May 11 to May 16 is National Police Week. It’s an opportunity to show our gratitude and appreciation to the men and women who put their lives on the line to keep our people and communities safe.

Last Thursday, May 5 , was the National Day of Prayer in the United States. I had the privilege of being the sponsoring senator for the event held in the Capitol rotunda in Lincoln. The prayer gathering was sponsored by Nebraska Family Alliance. Governor Pete Ricketts gave remarks and several ministry, business and community leaders prayed over key prayer focus areas: government, military, media, business, educators and students, the family and the Church. I was asked to pray for government, and here is my prayer from that day:

At the outset of the pandemic, the Gerlachs got into the chicken business. Our experience has been anything but mundane. What started as a brood of 20 was chiseled down to a flock of four during the Rhode Island Red riots in late 2020. Ten hens vanished into thin ammonia while six others ran into a fowl finish.

I don’t know how you feel, but in my opinion, parenting is hard! Someone must have forgotten to hand me the instruction manual when my children came home. I have yet to meet a parent who wouldn’t appreciate one.

Ruth M. Monter of Eustis passed away Tuesday, May 10, 2022 at Elwood Care Center at the age of 89. Ruth was born December 28, 1932 near Eustis, Nebraska to Fred and Paulena (Schneider) Toberer. She grew up on a farm east of Eustis and graduated from Eustis High School with the class of 1951. Ruth received a teaching degree from Nebraska State Teachers College at Kearney and taught school from 1952 to 1958. On December 22, 1957, Ruth married Roger Monter at Eustis, Nebraska. The couple made their home on a farm north of Holbrook, Nebraska until moving to Eustis in 2008. Ruth loved the farm and was a hands on farm wife. She enjoyed baking, especially decorating wedding and birthday cakes. She was a faithful and devoted member St. John’s Lutheran Church. For many years she was an active member of the Sunshine Club. Ruth enjoyed oil painting and playing the piano. Her most cherished times were spent with family, friends and her fourlegged friend, Smokey.

Paula Maxine Hilker, age 92, of Cambridge, Neb., passed away at the Elwood Care Center in Elwood, Neb., on May 12, 2022. She was born on March 4, 1930, at her family farm near Cambridge to William and Mabel (Ridpath) Sayer. She was one of fourteen children born to the family. Maxine graduated from Holbrook High School in 1948.

John Arthur Barker, age 79, of Holbrook, Nebraska passed away on Thursday, May 12, 2022 at the Cambridge Hospital in Cambridge, Nebraska. He was born on July 7, 1942 in Omaha, Nebraska. In January 1946, he was adopted by Ralph and Mary (Williamson) Barker where sister Dorothy welcomed him into the family.

A Memorial Service for Dixie B. Green was held on Monday, May 16, 2022 at 10:30 a.m.

Kansas City, MO - The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Region 7 which includes Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska, is reminding drivers about the lifesaving benefits of wearing a seat belt this spring, during the national Click It or Ticket high-visibility enforcement effort. The national seat belt campaign, which coincides with the Memorial Day holiday, runs from May 23 to June 5, 2022.

The May meeting of the Red Willow County GOP will meet on May 24, 2022, at Bedore Barn-Marlene’s Kitchen 3 miles north of McCook. Coffee and fellowship begins at 6:30 pm followed by the business meeting at 7:00 pm. We are excited to host 2 of our successful local candidates who will be moving on to the November election. Kathy Wilmot, successful candidate for the University of Nebraska Board of Regents and, Elizabeth Tegtmeier, successful candidate for the State Board of Education. Both candidates have a history of representing the best interest of Nebraska’s children. Our candidates will be updating our GOP on campaign strategies and goals for the next few months. Also, our candidates will be giving information on the State Convention to be held in Kearney, Nebraska, on July 8-9, 2022. All state Republicans are encouraged to attend the State Convention and help to hold our party accountable to its conservative platform. All area Republicans (you don’t have to live in Red Willow county) are invited and encouraged to attend the monthly meetings. For information call/text 308-350-3155.