Tag: Nebraska

economic development, SiouxlandLeave a comment
Sticky post

Makerspace, new businesses bring hope for former ‘Skid Row of the Plains’

Gary Dickson

In Whiteclay, Nebraska, the Makerspace has replaced alcohol with art, providing a place for local artisans to create and sell goods. The initiative has transformed the village, reducing alcohol-related problems and improving the local economy. However, state support is lacking, hindering the Makerspace’s full potential for positive change. Continue reading Makerspace, new businesses bring hope for former ‘Skid Row of the Plains’

Government, Nebraska, PoliticsLeave a comment

Deadline passes for reconsideration of Fortenberry ruling; case could be retried

Gary Dickson

A deadline came and went Monday to request a reconsideration of the appeals court ruling that tossed out the felony convictions of former U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry.

That doesn’t mean the case is over, however.

Prosecutors still need to decide whether to seek a second trial of the former congressman in either Nebraska or Washington, D.C., where it was alleged that Fortenberry lied and misled federal agents probing illegal, foreign campaign contributions. Continue reading Deadline passes for reconsideration of Fortenberry ruling; case could be retried

CommentaryLeave a comment

The dog ate my farm bill and other Republican excuses

Gary Dickson

The new five-year federal farm program, which was due on the president’s desk no later than Sept.  30, 2023, is missing. Republicans, who run the U.S. House of Representatives, don’t have a good answer about why it is missing.

In fact, the explanation for what happened to it is little more than a reworking of the age-old “the dog ate my homework” excuse used to “explain” missing arithmetic homework assignments by school kids for years. Continue reading The dog ate my farm bill and other Republican excuses

Art, Education, Siouxland, TalentLeave a comment

Entry deadline for S.D. Scholastic Arts and Writing Awards is Dec. 15th

Gary Dickson

Arts South Dakota is encouraging South Dakota teens to enter the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. The awards are a national recognition program for teen writers and artists and the deadline for submission is Friday, Dec. 15 at 9:59 MT/10:59 CT.

Students submit their work to their region for initial evaluation. Submissions are $10 per individual work and $30 for a senior portfolio; if the fees present a barrier to participation, students can use a fee waiver, which is available in their student account. Once the works are submitted, South Dakota writing professionals read each student’s work and assign it a Gold Key, Silver Key, Honorable Mention, or no award. Continue reading Entry deadline for S.D. Scholastic Arts and Writing Awards is Dec. 15th

Agriculture, EnvironmentLeave a comment

Winnebago Tribe to get back 1,600 acres of land once taken for proposed recreation area along Missouri River

Gary Dickson

By Paul Hammel, Nebraska Examiner The Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska stands to receive 1,600 acres of land that were taken a half-century ago for a recreation area that never materialized. The land, on the Iowa side of the Missouri River, would be returned under a bill introduced recently in the U.S. Senate by U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer and her fellow Iowa and Nebraska senators — Pete Ricketts, Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst. The chairman of the Winnebago Tribe, Victoria Kitcheyan, said the return will be a “historic and beautiful moment” for her tribe, whose reservation is located north of Omaha. … Continue reading Winnebago Tribe to get back 1,600 acres of land once taken for proposed recreation area along Missouri River

Agriculture, Environment, Iowa, Minnesota, Siouxland, South DakotaLeave a comment

Less rain results in a cleaner Big Sioux River, report says

Gary Dickson

Less precipitation means less pollution is running into the Big Sioux River, according to a 2023 water quality report. “You can see a pretty strong correlation between the amount of rainfall and water quality,” Friends of the Big Sioux River’s Emily Oyos said. “A very direct correlation.”

“We had a significantly less amount of rain than 2022, and that has resulted in better numbers,” said Rachel Kloos, with Friends of the Big Sioux River. Otherwise, the results reveal many of the same problems as in past years. Continue reading Less rain results in a cleaner Big Sioux River, report says

Pondering and WanderingLeave a comment

People lock their love to Yankton’s Meridian Bridge. But that’s heavy love.

Gary Dickson

There are a lot of places to go for a hike around Siouxland. But one of the most interesting places — at least in my opinion — is the hike across the Meridian Bridge that spans the Missouri River over in Yankton.

And if you look closely at the chainlink fencing beside the pathway, you’ll notice lots of padlocks. At least there were when I hoofed it across the span the summer before last. The bridge is an interesting structure without the padlocks, though. I remember crossing over it on my way to Bogner’s Steakhouse in Crofton, NE with a date during college and family during the 1970s. I recall hearing that the bridge used to be a draw bridge of some sort at one time or another. Anyway, lovers or sweethearts, put their initials or names on these padlocks and maybe even inscribe the date. Then they throw the keys into the river. It all symbolizes unbreakable love, I guess. Continue reading People lock their love to Yankton’s Meridian Bridge. But that’s heavy love.

Agriculture, GovernmentLeave a comment

Navigator cancels carbon pipeline project

Gary Dickson

A company that sought to build a $3 billion carbon sequestration pipeline in South Dakota and several other states announced Friday that it’s giving up on the plan.

“Given the unpredictable nature of the regulatory and government processes involved, particularly in South Dakota and Iowa, the Company has decided to cancel its pipeline project,” said a news release from Navigator CO2. Continue reading Navigator cancels carbon pipeline project