$1 Million Powerball winning tickets sold in Ord and Omaha
The Ord Trotter’s Whoa and Go on South 2nd Street sold one of two winning tickets for Wednesday’s Powerball draw, worth $1 million. The other, which also matched the first five numbers but not the Powerball itself, was sold at a Mega Saver in Omaha.
The tickets, as do all Nebraska Lottery Lotto tickets, will expire 180 days after the drawing. Since these prizes are more than $20,000, they have to be claimed in person at Lottery headquarters in Lincoln.
Thirty-four $1 million Powerball winning tickets have been sold in Nebraska since the $1 million prize was added to the game in 2012. The odds of winning this level of prize are 1 in 11,688,053.52.
Custer County Clerk’s office to stay open late Friday
The Custer County Clerk’s office has announced that they will be staying open until 6 PM on Friday (May 1) in order to receive new voter registrations or for those who need to make changes to existing voter registrations for the upcoming primary election.
Read our story from March about Custer County candidates filed for the primary here.
Evolv3d Creations joins the Broken Bow Chamber with ribbon cutting
BROKEN BOW, Neb.— The west side of the square in Broken Bow has a new splash of green present, as Evolv3d Creations celebrated their joining of the Broken Bow Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday.
Customers have been growing more familiar with the business with a bright green logo for a few months now, and a large green sign is set to be mounted above the storefront soon as well.
Owners Jordan Lamere, Lindsay Andrews, and Heather France have hit the ground running with their past experience in item customization. Lamere cited a past business of the same type when living in Washington, which made the start in Broken Bow feel natural.
“Embroidery, engraving, banners, signs, shirt vinyl, window vinyl, car vinyl,” said Lamere of the businesses’ offerings. “We’ve added 3D printing services and we are going to be adding car wraps.”
Lamere said the business is going to be wrapping a semi truck soon, and that they have enjoyed working with Custer County 4-H recently on awards for the upcoming fair.
Summer hours start May 7, Monday through Friday 8 AM to 6:30 PM and Saturday by appointment. An automated answering system assistant can take calls and make appointments even if calls are missed when customers call 360-605-0135.
Pressey Fire containment rising, recent precipitation aiding efforts
Custer County Emergency Manager Mark Rempe shared an update on the efforts to contain the Pressey Fire on Wednesday afternoon. The fire burned over 9,000 acres between Oconto and Broken Bow before being halted late last week.
Rempe says that current containment is estimated at 95%.
Recent rainfall has aided the suppression efforts of fire officials and allowed for a reduction in active patrols. Although fire activity has decreased, all three agencies (Broken Bow, Callaway, and Oconto) will maintain ongoing monitoring to ensure public safety and to respond rapidly if conditions change.
GALLERY: Litchfield students compete in written, oral spelling bee
The 2026 Litchfield Spelling Bee was held this past Friday morning. Those in attendance reported that the event was both fun and competitive. Students competed in both oral and written rounds to determine placement.
Registrations due May 1 for annual fun run to benefit inclusive playground project
Fundraising efforts continue for the North Park Inclusive Playground Project. The third annual fun run is set for May 22 (the last day of school) at Melham Park, with registrations due by May 1.
Hosted by the North Park Inclusive Playground committee, all proceeds from the fun run will go to the project. The run, for students in preschool through 5th grade, costs $30 and includes a guaranteed t-shirt if registration is completed by May 1. (Payment can be delivered to the North Park school office or dropped off at the Custer County Foundation office)
The Inclusive Playground group has been busy gathering donations for the project, including a recent donation earlier this month from purchase round-ups at the local Ace Hardware, Broken Bow Indian blankets, a pancake feed, and during this past holiday season a gift wrapping fundraiser.
Playground Chair Jessica Gibbons told KCNI/KBBN in October that the group was about half way to the point of being able to start buying playground equipment.
New police officer sworn in, board appointments made at Broken Bow City Council meeting
Broken Bow City Council met Tuesday evening starting at 6 PM at the Municipal Building. Council President Russ Smith was absent but excused.
Following consent agenda approval, which included a fireworks application from Ka-Boomer’s Inc., council approved the appointment of Brycen Woodward as Broken Bow’s newest police officer.
Woodward was then sworn in by Broken Bow Police Chief Chris Anderson and welcomed with applause by those in attendance. He told KCNI/KBBN following the meeting that he’s always known he wants to be in law enforcement.
“It runs in my family,” said Woodward. “My older brother is one now, and my uncle has been a cop for a while. Training, I’ve been around the guys a lot getting to know what they’re doing to make sure I’m doing the right things to be a good cop.”
