Several Knox County 4-H’ers participated in a District Horse Show which was held in Bloomfield on June 10, 2019. Results are as follows: Junior Hunter Under Saddle Class – Jenna McDonald of Randolph received the Champion Trophy. Junior Hunt Seat Equitation Class – Jenna McDonald of Randolph received the Reserve Champion Trophy. Junior Western Pleasure Horse Class – Jenna McDonald of Randolph received the Champion Trophy and Kaitlyn Byerly of Bloomfield received a blue ribbon. Junior Western Horsemanship Class – Jenna McDonald of Randolph received the Reserve Champion Trophy and Kaitlyn Byerly of Bloomfield received a purple ribbon. Senior Pole Bending - Jessica Lange of Crofton received a purple ribbon and Mercedes Carl of Wausa received a white ribbon. Junior Pole Bending – Alexa Cunningham of Wausa received a purple ribbon; Jenna McDonald of Randolph received a blue ribbon; Dyson Cunningham of Wausa received a blue ribbon; and Emma Kuhlman of Creighton received a white ribbon. Senior Barrel Racing – Jessica Lange of Crofton received the Champion Trophy and Mercedes Carl of Wausa received a purple ribbon. Junior Barrel Racing – Jenna McDonald of Randolph received the Reserve Champion Trophy; Alexa Cunningham of Wausa received a blue ribbon; Dyson Cunningham of Wausa received a blue ribbon; and Emma Kuhlman of Creighton received a red ribbon. Each 4-H’er who received a blue or purple ribbon have qualified to compete in the State 4-H Horse Show to be held in Grand Island on July 14-18, 2019. This summer, Knox County tourists and locals alike have a new, fun experience to partake in. Visit Knox County Nebraska has put together a Digital Passport Program.
The program has designated 10 locations as selfie stations. There are selfie frames at each location for people to take a picture with. Then visitors can post the picture to social media using #visitknoxcounty. Once all ten pictures are taken, participants can send them to the Visit Knox County via their Facebook page and can win a prize from the Knox County Development Agency. Stacy Miller first got the idea from John Ricks, the man behind Nebraska’s new branding and slogan. “We got the idea from John Ricks at a meeting for the national travel and tourism week,” Miller said. Megan Hanefeldt agreed with Miller it was something Knox County should jump on. They agreed on ten locations to cover most of the county. There are stops at Niobrara State Park, Sportsmen’s Bar and Grill, Tatanka Golf Club, Lindy Country Club, Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area, Wiebelhaus Recreation and Centennial Lanes, The Hive and Lemondrop Boutique, Wausa Lockers, the Berrypepper Man and the Verdigre Gazebo. Miller hopes people who participate will take their time and explore the area they are in while taking the selfie. It took her an entire day just to set up the frames at all the locations, so she said she hopes people break it up so they can enjoy each location. “We hope people don't just get the photos and leave, we hope they stay and experience what the community has to offer,” Miller said. Miller thinks the selfie frames will have a lot of involvement from tourists and locals alike. “It is surprising to see how many people from Knox County don’t visit the other communities. There is a lot of fun things to do here if you just get out and see what's going on,” she said. She pointed out how many other counties around the state have to create fun and recreational places and events. Miller said she also plans to create some fun lists of things to do in Knox County. She is organizing ‘day trips’ giving people ideas of what to do in the area. Each town will get their own list and she plans to do other kinds of lists like a thrifting day trip or a boutique day trip. “Knox County has a ton of great recreational things to do. Its like a beautiful hidden gem,” Miller said. The Leadership Knox County Class V began their first session Wausa at the Lied Lincoln Township Library. This is the fifth year of the Leadership Knox County program, with currently over 50 graduates! The morning began with an overview of economic development in Knox County, presented by Megan Hanefeldt with Knox County Development Agency. The group got to know each other through a personality type test utilizing Real Colors®. The personality assessment was delivered as a dynamic workshop experience with the goal of assisting participants with the skills to: understand human behavior, uncover motivators’ specific to each temperament, and improve communication with others. The workshop allowed participants to see the world from a new perspective…and have fun doing it! Following lunch the group took a tour of the Lied Lincoln Township Library. The group then took a walking tour of Wausa, ending at the Wausa Lockers.
