Bland Receives Horatio Alger Scholarship

The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans is pleased to announce that it has awarded scholarships to 50 deserving high school students in Nebraska including Cody Bland of Ayr, Nebraska. Bland, who is a 2009 graduate of Blue hill High School, will attend the University of Nebraska at Kearney this fall majoring in Criminal Justice and Political Science. Bland and other winners were the recent guests of Governor Dave Heineman and First Lady Sally Gannon for dinner at the Governor's Mansion in Lincoln.

The 2010 Horatio Alger Scholarships are now open for competition. High school seniors from across the country are encouraged to apply now through October 30, 2009 for the financial assistance that is crucial to many who seek a bachelor’s degree, and ultimately, a brighter future. An online application can be found at http://www.horatioalger.org/scholarships.

Each scholar will receive $5,000 to assist in funding their college education. The students are selected for the Horatio Alger Ak-Sar-Ben State Scholarship because they persevered in overcoming adversity while also demonstrating excellence in academics, admirable character and community contributions.

“The Ak-Sar-Ben scholars have overcome great obstacles and we are proud to present this award,” said David L. Sokol, president and chief executive officer of the Horatio Alger Association. “Through this scholarship program, we celebrate their accomplishments and help them reach their future goals.”

The Horatio Alger State Scholarship Programs range from $2,500 to $10,500 and are sponsored by Horatio Alger members and friends. These scholarships are offered in 29 states. In 2009, the programs are awarding more than 600 state scholarships to students throughout the country. The Ak-Sar-Ben scholarships are made possible by The Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben Foundation, which has supported the state with scholarships through the Horatio Alger Association since 2006.

“We are indebted to the contributions of The Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben Foundation,” Sokol added. “The foundation is truly a steward of the Horatio Alger mission. Their support enables us to continue to offer young people access to a brighter future through higher education.” Horatio Alger scholars are provided with numerous resources to ensure a successful college career. Each student receives: financial aid guidance to assist in the selection of, and preparation for, college; access to the association’s Web site, where students can create online profiles, search for fellow scholars, update their personal information, submit disbursement requests and direct questions to the association; and access to a toll-free information line, to speak to program coordinators for assistance with questions about their scholarships and other educational programs.

Scholars are encouraged to remain connected with the association throughout their lives and become active members of the Horatio Alger alumni group.

Founded in 1947, the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans continues to fulfill its mission of honoring the achievements of outstanding individuals in our society who have succeeded in spite of adversity and of encouraging young people to pursue their dreams through higher education. The Horatio Alger Association offers three annual scholarship programs: the National Scholarship Program, State Scholarship Programs and Graduate Grants. The association awards nearly $7 million annually in college scholarships and has given more than $63 million to deserving students since 1984. The association is a 2008-2009 Combined Federal Campaign participant. For more information, please visit http://www.horatioalger.org/.

Winners Glowing with Joy

Winners of the Blue Hill Golf Association Glow Ball Tournament held on August 8 were; First Flight 1st -- Tyler Peterson and Brad Spilinek 2nd -- Steve & Joe Fielder Second Flight 1st (tie) -- Adam & Heather Boettcher 1st (tie) -- Jon Beavers & Shannon Samuelson Flag prizes went to; Riley Hall -- closest to pin from off green at hole #1. Adam Boettcher -- longest put at hole #2. Myron Schaefer -- closest to pin from east side of creek at hole #4. Galen Rutt -- longest put at hole #7. Greg Polhmeier -- closest to pin from off the green at hole #8.

DVD Collection at BH Library

The public library now has 45 movies available for patrons to check out thanks to a grant from the Glenwood Telephone Membership Corporation and proceeds raised from Friends of the Library Foundation projects including the recent 4th of July Basket Raffle. Additional movies will be added to the selection on a regular basis. Patron suggestions will be considered as new movies are ordered.

All residents of Blue Hill are elligable to sign up for a free Library card. Rural residents may apply for a card at a nominal fee. The Blue Hill Public Library is a member of the Nebraskard program which entitles Blue Hill Library card holders to check out books or materials from any one of 63 participating libraries in Nebraska to include Hastings, UNK, Grand Island, Clay Center, Nelson, Red Cloud and Superior.

Check out http://www.nlc.state.ne.us/nebraskard/ for more information on the NebrasKard program.

Sundae's on Sunday

Cavalry Lutheran Church in Rosemont, Nebraska, will host a Sundae Social on Sunday, August 16, 2009, from 6:00 - 9:00 pm. Free will donations will be accepted with all proceeds going to benefit the Webster County Food Pantry. Thrivent Financial for Lutheran's has committed to matching the first $100 of proceeds from this event.

City Council Discussion

The Blue Hill City Council met on Tuesday, August 11. Mayor Schunk called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Some of the items discussed and business conducted included;

• Building permits were approved for John Weddingfeld, Roy Wibben and Darren Gerdes.
• The council recommended that the automatic renewal of the liquor license for Klancy's Kafe be approved.
• Discussed complaints submitted by residents concerning dogs at 906 W. Seward St. The Clerk's office will investigate the possibility of contracting with the Adams County Humane Society for animal control.
• Wording changes to Ordinance No. 615 pertaining to Dangerous / Vicious Dogs was approved to define the Mayor or City Council as the Director of Vicious Dogs.
• Complaints by residence in reference to an obstructed alley were discussed. Gary Stertz will call the property owner who caused the obstruction to discuss removal.
• Mayor Schunk reported on recent conversations with Sheriff Schmitz.
• Discussion was held on the progress of current street projects. Improvements to York Street east of Sycamore Street (near tennis courts) will be postponed until Spring of 2010.
• Discussion was held on an Interlocal Agreement presented by the Nebraska League of Municipalities.
• Discussion was held on a Building Entrepreneurial Communities Marketing Grant Opportunity. Contact will be made with Glenwood to get their input.
• Approval was given to remove obstructions from an alley near 504 S. Ash Street.
• A process for declaring vehicles abandoned or illegally parked and for their removal was reviewed and adopted. Dennis Timms will be contacted to remove vehicles after proper notice has been given to owners.
• Discussion was held on reserved parking signs to be placed at the Blue Hill Fitness Center. The matter has been turned over to the Fitness Center Board.
• Discussion was held on a pre-application for a grant to make improvements to the Community / Senior Center. The application will be submitted with minor changes.
• The Council adopted a plan to compensate elected officials based upon attendance at regularly scheduled meetings. Currently Council Members make $1,000 per year and the Mayor makes $1,500 per year. Based upon the adopted plan, which would take effect in December of 2010, Council Members would receive $83.33 per meeting (based upon regular monthly meetings only) and the Mayor will receive $125 per meeting. A member need only be present for a majority of agenda items to be considered present for the meeting.
• Discussion was held on a proposed update to personnel policies. A revised copy will be presented at the September meeting.
• Discussion was held on pest control providers and costs. The Clerks office will clarify information on one of the proposals.
• Discussion was held on the Blue Hill municipal website. http://www.bluehillne.com/. Contact will be made with Glenwood to encourage updates or to provide administrative tools to the city.
• August 17, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. was set as the date for the 2010 Budget Workshop.
• Gary Stertz was re-appointed as Blue Hill's representative on the MEAN Board of Directors.
• September 15, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. was set as the date for the September City Council Meeting. This is one week later than the normal scheduled date due to the Labor Day holiday.
• Discussion was held on the completion of a probationary employment period for the Deputy City Clerk with approval of a compensation increase. Discussion was held on employee performance appraisals and appraisal forms were reviewed.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:40 p.m.

