Karen Benzel discusses this Friday's United Way Free Movie night at the Sandhills Drive-In, as well as the final week of the Stuff The Bus school supplies donation drive.

<div><iframe title="POST PODCAST: United Way of Western Nebraska" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=vy43x-1462947-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=2&font-color=auto&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=5" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>Karen Benzel discusses this Friday's United Way Free Movie night at the Sandhills Drive-In, as well as the final week of the Stuff The Bus school supplies donation drive.

POST PODCAST: United Way of Western Nebraska

A local company that serves Nebraska and the panhandle recently celebrated their 20 yea anniversary across the state and had a local celebration in Alliance on Friday. &nbsp;

 Clint Schleicher&nbsp; has worked at Allo Communications for 13 years and is the General Manager of the Allo Branch in Alliance which has been open for 17 years. A part of the celebration was Allo partnering with United Way to do a barbeque to help with their  fundraiser and duck sales. &nbsp;

By Alex Benzegala Panhandle PostA local company that serves Nebraska and the panhandle recently celebrated their 20 yea anniversary across the state and had a local celebration in Alliance on Friday. &nbsp; Clint Schleicher&nbsp; has worked at Allo Communications for 13 years and is the General Manager of the Allo Branch in Alliance which has been open for 17 years. A part of the celebration was Allo partnering with United Way to do a barbeque to help with their fundraiser and duck sales. &nbsp;

Allo celebrates 20 year anniversary in Alliance on Friday 

Parade begins at 10am, Watch LIVE here on the POST

Parade begins at 10am, Watch LIVE here on the POST<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6CcMNNrRIFw" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

Heritage Days Parade LIVE video stream

Alliance, NE – The City of Alliance experienced a power outage Thursday morning at approximately 12:46 a.m. Where two breakers at the 10th street substation were open. These breakers operating caused the power to the Emerson and the Broadwater substations to be shut off. 

Crews arrived on scene, and after riding the lines and close&nbsp; examination of the substations the breakers were closed, restoring power to all meters by roughly 2:10 a.m. For more information, please contact Kirby Bridge at (308) 762-1907.

By City of AllianceAlliance, NE – The City of Alliance experienced a power outage Thursday morning at approximately 12:46 a.m. Where two breakers at the 10th street substation were open. These breakers operating caused the power to the Emerson and the Broadwater substations to be shut off. Crews arrived on scene, and after riding the lines and close&nbsp; examination of the substations the breakers were closed, restoring power to all meters by roughly 2:10 a.m. For more information, please contact Kirby Bridge at (308) 762-1907.

City of Alliance releases details about Thursday power outages

Thanks to the Department of Economic Development’s Shovel Ready Grant program, community members in Alliance, Nebraska are currently enjoying ARC Park, a community accessible playground for&nbsp; 2–12-year-olds, new weight room equipment, better facility temperature control, and most recently, an expanded classroom space for ARC After School – all located at the Alliance Recreation Center. 

The Alliance Rec Center’s project was selected by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development to receive a Shovel Ready grant to support capital projects that were delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. “We began raising funds in 2019 for ARC Park and had plans to continue addressing capacity and facility projects when the pandemic shutdown delayed our progress,” shared Mara Andersen, executive director of the Alliance Recreation Center. “When the work resumed on the remaining projects, costs were approximately 30% more than originally anticipated.”

 The shovel ready program funds were made available through a combination of America Rescue Plan Act funds and state general funds and were intended to help nonprofit organizations complete projects that&nbsp; would aid economic development. 

In June of 2022, the Alliance Rec Center received award notification in the amount of $113,000 for the completion of their capital projects. “The award we received resurrected our capacity projects and matched the funds we had worked tirelessly to raise. This grant – which really celebrates our community’s support by matching it dollar-for-dollar – was the saving grace we needed to ensure our projects were completed,” said Andersen. All shovel ready projects are now complete and currently in use at the Alliance Rec Center. 

A community open house and ribbon cutting ceremony is tentatively planned for August 2023. Andersen says the application of this award has already made an future positive impact at the facility with weight room expansion currently under construction.

By the Alliance Recreation CenterThanks to the Department of Economic Development’s Shovel Ready Grant program, community members in Alliance, Nebraska are currently enjoying ARC Park, a community accessible playground for&nbsp; 2–12-year-olds, new weight room equipment, better facility temperature control, and most recently, an expanded classroom space for ARC After School – all located at the Alliance Recreation Center. The Alliance Rec Center’s project was selected by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development to receive a Shovel Ready grant to support capital projects that were delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. “We began raising funds in 2019 for ARC Park and had plans to continue addressing capacity and facility projects when the pandemic shutdown delayed our progress,” shared Mara Andersen, executive director of the Alliance Recreation Center. “When the work resumed on the remaining projects, costs were approximately 30% more than originally anticipated.” The shovel ready program funds were made available through a combination of America Rescue Plan Act funds and state general funds and were intended to help nonprofit organizations complete projects that&nbsp; would aid economic development. In June of 2022, the Alliance Rec Center received award notification in the amount of $113,000 for the completion of their capital projects. “The award we received resurrected our capacity projects and matched the funds we had worked tirelessly to raise. This grant – which really celebrates our community’s support by matching it dollar-for-dollar – was the saving grace we needed to ensure our projects were completed,” said Andersen. All shovel ready projects are now complete and currently in use at the Alliance Rec Center. A community open house and ribbon cutting ceremony is tentatively planned for August 2023. Andersen says the application of this award has already made an future positive impact at the facility with weight room expansion currently under construction.

"Shovel Ready" Projects complete at ARC thanks to Department of Economic Development

The Alliance Police Department has focused their efforts in the last couple of years on lowering the crime rate in town and Police Chief Phil Lukens says that the evidence and numbers point to that happening.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Lukens says that when he was hired in December of 2020, in March of 2021 there was an article that Alliance was in the Top 10 Worst Cities to live in State of Nebraska, and Lukens explains what the Alliance Police Department has done and what the results have shown.&nbsp; "In our Strategic Plan, we have worked very hard at implementing a lot of programs, working with the community and really having a dialog together," Lukens said. "At the end of the day, this last march 2023 Alliance&nbsp; was rated in the top ten safest&nbsp; cities to live in Nebraska."

Lukens says that with the current rate of improvement, he envisions Alliance being the safest city in Nebraska at some point in the near future. Looking at the numbers, overall crime in Alliance was down 31% in 2022 compared to 2021, and 2023 could be a record low year if trends stay the same. Currently there have been 100 crimes against people this year in Alliance compared to 226 in 2022. To look at the full statistics, go to cityofalliance.net and click on departments and Police.&nbsp;

Looking at the numbers, overall crime in Alliance was down 31% in 2022 compared to 2021, and 2023 could be a record low year if trends stay the same. Currently there have been 100 crimes against people this year in Alliance compared to 226 in 2022. To look at the full statistics, go to cityofalliance.net and click on departments and Police.&nbsp;

By Alex Benzegala Panhandle PostThe Alliance Police Department has focused their efforts in the last couple of years on lowering the crime rate in town and Police Chief Phil Lukens says that the evidence and numbers point to that happening.&nbsp;&nbsp;Lukens says that when he was hired in December of 2020, in March of 2021 there was an article that Alliance was in the Top 10 Worst Cities to live in State of Nebraska, and Lukens explains what the Alliance Police Department has done and what the results have shown.&nbsp; "In our Strategic Plan, we have worked very hard at implementing a lot of programs, working with the community and really having a dialog together," Lukens said. "At the end of the day, this last march 2023 Alliance&nbsp; was rated in the top ten safest&nbsp; cities to live in Nebraska."Lukens says that with the current rate of improvement, he envisions Alliance being the safest city in Nebraska at some point in the near future. Looking at the numbers, overall crime in Alliance was down 31% in 2022 compared to 2021, and 2023 could be a record low year if trends stay the same. Currently there have been 100 crimes against people this year in Alliance compared to 226 in 2022. To look at the full statistics, go to cityofalliance.net and click on departments and Police.&nbsp;'Looking at the numbers, overall crime in Alliance was down 31% in 2022 compared to 2021, and 2023 could be a record low year if trends stay the same. Currently there have been 100 crimes against people this year in Alliance compared to 226 in 2022. To look at the full statistics, go to cityofalliance.net and click on departments and Police.&nbsp;

Alliance crime down, named top 10 safest cities in Nebraska for 2023

By Western&nbsp; Nebraska Community College

SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. -&nbsp;The Western Community College Area Board of Governors has declared a vacancy in Districts 1 and 3 due to the resignations of Kimberly A. Marcy and Richard G. Stickney, effective August 1. The Board is seeking individuals who are interested in filling the vacant positions.

