From the National Weather Service-North Platte

Red Flag Warning for critical fire weather conditions across western and much of central Nebraska late morning through this afternoon.

From the National Weather Service-North PlatteRed Flag Warning for critical fire weather conditions across western and much of central Nebraska late morning through this afternoon.<figure>
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Red Flag Warning in effect for western, central Nebraska Tuesday

LINCOLN – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will accept submissions for the 2021 Nebraskaland Magazine photo contest through Jan. 1, 2022.

With miles of winding rivers, wide-open vistas and wildlife from border to border, Nebraska is a photographer’s paradise. Each year, Nebraskaland Magazine celebrates the state’s beauty and recognizes the outstanding work of photographers across Nebraska during this annual photo contest.

Photographers of all ages and skill levels are invited to submit photos in four categories:

All photos must be taken in Nebraska. Submissions will be judged by Nebraskaland staff, and winning photos will be published in the March 2022 issue of Nebraskaland Magazine. First-, second-, and third-place prizes will be awarded in all categories, and a Best in Show prize also will be awarded.

Photos may be submitted only via Instagram. To submit, use the hashtag #Nebraskland2021. Make sure your account is public so judges may view your photo.

Complete contest rules may be found online at&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDMsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTExMjIuNDkyMTE5ODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL21hZ2F6aW5lLm91dGRvb3JuZWJyYXNrYS5nb3YvcGhvdG9jb250ZXN0LyJ9.RSkfrpHSwpi7Z8m83KS5SoLsW6nlZrlxOKxRhAJJUc4/s/497221906/br/121480049990-l" target="_blank">magazine.outdoornebraska.gov/photocontest</a>.

LINCOLN – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will accept submissions for the 2021 Nebraskaland Magazine photo contest through Jan. 1, 2022.With miles of winding rivers, wide-open vistas and wildlife from border to border, Nebraska is a photographer’s paradise. Each year, Nebraskaland Magazine celebrates the state’s beauty and recognizes the outstanding work of photographers across Nebraska during this annual photo contest.Photographers of all ages and skill levels are invited to submit photos in four categories:<ul>
 <li>Wildlife — wild mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, arthropods</li><li>Scenic — in which landmarks, scenery or inanimate objects are prominent</li><li>Recreation — people enjoying the outdoors through hunting, fishing, hiking, backpacking, skiing or other outdoor activities</li><li>Flora — wildflowers, foliage, fruiting bodies or other parts of plants</li>
 </ul>All photos must be taken in Nebraska. Submissions will be judged by Nebraskaland staff, and winning photos will be published in the March 2022 issue of Nebraskaland Magazine. First-, second-, and third-place prizes will be awarded in all categories, and a Best in Show prize also will be awarded.Photos may be submitted only via Instagram. To submit, use the hashtag #Nebraskland2021. Make sure your account is public so judges may view your photo.Complete contest rules may be found online at&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDMsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTExMjIuNDkyMTE5ODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL21hZ2F6aW5lLm91dGRvb3JuZWJyYXNrYS5nb3YvcGhvdG9jb250ZXN0LyJ9.RSkfrpHSwpi7Z8m83KS5SoLsW6nlZrlxOKxRhAJJUc4/s/497221906/br/121480049990-l" target="_blank">magazine.outdoornebraska.gov/photocontest</a>.

Nebraskaland Magazine photo contest kicks off

LINCOLN – AAA forecasts a strong rebound in holiday travelers this Thanksgiving. The Auto Club Group predicts 53.4&nbsp;million Americans will travel for the Thanksgiving holiday, up 13 percent from 2020.&nbsp;This brings travel volumes within 5 percent of pre-pandemic levels for the 2019 holiday.

The West North Central census region, which includes Nebraska, South Dakota, Iowa and four other states, will see the greatest share of its population traveling.&nbsp; Nearly 1 in every 5 people (19.6%) from the region are expected to travel during the holiday period. Nationally, 16.2 percent of the population is expected to travel.

“It’s beginning to look more like a normal holiday travel season, compared to what we saw last year,” said&nbsp;Debbie Haas, Vice President of Travel for AAA – The Auto Club Group.&nbsp;“Now that U.S. borders are open, vaccinations are readily available, and new health and safety guidelines are in place, travel is once again high on the list for Americans who are ready to reunite with their loved ones for the holidays.”

With 6.4 million more Americans traveling this Thanksgiving --&nbsp;the highest single-year increase since 2005 --&nbsp;people should prepare for the roads and airports to be noticeably more crowded than last year’s holiday. AAA predicts road travel to increase 8 percent. Yet the most notable improvement this year’s holiday is domestic air travel, which has almost completely recovered from its dramatic drop-off during the pandemic&nbsp;and is up 80 percent from last year.

“The re-opening of the U.S. borders to international travelers means airports will be even busier than we’ve recently seen, so travelers must plan for longer lines and extra time for TSA checks,” Haas continued. “With flight delays and cancellations becoming a problem recently, air travelers are encouraged to consider travel insurance.&nbsp;If your flight is cancelled, there are various policies that would help offset unexpected expenses like a hotel, transportation and food. You may also receive compensation for lost luggage, or if your flight is delayed for as little as three hours.”

Air—Even with air travel seeing a boost this year, AAA finds the average lowest airfare is 27.3 percent less than last year coming in at $132. Tuesday and Wednesday are still the most expensive and heaviest travel days, while Monday and Thursday are generally the lightest and least expensive. Those wanting to book last minute travel will find the best fares about two weeks before Thanksgiving, but keep in mind availability may be limited.

Hotels—Mid-range hotel rates have increased about 39 percent, with average nightly rates ranging between $137 and $172 for AAA Approved Hotels.

Car Rentals—Daily car rental rates have increased 4 percent compared to last Thanksgiving at $98. Over the summer, consumers experienced high costs and limited availability of rental cars in some markets due to the semi-conductor chip shortage impacting automakers. As the number of travelers continues to grow, it’s important to reserve rental cars as early as possible.&nbsp; Consult AAA.com/Travel for options and special benefits.

Gas Prices—Gas prices surged in October and are likely to remain elevated through the holiday season. The average price for gasoline in Nebraska is currently $3.22 per gallon.

“After a rough travel year in 2020, it appears higher gas prices are not deterring people from returning to the road for Thanksgiving,” said Nick Faustman, spokesman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “As it appears these high gas prices will hang around through the holidays, it is likely travelers will budget more for gasoline and less on things like shopping, lodging and dining out.”

Whether you plan to do so by car or plane, it’s important to know how to navigate the new travel landscape to avoid unnecessary stress and challenges on the way to your Thanksgiving destination.

Be Proactive.&nbsp;Book flights, car rentals, accommodations and other activities as early as possible. Prices are not going down and are still somewhat impacted by the limited capacity of flights and staffing challenges faced by many industries. Consider working with a travel advisor who can make any last-minute changes to travel plans, explore travel insurance options and help plan a trip that meets your needs and comfort level this holiday season.

Be Patient.&nbsp;The roads and airports will be busy so plan ahead. Arrive at the airport early so you’ll have plenty of time to get through longer TSA lines and other travel checkpoints. For domestic travel, AAA suggests 2 hours ahead of departure time and 3&nbsp;hours for international. Consider booking a flight during non-peak travel periods to cut down on wait times.

Be Prepared for the Road.&nbsp;For the 48.3 million Americans hitting the road, make sure you and your vehicle are ready for the trip ahead. &nbsp;AAA expects to respond to over 400,000 calls for help over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. The most common calls are for dead batteries, flat tires, and lockouts. Before any long trip, AAA suggests getting an inspection to check key components like the battery, fuel system, tires, brakes and fluid levels. However, if your vehicle has been sitting idle these systems are particularly vulnerable to deteriorating especially without proper care or maintenance.

Be Protected—Both You and&nbsp;Your Trip.&nbsp;&nbsp;If you plan to travel during the holidays, it’s essential to do so safely and understand how to protect yourself, your loved ones and your investment while traveling.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently released its recommendations for holiday gatherings and related travel, saying that the best way to minimize COVID-19 risk is to get vaccinated if you’re eligible. AAA urges anyone considering gathering or traveling for Thanksgiving to consult CDC guidance before finalizing holiday plans.

