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

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>

Alliance boys basketball looking for first win, girls aim for two in a row

Alliance, NE – Reindeer Games Breakout Box event for grades 3-5 is Thursday, December 21st from 3-4 pm in the Community Room. Help Rudolph and his reindeer friends solve the puzzles before their annual holiday trip!

Youth Book Club for grades 3-6 will share discussion and breakout box on Wednesday, December 27th from 1-2:30 pm. Our feature is “The City of Ember” by Jeanne DuPrau and copies are available for checkout with a $2 ILL fee.

For more information, please contact Cynthia Horn, Children’s and Youth Services Librarian at 762-1387.

By City of AllianceAlliance, NE – Reindeer Games Breakout Box event for grades 3-5 is Thursday, December 21st from 3-4 pm in the Community Room. Help Rudolph and his reindeer friends solve the puzzles before their annual holiday trip!Youth Book Club for grades 3-6 will share discussion and breakout box on Wednesday, December 27th from 1-2:30 pm. Our feature is “The City of Ember” by Jeanne DuPrau and copies are available for checkout with a $2 ILL fee.For more information, please contact Cynthia Horn, Children’s and Youth Services Librarian at 762-1387.

Breakout Box and Youth Book Club at Alliance Public Library

Alliance, NE – Nebraskan author Bernie Burgess will be speaking at the Alliance Senior Center on Thursday, December 21st. This event begins at 9:30am.

For more information, please contact Angie Flesner at 308-762-1293.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR I grew up on a west Nebraska cattle ranch, the oldest of four children. Hills and valleys were my playground; cats, dogs, and a raccoon were my playmates until younger brothers took their places; windmills, BB-guns, and haystacks were among my playthings; horses and cattle were my workmates. Like the hardy people I grew up among, I have many hours working cattle on horses, using heavy machinery, and learning about the flora, fauna, and geography of the region.

My early education came by way of one-room country schools. I often rode horses the three-plus miles each way to school or drove myself in a little Jeep. Two-hole outdoor toilets, coal stoves, and kerosene lanterns are among my childhood memories. Because of Nebraska weather, no phones, and no drivers’ license, I boarded out most of my first two years of high school. I was athletic, loved sports, and participated in all available sports throughout high school.

Growing up without a neighbor in sight or other kids of my age to play with, I learned to live in my head and developed a vivid imagination. That imagination serves me well in creating fictional mysteries. Work ethic came from being the oldest son and starting to work full-time, outside of school, at the age of eight.

I have a degree in Animal Science from the University of Nebraska, and I’ve loved nature and animals all my life. Coyotes were part of the ecosystem, though largely unseen. Their howls welcomed most sunsets. The coyote-wolf hybrid was a natural character for this story, and I wanted to introduce it to the reader.

I first learned of the coywolf hybrid from an Animal Planet documentary, “Meet the Coywolf.” I felt I knew coyotes well and had almost no fear of them, only respect. Then, I happened to see another documentary named “Killed by Coyotes.” This caught my interest immediately, because I knew of no adult human deaths by coyotes. However, an aspiring folksinger, Canadian, Taylor Mitchell, aged nineteen, was killed in 2009 in Novia Scotia by coyotes while hiking in a national park.

I feel that wolf DNA may have played a role in this tragic attack. Such behavior is not typical of the coyotes that I know. For this reason, I decided to introduce the coywolf to readers. While my female hybrid is a well-trained and domesticated fictional animal, the real hybrids are a blend of wolf and coyote and reflect the characteristics of both. The real animals are not necessarily pure coyote-wolf but may have varying degrees of DNA, to include dog.

Readers should understand that this hybrid is spreading across the United States as well as Canada, because of its resilient coyote blood. The wolf DNA makes it a larger, more aggressive, pack hunter, and therefore more dangerous than a coyote. The coywolf, like the coyote, can live and thrive in urban environments. It may be living and thriving in your city. With a typical weight of around forty-five pounds, it’s large enough to be considered an apex predator.

I’m a retired Air Force officer and pilot, and I have traveled extensively across the United States, lived in three foreign countries, and have flown in about 40 different nations. I owned and operated a bed and breakfast in Cody, Wyoming for five years, during which time I was a freelance writer

for the Wyoming Livestock Roundup newspaper. That experience developed my interest and love for writing.

