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Sept. 6, 2023
BOW VALLEY – Three new staff members have joined East & West Catholic Elementary for the 202324 academic year.
Rachel Becker, Samantha Benson and Katie Fischer all bring different skill sets to the Bow Valley school.
Sept. 6, 2023
WAYNE – Joe Merkel is hoping the official premiere of his new film will reel in a crowd to kick off his super senior year.
The 22-year-old St. Helena native is one of three Wayne State College students who will see their respective films debut Sept. 12 at the Majestic Theatre in downtown Wayne.
Merkel’s film, “7 Year Senior,” will be shown during the event, which will start at 7 p.m. and is free and open to the public. A question-and-answer session will follow the films.
“I’m so happy,” Merkel said. “I’m so glad that people are going to be able to see it.”
Merkel, a super senior who is in his fifth year at Wayne State, described his roughly 18-minute film as a fictional comedy.
Sept. 6, 2023
LINCOLN — A state lawmaker’s multi-year effort to allow the concealed carry of handguns without a permit or training took effect Saturday, with Nebraska’s largest cities issuing guidance just before the law was enacted.
State Sen. Tom Brewer advocated for years for a proposal such as LB 77, which supporters describe as a “constitutional carry” measure after the Second Amendment.
Under the law, persons over 21 can carry concealed firearms without a state permit or state-mandated gun safety training, joining 26 other states in doing so.
During the bill’s April 25 signing ceremony, Brewer thanked his colleagues for having his back during his seven years in office.
“They knew what right was and they knew that we had to get the Constitution back to where it should be and give the rights back that should have never been taken away in the first place,” Brewer said.
Firearm dealers will also be required to distribute information on suicide prevention, including evidence- based best practices in prevention and the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or other similar resources. The change comes through a bill by State Sen. John Fredrickson of Omaha that was amended into LB 50.
Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert signed an executive order prohibiting firearms at all City owned or leased and managed buildings, facilities, parks and public spaces. This includes community and recreation centers, pools, and libraries.
Sept. 13, 2023
HARTINGTON – A Hartington church that has been rooted and built up in Christ is set to mark a major milestone in 2023.
Trinity Lutheran Church will commemorate its 150th anniversary with a two-day celebration of events Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 16-17.
“We’re just excited to celebrate with the congregation and people who grew up here or who have been members over the years who may be coming back and friends of the congregation and community folks,” the Rev. Amanda Talley said. “Everybody’s welcome to come on out.”
The first day of the celebration will feature: - An open house at Trinity Lutheran Church 1-5 p.m.
- An evening meal and entertainment inside the Hartington-Newcastle school commons area at 6 p.m.
- Entertainment by the Prodigal Sons of Ponca.
Sept. 13, 2023
HARTINGTON — A new Nebraska law mandating the state pay $1,500 toward the education of every public school student has helped Hartington-Newcastle Public Schools reduce its tax request to local taxpayers.
The Hartington-Newcastle school district is asking for 9.9 percent less in property taxes for this year’s budget thanks to the new law.
“We’re trying to keep property taxes down the best we can,” HNS Supt. A.J. Johnson said. “We’re happy we were able to ask less from property taxpayers.”
The HNS School Board voted unanimously Monday to approve the $15.3 million budget.
Last year, the District requested a levy of .54943. This year the District is requesting a levy of .49530 per $100 of assessed value.
This year’s levy would have been even lower had it not been for the current elementary school addition project. This year’s budget adds an additional .13248 for the building fund to the general fund levy of .36282.
Last year, the school district put $6,166,872 into the building fund. An additional $4,681,750 is expected to be generated for the building fund this year under the new budget.
Sept. 13, 2023
HARTINGTON – Cedar County’s total property valuation for 2023 was tabulated and sent to budgetsetting entities in late August.
County Assessor Becky Dresden noted there was an overall increase in value for property across the county.
This year’s total valuation came in at more than $2.8 billion, which includes real estate, agricultural land and personal property. Last year’s total valuation was more than $2.6 billion.
A raise in valuation does not necessarily mean there will be an increase in property taxes.
The tax rate or levy is set after budgets have been submitted each August. If budget requests increase, taxes will be raised.
State law mandates the assessed value on property must fall within a range – or required level of value – established by the Nebraska Legislature.
The statute states agricultural land has to be valued between 69 to 75 percent of what the sales are showing while the range for residential and commercial property is placed at 92 to 100 percent of the sales.
Sept. 20, 2023
HARTINGTON — Plans for a new 15-lot housing development on the east edge of Hartington were unveiled last week.
Rob Woodling, president of the Omaha-based company Foundation Development, met with the Hartington City Council Sept. 11 for a public hearing on the plat of the Nordby Addition.
Several nearby property owners were also at the hearing to get more details from Woodling about the proposed development.
The lots will be developed between Franklin and Main Streets just east of Portland Avenue.
A new street, Nordby Avenue, would run from Franklin to Main and separate the seven lots on the east side from the eight lots on the west side of the street. An area for drainage is also being planned.
The developer would be responsible for putting in the streets and infrastructure.
