By TENA L. COOK, CSC Marketing Coordinator

CHADRON – After a two-year hiatus, the CSC High School Art Day took place Nov. 8 despite the city of Chadron losing power the day before during a damaging windstorm. Regional high school art teachers and nearly 100 students were excited and enthusiastic to attend the event, according to Art Professor Mary Donahue.

The following Nebraska high schools brought students: Alliance, Bayard, Bridgeport, Chadron, Gordon-Rushville, Hemingford, Mitchell, Morrill, and Sioux County. Custer and Oelrichs, South Dakota, high schools, also attended.

Students participated in hands-on visual art workshops led by CSC faculty members Laura Bentz, Trudy Denham, Mary Donahue, Dewayne Gimeson, and Jack Kant, as well as Art majors Carissa Hill of Imperial, Neb., Whitney Martin of Guernsey, Wyo., Morgan Helfer of Custer, S.D., and Corey Griffin of Omaha. An additional 20 CSC Art students assisted.

Workshops included Graphic Design, Drawing in Multi-Media, Ceramics, Printmaking, Photography Photograms, Architecture, Wire Sculpture, Watercolor, and Collage.

Esther Wilson of Gordon Rushville said she has been bringing students to Art Day since she started teaching in 2006.

“Art Day gives my students an opportunity to create using some media that our school doesn't have such as graphic design and photography. I, as a teacher, look forward to talking with other teachers to discuss projects, class logistics and ways to improve my own curriculum,” Wilson said.

Jessica Scott of Bayard said she appreciates Art Day because it nudges her students out of their comfort zones and introduces them to other students interested in art.

“Students get opportunities to find some independence. My students get to see what art classes CSC offers and how their high school experience in art is similar or different to college,” Scott said. “I look forward to meeting with other art teachers to compare student expectations and procedures. I know it's extra work, but I do appreciate CSC’s Art Day and I know my students do too,” Scott said.

By TENA L. COOK, CSC Marketing CoordinatorCHADRON – After a two-year hiatus, the CSC High School Art Day took place Nov. 8 despite the city of Chadron losing power the day before during a damaging windstorm. Regional high school art teachers and nearly 100 students were excited and enthusiastic to attend the event, according to Art Professor Mary Donahue.The following Nebraska high schools brought students: Alliance, Bayard, Bridgeport, Chadron, Gordon-Rushville, Hemingford, Mitchell, Morrill, and Sioux County. Custer and Oelrichs, South Dakota, high schools, also attended.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1669739172734.jpeg" alt="Teagan Burney, left, and Keagan Hitchcock, both of Hemingford High School, paint with watercolors Nov. 8, 2022, in the Sandoz Center as part of CSC Art Day. (Photo by Tena L. Cook/Chadron State College)" />
 <figcaption>Teagan Burney, left, and Keagan Hitchcock, both of Hemingford High School, paint with watercolors Nov. 8, 2022, in the Sandoz Center as part of CSC Art Day. (Photo by Tena L. Cook/Chadron State College)</figcaption>
 </figure>Students participated in hands-on visual art workshops led by CSC faculty members Laura Bentz, Trudy Denham, Mary Donahue, Dewayne Gimeson, and Jack Kant, as well as Art majors Carissa Hill of Imperial, Neb., Whitney Martin of Guernsey, Wyo., Morgan Helfer of Custer, S.D., and Corey Griffin of Omaha. An additional 20 CSC Art students assisted.Workshops included Graphic Design, Drawing in Multi-Media, Ceramics, Printmaking, Photography Photograms, Architecture, Wire Sculpture, Watercolor, and Collage.Esther Wilson of Gordon Rushville said she has been bringing students to Art Day since she started teaching in 2006.“Art Day gives my students an opportunity to create using some media that our school doesn't have such as graphic design and photography. I, as a teacher, look forward to talking with other teachers to discuss projects, class logistics and ways to improve my own curriculum,” Wilson said.Jessica Scott of Bayard said she appreciates Art Day because it nudges her students out of their comfort zones and introduces them to other students interested in art.“Students get opportunities to find some independence. My students get to see what art classes CSC offers and how their high school experience in art is similar or different to college,” Scott said. “I look forward to meeting with other art teachers to compare student expectations and procedures. I know it's extra work, but I do appreciate CSC’s Art Day and I know my students do too,” Scott said.

Art Day attracts nearly 100 high school students in Chadron

By&nbsp;Rossella Tesch, Chadron Public Library&nbsp;

Chadron- Chadron Public Library and Friends of the Library invite you to a Christmas Party and Open House, December 9 from 2:00 pm. to 4:30 pm. 

Come enjoy refreshments, take photos with Santa, explore the Library’s Makerspace, shop for gently used books at the Annex and enjoy a relaxing afternoon with your library friends.

This event is free and open to everyone. 

By&nbsp;Rossella Tesch, Chadron Public Library&nbsp;Chadron- Chadron Public Library and Friends of the Library invite you to a Christmas Party and Open House, December 9 from 2:00 pm. to 4:30 pm. Come enjoy refreshments, take photos with Santa, explore the Library’s Makerspace, shop for gently used books at the Annex and enjoy a relaxing afternoon with your library friends.This event is free and open to everyone. For information call 308-432-0531.

Santa Claus returns to Chadron Public Library 

LINCOLN, NEB.&nbsp; — Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol removed from the road 26 impaired drivers during Thanksgiving weekend.

This weekend marked one of the busiest travel times of the year and coincided with the national&nbsp;Click it or Ticket&nbsp;campaign. Troopers across Nebraska joined law enforcement officers across the country in the annual Thanksgiving weekend effort, which ran from Wednesday through Sunday.

“The roads were full of travelers this weekend and our troopers were busy keeping Nebraskans and our visitors safe,” said Colonel John Bolduc, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “As the holiday season gets into full swing, keep in mind that winter weather is possible for the next few months. Plan ahead to drive safely for every trip.”

In addition to the 26 drivers arrested for driving under the influence, troopers also issued citations for speeding (447), including 21 citations for over 100 miles per hour, and citations for open alcohol container (14), driving under suspension (21), no proof of insurance (22), minor in possession of alcohol (8), no seat belt (7), and improper child restraint (9).

Troopers also assisted 168 motorists in need of help on the roadway this weekend. Any motorist in need of assistance can call the NSP Highway Helpline at *55 or 800-525-5555.

Click it or Ticket&nbsp;was made possible thanks in part to a grant for $25,000 from the Nebraska Department of Transportation – Highway Safety Office.

By Nebraska State Patrol&nbsp;LINCOLN, NEB.&nbsp; — Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol removed from the road 26 impaired drivers during Thanksgiving weekend.This weekend marked one of the busiest travel times of the year and coincided with the national&nbsp;Click it or Ticket&nbsp;campaign. Troopers across Nebraska joined law enforcement officers across the country in the annual Thanksgiving weekend effort, which ran from Wednesday through Sunday.“The roads were full of travelers this weekend and our troopers were busy keeping Nebraskans and our visitors safe,” said Colonel John Bolduc, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “As the holiday season gets into full swing, keep in mind that winter weather is possible for the next few months. Plan ahead to drive safely for every trip.”In addition to the 26 drivers arrested for driving under the influence, troopers also issued citations for speeding (447), including 21 citations for over 100 miles per hour, and citations for open alcohol container (14), driving under suspension (21), no proof of insurance (22), minor in possession of alcohol (8), no seat belt (7), and improper child restraint (9).Troopers also assisted 168 motorists in need of help on the roadway this weekend. Any motorist in need of assistance can call the NSP Highway Helpline at *55 or 800-525-5555.Click it or Ticket&nbsp;was made possible thanks in part to a grant for $25,000 from the Nebraska Department of Transportation – Highway Safety Office.

Troopers arrest 26 impaired drivers over Thanksgiving weekend

Alliance – The City of Alliance has declared a snow emergency starting today at 5:00 p.m. until Tuesday, November 29th at 5:00 pm. 

