U.S. 30 east of North Platte is now open to two-lane, two-way traffic,&nbsp;according to the Nebraska Department of Transportation.

Kea Constructors LLC, of Milford is the contractor for this project. Remaining work on the project includes seeding, a water-proofing membrane, and asphalt overlay of the new bridge. 

Traffic will be maintained with the use of flaggers. Anticipated completion is May 2023.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/7/1562699733063.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>NDOTU.S. 30 east of North Platte is now open to two-lane, two-way traffic,&nbsp;according to the Nebraska Department of Transportation.Kea Constructors LLC, of Milford is the contractor for this project. Remaining work on the project includes seeding, a water-proofing membrane, and asphalt overlay of the new bridge. Traffic will be maintained with the use of flaggers. Anticipated completion is May 2023.

U.S. 30 near North Platte open to two-way traffic

Housing is key to Nebraska’s success and a basic human right. That message echoed in the rotunda of the Nebraska State Capitol Tuesday at the first Housing Affordability and Justice Lobby Day attended by a bipartisan group of Nebraska State Senators and multiple nonprofit partners. Habitat for Humanity Nebraska affiliates rallied for affordable housing across Nebraska. Partners who joined the rally included Women's Fund of Omaha, Front Porch Investments, LLC, Spark CDI,Habitat for Humanity of Lincoln, Fremont Area Habitat for Humanity, Grand Island Area Habitat for Humanity, North Platte Area Habitat for Humanity, Heartland United Way, Hope Harbor, Nebraska Appleseed, NeighborWorks Lincoln, Together, Collective Impact Lincoln and Habitat Omaha partner families, staff, advocates, board members and volunteers.

The groups met with Senators about the need for adequate and diverse housing in Nebraska and five bills identified and priorities LB237, LB504/LB741, LB556, LB629 and LB801.

Dalene Skates, Executive Director for the North Platte Area Habitat for Humanity and Melanie O'Brien, grant writer for NPAHFH and many other area entities met with Senator Mike Jacobson (District 42),Senator Teresa Ibach (District 44) and Senator Steve Erdman (District 47) to share information on the need for affordable housing across the state.

58% of Nebraska household earn $75,000 or less. For them, housing is often unaffordable with 44%—more than 176,000 households that rent or own their homes–paying more than 30% of their income on housing. This leaves families with less for other necessities (ex. transportation to work, childcare, healthcare and food) and reduces their ability to contribute to the economy and build personal wealth.

“We must do more to address this issue if we want Nebraska communities to thrive,” says Skates.

For more information, contact the Habitat office at 308-534-6251.

NPAHFH works hard to make safe, decent, affordable homes available to low-income families. Through the support from the community we provide a hand up, rather than a hand out to those seeking a decent home of their own. Homes are built with volunteer labor and sold to qualified families at no profit, with no-interest loans.

North Platte Area Habitat for Humanity, 420 N. Cottonwood Street, North Platte, NE 69101 308-534-6251 www.npahfh.org

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679059144602.jpeg" alt="Press Release: Nebraska Habitat For Humanity" />
 <figcaption>Press Release: Nebraska Habitat For Humanity</figcaption>
 </figure>Housing is key to Nebraska’s success and a basic human right. That message echoed in the rotunda of the Nebraska State Capitol Tuesday at the first Housing Affordability and Justice Lobby Day attended by a bipartisan group of Nebraska State Senators and multiple nonprofit partners. Habitat for Humanity Nebraska affiliates rallied for affordable housing across Nebraska. Partners who joined the rally included Women's Fund of Omaha, Front Porch Investments, LLC, Spark CDI,Habitat for Humanity of Lincoln, Fremont Area Habitat for Humanity, Grand Island Area Habitat for Humanity, North Platte Area Habitat for Humanity, Heartland United Way, Hope Harbor, Nebraska Appleseed, NeighborWorks Lincoln, Together, Collective Impact Lincoln and Habitat Omaha partner families, staff, advocates, board members and volunteers.The groups met with Senators about the need for adequate and diverse housing in Nebraska and five bills identified and priorities LB237, LB504/LB741, LB556, LB629 and LB801.Dalene Skates, Executive Director for the North Platte Area Habitat for Humanity and Melanie O'Brien, grant writer for NPAHFH and many other area entities met with Senator Mike Jacobson (District 42),Senator Teresa Ibach (District 44) and Senator Steve Erdman (District 47) to share information on the need for affordable housing across the state.58% of Nebraska household earn $75,000 or less. For them, housing is often unaffordable with 44%—more than 176,000 households that rent or own their homes–paying more than 30% of their income on housing. This leaves families with less for other necessities (ex. transportation to work, childcare, healthcare and food) and reduces their ability to contribute to the economy and build personal wealth.“We must do more to address this issue if we want Nebraska communities to thrive,” says Skates.For more information, contact the Habitat office at 308-534-6251.About Habitat for Humanity:NPAHFH works hard to make safe, decent, affordable homes available to low-income families. Through the support from the community we provide a hand up, rather than a hand out to those seeking a decent home of their own. Homes are built with volunteer labor and sold to qualified families at no profit, with no-interest loans.North Platte Area Habitat for Humanity, 420 N. Cottonwood Street, North Platte, NE 69101 308-534-6251 www.npahfh.org

Nebraska Habitat For Humanity affiliates participate in legislative advocay day at Nebraska's State Capitol

The schedule for Cars &amp; Coffee 2023 begins Saturday.

This is an informal gathering from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Espresso Shop for enthusiasts and their cars. Coffee and breakfast served at the Espresso Shop. 

Parking at the St. Patrick Catholic Church. All vehicles welcome. No registration required.&nbsp;

Other dates are April 8, May 13, June 10, July 22, Sept. 16 and Oct. 7.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678899211370.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The schedule for Cars &amp; Coffee 2023 begins Saturday.This is an informal gathering from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Espresso Shop for enthusiasts and their cars. Coffee and breakfast served at the Espresso Shop. Parking at the St. Patrick Catholic Church. All vehicles welcome. No registration required.&nbsp;Other dates are April 8, May 13, June 10, July 22, Sept. 16 and Oct. 7.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FVisitNorthPlatte%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02hgi8kLQRLCH2YEkdA98CsRV6TBBRsPwsCbNqc1TQrBq4Hzf82gnhA5L2KYjHZxJkl&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="687" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678899288314.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Car enthusiasts invited to Cars & Coffee series in North Platte

At Tuesday's meeting of the North Platte Public Schools Board of Education, members unanimously approved a two-year contract extension for Superintendent Todd Rhodes.

Rhodes was named superintendent in late 2021 and joined the district in July 2022 after serving in a similar position in Gothenburg.

<a href="https://meeting.sparqdata.com/Public/Agenda/124?meeting=571642">The 2023-2025 contract extension</a> offers a salary of $238,000, which Stuart Simpson, finance director, noted was an increase comparable to those received by NPPSD teachers.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678991650473.png" alt="Rhodes" />
 <figcaption>Rhodes</figcaption>
 </figure>North Platte PostAt Tuesday's meeting of the North Platte Public Schools Board of Education, members unanimously approved a two-year contract extension for Superintendent Todd Rhodes.Rhodes was named superintendent in late 2021 and joined the district in July 2022 after serving in a similar position in Gothenburg.<a href="https://meeting.sparqdata.com/Public/Agenda/124?meeting=571642">The 2023-2025 contract extension</a> offers a salary of $238,000, which Stuart Simpson, finance director, noted was an increase comparable to those received by NPPSD teachers.

North Platte superintendent's contract extended two years

The North Platte Downtown Association's St. Patrick's Day parade is scheduled for 5 p.m. Friday in the Canteen District.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678986867743.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The North Platte Downtown Association's St. Patrick's Day parade is scheduled for 5 p.m. Friday in the Canteen District.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FVisitNorthPlatte%2Fposts%2Fpfbid06gc2hQB99GQqZEvrNH3q8BuSzkaLwC7EFK5vSSKc2QUSN9wVzhZ49J4pxqArEM6yl&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="611" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>

St. Patty's Day parade will begin at 5 p.m. Friday downtown

LINCOLN —
 Don’t leave roadway safety up to luck this St. Patrick’s Day. Nebraska 
State Troopers will be on patrol for impaired drivers this weekend as 
part of a nationwide enforcement effort for St.
 Patrick’s Day. 

“Impaired driving is always dangerous,” said Colonel John Bolduc, superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “If your St.
 Patrick’s Day involves alcohol, make a safe ride home part of the planning.”

Troopers will be working overtime across the state this St. Patrick’s Day. Troopers will be performing high-visibility patrols
 throughout the state from Thursday evening through Saturday morning as part of this operation.


The
 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that St. 
Patrick’s Day is one of the deadliest times on roadways
 across the country. From 2016 to 2020, 287 people were killed across 
the country in drunk-driving related crashes on St. Patrick’s Day.


Here are some tips to avoid driving impaired this St. Patrick’s Day or any time of the year:

The enforcement effort is made possible thanks in part to a grant for $11,800 from the Nebraska Department of Transportation – Highway
 Safety Office. 

