The National Weather Service has announced that there will be Degraded Air Quality late Thursday through this weekend due to wildfire smoke.
WHAT...Wildfire Smoke will cause Moderate to potentially
unhealthy air quality.
WHERE...Eastern Nebraska and western Iowa
WHEN....Tonight especially near and north of Interstate 80,
continuing into Friday across the entire area, and possibly
continuing through the weekend.
IMPACTS...The smoke may become dense enough to cause health
impacts, particularly for individuals with respiratory problems,
elderly, and young children.
HEALTH INFORMATION...Those with health conditions sensitive to
air quality should reduce prolonged outdoor activity. Should air
conditions worsen, prolonged or heavy exertion should be avoided
by those susceptible to air quality issues. Others may want to
consider the impacts of the expected poor air quality when
planning and participating in outdoor activities and adjust as
necessary.
For the most recent update on air quality across the region,
please visit airnow.gov, and your local health department web
pages.
Vacation Bible School is taking place today, (Tuesday, July 27), and will continue Wednesday, July 28 and Thursday, July 29 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. at Faiths United Parish; and at Santee in the evenings on these same dates. All children are welcome to attend.
Tribal members from both the Santee Sioux Nation, who gathered at the Ohiya Casino, and the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska, who stood near the Chief Standing Bear Bridge, honored a caravan that passed through this way Friday morning. Read more in this week's edition.
The members of Niobrara Lutheran Church and the Niobrara-Verdel Presbyterian Church weren't able to celebrate their fifth anniversary together as Faiths United Parish last year because of the virus. So,they are going to have a Sixth Anniversary Celebration this Sunday, July 11.
Even though we didn't have the NHS Alumni Banquet this year, if your class gathered this past weekend and you took a photo, we encourage you to send it in, so we can see all of those who gathered together to remember their school days at Niobrara. niobraratribune@yahoo.com
The regular season came to an end this week for the Verdigre Stinger's Softball Team. Read more in this week's edition. The 18-and-Under Team included, front row, Abby Frank, Allie Kotrous, Emily Parks, Harley Stark, Serina Babcock; back row, Debbie Ives, coach; Andrea Sucha, Anna Rudloff, Chaney Konopasek, Ashley Parks, Gabriellle Pavlik, Mallory Nielsen, Alexis Bartling and Dana Kotrous, coach. Photo by Michele Foto Studio
Gov. Ricketts ends Coronavirus State of Emergency
Governor Pete Ricketts announced yesterday the end of Nebraska’s coronavirus state of emergency. The Governor issued the state of emergency declaration on March 13, 2020. It will officially end at 11:59 PM on Wednesday, June 30, 2021. Ricketts praised Nebraskans for their actions during the pandemic. Ricketts said Nebraska ranks among the best states in the nation for its low fatality rate from the virus, for getting kids back in school, and for protecting livelihoods.
The Release issued from FEMA over the weekend concerning the $50 million allocated for the Spencer Dam has been corrected and amended by the Nebraska Public Power District.
The amendment clarifies that, contrary to the FEMA release, the dam will be demolished and decommissioned as originally planned by NPPD.
Comments about the change are below:
"In working with FEMA since the hydro was damaged, NPPD had provide FEMA with costs to rebuild the hydro unit which was part of the FEMA process, but at the same time NPPD let FEMA know that the plan was to demolish and decommission the unit. The initial release generally came across that the funds would go towards rebuilding the hydro. At the time of the destruction of the hydro, a an agreement was already in place to sell the hydro itself to a group of local NRDs. With the hydro destroyed the agreement is no longer in place.
The plan is that now that federal funds are obligated, NPPD will begin putting together the costs and plans for the demolition and decommissioning of the hydro and will work with associated regulatory agencies on the approval process."
A release from the FEMA News Desk this morning indicated that the Nebraska Public Power District would be receiving approximately $50 million (a 75 percent cost share) to restore the Spencer Dam to it's "pre-disaster design, capacity and function."
The release is below:
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has obligated more than $50 million to the to the State of Nebraska for the Spencer Hydroelectric plant and dam as a direct result of major disaster declaration FEMA-DR-4420-NE.
During the incident period of 3/9/2019 through 7/14/2019, A Severe Winter Strom, Straight Line Winds and Flooding caused damages to the Spencer Hydroelectric plant and dam. Heavy rain on frozen ground followed by a blizzard created a record runoff breaking up ice on the Niobrara River. Large chunks of ice floating in the flood waters overtopped the embankment and spillway structure breaching the embankment in two locations causing catastrophic damages to the Spencer Hydro Electric plant and dam.
Funding of approximately $50 million (75 percent federal share of total project cost) was obligated to assist the Nebraska Public Power District in its repairs to the Spencer Hydroelectric Facility and Dam to restore the facilities back to pre-disaster design, capacity and function.
The Public Assistance Program provides grants to state and local governments and certain non-profit entities to assist them with the response to and recovery from disasters. Specifically, the program provides assistance for debris removal, emergency protective measures, and permanent restoration of infrastructure.
It's National Agriculture Week, March 21-27. As we celebrate agriculture we'd like to thank the people behind the food we depend on every day, and shine a spotlight on all of our area farmers. We are inviting them to post a photo of themselves or their farm, or ranch, on the Tribune's Facebook page this week. We salute you Niobrara area farmers and ranchers!!!
The last day to vote for Niobrara's Top Ten Priorities for 2021 is Feb. 28. The votes will be counted by Niobrara's FBLA Class on Monday morning. Please remember to vote! Thank you!
The N/V Cougar boys defeated Boyd County in the first round of the D1-5 Sub-District at Niobrara Monday night, 60-53. They are set to play Osmond at 6:30 p.m. In the second game this evening, Bloomfield plays Creighton at 8 p.m.
First round sub districts NV Lady Cougars vs Bloomfield Lady Bees tonight at 7pm @ Hartington CC.
Another photo just received from the Spencer Advocate, of the ice under the new Spencer Dam Bridge.
This photo was just sent down from the Spencer Advocate. Ice is right up underneath the new Spencer Dam. "The REA was down at the bridge at the Spencer Dam checking on the main transmission line because it was getting close to the bank," said Advocate editor, John Wells.
There will be no worship service on Sunday, Feb. 14 for Faiths United Parish due to the extreme cold weather predicted for Sunday. There will be an Ash Wednesday service on Wednesday, Feb. 17 at 6:45 p.m.
It's National Plan for Vacation Day!!!
Work progressing on new river access project…
An alfalfa field, owned by Niobrara State Park and located near the new Mormon Canal Bridge at Niobrara, is being made into a new river access area. The project began in November and will include a boat ramp for canoe and kayak launches, a parking lot, and an overlook area. A new road is also being made veering from the county road on 522 Avenue. The same contractors that worked on the Mormon Canal Bridge are working on this project. Tribune photos.
N/V Cougars held off Wausa; finish second in Holiday Tournament
The N/V Cougar boys' varsity team dropped its game with Creighton on December 19 as Creighton claimed a 76-62 victory. To find out how the players did, including Coach Quick's comments, pick up the latest edition of the Niobrara Tribune.
A new year of priorities-Residents asked to submit priorities for the year 2021
Niobrara residents are once again being invited by the Niobrara Tribune to submit their ideas for Niobrara's 2021 Top Ten Priority List. To find out what last year's top ten priorities were, and to find out how to submit ideas, pick up the latest edition of the Niobrara Tribune.
