Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
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After interviewing three candidates, a new leader for Kimball Public Schools has been hired and is expected to start July 1, 2018. Dr. Elizabeth Owens, of Ivanhoe, Va., will be taking over as Kimball Public Schools’ Superintendent. The Kimball School Board held a public meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 27 to approve Owens’ contract for two years. Owens completed her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education with a concentration in philosophy at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise, Va. She followed with a master’s degree in special educati...
Kimball has not invited a speaker to the school in three years, until last Wednesday, Feb. 21, when Aaron Davis, who prefers to be called a thought provoker instead of a motivational speaker, spoke in the Harry E. McNees Auditorium. Davis, part of the 1994 National Championship Nebraska football team encouraged those in attendance to truly listen with engaging and humorous stories. "Even if we think we got all the answers, we have to slow down and listen," Davis said. "Listening doesn't cost...
Several local artists have recently been recognized regionally this month, first at the Cheyenne Camera Club 2017 Awards ceremony on Thursday, Feb. 15, in Cheyenne and at the West Nebraska Art Center’s 36th Annual IMAGE exhibit in Scottsbluff. Celebrated local photographer, Kimberly Sharples, earned runner-up in the Photographer of the Year for the Cheyenne Camera Club, as well as, taking first place in scenic category, second in fauna and third in both creative and scenic – in which she also received honorable mentions. Alycia Vrbas was nam...
The level of education one has achieved often dictates job availability, the amount of wages earned and even the career path available. For those who have not earned a high school diploma, the future may seem daunting. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Americans with less than a high school diploma are among the lowest wage earners and the highest unemployment rate. For many years, Western Nebraska Community College (WNCC) of Scottsbluff offered an Adult Education program in Kimball, according to Adult Education Director Mary Kay...
Kimball High School student Natasha Selves addressed the Kimball School Board at their regular meeting, Monday, Feb. 12 regarding the perspective of Kimball High School students. Selves address is the first from a new agenda item titled Student Voices which will be heard at each monthly board meeting. "This is our first month doing this and I am really glad," board president Lynn Vogel said. "This is fantastic. We want to hear from the students." Selves reported to the board that she asked her...
Today, Thursday, Feb. 15, is the final day for incumbents to file for public office. The Kimball County Clerk’s Office is open until 5 p.m. and is ready to take last minute incumbent filings. This deadline includes anyone currently holding an elected office who wishes to file for any other office. Though many non-incumbents have already turned their paperwork in, their filing deadline is 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 1....
As the governing board of Panhandle Health Group considers closing the agency, which provides mental health services throughout the Panhandle, consumers are invited to a public meeting at the Platte River Room in the Gering Civic Center today, Thursday, Feb. 15 beginning at 10 a.m. Many are concerned about the care provided to consumers, but the Panhandle Health Group’s Governing Board Executive Committee wants to assure citizens that services provided to Panhandle residents will remain a priority. A current agenda is available at the Region 1...
With declining numbers in area schools, Kimball and Banner County school districts are exploring a cooperative agreement for volleyball, girls and boys basketball. “They contacted us and asked if we would be interested in co-oping with them for these sports,” Kimball Activities Director, Ken Smith, said. “They would still maintain their own wrestling, track and cross country.” Smith added that the district has been contacted in the past regarding football, but based on numbers and Kimball’s ability to drop down to an eight-man team, the co-op...
What is your vision for the local parks? Perhaps you would like to see updated landscaping, new equipment, accessible play equipment for the very young or disabled youth or renewed basketball, tennis and volleyball courts. The City of Kimball hosted an open house at the Kimball Public Library on Jan. 31 to hear thoughts from the community. City personnel presented photos of both Gotte and City Parks, as well as, a power point demonstration. "Thank you all for coming," City Administrator Dan...
Time is of the essence when it comes to funds for rural workforce housing. This and a new Kimball Event Center committee was discussed at the special City Council meeting on Monday, Feb. 5. State grant money is now available for housing and LB840 funds can also be used in certain instances, as well. As a region, Western Nebraska Economic Development (WNED) is seeking grant money totaling $1 million. Housing was one of the top concerns in Kimball for current business owners and those considering a move to the area. I want to apologize for the...
Small communities occasionally lack the services of larger, urban areas. But the lack of bus lines and taxis aren’t a problem in Kimball. The Kimball County Transit Service continues expanding services throughout the area to include service to outlying villages and cities, all with professional and personal, door-to-door service. “The service has expanded to better serve our residents,” said Christy Warner, Transit Administrator. “We have a regional multifaceted approach to having the new service areas.” Throughout its growth, the service has a...
Stock up soon, and get everything on your list. Kimball’s Dollar General Store will be closed from 9 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 4 through Thursday, Feb. 8, at 8 a.m., and this week there will be no truck delivering goods to the store. In those three days the store will be redesigned to more closely follow a planned layout meant to make finding items easier for consumers and stocking items easier for staff. All the shelving will be moved, according to manager Nancy Durheim, the coolers will be placed against the south wall and registers will be p...
Dr. Evelyn Browne will join the Banner County School District as superintendent of schools beginning July 1, as the Banner County School Board approved her contract at their recent board meeting. Browne takes the helm from Lana Sides, who will retire following this school year after 14 years as superintendent. “I was so impressed by the school, the staff, Board and particularly the students that I met during my brief visit a couple of weeks ago. The interview process was the last phase of a clearly articulated plan on the part of school l...
