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Visitors to the KBRB web-site may listen to live programming, with news broadcasts from 6 until 10 a.m., noon to 1 p.m. and
the evening news from 5:45 to 6 p.m.

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E-mail us at kbrb@sscg.net

* Funeral Service notes: (see more on obit page)

Laurence Lange, 94, of Grand Island formerly of Ainsworth, Sept. 9

Wendy J. O'Neel, 42, of Burwell Sept. 10

Pat Neujahr, 76, of Valentine Sept. 10

William "Bill" McLain, 83, of Iowa, formerly of Bassett Sept. 11

* Meeting minutes or information for:

Sept. 7 Brown County Commissioners

Aug. 30 Ainsworth Board of Education special meeting

Aug. 25 Statewide Reading Test Scores

Aug. 17 Brown County Commissioners

Aug. 11 Ainsworth City Council

Aug. 9 Ainsworth Board of Education

Aug. 3 Brown County Commissioners

* Brown County Sheriff's Report and Rock County Sheriff's Report below...

* County sets 2010-11 budget, asking for $2.39 million in property taxes

(Posted Sept. 7)

The Brown County Commissioners approved a $12.5 million budget Tuesday following the board’s annual budget hearing.
The budget includes a property tax request of $2.39 million, approximately $135,000 more than the previous fiscal year.
While the proposed budget is $12,591,770, that amount will almost assuredly not be spent, as county governments are required to budget for every dollar that they expect to receive in revenue.
For example, in the 2009-10 fiscal year, the board adopted a budget of $11.8 million, but final 2009-10 expenditures were just a shade over $10 million.
With the $12.5 million budget approved Tuesday, the county’s levy will actually decrease slightly, though it still hovers around the 50-cent lid limit per $100 in valuation.
While the county asked for approximately $135,000 more from Brown County property owners, the levy lid went down due to the county’s property valuation increasing from approximately $384 million in 2009 to $415 million in the 2010 tax year.
Of the $2.39 million in property taxes requested by the board, $1.83 million will be used toward the general fund, and $508,200 toward repaying the bond for the Brown County Hospital addition project.
The final tax levy for 2010-11 is 57.69 cents per $100 in valuation, which includes the hospital bond. That levy is down from 58.83 cents per $100 in valuation passed during the 2009-10 fiscal year.
In a related budget item, the commissioners approved a restricted funds increase of 1 percent more than the 2.5 percent allowed annually. The restricted funds increase does not change the amount of tax the board is asking from property owners. It only increases the amount of unused budget authority for the county, which means the county could have taxed a higher amount but chose not to.
The county now has $419,081 in unused budget authority, giving the board the flexibility of increasing a future budget asking by more than the 2.5 percent allowed by state statute should the county find itself in a state of fiscal emergency.
In other financial items, the board approved a pair of bridge repair projects for the Athey Bridge on Goose Creek in southern Brown County and the McCullough Bridge north of Long Pine on Pine Creek.
The commissioners previously approved having Norfolk Contractors, the same company that built the Meadville Bridge, return to Brown County to repair the Carson and Stewart bridges on Goose Creek, which were damaged during June flooding.
“It is tough to get someone out here to do the work,” Board Chairman Les Waits said. “Those bridges are going to have to get fixed sometime.”
Commissioner Buddy Small agreed, saying it would be more feasible for the county to repair the remaining bridges while the contractor was already in the area.
Commissioner Russ Dodd said money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency would likely not arrive until the following year, but the repairs were needed after the approaches to the Athey Bridge washed out and the approaches to the McCullough Bridge could wash out with another heavy rain.
Money for the three bridges on Goose Creek could be obtained from FEMA after a June federal disaster declaration was issued for Brown County. Highway Superintendent Lloyd Smith said the McCullough Bridge would likely not qualify for FEMA reimbursement.
The board approved a $42,900 expenditure to repair the McCullough Bridge, and a $19,300 expense to repair the Athey Bridge.
Roads Foreman Dewey Jefferis said $202,489 in infrastructure repairs made in the wake of the June flooding had already been submitted to FEMA, and more repairs would be needed.
The board agreed to transfer $70,333 in previous money received from FEMA from the county’s grant fund to its county highway fund to help pay the up-front costs of the repairs before receiving reimbursement.
In another bridge matter, the board approved an interlocal agreement with Keya Paha County, in which both counties will allocate $20,000 annually for a period of 10 years into a bridge replacement fund, with the end goal of replacing the Norden Bridge across the Niobrara River. The agreement is identical to one made previously that resulted in the recent completion of a new bridge at Meadville.
Smith said cost estimates ranged from between $340,000 and $390,000 if the counties constructed a bridge to state standards, as they opted to do with the Meadville Bridge. He said if the county tried for a federal aid project to receive funding assistance, the costs to build to federal standards would be more like $760,000 to $950,000.
In other roads department items, the board approved a $1,500 payment to Frontier Diesel to purchase and install an air ride kit for the county’s International tractor truck, and approved a $600 expense to Frontier Diesel to equip a county Mack truck with mud guard fenders.
Kenneth O’Hare attended Tuesday’s meeting to express his displeasure with the county removing a large tree from near a road intersection northwest of Ainsworth.
Small apologized for the county failing to notify nearby landowners of the tree’s removal, which he said was done for safety purposes at the request of the Nebraska Intergovernmental Risk Management Agency.
“I wish we hadn’t taken that step without contacting the landowners,” Small said.
Small said, because of that incident, he asked County Attorney David Streich to draft a tree removal policy for the county to follow during any subsequent situations. The board agreed to have Frontier Diesel remove the tree stump that was still at the site, per O’Hare’s request.
The board agreed to advertise for bids for a new or used end dump truck for the roads department.
“We have been putting off this purchase for two years,” Waits said. “We need to start looking and see what we can come up with.”
Bids will be opened during the board’s Nov. 2 meeting.
In discussing armor coating on the Elsmere Road, Small said the county had debated whether it could armor coat seven or 10 miles due to budget constraints. He said the budget included funds to armor coat 10 miles of the approximately 20 mile paved road in southern Brown County.
Waits said, “We need to try and get caught up, and get our paved roads into a rotation. We have eight or nine miles south of Long Pine, the Moon Lake Road, and the Meadville Road.”
Jefferis said the armor coating contractor planned to get started on the project Sept. 13.
“We will start stockpiling gravel,” the roads foreman said. “We should be able to get it done in a day or two.”
In other business, the board approved a contract with Stanard Appraisal Services of Central City to provide appraisal assistance to the county assessor’s office in reviewing and revaluing rural residential parcels for the 2011 tax year. Assessor Charleen Fox said the state requires property to be revalued every six years, and the 2011 tax year would mark six years since rural residential property had been reclassified.
Big John’s Restaurant supplied the only bid for prisoner meals, and the board approved the bid of $4 per breakfast, $5.50 per lunch and $5.75 per dinner delivered to Brown County Jail inmates.
Long Pine resident Olivia Crabbe approached the board about barricades that were placed on a road on the east side of Long Pine. She questioned why the barricades were placed on Fourth Street east of Pine Street.
Jefferis said the barricades were not county barricades, and the road in question was not a county road.
“They must be City of Long Pine barricades,” Jefferis said. “That has never been our road.”
Waits said Crabbe would have to discuss the matter with the Long Pine City Council.
Nebraska State Sen. Deb Fischer provided the board with an update on past legislative activity at the state level and possible 2011 legislation that could affect state support to counties and schools as the state tries to trim an estimated $700 million from its next two-year budget.
The board’s next meeting is scheduled for Sept. 21.

* Painters win anniversary roses

(Posted Sept. 1)

August winners of one dozen anniversary roses from the Rusty Petal and KBRB Radio are Tammy and Marty Painter of Ainsworth.
Each month, all anniversaries announced on KBRB are entered in to the monthly drawing for one dozen anniversary roses from the Rusty Petal Flower shop downtown Ainsworth. Tammy and Marty Painter of Ainsworth are the anniversary roses winners for August.

* Storm Update

(Posted Aug. 31)

Appearing on KBRB Tuesday afternoon, National Weather Service Meteorologists John Stopkotte and Theresa Keck attributed Monday's storm damage to a microburst, a down draft created as the storm that rolled over Ainsworth collapsed. Stopkotte said microbursts typically result in winds that travel in several directions, evidenced by the debris from the Century Lumber storage building collapse spreading south while debris from a steel building at the Rolling Stone Feed Yard was carried north and debris caused by damage to other structures in Ainsworth moved east. Stopkotte estimated winds at 80 mph, though the only automated recording station, located northwest of Ainsworth, did not measure the peak gusts due to the area losing power.

* Traffic Accident

(Posted Aug. 31)

The Brown County Sheriff’s Department investigated a two-vehicle accident that occurred on Monday.
According to the sheriff’s department, at 12:20 p.m. Monday at the Ainsworth Community Schools west parking lot, a collision occurred between 2006 Chevy Malibu, driven by Maggie Steinhauser, 16, of Ainsworth, and a 2003 Chevy Malibu, driven by Reagan Fernau, 16, of Ainsworth. No injuries were reported. Damage to the Steinhauser Chevy was estimated at $1,000. No damage estimate was available on the Fernau Chevy.

* Monday thunderstorm causes extensive damage in Ainsworth

(Photos located below)

(Posted Aug. 30)

A fast-moving thunderstorm with straight-line winds at better than 80 miles per hour ripped through the Ainsworth area Monday afternoon, destroying at least two structures and damaging numerous homes and utilities.
The storm moved up from its origination point in southeastern Cherry County and reached Ainsworth at approximately 4:40 p.m., bringing with it .61 of an inch of rain in 15 minutes, small hail and intense straight-line winds.
According to National Weather Service Meteorologist Chauncy Schultz, the storm developed near Elsmere in southeastern Cherry County.
“We had a cold front move into the high plains that met a humid air mass,” Schultz said. “A disturbance in the jet stream along with those two fronts combined to fire up the storms on Monday.”
Though some in the path of the worst of the damage, which occurred mainly in and around the city of Ainsworth, believed a tornado to have likely touched down judging by the extent of the damage, Schultz said the damage most likely came from straight-line winds.
“We will be sending people up to survey the damage, but our initial thoughts are the damage was the result of straight-line winds,” Schultz.
No tornado warning was issued, only a severe thunderstorm warning. Schultz said the storm moved through Brown County quickly and made its way into South Dakota.
Left in the storm’s wake was a gauntlet of twisted steel, downed trees and power lines.
A storage building behind Century Lumber was demolished, with debris strewn to the south across several blocks of South Woodward Street and other nearby blocks.
The front porch of Rick Goochey’s home on Wilson Street was ripped from its foundation on the west side of the home. The porch was blown up across the roof, taking out the chimney and damaging the home’s roof before coming to rest east of the house.
Numerous trees were either split or uprooted completely on North Wilson Street. Several trees were damaged on the south side of Ainsworth as well, and the Ainsworth South Cemetery was hit particularly hard and sustained major tree loss.
A steel building on the Rolling Stone Feed Yard just north of Ainsworth was demolished, with debris scattered to the north for approximately 200 yards and steel twisted violently around trees north of the building site.
Power was knocked out for both Nebraska Public Power District and KBR Rural Electric customers with the onset of the storm at approximately 4:40 p.m. Power was restored to a majority of both rural electric and NPPD customers by 7 p.m.
Brad Waits with KBR Rural Public Power said several power poles were damaged west of Daniels Manufacturing, and another was damaged southwest of Ainsworth. He said a few poles were down near Rose as well, but all rural electric customers should have power.
With additional rain Monday night, KBRB’s rain gauge showed 1.41 inches.

