Nebraska State Patrol have arrested a Kimball motel owner following a shooting at the motel Tuesday.

Tuesday afternoon, the Kimball Police Department was called to the report of a shooting at the Finer Motel, at 4306 East Highway 30 in Kimball. Upon arrival, authorities located a male subject with multiple gunshot wounds. The victim was transported to Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff with what are believed to be non-life-threatening injuries.

The Kimball Police Department requested that the Nebraska State Patrol handle the investigation. After preliminary investigation, NSP has arrested the motel’s owner, Leota Kant, 86, of Kimball, for attempted murder, use of a weapon to commit a felony, and discharging a weapon within city limits. The victim had been staying at the motel.

Kant was lodged Tuesday evening in Garden County Jail. The investigation remains ongoing.

Previous Story: The Kimball Police Department issued a statement about a shooting that left one injured.

Authorities arrived on scene on Tuesday afternoon at the Finer Motel on the 4000 block of East Highway 30.

At the time of this release, one suspect has been detained and one male victim was transported to a local hospital. The investigation is ongoing, and the Nebraska State Patrol has taken over the investigation.

By the Nebraska State PatrolNebraska State Patrol have arrested a Kimball motel owner following a shooting at the motel Tuesday.Tuesday afternoon, the Kimball Police Department was called to the report of a shooting at the Finer Motel, at 4306 East Highway 30 in Kimball. Upon arrival, authorities located a male subject with multiple gunshot wounds. The victim was transported to Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff with what are believed to be non-life-threatening injuries.The Kimball Police Department requested that the Nebraska State Patrol handle the investigation. After preliminary investigation, NSP has arrested the motel’s owner, Leota Kant, 86, of Kimball, for attempted murder, use of a weapon to commit a felony, and discharging a weapon within city limits. The victim had been staying at the motel.Kant was lodged Tuesday evening in Garden County Jail. The investigation remains ongoing.Previous Story: The Kimball Police Department issued a statement about a shooting that left one injured.Authorities arrived on scene on Tuesday afternoon at the Finer Motel on the 4000 block of East Highway 30.At the time of this release, one suspect has been detained and one male victim was transported to a local hospital. The investigation is ongoing, and the Nebraska State Patrol has taken over the investigation.

 Update: Motel owner arrested in shooting in Kimball

Hemingford High School Senior Drew Varner talks to Panhandle Post News Director Alex Benzegala about earning his Eagle badge, playing football through injury and a project he recently led at Hemingford High school.

<div><iframe title="Post Podcast: Hemingford’s Drew Varner comments on Eagle Badge" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:300px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=7buhj-14e90e6-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=2&font-color=auto&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=5&size=300" loading="lazy" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>Hemingford High School Senior Drew Varner talks to Panhandle Post News Director Alex Benzegala about earning his Eagle badge, playing football through injury and a project he recently led at Hemingford High school.

Post Podcast: Drew Varner of Hemingford talks Eagle Badge and more 

Alliance, NE – Upcoming Story Time themes at Alliance Public Library for ages 3-6 include Surprise Stories on November 2nd, American Heroes on November 7th and 9th, Thanksgiving Sparkle on November 14th and 16th, and Dance Party on November 28th and 30th. Story Time is shared on Tuesdays at 10 am and Thursdays at 1 pm, with no Story Time during the week of Thanksgiving.

Preschool through second grade are invited to Search for Butterball Turkey from November 1st through 22nd during library hours, with one winner per day and one prize per child.

LEGO Club for grades K-3 meets once this month, on Tuesday, November 7th from 4-5 pm in the Community Room.

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

By Alliance Public LibraryAlliance, NE – Upcoming Story Time themes at Alliance Public Library for ages 3-6 include Surprise Stories on November 2nd, American Heroes on November 7th and 9th, Thanksgiving Sparkle on November 14th and 16th, and Dance Party on November 28th and 30th. Story Time is shared on Tuesdays at 10 am and Thursdays at 1 pm, with no Story Time during the week of Thanksgiving.Preschool through second grade are invited to Search for Butterball Turkey from November 1st through 22nd during library hours, with one winner per day and one prize per child.LEGO Club for grades K-3 meets once this month, on Tuesday, November 7th from 4-5 pm in the Community Room.For more information, please contact Cynthia Horn, Children’s and Youth Services Librarian at 762-1387.

November Events announced at Alliance Public Library

By Kevin Wilkinson President, Alliance Lions Club

The Alliance Lions Club drew the winners of their annual Grocery Kart Shopping Spree raffle at its regular meeting on Wednesday, November 1, 2023.

The first-place winner gets three minutes to fill as many shopping carts as they can with any groceries they want, with certain limits.&nbsp; The winner may take only four of any given item and may not take any alcohol, tobacco, or meat.&nbsp; The winner receives a $50 meat certificate at the conclusion of the run.

This year’s winner is Courtney Svoboda.&nbsp;

The second-place winner of a $50 gift certificate is Jeff Stephens.&nbsp; The third-place winner of a turkey is Terry Curtiss.

Mrs. Svoboda will be making her three minute run this Saturday, November 4 at 8:00 AM.&nbsp; Come to Grocery Kart and cheer her on!

By Kevin Wilkinson President, Alliance Lions ClubThe Alliance Lions Club drew the winners of their annual Grocery Kart Shopping Spree raffle at its regular meeting on Wednesday, November 1, 2023.The first-place winner gets three minutes to fill as many shopping carts as they can with any groceries they want, with certain limits.&nbsp; The winner may take only four of any given item and may not take any alcohol, tobacco, or meat.&nbsp; The winner receives a $50 meat certificate at the conclusion of the run.This year’s winner is Courtney Svoboda.&nbsp;The second-place winner of a $50 gift certificate is Jeff Stephens.&nbsp; The third-place winner of a turkey is Terry Curtiss.Mrs. Svoboda will be making her three minute run this Saturday, November 4 at 8:00 AM.&nbsp; Come to Grocery Kart and cheer her on!

Lions Club Shopping Spree Raffle Results

By Alex Benzegala Panhandle Post&nbsp;

By Nebraska Public Service Commission

&nbsp;The month of November means the start of the Nebraska Public Service Commission’s (PSC) cold weather rule. The cold weather rule provides financially strapped customers of&nbsp;<a href="https://psc.nebraska.gov/natural-gas/providers" target="_blank">Nebraska’s jurisdictional natural gas utilities</a>&nbsp;a little extra time to pay their bills.

From November 1-through-March 31,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.blackhillsenergy.com/" target="_blank">Black Hills Energy</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.northwesternenergy.com/" target="_blank">NorthWestern Energy</a>&nbsp;cannot shut off service to customers without allowing an additional 30 days to pay beyond the normal bill due date.

The PSC implemented the cold weather rule when it was given regulatory authority over the state’s jurisdictional utilities in 2003. Nebraska communities served by municipally owned natural gas utilities are not subject to regulation by the PSC and are not required to comply with the cold weather rule.

“We are all hoping to catch a break with natural gas prices this fall and winter seasons,” said Commission Chair Dan Watermeier.&nbsp; “If not,&nbsp;<a>the cold weather rule lets jurisdictional natural gas suppliers, and their customers work together to help ensure service is uninterrupted during a time when natural gas usage is typically highest.”</a>

Customer finding it difficult to pay natural gas bills should contact the company to arrange payment. Local public assistance agencies can also be contacted for help with natural gas bills including the Nebraska Department of Health and Humans Service and the Salvation Army.

Taking steps to minimize the impact of higher natural gas prices during the winter months is also important. Consumers can take steps to help lower costs by setting their thermostat a little lower. Gas utilities recommend 68 degrees or lower, and to reduce thermostat settings when a home or building is unoccupied. Check gas appliances and space-heating equipment for efficient operation. Obtain a home energy audit to identify ways to conserve energy and participate in agas company’s yearly budget plan to spread cost through the year.

