KBRB Radio- Ainsworth, Nebraska

Cindy and Malcolm Smith are the February winners of one dozen anniversary roses courtesy of KBRB Radio and The Rusty Petal of Ainsworth. Each month, all the anniversaries announced on KBRB are entered into a drawing for one dozen roses from The Rusty Petal. Congratulations to Malcolm and Cindy Smith, February's winners.

The Brown County Sheriff’s Department investigated a two-vehicle accident that occurred on Monday, March 1. At 9:24 a.m. in the 500 block of East Second Street, a 1998 Buick LeSabre, driven by Lyle Jones, 86, of Ainsworth, struck a parked 2006 Chevy van, owned by Marsha Smith of Ainsworth. No injuries were reported. Both vehicles sustained minor damage.

State Qualifiers
1st: Meg Maxwell—Informative Speaking
Jordyn Lechtenberg—Persuasive Speaking
Vance Heyer—Entertainment Speaking
2nd: Kayla Klammer—Humorous Prose
Kayla Klammer—Serious Prose
Emma Goodloe—Entertainment Speaking
3rd: Tessa Jacobsen—Informative Speaking
Emma Goodloe—Poetry
Vance Heyer—Extemporaneous Speaking
Lars Johnson, Rhe’Ann McBride, Ciara Philben, Nate Rau, Jon Theis—OID

Other Medalists
4th: Reilly Hoch—Humorous Prose
Rhe’Ann McBride & Maggie Steinhauser—Duet Acting
6th: Ciara Philben—Poetry
Neiley Fernau—Persuasive Speaking
Nate Rau & Jon Theis—Duet Acting
Katie Brown, Whitley McBride, Steve Parker, Amanda Theis—OID
Superiors: Conner Kozisek—Extemporaneous Speaking
Savannah Clapper—Serious Prose

1st of 9 in the team standings

“This contest turned out better than I could have imagined,” AHS coach Mary Rau said. “For the first time in my coaching career, every district entry received an award. The team came to districts ready to do their best, and that’s exactly what happened.
“We were going against schools that we hadn’t seen in the regular season, so that was a little nerve-wracking, but speech is about focus, and nothing was going to shake our focus going into this competition.
“Ainsworth has 11 speakers competing in 10 events at the state tournament in Kearney on March 18. This is an exciting time for the team, but we still have work to do to prepare for state.”

Southwest Conference Results from Feb. 24
Varsity
3rd: Tessa Jacobsen—Informative Speaking
Lars Johnson, Rhe’Ann McBride, Ciara Philben, Nate Rau, Jon Theis—OID
4th: Meg Maxwell—Informative Speaking
Emma Goodloe—Poetry
6th: Emma Goodloe—Entertainment Speaking
Superiors: Reilly Hoch-Humorous Prose
Kayla Klammer—Humorous Prose
Kayla Klammer—Serious Prose
Ciara Philben—Poetry
Conner Kozisek—Extemporaneous Speaking
Nate Rau & Jon Theis—Duet Acting
Jordyn Lechtenberg—Persuasive Speaking
Katie Brown, Whitley McBride, Steve Parker, Amanda Theis—OID

Team: 5th of 7

“Southwest Conference was as tough as usual,” Rau said. “We just do our best against the larger schools. Gothenburg was again the conference champion, followed by Minden and Ogallala.
“We always learn something when we compete at Southwest Conference, and we keep improving as we look toward districts.”

Joanne Lowe of O’Neill recently won $5,000 playing MyDaY from the Nebraska Lottery.
There were more than 8,000 Nebraska Lottery winners in the Feb. 18, drawing. Among these winners was Lowe, who purchased her winning MyDaY ticket at Pump & Pantry, 328 W. Douglas St. in O’Neill. One play on the ticket contained the winning Month (9), winning Day (24), and winning Year (33) from the Feb. 18 drawing for the $5,000 top prize.
One hundred and nine Nebraska Lottery players have won the MyDaY top prize since the game launched on Oct. 1, 2008.
MyDaY is a new Nebraska Lottery Lotto game with a calendar theme. Players can win up to $5,000 by choosing a six-digit date for each $1 MyDaY play. The odds of winning the $5,000 top prize in MyDaY are 1 in 36,525, and the overall odds of winning any prize are 1 in 8.17.

(Posted Feb. 26)
LINCOLN - Gov. Dave Heineman was notified that his request for a federal disaster declaration for Nebraska was approved by President Barack Obama for winter storms in December and January.
The current approval covers 34 of the 48 counties in the original request. The 14 remaining counties are still under consideration at this time, but Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has begun assessment to potentially add the other counties to the declaration.
In the coming weeks, NEMA will coordinate with federal officials to determine the full scope and impact of storm damages and begin recovery efforts. NEMA is scheduling applicant briefings in the affected counties beginning March 8 in order to complete project worksheets.
The declaration means federal aid is available to help supplement state and local recovery efforts in 34 counties struck by severe winter storms from Dec. 22 to Jan. 8. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will make funding available to state and eligible local governments on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and repairs of facilities damaged in the following 34 counties:
Adams, Antelope, Brown, Burt, Butler, Cass, Cherry, Clay, Dakota, Dodge, Douglas, Gage, Garfield, Hamilton, Jefferson, Johnson, Key Paha, Lancaster, Madison, Morrill, Nance, Nemaha, Otoe, Pawnee, Rock, Saline, Saunders, Seward, Stanton, Thayer, Thurston, Washington, Wheeler and York.
Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for all counties and tribes within the state.
Al Berndt, NEMA assistant director, said, “These storms produced large amounts of snow and ice throughout the eastern part of the state resulting in an estimated $11 million in damages. This declaration will help the counties affected in their recovery.”

Schedule for district speech on Saturday:
11 a.m. Preliminaries—Persuasive Speaking, Poetry, and Serious Prose
12:15 p.m. Preliminaries—Entertainment Speaking, Extemporaneous Speaking, and Informative Speaking
1:30 p.m. Preliminaries—Humorous Prose, Duet Acting, and OID

FINALS…
3:15 p.m. - OID, Persuasive Speaking, Humorous Prose
4:30 p.m. - Extemporaneous Speaking
5 p.m. - Duet Acting, Serious Prose
5:45 p.m. - Entertainment Speaking
6:30 p.m. - Informative Speaking, Poetry

7:30 p.m. - Awards in the Learning Center

The Brown County Sheriff's Department investigated a one-vehicle accident that occurred on Wednesday, Feb. 24. At 12:05 a.m. on Old Highway 7 just south of the Meadville Bridge, a 1994 Ford F-150 driven by Nathan Arends, 33, of Springview, was traveling north when, just south of the Meadville Bridge, the vehicle slid into the bridge guardrail due to icy conditions. The Ford continued onto the guardrail and became lodged. No injuries were reported. Damage to the Ford was estimated at $100. The guardrail, owned by Brown County, sustained $500 damage.

(Posted Feb. 23)
The Brown County Foundation is offering $2,800 for the 2010 Community Project Grants. Applicants for the funds may obtain a copy of the guidelines and an application form by downloading the form from www.ainsworthlinks.com, writing the foundation at PO Box 323, Ainsworth, NE 69210 or calling Susan Spann. The completed applications are due April 1. As in previous years, these grants are to assist civic groups and organizations with their volunteer projects and they must contribute to the betterment of life in Brown County.
Additionally, the Brown County Foundation is offering two educational scholarships in 2010 to Brown County residents and Ainsworth High School graduates who meet the following requirements. For the $500 Non-Traditional Student Scholarship, the student must live full-time in Brown County, must not be enrolled in high school, and the student must be enrolled in a program or intending to enroll in a program at a vocational school, community college or college. For the $500 Upper Class Student Scholarship, the student must have graduated from Ainsworth High School or received their GED in Brown County and must have successfully completed their first year of college at a vocational school, community college, college or university. Applications for either of these scholarships may be obtained by e-mail at ainsworthlinks.com and returned to Gerald Ehlers, 1025 E. Second St., Ainsworth, NE 69210 by April 1.
Other scholarships under the umbrella of the Brown County Foundation include the Adkisson Family, Ainsworth Alumni, Skinner Memorial, Tansy Pitcher Forbes, Ardeth Coleman Art Scholarship and First National Bank scholarships. For more details on these scholarships interested students should contact the AHS Guidance Counselor. Applications should be returned to Gerald Ehlers by April 15.

Students from Jeff Konkoleski’s government and geography classes provided information to the Ainsworth Board of Education during a Monday work session on the benefits of having laptop computers in the classroom.
Superintendent Darrell Peterson said he wanted students to report to the School Board periodically on the way the new laptop computers were being used.
Senior Emma Goodloe said course assignments and the schedule for the week are up on a class Web site.
“We know what we will need to make up if we are going to be gone,” Goodloe told the board. “It is also nice to have everything saved in one spot, instead of using seven or eight different computers throughout the day.”
Senior Kayla Klammer said students can post comments about a subject, and class notes can be emailed if students miss days for class activities.
“All of our assignments are on the course content page,” Klammer said. “Sometimes we are assigned to post a comment on an editorial we read, and the other students read the comment and reply.”
Konkoleski said the students are more engaged in class discussion by having the laptops.
“They are more apt to do their assignments electronically,” he said. “I can post links to Web sites I want them to visit. It gives them a quick reference.”
Peterson asked students and teacher what has changed for them in the three months since the laptop program has been implemented.
Klammer said the students are able to take notes right on their computers, which they can do faster than writing notes out.

“It gives us more time for discussion, but it really helps us when we are gone for activities,” Klammer said.
Geography student Katie Brown said the class sites have virtual assignment drop boxes, allowing students to send assignments to their teachers without having to print them out.
Konkoleski said the laptops have saved teachers a lot of planning time – time that can now be spent on preparing lessons.
“The kids can take a quiz and the computer automatically grades it,” Konkoleski said. “They know their results right away. Having the tests graded lets us assess the students on their homework quickly. It has cut my planning time in half.”
In other notes during Monday’s work session, the board received its first look at the 2010-11 school calendar.
Peterson said he may have the final version of the calendar ready for board approval by its March meeting.
Peterson reported a standards assessment group will visit the school on March 3, observing classrooms.
“It is about a five-year cycle when the group comes in,” the superintendent said.
The board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. March 8 in the district office.

On Friday, Feb. 19, the Brown County Sheriff's Department received a call of a possible sexual assault of a child that had taken place in the Ainsworth area. The sheriff's department, assisted by the Nebraska State Patrol, conducted an investigation of the incident, and subsequently arrested a 25-year-old Ainsworth man on a charge of sexual assault of a child.

Justin Kues of Ainsworth is being held in the Brown County Jail on the charge. Bond was set at $100,000. An arraignment date has not yet been set.

Anyone with any information about this case, or any other case, is encouraged to contact the Brown County Sheriff's Department at (402) 387-1440 or call Crime Stoppers at (866) 434-4069. All callers remain anonymous.

The Brown County Hospital staff and related groups completed a fundraiser Sunday. The event, dubbed "The Not So Fine, Fine Arts Show," featured more than 20 separate variety performances. The performances raised $2,067, which will be put into a building fund that will soon result in the completion of a Healing Garden at the hospital. DVDs of both the Thursday and Sunday performances are available by calling the hospital before March 15.
The Healing Garden fund has been steadily growing from various family memorials since its inception. The garden will bear the name of former hospital staff member Betty Shelton. The staff and the Shelton family's continued involvement has helped make the memorial Healing Garden a reality for all patients and families at the hospital.

Randy Johnson was recognized for 30 years of service with the Ainsworth Volunteer Fire Department during the department's annual ball Saturday. Brad Waits and Fire Chief Brad Fiala each received recognition for 25 years with the department. Dennis Reinke has been a member of the department for 15 years, and Justin Nelson, Scott Pirnie and Todd Trobee were each recognized for five years of service with the fire department.

Two Rookie of the Year awards were presented, to Eric Kinkaid and Daniel Songer. Jim Wagner with William Krotter Lumber Co. of Ainsworth was named the Business Person of the Year. Randy Voss was recognized as the Community Person of the Year by the fire department.

The Ainsworth Area Chamber of Commerce is seeking a new look, and is sponsoring a logo contest. Logos submitted must be in an electronic format, must be original, and be received by March 26. The winner will receive $50 in chamber bucks. The winning entry, chosen by the Board of Directors, will become the property of the chamber of commerce. E-mail entries to chamber@threeriver.net.

The chamber of commerce is also contacting members about donating items for the chamber's annual Radio Takeover Day on April 1. If you would like to donate an item to help the chamber and also to help advertise your business, contact the chamber office at 387-2740.

The Brown County Sheriff's Department investigated a two-vehicle accident that occurred on Thursday, Feb. 11. At 11:20 a.m. at the Dollar General parking lot, a 2007 Ford F-150, driven by Sidney E. Salzman, 82, of Ainsworth, collided with a 2002 Ford Escort, driven by Hannelore A. Vaughn, 81, of Ainsworth. No injuries were reported. Damage to the Escort was estimated at $1,000. The F-150 did not sustain any damage.

Ainsworth Invitational
Varsity
1st: Vance Heyer—Extemporaneous Speaking
Lars Johnson, Rhe’Ann McBride, Ciara Philben, Nate Rau, Jon Theis—OID
Jordyn Lechtenberg—Persuasive Speaking
Rhe’Ann McBride & Maggie Steinhauser—Duet Acting
Kayla Klammer—Humorous Prose
Meg Maxwell—Informative Speaking
2nd: Neiley Fernau, Vance Heyer, Kayla Klammer, Jose Martinez—OID
Tessa Jacobsen—Serious Prose
Emma Goodloe—Poetry
Tessa Jacobsen—Informative Speaking
3rd: Ethan Johnson & Meg Maxwell—Duet Acting
Emma Goodloe—Entertainment Speaking
4th: Neiley Fernau—Persuasive Speaking
Claire Kozisek & Jordyn Lechtenberg—Duet Acting
5th: Beth Barrow—Extemporaneous Speaking
Kayla Klammer—Serious Prose
Rhe’Ann McBride—Humorous Prose
Nate Rau & Jon Theis—Duet Acting
6th: Savannah Clapper—Serious Prose
Ashton Wiebesiek—Informative Speaking
Superiors: Ciara Philben—Poetry
Lars Johnson & Ciara Philben—Duet Acting
Reilly Hoch—Humorous Prose
Vance Heyer—Entertainment Speaking
Novice
1st: Conner Kozisek—Extemporaneous Speaking
Katie Brown, Whitley McBride, Steve Parker, Amanda Theis—OID
Alyssa Kinning—Persuasive Speaking
Tricia Barnum & Reyna Martinez—Duet Acting
2nd: Aaron Goodloe, Tricia Barnum, Estephanie Garcia, Reyna Martinez—OID
Katie Brown & Amanda Theis—Duet Acting

Team: 1 of 9

Coach Mary Rau said, “ I was very pleased with our success on Saturday. We finished better than I hoped we would. I guess going two weeks in a row against really stiff competition paid off for us.
“We have a tough week ahead of us—Southwest Conference on Wednesday in Broken Bow and district competition here in Ainsworth on Saturday. It’s been quite a few years since we’ve been allowed to host a district, and we’re hoping that lots of students and community members will join our parents in supporting the team.”
The C1-6 District Contest will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday. Other schools assigned to the district are Bayard, Bridgeport, Gordon-Rushville, Hershey, Kearney Catholic, Kimball, Morrill and Southern Valley.

