Heinrich to Celebrate 90th

Raymond Heinrich will be celebrating his 90th Birthday on September 3rd. The family of Raymond will be hosting an open house in his honor on Saturday, September 5th at First St. Paul's Lutheran Church (310 W. Gage St.) in Blue Hill from 2-4 p.m. If unable to attend, cards may be sent to: 11240 S. Elkhorn Ave., Roseland, NE 68973.

Beware of Easy Credit

8-25-09 Attention College Students: Beware of Easy Credit (Lincoln, Neb.) Most college students are back on campus and so are those tempting offers of easy credit or cash. Attorney General Jon Bruning reminds students to beware. “A seemingly good deal can come with a high price,” said Bruning. “Students should think twice before accepting credit card offers, payday loans, check cashing services and other easy ways to put cash in their wallets.” Accepting giveaways for filling out a credit card application can leave students with a high interest rate on their new card. Students and parents should discuss whether or not a credit card is needed and types of credit available. If a student is getting a card, be sure to find one with a reasonable interest rate and fees, and remember that it’s important to use it wisely. “Before you know it, you can have a larger balance than you can afford. Dinner out, a tank of gas, and trips to the movies can quickly add up. Charging too much now means you could still be paying it back after graduation and beyond,” Bruning said. With a $3,000 balance at 19 percent annual interest, a $60 monthly payment will take nine years to pay off and cost more than $6,000. Here are some more credit card tips: • Not all credit cards are equal. Shop around for the best terms. • Limit the number of credit cards you have. The more you have, the more likely you are to spend. • Read the cardholder agreement and understand the terms. • Pay your credit card bill in full and on time every month to avoid interest charges. Students can prevent pre-approved credit card offers from being mailed to them by opting out at www.optoutprescreen.com. Students also need to be careful with their personal information. Identity theft happens on college campuses too. Bruning said sensitive documents with bank account, credit card or Social Security numbers need to be kept in a safe location, away from roommates, friends and other visitors. To further protect personal information, college students should keep their computers updated with anti-virus software, spyware detection and a firewall. A good resource is the Identity Theft Repair Kit. It’s free and offers students a step-by-step guide to repairing credit if they’ve been a victim of identity theft, along with tips on how to protect personal information. Getting a copy is easy. Contact the Consumer Protection Division at 1-800-727-6432 or download it from www.ago.ne.gov.

Governor's Column by Dave Heineman

New Goals in Education August 28, 2009 Dear Fellow Nebraskans: Nebraska’s P-16 Initiative, a group that involves many education, business and policymakers involved with education from preschool through college and into the workforce, recently announced a series of goals designed to strengthen the education we provide to Nebraska students. I want to bring a strategic, action-oriented and accountable focus to strengthening and enhancing Nebraska’s education system. During the past few months, Nebraska’s P-16 members have developed eight education goals that will guide our work in the next several years.

Nebraska P-16 goals are as follows:

• Adopt a college and career preparation core curriculum that requires four years of English and three years each of math, science and social studies in Nebraska school districts by the 2014-15 school year.
• Eliminate the academic achievement gap between Nebraska’s K-12 Caucasian students and its African American, Hispanic, and Native American students.
• Develop an effective longitudinal data system which provides information on the Nebraska educational system from preschool through post-graduate degree attainment and entry into the workforce to help align resources with strategic goals.
• Improve Nebraska’s high school graduation rate to 90 percent.
• Improve Nebraska’s college-going rank to the Top 10 tier nationally.
• Provide affordable access for Nebraska students to attend Nebraska’s postsecondary institutions.
• Improve time to degree completion and increase graduation rates of Nebraska’s postsecondary institutions.
• Increase by five percent the number of teacher education graduates in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) within Nebraska postsecondary institutions.

An essential goal is to adopt a core curriculum focused on preparing students for college and their future careers by the 2014 – 2015 school year. Every student graduating from a Nebraska high school needs four years of English and three years of math, science and social studies.

We need to set more rigorous expectations for students to help ensure they graduate from our schools having mastered the essential areas that will help them succeed in life. This core curriculum is essential to helping our students compete in a knowledge-based, technology-driven, global, free market economy. We need to equip our students for success in this modern age where they will be asked to be critical thinkers, innovators and entrepreneurs.

Another challenge schools need to address is the academic achievement gap that exists for many students in our state. The gaps are very real and we have set our sights high. Our goal is to eliminate existing achievement gaps. We cannot afford to lose a generation of students.

If we can raise expectations and ensure students are mastering the essential skills needed for success in our K-12 schools, our next goal will be within reach, which is improving Nebraska’s high school graduation rate to 90 percent.

Several goals are aimed at ensuring success in higher education, starting with achieving a top 10 college-going rate. The National Center for Educational Statistics ranks Nebraska19th in the nation. We can do better. To compete in today’s workplace, every student needs at least two years of college. We will also be working hard to ensure Nebraska’s higher education institutions remains affordable for Nebraska families.

These goals are about preparing our students for the 21st Century. Today’s students are more likely to be innovators, critical thinkers and entrepreneurs. Academic rigor and high standards of academic excellence are very important.

Our work is just beginning. Our vision for providing a stronger education for students is critical to Nebraska’s future.

Blue Hill Bobcat Volleyball Returns Experienced Team

The Bobcat Volleyball Team at Blue Hill High School is hoping to take it up a notch this upcoming season. With the main nucleus returning from last year's team that finished with a 14-15 record, seventh year head coach Cindy Steinkrueger is excited about the prospects of having a successful 2009 campaign. "We will finally have quite a bit of experience," Steinkrueger aid. "With the return of all six starters, we are hoping to get off to a good start. I believe we will be a hardworking team that plays a scrappy-brand of volleyball." Key returnees, all returning with starting experience are Madison Coffey (5' 10", RS, Sr.), Desi Kohmetscher (5' 7", OH, Sr.), Kristin Kohmetscher (5' 4", L, Sr.), Alyssa Willicott (5' 10", MH, Sr.), Meggie Coffey (5' 5", S, Jr.), and Alissa Overy (5' 7", MH, Jr.). Steinkrueger said (Desi) Kohmetscher, who earned second team all-conference honors in 2008, is the team's 'go-to-girl'. She led the team in kills last year with 257 and also is a dependable passer. Kohmetscher is listed among Central Nebraska Prep's Top Rated Returning Volleyball Players. Morgan Ockinga (5' 3", DS, Jr.) and Jordyn Atwater (5' 9" RS, So.) will also play key roles for the Bobcats this season after earning letters a year ago. In the Twin Valley Conference, Steinkrueger expects Silver Lake, Lawrence-Nelson, and Shelton to be the teams to beat. Reprinted from Central Nebraska Prep's Fall 2009 Edition.

Straight From the Horse's Mouth

Duane A. Lienemann, UNL Extension Educator, Webster County August 28, 2009 Edition It has been a while since I have reported on some of the negativity that has been thrown up against agriculture, but that doesn’t mean that the groups and people who seem to exhibit disdain for the very thing that feeds our nation hasn’t let up. It is quite the contrary. There has been a steady stream of things hitting agriculture square in the mouth including: a continuing controversy with antibiotics, with a blatant push to eliminate or control antibiotic use in livestock. Add to that the constant harassment to the livestock industry by PETA, HSUS and other animal rights extremists. To give an example this past week, I saw a sign by PETA that showed an obese woman with the title “Save the Whales – Lose the Blubber – Go Vegetarian” which is of course an attempt to paint meat as the culprit of obesity. If that isn’t enough, how about their recent attack on McDonalds? These whackos have a new tactic: Passing out "Unhappy Meals," which include a rubber chicken stained with fake blood, a small paper cutout showing Ronald McDonald wielding a bloody knife and a T-shirt bearing the logo "McCruelty.” They are handing these out to little kids. I let you make up your mind on this! I think however that one of the most wide-spread, and dangerous affronts on agriculture was unleashed by a widely distributed and read “so-called” news magazine this past week. If you are not aware, TIME magazine used as it cover story a piece called “Getting Real About the High Price of Cheap Food.” The story is a wide-ranging frontal assault on all aspects of modern food production, and the story is written in a manner that the very few words included to give agriculture a token voice are quickly trampled by an onslaught of anti-modern-agriculture rhetoric. His attempt at journalism was obviously slanted, utilized biased science, and lacked truthful, well researched information. If he was attempting to mislead the public through misinformation and scare tactics, he was successful. The first paragraph pretty much sets the tone for the whole piece. “Somewhere in Iowa, a pig is being raised in a confined pen, packed in so tightly with other swine that their curly tails have been chopped off so they won’t bite one another. To prevent him from getting sick in such close quarters, he is dosed with antibiotics. The waste produced by the pig and his thousands of pen mates on the factory farm where they live goes into manure lagoons that blanket neighboring communities with air pollution and a stomach-churning stench. He’s fed on American corn that was grown with the help of government subsidies and millions of tons of chemical fertilizer. When the pig is slaughtered, at about 5 months of age, he'll become sausage or bacon that will sell cheap, feeding an American addiction to meat that has contributed to an obesity epidemic currently afflicting more than two-thirds of the population. And when the rains come, the excess fertilizer that coaxed so much corn from the ground will be washed into the Mississippi River and down into the Gulf of Mexico, where it will help kill fish for miles and miles around. That's the state of your bacon—circa 2009.”In this first paragraph alone, the reporter (I am using that term loosely) manages to fit in nearly every stereotype that isn’t accurate about modern agriculture. This is more like hearsay than reporting. No matter what type of production system is used, there will be advantages and drawbacks. To read this, you would think there is a perfect model that can be easily followed. If a reporter wants to be taken seriously, they should fairly and accurately report both sides of an issue and let the reader decide for themselves what their opinion will be. That is not the case in this article. If you wish to read the article you can contact me and I will get a copy to you, or you can find it on the internet at: http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1917458,00.html. If you want to make a difference, and perhaps vent on this to the company, letters regarding this opinion article (which TIME unfortunately cloaked as a news magazine cover story) may be sent using this link: http://bit.ly/19LOXL. We need to point out that the ingenuity, productivity and dedication of American livestock producers and meat and poultry processors provide American consumers with an astonishingly wide array of product choices, with numerous flavor options and nutritional profiles, at extremely reasonable price ranges. And despite this abundance, Americans spend less than any other developed nation in the world on meat and poultry products — about 1.7 percent of our incomes per year today down from over 4 percent in 1970. We utilize science and modern technology every day to provide you with an affordable, safe and wholesome product. Our only motive is to keep the environment clean and healthy, enhance wildlife habitat, encourage conservation, provide for future generations and feed people.In a world of 7 billion people and expanding, where malnutrition, hunger or outright famine are commonplace, it’s dumbfounding to me that TIME magazine would take one of the great American success stories – the efficient agricultural production of an abundant variety of healthy, safe and affordable foods for consumers in the U.S. and throughout the world – and turn it into an unrecognizable story of exploitation, manipulation and greed. Do people like this ever consider that it takes a variety of systems to raise food to meet the needs of a population that is expected to reach 9-10 billion by the year 2050? Just as Americans need to eat a balanced diet, they also need balanced information. Unfortunately, they won’t find it in TIME magazine. The preceding information comes from the research and personal observations of the writer which may or may not reflect the views of UNL or UNL Extension. For more further information on these or other topics contact D. A. Lienemann, UNL Extension Educator for Webster County in Red Cloud, (402) 746-3417 or email to: dlienemann2@unl.edu

