North Central District Health Department (NCDHD) has been made aware of 16 new COVID-19 cases in the district since last reporting period on April 12th: 6 - Antelope, 0 - Boyd, 0 - Brown, 0 - Cherry, 3 - Holt, 0 - Keya Paha, 4 - Knox, 3 - Pierce and 0 - Rock. NCDHD encourages district residents to continue to wear your mask in public places or where social distancing is difficult as well as practice social distancing while out in public. With recent public gatherings and school events coming up in the near future, continue to monitor for signs and symptoms for COVID-19. During this time of year many people struggle with allergies, sinus infections, and common colds. If you have any questions regarding symptoms you have developed, please call your primary care provider or the health department.

Brown County Hospital Board Meeting The Brown County Hospital Board meeting will be held on Monday, April 19th at 4:00 p.m. in the Brown County Hospital Conference Room.

April 4 - 10, 2021 Sunday, April 4th Deputies responded to a disturbance on North Wilson Street. Released three subjects from the Brown County Jail.

Wallace Wiebesiek: Dog Running-at-Large, $25.00 Fine; Brown County Sheriff’s Office - Deputy Zach Welch. Zachary Frazier: Speeding 21-35 MPH, $200.00 Fine, Careless Driving, $200.00 Fine; Brown County Sheriff’s Office - Deputy Zach Welch.

“School Year Is Going Fast” I don’t even have a student graduating from Ainsworth High School, and yet, I wonder, where has the 2020-21 school year gone? The month of April is a very busy time as many of the organizations are off and running to District and/or State competitions. Along with competitions, several of the year end get banquets and award nights will be held.

The Nebraska Constitution requires the Legislature to do only two things: meet on the first Wednesday after the first Monday in January, and pass a budget once every two years. Technically, the Legislature only has to pass this package of budget bills and nothing else. Legislatures are two years long. Much of the first session following the election is devoted to the budget. As I write this, we are in the middle of that debate right now.