last updated July 7, 2024 — Event times are tentative and subject to change

All Day&nbsp;-&nbsp;<a href="https://furtradedays.com/post/buckskinners/">Buckskinners primitive camp</a>, open to visitors&nbsp;(3 Miles East, ~8 miles south from Museum of the Fur Trade)

6-9 p.m.&nbsp;- Bands on Bordeaux - The Bar Flies&nbsp;(First Street, between Main &amp; Bordeaux streets)

6 p.m. - Midnight&nbsp;- Mac’s Carnival&nbsp;(East Second &amp; Bordeaux streets)

9 p.m. - Midnight&nbsp;- BAR D MUSIC, - DJ,&nbsp;(Downtown Plaza, Second &amp; Main streets)

10 a.m - noon&nbsp;- Nerf blaster war, by Thermopolis Nerf&nbsp;(Dawes County Courthouse Lawn)

Noon - 7 p.m.&nbsp;- Traders’ Market Officially Opens&nbsp;(Dawes County Courthouse Lawn)

12:30 p.m.&nbsp;- Black Hills Raptor Center&nbsp;(Dawes County Courthouse Lawn)

1 - 5 p.m.&nbsp;- Inflatables! Slip ’n’ Slide &amp; Waterslide&nbsp;(Dawes County Courthouse Lawn)

2 - 6 p.m.&nbsp;- Nerf blaster war, by Thermopolis Nerf&nbsp;(Dawes County Courthouse Lawn)

5 - 7 p.m.&nbsp;- Classics in the Park Cruise&nbsp;(315 W Third Street, FNBO Parking Lot)

6 - 8 p.m.&nbsp;-&nbsp;<a href="https://furtradedays.com/post/entertainment/#pete">Pete Butler</a>&nbsp;(Dawes County Courthouse Gazebo, Fourth and Main streets)

7:30 p.m.&nbsp;-&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/nwnebraskatrails">Glow and Grind Bike Parade</a>, Northwest Nebraska Trails Association&nbsp;(Chadron State College to Railroad Park)

8:30 p.m. - 12:30 a.m.&nbsp;- Karaoke @ Wild’s Bar &amp; Grill,&nbsp;(216 W Second Street)

9 p.m. - 1 a.m.&nbsp;- Live Entertainment, Eight Second Ride&nbsp;(Downtown, Second &amp; Main streets)

10 p.m.&nbsp;-&nbsp;<a href="https://furtradedays.com/post/fireworks">Fireworks</a>! Great views from the downtown street dance, East First Street (between Main &amp; Cedar streets), the Carnival (100-200 block of Bordeaux Street), or Roger Eaton Soccer fields (Main Street &amp; Norfolk Ave).

All Day&nbsp;-&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/dawescountysoftball/">11th Annual Rob Brown Memorial Softball Tournament (Mens)</a>,&nbsp;(Shumway Fields, E Niobrara Ave)

7:30 a.m.&nbsp;- Rotary Colter Run, 2-mile, 5k, 10k&nbsp;(CSC Nelson Physical Activity Center) must register in-person from 6:30-7:29 a.m. July 15

8 a.m.&nbsp;- Classics in the Park Registration&nbsp;(Wilson Park)

9 a.m. - 3 p.m.&nbsp;- Traders’ Market Opens&nbsp;(Dawes County Courthouse Lawn)

9:15 - 9:40 a.m.&nbsp;-&nbsp;<a href="https://furtradedays.com/post/parade/#flags">Parade of Historic Fur Trade Flags</a>&nbsp;(400 Block of Main Street)

9:45 - 10 a.m.&nbsp;-&nbsp;<a href="https://furtradedays.com/post/parade/#puppies">Parade of Puppies</a>&nbsp;(400 Block of Main Street)

10 a.m.&nbsp;-&nbsp;<a href="https://furtradedays.com/post/parade/#parade">48th Annual Lion’s Club Parade</a>&nbsp;(10th &amp; Main to First &amp; Main streets)

11 a.m.&nbsp;- The String Beans, family friendly music&nbsp;(Dawes County Courthouse Gazebo)

11 a.m.&nbsp;- Chadron Chamber of Commerce Ambassador’s BBQ&nbsp;(Dawes County Courthouse Lawn)

11 a.m.&nbsp;- Ice Cream Social - First Congregational Church of Chadron&nbsp;(4th Street and Chadron Avenue)

11 a.m. - 4 p.m.&nbsp;- Classics in the Park, Show and Shine&nbsp;(Wilson Park)

1 p.m.&nbsp;- Rotary World Championship Buffalo Chip Throw&nbsp;(400 Block of Main Street)

2 p.m.&nbsp;- Classics in the Park, Judging Deadline&nbsp;(Wilson Park)

3 p.m.&nbsp;- Bump and Run&nbsp;(Dawes County Fairgrounds, Adults $10, Teens $5, 12 and under FREE!)

3 p.m.&nbsp;- Classics in the Park, Awards Presentation&nbsp;(Wilson Park)

3 - 7 p.m.&nbsp;- CSC Spirit presents Cornhole Tournament&nbsp;(Downtown Plaza, Second &amp; Main streets)

3 - 7 p.m.&nbsp;- Chadron Christian Church Family Scavengery Hunt&nbsp;(Starts @ Wilson Park)

4 p.m.&nbsp;- Historical Cemetery Tour&nbsp;(Greenwood Cemetery, 1588 US Highway 20, $10 admittance, under age 15 free!)

7 p.m.&nbsp;- Historical Cemetery Tour&nbsp;(Greenwood Cemetery, 1588 US Highway 20, $10 admittance, under age 15 free!)

9 p.m. - 1 a.m.&nbsp;- Live Entertainment, Jessica Loobey&nbsp;(Downtown, Second &amp; Main streets)