By Alex Benzegala Panhandle Post&nbsp;By Nebraska Public Service Commission&nbsp;The month of November means the start of the Nebraska Public Service Commission’s (PSC) cold weather rule. The cold weather rule provides financially strapped customers of&nbsp;<a href="https://psc.nebraska.gov/natural-gas/providers" target="_blank">Nebraska’s jurisdictional natural gas utilities</a>&nbsp;a little extra time to pay their bills.From November 1-through-March 31,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.blackhillsenergy.com/" target="_blank">Black Hills Energy</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.northwesternenergy.com/" target="_blank">NorthWestern Energy</a>&nbsp;cannot shut off service to customers without allowing an additional 30 days to pay beyond the normal bill due date.The PSC implemented the cold weather rule when it was given regulatory authority over the state’s jurisdictional utilities in 2003. Nebraska communities served by municipally owned natural gas utilities are not subject to regulation by the PSC and are not required to comply with the cold weather rule.“We are all hoping to catch a break with natural gas prices this fall and winter seasons,” said Commission Chair Dan Watermeier.&nbsp; “If not,&nbsp;<a>the cold weather rule lets jurisdictional natural gas suppliers, and their customers work together to help ensure service is uninterrupted during a time when natural gas usage is typically highest.”</a>Customer finding it difficult to pay natural gas bills should contact the company to arrange payment. Local public assistance agencies can also be contacted for help with natural gas bills including the Nebraska Department of Health and Humans Service and the Salvation Army.Taking steps to minimize the impact of higher natural gas prices during the winter months is also important. Consumers can take steps to help lower costs by setting their thermostat a little lower. Gas utilities recommend 68 degrees or lower, and to reduce thermostat settings when a home or building is unoccupied. Check gas appliances and space-heating equipment for efficient operation. Obtain a home energy audit to identify ways to conserve energy and participate in agas company’s yearly budget plan to spread cost through the year.

Cold weather rule in effect for natural gas utilities payments

Here, for those who were out trick-or-treating Halloween night, is the original radio play "The Case Of The Knight Museum Ghost" as aired on the KCOW Halloween Special.

A cast of thirteen recorded their parts in August and September, and the voices were edited with music and sound effects to create the finished product.&nbsp; Writer/producer Jason Wentworth says, "I would like to thank all the people who spent some time at Studio 14A to make my silly story come to life.&nbsp; And also, I'd like to thank Becci at the Knight Museum for letting us set the story there.&nbsp; It was either the museum or Mike Glesinger's rumpus room."

The cast list: "Dangerous" Dave Kuskie Kalin Krohe Alex Benzegala Kevin Horn Becci Thomas Seth Sorenson Mara Andersen Dave Collins Matt Coatney Kyren Gibson Mike Glesinger Mayor Earl Jones Bob S. Bestos (and his pet pig Hot Dog and pet chicken Ranchy)

<div><iframe title="POST PODCAST: ”The Case Of The Knight Museum Ghost”" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=ey3gz-14e8808-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=2&font-color=auto&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=5" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>Here, for those who were out trick-or-treating Halloween night, is the original radio play "The Case Of The Knight Museum Ghost" as aired on the KCOW Halloween Special.A cast of thirteen recorded their parts in August and September, and the voices were edited with music and sound effects to create the finished product.&nbsp; Writer/producer Jason Wentworth says, "I would like to thank all the people who spent some time at Studio 14A to make my silly story come to life.&nbsp; And also, I'd like to thank Becci at the Knight Museum for letting us set the story there.&nbsp; It was either the museum or Mike Glesinger's rumpus room."The cast list: "Dangerous" Dave Kuskie Kalin Krohe Alex Benzegala Kevin Horn Becci Thomas Seth Sorenson Mara Andersen Dave Collins Matt Coatney Kyren Gibson Mike Glesinger Mayor Earl Jones Bob S. Bestos (and his pet pig Hot Dog and pet chicken Ranchy)

POST PODCAST: "The Case Of The Knight Museum Ghost"

There was a rollover accident in Scottsbluff early Tuesday morning where multiple people were injured.

&nbsp;Scottsbluff Police Sgt. Philip Eckerberg says in a press release that the accident occurred at the intersection of 5th Ave and East 20th St shortly before 6:42 a.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The investigation revealed that a Silver 2009 Acura driven by 71-year-old Valerie Robles of Scottsbluff was northbound on 5th Ave when a white 2023 explorer driven by 65-year-old Galen Larsen of Scottsbluff was eastbound on East 20th St. The Acura driven by Robles, ran the red light and hit the passenger side of the Explorer causing it to roll and end up on its side. 

Robles, Galen Larson and passenger Kathern Larsen, 64-year-old of Scottsbluff were transported to Regional West Medical Center to be treated for injuries.

Robles was cited for a traffic light violation and no seat belt.

&nbsp;The Scottsbluff Police Department, Scottsbluff Fire Department, and Valley Ambulance all assisted on scene.

By Alex Benzegala Panhandle PostThere was a rollover accident in Scottsbluff early Tuesday morning where multiple people were injured.&nbsp;Scottsbluff Police Sgt. Philip Eckerberg says in a press release that the accident occurred at the intersection of 5th Ave and East 20th St shortly before 6:42 a.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;The investigation revealed that a Silver 2009 Acura driven by 71-year-old Valerie Robles of Scottsbluff was northbound on 5th Ave when a white 2023 explorer driven by 65-year-old Galen Larsen of Scottsbluff was eastbound on East 20th St. The Acura driven by Robles, ran the red light and hit the passenger side of the Explorer causing it to roll and end up on its side. Robles, Galen Larson and passenger Kathern Larsen, 64-year-old of Scottsbluff were transported to Regional West Medical Center to be treated for injuries.Robles was cited for a traffic light violation and no seat belt.&nbsp;The Scottsbluff Police Department, Scottsbluff Fire Department, and Valley Ambulance all assisted on scene.

Rollover accident in Scottsbluff causes injuries

By Chabella Guzman, communications specialist&nbsp; Panhandle Research, Extension &amp; Education Center

ALLIANCE, Neb. - The dry edible bean harvest in Box Butte County wrapped up last month. Some direct harvest beans were the last to leave the fields on Oct. 20, including Alliance Farmer Tim Hashman’s, plot outside of Alliance. Hashman is working with Nebraska Extension Educator John Thomas on a University of Nebraska-Lincoln On-Farm Research project dealing with direct harvest and a product called Pod Ceal.&nbsp;

“Pod Ceal is new to me, so we’re trying it with the University,” said Hashman. “To my understanding, it toughens up the pod and makes it harder to shatter by the wind and everything else.”

The trial is in its second year, while the first year didn’t have any significant results. Thomas is interested to see the results this year and if there are any differences.

“We had some light hail in late summer on some of the acres,” he said. “The beans with Pod Ceal appeared to have slightly less bean loss when I checked them after the storm. So we’ll have to see after harvest how the beans compare in yield, harvest loss, and quality.”&nbsp;

The research plot is about 50 acres of an upright bean variety called Gleam. Harvesting upright beans is different than when beans are windrowed. In the later, the whole bean plant is cut, and it lies on the ground in windrows before another pass by the combine harvests the beans. Direct harvest completes the entire process in one pass, but an issue can be bean harvest loss.&nbsp;

“The Pod Ceal product is supposed to help keep the pods from shattering in the field before and during harvest,” Thomas said.&nbsp;

To get an idea of how Pod Ceal performed. Thomas and colleague Gary Stone, Nebraska Extension educator, joined Hashman for the harvest. Thomas rode in the combine, and Stone walked behind the combine, counting the beans on the ground considered harvest loss. Stone used the UNL “Frame Estimator,” copyrighted in 1995, as a management tool for estimating harvest loss. He randomly dropped the frame on the ground and counted the beans inside the square to get a sample of bean loss. Thomas would also gather samples from the combine bin.&nbsp;

“I gather a half gallon of beans so we can get a quality analysis from the bean elevator. They look at splits, cracks, foreign matter, and percent moisture,” Thomas said.&nbsp;

The On-Farm research project replicates the study four times in the field, with and without the Pod Ceal product. Replicating the applications across the field helps remove variability caused by factors such as soil differences, weather, and variable disease or insect pressure.

Hashman and his family have grown upright bean varieties for more than 10 years.&nbsp;

“We really like the harvest system and the upright varieties that they have been coming out with. This year the Gleam (variety) has been doing very well for us,” he said.&nbsp;

Hashman’s dry bean plot is only one of 80-plus studies going on across Nebraska. To find out more about the other studies, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://on-farm-research.unl.edu/" target="_blank">https://on-farm-research.unl.edu</a>

The annual On-Farm Research meeting will be held on February 21, 2024, in Alliance, with information on this year’s project results and others in the Panhandle.

