OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A growing number of younger people are being hospitalized with the coronavirus in Nebraska as more contagious variants of the virus spread in the state. 

Nebraska health officials said the average age of hospital patients declined to 51 in March from 61 in January. 

Officials said the age is also shifting lower because a significant number of older people have been vaccinated.

 The number of people hospitalized is also growing and it hit 161 Wednesday as the state reported more cases of the virus.

 The seven-day rolling average of daily new cases in Nebraska nearly doubled over the past two weeks to 491.29 new cases per day on Tuesday.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A growing number of younger people are being hospitalized with the coronavirus in Nebraska as more contagious variants of the virus spread in the state. Nebraska health officials said the average age of hospital patients declined to 51 in March from 61 in January. Officials said the age is also shifting lower because a significant number of older people have been vaccinated. The number of people hospitalized is also growing and it hit 161 Wednesday as the state reported more cases of the virus. The seven-day rolling average of daily new cases in Nebraska nearly doubled over the past two weeks to 491.29 new cases per day on Tuesday.

More younger people hospitalized with virus in Nebraska

Alliance – Red Cross swim lessons will once again be conducted at Big Blue Bay this summer. 

Registration for lessons will be offered at the Knight Museum on April 17 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Payment of $30 is required at the time of registration. 

To expedite the process, the registration form can be found on the city’s web page,&nbsp;<a href="http://cityofalliance.net">cityofalliance.net</a>.

No early registrations, in person or over the phone will be accepted. The lesson schedule can also be found on the Alliance Nebraska Parks and Pool Face Book Page.

The following dates have been assigned for each level:

Level One – June 14 through June 18 July 12 through July 16

Level Two – June 7 through June 12 July 19 through July 24

Level Three – June 21 through June 26 July 26 through July 31

Level Four – June 7 through June 18 July 19 through July 30

If you have questions or need additional information, please call the Knight Museum &amp; Sandhills Center at 762-2384.&nbsp;

Alliance – Red Cross swim lessons will once again be conducted at Big Blue Bay this summer. Registration for lessons will be offered at the Knight Museum on April 17 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Payment of $30 is required at the time of registration. To expedite the process, the registration form can be found on the city’s web page,&nbsp;<a href="http://cityofalliance.net">cityofalliance.net</a>. No early registrations, in person or over the phone will be accepted. The lesson schedule can also be found on the Alliance Nebraska Parks and Pool Face Book Page.The following dates have been assigned for each level:5 year olds – June 28 through July 2Level One – June 14 through June 18 July 12 through July 16Level Two – June 7 through June 12 July 19 through July 24Level Three – June 21 through June 26 July 26 through July 31Level Four – June 7 through June 18 July 19 through July 30Level Five – July 6 through July 16If you have questions or need additional information, please call the Knight Museum &amp; Sandhills Center at 762-2384.&nbsp;

Red Cross swimming lessons to be offered in Alliance

By&nbsp;Jessica Davies,&nbsp;Assistant Health Director -&nbsp;Wellness Coordinator,&nbsp;Panhandle Worksite Wellness Council,&nbsp;Panhandle Public Health District

Safer streets are usable by all road users whether they’re driving, riding, walking, bicycling, or rolling. Since not every street can or should be “complete,” such policies call for the needs of&nbsp;all users&nbsp;of&nbsp;all ages&nbsp;to be considered and met when possible.

The Activate Alliance committee is excited to coordinate a Complete Streets learning discussion on&nbsp;Wednesday, April 14&nbsp;from&nbsp;8:30am-10am&nbsp;through a virtual platform. Discussion and planning efforts will be specific to the Alliance community. Anyone interested can contact Janelle Visser at 308-487-3600 Ext. 105 or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:jvisser@pphd.org" target="_blank">jvisser@pphd.org</a>&nbsp;to register.

Bike Walk Nebraska Executive Director Julie Harris will be leading the interactive learning discussion.

She shared, "I'm excited to chat with folks in Alliance. I enjoy learning about a community's issues and goals related to safe streets and hoping to provide information that will spark ideas on how those goals can be achieved."

Harris has an extensive background in the development of Complete Streets policies through the city of Omaha and as a member of the Mayor’s Active Living Advisory Committee. She’s a Scottsbluff native and passionate about safer streets for active living.

Activate Alliance is comprised of school, community residents, hospital, city, law enforcement, public transit, senior services, community center, and public health. The committee was initiated through a community planning forum in May 2019. Thereafter, they have been meeting regularly with the goal of making Alliance a safer place to walk, bike, and roll.

This work was identified through Box Butte General Hospital's Community Health Improvement Plan. Public health’s role is to assist in organizing the effort by finding funding opportunities that align with the plan and coordinate the monthly meetings.

By&nbsp;Jessica Davies,&nbsp;Assistant Health Director -&nbsp;Wellness Coordinator,&nbsp;Panhandle Worksite Wellness Council,&nbsp;Panhandle Public Health DistrictSafer streets are usable by all road users whether they’re driving, riding, walking, bicycling, or rolling. Since not every street can or should be “complete,” such policies call for the needs of&nbsp;all users&nbsp;of&nbsp;all ages&nbsp;to be considered and met when possible.The Activate Alliance committee is excited to coordinate a Complete Streets learning discussion on&nbsp;Wednesday, April 14&nbsp;from&nbsp;8:30am-10am&nbsp;through a virtual platform. Discussion and planning efforts will be specific to the Alliance community. Anyone interested can contact Janelle Visser at 308-487-3600 Ext. 105 or&nbsp;<a href="mailto:jvisser@pphd.org" target="_blank">jvisser@pphd.org</a>&nbsp;to register.Bike Walk Nebraska Executive Director Julie Harris will be leading the interactive learning discussion.She shared, "I'm excited to chat with folks in Alliance. I enjoy learning about a community's issues and goals related to safe streets and hoping to provide information that will spark ideas on how those goals can be achieved."Harris has an extensive background in the development of Complete Streets policies through the city of Omaha and as a member of the Mayor’s Active Living Advisory Committee. She’s a Scottsbluff native and passionate about safer streets for active living.Activate Alliance is comprised of school, community residents, hospital, city, law enforcement, public transit, senior services, community center, and public health. The committee was initiated through a community planning forum in May 2019. Thereafter, they have been meeting regularly with the goal of making Alliance a safer place to walk, bike, and roll.This work was identified through Box Butte General Hospital's Community Health Improvement Plan. Public health’s role is to assist in organizing the effort by finding funding opportunities that align with the plan and coordinate the monthly meetings.

Activate Alliance committee encourages community participation in Complete Streets

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Local governments that want to get a boost in property tax revenue would have to send postcards to notify all of their taxpayers and hold a standalone public hearing where residents could voice their opinion under a bill backed by Nebraska lawmakers.

 Lawmakers gave the measure first-round approval Wednesday with a 36-1 vote. 

The bill would apply to cities, counties, school districts and community colleges that want to collect more tax revenue than they did in the previous year. 

It comes as Nebraska lawmakers attempt to clamp down on rising property taxes, a frequent complaint among residents.

 Property taxes are levied by local governments, but many state lawmakers say they hear complaints constantly about local tax bills.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Local governments that want to get a boost in property tax revenue would have to send postcards to notify all of their taxpayers and hold a standalone public hearing where residents could voice their opinion under a bill backed by Nebraska lawmakers. Lawmakers gave the measure first-round approval Wednesday with a 36-1 vote. The bill would apply to cities, counties, school districts and community colleges that want to collect more tax revenue than they did in the previous year. It comes as Nebraska lawmakers attempt to clamp down on rising property taxes, a frequent complaint among residents. Property taxes are levied by local governments, but many state lawmakers say they hear complaints constantly about local tax bills.

Nebraska advances new property tax notification requirements

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Gov. Pete Ricketts is objecting to an effort to designate parts of south-central and southwestern Nebraska as a federally recognized National Heritage Area to try boost tourism.

 Ricketts said he was concerned that the designation requires approvals from Congress and the National Park Service. 

He says the designations come with “unquantifiable and unknowable risks,” and that requirements to maintain the designation could change without input from states. 

Ricketts says the effort was led by the Willa Cather Foundation as a way to promote tourism and local development. 