<h2>2024 Fur Trade Days events</h2>last updated July 7, 2024 — Event times are tentative and subject to change<h2>Thursday, July 11, 2024</h2>All Day&nbsp;-&nbsp;<a href="https://furtradedays.com/post/buckskinners/">Buckskinners primitive camp</a>, open to visitors&nbsp;(3 Miles East, ~8 miles south from Museum of the Fur Trade)6-9 p.m.&nbsp;- Bands on Bordeaux - The Bar Flies&nbsp;(First Street, between Main &amp; Bordeaux streets)6 p.m. - Midnight&nbsp;- Mac’s Carnival&nbsp;(East Second &amp; Bordeaux streets)9 p.m. - Midnight&nbsp;- BAR D MUSIC, - DJ,&nbsp;(Downtown Plaza, Second &amp; Main streets)<h2>Friday, July 12, 2024</h2>All Day&nbsp;-&nbsp;<a href="https://furtradedays.com/post/buckskinners/">Buckskinners primitive camp</a>, open to visitors&nbsp;(3 Miles East, ~8 miles south from Museum of the Fur Trade)10 a.m - noon&nbsp;- Nerf blaster war, by Thermopolis Nerf&nbsp;(Dawes County Courthouse Lawn)Noon - 7 p.m.&nbsp;- Traders’ Market Officially Opens&nbsp;(Dawes County Courthouse Lawn)12:30 p.m.&nbsp;- Black Hills Raptor Center&nbsp;(Dawes County Courthouse Lawn)1 - 5 p.m.&nbsp;- Inflatables! Slip ’n’ Slide &amp; Waterslide&nbsp;(Dawes County Courthouse Lawn)2 - 6 p.m.&nbsp;- Nerf blaster war, by Thermopolis Nerf&nbsp;(Dawes County Courthouse Lawn)5 - 7 p.m.&nbsp;- Classics in the Park Cruise&nbsp;(315 W Third Street, FNBO Parking Lot)6 - 8 p.m.&nbsp;-&nbsp;<a href="https://furtradedays.com/post/entertainment/#pete">Pete Butler</a>&nbsp;(Dawes County Courthouse Gazebo, Fourth and Main streets)6 p.m. - Midnight&nbsp;- Mac’s Carnival&nbsp;(East Second &amp; Bordeaux streets)7:30 p.m.&nbsp;-&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/nwnebraskatrails">Glow and Grind Bike Parade</a>, Northwest Nebraska Trails Association&nbsp;(Chadron State College to Railroad Park)8:30 p.m. - 12:30 a.m.&nbsp;- Karaoke @ Wild’s Bar &amp; Grill,&nbsp;(216 W Second Street)9 p.m. - 1 a.m.&nbsp;- Live Entertainment, Eight Second Ride&nbsp;(Downtown, Second &amp; Main streets)10 p.m.&nbsp;-&nbsp;<a href="https://furtradedays.com/post/fireworks">Fireworks</a>! Great views from the downtown street dance, East First Street (between Main &amp; Cedar streets), the Carnival (100-200 block of Bordeaux Street), or Roger Eaton Soccer fields (Main Street &amp; Norfolk Ave).<h2>Saturday, July 13, 2024</h2>All Day&nbsp;-&nbsp;<a href="https://furtradedays.com/post/buckskinners/">Buckskinners primitive camp</a>, open to visitors&nbsp;(3 Miles East, ~8 miles south from Museum of the Fur Trade)All Day&nbsp;-&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/dawescountysoftball/">11th Annual Rob Brown Memorial Softball Tournament (Mens)</a>,&nbsp;(Shumway Fields, E Niobrara Ave)7:30 a.m.&nbsp;- Rotary Colter Run, 2-mile, 5k, 10k&nbsp;(CSC Nelson Physical Activity Center) must register in-person from 6:30-7:29 a.m. July 158 a.m.&nbsp;- Classics in the Park Registration&nbsp;(Wilson Park)9 a.m. - 3 p.m.&nbsp;- Traders’ Market Opens&nbsp;(Dawes County Courthouse Lawn)9:15 - 9:40 a.m.&nbsp;-&nbsp;<a href="https://furtradedays.com/post/parade/#flags">Parade of Historic Fur Trade Flags</a>&nbsp;(400 Block of Main Street)9:45 - 10 a.m.&nbsp;-&nbsp;<a href="https://furtradedays.com/post/parade/#puppies">Parade of Puppies</a>&nbsp;(400 Block of Main Street)10 a.m.&nbsp;-&nbsp;<a href="https://furtradedays.com/post/parade/#parade">48th Annual Lion’s Club Parade</a>&nbsp;(10th &amp; Main to First &amp; Main streets)<h2>FOLLOWING THE PARADE</h2>11 a.m.&nbsp;- The String Beans, family friendly music&nbsp;(Dawes County Courthouse Gazebo)11 a.m.&nbsp;- Chadron Chamber of Commerce Ambassador’s BBQ&nbsp;(Dawes County Courthouse Lawn)11 a.m.&nbsp;- Ice Cream Social - First Congregational Church of Chadron&nbsp;(4th Street and Chadron Avenue)11 a.m. - 4 p.m.&nbsp;- Classics in the Park, Show and Shine&nbsp;(Wilson Park)1 p.m.&nbsp;- Rotary World Championship Buffalo Chip Throw&nbsp;(400 Block of Main Street)1 - 5 p.m.&nbsp;- Inflatables! Slip ’n’ Slide &amp; Waterslide&nbsp;(Dawes County Courthouse Lawn)2 p.m.&nbsp;- Classics in the Park, Judging Deadline&nbsp;(Wilson Park)3 p.m.&nbsp;- Bump and Run&nbsp;(Dawes County Fairgrounds, Adults $10, Teens $5, 12 and under FREE!)3 p.m.&nbsp;- Classics in the Park, Awards Presentation&nbsp;(Wilson Park)3 - 7 p.m.&nbsp;- CSC Spirit presents Cornhole Tournament&nbsp;(Downtown Plaza, Second &amp; Main streets)3 - 7 p.m.&nbsp;- Chadron Christian Church Family Scavengery Hunt&nbsp;(Starts @ Wilson Park)4 p.m.&nbsp;- Historical Cemetery Tour&nbsp;(Greenwood Cemetery, 1588 US Highway 20, $10 admittance, under age 15 free!)6 p.m. - Midnight&nbsp;- Mac’s Carnival&nbsp;(East Second &amp; Bordeaux streets)7 p.m.&nbsp;- Historical Cemetery Tour&nbsp;(Greenwood Cemetery, 1588 US Highway 20, $10 admittance, under age 15 free!)8:30 p.m. - 12:30 a.m.&nbsp;- Karaoke @ Wild’s Bar &amp; Grill,&nbsp;(216 W Second Street)9 p.m. - 1 a.m.&nbsp;- Live Entertainment, Jessica Loobey&nbsp;(Downtown, Second &amp; Main streets)<h2>Sunday, July 14, 2024</h2>All Day&nbsp;-&nbsp;<a href="https://furtradedays.com/post/buckskinners/">Buckskinners primitive camp</a>, open to visitors&nbsp;(3 Miles East, ~8 miles south from Museum of the Fur Trade)

Fur Trade Days 2024 Schedule Of Events

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

-Ryan L Reynolds, Class 3A Felony, False imprisonment 1st degree, Class 1 Misdemeanor, DV assault&nbsp; 3rd/threat/menacing manner, Class 3 Misdemeanor, Disturbing the peace

-Dylan M Kaiser, Class 3A Felony, Terroristic threats, Class 3 Misdemeanor, Disturbing the peace

-Ashlee Seda-Salazar,&nbsp;Poss cont subX2, Poos drug para, Theft

-Britton Short,&nbsp;Poss deadly weapon by prohibitied person

-Antoine Perez,&nbsp;*Colorado HOLD-Sexual Assault

-Elizabeth Duarte,&nbsp;Poss cont sub, Poss drug para

-Daniel Hubbard Jr.,Poss contr sub, Shoplifting

-Gage Chitwood,&nbsp;Poss cont sub, Poss drug para

-Icamna Blue Legs, Class 3A Felony, DV assault 3rd/cause bodily injury/Sub

*All individuals included in this post are innocent of crimes until proven guilty in a court of law. The Panhandle Post assumes no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, or completeness, of this information. Any person who believes information provided is not accurate may submit a complaint via the “Contact Us” tab on the homepage.Box Butte Co:-Ryan L Reynolds, Class 3A Felony, False imprisonment 1st degree, Class 1 Misdemeanor, DV assault&nbsp; 3rd/threat/menacing manner, Class 3 Misdemeanor, Disturbing the peace-Dylan M Kaiser, Class 3A Felony, Terroristic threats, Class 3 Misdemeanor, Disturbing the peaceScottsbluff Co:&nbsp;-Ranae Robles,&nbsp;Poss cont sub-Ashlee Seda-Salazar,&nbsp;Poss cont subX2, Poos drug para, Theft-Robert Brown,&nbsp;Poss cont sub.-Britton Short,&nbsp;Poss deadly weapon by prohibitied person-Antoine Perez,&nbsp;*Colorado HOLD-Sexual Assault-Elizabeth Duarte,&nbsp;Poss cont sub, Poss drug para-Daniel Hubbard Jr.,Poss contr sub, Shoplifting-Gage Chitwood,&nbsp;Poss cont sub, Poss drug paraDawes Co:&nbsp;-Icamna Blue Legs, Class 3A Felony, DV assault 3rd/cause bodily injury/Sub

Panhandle police activity, July 2 - July 9

POST PODCAST: Coffee Talk: Citizenship Test

CHADRON – Chadron State College and the Saigon Business School (SBS) have signed an affiliation agreement that will benefit students seeking to earn a bachelor’s degree at CSC.

The agreement is similar to other 1+3 and 2+2 pathways. Students pursing a 1+3 degree pathway will complete one year of studies at SBS and then transfer to CSC for three years of study on campus. Students who choose the 2+2 pathway will complete two years of study at SBS and then complete two years at CSC.

