By Office of Senator Pete Ricketts

WASHINGTON, D.C. –&nbsp;Today, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) released the following statement on his vote to support Senate passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA):

“At a time of growing threats from adversaries like the People’s Republic of China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, this defense bill focuses on deterring aggression and keeping Americans safe. It has critical funding for Nebraska’s National Guard and Offutt Air Force Base. The bill gives our troops a much-deserved pay raise, rejects Biden’s reckless plan to shrink our Navy, modernizes our nuclear deterrent, and ensures oversight of our aid to Ukraine. This bill also delivers a major conservative win by demanding the Pentagon re-focus on readiness instead of letting bureaucrats push divisive Critical Race Theory and DEI practices on our ranks. Lastly, this bill includes Senator Lankford and my amendments to improve customer service and transparency in the Biden administration’s backlogged passport office.”

Ricketts spoke about the NDAA yesterday with Kris Pierce on NewsRadio 1110 KFAB. Listen to the radio interview&nbsp;<a href="https://youtu.be/l3JZfJJeOmc?si=srgz7Vw7sCRlH-8y" target="_blank">here</a>.

The NDAA lays out spending priorities for the Department of Defense (DOD) and some non-defense authorizations, including the State Department. There are also several Nebraska-specific wins. The bill:&nbsp;

The&nbsp;NDAA&nbsp;also includes many legislative efforts supported by Ricketts. The bill:

By Office of Senator Pete RickettsWASHINGTON, D.C. –&nbsp;Today, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) released the following statement on his vote to support Senate passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA):“At a time of growing threats from adversaries like the People’s Republic of China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, this defense bill focuses on deterring aggression and keeping Americans safe. It has critical funding for Nebraska’s National Guard and Offutt Air Force Base. The bill gives our troops a much-deserved pay raise, rejects Biden’s reckless plan to shrink our Navy, modernizes our nuclear deterrent, and ensures oversight of our aid to Ukraine. This bill also delivers a major conservative win by demanding the Pentagon re-focus on readiness instead of letting bureaucrats push divisive Critical Race Theory and DEI practices on our ranks. Lastly, this bill includes Senator Lankford and my amendments to improve customer service and transparency in the Biden administration’s backlogged passport office.”Ricketts spoke about the NDAA yesterday with Kris Pierce on NewsRadio 1110 KFAB. Listen to the radio interview&nbsp;<a href="https://youtu.be/l3JZfJJeOmc?si=srgz7Vw7sCRlH-8y" target="_blank">here</a>.BACKGROUNDThe NDAA lays out spending priorities for the Department of Defense (DOD) and some non-defense authorizations, including the State Department. There are also several Nebraska-specific wins. The bill:&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>Authorizes critical funding for the 55th&nbsp;Wing and the 557th&nbsp;Weather Wing at Offutt AFB,</li><li>Authorizes full funding for the Sentinel ICBM weapon system and provides the program with multiyear procurement authority to stabilize supply chains and increase program efficiency,</li><li>Supports requested funding for military construction projects at Offutt AFB and various Nebraska National Guard sites throughout the state,</li><li>Authorizes additional resources for STRATCOM’s Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications (NC3) modernization, and</li><li>Authorizes full funding for the recapitalization and modernization of our nuclear triad.</li>
 </ul>The&nbsp;NDAA&nbsp;also includes many legislative efforts supported by Ricketts. The bill:<ul>
 <li>Includes&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/some-ricketts-lankford-language-on-passport-customer-service-added-to-defense-bill/" target="_blank">two Ricketts-sponsored amendments</a>&nbsp;that provide taxpayers with more visibility into the processing of their passports and improved customer service, &nbsp;</li><li>Supports $886 billion in FY 2024 funding for our national security,</li><li>Secures a 5.2% pay raise for servicemembers,</li><li>Establishes a new U.S. training program for the military forces in Taiwan,</li><li>Expands the Pacific Deterrence Initiative to enhance U.S. basing and logistics in the Western Pacific,</li><li>Enables the security partnership among Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, known as AUKUS, by providing the necessary ship transfer authority and streamlining of export controls,</li><li>Requires a full public accounting of CCP military spending to ensure the rest of the world understands the Chinese Communist Party’s global military goals,</li><li>Restricts the DOD from supporting Hollywood film projects that have ties to the CCP,</li><li>Encourages development of new homeland air defense protocols to avoid future violations of U.S. airspace,</li><li>Fully funds the European Deterrence Initiative to boost the military readiness of European allies and deter Russian aggression,</li><li>Fully funds and extends the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) through fiscal year 2027,</li><li>Mandates a review of U.S. precision-guided munitions stockpiled in Israel and an assessment of the types of munitions Israel would need to respond to a sustained multi-front war, to update and modernize the stockpile,</li><li>Facilitates training Israeli pilots on new aerial refueling aircraft that Israel has ordered and to expedite the delivery of those tankers,</li><li>Creates a dedicated State Department envoy for the Abraham Accords, Negev Forum and other regional normalization efforts,</li><li>Includes the FINISH IT Act to ensure border wall panels already owned by the U.S. government are used or transferred to state governments for use in building the border wall,</li><li>Directs DOD to develop a strategy for countering fentanyl trafficking, and imposes sanctions on transnational criminal organizations, including drug cartels, and others who traffic illicit fentanyl and its precursors,</li><li>Includes the Merit Act to replace all DOD “equity” programming with initiatives focused on equal opportunity, including at service academies, and</li><li>Freezes DEI hiring until a full accounting of all DOD DEI programming and costs are completed.</li>
 </ul>

Ricketts issues statement about his support of National Defense Authorization Act

CHADRON – An ongoing effort to designate a portion of Chadron as a Nebraska Arts Council creative district will take its next step in January, and the community is invited to help shape the priorities during a strategic planning session.

The proposed creative district includes the Chadron State College and Chadron High School campuses, Memorial Park, the Dawes County Courthouse, Chadron Arts Center, Chadron Public Library and the Downtown Historical District. A task force that includes representatives from the college, tourism, city, chamber, Museum of the Fur Trade and Chadron Open Art has already completed the initial application steps and conducted a site visit with the Nebraska Arts Council.

“The next step is to prioritize what we as a community would like to see happen within the proposed creative district boundaries over the next five years,” said Discover Northwest Nebraska Director Kerri Rempp. “We had several public meetings in 2022, but want to solicit additional public comment before submitting our strategic plan.”

The community is invited to attend the upcoming session of the Northwest Nebraska Regional Planning meeting where the focus will be on the creative district’s development. The meeting is scheduled for Jan. 10 from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Platte Valley Bank Community Room in Chadron.

“We’d love to hear from artists and creators and those who enjoy their works as we determine priorities for the next five years,” Rempp said. “The designation as a creative district through the Nebraska Arts Council has the potential to increase exposure for the downtown area, along with our local and regional artists and businesses.”

By Discover Northwest NebraskaCHADRON – An ongoing effort to designate a portion of Chadron as a Nebraska Arts Council creative district will take its next step in January, and the community is invited to help shape the priorities during a strategic planning session.The proposed creative district includes the Chadron State College and Chadron High School campuses, Memorial Park, the Dawes County Courthouse, Chadron Arts Center, Chadron Public Library and the Downtown Historical District. A task force that includes representatives from the college, tourism, city, chamber, Museum of the Fur Trade and Chadron Open Art has already completed the initial application steps and conducted a site visit with the Nebraska Arts Council.“The next step is to prioritize what we as a community would like to see happen within the proposed creative district boundaries over the next five years,” said Discover Northwest Nebraska Director Kerri Rempp. “We had several public meetings in 2022, but want to solicit additional public comment before submitting our strategic plan.”The community is invited to attend the upcoming session of the Northwest Nebraska Regional Planning meeting where the focus will be on the creative district’s development. The meeting is scheduled for Jan. 10 from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Platte Valley Bank Community Room in Chadron.“We’d love to hear from artists and creators and those who enjoy their works as we determine priorities for the next five years,” Rempp said. “The designation as a creative district through the Nebraska Arts Council has the potential to increase exposure for the downtown area, along with our local and regional artists and businesses.”

 Chadron community invited to help plan creative development

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702581744495.png" alt="A fundraiser on Saturday will be held for the family of Terry Hill, a Morrill who passed away this year in an ATV accident.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>A fundraiser on Saturday will be held for the family of Terry Hill, a Morrill who passed away this year in an ATV accident.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>

Terry Hill Memorial Rubber check Race on Saturday

POST PODCAST: Coffee Talk 12/14/23

MATCH PREVIEW• The No. 1 Nebraska volleyball team squares off against No. 4 Pittsburgh on Thursday in the NCAA Semifinals at 6 p.m. (CT) at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla. The winner will advance to Sunday’s NCAA Championship at 2 p.m. (CT) on ABC against either No. 3 Wisconsin or No. 5 Texas.&nbsp;• Thursday’s match will be televised on ESPN and streamed on WatchESPN. Courtney Lyle, Holly McPeak and Katie George will be on the call.&nbsp;• The Huskers Radio Network will broadcast all the action on their radio affiliates, including 107.3 FM in Lincoln and AM 590 in Omaha. A live audio stream will be provided at Huskers.com and on the Huskers app.&nbsp;• John Baylor is in his 30th season doing play-by-play for the Husker volleyball program. Lauren (Cook) West, a former All-American setter for the Huskers, will provide color commentary.

ABOUT THE HUSKERS• Nebraska (32-1) is the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament for the sixth time in program history. The other years were 2000 (NCAA Champion), 2004 (NCAA Regional Finalist), 2005 (NCAA Runner-Up), 2006 (NCAA Champion) and 2016 (NCAA Semifinalist).• The Huskers won the outright Big Ten title this season with a 19-1 league record, earning their first Big Ten title since 2017. Nebraska has now won four Big Ten titles since joining the conference in 2011. The years were 2011, 2016, 2017 (co-champions) and 2023. All-time, Nebraska volleyball has won 35 conference titles. John Cook has been head coach for 13 of them.&nbsp;• Nebraska’s 32 wins are tied for the most by a Nebraska team since the 2006 team won 33 matches (33-1).• Nebraska won 27 matches in a row to begin the season and finished 28-1, its best regular-season record since going 28-1 in 2005.&nbsp;• The Huskers, who led the nation in defense in 2022, have held their opponents this season to a combined .134 hitting percentage, which ranks first nationally.&nbsp;• Nebraska has been sharp offensively this season, hitting .279 to rank 18th nationally. The Huskers rank 10th nationally with 14.06 kills per set and 15th in assists per set at 13.02.&nbsp;• Nebraska had four All-Big Ten First Team selections and two All-Big Ten Second Team selections for a total of six all-conference players this season, the most in program history.• The Huskers had six AVCA All-Region honorees, tied for the most in program history.&nbsp;• Thursday’s semifinals pits the nation’s top two defenses against each other. Nebraska is No. 1 nationally at .134, while Pittsburgh is No. 2 at .138.&nbsp;• Nebraska and Pittsburgh are the only two teams who are holding their opponents under .100 hitting in the NCAA Tournament. The Huskers are No. 1 with a .090 opponent hitting percentage in the NCAA Tournament while the Panthers rank second with an .095 opponent hitting percentage.• Nebraska has lost only one set in the NCAA Tournament, the only team in the tournament with fewer than two set losses.• Nebraska enters the NCAA Semifinals with 32 wins. That ties for the most wins by a team entering the NCAA Semifinals since 2014, when Penn State entered the semifinals with a 34-3 record.• Bekka Allick is averaging 2.4 blocks per set during the NCAA Tournament and is the nation’s leading blocker during the postseason.• Bergen Reilly is looking to become just the fourth freshman setter to lead her team to a national championship. Bryn Keho set Stanford to a national title as a true freshman in 2004 as did Jenna Gray for the Cardinal in 2016. In addition to the two Stanford setters, Nebraska’s Rachel Holloway set the Huskers to a national championship in 2006, when she was a redshirt freshman.• Merritt Beason has 444 kills in her first season as a Husker. With six more kills, Beason would join an accomplished group of four Huskers who totaled 450 kills in a season during the rally-scoring era (2001-present). That group includes Sarah Pavan, Kelsey Robinson, Mikaela Foecke and Jordan Larson. Pavan and Foecke were each named the NCAA Championship Most Outstanding Player in their careers, while Robinson and Larson both won gold medals with Team USA at the 2020 Olympics, with Larson being the Olympics’ Most Outstanding Player.• Andi Jackson is hitting .402 this season, as she attempts to become the first freshman in program history to hit .400. The current record for freshman hitting percentage is .388 by Karen Dahlgren in 1983.&nbsp;

