Kirt Manion

Kirt Manion

  • Joined: September 27, 2023
  • Articles: 2479

Natural Gas Utility Workers Day in NC

During the March 17 Nebraska City City Council meeting, Mayor Bryan Bequette proclaimed Tuesday, March 18, as Natural Gas Utility Workers Day in the city. Nebraska City Utilities (NCU) natural gas utility workers serve the people of Dunbar, Syracuse, and Unadilla, in addition to the residents of Nebraska City. Natural Gas Utility Workers Day is observed on March 18 each year. The date was chosen because it is the date of the New London, Texas, school explosion in 1937 that led to the widespread odorization of natural gas and an increased emphasis on safety. Joining Mayor Bequette for the reading of the proclamation were, from left, NCU General Manager Jeff Kohrs, Nebraska City Public Works Commissioner Ron Osovski, NCU Gas Inspector John Hodges, NCU Pipeline Welder Brian Spurlock, and NCU Gas and Water Superintendent Bryan Turner.

State Wrestling Champion Commended

Makayla Vasser shakes hands with Nebraska City Mayor Bryan Bequette after the mayor read a proclamation commending her as the 2025 Class A 190 Pound Girls State Wrestling Champion. Vasser compiled a 42-0 record during the 2024-2025 season, with 34 wins by pin, and she is the first Class A Girls State Wrestling champion in the history of Nebraska City High School. Pictured with Vasser are Nebraska City High School Activities Director Matt Thompson and Nebraska City High School Head Girls Wresting Coach Ron Schaulis. Also pictured is Nebraska City Chief of Police Ben Murry, who was among those in the audience who rose to give Vasser a standing ovation at the conclusion of the proclamation reading.

Pneumonia Vaccine Saves Lives

Over one hundred years ago, the gold mining industry of South Africa had a problem: too many workers were dying from pneumonia. They turned to Dr. Almorth Wright, a British physician who had successfully created a vaccine against typhoid fever that saved countless lives of British soldiers in World War I and other wars. Wright and his colleagues developed an inoculation of killed pneumococci bacteria which resulted in a substantial reduction of cases of pneumonia and death in the miners.