News

Aiden Schlick participates in the kids tractor pull Sunday, in front of the grandstands.

Emma and Conrad Reutzel watch a train move around the track at one of the vendors set up at Old Trusty.

The Justin Kane band performed Sunday morning during Old Trusty. Kane is a Navy Veteran and Nashville recording artist.

A line of Allis-Chalmers tractors drive through the parade Sunday afternoon at the Clay County Fairgrounds.

Len Pautz, of Saukville, WI, dries part of his 1976 Allis-Chalmers 185 Crop Hustler after rainfall Saturday morning.

Visitors of the 40th annual Old Trusty Show walk through the line of engines and other equipment set up on the south side of the Clay County Fairgrounds.

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and every Nebraskan has a role in saving lives. More than 47,000 Americans die by suicide each year, but suicide can be prevented. In Nebraska, a person dies by suicide once every 32 hours. One of the most effective methods is to raise the subject with a loved one or friend who may be considering suicide.

Expectant parents are often concerned about health and safety as they plan for the arrival of their little one: what’s the crash test rating of this car seat? Is this infant swing linked to SIDS? Which formula is the highest quality?

New research from the University of Nebraska Medical Center and University of Nebraska-Lincoln with the help of local NRDs explores one additional safety factor would-be parents in Nebraska must consider: is the water they are drinking during pregnancy safe?

This latest study shows that in areas of Nebraska where birth defect prevalence is high, water contamination from common agricultural chemicals (nitrate and atrazine) are also high. The study shows that water quality concerns in Nebraska are closely tied to both birth defects and miscarriage.

THE BACKGROUND

COURTESY PHOTO | CLAY COUNTY NEWS

Sandy Creek Elementary students who completed the SC Summer Reading Challenge include Quinn Spray, Syndey Smith, Beatrice Kluver, Logan Ochsner, Maverick Moody, Sophi Studnicka, Liv Petr, Joel Skalka, Collin Kucera, and Paisley Shonka. They were rewarded with a special trip to the Clay Center Swimming Pool in August. Deb Schmoldt helped to organize this activity.

The Daughters of the American Revolution, Niobrara Butler Johnson Chapter held their monthly meeting at First St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Youth & Family Center Hastings, at 12:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 6 .

A program was presented by Ronnie O’Brien on “Protected Seeds offer Hope, the planting and return of the Sacred Seeds of the Pawnee.”

Regent Connie Plettner called the meeting to order.

The Invocation, officer reports and “Minute” reports were given.

• DAR’s Hindman Settlement School has massive destruction due to the Kentucky flooding. They would appreciate Walmart, Sam’s Club or Amazon gift cards for supplies and donations of children’s books, especially Dr. Seuss books.

• A Naturalization ceremony will be held at Homestead National Park in Beatrice Thursday, Sept. 22, 12:30 p.m. Members are encouraged to attend and welcome our Country’s new citizens.

The Sutton Area Chamber of Commerce held it’s annual Career Exploration Day at Sutton High School, Wednesday, Sept. 7. In all, 24 speakers and panelists from area and regional businesses and organizations took part in the event. Above, middle school students listen to panelists that fielded questions from students about their specific professions in the high school gymnasium. High school students were in the Sutton High theater conversing with additional speakers. The day began with four breakout sessions in classrooms at SPS before wrapping up the event with the panel discussions.

TORY DUNANC | CLAY COUNTY NEWS

The America’s Farmers Grow Communities program, a Bayer Fund program, partners with farmers to provide grants to local nonprofits and schools to help their communities.

Through the program, farmers enroll for the chance to direct a $5,000 donation to a local eligible nonprofit organization or school of their choice.

Farmers will once again be able to enter for a chance to direct an America’s Farmers Grow Communities donation on Aug. 1.

Local farmer Barb Bailey recently directed a $5,000 Bayer Fund America’s Farmers Grow Communities donation to Clay County’s 4-H Program who will use the funds to provide educational and hands-on opportunities to all 4-H youth, clubs, and families.

In 2022, Bayer Fund revamped America’s Farmers Grow Communities program, making it easier for farmers across the country to find and fund the organizations and institutions that keep their communities thriving.

Harvard Public School hosted an information night for first responders Tuesday, Sept. 6, in order to keep those who may respond to the school up-to-date with any changes, updates, and questions.

“We have had some restructuring,” Mirinda Boyd, the crisis team’s main contact person, started out Tuesday’s event.

Boyd gave a quick overview of who is now on the safety and crisis teams, which have been updated since last school year.

Those on the safety team include Dawn Piper, school para, EMR, and on the Harvard Rescue and Clay Center Volunteer Fire; Trevor Roberts, school maintenance; Wayne Alley, Harvard police chief; Clint Schwenk, school board member and Harvard Rescue; and Tim Lewis, Clay County emergency manager.

Those on the crisis team along with Boyd include Michaela Bourn, school counselor; Piper; Freddy Gabriel, school para and EMT; Lisa Jodway, school secretary; and Michael Derr, school superintendent.

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Division of Behavioral Health is teaming up with the Nebraska Pharmacists Association, and Region 3 Behavioral Health System for a statewide project that will distribute free Narcan nasal spray kits at the Sutton Pharmacy in Sutton, Nebraska starting Sept. 12.

“Our partnership with Sutton Pharmacy, DHHS, and Region 3 Behavioral Health System will allow family members or friends of a person at risk of opioid overdose or the person at risk of opioid overdose themselves to access Narcan nasal spray at no cost, without a prescription or insurance.

“This program has the potential to save lives in Nebraska,” Nebraska Pharmacists Association Project Coordinator, Amy Holman, said.

You can now access free Narcan nasal spray at the following location in Sutton: Sutton Pharmacy, 210 N. Saunders, Sutton, NE 688979 or call with questions at 402-773-4300.

Alivia Huxoll, third from right, and Jesse Bergen, fourth from right, were named Sutton’s homecoming queen and king Friday night, following the Sutton versus Hi Line game. Also pictured are, from left: candidates Matteo Losito, Martina Merono, Vance Smith, Alice Dahblom, last year’s homecoming queen Gracie Nuss, Bergen, Huxoll, Myles Jones, and Maddie Baxa. Crown bearers were Madyn Ely and Vincent Griess.

ASHLEY D. SWANSON | CLAY COUNTY NEWS