Category Archives: Local News

Executive Director named by Custer County Foundation

Custer County Foundation Vice President Brent Custer and Office Assistant Lisa Bell joined KCNI/KBBN on the Get Up and Go Breakfast Show Thursday morning. Their visit included the announcement that Rilee Daffer would lead the foundation as Executive Director going forward.

The position was previously held by Lindsay Cook, whose duties came to a close at the 2024 Scholarship Ceremony on March 17. $138,940 in scholarships were awarded to 89 Custer County students.

Custer expressed he and the board’s excitement for Daffer, who will step into the position in late May.

“I know she’ll be great. She’s a hard worker. She has a really good board. Rilee is set up for success. She’s got a great assistant, we have a great board. The Foundation is over $7 million now, we’ll probably get to 8 (million) here pretty soon. Just, great things. I’m just excited for her!”

Daffer comes to the Foundation from North Park Elementary School in Broken Bow, where she has been a teacher for 10 years. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Education and a Master of Science in Education – Curriculum and Instruction. The news release from the CCF pointed toward her experience in managing, multi-tasking, critical thinking, and creativity. Daffer served as the Social Media Specialist for North Park Elementary for the past four years and has been the Secretary/Treasurer for the Broken Bow Parent Teacher Association.

“I am excited to be hired on as the Executive Director of the Custer County Foundation! I am looking forward to continuing to grow the Foundation and connections within our community,” said Daffer.

Andrew Tickle, President of the Foundation’s Board of Directors stated, “We are excited to have Rilee coming on board and joining the Foundation. She is local and understands the area and how important the Foundation is for the county. She is going to make a great addition to the staff. Please stop by and introduce yourself once she gets started working.”

Prairie Pioneer Center seeking to expand food delivery radius

The Prairie Pioneer Center in Broken Bow continues to offer meals as well as a space for games, cards, pool, and more to the community. Director Cathy Larson visited with KCNI/KBBN recently about all that is happening at the center, while also updating some developments they are wanting to make.

Larson said that an important item to remember is that the Prairie Pioneer Center is for everyone, no matter what your age is. That applies to everything from the several activities that happen each week all the way to meals, both at the center and deliveries.

For those over the age of 60, $6.50 is the suggested meal donation at the center. Home delivered suggested donation is $6.75. If you are under the age of 60, the charge for a meal is $7.25.

Calling the center to reserve a meal or delivery can take place whenever is convenient. The Prairie Pioneer Center keeps track of meals and dates, and encourages calls at any time, said Larson.

“If you want a meal that day. You can call ahead of time. Say you wanted to come in on Thursday to eat but you were going to be busy and wanted to call me on Monday, then we just keep track of it. You don’t have to call just that day. We have answering machines. So if it’s ten o’ clock at night and you think ‘Oh, I want to go for dinner tomorrow’ just call and leave me a message.”

The number to call for meal service is 308-872-6121.

Larson echoed a message that was passed along in the March edition of the Prairie Pioneer Telegram: Centers like themselves have not received any COVID funding for quite some time, all funds have been expended, and further related funding will not be received.

“We received some, what they called ARPA funds, last year but even that had to be spent up within a year. A lot of people think that because we’re nonprofit we get funding from the state. We are associated with the South Central Agency on Aging out of Kearney. We do get funding from them, but it meets about 40 percent of our needs,” said Larson.

With raw food costs along running at a rate of about $3,000 per month, Larson said that contributions in any way of any size can help tremendously in keeping the Prairie Pioneer Center open and running. Contributions can be made through the Custer County Foundation, by writing a check directly to the Prairie Pioneer Center, bringing in cash, or just coming in to enjoy a meal.

Calls have started coming in expressing the desire to have meals delivered to locations outside of Broken Bow; a task that Larson says they would love to do, but that would require the help of more volunteers.

“Right now, just within the city limits, we do anywhere from 30 to 35 home deliveries a day. I would like to see us extend out into Callaway, Merna, Ansley, Berwyn. I’ve had some calls about people needing home delivered meals out that way but I need some volunteers that would be willing to come into town, pick up the meals, and then see that they get where they need to be.”

