ST. MARY'S SCHOOL FUND RAISER WINNERS

ST. MARY'S SCHOOL FUND RAISER WINNERS - Pictured (l-r): Walter Dupre St. Mary's Principal, Amy Riley, Jeri and George Janousek each $5,000 winners and Fr. Francis Nigli, St. Patrick's Pastor.

Law Day Observance Held April 25th

LAW DAY - The St. Mary's fifth graders visited the law firm of Forrest Peetz and had a chance to talk to Frorrest Peetz about his job.

On April 28, the fifth grade students from O'Neill Public and St Mary's visited the Courthouse in observance of Law Day. The Honorable Alan Brodbeck and Midge Clark, Clerk Magistrate, hosted the event.

This year these students had the opportunity to meet attorneys from all local law firms. The St Mary's fifth grade consisting of nine students and their teacher Mary Novak visited the law firm of Forrest Peetz. The 47 students from the public school with their teachers, Kelly Young and Kathy Kloppenborg, visited with the following attorneys in the Holt County District Courtroom: Thomas Herzog, County Attorney; Rodney Smith, Holt County Public Defender Jim Gotschall, from the Strope and Gotschall Law Firm; and Steve Brewster; from the Krotter & Hoffman Law Firm.

The students had the opportunity to tour the jail and to learn about the duties of the jailers. They toured the 911 Dispatch and learned some of the duties of these individuals who are present in that office every hour of the day to be available to help.

Kami Hooey, the District Court Reporter, explained her training which allows her to record every word spoken in court hearings.

With the theme of Law Day 2011 being "Democracy and the Digital Age Of Media," Judge Alan Brodbeck demonstrated how technology is used in the courtroom. One of the things he showed the students was the use of Skype. This allows the interpreter and the defendant to see each other without the interpreter actually needing to drive to O'Neill.

The purpose of this job shadowing event was to show the students the rewards of staying in school, working hard and studying. This year marks the ninth year of statewide Law Day Job Shadowing. Since the statewide program began in 2002, more than 2,000 fifth graders have participated.

O'Neill Friends Of The Library Production

SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY - Cast for the upcoming O'Neill Friends of the Library production of "Southern Hospitality" which is the last of the Futrelle sister series.Picture are from row (l-r): Doug Wright, Cheri McConnell and Becci Miles. Second row (l-r): James McCarville, Mary Miller, Jeannie Farewell, Juile Becker-Owens and Stephanie Cuddy. Third row (l-r): Bill Price, Nichole Leonard, Kristy Beeks, John Michael McCarville and Phillip Butterfield. The dinner theater will be on Sat, April 30 at 6:00 pm. Tickets are available at the O'Neill Public Library. The matinee is Sunday, May 1 at 2:00 pm. Tickets will also be available at the door.

Atheletic Banquet This Friday

The O'Neill High School athletic banquet will be held Friday, April 29, at 6:30 p.m., at the High School gymnasium.

There will be a catered meal and guest speaker sponsored by the O'Neill Booster Club.

Coaches, spouses and High School athletes attend free of charge by signing up with Nick Hostert.

Anyone else wishing to attend must purchase a ticket. Tickets can be purchased at the O'Neill high school office 336-1544, for a cost of $10.00 per person. Deadline for ticket sales will be Wednesday, April 20, after which the price will be $15.00 per ticket.

For questions please contact either Quana Laursen at 336-3207 or Nick Hostert at 336-1544.

O'Neill District Seven Takes 67% Cut In StateAid Over Last Year

The O'Neill School District Seven has been anticipating state aid cuts and is in the process of taking actions to keep the budget manageable in anticipation of the cuts.

Right now according to the current model the O'Neill district is going to receive $397,452.92 in state aid. which was $815,314.75 short of last years $1,212,767.67.

The loss in state aid will undoubtably be made up by the increase in land valuations within the district.

