According to information provided by Northeast Power: The Dr. David F. Johnson Jr. Solar Facility is currently under development approximately one mile east and one mile north of Osmond. The project consists of 2.5 megawatts (MW) of solar generation paired with a 2 MW, four-hour battery energy storage system. The facility is being developed alongside a new electric substation located one mile east of Osmond.

One of the primary reasons the Osmond area was selected for this project is that it is the last remaining community in Northeast Power’s service territory still operating at a different voltage than the rest of the Northeast Power distribution system.

This project will facilitate a conversion to 12,500-volt service, allowing improved interconnection with the electric grid and enhancing reliability for customers in Osmond and the surrounding rural areas.

In addition to the solar facility, the new substation will replace the existing Osmond substation and feature modern automation and remote monitoring capabilities.

These upgrades will allow Northeast Power crews to identify and respond to outages more quickly, improving service reliability throughout the area.

The solar facility is expected to generate approximately 5 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually— enough energy to serve nearly 400 homes, which is more than the number of homes located within the City of Osmond.

While the project is located near Osmond, its benefits will extend throughout Northeast Power’s service territory by supporting local generation, enhancing reliability, and helping manage long-term power supply costs.

The Northeast Power Board has also designated this as a Low-Income (LMI) Solar Project, which is intended to provide affordable energy benefits to income-qualified customers while supporting Northeast Power’s efforts to maintain reliable and cost-effective electric service.

Construction is currently underway, with solar panel installation now in progress. The project is expected to be completed in early 2027.

This project is the first of several similar initiatives Northeast Power is pursuing. Additional solar projects are being planned in Dixon and Dakota Counties as part of our long-term strategy to strengthen reliability, diversify local generation resources, and help manage rising wholesale power costs.

While these projects are not expected to reduce customer bills, they are intended to help stabilize costs over time and provide greater flexibility in meeting our customers’energy needs.

Approximately 10 years ago, Osmond General Hospital no longer had an available medical provider (physician or mid-level provider) capacity to continue to staff at Osmond Family Practice. At the same time, Bloom- field Medical Clinic was interested in expanding their practice and offering a second location and inquired about the Osmond Clinic building, and an agreement was made for them to lease the building for their practice.

During this time, the clinic building remained the property of Osmond General Hospital, and the Bloomfield Clinic leased the building for their

practice. The Bloomfield Medical Clinic in both the Bloomfield and Os mond location continued to maintain their independence.

Healthcare in both hospitals and clinics has evolved over the last 10 years, leading to required changes. These changes are the results of many different areas, and staffing is one of those areas.

A staffing shortage led to the deci - sion of Bloomfield Medical Clinic to no longer provide services in Osmond.

The Bloomfield Medical Clinic contin ues to strive to serve their community and the surrounding communities and will continue to do so in Bloomfield.

Dr. Riley Eckmann, Kevin Lauck, PA-C, Angela Chambers PA-C, and Chris Burell, APRN continue to have admitting privileges at the Osmond hospital and will continue to admit and see patients in the Osmond hospital, and Kevin Lauck will continue providing emergency coverage.

A few common misconceptions about the Osmond Clinic location Osmond General Hospital has owned and continues to own the Osmond Family Practice building.

Bloomfield Medical Clinic is an independent practice, functioning as a contracted service to Osmond General Hospital rather not employed Osmond General Hospital has been and continues to be committed to the Osmond and surrounding communities and have the provider and nursing capacity to staff the Osmond clinic and have made the decision, starting July 1, to have Osmond Family Practice open on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

Sam Kizzire, APRN will be in clinic on Mondays, and Tiffany Rice,APRN, on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

See the ad on Page 6 for more information about Osmond Family Practice.

The menu will feature the old-fashioned red sausage patties, scrambled eggs, pancakes, juice and coffee.

Proceeds from the event will go toward equipment, some of which will be on display that day.

The Legion Post has been conducting regular meetings in the building since April, and has done some renovating and upgrades since acquiring the building late last year.

The open house will include a meal of hot dogs, chips and water. During the open house, residents will be able to see an engraved Henry rifle which was donated to the Legion post, and may buy tickets for a prize drawing to be held at a future date.

Nine gardens will be featured on the Lincoln tour and eight on the Omaha tour, with owners/property managers available at each site to answer questions and provide information about the plants, garden design and landscaping. All of the gardens included on the tours feature native plants and sustainable landscaping.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for our members and friends to showcase their sustainable landscapes and inspire others with ideas for their own spaces,” said PlantNebraska Executive Director Hanna Pinneo. “With gardens in full bloom and pollinators at their peak, July is the perfect time to see how plants support wildlife and create vibrant, healthy landscapes.”

Tickets for the Lincoln and Omaha Garden Walks are $10/car for PlantNebraska members and $15/car for the general public. Ticket purchases help to support PlantNebraska’s tree planting, garden making and environmental outreach work across the state. Upon registering, participants will be emailed a map of the gardens on the tours, the street addresses and a description of each.

