.jpg)
June 2, 1999
CONCORD — The AWANA Awards Ceremony was held at the Concord Ev angelical Free Church on May 2. Among those children receiving ribbons for completing handbooks were Hollie Peterson, Justin Saunders, Jaden Wamstad, Cheyenne Gould and Nathan Lunz.
June 2, 1999
LAUREL — Nearly 70 bankers from across the state and representatives from the Ne braska Bankers Association were in Laurel last week for planning meetings.
June 2, 1999
LAUREL — Those who were part of the winning team on the 4x100 meter relay at the Hersey Track Meet on May 8 were Colten DeLong, Brian Saunders, Michael Patefield as well as Tony Jacobsen.
May 28, 2014
LAUREL — Opening day for the L aurel swimming pool, May 26, didn’t exactly go as planned, but that didn’t keep local kids from enjoying themselves.
The pool opened right on schedule at 1 p.m., Monday, but closed approximately 15 minutes later because of stormy weather.
Thunder could be heard and lightning was seen as the pool was being closed down, according to Pool Manager Brittney Wolfgram “We pulled the kids out of the pool. It was hard for them. They could hardly stay out of the water,” Wolfgram said. “There were already a couple of girls waiting at the pool when we opened back up around 3: 30 p.m.”
The pool was closed 5-6 p.m. for supper break and then opened back up from 6 to 8:30 pm.
Wolfgram said the first day brought out a good crowd, despite the weather.
“We had a large group – it was mostly kids – in the evening,” Wolfgram said.
The Laurel pool is open everyday of the week Monday through Sunday, 1-5 p.m. Evening hours are 6-8:30 pm.
Swimming lessons at the pool will be held June 16-27 and July 7-18.
Sign-up for swimming lessons was held April 29 and May 1.
There is still time to sign up for some classes but several of the classes are already full, according to Star Smith who is in charge of the swimming lessons.
“We have between 75 to 100 students each year,” Smith said.
American Red Cross, Learn to Swim - levels one thru six - will be offered.
Classes are available for pre-school through youth.
May 28, 2014
HARTINGTON — Close to 5,000 notices showing a change in valuation will be in the mail Friday.
Owners of ag land will see an increase in valuation according to Cedar County Assessor Don Hoesing.
“All of the ag land is going up – irrigated, dry crop and grassland. The increase is between 25 to 45 percent. Grassland is taking a big jump from where the value had been. Dry cropland is also going up a lot,” Hoesing said. “The raise for irrigated land is around 2 5 percent. We didn’t have very many sales on irrigated ground to work with.”
The sales from the three previous years are used to set the valuations.
The cut-off date for the sales the Asses sor’s Office looked at for the 2 014 values was September 2013. Sales from the three prior years were reviewed.
“We are still seeing high dollar sales, ” Hoesing said. “One of these days things might change and property owners will see a decrease in their valuation. It all depends on the sales.”
For several years the sales in Cedar County have reflected the need for the county to be split in two market areas for farmland.
There was a distinct difference in the sales between north and south parts of the county in the past, although it is starting to change, according to Hoesing.
“Sales have been getting a little higher in the north part of the county,” Hoesing said. “It isn’t as big of a spread as it used to be, but there is still a difference between the sales in the two areas.”
The Assessor’s Office is currently in the process of reviewing the buildings on all rural residential properties across the county.
“We have about half of the rural properties done in the county. Most of the older build ings will no longer have a value placed on them,” Hoesing said. “Bins, machine sheds and the newer buildings still carry a value.”
Aerial photos are used in the reappraisal process.
The county is flown every other year for aerial photos that show land use.
Aerial photos of the building sites were taken in 2013.
“The photos show what buildings have value and what buildings no longer have any value,” Hoesing said.
According to Nebraska statute, county assessors have to do a complete reappraisal every six years, Hoesing said.
The appraisal work in Cedar County is done by employees in the Assessor’s Office.
“We will start the next six-year cycle in 2016. We will start with the review work in the towns,” Hoesing said. “Valuations in the towns stayed close to the same this year. The raises would be for new construction.”
Valuations for tax purposes are based on the selling price of property.
State law mandates the assessed value on property must fall within a range, which is established by the Legislature.
May 29, 2019
LAUREL — Successful high school students are busy people.
The most successful high school students always seem to be those students that not only take part in just about every activity offered, but also take the time to work hard behind the scenes so they can also excel in the classroom.
That’s the case for LCC 2019 valedictorian Brian Potts and salutatorian Bethany Kardell.
“Brian and Bethany provided our younger students with outstanding examples of aca demic achievement and demonstrated strong leadership in school activities,” said Alan Gottula, LCC guidance counselor.
Part of the honor of being selected as vale dictorian and salutatorian is to give a speech during the graduation ceremony.
Potts, the son of L ee and Jackie Potts, was an active member of the Laurel-Concord-Coleridge student body. “By being an active member of the student body, one is given the opportunity to help lead and direct the school,” said Potts.
