In response to the devistating wildfires that affected areas of Southwest Nebraska this spring, Harlan/Furnas County Farm Bureau has donated $500 each to the volunteer fire departments in Alma, Arapahoe, Beaver City, Cambridge, Edison, Holbrook, Stamford, Orleans, Oxford, Republican City, Wilcox-Ragan, and Wilsonville-Hendley.

610 Central St. Oxford Sat.

The Southern Valley School Board approved an increase to the breakfast and lunch prices during their regular meeting on Monday, June 13, 2022. Superintendent Bryce Jorgenson said this is a bit of a sore subject for him. The Department of Ag is not giving any guidance on increases; it usually wants schools to set their prices based on the previous year. The last couple of years all the meals were free to the students, so the numbers are off. “We all know prices will be up and I know we need to go up,” said Jorgenson. “But how much do we need to go up?” He presented the board with the prices he would be comfortable with. All of the prices would go up 10 – 15 cents. He also compared Southern Valley’s prices with other area schools. It costs right around $300,000 a year for meals. He also said some schools run in the black for their meal programs but they do not offer insurance to the employees. The new prices are – Breakfast: Pre-k through 6 - $2.25; 7 through 12 - $2.35; Adult - $2.50. Lunch prices are – Pre-k through 6 th - $2.90; 7 through 12 - $3.15; Adult - $3.85.

BARTLEY – During the meeting on Monday, June 13, the village council took action to join the Nebraska League of Municipalities health insurance group for village employees. Under the new arrangement, the Village of Bartley will save $5,000 annually and provide the same Blue Cross/Blue Shield coverage for their two employees that they currently have.

ARAPAHOE – The Arapahoe-Holbrook school board held their regular meeting on June 13, 2022 and approved a bid from Rasmussen Mechanical of Gibbon in the amount of $663,282 to install a new HVAC system in the high school. The district is using Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds to replace the old heating and air conditioning system that is over twenty years old. Each classroom will have its own thermostat and it is projected that the new system will be between 30-40% more efficient.

It’s been awhile since I’ve actually written a column. Last week, well, I did it again, and forgot news day.

Muriel Claire Kotschwar, age 89, of Farnam, Nebraska, passed away on June 8th, 2022, at the Elwood Care Center, Elwood, Nebraska. She was born March 29th, 1933, to Henry & Hester (Carman) Gewecke, northwest of Farnam, Nebraska.

A celebration of life for Diana Lynne Krumme, 66, of Elwood, NE will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, June 18, 2022 at the Solt-Wagner Funeral Home in Central City, NE. An inurnment graveside service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, July 2, 2022 at the Elwood Cemetery in Elwood, NE with a reception following at the Senior Center in Elwood. Diana bravely fought and lost her twoyear battle with ovarian cancer on Saturday, May 28, 2022. At the time of her death Diana was living in the Community Pride Care Center in Battle Creek. She was 66 years old.

Clarice J. Reed, 92 years of age, of Grand Island, Nebraska, formerly of Stamford, Nebraska, died on Monday, June 13, 2022, at the Bickford of Grand Island Assisted Living.

James W. Cox, age 81, of Seward, Nebraska, passed away Sunday May 29, 2022 at his home in Seward. He was born on May 2, 1941 in Yuma, Colorado to Ronald and Pearl (Chandler) Cox. There is no viewing or visitation as cremation was chosen. Services are to be scheduled for a later date. Wenburg Funeral Home of Beaver City, Nebraska is in charge of arrangements.