As the monthly telegram stated and Larson echoed in speaking with KCNI/KBBN, staffing costs, food costs, utility costs, and inflation are making it difficult to provide services. She stated that the Prairie Pioneer Center is always looking for volunteers, whether to turn a spoon in a mixing bowl in the kitchen or to help expand the food delivery footprint.

Those interested in volunteering at the Prairie Pioneer Center are encouraged to call 308-872-6121.

County Supervisors Meet following Snow Storm

The Custer County Supervisors met for their regular meeting later than initially planned on Tuesday, March 26, because of the snowstorm. The meeting was held at 2:00 pm in the Supervisors room on the top floor of the Courthouse. Barry Fox was absent but excused. All the other members were present to address a full agenda.

Don Olson and Mike Harvey attended the meeting to discuss a small tract of property in Arnold with the board members. Olson told the Supervisors that the Arnold Veterans Unit 130 is considering building a Veterans Memorial near the intersection of Nansel Oil and Mills Hardware. The village of Arnold owns most of the tract, but Custer County owns a tiny portion. All the Supervisors favored the project and voted to have the County Surveyor survey the properties to move forward.

Register of Deeds Christi Trumble updated the board on the Court House Postage Machine. Trumble said support for the unit will end after December 2024. Several departments use the seven-year-old machine. The board asked Trumbel to start the replacement process by contacting other counties and researching different companies.

The Supervisors approved a Safety Committee recommendation to modify parking in the small parking lot on the west side of the Courthouse. The plan includes removing one parking stall inside the lot and adding two accessible handicapped stalls on the street, located on each side of the parking lot entrance. Vehicles will enter on the north side of the lot and exit on the south side. The changes will be implemented when crews can apply new paint.

The Supervisors tabled decisions on trading in or selling a sheriff’s department pickup, a public hearing for input on the termination of the Corner Township Board, and a credit card issuance until the next meeting.

Chairman Chip Blowers opened and read aloud all the bids submitted for asphalt, gravel, grader blades, and drag blades. The Supervisors then approved a motion to refer all the bids to the County Highway Department for recommendations.

The day’s final event featured Tanya Storer, a Republican candidate for Nebraska Legislative District 43. Storer noted her background and experience and emphasized the importance of local government. The Supervisors posed questions on various topics, including tax reform.

Planned power outages set for Thursday in Broken Bow

BROKEN BOW- According to Broken Bow Municipal Utilities Clerk Katie Hogg, planned power outages are scheduled for Thursday (March 28) in Broken Bow.

From 10 AM to 11 AM, power will be off from South 8th & H to South 7th & H, South 8th & F to South 7th & F.

From 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM, power will be off from South 4th & E to South 5th & E, South 4th & D to South 5th & D.

The outages are so that repairs can be completed. The city of Broken Bow appreciates the public’s patience as they perform the repairs.

Fundraising Efforts Underway for Kyle Stringham and Family

Fundraising efforts are underway for Kyle Stringham and family.  Kyle Stringham serves as chief information security officer for Nebraska State Bank in Custer County.  Kyle is battling a rare form of leukemia and developed an infection that he is currently battling as well.  To aid Kyle in his recovery and to show support for his family, Nebraska State Bank is conducting a facebook auction.  Betsy Smith, Assistant Vice President/Human Resources Officer for Nebraska State Bank, shared with KCNI/KBBN that a facebook page “Strong like Stringham” has been created which shows all of the auction items that are for sale.

“So this is a facebook auction and we have a page specifically for the auction.  It’s called “Strong like Stringham”.  There’s a lot of people (who have like it) I think we’re up to over 250 followers so there’s a good chance one of your friends probably has like the page…so go to facebook and put in the key words Strong like Stringham and then you can look at all of the auction items.  You can follow the page and those will pop us in your facebook feed.”

Bidding for the facebook auction ends at 10 p.m. Thursday, March 28th.

The Fox Theater in Broken Bow will be hosting a Kyle Stringham benefit on Thursday, March 28th.  The event will begin at 6:30 with a special showing of “The Blues Brothers” movie at 7:30.  Stuart Fox shared with KCNI/KBBN how the event came together.

