The Fish are Biting.

Roy Wibben holds a catfish caught Sunday  May 5, 2013 on the south side of Harlan County Lake . 
This fish was 32 inches long.  This was the first big fish Wibben has caught this season.

Quote of the Day

Henry Burton
Have you had a kindness shown?
  Pass it on;
T'was not given for thee alone
  Pass it on:
Let it travel down the years,
Let it wipe another's tears
"Til in Heaven the deed appears -
Pass it on.

George W. Mohlman April 28, 1925 to May 2, 2013

 

Blue Hill resident George W. Mohlman passed away Thursday, May 2, 2013, at Mary Lanning Healthcare in Hastings.

Services will be held Tuesday, May 7, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Blue Hill with Pastor Don McMillan officiating.  Burial will be at the Blue Hill cemetery.  Visitation will be Monday, May 6, 2013, from 11 a.m. to 8 pm at Merten-Butler Funeral Home in Blue Hill.
George was born April 28, 1925, in Pauline, Nebraska to Frederick and Adeline (Parks) Mohlman.  He attended Elementary school at District 51 and high school in Blue Hill.  He served in the United States Army during World War II, where he was stationed in Iran.

He married Helen Rosalie Dealey on August 4, 1948.  Together they had two children, Clayton Lyle and George Gregg.

George farmed in Central City and Blue Hill areas until he retired in 19887.  George enjoyed fishing, camping and playing cards. 
He was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Blue Hill.
Survivors include son, Clayton (Dawn) Mohlman of Blue Hill’ Sisters, Ruby Stevens and Ella Mae (William )Keeney of Blue Hill’ grandchildren, Jeffrey (Danielle) of Blue Hill, Danielle (Brandon ) Bohn of Anchorage, AK, Brandi Mohlman of Waco, TX and Jonathon and Nathaniel Mohlman of Blue Hill’ great grand son, Everhett Mohlman of Blue Hill’ and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Rosalie; son, George; brothers, John, William, Robert, Albert and Fred and sisters, Mary, Margaret, Grace and Irma.

The Huskers Hero

Senator Deb  Fischer

Childhood is a time for growing – growing bodies, growing minds, and growing hearts. It is a special, brief time given to us by God to live without fear or physical pain, or the burdens of responsibility.
For too many children, though, childhood is very different. Many are forced to grow up too quickly and learn hard lessons of courage from the cruel, unyielding teacher of sickness.
Despite this premature transition from innocence to the harsh realities of life, these children remain beacons of hope. They challenge us to overcome our own seemingly trivial trials in comparison to the heavy burdens they shoulder. They prompt us all to believe in the power of miracles, because they have no other choice.
One such child is a friend and personal hero of mine, Jack Hoffman.
Many Nebraskans are familiar with Jack's story. Jack is a remarkable 7-year old boy born and raised in Atkinson, Nebraska.
He experienced a childhood like many children his age in Nebraska, but his life abruptly changed two years ago when Jack suffered a sudden, life-threatening seizure. Upon examination, doctors discovered heartbreaking news: Jack had brain cancer.
The two surgeries he endured to remove the cancerous mass on his brain did not bring about the ultimate results physicians hoped, and doctors determined the remaining cancerous mass was inoperable.
Jack quickly began 60 weeks of chemotherapy, employing an outdated regimen used by doctors for over 25 years. Unfortunately, reduced research funding for pediatric brain cancer has stunted medical advancements and treatment options remain limited.
However, Jack and his parents remained hopeful and determined to discover God’s will in their hardships. The Hoffmans set out to raise awareness of pediatric brain cancer, a rare, devastating disease that poses unique health and developmental problems for the 3,000 child patients diagnosed each year.
Jack and other children suffering from brain cancer endure seizures, difficulty speaking, and trouble with their balance. The list, unfortunately, goes on.
Many Nebraskans have been inspired by Jack’s story, but he was introduced to most Americans after becoming an overnight football star at the Huskers spring football game on April 6, 2013. Jack suited up with football pads and a Number 22 jersey and fearlessly ran 69 yards to score a touchdown in front of 60,000 screaming fans at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln.
In a single dash across the gridiron, little Jack Hoffman touched the hearts of millions of Americans – including 7.6 million YouTube viewers – and increased awareness of pediatric brain cancer.
It didn’t take a touchdown, though, to make Jack a hero. Jack’s courage and resilience represent the very best of the human spirit – and the very best in our nation.
Jack and the Hoffmans’ have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to turn their personal trial into a force for good. The Hoffmans’ fundraising efforts through the “Team Jack” campaign have yielded over $300,000 for pediatric brain cancer research.
Although there are countless worthy charities across America, my husband, Bruce, and I feel a special connection with Team Jack and have worked closely with the Hoffman family to increase awareness of pediatric brain cancer.
Last week, the Senate unanimously adopted a bipartisan resolution I offered with Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) to recognize the unique struggles of pediatric brain cancer patients and their families. It commends the scientists, researchers, and healthcare providers working tirelessly to modernize and improve diagnosis and treatment options. And, importantly, it designates September 26, 2013, as “National Pediatric Brain Cancer Awareness Day” to encourage efforts toward the early diagnosis and ultimate cure of the disease.
We hope and pray the efforts of medical researchers will someday lead to a cure for the thousands of children suffering from pediatric brain cancer and their families.
In the meantime, young heroes like Jack Hoffman press on in the face of their challenges with enduring courage and optimism, reminding us that in an often dark and frightening world, some of the brightest lights are often the smallest.
Thank you for taking part in our democratic process, and I’ll visit with you again next week.
Deb Fischer
United States Senator

