only live on through their family and friends but through their community as well.  Projects likes these are hard to accomplish for small communities because we have such limited funding.  Having the Nielsen Foundation and folks like the Glissmans provide financial assistance is a big shot in the arm.  Plans have been completed and renovation is expected to begin by the end of the year.

Lastly, work on the new community pool has begun.  The city of Lyons passed a $2.1 million bond last November to replace its eighty year old pool.  This is an amazing testament to the people of Lyons.  2.1 million dollars is a lot of money for this small town but when we recognize an opportunity to improve our community, we go for it.  Thus, Lyons is in the process of building more than just a replacement pool; it is building an entertainment water park for all to enjoy.  If all goes well with the weather, the new Lyons Community Pool will be open for business by June of 2014.

The pool is just another example of Lyons being a community on the move.  There are countless other examples I could rattle off that shows Lyons believes in itself and is willing to reinvest in itself to secure a bright future.  (How many small communities can boast about having one of its own running for governor?!)  As busy as 2013 has been, I’m sure 2014 will be just as busy.  A community that stands still will not survive.  Lyons isn’t that type of community.  Come on over and enjoy the ride with us.  You won’t be disappointed!

Filed under Opinion

Leighton Pounds about his grandfather, Roy Pounds

September 12, 2013 Leave a comment


My Grandfather

By

Leighton Pounds

 

Agape! My name is Leighton Jo Pounds, and the title of my project is My Grandfather; A Small Town Gift to Professional Baseball. The reasons for choosing this topic was to give you all a little look into how African Americans were treated back in the 1950’s. Another reason for choosing this topic was because I wanted to learn more about my dad’s father and his baseball career.

My grandpa, Roy Pounds, was born on November 10, 1927, in Lyons Nebraska. When he was younger, he enjoyed playing all sports. Roy moved off the farm in 1936, and at the age of 8 moved to Lyons, Ne where he resides with his wife Venita.  My grandpa had always been a very athletic person, but there was something about baseball that just stood out to everyone. But in 1949, he got an offer that would change his life forever. And that offer was a pitching position on the St. Louis Cardinals professional baseball team. He accepted that offer and received $300.00 dollars a month for five months playing baseball for the Cardinals.

Later on he had to move to Albany Georgia to play baseball for the Cardinals. When I sat my grandpa down to talk to him about this project, he told me “Living in Nebraska, we weren’t quite aware of all the segregation going on until we arrived in Georgia. We quickly felt a sense of separation. Meaning, that the African Americans had their own public restroom, restaurants, theaters, outside drinking fountains, and they rode in the back of the buses.” My grandpa also informed me that the St. Louis Cardinals had an African American groundskeeper, and an African American bus driver. They were not allowed to stay in the same hotel as the team. And when they arrived at the ball park, the African Americans were segregated from the whites once again. The African Americans had a stand along the first base line and were very much separated from the main stands.

In 1947 the Brooklyn Dodgers signed the first African American to a major league contract. And that first African American was Jackie Robinson. Fred Saigh, the owner of the Cardinals did not want any African Americans on his team, so therefore, he sold the team to August Bush in 1954. Not knowing that the Cardinals were an all white team, Bush accepted the offer. Realizing that St. Louis was 70 percent white and 30 percent African American, August immediately took that as an opportunity to produce a new team. Bush started signing African Americans and they soon had an integrated team. The St. Louis Cardinals did not sign their first African American until 1954.

The African Americans had their own league where only African Americans could play, and there was a great amount of talent among those leagues. As soon as they heard that some professional teams were sighing African Americans, the black league became almost something of the past. Therefore, after 1955 there was no segregation at the ball parks. My grandpa played for the St. Louis cardinals until he injured his shoulder in 1953.

He was dominate on the mound, and got the job done. He was nominated for Rookie of the Year, and was inducted into the Nebraska hall of fame. He later had four children, Dee, Rich, Jason, and my dad, Jerrod. Roy coached Richard, Jason and Jerrod in baseball throughout their childhood, and my dad followed in his father’s footsteps and became a pitcher. And still today, my grandpa’s dream lives through me and my pitching career. He was the person that convinced me I should start playing softball, and he was also the person who brought up being a pitcher. He has inspired me to get where I am today. He is still inspiring me to dream big, and reach for the stars. My grandpa tells me, that “All things are possible through Christ who strengthens me.”

