By TENA L. COOK, CSC MARKETING COORDINATOR

CHADRON – Chadron State College Licensed Student Counselor and Certified Mental Health First Aid Instructor Chelsea Turner led a December training session of 14 CSC employees who earned Mental Health First Aid certification.

“The training teaches them how to take care of themselves and how to take care of other people based on the most up-to-date research. I was impressed with the turnout,” she said. “The class represented a broad cross-section of campus.”

Two more sessions will be offered in the spring semester to interested employees and students.

Turner was certified as an instructor in October 2024 through an American Rescue Plan Act grant provided by the&nbsp;Behavior Health Education Center of Nebraska (BHECN) to support campus wellness. She said the primary goal of CSC Health Services and CSC Wellness in sponsoring her to become a certified instructor was to decrease the number of mental health crises on campus.

“The participants loved how interactive the training was, especially practicing the skills in the training instead of just listening to a presentation,” Turner said. “After the training, we received some incredible feedback about how applicable this is to the college student population we work with.”

According to Turner, Mental Health First Aid Training teaches participants how to recognize common signs of mental health and substance use challenges, assess the situation, and reach out to connect with individuals to offer the support they might need to mitigate concerns before the situation becomes a crisis.

The upcoming CSC training sessions on Feb. 24, and April 29, will consist of two hours of online pre-work followed by an in-person class with Turner from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Lunch will be provided by BHECN Panhandle. Each session is limited to 15 registrants on a first-come, first-served basis. Online registration for the February training will be open to employees Feb.1-10 at&nbsp;<a href="https://forms.office.com/r/gbwYX3DsLZ" target="_blank">https://forms.office.com/r/gbwYX3DsLZ</a>. Registration for the April 29&nbsp;event&nbsp;will open later this semester for students and employees.

“This is a really exciting opportunity to reduce the mental health stigma and to recognize the warning signs of a mental health or substance use crisis,” said Dr. Brittany Helmbrecht, CSC Wellness Officer and Interim Dean of the School of Professional Studies and Applied Sciences.

For more information, contact Turner at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:cturner@csc.edu" target="_blank">cturner@csc.edu</a>.

By TENA L. COOK, CSC MARKETING COORDINATORCHADRON – Chadron State College Licensed Student Counselor and Certified Mental Health First Aid Instructor Chelsea Turner led a December training session of 14 CSC employees who earned Mental Health First Aid certification.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1738181699944.jpeg" alt="&nbsp; Chelsea Turner, certified as a Mental Health First Aid Training instructor, will conduct two CSC training sessions on Feb. 24, and April 29, 2025, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Online registration for the February training will be open to employees Feb.1-10 at&nbsp;<a href="https://forms.office.com/r/gbwYX3DsLZ">https://forms.office.com/r/gbwYX3DsLZ</a>. (Photo by Daniel Binkard/Chadron State College)&nbsp;&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp; Chelsea Turner, certified as a Mental Health First Aid Training instructor, will conduct two CSC training sessions on Feb. 24, and April 29, 2025, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Online registration for the February training will be open to employees Feb.1-10 at&nbsp;<a href="https://forms.office.com/r/gbwYX3DsLZ">https://forms.office.com/r/gbwYX3DsLZ</a>. (Photo by Daniel Binkard/Chadron State College)&nbsp;&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>“The training teaches them how to take care of themselves and how to take care of other people based on the most up-to-date research. I was impressed with the turnout,” she said. “The class represented a broad cross-section of campus.”Two more sessions will be offered in the spring semester to interested employees and students.Turner was certified as an instructor in October 2024 through an American Rescue Plan Act grant provided by the&nbsp;Behavior Health Education Center of Nebraska (BHECN) to support campus wellness. She said the primary goal of CSC Health Services and CSC Wellness in sponsoring her to become a certified instructor was to decrease the number of mental health crises on campus.“The participants loved how interactive the training was, especially practicing the skills in the training instead of just listening to a presentation,” Turner said. “After the training, we received some incredible feedback about how applicable this is to the college student population we work with.”According to Turner, Mental Health First Aid Training teaches participants how to recognize common signs of mental health and substance use challenges, assess the situation, and reach out to connect with individuals to offer the support they might need to mitigate concerns before the situation becomes a crisis.The upcoming CSC training sessions on Feb. 24, and April 29, will consist of two hours of online pre-work followed by an in-person class with Turner from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Lunch will be provided by BHECN Panhandle. Each session is limited to 15 registrants on a first-come, first-served basis. Online registration for the February training will be open to employees Feb.1-10 at&nbsp;<a href="https://forms.office.com/r/gbwYX3DsLZ" target="_blank">https://forms.office.com/r/gbwYX3DsLZ</a>. Registration for the April 29&nbsp;event&nbsp;will open later this semester for students and employees.“This is a really exciting opportunity to reduce the mental health stigma and to recognize the warning signs of a mental health or substance use crisis,” said Dr. Brittany Helmbrecht, CSC Wellness Officer and Interim Dean of the School of Professional Studies and Applied Sciences.For more information, contact Turner at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:cturner@csc.edu" target="_blank">cturner@csc.edu</a>.

14 CSC employees certified in Mental Health First Aid

By Patricia Jones, Alliance Community Task Force: Creating Opportunity

Brrrr - It’s cold outside! It’s been too cold for so many of our regular outdoor activities. But we have enjoyed the birds in our backyard.

We have feeders with birdseed and with sunflower seeds. Suet feeders attract woodpeckers. All those pumpkins and squash we bought in October have been stored in our garage. Now we bring them out, one at a time, and cut a hole in the side to allow access to seeds and flesh.

What kinds of birds hang around Alliance in the winter?

Our ground is covered with dark-eyed juncos. They are beautiful sparrow-sized birds with black heads and gray and white bodies that fly from the north to our area to overwinter.

We see other small birds too. Chickadees, pine siskin, sparrows and finches. House finches are the ones with red heads and chests. Goldfinches hang out in our yard too, but they don’t turn yellow until the spring. Now they are olive green, but the black stripes are the same.

Blue jays, pigeons, and doves are here all year. The mourning doves seem to be losing out to the larger Eurasian collared doves, a relative newcomer to North America.

Occasional visitors might include crossbills or pine grosbeaks, whose orange colors are delightful.

So many woodpeckers, large and small. We are always excited to watch nuthatches climbing up and down the ash tree. Flickers are eating from the suet feeders. Downy woodpeckers are frequent visitors. Their larger lookalikes, the hairy woodpeckers, are not as common in our yard but show up occasionally. (They are apparently not closely related.) A rare visitor is a red-bellied woodpecker, also a beauty.

Our feeders and trees are also full of those furry brown birds with the big fluffy tails. They love the pumpkins and sunflower seeds too.

We don’t have any pine trees in our yard. If we did, we could enjoy cedar waxwings with their black masks and the yellow stripe on the end of their tails.

Pines are also the preferred home of that most gorgeous of winter birds, the northern cardinal.&nbsp; If you live near a park, watch for that splash of bright red. The female doesn’t share the bright red coloration, but is every bit as beautiful as the male cardinal with her shades of brown and her bright orange beak.

Sometimes we’ve been feeding birds for a while, but they suddenly disappear. Then it’s time to look up for a hawk. Or maybe an owl or falcon. There are lots of birds of prey in our area year-round, and they occasionally visit our yard.

We still hear geese honking as they fly overhead to warmer areas south of us. We can also enjoy watching them at Laing Lake.

Most winters we make a day trip to Lake Ogallala, just east of Lake McConaughy. The trees to the south of the dam are filled with glorious bald eagles. Last year we saw about sixty of our majestic national bird! Not only did they sit in the trees, they would dive for fish. We could get fairly close to ones sitting on the ice. Last week Earl saw two bald eagles perched at the pool when he went to the dog park.

Lake Ogallala also treated us to a few ospreys, the greatest fishing birds of all! Avocets, birds with the upturned bills that we see in Sandhill lakes, change color in the winter. The orange heads and necks become silver. Bodies are still white, and wings have black stripes.

In February we begin to see birds migrating again. All along the Platte, from Ogallala to Grand Island, Sandhill cranes will be stopping for their annual visit. They will be feeding in fields, fattening up to prepare for their journey north.