He said state and local officials should maintain control as they look for ways to promote Nebraska’s heritage and tourism.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Gov. Pete Ricketts is objecting to an effort to designate parts of south-central and southwestern Nebraska as a federally recognized National Heritage Area to try boost tourism. Ricketts said he was concerned that the designation requires approvals from Congress and the National Park Service. He says the designations come with “unquantifiable and unknowable risks,” and that requirements to maintain the designation could change without input from states. Ricketts says the effort was led by the Willa Cather Foundation as a way to promote tourism and local development. He said state and local officials should maintain control as they look for ways to promote Nebraska’s heritage and tourism.

Ricketts objects to heritage area proposal in Nebraska

Easton Corbin to perform at Five Rocks Amphitheater 

By GEORGE LEDBETTER, Chadron State College

CHADRON – Registration is now open for the 2021&nbsp;<a href="https://outsideyourself.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Story Catcher Writing Workshop and Festival</a>&nbsp;set for June 14-17 at Chadron State Park.

Now in its 10th year, the Story Catcher workshops offer aspiring writers an opportunity to improve their skills in an inspirational outdoor setting with the benefit of personalized guidance from professional writers.

Writers-in-residence at this year’s workshops include PEN USA award-winning author Laura Prichett, Pushcart Prize recipient Alyson Hagy, poet and editor Derek Sheffield, and Nebraska journalist and author Carson Vaughan.

Workshop sessions led by the writers-in-residence offer participants the opportunity to learn about key elements or issues in writing, and share works they create based on writing exercises or prompts. Time is also set aside for participants to focus on their individual writing projects and receive feedback from other writers and faculty members.

The four-day event includes evening fireside readings and culminates in the Story Catcher Festival, with an open mic for retreat participants to share their work with the public.

New this year is a roundtable discussion with workshop leaders on aspects of the writing profession including graduate programs, publishing options, agents, and career options.

The full festival is preceded by a half-day Advanced Workshop with Laura Pritchett focused on book length prose projects and tailored to writers who have developed drafts of their work.

Story Catcher workshops offer writers tremendous access to talented people, and have always received rave reviews from participants, said Chadron State College English Professor Dr. Matt Evertson.

“People love the writing community that develops and the prominent writers we are able to attract,” Evertson said.

The Story Catcher Workshop is funded in part by the Mari Sandoz High Plains Heritage Society. It takes inspiration from Mari Sandoz, who built a successful career writing stories inspired by the High Plains region of Nebraska where she grew up. A prolific author and thorough researcher, Sandoz was also a passionate teacher of writing who conducted summer writing workshops on college campuses.

Story Catcher Workshop registration is open until June 4. Early registration is encouraged as space is limited to 20 writers. The cost is $350, which covers all workshop sessions, the opening night barbeque/reception, some lunches and dinners and four nights lodging in apartments surrounding the meeting area at Chadron State Park. The Advanced Workshop is limited to five writers and has an additional cost of $50.

Guest registration for spouses, friends and significant others who accompany retreat participants is $60 and does not include access to workshop sessions.

A limited number of full and partial tuition waivers are offered to support student writers. Graduate students, teachers and working writers may apply for Mari Sandoz Emerging Writer Fellowships, which include waiver of fees and a small stipend for travel expenses.

Check-in for the workshop and festival is at 1:30 p.m. June 14 at the Group Event Area at Chadron State Park. The event concludes with the Story Catcher Festival June 17, which is open to the public.

More information and registration forms are available at storycatcherworkshop.org or by email to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:mevertson@csc.edu" target="_blank">mevertson@csc.edu</a>.

The workshop will be managed with state and local COVID-19 protocols outlined by the Panhandle Public Health District. Use of outdoor spaces will be maximized as much as possible, and social distancing practices such as masks, spaced seating, safe food preparation/distribution, hand sanitizing, and disinfecting procedures will be maintained.

By GEORGE LEDBETTER, Chadron State CollegeCHADRON – Registration is now open for the 2021&nbsp;<a href="https://outsideyourself.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Story Catcher Writing Workshop and Festival</a>&nbsp;set for June 14-17 at Chadron State Park.Now in its 10th year, the Story Catcher workshops offer aspiring writers an opportunity to improve their skills in an inspirational outdoor setting with the benefit of personalized guidance from professional writers.Writers-in-residence at this year’s workshops include PEN USA award-winning author Laura Prichett, Pushcart Prize recipient Alyson Hagy, poet and editor Derek Sheffield, and Nebraska journalist and author Carson Vaughan.Workshop sessions led by the writers-in-residence offer participants the opportunity to learn about key elements or issues in writing, and share works they create based on writing exercises or prompts. Time is also set aside for participants to focus on their individual writing projects and receive feedback from other writers and faculty members.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617824576596.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The four-day event includes evening fireside readings and culminates in the Story Catcher Festival, with an open mic for retreat participants to share their work with the public.New this year is a roundtable discussion with workshop leaders on aspects of the writing profession including graduate programs, publishing options, agents, and career options.The full festival is preceded by a half-day Advanced Workshop with Laura Pritchett focused on book length prose projects and tailored to writers who have developed drafts of their work.Story Catcher workshops offer writers tremendous access to talented people, and have always received rave reviews from participants, said Chadron State College English Professor Dr. Matt Evertson.“People love the writing community that develops and the prominent writers we are able to attract,” Evertson said.The Story Catcher Workshop is funded in part by the Mari Sandoz High Plains Heritage Society. It takes inspiration from Mari Sandoz, who built a successful career writing stories inspired by the High Plains region of Nebraska where she grew up. A prolific author and thorough researcher, Sandoz was also a passionate teacher of writing who conducted summer writing workshops on college campuses.Story Catcher Workshop registration is open until June 4. Early registration is encouraged as space is limited to 20 writers. The cost is $350, which covers all workshop sessions, the opening night barbeque/reception, some lunches and dinners and four nights lodging in apartments surrounding the meeting area at Chadron State Park. The Advanced Workshop is limited to five writers and has an additional cost of $50.Guest registration for spouses, friends and significant others who accompany retreat participants is $60 and does not include access to workshop sessions.A limited number of full and partial tuition waivers are offered to support student writers. Graduate students, teachers and working writers may apply for Mari Sandoz Emerging Writer Fellowships, which include waiver of fees and a small stipend for travel expenses.Check-in for the workshop and festival is at 1:30 p.m. June 14 at the Group Event Area at Chadron State Park. The event concludes with the Story Catcher Festival June 17, which is open to the public.More information and registration forms are available at storycatcherworkshop.org or by email to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:mevertson@csc.edu" target="_blank">mevertson@csc.edu</a>.The workshop will be managed with state and local COVID-19 protocols outlined by the Panhandle Public Health District. Use of outdoor spaces will be maximized as much as possible, and social distancing practices such as masks, spaced seating, safe food preparation/distribution, hand sanitizing, and disinfecting procedures will be maintained.

Registration open for Story Catcher Writing Workshop at Chadron State Park

COLUMBUS, Neb.-Conservative farmer, businessman, and University of Nebraska Regent&nbsp;Jim Pillen&nbsp;announced his candidacy to be the 2022 Republican nominee for Governor of Nebraska.

"Our state is at a crossroads, and it's never been more important to have principled, conservative leadership with a vision for Nebraska's future," said&nbsp;Pillen. "We have to fix our broken property-tax system, grow our economy statewide, and defend our principles and our way of life. The next decade will make all the difference, and I want to help keep Nebraska great so all our kids and grandkids can prosper. I'm humbled by this opportunity to serve, and I'll work hard to make my case to every voter I can in the coming year. We're excited to get started."

In a campaign announcement video released today,&nbsp;Pillen&nbsp;discussed his roots in Nebraska agriculture and his commitment to protecting the values, freedoms, and unparalleled quality of life Nebraskans enjoy. "Nebraska represents the best of America, and this is where we make our stand," he said.

A full transcript of the video is below, and the full video can be viewed by&nbsp;<a href="http://ci.criticalimpact.com/go/1/a1abf0c69f866f89df60ac364a9f256a/36853/f3693c47e07e76d1/36d389746cc4f733c3d6b838967d376c/36853" target="_blank">clicking here</a>.

I’m Jim Pillen. I was born and raised on a farm in Platte County, Nebraska, the son of a tenant farmer and a seamstress. With a scoop shovel and a pitch fork in my hands, I learned farming from the ground up. We didn't have a lot, but we always had love, food on the table, strong values, and faith. We faced hardships, as many farming families do, but we faced them together.

