Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
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Budgets for area governmental entities have been approved by their boards and submitted to the state. Here’s how the budget numbers break down for the city of Kimball, comparing the 2023-24 and 2024-25 budgets. Property Tax Request: $533,102.24 in 2023-24 and $743,113.56 in 2024-25. Valuations: $147,439,939.00 in 2023-24 and $179,818,174.00 in 2024-25. Municipal Levy: 0.361572 in 2023-24 and 0.413258 in 2024-25. Value Attributable to Growth: $2,081,295.00 in 2023-24 and $2,172,301.00 in 2024-25. Real Growth Percentage: 1.68 in 2023-24 and 0...
The Kimball Volunteer Fire Department celebrated National Fire Prevention Week, observed from Oct. 6-12 this year, with its annual open house on Wednesday, Oct. 9. Leading up to the event at the fire hall, community support for the department remained strong. KVFD's first open house was held in 2007, and this now-established successful community event continues to this day. This year's turnout was not immediately available, but more than 180 people attended last year. A light supper and...
Traveling parts of the state of Nebraska, Republican U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer visited Kimball and the Western Nebraska Observer for an interview Monday. She is seeking a third six-year term and facing off against registered Independent challenger Dan Osborn. Fischer outlined her recent official stops in Kimball, with elected Scottsbluff officials, in North Platte for an airport opening, and at meetings in Broken Bow and Ogallala. "So that is the job," she remarked. Fischer also touched on topics...
The story of the Kimball Senior Friendship extends far beyond its physical location at 107 S. Oak St – more than 50 years into the past and a few blocks west to its first home. Back on March 2, 1971, a group of citizens at the request of Nebraska Gov. Exon met to establish a Senior Citizens Opportunity Center. Irma Elrod was chairman and Prestin Wright vice chairman. Other members of the elected committee were Lula Martin, Grace Powel and Lily Filer. The group had 73 members by March 17, 1971, w...
Ty Cook of Kimball heaves the sledge hammer in an attempt to do some destruction during the "Longhorns Football Smash a Car" event on Second Street during Farmer's Day weekend....
Edward Barnes and his sister, Autumn Uglow, aren't your typical siblings. They spend their time behind the wheel, crashing and smashing their way through local demolition derbies. And with their combined 23 years of experience – nine years for Edward and 14 for Autumn – they are seasoned veterans in the local derby scene. Their preparation for the Farmer's Day Demolition Derby started long before the engines revved up on Saturday night. "Stripping everything out, including the seats," is the...
During the Kimball County Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 1, two public hearings were held regarding conditional use permits. The first hearing involved the renewal of Real Western Wings' conditional use permit for indoor and outdoor recreational facilities. With no public comments either for or against, the commissioners renewed the permit for another five years to align with the Nebraska Game and Parks contract, which also operates on a five-year basis. The second public hearing...
A number of mayoral appointments were made Sept. 24 at the Kimball City Council meeting. Mike Downey was appointed to the Planning Commission, Tammy Land to the Board of Public Works, and Jodel “Jody” Keeler to the Housing Authority Board. In other business, Police Chief Jose Ruiz presented a mutual aid agreement with the City of Sidney Police Department, which was approved by the council. This agreement allows Kimball officers to assist in Sidney when necessary, particularly in executing search or arrest warrants. Sidney officer also will ass...
A Kimball man died Friday in an accident on I-80 west of Kimball, the Nebraska State Patrol told the Observer. At approximately 4:20 p.m. Friday, an eastbound pickup crossed the center line in a construction zone and struck a semi, NSP spokesman Cody Thomas said. The driver of the pickup, Chad Cook, 47, of Kimball was pronounced dead at the scene. The semi driver was treated for minor injuries. The accident, a few miles west of Kimball, forced the temporary closure of I-80 in the area and traffic was detoured to Highway 30. The crash remains...
In the annual tradition, Kimball crowned its 2024 Farmer's Day Queen and attendants, honoring three young women who have distinguished themselves through their achievements and community involvement. This year's Farmer's Day Queen is Gabriela Cruz, a senior with big dreams of becoming a professional pastry chef. Attendants are Renee Murdoch and Joey Miller, each with their own plans for success. Gabriela Cruz, a senior at Kimball Jr./Sr. High School, was crowned this year's Farmer's Day queen,...
As the town gears up for its 98th Farmer's Day celebration, the Kimball Public Library is set to be a central hub of activity, featuring a silent auction that promises a variety of enticing items. With the theme "Our Land, Our Legacy," this year's festivities will kick off on Friday, Sept. 27, and continue through the weekend, showcasing both new events and beloved traditions. The silent auction, taking place on Friday and Saturday, will include unique items, such as an under-bed safe, themed...
Kimball’s annual Farmer’s Day celebration is set to promote the spirit of community and dedication to growth and agriculture with a lineup of distinguished dignitaries. This year’s celebration, always a special event for locals, will honor several pillars of the community whose contributions have left a lasting impact. Paul and Jacque Whiting, selected as Grand Marshals for the parade, have played a vital role in Kimball’s development over the past 25 years. Paul, a senior-level manager at Clean Harbors, has been a driving force behind communi...
