In a strong winter storm that swept across Colorado, Wyoming and Nebraska, Brown County received five to six inches of snow that started falling Sunday afternoon, March 14th. The snow was proceeded by rain Saturday night and into mid-day on Sunday. Ainsworth students got an extra day of spring break as area schools were closed on Monday, March 15th and businesses spent the morning digging out. According to AccuWeather News, the storm left historic mounds of snow in its wake, dropping 25.8 inches of snow in Cheyenne, WY and leaving over 27 inches of powder at Denver International Airport. Throughout Colorado, five locations received at least 3 feet of snow, led by Buckhorn Mountain’s 42 inches recorded over the weekend. Along with Cheyenne’s all-time record, a site atop Windy Peak in the Laramie Range reported 52 inches of snow, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). The “historic” conditions spewed far enough to even drop 19 inches of snow in Nebraska, triggering the closure of Interstate 80 near Gering, according to The Associated Press.

The Brown County Planning Commission held a meeting on March 10th to discuss proposed amendments to the Brown County Zoning Regulations. The Planning Commission had Steve Martin with the Alliance for Future of Agriculture in Nebraska (AFAN) provide information about the Livestock Matrix and Odor Footprint.

Mark J. Watts, 30, Sioux Falls, SD, driving with suspended not revoked license, fine $204.00, court costs $50.00, surcharges $28.50.

Trae W. Edoff, 22, Bonesteel, SD, possession controlled substance in schedules I or II, fine $1000.00, court costs $100.00, surcharges $66.50, penitentiary 2 years, suspended 2 years, credit for one day served in jail, probation 3 years; manufacture/distribute/possess drugs schedule I or I dismissed - motion by prosecutor; distribute/ possess w/intent distribute 1 oz. or less 1/2 lb. marijuana dismissed - motion by prosecutor; possess two ounces of marijuana or less dismissed - motion by prosecutor; ingest intoxicant other than alcoholic beverage, dismissed - motion by prosecutor; use or possession of drug paraphernalia dismissed - motion by prosecutor; conditions: pay to the Clerk of Courts all ordered fines, costs and court appointed attorney fees pursuant to the payment plan; obey all federal, state, and tribal laws and municipal ordinances for three years; shall be supervised by the court services department for the term of probation and shall abide by all rules and regulations set forth by the Court Services Department for probation; shall comply with all conditions of adult probation, which are set forth in the conditions of adult probation document signed by the defendant and which are incorporated into the judgment.

The Ainsworth speech team had a successful day of competition on Saturday, March 6th at the C1-6 District contest in Ainsworth and received District Runner-Up honors. At the district competition, the top three places in each event qualify for the State Tournament, which will be held at Kearney High School on Thursday, March 18th.

LINCOLN, Neb. – Rainbow trout are being stocked in city ponds and lakes across the state in March and April to enhance fishing opportunities this spring, especially in urban areas.