NEBRASKA’S NCAA TOURNAMENT NOTES• Nebraska advanced to an NCAA Semifinal for the 17th time in program history and for the sixth time in the past nine seasons. The Huskers’ 17 NCAA Semifinals rank second in NCAA history, and Nebraska’s six semifinal appearances since 2015 lead the nation.• John Cook has led Nebraska to an NCAA Semifinal for the 11th time in his 24 seasons. Cook is the fourth Division I coach to take one school to 10 or more NCAA Semifinals, joining Russ Rose (Penn State), Andy Banachowski (UCLA) and Jerritt Elliott (Texas).• Nebraska is 129-36 all-time in the NCAA Tournament. The Huskers rank second in NCAA history in postseason wins and winning percentage (.782).• Cook is 88-19 in the NCAA Tournament as Nebraska’s head coach. He is 96-24 in his NCAA Tournament career. Cook ranks second all-time in career NCAA Tournament victories and NCAA Tournament wins at one school.• Bekka Allick had a career-high 12 blocks in the regional final (her previous career high was 10 at Minnesota on Nov. 25, 2023). Allick’s 12 blocks were the most by a Husker in an NCAA Tournament match during the rally-scoring era (since 2001), breaking the record of 10, which was accomplished seven times by five Huskers.&nbsp;• Merritt Beason had 19 kills in the Arkansas match. She has produced double-digit kills in 17 of her last 18 matches, including all four matches of the NCAA Tournament. Beason has 444 kills this season. She moved into the top 10 on Nebraska’s single-season kills list, passing Mikaela Foecke (441 in 2017) and Sarah Pavan (443 in 2005) for the ninth-most single-season kills by a Husker in the rally-scoring era (since 2001).• Lexi Rodriguez had 20 digs in the regional final to increase her career total to 1,404. Rodriguez became the seventh player in school history to total 1,400 career digs.

HUSKERS RACK UP POSTSEASON AWARDS• Merritt Beason, a junior opposite hitter who transfered to NU from Florida, was named the AVCA Region Player of the Year, as well as All-Big Ten First Team and All-Region Team. Beason has stepped in as a team captain and is contributing a team-leading 3.86 kills per set this season with 2.09 digs per set and a .293 hitting percentage. A native of Gardendale, Ala., Beason earned four Big Ten Player of the Week honors this season and was the AVCA National Player of the Week on Oct. 24 following 21 kills in a 3-2 win over then-No. 1 Wisconsin. Beason had a career-high 27 kills on .426 hitting in a 3-2 reverse sweep at then-No. 16 Penn State on Nov. 3. As a sophomore at Florida in 2022, Beason was an All-SEC and AVCA All-Region selection.• Junior libero Lexi Rodriguez was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year for the second time in her career, becoming the fifth player in Big Ten history to receive that honor twice in a career. She also earned AVCA All-Region and All-Big Ten First Team honors for the third time. Rodriguez, who averages 3.62 digs and 1.26 assists per set, leads a Husker defense that ranks first nationally in opponent hitting percentage. The junior from Sterling, Ill., was twice named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week this season despite opponents frequently tailoring their game plans to avoid Rodriguez on the court. Rodriguez was a first-team AVCA All-American in 2021 and a second-team AVCA All-American in 2022.&nbsp;• Freshman outside hitter Harper Murray was voted the AVCA Region Freshman of the Year and the Big Ten Freshman of the Year, making her the second ever Husker (Madi Kubik, 2019) to earn that distinction. Murray also earned All-Big Ten First Team and unanimous All-Freshman Team accolades. Murray ranks second on the Huskers in kills with 3.23 per set and adds 2.10 digs per set with a team-high 34 service aces. Murray was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week three times this season.• Freshman setter Bergen Reilly was chosen Big Ten Setter of the Year, becoming the first ever freshman to earn the award since it originated in 2012. She also earned All-Big Ten First Team, All-Freshman Team, and AVCA All-Region Team accolades. Reilly, just the second true freshman setter to be the starter at Nebraska under head coach John Cook, is putting up 10.64 assists and 2.70 digs per set and has 15 double-doubles this season. The Sioux Falls, S.D., native ranks 17th nationally in assists per set. Reilly was named Big Ten Setter of the Week four times this year and Big Ten Freshman of the Week twice. She paces a Husker offense that ranks in the top 20 nationally in hitting percentage (.279) and kills per set (14.06).&nbsp;• Bekka Allick, a sophomore middle blocker from Lincoln, Neb., has been Nebraska’s top defensive presence at the net with a team-best 1.45 blocks per set this season. Offensively, Allick adds 1.80 kills per set on .325 hitting. Allick had a career-high 12 blocks in the NCAA regional final win over Arkansas, the most by a Husker in an NCAA Tournament match during the rally-scoring era. Allick received AVCA All-Region and All-Big Ten Second Team honors for the second year in a row.&nbsp;• Andi Jackson, a freshman middle blocker from Brighton, Colo., averages 2.04 kills per set and 1.09 blocks per set and has a team-high .402 hitting percentage, which ranks 18th nationally. Jackson was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week in November and has hit .500 or better in 13 matches this season. She was selected to the AVCA All-Region Team, All-Big Ten Second Team and Big Ten All-Freshman Team. &nbsp;

SCOUTING REPORT: PITTSBURGH• Pittsburgh (29-4, 16-2 ACC) earned a third straight trip to the NCAA Semifinals with a 3-2 reverse sweep of Louisville in the regional finals, its second time in four weeks reverse sweeping the Cardinals.&nbsp;• The Panthers rank second nationally in opponent hitting percentage (.138) and third in hitting percentage (.308). Pitt is No. 2 in the nation in blocks at 2.97 per set. &nbsp;• Outside hitter Olivia Babcock was the ACC Freshman of the Year. Babcock leads the attack with 3.61 kills per set and has served a team-high 50 aces.&nbsp;• Setter Rachel Fairbanks was the ACC Setter of the Year. Fairbanks averages 9.32 assists per set.&nbsp;

SERIES HISTORY• Nebraska is 13-0 all-time against Pittsburgh. The teams met in the NCAA Semifinals in Columbus, Ohio on Dec. 16, 2021. The Huskers won that match, 3-1 (16-25, 25-17, 25-20, 25-22) to advance to the NCAA Championship match, which Wisconsin won 3-2.&nbsp;

HUSKERS RANKED NO. 1 IN AVCA COACHES POLL• Nebraska is ranked No. 1 in the AVCA Coaches Poll this week.• Nebraska has been ranked No. 1 in 108 all-time polls, the most in NCAA history.&nbsp;• The Huskers have been ranked in the top 10 a total of 557 times, which is also the most in NCAA history.• Nebraska has appeared in all 618 AVCA Coaches Polls it has been eligible for since it was established in 1982. Nebraska is the only program to be ranked in every eligible poll all-time.• Nebraska’s 618 consecutive weeks of being ranked is the longest active streak in Division I for any sport, leading Connecticut women’s basketball and North Carolina women’s soccer.

AVCA HALL OF FAMER JOHN COOK IN 24TH SEASON AT NEBRASKA• Nebraska head coach John Cook is in his 24th season as the Nebraska volleyball head coach in 2023. He has led the Huskers to four national championships, 11 final fours, 13 conference championships and 21 top-10 final rankings since 2000.&nbsp;• Cook has 849 career wins and is one of the all-time winningest coaches in NCAA history. Since taking over the program in 2000, Cook has led the Huskers to a nation-leading .874 win percentage (688-99).&nbsp;• Under Cook, the Huskers have achieved 64 AVCA All-Americans and 20 CoSIDA Academic All-Americans, both among the best in the nation. He is a two-time AVCA National Coach of the Year, earning the prestigious honor in 2000 and 2005, and an eight-time conference coach of the year, including Big Ten Coach of the Year in 2016, 2017 and 2023.• Cook was voted AVCA North Region Coach of the Year and Big Ten Coach of the Year after leading a young Nebraska team with no seniors to its first Big Ten title since 2017. The Huskers finished the regular season 28-1 overall, their best regular season record since going 28-1 in 2005. After going 26-6 last year and missing the NCAA Regional Finals for the first time since 2011, the Huskers started over with a starting lineup featuring four true freshmen and a junior transfer (Beason). Cook’s Huskers won their first 27 matches of the season and held the No. 1 ranking from Oct. 23 through the end of the regular season. Despite having no seniors on the roster for just the second time in Cook’s 24 years at Nebraska - as well as starting a true freshman at setter for only the second time in Cook’s tenure - the Huskers earned the overall No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2016 and the sixth time overall under Cook.• Cook is one of only two active coaches - and one of six all-time - to be a two-time AVCA National Coach of the Year and was honored in 2008 by USA Volleyball, receiving its All-Time Great Coach Award.• Cook was inducted into the AVCA Hall of Fame in 2017, joining former Husker volleyball coach Terry Pettit in the hall.&nbsp;

HUSKER VOLLEYBALL SETS ATTENDANCE RECORDS• It was a record-breaking night at Memorial Stadium on Aug. 30 when Nebraska hosted Omaha in an outdoor volleyball match. The attendance of 92,003 set a record for the largest crowd to watch a women’s sporting event in the United States. The crowd of more than 92,000 also surpassed what is widely regarded as the world-record attendance for any women’s sporting event.• The previously recognized world record was 91,648 fans in an UEFA Champions League match between Barcelona and Wolfsburg on April 22, 2022, at Camp Nou in Barcelona, Spain. The previous record for an American women’s sporting event was 90,185 in USA’s FIFA World Cup Final against China on July 10, 1999, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.• Along with the two records mentioned above, the Huskers shattered a pair of NCAA records, exceeding the previous records for any NCAA volleyball match and an NCAA volleyball regular-season match.&nbsp;• Entering the match, the largest-ever crowd for any NCAA volleyball match was 18,755 when Nebraska played Wisconsin in the NCAA Final at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, on Dec. 18, 2021. The largest NCAA volleyball regular-season attendance was 16,833 when Wisconsin hosted Florida at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis., on Sept 16, 2022.• The Husker volleyball program has sold out 319 consecutive regular-season matches. Nebraska’s sellout streak is an NCAA women’s record. The Huskers have led the nation in attendance every season since moving into the Bob Devaney Sports Center in 2013.• Nine of the top 11 crowds in NCAA volleyball history are matches that have involved the Huskers.&nbsp;• Of the 16 largest NCAA volleyball regular-season crowds, 14 have been Nebraska matches.• On Oct. 21, Nebraska broke its Devaney Center attendance record since the arena was reconfigured for volleyball in 2013. A crowd of 9,198 turned out to see a five-set thriller between undefeated No. 1 Wisconsin and undefeated No. 2 Nebraska. Over the summer, 402 seats were added to the Devaney Center, increasing the seating capacity to 8,309.&nbsp;• Nebraska’s total attendance for the 2023 season was 264,665 (including the 92,003 for the outdoor match). Nebraska volleyball became the first female sport in NCAA history to draw 250,000 home fans in a single season.&nbsp;