As travel restrictions remain in flux, it’s essential to know requirements and recommendations based on your vaccination status, where you’re traveling from and where you’re traveling to.&nbsp;AAA’s COVID-19 Travel Restrictions Map and TripTik.AAA.com are also helpful resources travelers may use for free to understand closures, recommendations and requirements when traveling in the U.S.

AAA notes that the actual number of holiday travelers could fluctuate as we approach Thanksgiving. If there is an increase in reported COVID-19 cases, some people may decide to stay home, while others may note the progress in vaccinations and make last-minute decisions to travel. AAA recommends working with a travel advisor who can help you plan a vacation that meets your needs and comfort level this holiday season.&nbsp;To get started and to learn more, visit&nbsp;AAA.com/Travel.

LINCOLN – AAA forecasts a strong rebound in holiday travelers this Thanksgiving. The Auto Club Group predicts 53.4&nbsp;million Americans will travel for the Thanksgiving holiday, up 13 percent from 2020.&nbsp;This brings travel volumes within 5 percent of pre-pandemic levels for the 2019 holiday.The West North Central census region, which includes Nebraska, South Dakota, Iowa and four other states, will see the greatest share of its population traveling.&nbsp; Nearly 1 in every 5 people (19.6%) from the region are expected to travel during the holiday period. Nationally, 16.2 percent of the population is expected to travel.“It’s beginning to look more like a normal holiday travel season, compared to what we saw last year,” said&nbsp;Debbie Haas, Vice President of Travel for AAA – The Auto Club Group.&nbsp;“Now that U.S. borders are open, vaccinations are readily available, and new health and safety guidelines are in place, travel is once again high on the list for Americans who are ready to reunite with their loved ones for the holidays.”Busy Roads, AirportsWith 6.4 million more Americans traveling this Thanksgiving --&nbsp;the highest single-year increase since 2005 --&nbsp;people should prepare for the roads and airports to be noticeably more crowded than last year’s holiday. AAA predicts road travel to increase 8 percent. Yet the most notable improvement this year’s holiday is domestic air travel, which has almost completely recovered from its dramatic drop-off during the pandemic&nbsp;and is up 80 percent from last year.“The re-opening of the U.S. borders to international travelers means airports will be even busier than we’ve recently seen, so travelers must plan for longer lines and extra time for TSA checks,” Haas continued. “With flight delays and cancellations becoming a problem recently, air travelers are encouraged to consider travel insurance.&nbsp;If your flight is cancelled, there are various policies that would help offset unexpected expenses like a hotel, transportation and food. You may also receive compensation for lost luggage, or if your flight is delayed for as little as three hours.”<figure>
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 </figure>Travel ExpensesAir—Even with air travel seeing a boost this year, AAA finds the average lowest airfare is 27.3 percent less than last year coming in at $132. Tuesday and Wednesday are still the most expensive and heaviest travel days, while Monday and Thursday are generally the lightest and least expensive. Those wanting to book last minute travel will find the best fares about two weeks before Thanksgiving, but keep in mind availability may be limited.Hotels—Mid-range hotel rates have increased about 39 percent, with average nightly rates ranging between $137 and $172 for AAA Approved Hotels.Car Rentals—Daily car rental rates have increased 4 percent compared to last Thanksgiving at $98. Over the summer, consumers experienced high costs and limited availability of rental cars in some markets due to the semi-conductor chip shortage impacting automakers. As the number of travelers continues to grow, it’s important to reserve rental cars as early as possible.&nbsp; Consult AAA.com/Travel for options and special benefits.Gas Prices—Gas prices surged in October and are likely to remain elevated through the holiday season. The average price for gasoline in Nebraska is currently $3.22 per gallon.“After a rough travel year in 2020, it appears higher gas prices are not deterring people from returning to the road for Thanksgiving,” said Nick Faustman, spokesman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “As it appears these high gas prices will hang around through the holidays, it is likely travelers will budget more for gasoline and less on things like shopping, lodging and dining out.”AAA Tips, ResourcesWhether you plan to do so by car or plane, it’s important to know how to navigate the new travel landscape to avoid unnecessary stress and challenges on the way to your Thanksgiving destination.Be Proactive.&nbsp;Book flights, car rentals, accommodations and other activities as early as possible. Prices are not going down and are still somewhat impacted by the limited capacity of flights and staffing challenges faced by many industries. Consider working with a travel advisor who can make any last-minute changes to travel plans, explore travel insurance options and help plan a trip that meets your needs and comfort level this holiday season.Be Patient.&nbsp;The roads and airports will be busy so plan ahead. Arrive at the airport early so you’ll have plenty of time to get through longer TSA lines and other travel checkpoints. For domestic travel, AAA suggests 2 hours ahead of departure time and 3&nbsp;hours for international. Consider booking a flight during non-peak travel periods to cut down on wait times.Be Prepared for the Road.&nbsp;For the 48.3 million Americans hitting the road, make sure you and your vehicle are ready for the trip ahead. &nbsp;AAA expects to respond to over 400,000 calls for help over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. The most common calls are for dead batteries, flat tires, and lockouts. Before any long trip, AAA suggests getting an inspection to check key components like the battery, fuel system, tires, brakes and fluid levels. However, if your vehicle has been sitting idle these systems are particularly vulnerable to deteriorating especially without proper care or maintenance.Be Protected—Both You and&nbsp;Your Trip.&nbsp;&nbsp;If you plan to travel during the holidays, it’s essential to do so safely and understand how to protect yourself, your loved ones and your investment while traveling.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently released its recommendations for holiday gatherings and related travel, saying that the best way to minimize COVID-19 risk is to get vaccinated if you’re eligible. AAA urges anyone considering gathering or traveling for Thanksgiving to consult CDC guidance before finalizing holiday plans.As travel restrictions remain in flux, it’s essential to know requirements and recommendations based on your vaccination status, where you’re traveling from and where you’re traveling to.&nbsp;AAA’s COVID-19 Travel Restrictions Map and TripTik.AAA.com are also helpful resources travelers may use for free to understand closures, recommendations and requirements when traveling in the U.S.<ul>
 <li>Travel insurance—AAA highly recommends travel insurance to cover unexpected delays or trip interruptions. It is best to&nbsp;consult the expertise of a travel advisor who can guide you on the coverage options available for your specific trip, including if your&nbsp;destination requires visitors to carry travel insurance.</li><li>Clean accommodations—when booking a place to stay, look for accommodations that prioritize cleanliness and have implemented additional housekeeping standards since the start of the pandemic. Earlier this year, as part of its Diamond designation, AAA enhanced its housekeeping evaluation to include objective, scientific validation of the cleanliness of common surfaces throughout hotels. Hotels that meet these new standards are now recognized as Inspected Clean.</li><li>Safe travel = smart travel—everything from airports to restaurants to attractions will be busier this Thanksgiving, which means more people congregating. Masks are still required for everyone on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations. The CDC also recommends everyone wear a mask indoors in public if they are in an area of substantial or high transmission.</li><li>Domestic and international travel&nbsp;—as of November 8, the U.S. opened its borders to fully vaccinated international travelers. The CDC has updated its guidance to reflect these changes. When traveling within the U.S., fully vaccinated travelers do not need a negative viral test or to self-quarantine. For international travel, refer to the CDC for specific guidelines.</li>
 </ul>AAA notes that the actual number of holiday travelers could fluctuate as we approach Thanksgiving. If there is an increase in reported COVID-19 cases, some people may decide to stay home, while others may note the progress in vaccinations and make last-minute decisions to travel. AAA recommends working with a travel advisor who can help you plan a vacation that meets your needs and comfort level this holiday season.&nbsp;To get started and to learn more, visit&nbsp;AAA.com/Travel.

Thanksgiving travel to approach pre-pandemic levels

By TENA L. COOK, CSC Marketing Coordinator

CHADRON – Nearly 30 Chadron State College students assisted at eight work sites Nov. 16 during the fourth annual The Mini Big Event. Projects included raking leaves, picking up trash, stringing lights, and marking pavement. The Chadron Public Library, Chadron Primary School, Finnegan Park, Community Plaza, and private residences were among the locations.

