Saturday, January 2:1:00 p.m.-Girls & Boys Basketball vs Southwest @ Elwood (Varsity Only). Tuesday, January 5: 4:00 p.m.

Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department (SWNPHD) is working with state public health officials and local hospitals to implement plans for the recently approved COVID-19 vaccines. The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is distributing the vaccines in phases, following federal guidelines for each phase. At this time, the vaccine is not widely available. Healthcare facilities are reporting being overwhelmed with calls from the public seeking the vaccine. We are asking the public to stop calling healthcare facilities and the health department in search of the vaccine. Instead, wait patiently while the vaccine is distributed utilizing the federal guidelines.

There are a number of ways that one could bid farewell to 2020. “Thanks for the memories...

“Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” runs December 18, 2020 to January 1, 2021. If you choose to drink and drive in Furnas County — beware.

What a beautiful day we had for Christmas. COVID-19 has prevented lots of gatherings, but at least the weather made safe outdoor visits possible. Mid-50’s temps on Christmas Day were awesome. But, Covid did still curtail the usual big family gatherings.

SOUTHERN VALLEY - The Southern Valley basketball teams took both ends of a girls/boys varsity doubleheader at The Nest last Tuesday. The Southern Valley girls pulled down a 39-25 win.

Open Tuesdays and Fridays 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. 210 7th Street, Arapahoe, NE 308.962.7296. To observe social distancing during the COVID 19 pandemic, call the number posted outside the building and wait for the volunteer staff to bring out your box of groceries. They will put together Christmas food boxes on December 9th. They are CLOSED the month of December.

When the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Day, many are going to be glad to have 2020 in the history books. It’s not been easy to endure the pandemic, but I’m inspired by the way Nebraskans have pulled together to fight the virus. Even though it’s been a tough year, Nebraskans have shown great resilience as a state, and we’ve made vital contributions to the nation’s response to the global pandemic.

RIVER VALLEY EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH - Nathan Goshert, Pastor; 1201 Elm St., Arapahoe, Ph. 962-7730.

Oxford - The winners of the Oxford Chamber of Commerce sponsored Christmas decorating contest were first - Tom and Joyce Schoenfelder winning $150, second - Ron and Tish Meyer winning $100, third - Robin Bunce winning $50. Winners were chosen by a public vote. Pictured top is the Schoenfelder home. Pictured bottom is the Bunce home. The lights were not on at the time at the Meyer home at the time of photos.