'Younger Players Need to Step-Up' For Defending Champs

After finishing s the C-2 Runners-up the past two seasons, the 2008 Blue Hill Bobcats finally broke through with the school's first state title. They opened the 2008 season with a loss to the tradition rich Trojas of Cambridge High, before proceeding to win 12 straight, including a 14-0 shut out over Fremont Bergan in the state finals. Fourth year head coach Scott Porter, who has a 36-3 record at the helm of the Bobcats, will once again construct his team around a strong defense. Last season, they held their opponents scoreless in five of their 13 games while allowing only 138 yards per game of total offense. "We have the chance to be successful again this year," Porter said. "However, our success will depend on some of our younger players stepping-up and filling in holes created by graduation. Our team unity will also be a big factor in our success." Three all-state players must be replaced in lineman Keith Faimon, Trent Ockinga and linebacker Cody Karr, who was the Lincoln Journal Star's Defensive Player of the Year. Only fivee players return with starting experience, however, many of the younger player's earned playing time during the Bobcat's state title run. The returning starters are Riley Bonifas (6' 1", 195, RB/ILB, Sr.), Chad Hastings (6' 0", 175, QB/DB, Sr.), Thomas Ostdiek (5' 10", 160, WR/DB, Sr.), Nathan Faimon (5' 11", 170, OT/DE, Sr.), Jared Krueger (5' 11", 170, OT/DE, Jr.). Bonifas earned all-district honors from his defensive end position an Hastings was an all-state defensive back. Last season Bonifas recorded 56 tackles and Hastings picked off 6 passes. Both are on Central Nebraska Prep's Top Rated Returning Prep Football Players list. Ostdiek, the teams reception leader from a year ago, Faimon and Krueger, all earned honorable mention all-district status for their efforts in 2008. Other key returners are Kurt Burken (C/DT, Sr.), Taylor Premer (WR/DB, Sr.), Riley Hall (G/DT, Sr.), Brandon Ferris (OT/DT, Sr.), Jon Mohlman (G/DT, Sr.), Philip Berger (WR/DB, Sr.), Matt Thramer (G/DT, Jr.), Ben Kort (T/LB, Jr.), Kelley Faimon (RB/LB, Jr.), Brock Kumke (WR/DB, Jr.), Josh Norris (T/DT, Jr.), and Derek Poe (QB/DB, Jr.). Sophomores looking to make a splash with the varsity are; Blake Bunner, Trenton Jordening, Trent Kohmetscher, Brian Kohmetscher, Eli Van Boening, Jereimah Krueger, Cody Goelter, Charlie Himmelberg, Nathan Hilligas, Shane Faimon and Tyler Auten. The Bobcats have a tough slate this fall as six of their eight regular season opponents made last year's playoffs. Porter expects Thayer Central to be the biggest threat from preventing Blue Hill from winning their fourth straight district championship. The Bobcats who will be looking to avenge their only loss of 2008 open their season at home on September 4th against the Cambridge Trojans. The Bobcats have posted an impressive 45-5 record and played in three state championship games in the past four years. Reprinted from Central Nebraska Prep, Fall 2009 Edition.

What if Barrack Obama was my Fantasy Football League Commissioner?

Football is fast approaching and with it comes the start of a new fantasy football season. Fantasy Football has become a vital part of Americana, but it finds itself in serious danger of collapse because some teams end up winners every year while other teams turn out to be perpetual losers. There is just too much at stake to let Fantasy Football go “bankrupt”. A comprehensive plan is essential to all Americans. So, I donned my best pair of “mom” jeans and thought, “What Would Obama Do?”

First, we have to understand that the current Fantasy Football system doesn’t work. The failed policies of the past eight years are what got us into this mess. We can’t just keep doing the same old things and expect change. That is why I am proposing the Fantasy Football Reinvestment & Recovery Act of 2009.

Under my plan, we must invest billions of dollars to bail out NFL football teams. If football goes under we will never be able to save fantasy football. Football was invented in America and it is only right that we should have the best football industry in the world. We will create a Department of Fantasy Football and assign a Fantasy Czar to oversee its activities. Even though they will be operating on public financing, it will still be OK for players, coaches and general managers to receive huge bonuses during the season, even if their team has a loosing record or they have poor fantasy numbers, however, bonuses will require approval of the Fantasy Czar.

Next, we must jump start our fantasy leagues. We will spend trillions of dollars to create and save fantasy jobs and turn around this fantasy recession. At the same time we will invest in the infrastructure and sustainability of fantasy football. This broad legislation will touch every aspect of fantasy football from media coverage to resurfacing of playing fields, from automation of records to “green” initiatives in fantasy football.

Because we want to ensure that new fantasy player’s are enjoying the rewards of participation, my plan will provide an $8,000 refundable tax credit for first time fantasy players. My plan also recognizes the need to get non-efficient players off the fantasy roster and replace them with newer, more efficient players. While many leagues operate with a "no-cut list", my “Cash for Fantasy Clunkers” program will allow for a $4,500 rebate toward the purchase of a new, more efficient player when they trade in their old inefficient player.

We must ensure that every American has weak fantasy competition. Under my plan, leagues will provide universal weak competition for every player. No player can be denied weak competition based upon a pre-existing condition. If you loose your job, you will still be able to keep your weak fantasy competition. However, no one will be forced to change leagues. If you are happy with your current fantasy provider, you will not be forced to change.

The fantasy point out put of all fantasy teams will be capped. Should a fantasy team exceed their fantasy outputs then they will be required to purchase credits, at auction, for those outputs. Those teams that do not use all their fantasy output credits will be allowed to sell them back to the league to be auctioned off.

My plan will be paid for by extensive borrowing, by raising taxes on winning fantasy players, and by reducing benefits paid to fantasy players over 65. If we have to, we will print fantasy money. The end result will be a much more socialistic, uhm, I mean, equitable fantasy experience for all involved.

Drawings for Half-Price Hunt/Fish Permits for Kids

Kids have the chance to do a lifetime of hunting and fishing in Nebraska for half the normal cost. Beginning at the Nebraska State Fair, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will hold drawings for lifetime fishing and hunting permits that will cost half the normal price. Winners of the drawings, for example, will pay $109.50 for a lifetime hunting license instead of the normal $219, and a lifetime permit to both fish and hunt will cost $286.50 instead of $573. Drawings will be held at the fair through Sept. 7. Drawings will also be held Sept. 15-17 at Husker Harvest Days in Grand Island. Local conservation groups will also hold drawings. Children must be 15 years old or younger to participate in the drawings.

The Facebook Addiction

You walk past the computer, you stop, you click your web browser, you navigate to Facebook, you log on, you’re just going to check the latest postings rom your friends and then log back off. But since you’re already logged on you might as well check your Farmtown, Farmville, Roller Coaster Kingdom, Sorority Life, Mafia Wars, play a couple quick games of Farkle and Bejeweled Blitz. Don’t forget to hit your friends with a pillow, sling some food at them, and send them a smile and a heart. How about a dancing fruit or vegetable, join a couple causes, or show support to your favorite team? And best of all, you have a new friend request. Who is this? Oh well it doesn’t matter they want to be my friend. Now I have 652 friends and counting. What was going to be just a momentary glance has now turned into 2 hours of internet time. The clock is at midnight and you’re still accepting gifts and farming. How did that happen? What is it that draws so many of us to the social networking phenomenon?

An addiction? The numerous activities that have introduced themselves to us through the Facebook site has created many countless, although mindless, hours of internet enjoyment. Facebook has truly evolved into a craze with its networking and social interaction. People are connecting with current friends, reconnecting to old friends and making new friends for the future.

So is this a problem to be reckoned with or just a passing fad? Some bloggers have given this and other website addiction behaviors names such as; Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD) Facebook Addiction Disorder (FAD) YouTube Addiction Disorder (YAD) Twitter Addiction Disorder (TAD) Blackberry Addiction Disorder (BAD)

Facebook and other social networking sites fill a need to connect that many people want. It allows for multitasking of our connection to people who are important to us. It allows the introverted to be extroverted without leaving home. Family members can stay in touch at the click of a mouse with photos, video clips and web postings.

