Wellfleet, Ne - This Saturday, June 1st is the 10th Annual Junkin' In June in Wellfleet. According to Jody Lemmert the organizer, this will be another fun filled day of antiques, collectables, fun for kids and adults too during the event which runs from 10am-4pm in Wellfleet, just south of North Platte. See the full vendor list and map below.

 News Director Canon Rath sat down with Lemmert from the Eagle Studios in Ogallala recently to talk about the event.

(BELOW, Listen to Podcast with Organizer Jody Lemmert sponsored by <a href="http://www.npkubota.com">North Platte Kubota</a>)

This years event will have vendors from multiple states, plus live music and bres from Pals Brewery in North Platte. See full list below.

MAP of Venders/location based on Vendor number.

Wellfleet, Ne - This Saturday, June 1st is the 10th Annual Junkin' In June in Wellfleet. According to Jody Lemmert the organizer, this will be another fun filled day of antiques, collectables, fun for kids and adults too during the event which runs from 10am-4pm in Wellfleet, just south of North Platte. See the full vendor list and map below. News Director Canon Rath sat down with Lemmert from the Eagle Studios in Ogallala recently to talk about the event.<div>(<iframe title="10th Annual Junkin In June this Saturday" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=wn6ye-1628547-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=1&fonts=Times%20New%20Roman&skin=1b1b1b&font-color=auto&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=ff6d00" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>(BELOW, Listen to Podcast with Organizer Jody Lemmert sponsored by <a href="http://www.npkubota.com">North Platte Kubota</a>)<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655346441244.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><div>Wellfleet, Ne - This Saturday, June 1st is the 10th Annual Junkin' In June in Wellfleet. According to Jody Lemmert the organizer, this will be another fun filled day of antiques, collectables, fun for kids and adults too during the event which runs from 10am-4pm in Wellfleet, just south of North Platte. News Director Canon Rath sat down with Lemmert from the Eagle Studios in Ogallala recently to talk about the event.</div>This years event will have vendors from multiple states, plus live music and bres from Pals Brewery in North Platte. See full list below.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1717089271118.jpeg" alt="" />
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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1717089286109.jpeg" alt="" />
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 </figure>MAP of Venders/location based on Vendor number.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1717089312236.jpeg" alt="" />
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10th Annual Wellfleet Junkin In June this Saturday

North Platte, NE - [May 30,2024] - Aaron Edwards is organizing a North Side Clean-Up event in preparation for&nbsp; Nebraskaland Days. This community initiative aims to enhance the beauty and cleanliness of our&nbsp; neighborhood, demonstrating our collective pride and commitment to building a better community.&nbsp;

The clean-up event will take place on June 8, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Volunteers are asked to gather&nbsp; at 115 East 12th Street, North Platte, NE, just north of Glass Doctor.&nbsp;

- Location: 115 East 12th Street, North Platte, NE (just north of Glass Doctor)&nbsp;

- Organizers: Aaron Edwards &amp; Peyton Zeller&nbsp;

- Sponsors: Rooster Roll-Offs is generously volunteering two roll-offs to assist with the clean-up efforts. - Special Contribution: Glass Doctor, Subway, Midwest Cycle &amp; ATV, Zeller Motor Company and Keep North&nbsp; Platte &amp; Lincoln County Beautiful.&nbsp;

The goal is to clean up the Highway 83 corridor, from the Jeffers Viaduct to the North Platte River Bridge, and&nbsp; Highway 30 from Wilson Avenue to Buffalo Bill Avenue. There will be Roll-offs at the meet up location,&nbsp; residents are encouraged to bring items to dispose of. Please, no tires or appliances.&nbsp;

Participants are encouraged to join forces to help clean and prepare our neighborhood for the upcoming&nbsp; Nebraskaland Days festivities. This event is a great opportunity for residents to come together, show their&nbsp; community spirit, and ensure our area is in top shape for visitors and locals alike.&nbsp;

All supplies provided. Stay for an hour or stay for the day, stop by 115 East 12th Street and we will get you&nbsp; started.&nbsp;

Volunteers are welcome to call or text Aaron Edwards at 308-530-3478 or Peyton Zeller at 308-660-5424 for&nbsp; more information or to sign up for the event.&nbsp;

"Joining forces to build a better community is what this clean-up event is all about," said Aaron Edwards.&nbsp; "Let's make our North Side shine and show everyone the pride we have in our neighborhood."&nbsp;

The businesses listed are not endorsements, simply parties supporting the cleanup.&nbsp;

Aaron Edwards is running for Ward 4 City Council with a mission to bring positive change and foster a strong&nbsp; sense of community in North Platte. He believes in proactive community involvement and working together to&nbsp; create a better future for all residents.&nbsp;

Rooster Roll-Offs is a local waste management company dedicated to providing efficient and reliable&nbsp; services for residential and commercial clean-up projects. They are proud to support the community by&nbsp; volunteering their services for local events.&nbsp;

Glass Doctor, a Neighborly company, offers expert glass repair and replacement services to homeowners and&nbsp; businesses, committed to delivering quality and exceptional customer service.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1717082939762.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Aaron EdwardsNorth Platte, NE - [May 30,2024] - Aaron Edwards is organizing a North Side Clean-Up event in preparation for&nbsp; Nebraskaland Days. This community initiative aims to enhance the beauty and cleanliness of our&nbsp; neighborhood, demonstrating our collective pride and commitment to building a better community.&nbsp;The clean-up event will take place on June 8, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Volunteers are asked to gather&nbsp; at 115 East 12th Street, North Platte, NE, just north of Glass Doctor.&nbsp;Event Details:&nbsp;-Date: June 8, 2024&nbsp;-Time: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM&nbsp;- Location: 115 East 12th Street, North Platte, NE (just north of Glass Doctor)&nbsp;- Organizers: Aaron Edwards &amp; Peyton Zeller&nbsp;- Sponsors: Rooster Roll-Offs is generously volunteering two roll-offs to assist with the clean-up efforts. - Special Contribution: Glass Doctor, Subway, Midwest Cycle &amp; ATV, Zeller Motor Company and Keep North&nbsp; Platte &amp; Lincoln County Beautiful.&nbsp;The goal is to clean up the Highway 83 corridor, from the Jeffers Viaduct to the North Platte River Bridge, and&nbsp; Highway 30 from Wilson Avenue to Buffalo Bill Avenue. There will be Roll-offs at the meet up location,&nbsp; residents are encouraged to bring items to dispose of. Please, no tires or appliances.&nbsp;Participants are encouraged to join forces to help clean and prepare our neighborhood for the upcoming&nbsp; Nebraskaland Days festivities. This event is a great opportunity for residents to come together, show their&nbsp; community spirit, and ensure our area is in top shape for visitors and locals alike.&nbsp;All supplies provided. Stay for an hour or stay for the day, stop by 115 East 12th Street and we will get you&nbsp; started.&nbsp;Volunteers are welcome to call or text Aaron Edwards at 308-530-3478 or Peyton Zeller at 308-660-5424 for&nbsp; more information or to sign up for the event.&nbsp;"Joining forces to build a better community is what this clean-up event is all about," said Aaron Edwards.&nbsp; "Let's make our North Side shine and show everyone the pride we have in our neighborhood."&nbsp;The businesses listed are not endorsements, simply parties supporting the cleanup.&nbsp;About Aaron Edwards:&nbsp;Aaron Edwards is running for Ward 4 City Council with a mission to bring positive change and foster a strong&nbsp; sense of community in North Platte. He believes in proactive community involvement and working together to&nbsp; create a better future for all residents.&nbsp;About Rooster Roll-Offs:&nbsp;Rooster Roll-Offs is a local waste management company dedicated to providing efficient and reliable&nbsp; services for residential and commercial clean-up projects. They are proud to support the community by&nbsp; volunteering their services for local events.&nbsp;About Glass Doctor:&nbsp;Glass Doctor, a Neighborly company, offers expert glass repair and replacement services to homeowners and&nbsp; businesses, committed to delivering quality and exceptional customer service.&nbsp;

Community Clean-Up Event to Prepare for Nebraskaland Days 

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/05/29/expanding-intergenerational-care-is-on-the-horizon-for-nebraska-child-care-nursing-homes/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN —&nbsp;As a number of long-term care and childcare facilities continue to face challenges, even closures, in Nebraska, a new intergenerational care grant program seeks to turn the tide.

