Western Nebraska Observer - Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First

A fire occurred at 209 South Elm Street early Sunday morning, December 30. According to Kimball Fire Chief Rick Wynne, the fire started around 12:30 a.m. “It burned and smoldered all night. We got the call around 7:00 a.m. We responded with two...

“Welcome back,” Mayor James Schnell said to Darlene and Gary Goff as they stepped forward to comment to the City Council December 19 on their recent liquor license application for Woody’s Liquor. The mayor’s comment stems from the fact that,... Full story

The Veteran’s Service Committee has recently looked into a system that could potentially make the process of obtaining benefits easier for military veterans. “It is a server program which has every form for State and Federal Veteran’s benefits...

The Kimball County Board of Commissioners looked over bids for the purchase of a new motor grader at their meeting the morning of December 18. The first bid was for a CAT M2 Motor Grader. The Grader would allow a trade in of a current grader for...

A report on Nebraska public schools and student performance showed most school districts demonstrating improvement and growth under a new accountability system. The results also showed that nearly three of every four public school districts or 72.3... Full story

By all accounts the Visitor’s Committee showed considerable wisdom in their choice for tourism director. Certainly there are those who question the need for someone in such a position—even for the position itself. It is unlikely that Kimball...

I’m not much for resolutions, although clearly there’s plenty of room for improvement. For example, I could resolve to learn a musical instrument. But that would require a lot of time, beginning with lengthy lessons in reading music—and I’d...

Long before planes, there were trains. And as we reach the close of 2012, we are also reaching the end of a year-long celebration marking Union Pacific Railroad’s 150th anniversary. All Nebraskans are proud to claim Union Pacific as a Nebraska...

It’s hard to believe that my fourth year serving you in the Senate has come to a close. It is truly an honor to represent our great state in Washington. This past year has been filled with many important policy debates, legislative...

Traffic TR12-496 Zachary Paul, Loma Linda, CA. Speeding. TR12-497 Janelle Conklin, Scottsbluff, NE. Speeding. TR12-498 Darcy Feemster, Kimball, NE. Speeding. TR12-499 Michael Clement, Mitchell, NE. Speeding. TR12-500 Justin Hastings, Akron, CO....

January If Nebraska Held A Primary Now, Who Would Get Your Vote? Kenneth Bowman “Mitt Romney, because I think he is the only one who can beat Obama and we have to get Obama out of office. He didn’t create any jobs. There are 36 million people out...

Hello out there in Banner County and to our friends and neighbors. We still have snow on the ground and is it ever a welcome sight--although we could do without these freezing temperatures! News is going in early this week and so I have very little...

Seems to have been an uneventful Christmas in Bushnell…Here’s wishing you all a wonderful 2013! The community center board meets Monday, January 7. The United Methodist Women meet Wednesday, January 9. The Firebelles meet Thursday, January 10....

The military activity in Dakota Territory during the final days of December 1890 included the 7th U.S. Cavalry and the 8th U.S Cavalry. Their intended purpose was to track down the bands of Sioux who had left their respective reservations. Indians... Full story

The Nebraska Department of Labor (NDOL) has implemented a program to recover millions in unemployment insurance debts owed by current and former Nebraska residents. Nearly 14,000 individuals were sent letters requesting that they pay back benefits...

Hope you all had a restful and wonderful Holiday time. Back to routine, whatever that is. Rachelle Eversole will be returning for two painting classes this spring. The first one will be January 19, 2013, and the second one will be March 9. Class...

The Nebraska Community Foundation completed its 2011 Transfer of Wealth Study which provided insight into the abundance Nebraska enjoys and the opportunities to act now. Over the next 50 years, $603 billion will transfer from one generation to the...

I would like to express my gratitude for the custodial staff at the Kimball Jr. Sr. High I am an avid walker and have spend many an hour at the building walking during inclement weather.  The custodians are always there, always busy and always...

Grandpa Tommy was reminiscing, “It’s a shame everybody couldn’t go through the Great Depression.” I know what he meant. I think. He didn’t mean it like “It’s a shame everybody hadn’t been in a concentration camp or had polio.” He...

Annette George, owner of the Soup ‘R Market, picked up the list of her New Year’s resolutions: 1. Replace cracked glass on the meat cooler. 2. Walk two miles each morning before work. 3. Lose 15 pounds by summer. 4. Take a class in Spanish. She t...

As 2012 winds down I thought a little reflecting back would be a good thing to do. Sometimes it helps to look back on your successes that you were a part of over the past year and take a hard look at your failures to keep you humble and to continue... Full story

The Nebraska Forest Service announces the 2013 Western Tree Care Workshops in Chadron, Scottsbluff, Sidney, Valentine, North Platte, and McCook in January. These full-day workshops will address some of the challenges associated with growing trees...

Average retail gasoline prices in Nebraska have not moved  in the past week, averaging $3.16 per gallon on Monday, according to GasBuddy’s daily survey of 1,150 gas outlets in Nebraska. This compares with the national average that has increased...