Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
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I’ve heard on many occasions that tragedy proves the value of your friendships, relationships. A little more than 23 years ago an entire community had to quickly define itself when Columbine High School took its place among schools that had experienced a bloody rampage and loss of life. As the headlines unfolded, there were countless tears and hugs of support from friends and likely from people who felt the pain and offered their support to those directly connected with the incident. They didn’t...
As the summer sun arrives, so will new opportunities. Children of all abilities will be welcomed in the same park and on the same equipment as the Legion Park playground will be updated with play equipment for all children. More than two years ago, a few Sidney area residents had a vision of better, more inclusive play equipment at Legion Park. The goal was to design a play environment welcoming to children with mobility challenges, developmental issues and for children who do not have special...
What is the best, most equitable tax and accountability system for food vendors, specifically for those who don't anticipate significant presence or revenue in town? That is a question the Sidney city council has been debating since it was first approached by a man who wanted to start a hot dog cart, but was frustrated by the daily fee requirement. On April 12, the Sidney City Council met over an agenda including a proposed annual fee schedule for food vendors. City Manager David Scott proposed...
In downtown Sidney, about a block from the Cheyenne County Courthouse and near the business district is a clinic designed to serve a specific population, the veterans who have served the United States and often have specific health needs resulting from their service. There is also discussion of closing the clinic, a location defined as an “Other Outpatient Services (OOS) clinic. OOS clinics are for veterans to receive services that do not meet the criteria to be classified as a health care c...
For much of its history, the Sidney community has had a some degree of military presence. Recently, a part of the past resurfaced in another part of the country to tell its story, and thank those who served. In August 1956, the U.S. Army delivered a 1956 Chevrolet 150 sedan to the Sioux Army Depot northwest of Sidney. The Army green in color 216 CI six-cylinder sedan with a “three-on-the-tree” looked like what it was commissioned for: use as a staff car. It served its duty at the Depot unt...
The Cheyenne County School District No. 1 Board of Education met April 11. The board approved three resignations and four teaching contracts. Chaney Peterson resigned as the Sidney High School Ag teacher and FFA advisor. Peterson has been with the school district about two years. She helped revive the high school’s FFA program, including chaperoning students to the national convention and hosting a dinner and labor auction to benefit the chapter. “It has been a pleasure to work with you, the...
The only thing worse than Shangri-la exposed, is to learn it was designed with an enemy. We stumbled upon a movie, by a social critic of sorts who has gained a name for off-center cinema, about a cluster of people, who appear to be living in a different time. It was almost like a rewrite of Milton’s “Lost Horizon,” or maybe a variation of the creation story. Things are perfect. The elders are respected. Children can play safely. Young adults court and marry. Everything seems right in the world...
There's a quote that when you have a good job, keep an eye out for the next one. Likewise, some business managers live by the principal of advertise when business is good, and advertise more when business is struggling. The same can be said about economic development. When things are going well, look for the next opportunity, and when the community is struggling, work even harder. Economic Development starts with believing in your community, according to Sidney City Manager David Scott. Scott...
On April 3, Sidney City Manager David Scott and Colin Murphy, lead constructionist for ALLO Communications, met at the corner of Fort Sidney Road and 11th Avenue for a ceremonial groundbreaking. ALLO Communications is working to establish a fiber optic system in the Sidney area. The company has an office on Illinois Street, and is actively preparing the network for the first Sidney customers. According to the company's website, work begins well before ALLO becomes a familiar name. It started as...
On Friday, April 8, students in the Sidney School District who may often be seen as vocal, even bubbly, chose to be silent. Their silence, they admitted later, caused some awkwardness throughout the day. But they did it for a cause, for the Day of Silence. Day of Silence is promoted by GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network), which according to the organization's website, was formed by a group of teachers in 1990. “We conduct extensive and original research to inform our e...
Several years ago, a radio commentator said “you are where you are because you choose to be there.” I wanted to argue the point. Sometimes we are where we are because we choose not to be somewhere else. The social or work environment changes to prompt a move, or for those who just have a wanderlust, always curious what is beyond the next horizon, it is time to move on to new adventures. However, in defense of the comment, the move is a choice, a choice not to stay where you are. More rec...
Beans and Steams Coffee House was crowded with well-wishers, family, friends and former patients as Dr. Clinton Dorwart officially hung up his stethoscope, appointment book and is not renewing his license. The scene was busy with congratulatory wishes, sharing of memories and toasts to a fun and relaxing retirement. After 41 years of serving the area, it is likely his supporters are patients, and children of patients. “I've had enough,” Dr. Dorwart said Friday evening. Earlier this year, it was...
Republican candidate for Nebraska governor Charles W. Herbster calls this year's election the most important governor's race. Herbster made another stop at Beans and Steams Coffee House in Sidney on Wednesday, March 30. In his visit, he said issues and candidates make this a critical election for the governor's race. Among the issues, he said, is the Critical Race Theory (CRT). He said governor's races will impact the states and the country. He said CRT has been in the state for several years....
