News

On March 1, South Heartland District Health Department (SHDHD) officials reported 17 lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases in the past four days (Feb. 26–March 1), averaging 4.25 new cases per day and bringing the cumulative number of cases in the four-county health district to 4,478.

The new confirmed cases for the four-day period were all Adams County residents. By county, the new cumulative totals are: 2,918 cases in Adams, 721 cases in Clay, 496 cases in Nuckolls, and 343 cases in Webster.

SHDHD Executive Director Michele Bever reported the 14-day rolling average of new daily cases was 10.4 per 100,000 (100K) on Feb. 28, the lowest for the district since mid-September.

“We are coming nearer our goal of fewer than eight new cases per 100K per day,” she said.

Due to a scheduling conflict with Moore Greater Shows, the provider of the Dugout Days carnival, the 150th celebration for the Sutton community has had to move weekends from it’s traditional last weekend in June to the fourth of July weekend, running July 1-4.

In addition to the entertainment line-up for the milestone celebration, up and coming country music artist Ian Munsick has been booked for a live concert and dance on Friday, July 2 in Sutton to help add a unique venue for the celebration of Sutton’s past.

Munsick’s website shares that in 2017 he released a self-titled EP, winning iHeartRadio’s Rocky Mountain Song of the Year for the rootsy “Horses Are Faster,” and becoming the only artist who simultaneously qualified two tracks as finalists in the NSAI/CMT songwriting competition. Equipped with a full ready-for-release collection of songs, the 27-year-old signed his first major label deal earlier this year with Warner Music Nashville.

Throughout 2020, Harvard Fire and Rescue responded to a combined 105 calls, as noted during the department’s annual appreciation banquet Feb. 27.

Of those, the Harvard Fire Department responded to 15 calls, including five car accidents, two mutual aid calls, six fires and two gas leaks.

Responding to 13 of those 15 calls and earning the Firefighter of the Year Award was Joseph Hester. Hester was also recognized as Ambulance Driver of the Year.

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When Mario Colunga and Catalina Sanchez noticed smoke coming from their home Feb. 19, they attempted to find the source to help stop the fire, but with thick smoke pouring out from the upstairs, the best they could do was grab their dogs and evacuate their home.

“It didn’t sink in right away,” Mario said. “We knew our house burned down but we still had hope that maybe it was going to be OK, but once we walked in and looked, everything was destroyed...whatever the fire didn’t destroy the water did.”

Catalina added to her husband’s statement saying “you’re standing there praying that they turn it off, that the fire would go out, but it looked like it got worse and worse.”

Mario, Catalina, their two kids and three dogs were unharmed in the fire, which took three area fire departments several hours to control and eventually extinguish.

A Sutton home was deemed a total loss after a fire raged through it fo several hours Friday, Fe 19.

Sutton Volunteer Fire Department and EMS responded to the call at ab 11:10 a.m., with Clay Cen and Grafton Volunteer F Departments arriving fo mutual aid shortly after

The family residing in the home safely made it of the house and no inju were reported.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation the fire marshal.

Crews battled the fire until 3:30 p.m., before be called out again that evening due to the fire reiging, staying on the scene until 7 p.m.

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The 31st annual Rainwater Basin Chapter Pheasants Forever Banquet will begin at 5:30 p.m., Saturday, with a social hour, at the Sutton Community Center.

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Sutton senior Joe Hinrichs captured his second straight state wrestling championship, becoming the first-ever Mustang to win two titles in the history of the program. He also surpassed previous record holder for career wins, Tyler Bailey, in the semifinal round Saturday, finishing his career with a 171-19 record. Bailey’s previous mark was 169 total wins.

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Winter has hit the area hard, dropping temperatures well below zero and with a mixture of snow and wind, the winter weather can be hazardous to people and animals alike.

In the early morning hours Tuesday, the temperature read between a frigid -26 and -35 degrees in areas of Clay County. These temperatures measured colder than the -19 degrees in Barrow, Alaska reported at around the same time.

Winter weather safety tips from the National Weather Service include knowing the signs of hypothermia—a low body temperature; the signs of frostbite; and what to do when dealing with extreme cold.

HYPOTHERMIA

This medical emergency is when the body loses heat faster than it can produce heat. Signs of this typically include shivering; cold hands and feet; poor coordination; numbness; loss of dexterity—loss of muscle activity such as in the hands; mental fatigue; and pain from the cold.

Sandy Creek and Lawrence-Nelson Public School students will be starting the 2021-22 school year with new laptops.

The Board of Education for the South Central Nebraska Unified School District #5 voted unanimously to replace 633 student and staff devices during its regular monthly meeting on Feb. 10 at the Sandy Creek campus near Fairfield.

District technology coordinator Jeremy Borer had presented four options for the computer refresh, ranging in cost from $267,095 to $527,907, at the board’s January meeting.

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When asked how the recent changes to the Sutton American Legion restaurant have gone, Marland Sedersten’s response is simple, “The only thing that matters is I want this place open and to be a strong positive part of this community and area.”

Sedersten, who now serves as manager of the restaurant, spoke from the heart last week when asked about the establishment.

“There’s been a lot of people that have put their best foot forward to get the legion back open, and I aim to make sure that we’re here for a long time to serve the community and the many people from around the area that have been beyond supportive of this restaurant.”

Sedersten, along with assistant manager Autumn Sterns and legion commander Chris Sterns have taken baby steps to get the restaurant back open to serve its customers.