(Kearney, NE; October 2025) — Jacobsen, Orr, Lindstrom & Holbrook, P.C., L.L.O., of Kearney, Nebraska, is proud to announce the addition of Attorney Baylee M. Hadwiger.

Myrna Haag October 20, 2025 Oh my! It’s been busy here on The Hill. That’s my excuse for missing one of my columns.

Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department (SWNPHD) is joining partners across the country to recognize National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, October 19th to 25th, by raising awareness about the dangers of lead exposure and how families can take simple steps to keep children safe.

Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department (SWNPHD) saw a spike of COVID cases during late summer and fall this year, and now influenza is just beginning to appear. As cold weather approaches, we spend more time indoors with friends and family. With close contact and cold dry air, we are more likely to encounter viruses that cause respiratory illnesses. Knowing the difference can help us figure out what is making us sick and what treatments may help.

The Environmental Science class has spent the last month working with the Nebraska Forest Service identifying, recording, and importing tree data across Arapahoe. The information the class collects gets put into a database that the Nebraska Forest Service uses to better protect local communities and restore Nebraska’s tree resources.

On October 14 and 15, 2025, 240 sophomore students from across the ESU 11 region took part in Connecting the Dots, an engaging, hands-on career exploration workshop aimed at helping students link their current education to future career paths. Hosted in partnership with Nebraska Extension, the program provided an interactive simulation designed to guide students through the process of identifying career interests and understanding how high school coursework, postsecondary education, and long-term goals all interconnect. The event was coordinated by Nebraska Extension Educator, Calvin DeVries, and sponsored by Educational Service Unit 11. Through a variety of stations and activities, students explored career clusters, examined potential career paths, and gained insight into the real-world applications of their education. Participating districts included Arapahoe, Axtell, Alma, Bertrand, Elwood, Franklin, Loomis, Minden, Southern Valley and Wilcox-Hildreth.

Sun.., Oct 26, 1:30-2:30 p.m. Cantata practice, P Sun.., Nov.

A new feature at the Fairview Cemetery in Cambridge will be a prayer nook, featuring a sculpture by Sondra Jonson, at the location of the graves of the nine Bohemian immigrants killed in a flash flood in 1885. This area is on the southwest edge of the cemetery overlooking the Republican River Valley.

Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department (SWNPHD) encourages everyone to take a moment to review their handwashing habits. Keeping hands clean is one of the most effective ways to stay healthy and prevent the spread of germs and illness. SWNPHD provides handwashing demonstrations to around 10 to 12 schools per year to provide education and help lower the number of students missing school due to illness.

Upland bird hunters across the state will go afield Oct. 25 for Nebraska’s pheasant season opener.