Birding can be a fun hobby for all ages. I’d like to say it is inexpensive, and it can be. But then you’ll begin buying binoculars, cameras, bird books, and so much seed…

By Patricia Jones, Alliance Community Task Force: Creating OpportunityBrrrr - It’s cold outside! It’s been too cold for so many of our regular outdoor activities. But we have enjoyed the birds in our backyard.We have feeders with birdseed and with sunflower seeds. Suet feeders attract woodpeckers. All those pumpkins and squash we bought in October have been stored in our garage. Now we bring them out, one at a time, and cut a hole in the side to allow access to seeds and flesh.What kinds of birds hang around Alliance in the winter?Our ground is covered with dark-eyed juncos. They are beautiful sparrow-sized birds with black heads and gray and white bodies that fly from the north to our area to overwinter.We see other small birds too. Chickadees, pine siskin, sparrows and finches. House finches are the ones with red heads and chests. Goldfinches hang out in our yard too, but they don’t turn yellow until the spring. Now they are olive green, but the black stripes are the same.Blue jays, pigeons, and doves are here all year. The mourning doves seem to be losing out to the larger Eurasian collared doves, a relative newcomer to North America.Occasional visitors might include crossbills or pine grosbeaks, whose orange colors are delightful.So many woodpeckers, large and small. We are always excited to watch nuthatches climbing up and down the ash tree. Flickers are eating from the suet feeders. Downy woodpeckers are frequent visitors. Their larger lookalikes, the hairy woodpeckers, are not as common in our yard but show up occasionally. (They are apparently not closely related.) A rare visitor is a red-bellied woodpecker, also a beauty.Our feeders and trees are also full of those furry brown birds with the big fluffy tails. They love the pumpkins and sunflower seeds too.We don’t have any pine trees in our yard. If we did, we could enjoy cedar waxwings with their black masks and the yellow stripe on the end of their tails.Pines are also the preferred home of that most gorgeous of winter birds, the northern cardinal.&nbsp; If you live near a park, watch for that splash of bright red. The female doesn’t share the bright red coloration, but is every bit as beautiful as the male cardinal with her shades of brown and her bright orange beak.Sometimes we’ve been feeding birds for a while, but they suddenly disappear. Then it’s time to look up for a hawk. Or maybe an owl or falcon. There are lots of birds of prey in our area year-round, and they occasionally visit our yard.We still hear geese honking as they fly overhead to warmer areas south of us. We can also enjoy watching them at Laing Lake.Most winters we make a day trip to Lake Ogallala, just east of Lake McConaughy. The trees to the south of the dam are filled with glorious bald eagles. Last year we saw about sixty of our majestic national bird! Not only did they sit in the trees, they would dive for fish. We could get fairly close to ones sitting on the ice. Last week Earl saw two bald eagles perched at the pool when he went to the dog park.Lake Ogallala also treated us to a few ospreys, the greatest fishing birds of all! Avocets, birds with the upturned bills that we see in Sandhill lakes, change color in the winter. The orange heads and necks become silver. Bodies are still white, and wings have black stripes.In February we begin to see birds migrating again. All along the Platte, from Ogallala to Grand Island, Sandhill cranes will be stopping for their annual visit. They will be feeding in fields, fattening up to prepare for their journey north.Birding can be a fun hobby for all ages. I’d like to say it is inexpensive, and it can be. But then you’ll begin buying binoculars, cameras, bird books, and so much seed…

Getting Ahead: Winter birding 

Alliance, NE – Upcoming Story Time themes for ages 3-6 at Alliance Public Library include Quest for Q on February 4 and 6, Be My Valentine on February 11 and 13, Racing with R on February 18 and 20 then Splendid S on February 25 and 27.&nbsp; Story Time meets in the Children’s Room on Tuesdays at 10 am and Thursdays at 1 pm with several stories, birthdays, puppets, music and craft.&nbsp;

Preschool through second grade are invited to Search for Sherbet Unicorn during library hours with one search per day and one prize per child from January 27 through February 14.

LEGO Club for grades K-3 meets on Tuesdays, February 4 and 18 from 4-5 pm in the APL Community Room for preregistered participants.

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

By City of AllianceAlliance, NE – Upcoming Story Time themes for ages 3-6 at Alliance Public Library include Quest for Q on February 4 and 6, Be My Valentine on February 11 and 13, Racing with R on February 18 and 20 then Splendid S on February 25 and 27.&nbsp; Story Time meets in the Children’s Room on Tuesdays at 10 am and Thursdays at 1 pm with several stories, birthdays, puppets, music and craft.&nbsp;Preschool through second grade are invited to Search for Sherbet Unicorn during library hours with one search per day and one prize per child from January 27 through February 14.LEGO Club for grades K-3 meets on Tuesdays, February 4 and 18 from 4-5 pm in the APL Community Room for preregistered participants.For more information, please contact Cynthia Horn, Children’s and Youth Services Librarian at 762-1387.

Story Time, Searchers and LEGO Club at Alliance Public Library

KEARNEY – Clayton Moore’s teammates call him a “country boy.”

His older sister Samantha Moore often hears a similar term – “ranch tough.”

They’re both references to the siblings’ blue-collar upbringing and the work ethic, determination and discipline they display as University of Nebraska at Kearney basketball players.

“Where we grew up, there’s not much to do but work,” said Clayton, a redshirt freshman at UNK. “And competitiveness kind of comes along with that. Growing up, all you could really do for fun was compete with each other. It was either that or go outside and work. And competing with each other was more enjoyable than throwing hay bales around or fixing windmills.”

Raised on a ranch in the heart of the Nebraska Sandhills, the Moores have never known a life that didn’t revolve around hard work, humility and sports.

Their parents, Rusty and Jennifer, instilled those values.

They were both standout athletes at Nebraska Wesleyan University, where Jennifer was a volleyball player and five-time All-American in track and field. Rusty also competed in track, earning All-American honors and winning two national championships in the 4×400 relay.

He coached basketball at Mullen High School for 14 years, leading the boys team to its first-ever state title in 2017. Rusty passed away in February 2020 following a two-year battle with brain cancer.

Jennifer taught and coached at Mullen and McPherson County high schools before moving to Alma, where she’s the head volleyball coach and an assistant track coach.

To nobody’s surprise, their children followed in those footsteps.

If they weren’t assisting with chores, the Moore kids were likely challenging each other in some sort of activity.

As youngsters, they played basketball in the house, using tape stuck to the basement wall as a hoop. Later on, those games moved to the driveway, where Clayton and Samantha battled their older brother Lance.

“You can kind of imagine how that went,” Clayton said with a smirk. “Sometimes it got a little rough. I mean, there were no referees out there.”

“I think that’s really where our competitiveness started to grow,” he added.

Although Clayton and Samantha both admit they could have been nicer to each other growing up, that passion and intensity helped fuel their success.

“Over the last couple years, from high school to college, I feel like we’ve grown our friendship,” said Samantha, a senior at UNK. “We’re still competitive, but I feel like we’ve gotten closer.”

Now, if you ask the siblings who the better athlete is, neither will claim that distinction.

Instead, they talk about each other’s accomplishments.

Samantha was a three-sport star at Mullen High School, scoring 1,550 career points in basketball and helping the Broncos finish third in the 2021 Class D2 state tournament. She also led the volleyball team in kills and blocks as a senior and qualified for the Class D state track and field championships in three events, including a runner-up finish in the 100-meter hurdles.

Clayton was equally successful. He averaged 18.1 points and 10.5 rebounds as a senior, earning Class D2 First-Team All-State honors in 2023. Also a three-sport standout, he played quarterback and defensive back for the football team and was a state champion in the 300-meter hurdles and state runner-up in the 110 hurdles, 300 hurdles, long jump and 4×400 relay.

When the time came to select a college, Samantha was the first family member to break the Wesleyan connection.

“I can be the guilty one,” she said with a laugh. “I’ll take the blame for that.”

Samantha was recruited by former UNK coach Carrie Eighmey, who now leads the women’s basketball program at the University of South Dakota.

“Right when I stepped on campus, I knew this was my place,” Samantha said.

The 6-foot guard/forward battled injuries early in her UNK career and played behind some experienced starters. She appeared in eight games as a freshman and 26 as a sophomore. The Lopers reached the NCAA Division II national tournament both seasons.

Eighmey and her staff left the program in spring 2023, but Samantha remained committed to UNK.

“At the end of the day, I wanted to play somewhere where I felt like I was in a sisterhood and a family,” she explained. “I loved my teammates so much that I didn’t want to leave.”

Drew Johnson, who was hired to replace Eighmey, gives Samantha a lot of credit for embracing the new coaching staff with open arms and creating a positive culture that continues to define the team. He calls her a hardworking, high-octane player.

