News

As we head into the fall and winter seasons, plan to protect yourself and your family from respiratory illnesses.

While COVID-19 illness is currently less common in our communities than it has been in the past years, there are new and more transmissible variants that continue to emerge. The combination of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses, like Influenza and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), can produce a “Triple Threat” as we enter the fall season. On top of those big three–there are colds and seasonal allergies that complicate the picture.

The health department monitors respiratory virus activity in the four-county health district. For example, we track hospitalizations and deaths attributed to COVID, respiratory outbreaks in long-term care facilities, and levels of virus in samples taken from the wastewater facility.

In a rather quick, but busy meeting of the Sutton City Council, Monday, Oct. 9, council members took quick action in bringing some relief to what was thought to be an extensive tax request for the 2023-24 budget year.

The council approved an amended 2023-24 budget and the related property tax request during the meeting.

The direction to amend the budget was provided to staff after acknowledging that the Hickory Street project cost estimates may be lower than previously thought; along with the idea to use approximately 75 precent (roughly $750,000) of the city’s ‘unrestricted’ and ‘uncommitted’ reserve funds to off-set some of the Schwab housing subdivision project costs, to help lower the debt service portion of the budget.

This amended budget action will lower the city’s levy rate (on the original budget passed on Sept. 11) of .985297, to an amended levy rate of .8929.

Areas throughout Glenvil have new growth to them after 10 new trees were planted last weekend.

Nebraska Forest Service employee and Glenvil resident Gregg Lemkau brought the idea of applying for a grant from the forest service to the Glenvil Village Board.

The grant is for underserved or in-need communities who want to add trees to their community, but don’t have the financial means to do so.

Glenvil was approved for 10 trees, which were planted Sunday in the ballpark, city parks, and to one homeowner near a main entrance of Glenvil.

The trees measured between four and six feet in height, and included hackberries, chincapinos, hills oaks, hybrid elms, and catalpa types.

Lemkau said they planted a variety of the trees throughout town, just in case a tree disease were to come up, it wouldn’t damage all of the same kinds of trees.

About 20 volunteers helped plant, including several kids between preschool and third-grade ages.

Ever since the City of Sutton was hit by the early morning EF-1 tornado Saturday, July 29, the city has been working on, and trying to implement, a new “emergency declaration” clause within the Downtown Enhancement Challenge grant (DEC) program, which is funded through the LB840 program by the city.

City officials announced at their Sept. 11 council meeting that they have officially adopted the new emergency declaration clause for the DEC program for businesses that have been impacted by damage to their specific property as a result of a disaster.

This program was originally designed to financially support businesses implementing projects to make improvements to frontage, windows, awnings, cornices, historical repair, foundational wall repair and tuck/ pointing, and alley improvements.

This program, in it’s original setting, is a reimbursement grant program which provides a 50/50 match up to a ceiling of $25,000.

The Clay Center Childcare Center officially opened its doors and celebrated with a ribbon cutting Sept. 21. Pictured from left are: Jesse VonSpreckelsen, Donita Furman, Emily Conway, Kayla Anderson, Jessie Anderson, and Chad Dane.

4‑H is America’s largest youth development organization— empowering nearly six million young people with the skills to lead for a lifetime.

Every year, National 4-H Week sees millions of youth, parents, volunteers, and alumni come together to celebrate the many positive youth development opportunities offered by 4-H.

The theme for the 2023 National 4‑H Week is “I love 4-H.” National 4-H week runs from Oct. 1-7.

With so many children struggling to reach their full potential, 4-H believes that young people, in partnership with adults, can play a key role in creating a more promising and equitable future for youth, families and communities across the country.

In 4-H, we believe every child should have an equal opportunity to succeed. We believe every child should have the skills they need to make a difference in the world.

Sutton students in junior high and high school were able to talk with and ask questions of many people in various job settings. Here, students listen to a panel during the morning sessions Sept. 20.

Governor Jim Pillen has declared September as National Preparedness Month in Nebraska.

He is reminding all Nebraskans how important it is for individuals, families, and communities to prepare for disasters and emergencies.

“Working together, we can build a prepared and resilient Nebraska,” Gov. Pillen said. “While it’s important for all of us to be ready when disaster strikes, this year, the National Preparedness Month campaign is focused on providing information and resources to empower older adults as they make their preparations.”

“The state’s local emergency managers and NEMA have plans to address a wide range of natural and manmade disasters, but individuals and families must be prepared to assume a role in personal health and safety emergency preparedness as well,” NEMA Assistant Director Erv Portis said.

Harvest is underway in Clay County and across much of the state.

Statewide, corn harvest is 15 percent complete, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This is ahead of last year’s pace. So far, 70 percent of corn fields have matured, also ahead of last year at this time. It’s estimated that 51 percent of the state’s corn is rated in good to excellent condition with 29 percent poor.

Soybean harvest across Nebraska is 14 percent complete, near last year’s pace. So far, 86 percent of fields are ready to harvest, which is ahead of last year at this time. Approximately 45 percent of the state’s soybeans are in good to excellent condition and 30 percent are rated in poor condition.

Sorghum harvest is 6 percent complete in Nebraska, at pace with last year. So far, 45 percent of fields have matured, ahead of last year at this time. A nice 63 percent of the state’s sorghum is in good to excellent condition and just 11 percent is rated as poor.

About 25 people attended the tax increase public meeting hosted by Fairfield and Sutton City officials at Sandy Creek, Sept. 20.

Members representing Fairfield were mayor Bruce Soucie and council member Rita Engel. Representing Sutton were mayor Tim Anderson and city administrator Jeff Hofaker. County clerk Cassie Aksamit served as the meeting’s moderator.

FAIRFIELD

Engle presented information regarding Fairfield’s suggested tax increase.

“As we head into the new fiscal year, this municipal tax will aid in the growth of our town, especially our aging infrastructure and the desire to grow and improve our town’s amenities to meet our resident’s expectations,” she shared. “It allows us to move forward on progress already made throughout the town and provides us with the capital investment necessary to continue achieving these thoughts.”