“A lot of people know that Kyle is one of the owners of the theater so we wanted to do something to support him.  So I asked his wife what are some of his favorite movies.  So she gave me a list and Blues Brothers was on there and I was like that’s a perfect movie.  I think it would be fun with a group to get together.  We decided we would do that.  We reached out to the studio and the studio is actually donating so we don’t even have to pay for the rights so they are shipping that to us which is pretty cool.”

The cost to attend the event is $20 with all ticket prices and concessions sales that night being donated to the Stringham family.  Kinkaider Brewing Co. will also be on site for the event with a pop up bar with all proceeds donated to the fundraising effort.  Advance tickets are encouraged for the event and can be purchased online at watchthefox.com or at the theater during hours of operation.

To access the Strong Like Stringham Facebook page, click here

 

Broken Bow Library Hours Change April 1, 2024

The Broken Bow City Council met for their meeting Tuesday, March 26, in the Municipal Building at 6 p.m..

Mayor Rod Sonnichsen called the session to order with a roll call that highlighted council member Luke Wassom’s motion for council member Chris Myers’ absence.

The meeting welcomed special guest Tanya Storer, a candidate for Nebraska Legislative District 43, who noted her experience and emphasized the importance of local government. She fielded questions on various topics including tax reform, housing and redistricting from council members such as Russ Smith, David Schmidt and Mayor Rod Sonnichsen, with insightful responses.

Broken Bow Library Director Megan Svoboda announced a change in hours starting April 1. After extensive research, the library board approved the new hours. The library will now be open Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m..

The mayor and council members congratulated the Broken Bow Volunteer Fire Department for being awarded the Nonprofit Organization of the Year at the Chamber’s Awards Banquet on March 9.

Mayor Rod Sonnichsen motioned for the appointment of Timothy Moran to the Broken Bow Housing Authority with a term ending January 1, 2027. The council unanimously approved the appointment.

Broken Bow Mayor Sonnichsen closed the meeting by commending city crew employees for their hard work with the latest snowstorm.

The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 9th in the Broken Bow Municipal Building at 6 p.m..

 

Local students winners in severe weather awareness week poster contest

LINCOLN, NE- Governor Jim Pillen declared March 25-29 as Nebraska Severe Weather Awareness Week during a news conference at the Capitol on Monday.

At the same news conference, Nebraska Military Department Deputy Director Rick Dahlman announced the winners of the annual Severe Weather Awareness Poster Contest. Third graders from across the state provided tips for being prepared for disasters that can impact Nebraskans in the spring and summer.

Arcadia Public Schools third grader Lexi Holcomb was one of the four students honored at the news conference, placing third and receiving a $75 gift card. Fellow Arcadia student Grey Meyer received honorable mention, as did Paisley Vanslyke of Loup City Public Schools.

Winning and honorable mention posters will be featured in NEMA’s 2025 Severe Weather Awareness Calendar.

First Place: Felix Valivaara, Cornerstone Christian School, Bellevue, Sarpy County
Second Place: Natalie Kimbrough, Fredstrom Elementary, Lincoln, Lancaster County
Third Place: Lexi Holcomb, Arcadia Public Schools, Arcadia, Valley County
Fourth Place: Ava Boeckner, Springdale Christian School, Scotia, Greeley County

Honorable Mention
Grey Meyer, Arcadia Public Schools, Arcadia, Valley County
Paisley Vanslyke, Loup City Public Schools, Loup City, Sherman County
Nora Sandberg, Adams Elementary School, Lincoln, Lancaster County
Ana Martinez-Pinto, Emerson Elementary School, Columbus, Platte County
Conner Price, Southern Elementary School, Blue Springs, Gage County
Cora Flaming, Randolph Public Schools, Randolph, Cedar County
Konner Thelen, Randolph Public Schools, Randolph, Cedar County
Maizy Popken, Logan View Elementary, Hooper, Dodge County
Shaelyn Hagan, Hitchcock County Elementary, Culbertson, Hitchcock County

Arnold, Gothenburg take home medals in state speech competition

Arnold and Gothenburg speech competitors were among the medal winners at this year’s NSAA speech championships, held in Kearney Wednesday through Friday (March 20-22).