“Sam is someone who brings a lot of energy to the team, whether she’s on or off the court,” Johnson said. “When she’s playing her best basketball, she’s really energetic and engaged, having fun and cracking jokes. That energy really resonates with our team. It’s a lot of fun to be able to coach her because of that.”

After an injury forced her to miss the early part of the season, Samantha came back strong for the Lopers as a junior. She played in 21 games and started 16 of them, averaging 6.7 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists per contest.

Those numbers are even better this season. Samantha has started all 18 games for the Lopers, who are 15-3 overall and 8-1 in the MIAA. She averages 10 points and a team-leading 7.9 rebounds per game while shooting 37% from 3-point range. Her 60 assists and 10 blocks both rank second on the team.

Samantha recorded what was likely the first triple-double in program history on Dec. 16, when she scored 16 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and dished out 10 assists in a 95-26 victory over York University.

“She’s been really dynamic for us,” Johnson said. “She shoots the 3 at a high percentage. She’s able to post up smaller guards. And she’s a great defender.

“It doesn’t get a lot better in this world than Sam Moore, and I’m thankful to have gotten a chance to coach her.”

Clayton joined his older sister at UNK in fall 2023.

He liked the location and smaller, close-knit community – “I’m not a big-city guy,” he firmly declared – as well as the opportunity play against top-notch teams.

“As athletes, you want to compete at the highest level you possibly can,” Clayton said. “We were given the chance to compete here at UNK, a Division II university in one of the best conferences in the country.”

Like his sister, Clayton stuck with his commitment after a coaching change. That was good news for first-year head coach Marty Levinson, who was hired by his alma mater in April 2024.

He describes Clayton as hardworking, humble, attentive and selfless – “pretty much all the qualities you would want in a teammate.”

“Even though he’s so young and he doesn’t have a ton of on-court playing experience at the college level, he’s already been a leader for us because of those characteristics,” Levinson said.

Following a redshirt season, Clayton is now an important contributor for Levinson and the Loper men, who are 6-11 overall and 4-5 in the conference. He’s played in all 17 games, starting six of them. The 6-foot-4 guard/forward averages 20 minutes, 5.2 points and 4.7 rebounds per contest.

Calling him a “pusher” who’s always looking to learn and grow, Levinson expects Clayton’s role to continue to expand.

“He’s going to be a difference maker by the time he’s a junior or senior, even by next year,” the UNK coach said. “He’s been a blessing to have, not just on the floor but because of who he is every day.

“Clayton is much more than just a basketball player. He’s an amazing human being. That doesn’t always show up in the box score, but he’s a big part of our recent success.”

Now that they’re 20 and 22 years old, Clayton and Samantha can fully appreciate their relationship and the benefits of having a sibling to lean on.

They live in the same apartment complex, just south of the Health and Sports Center, and often get together to watch sports or play video games.

“Who wouldn’t want to attend the same school as their sibling, hang out and play the same sport?” Samantha said. “It’s so awesome. When we travel on the road, I get to watch my brother play right after us and he gets to watch me play. I’m beyond grateful. It’s such a blessing.”

“I can’t imagine it any other way now,” Clayton added.

Both recognized on the MIAA Academic Honor Roll, Samantha is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.unk.edu/academics/ted/elementary-education.php">studying elementary education</a>&nbsp;and Clayton is an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.unk.edu/academics/agribusiness/index.php">agribusiness major</a>. She wants to teach in a small town in Nebraska and he plans to return to the family ranch near Tryon.

Those rural roots run too deep to change.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1738095362821.jpeg" alt="Mullen natives Samantha and Clayton Moore (UNK Communications)" />
 <figcaption>Mullen natives Samantha and Clayton Moore (UNK Communications)</figcaption>
 </figure>By TYLER ELLYSONUNK CommunicationsKEARNEY – Clayton Moore’s teammates call him a “country boy.”His older sister Samantha Moore often hears a similar term – “ranch tough.”They’re both references to the siblings’ blue-collar upbringing and the work ethic, determination and discipline they display as University of Nebraska at Kearney basketball players.“Where we grew up, there’s not much to do but work,” said Clayton, a redshirt freshman at UNK. “And competitiveness kind of comes along with that. Growing up, all you could really do for fun was compete with each other. It was either that or go outside and work. And competing with each other was more enjoyable than throwing hay bales around or fixing windmills.”Raised on a ranch in the heart of the Nebraska Sandhills, the Moores have never known a life that didn’t revolve around hard work, humility and sports.Their parents, Rusty and Jennifer, instilled those values.They were both standout athletes at Nebraska Wesleyan University, where Jennifer was a volleyball player and five-time All-American in track and field. Rusty also competed in track, earning All-American honors and winning two national championships in the 4×400 relay.He coached basketball at Mullen High School for 14 years, leading the boys team to its first-ever state title in 2017. Rusty passed away in February 2020 following a two-year battle with brain cancer.Jennifer taught and coached at Mullen and McPherson County high schools before moving to Alma, where she’s the head volleyball coach and an assistant track coach.To nobody’s surprise, their children followed in those footsteps.<h2>SIBLING RIVALRY</h2>If they weren’t assisting with chores, the Moore kids were likely challenging each other in some sort of activity.As youngsters, they played basketball in the house, using tape stuck to the basement wall as a hoop. Later on, those games moved to the driveway, where Clayton and Samantha battled their older brother Lance.“You can kind of imagine how that went,” Clayton said with a smirk. “Sometimes it got a little rough. I mean, there were no referees out there.”“I think that’s really where our competitiveness started to grow,” he added.Although Clayton and Samantha both admit they could have been nicer to each other growing up, that passion and intensity helped fuel their success.“Over the last couple years, from high school to college, I feel like we’ve grown our friendship,” said Samantha, a senior at UNK. “We’re still competitive, but I feel like we’ve gotten closer.”Now, if you ask the siblings who the better athlete is, neither will claim that distinction.Instead, they talk about each other’s accomplishments.Samantha was a three-sport star at Mullen High School, scoring 1,550 career points in basketball and helping the Broncos finish third in the 2021 Class D2 state tournament. She also led the volleyball team in kills and blocks as a senior and qualified for the Class D state track and field championships in three events, including a runner-up finish in the 100-meter hurdles.Clayton was equally successful. He averaged 18.1 points and 10.5 rebounds as a senior, earning Class D2 First-Team All-State honors in 2023. Also a three-sport standout, he played quarterback and defensive back for the football team and was a state champion in the 300-meter hurdles and state runner-up in the 110 hurdles, 300 hurdles, long jump and 4×400 relay.<h2>VERSATILE VETERAN</h2>When the time came to select a college, Samantha was the first family member to break the Wesleyan connection.“I can be the guilty one,” she said with a laugh. “I’ll take the blame for that.”Samantha was recruited by former UNK coach Carrie Eighmey, who now leads the women’s basketball program at the University of South Dakota.“Right when I stepped on campus, I knew this was my place,” Samantha said.The 6-foot guard/forward battled injuries early in her UNK career and played behind some experienced starters. She appeared in eight games as a freshman and 26 as a sophomore. The Lopers reached the NCAA Division II national tournament both seasons.Eighmey and her staff left the program in spring 2023, but Samantha remained committed to UNK.“At the end of the day, I wanted to play somewhere where I felt like I was in a sisterhood and a family,” she explained. “I loved my teammates so much that I didn’t want to leave.”Drew Johnson, who was hired to replace Eighmey, gives Samantha a lot of credit for embracing the new coaching staff with open arms and creating a positive culture that continues to define the team. He calls her a hardworking, high-octane player.“Sam is someone who brings a lot of energy to the team, whether she’s on or off the court,” Johnson said. “When she’s playing her best basketball, she’s really energetic and engaged, having fun and cracking jokes. That energy really resonates with our team. It’s a lot of fun to be able to coach her because of that.”She’s also very versatile.After an injury forced her to miss the early part of the season, Samantha came back strong for the Lopers as a junior. She played in 21 games and started 16 of them, averaging 6.7 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists per contest.Those numbers are even better this season. Samantha has started all 18 games for the Lopers, who are 15-3 overall and 8-1 in the MIAA. She averages 10 points and a team-leading 7.9 rebounds per game while shooting 37% from 3-point range. Her 60 assists and 10 blocks both rank second on the team.Samantha recorded what was likely the first triple-double in program history on Dec. 16, when she scored 16 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and dished out 10 assists in a 95-26 victory over York University.“She’s been really dynamic for us,” Johnson said. “She shoots the 3 at a high percentage. She’s able to post up smaller guards. And she’s a great defender.“It doesn’t get a lot better in this world than Sam Moore, and I’m thankful to have gotten a chance to coach her.”<h2>YOUNG LEADER</h2>Clayton joined his older sister at UNK in fall 2023.He liked the location and smaller, close-knit community – “I’m not a big-city guy,” he firmly declared – as well as the opportunity play against top-notch teams.“As athletes, you want to compete at the highest level you possibly can,” Clayton said. “We were given the chance to compete here at UNK, a Division II university in one of the best conferences in the country.”Like his sister, Clayton stuck with his commitment after a coaching change. That was good news for first-year head coach Marty Levinson, who was hired by his alma mater in April 2024.He describes Clayton as hardworking, humble, attentive and selfless – “pretty much all the qualities you would want in a teammate.”“Even though he’s so young and he doesn’t have a ton of on-court playing experience at the college level, he’s already been a leader for us because of those characteristics,” Levinson said.Following a redshirt season, Clayton is now an important contributor for Levinson and the Loper men, who are 6-11 overall and 4-5 in the conference. He’s played in all 17 games, starting six of them. The 6-foot-4 guard/forward averages 20 minutes, 5.2 points and 4.7 rebounds per contest.Calling him a “pusher” who’s always looking to learn and grow, Levinson expects Clayton’s role to continue to expand.“He’s going to be a difference maker by the time he’s a junior or senior, even by next year,” the UNK coach said. “He’s been a blessing to have, not just on the floor but because of who he is every day.“Clayton is much more than just a basketball player. He’s an amazing human being. That doesn’t always show up in the box score, but he’s a big part of our recent success.”<h2>STRONG BONDS</h2>Now that they’re 20 and 22 years old, Clayton and Samantha can fully appreciate their relationship and the benefits of having a sibling to lean on.They live in the same apartment complex, just south of the Health and Sports Center, and often get together to watch sports or play video games.“Who wouldn’t want to attend the same school as their sibling, hang out and play the same sport?” Samantha said. “It’s so awesome. When we travel on the road, I get to watch my brother play right after us and he gets to watch me play. I’m beyond grateful. It’s such a blessing.”“I can’t imagine it any other way now,” Clayton added.Both recognized on the MIAA Academic Honor Roll, Samantha is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.unk.edu/academics/ted/elementary-education.php">studying elementary education</a>&nbsp;and Clayton is an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.unk.edu/academics/agribusiness/index.php">agribusiness major</a>. She wants to teach in a small town in Nebraska and he plans to return to the family ranch near Tryon.Those rural roots run too deep to change.