Maddison Sandstrom of Chadron, student site leader at the Chadron Primary School, said it was great to be part of a team that painted markings to help guide traffic at the school’s drop-off entrance.

Kinsey Smith of Windsor, Colorado, also a student site leader, said she enjoyed the opportunity to take advantage of 70-degree weather in November and serve the community.

“I thought the day was successful and the volunteers were enthusiastic about helping community members. The Mini Big Event being so successful gets us excited about The Big Event in the spring,” Smith said.

Chadron Area Chamber Director Gabby Michna said she appreciates the volunteers.

“I’m really excited to see The Big Event expand into something smaller at a different time of the year. CSC students helped us get ready for our Country Christmas in Northwest Nebraska by cleaning the Community Plaza in the downtown area by blowing leaves, sweeping, and picking up trash,” Michna said.

Northwest Nebraska Tourism Director Kerri Rempp said the CSC students helped re-establish a community tradition by decorating trees in Finnegan Park.

“For those who don't remember, lighting up Finnegan Park used to be a pretty big deal here and we haven't had that for a couple of years. We're super excited to have it back and grateful for the CSC students who helped. Be sure to drive by after dark and check it out,” Rempp said.

By TENA L. COOK, CSC Marketing CoordinatorCHADRON – Nearly 30 Chadron State College students assisted at eight work sites Nov. 16 during the fourth annual The Mini Big Event. Projects included raking leaves, picking up trash, stringing lights, and marking pavement. The Chadron Public Library, Chadron Primary School, Finnegan Park, Community Plaza, and private residences were among the locations.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637600566537.jpeg" alt="Chadron State College students participate in the fourth annual The Mini Big Event Nov. 16, 2021. From left, Renee Redfern of Chadron, Kinsey Smith of Windsor, Colo., and Estabon Bozeman of Los Angeles rake leaves at Immanuel Lutheran Church. (Photo by Tena L. Cook/Chadron State College)" />
 <figcaption>Chadron State College students participate in the fourth annual The Mini Big Event Nov. 16, 2021. From left, Renee Redfern of Chadron, Kinsey Smith of Windsor, Colo., and Estabon Bozeman of Los Angeles rake leaves at Immanuel Lutheran Church. (Photo by Tena L. Cook/Chadron State College)</figcaption>
 </figure>Maddison Sandstrom of Chadron, student site leader at the Chadron Primary School, said it was great to be part of a team that painted markings to help guide traffic at the school’s drop-off entrance.Kinsey Smith of Windsor, Colorado, also a student site leader, said she enjoyed the opportunity to take advantage of 70-degree weather in November and serve the community.“I thought the day was successful and the volunteers were enthusiastic about helping community members. The Mini Big Event being so successful gets us excited about The Big Event in the spring,” Smith said.Chadron Area Chamber Director Gabby Michna said she appreciates the volunteers.“I’m really excited to see The Big Event expand into something smaller at a different time of the year. CSC students helped us get ready for our Country Christmas in Northwest Nebraska by cleaning the Community Plaza in the downtown area by blowing leaves, sweeping, and picking up trash,” Michna said.Northwest Nebraska Tourism Director Kerri Rempp said the CSC students helped re-establish a community tradition by decorating trees in Finnegan Park.“For those who don't remember, lighting up Finnegan Park used to be a pretty big deal here and we haven't had that for a couple of years. We're super excited to have it back and grateful for the CSC students who helped. Be sure to drive by after dark and check it out,” Rempp said.

The Mini Big Event helps with Chadron community beautification

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The parent company of First National Bank of Omaha is acquiring Wyoming-based Western States Bank. 

Terms of the deal announced Monday weren’t released, but the companies said Western States has $542 million in total assets and runs 10 branches in northeastern Colorado, western Nebraska and southeastern Wyoming.

 First National’s Chairman and President Clark Lauritzen said the deal will allow the larger regional bank to expand its existing services in Nebraska and Colorado while adding branches in new markets of Laramie and Cheyenne, Wyoming.

 The Omaha-based First National is much larger than the Laramie-based Western States with nearly 5,000 employees, over $25 billion in assets and almost 100 branches in seven states.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The parent company of First National Bank of Omaha is acquiring Wyoming-based Western States Bank. Terms of the deal announced Monday weren’t released, but the companies said Western States has $542 million in total assets and runs 10 branches in northeastern Colorado, western Nebraska and southeastern Wyoming. First National’s Chairman and President Clark Lauritzen said the deal will allow the larger regional bank to expand its existing services in Nebraska and Colorado while adding branches in new markets of Laramie and Cheyenne, Wyoming. The Omaha-based First National is much larger than the Laramie-based Western States with nearly 5,000 employees, over $25 billion in assets and almost 100 branches in seven states.

Nebraska bank acquiring Wyoming-based Western States Bank

LINCOLN&nbsp; — Millions of travelers are expected to hit the road for Thanksgiving and the state law enforcement agencies from Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska are teaming up to encourage safe travel.

“Family and friendships aren’t bound by state lines,” said Colonel John Bolduc, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “Nebraskans will travel to other states for Thanksgiving and many from other states will make their way to visit family and friends in Nebraska. So, we’re teaming up with our partner state agencies to let all motorists know that troopers will on the road, working to keep all travelers safe.”

Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska comprise Region 7 of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Each agency is also participating in the annual “Click It or Ticket” campaign, which runs throughout Thanksgiving weekend.

All motorists, whether traveling in state or out of state, are encouraged to check weather conditions before beginning the trip and be aware of the options for assistance available in neighboring states.

All emergencies should be reported to 911.

LINCOLN&nbsp; — Millions of travelers are expected to hit the road for Thanksgiving and the state law enforcement agencies from Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska are teaming up to encourage safe travel.“Family and friendships aren’t bound by state lines,” said Colonel John Bolduc, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “Nebraskans will travel to other states for Thanksgiving and many from other states will make their way to visit family and friends in Nebraska. So, we’re teaming up with our partner state agencies to let all motorists know that troopers will on the road, working to keep all travelers safe.”Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska comprise Region 7 of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Each agency is also participating in the annual “Click It or Ticket” campaign, which runs throughout Thanksgiving weekend.All motorists, whether traveling in state or out of state, are encouraged to check weather conditions before beginning the trip and be aware of the options for assistance available in neighboring states.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637597759781.png" alt="" />
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 </figure>All emergencies should be reported to 911.

5 state agencies collaborate to encourage safe Thanksgiving travel

At approximately 7:30 p.m. on&nbsp; Nov. 21, Chadron dispatch received several calls reporting a "fireball" or "explosion" seen by witnesses outside of town.

The Chadron Volunteer Fire Department, Dawes County Sheriff's Office and Search and Rescue personnel were then dispatched to a rural area near the Chadron Municipal Airport to address reports of a grass fire.

"When first responders arrived on scene, it was determined that a small aircraft had gone down, causing a grass fire," Dawes County Attorney/Coroner Vance Haug said.&nbsp;

The plane crash killed the pilot and two passengers.&nbsp;

A spokesman says the six-passenger plane took off from Chadron Municipal Airport and crashed about a mile and a half away.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) were contacted to investigate the crash.&nbsp;

"Further details will be released pending investigation and family notifications," Haug said.&nbsp;

By Kalin Krohe, Panhandle PostAt approximately 7:30 p.m. on&nbsp; Nov. 21, Chadron dispatch received several calls reporting a "fireball" or "explosion" seen by witnesses outside of town.The Chadron Volunteer Fire Department, Dawes County Sheriff's Office and Search and Rescue personnel were then dispatched to a rural area near the Chadron Municipal Airport to address reports of a grass fire."When first responders arrived on scene, it was determined that a small aircraft had gone down, causing a grass fire," Dawes County Attorney/Coroner Vance Haug said.&nbsp;The plane crash killed the pilot and two passengers.&nbsp;A spokesman says the six-passenger plane took off from Chadron Municipal Airport and crashed about a mile and a half away.The grass fire was extinguished.The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) were contacted to investigate the crash.&nbsp;"Further details will be released pending investigation and family notifications," Haug said.&nbsp;

UPDATE: 1 pilot, 2 passengers killed in plane crash near Chadron 

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A petition drive is underway to change the Nebraska constitution and eliminate the state Board of Education.