I worked as a private investigator for two years, in Arkansas, conducting surveillance investigations in a variety of locales 212

and situations. That experience is part of the background for the Bert and Norah stories. I’ve also had a lifelong fascination with psychic phenomenon.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702397678151.png" alt="&nbsp;Author Bernie Burgess" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Author Bernie Burgess</figcaption>
 </figure>Press release by City of AllianceAlliance, NE – Nebraskan author Bernie Burgess will be speaking at the Alliance Senior Center on Thursday, December 21st. This event begins at 9:30am.For more information, please contact Angie Flesner at 308-762-1293.ABOUT THE AUTHOR I grew up on a west Nebraska cattle ranch, the oldest of four children. Hills and valleys were my playground; cats, dogs, and a raccoon were my playmates until younger brothers took their places; windmills, BB-guns, and haystacks were among my playthings; horses and cattle were my workmates. Like the hardy people I grew up among, I have many hours working cattle on horses, using heavy machinery, and learning about the flora, fauna, and geography of the region. My early education came by way of one-room country schools. I often rode horses the three-plus miles each way to school or drove myself in a little Jeep. Two-hole outdoor toilets, coal stoves, and kerosene lanterns are among my childhood memories. Because of Nebraska weather, no phones, and no drivers’ license, I boarded out most of my first two years of high school. I was athletic, loved sports, and participated in all available sports throughout high school.Growing up without a neighbor in sight or other kids of my age to play with, I learned to live in my head and developed a vivid imagination. That imagination serves me well in creating fictional mysteries. Work ethic came from being the oldest son and starting to work full-time, outside of school, at the age of eight.I have a degree in Animal Science from the University of Nebraska, and I’ve loved nature and animals all my life. Coyotes were part of the ecosystem, though largely unseen. Their howls welcomed most sunsets. The coyote-wolf hybrid was a natural character for this story, and I wanted to introduce it to the reader.I first learned of the coywolf hybrid from an Animal Planet documentary, “Meet the Coywolf.” I felt I knew coyotes well and had almost no fear of them, only respect. Then, I happened to see another documentary named “Killed by Coyotes.” This caught my interest immediately, because I knew of no adult human deaths by coyotes. However, an aspiring folksinger, Canadian, Taylor Mitchell, aged nineteen, was killed in 2009 in Novia Scotia by coyotes while hiking in a national park.I feel that wolf DNA may have played a role in this tragic attack. Such behavior is not typical of the coyotes that I know. For this reason, I decided to introduce the coywolf to readers. While my female hybrid is a well-trained and domesticated fictional animal, the real hybrids are a blend of wolf and coyote and reflect the characteristics of both. The real animals are not necessarily pure coyote-wolf but may have varying degrees of DNA, to include dog.Readers should understand that this hybrid is spreading across the United States as well as Canada, because of its resilient coyote blood. The wolf DNA makes it a larger, more aggressive, pack hunter, and therefore more dangerous than a coyote. The coywolf, like the coyote, can live and thrive in urban environments. It may be living and thriving in your city. With a typical weight of around forty-five pounds, it’s large enough to be considered an apex predator.I’m a retired Air Force officer and pilot, and I have traveled extensively across the United States, lived in three foreign countries, and have flown in about 40 different nations. I owned and operated a bed and breakfast in Cody, Wyoming for five years, during which time I was a freelance writerfor the Wyoming Livestock Roundup newspaper. That experience developed my interest and love for writing.I worked as a private investigator for two years, in Arkansas, conducting surveillance investigations in a variety of locales 212and situations. That experience is part of the background for the Bert and Norah stories. I’ve also had a lifelong fascination with psychic phenomenon.

 Nebraska Author Bernie Burgess at Senior Center

By Chabella Guzman, communications specialist Panhandle Research, Extension Center

The 2023 Nebraska Cattlemen Annual Convention and Trade Show honored Scottsbluff cattleman Ivan Rush with the “Friend of the Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation Award” on Dec. 7.&nbsp;

For a man who prides himself on knowing what’s going on around him, “I was absolutely surprised. When they were ready to give the next award, I thought they had the wrong slide (on the screen). I was actually quite surprised,” said Rush.&nbsp;

Rush has been in agriculture all his life, having grown up on a small grain, beef, and dairy operation in Missouri. He was the Beef Extension Specialist at the UNL Panhandle Research Extension and Education Center and has presented at countless cattlemen’s events ranging from local, area and regional to national and international in their scope.

He was one of the original organizers of the Range Beef Cow Symposium (RBCS), a respected production-level beef cow/calf educational meeting. The first one was held in Chadron in 1969. Rush was on the committee to organize the Symposium, served on the planning committees, and continues to contribute through his retirement years.&nbsp;

He retired from the UNL Panhandle Research Extension and Education Center in 2008 and remained active in the beef industry. Rush became part of the Nebraska Cattlemen.

“I was enthused to be part of the Nebraska Cattlemen, supporting youth scholarships and judging,” he said. “It wasn’t easy to start the scholarships, but with support from the cattle producers and the industry, we are successfully seeing youth get scholarships.”&nbsp;

The Nebraska Cattlemen’s work aligns with Rush’s to see beef kept in a positive light. “We know people love beef. We continue to get education out there and make it profitable for the cow-calf producers.” He added how they also fund projects like, the “Ag Sack Lunch Program of Nebraska,” “Nebraska Youth Beef Leadership Symposium (NYBLS),” and Nebraska Agriculture in the Classroom.

