NIOBRARA - The perennially divisive issue of green energy surfaced during the Tuesday, March 3 meeting of the Niobrara County Republican County Convention. Delegates from the 6-2 South Lusk precinct presented a resolution opposing any rezoning of agricultural land for wind and solar energy projects. Dubbed “Protect Niobrara County,” the resolution represents one more prong of a broader effort to prevent alternative energy projects from taking root in the local area.

NIOBRARA – The Niobrara County School District #1 school board heard from Jason and Shirley ZumBrunnen on March 9 about freeing up time for kids to attend religious activities and family time. Shirley ZumBrunnen asked the school board to consider freeing up Wednesdays next school year for teens who want to attend religious activities. This would ensure the teens would not have to choose between sports and school-related activities. Shirley gave her perspective as a parent concerning this matter.

NIOBRARA COUNTY – Niobrara County Commissioners met with county department heads on March 3 to hear their updates. Kellie Chichester, Community Vitality and Health Extension Educator, reported that the extension office plans to grow a small pumpkin patch with the goal of giving every child a pumpkin at harvest. The goal is to provide those who cannot travel outside of Niobrara County with the opportunity to have that experience with their family and to also bring back another generation to help support the operation. Chichester has obtained funding for the pumpkin project. SkillsUSA will also be helping with this project to give the team the opportunity to engage in a community project and they will assist with the technical aspects of the pumpkin patch. Chichester said that, along with the pumpkin patch, they will continue with their bees and honey and plan to grow flowers again this spring.

LUSK – The Lusk Town Council held a public hearing for citizens to discuss the town’s proposed new zoning of areas during their meeting on March 3. Mayor Doug Lytle read the areas of the town that could be zoned as light industrial, housing, etc. Those in attendance asked several questions about properties where there are concerns about clutter, such as unused vehicles and so on.

LUSK – The Niobrara County High School (NCHS) student council will be hosting a blood drive on March 10, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the NCHS gymnasium. Vtalant will be on hand with their volunteers to take blood. There is a critical need for O-positive and O-negative blood donors, and everyone is encouraged to donate blood. This march nonprofit Vitalant will be giving blood donors the chance to be entered to win $10,000.

Starting this year, the Lusk Herald will cost $3 per issue, and our subscription will increase to $15 per month. We know that is a meaningful change. We also believe our readers deserve a clear and honest explanation of why this is happening — and what it means for the future of local news in Niobrara County.

NIOBRARA COUNTY – With the Recalibration Bill this year, funding has been weighing heavily on school districts across Wyoming. The State of Wyoming, by law, has to recalibrate school funding every five years, and it has not been an easy task for Wyoming lawmakers to consider when funding 48 school districts across the state. During the last two Niobrara County School District #1 (NCSD #1) school board meetings, the recalibration bill initially drew concern due to a lack of funds that would impact NCSD #1.

NIOBRARA COUNTY – Standing strong for Will Johnson, the community showed more support than he would have ever expected, with a benefit auction on February 22 that drew well over 500 community members, family, and friends to support Johnson through his fight with cancer.

NIOBRARA COUNTY – Marcus Erikson updated the commissioners on February 17 during the Niobrara County Commissioners meeting, about the Eastern Wyoming Nature Center and how the building it will reside in still has a way to go with renovations and repairs.

LUSK – The Niobrara County High School (NCHS) Alumni Golf Tournament board is seeking new board members who would be willing to take over the event. According to Jason Wasserburger, current president of the NCHS Alumni Golf Tournament board, five board members will retire this year due to busy schedules and the departure of several members over the past year.

LUSK – The Niobrara County School District #1 (NCSD #1) school board met on February 9 to discuss several topics.

A team of three Seventh Grade students from the Niobrara County SkillsUSA Chapter spent the fall and winter learning new skills and setting goals in preparation for their entry into the State Leadership and Skills Conference coming up in April 2026.  This team, comprising Will Kruse, Tyke Coffman, and Lane Clark, is participating in the American Spirit competition, a three-part project with a strong emphasis on citizenship, patriotism, and community service.  The project officially took flight at the January meeting of the American Legion Post #1 in Lusk. 

LUSK – The Lusk Town Council heard from visitor Sheila Boldon during the council’s meeting on February 3 meeting. Boldon spoke to the council about her collaboration with the High Plains Outdoor Recreation Collaborative, which focuses on Laramie, Platte, Goshen and Niobrara County, and the intent is to create or build on outdoor recreation opportunities within each respective county. According to Boldon, one of the things they would like to build on is the rails-to-trails to enhance outdoor recreation for those who bike across America or simply want to walk the trails across Niobrara County. Boldon said she simply wanted the council to commit to conversations when the opportunity arises.

NIOBRARA COUNTY – Inspire WYou hosts a workshop on February 6 with keynote speaker Leah Peterson, and speakers Kellie Chichester and Sara Olsen. Peterson is a fifth-generation ranch in Northeast Custer County, Nebraska. Her family homesteaded their land in 1878. Peterson attended the University of Nebraska, where she met her husband. After a 10-year hiatus from the ranch, she and her family decided to return to the ranch to work and raise their children.

LUSK – Niobrara County High School graduate, Hattie Nelson, was recently honored as one of five 2026 Wyoming Beef Ambassador (WBA) sponsored by Wyoming CattleWomen. Nelson, along with five other University of Wyoming students, was chosen to help promote and educate about the Wyoming beef industry. Ambassadors were appointed during the 2025 Wyoming Stock Growers Association Annual Winter Roundup Convention and Trade Show.

NIOBRARA COUNTY - A former Niobrara County man accused of multiple sexual offenses involving a minor entered not guilty pleas to all charges during an arraignment in district court this week.

NIOBRARA COUNTY – Niobrara County Commissioners heard from Niobrara County School District #1 (NCSD #1) chairwoman Lexi Ashurst during the commissioners meeting on February 3. This was regarding the appropriate procedure to reduce the number of school board members from nine to seven.

NIOBRARA COUNTY - Niobrara community members always come together when there is someone in need, and the same is the case for Will Johnson. Friends and family of Johnson are preparing to host a benefit to help cover the expenses.

LUSK - Karen Alvis, a student at Colorado Christian University, was awarded a P.E.O. Program for Continuing. Education Grant from the P.E.O. Sisterhood. P.E.O. Chapter I of Lusk, Wyoming, sponsored her.

LUSK – Video and computer gaming has become its own sport. Following this trend, Niobrara County School District #1(NCSD #1) has added Esports (electronic sports) to their list of sport activities. …