The Dawes County Attorney's Office is investigating two separate weekend deaths in Chadron.&nbsp; &nbsp;

According to County Attorney/Coroner Vance Haug, the Dawes County Sheriff's Office was dispatched to the home of 62-year-old Philip Curd, at approximately 10:45 a.m. Saturday. Curd was found deceased by family members checking on him after not being able to reach him by phone. After the initial investigation of the scene, physical evidence and witness interviews, it was determined that foul play is not likely to be involved in Curd's death.&nbsp; The investigation is ongoing, and an autopsy has been ordered.&nbsp; If anyone has&nbsp; information pertaining to this investigation, contact the Dawes County Sheriff's Office at 308-432-3025.

The Chadron Police Department and Dawes County Attorney/Coroner were contacted at approximately 5 p.m. Saturday to investigate the unattended death of 68-year-old Roger Mays of Chadron. Mays was found to be non-responsive in his home by family members who immediately contacted rescue personal. A review of evidence at the scene, medical history and witness and medical personnel information indicated Mays died of natural causes.&nbsp; 

The Dawes County Attorney's Office was assisted by the Chadron Police Dept. and Dawes County Sheriff's Office in both investigations.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1580759425770.jpeg" alt="City of Chadron logo.JPG" />
 <figcaption>City of Chadron logo.JPG</figcaption>
 </figure>The Dawes County Attorney's Office is investigating two separate weekend deaths in Chadron.&nbsp; &nbsp;According to County Attorney/Coroner Vance Haug, the Dawes County Sheriff's Office was dispatched to the home of 62-year-old Philip Curd, at approximately 10:45 a.m. Saturday. Curd was found deceased by family members checking on him after not being able to reach him by phone. After the initial investigation of the scene, physical evidence and witness interviews, it was determined that foul play is not likely to be involved in Curd's death.&nbsp; The investigation is ongoing, and an autopsy has been ordered.&nbsp; If anyone has&nbsp; information pertaining to this investigation, contact the Dawes County Sheriff's Office at 308-432-3025.The Chadron Police Department and Dawes County Attorney/Coroner were contacted at approximately 5 p.m. Saturday to investigate the unattended death of 68-year-old Roger Mays of Chadron. Mays was found to be non-responsive in his home by family members who immediately contacted rescue personal. A review of evidence at the scene, medical history and witness and medical personnel information indicated Mays died of natural causes.&nbsp; The Dawes County Attorney's Office was assisted by the Chadron Police Dept. and Dawes County Sheriff's Office in both investigations.&nbsp;

Dawes County Attorney's Office investigates two deaths

POST PODCAST: Coffee Talk 3/7/22

The Friends of the Chadron Public Library will hold&nbsp; thier monthly book sale&nbsp; on Friday, March 11, and Saturday,&nbsp; March 12,&nbsp; from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM both days.&nbsp; The sale will we held at the Annex,&nbsp; located next door to the Library at 5th and Bordeaux in Chadron.&nbsp;

Thanks to:&nbsp; Daniel Bowen, President, Friends of the Chadron Public Library

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646666734412.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Friends of the Chadron Public Library will hold&nbsp; thier monthly book sale&nbsp; on Friday, March 11, and Saturday,&nbsp; March 12,&nbsp; from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM both days.&nbsp; The sale will we held at the Annex,&nbsp; located next door to the Library at 5th and Bordeaux in Chadron.&nbsp;Thanks to:&nbsp; Daniel Bowen, President, Friends of the Chadron Public Library

Friends of the Chadron Public Library Book Sale, Friday & Saturday

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Federal inspectors have confirmed the presence of bird flu in a commercial mixed species flock in southeastern South Dakota. 

The Agriculture Department says samples from the flock in Charles Mix County, which borders Nebraska, were tested at a national laboratory at South Dakota State University. 

The property was quarantined and the birds will be killed to prevent the spread of the disease. 

Avian influenza is an airborne respiratory virus that spreads easily among chickens through nasal and eye secretions, as well as manure. 

The highly contagious virus was discovered a month ago in a commercial turkey flock in Indiana and was detected earlier this week in a backyard flock of chickens and ducks in western Iowa.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646652584954.jpg" alt="Image courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSSIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Federal inspectors have confirmed the presence of bird flu in a commercial mixed species flock in southeastern South Dakota. The Agriculture Department says samples from the flock in Charles Mix County, which borders Nebraska, were tested at a national laboratory at South Dakota State University. The property was quarantined and the birds will be killed to prevent the spread of the disease. Avian influenza is an airborne respiratory virus that spreads easily among chickens through nasal and eye secretions, as well as manure. The highly contagious virus was discovered a month ago in a commercial turkey flock in Indiana and was detected earlier this week in a backyard flock of chickens and ducks in western Iowa.

Bird flu detected among mixed species flock in South Dakota

News Release Nebraska Department of Roads

BRADY, Neb.-Weather
permitting, work will begin March 10 on I-80, west of Maxwell to
Brady, according to the Nebraska Department of Transportation.


Midwest
Coatings Company Inc., of Modale, Iowa has the $255,820 contract.
Work includes crack sealing the asphalt pavement, from reference post
185.74 to reference post 198.40. Traffic will be maintained with lane
closures. A 12-foot width restriction will be in effect. The anticipated completion is spring 2022.


Motorists
are reminded to drive cautiously in and near work zones, buckle
up, and put phones down.

News Release Nebraska Department of RoadsBRADY, Neb.-Weather
permitting, work will begin March 10 on I-80, west of Maxwell to
Brady, according to the Nebraska Department of Transportation.
Midwest
Coatings Company Inc., of Modale, Iowa has the $255,820 contract.
Work includes crack sealing the asphalt pavement, from reference post
185.74 to reference post 198.40. Traffic will be maintained with lane
closures. A 12-foot width restriction will be in effect. The anticipated completion is spring 2022.
Motorists
are reminded to drive cautiously in and near work zones, buckle
up, and put phones down.

Work to begin on I-80 between Maxwell, Brady

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A mountain lion that was born in Nebraska has been killed in Montana, a first for both states. 

The Lincoln Journal-Star reports that the mountain lion was just a kitten in 2018 when state biologists found it and a sibling in a den in the Pine Ridge area near Chadron and attached yellow ear tags. 