(Photo submitted to KBRB)

This is the best photo KBRB has received of the actual storm cloud as it moved through Ainsworth. The photo was taken Monday afternoon west of Ainsworth on Highway 20. National Weather Service meteorologists were in Ainsworth Tuesday, and determined the damage was caused by a microburst, or "downdraft" that was created as the storm collapsed as it moved into Ainsworth. Meteorologists John Stopkotte and Theresa Keck said microbursts rarely occur over populated areas, especially in sparsely populated western Nebraska.

Photos by Graig Kinzie

Steel from a building destroyed at the Rolling Stone Feed Yard twisted itself around the remainder of a downed tree more than 150 yards from the building's original location.

Debris from the Rolling Stone steel building was deposited more than 200 yards north of its original location, crossing a holding pond, the Ainsworth Irrigation District canal and a county road before landing in a cattle pen.

A portion of Rick Goochey's porch on North Wilson Street came to rest on the other side of his home after being torn from its foundation and ripping across the roof, destroying the home's chimney in the process.

A storage building west of Century Lumber was completely demolished by Monday's storm, with debris strewn across South Woodward Street and several other blocks south of the building's original location. Debris caused minor damage to several homes south of the site.

Volunteer KBRB Weather Observer Larry Rice laments as Brown County Sheriff Steve Hapner documents the damage to Rice's private storm chaser pickup. Situated near Cottonwood Villa when the storm struck, the pickup's rear window was shattered by flying debris. KBRB Radio did not sanction Rice's activities Monday, and therefore claims no responsibility.

Photo by Herb Hollingsworth

Several long-standing trees at the Ainsworth South Cemetery were sheered by Monday's powerful winds.

(Photos by John Pierce)

A large tree was downed at the Leach residence on West Seventh Street, with a portion of the tree falling on the house.

The gusting winds Monday twisted and brought down numerous trees in the area, including these in southwestern Ainsworth.

The storm took the roof off a small garage at the city's wastewater treatment plant, but, according to City Administrator Kristi Thornburg, did not damage the new treatment plant building.

* School Board approves final 2009-10 expenditures

(Posted Aug. 31)

The Ainsworth Board of Education approved the final expenditures for the 2009-10 school year during a special meeting Monday.
Included in the final expenses totaling more than $357,000 were three vehicle purchases.
Prior to approving the final bills to close out the 2009-10 school year, Superintendent Darrell Peterson said the district could replace two 15-passenger vans that would not meet 2011 safety standards set by the Nebraska Department of Education.
The third vehicle purchase replaces a 1996 Chevy Suburban.
The superintendent said IDEA special education funds awarded through the federal stimulus program could be used to help with two of the three vehicle purchases.
“These are one-time stimulus funds,” Peterson said of the IDEA funds.
The board approved the purchase of a 2009 Chevy Suburban at a cost of $35,400 and a 2009 Chevy 12-passenger van at a cost of $26,300. Both vehicles were purchased from Cobb Chevrolet, and Peterson said $24,400 in IDEA funds were being used.
“Funding part of the vehicles through IDEA funds allows us to use the vehicles for both special education and regular activities,” Peterson said.
The board also approved the purchase of a used 2010 Chrysler Town and Country minivan from Ainsworth Motors at a cost of $22,640, with $15,600 of the cost being funded through IDEA funds.
“IDEA funds were used for 90 percent of the cost to purchase the vehicle we are replacing,” Peterson said. “We have IDEA funds to use again.”
All three vehicles were included in the 2009-10 fiscal year final expenses, along with $33,500 for the school’s share of the new restrooms constructed at East City Park, $9,504 for new lockers for the high school, $4,220 to replace an older security camera, $15,609 for new science books and $30,800 for new Reading Mastery books for the middle school.
Board member Lisa Chohon asked about the status of the new lockers. Peterson said the school was waiting for the lockers to be delivered.
Following a more than 90 minute executive session to begin Monday’s meeting, the board voted to uphold the administrator’s decision relating to a request from parents of a high school student to change the student’s schedule.
An option enrollment request allowing sophomore Cordell Hawkins of Wood Lake to attend Ainsworth Community Schools was approved. An option enrollment request allowing Weston and Kolton Needham of Long Pine to attend Rock County Public Schools was also approved.
The board approved the second readings of policies relating to academic content standards; student residence, admission and contracting for educational services; and restraint and seclusion.
During a work session following the special meeting, Peterson reported on the recent census summary, showing two fewer students than the previous list.
“It can be difficult to track,” Peterson said. “I looked back at our class of 50 first-graders, and their census at birth started with 23 on the census.”
As he did last week on KBRB, Peterson discussed the results of the statewide NeSA reading tests administered last spring.
“We had some very good results, and some results that were low,” the superintendent said. “The test is much different, so the scores statewide were below what they were in past years. On the previous tests, most schools scored 90 percent or better.”
Closer to 70 percent of Nebraska students were deemed to be meeting or exceeding state reading standards on the new test, compared to 90 percent proficiency when the school districts administered tests individually.
Parent Patty Finney asked the board if the middle school curriculum was being modified to help students meet the state standards.
“Both of my boys are in middle school, and these test scores alarm me,” Finney said.
Both the seventh- and eighth-grade classes had average reading scores well below the state average, with a higher percentage of students who were below state proficiency standards.
Elementary Principal Sarah Williams said the language arts curriculum was being rewritten this year, but it had been six years since the last update.
“The seventh and eighth grades scored lower, and those are areas we are going to look at,” Peterson said. “We have already made changes in the middle school to the curriculum and the teaching materials.”
Peterson said the district will know next year after the tests are taken again whether the changes implemented in the middle school were successful.
The board will hold a public hearing at 8 p.m. Sept. 13 on the 2010-11 proposed budget and tax request, with the regular board meeting to follow.

* North Central District Health Department warns of rabies risk

(Posted Aug. 30)

As of Aug. 27, there have been 41 confirmed rabies cases in Nebraska, with three of the cases occurring in counties covered by the North Central District Health Department.
A majority of rabies cases in the United States each year are of bat origin. For a person to be exposed to rabies from a bat, there must be contact with saliva from the bat. Saliva from the bat can be transmitted by a bite, saliva dripping onto an open wound or splattered onto the membranes of the eyes, nose or mouth. Rabies cannot be spread through contact with the animal’s urine, feces or by touching the animal.
Bat bites are very superficial and are easily overlooked. Bat exposures should be considered if there is a bat in the room with a sleeping person or waking to find a bat in the room, a bat in a room with a person who doesn’t communicate well or there is a collision between the bat and a person. For more information about rabies, call Peggy with the North Central District Health Department at 877-336-2406.

* Viaero Wireless receives Chamber Business Yard of the Week

(Posted Aug. 27)

Viaero Wireless, at the corner of Main Street and Highway 20, is the business recipient of the Ainsworth Area Chamber of Commerce Yard of the Week Award.
Though lacking in traditional turf grass, the Viaero store makes up for it with a myriad of roses, spirea and other ornamental bushes and grasses that adorn the corner lot.
The business Yard of the Week wraps up the 2010 Yard of the Week promotion for the Chamber of Commerce. Committee members Graig Kinzie, Gina Keller and Dorothy Kenney thank all those who nominated friends or neighbors for the Yard of the Week Award.
Other business/organization/church nominees included Union Bank & Trust and Brad Witte for the Ainsworth football field.

* Traffic Accident

(Posted Aug. 27)

The Brown County Sheriff’s Department investigated a two-vehicle accident that occurred on Thursday.
According to the sheriff’s department, at 7:58 a.m. Thursday on Elm Street near the Highway 20 intersection, a 2002 Chevy Silverado, driven by James R. Cothrum, 48, of Ainsworth, was backing from a parking area and struck a 2006 Ford Fusion, driven by Rayann Hanks, 40, of Ainsworth.
No injuries were reported. Damage to the Chevy was estimated at $200. The Ford sustained more than $1,000 damage.

* Statewide reading test scores released by the Department of Education

(Posted Aug. 25)

The statewide reading assessment scores for Nebraska schools were released Wednesday, showing just under 70 percent of the state’s students to be meeting or exceeding newly implemented state standards in reading.
Nebraska Education Commissioner Roger Breed said, “While we are pleased that nearly 69 percent of our students have the reading skills required to meet or do better than the standards we set as a state, we can always do better, and I am confident that we will in the years ahead.”
The results for individual schools, including Ainsworth, Rock County and Keya Paha County, were released in addition to the statewide reading performance tests.
The tests were taken by students in the spring of 2010.
For Ainsworth Community Schools, the third- through sixth-grade students and the junior class tested above the state average for reading, while the seventh- and eighth-grade classes were below the norm. Scores ranged from zero to 200. Students who scored 85 or better met or exceeded state standards.
“District wide, we had two grades score quite high, two were quite low, and the rest were right in line with the state average,” Ainsworth Superintendent Darrell Peterson said. “Over the long term, we aren’t seeing a grade level in particular that scores low. We see the difference in individual classes.”
Ainsworth’s 29 third-graders’ average score was 131, well above the 101 state average. Just 17 percent of the third-grade class tested below the state standards, while 38 percent met the standards and 45 percent exceeded the standards.
Fourth-graders averaged 109, above the state average of 104. Thirty-four percent of Ainsworth fourth-grade students tested below the average, while 26 percent exceeded the standard and 40 percent met the goal.
Peterson said, with this being the first year of statewide standardized testing, the overall average for schools was lower than when the schools were administering their own tests.
“The idea of a statewide test is good,” the Ainsworth superintendent said. “I don’t think this is as extensive of a testing system as we used to have. We used to have tests throughout the year, and this is now a one-time test taken over two days.”
Peterson said the district is seeing a variance in the individual classes more than they are seeing any differences in the grade levels as a whole.
“The fifth and sixth grade scored OK this year, and they went through the same classrooms as the seventh- and eighth-graders,” Peterson said.
Ainsworth fifth-grade students received an average score of 102, just above the state average reading comprehension score of 101. Thirty-two percent of the Ainsworth fifth-grade class tested below the standards, with 20 percent exceeding the average and 48 percent meeting the average.
The Ainsworth sixth-grade class, with an average of 109, also stayed ahead of the state average score of 101. Twenty-nine percent of Ainsworth sixth-grade students were below the standards set by the state, while 26 percent exceeded the standard and 45 percent met the standard.
Ainsworth’s seventh-grade class scored below the state average of 104. Ainsworth’s seventh-graders scored an average of 91, with 53 percent below the state standards, 12 percent exceeding the standard and 35 percent meeting the state goal.
The eighth-grade class was also well below the state average. Ainsworth’s eighth-graders scored an average of 80, below the state average of 102 for that class. A majority, 58 percent, of Ainsworth’s eighth-graders in the spring of 2010 scored below the state standards, with just 3 percent exceeding the standards and 39 percent meeting the state goal.
Peterson said changes have already been implemented at the middle school level after Ainsworth Middle School was placed on a list of low-achieving schools by the state in the spring.
“We extended the reading block time for the middle school this year, we changed reading materials, and we added reading and math classes at the middle school level,” Peterson said.
The junior class (this fall’s seniors) were back above the state average, scoring 114 on average compared to the state average of 101. Just 11 percent of Ainsworth juniors fell below the state standard, while 18 percent exceeded the standards and 71 percent met the state goal.
“Our junior class scored well above the average, and our third grade was way above the average,” Peterson said. “Our students exceeding state standards are above the state average for every grade except seventh and eighth. We reviewed this data with the staff. There are areas where we want to improve. One of the first things is to stress to the students how important these tests are to the school and to each class. I am not sure that was stressed in the past.
“I think our average, and the state average, will increase during these first couple years. Teachers understand how important these tests are. In a year or two, we will be more concerned if the scores remain low after the changes we have made.”
For Rock County Public Schools, the third, fifth, sixth, and seventh-grade classes and the junior class exceeded the state average, while the fourth and eighth grades were below the state average.
Keya Paha County third- through seventh-graders and junior class students all bettered the state average, while only the eighth-grade class fell below the state average for reading comprehension.
Of the 147,337 students tested in Nebraska in the spring, 84 percent, took the test online. Peterson said all Ainsworth students took the online version of the tests.
Complete results for each school district across the state are available on the Nebraska Department of Education Web site at www.education.ne.gov.

