January 6, 2025 (Grand Island, Neb.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— The next class of Nebraska State Patrol recruits has started its journey to earning the title of Nebraska State Trooper. Fifteen new recruits began their training today at the Nebraska State Patrol Training Academy in Grand Island.

“These fifteen recruits have shown the character necessary to take on the mission of serving the people of Nebraska,” said Colonel John Bolduc, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “Our training troopers will combine that strong character with the skills and abilities these recruits will need in order to serve with dedication, compassion, and integrity.”

“This is an important day for the agency,” said Captain Andy Ecklund, NSP Director of Training. “Over the next 22 weeks, going through the training academy process, we’re going to transform them from 15 civilian individuals into a team of trained troopers ready to hit the streets to protect the communities.”

The Nebraska State Patrol basic recruit camp consists of hundreds of hours of classroom and practical instruction, including life-like scenarios designed to simulate situations troopers encounter while serving Nebraska. Camp 71 is scheduled to graduate on June 13, 2025.

Applications to join the next NSP class will open in February. Interested candidates can get information about the hiring process at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nebraskatroopers.com/" target="_blank">NebraskaTroopers.com</a>.

Cody ThomasNebraska State PatrolJanuary 6, 2025 (Grand Island, Neb.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— The next class of Nebraska State Patrol recruits has started its journey to earning the title of Nebraska State Trooper. Fifteen new recruits began their training today at the Nebraska State Patrol Training Academy in Grand Island.“These fifteen recruits have shown the character necessary to take on the mission of serving the people of Nebraska,” said Colonel John Bolduc, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “Our training troopers will combine that strong character with the skills and abilities these recruits will need in order to serve with dedication, compassion, and integrity.”The recruits of Camp 71 are:<div><style type="text/css">
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 <th class="tg-0lax">Joel Alarcon-Ortega – Imperial, NE</th>
 <th class="tg-0lax">Addison Mackling – Emerson, NE</th>
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 <td class="tg-0lax">Jennifer Alonso – Hastings, NE</td>
 <td class="tg-0lax">Ryan Painter – Springview, NE</td>
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 <td class="tg-0lax">Alejandra Bautista Torres – Hastings, NE</td>
 <td class="tg-0lax">Jamie Shirley – Sioux Falls, SD</td>
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 <td class="tg-0lax">Shania Daugherty – Hallam, NE</td>
 <td class="tg-0lax">Nickolas Sutton – San Antonio, TX</td>
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 <td class="tg-0lax">Joseph Fausti – Clayton, WA</td>
 <td class="tg-0lax">Michael Vargas – Hershey, NE</td>
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 <td class="tg-0lax">Gage Gonzales – Lincoln, NE</td>
 <td class="tg-0lax">Nathan Wamsley – Sidney, NE</td>
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 <td class="tg-0lax">Aaron Krefft – Omaha, NE</td>
 <td class="tg-0lax">Kaidyn Whitmire – Kearney, NE</td>
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 <td class="tg-0lax">Jace Kremer – Seward, NE</td>
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</tbody></table></div>“This is an important day for the agency,” said Captain Andy Ecklund, NSP Director of Training. “Over the next 22 weeks, going through the training academy process, we’re going to transform them from 15 civilian individuals into a team of trained troopers ready to hit the streets to protect the communities.”The Nebraska State Patrol basic recruit camp consists of hundreds of hours of classroom and practical instruction, including life-like scenarios designed to simulate situations troopers encounter while serving Nebraska. Camp 71 is scheduled to graduate on June 13, 2025.Applications to join the next NSP class will open in February. Interested candidates can get information about the hiring process at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nebraskatroopers.com/" target="_blank">NebraskaTroopers.com</a>.

15 Recruits Begin Training to Become Nebraska State Troopers

On Thursday, January 16th, the Alliance Police Department will host its next Community Forum at the Knight Museum. The forum will begin at 6pm and last for approximately one hour. 

Members of the Alliance community are encouraged to attend, On the agenda will be updates from the police department as well as an opportunity for citizens to share their concerns. Light refreshments will be provided.

By Alliance Police DepartmentOn Thursday, January 16th, the Alliance Police Department will host its next Community Forum at the Knight Museum. The forum will begin at 6pm and last for approximately one hour. Members of the Alliance community are encouraged to attend, On the agenda will be updates from the police department as well as an opportunity for citizens to share their concerns. Light refreshments will be provided.

Alliance Police Department to hold community forum 

By Box Butte County Clerk, Martie Burke

All Box Butte County facilities will be closed on January 9, 2025 for the National Day of Mourning of James Earl Carter, Jr. 

Normal business hours will resume January 10, 2025.

By Box Butte County Clerk, Martie BurkeAll Box Butte County facilities will be closed on January 9, 2025 for the National Day of Mourning of James Earl Carter, Jr. Normal business hours will resume January 10, 2025.

Box Butte Co. Courthouse to close during 'Presidential Proclamation'

Tue 1-7 9th grade basketball at Scottsbluff - girls&nbsp;at 4:00, boys at 5:30W 

Wed 1-8 FFA at Districts CDE&nbsp;@ WNCCTh 

TH 1-9 girls and boys wrestling at home vs Chadron 6:00&nbsp;

F 1-10 girls wrestling at Sidney Invite 2:00

F 1-10 girls basketball at Lakota Tech - reserve game 4:00, JV game 5:30, varsity game 7:00

F 1-10 boys wrestling at Douglas, WY Invite 10:00 am

Sat 1-11 girls and boys basketball at home vs Bridgeport - JV games at 2:00 (boys game at middle school), girls varsity game at 3:30, boys varsity game at 5:00&nbsp;

Sat 1-11 boys wrestling at Douglas, WY Invite 9:00 am&nbsp;&nbsp;

Alliance Public SchoolsACTIVITIES THIS WEEKTue 1-7 9th grade basketball at Scottsbluff - girls&nbsp;at 4:00, boys at 5:30W Wed 1-8 FFA at Districts CDE&nbsp;@ WNCCTh TH 1-9 girls and boys wrestling at home vs Chadron 6:00&nbsp;F 1-10 girls wrestling at Sidney Invite 2:00F 1-10 girls basketball at Lakota Tech - reserve game 4:00, JV game 5:30, varsity game 7:00F 1-10 boys wrestling at Douglas, WY Invite 10:00 amSat 1-11 girls and boys basketball at home vs Bridgeport - JV games at 2:00 (boys game at middle school), girls varsity game at 3:30, boys varsity game at 5:00&nbsp;Sat 1-11 boys wrestling at Douglas, WY Invite 9:00 am&nbsp;&nbsp;

Alliance Public Schools: Activities this week (Week of January 6th)

&nbsp; Check out this week's KCOW Sports schedule for Bulldog athletics. Contest can be heard on KCOW FM 92.5/AM 1400 or listen to the online stream by&nbsp;<a href="https://kcowradio.com/">clicking here.</a>

Tuesday, Jan 7: 5pm Husker Mens Basketball at Iowa

Wednesday, Jan 8: 5:30pm Husker Womens Basketball vs. Michigan State&nbsp;

Jan 11: Alliance vs. Bridgeport Basketball. Girls at 3:30pm followed by boys. Join "Voice of the Bulldogs" <a href="https://x.com/Canon_K9_Sports">Canon Rath</a> for all the action!&nbsp;

&nbsp; Check out this week's KCOW Sports schedule for Bulldog athletics. Contest can be heard on KCOW FM 92.5/AM 1400 or listen to the online stream by&nbsp;<a href="https://kcowradio.com/">clicking here.</a>Tuesday, Jan 7: 5pm Husker Mens Basketball at IowaWednesday, Jan 8: 5:30pm Husker Womens Basketball vs. Michigan State&nbsp;Jan 11: Alliance vs. Bridgeport Basketball. Girls at 3:30pm followed by boys. Join "Voice of the Bulldogs" <a href="https://x.com/Canon_K9_Sports">Canon Rath</a> for all the action!&nbsp;

KCOW Radio Sports Schedule (Week of January 6th)

Office of U.S. Senator Deb Fischer

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the names of the Nebraskans she is nominating for U.S. service academies.

“All of these students have proven themselves to be dedicated leaders, excelling within their classrooms and communities. It is my pleasure to nominate this impressive group of students for our nation’s prestigious military academies. I know they will go far and serve Nebraska and the United States with honor,”&nbsp;said Senator Fischer.

Below are Senator Fischer’s nominees for the Class of 2029:

Office of U.S. Senator Deb FischerWASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the names of the Nebraskans she is nominating for U.S. service academies.“All of these students have proven themselves to be dedicated leaders, excelling within their classrooms and communities. It is my pleasure to nominate this impressive group of students for our nation’s prestigious military academies. I know they will go far and serve Nebraska and the United States with honor,”&nbsp;said Senator Fischer.Below are Senator Fischer’s nominees for the Class of 2029:<ul>
 <li>William Berol&nbsp;of North Platte to U.S. Air Force Academy and U.S. Naval Academy</li><li>Patrick Bursaw&nbsp;of Ravenna to U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, and U.S. Naval Academy</li><li>Andrew Calub&nbsp;of Omaha to U.S. Air Force Academy</li><li>Mason Curtis&nbsp;of Bellevue to U.S. Air Force Academy</li><li>Amelia Engle&nbsp;of Bennington to U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, and U.S. Naval Academy</li><li>Jaxson Gates&nbsp;of Lincoln to U.S. Air Force Academy</li><li>Leo Geck&nbsp;of La Vista to U.S. Air Force Academy and U.S. Military Academy</li><li>Chloe Grabenbauer&nbsp;of Bellevue to U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Military Academy, and U.S. Naval Academy</li><li>Piper Hagen&nbsp;of Omaha to U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Military Academy, and U.S. Naval Academy</li><li>Henry Hansen&nbsp;of Omaha to U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, U.S. Military Academy, and U.S. Naval Academy</li><li>Colson Hazen&nbsp;of Fremont to U.S. Merchant Marine Academy</li><li>George Ivanov&nbsp;of Lincoln to U.S. Naval Academy</li><li>Ayla Janssen&nbsp;of Columbus to U.S. Air Force Academy</li><li>Adrian Lauer&nbsp;of Lincoln to U.S. Air Force Academy</li><li>Grace Leininger&nbsp;of Omaha to U.S. Air Force Academy</li><li>William McDermott&nbsp;of Omaha to U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, and U.S. Naval Academy</li><li>Zander Miller&nbsp;of Elkhorn to U.S. Air Force Academy and U.S. Military Academy</li><li>Christian Mundt&nbsp;of La Vista to U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, and U.S. Naval Academy</li><li>Julian Newbauer&nbsp;of Omaha to U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Military Academy, and U.S. Naval Academy</li><li>Casey Olson&nbsp;of Omaha to U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, U.S. Military Academy, and U.S. Naval Academy</li><li>John O’Neill&nbsp;of Papillion to U.S. Air Force Academy</li><li>Hayden Overgaard&nbsp;of Dakota City to U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Military Academy, and U.S. Naval Academy</li><li>Nicholas Phelan&nbsp;of Lincoln to&nbsp;U.S. Air Force Academy and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy</li><li>Alexander Poole&nbsp;of Omaha to U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Military Academy, and U.S. Naval Academy</li><li>Adam Pugh&nbsp;of Omaha to U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Military Academy, and U.S. Naval Academy</li><li>Aiden Robertson&nbsp;of Omaha to U.S. Air Force Academy</li><li>Cohen Sand&nbsp;of Lincoln to U.S. Merchant Marine Academy</li><li>Elijah Sharrar&nbsp;of Gering to U.S. Naval Academy</li><li>Ayden Shook&nbsp;of Milford to U.S. Air Force Academy and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy</li><li>Hendrick Shradar&nbsp;of Omaha to U.S. Military Academy</li><li>Virginia Skybo&nbsp;of Omaha to U.S. Air Force Academy&nbsp;and U.S. Naval Academy</li><li>Teagen Smith&nbsp;of Bloomfield to&nbsp;U.S. Military Academy and U.S. Naval Academy</li><li>Sarah Spahr&nbsp;of Milford to U.S. Naval Academy</li><li>Lydia Stewart&nbsp;of Springfield to&nbsp;U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Military Academy, and U.S. Naval Academy</li><li>Justin Wenzel&nbsp;of Arthur to U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Military Academy, and U.S. Naval Academy</li>
 </ul>

 Fischer Announces Military Academy Nominations for Class of 2029 Which Features Area Students

The 2025 mountain lion hunting season in Nebraska’s Wildcat Hills Unit closed Jan. 5 after three mountain lions, two males and one female, were harvested.