Through it all, my parents insisted that education would open doors for our future, and they sacrificed so we would have the opportunity to pursue our dreams. Mine led me to the University of Nebraska, where I played football for Coach Osborne, and then to Kansas State, where I trained as a veterinarian.

I’ve been married to my college sweetheart, Suzanne, for over 40 years, and together, we've raised four kids. I built a veterinary practice, and then a successful family business. Today, I’m proud to run Pillen Family Farms with my two oldest children. We're invested in rural communities across Nebraska, and have created over a thousand jobs. And we did it all with the gifts my parents left me: work ethic, integrity, and our good name.

I've been blessed, but my story isn't unique—it's the Nebraska story. Here in the Cornhusker state, we work harder, push farther, and make sacrifices to give our kids a better life than we have.

I love Nebraska. It's given me and my family everything, and I'm determined to keep it great for all our kids and grandkids. That means growing our economy, creating new opportunities, and giving every child the chance to pursue their dreams right here in Nebraska.

That’s why I'm running to be your next Governor.

Let's be real—our state faces many challenges. We have to fix the broken property tax system and cut taxes for families, ag producers, and small businesses. We need to modernize our tax structure to grow Nebraska, expand broadband access, and improve infrastructure across our state. Most importantly, we must preserve our values and protect the Nebraska way of life.

Nebraska represents the best of America, and this is where we make our stand. We'll defend our right to bear arms. We'll stand with law enforcement and safeguard our communities, and demand order on the southern border. We'll advance a culture of life and protect the unborn.

We'll stand up to radicals who want to use red tape and fake meat to put Nebraska out of business. We'll defend President Trump's progress in growing our economy and fighting hard for the forgotten men and women Washington long left behind. And when the Left pushes policies that threaten our freedoms, we'll go toe-to-toe with the federal government to keep the socialist agenda out of our state.

Nebraska is where neighbors take care of each other; not government. That's the Nebraska way. It’s where honesty is more important than being politically correct. It's where hard work and risk-taking are rewarded, not punished. It's where people think for themselves and problem-solve through the unthinkable. Nebraska is home, and it's worth fighting for.

I’m Jim Pillen. I’m a father, grandfather, farmer, and conservative Republican, and I’m running for Governor. I'd be honored to earn your vote. Please join me at JimPillen.com.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617826821536.png" alt="Photo: Pillen for Governor" />
 <figcaption>Photo: Pillen for Governor</figcaption>
 </figure>News Release Pillen for GovernorCOLUMBUS, Neb.-Conservative farmer, businessman, and University of Nebraska Regent&nbsp;Jim Pillen&nbsp;announced his candidacy to be the 2022 Republican nominee for Governor of Nebraska."Our state is at a crossroads, and it's never been more important to have principled, conservative leadership with a vision for Nebraska's future," said&nbsp;Pillen. "We have to fix our broken property-tax system, grow our economy statewide, and defend our principles and our way of life. The next decade will make all the difference, and I want to help keep Nebraska great so all our kids and grandkids can prosper. I'm humbled by this opportunity to serve, and I'll work hard to make my case to every voter I can in the coming year. We're excited to get started."In a campaign announcement video released today,&nbsp;Pillen&nbsp;discussed his roots in Nebraska agriculture and his commitment to protecting the values, freedoms, and unparalleled quality of life Nebraskans enjoy. "Nebraska represents the best of America, and this is where we make our stand," he said.A full transcript of the video is below, and the full video can be viewed by&nbsp;<a href="http://ci.criticalimpact.com/go/1/a1abf0c69f866f89df60ac364a9f256a/36853/f3693c47e07e76d1/36d389746cc4f733c3d6b838967d376c/36853" target="_blank">clicking here</a>.I’m Jim Pillen. I was born and raised on a farm in Platte County, Nebraska, the son of a tenant farmer and a seamstress. With a scoop shovel and a pitch fork in my hands, I learned farming from the ground up. We didn't have a lot, but we always had love, food on the table, strong values, and faith. We faced hardships, as many farming families do, but we faced them together.Through it all, my parents insisted that education would open doors for our future, and they sacrificed so we would have the opportunity to pursue our dreams. Mine led me to the University of Nebraska, where I played football for Coach Osborne, and then to Kansas State, where I trained as a veterinarian.I’ve been married to my college sweetheart, Suzanne, for over 40 years, and together, we've raised four kids. I built a veterinary practice, and then a successful family business. Today, I’m proud to run Pillen Family Farms with my two oldest children. We're invested in rural communities across Nebraska, and have created over a thousand jobs. And we did it all with the gifts my parents left me: work ethic, integrity, and our good name.I've been blessed, but my story isn't unique—it's the Nebraska story. Here in the Cornhusker state, we work harder, push farther, and make sacrifices to give our kids a better life than we have.I love Nebraska. It's given me and my family everything, and I'm determined to keep it great for all our kids and grandkids. That means growing our economy, creating new opportunities, and giving every child the chance to pursue their dreams right here in Nebraska.That’s why I'm running to be your next Governor.Let's be real—our state faces many challenges. We have to fix the broken property tax system and cut taxes for families, ag producers, and small businesses. We need to modernize our tax structure to grow Nebraska, expand broadband access, and improve infrastructure across our state. Most importantly, we must preserve our values and protect the Nebraska way of life.Nebraska represents the best of America, and this is where we make our stand. We'll defend our right to bear arms. We'll stand with law enforcement and safeguard our communities, and demand order on the southern border. We'll advance a culture of life and protect the unborn.We'll stand up to radicals who want to use red tape and fake meat to put Nebraska out of business. We'll defend President Trump's progress in growing our economy and fighting hard for the forgotten men and women Washington long left behind. And when the Left pushes policies that threaten our freedoms, we'll go toe-to-toe with the federal government to keep the socialist agenda out of our state.Nebraska is where neighbors take care of each other; not government. That's the Nebraska way. It’s where honesty is more important than being politically correct. It's where hard work and risk-taking are rewarded, not punished. It's where people think for themselves and problem-solve through the unthinkable. Nebraska is home, and it's worth fighting for.I’m Jim Pillen. I’m a father, grandfather, farmer, and conservative Republican, and I’m running for Governor. I'd be honored to earn your vote. Please join me at JimPillen.com.

Columbus businessman, farmer announces bid for Nebraska Governor

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — A man who opened fire on a Pine Ridge house, killing one of its many occupants, has been sentenced to 35 years in prison. 

Ricky Bagola earlier pleaded guilty to second-degree in the January 2020 death of 30-year-old Casey Long Weston who was killed after the defendant blindly fired seven rounds into the house in a dispute over methamphetamine. 

Two of the rounds hit Weston, who was one of seven people in the house.

 Court documents make no mention of Weston being involved in the drug dispute. 

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — A man who opened fire on a Pine Ridge house, killing one of its many occupants, has been sentenced to 35 years in prison. Ricky Bagola earlier pleaded guilty to second-degree in the January 2020 death of 30-year-old Casey Long Weston who was killed after the defendant blindly fired seven rounds into the house in a dispute over methamphetamine. Two of the rounds hit Weston, who was one of seven people in the house. Court documents make no mention of Weston being involved in the drug dispute. Weston was the father of four children.

35-year sentence imposed for fatal shooting in Pine Ridge

Chadron — Paying your bill has never been easier and you’ve never had more options.&nbsp;

· Access real-time account information and consumption history

· Pay via phone, text, website, or mobile app

· Make a one-time payment, schedule a payment, or sign up for auto pay

Search in the app store on your mobile device for MyCivic Utilities and download the app and then search by location.

