News

Secretary of State Bob Evnen last week certified the statewide ballot for the May 14, 2024, primary election. Nebraska state law requires the Secretary must certify candidates, offices and issues to be placed on the statewide ballot at least 50 days before the primary election.

Boone County voters are being notified this week of the 2024 primary election coming up May 14 by County Clerk Sarah Robinson. Boone County has all-mail elections, and ballots are expected to be mailed out by Wednesday, April 24.

Albion voters will be asked to approve a new 10-year economic development plan for the city at the primary election coming up May 14, 2024. The new plan is similar to the existing development plan that has been in place since its approval in 2018, but will add a goal of work force housing development.

Due to the storm Sunday night through Tuesday, most area schools were closed both Monday and Tuesday, March 25 and 26, due to strong winds, poor visibility and power outages. The storm began with rain, which changed to freezing rain by Monday morning and later to snow.

Boone County Planning Commission meeting, originally scheduled for Monday evening, March 25, has been postponed due to Monday’s storm. The meeting and public hearings are rescheduled Wednesday, April 10, at 7:30 p.m.

A group from the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce will be coming to Albion on April 9 to present a program, “Reality 101” at the Boone Central Middle School. Reality 101 is intended to give students a taste of “Reality.” About 30 volunteers are needed to assist with the event on April 9 from 1 to 3:30 p.m.

Boone Central’s speech team made school history by winning their first ever State Speech Championship last Thursday, March 21, in Kearney. After a runner-up finish at the C1 State Speech Tournament last year, the Boone Central Cardinals went one better for 2024 to capture the championship over perennial powers David City (second place) and Malcolm (third).

Boone County was on the border-line of rain/ice and snow in the forecasts over the weekend. Most of the day was rain on Sunday, which became ice and turned to snow early Monday morning. Shown top to bottom are: Snowplow was cleaning snow on Petersburg’s Main Street near Petersburg Building and Supply. Snow was being cleared between the Petersburg Village Office and Great Plains State Bank. And, snow was piled in the middle of Main Street to be removed at a later time.

Boone-Nance Cattlemen are planning their annual banquet for Saturday, April 6, at the Event Center on the county fairgrounds. Social hour will begin at 6 p.m., followed by the prime rib dinner at 6:30.

Superintendent of Schools Jeff Schwartz announced Monday morning he will be leaving Boone Central Schools at the end of the current school year in June 2024. Schwartz, who has served only one year as Boone Central Superintendent, will be accepting a position next year as Director of Student Services and Safety at Kearney Public Schools.