The kitten wearing tag NE 78 eventually headed north, crossed Interstate 90 and put the Black Hills behind him. 

He walked more than 250 miles, ending up near Ekalaka, Montana, in that state’s southeast corner, where he was killed during the state’s hunting season.

By Associated PressLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A mountain lion that was born in Nebraska has been killed in Montana, a first for both states. The Lincoln Journal-Star reports that the mountain lion was just a kitten in 2018 when state biologists found it and a sibling in a den in the Pine Ridge area near Chadron and attached yellow ear tags. The kitten wearing tag NE 78 eventually headed north, crossed Interstate 90 and put the Black Hills behind him. He walked more than 250 miles, ending up near Ekalaka, Montana, in that state’s southeast corner, where he was killed during the state’s hunting season.

Nebraska-born mountain lion killed in Montana

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — A new report from the American Health Care Association shows just how challenging the coronavirus pandemic has been for long-term care providers who have struggled with staffing and other issues. 

During the course of the pandemic, South Dakota nursing homes have lost over 1,000 staff members, or about 14% of their workforce, according the association’s report. 

All health care providers saw decreases in staff at the beginning of the pandemic, but some have either recovered or made significant progress toward pre-pandemic staffing levels. 

South Dakota hospitals and home health agencies have rebounded or even exceeded the number of staff they had pre-pandemic, while South Dakota nursing homes and assisted living facilities continue to struggle with staffing levels.

By Associated PressSIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — A new report from the American Health Care Association shows just how challenging the coronavirus pandemic has been for long-term care providers who have struggled with staffing and other issues. During the course of the pandemic, South Dakota nursing homes have lost over 1,000 staff members, or about 14% of their workforce, according the association’s report. All health care providers saw decreases in staff at the beginning of the pandemic, but some have either recovered or made significant progress toward pre-pandemic staffing levels. South Dakota hospitals and home health agencies have rebounded or even exceeded the number of staff they had pre-pandemic, while South Dakota nursing homes and assisted living facilities continue to struggle with staffing levels.

SD nursing homes still struggling with staffing shortages

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — National anthem singers are being sought to perform at the College World Series in June. 

Seventeen performers will be selected. Winners will receive tickets to the game they are performing but must cover travel costs. 

The opportunity is open to any soloist, duo or group in the country. Submissions must be a cappella, may not use voice enhancements and cannot be more than a year old.

 Deadline for applications is 5 p.m. CDT on April 1.Applicants must complete the online form at cwsomaha.com and submit a video link.

 Video files will not be accepted.The CWS runs June 17-26 or 27.

By Associated PressOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — National anthem singers are being sought to perform at the College World Series in June. Seventeen performers will be selected. Winners will receive tickets to the game they are performing but must cover travel costs. The opportunity is open to any soloist, duo or group in the country. Submissions must be a cappella, may not use voice enhancements and cannot be more than a year old. Deadline for applications is 5 p.m. CDT on April 1.Applicants must complete the online form at cwsomaha.com and submit a video link. Video files will not be accepted.The CWS runs June 17-26 or 27.

National anthem singers sought for College World Series

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — A man accused in state court of killing an elderly Rapid City woman has been sentenced in federal court to 10 years in prison for failing to register as a sex offender. 

Judge Jeffrey Viken gave James Jumping Eagle the maximum sentence for the felony in court Thursday.

 The 46-year-old Jumping Eagle will get 377 days credit for time served and will be on federal supervision for five years upon his release.

 Jumping Eagle also faces state charges in the death of 82-year-old Reta McGovern. 

She was found dead in her home Feb. 10, 2021.

By Associate PressRAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — A man accused in state court of killing an elderly Rapid City woman has been sentenced in federal court to 10 years in prison for failing to register as a sex offender. Judge Jeffrey Viken gave James Jumping Eagle the maximum sentence for the felony in court Thursday. The 46-year-old Jumping Eagle will get 377 days credit for time served and will be on federal supervision for five years upon his release. Jumping Eagle also faces state charges in the death of 82-year-old Reta McGovern. She was found dead in her home Feb. 10, 2021.

Rapid City man sentenced 10-years for failing to register as sex offender

On today's Post Podcast we'll return you to the Alliance City Council meeting from March 1.

  The council accepted employee promotions of three Alliance police officers. Kirk Felker was promoted to Lieutenant, while Stefan Yocum and David LaDuke were promoted to Sergeant. The council also had a first reading on a agriculture district zoning code amendment and more.&nbsp;

<div><iframe title="Post Podcast: Alliance City Council meeting, March1" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=9kp9m-11c26af-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=2&font-color=auto&btn-skin=5&size=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On today's Post Podcast we'll return you to the Alliance City Council meeting from March 1. The council accepted employee promotions of three Alliance police officers. Kirk Felker was promoted to Lieutenant, while Stefan Yocum and David LaDuke were promoted to Sergeant. The council also had a first reading on a agriculture district zoning code amendment and more.&nbsp;

🔊Post Podcast: Alliance City Council meeting, March 1

By&nbsp;United States Attorney Office

OMAHA, Neb.-United States Attorney Jan Sharp announced that Bryan Morse, 61, of Chadron, Nebraska, was sentenced today in Lincoln for possession of child pornography. United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Morse to 156 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. Upon his release from prison, Morse will begin a 20-year term of supervised release.

Morse received an enhanced sentence because he had two prior convictions relating to the sexual abuse of children. In January 1988, Morse was convicted of sexual assault on a child. &nbsp;He was later convicted of enticement of a child in April 2001.

Homeland Security Investigations received a tip from a social media company, Kik, that a Kik account was involved with sharing child pornography. Another tip was provided to law enforcement about child pornography being traded over Skype. Both tips led agents to Morse. Law enforcement obtained a search warrant for his residence in Chadron. The warrant was executed on December 18, 2019.&nbsp; During the execution of the warrant, several electronic devices were seized.

Morse was home at the time when the search warrant was executed.&nbsp; Morse told the agents that he used chat rooms to trade child pornography. He also said law enforcement that child pornography would be found on the seized devices.&nbsp; When the devices were examined, the agents did in fact find numerous photographs and videos depicting child pornography.

The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and this case&nbsp;was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.projectsafechildhood.gov/" target="_blank">www.projectsafechildhood.gov</a>.

