Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First

Articles from the February 5, 2015 edition


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  • Jury finds Vencil Ash guilty of first degree murder

    Sydney Yalshevec|Feb 5, 2015

    At 7:15 p.m. Monday, a jury found Vencil Leo Ash III guilty of first degree murder in the 2003 death of Ryan Guitron. Monday's verdict ended the weeklong trial. Ash will return to court early next month for sentencing. The end of Monday's trial marks the second time Ash has been found guilty in the case. He was found guilty of Guitron's murder by a jury in July 2012. However, the Nebraska Supreme Court overturned the ruling in October 2013, stating that the defense did not have proper time to...

  • Friends and Neighbors: Gerners have helped with mentoring through TeamMates program for years

    John Verser|Feb 5, 2015

    Kimball residents Don and Mary Gerner hope the TeamMates mentoring program has helped those they have mentored as much as it has enriched their own lives. The couple has been involved with the program for several years now and enjoy working with the youth. "As you can tell, we're pretty old," Don said with a laugh. "That's the part that I enjoy, being in contact with the young people." "I'd like to think that we can be a plus in their lives. If they have a concern about something - not family pr...

  • Hottell finds road solution

    John Verser|Feb 5, 2015

    Dave Hottell on Tuesday told Kimball County Commissioners that a solution has been found on the overuse problem on County Road 17. Hottell, the county’s highway supervisor, said he spoke with the owner of a trucking firm from Wyoming regarding the use of CR 17, and the owner agreed to send his trucks a different route. Hottell said the trucks traveled from Wyoming into Kimball County and then down into Colorado, where they were hauling resources used by oilfield companies. He said the heavy traffic on CR 17 south of Bushnell had been t...

  • Kimball High students see 'Unbroken' at historic Fox Theatre in Sidney

    Feb 5, 2015

    Senior and junior students in Jeri Ferguson's civics classes at Kimball High School were privy to a special showing of 'Unbroken' last Wednesday afternoon at the historic Fox Theatre in Sidney. The movie is based on the true story of Olympian and World War II hero Louis "Louie" Zamperini and two members of his crew who survived for 47 days in a raft after their plane crashed. They were then captured by the Japanese and sent to a prisoner of war camp....

  • 5 locals named to dean's list at University of Nebraska

    Feb 5, 2015

    Five local students were named to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln dean’s list for the fall 2014 semester, the university announced Jan. 29. Those named to the list include: - Benjamin Ray Hostetler of Kimball, a freshman economics major. - Robert James Olsen of Harrisburg, a senior agricultural engineering major. - Danielle Faith Jones of Potter, a senior veterinary science major. - Kirstie Anna Smith of Potter, a senior biological sciences and theatre major. - Kaleb James Thomas of Potter, a senior biological sciences major. Qualification f...

  • Big game contest winner

    Feb 5, 2015

    Walter Schreinert, left, was the winner of the Western Nebraska Observer's contest to guess the correct score of Sunday's big football game. Schreinert guessed that New England would defeat Seattle, 28-21. The correct final score of the game was New England with a 28-24 win. Since Schreinert had the closest score of all those who entered the contest, he won two large pizzas from Vince's Corner in Kimball. Above, Schreinert accepts his winning prize from WNO General Manager John...

  • Lewis named to dean's list at WNCC

    Feb 5, 2015

    Western Nebraska Community College announced its fall 2014 dean’s list last Friday. Tiffany Lewis of Potter was named to the dean’s list. Students on the dean’s list have a 3.4 to 3.9 GPA....

  • Happy retirement, Linda!

    Feb 5, 2015

    Linda McGinnis retired Friday after spending 26 years at Main Street Market in Kimball. A reception was held for her Friday afternoon, and many members of the community dropped by to wish her well and have cake and punch. McGinnis said she wanted to spent her retirement watching the many activities of her grandchildren. Above, McGinnis shows off the gifts given to her Friday, which includes a watch engraved with the date she started and her retirement date....

  • Mary Elizabeth "Betty" Biggs

    Feb 5, 2015

    Mary Elizabeth "Betty" Biggs, 95, of Kimball, died at the Kimball County Manor on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2015. Mary Elizabeth Biggs was born on Aug. 22, 1919, the daughter of Marion and Anna Lora (Elkington) Peake. She attended elementary school in Colorado and then graduated from the Kimball County High School. Betty was married to John Teare in Akron, Colorado and to this union Kathleen, Jane and Sharon were born. The family farmed and ranched in Colorado. John preceded her in death in 1953. She...

  • Antoinette J. Morris

    Feb 5, 2015

    Antoinette J. Morris, a former resident of Pittsburgh, Pa., who was residing at the Kimball County Manor and Assisted Living, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2015. She was born May 20, 1932, the daughter of the late Bernard and Julia (Milcarek) Kotarski. On April 28, 1951, she married Stanley M. Morris. He preceded her in death on Nov. 3, 2010. She is survived by the following family: son, David S. Morris of Rebersburg, Pa.; daughter, Julianne (Joseph) Tylka of Warriors Mark, Pa.; sister, Carol Novotny and her loving family of Kimball; along...

  • Clay Keller wins at Mitchell tournament

    Tom Southard|Feb 5, 2015

    Kimball's Clay Keller claimed the championship in the 132 pound weight class at the 18 team Mitchell Wrestling Tournament this past weekend as the Longhorns finished 11th in the team standings with 40 points. Sidney won the team title with 222.5 points with Gothenburg a distant runnerup with 156.5 points. Winning the gold medal in a tournament of this size is a worthy accomplishment for the young freshman who pinned three opponents enroute to the championship match. He had a fall in 1:37 over...

