The Ainsworth Volunteer Fire Department responded Thursday evening to three small fires all sparked by lightning south of the Niobrara River. Ainsworth Fire Chief Brad Fiala said the fires were reported at approximately 7:30 p.m.

Question: Is it too late to prune my grapes? It is too late this year to prune your grapes, it is best to let them go this season and prune during the dormant stage in winter. Grapes should be pruned for some of the same reasons we prune other plants.

The Three River Telco team of Troy Brodbeck, Chad Pierce, Bryce Coleman and Matt Morrison won the championship flight of the annual Brown County Hospital Foundation four-person scramble golf tournament Friday at the Ainsworth Golf Course. The Three River team carded a 12-under par round of 60 to finish two shots ahead of the Four Young Bucks team of Aiden Jackman, Witten Painter, Morgan Kinney and Todd Kicken, who finished with a round of 62. Third place in the championship flight was the Ainsworth Community Schools team of Steve Dike, Kelsey Riesen, Jessi Owen and Jess Kempcke with a round of 64.

Sydney Sybrant, a recent graduate of Rock County High School, has been selected to receive a $1,000 scholarship awarded by the Nebraska Association of County Officials (NACO). Twelve $1,000 scholarships were awarded to the children and grandchildren of Nebraska county officials and employees.

Four Ainsworth High School students, Cobly Beegle, William Biltoft, Erick Hitchcock and Madison Phares were among 130 high school students from across Nebraska who participated in the 29th Nebraska Masonic All-Star Marching Band, which performed the halftime show for the Shrine Bowl game in Kearney.

Nebraska’s Trout in the Classroom program is accepting applications through August to join the program and earn a scholarship for the 2025-2026 school year. This program is for teachers interested in raising live fish in their classrooms and utilizing the tanks for countless lesson plans and everyday activities.