News

Wed
31
Jan
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“Sutton overpass” to be replaced

“Sutton overpass” to be replaced

This view from the south end of the “Sutton Overpass” located on Road W, just west of Sutton will be undergoing a major site change with demolition work, and a reconstruction makeover. No exact start date is known, but according to Tom Roemmich, the Clay County Highway Department’s Superintendent, “work is said be starting in early 2024.” The almost 90-year-old structure, built in 1935 was closed by the county in March of 2016. TORY DUNCAN | CLAY COUNTY NEWS

“Sutton overpass” to be replaced

This view of the “Sutton Overpass” is from the north side of the timber structure, that was built in 1935. TORY DUNCAN | CLAY COUNTY NEWS

Clay County Highway Superintendent, Tom Roemmich Jr., along with the Clay County Board of Superivisors have announced that the timber overpass structure, located over the Burlington Northern/Santa Fe (BNSF) railroad tracks on Road W, just west of Sutton, is about to go under construction to replace the old wooden “overpass” that has been closed to traffic since early 2016.

According to Roemmich, Midwest Infrastructures out of Lincoln will be completing the project, with construction set to begin early this year, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 2024.

“The structure has been closed since 2016, when the condition of the structure, including deterioration of the deck, caused the county to close it to protect the public from accidents. The structure is owned by BNSF Railroad, and with an interlocal agreement with Clay County, BNSF maintained and repaired the structure, and Clay County was responsible for the yearly inspection,” Roemmich shared.

Wed
24
Jan
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NE Legislature update: new bills, a few hearings scheduled

NE Legislature update: new bills, a few hearings scheduled

NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE UPDATE Rita Brhel • ccnrita@gmail.com

The Nebraska Unicameral Legislature continues with introduction of potential new laws and changes to existing state law, and has now began scheduling committee hearings on these bills.

All introduced legislation is sorted into a committee where the bills will have their first hearings. Public comments, whether in person or submitted in writing, weigh especially heavy in the committee hearings where listening senators are deciding which measures should advance in the lawmaking process.

There is an easy online process to submit comments: Go to https://nebraskalegislature. gov/bills/ and search for the bill of interest by number in the top righthand corner of the webpage, which will bring up the specific bill’s informational page; click on the “Submit Comments Online” button positioned under the bill’s history.

Wed
24
Jan
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Aksarben Foundation now accepting applications for 2024 Farm Family Awards

Aksarben Foundation now accepting applications for 2024 Farm Family Awards

The Aksarben Foundation, along with Nebraska Farm Bureau and the Nebraska Association of Fair Managers, announces that applications for the Nebraska Pioneer Farm and Nebraska Heritage Farm Awards are being accepted now through April 15, 2024. These awards recognize Nebraska farm families who have consecutively held ownership of land in the same family for at least 100 years (Pioneer) or 150 years (Heritage), respectively.

“We look forward to recognizing and awarding these Nebraska farm families each year. The dedication and perseverance demonstrated by these families is a testament to the strong Nebraska values that set our state apart and have been making Aksarben proud, for nearly 130 years,” Sandra Reding, Aksarben Foundation President, said.

Wed
24
Jan
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Fairfield farm family shares experience about calving in January artic-air cold snap

Fairfield farm family shares experience about calving in January artic-air cold snap

Family members of the Gerdes’ includes, from the left: Dave and Joy Gerdes, Becky, Barrett and Jackson. Jason Gerdes is in the back, while Easton is in the front. ALL PHOTO’S ARE COURTESY OF THE GERDES FAMILY | CLAY COUNTY NEWS

Fairfield farm family shares experience about calving in January artic-air cold snap

Barrett and Jackson Gerdes rescued this calf from the artic cold during the recent winter storms that blasted much of Clay County Jan. 8-16. It was the Gerdes boys first solo rescue without their father Jason having to step in to assist them.

Fairfield farm family shares experience about calving in January artic-air cold snap

Jason Gerdes gives this calf a little break from the extreme cold and snow last week with a ride in a nice warm tractor.

Calving, lambing, and kidding out goats in January is always a chilly endeavor.

But typically not as bitterly cold as Jan. 11-20 when an Arctic airmass descended over Nebraska, spurring round-the-clock windchill warnings and advisories for nearly that entire stretch of days.

Caring for livestock in this type of weather is hard, especially when newborns are involved.

“This cold is almost like three steps: the good, the bad, and the ugly,” Jason Gerdes of Gerdes Farms near Fairfield, where he keeps a commercial herd,said. “The good is you and mom working together and nobody is getting stuck in the mud, the bad is the extra cost and time, and the ugly is that it’s so cold that the calf stops nursing, fighting the frostbite of ears and hooves, the struggle of why am I out here doing this?”

