Thursday, June 26, 2014

Scottsbluff native serving aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75)

NORFOLK, Va. – A 1999 Hershey High School and 2010 Park University graduate and Scottsbluff, Neb. native is serving on one of the world’s largest warships, the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75).

Senior Chief Petty Officer Ben Hodges is a hospital corpsman aboard the Norfolk-based ship, a Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and one of only ten operational aircraft carriers in the Navy today.  Named in honor of former President Harry Truman, the carrier is longer than 3 football fields, at nearly 1,100 feet long.  The ship is 252 feet wide and weighs more than 100,000 tons.  Two nuclear reactors can push the ship through the water at more than 30 mph.

As a 33 year-old with numerous responsibilities, Hodges joined the Navy in August 1999.  “I came in shortly after graduating high school,” he said.  “Of the options I had back at home in the Midwest, there were not any that truly sparked my interest.  I decided that joining the Navy could help me make something of myself.”

He also said he is proud of the work he is doing as part of the Truman’s 5,500-member crew, protecting America on the world’s oceans.  “The group of sailors that I am working with right now is phenomenal.  They have shown me how dependable they are by the amount of hard work that they put in every day and I cannot fully express how proud I am of them.”

Sailors’ jobs are highly varied aboard USS Harry S. Truman. Approximately 3,000 men and women make up the ship’s company, which keeps all parts of the aircraft carrier running smoothly — this includes everything from washing dishes and preparing meals to handling weaponry and maintaining the nuclear reactors. Another 2,500 or so form the air wing, the people who actually fly and maintain the aircraft.

“I never cease to be impressed with the type and quality of work that goes on aboard Truman each day,” said Capt. S. Robert Roth, the carrier’s commanding officer.  “Our team is filled with highly qualified young adults – in many cases, 19 and 20 years old – and they’re out here running a complex propulsion system safely, serving as air traffic controllers, operating sophisticated electronics, launching and recovering aircraft when we’re underway, and keeping this floating city alive and functioning. I can’t express how proud I am to be a part of this team. They performed at the highest level, day in and day out during our recent 9-month combat deployment and are continuing to do so here at home. Their professionalism, dedication and commitment to excellence are second to none.”

USS Harry S. Truman, like each of the Navy’s aircraft carriers, is designed for a 50-year service life.  When the air wing is embarked, the ship carries more than 60 attack jets, helicopters and other aircraft, all of which take off from and land aboard the carrier at sea.  Powerful catapults slingshot the aircraft off the bow of the ship.  The planes land aboard the carrier by snagging a steel cable with an arresting hook that protrudes from the rear of the aircraft.  All of this makes the Harry S. Truman a self-contained mobile airport and strike platform, and often the first response to a global crisis because of a carrier’s ability to operate freely in international waters anywhere on the world’s oceans.

As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Hodges and other USS Harry S. Truman sailors know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes.

“All in all, you have to challenge yourself,” Hodges said.  “Picking a mentor from the start is crucial.  You have to pick one who will challenge and motivate you to bring you to their level.  Once you have absorbed everything you can, move on to a more skilled mentor who then can continue to test your limits.  You have to be hungry or else you will remain stagnant.”

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Thelma Jones Golf Scramble July 14th

Regional West Foundation Board members Mary Kay Haun and John Massey join Kevin Mooney on KNEB's News Extra program Wednesday morning to promote the annual Thelma Jones Memorial Golf Scramble.

This year it will be held on Monday, July 14th from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Scottsbluff Country Club.

For more than two decades, on the second Monday in July, golfers, volunteers and community sponsors gather at the Scotts Bluff Country Club for the annual Regional West Foundation Thelma Jones Memorial Golf Scramble.

Proceeds from this tournament, named in honor of a longtime friend of Regional West who died of cancer in 1989, help support Prairie Haven Hospice and the Cancer Treatment Center at Regional West. Individuals and/or teams may register to play and sponsorship opportunities are available.

Coffee & breakfast burritos in the morning.  Lunch included....Credit Management's famous hot dogs or box lunch. A dinner and awards ceremony follows the tournament included for all participants.

Great prizes with flag and team prizes awarded in both of two sessions. Prizes will be paid to six teams plus a women's team.

For information or to register, contact Shelly Knutson at 308.630.2244.