Regulations require the unit to be closed once the annual harvest limit of three mountain lions — with a sublimit of two females — is reached.

The Pine Ridge Unit remains open, with three mountain lions harvested as of Jan. 5; they include two females and one male. The harvest limit for the unit is 12 mountain lions with a sublimit of six females.

The Niobrara Unit met its harvest limit Jan. 2 and closed on that date.

An auxiliary season would be March 15-31 for the Pine Ridge should the harvest limit or female sublimit not be reached during Season 1.

The limits for Nebraska’s three mountain lion hunting units were set to meet the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s objective to maintain resilient, healthy and socially acceptable mountain lion populations that are in balance with available habitat and other wildlife species over the long term.

The Wildcat Hills Unit was added to the mountain lion hunting season for the first time during the 2025 season. It encompasses parts of Scotts Bluff, Banner, Kimball, Morrill, Cheyenne and Garden counties.

This is the state’s eighth mountain lion harvest season; the first was in 2014.

Mountain lions are native to Nebraska but were extirpated from the state in the early 1900s. They moved back into the state from South Dakota, Wyoming and Colorado as populations of prey species increased. Mountain lion presence in Nebraska was confirmed in the early 1990s, and in 1995 the state legislature classified them as game animals.

Since then, the cats have established reproducing populations in Nebraska’s most rugged terrain: the Pine Ridge, Wildcat Hills and Niobrara Valley with occasional confirmed presence in other parts of the state.

By Nebraska Game and Parks<h2></h2>The 2025 mountain lion hunting season in Nebraska’s Wildcat Hills Unit closed Jan. 5 after three mountain lions, two males and one female, were harvested.Regulations require the unit to be closed once the annual harvest limit of three mountain lions — with a sublimit of two females — is reached.The Pine Ridge Unit remains open, with three mountain lions harvested as of Jan. 5; they include two females and one male. The harvest limit for the unit is 12 mountain lions with a sublimit of six females.The Niobrara Unit met its harvest limit Jan. 2 and closed on that date.An auxiliary season would be March 15-31 for the Pine Ridge should the harvest limit or female sublimit not be reached during Season 1.The limits for Nebraska’s three mountain lion hunting units were set to meet the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s objective to maintain resilient, healthy and socially acceptable mountain lion populations that are in balance with available habitat and other wildlife species over the long term.The Wildcat Hills Unit was added to the mountain lion hunting season for the first time during the 2025 season. It encompasses parts of Scotts Bluff, Banner, Kimball, Morrill, Cheyenne and Garden counties.This is the state’s eighth mountain lion harvest season; the first was in 2014.Mountain lions are native to Nebraska but were extirpated from the state in the early 1900s. They moved back into the state from South Dakota, Wyoming and Colorado as populations of prey species increased. Mountain lion presence in Nebraska was confirmed in the early 1990s, and in 1995 the state legislature classified them as game animals.Since then, the cats have established reproducing populations in Nebraska’s most rugged terrain: the Pine Ridge, Wildcat Hills and Niobrara Valley with occasional confirmed presence in other parts of the state.

Wildcat Hills mountain lion season closes

P202400712 09:03 MVA : NON INJURY Officers were dispatched to a MVA that occurred at the southwest corner of the Grocery Kart parking lot. A motorist had turned to soon and hit the curb and light pole when trying to pull into the parking lot. Closed - Resolved

P202400714 10:34 TRAFFIC STOP : Officers were alerted to the oder of marijuana during a traffic stop. A search was conducted in which reveled a small quantity of marijuana in the vehicle. Closed - Charges Recommended

P202400713 10:34 TRAFFIC STOP : Officer conducted traffic stop on vehicle, detected the odor of marijuana. Probable cause search was conducted and located approximately 10 grams of marijuana as well as misc. drug paraphernalia. Closed - Charges Recommended

P202400715 20:34 DEATH : UNATTENDED Officers responded to the E row of meadows for an unattended death. Closed - Resolved

P202400716 05:35 THEFT : THEFT Report of the theft of a landline phone from the Alliance Inn and Suites Inactive - Case Suspended

P202400717 14:34 ASSAULT : ASSAULT Officers were dispatched to a possible child abuse case and an investigation was conducted. Closed - Charges Recommended

P202400718 08:21 ERROR : INCIDENT CALL Closed - Resolved

P202400719 13:13 TRAFFIC STOP : Report of shoplifting, officers located male, citation issued. Closed - Charges Recommended

P202400720 15:44 MVA : NON INJURY Officers responded to motor vehicle accident that took place at F8 Tower Plz Closed - Resolved

P202400721 16:54 BITE : ANIMAL BITE Officers responded to BBGH in reference to a reported animal bite. Closed - Resolved

P202500001 07:07 MVA : NON INJURY Closed - Resolved

P202500002 08:56 ASSAULT : ASSAULT Report of an assault on January 2 2025 / Unknown suspect Inactive - Case Suspended

P202500003 12:41 CRIMINAL MISCHIEF : Case for criminal mischief regarding two juveniles Closed - Charges Recommended

P202500004 19:34 ASSAULT : ASSAULT Open - Under Investigation

P202500005 22:21 WARRANT : ARREST Closed - Resolved

P202500006 09:34 MISSING : MISSING Officers notified of missing male, was later located. Closed - Resolved

By Alliance Police Department12/29/24P202400712 09:03 MVA : NON INJURY Officers were dispatched to a MVA that occurred at the southwest corner of the Grocery Kart parking lot. A motorist had turned to soon and hit the curb and light pole when trying to pull into the parking lot. Closed - ResolvedP202400714 10:34 TRAFFIC STOP : Officers were alerted to the oder of marijuana during a traffic stop. A search was conducted in which reveled a small quantity of marijuana in the vehicle. Closed - Charges RecommendedP202400713 10:34 TRAFFIC STOP : Officer conducted traffic stop on vehicle, detected the odor of marijuana. Probable cause search was conducted and located approximately 10 grams of marijuana as well as misc. drug paraphernalia. Closed - Charges RecommendedP202400715 20:34 DEATH : UNATTENDED Officers responded to the E row of meadows for an unattended death. Closed - Resolved12/29/24 Total: 412/30/24P202400716 05:35 THEFT : THEFT Report of the theft of a landline phone from the Alliance Inn and Suites Inactive - Case SuspendedP202400717 14:34 ASSAULT : ASSAULT Officers were dispatched to a possible child abuse case and an investigation was conducted. Closed - Charges Recommended12/30/24 Total: 212/31/24P202400718 08:21 ERROR : INCIDENT CALL Closed - ResolvedP202400719 13:13 TRAFFIC STOP : Report of shoplifting, officers located male, citation issued. Closed - Charges RecommendedP202400720 15:44 MVA : NON INJURY Officers responded to motor vehicle accident that took place at F8 Tower Plz Closed - ResolvedP202400721 16:54 BITE : ANIMAL BITE Officers responded to BBGH in reference to a reported animal bite. Closed - Resolved12/31/24 Total: 401/01/25P202500001 07:07 MVA : NON INJURY Closed - Resolved01/01/25 Total: 101/02/25P202500002 08:56 ASSAULT : ASSAULT Report of an assault on January 2 2025 / Unknown suspect Inactive - Case Suspended01/02/25 Total: 101/03/25P202500003 12:41 CRIMINAL MISCHIEF : Case for criminal mischief regarding two juveniles Closed - Charges RecommendedP202500004 19:34 ASSAULT : ASSAULT Open - Under InvestigationP202500005 22:21 WARRANT : ARREST Closed - Resolved01/03/25 Total: 301/04/25P202500006 09:34 MISSING : MISSING Officers notified of missing male, was later located. Closed - Resolved01/04/25 Total: 1Total Records: 16

Alliance Police Department: The media report 

Anglers can learn the basics of ice-fishing or pick up a few new tips from experienced anglers at Discover Ice-Fishing clinics in January.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s Youth Fishing Program will host three on-ice events and one classroom event.

From 9 a.m.-noon Mountain Time Jan. 11, the Nebraska Fish and Game Association will host a classroom clinic at the Alliance Eagles Club, 1520 W. 3 rd St. This will feature presentations by some of Nebraska’s top ice fishermen. Registration is suggested by emailing Harold@nefga.org.

From 2-4 p.m. Jan. 11, anglers can head to Laing Lake in Alliance to Discover Ice-Fishing with volunteer instructors helping you learn while on the ice.

The other on-ice events will be from 2-4 p.m. Jan. 19 at Lincoln’s Holmes Lake (located about mid-lake along the north shoreline drive), and 2-4 p.m. Jan. 25 at Norfolk’s Skyview Lake.

To get a reminder for the on-ice events or notification in case of cancellation, visit the calendar event entries at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov.

Limited loaner equipment will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Bait and instruction will be provided. Participants are encouraged to bring their own equipment.

All fishing regulations and permit requirements apply.

A lack of safe ice will force the cancellation of the on-ice events.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1735924923102.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Anglers can learn the basics of ice-fishing or pick up a few new tips from experienced anglers at Discover Ice-Fishing clinics in January.The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s Youth Fishing Program will host three on-ice events and one classroom event.From 9 a.m.-noon Mountain Time Jan. 11, the Nebraska Fish and Game Association will host a classroom clinic at the Alliance Eagles Club, 1520 W. 3 rd St. This will feature presentations by some of Nebraska’s top ice fishermen. Registration is suggested by emailing Harold@nefga.org.From 2-4 p.m. Jan. 11, anglers can head to Laing Lake in Alliance to Discover Ice-Fishing with volunteer instructors helping you learn while on the ice.The other on-ice events will be from 2-4 p.m. Jan. 19 at Lincoln’s Holmes Lake (located about mid-lake along the north shoreline drive), and 2-4 p.m. Jan. 25 at Norfolk’s Skyview Lake.To get a reminder for the on-ice events or notification in case of cancellation, visit the calendar event entries at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov.Limited loaner equipment will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Bait and instruction will be provided. Participants are encouraged to bring their own equipment.All fishing regulations and permit requirements apply.A lack of safe ice will force the cancellation of the on-ice events.

Ice fishing clinics coming to Alliance 

POST PODCAST: Coffee Talk: Best Coffee Talk EVER!

By Patricia Jones, Alliance Community Task Force: Creating Opportunity

"On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me..." Yeah, we all know the song&nbsp;The 12 Days of Christmas&nbsp;and we are probably so sick of hearing it by December 25 that we want to run screaming from the room when it begins to play. No one wants twelve partridges in pear trees.