<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=54884">Legislative Bill 1178</a>, introduced by State Sen. Anna Wishart of Lincoln, was&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/108/PDF/AM/AM2734.pdf">amended</a>&nbsp;into a different child care proposal,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=54865">LB 904</a>, in this year’s legislative session and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_votes.php?KeyID=11051">passed 45-0</a>. Under the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/12/19/nebraskas-lancaster-county-senators-address-brain-drain-higher-education-in-town-hall/">incentive</a>&nbsp;grant program, qualified nursing homes or assisted-living facilities that were certified for Medicare or Medicaid could apply for one-time startup costs to build out child care in the same unit.

“The concept is simple: providing child care in a nursing facility and creating opportunities for shared activities between senior citizens and children,” Wishart told the Nebraska Examiner.

The $300,000 program begins with up to $100,000 per facility through the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. Priority will be given to rural communities.

Wishart said she first read about the concept of intergenerational care in 2019 and was “instantly inspired,” introducing a proposal the next year that stalled, in part, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Long-term care is struggling in the state, she said, with seemingly a new closing or nursing home on the brink of bankruptcy each week. Additionally, young families struggle to find child care.

With Wishart’s new program, she and advocates for both older adults and children see an initial investment that they hope will have a positive return on investment and encourage future lawmakers to provide additional support.

“Ultimately, the bill will have a twofold effect, first supporting children and elders to connect and second to address a critical workforce issue,” Wishart said.

Holly Hill is the owner and director of one such facility in North Platte: Trucks N Tiaras Intergenerational Academy. She testified in February that Trucks N Tiaras gives children positive role models through daily interactions with older Nebraskans and builds their communication skills and sense of community.

“Learning alongside seniors will help children see beyond their years and their own small worlds,” Hill told the Health and Human Services Committee on Feb. 7. “They understand more about life and discover many similarities between themselves and their grandfriends.”

Hill said visits children make from the academy to neighboring Linden senior care properties bring children face-to-face with residents for a variety of activities, such as making cards, enjoying arts and crafts or having costume parties.

“You see the light shine in the residents’ eyes the moment these children walk into the room,” Hill said in an email.

Many residents don’t have grandchildren who live close, Hill added, and the interaction allows residents to create bonds with the children, who are each making memories.

Additional funding would help create more of those lasting relationships, Hill said.

At least eight other Nebraska communities have intergenerational facilities, according to Sara Howard, policy adviser for First Five Nebraska. These are: Grant, Kearney, Imperial, Hastings, Fairmont, Hebron, Adams and Syracuse.

Howard noted that the number of child care providers has not returned to pre-pandemic levels, running up against state demographics where parents of three of every four children under 6 both remain in the workforce.

Jalene Carpenter, president and CEO of the Nebraska Health Care Association, which represents more than 400 nursing and assisted-living facilities, said&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/05/23/nebraska-advocates-fear-catastrophic-nursing-home-staffing-rule-will-lead-to-closures/">nursing home staffing</a>&nbsp;also has not recovered after the pandemic.

Carpenter said child care and workforce issues are “inherently interwoven,” although the state has a low unemployment rate, so the grants could support prospective workers and residents.

“It gives those residents that endorphin boost and makes them excited and also puts them into, hopefully, a better mood for the rest of the day,” Carpenter said.

Howard said the “exact areas” where nursing homes are closing is where more child care is needed to meet such workforce needs.

“It really is an innovative solution to a very, I think, tricky challenge on the child care side,” she said.

Wishart said from her work on the Appropriations Committee, she’s learned that some nursing facilities may have building wings that are unoccupied or underutilized, where child care could be added.

Under the bill, nursing facilities do not have to jointly operate the child care facilities. At Trucks N Tiaras, for example, Hill’s facility works in conjunction with Linden properties.

Under the program, by Oct. 1, DHHS staff must meet with statewide associations for nursing homes and other stakeholders to review laws, rules, regulations or other barriers that could impede creating intergenerational care environments and develop recommendations if so.

Hill testified that facilities already have infectious disease protocols, for example, and Carpenter said safety and compliance will remain in two fields that are already heavily regulated.

Kierstin Reed, president and CEO of the nonprofit LeadingAge Nebraska, said the country is reaching a “tipping point” where younger families are not having as many children, and the workforce is transitioning to replace retiring workers.

The COVID-19 pandemic also highlighted the need for care and interaction —&nbsp;Wishart noted that social isolation can lead to increased risk of premature death and dementia, for example.

Reed said she’s seen firsthand how older adults and young children interact. She said her aging father has difficulty holding a conversation but can engage with a child at a restaurant or other venues “in a way that they have this unspoken language.”

“I’ll find him peeking over the booth and making faces at the kids and doing things like that to interact with them, and it just lifts his spirits,” Reed said. “It brings him a lot of joy to be around kids and to interact with them.”

Howard said meaningful interactions for a child with an adult “exponentially” improves their development and said care facilities could support infants in teaching them social cues and toddlers who desire individualized attention that might be more difficult to obtain.&nbsp;

These moments might also reduce behavioral health challenges, Howard said, which could lead a parent to call a hotline for support or feel inadequate about their care.

“I would love to see a world where every assisted living and nursing home facility that wants to co-locate a child care facility onsite has the support to do it in this state,” Howard said. “I think there’s nowhere to go but up.”

Reed and Jina Ragland, AARP Nebraska’s associate state director for advocacy and outreach, said more and more adults are wanting to age in place, which requires investing in the future and addressing ageism.

Workforce shortages correlate to child care availability, Ragland noted, rippling into short-staffed nursing home facilities and reduced quality of care that can lead to falls or other risks.

She described the grant program as a “big win-win” that will help older adults at all stages of life.

“They’re stimulating a young child’s developing brain while also enhancing their own well-being and cognitive functions as an older adult, which in turn provides a sense of purpose and fulfillment,” Ragland said.

Reed said she got into human services through volunteering at a nursing facility when she was young, so she understands that providing those lessons to children and families —&nbsp;whose facilities might be nonprofits and require community support — is critical.

Ragland added that realizing people are people, no matter their age, will lead to a better society, community and state.