Kimball recently launched a new Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), aiming to prepare local residents for potential disasters. The CERT program, supported by FEMA, Homeland Security, and Nebraska Emergency Management, equips community members with the skills to care for themselves, their families, and neighbors in the event of a large-scale emergency. Ron Leal, from Emergency Management Region 21, hosted the inaugural training event, emphasizing the importance of self-reliance in times of...
Clean Harbors Environmental Services Inc. – the permitted hazardous waste treatment, storage and disposal facility 5 miles south of Kimball on Highway 71 – has filed a Class 1 Permit Modification Request with the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy. The purpose for the permit modification is to revise several Part B Permit Application sections in order to address clerical errors and provide additional clarification of wording where needed. Those sections are: • C-1 Chemical and Physical Waste Characterization. • C-2 Waste Analysi...
The popular Farmer's Day Fun Run, shown above in 2023, begins this year at 8 a.m. Saturday at the fire hall....
Four Winds Golf Course superintendent Jeremy Williams reminisced on the golf course water troubles of the past year: "It was a perfect storm of terrible weather, not much rain, sprinklers . . . Oh, it has just been a nightmare." Late last summer, gravel began to infiltrate the course's water system, plugging up many of the almost 1,000 sprinklers. Williams said he thought there was a leak in the system, and it was pulling gravel in. It took a couple of months to determine that the big well was...
Notice is hereby given that in compliance with the provisions of State Statute Sections 13-501 to 13-513 that the governing body will meet on the 25th day of September 2024 at 7 o'clock p.m. at the Village Office for the purpose of hearing support, opposition, criticism, suggestions or observations of taxpayers relating to the proposed budget. The budget detail is available at the office of the Clerk during regular business hours. To see the NOTICE OF BUDGET HEARING AND BUDGET SUMMARY and the...
On Sept. 17 the Kimball County Commissioners set a public hearing for Oct. 1 at 10:15 a.m. on a potential motocross practice track south of Kimball on Road 16 and west of Highway 71. Owners of the property Michael and Melissa Caldwell applied for a conditional use permit for indoor or outdoor recreational facilities. The Caldwells purchased the 40 acres and have plans of building a house beginning next spring. Another public hearing is scheduled for Oct. 1 at 10 a.m. to renew the conditional use permit for owners Dale and Ruth Critchfield of Re...
Sen. Pete Ricketts staff members are coming to Kimball and Harrisburg on Sept. 30 to offer mobile office hours to assist local residents with their casework needs. The idea is that if Nebraskans can’t get an answer in a timely manner from the government or feel they have been treated unfairly, Ricketts and his staff may be able to help resolve the issue or help them get in touch with the correct people. The mobile office hours will be for one hour on Monday, Sept. 30, in both Harrisburg and Kimball. Here’s the schedule: Banner County Ban...
What an unforgettable day six young ladies had as they each demonstrated their talents, knowledge and beauty in a contest to determine who would represent Kimball this coming year as the new Kimball Rodeo queen and princess. The morning started Sept. 7 with introductions and individual interviews with this years judges: Myrna Harper from Indianola, NE, Emily Cameron (a former Miss CFD) from Carpenter, WY, and Donn Randall from Pine Bluffs,WY. Each contestant presented a 2-3 minute speech to the...
What a difference a few rains and 200 new water sprinkler heads have made at Four Winds Golf Course from mid-July to the first part of September. According to Four Winds Grounds Superintendent Jeremy Williams, rain came at a critical time to help the golf course staff as it worked to improve conditions that caused portions of the course to burn out due to failing sprinkler heads. The new sprinkler heads have been installed and some fairways have been reseeded....
It’s budget making time for the city of Kimball. Much of City Council’s regular Sept. 3 meeting zeroed in on the budget. Next came the council’s Sept. 10 budget workshop. At the regular meeting, Mayor John Morrison discussed the 3 options for the 2024-25 proposed mill levy property Taxes. 1) Max Out Tax Request, Levy Decrease. 2) Leave Levy the Same, Max Tax Request increase of $117,070. 3) Max Out Tax Request, Levy Increase. The Mayor explained that he would like to share real life numbers. A home valued at $310,000 previously had a city tax o...
The Kimball County Commissioners last week approved a service that provides the recorder on the sheriff’s office radio and phones. The commissioners voted to approved and authorized commission chairman Rich Flores’ signature on the the agreement betweeen Voice Products Service LLC and the sheriff’s office . The deal is for 2024 through 2025 at a cost of $4,224.36. In other business, the commissioners: • Discussed Kimball County Visitors Center operations and confirmed that the center will close Oct. 15. • Approved was the Kimball County at...
Weekly, usually on Wednesday or Thursday evenings, a team of Kimball Health Services employees enjoys supper at the Indian Plate restaurant in Kimball. Amandeep Basra opened the Indian Plate restaurant in August 2023. Stepping into the Indian Plate is akin to a brief journey to India, where you can immerse yourself in their culture, history and, of course, the delectable cuisine. Basra, with his warm hospitality, guides newcomers with food suggestions, making them feel like part of his family....