I suppose every year gets to be like this in December, but for me, this December, it’s turned into “Can we just get to Christmas already?” I feel like Frosty the Snowman lately - here and there and everywhere. In a span of 36 hours, my gaggle of seven trekked to Sargent, Plymouth, Chapman, Kansas, then over to Hays and back to home.

A Christmas Carol was written by Charles Dickens in 1843. We all know the basic story of Ebenezer Scrooge and the three ghosts. In this time of Christmas, we can still use Dickens’s classic to help us get into the true Christmas spirit. Dickens touches on the core emotions of life and weaves in Christ’s message throughout his novella. The author also gives us even larger questions that are left for us to answer in our own lives. The story is a classic and endures the pressures of time.

The State of Nebraska Court of Appeals released its opinion on Billy Quinn’s appeal of his conviction and sentence in a Furnas County trial in 2021. Quinn appealed from his convictions following a jury trial in the district court for Furnas County of three counts of first degree sexual assault of a child, two counts of sex trafficking of a minor, three counts of manufacturing a visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct, two counts of possession of a visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct, two counts of enticement by an electronic communication device, and one count of child abuse.

ARAPAHOE – During the regular school board meeting on December 12, 2022, the board approved a Seven-Year Continuous Curriculum Review Process; allowing curriculum to be continuously monitored and updated and replaced every seven years.

Each December on National Wreaths Across America Day, with a mission to Remember, Honor and Teach, Wreaths Across America coordinates wreath- laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as at more than 2,100 additional locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea and abroad.

BARTLEY – During the regular Board of Trustees meeting on December 14, 2022, Deidre Doyle and David Wineland, who were elected for the first time in November, and Cori Hage, who was re-elected to a four-year term on the five-member board were sworn into office.

MCCOOK - In the first round of the Cattle Trail Basketball Tournament Tuesday, the Southwest girls and Arapahoe boys advanced to the tournament semifinals while the Southwest boys and Arapahoe girls fell to the consolation rounds.

EUSTIS - In a three-team battle that lasted throughout the tournament, Sutherland edged Cambridge and Hi-Line for the Hi-Line Wrestling Tournament title Friday in Eustis. The Sailors and Trojans had gained some separation in the finals and the championship came down to the last five weight classes as Sutherland edged Cambridge, 167.5-165 for first.

BARTLEY - The Southwest girls wrestling team finsihed seventh and Southern Valley took 14th at the 17team Southwest Invite Friday in Bartley. The Roughriders had two individual champions at the meet as Gracelyn Fries took first at 105 pounds and Madelyn Tryon finished first at 190 pounds.

25 Years Ago December 4, 1997 It›s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Beaver City. Rick Bieghler, Leonard Wheeler and Travis Theobald are pictured putting up Christmas decorations around the square.