“When you look at what the end result is and the benefit to the entire spectrum — from young children clear up to older adults and, in between, our workforce — I think this is something that makes total sense,” Ragland said. “We’re really excited to see it launch.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716997426908.jpeg" alt=" A new incentive grant program seeks to expand intergenerational care programs, combining care for children and older adults under one roof. Pictured are North Platte long-term care residents and a child from the neighboring Trucks N Tiaras Intergenerational Academy that already offers such combination. (Courtesy of Holly Hill)" />
 <figcaption> A new incentive grant program seeks to expand intergenerational care programs, combining care for children and older adults under one roof. Pictured are North Platte long-term care residents and a child from the neighboring Trucks N Tiaras Intergenerational Academy that already offers such combination. (Courtesy of Holly Hill)</figcaption>
 </figure>Zach Wendling<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/05/29/expanding-intergenerational-care-is-on-the-horizon-for-nebraska-child-care-nursing-homes/">Nebraska Examiner</a>LINCOLN —&nbsp;As a number of long-term care and childcare facilities continue to face challenges, even closures, in Nebraska, a new intergenerational care grant program seeks to turn the tide.<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=54884">Legislative Bill 1178</a>, introduced by State Sen. Anna Wishart of Lincoln, was&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/108/PDF/AM/AM2734.pdf">amended</a>&nbsp;into a different child care proposal,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=54865">LB 904</a>, in this year’s legislative session and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_votes.php?KeyID=11051">passed 45-0</a>. Under the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/12/19/nebraskas-lancaster-county-senators-address-brain-drain-higher-education-in-town-hall/">incentive</a>&nbsp;grant program, qualified nursing homes or assisted-living facilities that were certified for Medicare or Medicaid could apply for one-time startup costs to build out child care in the same unit.“The concept is simple: providing child care in a nursing facility and creating opportunities for shared activities between senior citizens and children,” Wishart told the Nebraska Examiner.The $300,000 program begins with up to $100,000 per facility through the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. Priority will be given to rural communities.<h2>Meeting workforce needs</h2>Wishart said she first read about the concept of intergenerational care in 2019 and was “instantly inspired,” introducing a proposal the next year that stalled, in part, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.Long-term care is struggling in the state, she said, with seemingly a new closing or nursing home on the brink of bankruptcy each week. Additionally, young families struggle to find child care.With Wishart’s new program, she and advocates for both older adults and children see an initial investment that they hope will have a positive return on investment and encourage future lawmakers to provide additional support.“Ultimately, the bill will have a twofold effect, first supporting children and elders to connect and second to address a critical workforce issue,” Wishart said.<h2>North Platte success</h2>Holly Hill is the owner and director of one such facility in North Platte: Trucks N Tiaras Intergenerational Academy. She testified in February that Trucks N Tiaras gives children positive role models through daily interactions with older Nebraskans and builds their communication skills and sense of community.“Learning alongside seniors will help children see beyond their years and their own small worlds,” Hill told the Health and Human Services Committee on Feb. 7. “They understand more about life and discover many similarities between themselves and their grandfriends.”Hill said visits children make from the academy to neighboring Linden senior care properties bring children face-to-face with residents for a variety of activities, such as making cards, enjoying arts and crafts or having costume parties.“You see the light shine in the residents’ eyes the moment these children walk into the room,” Hill said in an email.Many residents don’t have grandchildren who live close, Hill added, and the interaction allows residents to create bonds with the children, who are each making memories.Additional funding would help create more of those lasting relationships, Hill said.At least eight other Nebraska communities have intergenerational facilities, according to Sara Howard, policy adviser for First Five Nebraska. These are: Grant, Kearney, Imperial, Hastings, Fairmont, Hebron, Adams and Syracuse.<h2>‘Innovative solution’</h2>Howard noted that the number of child care providers has not returned to pre-pandemic levels, running up against state demographics where parents of three of every four children under 6 both remain in the workforce.Jalene Carpenter, president and CEO of the Nebraska Health Care Association, which represents more than 400 nursing and assisted-living facilities, said&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/05/23/nebraska-advocates-fear-catastrophic-nursing-home-staffing-rule-will-lead-to-closures/">nursing home staffing</a>&nbsp;also has not recovered after the pandemic.Carpenter said child care and workforce issues are “inherently interwoven,” although the state has a low unemployment rate, so the grants could support prospective workers and residents.“It gives those residents that endorphin boost and makes them excited and also puts them into, hopefully, a better mood for the rest of the day,” Carpenter said.Howard said the “exact areas” where nursing homes are closing is where more child care is needed to meet such workforce needs.“It really is an innovative solution to a very, I think, tricky challenge on the child care side,” she said.Wishart said from her work on the Appropriations Committee, she’s learned that some nursing facilities may have building wings that are unoccupied or underutilized, where child care could be added.Under the bill, nursing facilities do not have to jointly operate the child care facilities. At Trucks N Tiaras, for example, Hill’s facility works in conjunction with Linden properties.Under the program, by Oct. 1, DHHS staff must meet with statewide associations for nursing homes and other stakeholders to review laws, rules, regulations or other barriers that could impede creating intergenerational care environments and develop recommendations if so.Hill testified that facilities already have infectious disease protocols, for example, and Carpenter said safety and compliance will remain in two fields that are already heavily regulated.<h2>‘Nowhere to go but up’</h2>Kierstin Reed, president and CEO of the nonprofit LeadingAge Nebraska, said the country is reaching a “tipping point” where younger families are not having as many children, and the workforce is transitioning to replace retiring workers.The COVID-19 pandemic also highlighted the need for care and interaction —&nbsp;Wishart noted that social isolation can lead to increased risk of premature death and dementia, for example.Reed said she’s seen firsthand how older adults and young children interact. She said her aging father has difficulty holding a conversation but can engage with a child at a restaurant or other venues “in a way that they have this unspoken language.”“I’ll find him peeking over the booth and making faces at the kids and doing things like that to interact with them, and it just lifts his spirits,” Reed said. “It brings him a lot of joy to be around kids and to interact with them.”Howard said meaningful interactions for a child with an adult “exponentially” improves their development and said care facilities could support infants in teaching them social cues and toddlers who desire individualized attention that might be more difficult to obtain.&nbsp;These moments might also reduce behavioral health challenges, Howard said, which could lead a parent to call a hotline for support or feel inadequate about their care.“I would love to see a world where every assisted living and nursing home facility that wants to co-locate a child care facility onsite has the support to do it in this state,” Howard said. “I think there’s nowhere to go but up.”<h2>Program supports all ages</h2>Reed and Jina Ragland, AARP Nebraska’s associate state director for advocacy and outreach, said more and more adults are wanting to age in place, which requires investing in the future and addressing ageism.Workforce shortages correlate to child care availability, Ragland noted, rippling into short-staffed nursing home facilities and reduced quality of care that can lead to falls or other risks.She described the grant program as a “big win-win” that will help older adults at all stages of life.“They’re stimulating a young child’s developing brain while also enhancing their own well-being and cognitive functions as an older adult, which in turn provides a sense of purpose and fulfillment,” Ragland said.Reed said she got into human services through volunteering at a nursing facility when she was young, so she understands that providing those lessons to children and families —&nbsp;whose facilities might be nonprofits and require community support — is critical.Ragland added that realizing people are people, no matter their age, will lead to a better society, community and state.“When you look at what the end result is and the benefit to the entire spectrum — from young children clear up to older adults and, in between, our workforce — I think this is something that makes total sense,” Ragland said. “We’re really excited to see it launch.”

Expanding intergenerational care is on the horizon for Nebraska child care, nursing homes

North Platte, NE&nbsp;– NebraskaLand Bank is thrilled to announce a special autograph signing event to kick off the annual NEBRASKAland DAYS Celebration. Join us for a meet and greet with Rodeo Royalty on Tuesday, June 11, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at our Westfield Branch location in the Westfield Shopping Center at 1801 West A Street.

Join us for this family-friendly event featuring Miss Rodeo Nebraska, JoSee Saults, and North Platte’s own Miss Teen Rodeo Nebraska, Maci Cox. We are also honored to welcome State Rodeo Queens from nine different states, including the esteemed Miss Rodeo America, Emma Cameron.

Don’t miss out on this unique chance to meet some of the most talented and inspiring Rodeo Queens from across the nation. Bring your family and friends to help us give them a warm North Platte welcome!

NebraskaLand BankNorth Platte, NE&nbsp;– NebraskaLand Bank is thrilled to announce a special autograph signing event to kick off the annual NEBRASKAland DAYS Celebration. Join us for a meet and greet with Rodeo Royalty on Tuesday, June 11, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at our Westfield Branch location in the Westfield Shopping Center at 1801 West A Street.Join us for this family-friendly event featuring Miss Rodeo Nebraska, JoSee Saults, and North Platte’s own Miss Teen Rodeo Nebraska, Maci Cox. We are also honored to welcome State Rodeo Queens from nine different states, including the esteemed Miss Rodeo America, Emma Cameron.Don’t miss out on this unique chance to meet some of the most talented and inspiring Rodeo Queens from across the nation. Bring your family and friends to help us give them a warm North Platte welcome!

Meet Rodeo Royalty on June 11th in North Platte

Nebraska Department of Transportation

(North Platte, Neb.) — Francis Street in North Platte has re-opened, according to the Nebraska Department of Transportation.

Paulsen, Inc. of Cozad is the contractor for this project. The closure was for reconstruction of Francis Street from Jeffers to Lucille.

Motorists are reminded to drive cautiously in and near work zones, to buckle up, and to put phones down.

Nebraska Department of Transportation(North Platte, Neb.) — Francis Street in North Platte has re-opened, according to the Nebraska Department of Transportation.Paulsen, Inc. of Cozad is the contractor for this project. The closure was for reconstruction of Francis Street from Jeffers to Lucille.Motorists are reminded to drive cautiously in and near work zones, to buckle up, and to put phones down.

Francis Street Re-Opened in North Platte

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will accept applications for one 2024&nbsp;bighorn&nbsp;sheep&nbsp;lottery permit beginning April 15.