Residents who live on designated snow routes are asked to please have all vehicles removed from the street to ensure accessibility for the City crews and emergency personnel. Due to the predicted snow totals, crews will be plowing snow on these routes multiple times. Per the City of Alliance Municipal Code Ordinance No. 2883, Sec.24-27, please note that it is the duty of the owner of every lot or parcel adjacent to a permanent sidewalk to clean off and remove all snow within 24 hours after snow accumulation, however, snow shall not be moved from lots, driveways, or adjacent sidewalks into the city streets, alley or neighboring lots. Such an offense shall be considered a misdemeanor and is punishable by a $100.00 fine. The Alliance Police Department will attempt to make contact with owners of any vehicles left parked on designated snow routes. Any vehicles not moved will be towed.

The following streets or highways are designated as emergency snow streets:&nbsp;

(1) U.S. Highway Nos. 385, 87 and 2 within the corporate limits

(2)Cody Avenue from Third Street to Kansas Street

(3) Emerson Avenue from the northern corporate limits to Third Street

(4) Box Butte Avenue from 25th Street to First Street

(5) Mississippi Avenue from Tenth Street to Third Street

(6) Potash Avenue from Third Street to Kansas Street

(7) Third Street from Flack Avenue east to the corporate limits

(8) All of Tenth Street included within the corporate limits

(9) Sixteenth Street from Buchfinck Avenue to Box Butte Avenue

(10) Twenty-fifth Street from Emerson Avenue to Sweetwater Avenue

(11) Kansas Street from Highway 2 to Highway 385

(12) Buchfinck Avenue from Tenth Street to Sixteenth Street

(13) Black Hills Avenue from Third Street to Tenth Street

(14) Sixth Street from Mississippi Avenue to Grand Avenue

(15) Grand Avenue from Sixth Street to Seventh Street

(16) Seventh Street from Grand Avenue to Mississippi Avenue

(17) Eighth Street from Dakota Avenue to Mississippi Avenue

For more information, contact Ross Grant at 762-1907 or rgrant@cityofalliance.net.

By City of AllianceAlliance – The City of Alliance has declared a snow emergency starting today at 5:00 p.m. until Tuesday, November 29th at 5:00 pm. Residents who live on designated snow routes are asked to please have all vehicles removed from the street to ensure accessibility for the City crews and emergency personnel. Due to the predicted snow totals, crews will be plowing snow on these routes multiple times. Per the City of Alliance Municipal Code Ordinance No. 2883, Sec.24-27, please note that it is the duty of the owner of every lot or parcel adjacent to a permanent sidewalk to clean off and remove all snow within 24 hours after snow accumulation, however, snow shall not be moved from lots, driveways, or adjacent sidewalks into the city streets, alley or neighboring lots. Such an offense shall be considered a misdemeanor and is punishable by a $100.00 fine. The Alliance Police Department will attempt to make contact with owners of any vehicles left parked on designated snow routes. Any vehicles not moved will be towed.The following streets or highways are designated as emergency snow streets:&nbsp;(1) U.S. Highway Nos. 385, 87 and 2 within the corporate limits(2)Cody Avenue from Third Street to Kansas Street(3) Emerson Avenue from the northern corporate limits to Third Street(4) Box Butte Avenue from 25th Street to First Street(5) Mississippi Avenue from Tenth Street to Third Street(6) Potash Avenue from Third Street to Kansas Street(7) Third Street from Flack Avenue east to the corporate limits(8) All of Tenth Street included within the corporate limits(9) Sixteenth Street from Buchfinck Avenue to Box Butte Avenue(10) Twenty-fifth Street from Emerson Avenue to Sweetwater Avenue(11) Kansas Street from Highway 2 to Highway 385(12) Buchfinck Avenue from Tenth Street to Sixteenth Street(13) Black Hills Avenue from Third Street to Tenth Street(14) Sixth Street from Mississippi Avenue to Grand Avenue(15) Grand Avenue from Sixth Street to Seventh Street(16) Seventh Street from Grand Avenue to Mississippi Avenue(17) Eighth Street from Dakota Avenue to Mississippi AvenueFor more information, contact Ross Grant at 762-1907 or rgrant@cityofalliance.net.

City of Alliance declares snow emergency 

By National Weather Service in Cheyenne, WY

Including the cities of Alliance, Hemingford, Angora, Bridgeport, Bayard, Redington, Kimball, Sidney, and Brownson

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 5 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 2 PM MST TUESDAY...

* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 3 to 5&nbsp;  inches.

* WHERE...Box Butte County, Morrill County, Kimball County and

  Cheyenne County including the cities of Kimball, Sidney,&nbsp;  Bridgeport, and Alliance.

* WHEN...5 PM MST this afternoon until 11 AM MST Tuesday.

* IMPACTS...Hazardous travel conditions due to icy, snow packed&nbsp;  roads and very low visibilities in falling snow.

Slow down and use caution while traveling.

The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

By National Weather Service in Cheyenne, WYIncluding the cities of Alliance, Hemingford, Angora, Bridgeport, Bayard, Redington, Kimball, Sidney, and Brownson...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 5 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 2 PM MST TUESDAY...* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 3 to 5&nbsp; inches.* WHERE...Box Butte County, Morrill County, Kimball County and Cheyenne County including the cities of Kimball, Sidney,&nbsp; Bridgeport, and Alliance.* WHEN...5 PM MST this afternoon until 11 AM MST Tuesday.* IMPACTS...Hazardous travel conditions due to icy, snow packed&nbsp; roads and very low visibilities in falling snow.PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...Slow down and use caution while traveling.The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

Winter Weather Advisory in effect for Panhandle 

Alliance – The last days for yard waste collection will be Tuesday, November 29th for blue steel containers and Wednesday, November 30th for blue rollout bins.

For more information, contact Public Works Director Ross Grant at 762-1907.

By City of AllianceAlliance – The last days for yard waste collection will be Tuesday, November 29th for blue steel containers and Wednesday, November 30th for blue rollout bins.For more information, contact Public Works Director Ross Grant at 762-1907.

City of Alliance reminds community about yard waste collection

P202201048 16:54 CRIMINAL MISCHIEF : minor damage to a vehicle/ multiple cracks on driver's side window/ multiple wittnesses advised they saw a female throw an object toward the vehicle causing the window to crack/ Am investigation was conducted/ Charges recommended. Closed - Charges Recommended

P202201048 16:54 CRIMINAL MISCHIEF : minor damage to a vehicle/ multiple cracks on driver's side window/ multiple wittinesses advised they saw a female throw an object toward the vehicle causing the window to crack/ Am investigation was conducted/ Charges recommended. Open - Under Investigation

P202201049 13:17 10-44 : MVA NON INJURY Alliance Landfill/ Safety Equipment Failure causing vehicle to roll into garage/ No injuries/ Informational Report taken Informational

P202201051 14:47 INTAKE : INTAKE DHHS Intake/ Allegations of sexual assault against child/ Under investigation Open - Under Investigation

P202201050 21:05 ASSAULT : ASSAULT One juvenile female and an adult female physically assaulted another adult female. The victim was taken to the hospital to be treated for her injuries. Both the juvenile and adult were located and charges have been filed. Closed - Charges Recommended

P202201052 05:27 INFO : INFORMATIONAL 18 year old male contacted at Maverick for street racing in the county. Warning issued Informational

P202201053 11:36 ASSAULT : ASSAULT H row of Trailerville // Report of an assault that occurred in the 1200 block of east 10th street // The physical altercation was between two juveniles // One transported to BBGH via EMS with // Charges recommended Open - Under Investigation

P202201053 11:36 ASSAULT : ASSAULT H row of Trailerville // Report of an assault that occurred in the 1200 block of east 10th street // The physical altercation was between two juveniles // One transported to BBGH via EMS with // Charges recommended Closed - Charges Recommended

P202201054 19:44 CRIMINAL MISCHIEF : A juvenile male reported someone had carved words on the hood of his truck. Officers are waiting on camera footage to be provided by management of the fast food restaurant where it occurred. Open - Under Investigation

P202201055 11:09 CRIMINAL MISCHIEF : Two windows on a residence were shot with a BB gun. Inactive - Case Suspended

P202201056 01:11 DISTURBANCE : Officers responded to the E-row of Meadows Trailer Ct. in reference to a disturbance. One male was taken into custody for domestic assault. Closed - Charges Recommended

P202201057 04:01 DRUGS : DRUGS Small bag was located in the parking lot of Maverik's. Bag had a crystal substance in it which tested positive for methamphetamine. Video footage is being sought to locate owner. Inactive - Case Suspended