Chadron — Paying your bill has never been easier and you’ve never had more options.&nbsp;· Access real-time account information and consumption history· Pay via phone, text, website, or mobile app· Make a one-time payment, schedule a payment, or sign up for auto pay· Receive payment remindersSearch in the app store on your mobile device for MyCivic Utilities and download the app and then search by location.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617814986053.png" alt="" />
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 </figure>

City of Chadron announces new utility bill app 

On April 6, the Alliance City Council voted to approve an employment agreement with Seth Sorensen as the new city manager.&nbsp;

Sorensen has been the city manager in Pecos, Texas for the last three years.&nbsp; "Seth was one of our first finalists back in December," Alliance Mayor Mike Dafney said. "We did offer the job to him, which he&nbsp;reluctantly declined. I think there were a number of reasons...the timing at that particular time was bad being December with Christmas. And winter and the pandemic...and kids at school. It just wasn't a good time for him." Dafney said during the following months, they developed a friendship.&nbsp; "We just kind of stayed in touch," Dafney said. "He kind of knew what was going on. Most of it was just&nbsp;cordial. Once in awhile I'd take a shot at him and batter him a little bit that the job was still open. Last week before Easter, council decided we'd go get a&nbsp;consultant [Baker Tilly]. That was going to cost us $20,000 - $24,000. I thought well I'll take one more run at him. I texted him and said that offer is still out there. We're probably going to bring in a consultant after Tuesday. He texted back and wonder if he could still be considered. I told him certainly we'd still consider him. and I'd take it to council." All of council voted to bring Sorensen on board to the city administration.&nbsp; "I think he'll be an excellent fit," Dafney said. "The community he's in now is about 10,000 people, same as us, a little bit bigger. Like I said he was our first choice all along since the beginning. We liked him. We need to get a guy in here and get us down the road." The search for a new city manager for Alliance has taken about 8 months. Panhandle Post asked Dafney why he thinks there's a high turnover rate for city managers.&nbsp; "I'm going to guess maybe the pandemic played a part in it," Dafney said. "Managers may be in hot spots and kind of want to move maybe where it isn't so bad. It's been a unique situation here. It seems like the whole Panhandle around us was looking for a manager. Chadron is looking for one. Scottsbluff...Seth was a finalist over there. Gering and I believe Ogallala. It was a pretty competitive nature of business out there for us. It's just a deal where we stayed in touch and it kind of fell into place. "&nbsp; &nbsp;

-Accepted the Rolling Prairie Disc Golf Course as the 2021 ACE Project of the Year. The city will be receiving $200 toward future community betterment projects.&nbsp;

-Approved the purchase agreement for Lot 1, Block 1, Lakefield Addition to Jacob and Megan Seeley for $6,531.50.&nbsp;

-Approved the Alliance Learning Center HVAC system evaluation bid award to Long Technologies of Casper, WY for $10,580. There will be a 10% contingency to allow for additional services. The total cost is substantially under what was originally budgeted for this project.&nbsp;

By Kalin Krohe, Panhandle PostOn April 6, the Alliance City Council voted to approve an employment agreement with Seth Sorensen as the new city manager.&nbsp;Sorensen has been the city manager in Pecos, Texas for the last three years.&nbsp; "Seth was one of our first finalists back in December," Alliance Mayor Mike Dafney said. "We did offer the job to him, which he&nbsp;reluctantly declined. I think there were a number of reasons...the timing at that particular time was bad being December with Christmas. And winter and the pandemic...and kids at school. It just wasn't a good time for him." Dafney said during the following months, they developed a friendship.&nbsp; "We just kind of stayed in touch," Dafney said. "He kind of knew what was going on. Most of it was just&nbsp;cordial. Once in awhile I'd take a shot at him and batter him a little bit that the job was still open. Last week before Easter, council decided we'd go get a&nbsp;consultant [Baker Tilly]. That was going to cost us $20,000 - $24,000. I thought well I'll take one more run at him. I texted him and said that offer is still out there. We're probably going to bring in a consultant after Tuesday. He texted back and wonder if he could still be considered. I told him certainly we'd still consider him. and I'd take it to council." All of council voted to bring Sorensen on board to the city administration.&nbsp; "I think he'll be an excellent fit," Dafney said. "The community he's in now is about 10,000 people, same as us, a little bit bigger. Like I said he was our first choice all along since the beginning. We liked him. We need to get a guy in here and get us down the road." The search for a new city manager for Alliance has taken about 8 months. Panhandle Post asked Dafney why he thinks there's a high turnover rate for city managers.&nbsp; "I'm going to guess maybe the pandemic played a part in it," Dafney said. "Managers may be in hot spots and kind of want to move maybe where it isn't so bad. It's been a unique situation here. It seems like the whole Panhandle around us was looking for a manager. Chadron is looking for one. Scottsbluff...Seth was a finalist over there. Gering and I believe Ogallala. It was a pretty competitive nature of business out there for us. It's just a deal where we stayed in touch and it kind of fell into place. "&nbsp; &nbsp;In other business, council:-Accepted the Rolling Prairie Disc Golf Course as the 2021 ACE Project of the Year. The city will be receiving $200 toward future community betterment projects.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617814054468.jpeg" alt="National Public Safety Telecommunications week is April 11 - 17.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>National Public Safety Telecommunications week is April 11 - 17.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>-Approved the purchase agreement for Lot 1, Block 1, Lakefield Addition to Jacob and Megan Seeley for $6,531.50.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617814209971.jpeg" alt="-Public Transit week is April 11 - 17.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>-Public Transit week is April 11 - 17.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>-Approved the Alliance Learning Center HVAC system evaluation bid award to Long Technologies of Casper, WY for $10,580. There will be a 10% contingency to allow for additional services. The total cost is substantially under what was originally budgeted for this project.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617814365712.jpeg" alt="National Linemen Appreciation day will be held on April 18.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>National Linemen Appreciation day will be held on April 18.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>

Alliance Council offer Seth Sorensen City Manager position 

NCAP to host drive-through food pantry in Chadron 

🎙 Post Podcast: Alliance City Clerk & Co-City Manager Tarrah Johnson

By Patricia Jones, Task Force on Poverty&nbsp;

April is Financial Literacy Month, a good time to review our credit and debt situation. Most people at some time in their lives have trouble managing their finances, and this is especially true for those who live in poverty and have limited resources.

Credit is the ability of a person to obtain goods or services before payment, based on the trust that payment will be made in the future. Debt is something, typically money, that is owed to others.

Credit has increased Americans’ purchasing power. Without credit most of us could not buy homes and cars or go to college. Many of us use credit so we don’t have to carry cash or write checks, and we have a record of our purchases.&nbsp; But using credit means that we have debt. As the end of 2020, consumer debt was at $14.35 trillion, with Americans carrying an average personal debt of $92,727.

Credit card debt is, for many Americans, the most difficult to control. Because of the convenience, we use credit cards for everyday purchases at local stores, online purchases, and sometimes cash advances. Credit cards also charge high rates of interest, sometimes 39%. If you pay in full every month, you don’t have to pay that interest. But 55% of American families with credit cards do not pay in full every month. They owe an average of $7,027 and pay $1,155 in interest on unpaid balances. The good news is that this is the debt people were most likely to control during the pandemic. Five years ago credit card debt was more than twice as high.

Personal loans allow you to borrow a lump sum of money and pay it back in installments over time. Consumers can use the funds to cover nearly any expense, from debt consolidation (pay off that credit card!) to home improvements and emergency expenses. Nearly a quarter of U.S. adults have this type of debt, and the average balance stands at $16,458. &nbsp;Most car shoppers don’t have the cash to pay for a vehicle upfront, so they take out an&nbsp;auto loan and pay down the balance over time. As the second-most popular type of credit, two-thirds of U.S. adults have at least one auto loan. The average balance on this type of debt is $19,703.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Student loans help millions of Americans pay for college education every year. The average balance for those who have college loans is $38,792.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 

Home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) allow homeowners to borrow money using their homes as collateral. The average HELOC balance is $41,954, and 12 percent of adults in the U.S. have a HELOC account. &nbsp; Mortgages by far represent the largest outstanding debt in the U.S. The average mortgage balance stands at $208,185, and 44 percent of U.S. adults have this type of debt. In Box Butte County, an average home (according to the US Census Bureau) is valued at $105,400, so our mortgage debt would be significantly lower. Because of the low interest rates right now there have been more home sales, and this is the type of debt that has increased the most in the last year. This article used information from NerdWallet, Bankrate, and the Experian 2020 Consumer Credit Review. Having debt often creates financial difficulties for families. You have to pay interest, and perhaps additional fees. If you are delinquent, or late in your payments, those interest rates increase and more fees are added. You also damage your credit score and have to pay more to obtain credit in the future. Over the next few weeks we will be looking at more information about credit and debt and ways we can manage our financial resources better.&nbsp;

