News

February is American Heart Month and there is no better time to consider your cardiovascular health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 659,000 people in the U.S.

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) is currently accepting applications for its biggest youth outreach event - the Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute (NAYI). NAYI brings together hundreds of high school juniors and seniors for one week every year to learn more about Nebraska agriculture, network with ag leaders and discover the many careers available in agriculture.

Whatever your flavor, you’ll find it at the 2023 Nebraska State Fair. “Whatever Your Flavor” has been officially unveiled as this year’s State Fair theme.

A card shower has been requested for Dwight Kastens for his 70th birthday. His birthday is Feb.

Nebraska’s Division of Behavioral Health (DBH), a part of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), urges parents and other adults to have real and in-depth conversations with their children during Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. DHHS is one of the providers of funds to The Nebraska Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence.

Are mutts healthier than purebred dogs? This question has been posed many times and the answer tends to be mixed. The general public as well as some veterinarians have attested that mixed breeds, including hybrid ‘designer’ breeds, tend to be less vulnerable to genetic conditions that can affect longevity simply because their gene pools are more diverse. However, ask a breeder who specializes in conscientious breeding that relies on genetic testing, inherited disease testing and temperament control, and he or she will say a purebred dog is healthier. PetMD reports that there are no definitive studies that have produced hard evidence to end the purebred versus mixed breed health debate. However, according to Dr. Sara Wooten, a veterinarian and contributor to PetMD with 16 years of clinical practice experience, mixed breed dogs tend to be healthier and live longer than many of the purebreds she sees in her practice. According to Scientific American, the health issues that have cropped up in purebred dogs have only done so in the last 200 years, despite thousands of years of breeding dogs for certain traits. Standards set for certain breeds in the show ring have resulted in some breeders turning to line breeding, which is a type of inbreeding that mates direct relatives, to produce desired traits and anatomical features. This can cause inherited diseases and exacerbate medical issues. But there are plenty of purebred dogs who live long, healthy lives. The same can be said for mixed breeds; some are hearty, passing the years in good health, while others have their days shortened by illness. Whether an owners picks a mixed breed or a purebred dog, ensuring proper health care with annual wellness visits is vital for the long-term health of the animal. cluding agricultural opportunities available to today’s youth.

February is National Senior Independence Month, which provides an opportunity to celebrate older adults across the state of Nebraska and spread awareness of information and resources that are available to help support them and their independence throughout their journey.

Syracuse-Dunbar-Avoca Middle School has released its second quarter and first semester honor rolls. Eighth-grade students on the second quarter honor roll are: High Honors: Hadyn Berner, Kelsay Engelbrecht, Kaita Kreifels, Luke Kuenning, William Simon, Josh Stinson, Izzy Stubbendick, Nathan Wemhoff, and Brylar Werner.