In 2024, NASA will send a small surgical robot from Nebraska to the International Space Station. The tiny, twopound robot will be able to perform surgeries on the space station that would normally require a surgeon’s expertise and much larger equipment. The surgical robot can operate more or less on its own, performing complex procedures at the flip of a switch. The device, developed by Nebraska-based Virtual Incision, is a significant step toward making it possible for surgeons to operate remotely—whether their patients are in deep space or on a battlefield halfway around the world.

Nebraska’s family farmers and ranchers have long had to grapple with the effects of natural disasters and extreme weather. Droughts, flooding, hail, wildfires – all of these events can heavily impact farmland, grazing areas, and livestock.

Senator Dave Murman of Glenvil was joined by Hastings Senator Steve Halloran, Elmwood Senator Rob Clements, Bayard Senator Steve Erdman and Adams Senator Myron Dorn. They held a joint press conference in the State Capitol Rotunda to discuss their call for a legislative investigation into the Nebraska Department of Education.

McCook, Nebraska, October 17, 2022 - Southwest Area Training Service is joining the U.S. Department of Labor in recognizing the vital role people with disabilities play in making the nation’s workforce diverse and inclusive. Led by its Office of Disability Employment Policy, the national observance acknowledges the contributions to the nation’s economy made by workers with disabilities, current, and past. The commemoration also showcases supportive and inclusive policies and practices benefiting workers and employers. Locally, Southwest Area Training Service (SWATS) wishes to recognize the contributions of disabled workers in Southwest Nebraska and the employers who support them.

If you haven’t had your tomatoes covered, they are most likely history for 2022. The temps had flirted with the frosty range but these last few days they got down to business. I guess if we can’t get rain to make things green, we may as well enjoy the fall colors.

The Red Willow County GOP is meeting Tuesday, October 25, 2022, at Bedore Barn/Marlene’s Kitchen (3 miles north of McCook). Meet/Greet begins at 6:30 pm followed by the business meeting at 7:00 pm.

Head Start, a program of Community Action Partnership of Mid Nebraska (Mid), provides comprehensive services to 20 families in Furnas County. Furnas County Head Start is now taking applications for the 2022-2023 year.

Sitting on the corner of Roads 709 and 403 is the latest haybale art by Roger McGraw. Roger freehand paints these creations with cans of spray paint. He says it takes a lot of cans of paint to complete each bale. Roger lives a half mile east of the haybale corner.

The Beaver City Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring trick or treating on Halloween, Monday, October 31 from 4 - 6 pm. Participating businesses will have a sign in their window. The Chamber also invites anyone else who wants to participate to set up around the square. Tables with treats or cars are all welcome. Follow Beaver City Chamber of Commerce on Facebook to stay up to date.

The Oxford Chamber of Commerce is hosting their annual Halloween celebration on Monday, October 31st from 4 to 7 pm. They will be serving Hot dogs, chips and pop downtown. The train will be out to give rides. There will also be trick or treating at participating businesses. The event will take place downtown on Ogden Street. Take note that the downtown block of Ogden street will be closed to vehicle traffic during the event.