Social networking can be considered addicting when it takes priority over the goals and responsibilities of everyday life. Yet unlike other addictions, such as drug, tobacco or alcohol, it is much easier to quit, it is not directly physically harmful and will in many cases phase out in time. So while social networking provides many benefits it’s still important to remember to connect to the outside world. Take a walk, go for a bike ride in the park, read a book, turn off the electronic devices and enjoy the outside world. The internet is only one way of connecting to the world, take a moment and explore your options.

Thanks for Listening,

Facebook Addict

Note From Editor:

Become a Friend of Blue Hill Today on Facebook, NOW!!

County Board Proceedings

The Webster County Board of Commissioners met at 8:30 am on Tuesday, August 18th. The following Members were present for roll call: Jeff Ord, John Soucek, Roger Bohrer, Keith Buschow and Mary Delka. Motion was made by Bohrer, second by Buschow to approve the minutes of the August 4th, 2009 business meeting. All Members voted to approve the minutes. The Board reviewed a police contract with the City of Red Cloud. Motion was made by Buschow, second by Delka to approve of an Interlocal Agreement with the City of Red Cloud for the County Sheriff to provide police services at a city cost of $41,566.00 on the one-year agreement. All members voted in favor of the motion. On a non-agenda item, Robert Ligon of Inavale addressed the Board on the issue of two vehicles parked on the county street in Inavale. Sheriff Troy Schmitz met with the Board to review his budgets for the department and the jail. Clerk Knehans submitted information regarding personnel issues, complaints and possible litigation from a former county employee. Sheriff Schmitz and County Attorney McDole were present. At 10:35 am, motion was made by Buschow, second by Soucek to enter into executive session with Schmitz, McDole and Knehans. All Members voted in favor of the motion. At 11:10 am, the executive session concluded with a motion by Soucek, second by Buschow to return to open session. All Members voted for the motion and the regular meeting resumed with no action being taken from the executive session. Linda Grummert, Highway Superintendent, met with the Board. She discussed a recent incident involving a pedestrian falling off a bridge in Inavale. She reviewed a 2007 motorcycle accident on County Road T where a pipeline company had closed off an area of the road. Both incidents were reported to NIRMA. Grummert reviewed plans for tonnage signs to be placed on re-rated bridges. They held general discussion on roads, bridges, projects and bridge inspections. At 12:00 noon, Chairman Ord recessed the meeting for lunch. The business meeting resumed at 1:00 pm with all Members present. The Board worked on the 2009/2010 County Budget. Based on Officer requests, the budget has a tax requirement of 17% more than last year. Cuts were made to various funds, departments and reserves. Due to recent bridge closings and lower weight ratings on many bridges, no cuts could be made from the road/bridge fund. Due to the annual CPI, no pay raises would be given to any elected officials for the last half of 2009 and all of 2010. After all budget cuts were made today, the tax requirement was still considered to be too high, even though the anticipated tax levy may drop by two cents. Motion was made by Bohrer, second by Soucek to ask all department heads in the General Fund, Weed Fund and County Museum to attempt to lower their budget requests by five percent. There must be a minimum budget cut of two percent in each of the above named departments. Voting aye: Bohrer, Soucek, Delka and Ord. Voting nay: Buschow. The motion was approved. The following claims were approved for payment: Wages for 8 part-time and 36 salaried employees - $80,327.07 GENERAL FUND Amer Red Cross class $ 32.00, Ameritas Life Ins retiremt $ 3,890.38, Nebr DAS fees $ 149.25 B & L Service labor $ 236.25, Robert Beardslee maintnc $ 220.00, BlueCross BlueShld health $ 11,606.28, Blue Hill Leader publish $ 362.85, Brum’s Electric repair $ 292.40, Cash-Wa Distribut supply $ 160.96, Centec Cast Metal markers $ 600.74, Corporate Image supply $ 295.00, Co Assessors Assn dues $ 100.00, Discovercard repair $ 100.82, Social Security FICA $ 4,197.40, Election Systems supply $ 984.99, F & S Supply supply $ 231.07, Farmers Coop Assn fuel $ 1,108.33, Farmers Coop GW supply $ 698.94, First Concord fee $ 4.50, Fleet Services fuel $ 652.05, Fleetpride health $ 420.00, Great Plains Comm 18 phone $ 793.06, G.R. State Bank health $ 325.00, Randy Henning expense $ 33.94, Kenny’s Lumber repair $ 324.07, Lonnie, Knehans mileage $ 77.00, Lafayette Insur life $ 10.95, Maximus service $ 947.28, MB, Construction labor $ 360.00, Bryan S. McQuay counsel $ 440.15, Midland AAA funding $ 1,154.00, MIPS, Inc. supply $ 149.74, Quill Corp chair $ 110.93, Red Cloud Chief publish $ 384.25, Sam’s Club supply $ 110.73, Co Dental Fund premium $ 2,611.00, Share Corp supply $ 374.01, South Central PPD utility $ 24.80, Theobald Law Off counsel $ 1,235.00, US Postal Serv postage $ 1,000.00, W.C. Transportation handibus $ 1,156.58, Robert Willicott contract $ 700.00. ROAD FUND ACE/Eaton Metals culverts $ 6,313.64, Ameritas Life Ins retiremt $ 1,595.57, Anderson, Construct bridges $ 29,725.00, BlueCross BlueShld health $ 5,526.80, Blue Hill Leader publish $ 31.09, Country Corner fuel $ 156.04, Social Security FICA $ 1,803.95, Farmers Coop Assn fuel $ 5,851.13, Farmers Union Coop repair $ 5.14, Fleetpride repair $ 150.00, Great Plains Comm 3 phone $ 145.26, Island Supply/Weld supply $ 20.40, Kully Pipe/Steel bridges $ 2,353.96, Lang, Diesel repairs $ 262.52, Mike Mousel misc exp $ 85.00, Nebraska Machinery supply $ 27.01, Nebraska Tech/Tele long dist $ 33.74, Newman Traffc Sign signs $ 306.52, Quality Red D Mix concrete $ 1,068.00, R & M Disposal service $ 33.00, Road Builder Mach supply $ 641.79, Co, Dental Fund premium $ 874.00, South Central PPD utility $ 67.80, Speece-Lewis engineer $, 120.00, Univrsl Hydraulic repair $ 210.97, W.C. County Clerk title $ 10.00. VISITOR PROMOTION FUND Judy Coe dues $ 100.00, Danece Meyer tourism $ 250.00. COUNTY MEDICAL RELIEF Ameritas Life Ins retiremt $ 6.75, Social Security FICA $ 7.65, Health/Human Ser billing $ 354.00. NOXIOUS WEED FUND Ameritas Life Ins retiremt $ 51.56, BlueCross BlueShld health $ 552.68, Lynn Collison rental $ 200.00, Social Security FICA $ 58.44, Great Plains Comm phone $ 43.30, Co Dental Fund premium $ 31.00 . AMBULANCE FUND Bound Tree Med supply $ 115.05, Farmers Coop Assn fuel $ 116.11, Great Plains Comm phone $ 43.63, Linweld supply $ 141.25. Being no further business, Chairman Ord adjourned the meeting at 3:50 pm. The next regular business meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 1st, 2009. A current agenda and complete minutes are on file in the County Clerk’s Office. Dated this 18th day of August, 2009.

College Football is Here!!!

The Nebraska College Football Season kicks off this Thursday at 7:00 p.m. on Lloyd Wilson Field at the Osborne Family Sports Complex in Hastings, Nebraska, as the Hastings College Broncos host the Peru State Bobcats. The game is the only non-conference game for the Broncos this season. The Bronco's, who compete in Great Plains Athletic Conference, will play an 11 game regular season, including three NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) preseason top 25 teams. The Broncos face #1 Sioux Falls (SD) on September 19 before hosting #19 Dakota Weslyan (SD) on September 26 and #5 Morningside (IA) on October 10.

The University of Nebraska at Kearney Lopers open their season at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 29 in Wayne, Nebraska, against the pre-season #25, Wayne StateWildcats. The following Saturday, the Lopers will host cross state rivals and preseason #23 University of Nebraska at Omaha Mavericks. The game is scheduled for a noon kick-off on Saturday, September 5, on Foster Field at the Ron & Carol Cope Stadium in Kearney, Nebraska, and will be televised on NET. The University of Nebraska at Omaha opens on Thursday at home against East Central University (OK). The Lopers compete in the Rocky Mountain Conference and NCAA Division II. They will play a 12 game regular season (10 conference games). Included on their schedule is #15 Chadron State on September 26 in Kearney. The University of Nebraska Cornhuskers open their season at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 5, by hosting Florida Atlantic University. Nebraska's first five games will all be televised. Florida Atlantic, Arkansas State and Louisiana-Lafayette will all be available via pay per view, ABC will televise the Virginia Tech game on Saturday, September 19, and ESPN will show the Missouri game on Thursday, October 8. Nebraska brings a #24 Associated Press ranking and a #22 USA Today Coaches Poll ranking into the season. They will face pre-season #7 Virginia Tech on September 19, #3 Oklahoma on November 7, and #25 Kansas on November 14. Area athlets making college rosters this year include; Freshman Cody Karr at Outside Linebacker for the University of Nebraska at Kearney, Freshman Nathan Petska at Running Back for Nebraska Weslyan, Junior Garrett Schroder at Running Back for Doane College, Junior Blake Erickson (Campbell) at WR for Doane College, Freshman Brett Bonifas (Roseland) at Defensive Line for Doane, Senior Dereck Meyer (Campbell) at Offensive Line for theUniversity of Nebraska at Lincoln, and Junior Kyle Schmidt (Riverton) at QB for Concordia College.