Mullen siblings bring competitive nature, ‘ranch toughness’ to UNK basketball

By McAYE FEGLER, CSC COLLEGE RELATIONS

CHADRON – Piper Ryschon of Scottsbluff, Nebraska, is Chadron State College’s Project Strive/TRiO Student of the Month for January.

Ryschon is a sophomore majoring in molecular biology.

“I really like science, and I want to help make a difference either through a biomedical approach or an environmental one. I have always felt a deep connection to the environment and&nbsp;<a>nature, and</a>&nbsp;want to help in any way I can whether through animals or people,” Ryschon said.

Ryschon has been a member of Project Strive since she arrived at Chadron State College as a freshman in the Fall of 2023.

Project Strive Retention Specialist Amanda Lewin said Ryschon has consistently demonstrated outstanding academic performance and has been highly active in Project Strive and on campus.

“I always look forward to seeing her in our offices, as her positive energy and warm personality brightens our day. I am excited to celebrate her achievements and can’t wait to see all the great things she will continue to accomplish,” Lewin said.

Ryschon has qualified for the President’s List each semester and she has been involved in multiple clubs and organizations including Student Senate, Chemistry Club, and Tri Beta.

Ryschon enjoys being a voice for the student body through her position on Student Senate. She enjoys hearing what her peers have to say about campus and being able to make changes that will better the school community.

She is the secretary for Chemistry Club and has participated in multiple trips to teach children and other students about science. Ryschon said she thoroughly enjoyed a Multicultural Outreach trip the club took to Gering, Nebraska, during her first semester. The club presents information and experiments to students to enlighten them on the basics of chemistry.

Ryschon was recently elected president of Tri Beta, a club that hosts informational science seminars and professional nights throughout the school year. The club works to help students build resumes and explore potential job opportunities. Ryschon enjoys listening to presenters the club invites to campus and was especially impressed by and FBI agent’s presentation. This semester, Tri Beta and the Sports Medicine Club plan to bring in a speaker who practices wilderness medicine.

Ryschon chose to attend CSC because of its affordability, proximity to her hometown, well-renowned science program, and her brother attended CSC.

Assistant Professor of Physics and Chemistry Dr. Clint Evrard has many positive remarks regarding Ryschon.

“She is one of those students that makes every day great. Piper is someone who is exceedingly intelligent while still being humble. Piper has&nbsp;<a>a real</a>&nbsp;tenacity. It’s been my experience that she finds time to keep up with more than a full load of credit hours and she does it with exceedingly high grades. She holds herself to the highest level and succeeds in extraordinary ways. It isn’t often that you see talent like Piper’s combined with a will to dig in and do the work for success,” Evrard said.

Evrard also mentioned how inclusive Ryschon is. She works well with her classmates, studies often with her peers, and brings joy to the people around her. He is glad that Ryschon is being recognized for this award, and all that she does, because Evrard said Ryschon is not the kind of person to seek recognition for her achievements.

Ryschon has received multiple awards during her short time at CSC. She was one of the Unsung Heroes acknowledged at the Rising Sophomore ceremony in 2024. This award is for students who work behind the scenes and go above and beyond the call of duty. She also received an award from the science department at the ceremony.

Ryschon has been accepted into Institutional Development Award Program (IDeA) Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE). She will receive a two-year scholarship to complete biomedical research for the University of Nebraska - Lincoln, University of Nebraska-Omaha, and the University of Nebraska Medical Center during the next two summers. Ryschon will also be able to use the scholarship during the school year by completing biomedical research for CSC.

Ryschon has enjoyed learning about genetics during her time at Chadron State.

“I think genetics is very interesting, and it relates to the career I am pursuing. I can&nbsp;<a>definitely see</a>&nbsp;myself researching topics regarding genetics in the future,” Ryschon said.

When Ryschon has free time, she enjoys fishing, hiking, hanging out with friends, and reading.

After Ryschon graduates in May 2027, she plans to attend graduate school and specialize in either environmental remediation or biomedicine.

Chadron State College’s Project Strive/TRiO program, located in the lower level of the King Library, is an academic enrichment program committed to helping 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="https://www.csc.edu/projectstrive/" target="_blank">https://www.csc.edu/projectstrive/</a>.