P202201058 15:21 423 Boyd Avenue/ Report of assault with weapon/ Assault investigated and unfounded/ Closed - Unfounded

P202201058 15:21 423 Boyd Avenue/ Report of assault with weapon/ Assault investigated and unfounded/ Closed - Charges Recommended

By Alliance Police Department11/20/22P202201048 16:54 CRIMINAL MISCHIEF : minor damage to a vehicle/ multiple cracks on driver's side window/ multiple wittnesses advised they saw a female throw an object toward the vehicle causing the window to crack/ Am investigation was conducted/ Charges recommended. Closed - Charges RecommendedP202201048 16:54 CRIMINAL MISCHIEF : minor damage to a vehicle/ multiple cracks on driver's side window/ multiple wittinesses advised they saw a female throw an object toward the vehicle causing the window to crack/ Am investigation was conducted/ Charges recommended. Open - Under InvestigationP202201048 16:54 CRIMINAL MISCHIEF : minor damage to a vehicle/ multiple cracks on driver's side window/ multiple wittnesses advised they saw a female throw an object toward the vehicle causing the window to crack/ Am investigation was conducted/ Charges recommended. Closed - Charges Recommended11/20/22 Total: 311/21/22P202201049 13:17 10-44 : MVA NON INJURY Alliance Landfill/ Safety Equipment Failure causing vehicle to roll into garage/ No injuries/ Informational Report taken InformationalP202201051 14:47 INTAKE : INTAKE DHHS Intake/ Allegations of sexual assault against child/ Under investigation Open - Under InvestigationP202201050 21:05 ASSAULT : ASSAULT One juvenile female and an adult female physically assaulted another adult female. The victim was taken to the hospital to be treated for her injuries. Both the juvenile and adult were located and charges have been filed. Closed - Charges Recommended11/21/22 Total: 311/23/22P202201052 05:27 INFO : INFORMATIONAL 18 year old male contacted at Maverick for street racing in the county. Warning issued InformationalP202201053 11:36 ASSAULT : ASSAULT H row of Trailerville // Report of an assault that occurred in the 1200 block of east 10th street // The physical altercation was between two juveniles // One transported to BBGH via EMS with // Charges recommended Open - Under InvestigationP202201053 11:36 ASSAULT : ASSAULT H row of Trailerville // Report of an assault that occurred in the 1200 block of east 10th street // The physical altercation was between two juveniles // One transported to BBGH via EMS with // Charges recommended Closed - Charges RecommendedP202201054 19:44 CRIMINAL MISCHIEF : A juvenile male reported someone had carved words on the hood of his truck. Officers are waiting on camera footage to be provided by management of the fast food restaurant where it occurred. Open - Under Investigation11/23/22 Total: 411/25/22P202201055 11:09 CRIMINAL MISCHIEF : Two windows on a residence were shot with a BB gun. Inactive - Case Suspended11/25/22 Total: 111/26/22P202201056 01:11 DISTURBANCE : Officers responded to the E-row of Meadows Trailer Ct. in reference to a disturbance. One male was taken into custody for domestic assault. Closed - Charges RecommendedP202201057 04:01 DRUGS : DRUGS Small bag was located in the parking lot of Maverik's. Bag had a crystal substance in it which tested positive for methamphetamine. Video footage is being sought to locate owner. Inactive - Case SuspendedP202201058 15:21 423 Boyd Avenue/ Report of assault with weapon/ Assault investigated and unfounded/ Closed - UnfoundedP202201058 15:21 423 Boyd Avenue/ Report of assault with weapon/ Assault investigated and unfounded/ Closed - Charges Recommended11/26/22 Total: 4Total Records: 15

Alliance Police Department: The media report 

POST PODCAST: Coffee Talk 11/28/22

Studio B in Scottsbluff is your one-stop-shop for gifts this holiday season. They are located at 1715 Broadway. 

"We have been open as a gift store for about four-years now," Studio B owner Priscilla Sandoz said. "We're approaching the four year mark. And we were trying to drive some foot traffic for downtown. It's been a challenge, of course with COVID and everything else. So, we started a little stamp card contest that has really been a lot of fun. We did it last year for the first year, kind of tried it out. And we grew it this year to about double. We're looking forward to a great holiday. We've got it already decked out."

Studio B offers a unique array of clothing, gifts, teas and more. 

"I offer some light clothing, like some top layer," Sandoz said. "We also have a lot of tea, soaps, food items like soups, and I have some fantastic balsamic vinegars right now. We sell coffee cups. We have some Scottsbluff things. So, some local things that are good hostess gifts."

Panhandle Post asked Sandoz to describe her favorite thing about working at Studio B.

"I think the most fun is finding what the customer needs, what they're looking for, for a gift or for something else," Sandoz said. "They might come in having no idea, they just know that they need something. So, trying to figure that out together and get them something that's unique, something they haven't seen in another location before. That's really important to me."

You can find out more about Studio B by clicking <a href="https://www.facebook.com/StudioBBroadway/">HERE</a>&nbsp;

By KALIN KROHE Panhandle Post<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1669656757609.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Studio B in Scottsbluff is your one-stop-shop for gifts this holiday season. They are located at 1715 Broadway. "We have been open as a gift store for about four-years now," Studio B owner Priscilla Sandoz said. "We're approaching the four year mark. And we were trying to drive some foot traffic for downtown. It's been a challenge, of course with COVID and everything else. So, we started a little stamp card contest that has really been a lot of fun. We did it last year for the first year, kind of tried it out. And we grew it this year to about double. We're looking forward to a great holiday. We've got it already decked out."Studio B offers a unique array of clothing, gifts, teas and more. "I offer some light clothing, like some top layer," Sandoz said. "We also have a lot of tea, soaps, food items like soups, and I have some fantastic balsamic vinegars right now. We sell coffee cups. We have some Scottsbluff things. So, some local things that are good hostess gifts."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1669656777587.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Panhandle Post asked Sandoz to describe her favorite thing about working at Studio B."I think the most fun is finding what the customer needs, what they're looking for, for a gift or for something else," Sandoz said. "They might come in having no idea, they just know that they need something. So, trying to figure that out together and get them something that's unique, something they haven't seen in another location before. That's really important to me."You can find out more about Studio B by clicking <a href="https://www.facebook.com/StudioBBroadway/">HERE</a>&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1669656790444.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

POST PODCAST: AHS One-Act Play Team

By&nbsp;Scotts Bluff National Monument

GERING, NE - Christmas is coming! What better way to start preparations than the way our ancestors did in the nineteenth century? 

Scotts Bluff National Monument, Legacy of the Plains Museum, and Chimney Rock National Historic Site will be hosting a variety of activities that evoke Christmases of the past on Saturday, December 3, 2022. All three events will be FREE! 

“Christmas on the Prairie” at Scotts Bluff National Monument offers visitors a chance to make nineteenth century style holiday ornaments from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Children and adults will have a chance to make a variety of old-style ornaments, including: popcorn strings, paper lanterns and stars, dough ornaments to paint, as well as corn husk dolls. Enjoy refreshments and a 15% discount on bookstore items courtesy of our cooperating association Black Hills Parks and Forests Association. 

At Legacy of the Plains Museum, “High Plains Christmas” will give people an opportunity to enjoy some outdoor and indoor fun from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Ride on a hay rack, build a Christmas ornament, write a letter to Santa to send via Pony Express, enjoy live music, and purchase our delicious soups and hot chocolate.  High Plains Christmas kicks off our “Trees Along the Trail Contest” and “Yuletide Lights”.  The tree contest consists of Christmas trees decorated by community non-profit organizations competing for your votes. The ballots will be available for $1.00 each. This is the kickoff of the event which will continue through December 23rd. The contest benefits the museum and area charities. 

Chimney Rock National Historic Site will celebrate “Christmas at the Rock” from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors will have a chance to play games and enjoy holiday treats and music.  

The Scotts Bluff National Monument visitor center is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The summit road is open (weather and conditions permitting) from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.  All Monument trails are open from sunrise until sunset. Additional information about Scotts Bluff National Monument programs and schedules can be obtained at the visitor center, by calling 308-436-9700 or by visiting our website at http://www.nps.gov/scbl/index.htm or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/scottsbluffnps.  