Farmer's Union Presidents in Lawrence

LAWRENCE — Roger Johnson, president of the National Farmers Union, will speak today at an open District 3 meeting of the Nebraska Farmers Union in Lawrence. Johnson will speak and take questions at the Lawrence American Legion Hall following a 6:30 p.m. smoked pork chop dinner being catered by Dick’s Place. “We are expecting 60-75 members, but everything, including the dinner, is open to anyone who wants to attend,” said Darrel Buschkoetter of Lawrence, who is helping to organize the evening. “And the Legion bar will be open, also. Everyone is welcome.” District 3 encompasses 16 counties in south central and southwestern Nebraska, including Nuckolls, Clay, Adams, Webster, Franklin, Kearney and Harlan counties in Tribland. Johnson is a third-generation family farmer from Turtle Lake, N.D. Until his election to the Farmers Union post in March, he was serving as North Dakota state agriculture commissioner, which is a publicly elected post. He recently served as president of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, and in that capacity, played a role in the crafting of the 2008 Farm Bill. Items to be discussed during the meeting include proposed cap-and-trade environmental legislation and other issues facing agriculture. John Hansen, president of the Nebraska Farmers Union, also will be on hand. Johnson and Hansen will continue their Nebraska speaking tour Thursday with an event in St. Paul. Anyone who would like to eat at Wednesday evening’s dinner is asked to make a reservation ahead so Dick’s Place can have an accurate meal count. Dick’s Place can be reached at 402-756-7412.

Peers Applaud Carlson's Ingenuity

A few weeks ago, a group of five state senators and interested individuals took a trip down the Republican River near Alma. The trip displayed firsthand the improvements made to this streambed that was once covered by invasive vegetation. Started in 2007, with legislation introduced by Sen. Tom Carlson of Holdrege, the Vegetation Management Program was created to try to revive the once healthy flow of the Republican River. After only two years, the program has already had remarkable success improving the flow of water through the Republican River Basin. It is estimated that removing vegetation along the Republican River resulted in saving 46,000 acre feet of water in 2008. New legislation passed this year, LB98, introduced by Carlson and passed by the Legislature, ensures $2 million will be available for each of the next two years to fund the Riparian Vegetation Management Task Force program. This new money will also help to expand the program to the Platte River, which is also suffering from invasive vegetation problems. The work done thus far by the Republican River Riparian Recovery Project has been essential to improving stream flows in the Republican River Basin. Continued efforts in this area are necessary to ensure the future sustainability of the river basin. We were pleased to be able to see firsthand the success of this vegetation removal and the potential for continued healthy stream flow in the basin. Sens. Ken Haar of District No. 21, Scott Price of District No. 3, Mark R. Christensen of District No. 44, Tom Carlson of District No. 38 and Ken Schilz of District No. 47.

Senator's Column by Mike Johans

August 24, 2009 Unanimous Agreement On Improving VA Facility Dear Nebraskans, Last week, our state and our military veterans got some great news at a Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee field hearing I chaired in Omaha. Every witness, including VA officials, agreed that major new construction is needed at the Omaha VA Medical Center. The timeliness of this hearing became more pronounced after the VA released a feasibility study on the facility earlier in the week. The study outlined five renovation options, ranging from partial renovation to major new construction. I am very pleased that the recommended option in the feasibility study recognizes the need for significant new construction, which was unanimously reinforced at the hearing. There is no doubt this facility is worn out, much like a 1950 Chevy in need of replacement. We all agreed it is our responsibility to see that this new facility for our veterans is achieved. These veterans, who throughout their lives always put their country first, deserve much more than an outdated facility. One of the witnesses at the hearing was Donald Orndoff, Director of the VA Office of Construction and Facilities Management. He let us know that the Omaha VA Medical Center is very high on the priority list at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. David Brown, President of the Omaha Chamber of Commerce, noted the Omaha community has a strong history of investing in economic growth opportunities that benefit our citizens, including about $11 billion over the past five years. A new VA Medical Center will be a large undertaking. But the issues outlined in the feasibility study make a compelling case for modernization. Our veterans are worth the investment and I know Omaha can handle a project of this magnitude. Specifically, Director Orndorff recommended a plan "similar in size and scope" to a proposal outlined in the feasibility study which would expand the VA Medical Center by 754,000 square feet. Most of this expansion would be two new onsite patient facilities. One building would overhaul the surgical suite and would provide the Medical Center with state-of-the-art surgical equipment. The second building would be a ten-floor clinical suite, and according to the feasibility study, would "provide space for the most direct patient care and support functions on the Omaha campus." Additionally, the study asserts this expansion would "provide the best environment of care without compromising space, function, efficiency, and patient safety" and "would provide the greatest improvements to patient and staff satisfaction." I am very optimistic about the future of the Omaha VA Medical Center, and the future of medical care for Nebraska's veterans. The commitment shown at the hearing is important and I will work hard to ensure the facility is sufficiently upgraded. This is something I believe all Nebraskans can support, because our military heroes from across the state will benefit greatly from it. I look forward to working with the VA, my colleagues in the Nebraska delegation, and others to follow through on this commitment to those who put their lives on the line for our country.

Youth Football Begins Season

The Blue Hill Youth Football team began practices today with 22 participants. The team, which consists of 4th, 5th and 6th graders, will practice on Tuesdays and Thursdays for 4 weeks before their first game on September 20. The Blue Hill Youth Football team participates in the Minden Optimist Youth Football League. This year, the league has 11 teams including; Alma, Axtell, Blue Hill, Franklin, Gibbon, Hildreth-Wilcox, Kenesaw, Minden (2 teams), Red Cloud, and Southern Valley (Oxford). Games are held on Sunday afternoons at 2:00 p.m. Each team will be scheduled five games between September 20 and the end of October. Schedules are expected to be out later this week. Members of this years Blue Hill Youth Football team include; 6th Grade: Alec Eiseman, James Fuller, Jayden Hamel, Dalton Herbeck, Adam Krueger, Mitch Krueger, Andrew Mai, Alec Meyer, Austin Rose, Kyl Rouse, Kyle Tolle, and Jacob Van Boening. 5th Grade: Johnny Bauman, Tyler Dack, Michael Hiller, Dakota Jameson Austin Kelley, and Kody Manns. 4th Grade: Jacob Canterburry, Tristan Kelley, Ethan Sharp & Joel Smith. Coaches: Jesse Alber, Dan Dack and Greg Smith. Today's practice included introduction to stretching, calisthenics and agility drills. Player's also competed in a timed 30 yard dash, a timed agility drills and the seated shot put which is designed to measure upper body strength. Jayden Hamel and Alec Meyer proved to be the fastest players, Ethan Sharp and Joel Smith were the nimblest and Mitch Krueger and James Fuller were the winner's of the strong man competition. Seven players tested their hand at open tryouts for the coveted quarter-back position. They were Tyler Dack, Alec Eiseman, Jayden Hamel, Dalton Herbeck, Kody Manns, Andrew Mai and Kyl Rouse. All seven players performed admirably. Following lasts years 5-1 inaugural season, the Blue Hill Youth Football coaching staff is very optimistic about this years team which includes six returning starters and a host of talented new comers, including five new 6th graders.

Governor's Column by Dave Heinemann

Nebraksa State Fair Celebrates Milestone August 21, 2009 Dear Fellow Nebraskans: Final preparations are underway for the 2009 Nebraska State Fair, which starts Friday, Aug. 28 and runs through the Labor Day holiday in Lincoln. This year’s State Fair represents a turning point for an institution that predates Nebraska’s statehood. The 2009 State Fair will be memorable as the last to be held in our capital city. Work is already taking place to prepare the grounds of Grand Island’s Fonner Park to become the new home of the Nebraska State Fair. In 2010, the Nebraska State Fair will open in central Nebraska on fairgrounds with new buildings and expanded event space. In July, I attended a groundbreaking for the new buildings that will become permanent fixtures in Grand Island and play host each summer to fairgoers, exhibitors and livestock that are all part of the State Fair experience. While construction on the new fairgrounds takes place over the next year, organizers are focusing on making Lincoln’s last State Fair a great event for those attending during its 11-day run. In addition to concerts and performances, midway rides, games and food vendors, the Nebraska State Fair celebrates the business and educational accomplishments of major industries in the state. Exhibitors come to the fair to showcase the latest farm equipment, new technologies and products, as well as historic collections including model trains and quilts. The fair will play host to annual favorites. The Nebraska Farm Bureau will recognize the work of agriculture producers by sponsoring the ‘Ag Family of the Day’ contest. On Thursday, Sept. 3 the fairgrounds becomes Nebraska’s Largest Classroom, by hosting a self-guided field trip that provides 2,500 students and teachers from more than 80 public, private, and home schools the opportunity to learn about Nebraska as they tour hundreds of exhibits, entertainment venues at the State Fair. Labor Day weekend begins with the annual Veterans Day event on Friday, Sept. 4 with all military personnel receiving free admission to the State Fair. The passage of LB 1116 in 2008 created a historic opportunity for two important Nebraska institutions. A new location for the Nebraska State Fair will result in a revitalized and modernized State Fair. I know the Grand Island community is excited to have been entrusted with the legacy of the Nebraska State Fair and I am confident it will thrive in central Nebraska. For the University of Nebraska, the new location provides an opportunity to develop the 250 acres of fairground space adjacent to the University of Nebraska- Lincoln campus into a research park involving private investment. The vision for the new Innovation Campus has the potential to create new jobs and economic growth for our state. As we prepare to open the final Nebraska State Fair in Lincoln, I hope we have more fairgoers than ever before. Everyone involved with the State Fair is working hard to ensure this celebration is a memorable one. I hope to see you at the State Fair.