The Leadership Knox County Program is a personal enrichment class, focusing on leadership skill building, networking and increasing community knowledge. Participants will be presented with various leadership training activities/speakers and have the opportunity to interact with other community members/leaders as they are exposed to community issues and networking opportunities with other class members. This is a program designed to motivate and empower citizens committed to building vibrant and prosperous communities and workplaces. Participants will meet once a month for a total of 7 sessions at specified locations around the county. For more information about the program – contact: Megan Hanefeldt with the Knox County Development Agency megan@knoxcountynebraska.com or 402-288-5619. Attached is a Photo - Back Row Left to Right: Jan Schiferl, Crofton; Carolyn Nagengast, Bloomfield; Laura Nagengast, Bloomfield; Kim Frank, Verdigre; Cornelia Farley-Widow, Santee Sioux Nation; Susan Norris, Creighton; Wakiyan Thomas, Santee Sioux Nation; Paige Hingst, Santee Sioux Nation Front Row Left to Right: Kayla Eisenhauer, Bloomfield; Sue Wiebelhaus, Center; Allison Cunningham, Wausa; Kaleena Einrem, Crofton Not Pictured: Johnnie Ostermeyer, Crofton Several area 4-Hers received awards at the Northeast Regional 4-H Public Speaking Contest held on May 31, 2019 at Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska.
Forty-three youth from 15 counties throughout the state competed in their respective age division in the 2019 Regional 4-H Speech competition. Additionally, twenty-three contestants from seven counties in the northeast district competed in their respective age division in the 2019 Regional 4-H Public Service Announcement (PSA) competition. Contestants earn the opportunity to participate in regional competition by winning their age division at the county level. Contestants may compete in one or both categories. Contestants are awarded purple, blue, or red awards in recognition of their accomplishments in speech or PSA; in addition, the top four individuals in each division received medals. The four winners of the senior division speech and PSA competition are given the opportunity to compete for awards at the State 4-H Public Speaking Contest to be held in Grand Island during the Nebraska State Fair. All youth competing in state competition and staying for awards will receive special awards. The top two speech and PSA winners in State 4-H Public Speaking Contest receive scholarships. Knox County Results: Junior PSA’s – Peyton Bratetic of Bloomfield received a Purple Ribbon and Marshall Bratetic received a Blue Ribbon. Junior Speech – Sophia Wortmann of Crofton received a Purple Ribbon, Tyson Jackson of Bloomfield received a Purple Ribbon and Marshall Bratetic of Bloomfield received a Blue Ribbon. Intermediate Speech – Elizabeth Wortmann of Crofton received a Purple Ribbon and Winner and Jenna Jackson of Bloomfield received a Blue Ribbon. Public speaking is a communication with many career possibilities. Present 4-H members and 4-H alumni have identified communication skills as some of the most important life skills gained through their 4-H experience. The Nebraska State 4-H communication program is sponsored by the Nebraska Rural Radio Network, which includes KRVN, KNEB, and KTIC. The Northeast Regional contest is conducted by Nebraska Extension with support from Wayne State College. The March flood caused devastation all over Nebraska. Back in March, the governor said he doesn't think the state has ever suffered a disaster as widespread as the recent flooding.