By NU AthleticsMATCH PREVIEW• The No. 1 Nebraska volleyball team squares off against No. 4 Pittsburgh on Thursday in the NCAA Semifinals at 6 p.m. (CT) at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla. The winner will advance to Sunday’s NCAA Championship at 2 p.m. (CT) on ABC against either No. 3 Wisconsin or No. 5 Texas.&nbsp;• Thursday’s match will be televised on ESPN and streamed on WatchESPN. Courtney Lyle, Holly McPeak and Katie George will be on the call.&nbsp;• The Huskers Radio Network will broadcast all the action on their radio affiliates, including 107.3 FM in Lincoln and AM 590 in Omaha. A live audio stream will be provided at Huskers.com and on the Huskers app.&nbsp;• John Baylor is in his 30th season doing play-by-play for the Husker volleyball program. Lauren (Cook) West, a former All-American setter for the Huskers, will provide color commentary.ABOUT THE HUSKERS• Nebraska (32-1) is the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament for the sixth time in program history. The other years were 2000 (NCAA Champion), 2004 (NCAA Regional Finalist), 2005 (NCAA Runner-Up), 2006 (NCAA Champion) and 2016 (NCAA Semifinalist).• The Huskers won the outright Big Ten title this season with a 19-1 league record, earning their first Big Ten title since 2017. Nebraska has now won four Big Ten titles since joining the conference in 2011. The years were 2011, 2016, 2017 (co-champions) and 2023. All-time, Nebraska volleyball has won 35 conference titles. John Cook has been head coach for 13 of them.&nbsp;• Nebraska’s 32 wins are tied for the most by a Nebraska team since the 2006 team won 33 matches (33-1).• Nebraska won 27 matches in a row to begin the season and finished 28-1, its best regular-season record since going 28-1 in 2005.&nbsp;• The Huskers, who led the nation in defense in 2022, have held their opponents this season to a combined .134 hitting percentage, which ranks first nationally.&nbsp;• Nebraska has been sharp offensively this season, hitting .279 to rank 18th nationally. The Huskers rank 10th nationally with 14.06 kills per set and 15th in assists per set at 13.02.&nbsp;• Nebraska had four All-Big Ten First Team selections and two All-Big Ten Second Team selections for a total of six all-conference players this season, the most in program history.• The Huskers had six AVCA All-Region honorees, tied for the most in program history.&nbsp;• Thursday’s semifinals pits the nation’s top two defenses against each other. Nebraska is No. 1 nationally at .134, while Pittsburgh is No. 2 at .138.&nbsp;• Nebraska and Pittsburgh are the only two teams who are holding their opponents under .100 hitting in the NCAA Tournament. The Huskers are No. 1 with a .090 opponent hitting percentage in the NCAA Tournament while the Panthers rank second with an .095 opponent hitting percentage.• Nebraska has lost only one set in the NCAA Tournament, the only team in the tournament with fewer than two set losses.• Nebraska enters the NCAA Semifinals with 32 wins. That ties for the most wins by a team entering the NCAA Semifinals since 2014, when Penn State entered the semifinals with a 34-3 record.• Bekka Allick is averaging 2.4 blocks per set during the NCAA Tournament and is the nation’s leading blocker during the postseason.• Bergen Reilly is looking to become just the fourth freshman setter to lead her team to a national championship. Bryn Keho set Stanford to a national title as a true freshman in 2004 as did Jenna Gray for the Cardinal in 2016. In addition to the two Stanford setters, Nebraska’s Rachel Holloway set the Huskers to a national championship in 2006, when she was a redshirt freshman.• Merritt Beason has 444 kills in her first season as a Husker. With six more kills, Beason would join an accomplished group of four Huskers who totaled 450 kills in a season during the rally-scoring era (2001-present). That group includes Sarah Pavan, Kelsey Robinson, Mikaela Foecke and Jordan Larson. Pavan and Foecke were each named the NCAA Championship Most Outstanding Player in their careers, while Robinson and Larson both won gold medals with Team USA at the 2020 Olympics, with Larson being the Olympics’ Most Outstanding Player.• Andi Jackson is hitting .402 this season, as she attempts to become the first freshman in program history to hit .400. The current record for freshman hitting percentage is .388 by Karen Dahlgren in 1983.&nbsp;NEBRASKA’S NCAA TOURNAMENT NOTES• Nebraska advanced to an NCAA Semifinal for the 17th time in program history and for the sixth time in the past nine seasons. The Huskers’ 17 NCAA Semifinals rank second in NCAA history, and Nebraska’s six semifinal appearances since 2015 lead the nation.• John Cook has led Nebraska to an NCAA Semifinal for the 11th time in his 24 seasons. Cook is the fourth Division I coach to take one school to 10 or more NCAA Semifinals, joining Russ Rose (Penn State), Andy Banachowski (UCLA) and Jerritt Elliott (Texas).• Nebraska is 129-36 all-time in the NCAA Tournament. The Huskers rank second in NCAA history in postseason wins and winning percentage (.782).• Cook is 88-19 in the NCAA Tournament as Nebraska’s head coach. He is 96-24 in his NCAA Tournament career. Cook ranks second all-time in career NCAA Tournament victories and NCAA Tournament wins at one school.• Bekka Allick had a career-high 12 blocks in the regional final (her previous career high was 10 at Minnesota on Nov. 25, 2023). Allick’s 12 blocks were the most by a Husker in an NCAA Tournament match during the rally-scoring era (since 2001), breaking the record of 10, which was accomplished seven times by five Huskers.&nbsp;• Merritt Beason had 19 kills in the Arkansas match. She has produced double-digit kills in 17 of her last 18 matches, including all four matches of the NCAA Tournament. Beason has 444 kills this season. She moved into the top 10 on Nebraska’s single-season kills list, passing Mikaela Foecke (441 in 2017) and Sarah Pavan (443 in 2005) for the ninth-most single-season kills by a Husker in the rally-scoring era (since 2001).• Lexi Rodriguez had 20 digs in the regional final to increase her career total to 1,404. Rodriguez became the seventh player in school history to total 1,400 career digs.HUSKERS RACK UP POSTSEASON AWARDS• Merritt Beason, a junior opposite hitter who transfered to NU from Florida, was named the AVCA Region Player of the Year, as well as All-Big Ten First Team and All-Region Team. Beason has stepped in as a team captain and is contributing a team-leading 3.86 kills per set this season with 2.09 digs per set and a .293 hitting percentage. A native of Gardendale, Ala., Beason earned four Big Ten Player of the Week honors this season and was the AVCA National Player of the Week on Oct. 24 following 21 kills in a 3-2 win over then-No. 1 Wisconsin. Beason had a career-high 27 kills on .426 hitting in a 3-2 reverse sweep at then-No. 16 Penn State on Nov. 3. As a sophomore at Florida in 2022, Beason was an All-SEC and AVCA All-Region selection.• Junior libero Lexi Rodriguez was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year for the second time in her career, becoming the fifth player in Big Ten history to receive that honor twice in a career. She also earned AVCA All-Region and All-Big Ten First Team honors for the third time. Rodriguez, who averages 3.62 digs and 1.26 assists per set, leads a Husker defense that ranks first nationally in opponent hitting percentage. The junior from Sterling, Ill., was twice named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week this season despite opponents frequently tailoring their game plans to avoid Rodriguez on the court. Rodriguez was a first-team AVCA All-American in 2021 and a second-team AVCA All-American in 2022.&nbsp;• Freshman outside hitter Harper Murray was voted the AVCA Region Freshman of the Year and the Big Ten Freshman of the Year, making her the second ever Husker (Madi Kubik, 2019) to earn that distinction. Murray also earned All-Big Ten First Team and unanimous All-Freshman Team accolades. Murray ranks second on the Huskers in kills with 3.23 per set and adds 2.10 digs per set with a team-high 34 service aces. Murray was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week three times this season.• Freshman setter Bergen Reilly was chosen Big Ten Setter of the Year, becoming the first ever freshman to earn the award since it originated in 2012. She also earned All-Big Ten First Team, All-Freshman Team, and AVCA All-Region Team accolades. Reilly, just the second true freshman setter to be the starter at Nebraska under head coach John Cook, is putting up 10.64 assists and 2.70 digs per set and has 15 double-doubles this season. The Sioux Falls, S.D., native ranks 17th nationally in assists per set. Reilly was named Big Ten Setter of the Week four times this year and Big Ten Freshman of the Week twice. She paces a Husker offense that ranks in the top 20 nationally in hitting percentage (.279) and kills per set (14.06).&nbsp;• Bekka Allick, a sophomore middle blocker from Lincoln, Neb., has been Nebraska’s top defensive presence at the net with a team-best 1.45 blocks per set this season. Offensively, Allick adds 1.80 kills per set on .325 hitting. Allick had a career-high 12 blocks in the NCAA regional final win over Arkansas, the most by a Husker in an NCAA Tournament match during the rally-scoring era. Allick received AVCA All-Region and All-Big Ten Second Team honors for the second year in a row.&nbsp;• Andi Jackson, a freshman middle blocker from Brighton, Colo., averages 2.04 kills per set and 1.09 blocks per set and has a team-high .402 hitting percentage, which ranks 18th nationally. Jackson was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week in November and has hit .500 or better in 13 matches this season. She was selected to the AVCA All-Region Team, All-Big Ten Second Team and Big Ten All-Freshman Team. &nbsp;SCOUTING REPORT: PITTSBURGH• Pittsburgh (29-4, 16-2 ACC) earned a third straight trip to the NCAA Semifinals with a 3-2 reverse sweep of Louisville in the regional finals, its second time in four weeks reverse sweeping the Cardinals.&nbsp;• The Panthers rank second nationally in opponent hitting percentage (.138) and third in hitting percentage (.308). Pitt is No. 2 in the nation in blocks at 2.97 per set. &nbsp;• Outside hitter Olivia Babcock was the ACC Freshman of the Year. Babcock leads the attack with 3.61 kills per set and has served a team-high 50 aces.&nbsp;• Setter Rachel Fairbanks was the ACC Setter of the Year. Fairbanks averages 9.32 assists per set.&nbsp;SERIES HISTORY• Nebraska is 13-0 all-time against Pittsburgh. The teams met in the NCAA Semifinals in Columbus, Ohio on Dec. 16, 2021. The Huskers won that match, 3-1 (16-25, 25-17, 25-20, 25-22) to advance to the NCAA Championship match, which Wisconsin won 3-2.&nbsp;HUSKERS RANKED NO. 1 IN AVCA COACHES POLL• Nebraska is ranked No. 1 in the AVCA Coaches Poll this week.• Nebraska has been ranked No. 1 in 108 all-time polls, the most in NCAA history.&nbsp;• The Huskers have been ranked in the top 10 a total of 557 times, which is also the most in NCAA history.• Nebraska has appeared in all 618 AVCA Coaches Polls it has been eligible for since it was established in 1982. Nebraska is the only program to be ranked in every eligible poll all-time.• Nebraska’s 618 consecutive weeks of being ranked is the longest active streak in Division I for any sport, leading Connecticut women’s basketball and North Carolina women’s soccer.AVCA HALL OF FAMER JOHN COOK IN 24TH SEASON AT NEBRASKA• Nebraska head coach John Cook is in his 24th season as the Nebraska volleyball head coach in 2023. He has led the Huskers to four national championships, 11 final fours, 13 conference championships and 21 top-10 final rankings since 2000.&nbsp;• Cook has 849 career wins and is one of the all-time winningest coaches in NCAA history. Since taking over the program in 2000, Cook has led the Huskers to a nation-leading .874 win percentage (688-99).&nbsp;• Under Cook, the Huskers have achieved 64 AVCA All-Americans and 20 CoSIDA Academic All-Americans, both among the best in the nation. He is a two-time AVCA National Coach of the Year, earning the prestigious honor in 2000 and 2005, and an eight-time conference coach of the year, including Big Ten Coach of the Year in 2016, 2017 and 2023.• Cook was voted AVCA North Region Coach of the Year and Big Ten Coach of the Year after leading a young Nebraska team with no seniors to its first Big Ten title since 2017. The Huskers finished the regular season 28-1 overall, their best regular season record since going 28-1 in 2005. After going 26-6 last year and missing the NCAA Regional Finals for the first time since 2011, the Huskers started over with a starting lineup featuring four true freshmen and a junior transfer (Beason). Cook’s Huskers won their first 27 matches of the season and held the No. 1 ranking from Oct. 23 through the end of the regular season. Despite having no seniors on the roster for just the second time in Cook’s 24 years at Nebraska - as well as starting a true freshman at setter for only the second time in Cook’s tenure - the Huskers earned the overall No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2016 and the sixth time overall under Cook.• Cook is one of only two active coaches - and one of six all-time - to be a two-time AVCA National Coach of the Year and was honored in 2008 by USA Volleyball, receiving its All-Time Great Coach Award.• Cook was inducted into the AVCA Hall of Fame in 2017, joining former Husker volleyball coach Terry Pettit in the hall.&nbsp;HUSKER VOLLEYBALL SETS ATTENDANCE RECORDS• It was a record-breaking night at Memorial Stadium on Aug. 30 when Nebraska hosted Omaha in an outdoor volleyball match. The attendance of 92,003 set a record for the largest crowd to watch a women’s sporting event in the United States. The crowd of more than 92,000 also surpassed what is widely regarded as the world-record attendance for any women’s sporting event.• The previously recognized world record was 91,648 fans in an UEFA Champions League match between Barcelona and Wolfsburg on April 22, 2022, at Camp Nou in Barcelona, Spain. The previous record for an American women’s sporting event was 90,185 in USA’s FIFA World Cup Final against China on July 10, 1999, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.• Along with the two records mentioned above, the Huskers shattered a pair of NCAA records, exceeding the previous records for any NCAA volleyball match and an NCAA volleyball regular-season match.&nbsp;• Entering the match, the largest-ever crowd for any NCAA volleyball match was 18,755 when Nebraska played Wisconsin in the NCAA Final at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, on Dec. 18, 2021. The largest NCAA volleyball regular-season attendance was 16,833 when Wisconsin hosted Florida at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis., on Sept 16, 2022.• The Husker volleyball program has sold out 319 consecutive regular-season matches. Nebraska’s sellout streak is an NCAA women’s record. The Huskers have led the nation in attendance every season since moving into the Bob Devaney Sports Center in 2013.• Nine of the top 11 crowds in NCAA volleyball history are matches that have involved the Huskers.&nbsp;• Of the 16 largest NCAA volleyball regular-season crowds, 14 have been Nebraska matches.• On Oct. 21, Nebraska broke its Devaney Center attendance record since the arena was reconfigured for volleyball in 2013. A crowd of 9,198 turned out to see a five-set thriller between undefeated No. 1 Wisconsin and undefeated No. 2 Nebraska. Over the summer, 402 seats were added to the Devaney Center, increasing the seating capacity to 8,309.&nbsp;• Nebraska’s total attendance for the 2023 season was 264,665 (including the 92,003 for the outdoor match). Nebraska volleyball became the first female sport in NCAA history to draw 250,000 home fans in a single season.&nbsp;

