America is fortunate to have an excellent higher education system, and is home to many of the world’s greatest and most prestigious universities. During any given year, 20 are enrolled in public and private colleges studying topics ranging from engineering to business to science. Nebraska in particular is proudly home to many world-class universities educating thousands of our young people. It is no wonder that Nebraska consistently ranks among the best states for higher education according to U.S. News and World Report.

Each December on National Wreaths Across America Day, with a mission to Remember, Honor and Teach, Wreaths Across America coordinates wreathlaying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as at more than 2,100 additional locations in all 5o U.S. states, at sea and abroad.

ARAPAHOE -The Arapahoe-Holbrook Board of Education met Monday, December 14, 2020. Chairman Rodney Whipple presided over the meeting. All other board members and administration representatives were present. Dennis Roskop was counted absent and excused during roll call but joined the meeting a few minutes later. Recently elected board member Erick Lee and two faculty NEA members, Leandra Monie (PK teacher) and Amy Huxoll (7-12 SPED teacher) were also in attendance.

Friends and family: if you are in need of spiritual uplifting this Christmas season, local churches will have their doors open to welcome you. Arapahoe First United Methodist Church Arapahoe: Christmas Eve 6:30 pm; special Longest Night Service on Sunday, Dec.

Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department (SWNPHD) has moved the COVID-19 Community Risk Dial for the week of December 14th to orange, meaning residents of southwest Nebraska are at high risk of contracting COVID-19. The risk dial was lowered from red to orange thanks in part to many people in the health district making an extra effort to follow the steps that decrease the spread of COVID-19. SWNPHD congratulates those efforts and encourages everyone to continue to be vigilant through the holiday season to keep our area at a safer risk level and ease the burden on our hospitals and clinics.

An important page was added to the annals of Beaver City history during the regular meeting of the Volunteer Fire Department on Wednesday evening, December 2, 2020. Since its inception in 1908, the roster of the Beaver City Fire Department has consisted of all male volunteers.

After years of discussion but the timing wasn’t quite right, in September 2020, the Evangelical Free (E-free) church in McCook expanded to open a satellite location at the Community Building in Cambridge. Given the current situation with Covid and the fact that families were already making adjustments to their church attendance, leadership decided the time was right. After the initial trial basis of three months, the church has decided to continue services into 2021.

Santa will be making a few stops in Cambridge on December 12, where you can drop off your letter for him directly. He’ll be at the football field from 11-11:3o a.m. and at the empty lot south of Tri Valley Health System from 11:30-noon. He’ll wrap up his visit at Anew from noon-12:30. His visit to Cambridge is brought to you by the Cambridge Volunteer Fire Department and Cambridge Area Chamber of Commerce.

(Holdrege, NE) - G. Reed Philips has been appointed to represent subdistrict one on the Tri-Basin Natural Resources District’s board of directors. Philips will serve the remaining two years of the four-year term of Phyllis Johnson also of rural Bertrand. Johnson resigned from the board after serving over 25 years.