Rush has served as the chair of the Cattlemen’s Ball of Nebraska committee and is thrilled the Ball will be in the Panhandle in June 2024. The Ball’s goal is to raise funds for cancer research, something Rush said his family has a personal stake in.&nbsp;

“Doris (wife) is recovering from cancer. We were fortunate to get her to the Buffett Center (Nebraska Medicine Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center). I’m so thankful she’s healthy and living an active life again.” Millions of dollars have been donated to the UNL Medical Center through the Cattlemen’s Ball.

“I’m very honored to receive the award. My career has been wonderful and enjoyable. I’ve learned a lot from the cattlemen and women I’ve met and will continue to do what I can to help the cattle industry.”

By Chabella Guzman, communications specialist Panhandle Research, Extension Center <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702321280814.jpeg" alt="Ivan and Doris Rush pictured at the 2023 Nebraska Cattlemen Annual Convention and Trade Show receiving the award “Friend of the Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation.” Courtesy Photo" />
 <figcaption>Ivan and Doris Rush pictured at the 2023 Nebraska Cattlemen Annual Convention and Trade Show receiving the award “Friend of the Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation.” Courtesy Photo</figcaption>
 </figure>The 2023 Nebraska Cattlemen Annual Convention and Trade Show honored Scottsbluff cattleman Ivan Rush with the “Friend of the Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation Award” on Dec. 7.&nbsp;For a man who prides himself on knowing what’s going on around him, “I was absolutely surprised. When they were ready to give the next award, I thought they had the wrong slide (on the screen). I was actually quite surprised,” said Rush.&nbsp;Rush has been in agriculture all his life, having grown up on a small grain, beef, and dairy operation in Missouri. He was the Beef Extension Specialist at the UNL Panhandle Research Extension and Education Center and has presented at countless cattlemen’s events ranging from local, area and regional to national and international in their scope.He was one of the original organizers of the Range Beef Cow Symposium (RBCS), a respected production-level beef cow/calf educational meeting. The first one was held in Chadron in 1969. Rush was on the committee to organize the Symposium, served on the planning committees, and continues to contribute through his retirement years.&nbsp;He retired from the UNL Panhandle Research Extension and Education Center in 2008 and remained active in the beef industry. Rush became part of the Nebraska Cattlemen.“I was enthused to be part of the Nebraska Cattlemen, supporting youth scholarships and judging,” he said. “It wasn’t easy to start the scholarships, but with support from the cattle producers and the industry, we are successfully seeing youth get scholarships.”&nbsp;The Nebraska Cattlemen’s work aligns with Rush’s to see beef kept in a positive light. “We know people love beef. We continue to get education out there and make it profitable for the cow-calf producers.” He added how they also fund projects like, the “Ag Sack Lunch Program of Nebraska,” “Nebraska Youth Beef Leadership Symposium (NYBLS),” and Nebraska Agriculture in the Classroom.Rush has served as the chair of the Cattlemen’s Ball of Nebraska committee and is thrilled the Ball will be in the Panhandle in June 2024. The Ball’s goal is to raise funds for cancer research, something Rush said his family has a personal stake in.&nbsp;“Doris (wife) is recovering from cancer. We were fortunate to get her to the Buffett Center (Nebraska Medicine Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center). I’m so thankful she’s healthy and living an active life again.” Millions of dollars have been donated to the UNL Medical Center through the Cattlemen’s Ball.“I’m very honored to receive the award. My career has been wonderful and enjoyable. I’ve learned a lot from the cattlemen and women I’ve met and will continue to do what I can to help the cattle industry.”

Scottsbluff cattleman receives award for commitment to beef industry

By Alex Benzegala&nbsp; Panhandle Post

&nbsp;The Alliance Chamber of Commerce announced last week that have an opening to join their Board of Directors. They say in a press release that business owners and leaders are encouraged t0 be involved with the chamber.

&nbsp;Meetings are held the 2nd Thursday each month at 12 pm. If you would like to be involved with the Chamber and help out the community, please contact the Chamber Office by phone: 308-762-1520, email: chamber@alliancechamber.com or in person at 305 Box Butte Ave. Submissions will be taken through Wednesday.

By Alex Benzegala&nbsp; Panhandle Post&nbsp;The Alliance Chamber of Commerce announced last week that have an opening to join their Board of Directors. They say in a press release that business owners and leaders are encouraged t0 be involved with the chamber.&nbsp;Meetings are held the 2nd Thursday each month at 12 pm. If you would like to be involved with the Chamber and help out the community, please contact the Chamber Office by phone: 308-762-1520, email: chamber@alliancechamber.com or in person at 305 Box Butte Ave. Submissions will be taken through Wednesday.

Alliance Chamber of Commerce seeks Board of Directors

By John E. Weare Keep Alliance Beautiful

My generation has been pegged as people who grew up between analog and tech – we can handle (and are often comfortable with) either. A newspaper in the hand brings more satisfaction while perusing headlines, yet I now read my preferred daily edition’s online with my smartphone. Other technology I spent hours on during my youth now reminds me of the manual real-life version.

