News from Adrian Smith, Congressman.

 

Congressman Smith's E-news: February 26, 2022

This week, I led a House delegation on a United Kingdom visit. During the visit, I advocated expanding trade relationships for agriculture and exploring further shared economic growth opportunities between the United Kingdom and the United States.

Ukraine This week Russia escalated their ongoing attacks on Ukraine with an invasion. I support Ukraine as they defend their sovereignty against Vladimir Putin’s evil and reprehensible invasion, and I stand with Ukrainians in solidarity. Since 2014 I have called for the United States to work with our allies to support Ukraine as they defend themselves against Vladimir Putin’s aggressive actions. Today it is vital the United States takes strong, immediate action to punish Putin and his kleptocracy through the strongest possible sanctions, provide Ukraine and other eastern European democracies the resources necessary to defend themselves, and ensure economies across Europe are not punished by Putin’s stranglehold on much of the continent’s energy and natural resources. This must be done in a bipartisan way. I joined my colleagues in the House to cosponsor the Never Yielding Europe’s Territory Act. This legislation would impose strict sanctions on Russia, provide the support necessary for Ukraine so they can defend themselves, hold Russia accountable, and give Congress stronger oversight over the Biden Administration’s retaliatory actions. It was not difficult to predict this invasion as Putin has utilized this playbook before. Seven years ago this month, Russia began its invasion of Crimea, forced an illegal referendum, annexed the peninsula, and violated international law—including a treaty signed by the U.S., Britain, Russia, and Ukraine. We know we cannot trust Putin, and we know he will stop at nothing on his quest to make Russia the world’s superpower. Right now, the focus is Ukraine, but which nations will Russia target next? We cannot allow this sort of behavior to go unchecked in the international community, not only because of what it means for Ukraine, but also because of the message it sends other aggressors around the world, like China and North Korea. Again, to hold Russia and Vladimir Putin accountable, we must impose real and crippling sanctions. While I was pleased to see the Biden administration answer House Republicans’ demands to lift sanction waivers on Nord Stream 2, we should never take any action off the table when dealing with leaders like Vladimir Putin. Unfortunately, President Biden’s failure to be tough on Russia when and where it mattered has only emboldened Putin. We now have no choice but to assert ourselves on the world stage. In addition to imposing sanctions to cripple Russia’s economy, we should halt their weaponization of natural gas once and for all by fully harnessing America’s energy capabilities to lower costs for American consumers and become Europe’s supplier of choice. Senate Democrats’ calls to limit U.S. exports of liquefied natural gas are misguided and will do more harm than good, and the Biden administration’s gutting of domestic energy production is self-inflicted harm to our economy and workforce. It is truly unfortunate we find ourselves in this position, but we cannot back down. We, along with our allies, must stand strong in the face of Vladimir Putin’s aggression. The steps we take now will determine when and how this ends, and millions of Ukrainians are counting on us to stand in solidarity with them. Russia, China, and North Korea are counting on us not to. Sincerely,

Adrian Smith Member of Congress

Harlan Harold Siebrass May 17, 1931 to February 9, 2022

 Harlan Harold Siebrass obtained his final reward and passed away at Heritage at Sagewood in Grand Island on Feb. 9, 2022, at the age of 90 years after a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Jeffrey Kuddes at Trinity Lutheran Church in Blue Hill on Saturday, Feb. 12, at 10:30 a.m. Interment with military rites by A.L. Shirley Post #176 and the Army National Guard Honor’s Team will be in Trinity Lutheran Cemetery with arrangements by Merten-Butler Mortuary of Blue Hill.

Visitation will be Friday, Feb. 11, from 1-8 p.m. with family present from 6-8 p.m. at Merten-Butler Mortuary and one hour prior to services at the church. Memorials may be given to Trinity Lutheran Church, American Legion Shirley Post 176, or Mission Central. Private condolences may be sent to the family at www.mertenbutlermortuary.com.

Harlan was born on May 17, 1931, to Harold and Hildegard (Bachman) Siebrass at the family farm, three miles southwest of Blue Hill. He spent nearly his entire lifetime in the Blue Hill area.