To register for the 2026 PlantNebraska Garden Walks, visit plantnebraska.org/garden-walks.

LINCOLN – North Central District Health Department (NCDHD), in coordination with Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), has confirmed the first human case of West Nile virus (WNV) in Nebraska for the 2026 season. The case was identified within the North Central District Health Department jurisdiction.

DHHS and NCDHD are urging Nebraskans to take precautions to protect themselves and their families from mosquito bites as WNV activity increases during the summer months.

WNV is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the United States, and Nebraska has historically experienced higher levels of WNV activity than

many other states. The virus is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito that acquired the virus after feeding on an infected bird. WNV is not spread directly from sick or dead birds to humans and people cannot get the virus from sick or dead birds.

"Since there is no vaccine or specific medicine to treat West Nile virus, it is important for Nebraskans to take preventive steps to reduce their risk of mosquito-borne illness and enjoy their summer safely,” said Dr. Sydney Stein, DHHS State Epidemiologist.

People can reduce their risk by: — using a repellent that contains DEET, picaridin, lemon eucalyptus oil, or IR3535.

— wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, shoes, and socks when outside. — taking extra precautions when going outdoors at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.

— draining standing water around your home. Empty and change the water in bird baths, fountains, wading pools, rain barrels, and potted trays at least once a week, if not more often.

— irrigating lawns and gardens carefully to prevent water from standing for several days.

— making sure window and door screens are “bug tight” and repair or replace torn screens.

Most people infected with West Nile virus experience no symptoms or only mild flu-like illness. However, fewer than 1% of infected individuals develop severe disease. Adults over age 50 and people with weakened immune systems are at greater risk for serious illness and complications.

Additional information can be found on the DHHS website at: https://dhhs. ne.gov/pages/west-nile-virus.aspx.

At Mobile Office Hours, Ricketts' staff will be on-site to assist Nebraskans with their casework needs. If Nebraskans can’t get an answer in a timely manner or feel they have been treated unfairly, Ricketts and his staff may be able to help resolve the issue or help them get in touch with the correct people.

All times below are local. For more information about Ricketts’ constituent services, please visit https://www. ricketts.senate.gov/services.

Thursday, June 25, 2026 — Phelps County, Phelps County Courthouse, 11 a.m.-12 p.m., 715 5th Avenue, Commissioner’s Room, 2nd Floor, Holdrege, NE 68949; Cuming County, Cuming County Courthouse, 1 p.m.-2 p.m., 200 South Lincoln Street, West Point, NE 68788; Harlan County, Harlan County Courthouse, 1 p.m.-2 p.m., 706 2nd Street, Meeting Room, Alma, NE 68920 Wednesday, July 1, 2026 — Pawnee County, Pawnee City Public Library, 1 p.m.-2 p.m., 735 8th Street, Pawnee City, NE 68420

To maintain boating access during low water, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has hired an excavation company to remove sand June 30 to July 2 at the Diver’s Bay and Martin Bay Low-Water boat ramps.

Both ramps will be closed to public access — one at a time — and docks will be removed during sand removal. Docks will be returned once work is completed.

The Diver’s Bay boat ramp will be closed to public access from 6 a.m. Mountain time June 30 to noon July 1. Boaters may access the Martin Bay Low-Water ramp during this time.

Then the Martin Bay ramp will be closed from noon July 1 to end of day July 2. The Diver’s Bay ramp will be available to boaters.

“The agency places a high priority on boating access,” Game and Parks’Motorboat Access Coordinator Zachary Horstman said. “We remind everyone to keep safety top of mind, be patient and observe ramp courtesy.”

To see a map of current ramp closures and conditions across Nebraska, view the Public Access Boating map at OutdoorNebraska.gov/guidesmaps/ maps.

Every third Monday — American Legion Auxiliary Unit 326 meets, Legion hall. No meetings in July, August or December.

Every second Tuesday — American Legion Post 326 and Sons of the American Legion meet, Legion hall.

Every Wednesday — AA meets at Osmond General Hospital. Osmond Food Pantry open at United Methodist Church, 9-11 a.m.

Every Thursday — Osmond Food Pantry open at United Methodist Church, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

Saturday, June 27 — OHS Alumni Reunion. Activities throughout the day.

Sunday, June 28 — Osmond Fire Department Pancake Day, 9 a.m.12:30 p.m., city auditorium.

The application period opens at 1 p.m. Central time July 1. Mail applications must be received by Game and Parks' Lincoln office by 5 p.m.

Central on July 14, while online applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. Central on July 14.

Two anglers may submit a buddy application, but the applicants must both be residents or both be nonresidents. The lowest preference point total between the two applicants will be used in the draw.

An angler must be 12 years old by Oct. 1, 2026, to be eligible to apply for a snagging permit.

Permits will be awarded through a random drawing based on angler preference points.

Drawing results will be available by July 20. Applicants supplying email addresses will be notified when the draw is complete. Others should monitor their status online. Successful applicants will have until Aug. 5 to complete the purchase of awarded permits.

