Columns

By Ashley D. Swanson

There comes a time in everyone’s life where they have to grow up. Where they have to fully accept they’ve become an adult, and soak in all the responsibilities that come with being an adult.

The moment probably starts for some when they’re in high school. When they get their first job and have to pay for their gas.

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By Tory Duncan

Once in a while a little break is always welcome, especially after the month of May in this business with the end of the school year, graduation, state events, district events and all sorts of things going on, the month of May seems like it lasts 12 months. 

Now that we’ve had a little bit of a break, although we’re always packed with plenty to do, the summer, in my mind, really kicks in with the big weekend of Dugout Days and Edgarfest, and then throw on top of that Clay Center’s Fourth of July celebration, the end of June kicks in our official start to summer activities and community events.

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By Ashley D. Swanson

Many lessons are learned growing up—that’s why they call it growing.

You learn by making mistakes, and hopefully you don’t make them again, or they’re less severe the next time around.

We had one TV station throughout junior high and high school, so the entire family knew the programming schedule.

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By Tory Duncan

Sometimes it just hits you hard. I’ve kind of prided myself on being a “mostly” level headed thinker. But this past week, with big news hitting our coverage area I do find myself a bit numb...to say the least!

Thursday morning in small town Grafton, which I realize anything can happen anywhere, a young thief walked in and gained enough money to maybe get him into Iowa...was it really worth it?

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Nebraska decriminalized public intoxication in 1979, one of 12 states to do so. That means law enforcement relies on civil protective custody as an alternative to jail.

In 22 states, people are still charged with public intoxication and go to a drunk tank in a jail, said a Lancaster County Commissioner, who is concerned that state funding for Lincoln’s main detox facility – The Bridge Behavioral Health – may come to an end. Not only is $150,000 in jeopardy, but state licensure is in question. Without the license, The Bridge’s civil protective custody unit would have to close. Similar programs statewide could be subject to state licensure scrutiny.

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These past few weeks in Washington have been very productive, but I always look forward to spending time on the road in Nebraska. Recently, I began a week-long state work period traveling our state with stops in Omaha, Lincoln, Norfolk, Stanton, Bellevue and Hebron. I cherish the opportunity to visit local communities around our state and listen to Nebraskans. Being able to identify the needs of families and communities is an essential part of my job as your senator.

One highlight of my week in The Good Life was welcoming Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioner Brendan Carr to Northeast Nebraska.

We visited Northeast Community College where we learned about their fascinating precision agriculture curriculum, which focuses on familiarizing students with new farming technologies.

By Tory Duncan

When life throws me curveballs, I have a tendency to openly write my feelings down in a book. No, I won’t call it a diary by any means, but writing is just my way to get some thoughts out, versus “talking to myself.”

This week, as I write my column on Memorial Day, I reflect on the life of a woman that has been a part of my life for the better part of 44 years.

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By Ashley D. Swanson

It all began Thursday night when I was putting lights on Loetta’s bike.

It came out of nowhere and without warning began attacking.

The “it” I’m referring to is the dreaded demon that is a junebug.

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By Ashley D. Swanson

Finally! The sun is shining (well, not lately, but for the most part), the temperature has gone up, and let me tell you how happy I am that I can sleep with my bedroom window open!

But here’s the thing about summer, while it’s all smiles and ice cream cones and warmer weather, it’s also a dangerous part of the year.

Now, I’m not going to go all mom on people (although my mom-voice has come out a lot more over the past six months, or so), but I am going to give everyone a kind reminder.

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By Tory Duncan

As most of you read the headline you may be wondering if I’ve lost my mind, because of course a loss of a business in any community can and is harmful to smalltown life and the lifestyle of a community.

Many of you are aware that I do sit on the Sutton Community Home Board of Directors, as well as the Sutton Community Home Foundation Board. Equally, for sometime now, nearly three and a half years, the Foundation and SCH Board has been trying to launch a campaign to build a new skilled nursing center, not just for Sutton, but for Clay County as a whole to utilize in a time of need for their loved ones.

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