Dr. Klepser, who joined UNMC in 2005, will become the ninth dean of the college.

Don Klepser, PhD, professor of pharmacy practice and science and interim dean of the UNMC College of Pharmacy, has been named the permanent Joseph D. Williams Endowed Dean of the college, UNMC Interim Chancellor H. Dele Davies, MD, announced.

Dr. Klepser will become the ninth dean of the UNMC College of Pharmacy, pending approval by the University of Nebraska Board of Regents at its December board meeting.

“I am pleased to appoint Dr. Klepser as dean of the UNMC College of Pharmacy,” Dr. Davies said. “He has long been a trusted leader within the college, and a comprehensive review process reaffirmed the strong confidence our faculty, staff, students, alumni, internal and external peer deans and directors and community partners have in his ability to serve in this role. The feedback underscored Dr. Klepser's clear vision for the college’s future, and I am confident that under his leadership, we will continue to advance pharmacy education, research and patient care across Nebraska and beyond.

“I am grateful to everyone who participated in the review process and helped us reach this decision.”

As Dr. Davies noted, Dr. Klepser’s candidacy for the position was reviewed by a 14-person committee chaired by Karoly Mirnics, MD, PhD, dean and director of the UNMC Munroe-Meyer Institute. The process included focus group listening sessions and feedback from internal and external stakeholders.&nbsp;Dr. Klepser had served as interim dean since January 2025 when Keith Olsen, PharmD, stepped down from the role.

Dr. Klepser came to UNMC in 2005 and helped the medical center ascend to national leadership in point-of-care testing and diseases management service in community pharmacies, the expanded role for pharmacists in the changing health care environment, rural pharmacy access, cost containment and managed care benefit design. This work has not just brought praise in academic circles but also resulted in real benefits in underserved areas of rural and urban Nebraska.

Dr. Klepser is a former UNMC Distinguished Scientist who has built a 21-year career marked by steady advancement at the college of pharmacy. He served previously as senior associate dean for academic affairs and has taken on leadership roles in several initiatives, including pharmacy’s expansion to Kearney. He is also a graduate of the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraska.edu/offices-policies/provosts-office/academic-affairs/developing-excellence-in-academic-leaders-program" target="_blank">Nebraska University Developing Excellence in Academic Leaders (NU DEAL) Program</a>.&nbsp;He has been named both a Research Fellow and Academic Leadership Fellow by the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy.

“I see our college leading the way in transforming health,” Dr. Klepser said. “Not just in Nebraska but across the globe. We will achieve this by driving groundbreaking pharmaceutical research, by educating and empowering the next generation of visionary pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists and by supporting exceptional patient-centered care in every community we serve.”

While about half of the nation’s pharmacy schools are singly focused as educational institutions, Dr. Klepser called research and creative activity at the UNMC College of Pharmacy “a critical pillar to everything we do.” The college is recognized as a pound-for-pound research powerhouse, regularly&nbsp;<a href="https://www.unmc.edu/newsroom/2023/06/06/college-of-pharmacy-reflects-impressive-research-tally/" target="_blank">finishing in the national&nbsp;top 10</a>&nbsp;for research grant dollars per full-time faculty member.

Under his leadership, the college would be “open for business,” and “start from yes,” in looking for collaborative partnerships and opportunities.

“We want to amplify the scientific impact of our faculty, our grad students, our postdocs,” he said.

He would assume leadership of a college that is, in his own words, in “a position of strength.”

But, “Just as important as what we do is how we do it. I am deeply committed to fostering a strong and supportive culture, one where collaboration thrives, innovation is encouraged, and every member of our college feels valued and inspired to reach their full potential.”

-Has trained most of Nebraska’s pharmacists who serve urban and rural communities throughout the state; and now trains them both in Omaha and in Kearney

-Holds a top-20 ranking in the latest list of&nbsp;“Best Pharmacy Schools”&nbsp;by U.S. News &amp; World Report

-Is perennially among the nation’s leaders in first-time pass rates for their licensure boards exams – they led the nation in 2024 and 2023. UNMC has never had a first-time pass rate lower than 90 percent since keeping records.

-Is among the strongest benefactor-supported pharmacy schools in the country, with support including an endowed deanship and endowed matching funds, to spur further philanthropy.. Is the home for the new&nbsp;Center for Drug Design and Innovation. This is the college’s second Board of Regents-approved center, joining the&nbsp;Center for Drug Delivery and Nanomedicine.

-Boasts state-of-the-art infrastructure in Omaha, at the UNMC Center for Drug Discovery and Lozier Center for Pharmacy Sciences and Education, and in Kearney, at the Douglas A. Kristensen Rural Health Education Complex.

-Recently had a record enrollment cohort of pharmaceutical sciences graduate students and is undergoing an impressive comeback in PharmD program numbers following a COVID-19 recruiting slump.

-Has nationally and internationally lauded faculty who, among multiple honors, serve on the executive committee of the American Chemical Society Division of Medicinal Chemistry (MEDI), have been awarded for distinguished achievement in pharmacy practice by American Pharmacists Association-Academy of Pharmacy Practice and Management (APhA-APPM), and are in the American Chemical Society Division of Medicinal Chemistry Hall of Fame.

By University of Nebraska Medical Center<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763572735268.jpeg" alt="Donald Klepser, PhD" />
 <figcaption>Donald Klepser, PhD</figcaption>
 </figure>Dr. Klepser, who joined UNMC in 2005, will become the ninth dean of the college.Don Klepser, PhD, professor of pharmacy practice and science and interim dean of the UNMC College of Pharmacy, has been named the permanent Joseph D. Williams Endowed Dean of the college, UNMC Interim Chancellor H. Dele Davies, MD, announced.Dr. Klepser will become the ninth dean of the UNMC College of Pharmacy, pending approval by the University of Nebraska Board of Regents at its December board meeting.“I am pleased to appoint Dr. Klepser as dean of the UNMC College of Pharmacy,” Dr. Davies said. “He has long been a trusted leader within the college, and a comprehensive review process reaffirmed the strong confidence our faculty, staff, students, alumni, internal and external peer deans and directors and community partners have in his ability to serve in this role. The feedback underscored Dr. Klepser's clear vision for the college’s future, and I am confident that under his leadership, we will continue to advance pharmacy education, research and patient care across Nebraska and beyond.“I am grateful to everyone who participated in the review process and helped us reach this decision.”As Dr. Davies noted, Dr. Klepser’s candidacy for the position was reviewed by a 14-person committee chaired by Karoly Mirnics, MD, PhD, dean and director of the UNMC Munroe-Meyer Institute. The process included focus group listening sessions and feedback from internal and external stakeholders.&nbsp;Dr. Klepser had served as interim dean since January 2025 when Keith Olsen, PharmD, stepped down from the role.Dr. Klepser came to UNMC in 2005 and helped the medical center ascend to national leadership in point-of-care testing and diseases management service in community pharmacies, the expanded role for pharmacists in the changing health care environment, rural pharmacy access, cost containment and managed care benefit design. This work has not just brought praise in academic circles but also resulted in real benefits in underserved areas of rural and urban Nebraska.Dr. Klepser is a former UNMC Distinguished Scientist who has built a 21-year career marked by steady advancement at the college of pharmacy. He served previously as senior associate dean for academic affairs and has taken on leadership roles in several initiatives, including pharmacy’s expansion to Kearney. He is also a graduate of the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraska.edu/offices-policies/provosts-office/academic-affairs/developing-excellence-in-academic-leaders-program" target="_blank">Nebraska University Developing Excellence in Academic Leaders (NU DEAL) Program</a>.&nbsp;He has been named both a Research Fellow and Academic Leadership Fellow by the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy.“I see our college leading the way in transforming health,” Dr. Klepser said. “Not just in Nebraska but across the globe. We will achieve this by driving groundbreaking pharmaceutical research, by educating and empowering the next generation of visionary pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists and by supporting exceptional patient-centered care in every community we serve.”While about half of the nation’s pharmacy schools are singly focused as educational institutions, Dr. Klepser called research and creative activity at the UNMC College of Pharmacy “a critical pillar to everything we do.” The college is recognized as a pound-for-pound research powerhouse, regularly&nbsp;<a href="https://www.unmc.edu/newsroom/2023/06/06/college-of-pharmacy-reflects-impressive-research-tally/" target="_blank">finishing in the national&nbsp;top 10</a>&nbsp;for research grant dollars per full-time faculty member.Under his leadership, the college would be “open for business,” and “start from yes,” in looking for collaborative partnerships and opportunities.“We want to amplify the scientific impact of our faculty, our grad students, our postdocs,” he said.He would assume leadership of a college that is, in his own words, in “a position of strength.”But, “Just as important as what we do is how we do it. I am deeply committed to fostering a strong and supportive culture, one where collaboration thrives, innovation is encouraged, and every member of our college feels valued and inspired to reach their full potential.”UNMC College of Pharmacy-Has trained most of Nebraska’s pharmacists who serve urban and rural communities throughout the state; and now trains them both in Omaha and in Kearney-Holds a top-20 ranking in the latest list of&nbsp;“Best Pharmacy Schools”&nbsp;by U.S. News &amp; World Report-Is perennially among the nation’s leaders in first-time pass rates for their licensure boards exams – they led the nation in 2024 and 2023. UNMC has never had a first-time pass rate lower than 90 percent since keeping records.-Is among the strongest benefactor-supported pharmacy schools in the country, with support including an endowed deanship and endowed matching funds, to spur further philanthropy.. Is the home for the new&nbsp;Center for Drug Design and Innovation. This is the college’s second Board of Regents-approved center, joining the&nbsp;Center for Drug Delivery and Nanomedicine.-Boasts state-of-the-art infrastructure in Omaha, at the UNMC Center for Drug Discovery and Lozier Center for Pharmacy Sciences and Education, and in Kearney, at the Douglas A. Kristensen Rural Health Education Complex.-Recently had a record enrollment cohort of pharmaceutical sciences graduate students and is undergoing an impressive comeback in PharmD program numbers following a COVID-19 recruiting slump.-Has nationally and internationally lauded faculty who, among multiple honors, serve on the executive committee of the American Chemical Society Division of Medicinal Chemistry (MEDI), have been awarded for distinguished achievement in pharmacy practice by American Pharmacists Association-Academy of Pharmacy Practice and Management (APhA-APPM), and are in the American Chemical Society Division of Medicinal Chemistry Hall of Fame.