Wed
17
Jan
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The winter wonderland continues to grow

The winter wonderland continues
The winter wonderland continues
The winter wonderland continues

Clay County again became an extended winter wonderland as anywhere from eight-12 inches of snow, with bitterly cold temperatures invaded the county all of last week, causing schools to close for much of the week. In the top photo, submitted by Delaney Sheridan, the image shows the Tristan and Delaney Sheridan home behind several big drifts and a colorful sunset. In the lower left photo, shared by Michael and Sydney George, the George family captured a powerful look at a Sun Dog about five miles north of Sutton. In the lower right photo, by Tory Duncan, a buried car is shown in front of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. More winter scenes can be seen on page 12 this week.

Wed
17
Jan
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Springer family is known to “spring into action”

Springer family is kn

The Springer clan, who has been honored as the 2023 Clay County News’ Family of the Year includes, in front, from the left: Jean, Deloris and Darrel Springer. In the back, from the left: Elizabeth, Benjamin, Allison, Doug, and Kristi Wehrman. Mollie, Owen, Natalie, and Hazel Thompson, while in the very back, Curtis Thompson holds Aubrie. TORY DUNCAN | CLAY COUNTY NEWS

Springer family is kn

The Springer family bloodlines begin with Deloris, seated in the center, along with Jean, left, and Darrel, right. Daughters Mollie and Kristi are in the back. TORY DUNCAN | CLAY COUNTY NEWS

Jason and Brenda Searle put it best, when the Edgar couple shared that, “When the Springer’s do something, they do it right, they spring into action and get things done.”

That is just one of the many reasons why Deloris Springer, and her son Darrel, and daughter-in-law, Jean, along with their entire family have been honored as the Clay County News’ 2023 Family of the Year.

From the very beginning of an interview with the Springer clan, it was easy to see the pride on the face and in the heart of the family matriarch, Deloris, as she looked around the family dining room table, and in one soft note, Deloris shared, “I’m just so proud of my family. They all work so hard, they do right by our small town, and Clay County, and certainly with the school out at Sandy Creek. I just have so much pride, and there’s never a moment in life where I don’t see and feel the love of my family.”

Wed
17
Jan
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Aurora Cooperative fined for alleged anhydrous violations at Harvard plant

LENEXA, KS. (JAN. 11, 2024) – Aurora Cooperative Elevator Company has agreed to pay a $82,677 civil penalty to resolve alleged violations of the federal Clean Air Act’s chemical risk prevention provisions at its agronomy business in Harvard.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the facility stores, sells, and distributes anhydrous ammonia, a regulated toxic substance, and failed to comply with regulations intended to protect workers and the surrounding community from accidental releases.

“Compliance with Clean Air Act chemical risk prevention regulations saves lives,” David Cozad, director of EPA Region 7’s Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division, said. “These enforcement actions protect communities and level the playing field with businesses who are following the rules.”

Wed
17
Jan
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Clay County, much of the Eastern two-thirds of the state buried in snow, in the 'deep freeze'

Clay County, much of the

COURTESY PHOTO BY SHELLI MOHNIKE | CLAY COUNTY NEWS

Temperatures that failed to get above zero degrees over much of the weekend, with windchills dipping to nearly 50-below in much of Clay County, as much of the eastern two-thirds of the state of Nebraska was taking on heavy doses of snowfall during the past week. In Clay County alone, the National Weather Service office out Hastings has estimated that eight-12 inches of snow covered the ground over the course of two storms that blasted the county last week. Here, a tractor on the Jesse and Shelli Mohnike farm, just south and west of Sutton shows the magnitude of the blowing snow over the weekend.

Wed
10
Jan
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Blizzard conditions close area schools

Blizzard conditions close area schools

Heavy wet snow nearly blocks the entrance to Sutton’s junior and senior high wing Monday morning as a major winter storm began covering all of Clay County just before the workday began for most area businesses, Monday, Jan. 8. According to the National Weather Service office in Hastings, an estimated 6-12 inches of snow was predicted, with strong northerly winds to come in behind the blizzard, potentially driving the snow around. Additional images appear from around the county on page 8B. TORY DUNCAN | CLAY COUNTY NEWS

Wed
10
Jan
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SCH Foundation set to kick off new planning study Jan. 16 in Sutton

SCH Foundation set to kick off new planning study Jan. 16 in Sutton

Rogers

SCH Foundation set to kick off new planning study Jan. 16 in Sutton

The Sutton Community Home Foundation Board of Directors, along with the Sutton Community Home Board of Directors and administration will set out on their second attempt at a Capital Campaign to the nearly 60-year old nursing home beginning next week, Tuesday, Jan. 16, when the SCH Foundation welcomes Jim Rogers of the Steier Group, a capital campaign fundraising firm out of Omaha.

Rogers will bring with him a wealth of experience and background as he spearheads a new Planning Study for the foundation and SCH board.

Rogers is a native Nebraskan, born in Omaha, and graduated from the University of Nebraska-Omaha. He has worked on projects for the Steier Group in Chicago, Kansas City, Nashville, Port St. Lucie, and most recently finished work in Bellevue for a food pantry. When not working, Rogers enjoys cooking, smoking various meats for friends and family, traveling and yearning for the Huskers to return to a winning season.

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