Persons residing in Western Community College Area Electoral District 1 who are interested in being considered for an appointment to fill the remainder of Ms. Marcy’s term on the Board (through December 2024) should send a letter and a resume by July 31, 2023 to the WCCA Board of Governors, c/o Susan Verbeck, Board Secretary,&nbsp;1601 East 27th Street, Scottsbluff, NE 69361.

District 1 contains the following precincts: Cherry County: Merriman, Russell, King, Mother Lake, Cody, Barley, Gillaspie, Lackey, portion of Wells; Dawes County: all precincts; Grant County: all precincts; Sheridan County: all precincts; Sioux County: all precincts.

Persons residing in Western Community College Area Electoral District 3 who are interested in being considered for an appointment to fill the remainder of Mr. Stickney’s term on the Board (through December 2024) should also send a letter and a resume by July 31, 2023 to the WCCA Board of Governors, c/o Susan Verbeck, Board Secretary,&nbsp;1601 East 27th Street, Scottsbluff, NE 69361.

District 3 contains the following precincts: Box Butte County: all precincts; Morrill County: East Bayard, East Camp Clark, Gilchrist, Haynes, North Camp Clark, Redington, West Bayard, West Camp Clark precincts; Scotts Bluff County: Dewey Tabor, Minatare I &amp; II, Highland precincts.

By Western&nbsp; Nebraska Community CollegeSCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. -&nbsp;The Western Community College Area Board of Governors has declared a vacancy in Districts 1 and 3 due to the resignations of Kimberly A. Marcy and Richard G. Stickney, effective August 1. The Board is seeking individuals who are interested in filling the vacant positions.Persons residing in Western Community College Area Electoral District 1 who are interested in being considered for an appointment to fill the remainder of Ms. Marcy’s term on the Board (through December 2024) should send a letter and a resume by July 31, 2023 to the WCCA Board of Governors, c/o Susan Verbeck, Board Secretary,&nbsp;1601 East 27th Street, Scottsbluff, NE 69361.District 1 contains the following precincts: Cherry County: Merriman, Russell, King, Mother Lake, Cody, Barley, Gillaspie, Lackey, portion of Wells; Dawes County: all precincts; Grant County: all precincts; Sheridan County: all precincts; Sioux County: all precincts.Persons residing in Western Community College Area Electoral District 3 who are interested in being considered for an appointment to fill the remainder of Mr. Stickney’s term on the Board (through December 2024) should also send a letter and a resume by July 31, 2023 to the WCCA Board of Governors, c/o Susan Verbeck, Board Secretary,&nbsp;1601 East 27th Street, Scottsbluff, NE 69361.District 3 contains the following precincts: Box Butte County: all precincts; Morrill County: East Bayard, East Camp Clark, Gilchrist, Haynes, North Camp Clark, Redington, West Bayard, West Camp Clark precincts; Scotts Bluff County: Dewey Tabor, Minatare I &amp; II, Highland precincts.

WCCA Board of Governors to fill 2 vacancies

-There are two notices for today. Thursday July 20:

There will be no open swim&nbsp; on Thursday, due to forecasted cool weather conditions.

Today Is the last day to register online for the AHS Band Fun RUN to the Peach Bowl, in person registration will occur 6am Sat. morning with the race starting at 7am.

By Alex Benzegala Panhandle Post-There are two notices for today. Thursday July 20:There will be no open swim&nbsp; on Thursday, due to forecasted cool weather conditions.Today Is the last day to register online for the AHS Band Fun RUN to the Peach Bowl, in person registration will occur 6am Sat. morning with the race starting at 7am.

Two announcements of Alliance Pool and Saturday Fun Run

Alliance Fire Department recently received a donation of canned emergency drinking water from&nbsp;leading brewer Anheuser-Busch to help keep its responders hydrated as they battle wildfires this&nbsp;season. On July 19, 2023 one pallet of water was dropped off by local Anheuser-Busch wholesaler&nbsp;partner, High Plains Beverages of Scottsbluff Nebraska. The water will help maintain firefighters’&nbsp;hydration during long incidents or disasters such as wildfires, which is a major safety concern for&nbsp;many departments.&nbsp;

“Firefighters lose a tremendous amount of fluid during high-intensity response such as battling&nbsp;wildfires. Proper hydration is critical to ensure the safety of our firefighters and keep them&nbsp;performing at their best,” said Fire Chief Troy Shoemaker. “Thanks to this water donation from&nbsp; Anheuser-Busch and the National Volunteer Fire Council, we now have the resources to keep our&nbsp;firefighters hydrated and ready to respond.”&nbsp;

The water was donated by Anheuser-Busch through a partnership with the National Volunteer Fire&nbsp;Council (NVFC). Anheuser-Busch has a longstanding tradition of pausing beer production each year&nbsp;

to provide emergency drinking water and supplies for disaster relief efforts. The production pause&nbsp;enables the company to apply its production and logistics expertise to can clean, safe drinking&nbsp;water that is ready to distribute when disaster strikes. Since 1988, the brewer has donated more&nbsp;than 90 million cans of emergency drinking water to communities impacted by natural disasters&nbsp;and other crises.&nbsp;

Building on this commitment, the brewer teamed up with the NVFC – the leading nonprofit&nbsp;membership association representing the interests of the volunteer fire, emergency medical, and&nbsp;rescue services – in 2019 to provide emergency drinking water to help firefighters stay hydrated&nbsp;and healthy when responding to wildfires and large incidents. To date, the program has donated&nbsp;nearly 6.5 million cans of water to more than 1,400 volunteer fire departments across nearly all 50&nbsp;states.&nbsp;

By Alliance Fire DepartmentAlliance Fire Department recently received a donation of canned emergency drinking water from&nbsp;leading brewer Anheuser-Busch to help keep its responders hydrated as they battle wildfires this&nbsp;season. On July 19, 2023 one pallet of water was dropped off by local Anheuser-Busch wholesaler&nbsp;partner, High Plains Beverages of Scottsbluff Nebraska. The water will help maintain firefighters’&nbsp;hydration during long incidents or disasters such as wildfires, which is a major safety concern for&nbsp;many departments.&nbsp;“Firefighters lose a tremendous amount of fluid during high-intensity response such as battling&nbsp;wildfires. Proper hydration is critical to ensure the safety of our firefighters and keep them&nbsp;performing at their best,” said Fire Chief Troy Shoemaker. “Thanks to this water donation from&nbsp; Anheuser-Busch and the National Volunteer Fire Council, we now have the resources to keep our&nbsp;firefighters hydrated and ready to respond.”&nbsp;The water was donated by Anheuser-Busch through a partnership with the National Volunteer Fire&nbsp;Council (NVFC). Anheuser-Busch has a longstanding tradition of pausing beer production each year&nbsp;to provide emergency drinking water and supplies for disaster relief efforts. The production pause&nbsp;enables the company to apply its production and logistics expertise to can clean, safe drinking&nbsp;water that is ready to distribute when disaster strikes. Since 1988, the brewer has donated more&nbsp;than 90 million cans of emergency drinking water to communities impacted by natural disasters&nbsp;and other crises.&nbsp;Building on this commitment, the brewer teamed up with the NVFC – the leading nonprofit&nbsp;membership association representing the interests of the volunteer fire, emergency medical, and&nbsp;rescue services – in 2019 to provide emergency drinking water to help firefighters stay hydrated&nbsp;and healthy when responding to wildfires and large incidents. To date, the program has donated&nbsp;nearly 6.5 million cans of water to more than 1,400 volunteer fire departments across nearly all 50&nbsp;states.&nbsp;

Alliance Fire Department Receives Drinking Water from Anheuser-Busch 

The Grand Marshall’s were crowned and recognized on the first day of Heritage Days in Alliance on Wednesday evening. Edison  and Courtney Rednest were named the Grand Marshall’s for the 2023 Heritage days. Here is Courtney’s reaction after receiving the honor. "It's very exciting and unexpected and we're extremely grateful," Courtney said.