By Chabella Guzman, communications specialist&nbsp; Panhandle Research, Extension &amp; Education Center ALLIANCE, Neb. - The dry edible bean harvest in Box Butte County wrapped up last month. Some direct harvest beans were the last to leave the fields on Oct. 20, including Alliance Farmer Tim Hashman’s, plot outside of Alliance. Hashman is working with Nebraska Extension Educator John Thomas on a University of Nebraska-Lincoln On-Farm Research project dealing with direct harvest and a product called Pod Ceal.&nbsp;“Pod Ceal is new to me, so we’re trying it with the University,” said Hashman. “To my understanding, it toughens up the pod and makes it harder to shatter by the wind and everything else.”The trial is in its second year, while the first year didn’t have any significant results. Thomas is interested to see the results this year and if there are any differences.“We had some light hail in late summer on some of the acres,” he said. “The beans with Pod Ceal appeared to have slightly less bean loss when I checked them after the storm. So we’ll have to see after harvest how the beans compare in yield, harvest loss, and quality.”&nbsp;The research plot is about 50 acres of an upright bean variety called Gleam. Harvesting upright beans is different than when beans are windrowed. In the later, the whole bean plant is cut, and it lies on the ground in windrows before another pass by the combine harvests the beans. Direct harvest completes the entire process in one pass, but an issue can be bean harvest loss.&nbsp;“The Pod Ceal product is supposed to help keep the pods from shattering in the field before and during harvest,” Thomas said.&nbsp;To get an idea of how Pod Ceal performed. Thomas and colleague Gary Stone, Nebraska Extension educator, joined Hashman for the harvest. Thomas rode in the combine, and Stone walked behind the combine, counting the beans on the ground considered harvest loss. Stone used the UNL “Frame Estimator,” copyrighted in 1995, as a management tool for estimating harvest loss. He randomly dropped the frame on the ground and counted the beans inside the square to get a sample of bean loss. Thomas would also gather samples from the combine bin.&nbsp;“I gather a half gallon of beans so we can get a quality analysis from the bean elevator. They look at splits, cracks, foreign matter, and percent moisture,” Thomas said.&nbsp;The On-Farm research project replicates the study four times in the field, with and without the Pod Ceal product. Replicating the applications across the field helps remove variability caused by factors such as soil differences, weather, and variable disease or insect pressure.Hashman and his family have grown upright bean varieties for more than 10 years.&nbsp;“We really like the harvest system and the upright varieties that they have been coming out with. This year the Gleam (variety) has been doing very well for us,” he said.&nbsp;Hashman’s dry bean plot is only one of 80-plus studies going on across Nebraska. To find out more about the other studies, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://on-farm-research.unl.edu/" target="_blank">https://on-farm-research.unl.edu</a>The annual On-Farm Research meeting will be held on February 21, 2024, in Alliance, with information on this year’s project results and others in the Panhandle.

Alliance farmer working with Nebraska Extenstion for On-Farm Research project

By Molly Langhorst, COLLEGE RELATIONS&nbsp; Chadron State College

CHADRON – Chadron State College Student Cordell Farmer of Kit Carson, Colorado, is the Project Strive/TRiO Student of the Month for the month of October. &nbsp;

Farmer, a senior Biology major with a minor in Social Psychology, said he chose Chadron State College because of the opportunities presented to him to play college football. Additionally, he was deciding between going into law or medicine and CSC offered degrees in both.&nbsp;

After a knee injury in high school, Farmer said he was unable to play his first semester at CSC. After recovering, he was able to play for a few weeks during his second semester before being injured again. According to Farmer, that was when he knew he was done with football and needed to focus on his academic career.&nbsp;

While injury ultimately ended Farmer’s football career, he credits his numerous injuries throughout high school and college to his interest in becoming an orthopedic physician. &nbsp;

“I’ve experienced a lot of orthopedic medicine during my recoveries, and I want to be able to give athletes the same type of orthopedic care that I received,” said Farmer. &nbsp;

Farmer said he placed his focus on football over academics as a freshman but learned to love biology as he reflected on his future and decided he had a strong interest in the medical field.&nbsp;

Other experiences Farmer attributes to his decision to begin his journey to medical school stem from job shadowing Head Team Physician for the Denver Broncos Dr. Martin Boublik. &nbsp;

“I got the opportunity to job shadow Dr. Boublik after he operated on me and I was able to form a relationship with him,” Farmer said. “He inspired me because he was incredibly generous and helpful. I found him to be a very good caretaker and an outstanding physician.”&nbsp;

Farmer credits Boublik for encouraging his career path.&nbsp;

“When I mentioned shadowing him, he assisted me in going through all the proper channels to make it happen. I’ve had the opportunity to observe other medical fields and while it might be the work Boublik did specifically that caught my attention, none of them interested me as much as this one did,” said Farmer.&nbsp;

Farmer chose to minor in Social Psychology because he believes it will be an advantage when he applies to medical school and in his career.&nbsp;

“I like psychological theory and being able to understand why people do the things they do, which I feel will help me out greatly as a physician,” he said.&nbsp;

After graduating in May 2024, Farmer plans to relocate to attend University of Colorado School Anschutz Medical Campus, his first choice. The University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) is his second choice.&nbsp;

Farmer said he is unsure of his exact plans after medical school, but owning his own practice or practicing overseas have both crossed his mind; he believes he will have a better idea of what he wants to do after completing medical school.&nbsp;

Farmer is a member of Blue Key, Health Professions Club, TriBeta, and Eagle Mentors in addition to Project Strive. He is a mentor for Associate Professor of Biological Sciences Dr. Rachelle Rider’s 200-level anatomy class. He said these organizations and responsibilities have all helped him, but being an Eagle Mentor is one of the most important. &nbsp;

“I became an Eagle Mentor because I wanted to be able to provide support to incoming students,” said Farmer. “My Eagle Mentor was not very active when I had one my freshman year, so I wanted to be the mentor I never had. I wanted to be able to provide support and answer the questions I wish I would’ve had answers to when I was an incoming student.”&nbsp;

He also noted that Blue Key has helped provide him with public service opportunities and involvement in community events he would not have had otherwise. He serves as the club’s secretary and treasurer. &nbsp;

Chadron State College’s Project Strive/TRiO program, located in the lower level of the King Library, is an academic enrichment program committed to help students succeed. Project Strive also focuses on career exploration, cultural and social enrichment, and self-awareness. To be eligible for the program, a student must be one of the following: A first-generation student where neither parent has a four-year degree, meet low-income status based on U.S. Department of Health and Human Services criteria, or have a documented disability. For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.csc.edu/projectstrive" target="_blank">https://www.csc.edu/projectstrive/</a>.&nbsp;

By Molly Langhorst, COLLEGE RELATIONS&nbsp; Chadron State College<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698778638011.jpeg" alt="Cordell Farmer is Chadron State College's Student of the Month for October 2023. (Photo by Daniel Binkard/Chadron State College)" />
 <figcaption>Cordell Farmer is Chadron State College's Student of the Month for October 2023. (Photo by Daniel Binkard/Chadron State College)</figcaption>
 </figure>CHADRON – Chadron State College Student Cordell Farmer of Kit Carson, Colorado, is the Project Strive/TRiO Student of the Month for the month of October. &nbsp;Farmer, a senior Biology major with a minor in Social Psychology, said he chose Chadron State College because of the opportunities presented to him to play college football. Additionally, he was deciding between going into law or medicine and CSC offered degrees in both.&nbsp;After a knee injury in high school, Farmer said he was unable to play his first semester at CSC. After recovering, he was able to play for a few weeks during his second semester before being injured again. According to Farmer, that was when he knew he was done with football and needed to focus on his academic career.&nbsp;While injury ultimately ended Farmer’s football career, he credits his numerous injuries throughout high school and college to his interest in becoming an orthopedic physician. &nbsp;“I’ve experienced a lot of orthopedic medicine during my recoveries, and I want to be able to give athletes the same type of orthopedic care that I received,” said Farmer. &nbsp;Farmer said he placed his focus on football over academics as a freshman but learned to love biology as he reflected on his future and decided he had a strong interest in the medical field.&nbsp;Other experiences Farmer attributes to his decision to begin his journey to medical school stem from job shadowing Head Team Physician for the Denver Broncos Dr. Martin Boublik. &nbsp;“I got the opportunity to job shadow Dr. Boublik after he operated on me and I was able to form a relationship with him,” Farmer said. “He inspired me because he was incredibly generous and helpful. I found him to be a very good caretaker and an outstanding physician.”&nbsp;Farmer credits Boublik for encouraging his career path.&nbsp;“When I mentioned shadowing him, he assisted me in going through all the proper channels to make it happen. I’ve had the opportunity to observe other medical fields and while it might be the work Boublik did specifically that caught my attention, none of them interested me as much as this one did,” said Farmer.&nbsp;Farmer chose to minor in Social Psychology because he believes it will be an advantage when he applies to medical school and in his career.&nbsp;“I like psychological theory and being able to understand why people do the things they do, which I feel will help me out greatly as a physician,” he said.&nbsp;After graduating in May 2024, Farmer plans to relocate to attend University of Colorado School Anschutz Medical Campus, his first choice. The University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) is his second choice.&nbsp;Farmer said he is unsure of his exact plans after medical school, but owning his own practice or practicing overseas have both crossed his mind; he believes he will have a better idea of what he wants to do after completing medical school.&nbsp;Farmer is a member of Blue Key, Health Professions Club, TriBeta, and Eagle Mentors in addition to Project Strive. He is a mentor for Associate Professor of Biological Sciences Dr. Rachelle Rider’s 200-level anatomy class. He said these organizations and responsibilities have all helped him, but being an Eagle Mentor is one of the most important. &nbsp;“I became an Eagle Mentor because I wanted to be able to provide support to incoming students,” said Farmer. “My Eagle Mentor was not very active when I had one my freshman year, so I wanted to be the mentor I never had. I wanted to be able to provide support and answer the questions I wish I would’ve had answers to when I was an incoming student.”&nbsp;He also noted that Blue Key has helped provide him with public service opportunities and involvement in community events he would not have had otherwise. He serves as the club’s secretary and treasurer. &nbsp;Chadron State College’s Project Strive/TRiO program, located in the lower level of the King Library, is an academic enrichment program committed to help students succeed. Project Strive also focuses on career exploration, cultural and social enrichment, and self-awareness. To be eligible for the program, a student must be one of the following: A first-generation student where neither parent has a four-year degree, meet low-income status based on U.S. Department of Health and Human Services criteria, or have a documented disability. For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.csc.edu/projectstrive" target="_blank">https://www.csc.edu/projectstrive/</a>.&nbsp;

