BARTLEY- Friday evening the Southwest girls basketball team battled against the Bertrand Vikings and came away with a big win, 44-26. The Roughriders raced out to a big lead, 15-4 including Bailey Truksa's two three-pointers to get them rolling. In the second quarter, it was much of the same as they scored 14 points to the Vikings one and they led 29-5 at the intermission.

John and Ingrid Tangeman were guests of Opal Coakley on Sunday for the birthday of Ingrid. They sang Happy Birthday and visited.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

One of my favorite parables describes the difference between heaven and hell. In both places, hungry people sit at tables laden with delicious food. In hell, people suffer and starve because they cannot eat with the long utensils provided. In heaven, people are happy and thrive because they use the utensils to feed each other.

Colleen Eubanks passed away on January 11th after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. Colleen was born in Oxford, Nebraska in August 1939 to Otto and Edythe Christianson. She was raised in Holbrook, Nebraska and attended Holbrook High School where she met her future husband, Gene. Colleen and Gene both attended University of Nebraska and were married in 1960. She later graduated from University of Nebraska with a degree in Home Economics.