UPDATE: Gov. Pete Ricketts says Nebraska could see another flare-up of coronavirus cases because of the demonstrations over the death of George Floyd, but he concluded that allowing protesters to peacefully vent was more important than concerns about the pandemic. His comments came as new, lighter virus restrictions went into effect throughout most of the state. The restrictions approved by Ricketts allow bars, zoos, swimming pools and other public venues to reopen, with crowd limits based on a venue’s occupancy.
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: CHI Health St. Francis is scaling back hospital visitation restrictions. St. Francis patients will be allowed one healthy adult visitor at a time while at the hospital. Additional visitors are allowed in the following circumstances: Minor patients including NICU and newborns are allowed up to two parents/guardians at a time, patients receiving end of life care may be allowed more than one visitor as determined by the patient’s representatives and care team. All visitors will continue to be screened upon arrival and will be required to wear a mask.
UPDATE: This year’s Miss Rodeo Nebraska pageant has been called off due to the coronavirus pandemic. According to the Miss Rodeo Nebraska Ass Association, this was decided after months of consideration after monitoring safety regulations recommended by health officials. The reigns of Miss Rodeo Nebraska 2020 Joeli Walrath and Miss Teen Rodeo Nebraska 2019 Brylee Thompson will be extended into next year. This announcement comes after the cancellation of the National Pageant.
UPDATE: The community is invited to participate in Kearney Public library’s 7th Annual Edible Book Festival. Anyone can enter by creating something edible that is book-related. The library suggests to think about titles, characters, plots, literary book figures, puns on book titles. Entry form and more info is available at www.cityofkearney.org
The University of Nebraska’s Lincoln campus will begin the fall semester online for one week, before students return for on-campus instruction for the first time since the shutdown caused by the coronavirus. The university announced plans for the fall semester that include remote learning starting on Aug. 17 and in-person classes resume Aug. 24. The university plans a shortened semester. Classes will meet on Labor Day. There will be no fall break in October and the semester will end before Thanksgiving.
University of Nebraska at Kearney plans to begin its fall academic calendar on Aug. 24 as originally planned and will make adjustments to the schedule to enhance safety and maintain flexibility in response to COVID-19.
The Hastings Parks and Recreation Department will reopen some facilities starting in June with extra safety protocols in place. The following facilities have reopened: Park Playgrounds, Park Restrooms, and Skate Park. On June 8, the Libs Park splash pad will be open to the public. On June 15, the Heartwell Park wading pool and Lincoln Park wading pool will be open to the public. Visit their website to find guidelines in place.
Free meals will be provided to Lexington residents in need four the next four weeks on a first come, first serve basis. Meals will be available for curbside pickup at St. Ann’s Parish Center at 1003 Taft St. in Lexington or they can be pre-ordered to have meals delivered. One box of groceries per family will also be available every Thursday. For free delivery to your home, call (308) 324-4647. The meals are provided by Lexington Community Foundation, Orthman Manufacturing and St. Ann’s Parish in partnership with Hot Meals USA.
The Nebraska Passport for 2020 program is underway. Travelers will have from June 1 through October 31 to visit attractions and receive stamps, according to Nebraska Tourism. Due to COVID-19 some stops have had to adjust their business hours and some will be reopening at a date later than June 1, so check for updates before beginning your travels. Passports will be available at participating stops starting June 1 or can be ordered at NebraskaPassport.com.
The Archway in Kearney has will reopened to visitors. The hours will be 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sundays. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the opening of The Archway.
Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is now open. 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.
Starting June 18th the Hasting Parks and Recreation will get the summer adult softball league season underway. 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.
Grand Island has reopened city softball and baseball fields to organized team activity. 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.
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.
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 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