By&nbsp;United States Attorney OfficeOMAHA, Neb.-United States Attorney Jan Sharp announced that Bryan Morse, 61, of Chadron, Nebraska, was sentenced today in Lincoln for possession of child pornography. United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Morse to 156 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. Upon his release from prison, Morse will begin a 20-year term of supervised release.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646436778938.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Morse received an enhanced sentence because he had two prior convictions relating to the sexual abuse of children. In January 1988, Morse was convicted of sexual assault on a child. &nbsp;He was later convicted of enticement of a child in April 2001.Homeland Security Investigations received a tip from a social media company, Kik, that a Kik account was involved with sharing child pornography. Another tip was provided to law enforcement about child pornography being traded over Skype. Both tips led agents to Morse. Law enforcement obtained a search warrant for his residence in Chadron. The warrant was executed on December 18, 2019.&nbsp; During the execution of the warrant, several electronic devices were seized.Morse was home at the time when the search warrant was executed.&nbsp; Morse told the agents that he used chat rooms to trade child pornography. He also said law enforcement that child pornography would be found on the seized devices.&nbsp; When the devices were examined, the agents did in fact find numerous photographs and videos depicting child pornography.The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and this case&nbsp;was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.projectsafechildhood.gov/" target="_blank">www.projectsafechildhood.gov</a>.

Chadron man sentenced to 13 years for possessing child pornography

The City of Crawford has declared a Snow Emergency once accumulations reach 3 inches from 12:00 a.m. Saturday morning until the snow has been cleared. In reference to City Ordinances, a snow emergency means that motor vehicles, boats, trailers etc. can not be parked on the street during the indicated time period along the posted emergency snow routes. 

Vehicles, trailers or obstructions remaining on the routes may be ticketed. 

Efforts will be made to not tow vehicles during normal business hours, unless the predominate weather dictates such actions. 

More information about Crawford’s snow emergency routes and rules are available on the Crawford website found at <a href="http://crawfordnebraska.net">crawfordnebraska.net</a>.

By City of CrawfordThe City of Crawford has declared a Snow Emergency once accumulations reach 3 inches from 12:00 a.m. Saturday morning until the snow has been cleared. In reference to City Ordinances, a snow emergency means that motor vehicles, boats, trailers etc. can not be parked on the street during the indicated time period along the posted emergency snow routes. Vehicles, trailers or obstructions remaining on the routes may be ticketed. Efforts will be made to not tow vehicles during normal business hours, unless the predominate weather dictates such actions. More information about Crawford’s snow emergency routes and rules are available on the Crawford website found at <a href="http://crawfordnebraska.net">crawfordnebraska.net</a>.

City of Crawford declares snow emergency 

The City of Chadron has declared a snow emergency, effective from Friday, March 04 at 11:00 p.m. until Saturday, March 5 at 5:00 p.m. and will remain in effect until further notice, or when all the snow in the streets has been removed. 

When a snow emergency has been declared all vehicles, trailers and obstructions must be removed from the designated snow emergency routes. 

Vehicles, trailers or obstructions remaining on the routes may be ticketed or towed at the owners' expense. 

More information about the snow emergency routes is available on the city’s website at <a href="http://www.chadon-nebraska.com">www.chadon-nebraska.com</a>&nbsp;

By City of ChadronThe City of Chadron has declared a snow emergency, effective from Friday, March 04 at 11:00 p.m. until Saturday, March 5 at 5:00 p.m. and will remain in effect until further notice, or when all the snow in the streets has been removed. When a snow emergency has been declared all vehicles, trailers and obstructions must be removed from the designated snow emergency routes. Vehicles, trailers or obstructions remaining on the routes may be ticketed or towed at the owners' expense. More information about the snow emergency routes is available on the city’s website at <a href="http://www.chadon-nebraska.com">www.chadon-nebraska.com</a>&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646424897930.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

City of Chadron declares snow emergency 

By&nbsp;PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — For the past 10 years, the Alliance Recycling Center has been awarded grants by the Nebraska Environmental Trust, which doles out about $20 million a year in state lottery proceeds for environmental projects.

On Thursday, the director of the Alliance recycling program made the seven-hour drive to Lincoln to find out why the center, which employs 15 people and serves a wide area of Nebraska’s Panhandle, had been rejected for $95,000 in funding this year.

Kathryn Worley, the executive director of Keep Alliance Beautiful, got no response to her pleas to Trust Board members to reverse their decision, or at least provide partial funding.

“To lose this money is huge for us. We can’t have a fundraiser of any kind that nets $95,000,” Worley told the Trust Board members. “It could mean the death of our recycling center.”

The rejection of the recycling center grant, after a decade of getting funds, was another indication of how the Trust Board has changed in recent months and how it has changed its approach in awarding grants.

This year, out of 118 applicants for trust grants, only 82 were ruled eligible, a major departure from the past, when only a handful didn’t qualify to be at least scored for grants.&nbsp;

Among those objecting Thursday to the changes was Hod Kosman, a Scottsbluff banker who leads a group that has restored thousands of acres of habitat and helped rebuild a trout stream using private funds and years of grants from the Environmental Trust.

Kosman wrote to express his “total dismay” that the Platte River Basin Environments wasn’t just rejected for funding this year but was declared ineligible for funding.

&nbsp;Gail Yanney of Omaha, a member of the Trust Board when it was first established, asked Trust Board members, “What changed?”&nbsp;

Yanney, who accompanied by her husband, Omaha philanthropist Mike Yanney, said the organization has devolved from a “huge success” that has funded projects in all 93 counties to one that faced a lawsuit, questions of fairness and grant recipients who “hold their tongues” for fear of speaking out.

“Nebraska is in danger of seeing the Trust steer away from the values of conservation, preserving water quality and wildlife and working with farmers and ranchers to protect their land from developers,” Gail Yanney said.

She blamed Gov. Pete Ricketts, who appoints the nine citizen members on the board and hires four of the five state agency directors that serve on the 14-member panel.

“Our current governor seems hell bent on destroying it,” Yanney said.&nbsp;

Ricketts, in the past, has defended the Trust’s grant decisions, including the controversial swap two years ago from a handful of conservation projects to one to install ethanol blender pumps, to aid the corn-based fuel. The blender pump grant was later withdrawn, after the Trust Board was sued for not following proper procedures.