“We’ve had disasters where we’ve had a greater loss of life," Gov. Pete Ricketts said. "But as far as how many places have been touched by this, I don’t think there’s ever been a disaster this widespread in Nebraska.” Federal funding was made available on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work in the counties Boyd and Knox along with many others. The Knox County the damage is estimated at 2 million for county roads, the 6 closed bridges and 10 bridges in need of repair. There is 1,400 miles of road that needs to be maintained, 105 miles of asphalt is needed and about 1,000 miles of it needs gravel. For Boyd County, there is about $5 million needed for fixing roads, bridges, creek banks, erosion and washouts. In an effort to help raise money for repairs, Laurie Larsen, Andy Classen and Shirley Cobb organized the Dance to Make Nebraska Strong event. The event started as a way to provide additional funding to improve roads in Boyd and Knox Counties. Larsen was visiting with Verdigre’s mayor, Leroy Hollman, when she inquired what she could do to help out the situation in Verdigre and Niobrara. He stated how terrible the roads conditions are and suggested an event for road improvement. Dance to Make Nebraska Strong will be held at the American Legion Ballroom in Bloomfield on Sunday, July 7. The event will start at 11 a.m. with a free will offering lunch and an open mic. The lunch will be sponsored by Crofton Community Club. They will serve hot beef sandwiches from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. At 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. the Tyndall Accordion Club will play, they will be followed up by the OutBack Variety Band at 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. Another free will offering meal will be served by Pinnacle Bank from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The meal will be pulled pork and potato salad. A live auction, silent auction and raffle will begin at 6 p.m. According to Larsen, many women from Verdigre and Niobrara are bringing desserts and silent auction items. A beautiful husker quilt from a woman in Winnetoon and a large Yetti cooler full of beer from a young couple in Crofton are some more of the generous donations Larsen shaid she has received. Blackburn Manufacturing of Neligh is providing over 200 Nebraska Strong signs that they are donating to be sold with all proceeds going to the cause. “It’s a wonderful feeling,” said Larsen. Several businesses have also donated items or are sponsoring events happening that day. But Larson is still in need of items for the silent and live auctions. “Leroy performs with the Tyndall Accordion Club and I play in the OutBack Variety Band so both bands agreed to do a day of music,” Larsen said. Two members from the OutBack Variety Band are from Boyd County and have felt the pain of trying to travel on the roads in Boyd County. A coworker of Larsen’s from News Channel Nebraska grew up in Lynch. “This is why we decided to help both counties,” Larsen said. According to Sen. Tim Gragert, if each county can raise 12.5 percent of what their estimated damage is, the State will pay another 12.5 percent and FEMA will pay the remaining amount. That makes Knox County’s goal $250,000 and Boyd County’s goal $650,000. “It’s a great opportunity to help get the road situation in a better state,” Larsen said. “Are these goals reachable? I would say anything is possible if people are positive and set their mind to helping and attending.” Organizers have also been working on a historic DVD of the flood complete with interviews. She hopes they will be ready and available on July 7. Associate degree nursing and practical nursing students received their nursing pins during a special ceremony recently at Northeast Community College in Norfolk. During the ceremony, the graduating nursing students received their pins from family members or a close friend who has helped them along their journey.
