UPDATE: Kearney Public Schools has announced the cancellation of the following Summer programs: Bearcat Scholars Program , KCLC , Migrant Program , Sixpence (Daycare) Program. Bearcat Diner Grab & Go will continue throughout the summer. (Closed Memorial Day)
UPDATE: Nebraska football has canceled several June camps. This includes two scheduled Friday Night Lights camps and the Adidas’ national “Pipeline” lineman camp. The cancellations come as a result of the NCAAs continuation of the recruiting dead period through June.
The Buffalo County Agriculture Association has made the decision to cancel all in person live events for the 2020 Buffalo County Fair. All tickets that were purchased with a credit card will be refunded back into that account. It is not necessary to contact the fair office as those ticket holders will soon see their credit. The Buffalo County Extension Staff will be providing a virtual
4-H Show.
Dawson County Fair has canceled all LIVE and on site entertainment. 4H events will still be held but will not be open to the public.
The Miss Rodeo Nebraska Pageant announced that the pageant will be postponed to August 2 through August 5 due to the current social distancing in place for the state.The Miss Rodeo Nebraska Association also extend its contestant deadline until June 15th. Visit missrodeonebraska.org for more.
The annual Czech Festival in Wilber is canceled for this year. Organizers said it wasn’t an easy decision but they appreciate everyone’s support. The 59th annual event was set for July 31-August 2. They plan to return in 2021.
The Nebraska School Activities Association will allow multiple rooms to be used for strength training and conditioning starting on June 1st. But the NSAA says no more than 10 people can be in each room. The NSAA will also limit outdoor conditioning sessions to 10 people as well to meet social distancing guidelines during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Nebraska Athletic Committee will be meeting Friday to discuss options for a modified Legion Baseball season. Earlier this week the American Legion National Organization shut down all sponsorship and all involvement in baseball for the 2020 season. Governor Pete Rickeetts has approved re-opening youth baseball and softball, with practice starting June 1st and games starting June 18th.
Nebraska Good News about The Good Life:
UPDATE: This Saturday, May 16, will be Nebraska Day on BTN. The network will have 24-hours of Nebraska content starting at 6 AM (ET) with the Nebraska’s baseball game against Michigan from the Big Ten Tournament. The 24-hours of Nebraska programming caps on Sunday at 4 AM (ET) with Nebraska’s Big Ten Soccer Tournament win over Iowa.
There’s no doubt that small businesses have felt an impact from COVID-19, but a new program in Hastings is hoping to help out. The Give Back Gift Card Program goes live Friday, May 15. The program involves customers purchasing a gift card from the business they want and that business will get the amount of the gift card and a 100% match. If someone purchases a 20 dollar gift card, then business will get 40 dollars. Hastings Economic Development Corporation is contributing $100,000 to the program with each business having a cap of $2,000 in matching funds.
Community members are invited to participate in parades Friday to lift the spirits of senior citizens in Minden and to honor high school seniors in Holdrege. A parade around Bethany Home Assisted Living/Healthcare/Memory Support Unit in Minden will be 4:30-5 p.m. Friday to show support and love for residents and staff. Bethany Home is asking everyone to stay in their vehicles and drive around Bethany Home, honking and waving while sharing signs of encouragement to residents and staff members. Participants are asked to wear purple in honor of National Nursing Home Week.
In Holdrege, community members may honor high school seniors at 6 p.m. Friday on 14th Avenue between Burlington and Grant streets. Seniors will park along the street and are invited to decorate their car, wear their cap and gown, prom outfit or dinosaur suit. The night can be finished up cruising Fourth Avenue.
Cruise Night on Fourth Avenue Friday in Holdrege will raise money for the Christian Charity Fund. The fund helps support families who have trouble with their mortgage, rent, utilities, prescriptions, car repairs and other basic needs. Cruisers may drop off donations at the Phelps County Senior Center parking lot, Country Cookin’s parking lot and the parking lot across from Dairy Queen. Volunteers from the community will collect the donations.
The Hastings College football team still plans to host its Annual Bronco Football Gridiron Classic on June 19 at Southern Hills Golf Course.The four man scramble is a fundraiser for the Bronco football team. For more go to Hastingsbroncos.com.
The Grand Island Senior High Class of 2020 graduation ceremony will be aired live on News Channel Nebraska and streamed online via the Grand Island Public Schools website, YouTube and Facebook pages. The event, which due to safety considerations will be a virtual ceremony, will start at the regularly scheduled time of 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 17.
Mobile food pantries providing free food are offered in the area every two weeks by the Community Action Partnership of Mid-Nebraska in cooperation with the Food Bank for the Heartland in Omaha.
Drivers should remain in their vehicles while masked volunteers load groceries.
Food pickups, by appointment only, begin at 9:30 a.m. Call Kyla Martin at 308-440-0153 to set up a time.
The pantries rotate to serve Buffalo, Custer, Dawson, Hall, Kearney and Phelps counties.
Future dates include:
– May 15, Pleasanton School, Pleasanton;
– June 12, Phelps County Fairgrounds, Holdrege;
– June 26, Community Action Partnership Food Bank, Kearney.
Hot Meals USA continues to feed those in need, including first responders, amid the coronavirus crisis in Kearney. The organization formed to respond in the wake of disasters has produced about 40,000 meals in the weeks since setting up in the MONA parking lot. If you’re in need and can’t stop by yourself contact the Kearney Jubilee Center to have a meal delivered Monday through Saturday between 11 and 1:30 p.m.
You can keep yourself safe in these times, show your Husker spirit, AND help Nebraska Food Banks. Husker Face Masks are on sale right now at the shop at NRG sister property huskermax.com. The masks are handmade, available in four styles, and will ship in late May. GO HERE: http://www.shophuskermax.com/houndsmax-huskers-mask
NebraskaLand National Bank is celebrating local heroes with the “behind the mask” campaign. Submit a photo and message to thank those working the front lines in healthcare, public safety and others who continue to serve the community for the greater good during the COVID-19 pandemic. NebraskaLand National Bank admires the bravery and appreciates the dedication. Go here to share a message of gratitude along with a photo of your hero.