If you read last week’s column, you may remember me telling that I had gotten the rest of my outdoor Christmas lights up. Well, since then, my Nativity Scene has been taken down and gone back up, and those lights for the nativity were taken loose and weatherproofed. Thanks to that nasty wind! But, thanks to the help of a couple of grandsons, they were back up in short order Saturday evening.

ARAPAHOE - Ballots for the Arapahoe Public Schools Tax Authority Override special election were mailed out to district voters Monday and should arrive in their mailboxes this week. The official date of the election is January 13, 2026, which means all ballots must be returned to the appropriate county clerk in Furnas, Frontier or Gosper counties by 5 p.m.

Dec. 22, 2025 (McCook, Neb.) — Weather permitting, a crack sealing project will begin Jan. 1, 2026 on State Highway 46 (N-46), according to the Nebraska Department of Transportation. Crack sealing is a process of cleaning and filling open joints and cracks in the surface with sealant to prevent the entry of moisture and debris.

LINCOLN, NE (12/22/2025)-- The University of Nebraska-Lincoln conferred 1,197 degrees during commencement exercises Dec. 19 and 20 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

Women of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Cambridge, assembled 50 Health Kits for the annual Lions Club Christmas project. Each kit contained a towel, washcloth, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush and bar soap, A Thrivent Action Grant and Thrivent Choice Dollars funded the project. Members helping pack the kits included Sheri Leising, Joy Deterding and Barb Baca.

TVHS Hospital Auxiliary President Diane Schultz dropped off two totes of new toys, children’s crafts, books and games which were donated to the store this year for the annual Lions Club Christmas project. She also presented Brandon Brion with thirty $10 gift certificates to the Thrift Shop which will be included in the Christmas boxes. Merry Christmas to all from the Thrift Shop!

The Beaver City Senior Center Christmas dinner was a huge success. They appreciated the support that the Banner Capital Bank gave them.

The Cambridge High School Spanish class had a fun cultural lesson last week as they learned about the unique Spanish holiday tradition of “Uncle Popping” — Tió de Nadal, a festive custom where families “feed” a friendly log (El Tió) and then tap it so it “pops” out gifts and treats!

WIC Income Guidelines for 2025-2026 1 family $28,953 annual income, $2,413 monthly gross income. 2 family $39,128 annual, $3,261 monthly.

LINCOLN – The Nebraska Association of County Officials (NACO) recently hosted its 131st Annual Conference in Kearney. The conference was held December 17-19 and brought together county leaders from across the state to discuss key issues facing local governments, participate in professional development, and celebrate outstanding public service.