Video games in the mid-1980s would simply defeat the player by picking up the pace in many cases. As my middle brother and I plugged in our latest Atari cartridge we knew the console would find the limit of our reflexes in weeks, sometimes days. Several years later our youngest brother began playing more advanced scenarios on Nintendo. Gaming no longer held much interest for me by then until the advent of the Gameboy and Tetris. Finally a simple, satisfying game. Watch the lines vanish as you fit the proper combination of shapes! Cobble together 100 lines or more and the time was worthwhile.

Any given day at the Keep Alliance Beautiful Recycling Center kindles memories of Tetris. Look inside the building and two or three high stacks of Gaylord boxes and bales are reminiscent of Q*bert and Jenga, respectively. In the cardboard baler each load is like a line of Tetris: find the right pieces, fill the space, close the door and press the button to make it “disappear”. However, there are situations when our crew wishes the game pieces would stay put.

The Alliance business that, arguably, produces the greatest volume of cardboard on our route has five totes at their location we empty twice, sometimes three times a week. “Tote” refers to 275- or 330-gallon Intermediate Bulk Containers. Originally, a metal cage surrounded a cube-shaped HDPE (the same plastic as milk jugs) tank with a screw top and drainage spot on the bottom. KAB uses the totes with the top of the tank cut out or only the cage. On two occasions this past month when I checked with Doug and Willis on their route they found four totes there instead of five. Now, the containers have been given steel arms so they can hold hands when someone wants to play Red Rover. No more leaving the playground with just anybody if I can help it.

Okay, so where both thefts occurred is a bit out of the way from passersby and any cameras (that anyone was watching at the time). This week I retrieved one of our trailers that had been repaired and switched out a full tote of cardboard and paperboard by their Dumpster. As I drove down Box Butte Avenue the next day the phone rang. “I went outside with an armload of cardboard and the container wasn’t there,” the owner of the fabrication shop said. I assured him that I had left a tall tote after checking with his son about the trailer, though promised to bring another older, cruddier version soon. A 330-gallon tote in good shape with a bladder at this more visible location had been handy and, I guess, irresistible.

Of course, whoever is making use of our three totes, all with large “A’s” spray painted on the sides may justify their actions by saying we have plenty and will not miss them. Not true. Though our hauler works to retrieve totes that we sent full previously, availability is not always guaranteed. Our former recycling supervisor, G.O. Thompson always kept his ear to the ground for entities that would donate used totes. From highway projects to grain elevators he made

sure we had plenty to supplement our rotating supply. Our not-for-profit organization lacks the resources to buy from the online market.

To the new “owners” of our cubes: they like level ground and a steady diet of recyclables – cardboard if possible. Please tip over to empty heavy snow or they’ll start to shiver. We ask no questions when wayward containers find the way back home.

By John E. Weare Keep Alliance Beautiful<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702310839784.jpeg" alt="Keep Alliance Beautiful has recently had three of its containers disappear from Alliance businesses." />
 <figcaption>Keep Alliance Beautiful has recently had three of its containers disappear from Alliance businesses.</figcaption>
 </figure>My generation has been pegged as people who grew up between analog and tech – we can handle (and are often comfortable with) either. A newspaper in the hand brings more satisfaction while perusing headlines, yet I now read my preferred daily edition’s online with my smartphone. Other technology I spent hours on during my youth now reminds me of the manual real-life version.Video games in the mid-1980s would simply defeat the player by picking up the pace in many cases. As my middle brother and I plugged in our latest Atari cartridge we knew the console would find the limit of our reflexes in weeks, sometimes days. Several years later our youngest brother began playing more advanced scenarios on Nintendo. Gaming no longer held much interest for me by then until the advent of the Gameboy and Tetris. Finally a simple, satisfying game. Watch the lines vanish as you fit the proper combination of shapes! Cobble together 100 lines or more and the time was worthwhile.Any given day at the Keep Alliance Beautiful Recycling Center kindles memories of Tetris. Look inside the building and two or three high stacks of Gaylord boxes and bales are reminiscent of Q*bert and Jenga, respectively. In the cardboard baler each load is like a line of Tetris: find the right pieces, fill the space, close the door and press the button to make it “disappear”. However, there are situations when our crew wishes the game pieces would stay put.The Alliance business that, arguably, produces the greatest volume of cardboard on our route has five totes at their location we empty twice, sometimes three times a week. “Tote” refers to 275- or 330-gallon Intermediate Bulk Containers. Originally, a metal cage surrounded a cube-shaped HDPE (the same plastic as milk jugs) tank with a screw top and drainage spot on the bottom. KAB uses the totes with the top of the tank cut out or only the cage. On two occasions this past month when I checked with Doug and Willis on their route they found four totes there instead of five. Now, the containers have been given steel arms so they can hold hands when someone wants to play Red Rover. No more leaving the playground with just anybody if I can help it.Okay, so where both thefts occurred is a bit out of the way from passersby and any cameras (that anyone was watching at the time). This week I retrieved one of our trailers that had been repaired and switched out a full tote of cardboard and paperboard by their Dumpster. As I drove down Box Butte Avenue the next day the phone rang. “I went outside with an armload of cardboard and the container wasn’t there,” the owner of the fabrication shop said. I assured him that I had left a tall tote after checking with his son about the trailer, though promised to bring another older, cruddier version soon. A 330-gallon tote in good shape with a bladder at this more visible location had been handy and, I guess, irresistible.Of course, whoever is making use of our three totes, all with large “A’s” spray painted on the sides may justify their actions by saying we have plenty and will not miss them. Not true. Though our hauler works to retrieve totes that we sent full previously, availability is not always guaranteed. Our former recycling supervisor, G.O. Thompson always kept his ear to the ground for entities that would donate used totes. From highway projects to grain elevators he madesure we had plenty to supplement our rotating supply. Our not-for-profit organization lacks the resources to buy from the online market.To the new “owners” of our cubes: they like level ground and a steady diet of recyclables – cardboard if possible. Please tip over to empty heavy snow or they’ll start to shiver. We ask no questions when wayward containers find the way back home.