But critics say the ethanol pump swap illustrated how the Trust has shifted from a focus on the environment to seeking to satisfy farm interests.

Eyebrows were raised again recently after the Trust’s grant committee rejected a grant proposal by the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, in collaboration with the City of Bellevue, to purchase land at the confluence of the Platte and Missouri Rivers.&nbsp;

The site is viewed as one of the top industrial sites in the Omaha area. Buying it would have opened it up for a large industry while establishing a wildlife refuge and biking trail on adjacent flood-prone areas. But it was deemed ineligible this year, after being funded in 2013 (it had to return the grant when the owner wouldn’t sell the land) and being ranked among the top grants a year ago, only to be rejected by the board at the last minute.

Six members of the Trust’s board serve on the grants committee (see sidebar) and decide which projects are eligible or not. Their votes are not identified by name.

A member of a recently formed watchdog group, the Friends of the Environmental Trust, questioned how the eligibility determinations among those six could vary so widely. One grant reviewer deemed 17% of the applications “ineligible” but another disqualified 75%, said John Bender of Lincoln.

But the recently installed executive director of the Trust, Karl Elmhaeuser, said the 11 criteria on which projects are deemed eligible hasn’t changed.

What has changed, Elmshaeuser said, is the way grants are deemed eligible and ranked. Recent performance reviews of the Trust, he said, found that those rankings were not done in two steps and “were not correctly applied.”

He also said the judging of grants is subjective. “There are no right or wrong answers,” Elmshaeuser said.

To illustrate, he displayed a couple of drawings that could be seen as an old or young woman, or as a duck or a rabbit, and one that showed a picture of the baseball strike zone.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Who’s standing behind the plate makes a difference,” Elmshaeuser said, referring to the umpire that calls balls and strikes.

The slide show was no consolation to Worley, who said she was upset that she didn’t learn why her grant was rejected and wasn’t allowed to speak for more than three minutes after driving across the state to plead her case.

“We’ve been good stewards of your money and been accountable,” she said. “I don’t think we’ve changed. We’ve only improved.”

Jeff&nbsp;Kanger, who chaired the grants committee, said the committee decided to recommend grants that only scored 130 points or higher on their ranking. The Alliance projects scored 124.7 points, falling just short. Forty-six other projects also scored too low, including projects by Ducks Unlimited, the University of Nebraska and a North Platte Recycling program.&nbsp;

The entire Trust board approved funding for 35 new grants and 36 carryover grants costing $17.1 million. About $3 million in funds were not granted out this year and will be carried over to 2023.&nbsp;

When the Nebraska Examiner asked Kanger, a Lincoln banker, and another member of the grants committee, Quinten Bowen, a Richardson County farmer, exactly why the Alliance Recycling&nbsp;Program wasn’t funded this year, unlike the previous 10 years, they responded that was just how the scoring came out this year.

Elmshaeuser, after the meeting, said that getting grant funding for 10 years doesn’t guarantee getting funding for the 11th year.

Worley, visibly upset, left the Trust Board meeting before it was over to get on the road back to Alliance and because she knew the board wasn’t going to reconsider.

She said she has no idea how her organization will make up the $95,000.&nbsp;

“We’re going to do our best to keep things open,” she said.