How Much is $1 Trillion?

Rep. Adrian Smith

 

     

A few years ago, it was far more common to discuss budgets and costs of programs in the billions of dollars – a staggering sum of money.  However, after years of government growth it has become increasingly necessary to discuss Washington spending in terms of “trillions” rather than “billions” of dollars.
As the use of the “t-word” becomes more common, it is important to put this number in perspective.   A trillion is 1,000 billion which is 1,000 million.  To help us imagine how much a trillion is, I have come up with a few examples.
Imagine you have $1 trillion, roughly the amount of the federal deficit for each of the last five years.  With this amount of money you could purchase about 22 Runza combos with frings and a drink for every man, woman, and child on Earth – including tax.
If you were in the mood for pizza, you could buy more than 55 billion Val’s Original Specials from Valentino’s for $1 trillion.  This many pizzas lined up would span more than 14,000 miles – roughly the distance from Grand Island to Beijing, China – and back.
The University of Nebraska Memorial Stadium has famously sold out every football game since 1962.  When the stadium is expanded to accommodate 93,000 fans, $1 trillion would be enough money to buy every seat in Memorial Stadium at every game for nearly 400 years - even if the Huskers played every single day.
You could also show your Husker spirit with official gear from the university bookstore.  With $1 trillion you could buy 8.2 billion Husker jerseys, polo shirts, and hats – more than enough to dress the entire population of the Earth in red and white.
One trillion dollars could also do a lot of good.  It could pay for nearly 20 million students to attend Wayne State College for four years.  This price includes tuition, room and board, and a meal plan.  It could also meet the current payroll of the Nebraska National Guard, including the Army National Guard, the Air National Guard, and the State Military Department for more than 6,000 years.
These are extreme and in some cases absurd examples of how to spend $1 trillion; however, this is the point.  In the same way it is impossible to imagine 152 billion Runzas, or selling out 139,000 football games – although I’m sure the Cornhuskers could do it – a trillion is such a large number it is difficult to fully comprehend.  One trillion dollars is a lot of money, but it is only a small fraction of the nearly $17 trillion national debt.
This understanding is critical not only for lawmakers but also for all Americans as we work to address our nation’s fiscal challenges.  I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues to implement real reforms to reduce our deficit and debt, encourage economic growth, and put our country on a more sustainable and prosperous path.  

STRAIGHT FROM THE HORSES MOUTH

Duane A. Lienemann
UNL Extension Educator

                   