By McAYE FEGLER, CSC COLLEGE RELATIONSCHADRON – Piper Ryschon of Scottsbluff, Nebraska, is Chadron State College’s Project Strive/TRiO Student of the Month for January.Ryschon is a sophomore majoring in molecular biology.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1738085414587.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>“I really like science, and I want to help make a difference either through a biomedical approach or an environmental one. I have always felt a deep connection to the environment and&nbsp;<a>nature, and</a>&nbsp;want to help in any way I can whether through animals or people,” Ryschon said.Ryschon has been a member of Project Strive since she arrived at Chadron State College as a freshman in the Fall of 2023.Project Strive Retention Specialist Amanda Lewin said Ryschon has consistently demonstrated outstanding academic performance and has been highly active in Project Strive and on campus.“I always look forward to seeing her in our offices, as her positive energy and warm personality brightens our day. I am excited to celebrate her achievements and can’t wait to see all the great things she will continue to accomplish,” Lewin said.Ryschon has qualified for the President’s List each semester and she has been involved in multiple clubs and organizations including Student Senate, Chemistry Club, and Tri Beta.Ryschon enjoys being a voice for the student body through her position on Student Senate. She enjoys hearing what her peers have to say about campus and being able to make changes that will better the school community.She is the secretary for Chemistry Club and has participated in multiple trips to teach children and other students about science. Ryschon said she thoroughly enjoyed a Multicultural Outreach trip the club took to Gering, Nebraska, during her first semester. The club presents information and experiments to students to enlighten them on the basics of chemistry.Ryschon was recently elected president of Tri Beta, a club that hosts informational science seminars and professional nights throughout the school year. The club works to help students build resumes and explore potential job opportunities. Ryschon enjoys listening to presenters the club invites to campus and was especially impressed by and FBI agent’s presentation. This semester, Tri Beta and the Sports Medicine Club plan to bring in a speaker who practices wilderness medicine.Ryschon chose to attend CSC because of its affordability, proximity to her hometown, well-renowned science program, and her brother attended CSC.Assistant Professor of Physics and Chemistry Dr. Clint Evrard has many positive remarks regarding Ryschon.“She is one of those students that makes every day great. Piper is someone who is exceedingly intelligent while still being humble. Piper has&nbsp;<a>a real</a>&nbsp;tenacity. It’s been my experience that she finds time to keep up with more than a full load of credit hours and she does it with exceedingly high grades. She holds herself to the highest level and succeeds in extraordinary ways. It isn’t often that you see talent like Piper’s combined with a will to dig in and do the work for success,” Evrard said.Evrard also mentioned how inclusive Ryschon is. She works well with her classmates, studies often with her peers, and brings joy to the people around her. He is glad that Ryschon is being recognized for this award, and all that she does, because Evrard said Ryschon is not the kind of person to seek recognition for her achievements.Ryschon has received multiple awards during her short time at CSC. She was one of the Unsung Heroes acknowledged at the Rising Sophomore ceremony in 2024. This award is for students who work behind the scenes and go above and beyond the call of duty. She also received an award from the science department at the ceremony.Ryschon has been accepted into Institutional Development Award Program (IDeA) Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE). She will receive a two-year scholarship to complete biomedical research for the University of Nebraska - Lincoln, University of Nebraska-Omaha, and the University of Nebraska Medical Center during the next two summers. Ryschon will also be able to use the scholarship during the school year by completing biomedical research for CSC.Ryschon has enjoyed learning about genetics during her time at Chadron State.“I think genetics is very interesting, and it relates to the career I am pursuing. I can&nbsp;<a>definitely see</a>&nbsp;myself researching topics regarding genetics in the future,” Ryschon said.When Ryschon has free time, she enjoys fishing, hiking, hanging out with friends, and reading.After Ryschon graduates in May 2027, she plans to attend graduate school and specialize in either environmental remediation or biomedicine.Chadron State College’s Project Strive/TRiO program, located in the lower level of the King Library, is an academic enrichment program committed to helping 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="https://www.csc.edu/projectstrive/" target="_blank">https://www.csc.edu/projectstrive/</a>.

Ryschon of Scottsbluff named Project Strive's Student of the Month in Chadron 

POST PODCAST: Coffee Talk: Sexy Jobs & The DJs Who Don't Have Them

The&nbsp;Nebraska Library Commission&nbsp;recently awarded&nbsp;Nebraska Library Internship Grants&nbsp;totaling $20,000 to sixteen Nebraska public libraries. These internship grants will support public library interns who will contribute to the scope and value of the diverse programs and activities in Nebraska’s public libraries.

“The internships are a great opportunity for students to get involved in library work. Beyond earning money and gaining valuable work experience, the student is exposed to the broad range of library services and programming. Internships provide an opportunity for the student to view the library as a viable and satisfying career choice. In addition, interns bring a fresh perspective and their own unique talents to the library,” said Nebraska Library Commission Director Rod Wagner.

Student interns will learn about library work as they shadow staff, assist with day-to-day library operations, and implement special projects. Some of the activities that students will participate in include:

The following 16 Nebraska public libraries were awarded 2025 internship grant funding:

Loren Corey Eiseley Branch Library, Charles H. Gere Branch Library, Bennett Martin Public Library, Youth Services Outreach, Bess Dodson Walt Branch Library, Northeast Service Unit - Victor E. Anderson &amp; Bethany Branch Libraries

Cordelia B. Preston Memorial Library, Orleans

Funding for the project is supported and administered by the Nebraska Library Commission, in partnership with the Nebraska Library Systems.

As the state library agency, the&nbsp;Nebraska Library Commission&nbsp;is an advocate for the library and information needs of all Nebraskans. The mission of the Library Commission is statewide promotion, development, and coordination of library and information services, “bringing together people and information.”

Nebraska’s Regional Library Systems&nbsp;consist of four non-profit corporations governed by boards representative of libraries and citizens in the region. The four systems were established to provide access to improved library services through the cooperation of all types of libraries and media centers within the counties included in each System area.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1738010689865.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Nebraska Library CommissionThe&nbsp;Nebraska Library Commission&nbsp;recently awarded&nbsp;Nebraska Library Internship Grants&nbsp;totaling $20,000 to sixteen Nebraska public libraries. These internship grants will support public library interns who will contribute to the scope and value of the diverse programs and activities in Nebraska’s public libraries.“The internships are a great opportunity for students to get involved in library work. Beyond earning money and gaining valuable work experience, the student is exposed to the broad range of library services and programming. Internships provide an opportunity for the student to view the library as a viable and satisfying career choice. In addition, interns bring a fresh perspective and their own unique talents to the library,” said Nebraska Library Commission Director Rod Wagner.Student interns will learn about library work as they shadow staff, assist with day-to-day library operations, and implement special projects. Some of the activities that students will participate in include:<ul>
 <li>Summer Reading Programs for youth, teens, and adults</li><li>After school programming</li><li>Assist cataloging Czech music collection</li><li>Annual inventory</li><li>ADA shelving reconfiguration</li><li>New Teen and Tween programming</li><li>Organize a new Junior/Teen/Tween Library Board</li><li>Local history archive cataloging and preservation</li><li>Assist with ALA Libraries Transforming Communities grant to improve accessibility for residents with disabilities</li><li>Basic library duties: circulation, shelving, weeding, processing acquisitions, public relations.</li>
 </ul>The following 16 Nebraska public libraries were awarded 2025 internship grant funding:Bennington Public LibraryGarfield County Library, BurwellCeresco Community LibraryClarkson Public LibraryColumbus Public LibraryGenoa Public LibraryGibbon Public LibraryLexington Public LibraryLincoln City Libraries –Loren Corey Eiseley Branch Library, Charles H. Gere Branch Library, Bennett Martin Public Library, Youth Services Outreach, Bess Dodson Walt Branch Library, Northeast Service Unit - Victor E. Anderson &amp; Bethany Branch LibrariesMadison Public LibraryCordelia B. Preston Memorial Library, OrleansPalmyra Memorial LibraryPlainview Public LibraryShelton Public LibrarySouth Sioux City Public LibraryKilgore Memorial Library, YorkFunding for the project is supported and administered by the Nebraska Library Commission, in partnership with the Nebraska Library Systems.As the state library agency, the&nbsp;Nebraska Library Commission&nbsp;is an advocate for the library and information needs of all Nebraskans. The mission of the Library Commission is statewide promotion, development, and coordination of library and information services, “bringing together people and information.”Nebraska’s Regional Library Systems&nbsp;consist of four non-profit corporations governed by boards representative of libraries and citizens in the region. The four systems were established to provide access to improved library services through the cooperation of all types of libraries and media centers within the counties included in each System area.

$20,000 in Internship Grants Awarded to Nebraska Public Libraries

An Alliance man has been ordered to serve one year in prison for burglary.

41-year-old Brandon Picket Pin was convicted of burglarizing Simplot of Berea.

Court records indicate Picket Pin broke into Simplot on March 23 of last year.

Simplot’s security cameras revealed Picket Pin had taken a safety deposit box, several tools and a fuel tank filled with gasoline. 

Picket Pin then took the items to a pawn shop in Scottsbluff. 

In District Court, Picket Pin entered a plea of No Contest on November 13 and was sentenced on January 22.

He will be eligible for parole in about five months. 

An Alliance man has been ordered to serve one year in prison for burglary.41-year-old Brandon Picket Pin was convicted of burglarizing Simplot of Berea.Court records indicate Picket Pin broke into Simplot on March 23 of last year.Simplot’s security cameras revealed Picket Pin had taken a safety deposit box, several tools and a fuel tank filled with gasoline. Picket Pin then took the items to a pawn shop in Scottsbluff. In District Court, Picket Pin entered a plea of No Contest on November 13 and was sentenced on January 22.He will be eligible for parole in about five months.

Alliance man sentenced to prison 

The Alliance Public Schools Foundation is accepting applications&nbsp;from Alliance High School graduates and graduating seniors&nbsp;for the following scholarships:

Alliance Public Schools Foundation and Alliance Chamber of Commerce Ag Committee Scholarship One (1) $1,000 scholarship for a student who is enrolled or planning to enroll at an accredited two-year college, four-year college, or technical school and who is studying, or plans to study agriculture or an agriculture-related field.&nbsp;

Alliance Public Schools Foundation General Scholarship One (1) $2,000 scholarship awarded to a high school senior graduating from Alliance High School planning to enroll full-time in an accredited 2-year or 4-year college, university, vocational school, or community college&nbsp;

Alliance Public School Foundation Graduate Level Studies Scholarship One (1) $2,000 Scholarship awarded to Alliance High School graduates enrolled in or planning to enroll full-time in a graduate program at an accredited college or university.