The twelve days of Christmas don't end on Christmas Day; that is when they begin. In the church year the four weeks before Christmas are Advent. Christmas begins on December 25 and lasts until Epiphany, January 6. That is when we celebrate the Magi, also called the Three Kings or the Wise Men.

Many cultures around the world have Twelfth Night celebrations, either on January 5 or 6, to celebrate Epiphany. In some countries this is when gifts are given, because that is when Jesus was given the gold, frankincense, and myrrh by the Magi.

Have you eaten King Cake, or Roscon de Reyes? The special cakes, perhaps called different names in different nations, are usually baked on the night of January 5 and eaten on Epiphany. These yeast cakes are baked in a circle and beautifully decorated, to represent a royal crown. Usually a plastic baby, a bean, or a pea is hidden inside, and the person whose slice has that treasure is king or queen for the day of Epiphany. If you've been to New Orleans, you may have eaten King Cake. This treat is served from Epiphany through Mardi Gras, often at weekly parties or after parades. Then Lent and the time of fasting begins.

British people make a special punch called Wassail for their Twelfth Night celebration, Wassail is made from hot mulled cider or wine and spices.&nbsp;In some communities wassailing involves door-to-door charity-giving. Some towns have orchard wassailing parties to ensure a good harvest the following year. According to Wikipedia, the villagers form a circle around the largest apple tree, hang pieces of toast soaked in cider in the branches for the robins, who represent the 'good spirits' of the tree. Then they sing. They believe this ensures a good apple harvest the next Autumn.

Many people believe&nbsp;The 12 Days of Christmas&nbsp;song represents different aspects of Christianity, but there isn't any evidence to support this. Instead, the rhyme was written centuries ago as a memory game. When I was a child, I learned&nbsp;This Is the House that Jack Built. Many of us sang&nbsp;There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly&nbsp;with our children. (If you aren't familiar with these memory games, check them out on Google or YouTube.)

In the United States, our culture has become so commercialized that our stores, and many of our homes, begin to decorate for Christmas November 1, when Halloween comes down. Most families set up their trees the weekend after Thanksgiving. The tree and decorations are put away the day after Christmas.

I grew up in a family that got our tree in mid-December, and the tree and decorations came down on Epiphany. Now that we have artificial trees, Earl and I put ours up the beginning of December. And our home stays decorated until Epiphany, January 6, the 12th Day of Christmas.

By Patricia Jones, Alliance Community Task Force: Creating Opportunity"On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me..." Yeah, we all know the song&nbsp;The 12 Days of Christmas&nbsp;and we are probably so sick of hearing it by December 25 that we want to run screaming from the room when it begins to play. No one wants twelve partridges in pear trees.What are the twelve days of Christmas?The twelve days of Christmas don't end on Christmas Day; that is when they begin. In the church year the four weeks before Christmas are Advent. Christmas begins on December 25 and lasts until Epiphany, January 6. That is when we celebrate the Magi, also called the Three Kings or the Wise Men.Many cultures around the world have Twelfth Night celebrations, either on January 5 or 6, to celebrate Epiphany. In some countries this is when gifts are given, because that is when Jesus was given the gold, frankincense, and myrrh by the Magi.Have you eaten King Cake, or Roscon de Reyes? The special cakes, perhaps called different names in different nations, are usually baked on the night of January 5 and eaten on Epiphany. These yeast cakes are baked in a circle and beautifully decorated, to represent a royal crown. Usually a plastic baby, a bean, or a pea is hidden inside, and the person whose slice has that treasure is king or queen for the day of Epiphany. If you've been to New Orleans, you may have eaten King Cake. This treat is served from Epiphany through Mardi Gras, often at weekly parties or after parades. Then Lent and the time of fasting begins.British people make a special punch called Wassail for their Twelfth Night celebration, Wassail is made from hot mulled cider or wine and spices.&nbsp;In some communities wassailing involves door-to-door charity-giving. Some towns have orchard wassailing parties to ensure a good harvest the following year. According to Wikipedia, the villagers form a circle around the largest apple tree, hang pieces of toast soaked in cider in the branches for the robins, who represent the 'good spirits' of the tree. Then they sing. They believe this ensures a good apple harvest the next Autumn.Many people believe&nbsp;The 12 Days of Christmas&nbsp;song represents different aspects of Christianity, but there isn't any evidence to support this. Instead, the rhyme was written centuries ago as a memory game. When I was a child, I learned&nbsp;This Is the House that Jack Built. Many of us sang&nbsp;There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly&nbsp;with our children. (If you aren't familiar with these memory games, check them out on Google or YouTube.)In the United States, our culture has become so commercialized that our stores, and many of our homes, begin to decorate for Christmas November 1, when Halloween comes down. Most families set up their trees the weekend after Thanksgiving. The tree and decorations are put away the day after Christmas.I grew up in a family that got our tree in mid-December, and the tree and decorations came down on Epiphany. Now that we have artificial trees, Earl and I put ours up the beginning of December. And our home stays decorated until Epiphany, January 6, the 12th Day of Christmas.

Getting Ahead: 12 Days of Christmas 

By Shaun Friedrichsen, Co-Publisher

Pictured are, front row, from left to right: Josie Otto, Rich Otto and Charlie Otto; back row: Charlana Hjersman, Carla Forgey and Robi Heldenbrand, the team at Edward Jones, Otto Wealth Management Team.

Returning to Alliance following their stints at college, Charlie and Josie Otto are excited to join their father, Rich Otto, in his practice, serving clients at Edward Jones as part of the Otto Wealth Management Team.

Rich, who started by following in his father’s footsteps at Edward Jones, is grateful for the opportunity to have Charlie and Josie return to their hometown. He explained his beginnings in the practice are rooted in family and the community, and a passion for helping others. “My father was with Edward Jones for 28 years in Kearney,” Rich said. “I have two brothers with a firm in Kearney as well. I have a brother-in-law in Omaha with Edward Jones. Growing up with Edward Jones, I always saw dad at our sporting events and always a part of the community, always giving back, so it’s something that attracted me to Edward Jones as well. I started with a firm in 1992. I did an internship with Edward Jones, then I had the opportunity to move to Alliance.

“I always wanted to raise my family in a small town,” Rich said. “That’s what attracted me to Alliance, but in terms of having been here for over 30 years, I’m only 55, I have no intentions of retiring. My dream when I built this building was always to have, hopefully, someone in the office with me—my dream was to have one of my kids—but I’ve been blessed to have two in part of our practice here, so I’m excited for the next chapter in our lives.”

Charlie, who graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln recently, chose to return to Alliance so that he can grow strong roots in the community.

“I enjoyed what I learned there (at UNL), but I kind of never really felt, necessarily as at home as I did being in Alliance,” Charlie said. “I like the community aspect and the kindness people show you in a smaller town. I think that’s something, Lincoln had those aspects, but not quite as well as Alliance had it. I kind of missed that and having that sense of belonging and sense of purpose in Alliance. I’d like to make a bigger impact in the community, not only with Edward Jones, but through church, and eventually, maybe schools and things of that nature. Right now I’m just getting my feet wet and getting settled back in.”

Josie, before graduating from college, helped her father with on-call work at his practice in 2019. She said she chose to return to Alliance to be near her family and to start her own family here.

“I grew up here, my fiancé is from here,” Josie said. “Being near family really pulled me back. I’m getting married next summer, and part of my goal is to hopefully have a family some day. I think that’s the nice thing about doing this group effort: when we can all service all clients, if I need to take a minute because my child is sick, they can still help the people who will need it. Some of my other goals are to start getting more involved in the community. It’s just finding those right things that I’m passionate about.”

Josie was inspired to join Edward Jones because of the impact she saw her father had on people in the community.

“I had grown up seeing all of these people who were impacted so greatly by my dad,” Josie said. “You’d be in the grocery store, and it would be like, ‘Tell your dad thank you,’ or ‘Tell him hello, Merry Christmas,’ things like that. It was just something when I decided to go the finance route, I was like I know I want to be at Edward Jones because he’s not only making an impact in the clients’ lives, but the way Edward Jones works as a whole, just the culture, it’s so nice. It’s not competitive between advisors. It’s always build each other up. I can call any advisor and they’ll give me advice.”

Being in practice as a family is a new experience to navigate, Rich explained, though he is hopeful for the future and the resources they can work together to offer clients.

“We’re kind of finding our way,” Rich said. “We all have our own skillsets, and more importantly, we’re bringing those together to help our clients. Instead of each of us working individually with somebody, we’re going to work collectively as a team. So, you get three heads for the price of one. Just to be able to have that camaraderie together, and just to be able to bounce ideas off each other, and share thoughts for what’s best for our clients. It’s a group effort, and I enjoy that. Our firm has been in a pilot in this type of teaming program. We’re excited to be able to be a part of this extension of the pilot, and grateful to Edward Jones to not only be able to have my kids be with us, but, more importantly, to be able to work collectively for our clients and what’s best for them.”

Charlie emphasized he is not working for his dad; he is working with his dad, which offers many exciting opportunities to learn from his experience.

“We’re a team, and we’re all working together to help our clients,” Charlie said. Josie is thrilled for the opportunity to work together with her family and to draw on each other’s strengths.

“Sometimes a client’s situation, I might not have come across, but Rich being in the business the last 30 years, I can come to him and be like, ‘Hey, this is the situation, can you help me out?’ and try to find the best solution for the client and what’s best for them,” Josie said.

Josie and Charlie have already learned many lessons from the practice, and hope to learn many more as they continue down this path.

“The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that it’s okay to take a minute if you need to find the right answers,” Josie said. “People are more appreciative to know that you’re going to do what’s best for them, not necessarily that you’re going to do it right this minute. It’s okay to be learning.”

“I would say doing what’s right for people, even if it’s not benefitting to you,” Charlie said. “I think what you put out into the world comes back to you.”

Rich emphasized that, as a firm, Edward Jones is a privately-held partnership, with the focus being on the client first.

“When we make investments in people, it’s an investment, whereas some companies look at investment in people as an expense,” Rich said. “So, when things get lean, they cut the expense, but we’re making an investment in the people, to help the community, to help our individual clients and make sure their goals are met. That’s what drew me to Edward Jones was the focus on the client. I enjoy helping people, and that gives me purpose. Our mission statement is, ‘Partnering together, our family helping your family.’ It gives me great joy to wake up every day and help people to achieve their goals.”

