Northeast Neb. News photographers took hundreds of photos during the annual five-day fair. Those photos can now be found on this website – hartington.net. Just click the link below to access the pages.

http://web.mac.com/ccnews/iWeb/Cedar%20County%20Fair%202010/Aksarben.html

Of the 105 ballots that were cast on Tuesday, Hart received 61 votes. Logan Garber garnered 38 votes and Kyle Miller got six.

“It is nice to have a full council again,” said Scott Rath, the mayor of Laurel. “With a full council, we will have the best representation for the people.”

Dave Dowling, Cedar County Clerk, said that there was a better voter turnout than for the primaries. Twenty eight percent of the voters came in to cast their vote on the issue.

“I applaud the people that put their hats in the ring to give the voters a good selection to choose from,” Rath said. “It is hard to put yourself out there in a race.”

Over 190 tractors rolled through Hartington Saturday as part of the Old Iron Association Tractor Ride. The event brought the tractors down from Yankton, then on to Hwy 12 before connecting up with Hwy 57 and driving in a miles long caravan to Hartington. The tractor drivers then took a food break at Felber Park before heading back to Yankton.

— News photo by Andrew Dickinson

tion. Besides the fireworks display, the event also featured old fashioned carnival games, volleyball, food and  friends.

— News photo by Andrew Dickinson

HARTINGTON —“It’s a family tradition.”

Holding true to its slogan, the 2010 Cedar County Fair will look to offer entertainment and fun for all ages July 14-18 at the fairgrounds in Hartington.

Highlighting this year’s fair will be standout country music group Lonestar, which will perform July 17, at 8:30 p.m.

Lonestar is responsible for several number-one hits including “Amazed,” “I’m Already There” and “Mr. Mom.”

Also taking the stage at this year’s fair is solo artist Sarah Buxton, whose song “Outside My Window,” climbed into the top-25 earlier this year. Her concert is scheduled for 8:30 p.m., July 16.

“Every year, the committee comes together and makes a wish list for artists that we want to pursue,” said Larry Dybdal, who serves as Co-President of the Cedar County Ag Society with Rich Newton. “It’s always something that needs to be booked early because it can be up to two months before we hear back from representatives.”

While advanced tickets for each concert cost $15 per person, the Ag Society believes the fair should emphasize time with family, friends and community members above everything else.

“What makes Cedar County’s fair unique is that it doesn’t require a gate admission to enter it,” Newton said. “We believe it is important to be a place where people can see great entertainment without having to stress over different fees.”

In addition to Buxton and Lonestar, fair attendees can look forward to a home talent show featuring acts from local and surrounding areas at 7:15 p.m., July 14, and a five-state area rodeo competition the following night. The Cummins Stock Car Races will round out the headline events, and are slated to begin at 7 p.m., July 18.

“All of our entertainment should give crowds a real pleasurable experience,” Dybdal said. “We are fortunate to be able to host everything we are this year. Without the help of local businesses and community volunteers, we wouldn’t be able to put it all together.”

According to Newton, the main goal of the fair is to reach out to every age group through a wide variety of activities.

“We want every generation to have an enjoyable time that they can take away and share with others,” he said.

By scheduling 4-H activities, a dog and cat show, bingo, quilt and school exhibits, socials, livestock competitions, a Dutch oven cook-off, chainsaw carving and more, the Ag Society aims to grab the interests of the diverse fair crowd.

“The people who work to put this on really do dedicate time to make sure there is something for everyone,” said Cedar County Fair Board member Fritz Steinhoff. “Not only do they do that, they also make it a point to update things in order to ensure a high level of comfort for the people.”

Something new that crowd goers can experience this year is the recently air-conditioned Open Class Building, which will feature the Old Time Fiddlers and a non-denominational church service Sunday.

“This is a big step toward other updates,” Newton said. “The goal is to eventually have air conditioning in every building, but this will be a good thing for the older crowd to take advantage of this year.”

The younger crowd members will get the opportunity to relish in bigger, better rides at the Mac’s Amusement Carnival, which opens at 1 p.m. Thursday and runs through Sunday.

“I am happy to say we are offering a Ferris wheel this time,” Steinhoff said. “Not only will there be the usual exhilarating rides, but great prizes from the game stations will also be emphasized.”

While the hot July weather sets the stage, Cedar County can’t wait to see the people line up for another great fair.

“We make ourselves visible to let everyone know we are willing to help and provide for them,” Steinhoff said. “We want them to leave with a great impression of the county, and of course, continue to come back and see us.”

For more information, see the ad in this week’s FYI section of the Cedar County News.

The DHHS has plans to set up a satellite office in Hartington down the road.

