THE SUPERIOR EXPRESS

Nuckolls County Election Results

Stimulus funds willl help clear two abandoned buildings

Gov. Dave Heineman and staff Tuesday traveled across Nebraska awarding Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding that was announced by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED) last fall. More than $1.6 million in grant funding was presented to local officials in Indianola, McCook and Superior.
"These projects take advantage of opportunities to convert vacant or abandoned space into more functional projects, which helps make neighborhoods safer and creates new areas for development," Gov. Heineman said. "This program helps fuel economic growth and I'm happy to present funding that will help these communities move forward."
The grants are part of Nebraska's allocation of Neighborhood Stabilization Program 1 (NSP1) funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's CDBG program. NSP1 funds provide emergency assistance to state and local governments to acquire and redevelop foreclosed properties that might otherwise become sources of abandonment or blight within communities.
Indianola received $706,700 in NSP1 funds for the demolition of five blighted structures located throughout the community, including a dilapidated downtown commercial building and four dilapidated residential structures. The funding will also help build a new community emergency and storm shelter on the vacant downtown lot.
McCook received $629,700 in NSP1 funds for the demolition of at least six vacant and blighted structures.
The South Central Economic Development District received $312,000 in NSP1 funds for the demolition of six vacant and blighted structures in Holdrege and two in downtown Superior that will prepare the sites for future development.
In Superior the funds will assist Nuckolls County and the City of Superior remove structures that last housed the Hereford Inn, Deluxe Liquor and the VFW Club.
The Superior project will start after the Holdrege project is completed.
The governor met with Superior and Holdrege representatives at 9 a.m. Tuesday morning in Vestey Center.

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Annual 'Tour de Nebraska' will come through area in June

The 23rd annual 5-day Tour de Nebraska bicycle ride will visit South Central Nebraska on its 300-mile round trip journey, June 23 through 27. Approximately 200 cyclists will leave Clay Center on Wednesday, June 23, and camp overnight in Minden, Cambridge, Alma and Red Cloud.
"We love this area of the state-it offers friendly people, history and beautiful countryside which combine to make an excellent experience for our cyclists," said Susan Larson Rodenburg, who organizes the tour with her husband, Rich.
The noncompetitive circle tour will start and end this year in Clay Center. It will then proceed to overnight host communities of Minden, Cambridge, Alma and Red Cloud (Saturday and return to Clay Center on Sunday, June 27.
Tour de Nebraska bicycle adventure is a mental and physical challenge for cyclists of all ages. Participants come from across Nebraska and other states, including California, Minnesota, Idaho, New Mexico, Illinois, Michigan, Nevada, Virginia, Kansas, Missouri, South Dakota, Colorado, Iowa and Arizona. It's grown from 11 cyclists to 200 over the years.
"Our cyclists tell us they like the size of Tour de Nebraska because it's big enough to meet some new people, but small enough not to overwhelm the communities we visit," Susan Rodenburg said. "We have families, school teachers, executives and others who all share a passion for cycling and want to get off the beaten path. They can ride all day at their own speed so they can take full advantage of sightseeing and food in the small communities along the way. By the time the tour ends, they are all bonded in one way or another."
Tour de Nebraska arranges meals, rest stops, daily maps, itineraries, luggage and gear transfers, emergency sag support on the highway, daily fruit and water. Riders camp at city parks or sleep inside at high school gymnasiums. The Rodenburgs help local communities along the route prepare for rest stops and overnight stays.
"We encourage the communities to show what they have to offer and to highlight their community spirit, history and friendliness ­ all unique to Nebraska," she said. "We work closely with the local organizers to assist them in providing everything we need. Most find hosting the riders is not only fun but a great way to bring new revenue to the area. It's always exciting to find out what they have planned for us."
The favorite rest stop and overnight host towns chosen by the riders receive cash awards. "It's a small token of thanks for their efforts," Rodenburg said.
Organizers also present daily spirit awards (The Sophie Trophy) to build camaraderie among riders. The Tour de Nebraska Team Spirit Award is given annually during the last evening on of the tour to an individual who has shown a great amount of spirit, humor and joy while facing the challenges of the tour.
Tour de Nebraska is 5 days instead of 7 like many other tours, There are many repeat riders. "It's like a family reunion on wheels," Rodenburg said.

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Snow and ice build-up can result in fire

Recent snow removal efforts of one Nebraska town resulted in an important fire prevention lesson, according to Ray Nance, public information director for the Nebraska fire marshal's office.
So you're thinking, "Snow and ice will not burn." You're right, Nance said, however placing that snow or allowing ice build-up around above ground gas piping, meters and regulators can lead to failure of gas equipment and possible fire. Such was the case in a fire at the Shelby Lumber Company on Dec. 19.
Snow piled up on the gas meter and associated piping led to a failure in piping and ultimately a gas leak that migrated to an ignition source in the building, resulting in approximately $100,000 in damage. Thankfully, there were no injuries.
With more ice and snow in the forecast, state fire marshal John Falgione reminds Nebraskans, "Protect your home and family. Don't pile snow around gas piping and equipment."
Some general ice coating may be normal with the weather, however accumulation of ice on gas meters, regulators and associated piping can be hazardous. If melting snow and ice run-off are creating an ice buildup on your gas meter set, or if you believe you have a gas leak, contact your gas service provider.

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Well-Being program to start Jan. 12

The second session of Superior Well-Beings starts Jan. 12, 2010.
If your New Year's Resolution is to be well or to live healthier, Superior Well-Beings is a program for you. This 14-week research based wellness program starts Tuesday, Jan. 12, from 5 to 6 pm at Brodstone Memorial Hospital. It is designed to improve the mind, body and spirit by providing wellness and prevention education as well as opportunities for improved nutrition and fitness.
The program will consist of a Health Risk Assessment including height, weight, BMI, blood pressure, blood profile, a health risk surve, and a Wellness Inventory which is an online assessment and lifestyle program centered around 12 dimensions including: self-responsibility and love, thinking, breathing, playing and working, sensing, communicating, eating, intimacy, moving, finding meaning, feeling, and transcending.
The weekly wellness seminars focus on the 12 dimensions of the wellness inventory and the six stages of change. Weekly incentives and door prizes will be given away to participants and for individuals returning a fitness and nutrition log
Superior Well-Beings will start Tuesday, Jan. 12. Meeting time is from 5 to 6 p.m. at Brodstone Memorial Hospital's West Conference Room. Contact Peggy Meyer by phone or emailpegmeyer@windstream.net to sign up.
Preliminary results from the first session of Superior Well-Beings include five people losing a combined 38 pounds which reduced their BMI 1 to 2 points, improved wellness and satisfaction scores from the wellness inventory and numerous positive remarks about how the program helped individuals improve their health and wellness.
Funding for the program is provided by a BlueHealth Advantage Wellness Grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska and sponsored by Brodstone Memorial Hospital.

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