Edison says he is humbled by the recognition and says Heritage Days is a  great event for the community. "This event&nbsp; brings a lot of different people from a lot of different places on one platform and everyone gets to see each other," Edison said.

Cassandra Barth works at the FNBO branch in Aliiance and explains why the Rednests are deserving of the honor. "They're extremely worthy, they're extremely involved in the community and bringing back the drive-in theatre and getting that going again in Alliance," Barth said.

The Rednest’s involvement in the community ranges to other school and youth sports activities that range from Lacrosse, baseball and more while also promoting local businesses in town and much more.&nbsp;

By Alex Benzegala Panhandle PostThe Grand Marshall’s were crowned and recognized on the first day of Heritage Days in Alliance on Wednesday evening. Edison and Courtney Rednest were named the Grand Marshall’s for the 2023 Heritage days. Here is Courtney’s reaction after receiving the honor. "It's very exciting and unexpected and we're extremely grateful," Courtney said.Edison says he is humbled by the recognition and says Heritage Days is a great event for the community. "This event&nbsp; brings a lot of different people from a lot of different places on one platform and everyone gets to see each other," Edison said.Cassandra Barth works at the FNBO branch in Aliiance and explains why the Rednests are deserving of the honor. "They're extremely worthy, they're extremely involved in the community and bringing back the drive-in theatre and getting that going again in Alliance," Barth said.The Rednest’s involvement in the community ranges to other school and youth sports activities that range from Lacrosse, baseball and more while also promoting local businesses in town and much more.&nbsp;

Edison and Courtney Rednest named Heritage Days Grand Marshall's

Heritage Days in Alliance (Wed. July 19 – Sunday July 23)&nbsp;

Wed. July 19 – Crowning of Grand Marshal will be held at the Box Butte County Courthouse sidewalk at 6pm.&nbsp;&nbsp;

-7th&nbsp;Street Dancers will perform at 6:30pm following Crowning of Grand Marshal.&nbsp;&nbsp;

-Food Vendors open in 300 Block of Box Butte Avenue 11am – 9pm.&nbsp;&nbsp;

*Heritage Days Buttons can be bought at Alliance Chamber office. Buy one to win daily prizes. Prizes drawn during KCOW AM 1400 and 92.5FM Open Mic Show at 10am throughout the week.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Thursday July 20 – Food Vendors in 300 Block of Box Butte Avenue 11am – 10pm&nbsp; -Cattle Capital Rodeo Youth Play Day at 6:30pm&nbsp;&nbsp; -Frazier Shows Carnival&nbsp;

*Hunt for the Item. Clues will be announced July 17 – July 21st. Find the item and win $300 in Chamber Bucks with a button purchased or $50 without a button.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Friday July 21- Prairie Dog Open Disc Golf Tournament at Laing Lake in Alliance&nbsp; -Kids Games at Alliance High School Practice Field at 9am at 14th&nbsp;and Box Butte Ave.&nbsp;&nbsp; -Food Vendors in 300 Block of Box Butte Ave. 11am – 10pm&nbsp; -Bands on the Bricks in 200 Block of Box Butte Avenue from 6pm – 1am with Kalin Krohe Reference, Shon Townsend Band, The Victory Underground,&nbsp;Aint&nbsp;From Here&nbsp;

Saturday July 22 – Alliance High School Band Road Run 5K/10K and 2 mile walk. 6:45am is&nbsp;Registeration&nbsp;with 7:30am start time.&nbsp;&nbsp; -Heritage Days Parade at 10am from Black Hills Avenue, East of 3rd&nbsp;Street to Safeway. Watch the Parade LIVE stream on panhandlepost.com the morning of parade.&nbsp;&nbsp; -Dave Kimmel Memorial Disc Golf Tournament at 10am at Laing Lake at Rolling Prairie Disc Golf Course. PDGA membership is required to play. 80 disc golfers are entered to play from Nebraska, Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, California, Utah,&nbsp;Colordo&nbsp;and more. Visit discgolfscene.com for more info.&nbsp; -Food Vendors in 300 Block of Box Butte Avenue 11am – 10pm.&nbsp; -BBQ lunch at Masonic Lodge #183 after the Parade until 1pm.&nbsp;&nbsp; -Alliance High School Activities Golf Scramble at 1pm.&nbsp; -Bands on the Bricks in 200 Block of Box Butte Ave from 6pm – 1am with Corey Pearman, Loop Story, Float Like A Buffalo and Tanner Johns Band.&nbsp;&nbsp;

-Free swim day at Big Blue Bay from 1pm-5pm&nbsp;&nbsp; -Frazier Shows Carnival&nbsp;&nbsp;

Sunday July 23- Double L Arena Team Roping at 1pm located 1 mile north of world famous&nbsp;Carhenge.&nbsp;&nbsp;

