UPDATE: NEW Directed Health Measures are in effect for the Two Rivers and South Heartland Health Districts beginning TODAY: Monday, May 18th. This includes the Cities of Kearney, Hastings and Lexington. Does not include Hall Co. Grand Island. As part of these new measures restaurants can open dining rooms at 50% capacity. Also salons, barber shops, massage businesses, and tattoo business may re-open under certain restrictions.
UPDATE: There will be Legion Baseball this summer. That according to a post on the Nebraska Legion baseball website. The proposed plan must still be reviewed and approved by the Department of Nebraska Executive Committee. More information from Friday’s meeting with the Nebraska Athletic Committee will be posted this week. Kearney Legion officials are meeting Tuesday to decide how they will move forward.
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)
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.
Nebraska Good News about The Good Life:
UPDATE: The Nebraska Air National Guard plans a flyover salute to healthcare professionals and all Nebraskans responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. After weather caused the cancellation of the salute originally planned earlier this week, it has been rescheduled for today. The revised flight plan now includes more than 30 Nebraska hospitals in communities spanning nearly the entire state. A 155th Air Refueling Wing KC-135 Stratotanker, based out of the Lincoln Air National Guard base, will fly above the following healthcare facilities at the following times (exact times may vary by up to 10 minutes):
* Grand Island Medical Center: 11:32 a.m. CDT
* CHI Health St Francis, Grand Island: 11:32 a.m. CDT
* Mary Lanning Healthcare, Hastings: 11:39 a.m. CDT
* CHI Health Good Samaritan, Kearney: 11:49 a.m. CDT
* Kearney Regional Medical Center, Kearney: 11:50 a.m. CDT
* Phelps Memorial, Holdrege: 11:56 a.m. CDT
Two Tri-City museums want to hear your coronavirus stories to document how the pandemic is impacting our communities. The Trails & Rails Museum in Kearney is looking for written stories from essential workers in Buffalo County, all the way from first responders and healthcare workers to truck drivers and grocery store employees. The Hastings Museum is calling for any COVID-19 related stories from anyone with ties to the Hastings area.
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 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.
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.
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:
– June 12, Phelps County Fairgrounds, Holdrege;
– June 26, Community Action Partnership Food Bank, Kearney.
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.