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Articles by Shel Rickert
A ride 'down memory lane': Museum of American Speed to unveil BMX bike exhibit
As the curator of the Museum of American Speed, Tim Matthews is responsible for finding historically significant objects for the museum's exhibits. He didn't have to look far when he pitched a new exhibit on BMX racing to the museum's board of directors — Matthews raced the bikes when he was a kid and has a collection of them. Museum of American Speed BMX, 12.18 Tim Matthews, curator of the Museum of American Speed, shows off a planned BMX exhibit at the museum.
University of Nebraska wins Big Ten blood drive competition, $1 million prize
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln has won the inaugural “We Give Blood Drive” competition, and its hefty prize, it announced in a news release on Saturday. The university accepted the trophy, as well as a $1 million check, during the Discover Big Ten Championship Game on Saturday. The money will be used to advance student and community health at the university. “There are many reasons I’m proud to be a Nebraskan, and this is one of them," said Dr. Jeffrey P.
Tree lighting ceremony for Christmas tree at Nebraska Capitol is Sunday
The annual Tree Lighting Ceremony for the State Christmas Tree is set for Sunday, followed by other holiday events at the Capitol. The ceremony will start at 1:30 p.m. in the second-floor Rotunda and include performances by school choirs, Gov. Jim Pillen's holiday message and the lighting of the tree.
Pearl Harbor ceremony set for Saturday at Auld Pavilion
The Veterans Memorial Garden Advisory Council will be hosting a Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day ceremony on Saturday at Auld Pavilion in Antelope Park, 1650 Memorial Drive. The event will be at 11:55 a.m. to coincide with the time of the Pearl Harbor attack on Dec. 7, 1941. It will feature remarks from Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird and the daughter of a Pearl Harbor survivor, a presentation of the colors and a display of Pearl Harbor memorabilia. Pat Studts will speak about her father, Sgt.
Nebraska Christmas tree farm inspires families making holiday memories
HALLAM — While some shoppers were searching for the ideal gift in stores on Saturday, Charlie and Xavi Cronin were bundled in matching purple coats and penguin hats hunting for the perfect Christmas tree at a farm outside Lincoln. The 6-year-old Cronin sisters were with their parents, Zee Cronin and Brandon Johnson, at Prairie Woods Christmas tree farm in Hallam, one of three tree farms in Lancaster County open this weekend for residents seeking to buy a staple of the holiday season.
Tree lighting ceremony for State Christmas Tree to be held Dec. 8
The annual Tree Lighting Ceremony for the State Christmas Tree is set for Dec. 8, followed by other holiday events at the Capitol. The ceremony will start at 1:30 p.m. in the second-floor Rotunda and include performances by school choirs, Gov. Jim Pillen's holiday message and the lighting of the tree. The tree will arrive this week and will be decorated with Nebraska-shaped ornaments created by artists from across the state prior to the ceremony.
Larry the Cable Guy to perform at small-town Nebraska venues
Dan Whitney, better known as Larry The Cable Guy, is road tripping through Nebraska next year. Whitney will be visiting nine small towns on "Larry's Nebraska Road Trip" with all new material alongside fellow stand-up comedian Nick Hoff. Tickets went on sale Friday morning. Ticket information and specific tour dates can be found on larrythecableguy.com. Larry the Cable Guy Larry the Cable Guy Stops include Kearney, Wahoo, Central City, Pawnee City, Falls City, Norfolk, York, Scottsbluff and Chadron.
Christian band MercyMe coming to Lincoln in April
The Christian band MercyMe will be playing in Lincoln on April 24 at Pinnacle Bank Arena with Zach Williams and Sam Wesley. Tickets, which go on sale Friday, can be purchased at mercyme.org, Ticketmaster.com, the Ticketmaster app or the Pinnacle Bank Arena ticket office on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The event is one of 32 total stops in the spring 2025 MercyMe Live Tour.
Mountain lion spotted on trail camera east of Bennet, Sheriff's Office says
Mountain lion near Bennet A mountain lion was captured on a trail camera near Bennet on Saturday. A mountain lion was spotted on a trail camera near Bennet early Sunday, the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office said. A resident who reported the sighting south of 176th Street and Bennet Road, about a mile east of Bennet, said they awoke to a notification from their trail camera at about 3 a.m. and heard what they thought was an owl screeching on the camera.
16th annual Turkey Trot set for Nov. 28
The YMCA of Lincoln will host the 16th annual Turkey Trot on Nov. 28 in the Railyard in downtown Lincoln. Participants can choose between a 5K race or a 1-mile fun run/walk. Registration is open now through Nov. 27, but last minute signups will be accepted through Thanksgiving morning, the YMCA said in a news release. It is $20 per person for the fun run, $35 per person for the 5K, or $72 for a family of up to five members to join the fun run either in person or virtually.
A Dutch philosopher visited the Nebraska Capitol six years ago. Then he wrote a book about it.
