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

Articles from the June 25, 2015 edition


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  • Kimball teen seriously injured in Monday wreck

    Tonia Copeland|Jun 25, 2015

    A Kimball County teen was seriously injured in an accident Monday night. At approximately 6:30 p.m. Monday, the Kimball County Dispatch received a call of an accident from an unidentified passerby on County Road 48 north of town. According to Kimball County Sheriff’s Deputy Brandon Loy, the driver, AJ Spicer, 19, of Kimball, was the sole occupant of the vehicle, and was ejected as the 2005 Chevy pick-up rolled. Loy cited excessive speed as a contributing factor, however the accident is still under investigation. A Life Flight helicopter met l...

  • HOG HERDING AT THE FAIRGROUNDS

    Jun 25, 2015

    Lacey Klinkhammer, left, and Monica Wasielewski show their hogs as part of the 13th annual FFA Alumni Progress Show held over the weekend at the county fairgrounds. The annual event had competitors from three states show hogs, lambs and cattle....

  • New group offers help to area veterans

    John Verser|Jun 25, 2015

    The issue of homeless veterans may not appear to be a problem throughout rural parts of the country, but Chad Werner said it is a bigger problem than it appears to be. Werner, resource specialist for Southwest Wyoming Recovery Access Programs (SW-WRAP), is one of three members who started the Panhandle Veterans Resource Network earlier this year to help area veterans with a variety of issues. The network includes a variety of organizations and groups that offer many services to veterans. “Before in the panhandle, there wasn’t much out the...

  • Friends and Neighbors: Wallin keeps Relay For Life going in Kimball County

    Tonia Copeland|Jun 25, 2015

    Though she won her personal fight, Fran Wallin has continued battling cancer for more than a decade. Diagnosed in November of 2001, Wallin had just completed treatment when her friend Carolyn Brown asked her to take part in the American Cancer Society's main fundraiser for the organization's research, the Relay For Life. "I wasn't there the first year. Carolyn Brown asked me to come in 2002, that is the year she started it. I had finished my cancer treatments that spring and that was the first...

  • Ambulance purchase tabled, commissioners hold on joining regional economic development group

    John Verser|Jun 25, 2015

    The Kimball County Commissioners tabled a request to purchase a new ambulance and did not act on a proposal to join a new economic development group for the time being at last week’s regularly scheduled meeting. After an hour-long explanation of upcoming regulation changes from Jody Staehr of FireFox Rescue Equipment of York, the commissioners received information on the potential purchase of an ambulance from two companies. At the previous meeting, the commissioners voted to waive the normal bidding regulations if an ambulance could be f...

  • Unemployment steady in Kimball, slightly improved in Banner

    Jun 25, 2015

    Unemployment numbers remained steady in Kimball County for May while Banner County’s numbers improved by a half percent in numbers released by the Nebraska Department of Labor late last week. Kimball County’s unemployment rate of 3.4 percent for May remained steady from revised April numbers. April showed an increase from March, however, going from 2.5 percent to 3.4 percent. The Department of Labor report showed there were 78 unemployed in Kimball County last month, which was also the same as April. There were 2,185 employed in the county in...

  • City receives grant money for drug dog

    Jun 25, 2015

    Kimball Police Captain and canine handler Andy Bremer kneels next to the department's first K9, Xana. Xana became a possibility for the department due in large part to a grant from the Union Pacific Railroad. Standing behind Bremer is Mike Wilson, UPRR Senior Special Agent, Kimball Mayor Keith Prunty, Police Chief Darren Huff and UPRR Public Affairs Director Kelli O'Brien. Wilson, a former K9 handler, said, "It is a great thing to be available for multiple agencies in this area." Both O'Brien...

  • City continues push on property clean up

    Tonia Copeland|Jun 25, 2015

    The City of Kimball and the Kimball City Council have been making an attempt once again to clean up properties in town. Letters were recently sent to residents regarding junk or abandoned vehicles, nuisance properties, excessive junk and properties with weeds or grass taller than 12 inches. Mayor Keith Prunty has acknowledged mixed reactions to the letters regarding junk and abandoned vehicles. While some residents are responding quickly and taking care of their property, others have not made forward progress at all. Unsafe buildings were...

  • College Corner: UNL

    Jun 25, 2015

    Four local students were named to the dean’s list or honor roll at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for the spring 2015 semester. Qualification for the dean’s list varies among the eight undergraduate colleges and the honor roll for undeclared students. Students must also take a minimum of 12 credit hours to qualify for the dean’s list. Robert James Olsen of Harrisburg was named to the dean’s list in the college of engineering. College of engineering students must have a minimum 3.5 GPA to be named to the dean’s list. Luke Tyler Johnson o...