By Shaun Friedrichsen, Co-Publisher<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1735920041067.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Pictured are, front row, from left to right: Josie Otto, Rich Otto and Charlie Otto; back row: Charlana Hjersman, Carla Forgey and Robi Heldenbrand, the team at Edward Jones, Otto Wealth Management Team.Returning to Alliance following their stints at college, Charlie and Josie Otto are excited to join their father, Rich Otto, in his practice, serving clients at Edward Jones as part of the Otto Wealth Management Team.Rich, who started by following in his father’s footsteps at Edward Jones, is grateful for the opportunity to have Charlie and Josie return to their hometown. He explained his beginnings in the practice are rooted in family and the community, and a passion for helping others. “My father was with Edward Jones for 28 years in Kearney,” Rich said. “I have two brothers with a firm in Kearney as well. I have a brother-in-law in Omaha with Edward Jones. Growing up with Edward Jones, I always saw dad at our sporting events and always a part of the community, always giving back, so it’s something that attracted me to Edward Jones as well. I started with a firm in 1992. I did an internship with Edward Jones, then I had the opportunity to move to Alliance.“I always wanted to raise my family in a small town,” Rich said. “That’s what attracted me to Alliance, but in terms of having been here for over 30 years, I’m only 55, I have no intentions of retiring. My dream when I built this building was always to have, hopefully, someone in the office with me—my dream was to have one of my kids—but I’ve been blessed to have two in part of our practice here, so I’m excited for the next chapter in our lives.”Charlie, who graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln recently, chose to return to Alliance so that he can grow strong roots in the community.“I enjoyed what I learned there (at UNL), but I kind of never really felt, necessarily as at home as I did being in Alliance,” Charlie said. “I like the community aspect and the kindness people show you in a smaller town. I think that’s something, Lincoln had those aspects, but not quite as well as Alliance had it. I kind of missed that and having that sense of belonging and sense of purpose in Alliance. I’d like to make a bigger impact in the community, not only with Edward Jones, but through church, and eventually, maybe schools and things of that nature. Right now I’m just getting my feet wet and getting settled back in.”Josie, before graduating from college, helped her father with on-call work at his practice in 2019. She said she chose to return to Alliance to be near her family and to start her own family here.“I grew up here, my fiancé is from here,” Josie said. “Being near family really pulled me back. I’m getting married next summer, and part of my goal is to hopefully have a family some day. I think that’s the nice thing about doing this group effort: when we can all service all clients, if I need to take a minute because my child is sick, they can still help the people who will need it. Some of my other goals are to start getting more involved in the community. It’s just finding those right things that I’m passionate about.”Josie was inspired to join Edward Jones because of the impact she saw her father had on people in the community.“I had grown up seeing all of these people who were impacted so greatly by my dad,” Josie said. “You’d be in the grocery store, and it would be like, ‘Tell your dad thank you,’ or ‘Tell him hello, Merry Christmas,’ things like that. It was just something when I decided to go the finance route, I was like I know I want to be at Edward Jones because he’s not only making an impact in the clients’ lives, but the way Edward Jones works as a whole, just the culture, it’s so nice. It’s not competitive between advisors. It’s always build each other up. I can call any advisor and they’ll give me advice.”Being in practice as a family is a new experience to navigate, Rich explained, though he is hopeful for the future and the resources they can work together to offer clients.“We’re kind of finding our way,” Rich said. “We all have our own skillsets, and more importantly, we’re bringing those together to help our clients. Instead of each of us working individually with somebody, we’re going to work collectively as a team. So, you get three heads for the price of one. Just to be able to have that camaraderie together, and just to be able to bounce ideas off each other, and share thoughts for what’s best for our clients. It’s a group effort, and I enjoy that. Our firm has been in a pilot in this type of teaming program. We’re excited to be able to be a part of this extension of the pilot, and grateful to Edward Jones to not only be able to have my kids be with us, but, more importantly, to be able to work collectively for our clients and what’s best for them.”Charlie emphasized he is not working for his dad; he is working with his dad, which offers many exciting opportunities to learn from his experience.“We’re a team, and we’re all working together to help our clients,” Charlie said. Josie is thrilled for the opportunity to work together with her family and to draw on each other’s strengths.“Sometimes a client’s situation, I might not have come across, but Rich being in the business the last 30 years, I can come to him and be like, ‘Hey, this is the situation, can you help me out?’ and try to find the best solution for the client and what’s best for them,” Josie said.Josie and Charlie have already learned many lessons from the practice, and hope to learn many more as they continue down this path.“The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that it’s okay to take a minute if you need to find the right answers,” Josie said. “People are more appreciative to know that you’re going to do what’s best for them, not necessarily that you’re going to do it right this minute. It’s okay to be learning.”“I would say doing what’s right for people, even if it’s not benefitting to you,” Charlie said. “I think what you put out into the world comes back to you.”Rich emphasized that, as a firm, Edward Jones is a privately-held partnership, with the focus being on the client first.“When we make investments in people, it’s an investment, whereas some companies look at investment in people as an expense,” Rich said. “So, when things get lean, they cut the expense, but we’re making an investment in the people, to help the community, to help our individual clients and make sure their goals are met. That’s what drew me to Edward Jones was the focus on the client. I enjoy helping people, and that gives me purpose. Our mission statement is, ‘Partnering together, our family helping your family.’ It gives me great joy to wake up every day and help people to achieve their goals.”

Continuing the Family Business: Charlie, Josie Otto Return to Alliance to Join Family Firm

By Sheridan County Sheriff's Office

On December 31, 2024 around 6:30 pm, deputies were advised of a pursuit entering Sheridan County from South Dakota. The occupants were reported to have firearms and narcotics. 

Deputies caught up to and continued the pursuit down multiple county roads, attempting to "spike" the vehicle and end the pursuit safely. The driver continued to elude law enforcement,  with the pursuit eventually ending up on Highway 20 outside of Rushville.

 The pursuit continued through Hay Springs and into Box Butte County, where the vehicle ultimately was stopped. 

One male driver was subsequently taken into custody on multiple felony charges. Two passengers were detained, interviewed, and ultimately released with minor unrelated charges. 

We would like to extend a thank you to the Nebraska State Patrol and Box Butte County Sheriff's Office for helping bring this incident to a safe conclusion.&nbsp;&nbsp;

By Sheridan County Sheriff's Office<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1735833285891.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>On December 31, 2024 around 6:30 pm, deputies were advised of a pursuit entering Sheridan County from South Dakota. The occupants were reported to have firearms and narcotics. Deputies caught up to and continued the pursuit down multiple county roads, attempting to "spike" the vehicle and end the pursuit safely. The driver continued to elude law enforcement, with the pursuit eventually ending up on Highway 20 outside of Rushville. The pursuit continued through Hay Springs and into Box Butte County, where the vehicle ultimately was stopped. One male driver was subsequently taken into custody on multiple felony charges. Two passengers were detained, interviewed, and ultimately released with minor unrelated charges. We would like to extend a thank you to the Nebraska State Patrol and Box Butte County Sheriff's Office for helping bring this incident to a safe conclusion.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Highway pursuit ends near Rushville 

*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.

-Harley Salway, Class 2 Felony, Sexual assault 1st degree, Class 3A Felony, Use deadly weapon to commit a felony, False imprisonment 1st degree

-Austin L Horton, Class 3A Felony, DV assault - 2nd/bodily injury/danr. inst., Class 1 Misdemeanor, DV assault - 3rd/threat/bodily injury

-Kyle Roland, Class 3A felony, Assault by strangulation or suffocation,&nbsp;Class 1 Misdemeanor, DV assault - 3rd/threat/bodily injury

-Daniel Hubbard Jr.,&nbsp;Poss cont sub, Poss drug para

-Chastity Smith,&nbsp;Poss cont sub, Poss drug para

- Crystal Cotant,&nbsp;Poss cont sub, Poss drug para

-Jose Arrelano,&nbsp;Poss cont sub, Poss deadly weapon by&nbsp;a prohibited person, Poss legend drug,&nbsp;Poss drug para

-Terry Early,&nbsp;Poss of cont sub w/intent, Poss of cont&nbsp;sub meth, No drug tax stamp, No&nbsp;Operator's license, Poss of marijuana

-James Watts,&nbsp;DUI, Domestic Assault, Child Abuse

-Isiah Ramirez, Class 1D Felony, Possess firearm by prohibited person&nbsp;

*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:&nbsp;-Harley Salway, Class 2 Felony, Sexual assault 1st degree, Class 3A Felony, Use deadly weapon to commit a felony, False imprisonment 1st degree-Austin L Horton, Class 3A Felony, DV assault - 2nd/bodily injury/danr. inst., Class 1 Misdemeanor, DV assault - 3rd/threat/bodily injury-Kyle Roland, Class 3A felony, Assault by strangulation or suffocation,&nbsp;Class 1 Misdemeanor, DV assault - 3rd/threat/bodily injuryScotts Bluff Co:&nbsp;-Daniel Hubbard Jr.,&nbsp;Poss cont sub, Poss drug para-Chastity Smith,&nbsp;Poss cont sub, Poss drug para- Crystal Cotant,&nbsp;Poss cont sub, Poss drug para-Jose Arrelano,&nbsp;Poss cont sub, Poss deadly weapon by&nbsp;a prohibited person, Poss legend drug,&nbsp;Poss drug para-Terry Early,&nbsp;Poss of cont sub w/intent, Poss of cont&nbsp;sub meth, No drug tax stamp, No&nbsp;Operator's license, Poss of marijuana-James Watts,&nbsp;DUI, Domestic Assault, Child AbuseDawes Co:&nbsp;-Isiah Ramirez, Class 1D Felony, Possess firearm by prohibited person&nbsp;

Panhandle police activity, Dec. 12 - Dec. 30 

Nebraska anglers should be aware of fishing regulation changes that took in effect on Jan. 1, 2025.&nbsp;

The changes to fishing rules, approved by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission during meetings in 2024, are:

Black Bass (largemouth, smallmouth and spotted) –&nbsp;At Frye Lake Wildlife Management Area, there will be no minimum length limit with no more than one fish 18 inches or longer allowed in the five-fish daily bag limit.

At Prairie View Lake, Wagon Train State Recreation Area/WMA, Duck Creek Recreation Area and Prairie Queen Recreation Area, the five-fish bag limit has a protected slot of 15-18 inches, with no more than one fish 18 inches or longer in the daily bag.

Patriot Park Lake was added to the list of water bodies that have a 21-inch minimum length limit.

Pawnee SRA/WMA was removed from the list of water bodies that have a 21-inch minimum length limit.

Two Rivers State Recreation Area Trout Lake (Lake No. 5) –&nbsp;Anglers will be allowed to practice catch and release on trout if they choose, and the start date when anglers will be allowed to fish the lake without a trout tag is June 1.

Channel Catfish –&nbsp;The “one-over” size restriction on channel catfish from the Missouri River is removed.

Walleye, Sauger and Saugeye –&nbsp;Branched Oak Lake reverts to statewide restrictions of daily bag limit of four, possession limit of eight and 15-inch minimum length limit, with one over 22 inches or longer allowed in the daily bag.

Northern Pike –&nbsp;At Clear Lake, Dewey Lake, Hackberry Lake and Pelican Lake, the three-fish daily bag limit has a protected slot of 24-34 inches, with no more than one fish 34 inches or longer in the bag.

Smith Lake WMA is added to the lakes that have a daily bag limit of 10 pike of which only three can be over 22 inches and only one of these can be over 34 inches.&nbsp;

Lake Wanahoo reverts to statewide restrictions of daily bag limit of three, possession limit of 10, no minimum length limit and one fish 34 inches or longer allowed in the daily bag.

Striped Bass, White Bass and Wiper –&nbsp;The statewide “one-over” size restriction is changed, increasing the length limit to 18 inches or longer in which the daily bag limit may include one fish, in inland waters.

Bait –&nbsp;The no-live-baitfish restriction was removed at Lake Wanahoo.

More fishing information can be found in the 2025 Fishing Guide, which will be available in January at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.outdoornebraska.org/">OutdoorNebraska.gov</a>&nbsp;and where 2025 fishing permits are sold.

