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News
Top StorySpotlight
Library event promotes understanding of Give Big Lexington
Ashley Mohler
The Lexington Public Library’s September Family Fun Night will focus on generosity and educating the community about the importance of the Give Big Lexington initiative.
Youth and Family Services Librarian Rocio Casanova said Family Fun Nights are held on the third Thursday of each month and feature a unique theme. September’s theme, “Why Give Back to Lexington,” is tied to the Give Big Lexington campaign.
Representatives from the Lexington Community Foundation will attend the event to provide information about the Give Big Lexington initiative. Casanova said organizations affiliated with the foundation are also invited to participate and discuss their funding needs.
The free program is open to the community. Attendees will receive helpful information and support, a complimentary meal and activities for children.
Most importantly, Casanova said, the event offers an “opportunity to collaborate in fostering community spirit.”
“It was inspired by Welcoming Week in September,” Casanova said. “This event aims to encourage collaboration and attract more visitors to our vibrant and inclusive community in the heart of Nebraska.”
The “Why Give Back to Lexington” Family Fun Night will begin at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, at the Lexington Public Library, 907 N. Washington St. Registration is not required.
News
Top StorySpotlight
Cozad's Chad Connelly wins year-end title in ranch broncs
Jessica Kennedy
Elwood's Kaden Wooters competes in the final round of the
Nebraska State Rodeo Association steer wrestling finals Sunday in
Lexington.
Jessica Kennedy, Lexington Clipper-Herald
Lexington's Cody Rieker runs down his rope to finish his
10-second run Sunday in the final round of the Nebraska State Rodeo
Association Finals in Lexington.
Jessica Kennedy, Lexington Clipper-Herald
Cozad's Chad Connelly puts together a 70-point ride Sunday
in the final round of the Nebraska State Rodeo Association Finals
in Lexington.
Jessica Kennedy, Lexington Clipper-Herald
Chad Connelly, Cozad, finished as the ranch bronc riding year-end champion over the weekend at the Nebraska State Rodeo Association Finals in Lexington.
After a no score on Friday, Connelly put together a 68-point ride Saturday to win the go-round. In the finals on Sunday, he scored 70-points to win the finals round.
With a score of 138 after covering two broncs, Connelly was the average runner-up behind Riggen Heikel.
Connelly took home $5,360.63 in year-end earnings to become the ranch bronc riding champion.
Lexington's Cody Rieker tied for second place in the final round of tie-down roping, with a 10-second run Sunday.
Rieker finished the year 13th in the standings, earning $2,442.88.
Elwood's Kaden Wooters took fourth place in the steer wrestling average, earning $826.61.
Wooters was just out of the money in the final round Sunday with a 6-second run. Wooters finished with a total time of 19 seconds through all three rounds.
He earned $5,071.57 to land in seventh in the year-end standings.
Ashley Mohler
Kristen Bennet, this year’s grand marshal, greets the parade
crowd at the 2026 Hay Days. Bennet was selected for the position of
grand marshal, because of her dedication to the Cozad
community.
Page A3
Ashley Mohler
Kristen Bennet, this year’s grand marshal, greets the parade
crowd at the 2026 Hay Days. Bennet was selected for the position of
grand marshal, because of her dedication to the Cozad
community.
Ashley Mohler
Cozad cheerleaders showed off their school spirit in the Hay
Days parade.
Page A3
Ashley Mohler
Cozad cheerleaders showed off their school spirit in the Hay
Days parade.
Nebraska
Top StorySpotlight
Nebraska AG urged to investigate three out-of-state nursing home chains
LORI PILGER
Lincoln Journal Star
A state advocacy group for people with disabilities is calling on the Nebraska Attorney General's Office to investigate three out-of-state corporations that own more than 20 long-term care facilities in Nebraska, citing poor federal ratings and allegations of misconduct in other states.
Disability Rights Nebraska sent a letter Thursday to Attorney General Mike Hilgers regarding Adept, Emerald and Prestige Care.
Together, the nursing home chains house more than 2,500 vulnerable Nebraskans with disabilities.
Disability Rights spokesperson Amy Miller said research by the group uncovered "shocking" financial maneuvers that have left a trail of devastated employees and residents across other states.
Miller pointed to several examples uncovered in the group's research:
In New Jersey last year, the state's Medicaid Fraud Division denied Adept's owners a Medicaid provider application citing their long history of misconduct in other nursing homes, including a finding that they "inflated costs to related parties, funneled taxpayer-funded Medicaid money into their businesses, and profited from their self-dealing, all while providing minimal services and poor-quality care to residents."
In North Carolina and Oklahoma, Emerald facilities were fined $181,103 after being caught billing Medicaid for staff who weren't licensed nurses.
In New York, Prestige Care’s primary owner, Ephram Lahasky, has been criminally charged for alleged Medicaid/Medicare fraud in his chain of nursing homes there. Lahasky and his colleagues are accused of misconduct that led to the collapse and bankruptcy of 22 affiliated nursing homes in Pennsylvania.
Miller said conditions within the Nebraska nursing homes are of "grave concern."
"Disability Rights Nebraska has conducted in-person monitoring to examine what life is like in these facilities and learned that staff and residents agree that once the out-of-state corporation purchased the home, quality of life decreased," she said.
Miller said last year, the group approached Hilgers requesting an investigation, and he didn't respond. Since then, they have visited more of these facilities and documented significant concerns.
She said they have found the Nebraska facilities are run on a shoestring budget, experience far higher staff turnover than other nursing homes and have "serious failings in how they provide care to vulnerable Nebraskans."
"Over 2,500 Nebraskans are living under the leaking roofs of nursing homes owned by millionaires in New York and New Jersey. These businesses are facing indictment, lawsuits and investigation in other states. Nebraskans with disabilities deserve to have the 'state’s law firm' step in to examine the financial records of these businesses to see if they are engaging in misconduct here," she said.
Disability Rights Nebraska CEO Tania Diaz said they will continue to vigorously advocate for improved conditions within the facilities, but only the attorney general has the authority to "look at the books."
"Every Nebraskan with a disability who is living in one of these facilities deserves to have their wellbeing, finances and dignity protected," she said.
Diaz said nursing home residents and their family members can file complaints with the AG's Medicaid Fraud and Patient Abuse Unit at 402-471-2683.
A spokesperson with the attorney general declined to comment.
Adept has locations in Ashland, Blue Hill, Central City, Grand Island, Gretna, North Platte, two in Omaha, South Sioux City, Sutherland and Waverly.
Emerald has locations in Columbus, Cozad, Grand Island, two in Lincoln, Milford and three in Omaha.
Prestige Care owns locations in Nebraska City, Plattsmouth and Scottsbluff.
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