The unfortunate closing of the Arapahoe nursing home has highlighted the need for more healthcare providers in greater Nebraska. The difficulty in maintaining adequate staff was certainly a major factor contributing to the closure.

1/10/2022 Eric Adams of North Platte - Violation of Protection Order, Pretrial: January 31, 2022 @ 9:30 A.M. Kali Deberry of Holdrege - Driving under suspension, Speeding 16- 20mph, Possess open alcohol contained, Pass in the same direction, Failed to Appear Josh Dunlap - Driving under suspension, Speeding 11-15 mph, failed to Appear Kyle Fields of Hendley - Assault by Mutual Consent, Entry of Plea January 31, 2022 @ 9:30 A.M.

This week the legislature started holding hearings on some of the bills that have been introduced so far. I have 4 bills up this week. LB’s 712, 803, and 805 which were heard Tuesday in the Agriculture Committee. On Wednesday, LB 804 was heard in the Natural Resources Committee.

In a 5-4 ruling, the Supreme Court ruled on January 13 to uphold the Biden Administration’s mandated vaccination rules for Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) healthcare workers. In November 2021, Health and Human Services Director Xavier Becerra announced that to receive Medicare and Medicaid funding, participating facilities must ensure their staff are vaccinated against COVID-19.

Lincoln, Neb., Jan. 18, 2022 - The Testing Ag Performance Solutions (TAPS) awards ceremony culminated the program’s fifth year of farm management competitions on Saturday, Jan. 15. The TAPS program was created by University of Nebraska educators and specialists, as an innovative way of connecting producers to industry professionals and offering a way of testing out new, advancing technologies through farm management competitions facilitated in North Platte at the West Central Research, Extension, and Education Center.

Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department (SWN- PHD) reported nearly twice the number of COVID-19 cases last week than the week before. More than 250 people tested positive last week, with many more having symptoms but not getting tested. There were 72 cases reported in one day, which is just under the record from November 2020 of 77 cases reported in one day.

BARTLEY - The Cambridge girls basketball team jumped on hosting Southwest early and kept the pressure on throughout, building a lead as big as 20 before coasting to the finish of a 47-33 victory. Cambridge knocked down six threes and was disruptive on the defensive end, producing 17 steals as Southwest tied its season-low for scoring.

AMHERST - The Cambridge, Hi-Line and Southwest wrestling teams competed at the Amherst Invite Saturday, earning 13 medals collectively at one of the toughest meets on the schedule. Southwest finished fourth with 95 points, edging Cambridge, which finished fifth.

The Southern Valley girl's basketball team had a pair of games last week and came away with two wins over Franklin and Bertrand. Last Tuesday they took on the Flyers of Franklin and won 48-33.

ARAPAHOE - Offense came and went for both teams Friday night as the Medicine Valley girls basketball team visited Arapahoe. But for a five-minute stretch in the third quarter, the Warriors caught fire on a 14-0 run that blew open an otherwise tight game throughout.