     “What in the world is that ugly short plant with the purple flower”?  I have had that question brought to me several times over the last several years and it is not just homeowners with lawns that seem to be thick with that particular weed, but farmers also, who are finding it in cropland. I have written before about this weed, but it seems we need to revisit this problem. So here goes…. This “new” weed is normally found in thin and infertile lawns but this year seems to be everywhere. It has actually been around since the early 20’s when people think it came to Nebraska via contaminated grass seed.  This weed is called “Henbit.”
     Henbit in Yards and Gardens: Henbit is a actually a member of the mint family (lamiaceae) and is a winter annual with upright, square stems and pink-purple flowers. What makes this weed a “Winter Annual” is that it germinates in the fall, overwinters as a green plant, begins growing again in early spring, then completes their life cycle and go to seed in the spring or early summer. Normally it is more common to find this weed in lawns but this year we are seeing a lot of it in croplands, overgrazed pastures, and particularly in wheat fields or in fields that were in wheat last year.  
     Lamium amplexicaule, the Latin name for Henbit, is often confused with creeping charlie, Glechoma hederacea. Both have square stems and are in the mint family. Both have lavender to blue tubular flowers, however henbit flowers tend to be more on the purple/lavender range and are clustered at stem tips with clasping leaves below the flower cluster. creeping charlie flowers tend to be more in the blue range without the clasping leaves. Both plants have round shaped, scalloped leaves. A couple differences between henbit and creeping charlie include the life cycle and flowering time, and therefore control measures. Henbit is a winter annual and creeping Charlie is a perennial. The original creeping Charlie plants come back every year. Henbit has to start from seed each year. Henbit as a winter annual blooms very early in the spring and well before creeping Charlie blooms.  My guess you have noticed this purple color across town and fields and it has bloomed a little later than normal, and seems to be more prevalent than in previous years.
     Henbit can be highly competitive in newly seeded areas and thin or dormant turf. It is highly probable that the decline in lawns by drought lends to its appearance.  Henbit thrives in cool, moist areas. Growing conditions can be made less favorable by lightening the soil or otherwise improving drainage, especially in shady areas. Heavy, constant shade should be lightened as well where possible. Shady areas should be planted with turfgrass species which do well in the shade and which will provide maximum competition to weed species that invade these areas. Propagation of henbit is through seed. If it is already present in your landscape, you may prevent its spread by removal of the plant before it flowers and seeds.  Roots are fibrous, so it is easy to pull small plants up by hand or hand-hoe. If you hoe, be sure to dig at least 3 – 6 inches deep to remove the whole plant and its taproot. Maintaining a regular mowing schedule will also reduce plant populations. 
      Chemical Control of Henbit in Lawns: There are several effective chemical applications available to the homeowner for control of Henbit. The use of pre-emergent herbicides at the right time of year may help with control of this weed. Use a selective post-emergent herbicide taking care to follow spray intervals if treating newly seeded areas. Optimum control will be obtained when henbit is actively growing and in the seedling to flower stage of growth.  It is not easy to control this time of year.  The best time for control is in the fall, but we do need to control it now.  There are a couple of sprays that work.  The most commonly used and probably effective chemical is Trimec.  It can be put on your lawns to control henbit, chickweek, and clovers not to mention the easier killed weeds like dandelions.  You may have to apply it a couple of times, about 2 weeks apart for the best control. If you want to stop the seeds, you need to spray now.
     For the more adventuresome, you can mix your own spray.  One of the common remedies is 8 parts of 2,4-D mixed with 1 part of Dicamba based herbicide (ie. Banvel. Clarity, or Sterling).  A note, if you use the aforementioned mix, be sure to be careful of flowers and bushes that you want to keep as you could have some drift damage, so be sure to go out when there is little or no wind. Always read the label on the product to ensure safe application without harm to existing plantings. Please contact your local Extension office for recommendations of effective herbicides for controlling henbit and other troublesome weeds. 
     Henbit Control In Cropland and Pastures: By now the majority of henbit and purple deadnettle plants have bloomed or matured, consequently, there is probably very little to gain economically by spraying these with a post-emergence herbicide. Cultivation however will take care of these plants. Mature plants will eventually die back as temperatures become warmer. There is of course the thought of thousands of seeds that will be in the same spot in coming years. “Valor” may be used in a spring burn-down program with Roundup for burn-down control of henbit and chickweeds and residual control of waterhemp, common lambsquarters and black nightshade. Warning: It must be used 30 days before planting corn, so we are probably past the window of opportunity.  It also may be used for pre-emergence and contact activity in soybeans. Now in pastures, a newer product from Dupont works well. “Cimarron” not only will get the Henbit but a lot of other weeds in pastures including musk thistle, common mullein, prostrate spurge and even marestail. 

 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 or go to the website at: http://www.webster.unl.edu/home 

Philip C. Karsting chosen as new Foreign Agricultural Service Administrator.

Philip C. (Phil) Karsting,  graduate of Blue Hill High School,  the son of Lamera Karsting and the late Dean Karsting of Blue Hill, has been chosen as the new USDA Foreign Agricultural Service Administrator replacing  Suzanne Heinen, the former Administrator for the Foreign Agricultural Service     .  Karsting has been Chief of Staff for Wis. (D) Senator Herb Kohl since 2009.   Karsting is a current resident of Washington D.C.
The Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) is responsible for collecting, analyzing, and disseminating information about global supply and demand, trade trends, and market opportunities. FAS seeks improved market access for U.S. products; administers export financing and market development programs; provides export services; carries out food aid and market-related technical assistance programs; and provides linkages to world resources and international organizations.
Other changes in the United States department of Agriculture which will begin this Saturday include – Michael Scuse will replace Kathleen Merrigan as Acting Deputy Secretary of Agriculture. Scuse has served as Undersecretary for Farm and Foreign Ag Services and also as a member of the Commodity Credit Corporation Board of Directors. Before he joined the Obama Administration – Scuse served as Delaware’s Secretary of Agriculture and President of the Northeast Association of State Departments of Agriculture.

Changes also include Darci Vetter serving as Acting Undersecretary for Farm and Foreign Ag Services and Suzanne Heinen stepping in as the Acting Deputy Undersecretary for FFAS.  Doug O’Brien will replace Dallas Tonsager as Acting Undersecretary for Rural Development and Ann Mills will replace Harris Sherman starting May 9th as Acting Undersecretary for Natural Resources and Environment.