Jerry KaneNebraska Game and ParksNebraska anglers should be aware of fishing regulation changes that took in effect on Jan. 1, 2025.&nbsp;The changes to fishing rules, approved by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission during meetings in 2024, are:Black Bass (largemouth, smallmouth and spotted) –&nbsp;At Frye Lake Wildlife Management Area, there will be no minimum length limit with no more than one fish 18 inches or longer allowed in the five-fish daily bag limit.At Prairie View Lake, Wagon Train State Recreation Area/WMA, Duck Creek Recreation Area and Prairie Queen Recreation Area, the five-fish bag limit has a protected slot of 15-18 inches, with no more than one fish 18 inches or longer in the daily bag.Patriot Park Lake was added to the list of water bodies that have a 21-inch minimum length limit.Pawnee SRA/WMA was removed from the list of water bodies that have a 21-inch minimum length limit.Two Rivers State Recreation Area Trout Lake (Lake No. 5) –&nbsp;Anglers will be allowed to practice catch and release on trout if they choose, and the start date when anglers will be allowed to fish the lake without a trout tag is June 1.Channel Catfish –&nbsp;The “one-over” size restriction on channel catfish from the Missouri River is removed.Walleye, Sauger and Saugeye –&nbsp;Branched Oak Lake reverts to statewide restrictions of daily bag limit of four, possession limit of eight and 15-inch minimum length limit, with one over 22 inches or longer allowed in the daily bag.Northern Pike –&nbsp;At Clear Lake, Dewey Lake, Hackberry Lake and Pelican Lake, the three-fish daily bag limit has a protected slot of 24-34 inches, with no more than one fish 34 inches or longer in the bag.Smith Lake WMA is added to the lakes that have a daily bag limit of 10 pike of which only three can be over 22 inches and only one of these can be over 34 inches.&nbsp;Lake Wanahoo reverts to statewide restrictions of daily bag limit of three, possession limit of 10, no minimum length limit and one fish 34 inches or longer allowed in the daily bag.Striped Bass, White Bass and Wiper –&nbsp;The statewide “one-over” size restriction is changed, increasing the length limit to 18 inches or longer in which the daily bag limit may include one fish, in inland waters.Bait –&nbsp;The no-live-baitfish restriction was removed at Lake Wanahoo.More fishing information can be found in the 2025 Fishing Guide, which will be available in January at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.outdoornebraska.org/">OutdoorNebraska.gov</a>&nbsp;and where 2025 fishing permits are sold.

Be aware of fishing regulation changes for 2025

Curbside and senior recycling fell on December 26 this past week for Keep Alliance Beautiful patrons. I rode with Kathy as we encountered at least two-thirds of the seniors’ addresses with nothing out on this Boxing Day (Canada et. al) and the first day of Hanukkah. Christmas leavings at several homes nearly made up for the “no’s”. All in all a typical week after working short-handed and being closed for two days on Dec. 24-25.

I always, perhaps naively, think the sheer amount of cardboard (Amazon and other gift boxes) and wrapping paper shoved into Dumpsters would be the one thing prompting people to recycle. Sure, after dumping the last pickup load from our route there were a couple round, see through bags stuffed with Christmas present paper and obvious boxes from gifts huddled near the balers. And no doubt the cardboard trailers will yield the same into the New Year. However, riding shotgun Thursday morning I noticed a higher ratio of the same waiting for the refuse department drivers. It was tempting to stop, or roll down the window, as we drove past a young couple topping off their garbage container with cardboard boxes.

Maybe KAB can adopt a tactic of my favorite Christian radio station. Somewhere in the transition between Thanksgiving and December listeners hear Christmas music – a variety, not just Contemporary Christian and tunes found in hymnals. The angle? “Listen to us for a month, and if you like what you hear we’d love you to listen all year” is the gist. So, here goes: Bring your Christmas boxes, wrapping paper and worn out lights to the KAB recycling center in January and we would love to see you the rest of 2025.

If that is agreeable, here are a few details. Wrapping paper goes with corrugated and fiber board (single-ply) cardboard. The material is easiest for us to handle when bagged or stuffed into boxes. Please remove plastic bags, etc. As usual, we encourage dropping off large amounts at our south door at 107 ½ Cheyenne. Christmas lights go with the electronics at no charge.

Personally, my children and I are enjoying our “green” presents. I was able to upgrade my sorting system with a set of collapsible vinyl bags that attach to each other with Velcro. Sporting the monikers: Paper - Box/Can - Bottle/Plastic - Vinyl, they will complement an existing pop top container made of rigid plastic. The kids have already spent time writing and erasing notes, lists and other communications in their reusable notebooks. The particular brand, which I mentioned in a column at least four years back, is endlessly (until the tough pages wear out) usable with an erasable pen. An app allows what the pages hold to be stored digitally. What I would have given to have one as a high school reporter in the ‘90s.

Environmentally friendly toys and gifts for Christmas are nothing new. I doubt the pioneers and homesteaders more than a century ago left carbon footprints with their homemade exchanges. Back then snow and cold would have been more of a challenge to FedEx, UPS, Amazon and Postal deliveries than the temperatures in the 50s and lack of snow that was December 2024 in Northwest Nebraska.

Remember to reduce/reuse/recycle as we step into and celebrate the New Year. Thank you to every person who stuffed KAB’s trailers, came into the recycling center to drop off materials or volunteer, and the businesses that filled totes and trailers with cardboard and so much else. Find your own way to Keep Alliance Beautiful throughout 2025.

By JOHN E. WEARE KABCurbside and senior recycling fell on December 26 this past week for Keep Alliance Beautiful patrons. I rode with Kathy as we encountered at least two-thirds of the seniors’ addresses with nothing out on this Boxing Day (Canada et. al) and the first day of Hanukkah. Christmas leavings at several homes nearly made up for the “no’s”. All in all a typical week after working short-handed and being closed for two days on Dec. 24-25.I always, perhaps naively, think the sheer amount of cardboard (Amazon and other gift boxes) and wrapping paper shoved into Dumpsters would be the one thing prompting people to recycle. Sure, after dumping the last pickup load from our route there were a couple round, see through bags stuffed with Christmas present paper and obvious boxes from gifts huddled near the balers. And no doubt the cardboard trailers will yield the same into the New Year. However, riding shotgun Thursday morning I noticed a higher ratio of the same waiting for the refuse department drivers. It was tempting to stop, or roll down the window, as we drove past a young couple topping off their garbage container with cardboard boxes.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1735840327619.jpeg" alt="Wrapping paper livens up a baler at the KAB Recycling Center the day after Christmas." />
 <figcaption>Wrapping paper livens up a baler at the KAB Recycling Center the day after Christmas.</figcaption>
 </figure>Maybe KAB can adopt a tactic of my favorite Christian radio station. Somewhere in the transition between Thanksgiving and December listeners hear Christmas music – a variety, not just Contemporary Christian and tunes found in hymnals. The angle? “Listen to us for a month, and if you like what you hear we’d love you to listen all year” is the gist. So, here goes: Bring your Christmas boxes, wrapping paper and worn out lights to the KAB recycling center in January and we would love to see you the rest of 2025.If that is agreeable, here are a few details. Wrapping paper goes with corrugated and fiber board (single-ply) cardboard. The material is easiest for us to handle when bagged or stuffed into boxes. Please remove plastic bags, etc. As usual, we encourage dropping off large amounts at our south door at 107 ½ Cheyenne. Christmas lights go with the electronics at no charge.Personally, my children and I are enjoying our “green” presents. I was able to upgrade my sorting system with a set of collapsible vinyl bags that attach to each other with Velcro. Sporting the monikers: Paper - Box/Can - Bottle/Plastic - Vinyl, they will complement an existing pop top container made of rigid plastic. The kids have already spent time writing and erasing notes, lists and other communications in their reusable notebooks. The particular brand, which I mentioned in a column at least four years back, is endlessly (until the tough pages wear out) usable with an erasable pen. An app allows what the pages hold to be stored digitally. What I would have given to have one as a high school reporter in the ‘90s.Environmentally friendly toys and gifts for Christmas are nothing new. I doubt the pioneers and homesteaders more than a century ago left carbon footprints with their homemade exchanges. Back then snow and cold would have been more of a challenge to FedEx, UPS, Amazon and Postal deliveries than the temperatures in the 50s and lack of snow that was December 2024 in Northwest Nebraska.Remember to reduce/reuse/recycle as we step into and celebrate the New Year. Thank you to every person who stuffed KAB’s trailers, came into the recycling center to drop off materials or volunteer, and the businesses that filled totes and trailers with cardboard and so much else. Find your own way to Keep Alliance Beautiful throughout 2025.

KAB: Yuletide Wrap

POST PODCAST: Coffee Talk: The Edison Test

Check out this week's KCOW Sports schedule for Bulldog athletics. Contest can be heard on KCOW FM 92.5/AM 1400 or listen to the online stream by <a href="https://kcowradio.com/">clicking here.</a>

Friday, Jan 3 - Alliance Girls &amp; Boys Basketball vs. Sidney, pregame at 2:15pm. Boys will follow 20 minutes after the conclusion of the girls game. Join Canon Rath for the action.

Saturday, Jan 4 - Alliance Girls &amp; Boys Basketball vs. Pine Bluff pregame at 2:15pm.&nbsp;Boys will follow 20 minutes after the conclusion of the girls game. Join Canon Rath for the action.

Check out this week's KCOW Sports schedule for Bulldog athletics. Contest can be heard on KCOW FM 92.5/AM 1400 or listen to the online stream by <a href="https://kcowradio.com/">clicking here.</a>Friday, Jan 3 - Alliance Girls &amp; Boys Basketball vs. Sidney, pregame at 2:15pm. Boys will follow 20 minutes after the conclusion of the girls game. Join Canon Rath for the action.Saturday, Jan 4 - Alliance Girls &amp; Boys Basketball vs. Pine Bluff pregame at 2:15pm.&nbsp;Boys will follow 20 minutes after the conclusion of the girls game. Join Canon Rath for the action.

KCOW Radio Sports Schedule (Week of December 30th)

By&nbsp;Cheryl Feist, Dawes County Clerk

Due to Presidential Proclamation, all county offices will&nbsp;be closed on January 09, 2025 to honor the passing of&nbsp;President James Earl Carter.

 There will be no State&nbsp;support available for county programs as well. Normal&nbsp;business hours will resume on January 10, 2025.

By&nbsp;Cheryl Feist, Dawes County ClerkDue to Presidential Proclamation, all county offices will&nbsp;be closed on January 09, 2025 to honor the passing of&nbsp;President James Earl Carter. There will be no State&nbsp;support available for county programs as well. Normal&nbsp;business hours will resume on January 10, 2025.

Dawes Co. Courthouse to close during 'Presidential Proclamation' 

By CSC COLLEGE RELATIONSCHADRON – The investiture of Chadron State College’s twelfth president, Dr. Ron K. Patterson on April 5 was a major college highlight in 2024. The celebration included original music composed by Music Professor Dr. Michael Stephens that was performed by CSC students, as well as an inaugural poem written and performed by Distinguished Young Alumni Jovan Mays.

