The Rapid Relief Team treated the Gothenburg Fire Department and community members to a meal Thursday to thank responders and support ranchers after the recent Cottonwood Fire.
The meal was held outside the Gothenburg Fire Department by 30 volunteers, half of whom were Gothenburg residents. They provided hamburgers for visitors and bags of cattle feed for ranchers.
Fire Chief Mark Ballmer said, "It's a community building affair, you know, after these wildfires that we went through here. It brings the community together to show their support. These people (RRT volunteers) are doing an awesome job of doing that. I'd like to tell Gothenburg thank you for the support during the tough times of fighting the fire."
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Dawson PPD Board honors lineworkers and administrative professionals in April
Ashley Mohler
Dawson Public Power District lineworkers and other trades and
crafts employees were recognized for their service as part of
National Lineworker Appreciation Day, observed April 13, 2026.
Ashley Mohler / Photo Courtesy of Dawson Public Power District
Lexington — At the April board meeting, the Dawson Public Power District Board of Directors officially passed resolutions to honor the essential workforce behind the district’s daily operations.
In observance of National Lineman Appreciation Day on April 13, the board expressed its gratitude for the lineworkers who maintain safe and reliable power, often under hazardous weather conditions.
Additionally, the board recognized Administrative Professionals Day on April 22, highlighting the role these employees play in managing customer relations and ensuring seamless organizational logistics.
The financial results for February 2026 show operating revenue for the month exceeded budget expectations by 6%.
The year-to-date revenue position remains 2% ahead of projections. On the expenditure side, both the cost of power and total operating expenses were within 0.5% of the budget.
Investment in new system plant infrastructure is 2% under budget, while overall capital spending, including necessary equipment and facilities, is 5% over budget for the year.
Auditors will be on site April 22-24. An annual audit is a legal requirement under Nebraska Statute 70-623 that ensures all public power districts have their financial records professionally verified by an independent party.
Other topics:
Director Don Batie attended the NRECA PowerXChange TechAdvantage meeting and Director Craig Wietjes reported on the Mid-West Consumers Association meeting
Dan Muhlbach, Brad Brodine and Molly Dixon attended the Nebraska Generation and Transmission Annual meeting
Director Joe Jeffrey participated in the Dawson PPD Safety meeting
The next board meeting will be May 5.
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Marc Lamon joins Home Federal Bank as western market president
Jessica Kennedy
Marc S. Lamon has joined Home Federal Bank as the western market president, specializing in ag and commercial business development for the region.
Lamon
Lamon brings 20 plus years of experience in the banking industry.
Lamon’s professional focus centers on cultivating and managing client relationships.
This includes a comprehensive understanding of financial operations, marketing strategies, and budgetary oversight.
Lamon has demonstrated expertise in analyzing creditworthiness and structuring financial solutions tailored to meet both client and institutional needs.
Lamon attended Custer County District High School in Montana and graduated from Dickinson State University in North Dakota in 1994.
Additionally, Lamon is an alumnus of the Graduate School of Banking UW-Madison in 2014.
Residing in Holdrege since 2014 with his wife Shannon, they have two grown sons who each graduated from Holdrege High and currently reside in Kearney.
Hobbies range from family activities, home improvement, outdoor recreation and enjoying miles on the Harley.
Lamon can be reached at Home Federal’s Holdrege or Lexington branches 308-398-4981 or by email at mlamon@homefederalne.com.
Home Federal Bank was founded in 1935 and serves six communities across Nebraska – Grand Island, Hasting, Holdrege, Lexington, Superior and Lincoln.
With more than 70 dedicated employees, they are proud to be one of Nebraska’s most respected community banks and continue to meet the changing needs of their growing customer base.
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Youth tractor/equipment safety training set for June 23-24 in Lexington
Jessica Kennedy
Statewide tractor and equipment safety courses will be offered
at 12 locations throughout Nebraska in May and June. A training
will be June 23-24 in Lexington at Dawson County Fairgrounds.
Courtesy Photo
The Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health (CS-CASH) at the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Public Health, in partnership with Nebraska Extension, has announced the dates for its annual tractor and equipment safety training courses.
The training will be offered at 12 locations across Nebraska throughout May and June.
“Tractors and agricultural equipment remain leading sources of serious injury and fatalities in farming, especially for young and beginning producers who are still gaining experience,” said course instructor Aaron Yoder, PhD, associate professor, UNMC and University of Nebraska-Lincoln. “The 2026 Annual Tractor and Equipment Safety Course provides essential, hands-on training that helps participants recognize hazards, develop safe operating habits and build confidence when working around powerful machinery.”
Federal law restricts youth under the age of 16 from operating certain farm equipment unless the farm is owned by their parents or legal guardians.
However, certification through the National Safe Tractor and Machinery Operation Program provides an exemption, allowing 14- and 15-year-olds to drive tractors and operate specific mechanized equipment.
In Nebraska, CS-CASH and Nebraska Extension work together to offer NSTMOP certification. This certification is earned by completing a two-day course that includes both a written test and a driving exam.
Youth who complete the training are certified to operate tractors and certain mechanized equipment on farms and ranches and can also obtain a husbandry permit.
Course details:
Day One: The first day covers the essential components of NSTMOP, as well as additional training in emergency response, stop-the-bleed techniques, personal protective equipment and other lifesaving skills
Day Two: The second day includes a hands-on driving test, equipment operation and ATV safety lessons. Students will be required to demonstrate their ability to hitch and unhitch equipment, as well as drive a tractor and trailer through a standardized course. Instructors will also provide education on safe practices and legal guidelines for ATVs, utility task vehicles (UTVs) and other off-road vehicles (ORVs).
The cost for the two-day course is $60, which covers educational materials, online learning access (if applicable), supplies, and lunch and snacks for in-person training sessions.
Additional information:
Youth under the age of 14 can attend day one if accompanied by an adult, but they are not eligible to drive equipment, participate in day two or receive certification.
Students under 14 must register, but they will not be charged a fee.
New and beginning farmers who want to increase their knowledge about safe farm practices are also urged to register and attend.
May 26-27 - Lincoln-Logan-McPherson County Extension Office, 348 W. State Farm Road, North Platte, Nebraska
May 28-29 - Red Willow County Fairgrounds-4H Building, 1400 W. Fifth St., McCook, Nebraska
June 1-2 - Legacy of the Plains Museum, 2930 Old Oregon Trail, Gering, Nebraska
June 3 - Sheridan County Fairgrounds. 613 E. Third St., Gordon, Nebraska
June 4-5 - AKRS Equipment, 49157 Douglas Ave., O’Neill, Nebraska
June 8-9 - Raising Nebraska, 501 E. Fonner Park Road, Grand Island, Nebraska
June 10-11 - Cuming County Fairgrounds, West Washington St., West Point, Nebraska
June 23-24 - Dawson County Fairgrounds, 1002 Plum Creek Parkway, Lexington, Nebraska
June 25 - Phelps County Fairgrounds, 1308 Second St., Holdrege, Nebraska
June 29-30 - Valley County Fairgrounds, 801 South St., Ord, Nebraska
July 1-2 - Ag Hall at Tuxedo Park, 1700 Tuxedo Park Road, Crete, Nebraska
July 1-2 - Butler Country Fairgrounds, 62 L St., David City, Nebraska
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