Councilman's Column by Jesse Alber

Held to a Higher Standard At first glance of the City Council Agenda, it usually appears that a good deal of business is conducted each month. This months agenda consisted of 20 plus items of business which took over four hours to address. I speculate, however, that at least 1/3 of these items of business will reappear on next months agenda. Some items that really could have used prompt attention will have to wait until next month while more research is conducted or proper notices are provided. I often get frustrated with the pace at which government, at all levels, works. At this month's meeting, I felt that a recurring question continued to surface throughout several items of business. Is it appropriate to hold certain members of the community to a higher standard based upon the business that they run or the position that they hold? Should a business be held to a higher standard than the community at large because its operation requires special licensing? Should our Mayor be held to a higher standard on issues of municipal code because of the position she holds? How about council members? Should owners of certain breeds of dogs be held to a higher standard of care than other pet owners? To some extent, I feel that the recall election on August 18 addresses this question. Councilman Andy Alber most likely wrote and said some things that the majority of the community would consider inappropriate for an individual in his position. But, had Andy not held a seat on the Council, I doubt little would have ever been mentioned about his comments. Andy is being held to a higher standard on this issue due to his position. The Council recommended approval of the liquor license for Klancy's Kafe with only modest discussion. As was the case two years ago, I was the only dissenting vote on this issue. I do not believe the fox should be given the keys to the chicken coop. With the recommended approval, I am confident that Kevin is NOT being held to a higher standard in this case. The council has had ordinances in place for years which require the licensing of cats and dogs with the city office. However, there is more than one member of the current council that is a pet owner and has never licensed their pet. This ordinance has never been enforced and probably about 90% of the pet owners in our community have never registered their pets either. But, here we have a situation where the council does not set the example and the members are not held to a higher standard. City ordinance states that any vehicle parked on the street for more than a 24 hour period is an illegally parked vehicle. Vehicles parked with the driver's side to the curb, are also illegally parked vehicles. Vehicle's parked on the city right of way without proper licensing are also in violation. However, our Mayor has a vehicle that sits for weeks at a time on the street in front of her home without being moved. This same vehicle had expired tags for several months while it was parked on the street before they were renewed. I and other council members have been guilty of parking on the wrong side of the street on more than one occassion. No harm, no foul. Another example of not being held to a higher standard. For those of you who wish to hold me to a higher standard, I am sure I will fail miserably. I could do more work around the yard to keep it neat. I should water and mow my grass more often. I need to finish my fence and egress window. I should attend Community Club meetings and church services more regularly. I should see that my son's dog is properly licensed. I shouldn't park on the east side of the street facing south. I should loose some weight. I should be more patient. And, definately, I should have been a better kid when growing up. But the fact is, we place a good deal of faith in certain members of our community. We trust our banker to safeguard our finances, our grocer to sell us fresh, safe and quality foods, our doctor to keep us and our family healthy, our teachers to educate and care for our kids, our mechanic to keep us on the road, and, of course, our elected representatives to be good stewards of our resources and to prepare our community for growth and vitality. However, trust is typically earned; not granted, and trust can be lost quite easily. Because we have so much vested in our banker, grocer, doctor, teacher, mechanic, city council, and even our bar tender, it is just human nature to want to hold them to a higher standard than we hold others or even ourselves. Just meeting the bare minimum is not enough to maintain that trust. If they fail to meet this higher standard, they will probably loose our trust. Once trust is lost, it is very difficult to re-establish. Once we loose faith, problems are bound to persist. So, in order to maintain that trust, our choices are to lower our standards, or to select individuals who can meet the higher standards we set and replace those who do not. (Hence, recall elections.) We should not have unrealistic expectations but beware of the risks of lowering our standards and the challenges of meeting them.

Blue Hill Mourns Former Mayor

Russell Wayne Willems, 75, of Blue Hill, Nebraska, died Sunday, August 9, 2009, at the Blue Hill Care Center, Blue Hill, Nebraska. Services are Thursday, August 13, 2009 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Blue Hill, Nebraska, 10:00 A.M. with Pastor Don Cosson officiating. Burial will be in the Blue Hill Cemetery, Blue Hill, Nebraska. Memorials may be sent to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Blue Hill Fire Dept./EMT unit or the Blue Hill Community Foundation. Visitation will be Tuesday August 11, and Wednesday, August 12, 2009, from 9:00 A.M. - 9:00P.M. at Merten-Butler Mortuary and one hour prior to services at the church. Merten-Butler Mortuary of Blue Hill, Nebraska , is in charge of arrangements.

Russ was the second of five sons born to John H. & Ida (Hinrich) Willems on February 22, 1934, on a farm near Gilead, NE. He attended rural school through the eighth grade and two years of high school at Hebron, NE. His family then moved to an Adams County farm and he attended Blue Hill High School graduating in 1951. For the next four years he held jobs with Adams County, The Naval Ammunition Depot, and the State Highway Dept. He was drafted in May 1955 and served in the U. S. Army until his discharge in May 1957. On December 22, 1957, he married Wilma J. Stroh at Calvary Lutheran Church, Rosemont, NE. They made their home in Ayr, NE and Russ learned his carpentry, plumbing, and electrical skills as he renovated their first home. Russ returned to his job with the State Highway Dept., where he remained until 1960. He also served as the Village Clerk of Ayr, NE. In the fall of 1960 he accepted a job as Village Clerk and street commissioner for Blue Hill where his family moved in 1961. Over the next several years he added the water and sewer departments to his responsibilities and served on the board of directors for the Nebraska League of Municipalities. In 1974 he took a leap of faith when he quit his city positions and began his own construction business. Russ devoted his adult life to the City of Blue Hill. He was instrumental in getting curb and gutter in place so that residents could get black-topped streets, which he laid. He served on the city council and for ten years was proud to serve as Blue Hill's Mayor. Health reasons forced him to resign as mayor in December of 2008. Throughout, he was an advocate for Blue Hill and its businesses. His volunteer work for the community was substantial. He was a member of the Blue Hill Fire Dept. Since 1961 and in 1974 was a charter ember of the EMT squad. He answered hundreds of fire and medical calls. He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran church where he was active in a variety of capacities. For many years he served as treasurer, council member, and devotions leader. Russ was an avid bowler and in his retirement, a golfer. He also took much pleasure in his daughters, grandchildren, and their activities.

He is survived by his wife, Wilma, Blue Hill, NE, (4) daughters: Carol (Brent) McClung, Big Springs, NE; Sharon (Doug) Hartman, Columbus, NE; Beverly (Patrick) Haschke, Sioux Falls, SD; Nancy (Bryan) Kotschwar, Big Springs, Ne; 12) grandchildren: mark, James and John McClung, Big Springs, NE :Jeff Hartman and his fiancee, Ashley Strehl’ Beth and Susan Hartman, all of Columbus, NE: Brandon and Katelyn Haschke, Sioux Falls, SD ‘ Matt (Liz) Haschke, Wayne, NE; Jennifer (Wes) Policky, Waukesha, WI: Lindsey and Grace Kotschwar, Big Springs, NE:” (4) great-grandchildren; Riley & Benjamin Haschke, Wayne, NE; Isabelle & Payton Policky, Waukesha, WI; (2) brothers: Glenn (Julie) of Brighton, Co, and Orville of Davis, SD; and (1) sister-in-law Mildred Willems, Blue Hill, NE. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Eldon and Alvin.

Congressman's Column by Adrian Smith

The Fight over the Second Amendment

...the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed. - Amendment II

Those 14 words, perhaps more than any others in the U.S. Constitution, have inspired discussions, arguments and legal debates for years and years.

Now, legislation introduced in January by Rep. Bobby Rush (D-IL) and lingering in the House Judiciary Committee has stirred up emotions on both sides of the gun control issue and once again brought these words into the spotlight.

Rush's bill, the Blair Holt's Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act (H.R. 45), establishes a federal licensing and registration regime under the direction of the U.S. Attorney General and would make it a criminal act not to register as an owner of a firearm.

The bill will also:

• Establish a federal licensing requirement for ownership of handguns and semiautomatic weapons, not including antiques, with application requirements which include a photograph of the gun owner, fingerprinting of the gun owner, a current address, a completed, written firearms safety test, and private mental health records. These licenses must be renewed every five years;

• Create a federal registration database for handguns and semiautomatics to which every new sale or transfer - including transfers among private individuals - in America must be reported within 14 days;

• Require a background check to be performed in any transfer of guns and provides penalties of up to two years in jail for failure to comply with any licensing or background check requirements.

• Establish penalties of up to 10 years for parents whose children gain access to their firearms unless they meet certain federally-established requirements.