A $29 nonrefundable application fee must accompany each application. Only Nebraska residents 12 years and older are eligible for the lottery. It is unlawful to submit more than one application in a calendar year. Residents may receive only one permit in a lifetime. The permit is not transferable.

The application period begins at 1 p.m. Central time April 15 and ends Aug. 2. Applications will be received at Game and Parks offices until 5 p.m. or, if applying at&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cub3V0ZG9vcm5lYnJhc2thLm9yZz91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkiLCJidWxsZXRpbl9pZCI6IjIwMjQwNDAxLjkyNjY2NTkxIn0.YYDa0WQjdHdgfnjSVZMZ2XWdJfMApuvWyxmKsstu1gc/s/497221906/br/239905551050-l" target="_blank">OutdoorNebraska.gov</a>, through 11:59 p.m. CT Aug. 2.

The permit will be drawn in August, and the successful applicant will be notified.

By Nebraska Game and ParksThe Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will accept applications for one 2024&nbsp;bighorn&nbsp;sheep&nbsp;lottery permit beginning April 15.A $29 nonrefundable application fee must accompany each application. Only Nebraska residents 12 years and older are eligible for the lottery. It is unlawful to submit more than one application in a calendar year. Residents may receive only one permit in a lifetime. The permit is not transferable.The application period begins at 1 p.m. Central time April 15 and ends Aug. 2. Applications will be received at Game and Parks offices until 5 p.m. or, if applying at&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cub3V0ZG9vcm5lYnJhc2thLm9yZz91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkiLCJidWxsZXRpbl9pZCI6IjIwMjQwNDAxLjkyNjY2NTkxIn0.YYDa0WQjdHdgfnjSVZMZ2XWdJfMApuvWyxmKsstu1gc/s/497221906/br/239905551050-l" target="_blank">OutdoorNebraska.gov</a>, through 11:59 p.m. CT Aug. 2.The permit will be drawn in August, and the successful applicant will be notified.

Bighorn sheep lottery applications begin April 15

Office of U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts

OMAHA, NE&nbsp;– U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) issued the following statement after the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced a major disaster declaration for areas of western Nebraska affected by April’s winter storms:

“I appreciate FEMA granting my request for a disaster declaration for those affected by the April winter storms. This support will be essential to the ongoing recovery efforts of western Nebraska communities who need it most.”

Ricketts sent a letter along with the entire Nebraska delegation to President Biden calling for the major disaster declaration earlier this month. Read the letter&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/024ac32e-fe07-4e97-836d-1e4a1d926309/ne-delegation-letter-to-president-biden-4.6.24-disaster-assisatnce.pdf">here</a>.

Office of U.S. Senator Pete RickettsOMAHA, NE&nbsp;– U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) issued the following statement after the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced a major disaster declaration for areas of western Nebraska affected by April’s winter storms:“I appreciate FEMA granting my request for a disaster declaration for those affected by the April winter storms. This support will be essential to the ongoing recovery efforts of western Nebraska communities who need it most.”BACKGROUNDRicketts sent a letter along with the entire Nebraska delegation to President Biden calling for the major disaster declaration earlier this month. Read the letter&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/024ac32e-fe07-4e97-836d-1e4a1d926309/ne-delegation-letter-to-president-biden-4.6.24-disaster-assisatnce.pdf">here</a>.

Ricketts Comments on FEMA Disaster Declaration for Western Nebraska

North Platte, Neb. - The North Platte Noon Rotary has announced for this year's grocery grab at Gary's Super Foods. The winners are:

Each winner will have a select amount of time to go around Gary's Super Food and try to grab as many groceries during their time slot. Jedrzejczyk will have three minutes; Morrison will have two minutes and lastly Smith will have one minute to navigate the store.&nbsp;

The annual grocery grab will be taking place at Gary's Super Foods location on East 4th Street on June 8th at 3:00pm. Proceeds benefit the North Platte Noon Rotary projects.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1717008963020.jpeg" alt="L-R: Misty Robertson, Chair of the grocery grab, Gary Suhr, owner of Gary's Super Foods and Brian Phares, President of Noon Rotary (Photo taken by POST)" />
 <figcaption>L-R: Misty Robertson, Chair of the grocery grab, Gary Suhr, owner of Gary's Super Foods and Brian Phares, President of Noon Rotary (Photo taken by POST)</figcaption>
 </figure>North Platte PostNorth Platte, Neb. - The North Platte Noon Rotary has announced for this year's grocery grab at Gary's Super Foods. The winners are:1st place: Tara&nbsp;Jedrzejczyk&nbsp;2nd place:&nbsp;Laurie Morrison3rd place:&nbsp;Matt Smith<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1717009323038.jpeg" alt="Misty Robertson and Gary Suhr drawing names for the grocery grab (Photo taken by the POST)" />
 <figcaption>Misty Robertson and Gary Suhr drawing names for the grocery grab (Photo taken by the POST)</figcaption>
 </figure>Each winner will have a select amount of time to go around Gary's Super Food and try to grab as many groceries during their time slot. Jedrzejczyk will have three minutes; Morrison will have two minutes and lastly Smith will have one minute to navigate the store.&nbsp;The annual grocery grab will be taking place at Gary's Super Foods location on East 4th Street on June 8th at 3:00pm. Proceeds benefit the North Platte Noon Rotary projects.&nbsp;

North Platte Noon Rotary announces winners for annual grocery grab

MAY 29, 2024 (NORTH PLATTE, NEB.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol have arrested two people following a pursuit in Lincoln County over the weekend.

Saturday, at approximately 3:30 p.m., a trooper performed a traffic stop on a Chevrolet Suburban for speeding on Interstate 80 near North Platte, at mile marker 172. During the traffic stop, the driver accelerated and fled eastbound. The trooper initiated a pursuit.

During the pursuit, the suspect vehicle reached speeds above 110 miles per hour and passed other vehicles on the shoulder. Additional troopers were able to successfully deploy stop sticks to slow the vehicle near mile marker 211 in Dawson County. The vehicle then came to a stop in the median at mile marker 214, near Gothenburg. The driver fled on the foot, but the passenger remained in the vehicle and was taken into custody without incident. The driver was apprehended within minutes.

A search of the vehicle revealed approximately 16 pounds of marijuana, 40 psilocybin mushroom products, and over 1 pound of an unknown white powder. The driver, Meshach Williams, 29, of Troy, Michigan, and passenger, Marco Nickens, 29, of Detroit, Michigan, were arrested for possession of controlled substances and possession with intent to deliver. Williams was also arrested for flight to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving, driving with a revoked license, and traffic violations. Both were lodged in Lincoln County Jail.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716723348917.jpeg" alt="Meshach Williams (Photo courtesy of Lincoln County)" />
 <figcaption>Meshach Williams (Photo courtesy of Lincoln County)</figcaption>
 </figure>Cody ThomasNebraska State PatrolMAY 29, 2024 (NORTH PLATTE, NEB.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol have arrested two people following a pursuit in Lincoln County over the weekend.Saturday, at approximately 3:30 p.m., a trooper performed a traffic stop on a Chevrolet Suburban for speeding on Interstate 80 near North Platte, at mile marker 172. During the traffic stop, the driver accelerated and fled eastbound. The trooper initiated a pursuit.During the pursuit, the suspect vehicle reached speeds above 110 miles per hour and passed other vehicles on the shoulder. Additional troopers were able to successfully deploy stop sticks to slow the vehicle near mile marker 211 in Dawson County. The vehicle then came to a stop in the median at mile marker 214, near Gothenburg. The driver fled on the foot, but the passenger remained in the vehicle and was taken into custody without incident. The driver was apprehended within minutes.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716723312600.jpeg" alt="Marco Nickens (Photo courtesy of Lincoln County Jail)" />
 <figcaption>Marco Nickens (Photo courtesy of Lincoln County Jail)</figcaption>
 </figure>A search of the vehicle revealed approximately 16 pounds of marijuana, 40 psilocybin mushroom products, and over 1 pound of an unknown white powder. The driver, Meshach Williams, 29, of Troy, Michigan, and passenger, Marco Nickens, 29, of Detroit, Michigan, were arrested for possession of controlled substances and possession with intent to deliver. Williams was also arrested for flight to avoid arrest, willful reckless driving, driving with a revoked license, and traffic violations. Both were lodged in Lincoln County Jail.

