Wednesday, September 8, 2010 2:53 PM
Box Butte County Trims $370K From Budget
By DENICE ABY
Times-herald Writer
ALLIANCE — After a workshop line item review of the county budget Tuesday, the Box Butte County Commissioners trimmed about $370,000 from the approved budget, thereby reducing the County tax levy from .416672 to .406672.
The County Treasurer’s Office salaries were adjusted downward, and a request for an additional employee was denied.
No public comment was offered at the budget’s public hearing.
Suspect Bound Over On DUI Charge
By MARK DYKES
Asst. Managing Editor
ALLIANCE — Darian W. Sever, 69, Alliance, has been bound over to Box Butte District Court, to appear on Sept. 15 on a charge of fourth-offense driving under the influence, a Class IIIA felony.
According to court documents, the charge stems from an April 1 incident, with alleged prior offenses listed as: two counts in Box Butte County Court on April 6, 2006, and a third in Box Butte County Court on Feb. 5, 2008.
Brown Bag Friday
‘Life Is What You Make It’
ALLIANCE — The season’s first Friends of the Library Brown Bag program will be at noon, Friday, Sept. 10, in the Learning Center’s community room.
Wally Seiler will review the book “Life Is What You Make It” by Peter Buffett, award winning musician/composer as well as the second son of Omaha-based financier Warren Buffett.
To his credit are Coca-Cola, MTV, CNN and many other commercials; collaboration on movie scores, choreographed dance numbers in movies and a multitude of other musical venues including his own albums.
Bulldog Softball Drops Three
McCOOK — The Alliance Lady Bulldog softball team traveled to McCook this past Saturday losing to Cozad 12-0, Jenny Garza took the loss; losing to North Platte 12-0, Annalise Placek recorded the loss; and losing to Chadron 6-4, Margaret Gay took the loss throwing 90 pitches — 57 strikes and 33 balls.
Alliance softball was in action last night at Scottsbluff and only lasted three innings, 13-2, against the Lady Bearcats. Alliance was shut out 12-0. Jenny Garza recorded the loss and Lili Gomez and Brittany Andersen were the only players to chart a hit.
Chadron Soars Past Alliance
CHADRON – The Alliance Lady Bulldog volleyball team dropped their second straight match losing to Chadron 25-19,25-17,26-24 last night.
AHS’s Lauren Reiber led her team in attacks with 10; Olivia Conley added nine while Ashley Woodward charted five. Reiber and Shae Brennan charted two blocks.
Nunes Leads Alliance Pack
By BRITTANY COWARD
T-H Sports Writer
GERING – Jayme Nunes was the top Alliance finisher at the 2010 opening cross- country meet at Gering this past Friday. She placed third with a time of 15:53. Scottsbluff’s Aubree Worden was the top medalist clocking a time of 14:35, Tamara Gorman of Rapid City, S.D., was the runner-up clocking a 14:55.
On the boys side Alliance was unable to place in the top ten. Domingo Torres of Gering paced the pack with a 17:03, followed by Scottsbluff’s Russell Morgan’s 17:07.
“We’ll talk about the boys first — probably I wasn’t as excited about some of the finishes,” AHS Head Coach Val Jansante shared. “I thought they should have done a little bit better but you know I think at this stage they were trying but I anticipated their times to be lower. Girls wise we had couple girls that ran pretty well and a couple girls that I know were disappointed in their performances. You know it’s just meet one and we have to look at that as a practice more than anything, both boys and girls.”
Tuesday, September 7, 2010 2:36 PM
Toadstock — Seven Years Of Parties On The Prairie
By MARK DYKES
Asst. Managing Editor
ALLIANCE — This Labor Day weekend, a few miles west of Alliance, the prairie came alive with the sounds of The Raging Derelicts, The Colorado Cruisers Band, Five13, 5 to Life and the Ashley Buchart Band during the seventh annual Toadstock Festival.
Leo “Toad” Frohman recalled how the festival got its start.
In 2004, Frohman lost his wife, Mary. That same year, his niece and her friend came down from Chadron looking for a camper, which they could use to attend the Comstock Music Festival. They encouraged Frohman to attend the festival with them. However, a week before the festival, he said, the friend found out she couldn’t go.
