NIOBRARA COUNTY - The Christmas spirit will be felt all throughout the town of Lusk in December. Several family-friendly events are slated to mark the beginning of the holidays this Friday. Other similar events are scheduled all month long.

NIOBRARA COUNTY – The Niobrara County Commissioners showed their gratitude by increasing County employees Christmas bonuses this year. News of this bountiful blessing was delivered during the December 3 meeting, which was the first of the commissioners’ gatherings for the month.

LUSK - The Lusk Police Department showed their thankfulness this Thanksgiving with being able to hand out 22 Thanksgiving boxes to the community on November 25. This was their third year of helping to give back to the community.

NIOBRARA COUNTY - This year’s predator hunt, put on by Kyle Gruwell and Clay Moore, was deemed a huge success with 12 teams participating. We were able to harvest 89 coyotes, 12 raccoons, three red foxes, and 27 porcupines. In a 24-hour period. From 1 p.m. on Saturday the November 23 and on Sunday, November 24 at 1 p.m.

NIOBRARA COUNTY - The Niobrara Homemakers annual Christmas Bazaar will be held on December 6, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., and December 7, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Niobrara County Fairgrounds.

LUSK - Kids dodged and ran from cops as shouts echoed across the golf course. Nope, not the cops breaking up an illegal party, just a round of “Cops and Goblins” ultimate hide-and-seek. Middle school through high school had fun running from the cops as dusk approached on Sunday, October 27. 60 youth participated and the Goblins won this time.

LUSK - The Niobrara county Planning and Zoning commission met on Monday October 21. The meeting was a special meeting called to continue revision work on the Land Use Plan. Following a revision meeting earlier in October, the commission met to complete the first round of extensive revisions.

NIOBRARA COUNTY – Niobrara County School District #1 (NCSD #1) board met on October 14. During the meeting, NCSD #1 honored students of the month and listened to two brief presentations from students and the FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) club.

NIOBRARA COUNTY - When Crystal Zerbe received a call from a neighbor concerning a house fire on Kirtley Road, she had no idea that the personal tragedy to which she was about to bear witness would be her own. The morning of Sunday, September 22 had begun peacefully enough. Zerbe had gotten up early to enjoy a cup of coffee with her mother. All seemed right with the world... until the aforementioned phone call.

NIOBRARA COUNTY – Oftedal and Niobrara County High School and Middle School (NCHS) SkillsUSA club members partnered on October 11 to work with heavy equipment to revitalize the Lusk dirt bike …

LUSK - The Lusk Volunteer Fire Department is teaming up with State Farm ® and the National Fire Protection Association ® (NFPA ® ) to promote Fire Prevention Week™, October 6-12, …

LUSK – Volunteer fire fighters manned a different kind of fire on Saturday during the Lusk fire department’s annual BBQ and open house. For the third year running the department thanked the community for their support by offering free burgers, famous “Mayfield” French fries and a cold drink. Held at the municipal fire hall, the BBQ also offered the opportunity for those interested to purchase a chance at the annual rifle and cooler raffle as well.

LUSK – On October 1, Mayor Doug Lytle announced the departure of Coun- cilman Bo Krein during the Town of Lusk meeting. Mayor Lytle thanked councilman Krein for his time and wished him luck. Coun- cilman Krein has moved from Lusk be- cause of his job and, since he is no longer a member of Lusk, he cannot hold his po- sition as a councilman.

NIOBRARA COUNTY – The Niobrara County Commissioners heard from Sheriff Randy Starkey concerning open slots of employment at the Sheriff’s Office during the Niobrara County Commissioners meeting on October 1.

LUSK – The fact that all things come to an end is hard- ly a novel observation. However, some endings come sooner than anticipat- ed. Such is the case for Bo Krein, who is resigning after …

LUSK – LEMS (Lusk Elementary/ Middle School) Community for Kids have planned a last summer bash for the community. On August 9 LEMS Community for Kids will host a free swim at Lusk Tiger

LUSK – For two days, the VFW (Veteran’s Foreign Wars) Post #3511 hosted a community outreach program with a plethora of information that ranged from what the VFW does to how many different programs that veterans and their families can take advantage of.

NIOBRARA COUNTY - Recently, the NEA (Niobrara Electric Association) Board of Directors nominated Jack Hammond for the prestigious Craig Thomas Award presented at the WREA Fall Conference in Sheridan, Wyoming. The following was submitted by John Hester: “At the request of the Niobrara Electric Association’s Board of Directors and my own interaction with this local legend - a man of exemplary virtue and a much-respected character, I would like to nominate Jack Hammond for the Craig Thomas Award.

LUSK - The Lusk Volunteer Fire Department will be hosting their fourth annual BBQ and raffle on October 5 at 11 a.m. at the Fire House.

NIOBRARA COUNTY - Niobrara County citizens had the opportunity to dispose of hazardous waste during the Niobrara County Conservation District’s hazardous waste day on September 20.