Don Klepser, PhD, Named Dean of UNMC College of Pharmacy

LINCOLN, Neb.&nbsp;– Yesterday, the Judicial Nominating Commission for County Court Judge in the Seventh Judicial District advanced three names for consideration by Governor Jim Pillen: Patrick P. Carney, Norfolk; Chelsey R. Hartner, Madison; and Dennis W. Morland, Norfolk.

The Seventh Judicial District consists of Antelope, Cuming, Knox, Madison, Pierce, Stanton and Wayne counties. The vacancy is due to the appointment of Judge Michael L. Long to the district court.&nbsp;&nbsp;

By Governor's Office<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1746732450931.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>LINCOLN, Neb.&nbsp;– Yesterday, the Judicial Nominating Commission for County Court Judge in the Seventh Judicial District advanced three names for consideration by Governor Jim Pillen: Patrick P. Carney, Norfolk; Chelsey R. Hartner, Madison; and Dennis W. Morland, Norfolk.The Seventh Judicial District consists of Antelope, Cuming, Knox, Madison, Pierce, Stanton and Wayne counties. The vacancy is due to the appointment of Judge Michael L. Long to the district court.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Three Nominees Forwarded for County Court Judge in the Seventh Judicial District

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will release adult rooster pheasants on 18 wildlife management areas leading up to the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

The WMAs, including counties, are Arnold Trupp (Morrill), Arrowhead (Gage), Bordeaux (Dawes), Branched Oak (Lancaster), Cornhusker (Hall), George D. Syas (Nance), Hickory Ridge (Johnson), James N. Douglas (Johnson), Kirkpatrick Basin North (York), Wood Duck (Stanton), Peru Bottoms (Nemaha), Powder Creek (Dixon), Pressey (Custer), Rakes Creek (Cass), Randall W. Schilling (Cass), Sherman Reservoir (Sherman), Wilkinson (Platte), and Yankee Hill (Lancaster).

To view a map of the pheasant release sites, visit the&nbsp;<a href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Foutdoornebraska.gov%2Fhunt%2Fgame%2Fupland%2F%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0100019a98d7d456-c86a8120-9c8d-4adf-8323-cf284c1d660b-000000/RmMyDoZKvSEf7sL_8gslTOKdaKz67srpb7nLKH1jjDE=431" target="_blank">Upland Hunting page at OutdoorNebraska.gov</a>.

The pheasants will be released to enhance hunting opportunities over the extended Thanksgiving holiday weekend and encourage families to spend time together in the field. Non-toxic shot is required at Kirkpatrick Basin North, Peru Bottoms, Randall W. Schilling, and Wilkinson WMAs, but otherwise all usual regulations apply.

Game and Parks reminds hunters that safety in the field and of those releasing pheasants is of utmost importance; for this reason, a specific schedule for pheasant releases will not be issued.

Nebraska’s pheasant, quail and prairie grouse seasons run through Jan. 31, 2026. Permits and applicable stamps may be purchased at&nbsp;<a href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Foutdoornebraska.gov%2F%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0100019a98d7d456-c86a8120-9c8d-4adf-8323-cf284c1d660b-000000/4jEsuG7zopICXmvU-m4SO6Dn5xrOwp9-n81EzS_z5uY=431" target="_blank">OutdoorNebraska.gov</a>.

For more information on these and other publicly accessible lands throughout Nebraska, visit Game and Parks’&nbsp;<a href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Foutdoornebraska.gov%2Fguides-maps%2Fpublic-access-atlas%2F%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0100019a98d7d456-c86a8120-9c8d-4adf-8323-cf284c1d660b-000000/Dr-XfMuTa2O2U0IIRPZHnfSLZCHCv_ZayXv3wGFc0Js=431" target="_blank">Public Access Atlas</a>&nbsp;online or contact Game and Parks at 402-471-0641.

By Nebraska Game and Parks Commission<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763502439196.jpg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will release adult rooster pheasants on 18 wildlife management areas leading up to the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.The WMAs, including counties, are Arnold Trupp (Morrill), Arrowhead (Gage), Bordeaux (Dawes), Branched Oak (Lancaster), Cornhusker (Hall), George D. Syas (Nance), Hickory Ridge (Johnson), James N. Douglas (Johnson), Kirkpatrick Basin North (York), Wood Duck (Stanton), Peru Bottoms (Nemaha), Powder Creek (Dixon), Pressey (Custer), Rakes Creek (Cass), Randall W. Schilling (Cass), Sherman Reservoir (Sherman), Wilkinson (Platte), and Yankee Hill (Lancaster).To view a map of the pheasant release sites, visit the&nbsp;<a href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Foutdoornebraska.gov%2Fhunt%2Fgame%2Fupland%2F%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0100019a98d7d456-c86a8120-9c8d-4adf-8323-cf284c1d660b-000000/RmMyDoZKvSEf7sL_8gslTOKdaKz67srpb7nLKH1jjDE=431" target="_blank">Upland Hunting page at OutdoorNebraska.gov</a>.The pheasants will be released to enhance hunting opportunities over the extended Thanksgiving holiday weekend and encourage families to spend time together in the field. Non-toxic shot is required at Kirkpatrick Basin North, Peru Bottoms, Randall W. Schilling, and Wilkinson WMAs, but otherwise all usual regulations apply.Game and Parks reminds hunters that safety in the field and of those releasing pheasants is of utmost importance; for this reason, a specific schedule for pheasant releases will not be issued.Nebraska’s pheasant, quail and prairie grouse seasons run through Jan. 31, 2026. Permits and applicable stamps may be purchased at&nbsp;<a href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Foutdoornebraska.gov%2F%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0100019a98d7d456-c86a8120-9c8d-4adf-8323-cf284c1d660b-000000/4jEsuG7zopICXmvU-m4SO6Dn5xrOwp9-n81EzS_z5uY=431" target="_blank">OutdoorNebraska.gov</a>.For more information on these and other publicly accessible lands throughout Nebraska, visit Game and Parks’&nbsp;<a href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Foutdoornebraska.gov%2Fguides-maps%2Fpublic-access-atlas%2F%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/0100019a98d7d456-c86a8120-9c8d-4adf-8323-cf284c1d660b-000000/Dr-XfMuTa2O2U0IIRPZHnfSLZCHCv_ZayXv3wGFc0Js=431" target="_blank">Public Access Atlas</a>&nbsp;online or contact Game and Parks at 402-471-0641.

Pheasants to be Released for Hunting Before Thanksgiving

Quitting smoking isn’t easy. It takes time. And a plan. You don’t have to stop smoking in one day. Start with day one. Let the Great American Smokeout (GASO) on&nbsp;Nov. 20, 2025, be your day to start your journey toward a tobacco-free life, or celebrate those who have already quit. You’ll be joining thousands of people who use tobacco across the country in taking an important step toward a healthier life and reducing your cancer risk.

​​​​Tobacco is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States. The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services states, in Nebraska, an estimated 2,500 people die prematurely as a result of tobacco use each year. In addition, at least 75,000 Nebraskans are suffering from at least one serious smoking-related illness.

Want to start quitting tobacco or vaping on the day of the Great American Smokeout but aren’t sure where to start? The Nebraska Tobacco Quitline 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) is here to help you. This service is available at no cost to all residents of Nebraska and provides 24/7 access to quit coaches and additional resources to assist you in quitting. In addition, you could qualify for six weeks of free quit tobacco medication which can be mailed directly to your home.

-Self-paced and customized for each person. You decide the details of your coaching plan such as how often you speak with a quit coach and whether you use&nbsp;quit medications.

-Staffed by coaches who are trained to help you quit for good.

-Also available for individuals wishing to quit any type of tobacco, including vaping or e-cigarettes. E-cigarettes are sometimes called&nbsp;e-cigs, vapes, e-hookahs, vape pens and electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS).

Know that you are not alone when it comes to the fight to quit tobacco. Let the Great American Smokeout help you quit by joining others who have decided to take their health back. Did you know that even just after 20 minutes of quitting smoking, your heart rate and your blood pressure drop? Up to three months after quitting your lung functions and your general circulation improve. Let this day help you start a new health journey and let the Nebraska Tobacco Quitline help you reach the finish line.

To request further information on the Nebraska Tobacco Quitline or other quitting resources, please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://pphd.ne.gov/" target="_blank">pphd.ne.gov</a>&nbsp;or call 308-279-3496.&nbsp;

The Panhandle Worksite Wellness Council is proudly part of Panhandle Public Health District. The Council specializes in supporting employers in the Panhandle region. We recognize that many employers support a diverse and remote workforce and offer innovative ways to overcome the challenge of working with a virtual team. We understand that many of our employers do not have full-time wellness resources and work to provide resources and training to make running a worksite wellness program as easy as possible.

