2nd Kite Festival at Five Rocks over holiday weekend

Residents and visitors are invited to the 2nd annual Bluffs Breeze Kite Festival at the Five Rocks Amphitheater in Gering this Labor Day weekend. This year's festival is a two-day event to be held on both Saturday and Monday.

Karla Nieden-Streeks, Gering Convention and Visitors Bureau director says bring your lawn chairs, sunscreen and kites and get a good spot. Streeks says the event proved to be hugely successful last year, and they are hoping to build on that success this year.

Admission to the event is free, although there will be food available for purchase, as well as kites.

Demonstrations will be given, with a return this year of the giant 15 x 75 foot Rielet Kite, which is 10 feet longer than a semi-truck trailer. Hands-on lessons in flying kites are also scheduled.

Start time will be 10 a.m. both Saturday and Monday.

Governor highlights business advantages in weekly column

The Advantage of Doing Business in Nebraska

By Governor Dave Heineman

August 22, 2014

Dear Fellow Nebraskans:

For the last decade, we’ve worked hard to create an environment in our state to grow jobs and today we are seeing the results. Nebraska is a leader in a diversity of industries, including the insurance, telecommunication, agriculture, food processing, transportation and manufacturing sectors of our economy. 


The Nebraska Advantage Act continues play a critical role in our state’s economic growth and development. This tiered incentive program was first designed to make Nebraska the go-to destination among those business owners and leaders interested in finding the right place for either starting or growing their businesses. 

The program was upgraded in 2013 making it easier than ever for applicants to be considered and further enhancing Nebraska’s competitive edge.


That year, LB 34 made a number of changes that simplified and standardized the Nebraska Advantage Act. For those applications filed on or after September 6, 2013, the legislation: simplified the definition of taxpayer; standardized project years as calendar- instead of tax-years; authorized the Nebraska Department of Revenue to disclose project and prior benefits information to an acquiring taxpayer; and established a 180-day approval or denial application deadline.


In 2013, we were in receipt of the third highest number of signed agreements under the Nebraska Advantage Act since it first took effect in January 2006. In addition, I am pleased to announce we have now received more than 450 applications representing nearly $12 billion in investment and more than 30,000 new jobs.


Since the Act first took effect, there have been a number of upgrades and enhancements made, always with our number one priority in mind: Making Nebraska a key competitor for high-wage jobs and cutting-edge technology-driven industries that support and grow our free market economy.


The Nebraska Advantage Act will represents our best efforts to attract key global companies and fully support and assist Nebraska companies with some of the most business-supportive incentives found anywhere in the U.S.


When coupled with our solid reputation for providing dedicated, hard-working employees, excellent high-quality educational opportunities, a low cost of living including some of the most affordable housing found anywhere, low cost utilities, clean air and water, and overall safe environments in which to raise families, Nebraska is poised to remain a highly attractive and prime location for companies, and to grow and expand.


The bottom line is Nebraska has good jobs, good schools, safe communities, affordable homes and an unmatched quality of life. Our goal is to make Nebraska an even better place to live, to work and to raise a family. The Nebraska Advantage is helping us achieve that goal.

~Governor Dave Heineman

Camp Hope – A Camp for Cancer Survivors and Their Support Persons

“Forever changed.” These simple words hold a powerful message for the cancer survivors, their support persons, and children who attend Regional West Cancer Services’ annual Camp Hope weekend.

Camp Hope is offered free of charge to cancer survivors, their support persons, and their families, through funding provided by Regional West Foundation. It is set in the serene surroundings of the North Platte River near Scotts Bluff National Monument at Trails West YMCA Camp in Scottsbluff, Neb.

This year, the camp will be held August 22, 23, and 24. Campers can relax and benefit from the compassionate support of health care providers, family, and friends while participating in a variety of activities. Cancer survivors who would like to participate can register by calling Cancer Services at 308.630.1348.

“Being around so many caring, hope‐filled, and optimistic people reminded me of something I learned long ago. There are no hopeless situations, only people who grow hopeless from lack of understanding, information, and tools,” said one former Camp Hope participant.

For the past 21 years, Camp Hope has brought growth and rewards to cancer survivors, their support systems, and the professional staff who provide the program. Camp counselors include Regional West physicians, nurses, therapists, clergy, counselors, pharmacists, social workers, associates, and volunteers.