“Today, we celebrate the educational success and journey that 37 Practical Nurses and 46 Associate Degree nurses have completed,” said Dr. Karen Weidner, director of nursing programs. “There have been many quizzes, tests, lab experiences, clinicals and study sessions in your pursuit of this academic achievement thus far, and we are so very proud of you all.” Weidner said the observance is the culmination of the students’ initial journey to professional nursing education. “The annual ceremony is a bridge from nursing’s past to nursing’s future and is a time-honored nursing school tradition. It signifies the official initiation into the brotherhood and sisterhood of nurses.” The history of the pinning ceremony goes back to the Crusades of the 12th century. The modern ceremony dates back to the mid-19th century when Florence Nightingale was awarded the Red Cross of St. George for her tireless service to the injured during the Crimean War. To share the honor, she in turn presented a medal of excellence to her brightest graduates. In addition to the pinning ceremony, one associate degree nursing (ADN) and two practical nursing students were presented the Essence of Nursing Award for their consistent academic effort, caring actions, positive motivation toward classroom learning and clinical experience, and professional behaviors. Michaela Nitz, Dixon, ADN student, Samantha Brester, Howells, and Aaron Peterson, Norfolk, practical nursing students, were honored with the award. Laura Ruge, Elgin, president of the Student Nurses Association, gave the student address at the ceremony. New to the ceremony this year was the singing of the national anthem, which was performed by ADN student Jason Seger, Atkinson. Upon completion of the first two semesters of nursing studies at Northeast, students are eligible to take the National Council of Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN) to become licensed practical nurses. Students who hold a 3.0 grade point average in their nursing courses are eligible to complete the last two semesters of the Northeast program and take the National Council of Licensure Exam (NCLEX-RN) to practice as licensed registered nurses. Students who graduate with an associate degree in nursing are eligible to continue their studies for a bachelor of science degree in nursing. The general education courses for a bachelor of science in nursing can be taken at Northeast Community College. Students who were pinned with the Associate Degree Nursing pin include: Nebraska Creighton - Khristina Stevens Wausa – Cindi Bruckner Niobrara – Audra Strom The majority of the practical nursing students have chosen to continue in the associate degree nursing program at Northeast. Each nursing school, at every level of education, has its own unique pin which is worn on the nursing uniform. The nursing school pin that graduates of the Northeast Community College’s associate degree nursing and licensed practical nursing program receive is symbolic of nursing’s heritage and tradition. A total of 383 students were named Roadman Scholars and Dimmitt Scholars at Morningside College in recognition of high academic distinction for the 2018-19 academic year.
Roadman Scholars must be full-time students who have completed at least 45 credits of college work with a cumulative grade point average of 3.76 or above. The award is named in honor of the late Earl Roadman, who was president of Morningside College from 1936 to 1956. Dimmitt Scholars must be full-time students who have completed at least 45 credits of college work with a cumulative grade point average between 3.50 and 3.75. The award is named in honor of the late Lillian Dimmitt, who served as a teacher and administrator at Morningside College for more than 60 years. Morningside College, located in Sioux City, Iowa, is a private, coeducational, four-year college with a total enrollment of approximately 2,700 students. More information about Morningside College is at www.morningside.edu. Crofton, Neb. Colton L. Foxhoven, senior, public accounting, Roadman Scholar Kendy L. Kube, senior, elementary education, Roadman Scholar Katelyn R. Stewart, senior, music performance, music education, Roadman Scholar Doane University recognized graduates from the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Professional Studies, and the College of Education at its Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 11.
439 undergraduate and graduate degrees were awarded during the university's annual spring Commencement celebration held at Cassel Open Air Theatre on the Crete campus. Mailani Veney, co-founder and CEO of LocalAnyDay, served as the Commencement speaker for the morning ceremony, which recognized graduates from the College of Professional Studies and the College of Education. LocalAnyDay is a nationwide technology company that is the #1 food and drink app in multiple markets, connecting people with local businesses. Veney is among the 2% of female CEOs of high-growth tech companies in Nebraska. In 2017, she received the Inspire Award for Entrepreneurship. Veney will be president of Nebraska's largest service club, Lincoln Rotary #14, from 2019-2020 and is a member of the Nebraska Angels investor group. Jay Izso '87 served as the Commencement speaker for the afternoon ceremony, which recognized graduates from the College of Arts and Sciences in Crete. Izso is a former psychology professor turned business consultant, author, and speaker. He inspires coaches, athletes, small businesses, and entrepreneurs through inspirational speaking and as an author. His books include The Social Media Playbook for Student Athletes, The Social Media Playbook for Coaches and Administrators, and Lessons from the Farm: Essential Rules for Success. Graduates from Verdigre: Alex L. Hollmann, Bachelor of Arts in Theatre, Magna Cum Laude Jessica Ann Steffen, Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction Doane University also announced 241 students who have been named to the Dean's List for the Spring 2019 semester. Students must achieve a minimum 3.7 grade point average on a 4.0 scale and hold 12 graded hours to qualify for this academic distinction. Both Tanner Crosley, a Sophomore from Crofton High School and Alex Hollmann, Graduated originally from Verdigre High School made the Dean's List. Law enforcement officers made six drug arrests in Knox and Madison counties on Friday, according to a Nebraska State Patrol spokesperson (NSP).