Connie Mohlman April 30 2013

Connie Mohlman

             Blue Hill resident Connie (Berry) Mohlman, 67, died Tuesday, April 30, 2013, at Mary Lanning Healthcare in Hastings.

Services are 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Church of Christ in Hastings with Russ Dudrey officiating. Burial will be at Blue Hill Cemetery.

 Visitation is 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at Merten-Butler Mortuary in Blue Hill and one hour prior to the services at the church.
A memorial in Connie's name will be designated at a later date. 
Connie was born on October 27, 1945 to Chester Lee and Phoebe (Troxel) Berry at Wauneta, Nebraska.  She graduated from Wauneta High school in 1964.
 She married John R. (Jack) Mohlman on June 27, 1965 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Blue Hill, Nebraska.
She was a member of the Church of Christ in Hastings Nebraska  Connie played a significant role in over 100 children's lives serving as a Foster Parent for ten years.
Connie is survived by her husband  Jack of Blue Hill,  a daughter Lisa (Bryan) Jurrens of Hastings, Nebraska  two sons, Eric (Kim) of Blue Hill and Kurt (Janette) of Abilene, Kansas, nine grand children Rayna, Cassidy and Kaitlyn Jurrens,  Chase Hofferber, Kyra Mohlman, John, Christina, Catherine and Jacob Mohlman, mother-in-law, Christina Mohlman of Blue Hill, three sisters, Bonnie Curada of Denver, Colorado, Ila McMinn of Cabool, Missouri and Beulah (Arlie) Rydquist of Loveland Colorado, and sister-in-law Jani (Drew) Heady of Juniata, Nebraska.
Connie was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, two sisters, two grandsons, and her father-in-law, John F. Mohlman.

Dustin Tesdahl Memorial Event

May Birthdays

May 2 Chris Waterbury, Travis Toepher, Taylor Skarin

May 5 Kevin Alber, Arlo Krauau

 May 5 Alicia Stoner, Raelene Buschow
 May 6 Renee Wademan, Chet Yoder, Karl Berns
May 7 Jim Robinson , Leann Johnson, Hilarie Haack
May 8 Chuck VanBoening, Chellie Dodson, Mary Lou Polhmier
 May 9 Clint Burge
May 10 Bob Willicott, Michael R. Buschow
May 11 Bonnie Greenhalgh
May 12 Lonnie VanBoening
May 14 Herman Tenhoff, Verna Mae Koepke, Kirsten Drury Berns
May 15 Jolaine Hubl, Brad Toepher
 May 17 Mariel Krueger, Harlan Siebrass, Vaden Lane
May 18 Dan VanBoening , Danielle Wademan
 May 19 Marlene Meents  Spencer Frazier
 May 21 Brian Lynn
May 22 Clara Duesterhoeft
May 23 Steve Dack, Mike Barton
 May 24 John R. Mohlman
May 25 Corey Willicott
May 26 Dean Wormuth
May 28 Pearl Matthews
May 29 Erma Hoffman, Deloris Strasburg
May 30 Kandice Myers
May 31 Deloris Wademan

Blue Hill girls take second in Twin Valley Conference track and field.

Blue Hill (93) girls track team was just two points behind Twin Valley Conference champs Deshler (95) at the TVC track and field meet held in Franklin Saturday.
April Faimon finished second in the 100 (13.30)  200 (27.90) and triple jump (32-7) and finished third in the high jump (4-6). 
Katie Poe got first in the triple jump (32.9  1/2)  beating Faimon by a couple of inches. Poe also earned a couple of third place honors with the long jump (14 -0 1/4) and 300 hurdles (52.6)
Christa Alber placed first in the shot put (35-9 1/2) and placed second in discus (105-1) 
Kelsey Karr placed third in the l00 hurdles (17.9) 
As a team the Bobcats placed first in the 400 relay (56.1)

On the boys side of the meet the Bobcats finished in fifth place with 56 points. 
Gold went to Jacob Lovejoy in both the 100 911.4) and 200 (23.30).
A third was won by the 400 relay team in 48.20.
Keithen Drury got a third in the 100 (11.7) and 110 hurdles (15.80) Jace Kranau was third in the 3,200 with 10:43.6. 