 The proposal would shift oversight of the Education Department into the governor’s office and eliminate the elected board, but backers would have to gather roughly 125,000 signatures by next July to put the question on next November’s ballot.

 The measure comes after Gov. Pete Ricketts clashed with the Education Department at times in the past year.

 But critics of the petition drive said it would concentrate too much power in the governor’s office. 

Current state board president Maureen Nickels said the current system is already working well.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A petition drive is underway to change the Nebraska constitution and eliminate the state Board of Education. The proposal would shift oversight of the Education Department into the governor’s office and eliminate the elected board, but backers would have to gather roughly 125,000 signatures by next July to put the question on next November’s ballot. The measure comes after Gov. Pete Ricketts clashed with the Education Department at times in the past year. But critics of the petition drive said it would concentrate too much power in the governor’s office. Current state board president Maureen Nickels said the current system is already working well.

Group collecting signatures to eliminate state board of ed

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — A small city in the top U.S. coal-mining state of Wyoming will be home to a Bill Gates-backed experimental nuclear power project near a coal-fired power plant scheduled to close soon.

 Officials with Bellevue, Washington-based TerraPower announced Tuesday they will build the Natrium plant in Kemmerer, a southwestern Wyoming city of 2,600 people. 

A coal-fired power plant operated by PacifiCorp subsidiary Rocky Mountain Power is set to close in Kemmerer in 2025. 

Proponents of the project featuring a sodium-cooled fast reactor say it would perform better, be safer and cost less than traditional nuclear power.

 Others are skeptical, saying such reactors aren't as safe or practical as claimed.

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — A small city in the top U.S. coal-mining state of Wyoming will be home to a Bill Gates-backed experimental nuclear power project near a coal-fired power plant scheduled to close soon. Officials with Bellevue, Washington-based TerraPower announced Tuesday they will build the Natrium plant in Kemmerer, a southwestern Wyoming city of 2,600 people. A coal-fired power plant operated by PacifiCorp subsidiary Rocky Mountain Power is set to close in Kemmerer in 2025. Proponents of the project featuring a sodium-cooled fast reactor say it would perform better, be safer and cost less than traditional nuclear power. Others are skeptical, saying such reactors aren't as safe or practical as claimed.

Bill Gates venture picks Wyoming city for sodium nuke plant

By OLIVIA BRYANT, CSC College Relations

CHADRON – Chadron State College’s Fall 2021 Graves Lecture Series concluded with Mary Traphagan, a Chadron Middle School Social Sciences Teacher, Nov. 9, in the Mari Sandoz High Plains Heritage Center Chicoine Atrium. She presented a discussion on Holocaust history and honored Holocaust survivors.

Traphagan has been in education for more than 20 years and first became interested in the Holocaust as a middle school student. She said she believes in the importance of educating future generations so they can learn from the past. As a member of the Institute for Holocaust Education in Omaha, she provides educational resources and presents programs in the Panhandle.

She explained that between 1933 and 1945, the Nazi Party established more than 40,000 concentration camps, forced labor camps, prisoner-of-war camps, and killing centers. Traphagan went into detail about the conditions of the camps.

“The camps were enormous and had fences doubled with barbed wire, watchtowers with machine guns, and floodlights. Escape did happen, but it was rare. Housing barracks were designed to hold up to 700 prisoners, but the Nazis housed up to 1,200 people in each barrack. There were no windows, water, heat, and little food. As a result, many people died of disease, dehydration, starvation, and typhus,” Traphagan said.

Traphagan detailed how the indoctrination of people occurred.

“One of the things that Hitler created was the Hitler Youth Program. The youth program had four million members at its height, and everyone was required to join. Influencing people was another thing. The Nazi Party owned all newspapers and radio programs, making it easier to control and spread propaganda. People started to believe what they saw and heard because they were exposed to it time and time again,” Traphagan said.

Traphagan noted the desperate times that ensued and explained a lesser-known event that occurred during the Holocaust.

“Many people sent their children away using the Kindertransport. The Kindertransport was an organized rescue mission that allowed over 10,000 Jewish children to be sent to live in the foster care system. Each child was allowed one suitcase and a card with their name on it,” Traphagan said. “These children would not have known where they would live and didn’t know the culture or language. I can’t imagine the pain and suffering that caused them.”

Traphagan concluded her presentation by highlighting Holocaust survivor Lorene Nussbaum, a German-born American scholar, and writer. This past summer, Traphagan traveled to Seattle, Washington, and interviewed Nussbaum.

“Lorene is an incredible woman. She’s 94 years old, and you would never know it. Lorene goes around to schools and organizations to lecture for anyone who wants to listen,” Traphagan said. “Lorene’s claim to fame is that she knew Anne Frank while living in Frankfurt, Germany. Lorene saw Anne as a little sister and described her as funny and vivacious.”

By OLIVIA BRYANT, CSC College RelationsCHADRON – Chadron State College’s Fall 2021 Graves Lecture Series concluded with Mary Traphagan, a Chadron Middle School Social Sciences Teacher, Nov. 9, in the Mari Sandoz High Plains Heritage Center Chicoine Atrium. She presented a discussion on Holocaust history and honored Holocaust survivors.Traphagan has been in education for more than 20 years and first became interested in the Holocaust as a middle school student. She said she believes in the importance of educating future generations so they can learn from the past. As a member of the Institute for Holocaust Education in Omaha, she provides educational resources and presents programs in the Panhandle.She explained that between 1933 and 1945, the Nazi Party established more than 40,000 concentration camps, forced labor camps, prisoner-of-war camps, and killing centers. Traphagan went into detail about the conditions of the camps.“The camps were enormous and had fences doubled with barbed wire, watchtowers with machine guns, and floodlights. Escape did happen, but it was rare. Housing barracks were designed to hold up to 700 prisoners, but the Nazis housed up to 1,200 people in each barrack. There were no windows, water, heat, and little food. As a result, many people died of disease, dehydration, starvation, and typhus,” Traphagan said.Traphagan detailed how the indoctrination of people occurred.“One of the things that Hitler created was the Hitler Youth Program. The youth program had four million members at its height, and everyone was required to join. Influencing people was another thing. The Nazi Party owned all newspapers and radio programs, making it easier to control and spread propaganda. People started to believe what they saw and heard because they were exposed to it time and time again,” Traphagan said.Traphagan noted the desperate times that ensued and explained a lesser-known event that occurred during the Holocaust.“Many people sent their children away using the Kindertransport. The Kindertransport was an organized rescue mission that allowed over 10,000 Jewish children to be sent to live in the foster care system. Each child was allowed one suitcase and a card with their name on it,” Traphagan said. “These children would not have known where they would live and didn’t know the culture or language. I can’t imagine the pain and suffering that caused them.”Traphagan concluded her presentation by highlighting Holocaust survivor Lorene Nussbaum, a German-born American scholar, and writer. This past summer, Traphagan traveled to Seattle, Washington, and interviewed Nussbaum.“Lorene is an incredible woman. She’s 94 years old, and you would never know it. Lorene goes around to schools and organizations to lecture for anyone who wants to listen,” Traphagan said. “Lorene’s claim to fame is that she knew Anne Frank while living in Frankfurt, Germany. Lorene saw Anne as a little sister and described her as funny and vivacious.”

Holocaust presentation concludes Graves Lecture Series at CSC

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem’s chief of staff is leaving. He's the fourth person to leave the position in three years.

 Noem’s chief of staff Aaron Schiebe will move back to a role as an outside consultant advising on federal funds for coronavirus relief, according to an email obtained by The Associated Press.

 He worked as her chief of staff for just over seven months.

 The Republican governor's general counsel, Mark Miller, has been named interim chief of staff. He's the fifth person to serve in that role.

 Noem has seen regular turnover of top staff since she became governor in 2019.