  • Main Street Market adds $100,000 investment with new freezers

    John Verser|Jun 25, 2015

    Main Street Market in Kimball has undergone many changes recently. The store has installed new freezers and undergone a change in management. The store's new walk-in freezers were installed in a week and ready to go by last Friday. The freezers cost about $100,000. "We started that (last) Monday, tearing (the old ones) out," said Jack Goldrick, co-assistant manager. "By Wednesday, they were all completely in. It took us about till Friday to get them all filled up. It's quite the process." Susan...

  • All-Class Reunion seeks volunteers

    Tonia Copeland|Jun 25, 2015

    “A good problem to have.” That is what Kim Baliman said regarding the lack of available motel rooms over the July 4 weekend in Kimball She is expecting more than 500 to attend the Kimball All-Class Reunion and she is asking anyone with spare room to consider offering it to fellow Kimball graduates. Baliman also said that more volunteers are needed for 5:30 p.m. on both July 1 and July 2 at which time committee members will gather at the high school student center to assemble packets, set up tables and decorate. “Also, if anybody wants to help...

  • Farm Service Agency county committee nominations underway

    Jun 25, 2015

    Kimball County USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director Robert J. Nagel announced that county committee election nominations began June 15. Farmers, ranchers and landowners are encouraged to nominate farmer and rancher candidates to serve on their local FSA county committee by the Aug. 3, 2015 deadline. This year’s election will be held in the Bushnell Local Administrative Area (LAA). Todd Parsons is the current incumbent member. His term limitation has been met and he is not eligible for reelection. Elected county committee members s...

  • Container gardening gaining popularity among those with smaller spaces

    Tonia Copeland|Jun 25, 2015

    Gardeners around the world can barely contain the excitement of container gardening, which has gained popularity in recent years as an attractive and easy alternative to large garden beds for a number of reasons. The movement towards movable gardens comes as no surprise considering the number of gardeners with limited time and space as well as those gardeners that do not own land. Not only can several small or medium sized containers be moved from one home to another, they can also be moved to safety during a storm or to allow for changing sun...

  • Library offers new NebraskAccess resources

    Jun 25, 2015

    Kimball Public Library, in partnership with the Nebraska Library Commission, offers a wealth of online information through NebraskAccess at nebraskaccess.nebraska.gov. As of July 1, Nebraska residents will have access to a refreshed lineup of 15 databases, including 13 new resources that have been added to expand access to a wide variety of information. Community residents looking for free resources to create a family history, establish a small business, learn about medical conditions, get homework help, find a good book or movie, plan for reti...

  • A LOOK BACK: A mobile home on the street

    Jun 25, 2015

    This Henry Stahla mobile home doubles as a Farmer's Day parade float during the event many years ago....

  • Show time at the Kimball FFA Alumni Progress Show

    Jun 25, 2015

    The Kimball FFA Alumni held its 13 annual progress show over the weekend for cattle, hogs and lambs. The grand champion for hogs was Ethan Marker, while the reserve champion was Liz Marker. The grand champion senior showman was Tessa Shaw, while the reserve champion was Monica Wasielewski. In the intermediate showman category, Payton Flower was the grand champion and Lane Wasielewski was the reserve champion. The grand champion junior showman was Tate Talkington and the reserve champion was...

  • Revving up the CarBowl - Melodrama on tap now as part of Potter CarBowl

    Courtney Fletcher, Sidney Sun-Telegraph|Jun 25, 2015

    Between veterans and rookies, locals from the Potter area have worked together to bring the wild west to life for the town's annual melodrama. This year, "Is There a Doctor In The House?," will be performed at the town's Legion Hall, bringing rapid-fire jokes, sight gags and slapstick comedy. The performances begin Thursday and run nightly through Saturday. Taking place in a western style hotel lobby and general store, Lucy Canary, played by Talia Enevoldsen, wants to marry Lester Doodbe,...

  • It's a Greenwood win at the Father's Day Scramble

    Tom Southard|Jun 25, 2015

    The father and sons trio of Kenny Greenwood, Jeffery Greenwood, and Jordan Greenwood captured the championship of this year's Four Winds Father's Day Three Person Golf Scramble held this past weekend. By no means was it an easy win for the Greenwood family as they battled it out with a Sidney based team of Chuck Haupt, son Morgan Haupt, and Lance Juelfs. The Haupt team shot the low round on Saturday with a 58 while Greenwoods had a first day round of 59. On Sunday the Greenwoods came back with...

  • SHOWING CUSTOMER APPRECIATION

    Jun 25, 2015

    The Panhandle Co-op garage in Kimball was packed with customers, who were overflowing onto the lawn on Friday, June 19. More than 250 patrons were served during the customer appreciation barbecue, according to Susan Wiedeman, marketing director for Panhandle Coop Association. "We do this barbecue each year for our customers in the Kimball area, to show our appreciation for their continued business and support. It kicks off our Customer Appreciation Days for the whole company," Wiedeman...

  • Fun and learning at BioBlitz

    Jun 25, 2015

    BioBlitz was held June 19 at Oliver Reservoir. The vent, hosted by the Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory, allowed those who participated to learn about various parts of the local environment and wildlife....