Cordell Farmer named CSC Student of the Month for October

&nbsp;By Northwest Community Action Partnership

&nbsp;The Community Services Program at Northwest Community Action Partnership (NCAP) and the Senior Center will sponsor a Mobile Food Pantry with the Food Bank of the Heartland on November 15, 2023 at the Senior Center located at 212 Yellowstone, Alliance, from 4 pm to 6 pm. Please stay in your car as volunteers will load the boxes in your car.

Any household in need is welcome to come and get food from the food pantry. “Mobile food pantries allows NCAP to help families address food needs during the holiday season,” said Bonnie Beckstrom, NCAP’s Community Services Director.

NCAP serves low income residents by providing food supports, emergency services such as utility disconnects, homeless prevention services, and other needs in Box Butte County. For more information, please call our local office at 308-762-4960.

Funds provided by Salvation Army, FEMA, CSBG, HUD, DHHS, &amp; Foodbank of the Heartland. NCAP is an equal opportunity provider.

&nbsp;By Northwest Community Action Partnership&nbsp;The Community Services Program at Northwest Community Action Partnership (NCAP) and the Senior Center will sponsor a Mobile Food Pantry with the Food Bank of the Heartland on November 15, 2023 at the Senior Center located at 212 Yellowstone, Alliance, from 4 pm to 6 pm. Please stay in your car as volunteers will load the boxes in your car.Any household in need is welcome to come and get food from the food pantry. “Mobile food pantries allows NCAP to help families address food needs during the holiday season,” said Bonnie Beckstrom, NCAP’s Community Services Director.NCAP serves low income residents by providing food supports, emergency services such as utility disconnects, homeless prevention services, and other needs in Box Butte County. For more information, please call our local office at 308-762-4960.Funds provided by Salvation Army, FEMA, CSBG, HUD, DHHS, &amp; Foodbank of the Heartland. NCAP is an equal opportunity provider.

Mobile Food Pantry coming to Alliance on Nov. 15

The United Way of Western Nebraska is looking for volunteers in Alliance and the Nebraska Panhandle, as they are partnering with Western Community Health Resources in an event on Wednesday in their senior's commodity distribution. and they can still use volunteers for that. UWWN Executive Director Karen Benzel describes another volunteer coming up soon.

"We also have a big project coming up in December with our Christmas food baskets," Benzel said.&nbsp; "There are lots of opportunities to pick up the donated items, to sort it, then also distribute it so we have many volunteer opportunities right now."

For more information, contact Benzel at <a href="mailto:kbenzel@uwwn.org" target="_blank">kbenzel@uwwn.org</a>, 308-763-8031.

By Alex Benzegala Panhandle PostThe United Way of Western Nebraska is looking for volunteers in Alliance and the Nebraska Panhandle, as they are partnering with Western Community Health Resources in an event on Wednesday in their senior's commodity distribution. and they can still use volunteers for that. UWWN Executive Director Karen Benzel describes another volunteer coming up soon."We also have a big project coming up in December with our Christmas food baskets," Benzel said.&nbsp; "There are lots of opportunities to pick up the donated items, to sort it, then also distribute it so we have many volunteer opportunities right now."For more information, contact Benzel at <a href="mailto:kbenzel@uwwn.org" target="_blank">kbenzel@uwwn.org</a>, 308-763-8031.

UWWN looking for Volunteers for food distribution and more

On a sweltering summer day when few braved the heat (seems like a lifetime ago), I needed a photo before Friday afternoon deadline. Time was ticking away when I spied a small crew soothing a just-poured driveway. The men did not mind having their picture taken. Later, I wrote about the new cement, and construction in general, in my caption. Monday morning a helpful contractor set me straight: The material was actually concrete, which contains cement as a major dry ingredient.

Proper diction when describing building materials is not much of a worry these days. However, the “New Things Happening In Recycling” session during the recent Keep Nebraska Beautiful convention at Kearney taught me that used concrete could potentially become a more common component of new concrete.

Learning about how to recycle something beyond what falls into the dozen or so categories handled at the Keep Alliance Beautiful Recycling Center is intriguing. Sure, you can dive deep into the intricacies of cardboard or plastics, but it is good to remember how vast the industry is.

Like boxes and food containers, concrete is everywhere. I have seen local contractors and pre-mix businesses crush slabs and chunk back into aggregate. The City of Alliance has spread these man-made rocks onto our alleys as an example of reuse. Putting the aggregate back into what a cement mixer delivers is more complicated.

Christopher Exstrom, professor of chemistry at the University of Nebraska-Kearney, transported our group of Keep America Beautiful affiliates back to class. He has also worked with KNB on the School Chemical Cleanout Campaign. Exstrom said that concrete is a terrible thing to waste. There was 250-530 million tons of construction and demolition waste (EPA, 2018), of which up to 67 percent is concrete and only five percent of that is recycled. Old concrete can serve as recycled concrete aggregate (RCA), he said. “One huge consideration is how does this recycled aggregate perform versus traditional?”

One slide during the presentation detailed how University of Nebraska researchers had received a 2-year $805,000 grant ($100K to UNK) from the Department of Energy to reduce the concrete industry’s carbon footprint. At UNK their emphasis is to get the undergrads involved, Exstrom noted.

Exstrom is working with faculty and students through a grant to study recycling concrete and the rate and efficiency of CO2 reaction and how to speed up the process. “Every square inch of concrete is reacting with CO2 as we speak – it is slow,” he said. “We will study the mechanism of the process – find out how to scale it up and use as much concrete as possible.” He illustrated how the researchers utilize tools such as x-rays and a scanning electron microscope to identify crystalline materials in RCA.