Panhandle Public Health District is working together to improve the health, safety and quality of life for all who live, learn, work and play in the Panhandle.&nbsp; Our vision is that we are a healthier and safer Panhandle community.&nbsp;

By Panhandle Public Health District<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763502315219.png" alt="November 2025 - Great American Smokeout" />
 <figcaption>November 2025 - Great American Smokeout</figcaption>
 </figure>Quitting smoking isn’t easy. It takes time. And a plan. You don’t have to stop smoking in one day. Start with day one. Let the Great American Smokeout (GASO) on&nbsp;Nov. 20, 2025, be your day to start your journey toward a tobacco-free life, or celebrate those who have already quit. You’ll be joining thousands of people who use tobacco across the country in taking an important step toward a healthier life and reducing your cancer risk.​​​​Tobacco is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States. The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services states, in Nebraska, an estimated 2,500 people die prematurely as a result of tobacco use each year. In addition, at least 75,000 Nebraskans are suffering from at least one serious smoking-related illness.Want to start quitting tobacco or vaping on the day of the Great American Smokeout but aren’t sure where to start? The Nebraska Tobacco Quitline 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) is here to help you. This service is available at no cost to all residents of Nebraska and provides 24/7 access to quit coaches and additional resources to assist you in quitting. In addition, you could qualify for six weeks of free quit tobacco medication which can be mailed directly to your home.The Quitline is…-Free!-Self-paced and customized for each person. You decide the details of your coaching plan such as how often you speak with a quit coach and whether you use&nbsp;quit medications.-Staffed by coaches who are trained to help you quit for good.-Also available for individuals wishing to quit any type of tobacco, including vaping or e-cigarettes. E-cigarettes are sometimes called&nbsp;e-cigs, vapes, e-hookahs, vape pens and electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS).Know that you are not alone when it comes to the fight to quit tobacco. Let the Great American Smokeout help you quit by joining others who have decided to take their health back. Did you know that even just after 20 minutes of quitting smoking, your heart rate and your blood pressure drop? Up to three months after quitting your lung functions and your general circulation improve. Let this day help you start a new health journey and let the Nebraska Tobacco Quitline help you reach the finish line.To request further information on the Nebraska Tobacco Quitline or other quitting resources, please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://pphd.ne.gov/" target="_blank">pphd.ne.gov</a>&nbsp;or call 308-279-3496.&nbsp;The Panhandle Worksite Wellness Council is proudly part of Panhandle Public Health District. The Council specializes in supporting employers in the Panhandle region. We recognize that many employers support a diverse and remote workforce and offer innovative ways to overcome the challenge of working with a virtual team. We understand that many of our employers do not have full-time wellness resources and work to provide resources and training to make running a worksite wellness program as easy as possible.Panhandle Public Health District is working together to improve the health, safety and quality of life for all who live, learn, work and play in the Panhandle.&nbsp; Our vision is that we are a healthier and safer Panhandle community.&nbsp;

 Great American Smokeout on Nov. 20 to Take First Step Toward Tobacco-Free Life

By&nbsp;Chabella Guzman, UNL PREEC Communications

A variety of career opportunities were presented to more than 170 students at the Careers in Ag Day on Wednesday, Nov. 12, at the UNL Panhandle Research Extension and Education Center in Scottsbluff.&nbsp;

“I was here for the first year, and I think we had 25 or 30 students, and we had great buy-in from the community. The local ag community supports this thing wholeheartedly and does a great job. Now we're up close to 200 students every year, and it's just an opportunity for these young people to spend time with the AG leaders of this community,” said Paul Burgener, V.P. of Central U.S. Farm Management for Manulife Investment Management Ag Services.

The event features seven sessions, including conventional production agriculture and livestock, ag sales and food science, as well as a career fair.&nbsp;

“We made a few modifications this year. I'm pretty excited about those. We have a job fair going on, so this is just an opportunity for those high school kids to take a look at what's available in the valley,” said Kelly Downer, Platte Valley Bank Agriculture Lending Department Manager.&nbsp;

Some of the businesses at the event included Burford Industries, Deines Irrigation, Farm Credit Services of America, Aulick Industry and more, along with featured speaker Dean Lerwick of Pumpkin Creek Ranch. He spoke about the business owned by his brother Jared and him, Pumpkin Creek Ranch, which offers both brothers a career, one in cattle production and the other in sales and marketing.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“I think that's the fun part, explaining to them that hey, you can do a number of different things when you start thinking about data analytics and financial management, and then the opportunities outside of just production,” Burgener said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The high school students in attendance were in an ag education class, FFA members, or both. Banner County Ag Instructor Mai Lee Olsen brought only FFA members this year. Her students explored four different rotations, including seed and chemical, agronomy and the greenhouse, with a session for visiting the college and career fair. “A lot of them are looking into these fields specifically. I have a student right now who's a senior, he’s looking at either animal science or conventional ag production. He's not really sure, so this was a perfect opportunity for him to come today.”

Summing up the day's activities, Burgener said, “They are engaged, they are here, and they are excited.”&nbsp;

The Careers in Ag Day is hosted by the Scottsbluff/Gering Ag Business Committee. Sponsors include Farm Credit Services of America, Manulife Investment Management-Paul Burgener, Platte Valley Companies and the University of Nebraska Extension.

By&nbsp;Chabella Guzman, UNL PREEC Communications<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763502111070.jpeg" alt="Freedom Crop Services owner Casey Jagers, left, talks with Alex Blake and Lane Hoerler, students at Bridgeport High School, about drones, spraying, and what it takes to be a drone pilot. Photo by Chabella Guzman" />
 <figcaption>Freedom Crop Services owner Casey Jagers, left, talks with Alex Blake and Lane Hoerler, students at Bridgeport High School, about drones, spraying, and what it takes to be a drone pilot. Photo by Chabella Guzman</figcaption>
 </figure>A variety of career opportunities were presented to more than 170 students at the Careers in Ag Day on Wednesday, Nov. 12, at the UNL Panhandle Research Extension and Education Center in Scottsbluff.&nbsp;“I was here for the first year, and I think we had 25 or 30 students, and we had great buy-in from the community. The local ag community supports this thing wholeheartedly and does a great job. Now we're up close to 200 students every year, and it's just an opportunity for these young people to spend time with the AG leaders of this community,” said Paul Burgener, V.P. of Central U.S. Farm Management for Manulife Investment Management Ag Services.The event features seven sessions, including conventional production agriculture and livestock, ag sales and food science, as well as a career fair.&nbsp;“We made a few modifications this year. I'm pretty excited about those. We have a job fair going on, so this is just an opportunity for those high school kids to take a look at what's available in the valley,” said Kelly Downer, Platte Valley Bank Agriculture Lending Department Manager.&nbsp;Some of the businesses at the event included Burford Industries, Deines Irrigation, Farm Credit Services of America, Aulick Industry and more, along with featured speaker Dean Lerwick of Pumpkin Creek Ranch. He spoke about the business owned by his brother Jared and him, Pumpkin Creek Ranch, which offers both brothers a career, one in cattle production and the other in sales and marketing.&nbsp;&nbsp;“I think that's the fun part, explaining to them that hey, you can do a number of different things when you start thinking about data analytics and financial management, and then the opportunities outside of just production,” Burgener said.&nbsp;&nbsp;The high school students in attendance were in an ag education class, FFA members, or both. Banner County Ag Instructor Mai Lee Olsen brought only FFA members this year. Her students explored four different rotations, including seed and chemical, agronomy and the greenhouse, with a session for visiting the college and career fair. “A lot of them are looking into these fields specifically. I have a student right now who's a senior, he’s looking at either animal science or conventional ag production. He's not really sure, so this was a perfect opportunity for him to come today.”Summing up the day's activities, Burgener said, “They are engaged, they are here, and they are excited.”&nbsp;The Careers in Ag Day is hosted by the Scottsbluff/Gering Ag Business Committee. Sponsors include Farm Credit Services of America, Manulife Investment Management-Paul Burgener, Platte Valley Companies and the University of Nebraska Extension.

Students Spend a Day Gathering Information on ‘Careers in Ag’

By&nbsp;Shelby Westinghouse, Chadron State College

CHADRON, Neb. – Spencer Martinez of Centennial, Colorado, is the November Project Strive/TRiO Student of the Month.

Martinez arrived at Chadron State College in Fall 2021 and is currently pursuing a special education degree with an endorsement in coaching. He was introduced to special education instruction in high school, when he was asked to assist in a classroom.

“I said, ‘what's the worst thing that could happen?’ And all the kiddos just fell in love with me and from there, it just took off,” he said.

Martinez gained experience in high school as a Special Olympics assistant and a personal mentee for a special education student. He now works in the Chadron Public Schools as a substitute and sub paraprofessional, where he works one-on-one with students.

Martinez enjoys staying active by officiating RMAC soccer matches and hiking C-Hill.

One class that stands out in his education journey is his Health, Physical Education and Recreation course Introduction to Adaptive Physical Education (HPER422) with Dr. Dawn Brammer.

“We would play games with the Chadron students, having fun and letting them be kids,” he said. “I already had a connection with them from subbing, so it was a lot easier for me to help those students.”

Martinez said he was nervous when initially enrolling in college as a first-generation student but found a safe space within Project Strive. He said that it has been beneficial to be surrounded by other first-generation students.

Jen Schaer, Director of Project Strive, said Spencer contributes to the program.

“Spencer has an upbeat attitude and uses his resources. He is open to learning new things and developing as a person, this will help him be a great teacher,” Schaer said.

Chadron State College’s Project Strive/TRiO program, located in the lower level of the King Library, is an academic enrichment program committed to help students succeed. Project Strive also focuses on career exploration, cultural and social enrichment, and self-awareness. To be eligible for the program, a student must be one of the following: A first-generation student where neither parent has a four-year degree, meet low-income status based on U.S. Department of Health and Human Services criteria, or have a documented disability.

For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.csc.edu/projectstrive" target="_blank">https://www.csc.edu/projectstrive/</a>.