I have truly enjoyed getting the opportunity to learn more about my grandpa and his career with some of the first African American baseball players. Thank you all very much for listening to my presentation, and I hope each and every one of you enjoyed learning about this as much as I did.

 

Filed under Community

Fall Recital

September 11, 2013 Leave a comment


By Amelia Schlichtung

On Tuesday 27, August 2013, the music department of LDNE had their first recital. The recital is where people show off their talents. In this recital we had eleven performances. These performances include Yannick Yessoufou, Zack Hegge, Mason Lami, Brennan Ferguson, Derek Petersen,Sophie Hsu, Lena Horak, Jessica Solis, Bailey Beaumont, and Burt County Brass quintet. Each performance was different and unique. Thank you for everyone you came to watch and support the music students that performed.

 

Mason Lami,Zack Hegge, Yannick Yessoufou, Brennan Ferguson, Martin Long, Middle row:Derek Peterson, Sophie Hsu,Lena Horak,Bailey Beaumont, Back Row: Gary Fungman, Jim Groth, John Mayo, Brenner Beavers fall recital 23(:Mason Lami,Zack Hegge, Yannick Yessoufou, Brennan Ferguson, Martin Long, Middle row:Derek Peterson, Sophie Hsu,Lena Horak,Bailey Beaumont, Back Row: Gary Fungman, Jim Groth, John Mayo, Brenner Beavers. Photo courtesy LDNE.

Mason Lami,Zack Hegge, Yannick Yessoufou, Brennan Ferguson, Martin Long,
Middle row:Derek Peterson, Sophie Hsu,Lena Horak,Bailey Beaumont,
Back Row: Gary Fungman, Jim Groth, John Mayo, Brenner Beavers
fall recital 23(:Mason Lami,Zack Hegge, Yannick Yessoufou, Brennan Ferguson, Martin Long,
Middle row:Derek Peterson, Sophie Hsu,Lena Horak,Bailey Beaumont,
Back Row: Gary Fungman, Jim Groth, John Mayo, Brenner Beavers. Photo courtesy LDNE.

Filed under Schools

Lyons music department is busy

September 11, 2013 Leave a comment


By Madeline Ronnfeldt

Jr. High Choir L-R-Amanda Alford, Cassidy Mentink, and Brandi Simonsen. Photo courtesy LDNE.

Jr. High Choir L-R-Amanda Alford, Cassidy Mentink, and Brandi Simonsen. Photo courtesy LDNE.

 

High School Band-Front L-R-Bailey Beaumont, Aaron Williams, Heidi Miller, Martin Long, Amelia Schlichting BACK L-R Brent Miller, Alec Anderson, Jessie Mutum, Alexis Totten. Photo Courtesy LDNE.

High School Band-Front L-R-Bailey Beaumont, Aaron Williams, Heidi Miller, Martin Long, Amelia Schlichting BACK L-R Brent Miller, Alec Anderson, Jessie Mutum, Alexis Totten. Photo Courtesy LDNE.

School has started! The Lyons Decatur Music Department is already busy with practicing music, and many other things. Since school is in session, the Lyons-Decatur Music Department has been electing leadership teams to each ensemble. The choir leadership team consists of six positions. The secretary is Victoria Maslonka, Jessie Mutum is the librarian, Amelia Schlichting is the historian, Brenna Taylor-Warren is in charge of wardrobe, the merriment coordinators are Blair Preston and Kayci Kramer, and the student council representative is Tatiayana Harris.

The band leadership team consists of seven positions. The secretary is Heidi Miller, Alec Anderson and Bailey Beaumont are the merriment coordinators, the wardrobe coordinators are Brent Miller and Alexis Totten, Aaron Williams is the student council representative, Martin Long is the quartermaster, the librarian is Jessie Mutum, and Amelia Schlichting is the historian.

Last, but not least, the junior high chorus. Brandi Simonsen is the secretary, the librarian is Cassidy Mentink, the historian is Brandi Simonsen, and Amanda Alford is the merriment coordinator.

The Lyons Decatur Music Department will be performing a recital Tuesday, August 27th in the new gym. Come help the music department kick off the year!