The Brown County Sheriff's Department investigated a two-vehicle accident that occurred on Wednesday, Feb. 17. At 9:53 a.m. at the Ainsworth Family Clinic parking lot, a 1985 Ford pickup, driven by Melvin Campbell, 61, of Ainsworth, collided with a 2007 GMC, driven by Dorothy Arent, 63, of Ainsworth. No injuries were reported. Damage to the GMC was estimated at $1,000. The Ford did not sustain any damage.

Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman is scheduled to be the guest speaker during the Farmers-Ranchers Cooperative’s 78th annual meeting Saturday, March 6, in the Brown County Community Hall at Johnstown.
Coop members will be served dinner at 5:30 p.m., followed by remarks from Heineman at 7 p.m. The cooperative’s annual business meeting, including the election of two board members, begins at 7:30 p.m. Members are asked to mail ballots to the coop or bring ballots to the annual meeting.

The Long Pine City Council Tuesday, during its second special session in as many weeks, unanimously voted to retain a law firm to investigate the Long Pine Foundation’s handling of funds related to the Long Pine Palace and fire hall project.
The council agreed to pay a $2,500 retainer to the firm Jacobsen, Orr, Nelson, Lindstrom and Holbrook to research the Long Pine Foundation’s handling of funds, and will pay the firm an hourly rate of $175.
“We see discrepancies that need to be looked at,” Councilman Craig Bernbeck said.
Asked how hiring this law firm was different to a previous firm that researched the same issue, Bernbeck said the previous attorney did not find all of the foundation’s discrepancies.
Brenda Bernbeck with the city clerk’s office later told KBRB the city had spent $11,719 in legal fees to the previous firm, Sederstrom and Erickson, since 2008.
Resident Lynn Robertson read a statement imploring the City Council not to move forward with hiring a second law firm.
“I am very concerned about the fiscal integrity of the city of Long Pine,” Robertson told the council members. “Please act responsibly in upholding your office for the best interests of the city of Long Pine and vote against this special agenda item to spend yet another huge amount of taxpayer revenue on an issue that has already been explored exhaustively.”
Mayor Al Graves said there was no way to determine how much would be spent with the new law firm as it conducted its investigation.
Following the meeting, Long Pine Foundation President Linda Alberts said she had no idea what city officials were after.
“Every cent we have raised for the fire hall project is in an account in Omaha under the control of the Nebraska Community Foundation,” Alberts said. “I have no idea where they think this wrongdoing is coming from.”

Following a public hearing Tuesday, the Brown County Commissioners approved the one- and six-year road plan for the county roads department.
Presented by Highway Superintendent Lloyd Smith, there are 23 projects included in the county’s one-year plan and a total of 46 through the duration of the six-year plan.
Smith said, due to the wet weather and the problems the county experienced with flooding in 2009, 78 percent of the projects on the one-year plan were carried over from the previous year, and 82 percent of the projects on the six-year plan are holdovers.
“Most of these are maintenance or culvert projects,” Smith told the board. “Mother Nature kept us from getting a lot of these done last year.”
Commissioner Buddy Small asked how the list of projects was determined, and if there were too many projects to complete in the one-year plan.
Roads Foreman Dewey Jefferis said, “It could be a little loaded, but they all need to be done. When we set up these plans, we see where we have problems and come up with ideas on how to get them fixed."
There was little public comment during the hearing, though there was discussion on trying to obtain federal funds to work on the Meadville and Norden roads in northern Brown County.
In another roads item during Tuesday’s meeting, the board agreed to lock in a price of $11,308 per mile for any armor coating the county plans to undertake in 2010.
Dan Osborne with Topkote said the prices for oil and labor were the same as the previous year, and locking in the price did not obligate the county to spend any funding.
“You never pick out the miles you are going to armor coat until the spring,” Osborne said. “There have been years when you haven’t done any armor coating due to the budget.”
In addition to the $11,308 per mile, the county is responsible for supplying the gravel needed for the armor coating work, bringing the cost to around $13,000 per mile.
Commissioner Les Waits said the Elsmere Road was in need of armor coating.
“The Elsmere Road would take over $300,000 to armor coat,” Waits said. “We will probably have to break that work up into thirds.”
The commissioners, by a 2-1 vote with Waits against, approved advertising for bids for a pickup for the roads department. The board previously sought bids in December for a pickup, but no bids met the county’s specifications, including a price tag of $15,000 or less.
Bids for the pickup will be accepted until April 2.
The board also directed Jefferis to put together specifications for a new or used body and hoist for a county dump truck.
Jefferis said the current box has rusted out, and would cost $2,000 to $3,000 to try and repair.
He said, with a new body and hoist, the county could probably get another 20 years out of the piece of equipment.
The board learned of problems with the Geocom mapping project of roads and addresses in Brown County for emergency purposes. People on rural routes in the county will receive new addresses as the road names change.
Concerns included roads leading from Brown County to Rock County being named differently by each county, despite being the same road.
“It is our responsibility to name those roads,” Small said.
Sheriff Steve Hapner said he would work with Region 24 Emergency Manager Doug Fox and Geocom representatives to iron out the problems.
The board randomly appointed three officials to a county grievance board, which will hear any complaints made internally by county employees.
Drawn to serve on the board were Small, Hapner and Assessor Charleen Fox, with Treasurer Deb Vonheeder as the alternate.
Small said the discussion of a county grievance board was introduced during a recent Nebraska Association of County Officials workshop for county board members.
The board approved having insurance agent Ray Meyer negotiate with Cobecon for re-insurance to provide a price alternative to the county’s current carrier.
Following a lunch break, the commissioners toured the Willow Lake area as the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission contemplates draining the lake and poisoning the fish population to rid the water body of its rough fish population. No action was taken following that tour.
Acting as the Board of Equalization prior to the regular meeting, the commissioners did not alter the tax-exempt status of the Sandhills Rod and Gun Club.
The board had questioned why the sheriff’s department had been charged a $100 fee to use the shooting range to qualify its officers when the club was receiving tax-exempt status.
Representatives from the Rod and Gun Club said the fees were charged simply to provide upkeep on the shooting range.
The board’s next meeting is scheduled for March 2.

Five Republicans, including two incumbents, are vying for two seats on the Brown County Board of Commissioners.
Reagan Wiebelhaus, William R. Williams Jr. and Steve Swett have filed for the seats currently held by Les Waits and Russell O. Dodd, who have filed for re-election.
With no Democrats filing as of yet, the Republican Primary will determine who fills those seats for the next four years.
Tuesday was the last day for incumbent candidates to file for seats up during the primary election in May. Non-incumbents have until March 1 to file with the county clerk’s office.
Republican incumbent Steve Hapner will face a challenge in the Republican Primary in his bid for another term as Brown County’s sheriff. Retired Nebraska State Patrol sergeant and current Ainsworth City Councilman Bruce Papstein has filed as a Republican for the sheriff’s position. By doing so, Papstein removed his name from consideration for another term on the City Council.
Brown County Treasurer Deb Vonheeder, Clerk Janet A. Huggins, Assessor Charleen Fox and Attorney David M. Streich, all Republicans, do not yet face challenges in their bids for an additional four-year term in their respective office.
Ainsworth Mayor Russ Moody has been challenged by Walter L. Mauch for that position. If more than two candidates file prior to March 1, the primary election will trim the field to two candidates. If Mauch and Moody are the only two on the ballot, the mayoral race will not appear on the primary ballot in May.
With Papstein withdrawing his name from re-election consideration for the Ainsworth City Council, that leaves only incumbent Chuck Osborn as a candidate for two open seats on the council.
Long Pine Mayor Al Graves has been challenged by both Henry Thorne and Johnny Brown. That race will appear on the May non-partisan ballot, with two candidates advancing to the general election in November.
Six candidates have filed for two seats on the Long Pine City Council. Newcomers Sue Brown, Darlene Amos, Audrey Vandeventer and Sammy Ellis have challenged incumbents Ronald L. Hall and Craig Bernbeck. The Long Pine council field will be trimmed in the primary election, with the top four vote-getters advancing to the general election in the non-partisan race.
Incumbents Dan Dailey and Carolyn Johnson filed for additional four-year terms on the Ainsworth Board of Education. There are three four-year seats up for election on the School Board, in addition to a two-year term to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Jan O’Hare. Angie Davis, also an incumbent, has filed for the two-year seat, leaving an open four-year term with no candidate as of yet. More than six candidates would have to file by March 1 for the four-year board seats to appear on the primary, and three or more would have to file for the two-year seat.
Elsewhere in Brown County, Matt Arens and Dwain Grunke, both incumbents, have filed for another term on the non-partisan Ainsworth Airport Authority. Incumbent Martin D. Graff has filed for another term as the Middle Niobrara Natural Resources District 6 seat, and incumbent Dean Jochem has filed for another term as a Middle Niobrara NRD at-large representative.
One candidate, newcomer Garry Denny, has filed for a six-year seat on the KBR Rural Public Power Board of Directors.
Very few races are currently contested in Rock County, with mostly incumbents filing to retain their seats. Non-incumbents do have until March 1 to file.
In the sheriff’s race, current Rock County Sheriff Willis Haynes did not file for another term. Democrat James E. Anderson has filed for the sheriff’s position.
Incumbent Commissioners Stan Larson and Becky Sawyer are facing opposition in the Republican Primary, as Jim Stout filed for a board seat. Clerk Joyce Stahl, Treasurer Linda May, Attorney Avery Guernsey and Assessor Monica J. Turpin do not yet face any challenges in their bids to retain their respective positions.
Like Ainsworth, three four-year seats and one two-year position are up for election on the Rock County Board of Education.
Incumbent Chad Peterson has filed for the two-year position. Incumbents Tonya Larson and Les Hall and newcomer Doug Stanton have filed for four-year terms, with incumbent Donita Shaw choosing not to run again.
Incumbents Bill Austin, Steven Kreitman and Bernie Hart have filed to retain their seats on the Rock County Airport Authority. Dennis Swanson is seeking another term on the KBR Rural Public Power Board of Directors, and incumbent Barry Frerichs is the only candidate as of yet for a seat on the Bassett City Council.
In Keya Paha County, both commissioners up for re-election will face a challenge in the Republican Primary. Incumbent Corey Nilson is being challenged by David Lewis in the Center District race, and incumbent Bruce Ritterbush faces a challenge from Dewey Peterson for the East District board seat.
Keya Paha County Treasurer Sandy McCoy, Clerk/Assessor Suzy Wentworth and Sheriff Jeff Kirsch, all Republicans, do not yet face a challenge to retain their respective positions.

(Posted Feb. 16)
In addition to fines, each case carries $48 in court costs
Dustin D. Daniels, 38, of Arcadia, charged with driving under suspension, fined $100.
Keith V. Smith, 26, of Ainsworth, first offense driving under the influence, $400 and six months probation; no operator’s license, $75.
James R. Cushing, 35, of Gordon, speeding 6-10 mph, $25.
Briana S. King, 21, of Ainsworth, expired in-transit decal, $50.
Sarah L. Hotchkiss, 28, of Ainsworth, no registration in vehicle, $25.
Joshua B. Windsor, 21, of Harrison, speeding 6-10 mph, $25.
Patricia A. Barta of Bassett, three counts of issuing a no-account check, fined a total of $150 and ordered to pay more than $1,100 in restitution.
Jay D. Vogelsang, 38, of Wanblee, S.D., speeding 6-10 mph, $25.
Keith D. Welding, 58, of O’Neill, speeding 6-10 mph, $25.

The Ainsworth Lions Club held its regular monthly meeting on Monday in the Golden Steer with 12 members present.
Lion Richard Albrecht distributed Lions Club Foundation calendars, made available by Gordon Smith, Lions Club District 38 Foundation Chairperson.
A letter has been received from the Nebraska Lions Club Foundation regarding club assistance in a program designed to help individuals manage diabetes. No action was taken, pending additional information from health care service providers in the community.
The All-Sports Banquet will be held on April 27, with the Lions Club work night scheduled for April 26. Lions Scott Ritter and Todd Mundhenke indicated that plans for the event are progressing. Albrecht will have tickets, priced at $7, available during the March Lions Club meeting.
Nominations for Lions Club Officers and Directors for 2010-11 were reviewed. The slate will be presented and voted upon during the March 18 meeting.
The Post-Prom Party Committee has asked for a contribution from the Lions Club for prizes. The Lions approved donating the same amount of Chamber Bucks as last year.
The Lions Club Mid-Winter Conference will be held on March 12-13 in Lexington. Anyone interested and available to represent the club should contact Albrecht or Jerry Ehlers.
Albrecht presented a draft of the 2010-11 Ainsworth Lions Club brochure he has been working on the past few weeks. The brochure will be available for print and distribution after the elections for 2010-11 next month.
Lion Darrell Peterson advised that the Ainsworth Community Schools would like to use the Lions Club Mobile Health Screening Program during the 2010-11 school year. Approximately 500 students would be participating in the screening, which could take up to three days. The Lions agreed to sponsor the Health Screening Program, which would require a nominal participation fee (estimated at $200) and provide volunteers to assist with the screening. The dates for the screening next school year would be set by the Lions Club Mobile Health Screening Unit. Peterson will submit the application by the deadline of April 1.
The next meeting will be held at noon on March 19.

North Platte Blue and Gold Tournament
Varsity
5th: Neiley Fernau, Vance Heyer, Kayla Klammer, Jose Martinez—OID
6th: Vance Heyer—Extemporaneous Speaking
7th: Lars Johnson, Rhe’Ann McBride, Ciara Philben, Nate Rau, Jon Theis—OID
Superiors: Jordyn Lechtenberg—Persuavie Speaking
Neiley Fernau—Persuasive Speaking
Kayla Klammer—Humorous Prose
Rhe’Ann McBride—Humorous Prose
Kayla Klammer—Serious Prose
Savannah Clapper—Serious Prose
Tessa Jacobsen—Serious Prose
Claire Kozisek & Jordyn Lechtenberg—Duet Acting
Rhe’Ann McBride & Maggie Steinhauser—Duet Acting
Lars Johnson & Ciara Philben—Duet Acting
Katie Brown & Amanda Theis--OID
Nate Rau & Jon Theis—Duet Acting
Meg Maxwell—Informative Speaking
Tessa Jacobsen—Informative Speaking
Vance Heyer—Entertainment Speaking
Beth Barrow—Extemporaneous Speaking
Katie Brown, Whitley McBride, Steve Parker, Amanda Theis—OID

Team: 15th of 28

“This was another tough tournament for us,” Ainsworth coach Mary Rau said. “There were a few disappointments, but that’s part of competing in speech. You never know when you’re going to get that one judge who can knock you out of medal contention. But, we continue to learn and grow, and hopefully the lessons will pay off where it counts - in conference and district competition.”
The speech team will finish its season with a flurry of activity. Saturday, Feb. 20, is the date for the Ainsworth Speech Invitational, with nine area teams in attendance. The following Wednesday, Feb. 24, the team travels to Broken Bow to compete in the Southwest Conference Tournament. On Saturday, Feb. 27, Ainsworth will be the host site for the C1-6 District contest.
All speech events are free of charge and open to the public. Rounds for the Ainsworth invitational on Saturday begin at 9 a.m.