Keep Alliance Beautiful: Cube Conundrum

By TENA L. COOK, Marketing Coordinator Chadron State College

CHADRON –&nbsp;Jovan Mays, a 2010 graduate of Chadron State College, will be Chadron&nbsp;State College’s Winter Commencement speaker Friday. The ceremony in the Chicoine Center is free and open to the public as well as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/live/" target="_blank">live-streamed</a>. One-hundred and five candidates for bachelor’s degree and 78 candidates for graduate degrees will be honored.&nbsp;

Mays is the Emeritus Poet Laureate of Aurora,&nbsp;Colorado, a Distinguished Young Alumni Award recipient, a Chadron State Foundation Trustee, and the author of four books.&nbsp;Since 2009,&nbsp;he has spoken at more than 120 events including performing commissioned pieces,&nbsp;tributes&nbsp;to veterans,&nbsp;and multiple appearances at the Sterling, Colorado, Correctional Facility&nbsp;where he judges the poetry slam.&nbsp;He has also presented at the Colorado Language Arts Society conference.&nbsp;

At Smoky Hill High School, his alma mater, Mays&nbsp;is a specialist coach for the wrestling program along with providing&nbsp;educational presentations about healthy masculinity and social-emotional learning.&nbsp;

Mays believes everyone has their own &nbsp;voice&nbsp;and he curates Your Writing Counts,&nbsp;a youth poetry program in Denver ,&nbsp;that engages more than 100,000 students&nbsp;annually through creative writing, storytelling, workshops, and youth poetry slams. He has been a guest instructor with the Denver Writing Project since 2011 teaching sessions for elementary and secondary educators,&nbsp;as well as youth campers.&nbsp;Since 2019, he has been a volunteer facilitator with Project Pave-True Man Program that encourages high school-aged males&nbsp;to make healthy choices and cultivate healthy relationships.&nbsp;

His poem,&nbsp;Borealis,&nbsp;has been interpreted and preserved in a mural in Aurora created by Like Minded Productions. In 2018, he was a presenter, panelist,&nbsp;and instructor at the world’s largest literature festival in&nbsp;Jaipur, India.&nbsp;

A Student Engagement Advocate with the Aurora Public Schools (APS) since August 2020, he assists students&nbsp;with leadership development and creative writing.&nbsp;Before his current position, he was a Youth Voice Coordinator with APS for three years.&nbsp;He created the first district-wide&nbsp;youth voice platform which engaged more than 500,000 audience members&nbsp;and&nbsp;30,000 students&nbsp;with journalistic stories with a focus on mental health, resilience,&nbsp;and&nbsp;self-investigation.&nbsp;

From 2016 to 2017,&nbsp;Mays was the Community Engagement Coordinator&nbsp;with Lighthouse Writers&nbsp;Workshop in Denver.&nbsp;In that position, he raised $8,000 for community outreach and creative programming and won awards from the Art Tank, Viewers&nbsp;Choice,&nbsp;and Denver Foundation.&nbsp;

Mays serves as a member services representative on the YMCA of Metropolitan Denver,&nbsp;a role he has had since 2010. He opens the facility, which serves 3,000 people daily, at 4:30 a.m. on weekdays, gives tours, and tends to other front desk duties.&nbsp;

In November 2019,&nbsp;Mays memorialized the late Zack Muma with&nbsp;a poem, The Constellation Zacharias, in a&nbsp;TEDx talk. As a CSC sophomore in 2007, Mays helped monitor&nbsp;Muma’s Type I diabetes. Unfortunately, Muma died in August 2013 before his second year at CSC. &nbsp;

