UPDATE: There will be no Little League Baseball in Kearney this summer. According to their website the Kearney LL Board of Directors determined, in a unanimous vote, that they do not have the capacity to offer a successful program this summer – so they are going to forego their regular operations this summer. The National organization cancelled the Little League World Series and all Regional Tournaments three weeks ago. Kearney Little League will be issuing refunds in the coming days.
UPDATE: Downtown Kearney has decided to cancel the 2020 Rockin’ the Bricks Summer Concert Series. With safety in mind amid the coronavirus pandemic,they believe it is in the best interest of everyone. They hope to have a bigger and better series next summer.
UPDATE: Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Adams County Ag Society has made the decision that the 2020 Nebraska High School Finals Rodeo will not be held in Hastings. The rodeo was to be held June 18-20. The 2021 Nebraska High School Finals Rodeo is set to take place in Hastings June 17-19.
UPDATE: The Hastings Park and Recreation Department is extending some closures in an effort to best comply with directed health measures issued by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. The Hastings Aquacourt, Libs Splash Pad, Heartwell Park Wading Pool, and the Lincoln Park Wading Pool were originally set to open on Saturday, May 23. Due to the current directed health measures they will not open and remain closed until further notice. Along with pools, the following areas remain closed until further notice: city playgrounds, skate park, park restrooms, and park drinking fountains.
NEW Directed Health Measures are in effect for the Two Rivers and South Heartland Health Districts beginning yesterday. 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.
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.
UPDATE: Students looking to start their university experience but who can’t attend in person are offered a new program this fall at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. O.N.E. Loper (Online Networking Experience) is an academic and student-support experience designed as a remote, full-time first semester to respond to needs of students and their families who for several reasons may choose to begin their college experience from home.The program meets unique needs presented from directed health measures and other challenges in the wake of the novel coronavirus – and positions UNK, as a leader in online education, to solve these challenges by providing access where students are.
One of Grand Island’s top employers is getting back to work, as the Case New Holland combine plant re-opens with new safety measures in place, more than a month after a voluntary shutdown. CNH builds Case IH and New Holland combines in Grand Island.
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 to their website for more.