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

Articles from the December 4, 2014 edition


Sorted by date  Results 1 - 24 of 24

  • Public works board discusses trees, bulk water rates

    Sydney Yalshevec|Dec 4, 2014

    The Kimball board of public works discussed various upkeep projects during its Nov. 25 meeting. One topic of discussion was the growth of trees in the city. Many trees in the city are growing at a rapid rate. While they are beautiful, these trees can become quite a nuisance to power lines. The solution to caring for these trees in a responsible and safe manner is to contract with an arborist, said City Administrator Daniel Ortiz. “Our guys just don’t have the time to trim the trees in a way tha...

  • It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

    Dec 4, 2014

    From left, Michele Daum, Danika Daum and Michael Ferguson greet the crowd while on the Kimball All-Class Reunion float during Saturday's Parade of Lights. The annual event, which also featured a visit from Santa Claus, serves as the unofficial beginning of Christmas festivities in the area....

  • Chamber has various 'fun' activities planned for December

    Sydney Yalshevec|Dec 4, 2014

    The month of December is a festive time of year, and the Kimball-Banner Chamber of Commerce and its members have some contests planned to keep everyone on their toes this holiday season. The chamber has a couple fun and creative ideas for getting people to browse local chamber businesses. The ‘Hidden Gingerbread Man’ is a returning contest, in which anyone can participate. Participating chamber members will have a sign in their window notifying the public that they are participants in the Hidden Gingerbread Man Contest. Within the par...

  • 'Quarter Store' is once again open for business

    Sydney Yalshevec|Dec 4, 2014

    With so many in the spirit of giving during the Christmas season, it Is no wonder that children along with adults want to get in on the giving action. Thanks to the Bushnell Calvary United Methodist Women and the Kimball Trinity United Methodist Women, Kimball will have a 'Quarter Store' once again this holiday season. In the past, the Quarter Store has found a home in the building across the street from FirsTier Bank. However, this year, the store has found a new home. It is now in the old...

  • Kimball cheerleaders take 5 trophies at Ventura Dance Invite

    Sydney Yalshevec|Dec 4, 2014

    The Kimball sports seasons tends to be flooded with the excitement that surrounds football, basketball and volleyball, just to name a few sports. However, in the hustle and bustle of the "Longhorn Pride," it is sometimes easy to overlook those who put forth the effort to make sure there is cheering in the stands - the cheerleaders. The Kimball High School cheerleaders are responsible for keeping up the crowd's spirits and encouraging that ever motivating cheering for the Longhorns. The...

  • Thanksgiving day prices increase an average of 37 cents from last year, Farm Bureau reports

    Dec 4, 2014

    The American Farm Bureau’s annual price survey of classic items found on the Thanksgiving Day dinner table was recently released. This year’s feast for 10 averaged $49.41, which is an increase of 37 cents from last year’s average cost. The big item, a 16-pound turkey, came in at $21.65. That is roughly a $1.35 per pound decrease from the 2013 cost. Included in the survey are sweet potatoes, frozen peas, rolls, dairy products, turkey, salad and pumpkin pie. The Kimball/Banner Farm Bureau uses the Main Street Market for the survey. There are 3...

  • Potter-Dix takes second at district play production contest

    Dec 4, 2014

    Potter-Dix High School finished second in the District 1-6 Play Production Contest. Paxton won the contest and will advance to the state competition set for Dec. 10 in Norfolk. Other schools competing included Leyton, Minatare, Mullen and Stapleton. Five Potter-Dix students received Superior Acting Awards for their performances in the competition. Those that received the award are: Samuel Bogert, Cooper Hicks, Jake Johnson, Cameron Purcell and Jamison Trvs....

  • Honoring Commissioner Larry Brower

    Dec 4, 2014

    Kimball County employees gathered Tuesday morning to watch as Commissioner Larry Brower received a plaque of appreciation for his 20 years as a county commissioner. A swell of appreciation and admiration overtook the room as Brower thanked those in attendance through his building emotions. It was reflected on the faces of everyone in attendance how much Brower was appreciated and how dearly he will be missed. Those who missed the plaque presentation will still have another chance to thank...