By&nbsp;Shelby Westinghouse, Chadron State College<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763488682432.jpeg" alt="Spencer Martinez of Centennial, Colorado, is the November 2025 Project Strive/TRiO Student of the Month. (Photo by Daniel Binkard/Chadron State College)" />
 <figcaption>Spencer Martinez of Centennial, Colorado, is the November 2025 Project Strive/TRiO Student of the Month. (Photo by Daniel Binkard/Chadron State College)</figcaption>
 </figure>CHADRON, Neb. – Spencer Martinez of Centennial, Colorado, is the November Project Strive/TRiO Student of the Month.Martinez arrived at Chadron State College in Fall 2021 and is currently pursuing a special education degree with an endorsement in coaching. He was introduced to special education instruction in high school, when he was asked to assist in a classroom.“I said, ‘what's the worst thing that could happen?’ And all the kiddos just fell in love with me and from there, it just took off,” he said.Martinez gained experience in high school as a Special Olympics assistant and a personal mentee for a special education student. He now works in the Chadron Public Schools as a substitute and sub paraprofessional, where he works one-on-one with students.Martinez enjoys staying active by officiating RMAC soccer matches and hiking C-Hill.One class that stands out in his education journey is his Health, Physical Education and Recreation course Introduction to Adaptive Physical Education (HPER422) with Dr. Dawn Brammer.“We would play games with the Chadron students, having fun and letting them be kids,” he said. “I already had a connection with them from subbing, so it was a lot easier for me to help those students.”Martinez said he was nervous when initially enrolling in college as a first-generation student but found a safe space within Project Strive. He said that it has been beneficial to be surrounded by other first-generation students.Jen Schaer, Director of Project Strive, said Spencer contributes to the program.“Spencer has an upbeat attitude and uses his resources. He is open to learning new things and developing as a person, this will help him be a great teacher,” Schaer said.Chadron State College’s Project Strive/TRiO program, located in the lower level of the King Library, is an academic enrichment program committed to help students succeed. Project Strive also focuses on career exploration, cultural and social enrichment, and self-awareness. To be eligible for the program, a student must be one of the following: A first-generation student where neither parent has a four-year degree, meet low-income status based on U.S. Department of Health and Human Services criteria, or have a documented disability.For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.csc.edu/projectstrive" target="_blank">https://www.csc.edu/projectstrive/</a>.

Martinez Earns Strive Student of the Month for November at CSC

*All individuals included in this post are innocent of crimes until proven guilty in a court of law. The Panhandle Post assumes no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, or completeness, of this information. Any person who believes information provided is not accurate may submit a complaint via the “Contact Us” tab on the homepage.

-Michael Valdovinos, Resist arrest-2nd/subsequent offense (Class 3A Felony)

-Edward Gallegos,&nbsp;Poss stolen property &gt; $5,000

-Jason Coats,&nbsp;Poss stolen property &gt; $5,000

-Miles Worth, Poss stolen property &gt; $5,000, Poss cont sub X2, Poss firearm while commiting a (F)

-Keegtan Rusch,&nbsp;Poss cont sub, Domestic Assault, Poss drug para

-David Wilson,&nbsp;Obstruction, Poss deadly weapon by prohibited person, Poss stolen property&gt;$5,000 X2, Poss cont sub X4 Poss marijuana &lt; 1oz., No drug tax stamp

-Curtis Holmstedt,&nbsp;Theft of a motor vehicle, Poss deadly weapon by a (F), Animal neglect, Poss Marijuana &lt; 10z, Poss drug para, Shoplifting

*All individuals included in this post are innocent of crimes until proven guilty in a court of law. The Panhandle Post assumes no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, or completeness, of this information. Any person who believes information provided is not accurate may submit a complaint via the “Contact Us” tab on the homepage.Box Butte Co:-Michael Valdovinos, Resist arrest-2nd/subsequent offense (Class 3A Felony)Scotts Bluff Co:-Edward Gallegos,&nbsp;Poss stolen property &gt; $5,000-Jason Coats,&nbsp;Poss stolen property &gt; $5,000-Miles Worth, Poss stolen property &gt; $5,000, Poss cont sub X2, Poss firearm while commiting a (F)-Keegtan Rusch,&nbsp;Poss cont sub, Domestic Assault, Poss drug para-David Wilson,&nbsp;Obstruction, Poss deadly weapon by prohibited person, Poss stolen property&gt;$5,000 X2, Poss cont sub X4 Poss marijuana &lt; 1oz., No drug tax stamp-Curtis Holmstedt,&nbsp;Theft of a motor vehicle, Poss deadly weapon by a (F), Animal neglect, Poss Marijuana &lt; 10z, Poss drug para, ShopliftingDawes Co:&nbsp;-no new felony cases

Panhandle police activity, Nov. 13 - Nov. 17

Box Butte County Meeting Agenda, Nov. 19

LINCOLN, Neb. — On Tuesday,&nbsp;the Nebraska Department of Transportation (<a href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.b04f70AIkXepI61RSjEid1wcGxursQJ5tSuGL-2FYR1LCD1C8yTZnJ-2B03sYj6oe7osTgRw_tSBk32awJfOKdX0D104nM81D-2BXugulph99B3XnDoLR8mOZuPToN2fEBVwCTZH-2FOyPhG1TMqI6e9S8KGoJbMSS-2FF4lQmv064gRlTzmG6k79oDqeGh-2FVzz4vetxundhxJ4bTusP1Ombp9it1VxFb3KJ4e2NPTmVWOM-2BS-2F-2F2XiaXlapn7lVLV53pcnnutWr-2Ff6bRcmcCgkv5VfMHJZBWECi2iImAYn7LLtYndxoiLUnzuJOtzbp8g0cdWmOFFySl-2Bwb0skh8HiAv42f-2FerX-2FfS-2FJxcpaTvACNDZarqQzVA1u-2Bkkk5IbSK-2Brw6RTnAEyrLxV0fL9xiuea21FKF4qmzhNUjr-2Buy1dzAEG-2Bdc8MznJzLdEklNGtXNA2ytgS8937DDQiP-2FwnGZoAV9Dwhm5gV8Chw-3D-3D" target="_blank">NDOT</a>) provided an update on the statewide impacts made possible by one-time appropriations approved in 2024 by the Nebraska Legislature and Governor Jim Pillen.

During the 2024 legislative session, state policymakers authorized a $70 million allocation to NDOT to offset inflationary pressures and accelerate the completion of much needed transportation projects. Funding was derived from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and the state’s Jobs and Economic Development Initiative Act (JEDI) through LB 1412 (2024).

“Our agency recognizes the significant commitment of resources dedicated to preserving and enhancing Nebraska’s transportation network and is thankful to Governor Pillen and the lawmakers who supported the investment,” said NDOT Director Vicki Kramer.&nbsp; “The ARPA/JEDI investment will have a direct impact on the safety of the highway system statewide and through the dedication and hard work of our public servants, meaningful improvements have been made in a relatively short amount of time.”

The following are highlights of the progress made possible by the 2024 allocation:

Progress on the US-257 Expressway Corridor

The allocation, coupled with the use of bonding authority, condensed the schedule to complete the four-lane expansion of US Highway 275 (US-275). This corridor is vital to the economy and quality of life of northeast Nebraska since it connects the region’s agricultural and manufacturing hubs to major metropolitan markets, as well as the national transportation network.

Preservation of 250-Plus Miles of State Highways

The allocation was used to support 14 pavement preservation projects located in 23 Nebraska counties, covering nearly 260 miles of state highways. These projects focused on extending the surface life of existing rural roadways, which improves safety, and reduces annual maintenance costs. Only one of the 14 projects remains under construction – and the remaining project is expected to be completed yet this fall. This marks a rapid design, contracting and construction of these projects.

Maximizing Transportation Grant Opportunities for Nebraska Communities

The allocation supported Nebraska Infrastructure Hub (I-HUB) activities. Launched in 2024, the I-HUB was created to help Nebraska’s local agencies access the unprecedented federal funding made available through the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). I-HUB provides grant pairing tools, technical assistance, and project development support — helping Nebraska communities and counties compete for and secure additional discretionary grants. &nbsp;

At last check, I-HUB had engaged with representatives from all 93 Nebraska counties, while NDOT staff traveled over 6,800 miles to meet with 316 stakeholders in 15 counties and provided more than 232 hours of direct assistance. In 2024, Nebraska received 37 awards in 18 counties totaling more than $56 million in discretionary transportation grants, and $98 million in Congressionally directed spending. So far in 2025, six awards have been announced across four counties totaling nearly $74 million in discretionary transportation grants.

“Investments in Nebraska’s transportation network directly support the vitality of the state,” Kramer added. “NDOT, under the leadership of Governor Pillen, is looking forward to continuing its collaboration with the Legislature, Highway Commission, and Infrastructure Review Task Force as our agency examines proven strategies to enhance economic growth through investment in transportation. We are committed to ensuring that funds invested in transportation provide a safer, more competitive, and more connected Nebraska.”