NDOTLINCOLN —
 Don’t leave roadway safety up to luck this St. Patrick’s Day. Nebraska 
State Troopers will be on patrol for impaired drivers this weekend as 
part of a nationwide enforcement effort for St.
 Patrick’s Day. “Impaired driving is always dangerous,” said Colonel John Bolduc, superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “If your St.
 Patrick’s Day involves alcohol, make a safe ride home part of the planning.”Troopers will be working overtime across the state this St. Patrick’s Day. Troopers will be performing high-visibility patrols
 throughout the state from Thursday evening through Saturday morning as part of this operation.
The
 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that St. 
Patrick’s Day is one of the deadliest times on roadways
 across the country. From 2016 to 2020, 287 people were killed across 
the country in drunk-driving related crashes on St. Patrick’s Day.
Here are some tips to avoid driving impaired this St. Patrick’s Day or any time of the year:<ul>
 <li>Plan ahead: Don’t wait until after you’ve been drinking to make your safe ride plans.</li><li>Know your options: Designate a driver, call a cab, or use a rideshare.</li><li>If you’re the designated driver, take your job seriously and don’t drink.</li><li>If you see an impaired or dangerous driver, report it to the NSP Highway Helpline at *55.</li>
 </ul>The enforcement effort is made possible thanks in part to a grant for $11,800 from the Nebraska Department of Transportation – Highway
 Safety Office.

Troopers on patrol for impaired drivers on St. Patrick’s Day

The North Platte Post Outdoor Report with Julie Geiser, for March 16, 2023. Julie is a Public Information Officer and NEBRASKAland Regional Editor based out of North Platte, where she was born and still happily resides. Geiser worked for the commission previously for over 10 years as an outdoor education instructor – teaching people of all ages about Nebraska’s outdoor offerings. She also coordinates the Becoming an Outdoors Woman program for Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (NGPC). She loves spending time outdoors with her family and getting others involved in her passions of hunting, fishing, camping, boating, hiking and enjoying Nebraska’s great outdoors.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.npkubota.com/">Podcast brought to you by North Platte Kubota</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655346441244.png" alt="POST PODCAST - North Platte Post Outdoor Report/March 16, 2023" />
 <figcaption>POST PODCAST - North Platte Post Outdoor Report/March 16, 2023</figcaption>
 </figure>The North Platte Post Outdoor Report with Julie Geiser, for March 16, 2023. Julie is a Public Information Officer and NEBRASKAland Regional Editor based out of North Platte, where she was born and still happily resides. Geiser worked for the commission previously for over 10 years as an outdoor education instructor – teaching people of all ages about Nebraska’s outdoor offerings. She also coordinates the Becoming an Outdoors Woman program for Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (NGPC). She loves spending time outdoors with her family and getting others involved in her passions of hunting, fishing, camping, boating, hiking and enjoying Nebraska’s great outdoors.&nbsp;<div><iframe title="North Platte Post Outdoor Report (March 16, 2023)" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=j54um-13bb1d3-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=1&fonts=Times%20New%20Roman&skin=1b1b1b&font-color=&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=ff6d00"></iframe></div><a href="https://www.npkubota.com/">Podcast brought to you by North Platte Kubota</a>

🎙️ North Platte Post Outdoor Report with Julie Geiser (March 16, 2023)

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655805794423.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>LINCOLN COUNTY JAIL<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678962534662.png" alt="Bart Joseph Weber - Possession Amphetamine (x2)" />
 <figcaption>Bart Joseph Weber - Possession Amphetamine (x2)</figcaption>
 </figure>***KEITH COUNTY JAIL<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678962552048.png" alt="Harry E Banks -&nbsp; Sexual Assault of Child, Cruelty toward Child" />
 <figcaption>Harry E Banks -&nbsp; Sexual Assault of Child, Cruelty toward Child</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678962568248.png" alt="Steven Keith Massey - Fugitive from Justice, Driving Under Suspension" />
 <figcaption>Steven Keith Massey - Fugitive from Justice, Driving Under Suspension</figcaption>
 </figure>***BUFFALO COUNTY JAIL<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678962588162.png" alt="Samuel Preston Diaz - Contempt of Court (x3)" />
 <figcaption>Samuel Preston Diaz - Contempt of Court (x3)</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678962606511.png" alt="Patrick L Holkan - Contempt of Court" />
 <figcaption>Patrick L Holkan - Contempt of Court</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678962622788.png" alt="Michael Charles Baird - Probation Violation" />
 <figcaption>Michael Charles Baird - Probation Violation</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678962635981.png" alt="Quincey De Jesus Clinebell - Probation Sanction (x2)" />
 <figcaption>Quincey De Jesus Clinebell - Probation Sanction (x2)</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678962657043.png" alt="Charles Xavier X-Ian Kreider - Contempt of Court" />
 <figcaption>Charles Xavier X-Ian Kreider - Contempt of Court</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678962674721.png" alt="Matthew James Kehl - Burglary, Possession of Controlled Substance, Possession or Obtain Legend Drugs" />
 <figcaption>Matthew James Kehl - Burglary, Possession of Controlled Substance, Possession or Obtain Legend Drugs</figcaption>
 </figure><div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://northplattepost.com/category/arrests/" target="_blank">Click Here To See Past Hot Sheets</a></h2> 

This information is not a criminal history. Criminal charges are often dropped or reduced. All individuals included in this post are presumed innocent of crimes until proven guilty in a court of law. The North Platte Post assumes no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, or completeness, of this information. Any person who believes information provided is not accurate may submit a complaint to admin@northplattepost.com. </div>

The Hot Sheets: March 16, 2023

By ELLIE KUCKELMAN <a href="https://nebraskanewsservice.net/state/a-step-beyond-organic-two-nebraska-farms-embrace-biodynamic-agriculture/">Nebraska News Service</a>

Beth Corymb is a fourth-generation farmer living in Scottsbluff. 
Although she grew up on her family’s farm, she was not always sure that 
was the life she wanted to pursue.

“I left for 37 years because I wanted to experience something different, but I told myself never to forget,” Corymb said.

She went to college to study music, but after taking an ecological 
course, she said her mind was opened to the reality of what was 
happening to the earth. She was soon introduced to the concept of 
biodynamics.

Biodynamic farming combines the relationship between the plants, 
animals and soil to use a farm’s resources instead of importing 
materials. It includes using herbs, minerals and cow manure to fertilize
 crops and growing most of the feed and bedding for the livestock.

“I found out about a couple of intentional communities where they had biodynamic training,” Corymb said.

These communities were run by a social initiative called <a href="https://www.camphill.org/biodynamic-farming/">Camphill</a>,
 a worldwide organization of communities including people with and 
without special needs working to foster holistic wellness and growing 
the majority of the community’s food using biodynamic practices. It was 
here where she first learned the fundamentals surrounding biodynamic 
farming.

The early concepts of biodynamic farming were formed in 1924 by 
Austrian scientist and philosopher Rudolf Steiner. He gave a series of 
lectures in response to a complaint by a group of European farmers who 
were noticing a quick decline in soil conditions, crop quality and 
animal health due to the use of chemical pesticides. Steiner presented 
the farm as a living organism that is self-sustainable, with its crop 
growth, soil vitality and livestock all interconnected. In 1928, The 
Demeter Biodynamic® Standard for certification was established and is 
currently regulated by Demeter International.

In the United States, Demeter USA manages biodynamic certification.

“Farming is a significant part of the impact on the environment. 
Biodynamics has some tools that can bring back the vitality of the 
soil,” said Evrett Lunquist, director of Certification for Demeter USA 
and co-owner of Common Good biodynamic farm in Raymond, Nebraska. 
Lunquist founded Common Good in 1996 along with his wife, Ruth Chantry, 
who is board president of the Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society.

Lunquist studied agronomy in college, and while doing a comparison 
study between two farms, he first learned about biodynamic agriculture.

“It was the piece that had been missing in my college studies,” Lunquist said.

Difference between organic and biodynamic

While organic farming mainly focuses on farming without synthetic chemicals, biodynamic agriculture takes it one step further.

“For the certification for biodynamic, you look at the whole farm,” Lunquist said.

The <a href="https://www.biodynamics.com/biodynamic-principles-and-practices#:~:text=Beyond%20organic%20certification%2C%20the%20Demeter,applied%3B%20at%20least%2050%25%20of">Demeter Biodynamic Farm Standard</a>
 requires that the whole farm is certified, not just a specific crop. 
For organic farms, one field could be organic, and another could be 
conventional. Biodynamic farms work to not only produce high-quality 
food but also improve the health of the entire farm ecosystem.

Biodynamic farms must meet all the organic requirements, as well as the additional standards laid out by <a href="https://www.demeter-usa.org/downloads/Demeter-Farm-Standard.pdf">Demeter</a>.
 This includes dedicating at least 10% of the land as a wildland 
reserve, generating the farm’s fertility, and using biodynamic 
preparations like field sprays and composting. The goal is 
sustainability, where the waste of one part of the farm becomes energy 
for another part.

“Instead of having a huge carbon footprint, you’re actually refocusing on having a carbon negative footprint,” Lunquist said.

With minimal use of imported materials, the farm generates its own 
fertility instead of relying on transported fertilizers, unlike many 
organic farms.

Although biodynamic farms may not be as common as organic farms, the number continues to rise. According to <a href="http://tru.uni-sz.bg/tsj/Volume%2017,%202019,%20Supplement%201,%20Series%20Social%20Sciences/3/za%20pe4at/84.pdf">Demeter International</a>,
 biodynamic farms worldwide increased by more than 47% between 2000 and 
2018. In 2019, there were 118 Biodynamic certified farms in the U.S., 
including the two in Nebraska.

“Right now, there are about 140 certified biodynamic farms,” Lunquist said. “We are looking forward to more sustainable growth.”

After returning to Scottsbluff in 2010, Corymb and her husband Nathan
 started a biodynamic seed company. Their farm, Meadowlark Hearth, 
received the biodynamic certification one year later. They now own 540 
acres of land, with 150 acres designated as a natural reserve to 
encourage the biodiversity of plants and animals.

