May 2022

2022 4-H Companion Animal Challenge

The 4-H Companion Animal Challenge was recently held virtually for 2022. The Companion Animal Challenge offers a variety of 4-H companion animal contests that don’t require live animals, including a Demonstration Contest, Essay Contest, Art Contest, Photography Contest, Cat Trivia, and Dog Trivia. Youth had the opportunity to display their companion animal knowledge through these contests both as individuals and as part of a team, said Erin Steinhoff, Otoe County 4-H Extension Assistant.

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May is Arthritis Awareness Month

Arthritis is one of the most widespread health conditions in the United States. It affects about one in four adults, or over 58 million men and women. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis. The Center for Disease Control (CDC), the Arthritis Foundation, and other partners observe the month of May as Arthritis Awareness. Approximately 345,000 Nebraskans are living with arthritis, and 2,000 are children.

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Soybean yields excellent, but fungicide resistance concerning

While soybean prices and yields have generally been excellent last year, we still have many challenges to be aware of in the region. Probably one of the biggest concerns is the resistance of Frogeye Leaf Spot to QoI (strobilurin, FRAC group 11) fungicides. In 2020 Extension Educators across Nebraska sampled fields for frogeye leaf spot to determine how widespread resistance is to QoI or group 11 fungicides.

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Ricketts proclaims May as Beef Month in Nebraska

Governor Pete Ricketts has proclaimed May as “Beef Month” in Nebraska during a May 2 ceremony at the State Capitol. He was joined by Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) Director Steve Wellman, Nebraska Beef Council Chairman George Cooksley, and Nebraska Cattlemen President Brenda Masek. At the news conference, Gov. Ricketts encouraged Nebraskans to take part in the 2022 Good Life Great Steaks Beef Passport program organized by the Nebraska Beef Council.

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Group making their voices heard

On the Tuesday evening, less than 24 hours removed from the news that the United States Supreme Court is poised to end the federal right to abortion services by overturning the landmark case Roe vs Wade, a group of Nebraska City citizens made their voices heard in a small protest at the Otoe County Courthouse. Protesters voiced support for bodily autonomy and the availability of safe and legal abortions. The protesters also noted that the opinion used to overturn Roe vs. Wade could lead to the overturning of other rights such as availability of contraception and the right to same-sex marriage. Protesters said that this issue was important enough that they felt they needed to show support publicly despite living in a small town which is traditionally conservative.

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Arbor Day festival starts with tree plantings

Nebraska City celebrated the 150th anniversary of Arbor Day from April 29 to May 1. This year's celebration also marked the 50th anniversary of the Nemaha Natural Resources District, which planted a Norway spruce on the front lawn of Arbor Lodge at noon Friday, April 29, to replace a Norway spruce that the Morton family had planted in the 1870s. That tree fell down in December 2021 after a derecho blew through the state.

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Open Door Dinner

The First Christian Church Open Door Dinner will be served on May 10 between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. at 114 N. 8th Street. This month’s menu is chicken patty sandwiches, baked beans, potato salad and cookies. The meal is free and open to all.

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NC council approves growth fund loan, personnel manual

The Nebraska City City Council met on Monday, May 2, and took the following actions: Approved the final loan documents for a $200,000 Nebraska City Growth Fund loan to Nebraska Vegetable and Protein LLC and authorized the mayor to execute; Approved the revised Nebraska City Personnel Manual; Passed a resolution approving the installation of a stop sign at 16th Street and 5th Corso; Approved a down payment assistance grant for the Purchase/Rehab/Resell house located at 1117 3rd Ave.; and Discussed proposals for utilizing American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds within the city. Nebraska City Mayor Bryan Bequette opened the meeting by proclaiming the week of May 15 to 21 as both National EMS Week and National Police Week in Nebraska City.

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