The DHHS office moved out of the basement of the Cedar County Courthouse before the renovation of the Courthouse Complex started a few years ago.

The DHHS still has a telephone number listed in Hartington, but the calls are forwarded to the Courthouse in Knox County.

“The phone calls and mail are all being routed through the office in Center,” said Todd Reckling, DHHS Director for the Division of Children and Family Services. “Plans were put in place in January of 2009 for a satellite office to be in Hartington.”

Satellite offices would have computers available to clients so applications can be done online for economic assistance.

Staff will be located in some of the local offices only one or two days a week or month, rather than the current five days a week.

The office in Cedar County was closed as part of the move toward ACCESSNebraska.

“We are in the process of modernizing our assistance programs,” Reckling said.

Through changes in policy and ACCESSNebraska, DHHS is gearing up toward increasing the use of technology and other work efficiency improvements but will provide less personal contact with people.

By 2012, ACCESSNebraska Customer Service Centers will be located in Scottsbluff, Lexington, Lincoln and Fremont.

Once all of the service centers are operating, nearly 400 DHHS economic assistance staff will move to the centers while approximately 250 DHHS staff will continue to be located in local offices.

The first two phases of ACCESSNebraska were the ability to apply for services online and document imagin,g which includes electronic scanning, storing and retrieving of documents.

Reckling said there has been less demand from people wanting to come to an office in person.

In May 2010, 32 percent of total monthly applications for services came in online and almost 90 percent of the client interviews are taking place by phone.

The DHHS is gradually transitioning to a new way of doing work, Reckling said.

“There is no need to come to our office or wait in line. Clients can use any computer with internet access, whether at home, at the library or at a friend’s house to apply for services,” Reckling said.

The public will not be limited to only applying online through ACCESSNebraska or  over the phone a face-to-face interview will be set up if someone asks according to Reckling.

Reckling said the DHHS will continue their discussion with the Commissioners on the need to have space at the Cedar County Courthouse.

“We are willing to work with the Commissioners on the amount of space,” Reckling  said.

Mike Puls, Northern Service Area Administrator, along with an attorney representing DHHS were in Hartington at a Cedar County Commission meeting in April of this year to request space for an office for HHS.

The request took the Commissioners by surprise as they had not heard from the DHHS since they left the Courthouse several years ago.

There had been no mention that DHHS would be back wanting space when plans for office locations were being put in place for the renovation and remodeling at the Courthouse Complex.

Puls apologized for the confusion and told the Commission the intent of DHHS had been to have a satellite office in Hartington.

Puls said the oversight could have been caused because the DHHS “has been been switching gears”.

Puls informed the board members the county is obligated by statute to provide over 1,000 square feet of space for DHHS.

ACCESSNebraska is supposed to be a quick and easy way to find and apply online for Nebraska public assistance benefits. Nebraskans can use the self-screening tool and apply online for many public assistance benefit programs at hhtp://accessnebraska.ne.gov.

Federal and state public assistance programs include: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); SNAP, which was formally known as Food Stamps; Medicaid; Kids Connection; Child Care; Aid to Aged, Blind and Disabled (AABD); and Nebraska Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

After nearly a year of planning and a furious last few months of fundraising, the annual Knox County Relay for Life will take place this weekend in Crofton. The event will start at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, July 9 at the Crofton High football/track complex.

The Relay is one of the main fundraising activities for the American Cancer Society (ACS).

This is the first year the Relay will be held in Crofton, and locals, as well as representatives from around Knox County, have been working to not only get things ready for this weekend, but to raise money for the Cancer Society.

Heading the organizing committee are Katie Tramp, Laverta Mauch and Deb Kube.

There are over 25 teams signed up to participate.

The participants will walk around the track for 12 hours, from 7 p.m. Friday, to 7 a.m. Saturday, with a goal of raising money, and awareness, for Cancer.

The event will open with the Opening Ceremony and Survivors’ Lap at 7 p.m.

At that time, all those who have beaten cancer, will lead the first lap around the track. Survivors will be wearing purple shirts, the color that symbolizes cancer survivorship.

Organizers are still looking for golf carts for survivors to use in the first lap of the Relay, called the “Survivors’ Lap.”  If you have a golf cart you are willing to bring to the athletic complex that day, please contact  Mauch (388-4359), Kube (388-2382) or Tramp (388-4149).

The Relay isn’t just for those who are on local teams, survivors of cancer, or on the organizing committee, it’s for anyone whose life has been touched by cancer.

“We want to extend an invitation to everyone whose been touched by cancer to come out to the football complex on July 9 from 7  p.m. to 7 a.m., said Tramp. “Come join us as we walk the track. Read the luminarias, light a candle, or cheer on family and friends as they walk that first lap and all the others they will walk during the night.”

