News

American Red Cross has scheduled blood drives in several area towns during May and June. Late May signals the beginning of a busy time for celebrations and summer holidays.

At left, the Wieser family gathered for flag raising ceremonies honoring Eileen Wieser, right. Attending were (l.-r.) Kristin, Jacob, RaNae and Lisa Buller, all of York, and Eileen’s husband, Bill. At right, Jacob Smith, a member of the Boone Central High School Band, played TAPS to close the Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday.

In the Northern Plains Region (Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota) there were 37,000 workers hired directly by farm operators on farms and ranches during the week of April 7-13, unchanged from the April 2023 reference week, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.

For the twenty-eighth year, 36 sixth and seventh graders from Boone Central and St. Michael’s School took part in a summer enrichment program at Olson Nature Preserve on May 21-23.

Memorial Day speakers in all area communities focused on the sacrifices of military service, including those who gave their lives in service to their country. “This day we honor those who gifted us this country,” said Chief Warrant Officer Russell Kuhlman at the Albion service.

Eileen Wieser, an active member of the Albion VFW Post 736 Auxiliary for the past 50 years, was honored with the Albion’s Living Auxiliary Member award during Monday’s Memorial Day ceremonies. Her husband, Halver (Bill) Wieser was honored with the Living Veteran award in 2022.

Albion Family Aquatic Center is scheduled to open this Thursday, May 30, according to information shared with the city council on May 14. Angela Gilbert will be pool manager this season.

Several local area musicians took part in “TAPS Across America” at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day, including (above) Jacob Smith of Albion..

Newman Grove will be hosting its annual Shell Creek Valley Days celebration this Friday through Sunday, May 31 through June 1. Events will start on Friday evening with an antique tractor parade downtown, followed by family events and fireworks in the park.

Petersburg’s population will likely double next Wednesday, June 5, when the Bike Ride Across Nebraska (BRAN) stops for the day on its annual trek across the state. More than 300 bike riders, in addition to support staff, will begin arriving in town Wednesday morning on the 42nd annual BRAN ride.