Superintendent Amy Shane said that one of the ways the district is trying to level the aid loss is by not replacing a couple of teachers that are leaving. Jen Hagen, Brian Mohr and Betsy Mueller will all be leaving at the end of the semester. The district will add hours to a current part time teacher and make her full time to absorb Mrs. Mueller's work but the other two positions will not be filled. "We are doing are best to manage the funds we have and will continue to do so with out raising the levy," said Shane.

Other districts in the area are not immune to cuts as well. Ewing Public Schools will take a $205,268.92 cut, Stuart will take a $89,010.15 cut, Chambers will take a $305,1344.11 cut and West Holt will take a $1,206.70 cut.

Wednesday Morning Fire Destroys Home

HOUSE FIRE - A house fire at 802 E. Grant left a man homeless. The house was owned by Tim Strong of O'Neill and was rented to Clinton Gordon.

O'Neill Firemen assess the situation at the house fire at 802. E. Grant.

A mid-morning fire has left an O'Neill man homeless. The fire which started around 10:00 a.m. quickly spread through the house and when the fire department arrived the house was totally engulfed in flames. "I decided not to send fire fighters in because of the condition of the house and the fear of collapse," stated O'Neill fire chief Terry Miles.

The department called for mutual aide from Atkinson to help with the fire. Atkinson sent three trucks and men to help.

The fire was put out and the fire departments returned to quarters around 12:00 p.m.

The house was owned by Tim Strong of O'Neill and was being rented by Clinton Gordon. The house is considered to be a total loss. The fire is being investigated by the Nebraska State Fire Marshall's Office.

O'NEILL CROWNS 2011 PROM ROYALTY

2011 OHS PROM ROYALTY - King Kurtis Mlinar and Queen Jamie Goldfuss.

O’Neill FFA Chapter Annual Awards Banquet

2011-2012 O'NEill FFA CHAPTER officers and committee chairs): 2011-2012 Front row (l-r): Caleb Ross- Chapter Development Committee Chair, Catrina Spangler- Secretary, Breanna Jakubowski- Parliamentarian and Tasha Lechtenberg- Vice President. Back row (l-r): Michael George- Student Development Committee Chair, Nathan Gotschall- President, Riley Chohon,Treasurer, Brady Wakefield, Sentinel, Jacob Goldfuss- Reporter and Thomas Schipporeit- Community Development Committee Chair.

by Tasha Lechtenberg

The O’Neill FFA Chapter held the annual banquet on Friday, April 15 in the O’Neill High School multipurpose room. Despite the snow and wind conditions, members, their families, and community members gathered to celebrate another successful year for the young chapter.

Following the meal, the ceremony began with announcing the Greenhand Degree recipients. Greenhand Degree recipients were Riley Chohon, Jonathan Cook, Jacob Goldfuss, Nathan Gotschall, Breanna Jakubowski, Tim Lechtenberg, Keith Sandall, David Shields, Tait Sibbel, and Catrina Spangler. One outstanding Greenhand Degree is awarded the Star Greenhand Award. This award is decided on by the officer team and chapter advisor based on involvement, dedication, and expected continued growth in the FFA. The Star Greenhand Award was given to Jacob Goldfuss. The Chapter Degree is the highest degree awarded at the chapter level. Members must complete requirements including having earned and productively invested at least $150 by the member’s own efforts or worked at least 45 hours in excess of scheduled class time, or a combination thereof, and have developed plans for continued growth and improvement in a supervised agricultural experience program. Chapter Degree recipients were Riley Chohon, Jon Cook, Jericho Day, Michael George, Tasha Lechtenberg, James McCabe, and Brady Wakefield. Star Chapter Agriculture Placement was awarded to Tasha Lechtenberg for her SAE at KBRX. Star Chapter Farmer was awarded to James McCabe for his SAE in forage production and beef placement. Two members of the community were bestowed the honor of becoming honorary members of the O’Neill FFA Chapter. This award is decided on by the chapter members. These individuals are selected based on their involvement and support of the FFA Chapter. This year Rachel Kohlman and Steve Brosz became Honorary Members of the O’Neill FFA Chapter. Mrs. Shane was also recognized for the Cornerstone Award she received during state convention the previous week.