Permits awarded but unpaid will result in the applicant losing preference points and forfeiting the permit. Unpaid permits remaining after the draw will be made available to the next unsuccessful resident applicants until the permit quota is reached.

In lieu of participating in the draw, resident anglers may purchase one preference point during the application period for $17 and nonresidents may purchase one for $27.

Snagging of paddlefish and non - game fish is permitted Oct. 1-31 in the Missouri River from the Gavins Point Dam downstream to the mouth of the Big Sioux River at mile marker 734 for anglers who have an awarded, unfilled paddlefish tag.

For more information, including an application form, read the 2026 Nebraska Fishing Guide at Outdoor-Nebraska.gov/guides-maps. Watch our tutorial, “How to apply for draw permits and purchase preference points” at YouTube.com/@NebraskaGameandParksCommission.

Little Saplings on July 1

Adults looking to explore the outdoors with their young children are invited to Little Saplings, a monthly early childhood nature discovery program at Schramm Education Center near Gretna.

The 2026 series, which occurs on the first Wednesday of the month, continues July 1 at 9 and 10 a.m. The topic will be Snails. The program is designed for children ages 2-5 and their adult caregivers. The cost is $5 per child and $5 per adult.

See the calendar entry at Calendar. OutdoorNebraska.gov for more information.

Gus Borchert is still improving his Thompson property. This time it is a neat picket fence in front.

The new village board met and organized on Monday evening by electing Henry Friday chairman; John Hladik, clerk, and Philip J. Boyle, treasurer.

Eggert Klindt living east of town, is we are sorry to learn, confined to his bed with typhoid fever. In fact the whole family are unable to be around.

100 Years Ago. . .

Mrs. Jerry Sazama had a freak duck that she hatched from eggs bought from Mrs. Harry Thomsen Sr. The duck was four weeks old and had four legs, two in the usual place and the extra two legs next to the tail. This was certainly a curiosity, and if it lived would make a good side show exhibit for a circus or the county fair.

J. P. Book, one of Osmond’s well men, had completed a 150-foot well for Mr. Jeffries and one of 157 feet for Hans Hansen, both living northwest of Osmond. Mr. Book had some very fine wells to his credit in this country.

Wm. Eirinberg was holding 2 big Dollar Days at his store with the following items for $1: 25 bars laundry soap, 2 No. 10 cans of brown syrup, 10 cans of corn, 10 cans of peas, 6 cans of Alaska salmon, 10 cans of pork and beans, 5 cans each of peaches or apricots in heavy syrup, 5 cans of egg plums in heavy syrup, 25 lbs. oatmeal in bulk, men’s dress shirts, men’s blue denim overalls, 10 pair of men’s black or brown “sox,” men’s union suits, 2 pair of ladies’ silk hose, 6 yards of 36-inch percale, No. 10 gallon can cherries.

Postmaster Scott started out two of his sons to be druggists, as Dale had gone to work in the Rodgers Drugstore, while Woodrow worked in the Osmond Pharmacy.

John Hansen, originally of Osmond, won fighting honors in a fight at Aberdeen, S. D. They had a big fight billed there and John took part in the performance. John covered himself with glory and, in a fight scheduled for four rounds, knocked his opponent out in three rounds. The following account of the fight was clipped from the Aberdeen newspaper: “A little comic relief was added to the card in the four round preliminary between Al Taylor of Ludden, S.D., and Battling Hansen of Aberdeen. The North Dakota man was knocked to the canvass innumerable times before Hansen could obtain a knockout decision in the third round.”

A. R. Moats, proprietor of the Osmond Tire Shop, reorganized his business and put in a new $5,000 stock of auto supplies and accessories, which he purchased from the Standard Tire and Supply Co. in Norfolk. The business would now be known as the A. R. Moats Co.

75 Years Ago. . .

[An article I thought was real at first] - "Symptoms Would Indicate Attack of Fishing Pox” Warning, fishing pox, contagious to adults and children. Symptoms: Continual complaint as to need of fresh air, sunshine and relaxation. Patient has blank expression sometimes deaf to wife and kids. Has no taste for work of any kind. Checks tackle box frequently and hangs around busses more than usual. Secret night phone calls to fishing friends. Mumbles to self. One known cure: Go Fishing. Cure as further explained by John Loeding, Osmond bus operator: Medication useless. Disease not fatal.

Victim should go fishing by bus as often as possible. For charter bus fishing trips, see Loeding Bus Line.

Barbara Swanda, a graduate of the Class of 1951, received a scholarship valued at $100 to the University of Nebraska, a gift from the Sears-Roebuck Co. The scholarship was given to those who intended to major in home economics and was based on character references of the student, if she was in the upper fourth of the class, and if she would complete the four-year course. Barbara had also been accepted as a resident of Love memorial Hall at Lincoln. Only 32 girls were accepted for residence in that hall.

