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Sandy Creek, Sutton, and Harvard Public started school Aug. 15, 16, and 17, respectively. From the left: A parent takes a group photo of students before they head into their first day of school at Sutton Elementary. Welcome signs greeted students and their parents on the first day at Sandy Creek. Here, students walk into the elementary building early Tuesday morning. Grady Jarzynka runs through a bounce house set up for the annual Harvard Back-to-School Picnic Tuesday, Aug. 15. This event allows students to meet teachers and have some fun as a district before the school year officially begins.

A large portion of Monday night’s Sutton City Council meeting focused on the future housing development, known as the Schwab Ground, during the council’s Aug. 14 meeting.

A blighted and substandard study, performed by JEO Consulting of Lincoln, was presented to and approved by council members in an effort to focus on some tax increment financing (TIF) options to help financially support the ground that will see the north 40 acres of the 80-acre tract of ground, located just east of the Fox Hollow Golf Course.

The blighted area runs north of Road 318, located at the south end of the golf course and housing ground, north to East Ash St., and between Road Y on the east edge of the property, to the eastern boundary of the golf course, while jutting west to encompass parts of the City of Sutton east of Dorr Ave. and Road Y.

LEFT: Two cars go head-tohead during the Keith Hansen Memorial Demolition Derby Sunday, Aug. 13. BOTTOM LEFT: Stan Brennfoerder focuses while taking his turn during the Dave Babcock Memorial Antique Tractor Pull Saturday. BOTTOM RIGHT: Kids and other onlookers watch as turtles take off toward the finish line at the turtle races Sunday evening.

Stephen Grizzle has joined the South Central Unified District team as the new superintendent.

Grizzle is in his 29th year in education, and began his career as a life science teacher and football coach in Pawnee City. He then became a principal a few years later.

In 2009, Grizzle returned to Pawnee City and served as superintendent; in 2015 he then became superintendent at Fairbury. Some goals Grizzle has for this school year include helping the unified district successfully end the unification between Sandy Creek and Lawrence-Nelson, and for each district to be prepared for their 2024-25 school year.

“There is a lot to ‘unpack’ and get done. I accepted this challenge because I felt my experiences would be useful. I am not aware of this happening before in Nebraska, and it will take a concerted effort and due diligence to sift through all that should be setup and made ready,” he said.

Harvard and Sutton Schools welcomed new principals this school year.

Seth Elley will serve as the 6-12 principal at HPS, while Jason Cafferty joined the SPS administration as the secondary principal.

HARVARD

Elley is entering his 12th year in education, having started his career as a math and science teacher at Hastings Catholic Schools.

Following several years there, he took another math/science teaching position with Franklin Public School. Most recently, Elley taught at Silver Lake High School in Roseland in a similar teaching position.

He has taught a variety of mathematics and sciences, including seventh grade math and life science, to senior-level calculus and physics.

Additionally, he’s also been a mathematics tutor for many families.

After months of planning, constructing, designing, and ordering, the Clay Center Child Care Center has come to life.

An open house Tuesday, Aug. 1, showcased the center and it’s amenities, including three playrooms, and a cafeteria area.

There are rooms for 0-18 months, a room for 18 months to 3 years old, and an area for kids 4 and up and those who come before or after school.

Additionally, there is an active playroom and two playgrounds—one for younger kids and a larger one for older kids.

The center uses a portion of the former Clay Center School, so updates and renovations were needed before it could officially welcome families.

In one room, now viewed as the cafeteria and after school room, used to be the home economics room where four kitchen areas stood. Most of the kitchens were removed and a bathroom was added.

The Dave Babcock Memorial Antique Tractor Pull will kick-off the annual Deweese Festival Saturday, Aug. 12.

Weigh-in starts at 10 a.m. and contestants will be pulling with the Little Red Sled. The pull is slated to begin at 11 a.m.

Concessions will be available; for details, contact Evan Hansen at 402-4691695.

On Sunday, Aug. 13, the Keith Hansen Memorial Demolition Derby will begin at 2 p.m.

Check-in is from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., with a pit meeting scheduled for 1:30 p.m.

There is a $50 driver entry fee and drivers must be 16 years or older.

Trophies will be given to the top three in each class, with an award also going for the longest tow.

There will be a mad dog award of $500 in the bonestock and a mad dog award of $350 in the old school. There will also be a kids power wheels for ages 10 and under.

Wreckless promotion rules will be followed; concessions will be available. For more information, contact Hansen.

Nebraska District 38 Senator Dave Murman was one of a few speakers at the Harvard 150th Celebration Sunday evening at the Closing Ceremonies.

He gave a brief overview of the most recent Legislative Session, including items they accomplished such as supporting pro-life and limiting abortion from 20 weeks to 12 weeks gestation; protecting children from life-altering surgeries while they are still minors; continuing to fund the Perkins County Canal so it can continue to be developed; increase funding toward education; and established an Education Future Fund, which guaranteed funding for education in Nebraska, among others.

Additionally, there was a change in taxing policy this year. The Legislature reduced income tax from the last two years for individual and corporate income tax from 6.84 percent to 3.99 percent.

As far as education goes, the Education Committee was to meet Monday to have an interim hearing on three resolutions Murman brought forward.

Harvard celebrated 150 years Saturday and Sunday, with various events and activities planned for people of all ages. Above left, a new sign is unveiled for Sadie Likens, who resided in Harvard in 1880 and went on to become Denver, CO’s first woman police officer. Helping to unveil the sign are, from left: Harvard Council members Misty Pair, Leann Wessels, President of the Denver Police Museum Mike Hesse, and Harvard Mayor Keith Ljunggren. The sign states, “In Memory of Sadie Likens, 1840-1920, Philanthropist, Denver’s First Police Woman, Harvard resident (1880). Above right: Payton Rudy, left, helps Josalynn Harm pick up candy thrown to them during the annual parade Saturday.

More than 100 family, friends, and neighbors gathered at the Edgar Legion to support Jeff DeVore at his benefit, July 29. Of those, about 90 sported camouflage shirts stating “Jeff’s Hunt to Fight Cancer.”

DeVore recieved a prostate cancer diagnosis and a tumor was found pressing on his spine. He’s gone through a round of radiation and will be starting on his second round of chemo for five weeks.

The benefit was hosted by the Edgar Fire and Rescue, as well as family and friends. The fire and rescue departments served hamburgers and hot dogs, while several people and businesses donated to the auction. Darrell Spring served as the evening’s auctioneer.

Additionally, Jim Piper with Piper Unlimited, was the evening’s DJ, while funds raised from the Edgar Auxiliary bake sale and Sandy Creek Cheerleader’s face painting were donated to DeVore.