  • Janette (Navotny) Ukasick

    Dec 4, 2014

    Janette (Navotny) Ukasick, formerly of Dix, passed away Nov. 22, 2014, in her home at Florence, Ariz. Jan is survived by her husband, Dave; sons, Troy and Curt Ukasick and families; brothers Lonnie and John Al Novotny and families; and sister Nanci McCaslin and family. Memorial donations may be made in Jan’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association in care of the family....

  • Dean Freeburg

    Dec 4, 2014

    Dean Freeburg, 63, formerly of Albin, Wyo., passed away Friday morning at Beehive Homes of Evanston, Wyo. Dean A. Freeburg was born March 21, 1951 to John W. and Verna Freeburg at Kimball. He grew up in Albin and graduated from Albin High School. Dean attended the University of Wyoming. He married Leola Beavers, and to this union two children were born - Clint and Jerylin. They later were divorced. Survivors are Clint and wife Stephanie of Berthoud, Colo.; Jerylin and husband Nathan Reis, and grandson Carson of Pueblo, Colo.; brothers Troy and...

  • Delores Wickard

    Dec 4, 2014

    Delores Wickard, 80, of Kimball, and formerly of Bayard, died Saturday, Nov. 29, at the Kimball County Manor. Funeral services were held Tuesday, Dec. 2, at the Church of Christ in Bayard. Burial followed at the East Lawn Cemetery in Minatare. Services were entrusted to Cantrell Funeral Home in Kimball....

  • Whimsical Wonderland - Kimball Parade of Lights

    Dec 4, 2014

    Crowds gathered in downtown Kimball last Saturday night for the annual Parade of Lights. This year's theme was Whimsical Wonderland. Many colorful and lit floats paraded through downtown. After the parade, children headed inside the museum to meet with Santa Claus. While they were waiting, members of the Kimball Theater Group entertained everyone by singing Christmas carols. Hot drinks and cookies were also provided by the Farm Bureau....

  • Kimball girls win, 61-60, at Hall of Fame Game

    Tom Southard|Dec 4, 2014

    The Kimball High girls opened the season with an exciting 61-60 win over Scottsbluff in the exhibition Nebraska Schools Hall of Fame pre-season game played at Scottsbluff High Monday evening. Although the game does not count in the regular season standings, it gave Kimball fans a preview of what they might expect this year and it was a pleasant night out for certain! The Kimball girls showed composure and the ability to carry out the game plan of coach Chauncey Pedersen. They shot free throws we...

  • Longhorns fall to Scottsbluff in Hall of Fame game

    Tom Southard|Dec 4, 2014

    The Kimball High boys were simply out classed by a much larger and talented Scottsbluff team in the Nebraska School Hall of Fame pre-season game Monday evening at Scottsbluff High School and came up on the losing side of the final score of 76-38. In all reality, they may have been facing this year's eventual state Class B champions as the Bluffs squad is loaded with talent and have a couple of starters over 6'6" to take care of things inside. That being said, there were some positive things for...

  • Deer season a success in Kimball area

    Dec 4, 2014

    The final tally is complete with 220 deer checked in at the Sportsman's Liquor check-in-station, according to owner Lisa Wangler. Wangler said they had more out of state hunters this year than any year she can remember. "We had them from allover the U.S. including California, Louisiana, and many other far away states," she said. Ernie Flud, from California, killed a nice mule deer buck while hunting with his family friends the Krafczik family and told me via phone call "Nebraska is a great...

  • Kimball Tournament to open girls and boys basketball seasons this weekend

    Tom Southard|Dec 4, 2014

    The basketball season officially opens this weekend for the Kimball High girls and boys as they host their own four team tournament on Friday and Saturday. The opening game in the girls bracket will pit Morrill against McPherson County at 3 p.m. Friday afternoon followed by these same two schools in boys action at 4:30. The Kimball and Dundy County-Stratton girls play at 6 p.m. and the same two schools in boys action close out the first day's action at 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, the two losers of...