Congressman's Column by Adrian Smith

Supporting and Honoring Those Who Serve General Dwight D. Eisenhower, on the eve of the invasion of Normandy, told his troops "The eyes of the world are upon you. I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty, and skill in battle." These words still ring true. We owe our freedom and security to the men and women in uniform who defend our nation through their bravery and dedication. I am proud to be able to work with my colleagues in the House of Representatives as we help those who have served our country. Nebraska is home to more than 150,000 veterans, many of whom live in the rural areas of Western Nebraska. Veterans in geographically-remote areas find it increasingly difficult to access necessary and vital care. Long distances and daunting travel time are unavoidable for many veterans in rural areas throughout the country. Due to the distances veterans must travel to seek care, coupled with long wait times, many patients delay or simply choose not to obtain the necessary care. These realities are why I helped form the Congressional Rural Veterans Caucus to focus on issues facing veterans in rural areas, explore opportunities to enhance access to health care for veterans, and provide a forum for the exchange and discussion of ideas on how best to improve services for veterans in rural areas. Veterans in rural areas who have served since September 10, 2001, also may qualify for a new education benefit called the Post-9/11 GI Bill (also known as chapter 33 benefits). The Post-9/11 GI Bill is the most comprehensive education benefit package since the original GI Bill was signed into law in 1944. This program allows every eligible veteran, servicemember, reservist and National Guard member an opportunity to receive assistance for in-state, undergraduate education at a public institution. Provisions of the program include payments for tuition and fees, housing, and a stipend for books and supplies. Depending on each individual's situation, benefits also could include a rural benefit payment. This one-time, lump-sum payment of $500 is issued directly to a student who resides in a county with six persons or fewer per square mile. For more information on this program, visit the GI Bill website at http://www.gibill.va.gov/ or call 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-888-442-4551). You may also contact my Scottsbluff office at (308) 633-6333. During a time in which increased military commitments have placed financial and emotional burdens on our troops and their families, Congress needs to work to provide our armed forces the benefits they have earned. In January of 2007, the Department of Defense announced the establishment of the Post-Deployment Mobilization/Respite Absence (PDMRA) program to provide benefits to active duty service men and women deployed beyond established rotation cycles to Iraq and Afghanistan. The PDMRA program offers Armed Forces personnel additional days of leave when their deployments are unexpectedly extended. However, many months after returning home, more than 20,000 of these troops - including thousands of National Guard troops - have not received their earned benefits. It is estimated approximately 220 troops in Nebraska are affected by this unresolved issue. The need to fix this problem has recently become even more urgent as military personnel still owed benefits from previous deployments are beginning to be redeployed. Recently, I joined with more than 30 of my colleagues in an effort led by Reps. Bruce Braley (D-IA) and Erik Paulsen (R-MN) to provide the Department of Defense the necessary authority and funding to ensure all affected troops receive the benefits they deserve as soon as possible. Our freedom is owed to the bravery of our veterans. I am proud to represent them and their families. These brave men and women should have every opportunity for education and quality health care without bureaucratic red tape standing in the way of the benefits they deserve.

Bugs vs Beef

Some Nebraska ranchers say a grasshopper infestation is forcing them to sell their cattle. That's because the pests are eating grass and other forage grown for livestock in such proportions, some ranchers won't have enough feed come winter. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says much of Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana and Idaho have the worst grasshopper infestations this year. But large populations also have been found elsewhere from Texas to Oregon. Officials say the hopper-instigated cattle sell-offs aren't likely to increase consumer meat prices. But that's little comfort to people like South Dakota rancher Mark Tubbs, who says he plans to sell about a third of this cows this fall for lack of feed.

Webster County Gets New Ambulance

The U.S. Agriculture Department Rural Development has awarded a $54,200 grant to Webster County to help purchase a new ambulance. The funds will be leveraged with $101,000 from the county to purchase an ambulance that will provide emergency services to the more than 4,000 rural residents in south-central Nebraska. Webster County Ambulance President Lloyd Johnson said the ambulance will be state of the art and afford the emergency medical technicians, registered nurse or doctor with the vehicle necessary to provide the best care possible.

Straight from the Horse's Mouth

Duane A. Lienemann, UNL Extension Educator, Webster County August 21, 2009 Edition There is certainly a feel of fall in the air even if we are only 2/3 of the way through August. There may be some validity to those that suggest we may have an early Fall, usually signaled by an early frost. Some people have told me that they have heard the locusts sing several days ago. I have not heard them as yet, but it does conjure up remembrances of the old saying my Grandfather used to say “From when you hear the locusts sing - 6 weeks till frost they will bring.” Some people look at the falling leaves or the blooming of the mums, still others point to the gathering activities of the squirrels. Whatever the “signs” may be, one thing is certain--some of our crops are not ready for a frost. Our soybeans (especially dryland) need some more time. It is good to see that a lot of the corn is dented, which tells me that most people will probably be starting to shut down their irrigation wells. It will likely be a bit longer before we can start shutting down on soybeans. For you that want some rules of thumb on last irrigating times you may want to refer to a UNL NebGuide which can be found at: www.ianrpubs.unl.edu/epublic/live/g1871/build/g1871.pdf If you don’t have access to internet just give me a call and I will get a copy to you. Even with the dry conditions we have been experiencing in South Central Nebraska, we are still seeing quite a bit of diseases, primarily with grey leaf spot in corn. I know that many producers sprayed with fungicides early on, or have kept a very close eye on the disease to see how close it comes to the ear leaf. I think we could be pretty much out of the woods on corn diseases at this point. While we have been watching the corn we find out that soybeans are not immune. Sudden Death Syndrome in Soybeans: I have been getting several questions about sick looking soybeans, many of which are simply environmental, lack of water and growing days. That being said, I have had reports coming in of Sudden Death Syndrome soybeans located in northern Webster and southern Adams County. According to UNL Plant Pathology Extension Specialist, Loren Giesler, Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) has been found in many fields in Nebraska over the last two weeks. This outbreak appears to be more widespread than in any year since it was first confirmed in Nebraska in 2004. Most affected fields have small areas with the disease and large areas are not being impacted. Sudden Death Syndrome of soybeans is caused by a member of the fungus family - Fusarium. Does that sound familiar –especially if you raise wheat? You normally think of this disease hitting in wet years, which it does, but it also needs to be pointed out that many producers are adapting earlier planting strategies which favor SDS development. Soil compaction and high fertility levels also have been associated with increased levels of SDS. I suggest going to www.CropWatch.unl.edu for more on this disease, or just give our office a call. At this time SDS appears to becoming widespread in Nebraska, but it can be effectively managed. If you have a large area of fields affected, avoid early planting and use resistant varieties next year. Thus far, seed treatment has not been shown to be effective. You may want to consider several things while you think about what you are going to plant next year. I know that for some reason grain sorghum has lost favor to many growers over the years. They say it is because of two four letter words – “itch” and “cane”, which I do remember and understand. There also however does seem to be some discrimination when it comes to the farm bill and even for chemical companies for herbicides. I for one, however, think that grain sorghum (milo - as we always referred to it) is a wonderful grain crop. It is one of the most efficient water users, and holds up very well in drought type conditions that we seem to have an abundance of. It is also one of the best stalk grazers out there for cattle. Given my choice I would always take milo stalks over corn stalks. Why do I mention grain sorghum? It goes beyond my fondness for the crop. It comes to mind because of an event coming to our area. I think that it deserves mention in this column. You may want to put September 9 on your calendar, here’s why. Grain Sorghum Field Day: All producers, interested people and especially grain sorghum growers are invited to attend the 2009 Sorghum Field Day to be held Wednesday, September 9 at the John Dolnicek farm at Lawrence, NE. The event starts at 5:00 pm with a tour of the Hybrid Demonstration Plot located 1 mile east, 1 mile north and ¼ mile east of Lawrence. Representatives from commercial seed companies will be on hand to discuss their plot entries and farmers will be able to see and evaluate field performance for themselves. The plot also includes Brown Midrib Sorghum Hybrids from UNL’s Husker Genetics for demonstration and discussion of the improved nutrition and forage quality. The plot is sponsored annually by the Nebraska Grain Sorghum Producers Association, UNL Cooperative Extension, the Nebraska Grain Sorghum Board, participating seed companies, and agri-business. This year’s sponsorship also includes the United Sorghum Check-off Program. A dinner, featuring sorghum cookies for dessert, will be served at 7:00 pm. The evening program will also include an address by Virgil Smail, MS, Ph.D., Executive Director of the United Sorghum Check-off Program, to share the background, vision and projects of the national sorghum check-off. For further information, please contact Ken Herz, NeGSPA Director and Plot Coordinator, at Lawrence. The preceding information comes from the research and personal observations of the writer which may or may not reflect the views of UNL or UNL Extension. For more further information on these or other topics contact D. A. Lienemann, UNL Extension Educator for Webster County in Red Cloud, (402) 746-3417 or email to: dlienemann2@unl.edu

Senator's Column by Mike Johanns

August 17, 2009 Health Care Hot Topic In Nebraska Dear Nebraskans, Last week, I traveled approximately 1,100 miles across Nebraska from Scottsbluff to South Sioux City, holding seven town halls, five round tables, and other meetings in 11 counties. I listened closely to Nebraskans' concerns and there is overwhelming anxiety about health care legislation. To be clear, I do believe action is needed. Small businesses are struggling to provide health insurance for employees, and many Nebraskans are falling through the cracks. At the Chase County Fair, I heard from a woman whose husband is a trucker with no health care plan. He makes too much money to qualify for Medicaid, is not old enough for Medicare, but has a pre-existing condition so he can't qualify for health insurance. There are about 12 million people like this across the country, who do not qualify for government programs and have no affordable options. We must find a solution for these people that won't break the bank. But current proposals are riddled with bad policy ideas. Expanding the government's role by forcing unfunded Medicaid mandates on the states and sacrificing crucial Medicare funding is very much the wrong approach. Establishing a government-run option that drives private companies out of business is another bad idea. I visited critical access hospitals in Cherry and Brown Counties. These 25-bed hospitals provide essential services, but without a dense population base to help absorb escalating costs, they face serious challenges. Did you know there is only one hospital delivering babies between Chadron and O'Neill? It's in Valentine. We can't afford to lose it or any of our rural hospitals. Unfortunately, the current reform proposals would put some doctors' offices and hospitals at risk, and therefore their patients. If doctors in New York retire rather than operate under government rates, there is little impact, but similar retirements in rural Nebraska could have a dramatic effect. Under a one-size-fits-all approach for both New York City and Nebraska City, our state loses. I asked our rural hospitals if they could keep their doors open at the Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement rates the government provides. The doctors and hospital administrators said no. This means private insurance companies have to pay higher reimbursement rates to subsidize government programs. As Washington attempts to shift more and more people onto government-run insurance, our rural doctors and hospitals will struggle to stay open and serve our citizens. Health care reform must address this and protect critical access hospitals. I am co-sponsoring legislation that would do just that. It's a rural hospital and provider equity act that adjusts Medicare rates for rural hospitals and doctors, among other provisions. There are other good ideas about how to bring costs under control and expand access without sacrificing quality care and consumer choice. I support them and I hope my colleagues will seriously consider them instead of ramming a bad bill through Congress. I continue traveling the state this week, eager to hear more from you about health care and other important policies.