Here are the activities going on throughout the night: 7:00 Opening Ceremony and Survivors’ Lap, 8:00 Live Auction, 9:30 Choir of Fire (St. Rose youth choir), 10:00 Luminaria Ceremony (each team member carries a new teddy bear to be donated to young cancer patients after the Relay), 11:00 Sing-Along with UCC church group), 12:00 Musical Chairs/Scavenger Hunt, 1:00 ‘Jamaican Me Crazy’ (crazy hair and funny clothes), 2:00 Movie and Popcorn (“The Ultimate Gift”), 4:00 ‘Pink, Pink, Pink’ (wear pink for breast cancer awareness), 5:00 Poker Run/Walk, 6:30 Sunrise Service, 7:00 Closing Ceremony.

Also, leading into the evening, starting at 6 pm, will be Penny’s High Steppers, the CHS dance team, and some of the routines from Crofton’s “Dancing With the Stars.”

There will also be a slide show that features cancer survivors from around Knox County. Wendy Wieseler has been working furiously to gather and organize the photos of survivors into a slide show.

Area teams have continued to fundraise at an amazing pace. The ACS website has Knox County listed as having 29 Relay teams participating and over 330 team members.

July 6 was Bank Night at the Senior Center. That was the time the 29 teams from around the county turned in money they raised, and gave organizers luminaria lists.

Speaking of luminaria, anyone interested in helping to fill luminaria sacks, the committee plans to start at 2 p.m. on Friday, at the athletic complex.

The luminaria are lighted sacks — some decorated but all either memorials to cancer victims or celebrations of cancer survivors — that are placed around the inside loop of the track, to light the way not only for the Relay participants, but to light the way to a cure for cancer.

If you have any questions call Mauch (388-4359), Kube (388-2383) or Tramp (388-4149) or visit: www.relayforlife.org/knoxcone.

The proceeds raised at Relay for Life goes to the Cancer Society, which uses that money for:

(1) Research, to determine a cure for cancer and to find better ways to combat the disease;

(2) Education and Support, that can teach cancer patients and family members how to deal with the disease as well as teaching prevention and early detection methods;

(3) Advocacy, providing a grassroots network of volunteers who work for local, state and federal legislation for stronger public laws to allow quality of health care involving cancer; and

(4) Service, offering free programs for patients and survivors, rides to and from treatments, beauty products for patients, as well as other services cancer patients and their families may need.

DIXON — A Dixon teenager has died from injuries received in an accident near here on June 7.
The Nebraska State Patrol said Justin Peterson, 14, Dixon, was struck and killed by a semi-truck as it crossed a bridge on Highway 116 one mile south of Dixon.
The accident occurred at 2:45 p.m. Monday, June 7.
Peterson died later Tuesday at Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City after being flown there by medical helicopter. He would have been a freshman this year at Allen High School.
A Nebraska State Patrol spokeswoman said Peterson and two other youth had been fishing in a creek near the highway when he tried to cross the road.
The truck was driven by John Kilcoin, 72, Pierce, who was not injured. The crash was investigated by the state patrol and Dixon County sheriff’s office. No charges have been filed in the accident.

HARTINGTON — There will be a new face at the Extension Service Office in Hartington.
Jackie Steffen will begin her duties as a Cedar County Extension Educator June 7.
Steffen will attend training for the position through the University of Nebraska this fall.
Steffen has some experience with this Extension Service, having worked in the office during the summer months last year.

“I worked with the summer programs and camps and helped get ready for the fair,” Steffen said. “That is when I became aware of all the activities that are offered at the Extension Office.”
Steffen said she is excited about the School Enrichment projects and other activities the Extension Service has to offer.
For the first few months on her new job, Steffen will be busy helping prepare for the Cedar County Fair along with working with 4-H programs and shows.
One of Steffen’s goals is to increase the number of 4-H members by making people aware of the numerous projects and programs that are available through 4-H.
Steffen and her husband, Brad, live in Hartington and have a three-year-old daughter, Breah.
Steffen said she is looking forward to starting her new job.
“It will be nice to be part of the community in Hartington instead of commuting to Yankton,” she said.
Steffen grew up in Cedar County and is a Randolph High School graduate.
She is the daughter of Allen and Barb Burbach, Randolph.
Steffen has currently been teaching second grade at Sacred Heart School, Yankton, S.D.
She graduated from Mount Marty College in 2003 with a degree in elementary education and earned a master’s degree in education at the University of South Dakota in 2006.

Cedar County Clerk Dave Dowling said just 26 percent of Cedar County’s registered voters cast ballots in the election, which was competed in record time. All races were final by nine p.m. Tuesday.