On the surface, an advantage of recycled concrete would be creating aggregate from existing materials to reduce what would otherwise be dug from the ground and transported. If RCA is truly feasible, a vastly greater win could be carbon-negative concrete. As stated on one of the slides: We’re not there yet, but in the right circumstances, the production of concrete could actually store more CO2 than it releases into the atmosphere

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698771408448.jpeg" alt="UNK Professor Christopher Exstrom describes how recycled concrete can strengthen new concrete while also aiding in carbon sequestration. He spoke during the recent Keep Nebraska Beautiful conference in Kearney." />
 <figcaption>UNK Professor Christopher Exstrom describes how recycled concrete can strengthen new concrete while also aiding in carbon sequestration. He spoke during the recent Keep Nebraska Beautiful conference in Kearney.</figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN E. WEAREOn a sweltering summer day when few braved the heat (seems like a lifetime ago), I needed a photo before Friday afternoon deadline. Time was ticking away when I spied a small crew soothing a just-poured driveway. The men did not mind having their picture taken. Later, I wrote about the new cement, and construction in general, in my caption. Monday morning a helpful contractor set me straight: The material was actually concrete, which contains cement as a major dry ingredient.Proper diction when describing building materials is not much of a worry these days. However, the “New Things Happening In Recycling” session during the recent Keep Nebraska Beautiful convention at Kearney taught me that used concrete could potentially become a more common component of new concrete.Learning about how to recycle something beyond what falls into the dozen or so categories handled at the Keep Alliance Beautiful Recycling Center is intriguing. Sure, you can dive deep into the intricacies of cardboard or plastics, but it is good to remember how vast the industry is.Like boxes and food containers, concrete is everywhere. I have seen local contractors and pre-mix businesses crush slabs and chunk back into aggregate. The City of Alliance has spread these man-made rocks onto our alleys as an example of reuse. Putting the aggregate back into what a cement mixer delivers is more complicated.Christopher Exstrom, professor of chemistry at the University of Nebraska-Kearney, transported our group of Keep America Beautiful affiliates back to class. He has also worked with KNB on the School Chemical Cleanout Campaign. Exstrom said that concrete is a terrible thing to waste. There was 250-530 million tons of construction and demolition waste (EPA, 2018), of which up to 67 percent is concrete and only five percent of that is recycled. Old concrete can serve as recycled concrete aggregate (RCA), he said. “One huge consideration is how does this recycled aggregate perform versus traditional?”One slide during the presentation detailed how University of Nebraska researchers had received a 2-year $805,000 grant ($100K to UNK) from the Department of Energy to reduce the concrete industry’s carbon footprint. At UNK their emphasis is to get the undergrads involved, Exstrom noted.Exstrom is working with faculty and students through a grant to study recycling concrete and the rate and efficiency of CO2 reaction and how to speed up the process. “Every square inch of concrete is reacting with CO2 as we speak – it is slow,” he said. “We will study the mechanism of the process – find out how to scale it up and use as much concrete as possible.” He illustrated how the researchers utilize tools such as x-rays and a scanning electron microscope to identify crystalline materials in RCA.On the surface, an advantage of recycled concrete would be creating aggregate from existing materials to reduce what would otherwise be dug from the ground and transported. If RCA is truly feasible, a vastly greater win could be carbon-negative concrete. As stated on one of the slides: We’re not there yet, but in the right circumstances, the production of concrete could actually store more CO2 than it releases into the atmosphere

Keep Alliance Beautiful: Concrete In The Mix

The Upper Niobrara White Natural Resources District is holding their K-12 Poster Contest,  Kylen Armstrong  is  the Conservation Programs Coordinator at  NRD and says they hold a yearly poster contest and says that there is a different theme each year, and this year it is 'One Water.'

 Armstrong says students are designing a poster according to the theme on an 8 X 11 piece of paper using any media like paint, markers, crayons or colored pencil, and it must say ‘one water’ on the paper. &nbsp;

All of the posters must be submitted by Fri, November 3 and there will be cash prizes for the winners in each age group and the winners of each group will move on to the state contest and even potentially a national contest if they get through that.&nbsp;

For more information, visit <a href="https://unwnrd.org/" target="_blank">Home - Upper Niobrara White NRD (unwnrd.org)</a>&nbsp;

By Alex Benzegala Panhandle Post&nbsp;The Upper Niobrara White Natural Resources District is holding their K-12 Poster Contest, Kylen Armstrong is the Conservation Programs Coordinator at NRD and says they hold a yearly poster contest and says that there is a different theme each year, and this year it is 'One Water.' Armstrong says students are designing a poster according to the theme on an 8 X 11 piece of paper using any media like paint, markers, crayons or colored pencil, and it must say ‘one water’ on the paper. &nbsp;All of the posters must be submitted by Fri, November 3 and there will be cash prizes for the winners in each age group and the winners of each group will move on to the state contest and even potentially a national contest if they get through that.&nbsp;For more information, visit <a href="https://unwnrd.org/" target="_blank">Home - Upper Niobrara White NRD (unwnrd.org)</a>&nbsp;

Upper Niobrara White NRD K-12 Poster Contest entries due Fri

The City of Alliance is holding a Special Meeting on Tuesday at 9 a.m. At the meeting, the Council will discuss ways for employee retention in Alliance.

The meeting will be at the Alliance Learning Center at 1750 Sweetwater Ave.&nbsp;

By Alex Benzegala Panhandle PostThe City of Alliance is holding a Special Meeting on Tuesday at 9 a.m. At the meeting, the Council will discuss ways for employee retention in Alliance.The meeting will be at the Alliance Learning Center at 1750 Sweetwater Ave.&nbsp;

Alliance City Council holding Special meeting Tuesday

Alliance, NE – Speaker Charlotte Endorf will present “Nebraska Spirit: The North Platte Canteen” on Thursday, November 9th at 6pm at the Alliance Public Library.

This presentation is made possible by Humanities Nebraska, the Nebraska Cultural Endowment, and the Alliance Public Library Foundation as part of the HN Speakers Bureau.

During World War II, American soldiers from across the country rolled through North Platte, Nebraska, on troop trains en route to Europe and the Pacific. Learn the story of the community that turned a railroad depot into a legend and touched the lives of more than six million soldiers from 1942 to 1946. Independent scholar and author, Charlotte Endorf, salutes our humble Veterans who served in the military.

Nebraska Spriit: The North Platte Canteen is one of approximately 300 programs offered through the Humanities Nebraska Speakers Bureau. The more than 165 available speakers include acclaimed scholars, writers, musicians, storytellers and folklorists on topics ranging from pioneer heritage to ethics and law to international and multicultural issues, making it the largest humanities speakers’ bureau in the nation.

Speakers are available to any non-profit organization in Nebraska. Each program lasts 30 minutes to an hour, plus a question-and-answer period.

The most frequent users of the HN Speakers Bureau are primary and secondary schools, colleges and universities, libraries, museums and historical societies, agencies for the elderly, rural organizations, churches, arts organizations and ethnic organizations. Humanities Nebraska

sponsors the largest Speakers Bureau program in the U.S. according to the National Endowment for the Humanities.

For information detailing the available speakers and guidelines for booking them, please access our website at www.humanitiesnebraska.org (Speakers section) or contact Humanities Nebraska at 215 Centennial Mall South, Suite 330, Lincoln, NE 68508, phone (402) 474-2131, fax (402) 474-4852 or e-mail info@humanitiesnebraska.org.

For more information, contact Adult Services Librarian Nalani Stewart at 308.762.1387 or nstewart@cityofalliance.net.

By City of AllianceAlliance, NE – Speaker Charlotte Endorf will present “Nebraska Spirit: The North Platte Canteen” on Thursday, November 9th at 6pm at the Alliance Public Library.This presentation is made possible by Humanities Nebraska, the Nebraska Cultural Endowment, and the Alliance Public Library Foundation as part of the HN Speakers Bureau.During World War II, American soldiers from across the country rolled through North Platte, Nebraska, on troop trains en route to Europe and the Pacific. Learn the story of the community that turned a railroad depot into a legend and touched the lives of more than six million soldiers from 1942 to 1946. Independent scholar and author, Charlotte Endorf, salutes our humble Veterans who served in the military.Nebraska Spriit: The North Platte Canteen is one of approximately 300 programs offered through the Humanities Nebraska Speakers Bureau. The more than 165 available speakers include acclaimed scholars, writers, musicians, storytellers and folklorists on topics ranging from pioneer heritage to ethics and law to international and multicultural issues, making it the largest humanities speakers’ bureau in the nation.Speakers are available to any non-profit organization in Nebraska. Each program lasts 30 minutes to an hour, plus a question-and-answer period.The most frequent users of the HN Speakers Bureau are primary and secondary schools, colleges and universities, libraries, museums and historical societies, agencies for the elderly, rural organizations, churches, arts organizations and ethnic organizations. Humanities Nebraskasponsors the largest Speakers Bureau program in the U.S. according to the National Endowment for the Humanities.For information detailing the available speakers and guidelines for booking them, please access our website at www.humanitiesnebraska.org (Speakers section) or contact Humanities Nebraska at 215 Centennial Mall South, Suite 330, Lincoln, NE 68508, phone (402) 474-2131, fax (402) 474-4852 or e-mail info@humanitiesnebraska.org.For more information, contact Adult Services Librarian Nalani Stewart at 308.762.1387 or nstewart@cityofalliance.net.