While a student, Mays was the organizer of an annual CSC talent showcase called&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2008/release-to-promote-expression-diversity.html" target="_blank">Release</a>&nbsp;for several years. In 2009, he presented a Graves Lecture about slam poetry and spoken-word poetry.&nbsp;

In 2011, Mays and three other team members won the national slam poetry title. In 2008,&nbsp;Mays participated&nbsp;in a panel during the second annual Diversity Forum attended by more than 225 Chadron Middle School students. Mays quoted Martin Luther King about the dangers of “sincere ignorance and conscious stupidity.”&nbsp;He also recited Impossible, a nearly four-minute&nbsp;poem he wrote about conquering issues of race. &nbsp;

“Being diverse is not just being a friend of someone who is of a different race or embracing people because of those differences,” Mays said. “Every time you read a book, every time you go to class, every time you learn something new, you are constantly making yourself more diverse.”&nbsp;

In 2016&nbsp;and 2017, Mays was invited to speak at CSC’s&nbsp;MLK Day. &nbsp;

Mays said when he overheard racist comments during his underclassmen&nbsp;years at CSC, he often remained silent. As a CSC upperclassman, however, he found his voice and spoke up in similar situations. He encouraged the audience to do the same.&nbsp;

“Don’t&nbsp;default to silence.&nbsp;Speak up for yourself or others when you hear racist remarks. Start those difficult conversations at the dinner table. Speak up a little bit. You can learn how to confront others without being argumentative,” Mays said. “You can start in small ways in your own area of influence.”&nbsp;

By TENA L. COOK, Marketing Coordinator Chadron State CollegeCHADRON –&nbsp;Jovan Mays, a 2010 graduate of Chadron State College, will be Chadron&nbsp;State College’s Winter Commencement speaker Friday. The ceremony in the Chicoine Center is free and open to the public as well as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/live/" target="_blank">live-streamed</a>. One-hundred and five candidates for bachelor’s degree and 78 candidates for graduate degrees will be honored.&nbsp;Mays is the Emeritus Poet Laureate of Aurora,&nbsp;Colorado, a Distinguished Young Alumni Award recipient, a Chadron State Foundation Trustee, and the author of four books.&nbsp;Since 2009,&nbsp;he has spoken at more than 120 events including performing commissioned pieces,&nbsp;tributes&nbsp;to veterans,&nbsp;and multiple appearances at the Sterling, Colorado, Correctional Facility&nbsp;where he judges the poetry slam.&nbsp;He has also presented at the Colorado Language Arts Society conference.&nbsp;At Smoky Hill High School, his alma mater, Mays&nbsp;is a specialist coach for the wrestling program along with providing&nbsp;educational presentations about healthy masculinity and social-emotional learning.&nbsp;Mays believes everyone has their own &nbsp;voice&nbsp;and he curates Your Writing Counts,&nbsp;a youth poetry program in Denver ,&nbsp;that engages more than 100,000 students&nbsp;annually through creative writing, storytelling, workshops, and youth poetry slams. He has been a guest instructor with the Denver Writing Project since 2011 teaching sessions for elementary and secondary educators,&nbsp;as well as youth campers.&nbsp;Since 2019, he has been a volunteer facilitator with Project Pave-True Man Program that encourages high school-aged males&nbsp;to make healthy choices and cultivate healthy relationships.&nbsp;His poem,&nbsp;Borealis,&nbsp;has been interpreted and preserved in a mural in Aurora created by Like Minded Productions. In 2018, he was a presenter, panelist,&nbsp;and instructor at the world’s largest literature festival in&nbsp;Jaipur, India.&nbsp;A Student Engagement Advocate with the Aurora Public Schools (APS) since August 2020, he assists students&nbsp;with leadership development and creative writing.&nbsp;Before his current position, he was a Youth Voice Coordinator with APS for three years.&nbsp;He created the first district-wide&nbsp;youth voice platform which engaged more than 500,000 audience members&nbsp;and&nbsp;30,000 students&nbsp;with journalistic stories with a focus on mental health, resilience,&nbsp;and&nbsp;self-investigation.&nbsp;From 2016 to 2017,&nbsp;Mays was the Community Engagement Coordinator&nbsp;with Lighthouse Writers&nbsp;Workshop in Denver.&nbsp;In that position, he raised $8,000 for community outreach and creative programming and won awards from the Art Tank, Viewers&nbsp;Choice,&nbsp;and Denver Foundation.&nbsp;Mays serves as a member services representative on the YMCA of Metropolitan Denver,&nbsp;a role he has had since 2010. He opens the facility, which serves 3,000 people daily, at 4:30 a.m. on weekdays, gives tours, and tends to other front desk duties.&nbsp;In November 2019,&nbsp;Mays memorialized the late Zack Muma with&nbsp;a poem, The Constellation Zacharias, in a&nbsp;TEDx talk. As a CSC sophomore in 2007, Mays helped monitor&nbsp;Muma’s Type I diabetes. Unfortunately, Muma died in August 2013 before his second year at CSC. &nbsp;While a student, Mays was the organizer of an annual CSC talent showcase called&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2008/release-to-promote-expression-diversity.html" target="_blank">Release</a>&nbsp;for several years. In 2009, he presented a Graves Lecture about slam poetry and spoken-word poetry.&nbsp;In 2011, Mays and three other team members won the national slam poetry title. In 2008,&nbsp;Mays participated&nbsp;in a panel during the second annual Diversity Forum attended by more than 225 Chadron Middle School students. Mays quoted Martin Luther King about the dangers of “sincere ignorance and conscious stupidity.”&nbsp;He also recited Impossible, a nearly four-minute&nbsp;poem he wrote about conquering issues of race. &nbsp;“Being diverse is not just being a friend of someone who is of a different race or embracing people because of those differences,” Mays said. “Every time you read a book, every time you go to class, every time you learn something new, you are constantly making yourself more diverse.”&nbsp;In 2016&nbsp;and 2017, Mays was invited to speak at CSC’s&nbsp;MLK Day. &nbsp;Mays said when he overheard racist comments during his underclassmen&nbsp;years at CSC, he often remained silent. As a CSC upperclassman, however, he found his voice and spoke up in similar situations. He encouraged the audience to do the same.&nbsp;“Don’t&nbsp;default to silence.&nbsp;Speak up for yourself or others when you hear racist remarks. Start those difficult conversations at the dinner table. Speak up a little bit. You can learn how to confront others without being argumentative,” Mays said. “You can start in small ways in your own area of influence.”&nbsp;