Gillette Tops Alliance Tennis
ALLIANCE — The Alliance boys tennis team hit the courts this past Friday against the Gillette, Wyo., Camels and then competed Saturday at Scottsbluff. Gillette got the upper hand of the matches on Friday and the Bulldogs finished sixth on Saturday.
Today, the tennis team will be in action at Scottsbluff against Casper, Wyo.; matches are underway at 2 p.m.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010 11:08 AM
Consturction To Begin Sept. 8 On Merge Lane Hwy 2 And 87 Intersection
Construction will begin on the merge lane at the intersection of Highways 2 and 87 beginning Wednesday, September 8th and ending Sunday, September 19th weather permitting. Please exercise caution while driving in this area.
Saturday, September 4, 2010 10:33 AM
BBGH Dialysis Unit Approaching 10th Anniversary
ALLIANCE — One of the great success stories of Box Butte General Hospital and the residents of the area it serves is the hospital Dialysis Unit. The first patient treated at the unit was in December of 2000.
Nearly 10 years later, the Dialysis Unit is averaging 20 patients treated each week, with the current census at 18, according to Paulette Burkhardt, RN, manager of the Dialysis Unit. “After I started working at a dialysis center, I fell in love with the fact that you really spend a lot of time together with the patients,” she said. “They know our children, we know their children. It’s great.”
She said the Unit has a capacity of treating 24 patients per week. “We’ve treated about 50 individuals here over those years, doing around 2,900 treatments per year, with each treatment three to four hours, Burkhardt said. “We keep busy.” To give a perspective, that is approximately 10,150 hours of treatment given a year, or 422 days.
Bulldogs Fail To Tame Mustangs, 21-0
By T-H STAFF
ALLIANCE — Each entering Friday night’s game at Bulldog Stadium 1-0, Alliance looked for a successful first meeting against the Gordon/Rushville Mustangs. Instead, the visitors controlled the clock and the momentum, never allowing AHS to gain a foothold despite several scoring opportunities. The G/R defense has not allowed a point in two games and was key in last night’s 21-0 win.
Despite a formidable Gordon-Rushville defense, the Bulldog defense also kept their team in the game. Alliance and G/R were scoreless at the end of the first quarter and, despite a 14-0 deficit at the half, the Dawg defenders also put a goose egg up in the third frame allowing the offense a potential comeback attempt.
Friday, September 3, 2010 3:33 PM
Budget Approved, Phone Request On Hold
By JENNY HUTCHINSON
Times-Herald Writer
ALLIANCE — The Alliance City Council approved the 2010 property tax request as well as the final reading of appropriations for the 2010-11 budget.
A public hearing was announced on the 2010 property tax request. The Box Butte County Assessor’s determination of taxable value has been set at $346,899,841. The City Council opened public discussion at 7:19 with no public testimony and closed at 7:20. Total property tax request will be $1,331,645 and a total levy of .38387 (calculated prior to final vote on appropriations).
The Council then moved to discuss Appropriations for the 2010-11 budget, including a General Fund balance of $949,017. During this Third Reading, the Council approved all of the updates discussed, with the exception of the proposed new phone system for the City’s current antiquated system. Shari Lund, MIS Director spoke to the Council regarding the need for updates in the system and elaborated on areas of immediate concern. Because of the age of some of the current systems, support rate contracts are expected to increase, and “It is often more cost effective to swap out systems at that time,” stated Lund. Concerns about the initial cost of implementing a system, estimated at $58,000, throughout the departments of the City were expressed, and it was requested, by Council, that more detailed information be gathered in order to pursue a solution to this issue. Council voted to approve appropriations without the phone system change.
Paying It Forward: Couple Donates To Dobby’s
By DENICE ABY
Times-Herald Writer
ALLIANCE— J.C. and Tammy Hardy have been pitching in at Dobby’s Frontier Town since 2005, helping with clean up, construction, painting, and decorating.
The Hardys have “adopted” a log cabin, one of the many buildings that make up the old west town, which is theirs to repair and decorate how they choose. They have plans to put new chinking between the logs and replace the flooring inside.