“We look forward to our partnership with Saigon Business School to increase pathways for international students to pursue their academic goals while pursuing a degree in the United States,” said Chadron State College President Ron K. Patterson&nbsp;

Patterson, who has a strong background in recruiting international students, said it was a matter of time when CSC would have the opportunity to identify an international partner institution. SBS and CSC will continue to establish and encourage additional mutually beneficial educational endeavors that could include student exchange and study abroad programs, faculty and staff exchanges for research, teaching, and presentation of special courses, professional development, and conferences of mutual interest.

By CSC COLLEGE RELATIONS<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720714053140.jpeg" alt="Associate Professor of Business Dr. Gary Dusek instructs students in the Burkhiser Complex. (Photo by Daniel Binkard/Chadron State College)" />
 <figcaption>Associate Professor of Business Dr. Gary Dusek instructs students in the Burkhiser Complex. (Photo by Daniel Binkard/Chadron State College)</figcaption>
 </figure>CHADRON – Chadron State College and the Saigon Business School (SBS) have signed an affiliation agreement that will benefit students seeking to earn a bachelor’s degree at CSC.The agreement is similar to other 1+3 and 2+2 pathways. Students pursing a 1+3 degree pathway will complete one year of studies at SBS and then transfer to CSC for three years of study on campus. Students who choose the 2+2 pathway will complete two years of study at SBS and then complete two years at CSC.“We look forward to our partnership with Saigon Business School to increase pathways for international students to pursue their academic goals while pursuing a degree in the United States,” said Chadron State College President Ron K. Patterson&nbsp;Patterson, who has a strong background in recruiting international students, said it was a matter of time when CSC would have the opportunity to identify an international partner institution. SBS and CSC will continue to establish and encourage additional mutually beneficial educational endeavors that could include student exchange and study abroad programs, faculty and staff exchanges for research, teaching, and presentation of special courses, professional development, and conferences of mutual interest.

CSC signs agreement with Saigon Business School

POST PODCAST: BBHF Planning Annual Golf Scramble

The City of Chadron Water Department is asking all citizens to cease any unnecessary usage of water at this time.  Due to an electrical issue at the City of Chadron's Well fields, water restrictions need to be put in place for the entire city.  Please stop watering lawns, gardens and vehicles as soon as possible.  General household usage of water is fine at this time.  An update will be given as soon as this issue is fixed.  Estimated time of this restriction is 5 to 6 hours.  Thank you

By City of ChadronThe City of Chadron Water Department is asking all citizens to cease any unnecessary usage of water at this time. Due to an electrical issue at the City of Chadron's Well fields, water restrictions need to be put in place for the entire city. Please stop watering lawns, gardens and vehicles as soon as possible. General household usage of water is fine at this time. An update will be given as soon as this issue is fixed. Estimated time of this restriction is 5 to 6 hours. Thank you

City of Chadron asking citizens to cease unnecessary water usage

The Alliance Police Department has taken delivery of new, solar powered mobile surveillance unit from WCCTV, based in Dallas, Texas. After seeking bids from three companies, APD found that WCCTV offered the best combination of features, customer service and warranty. This unit was purchased with grant funds from the Rural Violent Crime Reduction Initiative at no cost to taxpayers.

The system uses a multi-view camera system. The primary camera is a pan-tilt-zoom camera with 40x zoom. The secondary camera has four fixed views. The unit is also equipped with a PA speaker to enable automated and real-time warning messages, perimeter protection and other features including motion notifications if enabled.

The unit is fully self-contained. Solar panels keep the unit’s batteries charged, and in the event of inclement weather, the unit can run up to 30 days even when clouds persist. It also has anti-theft and anti-tamper components. One camera angle provides security for the unit at all times. Camera feeds can be accessed in real-time on a desktop computer, or via the mobile app. Video is also stored internally for 30 days before being overwritten.

The Alliance Police Department is excited to bring this technology to our community. Our first deployment will be next week at the annual Heritage Days Festival. This technology will enable us to keep an eye on crowds and will also serve as a deterrent to criminal activity. Moving forward, the camera can be placed based on crime trends and feedback from the community including local business owners. 

For questions or to request the camera trailer in your area, please call APD at 308-762-4955 or email comments@bbcpublicsafety.us.

By Alliance Police Department<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720643150948.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Alliance Police Department has taken delivery of new, solar powered mobile surveillance unit from WCCTV, based in Dallas, Texas. After seeking bids from three companies, APD found that WCCTV offered the best combination of features, customer service and warranty. This unit was purchased with grant funds from the Rural Violent Crime Reduction Initiative at no cost to taxpayers.The system uses a multi-view camera system. The primary camera is a pan-tilt-zoom camera with 40x zoom. The secondary camera has four fixed views. The unit is also equipped with a PA speaker to enable automated and real-time warning messages, perimeter protection and other features including motion notifications if enabled.The unit is fully self-contained. Solar panels keep the unit’s batteries charged, and in the event of inclement weather, the unit can run up to 30 days even when clouds persist. It also has anti-theft and anti-tamper components. One camera angle provides security for the unit at all times. Camera feeds can be accessed in real-time on a desktop computer, or via the mobile app. Video is also stored internally for 30 days before being overwritten.The Alliance Police Department is excited to bring this technology to our community. Our first deployment will be next week at the annual Heritage Days Festival. This technology will enable us to keep an eye on crowds and will also serve as a deterrent to criminal activity. Moving forward, the camera can be placed based on crime trends and feedback from the community including local business owners. For questions or to request the camera trailer in your area, please call APD at 308-762-4955 or email comments@bbcpublicsafety.us.

Alliance police bring new surveillance camera to community 

By Patricia Jones, Alliance Community Task Force: Creating Opportunity

Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen has recently announced a special session of the Nebraska Legislature with the challenge to reduce property taxes. The Governor had campaigned on the goal of eliminating or shifting a total of 40% of the state’s tax burden away from property taxes. That’s about $2 billion of the $5.3 billion collected last year in property taxes across the state.

Pillen has suggested that the State should take over funding of public schools, the entity that collects the largest portion of our property tax. The question becomes, "How will he fund that?"

Recently Governor Pillen held town hall meetings across the state, including one in Alliance which I attended. His plan to reduce property tax relies on broadening the sales tax base. He wants to eliminate sales tax exemptions and plans to tax services. Pillen would also like to raise excise taxes on alcohol and tobacco products, including vaping.

We do not know if the Legislature will agree with the governor. Sales and excise (consumption) taxes are regressive. That means lower income people pay a higher percentage of their household earnings when they pay these taxes. Young people also pay a much higher percentage, since they have to make major purchases when they set up households. Retired people like me have already made those big purchases.

There is also the question of "What would the State have to eliminate?" Our government has certain fiscal responsibilities, things we want our tax money to pay for. When a tax is cut, there has to be a shift. That money must come from somewhere. And we've already cut taxes.

The Nebraska Legislature this year approved a $6.4 billion tax relief package. This included additional property tax credits and a credit for child care. The biggest change was a reduction in our state's income tax rates, lowering them to 3.99% for the two highest brackets by 2027. Previously the Legislature granted multiple tax credits, which different groups would be able to claim and deduct from their total income tax bill.

Nebraska has a progressive income tax system. That means higher income earners pay a larger percentage of their taxable income. First of all, everyone gets a standard deduction. In 2023, that was $13,850 for a single filer; $27,700 for married filing jointly. No income taxes are paid on this amount. There are also different amounts and rates for married filing separately and for head of household.

In 2023, the last income tax year, a single person paid 2.46% of their taxable income (income after subtracting any deductions, including the standard deduction), from zero earnings up to $3700; $7390 for married filing jointly. The rate goes up to 3.51% for the portion of our income that falls between $3700-$22,170 for single; $7390-$44,350 for married filing jointly. The rate is 5.01% for income between $22,170-$35,730 for single; $44,350-$71,460 for married filing jointly. The highest bracket is 6.64% for income over $35,730 for single; $71,460 for married filing jointly.

The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP) has evaluated each state according to who pays the taxes to support state and local governments - all taxes combined. In Nebraska, the lowest 20% and the middle 20% pay over 11% of their total household income to support state and local government. The wealthiest 1%, however, only pays 7.2%. In fact, in 41 states, the highest income families are taxed at lower rates than everyone else. Granted, they pay more total dollars. But it is a much greater burden on the people in other tax brackets.