Ownership of Ainsworth Feed Yards changed hands at an auction Tuesday in Ainsworth. Ainsworth Feed Yards has been owned and managed by three generations of the Sears family since 1962. The 49,000 head operation was initiated by Redmond and Myrtle Sears and was currently owned and operated by Robert and Korley Sears. Ainsworth Feed Yards was purchased by Rolling Stone Feed Yard of Ainsworth with some new local ownership. The purchase agreement indicated a March 1 takeover by the new owners, but an earlier date may be in effect pending the agreement of all parties.

Sometime during the last week, individual(s) intentionally knocked over a stop sign and then stole the post and sign. The sign was stolen from the intersection 2 miles north on Old Highway #7. If you have any information about this case, or any other case, you are encouraged to call the Brown county Sheriff's Office or Crimestoppers 1-866-434-4069 or locally at (402) 382-3121. You remain anonymous and could be eligible for a cash reward up to $1000.00.

The Ainsworth City Council spent a fair amount of time during their regular meeting Wednesday evening on issues including the temperature of the gym, water usage, and sewer problems. Jean Hunt offered the Council two proposals regarding the walking track at the Conference Center. The first proposal was to turn down the heat in the gym and the second was to extend accessibility of the walking track to the public. Currently the temperature in the gym is set at 63.5. The Council agreed to check into the cost and effectiveness of installing ceiling fans and the possibility of installing a programmable thermostat. The walking track is opened at 6 a.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. on weekends. The Council will explore ways of having the building opened at 6 a.m. on weekends and allow those renting the gym to determine whether or not they want the walking track closed during their rental period. Rick Brodbeck appeared before the Council to discuss water usage at his barbershop. The usage at his shop was twice that of his home. A new meter was installed in the barbershop a year ago. The City agreed to run a test of his current meter. Bill and Ruth Micheel discussed the recent sewer back up that occurred at their home on West Second Street. This is the third backup in nine years. The City Council directed Water Foreman Jones to run the sewer line every three months and do a camera inspection as soon as weather permits. The Micheels will submit a claim to the City for damages to their home. In routine business, the City Council approved the Mayor’s appointments of Jeff Carr as an alternate to the Board of Adjustment for a three year term and Evan Evans to the ABC Committee to fill the unexpired term of Rich Walters. The Council approved two resolutions…10-02 adopted the 1 & 6 year street plan and 10-03 authorized the Mayor to sign the USDA Rural Development Community Facility Application for the Ainsworth Library expansion. The USDA grant, if approved for Ainsworth would cover 35% of the total cost of the library project. Kristin Simonson-Olson and Jerry Ehlers, representing the NCIP Leadership Challenge Project gave the Council their quarterly progress update. The nineteen issues set forth at the January 2007 Town Hall meeting have been reclassified into six basic areas; youth, housing, private business sector, communication, infra-structure and NCDC. The team committees will wrap up their action plans at their next meeting and decide how to apply for the available $10,000 grant. A Town Hall meeting may be scheduled for April so residents can see what progress has been made since January of 07. Kristin Simonson-Olson then requested the Council authorize a letter of support of NCDC’s CDBG Application for Housing Non-Profit Operating Assistance. The USDA’s grant is for $25,000 a year for three years to assist with start up costs in developing available housing. The Council also approved the Certification of Local Government Review for Community Development Assistance Act Tax Credit Application for the acquisition and demolition of property for new home construction. Jess Hurlbert of Olsson and Associates presented the Council with an overview of the 2010 paving and sewer improvement project. The Council approved the signing of the contract with Olsson and Associates. Mr. Hurlbert stated the bid letting for the project could possibly take place in June. Ten bids were opened for the purchase of a Skid Steer owned by the City. Gary and Betsy Raymen of Stuart were the high bidders with $8,130.00. Two Bids were also opened for a three year contract on the mowing of the cemetery. The low bid was $34,800 including spraying and was submitted by Andrew Glidden of Bassett. The Councilmen wound up their meeting by discussing the specs for the restrooms to be constructed at East City Park.

The Long Pine City Council dismissed 15 members of the Long Pine Volunteer Fire Department during a special meeting Monday, alleging more than a dozen instances of misconduct.
This was the latest action in a long-running dispute between city officials and members of the Long Pine Fire Department and the Long Pine Foundation originally stemming from the proposed construction of a fire hall.
On Saturday, the Brown County Rural Fire Department removed four of its fire trucks and some equipment from the Long Pine Fire Hall after being originally denied entry Thursday.
Following the removal of the fire engines and equipment, Long Pine officials called a special meeting of the City Council.
During that meeting Monday, Council President Denise Crofutt read a statement alleging members of the Long Pine department: held illegal meetings; had alcohol available on city property; worked contrary to city hall; refused to follow the rules in the code book, state statutes and firemen bylaws; were not on the city’s insurance; failed to provide minutes of a firemen’s meeting to the city clerk after the meeting was held; failed to provide changes to the firemen’s bylaws to the city clerk after changes were made; were not appointed by the City Council; did not provide changes on the firemen’s roster to the City Council; failed to turn over city funds as a result of using city equipment and city property to acquire the funds; failed to account for funds and report expenditures to the city; and discriminated against fellow firemen.
Discharged from the department were Dave Crooker, Steve Swett, Jim DeBolt, Dan Dailey, Alex Gurnsey, Phil Brown, Mandi Turpin, Henry Thorne, Matt Pozehl, Kenny Turpin, Randell Swett, Garth Swett, Tyler Cress, John Brown and Mike Casto.
Contacted by KBRB following the meeting, Dailey, one of the 15 firefighters removed from the city department, said they would withhold comment for the time being while consulting legal advice.
“I have seen enough evidence of these wrong-doings,” recently appointed Councilman Craig Bernbeck said.
Councilmen Ron Hall and Lynn Gum also said, prior to voting in favor of the dismissals, they wanted to see something done and those firefighters replaced.

In addition to the dismissals, the council approved sending notice to those individuals to return all fire equipment to the city.
Region 24 Emergency Manager Doug Fox said Homeland Security funds had purchased several pieces of fire equipment, including radios, for the rural fire board, and that equipment would not be returned to the city.
The council appointed Eric Denney as the city’s fire chief, and approved for Denney’s appointment the names of 11 people the new chief submitted to become members of the city fire department.
Those approved by the council for the department were Lynn Gum, Paul Carpenter, Steve Douglas, Tim McGowan, Tony Bloomquist, Brad Witte, Craig Bernbeck, Brenda Bernbeck, James Dillon, and Duane Jackson.
Asked by KBRB if there was currently fire protection for Long Pine residents, Craig Bernbeck said the Bassett and Ainsworth departments would have to provide fire coverage for Long Pine for a month or so.
“We have new firefighters and a new truck to replace the trucks the rural fire board took,” Bernbeck said.
Asked if the Ainsworth and Bassett departments had agreed to provide coverage, Bernbeck said he would have to check into it.
Contacted by KBRB, Bassett Fire Chief Jim Stout said Bassett would not serve as a first-response agency after being asked to do so Thursday by Long Pine officials. Stout said Bassett firefighters would respond to mutual aid calls.
Ainsworth Fire Department Chief Brad Fiala said his department, contacted by Long Pine officials Friday morning, has agreed to be the first department paged to any fire calls inside the Long Pine city limits.
“The Long Pine Rural Fire Department will also be paged and respond,” Fiala said. “The town of Long Pine does have fire protection. I can tell you everyone will act in a professional manner.”
The Ainsworth fire chief said, when the pagers go off, his department can have a couple fire trucks on the road headed toward Long Pine within two or three minutes.
“We are here to save life and property,” he said.
Fiala said it was difficult for his department to remain neutral to the ongoing dispute, but the Ainsworth city firefighters were trying to do so.
“We are also all members of the Brown County Rural Fire Department,” the Ainsworth fire chief said.
Fiala said the Ainsworth and Bassett departments have supplied the Long Pine Rural Fire Department with some bunker gear to help that agency respond to calls.
“I am comfortable having the Long Pine Rural Department respond to calls,” Fiala said. “The city of Long Pine is a long way from having a fire department that can respond to a fire call,” Fiala said.
Brown County Rural Fire Chief Doug Rau also said Long Pine residents would have fire protection, but limited his official comments to that statement.
Fox, the emergency manager for the five counties of Region 24, which includes Brown, Keya Paha, Rock, Cherry and Boyd, said he did not believe a Long Pine City Fire Department could provide adequate coverage in an emergency situation, and would have to rely on other departments for the time being.
“Everything that was done by the City Council today was just done for the city fire truck, and that truck has not been certified yet,” Fox said. “There is so much happening right now, but I don’t have a concern about whether the rural fire department would respond to fire calls in the city of Long Pine. They would.”
Fox said he has tried to remain neutral throughout the dispute, but said much of the fire equipment has come from Region 24 and was purchased on behalf of the rural fire board.
“I do have concerns about the rural fire department getting all of its equipment back,” Fox said.
Fox said he would have a hard time asking a Long Pine city department to respond to an emergency situation without having its members completing NIMS incident command training and becoming certified.
“If I had a house in Long Pine right now, I would be concerned,” the Region 24 emergency manager said. “People’s insurance could go sky high because of this. I am hopeful my concerns will eventually go away.”

The Ainsworth Volunteer Fire Department and the Long Pine Rural Fire Department responded to a Monday afternoon fire near Long Pine. At approximately 3:20 p.m., a fire was reported on property west of Long Pine owned by Jack Roark. According to Ainsworth Fire Chief Brad Fiala, a John Deere skidder, driven by Lynn Sawle, was burning trees and logs on the Roark property when a spark ignited inside the skidder. Fiala said the fire did extensive damage to the vehicle's engine and cab, but the departments kept the blaze contained to the piece of equipment. No injuries were reported, and Fiala estimated the damage to the skidder at $20,000. Ainsworth firefighters returned to the fire hall by 4:30 p.m. The Brown County Sheriff's Department and Nebraska State Patrol also responded to the call and provided traffic control.

Jim Gustafson, Gift Planning Director and Jon Schmaderer, member of the Board of Directors of the Nebraska Community Foundation were guests of the Brown County Foundation on Wednesday, February 3, 2010. They provided information on the various methods available for making planned gifts to the Foundation. Gustafson and Schmaderer also shared interesting stories of gifts made that had been made of beans, buildings and collectables. This session followed the Brown County Foundation's regular meeting on Tuesday February 2. At the monthly Advisory Board meeting, the lease on the Skinner property and the Confidentiality Policy from the Nebraska Community Foundation were reviewed. The Board allocated $2,800.00 for grants for the year 2010. Approval was given to the Scholarship Committee which includes: Jerry Ehlers, Beth Chase, Lois Steuter, Barb Lamb, Sandy Schelm, Wardene Roark and Sherry Campbell. Contributions included $300.00 in Christmas honorariums, $70.00 in memorials and $250.00 in membership fees. The next meeting of the Advisory Board will be March 2, 2010 at 4 p.m. at the NCDC meeting room.

This year $2,800.00 is being made available by the Brown County Foundation for the 2010 Community Project Grants. Applicants for the funds may obtain a copy of the guidelines and an application form by: downloading the form from www.ainsworthlinks.com, writing the Foundation at PO Box 323, Ainsworth, NE 69210 or calling Susan Spann. The completed applications are due April 1, 2010. As in previous years these grants are to assist civic groups and organizations with their volunteer projects and they must contribute to the betterment of life in Brown County.

Super Bowl 44 is in the books, with the New Orleans Saints defeating the Indianapolis Colts, 31-17. KBRB took 194 score predictions for the big game Thursday and Friday, with 111 of the callers picking the Colts to win. The winner of this year's contest is Laura Privett of Ainsworth, who picked the Saints to win, 31-19, missing the actual score by just two points. Second place went to Brenda Connell of Ainsworth with a score of 28-17, three points off the total.

Others receiving prizes for being in the top eight included: 3. Teresa Denny of Long Pine; 4. Ben Allen of Ainsworth; 5. Jan Buoy of Bassett; 6. Iris Sisson of Ainsworth; 7. Josh Finley of Ainsworth; 8. Roxanne Troxel of Ainsworth.

According to Brown County Rural Fire Chief Doug Rau, four rural fire trucks were removed Saturday morning from the Long Pine City Fire Hall. Rau said there is still a question as to the ownership of some of the equipment associated with those vehicles.

The rural department requested to be allowed access to the vehicles to remove them from the city fire hall on Thursday, but were denied. Long Pine officials sent requests to the Brown County Sheriff's Department and Rock County Volunteer Fire Department, asking those agencies to be the first-response agencies for any emergency or fire calls in the city limits.

In response to the rural fire equipment being removed from the city fire hall, officials set a special meeting of the Long Pine City Council for 1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 8. On the agenda for that meeting is the possible termination of all current volunteers with the Long Pine Fire Department and the appointment of new firemen.

Long Pine and rural firefighters and members of the Long Pine Foundation are at odds with the Long Pine mayor and city council over a proposed fire hall construction project. That project has been in the works for three years, with the groups unable to reach an agreement over the funding. The project has been delayed again with the latest disagreements.

Kearney High Invitational
Varsity
6th: Meg Maxwell—Informative Speaking
9th: Rhe’Ann McBride & Maggie Steinhauser—Duet Acting
Superiors: Jordyn Lechtenberg—Persuasive Speaking
Alyssa Kinning—Persuasive Speaking
Ethan Johnson & Meg Maxwell—Duet Acting
Rhe’Ann McBride—Humorous Prose
Reilly Hoch—Humorous Prose
Lars Johnson, Rhe’Ann McBride, Ciara Philben, Nate Rau, Jon Theis—OID
Katie Brown, Whitley McBride, Steve Parker, Amanda Theis—OID
Alan Hurless—Informative Speaking

Team scores were not kept.

“This tournament was just as tough as I thought it would be,” coach Mary Rau said. “Lincoln East, who is consistently one of the strongest powerhouses in Class A, won the tournament with 400+ points. Coming in second was North Platte, with 138 points. We fared as well as the other smaller schools competing in Kearney - generally medaling one or two events.
“The Ainsworth team saw entirely different styles of speech writing, presentation, and judging in Kearney. Even though we didn’t get many awards, we made up for it in what we learned from others."
Next week’s competition takes the speech team to North Platte High School’s Blue and Gold Tournament on Saturday, Feb. 13.

The BKR 4-H speech contest was held Saturday at the Ainsworth school.
Eighteen 4-H’ers and Cloverkids presented speeches for judges Carol Plate, Marjorie Wilkins, Linda Trail and Angie Davis during the contest.
Purple ribbons were awarded to Katie Brown, Moriah Heerten, Vanessa Taylor and Henry Beel.
Blue ribbons were awarded to Jenny Brown, Shelby Jones, Jenna Williams and Hunter Martin.
Receiving red ribbons in the contest were Wichita Price, Becky Arens and Mikki Arens.
Mila Pozehl, Montana Price, Ethan Arens, Atley Titus, Jensen Williams and Aubree Arens received cloverkid ribbons.
Emma Good received a purple ribbon in the Public Service Announcement contest.
Four-H’ers selected to represent the BKR Counties at the Regional 4-H Public Speaking Contest were Vanessa Taylor, Henry Beel, Katie Brown, Moriah Heerten, Jenny Brown and Emma Good.