McGregor pulled in 287 votes in Cedar County’s central commission district, while there were 196 votes for Donner.

Four years ago McGregor beat Donner, who was serving as commissioner in the middle district, by only six votes.

McGregor said he was very pleased with the results of the election.

“I am thankful for the support I had and for the people who helped with the campaign,” McGregor said. “I will continue to work hard for the people in Cedar County.”

In the north district Terry Pinkelman, with 164 votes, beat Merle Tramp who gathered just 71 votes.

Pinkelman and Tramp, who are both Democratic candidates, filed to replace Commissioner Frederick Pinkelman who decided against another term in office.

The race was settled in the Primary Election as no other candidates had filed for the office.

Pinkelman has taken an interest in county government and has been preparing to serve fellow taxpayers and residents.

Pinkelman has already sat in on some of the Cedar County Commission meetings and plans to continue to be at meetings whenever he can before taking office in January.

“I have been familiarizing myself with the office,” Pinkelman said. “I have been talking with people about any issues or their concerns. I will also be visiting with Frederick Pinkelman before I take office.”

Pinkelman said he has no plans to change any of the help in the road department.

Janet Wiechelman, who has served as the Clerk of District Court for close to 19 years, brought in 628 votes to retain her office. Her opponent, Sally Kneifl, had just 348 votes.

This was Kneifl’s first time in the political arena.

The Randolph voters chose to implement a city sales tax on Tuesday.

The Randolph City Sales Tax Proposition passed with 126 “Yes” votes while there were only 65 “No” votes.

Cedar County voters also favored change in the Unicameral. Political newcomer Tyson Larson garnered 854 votes in Cedar County while veteran Sen. Cap Dierks, pulled in 100 fewer here.

With 82 percent of the vote being reported in the entire District, Larson held a 2997-2761 edge over Dierks, which equates to a 50-46 percent lead. Adam Dea, the third party in the non-partisan race for the four-year team, pulled in just four percent of the vote.

Larson and Dierks will now face off in the November general election to see who will represent Cedar, Knox, Pierce and part of Holt County for the next four years in the Legislature.

While Dierks was in the midst of an upset, most of the state’s other major figures were winning handily at press time. Gov. Dave Heinemann had garnered 90 percent of the vote. Congressman Jeff Fortenberry had 84 percent of the vote and Congressman Adrian Smith garnered 88 percent of the vote. Congressman Lee Terry won as well, but by a much smaller margin, 63-37 percent.

The May 11 Primary Election is an important race for several Cedar County candidates.

Votes cast in the Primary will decide the winner in the race for Clerk of District Court and will determine who will serve as a Cedar County Commissioner in the central and north districts.

Republican Sally Kneifl is challenging incumbent Janet Wiechelman for the position of Clerk of District Court. Wiechelman is also a Republican.

Kneifl is coming into the race with experience in the court system. She is currently working for the state of Nebraska as a Children and Family Services Specialist.

“I am an advocate for children who are wards of the state. I prepare their court documents and represent them through the court process,” Kneifl said. “I coordinate services for families who have children who are state wards.”

Kneifl has worked for the Cedar County Sheriff’s Department as a D.A.R.E. instructor; as a part-time police officer for the City of Hartington and previously worked in the District Court Office in Cedar County.

Kneifl’s education includes a BA from Wayne State College in Education and Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice. She is currently working on a Master’s Degree.

One of Kneifl’s goals as Clerk of District Court would be to provide friendly, efficient service to everyone.

“I would serve the people of Cedar County and make them feel welcome,” she said.

Kneifl is active in her church and in the community.

She has worked with 4-H, FFA, Boy Scouts and Youth Support Groups and was also the  NCIP coordinator for Hartington.

Kneifl is the mother of five children, Brandon, an auto technician; Holly, student at Wayne State College along with Megan, Jewel and Kaden, who are students at Hartington Public School.

Kneifl has lived in Cedar County for 21 years.

Janet Wiechelman has dedicated herself to the office of Clerk of District Court since she took office in January of 1991.

She has been a past president, an Education Chairperson and is the Legislative Liaison for the NE Clerks of District Court Association.

Wiechelman has also been appointed to the Automation Advisory Committee for the Nebraska Supreme Court.

Wiechelman has made technologically advanced procedures available to the public, courts, and attorneys in e-filing, e-payments and the court documents provided through the online search of court records.

“Under my direction the procedures and processes of the office will continue to follow the statutes of the State of Nebraska, court rules and orders of the court,” Wiechelman said. “This office does not set policy, it only complies with what has been ordered.”

Wiechelman provided leadership throughout the planning for the remodeling of the Courthouse and was available for assistance and guidance to the commissioners, architect and judges.