By&nbsp;Scotts Bluff National MonumentGERING, NE - Christmas is coming! What better way to start preparations than the way our ancestors did in the nineteenth century? Scotts Bluff National Monument, Legacy of the Plains Museum, and Chimney Rock National Historic Site will be hosting a variety of activities that evoke Christmases of the past on Saturday, December 3, 2022. All three events will be FREE! “Christmas on the Prairie” at Scotts Bluff National Monument offers visitors a chance to make nineteenth century style holiday ornaments from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Children and adults will have a chance to make a variety of old-style ornaments, including: popcorn strings, paper lanterns and stars, dough ornaments to paint, as well as corn husk dolls. Enjoy refreshments and a 15% discount on bookstore items courtesy of our cooperating association Black Hills Parks and Forests Association. At Legacy of the Plains Museum, “High Plains Christmas” will give people an opportunity to enjoy some outdoor and indoor fun from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Ride on a hay rack, build a Christmas ornament, write a letter to Santa to send via Pony Express, enjoy live music, and purchase our delicious soups and hot chocolate. High Plains Christmas kicks off our “Trees Along the Trail Contest” and “Yuletide Lights”. The tree contest consists of Christmas trees decorated by community non-profit organizations competing for your votes. The ballots will be available for $1.00 each. This is the kickoff of the event which will continue through December 23rd. The contest benefits the museum and area charities. Chimney Rock National Historic Site will celebrate “Christmas at the Rock” from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors will have a chance to play games and enjoy holiday treats and music. The Scotts Bluff National Monument visitor center is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The summit road is open (weather and conditions permitting) from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. All Monument trails are open from sunrise until sunset. Additional information about Scotts Bluff National Monument programs and schedules can be obtained at the visitor center, by calling 308-436-9700 or by visiting our website at http://www.nps.gov/scbl/index.htm or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/scottsbluffnps.

Christmas on the Prairie to be held at Scotts Bluff National Monument

TOKYO, Japan- This week, Governor Pete Ricketts is leading a trade mission to Japan to promote Nebraska’s quality ag products and pitch Nebraska as a top destination for international investment.

The Governor and trade delegation will meet with government officials, promote Nebraska beef, pork,&nbsp;ethanol, and other ag products, and encourage Japanese businesses to invest in Nebraska.&nbsp; Delegates on the mission include representatives from ag businesses, state commodity organizations, the Nebraska Farm Bureau, the Department of Agriculture (NDA), and the Department of Economic Development (DED).

This week’s agenda includes meetings with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry, and the U.S. Ambassador to Japan. The Governor will discuss the revised beef safeguard mechanism and the benefits of Nebraska ethanol.

Nebraska is the first state to visit Japan after its legislature approved new beef tariff trigger levels.&nbsp; The new safeguard mechanism will make it less likely that U.S. beef exports will reach levels that trigger higher tariffs, and it provides the State with an increased opportunity to meet Japan’s growing demand for quality beef.

Nebraska ag producers and the NDA will also participate in the U.S. Food Product Showcase, where a variety of Nebraska value-added ag products will be marketed to buyers in the Japanese food industry.

Additionally, the Governor and delegation will meet with representatives from several Japanese companies throughout the week. At the events, Governor Ricketts will highlight Nebraska’s hardworking people, longstanding practices in sustainability, pro-growth climate, and central location.&nbsp;

This is the Governor’s second trip to Japan in November. Earlier this month, he went on a personal visit to receive the Order of the Rising Sun Award, Gold and Silver Star for his&nbsp;<a href="https://governor.nebraska.gov/press/gov-ricketts-receive-order-rising-sun-award-strengthening-nebraska-japan-relationship">work to strengthen the Nebraska-Japan relationship.&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;

This is Governor Ricketts’ fourth trade mission to Japan (2015, 2017, 2019, and 2022). &nbsp;Cultivating and maintaining a relationship with Japanese government and businesses has helped grow Nebraska’s ag footprint.&nbsp;&nbsp;Japan is Nebraska’s largest market for pork and 2nd&nbsp;largest for beef, the latter of which has seen annual sales to Japan rise by $215 million, an 88% increase since 2015. &nbsp;Additionally,&nbsp;Japan is the 3rd largest&nbsp;export market for U.S. corn, and exports in 2021 were up 57.7% versus 2015.&nbsp;&nbsp;Japan is also an emerging market for ethanol, with the Japanese government committing this year to double the blend rate of ethanol in their gasoline.

Nebraska has a vibrant Japanese community, and Japan’s investments in the state are a valued part of our economy.&nbsp; A full profile of Nebraska’s trade relationship with Japan can be found by&nbsp;<a href="https://nda.nebraska.gov/promotion/profiles/Japan.pdf" target="_blank">clicking here.</a>

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/6/1560600869383.png" alt="" />
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 </figure>News Release Governor RickettsTOKYO, Japan- This week, Governor Pete Ricketts is leading a trade mission to Japan to promote Nebraska’s quality ag products and pitch Nebraska as a top destination for international investment.The Governor and trade delegation will meet with government officials, promote Nebraska beef, pork,&nbsp;ethanol, and other ag products, and encourage Japanese businesses to invest in Nebraska.&nbsp; Delegates on the mission include representatives from ag businesses, state commodity organizations, the Nebraska Farm Bureau, the Department of Agriculture (NDA), and the Department of Economic Development (DED).This week’s agenda includes meetings with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry, and the U.S. Ambassador to Japan. The Governor will discuss the revised beef safeguard mechanism and the benefits of Nebraska ethanol.Nebraska is the first state to visit Japan after its legislature approved new beef tariff trigger levels.&nbsp; The new safeguard mechanism will make it less likely that U.S. beef exports will reach levels that trigger higher tariffs, and it provides the State with an increased opportunity to meet Japan’s growing demand for quality beef.Nebraska ag producers and the NDA will also participate in the U.S. Food Product Showcase, where a variety of Nebraska value-added ag products will be marketed to buyers in the Japanese food industry.Additionally, the Governor and delegation will meet with representatives from several Japanese companies throughout the week. At the events, Governor Ricketts will highlight Nebraska’s hardworking people, longstanding practices in sustainability, pro-growth climate, and central location.&nbsp;This is the Governor’s second trip to Japan in November. Earlier this month, he went on a personal visit to receive the Order of the Rising Sun Award, Gold and Silver Star for his&nbsp;<a href="https://governor.nebraska.gov/press/gov-ricketts-receive-order-rising-sun-award-strengthening-nebraska-japan-relationship">work to strengthen the Nebraska-Japan relationship.&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;This is Governor Ricketts’ fourth trade mission to Japan (2015, 2017, 2019, and 2022). &nbsp;Cultivating and maintaining a relationship with Japanese government and businesses has helped grow Nebraska’s ag footprint.&nbsp;&nbsp;Japan is Nebraska’s largest market for pork and 2nd&nbsp;largest for beef, the latter of which has seen annual sales to Japan rise by $215 million, an 88% increase since 2015. &nbsp;Additionally,&nbsp;Japan is the 3rd largest&nbsp;export market for U.S. corn, and exports in 2021 were up 57.7% versus 2015.&nbsp;&nbsp;Japan is also an emerging market for ethanol, with the Japanese government committing this year to double the blend rate of ethanol in their gasoline.Nebraska has a vibrant Japanese community, and Japan’s investments in the state are a valued part of our economy.&nbsp; A full profile of Nebraska’s trade relationship with Japan can be found by&nbsp;<a href="https://nda.nebraska.gov/promotion/profiles/Japan.pdf" target="_blank">clicking here.</a>

Gov. Ricketts begins trade mission in Japan

Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area will host the monthly Wildcat Tales preschool program Dec. 13.

The program Winter Wonderland, which will explore ways animals prepare for winter, will meet at the Nature Center at 10 a.m. Mountain time. There will be a lesson plan, story and hands-on activity specifically targeted for children ages 2-6 years.

The program is free, but a vehicle park entry permit is required.&nbsp;For more information contact the Nature Center at 308-436-3777. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

By Nebraska Game and Parks&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587140447752.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy: Great Plains James, www.greatplainsjames.com&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy: Great Plains James, www.greatplainsjames.com&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area will host the monthly Wildcat Tales preschool program Dec. 13.The program Winter Wonderland, which will explore ways animals prepare for winter, will meet at the Nature Center at 10 a.m. Mountain time. There will be a lesson plan, story and hands-on activity specifically targeted for children ages 2-6 years.The program is free, but a vehicle park entry permit is required.&nbsp;For more information contact the Nature Center at 308-436-3777. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Wildcat Tales preschool program is Dec. 13

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska agriculture officials say another 1.8 million chickens must be killed after bird flu was found on a farm in the latest sign that the outbreak that has already prompted the slaughter of more than 50 million birds nationwide continues to spread.