The key findings of ITEP's research include the following:

By Patricia Jones, Alliance Community Task Force: Creating OpportunityNebraska Governor Jim Pillen has recently announced a special session of the Nebraska Legislature with the challenge to reduce property taxes. The Governor had campaigned on the goal of eliminating or shifting a total of 40% of the state’s tax burden away from property taxes. That’s about $2 billion of the $5.3 billion collected last year in property taxes across the state.Pillen has suggested that the State should take over funding of public schools, the entity that collects the largest portion of our property tax. The question becomes, "How will he fund that?"Recently Governor Pillen held town hall meetings across the state, including one in Alliance which I attended. His plan to reduce property tax relies on broadening the sales tax base. He wants to eliminate sales tax exemptions and plans to tax services. Pillen would also like to raise excise taxes on alcohol and tobacco products, including vaping.We do not know if the Legislature will agree with the governor. Sales and excise (consumption) taxes are regressive. That means lower income people pay a higher percentage of their household earnings when they pay these taxes. Young people also pay a much higher percentage, since they have to make major purchases when they set up households. Retired people like me have already made those big purchases.There is also the question of "What would the State have to eliminate?" Our government has certain fiscal responsibilities, things we want our tax money to pay for. When a tax is cut, there has to be a shift. That money must come from somewhere. And we've already cut taxes.The Nebraska Legislature this year approved a $6.4 billion tax relief package. This included additional property tax credits and a credit for child care. The biggest change was a reduction in our state's income tax rates, lowering them to 3.99% for the two highest brackets by 2027. Previously the Legislature granted multiple tax credits, which different groups would be able to claim and deduct from their total income tax bill.Nebraska has a progressive income tax system. That means higher income earners pay a larger percentage of their taxable income. First of all, everyone gets a standard deduction. In 2023, that was $13,850 for a single filer; $27,700 for married filing jointly. No income taxes are paid on this amount. There are also different amounts and rates for married filing separately and for head of household.In 2023, the last income tax year, a single person paid 2.46% of their taxable income (income after subtracting any deductions, including the standard deduction), from zero earnings up to $3700; $7390 for married filing jointly. The rate goes up to 3.51% for the portion of our income that falls between $3700-$22,170 for single; $7390-$44,350 for married filing jointly. The rate is 5.01% for income between $22,170-$35,730 for single; $44,350-$71,460 for married filing jointly. The highest bracket is 6.64% for income over $35,730 for single; $71,460 for married filing jointly.The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP) has evaluated each state according to who pays the taxes to support state and local governments - all taxes combined. In Nebraska, the lowest 20% and the middle 20% pay over 11% of their total household income to support state and local government. The wealthiest 1%, however, only pays 7.2%. In fact, in 41 states, the highest income families are taxed at lower rates than everyone else. Granted, they pay more total dollars. But it is a much greater burden on the people in other tax brackets.The key findings of ITEP's research include the following:<ul>
 <li>The vast majority of state and local tax systems are regressive, or upside-down.&nbsp;This requires a much greater share of income from low- and middle-income families than from wealthy families. The absence of a graduated personal income tax in many states and a heavy reliance on consumption taxes contribute to this effect.</li><li>The lower one’s income, the higher one’s overall effective state and local tax rate.&nbsp;</li><li>Heavy reliance on sales and excise taxes makes tax systems more regressive.&nbsp;</li><li>States described as “low tax” are often high tax for low-income families.</li>
 </ul>

Getting Ahead: Can we cut property taxes? 

It's the time of year where corn is starting to grow and driving out on rural roads may impact your vision when coming up to intersections. When approaching an intersection, double check both ways before entering the intersection. 

Drivers may have the right of way at a controlled intersection, it's best to slow down or come to a complete stop to double check both ways before continuing through. The Nebraska Department of Transportation states the maximum speed limit on a gravel road is 50 mph.&nbsp;

North Platte PostIt's the time of year where corn is starting to grow and driving out on rural roads may impact your vision when coming up to intersections. When approaching an intersection, double check both ways before entering the intersection. Drivers may have the right of way at a controlled intersection, it's best to slow down or come to a complete stop to double check both ways before continuing through. The Nebraska Department of Transportation states the maximum speed limit on a gravel road is 50 mph.&nbsp;

Safety reminder when traveling on rural roads as corn quickly grows

Chadron’s Open Frontier District was recently named a certified Nebraska Creative District and was awarded a $10,000 Nebraska Arts Council Certification Grant. The Nebraska Creative District Program utilizes the arts as an economic driver to support communities in Nebraska by telling their stories and elevating the value of the arts.

The Open Frontier Creative District showcases a historically rich and under-discovered area with additional untapped potential. A committee of representatives from the county, city college, the Chadron Arts Center and the Museum of the Fur Trade collaborated on the application for certification.

“The footprint of the newly-created district encompasses a combination of visual and performing arts, cultural and architectural significance, along with culinary arts and other creative businesses,” said Discover Northwest Nebraska Director Kerri Rempp. “The committee focused on the city’s ties to fur trading and homesteading pioneers and the area’s continued potential for growth in arts and culture activities during the application process.”

The district encompasses Chadron State College, War Memorial Park and the high school campus, frontage along Main Street, the entire Downtown Historical District, Art Alley, the Chadron Public Library and the Chadron Arts Center.

“There are already more arts and culture activities taking place within the footprint than many people likely realize. One of the goals of the committee is to highlight just how much Chadron has to offer in the arts and culture segment,” Rempp said.

A five-year strategic plan establishes a number of goals and potential activities, some of which are already in various stages of planning or completion. Among them is fostering the success of the Chadron Open Art cooperative gallery, encouraging innovation in the city’s annual events to include more arts offerings, increasing intergenerational engagement in the arts and improving indoor and outdoor spaces for the arts.

The $10,000 certification grant will be divided among three entities to make progress on those goals.

 $500 to Chadron Open Art to obtain non-profit status to further its efforts to promote local and regional artisans.

 $1,000 to Art Alley for overhead lighting to improve visibility and safety in the alley.

 $8,500 to Chadron Arts Center to assist with the cost of building repairs to protect the building from damage and allow performance groups, art shows, weddings and other events continued access to the space.

The official certification also allows the City of Chadron, as district administrator, to apply for additional grant funding of up to $100,000.

“The committee will continue to meet throughout the year to determine progress toward and opportunities for our goals,” Rempp said.

In the meantime, check out the Open Frontier Creative district website at https://discovernwnebraska.com/open-frontier-creative-distric/ to learn about all there is to see and do.

In 2020, the Nebraska State legislature passed a bill to create the Creative Districts program. The program works to promote and support economic development and placemaking opportunities in communities dedicated to growing their arts-related economic sectors.

Nebraska Creative Districts must submit a letter of interest, an Eligibility Assessment, and a Strategic Plan as part of the approval process. Goals can include attracting artists and creative enterprises, encouraging business and job development, establishing the district as a tourist destination, preserving and reusing historic buildings, and promoting the district’s cultural and historical heritage.

For more information about the Creative District program, please visit the Nebraska Arts Council website at www.artscouncil.nebraska.gov/explore/creative-districts/ or call the office at 402-595-2122.