The chapter also recognizes members for their academic excellence with the Chapter scholastic award. Recipients were: senior class- Jewel Krieger, junior class- Tasha Lechtenberg, sophomore class- Brady Wakefield, freshman class- Nathan Gotschall, eighth grade class- Riley Wakefield, and a three way tie in the seventh grade class with Sarah Devall, Bailey Krieger, and Miles Stagemeyer. The chapter recognized and thanked the community and school supporters with a certificate for all that they have done for the chapter in the past year. Chapter Leadership Award is awarded to members of each class for their involvement in the chapter activities. Recipient from the senior class- James McCabe, junior class- Tasha Lechtenberg, sophomore class- Brady Wakefield, freshman class- Jacob Goldfuss, eighth grade class- Caleb Ross, and seventh grade class- Bailey Krieger. The Chapter Workhorse Award is another awarded that is decided solely by member votes. This award is given to the member that the chapter feels has given the most time and dedication. The recipient is award a $50 scholarship to use for a conference or workshop of their choice. This year’s winner was James McCabe. The proficiency applicants were recognized and awarded their metals. Brady Wakefield earned silver metals in agriculture education and equine science at the district level. In agriculture broadcasting placement, Tasha Lechtenberg earned first gold at districts and fifth gold at state. In nursery operations placement, Jewel Krieger earned first gold at districts and first gold at state earning her the opportunity to represent Nebraska at the National level this fall. Contest awards were given out for different judging contest, Career Development Events contest, and Leadership Skills Events contest which took place throughout the year.

On display at the banquet were the chapter scrap book, an FFA puzzle picture put together by Keith Sandall and his family, as well as a quilt made and donated by Martha McCabe. The quilt will be raffled off with the drawing taking place at the May FFA chapter meeting. If you are interested in purchasing a raffle ticket, please contact the agriculture department at the high school or any FFA member. Proceeds from the quilt will help send three of the FFA members to Washington, D.C. this summer for a leadership conference. Mollie Schindler prepared and presented a video of the chapter events from the year. To conclude the banquet the 2011-2012 O’Neill Chapter FFA officers were announced and installed. The 2011-2012 O’Neill FFA officers are: president, Nathan Gotschall; vice president, Tasha Lechtenberg; secretary, Catrina Spangler, treasure, Riley Chohon; reporter, Jacob Goldfus; sentinel, Brady Wakefield, and parliamentarian, Breanna Jakubowski. The retiring senior officers were recognized with a retiring officer plaque for their dedication and service to the chapter, they were president, Jewel Krieger; vice president, Mollie Schindler; treasurer, Nathan Wabs, sentinel,

James McCabe. President Nathan Gotschall concluded the banquet with closing ceremonies. The new FFA officer team will attend chapter officer leadership training in Aurora, which is conducted by the State FFA officer team. Here they will learn about their offices, responsibility, and plan the chapter calendar for the 2011-2012 school year.

Ground Breaking Friday

Farm Credit Services of America announced it will open a new retail office in O'Neill. Construction is scheduled to begin in April and is expected to be complete by spring of 2012.

There will be a ground breaking ceremony on the site at 10:00 a.m. on Friday April, 22.

FCS America is committed to the growth of rural America, and we consider our new retail office in O'Neill an investment not only in the local community but also as a way to better serve the financial needs of our customers," says Jeff Eisenmenger, vice president, of FCS America in O'Neill and Norfolk. "The new office will allow Farm Credit Services of America to keep pace with our customers growth," said Financial Officer Paul Carlson, "And provide opportunities to consider emerging services our customers need to be successful".

The new office will be located at 507 E. Highway 20. The previous FCS America office will be sold. FCS America will have an open house once the new office is complete.