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture said Saturday that the state's 13th case of bird flu was found on an egg-laying farm in northeast Nebraska's Dixon County, about 120 miles (193 kilometers) north of Omaha, Nebraska..

Just like on other farms where bird flu has been found this year, all the chickens on the Nebraska farm&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-business-bird-flu-flu-animals-189a7c08d848047f00b3f7b5bec39e67">will be killed</a>&nbsp;to limit the spread of the disease. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says more than 52.3 million birds in 46 states — mostly chickens and turkeys on commercial farms — have been slaughtered as part of this year's outbreak.

Nebraska is second only to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-iowa-des-moines-flu-us-department-of-agriculture-822360c4db84ca9917ac615b760b2b53">Iowa’s 15.5 million birds killed</a>&nbsp;with 6.8 million birds now affected at 13 farms.

In most past bird flu outbreaks the virus&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-flu-prices-animals-1ec0f5a8e5485300fe117f87f8470f06">largely died off</a>&nbsp;during the summer, but this year's version found a way to linger and started to make a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-minnesota-animals-flu-animal-2f02b2d35e82feb05273d9a72e898170">resurgence</a>&nbsp;this fall with more than 6 million birds killed in September.

The virus is primarily spread by wild birds as they migrate across the country. Wild birds can often carry the disease without showing symptoms. The virus spreads through droppings or the nasal discharge of an infected bird, which can contaminate dust and soil.

Commercial farms have taken&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/science-health-business-iowa-agriculture-f5a5c6fbf1d6b551413fb249086fdbec">a number of steps</a>&nbsp;to prevent the virus from infecting their flocks, including requiring workers to change clothes before entering barns and sanitizing trucks as they enter the farm, but the disease can be difficult to control.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-animals-flu-bird-2e2c3be77c8f8fa318ed0877d18bde64">Zoos</a>&nbsp;have also taken precautions and closed some exhibits to protect their birds.

Officials say there is little risk to human health from the virus because human cases are extremely rare and the infected birds aren't allowed to enter the nation's food supply. Plus, any viruses will be killed by properly cooking poultry to 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

But the bird flu outbreak has contributed to the rising prices of chicken and turkey along with the soaring cost of feed and fuel.

By Associated PressOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska agriculture officials say another 1.8 million chickens must be killed after bird flu was found on a farm in the latest sign that the outbreak that has already prompted the slaughter of more than 50 million birds nationwide continues to spread.The Nebraska Department of Agriculture said Saturday that the state's 13th case of bird flu was found on an egg-laying farm in northeast Nebraska's Dixon County, about 120 miles (193 kilometers) north of Omaha, Nebraska..Just like on other farms where bird flu has been found this year, all the chickens on the Nebraska farm&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-business-bird-flu-flu-animals-189a7c08d848047f00b3f7b5bec39e67">will be killed</a>&nbsp;to limit the spread of the disease. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says more than 52.3 million birds in 46 states — mostly chickens and turkeys on commercial farms — have been slaughtered as part of this year's outbreak.Nebraska is second only to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-iowa-des-moines-flu-us-department-of-agriculture-822360c4db84ca9917ac615b760b2b53">Iowa’s 15.5 million birds killed</a>&nbsp;with 6.8 million birds now affected at 13 farms.In most past bird flu outbreaks the virus&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-flu-prices-animals-1ec0f5a8e5485300fe117f87f8470f06">largely died off</a>&nbsp;during the summer, but this year's version found a way to linger and started to make a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-minnesota-animals-flu-animal-2f02b2d35e82feb05273d9a72e898170">resurgence</a>&nbsp;this fall with more than 6 million birds killed in September.The virus is primarily spread by wild birds as they migrate across the country. Wild birds can often carry the disease without showing symptoms. The virus spreads through droppings or the nasal discharge of an infected bird, which can contaminate dust and soil.Commercial farms have taken&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/science-health-business-iowa-agriculture-f5a5c6fbf1d6b551413fb249086fdbec">a number of steps</a>&nbsp;to prevent the virus from infecting their flocks, including requiring workers to change clothes before entering barns and sanitizing trucks as they enter the farm, but the disease can be difficult to control.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-animals-flu-bird-2e2c3be77c8f8fa318ed0877d18bde64">Zoos</a>&nbsp;have also taken precautions and closed some exhibits to protect their birds.Officials say there is little risk to human health from the virus because human cases are extremely rare and the infected birds aren't allowed to enter the nation's food supply. Plus, any viruses will be killed by properly cooking poultry to 165 degrees Fahrenheit.But the bird flu outbreak has contributed to the rising prices of chicken and turkey along with the soaring cost of feed and fuel.

Bird flu prompts slaughter of 1.8M chickens in Nebraska

By National Weather Service in Cheyenne, WY - North Platte, NE

The next snow producer is on its way, and is expected to arrive tomorrow. A strong cold front will bring an end to the strong winds in place tonight through Monday morning, but bring another round of snow and very cold temperatures.

Expect snow to start in the mountains early Monday, and then spread to the valleys west of I-25 through the day. Areas east of I-25 can expect snow to start filling in Monday evening through the night. Light snow will linger into Tuesday morning, but should clear out by the afternoon hours.

The attached graphic shows the probabilities for 2" and 6" of snow across our area.

By National Weather Service in Cheyenne, WY - North Platte, NEThe next snow producer is on its way, and is expected to arrive tomorrow. A strong cold front will bring an end to the strong winds in place tonight through Monday morning, but bring another round of snow and very cold temperatures.Expect snow to start in the mountains early Monday, and then spread to the valleys west of I-25 through the day. Areas east of I-25 can expect snow to start filling in Monday evening through the night. Light snow will linger into Tuesday morning, but should clear out by the afternoon hours.The attached graphic shows the probabilities for 2" and 6" of snow across our area.<figure>
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Snow, cold front moves into Panhandle 

GENOA, Neb. (AP) — The bodies of more than 80 Native American children are buried at the former Genoa Indian Industrial School in central Nebraska.

But for decades, the location of the student cemetery has been a mystery, lost over time after the school closed in 1931 and memories faded of the once-busy campus that sprawled over 640 acres in the tiny community of Genoa.

That mystery may soon be solved thanks to efforts by researchers who pored over century-old documents and maps, examined land with specially trained dogs and made use of ground-penetrating radar in search of the lost graves.

“These children, in my opinion, were disrespected, and they were throwaway children that no one talked about,” said Judi gaiashkibos, the executive director of the Nebraska Commission on Indian Affairs whose mother attended the school in the late 1920s. “They were hidden, buried under the ground, and it’s time to take the darkness away. Until we do that, we have not honored those children.”

The search for the graves comes as the federal government is in the midst of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-education-native-americans-cbd724ae4e423c788089ef98cec4315a">first-ever comprehensive examination</a>&nbsp;of the national system of more than 400 Native American boarding schools. The schools and additional privately funded institutions were part of an attempt to integrate Indigenous people into the white culture by separating children forcibly or by coercion from their families and cutting them off from their heritage.

The U.S. Interior Department, led by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/education-native-americans-cultures-congress-1052724fc31b28f7addae7f5b2e50830">Secretary Deb Haaland</a>, a member of Laguna Pueblo in New Mexico and the first Native American Cabinet secretary, released a report last spring that detailed the boarding school program and noted more than 500 deaths. That number is expected to increase significantly in a second Interior Department report, which will explore boarding school deaths and how the forced removal of children to the schools damaged Indigenous communities.

The federal investigation didn't prompt the work in Genoa but it has added new urgency to the effort.

If the Genoa graves are found, decisions about whether to commemorate them or consider disinterring the remains will be left to representatives of Native American tribes, but simply finding the cemetery will be an accomplishment for individuals who for years have sought to gain a greater understanding of the Nebraska school.