Speaker coming to Aliance Public Library to talk about the 'North Platte Canteen'

OCTOBER 30, 2023 (KEARNEY, NEB.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— The Nebraska State Patrol is investigating multiple fatal crashes that occurred during this weekend’s winter weather across much of the state. Troopers responded to over 100 incidents between Saturday and Sunday morning.

Saturday evening at approximately 11:50 p.m., NSP was dispatched to a single vehicle crash on I-80 at mile marker 189, near Maxwell. Troopers arrived to find a Toyota pickup resting on its side in the westbound lanes with bystanders providing aid to an unresponsive person who had been ejected from the vehicle. A trooper utilized an AED in an attempt to revive the person.

The person, who had been a passenger in the pickup, was identified as Bernardo Jimenez Benavidez, 19, of York. He was transported to Great Plains Hospital where he was pronounced deceased. The three other occupants of the pickup were also transported to the hospital with what are believed to be non-life-threatening injuries. Preliminary investigation shows that the eastbound pickup lost control during winter driving conditions, rolled, and came to rest in the westbound lanes. The crash remains under investigation.

A short time later, at approximately 12:30 a.m. Sunday, troopers was dispatched to a vehicle on fire at mile marker 277 on I-80, near Kearney. Upon arrival, troopers and Buffalo County deputies located a two-vehicle crash, with one vehicle fully engulfed. Preliminary investigation shows that a Ford F-150 was westbound on I-80, when it lost control in winter driving conditions, crossed the median, and struck an eastbound semi. The F-150 then caught fire.

The driver of the F-150, identified as Issa Juma Abdalla, 49, of Lexington, was pronounced deceased at the scene. The semi driver was not injured. The crash remains under investigation.

In addition to those crash investigations, troopers responded to 38 crashes, performed 51 motorist assists, and helped local agencies with 27 additional incidents. NSP reminds all motorists to check the 511 Nebraska system for information about road conditions during winter weather events. Any motorist in need of help can call the NSP Highway Helpline at *55.

By Nebraska State PatrolOCTOBER 30, 2023 (KEARNEY, NEB.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— The Nebraska State Patrol is investigating multiple fatal crashes that occurred during this weekend’s winter weather across much of the state. Troopers responded to over 100 incidents between Saturday and Sunday morning.Saturday evening at approximately 11:50 p.m., NSP was dispatched to a single vehicle crash on I-80 at mile marker 189, near Maxwell. Troopers arrived to find a Toyota pickup resting on its side in the westbound lanes with bystanders providing aid to an unresponsive person who had been ejected from the vehicle. A trooper utilized an AED in an attempt to revive the person.The person, who had been a passenger in the pickup, was identified as Bernardo Jimenez Benavidez, 19, of York. He was transported to Great Plains Hospital where he was pronounced deceased. The three other occupants of the pickup were also transported to the hospital with what are believed to be non-life-threatening injuries. Preliminary investigation shows that the eastbound pickup lost control during winter driving conditions, rolled, and came to rest in the westbound lanes. The crash remains under investigation.A short time later, at approximately 12:30 a.m. Sunday, troopers was dispatched to a vehicle on fire at mile marker 277 on I-80, near Kearney. Upon arrival, troopers and Buffalo County deputies located a two-vehicle crash, with one vehicle fully engulfed. Preliminary investigation shows that a Ford F-150 was westbound on I-80, when it lost control in winter driving conditions, crossed the median, and struck an eastbound semi. The F-150 then caught fire.The driver of the F-150, identified as Issa Juma Abdalla, 49, of Lexington, was pronounced deceased at the scene. The semi driver was not injured. The crash remains under investigation.In addition to those crash investigations, troopers responded to 38 crashes, performed 51 motorist assists, and helped local agencies with 27 additional incidents. NSP reminds all motorists to check the 511 Nebraska system for information about road conditions during winter weather events. Any motorist in need of help can call the NSP Highway Helpline at *55.

 Winter Weather Leads to Numerous Crashes, Multiple Fatalities

By Alex Benzegala Panhandle Post

Box Butte County is holding a flu shot clinic for the public and their staff this week. Jessica Davies is the Assistant Health Director of the Panhandle Public Health District, and she talked to Panhandle Post about the clinic.

"We just want to make sure people are protected this winter respiratory season, and they stay healthy from all those respiratory things that are circulating," Davies said.

Flu and COVID shots will be available on Wednesday Nov. 1 from Noon-3 pm. at the former Public Defender's office at 107 E 5th St in Alliance.

Davies says that the public is encouraged to bring their insurance card, Medicare card, or a front and back copy of the card. However, those who do not have insurance will not be turned away as they can receive the shots as well.

For more information, visit www.pphd.ne.gov.

By Alex Benzegala Panhandle PostBox Butte County is holding a flu shot clinic for the public and their staff this week. Jessica Davies is the Assistant Health Director of the Panhandle Public Health District, and she talked to Panhandle Post about the clinic. "We just want to make sure people are protected this winter respiratory season, and they stay healthy from all those respiratory things that are circulating," Davies said.Flu and COVID shots will be available on Wednesday Nov. 1 from Noon-3 pm. at the former Public Defender's office at 107 E 5th St in Alliance.Davies says that the public is encouraged to bring their insurance card, Medicare card, or a front and back copy of the card. However, those who do not have insurance will not be turned away as they can receive the shots as well.For more information, visit www.pphd.ne.gov.

Box Butte County holding flu shot clinic on Wednesday

Karen Benzel discusses the need for volunteers to assist in United Way projects.

<div><iframe title="POST PODCAST: United Way of Western Nebraska" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=k4n4m-14e558d-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=2&font-color=auto&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=5" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>Karen Benzel discusses the need for volunteers to assist in United Way projects.

POST PODCAST: United Way of Western Nebraska

At the most recent Alliance City Council meeting, there was a discussion of Warehouse purchase agreement with BCM LLC and Alliance City Manager Seth Sorensen explains what that is all about and the possibility of using the property to expand Law Enforcement Services.&nbsp;

"This is located on 2nd street, over behind the old Corner Grill. It's a property we are looking at, possibly for the use as a Police Department."

Sorensen says the City will do its 'due diligence' to see if the property can function as a Police Department or other city building.

Sorensen does say that the purchase of this property and using it for law enforcement could give the Police Department and dispatch some more space to work.&nbsp;

By Alex Benzegala Panhandle PostAt the most recent Alliance City Council meeting, there was a discussion of Warehouse purchase agreement with BCM LLC and Alliance City Manager Seth Sorensen explains what that is all about and the possibility of using the property to expand Law Enforcement Services.&nbsp;"This is located on 2nd street, over behind the old Corner Grill. It's a property we are looking at, possibly for the use as a Police Department."Sorensen says the City will do its 'due diligence' to see if the property can function as a Police Department or other city building.Sorensen does say that the purchase of this property and using it for law enforcement could give the Police Department and dispatch some more space to work.&nbsp;

City of Alliance contemplating purchasing property to move Police Department

By Molly Langhorst,&nbsp; &nbsp;CSC COLLEGE RELATIONS&nbsp;

CHADRON – The current Mrs. South Dakota and Chadron State College alumna Jenita (Qualm) Derga, of Onida, South Dakota, competed for the 2023 Mrs. America title in Las Vegas in August.&nbsp;

Derga is the founder and CEO of Wild Prairie Solutions LLC, where she works as a licensed crop insurance agent. According to Derga, her company specializes in helping ranchers and grass managers create grazing strategies and soil health that increases the profitability of operations and increase the ecological viability of their grassland ecosystem.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Derga was crowned Mrs. South Dakota in April, but her journey began a couple of years ago when she reached out to a former Mrs. South Dakota on social media inquiring about what the title required.&nbsp;

“I knew I didn’t have the ability to give up my career to pursue the title,” Derga said, “but she (former Mrs. South Dakota) let me know that the title should be considered a hobby and should not require your full-time investment. I decided this year would be a good time to give it a shot.”&nbsp;

She said she felt called to talk about the things that are important to her. Additionally, she said she enjoys the pageant lifestyle. Working in agriculture in rural South Dakota, Derga said she doesn’t have a lot of opportunities to get dressed up. &nbsp;

“I spend most of my days in jeans and boots out on the land,” Derga said. “I love that I can be a country girl who is comfortable in jeans and boots as well as a woman who enjoys doing full glam hair and makeup and putting on a ballgown. Both of these things are a part of me, and they each create unique opportunities to connect with people in completely different ways.”&nbsp;