Dr. Paul Turman, Chancellor of the Nebraska State College System (NSCS), said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/patterson-pledges-to-lead-csc-honor-its-legacy-listen-to-stakeholders.html" target="_blank">Patterson</a>&nbsp;is deeply committed to academic excellence and community engagement and understands the challenges facing colleges by demonstrating an exceptional blend of vision, passion, and dedication.The day before Patterson’s investiture, dozens of CSC employees, alumni, students, and friends hiked to C-Hill for a photo commemorating the 100th&nbsp;year of the structure. A presentation in Beebe Stadium honored volunteer firefighters and highlighted the history of C-Hill including its survival of a 2006 wildfire.Academic program highlights&nbsp;included official confirmation from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) that the CSC master’s degree in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/clinical-mental-health-counseling-masters-degree-program-earns-accreditation.html" target="_blank">Clinical Mental Health Counseling</a>&nbsp;meets the rigorous standards set by the counseling profession.In related news, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/social-work-reaffirmation-announced.html" target="_blank">Social Work</a>&nbsp;program received reaffirmed accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). CSC hosts one of six accredited Social Work programs in the state.Following two years of advocacy by elected officials and CSC administrators, the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/cscs-rotc-program-reinstated.html" target="_blank">&nbsp;(ROTC)</a>&nbsp;program will be reinstated at CSC. In the program, students train to become officers in the U.S. Army, Army National Guard, and Army Reserves.CSC students and faculty will benefit from a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/science-program-receives-scanning-electron-microscope.html" target="_blank">Scanning Electron Microscope (</a>SEM) funded by Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds and awarded to Nebraska State College System from the State of Nebraska for specialized equipment.The Coordinating Commission for Post-Secondary Education approved the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree to be offered by all three Nebraska State College System campuses. The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/master-of-arts-in-teaching-degree-approved.html" target="_blank">MAT</a>&nbsp;will allow an individual who holds a bachelor’s degree in a field other than education to complete the requirements for initial teacher certification without pursuing an additional bachelor’s degree to complete certification requirements.With CSC’s continued emphasis on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/rural-roundtable-brings-together-students-and-local-business-and-legal-professionals.html" target="_blank">rural leadership</a>, Rural Business Leadership Initiative (RBLI) and Rural Law Opportunities Program (RLOP) students met with regional business and legal leaders at the Rural Roundtable.Travel experiences for students included an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/art-guild-students-travel-to-utah.html" target="_blank">Art Guild</a>&nbsp;trip to Utah. The students visited the Utah Division of Arts and Museums, the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art, the Utah Museum of Fine Arts, the Spiral Jetty, and architectural and historical sites in Salt Lake City.Partnerships and collaborations&nbsp;included the announcement of aMemorandum of Understanding with Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine (ICOM). Dean of CSC’s School of Business, Mathematics, and Science, Dr. Ryan Morgan, worked with ICOM’s Assistant Director of Admissions, Ellie Mathews, to establish several routes for CSC pre-medicine undergraduates.The NSCS launched a rural tutoring program with teacher education candidates from Chadron, Peru, and Wayne Colleges, tutoring K-12 students in Educational Service Units 1, 4, and 13. Nebraska Success Made Accessible through Rural Tutoring&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/csc-students-hired-as-nebraska-smart-tutors.html" target="_blank">(SMART)</a>&nbsp;is a free, online tutoring program funded by a Nebraska Department of Education grant awarded to the NSCS. Later in the year, the NSCS announced that an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/nebraska-smart-expands-impact.html" target="_blank">expansion</a>&nbsp;of Nebraska SMART will triple the student population it serves.In an effort to address the teacher shortage crisis in the state, the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) announced the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/nebraska-department-of-education-launches-innovative-teacher-apprenticeship-program.html" target="_blank">Nebraska Teacher Apprenticeship Program</a>&nbsp;that seeks to bolster recruitment and training of educators across Nebraska through an apprenticeship model. Several months later, an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/chadron-state-college-and-scottsbluff-public-schools-included-in-expanded-teacher-apprenticeship-program.html" target="_blank">expansion</a>&nbsp;of the apprentice program was revealed with an additional $6 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Labor. This investment will allow the NDE to distribute more than $2 million this year to eight different colleges, which will be funneled down to apprentices at more than 19 school districts. President Dr. Ron K. Patterson said CSC is honored to partner with the NDE and regional schools like Scottsbluff.CSC and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/csc-signs-agreement-with-saigon-business-school.html" target="_blank">Saigon Business School</a>&nbsp;(SBS) signed an affiliation agreement that will benefit students seeking to earn a bachelor’s degree at CSC. Students pursuing a 1+3 degree pathway will complete one year of studies at SBS and then transfer to CSC for three years of study on campus. Students who choose the 2+2 pathway will complete two years of study at SBS and then complete two years at CSC.President Patterson and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Kimberly Paddock-O’Reilly visited the University of Nebraska’s Medical Center (<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/patterson-and-paddock-oreilly-visit-unmc.html" target="_blank">UNMC</a>)-Omaha campus in November, meeting with UNMC leadership and touring two of the center’s newest facilities. Patterson talked with H. Dele Davies, MD, now UNMC interim chancellor, about the health sciences and health careers in rural Nebraska.Among student awards and achievements,&nbsp;CSC celebrated astudent team’s second-place finish at the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/range-management-team-takes-second-at-international-competition-fisher-places-first-.html" target="_blank">Society for Range Management’s</a>&nbsp;(SRM) annual international conference in Sparks, Nevada. Mekenna Fisher of Hershey, Nebraska, won the Extemporaneous Speaking competition.Governor Jim Pillen appointed Christopher Jennings to serve as the CSC&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/jennings-appointed-as-chadron-states-student-trustee.html" target="_blank">student trustee</a>&nbsp;on the Board of Trustees of the Nebraska State College System. Jennings will serve the remainder of the 2024-25 academic year following a resignation.Creighton Harrington of Loup City, Neb., received a prestigious&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/-harrington-completes-internship-in-costa-rica-receives-prestigious-scholarship-.html" target="_blank">Scott Scholars</a>&nbsp;award at UNMC. The award provides in-state tuition, room, board, and a stipend to fund professional and research opportunities for four years.Senior Sutton Pohlman of Stanton, Neb., presented a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/pohlman-to-present-poster-on-capstone-research-at-national-conference.html" target="_blank">poster about his capstone course</a>&nbsp;research at the National Science Foundation (NSF) and Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) conference in Omaha. Pohlman’s research is about insulin uptake in the system of a person with type II diabetes.Three student percussionists, Josh Fernau of Chadron, and Cayden Carrasco and Lucas Booe of Sidney, Neb., attended the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/three-student-percussionists-plan-to-attend-national-conference.html" target="_blank">Percussive Arts Society International Conference</a>&nbsp;in Indianapolis.Students and volunteers with the Theatre Department performed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/csc-to-present-the-ultimate-christmas-show-abridged-.html" target="_blank">The Ultimate Christmas Show (Abridged)</a>&nbsp;at Chadron High School when technical problems with the fire alarm system in Memorial Hall caused a change in location. The cast included Reidun Hammer, a senior from Dubois, Wyo., Olivia Freeze, a senior from Bridgeport, Neb., and Isabella Ashley, a senior from Rapid City, S.D. Chloe Shatswell, a junior from Box Elder, S.D., was the stage manager. CSC alum Halle Smith of Wheatland, Wyo., and junior Riley Perry of Box Elder, S.D., were the driving force behind the production. They partnered as co-producers and directors of the performance, which featured audience participation.Local high school students, CSC students, faculty, staff, administrators, and regional mental health professionals gathered for a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/social-work-conference-shares-techniques-to-help-with-mental-health.html" target="_blank">Social Work conference</a>&nbsp;about mental health with an emphasis on recovery. Seniors Emily Beye of Chadron and Sandra Arlt of Scottsbluff, Neb., organized the conference with Assistant Professor Becky Fernau.Students Riley Billings of Sheridan, Wyo., and Alyssa Springer of Indianola, Neb., were&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/csc-students-to-judge-fccla-state-leadership-conference-in-april.html" target="_blank">judges</a>&nbsp;at the Nebraska Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) State Leadership Conference in Lincoln. &nbsp;Alumni awards and accomplishments&nbsp;were highlighted byMinnesota&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/csc-alum-walz-selected-as-harris-running-mate.html" target="_blank">Gov. Tim Walz</a>&nbsp;being selected by Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, as her vice-presidential running mate. Walz, in his second term as Minnesota’s Governor, became the first CSC graduate ever elected governor of one of the 50 states in 2018.<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/csc-alum-shares-research-of-prehistoric-deer-tortoises-carnivores.html" target="_blank">Edward Welsh</a>, a 2004 graduate, was a guest speaker at Agate Fossil Beds National Monument. Welsh, a park ranger at Badlands National Park in western South Dakota since 2012, presented his research about a recently discovered genus of a small, hornless deer.<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/rosales-earns-para-professional-of-the-year-from-the-wyoming-education-association.html" target="_blank">Shasta Rosales</a>&nbsp;of Laramie, Wyo., was named the Wyoming Education Association’s (WEA) Education Support Professional (ESP) of the Year.Other award winners included Andrea Westlake of Belle Fourche, S.D., who received the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/csc-alumna-receives-early-career-national-award.html" target="_blank">Early Career National Award</a>&nbsp;during the Society for Range Management’s 77th Annual Meeting in Sparks, Nevada.<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/ryker-honored-as-nebraskas-high-school-principal-of-the-year.html" target="_blank">Seth Ryker</a>, Principal of Gothenburg Public Schools, was named the Nebraska High School Principal of the Year. He is a 1994 graduate of Chadron High School and his mother, Kathy, and stepfather, Roger Suhr, live in Chadron.<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/hill-receives-art-education-award.html" target="_blank">Carissa Hill</a>&nbsp;received the Frances Thurber Pre-Service Student of the Year award at the Nebraska Art Teachers Association (NATA) Fall Conference in McCook, Nebraska. A May 2024 graduate, Hill teaches grades 6–12 at Southwest Public Schools in Bartley, Neb.Paul Turman, Chancellor of the Nebraska State College System, appointed Dr.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/waugh-named-interim-president-at-peru-state.html" target="_blank">Wendy Waugh</a>&nbsp;as Interim President of Peru State College. Waugh has 33 years of experience in higher education, including five years in administrative leadership. She has a doctorate in Organization and Management, Information Technology Management Specialization from Capella University, and an MBA from Chadron State College. Waugh has Emeritus Faculty status at Chadron State College.The Nebraska State Association of Secondary School Principals (NSASSP) selected Chadron High School Principal&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/mack-earns-secondary-school-principal-of-the-year.html" target="_blank">Jerry Mack</a>&nbsp;as the 2025-26 High School Principal of the Year.Faculty accomplishments&nbsp;included a scarab beetle being named after Professor Dr.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/newly-discovered-beetle-species-named-for-csc-professor.html" target="_blank">Mathew Brust,</a>&nbsp;who discovered and collected the unusual-looking insect in sand dunes in south-central Wyoming. An avid collector and naturalist, Brust first noticed the beetles, now known as Lichnanthe brusti, on a trip near Rawlins, Wyoming, in 2022.Assistant Professor Dr. Gabriella Pruitt Santos and three students participated in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/pruitt-santos-and-students-present-at-conference.html" target="_blank">International Studies Association</a>&nbsp;Midwest Annual Conference in St. Louis. The students were Ruhama Molla and Wongel Molla of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and Kosiso Daniella Akwanamnye of Awka, Nigeria.Assistant Professor Dr. Khadimul Islam presented two papers at the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/csc-assistant-professor-presents-at-national-conference.html" target="_blank">National Communication Association (NCA) Annual Convention in</a>&nbsp;New Orleans.During Black History Month, the Chadron State College Art Department hosted a show in Memorial Hall’s Main Gallery featuring the work of the late&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/show-honors-artis-during-black-history-month.html" target="_blank">William Artis</a>&nbsp;who taught at CSC from 1954 to 1965. His 92-year-old niece, Dr. Shirley Jones, has written a short book titled Uncovering Uncle William. Pieces for the exhibit were selected from collections in the Sandoz Center, the Chadron State Foundation, and Memorial Hall.Newappointments included&nbsp;Dr.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/paddock-oreilly-named-vice-president-for-academic-affairs.html" target="_blank">Kimberly Paddock-O’Reilly</a>,&nbsp;who was named Vice President for Academic Affairs. She replaced Dr. Jim Powell, who retired in June.Associate Professor Dr.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/helmbrecht-named-interim-dean.html" target="_blank">Brittany Helmbrecht</a>, a member of CSC’s faculty since 2015,&nbsp;was named the Interim Dean of Professional Studies and Applied Sciences in August.<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/reinsch-named-chadron-state-colleges-athletic-director.html" target="_blank">Mannie Reinsch</a>, an experienced athletic administrator, was named CSC’s Athletic Director. Reinsch is&nbsp;a Kearney native and graduate of the University of Nebraska-Kearney.<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/fisher-named-center-director.html" target="_blank">Nicholas Fisher</a>, JD/MBA, LL.M., was named the Nebraska Business Development Center (NBDC) Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Director for the north panhandle region.&nbsp; &nbsp;