Piel and Hafer to be recognized at BigRed Stars Ceremony

             

        Two Blue Hill Eighth graders, Lindsey Hafer and Yuriko Hernandez-Piel,  will be among those to be honored at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Big Red Stars recognition Ceremony to be held in Lincoln on April 30th. 
  Big Red Stars is a special recognition program designed to recognize outstanding eighth-grade students in Nebraska. These talented students were nominated by their school principals as students who showcase strong leadership skills and academic promise.
            The Big Red Stars nominees will be recognized at an award ceremony sponsored by UNL and EducationQuest from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Lied Center for Performing Arts, 301 N. 12th St in Lincon on April 30th.
            Highlights of the event include individual recognition and awards for the Big Red Stars nominees and special remarks from Gov. Dave Heineman.
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Quote of the day

Theodore Roosevelt
I don't pity any man who does hard work worth doing.  I admire him.  I pity the creature who doesn't work, at whichever end of the social scale he may regard himself as being.

STRAIGHT FROM THE HORSES MOUTH

Duane A. Lienemann
WebsterCo. Extention Educator

            
   Oh sure, the moment I talk about the potential of a continuing drought we get a pretty good moisture event. I was even asked if this means the drought is broken. I come back to that with a resounding NO! We are far from being out of the woods on this thing. I would hope for the best but plan for the worst in this case. Now I might change my mind if we see some of this moisture in June and July, but I would not hold my breath.  I was reminded that we had all of the corn planted by this time last year and were starting on beans.  I reminded back that last year it was hot and windy and dry for a month already at this time.  This year at least we have had cool and cloudy conditions, which have saved our bacon so far. I know that we will be seeing a lot of activities involving planters the next few weeks. I still suggest doing whatever you can do to tempt the rain – wash your pickup, do the Indian rain dance, put clothes out on the line, or leave open the grain bin roof vents. We have a lot of season left and we are very far behind in our soil moisture profiles.
     I always keep an eye on things that have a tendency to affect our animal agriculture and this week something caught my eye and thus my critical attention. This week “Risky Meat: A Field Guide to Meat & Poultry Safety,” made headlines on most national media web sites, newspapers and broadcast outlets. Now of course I had to read it, and see what this was all about. A group called The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) released their so-called “scientific analysis” that ranked the 12 riskiest meat and poultry categories. I was more curious than hoping for education. Let’s take a look at this and see if we can’t do our part in dispelling what this group is trying to “sell” to our consumers.    
     What was interesting to me was that these risks were assigned based on outbreak reports and the likelihood of hospitalizations associated with the pathogens most commonly reported in those foods. The risk levels were supposedly determined by using information from 12 years and 1,700 outbreaks and the review of 33,000 cases of foodborne illnesses. Now, according to CSPI, risk levels show ground beef and chicken were rated as the highest risk, followed by other cuts of beef, steak and turkey. Barbecue, deli meats, pork and roast beef received a medium risk ranking, and the meats said to be least risky were chicken nuggets, ham and sausage. Now that is a “Field Guide” I can hang my hat on.
     While CSPI’s analysis seems shocking, I think that the larger question is whether the information is “useful” for consumers for their health and well-being. It is I think it is really a shot across the food industry’s bow and an attention getter, because the incidence of foodborne illness has declined in recent years and they don’t mention that. It actually may even distract consumers from the big picture - that all foods come with risks. We all should know that all food is risky and should be treated with care, not just meat, but produce – everything – as a potential source of dangerous microorganisms. As a matter of fact, over the last decade, the biggest source of foodborne illness has been primarily vegetables, which consumers often eat raw. I have to admit that I do just that too.  Baby carrots, radishes, cabbage and of course lettuce are all examples. Just like we encourage consumers should use a thermometer to tell when their meat has reached the proper internal temperature. They should thoroughly wash all produce and discard vegetable peels. 
     I think we don’t want something to get lost in this discussion. There is no doubt in my mind that we have a meat and poultry supply that delivers consistently safe eating experiences. And in fact, according to the American Meat Institute (AMI), our U.S. meat and poultry companies produce 90 billion pounds of meat and poultry products a year and 99.99 percent of these are consumed safely. I would say that is a pretty good record. It needs to be pointed out that seafood, poultry and beef showed the sharpest decline in the number of reported outbreaks in the study period according to resources provided by the AMI.  Regardless of this report, consumers should continue to enjoy the meat and poultry products they normally choose and should continue to follow the safe handling instructions provided on all packages.
     Now, let’s take a look at this CSPI. According to this groups information, it is a self-described “consumer advocacy organization” that aims to provide “consumers with current, useful information about their health and well-being”. However, according to www.activistcash.com , CSPI fancies itself a “watchdog” group but behaves more like an attack dog, savaging restaurants, disparaging adults’ food choices, and discouraging even moderate alcohol consumption. CSPI was founded in 1971 by current executive director Michael Jacobson, and two of his co-workers at Ralph Nader’s Center for the Study of Responsive Law. Since then, CSPI’s joyless eating club has issued hundreds of high-profile—and highly questionable—reports condemning soft drinks, coffee, fats in our foods, fat substitutes (Olestra), trans-fats, irradiated meat, biotech food crops (GMOs), French fries, Halloween candy, salt, and even caffeine in general - just about anything that tastes good or perks you up. They also attack any foods that may have been “exposed” to pesticides.
     You may be aware of its constant attacks on fast food restaurants, as they are constant. CSPI’s self-anointed “experts” encourage “a whole lot of lawsuits” against fast-food restaurants mostly because they see legal action as leverage to enact all the restrictions on food they have long supported. Does that sound familiar? I think HSUS may have taken a page out of their book. Each of these actions is accompanied by a breathless press release that seeks to scare ordinary consumers about the food they eat. I think this is exactly that. CSPI also has a strong bias against meat and dairy. Jacobson, himself a vegetarian, believes in eating a more plant-based diet and thinks everyone should follow his lead. Hmmmmm!