By Discover Northwest Nebraska<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720625987055.png" alt="Morgan Fawver rides his bike through Chadron's Art Alley, part of the newly certified Open Frontier Creative District. Photo courtesy of Brandon Davenport." />
 <figcaption>Morgan Fawver rides his bike through Chadron's Art Alley, part of the newly certified Open Frontier Creative District. Photo courtesy of Brandon Davenport.</figcaption>
 </figure>Chadron’s Open Frontier District was recently named a certified Nebraska Creative District and was awarded a $10,000 Nebraska Arts Council Certification Grant. The Nebraska Creative District Program utilizes the arts as an economic driver to support communities in Nebraska by telling their stories and elevating the value of the arts.The Open Frontier Creative District showcases a historically rich and under-discovered area with additional untapped potential. A committee of representatives from the county, city college, the Chadron Arts Center and the Museum of the Fur Trade collaborated on the application for certification.“The footprint of the newly-created district encompasses a combination of visual and performing arts, cultural and architectural significance, along with culinary arts and other creative businesses,” said Discover Northwest Nebraska Director Kerri Rempp. “The committee focused on the city’s ties to fur trading and homesteading pioneers and the area’s continued potential for growth in arts and culture activities during the application process.”The district encompasses Chadron State College, War Memorial Park and the high school campus, frontage along Main Street, the entire Downtown Historical District, Art Alley, the Chadron Public Library and the Chadron Arts Center.“There are already more arts and culture activities taking place within the footprint than many people likely realize. One of the goals of the committee is to highlight just how much Chadron has to offer in the arts and culture segment,” Rempp said.A five-year strategic plan establishes a number of goals and potential activities, some of which are already in various stages of planning or completion. Among them is fostering the success of the Chadron Open Art cooperative gallery, encouraging innovation in the city’s annual events to include more arts offerings, increasing intergenerational engagement in the arts and improving indoor and outdoor spaces for the arts.The $10,000 certification grant will be divided among three entities to make progress on those goals.The recipients will be: $500 to Chadron Open Art to obtain non-profit status to further its efforts to promote local and regional artisans. $1,000 to Art Alley for overhead lighting to improve visibility and safety in the alley. $8,500 to Chadron Arts Center to assist with the cost of building repairs to protect the building from damage and allow performance groups, art shows, weddings and other events continued access to the space.The official certification also allows the City of Chadron, as district administrator, to apply for additional grant funding of up to $100,000.“The committee will continue to meet throughout the year to determine progress toward and opportunities for our goals,” Rempp said.In the meantime, check out the Open Frontier Creative district website at https://discovernwnebraska.com/open-frontier-creative-distric/ to learn about all there is to see and do.In 2020, the Nebraska State legislature passed a bill to create the Creative Districts program. The program works to promote and support economic development and placemaking opportunities in communities dedicated to growing their arts-related economic sectors.Nebraska Creative Districts must submit a letter of interest, an Eligibility Assessment, and a Strategic Plan as part of the approval process. Goals can include attracting artists and creative enterprises, encouraging business and job development, establishing the district as a tourist destination, preserving and reusing historic buildings, and promoting the district’s cultural and historical heritage.For more information about the Creative District program, please visit the Nebraska Arts Council website at www.artscouncil.nebraska.gov/explore/creative-districts/ or call the office at 402-595-2122.

Chadron’s Open Frontier earns creative district certification

Here's a look at this week's concerts in Chadron, Scottsbluff, Alliance and Gering. You can find a full schedule of concert stories under the News Tab and then click on Kman's Concert Calendar.&nbsp;

<div><iframe title="Post Podcast: Kman's Concert Calendar, week starting July 9" 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=dfapx-16637dd-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=2&font-color=&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=5" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>Here's a look at this week's concerts in Chadron, Scottsbluff, Alliance and Gering. You can find a full schedule of concert stories under the News Tab and then click on Kman's Concert Calendar.&nbsp;

Kman's Concert Calendar, week starting July 9 

SIDNEY – Brodie Mitchell and Alexys Hurt sat at a table inside a cozy coffee shop just off Interstate 80, sipping specialty drinks and discussing their decision to pursue a health care career.

The University of Nebraska at Kearney students talked about their desire to help others and make a positive impact on their communities.

“It’s a very challenging career, but yet a very gratifying one,” said Mitchell, a sophomore from Cambridge in the pre-medicine program. “When you can directly see how your work is improving somebody’s life, that’s something that’s just so rewarding.”

Mitchell wants to practice family medicine with obstetrics, allowing him to care for patients of all ages. Hurt plans to work in radiologic technology, another of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.unk.edu/academics/health_sciences/index.php">20-plus pre-professional programs offered by UNK Health Sciences</a>.

“There’s such a wide variety of options in health care,” the sophomore from Dannebrog said. “You can go into a lot of things. It’s not just one specific career path.”

Both UNK students are part of the Health Science Club and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.unk.edu/academics/health_sciences/scholarshipprograms.php">Kearney Health Opportunities Program</a>&nbsp;(KHOP), a collaboration with the University of Nebraska Medical Center that provides scholarships, academic support and professional development activities for Lopers who plan to practice health care in rural communities.

“Being from a small town, I know what rural hospitals do for communities,” Hurt said. “It’s a completely different experience from larger hospitals. In a rural hospital, you can do a lot more and you build more personal connections with patients because you’re in a smaller community. That’s a big part of why I want to stay rural.”

“I think there’s something to be said about the camaraderie that you build in a small town,” Mitchell added. “You’re not just another doctor. I want those personal relationships with my patients, because I feel like that makes everything much more gratifying and rewarding.”

They heard the same comments during a recent trip to Sidney, population 6,400.

Mitchell and Hurt spent five days in the western Nebraska community while participating in the new Rural Immersion Program.

Available to any UNK health science student, this innovative program gives Lopers an opportunity to experience rural health care firsthand, going well beyond the traditional networking events and hospital tours. Participants are exposed to numerous aspects of the profession – administration, laboratory services, emergency department, surgery, radiology and pharmacy, to name a few – allowing them to see how these individuals work together to care for patients.

Julie Calahan, engagement and retention coordinator for UNK Health Sciences, calls it a “transformative learning experience.”

“The Rural Immersion Program is a unique opportunity for our students to gain valuable insights and experiences that go beyond the classroom,” she said. “Students are able to connect with health care providers and participate in hands-on experiences, and they’re also able to learn more about the hospital and community as a whole.”

The program launched in January 2024, when two students spent time in McCook and shadowed at Community Hospital, which hosted another student last month. A total of five UNK students will participate through Sidney Regional Medical Center this summer, including Mitchell and Hurt.

“Our goal is to help with workforce demand across the state,” Calahan said. “When we place students in these communities for a longer period of time, they have a more in-depth opportunity to be engaged and learn about the dynamics of the hospital. They also have an opportunity to meet with community leaders and learn about local initiatives.

“When they finish their professional school and are ready to start their career, they have these connecting points back to these rural communities. Our hope is that they look back at those experiences where they really connected with a community and ultimately decide to live and work there.”

With more than 900 undergraduate students currently enrolled in UNK Health Sciences, the Rural Immersion Program could serve as an important recruiting tool for hospitals that are struggling to fill their workforce needs.

There’s an urgent demand for more health care professionals in communities across Nebraska, and Sidney is no exception.

Jason Petik, chief executive officer at Sidney Regional Medical Center, called the current shortage “scary as hell.”

“We have a workforce that unfortunately went through a pandemic in the last four years and that really hit us hard,” he said. “We’re really struggling to replace the people we lost.”

With roughly 400 employees and an annual payroll over $55 million, SRMC remains an economic driver for the region and, more importantly, a necessity for the people living there. It’s the second-largest critical access hospital in the state, providing services that would otherwise be a 90-minute drive away.

During their visit, the UNK students got to see a long-term care addition scheduled to open in September and they heard about plans to build a new cancer center. The current SRMC facility was completed in 2015, so it’s also a sign of the progress happening there.

“Sidney has a lot of great things going for it,” Petik said. “Yes, it is rural, and we don’t have access to absolutely everything all of the time. But we do have a very tightknit community and a very positive culture. We’re trying to grow.”

And they want UNK graduates to be part of that growth.

SRMC and more than a dozen other providers are part of UNK’s Hospital Partners program. Representatives traveled to Kearney for the first-ever Hospital Partners Networking Event in February and a group of KHOP students visited the Sidney hospital later in the semester.

Obviously, Petik hopes these interactions lead to employment offers down the road. But he also understands the importance of promoting rural health care across the state.

“We want to help them recognize that they can have a huge impact on people’s lives in health care, and it doesn’t have to be in Lincoln or Omaha,” Petik said. “It can be in Holdrege. It can be in Imperial. It can be in Gordon. These young adults need to realize that their skill sets are so needed in rural areas.”