It should be noted there are already federally required background checks for purchasing weapons. A government database of all gun owners or longer waiting periods will not keep criminals from getting their hands on a gun.

Furthermore, this bill does nothing to curb the criminals who would use handguns to commit a crime. Just the opposite - it would turn law-abiding citizens into lawbreakers for overlooking one of many forms or address verification.

Any bill which would require photographing and fingerprinting for simply possessing a firearm flies in the face of our constitutionally guaranteed freedoms.

The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees - and as the U.S. Supreme Court definitively ruled in District of Columbia v Heller - the American people have the right to keep and bear arms.

As a member of the National Rifle Association and the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus, I will work with my colleagues in the House of Representatives to promote legislation protecting our constitutional rights and oppose legislation, such as H.R. 45, which restricts such rights.

We need to work harder to ensure the safety of our citizens, but we must do so in a way which protects our Constitutionally-guaranteed rights.

Our country's founding fathers understood how important the principle of the Second Amendment is in ensuring our basic freedoms. They had faith in the citizens of America. We should have the same faith in our fellow countrymen today.

Congressman's Column by Adrian Smith

The Health Care Debate Continues

For several weeks the nation has watched as the leadership in Congress held fast to an artificial deadline to push through a government takeover of your health care.

At the time, I voiced my opposition to such an arbitrary date - insisting instead Congress should work together in a fiscally disciplined, bipartisan manner. Eventually, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) declared he was going to hold off on scheduling a vote until senators had a chance to hear from their constituents about this tremendously important bill.

Unfortunately - and despite pleas from both Republicans and Democrats - the leadership of the House of Representatives stuck to its guns, determined to push through a bill before August.

In the end, the Majority party conceded to Members of Congress who insisted on actually engaging in a meaningful discussion on health care and reading through a 1000+ page bill. Instead of rushing headlong into action on a tremendously expensive and complicated bill - a scenario which has been repeated all too often in Washington, D.C. - we now have the opportunity to hear directly from small business owners, seniors, and others affected by this proposal.

The idea of a health care program which will cut costs while providing more choices is an extremely attractive one. I fully support thoughtful, sound health care reform; but this legislation almost certainly would empower government bureaucrats to make health care decisions currently entrusted to doctors and patients.

Also, the health care overhaul being pushed forward in Congress right now significantly increases taxpayer liability and compounds our national debt well beyond current levels. The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects costs associated with the Administration's health care proposal will exceed $1.5 trillion over ten years, and then increase at least 6 percent each following year. CBO Director Douglas Elmendorf reiterated his concerns with this proposal and our nation's projected budget outlook in a recent website posting, saying "the federal budget is on an unsustainable path."

In testimony before the Senate the very next day, Director Elmendorf warned lawmakers the health care reform proposal currently under consideration lacks the necessary spending controls.

Through your responses to surveys, telephone town halls, your phone calls, e-mails and letters, I have heard from thousands of Nebraskans concerned about this proposal.

I am concerned about the impact this legislation would likely have on small businesses nationwide, particularly in a fragile economy. The legislation includes several employer mandates, requiring business to provide employee health benefits or incur a tax penalty equal to 8 percent of annual payroll. Employees also would be subject to this tax for employers who choose not to offer plans or if the plan fails to meet standards set by a panel of federal bureaucrats.

Given the costs associated with providing these benefits, many small businesses would be faced with the unfortunate decision to either lay off workers, significantly reduce inventory or, even worse, close their doors altogether. Independent estimates project as many as 4 million jobs would be lost under this proposal and 114 million Americas would be forced away from their current coverage.

Health care reform is necessary, but we must ensure any reform proposal accomplishes our shared goal of providing Americans access to quality health insurance without creating an even more uncertain economic future.

I support meaningful health care reforms which reduce insurance costs by increasing competition; allowing the purchase of insurance across state borders, making it easier for individuals and employers to band together to negotiate rates and reducing government mandates.

We should be exploring a way to ensure all Americans can deduct from their taxes health insurance costs, not just those who purchase it through their employer. A 2005 study estimated the average family pays $1,700-$2,000 annually just to cover the cost of defensive medicine. So, we also should reform medical malpractice to reduce the need for doctors to practice defensive medicine.

Some claim the American people are doomed to either the status quo or a government takeover of health care. This is a false choice. We can achieve reforms which lower costs and ensure the highest quality of care without handing over personal medical decision to unaccountable bureaucrats.

By increasing patients' control over their own health decisions, we will make coverage more affordable, accessible, and responsive - while offering more choices and the highest-quality care Americans have come to expect.

Governor's Column by Dave Heineman

Get to Know the Nebraska Department of Economic Development August 7, 2009

Dear Fellow Nebraskans:

Did you know that in recent years Nebraska has been recognized on a number of national business rankings? In 2008, our state ranked as the fourth best place for jobs by CareerBuilder.com. The 2008 annual rankings compiled by Business Facilities magazine named Nebraska fourth best in quality of life and fifth for best education climate. Nebraska made the Forbes magazine list of top 10 states for business in 2008, and we were a Pollina Top 10 Pro-business State for 2009.

These are just a few of the positive marks our state has received recently. These rankings are important because they help signal to companies looking to expand that Nebraska is an attractive place for new business development. The Nebraska Department of Economic Development plays an important role in fostering a vibrant business climate. The professionalism and outreach efforts of our state economic development team were highlighted in the Pollina report as one of the strengths of doing business in Nebraska.

The department helps existing businesses thrive and expand, attracts new businesses and investment, supports local communities in their efforts to attract new investment and residents, supports entrepreneurs, and encourages new tourism opportunities – all of which helps advance Nebraska’s status as a competitive player in the global market.

The department’s business development team focuses on recruiting new employers to meet Nebraska’s growing workforce needs and identifying opportunities for new business or research investments across the state. Businesses of all sizes have tools to expand and locate in our state because of a competitive menu of incentive programs known as the Nebraska Advantage and Super Advantage.

Efforts to market these incentives have helped 190 businesses decide to locate or expand in Nebraska. There are also opportunities aimed at small, start-up companies through the Building Entrepreneurial Communities Act, encouraging businesses to invest in Nebraska workers through job training programs and opportunities that attract development to our rural areas through the Value Added Agriculture Act.

On a global scale, business development specialists work to attract foreign investment to Nebraska and help Nebraska companies do business in international markets. In 2006 we opened an office in Tokyo, which serves as a hub for international business operations in Japan. Last year we invited international business contacts to Nebraska for a Reverse Trade Mission that resulted in new relationships in several foreign countries.

Another important part of our economic efforts is the work of the department’s community development team which helps provide quality, affordable housing options for Nebraska families. This team works with communities to help in updating public infrastructure which is an essential part of a vibrant community.

From Scottsbluff to Omaha and Valentine to Republican City, the department awarded more than $19 million in FY 2008 to rehabilitate housing, build new homes, and provide assistance to new homeowners and renters. The New Neighborhoods program identified several Nebraska communities that have attracted new business development, and the department is working hand-in-hand with community leaders to address the increased need for quality housing.

Public infrastructure projects include everything from updating public water and wastewater systems, redeveloping historic and downtown properties, or building essential community services, including fire stations, libraries and day care centers.

The department’s tourism team is promoting Nebraska’s recreational and leisure opportunities through social media and online sites like Facebook and Twitter. Eco- and agri-tourism efforts support the growing number of guest ranches, pumpkin patches, wineries, bird watching, and opportunities for recreation along the state’s river ways and scenic byways, while other tourism programs promote festivals and destinations through marketing grants for local groups.

The Nebraska Department of Economic Development plays a key role in promoting our state as a great place to live, work, play, and grow a business. Our state continues to move forward because of their efforts to promote the endless possibilities Nebraska has to offer.