Weekend Pursuit Leads to Two Arrests in Lincoln County

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Eswin Lopez-Bravo, 52, of Lexington, Nebraska, was sentenced on May 28, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska for distribution of methamphetamine. Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Lopez-Bravo to 54 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Lopez-Bravo’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release. In addition to the prison sentence, Lopez-Bravo will forfeit $4,106 to the United States.

In January of 2023, based on information that Lopez-Bravo was selling drugs out of a hotel in Lexington, law enforcement obtained a search warrant for his room and located Lopez-Bravo and another individual, who had an active federal warrant and was arrested. The room was registered to Lopez-Bravo and had been for quite some time, despite the fact Lopez-Bravo also had a house, where he resided with his wife and children. In the course of this investigation, officers learned that Lopez-Bravo distributed meth out of the room. During the search of the room, officers located crystal shards that tested positive for methamphetamine, plastic baggies concealed under the mattress and on a nightstand, and 13.5 grams of meth concealed under a lamp. Subsequent lab testing confirmed 12 grams of the 13.5 grams recovered was pure methamphetamine. Also recovered from Lopez-Bravo was $1,712 in U.S. currency. Lopez-Bravo stated that this was from his work at a feedlot, but subsequent investigation found that his most recent paycheck had only been $800.

On June 15, 2023, Lopez-Bravo was arrested on a state arrest warrant. A search incident to this arrest located 9.8 grams of meth in his front pants pocket and an additional $2,394 in U.S. currency.&nbsp;

Pursuant to this investigation, Lopez-Bravo’s phone was also seized and searched. Text messages found on the phone were indicative of the buying and selling of narcotics, including on behalf of an individual known to law enforcement to be incarcerated in the state of California. Multiple photos on the phone showed several thousand dollars’ worth of money orders being sent to North Dakota and California at this individual’s request.

This case was investigated by the CODE Drug Task Force, Lexington Police Department, Dawson County Sheriff’s Office, the Nebraska State Patrol, the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

United States AttorneyUnited States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Eswin Lopez-Bravo, 52, of Lexington, Nebraska, was sentenced on May 28, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska for distribution of methamphetamine. Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Lopez-Bravo to 54 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Lopez-Bravo’s release from prison, he will begin a 5-year term of supervised release. In addition to the prison sentence, Lopez-Bravo will forfeit $4,106 to the United States.In January of 2023, based on information that Lopez-Bravo was selling drugs out of a hotel in Lexington, law enforcement obtained a search warrant for his room and located Lopez-Bravo and another individual, who had an active federal warrant and was arrested. The room was registered to Lopez-Bravo and had been for quite some time, despite the fact Lopez-Bravo also had a house, where he resided with his wife and children. In the course of this investigation, officers learned that Lopez-Bravo distributed meth out of the room. During the search of the room, officers located crystal shards that tested positive for methamphetamine, plastic baggies concealed under the mattress and on a nightstand, and 13.5 grams of meth concealed under a lamp. Subsequent lab testing confirmed 12 grams of the 13.5 grams recovered was pure methamphetamine. Also recovered from Lopez-Bravo was $1,712 in U.S. currency. Lopez-Bravo stated that this was from his work at a feedlot, but subsequent investigation found that his most recent paycheck had only been $800.On June 15, 2023, Lopez-Bravo was arrested on a state arrest warrant. A search incident to this arrest located 9.8 grams of meth in his front pants pocket and an additional $2,394 in U.S. currency.&nbsp;Pursuant to this investigation, Lopez-Bravo’s phone was also seized and searched. Text messages found on the phone were indicative of the buying and selling of narcotics, including on behalf of an individual known to law enforcement to be incarcerated in the state of California. Multiple photos on the phone showed several thousand dollars’ worth of money orders being sent to North Dakota and California at this individual’s request.This case was investigated by the CODE Drug Task Force, Lexington Police Department, Dawson County Sheriff’s Office, the Nebraska State Patrol, the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Lexington Man Sentenced for Distributing Methamphetamine

Alliance Police Department, Nebraska State Patrol

(ALLIANCE, Neb.) -- An emergency bulletin has been issued for Patricia Eichhorn, a 75-year-old white female with brown/gray curly hair. Patricia suffers from Alzheimer's and was last seen in the Alliance, Nebraska area.

Clothing: Possibly wearing a black/purple coat

Patricia is vulnerable and may be confused. If you have any information on her whereabouts, please contact the Alliance Police Department immediately at (308) 762-4955 or call 911.Your assistance is crucial in helping us bring Patricia home safely. Please share this post to spread the word.

Patricia Eichhorn, 75, white female, 5’ 7”, 140 lbs, who has brown/grey, short curly hair and wearing a black or purple jacket, blue jeans and slip on shoes.&nbsp;

Eichhorn is missing from the vicinity of the 928 Missouri Ave in Alliance at approximately 10:30 p.m. Tuesday. Eichhorn suffers from Alzheimer’s and is believed to be walking on foot, in an unknown direction of travel. If you have any information, contact the Alliance Police Department at (308) 762-4955 or 911 immediately.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716993821533.jpeg" alt="Patricia Eichhorn" />
 <figcaption>Patricia Eichhorn</figcaption>
 </figure>Alliance Police Department, Nebraska State Patrol(ALLIANCE, Neb.) -- An emergency bulletin has been issued for Patricia Eichhorn, a 75-year-old white female with brown/gray curly hair. Patricia suffers from Alzheimer's and was last seen in the Alliance, Nebraska area.Description:Age: 75Height: 5'7"Weight: 175 lbsHair: Brown/Gray, curlyClothing: Possibly wearing a black/purple coatPatricia is vulnerable and may be confused. If you have any information on her whereabouts, please contact the Alliance Police Department immediately at (308) 762-4955 or call 911.Your assistance is crucial in helping us bring Patricia home safely. Please share this post to spread the word.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716993852274.jpeg" alt="Patricia Eichhorn" />
 <figcaption>Patricia Eichhorn</figcaption>
 </figure>Nebraska State PatrolPatricia Eichhorn, 75, white female, 5’ 7”, 140 lbs, who has brown/grey, short curly hair and wearing a black or purple jacket, blue jeans and slip on shoes.&nbsp;Eichhorn is missing from the vicinity of the 928 Missouri Ave in Alliance at approximately 10:30 p.m. Tuesday. Eichhorn suffers from Alzheimer’s and is believed to be walking on foot, in an unknown direction of travel. If you have any information, contact the Alliance Police Department at (308) 762-4955 or 911 immediately.&nbsp;&nbsp;

ENDANGERED MISSING ADVISORY: 75-year-old women last seen in the Alliance Area

North Platte, Neb. - The Platte River Boots N' Music Festival at Pals kicks off Thursday, May 30th and runs until Saturday, June 1st. The three-day music festival will offer many artists, vendors and more. 12 bands will play over three days featuring local and out of state talent.&nbsp;

&nbsp; Last Week, Post News Director Canon Rath chatted with Paul Oettinger about the event. If you would like to purchase tickets,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.palsbrewingcompany.com/event-details/platte-river-boots-n-beef-music-festival">click here.</a>&nbsp;To learn more about the event, check out the podcast below.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655346441244.png" alt="<a href="https://www.npkubota.com/">Post Podcast Sponsored By North Platte Kubota</a>" />
 <figcaption><a href="https://www.npkubota.com/">Post Podcast Sponsored By North Platte Kubota</a></figcaption>
 </figure>North Platte Post&nbsp;North Platte, Neb. - The Platte River Boots N' Music Festival at Pals kicks off Thursday, May 30th and runs until Saturday, June 1st. The three-day music festival will offer many artists, vendors and more. 12 bands will play over three days featuring local and out of state talent.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716992639631.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp; Last Week, Post News Director Canon Rath chatted with Paul Oettinger about the event. If you would like to purchase tickets,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.palsbrewingcompany.com/event-details/platte-river-boots-n-beef-music-festival">click here.</a>&nbsp;To learn more about the event, check out the podcast below.&nbsp;&nbsp;<div><iframe title="(Audio) Platte River Boots n' Beef Music Festival" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=hwa5g-1626428-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=1&fonts=Times%20New%20Roman&skin=1b1b1b&font-color=auto&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=ff6d00" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

(Audio) Platte River Boots n' Beef Music Festival

WASHINGTON ­--&nbsp;FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance is available to the state of Nebraska to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by a severe winter storm and straight-line winds from April 6-7, 2024.