By Patricia Jones, Task Force on Poverty&nbsp;April is Financial Literacy Month, a good time to review our credit and debt situation. Most people at some time in their lives have trouble managing their finances, and this is especially true for those who live in poverty and have limited resources.Credit is the ability of a person to obtain goods or services before payment, based on the trust that payment will be made in the future. Debt is something, typically money, that is owed to others.Credit has increased Americans’ purchasing power. Without credit most of us could not buy homes and cars or go to college. Many of us use credit so we don’t have to carry cash or write checks, and we have a record of our purchases.&nbsp; But using credit means that we have debt. As the end of 2020, consumer debt was at $14.35 trillion, with Americans carrying an average personal debt of $92,727.Credit card debt is, for many Americans, the most difficult to control. Because of the convenience, we use credit cards for everyday purchases at local stores, online purchases, and sometimes cash advances. Credit cards also charge high rates of interest, sometimes 39%. If you pay in full every month, you don’t have to pay that interest. But 55% of American families with credit cards do not pay in full every month. They owe an average of $7,027 and pay $1,155 in interest on unpaid balances. The good news is that this is the debt people were most likely to control during the pandemic. Five years ago credit card debt was more than twice as high.Personal loans allow you to borrow a lump sum of money and pay it back in installments over time. Consumers can use the funds to cover nearly any expense, from debt consolidation (pay off that credit card!) to home improvements and emergency expenses. Nearly a quarter of U.S. adults have this type of debt, and the average balance stands at $16,458. &nbsp;Most car shoppers don’t have the cash to pay for a vehicle upfront, so they take out an&nbsp;auto loan and pay down the balance over time. As the second-most popular type of credit, two-thirds of U.S. adults have at least one auto loan. The average balance on this type of debt is $19,703.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Student loans help millions of Americans pay for college education every year. The average balance for those who have college loans is $38,792.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) allow homeowners to borrow money using their homes as collateral. The average HELOC balance is $41,954, and 12 percent of adults in the U.S. have a HELOC account. &nbsp; Mortgages by far represent the largest outstanding debt in the U.S. The average mortgage balance stands at $208,185, and 44 percent of U.S. adults have this type of debt. In Box Butte County, an average home (according to the US Census Bureau) is valued at $105,400, so our mortgage debt would be significantly lower. Because of the low interest rates right now there have been more home sales, and this is the type of debt that has increased the most in the last year. This article used information from NerdWallet, Bankrate, and the Experian 2020 Consumer Credit Review. Having debt often creates financial difficulties for families. You have to pay interest, and perhaps additional fees. If you are delinquent, or late in your payments, those interest rates increase and more fees are added. You also damage your credit score and have to pay more to obtain credit in the future. Over the next few weeks we will be looking at more information about credit and debt and ways we can manage our financial resources better.&nbsp;

Poverty In Our Area: Average american debt

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska lawmakers have given initial approval to new workplace protections that would ban discrimination against employees based on their hairstyles. 

The measure advanced on a 38-0 vote through the first of three required votes.

 Sen. Terrell McKinney, of Omaha, introduced the bill to prevent employers from harassing or firing employees based naturally curly hairstyles that are popular among Black people. 

McKinney says he worked to address concerns raised last year by Gov. Pete Ricketts, who vetoed a similar version of the bill.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska lawmakers have given initial approval to new workplace protections that would ban discrimination against employees based on their hairstyles. The measure advanced on a 38-0 vote through the first of three required votes. Sen. Terrell McKinney, of Omaha, introduced the bill to prevent employers from harassing or firing employees based naturally curly hairstyles that are popular among Black people. McKinney says he worked to address concerns raised last year by Gov. Pete Ricketts, who vetoed a similar version of the bill.

Nebraska lawmakers advance bill to ban hair discrimination

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska residents who stop working temporarily to care for a family member with a serious health condition could claim unemployment benefits under a bill advanced by lawmakers.

 Lawmakers gave the measure first-round approval with a 27-11 vote. 

The proposal by Sen. Megan Hunt, of Omaha, would allow workers to collect benefits if they left a job due to family caregiving needs but are planning to return to work.

 Hunt says the bill will help caregivers who might otherwise struggle financially while caring for a loved one and will help the state avoid costly long-term care services in cases where no one else is available to take care of the person with a health condition.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska residents who stop working temporarily to care for a family member with a serious health condition could claim unemployment benefits under a bill advanced by lawmakers. Lawmakers gave the measure first-round approval with a 27-11 vote. The proposal by Sen. Megan Hunt, of Omaha, would allow workers to collect benefits if they left a job due to family caregiving needs but are planning to return to work. Hunt says the bill will help caregivers who might otherwise struggle financially while caring for a loved one and will help the state avoid costly long-term care services in cases where no one else is available to take care of the person with a health condition.

Nebraska advances unemployment benefit for family caregivers

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. took office a little over two months ago.&nbsp; In his inaugural address, President Biden dedicated himself to “bringing America together.”&nbsp; In the weeks since then, he has charted a very different course.&nbsp; Instead of governing by building consensus, he has aggressively pushed a far-left agenda. &nbsp;He refused to compromise with Republicans on stimulus legislation.&nbsp; Instead, he signed a coronavirus spending package that bailed out Blue states at the expense of states like Nebraska that had taken a better approach to the pandemic.&nbsp; He has also supported corporate bullying of states that pass laws he doesn’t like. &nbsp;The President’s early actions have been divisive rather than unifying, and they fail to respect the rights of states in our federal system of government.

As President Biden forges ahead with a narrowly partisan agenda, the State of Nebraska will vigilantly guard our state’s freedom. &nbsp;When the Obama Administration tried to claim powers belonging to the states, we successfully fought back in court.&nbsp; Nebraskans can expect us to take the same approach to the Biden Administration when its actions violate the rights we cherish. &nbsp;Here are a few of President Biden’s early initiatives that we are closely following.

The number one priority of Congressional Democrats is HR 1, which would lead to a federal takeover of elections. &nbsp;Right now, elections are managed by the states.&nbsp; In Nebraska, we set the rules that we believe are best for Nebraska.&nbsp; Our state election laws have consistently overseen free and fair elections.&nbsp; Democrats want to erode the measures that ensure election integrity in our state through a federal takeover.

President Biden has made the passage of the Equality Act one of his top priorities for Congress.&nbsp; Don’t let the name of the bill fool you.&nbsp; This bill is not about treating people fairly.&nbsp; It’s an unprecedented attempt to punish Americans who have deeply held pro-life beliefs and traditional values on gender and sexuality.&nbsp; At its core, the bill is an assault on religious freedom.&nbsp; It specifically deprives Americans of protections guaranteed by the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) of 1993.&nbsp;

For example, the Equality Act would expand the legal definition of discrimination on the basis of sex to include pregnancy.&nbsp; Nurses or doctors refusing to perform abortions would risk being sued for “pregnancy discrimination.”&nbsp; Under the Equality Act, medical professionals would not be able to claim their right of religious freedom as grounds for refusing to kill a preborn baby.&nbsp; Again, that’s because the law strips away the legal protections of RFRA—a law that passed on a vote of 97-3 in the U.S. Senate.&nbsp;

While Nebraska has been strengthening protections for the unborn, the Biden-Harris Administration is heading in the opposite direction.&nbsp; Early indications suggest President Biden is going to lead the most pro-abortion administration in American history.&nbsp; On January 28th, President Biden ended the Mexico City policy. &nbsp;This policy has been in effect under pro-life administrations beginning with President Ronald Reagan and bans U.S. foreign aid for non-governmental family planning agencies that perform or promote abortions.&nbsp; By discontinuing the policy, the Biden Administration is authorizing taxpayer dollars to fund abortions around the world.&nbsp; The Biden Administration is also rewriting Title X rules to again allow the flow of federal tax dollars to abortion clinics.&nbsp;

In January, President Biden issued an executive order on the climate.&nbsp; It sets a goal of restricting “at least 30 percent of our lands and waters by 2030.”&nbsp; The President has no constitutional authority to unilaterally restrict these lands, and this would potentially deprive people of their property rights.&nbsp; It would also harm small towns and rural communities.&nbsp;

Our farmers and ranchers are the original conservationists. &nbsp;An ethic of responsible stewardship is ingrained in our state’s ag culture.&nbsp; For example, our state has become a global leader in agricultural irrigation while successfully managing our water resources—all without federal intervention.&nbsp; Nebraska has more irrigated acres of land than any other state, and we also rank first nationally in groundwater abundance.&nbsp; We have a track record of successfully managing our natural resources through responsible self-government.