The Corymbs sell their produce at farmer’s markets, as well as 
through Community Supported Agriculture, or CSA, where consumers 
purchase produce shares at the beginning of the year. Lunquist and his 
wife have also used farmer’s markets and CSA; however, more recently, 
they have used email lists and grocery stores.

For example, Common Good offers an option to pre-order their produce,
 meat and eggs for farm pickup, and they also sell their eggs at Natural
 Grocers in Lincoln.

However, one of their long-time partners is Open Harvest, a co-op 
grocery store in south Lincoln. Common Good has been selling its eggs, 
produce, meat and plant seedlings there for more 24 years.

Open Harvest is the only co-op grocery store in Lincoln, and its 
mission is to provide access to nutritious, local and organic foods. 
They have been in business for 48 years and have sold 269,052 Common 
Good eggs in just the past five years.

“People go nuts. We can’t keep them on the shelf,” said Amy Tabor, general manager of Open Harvest.

Every year, Open Harvest also hosts a large plant sale with Common 
Good, where they bring in vegetables, herbs and flowers from the farm to
 sell during the spring and early summer.

“They do a fantastic job with the variety they offer, and the quality is really good,” Tabor said.

Lunquist said there is value in buying locally and when customers become acquainted with the farm’s name.

“When you eat the food, it’s nourishment. But then there’s another 
nourishment that comes from eating food where you have either been to 
the farm, or you know the farmer. It is part of the experience,” 
Lunquist said. Instead of being just food for the body, Lunquist said 
biodynamic agriculture produces food for the soul.

“It’s really kind of a grand mission. It’s about healing the 
earth—the plant communities, the animal communities, as well as the 
human community,” Lunquist said.

This is done by enabling the farm to generate its own fertility 
through cover crops, crop rotation, animal integration, and composting. 
It is about fostering the land, not using it up.

“It’s a real change in thought. In this country, we are taught that 
the financial position of a business is the thing that should direct 
everything,” Corymb said.

However, she hopes more people will come to see the earth as a living being instead of a commodity.

“I think that’s the basic thing, that the earth is in context of the 
whole universe,” Corymb said. “That concept of seeing the human being as
 the miracle it is and the earth as the miracle it is, will lead people 
to understand that biodynamics has a real place.”

Ellie Kuckelman is a senior journalism student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a minor in Spanish.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678903412327.png" alt="A cow on Common Good farm feeds on fodder grown on-site on Saturday, Feb. 18th, 2023. “With biodynamics we take a step beyond the animal. What is it being fed and what medicine is it being given and how could that contaminate the soil of the farm?” said Evrett Lunquist, co-owner of Common Good farm. (Photo by Ellie Kuckelman/CoJMC)" />
 <figcaption>A cow on Common Good farm feeds on fodder grown on-site on Saturday, Feb. 18th, 2023. “With biodynamics we take a step beyond the animal. What is it being fed and what medicine is it being given and how could that contaminate the soil of the farm?” said Evrett Lunquist, co-owner of Common Good farm. (Photo by Ellie Kuckelman/CoJMC)</figcaption>
 </figure>By ELLIE KUCKELMAN <a href="https://nebraskanewsservice.net/state/a-step-beyond-organic-two-nebraska-farms-embrace-biodynamic-agriculture/">Nebraska News Service</a>Beth Corymb is a fourth-generation farmer living in Scottsbluff. 
Although she grew up on her family’s farm, she was not always sure that 
was the life she wanted to pursue.“I left for 37 years because I wanted to experience something different, but I told myself never to forget,” Corymb said.She went to college to study music, but after taking an ecological 
course, she said her mind was opened to the reality of what was 
happening to the earth. She was soon introduced to the concept of 
biodynamics.Biodynamic farming combines the relationship between the plants, 
animals and soil to use a farm’s resources instead of importing 
materials. It includes using herbs, minerals and cow manure to fertilize
 crops and growing most of the feed and bedding for the livestock.“I found out about a couple of intentional communities where they had biodynamic training,” Corymb said.These communities were run by a social initiative called <a href="https://www.camphill.org/biodynamic-farming/">Camphill</a>,
 a worldwide organization of communities including people with and 
without special needs working to foster holistic wellness and growing 
the majority of the community’s food using biodynamic practices. It was 
here where she first learned the fundamentals surrounding biodynamic 
farming.History of biodynamicsThe early concepts of biodynamic farming were formed in 1924 by 
Austrian scientist and philosopher Rudolf Steiner. He gave a series of 
lectures in response to a complaint by a group of European farmers who 
were noticing a quick decline in soil conditions, crop quality and 
animal health due to the use of chemical pesticides. Steiner presented 
the farm as a living organism that is self-sustainable, with its crop 
growth, soil vitality and livestock all interconnected. In 1928, The 
Demeter Biodynamic® Standard for certification was established and is 
currently regulated by Demeter International.In the United States, Demeter USA manages biodynamic certification.“Farming is a significant part of the impact on the environment. 
Biodynamics has some tools that can bring back the vitality of the 
soil,” said Evrett Lunquist, director of Certification for Demeter USA 
and co-owner of Common Good biodynamic farm in Raymond, Nebraska. 
Lunquist founded Common Good in 1996 along with his wife, Ruth Chantry, 
who is board president of the Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society.Lunquist studied agronomy in college, and while doing a comparison 
study between two farms, he first learned about biodynamic agriculture.“It was the piece that had been missing in my college studies,” Lunquist said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678903509193.png" alt="Evrett Lunquist, co-owner of Common Good, prepares for morning chores on his Raymond farm on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023. He said being a biodynamic farmer is more labor intensive and requires more thoughtfulness than conventional farming. (Photo by Ellie Kuckelman/CoJMC)" />
 <figcaption>Evrett Lunquist, co-owner of Common Good, prepares for morning chores on his Raymond farm on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023. He said being a biodynamic farmer is more labor intensive and requires more thoughtfulness than conventional farming. (Photo by Ellie Kuckelman/CoJMC)</figcaption>
 </figure>Difference between organic and biodynamicWhile organic farming mainly focuses on farming without synthetic chemicals, biodynamic agriculture takes it one step further.“For the certification for biodynamic, you look at the whole farm,” Lunquist said.The <a href="https://www.biodynamics.com/biodynamic-principles-and-practices#:~:text=Beyond%20organic%20certification%2C%20the%20Demeter,applied%3B%20at%20least%2050%25%20of">Demeter Biodynamic Farm Standard</a>
 requires that the whole farm is certified, not just a specific crop. 
For organic farms, one field could be organic, and another could be 
conventional. Biodynamic farms work to not only produce high-quality 
food but also improve the health of the entire farm ecosystem.Biodynamic farms must meet all the organic requirements, as well as the additional standards laid out by <a href="https://www.demeter-usa.org/downloads/Demeter-Farm-Standard.pdf">Demeter</a>.
 This includes dedicating at least 10% of the land as a wildland 
reserve, generating the farm’s fertility, and using biodynamic 
preparations like field sprays and composting. The goal is 
sustainability, where the waste of one part of the farm becomes energy 
for another part.“Instead of having a huge carbon footprint, you’re actually refocusing on having a carbon negative footprint,” Lunquist said.With minimal use of imported materials, the farm generates its own 
fertility instead of relying on transported fertilizers, unlike many 
organic farms.Although biodynamic farms may not be as common as organic farms, the number continues to rise. According to <a href="http://tru.uni-sz.bg/tsj/Volume%2017,%202019,%20Supplement%201,%20Series%20Social%20Sciences/3/za%20pe4at/84.pdf">Demeter International</a>,
 biodynamic farms worldwide increased by more than 47% between 2000 and 
2018. In 2019, there were 118 Biodynamic certified farms in the U.S., 
including the two in Nebraska.“Right now, there are about 140 certified biodynamic farms,” Lunquist said. “We are looking forward to more sustainable growth.”After returning to Scottsbluff in 2010, Corymb and her husband Nathan
 started a biodynamic seed company. Their farm, Meadowlark Hearth, 
received the biodynamic certification one year later. They now own 540 
acres of land, with 150 acres designated as a natural reserve to 
encourage the biodiversity of plants and animals.Where the produce is soldThe Corymbs sell their produce at farmer’s markets, as well as 
through Community Supported Agriculture, or CSA, where consumers 
purchase produce shares at the beginning of the year. Lunquist and his 
wife have also used farmer’s markets and CSA; however, more recently, 
they have used email lists and grocery stores.For example, Common Good offers an option to pre-order their produce,
 meat and eggs for farm pickup, and they also sell their eggs at Natural
 Grocers in Lincoln.However, one of their long-time partners is Open Harvest, a co-op 
grocery store in south Lincoln. Common Good has been selling its eggs, 
produce, meat and plant seedlings there for more 24 years.Open Harvest is the only co-op grocery store in Lincoln, and its 
mission is to provide access to nutritious, local and organic foods. 
They have been in business for 48 years and have sold 269,052 Common 
Good eggs in just the past five years.“People go nuts. We can’t keep them on the shelf,” said Amy Tabor, general manager of Open Harvest.Every year, Open Harvest also hosts a large plant sale with Common 
Good, where they bring in vegetables, herbs and flowers from the farm to
 sell during the spring and early summer.“They do a fantastic job with the variety they offer, and the quality is really good,” Tabor said.Lunquist said there is value in buying locally and when customers become acquainted with the farm’s name.“When you eat the food, it’s nourishment. But then there’s another 
nourishment that comes from eating food where you have either been to 
the farm, or you know the farmer. It is part of the experience,” 
Lunquist said. Instead of being just food for the body, Lunquist said 
biodynamic agriculture produces food for the soul.Changing the perspective“It’s really kind of a grand mission. It’s about healing the 
earth—the plant communities, the animal communities, as well as the 
human community,” Lunquist said.This is done by enabling the farm to generate its own fertility 
through cover crops, crop rotation, animal integration, and composting. 
It is about fostering the land, not using it up.“It’s a real change in thought. In this country, we are taught that 
the financial position of a business is the thing that should direct 
everything,” Corymb said.However, she hopes more people will come to see the earth as a living being instead of a commodity.“I think that’s the basic thing, that the earth is in context of the 
whole universe,” Corymb said. “That concept of seeing the human being as
 the miracle it is and the earth as the miracle it is, will lead people 
to understand that biodynamics has a real place.”Ellie Kuckelman is a senior journalism student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a minor in Spanish.&nbsp;

A step beyond organic: Nebraska farms embrace biodynamic agriculture

Ten students from the Mid-Plains Community College Vice President’s Leadership class in McCook and North Platte are spending part of their spring break on an educational trip to Chicago.