Kort Leads HPD on High Speed Chase

The Hastings Police Department pursued two incidents Sunday, July 26, that began at Adams County FairFest. Fabian B. Gomez, 18, of Bladen was arrested for defying an order to leave, obstruction of a police officer and resisting arrest at the Adams County Fairgrounds, 947 S. Baltimore Ave. Officers also were involved in a pursuit with Jeffrey Kort, 22, of Blue Hill. Kort was not apprehended for officer safety reasons. "When a pursuit becomes more dangerous than it would be worth, you just terminate that pursuit", said Sgt. Bill Mann. Mann said those reasons included excessive speed,other traffic on the road and visibility since the chase began at 10:36 p.m. In addition to those factors, Mann said termination of a pursuit is also likely when the driver is identified. The chase started at the fairgrounds and ended just south of Idlewilde Road. No arrests had been made for this incident as of the morning of Wednesday, July 29. As of August 9, 2009, Hasting Police Department records indicated that there was an open and active arrest warrant for Jeffrey D. Kort, 22, for a felony count of Operating a Motor Vehicle to Avoid Arrest.

Multiple Programs Will Provide Relief Throughout Rural America

WASHINGTON, August 10, 2009 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA is undertaking an unprecedented effort to use the department's administrative flexibility to provide relief to individuals and businesses in struggling agriculture industries. Vilsack has ordered USDA Rural Development and the Farm Service Agency to use all available means to help producers, processors and other small businesses who have been hit by worsening economic conditions.

"The Obama Administration is committed to doing everything it can to help families and businesses in agriculture to get through these tough economic times," said Vilsack. "Not only is this effort critical to restoring economic prosperity in America's rural communities, it is essential to ensure that Americans continue to have access to a safe, secure, and healthy food supply."

The assistance includes Farm Service Agency's increased effort to provide loan assistance to livestock producers and the Rural Development Business and Industry Loan program which has been structured to provide relief to processors and other small businesses in agriculture industries.

Additionally, the Farm Service Agency (FSA) is carrying out a number of actions to ease some of the stress being experienced by America's livestock producers, including:

• Educating producers in all agricultural sectors about the loan and servicing options available to them and utilizing all existing authorities to maximize relief available to both new and existing borrowers.

• FSA sent a letter to direct borrowers outlining the options and tools that are available to help ease any financial stress they may be experiencing. The letter encourages borrowers to contact their local county offices where loan officers can offer individualized financial and farm planning expertise. Options available include rescheduling, reamortization, deferral, and in extreme cases, reduction of debt.

• Encouraging guaranteed lenders to use all options available to assist FSA guaranteed borrowers. FSA regulations allow lenders to undertake a variety actions to help struggling producers, including:

• Lowering payments on chattel loans through debt rescheduling;

• Lowering payments on real estate loans through reamortization;

• Deferring part of scheduled payments; and

• Writing down part of a delinquent loan.

• Increasing awareness among producers of loans available through FSA county offices around the country:

• Producers can apply for direct operating loans of up to $300,000 at 2.5% and direct farm ownership loans up to $300,000 at 4.625%. Direct operating loans can be used for most farm related expenses including refinancing debt, while farm ownership loans can only be used to purchase or improve real estate;

• County loan officers can also work to help secure guaranteed operating and farm ownership loans up to $1,094,000 at a rate negotiated with the lender. The first scheduled installment of these loans can be deferred for up to 18 months or can be interest only if needed. The terms of each loan are determined on a case by case basis.

Rural Development's Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan program, which supports the development of private businesses, has been put to work helping processors and other businesses connected with the agricultural sector of the economy. Business and Industry loans are available to help cooperative organizations, corporations, partnerships, nonprofit groups; federally recognized Indian tribes, public bodies and individuals.

USDA recently made available $1.7 billion from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act for Business and Industry loans. These funds will be focused to create and retain quality jobs, and serve difficult-to-reach populations and areas hardest hit by the current economic downturn. USDA is implementing a series of immediate steps to expand access to capital among rural small businesses, such as:

• Directing at least 10 percent of the $1.7 billion in Business & Industry loans to persistent poverty counties, defined as:

• Any county that has had 20 percent or more of its population living in poverty over the past 30 years, as measured by the 1980, 1990 and 2000 census.

• Helping businesses with their credit needs by keeping all existing authorities in the Business and Industry program remain in place. Businesses are eligible for working capital refinancing, machinery and equipment, real estate and construction, business development and expansion. Under the new initiative, USDA Rural Development will consider loan term adjustments as part of a comprehensive business stabilization strategy, including adjustments in interest rates, principal reduction and loan terms.

• Increasing the loan guarantee to up to 90 percent.

• These enhancements are not intended to assist businesses that made imprudent decisions, and all loans will be subject to standard underwriting criteria. USDA will work with borrowers and lenders on a case-by-case basis to provide needed financing.

• Providing incentives to lenders who finance businesses with jobs that pay at least 125% of the national minimum wage and/or provide health care benefits.

• Reducing loan guarantee fees by at least 50 percent.

• Eliminating the annual renewal fee that lenders had been required to pay to maintain the guarantee.

• Working with lenders involved in financing rural businesses in struggling industries to discuss with them the challenges they are facing in the industries.

• More information about USDA's Recovery Act efforts is available at http://www.usda.gov/recovery, and the Federal government's efforts on the Recovery Act is available at http://www.recovery.gov

More information about USDA Rural Development can be found at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov and about FSA at http://www.fsa.usda.gov.

Turkey 1; Kelley 0

Blue Hill resident Denise Kelley was not seriously injured when her car left the road Sunday evening as she tried to avoid hitting a turkey on Marion road south of Hastings. Kelley was alone in the car when the accident happened. She sustained only minor bruising on her right side. The car was seriously damaged.

Driving experts warn drivers not to swerve to avoid animals on the road as the results can be more devestating than hitting it.

Meyer & Premer Recieve BAs from UNK

The University of Nebraska at Kearney has released a list of recent degree recipients. Included in the list are Jared Meyer and Cammeron Premer both of Blue Hill. Meyer received a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Distribution Comprehensive. Jared is the son of Roger & Shareen Meyer. Premer received a Bachelor of Science degree in Family Studies. Cammeron is the daughter of Rocky & Tracy Premer.

Dale G. Tolle Obituary

Edgar resident Dale Gene Tolle, 84, died Saturday, August 8, 2009, at Memorial Community Health Care Center in Aurora. Graveside services are 2 p.m. Tuesday in the Edgar Cemetery with The Rev. Stephen Price Gibson officiating. Book signing is until 5 p.m. today at Williams Funeral Home in Edgar. Memorials may be given to the Leukemia Lymphoma Society. Condolences may be sent to http://www.wmsfh.com/. Dale, the son of Bert and Ivan (Campbell) Tolle, was born October 14, 1924. Survivors include his children, Patrick Tolle of Edgar, NE, Mike Tolle and wife Margaret of Edgar, NE, Elizabeth Stump and husband Bill of Spirit Lake, IA, Dan Tolle of Blue Hill, NE; grandchildren, Rebecca Haver and husband Jim of Omaha, NE, Christopher Tolle of Golden, CO, Amy Theesen and husband Cory of Hastings, NE, Jessica Tolle of Lincoln, NE, Dayle, Kyle and Samantha Tolle of Blue Hill, NE; great-grandchildren, Cody, James, and Brynn of Omaha, NE, and Payton Wray of Lincoln, NE; other relatives and many friends. Dale will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Straight From the Horse's Mouth

Duane A. Lienemann, UNL Extension Educator - Webster County

August 8, 2009

It seems to me that legislation on the Federal level is coming at us fast and furious. It is hard to keep up with everything, and sometimes there is so much emphasis on the big matters on hand that some of the smaller items that effect us even more than the big legislative efforts creep up and we miss them. No matter what your views are on some of the big legislative items like the Stimulus Bill, Cap and Trade, or the Health Care Reform and the plethora of stealth bills that are attached to these and other innocuous bits of legislation, there is another act that could have far reaching effects on farmers and ranchers across Nebraska and I believe we need to look at and act upon it.

Clean Water Restoration Act (CWRA): The Clean Water Restoration Act (S. 787) seeks to remove the word “navigable” from the definition of “Waters of the United States.” Under the current law, the federal government has jurisdiction over “navigable waters of the United States.” However by removing “navigable” from the definition, the legislation would expand federal regulatory control to unprecedented levels, essentially putting stock tanks, drainage ditches, any water feature found on family farms and ranches – potentially even ground water – under the regulatory arm of the federal government.

