ARAPAHOE- Following a public budget hearing, the Arapahoe-Holbrook School District adopted the 2021- 2022 budget during their regular board meeting on September 13, 2021. The total budget of $9,137,316 includes (General, Depreciation, Employee Benefits, Activities, School Nutrition, Bond, Special Building, and Student Fee Funds) According to Interim Superintendent Brian Gegg this number is inflated by about $ 1.3 million because the state requires that ESSER money be included in the budget.

BEAVER CITY – The Beaver City Council held their annual budget meeting on Tuesday, September 7, 2021, followed by their regular monthly board meeting. The city council approved the budget for the upcoming fiscal year that runs from October 1, 2021, through September 30, 2022.

Elwood – The Elwood School Board approved their 2021-22 budget during their regular board meeting on September 13, 2021. The General Fund Budget of $4,724,750 represents a six percent increase over last year.

Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department (SWNPHD) had 89 new cases of COVID-19 reported from September 7 to September 13, 2021, bringing the weekly average to 84 cases per week in the last 30 days. A breakdown by age includes: 0 to 19 – 25; 20 to 29 – 17; 30 to 39 – 15; 40 to 49 – 6; 50 to 59 – 7; 60 to 69 – 13; 70 to 79 – 5; 80 and over – 1. The total number of cases is 4,414. Vaccination rates across the health district have reached 48%.

Although the Nebraska Unicameral is a non-partisan body, the process of redistricting every 10 years following the Census, proves to be contentious along Republican and Democrat lines. This year is no different as the Legislature will approve boundaries for the Nebraska Public Service Commission, the courts, the University Board of Regents, the State Board of Education, Nebraska’s three congressional districts, as well as the Legislative map.

In late July, Ben Springer was flown to Kearney Regional suffering drastic effects from Covid-19. He was immediately put on a ventilator and spent 21 days unconscious.

Edison - The Village of Edison is currently undertaking two projects having to do with the water systems in town. The most visible being the water tower project and the lengthier sewer project.

The Holbrook Village Board held a brief meeting on Monday, September 13, 2021. Chairperson Matt Schulz called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone present.

10 years ago Standing room only at the Edison community building for the presentation by the United States Postal Service concerning the closing of the village post office. Reid Stagemeyer senior at AHS and FFA officer, shows this young man about safety during the annual FFA Safety Day held last Friday at the fairgrounds in Beaver City.

10 years ago Thirteen teams took part in the “Valley Adventure Race” on August 20 both Tri Valley Health Systems and Ag Valley hope to make it an annual event. Cambridge Fire Department works to put out the flames that destroyed a 1976 Cobra Motorcoach, belonging to Ron Stonerook of Arapahoe Sunday afternoon at Harry Strunk Lake due to an electrical short in the camper started the fire.