Karsting Takes Chief Job with Kohl

Blue Hill native, Phil Karsting, will be the next chief of staff for U.S. Senator Herb Kohl, Democrat from Wisconsin. Karsting, 47, will assume the job in September. Since 2006, Karsting has served as Kohl’s deputy chief of staff. Karsting has 18 years of experience in Washington, D.C. His first job in the city came in 1985, when he went to work for Nebraska U.S. Senator Jim Exon as a legislative assistant for agriculture and natural resources. At the time of Exon’s 1997 retirement, Karsting worked as a senior analyst for the Senate Budget Committee, which Exon chaired. Karsting has been interested in politics for a long time. In 1984, he worked as a page in the Nebraska Legislature. He graduated a year later with a degree in agricultural economics from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Phil is the son of Lamira Karsting and the late Dean Karsting.

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Why Don't We Understand the English Language?

Just for Fun ...

There is no egg in eggplant, nor ham in hamburger; neither apple nor pine in pineapple. English muffins weren’t invented in England, nor French fries in France. Sweetmeats are candies, while sweetbreads, which aren’t sweet, are meat! We take English for granted. But, if we explore the paradoxes, we find that quicksand works slowly, boxing rings are square, and a guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig.

And why is it that writers write, but fingers don’t fing, grocers don’t groce, and hammers don’t ham? If the plural of tooth is teeth, why isn’t the plural of booth – beeth? One goose, two geese. So one moose, two meese? One index, two indices? Doesn’t it seem crazy that you can make amends, but not a single amend? If you have a bunch of odds and ends and get rid of all but one of them, what do you call it?

If teachers taught why didn’t preachers praught? If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat? In what language do people recite a play, and play at a recital; ship by truck and send cargo by ship? Have noses that run, and feet that smell? How can a slim chance and a fat chance be the same, while a wise man and wise guy are opposites?

You have to marvel at the unique lunacy of a language in which your house can burn up as it burns down, in which you fill in a form by filling it out, and in which an alarm goes off by going on. English was invented by people and not by computers. It reflects the creativity of the human race – which, of course, is not a race at all. That is why, when stars are out, they are visible, but when the lights are out, they are invisible.

P.S. Why doesn’t Buick rhyme with quick?

English is so tricky… ● He could lead if he would get the lead out. ● The farm was used to produce produce. ● The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse. ● The soldier decided to desert in the desert. ● A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum. ● When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes. ● I did not object to the object. ● The insurance was invalid for the invalid. ● The bandage was wound around the wound. ● There was a row among the oars men about how to row. ● They were too close to the door to close it. ● They sent a sewer down to stitch the tear in the sewer line. ● To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow. ● The wind was too strong to wind the sail. ● After a number of Novocain injections, my jaw got number. ● Upon seeing the tear in my clothes, I shed a tear. ● I had to subject the subject to a series of tests. Sometimes I think that all English speakers should be committed to an asylum for the verbally insane!

Site Comment Moderation Changed

Three articles were removed from Blue Hill Today due to questionable comments. Moderator's initially attempted to remove the comments in question, however, initial comment moderation settings did not allow for removal of just comments that had already been posted o the entire articles were removed. The site, Blogger, apparently will allow for comments to be screened and accepted or rejected by moderators prior to posting or posted directly without moderation. As far as we can see, there is no method for allowing comments to be posted without review and then pulled at a later point if they are deemed inappropriate. With our sincerest appologies, comment moderation settings have been changed. Comments will now be reviewed prior to posting. If you are an avid Blogger and have suggestions for a better way to moderate comments, please share. Again, it is the policy of Blue Hill Today to only moderate comments for vulgarity. This can be vulgar language, vulgar descriptions, or vulgar inuendos. The use of symbols to replace letters is also not appropriate even if quoting another individual. Symbols replacing letters does change the fact that you are still presenting a vulgar concept.

SEPTEMBER SCRAPALOOZA!!

Scrapbooking expert and entreprenuer, Nicole Mackin will be hosting three days of Scrapbooking classes and fun in Blue Hill from Thursday September 10 through Saturday, September 12.

Nicole's first two classes will be held at her home at 605 Saline Street in Blue Hill on Thursday & Friday evenings from 6:30 - 8:30 pm. These classes will cover how to make a mini-tag albumn. Participants need to only register for one of the two evenings. Cost includes a $10 registration fee and participants should bring their own basic scrapbooking supplies. In this class, Nicole will show you how to get some of your favorite summer memories scrapbooked and preserved for a lifetime.

Nicole's third class is an introduction to scrapbooking class and will be held at the Community / Senior Center on Saturday morning from 9:30 - Noon. Again, participants should bring basic scrapbooking supplies if they have them, but Nicole will also have materials available for these beginners. Participants should, however, be sure to bring at least one photo, 4 x 6 or smaller. This class has a $5 registration fee. This class is for beginners to scrapbooking and scrapbookers who need to get remotivated to start preserving their memories again.

Nicole's final event of the weekend is on Scrapbook Cropping and Page / Project Design. This activity will be an open crop time where people can come create their own pages, projects, cards, and more. It will be held at the Community / Senior Center and will run from 1:00 - 11:00 pm on Saturday, September 12. This activity has a $15 registration fee. Nicole will help individuals get some pages and projects completed and give the tools and tips for future projects.

Nicole will also have scrapbooking product on display and for sale on Saturday at the Community / Senior Center. Individuals interested in participating in these classes should contact Nicole Mackin to register or with questions at nicmackin@hotmail.com, 402-756-3874 or 402-984-2816. Nicole Mackin is a scrapbooking enthusiast and owner of Memories-to-Cherish, Memory Works Consultant.

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Rev. Dr. Timothy Gates

The Rev. Dr. Timothy D. Gates, 58, of Cedar Rapids, died Thursday, Aug. 13, 2009, at St. Luke’s Hospital, Cedar Rapids. Services were 3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 15, at Murdoch Funeral Home and Cremation Center, Marion, by Aaron Telecky and Brett Mackey. The family will greet friends one hour before the service on Saturday. Survivors include his wife, Kathy; his children, Christina (Jason) Fowler, Chris (Kari) Gates and Kimberly (Kevin) Smith; grandchildren, Ashley, Preston, and Brandon Fowler, Brianne, Gabriel, Addison and Gavin Gates, Alexandra and Joshua Smith; and sisters, Beverly Grahm and Barbara O’Clair. Also surviving are his father-in-law, Ruben Finger; mother-in-law, Barbara Finger; sisters-in-laws, Marilyn, Linda, and Julie; and brother-in-law, Ruben Paul.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and a sister, Ethlean.

Timothy was born Nov. 9, 1950, in Dallas, to Dale and Anna (Conley) Gates. He was married to Kathy Finger on May 20, 1972, in Kansas. Timothy was a lifelong minister. His greatest joys in life were sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, his wife, kids, and grandkids.

A memorial fund has been established in Timothy’s name. Memorials can be sent to Christina's mom, Kathy Gates at 314 18th Street SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52403.

Council Prepares 2010 Budget

The Mayor and City Council of Blue Hill met with City Auditor and Accountant, Ron Willnerd of Contryman Associates, PC to hold a budget workshop on Monday evening, August 17. The City will continue to make the same tax request of $101,000 although the amount received by individual accounts will vary significantly from previous years. The official approval of the 2010 Budget will occur following a Public Hearing at 8:00 p.m. on September 15, 2009. Blue Hill residents with questions, comments or concerns regarding the budget should plan to attend the hearing or submit a written statement to City Hall prior to noon on Friday, September 11. A copy of the budget may be review at City Hall once completed. One major change in the budget is the elimination of the Debt Services Account. This account was established to service debt accrued on previous street projects and the municipal water tower. Any debt currently incurred by the city will instead be carried with the appropriate budget item. Some of the major budget expenditures for 2010 include; $8,000 for new and additional computer, automation, and office equipment for City Hall, $25,000 for street improvements on York Street near Sycamore Street and the tennis / basketball courts, $40,000 for improvements to Community / Senior Center, and $102,892 for payment on street projects completed in 2008 & 2009. Budgeted expenses by category for 2010 Library -- $23,290 Cemetery -- $14,150 Streets -- $212,392 Pool -- $54,000 Golf / Fitness -- $2,650 General Fund -- $32,500 Parks -- $24,500 C/S/C -- $64,000 Waste Disposal -- $62,000 Sewer -- $32,000 Water -- $118,330 Electric -- $650,000 Total -- $1,289,482 Budgeted Revenue for 2010 Property Taxes -- $101,000 Sales Taxes -- $79,500 User Fees -- $12,000 Other Taxes / Fees -- $5,500 Motor Vehicle Fees -- $7,000 Highway Allocation -- $72,351 Grants -- $29,280 Equalization Aide -- $45,207 Interest Income -- $6,400 Leases -- $15,704 Waste Disposal Fees -- $62,000 Sewer Fees -- $34,000 Water Fees -- $110,000 Electric Fees -- $526,000 Capacity Commitment -- $43,200 Total -- $1,149,142 Expenses and revenues above are not official and may vary from final budget presented for public hearing.