Dobby’s is getting ready for the annual Fall Festival, and J.C. is helping to build props for the “Cowboy Poker” shooting competition, while Tammy is sewing period costumes for the festival.
Performing Arts Center Moves Forward
By MARK DYKES
Asst. Managing Editor
ALLIANCE — Shortly before 8:30 Thursday evening at the Alliance High School Library, the Alliance Public Schools Board of Education green-lighted the Performing Arts Center addition to the school, through a 6-0 vote to approve the guaranteed maximum price proposal of $6,660,997 from Sampson Construction Company for renovations and additions to the high school, including the performing arts center. Board President Tim Kollars was approved to execute forms and all other necessary action to carry the agreement into effect.
The decision was followed by applause from the over 40 people attending last night’s meeting, along with handshakes and congratulations for board members and administrators.
The community should see physical progress on the addition within four to six weeks.
Bulldogs Fall Short To Bearcats
By BRITTANY COWARD
T-H Sports Writer
ALLIANCE — Alliance Lady Bulldog volleyball returned to the court on Thursday night to a 1-3 upset. The Lady Bulldogs started very strong and knocked off the Lady Cats 25-15 in the opening set. The next three sets Alliance fell short losing 22-25, 15-25, and 18-25.
The Bulldogs started the night out with Lauren Reiber, Billie Kunzman, Shae Brennan, Emily Rischling, Olivia Conley, Ashley Woodward and the Lebro Alyssa Clark. They opened very strong on defense and made a lot of good things happen offensively, although they did not come out with a win the season opener was successful and they can only grow from mistakes made Thursday.
Midway through the first set, Woodward and Conley doubled up for an ace block making the score 14-9, following that Conley had a kill making the score 15-9. Brennan then had a back row kill making the score 16-10 and to force the Lady Bearcats into a timeout. Reiber smacked down a middle front kill pushing the Lady Bulldogs on top 18-10. After the Lady Bearcat timeout Woodward came up with an ace kill. Breaking the rally Makayla Westphal forced the sideout with a push to the sideline making the score now 20-11. Reiber’s block kill moved the team with two. Then, Brennan nailed a back row kill breaking the three-point Scottsbluff rally (24-15). Reiber finished the opening set with a kill and recorded 14 on the night, she also lead the team with four ace blocks.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Performing Arts Center A Go
ALLIANCE - Thursday night, shortly before 8:30, the Alliance Public Schools Board of Education unanimously voted to move forward with the performing arts center addition to Alliance High School. The gross maximum price for the project is over $6.6 million, though it is expected that bonds will cover a large part of the cost. Physical progress on the addition is expected within the next four to six weeks.
Thursday, September 2, 2010 1:47 PM
Police, Emergency Unit
Respond To Bicycle-Vehicle Accident
By MARK DYKES
Asst. Managing Editor
ALLIANCE — Wednesday at 5:12 p.m. the Alliance Police Department and the Alliance Emergency Unit responded to an accident at East Third and Niobrara.
According to a police report, a vehicle driven by Shadell L. Peterson, 33, Alliance, was southbound on Niobrara, heading toward Third. The vehicle stopped at the stop sign before attempting to make a right turn onto East Third.
Brianna M. Taylor, 18, Alliance, was riding her bicycle, eastbound on the north sidewalk on East Third.
Suspect Bound Over
To District Court
By MARK DYKES
Asst. Managing Editor
ALLIANCE — Corey A. Richter, 40, Gering, has bee bound over to Box Butte District Court on a charge of operating a motor vehicle during a 15-year revocation period, a Class IV felony.
The charge stems from a June 16 incident.
Dawgs Face New Foe Tomorrow Night
By TAMMY COWARD
T-H Sports Editor
ALLIANCE — Tomorrow night, the Alliance High Bulldogs (1-0) will host the Gordon/Rushville Mustangs (1-0). Alliance got off to a superior start in their opener against the Class C Chadron Cardinals last Friday night with a 33-14 victory. The Mustangs also had success shutting out their opening opponents 48-0. The matchup tomorrow night will be the first time Alliance and G/R have faced off in many, many years. The team, much like Alliance defensive-wise will post a challenge for the Bulldogs who are looking forward to the confrontation and hoping to progress from where they ended with Chadron.