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 or go to the website at: http://www.webster.unl.edu/home 

Legislative Newsletter

Senator Tom Carlson

On the 66th day of the 90 day long session, the bills predicted at the beginning of the session to be difficult have started first round debate. The budget must be placed on General File by the 70th legislative day, which is May 1.

We spent two days debating the Medicaid Expansion Bill. LB 577 would require the state department of Health and Human Services to add the adult population newly eligible under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to the state’s Medicaid state plan amendment. Under that program, low income adults ages 19 to 64 with incomes of up to $15,856 would be eligible for Medicaid if a state chooses to extend benefits to them.
The federal government would cover that amount for three years, beginning in 2014. The federal money would then decrease and level off at 90% beginning in 2020. Part of the difficulty with LB 577 is that by 2020, when we assume 10% of the cost, we don’t know what that amount of money will be. It is hard to commit the state to something in seven years, and we don’t know what the cost will be. As expected, there were comments concerning both sides of this bill. In the end, the legislature moved on without taking a vote. The bill remains on General File.
Debate on another bill, LB 407, which we must pass in some form, sets school aid for the coming year. Funding for schools, nearly $1 billion, is the largest item in the state budget. State aid is designed to help schools make up the difference between what they need to educate students and how much they can raise through property taxes and other local sources.
Historically, this formula becomes a rural vs urban discussion. The large schools, with high tax levies, but low per student cost, want more money. In recent year the smaller schools, with high per student cost, have seen their state aid decrease as the value of farmland has skyrocketed and local property taxes follow the upward trend.
Approximately 100 of the state’s 249 school districts now receive no additional state aid. Under LB 407, the number of school receiving no aid would grow to 114. The day’s debate ended with an amendment, allowing a 7.4 % increase in school aid next year followed by 2.5% the following year, losing by 2 votes. A compromise amendment was being debated as I sent this letter.
A bill I introduced on behalf of the Department of Economic Development was advanced to Select File with a vote of 26-0. The bill modifies the Intern Nebraska Act to allow more flexibility for students and businesses. An amendment by the Business and Labor Committee encourages the department to recruit students from distressed areas and reimburse businesses more if the intern is a Pell Grant recipient.
Each June the Clerk of the Legislature’s office offers a four day youth experience with a mock legislative session. The deadline for applications is May 15th. More information can be found at the Nebraska Legislature web site: www.nebraskalegislature.gov/education/unicamyouth.php.

SENATE ADOPTS FISCHER RESOLUTION HONORING JACK HOFFMAN, RAISING PEDIATRIC BRAIN CANCER AWARENESS

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) announced today that the United States Senate has unanimously adopted a bipartisan resolution she offered along with Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) designating September 26, 2013, as “National Pediatric Brain Cancer Awareness Day.” The resolution highlights the story of 7-year old Atkinson, Nebraskan, Jack Hoffman, who recently ran 69 yards to score a touchdown in front of 60,000-plus fans at Memorial Stadium, touching the hearts of millions of Americans and raising awareness of pediatric brain cancer. 

Upon passage of the resolution, Fischer released the following statement:
“Long before Jack Hoffman appeared on the television screens of millions of Americans with his famous dash across the gridiron, I was proud to call him my friend – and my hero. Jack and his parents, Andy and Brianna, have worked tirelessly to raise awareness of pediatric brain cancer and the limited, out-of-date treatment options currently available. This bipartisan resolution, which was unanimously adopted by the Senate, is an important step to help encourage the accurate and early diagnosis of the disease and to find an ultimate cure,” said Senator Fischer.

Jack Hoffman’s parents, Andy and Brianna Hoffman, released the following statement:
“We are so incredibly thankful to Senator Deb Fischer and her colleagues for bringing national awareness to pediatric brain cancer. This resolution is deeply meaningful to our family, and to the nearly 3,000 families that will learn this year that their child has a brain tumor. We are very humbled by the actions of Deb and her Senate colleagues today and we hope that this resolution will help to raise awareness, encourage early diagnosis, and expand treatment options. On behalf of all of the families that are fighting or have fought pediatric brain cancer, we are grateful.”
VIDEO footage of Senator Fischer’s floor remarks discussing the resolution and Jack Hoffman’s story is available HERE.