Corn and Soybean Crops Looking Good

The U.S. Department of Agriculture says Nebraska's two biggest crops appear to be in good shape following last week's rain across most of the state. The USDA says 77 percent of the state's corn crop rated in good or excellent condition at the end of the last week. That's slightly better than the 76 percent good or excellent rating the crop earned at the same time last year. The soybean crop's ratings were similar. About 78 percent of the soybean crop was in good or excellent shape. Last year, about 75 percent of the soybean crop was in good or excellent shape. Most of the state received rain last week, but rainfall was limited in the Panhandle.

Congressman's Column by Adrian Smith

The Energy Debate Continues August is traditionally a time when Congress adjourns to allow members a valuable opportunity to return to their districts and meet with constituents. For districts as large as Nebraska's Third Congressional District, which is 65,000 square miles, having several weeks to allow me to travel and host meetings is an absolute must. So far this August I have traveled one end of the district to the other. I have had the chance to meet with hundreds of constituents to listen to their concerns. Obviously, health care reform has been a major topic so far, but so has concerns over America's energy policy. Last August, when fuel prices were at or above $4.00 a gallon, Nebraskans let me know they were concerned with our nation's energy policy. Those worries are still there. Last year, as you may remember, when Congress voted by just one vote to adjourn, many of my colleagues from both sides of the political aisle called for the House of Representatives to remain in session and to vote on a comprehensive energy solution to help alleviate the energy crunch impacting America's economy. I was one of more than 100 members who took part in the so-called "shadow sessions." Today, many of those same hurdles continue to stand in the way of our economic recovery. Though gas prices pale in comparison ($2.70 a gallon in Nebraska as I write), middle class families and small businesses are still feeling the crunch. The recession has left millions of Americans facing unemployment, pay and benefit cuts, and salary freezes. While all of this is going on, the leadership of Congress seems determined to push through an energy bill commonly referred to as "cap-and-trade." This 1,427-page bill - which includes a 300-page amendment which was inserted the night before the House voted on it - would restrict greenhouse gas emissions from industries - with much of the focus on carbon dioxide from the combustion of coal, oil, and natural gas. Energy is the lifeblood of the American economy, and this bill will have a tremendously negative economic impact. According to a recent study by the Heritage Foundation, gasoline prices could rise as much as 58 percent by 2035. Americans also will pay 55 percent more for natural gas, 56 percent more for heating oil and 90 percent more for electricity. Annual energy costs for a family of four will grow by as much as $4,000 including taxes, forcing families to reduce consumption of goods and services or making other sacrifices. Cap-and-trade will stifle opportunity and hurt an already struggling job market. Though it purports to create "green jobs," the bill could cost our economy as many as 2.5 million actual jobs. I long have said America needs to adopt an "all-of-the-above" approach to our energy portfolio in which all sources of energy are on the table - including solar, nuclear, biofuels, clean coal technology, hydropower, wind, and domestic oil exploration. As it stands now we are in danger of falling behind when it comes to energy exploration. Recently, four contracts were signed by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin in Havana, Cuba, which allow Russia to explore and develop oil fields in the North Cuban Basin off the coast of Florida. In addition to concerns about national security, if Cuba and Russia can tap into these resources off our coast, why can't we? The U.S. Geological Survey estimates the North Cuban Basin contains as much as 9 billion barrels of oil and 22 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. Instead of new energy taxes on families and small businesses and government regulation standing in the way of domestic exploration, Congress should aim to lower gas and electricity prices by lifting government impediments. This would allow America's energy entrepreneurs to develop innovative and market driven solutions to our energy needs. As we continue to debate America's energy portfolio - and with 9.4 percent unemployment and a historic $1.3 trillion deficit - Washington needs to finally support proven measures such as an all-of-the-above energy development which will reduce irresponsible government spending and create new jobs.

A Nebraskan's View by Senator Ben Nelson

Monday, August 17, 2009 GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR HEALTH CARE REFORM During the annual August break from Washington I will be traveling throughout Nebraska holding public meetings on health care reform. I have already heard from thousands of Nebraskans and these public meetings will give me a chance to hear from many more. It’s important to listen to their comments and suggestions because whatever plan is finally proposed must work for Nebraska.

I will not support anything until I have seen everything and there is no final proposal at this time that has the president’s support. The following are some general principles that will guide me along the way.

Control Costs We must bring ever increasing costs under control. From 2001 to 2007, premiums for family insurance coverage increased 78 percent while income increased just 19 percent, with inflation consuming these wages at a rate of 17 percent. This is an unsustainable path, threatening the American dream and jeopardizing our global competitiveness.

Private market solutions While some have called for establishing a public plan, I believe we cannot effectively resolve our health care crisis if Congress becomes weighted down by partisan bickering on the margins. There is a growing consensus on simplifying and guaranteeing access to affordable coverage, eliminating insurers’ ability to deny coverage or charge higher premiums because of preexisting conditions, investing in health care workforce issues, and improving the delivery of care.

It would be ill-advised to sacrifice the advancements which have been made on these critical issues by seeking a big government-run option that would pull Americans away from coverage they have now, with little more to offer than cosmetic improvements.

Employer-based system Preserving employer involvement is one of the single greatest ways to avoid destabilizing the coverage Americans currently have. Employers help individuals navigate the insurance market, negotiate and advocate on their behalf, and help pay premiums.

State-Based Regulation The state-based regulatory system provides local accountability and is an operational component from which Americans all stand to lose if it is dismantled or deteriorated.

Access portals We need to empower individuals with transparent information about their health care coverage by creating state-based access portals, so they can easily compare co-pays, networks, provider quality measures and access to medical records, ultimately making more informed decisions about the coverage they deserve.Encouraging healthful living and caring for chronic disease Each of us must take personal responsibility for our own health and America’s health care system should provide individuals with improved tools and service to make better decisions about their wellness.

Elements For Reform There is a lot of misinformation and confusion surrounding this issue and people have a right to be concerned. My goal, as the independent Nebraskan who has served you as governor and senator is to ensure that the final plan will reduce costs, increase quality, expand coverage to those unable to get it while not undermining the insurance 200 million Americans now have without raising taxes or adding to the deficit. It’s a tall order but it can be accomplished if all of us work together.

USDA Implements Farm Storage Facility Loan Program

WASHINGTON, Aug. 17, 2009 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that changes to the Farm Storage Facility Loan (FSFL) program have been implemented in accordance with the 2008 Farm Bill, which will allow producers of eligible commodities to obtain low-interest financing to build or upgrade farm storage and handling facilities. The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) administers FSFL on behalf of the USDA Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). "President Obama and I are committed to providing the necessary resources to keep producers financially solvent before, during and after each crop year, and this program will help ensure that they have adequate capacity to store their harvest until they sell it on the open market," said Vilsack. The maximum principal amount of a loan through FSFL is $500,000. Participants are required to provide a down payment of 15 percent, with CCC providing a loan for the remaining 85 percent of the net cost of the eligible storage facility and permanent drying and handling equipment. Loan terms of 7, 10 or 12 years are available depending on the amount of the loan. Interest rates for each term rate may be different and are based on the rate which CCC borrows from the Treasury Department. Payments are available in the form of a partial disbursement and the remaining final disbursement. The partial disbursement will be available after a portion of the construction has been completed. The final fund disbursement will be made when all construction is completed. The maximum amount of the partial disbursement will be 50 percent of the projected and approved total loan amount. Applications for FSFL must be submitted to the FSA county office that maintains the farm's records. An FSFL must be approved before any site preparation or construction can begin. The following commodities are eligible for farm storage facility loans: Corn, grain sorghum, rice, soybeans, oats, peanuts, wheat, barley or minor oilseeds harvested as whole grain wheat, oats or barley harvested as other-than-whole grain, Pulse crops - lentils, small chickpeas and dry peas, Hay, Renewable biomass, Fruits (including nuts) and vegetables - cold storage facilities. For more information about FSFL or other FSA price support program, please visit your FSA county office or www.fsa.usda.gov.

Governor's Column by Dave Heineman

August 7, 2009

Dear Fellow Nebraskans:

Today I want to introduce you to Col. Judd Lyons, the Nebraska National Guard’s next Adjutant General.

In a few weeks our current Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Tim Kadavy, will become Deputy Director of the Army National Guard at the Bureau Headquarters in Arlington, Va. He has been an outstanding leader for the Nebraska National Guard. It’s clear his talents have been recognized at the federal level and we wish him the best as he prepares for this new responsibility.

Col. Lyons will be promoted to brigadier general and receive command of the Nebraska National Guard from Kadavy during a ceremony on Sunday, Aug. 23. He has served more than 29 years with the Nebraska National Guard. He has held numerous command and staff positions. He will lead the more than 4,800 Air and Army personnel making up the Nebraska National Guard.

In addition to commanding Nebraska’s military forces, he will serve as a member of my cabinet and as director of the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency, working with the state’s civilian emergency preparedness and disaster response personnel.

Col. Lyons recently became the director of the joint staff where he is responsible for budget, personnel management, training, and equipment for the Nebraska National Guard. His experience also includes commanding forces, first as a Captain and a Lt. Colonel, and now twice as a Colonel. He led a team training the Afghan National Army and police forces two years ago. Currently he serves as commander of the Guard’s 92nd Troop Command.