-12th&nbsp;Annual John&nbsp;Whitecrane&nbsp;3 on 3 Basketball Tournament 1pm.&nbsp;&nbsp; -3 person golf scramble 9 holes at 3pm.&nbsp;&nbsp; -Panhandle&nbsp;Sundubs&nbsp;Disc Golf league at Laing Lake Rolling Prairie Disc Golf course. Late morning or early afternoon start time.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689617709082.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Heritage Days in Alliance (Wed. July 19 – Sunday July 23)&nbsp;Wed. July 19 – Crowning of Grand Marshal will be held at the Box Butte County Courthouse sidewalk at 6pm.&nbsp;&nbsp;-7th&nbsp;Street Dancers will perform at 6:30pm following Crowning of Grand Marshal.&nbsp;&nbsp;-Food Vendors open in 300 Block of Box Butte Avenue 11am – 9pm.&nbsp;&nbsp;-Frazier Shows Carnival&nbsp;&nbsp;*Heritage Days Buttons can be bought at Alliance Chamber office. Buy one to win daily prizes. Prizes drawn during KCOW AM 1400 and 92.5FM Open Mic Show at 10am throughout the week.&nbsp;&nbsp;Thursday July 20 – Food Vendors in 300 Block of Box Butte Avenue 11am – 10pm&nbsp; -Cattle Capital Rodeo Youth Play Day at 6:30pm&nbsp;&nbsp; -Frazier Shows Carnival&nbsp;*Hunt for the Item. Clues will be announced July 17 – July 21st. Find the item and win $300 in Chamber Bucks with a button purchased or $50 without a button.&nbsp;&nbsp;Friday July 21- Prairie Dog Open Disc Golf Tournament at Laing Lake in Alliance&nbsp; -Kids Games at Alliance High School Practice Field at 9am at 14th&nbsp;and Box Butte Ave.&nbsp;&nbsp; -Food Vendors in 300 Block of Box Butte Ave. 11am – 10pm&nbsp; -Bands on the Bricks in 200 Block of Box Butte Avenue from 6pm – 1am with Kalin Krohe Reference, Shon Townsend Band, The Victory Underground,&nbsp;Aint&nbsp;From Here&nbsp;Saturday July 22 – Alliance High School Band Road Run 5K/10K and 2 mile walk. 6:45am is&nbsp;Registeration&nbsp;with 7:30am start time.&nbsp;&nbsp; -Heritage Days Parade at 10am from Black Hills Avenue, East of 3rd&nbsp;Street to Safeway. Watch the Parade LIVE stream on panhandlepost.com the morning of parade.&nbsp;&nbsp; -Dave Kimmel Memorial Disc Golf Tournament at 10am at Laing Lake at Rolling Prairie Disc Golf Course. PDGA membership is required to play. 80 disc golfers are entered to play from Nebraska, Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, California, Utah,&nbsp;Colordo&nbsp;and more. Visit discgolfscene.com for more info.&nbsp; -Food Vendors in 300 Block of Box Butte Avenue 11am – 10pm.&nbsp; -BBQ lunch at Masonic Lodge #183 after the Parade until 1pm.&nbsp;&nbsp; -Alliance High School Activities Golf Scramble at 1pm.&nbsp; -Bands on the Bricks in 200 Block of Box Butte Ave from 6pm – 1am with Corey Pearman, Loop Story, Float Like A Buffalo and Tanner Johns Band.&nbsp;&nbsp;-Free swim day at Big Blue Bay from 1pm-5pm&nbsp;&nbsp; -Frazier Shows Carnival&nbsp;&nbsp;Sunday July 23- Double L Arena Team Roping at 1pm located 1 mile north of world famous&nbsp;Carhenge.&nbsp;&nbsp;-12th&nbsp;Annual John&nbsp;Whitecrane&nbsp;3 on 3 Basketball Tournament 1pm.&nbsp;&nbsp; -3 person golf scramble 9 holes at 3pm.&nbsp;&nbsp; -Panhandle&nbsp;Sundubs&nbsp;Disc Golf league at Laing Lake Rolling Prairie Disc Golf course. Late morning or early afternoon start time.&nbsp;&nbsp;<figure>
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Alliance 'Heritage Days' events, schedules 

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A former Nebraska State Patrol evidence technician who stole $1.2 million worth of drugs from evidence storage areas — drugs later tied to a series of overdoses — was sentenced Wednesday to nearly 22 years in prison.

Anna Idigima, 38, pleaded guilty to one drug conspiracy count in federal court in February. Idigima and her boyfriend, George Weaver Jr., conspired to steal cocaine, some of it laced with fentanyl, and sell it, the&nbsp;<a href="https://journalstar.com/news/state-regional/crime-courts/ex-nebraska-state-patrol-employee-gets-prison-time/article_ee83c430-2641-11ee-953c-bb1ab706894b.html">Lincoln Journal Star</a>&nbsp;reported. Weaver is awaiting sentencing in October.

Idigima apologized during her sentencing hearing. Senior U.S. District Judge John Gerrard said the ramifications were huge: The drugs were connected to a series of overdoses, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-nebraska-lincoln-70a78a65c3e2ba26ef431f7fde78ad92">nearly 100 criminal cases</a>&nbsp;had to be dismissed because of the lost evidence.

“And for what? A guy? A little bit of cash on the side?" Gerrard asked. “There just isn’t any reason that can explain this.”

Puzzled by an unprecedented spate of overdoses in 2021, narcotics investigators in the Lincoln area uncovered the plot. They audited storage areas where Idigima had access and found 154 pounds (70 kilograms) of marijuana, 19 pounds (9 kilograms) of cocaine and 6 pounds (3 kilograms) of fentanyl missing.

By Associated PressLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A former Nebraska State Patrol evidence technician who stole $1.2 million worth of drugs from evidence storage areas — drugs later tied to a series of overdoses — was sentenced Wednesday to nearly 22 years in prison.Anna Idigima, 38, pleaded guilty to one drug conspiracy count in federal court in February. Idigima and her boyfriend, George Weaver Jr., conspired to steal cocaine, some of it laced with fentanyl, and sell it, the&nbsp;<a href="https://journalstar.com/news/state-regional/crime-courts/ex-nebraska-state-patrol-employee-gets-prison-time/article_ee83c430-2641-11ee-953c-bb1ab706894b.html">Lincoln Journal Star</a>&nbsp;reported. Weaver is awaiting sentencing in October.Idigima apologized during her sentencing hearing. Senior U.S. District Judge John Gerrard said the ramifications were huge: The drugs were connected to a series of overdoses, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-nebraska-lincoln-70a78a65c3e2ba26ef431f7fde78ad92">nearly 100 criminal cases</a>&nbsp;had to be dismissed because of the lost evidence.“And for what? A guy? A little bit of cash on the side?" Gerrard asked. “There just isn’t any reason that can explain this.”Puzzled by an unprecedented spate of overdoses in 2021, narcotics investigators in the Lincoln area uncovered the plot. They audited storage areas where Idigima had access and found 154 pounds (70 kilograms) of marijuana, 19 pounds (9 kilograms) of cocaine and 6 pounds (3 kilograms) of fentanyl missing.

Former NSP worker who stole drugs from evidence gets nearly 22 years

All power should have been restored. Thank you for your patience during this time.

The City of Alliance is experiencing a power outage that is affecting most of the city and parts of the county. 

The Electric Department is currently working on a solution.

 An alert will be sent out when power is restored.&nbsp;

By Kalin Krohe, Panhandle Post&nbsp;Update 2:36am&nbsp;All power should have been restored. Thank you for your patience during this time.------------The City of Alliance is experiencing a power outage that is affecting most of the city and parts of the county. The Electric Department is currently working on a solution. An alert will be sent out when power is restored.&nbsp;

UPDATE: Alliance, Box Butte Co. experiencing power outage 

This is the Post Podcast, I'm Alex Benzegala. Today we spoke with Tournament Director Robbie Cerv about the annual Dave Kimmel Memorial Disc Golf Tournament in Alliance.&nbsp;

To register for the tournament click <a href="https://www.discgolfscene.com/tournaments/The_Dave_Kimmel_Memorial_Disc_Golf_Tournament_2023">HERE</a>.

<div><iframe title="Post Podcast: Cerv talks Dave Kimmel Memorial Disc Golf Tourney" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:300px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=yyubb-14561fb-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=2&font-color=&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=5&size=300" loading="lazy" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>This is the Post Podcast, I'm Alex Benzegala. Today we spoke with Tournament Director Robbie Cerv about the annual Dave Kimmel Memorial Disc Golf Tournament in Alliance.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689274045370.jpeg" alt="" />
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 </figure>To register for the tournament click <a href="https://www.discgolfscene.com/tournaments/The_Dave_Kimmel_Memorial_Disc_Golf_Tournament_2023">HERE</a>.

Post Podcast: Cerv talks Dave Kimmel Memorial Disc Golf Tournament

The City of Alliance held a City Council meeting on Tuesday evening July 18th. Alliance City Manager Seth Sorensen talked to&nbsp; the Panhandle Post about the 3rd readings that were on the agenda on Tuesday and explained what the Comprehensive Plan  is.&nbsp;

The Comprehensive Plan is meant to be forecast or blueprint for the next 20 years," Sorensen said. He said that means that the City has to updated their ordinances and codes and that the ordinances on the agenda on Tuesday night passed on the third readings.

Sorensen also explains the ETJ amendment or extra territorial Jurisdiction, and&nbsp; what it what that is. "The ETJ is the area outside of the city limits that we have enforcement over building codes." Sorensen said. 

He says that the City brought in the codes towards the Alliance since the the town is not growing fast at the moment.

The Alliance City Council meets every other Tuesday at Alliance Learning Center at 7 PM.