 Her office previously described each of those departures as amicable.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem’s chief of staff is leaving. He's the fourth person to leave the position in three years. Noem’s chief of staff Aaron Schiebe will move back to a role as an outside consultant advising on federal funds for coronavirus relief, according to an email obtained by The Associated Press. He worked as her chief of staff for just over seven months. The Republican governor's general counsel, Mark Miller, has been named interim chief of staff. He's the fifth person to serve in that role. Noem has seen regular turnover of top staff since she became governor in 2019. Her office previously described each of those departures as amicable.

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem names fifth chief of staff

On today's Post Podcast we talked to Chadron City Manager John Sutherland about the Nov. 15 Chadron City Council meeting. 

Council approved an ordinance for a change in speed limits around the public schools, multiple new city vehicles and more.&nbsp;

<div><iframe title="Post Podcast: Chadron City Manager John Sutherland" 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=nazvd-113746e-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 talked to Chadron City Manager John Sutherland about the Nov. 15 Chadron City Council meeting. Council approved an ordinance for a change in speed limits around the public schools, multiple new city vehicles and more.&nbsp;

🔊Post Podcast: Chadron City Manager John Sutherland 

By Chadron Volunteer Fire Department

The Chadron Volunteer Fire Department is reminding residents that properly marking mailboxes and households greatly assists in locating patients and responding to other emergency needs. 

In rural areas, reflective address signs that are visible from both directions on mailboxes are preferred. In the city numbers that contrast with the color of the house, placed on the front of the house should be well lit and visible from the street.

“GPS doesn’t always provide accurate information to lead responders to a call and in town when houses are close together and not properly marked, responders will end up going door to door to find our patient,” stated Chief Branden Martens. “Taking the time to properly display your addresses assists in reducing response time and allows us to provide the emergency service requested.”

For more information on address display go to: 10 Steps to Properly Display Your 9-1-1 Address – LifeNet Emergency Medical Services (EMS) (<a href="http://lifenetems.org">lifenetems.org</a>)

By Chadron Volunteer Fire DepartmentThe Chadron Volunteer Fire Department is reminding residents that properly marking mailboxes and households greatly assists in locating patients and responding to other emergency needs. In rural areas, reflective address signs that are visible from both directions on mailboxes are preferred. In the city numbers that contrast with the color of the house, placed on the front of the house should be well lit and visible from the street.“GPS doesn’t always provide accurate information to lead responders to a call and in town when houses are close together and not properly marked, responders will end up going door to door to find our patient,” stated Chief Branden Martens. “Taking the time to properly display your addresses assists in reducing response time and allows us to provide the emergency service requested.”For more information on address display go to: 10 Steps to Properly Display Your 9-1-1 Address – LifeNet Emergency Medical Services (EMS) (<a href="http://lifenetems.org">lifenetems.org</a>)

Chadron Fire Department reminds residents to properly mark mailboxes

By&nbsp;Nebraska Emergency Management Agency

LINCOLN&nbsp; —&nbsp; As of 9 a.m. CST today, the Buffalo Creek Fire in Banner and Scotts Bluff counties stands at 80 percent contained with a total of 2,600 acres burned.

 Local climate conditions and weather forecasts are favorable for containment to rapidly increase still further.&nbsp; 

Most state assets have been released from work on the fire by the local Incident Commander, including&nbsp;the Wildland Incident Response and Assistance Team, Nebraska National Guard, Nebraska State Patrol and Nebraska Emergency Management Agency. 

The Banner County fire department and&nbsp;Nebraska Game and Parks&nbsp;are continuing to monitor the area and extinguish any hot spots

According to NEMA Preparedness and Operations&nbsp;Section Manager&nbsp;Earl Imler, Nebraska State Patrol drones continued to locate hotspots for water drops by Nebraska National Guard helicopters on Thursday before they were released to return to Lincoln by local incident command.

Also on Thursday, Imler reported that three Type VI engines, 1 from Scottsbluff Rural Fire Protection District, 1 from Harrison and 1 from Nebraska Game and Parks, patrolled the fire with a goal of having at least 10 yards between the perimeter and any hot spots.

“Some areas inside the perimeter have 100 yards of black surrounding hot spots,” Imler said. “Local fire departments are confident in the containment and their ability to ensure that the response to this event gets across the finish line.”

By&nbsp;Nebraska Emergency Management AgencyLINCOLN&nbsp; —&nbsp; As of 9 a.m. CST today, the Buffalo Creek Fire in Banner and Scotts Bluff counties stands at 80 percent contained with a total of 2,600 acres burned. Local climate conditions and weather forecasts are favorable for containment to rapidly increase still further.&nbsp; Most state assets have been released from work on the fire by the local Incident Commander, including&nbsp;the Wildland Incident Response and Assistance Team, Nebraska National Guard, Nebraska State Patrol and Nebraska Emergency Management Agency. The Banner County fire department and&nbsp;Nebraska Game and Parks&nbsp;are continuing to monitor the area and extinguish any hot spots<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637352824240.jpeg" alt="Photo by Alliance Volunteer Fire Department&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Alliance Volunteer Fire Department&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>According to NEMA Preparedness and Operations&nbsp;Section Manager&nbsp;Earl Imler, Nebraska State Patrol drones continued to locate hotspots for water drops by Nebraska National Guard helicopters on Thursday before they were released to return to Lincoln by local incident command.Also on Thursday, Imler reported that three Type VI engines, 1 from Scottsbluff Rural Fire Protection District, 1 from Harrison and 1 from Nebraska Game and Parks, patrolled the fire with a goal of having at least 10 yards between the perimeter and any hot spots.“Some areas inside the perimeter have 100 yards of black surrounding hot spots,” Imler said. “Local fire departments are confident in the containment and their ability to ensure that the response to this event gets across the finish line.”

Buffalo Creek Wildfire 80% contained 

The Alliance City Council approved the Alliance Fire Department Training Facility resolution during its Nov. 16 meeting.&nbsp;

The Alliance Volunteer Fire Department budgeted $290,000 for the fire training facility in the 2021-2022 city budget.&nbsp;

AVFD has been working with Fire Training Structures LLC for nearly a year to come up with a plan that would meet the departments requirements.&nbsp;The facility will cost $284,971.&nbsp;

"Chief I think this was in the budget when I first came on three years ago," Alliance Mayor Mike Dafney said. "I got to give you credit for hanging in there."

"This was more a partnership between the city, The Alliance Rural Fire Protection District, Alliance Volunteer Fire Department Incorporated and we had a private donor help us reach the goal," Alliance Fire Department Chief Troy Shoemaker said. "We're still working on raising some funds so we can do some pipe preparation, mainly pouring those footings."

Shoemaker said this is the closest the fire department has been to making this a reality.&nbsp;

"We've had great councils before, we have a great council now that's been supportive of the fire department since I've been here," Shoemaker said. "In order for us to be better, we need this. In order for us to help you, we need this. With this we have the ability amongst other things to get a better ISO (Insurance Services Office) classification, which in turn hopefully lowers home owners insurance policy premiums. It's a win-win for all of us...not just a win for the fire department, it's a win for our entire community."

Councilman John McGhehey asked Chief Shoemaker if other fire departments could use this facility to help generate some income.&nbsp;

"Yes," Shoemaker said. "One that comes to mind...for doing some testing would be Hemingford...it would be the closest one. But, yeah we could probably work something out."

The Alliance Police Department could also use this facility for training officers.&nbsp;

"We hope to have our firefighters trained better than they already are and make it safer for them to do their jobs," Alliance City Manager Seth Sorenson said. "I really got to give some thanks to the volunteer firefighters, who they themselves donated money to this as well as the volunteer fire department. We also had an&nbsp;anonymous donor donate $5,000 to make this project possible. It truly is a sign of the dedication of the fight fighters and the city council to improve the condition for everybody."

-Approved the dispatch services agreement between the Alliance Police Department and Box Butte County Sheriff's Office. This will provide cost reimbursement for the APD to provide dispatch services for the Box Butte County Sherriff's Office, Hemingford Police Department and Hemingford Volunteer Fire Department.