The Vice President’s Leadership class is invite-only. Students meet once a week to listen to guest speakers, learn about leadership and participate in discussions. They also try to take a trip every year to either Chicago or San Antonio to visit historical sites and cultural attractions.&nbsp;

This year’s group, which includes three sponsors from the college, arrived in the “Windy City” March 10 and will return March 14.

Among other things, they are visiting Skydeck Chicago in the Willis Tower, 360 Chicago at 875 North Michigan Avenue - the building formerly known as the John Hancock Center, Adler Planetarium and the Field Museum. They are also experiencing some of the city’s well-known foods, including Chicago Dogs and deep-dish pizza.

The participating McCook students are: Dylan Harvie, Jadon Karp and Tesa Nelson, all of McCook; Denay Pelster, of Elsie and Liz Meyers, of Oxford.

The North Platte students who are on the trip are: Jada-Mae Wheeler and Andrew and Anja Tejral, all of North Platte; Karissa Jackson, of Cozad and Bailey Zona, of Sutherland.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678737565494.jpeg" alt="Students from the Mid-Plains Community College Vice President’s Leadership classes in McCook and North Platte visit Skydeck Chicago on Saturday." />
 <figcaption>Students from the Mid-Plains Community College Vice President’s Leadership classes in McCook and North Platte visit Skydeck Chicago on Saturday.</figcaption>
 </figure>By HEATHER JOHNSON MPCCTen students from the Mid-Plains Community College Vice President’s Leadership class in McCook and North Platte are spending part of their spring break on an educational trip to Chicago.The Vice President’s Leadership class is invite-only. Students meet once a week to listen to guest speakers, learn about leadership and participate in discussions. They also try to take a trip every year to either Chicago or San Antonio to visit historical sites and cultural attractions.&nbsp;This year’s group, which includes three sponsors from the college, arrived in the “Windy City” March 10 and will return March 14.Among other things, they are visiting Skydeck Chicago in the Willis Tower, 360 Chicago at 875 North Michigan Avenue - the building formerly known as the John Hancock Center, Adler Planetarium and the Field Museum. They are also experiencing some of the city’s well-known foods, including Chicago Dogs and deep-dish pizza.The participating McCook students are: Dylan Harvie, Jadon Karp and Tesa Nelson, all of McCook; Denay Pelster, of Elsie and Liz Meyers, of Oxford.The North Platte students who are on the trip are: Jada-Mae Wheeler and Andrew and Anja Tejral, all of North Platte; Karissa Jackson, of Cozad and Bailey Zona, of Sutherland.

Mid-Plains CC leadership students visit Windy City

Nebraska Treasurer John Murante is encouraging Nebraskans to search&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nebraskalostcash.gov/">www.NebraskaLostCash.gov</a>&nbsp;to see if they have cash or other valuables waiting for them.&nbsp;The search only takes a moment and is free.

Nearly 33 million people in the United States — 1 in every 7 — has some sort of unclaimed property, which could be financial accounts or items of value in which the owner has not initiated any activity for several years. When that happens, the money or properties are submitted to the state. Common examples include unpaid life insurance benefits, forgotten bank accounts, and uncashed checks.

In 2022, the Nebraska Treasurer’s Unclaimed Property Division returned more than $18.2 million and paid out more than 13,000 claims.

“The staff of the Treasurer’s Office Division of Unclaimed Property are there to help you get what is yours. This is your money, and it should be returned to you,” Murante said. “It’s quick, it’s easy, and it is free.”

Last year, to increase awareness of unclaimed property, the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators launched the first National Unclaimed Property Day on Feb. 1.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1667855687288.png" alt="Nebraska State Treasurer John Murante (Courtesy of the State Treasurer’s Office)" />
 <figcaption>Nebraska State Treasurer John Murante (Courtesy of the State Treasurer’s Office)</figcaption>
 </figure>Office of the TreasurerNebraska Treasurer John Murante is encouraging Nebraskans to search&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nebraskalostcash.gov/">www.NebraskaLostCash.gov</a>&nbsp;to see if they have cash or other valuables waiting for them.&nbsp;The search only takes a moment and is free.Nearly 33 million people in the United States — 1 in every 7 — has some sort of unclaimed property, which could be financial accounts or items of value in which the owner has not initiated any activity for several years. When that happens, the money or properties are submitted to the state. Common examples include unpaid life insurance benefits, forgotten bank accounts, and uncashed checks.In 2022, the Nebraska Treasurer’s Unclaimed Property Division returned more than $18.2 million and paid out more than 13,000 claims.“The staff of the Treasurer’s Office Division of Unclaimed Property are there to help you get what is yours. This is your money, and it should be returned to you,” Murante said. “It’s quick, it’s easy, and it is free.”Last year, to increase awareness of unclaimed property, the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators launched the first National Unclaimed Property Day on Feb. 1.

Treasurer urges Nebraskans to search for unclaimed property

Lepaine Sharp-McHenry, DNP, dean of the College of Natural, Behavioral and Health Sciences at Simmons University
 in Boston, has been named the next dean of the UNMC College of Nursing. 

She will join UNMC on July 3, pending approval of the University of Nebraska Board of Regents.

“I
 am pleased to welcome Dr. Sharp-McHenry to UNMC,” UNMC Chancellor 
Jeffrey P. Gold,
 MD, said in making the announcement. “She has led her profession at the
 local, state and national levels, and is a transformational leader who 
brings both the experience and the vision to further elevate an already 
outstanding College of Nursing.”

Dr. Gold also commended the work done by the search committee, chaired by UNMC’s College of Allied Health Professions
 Dean Kyle Meyer, PhD; the faculty and staff of the College of Nursing; and Spencer Stuart.

Dr.
 Sharp-McHenry was selected after an in-depth national search to replace
 retiring College of Nursing Dean Juliann Sebastian, PhD, who has served
 as dean for the past
 12 years, overseeing UNMC College of Nursing divisions in Scottsbluff, 
Kearney, Norfolk, Lincoln and Omaha. The college traces its history to 
the University of Nebraska School of Nursing, which enrolled 13 women in
 1917. Today, the college offers programs
 leading to baccalaureate, master's and doctoral degrees and has more than 900 students enrolled.

“Dr.
 Sharp-McHenry brings a wealth of experience as a proven leader,” Dr. 
Meyer said. “She will be a tremendous
 asset in addressing the nursing workforce shortage and expanding 
nursing research. We are pleased that she’ll be joining the UNMC 
community.”


Prior
 to joining Simmons University in 2019, Dr. Sharp-McHenry served as dean
 of the College of Nursing at Oklahoma
 Baptist University and assistant director of the Eleanor Mann School of
 Nursing at the University of Arkansas. Through her expertise in higher 
education, health care and regulation, Dr. Sharp-McHenry is recognized 
as a leader in her field and an enthusiastic
 advocate who actively supports initiatives to ensure the highest 
quality education and accessible health care.

A
 practicing nurse since 1981, her educational background includes an 
associate of science in nursing at Southern Arkansas University, a 
Bachelor of Science in Nursing at
 the University of Arkansas, a Master of Science in Nursing (clinical 
nurse specialist in psychiatric mental health) from the University of 
Oklahoma and a Doctorate in Nursing Practice in executive leadership 
from Union University.


The
 Arkansas native has held leadership roles in such national 
organizations as the National Association of Directors of Nursing 
Administration in Long Term Care, National
 Council of State Boards of Nursing, American Association of Colleges of
 Nursing, Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools and the 
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. She has published and 
co-authored articles and served as an expert panel
 member in the development of clinical practice guidelines in the 
long-term care field.