In the wake of recent tragedies in Atlanta and Boulder, President Biden is attempting to build momentum for new gun control measures.&nbsp; The President should work to address the underlying causes of violence in our communities rather than trying to roll back the right to bear arms.&nbsp; This right is guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and reasserted in Article I of the Nebraska Constitution.&nbsp; Banning guns will not solve the problem.&nbsp; Nebraska is a pro-Second Amendment state, and we will stand up against any attempt by the federal government to impede our freedoms through restrictive gun regulations.

In our federal system of government, the 50 states have freedom to adopt different policies best suited to their unique needs.&nbsp; President Biden needs to respect our rights.&nbsp; If you have concerns about the impact of federal legislation on life in Nebraska, please share them with me by emailing&nbsp;<a href="mailto:pete.ricketts@nebraska.gov">pete.ricketts@nebraska.gov</a>&nbsp;or calling 402-471-2244.&nbsp; My administration will continue to fight for Nebraska and our citizens’ constitutional liberties.&nbsp;

By Gov. Pete RickettsPresident Joseph R. Biden, Jr. took office a little over two months ago.&nbsp; In his inaugural address, President Biden dedicated himself to “bringing America together.”&nbsp; In the weeks since then, he has charted a very different course.&nbsp; Instead of governing by building consensus, he has aggressively pushed a far-left agenda. &nbsp;He refused to compromise with Republicans on stimulus legislation.&nbsp; Instead, he signed a coronavirus spending package that bailed out Blue states at the expense of states like Nebraska that had taken a better approach to the pandemic.&nbsp; He has also supported corporate bullying of states that pass laws he doesn’t like. &nbsp;The President’s early actions have been divisive rather than unifying, and they fail to respect the rights of states in our federal system of government.As President Biden forges ahead with a narrowly partisan agenda, the State of Nebraska will vigilantly guard our state’s freedom. &nbsp;When the Obama Administration tried to claim powers belonging to the states, we successfully fought back in court.&nbsp; Nebraskans can expect us to take the same approach to the Biden Administration when its actions violate the rights we cherish. &nbsp;Here are a few of President Biden’s early initiatives that we are closely following.Federal Takeover of State ElectionsThe number one priority of Congressional Democrats is HR 1, which would lead to a federal takeover of elections. &nbsp;Right now, elections are managed by the states.&nbsp; In Nebraska, we set the rules that we believe are best for Nebraska.&nbsp; Our state election laws have consistently overseen free and fair elections.&nbsp; Democrats want to erode the measures that ensure election integrity in our state through a federal takeover.Squashing Religious FreedomPresident Biden has made the passage of the Equality Act one of his top priorities for Congress.&nbsp; Don’t let the name of the bill fool you.&nbsp; This bill is not about treating people fairly.&nbsp; It’s an unprecedented attempt to punish Americans who have deeply held pro-life beliefs and traditional values on gender and sexuality.&nbsp; At its core, the bill is an assault on religious freedom.&nbsp; It specifically deprives Americans of protections guaranteed by the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) of 1993.&nbsp;For example, the Equality Act would expand the legal definition of discrimination on the basis of sex to include pregnancy.&nbsp; Nurses or doctors refusing to perform abortions would risk being sued for “pregnancy discrimination.”&nbsp; Under the Equality Act, medical professionals would not be able to claim their right of religious freedom as grounds for refusing to kill a preborn baby.&nbsp; Again, that’s because the law strips away the legal protections of RFRA—a law that passed on a vote of 97-3 in the U.S. Senate.&nbsp;Expanding AbortionsWhile Nebraska has been strengthening protections for the unborn, the Biden-Harris Administration is heading in the opposite direction.&nbsp; Early indications suggest President Biden is going to lead the most pro-abortion administration in American history.&nbsp; On January 28th, President Biden ended the Mexico City policy. &nbsp;This policy has been in effect under pro-life administrations beginning with President Ronald Reagan and bans U.S. foreign aid for non-governmental family planning agencies that perform or promote abortions.&nbsp; By discontinuing the policy, the Biden Administration is authorizing taxpayer dollars to fund abortions around the world.&nbsp; The Biden Administration is also rewriting Title X rules to again allow the flow of federal tax dollars to abortion clinics.&nbsp;Weakening Property RightsIn January, President Biden issued an executive order on the climate.&nbsp; It sets a goal of restricting “at least 30 percent of our lands and waters by 2030.”&nbsp; The President has no constitutional authority to unilaterally restrict these lands, and this would potentially deprive people of their property rights.&nbsp; It would also harm small towns and rural communities.&nbsp;Our farmers and ranchers are the original conservationists. &nbsp;An ethic of responsible stewardship is ingrained in our state’s ag culture.&nbsp; For example, our state has become a global leader in agricultural irrigation while successfully managing our water resources—all without federal intervention.&nbsp; Nebraska has more irrigated acres of land than any other state, and we also rank first nationally in groundwater abundance.&nbsp; We have a track record of successfully managing our natural resources through responsible self-government.Trampling on Gun RightsIn the wake of recent tragedies in Atlanta and Boulder, President Biden is attempting to build momentum for new gun control measures.&nbsp; The President should work to address the underlying causes of violence in our communities rather than trying to roll back the right to bear arms.&nbsp; This right is guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and reasserted in Article I of the Nebraska Constitution.&nbsp; Banning guns will not solve the problem.&nbsp; Nebraska is a pro-Second Amendment state, and we will stand up against any attempt by the federal government to impede our freedoms through restrictive gun regulations.In our federal system of government, the 50 states have freedom to adopt different policies best suited to their unique needs.&nbsp; President Biden needs to respect our rights.&nbsp; If you have concerns about the impact of federal legislation on life in Nebraska, please share them with me by emailing&nbsp;<a href="mailto:pete.ricketts@nebraska.gov">pete.ricketts@nebraska.gov</a>&nbsp;or calling 402-471-2244.&nbsp; My administration will continue to fight for Nebraska and our citizens’ constitutional liberties.&nbsp;

Gov. Ricketts: Fighting for our rights

ABIGAIL SWANSON, CSC College Relations

CHADRON – While most of Jessica Rowshandel’s geoscience and math classes at Chadron State College are online, every year at Field Camp she learns from new, hands-on experiences.

Rowshandel is a nontraditional student and published author. Previously she earned a bachelor’s in forensic psychology and a master’s in social work from other institutions.

“I was really curious about astronomy and astrophysics,” Rowshandel said.

She started an astronomy, geoscience, and physics program at the City University of New York and discovered a love of the tactile nature of geology. However, due to health complications, dropped out.

Later, Rowshandel moved to California and missed taking classes. To avoid the strain of the commute to in person classes, she investigated online geology programs and discovered CSC.

After adjusting to online classes, she found the format worked perfectly. The flexibility of recorded lectures allowed her to listen to the class material while maintaining a routine in pacific time.

As part of the geoscience degree requirements, Rowshandel attended Field Camp, a series of three annual, two-week long field studies where students explore and learn in person at geologically significant sites.

Rowshandel’s first Field Camp challenged her.

“I didn’t know what to expect. I was pretty terrified and nervous,” she said.

Throughout the Field Camp, Rowshandel developed friendships with other students and gained tangible experience to support her classroom learning.

“(Field Camp) is where everything gelled and started to make sense for me,” she said.

It was a big physical strain, but, because of Dr. Michael Leite’s consideration and accommodation, Rowshandel attended two separate Field Camps.

“It was very rewarding to finish something that, for me, was physically challenging,” Rowshandel said.

Rowshandel is considering perusing a career in science communication.

She is a volunteer NASA Solar System Ambassador, which gives her the chance to present scientific knowledge to school children in an accessible way.

In her book, “Lupus: 365 Tips for Living Well,” Rowshandel exercised good scientific communication skills.

“The book I wrote basically translated health information and explained, not only how to cope with lupus, but how to find scientific information that was both accurate and understandable.”

Recent events highlight the need for scientific communication.

“We can see through the coronavirus pandemic how important accurate science information is, and how alienating it can be if people don’t trust or understand the sciences because they are not being communicated in a way that is understandable,” Rowshandel said.

Rowshandel plans to continue studying the Earth to gain a deeper understanding of other worlds through attending graduate school.

“My end goal is to go for a doctorate in planetary science and study the geology of planets and rocky bodies and moons,” Rowshandel said.