Huskers take on Pitt in Final Four 

Alliance, NE – The City of Alliance Facilities will be closed Monday, December 25th and Monday, January 1st in observance of the holidays. This closure includes the Utility Office, Public Works, and the Municipal Building.

The Alliance Public Library, Knight Museum &amp; Sandhills Center, Military Museum and Senior Center will be closed December 23rd – 25th and December 30th – January 1st.

The Alliance Municipal Landfill will be closed Saturday, December 23rd and Monday, December 25th. Saturday, December 30th and Monday January 1st.

Public Transit will be closed Monday, December 25th and Monday, January 1st.

Alliance, NE – The City of Alliance Facilities will be closed Monday, December 25th and Monday, January 1st in observance of the holidays. This closure includes the Utility Office, Public Works, and the Municipal Building.The Alliance Public Library, Knight Museum &amp; Sandhills Center, Military Museum and Senior Center will be closed December 23rd – 25th and December 30th – January 1st.The Alliance Municipal Landfill will be closed Saturday, December 23rd and Monday, December 25th. Saturday, December 30th and Monday January 1st.Public Transit will be closed Monday, December 25th and Monday, January 1st.

Holiday Closures of City Facilities in Alliance

*All individuals included in this post are innocent of crimes until proven guilty in a court of law. The Panhandle Post assumes no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, or completeness, of this information. Any person who believes information provided is not accurate may submit a complaint via the “Contact Us” tab on the homepage.

-Yadira L Garza, Class 1C Felony, Use firearm to commit a felony, Class 3A Felony, Terroristic threats, Class 1 Misdemeanor, Obstruct&nbsp; government operations

-Aman Aman, Class 1C Felony, Discharge firearm near vehicle/building

-Stoney Garcia, Class 1D Felony, Possess firearm by prohibited person, Class 1 Misdemeanor, False reporting&nbsp;

-Andrea Foltz, Class 3A Felony, Assault of cr/hlth care prof-3rd degree, Class 1 Misdemeanor, Obstruct a peace officer, Class 3 Misdemeanor, Disturbing the peace

-Bradley R Gomez, Class 3A Felony, Assault by strangulation or suffocation, DV assault 3rd/cause bodily injury/sub, Class 3 Misdemeanor, Disturbing the peace

-Zane Picket Pin, Class 3A Felony, Assault of cr/health care prof 3rd degree, Class 1 Misdemeanor, Obstruct a peace office, Resist arrest, Class 3 Misdemeanor, Disturbing the peace

-Allisha Sanchez-Hacker, Class 4 Felony, Possess controlled substance, Class 1 Misdemeanor, Resist arrest, Obstruct a peace officer

-Quinton D Fancher, Class 1 Misdemeanor, Domestic assault 3rd degree, Class 3 Misdemeanor, Disturbing the peace

-Lylian Star, Class 2 Misdemeanor, Attempt of a class 1 misdemeanor

-Nathan A Tews, Class 2 Misdemeanor, Drive during revocation/impound, Class 4 Misdemeanor, License vehicle without liability insurance

-Ellen Wilson, Class 1 Misdemeanor, Assault 3rd degree

-Evan Meyers, Class 1 Misdemeanor, False reporting

-Irene Lone Wolf III, Class 2 Misdemeanor, Theft-shoplifting $0-500

-Martina A Camacho, Class 1 Misdemeanor, DV assault 3rd/cause bodily injury

-Ty J Martin, Class 1 Misdemeanor, DUI (1 prior conviction)

-Monte R Dexter, Class W Misdemeanor, DUI

-Anthony J Bouchard, Class 2 Misdemeanor, Theft-unlawful taking $0-500

-Justin Guerra, Class 2 Misdemeanor, Trespass 2nd degree/defy order to leave

-Heather R Kozal, Class 2 Misdemeanor, Theft-shoplifting $0-500

-Christopher Torres,&nbsp;Criminal Trespass 2nd degree

-Daniel Gonzales,&nbsp;Domestic Assault, False Imprisonment, Possess marijuana&nbsp;

-Jerardo Castillo,&nbsp;DUI, Open Container, Careless Driving

-Stephen Lockman,&nbsp;Poss cont sub, Criminal Trespass

-Romelia Hernandez,&nbsp;Poss cont sub, Poss drug para, PWITD

-Miranda Ruiz,&nbsp;Poss cont sbu X2, Poss drug para

-Harley Furrey,&nbsp;Poss cont sub X2. Pos drug para

-Henry Zitterkopf,&nbsp;Poss cont sub, Poss drug para

-Henry Palomo, Poss cont sub, Poss drug para

-Alexander Mousseaux,&nbsp;Disorderly Conduct

-Anibal Domingo Jr,&nbsp;2nd degree homicide, Use of a firearm to commit a felony

-Kelly Turn Bull,&nbsp;Disorderly Conduct, Disturbing the peace, Obstruction

-Jessie Bettelyoun,&nbsp;Burglary, Theft, Criminal trespass

-Estanislado Ramirez,&nbsp;Domestic Assault, Resisting arrest

-Edwin Perez, Assault, unathorized&nbsp;propelled vehicle&nbsp;

-Leonardo Nava,&nbsp;Trespass, panhandling

-Matthew Hawk,&nbsp;DUI, open container, no driver license

-Gavino Galvan,&nbsp;Poss cont sub, poss drug para

-Samantha Hightower,&nbsp;Poss cont sub, poss drug para

-Matthew Mays,&nbsp;DUS, No valid registration

-Eddie Coffman,&nbsp;Poss cont sub, poss drug para

-Joseph Anaya,&nbsp;Poss cont sub, poss drug para

-Adric Blanco,&nbsp;Terroristic Threats, Domestic Assault,&nbsp;Obstruction, Strangulation, False imprisonment

-Zechariah Parker,&nbsp;Domestic Assault, Child Abuse,&nbsp;Aggravated Comestic (Strangulation),&nbsp;Traffic Offense, Child Abuse, Obstruction,&nbsp;Leaving scene of accident

-Loagan Scott,&nbsp;DUI, DUS, Child Abuse

-Anibal Domingo,&nbsp;Distribute Cont. Sub. X2

-Kayleen Krolikowski, Class 3 Misdemeanor, Drive under susp/before being reinstated by state

-Arthur Anders, Class 3 Misdemeanor, Acts declared unlawful-license/driving

-Cassandra Dede, Class 2 Misdemeanor, Theft-unlawful taking $0-500

-Heizkia Trejo, Class 1 Misdemeanor, Theft-shoplifting $501-1,499

-Charlie Rath, Class 3A Felony, Terroristic threats

-Zachary Z Smith, Class 2 Misdemeanor, Theft-shoplifting $0-500

-Mechelle Frear, Class W Misdemeanor, DUI, Class 3 Misdemeanor, Improper/defective vehicle lighting

-Sylvanus W Lame Jr., Class 2 Misdemeanor, Theft-shoplifting $0-500, Class 3 Misdemeanor, Minor in possession&nbsp;

-Slade Hunn, Class 4 Felony, Possess controlled substance

-Jessica K Sloan, Class 2 Misdemeanor, Trespass 2nd degree/defy order to leave

-Crystal Swenson, Class 1 Misdemeanor, Theft-shoplifting $0-500/2nd, Class 2 Misdemeanor, Drive during revocation/impound

-Francesca Zuniga, Class 2 Misdemeanor, Theft-shoplifting $0-500

-David Hubbard, Class 2 Misdemeanor, Leave accident-fail to furnish info, Class 3 Misdemeanor, Criminal mischief $0-500

-Ashley Weasel Bear, Class W Misdemeanor, DUI, Class 3 Misdemeanor, Improper/defective vehicle lighting, Drive under susp/before being reinstated by state

-Rebecca Cottier, Class 3 Misdemeanor, Drive under susp/before being reinstated by state

-Kelsey Jorgensen, Class 1 Misdemeanor, Theft-deception $501-1,499, Unauth use fin tran device/$500-1,500

-Andrea Bode, Class 1 Misdemeanor, Theft-deception $501-1,499, Unauth use fin tran device/$500-1,500