Continuing Education Scholarship (for college sophomores, juniors, and seniors) One (1) $2,000 scholarship awarded to Alliance High School graduates who will be full-time enrolled in their second, third, or fourth academic year at an accredited college or university for the 2025-2026 school year.&nbsp;

Vocational Tech/Junior College Scholarship One (1) $1,500 scholarship awarded to students who have graduated or who are graduating from Alliance High School and who are enrolled or are planning to be enrolled full-time at an accredited two-year college and who are seeking an Associate’s Degree.

Alliance Public School Foundation Qualifying Income Scholarship One (1) $1,500 scholarship awarded to Alliance High School graduates who plan to enroll full-time at an accredited 2-year or 4-year college, university, vocational school, or community college.&nbsp;

Automotive/Communications Scholarship One (1) $1500 Scholarship awarded to a qualified Alliance High School graduate planning to enroll full-time in an accredited college or vocational school for the achievement of a degree in either an automotive-related field or communications/broadcasting.&nbsp;

Vet Tech Scholarship One (1) $500 Scholarship awarded to a qualified 2nd year student in Veterinary Technician training. Preference is given to high school graduates who have worked in a veterinary clinic, and show an aptitude and desire to continue in this field, as well as preference for sophomore or 2nd year college students.&nbsp;

Class of ’62 Opportunities Grant The Alliance High School class of 1962 is pleased to offer grants up to $5,000 to qualifying seniors or graduates of Alliance High School to help fund expenses for educational enhancement, including but not limited to, experience studying abroad, participation in music or dance classes, art or theater camps, language institutes, science forums, etc.&nbsp;

Class of ’45 Scholarship One (1) $500 Scholarship to a qualifying Alliance High School graduate enrolled full-time in a vocational school, or a two or four-year program at an accredited college or university.&nbsp;

AHS A-Club Scholarship The Alliance High School A-Club awards two (2) $1,000 scholarships to an Alliance High School graduating senior who is planning to enroll full-time at an accredited two-year or four-year college, university, vocational school or community college. In addition to meeting the foregoing criteria, eligible applicants must be an active member of the A-Club.&nbsp;

Kaye Hempel Memorial Scholarship One (1) $2,500 Scholarship awarded to a qualified student who has graduated or is graduating from Alliance High School and is pursuing or intending to pursue full-time a degree in elementary education, special education, or speech pathology at an accredited 4-year college. Preference will be given to applications from applicants pursuing or intending to pursue degrees in Special Education or Speech Pathology.&nbsp;

The Frank and JoAnn Tolstedt Scholarship Two (2) $500 scholarships awarded to a high school senior graduating from Alliance High School and planning to enroll full-time in an accredited four-year college or university.

The Class of ‘59 Lemming Aid Grant – Graduate School Grant One (1) $1,000 scholarship awarded to a graduate from Alliance High School who is enrolled in graduate school. Applicants must have a GED or diploma from Alliance High School, have a bachelor’s degree, and should provide a short narrative for their future aspirations. This Scholarship requires three (3) letters of recommendation.

The Class of ‘59 Lemming Aid Grant – Vocational/Technical Degree Grant One (1) $1,000 scholarship awarded to a graduate from Alliance High School who is enrolled or planning to enroll full-time in a 2-year Community College or technical school. Applicants must have a GED or diploma from Alliance High School, have a GPA of C+ or higher, and should provide a short narrative for their extracurricular, community, volunteer service, and future aspirations. This scholarship requires three (3) letters of recommendation.&nbsp;

The “Family is Everything” Scholarship One (1) $1,000 scholarship awarded to a high school senior graduating from Alliance High School and planning to enroll full-time in an accredited 2-year or 4-year college, university, vocational or technical school, or community college. Applicants must be enrolled in a course of study for health care or education.&nbsp;

Alliance High School Class of 1961 One (1) $1,000 scholarship awarded to a qualifying Alliance High School graduate enrolled full-time in a technical school who is in their first year of study.&nbsp;

The Andrea Todd Culinary School Scholarship One (1) $1,000 scholarship awarded for anyone seeking to attend higher education at a culinary school, whether for an associates, bachelor or certificate program.&nbsp; In addition to the application please submit an essay on your passion for food and how you feel you can make an impact in the food industry through your education.

Alliance High School Class of 1969 Two (2) $750 scholarships awarded to high school seniors graduating from Alliance High School and planning to enroll full-time in an accredited two-year or four-year college or university or trade school.&nbsp; Preference will be given to applicants who are going into a trade or educational field.

Blythe Boness Memorial Scholarship One (1) $1,000 scholarship award funded through memorials given in memory of Blythe for this scholarship purpose. This scholarship is awarded to one AHS graduate or a graduating high school senior from the Alliance Public School District.

Students who are involved in extracurricular activities may get slightly more consideration but a “gritty” essay and ambitious future goals will be the highest consideration.

Don Brown Memorial Scholarship One (1) $500 scholarship award funded through memorials given in memory of Don for this scholarship purpose. This scholarship is awarded to one AHS graduate or a graduating high school senior from the Alliance Public School District who has attended the Alternative Education Program.

Nic Gasseling Memorial Scholarship Three (3) separate scholarships in the amounts of $1,000, $750, and $500 will be awarded based on the specific criteria attached. The key component of this scholarship is the essay “What Friendship Means to Me”.&nbsp;

Jake Green Young Farmer Memorial Scholarship One (1) $500 scholarship will be awarded based on the specific criteria attached. The student who receives this scholarship must have a strong desire to actively participate in agriculture-related careers, i.e. Ag Business, Chemigation, Veterinary, etc.&nbsp;

Dick Boness Memorial Teacher Scholarship One (1) $1,000 nonrenewable scholarship to financially support students pursuing a postsecondary degree in education during their final two years of college.&nbsp; The scholarship will be awarded to an AHS graduate pursuing a teaching degree.&nbsp; The scholarship is funded through memorials given in memory of Dick Boness, who dedicated over 25 years to Alliance High School as an administrator and coach.

The Liggett Scholarship:&nbsp; Empowering Dreams, Honoring Heritage (1) $2,500 - $5,000 scholarship award.&nbsp; The applicant must be a graduating high school senior for AHS.&nbsp; Also eligible are AHS alumni who have graduated in the last two years.&nbsp; The applicant must reside on a farm or ranch, have direct ties to agriculture, and/or be of Native American descent.&nbsp; The applicant must plan to attend a post-secondary (2-4 year college), a technical school or training program related to their future career.

Detailed scholarship information can be found on the school website at&nbsp;<a href="http://alliancebulldogs.org/" target="_blank">alliancebulldogs.org</a>&nbsp;under Local APS Partners - Alliance Public Schools Foundation.&nbsp; Individuals may also contact Nate Lanik at the High School - 762-3359 or email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:nate.lanik@alliancebulldogs.org" target="_blank">nate.lanik@alliancebulldogs.org</a>.&nbsp; Scholarship applications are due by March 21, 2025 to Alliance Public Schools Foundation, 1604 Sweetwater, Alliance, NE&nbsp; 69301 or may be submitted online.

