UPDATE: Nebraska saw it’s biggest one day jump in coronavirus cases(311) on Thursday as the state surged past 2,000 cases. The Central District Health Department area now reports over 700 cases and 19 deaths. An increase of 62 cases from yesterday. 664 cases are in Hall County. Hall County also reported another death Thursday- a man in his 60s- now bring the total to 19 deaths in the county.
Two Rivers Public Health Department reported 70 new cases yesterday – including 56 in Dawson County – bringing that county’s total to 256 and the district’s total to 344.
UPDATE: The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services is deploying aggressive contact tracing teams to Hall and Madison Counties today to assist in local efforts.
UPDATE: Almost 50,000 Nebraskans have already registered in Nebraska’s new coronavirus initiative. The state is preparing to launch 540,000 tests. Testing is free and will be initially focused on front line workers. For the online assesment go to www.testnebraska.com.
UPDATE: The Department of Nebraska Athletic Committee has canceled all Area and State Legion baseball post season playoff tournaments. All Tournament Host sites will remain the same for the 2021 season. According to Legion Baseball officials an abbreviated season may still take place this summer. The Committee will also allow local communities and regional areas to conduct their own tournaments as they see fit based on current restrictions. The Covid-19 pandemic forced national Legion officials to cancel the 2020 Legion World Series and regional tournaments.
UPDATE: The June 9th Elton John concert in Lincoln has been postponed.
Nebraska Good News about The Good Life:
UPDATE: Grand Island Public Schools has announced some changes to their meal system. To minimize contact they will now distribute five days of food ONLY one day a week. Starting Tuesday, April 29th they will begin Tuesday distribution to all locations from 11-12:30. For more go to www.GIPS.org
UPDATE: Shout out to Kool Aid Man who has made recent special appearances in the Hastings area. Kool Aid man has been spotted at area nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other spots! Check out Kool Aid Days on Facebook for pictures and updates! Kool Aid Days is still planned for August 9th-12th in Hastings!
UPDATE: Nebraska corn farmers will plant 10.5 million acres of corn in 2020 according to the latest Prospective Plantings report released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This is nearly a 4% increase from last year’s total planted corn acres. If these planting estimates hold up, Nebraska corn farmers will invest nearly $2.7 billion dollars into the state’s economy over a two-month period.
UPDATE: Bosselman Enterprises in cooperation with the Nebraska Ethanol Board and the University of Nebraska Innovation Campus recently distributed free ethanol-based hand sanitizer to area businesses. Hit up Bosselman and Pump and Pantry’s Social media for updates.
UPDATE: The Rocky Mountain Country Music Awards recently held their ceremony virtually. Congratulations to our partner NebraskaLand Days for winning Event of the Year!
The City of Hastings has opened up Fisher Fountain early as a beacon of hope in these times.
Horse racing at Fonner Park in Grand Island will be extended into May. The Nebraska State Racing Commission unanimously voted in favor of a 12-day extension that will begin May 4 and run through May 31. Fonner Park is one of only five tracks around the country holding races. The races are still held without spectators. Food is available for take out. For more to to www.fonnerpark.com
GIVE Where you Live Hastings IS going on NOW through May 7th! Head to the website givehastings.org to donate to 91 Adams County non profits!
It’s a night of prayer and worship for front line workers! Friday, May 1st at the far North parking lot of Mary Lanning Hospital in Hastings from 8:30-9pm. Participants are asked to please stay in vehicles.
You can keep yourself safe in these times, show your Husker spirit, AND help Nebraska Food Banks. Husker Face Masks are on sale right now at the shop at NRG sister property huskermax.com. The masks are handmade, available in four styles, and will ship in early May. GO HERE: http://www.shophuskermax.com/houndsmax-huskers-mask-ships-in-may.aspx
The 10th Annual Hastings Do The Brew has been postponed until Oct 3rd BUT they will be doing a digital event at their Facebook on the originally scheduled date this Saturday (April 25).
Our partner Kearney Cinema 8 is offering HUGE bags of their delicious theatre popcorn for $25! The bag comes with TWO free movie passes. Bags are available for pick up at Kearney Cinema 8 and at HyVee in Kearney.