-Yankee Krajicek, Class 3 Misdemeanor, Criminal trespass 2nd degree, Class 5 Misdemeanor, Violate camping regulations&nbsp;

-Thomar Smith, Class 4 Misdemeanor, Possess marijuana 1 oz or less (2nd offense)

-Zachary Z Smith, Class 1 Misdemeanor, Theft-shoplifting $0-500(2nd)

-Tyler Swiftwater, Class 3 Misdemeanor, Drive under susp/before being reinstated by state

-Brenton Daniel, Class 3 Misdemeanor, Drive under susp/before being reinstated by state, Unlawful/fict display of plate/renew tab, Class 2 Misdemeanor, Theft-unlawful taking $0-500

-Joann Pourier, Class 4 Felony, Issue bad check $1,500-5,000

-Tabitha Black Elk, Class 1 Misdemeanor, DV assault-3rd/threat/bodily injury

-Tex Wells, Class 1 Misdemeanor, Assault 3rd degree, Obstruct a peace officer

-Leon Hernandez, Class 1 Misdemeanor, Assault 3rd degree

-McKenzie Buckman Martin, Class W Misdemeanor, DUI (3rd offense), Class 4 Felony, Drive while revoked from DUI/refusal

*All individuals included in this post are innocent of crimes until proven guilty in a court of law. The Panhandle Post assumes no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, or completeness, of this information. Any person who believes information provided is not accurate may submit a complaint via the “Contact Us” tab on the homepage.Box Butte Co:-Yadira L Garza, Class 1C Felony, Use firearm to commit a felony, Class 3A Felony, Terroristic threats, Class 1 Misdemeanor, Obstruct&nbsp; government operations-Aman Aman, Class 1C Felony, Discharge firearm near vehicle/building-Stoney Garcia, Class 1D Felony, Possess firearm by prohibited person, Class 1 Misdemeanor, False reporting&nbsp;-Andrea Foltz, Class 3A Felony, Assault of cr/hlth care prof-3rd degree, Class 1 Misdemeanor, Obstruct a peace officer, Class 3 Misdemeanor, Disturbing the peace-Bradley R Gomez, Class 3A Felony, Assault by strangulation or suffocation, DV assault 3rd/cause bodily injury/sub, Class 3 Misdemeanor, Disturbing the peace-Zane Picket Pin, Class 3A Felony, Assault of cr/health care prof 3rd degree, Class 1 Misdemeanor, Obstruct a peace office, Resist arrest, Class 3 Misdemeanor, Disturbing the peace-Allisha Sanchez-Hacker, Class 4 Felony, Possess controlled substance, Class 1 Misdemeanor, Resist arrest, Obstruct a peace officer-Quinton D Fancher, Class 1 Misdemeanor, Domestic assault 3rd degree, Class 3 Misdemeanor, Disturbing the peace-Lylian Star, Class 2 Misdemeanor, Attempt of a class 1 misdemeanor-Nathan A Tews, Class 2 Misdemeanor, Drive during revocation/impound, Class 4 Misdemeanor, License vehicle without liability insurance-Ellen Wilson, Class 1 Misdemeanor, Assault 3rd degree-Evan Meyers, Class 1 Misdemeanor, False reporting-Irene Lone Wolf III, Class 2 Misdemeanor, Theft-shoplifting $0-500-Martina A Camacho, Class 1 Misdemeanor, DV assault 3rd/cause bodily injury-Ty J Martin, Class 1 Misdemeanor, DUI (1 prior conviction)-Monte R Dexter, Class W Misdemeanor, DUI-Anthony J Bouchard, Class 2 Misdemeanor, Theft-unlawful taking $0-500-Justin Guerra, Class 2 Misdemeanor, Trespass 2nd degree/defy order to leave-Heather R Kozal, Class 2 Misdemeanor, Theft-shoplifting $0-500Scotts Bluff Co:&nbsp;-Christopher Torres,&nbsp;Criminal Trespass 2nd degree-Daniel Gonzales,&nbsp;Domestic Assault, False Imprisonment, Possess marijuana&nbsp;-Jerardo Castillo,&nbsp;DUI, Open Container, Careless Driving-Stephen Lockman,&nbsp;Poss cont sub, Criminal Trespass-Romelia Hernandez,&nbsp;Poss cont sub, Poss drug para, PWITD-Miranda Ruiz,&nbsp;Poss cont sbu X2, Poss drug para-Harley Furrey,&nbsp;Poss cont sub X2. Pos drug para-Henry Zitterkopf,&nbsp;Poss cont sub, Poss drug para-Henry Palomo, Poss cont sub, Poss drug para-Alexander Mousseaux,&nbsp;Disorderly Conduct-Anibal Domingo Jr,&nbsp;2nd degree homicide, Use of a firearm to commit a felony-Kelly Turn Bull,&nbsp;Disorderly Conduct, Disturbing the peace, Obstruction-Jessie Bettelyoun,&nbsp;Burglary, Theft, Criminal trespass-Estanislado Ramirez,&nbsp;Domestic Assault, Resisting arrest-Rawlyn Lohr, Domestic assault-Elizabeth Hendricks, Disorderly conduct-Edwin Perez, Assault, unathorized&nbsp;propelled vehicle&nbsp;-Daniel Bigg, Domestic assault-Helena Francis, DUI, DUS-Leonardo Nava,&nbsp;Trespass, panhandling-Matthew Hawk,&nbsp;DUI, open container, no driver license-John Sissions, DUI, DUS-Gavino Galvan,&nbsp;Poss cont sub, poss drug para-Samantha Hightower,&nbsp;Poss cont sub, poss drug para-Matthew Mays,&nbsp;DUS, No valid registration-Eddie Coffman,&nbsp;Poss cont sub, poss drug para-Joseph Anaya,&nbsp;Poss cont sub, poss drug para-John Sissions,&nbsp;DUI 2nd, DUS-Adric Blanco,&nbsp;Terroristic Threats, Domestic Assault,&nbsp;Obstruction, Strangulation, False imprisonment-Jenton Paben,&nbsp;Poss cont sub-Jeremy Franks,&nbsp;Criminal Trespass-Zechariah Parker,&nbsp;Domestic Assault, Child Abuse,&nbsp;Aggravated Comestic (Strangulation),&nbsp;Traffic Offense, Child Abuse, Obstruction,&nbsp;Leaving scene of accident-Loagan Scott,&nbsp;DUI, DUS, Child Abuse-Anibal Domingo,&nbsp;Distribute Cont. Sub. X2-Kurt Martinez,&nbsp;POV, Poss cont sub.-Mark Cross,&nbsp;ShopliftingDawes Co:&nbsp;-Kayleen Krolikowski, Class 3 Misdemeanor, Drive under susp/before being reinstated by state-Arthur Anders, Class 3 Misdemeanor, Acts declared unlawful-license/driving-Cassandra Dede, Class 2 Misdemeanor, Theft-unlawful taking $0-500-Heizkia Trejo, Class 1 Misdemeanor, Theft-shoplifting $501-1,499-Charlie Rath, Class 3A Felony, Terroristic threats-Zachary Z Smith, Class 2 Misdemeanor, Theft-shoplifting $0-500-Mechelle Frear, Class W Misdemeanor, DUI, Class 3 Misdemeanor, Improper/defective vehicle lighting-Sylvanus W Lame Jr., Class 2 Misdemeanor, Theft-shoplifting $0-500, Class 3 Misdemeanor, Minor in possession&nbsp;-Slade Hunn, Class 4 Felony, Possess controlled substance-Jessica K Sloan, Class 2 Misdemeanor, Trespass 2nd degree/defy order to leave-Crystal Swenson, Class 1 Misdemeanor, Theft-shoplifting $0-500/2nd, Class 2 Misdemeanor, Drive during revocation/impound-Francesca Zuniga, Class 2 Misdemeanor, Theft-shoplifting $0-500-David Hubbard, Class 2 Misdemeanor, Leave accident-fail to furnish info, Class 3 Misdemeanor, Criminal mischief $0-500-Ashley Weasel Bear, Class W Misdemeanor, DUI, Class 3 Misdemeanor, Improper/defective vehicle lighting, Drive under susp/before being reinstated by state-Rebecca Cottier, Class 3 Misdemeanor, Drive under susp/before being reinstated by state-Kelsey Jorgensen, Class 1 Misdemeanor, Theft-deception $501-1,499, Unauth use fin tran device/$500-1,500-Andrea Bode, Class 1 Misdemeanor, Theft-deception $501-1,499, Unauth use fin tran device/$500-1,500-Yankee Krajicek, Class 3 Misdemeanor, Criminal trespass 2nd degree, Class 5 Misdemeanor, Violate camping regulations&nbsp;-Justin Duncan, Class W Misdemeanor, DUI-Thomar Smith, Class 4 Misdemeanor, Possess marijuana 1 oz or less (2nd offense)-Zachary Z Smith, Class 1 Misdemeanor, Theft-shoplifting $0-500(2nd)-Tyler Swiftwater, Class 3 Misdemeanor, Drive under susp/before being reinstated by state-Brenton Daniel, Class 3 Misdemeanor, Drive under susp/before being reinstated by state, Unlawful/fict display of plate/renew tab, Class 2 Misdemeanor, Theft-unlawful taking $0-500-Joann Pourier, Class 4 Felony, Issue bad check $1,500-5,000-Tabitha Black Elk, Class 1 Misdemeanor, DV assault-3rd/threat/bodily injury-Tex Wells, Class 1 Misdemeanor, Assault 3rd degree, Obstruct a peace officer-Leon Hernandez, Class 1 Misdemeanor, Assault 3rd degree-McKenzie Buckman Martin, Class W Misdemeanor, DUI (3rd offense), Class 4 Felony, Drive while revoked from DUI/refusal

Panhandle police activity, Nov. 4 - Dec. 6

POST PODCAST: Coffee Talk 12/13/23

By Panhandle Public Health District

How long should you stay home if you are sick with flu, RSV, or COVID?

As flu, RSV, and COVID illnesses are increasing around the Panhandle, it’s important to know how long to stay home and away from others to get important rest and prevent the spread of illness.

People should stay home if they are sick until at least 24 hours after their fever* (temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 37.8 degrees Celsius or higher) is gone. Temperature should be measured without the use of fever-reducing medicines (medicines that contains ibuprofen or acetaminophen).

Not everyone with flu will have a fever. Individuals with suspected or confirmed flu, who do not have a fever, should stay home from work at least 4-5 days after the onset of symptoms. Persons with the flu are most contagious during the first 3 days of their illness.

People infected with RSV are usually contagious for 3 to 8 days and may become contagious a day or two before they start showing signs of illness. However, some infants, and people with weakened immune systems, can continue to spread the virus even after they stop showing symptoms, for as long as 4 weeks.

If you test positive for COVID, stay home for at least 5 days and isolate from others in your home. You are likely most infectious during these first 5 days.

· If you had symptoms and your symptoms are improving, you may end isolation after day 5 if you are fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication).

· If your symptoms are not improving, continue to isolate until you are fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication).

· If you had a moderate illness (you experienced shortness of breath or had difficulty breathing), you need to isolate through day 10.

· If you had severe illness (you were hospitalized) or have a weakened immune system, you need to isolate through day 10 and consult your doctor before ending isolation.

Flu, RSV, and COVID immunizations significantly reduce the risk of developing severe respiratory complications and hospitalization, ultimately protecting against avoidable illness or death. They also reduce strain on healthcare resources and the workforce.

Most insurance covers these important immunizations because of the promising results against severe disease but be sure to check with your insurance provider. PPHD accepts most insurance and offers free Vaccines for Children (VFC), Vaccines for Adults, and Bridge Access Program (BAP) to support some vaccines. Call your local vaccine provider or PPHD at 308-633-2866 before going to confirm if you or your family are eligible for one of these free vaccine programs.