By Nebraska Department of Transportation<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/7/1562699733063.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>LINCOLN, Neb. — On Tuesday,&nbsp;the Nebraska Department of Transportation (<a href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.b04f70AIkXepI61RSjEid1wcGxursQJ5tSuGL-2FYR1LCD1C8yTZnJ-2B03sYj6oe7osTgRw_tSBk32awJfOKdX0D104nM81D-2BXugulph99B3XnDoLR8mOZuPToN2fEBVwCTZH-2FOyPhG1TMqI6e9S8KGoJbMSS-2FF4lQmv064gRlTzmG6k79oDqeGh-2FVzz4vetxundhxJ4bTusP1Ombp9it1VxFb3KJ4e2NPTmVWOM-2BS-2F-2F2XiaXlapn7lVLV53pcnnutWr-2Ff6bRcmcCgkv5VfMHJZBWECi2iImAYn7LLtYndxoiLUnzuJOtzbp8g0cdWmOFFySl-2Bwb0skh8HiAv42f-2FerX-2FfS-2FJxcpaTvACNDZarqQzVA1u-2Bkkk5IbSK-2Brw6RTnAEyrLxV0fL9xiuea21FKF4qmzhNUjr-2Buy1dzAEG-2Bdc8MznJzLdEklNGtXNA2ytgS8937DDQiP-2FwnGZoAV9Dwhm5gV8Chw-3D-3D" target="_blank">NDOT</a>) provided an update on the statewide impacts made possible by one-time appropriations approved in 2024 by the Nebraska Legislature and Governor Jim Pillen.During the 2024 legislative session, state policymakers authorized a $70 million allocation to NDOT to offset inflationary pressures and accelerate the completion of much needed transportation projects. Funding was derived from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and the state’s Jobs and Economic Development Initiative Act (JEDI) through LB 1412 (2024).“Our agency recognizes the significant commitment of resources dedicated to preserving and enhancing Nebraska’s transportation network and is thankful to Governor Pillen and the lawmakers who supported the investment,” said NDOT Director Vicki Kramer.&nbsp; “The ARPA/JEDI investment will have a direct impact on the safety of the highway system statewide and through the dedication and hard work of our public servants, meaningful improvements have been made in a relatively short amount of time.”The following are highlights of the progress made possible by the 2024 allocation:Progress on the US-257 Expressway CorridorThe allocation, coupled with the use of bonding authority, condensed the schedule to complete the four-lane expansion of US Highway 275 (US-275). This corridor is vital to the economy and quality of life of northeast Nebraska since it connects the region’s agricultural and manufacturing hubs to major metropolitan markets, as well as the national transportation network.Preservation of 250-Plus Miles of State HighwaysThe allocation was used to support 14 pavement preservation projects located in 23 Nebraska counties, covering nearly 260 miles of state highways. These projects focused on extending the surface life of existing rural roadways, which improves safety, and reduces annual maintenance costs. Only one of the 14 projects remains under construction – and the remaining project is expected to be completed yet this fall. This marks a rapid design, contracting and construction of these projects.Maximizing Transportation Grant Opportunities for Nebraska CommunitiesThe allocation supported Nebraska Infrastructure Hub (I-HUB) activities. Launched in 2024, the I-HUB was created to help Nebraska’s local agencies access the unprecedented federal funding made available through the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). I-HUB provides grant pairing tools, technical assistance, and project development support — helping Nebraska communities and counties compete for and secure additional discretionary grants. &nbsp;At last check, I-HUB had engaged with representatives from all 93 Nebraska counties, while NDOT staff traveled over 6,800 miles to meet with 316 stakeholders in 15 counties and provided more than 232 hours of direct assistance. In 2024, Nebraska received 37 awards in 18 counties totaling more than $56 million in discretionary transportation grants, and $98 million in Congressionally directed spending. So far in 2025, six awards have been announced across four counties totaling nearly $74 million in discretionary transportation grants.“Investments in Nebraska’s transportation network directly support the vitality of the state,” Kramer added. “NDOT, under the leadership of Governor Pillen, is looking forward to continuing its collaboration with the Legislature, Highway Commission, and Infrastructure Review Task Force as our agency examines proven strategies to enhance economic growth through investment in transportation. We are committed to ensuring that funds invested in transportation provide a safer, more competitive, and more connected Nebraska.”

NDOT Highlights Progress Made by Nebraska Legislature’s Investments

By Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services

LINCOLN, Neb. – This year, November 22 is recognized as National Adoption Day – a day to celebrate families who have opened their hearts and homes to children in need of permanent, loving families and to raise awareness about the ongoing need for adoptive families.

Each year, National Adoption Day highlights the life-changing impact of adoption and the importance of providing children with the security, love and stability of a permanent home.

So far this year, over 300 children in Nebraska have been adopted into permanent families. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Division of Children and Family Services (CFS) works year-round with community partners to support adoption efforts and provide post-adoption services and resources for families.

“In Nebraska, we believe every child deserves a safe and loving family. Adoption changes the lives of the children who gain stability and connection, but also the families who welcome them,” said DHHS CFS Interim Director Kathleen Stolz. “We are grateful for the families, agencies, and community partners who make adoption possible each day, and encourage Nebraskans to learn more about this vital role.”

Throughout November, DHHS and its partners highlight the services and resources available to support those considering adoption, and remind Nebraskans that there are children in foster care still waiting for permanent, loving homes. Families interested in adoption are encouraged to explore this option, learn about the support available and consider how they can make a lasting difference in a child’s life.

For more information about adoption in Nebraska or to learn how to become an adoptive parent, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.GfuENRT80eFcHB0yCoTjpqnMDRrLWblbZqMJUxfWAj3DAvraQIcdN4eH-2FrsDw9sFTa1X3hEtIMghXmN6ub80Lg-3D-3DfCMS_tSBk32awJfOKdX0D104nM81D-2BXugulph99B3XnDoLR8mOZuPToN2fEBVwCTZH-2FOyDFUXts0PPRvJVwOzrZydJLyKHOwrfm-2FVnUnD7DxPTfciEORkT5FIOfxBj-2FE5p80oGU7wNG3XbOx-2BB-2BKY4vBEczeVFTxciI4CddjLgUor6gzORohQWIf2jJ4hXVm0vxg-2F78TfrwxVQbRTYmf-2ByU1znEd2ybrkF6-2FEbV-2Fk08ivthMbeAFRCDQJp14T80FDYovNPk7mO8aAoGmdBf8xseMVyxLbDpA8Tpv8-2BdHQ-2Bq97mXoLrJL7QZ-2Bk5LHoK-2BuSbLRIeE6F0m18piUuQo6GnEyl0ONsMW-2FdF-2FPIISyjHQVxw0FLX471ufCYcWE0Fyy0JhZf89e4tezPVrRVJA0AkE0H5w-3D-3D" target="_blank">https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Adoption.aspx</a>.

By Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/8/1566046288922.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>LINCOLN, Neb. – This year, November 22 is recognized as National Adoption Day – a day to celebrate families who have opened their hearts and homes to children in need of permanent, loving families and to raise awareness about the ongoing need for adoptive families.Each year, National Adoption Day highlights the life-changing impact of adoption and the importance of providing children with the security, love and stability of a permanent home.So far this year, over 300 children in Nebraska have been adopted into permanent families. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Division of Children and Family Services (CFS) works year-round with community partners to support adoption efforts and provide post-adoption services and resources for families.“In Nebraska, we believe every child deserves a safe and loving family. Adoption changes the lives of the children who gain stability and connection, but also the families who welcome them,” said DHHS CFS Interim Director Kathleen Stolz. “We are grateful for the families, agencies, and community partners who make adoption possible each day, and encourage Nebraskans to learn more about this vital role.”Throughout November, DHHS and its partners highlight the services and resources available to support those considering adoption, and remind Nebraskans that there are children in foster care still waiting for permanent, loving homes. Families interested in adoption are encouraged to explore this option, learn about the support available and consider how they can make a lasting difference in a child’s life.For more information about adoption in Nebraska or to learn how to become an adoptive parent, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=u001.GfuENRT80eFcHB0yCoTjpqnMDRrLWblbZqMJUxfWAj3DAvraQIcdN4eH-2FrsDw9sFTa1X3hEtIMghXmN6ub80Lg-3D-3DfCMS_tSBk32awJfOKdX0D104nM81D-2BXugulph99B3XnDoLR8mOZuPToN2fEBVwCTZH-2FOyDFUXts0PPRvJVwOzrZydJLyKHOwrfm-2FVnUnD7DxPTfciEORkT5FIOfxBj-2FE5p80oGU7wNG3XbOx-2BB-2BKY4vBEczeVFTxciI4CddjLgUor6gzORohQWIf2jJ4hXVm0vxg-2F78TfrwxVQbRTYmf-2ByU1znEd2ybrkF6-2FEbV-2Fk08ivthMbeAFRCDQJp14T80FDYovNPk7mO8aAoGmdBf8xseMVyxLbDpA8Tpv8-2BdHQ-2Bq97mXoLrJL7QZ-2Bk5LHoK-2BuSbLRIeE6F0m18piUuQo6GnEyl0ONsMW-2FdF-2FPIISyjHQVxw0FLX471ufCYcWE0Fyy0JhZf89e4tezPVrRVJA0AkE0H5w-3D-3D" target="_blank">https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Adoption.aspx</a>.

Nebraska DHHS Recognizes Families For National Adoption Day

An arrest has been made in connection with the May 12, 2023 Bank Robbery in Chadron, Nebraska from the Chadron Federal Credit Union after a multi-year investigation involving local, state and federal agencies.

On Friday, Nov. 14, 2025, law enforcement authorities in Texas arrested Robert L. Castellon Jr., 31-years-old, on an arrest warrant issued out of Dawes County Nebraska for the offenses of Robbery a Class II Felony, Use of a Firearm to Commit a Felony a Class I Felony and Terroristic Threats A Class III Felony. Bond was set at 10 percent of $200,000.

The Chadron Police Department received assistance with this case from numerous law enforcement agencies including the Nebraska State Patrol, Federal Bureau of Investigations and law enforcement agencies in Texas.

By City of Chadron Police Department<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1578429620483.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>An arrest has been made in connection with the May 12, 2023 Bank Robbery in Chadron, Nebraska from the Chadron Federal Credit Union after a multi-year investigation involving local, state and federal agencies.On Friday, Nov. 14, 2025, law enforcement authorities in Texas arrested Robert L. Castellon Jr., 31-years-old, on an arrest warrant issued out of Dawes County Nebraska for the offenses of Robbery a Class II Felony, Use of a Firearm to Commit a Felony a Class I Felony and Terroristic Threats A Class III Felony. Bond was set at 10 percent of $200,000.The Chadron Police Department received assistance with this case from numerous law enforcement agencies including the Nebraska State Patrol, Federal Bureau of Investigations and law enforcement agencies in Texas.

Arrest Made in 2023 Chadron Bank Robbery

By&nbsp;Taylor Neugebauer, Chadron State College

CHADRON, Neb. – Three Chadron State College Army ROTC cadets, Chayton Bynes of Chadron, Lily Rafteseth of Colon, Nebraska, and Brody Burgess of Scottsbluff, Nebraska, recently participated in the Ranger Challenge and Field Training Exercise (FTX), two programs designed to forge well-rounded leaders.

All three cadets joined ROTC for different reasons but found common ground because they believe the program has transformed their leadership, confidence and resilience.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“I’ve always admired the discipline, teamwork, and sense of purpose that comes with military service,” Rafteseth said. “ROTC seemed like the perfect way to grow personally and professionally while completing my education.”&nbsp;

Strong relationships with her peers and mentors, taught her leadership is about consistency, humility and taking care of others.&nbsp;

For Burgess, he said his father was his biggest inspiration.