Wiechelman is active in the community and at Trinity Lutheran Church. She is an officer for the Hartington Public Booster Club and a member of the Hartington Housing Rehabilitation Board.

At her church, Wiechelman currently provides direction in Sunday School and on the Stewardship Committee and has been a past council member.

Wiechelman and her husband, Jon, along with their son, Aaron live in Hartington where Jon owns and operates Whiechelman Repair. Aaron attends Hartington Public High School.

Commissioner Dave McGregor has had a busy first term in office.

He has taken part in the dedication of the Discovery Bridge, worked with the Trans-Canada Pipeline Company, helped steer the work on the Courthouse addition/renovation project and met the challenges brought on by the harsh winter of 2010.

He has also enjoyed being involved in the many centennial celebrations in the local communities.

McGregor served as Chairman of the Cedar County Commissioners in 2009.

He has participated in a pilot training program through the University of Nebraska which was developed specifically for Commissioners and Supervisors.

Looking toward the future for Cedar County, McGregor would like to see continued economic growth. He said one example would be a wind farm which could provide job opportunities.

“Tax revenue would also be brought into the county by the development of wind energy as well as with the pipeline company,” said McGregor.

The possibility of regionalizing services between counties was considered when plans were put in place for the renovation of the courthouse.

“The renovation included upgrading the facility for technology, security and accessibility,” McGregor said.

One of McGregor’s goals as county commissioner has been to earn the trust and respect of Cedar County residents and taxpayers.

“It is not only how I approach the responsibilities of the position — it is important to get things accomplished for the betterment of Cedar County,” McGregor said.

McGregor makes sure he responds to all calls and any questions Cedar County residents have.

“If someone calls with a problem on the roads or with another county issue I talk to them,” McGregor said. “We work together on a solution to the problem – then I make contact again to see if they are satisfied.”

Dick Donner is seeking to reclaim the commission seat he held for eight years. Donner is taking on current Commissioner Dave McGregor for a four-year seat on the Board.

The pair meet in the primary election as both are registered Republicans.

Donner said he has been thinking about running since he lost the race in the primary election four years ago.

“I lost by only six votes – people had asked me to run again,” Donner said.

According to Donner, the final decision to file was made when the commissioners raised salaries for elected officials.

“What motivated me the most was when they took the big raise last November. When they passed resolution 09-34 — I filed the papers.” Donner said. “I thought it was wrong — our economic situation did not justify that. They took an eight percent raise plus a cost of living increase each year – when has anyone else in the county got a raise like that.”

Donner said if he is elected as Commissioner he will try and reverse the decision.

“The county board is there to hold the line on the purse strings,” he said.

Donner also believes the tax payers in Cedar County should have had more input or a chance to vote on whether the recent addition/renovation of the Courthouse was done.

“It grew into a big project,” Donner said. “Inheritance money is still tax dollars. I don’t believe you should use tax dollars to pay interest – it isn’t right.”

Donner’s experience as owner/operator of his own grading contractor business for 15 years was valuable to him during his time as County Commissioner.

He was passionate about getting the roads in shape so they would be easier to keep open in the winter time.

The areas that needed work the most were mapped out and with the cooperation of the land owners the roads were worked on.

“I would rather spend the money grading roads then pushing snow in the winter,” he said.

Donner and his wife Jolene live in Hartington. They have three children and eight grandchildren.

Two Democratic candidates are seeking the job as Commissioner in the north district.

Terry Pinkelman, Wynot and Merle Tramp, Crofton area, have both filed to replace Commissioner Frederick Pinkelman who has served on the Board for 12 years, but decided against another term in office.

Merle Tramp has lived in Cedar County all his live.

He lives just one-half mile down the road from the farm in northern Cedar County where he was born in 1952.

Being fifth of fifteen kids in his family taught him how to get along with others at an early age.

Tramp began farming with his Dad after he graduated from high school.

In 1981 he bought into Frontier Mills, a livestock feed business, which is located in Yankton.

Since 1990, Tramp has been working full-time at Frontier Mills which has ten employees.

If Tramp is elected as the next Commissioner for District One he will be leaving his job at Frontier Mills.

“I feel the job of Commissioner is a full-time job,” Tramp said. “It has been my intention since the beginning to get out of the feed business if I win.”

Tramp is ready to take on the job as a Cedar County Commissioner and make some needed improvements.

“I am a worthy opponent,” he said.

Tramp said it would be out of his jurisdiction as a Commissioner but he would like to see the residents of Cedar County have more say on what is happening in their county.

“It is a done deal but in my opinion spending over $3.6 million on rehabilitating the Meridian Bridge is a waste of money,” said Tramp. “Stimulus money or not – let’s set an example and turn it down.”