By Alex Benzegala Panhandle PostThe City of Alliance held a City Council meeting on Tuesday evening July 18th. Alliance City Manager Seth Sorensen talked to&nbsp; the Panhandle Post about the 3rd readings that were on the agenda on Tuesday and explained what the Comprehensive Plan is.&nbsp;The Comprehensive Plan is meant to be forecast or blueprint for the next 20 years," Sorensen said. He said that means that the City has to updated their ordinances and codes and that the ordinances on the agenda on Tuesday night passed on the third readings.Sorensen also explains the ETJ amendment or extra territorial Jurisdiction, and&nbsp; what it what that is. "The ETJ is the area outside of the city limits that we have enforcement over building codes." Sorensen said. He says that the City brought in the codes towards the Alliance since the the town is not growing fast at the moment.The Alliance City Council meets every other Tuesday at Alliance Learning Center at 7 PM.

 Alliance City Council approves final readings of ordinances

By Patricia Jones Alliance Community Task Force: Creating Opportunity

One of the realities of living in poverty is that you rarely get things that are new. You rent an old house or apartment and drive a used car. You pick up smaller items at yard sales. And all your clothing comes from thrift stores.

On Wednesday evening, July 12, United Way of Western Nebraska distributed new clothing to 57 families, 145 individuals, at the Masonic Center in Alliance. Each person was able to choose&nbsp; shoes, socks, two bras, and four other clothing items - like shirts or shorts. All were brand new items donated by Wal-Mart.

This spring Karen Benzel, director of United Way of Western Nebraska, received a phone call from the manager of the Scottsbluff Wal-Mart store saying that they had received an extra shipment of summer clothing. Rather than haul everything directly to the landfill, he wondered whether United Way would be able to distribute these to people who otherwise would not be able to afford to buy new clothes. The clothes are not damaged seconds, not leftovers from the previous year. The additional shipment was a fluke caused by numbers being skewed from the COVID epidemic. 

United Way volunteers inventoried and stored the clothes and worked out plans to distribute them in the Panhandle. The Alliance event was the first, and will be followed by similar distributions in Sidney and Scottsbluff.&nbsp; Community Table hosted a food distribution at the same time and location as the clothing distribution. Community Table volunteers serve a free hot meal from 11:30-12:30 Monday&nbsp; through Thursday at the Masonic Center.&nbsp; Occasionally they have an excess of food donations, and they will hold an evening food pantry for those whose schedules will not let them utilize the NCAP Extra Helpings food pantry at 3rd and Flack.

Why would Community Table have extra food to distribute? Safeway has been donating food that it near its expiration date, so every day there are things like bread and produce to give away. Safeway sometimes receives items on their trucks that they don't normally stock so there is no room on their shelves. And sometimes orders get mixed up and the store receives double shipments of some things. 

Keep Alliance Beautiful picks these items up and delivers them to&nbsp; Community Table and the Alliance Senior Center so they don't end up in the landfill. Items that are not immediately perishable, like meal kits, chips, cookies, or canned goods, are saved for the evening food pantry. 

Community Table also serves as the distribution point for Community Cares food boxes. These boxes, coordinated by United Way, contain fresh produce and are handed out the first Tuesday of each month. The first Tuesday was the Fourth of July, so the shipment was delayed a week. That meant that, in addition to the bread, dairy, and salad items, people were able to choose other kinds of produce: potatoes, apples, cucumbers, onions. A local farmer donated dozens of eggs. How did people find out about the event? Flyers were put up, United Way's social media posted the information, and Benzel talked about the distributions on area radio stations.

If you know of someone who is struggling financially, please encourage them to visit Community Table for a noon meal. And have them call United Way or Northwest Community Action Partnership to apply for additional assistance.

By Patricia Jones Alliance Community Task Force: Creating Opportunity One of the realities of living in poverty is that you rarely get things that are new. You rent an old house or apartment and drive a used car. You pick up smaller items at yard sales. And all your clothing comes from thrift stores.On Wednesday evening, July 12, United Way of Western Nebraska distributed new clothing to 57 families, 145 individuals, at the Masonic Center in Alliance. Each person was able to choose&nbsp; shoes, socks, two bras, and four other clothing items - like shirts or shorts. All were brand new items donated by Wal-Mart.This spring Karen Benzel, director of United Way of Western Nebraska, received a phone call from the manager of the Scottsbluff Wal-Mart store saying that they had received an extra shipment of summer clothing. Rather than haul everything directly to the landfill, he wondered whether United Way would be able to distribute these to people who otherwise would not be able to afford to buy new clothes. The clothes are not damaged seconds, not leftovers from the previous year. The additional shipment was a fluke caused by numbers being skewed from the COVID epidemic. United Way volunteers inventoried and stored the clothes and worked out plans to distribute them in the Panhandle. The Alliance event was the first, and will be followed by similar distributions in Sidney and Scottsbluff.&nbsp; Community Table hosted a food distribution at the same time and location as the clothing distribution. Community Table volunteers serve a free hot meal from 11:30-12:30 Monday&nbsp; through Thursday at the Masonic Center.&nbsp; Occasionally they have an excess of food donations, and they will hold an evening food pantry for those whose schedules will not let them utilize the NCAP Extra Helpings food pantry at 3rd and Flack.Why would Community Table have extra food to distribute? Safeway has been donating food that it near its expiration date, so every day there are things like bread and produce to give away. Safeway sometimes receives items on their trucks that they don't normally stock so there is no room on their shelves. And sometimes orders get mixed up and the store receives double shipments of some things. Keep Alliance Beautiful picks these items up and delivers them to&nbsp; Community Table and the Alliance Senior Center so they don't end up in the landfill. Items that are not immediately perishable, like meal kits, chips, cookies, or canned goods, are saved for the evening food pantry. Community Table also serves as the distribution point for Community Cares food boxes. These boxes, coordinated by United Way, contain fresh produce and are handed out the first Tuesday of each month. The first Tuesday was the Fourth of July, so the shipment was delayed a week. That meant that, in addition to the bread, dairy, and salad items, people were able to choose other kinds of produce: potatoes, apples, cucumbers, onions. A local farmer donated dozens of eggs. How did people find out about the event? Flyers were put up, United Way's social media posted the information, and Benzel talked about the distributions on area radio stations.If you know of someone who is struggling financially, please encourage them to visit Community Table for a noon meal. And have them call United Way or Northwest Community Action Partnership to apply for additional assistance.

Getting Ahead: United Way Clothing Distribution 

Alliance, NE – Due to Heritage Days, The Knight Museum and Sandhills Center will be closing at 5pm on Wednesday, July 19th , Thursday, July 20th and Friday, July 21st . 

They will also be closed on Saturday, July 22nd For more information, please contact Shana Brown at (308) 762-2384.

Alliance, NE – Due to Heritage Days, The Knight Museum and Sandhills Center will be closing at 5pm on Wednesday, July 19th , Thursday, July 20th and Friday, July 21st . They will also be closed on Saturday, July 22nd For more information, please contact Shana Brown at (308) 762-2384.

Closures to The Knight Museum and Sandhills Center

A longtime business and building in downtown Alliance is up for sale. Newberry’s Common Ground Café is currently in the historic Newberry Building that was constructed in 1914. Melanie Mann has been an owner of the building for the last 13 years and says there is a lot of history there.