“My father served as a Navy corpsman and instilled a love in me for medicine and helping others,” he said. “But my decision to join ROTC was deeply personal. I wanted to serve my country in the best way I could to protect the people I care about.”&nbsp;

Bynes said he was drawn to the opportunity to build leadership skills that would carry over to his future career in behavior analysis.

“In life, there are positions where you become a leader when you don't ask for it, and there are also times when you apply to be a leader,” he said. “Having those experiences, not just how to be a follower, but how to be a leader, carries you through all facets of life.”&nbsp;

The cadets said they focused on a mix of leadership, teamwork and skill-building during the FTX at Camp Rapid in Rapid City. For three days, they tackled day and night land navigation, marksmanship, live-fire, assault rifle familiarization and qualification, hand grenade assault, patrol base establishment and obstacle courses.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Burgess said the third day was the most physically demanding. He participated in a 9-10 hour simulated combat scenario with squad ambushes, attacks, and medevac operations, all while carrying a weapon, rucksack, and special equipment, followed by four hours of cleaning their weapons to standard.&nbsp;

Bynes’ most memorable moment came at the end of FTX when his squad chose to keep their rucksacks on and carry their mock injured soldier on a medical stretcher while hauling extra equipment and weapons&nbsp;back through a kilometer of rough terrain.

“It was one of the hardest things I've done,” he said. “But the feeling of accomplishment knowing we were the only squad to accomplish that made us feel like a real team.”

The Ranger Challenge brought another layer of intensity. Cadets spent 13 hours straight competing in events like weapon disassembly, grenade throws, call for fire testing, knowledge tests, building a one-rope bridge to cross a simulated river, land navigation and endurance ruck marches.

“The burden was brutal,” said Burgess who was describing a sequence of 25-meter sprints, sled drags, buddy carries, tire flips, crab walks and bear crawls, followed by a six-mile ruck. “I hadn’t hydrated enough throughout the day and was semi-conscious, but my teammates stayed with me and wouldn't let me quit.”&nbsp;

Bynes said he finished&nbsp;the day with a sense of accomplishment and a stronger bond with his team.

“Completing something that rigorous with a group of people you just met makes you feel like family,” he said. “I only knew them for eight hours, but I feel like they're some of my closest friends after an experience like that.”&nbsp;

Rafteseth prepared by improving physically and memorizing ROTC knowledge cards. &nbsp;

“My most memorable moment from Ranger Challenge was the teamwork and bonds that formed while doing something difficult together,” she said. “It wasn’t just one specific event – it was the shared exhaustion, encouragement, and motivation we gave each other throughout the competition.”&nbsp;

Across their experiences, each cadet said ROTC reshaped how they view leadership.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Rafteseth emphasized the importance of humility.

“When I first joined, I thought leaders were supposed to always have the answers and be in control,” she said. “But through training and feedback from my peers and cadre, I realized that real leadership means being willing to learn from others, admit mistakes and grow.”

Each experience taught her to accept criticism and use it to improve, helping her connect better with her peers and earn their respect.&nbsp;

Burgess said he discovered capabilities he didn't know he had.

“I’ve learned how to stay calm under pressure, make decisions quickly, and, most importantly, that leadership isn't about having all the answers,” he said. “It’s about trusting your team, listening to input, and bringing out the best in the people around you.”&nbsp;

For Bynes, time management was an unexpected skill he learned from ROTC.

“I’m a track athlete and being in ROTC is almost like being in another sport,” he said. “Plus, if you don’t have good time management you're not going to be as successful.”

All three offered advice for those considering ROTC.&nbsp;

Rafteseth urged future cadets to study more, saying it's important to be confident in your skills and abilities.&nbsp;

Burgess encourages cadets to say yes to every opportunity even if it seems intimidating or physically demanding.

“You’ll never feel completely ready, but that’s the point – you grow by doing hard things,” he said.

By&nbsp;Taylor Neugebauer, Chadron State College<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763486419340.jpeg" alt="Chadron State College ROTC cadets. from left to right, Chayton Bynes of Chadron, Brody Burgess of Scottsbluff, Neb., and Lily Rafteseth of Colon, Neb., participated in both the FTX and Ranger Challenge in October of 2025. (Photo by Taylor Neugebauer/Chadron State College)" />
 <figcaption>Chadron State College ROTC cadets. from left to right, Chayton Bynes of Chadron, Brody Burgess of Scottsbluff, Neb., and Lily Rafteseth of Colon, Neb., participated in both the FTX and Ranger Challenge in October of 2025. (Photo by Taylor Neugebauer/Chadron State College)</figcaption>
 </figure>CHADRON, Neb. – Three Chadron State College Army ROTC cadets, Chayton Bynes of Chadron, Lily Rafteseth of Colon, Nebraska, and Brody Burgess of Scottsbluff, Nebraska, recently participated in the Ranger Challenge and Field Training Exercise (FTX), two programs designed to forge well-rounded leaders.All three cadets joined ROTC for different reasons but found common ground because they believe the program has transformed their leadership, confidence and resilience.&nbsp;&nbsp;“I’ve always admired the discipline, teamwork, and sense of purpose that comes with military service,” Rafteseth said. “ROTC seemed like the perfect way to grow personally and professionally while completing my education.”&nbsp;Strong relationships with her peers and mentors, taught her leadership is about consistency, humility and taking care of others.&nbsp;For Burgess, he said his father was his biggest inspiration.“My father served as a Navy corpsman and instilled a love in me for medicine and helping others,” he said. “But my decision to join ROTC was deeply personal. I wanted to serve my country in the best way I could to protect the people I care about.”&nbsp;Bynes said he was drawn to the opportunity to build leadership skills that would carry over to his future career in behavior analysis.“In life, there are positions where you become a leader when you don't ask for it, and there are also times when you apply to be a leader,” he said. “Having those experiences, not just how to be a follower, but how to be a leader, carries you through all facets of life.”&nbsp;The cadets said they focused on a mix of leadership, teamwork and skill-building during the FTX at Camp Rapid in Rapid City. For three days, they tackled day and night land navigation, marksmanship, live-fire, assault rifle familiarization and qualification, hand grenade assault, patrol base establishment and obstacle courses.&nbsp;&nbsp;Burgess said the third day was the most physically demanding. He participated in a 9-10 hour simulated combat scenario with squad ambushes, attacks, and medevac operations, all while carrying a weapon, rucksack, and special equipment, followed by four hours of cleaning their weapons to standard.&nbsp;Bynes’ most memorable moment came at the end of FTX when his squad chose to keep their rucksacks on and carry their mock injured soldier on a medical stretcher while hauling extra equipment and weapons&nbsp;back through a kilometer of rough terrain.“It was one of the hardest things I've done,” he said. “But the feeling of accomplishment knowing we were the only squad to accomplish that made us feel like a real team.”The Ranger Challenge brought another layer of intensity. Cadets spent 13 hours straight competing in events like weapon disassembly, grenade throws, call for fire testing, knowledge tests, building a one-rope bridge to cross a simulated river, land navigation and endurance ruck marches.“The burden was brutal,” said Burgess who was describing a sequence of 25-meter sprints, sled drags, buddy carries, tire flips, crab walks and bear crawls, followed by a six-mile ruck. “I hadn’t hydrated enough throughout the day and was semi-conscious, but my teammates stayed with me and wouldn't let me quit.”&nbsp;Bynes said he finished&nbsp;the day with a sense of accomplishment and a stronger bond with his team.“Completing something that rigorous with a group of people you just met makes you feel like family,” he said. “I only knew them for eight hours, but I feel like they're some of my closest friends after an experience like that.”&nbsp;Rafteseth prepared by improving physically and memorizing ROTC knowledge cards. &nbsp;“My most memorable moment from Ranger Challenge was the teamwork and bonds that formed while doing something difficult together,” she said. “It wasn’t just one specific event – it was the shared exhaustion, encouragement, and motivation we gave each other throughout the competition.”&nbsp;Across their experiences, each cadet said ROTC reshaped how they view leadership.&nbsp;&nbsp;Rafteseth emphasized the importance of humility.“When I first joined, I thought leaders were supposed to always have the answers and be in control,” she said. “But through training and feedback from my peers and cadre, I realized that real leadership means being willing to learn from others, admit mistakes and grow.”Each experience taught her to accept criticism and use it to improve, helping her connect better with her peers and earn their respect.&nbsp;Burgess said he discovered capabilities he didn't know he had.“I’ve learned how to stay calm under pressure, make decisions quickly, and, most importantly, that leadership isn't about having all the answers,” he said. “It’s about trusting your team, listening to input, and bringing out the best in the people around you.”&nbsp;For Bynes, time management was an unexpected skill he learned from ROTC.“I’m a track athlete and being in ROTC is almost like being in another sport,” he said. “Plus, if you don’t have good time management you're not going to be as successful.”All three offered advice for those considering ROTC.&nbsp;Rafteseth urged future cadets to study more, saying it's important to be confident in your skills and abilities.&nbsp;Burgess encourages cadets to say yes to every opportunity even if it seems intimidating or physically demanding.“You’ll never feel completely ready, but that’s the point – you grow by doing hard things,” he said.

ROTC Cadets Participate in FTX and Ranger Challenge

SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. - Scottsbluff Police were dispatched to a reported injury accident in the 900 block of 21st Ave involving four vehicles. The investigation found that a 2006 Jeep Commander driven by a Scottsbluff juvenile female was south bound on 21st Ave.

A 1995 Geo Prism driven by Leon Jelinek, 69-years-old, of Broadwater, Nebraska was stopped facing south waiting to make a left turn onto the Western Sugar property when the Jeep impacted the rear of the Prism.  The impact caused the Prism to cross the center line into the path of a north bound 2016 GMC Sierra driven by Jessie Martinez, 41-years-old of Gering, Nebraska.