Tramp and his wife Susan have been married for thirty-three years.

They have four adult children and five grandchildren.

Tramp has attended the St. Boniface Catholic Church in Menominee all of his life.

Tramp has been involved with Habitat for Humanity in Yankton County for close to twenty years and he is currently serving as one of the directors.

The timing is right for Terry Pinkelman to take on the job of County Commissioner if he is elected on May 11th.

“I was approached about running for commissioner a couple of years ago but I felt I didn’t have enough time,” Pinkelman said. “My son is farming with me now – I would have more time to spend as Commissioner.”

Pinkelman is interested in how county government works and would like to serve his fellow tax payers as county commissioner.

“I have a concern on how the tax payer’s money is being used,” he said. “Most people don’t mind paying taxes as long as they receive a fair return.”

Pinkelman has made a commitment to do a good job if he is elected as County Commissioner.

“I am willing to listen to different viewpoints and then do what would benefit the majority of the people,” he said.

Pinkelman is currently serving on the Cedar-Knox Public Power District Board, is a member of the Finance Committee at his church.

He was a volunteer for the Wynot Fire Dept for 32 years, was on the Wynot Centennial Committee and has served on various other boards through the years.

Pinkelman has lived in Cedar County all of his life and he is committed to his community and to the county.

He lives on the farm one mile north of Wynot where he was born and raised.

Pinkelman has been involved in farming his whole life.

He served in the Army National Guard for seven years after he graduated from Wynot High School.

Pinkelman and his wife Cheryl have been married for forty-one years.

They have adult two children: Todd and Jill and two granddaughters.

HARTINGTON — The Nebraska Dept of Agriculture (NDA) has set up temporary headquarters in Cedar County.

The NDA office is located in the former State Farm Ins. building across the street from the Cedar County Courthouse.

“It is the headquarters for an ongoing bovine tuberculosis investigation in Cedar County,” said Christin Kamm, Public Information Officer for NDA. “Several farms in Cedar County are under quarantine at the present time.”

In order to move any animals that are under quarantine the NDA would have to give permission according to Kamm.

“The only reason would be to slaughter the animal,” she said. “Then FSIS (Food Safety Inspection Service) would be involved. Anything that would be suspicious would be removed from the human food supply.”

NDA began working with South Dakota officials in January after they announced finding a tuberculosis (TB) positive cow in the southeastern part of South Dakota.

Preliminary work to trace cattle movements into and out of the South Dakota herd included a link to Nebraska.

Nebraska Agriculture Director Greg Ibach said the investigation has led to finding a TB-positive cow in a Cedar County beef herd.

“Owners of four northeast Nebraska herds had purchased cattle from the South Dakota herd,” Ibach said. “Three of the four herds tested free of the disease, but the results of the last cow in the last herd to be tested returned as positive for TB.”

An investigation is now tracing the movement of cattle into and out of the herd, as well as locating other herds that may have shared a fence line with the affected herd.

It is unknown how many new herds may have to be quarantined in the investigation.

Testing for bovine TB starts with a small injection of tuberculin into the web of the cow’s tail.

Three days later the cow is run through the chute again and a veterinarian checks the animal.

If there has been any reaction to the tuberculin a blood test will be done to determine if there is TB.

If the cow does have TB – it will be destroyed and a check for TB lesions in the lungs will be done.

“I don’t believe this new case is indicative of a TB problem in our state,” Ibach said. “I think it is representative of the vast scope of agriculture in Nebraska and the regionalization of the livestock industry. We are a major processor of red meat and we are one of the largest cattle feeding states.” Those factors mean NDA must exercise due diligence regarding disease surveillance and investigations Ibach said.

With a population of around three million, Kuwait is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south and Iraq to the north and lies on the northwestern shore of the Persian Gulf.

Tony Meirose and Jeremy Sudbeck, who are members of the Army National Guard, were deployed to Kuwait with Charlie Battery 1st/147 Field Artillery out of Yankton.

After two months of training at Fort Hood, Texas, the unit had a four day period when they could come home to tell family and friends good-bye before shipping out to Kuwait.

They were based at Camp Arifjan and served as part of a security force for another base.

“Most of our work was pretty straight forward — we checked IDs and had to make sure people could come on base,” Meirose said.

The people in Kuwait seemed to appreciate having Americans there according to Meirose.

“Kuwait is not much of a threat. The place we were at was fairly quiet,” said Meirose. “It isn’t home, but it wasn’t too bad.”

Meirose used Skype to communicate and keep in touch with family and friends back home.

The dessert sun in Kuwait can get hot, with the temperatures reaching over 100 degrees during summer days.

Meirose said there were areas on the base that had grass but it had to be watered all of the time.

