News

Specialty crops, like fruits and vegetables, and pollinators can be sensitive to pesticides. That’s why the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) is encouraging commercial specialty crop growers, pesticide applicators and beekeepers to work together to protect sensitive crops and pollinators from harmful pesticides. Pesticides include all categories of pest control products such as herbicides, insecticides and fungicides.

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month which brings awareness of the need for people to access life-saving resources that prevent, detect, and treat colorectal cancer (CRC). Early-age onset CRC diagnoses are rising by 2% annually with well over 100,000 new cases each year, and by 2030 it is predicted that CRC will be the leading cause of death in people under age 50.

The Otoe County Board of Commissioners approved reviewing and updating the county’s personnel policy during the board’s March 14 meeting. Board Chair Jerad Sornson appointed a committee consisting of Otoe County District 1 Commissioner Charles Cole, Otoe County Deputy Attorney Sarah Wiltse, Otoe County Assessor Kristi Smallfoot, Otoe County Clerk Jennifer Bassinger, and Otoe County Sheriff Colin Caudill to review the current policy, with the goal of having a revised policy in place by the end of the county’s fiscal year on June 30.

Arrests March 12: Aidan White, Auburn, suspicion of driving under the influence (first offense) and minor in possession of alcohol. March 12: Brian Blevins, Nebraska City, suspicion of driving under the influence (first offense).

At their regularly scheduled meeting on March 8, the Syracuse City Council approved two agenda items for youth activities. Williams Park will again be the site of the Annual Easter Egg Hunt on April 8. The Council also approved the closing of Williams Park low water crossing for the youth portion of the Shamrock Shuffle on March 25.

Blue Rivers Area Agency on Aging has released the senior lunch menu. The menu for the next week is as follows: Friday, March 17: Irish stew, cheesy cabbage, corn bread, fruit.

The Massie-Richards American Legion Auxiliary Unit #100 met at Post Home on March 7, 2023. The minutes for the last meeting were accepted as printed.