Every Monday morning was the day scheduled for Osmond’s pavement to be cleaned via the brush and arm method. That was the agreement made at the Community Club meeting. All business men were asked to sweep dirt in front of their business places to the center of the street every Monday morning. Town marshall would later pick up the dirt from the center of the street. During the discussion, it was voiced that this method would be better than washing the streets with fire hose since this method usually sprayed the dirt and gravel on the business places.

65 Years Ago. . .

George M. Luebbers, Osmond farmer with interests in irrigation equipment, steel buildings, chemical application and grain drying, was elected commander of American Legion Post 326. The Legion voted to purchase uniforms for the Osmond Midgets, a junior baseball team sponsored by the service organization. Among other matters of routine business, the group also voted to authorize construction of and payment for several picnic tables for the new Osmond park.

Officers of the newly-organized Senior Presbyterian Youth Fellowship were selected as follows: president, Margaret Beckwith; vice president, Gene Tacey; secretary, Carol Rohrberg; treasurer, Lillian Timmer; news reporter, LaVonne Koppelmann; historian, Linda Dempster. Lillian Timmer and Gary Enevoldsen were given special awards for perfect attendance over a period of six months. A group sang at the Leggat Memorial Nursing Home for the senior citizens. Mrs. H. J. Timmer accompanied at the organ.

The life of Donald Sukup, one of Nebraska’s better-known 4-H youths, was snuffed out in a farm accident at the farm of his parents northeast of Osmond. When the 17-year-old did not come home at the appointed hour, a younger brother, Charles, went to a field and found his brother, who had been working alone, dead in a hay baler.

Many pupils had not yet applied for free high school tuition for the school year 1961-62, according to a statement by County Superintendent Clara Parks. Pupils who were not 16 years of age by the date that school would begin were required to attend and had to apply for free high school tuition. All others who wanted to attend high school that year must also apply.

50 Years Ago. . .

In a unanimous decision, the board of education of District 42R voted to construct a 60x100-ft. steel building at its June meeting. The structure would house a new shop, music room, art room and rest rooms for use from the classrooms and also for outside activities. The board accepted a bid of about $33,500 which was submitted by Lind-Gubbels Construction and Petersen & Son, Inc.

Volunteer workers had undertaken the remodeling of the kitchen of St. Mary’s Church basement. Some 26 feet of birth cupboards with stainless steel sink and featuring a beverage center, had been constructed. A large work counter was being constructed around a pillar in the center of the room. Improvements were also planned for the area near the large commercial-type deep-bowl stainless steel sink along the east wall.

Osmond Library story hour participants, ages 3-12, enjoyed a picnic culminating a four-week program. The average attendance during the sessions held each Tuesday was 33. Helpers during the sessions were Mrs. Dale Lorenz, Mrs. John Boyle, Susan Boyle and librarian Winifred Record.

Gaylen Taylor began duties as Osmond Police Chief on June 25, 1976. The young law enforcement office was last serving as assistant police chief at Atkinson. He had 10½ years of experience in the law enforcement field.

25 Years Ago. . .

At the June city council meeting, Mayor Hank Schmit related that the pitching machine at the ball park — which dated to the early 1980s — no longer worked. The building was also no longer serviceable, having been the target of break-ins. Legion baseball coach Bert Wattier obtained one estimate of $1,787 for a new pitching machine. He also volunteered to lay blocks for a new housing facility. Council authorized purchase of the batting machine and constructing a housing facility, however, suggested that firms be contacted on costs of poured concrete walls.

At the Nebraska Association of School Administrators spring banquet, Dan Garner of Osmond was presented a Nebraska School Distinguished Service Award for 30 years as a board member of Educational Service Unit 8. Twenty-four of those 30 years, he was president of the board.

10 Years Ago. . .

A late night wind storm caused a lot of damage in the Osmond area. With winds reported at up to 60-70 miles per hour, many limbs were pulled from the trees and other damage was done. Area residents woke the next day to find the streets littered with branches. At the Jarod Thompson home, a large tree fell in front of the house - they said the whole floor shook when it came down. Just north of Thompson’s, at the Shane Beacom home, a trampoline was twisted and tangles in electrical wires.

8-AND-UNDER Osmond vs. Creighton Red

The Osmond 8-and-under boys' baseball team hosted Creighton Red on Wednesday, May 13, and won 15-12.

Kyzr Rice, Brigham Stelling, Holden Freidrich and Asher Dickey each had a double; Kody Mendlik had a triple, and Kyzr hit a home run.

Osmond vs. Bloomfield

On Tuesday, May 18, the boys traveled to Bloomfield and lost 6-9.

There were two doubles.

Osmond vs. Elgin

The Osmond boys traveled to Elgin on Wednesday, May 20, and came away with the win, 18-4. The game ended in four out of five innings played, due to the five-run rule.

Brigham had two doubles; Liam Gutz, Holden, Lucas Mauro, Will Eckstrom and Vern Buol each had a double, and Holden had a triple.