During his deployment to Kuwait, Meirose saw a lot of goats and sheep, but only a few camels.

“I could look out the window and see for miles,” he said.

Meirose is now working in construction with Doyle Stevens and will be back in the classroom at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, S.D., in the fall where he has already completed two years toward a degree in Criminal Justice.

“I would like to go into Federal Law Enforcement, working with the FBI or as a U.S. Marshall,” Meirose said.

Meirose is thinking about re-enlisting in the National Guard at the end of his six-year term.

Meirose said the year’s deployment was a good experience  for him.

“I was hoping to go overseas — I wanted to see new things,” Meirose said. “By going overseas you have an appreciation for what we have here.”

While living in Kuwait Meirose happened to run into another student who graduated from Hartington Public School.

“One day I was walking through the chow hall and I saw Ryan Donner,” said Meirose who graduated in 2007. “It was amazing. We ran into each other a few other times after that and we would talk about things.”

Donner has been in the Army Reserves for three and one-half years — this was his first time to be deployed overseas.

Donner was stationed in Kuwait with the 443rd Transportation Company which hauled trucks, tanks and other heavy equipment through Kuwait and into Iraq.

Donner’s convoy traveled through some rough areas but was never involved in combat or under fire.

While Donner was stationed in Kuwait he was able to obtain a pass to visit Qatar which is a peninsula that is almost completely surrounded by the Persian Gulf.

Donner did not find the deployment to the Middle East a hard adjustment to make.

“I wouldn’t mind going back — but not for a while,” Donner said.

Donner, who is a 2006 Hartington High School graduate, is getting adjusted to life back in Nebraska.

He is back at work and attending classes at Southeast Community College in Lincoln.

This was Luke Carl’s second deployment to the Middle East.

Carl serves with the Army National Guard and worked with security during his recent deployment to Kuwait.

“We were the military police – we guarded the bases and helped keep Americans who were in Kuwait safe. We also helped train the Kuwait National Guard,” Carl said. “Our mission in Kuwait was good compared to serving Iraq.”

Carl had been stationed in Iraq during 2005-06 – during the deployment he worked as a mechanic on military vehicles

“Kuwait is a safer place,” Carl said. “It is one hundred percent safer than Iraq.”

Carl was able to do some sight-seeing during his stay in Kuwait.

He toured a museum, which opened shortly before his arrival, that displays items that were hidden and recovered after the occupation of Kuwait by Iraq from 1990 to 1991 during the Golf War.

Carl also visited one of the main tourist attractions in Kuwait – the Kuwait Towers which includes restaurants, a water tower and a Viewing Sphere.

“You could look out and see the whole city,” Carl said.

Carl is currently living in Lincoln and pursing a full time job with the National Guard.

“I wouldn’t mind going back to Kuwait but I would like to wait a few years,” he said.

Aon April 21 at 7:18 a.m. the Cedar County Sheriff’s Department was called to the scene of an accident four miles south of Crofton on 552 Ave.

The 2005 Chevrolet Malibu driven by Shawn Potts, 17, Crofton, was discovered at the scene. Potts was pronounced dead at the scene. There were no other occupants in the vehicle.

Law enforcement officials said no seat belts were being used at the time of the one-car roll over accident. The accident is stil being investigated by the Cedar County Sheriff’s Dept. and the Nebraska State Highway Patrol.

The Dept. of Ag will have use of the former State Farm Insurance building, along with some storage space at the County Shop for $750 per month.

“They are renting the facility across the street until the end of May,” said Chairman Fredrick Pinkelman. “They will be doing some herd testing in the area.”

Cedar County had purchased the State Farm facility in 2008 in order to house the County Attorney’s Office during the Courthouse renovation and construction project.

Cedar County Deputy Kathy McKillip and Cedar County Attorney George Hirschbach talked to the board concerning recent vandalism on mailboxes and county property.

McKillip asked the board members to submit a statement for the cost of a steel pole and a county sign that had been damaged in northern Cedar County.

“We have two suspects. When we go to court the judge will need the amount for reimbursement,” said Hirschbach.

County equipment, which records 911 calls, crashed during the last month according to Emergency Management Director Kevin Garvin.

A maintenance agreement was obtained for $1,700 — the equipment has been repaired and is now working.

“We went into a maintenance agreement in order to get it fixed — it was cheaper to do it that way,” said Garvin.

Commissioners checked forms filled out by Garvin for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster payments. Garvin told board members he will be submitting an application for a grant.

“We are up for another grant application,” said Garvin. “We submit the application, along with other information, and they decide how much we would get.”

Funds from the grant in previous years have paid half of the amount for Garvin’s salary as Director of Cedar County Emergency Management.