“I
 am both excited and humbled to be named the next dean of the UNMC 
College of Nursing,” Dr. Sharp-McHenry said in response to her 
selection. “The selection process revealed
 what phenomenal people and programs Dr. Gold and the leadership team 
have established here. I recognize the trust that it takes to afford me 
this opportunity, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to 
advance nursing education, research and health
 equity in Nebraska and beyond.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678919711138.png" alt="Screen Shot 2023-03-15 at 5.35.00 PM.png" />
 <figcaption>Screen Shot 2023-03-15 at 5.35.00 PM.png</figcaption>
 </figure>UNMCLepaine Sharp-McHenry, DNP, dean of the College of Natural, Behavioral and Health Sciences at Simmons University
 in Boston, has been named the next dean of the UNMC College of Nursing. She will join UNMC on July 3, pending approval of the University of Nebraska Board of Regents.“I
 am pleased to welcome Dr. Sharp-McHenry to UNMC,” UNMC Chancellor 
Jeffrey P. Gold,
 MD, said in making the announcement. “She has led her profession at the
 local, state and national levels, and is a transformational leader who 
brings both the experience and the vision to further elevate an already 
outstanding College of Nursing.”Dr. Gold also commended the work done by the search committee, chaired by UNMC’s College of Allied Health Professions
 Dean Kyle Meyer, PhD; the faculty and staff of the College of Nursing; and Spencer Stuart.Dr.
 Sharp-McHenry was selected after an in-depth national search to replace
 retiring College of Nursing Dean Juliann Sebastian, PhD, who has served
 as dean for the past
 12 years, overseeing UNMC College of Nursing divisions in Scottsbluff, 
Kearney, Norfolk, Lincoln and Omaha. The college traces its history to 
the University of Nebraska School of Nursing, which enrolled 13 women in
 1917. Today, the college offers programs
 leading to baccalaureate, master's and doctoral degrees and has more than 900 students enrolled.“Dr.
 Sharp-McHenry brings a wealth of experience as a proven leader,” Dr. 
Meyer said. “She will be a tremendous
 asset in addressing the nursing workforce shortage and expanding 
nursing research. We are pleased that she’ll be joining the UNMC 
community.”
Prior
 to joining Simmons University in 2019, Dr. Sharp-McHenry served as dean
 of the College of Nursing at Oklahoma
 Baptist University and assistant director of the Eleanor Mann School of
 Nursing at the University of Arkansas. Through her expertise in higher 
education, health care and regulation, Dr. Sharp-McHenry is recognized 
as a leader in her field and an enthusiastic
 advocate who actively supports initiatives to ensure the highest 
quality education and accessible health care.A
 practicing nurse since 1981, her educational background includes an 
associate of science in nursing at Southern Arkansas University, a 
Bachelor of Science in Nursing at
 the University of Arkansas, a Master of Science in Nursing (clinical 
nurse specialist in psychiatric mental health) from the University of 
Oklahoma and a Doctorate in Nursing Practice in executive leadership 
from Union University.
The
 Arkansas native has held leadership roles in such national 
organizations as the National Association of Directors of Nursing 
Administration in Long Term Care, National
 Council of State Boards of Nursing, American Association of Colleges of
 Nursing, Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools and the 
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. She has published and 
co-authored articles and served as an expert panel
 member in the development of clinical practice guidelines in the 
long-term care field.“I
 am both excited and humbled to be named the next dean of the UNMC 
College of Nursing,” Dr. Sharp-McHenry said in response to her 
selection. “The selection process revealed
 what phenomenal people and programs Dr. Gold and the leadership team 
have established here. I recognize the trust that it takes to afford me 
this opportunity, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to 
advance nursing education, research and health
 equity in Nebraska and beyond.”

Boston doctor named to lead UNMC College of Nursing

LINCOLN —&nbsp;During the month of February, 15 people were killed in traffic crashes
on Nebraska roadways, according to data collected by the Nebraska Department of Transportation.


• These 15 fatalities occurred in 14 fatal crashes. • Nine of the 15 vehicle occupants killed were not using seatbelts, three were using seatbelts, and
three had seatbelt usage marked as unknown. • Ten of the fatalities were in rural locations. • There was one fatality on the interstate, eight on other highways and six on local roads. • Icy roads were a contributing factor in one of the fatality crashes.

• There were 15 fatalities in February of 2022. • Only three of the 23 vehicle occupants killed during 2023 were using seatbelts.

NDOTLINCOLN —&nbsp;During the month of February, 15 people were killed in traffic crashes
on Nebraska roadways, according to data collected by the Nebraska Department of Transportation.
• These 15 fatalities occurred in 14 fatal crashes. • Nine of the 15 vehicle occupants killed were not using seatbelts, three were using seatbelts, and
three had seatbelt usage marked as unknown. • Ten of the fatalities were in rural locations. • There was one fatality on the interstate, eight on other highways and six on local roads. • Icy roads were a contributing factor in one of the fatality crashes.
<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678908522946.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>• There were 15 fatalities in February of 2022. • Only three of the 23 vehicle occupants killed during 2023 were using seatbelts.

Crashes claim 15 lives on Nebraska roadways in February

North Platte, Ne - The North Platte FNBO Nationals released their summer baseball schedule Wednesday. The season kicks off on Monday, May 15 at Bill Wood field agains Ogallala. FM 98.1/AM 1410 will again have coverage of most of the Senior Legion games and a few Juniors games. Watch for broadcast schedule to be released soon here on the Post.&nbsp;

<a href="https://nplegionbaseball.leagueapps.com/clubteams/3632193/teams/5993646">Click Here</a> to see full schedule along with Juniors Schedule

Wednesday, May 24 4:30pm - Double Header vs. Scottsbluff

Saturday, May 27 &amp; Sunday, May 28 - Tournament in North Platte

Wednesday, May 31 5pm - Double Header vs. Grand Island

Thursday June 1 - Sunday, June 4 - Rapid City Tournament

Wednesday, June 7 7:30pm&nbsp; - vs. Hastings

Friday, June 9 - Sunday, June 11 - Tournament in Lincoln

Tuesday, June 13 5pm - Double Header vs. Grand Island

Wednesday, June 14 5pm - Double Header at Columbus

Wednesday, June 21 - Sunday, June 25 - Seniors Prep (CSW) Tournament

Friday, June 30 - Sunday, July 2 - Tournament in Cheyenne, Wy

Thursday, July 6 2pm - Double Header at Norfolk

Friday, July 7 - Sunday, July 9 - Tournament in Kearney

Friday, July 14 - Wednesday, July 19 - Districts at Grand Island

Saturday, July 22 - Wednesday, July 26 - State Tournament

North Platte, Ne - The North Platte FNBO Nationals released their summer baseball schedule Wednesday. The season kicks off on Monday, May 15 at Bill Wood field agains Ogallala. FM 98.1/AM 1410 will again have coverage of most of the Senior Legion games and a few Juniors games. Watch for broadcast schedule to be released soon here on the Post.&nbsp;<a href="https://nplegionbaseball.leagueapps.com/clubteams/3632193/teams/5993646">Click Here</a> to see full schedule along with Juniors Schedule<h2>FNBO Seniors Schedule</h2>Monday, May 15 7pm - vs. OgallalaWednesday, May 17 8pm - at LexingtonSunday, May 21 1pm - at McCookTuesday, May 23 7:30pm - vs. KearneyWednesday, May 24 4:30pm - Double Header vs. ScottsbluffSaturday, May 27 &amp; Sunday, May 28 - Tournament in North PlatteTuesday, May 30 7:30pm - vs. HastingsWednesday, May 31 5pm - Double Header vs. Grand IslandThursday June 1 - Sunday, June 4 - Rapid City TournamentTuesday, June 6 7:30pm - vs. HoldregeWednesday, June 7 7:30pm&nbsp; - vs. HastingsFriday, June 9 - Sunday, June 11 - Tournament in LincolnTuesday, June 13 5pm - Double Header vs. Grand IslandWednesday, June 14 5pm - Double Header at ColumbusFriday, June 16 5:30pm - vs. ChadronMonday, June 19 8pm - vs. LexingtonWednesday, June 21 - Sunday, June 25 - Seniors Prep (CSW) TournamentWednesday, June 28 7:30pm - at KearneyFriday, June 30 - Sunday, July 2 - Tournament in Cheyenne, WyThursday, July 6 2pm - Double Header at NorfolkFriday, July 7 - Sunday, July 9 - Tournament in KearneyMonday, July 10 7pm - at OgallalaWednesday, July 12 5pm - at ChadronFriday, July 14 - Wednesday, July 19 - Districts at Grand IslandSaturday, July 22 - Wednesday, July 26 - State Tournament

North Platte FNBO Nationals baseball schedule released

Five members of the Mid-Plains Community College rodeo team have been awarded $1,000 scholarships from the Kiplinger Foundation.

The members are: Jace Richter, of Ogallala; Kalyn Nielsen, of Verdigre; Maggie Underhill, of Hill City, Kan.; Nick Rettinger, of Amidon, N.D. and Sydney Dunlap, of Kylertown, Pa.

The athletes were recognized Saturday night during the team’s annual spring fundraiser rodeo at the Kiplinger Arena in McCook.

Scholarship selection was based upon fall semester GPA, a written essay, input from the rodeo team coaches and the Red Willow County fair board manager’s recommendation.&nbsp;

“I’m very proud of our recipients of the 2023 Tom and Alice Kiplinger Foundation Scholarship,” said Wyatt Clark, MPCC rodeo team timed event coach. “Jiles Bowman, fair board manager, and I both agreed these five are deserving based on their hard work and team leadership. Their GPAs reflect these positive traits also.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678729304155.jpeg" alt="Mid-Plains Community College Rodeo Team members Sydney Dunlap, Maggie Underhill, Jace Richter, Nick Rettinger and Kalyn Nielsen are recognized during the team’s spring fundraiser rodeo in McCook." />
 <figcaption>Mid-Plains Community College Rodeo Team members Sydney Dunlap, Maggie Underhill, Jace Richter, Nick Rettinger and Kalyn Nielsen are recognized during the team’s spring fundraiser rodeo in McCook.</figcaption>
 </figure>By HEATHER JOHNSON MPCCFive members of the Mid-Plains Community College rodeo team have been awarded $1,000 scholarships from the Kiplinger Foundation.The members are: Jace Richter, of Ogallala; Kalyn Nielsen, of Verdigre; Maggie Underhill, of Hill City, Kan.; Nick Rettinger, of Amidon, N.D. and Sydney Dunlap, of Kylertown, Pa.The athletes were recognized Saturday night during the team’s annual spring fundraiser rodeo at the Kiplinger Arena in McCook.Scholarship selection was based upon fall semester GPA, a written essay, input from the rodeo team coaches and the Red Willow County fair board manager’s recommendation.&nbsp;“I’m very proud of our recipients of the 2023 Tom and Alice Kiplinger Foundation Scholarship,” said Wyatt Clark, MPCC rodeo team timed event coach. “Jiles Bowman, fair board manager, and I both agreed these five are deserving based on their hard work and team leadership. Their GPAs reflect these positive traits also.”