Monday, June 16, 2014

Lied Scottsbluff Public Library kicks off Summer Reading Program

Deb Carlson, Children's Librarian at the Lied Scottsbluff Public Library joins Kevin Mooney on KNEB's News Extra program Monday morning to promote the library's Children's Summer Reading Program.

The Lied Scottsbluff Public Library is inviting area children to participate in the 2014 FIZZ, BOOM, READ! summer program.  Boys and girls may register on Tuesday, June 3rd anytime between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. at the library.  The program is for children from infants through the sixth grade.  Registration will continue throughout the summer for those unable to sign up on June 3rd. 

Weekly events kicked off  in the Library Park Monday, June 9, with a science demonstration from the Edgerton Explorit Center in Aurora, NE. 

Other programs will include a movie party at the Midwest Theater, a Mad About Science morning at the library park, natural science fun at the Riverside Discovery Center and a Lego Club building event.

Children who read 20 books can choose between two dates for the Splash Bash pool party at the Westmoor Pool. The library will also show cartoons and short films on Thursday mornings at 10 a.m. in the library meeting room. 

Although everyone is invited to come to the weekly programs, attendance is not required and readers can return books they have read and receive credit during regular library hours. 

The reading program will conclude with a Magic Show & Big-Bang Wrap-Up Celebration at the Midwest Theater on Tuesday evening, July 22.  Geoffrey Thompson, an award-winning magician from Cheyenne, WY, will present a magic show which will be a blast for the whole family. Following the show, prize winners for summer activities will be drawn and every child will get a science souvenir of the FIZZ, BOOM, READ! Summer Reading Program. No reading requirement is necessary, admission is free and the community is invited to attend.

For more information, pick up a calendar of events or call the Lied Scottsbluff Public Library at 630-6250. 

Monday, June 9, 2014

The Rock-N-Roll Father's Day Classic Car Show coming this weekend


It's time for the 2014 High Plains Auto Club "Rock 'N Roll Father's Day Classic Car Show!

Held annually in conjunction with the city of Gering's Five Rocks Amphitheater Located ½ mile South of the intersection of Highways 71 & 92 in Gering. 

This  year the show will be held June 13th-14th, 2014.

  • PRE-REGISTRATION IS STRONGLY ENCOURAGED
GREAT MEALS REQUIRE GREAT PLANNING
*****NUMBER OF ENTRANTS MAY BE LIMITED*****
WELCOME TO GERING NEBRASKA!

*****FRIDAY - June 13, 2014
BBQ/PARKING LOT PARTY FOR ENTRANTS ONLY
REGISTRATION STARTS @ 2:00 PM
Gering Civic Center - 1050 M St - Gering NE 69341
CRUISE FOR CASH $$ AND ICE CREAM SOCIAL
Pictures will be taken Friday night and Saturday AM for our slide show presentation! You’re gonna’ love the show!

*****SATURDAY-June 14, 2014
DOWNTOWN GERING PARADE @ 9:00 AM TO FIVE ROCKS - 8:30 AM LINE-UP N. 10th St
SHOW AND SHINE @ FIVE ROCKS AMPHITHEATER – 10 AM TO 4PM
GRASS PARKING SITES - LUNCH VENDORS ON SITE-- DOOR PRIZES ALL DAY

*****SATURDAY NIGHT – June 14, 2014
AWARDS BANQUET – GERING CIVIC CENTER – EXCELLENT CUISINE
1050 M Street GERING NE 69341 – ENTRANTS ONLY

CONTACT: JIM SPENCER 308-247-2291 - LARRY JANECEK 308-623-3055
Host Motel: Monument Inn & Suites 308-436-1950
Scottsbluff / Gering NE Area Hotels below –
Robidoux RV Park 308-436-6886 / City of Gering
Cavalier Motel - Super 8 – Candlelight Inn – Comfort Inn – Hampton Inn
Holiday Inn Express–Barn-Anew B & B – Lamplighter American Inn
Early Entry bonus drawing if entered by 5/10/14
Entry fee $35.00 – all events
Each entrant will be issued 2 Friday BBQ meals and 2 Saturday Banquet meals upon arrival.
Extra meal tickets are limited @ $10.00 per meal


For information email jscspencer@gmail.com or visit www.highplainsautoclub.com.