By&nbsp;PAUL HAMMEL <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/">Nebraska Examiner</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646423284655.jpeg" alt="The Alliance Recycling Center accepts and picks up recyclables from a wide area of Nebraska’s Panhandle. Eleven workers sort material at its center, processing about 700,000 pounds a year. (Courtesy of Alliance Recycling Center)" />
 <figcaption>The Alliance Recycling Center accepts and picks up recyclables from a wide area of Nebraska’s Panhandle. Eleven workers sort material at its center, processing about 700,000 pounds a year. (Courtesy of Alliance Recycling Center)</figcaption>
 </figure>LINCOLN — For the past 10 years, the Alliance Recycling Center has been awarded grants by the Nebraska Environmental Trust, which doles out about $20 million a year in state lottery proceeds for environmental projects.On Thursday, the director of the Alliance recycling program made the seven-hour drive to Lincoln to find out why the center, which employs 15 people and serves a wide area of Nebraska’s Panhandle, had been rejected for $95,000 in funding this year.Kathryn Worley, the executive director of Keep Alliance Beautiful, got no response to her pleas to Trust Board members to reverse their decision, or at least provide partial funding.<h2>‘Death’ of recycling center</h2>“To lose this money is huge for us. We can’t have a fundraiser of any kind that nets $95,000,” Worley told the Trust Board members. “It could mean the death of our recycling center.”The rejection of the recycling center grant, after a decade of getting funds, was another indication of how the Trust Board has changed in recent months and how it has changed its approach in awarding grants.This year, out of 118 applicants for trust grants, only 82 were ruled eligible, a major departure from the past, when only a handful didn’t qualify to be at least scored for grants.&nbsp;Among those objecting Thursday to the changes was Hod Kosman, a Scottsbluff banker who leads a group that has restored thousands of acres of habitat and helped rebuild a trout stream using private funds and years of grants from the Environmental Trust.<h2>‘Total dismay’</h2>Kosman wrote to express his “total dismay” that the Platte River Basin Environments wasn’t just rejected for funding this year but was declared ineligible for funding.&nbsp;Gail Yanney of Omaha, a member of the Trust Board when it was first established, asked Trust Board members, “What changed?”&nbsp;Yanney, who accompanied by her husband, Omaha philanthropist Mike Yanney, said the organization has devolved from a “huge success” that has funded projects in all 93 counties to one that faced a lawsuit, questions of fairness and grant recipients who “hold their tongues” for fear of speaking out.“Nebraska is in danger of seeing the Trust steer away from the values of conservation, preserving water quality and wildlife and working with farmers and ranchers to protect their land from developers,” Gail Yanney said.She blamed Gov. Pete Ricketts, who appoints the nine citizen members on the board and hires four of the five state agency directors that serve on the 14-member panel.“Our current governor seems hell bent on destroying it,” Yanney said.&nbsp;<h2>Governor defends Trust</h2>Ricketts, in the past, has defended the Trust’s grant decisions, including the controversial swap two years ago from a handful of conservation projects to one to install ethanol blender pumps, to aid the corn-based fuel. The blender pump grant was later withdrawn, after the Trust Board was sued for not following proper procedures.But critics say the ethanol pump swap illustrated how the Trust has shifted from a focus on the environment to seeking to satisfy farm interests.Eyebrows were raised again recently after the Trust’s grant committee rejected a grant proposal by the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, in collaboration with the City of Bellevue, to purchase land at the confluence of the Platte and Missouri Rivers.&nbsp;The site is viewed as one of the top industrial sites in the Omaha area. Buying it would have opened it up for a large industry while establishing a wildlife refuge and biking trail on adjacent flood-prone areas. But it was deemed ineligible this year, after being funded in 2013 (it had to return the grant when the owner wouldn’t sell the land) and being ranked among the top grants a year ago, only to be rejected by the board at the last minute.<h2>Grants committee recommends</h2>Six members of the Trust’s board serve on the grants committee (see sidebar) and decide which projects are eligible or not. Their votes are not identified by name.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646423248107.png" alt="This site, northwest of the confluence of the Platte and Missouri Rivers, has been viewed as a prime location for major development. The upper left portion is the abandoned location of a fertilizer plant just east of LaPlatte. The “expandable site area” is in the floodplain and eyed for expansion of habitat and recreational trail. (Courtesy of Grow Sarpy)" />
 <figcaption>This site, northwest of the confluence of the Platte and Missouri Rivers, has been viewed as a prime location for major development. The upper left portion is the abandoned location of a fertilizer plant just east of LaPlatte. The “expandable site area” is in the floodplain and eyed for expansion of habitat and recreational trail. (Courtesy of Grow Sarpy)</figcaption>
 </figure>A member of a recently formed watchdog group, the Friends of the Environmental Trust, questioned how the eligibility determinations among those six could vary so widely. One grant reviewer deemed 17% of the applications “ineligible” but another disqualified 75%, said John Bender of Lincoln.But the recently installed executive director of the Trust, Karl Elmhaeuser, said the 11 criteria on which projects are deemed eligible hasn’t changed.What has changed, Elmshaeuser said, is the way grants are deemed eligible and ranked. Recent performance reviews of the Trust, he said, found that those rankings were not done in two steps and “were not correctly applied.”He also said the judging of grants is subjective. “There are no right or wrong answers,” Elmshaeuser said.To illustrate, he displayed a couple of drawings that could be seen as an old or young woman, or as a duck or a rabbit, and one that showed a picture of the baseball strike zone.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>Umpires can change</h2>“Who’s standing behind the plate makes a difference,” Elmshaeuser said, referring to the umpire that calls balls and strikes.The slide show was no consolation to Worley, who said she was upset that she didn’t learn why her grant was rejected and wasn’t allowed to speak for more than three minutes after driving across the state to plead her case.“We’ve been good stewards of your money and been accountable,” she said. “I don’t think we’ve changed. We’ve only improved.”Jeff&nbsp;Kanger, who chaired the grants committee, said the committee decided to recommend grants that only scored 130 points or higher on their ranking. The Alliance projects scored 124.7 points, falling just short. Forty-six other projects also scored too low, including projects by Ducks Unlimited, the University of Nebraska and a North Platte Recycling program.&nbsp;<h2>$3 million not granted</h2>The entire Trust board approved funding for 35 new grants and 36 carryover grants costing $17.1 million. About $3 million in funds were not granted out this year and will be carried over to 2023.&nbsp;When the Nebraska Examiner asked Kanger, a Lincoln banker, and another member of the grants committee, Quinten Bowen, a Richardson County farmer, exactly why the Alliance Recycling&nbsp;Program wasn’t funded this year, unlike the previous 10 years, they responded that was just how the scoring came out this year.Elmshaeuser, after the meeting, said that getting grant funding for 10 years doesn’t guarantee getting funding for the 11th year.Worley, visibly upset, left the Trust Board meeting before it was over to get on the road back to Alliance and because she knew the board wasn’t going to reconsider.She said she has no idea how her organization will make up the $95,000.&nbsp;“We’re going to do our best to keep things open,” she said.

Alliance recycling program among those questioning snubs for state environmental grants

By SCOTT CARLSON North Platte Post

The Midwest Freedom Convoy, part of the American Freedom Convoy to Washington, D.C., made its way through North Platte on Friday as it continued across Nebraska after arriving in Big Springs on Thursday. 

The group is rallying for the end of medical mandates and other things they see as government overreach. Residents covered at least four bridges that cross Interstate 80 just in the North Platte area.

By SCOTT CARLSON North Platte PostThe Midwest Freedom Convoy, part of the American Freedom Convoy to Washington, D.C., made its way through North Platte on Friday as it continued across Nebraska after arriving in Big Springs on Thursday. The group is rallying for the end of medical mandates and other things they see as government overreach. Residents covered at least four bridges that cross Interstate 80 just in the North Platte area.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fnorthplattepost%2Fvideos%2F1006451723628563%2F&show_text=true&width=560&t=0" width="560" height="429" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div><figure>
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🎥 'Midwest Freedom Convoy' rolls through North Platte on way to D.C.

LINCOLN – Twenty-eight Nebraska leaders were recognized with certificates and commemorative awards for completing Class XIII of Leadership Nebraska at a commencement ceremony held Thursday, March 3.

Graduates are current and emerging leaders from communities throughout Nebraska. The program enhances their leadership skills and deepens their knowledge of the challenges and opportunities facing our state. Leadership Nebraska is dedicated to the development of informed leaders who understand issues, define problems, develop solutions and achieve positions of higher responsibility in Nebraska.&nbsp;

“Strong leaders are critical to building thriving communities and a resilient, growing economy,” said Bryan Slone, NE Chamber president. “Today, we face more complex challenges than ever, but the opportunities before us are even greater. We are anxious to see how the members of Class XIII make their mark on our future.”

The program includes six, two-day sessions held in various locations across Nebraska. Topic areas include: economic development; healthcare; agriculture; education; and government and policy.