The usual flu season begins to increase in October with peak activity between December and February. Getting vaccinated not only safeguards your own health but also contributes to the collective effort in preventing the spread of these viruses within communities. Let's make this holiday season one of joy and good health.

In addition to getting vaccinated, other ways to keep you and your loved ones healthy include:

· Avoid close contact. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.

· Stay home when you are sick. When possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. This will help prevent spreading your illness to others.

· Cover your mouth and nose. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow, not your hands. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Flu &amp; COVID viruses spread mainly by droplets made when people with the virus cough, sneeze, or talk.

· Clean your hands. Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.

· Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.

· Practice other good health habits. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work, or school, especially when someone is ill. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.

Panhandle Public Health District is working together to improve the health, safety, and quality of life for all who live, learn, work, and play in the Panhandle. Our vision is that we are a healthier and safer Panhandle Community. Visit our website www.pphd.ne.gov.

By Panhandle Public Health DistrictHow long should you stay home if you are sick with flu, RSV, or COVID?As flu, RSV, and COVID illnesses are increasing around the Panhandle, it’s important to know how long to stay home and away from others to get important rest and prevent the spread of illness.Flu (Influenza)People should stay home if they are sick until at least 24 hours after their fever* (temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 37.8 degrees Celsius or higher) is gone. Temperature should be measured without the use of fever-reducing medicines (medicines that contains ibuprofen or acetaminophen).Not everyone with flu will have a fever. Individuals with suspected or confirmed flu, who do not have a fever, should stay home from work at least 4-5 days after the onset of symptoms. Persons with the flu are most contagious during the first 3 days of their illness.RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)People infected with RSV are usually contagious for 3 to 8 days and may become contagious a day or two before they start showing signs of illness. However, some infants, and people with weakened immune systems, can continue to spread the virus even after they stop showing symptoms, for as long as 4 weeks.COVIDIf you test positive for COVID, stay home for at least 5 days and isolate from others in your home. You are likely most infectious during these first 5 days.· If you had symptoms and your symptoms are improving, you may end isolation after day 5 if you are fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication).· If your symptoms are not improving, continue to isolate until you are fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication).· If you had a moderate illness (you experienced shortness of breath or had difficulty breathing), you need to isolate through day 10.· If you had severe illness (you were hospitalized) or have a weakened immune system, you need to isolate through day 10 and consult your doctor before ending isolation.Flu, RSV, and COVID immunizations significantly reduce the risk of developing severe respiratory complications and hospitalization, ultimately protecting against avoidable illness or death. They also reduce strain on healthcare resources and the workforce.Most insurance covers these important immunizations because of the promising results against severe disease but be sure to check with your insurance provider. PPHD accepts most insurance and offers free Vaccines for Children (VFC), Vaccines for Adults, and Bridge Access Program (BAP) to support some vaccines. Call your local vaccine provider or PPHD at 308-633-2866 before going to confirm if you or your family are eligible for one of these free vaccine programs.The usual flu season begins to increase in October with peak activity between December and February. Getting vaccinated not only safeguards your own health but also contributes to the collective effort in preventing the spread of these viruses within communities. Let's make this holiday season one of joy and good health.In addition to getting vaccinated, other ways to keep you and your loved ones healthy include:· Avoid close contact. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.· Stay home when you are sick. When possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. This will help prevent spreading your illness to others.· Cover your mouth and nose. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow, not your hands. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Flu &amp; COVID viruses spread mainly by droplets made when people with the virus cough, sneeze, or talk.· Clean your hands. Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.· Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.· Practice other good health habits. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work, or school, especially when someone is ill. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.Panhandle Public Health District is working together to improve the health, safety, and quality of life for all who live, learn, work, and play in the Panhandle. Our vision is that we are a healthier and safer Panhandle Community. Visit our website www.pphd.ne.gov.

PPHD talks about staying healthy during flu season

 Chadron State College’s&nbsp;Winter&nbsp;Commencement&nbsp;will take place Friday in the Chicoine Center at 2 p.m.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2023/mays-to-speak-at-cscs-winter-commencement-.html" target="_blank">Jovan Mays</a>, a 2010 CSC graduate will be the speaker.&nbsp;

Following is the list of students expected to graduate by degree. Hometowns listed are those on file for the students. Honor graduates are designated by asterisks.&nbsp;

Scottsbluff: Ashley Dillman, Angelica Gonzalez, Paul North, Stacia Swanson&nbsp;

Casper: Michelle Blake, Emily Robertson&nbsp;

Cheyenne: David Burrill, Dorthea Clark, Demetria Dame, Skylar Hogan, Jessica Jones&nbsp;

Nichole Cheshier, Anchorage, Alaska&nbsp;

Shawnee Vanderpool, Anchorage, Alaska&nbsp;

Cameron Vincent-Lang, Anchorage, Alaska&nbsp;

Jennifer Birtz, Eagle River, Alaska&nbsp;

Amanda Christensen, Truth or Consequences, N.M.&nbsp;

Divine Eyong Eyong Mbi, Mamfe, Manyu&nbsp;

Letizia Kosman, Gold Coast, Queensland&nbsp;

Master of Business Administration&nbsp;

Casper: Rebecca Elliott, Shelby Noel&nbsp;

Master of Science in Organizational Management&nbsp;

Gering: Abigail Madden, Hayley Stein***&nbsp;

By Chadron State College Chadron State College’s&nbsp;Winter&nbsp;Commencement&nbsp;will take place Friday in the Chicoine Center at 2 p.m.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2023/mays-to-speak-at-cscs-winter-commencement-.html" target="_blank">Jovan Mays</a>, a 2010 CSC graduate will be the speaker.&nbsp;Following is the list of students expected to graduate by degree. Hometowns listed are those on file for the students. Honor graduates are designated by asterisks.&nbsp;***Summa cum laude, 3.9-4.0 GPA&nbsp;**Magna cum laude, 3.75-3.89 GPA&nbsp;*Cum laude, 3.6-3.74&nbsp;Master of Arts in Education&nbsp;Nebraska&nbsp;Arapahoe: Kyla Monie&nbsp;Ashland: Jessica Manion&nbsp;Bellevue: Julie Taylor-Costello&nbsp;Chadron: Amy Carnahan&nbsp;Grand Island: Ashley Shultz&nbsp;Lewellen: Beau McConnell&nbsp;Mullen: Kara Connealy&nbsp;Norfolk: Brian Porn&nbsp;Sargent: Brett Mauler&nbsp;Scottsbluff: Ashley Dillman, Angelica Gonzalez, Paul North, Stacia Swanson&nbsp;Sidney: Miranda McKay&nbsp;West Point: Daniel Wolken&nbsp;Whitney: Michelle Haynes&nbsp;Wyoming &nbsp;Casper: Michelle Blake, Emily Robertson&nbsp;Cheyenne: David Burrill, Dorthea Clark, Demetria Dame, Skylar Hogan, Jessica Jones&nbsp;Gillette: Jessica Cale&nbsp;Hulett: Amber Kaplan&nbsp;Moorcroft: Lindsay Hansen&nbsp;Pavillion: Michelle Haslam&nbsp;Saratoga: Hannah Williams&nbsp;Other States&nbsp;Nichole Cheshier, Anchorage, Alaska&nbsp;Shawnee Vanderpool, Anchorage, Alaska&nbsp;Cameron Vincent-Lang, Anchorage, Alaska&nbsp;Jennifer Birtz, Eagle River, Alaska&nbsp;Erin Hall, Eagle River, Alaska&nbsp;Emily Smith, Eagle River, Alaska&nbsp;Michelle Carton, Palmer, Alaska&nbsp;Brennan Hallock, Gilbert, Ariz.&nbsp;Clara Baldwin, Oakland, Calif.&nbsp;Ryan Barron, Fort Collins, Colo.&nbsp;Brooke Isherwood, Fort Myers, Fla.&nbsp;Jessica Butler, Idaho Falls, Idaho&nbsp;Brian Dunham, Scott AFB, Ill.&nbsp;Amanda Christensen, Truth or Consequences, N.M.&nbsp;Sharon Stultz, Bothell, Wa.&nbsp;Other Countries &nbsp;Divine Eyong Eyong Mbi, Mamfe, Manyu&nbsp;Letizia Kosman, Gold Coast, Queensland&nbsp;Master of Business Administration&nbsp;Nebraska&nbsp;Dalton: Janessa Carley&nbsp;North Bend: Ashley Wegner&nbsp;Ogallala: Chanelle Hanger&nbsp;Sidney: Kalee Lipska&nbsp;Stanton: Jason Petersen&nbsp;South Dakota&nbsp;Pine Ridge: Coy Sasse&nbsp;Porcupine: Arielle Clifford&nbsp;Reva: Tayle Brink&nbsp;Wanblee: Angela Little Elk&nbsp;Other States&nbsp;Heath Beemiller, Chandler, Ariz.&nbsp;Joy Apollon, Fort Myers, Fla.&nbsp;Cintia Moncion, Decatur, Ga.&nbsp;Aleczander Johnson, Davis, Ill.&nbsp;Jason Morell, Lisle, Ill.&nbsp;Miles Eakins, Shakopee, Minn.&nbsp;Andrew Pateyuk, West Orange, N.J.&nbsp;Jonas Lujan, Gillette, Wyo.&nbsp;Joshua Calvert, Wheatland, Wyo.&nbsp;Master of Education&nbsp;Nebraska&nbsp;Alliance: Michelle Johnson&nbsp;Gordon: Trey Allison&nbsp;Humboldt: Pandora Worthey&nbsp;McCook: Cherie Wallace&nbsp;Wyoming&nbsp;Casper: Rebecca Elliott, Shelby Noel&nbsp;Douglas: Robert McKee&nbsp;Other Countries &nbsp;David Omondi, Kisumu, Kenya&nbsp;Master of Science in Organizational Management&nbsp;Chadron: Eric Holmes&nbsp;Harrison: Taylor Rempp&nbsp;Papillion: Jason Clark&nbsp;Other States&nbsp;Amelia Berg, Fort Collins, Colo.&nbsp;Amaris Sanchez, Portland, Maine&nbsp;Bachelor of Arts&nbsp;Adams: Aubrie Parde***&nbsp;Bridgeport: Nathaniel Cooper&nbsp;Chadron: Carstyn Hageman&nbsp;Chambers: Samuel Jesse*&nbsp;Dalton: Erin Moore&nbsp;Genoa: Garrett Swantek&nbsp;Gering: Abigail Madden, Hayley Stein***&nbsp;Hay Springs: Jarret Pieper*&nbsp;Hyannis: Zane Musgrave&nbsp;McCook: Morgan Fawver&nbsp;North Platte: Cameron Cox*, Bailey Shurigar&nbsp;Palmer: Concey Bader*&nbsp;Papillion: Kiana Jensen&nbsp;Scottsbluff: Candace Fisher, Katrina Keller, Romaldo Roldan, Morgan Simpson&nbsp;Sidney: Kimberly Larsen&nbsp;Stromsburg: Hannah Pfeifly&nbsp;Tryon: Abigail Goosey*&nbsp;Wallace: Natalie Marquardt&nbsp;Colorado&nbsp;Rachel Bramblett, Arvada, Colo.&nbsp;Kaitlynn Norman, Bethune, Colo.&nbsp;Corey Haberkorn***, Falcon, Colo.&nbsp;Jessica Chairez, Fort Morgan, Colo.&nbsp;Hugo Castillo, Greeley, Colo.&nbsp;Cale Schafer**, LaSalle, Colo.&nbsp;Creighton Trembly**, Longmont, Colo.&nbsp;Parker Gonser***, Windsor, Colo.&nbsp;South Dakota&nbsp;Belle Fourche: Whitley Reder&nbsp;Buffalo: Sydney Pedersen&nbsp;Folsom: Justin Bale&nbsp;Harrold: Emily Dixon&nbsp;Hot Springs: Nicholas Quinn***&nbsp;Murdo: Elizabeth Hunt&nbsp;Rapid City: Delaney Klosterman, Kelly Smith, Andrew Smith*&nbsp;Wyoming&nbsp;Big Piney: Haven Jessen&nbsp;Casper: Javen Palmer, Trevon Smith, Erin Wnuk*&nbsp;Gillette: Mason Hamilton*&nbsp;Guernsey: Whitney Martin&nbsp;Pine Bluffs: Katie Fornstrom&nbsp;Riverton: Brodie Roden&nbsp;Rock Springs: Courtney Smith&nbsp;Torrington: Braden Mechem***, Seth Norris***&nbsp;Yoder: Kadra Clark***&nbsp;Other States&nbsp;Keishaun Creel, Decatur, Ala.&nbsp;Heamasi Latu, Concord, Calif.&nbsp;Jonathan Gonzalez, Hollister, Calif.&nbsp;Ahlonte Hair, Live Oak, Fla.&nbsp;Harvey Reynolds, West Palm Beach, Fla.&nbsp;Casey Black*, Silver City, Iowa&nbsp;Lindsay Anderson***, Sioux City, Iowa&nbsp;Giussepe Shunaula, Quito, N.Y.&nbsp;Saysha Woeste***, Tillamook, Ore.&nbsp;Earl Johnson Jr, Prosper, Texas&nbsp;Nataly Torres, Roma, Texas&nbsp;Yusef Nelson, Auburn, Wa.&nbsp;Bachelor of Science&nbsp;Chadron: Cole Madsen&nbsp;Gering: Shelby Bewley, Tukker Romey***, Kristina Walker&nbsp;Lincoln: Caelum Hubl&nbsp;Valentine: KayLynn Miller**&nbsp;West Point: Jakob Andreasen&nbsp;Colorado&nbsp;Buena Vista: Sage McGinnis***&nbsp;Granby: Daniel Reynolds Jr&nbsp;Loveland: Thomas Mason&nbsp;Monument: Emma Pendleton***&nbsp;Other States&nbsp;Telsey Kaup, Wagner, S.D.&nbsp;Bachelor of Science in Education&nbsp;Alliance: Mackenzie Broderick, Julissa Gomez, Katelynn Gomez***&nbsp;Central City: Alexandria Gragg&nbsp;Gering: Coleton Bevins***&nbsp;Grand Island: Logan Hamik***&nbsp;Harvard: Jackie LeMunyan&nbsp;Kimball: Jodell Schulte&nbsp;Louisville: Wendi Nelson&nbsp;Mitchell: Sarah Cardona&nbsp;Morrill: Gregg Waters&nbsp;Mullen: Brittni Bradley&nbsp;Neligh: JoAnn Olson&nbsp;North Platte: Desiree Fornander&nbsp;Sutherland: Gavin Harold&nbsp;Wauneta: Colby Cox&nbsp;South Dakota&nbsp;Box Elder: Jeslyn Jindra*&nbsp;Corsica: Hannah Reimnitz***&nbsp;Martin: Lily Alexander***&nbsp;Prairie City: Shane Collins***&nbsp;Wyoming&nbsp;Sheridan: Mayra Pelayo&nbsp;Torrington: Caleb Moore&nbsp;Wheatland: Elisa Smith***&nbsp;Wright: Holly Ricketts&nbsp;Other States&nbsp;Bailey Rominger, Vail, Ariz.&nbsp;Elizabeth Myers*, Nevada City, Calif.&nbsp;TJ Chadwick, Akron, Colo.&nbsp;Noah Burtis, Berthoud, Colo.&nbsp;Shauna Schneider, Wauconda, Ill.&nbsp;Milleanne Mullinix***, Union Bridge, Md.&nbsp;