Col. Lyon’s military training started before he enlisted with the Guard in 1980 when he attended high school at Missouri Military Academy. He attended Officer Candidate School at Camp Ashland and was commissioned as an infantry second lieutenant in 1983. His first assignment was serving as a battalion assistant operations officer with the 1-134th Infantry in Omaha.

Since then, he has spent a significant part of his military career at the Nebraska Army National Guard headquarters planning unit mobilizations, managing recruiting efforts, commanding the Guard’s training facilities, and serving as the Army Guard’s human resources officer.

In 2005, he became the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, coordinated the deployment of Nebraska Guard personnel activated to assist with recovery efforts in the Gulf Coast.

Col. Lyons is familiar with the challenges our soldiers and airmen face during active duty deployments. In 2006, he deployed to northern Afghanistan to serve as commander of the 209th Regional Security Assistance Command, which was responsible for training and equipping members of the Afghan National Army and national police forces.

He understands the deployment challenges our Guard personnel face, and he cares about our military families. His wife, Lt. Col. Amy Lyons, is a JAG officer with the Nebraska National Guard and has deployed to Macedonia and Iraq. Judd and Amy have three sons, two of whom now serve in the National Guard. As parents, they have confronted some of the same challenges of other Guard families when their oldest son deployed to Iraq with Nebraska’s 267th Maintenance Company.

Col. Lyons has demonstrated that he has the ability and the experience to be the next leader of the Nebraska National Guard. I know he will be an outstanding Adjutant General, and I look forward to working with him.

County Board Proceedings

The Webster County Board of Commissioners met at 8:30 am on Tuesday, August 4th for a regular business meeting. The following Members were present for roll call: Jeff Ord, John Soucek, Roger Bohrer, Keith Buschow and Mary Delka. Motion was made by Delka, second by Buschow to approve the minutes of the July 21st, 2009 business meeting. All Members voted to approve the minutes. Motion was made by Buschow, second by Soucek to approve the minutes of the Board of Equalization Hearings held on July 7th, 21st and 22nd. Voting to approve those minutes were Buschow, Soucek, Delka and Ord. Bohrer abstained. The Board discussed payroll dates for county employees. Robert Willicott, Webster County Emergency Manager, met with the Board and reported on his various activities. They reviewed grant funding. After discussion, motion was made by Buschow, second by Delka to adopt Resolution 30-2009: WHEREAS, it has been determined that a Webster County Local Emergency Operations Plan has been developed in order to provide for a coordinated response to a disaster or emergency in Webster County, the City of Red Cloud and other cities and villages of Webster County; and BE IT RESOLVED that the Webster County Local Emergency Operations Plan be, and hereby is, approved. Upon roll call vote, all Members voted to adopt the resolution. County Attorney McDole met with the Board on an agreement with Region 3 for EPC costs. The new agreement would require a 1.5% rate increase for the County to pay on EPCs that have a confinement stay of six or more days. The new daily rate is $687.03 with Region 3 paying for the first 5 days. After review, motion was made by Delka, second by Soucek to approve of the EPC Letter of Agreement with Region 3 Behavioral Health Services. All Members voted in favor of the motion. The Board received a new three year contract from Contryman Associates to perform the County Audit for fiscal years ending June 30, 2009, 2010 and 2011. Clerk Knehans discussed an offer from the State Auditor to perform a one year audit that would cost up to $15,000. The State has not audited the County since 1989 and they perform a more thorough audit complying with state statutes. This offer may be considered for the 2010/2011 when possible new officers would be involved. After discussion, motion was made by Buschow, second by Delka to approve of a two year contract with Contryman Associates to perform County Audits for fiscal years 2008/09 and 2009/10. All Members voted in favor of the motion. Linda Grummert, Highway Superintendent, met with the Board. Due to nonuse on some roads and to some bridge closings by the State of Nebraska, consideration should be given to closing portions for three county roads. This lengthy process should begin with a study of the sites in question. Motion was made by Buschow, second by Bohrer to adopt Resolution 31-2009: WHEREAS, a clear and unambiguous description of the roads to be relocated, vacated or abandoned, is as follows: Road #86: The County Road running east and west between the 22 and 27-T3N-R12W Road #87: 110 ft of the County Road between the SE¼ SW ¼ Section 1 and the NE¼ NW¼ Section 12-T1N-R10W Road #88: The west 0.35 mile of County Road between SW¼ Section 4 and NW¼ Section9-T2N-R9W WHEREAS, the vacation or abandonment of said roads is for one or more of the following reasons: Said public road is not used by the public and is of no value to the public, and it therefore serves no purpose for it to remain open to the public; The board cannot foresee any reason that the said road would have to be reopened in the future if it were vacated or abandoned; The board believes that this roadway being left open constitutes a nuisance to the adjoining property owners. BE IT RESOLVED, that the public interest may require the vacation and/or abandonment of said public roads described above. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Webster County Highway Superintendent be directed to study the use being made of such public roads and to submit in writing to the Webster County Board of Commissioners, within 30 days from this date, a report upon the study made of her recommendation as to the vacation and/or abandonment thereof. Upon roll call vote, all members voted to adopt the resolution. Grummert and the Board discussed the recent armorcoat project on the 1.5 miles of county road north of Bladen. Clerk Knehans and the Board discussed the 2009/10 County Budget. The Board proposals would be made at the August 18th meeting and, if necessary, the next day after recess. Pursuant to Nebraska Law §23-122, the following monthly salaries and hourly wages with job descriptions shall be published: Elected Officers (4) $2,812.02/mo, Commissioners (5) 1,107.25, Sheriff $2,922.21 Board Chair (additional) $50.00, Dist Crt Clk (additional) $100.00, Chief Jailer (additional) $400.00, Chief Deputy Sheriff $2,485.00, Deputy Sheriffs (3) $2,400.00, Deputy Sheriff $2,100.00, Chief Dispatcher $2,140.00, Dispatchers (2) $1,890.00, Dispatchers (2) $1,655.00, Office Deputies (2) $2,140.00, Office Deputy $1,712.00, Highway Superintendent $2,812.00, Road Equipment Operators (9) $2,205.00, Office Clerks (2) $1,890.00, Veteran Service Officer $792.00, Secretary $1,420.00, General Assistance Adminstr $100.00, Weed Control Superintendent 12.73/hr, Office Deputy $12.23, Extension Office Manager $12.35, PT Office Clerks (4) $10.91, Clerical Aide $8.00. The following claims were approved for payment: Wages for 10 part-time employees and 11 EMTs - $10,018.74 GENERAL FUND Ameritas Life Ins retiremt $323.49, NE DAS Centrl Ser telecom $448.00, Robert Beardslee maintnce $220.00, Richard Calkins counsel $104.50, Cash-Wa Candy supply $75.02, Central Dist NACO register $100.00, Vet Ser Assoc’n register $75.00, Social Security FICA $387.85, Eakes Office supply $98.56, Election Systems software $179.00, Galls Inc. supply $119.81, Great Plains Comm phone $44.60, Jared Auto Expert repairs $350.69, Myrtle Knehans service $25.00, Duane Lienemann expense $715.96, McDole Law Off phone $57.11, Jerry McDole mileage $8.80, IPS, Inc. support $1,119.09, Neopost, Inc. rental $567.00, Olson Enterprise repairs $254.41, Postmaster postage $88.00, Quality Red D Mix concrete $489.00, Red Cloud Chief subscrip $28.00, R.C. Hardware supply $94.93, Red Cloud City utility $1,614.29, Reliable supply $145.15, Donna Rose expense $80.79, Timothy Schmidt counsel $664.58, Seiler & Parker counsel $28.50, Simply Whatever contract $1,325.00, SourceGas utility $111.12, Theobald Law Off counsel $ 1,320.50, US Postal Ser postage $300.00, UNL Extension register $100.00, Web Co Sheriff petty cash $257.92, Whelan & Scherr counsel $288.72. ROAD FUND ACE Machine Shop bridges $285.29, Ameritas Life Ins retiremt $58.91, Barco Municipal signs $629.26, Bladen Sand-Gravel gravel $5,669.99, City of Blue Hill utility $87.77, Gene Buettgenbak pickup $2,500.00, Catherland Auto Supply repairs $830.57, Central Dist NACO register $25.00, Century Lumber supply $80.13, Country Corner fuel $120.16, Deisley Dozing maintnce $1,120.00, Social Security FICA $66.77, Figgins Constr’n armorcoat $39,301.88, Glenwood Telephone 3 phone $128.74, Linda Grummert expense $92.12, Guide Rock Village utility $41.42, Island Supply Co supply $33.12, Lang Diesel repairs $236.33, LRNRD Rural Water water $25.61, Nebraska Machinery repairs $715.10, Newman Traffic Signs signs $393.00, R & K Service tires $138.25, R.C. Hardware supply $24.83, SourceGas utility $194.59, Ardell Talkington service $14.00, Timm’s Service repairs $3,725.53, United Suppliers chemical $1,459.80, Windstream phone $51.82, ZEE Medical medical $566.90. VISITOR PROMOTION FUND W.C.Visitor Bureau salary $500.00 SELF-INSURED DENTAL FUND Charles D. Bauer dental $133.60, Chris Birkestrand dental $592.40, Timothy Lebsack dental $244.00, Ken C. Pedersen dental $331.80. NOXIOUS WEED FUND Ameritas Life Ins retirement $51.56, Central Dist NACO registration $25.00, Social Security FICA $58.44, Timm’s Service fuel $82.61. AMBULANCE FUND Social Security FICA $253.41, Linweld rental $51.50, Olson Enterprises repairs $551.88, Platte Valley Comm repairs $328.75, SourceGas utility $13.24. Being no further business, Chairman Ord adjourned the meeting at 12:05 pm. The next regular business meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 18th, 2009. A current agenda and complete minutes are on file in the County Clerk’s Office. Dated this 4th day of August, 2009.