Public Assistance federal funding is available to the state, tribal and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis&nbsp;for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by&nbsp;a severe winter storm and straight-line winds in Banner,&nbsp;Cheyenne, Dawes, Garden, Kimball, Morrill, Scotts Bluff&nbsp;and Sioux counties.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

WASHINGTON ­--&nbsp;FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance is available to the state of Nebraska to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by a severe winter storm and straight-line winds from April 6-7, 2024.Public Assistance federal funding is available to the state, tribal and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis&nbsp;for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by&nbsp;a severe winter storm and straight-line winds in Banner,&nbsp;Cheyenne, Dawes, Garden, Kimball, Morrill, Scotts Bluff&nbsp;and Sioux counties.Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Nebraska

Kimball, Neb. - Officials say that two were transported to a local hospital following a two-vehicle collision that occurred on Sunday, May 26th.

According to officials, the accident occurred when a car hauler and a United States Postal Service truck collided. Two individuals were transported to the hospital.

Kimball County Sheriff's Office says they were assisted by the Nebraska State Patrol, Pine Bluffs EMS, Kimball EMS, Bushnell Fire and Laramie County Fire.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716912478435.jpeg" alt="(Courtesy of Kimball County Sheriff's Office)" />
 <figcaption>(Courtesy of Kimball County Sheriff's Office)</figcaption>
 </figure>Sandhills Post/Panhandle PostKimball, Neb. - Officials say that two were transported to a local hospital following a two-vehicle collision that occurred on Sunday, May 26th.According to officials, the accident occurred when a car hauler and a United States Postal Service truck collided. Two individuals were transported to the hospital.Kimball County Sheriff's Office says they were assisted by the Nebraska State Patrol, Pine Bluffs EMS, Kimball EMS, Bushnell Fire and Laramie County Fire.

Two transported to the hospital following accident in the Panhandle

&nbsp;OGALLALA - The Ogallala City Council is hosting their meeting today, May 28th. Below is tonight's agenda for the meeting.

Sandhills Post&nbsp;OGALLALA - The Ogallala City Council is hosting their meeting today, May 28th. Below is tonight's agenda for the meeting.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716913082211.jpeg" alt="" />
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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716913099145.jpeg" alt="" />
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05/28 Ogallala City Council Meeting Agenda

LINCOLN, NE&nbsp;– For the second time this month, Governor Jim Pillen has received approval of a federal disaster declaration. The latest is for funding to assist with clean up and repairs resulting from a severe winter storm that hit the Panhandle in early April.

The counties covered include Banner, Cheyenne, Dawes, Garden, Kimball, Morrill, Scotts Bluff and Sioux. Conditions on April 6-7 included thunderstorms, freezing rain, snow and strong straight-line winds. At least $10.5 million in initial damage was reported, mainly for downed power lines and power poles.

Federal funding is available to the state, tribal and local governments as well as certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for the emergency work and repair or replacement of facilities damaged in the storm.

Additional designations may be made later if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

Office of Governor Jim PillenLINCOLN, NE&nbsp;– For the second time this month, Governor Jim Pillen has received approval of a federal disaster declaration. The latest is for funding to assist with clean up and repairs resulting from a severe winter storm that hit the Panhandle in early April.The counties covered include Banner, Cheyenne, Dawes, Garden, Kimball, Morrill, Scotts Bluff and Sioux. Conditions on April 6-7 included thunderstorms, freezing rain, snow and strong straight-line winds. At least $10.5 million in initial damage was reported, mainly for downed power lines and power poles.Federal funding is available to the state, tribal and local governments as well as certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for the emergency work and repair or replacement of facilities damaged in the storm.Additional designations may be made later if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

Nebraska Counties Receive Federal Disaster Declaration for April Storm

North Platte, Neb. - North Platte's newest food and arcade officially opened its doors on Monday. The food establishment held its grand opening on Monday. On Wednesday, May 22nd, Pizza Ranch held its ribbon cutting. The establishment held private soft openings on Wednesday and Thursday of last week to help train staff

Pizza Ranch is located at 201 East 6th St in North Platte. The establishments hours are Sunday-Thursday from 11:00am - 8:00pm and Friday-Saturday 11:00am - 9:00pm.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716903238188.jpeg" alt="Pizza Ranch North Platte (POST)" />
 <figcaption>Pizza Ranch North Platte (POST)</figcaption>
 </figure>North Platte PostNorth Platte, Neb. - North Platte's newest food and arcade officially opened its doors on Monday. The food establishment held its grand opening on Monday. On Wednesday, May 22nd, Pizza Ranch held its ribbon cutting. The establishment held private soft openings on Wednesday and Thursday of last week to help train staffPizza Ranch is located at 201 East 6th St in North Platte. The establishments hours are Sunday-Thursday from 11:00am - 8:00pm and Friday-Saturday 11:00am - 9:00pm.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716903281730.jpeg" alt="Pizza Ranch North Platte arcade (POST)" />
 <figcaption>Pizza Ranch North Platte arcade (POST)</figcaption>
 </figure>

Pizza Ranch in North Platte now open

North Platte, Ne - North Platte is a special place for PRCA rodeo clown Justin Rumford.

It’s where his life changed and he followed a totally different path, to stardom as a rodeo clown instead of a cowboy.

The Kansas native, who now lives in Ponca City, Okla., grew up in rodeo and competed in high school and college, with big plans to be a professional steer wrestler and qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, the pinnacle of pro rodeo.

But in North Platte, he had what he calls his “mental breakdown.”

It was 2008 and he was steer wrestling full time, nationwide, with the plans to be one of the top fifteen steer wrestlers in the nation at the end of the season so he could compete for a world title at the National Finals.

In North Platte, he broke the barrier to add a ten second penalty to his time, which would have won him first place.

He was out of money - $36 to his name, a wife at home, and his dreams were dashed.

“I was sitting on the bucking chutes at noon, after slack, all by myself,” he said. He told his traveling partners Shane Henderson and Dru Melvin to go on to the next rodeo without him. He was done.

“I had no ride home, nowhere to go, and I was about to cry.”

That’s when his destiny began to change.

Stock contractor Bennie Beutler walked up and said, “what the hell’s wrong with you?” Rumford told him, “I didn’t make it. I’m going to go home and get a job.”

Beutler, who provides the bucking horses and bulls for the Buffalo Bill Rodeo, offered him a job, driving truck and livestock to rodeos, with the chance to continue to steer wrestle at the rodeos he worked.

So he worked fulltime for Beutler, steer wrestling on the side.

He worked for Beutler three years, hauling livestock to Beutler rodeos across the nation: not only North Platte, but Burwell, Phillipsburg, Kan., Tucson, Ariz., Austin, Texas, Greeley, Colo., and more.

In 2010, he worked as clown at a bull riding in Pretty Prairie, Kan., and it began to dawn on him: he could make a living as a clown. Rumford has always had a quick wit and sense of humor, but he never wanted to clown.

He had made connections with rodeo committees and other stock contractors as he worked for Bennie Beutler, and he asked them for jobs.

Rumford fit the clown jobs in between working for Beutler at their rodeos, until one day somebody said, “you’re going to have to decide if you want to do this rodeo clown deal, or work for Bennie, because we’re all finding you jobs and you’re turning them down.”

“He did not take it well,” Rumford said. “He told me, if you’re going to tell jokes, get in the truck and tell jokes on the CB, because you’re not quitting.”

But Rumford did, and he’s never looked back.

“I knew these committee members, and they knew I was hilarious, because I was always cracking jokes. When I called and told them I was going to switch to clowning, I had more of an advantage, because they knew who I was.”

Rumford quickly moved into fulltime work as a rodeo clown, and he’s won two of the PRCA’s most prestigious awards for his category: the Clown of the Year ten times, and the Coors Man in the Can (for barrelmen) three times.