* Bassett receives Housing Trust Grant funds

(Posted Aug. 24)

The Nebraska Department of Economic Development has awarded the City of Bassett $131,700 in Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Funds to construct a new affordable home for a family earning at or below 100 percent of the area median income.
Program income from the home’s sale will be used to build another affordable home at Bassett.
An additional $67,550 in funding from the city of Bassett, Bassett Homeowner Program, and the homebuyer’s contribution will complete the project.
A 2009 Housing Study encompassed Keya Paha, Brown and Rock counties. A top city of Bassett priority is to develop homes for young families recruited to work and live here. A survey of those families indicated the need for homes with a minimum three bedrooms, two baths, and two-car garages. With few quality, affordable homes available, new employees may be forced to seek homes in neighboring communities until such housing may be available. Currently 13 homes are for sale in Bassett, nine built before 1970 and only one meeting future homeowners’ surveyed needs.

* Sedlaceks win final Yard of the Week Award

(Posted Aug. 24)

Joyce and Duane Sedlacek of Johnstown are the final recipients of the Ainsworth Area Chamber of Commerce’s Yard of the Week Award.
The Sedlaceks join Tony and Michelle Beck, Bruce Dannatt, Jim and Renee Adkisson, Kris and Kelly Cobb, Rick and Deb Runyan, Jim and Angie Debolt, and Jan and Brian Vogelsang as 2010 Yard of the Week winners.
The chamber thanks everyone who nominated a friend or neighbor for the Yard of the Week Award. There were dozens of nominations this year. Those who were nominated this year will also be eligible for Yard of the Week next year.
The chamber also thanks members Red and White Market, the First National Bank, Commercial National Bank, Union Bank & Trust, Alco, Pamida, Keller’s Custom Embroidery & Imprints and KBRB Radio for sponsoring the Yard of the Week promotion.
The chamber will award a business/organization/church Yard of the Week this week to close out the 2010 promotion.

* Sandhills Pheasants Forever hosting 'Ugly Acres' contest

(Posted Aug. 18)

The Sandhills Chapter of Pheasants Forever is sponsoring an Ugly Acres Habitat Contest for all landowners in Brown, Rock, Keya Paha and eastern Cherry counties. Each entry must be at least 5 acres, and there is no maximum number of acres that can be entered. No noxious weeds can be present on the acreage. Entries are due Oct. 1, and the property cannot be disturbed until April 1, 2011. The winner will be announced Nov. 12 during the annual Sandhills Chapter banquet. The winner receives a $500 gift certificate to Cabela's. For more information, contact Kevin Johnson at 387-2598.

* Commissioners rescind resolution relating to deputy officials' salaries

(Posted Aug. 18)

The Brown County Commissioners provided three elected officials with more budget flexibility Tuesday by rescinding a resolution that limited the level of pay for deputy officials.
Deputy officials in the sheriff, clerk and treasurer’s offices were limited in salary to 85 percent of the elected official’s salary annually.
With elected officials’ salaries tied directly to the consumer price index, and that index nearly static the past two years, deputies in those three offices could not receive an increase in pay, while other employees in those departments could see a pay increase.
“I have a chief deputy who works about 60 hours per week,” Sheriff Steve Hapner said. “He is going way above the call of duty. I don’t think we are showing the appreciation for the extra work that is being done.”
Clerk Janet Huggins said other employees can receive a $50 to $75 per month raise, while the deputies have received much less in the past two years.
“Their salaries are pretty much frozen,” Huggins said. “We, as the elected officials, have enough sense to know how much to give them.”
Commissioner Buddy Small said the deputies have not been able to get a raise because of the resolution in place limiting them to 85 percent of the elected official’s salary.
“I have faith in our county officials that, if they proposed a pay increase in their budget for these employees, it is not going to create a problem,” Small said. “To have a deputy get an increase of $8 a year is degrading. I don’t perceive the elected officials will offer huge pay increases.”
Commissioner Les Waits said each office has a budget, and if the salaries get out of line the board can adjust the budget.
The commissioners unanimously rescinded the resolution, which was enacted in February 2003.
In other business, the commissioners approved advertising for bids for a pickup for the roads department’s Johnstown shop.
Roads Foreman Dewey Jeffries said the current vehicle is losing transmission fluid, and the reverse gear does not work.
Small said the county budgeted $15,000 last year and did not make a vehicle purchase.
The board agreed to advertise for a three-quarter ton pickup, with bids accepted until Sept. 20 and opened by the board Sept. 21.
Jeffries also reported the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s kickoff event relating to the June flooding is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Thursday. FEMA representatives will discuss filling out project worksheets so counties can receive reimbursement for work performed repairing flood damage.
The board unanimously agreed to increase Zoning Administrator Dean Jochem’s salary to $17 per hour effective for the Sept. 17 pay period.
In other items, the commissioners approved the purchase of several pieces of custodial equipment from former custodian Denise Crofutt.
The board discussed diesel contracting with Tim Johnson of Gas Rite. That item was placed on the board’s Sept. 21 agenda to determine at what price to lock in diesel for the coming year. The county already contracts unleaded fuel with Gas Rite for the sheriff’s and roads departments.
Four companies will be contacted to provide estimates for a sprinkler system for the courthouse building, as required by the state fire marshal.
The commissioners re-appointed Dick Finley to a five-year term on the Veterans Service Committee, and accepted the resignation of Dick Wait from the committee, replacing him with Brent Johnson. Johnson will serve the remainder of Wait’s term, which expires in June 2014.
The board approved sending a letter to the Keya Paha County Commissioners requesting reimbursement in the amount of $146 for Meadville Bridge expenses. The expenses relate to signs on the bridge.
The next meeting of the Brown County Commissioners is scheduled for 8:15 a.m. Sept. 7..

* Council holds hearing on paving districts

(Posted Aug. 12)

 The Ainsworth City Council met Wednesday evening and introduced Resolution 10-7, which will determine the sufficiency of the petitions for street improvements for Districts 2010-1 and 2010-2. This action followed an open hearing on these two districts in which no public comment was offered to the council.
The street improvement districts include one block of Woodward Street, between Third and Fourth streets, which is also scheduled for major sewer replacement. The second district is two blocks of Oak Street, from Second to Fourth streets. Residents of those blocks circulated a petition, and will be included in the paving project that will begin in the spring.
A representative from the Public Alliance for Community Energy presented information to the council regarding the services ACE and the Nebraska Municipal Power Pool provide to the city. These services include strategic planning, computer services, economic development and load control. ACE also awards funds to members communities. Ainsworth has received more than $13,000 from ACE since 1998.
Jennifer Erthum, representing the Ainsworth Women’s Club, presented plans for replacing the Christmas lighting displays along Highway 20. The city is holding $14,600 in funds raised some years ago during a tele-a-thon. The funds were earmarked for Christmas lights. The council moved to allow the Women’s Club to select the replacement displays and use the designated funds.
Kevin Johnson and Gene Lehnert appeared before the Council in regard to the Pheasants Forever habitat plot they will be leasing from the city. A lease will be prepared once it is clear the city is additionally insured by Pheasants Forever. The local chapter has agreed to mow the perimeter of the habitat area twice a year to assist in fire prevention.
The City Council agreed to sell KBR Solid Waste an additional 100 feet of property on the west side of their current location at the land fill. The sale is contingent upon the Solid Waste Committee obtaining a grant prior to January 1, 2012, to construct an additional building.
The Special Commission on vacating the alley south of KBR Rural Public Power will meet later this week. Their determination was tabled until the council’s September meeting.
North Central Development Center Executive Director Kristin Simonson-Olson gave the LB 840 quarterly report to the council members. They reviewed the house plan and contract dates for the home being built by NCDC. The councilmen were provided sample contracts for the administration of LB 840 funds and will make recommendations during the council’s September meeting. Olson also requested permission for the NCDC, Ainsworth Chamber of Commerce and the BKR Extension Service to use the Library Park for a Passport to Prosperity event on the evening of Sept. 18. This project will offer public awareness of businesses that are available in the three-county area. Olson’s report concluded with information on a tree grant that is available for Nebraska communities. The grant would assist with purchasing trees for the south cemetery and East City Park as well as mulch, and watering supplies. Up to $20,000 in matching funds are available. The council will determine, during its next meeting, if it is interested in applying for the grant and to what extent.
The council approved a $1,550 proposal from Maguire Iron, Inc. to inspect the west water tower.
The City Administrator’s report included information on:
A batting cage at the Legion field was blown over in a recent storm.
Progress continues on the new restrooms at East City Park.
The county attorney continues discussions with persons interested in the Yoeman property.
Another sample of the city’s water has shown to still be positive for coliform bacteria. A
representative from the Department of Health will be in Ainsworth Thursday to assist with determining the cause.
An additional civil defense siren is needed in the west area of town. The city will look into whether FEMA funds are available for the project in the next year or two.
In other action Wednesday night, the Ainsworth City Council re-appointed Ruth O’Hare and Helen Sherman to the Ainsworth Housing Authority Board for five-year terms. The financials for the year ending 2009 and budget preparation for 2010-11 by Dana F. Cole were also approved.
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Ainsworth City Council is Sept. 8.

