News

“Thank you to health care providers across the state for what you’re doing for your patients,” Kim Engel, Director at Panhandle Public Health District, said Monday during a Public Health Thank You Day press conference.

Several health care professionals and a couple of school administrators and a Lincoln business owner spoke about what Public Health Thank You Day means, especially in 2020, but also how the coronavirus has affected schools and local businesses.

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Since the beginning of November, Christmas lights have started popping up around towns, adorning trees, houses and other outdoor structures, shining a cheery light for all to see.

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There were no gyms full of people or in-person speeches, but there were still salutes and thanks you’s.

Despite being unable to host an in-person program, county schools still honored their area veterans with virtual Veterans Day programs Nov. 11.

Harvard and Sandy Creek released a pre-made video, with Sutton hosting a zoom program from the Legion, for students and staff at SPS.

“This year has proven to be a challenging one, with many events and programs, as well as activities cancelled, changed or gone virtual...it is an honor that our students are able to perform and honor and thank all of our veterans with this virtual Veterans Day program...,” HPS Activities Director Blake Thompson said at the start of the video.

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Clay County’s first solar farm is expected to break ground in March 2021.

A zoning permit for the one-megawatt proposed project was approved unanimously by the Clay County Board of Supervisors during its Nov. 17 meeting at the Clay County Fairgrounds in Clay Center.

The solar project will sit on nine acres of farmer Tom Alberts’ land near the corner of Highway 6 and Spur 18-G near Saronville. After being developed by Central City-based Interconnection Systems Inc. (ISI), this site will feature 3,300 anti-glare solar panels on fixed-axis racks, facing south.

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The Nebraska Department of Revenue released gaming figures for the first three quarters of 2020 and, as expected, with many COVID-19 related shut downs of gaming outlets through the state, gaming funds both statewide and locally in Clay County have taken a strong hit.

Locally, compared to the first three quarters of 2019, Sutton witnessed a loss of $78,763 in gaming funds, while in Harvard, a loss of $95,688 was felt locally.

From Jan. 1, 2019 through Sept. 30, 2019, Sutton gaming funds brought in $274,562, compared to this year’s total of $195,799 in the first three quarters.

Harvard gaming brought in $310,554 during the first three quarters of 2019, while this year, during the same timeframe, gaming funds dropped to $214,866.

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On Monday, Nov. 16, South Heartland District Health Department (SHDHD) officials reported 201 lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases in the past four days (Friday–Monday), bringing the cumulative number of cases in the four-county health district to 2,231.

The new confirmed cases for the four-day period include: 128 in Adams, 39 in Clay, 20 in Nuckolls and 14 in Webster. By county, the new cumulative totals are: 1,507 cases in Adams, 338 cases in Clay, 214 cases in Nuckolls, and 172 cases in Webster.

SHDHD executive director Michele Bever also reported the department had received 393 positive lab reports for the week ending Nov. 14, an average of 56 positive tests per day. The positivity (percent positive tests) was 17.5 percent, up from 15.5 percent the previous week.

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The City of Sutton presented two special issues on the election ballot.

The first issue focused on establishing an Economic Development Program, by appropriating annually about $75,000 for 15 years.

As stated on the ballot, “the goals of the program are to promote existing industries and the retention of jobs, and to recruit new industries and jobs to the community...” “funds for the program may be used for purchasing real estate or options for real estate, developing small businesses and expansions thereof, recruiting quality businesses into the area...” The program will begin on April 1, 2021, ending April 1, 2036.

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Several smaller field and grassland fires have been a battle for fire departments in Clay County as of late. This field fire, battle by the Fairfield Fire Department last Thursday, located just northeast of Sandy Creek Schools looking west at the intersection of roads 307 and O, was quickly knocked down by the Fairfield department. Much needed moisture in the form of rain, which turned to ice making for slick travel, Tuesday morning brought some relief to the area early this week.

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Governor Pete Ricketts announced new Directed Health Measures (DHMs) on Monday, which will take effect statewide on Wednesday, Nov. 11.

The measures are being implemented in response to rising hospitalizations across the state in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

Ricketts alluded to hospital capacity saying, “We’re closely monitoring our hospital capacity as coronavirus-related hospitalizations rise in Nebraska.”

Ricketts noted how in mid-September there were 200 people in hospitals, which has since spiked to almost 800 people currently.

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The Twin Valley and Southern Valley Conference One Act competitions will not be allowing public attendance, at least for those hosting Harvard, Sandy Creek and Sutton one acts.

Harvard will host the TVC competition this year, with Fillmore Central hosting Sandy Creek and Sutton; both competitions slated for Tuesday, Nov. 17.

At both host sites, one act cast and crews will perform at their designated times, and then leave—no schools excluding the hosting site will be allowed to stay for other performances.

Virtual award ceremonies will be hosted for all three schools.

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