Mitchell’s grandparents live in nearby Lodgepole and his aunt and uncle own and operate a popular ice cream shop in Sidney, so he was already familiar with the community.

Still, he was excited to see health care “from a different perspective.”

“If there’s one thing I’ve learned from job shadowing, it’s that no matter where you go, it’s almost always different,” said Mitchell, who works as a medical scribe at Tri Valley Health System in Cambridge. “Yes, you’re still treating patients, but the structure isn’t always the same.”

He was “really impressed” by SRMC and the amount of community support the hospital receives.

“Listening to them talk about how important patient care is to them and how they’re trying to make it more efficient and effective for people makes me even more excited about where the future of health care is going,” Mitchell said.

“I really like it,” she said of Sidney. “There’s a lot more than what I thought. When they say a rural town, it’s not really what I expected.”

During a community tour, Cheyenne County Tourism Director Kendra Mitchell showcased life outside the hospital. There’s a vibrant downtown with a historic steakhouse, fancy boutique, unique bicycle shop, “the cutest” two-screen movie theater and numerous other businesses. The Downtown Sounds outdoor concert series is hosted there each summer and there’s an ongoing effort to establish a “creative district” supporting similar activities and events.

Sidney also has a stunning golf course, beautiful parks and trails and easy access to outdoor adventures in Nebraska, Colorado and Wyoming. The community is just 100 miles from Cheyenne and 170 from Denver for those who want “a little dose of city.”

A past chairwoman on the Cheyenne County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Kendra Mitchell and her now-husband moved there from Fort Worth, Texas, more than a decade ago to work for Cabela’s. Although the outdoor retailer is no longer headquartered in Sidney, the young couple stayed because they love the close-knit community.

“You don’t have to live in a big city to have a full life,” she said. “You can pursue a pretty adventurous career here in our small community.”

The vice president of patient care services at SRMC has lived in Sidney for nearly three decades, serving as director of staff development at a local care center and teaching nursing classes at Western Nebraska Community College before joining the hospital 13 years ago.

She describes Sidney as a “family” that takes care of each other.

“If you spend time here, you understand the importance of the hospital to the community and you understand the importance of the community to western Nebraska,” Slagle said. “You get immersed in everything we have to offer and really get a feel for how friendly this community is.”

That message wasn’t lost on the visiting UNK students.

“These critical access hospitals in rural communities, they want you here,” Brodie Mitchell said. “They want to show you what they’re all about because they want you to come work for them someday.”

“By spending the whole week here, I get to know these people and they get to know me,” he added. “Networking is a huge part of finding a job anymore, and it’s all about who you know. So the more people you know, the more options you have, the better set up you are for a future career.”

UNK Health Sciences plans to continue growing the Rural Immersion Program, with Cozad Community Health System joining in January and other hospital partners likely to follow.

“I want to be able to offer two to three Rural Immersion Programs every year for students to take advantage of,” Calahan said. “We’ll continue to make sure this is another resource for them so they can get the most out of their learning experience.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720552963824.jpeg" alt="UNK students Alexys Hurt and Brodie Mitchell gained firsthand experience in rural health care through the Rural Immersion Program. They shadowed professionals at Sidney Regional Medical Center and spent five days in the western Nebraska community." />
 <figcaption>UNK students Alexys Hurt and Brodie Mitchell gained firsthand experience in rural health care through the Rural Immersion Program. They shadowed professionals at Sidney Regional Medical Center and spent five days in the western Nebraska community.</figcaption>
 </figure>By TYLER ELLYSONUNK CommunicationsSIDNEY – Brodie Mitchell and Alexys Hurt sat at a table inside a cozy coffee shop just off Interstate 80, sipping specialty drinks and discussing their decision to pursue a health care career.The University of Nebraska at Kearney students talked about their desire to help others and make a positive impact on their communities.“It’s a very challenging career, but yet a very gratifying one,” said Mitchell, a sophomore from Cambridge in the pre-medicine program. “When you can directly see how your work is improving somebody’s life, that’s something that’s just so rewarding.”Mitchell wants to practice family medicine with obstetrics, allowing him to care for patients of all ages. Hurt plans to work in radiologic technology, another of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.unk.edu/academics/health_sciences/index.php">20-plus pre-professional programs offered by UNK Health Sciences</a>.“There’s such a wide variety of options in health care,” the sophomore from Dannebrog said. “You can go into a lot of things. It’s not just one specific career path.”Both UNK students are part of the Health Science Club and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.unk.edu/academics/health_sciences/scholarshipprograms.php">Kearney Health Opportunities Program</a>&nbsp;(KHOP), a collaboration with the University of Nebraska Medical Center that provides scholarships, academic support and professional development activities for Lopers who plan to practice health care in rural communities.“Being from a small town, I know what rural hospitals do for communities,” Hurt said. “It’s a completely different experience from larger hospitals. In a rural hospital, you can do a lot more and you build more personal connections with patients because you’re in a smaller community. That’s a big part of why I want to stay rural.”“I think there’s something to be said about the camaraderie that you build in a small town,” Mitchell added. “You’re not just another doctor. I want those personal relationships with my patients, because I feel like that makes everything much more gratifying and rewarding.”They heard the same comments during a recent trip to Sidney, population 6,400.<h2>TRANSFORMATIVE EXPERIENCE</h2>Mitchell and Hurt spent five days in the western Nebraska community while participating in the new Rural Immersion Program.Available to any UNK health science student, this innovative program gives Lopers an opportunity to experience rural health care firsthand, going well beyond the traditional networking events and hospital tours. Participants are exposed to numerous aspects of the profession – administration, laboratory services, emergency department, surgery, radiology and pharmacy, to name a few – allowing them to see how these individuals work together to care for patients.Julie Calahan, engagement and retention coordinator for UNK Health Sciences, calls it a “transformative learning experience.”“The Rural Immersion Program is a unique opportunity for our students to gain valuable insights and experiences that go beyond the classroom,” she said. “Students are able to connect with health care providers and participate in hands-on experiences, and they’re also able to learn more about the hospital and community as a whole.”The program launched in January 2024, when two students spent time in McCook and shadowed at Community Hospital, which hosted another student last month. A total of five UNK students will participate through Sidney Regional Medical Center this summer, including Mitchell and Hurt.“Our goal is to help with workforce demand across the state,” Calahan said. “When we place students in these communities for a longer period of time, they have a more in-depth opportunity to be engaged and learn about the dynamics of the hospital. They also have an opportunity to meet with community leaders and learn about local initiatives.“When they finish their professional school and are ready to start their career, they have these connecting points back to these rural communities. Our hope is that they look back at those experiences where they really connected with a community and ultimately decide to live and work there.”<h2>FILLING A NEED</h2>With more than 900 undergraduate students currently enrolled in UNK Health Sciences, the Rural Immersion Program could serve as an important recruiting tool for hospitals that are struggling to fill their workforce needs.There’s an urgent demand for more health care professionals in communities across Nebraska, and Sidney is no exception.Jason Petik, chief executive officer at Sidney Regional Medical Center, called the current shortage “scary as hell.”“We have a workforce that unfortunately went through a pandemic in the last four years and that really hit us hard,” he said. “We’re really struggling to replace the people we lost.”With roughly 400 employees and an annual payroll over $55 million, SRMC remains an economic driver for the region and, more importantly, a necessity for the people living there. It’s the second-largest critical access hospital in the state, providing services that would otherwise be a 90-minute drive away.During their visit, the UNK students got to see a long-term care addition scheduled to open in September and they heard about plans to build a new cancer center. The current SRMC facility was completed in 2015, so it’s also a sign of the progress happening there.“Sidney has a lot of great things going for it,” Petik said. “Yes, it is rural, and we don’t have access to absolutely everything all of the time. But we do have a very tightknit community and a very positive culture. We’re trying to grow.”And they want UNK graduates to be part of that growth.SRMC and more than a dozen other providers are part of UNK’s Hospital Partners program. Representatives traveled to Kearney for the first-ever Hospital Partners Networking Event in February and a group of KHOP students visited the Sidney hospital later in the semester.Obviously, Petik hopes these interactions lead to employment offers down the road. But he also understands the importance of promoting rural health care across the state.“We want to help them recognize that they can have a huge impact on people’s lives in health care, and it doesn’t have to be in Lincoln or Omaha,” Petik said. “It can be in Holdrege. It can be in Imperial. It can be in Gordon. These young adults need to realize that their skill sets are so needed in rural areas.”<h2>BETTER FUTURE</h2>Mitchell’s grandparents live in nearby Lodgepole and his aunt and uncle own and operate a popular ice cream shop in Sidney, so he was already familiar with the community.Still, he was excited to see health care “from a different perspective.”“If there’s one thing I’ve learned from job shadowing, it’s that no matter where you go, it’s almost always different,” said Mitchell, who works as a medical scribe at Tri Valley Health System in Cambridge. “Yes, you’re still treating patients, but the structure isn’t always the same.”He was “really impressed” by SRMC and the amount of community support the hospital receives.“Listening to them talk about how important patient care is to them and how they’re trying to make it more efficient and effective for people makes me even more excited about where the future of health care is going,” Mitchell said.Hurt also had a positive experience.“I really like it,” she said of Sidney. “There’s a lot more than what I thought. When they say a rural town, it’s not really what I expected.”During a community tour, Cheyenne County Tourism Director Kendra Mitchell showcased life outside the hospital. There’s a vibrant downtown with a historic steakhouse, fancy boutique, unique bicycle shop, “the cutest” two-screen movie theater and numerous other businesses. The Downtown Sounds outdoor concert series is hosted there each summer and there’s an ongoing effort to establish a “creative district” supporting similar activities and events.Sidney also has a stunning golf course, beautiful parks and trails and easy access to outdoor adventures in Nebraska, Colorado and Wyoming. The community is just 100 miles from Cheyenne and 170 from Denver for those who want “a little dose of city.”A past chairwoman on the Cheyenne County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Kendra Mitchell and her now-husband moved there from Fort Worth, Texas, more than a decade ago to work for Cabela’s. Although the outdoor retailer is no longer headquartered in Sidney, the young couple stayed because they love the close-knit community.“You don’t have to live in a big city to have a full life,” she said. “You can pursue a pretty adventurous career here in our small community.”Julie Slagle agrees.The vice president of patient care services at SRMC has lived in Sidney for nearly three decades, serving as director of staff development at a local care center and teaching nursing classes at Western Nebraska Community College before joining the hospital 13 years ago.She describes Sidney as a “family” that takes care of each other.“If you spend time here, you understand the importance of the hospital to the community and you understand the importance of the community to western Nebraska,” Slagle said. “You get immersed in everything we have to offer and really get a feel for how friendly this community is.”That message wasn’t lost on the visiting UNK students.“These critical access hospitals in rural communities, they want you here,” Brodie Mitchell said. “They want to show you what they’re all about because they want you to come work for them someday.”“By spending the whole week here, I get to know these people and they get to know me,” he added. “Networking is a huge part of finding a job anymore, and it’s all about who you know. So the more people you know, the more options you have, the better set up you are for a future career.”UNK Health Sciences plans to continue growing the Rural Immersion Program, with Cozad Community Health System joining in January and other hospital partners likely to follow.“I want to be able to offer two to three Rural Immersion Programs every year for students to take advantage of,” Calahan said. “We’ll continue to make sure this is another resource for them so they can get the most out of their learning experience.”