The Genoa Indian Industrial School opened in 1884 and at its height was home to nearly 600 students. In the decades it was open, more than 4,300 children lived there, making it one of the largest Native American schools in the country. The students were given a basic academic education and spent much of their time learning hands-on skills such as horse bridle-making for boys and sewing for girls that had limited value for a country in the midst of an industrial transformation.

The children typically&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-native-americans-south-dakota-762797ee44f94d06e2f7776599bef374">spent long, exhausting days</a>, rising as early as 4 a.m. for chores, followed by several hours of school before working the rest of the day in kitchens, workshops or out in the fields, said gaiashkibos. Discipline could be harsh, with even young&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/native-americans-oklahoma-city-cultures-e200ecdb445ee8ff0514d5a215a4058c">children facing beatings</a>&nbsp;for breaking rules.

“Absolutely, we know the children were living in fear," gaiashkibos said. “There were no hugs from mom or grandma. There were no songs sung. Everything was foreign to them."

Children from over 40 tribes were brought from as far away as Idaho and Maine to the school. The were forbidden from speaking their Native languages, their hair was cut — a traumatic experience given the cultural significance for many Native Americans of long hair — and they were required to wear uniforms.

This “forced incarceration” of children at a school hundreds an even thousands of miles away from their homes had a two-fold goal of crushing Native American cultures and aiding in the stealing of Native land, said Farina King, an associate professor at the University of Oklahoma who focuses on Native American studies.

“More than anything there was a clear agenda to cut the ties between their people, their homeland, their culture," said King, a member of the Navajo Nation whose father attended one of the boarding schools. “They wanted to get them away as far as they could.”

At Genoa, that typically meant taking a train that would stop at the school grounds, about 90 miles (145 kilometers) west of Omaha.

After the school closed, most of the larger buildings were demolished and the land sold for other uses. A two-story brick workshop that has been turned into a museum remains, as does a smokestack that towers over the community, but the gymnasium, multi-story classroom buildings and dormitories are long gone and it's hard to imagine a large school once existed in the small community.

The cemetery would have been forgotten too, if not for residents who for 30 years had been searching documents and the land around their community for the burial site. Their effort was given a boost about six years ago by the Genoa Indian School Digital Reconciliation Project, which included advisers from some of the tribes whose ancestors attended the school and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Based off newspaper clippings, superintendent’s records, one student's letter that described a cemetery and other documents, they determined at least 86 students died at the school. It's unclear whether close living conditions contributed to the deaths, but records indicate students most commonly died of diseases such as tuberculosis, typhoid and measles. There also was at least one death by accidental shooting and another due to a neck injury.

Researchers identified 49 of the children who died but have not been able to find names for 37 students. It's believed the bodies of a few children were returned to their families.

But while the researchers accounted for the deaths, they couldn't find where the children were buried.

Interest in bringing more professionals to help in Genoa grew after Canada announced in 2021 the discovery of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/canada-67da8a8af88efc91e6ffc64630796ec9">mass graves of Indigenous children</a>&nbsp;at residential schools, said Dave Williams, Nebraska’s state archeologist.

“We’ve heard from residents knowing there were burials nearby, knowing this was the Genoa school cemetery, but that precise location has been lost to time,” Williams said. “We’ve heard it’s in a few different locations but so far that hasn’t panned out.”

There were plenty of theories from residents and even former students, but it took study of maps and aerial photos to narrow down a few options. An initial effort to find remains using ground-penetrating radar wasn’t successful, but last summer an Iowa man volunteered to come to the site with dogs that are trained to detect the faint odor of decaying remains.

Two dogs separately signaled they smelled remains on a narrow piece of land sandwiched between railroad tracks, a cornfield and a canal that was dug soon after the boarding school closed. In late October and early November, a team affiliated with the National Park Service made two trips to the site and used different kinds of ground-penetrating radar in hopes of detecting what was beneath the soil.

The results of their examination should be available later in November.

To gaiashkibos, a member of the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska, thinking of the boarding school and searching for the cemetery brings an overwhelming sense of sadness. But she said finding the cemetery is an essential step in honoring the children and recognizing what they had to endure.

“To heal, we have to have answers and bring closure,” she said. “We need to know, where are those children?”

By Associated PressGENOA, Neb. (AP) — The bodies of more than 80 Native American children are buried at the former Genoa Indian Industrial School in central Nebraska.But for decades, the location of the student cemetery has been a mystery, lost over time after the school closed in 1931 and memories faded of the once-busy campus that sprawled over 640 acres in the tiny community of Genoa.That mystery may soon be solved thanks to efforts by researchers who pored over century-old documents and maps, examined land with specially trained dogs and made use of ground-penetrating radar in search of the lost graves.“These children, in my opinion, were disrespected, and they were throwaway children that no one talked about,” said Judi gaiashkibos, the executive director of the Nebraska Commission on Indian Affairs whose mother attended the school in the late 1920s. “They were hidden, buried under the ground, and it’s time to take the darkness away. Until we do that, we have not honored those children.”The search for the graves comes as the federal government is in the midst of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-education-native-americans-cbd724ae4e423c788089ef98cec4315a">first-ever comprehensive examination</a>&nbsp;of the national system of more than 400 Native American boarding schools. The schools and additional privately funded institutions were part of an attempt to integrate Indigenous people into the white culture by separating children forcibly or by coercion from their families and cutting them off from their heritage.The U.S. Interior Department, led by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/education-native-americans-cultures-congress-1052724fc31b28f7addae7f5b2e50830">Secretary Deb Haaland</a>, a member of Laguna Pueblo in New Mexico and the first Native American Cabinet secretary, released a report last spring that detailed the boarding school program and noted more than 500 deaths. That number is expected to increase significantly in a second Interior Department report, which will explore boarding school deaths and how the forced removal of children to the schools damaged Indigenous communities.The federal investigation didn't prompt the work in Genoa but it has added new urgency to the effort.If the Genoa graves are found, decisions about whether to commemorate them or consider disinterring the remains will be left to representatives of Native American tribes, but simply finding the cemetery will be an accomplishment for individuals who for years have sought to gain a greater understanding of the Nebraska school.The Genoa Indian Industrial School opened in 1884 and at its height was home to nearly 600 students. In the decades it was open, more than 4,300 children lived there, making it one of the largest Native American schools in the country. The students were given a basic academic education and spent much of their time learning hands-on skills such as horse bridle-making for boys and sewing for girls that had limited value for a country in the midst of an industrial transformation.The children typically&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-native-americans-south-dakota-762797ee44f94d06e2f7776599bef374">spent long, exhausting days</a>, rising as early as 4 a.m. for chores, followed by several hours of school before working the rest of the day in kitchens, workshops or out in the fields, said gaiashkibos. Discipline could be harsh, with even young&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/native-americans-oklahoma-city-cultures-e200ecdb445ee8ff0514d5a215a4058c">children facing beatings</a>&nbsp;for breaking rules.“Absolutely, we know the children were living in fear," gaiashkibos said. “There were no hugs from mom or grandma. There were no songs sung. Everything was foreign to them."Children from over 40 tribes were brought from as far away as Idaho and Maine to the school. The were forbidden from speaking their Native languages, their hair was cut — a traumatic experience given the cultural significance for many Native Americans of long hair — and they were required to wear uniforms.This “forced incarceration” of children at a school hundreds an even thousands of miles away from their homes had a two-fold goal of crushing Native American cultures and aiding in the stealing of Native land, said Farina King, an associate professor at the University of Oklahoma who focuses on Native American studies.“More than anything there was a clear agenda to cut the ties between their people, their homeland, their culture," said King, a member of the Navajo Nation whose father attended one of the boarding schools. “They wanted to get them away as far as they could.”At Genoa, that typically meant taking a train that would stop at the school grounds, about 90 miles (145 kilometers) west of Omaha.After the school closed, most of the larger buildings were demolished and the land sold for other uses. A two-story brick workshop that has been turned into a museum remains, as does a smokestack that towers over the community, but the gymnasium, multi-story classroom buildings and dormitories are long gone and it's hard to imagine a large school once existed in the small community.The cemetery would have been forgotten too, if not for residents who for 30 years had been searching documents and the land around their community for the burial site. Their effort was given a boost about six years ago by the Genoa Indian School Digital Reconciliation Project, which included advisers from some of the tribes whose ancestors attended the school and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.Based off newspaper clippings, superintendent’s records, one student's letter that described a cemetery and other documents, they determined at least 86 students died at the school. It's unclear whether close living conditions contributed to the deaths, but records indicate students most commonly died of diseases such as tuberculosis, typhoid and measles. There also was at least one death by accidental shooting and another due to a neck injury.Researchers identified 49 of the children who died but have not been able to find names for 37 students. It's believed the bodies of a few children were returned to their families.But while the researchers accounted for the deaths, they couldn't find where the children were buried.Interest in bringing more professionals to help in Genoa grew after Canada announced in 2021 the discovery of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/canada-67da8a8af88efc91e6ffc64630796ec9">mass graves of Indigenous children</a>&nbsp;at residential schools, said Dave Williams, Nebraska’s state archeologist.“We’ve heard from residents knowing there were burials nearby, knowing this was the Genoa school cemetery, but that precise location has been lost to time,” Williams said. “We’ve heard it’s in a few different locations but so far that hasn’t panned out.”There were plenty of theories from residents and even former students, but it took study of maps and aerial photos to narrow down a few options. An initial effort to find remains using ground-penetrating radar wasn’t successful, but last summer an Iowa man volunteered to come to the site with dogs that are trained to detect the faint odor of decaying remains.Two dogs separately signaled they smelled remains on a narrow piece of land sandwiched between railroad tracks, a cornfield and a canal that was dug soon after the boarding school closed. In late October and early November, a team affiliated with the National Park Service made two trips to the site and used different kinds of ground-penetrating radar in hopes of detecting what was beneath the soil.The results of their examination should be available later in November.To gaiashkibos, a member of the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska, thinking of the boarding school and searching for the cemetery brings an overwhelming sense of sadness. But she said finding the cemetery is an essential step in honoring the children and recognizing what they had to endure.“To heal, we have to have answers and bring closure,” she said. “We need to know, where are those children?”