The Alliance Public Schools Foundation is accepting applications&nbsp;from Alliance High School graduates and graduating seniors&nbsp;for the following scholarships:Alliance Public Schools Foundation and Alliance Chamber of Commerce Ag Committee Scholarship One (1) $1,000 scholarship for a student who is enrolled or planning to enroll at an accredited two-year college, four-year college, or technical school and who is studying, or plans to study agriculture or an agriculture-related field.&nbsp;Alliance Public Schools Foundation General Scholarship One (1) $2,000 scholarship awarded to a high school senior graduating from Alliance High School planning to enroll full-time in an accredited 2-year or 4-year college, university, vocational school, or community college&nbsp;Alliance Public School Foundation Graduate Level Studies Scholarship One (1) $2,000 Scholarship awarded to Alliance High School graduates enrolled in or planning to enroll full-time in a graduate program at an accredited college or university.Continuing Education Scholarship (for college sophomores, juniors, and seniors) One (1) $2,000 scholarship awarded to Alliance High School graduates who will be full-time enrolled in their second, third, or fourth academic year at an accredited college or university for the 2025-2026 school year.&nbsp;Vocational Tech/Junior College Scholarship One (1) $1,500 scholarship awarded to students who have graduated or who are graduating from Alliance High School and who are enrolled or are planning to be enrolled full-time at an accredited two-year college and who are seeking an Associate’s Degree.Alliance Public School Foundation Qualifying Income Scholarship One (1) $1,500 scholarship awarded to Alliance High School graduates who plan to enroll full-time at an accredited 2-year or 4-year college, university, vocational school, or community college.&nbsp;Automotive/Communications Scholarship One (1) $1500 Scholarship awarded to a qualified Alliance High School graduate planning to enroll full-time in an accredited college or vocational school for the achievement of a degree in either an automotive-related field or communications/broadcasting.&nbsp;Vet Tech Scholarship One (1) $500 Scholarship awarded to a qualified 2nd year student in Veterinary Technician training. Preference is given to high school graduates who have worked in a veterinary clinic, and show an aptitude and desire to continue in this field, as well as preference for sophomore or 2nd year college students.&nbsp;Class of ’62 Opportunities Grant The Alliance High School class of 1962 is pleased to offer grants up to $5,000 to qualifying seniors or graduates of Alliance High School to help fund expenses for educational enhancement, including but not limited to, experience studying abroad, participation in music or dance classes, art or theater camps, language institutes, science forums, etc.&nbsp;Class of ’45 Scholarship One (1) $500 Scholarship to a qualifying Alliance High School graduate enrolled full-time in a vocational school, or a two or four-year program at an accredited college or university.&nbsp;AHS A-Club Scholarship The Alliance High School A-Club awards two (2) $1,000 scholarships to an Alliance High School graduating senior who is planning to enroll full-time at an accredited two-year or four-year college, university, vocational school or community college. In addition to meeting the foregoing criteria, eligible applicants must be an active member of the A-Club.&nbsp;Kaye Hempel Memorial Scholarship One (1) $2,500 Scholarship awarded to a qualified student who has graduated or is graduating from Alliance High School and is pursuing or intending to pursue full-time a degree in elementary education, special education, or speech pathology at an accredited 4-year college. Preference will be given to applications from applicants pursuing or intending to pursue degrees in Special Education or Speech Pathology.&nbsp;The Frank and JoAnn Tolstedt Scholarship Two (2) $500 scholarships awarded to a high school senior graduating from Alliance High School and planning to enroll full-time in an accredited four-year college or university.The Class of ‘59 Lemming Aid Grant – Graduate School Grant One (1) $1,000 scholarship awarded to a graduate from Alliance High School who is enrolled in graduate school. Applicants must have a GED or diploma from Alliance High School, have a bachelor’s degree, and should provide a short narrative for their future aspirations. This Scholarship requires three (3) letters of recommendation.The Class of ‘59 Lemming Aid Grant – Vocational/Technical Degree Grant One (1) $1,000 scholarship awarded to a graduate from Alliance High School who is enrolled or planning to enroll full-time in a 2-year Community College or technical school. Applicants must have a GED or diploma from Alliance High School, have a GPA of C+ or higher, and should provide a short narrative for their extracurricular, community, volunteer service, and future aspirations. This scholarship requires three (3) letters of recommendation.&nbsp;The “Family is Everything” Scholarship One (1) $1,000 scholarship awarded to a high school senior graduating from Alliance High School and planning to enroll full-time in an accredited 2-year or 4-year college, university, vocational or technical school, or community college. Applicants must be enrolled in a course of study for health care or education.&nbsp;Alliance High School Class of 1961 One (1) $1,000 scholarship awarded to a qualifying Alliance High School graduate enrolled full-time in a technical school who is in their first year of study.&nbsp;The Andrea Todd Culinary School Scholarship One (1) $1,000 scholarship awarded for anyone seeking to attend higher education at a culinary school, whether for an associates, bachelor or certificate program.&nbsp; In addition to the application please submit an essay on your passion for food and how you feel you can make an impact in the food industry through your education.Alliance High School Class of 1969 Two (2) $750 scholarships awarded to high school seniors graduating from Alliance High School and planning to enroll full-time in an accredited two-year or four-year college or university or trade school.&nbsp; Preference will be given to applicants who are going into a trade or educational field.Blythe Boness Memorial Scholarship One (1) $1,000 scholarship award funded through memorials given in memory of Blythe for this scholarship purpose. This scholarship is awarded to one AHS graduate or a graduating high school senior from the Alliance Public School District.Students who are involved in extracurricular activities may get slightly more consideration but a “gritty” essay and ambitious future goals will be the highest consideration.Don Brown Memorial Scholarship One (1) $500 scholarship award funded through memorials given in memory of Don for this scholarship purpose. This scholarship is awarded to one AHS graduate or a graduating high school senior from the Alliance Public School District who has attended the Alternative Education Program.Nic Gasseling Memorial Scholarship Three (3) separate scholarships in the amounts of $1,000, $750, and $500 will be awarded based on the specific criteria attached. The key component of this scholarship is the essay “What Friendship Means to Me”.&nbsp;Jake Green Young Farmer Memorial Scholarship One (1) $500 scholarship will be awarded based on the specific criteria attached. The student who receives this scholarship must have a strong desire to actively participate in agriculture-related careers, i.e. Ag Business, Chemigation, Veterinary, etc.&nbsp;Dick Boness Memorial Teacher Scholarship One (1) $1,000 nonrenewable scholarship to financially support students pursuing a postsecondary degree in education during their final two years of college.&nbsp; The scholarship will be awarded to an AHS graduate pursuing a teaching degree.&nbsp; The scholarship is funded through memorials given in memory of Dick Boness, who dedicated over 25 years to Alliance High School as an administrator and coach.The Liggett Scholarship:&nbsp; Empowering Dreams, Honoring Heritage (1) $2,500 - $5,000 scholarship award.&nbsp; The applicant must be a graduating high school senior for AHS.&nbsp; Also eligible are AHS alumni who have graduated in the last two years.&nbsp; The applicant must reside on a farm or ranch, have direct ties to agriculture, and/or be of Native American descent.&nbsp; The applicant must plan to attend a post-secondary (2-4 year college), a technical school or training program related to their future career.Detailed scholarship information can be found on the school website at&nbsp;<a href="http://alliancebulldogs.org/" target="_blank">alliancebulldogs.org</a>&nbsp;under Local APS Partners - Alliance Public Schools Foundation.&nbsp; Individuals may also contact Nate Lanik at the High School - 762-3359 or email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:nate.lanik@alliancebulldogs.org" target="_blank">nate.lanik@alliancebulldogs.org</a>.&nbsp; Scholarship applications are due by March 21, 2025 to Alliance Public Schools Foundation, 1604 Sweetwater, Alliance, NE&nbsp; 69301 or may be submitted online.

Alliance Public Schools Foundation offers scholarships

POST PODCAST: Coffee Talk: 30 Years Younger

CHADRON, Neb. (AP) — The Chadron Volunteer Fire Department was called into action early Saturday morning to battle a structure fire on the 100 block of Chapin Street.

Fire crews were dispatched at 1:45 a.m. following a report from a third party. Responders worked quickly to contain the blaze, ensuring the safety of nearby residents and minimizing damage to surrounding properties.

By 5:30 a.m., all responding fire units were relieved from the scene and returned to the fire hall.