He was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church in Blue Hill on June 17, 1931, and was confirmed at Trinity on May 14, 1944, both by Rev. August Ficken. He attended Pleasant Valley School District #50, Trinity Lutheran Parochial and graduated from Blue Hill High School in 1948.

Harlan was a Korean War veteran and rose to the rank of Corporal in the 45th Infantry Division-Thunderbirds, 160th Field Artillery Battalion – Charlie Company, a 105-mm Howitzer unit. He was a member of the American Legion Shirley Post 176 and was the commander of the post for over 40 years. He was honored to conduct the Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day ceremonies locally for numerous years. Harlan was also instrumental in raising funds and the building of the Veteran’s Memorial Wall in Blue Hill.

On Sept. 29, 1957, he was united in marriage to Mildred Kaufman at Trinity Lutheran Church by Rev. R. A. Jank. To this union of 64 years was born three children: Wesley, Nancy, and Thomas.

A fourth-generation farmer and stockman, Harlan was deeply involved in agricultural organizations in his community as a 4-H leader for 25 years and a member of the Webster County fair board for 9 years. He was elected as a member of the Federal Land Bank regional board of directors for seven years and elected as a director of the Federal Land Bank Association in Omaha for another seven years. Harlan was also elected to the Webster County FSA committee and worked tirelessly in this capacity for over 40 years. A proud Hereford breeder, he was the show and sales manager for the Republican Valley Hereford Breeders Association for 16 years in addition to being a member of the board of directors. Harlan was a life-long member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Blue Hill where he served on the church council and as president of the congregation for many years.

Harlan leaves to mourn his passing, wife, Mildred of Grand Island; son, Wesley (Cheryl) of Des Moines, IA; daughter, Nancy (Bill Buchta) of Grand Island; son, Thomas (Robert Konicek) of Pleasantville, Nova Scotia; sister, Linda (Ronald Bartels) of Inavale; five grandchildren, Kayla (Chad Chrastil) of Grand Island, Geoffrey Buchta (Erica) of Elkhorn, Janel Buchta of Omaha, Aaron Siebrass of Arlington, VA, and Keralyn Siebrass of Seoul, South Korea; four great-grandchildren, Riley and Reese Chrastil of Grand Island, Bennett and Lainey Buchta of Elkhorn.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Donald; and sisters-in-law, Namoi (Goll) and Marjorie (Cunningham) Siebrass.

The Webster County Board of Commissioners February 15, 2022

 The Webster County Board of Commissioners met at 8:30am on Tuesday, February 15th, 2022 for their regular Business Meeting at the Courthouse in Red Cloud, Nebraska. 

 The following Board Members were present for roll call: Dan Shipman (District One), Trevor Karr (District Two), TJ Vance, (District Three), Tim Gilbert (District Four), and Gary Ratzlaff (District Five).  Motion was made by Ratzlaff, seconded by Gilbert to approve the minutes of the February 1st, 2022 meeting. All voted in favor.

 Motion was made by Karr, seconded by Shipman to pay claims and payroll. all voted in favor. Motion carried. Motion was made by Ratzlaff, seconded by Karr to pay claim pertaining to County Commissioner Tim Gilbert. Voting in favor: Vance, Ratzlaff, Karr and Shipman. Abstaining: Gilbert. Motion carried.

 Paul Stoner, Highway Manager, met with the Board on road work being done. He also showed bids for a new CAT Motor Grader to review and discuss. Paul presented Agreement for professional services from Oak Creek Engineering for 2022 Routine Bridge Inspection from Lance Harter. Motion was made by Ratzlaff, seconded by Shipman to approve this. All voted in favor.

Paul Stoner presented Resolution 6-2022 for Lance to conduct a road study on Road D. Motion was made by Vance, seconded by Karr to allow this.  All voted in favor.  . 

 The Board reviewed ambulance quarterly, monthly and ambulance write-off reports presented by Clerk Petsch for Petsch Billing. Board approved reports.

 No information on HVAC System and fence.

 Board discussed COVID money. More information will be given at Central District Meeting, Thursday March 17, 2022 in Kearney. 

Treasurer Janet Knehans met with the Board on the Annual Delinquent Tax List.  