The impact to the Sierra caused the Sierra to be pushed into the outside lane of north bound traffic where it impacted a north bound 2017 Subaru Forester driven by Savian Marquez, 20-years-old of Minatare, Nebraska.  Three drivers sustained minor injuries and were treated at Regional West Medical Center.  Two drivers were transported via Ambulance.

Citations are pending further investigation.  The Jeep and Prism were total losses.  The Sierra sustained and estimated $3000 in damages.  The Forester sustained an estimated $1500 in damages.  All vehicles required towing from the scene.  21st Ave between E Overland and E 7th ST was closed for approximately one hour.  Scottsbluff Fire Department and RWMC Ambulance Services assisted in the response. 

By Scottsbluff PD<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575482296996.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. - Scottsbluff Police were dispatched to a reported injury accident in the 900 block of 21st Ave involving four vehicles. The investigation found that a 2006 Jeep Commander driven by a Scottsbluff juvenile female was south bound on 21st Ave.A 1995 Geo Prism driven by Leon Jelinek, 69-years-old, of Broadwater, Nebraska was stopped facing south waiting to make a left turn onto the Western Sugar property when the Jeep impacted the rear of the Prism. The impact caused the Prism to cross the center line into the path of a north bound 2016 GMC Sierra driven by Jessie Martinez, 41-years-old of Gering, Nebraska.The impact to the Sierra caused the Sierra to be pushed into the outside lane of north bound traffic where it impacted a north bound 2017 Subaru Forester driven by Savian Marquez, 20-years-old of Minatare, Nebraska. Three drivers sustained minor injuries and were treated at Regional West Medical Center. Two drivers were transported via Ambulance.Citations are pending further investigation. The Jeep and Prism were total losses. The Sierra sustained and estimated $3000 in damages. The Forester sustained an estimated $1500 in damages. All vehicles required towing from the scene. 21st Ave between E Overland and E 7th ST was closed for approximately one hour. Scottsbluff Fire Department and RWMC Ambulance Services assisted in the response.

Details on Injury Accident in Scottsbluff

Jill Austin always knew she’d find her way back to Valentine.

Raised in the north-central Nebraska community, Austin returned seven years ago so her children could grow up in the same place that shaped her upbringing. She’s not alone in that choice.

“Young families are moving back because they want their kids to have the same kind of childhood they had,” said Austin, executive director of the Valentine Children and Families Coalition. “In a small town, everybody is there to help everyone. And Valentine is a very forward-thinking community – we have new restaurants and businesses coming in – so that helps drive this growth.”

That sense of community pride and commitment to the next generation is what drives Austin’s work. Her coalition supports early childhood providers across Cherry County, focusing on innovative partnerships and expanding access to child care. The nonprofit recently raised $100,000 to open a child care facility in the basement of an Episcopal church –just one example of their creative, community-led approach.

Still, access to child care and early education remains an obstacle.

“We need more providers, for sure,” Austin said. “I would say we’re probably at a 40-kid deficit right now. We want people to move to our community, and we want to continue growing, but people won’t move back if there’s no child care or no housing. So, we must keep thinking outside the box to recruit and retain rural providers.”

That’s why Valentine joined the Knowledge Network for Early Childhood Education Workforce (KNEW), a statewide initiative that brings together stakeholders from 17 rural communities and counties to address the recruitment and retention of early childhood educators in Nebraska.

Led by the University of Nebraska at Kearney, along with Communities for Kids and Nebraska Extension, the program launched last fall with $2 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Education.

“We’re a pillar community for Communities for Kids, so it seemed like a natural fit,” Austin said, referencing the nonprofit initiative with more than 70 partners across the state. “It was a really easy transition into the KNEW program, and it was a really easy sell to our providers, as well.”

A first-of-its-kind program, KNEW uses a collaborative approach to enhance and expand the early childhood workforce. The two-year federal grant enables early childhood professionals, community leaders, business partners and researchers to work together to strengthen local infrastructure and build long-term solutions that support both providers and families.

“The primary goal of the KNEW project is to strengthen the recruitment and retention of early childhood educators in rural Nebraska,” said Philip Lai, an associate professor in the UNK College of Education and the project lead. “This work is critically important due to a concerning downward trend in both the availability and quality of early childhood care and education across the state.”

According to a 2023 report from the nonprofit Voices for Children in Nebraska, 84 of the state’s 93 counties do not have enough licensed child care spots to meet the potential demand. Nine of those counties were classified as “child care deserts,” with no licensed child care available for families living there.

Another survey from Nebraska Extension and We Care for Kids shows that almost a third of parents with children ages 5 and younger left the workforce because they couldn’t find affordable child care, and 74 percent of respondents believe a lack of quality, affordable child care and early learning is a serious problem in Nebraska.

“In recent years, increasing vacancies in child care centers have created significant challenges for families,” Lai said. “When children lack access to enriching early learning environments, their development can be compromised. At the same time, parents without reliable child care may struggle to maintain stable employment, which in turn affects local businesses and the broader state economy.

“The bottom line is clear: without access to quality child care, families may be forced to leave their rural communities in search of better opportunities – resulting in a loss of workforce, community vitality and economic resilience.”

Through research, professional development and community-based solutions, the KNEW program is already making a difference.

The project team launched an online course offering resources for child care providers to strengthen their practice and career development, and statewide gatherings provide opportunities for participants to build partnerships and grow their professional networks. Funding is also available to support professional development and training programs at the local level.

The research group, which includes Lai and fellow UNK College of Education faculty members Sharon Obasi, Paula Thompson and JP Rech, will complete a study involving more than 200 participants from rural Nebraska communities, allowing them to better understand the early childhood education workforce landscape.

By exploring the social and professional networks within each community, the KNEW team hopes to identify the factors that support long-term sustainability – and scale those successes statewide.

“Our goal is to develop shared strategies and best practices that rural communities can use to improve early childhood education and increase access to child care across Nebraska,” said Thompson, an associate professor in the UNK College of Education. “By gaining a deeper understanding of these communities – what is working and what barriers still exist – we can build an infrastructure for sustainable services that benefits children, families, businesses and communities for years to come.”

Although it’s located more than three hours away, on the opposite side of the state, the community of Holdrege shares a lot of similarities with Valentine.

McKenna Fahrenbruch, a Colorado native, moved there about six years ago to experience small-town life in rural Nebraska. Like Austin, she discovered that she’s part of a larger trend.

“Holdrege and Phelps County are seeing a lot of growth. We have an amazing hospital and thriving businesses, so a lot of young families are interested in moving here,” Fahrenbruch said. “The goal now is to make sure we’re building that child care capacity as our community continues to grow.”

“If we don’t have child care, then we can’t have nurses and we can’t have people working at these businesses and keeping them going. It impacts the whole community,” she added.

A former kindergarten teacher, Fahrenbruch serves as director of the Holdrege Area Early Childhood Partnership, a nonprofit formed last fall. She works closely with local providers, families and businesses to improve the quality of early education, increase access and strengthen the overall child care system.

Four providers from her community are participating in the KNEW project, and Holdrege is also a Communities for Kids partner.

“The need for providers right now is huge,” she said. “We definitely need more providers in our community. We also need more people who are willing to work at these child care centers. A lot of our centers in Holdrege are not functioning at full capacity because they don’t have enough staff.”

Fahrenbruch, who earned her master’s degree from UNK, believes an important step is reshaping how people view the profession.

“We want our providers to see themselves as business owners and professionals – not just child care providers,” she said. “We want them to take pride in their work and keep educating themselves so they can provide the best-quality care.”

Fahrenbruch and Austin are both excited about the collaborative aspect of the KNEW program, giving them an opportunity to compare notes, share ideas and learn from each other.

“I think it’s going to give us a lot of good data that we’ve been seeking for a long time,” Fahrenbruch said. “This is information we can bring back to our community and use to make improvements moving forward.”

Eventually, the research findings will be shared through academic publications, conference presentations and other professional forums, extending the program’s reach far beyond Nebraska’s borders.

“We want to ensure that the knowledge gained benefits not only Nebraska but also other states facing similar early childhood education workforce shortages,” Lai said.