Osmond vs. Neligh

Osmond traveled to Neligh on Wednesday, May 27, and had another win, 16-7, playing three of four in- nings, again due to the five-run rule.

Getting doubles were Kyzr, Liam and Holden.

Osmond vs. Winside

On Monday, June 1, Osmond hosted Winside and won the game, 14-6. Again, the game ended after two of three innings because of the five-run rule.

Getting doubles were Kyzr, Brigham and Asher. Those getting triples were Liam, Holden, Lucas and Will. Iverson Stech hit a home run.

Osmond vs. Randolph

The Osmond boys hosted Randolph on Wednesday, June 3, and had another win, 19-15.

Liam, Holden, Brigham, Asher and Vern each had doubles; Liam, Holden and Brigham each had triples, and Kody, Kyzr and Holden all hit home runs.

Osmond vs. Creighton

On Monday, June 8, the Osmond boys traveled to Creighton and lost 8-11. Lucas got a double and Will hit a home run.

Osmond vs. Elgin B

Osmond hosted Elgin B on Wednesday, June 10, and lost 4-19, with Kody hitting a triple.

Osmond vs. Tilden

Osmond hosted a double header with Tilden on Monday, June 15. In the A game, the boys lost 15-16. Getting doubles were Kyzr, Holden, Will, Brigham and Lucas. Getting triples were Liam and Holden.

In the B game, Kyzr and Liam got doubles, Liam had a triple, and Holden hit a home run.

Friday-Saturday, June 26-27 — Girls' softball, 8-and-under league tournament at Randolph.

Tuesday, June 30 — Girls' softball, Osmond at Laurel: 8-and-under, 5 p.m.; 6-and-under, 6 p.m. 10-andunder, 7 p.m.

Thursday, July 2 — Girls' softball, Randolph at Osmond: 14-and-under double-header, 6 and 7:30 p.m.

“Local voices matter, and agricultural producers play an important role in shaping how federal farm programs serve their communities,” said FSA Administrator Bill Beam. “With nominations now open for FSA county committees, producers have an opportunity to put Farmers First by ensuring local farmers and ranchers have a voice in program delivery.”

Elections for committee members will occur in certain Local Administrative Areas (LAA). LAAs are FSA committee elective areas in a single county or multi-county jurisdiction and may include LAAs that are focused on an urban or suburban area.

Producers interested in serving on the FSA county committee can locate their LAA at fsa.usda.gov/coc and determine if their LAA is up for election by contacting their local FSA office.

Agricultural producers may be nominated for candidacy for the county committee if they: Participate or cooperate in a USDA program. Reside in the LAA that is up for election this year. A cooperating producer is someone who has provided information about their farming or ranching operation to FSA, even if they have not applied or received program benefits.

Individuals may nominate themselves or others and qualifying organizations may also nominate candidates. USDA encourages all eligible producers to nominate, vote and hold office.

Nationwide, more than 7,700 dedicated members of the agriculture community serve on FSA county committees. The committees are made up of three to 11 members who serve three-year terms. Committee members play a key role in how FSA delivers disaster recovery, conservation, commodity and price support programs, as well as making decisions on county office employment and other agricultural issues.

More Information

Producers should contact their local FSA office today to learn more about their county’s election. To be considered, a producer must sign an FSA669A nomination form. This form and other information about FSA county committee elections are available at fsa.usda.gov/coc.

All nomination forms for the 2026 election must be postmarked or received in the local USDA Service Center by the Aug. 3, 2026, deadline. Election ballots will be mailed to eligible voters in November 2026.

World War I

Edward German was born June 17, 1895, in Princeville, IL, to Max and Mary German. He was the oldest of seven children, having four sisters and two brothers.

Between 1910 and 1912, the family moved to Osmond where Edward's youngest sister Isabel was born, but at some point, Edward himself moved to Humphrey because it was there, in 1917, that he registered for the draft.

At that time, he was 21 years old and was working as a farm laborer. According to his registration card, he was of medium height and medium build, with dark brown hair and dark brown eyes.

I have conflicting information about which unit Ed served in, but maybe he started in one and then switched to the other – I don't know enough about military units to know.

One record states he served in Co. K, 355th Infantry Regiment, 89th Division.

I have printed information about that unit before, for another Osmond veteran, but here is some information relating to that unit: The soldiers moved to the front near Beaumont on Aug. 4, 1918. The 1st Battalion of the regiment was the first

unit from the division to occupy any of the active front and on the night of Aug. 7-8 was subjected to a severe gas shell bombardment. The unit continued on the front lines conducting raids, patrolling the enemy wire, capturing prisoners, and gathering information for the upcoming St. Mihiel offensive.

On the morning of Sept. 12, after a fierce artillery barrage, the regiment captured the villages of Euvezin, Bouillonville, Beney, and Xammes and a large number of prisoners. The unit was relieved on Oct. 8 by elements of the 37th Division and given a much needed rest and were moved to the Argonne sector in preparation for another push.