Researchers seek lost Native American boarding school graves

BULL HOLLOW, Okla. (AP) — Ryan Mackey quietly sang a sacred Cherokee verse as he pulled a handful of tobacco out of a zip-close bag. Reaching over a barbed wire fence, he scattered the leaves onto the pasture where a growing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/travel-canyons-animals-wildlife-parks-1fd1bceea3ae1a7a60ac8eff7c606d6e">herd of bison</a>&nbsp;— popularly known as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/science-travel-health-canada-5a7f69c50b4df6a70cf6dbdc40a932b2">American buffalo</a>&nbsp;— grazed in northeastern Oklahoma.

The offering represented a reverent act of thanksgiving, the 45-year-old explained, and a desire to forge a divine connection with the animals, his ancestors and the Creator.

“When tobacco is used in the right way, it’s almost like a contract is made between you and the spirit — the spirit of our Creator, the spirit of these bison,” Mackey said as a strong wind rumbled across the grassy field. “Everything, they say, has a spiritual aspect. Just like this wind, we can feel it in our hands, but we can’t see it.”

Decades after the last bison vanished from their tribal lands, the Cherokee Nation is part of a nationwide resurgence of Indigenous people seeking to reconnect with the humpbacked, shaggy-haired animals that occupy a crucial place in centuries-old tradition and belief.

Since 1992 the federally chartered InterTribal Buffalo Council has helped&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/science-travel-health-canada-5a7f69c50b4df6a70cf6dbdc40a932b2">relocate surplus bison</a>&nbsp;from locations such as Badlands National Park in South Dakota, Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming and Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona to 82 member tribes in 20 states.

“Collectively those tribes manage over 20,000 buffalo on tribal lands,” said Troy Heinert, a Rosebud Sioux Tribe member who serves as executive director of the InterTribal Buffalo Council, based in Rapid City, South Dakota. “Our goal and mission is to restore buffalo back to Indian country for that cultural and spiritual connection that Indigenous people have with the buffalo.”

Centuries ago, an estimated 30 million to 60 million bison roamed the vast Great Plains of North America, from Canada to Texas. But by 1900, European settlers had driven the species to near extinction, hunting them en masse for their prized skins and often leaving the carcasses to rot on the prairie.

“It’s important to recognize the history that Native people had with buffalo and how buffalo were nearly decimated. … Now with the resurgence of the buffalo, often led by Native nations, we’re seeing that spiritual and cultural awakening as well that comes with it,” said Heinert, who is a South Dakota state senator.

Historically, Indigenous people hunted and used every part of the bison: for food, clothing, shelter, tools and ceremonial purposes. They did not regard the bison as a mere commodity, however, but rather as beings closely linked to people.

“Many tribes viewed them as a relative,” Heinert said. “You’ll find that in the ceremonies and language and songs.”

Rosalyn LaPier, an Indigenous writer and scholar who grew up on the Blackfeet Nation’s reservation in Montana, said there are different mythological origin stories for bison among the various peoples of the Great Plains.

“Depending on what Indigenous group you’re talking to, the bison originated in the supernatural realm and ended up on Earth for humans to use,” said LaPier, an environmental historian and ethnobotanist at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. “And there’s usually some sort of story of how humans were taught to hunt bison and kill bison and harvest them.”

Her Blackfeet tribe, for example, believes there are three realms: the sky world, the below world — that is, Earth — and the underwater world. Tribal lore, LaPier says, holds that the Blackfeet were vegetarians until an orphaned bison slipped out of the underwater world in human form and was taken in by two caring humans. As a result, the underwater bison’s divine leader allowed more to come to Earth to be hunted and eaten.

In Oklahoma, the Cherokee Nation, one of the largest Native American tribes with 437,000 registered members, had a few bison on its land in the 1970s. But they disappeared.

It wasn't until 40 years later that the tribe's contemporary herd was begun, when a large cattle trailer — driven by Heinert — arrived in fall 2014 with 38 bison from Badlands National Park. It was greeted by emotional songs and prayers from tribe's people.

“I can still remember the dew that was on the grass and the songs of the birds that were in the trees. ... I could feel the hope and the pride in the Cherokee people that day,” Heinert said.

Since then, births and additional bison transplants from various locations have boosted the population to about 215. The herd roams a 500-acre (2-square kilometer) pasture in Bull Hollow, an unincorporated area of Delaware County about 70 miles (113 kilometers) northeast of Tulsa, near the small town of Kenwood.

For now, the Cherokee are not harvesting the animals, whose bulls can weigh up to 2,000 pounds (900 kilograms) and stand 6 feet tall (nearly 2 meters), as leaders focus on growing the herd. But bison, a lean protein, could serve in the future as a food source for Cherokee schools and nutrition centers, said Bryan Warner, the tribe's deputy principal chief.

“Our hope is really not just for food sovereignty's sake but to really reconnect our citizens back in a spiritual way,” said Warner, a member of a United Methodist church.

That reconnection in turn leads to discussions about other fauna, he added, from rabbits and turtles to quail and doves.

“All these different animals — it puts you more in tune with nature,” he said as bison sauntered through a nearby pond. “And then essentially it puts you more in tune with yourself, because we all come from the same dirt that these animals are formed from — from our Creator.”

Originally from the southeastern United States, the Cherokee were forced to relocate to present-day Oklahoma in 1838 after gold was discovered in their ancestral lands. The 1,000-mile (1,600-kilometer) removal, known as the Trail of Tears, claimed nearly 4,000 lives through sickness and harsh travel conditions.

While bison are more associated with Great Plains tribes than those with roots on the East Coast, the newly arrived Cherokee had connections with a slightly smaller subspecies, according to Mackey. The animals on the tribe's lands today are not direct descendants, he explained, but close cousins with which the tribe is able to have a spiritual bond.

“We don’t speak the same language as the bison,” Mackey said. “But when you sit with them and spend time with them, relationships can be built on … other means than just language alone: sharing experiences, sharing that same space and just having a feeling of respect. Your body language changes when you have respect for someone or something.”

Mackey grew up with Pentecostal roots on his father’s side and Baptist on his mother’s. He still occasionally attends church, but finds more meaning in Cherokee ceremonial practices.

“Even if (tribal members) are raised in church or in synagogue or wherever they choose to worship, their elders are Cherokee elders,” he said. “And this idea of relationship and respect and guardianship — with the land, with the Earth, with all those things that reside on it — it’s passed down. It still pervades our identity as Cherokee people.”

That’s why he believes the bison's return to Cherokee lands is so important.