Pinkelman updated board members on a Missouri River Bank Stabilization meeting he had attended.

Pinkelman is disappointed as no funding has come through  to pay for stabilizing the banks.

After Gavins Point Dam was put in there was a lot of erosion along the banks of the Missouri River, Pinkelman said.

“The Federal Government agreed to designate the Missouri as a National Recreation River with the understanding the designation would provide bank stabilization,” said Pinkelman. “There has still been no money for that.”

Pinkelman said he was happy he was able to bring a concern of his to Congressmen Jeff Fortenberry through his local representative at a recent inter-local agency meeting.

Two parcels of ground, which include over 2,000 acres of land that has been sold to the federal government through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, along with real estate that is now owned by the U.S. Natural Resources, could be removed from the tax roll.

“The Corps of Engineers purchased a large chunk of land north of Wynot and another piece southeast of the Sportsman’s was sold,” “Pinkelman said. “I pointed out these sales could affect our tax base.”

Northeast Nebraska Telephone Co. will be running a fiber optic cable into the company’s territory in Cedar County.

“They will start in Jackson and move into the eastern part of Cedar County by Sept. or Oct. at the latest,” Pinkelman said. “The county will be asked to move the gravel ahead of plowing for the cable — and then we move it back.”

A delay will take place on moving ahead with the sale of four parcels that have delinquent taxes.

No money was lost, but there will be a delay in proceeding with tax sales according to County Attorney George Hirschbach.

Hirschbach presented the statute along with legal information on what can be done.

Hirschbach said his office had failed to provide paper service concerning tax sale properties within the required six month period.

Board members agreed it was a simple oversight and another tax certificate will be filed.

The Census unveiled a new program recently on its website to help area residents track participation rates for their communities.

The Census Bureau says each  one percent in the mail-back response rate equates to $85 million in cost savings for taxpayers since the Census Bureau doesn’t have to send enumerators to conduct follow-up interviews.

Cedar County as a whole is taking the Census very seriously.

St. Helena leads Cedar County — 91 percent of the residents of the tiny northern Cedar County village have turned in their Census forms. Fordyce isn’t far behind as 88 percent of the people in Fordyce have turned in their forms.

Cedar, Jefferson, Filmore, and Hamilton counties lead the state in returns — all having turned in 82 percent of their Census forms. Blaine County in central Nebraska has the poorest return rate at 50 percent.

Knox County only has a return rate of 62 percnet, while Dixon County has a return rate of 70 percent. Seventy-four percent of the residents in Pierce County have completed and returned the Census.

According to the Census Bureau report, 72 percent of Americans receiving the Census form have returned it.

Wisconsin has the best return rate so far, at 77 percent. Minnesota is second with 75 percent and Iowa is third with 74 percent. Nebraska and Michigan are tied for fourth in the nation at 72 percent.

In 2000, only 72 percent of U.S. households mailed back their Census forms, while 79 percent of Nebraskans replied to that Census.

The Census Bureau had earlier requested that the 2010 Census forms be returned by April 1. That deadline has since been extended to April 15.

Hartington —  NPPD is taking steps to ensure the safe, reliable delivery of electric energy to consumers in the Hartington area.

A four-mile project comes with an estimated price tag of $2.1 million.

Nebraska Public Power District project manager Steven Merrill and Todd Klein, who is the land management supervisor, met with Cedar County Commissioners on Feb 23.

Cedar-Knox Public Power District General Manager Dan Leise said the project is good for the Hartington area.

”We are in support of the project,” said Leise. “It will provide diversity to our area sub-transmission grid.”

Construction on a NPPD sub-transmission line project will take place approximately two miles south of Hartington.

The project will support the projected general load growth, which includes the Keystone Pumping Station according to Klein.

“This will strengthen NPPD’s electric system in the Hartington area,” said Klein. “We are seeing about a two percent growth in this area. A lot of it is Ag related such as wells and pivots. It will also support the Keystone pipeline.”

Four miles of the 69kV line will stretch two miles east and two miles west from the junction of Hwy 57 and 880 Road.

The project includes putting in close to 80 wooden poles which will be approximately 65 to 70 foot tall, installing a three-way switch on an existing line and a 69kV breaker at the existing substation.

The construction, which is estimated to take about eight weeks, will start by mid August and be done by the end of October.

“It would be beneficial to get some road work done ahead of construction as the traffic will be heavier on the roads,” Merrill told board members.

A land owners meeting will be held on March 3 to discuss right-of-way acquisition, easements and give an overview of the project.

“We will answer any questions the land owners have,” said Klein.

Survey activities will be done during March and April and followed by engineering and design.

Easement acquisitions and permits should be completed by the first part of August.