  • Schnell named region's top wrestling official

    Tom Southard|Feb 5, 2015

    Kimball's Klent Schnell has received his share of awards during his illustrious career with the sport of wrestling and the Kimball High grad was recently honored as the Western Nebraska Wrestling Official of the Year for 2013-2014. He is pictured here as the award was presented by the Western Nebraska Officials Association. Following his graduation from Kimball High in 2000, he worked with the Kimball Federation Wrestling program, then took over the Junior High Wrestling coaching position in...

  • Lady Longhorns looking to end losing streak

    Tom Southard|Feb 5, 2015

    After compiling a 9-4 win-loss record, the Kimball High girl's basketball team has lost five straight contests and is looking to end that slide this week in WTC Tournament play. The Lady Longhorns lost at Mitchell on a Tuesday evening trip, and then suffered a 47-42 loss at Sutherland on Friday night, and a 53-42 loss at home Saturday night to North Platte St Pats, leaving them at 9-9 on the year. The Lady Longhorns came up short in a Tuesday night contest at Mitchell this past week losing 57-48...

  • Kimball boys fall to Sutherland, St. Pats

    Tom Southard|Feb 5, 2015

    The Kimball boys suffered basketball losses to Sutherland and St. Pats this past weekend leaving them at 5 wins and 11 losses. The Horns give good effort each time out but have been going up against some very strong competition with more to come. On Friday night at Sutherland, the host school won out 55-39 and at home Saturday, Kimball fell to the Irish of North Platte 71-46. The Sutherland Sailors shot an unbelievable percentage as they were 80% on 3 point attempts making 8 of 10, and were a...

  • Coyotes fall at home to Pine Bluffs

    Stephen McKay, Sidney Sun-Telegraph|Feb 5, 2015

    POTTER – With a talented sophomore center getting much of the attention for the Pine Bluffs High boys' basketball squad, the Potter-Dix Coyotes found out the Hornets are more than a team with just one stinger. Though they managed to stay toe to toe with the Hornets throughout several portions of the game, a dominating second quarter doomed the Coyotes chances in a 73-51 loss in a non-district contest at Potter on Tuesday night. The Hornets improved to 11-1, while the Coyotes slipped to 5-10. T...

  • Dahlgrin has huge game for Wildcats in win over Morrill

    Feb 5, 2015

    Banner County dominated in the second and third quarters, led by an extraordinary effort by Tyson Dahlgrin, to roll to a 67-51 win against visiting Morrill on Saturday. Dahlgrin scored 35 points and pulled down 21 rebounds for an easy double-double against the Lions (7-10). He shot 16 of 26 from the field, good for 62 percent of his shots, and made three of seven free throws. Bryce Olsen also had a double-double on the night with 12 points and 15 rebounds. The game was tied at 20-all after the first quarter when the Wildcats (3-10) outscored...

  • Banner girls fall to Morrill

    Feb 5, 2015

    The Banner County girls dropped a 51-31 game on Saturday to visiting Morrill. The Lady Lions (9-9) took a 16-10 first quarter lead and held a 30-16 advantage at the half. Morrill also outscored Banner 25-15 in the second half. Ashlynne Hanan led the Lady Wildcats (2-12) with 10 points offensively. MaKenna Dahlgrin added seven points and a team-high 19 rebounds. Banner is back in action Friday with a home contest against South Platte. Score by quarter Morrill 16 14 13 8 - 51 Banner 10 6 5 10 - 31 Points Ashlynne Hanan 10, MaKenna Dahlgrin 7,...

  • Lady Coyotes fall to Pine Bluffs, top Minatare

    Stephen McKay, Sidney Sun-Telegraph|Feb 5, 2015

    POTTER – After a busy week that culminated in a MAC championship last Saturday, the Potter-Dix Lady Coyotes just might be dog tired. Despite their busy schedule of late, the Lady Coyotes found enough wind to fight a talented Pine Bluffs (Wyo.) Hornets team to the bitter end Tuesday night before dropping just their third game of the season (12-3). The Hornets (11-1) turned back the Lady Coyotes 44-38 in a non-district matchup in Potter last Tuesday night. With a pressure defense that forced t...

  • Wildcat matters compete at Mitchell Invite

    Feb 5, 2015

    Garrett Grubbs and Brandon Blickensderfer took to the mats for Banner County on Saturday at the Mitchell Invitational. Grubbs opened the championship round with a win against Dylan Ernesti of Hemingford, and then dropped a quarterfinal contest to Ruger Lewis of Burns/Pine Bluffs. In the second consolation round, he won against Ethan Pearson of Southeast. Grubbs dropped a match to Josh Cinocco of Minatare in the third consolation round. Blickensderfer lost by technical fall to Trevor Nelson of Crawford in the championship round, and then fell...

  • Kimball boys, girls junior varsity basketball teams have solid week

    Tom Southard|Feb 5, 2015

    The Kimball Junior Varsity basketball teams provided fans with some exciting play again this past week. At Sutherland on Friday night the Kimball boys had no problem in winning a two quarter contest 38-20 with Jordan Greenwood scoring 13, Ethan Land 10, Jaden Withrow 8, Jaicob Cole 6, and Ryan Soper 1. Cole hit a pair of treys, Land and Greenwood 1 each. The Kimball girls didn't fare as well at Sutherland losing 51-38. Jannel Fiehtner was high with 13, Alex Reader had 7, Myriah Tyan 6, Hannah...