It all comes back to the Buffalo Bill Rodeo.

“North Platte is where I thought the end of the road was,” he said. It was “God’s timing,” he said.

Rumford will entertain during each night of the Buffalo Bill Rodeo June 12-15. Shows begin at 8 pm nightly and are held at the Wild West Arena in North Platte.

Tickets range in price from $11-$24 and can be purchased online at NebraskalandDays.com, at the NebraskalandDays office, and at the gate.

For more information and a complete schedule of NebraskalandDays events, visit the website or call&nbsp;the office at 308.532.7939.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716409688266.jpeg" alt="Justin Rumford jokes around at the 2021 Buffalo Bill Rodeo. The award-winning rodeo clown credits North Platte as the place where he began the transition from being a fulltime rodeo cowboy to rodeo clowning. Photo by Don Christner" />
 <figcaption>Justin Rumford jokes around at the 2021 Buffalo Bill Rodeo. The award-winning rodeo clown credits North Platte as the place where he began the transition from being a fulltime rodeo cowboy to rodeo clowning. Photo by Don Christner</figcaption>
 </figure>Story by Ruth NicolausNorth Platte, Ne - North Platte is a special place for PRCA rodeo clown Justin Rumford.It’s where his life changed and he followed a totally different path, to stardom as a rodeo clown instead of a cowboy.The Kansas native, who now lives in Ponca City, Okla., grew up in rodeo and competed in high school and college, with big plans to be a professional steer wrestler and qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, the pinnacle of pro rodeo.But in North Platte, he had what he calls his “mental breakdown.”It was 2008 and he was steer wrestling full time, nationwide, with the plans to be one of the top fifteen steer wrestlers in the nation at the end of the season so he could compete for a world title at the National Finals.But it wasn’t to be.In North Platte, he broke the barrier to add a ten second penalty to his time, which would have won him first place.He was out of money - $36 to his name, a wife at home, and his dreams were dashed.“I was sitting on the bucking chutes at noon, after slack, all by myself,” he said. He told his traveling partners Shane Henderson and Dru Melvin to go on to the next rodeo without him. He was done.“I had no ride home, nowhere to go, and I was about to cry.”That’s when his destiny began to change.Stock contractor Bennie Beutler walked up and said, “what the hell’s wrong with you?” Rumford told him, “I didn’t make it. I’m going to go home and get a job.”Beutler, who provides the bucking horses and bulls for the Buffalo Bill Rodeo, offered him a job, driving truck and livestock to rodeos, with the chance to continue to steer wrestle at the rodeos he worked.So he worked fulltime for Beutler, steer wrestling on the side.He worked for Beutler three years, hauling livestock to Beutler rodeos across the nation: not only North Platte, but Burwell, Phillipsburg, Kan., Tucson, Ariz., Austin, Texas, Greeley, Colo., and more.In 2010, he worked as clown at a bull riding in Pretty Prairie, Kan., and it began to dawn on him: he could make a living as a clown. Rumford has always had a quick wit and sense of humor, but he never wanted to clown.He had made connections with rodeo committees and other stock contractors as he worked for Bennie Beutler, and he asked them for jobs.Rumford fit the clown jobs in between working for Beutler at their rodeos, until one day somebody said, “you’re going to have to decide if you want to do this rodeo clown deal, or work for Bennie, because we’re all finding you jobs and you’re turning them down.”So Rumford told Beutler he was quitting.“He did not take it well,” Rumford said. “He told me, if you’re going to tell jokes, get in the truck and tell jokes on the CB, because you’re not quitting.”But Rumford did, and he’s never looked back.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716409768943.jpeg" alt="Justin Rumford returns to bring the laughs to North Platte’s Buffalo Bill Rodeo June 12-15. The Oklahoma rodeo clown, a former steer wrestler, has not only clowned the Buffalo Bill Rodeo in the past, but has competed at it and worked for the stock contractor there as well. Photo by Jackie Jensen. Photo by Jackie Jensen" />
 <figcaption>Justin Rumford returns to bring the laughs to North Platte’s Buffalo Bill Rodeo June 12-15. The Oklahoma rodeo clown, a former steer wrestler, has not only clowned the Buffalo Bill Rodeo in the past, but has competed at it and worked for the stock contractor there as well. Photo by Jackie Jensen. Photo by Jackie Jensen</figcaption>
 </figure>“I knew these committee members, and they knew I was hilarious, because I was always cracking jokes. When I called and told them I was going to switch to clowning, I had more of an advantage, because they knew who I was.”Rumford quickly moved into fulltime work as a rodeo clown, and he’s won two of the PRCA’s most prestigious awards for his category: the Clown of the Year ten times, and the Coors Man in the Can (for barrelmen) three times.It all comes back to the Buffalo Bill Rodeo.“North Platte is where I thought the end of the road was,” he said. It was “God’s timing,” he said.“It’s a wild story.”Rumford will entertain during each night of the Buffalo Bill Rodeo June 12-15. Shows begin at 8 pm nightly and are held at the Wild West Arena in North Platte.Tickets range in price from $11-$24 and can be purchased online at NebraskalandDays.com, at the NebraskalandDays office, and at the gate.For more information and a complete schedule of NebraskalandDays events, visit the website or call&nbsp;the office at 308.532.7939.

From cowboy to rodeo clown, Justin Rumford is ready for the Buffalo Bill Rodeo

Austin Richard Klatt, 32, North Platte and Lorraine Ortega, 35, Hershey

Steven Gerald Jones, 61, North Platte and Kimberly Lynn Roper, 58, North Platte

Rodrigo Portilla, 26, North Platte and Gabriela Parada Nevarez, 26, North Platte

John Harris, 33, Holdrege and Andrea Louise Norris, 41, Holdrege

Luke Jeffrey Entz, 23, North Platte and Haylee Jolyn Umble, 22, North Platte

Austin Richard Klatt, 32, North Platte and Lorraine Ortega, 35, HersheySteven Gerald Jones, 61, North Platte and Kimberly Lynn Roper, 58, North PlatteRodrigo Portilla, 26, North Platte and Gabriela Parada Nevarez, 26, North PlatteJohn Harris, 33, Holdrege and Andrea Louise Norris, 41, HoldregeLuke Jeffrey Entz, 23, North Platte and Haylee Jolyn Umble, 22, North Platte

Marriage Licenses For Lincoln County (Week of May 20th)

&nbsp; Lemoyne, Neb. - KLFD was advised at 1751 of downed powerlines and damage structures at Lakeview Estates subdivision. KLFD responded and found numerous homes and outbuildings destroyed by a tornado. During size-up, it was determined that people were trapped in the rubble. 

A Mutual Aid call went out to Ogallala, Brule, Imperial, Grant, Paxton, Arthur, Keith County EMS, NSP, KCSO, and Emergency Management for help. Once everyone arrived on-scene assignments were given to conduct primary and secondary searches of all buildings affected. The trapped people were removed and only one injury occurred. 

Hazards included downed power lines, and hazard trees. Once Lakeview Estates was cleared, efforts were then undertaken in the North Shore and Lemoyne areas for damage as well as the beaches with assistance from the Game &amp; Parks crew. 2 campers were blown over one at Beach access 14 and the other at 17. Total buildings destroyed at Lakeview Estates was 22. Total damaged at North Shore was 39. Other buildings further east of that area also received major damage. Thank you to all that assisted us through the night and again this morning. Couldn't have done it without you&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716580571817.jpeg" alt="House damaged from Thursday's storm at Lake McConaughy (Photo taken by Canon Rath/POST)" />
 <figcaption>House damaged from Thursday's storm at Lake McConaughy (Photo taken by Canon Rath/POST)</figcaption>
 </figure>Keystone Lemoyne Fire Rescue&nbsp; Lemoyne, Neb. - KLFD was advised at 1751 of downed powerlines and damage structures at Lakeview Estates subdivision. KLFD responded and found numerous homes and outbuildings destroyed by a tornado. During size-up, it was determined that people were trapped in the rubble. A Mutual Aid call went out to Ogallala, Brule, Imperial, Grant, Paxton, Arthur, Keith County EMS, NSP, KCSO, and Emergency Management for help. Once everyone arrived on-scene assignments were given to conduct primary and secondary searches of all buildings affected. The trapped people were removed and only one injury occurred. Hazards included downed power lines, and hazard trees. Once Lakeview Estates was cleared, efforts were then undertaken in the North Shore and Lemoyne areas for damage as well as the beaches with assistance from the Game &amp; Parks crew. 2 campers were blown over one at Beach access 14 and the other at 17. Total buildings destroyed at Lakeview Estates was 22. Total damaged at North Shore was 39. Other buildings further east of that area also received major damage. Thank you to all that assisted us through the night and again this morning. Couldn't have done it without you&nbsp;&nbsp;

Keystone Lemoyne Fire Department reports on the number of buildings damaged from Thursday's storm

Ogallala, Neb. - Lake McConaughy, just north of Ogallala was hit with severe weather late Thursday afternoon resulting in the loss of a few homes and damage to numerous homes and buildings.&nbsp;

At this time, it has been confirmed that three houses were destroyed due to the severe weather that hit the area. Sandy Beach Paradise located on the north side of Lake McConaughy was hit hard. Numerous houses and buildings in this area were damaged. 