* Board accepts resignation of long-time math teacher

(Posted Aug. 10)

By Renee Adkisson
The Board of Education of Ainsworth Community Schools accepted the resignation of Deb Gerdes during their regular monthly meeting on Monday. Gerdes has taught math for 35 years in Ainsworth and is moving to South Dakota. Ruth Ann Hagen was hired to fill the math position for the 2010-11 school year. Hagen also tendered her resignation effective at the end of this school year, making it convenient for the District to proceed with hiring a math teacher for 2011-12. The board proceeded to approve the staffing and organization assignments for the year.
The Board of Education approved contracts for the 2010-11 school year for administrative positions including Superintendent Darrell Peterson, Elementary Principal Sarah Williams and Middle/High School Principal Harv Wewel.
Option enrollment requests for Andrew Walton, Daniel Mizner, and Christian and Alivia Thompson to attend school in Rock County were approved. Those students all reside in Long Pine. Derrick and Tanner White, who reside in Rock County, were approved as option-in students to Ainsworth Community Schools.
A Corporate Certificate of Authority for the Commercial National Bank was approved. This change was for the Activity Fund only and removed the name of Phil Hoyt, replacing it with Jeff Konkoleski and Scott Steinhauser.
Peterson informed the board that the school has received accreditation from the Nebraska Department of Education and North Central Accreditation from AdvancED. While this accreditation is for the high school, the entire school went through the process and will now begin a new five year accreditation cycle.
Little Paws Preschool, located in the Central Nebraska Community Services building on Main Street, currently has 28 three- and four-year-olds registered. Many changes have been made to the preschool building during the summer, and it now looks much different than in prior years.
Peterson also reported the Post Prom Committee is planning to have the shop classes build a 12 by 16-foot building to store their materials. They would like to place this non-stationary building on school grounds for the present time.
Williams’ report noted the unofficial enrollment for K-4 currently stands at 173 compared to 171 last year. McAndrew Elementary will have a new Reading Language Arts series this year, as well as a relocated music room and three first grade rooms.
Wewel reported that Middle/High School schedules are currently being finalized. Schedules, home room assignments and locker assignments will be available for students to pick up on Wednesday and Friday. Plans for middle school reading classes and interventions, and math interventions have been finalized. The schedule changes will provide a longer block of class time to focus on improved reading and math skills. Fifth grade student/parent orientation has been scheduled for Monday, Aug. 16, from 6:30 to 7 p.m. in the cafeteria. Fifth-grade teachers Linda Alberts and Ann Hoch will present information to parents and students and provide a short tour of classrooms.
First reading of Policy 6212 Academic Content Standards, Policy 5115 Student Residence, Admission and Contracting for Educational Services and Policy 5455 Restraint and Seclusion were approved.
On second reading, the board approved Policy 5130 Attendance and Excessive Absenteeism.
After discussion during their June meeting, the Board of Education approved second reading of Policy 5552 School Dance and Royalty Candidates, which defines conduct, attire, and eligibility for attendance and selection as royalty at school functions.
The board set a special meeting for 8 p.m. Aug. 30 to approve final expenditures for the 2009-10 school year and to approve policy. A work session will follow the special meeting. They also set a public hearing for 8 p.m. Sept. 13 on the proposed 2010-11 budget of expenditures and 2010-11 tax request. That will be followed by the regular September board meeting.

* Commissioners approve repair work on two bridges

(Posted Aug. 4)

The Brown County Commissioners approved contracts to repair two bridges in the southern portion of the county, and secured the services of its highway superintendent to survey two problem areas north and west of Ainsworth during the board’s Tuesday meeting.
The Carson and Stewart bridges, damaged when Goose Creek jumped its banks in June, will receive new wing walls and back walls after the commissioners approved a contract with Norfolk Contracting.
The approaches to both bridges washed out during the June flooding, and temporary repairs had been made by the county and the sole homeowner in the area to allow traffic to get across the bridges.
“Hay and dirt were dumped into the areas that washed out, but that is a temporary fix,” Commissioner Buddy Small said. “I tried to discuss rerouting the Goose Creek channel near the Carson bridge, but I have not received a response from the Army Corps of Engineers.”
With the board in consensus that the Carson bridge was the highest priority, since it provided the lone access to the Carsons’ home, the $25,500 repair contract with Norfolk Contracting was unanimously approved.
The board also approved $22,600 in repairs to the Stewart bridge, which also had the approaches washed out.
The county will fill out Federal Emergency Management Agency worksheets on both bridge repair projects, since flooding caused the damage and the county was included in a federal disaster area.
The board did not take action on a $19,300 bid to repair the Athey bridge along Goose Creek.
In other business, the commissioners discussed two problem areas on county roads with Highway Superintendent Lloyd Smith.
The first spot related to drainage on North Wilson Street.
Smith said the county ditch has been dug out, but that area serves as a collecting point from the city’s storm sewers.
“There are three pipes there already, but that street is going to continue to erode,” Smith said. “We are going to have to pipe the water to the creek.”
Small said the concern was the base of the street hollowing out and the road caving.
Commissioner Les Waits said all of the water in the northwestern part of Ainsworth was being drained to the west, right to that area.
“If we put a new tube in, we just need to make sure it is big enough,” Waits said.
Smith said the danger was a motorist currently could drop a wheel off North Wilson Street and the drop could be enough to tip the vehicle.
“You could lose a portion of that road,” the highway superintendent said.
The board approved a $1,500 bid submitted by Smith to provide a profile and cross section survey of the area. Following that work, Smith would provide a plan to correct the problem, and that work would go out for bidding.
The commissioners also approved a $5,400 bid from Smith to provide a profile and survey of a box culvert area on the Sand Draw Creek north of Ainsworth on the Meadville Road.
The current box culvert is in need of repair, and could pose a safety hazard for motorists if it continues to deteriorate.
“The problem has been there for 30 years, and it keeps getting worse,” Smith said.
Roads Foreman Dewey Jefferis said the county has made repairs to the box culvert on two separate occasions, but it was getting to the point of needing to be replaced.
Smith said there is cracking near the outlet, and the concrete floor is eroding.
“It is not very supportive,” Smith said.
With the county having to pay $5,400 for the survey work, and looking at an additional $4,050 expense to Miller and Associates engineering to provide a plan for replacing the culvert, the nearly $10,000 in costs does not include the actual work that will be needed to replace the box culvert.
“We are looking at $9,400 just to figure out what it will take to fix it,” Small said. “This is another case of the county having a gun to its head.”
Waits said the county knows the problem is there, so it needed fixed before a motorist was injured.
Smith said the survey work would take approximately six or seven weeks to complete.
The board approved spending $1,200 with B’s Enterprises of Norfolk for two 25-foot sections of guard rail to be placed at the Meadville Bridge approach on the Brown County side.
Jefferis said it was his opinion that the guard rail needed to be extended on the south approach.
The commissioners discussed an armor coating project for the Elsmere Road this year.
A representative of Topkote said the county had locked in the price of $13,808 per mile for the oil needed and the cost to apply the oil to the road.
The county would be separately responsible for the gravel needed.
The Topkote representative said the county needed to look at the armor coating work or risk losing the benefits of the crack sealing that was performed on the Elsmere Road two years ago.
Small said a lot of money has been invested in the Elsmere Road.
“It would be foolish to let the crack seal work go to waste by not armor coating the road,” Small said.
Commissioner Russ Dodd said the county would armor coat a portion of the road this year, the question was how much of the road the county could tackle.
“We just don’t know yet how much money is there,” Dodd said. “We will figure out in the budget how many miles the county can armor coat.”
The board estimated the county would try to armor coat between seven and 10 miles of the Elsmere Road. The estimated cost, including the gravel, to armor coat 10 miles is $151,000.
The board heard complaints from Gary and Mike Kelly relating to the condition of the roads northwest of Ainsworth.
Gary Kelly said high traffic was causing the roads to deteriorate.
“I don’t know what the answer is, but the roads out there are going to pot,” he said. “What’s being done now is not working.”
Jefferis said the roads were not being bladed as often as in recent years with the roads department still having numerous repairs to make from the June flood damage.
Small said the county had the opportunity to purchase 5,000 tons of road millings from the State of Nebraska at a cost of $10 per ton delivered to the county shop.
The board looked through the budget to determine if $50,000 was available for the purchase.
“This may be the only chance we have to get millings for a while,” Small said. “They will never be this inexpensive again.”
Dodd said the board was digging itself a hole already in the 2010-11 budget.
“We don’t have $50,000 to spend on millings,” Dodd said.
No action was taken.
Doug Rau presented the Brown County Rural Fire Protection District’s levy request of 4 cents per $100 of valuation.
County Attorney Dave Streich said the rural district was required to ask for 4 cents in levy through its mutual financing organization.
Small asked what happened if the commissioners did not allocate the entire 4 cent levy.
Streich said the fire board could request an election. If voters approved the entire 4 cent levy, the amount above what the commissioners approved would not be included in the county’s 50 cent levy limit.
A 4 cent levy would provide the rural fire district with an approximately $140,000 budget.
Small asked how much the fire district needed to operate.
Rau said the fire department got by on the $85,000 the county allocated through a 2-1/3 cent levy in 2009-10, but the department could not be proactive.
“We can’t put money toward replacing a truck when that is all we have to work with,” Rau said.
Kenny Eggers, representing the Brown County Agricultural Society, was also on hand to discuss that entity’s request of $20,000 in levy allocation for the Brown County Fair.
Both requests will be addressed by the board during continued budget workshops.
The next meeting of the Brown County Commissioners is scheduled for 8:15 a.m. Aug. 17.

* Highway 183 speed limit lowered to 45 mph north of Rose

(Posted July 30)

According to Nebraska Department of Roads District 8 Engineer, Mark Kovar, an 18 mile segment of Highway 183 north of Rose has been posted with a 45 mph speed limit (from 60 mph) due to pavement break-up. The reduced speed limit will remain until significant improvements can be made. Crews are patching potholes and maintaining the roadway but are finding it difficult to keep up with this year’s conditions. A resurfacing project is slated for next year. Motorists are reminded to drive carefully and heed warning signs.