“The bison aren’t just meat,” he said. “They represent abundance and health and strength.”

By Associated PressBULL HOLLOW, Okla. (AP) — Ryan Mackey quietly sang a sacred Cherokee verse as he pulled a handful of tobacco out of a zip-close bag. Reaching over a barbed wire fence, he scattered the leaves onto the pasture where a growing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/travel-canyons-animals-wildlife-parks-1fd1bceea3ae1a7a60ac8eff7c606d6e">herd of bison</a>&nbsp;— popularly known as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/science-travel-health-canada-5a7f69c50b4df6a70cf6dbdc40a932b2">American buffalo</a>&nbsp;— grazed in northeastern Oklahoma.The offering represented a reverent act of thanksgiving, the 45-year-old explained, and a desire to forge a divine connection with the animals, his ancestors and the Creator.“When tobacco is used in the right way, it’s almost like a contract is made between you and the spirit — the spirit of our Creator, the spirit of these bison,” Mackey said as a strong wind rumbled across the grassy field. “Everything, they say, has a spiritual aspect. Just like this wind, we can feel it in our hands, but we can’t see it.”Decades after the last bison vanished from their tribal lands, the Cherokee Nation is part of a nationwide resurgence of Indigenous people seeking to reconnect with the humpbacked, shaggy-haired animals that occupy a crucial place in centuries-old tradition and belief.Since 1992 the federally chartered InterTribal Buffalo Council has helped&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/science-travel-health-canada-5a7f69c50b4df6a70cf6dbdc40a932b2">relocate surplus bison</a>&nbsp;from locations such as Badlands National Park in South Dakota, Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming and Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona to 82 member tribes in 20 states.“Collectively those tribes manage over 20,000 buffalo on tribal lands,” said Troy Heinert, a Rosebud Sioux Tribe member who serves as executive director of the InterTribal Buffalo Council, based in Rapid City, South Dakota. “Our goal and mission is to restore buffalo back to Indian country for that cultural and spiritual connection that Indigenous people have with the buffalo.”Centuries ago, an estimated 30 million to 60 million bison roamed the vast Great Plains of North America, from Canada to Texas. But by 1900, European settlers had driven the species to near extinction, hunting them en masse for their prized skins and often leaving the carcasses to rot on the prairie.“It’s important to recognize the history that Native people had with buffalo and how buffalo were nearly decimated. … Now with the resurgence of the buffalo, often led by Native nations, we’re seeing that spiritual and cultural awakening as well that comes with it,” said Heinert, who is a South Dakota state senator.Historically, Indigenous people hunted and used every part of the bison: for food, clothing, shelter, tools and ceremonial purposes. They did not regard the bison as a mere commodity, however, but rather as beings closely linked to people.“Many tribes viewed them as a relative,” Heinert said. “You’ll find that in the ceremonies and language and songs.”Rosalyn LaPier, an Indigenous writer and scholar who grew up on the Blackfeet Nation’s reservation in Montana, said there are different mythological origin stories for bison among the various peoples of the Great Plains.“Depending on what Indigenous group you’re talking to, the bison originated in the supernatural realm and ended up on Earth for humans to use,” said LaPier, an environmental historian and ethnobotanist at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. “And there’s usually some sort of story of how humans were taught to hunt bison and kill bison and harvest them.”Her Blackfeet tribe, for example, believes there are three realms: the sky world, the below world — that is, Earth — and the underwater world. Tribal lore, LaPier says, holds that the Blackfeet were vegetarians until an orphaned bison slipped out of the underwater world in human form and was taken in by two caring humans. As a result, the underwater bison’s divine leader allowed more to come to Earth to be hunted and eaten.In Oklahoma, the Cherokee Nation, one of the largest Native American tribes with 437,000 registered members, had a few bison on its land in the 1970s. But they disappeared.It wasn't until 40 years later that the tribe's contemporary herd was begun, when a large cattle trailer — driven by Heinert — arrived in fall 2014 with 38 bison from Badlands National Park. It was greeted by emotional songs and prayers from tribe's people.“I can still remember the dew that was on the grass and the songs of the birds that were in the trees. ... I could feel the hope and the pride in the Cherokee people that day,” Heinert said.Since then, births and additional bison transplants from various locations have boosted the population to about 215. The herd roams a 500-acre (2-square kilometer) pasture in Bull Hollow, an unincorporated area of Delaware County about 70 miles (113 kilometers) northeast of Tulsa, near the small town of Kenwood.For now, the Cherokee are not harvesting the animals, whose bulls can weigh up to 2,000 pounds (900 kilograms) and stand 6 feet tall (nearly 2 meters), as leaders focus on growing the herd. But bison, a lean protein, could serve in the future as a food source for Cherokee schools and nutrition centers, said Bryan Warner, the tribe's deputy principal chief.“Our hope is really not just for food sovereignty's sake but to really reconnect our citizens back in a spiritual way,” said Warner, a member of a United Methodist church.That reconnection in turn leads to discussions about other fauna, he added, from rabbits and turtles to quail and doves.“All these different animals — it puts you more in tune with nature,” he said as bison sauntered through a nearby pond. “And then essentially it puts you more in tune with yourself, because we all come from the same dirt that these animals are formed from — from our Creator.”Originally from the southeastern United States, the Cherokee were forced to relocate to present-day Oklahoma in 1838 after gold was discovered in their ancestral lands. The 1,000-mile (1,600-kilometer) removal, known as the Trail of Tears, claimed nearly 4,000 lives through sickness and harsh travel conditions.While bison are more associated with Great Plains tribes than those with roots on the East Coast, the newly arrived Cherokee had connections with a slightly smaller subspecies, according to Mackey. The animals on the tribe's lands today are not direct descendants, he explained, but close cousins with which the tribe is able to have a spiritual bond.“We don’t speak the same language as the bison,” Mackey said. “But when you sit with them and spend time with them, relationships can be built on … other means than just language alone: sharing experiences, sharing that same space and just having a feeling of respect. Your body language changes when you have respect for someone or something.”Mackey grew up with Pentecostal roots on his father’s side and Baptist on his mother’s. He still occasionally attends church, but finds more meaning in Cherokee ceremonial practices.“Even if (tribal members) are raised in church or in synagogue or wherever they choose to worship, their elders are Cherokee elders,” he said. “And this idea of relationship and respect and guardianship — with the land, with the Earth, with all those things that reside on it — it’s passed down. It still pervades our identity as Cherokee people.”That’s why he believes the bison's return to Cherokee lands is so important.“The bison aren’t just meat,” he said. “They represent abundance and health and strength.”

Bison's relocation to Native lands revives a spiritual bond

NORTH PLATTE, NEB.&nbsp; — The Nebraska State Patrol is investigating a homicide that occurred overnight in Imperial.

The Imperial Police Department and Chase County Sheriff’s Office responded to the report of a shooting overnight at a residence in the 100 block of 12th&nbsp;street in Imperial. A victim was located with a gunshot wound. The victim, identified as Jesse Krausnick, 19, was transported to the hospital in Imperial but passed away shortly after arrival.

A suspect, identified as Tristan Ferguson, 19, was taken into custody by the Imperial Police Department at the scene. The Imperial Police Department has requested that the Nebraska State Patrol conduct the homicide investigation.

Ferguson has been lodged in Chase County Jail for manslaughter, use of a weapon to commit a felony, and other charges. The investigation is ongoing.

Further media inquiries should be directed to the Chase County Attorney’s Office.

By Nebraska State Patrol&nbsp;NORTH PLATTE, NEB.&nbsp; — The Nebraska State Patrol is investigating a homicide that occurred overnight in Imperial.The Imperial Police Department and Chase County Sheriff’s Office responded to the report of a shooting overnight at a residence in the 100 block of 12th&nbsp;street in Imperial. A victim was located with a gunshot wound. The victim, identified as Jesse Krausnick, 19, was transported to the hospital in Imperial but passed away shortly after arrival.A suspect, identified as Tristan Ferguson, 19, was taken into custody by the Imperial Police Department at the scene. The Imperial Police Department has requested that the Nebraska State Patrol conduct the homicide investigation.Ferguson has been lodged in Chase County Jail for manslaughter, use of a weapon to commit a felony, and other charges. The investigation is ongoing.Further media inquiries should be directed to the Chase County Attorney’s Office.

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