NSP Troop B investigative services, in cooperation with the Creighton Police Department, served six arrest warrants between the two counties. Six suspects were taken into custody; however, names have not been released at this time. During the execution of the warrants, 10 grams of suspected methamphetamine was seized. Authorities said the investigation is ongoing. BloomfieldMonday, May 27, 10:00 a.m. at the Bloomfield Cemetery Star Spangled Banner Pledge of Allegiance.............................................Bryan Young Invocation.........................................................Pastor Kruegger Placing of Wreath at Tomb.................ALA & VFW Auxiliaries Acknowledgment of Deaths of Veterans/Auxiliary Members from May 2018-2019 Address...................................................................Bryan Young Gun Salute............................VFW Post 4996 & Legion Post 249 Taps The Lord's Prayer........................................................All Present In the event of inclement weather (rain) the Memorial Day Program WILL NOT BE HELD CreightonMonday, May 27, 10:00 a.m. starting at Creighton High School Moves to Greenwood Cemetery CroftonMonday, May 27, 11:00 a.m. Crofton City Auditorium Pledge of Allegiance....................................................Assembly National Anthem..............................................Quinn Schieffer Invocation...........................................................Dan Guenther Welcome...............................................Mayor, Sharol Lawhead History of Poppy...................................Poppy Poster Winners Girls Stater..............................................................Kaylee Koch History of Tomb of Unknown Soldier...................................... Auxiliary Memorial.........................................Judy and Wendy Veteran Memorial...................Bill Cobler and Dennis Merkel Flag Memorial............................................Auxiliary Members Benediction.........................................................Dan Guenther Memorial Services Crofton City Cemetery................................................8:30 a.m. Beaver Creek Cemetery...............................................8:45 a.m. Aten Cemetery..............................................................9:05 a.m. Frankfort Cemetery.....................................................9:25 a.m. Beaver View Cemetery.................................................9:45 a.m. St. Rose of Lima Cemetery........................................10:05 a.m. St. Joseph's Cemetery (Constance)..........................10:30 a.m. Niobrara/SanteeMonday, May 27, 11:00 a.m. L'Eau Qui Court Cemetery - Niobrara Santee Memorial Day Program..................................9:00 a.m. Colors posted by: Legion Post #224 & VFW Post #4834 National Anthem Pledge of Allegiance....................................................Audience Led by VFW Commander Don Hanzlik Placing of Memorial Wreaths by VFW Commander Don Hanzlik and Legion Commander Jim Scott Legion Commander - Jim Scott Memorial to Departed Veterans Introduction of Speaker...........Legion Commander Jim Scott Memorial Address..........................................Margaret Sandoz Tribute to Departed Veterans..Legion Post #224 & VFW Post #4834 Officer of the Day...............................................Robert Crosley Bugler.....................................................................Robert Olson VerdigreMonday, May 27 9:00 a.m. Mass at Catholic Cemetery (Rain location for mass is at church) 10:00 a.m. Veterans Day Program in the school's gym Conducted by Legion Post 259 WausaMonday, May 27, 10:00 a.m.
Community Auditorium 100th Annual Memorial Day Services A concert by the Wausa High School and Junior High Bands will open the event. The Color Guard and Honor Guard will advance followed by older children carrying decorated crosses to be placed by the large memorial crosses in the auditorium park and younger children carrying poppies. The veterans memorial roll call will be read as children place poppies in a symbolic memorial field in front of the auditorium stage. After the retiring of the Colors the ceremony moves to the auditorium park. |