Question: Is there a plant and pet safe alternative to salt for melting ice? When we say salt we are generally referring to sodium chloride also known as table salt and rock salt. In fact, a salt is any chemical compound formed from the reaction of an acid with a base.

Over a hundred Canada Geese congregate on a sunny 20° afternoon on a Meadville Road pond north of Ainsworth on Monday, December 20th. Unlike some migratory birds that need the warm winters had by southern U.S. states, Canada Geese can winter further north – even in Nebraska – especially when we experience milder Midwestern winters. They enjoy filling their bellies with Nebraska corn. Canada Geese return to Canada for their breeding season, sometime between February and April. Canada Geese are monogamous and mate for life; if one of the pair dies, the surviving goose will mourn for it.

If you are outside on a clear January night, it’s hard not to notice one distinctive star pattern above all: Orion! While we’ve covered Orion in earlier articles, we’ve never discussed observing the constellation as a whole. Perhaps you’ve received a new telescope, camera, or binoculars, and are eager to test it out. Orion, being large, prominent, and full of interesting, bright objects, is a perfect constellation to test out your new equipment and practice your observing skills - for beginners and seasoned stargazers alike.

Dena Pirney of Bomgaars presented a check to Brown County Hospital from Ladies Night held at Bomgaars in Ainsworth. BCH received over a thousand dollars this year from the event where a percentage of each purchase was donated to the hospital.

Are you making a resolution in the new year? Warning: More than half of all resolutions fail, but this year, they don’t have to be yours. Here’s how to identify the right resolution to improve your life, create a plan on how to reach it, and become part of the small group of people that successfully achieve their goal.

I began my career as a soldier by taking an oath to defend the United States Constitution. The Constitution was supposed to set up a government of checks and balances. Those checks and balances are how we protect liberty and prevent government abuse. The Second Amendment is a critical part of our constitutional system.