MPCC rodeo team members awarded $1,000 scholarships

By JENNA EBBERS <a href="https://nebraskanewsservice.net/state/morrill-cheerleader-makes-national-headlines-for-solo-state-performance/">Nebraska News Service</a>

Katrina Kohel traveled over 300 miles
 to represent the Morrill High School Lions at the Nebraska State High 
School Cheer and Dance competition in Grand Island last month – alone.&nbsp;

Kohel, a 17-year-old senior, was the 
lone cheerleader on the mats at the Heartland Event Center in Grand 
Island, representing the school she’s cheered for since she was a 
freshman, a town of just over 900 people in Nebraska’s panhandle.&nbsp;

However, as the tune of Nicki Minaj’s
 Starships set off the first four portions of her Game Day routine, she 
was no longer alone.

Teams from across the state gathered 
to cheer her on as she danced, completed both situational and sideline 
cheers and performed Morrill High’s fight song.

“Pretty much the whole stadium was 
involved in my performance, which was really awesome,” Kohel said. “It 
was exciting. There’s no other way to explain it.”

Kohel’s family in the stands was 
limited, too. Her parents, Scott and Della Kohel were even further east 
in Omaha, coaching and cheering on her twin brother at the state 
wrestling tournament, where they watched her performance on Facebook 
Live.&nbsp;

“I was excited for her to still get 
the opportunity as an individual competitor instead of as a team, but I 
was nervous because she’s not real outspoken a lot of times,” Scott 
Kohel said. “It’s hard to be separated from her accomplishments and not 
be there to celebrate with her.”

Since her performance, Kohel has made
 national headlines for her solo appearance at the state competition, 
being featured in the <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/solo-cheerleader-katrina-kohel-nebraska-state-cheer-and-dance-championships-89b8a246">Wall Street Journal</a>, <a href="https://nypost.com/2023/02/28/hs-cheerleader-competes-solo-in-states-after-entire-squad-quits/">The New York Post</a>, <a href="https://people.com/sports/nebraska-cheerleader-competes-solo-after-teammates-quit/">People Magazine</a>, the <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2023/03/02/nebraska-cheerleader-solo-alone/">Washington Post</a> and more.

The cheer squad originally had three 
other girls on it until they all left the team for personal reasons 
around a week and a half before state, leaving only Kohel.&nbsp;

While Kohel said she isn’t normally 
an outgoing person, and despite early self-doubts, she chose to stick 
with it and finish her final cheer season.&nbsp;

“I knew that I had the support behind
 me,” she said. “And I knew that even though it was a long trip, I had 
it, and it was okay.”

Once the other three left, the game 
plan was forced to change. Kohel couldn’t perform the same routine by 
herself – stunts and certain moves had to be removed. With only over a 
week to work with, Kohel woke up at 6:45 a.m. every day leading up to 
the state competition to practice the modified routine with her coach. 
By performance time that Friday evening, she had it down and relied 
purely on muscle memory.&nbsp;

“Once I was actually on the floor 
getting ready to perform, my mind was just blank. It was just pure 
excitement and just knowing that I was ready,” Kohel said. “I could do 
it blindfolded, honestly.”

This was Kohel’s third time competing
 at the state cheer competition, and it was her favorite experience 
there, but not because she did it alone.

“I think it has more to do with the 
fact that I’ve been a cheerleader for so long, and being able to get out
 there one last time just made it that much more special to me,” Kohel 
said. “It wouldn’t have mattered if I was by myself or with my other 
three previous teammates.”

Kohel finished eighth out of 12 teams
 with a score of 77 out of 100 points and made her school proud, 
according to Jessica Stec, the principal at Morrill High.

“I think going out there really 
speaks volumes about the kind of person that she is. And just her 
courage to do something like that by herself,” Stec said. “It’s 
disappointing, for sure, that we didn’t have our squad there. But at the
 same time, that’s not what the focus is. Look what she was able to 
accomplish.”

However, this wasn’t even her first 
event in 24 hours; she competed against South Platte in the sub-district
 basketball game in Ogallala the night before.

Kohel traveled from Morrill to 
Ogallala that Thursday night, losing her last-ever basketball game. 
Shortly following the heartbreak loss, she and her grandparents trekked 
nearly 200 miles to Grand Island for the cheer competition.&nbsp;

“In small schools like this, kids do a
 lot of everything,” Stec said. “I think what Katrina has created here 
is just an opportunity for herself down the road because you don’t see 
many students put forth that much effort into everything the way she 
does.”

Kohel also participates in track and 
choir and played in the school band until the program was cut. After 
graduation this May, Kohel plans to attend the University of Nebraska at
 Kearney to study nursing and join the Air Force.

While her cheer career ended in an unexpected way, she’s happy to have the experience under her belt.

“I was just excited that I didn’t 
have my last opportunity to go to state taken away from me and that I 
was still going to be able to go,” Kohel said.

“Even if you don’t think you can’t do it, just give it a shot. You could surprise yourself,” she said.

Jenna Ebbers is a senior journalism major at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678903162124.png" alt="Katrina Kohel, a Morrill High School senior, competed in the Nebraska State Cheer and Dance Competition alone after her fellow teammates quit the team a week and a half prior. COURTESY PHOTO: Donna Wiedeburg" />
 <figcaption>Katrina Kohel, a Morrill High School senior, competed in the Nebraska State Cheer and Dance Competition alone after her fellow teammates quit the team a week and a half prior. COURTESY PHOTO: Donna Wiedeburg</figcaption>
 </figure>By JENNA EBBERS <a href="https://nebraskanewsservice.net/state/morrill-cheerleader-makes-national-headlines-for-solo-state-performance/">Nebraska News Service</a>Katrina Kohel traveled over 300 miles
 to represent the Morrill High School Lions at the Nebraska State High 
School Cheer and Dance competition in Grand Island last month – alone.&nbsp;Kohel, a 17-year-old senior, was the 
lone cheerleader on the mats at the Heartland Event Center in Grand 
Island, representing the school she’s cheered for since she was a 
freshman, a town of just over 900 people in Nebraska’s panhandle.&nbsp;However, as the tune of Nicki Minaj’s
 Starships set off the first four portions of her Game Day routine, she 
was no longer alone.Teams from across the state gathered 
to cheer her on as she danced, completed both situational and sideline 
cheers and performed Morrill High’s fight song.“Pretty much the whole stadium was 
involved in my performance, which was really awesome,” Kohel said. “It 
was exciting. There’s no other way to explain it.”Kohel’s family in the stands was 
limited, too. Her parents, Scott and Della Kohel were even further east 
in Omaha, coaching and cheering on her twin brother at the state 
wrestling tournament, where they watched her performance on Facebook 
Live.&nbsp;“I was excited for her to still get 
the opportunity as an individual competitor instead of as a team, but I 
was nervous because she’s not real outspoken a lot of times,” Scott 
Kohel said. “It’s hard to be separated from her accomplishments and not 
be there to celebrate with her.”Since her performance, Kohel has made
 national headlines for her solo appearance at the state competition, 
being featured in the <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/solo-cheerleader-katrina-kohel-nebraska-state-cheer-and-dance-championships-89b8a246">Wall Street Journal</a>, <a href="https://nypost.com/2023/02/28/hs-cheerleader-competes-solo-in-states-after-entire-squad-quits/">The New York Post</a>, <a href="https://people.com/sports/nebraska-cheerleader-competes-solo-after-teammates-quit/">People Magazine</a>, the <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2023/03/02/nebraska-cheerleader-solo-alone/">Washington Post</a> and more.The cheer squad originally had three 
other girls on it until they all left the team for personal reasons 
around a week and a half before state, leaving only Kohel.&nbsp;While Kohel said she isn’t normally 
an outgoing person, and despite early self-doubts, she chose to stick 
with it and finish her final cheer season.&nbsp;“I knew that I had the support behind
 me,” she said. “And I knew that even though it was a long trip, I had 
it, and it was okay.”Once the other three left, the game 
plan was forced to change. Kohel couldn’t perform the same routine by 
herself – stunts and certain moves had to be removed. With only over a 
week to work with, Kohel woke up at 6:45 a.m. every day leading up to 
the state competition to practice the modified routine with her coach. 
By performance time that Friday evening, she had it down and relied 
purely on muscle memory.&nbsp;“Once I was actually on the floor 
getting ready to perform, my mind was just blank. It was just pure 
excitement and just knowing that I was ready,” Kohel said. “I could do 
it blindfolded, honestly.”This was Kohel’s third time competing
 at the state cheer competition, and it was her favorite experience 
there, but not because she did it alone.“I think it has more to do with the 
fact that I’ve been a cheerleader for so long, and being able to get out
 there one last time just made it that much more special to me,” Kohel 
said. “It wouldn’t have mattered if I was by myself or with my other 
three previous teammates.”Kohel finished eighth out of 12 teams
 with a score of 77 out of 100 points and made her school proud, 
according to Jessica Stec, the principal at Morrill High.“I think going out there really 
speaks volumes about the kind of person that she is. And just her 
courage to do something like that by herself,” Stec said. “It’s 
disappointing, for sure, that we didn’t have our squad there. But at the
 same time, that’s not what the focus is. Look what she was able to 
accomplish.”However, this wasn’t even her first 
event in 24 hours; she competed against South Platte in the sub-district
 basketball game in Ogallala the night before.Kohel traveled from Morrill to 
Ogallala that Thursday night, losing her last-ever basketball game. 
Shortly following the heartbreak loss, she and her grandparents trekked 
nearly 200 miles to Grand Island for the cheer competition.&nbsp;“In small schools like this, kids do a
 lot of everything,” Stec said. “I think what Katrina has created here 
is just an opportunity for herself down the road because you don’t see 
many students put forth that much effort into everything the way she 
does.”Kohel also participates in track and 
choir and played in the school band until the program was cut. After 
graduation this May, Kohel plans to attend the University of Nebraska at
 Kearney to study nursing and join the Air Force.While her cheer career ended in an unexpected way, she’s happy to have the experience under her belt.“I was just excited that I didn’t 
have my last opportunity to go to state taken away from me and that I 
was still going to be able to go,” Kohel said.“Even if you don’t think you can’t do it, just give it a shot. You could surprise yourself,” she said.Jenna Ebbers is a senior journalism major at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Morrill cheerleader makes national headlines for solo performance

After a Wednesday high temperature around 70, the National Weather Service is warning of a blast of winter weather as a front moves in around midnight.