‘They want you here’: Rural Immersion Program brings UNK health science students to the communities that need them

Nebraska big game hunting permits will be available for purchase by residents beginning July 10.

Residents may buy any available deer and antelope permits, within permit limits, starting at 10 a.m. Central Time. Eligible resident landowners may buy any limited landowner elk, deer and antelope permits.

Permits will be available through the close of the hunting season or until any quota sells out.

Purchases may be made online at&nbsp;<a href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.gooutdoorsne.com%2Flogin%3F_gl=1%252A1jbfeoo%252A_gcl_au%252AMTgyODIzODQ1Ny4xNzE1ODc0OTAz%252A_ga%252AMjEzMjQyMDQxMC4xNzE1ODc0OTAz%252A_ga_MFGSGX9CRV%252AMTcyMDUzNDk1NC4xMzkuMC4xNzIwNTM0OTU0LjAuMC4w%26utm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/01000190986feeee-b0578598-d460-416d-be80-58cd89d499ef-000000/Dl12JlU0TELeDKq5KGrCqhQoA8ZFBfk7rS3cG4DKVBA=361" target="_blank">GoOutdoorsNE.com</a>, in person at a Game and Parks office, or via mail: Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, 2200 N. 33rd&nbsp;St., Lincoln, NE, 68503.

For more information on big game hunting and permits, see the 2024 Nebraska Big Game Guide at&nbsp;<a href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/http:%2F%2Fwww.outdoornebraska.gov%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/01000190986feeee-b0578598-d460-416d-be80-58cd89d499ef-000000/NAVhPi0raIojtpwO2kUy12hoXyLThYBbzR6ivSOfCSQ=361" target="_blank">OutdoorNebraska.gov</a><a href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/http:%2F%2Foutdoornebraska.gov%2Fguides%2F%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/01000190986feeee-b0578598-d460-416d-be80-58cd89d499ef-000000/xtx7-QHLQ9ojJ9wbBIWqGznEz_tGV2q59JMGKYyY_6E=361" target="_blank"></a>.

Find online help for navigating the permit system at&nbsp;<a href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Foutdoornebraska.gov%2F%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/01000190986feeee-b0578598-d460-416d-be80-58cd89d499ef-000000/c3hmAKKNg3yGCMWapKydqvFUT-E7td-Kc3OS1O0CnEg=361" target="_blank">OutdoorNebraska.gov</a>; search for “permit help” or visit Game and Parks’ YouTube channel and watch the “Permits” playlist for step-by-step instructions navigating the permits purchasing website.

Nonresidents may buy limited deer and antelope permits in units subject to availability and within permit limits July 24 starting at 10 a.m. Central Time. Eligible nonresident landowners may buy any limited landowner elk or antelope permits.

By Nebraska Game and ParksNebraska big game hunting permits will be available for purchase by residents beginning July 10.Residents may buy any available deer and antelope permits, within permit limits, starting at 10 a.m. Central Time. Eligible resident landowners may buy any limited landowner elk, deer and antelope permits.Permits will be available through the close of the hunting season or until any quota sells out.Purchases may be made online at&nbsp;<a href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Fwww.gooutdoorsne.com%2Flogin%3F_gl=1%252A1jbfeoo%252A_gcl_au%252AMTgyODIzODQ1Ny4xNzE1ODc0OTAz%252A_ga%252AMjEzMjQyMDQxMC4xNzE1ODc0OTAz%252A_ga_MFGSGX9CRV%252AMTcyMDUzNDk1NC4xMzkuMC4xNzIwNTM0OTU0LjAuMC4w%26utm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/01000190986feeee-b0578598-d460-416d-be80-58cd89d499ef-000000/Dl12JlU0TELeDKq5KGrCqhQoA8ZFBfk7rS3cG4DKVBA=361" target="_blank">GoOutdoorsNE.com</a>, in person at a Game and Parks office, or via mail: Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, 2200 N. 33rd&nbsp;St., Lincoln, NE, 68503.For more information on big game hunting and permits, see the 2024 Nebraska Big Game Guide at&nbsp;<a href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/http:%2F%2Fwww.outdoornebraska.gov%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/01000190986feeee-b0578598-d460-416d-be80-58cd89d499ef-000000/NAVhPi0raIojtpwO2kUy12hoXyLThYBbzR6ivSOfCSQ=361" target="_blank">OutdoorNebraska.gov</a><a href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/http:%2F%2Foutdoornebraska.gov%2Fguides%2F%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/01000190986feeee-b0578598-d460-416d-be80-58cd89d499ef-000000/xtx7-QHLQ9ojJ9wbBIWqGznEz_tGV2q59JMGKYyY_6E=361" target="_blank"></a>.Find online help for navigating the permit system at&nbsp;<a href="https://links-1.govdelivery.com/CL0/https:%2F%2Foutdoornebraska.gov%2F%3Futm_medium=email%26utm_source=govdelivery/1/01000190986feeee-b0578598-d460-416d-be80-58cd89d499ef-000000/c3hmAKKNg3yGCMWapKydqvFUT-E7td-Kc3OS1O0CnEg=361" target="_blank">OutdoorNebraska.gov</a>; search for “permit help” or visit Game and Parks’ YouTube channel and watch the “Permits” playlist for step-by-step instructions navigating the permits purchasing website.Nonresidents may buy limited deer and antelope permits in units subject to availability and within permit limits July 24 starting at 10 a.m. Central Time. Eligible nonresident landowners may buy any limited landowner elk or antelope permits.

