The Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) will hold a pre-construction public information meeting regarding the upcoming reconstruction of U.S. Highway 83 (US-83) in Cherry County. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss construction phasing, traffic impacts, and schedule. The meeting will be held at the Cherry County Fairgrounds, 120 South Green Street, in Valentine, on Thursday, March 3, 2022 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. A brief presentation will begin at 5:15 p.m., with an open house to follow until 7:00 p.m.

“Election 2022” The March 1st deadline for candidates to file has come and gone and it will be up to “We The People” to vote on those running for the various offices in May 2022. On the local level, many candidates have decided to take their turn at being elected officials and will try to make a difference, in their opinions, for the position they are running for.

LB 906 is a bill introduced by Senator Ben Hansen. It was presented to the Governor today for his signature. It passed on a vote of thirtyseven yes, five no, five present not voting and two senators excused. LB 906 requires the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to develop a vaccine exemption form for Nebraska citizens who are employees of a private company. The new law allows employees to claim an exemption based on his or her strong moral, ethical, or philosophical beliefs or convictions. If the employer requires employees to be vaccinated, the employer must also allow for an employee to receive an exemption to vaccination. The employer may also require the employee to be periodically tested and wear or use personal protective equipment, at the employers expense.

Legislative Committee Closes Executive Session to the Media The Legislature’s Natural Resources Committee held a rare closed-door executive session that was, according to two members, unnecessary. In an age of clamoring for accountability and transparency, the committee’s move to discuss behind closed doors the legal issues related to Gov.

BKR Extension held a Career Fair on Wednesday, February 23rd. Busloads of Brown, Rock and Keya Paha County sophomores and juniors interested in various future careers arrived at the following Ainsworth businesses:

Pat and Colleen Lentz of Ainsworth have purchased Red & White Market on Highway 20 in Ainsworth in an effort to keep the grocery store locally owned. Pat Lentz has been a figure for many years at the popular grocery store that also serves daily cooked lunches.