Mays to speak at CSC’s Winter Commencement 

The Nebraska Department of Transportation and Nebraska Game and Parks Commission recently were awarded a $400,000 federal grant to explore ways to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions in western Nebraska along Nebraska Highway 71.

NDOT and Game and Parks will use the funding to explore the feasibility of bighorn sheep crossings in the Wildcat Hills region, where 18 of the 26 bighorn sheep collisions have been recorded between 2009-2023. This study will focus on reducing vehicle and property damage, as well as wildlife deaths.

“Because of the geography of this area, bighorn sheep regularly cross the highway here, an area near the entrance to the Wildlife Estates housing area,” said Todd Nordeen, big game research and disease program manager with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. “With the Heartland Expressway’s continued development, traffic between Rapid City, South Dakota, and Denver will continue to increase as will the risk of crashes — and potential bighorn sheep fatalities.”

Part of the grant funding will be used to purchase 10 new radio tracking collars to be placed on bighorn sheep to track their movements; three bighorn sheep in the region already have tracking collars. Data from their movements will be used to assess whether a wildlife crossing would successfully connect the sheep’s habitat — rocky escarpments found on both sides of the highway — and reduce collisions.

The study also will help determine the need for and potential cost of a wildlife crossing area, typically in the form of underpass tunnels, viaducts or overpasses across a highway, in addition to other possible mitigation strategies. If the study concludes a crossing is feasible, other wildlife in the Wildcat Hills would benefit. The area is home to two bighorn sheep populations, as well as elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer, wild turkey, mountain lions and countless other mammals.

Should a crossing be warranted, it would be a first of its kind in Nebraska. Wildlife crossings have been built and utilized successfully in many other Midwest and Western states, including Colorado, California, North Dakota and Arizona. NDOT and Game and Parks would pursue additional grant money to support construction of any recommended crossing solutions or alternatives.

Doug Hoevet, NDOT District 5 Engineer said, “NDOT is committed to reducing all crashes on the highway system. This study allows us to partner with our fellow agency to evaluate the best way to reduce crashes while protecting a unique wildlife resource that is important to our area.”

The study is expected to be completed in 2024.

The funding for this study was made possible by the federal Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which makes $350 million available to states over a five-year period. It can support projects that construct wildlife crossings over or below busy roads, add fencing, acquire tracking and mapping tools, and more. In addition, the program supports the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Roadway Safety Strategy, which sets a goal of achieving zero roadway deaths and serious injuries through a Safe System Approach to prevent crashes from happening in the first place.

Projects funded by this program will reduce wildlife crashes, which will in turn reduce associated economic impacts, such as loss of income, medical costs, property damage and a decline in productivity and quality of life, while simultaneously improving habitat connectivity to sustain the environment and improve the overall safety of the traveling public.