Capitol panels, 11.11 According to the Nebraska Capitol’s website, Lincoln native Hartley Burr Alexander designed the exterior panels. Dutch philosopher and educator Josha Sietsma has written a book focusing on the 21 exterior panels of the Capitol and how philosophy influenced the man who designed them. Dutch philosopher and educator Josha Sietsma immediately fell in love with the Nebraska Capitol when he visited it on a private tour six years ago. Now, he’s written a book about it.
Veterans Day events in Lincoln honor those who served
Veterans Day Service, 11.10 People stand as the American flag is presented during a veterans gratitude service Sunday at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church. Charles Will sat in the second row in the sanctuary of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church on Sunday.
Molina Healthcare of Nebraska donates thousands to Lincoln nonprofit working to end recidivism
Molina Healthcare of Nebraska has donated $30,000 to a Lincoln nonprofit that provides workforce training to formerly incarcerated people, it said in a news release. The funding will help Ybor — a second chance kitchen — in further providing post-release training in restaurant service, job searching and reintegrating into the community. Ybor, 4.10 Bill Radke (left) checks on grilled pineapples next to Cody Shafer in the kitchen at JTK Cuisine & Cocktails in April.
Nebraska voters look to future after Trump carries state by wider margin than 2020
GOP watch party, 11.5 Republicans, including Auditor Mike Foley, attend a Republican election night watch party on Tuesday at the Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel. For Elizabeth Struwe, the 2024 presidential election was about having a leader who will put the American people first. For Tessa Faust, it was a matter of safeguarding the rights of Nebraskans.
Meet the family of the Omaha native who flew the B-1B Lancer over Memorial Stadium
As Omaha native Simone Durham Flew over Memorial Stadium in a B-1B Lancer bomber on Saturday, her relatives cheered her on from the stands in what was a full-circle moment for a multi-generational Air Force family. Durham, 28, is a member of the United States Air Force, following in the footsteps of her grandfather, Cecil Paul Duryea. Durham’s family, including her 95-year-old grandmother, was there to support her at the Nebraska football game against UCLA.
Hundreds to perform in Lincoln for Nebraska All-State Ensembles
All-State Jazz and Chorus , 11.18 Electric guitarist Jay Schneider, from Lincoln Southeast High School, practices backstage before the All-State Jazz Band concert last year at the Lied Center for Performing Arts. More than 700 high school students from across the state will be performing in the 2024 Nebraska All-State Ensembles in Lincoln later this month. The 735 students from 124 Nebraska high schools will be rehearsing on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus from Nov.
Peru State names interim president
The chancellor of the Nebraska State College System has appointed Wendy Waugh as interim president of Peru State College, effective Dec. 2, the college system said in a news release Wednesday. Waugh is the current vice president of academic affairs at Peru State and has 33 years of experience in higher education, including five years in administrative leadership, the release said.
Police respond to central Lincoln shooting Saturday
Police responded to a shooting Saturday night in central Lincoln. Officers were called to the area of North 25th and Dudley streets at about 9:40 p.m. on reports of gunshots, the Lincoln Police Department said. Officers found three bullet holes in a house in the area when they arrived. Shell casings also were located nearby. There were no injuries and no arrests have been made. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 402-441-6000 or Crime Stoppers at 402-475-3600.
Lincoln woman recovering from rare illness to run in Good Life Halfsy
As Bryan East Campus staff wheeled Hannah Hoefler into her room using a wheelchair in October of last year, she told those around her she would be running the 2024 Good Life Halfsy. Hoefler, 29, whose neurologist diagnosed her with a form of encephalitis one month prior to her declaration, had already endured multiple other hospital visits, negative test results and mystery symptoms since July.
Thousands take part in record-setting Good Life Halfsy in Lincoln
Runners from across Nebraska and beyond took part in the 11th annual Good Life Halfsy half-marathon Sunday in Lincoln — and set a record in the process. About 7,100 people took part in Sunday's race, according to Pink Gorilla Events, the race's organizer, topping last year's record of nearly 6,700 runners. Participants grabbed bananas, water and heat blankets after the race, which started at Seacrest Field and ended on Canopy Street in the Haymarket.
Ashland gift shop offers Christmas items year-round, but holiday season is 'big time'
An Ashland gift shop featuring a year-round display of Christmas items will be a stop this year on Visit Nebraska’s Holiday Passport program for the first time. A group of nine women created The Gift Niche, which sells a variety of seasonal clothing, decor and toys, in 1991 after they wanted a place to sell their homemade items. “We call it a co-op,” said Mary Ziegenbein, the owner and manager.
Ashland business believed to be first in town to use AI in day-to-day operations
Within a year of Brett and Kate Lofing starting Howdy Owl in the garage of their home in Ashland in 2015, they had to switch locations to a warehouse in Lincoln because of how much the custom wall decor business grew. But when Etsy, Howdy Owl’s main retail platform, changed its advertising strategy in 2021, its sales plummeted. The Lofings now run Howdy Owl on their own, having just moved operations from Lincoln back to Ashland. With a downsize in personnel comes many challenges.