Here is the proposed new addition to Federal Statutes: “WATERS OF THE UNITED STATES- The term “waters of the United States” means all waters subject to the ebb and flow of the tide, the territorial seas, and all interstate and intrastate waters and their tributaries, including lakes, rivers, streams (including intermittent streams), mudflats, sandflats, wetlands, sloughs, prairie potholes, wet meadows, playa lakes, natural ponds, and all impoundments of the foregoing, to the fullest extent that these waters, or activities affecting these waters, are subject to the legislative power of Congress under the Constitution.”

Removing the term “NAVIGABLE” could open up ALL waters to regulation by the federal government. I join a lot of other people and members of many agricultural organizations that believe that the federal government does not need to regulate the water on your our private property. There are bits of legislation that have a tendency to get my attention and encourage me to inform the people as best I can of what is going on and this is another example. I strongly oppose this legislation and the CWRA as written. It infringes on private property rights and limits the state partnerships and flexibility that have made the current Clean Water Act so successful.

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee advanced the CWRA in June, but there was a “hold” placed on the bill in the Senate. A hold requires 60 yes votes in order to remove the hold and allow the bill to be voted on by the full Senate. During July, the House Small Business Committee held a hearing entitled: “Regulating our Nation’s Waterways the Impacts on Small Businesses and Family Farmers.” Testimony by opponents of this change focused on the drastic expansion of federal regulation that would happen under the CWRA. It was pointed out that obtaining a 404 permit under the Clean Water Act is already extremely difficult and time-consuming, and that the increased number of permits required by the CWRA would be paralyzing. Agriculture is becoming more and more regulated each year and it is evident to me that the CWRA would have intensive negative impact on our Nebraska producers.

I understand that it is difficult for many of our producers to voice their opinions on things that ultimately will affect them. There is always that feeling that you can’t make a difference. But if many voices join, that collective voice is heard. We have to remember that our Senators and Congressmen work for us and that they need to listen. This may be the time to get beyond those restraints and voice your concerns – or ultimately pay the price. I encourage everyone that is concerned about this and other legislation that can have a huge affect on our livelihood to please call Senator Johanns (202) 224-4224 and Senator Nelson (202) 224-6551. If you are more comfortable writing you can also send your thoughts on this via the internet by going to http://www.senate.gov/. It is getting more and more evident that we need to fight for our way of life or pay the ultimate price, add your voice to those that are trying to protect our sovereignty.

While we are talking visiting with your Federal compatriots, here is something else that you may want to consider. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced this past week that the Natural Resources Conservation Service is seeking public comment on the new Conservation Stewardship Program, which is designed to encourage agricultural producers to maintain existing conservation practices and adopt additional ones in their operations. The public can submit comments for 60 days and must be submitted on or before Sept. 28. If you have an opinion on CSP, I suggest that you register your thoughts by going to the USDA-NRCS site at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/new_csp/ .

I have found it easier and easier to lend my voice and thoughts on the very things that could impact my counterparts in agriculture, the future of my family and grandchildren. You do get the feeling that you can’t make a difference, but you can. One thing is certain, if we do nothing about those things that could affect us – then we have only one person to blame. Believe me it is much easier to be proactive than reactive. Take that step and help make a difference! 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.

Food Prices Climb Four-Times Faster Than Crop Prices

The Government Accountability Office reports that supermarket prices for food have climbed by 128-percent since 1982. That’s four times the increase in crop prices for farmers. The GAO report found that during the time period - farmers have generally received higher monthly prices for their commodities - but these prices have increased less than food prices and inflation in the broader economy. Tom Buis - CEO of Growth Energy - says last year the Grocery Manufacturers Association developed a multimillion dollar misinformation campaign to blame American farmers and ethanol producers for higher food prices. He says this is another study that shines the light of truth on the whole food-versus-fuel fiction that Big Food was peddling. Buis adds that whatever is driving up grocery prices won’t be found on the farm - and he says it merits further investigation by Congress. Specifically - farmers saw prices for beef, pork, dairy, grains and other commodities increase by 34-percent from January 1982 to April 2009. For the same period - food prices rose by 128-percent and prices in the general economy rose 102-percent. The study was requested by Senators Herb Kohl of Wisconsin and Chuck Grassley of Iowa.

Sex Offender Registry

The Nebraska State Patrol, Sex Ofender Registry Division has provided notice that Lenard Dean Zurcher, a registered level 3 (high risk to reoffend) sex offender has registered his place of residence as 109 W. Saline Street in Blue Hill, Nebraska, on July 27, 2009. This information is being provided to the public pursuant to Nebraska Law Section 29-4013, to protect members of the public from potential harm. The county sheriff's office is aware that this person is in the community. Mr. Zurcher was born on 07-01-1971. He is a white male, approximately 5'11" and170 pounds with blonde hair and blue eyes. Mr. Zurcher was convicted of Sexual Assault of a Child F4 in Clay Court District Court on 10-04-1993. Mr. Zurcher has no record of re-offense since that time. If you have any information that would suggest the above information contains any inaccuracies please contact the Nebraska State Patrol at 402-471-4545. Image of Mr. Zurcher can be viewed at http://www.nsp.state.ne.us/SOR/Subject.cfm?vREGNUM=199701078.

CRP Emergency Haying Authorized Due to Drought

USDA's Nebraska Farm Service Agency State (FSA) State Executive Director Dan Steinkruger announced today that due to drought, emergency haying and grazing is eligible on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres in Nuckolls and Webster Counties. There are 2,670 CRP acres in Nuckolls and 16,161 acres in Webster. Only livestock operations located within the approved counties are eligible for emergency haying or grazing of CRP acreage. CRP participants who do not own or lease livestock may rent or lease the grazing privilege to an eligible livestock producer located in that county. Producers with CRP acreage that is hayed or grazed will be assessed a 25 percent reduction in their annual rental payment. Before haying or grazing, CRP participants: shall request approval to hay or graze eligible acreage; obtain a modified conservation plan to include haying or grazing requirements, as determined by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) or a Technical Service Provider (TSP); shall leave at least 25 percent of each field or contiguous CRP fields ungrazed for wildlife, or graze not more than 75 percent of the stocking rate determined by NRCS or TSP; shall leave at least 50 percent of each field or contiguous fields unhayed for wildlife; shall remove all hay or livestock from all CRP fields by a date determined by FSA. Additional information about CRP emergency haying and grazing is available at the Nuckolls and Webster County FSA offices.

Nebraska Soybean Management Field Days Coming to South Central Nebraska

"Growing Nebraska's Future" is the theme of the 11th annual Soybean Management Field Days that will be held on Aug. 12 near Upland, NE. The event will focus on staying competitive in a global marketplace, increasing profits and meeting the world's growing food and energy needs starting right here in Nebraska. The field days will offer producers unbiased and research-based information to improve their soybean profitability.

Topics include: soybean row spacing, plant population, planting date and water management; nutrient management issues for soybean production; managing new and emerging diseases, insects and weed problems; and marketing, policy, and risk management.The event also includes demonstration plots, lunch and time for questions. Producers can obtain ideas and insight about the challenges they face in producing a quality crop at a profitable price in today's global economy. Presenters include university specialists, educators and industry consultants. Agronomists, plant disease, and insect specialists will be available to address production-related questions. Participants can bring unknown crop problems for complimentary identification.

The field days begin at 9 a.m. and conclude at 2:30 p.m. Free registration is available the day of the event. By participating in the Soybean Management Field Days, producers will see their checkoff dollars at work bringing leading technology and ideas to producers. The Soybean Managment Day will be held near Upland at the Doug Boldt Farm which is located from Highway 4 and Highway 10 intersection south of Minden, go west on Highway 4. Go 2 miles to the intersection of Highway 4 and County Road 30. Go south on County Road 30 for 2 miles to the intersection of County Road 30 and County Road S. Field site is located 1/4 mile east on County Road S.