-Approved the police fleet maintenance services bid award to Alliance Motors Unlimited. The contract is for three years.&nbsp;

-Approved to purchase a 2022 Freightliner Refuse truck from KOIS Brothers Equipment Company for $241,012.&nbsp;

-Approved the arsenic treatment facilities equipment replacement and repairs for $202,030.60 from Layne Christensen Company to repair well values and filter media replacements.&nbsp;

-Approved the purchase of a John Deere 310 SL Backhoe Front-End Loader from Murphy Tractor and Equipment of Gering for $127,620. This will be used in the city Water Department.&nbsp;

By Kalin Krohe, Panhandle PostThe Alliance City Council approved the Alliance Fire Department Training Facility resolution during its Nov. 16 meeting.&nbsp;The Alliance Volunteer Fire Department budgeted $290,000 for the fire training facility in the 2021-2022 city budget.&nbsp;AVFD has been working with Fire Training Structures LLC for nearly a year to come up with a plan that would meet the departments requirements.&nbsp;The facility will cost $284,971.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637351369386.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>"Chief I think this was in the budget when I first came on three years ago," Alliance Mayor Mike Dafney said. "I got to give you credit for hanging in there.""This was more a partnership between the city, The Alliance Rural Fire Protection District, Alliance Volunteer Fire Department Incorporated and we had a private donor help us reach the goal," Alliance Fire Department Chief Troy Shoemaker said. "We're still working on raising some funds so we can do some pipe preparation, mainly pouring those footings."Shoemaker said this is the closest the fire department has been to making this a reality.&nbsp;"We've had great councils before, we have a great council now that's been supportive of the fire department since I've been here," Shoemaker said. "In order for us to be better, we need this. In order for us to help you, we need this. With this we have the ability amongst other things to get a better ISO (Insurance Services Office) classification, which in turn hopefully lowers home owners insurance policy premiums. It's a win-win for all of us...not just a win for the fire department, it's a win for our entire community."Councilman John McGhehey asked Chief Shoemaker if other fire departments could use this facility to help generate some income.&nbsp;"Yes," Shoemaker said. "One that comes to mind...for doing some testing would be Hemingford...it would be the closest one. But, yeah we could probably work something out."The Alliance Police Department could also use this facility for training officers.&nbsp;"We hope to have our firefighters trained better than they already are and make it safer for them to do their jobs," Alliance City Manager Seth Sorenson said. "I really got to give some thanks to the volunteer firefighters, who they themselves donated money to this as well as the volunteer fire department. We also had an&nbsp;anonymous donor donate $5,000 to make this project possible. It truly is a sign of the dedication of the fight fighters and the city council to improve the condition for everybody."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637352456774.jpeg" alt="The United Way of Western Nebraska Serving Box Butte and Dawes Counties and Box Butte County RSVP attended the council meeting to accept a proclamation for Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, Nov. 13 -21.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>The United Way of Western Nebraska Serving Box Butte and Dawes Counties and Box Butte County RSVP attended the council meeting to accept a proclamation for Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, Nov. 13 -21.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>In other business, council:-Approved the dispatch services agreement between the Alliance Police Department and Box Butte County Sheriff's Office. This will provide cost reimbursement for the APD to provide dispatch services for the Box Butte County Sherriff's Office, Hemingford Police Department and Hemingford Volunteer Fire Department.-Approved the police fleet maintenance services bid award to Alliance Motors Unlimited. The contract is for three years.&nbsp;-Approved to purchase a 2022 Freightliner Refuse truck from KOIS Brothers Equipment Company for $241,012.&nbsp;-Approved the arsenic treatment facilities equipment replacement and repairs for $202,030.60 from Layne Christensen Company to repair well values and filter media replacements.&nbsp;-Approved the purchase of a John Deere 310 SL Backhoe Front-End Loader from Murphy Tractor and Equipment of Gering for $127,620. This will be used in the city Water Department.&nbsp;

Alliance council approve fire department training facility 

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska’s unemployment rate fell to a mere 1.9% last month, which was the lowest any state has reached since U.S. data collection began in 1976. 

The October rate reported by Nebraska’s labor department and the Bureau of Labor Statistics marks the first time a state’s unemployment rate dropped below 2%. 

Spokespeople for both agencies confirmed that Nebraska’s rate is the lowest recorded nationally. 

Nebraska has maintained its status as the state with the lowest rate through much of the pandemic. 

It’s 0.1 percentage points lower than Nebraska's September rate of 2%.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska’s unemployment rate fell to a mere 1.9% last month, which was the lowest any state has reached since U.S. data collection began in 1976. The October rate reported by Nebraska’s labor department and the Bureau of Labor Statistics marks the first time a state’s unemployment rate dropped below 2%. Spokespeople for both agencies confirmed that Nebraska’s rate is the lowest recorded nationally. Nebraska has maintained its status as the state with the lowest rate through much of the pandemic. It’s 0.1 percentage points lower than Nebraska's September rate of 2%.

Nebraska's 1.9% unemployment rate the lowest on record in US

By&nbsp;Brigette Jespersen,&nbsp;Village of Hemingford

Hemingford is celebrating its annual “Believe in Hemingford” Christmas Tree Lighting event. 

Hemingford started their Believe in Hemingford event to raise money for new Christmas street light decorations. Not only was this great for fundraising, it was a way to bring the community together. 

The first year turned out to be a big hit for the community and from there it has become a yearly holiday tradition. With Santa making a visit for the children and carolers for families to listen to and a warm supper to share with others it’s no wonder why this became a yearly tradition for the Village of Hemingford.

This year’s Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held on Dec. 1 at 6:30 p.m. in front of the Village of Hemingford office at 700 Box Butte Ave. 

There will be a Free will donation soup supper at the Hemingford Fire Hall from 5:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Warm Chili and Cinnamon Rolls, Chicken Noodle Soup with Dinner Roll, Hot Chocolate, Warm Apple Cider, and sweets will be served. 

All donations will go toward new Christmas street lights for the Village of Hemingford. 

Santa will make an appearance during the soup supper at the fire hall. He will be taking Christmas wishes from all the kids. 

Carolers will be making their rounds and spreading the holiday spirit through Christmas carols. 

The Holiday Bingo drawing will also be held and the winner will be announced at the fire hall during the supper. 

This is an event for the whole family.&nbsp;

By&nbsp;Brigette Jespersen,&nbsp;Village of HemingfordHemingford is celebrating its annual “Believe in Hemingford” Christmas Tree Lighting event. Hemingford started their Believe in Hemingford event to raise money for new Christmas street light decorations. Not only was this great for fundraising, it was a way to bring the community together. The first year turned out to be a big hit for the community and from there it has become a yearly holiday tradition. With Santa making a visit for the children and carolers for families to listen to and a warm supper to share with others it’s no wonder why this became a yearly tradition for the Village of Hemingford.This year’s Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held on Dec. 1 at 6:30 p.m. in front of the Village of Hemingford office at 700 Box Butte Ave. There will be a Free will donation soup supper at the Hemingford Fire Hall from 5:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Warm Chili and Cinnamon Rolls, Chicken Noodle Soup with Dinner Roll, Hot Chocolate, Warm Apple Cider, and sweets will be served. All donations will go toward new Christmas street lights for the Village of Hemingford. Santa will make an appearance during the soup supper at the fire hall. He will be taking Christmas wishes from all the kids. Carolers will be making their rounds and spreading the holiday spirit through Christmas carols. The Holiday Bingo drawing will also be held and the winner will be announced at the fire hall during the supper. This is an event for the whole family.&nbsp;

Village of Hemingford to hold annual 'Believe in Hemingford' event

The Alliance Police Department continues to partner with the community with the “Lights On” program. 

Alliance is the first agency in the state of Nebraska to partner with this program.&nbsp;

The police distribute vouchers to stakeholders in the community including the schools and churches.

According to the APD, when citizens observe someone who has an equipment violation on their car they are provided a voucher. Officers are also equipped with vouchers for traffic stops, but traffic stops aren’t emphasized. 

The preference is to provide the vouchers in community contacts when a violation is observed. 

The goal is to partner with the community for safety without an increase in traffic stops or making stops disproportionate regarding race or class.

 The voucher provides up to $250 in service at a local mechanic for light related repairs.&nbsp;

&nbsp;“We need equipment working on vehicles for safety," Alliance Police Chief Philip Lukens said.&nbsp; "We don’t want to be adversely impacting our community. With approximately 50% of our students in school living below the poverty level we simply cannot create additional hardships in families this holiday season, but we cannot compromise safety.”

