News

Central Nebraska Wood Preservers, located in northeast Sutton, might very well be one of the biggest hidden treasurers that the Sutton community has. It’s not located in a high traffic area of the community, nor is it visible from Sutton’s main thoroughfare, Highway 6.

But the 38-year0old business, started in 1985 by founder, Vic Sowl, then owner of the Sutton Lumber yard, has quietly left a “bigfoot size footprint” on the Sutton community with its growth and evolution over the course of its time in business.

“Vic started with two people when he opened the treatment plant, more in an effort to supply his lumber yard with treated lumber, and now, today, we employ 42 people here at our Sutton facility alone,” general manager Kurt Andres shared.

MINNESOTA ADDITION

The Hastings DAV chapter is hoping to purchase a new vehicle to serve Clay County veterans, and the Clay County Board of Supervisors has voted to contribute toward this effort.

Chris Long, Adams County’s veterans services officer, met with the board at its regular meeting on Aug. 22, at the courthouse in Clay Center. He explained that the Hastings DAV has sourced half of the funds needed to purchase a Ford Explorer, priced at approximately $24,000, as a replacement DAV vehicle.

DAV is an acronym for Disabled American Veterans. The Hastings DAV chapter helps transport veterans in Clay, Adams, Nuckolls, and Webster Counties to appointments as needed. During the past two years, the current DAV vehicle has accumulated 27,000 miles driving 104 veterans in the four-county area. Six volunteer drivers trade off to make the DAV vehicle available to veterans four days each week.

It’s safe to say that not many Nebraska High School football teams, and for that matter football teams across the United States, have had a documentary made about them, but in the case of the Sandy Creek’s Cougar squad, a special highlight documentary of the magical 2022 football season has locked in a memorable season that will be enjoyed for years to come.

The Cougars, who capped last season with a 6-4 record overall and won one of two playoff games, their first playoff berth since 2011, and with a 24-18 win over Sandhills Valley of Stapleton, the Cougars captured their first playoff win since 2003.

The entire season, from preseason camp through the regular season and into the playoffs was captured in depth by the 74 Creative videography staff, led by Mr. Jeremy Borer, the technology director of Sandy Creek Media.

More than 40 Clay County citizens attended a town hall meeting to help update the current Clay County Comprehensive Plan, which was originally made in 1975, on Wednesday, Aug. 16, at the county fair grounds in Clay Center.

“Every county is different. You are unique and we’re here to talk about Clay County, Nebraska,” John Shepard, Marvin Planning Consultants senior community planner and project manager, said. “What vision do you have and how can we help you achieve it?”

Shepard said MPC looks at the county’s population, housing, economic trends, and how they’ve changed overtime.

They also look at the county’s facilities and how they’re used; public safety; what are the impacts of the population on police and EMS; and communication and energy.

“This is not us telling Clay County people what to do with their land, but they are looking at where trends are good,” he added.

Despite the more than 100º weather, Triple F Days had a good turnout Saturday, Aug. 19 and Sunday, Aug. 20. At the left: Jason Brockman and Kody Illingworth participate in the fireman’s water fight. Top right: Sandy Creek Cheerleaders were stationed at the park to do face painting. Bottom right: Bodie Jarchow enjoys the water slide at the city park Aug. 19.

Sandy Creek, Sutton, and Harvard Public started school Aug. 15, 16, and 17, respectively. From the left: A parent takes a group photo of students before they head into their first day of school at Sutton Elementary. Welcome signs greeted students and their parents on the first day at Sandy Creek. Here, students walk into the elementary building early Tuesday morning. Grady Jarzynka runs through a bounce house set up for the annual Harvard Back-to-School Picnic Tuesday, Aug. 15. This event allows students to meet teachers and have some fun as a district before the school year officially begins.

A large portion of Monday night’s Sutton City Council meeting focused on the future housing development, known as the Schwab Ground, during the council’s Aug. 14 meeting.

A blighted and substandard study, performed by JEO Consulting of Lincoln, was presented to and approved by council members in an effort to focus on some tax increment financing (TIF) options to help financially support the ground that will see the north 40 acres of the 80-acre tract of ground, located just east of the Fox Hollow Golf Course.

The blighted area runs north of Road 318, located at the south end of the golf course and housing ground, north to East Ash St., and between Road Y on the east edge of the property, to the eastern boundary of the golf course, while jutting west to encompass parts of the City of Sutton east of Dorr Ave. and Road Y.

LEFT: Two cars go head-tohead during the Keith Hansen Memorial Demolition Derby Sunday, Aug. 13. BOTTOM LEFT: Stan Brennfoerder focuses while taking his turn during the Dave Babcock Memorial Antique Tractor Pull Saturday. BOTTOM RIGHT: Kids and other onlookers watch as turtles take off toward the finish line at the turtle races Sunday evening.

Stephen Grizzle has joined the South Central Unified District team as the new superintendent.

Grizzle is in his 29th year in education, and began his career as a life science teacher and football coach in Pawnee City. He then became a principal a few years later.

In 2009, Grizzle returned to Pawnee City and served as superintendent; in 2015 he then became superintendent at Fairbury. Some goals Grizzle has for this school year include helping the unified district successfully end the unification between Sandy Creek and Lawrence-Nelson, and for each district to be prepared for their 2024-25 school year.

“There is a lot to ‘unpack’ and get done. I accepted this challenge because I felt my experiences would be useful. I am not aware of this happening before in Nebraska, and it will take a concerted effort and due diligence to sift through all that should be setup and made ready,” he said.

Harvard and Sutton Schools welcomed new principals this school year.

Seth Elley will serve as the 6-12 principal at HPS, while Jason Cafferty joined the SPS administration as the secondary principal.

HARVARD

Elley is entering his 12th year in education, having started his career as a math and science teacher at Hastings Catholic Schools.

Following several years there, he took another math/science teaching position with Franklin Public School. Most recently, Elley taught at Silver Lake High School in Roseland in a similar teaching position.

He has taught a variety of mathematics and sciences, including seventh grade math and life science, to senior-level calculus and physics.

Additionally, he’s also been a mathematics tutor for many families.