When the dust settled at Kearney High School, Arnold had seized medals in six events and Gothenburg had secured eight medals in seven events. Arnold placed 5th as a team in D2. Gothenburg took 4th place in class B.

Arnold Speech Team at State 2024 (Picture- Arnold Public Schools Facebook)

Arnold’s Ella Cool and Rio Remund were crowned state champions in Duet Acting in D2 competition. Parker Graves of Gothenburg took top honors in class B Oral Interpretation of Serious Prose competition.

Below is a list of area competitors who were awarded medals (Top 6 placement) for their efforts at state speech

Full competition result links:
Class A, Class B, Class C1, Class C2, Class D1, Class D2

Class D2
Duet Acting
1st- Arnold (Ella Cool and Rio Remund)

Extemporaneous Speaking
4th- Arnold (Gracie Neth)

Informative Speaking
5th- Arnold (Anna Tullis)

Oral Interpretation of Drama
4th- Arnold (Danah Baldwin, Ivy Tullis, and Anna Tullis)

Oral Interpretation of Serious Prose
5th- Arnold (Danah Baldwin)

Persuasive Speaking
2nd- Arnold (Realta Leach)

Team Sweepstakes
5th- Arnold

Class B
Duet Acting
2nd- Gothenburg (Parker Graves and Jackson Nelson)

Entertainment Speaking
3rd- Gothenburg (Jack Aden)

Extemporaneous Speaking
3rd- Gothenburg (Carson Reiman)
6th- Gothenburg (Hayden Ricley)

Oral Interpretation of Humorous Prose
2nd- Gothenburg (Parker Graves)

Oral Interpretation of Serious Prose
1st- Gothenburg (Parker Graves)

Persuasive Speaking
5th- Gothenburg (Carson Reiman)

Program Oral Interpretation
6th- Gothenburg (Logan Feather)

Team Sweepstakes
4th- Gothenburg

Broken Bow City Council to Meet Tuesday March 26th

The Broken Bow City Council will meet for a regular meeting on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at 6:00 pm in the Municipal Auditorium.

Tanya Storer is on the evening’s agenda to address the public and council members. Ms. Storer is a candidate for the Nebraska Legislative 43rd District. New hours at the Broken Bow Library will be announced and the Broken Bow Volunteer Fire Department will receive accolades for winning the Broken Bow Chamber’s Nonprofit Organization award.

The Council will consider the appointment of Timothy Moran to the Broken Bow Housing Authority for a term ending January 1, 2027.

The meeting will end with comments from the Mayor and Council.

Custer County Supervisor Meeting Scheduled For March 26th

The Custer County Board of Supervisors will meet in regular session on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at 2:00 p.m., in the Supervisor’s room on the top floor of the Courthouse. The Agenda will begin with the approval of past meeting minutes and committee reports. End-of-the-month claims will be addressed and the Board of Equalization will look over the tax list corrections and over, under, and omitted valuations. The board will also consider applications to cross the right of way in the county.

At 10:00, bids for asphalt will be considered and at 10:10, bids for a grader and drag blades will be opened. Bids for gravel will be opened at 10:20 am.

Following a short break, Mandy Marshall will speak on behalf of Tanya Storer, Republican candidate for the 43rd District.

A Public Hearing will be held at 11:00 am for input on the Termination of the Corner Township Board.

Other discussion and action items on the agenda include:

Disc/dec –
A tract of land in Arnold Township, ownership

Disc/dec –
C. Trumbull, Reg of Deeds, Postage machine -issues/update

Disc/dec
–  Decision on pickup trade-in for Sheriff

Disc/dec –
Parking Lot plan- Safety Comm. recommendation.

Disc/dec –  Credit Card issuance- NE Rev. Stat #13-610(1)
.
The agenda is kept continuously current and open for public inspection in the office of the County Clerk. The Board of Supervisors may go into Executive Session on any issue if the need arises.