 CSC Winter Commencement set for Friday 

By Chabella Guzman, communications specialist Panhandle Research, Extension and Education Center

Dry pea growers in Nebraska had some good news in November when the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) made upgrades and expanded revenue protection to spring smooth green or yellow type of dry peas in Nebraska.

“We heard recently, after several years, Nebraska growers are now eligible for revenue-based crop insurance for their dry peas,” said Todd Scholz, vice president of research and members services of the USA Dry Pea &amp; Lentil Council.

USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) expansion will begin with the crop year 2024 in select counties of five states, including Nebraska. “It’s a pretty big deal,” Scholz said. “The growers will have yield protection and security on revenue.”&nbsp;

Scholz added getting the expansion took a lot of work and cooperation from growers to processors and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s extension specialists. The groups collected information about peas, lentils, and chickpeas in Nebraska. The USDA required 10-15 years of yield information on the chickpeas, which came from processors and UNL.&nbsp;

Scholz delivered this news at the 2023 Nebraska Pulse Crops Conference hosted by the Nebraska Extension on Nov. 20 in Bridgeport. He also talked with the growers about some of the projects the USA Dry Pea &amp; Lentil Council is working on to better the market for pulse growers.&nbsp;

The USDA Dietary Guidelines Committee is considering changing the plate (guidelines) for 2025. Something that hasn’t been done since 2010. The council has a coalition called the Coalition for the Advancement of Pulses that is working on increasing the dietary guidelines from 1.5 cups per week to 3 cups of pulses. Scholz said originally, the guideline had been at 3 cups, but was changed. “There was no scientific evidence to take it to a lower value. They (USDA)&nbsp; just said no one was eating pulses, so it wouldn’t matter.”

The Coalition has funded scientific studies, where they found if you increase the pulses allocation, you would increase the nutrients of iron and fiber. “This is important not because people personally follow the guidelines but because the dietary guidelines are the basis for all sorts of federal feeding programs and health advice from different health organizations.” The increase would also call for more pulse crops to be grown.

The 2023 Nebraska Pulse Crops Conference in November focused on field peas, chickpeas, black-eyed peas, and other pulses. The conference included sessions on agronomy and breeding of peas, soil nutrient management, diseases, nutrition and quality for human foods, trade, crop insurance, and policy.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

By Chabella Guzman, communications specialist Panhandle Research, Extension and Education Center<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702486863822.jpeg" alt=" Todd Scholz, vice president of research and members services of the USA Dry Pea &amp; Lentil Council, discusses what’s new in the Pulses arena. Photo by Chabella Guzman" />
 <figcaption> Todd Scholz, vice president of research and members services of the USA Dry Pea &amp; Lentil Council, discusses what’s new in the Pulses arena. Photo by Chabella Guzman</figcaption>
 </figure>Dry pea growers in Nebraska had some good news in November when the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) made upgrades and expanded revenue protection to spring smooth green or yellow type of dry peas in Nebraska.“We heard recently, after several years, Nebraska growers are now eligible for revenue-based crop insurance for their dry peas,” said Todd Scholz, vice president of research and members services of the USA Dry Pea &amp; Lentil Council.USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) expansion will begin with the crop year 2024 in select counties of five states, including Nebraska. “It’s a pretty big deal,” Scholz said. “The growers will have yield protection and security on revenue.”&nbsp;Scholz added getting the expansion took a lot of work and cooperation from growers to processors and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s extension specialists. The groups collected information about peas, lentils, and chickpeas in Nebraska. The USDA required 10-15 years of yield information on the chickpeas, which came from processors and UNL.&nbsp;Scholz delivered this news at the 2023 Nebraska Pulse Crops Conference hosted by the Nebraska Extension on Nov. 20 in Bridgeport. He also talked with the growers about some of the projects the USA Dry Pea &amp; Lentil Council is working on to better the market for pulse growers.&nbsp;The USDA Dietary Guidelines Committee is considering changing the plate (guidelines) for 2025. Something that hasn’t been done since 2010. The council has a coalition called the Coalition for the Advancement of Pulses that is working on increasing the dietary guidelines from 1.5 cups per week to 3 cups of pulses. Scholz said originally, the guideline had been at 3 cups, but was changed. “There was no scientific evidence to take it to a lower value. They (USDA)&nbsp; just said no one was eating pulses, so it wouldn’t matter.”The Coalition has funded scientific studies, where they found if you increase the pulses allocation, you would increase the nutrients of iron and fiber. “This is important not because people personally follow the guidelines but because the dietary guidelines are the basis for all sorts of federal feeding programs and health advice from different health organizations.” The increase would also call for more pulse crops to be grown.The 2023 Nebraska Pulse Crops Conference in November focused on field peas, chickpeas, black-eyed peas, and other pulses. The conference included sessions on agronomy and breeding of peas, soil nutrient management, diseases, nutrition and quality for human foods, trade, crop insurance, and policy.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Nebraska Pulse Crop Conference reviewed crop insurance and policy

By Patricia Jones, Alliance Community Task Force: Creating Opportunity

Lately I've noticed lots of articles about Christmas Charity Scams. Fraudsters take advantage of people's generosity during the holiday season by posing as charitable organizations or individuals in need. Realize that they just want your money! Think instead about organizations that actually will use your tax-deductible donations.

What should we watch for? Be cautious if you receive unsolicited emails, phone calls, social media contacts, or other messages from unknown charities. Legitimate organizations usually don't reach out to individuals unless you already have a relationship with them and have given before.

Scammers may use high-pressure tactics to get you to donate quickly without giving you time to think. Be skeptical of urgent requests and take the time to research and verify before making any donations. Use the website charitynavigator.org if you aren't familiar with an organization and want to know more.

There are some red flags to watch for: the charity refuses to provide detailed information about its mission, goals, and how donations are used. Be wary if they are unable to provide proof of their nonprofit status.

Be careful if you are checking on an organization using their website. Scammers often create fake websites that mimic those of reputable organizations. Check the contact information provided by the charity. Legitimate organizations will have a physical address, phone number, and email address. Verify this information independently rather than relying solely on the details provided by the potential scammer or their website.

Think instead about national or international organizations that support the same causes you are interested in. They might help people who are refugees, who live in poverty, who suffer from illnesses or disabilities, or who have to relocate due to climate change.

Many of us choose to keep our December donations local. There are several local charities who are serving the people in need in our area. Where can you give in Box Butte County so your funds are serving our neighbors and your dollars are being spent in our community?

United Way coordinates programs all year. At Christmastime, they are responsible for organizing Christmas food baskets. Donations of non-perishable, non-expired food items are welcome and can be dropped off at St. John's Lutheran Church, 2090 Emerson, In Alliance. Monetary donations may be made through your church, via the Santa Bucks program at Safeway, or mailed to United Way, P.O. Box 617, Alliance, NE 69301. Please note food baskets in the memo line. Contact your church or United Way for more information.

The Salvation Army collects most of its donations in December. Drop your donations in the red kettles at Raben’s Market or Raben's Liquor, Bomgaars, Grocery Kart, Carter’s, J&amp;J Pitstop, or Git ‘n Split. Red kettle donations help people through grocery, prescription, utility, motel, and medical gas voucher assistance, as well as emergency services and stranded motorist assistance. These funds serve residents of Box Butte County. You can also drop off donations at First National Bank (FNBO) or give online at registertoring.com.

Food assistance is provided through more than the United Way food baskets. You could make donations to Community Table, the Backpack Program, the Head Start Backpack Program, Northwest Community Action Partnership Extra Helpings Food Pantry, or Hemingford Ministerial Association Food Pantry. Call me at 308-762-2363 and leave a message if you need specific address information for any of these.