Leadership Nebraska Class XIII members who graduated Thursday include:

Mara Anderson, Alliance Recreation Center

Matthew Reed, Great Plains Communications

Heidi Elliot, Nebraska Public Power District

Rochelle Jurgens, Central Nebraska Public Power &amp; Irrigation District

Lisa Tschauner, University of Nebraska at Kearney

<a>Macala</a>&nbsp;Carter, Great Western Bank

Bridgett Petzoldt, Black Hills Energy

Lauren Sheridan-Simonsen, City of Neligh Economic Development

Dr. Tracy Kruse, Northeast Community College

Chance Schilling, First National Bank of Omaha

Brook Aken, Omaha Public Power District

Britton Gabel, Omaha Public Power District

Elizabeth Hallgren, Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business

Megan Murray, Metropolitan Utilities District

Jennifer Olds, Peter Kiewit Foundation

Sarah Sjolie, The Wellbeing Partners

Carole Swanson, Blue Cross &amp; Blue Shield of Nebraska

Jessica Colo, OCI Insurance &amp; Financial Services

Douglas Mader, Western Nebraska Community College

Abby Schademann, Wayne Area Economic Development

Edward Tjaden, City of York Police Department

By&nbsp;Leadership NebraskaLINCOLN – Twenty-eight Nebraska leaders were recognized with certificates and commemorative awards for completing Class XIII of Leadership Nebraska at a commencement ceremony held Thursday, March 3.Graduates are current and emerging leaders from communities throughout Nebraska. The program enhances their leadership skills and deepens their knowledge of the challenges and opportunities facing our state. Leadership Nebraska is dedicated to the development of informed leaders who understand issues, define problems, develop solutions and achieve positions of higher responsibility in Nebraska.&nbsp;“Strong leaders are critical to building thriving communities and a resilient, growing economy,” said Bryan Slone, NE Chamber president. “Today, we face more complex challenges than ever, but the opportunities before us are even greater. We are anxious to see how the members of Class XIII make their mark on our future.”The program includes six, two-day sessions held in various locations across Nebraska. Topic areas include: economic development; healthcare; agriculture; education; and government and policy.Leadership Nebraska Class XIII members who graduated Thursday include:ALLIANCE:Mara Anderson, Alliance Recreation CenterBLAIR:Matthew Reed, Great Plains CommunicationsCOLUMBUS:Heidi Elliot, Nebraska Public Power DistrictHOLDREGE:Rochelle Jurgens, Central Nebraska Public Power &amp; Irrigation DistrictKEARNEY:Brenda Jensen, City of KearneyKelly Kreger, Path for GrowthLisa Tschauner, University of Nebraska at KearneyLINCOLN:<a>Macala</a>&nbsp;Carter, Great Western BankBen Martens, U.S. BankNate McHargue, State FarmBridgett Petzoldt, Black Hills EnergyNELIGH:Lauren Sheridan-Simonsen, City of Neligh Economic DevelopmentNORFOLK:Dr. Tracy Kruse, Northeast Community CollegeAndrea Libengood, Daycos, Inc.NORTH PLATTE:Chance Schilling, First National Bank of OmahaOMAHA:Brook Aken, Omaha Public Power DistrictBritton Gabel, Omaha Public Power DistrictElizabeth Hallgren, Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small BusinessJulie Klug, Aksarben FoundationMegan Murray, Metropolitan Utilities DistrictJennifer Olds, Peter Kiewit FoundationSarah Sjolie, The Wellbeing PartnersCarole Swanson, Blue Cross &amp; Blue Shield of NebraskaPAWNEE CITY:Jessica Colo, OCI Insurance &amp; Financial ServicesSCOTTSBLUFF:Douglas Mader, Western Nebraska Community CollegeWAYNE:Abby Schademann, Wayne Area Economic DevelopmentWISNER:Kevin Black, Pinnacle BankYORK:Edward Tjaden, City of York Police Department

Leadership Nebraska honors 28 graduates including Panhandle residents

Alliance – Through March 17 during library hours, there will be a “Lucky Dog Search” for preschool through second grade, with one prize per child.

Through March 31st, grades 3-12 can participate in “Luck of the Irish” for youth. 

Participants can fill out an entry form for every item checked out for youth from the Alliance Public Library. April 1 will be the prize drawing for a $50 Alliance Theatre card through the Alliance Public Library Foundation!

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

By City of AllianceAlliance – Through March 17 during library hours, there will be a “Lucky Dog Search” for preschool through second grade, with one prize per child.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646414539939.png" alt="Photo by Alliance Public Library&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Alliance Public Library&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Through March 31st, grades 3-12 can participate in “Luck of the Irish” for youth. Participants can fill out an entry form for every item checked out for youth from the Alliance Public Library. April 1 will be the prize drawing for a $50 Alliance Theatre card through the Alliance Public Library Foundation!For more information, please contact Cynthia Horn, Children’s and Youth Services Librarian at 762-1387.

Alliance library to hold 'Luck O’ the Irish' for youth 

POST PODCAST: Coffee Talk 3/4/22

Alliance -You and your family need and deserve safe, reliable natural gas service, and Black Hills Energy is always looking ahead to make sure we deliver. That’s why we’re proactively updating natural gas meters in your area.

Beginning mid-March, you may see us in your neighborhood alleyways.&nbsp; Black Hills Energy will be performing an upgrade that will consist of the replacement of approximately 500 residential and commercial meters that serve customers in and around Alliance, NE.

Relocating meters allows Black Hills Energy and first responders quicker and safer access to the meter in case of an emergency. It also alleviates future interruptions to gas service during routine maintenance.

“This upgrade will allow Black Hills Energy to meet our customers’ current and future energy needs and maintain our industry-leading reliability far into the future,” said Justin Gould, senior operations manager for Black Hills Energy. “We understand updating natural gas service can impact our neighbors’ lives and businesses and we will work to minimize disruptions and restore our work area to its original state.”&nbsp;

During the upgrade, affected customers will be without natural gas for a short time. Customers will be notified by Black Hills Energy’s contractor, Infrasource, prior to any work being done and should expect to have natural gas service restored the same day. Scheduled work will require the contractor to access the homes or businesses at an arranged time to relocate the meter, perform a safety inspection and relight pilot lights when work is completed. Infrasource employees will have identification, branded hard hats and vehicles.