For more information about this field day and three others that are being offered plus maps to those sites, visit the Soybean Management Field Days Web site at https://mail.cccneb.edu/owa/redir.aspx?C=360990f200a741e59a6af100a97d821d&URL=http%3a%2f%2fardc.unl.edu%2fsoydays. Or contact the Nebraska Soybean Board at (800)852-BEAN or University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension at 1-800-529-8030. You may also contact your local UNL Extension office. The field days are sponsored by the Nebraska Soybean Board in partnership with UNL Extension in the university's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources and are funded through checkoff dollars.

Spirit of Community Awards

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program is the United States' largest youth recognition program based exclusively on volunteer community service. The program was created in 1995 by Prudential in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) to honor middle level and high school students for outstanding service to others at the local, state, and national level. The program's goals are to applaud young people who already are making a positive difference in their towns and neighborhoods, and to inspire others to think about how they might contribute to their communities. Over the past 14 years, more than 260,000 young Americans have participated in the program, and nearly 90,000 of them have been officially recognized for their volunteer work. The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program is also conducted in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Ireland, where Prudential has significant business operations. This awards program recognizes young people in grades 5-12 solely on the basis of their volunteer activities. More information and application forms are available in our office. Application deadline is Friday, October 30. Applications should be available from your local school, 4-H organization, Girl Scouts, Red Cross, YMCA or online at http://spirit.prudential.com/view/page/soc/15440. You can learn more about the program at http://spirit.prudential.com/.

City Council Agenda

The Blue Hill City Council is set to meet for it's regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, August 11, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. A hearing for determination of automatic renewal of liquor license for Kevin C. & Donna M. Kort DBA Klancy's Kafe is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. Other items of business currently on the agenda include, concerns about vicious dogs, review of ordinance 615 pertaining to vicious dogs, report from Mayor Schunk on conversation with Sheriff Troy Schmitz concerning ideas for an incentive plan, reveiw of submitted building permits, the approaching August 15th deadline for 08-09 street projects, BECA marketing grant opportunity, unlicensed and abandoned vehicles, obstructed alley, reserved sign to be placed at fitness center, review of preliminary application form for grant opportunity for community / senior center, change t ocompensation requirements for mayor / city council members, review of revised and updated personnel policy, review of bids solicited for pest control services, selection of date for budget workshop, discussion of date for September board meeting, completion of probationary period for Deputy Clerk, appointment of director to MEAN Board and report from City Superintendent. The Agenda will remain open for additional business until noon on Friday, August 7th.

Hastings College, "Best in Midwest"...Again

For the 6th consecutive year, Hastings College can claim the title of Best in the Midwest. The Princeton Review which offers a website and other services to help students learn about colleges and universities, ranks Hastings College among the best Midwestern colleges. Students were asked to rate their overall happiness with the campus, relationships with fellow students and the community, as well as the quality of the professors, their learning environment and the campus resources. The Princeton Review profiles Hastings College in its feature, 2010 Best Colleges: Region by Region. The website is located at http://www.princetonreview.com/.

Turkey Permits Available Next Week

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission says turkey-hunting permits will be available to buy starting Aug. 10. Turkey season runs from Sept. 15 through Dec. 31, and hunters may use either a shotgun or bow and arrow. A permit allows a hunter to kill no more than two turkeys during the season. A hunter may buy no more than two permits for the season. Turkey-hunting permits range in cost from $12.50 to $91 each, depending on the kind of permit sought and the residency of the hunter. This year will be the first time turkey hunting is allowed during the November firearm deer-hunting season. Turkey hunters hunting during deer season must wear at least 400 square inches of hunter orange on their head, chest and back.

NE Ag Real Estate Values Up as Nation Declines

The U.S. Department of Agriculture says farm real estate value in Nebraska is up, extending a trend that began in 1993. Farm real estate value on Jan. 1 averaged $1,340 per acre, a record high. That's up $10 per acre from last year's level. That's according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Cropland value increased 6 percent from last year to $2,180 per acre. Dryland acreage averaged $1,850 per acre and irrigated cropland averaged $2,700 per acre. Pastureland, at $450 per acre, declined 6 percent from a year ago. Cash rents paid to landlords in 2009 for cropland increased from last year and were also a new record high. Irrigated cropland rent averaged $164 per acre, an increase of $6. Dryland rent averaged $100 per acre, up $3 from 2008.

Despite Nebraska's agricultural real estate gains, farmland prices across the U.S., which advanced for 21 years, couldn’t escape the worst plunge in real estate since the Great Depression.

The value of all land and buildings on farms averaged $2,100 an acre at the start of 2009, down 3.2 percent from a year earlier, the first decline since 1987, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said yesterday in an annual report. Prices in Corn Belt States including Iowa and Illinois fell 2.2 percent to $3,620 an acre. In Montana, they plunged 22 percent to $700.

No U.S. real estate avoided the damage caused by subprime- mortgage defaults that sent home prices in cities down 19 percent last year and led to a 35 percent plunge in commercial values from an October 2007 peak. Farmland is starting to pick up and may return 10 percent a year as the recession eases, said Jeff Conrad at Hancock Agricultural Investment Group in Boston. “The market is taking a breather, but demand fundamentals are still in place,” said Conrad, a managing director who helps oversee $1.1 billion of farmland that returned 4.4 percent in the year ended June 30. “Population, more Western-style diets and land availability all point toward more growth.”

Corn, wheat and soybeans dropped from records last year as the first global recession since World War II worsened and farmers increased world grain production by 5.5 percent, according to International Grains Council figures. The USDA expects net-farm income to drop 20 percent this year to about $71.2 billion from last year’s record.

Credit Crisis Wheat fell 31 percent last year on the Chicago Board of Trade while soybeans declined 19 percent and corn 11 percent.

“Livestock and crop commodity prices have declined from a year earlier, thus producers and investors are less optimistic than a year ago,” the USDA said in yesterday’s report. “A decrease in the demand for recreational land has also contributed to the overall decrease in land values.”

Northeast states were the most expensive of the 10 regions in the lower 48 states tracked by the USDA, with an average price of $4,830 an acre. The least-expensive area was the Mountain states, at $922 an acre. Even after the declines, the value of U.S. farmland, excluding Alaska and Hawaii, was the second-highest on record, above the $2,010 in 2007.

Investment in real estate was hurt by the freeze in credit markets that caused the world’s biggest financial companies to report more than $1.5 trillion in writedowns and credit losses, and worsened the global recession.

Foreclosure filings reached a record 1.5 million, or one in 84 U.S. homes, in the first half of the year, according to RealtyTrac Inc., an Irvine, California-based seller of default data. Annual Returns

Farmland prices are rebounding this year, Conrad said. Combined returns from agriculture and property appreciation may reach 10 percent annually over the next decade amid shrinking acreage and rising food demand, he said.

U.S. agricultural acreage is the smallest since the 1920s, according to the USDA. The United Nations says world food demand will double by 2050.

Food importers such as South Korea are purchasing land abroad to secure crop supplies, seeking protection against future shortages. Worldwide food prices surged to a record last year, bringing the number of hungry people to about 1 billion, according to the UN.

Rural property values fell less than city prices because farmers’ debt loads are the lowest in least 50 years, said Jason Henderson, a vice president with the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City.

Debt Ratios The USDA forecasts the ratio of debt to assets for planters will be 9.1 percent this year, less than half the levels seen at the peak of the 1980s farm crisis.

Gains in property values may be limited in the next two years by concerns that a slow economy will restrain crop prices and curb growth in Asia, Hancock’s Conrad said. Total returns in his group’s investments averaged more than 12 percent since 1991, he said.

Farmland remains attractive, even after the decline last year, said Harold Griffiths, who bought 348 acres (141 hectares) of Iowa corn and soybean land this year.

“There isn’t going to be any more of it, and there’s only going to be more people,” said Griffiths, the owner of the 600- worker Wrico Stamping Co. in Plymouth, Minnesota. “It seems like a pretty sure bet.”

