Kirt Manion

Kirt Manion

  • Joined: September 27, 2023
  • Articles: 2493

Community Action Month proclaimed in Otoe County

May has been proclaimed as Community Action Month in Otoe County.The Otoe County Board of Commissioners issued the proclamation at request of Southeast Nebraska Community Action (SENCA) during the board’s March 26 regular meeting.SENCA Development Director Susan Keholm and Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Coordinator Debbie Green presented SENCA’s annual report to the commissioners during the meeting.Keholm said SENCA has been active in southeast Nebraska for 58 years, serving families in Otoe, Cass, Nemaha, Johnson, Pawnee, Richardson, and Sarpy counties with a variety of serving ranging from downpayment assistance to first-time homebuyers to low-cost public transportation to housing assistance to radon testing and mitigation.Green said she soon will have the lowest number of Otoe County children (11) in the CASA program since she has been involved with it for the past seven years.

PSC Foundation establishes Ann Boice Scholarship

Ann (Rogers) Boice, a 1971 Peru State College graduate, had a love of the arts, particularly literature.As a teacher, a librarian, and as the voice of more than 30 books for Radio Talking Books of Nebraska, she was always anxious to share that love with others.After her passing in March 2023, her family established an endowment to fund the Ann Boice Scholarship with the PSC Foundation.

NCHS Leadership Class conducts World Down Syndrome Day observance, events

Last month, Nebraska City students participated in an observance for World Down Syndrome Day.NCHS Instructor Corey Kenter said the event was an extension of what last year’s leadership class started and noted that this year’s observance featured a pep rally and other events.The leadership class also invited other students to assist with the event.Tiffany Gochenhour, Life Skills Teacher at NCHS, said the day of events was planned with the intent to honor friends with Down Syndrome and was evidence of a student body that embraces inclusion by demonstrating support for the Friday Friends Program, Unified Sports and daily through the halls, classrooms and events as well as in the community.At the event, Gochenhour talked to the students about Down Syndrome to further an understanding among the students.

NC Council approves Creative District banners, events

A bluegrass festival, a cabaret and jazz night, and adult pumpkin carving are among the upcoming Nebraska City Creative District events in downtown Nebraska City.The Nebraska City City Council approved a request for a temporary closure of 8th Street from Central Avenue to 1st Corso on Saturday, June 22, to accommodate the Bluegrass Festival, which will take place at the Nebraska City Veterans Memorial Building from 3 to 10 p.m.Council members also approved a special designated license for The Keeping Room and Gathering Place on Saturday, Aug.

NC Rotary Club learns about SENDD programs

The Southeast Nebraska Development District (SENDD) serves 16 counties and 164 communities in southeast Nebraska.Tom Bliss, SENDD executive director, spoke to the Nebraska City Rotary Club March 27 about the organization and the services SENDD provides.Bliss said he sees himself and his 11-person staff as “problem solvers and connectors” as they work to improve the state’s economy at the community level.Since 2017, Bliss said SENDD has brought about $120 million in grant funds to southeast Nebraska.