* Applications for disaster assistance available

(Posted July 28)

Gov. Dave Heineman announced last week that disaster housing grant funding from the Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Fund would be distributed to four regional organizations to assist residents in counties that were affected by June floods and storms.
Central Nebraska Housing Developers (CNHD) has been awarded $240,000 ($200,000 direct assistance, $40,000 for general and rehabilitation administration) to assist homeowners in Blaine, Boyd, Brown, Cherry, Custer, Garfield, Greeley, Holt, Howard, Keya Paha, Loup, Rock, Sherman, Valley and Wheeler counties.
A maximum grant of $7,500 will be awarded to approved applicants. No repayment of these funds will be required. While priority points will be given to elderly and disabled whose sole income is government assistance, all households in need are encouraged to apply.
Qualifications for the disaster housing program include: homeowners must have experienced damage to their home resulting from a June 2010 flood/storm, must have had homeowners insurance on the date the flood/storm affected their residence, be current on property tax payments, and have a maximum household income at or below $62,600.
CNHD will make applications and program guidelines available to homeowners through County, City, and Village Clerks, or households may have an application mailed to them by calling Judy Petersen, Housing Director, at 402-482-5711, or via e-mail at judy@cnedd.org.
CNHD provides housing services to counties, communities and individuals in a 17-county region which includes Blaine, Boyd, Brown, Cherry, Custer, Garfield, Greeley, Holt, Howard, Keya Paha, Loup, Rock, Sherman, Valley and Wheeler.

* City Council opts to demolish old restroom at East City Park

(Posted July 26)

Despite the objections from Ainsworth Community Schools, the Ainsworth City Council opted to stick to the original plan during a special meeting Monday and demolish an existing East City Park restroom following the completion of the new restrooms west of the football field.
Ainsworth Community Schools Superintendent Darrell Peterson and Board of Education President Mark Johnson both urged the council to turn the current restroom, located north of the new facility, over to the school to use during football and track practice.
“We would like to keep that restroom open for track and football practice,” Peterson told the council. “It would save wear and tear on the new restrooms, and we wouldn’t have to open the new one quite as early.”
Peterson said the school would also consider having the current restroom open during football games and track meets in addition to the new facility, an idea Councilmen Doug Weiss and Chuck Osborn said they were firmly against.
“I was trying to keep an open mind about using the old restroom for practices, but I am not in favor of it being open for track meets and football games,” Weiss said.
Osborn said the point of building the new restroom – the cost of which was shared equally by the city and school – was to be able to remove the old restroom, which did not conform to Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.
“I am opposed to keeping it as a restroom,” Osborn said. “City employees would still have to deal with it. The original agreement was to get rid of it once the new one was built.”
Peterson said the structure on the old restroom was sound.
“The electricity for the crow’s nest, scoreboard and sprinklers run through that restroom,” the school superintendent said. “We would have to put an electrical box in.”
Johnson said the old restroom was good enough before, it just wasn’t large enough to meet the demands of football games and track meets.
“If we can have access to the old restroom, we can open it when we need it,” the School Board president said. “We will maintain it.”
Discussion turned to keeping the restroom for storage.
Mayor Russ Moody said, “If we aren’t going to take it down, I think the city could use it for storage.”
Councilman Bruce Papstein asked if the city needed the storage space.
City Administrator Kristi Thornburg said the original plan was to demolish the structure.
“I don’t know that the city would want to maintain that building,” Thornburg said. “Our intent with this project was to eliminate a building.”
In moving to demolish the existing structure, Weiss said another building would just clutter up the park and make things look shabby.
By a 3-0 vote, with Councilman Kent Taylor absent, the city opted to demolish the building when the new restrooms opened.
Moody said the concrete sidewalks to the new facility could be poured as soon as the trenching work was completed. He said the trenching work should be finished within the next few days.
In other business during Monday’s special meeting, the City Council approved going out with bids for the street and sewer improvement project, and directed engineering firm Olsson Associates to submit plans to the Department of Environmental Quality and advertise for bids on the more than $1 million paving and sewer improvement project.
Engineer Dave Ziska with Olsson Associates said Osborne Street from First to Fourth, Woodward Street from Third to Fourth, Oak Street from Second to Fourth, Zero Street from Pine to the east side of the Brown County Hospital, and one-half block of Harrington Street would be poured with new concrete 6 inches thick and 36 feet wide.
“We will replace sidewalks at intersections and work to improve drainage in some areas,” Ziska said. “We will keep access for residents on those streets during construction.”
Engineer Jess Hurlbert said there will be some portions of city sewer lines that will be completely replaced, while others will be slip-lined.
“There will be total sewer reconstruction on Osborne and Woodward streets between Third and Fourth streets,” Hurlbert said. “The slip lines are essentially like putting a new pipe inside of the old pipe. It is trenchless technology, and can be done without tearing up the street.”
Slip line repair will be undertaken on South Osborne Street from First to Second; First Street from Woodward to Main and from Elm to Cedar; Second Street from Ash to Elm; Elm Street from Third to Fourth; Seventh Street from Maple to Oak; and Sixth Street from Woodward to Main.
Hurlbert said it would take approximately two weeks to have the project reviewed by the Department of Environmental Quality. That review must be completed prior to bidding the project.
Asked about the estimated price tag for the project, Hurlbert said the engineer’s estimate was between $1.4 million and $1.5 million.
“The original estimate was $1.6 million, but we lost some paving districts, added a couple new districts, and added sewer work,” Hurlbert said. “The bids likely won’t come in that high, since we try to estimate toward the high end. We hope to get some good bids by not dictating the time frame.”
Construction work would not begin until the spring of 2011. Ziska said the project would be mindful of residential sprinkler systems in areas where the streets would need widened to 36 feet.
Streets that need widened include one block of Oak Street from Third to Fourth, and Zero Street. Ziska said the new concrete on Osborne Street would be a bit narrower than the current street.
Thornburg said residential driveways and sidewalks will be replaced to their previous standard, and would fit in with the new streets.
“We will replace concrete driveways with concrete, and gravel driveways with gravel,” the city administrator said.
In related items, the council approved the creation of two paving districts, created by residents signing a petition to be included in the paving project.
Those districts are Woodward Street from Third to Fourth, and Oak Street from Second to Fourth.
The council set a hearing for 7 p.m. Aug. 11 to determine sufficiency of petition on the two districts. That hearing will insure the two districts were legitimately created by property owner petition on the aforementioned blocks.

* Federal grand jury indicts Olney on 2 counts

(Posted July 26)

Charges in Brown County against a 30-year-old New York man accused of abducting a 15-year-old Ainsworth girl have been dropped, as the U.S. Department of Justice has assumed the prosecution.
According to Brown County Attorney David Streich, Robert L. Olney, 30, of Schenectady, N.Y., was indicted by a grand jury in U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska on two charges relating to the July 14 disappearance of A 15-year-old Ainsworth girl. The girl's disappearance prompted an Amber Alert issuance and the Federal Bureau of Investigation aiding in the search.
Olney, who turned himself in to authorities July 15 at Little Rock, Ark., was indicted on one count of knowingly transporting an individual who had not attained the age of 18 years in interstate and foreign commerce with intent that the individual engage in any sexual activity for which a person can be charged with a criminal offense, and one count of traveling in interstate commerce from Alabama to Nebraska for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual contact with a person under 18 years of age.
The victim was taken into protective custody at the same time Olney reportedly turned himself in to authorities.
With the U.S. Attorney’s Office assuming exclusive prosecution of Olney following the grand jury indictments, the state charges of kidnapping and use of a computer to solicit a child filed by Streich have been dropped.
However, Streich said, should Olney get off of the federal charges due to a technicality of some sort, state charges could be re-filed.
“The charges are similar, but they don’t have identical elements,” Streich said.
Olney faces a sentence of 10 years to life in prison if convicted on the first count.

* Area counties qualify for individual disaster assistance

(Posted July 23)
Gov. Dave Heineman on Friday announced $840,000 in emergency disaster grant funding from the Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Fund. The funding will be distributed to several regional organizations to assist residents in counties affected by June flooding.
Administered by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, the funding allows groups to provide grants up to $7,500 each for home repairs. Grants will be awarded to applicants on a first come, first approved basis.
“Flood damage can take an economic and emotional toll in communities, especially where family residences are concerned,” Heineman said. “We want to help homeowners secure and repair one of their most important assets. This funding will help bridge the gap as homeowners move forward with clean up and repairs.”
To qualify, a homeowner must have experienced flood damage as a result of storms occurring in June; had an active homeowners’ insurance policy on the date the storm impacted the residence; and been earning a maximum income at or below 100 percent of the area median income for the state of $62,600. Funds cannot be used to reimburse rehabilitation work completed prior to approval.
Organizations receiving funding include:
The Central Nebraska Economic Development District, which received $240,000 for its area. Counties include Blaine, Boyd, Brown, Cherry, Holt, Keya Paha, Loup and Rock counties among others.
Grants to repair damage from flooding are available on a first come, first served basis, so contact Central Nebraska Economic Development District Housing Coordinator Judy Peterson as soon as possible at (402) 482-5711 if you experienced flood damage in your home and you meet the income guidelines.

* Wednesday rain sends pulse flow down Niobrara River

(Posted July 23)

Excessive rainfall Wednesday night upstream of Spencer Dam prompted the Nebraska Public Power District to shut down the Spencer Hydro and open both river gates and spillway gates Thursday, allowing the excess water to safely pass through.
NPPD has not opened its spillway gates since 1966, when water flows increased in the Niobrara River to 17,000 cubic feet per second (cfs). Thursday afternoon, the river's flows were reportedly 19,770 cfs. Under normal conditions this time of year, river flows are about 1,000 cfs.
Approximately six to seven inches of rain fell upstream of the hydro leading to the high flows.
"The reservoir above the dam is small," explained NPPD Water Resources Advisor Ed Dekleva. "NPPD cannot run that much water through the river gates. When high flows come like this, NPPD will shut the hydro down and open its spillway gates to safely pass the excess water.  The spillway gates were specifically designed for this purpose."
NPPD opened all of the dam's river gates to pass the incoming flow.
As water levels continued to rise, and to protect the integrity of the dam and hydro system even further, hydro plant operators also opened a handful of spillway gates at the south end of the dam. These spillway gates are held in place by beams and serve as an emergency spillway.
"Opening the gates relieved the water pressure against the dam," said Dekleva. "As of late Thursday morning, the reservoir level has been holding steady. It appears the Niobrara may have peaked at Spencer Dam We expect the level to slowly decrease, so our plan is to continue monitoring the river's flows and hope that the forecast will be dry."