“We played very well,” AHS Head Coach Travis Hawk noted. “We did all the things well that you talk about, we didn’t turn the ball over, we were fairly sound in the kicking game, our line blocked very well — we played two units of line which I think really paid dividends towards the end of the game. We started taking control of the line of scrimmage and Kyle Sanders ran very well. All the things that you like to have happen in game 1 happened. Now, the important thing is build and more forward.”
The Bulldogs will continue to focus and try and do what they need to do to get better and Coach Hawk claimed that Gordon/Rushville is a very good team who is picked to win their District over teams like Chadron and Ogallala.
Gorsuch Barrels Reserve All-Around
LEXINGTON – Alliance High’s Bailey Gorsuch clocked a 17.949 (second place) in Barrel Racing at the Lexington rodeo to earn the Reserve All-Around on day one of the on Aug. 21 competition. Gorsuch placed fourth on day 2 recording an 18.061 ride.
Next, the high school rodeo athletes competed at Bloomfield and O’Neill on Aug. 28-29.
Sterkel, Anders Engagement
ALLIANCE — Jessica Lynn Sterkel, daughter of Rodney and Sandra Sterkel of Scottsbluff, is engaged to marry Robert Levi Anders, son of Russell and Gina Anders of Alliance.
The couple is planning a Sept. 18, wedding at Scottsbluff.
Mr. And Mrs. Craig Iossi
ALBION — Tia Aguilar, daughter of Nick and Willa Linnerson of Albion, and Bob Aguilar of Brady, was married to Craig Iossi, son of Jerry and Lois Iossi of Alliance, in a double ring afternoon wedding on June 5, 2020, at Albion, with Rev. Don Dennison officiating.
Following a wedding trip to the Black Hills in South Dakota, the couple resides at Omaha.
Thursday, September 2, 2010 11:35 AM
Bicycle Rider Struck By Vehcle
Wednesday at 5:12 p.m. the Alliance Police Department and the Alliance Emergency Unit responded to an accident at East Third and Niobrara. Brianna M. Taylor, 18, Alliance, was riding her bicycle, eastbound on the north sidewalk on East Third and was struck by a vehicle driven by Shadell L. Peterson, 33, Alliance. Taylor was transported to Box Butte General Hospital. No information was available on her condition.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010 2:18 PM
College Enrollment Surges
By Rachelle King
Times-Herald Intern
As many area schools are back in session, college freshmen are packing up all their belongings, stuffing their cars plum full, and heading off to college. It is usually the hardest for the parents saying goodbye to their just graduated high school seniors. It means their little ones are all grown up, and they will be on their own. But getting a college education is an investment that will pay back for a lifetime, and the memories are unforgettable. It doesn’t matter if a student is going to school up the road at the local community college, or going to Chadron State College, or going to University of Nebraska Lincoln, college is a very valuable investment, with many opportunities for the future.
The nation’s college’s enrollment has surged by six percent for the fall 2010 semester. This is mainly due to more Hispanics finishing high school and young adults opting to pursue higher education rather than jumping straight into the job market. More than 70 percent of the high schools graduating class of 2009 were enrolled in college last October. That is the highest portion on record, which goes back from 1959, according to the Labor of Department Report. As of 40 years ago it was just 45 percent, but that was partly due to the poor job market, it encouraged youngerpeople to attend college.
Although college rates are up, it is also varied by gender and ethnicity. In the class of 2009, 73.8 percent enrolled into a college for the fall semester. The male graduates followed behind with 66 percent attending college the following fall semester.
Suspect Bound On Aiding, Abetting Charges
By MARK DYKES
Asst. Managing Editor
ALLIANCE — An Alliance man has been bound over to Box Butte District Court for arraignment on Sept. 15.
According to court documents, Christopher L. Maxey, 31, is charged with aiding and abetting attempted second-degree assault, a Class IV felony; aiding and abetting burglary, a Class III felony; and terroristic threats, a Class IV felony.
The charges allege that on July 1 Maxey aided and abetted Jason R. Maxey in committing the offense of attempted second-degree assault, by hitting and punching a male victim and threatening to kill him and a female victim with a knife.