(Posted Feb. 7)
The KPCS SkillsUSA Chapter held their annual ice fishing derby on Saturday, Feb. 8, with 28 teams competing.
More than $1,000 was raised from the entry money to go toward sending SkillsUSA members to compete in the Nebraska SkillsUSA Championships that will be held in March at Columbus.
The first place team was Shannon Luse and Al Fast from the Colome, S.D., area. They had a total weight of 75.05 pounds of fish, including the largest northern pike of 8.7 pounds and largest catfish of 7 pounds.
Placing second was the team of Alan Peterson and Mike Jones from Burke, S.D. They had a total weight of 43.55 pounds and also had the biggest crappie of 1.45 pounds. The third place team was Brett and Mike Swan with a total weight of 40.90 pounds. Brett Swan had the largest perch, weighing in at nearly 14 ounces. Finishing out the largest species winners were Graig Kinzie of Ainsworth with a bluegill that weighed 1.05 pounds and Greg Richey from Kearney with a bass that weighed 4.95 pounds.
The Rod Schoettger team, winner of the first SkillsUSA Derby, came in with the low total pounds and received two bucket rod holders for their efforts.
The success of this derby continues to grow. Next year there is consideration being given to having a fish fry on the weekend following the tournament for the public to attend.

Ainsworth Community Schools hosted its annual oral spelling bee contest on Friday in the learning center, with Miranda Raymond winning the fifth- through eighth-grade bee and advancing to the next round of spelling competition. Rob Maxwell finished second and Hallie Bower third.
Chaeley Ruegge was the winner of the fourth grade bee, with Jacob Sinsel taking second and Emily Fay third.
Chase Hilton outlasted Chance Gustafson for the third-grade title. Both spellers went back and forth, spelling more than a dozen words correctly before Hilton won the title. Mikki Arens finished third in the third-grade class.
The second grade contest ended in a tie for first place, as Raven Stewart and Halli Haskell literally ran out of word to spell in the second grade list. Natalie Saner finished third.
The first grade competition also ended in a tie, as Molly Salzman and Aubree Arens spelled their way through all the first grade words and most of the second grade words before a tie was declared. Cheyenne Bunch finished third in that class.

The Brown County Sheriff's Department investigated a one-vehicle accident that occurred on Thursday, Feb. 4. At 5:45 p.m. Thursday on a county road three miles south and one-half mile east of Ainsworth, a 2000 Ford F-150 pickup, driven by Tyler Walton, 17, of Ainsworth was traveling east on a county road when the driver lost control. The Ford entered the south ditch and struck a tree. A passenger in the Ford, Ryan Crane, 18, of Ainsworth, was transported to the Brown County Hospital to be treated for injuries suffered during the crash. The Ford was estimated to be a total loss.

Continued disagreements between Long Pine city officials and firefighters in the Long Pine Fire Department and Brown County Rural Fire Department came to a head Thursday. The Brown County Sheriff’s Department, assisted by the Nebraska State Patrol, delivered a written document from the Brown County Rural Fire Department to city officials permitting members of the Long Pine Fire Department to remove all fire equipment owned by the rural department from the city’s fire station.
The document, signed by Rural Fire Chief Doug Rau, requested city officials to relinquish four fire trucks and all equipment paid for by the rural fire department.
According to Brown County Sheriff Steve Hapner, the letter was delivered to Long Pine Council President Denise Crofutt. Hapner said the fire department’s request was refused by the city.
“We cannot proceed any further without a court order,” Hapner said.
Crofutt, Long Pine City Attorney Rod Palmer, and Rau were contacted by KBRB, and all chose not to comment. Rau did say there would be further action taken by the rural fire department.
KBRB did receive a fax from the city of Long Pine that was also sent to the Brown County Sheriff’s Department and Rock County’s fire chief.
The fax requested the Brown County Sheriff’s Department and the Rock County Fire Department to be the first response agencies for all emergency and fire calls in the city of Long Pine.
The disagreements between the two entities stem from a planned fire hall construction project that has stalled. The two parties, in addition to the Long Pine Foundation, have gone through mediation to try and come to an agreement to proceed with the fire hall project, planned for downtown Long Pine across from the city building. No agreement has been reached, and the project has been delayed.

After the Brown County Roads Department crew worked on Christmas Day and through the holiday weekend without receiving overtime for all of their additional hours, the Brown County Commissioners on Tuesday amended the county’s personnel policy to fix an oversight in the way the county pays employees.
Previously, paid holidays were not counted toward a 40-hour work week, so Christmas work performed by the roads department workers was paid at only the regular hourly rate. With the amendment unanimously approved by the board Tuesday, those workers will receive credit for paid holiday hours, resulting in additional time being paid at the overtime rate of 1-1/2 times base pay.
“If they are out plowing roads on holidays or weekends, they should be getting time and a half for those hours,” Commissioner Russ Dodd said.
In an item that has been debated numerous times in the past two years, the commissioners again held off on making any changes to the way vacation properties are billed for solid waste in Brown County.
This time, the issue came down to timing, as the treasurer had already sent bills for 2010 in the amount of $5 monthly, payable in one $60 payment for the year.
Commissioner Buddy Small said, if a Brown County resident has a vacation cabin or second seasonal home, he was in favor of removing the $5 monthly fee. For those with vacation property who do not have permanent residence in the county, Small said he was not in favor of doing away with the fee entirely.
“I pay $10 a month for solid waste, and I think that is cheap,” Small, who lives in rural Brown County, said. “I try to recycle as much as I can, and if more people recycled, our costs to transport waste to Lexington would be much cheaper.”
Small moved to remove the fee for county residents, but that motion died for lack of a second.
Dodd said the solid waste fund was supporting itself, and he was in favor of cutting down some of the fee charged for vacation properties.
“But doing this now would be a nightmare for (County Treasurer) Deb (Vonheeder),” Dodd said. “I would be willing to cut three months off those seasonal homes, and make it $45 for the year.”
Vonheeder encouraged the board to revisit the issue in November or December, prior to the 2011 solid waste bills being created and sent.
Following discussion with Zoning Administrator Dean Jochem, the county approved a request from the National Parks Service to provide an information handout regarding fire prevention to those applying for building permits in the county.
Jochem cautioned the board that, though the steps in the brochure may be voluntary now, they could become mandated by the federal government in the future if the commissioners approved the request.
After approving a 3 percent pay increase for county employees during a previous meeting, the commissioners added a 3 percent increase for the county’s weed superintendent, veterans service officer and zoning administrator.
In a roads department item, the commissioners approved allowing Steve Bartak to remove two private driveways and install a separate driveway on county road right of way northeast of Ainsworth. Bartak said he would assume liability for removing the old driveways and installing the new one, and he would supply the culvert needed as well.
The board agreed to donate crushed concrete to the KBR Rural Public Power District in exchange for the utility’s continued cooperation with removing high tree limbs from county right of way, since the county lacks the equipment to perform that work.
The board discussed the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s desire to eventually use rotenone to kill the fish population at Willow Lake in order to remove a growing rough fish problem.
However, the commissioners agreed to try and pursue having game fish salvaged by the commission and placed in nearby reservoirs prior to the poison being applied to Willow Lake.
UN-L Extension Educator Dennis Bauer for the KBR Extension office presented his annual report to the board, highlighting the educational programs offered by the Extension office and its work with youth through 4-H and other programs.
The board’s next meeting is scheduled for 8:15 a.m. Feb. 16.

(Posted Feb. 2)

The Brown County Sheriff’s Department investigated a two-vehicle accident occurring on Sunday, Jan. 31. At 5:40 p.m. Sunday in the 100 block of North Maple Street, a 2000 Dodge Intrepid, driven by Amy Haskell, 16, of Ainsworth, was backing from a driveway and struck a parked 2001 Dodge Intrepid, owned by Kyle Kinzie of Ainsworth. No injuries were reported. Damage to the Kinzie vehicle was estimated at $1,000. There was no damage reported on the Haskell vehicle.

KBRB invites you to call in your score for the NFL title game between the New Orleans Saints and the Indianapolis Colts. KBRB will take your calls Thursday and Friday from 8:30 until 9 a.m. and from 4:30 until 5 p.m. both days. Pick the winning team and the score for your chance to win.

Hundreds of dollars will be awarded as prizes for those closest to the actual score while also picking the winner correctly. There is a limit of one prediction per person, and two predictions for each caller.

KBRB's title game call-in contest is brought to you by Ainsworth businesses the Book Peddler, Technology Center, Century Lumber Center, Cobb Chevrolet, Roadrunner, Farmers/Ranchers Mr. Tire, the Rusty Petal, Farmers/Ranchers Ampride, Ranchland Western Store, First National Bank, Niobrara Valley Equipment, H&R Food Center, Commercial National Bank, Lohmeyer Chiropractic, Needles and Pins, Print Xpress, Red & White Market, Rodeway Inn, Hairpins, All About You Fitness, Small Town Hollywood Salon and the Golden Steer, Alco of Ainsworth and Valentine, Nelsen Furniture and the Niobrara Lodge of Valentine, Town and Country Market and Painter Sales and Electric of Springview, Simple Solutions and Long Pine Feed Service, both of Long Pine, Bassett businesses the Commercial Bank, Whistle Stop, A-1 Auto Care and Repair and Turp's Automotive, Something Special by Marilyn in Atkinson, Stuart Furniture of Stuart, and the Clothing Company, McIntosh Jewelry and Stadium Sports, all of O'Neill.

The Directors of Ainsworth Lions Club met Monday at the Golden Steer.
Nominations for officers and directors for 2010-11were discussed. Members will be contacted, based on recommendations presented at the meeting, for their acceptance. The ballot will be presented to the membership during the March 15 Lions Club meeting.
Lion Phil Fuchs advised that the membership dues of $55 continue to cover the club financial obligations for membership. Therefore, the annual membership dues will remain unchanged for 2010-11.
President Richard Albrecht distributed a draft Lions Club Brochure. Modifications will be made based on recommendations received.
Financial assistance in the amount of $200, per club policy, was approved for assistance with eye care, based on the application for financial assistance received.
Albrecht advised that he would have Lions Club Foundation calendars available for each member at the next Lions Club meeting.
A letter has been received from the Nebraska Lions Club Foundation regarding club assistance in a program designed to help individuals manage diabetes. The letter requested that the club conduct a diabetes health fair, pass out diabetes health risk assessments in the community, or host a speaker on diabetes, in conjunction with local health care professionals (who also will be provided training), and that the club provide financial assistance to the foundation to support the program. No action was taken, pending additional information.
The All-Sports Banquet is scheduled for April 27, with the same format as last year being planned. Some modification will be implemented regarding serving, condiments, and drinks. Members will be provided tickets to sell at the March club meeting and are encouraged to get them sold. It was pointed out that some people are more than willing to financially support the Lions Club in sponsoring the banquet, even though they may have no intention of attending. Since the club has come within $100 of breaking even in the past few years, the price of the ticket will remain unchanged at $7. It was noted that some parents don’t know if they need to buy a ticket for a specific student, not knowing if the student is going to be provided with a free ticket or not. Changes in promoting the banquet were suggested to address this problem. Last year, the program, which was well received by those attending, was planned and implemented by school officials. They will be asked to do so again this year. A Lions Club banquet worksheet will be prepared and sent to club members in April.
The next regular monthly Lions Club meeting will be held at noon Feb. 15 at the Golden Steer.

The Brown County Sheriff’s Department investigated a one-vehicle accident that occurred Monday, Feb. 1. At 8:35 a.m. on Highway 20 approximately one-half mile west of the Long Pine intersection, a 2000 Buick Century, driven by Robert Allen, 49, of Ainsworth, was traveling east when the driver lost control coming down a hill due to icy conditions. The Buick crossed the oncoming lane of traffic before striking a guardrail on the north side of the highway. No injuries were reported. Damage to the Buick was estimated at more than $3,000. The guardrail, owned by the Nebraska Department of Roads, sustained approximately $460 damage.

JANUARY WINNERS OF ANNIVERSARY ROSES FROM THE RUSTY PETAL & KBRB RADIO ARE HEATHER & BRIAN HOLLENBECK OF LONG PINE. EACH MONTH OF ALL THE ANNIVERSARIES ANNOUNCED ON KBRB ARE ENTERED INTO THE MONTHLY DRAWING FOR ONE DOZEN ANNIVERSARY ROSES FROM THE RUSTY PETAL.

Ord Invitational
Varsity
1st: Kayla Klammer—Humorous Prose
2nd: Meg Maxwell—Informative Speaking
Vance Heyer—Extemporaneous Speaking
Jordyn Lechtenberg—Persuasive Speaking
Lars Johnson, Rhe’Ann McBride, Ciara Philben, Nate Rau, Jon Theis—OID
3rd: Ethan Johnson & Meg Maxwell—Duet Acting
5th: Neiley Fernau, Vance Heyer, Kayla Klammer, Jose Martinez—OID
6th: Rhe’Ann McBride & Maggie Steinhauser—Duet Acting
Superiors: Alan Hurless—Informative Speaking
Amber Rivard—Informative Speaking
Ashton Wiebesiek—Informative Speaking
Kayla Klammer—Serious Prose
Savannah Clapper—Serious Prose
Nate Rau & Jon Theis—Duet Acting
Lars Johnson & Ciara Philben—Duet Acting
Claire Kozisek & Jordyn Lechtenberg—Duet Acting
Jose Martinez—Extemporaneous Speaking

Team: 1st of 21

Novice
2nd: Alyssa Kinning—Persuasive Speaking
Conner Kozisek—Extemporaneous Speaking
Katie Brown, Whitley McBride, Steve Parker, Amanda Theis—OID
5th: Aaron Goodloe—Extemporaneous Speaking
Allyssa Carbis & Jamie Esterly—Duet Acting
7th: Tricia Barnum, Estephanie Garcia, Reyna Martinez—OID
Superior: Katie Brown & Amanda Theis—Duet Acting

Team: 7th of 21

“The Ord Tournament was a great day of competition for us,” Coach Mary Rau said. “We had a quite a few entries break finals, and they performed very well in those finals. I think this is the first time that we’ve won the varsity competition in Ord.
“The next two weeks will be tough. We travel to Kearney and to North Platte and compete against Class A schools. We probably won’t bring home as many medals, but tough competition makes us better.”
The team will compete at Kearney High School on Friday with rounds beginning at 2 p.m.