The Tax Sale will be held March 7th, 2022 at 9:00am in the District Courtroom upstairs on third floor. She also talked about Bank Securities for the Treasurer’s Office.

 Deputy Assessor Tami Scheuneman met with the Board on Tax Corrections. Motion was made by Ratzlaff, seconded by Gilbert to go into Board of Equalization.  All voted in favor.

 Three Tax Corrections were presented. Motion was made by Ratzlaff, seconded by Gilbert to approve of these Tax Corrections. All voted in favor.

 Motion was made by Shipman, seconded by Karr to go out of Board of Equalization Hearings. All voted in favor. . 

 Motion was made by Ratzlaff, seconded by Karr to reappoint Torey Kohmetscher to the South Heartland District Board of Health. All members voted in favor. Motion carried.

The Board discussed the Hospital. Clerk Liz Petsch turned in her resignation to serve on the Hospital Board with sincere regrets, due to not complying with COVID vaccination requirements. The Board accepted her resignation with regrets, with a motion by Shipman, seconded by Ratzlaff. All members voted in favor.

 Motion was made by Ratzlaff, seconded by Karr to appoint Eric Brown to fill this vacancy with term expiring 1/1/2027  All voted in favor.

Employee Handbook was discussed.

 Clerk of District Court Fee Report was presented to the Board.

 Jail/Sheriff Building was discussed. 

Michelle Beaver from South Heartland Health District met with the Board for her Annual Report and request for a percentage of Webster County’s COVID money. The Board told her they could not give any funds at this time. Information is not definite yet on how this money can be spent. Maternity Leave was discussed by the Board for the Employee Handbook and will be given to the committee for inclusion at their meeting at 1pm today.

 The following claims and payroll were approved by the Board.

 Total Wages: $147,737.72.

 GENERAL FUND: 

Ameritas Life Insurance Corp (Health)-$7501.58;

 Applied Connective Technologies (Email)-$22.10; 

Black Hills Energy (Utility)-$90.38;

 Blue Cross/Blue Shield (Premium)-$20,149.41;

 Business World Prod/Hastings (Supply)-$14.13;

 C&D Service Center (Repairs)-$20.98;

 Consolidated Management Co (Training)-$37.79;

 Cooperative Producers, Inc (Fuel)-$2441.60; 

DAS State Accounting/Central Finance (Dues)-$673.52;

 Dell Marketing, L.P. (Supply)-$294.00;

 Dunse Nutrition Consultings, LLC (Consult)-$10.00; 

S.S. (Fica)-$8013.67;

 Eakes Office Solutions (Supply)-$238.00;

 Fairfield Inn & Suites Kearney (Lodging)-$239.90; 

First Concord Benefits (Buydown)-$9.51;

 First Concord Benefits Group (Fees)-$17.50;

 Crystal Fountaine (Expense)-$58.48; 

GWorks (Support)-$2150.00;

 Integrated Security Solutions (Fees)-$480.00;

 Kenny’s Hardware and Home Center (Repairs)-$242.70;

 Lancaster County Sheriff (Fees)-$8.46;

 Lieske Law Firm (Counsel)-$543.84;

 Madison National Life Ins Co, Inc (Life)- $31.19; 

Mips (Supply)-$116.95; NACT (Supply)-$230.00;

 NE Assn of County Officials (Fees)-$50.00

; Phelps County Sheriff’s Office (Housing)-$135.00;

 Self-Insured Dental Fund (Premium)-$2888.00; 

Skalka & Baack Law Firm (Counsel)-$930.30;

 Theobald Law Office (Counsel)-$760.00;

 Village Pharmacy (Supply)-$11.60; 

Web Co Clk of Dist Court (Fees)-$65.00;

 Web Co Sheriff-Petty Cash Fund (Petty Cash)-$153.78; 

Webster Co Clk Dist Court (Fees)-$145.00; 

Webster County Court (Fees)-$256.45;

 Williams Exterminating, Inc (Pest Control)-$88.00. 

