January 2022

Nebraska Public Service Commissioners recently elected leadership positions for 2022. District 1 Commissioner Dan Watermeier will remain chair for a second year.

Drivers who aren't fond of taking their vehicles in for routine oil changes may want to consider electric vehicles the next time they're in the market for a new car or truck. According to Kia, electric vehicles, or EVs, do not require oil. Oil is necessary to lubricate the various moving parts in combustion engines. While synthetic oil and other advancements have increased the recommended oil change intervals from the once-standard 3,000 mile recommendation, manufacturers still advise drivers to get oil changes around every 5,000 miles or every six months, whichever comes first. No such maintenance is required with EVs because they consume batteries while running on electric motors. EV drivers will have to monitor certain fluids, though. Coolant is necessary to prevent batteries from overheating, and that can be periodically checked at drivers' discretion and during routine maintenance performed at an auto body shop. Drivers also can monitor and refill windshield washer fluid as necessary. Brake fluid in EV cars also needs to be replaced periodically, and Kia notes that its EVs need fresh brake fluid after running about 25,000 miles

Dear Amy: I’m conflicted. I am a single mom and relationship-wise have had very bad luck.

Arrests Jan. 9: Renso Vasquez-Cabanas, Port Isabel, Texas, suspicion of driving under the influence.

Prior to the monthly Nebraska City Public Schools board of education meeting, each building principal and the middle and high school activities directors submit reports to the board. This year, the principals are using the following format: Guiding Principle 1: High Quality Instruction and Learning Expectations (GP 1) Guiding Principle 2: Culture, Connectedness, and Personnel Effectiveness; Expectations, Development, and Excellence (GP 2) Guiding Principle 3: Whole Child Focused Learning; Guiding Principle 3: Whole Child Focused Learning; Curriculum, Instruction, Programs, Experience, and Approaches (GP 3) Guiding Principle 4: Communication and Stakeholder Engagement; Communication, Engagement, and Transparency (GP 4) Guiding Principle 5: District Resources: Budget, Fa Guiding Principle 5: District Resources: Budget, Facilities, and Staffing (GP 5) Following are the January reports: Northside Elementary, Principal Brent Gaswick GP 1: Nothing reported this month.

A Palmyra man is in custody after an eight-hour standoff with law enforcement on Jan. 12.

The first 2022 meeting of the Nebraska City Public Schools board of education included a slight change in board leadership and a discussion of a number of school policies. Jim Nemec and Kent Blum traded jobs for 2022, with Nemec being elected board president and Blum being chosen as board vice president.

The Morton-James Public Library, 923 1st Corso, invites you to join in casual community conversation in the Library’s Kimmel Gallery on Thursday, Jan. 20.