(Posted Feb. 1)
In addition to fines, each case carries $48 in court costs
Amber M. Ogden, 23, of Ainsworth, first offense reckless driving, $400.
Saige A. Heyer, 24, of Ainsworth, licensing a vehicle without liability insurance, $100.
Emmy A. Runyan, 19, of Ainsworth, first offense reckless driving, $400 and six months probation.
Scott R. Johnson, 19, of Ainsworth, minor in possession of alcohol, $350.
Gary Jones, 57, of Ainsworth, overweight on an axle or group of axles, $25.
Steve Cole, 42, of Ainsworth, over the bag limit on fish or small game, $250 fine and $1,200 in liquidation fees.
Rickie D. Lentz, 52, of Ainsworth, five counts access without authorization, fined $100 for each count and ordered to pay $2,013 in restitution.
Cody E. McCullough, 23, of Ainsworth, first offense reckless driving, $400.
Lexanne L. Bridgman, 40, of Rapid City, S.D., speeding 11-15 mph, $75.
Eric S. Williams, 27, of Golden, Colo., failure to renew registration, $25.
Justin R. Nelson, 31, of Ainsworth, no valid registration, $35.
Jeremiah M. Adam, 35, of Castle Rock, Colo., speeding 6-10 mph, $25.
Linda K. Wahlberg, 41, of Sioux Falls, S.D., speeding 6-10 mph, $25.
Doris Ekberg, 46, of Hamill, S.D., speeding 6-10 mph, $25.
Lester R. Mills, 55, of North Platte, speeding 6-10 mph, $25.
Seth N. Williams, 19, of Osmond, speeding 16-20 mph, $125.
Kenneth Davis, 61, of Ainsworth, no habitat stamp, $50; taking a game bird with a rifle or pistol, $75, $50 in liquidation fees.
Todd A. Dunkel, 33, of Valentine, speeding 6-10 mph, $25; failure to use a seat belt, $25.
Eliza F. Colley, 27, of Ainsworth, violating a stop or yield sign, $75.

The Brown County Sheriff’s Department investigated a two-vehicle accident that occurred Friday, Jan. 29. At 12:26 p.m. at the intersection of Third and Elm streets in Ainsworth, a 1997 Oldsmobile Cutlass, driven by Jonathan Theis, 17, of Ainsworth, and a 1995 Ford F-150 pickup, driven by Nathan Rau, 18, of Ainsworth, collided at the intersection. Slick street conditions possibly contributed to the accident. No injuries were reported. Damage to the Oldsmobile was estimated at $700. The Ford sustained $600 damage.

The schedule of events has been released for the annual Niobrara River Polar Bear Festival. The event will be held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with the river dip set for 3 p.m. on Saturday. Other features include a card run at 9 a.m. on Friday at businesses in Ainsworth, Johnstown, Springview, Long Pine and Meadville, hayrack rides on Saturday from 4 until 6 p.m., and ATV/snow mobile races at 1 p.m. on Sunday. For more information on the event, contact the Meadville Store at 402-497-2440.

The AHS Speech Team competed in the Broken Bow Invitational on Saturday. The results were as follows:
Varsity
1st: Megan Maxwell—Informative Speaking
2nd: Lars Johnson, Rhe’Ann McBride, Ciara Philben, Nate Rau, Jon Theis—OID
8th: Tessa Jacobsen—Informative Speaking
Emma Goodloe—Entertainment Speaking
Superiors: Alan Hurless—Informative Speaking
Rhe’Ann McBride—Humorous Prose
Kayla Klammer—Humorous Prose
Kayla Klammer—Serious Prose
Savannah Clapper—Serious Prose
Tessa Jacobsen—Serious Prose
Vance Heyer—Extemporaneous Speaking
Jose Martinez—Extemporaneous Speaking
Emma Goodloe—Poetry
Rhe’Ann McBride & Maggie Steinhauser—Duet Acting
Neiley Fernau, Vance Heyer, Kayla Klammer, Jose Martinez—OID
Novice
1st: Katie Brown, Whitley McBride, Steve Parker, Amanda Theis—OID
7th: Conner Kozisek—Extemporaneous Speaking
9th: Tricia Barnum & Reyna Martinez—Duet Acting
No team scores were kept.
“Broken Bow again proved to be a very challenging tournament,” Coach Mary Rau said. “Twenty-three teams attended this tournament, and there were close to fifty competitors in some events. The speakers who did break finals—Megan Maxwell and the varsity and novice OIDs—did very well in that final round.
“Our presentations are starting to gel. It will be interesting to see how we do in Ord against schools that are more comparable to us in size and competition experience.”

Ainsworth Community Schools officials announced second quarter and first semester perfect attendance awards, as well as honor roll students.

Named to the second quarter roll of excellence, for having a GPA of between 3.8 and a perfect 4.0, were:

Fifth grade - Jack Arens, Jacce Beck, Brianna DeBolt, Emma Good, Kyah Kinkade, Sydney Lukasiewicz, Shylo Paddock, Miranda Raymond, Breanna Schwindt and Vanessa Taylor.

Sixth grade - Ben Allen, Hayes Chohon, Austin Harthoorn, Dominic Henry, Sara Salzman, Seth Taylor and Dusty Worden.

Seventh grade - Lydia Allen, Ellie Carr, Arianna Fletcher, Kirsten Gilliland, Nathaniel Goodloe, Hunter Martin, Alec Masters, Hailey McBride, Marcus Osborn, Laura Peters, Shea Sinsel, Maikayla Weiss and Zach Welch.

Eighth grade - Hallie Bower, Clay Chohon, Caitlyn Crawford, Pryce Pinney, Kaleb Schuetz and Leah Taylor.

Freshmen - Katie Brown, Paxton Fiala, Melissa Franklin, Alyssa Kinning, Conner Kozisek, Ely Sharkey, Amanda Theis, Shi Watts and Abigail Wiebesiek.

Sophomores - Ashley Appelt, Jessica Bartak, Lauren Cobb, Claudia Gallegos, Lee Lentz, Dusty Nelson, Kylie Schwindt, Kellie Sholes, Maggie Steinhauser and Katie Wilkins.

Juniors - Neiley Fernau, Haley Harthoorn, Skyler Jacobsen, Nathan Kackmeister, Prem Khanthaubol, Claire Kozisek, Jose Martinez, Megan Maxwell, Rhe'Ann McBride, Ashley Murphy and Ciara Philben.

Seniors - Autumn Cummings, Raelyn Davis, Bailee Hoover, Tessa Jacobsen, Keith Johnson, Kayla Klammer, Jordyn Lechtenberg, Ashley Norton, Kirsten Peterson, Ashley Quinn, Nate Rau, Eric Rempfer, Tommy Schumacher, Ryan Schwindt, Danielle Thornton, Matt Walton, Justin West and Brooke Worden.

Fifth grade - Becky Arens, Brittani Beegle, Matthew Campbell, Brendon Carson, Brittany Cole, Holly Esterly, Jacob Fernau, Sean Finney, Luz Garcia, Martha Garcia, Sydney Graff, Karsyn Irwin, Whittney Killion, Jace Kremer, Gavin Larson, Abigail Masters, AJ Privett, Sydney Quinn, Cole Sundquist, Riggin Temple, Trey Thornburg, Macey VonHeeder and Keaton Walnofer.

Sixth grade - Lauren Allen, Dakota Baker, Logan Clark, Brady Delimont, Dammian Denny, Abbey Doyle, Austin Dunbar, Sydney Fling, Tatum Hansen, Sabrina Hempel, Jacob Jeffers, Wyatt Killion, Matt Kovar, Lisa Ludemann, Jacob Nelson, BJ Norton, Jayden Philben, Amanda Pike, Whittney Pirnie, Shayden Platt, Dustin Privett, Tara Taylor, McKenzi Thomas and Andrew Wiebesiek.

Seventh grade - Cera Arens, Wyatt Cole, Josh Finley, Tucker Gambill, Ana Garcia, Sheyla Hanks, Jami Haskell, Drew Klatt, Jayce Nilson, Evyn Sharkey and Jacob Wilkins.

Eighth grade - Tiffani Beegle, Hali Davis, Blaine Finney, Serena Frew, Jose Garcia, Zayne Kinkade, Rob Maxwell, Bailey Morrow, Hayley Murphy, Shandan Platt, Sami VonHeeder, Quentin Wagner and Courteney Zwiebel.

Freshmen - Jayne Barrow, Beau Buechle, Allison Davis, Jack Fransua, Lane Garrison, Keaton Gracey, Dori Haskell, Haley Hoch, Lane Johnson, Willie Kackmeister, Nick Martin, Whitley McBride, Joe McNair, Shania Nilson, Schylar Philben, Jedd Raymond, Nakia Sawle, Cidnee Scholtes, Patrick Shaul and Josh Zeigler.

Sophomores - Trish Barnum, Savannah Clapper, Tanner Clark, Austin Crane, Devron Crawford, Dustin Dailey, TyLinn Dodd, Reagan Fernau, Ashley Fling, Carey Franklin, Lynde Frew, Lane Gambill, Estephanie Garcia, Amy Haskell, Lars Johnson, Dyllon Kinning, Kaylee Larson, Dalten Pflaster, Derek Pollock and Derek Sherman.

Juniors - Kelsie Allen, Jessee Anderson, Beth Barrow, Heleyna Cuny, Drake Fiala, Mattea Gallegos, Adan Garcia, Vance Heyer, Ben Hunt, Justin Imm, Ethan Johnson, Miranda McKillip, Thomas McNair, Riley Painter, Jessica Parker, Maria Torregrosa, Tyler Walton, Cody Wilson and Rachel Zeigler.

Seniors - Delaney Appelt, Logan Baragar, Cody Esterly, Logan Fernau, Jeremy Frazier, Jake Gambill, Emma Goodloe, Daniel McIntosh, Cody Nilson, Aspen Ries, Amber Rivard, Ryan Robinson, Carlotta Sawle, Tyler Sherman, Bobbie Jo Stoner, Garth Swett, Kaela Syfie, Clint Tharp and Ashton Wiebesiek.

Kindergarten - Caleb Allen*, Bria Delimont, Alyssa Erthum, Tristyn Pinney, Aubree Rice* and Summer Richardson*.

First grade - MaKenna Hanks, Rylan Hobbs, Brandt Murphy*, Molly Salzman* and Shaley Starkey.

Second grade - Meah Colley*, Dylan Graff, Wrett Killion, Bailey Kinnick, Rylee Rice* and Colt Temple.

Third grade - Megan Appelt, Henry Beel, Grace Campbell*, Tate Fernau*, Braden Ludemann and Elise Reinke.

Fourth grade - McKenna Erthum, Cassidy Gilliland*, Michaela Hobbs, Morgan Osborn*, Luke Peters*, Bronc Temple and Kayla Witt*.

Fifth grade - Matt Campbell, Sydney Lukasiweicz, Abigail Masters and Dwaine McDaniel.

Sixth grade - Hayes Chohon, Savanna Christensen*, Austin Dunbar*, Austin Harthoorn*, Jacob Jeffers, Wyatt Killion, Lisa Ludemann, BJ Norton, Amanda Pike, Sara Salzman* and Andrew Wiebesiek*.

Seventh grade - Cera Arens*, Ellie Carr*, Josh Finley, Arianna Fletcher, Ana Garcia, Hunter Martin, Hailey McBride*, Evyn Sharkey* and Shea Sinsel.

Eighth grade - Tiffani Beegle, Hallie Bower, Clay Chohon, Caitlyn Crawford*, Serena Frew, Jose Garcia, Shelby Hart, Hayley Murphy, Pryce Pinney, Sami VonHeeder and Courteney Zwiebel*.

Freshmen - Beau Buechle, Melissa Franklin*, Keaton Gracey*, Lane Johnson*, Willie Kackmeister*, Whitley McBride, Abigail Wiebesiek* and Josh Zeigler.

Sophomores - Ashley Appelt, Trish Barnum*, Aedan Coutts*, Claudia Gallegos*, Estephanie Garcia, Dalten Pflaster, Jimi Pinney, Kylie Schwindt*, Derek Sherman and Katie Wilkins*.

Juniors - Adan Garcia*, Justin Imm*, Nathan Kackmeister*, Prem Khanthaubol*, Maria Torregrosa*, Cody Wilson* and Rachel Zeigler.

Seniors - Raelynn Davis*, Chris Gillis*, Keith Johnson, Kayla Klammer*, Ashley Norton and Jon Theis.

Named to the first semester roll of excellence, for having a GPA of between 3.8 and a perfect 4.0, were:

Fifth grade - Jack Arens, Emma Good, Whittney Killion, Kyah Kinkade, Sydney Lukasiewicz, Abigail Masters, Shylo Paddock, Miranda Raymond, Breanna Schwindt and Vanessa Taylor.

Sixth grade - Ben Allen, Hayes Chohon, Sydney Fling, Austin Harthoorn, Dominic Henry, Jacob Jeffers, Matt Kovar, Jayden Philben, Sara Salzman, Seth Taylor and Dusty Worden.

Eighth grade - Hallie Bower, Clay Chohon, Caitlyn Crawford, Rob Maxwell, Bailey Morrow, Pryce Pinney, Kaleb Schuetz, Leah Taylor and Quentin Wagner.

Freshmen - Katie Brown, Allison Davis, Paxton Fiala, Alyssa Kinning, Conner Kozisek, Cidnee Scholtes, Ely Sharkey, Amanda Theis and Shi Watts.

Sophomores - Ashley Appelt, Jessica Bartak, Lauren Cobb, Dustin Dailey, Claudia Gallegos, Lee Lentz, Dusty Nelson, Kylie Schwindt, Kellie Sholes, Maggie Steinhauser and Katie Wilkins.

Juniors - Neiley Fernau, Haley Harthoorn, Justin Imm, Skyler Jacobsen, Nathan Kackmeister, Prem Khanthaubol, Claire Kozisek, Jose Martinez, Megan Maxwell, Rhe'Ann McBride, Ashley Murphy and Ciara Philben.

Seniors - Delaney Appelt, Raelyn Davis, Bailee Hoover, Tessa Jacobsen, Keith Johnson, Kayla Klammer, Jordyn Lechtenberg, Ashley Norton, Kirsten Peterson, Ashley Quinn, Nate Rau, Eric Rempfer, Carlotta Sawle, Tommy Schumacher, Ryan Schwindt, Clint Tharp, Danielle Thornton, Matt Walton and Justin West.

Fifth grade - Becky Arens, Jacci Beck, Brittani Beegle, Matthew Campbell, Brittany Cole, Brianna DeBolt, Holly Esterly, Jacob Fernau, Sean Finney, Luz Garcia, Martha Garcia, Sydney Graff, Karsyn Irwin, Jace Kremer, Gavin Larson, AJ Privett, Sydney Quinn, Cole Sundquist, Riggin Temple, Trey Thornburg, Macey VonHeeder and Keaton Walnofer.

Sixth grade - Lauren Allen, Dakota Baker, Logan Clark, Brady Delimont, Dammian Denny, Abbey Doyle, Austin Dunbar, Tatum Hansen, Sabrina Hempel, Wyatt Killion, Kalli Koonz, Lisa Ludemann, Jacob Nelson, BJ Norton, Amanda Pike, Whittney Pirnie, Shayden Platt, Dustin Privett, Tara Taylor, McKenzi Thomas and Andrew Wiebesiek.

Seventh grade - Cera Arens, Wyatt Cole, Tucker Gambill, Ana Garcia, Sheyla Hanks, Jami Haskell, Jayce Nilson and Evyn Sharkey.

Eighth grade - Hali Davis, Blaine Finney, Serena Frew, Jose Garcia, Zayne Kinkade, Hayley Murphy, Shandan Platt, Sami VonHeeder, James Worden and Courteney Zwiebel.