ROAD/BRIDGE FUND:

 ACE/Eaton Metals (Culverts)-$38,987.00;

 Ameritas Life Insurance Corp (Health)-$2488.37; 

 Black Hills Energy (Utility)-$318.59;

 Blue Cross/Blue Shield (Premium)-$10,330.10; 

C&D Service Center (Repairs)-$1235.86;

 Cooperative Producers, Inc (Fuel/Repairs)-$1827.12;

 Country Corner (Fuel)-$50.09;

 S.S. (Fica)-$2769.34

Faimon Electric & Digging Inc (Repairs)-$1528.11;

 First National Bank Omaha (Supply)-$440.83; 

Glenwood Telecommunications (Phones)-$103.61; 

Hometown Market (Supply)-$8.92;

 Island Supply Welding Company (Supply)-$135.80;

 J&A Auto Supply (Supply)-$1193.91;

 Jim’s OK Tires (Repairs)-$8224.80;

 Kenny’s Hardware and Home Center (Supply)-$351.83;

 L&M Tire (Repairs)-$127.95;

 Madison National Life Ins Co, Inc (Life)-$4.10; 

NAPA Auto Parts (Supply)-$703.36; 

Nebraska Machinery Company (Supply)-$931.76; 

Olson Enterprises LLC (Fuel/Repairs)-$5273.01; 

Power Plan, Dept. 77871 (Supply)-$282.72; 

Rockmount Research & Alloys, Inc (Supply)-$315.81;

 SelfInsured Dental Fund (Premium)-$918.00;

 South Central Bobcat, Hastings, NE (Supply)-$33.45; 

Timm’s Service (Fuel/Repairs)- $4925.94; 

Western Pathology Consultants (Supply)-$28.25. 

ROAD/BRIDGE CONST FUND:

 Daniel E. Alber Jr (Condemnation)- $1170.00. 

SELF-INSURED DENTAL FUND: 

Sean M Daly, D.D.S. (Dental)-$174.00;

 RC Wilson & SA Wilson D.D.S., PC (Dental)-$364.00.

 COUNTY MEDICAL/RELIEF FUND:

 DHHS Finance and Support (Evaluations)-$860.62; 

NOXIOUS WEED FUND:

 Ameritas Life Insurance Fund (Health)-$238.19;

C&D Service Center (Supply)-$47.98;

 S.S. (Fica)-$269.96; 

Madison National Life Ins Co, Inc (Life)-$3.15;

 Brian Pedersen (Expense)-$119.34; 

Self-Insured Dental Fund (Premium)-$34.00. 

RC AMBULANCE SERVICE #1: 

Black Hills Energy (Utility)- $294.10;

 Olson Enterprises LLC (Fuel)-$162.81.

 BH AMBULANCE SERVICE #2:

 Cooperative Producers, Inc (Fuel)-$206.31;

 Kyle Klein (Expense)-$23.40;

Platte Valley Comm of Hastings (Supply)-$136.75.

 Being no further business, Chairman TJ Vance adjourned the meeting at 11:35am. 

Former Area Resident to Observe 108th Birthday

 Former Blue Hill Resident Lillie Rose celebrates her 108 Birthday February 15th .  Lillie now resides at 1507 Avenue B, in Kearney, Nebraska. 

Lillie lived most of her life on a farm south of Rosemont, Nebraska where she resided with her husband Frank and daughters LaVonda and Margene.  Lillie raised a garden and chickens as well as assisting her husband with farming chores.  She was a Faithful member of Calvary Lutheran Church in Rosemont as well as active in the Lutheran Ladies Aid Society.   Frank Rose and Lillie Johnson were married June 20, 1934.  Two daughters were born to the union, LaVonda (Schmidt) and Margene Stevens.  

Frank died October 10, 1985, LaVonda died at the age of 72 in March of 2013. .  Shortly after Frank's death Lillie sold the farm and moved closer to family.

Birthday greetings can be sent to Lillie Rose at 1507 Ave B,, Kearney, Nebraska 68847

Arylis Kranau Celebrates 92nd Birthday

 Blue Hill resident Arlys Kranau is celebrating her 92 birthdays on Valentines day  February 14, 2022.  Birthday greetings will reach her at 906 W. Lancaster in Blue Hill Nebraska 68930.  Happy Birthday Arlys.