Camp Hope gives cancer survivors an opportunity to explore the hopeful side of cancer while providing a vacation from everyday stress and worry. Participants attend group sessions to learn skills for coping with cancer and its after‐effects while enhancing their quality of life. The program incorporates a holistic approach by including sessions that address issues of the mind, body, and spirit.

Support persons, families (including their children), and friends of cancer survivors also benefit from the Camp Hope experience. Camp Hope provides several separate programs and sessions throughout the weekend for support persons only.

“After all,” said a camper, “It¹s scary watching someone you love battle cancer. (The support person) needs time to heal too.”

Recognizing that children are also affected by cancer, whether as a son, daughter, or sibling of a cancer survivor, or as cancer survivors themselves, the program also involves children in the Camp Hope experience.

“Camp Hope is a time of support and sharing. It really is a great weekend for anyone whose life has been affected by cancer,” said Carol Diffendaffer, PMHP, PMSW, OSW‐C, Cancer Services social worker and Camp Hope director. “Campers enjoy a weekend of sharing, learning, fun, entertainment, and relaxation. It’s a wonderful bonding experience for survivors and their families.”

“Being able to interact with physicians and other people surrounding the program in a casual, relaxed atmosphere is a wonderful bonus,” said a camp attendee. “It’s nice getting to know them as people instead of just as health care providers.”

For more information about Camp Hope, contact Carol Diffendaffer at 308.630.1535 or email her at diffenc@rwmc.net.

Public Comes Out in Support of Scottsbluff High School Renovation Project

The Board of Education heard from 19 speakers encouraging them to place the Scottsbluff High School renovation on the November ballot. Senator John N. Harms introduced the comments during the Public Comment portion of the agenda. Senator Harms and the other speakers summarized the need for the Board of Education to place the project on the ballot using the following points:

“It’s the Right Thing to Do”

• The facility is unsafe and deteriorating.
• We must provide our kids and our teachers what they need and deserve.
• This project is a fiscally responsible plan.
• This initiative is an investment in our community’s future.
• The time is now!

Speakers included: Nebraska Senator John N. Harms, Phil Brooker, Rev. Mark Selvey, Dr. Todd Sorensen, Dr. Todd Holcomb, Dr. Jeff Holloway, Kim Holloway, Lee Glenn, Bob Kelley, Charlie Kennedy, Doug Miller, Jeff Kriewald, Bill Trumbull, Darla Heggem, Howard Olsen, Grant Hinze, Hod Kosman, Juanita Rodriguez, Eli Aguilar

Organizations also submitted letters of support encouraging the Board to place the renovation on the ballot. Letters of support are available online and were received from:

• Senator John N. Harms
• SBPS District Advisory Council
• Scottsbluff/Gering Rotary
• 23 Club
• Westmoor Elementary PTO
• Gary Shoemaker, Boy Scouts Senior District Executive
• Scottsbluff Booster Club
• Special Olympics - Scotts Bluff County Coyotes Unified Sports
• Michael Moravec PT, DPT, OCS, Supervisor, Monument Physical Therapy
• Twin Cities Development Board of Directors
• Bearcat Basketball
• Scottsbluff Wrestling Club
• Regional West Foundation
• Drs. Sami and Jason Webb
• NEXT Young Professionals
• Longfellow PTO
• Regional West Health Services Board of Directors
• Dr. Jon Darnell

The Board is scheduled to meet August 25 in a special meeting at 6:00 p.m. at the SHS Boardroom to make an official decision on placement of a bond issue for the high school project on the November ballot.

Mud Bog event this Friday at Scotts Bluff County Fair

Matt Silverman was guest on KNEB's News Extra program Monday morning to promote the Built Ford Tough Mud Bog events at the Scotts Bluff County Fair. It will be held on Friday evening, August 8th.

The cost is $10 for general admission and $15 for a pit pass. Kids under 6 will be admitted free of charge.

They will have Side by Side Mud racing, with ATV & Motocross Barrel Racing. There will be a kids ATV race starting at 7 p.m. sharp.

For more information, contact Matt Silverman at 308.631.3363.