This project is funded through micro grants.

By Kalin Krohe, Panhandle PostThe Alliance Police Department continues to partner with the community with the “Lights On” program. Alliance is the first agency in the state of Nebraska to partner with this program.&nbsp;How does this work? The police distribute vouchers to stakeholders in the community including the schools and churches.According to the APD, when citizens observe someone who has an equipment violation on their car they are provided a voucher. Officers are also equipped with vouchers for traffic stops, but traffic stops aren’t emphasized. The preference is to provide the vouchers in community contacts when a violation is observed. The goal is to partner with the community for safety without an increase in traffic stops or making stops disproportionate regarding race or class. The voucher provides up to $250 in service at a local mechanic for light related repairs.&nbsp;&nbsp;“We need equipment working on vehicles for safety," Alliance Police Chief Philip Lukens said.&nbsp; "We don’t want to be adversely impacting our community. With approximately 50% of our students in school living below the poverty level we simply cannot create additional hardships in families this holiday season, but we cannot compromise safety.”This project is funded through micro grants.

APD first agency in Nebraska to partner with 'Lights On' program 

The 2021 Holiday season is upon us, which means the Chadron Police Department is gearing up for the 17th annual “Shop with a Cop” program.

 All donations raised during the program are used to purchase food, clothing and gifts for less fortunate children within the Chadron community. 

Chadron officers take children shopping to get things needed as well as a few things that they've been wanting for the holidays.

"It is also a great way for the officers and children to get to know each other," Chadron Police Chief Rick Hickstein said. "The experiences have been a fun and exciting, sometimes interesting, for both the children and the officers."

Citizens can look for donation containers near the registers of Chadron businesses in town. 

Donations can also be brought in or mailed to the Chadron Police Department at: 125 Main Street,&nbsp; Chadron NE,&nbsp; 69337. 

You can also bring donations to First National Bank of Omaha in Chadron.

"Remember 'A Little Change, Can Make a Big Difference'," Hickstein said. "The Chadron Police Department would like to give a great 'Thank You' to the generous citizens and businesses for their years of support with this program. Over the years, community and business donations have allowed us to help hundreds of children through the Chadron Public School system. We hope to continue this tradition and help many more children in the years to come. May everyone have a wonderful holiday season."

If you have questions, contact officer Derek Bauer at the Chadron Police Department at (308) 432-0510.

By Kalin Krohe, Panhandle PostThe 2021 Holiday season is upon us, which means the Chadron Police Department is gearing up for the 17th annual “Shop with a Cop” program. All donations raised during the program are used to purchase food, clothing and gifts for less fortunate children within the Chadron community. Chadron officers take children shopping to get things needed as well as a few things that they've been wanting for the holidays."It is also a great way for the officers and children to get to know each other," Chadron Police Chief Rick Hickstein said. "The experiences have been a fun and exciting, sometimes interesting, for both the children and the officers."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637281642337.jpeg" alt="Photo by Chadron Police Department&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Chadron Police Department&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Citizens can look for donation containers near the registers of Chadron businesses in town. Donations can also be brought in or mailed to the Chadron Police Department at: 125 Main Street,&nbsp; Chadron NE,&nbsp; 69337. You can also bring donations to First National Bank of Omaha in Chadron.Last year donations totaled $9,406.85."Remember 'A Little Change, Can Make a Big Difference'," Hickstein said. "The Chadron Police Department would like to give a great 'Thank You' to the generous citizens and businesses for their years of support with this program. Over the years, community and business donations have allowed us to help hundreds of children through the Chadron Public School system. We hope to continue this tradition and help many more children in the years to come. May everyone have a wonderful holiday season."If you have questions, contact officer Derek Bauer at the Chadron Police Department at (308) 432-0510.

Chadron Police Department gears up for annual 'Shop with a Cop' program

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A new monthly survey of bankers in rural parts of 10 Plains and Western states suggests rising economic growth in the region, but confidence in the economy's future continued to drop. 

The overall Rural Mainstreet economic index rose in November to 67.7 from October’s 66.1. Any score above 50 suggests growth. 

The survey's confidence index, which reflects bank CEO expectations for the economy six months out, sank for the fifth straight month to 48.4 in November. 

That's the lowest level since August of last year and down from October’s 51.8. Bankers from Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming were surveyed.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A new monthly survey of bankers in rural parts of 10 Plains and Western states suggests rising economic growth in the region, but confidence in the economy's future continued to drop. The overall Rural Mainstreet economic index rose in November to 67.7 from October’s 66.1. Any score above 50 suggests growth. The survey's confidence index, which reflects bank CEO expectations for the economy six months out, sank for the fifth straight month to 48.4 in November. That's the lowest level since August of last year and down from October’s 51.8. Bankers from Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming were surveyed.

Survey shows continued growth in rural economy in November

Lincoln- Attorney General Peterson today joined a nationwide investigation into Meta Platforms, Inc., formerly known as Facebook, for providing and promoting its social media platform – Instagram – to children and young adults despite knowing that such use is associated with physical and mental health harms. Attorneys General across the country&nbsp;are examining whether the company violated state consumer protection laws and put the public at risk.

“When social media platforms treat our children as mere commodities to manipulate for longer screen time engagement and data extraction, it becomes imperative for state attorneys general to engage our investigative authority under our consumer protection laws,” stated Attorney General Peterson.

The investigation targets, among other things, the techniques utilized by Meta to increase the frequency and duration of engagement by young users and the resulting harms caused by such extended engagement.&nbsp;Today’s announcement follows recent reports revealing that Meta’s own internal research shows that using Instagram is associated with increased risks of physical and mental health harms on young people, including depression, eating disorders, and even suicide. Attorney General Peterson has long been concerned about the negative impacts of social media platforms on Nebraska’s youngest residents. In May, he joined a bipartisan coalition of 44 attorneys general urging Facebook to abandon its plans to launch a version of Instagram for children under the age of 13.

Leading the investigation, involving a broad group of states across the country, is a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general from California, Florida, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Jersey, Tennessee, and Vermont.

Lincoln- Attorney General Peterson today joined a nationwide investigation into Meta Platforms, Inc., formerly known as Facebook, for providing and promoting its social media platform – Instagram – to children and young adults despite knowing that such use is associated with physical and mental health harms. Attorneys General across the country&nbsp;are examining whether the company violated state consumer protection laws and put the public at risk.“When social media platforms treat our children as mere commodities to manipulate for longer screen time engagement and data extraction, it becomes imperative for state attorneys general to engage our investigative authority under our consumer protection laws,” stated Attorney General Peterson.The investigation targets, among other things, the techniques utilized by Meta to increase the frequency and duration of engagement by young users and the resulting harms caused by such extended engagement.&nbsp;Today’s announcement follows recent reports revealing that Meta’s own internal research shows that using Instagram is associated with increased risks of physical and mental health harms on young people, including depression, eating disorders, and even suicide. Attorney General Peterson has long been concerned about the negative impacts of social media platforms on Nebraska’s youngest residents. In May, he joined a bipartisan coalition of 44 attorneys general urging Facebook to abandon its plans to launch a version of Instagram for children under the age of 13.Leading the investigation, involving a broad group of states across the country, is a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general from California, Florida, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Jersey, Tennessee, and Vermont.

AG Peterson joins investigation into Instagram’s impact on youth

Jason Petik, CEO of Sidney Regional Medical Center (SRMC) based in Sidney, Nebraska, joined the November 17 briefing to discuss what hospital care and patient needs have looked like for them with the fall Panhandle COVID wave.&nbsp;

Petik began with sharing while the numbers have slowly declined, two to three weeks ago, this was a different story. Before the current surge, they were seeing one to two COVID patients in the hospital at a time. With the surge, COVID patients increased to about eight but it has gone down in recent days back to pre-surge numbers.

“The other side is all of the hospitals in the Panhandle being able to expedite people to a higher level of care outside of the area. Colorado hospitals are currently in crisis care mode, that changes the ballgame quite a bit,” Petik explained.