Click to enlarge
He pointed to being around people as one of the main reasons he was excited to be in a position of public service.
Following Woodward’s swearing in, the following appointments and re-appointments were made to the Broken Bow Planning Commission:
– James Duncan, Susan Porter, Jim Girardin reappointments.. 3 years, ending April 2029
– Nicolle Bailey reappointment.. 2 years, ending April 2028
– Luke Wassom appointment.. 2 years, ending April 2028
– Hunter Thomas appointment.. 1 year, ending April 2027
City Administrator Dave Schmidt added later in the meeting that in upcoming meetings plenty more board appointments would appear on agendas. He encouraged anyone looking to get involved to reach out about board opportunities, citing the Board of Public Works as having openings as an example.
Schmidt informed the board that the user interface of credit cards the city began using recently was not as expected, alongside high annual fees. The cards, with Elan Financial Services, were approved to be closed. The city will return to using the cards they had used previously, which had not had their accounts closed yet.
The Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Annual Report for 2025 was approved by council. The report outlines the progress of redevelopment projects in the city financed in whole or in part by the division of taxes commonly known as TIF. Each redevelopment project began after submitting an application and having the use of TIF funds approved by the city.
New property taxes generated by the increased value of the property are paid on the TIF debt. Taxes are divided for the benefit of the redevelopment project for a period up to fifteen years. Property taxes on the original value of the property continue to be paid to local taxing entities. After the debt is paid or the fifteen year period is up, the increase in property taxes generated is paid to the local taxing entities as normal resulting in more property tax revenue.
You can read more about TIF and the City of Broken Bow’s active projects in the full City Council packet here: 2026.04.28-City-Council-Packet
(Click to enlarge) Eleven redevelopment projects existed for the City of Broken Bow for 2025, with the pictured estimations for paid in full dates and outstanding indebtedness of their TIF note.
Mayor Rod Sonnichsen and council members thanked first responders near and far in their work to contain the Pressey Fire which burned land in the direction of Broken Bow this past week.
Council adjourned at 6:14 PM. The next Broken Bow City Council meeting is May 12 at 6 PM at the Broken Bow Municipal Building.
Highway Superintendent announces resignation, movement of Veterans Service Office discussed at Custer County Supervisors meeting
BROKEN BOW, Neb.— The Custer County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Tuesday morning in the Supervisors room in the courthouse. All supervisors were present.
Chris Jacobsen announces resignation
Toward the end of Tuesday’s meeting, County Highway Superintendent Chris Jacobsen came before the board to announce his resignation from the position, effective June 30.
“I’m thankful for the opportunity and experience of the last 33 1/2 years. I’ve been blessed with a career that was in no way one dimensional. The county and this department have become an integral part of my life,” said Jacobsen. “Thus, it is my wish to stay on assisting on issues, technical and otherwise, that will improve the future of this department.”
During his time as Highway Superintendent, Jacobsen said he had worked under 29 different County Supervisors, had over 120 different employees, and worked with between two to three treasurers, four surveyors, four clerks, four weed superintendents, four emergency managers, four assessors, four register of deeds, two sheriffs, and three county attorneys.
“This was a very hard decision, I wrestled with it for some time,” Jacobsen said. “Now for my third chapter (of life), you can’t keep chasing a dollar, there’s other things in life.”
The board thanked Jacobsen for his years of service. The indication was that several avenues were available to tackle the process of advertising the position, interviewing candidates, and choosing a replacement.
Possible Veterans Service Office movement met with opposition
Emory Haynes came before the board representing the Veterans Service Office, which is currently located in the west annex building near the courthouse. The topic of discussion was the possible movement of the office into the basement of the courthouse.
Reasoning given for the exploration of the movement were building upkeep costs and utility bills.
“The accessibility factor alone is enough of a reason why you should not move the VSO office,” said Haynes. “It works perfectly for the purpose it’s intended for and I’m afraid that if you try to put us in the courthouse there’s some other factors that probably would not be viewed positively by veterans.”
Haynes cited the ADA access of the building itself and its close proximity to the handicap parking lot were two main reasons the location shouldn’t be changed.
A veteran in attendance stated that the building’s privacy and not having to use the courthouse’s elevator were plusses for veterans who experience PTSD or claustrophobia.
The subject was tabled so that research could be put into grants for updating the building, which is on the National Historical Register and so that others involved in the office with Haynes would have an opportunity to participate by voicing their opinions.