As with any construction activity, there will be excavation in the location where the gas service enters the residence as well as some excavation where the service line connects to the gas main. This is typically out by the street or alley. The contractor will have a restoration crew following behind them to restore any excavation areas including landscaping or paving.

As a provider of critical energy services in Alliance, we are continuing our safety protocols focused on reducing the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Black Hills Energy employees and contractors are following all protocols and procedures recommended by the CDC as we move forward with this very important project during these uneasy times.

Traffic flow is not expected to be impacted by this construction project, but you will likely see our signage in the area to notify drivers of the work and asking drivers to take necessary precautions as they travel through the area. The work is currently scheduled to begin on March 15th.

We appreciate your cooperation and patience as we deliver an advanced, modern gas system that will safely and reliably serve you and generations of Nebraskans to come.

By Black Hills Energy&nbsp;Alliance -You and your family need and deserve safe, reliable natural gas service, and Black Hills Energy is always looking ahead to make sure we deliver. That’s why we’re proactively updating natural gas meters in your area.Beginning mid-March, you may see us in your neighborhood alleyways.&nbsp; Black Hills Energy will be performing an upgrade that will consist of the replacement of approximately 500 residential and commercial meters that serve customers in and around Alliance, NE.Relocating meters allows Black Hills Energy and first responders quicker and safer access to the meter in case of an emergency. It also alleviates future interruptions to gas service during routine maintenance.“This upgrade will allow Black Hills Energy to meet our customers’ current and future energy needs and maintain our industry-leading reliability far into the future,” said Justin Gould, senior operations manager for Black Hills Energy. “We understand updating natural gas service can impact our neighbors’ lives and businesses and we will work to minimize disruptions and restore our work area to its original state.”&nbsp;During the upgrade, affected customers will be without natural gas for a short time. Customers will be notified by Black Hills Energy’s contractor, Infrasource, prior to any work being done and should expect to have natural gas service restored the same day. Scheduled work will require the contractor to access the homes or businesses at an arranged time to relocate the meter, perform a safety inspection and relight pilot lights when work is completed. Infrasource employees will have identification, branded hard hats and vehicles.As with any construction activity, there will be excavation in the location where the gas service enters the residence as well as some excavation where the service line connects to the gas main. This is typically out by the street or alley. The contractor will have a restoration crew following behind them to restore any excavation areas including landscaping or paving.As a provider of critical energy services in Alliance, we are continuing our safety protocols focused on reducing the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Black Hills Energy employees and contractors are following all protocols and procedures recommended by the CDC as we move forward with this very important project during these uneasy times.Traffic flow is not expected to be impacted by this construction project, but you will likely see our signage in the area to notify drivers of the work and asking drivers to take necessary precautions as they travel through the area. The work is currently scheduled to begin on March 15th.We appreciate your cooperation and patience as we deliver an advanced, modern gas system that will safely and reliably serve you and generations of Nebraskans to come.

Black Hills Energy making upgrades, moving meters from high-risk areas

Alliance – Free COVID test kits are available at the Alliance Municipal Building located at 324 Laramie Avenue, Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

 Residents can pick up as many as 6 kits at one time at no charge. If you have virus symptoms, please wear a mask at time of pickup.

In addition to the local test kits available, Panhandle residents can also order four free at-home COVID tests at <a href="http://COVIDtests.gov">COVIDtests.gov</a> or by calling 1-800-232-0233.

Current COVID testing access can also be found at <a href="http://pphd.org/COVID-19.html">http://pphd.org/COVID-19.html</a>.

For more information, contact: Kim Engel, Director, 308-760-2415, kengel@pphd.org

By City of AllianceAlliance – Free COVID test kits are available at the Alliance Municipal Building located at 324 Laramie Avenue, Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Residents can pick up as many as 6 kits at one time at no charge. If you have virus symptoms, please wear a mask at time of pickup.In addition to the local test kits available, Panhandle residents can also order four free at-home COVID tests at <a href="http://COVIDtests.gov">COVIDtests.gov</a> or by calling 1-800-232-0233. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days. Current COVID testing access can also be found at <a href="http://pphd.org/COVID-19.html">http://pphd.org/COVID-19.html</a>. For more information, contact: Kim Engel, Director, 308-760-2415, kengel@pphd.org

Free COVID tests available at Alliance Municipal Building

By ABIGAIL SWANSON, CSC College Relations

CHADRON – Chadron State College students in a food science course taught by Dr. Erin Norman during the fall 2021 semester measured food waste in the dining hall.

Norman worked with Senthil Rajamani, director of dining services, to develop the assignment. She said the goals of the project were to raise awareness of the carbon emissions from food waste and measure the specific amount of waste from the dining hall.

“You don't know what you don't know, and so if everyone is a little more conscious, improvements can be made,” Norman said.

The students were divided into three groups that each measured a different mealtime and recorded that meal’s food waste during a three-day period.

Food waste for breakfast was an average of 14.83 pounds or a total of 44.5 pounds for three days. Over the three days, 95, 91, and 87 individuals checked in for breakfast.

For lunch, there was an average of 43.5 pounds of food waste during three days. The cafeteria served 215, 216, and 215 individuals during the three days included in the study.

Food waste at dinner was an average of 33.16 pounds during the three days for a total of 99.5 pounds of food. The number of students served was not available.

Through the assignment, Norman said students were able to get a closer look at the inner workings of the dining industry and gain a new perspective.

In their final reports, students suggested ways to decrease food waste such as ensuring food is cooked well and to the student’s taste, serving smaller portion sizes, raising awareness of the problem of food waste through digital and print media, and offering incentives to students to waste less food.

The students also proposed reasons for the food waste including student dislike or dissatisfaction with foods, student overestimation of appetite, and large serving sizes.

Rather than being discarded in the dumpster, the 274.5 pounds of food waste measured in the study, along with dining hall food waste, is donated to local farmers as compost.