It’s that time of year, when many families allow their faucets to drip during particularly cold days, nights and even weekends in an effort to prevent frozen pipes. This preventative measure can be costly for everyone in terms of wasted natural resources. The South Platte Natural Resources District (SPNRD) suggests using a bucket or pitcher to collect dripping water for later use – to water plants, flush a toilet or provide drinking water for your family or pets. Generally leaving one faucet open to drip is enough, and the faucet chosen sho...
Two Kimball residents, Frankie Back, 30, and Joshua Hack, 33, were killed in a collision at approximately 4:45 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 22. According to the Nebraska State Patrol, Back lost control of the 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer she was southbound on Highway 71 approximately two miles north of the Colorado border due to poor weather conditions. The 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer crossed the center line and struck a northbound semi truck driven by Abraham Lamas-Cuevas. Back and Hack were pronounced dead at the scene. Lamas-Cuevas, was transported to...
Mike Coleman was successfully appointed to the Board of Public Works at the Jan. 16, 2018 Kimball City Council meeting with Council President Christy Warner casting the sole dissenting vote. Kimball Mayor Keith Prunty appointed Coleman to the vacancy left by James Cederburg when his term expired at last months meeting. However, the council did not approve Prunty’s appointment at that time. Prunty asked Coleman to provide the council with more information and Coleman supplied them with a short biography introducing himself to council members. C...
Kimball City Council received a revised proposal for the long-awaited Underpass Project from HDR Engineering. The original proposal, for non-reimbursable elements to the underpass redesign, was rejected by Council at the end of last year because the cost, $14,622.80, was too high. The revised proposal, for signage, furnishings and labor, came in at $12,160.38 as a result of reduced man hours and profit margin. According to Kimball Mayor, Keith Prunty, council refused the proposal only if the continuation of the project does not depend on this s...
Kimball will soon boast a Mexican restaurant once again, as Mi Sinaloa is relocating to the Kimball Event Center 3 days each week following Kimball City Council’s approval of a lease agreement for the business. The lease was discussed at the Jan. 16 council meeting, and according to Special Projects Coordinator, Amy Sapp, one council member asked if the City is subsidizing the business and if there would be a deadline on the lease. Council was assured that any business entering into the same long-term agreement would be given the same rates. M...
With the incumbent filing deadline fast approaching, due no later than 5 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 15, the Kimball County Clerk’s Office has been busy processing the necessary paperwork. “My office is busy with the filing process,” Kimball County Clerk Cathy Sibal said. Incumbents, anyone currently holding a public office, must file by Feb. 15 with the County Clerk’s Office. Currently, all local incumbents have filed with the exception of County Treasurer, Diana Quicke, who has served in public office for 40 years in December 2018. “She is probab...
The Banner County Lady Cats traveled to Minatare on Jan. 13 and brought home a 55-34 win against the Lady Indians. Banner County led in the first quarter 10-6 and widened their lead in the second by 16 while keeping their opponents to 10, closing out the first half 26-16. The Lady Indians came back from intermission refreshed and ready to play, scoring highest in the third quarter, with 12, but the Banner County club added 14 to the board in the same quarter. In the final quarter of play the Lady Cats added 15 more points and held their opponen...
The Kimball boys suffered losses to Perkins County and Bridgeport in SPVA Conference Tournament play this past week, leaving them at 4-9 on the season. Chase County is the conference champion in this year’s tournament play, winning out 43-41 over North Platte St. Pat’s in the title game. Perkins County wound up third with their win over Sutherland. Kimball traveled to Grant for the first round game with Perkins County and found themselves down 15-7 at the end of the first period and trailed 24-19 at half time. Coach Luke Dea got scoring out...
Lady Wildcat MaKenna Dahlgrin is spending her final season on the Banner County court racking up the double doubles. Her first this season was in the second game of the season, a 55-54 heartbreaker loss against Minatare on Dec. 5. The game went into overtime before the Lady Cats fell. Dahlgrin had a great game, leading the team with 23 points including two three-pointers. She made it her first double double of the season with 13 rebounds, four steals, and a block while shooting 50 percent from...
5 pounds and 14 oz. and 18 inches long. Kimball's first baby of 2018, Freya Dawn Seymour, has ten perfect fingers, ten little toes and a full head of hair. She was born at 12:52 in the afternoon on Jan. 5, and was welcomed by mom, Amber Baber and dad, Brandon Seymour, as well as two big brothers and two big sisters! We welcome Freya and congratulate her family on a blessed new addition. Turn to page two to see all the gifts area businesses have given to our sweet New Year's B...
One local family is grateful to have escaped a late-night house fire unharmed, though the blaze destroyed their home and belongings. The cause of the fire that destroyed the 206 N. Myrtle residence and displaced the family Sunday night has yet to be determined, though initially it is believed to have begun in one of the childrens' bedrooms. The fire was reported at approximately 11:15 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 14, at 206 N. Walnut, where Karen Lee and Raul Buanteo, Jr. live with their children, who...
More than a dozen Kimball students have opted to attend classes in neighboring districts this year. During the December Board of Education meeting High School principal, Eugene Hanks, reported to the board that 17 students currently opt into either Banner County or Potter-Dix schools. The total number of students who attend classes in Potter-Dix is 35, with 23 in elementary and twelve in junior or senior high school. “Though we have seen an increase in option enrollment students from Kimball this past summer, most of these students (minus t...