Columns

By Ashley Swanson

I always find it funny how quickly the year goes by. Each year seems to fly by faster and faster, and I have yet to figure out how that happens. Nonetheless, another year has gone by and I can proudly mark a two for the number of years I’ve been here. Two years, and I’ve got more photos and stories to show, thanks to the many wonderful events put on by the county. Two years, and my list of friends and acquaintances has grown. Two years, and I’ve got another book of memories I’m thankful for and can look back on.

By Tory Duncan

Every year, it always takes me a little while to get into the Christmas spirit and the holiday mood, mostly because of the pace that December brings year in and year out. The Christmas spirit came a little quicker this year, however, after attending the Harvard Modern Mrs. children’s Christmas party. Originally this week, I had my column finalized last Friday after reading about a high school football stadium in Texas that is being built for nearly $70 million, but after Saturday, I changed gears in a hurry. I will revisit my original column following the holidays.

By  Keuhn

Incentivizing companies to locate, stay and expand in Nebraska, is a never ending conversation among local and statewide leaders in both the private sector and government. Gaining headlines when companies leave Nebraska and take jobs with them, such as recently with Con-Agra and Cabella’s, state incentives offered to private companies have become a mainstay of business recruitment. Incentives take many forms, from offering land, infrastructure or utilities at a reduced rate to reduced tax rates, tax credits and tax exemptions.

By  Schmidt

Can there be anything more important to Nebraskans than a 30-point football loss to Iowa and a 9-3 season? Yes, yes there can. Start with a projected $895 million revenue shortfall by the end of the next two-year state budget cycle in 2019. That’s a big enough concern that the major focus of the coming session of the Nebraska Legislature will be on the budget, almost from Day One. And if it isn’t, it should be. While the state’s Tax Rate Review Committee acknowledged the looming shortfall during a recent meeting, lawmakers stopped short of recommending a special session to deal with the issue. 

By Ashley Swanson

It’s crazy to think about, but Christmas is less than a month away! Where has the time gone? Thankfully, Christmas is still a month away, which means plenty of time to put up the decorations, purchase gifts, figure out where the family is headed for the holidays, and take in some of the many local Christmas events. At this time of year, my planner is full of Christmas and sporting events. Everything from Santa coming to visit, to who’s playing who in basketball. This year is no exception.

By Tory Duncan

No, I’m not talking about snow, cold winds, slick roads and well, down right cold. cold temperatures this week. As we all know, you never know what you’ll get weather-wise in Nebraska and Sunday proved that. This week’s winter storm is all about Winter Sports. As you will notice, we have released our annual Winter Sports Preview with this week’s issue of the Clay County News. It all begins this Thursday, folks!

By Ashley Swanson

When the idea to build a new facility for the Sutton Community Home came about, I was pretty excited to see and read all of the details. No matter who it is, you want to constantly make sure the residents live in an environment where they’re comfortable, loved, respected and cared for properly. All of these qualities can be found at the Sutton Community Home. You can tell the staff—not just the nurses— care for the residents. You can tell residents are respected in every aspect, and that they are of the utmost importance. The home, while it is in essence a business, does not run like one in the fact that they focus more on the residents than the money aspect.

By Tory Duncan

Ican honestly share that after the past two or three weeks, this Thanksgiving will take on a much bigger meaning for so many families this year. The loss of so many loved ones these past few weeks really brings to the forefront of our minds not only who will be missing at the dinner table for the big Thanksgiving meal, but so many great memories and feelings will abound during this family time. I ran across a poem shared on Facebook by a family member that recently lost a loved one, and it really hit home in a big way...Thank you Jordy! Here is what was shared... “The pies are in the freezer, the turkey’s on the list, But this Thanksgiving, oh how a loved one will be missed!.

By JENNY’S REESOURCES

Market Journal Roadshow: The 2016 Market Journal Roadshow will focus on ag outlook and management decisions for Nebraska farmers and ranchers at four locations across the state from Nov. 28 to Dec. 2. The roadshow is in collaboration with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Department of Agricultural Economics’ Cornhusker Outlook Series. There is no cost to attend. Closest meeting locations are: Kearney, Nov. 28, 1 to 4 p.m., Holiday Inn, 110 Second Ave.; Norfolk, Dec. 1, 1 to 4 p.m., Lifelong Learning Center, 701 E. Benjamin Ave.; and Lincoln, Dec. 2, 9 a.m. to noon, Nebraska Innovation Campus Conference Center, 2021 Transformation Drive

By Ashley Swanson

It’s over. Of course, by that, I mean the election. Like so many others in this world, I watched the presidential election from the moment they began counting ballots, to the moment they began projecting states, and, even though I had gone to bed by midnight, I found out around 2 a.m., who had won. This election year has been a grueling one, and throughout election day, all I heard was how historic the outcome—no matter the outcome— would be. The first female president or the first outsider president. At about 2 a.m. (central time), Donald Trump was announced as the 45th president of the United States. After watching such a close race, it was shocking to see him become the president, but I feel it would have been shocking either way.