Quote of the Day

Reinhold Niebuhr
  God grant me the serenity
  To accept the things I cannot change
  The courage to change the things I can;
  And the wisdom to know the difference.

Johanns Presses EPA for Answers on Aerial Surveillance

 

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mike Johanns (R-Neb.) today at a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing questioned Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Acting Administrator Bob Perciasepe on his agency’s lack of transparency in the use of aerial surveillance.
Johanns told Perciasepe that the failure of the EPA to disclose the full, nationwide scope of their aerial surveillance program raises serious questions among agriculture producers and law-abiding citizens, whose private property is subject to these flyovers without notice.
Video of Johanns’ questioning is available HERE.
Johanns wrote former EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson last year requesting a full account of the agency’s use of aerial surveillance last year. He also offered an amendment, which received support from a bipartisan majority of Senators, to the Senate-passed farm bill to prohibit EPA from conducting aerial surveillance to inspect or to record images of agricultural operations.
A copy of the letter is available HERE and more information on Johanns’ amendment is available HERE.

Alfred Place January 14, 1924 to April 22, 2013

             Bladen resident Alfred P. Place, 89, died Monday, April 22, 2013, at his home.
Services are 11 a.m. Friday at Faith Lutheran Church in Hastings with the Rev. Paul Dunbar officiating.
Burial with military rites is at Blue Hill Cemetery in Blue Hill.
 Visitation is 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at Merten-Butler Mortuary in Blue Hill.
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Alfred Peter Place, 89, of  Bladen, Nebraska, was perfected in health, passing away on Monday, April 22, 2013 on the farm where he lived near Bladen, Nebraska.
Alfred was born on January 14, 1924, in Campbell, Nebraska to Perry Owen Place and Minnie (Koch) Place.
 He and Marilyn Alberts were married on January 27, 1956.  The marriage  was officiated by Pastor David Kreitzer at Zion Lutheran Church, in Hastings, Ne.  To this union four children were born, two daughters and two sons. Carolyn Sorenson, Duane Place, Janelle Ali-Dinar and Alan Place.         Albert and Marilyn renewed their wedding vows on November 13, 2004.  The ceremony was officiated by Pastor R. John Perling at the Dominus Flevit Church in Old City Jerusalem, Mount of Olives, Israel, marking an early 50th anniversary milestone. 
Alfred was baptized on July 5, 1957 and confirmed on July 7, 1957 by Pastor Henry E. Pralle at Trinity Lutheran Church, in Campbell, Ne.  , Ne. 
Alfred celebrated his baptismal renewal on November 11, 2004, with Pastor R. John Perling officiating at the River Jordan, Israel, and took the ultimate communion celebrating it on November 13, 2004 at Golgotha where his lord and Savior Jesus died , was buried and was resurrected.
A World War II veteran, Alfred served in the United States Army 8309th Quartermaster Railhead Company.  He was inducted on February 4, 1943.  Corporal Alfred P. Place served in the Rheinland (Rhineland) Central European Theatre taking part in the invasion of Germany and was stationed in France, Germany and the Netherlands serving in the 45th Beach Infantry Division Beach Group Amphibian Truck Company and later the Military police.  He was honorably discharged on February 9, 1946.  After returning  home from his military service, Albert made agriculture his life, farming and raising livestock in Webster and Franklin counties for 50+ years.
Alfred was a Charter Lifetime Member of the American Legion Post 169 in Campbell for 63 years.  He served as an Elder and Trustee and on the Trinity Lutheran Church Cemetery Board where he was a church member for 48 years before transferring membership to Faith Lutheran Church in 2006.
He served on the ASC - Agricultural Service Committee in Webster County, Red Cloud, Nebraska for 34 years.
Diagnosed with cancer in 2005, Alfred was one of Mary Lanning Healthcare's oldest cancer survivors.
Alfred loved the land, animals, church fellowship, history, travel and time with family and friends.
Aside from celebrating many beautiful rites of passage with  his family, additional high lights included drinking the miracle water from Mary's well in Nazareth, Israel, site of where the Angel Gabriel spoke to Mary and attending Nation American Legion parades, conventions and city host sites.
Alfred is survived by devoted wife, Marilyn Place, Bladen, NE, daughter, Carolyn and son-in-law Rodney Sorenson, Hastings, NE; Son, Duane Place, Bladen, NE; daughter Janelle and son-in-law, Abbass Ali-Dinar, Hastings, Ne; son, Alan and daughter-in-law, Joy Bettendorf, IA.  Grandsons, Ryan Sorensen and Wife Michelle, Campbell, Ne;  Rory Sorensen, Bartlesville, OK and Ronnie Sorensen, Lincoln, NE; Granddaughters Danielle and husband Shane Nice, Wichita, KS and Desiree and husband, Josh McBreen, Omaha, NE; Amirah Ali-Dinar, Washington D>C>and Grandson Hayden Place, Bettendorf, IA.  Great grandsons, Jack and Paxton Sorensen, Campbell, Ne and great granddaughter, Ava Sorensen, Campbell, Ne;  Chloe and Jayden, Omaha, Ne; brother, Delmar Place, Minden, Ne; Sister, Betty Kich, Minden, NE and brother Jack, Campbell, Ne and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.  Alfred is preceded in death by his parents, Perry and Minnie Pace, an infant sister, and brothers Hans and Robert, father-in-law Albert J. Alberts and mother-in-law Frieda Alberts; sisters-in-law, violet Boettcher, Verna Long, Vivian Yamaguchi; brother-in-law, Wayne Alberts and daughter-in-law, Ann Wasko Place.
Services were held Friday, April 26th at 11:00 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, Hastings, NE, with Pastor Paul Dunbar officiating.  Graveside services with Military honors by Willie Fierstein Post #169 and the Nebraska National Guard, Military Honor Guard were held at the Blue Hill Cemetery at  2.p.m.following a luncheon at the church.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to the family.