* Commissioners discuss disaster declaration; approve culvert purchases

(Posted July 20)

The Brown County Commissioners delved into numerous roads issues during the board’s meeting Tuesday.
In addition to approving the purchase of 32 lengths of culvert for a cost of $16,500, the commissioners received cost estimates for repairing the approaches at three Goose Creek bridges in southern Brown County that were washed out during extensive June flooding.
Commissioner Buddy Small said he solicited three bids for the culverts, which range in width from 18 inches to 3 feet.
“This falls under the limit for which we have to advertise for bids,” Small said. “Often, when we do put these things out to bid, we get no response and it costs us time and money because we have to advertise for three weeks.”
Small said the bids he received were $18,600 from Island Supply of Grand Island, $17,582 from Ace Irrigation of Kearney and $16,500 from B’s Enterprises of Norfolk.
Roads Foreman Dewey Jefferis said several new culverts were already placed to alleviate water from crossing several county roads, and the county’s supply of culverts was running low.
Small said the county has enjoyed a good relationship with B’s Enterprises in the past.
Region 24 Emergency Manager Doug Fox informed the board the county had been included as part of a federal disaster declaration from the June flooding.
“We will have applicant briefings July 28 at Valentine and O’Neill,” Fox said. “After the briefing, we will hold our kickoff events and then start filling out project worksheets and get going on the work.”
Fox said he had already applied for $32,700 in state funding to be designated toward the county’s federal routes, which do not qualify for the FEMA funding. Those roads include the Moon Lake Road, which incurred extensive damage, as well as the road south of Long Pine.
Federal money will pay for 75 percent of repairs made due to flood damage during the June storms, with the state kicking in 12.5 percent of the total cost of each project and the county responsible for the remaining 12.5 percent.
However, Fox encouraged the commissioners to look at the hazard mitigation program for the bridges on Goose Creek, which include the Carson, Stewart and Athey bridges.
“The hazard mitigation program will pay for 100 percent of projects that mitigate future disasters from occurring,” Fox said.
Though the time frame could be extended, Fox said he felt all three bridges in southern Brown County could qualify for mitigation.
Small said he discussed the three bridge sites with Mike Rowe Jr. of MJR Engineering.
“The Carson bridge is the only access that family has to its ranch,” Small said. “To me, that is the most important bridge right now. The Stewarts have access to their ground through other property, but it is poor access. The Athey bridge is the least utilized of the three.”
Small said, for new back walls and wings on the bridge approaches, as well as wing piles and tie rods, the cost to repair the approaches would be approximately $25,500 on the Carson bridge, $22,600 on the Stewart bridge, and $19,300 on the Athey bridge.
Treasurer Deb Vonheeder said the county grant fund currently contained approximately $70,000 in federal funding reimbursed from a 2008 disaster declaration.
No action was taken on the bridges.
In a related item, the commissioners, minus an absent Russ Dodd, discussed the Sand Draw box culvert on the Meadville Road.
Small said the creek has cut back the ground to the culvert, and there is a sheer drop off from the road to the creek bottom.
“Should the bank slough off, it would take the Meadville Road with it,” Small said. “There is the potential for a disaster there.”
Jefferis said the culvert had been repaired twice before.
“Someday, it is going to go out,” the roads foreman said.
The item was placed on the board’s Aug. 3 agenda for continued discussion.
During his update to the board, Fox reported the enhanced 911 mapping should be utilized within the next month.
Asked when Brown County rural residents could expect to begin using their new addresses, Fox said he thought the project would have been completed by this time.
“Brown County should be using the new addresses in less than a month, but I thought that three months ago too,” Fox said. “Geocom will send out the information on when people should begin using their new addresses. Keya Paha County and Rock County are already using their new addresses.”
The commissioners also looked at creating a tree removal policy for the county in the wake of a large tree being removed from near a county road intersection that angered the adjacent landowner.
“We had a resident upset about a tree adjacent to his property being removed,” Small said. “I received a call after the tree was removed. We measured the distance from the intersection to the tree. If measured from the north-south road, the tree would have been on county property. If measured from the east-west road, it was not.”
Small said he did not want to see trees removed without adjacent landowners being consulted.
“My main purpose with this policy is to ascertain that a tree needs to be removed for safety purposes, and that the adjacent landowners are consulted prior to the tree being removed,” Small said.
Resident Duane Johnson said he agreed that landowners should be contacted.
“I don’t think they care as much about the smaller trees and brush, but I don’t think people like the idea of trees being removed from around their homesteads,” Johnson told the board.
Commissioner Les Waits said, for safety reasons, there were numerous limbs that needed to be trimmed that were hanging over county roadways, but he agreed with consulting landowners before cutting down larger trees.
That item was tabled until the Aug. 3 meeting.
Waits questioned Jefferis on recent items purchased for the department’s first aid kits. Items Waits objected to included cough drops, antacid and drink mixes.
“I think those are personal items,” Waits said. “I think that is stepping out of bounds.”
The board questioned the cost of purchasing items through a catalog, and instructed the roads department to work with the clerk’s office account and purchase items locally when possible to reduce costs.
The commissioners were presented a $1,500 budget request from the North Central Development Center.
During the 2009-10 fiscal year, the county contributed $1,000 toward the county’s economic development entity. NCDC Executive Director Kristin Olson said, for an additional $500, the county would become a contributing partner and would receive a seat on the NCDC Board of Directors.
“You do get a return on your investment,” Olson said. “We are increasing the county’s tax base through our housing program.”
Olson cited numerous NCDC projects that benefit the county, including assisting in business projects and recruiting professionals to the county.
Kenny Eggers, representing the Brown County Agricultural Society, submitted a levy allocation request of $20,000 for the 2010-11 fiscal year to put on the Brown County Fair.
The county designated $15,000 to the Ag Society for the fair in 2009-10.
“It is a struggle,” Eggers said. “I worry about burning out our nine directors. If that happens, then the county is going to inherit the fair.”
The board agreed to take the Ag Society’s request under advisement as it prepares its budget.
The commissioners interviewed candidates for the full-time custodial position it had previously advertised. Following the regular meeting, the commissioners convened as the Board of Equalization to hear property valuation protests.
The board’s next meeting is scheduled for 8:15 a.m. Aug. 3.

* Utah group purchasing Ainsworth Care Center effective Aug. 1

(Posted July 20)

The Ainsworth Care Center has a new ownership group based out of Utah.
Deseret Health Group, a premier long-term senior-care management company with centers throughout the Midwest, has announced the addition of four Nebraska centers to its list of facilities.
Beginning Aug. 1, the company will assume management of Ainsworth Care Center, Logan Valley Manor at Lyons, Exeter Care Center and Rose Brook Care Center at Edgar. All four facilities were previously managed by Five Star Quality Care of Masschusetts.
Tyrell Robertson, Deseret Health Group director, says the acquisition has been in the works for the past two years.
“We are familiar with the four Nebraska centers and have taken the time to learn and understand each operation,” Robertson said. “Our goal is to not only maintain, but surpass the levels of patient care at each.”
When the four centers come online in August, Robertson says current residents and staff will stay in place as the company addresses a checklist of improvements.
“We feel honored to be expanding into the state of Nebraska, and because our business model works well in rural healthcare, we feel this portfolio is a great match,” Robertson said.
Deseret Health Group has a proven record for converting distressed senior centers into successful, functioning facilities with high-quality senior and rehabilitative care. The company currently manages 12 long-term care centers in rural Kansas.
Ainsworth Care Center Administrator Brenda Syfie said, “I am excited about the changes Deseret is going to bring to Ainsworth. They have a proven track record with this management model in Kansas with similarly situated facilities. I am looking forward to working with that model to improve patient care, sustainability and stability.”

* Federal charge filed against Olney

(Posted July 19)

The 30-year-old New York man alleged to have kidnapped a 15-year-old Ainsworth girl Wednesday has now been charged with a felony in U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska.
According to Brown County Attorney David Streich, Robert L. Olney, 30, of Schenectady, N.Y., faces a charge of knowingly transporting an individual who had not attained the age of 18 years in interstate and foreign commerce with intent that the individual engage in any sexual activity for which a person can be charged with a criminal offense.
Olney was scheduled for an initial court appearance in Arkansas Monday morning.
Olney is accused of taking 15-year-old Melody Gibbs from her Ainsworth home early Wednesday morning, July 14, prompting an Amber Alert to be issued for the missing girl.
Olney reportedly turned himself in to police at Little Rock, Ark., Thursday, July 15. Gibbs was taken into protective custody at the same time.
Charges of kidnapping and use of a computer to solicit a child were filed by Streich in Brown County Friday, with the federal charge filed Monday.
Streich said the Brown County Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office are discussing whether the U.S. Attorney will assume exclusive prosecution of Olney. A decision on which agency will be the lead prosecutor is not expected until the end of the week.

* Brown County attorney files kidnapping, enticement charges against Olney

(Posted July 16)

The Brown County Attorney’s Office has filed charges against the 30-year-old New York man suspected in the kidnapping of a 15-year-old Ainsworth girl on Wednesday.
According to Brown County Attorney David Streich, charges of kidnapping and use of a computer to solicit a child have been filed in Brown County against Robert L. Olney of Schenectady, N.Y.
Streich said Olney is currently in the custody of the Little Rock Police Department in Arkansas after reportedly turning himself in on Thursday.
Also taken into custody at that time was 15-year-old Melody Gibbs of Ainsworth. Gibbs was reported missing by her parents Wednesday.
The Brown County Sheriff’s Department, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, launched a search for Gibbs and the man suspected of taking her from her home.
According to the sheriff’s department, Olney was cited for speeding Wednesday morning on Highway 83 near the Thomas County line, and the officer reported a juvenile girl in the 2007 Hyundai Accent.
An Amber Alert was initiated at 12:01 a.m. Thursday, with Olney and Gibbs located in Arkansas at approximately 12:30 p.m. Thursday.
Streich said it was still to be determined whether Olney would be extradited from Little Rock to Brown County, or whether charges would also be filed in Arkansas.
“There are so many different agencies working on this case, there is still a lot we have to figure out,” Streich said.
The Brown County attorney said the U.S. Attorney’s Office is also reviewing the case, and federal charges may be filed. As of Friday, however, Streich said he is not aware of charges filed by any other agencies.
Bond for Olney was set at $500,000 cash.

* Ainsworth girl abducted Wednesday morning; suspect turns himself in

(Posted July 15)

A 15-year-old Ainsworth girl was apparently abducted Wednesday morning from her home in the 200 block of South Maple Street.
An Amber Alert was issued at 12:01 a.m. Thursday for Melody Rose Martin, also known as Melody Gibbs, 15, of Ainsworth.
According to Brown County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Dan Johnson, Gibbs was taken from her home at 205 S. Maple St. Later Wednesday morning, a 2007 Hyundai Accent, driven by suspect Robert F. Olney, 30, of New York, was stopped and issued a speeding citation prior to news of Gibbs’ abduction being released.
Johnson said four or five suspects were identified based on Internet chat room interactions.
Johnson said concrete evidence that Olney was the abductor was found by FBI and sheriff’s department personnel at 10 p.m. Wednesday, prompting the Amber Alert.
According to the report, Olney indicated in a chat room conversation that he would be traveling to Ainsworth to meet Gibbs.

UPDATE THURSDAY 12:30 p.m. - According to the Brown County Sheriff's Department, Melody Gibbs has been located. Robert F. Olney, 30, of New York, reportedly turned himself in to the Little Rock, Ark., Police Department. Brown County Sheriff's Department Deputy Dan Johnson said Melody is safe and in protective custody with the Little Rock Police Department. Johnson said agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation are en route to Arkansas to determine the charges that may be filed.