By CSC COLLEGE RELATIONSCHADRON – The investiture of Chadron State College’s twelfth president, Dr. Ron K. Patterson on April 5 was a major college highlight in 2024. The celebration included original music composed by Music Professor Dr. Michael Stephens that was performed by CSC students, as well as an inaugural poem written and performed by Distinguished Young Alumni Jovan Mays.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/12/1735589697675.jpeg" alt="Chadron State College Master's Candidate is hooded by the Dean of the School of Business Mathematics and Science Ryan Morgan, left, and Associate Professor Cassandra Ritzen, right, at the 2024 Winter Commencement Ceremony in the Chicoine Center, Dec. 13, 2024. (Photo by Sydney Brown/Chadron State College)" />
 <figcaption>Chadron State College Master's Candidate is hooded by the Dean of the School of Business Mathematics and Science Ryan Morgan, left, and Associate Professor Cassandra Ritzen, right, at the 2024 Winter Commencement Ceremony in the Chicoine Center, Dec. 13, 2024. (Photo by Sydney Brown/Chadron State College)</figcaption>
 </figure>Dr. Paul Turman, Chancellor of the Nebraska State College System (NSCS), said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/patterson-pledges-to-lead-csc-honor-its-legacy-listen-to-stakeholders.html" target="_blank">Patterson</a>&nbsp;is deeply committed to academic excellence and community engagement and understands the challenges facing colleges by demonstrating an exceptional blend of vision, passion, and dedication.The day before Patterson’s investiture, dozens of CSC employees, alumni, students, and friends hiked to C-Hill for a photo commemorating the 100th&nbsp;year of the structure. A presentation in Beebe Stadium honored volunteer firefighters and highlighted the history of C-Hill including its survival of a 2006 wildfire.Academic program highlights&nbsp;included official confirmation from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) that the CSC master’s degree in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/clinical-mental-health-counseling-masters-degree-program-earns-accreditation.html" target="_blank">Clinical Mental Health Counseling</a>&nbsp;meets the rigorous standards set by the counseling profession.In related news, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/social-work-reaffirmation-announced.html" target="_blank">Social Work</a>&nbsp;program received reaffirmed accreditation from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). CSC hosts one of six accredited Social Work programs in the state.Following two years of advocacy by elected officials and CSC administrators, the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/cscs-rotc-program-reinstated.html" target="_blank">&nbsp;(ROTC)</a>&nbsp;program will be reinstated at CSC. In the program, students train to become officers in the U.S. Army, Army National Guard, and Army Reserves.CSC students and faculty will benefit from a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/science-program-receives-scanning-electron-microscope.html" target="_blank">Scanning Electron Microscope (</a>SEM) funded by Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds and awarded to Nebraska State College System from the State of Nebraska for specialized equipment.The Coordinating Commission for Post-Secondary Education approved the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree to be offered by all three Nebraska State College System campuses. The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/master-of-arts-in-teaching-degree-approved.html" target="_blank">MAT</a>&nbsp;will allow an individual who holds a bachelor’s degree in a field other than education to complete the requirements for initial teacher certification without pursuing an additional bachelor’s degree to complete certification requirements.With CSC’s continued emphasis on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/rural-roundtable-brings-together-students-and-local-business-and-legal-professionals.html" target="_blank">rural leadership</a>, Rural Business Leadership Initiative (RBLI) and Rural Law Opportunities Program (RLOP) students met with regional business and legal leaders at the Rural Roundtable.Travel experiences for students included an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/art-guild-students-travel-to-utah.html" target="_blank">Art Guild</a>&nbsp;trip to Utah. The students visited the Utah Division of Arts and Museums, the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art, the Utah Museum of Fine Arts, the Spiral Jetty, and architectural and historical sites in Salt Lake City.Partnerships and collaborations&nbsp;included the announcement of aMemorandum of Understanding with Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine (ICOM). Dean of CSC’s School of Business, Mathematics, and Science, Dr. Ryan Morgan, worked with ICOM’s Assistant Director of Admissions, Ellie Mathews, to establish several routes for CSC pre-medicine undergraduates.The NSCS launched a rural tutoring program with teacher education candidates from Chadron, Peru, and Wayne Colleges, tutoring K-12 students in Educational Service Units 1, 4, and 13. Nebraska Success Made Accessible through Rural Tutoring&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/csc-students-hired-as-nebraska-smart-tutors.html" target="_blank">(SMART)</a>&nbsp;is a free, online tutoring program funded by a Nebraska Department of Education grant awarded to the NSCS. Later in the year, the NSCS announced that an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/nebraska-smart-expands-impact.html" target="_blank">expansion</a>&nbsp;of Nebraska SMART will triple the student population it serves.In an effort to address the teacher shortage crisis in the state, the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) announced the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/nebraska-department-of-education-launches-innovative-teacher-apprenticeship-program.html" target="_blank">Nebraska Teacher Apprenticeship Program</a>&nbsp;that seeks to bolster recruitment and training of educators across Nebraska through an apprenticeship model. Several months later, an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/chadron-state-college-and-scottsbluff-public-schools-included-in-expanded-teacher-apprenticeship-program.html" target="_blank">expansion</a>&nbsp;of the apprentice program was revealed with an additional $6 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Labor. This investment will allow the NDE to distribute more than $2 million this year to eight different colleges, which will be funneled down to apprentices at more than 19 school districts. President Dr. Ron K. Patterson said CSC is honored to partner with the NDE and regional schools like Scottsbluff.CSC and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/csc-signs-agreement-with-saigon-business-school.html" target="_blank">Saigon Business School</a>&nbsp;(SBS) signed an affiliation agreement that will benefit students seeking to earn a bachelor’s degree at CSC. Students pursuing a 1+3 degree pathway will complete one year of studies at SBS and then transfer to CSC for three years of study on campus. Students who choose the 2+2 pathway will complete two years of study at SBS and then complete two years at CSC.President Patterson and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Kimberly Paddock-O’Reilly visited the University of Nebraska’s Medical Center (<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/patterson-and-paddock-oreilly-visit-unmc.html" target="_blank">UNMC</a>)-Omaha campus in November, meeting with UNMC leadership and touring two of the center’s newest facilities. Patterson talked with H. Dele Davies, MD, now UNMC interim chancellor, about the health sciences and health careers in rural Nebraska.Among student awards and achievements,&nbsp;CSC celebrated astudent team’s second-place finish at the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/range-management-team-takes-second-at-international-competition-fisher-places-first-.html" target="_blank">Society for Range Management’s</a>&nbsp;(SRM) annual international conference in Sparks, Nevada. Mekenna Fisher of Hershey, Nebraska, won the Extemporaneous Speaking competition.Governor Jim Pillen appointed Christopher Jennings to serve as the CSC&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/jennings-appointed-as-chadron-states-student-trustee.html" target="_blank">student trustee</a>&nbsp;on the Board of Trustees of the Nebraska State College System. Jennings will serve the remainder of the 2024-25 academic year following a resignation.Creighton Harrington of Loup City, Neb., received a prestigious&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/-harrington-completes-internship-in-costa-rica-receives-prestigious-scholarship-.html" target="_blank">Scott Scholars</a>&nbsp;award at UNMC. The award provides in-state tuition, room, board, and a stipend to fund professional and research opportunities for four years.Senior Sutton Pohlman of Stanton, Neb., presented a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/pohlman-to-present-poster-on-capstone-research-at-national-conference.html" target="_blank">poster about his capstone course</a>&nbsp;research at the National Science Foundation (NSF) and Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) conference in Omaha. Pohlman’s research is about insulin uptake in the system of a person with type II diabetes.Three student percussionists, Josh Fernau of Chadron, and Cayden Carrasco and Lucas Booe of Sidney, Neb., attended the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/three-student-percussionists-plan-to-attend-national-conference.html" target="_blank">Percussive Arts Society International Conference</a>&nbsp;in Indianapolis.Students and volunteers with the Theatre Department performed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/csc-to-present-the-ultimate-christmas-show-abridged-.html" target="_blank">The Ultimate Christmas Show (Abridged)</a>&nbsp;at Chadron High School when technical problems with the fire alarm system in Memorial Hall caused a change in location. The cast included Reidun Hammer, a senior from Dubois, Wyo., Olivia Freeze, a senior from Bridgeport, Neb., and Isabella Ashley, a senior from Rapid City, S.D. Chloe Shatswell, a junior from Box Elder, S.D., was the stage manager. CSC alum Halle Smith of Wheatland, Wyo., and junior Riley Perry of Box Elder, S.D., were the driving force behind the production. They partnered as co-producers and directors of the performance, which featured audience participation.Local high school students, CSC students, faculty, staff, administrators, and regional mental health professionals gathered for a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/social-work-conference-shares-techniques-to-help-with-mental-health.html" target="_blank">Social Work conference</a>&nbsp;about mental health with an emphasis on recovery. Seniors Emily Beye of Chadron and Sandra Arlt of Scottsbluff, Neb., organized the conference with Assistant Professor Becky Fernau.Students Riley Billings of Sheridan, Wyo., and Alyssa Springer of Indianola, Neb., were&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/csc-students-to-judge-fccla-state-leadership-conference-in-april.html" target="_blank">judges</a>&nbsp;at the Nebraska Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) State Leadership Conference in Lincoln. &nbsp;Alumni awards and accomplishments&nbsp;were highlighted byMinnesota&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/csc-alum-walz-selected-as-harris-running-mate.html" target="_blank">Gov. Tim Walz</a>&nbsp;being selected by Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, as her vice-presidential running mate. Walz, in his second term as Minnesota’s Governor, became the first CSC graduate ever elected governor of one of the 50 states in 2018.<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/csc-alum-shares-research-of-prehistoric-deer-tortoises-carnivores.html" target="_blank">Edward Welsh</a>, a 2004 graduate, was a guest speaker at Agate Fossil Beds National Monument. Welsh, a park ranger at Badlands National Park in western South Dakota since 2012, presented his research about a recently discovered genus of a small, hornless deer.<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/rosales-earns-para-professional-of-the-year-from-the-wyoming-education-association.html" target="_blank">Shasta Rosales</a>&nbsp;of Laramie, Wyo., was named the Wyoming Education Association’s (WEA) Education Support Professional (ESP) of the Year.Other award winners included Andrea Westlake of Belle Fourche, S.D., who received the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/csc-alumna-receives-early-career-national-award.html" target="_blank">Early Career National Award</a>&nbsp;during the Society for Range Management’s 77th Annual Meeting in Sparks, Nevada.<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/ryker-honored-as-nebraskas-high-school-principal-of-the-year.html" target="_blank">Seth Ryker</a>, Principal of Gothenburg Public Schools, was named the Nebraska High School Principal of the Year. He is a 1994 graduate of Chadron High School and his mother, Kathy, and stepfather, Roger Suhr, live in Chadron.<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/hill-receives-art-education-award.html" target="_blank">Carissa Hill</a>&nbsp;received the Frances Thurber Pre-Service Student of the Year award at the Nebraska Art Teachers Association (NATA) Fall Conference in McCook, Nebraska. A May 2024 graduate, Hill teaches grades 6–12 at Southwest Public Schools in Bartley, Neb.Paul Turman, Chancellor of the Nebraska State College System, appointed Dr.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/waugh-named-interim-president-at-peru-state.html" target="_blank">Wendy Waugh</a>&nbsp;as Interim President of Peru State College. Waugh has 33 years of experience in higher education, including five years in administrative leadership. She has a doctorate in Organization and Management, Information Technology Management Specialization from Capella University, and an MBA from Chadron State College. Waugh has Emeritus Faculty status at Chadron State College.The Nebraska State Association of Secondary School Principals (NSASSP) selected Chadron High School Principal&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/mack-earns-secondary-school-principal-of-the-year.html" target="_blank">Jerry Mack</a>&nbsp;as the 2025-26 High School Principal of the Year.Faculty accomplishments&nbsp;included a scarab beetle being named after Professor Dr.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/newly-discovered-beetle-species-named-for-csc-professor.html" target="_blank">Mathew Brust,</a>&nbsp;who discovered and collected the unusual-looking insect in sand dunes in south-central Wyoming. An avid collector and naturalist, Brust first noticed the beetles, now known as Lichnanthe brusti, on a trip near Rawlins, Wyoming, in 2022.Assistant Professor Dr. Gabriella Pruitt Santos and three students participated in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/pruitt-santos-and-students-present-at-conference.html" target="_blank">International Studies Association</a>&nbsp;Midwest Annual Conference in St. Louis. The students were Ruhama Molla and Wongel Molla of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and Kosiso Daniella Akwanamnye of Awka, Nigeria.Assistant Professor Dr. Khadimul Islam presented two papers at the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/csc-assistant-professor-presents-at-national-conference.html" target="_blank">National Communication Association (NCA) Annual Convention in</a>&nbsp;New Orleans.During Black History Month, the Chadron State College Art Department hosted a show in Memorial Hall’s Main Gallery featuring the work of the late&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/show-honors-artis-during-black-history-month.html" target="_blank">William Artis</a>&nbsp;who taught at CSC from 1954 to 1965. His 92-year-old niece, Dr. Shirley Jones, has written a short book titled Uncovering Uncle William. Pieces for the exhibit were selected from collections in the Sandoz Center, the Chadron State Foundation, and Memorial Hall.Newappointments included&nbsp;Dr.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/paddock-oreilly-named-vice-president-for-academic-affairs.html" target="_blank">Kimberly Paddock-O’Reilly</a>,&nbsp;who was named Vice President for Academic Affairs. She replaced Dr. Jim Powell, who retired in June.Associate Professor Dr.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/helmbrecht-named-interim-dean.html" target="_blank">Brittany Helmbrecht</a>, a member of CSC’s faculty since 2015,&nbsp;was named the Interim Dean of Professional Studies and Applied Sciences in August.<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/reinsch-named-chadron-state-colleges-athletic-director.html" target="_blank">Mannie Reinsch</a>, an experienced athletic administrator, was named CSC’s Athletic Director. Reinsch is&nbsp;a Kearney native and graduate of the University of Nebraska-Kearney.<a href="https://www.csc.edu/news/2024/fisher-named-center-director.html" target="_blank">Nicholas Fisher</a>, JD/MBA, LL.M., was named the Nebraska Business Development Center (NBDC) Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Director for the north panhandle region.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Patterson inauguration and C-Hill’s centennial highlight 2024 in Chadron 

