UPDATE: The Nebraska School Activities Association held its annual meeting to discuss the football season with Central Nebraska coaches in Kearney. This year’s meeting had a lot more information to present because of contingency plans surrounding the season due to COVID-19. The NSAA said if a health department closes down sports, it only means teams in that region must stop playing. If a team has to quarantine due to positive cases, teams could reschedule that game against an opponent who is available. Practices begin Aug. 10th with the football season beginning on Aug. 27th.
UPDATE: NAIA fall championships for volleyball, men’s soccer and cross country have been postponed until the spring because of the coronavirus pandemic. The decision still allows NAIA conferences to compete in the fall and winter if they so choose. The GPAC, which Hastings College is a member, plans for regular-season competition this fall. The timing of the football national championship will be determined on Friday.
FRIDAY: UNK’s combined 2020 Spring and Summer Commencement will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 31. To support COVID-19 directed health response, it is being planned as an outdoor event on Foster Field at Cope Stadium. The event will begin at 10 a.m. In support of current safety protocol and to meet facility capacity requirements, in-person attendance will be limited to no more than three invited guests per graduate.
UPDATE: University of Nebraska at Kearney is accepting registrations from businesses, organizations and other exhibitors interested in booth space at the upcoming UNK Blue and Gold Showcase on August 21st from 5 to 8 pm. Blue and Gold Showcase is open to new freshmen, returning students, faculty and staff. This year’s event is not open to community members, and the chancellor’s picnic will not be hosted. Online registration is available at unk.edu/showcase.
This year’s NEBRASKAland DAYS will have a pair of reduced capacity concerts. Legendary band .38 Special will perform on Friday, August 14. Country Star Granger Smith takes the stage on Saturday, August 15th. For tickets visit nebraskalanddays.com
Starting Friday, people traveling from Missouri, Wisconsin, Nebraska and North Dakota to Chicago will have to quarantine for two weeks upon arrival or face possible fines
NEBRASKA GOOD NEWS ABOUT THE GOOD LIFE:
UPDATE: As part of their Hometown Strong initiative to invest in their employees’ communities, JBS USA vowed to donate millions of dollars to Grand Island; the plant will now pay for two parks and recreation projects on the city’s bucket list. JBS will donate one million dollars to extend a hike-bike trail, and build a new playground in the city.
UPDATE: As we approach flu season this fall, Hy-Vee officials announced that the flu vaccine will be available inside its Hy-Vee pharmacy locations without an appointment or prescription, and will also be offered via a drive-up option at Hy-Vee pharmacy locations between Aug. 17 and Oct. 31.
UPDATE: A large number of airports across the United States will receive grants totaling $273 million through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The airport in Hastings is set to receive $166,000 to construct/rehabilitate/modify/expand the Snow Removal Equipment Building. The state of Nebraska will get $500,000 to update the state/regional system plan.
UPDATE: Grand Island’s Central Ride Agency of Nebraska (CRANE) Public Transit has been awarded a $2.2 million grant as a part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA), the money will go toward software upgrades to improve communications, route planning and contactless boarding during the COVID-19 pandemic along with operating, administrative, and preventive maintenance costs.
The Alzheimer’s Association , “Walk to end Alzheimer’s” will look different than in years past but will remain scheduled in the Fall on their specific dates and consist of three aspects which people can choose to participate in or opt out of.. A “Walk to end Alzheimer’s” app will feature information, services and a platform with videos to engage participants and people interested in the events. Hastings’ Walk is scheduled for Oct. 4, Grand Island’s for Sept. 13 and Kearney’s for Sept. 20. More information can be found on alz.org/walk.
The American Red Cross is in urgent need of blood donations during this pandemic, they are also in need of volunteers in the Tri-Cities. Contact the American Red Cross fore more.
The Safety Center in Kearney has now resumed in-person driving and classes. Since May, they had been using online platforms for their driver education program to teach the traditional curriculum developed by The American Automobile Association. Students must have a school learner’s permit or learner’s permit before they can begin the in-person driving. To find out where your child can take behind-the-wheel driving instruction click here.
A Veteran’s Memorial 5K will be held in Holdrege at the YMCA on Sept. 19th in conjunction with the first annual Veteran’s Memorial Fundraiser in Holdrege’s South Park. The registration deadline is September 9th. Register here. Contact the Holdrege YMCA for more.
Drive-in movies in Kearney will continue at sundown when The World Theatre will team up with the Buffalo County Fairgrounds. The World will sell advance tickets. Gates will open at 8 p.m. and the movie will begin at sundown. Films will be shown Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights through the summer.
Enjoy an outdoor adventure with family or friends. and engage in healthy recreation — and possibly win prizes. The Great Park Pursuit is a free program encouraging participants to visit up to 20 official sites across the state, consisting of community, regional, state and federal parks. Participants register a team of up to 10 people online and then follow clues from the website or Great Park Pursuit mobile app to find a program post located somewhere within a park area. Once they find the post, the team can use the mobile app to mark their visit, or make a pencil impression of the post to prove they were there. A number of prizes are up for grabs, including Nebraska state park entry permits for 2021, an iPad and the grand prize, an outdoor recreation package valued at $1,500. Prizes and entry into drawings are based on the number of post impressions that teams collect, or the number of park visits they mark on the mobile app. For more information and to register, visit negpp.org. The Great Park Pursuit app is available at the Apple iStore and on Google Play for Android.
The Nebraska Passport for 2020 program is underway. Travelers will have 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 so check for updates before beginning your travels. Passports are available at participating stops or can be ordered at NebraskaPassport.com.
The Archway in Kearney has 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.
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! GO HERE: http://www.shophuskermax.com/houndsmax-huskers-ma
Kearney Cinema 8 has reopened! For movie listings go to www.kearneycinema.com