On Nov. 1, a new offensive was begun, then the unit took up positions on the front lines to continue the advance taking Barricourt, Beaufort, Laneuville, Luzy, and Cesse before the armistice was signed on Nov. 11. On Nov. 24, the regiment assumed occupation duties in the German town of Saarburg. In April 1919, the unit was ordered back to the United States and embarked on the SS Leviathan, which entered New York Harbor on May 22.

According to his military papers, Ed was actually discharged April 11, 1919, probably because he was wounded in the battles of St. Mihiel Salient and Argonne-Meuse. He was awarded the Purple Heart with cluster.

After he was discharged, Ed moved to Osmond and married Ione Grunke on June 18, 1922. He worked as a clerk in Eirenberg's Grocery Store from 1921 to 1930 where, according to an entry from "Who's Who in Nebraska, 1940," he then became manager of Eirenberg's in Pierce. His obituary stated that he owned and operated German's Grocery at Pierce from 1939 to 1970.

Edward was a member of the Osmond Volunteer Fire Department for 10 years, and was also a charter member of Osmond American Legion Post 326 and its first commander.

After he moved to Pierce, he joined Tomek-Otto Post 72, and in 1928, he helped secure the first Veterans Administration hospital in Nebraska. In June 1985, he was recognized for 38 years of membership and service to the Pierce County Veterans Service Committee.

Not only was Edward a patriot with many years of service to his country and his community, but according to the centennial book, his son, Robert, was a Veteran of World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam era, and one of Ed's grandsons served in the Vietnam era.

Ed German died Sept. 19, 1985, at the age of 90. He is buried in St. Joseph's

Cemetery at Pierce.

This picture was found on Edward's Find A Grave page.

State of Nebraska vs. Cole R. Aschoff, Count I. Driving under the influence of alcohol-first offense, judgment 18 months probation, license revoked 60 days, Ignition Interlock order, fine $500, costs $202 COUNTY COURT

Luis Carrillo, Count I. Violate

hunting/fishing regulation, fine $100, costs $49

Thomas L. Flesner, Count I. DUI- alcohol-third offense, judgment 90 days jail, credit for 5 days served, 60 months probation, license revoked 10 years, Ignition Interlock ordered, fine $1,000, costs $49

Garrett E. Tramp, CMV-Brake general, $99

The following are for speeding: Eglis Diaz Garcia, $124; Brynne L. Stohr, $124; Mellanie R. Wragge, $124; Reuben J. Allen, $124; Myron A. Kuehler, $124; Yandy Garrido Boy, $174; Margo E. Condon, $349 MARRIAGE LICENSE

Alex James Vinson, Osmond, and Erica Anne Heiman, Osmond.

REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS Robbie Christiansen and wife to Trent Christiansen and wife, S½SE¼, 9-28-4.

Seth B. Harder and wife to Elizabeth M. Harder - Trustee of the Elizabeth M. Harder Trust, Pt. SW¼SW¼, 31-28-3.

Larry Wright to Hazel Wright, Justin Wright, Troy Wright, Pt. Lots 5, 6, Tax Lots to Linwood Addition of Plainview.

Hazel Wright, Justin Wright, Troy Wright to Terry Wright Pt. Lots 5, 6, Tax Lots to Linwood Addition of Plainview.

John Ross Wortman to Alicia L. Wortman, Lot 2, and Pt. Lot 3, Block 2, Chilvers Addition of Plainview.

Recently, many of you received your new property valuation notices. Once again, many of you saw increases in your property value, even if you made no improvements to your property. This is not surprising given the high-demand for housing, farm, and ranch land.

It is rare that a home or land is sold for less than the tax assessed value. When the market value of real estate rises, county assessors are required by law to adjust tax valuations to reflect those current market prices.

In determining your property tax bill, each political subdivision, such as counties, cities, and schools, must first set its budget. Once the budget is set, the tax base is divided into the budget to determine the levy. The levy multiplied by the tax assessed value of the property is the tax amount.

Your total individual property tax bill is the sum of each applicable political subdivision's tax request when applied to your property. Assessed value is one component of property tax. Political subdivisions determine their respective levies and choose to increase, hold flat, or decrease their spending relative to the previous year.

As I have described in prior newsletters, the Legislature has increased funding for K-12 public education, fully funded community colleges, and dedicated significant state dollars to property tax credit programs all in the effort to offer property tax relief. The Legislature also capped the annual growth of city and county property tax collections at 0% or the rate of inflation, whichever is higher, while providing specific exceptions for public safety and law enforcement.

To address this unsustainable rise in property taxes issue, we need to understand how the funding of the government in Nebraska has changed.

Back in 1999, the property tax made up 40.4%, the sales tax made up 30.4% and the income tax made up 29.2% of the shared revenue collections.

By 2023 the property tax made up 44.5%, the sales tax made up 28.6% and the income tax made up 26.9% of the shared revenue collections. This shows an incremental shift towards property taxes in the last two decades.