George Rempe, Jr. February 19, 1941 to April 22, 2013

George Rempe,Jr.

George Rempe, Jr. 72, of Lawrence Nebraska died Monday, April 22, 2013, at the Sutton community Home in Sutton. 
Rosary will be Sunday, April 28, 2013, 7:30 p.m. and Mass is Monday April 29, 2013, 10:00 a.m. both at Sacred Hearth Catholic Church, in Lawrence, Nebraska with Father Loras Grell and Father Loren Pohlmeier officiating.  Burial with Military rites by Ken Dailey Post #45 will be in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Lawrence, Nebraska.  Visitation will be Sunday, April28, 2013 from 300-9:00 p.m. at the Lawrence Visitation chapel. In Lieu of flowers George requested that memorials be given to the Lawrence E.M.T.'s and Lawrence Volunteer Fire Department to buy new equipment.  Merten-Butler Mortuary, Blue Hill, Nebr. is in charge of arrangements.
George E. Rempe, Jr. was born on February 19, 1941, to George Rempe, Sr. and Eleanor "Babe" Kohmetscher in Lawrence, Nebraska. He passed away April 22, 2013, after a valiant fight with COPD and Emphysema. 
He was baptized and confirmed in the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, in Lawrence, Nebraska.  He married Doris J. McConnaughey on April 25, 1970, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Lawrence, Nebraska, and to this union two children were born, Shelia and Eric. 
George served in the United States Navy in 1959 and later was given a honorable discharge.
George droved for TeeEss Trucking and did custom baling around Lawrence.  He was employed by Friend Appliance in Lawrence where he became interested in the field of electricity.  In 1970, he began working as an electrician at the R.H. Meat Animal Research Center in Clay Center, Nebraska.  He held this position for 36 plus years before his health forced him to retire, in September 2007.
He has blessed many peoples lives there by knowing him, learning from him and growing from his wisdom and endless spirit. 
After retirement he enjoyed paying cards with friends, word search, deer and coyote hunting plus watching TV.  He was also an avid NASCAR racing fan and never missed a race on TV.  George enjoyed time spent with his family and was a great brother, husband, father, grandfather and friend.
He was a licensed State of Nebraska Hunters Education Instructor from 1990 to 2012.
George was active in launching the Lawrence Emergency Medical Services.  He actively served as a volunteer E.M.T. in the years 1976 - 2009.
He was the 185th E.M.T. trained in the State of Nebraska.  He was a volunteer Fireman from 1962 -20009 and served several terms as Fire Chief.  He was a dedicated E.M.T.  and first responder.
George served on the Lawrence Village Board for 20 years and for 18 years was board chairman form 1982 to 2002, which is equivalent to the mayor. 
George organized and planned the football bleachers in Lawrence and kept records of the helpers.  There were a lot of helpers the first time they were made.  The bleachers were then destroyed by the tornado of March 1990.  George then rebuilt the bleachers himself as the helpers were busy at this time. 
George is survived by his wife of almost 43 years, Doris, Lawrence, Nebraska, daughter, Shelia, Hastings, Nebraska, Son Eric and wife Brandie, Glenvil Nebraska and Grandsons Hunter and Samuel Rempe of Glenvil, Nebraska.  Sister Phyllis (Kenneth) Brockman, Lincoln, Nebraska, Brother Daniel (Vicki) Rempe, Lincoln, Nebraska. He was preceded in death by his grandparents and parents.
Family meant everything to George and he dearly treasured every moment he spent with them and he will be greatly missed by all.