Freshmen - Jayne Barrow, Beau Buechle, Melissa Franklin, Jack Fransua, Lane Garrison, Keaton Gracey, Dori Haskell, Haley Hoch, Lane Johnson, Willie Kackmeister, Nick Martin, Whitley McBride, Joe McNair, Shania Nilson, Schylar Philben, Jedd Raymond, Nakia Sawle, Abigail Wiebesiek and Josh Zeigler.

Sophomores - Trish Barnum, Nathan Bauer, Savannah Clapper, Tanner Clark, Austin Crane, Devron Crawford, TyLinn Dodd, Reagan Fernau, Ashley Fling, Carey Franklin, Lynde Frew, Wacey Gallegos, Lane Gambill, Estephanie Garcia, Amy Haskell, Alan Hurless, Lars Johnson, Dyllon Kinning, Kaylee Larson, Taylor Mapps, Reyna Martinez, Dalten Pflaster, Derek Pollock and Derek Sherman.

Juniors - Kelsie Allen, Jessee Anderson, Beth Barrow, Heleyna Cuny, Drake Fiala, Mattea Gallegos, Adan Garcia, Vance Heyer, Ben Hunt, Ethan Johnson, Miranda McKillip, Thomas McNair, Riley Painter, Jessica Parker, Michael Schumacher, Maria Torregrosa, Tyler Walton, Cody Wilson and Rachel Zeigler.

Seniors - Logan Baragar, Autumn Cummings, Cody Esterly, Logan Fernau, Jeremy Frazier, Jake Gambill, Emma Goodloe, Daniel McIntosh, Cody Nilson, Aspen Ries, Ryan Robinson, Ty Shelbourn, Tyler Sherman, Bobbie Jo Stoner, Garth Swett, Kaela Syfie, Jon Theis, Ashton Wiebesiek and Brooke Worden.

Members of the Ainsworth United Methodist Church are preparing health kits to send to the victims of the earthquake in Haiti. The church is attempting to prepare 50 health kits, which will be assembled by the residents of Cottonwood Villa. Donations of hand towels, wash cloths, toothpaste, combs and plastic band-aids are needed. Monetary donations are also appreciated, and will be used to help pay for shipping and additional items. Donated items can be dropped off at the United Methodist Church or the Mundhenke Agency in Ainsworth. The kits will be assembled on Wednesday, Jan. 27, so donated items would be appreciated by Monday.

Following a public hearing Tuesday, the Brown County Commissioners approved a budget amendment allowing all the claims related to the Meadville Bridge construction project to run through Brown County, with Keya Paha County reimbursing Brown County for half of the costs on the joint project.
In approving the original budget for the 2009-10 fiscal year, the commissioners accounted for half of the cost of the bridge project – the amount Brown County was responsible for paying.
Brown County, however, had been paying all claims on the bridge work as they came through, then submitting a letter to Keya Paha County for reimbursement. To continue that continuity, the budget was amended. Each county will continue to be responsible for half of the bridge project costs.
In a related item, Commissioner Buddy Small provided an update on the bridge project. Small said the work levy on the Keya Paha County side had been removed, though the counties did encounter a problem.
“It was very difficult to remove the culverts,” Small said. “They filled in with sand and were almost impossible to move. Four culverts were damaged, but there was just no way to avoid it. They spent a lot of time trying to save the culverts.”
Roads Foreman Dewey Jefferis estimated the damage at approximately $5,000, though the counties will be able to salvage portions of the culverts.
In a related item, the board approved a transfer of $30,000 from the miscellaneous general fund to the BKR Coop Bridge Fund and a $20,000 transfer from the Inheritance Tax Fund to the bridge fund to help pay for Meadville Bridge expenditures. The commissioners plan to eventually replace the $20,000 in the Inheritance Tax Fund.
The commissioners approved sending a letter to Keya Paha County requesting $100,000 in reimbursement for that county’s share of the latest Meadville Bridge claims.
In a separate bridge project, the commissioners received a letter from rural residents Mike and Erica Billings, who live near the Sisson Bridge, which is currently closed.
The commissioners are contemplating making repairs to the bridge in the neighborhood of $40,000 to allow the bridge to be reopened to traffic.
In their letter to the board, the Billings’ said they would probably benefit more than anyone if the bridge was to be repaired, but they said they felt the expense was not worth it.
Jefferis said he had been contacted by a few people interested in seeing the bridge repaired to improve farm ground access.
Jefferis discussed recent snow removal work performed by roads department employees, and questioned the county not providing overtime pay for the work done due to paid holiday hours not included in the work week. A majority of the recent snow removal work fell on Christmas and New Year’s weeks.
The commissioners agreed to place the matter on the Feb. 2 agenda.
By a 2-1 vote, the board approved purchasing 1,000 gallons of No. 1 diesel fuel from Madison’s Great Western, at a cost of $3.12 per gallon. Madison’s will supply a storage tank and pump at the county shop.
Small said the roads department had experienced problems with truck fuel gelling during the recent cold stretch.
“I think this is a good stopgap measure,” Small said. “The road crew can use that fuel in the winter and not have to worry about it gelling up.”
Commissioner Russ Dodd asked how often the fuel would be needed. Jefferis said the trucks that use the fuel have been used quite a bit this year, but are not needed as much during other years.
“If we could use this fuel in the graders, I would be for it,” Dodd said in voting against the fuel purchase. Small and Chairman Les Waits voted in favor of using the No. 1 diesel fuel, which does not gel during cold weather.
Brown County Hospital Administrator Neil Hilton was on hand to review the hospital’s home health license renewal, which the board approved.
With the hospital on solid financial ground during the past few years, Hilton discussed the possibility of the hospital helping to pay down the principal on the bonds used for the recent addition project, or use some funding to help lower the county tax levy.
Dodd said the board could look at the issue annually, but he did not want to see the hospital overextend itself.
Small asked if there was a way to determine which way of using the funding was more effective.
Hilton said, in looking short term, helping with levy relief would be a benefit, but in the long term, it probably made more sense to make some principal payments and reduce the overall interest that will be paid on the addition project.
No action was taken.
Hilton said six Brown County Hospital nurses and two or three from the Rock County Hospital were taking fast-track classes to become certified as Emergency Medical Technicians.
Brown County Sheriff Steve Hapner said the ambulance service was hurting for volunteers, and having the nurses certified as EMTs would be a major benefit.
In other business, the commissioners approved a 3 percent cost of living salary increase for elected officials for the 2010 fiscal year. The commissioners previously set elected officials’ salaries for the 2011-14 years, but had not set the 2010 salary schedule. The 3 percent increase will result in a raise of a little more than $1,000 annually for elected officials in 2010, therefore the original $1,500 raise given for 2011 will now be only about $500 more than the officials will receive in 2010.
The 2009-10 fiscal year budget provided for a 3 percent cost of living salary adjustment for all county employees.
The board approved an agreement with Scripworld for the county’s prescription drug benefit as part of the county health plan. Employees receive name brand prescriptions for $30 and generic prescriptions for $10 through the program.
The commissioners appointed Rock County Attorney Avery Guernsey as Brown County’s deputy county attorney to fill in for County Attorney David Streich when necessary. Guernsey will be paid a $100 hourly rate.
The board also appointed Graig Kinzie of Ainsworth to the county’s Insurance Advisory Committee, which meets periodically to review the county’s health insurance plan.
Dan Foster with the National Park Service attended the meeting Tuesday to receive an update on the Meadville Bridge project, which falls within the NPS Scenic River Corridor.
Foster asked the board to provide fire management plan information to people in the county coming in for zoning or building permits.
The commissioners reviewed and accepted the 2009 Brown County Weed Superintendent’s report, and approved the quarterly loss report from the Nebraska Intergovernmental Risk Management Agency.
The board’s next meeting is scheduled for 8:15 a.m. Feb. 2.

(Posted Jan. 19)
In addition to fines, each case carries $48 in court costs
Didier J. Chassang, age 34, of Ainsworth, charged with disturbing the peace, fined $100.
Jacob D. Graff, 26, of Johnstown, careless driving, $100.
Keith G. Becker, 25, of Kearney, speeding 6-10 mph, $25.
Robie E. Shaw, 26, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, no valid operator’s license, $50; violation of Nebraska Game and Parks regulations, $50.
Edward C. Maurice, 39, of Castle Rock, Colo., speeding 16-20 mph, $125.
Jessica T. Anderson, 35, of Ainsworth, eight counts of issuing a bad check less than $100, fined $50 for each count and ordered to pay restitution.
William A. Tholn, 30, of St. Francis, S.D., speeding 6-10 mph, $25.
Craig L. Hollenbeck, 41, of Ainsworth, two counts of being overweight on an axle, fined $150 and $75.
Christine L. Hallock, 54, of Springview, theft by shoplifting, $200 or less, fined $300 and ordered to pay restitution.
Isidro Hernandez Martinez, 33, of Ainsworth, first offense driving under the influence, $400, six months probation and driver’s license revoked for 60 days.
Angela R. Brandon, 31, of Ainsworth, first offense driving under the influence, $400, six months probation, driver’s license revoked for 60 days.
Molly E. Ford, 25, of Cody, speeding 6-10 mph, $25.
Mark J. Arens, 46, of Ainsworth, speeding 6-10 mph, $25.
James D. Clopton, 46, of Ainsworth, dogs running at large, $10.
Austin Crane, 16, of Ainsworth, littering – first offense, $50.
Ryan P. Crane of Ainsworth, littering – first offense, $50.
Eliza Faye Lee, 27, of Long Pine, issuing a bad check less than $100, $25 and restitution.
Deborah Lynn McCullough of Ainsworth, issuing a bad check less than $100, $25 and restitution.
Riley J. Painter, 16, of Long Pine, littering – first offense, $50.
Douglas L. Hafer, 56, of Geneva, speeding 6-10 mph, $25.
Travis L. Howard, 36, of Meadow Grove, speeding 6-10 mph, $25.
Roy E. Bennett, 67, of Valentine, exceeding height limits, $100; violation of motor carrier safety regulations, $25.
Carlos A. Avalos, 38, of Schuyler, speeding 6-10 mph, $25.
Verlon J. Olson, 70, of Colorado Springs, Colo., speeding 6-10 mph, $25.
Tony S. Kelly, 54, of Gordon, speeding 11-15 mph, $75.
Joseph C. Basso, 30, of Omaha, speeding 11-15 mph, $75.
William H. Overbeck, 27, of Miami, Fla., speeding 11-15 mph, $75.

(Posted Jan. 18)

Valentine Icebreaker
Varsity
2nd: Vance Heyer—Extemporaneous Speaking
Kayla Klammer—Humorous Prose
Kayla Klammer—Serious Prose
Neiley Fernau, Vance Heyer, Kayla Klammer, Jose Martinez—OID
3rd: Emma Goodloe—Entertainment Speaking
Lars Johnson, Rhe’Ann McBride, Ciara Philben, Nate Rau, Jon Theis—OID
4th: Megan Maxwell—Informative Speaking
Emma Goodloe—Poetry
Nate Rau & Jon Theis—Duet Acting
5th: Beth Barrow—Extemporaneous Speaking
Tessa Jacobsen—Informative Speaking
6th: Jordyn Lechtenberg—Persuasive Speaking
Superiors: Jose Martinez—Extemporaneous Speaking
Tessa Jacobsen—Serious Prose
Reilly Hoch—Humorous Prose
Emma Goodloe & Ashton Wiebesiek—Duet Acting
Novice
1st: Katie Brown, Whitley McBride, Steve Parker, Amanda Theis—OID
2nd: Conner Kozisek—Extemporaneous Speaking
Katie Brown & Amanda Theis—Duet Acting
3rd: Tricia Barnum & Reyna Martinez—Duet Acting
Allyssa Carbis & Jamie Esterly—Duet Acting

Team: 2nd of 6

“Overall, I was pleased by the team’s performance,” Coach Mary Rau said. “Our first week of practice was cut in half by the snow storm, so we’ve been working hard to try catch up.
“The nine seniors on the team showed great leadership at the Valentine tournament. We will continue to work hard, as the next competition—the Broken Bow Invitational—will be very tough.”

* Homer Buell of Rose will participate in the National Cattlemen’s event soon in San Antonio, Texas. More than 5,000 people involved in the cattle industry are expected to attend the 2010 Cattle Industry Convention and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Trade Show Jan. 25-30 in San Antonio. The general session on Jan. 28 will feature an expert panel focusing on the future of the cattle industry. Panelists will include Homer Buell of the Shovel Dot Ranch near Rose.

Following a public hearing, the Ainsworth City Council on Wednesday approved a Community Development Block Grant application to the Nebraska Department of Economic Development to form a Main Street and Highway 20 Corridor Plan.
The $30,000 grant, should it be awarded by the DED, carries a $7,200 city match, which City Administrator Kristi Thornburg said would be taken from LB 840 economic development funds.
“The next time the Department of Roads resurfaces Main Street or Highway 20, we want to be in a position to improve the area with lighting and landscaping,” Thornburg said.
Thornburg said having a design in place would allow the city to apply for grants for the actual project when either Main Street or Highway 20 resurfacing projects begin.
North Central Development Center Executive Director Kristin Olson said the plan is for Highway 20 and Main Street to be tied in together.
“If we go through this process, we will be shovel ready when the time comes,” Olson said.
Mark Kovar with the Nebraska Department of Roads, attending the meeting for an unrelated matter, said Highway 20 was scheduled for resurfacing in 2015 as part of the DOR’s six-year plan. He said no surfacing work was planned for Main Street.
Thornburg asked if Main Street could be tied in to a Highway 20 project should the city have to perform sewer repair work under Main Street.
“It could,” Kovar said. “We can coordinate the work with you. That gives us both better bang for our buck.”
The City Council unanimously approved submitting the grant application. Should the application be approved, the city will hire an engineer and design a plan to improve the corridor.
In other business during Wednesday’s meeting, the council approved a resolution designating the city of Ainsworth as a recovery zone area and allowing the city to apply for up to $1.2 million in bond funds.
Thornburg said the bond funds could be used to pay for the upcoming street and sewer improvement project.
“These bonds could save us money compared to using standard bonds,” Thornburg said. “It depends on the interest rate.”
Thornburg said approving the resolution does not obligate the city to use the recovery zone bonds.
In her report, Thornburg said one of the two drives in the conference center’s heating and cooling system was down and in need of replacement.
Control Services of Omaha will replace the nine-year-old drive at a cost of $4,126.
Thornburg said the company could also come out either once or twice a year, at a cost of $1,286 (once) or $2,495 (twice) and provide maintenance on the drives.
Councilman Doug Weiss said, for that kind of money, the city could replace a drive every four or five years.
“We already have a backup,” Weiss said.
The council decided against having the company provide maintenance on the heating and cooling system.
Thornburg also brought up installing a fire alarm system for the conference center after pipes on the north end of the facility froze during the recent cold snap.
“Due to the extreme cold, the north water fountain froze, and the pipes were freezing,” the city administrator said. “That caused a leak in the water fountain, and that is why the heat was turned up.”
Thornburg said there was a wall furnace in the north hallway, but the cold temperatures coupled with the north wind and people coming in and out made the north end of the center extremely cold.
Weiss recommended locking the north doors and having people use the west doors during periods of extreme cold.
Thornburg said the Nebraska Fire Safety and Equipment Company of Omaha could install an alarm system that would notify a monitoring office in Omaha should water begin to move in the conference center sprinkler system, signifying a leak or a fire.
“If we would have a pipe freeze and break, it would dial a monitoring center in Omaha,” Thornburg said.
The cost of the system is $1,439, with an additional $30 monthly charge.
Weiss asked if an alarm system would save the city any money.
“Does it matter if a pipe breaks and we have water damage for one hour instead of five?” Weiss asked. “There is going to be damage no matter what.”
Councilman Bruce Papstein said it would be nice for the center to have an alarm.
“We have a lot of money in this facility,” Papstein said.
No action was taken on the alarm system proposal, as Thornburg said she would check and see if any alarm notification could go through the sheriff’s department dispatch center instead of the Omaha company to save the city the $30 monthly fee.
The council approved a well application permit for Kovar to install a closed loop geothermal heating and cooling system for a home being built in the 100 block of Ulrich Street.
Kovar said a glycol solution runs through the system, picks up the cool or the heat from the earth, and transfers it to the home.
“This system does not pump any groundwater,” he said. “It is a completely closed system. The holes for the tubes are drilled to a depth of between 150 and 400 feet.”
The council unanimously approved the well application.
The council also approved a request from the Ainsworth Betterment Committee to provide $7,000 in ABC community improvement funds to help the Brown County Ambulance Association purchase a power cot for its transport ambulance.
The total cost of the cot is approximately $13,000. Thornburg said $10,000 in ABC funds were used last year to purchase the power cot for the first ambulance.
The council agreed to solicit bids for a cemetery mowing contract, as the current three-year contract at $29,750 annually is expiring.
Thornburg said a water leak was being repaired on one block of Maple Street between Third and Fourth streets.
She said the city was waiting for a release of funds from the Department of Economic Development for the streets improvement project.
If those funds are released in the next week or two, Thornburg said the council may need to have a special meeting to get a contract signed and allow Olsson and Associates to begin the field work on the project.
The council’s next regular meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Feb. 10.