ABIGAIL SWANSON, CSC College RelationsCHADRON – While most of Jessica Rowshandel’s geoscience and math classes at Chadron State College are online, every year at Field Camp she learns from new, hands-on experiences.Rowshandel is a nontraditional student and published author. Previously she earned a bachelor’s in forensic psychology and a master’s in social work from other institutions.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617757039755.jpeg" alt="Jessica Rowshandel of Encino, California, is an online Chadron State College student in the Geoscience program. She poses during a Field Camp stop in the Bighorn mountains of Wyoming May 8, 2019, led by Dr. Mike Leite. (Courtesy photo)" />
 <figcaption>Jessica Rowshandel of Encino, California, is an online Chadron State College student in the Geoscience program. She poses during a Field Camp stop in the Bighorn mountains of Wyoming May 8, 2019, led by Dr. Mike Leite. (Courtesy photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>“I was really curious about astronomy and astrophysics,” Rowshandel said.She started an astronomy, geoscience, and physics program at the City University of New York and discovered a love of the tactile nature of geology. However, due to health complications, dropped out.Later, Rowshandel moved to California and missed taking classes. To avoid the strain of the commute to in person classes, she investigated online geology programs and discovered CSC.After adjusting to online classes, she found the format worked perfectly. The flexibility of recorded lectures allowed her to listen to the class material while maintaining a routine in pacific time.As part of the geoscience degree requirements, Rowshandel attended Field Camp, a series of three annual, two-week long field studies where students explore and learn in person at geologically significant sites.Rowshandel’s first Field Camp challenged her.“I didn’t know what to expect. I was pretty terrified and nervous,” she said.Throughout the Field Camp, Rowshandel developed friendships with other students and gained tangible experience to support her classroom learning.“(Field Camp) is where everything gelled and started to make sense for me,” she said.It was a big physical strain, but, because of Dr. Michael Leite’s consideration and accommodation, Rowshandel attended two separate Field Camps.“It was very rewarding to finish something that, for me, was physically challenging,” Rowshandel said.Rowshandel is considering perusing a career in science communication.She is a volunteer NASA Solar System Ambassador, which gives her the chance to present scientific knowledge to school children in an accessible way.In her book, “Lupus: 365 Tips for Living Well,” Rowshandel exercised good scientific communication skills.“The book I wrote basically translated health information and explained, not only how to cope with lupus, but how to find scientific information that was both accurate and understandable.”Recent events highlight the need for scientific communication.“We can see through the coronavirus pandemic how important accurate science information is, and how alienating it can be if people don’t trust or understand the sciences because they are not being communicated in a way that is understandable,” Rowshandel said.Rowshandel plans to continue studying the Earth to gain a deeper understanding of other worlds through attending graduate school.“My end goal is to go for a doctorate in planetary science and study the geology of planets and rocky bodies and moons,” Rowshandel said.

CSC online student finds Field Camp challenging but rewarding

&nbsp; GREELEY, Colo. -- April 6, 2021 --&nbsp;The Chadron State College football team is scheduled to participate in a scrimmage on Saturday at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. That practice contest has been moved from the Butler-Hancock Practice Fields to Nottingham Field, the gameday home of the Bears. Nottingham Field will be closed to the public, but CSC fans may tune into KQSK 97.5 FM and KAAQ&nbsp;105.9 FM "Double Q Country" for coverage by Voice of the Eagles Dave Collins, live from the stadium.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617748156185.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By: CSC Athletics&nbsp; GREELEY, Colo. -- April 6, 2021 --&nbsp;The Chadron State College football team is scheduled to participate in a scrimmage on Saturday at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. That practice contest has been moved from the Butler-Hancock Practice Fields to Nottingham Field, the gameday home of the Bears. Nottingham Field will be closed to the public, but CSC fans may tune into KQSK 97.5 FM and KAAQ&nbsp;105.9 FM "Double Q Country" for coverage by Voice of the Eagles Dave Collins, live from the stadium.&nbsp;&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617749082733.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

CSC FB scrimmage at UNC Saturday moved to Bears' stadium - NO FANS ALLOWED

&nbsp;The Alliance Public Schools Foundation is holding its annual scholarship fundraiser, this year in partnership with the Knight Museum and Sandhills Center.&nbsp; The auction fundraiser is going on through April 10. People can walk through the museum to view auction items and then bid on them at&nbsp;<a href="http://bidnebraska.com">bidnebraska.com</a>

Varner said the bidding process is pretty simple.&nbsp; "You register for your bid number then you bid on the item you're interested in," Varner said. "You go online through April 10th. All the items will be uploaded. The highest bidder wins. We'll close the bids at 6 p.m. on Saturday. The pickup time is at the conclusion of the auction on Saturday or Tuesday, April 13 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Knight Museum. Credit card purchases are available with a 3.5% transaction fee, but you can pay with checks." At 4 p.m. on April 10 students of the 7th Street Dance Studio will be performing. The original scheduled time was at 6 p.m. There will also be a nacho bar.&nbsp; "The reason why we did this...is usually we use the Westside Event Center, but with the COVID issues and things not really opening up...and doing the food items...you can go all week and look at the items," Varner said. "Plus it opens it up instead of us selling tickets...you know people that can't afford to buy tickets to come for the supper part. It's open for the whole community. Plus online, people from other states can bid on this stuff and we can ship it. If they're afraid of COVID, they can sit at their home and bid." Varner said masks are not mandatory, but people are welcome to wear them. "Last year we had actually scheduled a fundraiser," Foundation Vice-President Tim Garwood said. "Obviously, at this time of year it was when a lot of cancellations were starting to come in and this was one of the things that did get cancelled. This year, knowing what the situations been with COVID and restrictions, the board decided to have an event, but it's going to be different than what we've done in the past. We want to respect what's going on. We appreciate the fact that things are lifting a little bit out of the COVID restrictions, but we also want to let people know that we are a long ways from getting back to normal. The theme for this year is 'Sticking Together Six-Feet Apart'." There are multiple scholarships available this year for students.&nbsp; "The new scholarships available this year are the Mark R. Custer Memorial Scholarship, the Frank and JoAnn&nbsp;Tolstedt Scholarship, the Barry Harris Athletic Scholarship and the next one is the Midwest Deadhead Guardian Bell Scholarship," Varner said.&nbsp; &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617737282023.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By Kalin Krohe, Panhandle Post&nbsp;The Alliance Public Schools Foundation is holding its annual scholarship fundraiser, this year in partnership with the Knight Museum and Sandhills Center.&nbsp; The auction fundraiser is going on through April 10. People can walk through the museum to view auction items and then bid on them at&nbsp;<a href="http://bidnebraska.com">bidnebraska.com</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617640909016.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Varner said the bidding process is pretty simple.&nbsp; "You register for your bid number then you bid on the item you're interested in," Varner said. "You go online through April 10th. All the items will be uploaded. The highest bidder wins. We'll close the bids at 6 p.m. on Saturday. The pickup time is at the conclusion of the auction on Saturday or Tuesday, April 13 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Knight Museum. Credit card purchases are available with a 3.5% transaction fee, but you can pay with checks." At 4 p.m. on April 10 students of the 7th Street Dance Studio will be performing. The original scheduled time was at 6 p.m. There will also be a nacho bar.&nbsp; "The reason why we did this...is usually we use the Westside Event Center, but with the COVID issues and things not really opening up...and doing the food items...you can go all week and look at the items," Varner said. "Plus it opens it up instead of us selling tickets...you know people that can't afford to buy tickets to come for the supper part. It's open for the whole community. Plus online, people from other states can bid on this stuff and we can ship it. If they're afraid of COVID, they can sit at their home and bid." Varner said masks are not mandatory, but people are welcome to wear them. "Last year we had actually scheduled a fundraiser," Foundation Vice-President Tim Garwood said. "Obviously, at this time of year it was when a lot of cancellations were starting to come in and this was one of the things that did get cancelled. This year, knowing what the situations been with COVID and restrictions, the board decided to have an event, but it's going to be different than what we've done in the past. We want to respect what's going on. We appreciate the fact that things are lifting a little bit out of the COVID restrictions, but we also want to let people know that we are a long ways from getting back to normal. The theme for this year is 'Sticking Together Six-Feet Apart'." There are multiple scholarships available this year for students.&nbsp; "The new scholarships available this year are the Mark R. Custer Memorial Scholarship, the Frank and JoAnn&nbsp;Tolstedt Scholarship, the Barry Harris Athletic Scholarship and the next one is the Midwest Deadhead Guardian Bell Scholarship," Varner said.&nbsp; &nbsp;Below are some of the auction items:<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617736868936.jpeg" alt="" />
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APS Foundation partners with Knight Museum for fundraiser

By TENA L. COOK, CSC Marketing Coordinator

CHADRON – The Chadron State College Theatre Department will present To Die For<a>&nbsp;via CSC Live April 15-17&nbsp;</a>at 7 p.m. and April 18 at 2 p.m. Viewers need to place reservations at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.csc.edu/theatre" target="_blank">www.csc.edu/theatre</a>&nbsp;to see the show online.&nbsp;Each password is good for one live performance.