* Traffic accident claims the life of a 66-year-old Brown County woman

(Posted July 13)

A 66-year-old rural Brown County woman died Monday, July12, as a result of a single-vehicle accident south of Ainsworth.
According to Brown County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Darrin Kremer, at approximately 3:25 p.m. Monday, the sheriff’s department was called to a report of a vehicle nearly submerged in water in the east ditch of Highway 7 approximately 10 miles south of Ainsworth.
According to Kremer, a 2005 Pontiac Montana van, driven by Beverly Baker of rural Brown County, was traveling north on Highway 7 when the vehicle drifted off the roadway. Kremer said Baker apparently overcorrected, sending the vehicle into a swerve. It eventually re-entered the east ditch, turned sideways and rolled 1-1/2 times, coming to rest on its wheels in approximately 5 feet of water in the east ditch.
Kremer said Baker, the lone occupant in the van, was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the vehicle. She was pronounced dead at the scene. The Pontiac was considered a total loss.
Baker’s death is the first on a Brown County roadway in 2010, following three traffic fatalities in the county in 2009.

* Total flood damage in Nebraska estimated at more than $13 million

(Posted June 25)

State officials report that preliminary estimates of damage due to flooding throughout the state are expected to reach more than $13 million.
"The true total cost of the infrastructure damage caused by this spring storm season will not be fully known until all of the project worksheets are written and then finally until all the work is completed, according to Al Berndt, assistant director of the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency.
Public assistance assessment teams have visited 60 of 66 counties reporting damage and have indicated that 44 of the counties have currently met the threshold should a disaster be declared. Assessment teams will continue visiting the other counties. Some of the counties may still qualify as additional information is gathered
Gov. Dave Heineman is expected to sign a disaster declaration on Monday. A disaster declaration is an official request for assistance from the federal government and must be approved by the president.
Individual assessment has been completed in 27 of 40 counties requesting help for personal damages caused by flooding.
“Flooding recovery is a long-term process, and I applaud the local state and federal partners who have worked tirelessly to ensure the safety of our citizens and communities,” Lt. Gov. Rick Sheehy said. "Citizens are also to be commended for their extraordinary efforts in this extremely difficult situation.”

* Primary Election results

(Posted May 11)

Brown County

Bruce Papstein is the next Brown County Sheriff following Tuesday’s Republican Primary Election.
Papstein, a current Ainsworth City Councilman and retired Nebraska State Patrol Sergeant, defeated incumbent Sheriff Steve Hapner and Republican challenger Dan Johnson, a current deputy sheriff with the department. Papstein picked up 597 Republican votes to 304 for Hapner and 131 for Johnson. With no Democratic Party candidate, Papstein will become the Brown County sheriff in January 2011.
In another Republican Party race in Brown County, Reagan Wiebelhaus and Les Waits survived the six-man race for two spots in the November General Election. Wiebelhaus, a challenger, garnered the most votes on Tuesday’s Republican Primary ballot with 610, followed by 427 from Waits, one of the two incumbent commissioners running for re-election.
Finishing third in the commissioner race was Will Williams Jr. with 366 votes, followed by incumbent Russ Dodd in fourth with 256 votes, Jason Appelt in fifth with 252 votes and Steve Swett sixth with 55 votes. Republican voters could choose two of the six candidates Tuesday.
Wiebelhaus and Waits advance to face Democratic Party candidate Lynn Robertson in the General Election, with two of those three earning four-year terms as Brown County Commissioners.
Incumbent Republican Assessor Charlene Fox, Clerk Janet Huggins, Treasurer Deb Vonheeder and Attorney David Streich did not face challenges in Tuesday’s Primary, nor do they face competition from Democratic candidates in November.
Long Pine voters had choices to make in the non-partisan races for Mayor and City Council.
Three candidates squared off Tuesday for two spots in the Long Pine Mayor race. Challenger Henry Thorne picked up the most votes Tuesday with 101. Incumbent Mayor Al Graves also advanced to the General Election with 57 votes. Johnny Brown was third with six votes.
Four of the six candidates for Long Pine City Council advanced to the November election, where they will face off for two seats on the council.
Advancing Tuesday were Darlene Amos with 71 votes, incumbent Ron Hall with 65 votes, incumbent Craig Bernbeck with 59 votes, and Susan Brown with 57 votes. Those in the race who did not advance were Audrey Vandeventer with 36 votes and Sammy Ellis with 14 votes.
Of the 2,292 registered voters in Brown County, 1,230 (54 percent) cast ballots during the Primary Election.

Brown County Primary Election
State/regional races of note
Republican Congress District 3 – Adrian Smith, 838; Dennis Parker, 113.
Republican Governor – Dave Heineman, 905; Paul Anderson, 37; Christopher Geary, 35.
Republican State Treasurer – Don Stenberg, 511; Tom Nesbitt, 235; Tony Fulton, 146.
District 5 Republican Public Service Commissioner – Jerry Vap, 220; Kelly Renee Rosberg, 146; Christopher Van Winkle, 113; Justin Jensen, 74; Mike Delka, 62; Duane Dufek, 31.
District 7 State Board of Education – Cindy Allen, 446; Molly O’Holleran, 321.
District 7 University of Nebraska Board of Regents – Frank Svoboda, 578; Bob Phares, 234.
Constitutional Amendment 1 – For, 442; Against, 612.

Rock County

Rock County Republican voters chose Jim Stout and Stanley Larson to be the next commissioners for Rock County in a three-person race during Tuesday’s Primary Election.
Newcomer Stout finished with the most votes Tuesday in that race. Stout garnered 398 of the 901 votes cast, for 44 percent of the vote. Also advancing was incumbent Commissioner Larson, who earned 289 votes (32 percent) for the second open seat on the Board of Commissioners. Incumbent Becky Sawyer tallied 24 percent of the votes cast, 213, finishing 76 behind Larson for the second four-year commissioner term in Rock County. Republican voters could choose two of the three candidates on their ballots.
Rock County voters, by a 58 percent to 42 percent margin, voted in favor of the ambulance levy for the Rock County Hospital. Of the 551 votes cast, 322 were in favor of the additional levy for an ambulance, with 229 votes against.
Rock County had 56 percent voter turnout in Tuesday’s Primary Election, with 583 votes cast from the 1,058 registered voters in the county. An overwhelming 87 percent of the votes cast were by Republicans, with just 68 Democratic ballots cast and eight non-partisan ballots.
On the Rock County Republican ticket, Clerk Joyce Stahl, Treasurer Linda May, Attorney Avery Guernsey and Assessor Monica Turpin all advanced without a challenge and do not face a Democratic opponent in November.
In the race to replace retiring Sheriff Willis Haynes, Steven Anderson received the Republican nomination without a challenge. He will face Democrat James Anderson in the General Election.

Rock County Primary Election
State/regional races of note
Republican Congress District 3 – Adrian Smith, 406; Dennis Parker, 57.
Republican Governor – Dave Heineman, 451; Paul Anderson, 21; Christopher Geary, 8.
Republican State Treasurer – Don Stenberg, 256; Tony Fulton, 88; Tom Nesbitt, 77.
District 5 Republican Public Service Commissioner – Kelly Renee Rosberg, 68; Jerry Vap, 64; Christopher Van Winkle, 59; Justin Jensen, 25; Mike Delka, 21; Duane Dufek, 16.
District 7 State Board of Education – Cindy Allen, 161; Molly O’Holleran, 108.
District 7 University of Nebraska Board of Regents – Frank Svoboda, 221; Bob Phares, 87.
Constitutional Amendment 1 – For, 168; Against, 310.

Keya Paha County

Both Keya Paha County Commissioners in contested races appear to have survived the Republican Party’s Primary Election Tuesday.
Incumbent Republican Cory Nilson won another four-year term on the Keya Paha County Board of Commissioners, receiving 51 Republican votes in the Center District to 39 votes for challenger David Lewis. Nilson does not face a Democratic Party challenge in the General Election.
Fellow Republican incumbent Bruce Ritterbush was the winner of Tuesday’s East District Commissioner race, picking up 60 votes to 38 for challenger Dewey Peterson. Ritterbush, like Nilson, does not face a challenge in the General Election.
Sheriff Jeffrey Kirsch, Treasurer Sandra McCoy and Clerk/Assessor Suzy Wentworth all advanced in the Republican Primary without a challenge. None of those elected officials face a challenge in the General Election.
Voter turnout in Keya Paha County was 41 percent overall, with 55 percent of registered voters casting ballots in the Norden Precinct, 47 percent in the Custer Precinct, 40 percent in the Mills Precinct and 27 percent in the Garfield Precinct.

Keya Paha County Primary Election
State/regional races of note
Republican Congress District 3 – Adrian Smith, 220; Dennis Parker, 26.
Republican Governor – Dave Heineman, 235; Paul Anderson, 13; Christopher Geary, 10.
Republican State Treasurer – Don Stenberg, 133; Tom Nesbitt, 57; Tony Fulton, 35.
District 5 Republican Public Service Commissioner – Jerry Vap, 49; Christopher Van Winkle, 32; Justin Jensen, 24; Kelly Renee Rosberg, 24; Mike Delka, 17; Duane Dufek, 5.
District 7 State Board of Education – Cindy Allen, 93; Molly O’Holleran, 73.
District 7 University of Nebraska Board of Regents – Frank Svoboda, 124; Bob Phares, 67.
Constitutional Amendment 1 – For, 85; Against, 178.

Nebraska Races
Voter Turnout – 24 percent

Party         Race       District  Candidate        Votes  Percentage
Republican Congress, District 1 Jeff Fortenberry 56845 84%
Republican Congress, District 1 Ralph M. Bodie 4017 6%
Republican Congress, District 1 David L. Hunt 6934 10%

Democrat Congress, District 1 Jessica Lynn Turek 11697 36%
Democrat Congress, District 1 Stanley E. Krauter 4103 13%
Democrat Congress, District 1 Ivy Harper 12090 38%
Democrat Congress, District 1 Sherman Yates 4056 13%

Republican Congress, District 2 Lee Terry 18246 63%
Republican Congress, District 2 Matt Sakalosky 10722 37%

Democrat Congress, District 2 Tom White 12288 97%

Republican Congress, District 3 Dennis L. Parker 8907 12%
Republican Congress, District 3 Adrian Smith 65249 88%

Democrat Congress, District 3 Rebekah Davis 16309 99%

Republican Governor Paul Anderson 8905 5%
Republican Governor Dave Heineman 151641 90%
Republican Governor Christopher N. Geary 8115 5%

Democrat Governor Mark Lakers 56873 98%

Republican Secretary of State John A. Gale 136957 100%

Democrat Secretary of State Janet Stewart 56964 99%

Republican State Treasurer Don Stenberg 82852 52%
Republican State Treasurer Tony Fulton 44404 28%
Republican State Treasurer Tom Nesbitt 32653 20%

Democrat State Treasurer Mark Stoj 54368 99%

Republican Attorney General Jon Bruning 147477 99%

Republican Auditor of Public Accounts Mike Foley 136224 100%

Republican Public Service Commissioner 05 Jerry Vap 13875 40%
Republican Public Service Commissioner 05 Justin Jensen 4544 13%
Republican Public Service Commissioner 05 Mike Delka 3308 9%
Republican Public Service Commissioner 05 Kelly Renee Rosberg 6877 20%
Republican Public Service Commissioner 05 Duane Dufek 2177 6%
Republican Public Service Commissioner 05 Christopher VanWinkle 4176 12%