By ABIGAIL SWANSON, CSC College RelationsCHADRON – Chadron State College students in a food science course taught by Dr. Erin Norman during the fall 2021 semester measured food waste in the dining hall.Norman worked with Senthil Rajamani, director of dining services, to develop the assignment. She said the goals of the project were to raise awareness of the carbon emissions from food waste and measure the specific amount of waste from the dining hall.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646352624404.jpeg" alt="Dr. Erin Norman, center, discusses food and nutrition with Chadron State College students. (Photo by Daniel Binkard/Chadron State College)" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Erin Norman, center, discusses food and nutrition with Chadron State College students. (Photo by Daniel Binkard/Chadron State College)</figcaption>
 </figure>“You don't know what you don't know, and so if everyone is a little more conscious, improvements can be made,” Norman said.The students were divided into three groups that each measured a different mealtime and recorded that meal’s food waste during a three-day period.Food waste for breakfast was an average of 14.83 pounds or a total of 44.5 pounds for three days. Over the three days, 95, 91, and 87 individuals checked in for breakfast.For lunch, there was an average of 43.5 pounds of food waste during three days. The cafeteria served 215, 216, and 215 individuals during the three days included in the study.Food waste at dinner was an average of 33.16 pounds during the three days for a total of 99.5 pounds of food. The number of students served was not available.Through the assignment, Norman said students were able to get a closer look at the inner workings of the dining industry and gain a new perspective.In their final reports, students suggested ways to decrease food waste such as ensuring food is cooked well and to the student’s taste, serving smaller portion sizes, raising awareness of the problem of food waste through digital and print media, and offering incentives to students to waste less food.The students also proposed reasons for the food waste including student dislike or dissatisfaction with foods, student overestimation of appetite, and large serving sizes.Rather than being discarded in the dumpster, the 274.5 pounds of food waste measured in the study, along with dining hall food waste, is donated to local farmers as compost.

Students study food waste at CSC

Alliance – The City of Alliance Landfill will be closed on Saturday, March 5 due to the Winter Storm Warning issued by the National Weather Service. 

The Landfill will resume regular work hours on Monday, March 7.

For more information, please contact Clint at 308-762-2705.

By City of AllianceAlliance – The City of Alliance Landfill will be closed on Saturday, March 5 due to the Winter Storm Warning issued by the National Weather Service. The Landfill will resume regular work hours on Monday, March 7.For more information, please contact Clint at 308-762-2705.

Alliance landfill to close due to winter weather

PREMA is going to have to take an emergency outage in the Arthur area.

  An animal got into a piece of equipment in the Arthur substation, causing equipment damage. 

 We plan to take this outage within the next hour, and it should last roughly 30 minutes. 

By PREMAPREMA is going to have to take an emergency outage in the Arthur area. An animal got into a piece of equipment in the Arthur substation, causing equipment damage. We plan to take this outage within the next hour, and it should last roughly 30 minutes. We appreciate your cooperation.

PREMA to have emergency power outage in Arthur

By Nebraska Schools Activities Association

LINCOLN – The Nebraska School Activities Association (NSAA) has hired Taryn Retzlaff as an Assistant Director. A Rushville, Nebraska native, Taryn will begin her duties at the NSAA on August 1. Retzlaff will be the primary administrator in charge of play production, speech and journalism.

Retzlaff brings a wealth of fine arts education and activities experience to the NSAA. After earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Secondary Education from Doane College in 2005, she completed her Master of Arts degree in Curriculum and Instructions from Chadron State College in 2009.

Retzlaff’s professional background began as an English teacher, theatre director and speech coach at Bridgeport High School in 2005. After 5 successful years, she accepted a similar position at Auburn High School. In 2013, Retzlaff began her work for Norfolk High School as theatre director, English teacher and yearbook adviser, a role she continues to hold. Taryn served on the Nebraska Speech Communication and Theatre Association’s Board of Directors for a decade and has been a site manager for the NSAA Play Production Championships for the past nine years.

Retzlaff is excited for the opportunity to highlight NSAA fine arts programs. "I have worked alongside the NSAA throughout my career as a theatre director, yearbook adviser, and early years as a speech coach. As an educator, I have seen firsthand the importance of being a part of a team. High school is a time for self-discovery and the NSAA provides opportunities for students to do just that. Being involved with activities of any kind helps students learn the values of teamwork, discover their passions, and learn important life skills while developing a strong work ethic. I am thrilled to connect with students through a different lens and work to promote high school activities in Nebraska!"

“We are excited to add Taryn to the NSAA team,” says NSAA executive director Jay Bellar.

“She is well-respected and has a great rapport with the fine arts community across our state. Taryn has tremendous knowledge of theatre, speech and journalism and those talents will support the mission of the NSAA and our fine arts programs.”

By Nebraska Schools Activities AssociationLINCOLN – The Nebraska School Activities Association (NSAA) has hired Taryn Retzlaff as an Assistant Director. A Rushville, Nebraska native, Taryn will begin her duties at the NSAA on August 1. Retzlaff will be the primary administrator in charge of play production, speech and journalism.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646337058855.png" alt="Photo courtesy NSAA" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy NSAA</figcaption>
 </figure>Retzlaff brings a wealth of fine arts education and activities experience to the NSAA. After earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Secondary Education from Doane College in 2005, she completed her Master of Arts degree in Curriculum and Instructions from Chadron State College in 2009.Retzlaff’s professional background began as an English teacher, theatre director and speech coach at Bridgeport High School in 2005. After 5 successful years, she accepted a similar position at Auburn High School. In 2013, Retzlaff began her work for Norfolk High School as theatre director, English teacher and yearbook adviser, a role she continues to hold. Taryn served on the Nebraska Speech Communication and Theatre Association’s Board of Directors for a decade and has been a site manager for the NSAA Play Production Championships for the past nine years.Retzlaff is excited for the opportunity to highlight NSAA fine arts programs. "I have worked alongside the NSAA throughout my career as a theatre director, yearbook adviser, and early years as a speech coach. As an educator, I have seen firsthand the importance of being a part of a team. High school is a time for self-discovery and the NSAA provides opportunities for students to do just that. Being involved with activities of any kind helps students learn the values of teamwork, discover their passions, and learn important life skills while developing a strong work ethic. I am thrilled to connect with students through a different lens and work to promote high school activities in Nebraska!"“We are excited to add Taryn to the NSAA team,” says NSAA executive director Jay Bellar.“She is well-respected and has a great rapport with the fine arts community across our state. Taryn has tremendous knowledge of theatre, speech and journalism and those talents will support the mission of the NSAA and our fine arts programs.”The NSAA Board of Directors will take formal action to approve Retzlaff’s appointment as assistant director at its March 9 meeting.

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