According to Director David Craven, To Die For&nbsp;is a comedy thriller in tradition of plays like&nbsp;Deathtrap and Sleuth, or movies like Knives Out and Murder by Death.

<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/story.csc?article=12131" target="_blank">Craven</a>, who lives in Atlanta, returned to CSC this semester as Interim Director of Theatrical performances. He fulfilled a similar guest artist function in Fall 2019.

The setting of the play is the home of successful romance author Carla Woods. Her assistants disappear faster than toilet paper in a pandemic, Craven joked.

“Her newest assistant, Grace, seems like the perfect fit, until Carla's world goes sideways, and things start to no longer be what they appear,” Craven said. “To Die For is like a roller coaster ride of comedy, suspense, and ridiculous romance.&nbsp;It will be entertaining for adults but also family friendly.”

Craven and Theatre Professor Scott Cavin work closely with Digital Graphic Designer Daniel Binkard to produce the live streaming broadcasts of the play.

“Daniel does the live streaming for athletics so he has a lot of experience. We are tapping into his expertise, finding out what we can do. Getting the lighting and cameras set, and teaching our students to use the equipment,” Cavin said. “We're using two to three cameras so it is more it is more like the experience we're all used to on television.”

Carla Woods: Olivia Freeze of Bridgeport, Neb.

Janet: Johanna Foster of Gothenburg, Neb.

Scenic and lighting designer: Scott Cavin

Sound designer: Christopher Lidgett of Norfolk, Neb.

Costume designer: Brittney Peters of Rapid City, S.D.

Production stage manager: Cheyenne Bacon of Lewellen, Neb.

Assistant stage manager: Johanna Foster of Gothenburg, Neb.

Videographer: Samuel LaRive of Hot Springs, S.D.

Wigs and makeup: Zackary Wellnitz of Rushville, Neb.

By TENA L. COOK, CSC Marketing CoordinatorCHADRON – The Chadron State College Theatre Department will present To Die For<a>&nbsp;via CSC Live April 15-17&nbsp;</a>at 7 p.m. and April 18 at 2 p.m. Viewers need to place reservations at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.csc.edu/theatre" target="_blank">www.csc.edu/theatre</a>&nbsp;to see the show online.&nbsp;Each password is good for one live performance.According to Director David Craven, To Die For&nbsp;is a comedy thriller in tradition of plays like&nbsp;Deathtrap and Sleuth, or movies like Knives Out and Murder by Death.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1617733979342.jpeg" alt="Olivia Freeze, foreground, and Halle Smith, right, rehearse a scene for "To Die For" on March 29, 2021, at Memorial Hall. (Photo by Daniel Binkard/Chadron State College)" />
 <figcaption>Olivia Freeze, foreground, and Halle Smith, right, rehearse a scene for "To Die For" on March 29, 2021, at Memorial Hall. (Photo by Daniel Binkard/Chadron State College)</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/story.csc?article=12131" target="_blank">Craven</a>, who lives in Atlanta, returned to CSC this semester as Interim Director of Theatrical performances. He fulfilled a similar guest artist function in Fall 2019.The setting of the play is the home of successful romance author Carla Woods. Her assistants disappear faster than toilet paper in a pandemic, Craven joked.“Her newest assistant, Grace, seems like the perfect fit, until Carla's world goes sideways, and things start to no longer be what they appear,” Craven said. “To Die For is like a roller coaster ride of comedy, suspense, and ridiculous romance.&nbsp;It will be entertaining for adults but also family friendly.”Craven and Theatre Professor Scott Cavin work closely with Digital Graphic Designer Daniel Binkard to produce the live streaming broadcasts of the play.“Daniel does the live streaming for athletics so he has a lot of experience. We are tapping into his expertise, finding out what we can do. Getting the lighting and cameras set, and teaching our students to use the equipment,” Cavin said. “We're using two to three cameras so it is more it is more like the experience we're all used to on television.”CastCarla Woods: Olivia Freeze of Bridgeport, Neb.Grace: Halle Smith of Wheatland, Wyo.The man: Jarret Buchholz of Arnold, Neb.Janet: Johanna Foster of Gothenburg, Neb.Production StaffDirector: David CravenScenic and lighting designer: Scott CavinSound designer: Christopher Lidgett of Norfolk, Neb.Costume designer: Brittney Peters of Rapid City, S.D.Production stage manager: Cheyenne Bacon of Lewellen, Neb.Assistant stage manager: Johanna Foster of Gothenburg, Neb.Videographer: Samuel LaRive of Hot Springs, S.D.Wigs and makeup: Zackary Wellnitz of Rushville, Neb.

CSC Theatre to present 'To Die For' online

🎙 Post Podcast: Karen Benzel of United Way of Western Nebraska

Two Scottbluff men were arrested following a standoff.&nbsp;

At approximately 5 p.m. on April 5 the Scottsbluff Police Department responded to the scene of a man who barricaded himself inside a house at 310 W. 24th Street. 

The man was suspected to have multiple warrants for his arrest. He was not responding to officer’s demands to exit the residence.

"While the scene was secured with law enforcement and surrounded by uniformed and non-uniformed officers, a male, identified as 33 year-old Rafael Velazquez of Scottsbluff entered the scene against the commands of law enforcement and ran into the residence," Scottsbluff Police Captain Brian Wasson said. "Velazquez was arrested for obstructing the investigation and booked into the Scotts Bluff County Jail."

&nbsp;Officers entered the house and arrested 32 year-old Victor Mata III of Scottsbluff for numerous felony and misdemeanor warrants. 

Mata had seven arrest warrants. Six of those warrants charging him with failing to appear or failing to comply and two counts of forgery. 

"Of the failure to appear warrants...one charged him with failing to appear for a trial...charging him with felonious theft and for being a habitual criminal," Wasson said.

 Mata&nbsp;was booked into the Scotts Bluff County Jail.

"The police department is aware of social media reports suggesting shots had been fired at this scene," Wasson added. "These reports are not accurate and no firearms were seized during this investigation."

The Scottsbluff Police Department was assisted by the Nebraska State Patrol, Scotts Bluff County Sheriff’s Office, Gering Police Department, Scottsbluff Fire Department and Valley Ambulance Services.

By Kalin Krohe, Panhandle PostTwo Scottbluff men were arrested following a standoff.&nbsp;At approximately 5 p.m. on April 5 the Scottsbluff Police Department responded to the scene of a man who barricaded himself inside a house at 310 W. 24th Street. The man was suspected to have multiple warrants for his arrest. He was not responding to officer’s demands to exit the residence."While the scene was secured with law enforcement and surrounded by uniformed and non-uniformed officers, a male, identified as 33 year-old Rafael Velazquez of Scottsbluff entered the scene against the commands of law enforcement and ran into the residence," Scottsbluff Police Captain Brian Wasson said. "Velazquez was arrested for obstructing the investigation and booked into the Scotts Bluff County Jail."&nbsp;Officers entered the house and arrested 32 year-old Victor Mata III of Scottsbluff for numerous felony and misdemeanor warrants. Mata had seven arrest warrants. Six of those warrants charging him with failing to appear or failing to comply and two counts of forgery. "Of the failure to appear warrants...one charged him with failing to appear for a trial...charging him with felonious theft and for being a habitual criminal," Wasson said. Mata&nbsp;was booked into the Scotts Bluff County Jail."The police department is aware of social media reports suggesting shots had been fired at this scene," Wasson added. "These reports are not accurate and no firearms were seized during this investigation."The Scottsbluff Police Department was assisted by the Nebraska State Patrol, Scotts Bluff County Sheriff’s Office, Gering Police Department, Scottsbluff Fire Department and Valley Ambulance Services.