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: The Kearney Public Schools CLASS Act Board of Directors has announced that they will not be holding our traditional CLASS Act fundraising event on June 20. There will now be an online auction June 15-20. You can register for the event to place bids for auction items and receive information and announcements during the event. To register go to, https://kpsfoundation.gives/CLASS-Act/Event
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: The Gosper County Fair Board has decided to host the July 23-25 county fair as planned, except for the carnival. The Fair Manager stated the 4-H part of the fair is a definate go, the entertainment is still booked, and he expects the rodeo also to proceed as planned.
NEBRASKA GOOD NEWS ABOUT THE GOOD LIFE:
The Grand Island Public Library announces it will be restoring services on a phased and limited basis. The first phase starts Wednesday, May 27 with the reopening of its book drop on the north side of the building. The next phase kicks off on Wednesday, June 3 as a new curbside pickup service for reserved library materials begins on the west side of the building. Find out more on their facebook page.
With a goal of getting team captains registered and keeping the community active the Nebraska Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association is hosting its first-ever virtual Challenge Week this week.The events began on Monday encouraging people to log into their participant center and send a recruitment email. Wednesday they want people to share their story for why they walk. People can do so on their participant page or the Facebook page of their local chapter. Thursday is a day geared toward fundraising and ties into National Memo Day, encouraging people to share why they support the walks. The week concludes on Friday with a virtual happy hour, giving everyone an opportunity to meet teams from across Nebraska. Each challenge and day brings new points, the top-10 earners in points will win official walk “swag”. The week was created to keep the Association’s mission in people’s minds and remind them that, even if they may be struggling with not being able to see loved ones or properly care for individuals with Alzheimer’s, that there is hope and positivity down the road.
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.