After the storm hit Thursday, Keith County Emergency Management announced the closure of Highway 92 so fire crews can work on getting citizens who were trapped from the storm. As of now, no injuries have been reported.&nbsp;

On the other side of Lake McConaughy, Bayside Golf Course clubhouse roof took some damage from the storm. Friday morning, crews were working on the roof and the course was open to golfers.

The Nebraska Game and Parks has announced that Lake McConaughy and Lake Ogallala State Recreation Areas will remain open with campsites available. <a href="https://northplattepost.com/posts/5014374e-dc23-49ae-834b-c7bf81ee7328">Click here</a> to learn more.

Chief Sign Company out of Ogallala were on the north side of the lake near&nbsp;North Shore and the Lemoyne area cutting down tree branches.&nbsp;

In total, it has been confirmed that three tornados hit Keith County and nine total tornados hit the listening area. If you would like to see a time stamp of all the tornados that hit the listen area or read the original article, <a href="https://northplattepost.com/posts/0febbdbb-888a-4f24-99a5-462b253e0c61">click here.</a> To see more pictures, check below.

***This is a developing story and will be updated when more information becomes available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716579733858.jpeg" alt="Houses and buildings damaged at Sandy Beach Paradise north of&nbsp;Lake McConaughy (Canon Rath/POST)" />
 <figcaption>Houses and buildings damaged at Sandy Beach Paradise north of&nbsp;Lake McConaughy (Canon Rath/POST)</figcaption>
 </figure>Sandhills Post/North Platte PostOgallala, Neb. - Lake McConaughy, just north of Ogallala was hit with severe weather late Thursday afternoon resulting in the loss of a few homes and damage to numerous homes and buildings.&nbsp;<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Mesoyclone with tornado circulation expanding to over a mile wide as it moved over Lake McConaughy, Nebraska <a href="https://twitter.com/NWSNorthPlatte?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NWSNorthPlatte</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/KNEBStormCenter?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KNEBStormCenter</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SevereStudios?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SevereStudios</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/dayweather?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@dayweather</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/newx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#newx</a> <a href="https://t.co/3SOp38Vnn9">pic.twitter.com/3SOp38Vnn9</a>&mdash; Dan Fitts (@Dan_Fitts) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dan_Fitts/status/1793867191596794321?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 24, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>At this time, it has been confirmed that three houses were destroyed due to the severe weather that hit the area. Sandy Beach Paradise located on the north side of Lake McConaughy was hit hard. Numerous houses and buildings in this area were damaged. After the storm hit Thursday, Keith County Emergency Management announced the closure of Highway 92 so fire crews can work on getting citizens who were trapped from the storm. As of now, no injuries have been reported.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716580187302.jpeg" alt="Workers on top of a house located in Sandy Beach Paradise that took damage from Thursday's storm (Canon Rath/POST)" />
 <figcaption>Workers on top of a house located in Sandy Beach Paradise that took damage from Thursday's storm (Canon Rath/POST)</figcaption>
 </figure>On the other side of Lake McConaughy, Bayside Golf Course clubhouse roof took some damage from the storm. Friday morning, crews were working on the roof and the course was open to golfers.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716580338885.jpeg" alt="Bayside Golf Course Clubhouse (Canon Rath/POST)" />
 <figcaption>Bayside Golf Course Clubhouse (Canon Rath/POST)</figcaption>
 </figure>The Nebraska Game and Parks has announced that Lake McConaughy and Lake Ogallala State Recreation Areas will remain open with campsites available. <a href="https://northplattepost.com/posts/5014374e-dc23-49ae-834b-c7bf81ee7328">Click here</a> to learn more.Chief Sign Company out of Ogallala were on the north side of the lake near&nbsp;North Shore and the Lemoyne area cutting down tree branches.&nbsp;In total, it has been confirmed that three tornados hit Keith County and nine total tornados hit the listening area. If you would like to see a time stamp of all the tornados that hit the listen area or read the original article, <a href="https://northplattepost.com/posts/0febbdbb-888a-4f24-99a5-462b253e0c61">click here.</a> To see more pictures, check below.***This is a developing story and will be updated when more information becomes available.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716580571817.jpeg" alt="Home located at Sandy Beach Paradise (Canon Rath/POST)" />
 <figcaption>Home located at Sandy Beach Paradise (Canon Rath/POST)</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716580604823.jpeg" alt="Front side of a home and building located at Sandy Beach Paradise Canon Rath/POST)" />
 <figcaption>Front side of a home and building located at Sandy Beach Paradise Canon Rath/POST)</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716580648444.jpeg" alt="Back side of a home and building located at Sandy Beach Paradise Canon Rath/POST)" />
 <figcaption>Back side of a home and building located at Sandy Beach Paradise Canon Rath/POST)</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716580691175.jpeg" alt="Camper covered in debris located at Sandy Beach Paradies (Canon Rath/POST)" />
 <figcaption>Camper covered in debris located at Sandy Beach Paradies (Canon Rath/POST)</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716581301274.jpeg" alt="Pivot that was overturn due to the storm outside of Brule, Ne (Courtesy Photo from a radio listener)" />
 <figcaption>Pivot that was overturn due to the storm outside of Brule, Ne (Courtesy Photo from a radio listener)</figcaption>
 </figure>

Severe Weather hits Lake McConaughy ahead of busy weekend

Despite high winds that tore through the north side of Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area May 23, the park remains open, with all campsites available.

Visitors should be aware trees are down across the entire north shore and crews will be working all weekend to remove them. Power is currently out at Lone Eagle and Sandy Beach campgrounds, but power is expected to be restored by midday Friday.

Some beach access is limited as a few areas washed out in the storm. The fish-cleaning station at Cedar View was damaged and is out of order.

The adjacent Lake Ogalla SRA also is open despite having downed tree limbs.

The highways to both state recreation areas were temporarily closed Thursday night, but have since reopened.

Visitors to both SRAs are encouraged to mindful of the weather forecast as well as clean-up crews as they enjoy their stay.

By Nebraska Game and ParksDespite high winds that tore through the north side of Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area May 23, the park remains open, with all campsites available.Visitors should be aware trees are down across the entire north shore and crews will be working all weekend to remove them. Power is currently out at Lone Eagle and Sandy Beach campgrounds, but power is expected to be restored by midday Friday.Some beach access is limited as a few areas washed out in the storm. The fish-cleaning station at Cedar View was damaged and is out of order.The adjacent Lake Ogalla SRA also is open despite having downed tree limbs.The highways to both state recreation areas were temporarily closed Thursday night, but have since reopened.Visitors to both SRAs are encouraged to mindful of the weather forecast as well as clean-up crews as they enjoy their stay.

Lake McConaughy, Lake Ogallala SRAs remain open after storm

North Platte, Neb. - The North Platte Public Transit will be closed on Monday, May 27th in observance of Memorial Day. Normal hour of operation will resume on Tuesday.

North Platte PostNorth Platte, Neb. - The North Platte Public Transit will be closed on Monday, May 27th in observance of Memorial Day. Normal hour of operation will resume on Tuesday.

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