"They made the Newberry Saddles and the hardware store here in town, and there is actually a long line of relatives that have owned this building," Mann said. " We are grateful for the support from the community but now it's time to transition to other endeavors."&nbsp;

Mann says that with the history there have been a lot of great events at the building as well like weddings and hosting people for the solar eclipse. Those interested in purchasing the building, can reach Heartland Real Estate in Alliance and request a showing.&nbsp;

By Alex Benzegala Panhandle PostA longtime business and building in downtown Alliance is up for sale. Newberry’s Common Ground Café is currently in the historic Newberry Building that was constructed in 1914. Melanie Mann has been an owner of the building for the last 13 years and says there is a lot of history there."They made the Newberry Saddles and the hardware store here in town, and there is actually a long line of relatives that have owned this building," Mann said. " We are grateful for the support from the community but now it's time to transition to other endeavors."&nbsp;Mann says that with the history there have been a lot of great events at the building as well like weddings and hosting people for the solar eclipse. Those interested in purchasing the building, can reach Heartland Real Estate in Alliance and request a showing.&nbsp;

Newberry building up for sale in Alliance 

By Alex Benzegala Panhandle Post

Mental Health is an issue not only in the United States but in the Nebraska Panhandle and Alliance.&nbsp; Sunday was the one year anniversary of  the introduction of 988, the new Suicide Prevention Hotline.&nbsp; Alliance Police Chief Phil Lukens explains that tackling mental health in the community is a major priority and that 988 is beneficial.

"The value that it has is that we're able to provide assistance to people where they need it," Lukens said.&nbsp;

Lukens says that as a police department, they took what is called the "One Mind Pledge," through the International Association of Chief's of Police to get the whole department trained on crisis intervention.

He also says that it is vital to provide resources to community members not only who might be in crisis but as he explains, might just need someone to talk to.&nbsp; If you or someone is in distress or going through a crisis, call or text 988.

By Alex Benzegala Panhandle PostMental Health is an issue not only in the United States but in the Nebraska Panhandle and Alliance.&nbsp; Sunday was the one year anniversary of the introduction of 988, the new Suicide Prevention Hotline.&nbsp; Alliance Police Chief Phil Lukens explains that tackling mental health in the community is a major priority and that 988 is beneficial."The value that it has is that we're able to provide assistance to people where they need it," Lukens said.&nbsp;Lukens says that as a police department, they took what is called the "One Mind Pledge," through the International Association of Chief's of Police to get the whole department trained on crisis intervention.He also says that it is vital to provide resources to community members not only who might be in crisis but as he explains, might just need someone to talk to.&nbsp; If you or someone is in distress or going through a crisis, call or text 988.

Alliance Police Chief comments on Mental Health and 988

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Union Pacific will renew its push for one-person train crews later this summer when the railroad tests out the idea of having a conductor in a truck respond to problems on trains in Nebraska and Colorado.

The railroad will continue using two crew members on its trains during the test, but officials say this could bolster their case in future negotiations for cutting crew size if it is successful.

UP's Jason Pinder confirmed the pilot program Monday when he testified against a proposed Kansas rule that would require two-person crews. The Omaha, Nebraska-based railroad has long been a leading proponent in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/railroads-to-renew-push-for-one-man-crews-in-contract-talks-3f97553f0ec9474784249fa4a17e1169">industry's push</a>&nbsp;to go down to one-person crews.

This plan had to be&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nebraska-business-transportation-cce1888bacfb5b76a57a0b9843e21e82">shelved earlier this year</a>&nbsp;after the Transportation Division of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers union that represents conductors opposed it. But that union later agreed to let Union Pacific test out ground-based conductors as long as it maintained current crew sizes and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/railroad-safety-train-crews-derailment-union-pacific-8bc04b745bf49337ad94cec87d2df92b">agreed to drop ongoing negotiations</a>&nbsp;over reducing crew size. Even though UP abandoned its current proposal to eliminate conductors on trains, the railroad can reintroduce the idea in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-economy-government-and-politics-207229bcd558b6a6c1d58f3f85e2d804">next contract negotiations</a>&nbsp;that begin in 2025.

Union officials say there has been no change in SMART-TD's longstanding opposition to the idea of eliminating the second person in the cab of a locomotive because of safety concerns. In fact, the union's Ty Dragoo testified Monday that “We're huge proponents” of the proposed Kansas rule.

If that state's regulators approve, Kansas would join at least nine other states that have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/railroads-freight-safety-derailment-state-laws-42fa5ddae7486e44c7383def082d31a3">passed laws</a>&nbsp;requiring two-man crews. The others are California, Wisconsin, Arizona, West Virginia. Minnesota, Washington, Nevada, Colorado and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ohio-transportation-budget-rail-safety-derailment-bc3e97140763a5accd8bc40cfa664611">Ohio</a>. Railroad safety has been a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/railroad-safety-derailments-tank-car-ohio-minnesota-c60f33b64e9c7dc05768a78ae20f3ce5">key focus nationwide</a>&nbsp;this year in the wake of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pennsylvania-ohio-evacuations-fires-5d399dc745f51ef746e22828083d8591">fiery February derailment</a>&nbsp;in eastern Ohio that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ohio-train-derailment-updates-bf5a60de2243cd6f7f730096aa33294c">forced evacuations</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ohio-train-derailment-contamination-fears-brockovich-fc68b402096a4f5f8598a657f7e399f8">created lingering health concerns</a>&nbsp;and several other rail crashes.

The railroads strongly oppose state laws on their operations and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rail-safety-ohio-crew-size-derailment-lawsuit-429df55468cc112d7057d4dd1dcf5322">usually challenge</a>&nbsp;them in court because they argue that the federal government should be the only one to regulate the industry to ensure there is a uniform set of rules nationwide. The Federal Railroad Administration is also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/588d6f7829c4836b9d2feff5c21a5097">currently considering</a>&nbsp;a proposed rule that would require two-person crews, but it's not clear when they will act on the rule.

Members of Congress have also proposed requiring two-man crews as part of a package of rail reforms drafted after the East Palestine, Ohio, derailment. That bill garnered&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ohio-train-derailment-congress-6288cdfb0b4381de4c9bfb05199b8ba6">bipartisan support initially</a>&nbsp;but hasn't yet been debated on the floor of the Senate, and it faces uncertain prospects in the Republican-controlled House where most lawmakers are reluctant to approve new regulations.

The pilot program will run in western Nebraska between North Platte and Morrill and in Colorado and Wyoming between Denver and Cheyenne starting in August and September. The railroad’s idea is to test out how quickly a conductor in a truck can respond to any problem compared to how quickly a conductor on the train will be able to walk back along the train to find an issue. UP still has to work out exactly how big of a territory a ground-based conductor might cover.

Railroads have fought any crew size requirement because they say there isn't enough data to show operating trains with one crew member would be riskier, and they argue that railroads have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/palestinian-territories-ohio-canada-business-accidents-d57651e17b2f9e0163c50298106950a3">become safer</a>&nbsp;in recent decades even as crews shrank from five to the current standard of two. The railroads have argued that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-accidents-business-us-news-ne-state-wire-d6ca21953111e4d7b457bac02e5b6813">modern technology</a>&nbsp;— particularly the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-transportation-safety-us-news-transportation-887894df4186c7a6b796dc39121d8f3c">automatic braking system</a>&nbsp;railroads were required to install in recent years — makes the conductor unnecessary on a train and executives believe that moving conductors off of trains would improve their quality of life by giving them more predictable schedules and keeping them from going on the road.

While all the major freight railroads continue to use two-person crews, a number of short-line railroads have already been using one-person crews for years. Chuck Baker, the president of the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association, testified at the Kansas hearing Monday that many of those smaller railroads have also found other benefits of having a conductor based in a truck such as having them adjust switches ahead of a train or go ahead to visit with customers before a train arrives.

But all the rail unions have long opposed moving conductors out of locomotives, arguing they help monitor track conditions and radio communications while ensuring that engineers remain alert and respond to any emergencies or mechanical problems on the train. In the case of a derailment or collision, conductors are the first ones to respond before any additional help can arrive.

The unions say the value of having a conductor onboard has been demonstrated time and time again including during a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/707da58c97b742369022db304099d78c">fiery 2013 derailment</a>&nbsp;near Casselton, North Dakota, when the conductor was able to help separate undamaged tank cars filled with crude oil from the rest of the train so they could be pulled away from the fire.