A Nebraskan's View by Senator Ben Nelson

Monday, July 27, 2009 VOTING FOR THE TROOPS Wasting taxpayer money is always a bad idea and wasting it for the wrong reason is even worse. Soldiers often face the “fog of war” on the battlefield. My simple gut check helps me see through the “fog of Washington.” A Vote Against Wasteful Spending and for Our Troops Last week, we had “fog of Washington” moments as we worked to pass a major defense bill but I didn’t lose sight of why we were there: the troops. I joined a solid majority rejecting two wasteful programs the Pentagon doesn’t want and would have been funded by taking money away from our troops. The bill known, as the National Defense Authorization Act of 2010, ensures the continued operation of our Armed Forces, and it helps improve the lives of our military and their families. First, I voted with 57 other senators on an amendment against paying for more F-22 fighter jets. The Pentagon says we have enough and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates has made ending their production key goal of his Defense Department reforms. Some senators fought for more jets, which are produced in their states. They proposed paying for them by cutting spending elsewhere – partly by Staking $400 million from military personnel. Second, I voted with 58 other senators against an amendment funding an alternate engine for the military’s new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Senators supporting the program—again from states where they alternate engine is under development—argued it would push competition. That makes sense sometimes…but not in this case. They suggested paying for the alternate engine by taking money from Marine Corps’ helicopters to be used in Afghanistan. They also proposed taking money from Air Force special operations C-130 aircraft used to transport military personnel and materials to Iraq, Afghanistan and around the world. The Pentagon Tried to Stop the Spending The previous administration and military leaders tried to end the alternate engine program because the Pentagon said the F-35’s first engine has been doing the job. The President’s 2007, 2008 and 2009 budgets didn’t seek funding. But it was kept alive each year thanks to congressionally directed funding, also known as earmarks. Defense Secretary Gates, a holdover from the previous administration, recently warned of a possible presidential veto this time around if Congressional add-ons brought back to life programs ended by the Pentagon, including the alternate engine and the F-22. Building seven additional F-22’s would cost about $1.7 billion. The alternate engine would cost about $5 billion over the next half dozen years, big business for states home to companies working on the second engine. Wasting Taxpayer Money Would Cut Troops Support In both cases, it didn’t make sense to chop up the defense budget to make room for Congressional add-ons that the military leaders adamantly opposed as unnecessary. That would have shortchanged what our men and women in uniform need today to fight in Iraq and Afghanistan. I’m certain the “fog of Washington” will always exist. But I will never see a reason to waste taxpayer money on unwanted military hardware, and particularly not when it undermines our troops. I’ll always see that clearly

Senator's Column by Mike Johanns

August 3, 2009 Medicare and Medicaid Should Not Pay For Health Care Reform Dear Nebraskans, The Senate is wrapping up its final days before adjourning until Labor Day. Even though no health care legislation has come to the floor in the Senate or the House of Representatives, health care remains a hot topic. Both houses have proposals working through the committee process, which have struggled in committee because they are significantly flawed. I, as well as my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, have many concerns as to how our current government programs, Medicare and Medicaid, will be funded given the provisions in these bills. As the weeks go on, creating a government-run health care system seems more and more foolish. Legislation in the House of Representatives outlines about $500 billion worth of cuts to Medicare. This money would be taken out of Medicare and used to help fund the new government-run health care system. Medicare is already projected to be bankrupt by 2017, and it baffles me that some of my colleagues are actually proposing to take money out of it while simultaneously expanding the federal government's health care obligations. With so many elderly Americans relying heavily on Medicare, this proposal makes no sense. I have similar concerns regarding Medicaid. Both the Senate and the House bills propose to significantly expand Medicaid. The National Governors Association (NGA), estimates this expansion will impose on states an unfunded mandate of nearly $130 billion annually. When I was Governor, we worked hard to ensure Medicaid reached as many eligible people as possible while carefully fitting it into a balanced budget. This provision threatens to completely upend Nebraska's budget. NGA projects this unfunded mandate will cost Nebraska $186 million annually. This money will have to be raised by either cutting other programs or raising taxes. Tough decisions about funding education and other important priorities get even harder within this new financial landscape. In light of all this, I introduced a resolution that puts Senators on record for or against protecting Medicare funding and protecting state budgets from this enormous unfunded mandate. It says any savings found within Medicare should be inserted back into the program to help its financial viability. Just last week, the Congressional Joint Economic Committee reported that if these savings were applied toward Medicare's unfunded obligations, it would keep the program afloat an extra two years, and would reduce the accumulated Medicare shortfall by $7.3 trillion over the next 75 years. My resolution would also ensure that creating a new, government-run system would not burden states with unfunded mandates in order to expand Medicaid. States like Nebraska, which strive to achieve a balanced budget year in and year out, simply cannot afford such costs. Medicaid is already causing financial chest pains in Washington. A Medicaid expansion would put state budgets into full blown cardiac arrest. Washington can do better. We owe it to you-the people we serve-to do better. I look forward to hearing more of your ideas and concerns as I travel throughout Nebraska for the next few weeks.

Double Bugs Could Damage Beans

Experts say grasshoppers and bean leaf beetles are showing up along more and more Nebraska soybean fields, particularly in the southern part of the state. University of Nebraska-Lincoln specialists say defoliation is a key warning sign. UNL Extension educator Keith Jarvi says a single species of bugs rarely wreaks enough havoc to cause economic loss in a field. But he says the combined damage of two or more species can cost farmers some money.

Country Music Jam Session

There will be a Country Music Jam Session at the Westgate Community Room from 1:30 to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 16, 2009. Everyone is welcome to attend. A free will offering will be accepted and cookies and drinks will be served.

Governor's Column by Dave Heineman

A Premier Campus in the Nebraska Heartland

August 3, 2009 Dear Fellow Nebraskans:

This week I want to highlight the success of the University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK). With a long and distinguished history dating back to 1905, UNK became part of the university system less than 20 years ago. In that time, it has become a premier provider of undergraduate education.

Its 6,500 students come from all of Nebraska’s 93 counties, including a growing number of graduates from urban areas attracted to a more intimate campus setting. UNK students benefit from personal attention and interaction with faculty who take pride in developing quality academic relationships with students.

In addition to Nebraska students, UNK is increasingly attractive for young people from outside the state. The campus is home to students from 47 states and 49 countries. With 11 percent of students from other countries, it has the highest ratio of international undergraduate students of all colleges and universities in Nebraska.

UNK offers a full menu of 170 undergraduate majors, 25 pre-professional programs, 34 graduate programs and a highly competitive honors program. A strong selling point is the fact that 99 percent of UNK’s full-time faculty teaches undergraduate courses. Nearly all professors have attained the highest educational degrees in their respective fields of study.

While the campus is known primarily for its undergraduate programs, many faculty members are productive researchers in their own right and provide undergraduate students with opportunities to participate in their studies. This encourages an environment for mentoring and helps students conduct their own original scholarship.

During the past five years, UNK student-scholars have participated in the National Conference on Undergraduate Research in greater numbers than any other Nebraska college or university. The 13th edition of UNK’s Undergraduate Research Journal shows the wide range of student scholarship, with articles ranging from an in-depth market feasibility study for a proposed retail business to a detailed analysis of two Beethoven piano sonatas.

Students graduating from many UNK programs enjoy a near perfect job placement rate, and each year many others are admitted to graduate studies in the some of the nation’s best programs.

While undergraduate instruction is a key focus, UNK has also been recognized by U.S. News & Report as a top-15 Midwestern university for master’s programs. As one of the most affordable universities in the region of Nebraska’s surrounding states, UNK offers a private college experience with the prices of a public university where more than two-thirds of all students receive some form of financial aid.

I appreciate the leadership and partnership of UNK Chancellor Doug Kristensen. His work and that of other UNK leaders ensures that students have excellent educational opportunities in central Nebraska, as well as drawing new students to our state.

In a short period of time the UNK campus has become a great addition to the University of Nebraska system, providing an educational experience focused on enriching students and preparing them for future study and success in many fields.

Thramer's Purchases Property Next Door

Tim Thramer was the high bidder this morning for the property at 524. W. Gage Street in the downtown district of Blue Hill. Thramer owns and operates Thramer's Food Center which is adjacent to the west of the auctioned parcel. Thramer's high bid was $11,500, a far cry from the $80,000 that the property was originally listed for over four years ago.