Other items from Tuesday’s meeting
Amanda Jeffres and Stephanie Gideon with Loup Basin Public Health Department (LBPHD) came before the board for an informative catch-up. The two stated that some programs will be expanded soon, including LBPHD’s involvement with WIC services which will bring them to Broken Bow two times a month. A launch of a new online platform called CredibleMind is planned for May, which offers a digital front door to a guided mental health path. In home oral health services are expected to expand soon. The subject of who is in charge of pool inspections was also brought up with the recent passing of LB759, bringing into question if the county, each city, or the health department is responsible.
A resolution was passed allowing the County Treasurer the ability to invest County funds at Security First Bank in Broken Bow after the bank’s recent name change.
A motor vehicle exemption application for Custer Care was approved unanimously, with a stated loss of $.14 to the County.
Bill Patsios with Tri City Signs and Broken Bow City Zoning Administrator Jacob Holcomb came before the board regarding Heritage Bank’s desire to place a sign near the highway in the area of Dairy Queen and the Judicial Center in Broken Bow. The proposed site is on County property. Discussion was tabled citing the need for updated visuals depicting parcel ownerships, compensation for the County for the sign site (including the possibility of a Judicial Center sign being included in the install), and a general concern for using the space if it might be needed by the County at another time.
Austin Partridge with Northland Securities continued bond discussion for asphalt resurfacing with the board, stating that there were no major changes in the bond market since his last visit. The desire voiced was to use $1 million from the County’s inheritance fund in combination with a $2.1 million bond, which would hold a maximum payment of $475,000 annually. Partridge said the bond sale could be executed by next week which would mean a potential closing date of May 21. Work will be in motion soon for a separate County account to be created to house the bond money.
The board discussed the general need for grant writing assistance for several departments. Initial discussions had been had with individuals outside of the area who offer the service, but all board members were encouraged to brainstorm local options to bring forward for help in writing grants.
The Extension Office, which is in the basement of the courthouse, expressed a desire to paint their office themselves. A concern with recent leaks possibly causing mold in the space was brought up and the board discussed pursuing a professional to conduct an inspection and a possible temporary move of the Extension Office while that inspection and cleaning (if needed) is accomplished.
Tuesday’s meeting adjourned at 10:28 AM.
Bill Patsios (Tri City Signs) and Jacob Holcomb (City of Broken Bow) come before the board
Broken Bow City Council to consider police officer, board appointments
Broken Bow City Council will hold a meeting Tuesday night starting at 6 PM at the Municipal Building on South 10th Avenue.
A fireworks application from Ka-Boomers, Inc. is a part of tonight’s normal consent agenda items.
In new business, council will consider approving the appointment of Brycen Woodward as a Broken Bow Police Officer.
Board appointments to the Broken Bow Planning Commission will also be considered for the following terms:
– James Duncan, Susan Porter, Jim Girardin reappointments.. 3 years, ending April 2029
– Nicolle Bailey reappointment.. 2 years, ending April 2028
– Luke Wassom appointment.. 2 years, ending April 2028
– Hunter Thomas appointment.. 1 year, ending April 2027
The closure of existing city credit cards with Elan Financial Services is on tonight’s agenda, as well as the approval and authorization of the Organization Resolution and Agreement for a credit card program with UMB Bank.
Council will also have consideration of approving the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) annual report for 2025.
The Custer County Board of Supervisors will meet in regular session Tuesday morning starting at 9 AM in the Supervisors room on the top floor of the courthouse in Broken Bow.
The agenda appears below as it was received by KCNI/KBBN. It is kept continuously current and open for public inspection in the office of the Custer County Clerk.
Call to order
Pledge of Allegiance
AGENDA:
9:00 a.m.
Disc/dec Minutes, Mail, Committee Reports
Disc/dec End of month claims
Disc/dec Loup Basin Health Dept. – informative, updates
Disc/dec Res. 10-2026-County Treasurer to Invest Custer County Funds/Time Deposits at Security First Bank
Disc/dec BOE tax list corrections, over, under, omitted evaluations
Disc/dec BOE – MV Exemption applications- Custer Care
Disc/dec Proposed sign for Heritage Bank near the Judicial Center
Disc/dec Review funding plan-Northland
Disc/dec Grant writing assistance
Disc/dec Proposed moving VSO Office
Disc/dec Application(s) to cross county r-o-w
Disc/dec Department transition
Public comment
The Board of Supervisors may go into Closed Session on any issue if the need arises.
The Custer County Board of Supervisors reserves the right to take agenda items out of order for the convenience of the parties involved.