  • Season preview: Dawning of a new Dea for Kimball boys basketball

    Tom Southard|Dec 4, 2014

    With the resignation of Bruce Tjosvold at the end of last season, a new era of Kimball High Boy's Basketball is about to begin with the dawning of a new Dea! That new Dea is Luke Dea, the man who will now assume the role of head master after serving the past 8 years as an assistant in the program. Coach Dea has a tough road to follow as Tjosvold had an amazing string of successful years, thanks in large part to having some amazing young men to head up his program. It will be hard to replace 6'9"...

  • Season preview: Kimball girls basketball lost five to graduation

    Tom Southard|Dec 4, 2014

    Chauncey Pedersen is back to guide the Kimball High girl's basketball after taking over as the head man last year. It might be hard to equal his winning season of 13-11 last year as he will lose the services of five solid seniors, including 3 starters in Shelby Vogel, Kelly Green, and Brooke Hager, plus some-time starter Laura Flores and strong off the bench player Brianna Jones. Vogel was all conference, third team all region and honorable mention all state. Green was honorable mention all...

  • Season preview: Senior leadership will key Kimball wrestling in 2014-15

    Tom Southard|Dec 4, 2014

    The return of four senior letter winners, including state qualifier Damien Rutledge, will be the key to success this season for the Kimball High Wrestling program. Coach Wade Brashear is back for his third season in charge of the Longhorn program and is still working hard to get the numbers up, but in this vein he has three promising freshmen checked out. After finishing 6th in the Western Trails Conference last year, lack of numbers and being able to fill all of the weight classes will still...

  • Season preview: Gifford looks for growth from young BC wrestling team

    John Verser|Dec 4, 2014

    Veteran Banner County wrestling coach Bill Gifford looks for growth from his young squad as the 2014-15 season gets underway Friday. The youthful Wildcats sport a team of just three, and only one of those is a returning wrestler from a season ago. "We will go through some growing pains again with only one returner and a small team," Gifford said. "If we can stick to the basics and improve each time out, this will give us the foundation to make the proper adjustments late in the season to give...

  • Season preview: Banner County boys to depend on senior leadership

    John Verser|Dec 4, 2014

    Cole Wyatt takes over as the head boys basketball coach at Banner County, and feels that the Wildcats will compete for a conference title in 2014-15. Wyatt previously served as an assistant at Banner County for the last four seasons. "I will be taking over as head coach this year for coach Jim Wyatt," he said. "Coach (Brett) Cross and I played and assisted under Coach Jim for several years, and are very excited to be able to work with this group and look forward to the upcoming season. We...

  • Season preview: Hard work, enthusiasm keys for young Lady Wildcats

    John Verser|Dec 4, 2014

    Banner County girls basketball coach Brittany Cooper looks for her team's hard work and enthusiasm pay off in 2014-15. The Lady Wildcats return three starters and six overall lettermen for the season as they look to improve from last season's 3-18 record. "I'm excited to see how the pieces fit together and how we improve and have a lot of fun throughout the season," Cooper said. Banner County returns three starters from a year ago in senior guard Ashlynne Hanan, junior forward Taylor Evans and...

  • Season preview: Coyotes return plenty of experience for 2014-15

    John Verser|Dec 4, 2014

    The Potter-Dix boys basketball team has plenty of experience in 2014-15, although coach Chad Miller said some of those will see new roles this season. The Coyotes return three starters and eight additional lettermen from last year's team that finished with a 10-12 overall record. The three returning starters are a trio of seniors in Cameron Purcell, Jake Johnson and Trevor Harms. Purcell, a 6-foot guard, averaged 6.6 points per game, 4.1 rebounds per game and 2 assists per game a season ago. He...

  • Season preview: Lady Coyotes look to take advantage of athleticism

    John Verser|Dec 4, 2014

    The Potter-Dix girls basketball team returns two starters and four additional lettermen as the Lady Coyotes look to improve on last year's 10-10 campaign. They begin the season Friday with a home contest against Sedgwick County. Third-year head coach Jeff Einspahr cites athleticism and depth as strengths for the Lady Coyotes this season. "We are a young team with athleticism," he said. "We should have good depth, also, this year." Returning starters for the Lady Coyotes are a pair of...