August Birthdays

Donelda Hartman of Blue Hill and former resident Louise Baker celebrated their 90th birthdays this week, while Lois "Blondie" Mohlman celebrated her 80th year, all with open houses in Blue Hill. Donelda's open house was held from 2 - 4 p.m. on Saturday August 1 at the Blue Hill Community / Senior Center while Baker's open house met from 2 - 4 p.m. on Sunday August 9th at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church Hall and Mohlman's will meet from 2 - 4 p.m. August 8th at St. Paul's Lutheran Church. If you were unable to attend any of these open houses, all of the Birthday Girls still welcome cards. Cards may be sent to: Louise Baker, 116 Sycamore Street, Apt. 16, Hastings, NE 68901 Donelda Hartman, 314 N. Payne, Blue Hill, NE 68930 Lois Mohlman, PO Box 392, Blue Hill, NE 68930 Happy Birthday, Young Ladies!!! Other Blue Hill residents celebrating Birthdays in August include (but not limited to):

August 4 (77) Walter Witte August 5 (31) Robbey Willicott August 5 (26) Terry Schunk August 6 (42) Maintainer man, Toby Alber August 6 (90) Donelda Hartman August 7 (75) Dick McConkey August 7 (16) Torey Kraneau August 11 (16) Clint James August 8 (85) Agnas Britton August 8 (80) Lois Mohlman August 9 (39) Andy Alber August 13 (45) Kevin C. Kort August 14 (76) Robert Meents August 17 (46) Johnny Kearney August 18 (45) Mary Schliesinger August 18 Alyssa Willicot August 20 (43) Roger Bunner August 22 (76) Chuck Hewitt August 23 (28) Ron Faber August 23 (47) Jeff Coffey August 24 (32) Brad Johnson August 30 (47) Kay Jordening

$500 for Pork Scholars

The Nebraska Pork Producers Association is pleased to sponsor two $500 scholarships to recognize outstanding college aged students involved in the pork and agriculture industry! Scholarships will be awarded to students who intend to pursue a career in the pork or related industry. To be eligible you must be an undergraduate student, enrolled in a swine program or college of agriculture, write a brief letter that explains what role you see yourself playing in the pork industry after graduation, write an essay of 750 words or less that describes how you would work through managing a crisis related to the pork industry (be sure to identify the crisis and offer your solutions)., submit one letter of reference from a current/former professor or industry professional, prepare a cover sheet with your name, complete mailing address, phone number, email address, school name, year in school, social security number or student ID, and permanent mailing address. Mail the above items in a single envelope to: Nebraska Pork Producers Association, Attn: Kyla Wize, PO Box 830909, Lincoln, NE 68583 All entries must be postmarked by August 10, 2009. The Nebraska Pork Producers Association will administer the program, read the essays, and select the winners. Essays will be judged on the basis of clarity, persuasiveness, originality, and relevance of topic. Winners will notified via mail. Scholarships will be applied directly to the winners’ school accounts. NPPA reserves the right to publish any or parts of the essays submitted. For additional information, please call Kyla Wize at 402-472-2528.

Little Blue NRD to Participate in AWEP

Landowners in the Little Blue Natural Resource District may have an opportunity to address water conservation goals on their property with assistance from a new federal program — but only if they act soon. On Thursday, the Natural Resources Conservation Service announced that the LBNRD had been selected as an area for funding of projects under the federal Agricultural Water Enhancement Program, or AWEP. The Little Blue district, working in cooperation with District Conservationist Janet Valasek of the NRCS office in Nelson, requested about $3 million in federal funds under the program. That money is to be leveraged by $1.5 million worth of participation by the NRD, including cost share dollars, staff time working on projects, and other input, over three years’ time. Mike Onnen, LBNRD general manager, said the $3 million in AWEP funding is the total authorized for distribution over fiscal years 2009, 2010 and 2011. The catch, he said, is that Congress will have to approve an appropriation for each of those years. If the congressional appropriation ever is rejected and the federal funding dries up, the district will be relieved of its obligation for the match, Onnen said. “It’s kind of a year-by-year program right now,” he said. The AWEP funds may be used for converting gravity irrigation systems to sprinkler irrigation, converting irrigated acres to dryland, improving existing sprinkler systems’ efficiency or implementing better water management techniques. Onnen said first priority for funding will be given to projects within the Hastings Wellhead Protection Area, which stretches north and west from Hastings; and to projects in Subarea 8, a portion of the district in the Chester area where issues with both water quantity and water quality are being addressed. Second priority will go to projects within the five special water quality subareas within the Little Blue district, which encompasses all of Thayer County and parts of Adams, Clay, Webster (to include Blue Hill and the surrounding areas), Nuckolls, Fillmore and Jefferson counties. The district’s special water quality subareas are in the Superior-Hardy, Bruning, Edgar-Fairfield-Davenport, Deshler-Ruskin-Byron and Fairbury areas. Priority also will be given to projects within the wellhead protection area of any community in the district, Onnen said. “Our goal is to try to protect the public drinking water supplies,” he said. Landowners will apply for the AWEP funding through their local NRCS offices. The application window opens Monday and closes Aug. 14, so time is short. In Thursday’s news release, Steve Chick, state conservationist for NRCS, said AWEP is a subcomponent of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, or EQIP. Congress created AWEP under provisions of the 2008 Farm Bill. The main difference between AWEP and EQIP is that whereas EQIP applications may come from anywhere in the state, AWEP applications can be made only in specifically approved project areas. AWEP provides farmers and ranchers with financial and technical assistance for projects to conserve groundwater and surface water and improve water quality on agricultural land. In all, 18 Nebraska proposals for the AWEP program were submitted after the program was announced in fall 2008. The LBNRD proposal was one of five from Nebraska and 64 from aacross the country to be approved. Altogether, the five Nebraska projects total nearly $9.85 million in anticipated federal funds, to be leveraged with $7.4 million in local and state funds and in-kind services. The other Nebraska proposals just approved were from the Middle Republican Natural Resources District, the Central Nebraska Public Power & Irrigation District, the Lower Big Blue NRD and Lower Platte North NRD. The CNPPID project involves $1.55 million in federal funding to be leveraged by $3.55 million from the district, the Tri-Basin NRD and local farmers. The goal is to install 50 new full-circle center pivot irrigation systems, as well as subsurface irrigation systems on 400 acres. Farmers participating in that area agree to farm pivot corners with no-till practices for four years and keep records on their results. Target areas within the district are along the CNPPID supply canal southeast North Platte and acres in Kearney, Phelps and Gosper counties. For more information about AWEP, contact a local NRCS office or visit http://www.ne.nrcs.usda.gov/.

Bonifas Becomes Ambassador for AgriScience

Blue Hill Vocational Agriculture Instructor and FFA Advisor, Melissa Bonifas, recently joined 17 other specially selected agricultural instructors from across the United States for a week of new experiences at the National Agriscience Teacher Ambassador Academy held at Chesepeake Farms near Chestertown, Maryland. The program focused on how to incorporate inquiry-based instruction and higher-level science principles into the existing ag curricula. The academy also focused on the scientific aspects of agriculture — specifically, environmental issues like biofuels and renewable energy resources, physics and food safety issues.

The academy was sponsored by DuPont, a global company dealing in science-based products and services, and supported by Lab-Aids, a vendor of educational resource materials. The week included tours of the Delaware Biotechnology Institute and DuPont Labs.

Bonifas, 33, who has taught Agricultural classes at the Blue Hill Public Schools for 9 years, is now tasked with working with her peers to integrate science education into the ag classroom. Bonifas was given a variety of educational resources, ideas and techniques to integrate into the classroom.

Bonifas expects the inquiry based learning model to lead to significant academic retention in students. Bonifas feels that the key to the model is to assist the students in ways for them to discover the answers based upon their own questions and reasoning process.

This fall, Bonifas will deliver a workshop at the National FFA convention in Indianapolis, Ind., and at the national conference of the National Association of Agricultural Educators in Nashville, Tenn.

Bonifas lives near Blue Hill with her husband, Troy, and 2-year-old daughter, Aiden.