A winter weather advisory has been issued for the Lincoln County area from 1 a.m.&nbsp; to 7 p.m. Thursday.

In North Platte, rain is expected to begin after 11 p.m. Wednesday, changing to snow in the early morning hours Thursday. There is an 80 percent chance of snow with accumulation of about an inch expected.

North winds will pick up after midnight, sustained at 20 to 30 mph and gusting up to 45 mph through Thursday. The high is only expected to hit 33 degrees, with an overnight low Thursday of 18.

By Thursday night, the chance of snow will dissipate, but blustery winds will persist into the weekend.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678899856929.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>After a Wednesday high temperature around 70, the National Weather Service is warning of a blast of winter weather as a front moves in around midnight.A winter weather advisory has been issued for the Lincoln County area from 1 a.m.&nbsp; to 7 p.m. Thursday.In North Platte, rain is expected to begin after 11 p.m. Wednesday, changing to snow in the early morning hours Thursday. There is an 80 percent chance of snow with accumulation of about an inch expected.North winds will pick up after midnight, sustained at 20 to 30 mph and gusting up to 45 mph through Thursday. The high is only expected to hit 33 degrees, with an overnight low Thursday of 18.By Thursday night, the chance of snow will dissipate, but blustery winds will persist into the weekend.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Temps will climb into the 60s and 70s across western Nebraska for Wednesday, making for a pleasant day! That all changes following a cold front moving through Thursday with strong north winds and highs only reaching the 20s/low 30s. Plan accordingly if needing to be out! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NEwx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NEwx</a> <a href="https://t.co/I1kaAoYXf4">pic.twitter.com/I1kaAoYXf4</a>&mdash; NWS North Platte (@NWSNorthPlatte) <a href="https://twitter.com/NWSNorthPlatte/status/1635989226666999809?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 15, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </div>

After spring-like Wednesday, winter makes return Thursday

KEARNEY — On Saturday, the Kearney Police Department received a report from Kearney
Public Schools of a possible sexual relationship occurring between a student teacher for
Kearney Public Schools and a teen student enrolled in Kearney High School. 

Further
investigation resulted in an arrest warrant for one count of first-degree sexual assault, a class
II felony, being obtained for KeyShaun VanDyke, a 23-year-old Kearney man. VanDyke was
arrested without incident and is currently at the Buffalo County jail.


The incident did not happen on school property or during school hours. The Kearney Police
Department worked closely with Kearney Public Schools officials during the investigation.
Kearney Police Department and Kearney Public Schools are committed to working together to
ensure the safety of all students.


Anyone with any information related to the safety of students is encouraged to contact Kearney
Police Department at 308-237-2104, Buffalo County Crime Stoppers 308-237-3424, or through
the See It Say It Send It App as well as Kearney Public Schools at 308-698-8002.


Kearney Police DepartmentKEARNEY — On Saturday, the Kearney Police Department received a report from Kearney
Public Schools of a possible sexual relationship occurring between a student teacher for
Kearney Public Schools and a teen student enrolled in Kearney High School. Further
investigation resulted in an arrest warrant for one count of first-degree sexual assault, a class
II felony, being obtained for KeyShaun VanDyke, a 23-year-old Kearney man. VanDyke was
arrested without incident and is currently at the Buffalo County jail.
The incident did not happen on school property or during school hours. The Kearney Police
Department worked closely with Kearney Public Schools officials during the investigation.
Kearney Police Department and Kearney Public Schools are committed to working together to
ensure the safety of all students.
Anyone with any information related to the safety of students is encouraged to contact Kearney
Police Department at 308-237-2104, Buffalo County Crime Stoppers 308-237-3424, or through
the See It Say It Send It App as well as Kearney Public Schools at 308-698-8002.

Kearney man arrested after sex assault investigation

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655805794423.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>LINCOLN COUNTY JAIL<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678877467539.png" alt="Juan V Lopez - Safekeeper US Marshall" />
 <figcaption>Juan V Lopez - Safekeeper US Marshall</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678877482076.png" alt="Dominique D Thomas - Safekeeper US Marshall" />
 <figcaption>Dominique D Thomas - Safekeeper US Marshall</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678877495108.png" alt="Juan Velasquez-Velasquez - Safekeeper US Marshall" />
 <figcaption>Juan Velasquez-Velasquez - Safekeeper US Marshall</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678877526550.png" alt="Lonnie Randolph Woodhull - Safekeeper US Marshall" />
 <figcaption>Lonnie Randolph Woodhull - Safekeeper US Marshall</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678877538520.png" alt="Angela Renae Hasbrouck - Simple Domestic&nbsp; Assault" />
 <figcaption>Angela Renae Hasbrouck - Simple Domestic&nbsp; Assault</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678877550727.png" alt="Elisha Ann Horn - Possession Amphetamine, Contempt of Court" />
 <figcaption>Elisha Ann Horn - Possession Amphetamine, Contempt of Court</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678877563855.png" alt="Layla Gabriel Werts - Use of a Weapon to Commit a Felony, 2nd Degree Domestic Assault" />
 <figcaption>Layla Gabriel Werts - Use of a Weapon to Commit a Felony, 2nd Degree Domestic Assault</figcaption>
 </figure>***KEITH COUNTY JAIL<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678877601851.png" alt="Pamela Burgard - Trespassing" />
 <figcaption>Pamela Burgard - Trespassing</figcaption>
 </figure>***BUFFALO COUNTY JAIL<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678877651829.png" alt="Abdikarim Ahmed-Shiil - Disorderly Conduct, 2nd Degree Criminal Trespass" />
 <figcaption>Abdikarim Ahmed-Shiil - Disorderly Conduct, 2nd Degree Criminal Trespass</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678877665465.png" alt="Zachery Austin Albrecht - Resisting Arrest, Terroristic Threats, Criminal Mischief $0-$500, Violate Harassment Protection Order" />
 <figcaption>Zachery Austin Albrecht - Resisting Arrest, Terroristic Threats, Criminal Mischief $0-$500, Violate Harassment Protection Order</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678877682443.png" alt="Keyshaun Van Dyke - Contempt of Court" />
 <figcaption>Keyshaun Van Dyke - Contempt of Court</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678877698422.png" alt="Kelly Schollmeyer - Contempt of Court" />
 <figcaption>Kelly Schollmeyer - Contempt of Court</figcaption>
 </figure>***<div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://northplattepost.com/category/arrests/" target="_blank">Click Here To See Past Hot Sheets</a></h2> 

This information is not a criminal history. Criminal charges are often dropped or reduced. All individuals included in this post are presumed innocent of crimes until proven guilty in a court of law. The North Platte Post assumes no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, or completeness, of this information. Any person who believes information provided is not accurate may submit a complaint to admin@northplattepost.com. </div>

The Hot Sheets: March 15, 2023

Classes offered in seven locations throughout state for teens

University of Nebraska Medical Center

Teens
 14 or 15 years of age who work on farms, or others who are interested 
in learning about tractor and farm equipment safety practices, can 
register for a safety training
 course offered at seven locations across Nebraska from May 22 through 
June 8.

The
 course is sponsored by the University of Nebraska Extension and the 
Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health at the 
University of Nebraska Medical Center
 College of Public Health.

Students
 will complete the first day of the course by attending a hands-on event
 at one of two locations or online through the eXtension Foundation 
Campus website. The hands-on
 events will occur on May 22 in North Platte and May 30 in Grand Island.
 After completing the hands-on event or the online course and testing, 
the required driving test will be offered at seven locations across 
Nebraska from May 23 through June 8.

Federal
 law prohibits children under 16 from using specific equipment on a farm
 unless their parents or legal guardians own the farm. However, 
certification received through
 the course grants an exemption to the law allowing 14- and 15-year-olds
 to drive a tractor and to do field work with specific mechanized 
equipment.

Aaron
 Yoder, PhD, associate professor at the UNMC College of Public Health, 
reports that a common cause of agricultural-related injuries and deaths 
in Nebraska is overturned
 tractors and ATVs and equipment entanglements. He emphasized that this 
course trains students to avoid these incidents and many other hazards 
on the farm and ranch.

The
 hands-on event and the online course will cover the required elements 
of the National Safe Tractor and Machinery Operation Program, including 
quizzes that students must
 pass to attend the driving portion of the training. Once a student is 
registered, the coordinators will send instructions, materials, course 
paperwork and a link to the online course if they do not attend one of 
the two hands-on events.