Big game permits available to residents starting July 10

Kimball, Neb. - On Wednesday, July 3rd, the Kimball Police Department and The Kimball Volunteer Fire Department were dispatched to Birch Street and West First Street as a pickup truck was on fire. There were no injuries. No further information was given. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720551274011.jpeg" alt="Vehicle fire in Kimball (Courtesy of Kimball Police Department)" />
 <figcaption>Vehicle fire in Kimball (Courtesy of Kimball Police Department)</figcaption>
 </figure>Panhandle PostKimball, Neb. - On Wednesday, July 3rd, the Kimball Police Department and The Kimball Volunteer Fire Department were dispatched to Birch Street and West First Street as a pickup truck was on fire. There were no injuries. No further information was given. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720551297633.jpeg" alt="Kimball volunteer fire fighters working on putting a fire out (Courtesy of Kimball Police Department)" />
 <figcaption>Kimball volunteer fire fighters working on putting a fire out (Courtesy of Kimball Police Department)</figcaption>
 </figure>

No injuries in last week's vehicle fire that occured in Kimball

Kimball County - Man gets arrested for a DUI after being involved in a two-vehicle accident in Kimball County.

According to the Kimball County Sheriff Office (KCSO), on Monday, July 8th, dispatch received a call of a two-vehicle accident that occurred on&nbsp;North Highway 71. While on scene, first responders encountered 36-year-old Ryan Burback who was under the influence of alcohol. Burback was arrested for DUI, child endangerment, and willful wreck less driving. No further information was given.&nbsp;

The KCSO was assisted by&nbsp;the Banner County Sheriff’s Office, Kimball EMS, Kimball Fire, Air Link, Regional West EMS, Kimball Police Department, Banner Fire, Banner EMS and Nebraska State Patrol.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720550820629.jpeg" alt="(Kimball County Sheriff's Office)" />
 <figcaption>(Kimball County Sheriff's Office)</figcaption>
 </figure>Panhandle PostKimball County - Man gets arrested for a DUI after being involved in a two-vehicle accident in Kimball County.According to the Kimball County Sheriff Office (KCSO), on Monday, July 8th, dispatch received a call of a two-vehicle accident that occurred on&nbsp;North Highway 71. While on scene, first responders encountered 36-year-old Ryan Burback who was under the influence of alcohol. Burback was arrested for DUI, child endangerment, and willful wreck less driving. No further information was given.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720550859901.jpeg" alt="Ryan Burback (Courtesy of Kimball County Sheriff's Office)" />
 <figcaption>Ryan Burback (Courtesy of Kimball County Sheriff's Office)</figcaption>
 </figure>The KCSO was assisted by&nbsp;the Banner County Sheriff’s Office, Kimball EMS, Kimball Fire, Air Link, Regional West EMS, Kimball Police Department, Banner Fire, Banner EMS and Nebraska State Patrol.

Man arrested for DUI after involved in a two-vehicle accident in the Panhandle

Branson Anderson will perform at Golden Hour BBQ in Alliance on Saturday, July 13 starting at 4pm during the Santa's Helpers Fundraiser.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720539424245.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Branson Anderson will perform at Golden Hour BBQ in Alliance on Saturday, July 13 starting at 4pm during the Santa's Helpers Fundraiser.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720539992284.jpeg" alt="Photo by Kalin Krohe.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Kalin Krohe.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>

Branson Anderson to perform during Santa's Helpers Fundraiser in Alliance 

Brandon Jones Band and Kalin Krohe Reference will perform at Bands on Broadway in downtown Scottsbluff on Thursday, July 11 from 6pm - 9pm.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720538328978.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Brandon Jones Band and Kalin Krohe Reference will perform at Bands on Broadway in downtown Scottsbluff on Thursday, July 11 from 6pm - 9pm.&nbsp;

Brandon Jones, Kalin Krohe Reference to play at Bands on Broadway in Scottsbluff

Alliance, NE – The City of Alliance is pleased to announce today that Carhenge has been recognized in Tripadvisor’s® Traveler’s Choice Awards for 2024. 

The award honors businesses that consistently earn great reviews, placing them among the top 10% of listings around the world on Tripadvisor.

For more information, please contact the administrative offices by calling 308-762-5400.

By City of AllianceAlliance, NE – The City of Alliance is pleased to announce today that Carhenge has been recognized in Tripadvisor’s® Traveler’s Choice Awards for 2024. The award honors businesses that consistently earn great reviews, placing them among the top 10% of listings around the world on Tripadvisor.For more information, please contact the administrative offices by calling 308-762-5400.

Carhenge wins Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award 2024

Over the past week, corn used 0.56 inches.

Expected use by corn for this week is 1.02 inches.

In the past week, beets used 0.37 inches.

Expected use by beets for this week is 0.65 inches.

Over the past week, potatoes used 0.84 inches.

Expected use by potatoes for this week is 1.44 inches.

Over the past week, dry beans used 0.07 inches.

Expected use by dry beans for this week is 0.11 inches.

Over the past week, soybeans used 0.66 inches.

Expected use by soybeans for this week is 1.14 inches.

Over the past week, sunflowers used 0.11 inches.

Expected use by sunflowers for this week is 0.19 inches.

Over the past week, wheat used 0.55 inches.

Expected use by wheat for this week is 0.95 inches.

Over the past week, alfalfa used 1.1 inches.

Expected use by alfalfa for this week is 1.98 inches.

In past week, actively growing lawns used 0.85 inches.

Expected use by actively growing lawns for this week is 1.6 inches.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/8/1565801151254.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Over the past week, corn used 0.56 inches.Expected use by corn for this week is 1.02 inches.In the past week, beets used 0.37 inches.Expected use by beets for this week is 0.65 inches.Over the past week, potatoes used 0.84 inches.Expected use by potatoes for this week is 1.44 inches.Over the past week, dry beans used 0.07 inches.Expected use by dry beans for this week is 0.11 inches.Over the past week, soybeans used 0.66 inches.Expected use by soybeans for this week is 1.14 inches.Over the past week, sunflowers used 0.11 inches.Expected use by sunflowers for this week is 0.19 inches.Over the past week, wheat used 0.55 inches.Expected use by wheat for this week is 0.95 inches.Over the past week, alfalfa used 1.1 inches.Expected use by alfalfa for this week is 1.98 inches.In past week, actively growing lawns used 0.85 inches.Expected use by actively growing lawns for this week is 1.6 inches.In the past week average ET gage readings were 1.1 inches.The average rainfall for the district was 0.51 inches.The weather forecast for the next week shows highs being in the 90’s and 100’s and the lows being in the 60’s.The crop water use report is completed using the average growth stage for each crop and ET gage reading from across the district. To find the conversion for your specific crop growth stage visit https://nawmn.unl.edu/GrowthStageDataFor more information or to inquire about ET gages or soil moisture monitoring equipment, please contact Robbin Randall at the Upper Niobrara White Natural Resources District at 308.432.6190 or visit our website at www.unwnrd.org. We are committed to helping Nebraskans conserve and protect groundwater.

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