Outdoor education center in Lincoln to celebrate 10 years with Haunted Hike and Hunt
The Turpin Outdoor Education Center in Lincoln will be celebrating its 10-year anniversary with a Haunted Hike and Hunt this weekend. The outdoor event will be held Sunday at the education center, 4703 N 44th St. Groups of two to 10 people ages 8 or older will be able to take a guided hike with 12 stops at archery stations, the education center said in a news release Wednesday. Registration is required and allows groups to reserve hike start times, the release said.
Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department to host hazardous waste collection events
The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department is putting on two hazardous waste collection events this weekend. Lincoln and Lancaster County residents can dispose of unwanted chemicals at two drive-thrus in Denton and Lincoln on Friday and Saturday, respectively. On Friday, a collection event will take place from 2-6 p.m. at the Southwest Fire Department's station at 9125 West Second St. in Denton. On Saturday, a collection event will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Star City Shores, 4375 S.
Nebraska DHHS official to host live listening sessions later this month
Live listening sessions with the director of the Division of Developmental Disabilities at the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services will be held later this month. The department said in a news release that the listening sessions are an opportunity for people to hear updates and provide feedback on the current transition it is undergoing to provide specialized services, when needed, for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Since Gov.
League of Women Voters of Nebraska launches nonpartisan, online election resource guide
The League of Women Voters of Nebraska has launched a nonpartisan online election resource guide ahead of early voting, which begins Monday. VOTE411.org provides Nebraska voters tools for navigating the voting process. The website includes a forum to send questions to various political candidates and explanations for measures that will be on the statewide ballot.
Wild Fall Festival at Lincoln's Pioneers Park offers small solution to tree eradication
The Lincoln Parks and Recreation Department hosted the Wild Fall Festival and Tree Giveaway on Saturday, offering a solution to tree loss in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods in the city and Lancaster County. The free event was created in partnership with Pioneers Park, where the festival was hosted. The department gave out 250 young trees of various locally grown species on a first-come-first serve basis with planting and care instructions.
Lincoln Electric System to send crews to Georgia to help with hurricane relief
Lincoln Electric System is sending workers to Georgia this week to help with anticipated power restoration efforts amid Hurricane Helene. Two crews of 12 employees left at noon Wednesday and were expected to arrive in Albany, Georgia, Thursday evening, LES said in a news release. Hurricane Helene, which was a Category 1 storm as of Wednesday evening, is expected to make landfall Thursday.
UNL’s homecoming festivities to feature new 'Battle of the Bands' competition
This year's University of Nebraska-Lincoln homecoming festivities, themed "Cornchella," will include a new "Battle of the Bands" competition. Featuring six bands that include UNL students, the competition will take place at 8 p.m. on Oct. 2 at the Bourbon Theatre, 1415 O St., according to a news release from the university. The event is free for UNL students with an event pass and faculty and staff with an NCard. Non-university attendees will have to pay a $5 cover charge.
Lincoln Bike Kitchen starts move into former Muny Pool bathhouse
After a long process involving stacks of paperwork, meetings and planning, the Lincoln Bike Kitchen is finally making its move into the Telegraph District near downtown Lincoln. The nonprofit, which repairs bikes and donates them to people who need them, has closed its old location, near First and Garfield streets, this week to make time for the move and will reopen at its new home, the city’s old Muny Pool bathhouse near 21st and M streets, on Monday.
Nebraska Statewide Arboretum fundraiser set for October
The Nebraska Statewide Arboretum will be hosting its Plants & Pints fundraiser to raise money for tree planting, garden creation and environmental education throughout Nebraska next month. The event will take place on Oct. 22 from 7-9 p.m. at Glacial Till Cider House and Tasting Room, 1419 Silver St. in Ashland. It will feature a speech from former executive director of the Arboretum Jim Locklear.
New local bookstore aims to be 'loudly inclusive' of Lincoln readers
Sower Books, 9.4 Sower Books owner Tory Hall stands for a portrait in her store. Hall said she aims to create a safe space for Lincoln readers. The store, in the Meadowlane Shopping Center, also sells artwork made by local creators, postcards and toys. Tory Hall believes in cultivating community. The 34-year-old owner of Sower Books, which opened Monday, aims to create a safe space for Lincoln readers.
Lincoln officials urge caution amid heat; Matt Talbot to open its doors
The National Weather Service issued an excessive heat advisory warning for Sunday with expected heat indexes of up to 110 over the weekend. The heat warning runs from 1-8 p.m. Sunday, with a heat advisory in place Saturday until 1 p.m. Sunday. The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department urged staying cool and hydrated, as well as monitoring weather conditions and heat risk.
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