District Court was held Tuesday, Jan. 12, in the Brown County Courthouse. Roger Ellingson of Ainsworth appeared for sentencing after being convicted of criminal attempt/possession of child pornography, a Class IV felony. Ellingson was sentenced to not fewer than 20 months and no more than 36 months in the Nebraska Department of Corrections with credit for 62 days served. Ellingson was also ordered to pay $132 in court costs within 90 days of being released, and will be required to register under the Sex Offender Registration Act.

Tera L. Christiansen of Ainsworth appeared for arraignment on three charges. In a plea agreement, Christiansen pleaded guilty to a charge of making terroristic threats, a Class IV felony. Two other counts were dismissed. Sentencing was deferred until March 9.

The Ainsworth Community Schools Board of Education took a step toward developing a preschool program during their monthly board meeting Monday evening. The Board approved the submission of a grant from the Nebraska Department of Education that would provide $25,000 in start up costs and a base grant of $50,000 for each of the first three years. Ainsworth Community Schools would participate with the current Head Start program in the operation of a combined preschool program between the two entities. This grant would cover all of the school’s expenses with the exception of approximately $2,000. After the first three years of operation, preschool students will be counted as regular students as part of the normal state aid formula. Currently the local plan calls for the preschool program to use the Head Start facility and operate a morning and afternoon session which would allow an additional 17 students to be enrolled. Phil and Marsha Fuchs ask the Board several questions regarding funding and potential enrollment figures of the proposed preschool program. At this time, the State has not mandated a preschool program. In other action, the Board of Education agreed to pay dues of $4,164 to the Nebraska Association of School Boards. They approved the second reading of the Administrative Regulation dealing with the Curriculum Review Program. This action updates the policy manuals in time for the external team review for school improvement which is scheduled to take place in March. Ainsworth Community School Districts Property/Auto/Liability insurance package is set to expire on April 15^th of this year. The Board directed the superintendent to advertise for bids and request proposals for insurance coverage for the upcoming three year term. Bids will be opened by the Budget/Finance Committee on April 12, prior to the regular April board meeting. Superintendent Peterson reported on lunch participation and the 2008-09 Annual Report. The breakfast participation numbers remain steady and the lunch numbers are at their highest level. The 2008-09 Annual Report will be available to interested individuals on the school’s website, from the district office or from the Ainsworth Chamber of Commerce. Elementary Principal Sarah William’s report to the Board included a reminder of Parent/Teacher Conferences on Tuesday, February 16^th from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Elementary teachers will schedule specific times for their conferences. Elementary enrollment as of February 4^th included 50 Kindergarteners, 35 First, Second and Fourth graders and 29 Third graders for a total of 184 students. Principal Williams and eight teachers recently visited Northfield Elementary School in Gering to observe and learn about their successful reading program that is known for closing the achievement gap in reading and for being successful in assisting students reach their grade level reading goals. Secondary Principal Harv Wewel’s report featured information on the Regional 8^th Grade Science Meet scheduled for February 16^th at the Ainsworth Conference Center. The meet is sponsored by the University of Nebraska Medical Center and coordinated by the Northern Nebraska Area Health Education Center. This is Ainsworth’s seventh year to host this event that provides students an educational experience that inspires them to pursue a career in the health sciences. Principal Wewel noted there would be 2:00 p.m. dismissals on February 15^th and March 1^st. There will be no classes for Ainsworth Community Schools on February 19^th and again on March 11^th and 12^th. Activity Director Phil Hoyt noted that February 8^th through the 14^th is National Career Education week for FBLA and FCCLA and February 22^nd through the 28^th is national FFA Week. Mr. Hoyt reported on the participation of Ainsworth Middle and High School students in winter sports and fine arts competition. He also stated the 2010-11 football schedules were released this week and preparations are being made for game times and officials. Mr. Hoyt discussed a scheduling problem with the football game scheduled with Mitchell. Mitchell has requested an afternoon game. The Board indicated their first choice would be a Saturday afternoon game with their second choice being a Friday afternoon game. Hoyt also noted the game with Gothenburg might have to be moved to afternoon due to a scheduling conflict with officials. Ainsworth Bulldogs first football game is scheduled for August 27 making conditioning begin August 2 and practice August 9. Mr. Hoyt also updated the Board of Education on the Health/PE Curriculum review that is underway this year. Two International Exchange Student requests were approved for the 2010-11 school year including a boy from Taiwan and a girl from Switzerland. Superintendent Peterson expressed the District’s appreciation to Pamida for their recent $750 donation to the school. He noted the External Team Visit is scheduled for March 1^st through the 3^rd. Ainsworth Community Schools Board of Education will hold a retreat on Monday February 22^nd at 6 p.m. followed by a work session at 8 p.m. in the District Office.

Former Ainsworth School Board member Gary Allen was sworn in to the School Board Monday, replacing Jan O’Hare, who resigned due to medical issues.
Allen served on the Ainsworth Board of Education for six years, four of those as president, before leaving the board three years ago.
Allen will serve on the board for 2010 only, when O’Hare’s seat will be placed on the election ballot along with three other expiring seats on the board.
Those running for O’Hare’s seat will serve only a two-year term, when the seat will come up for election again during its regular cycle. The seats held by board members Angie Davis, Carolyn Johnson and Dan Dailey also come up for election during the 2010 cycle.
According to Superintendent Darrell Peterson, candidates will have to specify whether they are running for the two-year term or one of the three four-year terms.
For the board positions to appear on the primary election ballot, there would have to be at least three candidates for the two-year seat and at least seven for the four-year terms. Two candidates will advance to November’s general election for the two-year term, and six will make the cut for the four-year seats.
The deadline for incumbents to file for the 2010 election is Feb. 16. Newcomers have until March to file.
During its annual reorganization, Mark Johnson was elected as the board president for another year, with Lisa Chohon named vice president and Carolyn Johnson as the secretary/treasurer.
In other reorganization items, the board set its monthly meetings for the second Monday of the month, at 7 p.m. between November and April and at 8 p.m. between May and October.
All three local banks were approved as depositories for school district funds.
Board members were appointed to several committees both in-house and in the community. Carolyn Johnson, Davis and Allen were named to the Curriculum, Americanism and Multicultural Committee; Dailey, Allen and Mark Johnson to the Transportation, Building and Grounds Committee; Chohon, Davis and Carolyn Johnson to the Activities and Athletics Committee; Davis, Mark Johnson and Dailey to the Budget and Finance Committee; Carolyn Johnson, Mark Johnson and Dailey to the Negotiations and Personnel Committee; Chohon, Carolyn Johnson and Allen to the Policy Committee; Chohon as the school’s representative on the North Central Development Center Board and Roger Lechtenberg as the representative on the Ainsworth Area Chamber of Commerce Board; and Chohon was named as the district’s Government Relations Network representative.
During regular business items, Todd Mundhenke was on hand to go through the school’s property and liability insurance policy, which expires in April.
Mundhenke said the current policy, through Columbia Insurance, provides coverage on the school buildings as well as general liability coverage.
“We haven’t had to make many changes to the policy,” Mundhenke said. “We have increased some building values, and we dropped the rural districts. We also added the computers this past year. Columbia added the policy with a $500 deductible for each computer. I suggest you bid for deductibles of $100, $250 and $500 per computer.”
The school’s current policy carries a $22,400 price tag, and expires April 15.
In his report, Peterson said approximately 200 students were immunized for the H1N1 flu virus recently. The second dose, for students nine years of age and younger, will be given Jan. 13 in the school cafeteria, with a community clinic also planned for 3:30 until 7 p.m.
“We have been lucky so far,” Peterson said. “Some schools have had a high number of H1N1 cases.”
Peterson said the school band’s upcoming trip to Chicago has had to undergo some changes.
“Bowl Games of America is in charge of the parade, and it would cost an additional $350 per student to be able to march in the Thanksgiving parade,” Peterson said. “They are going to find another performance venue instead of marching in the parade.”
In her report, Elementary Principal Sarah Williams said more than 6,000 box tops were collected during the first semester in the Box Tops for Education promotion, providing the school with $600.
“It is incredible the number of box tops we are collecting,” Williams said. “I encourage everyone to collect the box tops and help the school.”
She said the DIBELS testing was coming soon for the first through fourth grade classes.
“This is going to be another benchmark for our students,” the elementary principal said.
In action items, the board made no changes to the school’s calendar of agenda, and approved the first reading of the school’s curriculum review.
The board’s next meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Feb. 8.

Area middle school students have been named to the Wrangler All-Star Rodeo team for their performance during the national rodeo.

Tanner Stec of Bassett was chosen as one of the captains of the team by a vote of other team members. Stec was named to the all-star team in the breakaway roping event. Other Nebraska team members include Sadie Stec of Bassett in girls breakaway roping, DeLynn Strand of Atkinson in goat tying, Sheyanne Long of Dunning in barrel racing, Riley Wakefield of O'Neill in bull riding, Blaine Finney of Ainsworth in chute dogging, Gunner Walker and Tate Mathis of Atkinson in team roping, and Stec and Brinnon Schukei of Dunning in boys breakaway roping.

The Brown County Sheriff's Department investigated a two-vehicle accident that occurred on Monday, Jan. 11. At 12:44 p.m. at the intersection of East Second Street and North Richardson Drive, a 1993 Dodge Caravan, driven by Myra Williams, 67, of Ainsworth, was backing from a parking lot and struck a parked 2007 Chevy Impala, owned by the BKR Extension Office of Ainsworth. No injuries were reported. Damage to the Dodge was estimated at $500. The Chevy sustained $800 damage.

The Brown County Sheriff's Department investigated a two-vehicle accident that occurred on Saturday, Jan. 10. At 12:52 p.m. Saturday at the Dollar General parking lot, a collision occurred between a vehicle driven by Hannah McCall, age 22, of Ainsworth, and a vehicle driven by Eddie Daniels, 52, of Ainsworth. No injuries were reported. The vehicles were moved prior to the deputy's arrival. Minor damage occurred to both vehicles.

The Brown County Foundation met Tuesday, Jan. 5, for its regular monthly meeting. The Foundation welcomed Judy Rau as a new member of the Grant Committee. She replaced Ruth Salzman, who served for many years on the Grant Committee. Board members were reminded of the upcoming Webinar on January 13 on “Making the Most of the Nebraska Community Foundation Web Site”.
Discussion continues on new plans for the annual meeting. The Foundation deposited over $6,000 in the Ainsworth Alumni Scholarship Fund as a result of the recent Old Geezers Shoot-Out. Other contributions included $165 in Christmas honorariums, $500 in donations and $1,025 in membership fees. The Brown County Foundation appreciates those who have made the decision to become members and work with the foundation for the betterment of the area. Anyone interested in joining may send their dues of $25 for a yearly membership or $250 for a lifetime fee to Box 323, Ainsworth, NE 69210. The next meeting of the Brown County Foundation Advisory Board will be February 2 at 4 p.m. at the NCDC meeting room.

A chimney fire Wednesday evening caused some damage to a residence in southern Brown County.
According to Brown County Rural Fire Chief Doug Rau, the fire call came in just after 9 p.m. at the Warren residence on the Calamus River Road approximately two miles east of Highway 7.
The Raven Volunteer Fire Department responded to the call, with mutual aid support from the Ainsworth Volunteer Fire Department.
Rau said damage to the residence from the chimney fire was minimal. After extinguishing the fire and checking for hot spots, the firemen returned to the fire hall by 10:30 p.m.

LINCOLN - The Nebraska Department of Agriculture is working with South Dakota officials who announced the finding of a bovine tuberculosis-positive cow in a southeast South Dakota cattle herd. Nebraska Agriculture Director Greg Ibach said Nebraska officials have been asked for information and assistance associated with the South Dakota Animal Industry Board’s epidemiological investigation of the TB-positive cow.

Nebraska was contacted as South Dakota officials begin to trace the movement of cattle into and out of the affected herd.

“At this point we anticipate the need for epidemiological work that will include the quarantine and testing of cattle in Nebraska,” Ibach said. “Preliminary trace work has us focused on the northern part of the state. At this point, we have no information to indicate the South Dakota case is connected to our ongoing TB investigation in Rock County.”

In June 2009, tuberculosis was discovered in two Rock County beef cattle, prompting a quarantine of more than 50 cattle herds. Subsequent testing of more than 20,000 head of cattle by USDA and NDA personnel resulted in no additional findings of the disease.

The Nebraska Department of Roads has lifted the closure on Highway 20 between Ainsworth and Bassett.

According to Susan Hoover with the NDOR Ainsworth office, state crews cleared drifting that had occurred on Highway 20 west of Bassett, stranding a few motorists and causing the highway to close. Hoover said, while all state roads in the area are now open to traffic, caution is advised.

A two-mile stretch of Highway 12 between Springview and Norden has been reduced to one lane due to drifting snow. The one lane restriction occurs between mileposts 35 and 37.