As Mrs. South Dakota, Derga has been able to highlight topics and events related to agriculture such as South Dakota Cattlemen's Prime Time Gala, an event that fundraises for Feeding South Dakota, an organization where cattlemen provide beef for food security programs in South Dakota. She has also been able to speak about the South Dakota Grassland Coalition and its work to empower ranching families and grass managers. &nbsp;

All state title holders in the Mrs. America System compete in the Mrs. America Pageant, but Derga’s desire to hold the title stems from her passion for rural America and her belief that the area is often underrepresented.&nbsp;

“I knew going into the Mrs. America Pageant that the same reasons I wanted to be Mrs. South Dakota apply to why I want to be Mrs. America,” Derga said. “I’m passionate about rural America and I think that the people in rural America are often not represented on a national platform, yet we have amazing and unique stories to tell.”&nbsp;

Derga, originally from Ericson, Nebraska, graduated from&nbsp;CSC&nbsp;with a degree in Rangeland Ecology.&nbsp;

After graduation, Derga spent time working for the U.S. Department of Agriculture in the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) as well as the U.S. Forest Service for 10 years. She has worked in agriculture in New Mexico, Idaho, Wyoming, Nebraska, and South Dakota. She left her career as a grazing specialist for NRCS when the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation introduced new programs geared toward livestock producers and grassland managers in the late 2010s. &nbsp;

Derga said she started Wild Prairie Solutions LLC because she didn’t want to leave behind the work she was doing on rangelands with ranchers as a grazing specialist and her new business allowed her to continue as a grazing consultant in South Dakota and surrounding states. &nbsp;

Derga also noted that a large number of her clients come from graduates of the South Dakota Grassland Coalition grazing schools where she teaches each summer.&nbsp;

Derga believes that her Rangeland Ecology degree has helped her in many ways during her time as Mrs. South Dakota. &nbsp;

“My degree ultimately took me into five different states for my career and countless others in pursuit of continued knowledge or experience,” Derga said. “The experiences I had are what makes me so passionate about rural communities and the work happening within them that I strive to highlight as Mrs. South Dakota.”&nbsp;

Although the Mrs. America Pageant is over, Derga looks forward to the remaining seven months she has as reigning Mrs. South Dakota and intends to continue to positively impact South Dakota and beyond with the time she has left. &nbsp;

By Molly Langhorst,&nbsp; &nbsp;CSC COLLEGE RELATIONS&nbsp;CHADRON – The current Mrs. South Dakota and Chadron State College alumna Jenita (Qualm) Derga, of Onida, South Dakota, competed for the 2023 Mrs. America title in Las Vegas in August.&nbsp;Derga is the founder and CEO of Wild Prairie Solutions LLC, where she works as a licensed crop insurance agent. According to Derga, her company specializes in helping ranchers and grass managers create grazing strategies and soil health that increases the profitability of operations and increase the ecological viability of their grassland ecosystem.&nbsp; &nbsp;Derga was crowned Mrs. South Dakota in April, but her journey began a couple of years ago when she reached out to a former Mrs. South Dakota on social media inquiring about what the title required.&nbsp;“I knew I didn’t have the ability to give up my career to pursue the title,” Derga said, “but she (former Mrs. South Dakota) let me know that the title should be considered a hobby and should not require your full-time investment. I decided this year would be a good time to give it a shot.”&nbsp;She said she felt called to talk about the things that are important to her. Additionally, she said she enjoys the pageant lifestyle. Working in agriculture in rural South Dakota, Derga said she doesn’t have a lot of opportunities to get dressed up. &nbsp;“I spend most of my days in jeans and boots out on the land,” Derga said. “I love that I can be a country girl who is comfortable in jeans and boots as well as a woman who enjoys doing full glam hair and makeup and putting on a ballgown. Both of these things are a part of me, and they each create unique opportunities to connect with people in completely different ways.”&nbsp;As Mrs. South Dakota, Derga has been able to highlight topics and events related to agriculture such as South Dakota Cattlemen's Prime Time Gala, an event that fundraises for Feeding South Dakota, an organization where cattlemen provide beef for food security programs in South Dakota. She has also been able to speak about the South Dakota Grassland Coalition and its work to empower ranching families and grass managers. &nbsp;All state title holders in the Mrs. America System compete in the Mrs. America Pageant, but Derga’s desire to hold the title stems from her passion for rural America and her belief that the area is often underrepresented.&nbsp;“I knew going into the Mrs. America Pageant that the same reasons I wanted to be Mrs. South Dakota apply to why I want to be Mrs. America,” Derga said. “I’m passionate about rural America and I think that the people in rural America are often not represented on a national platform, yet we have amazing and unique stories to tell.”&nbsp;Derga, originally from Ericson, Nebraska, graduated from&nbsp;CSC&nbsp;with a degree in Rangeland Ecology.&nbsp;After graduation, Derga spent time working for the U.S. Department of Agriculture in the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) as well as the U.S. Forest Service for 10 years. She has worked in agriculture in New Mexico, Idaho, Wyoming, Nebraska, and South Dakota. She left her career as a grazing specialist for NRCS when the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation introduced new programs geared toward livestock producers and grassland managers in the late 2010s. &nbsp;Derga said she started Wild Prairie Solutions LLC because she didn’t want to leave behind the work she was doing on rangelands with ranchers as a grazing specialist and her new business allowed her to continue as a grazing consultant in South Dakota and surrounding states. &nbsp;Derga also noted that a large number of her clients come from graduates of the South Dakota Grassland Coalition grazing schools where she teaches each summer.&nbsp;Derga believes that her Rangeland Ecology degree has helped her in many ways during her time as Mrs. South Dakota. &nbsp;“My degree ultimately took me into five different states for my career and countless others in pursuit of continued knowledge or experience,” Derga said. “The experiences I had are what makes me so passionate about rural communities and the work happening within them that I strive to highlight as Mrs. South Dakota.”&nbsp;Although the Mrs. America Pageant is over, Derga looks forward to the remaining seven months she has as reigning Mrs. South Dakota and intends to continue to positively impact South Dakota and beyond with the time she has left. &nbsp;

CSC alumna runs for Mrs. America 

The Alliance Bulldogs (15-17) are one win away from their first trip to the State tournament since 2018, but the #14 Bulldogs will have to do it by upsetting perennial Nebraska power and #3 Omaha Skutt Catholic (25-13) in Omaha on Saturday morning.

The match starts at 10 a.m MT and will be broadcasted on NFHS with a subscription. go to www.nfhsnetwork.com to watch the match.

By Alex Benzegala Panhandle PostThe Alliance Bulldogs (15-17) are one win away from their first trip to the State tournament since 2018, but the #14 Bulldogs will have to do it by upsetting perennial Nebraska power and #3 Omaha Skutt Catholic (25-13) in Omaha on Saturday morning.The match starts at 10 a.m MT and will be broadcasted on NFHS with a subscription. go to www.nfhsnetwork.com to watch the match.

HS Volleyball: Alliance battles Skutt Catholic in Omaha for trip to state

We are living in the worst border crisis on record.&nbsp;It is a humanitarian and security crisis.&nbsp;U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/national-media-release/cbp-releases-september-2023-monthly-update" target="_blank">reported</a>&nbsp;yet another&nbsp;record&nbsp;with&nbsp;269,735 encounters at the southern border last month.&nbsp;There have now been&nbsp;over 8 million encounters&nbsp;with individuals at the border&nbsp;since Joe Biden became President.&nbsp;To put it in perspective, that’s more encounters in less than three years than the 12 years while both Donald Trump and Barack Obama were president&nbsp;combined.&nbsp;Unfortunately, that number doesn’t even include the over 1.7 million known gotaways&nbsp;–&nbsp;individuals CBP saw but were unable to apprehend&nbsp;–&nbsp;during the Biden administration.

Last month,&nbsp;border officials arrested&nbsp;<a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/border-patrol-stop-record-number-people-terror-watchlist-southern-border" target="_blank">18 people</a>&nbsp;on the FBI’s terror watchlist. The&nbsp;total&nbsp;of&nbsp;people on the watchlist encountered at the border this year&nbsp;is now 172.&nbsp;Those 172 encounters&nbsp;not only smashed&nbsp;the previous record of 98, set last year, but is larger than the number of such encounters the previous six fiscal years&nbsp;<a href="https://nypost.com/2023/10/22/u-s-customs-and-border-protection-report-more-venezuelans-enter-u-s-illegally-than-mexicans/" target="_blank">combined</a>.&nbsp;This number used to be in the single digits every year.