 

Filed under Schools

Summer Music

September 11, 2013 Leave a comment


By Amelia Schlichting

Summer was filled with fun for the Lyons-Decatur School music. First they went to Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun to celebrate the end the school year and begin the 2013 summer music program. Students participated in lessons, drumline, Jazz band, Pep band, and marching band rehearsals every week. There were 41 students involved, 121 lessons given, and  20 rehearsals. The bands also had four performances. These performances included Memorial Day Ceremony Performance, Riverfront Festival Parade, Bluegrass Parade, Burt County Parade.

LDNE Marching Band and Cheerleaders in the Burt County Parade-L-R Front Row 2012 LDNE Graduate Jesse Smith, Jacob Nelson, Amanda Alford, Cassidy Mentink, Lupita Prieto Garcia, Kassandra Prieto Second Row-Taylor Sparks, Jamie Raabe, Kayci Kramer, Brent Miller, Reid Preston, Martin Long, Amelia Schlichting, Layne miller BACK L-R-Ivy Anderson, Madeline Ronnfeldt, Jesse Mutum, Blair Preston. Photo courtesy LDNE

LDNE Marching Band and Cheerleaders in the Burt County Parade-L-R Front Row 2012 LDNE Graduate Jesse Smith, Jacob Nelson, Amanda Alford, Cassidy Mentink, Lupita Prieto Garcia, Kassandra Prieto Second Row-Taylor Sparks, Jamie Raabe, Kayci Kramer, Brent Miller, Reid Preston, Martin Long, Amelia Schlichting, Layne miller BACK L-R-Ivy Anderson, Madeline Ronnfeldt, Jesse Mutum, Blair Preston. Photo courtesy LDNE

LDNE Marching Band at the River Front Days Parade Front Row L-R-Lupita Prieto Garcia, Kassandra Prieto Garcia, Amanda Alford, Jessica Solis. Photo courtesy LDNE.

LDNE Marching Band at the River Front Days Parade Front Row L-R-Lupita Prieto Garcia, Kassandra Prieto Garcia, Amanda Alford, Jessica Solis. Photo courtesy LDNE.

LDNE Marching Band in the Bluegrass Festival Parade L-R-Kassandra Prieto Garcia, Layne Miller Bow Whitley, Brock Vetick, Cassidy Mentink. Photo courtesy LDNE.

LDNE Marching Band in the Bluegrass Festival Parade L-R-Kassandra Prieto Garcia, Layne Miller Bow Whitley, Brock Vetick, Cassidy Mentink. Photo courtesy LDNE.

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Cougars vs. Mead pics

September 11, 2013 Leave a comment


Cougars victory over Mead. Photo credit/Steven Hosch.

Cougars victory over Mead. Photo credit/Steven Hosch.

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Filed under Sports

Cougar football stats vs. Mead

September 11, 2013 Leave a comment


Mead               0          22        8          0          -30

LDNE             22        36        12        0          -70

 

 

1st Quarter

 

L-D     6          Mead   0

Brehmer          52 Yard Run                            8:36

L-D     14        Mead   0

Brehmer          3 Yard Run                              5:54

Henneman PAT

L-D     22        Mead   0

Brehmer          47 Yard Run                            :59.9

Hegy  PAT

 

2nd Quarter

 

L-D     30        Mead   0

Hegy               28 Yard Pass Reception          10:35

Brehmer PAT

L-D     36        Mead   0

Brehmer          50 Yard Run                            7:22

L-D     44        Mead   0

Riecken           14 Yard Pass Reception          4:46

Henneman  PAT

L-D     44        Mead   6

Hughes            26 Yard Run                            3:44

L-D     52        Mead   6

Henneman       71 Kick Off Return                 3:30

Hegy PAT

L-D     52        Mead   14

Hughes            34 Yard Run                            2:33

PAT Run

L-D     58        Mead   14

Henneman       5 Yard Run                              1:55

L-D     58        Mead   22

Pickworth       18 Yard Run                            0:00

PAT Run

 

3rd Quarter

L-D     64        Mead   22

Brehmer          10 Yard Run                            9:10

L-D     70        Mead   22

Henneman       25 Yard Run                            7:10

L-D     70        Mead   30

Quinn              34 Yard Pass                           5:05

 

4th Quarter

 

No Scoring

Filed under Sports

Cougars win big over Mead

September 11, 2013 Leave a comment


By Clare Wiltse

Sports Contributor

The Cougars made quick work of the Mead Raiders as they jumped to a 22-0 first quarter lead.  36 second quarter points paved the way to a 70-30 win.