The chairman of the Central Nebraska Economic Development District presented information Wednesday to a group of Ainsworth housing representatives relating to the work done in Stuart and other communities to upgrade housing.
John Madsen said Stuart initially had numerous blighted areas in the community. A Community Development Block Grant allowed the development group to begin cleaning up lots and building new homes.
“We started with a duplex and two four-plexes,” Madsen, also the vice president of William Krotter Co., said. “Stuart didn’t have any private rental housing. Those units have now been full for 30 years. It has been amazing.”
Madsen said housing is the top priority in Stuart today, and it should be the same for much of north central Nebraska.
“There is a lot of pressure on the housing market right now for nice homes,” Madsen said. “There are more people trying to move back to north central Nebraska than we have had in 30 years. The houses we have are full, and there are not enough rentals.”
Madsen said, using its initial pool of funding, the development group in Stuart began purchasing lots and building three-bedroom homes with single car garages.
“You have a lot of little houses sitting empty, just like we did,” Madsen told the Ainsworth contingent, which included housing board members, North Central Development Center representatives and area builders. “We offered $4,000 to $5,000 for a building site, put two lots together, cleaned them off and build new houses. We build them one at a time, and that has worked well for us.”
Madsen said when one house is built and sold, that sale provides the capital to embark on the next building project.
North Central Development Center Executive Director Kristin Olson said LB 840 economic development funding could be used to get a housing project started in Ainsworth.
“We just need to prove the project is related to economic development, and housing definitely ties into that,” Olson said. “We don’t have the housing young families are looking for if they look at moving here.”
Olson said the local development group has already conducted a housing study. The next step is finding a project.
Members of the local housing committee discussed purchasing lots in Ainsworth and building homes one per year, similar to the effort undertaken by Stuart.
Problems include finding a suitable location and finding a lot large enough for a new house.
Housing board member Renee Adkisson said she was working with a property owner on a site in central Ainsworth that could serve as the group’s first housing project.
The consensus of the group was to proceed with developing a project, and to also look into housing rehabilitation as well as demolition of current houses that are no longer suitable.
Olson said tax credits are available for property owners wanting to donate lots or current houses that may no longer be livable, and credits are also available to contractors who donate demolition work. Tax credits also can be earned for recycling remnants of old houses.
The local housing group will meet next week to continue work on a potential project.

Following weeks of lengthy debate and two failed motions, the Brown County Commissioners on Tuesday set the salaries for elected officials for the 2011-14 cycle.
The county treasurer, clerk, attorney, assessor and sheriff will each be paid a salary of $36,407 in 2011, with annual increases of not less than 1 percent and not more than 5 percent through 2014.
The increase is $1,500 above the officials’ 2009 salary of $34,900, but that figure was likely to rise for the 2010 year due to the cost of living adjustment. The three commissioners are paid exactly half of the elected officials’ salaries, and will thus receive approximately $750 more annually in 2011 than they were paid in 2009.
Commissioner Buddy Small’s first motion, for a $2,145 increase to $37,054, or half of the increase needed to bring Brown County officials’ salaries up to the minimum recommended by the Nebraska Association of County Officials for counties of similar size, was defeated by a 2-1 margin.
“I think you are entitled to a pay increase because you had nothing last year and you will likely have a minimal raise this year,” Small told the five elected officials in attendance. “I believe in high morale. If you treat people with respect and consideration, you get better performance. To not give an increase would be a slap in the face. I believe the good people of Brown County will find this acceptable.”
Commissioners Les Waits and Russ Dodd both balked at the $2,145 increase proposed by Small.
“We have good people, but I think a $2,000 raise is excessive,” Waits said. “Rock County went with a 1.8 percent increase for elected officials and no increase for the commissioners.
Dodd said the taxpayers have to pay for any increase in elected officials’ salaries.
“I suggest we go with a 1 to 5 percent increase annually, but no initial increase.” Dodd said.
Brown County Attorney David Streich said he felt the elected officials were already conceding half of the increase recommended by NACO just to bring county employees to the minimum standard.
Sheriff Steve Hapner said he found it disappointing that sheriffs in other counties in this area were being paid as much as $10,000 more than he was, when most don’t have as many responsibilities.
Assessor Charleen Fox said the $33,500 annual base salary approved by the commissioners in 2006 was equal to the NACO recommendation.
After voting 2-1 against Small’s motion for a base salary of $37,054, the board, by a 2-1 margin with Small against, voted for a base salary of $36,407 for elected officials and $14,750 for the three commissioners.
The salaries must be set this month for the 2011 year, as anyone running for an elected office pays 1 percent of the 2011 base salary as a filing fee. People can now file for this year’s election, in which all five county official positions and two of the three commissioner seats are up for election.
In other business during Tuesday’s meeting, the commissioners approved a $100,000 payment to Norfolk Construction for work completed on the Meadville Bridge project, and set a budget amendment hearing for Jan. 19 to allow Brown County to pay an additional $100,000 and be reimbursed by Keya Paha County.
For all bills relating to the Meadville Bridge, Brown County has paid the claim and sent a letter to Keya Paha County for reimbursement. The two counties are jointly responsible for the bridge construction project.
In order to pay the claim for the entire project, then be reimbursed for half, the county’s budget must be amended, as the line item allows the county to pay for only half of the claims that will be submitted.
The board approved having Waits, the new chairman, sign an agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers relating to the Meadville Bridge project, and the commissioners approved sending a letter to Keya Paha County requesting reimbursement for current bridge costs in the amount of $2,147.
In another bridge matter, Highway Superintendent Lloyd Smith said the cost for replacing the Sisson Bridge north of Ainsworth, should the county choose to seek federal aid, carries an estimated total cost of $428,000. The county has already received an estimate of $44,000 from Norfolk Construction to build a bridge to minimum state standards.
“We need to start moving forward with this bridge,” Waits said.
Small said, “Moving forward at $44,000 sounds a lot better than moving forward at $400,000.”
No action was taken.
In other business, Small said he sought estimates from numerous heating and air conditioning professionals for upgrading the heating and air systems for the courthouse and sheriff’s department.
“I was told this building will never be heated or cooled properly with this duct work,” Small said. “Our problem is not the heater, it is the duct work, which is too small and not properly routed.”
The board is looking into applying for a grant through the U.S. Department of Energy to upgrade the system and take advantage of energy efficiency dollars available through the federal stimulus package.
North Central Development Center Executive Director Kristin Olson, who would handle the grant application for the county, said the Nebraska Public Power District can conduct an energy audit and bring an engineer to look at any changes that may be needed.
She said the grant application is due Feb. 1, so the commissioners would need to decide soon whether to pursue the grant.
During its annual reorganization, the board appointed Waits as the chairman and former chairman Dodd as the vice chair.
The board approved the Ainsworth Star Journal as its official print publication and KBRB as its official radio station. The Commercial National Bank, First National Bank, Union Bank and Trust and NPAIT were approved as depositories for county funds.
Meeting dates for the county board were set for the first and third Tuesdays each month, and 12 official holidays were approved for county employees.
Board members held onto their appointments to numerous committees, with Small representing the county on the Niobrara Council, County Wide Law Enforcement, and Region IV Behavioral Health; Dodd serving on the KBR Solid Waste Committee, Region 24 Emergency Management, and the North Central RC&D; and Waits serving on the Office of Developmental Disabilities Board, the North Star Region IV and Northeast Nebraska Area Agency on Aging boards, the Revitalization Committee and as the county’s representative to keep abreast of issues relating to the Brown County Hospital.
Prior to adjourning, the board met with representatives of Meritain Health, the county’s health insurance policy provider, and approved the national rate of 50 cents per mile as reimbursement to employees who use private vehicles while on county business.
The board’s next meeting is scheduled for Jan. 19.

Clay Chohon, an eighth-grader at Ainsworth Middle School, won the school-level competition of the National Geographic Bee and a chance at a $25,000 college scholarship. The school-level bee, during which students answered oral questions on geography, was the first round in the 22nd annual National Geographic Bee.

Maikayla Weiss, a seventh-grader, finished in second place and Kieron Rice, also a seventh-grader, was the third place winner. Other finalists included Austin Harthoorn, Pryce Pinney, Jace Kremer, James Worden, Payton Allen, Kaleb Schuetz, and Kyle Hobbs.

Rock County Public School officials have announced students earning perfect attendance and honor roll status for the second quarter.

Perfect attendance for the second quarter are Riley Teel, Grace Olson, Morgan Heyden, Wyatt Olson, Marcus Reynolds, Whitten Giles, Dalton Schmidt, Adrianna Shaw, Braydon Caldwell, Charton Clark, Chris Coulter, Hollie Morton, Jake Freidrich, Roger Carpenter, Marty Kreitman, Tiara Krieger, Shannon Alstrom and Cameron Mueller.

Several students had perfect attendance for the entire first semester. Those students were Cody Erickson, Edward Reynolds, Karley Anderson, Katrina Clay, Cassie Deverick, Colin Erickson, Gareth Giles, Austin Anderson, Kyle Gillis, Ethan Anderson, Tabitha Belimont, Tate Kuchera, Jaya Nelson, Ty Nelson, Josie Kuchera, Jud Kuchera, Aaron Sybrant and MaKenzie Krieger.

Honor roll students for Rock County Public Schools for the second quarter included fifth-graders Riley Bussinger, Bailey Devall, Aubrey Kroll, Kate Osborn, Dalton Schmidt, Rachel Stewart and Braydon Caldwell; sixth-graders Cash Cosgrove, Victoria Davis, Colin Erickson, Shelby Grupe, Jentrie Maurer, Jayde Shankland, Adrianna Shaw, Kenady Stanton and Quinton Shaw; seventh-graders Chris Coulter, Andrew Hollenbeck, Tyler Knox, Hollie Morton, Morgan Painter, Sabree Porter, Tristen Sell, Nolan Sybrant and Brianna Brown; eighth-graders Saresse Clay, Amber Frerichs, Keyanna Micheel, Daniel Mizner, Sadie Stec, Jamie Turpin and Tabitha Belmont; freshmen Carter Camp, Kyle Jackman and Tristen Mueller; sophomores Jon Alstrom, Amber Hollenbeck, Harlee Hollenbeck, Marty Kreitman, Tiara Krieger, Caleb Lackaff and Payton Shankland; juniors Kendra Bretschneider and Emily Sybrant; and seniors MaKenzie Krieger and Robyn Ziegler.

Honor roll students for Rock County Public Schools for the first semester included fifth-graders Riley Bussinger, Bailey Devall, Jaycee Fleming, Aubrey Kroll, Kate Osborn, Dalton Schmidt, Rachel Stewart and Braydon Caldwell; sixth-graders Cash Cosgrove, Victoria Davis, Colin Erickson, Shelby Grupe, Jentrie Maurer, Jayde Shankland, Adrianna Shaw, Kenady Stanton and Quinton Shaw; seventh-graders Chris Coulter, Andrew Hollenbeck, Tyler Knox, Hollie Morton, Morgan Painter, Sabree Porter, Tristen Sell, Nolan Sybrant and Brianna Brown; eighth-graders Saresse Clay, Amber Frerichs, Keyanna Micheel, Daniel Mizner, Sadie Stec, Jamie Turpin, Clifford Williams and Tabitha Belmont; freshmen Jaci Badura Carter Camp, Kyle Jackman and Tristen Mueller; sophomores Jon Alstrom, Amber Hollenbeck, Harlee Hollenbeck, Marty Kreitman, Tiara Krieger, Caleb Lackaff, Fee Nahrstedt and Payton Shankland; juniors Kendra Bretschneider, Emily Sybrant and Kelsey Venenga; and seniors MaKenzie Krieger, Rebecca Larson and Robyn Ziegler.

NORFOLK – Officials at Northeast Community College in Norfolk recently released the President’s Honor List and Deans’ Honor List for both full- and part-time students for the Fall 2009 Semester.
To be named to the President’s Honor List, students must earn a perfect grade point average of 4.0 and be enrolled for at least 12 credit hours. Some 181 students made the President’s Honor List this fall semester. Students named to the Deans’ Honor List must have earned a grade point average of 3.75 or above and be enrolled for at least 12 credit hours.
Two hundred two students were named to the Deans’ Honor List.
Another 134 students named to the President’s part-time list attained a 4.0 grade point average while taking at least six credit hours and 44 students named to the Deans’ part-time list earned a grade point average of 3.75 or above while taking at least six credit hours.
The President’s list for full-time students includes Kathryn Lemmer and Jessica Prothman of Atkinson, and Ross Kunz of Stuart. The President’s part-time student list includes Becky Frerichs, Caden Johnson, Morgan Kennedy and Matthew Stracke of Atkinson, and Lauren Olberding of Stuart.
Named to the Dean’s List for the first semester, from this area, were William Frederickson of Ainsworth, Brandy Bussinger of Bassett, Thomas Ammon of Newport, Jacob Dobias of Stuart and Joshua Carini of Valentine.
The Dean’s List for part-time students includes Candace Fernau of Ainsworth, Suzette Utter of Brewster and Katelyn Olson of Stuart.

Competing Saturday during the Elks District Hoop Shoot at Broken Bow, Brady and Gage Delimont of Ainsworth each captured first place in their age bracket to advance to the Elks State Hoop Shoot, scheduled for Feb. 13 at York.

Brady was the winner of the boys 12-13 age division, while Gage captured the boys 8-9 title.

Luke Peters finished second in the boys 10-11 age division to just miss qualifying for the state competition. In the girls division, Britley Schlueter placed second in her division.

Those competing in the district hoop shoot Saturday were winners of their age division in the local shoot held in December.

2009 Year end Totals Ainsworth Fire Dept.
Burn Permits – 122
Alarms responded to – 5
Assist with locating Missing Persons – 3
Residential Property fires – 9
Carbon Monoxide Alarms – 3
Storms (as spotters) – 7
Grass, Tree, and Hay Bale Fires – 9
Assist Other Agencies – 5
Vehicle Accidents – 9
Vehicle Fires – 8
Gas Meters Struck by Vehicles – 4
Anhydrous Tank Leaks - 2

Incident Reports per Area
Domestic Abuse Cases Investigated – 12 Ainsworth - 975
Drug Cases Investigated – 7 Long Pine - 112
Mental Health Cases Investigated – 11 Johnstown - 19
Sex Crimes Investigated – 3 County Wide - 501
Theft Cases Investigated – 43
Vandalism Cases Investigated – 66
Hazmat Fingerprint Packets – 22
Arrests - 56
Accidents Investigated – 104 (This includes minor accidents, deer/vehicle accidents, and accidents with injuries which also includes 3 fatality accidents, 1 of which alcohol was involved.)
Animal Complaints Investigated – 24 (This includes, but is not limited to: dog bites, animal neglect, including horses, dogs, cattle, and other animals.)
Criminal Cases Investigated – 74 (This includes, but is not limited to: assaults, criminal mischief, disturbances, trespassing, harassment, procuring, littering, animal complaints, etc…)
Juvenile Cases Investigated – 28 (This includes Minor in Possession, juvenile out of control, and any criminal offense involving minors)
Traffic Cases Investigated – 55 (This includes, but is not limited to: driving under the influence, driving under suspension, parking complaints, etc…)

Brown County Ambulance Service
Ambulance Runs – 159 (This is the most emergency runs since 1995)
Standbys – 32 (6 of these were for fire calls)
Transfers to Other Facilities – 34
Mileage – 8,600 Miles traveled. (This is the least amount of transfers and mileage since 1995)

Received a report of a disturbance in Bassett. A citation was issued on a charge of minor in possession of alcohol.