The Cheyenne County Fair Board has reached an agreement to bring Savanna Chestnut to the 2022 Cheyenne County Fair. Chestnut, from the southwestern Kansas town of Americus, just northwest of Emporia, has been nominated Rocky Mountain Country Music Awards from 2017 to 2021. Her music reflects her rural roots. Growing up in a small farm town, she developed a love for the sweet, twangy sounds of old school country music, and that is what she aims to bring back to the modern country scene,” a...
About two years ago, Cheyenne County added technology necessary to adapt to COVID-19 restrictions. The new technology allowed the county and district courts to continue remotely. Inmates or defendants could make an appearance for a court procedure by a secure Zoom type of conference, and likewise Judge Derek Weimer admitted he held court remotely from his home while recovering from COVID. “Our court rooms are right where they need to be,” he said. “I would put our court up against any of them...
The Cheyenne County Republicans met in the basement conference room at Security Bank on March 22. The night included a briefing on the Primary election by Cheyenne County Clerk Beth Fiegenschuh. Fiegenschuh talked about how the Primary ballot may not appear as some voters expect. The only races to be decided in the Primary election are contested races, she said. She said there needs to be more candidates than open seats to have an election; including incumbents and challengers. “Locally, t...
It seems like a generation ago people were excited about MySpace. It was marketed as a way for people to stay connected. The fun and silliness of life could be shared; party town for the world to take part in. A few years later, I press convention and the chatter was all about the excitement of publishing breaking news, as long as it was 160 characters or less. Within this timeline Facebook was also “born.” I often wonder how many people envisioned how complicated things could get. The more mob...
A community college has an extensive list of possibilities, of opportunities to be part of the community. Western Nebraska Community College's Interim President John Marrin met with Cheyenne County community representatives Thursday, March 17. The visit was part of a listening tour hosted by WNCC. The goal is to visit all 13 counties in the service area. “We want to hear from as many people as possible,” Marrin said in a press release on the college's website. The Sidney visit was initially sch...
I was recently perusing some of the book titles in my collection at home. My collection doesn’t say laser focused, although there is a prevailing theme. Depending on the shelf there is adventure, various philosophical thought or writers using fiction to search for the meaning of our existence. Some shelves look like I’m guilty of “Rabbit!” and take off on the chase, which I frequently am. One particular short series is actually rather interesting. What would you do if you were asked to do the eu...
The Sidney City Council on March 8 approved a crack seal contract with Hein Construction of Fairbury, Neb. In his presentation to the city council, Street Superintendent Hank Radtke said two companies submitted bids; Hein at .27 per linear foot and Bader's Highway & Street at .40 per linear foot. The council had already approved $75,000 for crack sealing. Hein Construction was awarded the contract as low bid. The council also approved a proposal by John Phillips for purchase of new light bulbs f...
The corner of Jackson Street and 10th Avenue has a history of mixing venues. There was a bookstore, and beside it a coffee shop. There was the coffee shop within the retail store, and soon there will be a coffee bar as part of a firearms store. A few years ago, as the Cabela's-Bass Pro change was being felt locally, several employees decided try their own ventures, resulting in two additional stores selling firearms and related accessories. Highby Outdoors started as an online business, then...
“It's a matter of life or meth.” The message is simple and straight-forward, and has resulted in a campaign against use of methamphetamines. Nebraska State Patrol Troopers Tim Flick and Brandon Smith were guests at West Elementary School for a presentation on drug use and abuse. The program is through the US Attorney’s Office, Nebraska State Patrol, Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) of Omaha, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Omaha Division, and the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office....
Methamphetamine is defined as the significant threat to the state of Nebraska. It has caught the attention of law enforcement and drug counselors to the point a campaign has been launched: “It's a matter of life or meth.” “Meth is a major threat across the state of Nebraska, Phil Lenz, FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Omaha, said at a meeting at Western Nebraska Community College in Sidney March 8. “We held our first training in Kearney,” he said. From Kearney, officials met with law enfor...
The May 10, 2022 Primary Ballot is dominated by candidates seeking to return to office. Of the 30 seats available, seven are challengers and one seat is vacant. No names were submitted for the office of county surveyor. Mindy Wiegand is challenging incumbent Debra A. Hume, both Republicans, for the office. County Commissioners Darrell J. Johnson (R-Second District) and Philip E. Sanders (R-Third District) are running unopposed, as is County Assessor Melody H. Keller (Republican), County...
The shuffle of papers and discussion of company plans were put on hold as the meeting room was transformed into a reception area recognizing a retirement after 42 years of employment. He grew up on a small acreage east of Chappell, but didn't consider himself a farmer. However, it spent much of his life helping farmers. Ron Duffield recently completed a 42 year career with the Frenchman Valley Cooperative in Chappell. He came into the work relationship with the Co-op needing a job. “I applied f...