Critics of the idea of moving conductors out of the locomotive cabs have also raised practical questions about whether a conductor driving a truck would even be able to reach a train in remote locations where no roads are near the tracks. Plus, a conductor in a truck could be delayed in traffic.

A major highway runs next to the tracks in Western Nebraska that UP plans to test, but it may be harder for a conductor in a truck to reach trains in the mountainous territory of Colorado.

By Associated PressOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Union Pacific will renew its push for one-person train crews later this summer when the railroad tests out the idea of having a conductor in a truck respond to problems on trains in Nebraska and Colorado.The railroad will continue using two crew members on its trains during the test, but officials say this could bolster their case in future negotiations for cutting crew size if it is successful.UP's Jason Pinder confirmed the pilot program Monday when he testified against a proposed Kansas rule that would require two-person crews. The Omaha, Nebraska-based railroad has long been a leading proponent in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/railroads-to-renew-push-for-one-man-crews-in-contract-talks-3f97553f0ec9474784249fa4a17e1169">industry's push</a>&nbsp;to go down to one-person crews.This plan had to be&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nebraska-business-transportation-cce1888bacfb5b76a57a0b9843e21e82">shelved earlier this year</a>&nbsp;after the Transportation Division of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers union that represents conductors opposed it. But that union later agreed to let Union Pacific test out ground-based conductors as long as it maintained current crew sizes and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/railroad-safety-train-crews-derailment-union-pacific-8bc04b745bf49337ad94cec87d2df92b">agreed to drop ongoing negotiations</a>&nbsp;over reducing crew size. Even though UP abandoned its current proposal to eliminate conductors on trains, the railroad can reintroduce the idea in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-economy-government-and-politics-207229bcd558b6a6c1d58f3f85e2d804">next contract negotiations</a>&nbsp;that begin in 2025.Union officials say there has been no change in SMART-TD's longstanding opposition to the idea of eliminating the second person in the cab of a locomotive because of safety concerns. In fact, the union's Ty Dragoo testified Monday that “We're huge proponents” of the proposed Kansas rule.If that state's regulators approve, Kansas would join at least nine other states that have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/railroads-freight-safety-derailment-state-laws-42fa5ddae7486e44c7383def082d31a3">passed laws</a>&nbsp;requiring two-man crews. The others are California, Wisconsin, Arizona, West Virginia. Minnesota, Washington, Nevada, Colorado and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ohio-transportation-budget-rail-safety-derailment-bc3e97140763a5accd8bc40cfa664611">Ohio</a>. Railroad safety has been a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/railroad-safety-derailments-tank-car-ohio-minnesota-c60f33b64e9c7dc05768a78ae20f3ce5">key focus nationwide</a>&nbsp;this year in the wake of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pennsylvania-ohio-evacuations-fires-5d399dc745f51ef746e22828083d8591">fiery February derailment</a>&nbsp;in eastern Ohio that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ohio-train-derailment-updates-bf5a60de2243cd6f7f730096aa33294c">forced evacuations</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ohio-train-derailment-contamination-fears-brockovich-fc68b402096a4f5f8598a657f7e399f8">created lingering health concerns</a>&nbsp;and several other rail crashes.The railroads strongly oppose state laws on their operations and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rail-safety-ohio-crew-size-derailment-lawsuit-429df55468cc112d7057d4dd1dcf5322">usually challenge</a>&nbsp;them in court because they argue that the federal government should be the only one to regulate the industry to ensure there is a uniform set of rules nationwide. The Federal Railroad Administration is also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/588d6f7829c4836b9d2feff5c21a5097">currently considering</a>&nbsp;a proposed rule that would require two-person crews, but it's not clear when they will act on the rule.Members of Congress have also proposed requiring two-man crews as part of a package of rail reforms drafted after the East Palestine, Ohio, derailment. That bill garnered&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ohio-train-derailment-congress-6288cdfb0b4381de4c9bfb05199b8ba6">bipartisan support initially</a>&nbsp;but hasn't yet been debated on the floor of the Senate, and it faces uncertain prospects in the Republican-controlled House where most lawmakers are reluctant to approve new regulations.The pilot program will run in western Nebraska between North Platte and Morrill and in Colorado and Wyoming between Denver and Cheyenne starting in August and September. The railroad’s idea is to test out how quickly a conductor in a truck can respond to any problem compared to how quickly a conductor on the train will be able to walk back along the train to find an issue. UP still has to work out exactly how big of a territory a ground-based conductor might cover.Railroads have fought any crew size requirement because they say there isn't enough data to show operating trains with one crew member would be riskier, and they argue that railroads have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/palestinian-territories-ohio-canada-business-accidents-d57651e17b2f9e0163c50298106950a3">become safer</a>&nbsp;in recent decades even as crews shrank from five to the current standard of two. The railroads have argued that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-accidents-business-us-news-ne-state-wire-d6ca21953111e4d7b457bac02e5b6813">modern technology</a>&nbsp;— particularly the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-transportation-safety-us-news-transportation-887894df4186c7a6b796dc39121d8f3c">automatic braking system</a>&nbsp;railroads were required to install in recent years — makes the conductor unnecessary on a train and executives believe that moving conductors off of trains would improve their quality of life by giving them more predictable schedules and keeping them from going on the road.While all the major freight railroads continue to use two-person crews, a number of short-line railroads have already been using one-person crews for years. Chuck Baker, the president of the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association, testified at the Kansas hearing Monday that many of those smaller railroads have also found other benefits of having a conductor based in a truck such as having them adjust switches ahead of a train or go ahead to visit with customers before a train arrives.But all the rail unions have long opposed moving conductors out of locomotives, arguing they help monitor track conditions and radio communications while ensuring that engineers remain alert and respond to any emergencies or mechanical problems on the train. In the case of a derailment or collision, conductors are the first ones to respond before any additional help can arrive.The unions say the value of having a conductor onboard has been demonstrated time and time again including during a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/707da58c97b742369022db304099d78c">fiery 2013 derailment</a>&nbsp;near Casselton, North Dakota, when the conductor was able to help separate undamaged tank cars filled with crude oil from the rest of the train so they could be pulled away from the fire.Critics of the idea of moving conductors out of the locomotive cabs have also raised practical questions about whether a conductor driving a truck would even be able to reach a train in remote locations where no roads are near the tracks. Plus, a conductor in a truck could be delayed in traffic.A major highway runs next to the tracks in Western Nebraska that UP plans to test, but it may be harder for a conductor in a truck to reach trains in the mountainous territory of Colorado.

UP railroad to renew push for 1-person crews by testing conductors in trucks

Panhandle Post talked to Karen Benzel and her 11 year old son James, and the topic was James’s battle with severe aplastic anemia and how how a man from England saved his life. Here is the conversation.&nbsp;

<div><iframe title="Post Podcast: Alliance boy, mom talk about life saving donor" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:300px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=xcjfc-145bdbc-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=2&font-color=&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=5&size=300" loading="lazy" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>Panhandle Post talked to Karen Benzel and her 11 year old son James, and the topic was James’s battle with severe aplastic anemia and how how a man from England saved his life. Here is the conversation.&nbsp;

Post Podcast: Alliance boy, mom talk about life saving donor

On April 7, 2023, Box Butte General Hospital (BBGH) donated a ventilator machine to Riverside Discovery Center (RDC) in Scottsbluff, NE. Having a ventilator machine on-site at the RDC hospital is imperative for the health of the animals during surgeries. 

&nbsp;The ventilator machine RDC was using was outdated and difficult to use. However, the cost to replace the ventilator machine would be between $25,000 - $50,000. RDC Executive Director Desiree Drane-Davison mentioned in passing to BBGH Chief Nursing Officer Jordan Colwell and Scottsbluff City Council representative Matt

Saloman that RDC needed a new ventilator machine. Colwell knew just the solution for Drane-Davison: a ventilator machine at BBGH that was not being used and was going to be disposed of.

