CAMBRIDGE - Waypoint Bank – Cambridge is pleased to announce on Tuesday, December 20, it donated $25,000 to the Cambridge Volunteer Fire Department to help purchase a new grass fire rig truck. Western Nebraska is no stranger to wildfires.

The year 2022 had an interesting story to tell. Over the next two weeks, the Valley Voice will look back at the news made each week over the past year, some stories remembered and others already forgotten.

The Furnas/Harlan County Nebraska Extension Agencies Brown Bag activities for January are rock candy or a calming jar. They will be available for pick up on January 30 at the Arapahoe, Beaver City, Oxford, Cambridge, Alma, and Orleans Libraries or the extension offices in Furnas or Harlan County.

The Arapahoe Cub Scouts Pack 236 were busy spreading Christmas Cheer! On Dec 18th, they went to visit the Arapahoe Food Pantry and took donations. Scouts made it a competition and Molly Leising won the prize for the most donations! A Big thank you to Howard Davis and Melody Adams for helping show the scout’s around! After the food pantry, the scouts joined local churches and community members while Christmas Caroling around Arapahoe.

(Beaver City, Nebraska), December 22, 2023 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director Dillon Breinig in Furnas County reminds producers the deadline to apply for 2022 Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) assistance is March 1, 2023.

Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department (SWNPHD) encourages residents to make time to care for themselves during the busy holiday season. Holidays can be stressful, and for those with chronic conditions it is important to manage stress to avoid worsening health problems.

Ag Valley Cooperative has announced the sale of its Ampride Convenience store in Oxford to Alex and Lorissa Kermmoade, effective January 20, 2023. Alex and Lorrissa will maintain the services at the Ampride store in Oxford, NE.

My son is one of the many Americans with cleft lip and palate. The specifics of each affected individual’s situation vary, but one thing they have in common is that they will be having surgery. Lots of surgery. Although most individuals with orofacial clefts, including my son, are otherwise healthy and lead normal lives, the process of restoring a normal smile, normal speech, normal chewing, involves many steps from birth into adulthood.