The long-term solution to the property tax problem begins with making strategic decisions with both revenues and spending. For example, one avenue is to capture more forms of consumption. Nebraska law features more than 100 specific sales tax exemptions, which leaves roughly $6.5 billion in transactions untaxed annually.

In my mind, necessities like food and business inputs should remain exempt. Everything else should be on the table. Greater controls on spending, such as spending caps, must also be considered.

Ultimately, the answer to controlling property tax's growth will require creativity, compromise, and political willpower to accomplish. I will continue to work with my colleagues to find ways to reduce property taxes.

I invite you to let me know your thoughts or concerns. My Capitol office telephone number is (402) 471- 2801 while my email is bdekay@leg. ne.gov. My mailing address is: Senator Barry DeKay, District #40, P.O. Box 94604, State Capitol, Lincoln, NE 68509.

Library Additions

Children's books: "Chicka Chicka ABC," Bill Martin; "Little Purple Trac - tor," "Little Yellow Bus," Erin Guendelsberger; "Hot Jazz Special," Jonny Hannah; "The Invisible Leash," Patrice Karst; "Explore and Learn Me and My Body," edited by Belinda Gallager; "Animals That Build Their Homes," Robert McClung; "Chief Standing Bear," Dr. Becci "Rising Moon" Sullivan; "See How the Turkey Grows," John Griffin; "Dolphins First Day," Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld; "The Ocean is Kind of a Big Deal," Nick Seluk; "The Life Cycle of an Emperor Penguin," Bobbie Kalman; "101 Questions About Ancient Indians of the Southwest," David Grant Noble; "Meatloaf Moster From the School Cafeteria," Mike Thaler; "Five Christmas Penguins," Steven Lenton; "Press Here," Herve Tullet; "Nanny Paws," Wendy Wahman; "There Was an Old Astronaut Who Swallowed the Moon," Lucille Colandro; "Ruff Day," Steven Scott; "Move That Mountain," Kale Temple; Hats are Not for Cats," Jacqueline K. Rayner; "Fly Guy Presents: Dinosaurs," Tedd Arnold; "Dinosaur Encyclopedia for Kids: The Big Book of Prehistoric Creatures," George Blasing

Junior readers: "Winter Turning: The Graphic Novel," Barry Deutsch Adult fiction: "Judge Stone: A Novel," Viola Davis; "Missing Persons," James Patterson; "The Keeper of Stars," Buck Turner; "The Book Club For Troublesome Women: A Novel," Marie Bostwick; "Picking Daisies on Sun - days," Liana Cincotti; "When You Disappeared," John Marrs; "The Divorce," Freida McFadden; "Our Perfect Storm," Carley Fortune; "The Mother-Daughter Book Club," Susan Patterson; "The Midnight Train," Matt Haig Adult nonfiction: "The Mockingbird Next Door: Life with Harper Lee," Marja Mills; "Maintain: The 3 Simple Shifts That Turn Temporary Weight Loss Into Lasting Freedom," Susan Peirce Thompson; "Origin Story: A Big History of Everything," David Christian

Last week, we discussed managing irrigation for annual forages planted under a center pivot. But what about producers considering annual forages on dryland acres?

Summer annuals can provide additional grazing, hay, or silage, but planting during a drought requires realistic expectations. These crops may tolerate dry conditions better than some alternatives, but none are drought-proof. They still need enough moisture to germinate, establish a root system, and produce usable forage.

The first question is not which species to plant. It is whether there is enough soil moisture—and a reasonable chance of additional rainfall—to establish the crop.

Dig below the surface with a shovel or soil probe. A light shower may wet the top inch without providing enough moisture to support seedlings once they emerge. Planting into dry soil and hoping for rain can work, but it increases the risk of uneven emergence, stand failure, or seed remaining in the ground until conditions improve.

Producers should then decide when the forage is needed and how it will be used. For summer grazing or hay, options include sudangrass, sorghumsudangrass, forage sorghum, German foxtail millet, pearl millet, and teff. The best choice depends not only on yield potential, but also on how many periods of adequate moisture the crop will need.

Sudangrass and sorghum-sudangrass can provide high yields and regrow after grazing or harvest. However, that means they need moisture for establishment and initial growth, followed by additional rainfall to support regrowth. Without rain after the first use, the expected second cutting or additional grazing may never develop.

German foxtail millet still needs adequate moisture while actively growing, but it is normally managed as a single-cut crop. It needs moisture for establishment and at key points during that one growth period, but producers are not depending on another round of rainfall to produce regrowth after harvest. In a dry year, one well-timed crop may be a more realistic goal than planning for multiple cuttings.

Pearl millet offers grazing and regrowth potential without the prussic acid risk associated with sorghums, although it can still accumulate ni- trates. Teff can produce fine-stemmed, palatable hay, but its tiny seed requires very shallow placement and a firm seedbed, making establishment more difficult when the soil surface is dry.

