UPDATE: Hall County Fair in Grand Island has announced that no music concerts or entertainment in a large gathering venue will take place this year. Hall County Fair does have intentions of presenting the 2020 county fair with adherence to all prevailing COVID-19 protocols.The Fair does plan to offer an opportunity for the people of Hall County to show their livestock and static exhibits they have dedicated themselves to since last July. Hall County Fair is scheduled to take place in Grand Island, Nebraska at Fonner Park from July 22 – 26. For current information on all matters pertaining to the Hall County Fair, please go to hallcountyfair.com
UPDATE: Beginning June 1st NSAA member schools are permitted to conduct voluntary strength and conditioning sessions. While permitting school-sponsored summertime conditioning programs, prioritizing the health and safety of all students and staff must remain the focus of each NSAA member school. An update to NSAA guidelines is that 25 people will now be allowed in facilities. It was previously 10.
UPDATE: Kearney Legion baseball has revealed a schedule for the Runza Seniors and Post 52 Juniors. The schedules have been posted on their website. The Runza Seniors will open up their abbreviated season at home with a double-header against Grand Island June 18th. The Post 52 Juniors will open their season on the 18th as well, playing in a tournament in Lincoln.
Governor Pete Ricketts announced that new directed health measures (DHMs) will take effect on June 1st. “Phase I” reopening DHMs will apply to the Central District Health Department (Hall, Hamilton, and Merrick counties) and Dakota County. “Phase II” reopening DHMs, which are less restrictive, will apply to the rest of Nebraska. Go here for more.
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
NEBRASKA GOOD NEWS ABOUT THE GOOD LIFE:
UPDATE: Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium plans to reopen on Monday, June 1, 2020. ALL indoor exhibits will be closed and capacity will be limited to 3,000. Visitors are required to sign up in advance for a time slot to attend up to two days in advance at www.omahazoo.com/hours-and-admission.
UPDATE: TODAY the Alley Rose will be hosting it’s third Wednesday ‘Drive Up and Feed Kearney Event’. The greatest part of this program is that #everyoneeatsforfree. The meals are first come first serve 4-7PM at the Alley Rose in Kearney. If you would like to donate to the event contact Bison Bullion or purchase an #ALONETOGETHER bar here: https://bit.ly/ALONETOGETHER
UPDATE: Starting June 18th the Hasting Parks and Recreation will get the summer adult softball league season underway, thanks to the new DHM’s put in place by Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts. To practice social distancing they will be extending the dugouts to the bleachers. Any fans that come to the games will have to bring their own chairs and sit along the foul lines or in the outfield. For more information on the summer leagues you can visit the City of Hastings website.
UPDATE: Signup is underway for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. The $16 billion relief program targets farmers and ranchers. The USDA does ask for patience. They expect a lot of calls. Learn more about the application process here: https://nebraska.tv/news/local/usda-coronavirus-food-assistance-program-applications-available-to-producers
UPDATE: Grand Island will reopen city softball and baseball fields to organized team activities starting June 1. Any organized team practices and games at the fields must follow Directed Health Measures and Sports Reopening Guidelines issued by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. City park rules must also be followed.
UPDATE: Goodwill Industries of Greater Nebraska is slowly re-opening their nine stores, with six open so far. Requiring masks and delaying donation processing, these are just a couple new practices in place at Goodwill stores across central Nebraska. They said items donated are not being processed or put onto the floor for at least a full 24 hours. Management said at this time they do not know when the Grand Island or Lexington stores will be opening.
UPDATE: On June 1, the YMCA of the Prairie branches in Holdrege, Lexington and Gothenburg plan to reopen to members. The YMCA’s Phase One Plan includes limited services and new social distancing rules.The YMCA’s phase one guidelines will limit the number of members in certain areas. Some areas of the Y, such as social lobbies and Child Watch, will remain closed for now. All YMCA members were emailed the detailed phase one plan and it is also available on YMCA’s website www.ymcaoftheprairie.org
Relay for Life of Central Nebraska in an effort to support and protect cancer survivors, caregivers and the community, the event will be held virtually from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on June 12. People can tune into Relay for Life of Central Nebraska’s Facebook page, where they’ll be able to watch videos and live feeds. Relay for Life of Central Nebraska covers Phelps, Kearney and Buffalo Counties. You can create a team or donate online.
For the first time ever, The Kansas Biggest Rodeo is selling tickets online beginning on June 1. The ticket sales will begin at 8 a.m on the rodeo’s website. The tickets will also go on sale in person on July 1 at Heritage Insurance Group in Philipsburg (685 Third St.).The rodeo will be held July 30-August 1 in Phillipsburg and begins at 8 pm each night.
Kearney Jubilee Center remains open to serve customers and community members in need. The Center also hosts a food pantry while providing financial assistance for rent, utilities and medications.
While Stuhr Museum is closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, listeners can learn more about the museum thanks to a new podcast titled “Stuhr Crazy”. Episodes are available on YouTube, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn, Apple Podcasts, the Stuhr Museum website and on its Facebook and Twitter pages. The podcast is free to download.
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.
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