The
 onsite driving training and exam will include a driving test, equipment
 operation and ATV safety lessons. Students must demonstrate competence 
in hitching and unhitching
 equipment and driving a tractor and trailer through a standardized 
course. Instructors also will offer education on emergency preparedness,
 personal protective equipment, and safe behaviors and laws for ATVs, 
utility-task vehicles (UTVs) and other off-road
 vehicles (ORVs).

Instructors
 for the course are members of the Central States Center for 
Agricultural Safety and Health: Aaron Yoder, PhD, Ellen Duysen, MPH, 
Risto Rautiainen, PhD, and graduate
 student Sarah Tucker; and Nebraska Extension educators Randy Saner, Ron
 Seymour and John Thomas.

The
 course costs $35 and includes educational materials and supplies. 
Participants can pay at the time of registration or before the driving 
exam. Only checks and cash are
 accepted.

Hands-on training, driving dates, site locations and site coordinator contact information are below.

Hands-On Safety&nbsp;Days
 (If not attending a Hands-On Safety Day, online course must be completed).

Contacts: Randy Saner&nbsp;(<a href="mailto:randy.saner@unl.edu" target="_blank">randy.saner@unl.edu</a>)&nbsp;and
 Vicki Neidhardt (<a href="mailto:vicki.neidhardt@unl.edu" target="_blank">vicki.neidhardt@unl.edu</a>) at&nbsp;308.532.2683

Contacts: Randy Saner (<a href="mailto:randy.saner@unl.edu" target="_blank">randy.saner@unl.edu</a>)&nbsp;and
 Vicki Neidhardt (<a href="mailto:vicki.neidhardt@unl.edu" target="_blank">vicki.neidhardt@unl.edu</a>) at&nbsp;308.532.2683

Contacts: John Thomas (<a href="mailto:jthomas2@unl.edu" target="_blank">jthomas2@unl.edu</a>)&nbsp;or
 Stacy Brown (<a href="mailto:sbrown7@unl.edu" target="_blank">sbrown7@unl.edu</a>) at&nbsp;308.632.1480

Contact: Debra Walnofer (<a href="mailto:dwalnofer2@unl.edu" target="_blank">dwalnofer2@unl.edu</a>)
 at&nbsp;402.336.2760

Contact: Ron Seymour (<a href="mailto:ron.seymour@unl.edu" target="_blank">ron.seymour@unl.edu</a>)
 at&nbsp;402.461.7209

Contact: Mary Jo Lueckenhoff (<a href="mailto:mlueckenhoff1@unl.edu" target="_blank">mlueckenhoff1@unl.edu</a>)&nbsp;or
 Melissa Hagemeister (<a href="mailto:mhagemeister5@unl.edu" target="_blank">mhagemeister5@unl.edu</a>) at&nbsp;402.372.6006

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678802917281.png" alt="Instructors for the course are members of the Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health. Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Instructors for the course are members of the Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health. Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Classes offered in seven locations throughout state for teens</h2>University of Nebraska Medical CenterTeens
 14 or 15 years of age who work on farms, or others who are interested 
in learning about tractor and farm equipment safety practices, can 
register for a safety training
 course offered at seven locations across Nebraska from May 22 through 
June 8.The
 course is sponsored by the University of Nebraska Extension and the 
Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health at the 
University of Nebraska Medical Center
 College of Public Health.Students
 will complete the first day of the course by attending a hands-on event
 at one of two locations or online through the eXtension Foundation 
Campus website. The hands-on
 events will occur on May 22 in North Platte and May 30 in Grand Island.
 After completing the hands-on event or the online course and testing, 
the required driving test will be offered at seven locations across 
Nebraska from May 23 through June 8.Federal
 law prohibits children under 16 from using specific equipment on a farm
 unless their parents or legal guardians own the farm. However, 
certification received through
 the course grants an exemption to the law allowing 14- and 15-year-olds
 to drive a tractor and to do field work with specific mechanized 
equipment.Aaron
 Yoder, PhD, associate professor at the UNMC College of Public Health, 
reports that a common cause of agricultural-related injuries and deaths 
in Nebraska is overturned
 tractors and ATVs and equipment entanglements. He emphasized that this 
course trains students to avoid these incidents and many other hazards 
on the farm and ranch.The
 hands-on event and the online course will cover the required elements 
of the National Safe Tractor and Machinery Operation Program, including 
quizzes that students must
 pass to attend the driving portion of the training. Once a student is 
registered, the coordinators will send instructions, materials, course 
paperwork and a link to the online course if they do not attend one of 
the two hands-on events.The
 onsite driving training and exam will include a driving test, equipment
 operation and ATV safety lessons. Students must demonstrate competence 
in hitching and unhitching
 equipment and driving a tractor and trailer through a standardized 
course. Instructors also will offer education on emergency preparedness,
 personal protective equipment, and safe behaviors and laws for ATVs, 
utility-task vehicles (UTVs) and other off-road
 vehicles (ORVs).Instructors
 for the course are members of the Central States Center for 
Agricultural Safety and Health: Aaron Yoder, PhD, Ellen Duysen, MPH, 
Risto Rautiainen, PhD, and graduate
 student Sarah Tucker; and Nebraska Extension educators Randy Saner, Ron
 Seymour and John Thomas.The
 course costs $35 and includes educational materials and supplies. 
Participants can pay at the time of registration or before the driving 
exam. Only checks and cash are
 accepted.Hands-on training, driving dates, site locations and site coordinator contact information are below.Hands-On Safety&nbsp;Days
 (If not attending a Hands-On Safety Day, online course must be completed).<ul>
 <li>
May 22 – Lincoln County Extension Office, 348 West State Farm Rd., North Platte, Nebraska</li>
 </ul>
Contacts: Randy Saner&nbsp;(<a href="mailto:randy.saner@unl.edu" target="_blank">randy.saner@unl.edu</a>)&nbsp;and
 Vicki Neidhardt (<a href="mailto:vicki.neidhardt@unl.edu" target="_blank">vicki.neidhardt@unl.edu</a>) at&nbsp;308.532.2683<ul>
 <li>
May 30 – Raising Nebraska, 501 East Fonner Park Rd., Grand Island</li>
 </ul>
Contacts: Randy Saner (<a href="mailto:randy.saner@unl.edu" target="_blank">randy.saner@unl.edu</a>)&nbsp;and
 Vicki Neidhardt (<a href="mailto:vicki.neidhardt@unl.edu" target="_blank">vicki.neidhardt@unl.edu</a>) at&nbsp;308.532.2683Tractor Driving Days<ul>
 <li>
May 23 – Lincoln County Extension Office, 348 West State Farm Rd., North Platte</li>
 </ul>
Contacts: Randy Saner (<a href="mailto:randy.saner@unl.edu" target="_blank">randy.saner@unl.edu</a>)&nbsp;and
 Vicki Neidhardt (<a href="mailto:vicki.neidhardt@unl.edu" target="_blank">vicki.neidhardt@unl.edu</a>) at&nbsp;308.532.2683<ul>
 <li>
May 31 – Raising Nebraska, 501 East Fonner Park Rd., Grand Island</li>
 </ul>
Contacts: Randy Saner (<a href="mailto:randy.saner@unl.edu" target="_blank">randy.saner@unl.edu</a>)&nbsp;and
 Vicki Neidhardt (<a href="mailto:vicki.neidhardt@unl.edu" target="_blank">vicki.neidhardt@unl.edu</a>) at&nbsp;308.532.2683<ul>
 <li>
June 1 – Legacy of the Plains Museum, 2930 Old Oregon Trail, Gering</li>
 </ul>
Contacts: John Thomas (<a href="mailto:jthomas2@unl.edu" target="_blank">jthomas2@unl.edu</a>)&nbsp;or
 Stacy Brown (<a href="mailto:sbrown7@unl.edu" target="_blank">sbrown7@unl.edu</a>) at&nbsp;308.632.1480<ul>
 <li>
June 2 – AKRS Equipment, 49110 US Hwy 20 in O’Neill</li>
 </ul>
Contact: Debra Walnofer (<a href="mailto:dwalnofer2@unl.edu" target="_blank">dwalnofer2@unl.edu</a>)
 at&nbsp;402.336.2760<ul>
 <li>
June 6 - Adams County Extension, 2975 South Baltimore Ave., Hastings</li>
 </ul>
Contact: Ron Seymour (<a href="mailto:ron.seymour@unl.edu" target="_blank">ron.seymour@unl.edu</a>)
 at&nbsp;402.461.7209<ul>
 <li>
June 7 - Cuming County Fairgrounds, W. Washington St., West Point</li>
 </ul>
Contact: Mary Jo Lueckenhoff (<a href="mailto:mlueckenhoff1@unl.edu" target="_blank">mlueckenhoff1@unl.edu</a>)&nbsp;or
 Melissa Hagemeister (<a href="mailto:mhagemeister5@unl.edu" target="_blank">mhagemeister5@unl.edu</a>) at&nbsp;402.372.6006<ul>
 <li>
June 8 – Cass County Fairgrounds, 8400 144th St, Weeping Water</li>
 </ul>
Contact: Sandy Prall (<a href="mailto:sprall2@unl.edu" target="_blank">sprall2@unl.edu</a>)
 at&nbsp;402.267.2205<a href="https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/lincolnmcpherson/Tractor%20Safety%20Flier%202023.pdf" target="_blank">Link to Registration Form</a>If you have questions, please contact the administrator listed above at your driving site or contact Ellen Duysen
 at <a href="mailto:ellen.duysen@unmc.edu" target="_blank">ellen.duysen@unmc.edu</a>.

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