This week, I visited the border with a group of Senators led by Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz of Texas to get an update on the&nbsp;crisis. I also unveiled a comprehensive package of Senate solutions to secure the border. These solutions attack Biden’s border security failures head on – from building the wall to stopping sanctuary cities policies in liberal states and cities to going after cartels and reforming our broken asylum process.

My Ensure Uniform Border Inspection Practices Act, introduced with Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, would require annual comprehensive reviews of how people and fentanyl are being transported across ports of entry. These reviews would identify areas where&nbsp;the&nbsp;implementation of inspection practices is weak and help us hold accountable those responsible for failures.

Further, this week&nbsp;I re-affirmed my support for 10 additional pieces of legislation to address the illegal immigration crisis and enforce existing laws. One major priority is the Secure the Border Act. The bill would tighten asylum standards, resume construction of the border wall, and&nbsp;criminalize visa overstays. In addition, it would&nbsp;increase the number of Border Patrol Agents and crack down on entities assisting illegal&nbsp;immigrants. I’m also supporting the Stopping Border Surges Act to close immigration loopholes, eliminate incentives for sending children to the border, and disrupt the power of human traffickers and cartels.

I’m working to stop dangerous sanctuary cities and attack the income streams of those who traffic deadly drugs like fentanyl. One of the bills gives the Department of Homeland Security powers similar to those under Title 42 to combat the fentanyl-related health emergency. We also need to permanently classify fentanyl-related substances as Schedule 1 drugs and make the distribution of fentanyl resulting in death punishable by federal felony charges.

The Biden administration’s failed policies created this crisis. Only smarter, more effective policies will guide us out of it. I promised Nebraskans I would fight to secure the border in the Senate. Each of the bills I’m supporting will make our state and country safer. I will fight tirelessly to get illegal immigration and the border crisis under control.

My team and I are here to serve you. Contact us anytime by phone at 202-224-4224 or on my website at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ricketts.senate.gov/contact" target="_blank">www.ricketts.senate.gov/contact</a>. I am honored to serve our great state and will continue to work to protect the Good Life from Washington overreach.

By Senator Pete RickettsWe are living in the worst border crisis on record.&nbsp;It is a humanitarian and security crisis.&nbsp;U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/national-media-release/cbp-releases-september-2023-monthly-update" target="_blank">reported</a>&nbsp;yet another&nbsp;record&nbsp;with&nbsp;269,735 encounters at the southern border last month.&nbsp;There have now been&nbsp;over 8 million encounters&nbsp;with individuals at the border&nbsp;since Joe Biden became President.&nbsp;To put it in perspective, that’s more encounters in less than three years than the 12 years while both Donald Trump and Barack Obama were president&nbsp;combined.&nbsp;Unfortunately, that number doesn’t even include the over 1.7 million known gotaways&nbsp;–&nbsp;individuals CBP saw but were unable to apprehend&nbsp;–&nbsp;during the Biden administration.Last month,&nbsp;border officials arrested&nbsp;<a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/border-patrol-stop-record-number-people-terror-watchlist-southern-border" target="_blank">18 people</a>&nbsp;on the FBI’s terror watchlist. The&nbsp;total&nbsp;of&nbsp;people on the watchlist encountered at the border this year&nbsp;is now 172.&nbsp;Those 172 encounters&nbsp;not only smashed&nbsp;the previous record of 98, set last year, but is larger than the number of such encounters the previous six fiscal years&nbsp;<a href="https://nypost.com/2023/10/22/u-s-customs-and-border-protection-report-more-venezuelans-enter-u-s-illegally-than-mexicans/" target="_blank">combined</a>.&nbsp;This number used to be in the single digits every year.This week, I visited the border with a group of Senators led by Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz of Texas to get an update on the&nbsp;crisis. I also unveiled a comprehensive package of Senate solutions to secure the border. These solutions attack Biden’s border security failures head on – from building the wall to stopping sanctuary cities policies in liberal states and cities to going after cartels and reforming our broken asylum process.My Ensure Uniform Border Inspection Practices Act, introduced with Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, would require annual comprehensive reviews of how people and fentanyl are being transported across ports of entry. These reviews would identify areas where&nbsp;the&nbsp;implementation of inspection practices is weak and help us hold accountable those responsible for failures.Further, this week&nbsp;I re-affirmed my support for 10 additional pieces of legislation to address the illegal immigration crisis and enforce existing laws. One major priority is the Secure the Border Act. The bill would tighten asylum standards, resume construction of the border wall, and&nbsp;criminalize visa overstays. In addition, it would&nbsp;increase the number of Border Patrol Agents and crack down on entities assisting illegal&nbsp;immigrants. I’m also supporting the Stopping Border Surges Act to close immigration loopholes, eliminate incentives for sending children to the border, and disrupt the power of human traffickers and cartels.I’m working to stop dangerous sanctuary cities and attack the income streams of those who traffic deadly drugs like fentanyl. One of the bills gives the Department of Homeland Security powers similar to those under Title 42 to combat the fentanyl-related health emergency. We also need to permanently classify fentanyl-related substances as Schedule 1 drugs and make the distribution of fentanyl resulting in death punishable by federal felony charges.The Biden administration’s failed policies created this crisis. Only smarter, more effective policies will guide us out of it. I promised Nebraskans I would fight to secure the border in the Senate. Each of the bills I’m supporting will make our state and country safer. I will fight tirelessly to get illegal immigration and the border crisis under control.My team and I are here to serve you. Contact us anytime by phone at 202-224-4224 or on my website at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ricketts.senate.gov/contact" target="_blank">www.ricketts.senate.gov/contact</a>. I am honored to serve our great state and will continue to work to protect the Good Life from Washington overreach.

Senator Ricketts’ Weekly Column: Senate Solutions to Secure Our Southern Border

On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with Entrepreneur and inventor Mike Farmer.

<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6_t2AHbfg80?si=hYdF3La0wE5SDbxQ" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with Entrepreneur and inventor Mike Farmer.

🎤 Forward Ever: Entrepreneur and inventor Mike Farmer

Alliance, NE – The last days for yard waste collection will be Friday, December 1st for blue steel containers and Wednesday, November 29th for blue rollout bins.

For more information, contact Public Works Director Ross Grant at 762-1907.

By City of AllianceAlliance, NE – The last days for yard waste collection will be Friday, December 1st for blue steel containers and Wednesday, November 29th for blue rollout bins.For more information, contact Public Works Director Ross Grant at 762-1907.

City of Alliance announces 2023 Yard Waste Collection End dates

This weekend marks the final shows at the Sandhills Drive-in Alliance for the 2023 season, starting with Fundraiser Friday. Edison Red Nest has details about the shows and where proceeds will go to.

"The movie will be Ghostbusters Afterlife followed by Queen of the Damned," Red Nest said.&nbsp; "it's a Fundraiser Friday so all of the proceeds for this fundraiser will go towards the Alliance Marching Band, to help them get to the Peach Bowl. "

Red Nest explains why it is important to support the Alliance High School band and their trip to Georgia.

"They put in a lot of hard work, a lot of these kids have been doing band since they were little," Red Nest said.&nbsp; This is kind of like the pinnacle of their band career so we want to help them as much as we can."

Gates open at 6 p.m tonight and the show starts at dusk at the Sandhills Drive-in located at 2617 County Road 57 in Alliance.&nbsp; The show is free will donation.

For questions, call 308-458-7927, or find them on Facebook at Sand-hills Drive-In.

By Alex Benzegala Panhandle PostThis weekend marks the final shows at the Sandhills Drive-in Alliance for the 2023 season, starting with Fundraiser Friday. Edison Red Nest has details about the shows and where proceeds will go to. "The movie will be Ghostbusters Afterlife followed by Queen of the Damned," Red Nest said.&nbsp; "it's a Fundraiser Friday so all of the proceeds for this fundraiser will go towards the Alliance Marching Band, to help them get to the Peach Bowl. "Red Nest explains why it is important to support the Alliance High School band and their trip to Georgia. "They put in a lot of hard work, a lot of these kids have been doing band since they were little," Red Nest said.&nbsp; This is kind of like the pinnacle of their band career so we want to help them as much as we can."Gates open at 6 p.m tonight and the show starts at dusk at the Sandhills Drive-in located at 2617 County Road 57 in Alliance.&nbsp; The show is free will donation.For questions, call 308-458-7927, or find them on Facebook at Sand-hills Drive-In.