Nonpartisan State Board of Education 07 Cindi Allen 16038 52%
Nonpartisan State Board of Education 07 Molly O'Holleran 14484 47%

Nonpartisan Board of Regents 07 Bob Phares 13091 41%
Nonpartisan Board of Regents 07 Frank B. Svoboda 18675 59%

Proposed Amendment - For - 127679      52%
Proposed Amendment - Against - 115723   48%
A constitutional amendment to authorize the use of revenue bonds to develop and lease property for use by nonprofit enterprises as determined by law

* City of Long Pine files suit against Long Pine Foundation

(Posted May 10)

The long-running feud between the city of Long Pine and the Long Pine Foundation that began more than three years ago with a proposed fire hall construction has now trickled into the court system.
On Friday, the city of Long Pine filed a civil suit in Brown County District Court against the Nebraska Community Foundation, which oversees the Long Pine Foundation. The city suit also names seven individual defendants, purported by the city to be Long Pine Foundation Board members.
Through the civil suit, the city of Long Pine is attempting to gain funds donated to the Long Pine Foundation for a new Long Pine Fire Hall and for renovations to the Long Pine Palace.
The suit asks a judge to force the Nebraska Community Foundation, which handles donations made to local foundations, to turn over more than $100,000 to the city of Long Pine.
The funds donated to the foundation the city is attempting to gain access to include a $50,000 donation from the William L. Grewcock Trust, two donations in the amounts of $30,000 (fire hall) and $15,000 (palace) from the Estate of Elva McCullough, $9,407 in donations to the fire hall project from miscellaneous donors, and $2,675 from various donors to the Long Pine Palace renovation. Some of the donations date back to 2006.
Named in the suit by the city as individual defendants and Long Pine Foundation Board members were Brown County residents Linda Alberts, Shanda Benemerito, Jim Debolt, Susan Brown, David Crooker, Donald Goodnight and Olivia Crabbe.
The city of Long Pine and Long Pine Foundation have been at odds over who would be in charge of a fire hall construction project and Palace renovations. The feuding factions have splintered the small city of fewer than 500 residents, and also resulted in the dismissal of numerous city firefighters.
On Feb. 4, the Long Pine City Council dismissed 15 members of the Long Pine Volunteer Fire Department, including the chief, and appointed new members. Those dismissed formed the Long Pine Rural Fire Department under the banner of the Brown County Rural Fire Department.
The city and the rural firefighters sparred over the ownership of several trucks and fire-fighting equipment, as well as rightful holders of several accounts.
With both the rural fire department and city claiming ownership to more than $18,000 located in three accounts at the Commercial National Bank, the bank filed a complaint of interpleader on March 5 in Brown County District Court, asking a judge to determine the rightful holder of the three accounts. A decision has not yet been reached in that case, and the three accounts have been frozen by the bank.
A dispute continues over the ownership of fire-fighting equipment, and the Long Pine City Council recently approved the purchase of two trucks to be outfitted as first response and storm spotting vehicles for the city fire department.
The dismissal of the 15 firefighters by the council Feb. 4 has led to a criminal charge against Long Pine City Council President Denise Crofutt.
Filed by Brown County Special Prosecutor Thomas Herzog April 9, Crofutt was charged with violation of public meetings law, a Class IV misdemeanor.
According to the complaint filed in Brown County Court, Crofutt, being a member of the City Council, knowingly violated or conspired to violate Nebraska public meetings law by not giving reasonable advance publicized notice of the meeting and agenda during which the 15 firefighters were dismissed.
The Long Pine City Council approved paying City Attorney Rod Palmer to defend Crofutt against the charge.
Palmer filed a motion for discovery during a hearing on May 5 in Brown County Court.
Also during the May 5 hearing, Crofutt entered a plea of not guilty to the criminal charge and requested a trial.

* Brown County Sheriff's Department weekly activity report:

• Responded to a report of vehicles tearing around Ainsworth at 4:13 AM. The Deputies cited 4 juveniles for curfew violations.
• Investigated a report of a possible theft from a business in Ainsworth.
• Received a report of a possible probation violation. A deputy investigated this report.
• Investigated a report of possible vandalism to a vehicle on North Maple St. Ainsworth.
• Received a report of a possible theft of tools from a pickup in rural Brown County.
• Assisted an individual with a report of a possible assault in Ainsworth.
• The Brown County Ambulance Service transported an individual from a residence on North Main to the Brown County Hospital.
• The Brown County Ambulance Service transported a patient from the Brown County Hospital to the Rock County Hospital and back.

• Received a report of a curfew violation of a juvenile in Ainsworth.
• Investigated a two - vehicle accident without injury at the School parking lot.
• Responded to a report of an uncontrollable juvenile in the Ainsworth area.
• Received a report of an irrigation system watering the roadway West & North of Ainsworth.
• Received a report of a deer/ vehicle accident without injury in the Long Pine Hills.
• Responded to a report of a tree blocking traffic on Hwy. 20 West of Ainsworth.
• Received a report of a building destroyed by a possible tornado passing through Brown County.
• An individual was booked into the Brown County Jail on a warrant for sexual assault. The individual was released on bond.
• The Brown County Ambulance Service transported an individual from the Ainsworth Care Center to the Brown County Hospital.
• Received a report of a possible tornado on Woodward & Front St. in Ainsworth.
• Provided a welfare check on individuals on North Elm St. Ainsworth.
• Responded to a dog at large complaint on North Ash St. Ainsworth. The dog was transported to the Ainsworth Vet Clinic.
• An individual was booked into the Brown County Jail on a Custer County Warrant for issuing bad checks. The individual was released on bond.
• Responded to a disturbance on East 2^nd St. Ainsworth.
• Assisted an individual with a report of a bicycle located on East 1^st St. Ainsworth.
• Responded to a report of cattle out on Hwy. 20 West of Johnstown.
• Received multiple calls in reference to downed power lines and damages due to the Micro-burst Storms passing through Ainsworth.

• Responded to a report of an erratic driver on Hwy. 7 South of Ainsworth.
• Investigated a report of a possible break-in on North Cedar St. Ainsworth.
• Responded to a disturbance on Spruce St. Long Pine.
• Investigated a report of suspicious activity on a county Road West & South of Ainsworth.
• The Brown County Ambulance Service transported a patient from the Brown County Hospital to the Rock County Hospital and back.
• The Brown County Ambulance Service transported an individual from the Ainsworth Care Center to the Brown County Hospital.
• The Brown County Ambulance Service transported an individual from a business on Main St. to the Brown County Hospital.

• Responded to a report of a vehicle tearing around on 2^nd St. Ainsworth. An individual was cited for failure to comply with a warning ticket that had been previously issued.
• Assisted an individual with a report of threats in the Long Pine area.
• Received a report of a possible theft of a personal check by an individual in the Ainsworth area.
• Assisted an individual with a report of threats in Ainsworth.

• Responded to a report of a reckless driver near the Ainsworth Grade School.
• Provided a motorist assist for an individual driving on Hwy. 20 West of Johnstown.
• Assisted an individual with a report of a vehicle / deer accident North of Ainsworth on old Hwy. 7.
• The Brown County Ambulance Service transported a patient from the Brown County Hospital to the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney.

• Responded to a dog at large complaint on Wilson St. Ainsworth.
• Responded to a report of an individual racing up and down Main St. in Ainsworth.
• Responded to a report of a reckless driver on Hwy. 20 East of Ainsworth. Individuals were contacted and it was determined that they were 2 unlicensed juveniles from the Omaha area passing through Brown County. Responsible adults were contacted to pick up the juveniles. A citation was issued for misuse of a learner’s permit.
• Assisted the Rock County Sheriff’s Office, after receiving a request, with an arrest for Driving Under the Influence.
• The Brown County Ambulance Service transported a patient from the Brown County Hospital to a hospital in North Platte.

• Assisted an individual with information on a vehicle that had lost items from a vehicle and struck a motorcycle on Hwy. 20 West of Ainsworth.
• Assisted another agency with information on possible violation of probation on a subject from Ainsworth.
• The Ainsworth Fire Dept. issued a burn permit to individuals North & West of Ainsworth.
• Received a report of a cow out on Old Hwy. 7 North of Ainsworth.
• Assisted an individual with a civil matter in Ainsworth.

August Monthly Summary
24 - Citations were issued.
31 - Warnings were issued. (These include written and verbal.)
0 - Fix-it tickets were issued.
146 - Incidents Reports were taken.
981 - Phone calls were received.
40 - 911 emergency calls received.
1 - Crime Stopper call received.
357 - Walk-ins were assisted.
28 - Titles were inspected.
41 - Paper Service was served.
6 – Handgun permits were issued.
2 - Arrests

 
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

Brown County Sheriff's Department year-end totals

Handgun Permits – 80
Vehicle Title Inspections – 190

Inmates Housed – 100 (29 Females & 71 Males)

Incident Reports – 1,607

911 Calls Received – 379

Crime Stopper Calls – 32

Incoming Phone Calls – 10,692

Walk-ins assisted – 3,625

Citations – 138  

Written Warnings – 289

Papers Served – 360

Verbal Warnings – 97

Defect Cards – 23
Dog Complaints – 138
Burglaries Investigated – 10

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 fewest number of transfers and mileage since 1995)

* Rock County Sheriff’s Department weekly summary

Week of Aug. 30 - Sept. 5

Aug. 30

Delivered an emergency message to a Rock County resident.

Assisted a motorist who locked keys in a vehicle at Bassett.

Advised the Holt County Sheriff's Department to watch for a group of kids who left an item at a business in Bassett.

Paged emergency personnel to serve as storm spotters during a severe thunderstorm warning.

Received a report of an injured cat in Bassett.

Served a legal summons.

Received a report of a bale on fire in rural Bassett.

Sept. 1

The Newport Fire Chief issued a burn permit.

Received a report of an ag scam being perpetrated.

Sept. 2

Received a report of a horse hit by a semi near Newport.

Received a report of a cow hit by a vehicle in Keya Paha County. Notified the Keya Paha County Sheriff's Department.

Provided traffic control during a funeral service.

Provided a welfare check after dispatchers received a 911 hang-up call.

Accompanied Health and Human Services personnel on a home visit.

Performed an out of state title inspection.

Sept. 3

Received a report of a vehicle-deer accident east of Bassett on Highway 20.

Paged EMT personnel to transfer a patient to North Platte for Brown County.

Booked a prisoner into and out of the Rock County Jail.

Received a report of a dead deer in the roadway on Highway 183 south of Bassett. A deputy removed the deer from the driving lanes.

Booked a prisoner into the Rock County Jail on a charge of driving under the influence.

Sept. 4

Booked a prisoner out of the Rock County Jail.

Received a report of a lost dog in Bassett.

Sept. 5

Received a complaint of a possible drunk driver on Main Street in Bassett. A deputy responded to the call.