P202400701 13:46 WARRANT : ARREST Officers conducting field interview located male with active arrest warrant. Male was arrested without incident. Closed - Resolved

P202400702 20:21 HARASS : Harassment Officers responded to the 600 block of Potash Ave in reference to disturbing the peace. Closed - Charges Recommended

P202400703 11:16 TRAFFIC STOP : Closed - Charges Recommended

P202400704 12:53 Officers dispatched to residence reference physical disturbance. Female located with injuries, male party arrested. Closed - Charges Recommended

P202400705 03:08 ASSAULT : ASSAULT Open - Under Investigation

P202400706 03:06 ASSAULT : ASSAULT George C. King was arrested for threatening a male with a knife. Closed - Charges Recommended

P202400707 03:06 ERROR : INCIDENT CALL Issued In Error

P202400708 13:36 WARRANT : ARREST Officers located male with warrant on investigatory stop. Male was arrested without incident. Closed - Charges Recommended

P202400709 06:47 DUI : DUI Officer nearly struck by vehicle failing to yield to right of way. Traffic stop was conducted and driver was found to be almost 4 times over the legal limit. Driver was arrested for DUI Closed - Charges Recommended

P202400710 13:01 ASSAULT : ASSAULT Officers dispatched to hostage situation. Offender was located fleeing and arrested by officers. Closed - Charges Recommended

P202400711 15:18 PUBLIC : PUBLIC Officers received unclaimed property that was left behind at reporting parties resident. The property reveled drugs, drug paraphernalia and weapon ammunition .

12/22/24P202400701 13:46 WARRANT : ARREST Officers conducting field interview located male with active arrest warrant. Male was arrested without incident. Closed - ResolvedP202400702 20:21 HARASS : Harassment Officers responded to the 600 block of Potash Ave in reference to disturbing the peace. Closed - Charges Recommended12/22/24 Total: 212/24/24P202400703 11:16 TRAFFIC STOP : Closed - Charges RecommendedP202400704 12:53 Officers dispatched to residence reference physical disturbance. Female located with injuries, male party arrested. Closed - Charges Recommended12/24/24 Total: 212/25/24P202400705 03:08 ASSAULT : ASSAULT Open - Under Investigation12/25/24 Total: 112/26/24P202400706 03:06 ASSAULT : ASSAULT George C. King was arrested for threatening a male with a knife. Closed - Charges RecommendedP202400707 03:06 ERROR : INCIDENT CALL Issued In Error12/26/24 Total: 212/27/24P202400708 13:36 WARRANT : ARREST Officers located male with warrant on investigatory stop. Male was arrested without incident. Closed - Charges Recommended12/27/24 Total: 112/28/24P202400709 06:47 DUI : DUI Officer nearly struck by vehicle failing to yield to right of way. Traffic stop was conducted and driver was found to be almost 4 times over the legal limit. Driver was arrested for DUI Closed - Charges RecommendedP202400710 13:01 ASSAULT : ASSAULT Officers dispatched to hostage situation. Offender was located fleeing and arrested by officers. Closed - Charges RecommendedP202400711 15:18 PUBLIC : PUBLIC Officers received unclaimed property that was left behind at reporting parties resident. The property reveled drugs, drug paraphernalia and weapon ammunition .Closed - Resolved12/28/24 Total: 3Total Records: 11

On December 25, 2024 at approximately 8:19P.M. Chadron Police Officers Seth Orsborn and Colin Deines responded to a reported physical altercation on the 300 block of East 3 rd Street, which resulted in the arrest of a 21-year-old male, Poseidon Sanchez, for Second Degree Assault with a dangerous weapon (Class IIA Felony).

Officer Orsborn and Officer Deines received a report of a disturbance at a residence in Chadron. The reporting party indicated that he was assaulted by an unknown male and that the male left walking West on 3 rd Street. Officer Deines arrived at the residence and observed signs of an altercation and blood on the sidewalk. Meanwhile, the Chadron Police Department received a second phone call reporting there was a male who shown up at 301 Main Street and was bleeding from the neck. Officer Orsborn responded to this call and made contact with a male who had a laceration on his neck and was bleeding profusely. Officer Orsborn immediately provided medical aid until an ambulance arrived and transported the male to the Chadron Community Hospital.

Officer Deines and Officer Orsborn returned to the scene of where the initial altercation took place and spoke with the reporting party who stated he was assaulted by the other male. Officer Deines and Officer Orsborn learned that during the assault the reporting party pulled out and used a knife during the altercation. Officer Deines was able to retrieve the knife used in the assault as evidence.

As a result of the investigation and interviewing witnesses, Poseidon Sanchez was placed under arrest for 2 nd degree assault with a dangerous weapon and transported to the Dawes County Jail.

The Chadron Police Department received assistance from the Chadron Fire Department on this call.

By Chadron Police DepartmentOn December 25, 2024 at approximately 8:19P.M. Chadron Police Officers Seth Orsborn and Colin Deines responded to a reported physical altercation on the 300 block of East 3 rd Street, which resulted in the arrest of a 21-year-old male, Poseidon Sanchez, for Second Degree Assault with a dangerous weapon (Class IIA Felony).Officer Orsborn and Officer Deines received a report of a disturbance at a residence in Chadron. The reporting party indicated that he was assaulted by an unknown male and that the male left walking West on 3 rd Street. Officer Deines arrived at the residence and observed signs of an altercation and blood on the sidewalk. Meanwhile, the Chadron Police Department received a second phone call reporting there was a male who shown up at 301 Main Street and was bleeding from the neck. Officer Orsborn responded to this call and made contact with a male who had a laceration on his neck and was bleeding profusely. Officer Orsborn immediately provided medical aid until an ambulance arrived and transported the male to the Chadron Community Hospital.Officer Deines and Officer Orsborn returned to the scene of where the initial altercation took place and spoke with the reporting party who stated he was assaulted by the other male. Officer Deines and Officer Orsborn learned that during the assault the reporting party pulled out and used a knife during the altercation. Officer Deines was able to retrieve the knife used in the assault as evidence.As a result of the investigation and interviewing witnesses, Poseidon Sanchez was placed under arrest for 2 nd degree assault with a dangerous weapon and transported to the Dawes County Jail.The Chadron Police Department received assistance from the Chadron Fire Department on this call.

Chadron man arrested for felony assault with a dangerous weapon

Active-duty military personnel stationed in Nebraska can now buy a vehicle park entry permit for $5 and gain access to more than 76 state parks year-round.

The annual active-duty military vehicle park permit is valid Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 in a given year.

People wanting to buy the permit must show:

Permits must be purchased in-person at one of the following locations:

Shawna Richter-RyersonNebraska Game and ParksActive-duty military personnel stationed in Nebraska can now buy a vehicle park entry permit for $5 and gain access to more than 76 state parks year-round.The annual active-duty military vehicle park permit is valid Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 in a given year.People wanting to buy the permit must show:<ul>
 <li>A military identification card denoting active-duty status.</li><li>Proof of being stationed at a military base in Nebraska.</li>
 </ul>Permits must be purchased in-person at one of the following locations:Offutt Airforce Base:&nbsp;Outdoor RecreationNebraska Game and Parks’ offices and service centers:&nbsp;Alliance District Office, Bassett Service Center, Kearney Service Center, Lincoln Headquarters, Norfolk District Office, North Platte District Office, and Omaha Service CenterSelect state parks:&nbsp;Calamus State Recreation Area, Eugene T. Mahoney State Park, Fort Atkinson State Historical Park, Fort Robinson SP, Fremont Lakes SRA, Indian Cave State Park, Lake McConaughy SRA, Lewis and Clark SRA, Louisville SRA, Mormon Island SRA, Niobrara SP, Platte River State Park, Ponca SP, Two Rivers SRA, and Wildcat Hills Nature Center.Active-duty military members may only buy two permits per year, but replacements are free if all or more than half of the permit is returned to the designated offices. Replacements correspond to the same year the original was issued.Learn more about permits available to military members at&nbsp;<a href="https://outdoornebraska.gov/permits/veterans-and-military-permits/">OutdoorNebraska.gov</a>; search for “military permits.”