“The Surgery department was happy to donate the equipment to RDC since they received new equipment,” said Colwell. “BBGH always strives to better our communities and helping the zoo was a no-brainer. Everyone was excited to help the animals.”

Colwell and Saloman served on the RDC Board of Directors with Drane-Davison serving as Executive Director.

“Thank you, again, to Jordan, Matt, and the wonderful staff at Box Butte [General] Hospital who not only donated the machine, taught our veterinarians and keepers how to successfully use the ventilator, and helped with the logistics of moving the machine to Riverside Discovery Center,” said Drane-Davison.

By Box Butte General HospitalOn April 7, 2023, Box Butte General Hospital (BBGH) donated a ventilator machine to Riverside Discovery Center (RDC) in Scottsbluff, NE. Having a ventilator machine on-site at the RDC hospital is imperative for the health of the animals during surgeries. &nbsp;The ventilator machine RDC was using was outdated and difficult to use. However, the cost to replace the ventilator machine would be between $25,000 - $50,000. RDC Executive Director Desiree Drane-Davison mentioned in passing to BBGH Chief Nursing Officer Jordan Colwell and Scottsbluff City Council representative MattSaloman that RDC needed a new ventilator machine. Colwell knew just the solution for Drane-Davison: a ventilator machine at BBGH that was not being used and was going to be disposed of.“The Surgery department was happy to donate the equipment to RDC since they received new equipment,” said Colwell. “BBGH always strives to better our communities and helping the zoo was a no-brainer. Everyone was excited to help the animals.”Colwell and Saloman served on the RDC Board of Directors with Drane-Davison serving as Executive Director.“Thank you, again, to Jordan, Matt, and the wonderful staff at Box Butte [General] Hospital who not only donated the machine, taught our veterinarians and keepers how to successfully use the ventilator, and helped with the logistics of moving the machine to Riverside Discovery Center,” said Drane-Davison.

BBGH donates equipment to Riverside Discovery Center

By&nbsp; Alex Benzegala Panhandle Post

 Upgrades the to Alliance Recreation Center are underway, and a donation was made to the organization on Monday. Mara Anderson is the Executive Director of ARC and says that BNSF Railway were at the facility to present a check to the "Make More Possible Annual Giving Campaign. "BNSF Railway has been a great supporter of us for many years," Anderson said. "This year in particular, we're very excited to bring them on board as a partner of ours."

Anderson says that BNSF helped ARC by making a generous donation to help them reach their fundraising goal to start a capital project, which began in April. Anderson says that this year the focus is increasing capacity, particularly in the weight room.

At a later date this year, the ARC will plan to host a ribbon cutting event.&nbsp;Anderson would like to thank everyone who has given to the Make More Possible Annual Giving Campaign and thanks the community for their support.&nbsp;

By&nbsp; Alex Benzegala Panhandle Post Upgrades the to Alliance Recreation Center are underway, and a donation was made to the organization on Monday. Mara Anderson is the Executive Director of ARC and says that BNSF Railway were at the facility to present a check to the "Make More Possible Annual Giving Campaign. "BNSF Railway has been a great supporter of us for many years," Anderson said. "This year in particular, we're very excited to bring them on board as a partner of ours."Anderson says that BNSF helped ARC by making a generous donation to help them reach their fundraising goal to start a capital project, which began in April. Anderson says that this year the focus is increasing capacity, particularly in the weight room.At a later date this year, the ARC will plan to host a ribbon cutting event.&nbsp;Anderson would like to thank everyone who has given to the Make More Possible Annual Giving Campaign and thanks the community for their support.&nbsp;

BNSF donates to ARC to begin capital project

There is an Alliance City Council meeting on Tuesday night at the Alliance Learning Center on 1750 Sweetwater Ave at 7 PM. Items on the agenda include ordinances in conformity with the Comprehensive Plan. 

Another item is Ordinance 2963 which is on the second reading, which according to the agenda will amend the official zoning map of the city. 

City staff are asking to wave a third reading on the ordinance that aims to adjust the zoning jurisdiction of Alliance and show new names of the R-1 and R-A Districts.&nbsp;&nbsp;

By Alex Benzegala Panhandle PostThere is an Alliance City Council meeting on Tuesday night at the Alliance Learning Center on 1750 Sweetwater Ave at 7 PM. Items on the agenda include ordinances in conformity with the Comprehensive Plan. Another item is Ordinance 2963 which is on the second reading, which according to the agenda will amend the official zoning map of the city. City staff are asking to wave a third reading on the ordinance that aims to adjust the zoning jurisdiction of Alliance and show new names of the R-1 and R-A Districts.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Alliance City Council to discuss zoning ordinance at Tuesday meeting

By Nebraska Area Health and Education Center

Students from the Panhandle were among 51 students who were recently recognized as graduates of the Nebraska Area Health Education Center Scholars Program.&nbsp;

The program is based at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and is a two-year program, part of a national initiative that  prepares health profession students to serve in rural and urban underserved areas of the state.

The 2023 class of AHEC Scholars includes health professions students in dentistry, nursing, paramedic, pharmacy, physical therapy, physical therapy assistant, physician assistant, medicine, radiologic technology and speech therapy.&nbsp;The graduates represent&nbsp;health profession programs at Central Community College, Northeast Community College, Regional West Medical Center School of Radiologic Technology,&nbsp;Southeast Community College,&nbsp;University of Nebraska at Kearney, University of Nebraska Medical Center&nbsp;and&nbsp;Western Nebraska Community College.&nbsp;

Alliance — Yenisey Heredia, Brytni McLaughlin&nbsp;

Physician Assistant Program:  Natalie Gasseling Hemingford&nbsp;

College of Nursing – West Nebraska Division&nbsp;

Regional West Medical Center School of Radiologic Technology&nbsp;

By Nebraska Area Health and Education CenterStudents from the Panhandle were among 51 students who were recently recognized as graduates of the Nebraska Area Health Education Center Scholars Program.&nbsp;The program is based at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and is a two-year program, part of a national initiative that prepares health profession students to serve in rural and urban underserved areas of the state.The 2023 class of AHEC Scholars includes health professions students in dentistry, nursing, paramedic, pharmacy, physical therapy, physical therapy assistant, physician assistant, medicine, radiologic technology and speech therapy.&nbsp;The graduates represent&nbsp;health profession programs at Central Community College, Northeast Community College, Regional West Medical Center School of Radiologic Technology,&nbsp;Southeast Community College,&nbsp;University of Nebraska at Kearney, University of Nebraska Medical Center&nbsp;and&nbsp;Western Nebraska Community College.&nbsp;The 2023 graduates included:&nbsp;Western Nebraska Community College&nbsp;Nursing Program&nbsp;Alliance — Yenisey Heredia, Brytni McLaughlin&nbsp;Hemingford — Jacobi Stumpff&nbsp;Mitchell — Holly Anderson&nbsp;Scottsbluff — Allyson Gion&nbsp;Physician Assistant Program: Natalie Gasseling Hemingford&nbsp;College of Nursing – West Nebraska Division&nbsp;Nursing Program&nbsp;Crawford — Kelsey Tighe&nbsp;Mitchell — Alyssa Dishman&nbsp;Sidney — Macie Rolls&nbsp;Regional West Medical Center School of Radiologic Technology&nbsp;Scottsbluff — Emily Schmidt&nbsp;Western Nebraska Community College&nbsp;Nursing Program&nbsp;Alliance — Yenisey Heredia, Brytni McLaughlin&nbsp;Hemingford — Jacobi Stumpff&nbsp;Mitchell — Holly Anderson&nbsp;Scottsbluff — Allyson Gion&nbsp;

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