By Tyler Ellyson, UNK Communications<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763420779993.jpeg" alt="Project K.N.E.W. (courtesy UNK)" />
 <figcaption>Project K.N.E.W. (courtesy UNK)</figcaption>
 </figure>Jill Austin always knew she’d find her way back to Valentine.Raised in the north-central Nebraska community, Austin returned seven years ago so her children could grow up in the same place that shaped her upbringing. She’s not alone in that choice.“Young families are moving back because they want their kids to have the same kind of childhood they had,” said Austin, executive director of the Valentine Children and Families Coalition. “In a small town, everybody is there to help everyone. And Valentine is a very forward-thinking community – we have new restaurants and businesses coming in – so that helps drive this growth.”That sense of community pride and commitment to the next generation is what drives Austin’s work. Her coalition supports early childhood providers across Cherry County, focusing on innovative partnerships and expanding access to child care. The nonprofit recently raised $100,000 to open a child care facility in the basement of an Episcopal church –just one example of their creative, community-led approach.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763420826246.jpeg" alt="Valentine Children and Families Coalition Executive Director Jill Austin is pictured with her sons Colter, left, and Crue. Austin returned to her hometown seven years ago so her children could grow up in the same place that shaped her upbringing. (Photo by Sandhills Media Co.)" />
 <figcaption>Valentine Children and Families Coalition Executive Director Jill Austin is pictured with her sons Colter, left, and Crue. Austin returned to her hometown seven years ago so her children could grow up in the same place that shaped her upbringing. (Photo by Sandhills Media Co.)</figcaption>
 </figure>Still, access to child care and early education remains an obstacle.“We need more providers, for sure,” Austin said. “I would say we’re probably at a 40-kid deficit right now. We want people to move to our community, and we want to continue growing, but people won’t move back if there’s no child care or no housing. So, we must keep thinking outside the box to recruit and retain rural providers.”That’s why Valentine joined the Knowledge Network for Early Childhood Education Workforce (KNEW), a statewide initiative that brings together stakeholders from 17 rural communities and counties to address the recruitment and retention of early childhood educators in Nebraska.Led by the University of Nebraska at Kearney, along with Communities for Kids and Nebraska Extension, the program launched last fall with $2 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Education.“We’re a pillar community for Communities for Kids, so it seemed like a natural fit,” Austin said, referencing the nonprofit initiative with more than 70 partners across the state. “It was a really easy transition into the KNEW program, and it was a really easy sell to our providers, as well.”CRITICALLY IMPORTANT WORK<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763420905606.jpeg" alt="From left, UNK faculty members JP Rech, Sharon Obasi, Paula Thompson and Philip Lai are leading a statewide program that aims to enhance and expand the early childhood education workforce. (Photo by Erika Pritchard, UNK Communications)" />
 <figcaption>From left, UNK faculty members JP Rech, Sharon Obasi, Paula Thompson and Philip Lai are leading a statewide program that aims to enhance and expand the early childhood education workforce. (Photo by Erika Pritchard, UNK Communications)</figcaption>
 </figure>A first-of-its-kind program, KNEW uses a collaborative approach to enhance and expand the early childhood workforce. The two-year federal grant enables early childhood professionals, community leaders, business partners and researchers to work together to strengthen local infrastructure and build long-term solutions that support both providers and families.“The primary goal of the KNEW project is to strengthen the recruitment and retention of early childhood educators in rural Nebraska,” said Philip Lai, an associate professor in the UNK College of Education and the project lead. “This work is critically important due to a concerning downward trend in both the availability and quality of early childhood care and education across the state.”According to a 2023 report from the nonprofit Voices for Children in Nebraska, 84 of the state’s 93 counties do not have enough licensed child care spots to meet the potential demand. Nine of those counties were classified as “child care deserts,” with no licensed child care available for families living there.Another survey from Nebraska Extension and We Care for Kids shows that almost a third of parents with children ages 5 and younger left the workforce because they couldn’t find affordable child care, and 74 percent of respondents believe a lack of quality, affordable child care and early learning is a serious problem in Nebraska.“In recent years, increasing vacancies in child care centers have created significant challenges for families,” Lai said. “When children lack access to enriching early learning environments, their development can be compromised. At the same time, parents without reliable child care may struggle to maintain stable employment, which in turn affects local businesses and the broader state economy.“The bottom line is clear: without access to quality child care, families may be forced to leave their rural communities in search of better opportunities – resulting in a loss of workforce, community vitality and economic resilience.”Through research, professional development and community-based solutions, the KNEW program is already making a difference.The project team launched an online course offering resources for child care providers to strengthen their practice and career development, and statewide gatherings provide opportunities for participants to build partnerships and grow their professional networks. Funding is also available to support professional development and training programs at the local level.The research group, which includes Lai and fellow UNK College of Education faculty members Sharon Obasi, Paula Thompson and JP Rech, will complete a study involving more than 200 participants from rural Nebraska communities, allowing them to better understand the early childhood education workforce landscape.By exploring the social and professional networks within each community, the KNEW team hopes to identify the factors that support long-term sustainability – and scale those successes statewide.“Our goal is to develop shared strategies and best practices that rural communities can use to improve early childhood education and increase access to child care across Nebraska,” said Thompson, an associate professor in the UNK College of Education. “By gaining a deeper understanding of these communities – what is working and what barriers still exist – we can build an infrastructure for sustainable services that benefits children, families, businesses and communities for years to come.”COMMON THEME<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763420860968.jpeg" alt="A former kindergarten teacher, McKenna Fahrenbruch now serves as director of the Holdrege Area Early Childhood Partnership. She works closely with local providers, families and businesses to improve the quality of early education, increase access and strengthen the overall child care system in the south-central Nebraska community. (Photo by Erika Pritchard, UNK Communications)" />
 <figcaption>A former kindergarten teacher, McKenna Fahrenbruch now serves as director of the Holdrege Area Early Childhood Partnership. She works closely with local providers, families and businesses to improve the quality of early education, increase access and strengthen the overall child care system in the south-central Nebraska community. (Photo by Erika Pritchard, UNK Communications)</figcaption>
 </figure>Although it’s located more than three hours away, on the opposite side of the state, the community of Holdrege shares a lot of similarities with Valentine.McKenna Fahrenbruch, a Colorado native, moved there about six years ago to experience small-town life in rural Nebraska. Like Austin, she discovered that she’s part of a larger trend.“Holdrege and Phelps County are seeing a lot of growth. We have an amazing hospital and thriving businesses, so a lot of young families are interested in moving here,” Fahrenbruch said. “The goal now is to make sure we’re building that child care capacity as our community continues to grow.”“If we don’t have child care, then we can’t have nurses and we can’t have people working at these businesses and keeping them going. It impacts the whole community,” she added.A former kindergarten teacher, Fahrenbruch serves as director of the Holdrege Area Early Childhood Partnership, a nonprofit formed last fall. She works closely with local providers, families and businesses to improve the quality of early education, increase access and strengthen the overall child care system.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763420994445.jpeg" alt="Mt. Calvary Child Care in Holdrege is among the providers participating in the KNEW program, a statewide initiative focused on enhancing and expanding the early childhood workforce. (Photo by Erika Pritchard, UNK Communications)" />
 <figcaption>Mt. Calvary Child Care in Holdrege is among the providers participating in the KNEW program, a statewide initiative focused on enhancing and expanding the early childhood workforce. (Photo by Erika Pritchard, UNK Communications)</figcaption>
 </figure>Four providers from her community are participating in the KNEW project, and Holdrege is also a Communities for Kids partner.“The need for providers right now is huge,” she said. “We definitely need more providers in our community. We also need more people who are willing to work at these child care centers. A lot of our centers in Holdrege are not functioning at full capacity because they don’t have enough staff.”Fahrenbruch, who earned her master’s degree from UNK, believes an important step is reshaping how people view the profession.“We want our providers to see themselves as business owners and professionals – not just child care providers,” she said. “We want them to take pride in their work and keep educating themselves so they can provide the best-quality care.”Fahrenbruch and Austin are both excited about the collaborative aspect of the KNEW program, giving them an opportunity to compare notes, share ideas and learn from each other.“I think it’s going to give us a lot of good data that we’ve been seeking for a long time,” Fahrenbruch said. “This is information we can bring back to our community and use to make improvements moving forward.”Eventually, the research findings will be shared through academic publications, conference presentations and other professional forums, extending the program’s reach far beyond Nebraska’s borders.“We want to ensure that the knowledge gained benefits not only Nebraska but also other states facing similar early childhood education workforce shortages,” Lai said.

UNK Program Builds Partnerships to Strengthen Early Childhood Education

OGALLALA, Neb.&nbsp; — The Nebraska State Patrol is investigating a death that occurred at the Keith County Jail on Sunday.

Sunday evening, NSP was contacted by the Keith County Sheriff’s Office regarding a death that had occurred at the jail. Keith County Jail staff had located an inmate deceased inside a cell. The death appeared to be a suicide. There was no other person inside the cell at the time.

The inmate was identified as Dawson Reifschneider, 25-years-old. Reifschneider was being held in Keith County Jail while awaiting trial in Scotts Bluff County.

The Keith County Attorney’s Office has requested the Nebraska State Patrol conduct the grand jury investigation.

By Nebraska State Patrol<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682086647868.png" alt="New headquarters of the Nebraska State Patrol. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>New headquarters of the Nebraska State Patrol. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>OGALLALA, Neb.&nbsp; — The Nebraska State Patrol is investigating a death that occurred at the Keith County Jail on Sunday.Sunday evening, NSP was contacted by the Keith County Sheriff’s Office regarding a death that had occurred at the jail. Keith County Jail staff had located an inmate deceased inside a cell. The death appeared to be a suicide. There was no other person inside the cell at the time.The inmate was identified as Dawson Reifschneider, 25-years-old. Reifschneider was being held in Keith County Jail while awaiting trial in Scotts Bluff County.The Keith County Attorney’s Office has requested the Nebraska State Patrol conduct the grand jury investigation.

NSP Investigating Death at Keith County Jail

The Mission Store, Inc has announced the recipients of its 18th annual mini-grants. 

The following organizations received grants:

Grant recipients will complete the form accompanying the grant funds to the Mission Store to account for how those funds were spent.

Thanks to the generous support of Box Butte County residents and those in the surrounding areas, a total of $92,857 was distributed this year. The Mission Store is blessed to be a part of this community!

By Mission Store<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1763420443652.jpg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>The Mission Store, Inc has announced the recipients of its 18th annual mini-grants. The following organizations received grants: <ul>
 <li>Backpack Program</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Alliance Ministerial Association</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Hemingford Public Schools</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Alliance Recreation Center</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Hemingford Public Library</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Hemingford Development Corporation</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Western Community Health Resources a division of Chadron Hospital</li><li>Panhandle Blocks Quilts of Valor</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Alliance High School One Act</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Alliance Young Life: Wyldlife Camping Program</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li> Jane’s Closet</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>United Way of Western Nebraska</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Alliance Public Schools Emerson Elementary</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Community Table</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>St. John’s Piecemaker’s Quilting group</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Santa’s Helpers</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Alliance FCCLA</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Hope Squad</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Alliance Public Schools A-Club</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Human Services Inc</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Dobby’s Frontier Towner’s Inc</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Alliance Public Schools Foundation</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Carnegie Arts Center</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Miss Alliance Pageant</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Area I OHD</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Alliance High School FBLA</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li> Keep Alliance Beautiful</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Hemingford Bobcat Trap</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Box Butte County Ag Society</li>
 </ul>Grant recipients will complete the form accompanying the grant funds to the Mission Store to account for how those funds were spent.Thanks to the generous support of Box Butte County residents and those in the surrounding areas, a total of $92,857 was distributed this year. The Mission Store is blessed to be a part of this community!

Local