No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

CHADRON, Neb. (AP) — The Chadron Volunteer Fire Department was called into action early Saturday morning to battle a structure fire on the 100 block of Chapin Street.Fire crews were dispatched at 1:45 a.m. following a report from a third party. Responders worked quickly to contain the blaze, ensuring the safety of nearby residents and minimizing damage to surrounding properties.By 5:30 a.m., all responding fire units were relieved from the scene and returned to the fire hall.No injuries were reported, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

Chadron volunteer firefighters respond to early morning blaze

P202500026 09:13 THEFT : THEFT Officer dispatched to report of shoplifting. Officer was familiar with the suspect through prior arrests, located her and cited. Closed - Charges Recommended

P202500030 10:06 TRAFFIC STOP : Officer observed revocated male operating a vehicle. Male was arrested. Closed - Charges Recommended

P202500034 17:09 THEFT : THEFT Closed - Charges Recommended

P202500031 23:04 MOTORIST ASSIST : Located a pickup parked and unoccupied in the middle of the street. Observed the vehicle had substantial front and driver's side damage. Short time later a citizen told officers about a fire hydrant that was damaged and leaking water onto the street Open - Under Investigation

P202500032 13:39 THEFT : THEFT Report of stolen plates / Plates entered into NCIC / Case inactive Inactive - Case Suspended

P202500033 08:07 WELFARE : WELFARE Closed - Charges Recommended

By Alliance Police Department01/20/25P202500026 09:13 THEFT : THEFT Officer dispatched to report of shoplifting. Officer was familiar with the suspect through prior arrests, located her and cited. Closed - Charges RecommendedP202500030 10:06 TRAFFIC STOP : Officer observed revocated male operating a vehicle. Male was arrested. Closed - Charges Recommended01/20/25 Total: 201/23/25P202500034 17:09 THEFT : THEFT Closed - Charges RecommendedP202500031 23:04 MOTORIST ASSIST : Located a pickup parked and unoccupied in the middle of the street. Observed the vehicle had substantial front and driver's side damage. Short time later a citizen told officers about a fire hydrant that was damaged and leaking water onto the street Open - Under Investigation01/23/25 Total: 201/24/25P202500032 13:39 THEFT : THEFT Report of stolen plates / Plates entered into NCIC / Case inactive Inactive - Case Suspended01/24/25 Total: 101/25/25P202500033 08:07 WELFARE : WELFARE Closed - Charges Recommended01/25/25 Total: 1Total Records: 6

Alliance Police Department: The media report

A total of 154 students qualified for the Mid-Plains Community College Dean’s List during the 2024 fall semester.

To make the list, students had to complete 12 or more applicable credit hours of college-level courses and maintain an overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 – 3.89 on a 4.0 scale. The qualifiers were:

Alliance – Caeson Clarke, Taytom Timbers

Broken Bow – Madison Neely, Halle Quinn, Rachel Simmons

Cozad – Christian Farmer, Nathan Topinka

Culbertson – Katie Jarecke, Caleb Wilkinson, Josiah Wilkinson

Gothenburg – Bryson Bussinger, Sierra Herfel

Imperial – Alejandra Castillo, Carson Jaeger, Alejandro Mendoza Ramirez, Grisleydi Ortega, Jesusita Ruiz, Carson Terryberry

McCook – Connor Ball, Beau Bieker, Mitchel Cole, Makynna Cunningham, Olivia Hodge, Maria Lopez-Campos, Evan Mai, Maceo Nielsen, Chris Reichert, Haylee Schlegel, Addyson Snyder, Harper Stevens, Byanka Tyan

North Platte – Kaitlyn Aloi, Jazlyn Arensdorf, Robert Avery, Alexandra Blackwell, Josie Bostwick, Leandra Chapman, Jocelyn Cheek, Colton Chrisman, Karlee Denny, Emma Elliott, Austin Elsen, Isaiah Estrada, Karla Hernandez, Jaxon Holsten, Jada Hothan, Rae Kirts, Beth Kramer, Kaylie Leibhart, Curtis McGehee, Natalie Miller, Mavrick Mintle, Sienna Mitchell, Landon O’Brien, Preston Pierce, Sebastian Purcell, Brandi Pyzer, Adrienna Quiroga, Jazlyn Richardson, David Rinke, Jaxton Robinson, Ashton Schiel, Brooklyn Songster, Madison Stewart, Rane Stockton, Christopher Swan, Andrew Tejral, Gianna Tejral, Billy Tolstedt, Trinity Vak, Marie VanOverbeke, Shaunee Welsh, Rorylin Zsitkovsky

Paxton – Dustin Clapp, Josh Eakins, Tanner Hebblethwaite, Aurey Holm

Sutherland – Jordy Cox, Lauren Haddow, Conner Hogan, Charlee Weber

Trenton – Madison Gestenslager, Wade Hodges, Jack McArthur, Drew Scott

Waianae – Laysha Cottrell&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Tacoma – Yanko Aguiar&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Andrew Brown, Owen Glover, Lachlan Jones, Myles Chabi

Angela Banzet, Anna Elliott, Leif Friedrich, Sadie Kahl, Payton Kinsley, Callie Klemenz, Jackson Lunn, Madison McGee, Olivia Pollon, Kaylee Smith, CJ Williams, Cornelius Wouters

MPCCA total of 154 students qualified for the Mid-Plains Community College Dean’s List during the 2024 fall semester.To make the list, students had to complete 12 or more applicable credit hours of college-level courses and maintain an overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 – 3.89 on a 4.0 scale. The qualifiers were:NebraskaAlliance – Caeson Clarke, Taytom TimbersAnselmo – Steven BurnettArcadia – Kristi CasperArnold – Samuel PetersonBrady – Edmond HaginBroken Bow – Madison Neely, Halle Quinn, Rachel SimmonsCallaway – Timothy WoodCambridge – Annon WolfCozad – Christian Farmer, Nathan TopinkaCulbertson – Katie Jarecke, Caleb Wilkinson, Josiah WilkinsonCurtis – Rian GoodEddyville – Sofia FosterGothenburg – Bryson Bussinger, Sierra HerfelGrant – Alyssa BriggsHershey – Kristyn WoolleyHoldrege – Joel CatlettHyannis – Laynee OhmImperial – Alejandra Castillo, Carson Jaeger, Alejandro Mendoza Ramirez, Grisleydi Ortega, Jesusita Ruiz, Carson TerryberryJohnson Lake – Travis RowedderKearney – Nolan BurrellLisco – Mckenzie EngelhauptMaxwell – Lexi WalkerMcCook – Connor Ball, Beau Bieker, Mitchel Cole, Makynna Cunningham, Olivia Hodge, Maria Lopez-Campos, Evan Mai, Maceo Nielsen, Chris Reichert, Haylee Schlegel, Addyson Snyder, Harper Stevens, Byanka TyanMerna – Gracey McIntyreNorth Platte – Kaitlyn Aloi, Jazlyn Arensdorf, Robert Avery, Alexandra Blackwell, Josie Bostwick, Leandra Chapman, Jocelyn Cheek, Colton Chrisman, Karlee Denny, Emma Elliott, Austin Elsen, Isaiah Estrada, Karla Hernandez, Jaxon Holsten, Jada Hothan, Rae Kirts, Beth Kramer, Kaylie Leibhart, Curtis McGehee, Natalie Miller, Mavrick Mintle, Sienna Mitchell, Landon O’Brien, Preston Pierce, Sebastian Purcell, Brandi Pyzer, Adrienna Quiroga, Jazlyn Richardson, David Rinke, Jaxton Robinson, Ashton Schiel, Brooklyn Songster, Madison Stewart, Rane Stockton, Christopher Swan, Andrew Tejral, Gianna Tejral, Billy Tolstedt, Trinity Vak, Marie VanOverbeke, Shaunee Welsh, Rorylin ZsitkovskyOgallala – Jill JonesPalisade – Ryleigh McCrumbPaxton – Dustin Clapp, Josh Eakins, Tanner Hebblethwaite, Aurey HolmSargent – Madison AndersonScotia – Bo PokornySidney – Vern GrahamSeward – Miriam VoehlStapleton – Cole KramerSutherland – Jordy Cox, Lauren Haddow, Conner Hogan, Charlee WeberSutton – Carey SteinhauerTrenton – Madison Gestenslager, Wade Hodges, Jack McArthur, Drew ScottTryon – Malaky JohnstonCaliforniaAlier AlierColoradoBroomfield – Ayana GoodwinCentennial – Mason ReganColorado Springs – Sydney SpillaneEaton – Danny PerdewFrederick – Tyler ReyburnGunnison – Will CaubleSterling – Audrey ReevesWiley – Fatima GomezHawaiiHoolehua – Kahiwa AugustiroWaianae – Laysha Cottrell&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;IndianaSellersburg – Marial DiperKansasAtwood – Jayden Chumley, Ella HorinekClafin – Kashlin BeckColby – Clayton BartonHill City – Maggie UnderhillKentuckyGlasgow – Meek AterOklahomaTulsa – Charles BaconOregonSisters – Jim HahlTexasMidland – Dax PattonUtahRichfield – Aubrey GrantWashingtonTacoma – Yanko Aguiar&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;WyomingFort Laramie – Cooper FauberRiverton – Nathan HutchinsonAustraliaAndrew Brown, Owen Glover, Lachlan Jones, Myles ChabiCanadaAngela Banzet, Anna Elliott, Leif Friedrich, Sadie Kahl, Payton Kinsley, Callie Klemenz, Jackson Lunn, Madison McGee, Olivia Pollon, Kaylee Smith, CJ Williams, Cornelius WoutersIsrealAviv BobrovSpainIrene Fernandez PavesioUgandaMatat Dhieu