SRMC was unable to transfer people out for quite some time but was fortunate in the last couple of days to transfer two to three patients for care in Colorado. Concerningly, just last week the closest hospital they could send someone needing immediate surgical care was an air flight to Kansas City.&nbsp;

“That tells you how far we had to send people to find beds that could take care of patients needing a higher level of care. It fluctuates. We see a continuous drop and surge. After the holidays, will likely see an uptick,” said Petik.

When asked about the length of time western Nebraska has been experiencing issues with transferring people out of the area, Petik estimated they have been enduring challenging transfers to higher levels of care for almost three weeks. This includes not only here in the Panhandle but to Colorado as well.

As the eastern part of the state and the front range of Colorado ramped up with COVID cases, those healthcare facilities became more and more taxed. They were having the challenge hit them first before it hit the Panhandle, and when it hit the area, they were already in the midst of it. This is where it became a problem with being able to accept patients. They simply did not have anywhere to take folks.

“What it comes down to is whether or not someone may live or die if you are not able to transfer that person out and you do not have the level of care or services available for someone, say an extensive stroke or heart attack. We don’t have a cardiac lab, we can’t do catheterization for heart services. If that is what that person needs, their outcome is going to be significantly less than it was if we could transfer them out,” Petik concluded.

By PPHDJason Petik, CEO of Sidney Regional Medical Center (SRMC) based in Sidney, Nebraska, joined the November 17 briefing to discuss what hospital care and patient needs have looked like for them with the fall Panhandle COVID wave.&nbsp;Petik began with sharing while the numbers have slowly declined, two to three weeks ago, this was a different story. Before the current surge, they were seeing one to two COVID patients in the hospital at a time. With the surge, COVID patients increased to about eight but it has gone down in recent days back to pre-surge numbers.<figure>
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 </figure>“The other side is all of the hospitals in the Panhandle being able to expedite people to a higher level of care outside of the area. Colorado hospitals are currently in crisis care mode, that changes the ballgame quite a bit,” Petik explained.SRMC was unable to transfer people out for quite some time but was fortunate in the last couple of days to transfer two to three patients for care in Colorado. Concerningly, just last week the closest hospital they could send someone needing immediate surgical care was an air flight to Kansas City.&nbsp;“That tells you how far we had to send people to find beds that could take care of patients needing a higher level of care. It fluctuates. We see a continuous drop and surge. After the holidays, will likely see an uptick,” said Petik.When asked about the length of time western Nebraska has been experiencing issues with transferring people out of the area, Petik estimated they have been enduring challenging transfers to higher levels of care for almost three weeks. This includes not only here in the Panhandle but to Colorado as well.As the eastern part of the state and the front range of Colorado ramped up with COVID cases, those healthcare facilities became more and more taxed. They were having the challenge hit them first before it hit the Panhandle, and when it hit the area, they were already in the midst of it. This is where it became a problem with being able to accept patients. They simply did not have anywhere to take folks.“What it comes down to is whether or not someone may live or die if you are not able to transfer that person out and you do not have the level of care or services available for someone, say an extensive stroke or heart attack. We don’t have a cardiac lab, we can’t do catheterization for heart services. If that is what that person needs, their outcome is going to be significantly less than it was if we could transfer them out,” Petik concluded.The Panhandle has trended differently than other parts of the state for COVID cases and while we are seeing a current decline, people are urged to help out our health systems by getting vaccinated.Vaccinations have protection against all known variants, including Delta. For anyone age 5 and older, please get vaccinated. COVID vaccine is widely available across the Panhandle and there is no charge for the vaccine.<ul>
 <li><a>Box Butte/Grant:&nbsp;</a><a href="https://tinyurl.com/25mwaapu" target="_blank">https://tinyurl.com/25mwaapu</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.safeway.com/pharmacy/covid-19.html" target="_blank">safeway.com</a></li><li>Walk-ins welcome</li><li>Dave's Pharmacy Hemingford &amp; Alliance, Monday-Friday, 8 AM - 5:30 PM (Pfizer 2 PM- 5:30 PM)</li><li>Alliance Community Pharmacy, Monday-Friday, 7:30 AM - 6 PM</li><li>Cheyenne/Deuel:&nbsp;<a href="https://tinyurl.com/5b5uac8p" target="_blank">https://tinyurl.com/5b5uac8p</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.walmart.com/cp/immunizations-flu-shots/1228302" target="_blank">walmart.com</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.safeway.com/pharmacy/covid-19.html" target="_blank">safeway.com</a></li><li>Walk-ins welcome</li><li>During COVID clinic hours visit&nbsp;<a href="https://tinyurl.com/5b5uac8p" target="_blank">https://tinyurl.com/5b5uac8p</a>&nbsp;for days and hours</li><li>Dawes/Sioux:&nbsp;<a href="https://tinyurl.com/x5d5nnbn" target="_blank">https://tinyurl.com/x5d5nnbn</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.walmart.com/cp/immunizations-flu-shots/1228302" target="_blank">walmart.com</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.safeway.com/pharmacy/covid-19.html" target="_blank">safeway.com</a></li><li>Walk-ins welcome</li><li>Western Community Health Resources, Monday-Friday, 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM</li><li>Garden: To schedule an appointment visit&nbsp;<a href="http://vaccinate.ne.gov/" target="_blank">vaccinate.ne.gov</a>&nbsp;- provider will call you</li><li>Walk-ins welcome</li><li>Regional West Garden County Clinic Front Desk, Monday-Friday, 8 AM - 5 PM</li><li>Kimball:&nbsp;<a href="https://tinyurl.com/d2u8txrs" target="_blank">https://tinyurl.com/d2u8txrs</a></li><li>Walk-ins welcome</li><li>Kimball Health Services, Monday-Friday, 8 AM - 4:30 PM</li><li>Morrill:&nbsp;<a href="https://tinyurl.com/sb8mvumm" target="_blank">https://tinyurl.com/sb8mvumm</a></li><li>Walk-ins welcome</li><li>Morrill County Hospital Clinic, Wednesdays, 8 AM - 4 PM</li><li>Sheridan:&nbsp;<a href="https://tinyurl.com/cvrmkv38" target="_blank">https://tinyurl.com/cvrmkv38</a></li><li>Walk-ins welcome</li><li>Gordon Rural Health Clinic, Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM- 9:30 AM</li><li>Scotts Bluff/Banner:&nbsp;<a href="https://tinyurl.com/hkw7wk2p" target="_blank">https://tinyurl.com/hkw7wk2p</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.walmart.com/cp/immunizations-flu-shots/1228302" target="_blank">walmart.com</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.safeway.com/pharmacy/covid-19.html" target="_blank">safeway.com</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.walgreens.com/findcare/vaccination/covid-19?ban=covid_vaccine1_landing_schedule" target="_blank">walgreens.com</a></li><li>Walk-ins welcome</li><li>Gering CAPWN Health Center, Monday-Friday, 9 AM-12 PM &amp; 1 PM-4 PM</li><li>Scottsbluff County Immunization Clinic, Monday-Friday, 9:30 AM-5:30 PM</li>
 </ul>If you are homebound or have a condition that makes it hard for you to access a COVID vaccine, Call Vianey Zitterkopf, RN at 308-430-8390 or Janet Felix, LPN at 308-672-4653.People who are fully COVID vaccinated will not be required to quarantine due to close contact. If you have lost your COVID vaccine card, go to&nbsp;<a href="https://tinyurl.com/2zh7uhhu" target="_blank">https://tinyurl.com/2zh7uhhu</a>. Unified Command confirms 245 more cases of COVID in the Panhandle.<figure>
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 </figure>March 2, 2020-November 17, 2021<ul>
 <li>Positive: 13,971</li><li>Last week’s cases: (cases/100,000): 284.0</li><li>Last 7 day cases: 245</li><li>Last week’s positivity rate: 9.3%</li><li>Deaths: 232</li><li>Deaths Pending Verification: 14</li><li>Active Hospitalizations: 28</li><li>Total Cumulative Hospitalizations: 731</li>
 </ul>Current COVID testing access can be found at&nbsp;<a href="http://pphd.org/COVID-19.html" target="_blank">http://pphd.org/COVID-19.html</a>.<figure>
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