Many other organizations in Box Butte County would love to receive your donations. These include 501c3 nonprofits, foundations, and area churches. It is the season to be sharing, to be giving. But not the season to be scammed.

By Patricia Jones, Alliance Community Task Force: Creating OpportunityLately I've noticed lots of articles about Christmas Charity Scams. Fraudsters take advantage of people's generosity during the holiday season by posing as charitable organizations or individuals in need. Realize that they just want your money! Think instead about organizations that actually will use your tax-deductible donations.What should we watch for? Be cautious if you receive unsolicited emails, phone calls, social media contacts, or other messages from unknown charities. Legitimate organizations usually don't reach out to individuals unless you already have a relationship with them and have given before.Scammers may use high-pressure tactics to get you to donate quickly without giving you time to think. Be skeptical of urgent requests and take the time to research and verify before making any donations. Use the website charitynavigator.org if you aren't familiar with an organization and want to know more.There are some red flags to watch for: the charity refuses to provide detailed information about its mission, goals, and how donations are used. Be wary if they are unable to provide proof of their nonprofit status.Be careful if you are checking on an organization using their website. Scammers often create fake websites that mimic those of reputable organizations. Check the contact information provided by the charity. Legitimate organizations will have a physical address, phone number, and email address. Verify this information independently rather than relying solely on the details provided by the potential scammer or their website.Think instead about national or international organizations that support the same causes you are interested in. They might help people who are refugees, who live in poverty, who suffer from illnesses or disabilities, or who have to relocate due to climate change.Many of us choose to keep our December donations local. There are several local charities who are serving the people in need in our area. Where can you give in Box Butte County so your funds are serving our neighbors and your dollars are being spent in our community?United Way coordinates programs all year. At Christmastime, they are responsible for organizing Christmas food baskets. Donations of non-perishable, non-expired food items are welcome and can be dropped off at St. John's Lutheran Church, 2090 Emerson, In Alliance. Monetary donations may be made through your church, via the Santa Bucks program at Safeway, or mailed to United Way, P.O. Box 617, Alliance, NE 69301. Please note food baskets in the memo line. Contact your church or United Way for more information.The Salvation Army collects most of its donations in December. Drop your donations in the red kettles at Raben’s Market or Raben's Liquor, Bomgaars, Grocery Kart, Carter’s, J&amp;J Pitstop, or Git ‘n Split. Red kettle donations help people through grocery, prescription, utility, motel, and medical gas voucher assistance, as well as emergency services and stranded motorist assistance. These funds serve residents of Box Butte County. You can also drop off donations at First National Bank (FNBO) or give online at registertoring.com.Food assistance is provided through more than the United Way food baskets. You could make donations to Community Table, the Backpack Program, the Head Start Backpack Program, Northwest Community Action Partnership Extra Helpings Food Pantry, or Hemingford Ministerial Association Food Pantry. Call me at 308-762-2363 and leave a message if you need specific address information for any of these.Many other organizations in Box Butte County would love to receive your donations. These include 501c3 nonprofits, foundations, and area churches. It is the season to be sharing, to be giving. But not the season to be scammed.

Getting Ahead: Christmas Scams

Lincoln, Nebraska, Dec. 12, 2023 — The 39th Nebraska Women in Agriculture Conference will be held Feb. 22-23, 2024, in Kearney, at the Holiday Inn Convention Center, 110 Second Ave. A pre-conference workshop on business entity selection for farms and ranches will be held Feb. 21. This training will be provided by Sheila Hansen, CPA, and agricultural attorney Katie Samples Dean, JD.

During the conference, attendees can look forward to hearing from keynote speakers Ashley Machado, Dr. David Kohl and renowned photographer John Noltner, who is preparing a special surprise project for the event. In addition to the keynote speakers, participants will select from over 20 workshop options that cover the five areas of agricultural risk management: production, market, financial, human and legal. The conference will also offer Continuing Education Credits for veterinary medicine professionals and certified crop advisors.

"Our annual conference is a real highlight of our programming every year," said Jessica Groskopf, Director of the Nebraska Women in Agriculture program. "We look forward to bringing together producers, experts and top-notch keynote speakers to leave everyone feeling empowered, enlightened and connected to each other and their operations. This year’s conference will certainly be one to remember."

Ashley Machado&nbsp;is a TedX speaker and was nominated as a 2023 FFA Change Maker. She is rethinking the way we support mental health in the food and ag space. She specializes in tangible tools and simple strategies through M Well, her mental health consulting firm that provides corporate wellness programs and mental health trainings for ag families and businesses. Machado grew up in the dairy industry and now farms and ranches with her family in California’s Central Valley.

She has a bachelor’s degree in human development and a master’s in social work with an emphasis in clinical mental health. Her goal is for everyone in the ag industry and rural America to have the tools they need in their mental health toolbox to operate and live life fully. 

Dr. David Kohl&nbsp;is an Academic Hall of Famer in the College of Agriculture at Virginia Tech. He has keen insight into the agriculture industry gained through extensive travel, research and involvement in ag businesses. He has traveled nearly 10 million miles; conducted more than 7,000 presentations; and published more than 2,500 articles in his career. Dr. Kohl’s wisdom and engagement with all levels of the industry provide a unique perspective into future trends.

John Noltner has been telling stories with words and images for 20 years. His work has appeared in National Geographic Traveler, Forbes Magazine, Midwest Living and the New York Daily News, among other publications.&nbsp;Since 2009, Noltner has been asking people the simple (or not so simple) question, "what does peace mean to you?" for his multimedia arts project, "A Peace of My Mind."

Conference registration opens on Jan. 3. The cost for a two-day registration is $150 for participants who register on or before Feb. 8. The two-day registration fee increases to $175 on Feb. 9. The pre-conference workshop has an additional registration fee.

The Nebraska Women in Agriculture program will award up to 15 scholarships to students to attend the 2024 Nebraska Women in Agriculture Conference. Any student attending a four-year college/university, two-year college, a vocational/technical school, or a 4-H or FFA member may apply for a scholarship to attend. Applicants will need to prepare an essay that answers the question: "Why do you want to attend the Nebraska Women in Agriculture Conference?" The essay response is limited to 3,000 characters. Applications must be submitted online by Feb.1.

To learn more, visit the Nebraska Women in Agriculture website at&nbsp;<a href="https://wia.unl.edu/" target="_blank">https://wia.unl.edu</a>.This material is based upon work supported by USDA/NIFA under Award Number 2021-70027-34694.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Ryan EvansLincoln, Nebraska, Dec. 12, 2023 — The 39th Nebraska Women in Agriculture Conference will be held Feb. 22-23, 2024, in Kearney, at the Holiday Inn Convention Center, 110 Second Ave. A pre-conference workshop on business entity selection for farms and ranches will be held Feb. 21. This training will be provided by Sheila Hansen, CPA, and agricultural attorney Katie Samples Dean, JD.During the conference, attendees can look forward to hearing from keynote speakers Ashley Machado, Dr. David Kohl and renowned photographer John Noltner, who is preparing a special surprise project for the event. In addition to the keynote speakers, participants will select from over 20 workshop options that cover the five areas of agricultural risk management: production, market, financial, human and legal. The conference will also offer Continuing Education Credits for veterinary medicine professionals and certified crop advisors."Our annual conference is a real highlight of our programming every year," said Jessica Groskopf, Director of the Nebraska Women in Agriculture program. "We look forward to bringing together producers, experts and top-notch keynote speakers to leave everyone feeling empowered, enlightened and connected to each other and their operations. This year’s conference will certainly be one to remember."About the speakersAshley Machado&nbsp;is a TedX speaker and was nominated as a 2023 FFA Change Maker. She is rethinking the way we support mental health in the food and ag space. She specializes in tangible tools and simple strategies through M Well, her mental health consulting firm that provides corporate wellness programs and mental health trainings for ag families and businesses. Machado grew up in the dairy industry and now farms and ranches with her family in California’s Central Valley. She has a bachelor’s degree in human development and a master’s in social work with an emphasis in clinical mental health. Her goal is for everyone in the ag industry and rural America to have the tools they need in their mental health toolbox to operate and live life fully. Dr. David Kohl&nbsp;is an Academic Hall of Famer in the College of Agriculture at Virginia Tech. He has keen insight into the agriculture industry gained through extensive travel, research and involvement in ag businesses. He has traveled nearly 10 million miles; conducted more than 7,000 presentations; and published more than 2,500 articles in his career. Dr. Kohl’s wisdom and engagement with all levels of the industry provide a unique perspective into future trends.John Noltner has been telling stories with words and images for 20 years. His work has appeared in National Geographic Traveler, Forbes Magazine, Midwest Living and the New York Daily News, among other publications.&nbsp;Since 2009, Noltner has been asking people the simple (or not so simple) question, "what does peace mean to you?" for his multimedia arts project, "A Peace of My Mind."Conference registration opens on Jan. 3. The cost for a two-day registration is $150 for participants who register on or before Feb. 8. The two-day registration fee increases to $175 on Feb. 9. The pre-conference workshop has an additional registration fee.The Nebraska Women in Agriculture program will award up to 15 scholarships to students to attend the 2024 Nebraska Women in Agriculture Conference. Any student attending a four-year college/university, two-year college, a vocational/technical school, or a 4-H or FFA member may apply for a scholarship to attend. Applicants will need to prepare an essay that answers the question: "Why do you want to attend the Nebraska Women in Agriculture Conference?" The essay response is limited to 3,000 characters. Applications must be submitted online by Feb.1.To learn more, visit the Nebraska Women in Agriculture website at&nbsp;<a href="https://wia.unl.edu/" target="_blank">https://wia.unl.edu</a>.This material is based upon work supported by USDA/NIFA under Award Number 2021-70027-34694.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Nebraska Women in Agriculture conference registration opens January 3

By Alex Benzegala Panhandle Post

The Alliance Bulldogs have another home doubleheader for their girls' and boys' basketball teams, as action starts at 5:30 with the girls' game and boys to follow at approximately 7.

The Bulldogs are hosting Torrington WY, radio coverage will be on KCOW and kcowradio.com starting at 5:30 with the Nebraska Bank Pregame report.

Alliance girls' basketball comes in&nbsp; at 1-2 on the season after earning their first win of the season on Saturday at Hot Springs, 53-26.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Torrington is 0-3 to the start the campaign after falling to Worland WY&nbsp; 51-46 in their last game.

On the boy's side, Alliance is coming off of a tough loss to Hot Springs, 79-53 and hope to knock off the Trailblazers who are also 0-3. Torrington lost to Worland WY in their last time up.&nbsp;

The link for the broadcasts tonight are found below.

<a href="https://kcowradio.com/#//">KCOW – THE HOME OF JASON WENTWORTH IN THE MORNING (kcowradio.com)</a>

By Alex Benzegala Panhandle Post The Alliance Bulldogs have another home doubleheader for their girls' and boys' basketball teams, as action starts at 5:30 with the girls' game and boys to follow at approximately 7.The Bulldogs are hosting Torrington WY, radio coverage will be on KCOW and kcowradio.com starting at 5:30 with the Nebraska Bank Pregame report.Alliance girls' basketball comes in&nbsp; at 1-2 on the season after earning their first win of the season on Saturday at Hot Springs, 53-26.&nbsp;&nbsp;Torrington is 0-3 to the start the campaign after falling to Worland WY&nbsp; 51-46 in their last game.On the boy's side, Alliance is coming off of a tough loss to Hot Springs, 79-53 and hope to knock off the Trailblazers who are also 0-3. Torrington lost to Worland WY in their last time up.&nbsp;The link for the broadcasts tonight are found below.<a href="https://kcowradio.com/#//">KCOW – THE HOME OF JASON WENTWORTH IN THE MORNING (kcowradio.com)</a>

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