As planting moves later into summer, yield potential and the remaining growing season decline. A warmseason annual planted in July may still produce forage before frost, but producers should reduce expectations for both tonnage and regrowth. Later plantings often fit stockpiled grazing better than hay production because shorter days, cooler temperatures, and heavier fall dew can make drying more difficult.

If the primary need is high-quality fall grazing, oats planted from early to mid-August may be a better fit, provided enough moisture is available for establishment and fall growth. Late-July planting can increase potential tonnage, but hot conditions may cause oats to mature more quickly and lose quality.

Whatever species is selected, compare the likely feed return with the cost of seed, fertilizer, herbicide, planting, harvest, fencing, and livestock water. A crop with high yield potential is not necessarily the best choice if it requires a large upfront investment and several timely rains to reach that potential.

Drought also increases livestock safety concerns. Sorghums and sudangrasses can accumulate nitrates, while young growth, drought-stressed regrowth, and frost-damaged plants may create prussic acid concerns. Millets do not present a prussic acid risk, but they can still accumulate nitrates. Test questionable forage before grazing or feeding it.

Dryland annual forages can create additional feed and reduce pressure on perennial pastures, but they remain a risk-management tool—not guaranteed drought feed. Start with available soil moisture, match the crop to the intended use, and consider how many timely rains will be needed to reach the planned harvest.

In a dry year, successfully producing one dependable cutting may be a better strategy than choosing a crop based on the possibility of multiple harvests that rainfall may not support.

A different birding topic is introduced each session to begin the program, followed by a trip outdoors to the birding area, which may include a hike.

The themes this month are: July 7, Beginner Birding; July 14, Bird Mist-Netting; July 21, Summer Nesting; and July 28, Feathers, Forms and Functions.

Register at the calendar event entries at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska. gov.

Birding can be done just about anywhere, anytime, and with anyone. A pair of binoculars and an identification guide is all you need to get started.

This event, open to women ages 16 and up, will allow participants to learn birding skills, meet birder friends and spend relaxing time outdoors. Stay at the end for a sweet treat.

Registration is required and can be completed at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska. gov. The cost is $10.

Edward Manley, a Chicago educator, was the son of Samuel Manley, one of the five men that composed the faculty of the University of Nebraska when classes first began in the fall of 1871. The father’s health failed and he soon resigned. The Manley family lived in Lincoln only a few years when Edward was less than 12 years of age. He later recalled these years in a paper read Jan. 25, 1932, before the Chicago Literary Club.

Lincoln baseball is now centered around the Lincoln Saltdogs, a franchise of the Northern League. Haymarket Park, the newly constructed baseball stadium and softball complex, seats more than 4,500 people.

Manley recalled in 1932 that Lincolnites of his day played baseball on “a fairly well kept field. They called the ball a red dead. It was covered with a very dark red leather – probably horsehide – and was as hard as those in use now. It was not so lively as the solid rubber ball that was popular in those days with younger players.

Play with a red dead was considered a man’s business in those days. It was quite as good as any now sold over the counter.

“Uniforms consisted of balbriggan or lisle shirts with modest sleeves, blue silk knee pants often with a white stripe down each side, and white stockings. The shoes were white canvas re-enforced with leather. Belts were generally white. In case there was another color, one belt had the word captain in white letters woven into it on the back.

“There was no protective or defensive armor. The pitching was underhand and over a distance of 45 feet. .

. . The younger boys had two teams that played regularly. The patron saint of one team was George Quick, son of the most prosperous saloon keeper in town. [The elder Quick’s saloon stood at the southeast corner of Tenth and P streets.] George’s father was a jiner and was prominent in several fraternal organizations. He had in his armory the prescribed regalia for all of them. When George’s team played, he brought parts of this equipment and let the other boys wear them. One team owned a loaded bat.” Manley recalled that nobody ever batted with it but that it was brought to every game, where small boys enjoyed swinging it.

It begins with the Chrome N Smoke Truck Show, taking place Friday through Sunday, June 26-28. It includes the free truck show, vendors, kids’ activities and live music, plus a parade on Sunday at 1 p.m.

The Osmond High School 36th biennial alumni reunion will take place on Saturday, June 27, with most activities taking place at Osmond city auditorium. The theme for this year’s reunion is “Once a Tiger, Always a Tiger.”

There will also be tours of Osmond Community School from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday afternoon, before the banquet starts.

Honor classes will be recognized during the program, including the 25-year classes (2000 and 2001), 50-year classes (1975 and 1976), 60-year classes (1965 and 1966), 70 year classes (1955 and 1956) and classes graduating earlier than 1955.

Guest speaker for the evening will be Commander Katie A. Erwin. Commander Erwin is a native of Osmond, the daughter of Rod and Rhonda Erwin, and a 2004 graduate of Osmond High School.

Stick around after the alumni banquet for the Ganseboom Fireworks Show Saturday evening, and enjoy one of the highlights of the weekend. The fire works crew puts in countless hours of planning, preparation, and hard work to make this show possible.

Watch next week’s Osmond Republican for more details about these events.