Cougars defeat Mead. Photo credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

Cougars defeat Mead. Photo credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

IMG_4814 IMG_4830LDNE has a 2-0 record while Mead suffered their second loss of the year.

 

The Cougar offense took only three plays to put up points.  Alex Brehmer broke loose for a 52 yard score.  They followed up with a seven play drive with Brehmer going in from three yards out.  Following a lost fumble on their third try they got a 47 yard ;run from Brehmer to move out to a 22-0 lead.

 

Northeast scored on all five of their second period possessions. Quarterback Alex Brehmer connected with Marcus Hegy for a 28 yard score.  He followed that with a 50 yard  run and a 14 yard pass to Dakota Riecken.  Chevy Henneman finished off the period with a 70 yard kickoff return and a 5 yard run.

 

Northeast marched 50 yards on their opening drive of the second half.  On their fifth play Brehmer scored from ten yards out.

 

The Cougars followed with a take away as Dakota Riecken recovered a fumble caused by a Henneman’s hit on a Raider receiver.  Coach Maresh went to the reserves as Henneman took over at quarterback.   On his second play he scored from 25 yards.

 

It was another big offensive night for Northeast.  They rushed for 378 yards on 44 carries.  Brehmer had 233 and Henneman 124.  Brehmer completed 4 of 5 passes for 72 yards.

 

The defense gave up only 184 yard on the ground and 98 yards through the air.  It was a real team effort as line backers Chevy Henneman and  Dakota Riecken were the top tacklers with ten and nine stops respectively, but Bobby Simpson, Marcus Hegy, Charles Webb, Shane McCulloch, and Jon Christiansen were in on at least five tackles. Henneman, Simpson, Hegy, McCulloch, and Peeden had sacks.

 

Filed under Sports

Lady Cougars lose a tough one to West Point-Beemer

September 11, 2013 Leave a comment


The Lady Cougars dropped a three set match two West Point-Beemer as they opened the season with a home contest against the Cadettes.  The Pointers won 25-17 and 25-18 in the  first two sets.  LDNE took any early lead in set three and fought off WP-B as they made a come back, but the visitors rallied with the last six points for a 25-23 win.

 

“We definitely played our best in the third set,” said Coach Cronin.  “We had some long rallies that went against us, but the girls really made some great efforts to keep the ball alive.  Our passing really let us down.  We need to execute with a decent pass so that we can attack and get the kill.”

 

WP-B opened with an 8-2 lead in game one, but a substitution problem with the libero serving nullified her four service points.  With the score reset at 4-3 the Cougars and Cadets battled in a close contest.  LDNE trailed 11-12 before WP-B ran off five points during their turn while Northeast suffered a service error after a side out.  The match ended with WP-B out scoring Northeast 8 to 4.

 

WP-B got off to a good start in set two with a 6-1 lead.  The lead stayed at five until the Cadet’s Weddle served four points (including two aces) to make it 19-11.  The Cougars added seven points, but the Cadets came up with six kills to get the win.

 

Maddie Ronnfeldt got Northeast off to a great start as she served up he first three points of the third set.   Brianne Haskell had five of her team-high ten kills  to propel the team to an 8-3 lead. The Cadets rallied to tied the score at 11, but Northeast regained the lead on Vanessa Peterson’s service.  After nine side outs the score stood at 21-19.  Darcy Simonsen put up two service points.  After a Haskell kill LDNE was on top 23-19.  Following a side out WP-B scored five straight top win.

 

WP-B              25        25        25

LDNE              16        18        23

 

L-D      (ACEs,  KILLs, BLOCKs, DIGs)  Ronnfeldt 0  2  0  12; Peterson  1  2  3  5;  Wakeley  0  2  0  1;  Christiansen  0  1  2  4;  Bacon  0  2  1  0;  Simonsen  0  1  2  3;  Haskell  5 10  0  15;  Alford  0  0  0  11.  Set Assists:  Simonsen  17

 

 

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