Winnetoon Women Warms Hearts And Feet Of Soldiers

Operation Toasty Toes - Loretta Wagner of Winnetoon shows some of the booties she has crocheted for our troops.

When you consider all the operations that the U.S. military has undertaken for the last 10 years, you get into  a list such as Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Scorpion Sting, Operation Sidewinder, Operation Marine Thunder Bolt, Operation Rock  Reaper, Operation Lion Hunt, Operation Operation Iron Bullet and Operation Toasty Toes. Okay the last sortie was not a coalition operation, but to Loretta Wagner of  Winnetoon it is of the most importance. Loretta, an unassuming lady of stature, has been making sure that our troops have a little comfort from home with her hand made booties. Loretta said she remembered the Vietnam War and said she was shocked how the service men of that era were treated when they came home. "I wanted to do something to make our soldiers feel good about themselves with a little something from home like homemade booties.
Loretta has been crocheting these booties at the rate of one pair every two and a half  hours. Loretta has been making the booties for 11 years and figures she has made 1,519 pairs for our troops. Currently the booties are being sent with the Nebraska Troop Support care packages to the soldiers, sailors and airmen that make our country safe.

St. Mary's Sweet Heart Royalty 

2012 sweet heart royalty  (l-r): Drew Young, freshman attendant; Will Hupp, sophomore attendant; Jacob Hipke, junior attendant; Luke Loecker, prince; Tom Chvala, king; Megan Schneider, queen, Claire Wetzel, Princess; Gabrielle Dupre, junior attendant; Erin Boyle, sophomore attendant; and Addie Wetzel, freshman attendant. Crown bearers are Sam Barlow and Alyssa Brabec.

Cattle Industry Meeting

cattle industry meeting was held at the O'Neill Community Center Tuesday, Feb 7. Pictured are (l-r): J. Dudley Butler-former USDA Administrator GIPSA, Bill Bullard-R-Calf and Steve Stanke-Nebraska Brand Committee.

District Runner-ups

District Runner-ups The O'Neill Wrestling Team took second at the C-2 wrestling district compeition at Norfolk Catholic on Saturday. Check out the results and pictures on pages 15 and 16. Photo courtesy Jody Fox.

First Year Of Changes To Kindergarten Enrollment Age

The 2012-2013 school year marks the first year of changes to Nebraska's kindergarten enrollment age. Children must turn five before July 31 in order to be eligible for kindergarten next fall. There are three ways that can be used to admit children whose birthdays fall between July 31 and October 15. Please review the following information. Call Jennifer Widner at 402-336-1400 if you believe your child should be enrolled based on this information.

Section 79-214 requires that a child must be five years of age on or before July 31 to enroll in kindergarten for the 2012-2013 school year.

Section79-214 goes on to permit school boards to admit children if certain requirements are met. School districts, under the guidance of their school boards, are allowed to enroll a child who turns five after July 31 but on or before Oct. 15 if this parent requests admission and provides an affidavit that states:

1. The child attended kindergarten in another district during the current school year; or

2. The family plans to relocate to a district that allows admission during the current school year; or

3. The child can demonstrate his or her ability to do kindergarten level work through a recognized assessment procedure approved by the local school board. Contact elementary principal, Jennifer Widner to schedule testing by March 30.

Area Law Enforcement Receives Grant Assistance

Avera St. Anthony’s Hospital Home Health was named one of the Top 500 Home Health agencies in the United States by OCS HomeCare.  Additionally, the agency was among the top 10 percent in the nation in improving medication management and decreasing readmissions to the hospital.

“One of the goals of Avera St. Anthony’s Hospital Home Health Agency is to shorten the stay of hospitalizations for people and help those individuals transition from the acute setting to their homes successfully eliminating the need for readmission to the hospital.  To be one of the top 500 agencies in the country indicates we are attaining that goal and helping people to remain in their homes,” stated Barb Malmberg, director of Home Health.

“We have had outstanding leadership and a caring staff representing Avera St. Anthony’s Hospital Home Health Agency since it was formed locally in 1992,” said Ron Cork, President/CEO of Avera St. Anthony’s Hospital.  “Congratulations to Barb Malmberg and all her staff for being named to the OCS HomeCare 2011 Elite list; we are so very proud of each of you,” said Mr. Cork

According to The National Association for Home Care & Hospice, approximately 12 million individuals currently receive care from more than 33,000 providers.  To be placed in the top 500 is a huge honor.

  Avera St. Anthony’s Home Health staff is made up of six RNs, two nurse aids, and a team of physical, occupational and speech therapists.  The team served 67 patients and made 1,058 visits in 2011.

Firemen To Hold Dance

The O'Neill Fire Department will be holding an appreciation dance for the public Saturday. Feb. 18 from 8 p.m. - 12 p.m. at the O'Neill Community Center.

The band for the event will be the Out Back Band.

There is no charge but a free will offering will be taken at the door.