By Nebraska Game &amp; ParksThe Nebraska Department of Transportation and Nebraska Game and Parks Commission recently were awarded a $400,000 federal grant to explore ways to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions in western Nebraska along Nebraska Highway 71.NDOT and Game and Parks will use the funding to explore the feasibility of bighorn sheep crossings in the Wildcat Hills region, where 18 of the 26 bighorn sheep collisions have been recorded between 2009-2023. This study will focus on reducing vehicle and property damage, as well as wildlife deaths.“Because of the geography of this area, bighorn sheep regularly cross the highway here, an area near the entrance to the Wildlife Estates housing area,” said Todd Nordeen, big game research and disease program manager with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. “With the Heartland Expressway’s continued development, traffic between Rapid City, South Dakota, and Denver will continue to increase as will the risk of crashes — and potential bighorn sheep fatalities.”Part of the grant funding will be used to purchase 10 new radio tracking collars to be placed on bighorn sheep to track their movements; three bighorn sheep in the region already have tracking collars. Data from their movements will be used to assess whether a wildlife crossing would successfully connect the sheep’s habitat — rocky escarpments found on both sides of the highway — and reduce collisions.The study also will help determine the need for and potential cost of a wildlife crossing area, typically in the form of underpass tunnels, viaducts or overpasses across a highway, in addition to other possible mitigation strategies. If the study concludes a crossing is feasible, other wildlife in the Wildcat Hills would benefit. The area is home to two bighorn sheep populations, as well as elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer, wild turkey, mountain lions and countless other mammals.Should a crossing be warranted, it would be a first of its kind in Nebraska. Wildlife crossings have been built and utilized successfully in many other Midwest and Western states, including Colorado, California, North Dakota and Arizona. NDOT and Game and Parks would pursue additional grant money to support construction of any recommended crossing solutions or alternatives.Doug Hoevet, NDOT District 5 Engineer said, “NDOT is committed to reducing all crashes on the highway system. This study allows us to partner with our fellow agency to evaluate the best way to reduce crashes while protecting a unique wildlife resource that is important to our area.”The study is expected to be completed in 2024.The funding for this study was made possible by the federal Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which makes $350 million available to states over a five-year period. It can support projects that construct wildlife crossings over or below busy roads, add fencing, acquire tracking and mapping tools, and more. In addition, the program supports the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Roadway Safety Strategy, which sets a goal of achieving zero roadway deaths and serious injuries through a Safe System Approach to prevent crashes from happening in the first place.Projects funded by this program will reduce wildlife crashes, which will in turn reduce associated economic impacts, such as loss of income, medical costs, property damage and a decline in productivity and quality of life, while simultaneously improving habitat connectivity to sustain the environment and improve the overall safety of the traveling public.

Nebraska awarded federal grant to fund feasibility study for wildlife highway crossings

POST PODCAST: Coffee Talk 12/8/23

Come celebrate Eagle Radio's, KCOW Sport Director Mike "Gles" Glesinger retirement on Sunday, Dec. 10 from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. at the West Side Event Center, west of Alliance. 

"Gles" has worked 37 years with Eagle Radio being the Voice of the Bulldogs. He has worked 43 years in radio broadcasting. 

He will retire at the end of the year.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702049586858.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Come celebrate Eagle Radio's, KCOW Sport Director Mike "Gles" Glesinger retirement on Sunday, Dec. 10 from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. at the West Side Event Center, west of Alliance. "Gles" has worked 37 years with Eagle Radio being the Voice of the Bulldogs. He has worked 43 years in radio broadcasting. He will retire at the end of the year.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Eagle Radio to hold Mike Glesinger 'Retirement Party' Sunday

By Alex Benzegala Panhandle Post

Scottsbluff Police is investigating a car crash in Scottsbluff on Wednesday evening.

SPD responded on scene to a crash shortly before 6 p.m. on Wednesday at the intersection of Hwy 26 and 5th Ave.

The preliminary investigation uncovered that a red 2003 Infinity 635 driven but 44-year-old Johnathan Dykes of Douglas WY, was driving westbound and making a left turn to go south on 5th Ave, when a silver 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier driven by 29-year-old Marco-Martinez-Hernandez of Terrytown crashed into the side of the Infinity.&nbsp;

By Alex Benzegala Panhandle PostScottsbluff Police is investigating a car crash in Scottsbluff on Wednesday evening.SPD responded on scene to a crash shortly before 6 p.m. on Wednesday at the intersection of Hwy 26 and 5th Ave.The preliminary investigation uncovered that a red 2003 Infinity 635 driven but 44-year-old Johnathan Dykes of Douglas WY, was driving westbound and making a left turn to go south on 5th Ave, when a silver 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier driven by 29-year-old Marco-Martinez-Hernandez of Terrytown crashed into the side of the Infinity.&nbsp;Mario Martinez-Cano was identified as a passenger in the Chevy, and SPD says he was not wearing a seatbelt.&nbsp; He and Martinez-Hernandez had to be extricated from the vehicle and both were transported to&nbsp;Regional West Medical Center by Valley Ambulance. Dykes refused treatment at the scene. Valley Ambulance and Scottsbluff Fire Dept assisted at the scene. Citations are pending the completion of the investigation.

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